101718 - Southern California Midweek Edition

October 17-19, 2018 Volume 28 - No. • 3 Sections - 22 Pages

US gov’t announces new P1.35-B Marawi project

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

THE United States government has a launched the Marawi Response Project, which aims to improve economic and social conditions of communities affected by the conflict last year.

In May 2017, ISIS-inspired local terrorists sieged Marawi City, resulting to a declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim announced the P1.35-billion project that expands livelihood activities in the city and nearby areas, the U.S. Embassy ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte salutes one of the wounded soldiers he visited at the Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, October 15. Accompanying the President is Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go of the Office U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim laid a wreath at a memorial for soldiers killed in action during the said in a statement.

Marawi Siege.

DATELINE

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Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

USA

by AJPRESS

Trump administration releases proposed public charge regulations New proposal could affect 24 million immigrants, including those previously eligible for green cards

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PH election to UN rights committee draws criticisms

DESPITE rights groups’ complaints, the Philippines has been re-elected in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday, October 12, through an uncontested balloting in the UN General Assembly.

According to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the country’s election “puts pressure” on the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to “address numerous allegations of rights violations.”

The Philippines is one of the 18 countries that made it to the 47-member council. It received 165 out of the 192 votes cast by UN member states and would serve another threeyear term in the council starting next year.

Presidential spokesperson and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said, “The Philippines’ election … is a recognition that our government respects human rights and will not tolerate abuse by those in authority.”

“Getting a seat in the [UNHRC] is a repudiation of the critics and detractors on the presi-

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Malacañang photo by Simeon Celis

Roxas, Marcos, others submit COCs as filing period continues

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

LAST week on Wednesday, October 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its proposed changes to the public charge regulations.

The proposal seeks to expand what will be scrutinized on the “public charge” test, which is a measure used to identify those who depend on certain public assistance programs, and a person deemed a public charge via this test may be denied a green card or visa.

According to the proposals which have been posted to the Federal Register, the “DHS seeks to better ensure that [undocumented immigrants] subject to the public charge inadmissibility ground are self-sufficient, i.e., do not depend on public re-

of the Special Assistant to the President.

Sen. Cynthia Villar

Sen. Grace Poe and Susan Roces ManilaTimes.net photos by DJ DIosina

VARIOUS candidates submitted their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the senatorial, mayoral and congressional posts at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headquarters on the fourth day of filing.

Leading Tuesday’s (October 16) early birds was Liberal Party’s 2016 presidential bet and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

He announced his senatorial bid

in a video posted on his Facebook account on Monday night, October 15.

“I wanted to become a president because to my mind I have solutions to the problems of the country. But it didn’t happen and I accept that. That’s life,” he said, adding that, while that chapter of his life might be over, he is not a quitter.

“I don’t give up. And I’m not going to quit on our country that’s why I’m here,” Roxas added.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee

Marcos also filed her certificate of candidacy for a senatorial post.

She will run under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.

“I believe I can contribute much to our country when it comes to the economy,” Marcos said, citing some of the country’s problems including inflation and the rising prices of commodities.

Seeking another term, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV submitted his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator, as well.

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Aquino, former Cabinet officials, CPP has another ‘plan’ to oust Duterte - military senators face raps over DAP

by DEMPSEY

REYES ManilaTimes.net

by AJPRESS FORMER President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, along with with some of his cabinet officials, and incumbent opposition senators are facing 274 counts of alleged malversation of public funds acquired through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Truth and Justice Coalition President Greco Belgica on Monday, October 15, led the filing of the complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman.

“So nag-file po tayo ngayon ng ating kaso against DAP... dahil sa pag-

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Former President Benigno Aquino III

Inquirer.net photo

Abby-Junjun feud brings Nancy to tears

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

In separate interviews at the Inquirer office, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay and her brother Junjun Binay, who intends to challenge her in the 2019 polls, explain why they are not backing down from the fight. Abby shows a document stating she’s the official candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, the party headed by their father, while Junjun asserts that there was a family agreement for his sister to serve just one term.

Inquirer.net photos

SENATOR Nancy Binay admitted on Tuesday, October 16, having shed tears over the ongoing rivalry between her siblings who are both gunning for the mayorship of Makati City.

The senator’s brother, former Makati City mayor JunJun Binay, has already filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor. He will run against their sister, incumbent Makati Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay, who has publicly announced her reelection bid next year.

“Ang dami na naming luha, ang dami ng luha na ‘to (We

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THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has another “rolling plan” to oust President Rodrigo Duterte to mark its golden anniversary in December, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday, October 15.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, made the warning days after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana remarked that the alleged “Red October” plot aimed to remove Duterte from office had fizzled out.

“What we are calling that is a rolling plan since they want to throw a grand celebration of their 50th anniversary this December,” Arevalo said in an interview over radio dzMM. The CPP will be commemorate its 50th founding anniversary on December 26.

Arevalo said the supposed “Red October” plot stumbled after the military exposed it and after they came up with a list of colleges and universities that are allegedly being used as recruitment hubs by communist rebels.

“Their [plotters] main goal is to destabilize the government and manage the downfall of the current administration,” he added.

Arevalo said the military is continuously conducting intelligence and combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing.

He cited a recent armed clash in Nueva Ecija on Saturday afternoon that resulted in the arrest of supposedly four female NPA rebels, one of whom was a student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

The PUP was among schools listed by the military allegedly being used as recruitment venues, along with the University of the Philippines (Diliman and Manila campuses), Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, Far Eastern University, University of the East (Caloocan and Recto campuses) and San

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From the Front Page

Aquino, former Cabinet officials face...

PAGE A1 kaka-lustay nila ng pera ng taumbayan, para i-impeach ang Chief Justice na si Renato Corona. (We filed a case today against DAP… because they misappropriated public funds to impeach then Chief Justice Renato Corona),” Belgica, who also heads the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), said.

Others accused in the case include Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who was chair of the Senate Committee on Finance under the Aquino administration; Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV; then Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II; then Budget Secretary Florencio Abad; and then Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, who was later appointed as transportation sec-

retary by Aquino.

“Of course ang sinasabi po nila dito, this was used for a public purpose, but it’s not. (Of course what they’re saying here is that this was used for a public purpose, but it’s not.) It was used for influencing the legislators to vote for the impeachment of Corona,” Belgica said.

According to him, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has found solid proof pointing to alleged ghost projects of Trillianes after he had asked them to pursue the filing of cases against Aquino and others earlier this year.

“Nakakuha tayo ng mga ebidensya ng ghost projects in Trillanes, mga confession nila former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, nila Bong Revilla. Tapos ‘yong dates kung kailan it was released, ‘yong cash allocations. Lahat po ‘yan are official pieces of evidence. (We were able to get evidence on the ghost projects of Trillanes, confessions of former Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla. And then there are also the dates when the funds were released, the cash allocations. All of that are official pieces of evidence),” Belgica said.

The DAP, a program implemented by the previous administration, was designed to accelerate spending on projects and boost economic growth. Several of its critics had pointed out that the DAP was used to allocate funds for senators who would vote in favor of Corona’s impeachment.

The funding method was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2014 for violating constitutional provisions that bar cross-border transfer of savings to agencies outside the executive branch and to projects outside the approved national budget.

Belgica said the filing of cases was not an attack on the personalities opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte.

He suggested that those in the opposition should file similar complaints against their opponents as well, as long as the complaints could be backed by evidence.

“On issues na tinitira lang natin sila politically or namimili, wala hong katotohanan ‘yon, dahil tayo evidence-based lang. (On the issue that we are being selective and being politically motivated, that’s not true at all, because we are evidence-based),” he said. n

AFFORDABLE RICE. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol helps Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) personnel in the preparation of five kilos of NFA rice, sold at P39 per kilo during the opening of the “Tienda Farmers and Fishersfolk Outlet Malasakit Store” at the Lakeshore Hall in Barangay Lower Bicutan, Taguig City.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

US gov’t announces new P1.35-B...

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The Marawi Response Project is a three-year project of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that will offer micro grants to displaced and host communities in the war-torn city.

These grants will address shortterm needs, support employment readiness for the youth and help connect them to Mindanao’s service sector.

“The U.S. government shares the concern of the Philippine government for ongoing economic, social, health and education needs of the people of Marawi and neighboring municipalities,” Kim said.

Kim was in Marawi City when he announced the project. He met with Lanao del Sur Gov. Bedjoria Adiong, Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra and Joint Task Force Ranao commander Brig. Gen. Ramiro Rey. The latest USAID project in Marawi brings the total funding commitment of the U.S. to Marawi response to nearly P3.2 billion.

The American envoy also announced the launch of the Empowering Madrasa Educator 2 program, which is worth an estimated P12.7 million.

This is a second iteration of

PAGE A1 have cried so much. There is so much tears),” the senator told reporters at the Senate when asked about her sister, who became emotional in a television interview on Monday, October 15.

“Gusto ko nga paggising ko, pwede, matutulog na lang ako ulit (What I want is when I wake up is to go back to sleep),” Binay added in jest.

As the eldest, Senator Binay said she does not interfere with the issues of her siblings.

“Ay hindi ako nakikialam.

Mabait akong ate, hindi ako nagdidikta (I don’t get involved. I’m a older sister, I don’t command them),” she said.

Besides, she said, the rivalry between her siblings was beyond their family.

The senator pointed out that there are other people that they also have to consider, like their constituents in Makati.

Her family, she said, has to make a “sacrifice” to give the people of Makati an option to choose their leader.

the U.S. Embassy’s project that provides long-term training to 175 madrasa educators and 24 madrasa administrators from Marawi, Lanao del Sur and other Mindanao communities.

The program seeks to improve English proficiency and computer literacy among the madrasa.

“This effort, along with the U.S. Embassy’s training for Mindanaoan public school teachers through American English workshops and online courses, will help educators in Mindanao improve their students’ educational and economic opportunities by enhancing the quality of instruction,” the U.S. Embassy said. n

Abby-Junjun feud brings Nancy...

But the senator said their priority now is to “isolate” their children from whatever issues they have within the family.

“Syempre, ang hirap ng dynamics namin ngayong pamilya (Of course, our family dynamics are complicated right now),” she said.

“But, number 1 siguro priority naming magkakapatid is to isolate kids doon sa away na nagaganap… (Our numbet 1 priority is not to let our kids get involved to what’s happening in the family),” the senator said. n

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Dateline USa

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 17-19, 2018

A

Deportation order based on Hidden drugs and danger lurk in over‘hearsay info, sloppy intel’, Fox says the-counter supplements, study finds er,” the Reply read.

“The report is also based on hearsay information, sloppy inAUSTRALIAN nun Patricia telligence report by mere social Fox on Monday, October 15, media stalking,” she also said, filed an additional pleading in adding: “Hence, there is no suba bid to overturn the Bureau of stantial evidence to support the Immigration’s deportation order decision in this case because against her. hearsay information is not eviRep. Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis dence.” party-list) accompanied Fox in Immigration spokesperson filing her Reply to BI’s Com- Antonette Mangrobang earlier ment on her appeal to the De- said that its board, when ruling partment of Justice on Monday on the cancellation of the Ausafternoon. tralian nun’s visa, “specifically Fox, in her pleading, said that cited a photograph taken of Fox the Immigration bureau’s de- last April 7 in Davao City where portation order was based on she was seen holding a placard hearsay. demanding the release of all po“The report of Agent [Melody] litical prisoners in the country.”

Gonzales failed to provide the ‘Not political or partisan acproper context of the activities tivities’ participated [in] by the petitionWhile Fox admitted having

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

joined rallies or assemblies of farmers and indigenous peoples, she asserted: “They are not political or partisan activities for or against the government but simply to help promote and protect the rights of the poor and the needy.”

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra was quoted by the PTV4 as saying: “If the Bureau of Immigration will not file for any further pleading, Sister Fox’s petition for review will be deemed submitted for decision.”

The Immigration bureau also junked Fox’s appeal to renew her missionary visa, which expired last September 5. Fox was ordered to file for temporary visitor’s visa that has a validity of 59 days. n

EVERYONE has seen the ads or the products on the shelves.

A dietary supplement that promises to make consumers skinny, without dieting or exercise. Or the one that will bulk them up and turn them into the envy of other weightlifters at the gym. Not to mention the one to make them perform better in the bedroom.

Their labels say they are safe and all-natural. But are they?

Many of these products contain unapproved and unregulated pharmaceutically active ingredients, according to a study published Friday in JAMA Network Open. The authors wrote that the substances represent “a serious public health concern.”

Researchers from the California Department of Public Health found that, from 2007 to 2016, 776 products marketed as dietary supplements contained hidden active ingredients that are unsafe or unstudied. Among them, dapoxetine, an antidepressant that is not approved in the United States; and sibutramine, which was included in some weight-loss supplements but was banned from the U.S. market in 2010 because of cardiovascular risks.

“It’s mind-boggling to imagine what’s happening here,” said Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of his top aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in Massachusetts. Cohen wasn’t after he filed his Certificate of Candidacy.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina involved in the study but wrote

Roxas, Marcos, others submit COCs...

PAGE A1 He reminded voters that he was one of the senators who opposed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law from the very beginning — a law that purportedly cause the recordhigh inflation rates.

“We have to reach the Senate again to be an alternative voice.

In many ways, that has been my role there. We opposed the TRAIN law. In the end, there were only four of us who said no to the TRAIN law, and we continue to speak out on the problems of the Filipino family regarding the rising prices of goods,” he said.

According to Aquino, 2019 elections will be tougher, but he thinks “it is more important now to have an alternative voice in the Senate.”

Surprising everyone is former senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who announced his decision to run for senator over a phone call with Inquirer. He said he

Sen. Jose Victor Ejercito

wanted to “join the fun,” and that he will be filing his COC this afternoon.

“I’m 95 (years old) but you know, you don’t need a wrestler in the Senate. You need somebody who understands the problems and the solutions (of the country),” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any limitation on the age. It’s just a question if you can work there,” he added.

Other personalities who also filed their COCs are Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, who vowed to push for the rights of women and children; human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, who is one of the 10 children of late senator and Commission on Human Rights founding chair Jose “Pepe” Diokno; and Former Quezon Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III. Meanwhile, Sens. Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, JV Ejercito, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go filed their certificates of candidacy on Monday. n

CPP has another ‘plan’ to oust...

PAGE A1 Beda University.

Arevalo recalled the death of Josephine Lapira, a UP student, who was killed in an encounter with Philippine Army troops in Nasugbu, Batangas, in November last year.

“This (incident) is enough proof that the CPP is exerting its efforts to recruit within schools in our country as mentioned before, to also make them active in participating in such plans to destabilize the government,” he said. n

Pangrehiyong awtoridad sa riles ng timog California (southern California regional rail authority, sCrra)

Paunawa sa PamPublikong Pagdinig / Paunawa sa Panukalang Pagbaba ng Pamasahe, Pagsasa-ayos ng Patakaran sa Pamasahe Ang Pangrehiyong Awtoridad sa Riles ng Timog California (SCRRA) ay magtipun-tipon para sa isang pampublikong pagdinig sa Pagpupulong ng Lupon ng Mga Direktor, sa Biyernes, Nobyembre 9, 2018 upang suriin ang mga potensyal na pagbabago sa patakaran sa pamasahe na may layuning dagdagan ang pagtaas ng bilang ng pasahero ng linya ng San Bernardino. Tatalakayin sa pagdinig ang kasalukuyang pang-promosyon na 25% na diskwento sa San Bernardino Line na isinakatuparan noong Hulyo 1, 2018 at magtatapos sa Disyembre 31, 2018. Ang Awtoridad ay kasalukuyang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga naapektuhan na mga miyembrong ahensya na gawing permanente ang diskwento upang mapanatili ang mga kasalukuyang pasahero at patuloy na palaguin ang bilang ng pasahero sa linyang iyon.

Ang pampublikong pagdinig ay malilista sa agenda ng Pagtitipon ng Lupon ng mga Direktor ng SCRRA sa: Biyernes, Nobyembre 9, 2018 sa 10:00 ng umaga.

Southern California Associated Governments (SCAG) Policy Room B 900 Wilshire Blvd.,Suite 1700 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Ang impormasyon tungkol sa mga ipinanukalang pagsasaayos ng pamasahe, mga pagbabago sa patakaran sa pamasahe at mga pagpapatibay ng patakaran ay maaaring makita para sa pampublikong inspeksyon sa website ng Metrolink sa [> [> www.metrolinktrains. com <] <o sa punong tanggapan ng SCRRA, na matatagpuan sa [> 900 Wilshire Blvd ., Suite 1500 <] Los Angeles, CA 90017 sa regular na oras ng Lunes hanggang Biyernes, mula 8 ng umaga hanggang 4 ng hapon. Ang mga komento at suhestiyon ay maaaring isumite nang pasalita o nakasulat sa pampublikong pagdinig, o i-post nang maaga sa pampublikong pagdinig sa pamamagitan ng pagklik sa opsyon na “eComment” upang magsumite ng isang kagyat na komento na electronic sa www.metrolinktrains.com/ecomments, o sa pamamagitan ng koreo kung natanggap nang maaga sa pampublikong pagdinig sa atensyon ng Metrolink Fares sa punong tanggapan ng SCRRA, o i-fax sa atensyon ng Metrolink Fares bago ang pagdinig sa (213) 452-0421. Ang lahat ng mga komento sa publiko, anuman ang paraan ng komunikasyon, ay dapat isumite at matanggap nang hindi lalampas sa Oktubre 31, 2018. Ang bagay na ito ay maaaring ipagpatuloy ng Lupon sa ibang pagkakataon o petsa sa sarili nitong pagpapasya.

CNS# 3182968

a commentary published alongside the research.

The California researchers based their findings on an analysis of a Food and Drug Administration database that identifies “tainted” supplements.

“The study lays a foundation for ongoing enforcement work in this area, by the FDA and other partner agencies, to curb the illegal manufacture, importation, distribution, and sales of adulterated dietary supplements,” CDPH spokesman Corey Egel said in an email.

Being tainted or adulterated means the product contains active ingredients not listed on the label that fly under the FDA’s radar.

Dietary supplements aren’t classified by the FDA as drugs.

They are instead considered foods. They include vitamins, minerals and botanicals, among other things. They are not intended to treat or prevent disease and are not subject to premarket safety and efficacy testing that drugs undergo.

The FDA database tracked problems that emerged during “post-market surveillance” — for instance, adverse events reports and consumer complaints — when bottles were already in consumers’ medicine cabinets.

These issues generally draw FDA warning letters and agency requests for voluntary recalls by the manufacturer.

With an estimated 50 percent of Americans consuming some

type of supplement, researchers note that the $35 billion industry is a big business.

But Duffy MacKay, senior vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the supplement industry’s Council for Responsible Nutrition, noted that with between 50,000 and 80,000 supplement labels on the market, 776 tainted products is serious but not widespread.

Of the adulterated products, nearly 46 percent were for sexual performance, 41 percent were for weight loss and 12 percent were for building muscle. Ingredients like sildenafil, the active drug in Viagra, and ephedrine, a stimulant banned from diet pills since 2004, were found in supplements. Anabolic steroids, or ingredients like them, were in 73 of the musclebuilding supplements.

Nearly a fifth of these supplements contained more than one unapproved ingredient.

“Adulterated dietary supplements have the potential to cause adverse health effects both on their own and also in combination with other medications an individual may be taking,” the authors wrote.

Cohen agreed, noting that a patient with heart disease might be told to steer clear of prescription erectile dysfunction meds because they could interact with other prescription medications and dangerously lower the consumer’s blood pressure.

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Dateline USa

A OctOber 17-19, 2018 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

Trump administration releases proposed...

PAGE A1 sources to meet their needs, but rather rely on their own capabilities as well as the resources of family members, sponsors and private organizations.”

Unsurprisingly, many lawmakers and immigrant rights organizations condemned the changes as another attempt by the Trump administration to deter undocumented immigrants from the possibility of citizenship.

The test previously did not include health, nutrition and housing programs like Medicaid and Section 8, but the proposed changes seek to include such public assistance programs. The proposal also identifies a likely public charge as someone who has an income below 125 percent of the federal poverty level, which as of 2018, is $25,975 for a family of three.

That means that an individual making less than $15,000 a year, or a family of four with a total income less than $31,000, would be unfavorably weighted and could be denied a visa or green card.

“This is another attack on immigrant families by the Trump administration,” U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA27) said at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 15 at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles. “What’s worse is that the proposed changes set up an elitist system

Pres. Donald Trump

White House file photo

[and] essentially puts a price tag on staying in this country. An immigrant’s worth should not be measured by how much they make — that has never been an American value.”

Nearly 40 percent of green card holders each year are of Asian and Pacific Island (API) descent, and large swaths of undocumented APIs rely on MediCal, according to Penny Chen, member and community service manager at Asian Pacific Health Care Ventures.

Chen said that 62 percent of her organization’s Medi-Cal patients are API patients, and “many of them are scared and confused because of the pro-

posed public charge rule,” and that the new changes have discouraged patients — even those with green cards — from applying for Medi-Cal. Other programs that could affect a person’s public charge test include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Overall, the changes could affect an estimated 24 million people, including 9 million children, according to the Fiscal Policy Institute.

Currently, the proposal is open for public comments and the proposed changes are not in effect. Immigrant families are still encouraged to apply for and utilize public benefits while the proposal pends authorization.

“We will not stand for this xenophobic attack on our communities. This is the time to take action and prevent the proposed public charge rules from taking effect,” Reshma Shamasunder, vice president of program strategy at Advancing Justice - LA, said on Monday, urging the public to call their representatives or submit a comment to the proposal.

The public has until Dec. 10 to submit comments to the proposal. After that, the DHS will review the comments and publish the final order, after which the changes will be valid. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Drugmakers funnel millions to lawmakers; a few dozen get $100,000-plus

by EmmariE

HuEttEman and SydnEy Lupkin Kaiser Health News

BEFORE the midterm elections heated up, dozens of drugmakers had already poured about $12 million into the war chests of hundreds of members of Congress.

Since the beginning of last year, 34 lawmakers have each received more than $100,000 from pharmaceutical companies.

Two of those — Reps. Kevin McCarthy of California, the House Republican majority leader, and Greg Walden of Oregon, a key Republican committee chairman — each received more than $200,000, a new Kaiser Health News database shows.

Republicans are not the only beneficiaries of drugmaker largesse, however. In California, seven of the top 10 recipients are Democrats, including Rep. Linda Sanchez, whose $144,500 in pharmaceutical contributions puts her second to McCarthy among Golden State congressional members. Rep. Scott Peters, also a Democrat, tallied more than $100,000 in drug company donations, as did Rep. Mimi Walters, a Republican.

California’s senior U.S. senator, Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, has received $35,000 in pharmaceutical money since the start of 2017. The state’s junior senator, uct as the cause of a health Democrat Kamala Harris, has problem or to know that such received nothing from the industhings should be reported to try. In April, Harris joined other Democratic 2020 presidential the FDA. “In fact,” the researchers prospects vowing not to accept wrote, “poison control centers money from corporate PACs. As voters prepare to go to the received over 1,000 more reports of adverse events associ- polls, they can use a new daated with dietary supplements tabase, “Pharma Cash to Conuse than the FDA did over a 3- gress,” tracking up to 10 years of pharmaceutical company contriyear-period.”

There’s little the FDA can or butions to any or all members of will do once a bad actor is iden- Congress, illuminating drugmaktified. Supplement recalls aren’t ers’ efforts to influence legislalike food recalls, Cohen said. tion.

The drug industry ranks among With supplements, the FDA can only notify a company that lawmakers’ most generous patheir products have unapproved trons. In the past decade, memingredients. It’s up to the com- bers of Congress have received pany to conduct a voluntary re- $79 million from 68 pharma political action committees, or call.

“The recall process itself has PACs, run by employees of comcompletely broken down as far panies that make drugs treating everything from cancer to erecas I can tell,” Cohen said.

This story was produced by tile dysfunction.

Drugmakers’ campaign conKaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the tributions have reached recordbreaking levels in recent years Kaiser Family Foundation. n as skyrocketing drug prices have become a hot-button political issue. By June 30, 52 PACs funded by pharmaceutical companies and their trade organizations had given about $12 million to members of Congress for this election cycle. It is unclear whether drugmakers will top their previous 10year record of $16 million, given during the 2016 election season.

While PAC contributions to candidates are limited, a larger donation frequently accompanies individual contributions from the company’s executives and other employees. It also sends a clear message to the recipient, campaign finance experts say, one they may remember when lobbyists come calling: There’s more where that came from.

The KHN analysis shows that, as in the case of California, pharmaceutical companies tend to

Hidden drugs and danger...

PAGE A1 Instead, that patient turns to over-the-counter supplements that are marketed as all-natural, thinking this product will not pose the risks he was warned about. “And that’s very worrisome,” said Cohen.

The study authors wrote that these adulterated dietary supplements “are consumed under the presumption of safety and have the potential to cause dangerous consequences in cases of misuse or overdose.”

Cohen suggested looking for supplements with a single ingredient, because they probably will have a lower likelihood of containing secret, harmful ingredients. And never trust a supplement that definitively says it can improve your health.

That advice was echoed by MacKay, from the supplement industry’s trade group, who said outrageous claims about weight

loss or body building are red flags.

These products are sold online or by shady retailers and have ridiculous names like “Ball Refill” or “Weekend Prince,” he said.

“There is such a difference between legitimate products and these products,” he added, noting that these “very extreme products” are marketed to “a consumer base that may be OK with this kind of illegal stuff.”

That could include, he said, consumers who are “gym rats” and people who want Viagra without a prescription.

But earlier research conducted by Cohen and cited in this study offered a different lens through which to consider the numbers. It pointed to shortcomings in the postmarketing surveillance system, especially the inability of physicians and consumers to identify an adulterated prod-

play the field, giving to a wide swath of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The drug industry favors power. Since the beginning of 2017, drugmakers contributed to 217 Republicans and 187 Democrats, giving only slightly more on average to Republicans, who currently control both chambers of Congress. This was also the case for Democrats during the 2010 election cycle, when they controlled Congress.

As with other industries, drugmakers tend to give more to lawmakers in leadership roles.

For example, Rep. Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, became speaker of the House halfway through the 2016 election cycle, prompting drugmakers to pour $75,000 more into his war chest than they had the previous cycle.

Money also tends to flow to members of congressional committees with jurisdiction over pharmaceutical issues that can affect things like drug pricing and FDA approval. Walden, a nine-term Republican congressman, has watched his coffers swell with help from drugmaker PACs since he became chairman of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce in early 2017.

With six months to go in the 2018 cycle, Walden had already raised an additional $71,000 over the 2016 cycle — or 11 times more than drugmakers gave him a decade ago.

Asked to comment on the increase in Walden’s contributions from drugmakers, Zach Hunter, his committee spokesman, called attention to Walden’s work to lower prescription drug prices and said “no member of Congress has done more” to end the opioid crisis.

Pharmaceutical company PACs also gave to dozens of other members of committees, such as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. And they appear to target congressional districts that are home to their headquarters and other facilities.

The PAC for Purdue Pharma, the embattled opioid manufac-

turer, gave to only a handful of members this cycle. However, it focused much of its giving on lawmakers from North Carolina, its headquarters for manufacturing and technical operations.

This election cycle, 28 percent of lawmakers did not receive any contributions from pharmaceutical PACs. Under federal law, corporations cannot donate directly to political candidates. Exploiting a common loophole, they instead set up PACs, funded by money collected from employees. Those PACs then donate to campaigns, which are free to spend that money as they wish on necessities like advertising or campaign events.

Campaign contributions tell only part of the story. Drugmakers also spend millions of dollars lobbying members of Congress directly and give to patient advocacy groups, which provide patients to testify on Capitol Hill and organize social media campaigns on drugmakers’ behalf.

A previous investigation by Kaiser Health News, “Pre$cription for Power,” examined charitable giving by top drugmakers and found that 14 of them donated a combined $116 million to patient advocacy groups in 2015 alone.

And like other industries, pharmaceutical companies wield their political power in ways veiled from the public, giving to “dark money” groups and super PACs — independent groups barred from directly donating to or coordinating with campaigns — bent on swaying lawmaking.

Brendan Fischer, who directs federal reform programs at the Campaign Legal Center, cautioned that a campaign contribution from a corporate PAC does not directly translate into a vote in the drugmaker’s favor.

“Contributions help keep the door open for company lobbyists,” he said.

Kaiser Health News data editor Elizabeth Lucas contributed to this story.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

PH election to UN rights committee...

PAGE A1 dent’s unrelenting war [on] illegal drugs,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that the fresh mandate from the UN General Assembly is a “vindication” of the president’s anti-drugs campaign.

“Our successful bid to keep our seat in the council is proof that the Philippines respects and protects human rights, and has seen through the efforts of some to politicize and weaponize the issue,” Cayetano said.

‘Hypocritical’ While the Malacañang is pleased with the country’s re-election, it drew sharp criticism from rights groups and the United States.

According to former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Friday’s vote demonstrated why the United States was right to withdraw from the council, which Washington called a “hypocritical” body that “makes a mockery of human rights.”

Each voting region agreed in advance on 18 candidates to be in the running for 18 seats, “thus removing competition” — this is the first time this happened since the council was created in 2006.

Activists were quick to criticize the election of the Philippines, as well as Somalia, Bahrain, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Eritrea.

They dismissed the countries as “unqualified” due to their human rights records.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) earlier urged the United Nations and its members to keep the Philippines and several other countries out of the council.

The rights groups said the

Duterte administration had left thousands of drug suspects dead in a “killing frenzy.”

HRW and other groups claim the death toll in the country is much higher than the 4,800 recorded by the administration itself.

‘Help the government’ Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday, October 15, asked critics of the country’s election to the UNHRC to help the government instead.

According to him, the detractors of the Duterte administration should not shame the country when other countries have not found any proof of human rights violations. “‘Iyong ibang bansa wala silang nakikitang paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Siguro tayo, kung meron, might as well help the government instead of pinapahiya na lang natin ‘yong ating bansa in other countries (Other countries cannot find human rights violations in our operations. We might as well help the government instead of shaming our country),” the PNP chief said.

“Mas maganda pa sigurong magpasalamat and probably help the government na kung talagang meron silang nakikita (It may be advisable to thank the government and probably help if they can see any human rights violation),” he added.

Albayalde said the PNP is honored with the country’s election to the UNHRC as it indicates that international communities recognize the improved approach of the country to human rights.

“The Philippines’ election to the

Former Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

UNHRC is a clear manifestation of the international community’s recognition of our steady progress in fulfilling international human rights obligations,” he said.

The PNP chief also urged the critics to thank other countries for recognizing the Philippines’ effort.

“Dapat nga magpasalamat tayo dahil majority of the countries worldwide ay ni-recognize ang ating bansa, I don’t know kung anong reason kung bakit ‘yong ibang tao ay iba ang pananaw kapag ganyan, pabor iyong desisyon sa ating bansa. Dapat siguro tayo ay magpasalamat (We should be grateful that majority of countries worldwide recognized our country. I don’t know why other people have different views. The decision was favorable to us),” he said.

He reiterated that respecting human rights is part of the police’s policy, as well.

“Human rights is well-entrenched, it is an institutional policy actually, it is a part of our standard,” he assured. n

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Government slashes 2018 economic growth outlook, sees higher inflation

elevated inflation expectations on consumer spending, which and temper consumer demand accounts for about seven-tenths Philstar.com that could have lifted prices. of the Philippine economy.

Some analysts expect economThe Asian Development Bank, MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Philippine policymakers have slashed their 2018 ic growth to continue to deceler- the International Monetary Fund growth forecast for the economy ate over the second semester and the World Bank have reamid high inflation, which they of the year as tighter monetary cently downgraded their growth expect to remain elevated this policy and higher inflation weigh PAGE A7 year before easing in 2019.

At the end of its 174th meeting, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee adjusted its gross domestic product growth target range to 6.5-6.9 percent for 2018, lower than their initial estimate of 7-8 percent.

Economic growth targets for 2019 and 2022 were unchanged.

Meanwhile, the DBCC now sees inflation averaging 4.8-5.2 percent this year and 3-4 percent next year, higher than their previous projections. Inflation forecast for 2020 until 2022 is kept at 2-4 percent, with soaring prices seen going back to the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s target band by next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have revised the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medium-term macroeconomic assumptions for 2018 to 2022 to reflect developments at the national and global level, including higher world oil prices, tightening of monetary policy in advanced economies, and higher domestic inflation,â&#x20AC;? the DBCC said.

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Inflation surged to a fresh nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September, spurring calls for another interest rate hike to anchor

by IAN

Residents of Aklan run on Boracay beach after being granted the privilege of taking the ďŹ rst steps on the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s white sand during the soft opening on Monday, October 15.

Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos

No longer a cesspool, Boracay now fit for swimming

by JENNIFER

RENDON Philstar.com

ILOILO CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; World-famous Boracay was declared safe for swimming as the island resort reopened on Monday, October 15, for a 10-day test run, almost six months after it was shut down for a massive cleanup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boracay is no longer a cesspool but an island whose waters passed the standards fit for swimming,â&#x20AC;? Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who heads the Inter-Agency Task Force Boracay, said.

Heads of government agencies involved in Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rehabilitation attended the program dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aklan Day Salubungan,â&#x20AC;? ahead of the reopening of the island resort to tourists on October 26.

Cimatu said the dry run would enable authorities to check the status of rehabilitation work on the island.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Undersecretary Arturo Boncato, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade attended the soft opening of Boracay on Monday.

The Department of Tourism will be in charge of overseeing the operations of Boracay after its rehabilitation is completed next year, the tourism chief said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Duterte has in-

structed the Cabinet that after Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rehabilitation, the department will take over,â&#x20AC;? Puyat said.

She added this would be done through the issuance of an executive order.

Puyat said the reopening of Boracay on Oct. 26 is just the first phase of the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rehabilitation.

The second phase will be completed by April next year, and the third phase by December 2019.

Last week, the DOT announced that only 68 establishments were accredited to accept bookings for the reopening of the island.

It said online promotions and other related collaterals of non-compliant establishments should be put on hold until compliance with government regulations.

Despite its closure to tourists, Boracay was voted second best island in Asia by readers of CondĂŠ Nast Traveler. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an honor that Boracay was voted once again in the CondĂŠ Nast Traveler Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Awards. This serves as an invitation to the tourists to visit the island,â&#x20AC;? Puyat said in a statement.

Modern transport system A modern integrated transport system will be launched in Boracay once the island resort resumes normal operations, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Environment-friendly jeepneys equipped with WiFi, closed-circuit television system, GPS, and an automated fare collection system will be part of the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integrated transport system.

The first four modern jeepneys will be offering free rides from Oct. 26 to December, according to the DOTr. The DOTr also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the deployment of e-trikes in Boracay.

The DOE will donate 200 etrikes under a deed of donation to be executed later on between the agency and the local government of Malay, Aklan.

The e-trikes are expected to be deployed starting Oct. 26. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These vehicles will preserve the beautiful environment of Boracay. I call this day the resurrection of Boracay,â&#x20AC;? Tugade said.

According to Cimatu, habalhabal will be phased out and only e-trikes will be allowed in Boracay.

Cimatu cited the need to ban habal-habal since they contribute to pollution on the island.

He said they might adopt new routes for e-trikes.

President Duterte ordered Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closure on April 26 to give way to a massive rehabilitation of what he referred to as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;cesspool.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;

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OPINION

A seat in the UN rights council

FEATURES

IF a country belongs to the international body whose mandate is to promote and protect all human rights around the planet, it is expected to serve as a model in pursuing that mission.

In this sense, human rights advocates should welcome the Philippines’ retention of its seat in the 47-state United Nations Human Rights Council, where members serve a three-year term. The Philippines was first elected to the council in 2007, and then in 2012 and 2015.

Human rights advocates had opposed the retention of the Philippines in the council, citing the “killing frenzy” in the continuing war on drugs waged by the Duterte administration. But the country garnered 165 out of 192 votes at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week.

The UN Human Rights Council is tasked to promote adherence to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Around the world, human rights have been under threat, with even liberal societies debating policies on the curtailment of rights to fight terrorism, regulate migration,

and curb transnational crimes including drug trafficking. Women continue to fight for greater gender equity even in advanced economies. But rights advocates believe that “serious rights violators” such as the Philippines do not deserve a seat in the UN council.

Members of the UN Human Rights Council are held to a higher standard in promoting rights. A spokesman for the president of the General Assembly, responding to criticisms of the election of the Philippines and several other states to the council, declared, “It’s clear that the world expects that members of international bodies will abide to a certain set of standards of behavior consistent with the bodies they have been elected to.”

It’s now up to the Philippines to show that it deserves this seat. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Poll insights: Fil-Ams may prefer Republicans in Senate races & be split in House races, but stand with Democrats on issues

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS KABABAYANS from both sides of the aisle expressed strong sentiments, questioning the results of the 2018 Asian American Voter Survey by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Vote, which found that while 58 percent of registered Asian Americans overall disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance as president, registered Filipino-American voters were split 48-48 on presidential approval.

The poll had asked respondents, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald

Trump is handling his job as president?”

Filipinos in America and elsewhere around the world who follow politics in the United States likewise question why Fil-Ams prefer Republican Party candidates (46 percent) in the Senate Race over Democrats (36 percent), while divided in the House Race (40-40). (Poll question: If the election were held today [who] would you be inclined to vote for?)

Fil-Am Republicans even questioned the poll and demanded that I should report on the specific questions asked, especially with reference to Filipino voters’ responses.

My former classmate at the UP College of Mass Communication Ed Arguelles pointed out, “The survey has some ironic results. Although there are more who [openly] identify as Republicans, they largely favor issues that Democrats support.

Very true.

The detailed poll results MAY indicate how the Fil-Am vote will turn out to be in November, especially on public policy issues.

Party Favorability [In General] Asian-Americans: Republicans - 34%; Democrats 58% Filipinos: Republicans - 48%; Demo-

crats 50% If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing fewer services, or a bigger government providing more services?

Asian Americans: Bigger 44%; Smaller 24% Filipinos: Bigger 42%; 32% Healthcare for All immigrants Regardless of Legal Status Asian Americans: Disagree 32%; Agree 46% Filipinos: Disagree 42%; Agree 40% Support for Stricter Gun Control Asian Americans:

Agree 78%; Disagree 12% Filipinos: Agree 70%; Disagree 24% Raise Minimum Wage Asian Americans: Disagree 18%; Agree 64% Filipinos: Disagree 24%; Agree 66% Undocumented immigrants should have the opportunity to eventually become U.S. citizens Asian Americans: Agree 64%; Disagree 20% Filipinos: Agree 70%; Disagree 22% Restrict Green Cards for Immigrants Using Government Assistance Asian Americans:

Disagree 50%; Agree 26% Filipinos: Disagree 50%; Agree 34% Party Identification Asian Americans: Democrats 38% Republicans 22% Independent 30% Filipinos: Democrats 34% Republicans 30% Independents 22% *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The last reinvention of Gloria Commentary

LITO MONICO LORENZANA IN recent years, never has there been a major traditional politician who reinvented herself quite so often as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. A political survivor of the first caliber, “…she has sunk to the nadir of power but once enjoyed its zenith; and descended to depths of despair… (“Games of thrones,” March 22, 2018, The Manila Times). But today, she has resurrected and is perched over the most traditional and distrusted political entity, with power to vanquish those that condemned her to years of personal deprivation within the confines of a hospital prison.

In the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” there is this character that hews close to her image, Jaqen H’ghar, the Faceless Man of Braavos, with the cunning and magical ability to change appearance at will. GMA could very well be the Jaqen H’ghar of Philippine politics. She shapeshifts at will and in this twilight of her political career — this is her last and third term as congresswoman — she is attempting to fashion another role for herself as the political consort and handmaiden to a president.

And along with it is the political restructuring of the country; whether this is good for the country is of no moment — if it benefits the Gloria.

And GMA has a superb sense of timing as the Deegong is so occupied with affairs of the state.

The economy has been floundering although the economic managers have been all over themselves assuring the citizenry that

it is stable and growing. This is belied by the accelerating street protests. Consider the following national concerns, three of which have a direct impact to the poverty alleviation program of government: runaway inflation and rising prices of staple goods; stagnant wages; and the paucity of jobs. These issues could very well make or unmake the administration leading towards the midterm elections. If these are not addressed well by then, we will witness the annihilation of the Deegong’s chosen candidates, making his presidency a lame duck in his term’s second half.

The opposition has been speculating that the bureaucracy and the military have been distracting people from these gut issues by again raising the “communist bugaboo” with the “Red October” plot — that the CPP/NPA is reportedly organizing students and conspiring with the Liberal Party and the Yellow army to ouster the president. As of this writing, we are on the third week of October. The opposition may be right, that the Red October plot is a hoax. On the other hand, the administration and the military can claim victory for having “discovered the plot” and exposed it, preventing its execution.

Parallel developments that reinforce these diversions are the recent moves of the President, effectively co-opting the headlines and the news cycles: the silencing of his critics, Sereno and Trillanes. On the latter, the talk is that the civilian component bungled the amnesty of Trillanes.

The military did not look kindly at this which could produce unintended consequences.

On the political front, reports have been persistent that the dominant PDP-Laban is in political limbo with many of its

leading lights working out a modus vivendi with Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HP); and news of Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Cynthia Villar revitalizing the Nacionalista (NP), their “mother party,” and abandoning their alliance with the PDP-Laban (Balita, Oct. 8, 2018), impacting negatively the unbranded senatorial line-up of the administration. This election may signal the fragmentation of dominant parties and the regrouping of old ones, led by the same traditional politicians who may have sensed the vulnerability of the president’s own and now circling like vultures over their political carcasses.

While these are going on, GMA managed to get her minions to revive Resolution 9 at the HOR to start the process of amending the Constitution, with or without the cooperation of the Senate.

Or, if the Senate were to be involved, both houses will follow the current legislative process with each coming up with their own version and a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences.

It proposes a federal system with a presidential government composed of a bicameral body.

In a departure from other proposals, the creation of the federal states would now be left solely to Congress. The Centrist Proposals call for negotiations between provinces, municipalities and cities to form federal states based on certain strict criteria.

The whole process of public consultation and constitutional revision will run two years within the term of DU30 still under the overarching provisions of the 1987 Constitution. But the anomalous proposal is a shameless attempt to short-circuit the role of Vice President Robredo, excluding her from the line of

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

succession and putting the Senate President in her instead, should the position of president become vacant during the interim. This supposedly addresses the “…uncertainty in the vice presidency amid the ongoing electoral protest of Bongbong Marcos against the VP…” (PDI, Oct. 10, 2018).

The nuances need to be understood here. Firstly, Gloria as the Deegong’s handmaiden aided by her cohorts in Congress, no doubt with his imprimatur, will have to ram down the constitutional revisions. With Congress’ unconscionable track record, the carving up of the country will be left to political dynasties now populating the chamber.

This is unacceptable!

GMA, who now leads these current initiatives, has totally departed from her position artic-

Inquirer.net photo

ulated by her 50-man Consultative Commission created in 2005 during her presidency, calling for a parliamentary form first before transitioning to a federal system. This is the Centrist Proposals which should have been considered by the committee on constitutional amendments.

These initiatives by Congress have reverberated with dissonance in the Cabinet. The DILG has focused on the three glaring and anomalous positions: “…taking out the vice president from the line of presidential succession; removing term limits for lawmakers during the transition to the proposed federal form of government; and the scrapping of a ‘self-executing anti-political dynasty provision’…” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oct. 12, 2018) But the Senate made sure that

there will be no federalism and Charter revisions before midterm elections next year, before GMA steps down. But it is not too late for Gloria to again reinvent herself and put on her last face. With her traditional influence in Congress and in tandem with DU30, they can together work out the much-needed reforms without touching the 1987 Constitution: passing the political party reform act, now pending in both houses; universal freedom of information bill; and the electoral reforms needed to clean out the dubious election process.

This last reinvention of Gloria may not exculpate her of her past transgressions but could elevate her reputation as The Reformer. That indeed is something she can leave behind as her legacy. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 17-19, 2018

A

Roque changes tune, says Duterte’s ‘playful PH deports, blacklists suspected ISIS leader act’ of kissing OFW was ‘inappropriate’

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — After a revamp at the Presidential Communications Operations Office that may have booted him out of the Palace, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the “playful act” of President Rodrigo Duterte kissing a Filipina overseas worker was “inappropriate.”

On Sunday night, October 14, Roque—who was replaced as the Palace mouthpiece by Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo despite no resignation from Roque—had a candid interview at “Gandang Gabi Vice” with host and comedienne Vice Ganda.

Roque was asked if there have been instances when he thought what the president said was inappropriate.

“Of course, there was,” he said in Filipino.

The former spokesman said he thought that Duterte’ s kissing of an overseas worker at a meeting with the Filipino community in Seoul, South Korea—which Roque once downplayed as a

mere “playful act”—last June was inappropriate.

Roque even said that the issue should not be blown out of proportion as there was no malice in it. “The lady has clearly expressed the view that she was honored by the kiss,” he told CNN Philippines back in June.

Months later, Roque said that he actually thought “he was going to die” when he saw what was happening.

“I thought I was going to die...

I felt that I should have run and pulled him. ‘Come here, let us go here, Mr. resident,’ ” he recalled.

Roque said that he was there when the incident happened but he could not have pulled the president away since it would mean losing his job.

“Patay na ako,” he quipped.

Asked why he defended it before, Roque said that it was “his job.”

“I believe that serving the countrymen is through serving the president, which includes defending him when he did not do anything wrong,” Roque added.

Before Roque went to the Pal-

ace to become Duterte’s mouthpiece, he was a former party-list congressman and a known human rights lawyer.

Senatorial bid?

Roque was earlier rumored to vie for a seat at the Senate—he admitted to shooting a campaign ad already—but he has yet to officially file his resignation from the PCOO to formalize his bid.

Panelo’s reappointment as the presidential spokesperson came days after Roque filed a leave of absence after being kept in the dark about Duterte’s whereabouts and hospitalization.

This sparked speculations that Roque would be replaced and would pursue his senatorial bid.

In a speech, Duterte also said he told Roque to quit his Senate dream as he would not win and instead offered him a new post.

Presidential Communications Operations Officer Martin Andanar earlier said Roque was offered the post of press secretary.

Roque confirmed the offer and said he would think about it.

However, Roque’s fate under the Duterte administration is still uncertain. n

Duterte: I’m not afraid of death by alexis

romero Philstar.com

MANILA — He has been declared cancer-free, but president Duterte stressed that he is not afraid of death.

“We’re getting old. Me, they said I am dying, of course I will die someday. There’s no problem with that,” the 73-year-old Duterte said during the launching of former president Fidel Ramos’

book “Prosper thy Neighbor” in Manila.

“Death should not worry anybody. It’s inevitable and it can happen any day,” he added.

Last month, Duterte admitted he had undergone endoscopy and colonoscopy, medical procedures that he said were related to the Barrett’s Esophagus he got when he was younger.

The medical condition has been tied to smoking and heavy drink-

ing. Endoscopy is performed to check a patient’s digestive tract while colonoscopy is performed to detect abnormalities in the large intestine.

Earlier this month, Duterte revealed he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for endoscopy and even raised the possibility that he may have cancer.

He later on told reporters that he has been declared cancerfree. n

Government slashes 2018 economic...

PAGE A5

projections on the Philippines as high inflation bites.

Prices began soaring at the start of the year after the government slapped higher excise taxes on fuel and other commodities.

The price hikes quickly spread to cover more goods, worsened by a weakening currency and rising global oil prices.

Other revisions The DBCC expects price of

Dubai crude — used as a benchmark for Asia — to average $7075 per barrel this year and $7585 next. This range is forecast to drop to $70-80 a barrel in 2020, before declining to as low as $65-75 for 2021 and 2022.

Revenue collections are projected to hit P2.820 trillion in 2018, lower than the original P2.846 trillion revenue program for the year. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law

is expected to contribute P63.3 billion.

Seeing lower revenues this year, the DBCC predicts state spending to reach P3.346 trillion from the initial program of P3.370 trillion.

The Duterte administration targets to attain upper-middle income status by end-2019 and reduce poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14.0 percent in 2022. n

MANILA — The Philippines has deported an Egyptian national suspected to be a former commander of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorist group.

The Bureau of Immigration said in a statement on Tuesday, October 16, that it deported Fehmi Lassoued, 33, on October 6. He was flown to Bangkok and then to Cairo, where Lassoued was taken into government custody.

Authorities nabbed Lassoued in February this year. Seized in his possession were .45-caliber gun, ammunition, an ISIS flag and several components of an improvised explosive device.

According to BI, the reports from the Philippine National Police said that “Lassoued was a recruiter for ISIS and was a former negotiator for ISIS for local

government officials in Syria and Turkey. He is also believed to be an ISIS commander at the SyriaTurkey border.”

The Department of Justice cleared him of the illegal possession of firearms rap due to insufficiency of evidence last March.

But Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that despite DOJ clearing Lassoued, the Immigration bureau “saw that Lassoued definitely violated Philippine immigration laws, which prompted us to assume jurisdiction over his case so he may be subjected to deportation proceedings.”

Lassoued gave false information on visa Morente also said that Lassoued was found guilty of submitting false information when

he applied for a working visa and used an altered Tunisian passport. He was also declared an undesirable alien due to his alleged terrorist links.

Lassoued was subsequently placed on the Immigration’s blacklist that would bar him from re-entering the country.

The Immigration commissioner hailed the arrest and deportation of Lassoued as BI’s “a big accomplishment.”

“We have strengthened our Anti-Terrorist Group, which actively coordinates with local and foreign counterparts to ensure that we keep our country safe from these foreign counterparts to ensure that we keep our country safe from these foreign terrorists,” Morente added. (Philstar. com)

Net satisfaction with Robredo inches up to +34 in latest SWS survey MANILA — More than half—57 percent—of Filipinos are satisfied with the performance of Vice President Leni Robredo against 23 percent who are not, the latest Social Weather Stations poll suggests.

Robredo got a “good” net satisfaction rating of +34 in the Third Quarter 2018 SWS survey. SWS classifies a net rating, or the percent dissatisfied substracting from the percentage of respondents satisfied, of +30 to +49 as good.

Robredo’s latest rating is up 2 points from +32 in June 28 due to an increase of 9 points in Metro Manila, 8 points in Mindanao and 2 points in Balance Luzon, SWS said on its website.

The satisfaction with the vice president’s performance dropped 11 points among respondents in the Visayas, where her net satisfaction rating declined to “good” in September from “very good” in June.

Her net satisfaction rating among respondents from Mindanao rose from “moderate” to “good” in Mindanao, to +34 from +26.

Robredo’s net satisfaction among respondents who are non-elementary graduates rose to “very good” (+51) from “good” (+47). It went down to +10 in September among college graduates against +26 in June but stayed in the “moderate” category.

“It rose from moderate to good among class D, among men,

Vice President Leni Robredo

among 45-54 year olds, and among high school graduates, ranging from +30 to +35. However, it fell by one grade among class E (from very good +55 to good +48), and among classes ABC (from moderate +10 to neutral +2),” SWS said.

Robredo’s satisfaction rating “stayed good among women, among 18 to 44 year olds, among 55 year olds and above, and among elementary graduates, ranging from +33 to +39,” SWS also said.

The survey was conducted from September 15-23, weeks after President Rodrigo Duterte said the country would be better off with a dictator than if Robredo were to succeed him. “[Robredo] cannot hack it,” Duterte said then while sticking

Philstar.com photo

to his assertion that Naga City, where Robredo was congresswoman, was a “hotbed” for drugs. He also claimed the vice president’s brother-in-law is involved in the illegal drug trade.

Robredo denied the allegations, saying they were “recycled rants conveniently used to deflect attention from the failures of this administration.”

The SWS survey was done through face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide, SWS said, with “600 in Balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.”

“Sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao,” it also said. (Philstar.com)

A OctOber 17-19, 2018 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

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B

Pace of dollar remittance growth continues to ease Up 2.4 percent in Jan-Aug 2018 by daxim Lucas Inquirer.net

THE amount of dollars sent home by expatriate Filipinos rose further in the first eight months of the year, but data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also showed a worrisome trend of tapering growth in recent months for remittances, a key leg of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Govenor Cyd TuaĂąo-Amador said personal remittances from overseas Filipinos increased by 2.4 percent year-on-year to reach $21.2 billion in the first eight months of 2018.

The amount of dollars sent home by expatriate Filipinos rose further in the first eight months of the year, but data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also showed a worrisome trend of tapering growth in recent months for

remittances, a key leg of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Govenor Cyd TuaĂąo-Amador said personal remittances from overseas Filipinos increased by 2.4 percent year-on-year to reach $21.2 billion in the first eight months of 2018.

The central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data revealed that the monthly rise in the cumulative amounts of remittances this year have been moderating, compared to monthly data for the same periods last year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a phenomenon which the central bank has not yet commented on.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more grew by 2.1 percent to $16.3 billion, while transfers from sea-based workers and landbased workers with short-term contracts expanded by 3.8 percent to $4.4 billion.

u PAGE B3

DOT braces for tourist upsurge in Central Luzon MANILA, Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Department of Tourism (DOT) is gearing up for the expected spike in tourist volume in the Central Luzon region.

DOT Central Luzon officerin-charge Carol de Guzman-Uy said the phenomenal rise in passenger volume at the Clark International Airport and the forthcoming increase in transport access to Northern Philippines (NorthPhil) resulting from the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Build Build Build program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Part of the BBB program is the construction of the SubicClark Railway, the North-South Railway spanning Laguna-Manila-Clark, and the expansion of the Clark International Airport,â&#x20AC;?

Uy said, also pointing to the

emergence of Subic as a hub for cruise ships.

Uy placed the number of Subicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scheduled cruise ship arrivals this year at 20, each bringing in some 2,000 to 5,000 tourists at every port call.

She also cited an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic at Clark from 1.51 million in fullyear 2017 to 1.54 million in just the first seven months of 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This trend alone shows that passenger volume may double or increase to at least 2.5 million by yearend as projected by the CIAC (Clark International Airport Corp.),â&#x20AC;? Uy pointed out.

She said the development in Clark of a 1,500-hectare industrial park could further increase

u PAGE B2

China Telecom, Europe firm join 3rd telco bid The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said China Telecom and Mobiltel Holding GmbH purchased bid documents on Monday, joining six other firms which have paid P1 million, respectively to acquire the documents since it started becoming available to interested participants on Monday.

File photo by Philstar.com

by Richmond meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; China Telecom, Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest telecommunications company, has advanced its intent to become the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third telco player, while another European company is looking to enter the fray.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said China Telecom and Mobiltel Holding GmbH purchased bid documents yesterday, joining six other firms which have paid P1 million, respectively to

acquire the documents since it started becoming available to interested participants on Monday, October 15.

China Telecom and Mobiltel were the second and third foreign firms which bought the bid documents so far, after Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Telenor Group made its purchase on Monday.

Other companies which have also purchased documents are Dennis Uyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Udenna Corp., TierOne Communications International Inc. in partnership with Luis â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chavitâ&#x20AC;? Singsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LCS Group of Companies, NOW Telecom, Philippine Telegraph and

Telephone Corp., and a local company who declined to be identified.

President Duterte in November last year personally handpicked China to invest in the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; telecom industry, believing it would improve internet speed in the country which has been a constant problem among consumers. The state-owned China Telecom was then chosen to invest in the Philippines.

The government, however, decided to select the third telco player through a competitive bidding process. Mobiltel, meanwhile, is part of Telekom Austria Group which

u PAGE B3

Global think tank hikes inflation forecast for Philippines

by LawRence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Barcelona-based think tank FocusEconomics has raised its inflation forecasts for the Philippines for the next two years on the back of rising global oil prices as well as more expensive rice and agricultural commodities.

Lindsey Ice, economist at FocusEconomics, said inflation may settle at 4.9 percent this year and 4.1 percent next year.

Ice said inflation hit a near-decade high of 6.7 percent in September from 6.4 percent in August on the back of higher prices for 10 of the 11 components of the consumer

price index (CPI).

Ice said food and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as transport, recorded the strongest price increases in September.

Inflation averaged five percent in the first nine months of the year, exceeding the BSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two to four percent target.

Ice said FocusEconomics is now assessing the next move of the Monetary Board taking into consideration latest developments including the last rate hike. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In its communiquĂŠ, the bank (BSP) struck a hawkish tone and reiterated its commitment to take all necessary policy actions to address the threat of high inflation.

This, in tandem with the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s above tar-

Think tank FocusEconomics estimates that inflation in the Philippines may settle at 4.9 percent this year and 4.1 percent next year.

File photo by Philstar.com

get range inflation forecast in 2019, suggest another rate hike before the end of the year is not improbable,â&#x20AC;? Ice earlier said.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

B OCTOBER 17-19 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

Law expected to improve PH doing business ranking

by Jordeene

Sheex Lagare Manilatimes.net

REPUBLIC Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, will improve the Philippines’ standing in a World Bank’s doing business report, a Trade official said.

The law, signed by President Duterte in May this year, can significantly affect the country’s rankings in the 2020 Doing Business (DB) Survey if government agencies strictly implement it, Trade Undersecretary Rowel Barba said.

He is confident the law can help the country improve and “even move forward in several indicators of the DB Survey Report.”

“RA 11032 is now in place.

If we implement this law to the letter, there is no doubt we can close the gap between us and the frontier,” Barba told public and private sector participants of the Accelerating EODB Reform Initiatives for the Doing Business 2020 Strategy workshop on Wednesday, October 10.

He called on all concerned agencies to seriously identify the country’s position and move it closer to those at the frontier.

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA YOU have not filed your income tax returns for the current year and previous years because: 1) you decided you are not required to file? 2) You are a victim of identity theft and therefore excused? 3) You know you will owe taxes and you will have to pay when you file, decided not to file; 4) You were out of the country and you forgot to file? 5) Any other excuses.

If you are unsure if you are required to file, go to the IRS website and read on Publication 17 or ask your tax professional. If you owe taxes on your tax return and cannot pay in full, you can establish payment agreement with the IRS if you are required to file and owe a balance.

Here are the reasons why you should file. What happens if you do not file by the due date and you are required to file?

The new law mandates government agencies to comply with prescribed processing time for business transactions.

It also requires local government units (LGUs) to streamline procedures in issuing business permits, clearances, and other kinds of authorization by implementing a unified application system.

Processing time for simple business transactions would take only three working days, seven working days for complex transactions, and 20 working days for highly technical ones.

Implementing rules and regulations of the law is expected to be completed by this month, Barba earlier said.

He said “since the law became effective on June 17, we have until October 22…to come up with the IRR.” The official also reminded stakeholders to brace for the 2020 survey despite the forthcoming release of the 2019 DB report this month.

In the 2018 Doing Business report, the World Bank reported that the country ranked 113th out of the economies from 99th a year earlier.

Measured in terms of the distance to the frontier (DTF) or

the best observed performance across all economies, the country’s score of 58.74 (with 100 being the highest and zero the lowest) increased by 0.42 but was still lower than the East Asia and Pacific average of 62.70.

It was also much lower than neighbors Thailand and Malaysia, which respectively ranked 26th and 24th and scored 77.44 and 78.43.

The Philippines notched its best in terms of getting electricity (31st) and resolving insolvency (59th).

However, it was in the bottom half for the rest of the indicators: trading across borders (99th), dealing with construction permits (101st), paying taxes (105th), registering property (114th), getting credit (142nd), protecting minority investors (146th), and enforcing contracts (149th).

Its worst ranking was in the starting a business indicator where it was in 173rd place.

In terms of DTF, the country improved in five out of the 10 indicators, notched a drop in terms of resolving insolvency and recorded no improvement in terms of getting credit, protecting minority investors, trading across borders and enforcing contracts.

u PAGE B3

You have not filed your income tax returns for years?

• Unless there is reasonable cause and not willful neglect, you are subject to failure to file penalty of 5% of tax owed of each month up to a maximum of 25% with minimum penalty of $210 if more than 60-days late filing.

• There is also failure to pay penalty of 0.5% of each month up to 25% of unpaid tax owed from due date until fully paid.

• Interest is assessed from the original filing date on taxes not paid by due date.

• File your income tax returns before the extension ends. If you don’t the IRS will file a return for you and accrues taxes based on their records. You will receive a bill based on their calculation.

• If you are due a refund, there is no penalty for failure to file BUT you could lose your refund.

• There is a statute of limitation in claiming for refund even you did not file your income tax returns.

• Refund Statute: You have to file your income tax returns with-

in 3 years from the due date to claim the refund either issuance of check or application of overpayment to subsequent year/s tax liabilities.

• If you have not filed your income tax returns for Tax Years 2012 and prior, and you are due with a refund, you will have to say bye-bye to those tax years’ refunds since it is already beyond the refund statute.

• Filing after Refund Statute: You lose the refund and can no longer receive a check nor apply the overpayment to your future tax liabilities.

• There is no statute of limitation if you fail to file your income tax returns. This only means that the IRS can still audit and collect taxes for all years you did not file your income tax returns. It will be a nightmare!

• Consider filing Form 1127 Application for Extension of Time for Payment of Tax Due to Undue Hardship. Meaning it will

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First international outlet mall in Philippines set to open next week MANILA, Philippines — Excitement is definitely building up for the opening of the country’s first true international outlet mall along Km 48, Aguinaldo Highway in Silang, Cavite.

“Acienda Designer Outlet is ready to welcome shoppers and tourists everyday starting with our opening on Oct. 26,” said Jeffrey Ng, president of local developer Cathay Land.

The project is expected to draw thousands of shoppers daily since all participating brands offer a minimum of 30 percent to as high as 80 percent discount, bargains which are definitely welcome given the high inflation and less spending power local shoppers have been experiencing lately.

“While the hefty discounts in fashion, sportswear and jewelry will surely attract people given

the current inflationary climate, eventually we hope that the perfect mix of brands and leisure amenities on site will entice many to become repeat shoppers,” Ng said.

Some of the lifestyle brands that are opening include: Archive, Geox, Reef, Sunglass Haven, 158 Designer’s Boulevard of SSI Group, Levi’s, Oakley, Just Jewels, Mango, Guess, Mossimo, The Rail, Kid’s Depot and RSI, which carries Florsheim and Naturalizer.

Sports and shoe brands geared towards fitness buffs include Asics, Onitsuka, Vans, Oregon Premium Outlet Store/Nike and Skechers.

Ng said that over the next few months, a wide range of other top international brands will be added, further adding to Acienda

Designer Outlet’s standing as the country’s first true international outlet mall.

Meanwhile, shoppers will get to relax in between shopping rounds via a detour at Wine Bank, Pizza Warehouse, Cold Stone and Café Passcuci. These will all be conveniently located in the French-style food and beverage section accented by a threestory windmill.

“With the cool year-round weather and the regular influx of tourists that we expect to drop by on their way to or as they go down from Tagaytay City, Acienda Designer Outlet will be a fun, hip place to shop around,” said Jayden Lewis, head of leasing for Asia of Freeport Retail, Cathay land’s foreign partner for Acienda Designer Outlet. (Philstar.com) n

How to build a house of bricks in any season

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (This is the third and final installment of the 15 Tips on How ny Build A House of Bricks in Any Season Series.)

11. Pray without ceasing to the God of your being. Realize that when you do, you will never be alone. The single, most important foundation of any life begins with the realization that by yourself alone, without help, you can do nothing of real meaning and lasting value. No obstacle is too big, no situation too difficult, or setback too overwhelming that cannot be helped by constant, heartfelt prayer and a foundation of faith so strong, it can move mountains. In the physical world, gravity holds everything together. In the spiritual world, where transitional human life is ultimately headed, prayer is the most powerful force there is.

12. Bring it all together. Once your circumstances become stable and you are able to choose the type of work you love to do and more importantly, that which makes you happy — GO FOR IT. The shift will be uncomfortable and unnerving at first. Seek the path that makes use of the abilities and the talents that you were born with. Listen to what your whole being says you were meant to do and enter that rare, enviable state of being that finally feels like coming home.

13. Rein in the spirit of the crab. Put a number of live crabs in a basket and witness how crabs behave. Any crab successful enough to rise above the heads of the other crabs to escape the

(Third of 3 parts) the strength of one’s native culture and weave it into the new one. The hybrid is often better suited to the new environment.

Yet, we must never lose sight of the fact that in the end, all learning means nothing if we never learn how to love.

15. See the BIG PICTURE. Between birth and death is life.

How you live your life is up to you. Many of the wisest men who have pondered the meaning and the purpose of life over thousands of years, have defined life according to their own perceptions and circumstances.

In the end, if you are in full control of all your faculties as an average human being, you and you alone — define your own life with the this, try and be happy for others set of gifts, talents and the circumstances that GOD gives you. (even if it kills you).

Remember what someone 14. Strive to learn any way you can. Learning is a lifelong wise wrote so succinctly long process of adaptation. To copy ago about the essence of any Yoda’s transposed way of mak- worthwhile life and that is — TO ing a point, “Adapt, you must. LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN Or die early, you will.” The AND more importantly, LOVE dodo bird of the Galapagos never MUCH! May the house of bricks you learned to adapt, never learned to defend itself against predators build allow you to do ALL THAT and perhaps, even for the most and became extinct.

It’s been said that the human sensible and square among us, mind is like a cup with a hole even sing and dance, when all at the bottom. You just have to is said and done. *** keep trying to fill that bottomless cup. But be warned: intelligence Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP alone is sorely inadequate. The of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send whole person’s mind and heart comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, must evolve.

Of the two, the heart should click on the link Online: http://issuu.com/ lead. A good heart has a wisdom asianjournaldigitaledition” http://issuu. all its own. Blaise Pascal, a noted com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can French philosopher noted: “The do searches in the least invasive search heart has its reasons that rea- engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even son does not know.” Draw from before agenda-driven google. confines of the basket will be pulled down by the pincer claws of the other crabs underfoot. The crab mentality is nothing more than envy in disguise— alive and well in human nature. Lest you think the Severe Acute Crab Syndrome (SACS) — a name I coined for this social phenomenon — is endemic or unique only to a specific community, take heart, for we’re not alone. Other immigrant communities report the same thing. To counteract

“I build my house of stone I build my house of bricks.

I’ve had no chance to sing and dance.

‘Cause work and play don’t mix.”

Practical Pig

How courts determine child custody in California ONE of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child.

Child custody comes in two parts, 1) physical custody and 2) legal custody. Physical custody may be awarded solely to one parent or jointly. Sole physical custody means that the child will reside primarily and under the supervision of one parent subject to visitation from the other parent upon order of the court. Family Code §3007. Joint physical custody on the other hand means that the child gets to spend frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Family Code §3004.

The court would state specifically the periods of time the child will be under the supervision of each parent.

Legal custody on the other hand deals with the right and responsibility of a parent to make decisions regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child. Family Code §3006. Examples would be decisions such as where the child shall attend school, whether the child can travel to another jurisdiction or state, legal decisions involving the child. In cases where joint legal custody is ordered by the court, either parent alone can make decisions concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child unless otherwise specified in the order.

In making its determination on child custody issues, the court considers various factors depend-

ed in court through a contested hearing. At times, the court will order a child custody evaluation if it determines that it would be in the best interest of the child. The court may also appoint a minor’s counAtty. Kenneth sel if it feels it would be in the UrsUA reyes best interest of the child. Family Code §3150(a). The court ing on the specific facts of the retains continuous jurisdiction case. The court usually follows over issues of child custody and the public policy of ensuring and support until the child reaches encouraging the child’s frequent 18. This means the order may be and continuing contact with both modified all throughout this peparents after the divorce unless it riod if there has been a change in would not be in the best interest circumstances. of the child. Fam. Code §3011. If *** the court is inclined to order sole Please note that this article is not custody to one parent, the consideration boils down to which legal advice and is not intended as parent is more likely to allow the legal advice. The article is intended child frequent and continuing to provide only general, non-specific contact with the noncustodial legal information. This article is not parent. Family Code §3040(a)(1). intended to cover all the issues reA major factor that would tilt the lated to the topic discussed. The specourts decision are incidents or cific facts that apply to your matter history of child abuse and domes- may make the outcome different than tic violence. This can be from the would be anticipated by you. This arpart of a parent, a parent’s co-ha- ticle does create any attorney client bitant, or other person to whom relationship between you and the Law a parent has a relationship with. Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This The childs amount and nature of article is not a solicitation. contact with the parents is also *** another factor considered. Fam. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Code §3011(c). Other factors Certified Family Law Specialist. He was that can be considered are the President of the Philippine American Bar parent’s use of controlled sub- Association. He is a member of both stance, prior criminal convictions the Family law section and Immigration and registration as a sex offend- law section of the Los Angeles County er, and existence of restraining Bar Association. He has extensive CPA order against a parent. experience prior to law practice. LAW The family code requires that OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is the parties go to mediation and located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, attempt to agree on the custody Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 issue prior to the court hearing or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit the contested case. Family Code our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. §3170(a). If the case is not set(Advertising Supplement) tled in mediation, it gets decid-

Barrister’s Corner

DOT braces for tourist upsurge in Central...

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tourism traffic to and from and around NorthPhil.

“Thus, the tourism industry is taking measures to beef up its absorptive capacity for both foreign and domestic tourists by striving to attract investments in hotel and resort facilities and room ac-

commodations, and encourage telcos to enhance connectivity in the entire region, among others,” Uy stressed, referring to the staging of the NorthPhil Tourism and Travel Expo on Nov. 16 to 18 at the SM City Clark for that purpose.

Around 104 booths are avail-

able at the NorthPhil Expo 2018 to showcase the region’s tourism investment opportunities, attractions and destinations, conventions and events venues, products and travel services, package tours, and cultural, natural, educational, historical and leisure trips, among many others. (Philstar.com) n

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

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG LET me give you the background on this case. The husband is 81 but still looks active.

He is slim and sprightly. The wife is 79 and looks nervous.

Normally, spouses are on the same track and agree what has to be done. But in this case, I’m not sure what is going on. The wife owes between $20,000 to $30,000 of credit cards, which are all past due. One card has sued her and she has agreed to a stipulated judgment promising to pay $150 a month. Other cards are threatening to sue.

They call her every hour to collect their pound of flesh. The wife looks really worried. She says she hides under the table when they call. I guess she can’t take the stress caused by these credit cards.

She says that she was able to pay these cards until she stopped working two years ago. She suffered some kind of trauma in her work and received disability payments for a while. She was a caregiver in a hospice and her patient had violently killed himself in front of her. This scene had caused her extreme mental anguish. She could no longer work as before. This work-related trauma qualified her to receive temporary disability, which recently expired.

She did not feel like going back to work. She received social security of $700. Well, if she owed $20,000 credit cards, she would need at least $750 to keep $20,000 of credit cards current with minimum monthly payments. In other words, all of her social security would have to be used to pay credit cards and she would still be short $50. Where would she get $50? All eyes go to her husband.

The husband has not given her the $50 so eventually, all her cards became past due.

You know what happens when cards become past due, past due amount plus penalties make the bad situation even worse. As she said, they call her every hour to collect. One has sued her. They threaten to sue. They want all of her social security. What struck me the most was her statement that she had to hide under the table when they call. I believed her.

She was clearly stressed out. I

BUSINESS NEWS

Personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees, personal transfers, and capital transfers between households.

For January to August 2018, cash remittances — narrower data which covers only those funds remitted through the formal banking system — from overseas Filipinos recorded a 2.5 percent growth from the same period a year ago to reach $19.1 billion.

Cash remittances sent by landbased workers rose by 2.1 percent to $15.1 billion, and transfers from sea-based workers grew by 3.8 percent to $4 billion.

However, personal remittances for August 2018 were 1.4 percent lower than the level posted in August 2017.

August 2018 data also showed cash remittances posting a 0.9 percent decrease year-on-year to $2.5 billion. The countries that contributed to the decline in August 2018 are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

By country source, more than 79 percent of the total cash remittances for the first eight months of 2018 came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong.

According to the central bank, net compensation refers to gross earnings of overseas Filipino workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries.

PAGE B2 t

does not come in consistently.

There are times when the paycheck is delayed and he doesn’t get paid.

It looks to me that there’s more stuff going on here, although it’s my policy not to get involved in matters that are between husband and wife. I think wife doesn’t want to be harassed by her creditors anymore. She can’t take the everyday stress and creditor collection calls every hour. In California, we only use tables to hide under during an earthquake. We don’t use them to hide under when creditors call to collect.

The wife cannot do Chapter 7 because they own their house, which supposedly has more than $175,000 of equity. Being seniors, their homestead exemption is $175,000. In Chapter 7, there’s a big risk they might lose their house to the Chapter 7 trustee who will sell it and give them $175,000 in cash and use the rest to pay off her credit cards. It doesn’t make sense to lose your house because of credit cards.

So, I will not file a Chapter 7 for them in this case. I will only file a Chapter 13 with the smallest possible plan payment so that there is no risk of losing the house.

The wife obviously cannot pay her credit cards. She needs her $700 of social security to buy necessities. So why won’t her husband help her out in any way he can, like pay her credit

cards? First, let me say that this is a matter between them as husband and wife. It initially looks to me that all their expenses are separate — she pays her own expenses and he pays his own expenses. A de-facto pre-nuptial agreement when it comes to expenses. Second, there seems to be something that’s not being said. I can tell from the bodily movements.

So, eventually what has not been said is now said. The husband is paying $1,000 a month for a $250,000 term life. He believes that when he dies, the $250,000 will help the surviving wife pay down their mortgage of $400,000.

The wife doesn’t know what to think. All she knows is that since she stopped working, she’s has been and continues to be a nervous wreck because of the credit card debt. Her entire social security benefits are not enough to cover minimum monthly payments on the cards.

I can only say that Chapter 13 will give her peace of mind, immediately. And, only God knows when we die.

Whatever the outcome and the future, it’s better all around for peace of mind, not to have these credit cards around to bother you when you get older, right? So get rid of them now if you can with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. You don’t want them getting half or all of your social security or pension when you retire.

Lastly, all of us will have to leave this world, sooner or later.

We have frail and imperfect bodies because of sin. Without sin, we would have perfect bodies.

We would never get sick and we would never die. True. Mortality is our human condition because Adam & Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Fortunately, Jesus died for us so we can have eternal life in heaven with our God who loves us so. So it’s all good. Death for us is not the end. It’s the beginning. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

The amount of dollars sent home by expatriate Filipinos rose further in the first eight months of the year, but data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also showed a worrisome trend of tapering growth in recent months for remittances, a key leg of the country’s economyIn a statement, BSP Deputy Govenor Cyd Tuaño-Amador said personal remittances from overseas Filipinos increased by 2.4 percent yearon-year to reach $21.2 billion in the first eight months of 2018.

The central bank’s data revealed that the monthly rise in the cumulative amounts of remittances this year have been moderating, compared to monthly data for the same periods last year — a phenomenon which the central bank has not yet commented on.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more grew by 2.1 percent to $16.3 billion, while transfers from seabased workers and land-based workers with short-term contracts expanded by 3.8 percent to $4.4 billion.

Personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees, personal transfers, and capital transfers between households.

For January to August 2018, cash remittances — narrower data which covers only those funds remitted through the formal banking system — from overseas Filipinos recorded a 2.5 percent growth from the same period a year ago to reach $19.1 billion.

Cash remittances sent by land-based workers rose by 2.1 percent to $15.1 billion, and

transfers from sea-based workers grew by 3.8 percent to $4 billion.

However, personal remittances for August 2018 were 1.4 percent lower than the level posted in August 2017.

August 2018 data also showed cash remittances posting a 0.9 percent decrease year-on-year to $2.5 billion. The countries that contributed to the decline in August 2018 are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

By country source, more than 79 percent of the total cash remittances for the first eight months of 2018 came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Qatar, Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong.

According to the central bank, net compensation refers to gross earnings of overseas Filipino workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries.

Personal transfers refer to all current transfers in cash or in kind by overseas Filipinos workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines.

Capital transfers between households refer to the provision of resources for capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and non-resident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return. ■

empathized with her. At her age, she should just be collecting social security and enjoying what’s left of her life, the golden years.

She should not be living each day cowering in fear. Her life sucks.

I’m wondering what’s going on with the husband. He says he also owed a bunch of cards. His social security is $2,000. He says in addition to social security, he still works full time. But the employer is not doing too well. Even though he owns 25 percent of the business, his paycheck of $2,000

“It looks to me that there’s more stuff going on here, although it’s my policy not to get involved in matters that are between husband and wife.”

China Telecom, Europe firm join 3rd...

PAGE B1 t

is a leading provider of digital services and communications solutions in Central and Eastern Europe. China Telecom, Mobiltel, and other foreign companies which are interested to join will have to partner with or form a consortium with a local Congressional franchise holder to be eligible to vie for the new major player slot.

Duterte wants a third telco player that would compete with giants PLDT and Globe to provide Filipinos with better services at cheaper costs.

Meanwhile, third telco aspirant NOW Telecom’s petition for the issuance of temporary restraining order (TRO) against the govern-

B3

A couple considers how to Law expected to improve PH doing... tackle debt relief for wife

Pace of dollar remittance growth continues...

PAGE B1 t

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 17-19, 2018

ment’s third telco selection process has been thumbed down.

In a decision released yesterday, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 42 denied NOW’s prayer for the issuance of a TRO as the company seeks to enjoin certain provisions of Memorandum Circular No. 09-09-2018 or the “Rules and Regulations on the Selection Process for a New Major Player in the Philippine Communications Market.”

The Court found no basis to issue the TRO based on requites that include the applicant having a clear and unmistakable right to be protected, a material and substantial invasion of such right, an urgent need for the writ to prevent irreparable injury to the

applicant, and no other ordinary, speedy, and adequate remedy exists to prevent the infliction or irreparable injury.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 42 scheduled on Oct 23 and 24 hearing for NOW’s request for preliminary prohibitory injunction.

NOW Telecom, an affiliate of publicly-listed company NOW Corp., filed a case on Monday against the NTC for alleged legal violations in the new major player terms of reference (TOR) which took effect last week.

NOW Telecom questioned the insertion of new requirements in the TOR which it said were not taken up during the public hearings.■

Getting credit remained at its lowest DTF score (30) while getting electricity was the highest (84.31).

The global financial institution cited the reforms made in the aspects of paying taxes and getting

electricity.

Barba, who also heads the DTI’s Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Group (CEODBG), said reforms must be in place from May this year until the following year.

“We need to do a massive in-

formation campaign to inform the public about the reforms that government has already undertaken. There is a need for “radical and transformative reforms so that the Philippines can leapfrog forward in the survey,” he added. ■

You have not filed your income tax returns...

PAGE B2 t

be inconvenient and you will suffer financial loss if you pay in full.

You will be required to attach: 1) statement of your assets and liabilities, and 2) an itemized list of your income and expenses for each of the 3- months prior to the due date of the tax. If you are not sure ask your tax professional.

• Do not ignore your tax bill it

could just be an error. It is important that you review and if there is an error, write to the IRS office using the address on the notice within the time allowed. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal

Calendar of Events across

opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

(Advertising Supplement)

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS O C TO B E R 9 - N OV E M B E R 9

FASGI presents FAIR art exhibit in Los Angeles FASGI is pleased to announce FAIR – FASGI Artists Impressions & Reflections – an art exhibit to be held from October 9, 2018 to November 9, 2018 at the FASGI Bayanihan Center (135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles, CA 90026). FAIR is presented as part of FASGI’s Arts Incubator Program. FAIR will showcase five internationally-acclaimed artists who will unveil new and original artworks: Rafael Maniago, Cesar Devera, Johnny Otilano, Mat Relox, and Tiinz Taruc. FASGI’s Arts Incubator Program was created in 2016 to promote and uplift Filipino and Filipino American arts and culture. The program’s mission is to: (1) help Filipino American artists to be properly recognized and given economic opportunities for advancement; (2) enable Filipino Americans to get in touch with their culture; and (3) to educate mainstream America on Philippine/American art. The program currently includes a permanent gallery, special exhibits, portraiture, parol-making, and an artist-in-residence program. Art workshops, instruction, and live projects are currently being planned for commencement in 2019.

O C TO B E R 1 8

Learn about Philippine product sourcing in Los Angeles, CA Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and Planet63 are hosting this workshop on Thursday, October 18 to help the community learn about importing products from the Philippines. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to promote/market and sell Philippine products online or in your own physical store here in Los Angeles, then this FREE workshop is for you! How to source, ship and sell Philippine products in the U.S. market will be presented by guest speaker Ferdinand Soriano of Planet 63. If you have questions on importing products and how to go about doing that, this is the right activity for you. The workshop will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at SIPA (3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). Seating is limited. Registration is through Eventbrite: http://philippineproducts.eventbrite.com. limited.

Registration is through Eventbrite: http://philippineproducts.eventbrite.com.

O C TO B E R 2 0

West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic in 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 at www.westranchmusic.com.

Our Lady of Fatima celebration in Los Angeles Join on Saturday, October 20, at 5 p.m. for a special celebration in honor of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. It will be held at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). The main celebrant is Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar.

All the faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are cordially invited to join us in October, the month of the Rosary, to pray for peace and conversion in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. Please share this announcement with your parish, families and schools. Together we can bring peace to our world. Together in prayer, we make a difference. All are welcome! For more information, please call (323) 578-8411 or (818) 421-6534.

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.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.

Pinta*Dos Philippine Art Gallery in San Pedro, CA hosts art talk by Christine Morla The current ongoing show at Pinta*Dos Gallery is Contemporary Filipino and Filipino American Artists Encounter Textile which presents works by Filipino American artists Cirilo Domini and Christine Morla, and Manila’s Aze Ong, all of whom have been conceptually, spiritually or formally inspired to use textiles as a starting point of inquiry. On October 20, 2018, artist Christine Morla will talk about her art and how her Philippine cultural heritage has influenced her work. Scheduled at 3:00pm - 5:00pm, the Art Talk will also include Conversations with one of the curators of the current art exhibit, Joseph Santarromana. Pinta*Dos Gallery is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 107 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA. The event is free and open to the public but RSVP is requested. Call (310) 514-9139 or email Linda Nietes-Little: info@pintadosgallery.com for more details. Pinta*Dos Gallery is open on Thursday and Friday, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. or by appointment.

O C TO B E R 2 1

UAAP-NCAA Alumni Friendship Games USA in Carson, CA Join on Sunday, October 21 for the 2018 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)-National Collegiate Athletic Association (UAAP-NCAA) Alumni Friendship Games USA. It will be held at Cal State Dominguez Hills Gym in Carson, CA beginning at 8 a.m.

Spectator fee is $10.

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

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

How did we get here? Celebrating historical milestones of Filipinos in America This October, honoring Fil-Am ‘Turning Points’ and the successes they empowered

by KLARIZE

IN the United States, October is Filipino-American History Month, and it is just what the title denotes: looking back at the historical achievements and milestones of the FilipinoAmerican experience as it relates to American history.

This year marks the ninth Filipino-American History Month since the U.S. Congress officially recognized it in 2009.

The Filipino American National History Society (FANHS) has chosen the 2018 Fil-Am History Month theme to be “Turning Points” in honor of the three biggest events that changed the lives of Filipinos and Fil-Ams: the declaration of the Philippine independence and the establishment of the First Philippine Republic, the Spanish American Way, and the establishment of Ethnic Studies in the states.

In 1988, the FANHS designated October to celebrate Filipino-American history in honor of the first Filipinos to arrive to North America on Oct. 18, 1587 in California.

This year in particular marks the 120th anniversary of the declaration of Philippines independence from Spain in 1898, and by relation, the 120th Anniversary of the Spanish-American War. On June 12,

1898, Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary forces, declared Philippines’ independence from Spain, and established the First Philippine Republic.

But as many Filipinos know, the freedom was short lived as the Philippines was then given to the U.S. as part of the 1989 Treaty of Paris Agreement. The Philippines, thus became a U.S. territory with the Philippine-American War

rising up a year after.

Although the month of celebration has mistakenly been called “Filipino American Heritage Month,” it goes without saying that celebrating the very specific history of Filipino-Americans, the centuries-long emotional rollercoaster, elicits a certain brand of cultural pride throughout the community.

FANHS has cited in the past that, rather than heritage, the month should focus on history, i.e. dated events, experiences and the lives of the people who impacted the community, rather than elements and traditions that cultivate cultural pride.

Filling gaps in history lessons Filipinos today make up the third largest Asian American group in the entire United States with nearly four million Filipino-Americans in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey (ACS) data.

Narrowing the scope, Filipinos have become the largest Asian group in 11 states being Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

With a demographic impact such as that, it’s

no wonder there’s a whole month celebrating the history of Filipinos in America. For more than a hundred years, Filipino-Americans have been making strides to cement the Filipino-American identity within the overall American experience.

Like many minority groups’ lived experiences in America, the history of the

MEDENILLA AND RAE ANN VARONA / AJPRESS

Filipino-American is intricate and ample, but, often, neglected and overlooked; Filipinos are rarely mentioned in school textbooks across the U.S. But its non-existence in textbooks doesn’t negate the formidable impact Filipinos have made in the fabric of American history.

Many of us who grew up in the American school system didn’t learn much (if at all) about the colonization of the Philippines by America at the turn of the century.

Filipinos were the first undocumented Asians to arrive to the continental United States in 1587, 33 years before European Pilgrims touched down at Plymouth Rock and 200 years before the founding of the U.S. In the mid-1500s, Spain began its conquest to officially colonize the Philippines, which led to the Manila galleon trade that sailed from Cebu, Philippines (and later, Manila) to Acapulco, Mexico.

During one voyage from the motherland, a galleon containing Spaniards and Filipinos — called by the Spaniards Indios Luzones — touched down into what is now known as Morro Bay, California.

It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the first Filipino was naturalized as an American citizen, Ramon Reyes Lala, a London-educated writer from a wealthy, upperclass family.

The first major wave of Filipino migrants came during the period when the Philippines became a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1946, when the country gained independence.

We didn’t

learn about prolific Filipino-American writer and poet Carlos Bulosan who once said, “We...recognize the forces

which have been trying to falsify American history—the forces which drive away many Americans to a corner of compromise with those who would distort the ideals of men that died for freedom.”

We certainly didn’t get a just account of the Filipino war effort in World War II, and how that shaped the profound stake Filipinos have in the U.S. Armed Forces that persists today.

During this time, Filipinos lent their services to the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II in which more than a quarter million Filipinos responded to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s callto-arms.

For decades, these brave men and women who fought under the American flag would not get the recognition they deserved until the Obama administration, which began offering benefits to the surviving Filipino WWII Veterans and their families.

In 2017, these brave veterans and their families received the Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate their powerful, yet forgotten efforts in the war.

Even Itliong, along with fellow Filipino-American labor leader Philip Vera Cruz, has been often relegated to a footnote of classroom lessons about the Delano grape strike, often overshadowed by his Mexican-American counterpart Cesar Chavez.

But that is slowly changing as public schools are slowly incorporating more FilipinoAmerican history curricula.

CA Assemblymember Rob Bonta, a Filipino-American, introduced legislation that would

waited most of my life for people to give my father credit for his work. This is a dream come true.”

Fast forward over a century later through years of Filipinos creating their lives in the U.S., this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of a number of Filipino ethnic studies programs in U.S. universities such as San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis.

Just a couple days before Fil-Am History Month commenced, UC Davis launched the pioneering Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies — named after Filipino author and activist Carlos Bulosan — which is believed to be the first of its kind not only in the University of California system, but in the nation.

Empowered success In 2008, the State of Hawaii became the first state to officially observe FilipinoAmerican History Month in October. California followed in 2009 when the State Legislature passed a resolution officially recognizing the month-long celebration.

In 2016, former U.S. President Barack Obama said during a White House celebration of Fil-Am History Month, “Filipino-Americans have long played an integral role in shaping the life of our country.

They

will always be bound to each other in common purpose and by our shared hopes for the future,” he added.

Through the turning point events and the struggles of the previous generations of Filipinos, Filipinos in the following years have found a way to not only thrive and become a part of the U.S. identity, but be contributors to it.

These Fil-Ams include Pedro Flores, a Ilocos Norte native, who spent the years between 1929 and 1932, inventing and popularizing yo-yos while living in Santa Barbara, California.

A few years later in 1936, another Filipino was making waves on the nation’s east coast. Manila-born Fe del Mundo not only became the first Filipino, but the first Asian and first female to ever attend Harvard Medical University. While del Mundo was accepted into the program under the administrator’s mistake of her gender, she was able to keep her enrollment because of her strong records. She of course also found success back home as the first woman to ever be named the National Scientist of the Philippines in 1980.

She also founded the

include the role of Filipinos in the labor movement in California.

“It’s about time,” Johnny Itliong, Larry’s son, said after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law in 2013. “I’ve

have been the artists who challenge us, the educators who keep us informed, and the laborers of our growing economy.”

“Their immeasurable contributions to our Nation reaffirm that as Americans, we

first pediatric hospital in the Philippines.

When it comes to music, Filipinos to this day continue to find ways to shine in the music industry. In the 1950’s, half-Filipina singer Sugar Pie Continued on Page 6

From salted duck egg to sapin sapin: Filipino ingredients become ice cream flavors at Wanderlust Creamery 12 special flavors introduced for Fil-Am History Month

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

MANY believe that the best way to learn about a culture is through food. Though the process of traveling may be a luxury in itself, an LA-based artisanal ice cream concept takes customers on a figurative trip around the world — all packed into a scoop.

For the past three years, Wanderlust Creamery — started

by Filipino-Americans Adrienne Borlongan and JP Lopez — has introduced flavors inspired by their global travels, as well as destinations that have yet to be explored or stories from other people’s adventures.

Wanderlust currently has storefronts in Tarzana, Atwater Village, Venice, and a weekly residency at Smorgasburg LA. A signature flavor on Wanderlust’s menu has been the Ube Malted Crunch, which takes the purple yam mixed with malted milk topped with crunchy malted milk pieces. The creation was based on living in the U.S. as a second-generation Filipino.

“When we first opened Wanderlust, people would see that

my partner and I are Filipino and that we have ube on the menu, so they automatically think it’s a Filipino ice cream shop,” Borlongan told the Asian Journal.

“But we’re inspired by all over the globe so we have influences from everywhere, not just one area.”

Other standout concoctions include Sticky Rice and Mango from Thailand or Honey Lavender inspired by Provence, France.

“The ice cream trend has been elevating flavors beyond the typical chocolate or strawberry and delivering an experience in a scoop of ice cream, so I want people to be able to eat the whole thing, not just stop at one spoonful,” she continued.

For ice cream aficionados or larger parties who can’t decide on just one scoop or want to try as many flavors as possible, Wanderlust offers “A Flight Around the World,” with 14 mini cones of the signature and seasonal flavors of their choice.

Though Borlongan — a food scientist by trade and former bartender — didn’t have experience in the ice cream industry prior

A display of the ice creams available this month at Wanderlust Creameryʼs various locations.

to opening Wanderlust three years ago, the craft of developing flavors is in her blood, as she shared that her grandfather was a flavor chemist for Magnolia Ice Cream back in the Philippines.

To mark October as Filipino-American History Month, Borlongan unveiled 12 custom flavors derived from Filipino desserts she grew up eating and ingredients she saw during trips to the Philippines.

“These are flavors that I’ve been saving that I’ve always wanted to make. Now that we’ve been open for three years, I think people get what Wanderlust is all about so I decided to throw a whole month’s worth of flavors for the Filipino community,” she continued.

The flavors are: • Barako Coffee (barako coffee beans infused into grass fed ice cream sweeted with dark muscovado sugar) • Sans Rival (buttercream ice cream with pieces of crispy cashew dacquoise) • Kalamansi Pie (meringue ice cream, housemade kalamansi lime curd and graham crumble) • Pandan Tres Leches (sweet cream ice cream with ribbons of condensed milk + pieces of pandan sponge cake) • Coconut Beurre Noisette (Sweet cream ice cream studded with “latik” - curds of browned coconut milk) • Kapampangan Halo Halo (a mixture of condensed milk ice cream, flecked with jackfruit sherbet, swirls of saba bananadulce de leche, and studded with coconut sport + crispy pinipig rice) • Biko (a vegan and dairy free

Among the 12 special Filipino flavors available this October for Fil-Am History Month include (from L-R) Coconut Beurre Noisette, Sans Rival, Green Mango, and Kalamansi Pie. Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery

Sans Rival and keso de bola on a pandan cone.

A list of flavors available at Wanderlust Creameryʼs Atwater Village Location AJPress photos by Mark Xavier Bautista Adrienne Borlongan, co-founder of Wanderlust Creamery, introduced Filipino flavors for the month of October.

take on the rice dessert using banana leaf-infused sticky rice ice cream with caramelized coconut milk) • Brown Butter Pili Nut (brown butter ice cream and roasted pili nuts from the Bicol region) • Green Mango (a sorbet of green unripe mangoes) • Keso De Bola (aged edam cheese ice cream) • Sapin Sapin (A neapolitan of the signature Ube Malted

Crunch®, jackfruit, and sticky rice ice creams) • Limocito de Kastilla (a sorbet of tamarind and candied wild lime berries, grown in Camarines Sur, Philippines) Like any flavor at Wanderlust, everything is made from scratch, using the freshest ingredients. The Brown Butter Pili Nut has pili nuts straight from Bicol, where Lopez’s family is from, and Barako Coffee is comprised of whole beans sourced from Batangas.

Of course, having Filipino ice cream on the menu would not

be complete without a cheese flavor, so Borlongan made one using the beloved keso de bola.

“Everybody has told me that in the Philippines, the most beloved flavor after ube is cheese, so I actually went and bought some cheese ice cream from a Filipino grocery store. Honestly, I don’t get it because it’s a little too cheesy for me. One cheese I do love is edam, which is keso de bola so I decided to make a flavor out of that because it’s milder than the traditional cheese. I wanted to be able to Continued on Page 4

entertainment Fil-Am singer Radha blows ‘The Voice’ judges away during blind auditions The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

by Cody

Cepeda Inquirer.net

THE 20-year-old FilipinoAmerican singer Radharani Martinez, professionally known as RADHA, blew the judges of “The Voice” away during her blind audition in the show on Sept. 24.

RADHA, who emerged on stage wearing a blue jumpsuit, wowed judges Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton when she belted out to Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best” — a performance that was deserving of all its glimmering feedback, and more.

Levine was the first to turn his chair for RADHA after he found himself immediately mesmerized and struck by her powerful performance.

Throughout her song, Hudson and Shelton can be seen talking among each other as they both found themselves torn whether they should already turn their chair for her or not.

By the end of her performance, all four judges have turned their chairs. Meanwhile, RADHA looked overwhelmed and moved by the results.

Levine, it appeared, blocked Hudson so she wouldn’t be able to take RADHA into her team, making it known that he wants the young powerhouse singer under his wing.

“First of all that beginning threw me back so far into my chair that I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to get back up again,” Levine told RADHA in awe. “And then I pressed because I’m not an idiot, but then I got scared so who am I gonna block? Kelly or Jennifer?”

Levine continued to say, “Honest to God, I was so amazed by you. The way you performed, the control, the maturity, you omit this amazing vibe when you sing. This is absolutely the era of the

Photo from Facebook/TheOfficialRadha

female and I’m your guy.”

Hudson, although upset she had been blocked by Levine, told RADHA that she was just delighted to see the likes of her come into the show: “I’m just happy to see a voice like yours make it to a show like this. You outdid yourself, ‘lil sister, I just wanna say that.”

Shelton, too, was nothing short of floored, as he told her they’ve never seen anyone like her vocally kick the door down during blind auditions.

“Unbelievable. People have tried that in the past, they never really carry on through ’til the end of the song and your voice just stayed on point,” Shelton told RADHA. “That’s why I held back… You should pick me as

your coach because Adam has already taken the chance from you to work with Jennifer freaking Hudson.”

Despite the bickering between Shelton and Levine, RADHA eventually chose the Maroon 5 frontman as her coach. “I pick Adam,” she said, much to the joy of Levine.

RADHA is a first-generation American, as her parents emigrated from the Philippines to the United States to give their family a better life.

She learned how to read and sing through karaoke, as per NBC, with karaoke being big in Filipino culture. Today, she is a full-time honor student at Montclair State University in New Jersey while pursuing her dreams of becoming a songwriter.

entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

From salted egg to sapin sapin...

From Page 2 introduce that to non-Filipinos too so there’s a compromise,” she said, comparing it to a cheesecake-like flavor.

On the flip side, some are Filipino takes on other desserts Borlongan enjoys, like pandan flavored tres leches or using kala-

mansi instead for a translation on key lime pie.

One creation, in particular, has been drawing attention: Salted Duck Egg, which rides on the current trend in the Philippines. It’s been turned into a potato chip seasoning or has been used in desserts.

Fil-Am recruiters share benefits of joining US Army

By AJPress

IN recent years, estimates have found that only 1 percent of young Americans are eligible to join military service.

For the U.S. Army, there are about 33.4 million Americans between the ages of 17 to 24, the ideal group it is targeting for recruitment. But of that number, only 9.7 million are qualified, while 136,000 are even interested in joining, according to a report by the Salted Duck Egg, one of the hit flavors this month Army Times.

The requirements to enlist at Wanderlust Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery in the Army include between 17 and 34 years old, U.S. “Literally any restaurant at citizen or legal permanent the mall will have a salted duck resident, have a high school egg flavored something on diploma or equivalent, score at the menu, kind of like how Hot least a 33 on the Armed Forces Cheetos were on menus here a Qualification Test, and meet couple months ago so I liken it to height and weight requirethat. I made a custard base with ments, among others. soft cured salted duck egg yolks There are many misconcepand then we have hard cured tions about Army service, such yolks grated in. It just tastes like as the major one about how an extra eggy Crème brûlée. enlisting means automatically It sounds shocking but it’s our being put on the battlefield number one best-selling flavor and being ready to fight in a this month because it’s not a far war. departure from a traditional desHowever, the Southern sert. It’s just custard,” Borlongan California-based recruiters said. the Asian Journal interviewed (The Salted Egg Flavor is shared that the upsides of joinonly available at the Tarzana and ing the Army outweigh those Atwater Village locations. To misconceptions. Currently, recheck which flavors are available cruiters are doubling down on at each store, visit https://www. efforts to find future soldiers, wanderlustcreamery.com/). whether it’s using social media To top it all off, Wanderlust or going to local high schools offers ube and pandan cones to talk about their experiences. too.

“When you come into a With the Filipino flavors this recruitment station, there’s no month, Borlongan hopes cuscommitment. All we’re doing tomers will get some insight into is talking,” Filipino-American the culture, yet see they are “not SSG Alvic Morales of the Army a far departure from Western sweets.”

“I tell this story all the time, when I had a birthday growing up, my mom would always buy me an ube cake from Goldilocks but I would have non-Filipinos in my class who would be freaked out by the color,” Borlongan recalled. “So my mom would have to buy the ube cake and a vanilla or chocolate from Ralphs in order to cater to the two worlds. But now, I’ll go to the stores and see little kids with purple mustaches and laugh at how times have changed. That’s basically what we’re trying to do with educating people.”

Sergeant First Class Julius Williams

Filipino recruiters Staff Sergeant (SSG) Lio Palacpac, SSG Gerry Whigan, and SSG Alvic Morales

Recruiting Station in Carson said.

Sharing success stories of why soldiers joined the Army is one of the key ways recruiters have been able to convince others to enlist. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Nak Chae of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Koreatown, Los Angeles, who has been a member of the Army for nearly 10 years, cited the recent example of a young man who was formerly homeless who joined the Army and now has a job and a salary.

SSG Morales said, “I volunteered to become a recruiter because I strongly believed that the Army is a good organization that you can build your foundation if you don’t have a plan. Like I didn’t have a plan with how to go with my life, especially being engaged so young, so the Army built that foundation me. I want to provide that same opportunity for other people.”

In addition to allowance to cover cost of living, health care, family services, recruiters shared some of the top benefits of joining the Army: Education The cost of higher education is at an all-time high and can be a deterrent for many who want to pursue their postsecondary degrees. However, joining the U.S. Army means that those educational goals don’t have to be shelved.

There are various avenues this branch of the military makes going back to school a reality, from the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) — which is a partnership between the U.S. Army Recruiting Command and over 1,900 colleges — to financial aid programs and education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Educational benefits can also be transferred to soldiers’ spouses and children.

Continued on Page 6

Sgt. Young Choi of the U.S. Army Koreatown Recruiting Center

SSG Nak H. Chae of the U.S. Army Koreatown Recruiting Center

Franklin Magarro, the ‘kababayan specialist’ of Garden Grove Nissan NISSAN vehicles have for years, been loved by Filipinos both in the states and in the Philippines where the Japanese brand has a history going back to nearly half a century since it entered the Philippine market in 1969.

In 2009, many Filipinos grew closer to the brand when Nissan’s sporty 370z was revealed to have been designed by Filipino designer Randy Rodriguez, who is said to have owned 10 different Z cars before sketching out what became the final iconic 370Z design.

Whether it’s getting behind the wheels of a new or certified preowned Nissan, or making sure their current Nissan is running at its best, kababayans in Southern California are sure to be in good hands of the Garden Grove Nissan staff which includes Franklin Magarro, an Internet/Fleet Sales Manager and “Kababayan Specialist,” at Garden Grove Nissan.

“NIssan has history, and with that comes heritage and brand name,” shared Magarro who has over 20 years experience in the car business selling Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Hyundai before Nissan.

“Nissan has been a worldwide name and stands for quality workmanship and reliability,” Magarro added.

Located in the Orange County city of Garden Grove, Garden Grove Nissan has been the go-to Nissan dealership for those in Santa Ana, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Westminster, and throughout the greater Southern California.

A fun fact about the dealership that kababayans may be glad to know is that one of Garden Grove Nissan’s new owners Richard Luengo, is a fellow Filipino!

“There is a Filipino vibe of

hospitality that exists when you walk into our dealership,” said Magarro. “From the top management, to sales, all the way to our services — we are all family.

All of our customers are treated like family.”

“The atmosphere is very down to earth, and you don’t feel any pressure at all,” added Magarro.

Whether it is a new or preowned vehicle people are looking for, Garden Grove Nissan offers a great selection of Nissan models starting with the versatile Nissan Versa, all the way up to the high performance Nissan GT-R. “Filipinos gravitate to name recognition and also looking for a dependable automobile that won’t break the bank when it comes to maintenance,” said Magarro.

The most popular Nissan models? The compact Sentra, and the mid-sized Altima and Maxima models are unsurprisingly big sellers when it comes to sedans.

“The SUV Rogue is the number one selling SUV in the United States,” added Magarro, of Nissan’s awarding winning Rogue SUV. Its accolades include the Top Safety Pick for 2018 IIHS when equipped with its LED low-beam headlights, 2018 Best Technology by the Texas Auto Writers Association for its Propilot Assist, and being in the Kelley Blue Book’s top 10 Best Selling Cars of 2017.

Also selling well is the first-ever Nissan Kicks, which is especially popular among millennials due to its sporty and compact styling.

And then, there are of course the electric operated vehicles and hybrids like the new 2018 Nissan Leaf which has been dubbed the world’s best selling electric car, and the 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid.

Whether in the market for a new

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of certified pre-owned Nissan, or simply looking for service assistance or accessories for your Nissan, make sure to stop by Garden Grove Nissan for all your Nissan needs.

To c h e c k o u t G a r d e n G ro v e N i s s a n , v i s i t w w w. nissangardengrove.com, or check out their location at 9222 Trask Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92844. To contact Franklin Magarro, reach him at (562) 3158386, and at fmagarro@ggnissan. com.

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Lay Bare Waxing Salon finds success through better and natural hair removal Pinay co-founder Fiona Hilario shares benefits of raved about â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sugaringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technique

and we make it easier by not only offering a natural alternaAJPress tive and providing products that STARTING a business and are all FDA-approved, and most turning it into an empire is no paraben-free, but we make it easy feat, but the founders beas affordable for anyone to be hind Lay Bare Waxing Salon got able to remain hair-free all year it down with over 100 locations round,â&#x20AC;? shared Hilario. in the Philippines, and a budding Like many, Hilario was using presence in the U.S. the notoriously painful hot or Lay Bare Waxing Salon strip waxes before she finally specializes in sugaring, a hair converted to sugaring. removal technique that has for â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was so hot and painful, centuries been around in the and no matter how long youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Fiona Hilario Middle East and Mediterranean, been doing it, the pain did not the universe had other plans for and has been growing as the lessen,â&#x20AC;? said Hilario. prefered method of hair removal us.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With cold wax or sugaring, The Lay Bare brand took all over the globe including in the experience was very comoff, and in just six months after the U.S. fortable and we loved that it was Being an expert of the sugar- opening their first location, all-natural, and actually edible,â&#x20AC;?

Lay Bare welcomed a second ing technique, Lay Bare uses she added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting my legs location. Before reaching its cold sugar wax made of natural sugared actually made me fall second year anniversary, two ingredients like sugar, honey, asleep.â&#x20AC;? franchise locations had been and citrus fruits for removing And now with Lay Bare, opened. Today, Lay Bare Waxunwanted hair â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ingredients Hilario hopes that others can get ing Salon has 122 locations in that are way less irritating than the same comfortable expericommonly used hot waxes. And the Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 50 of which ence when coming into any of are company owned, and 72 of with the extra benefits of being their salons. which are franchised. exfoliating, moisturizing, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your first time sugarIn 2012, Lay Bare entered whitening, it makes sense that ing, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn all there is about more and more people are turn- the U.S. by opening their first it as we make sure to educate location along Ventura Bouling to sugaring. you on your first visit,â&#x20AC;? said evard in Studio City, California â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a leap of faith Hilario. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will also have acwhen only a handful of salons in definitely,â&#x20AC;? said Fiona Hilario cess to complementary products the area offered sugaring. The on starting Lay Bare with her that help your skin stay smooth scene is much different now, said and ingrown-free between sessiblings Monique and Paolo.

Hilario, adding that there are at The trio founded Lay Bare sions.â&#x20AC;? least 10 sugaring services within Waxing Salon in the Philippines Not only are all of Lay Bareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a two-mile radius. in 2006 when the only two opproducts natural, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also But what sets them apart tions for hair removal left people dermatologically-tested and choosing between the high-end from others, and what continues FDA-approved, further ensurspas that charged way too much to get them their rave reviews is ing that only the best products that Lay Bare makes it a priorfor their services, or the general touch their clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; skin. ity to provide all-natural hair low-end salons that did everyAnd since Lay Bare is still removal techniques that are thing from hair, skin, and nails Pinoy-owned and Pinay-run, gentle on the skin, without havwithout the desired comfort. clients can always expect to ing to spend so much. As Hilario experience the same friendly Having been introduced to said, the two biggest reasons sugaring â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or cold waxing as service those in the Philippines most people shy away from its also known as â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hilario and are used to. high quality hair removal are her siblings decided to try their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lay Bare aims to be the hands at opening a waxing salon pain and price, and Lay Bare has Starbucks of the hair removal worked to address both of those industry, and we invite you to that offered all-natural and high concerns. quality hair removal services at come visit us and see how we â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of other places now prices clients would approve of. made it to number one in the offer what we offer, but we stand Philippines, and how we will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had zero money to my out by making it more affordable number one later globally,â&#x20AC;? said name,â&#x20AC;? shared Hilario, addby having a lower price point, ing that it took borrowing PHP Hilario.

100,000 from her credit union, as and offering packages and Visit Lay Bare Waxing Salon memberships. We even let you well as some help from her sibat their Studio City location at earn rewards for loyalty,â&#x20AC;? said lings and co-founders Monique 12265 Ventura Blvd, Ste 203, and Paolo, to get the ball rolling. Hilario.

Studio City, CA 91604. For more A better way to hair reâ&#x20AC;&#x153;It was very informal. No information about their services moval business plan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not even a and products, visit their website â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to promote that mental plan,â&#x20AC;? she added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We at www.lay-bareus.com, or give hair removal is as essential as just figured we can do this on them a call at (818) 760-9000. getting your nails or hair done, the side for some side cash, but (Advertising Supplement)

by RAE

entertainment

5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

Derek Ramsay soon a Kapuso

by RICKY LO

ANN VARONA

Philstar.com

THE merry-go-round in local television continues.

In the footsteps of Regine Velasquezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transfer from the Kapuso network to the Kapamilya network (although she has yet to confirm), guess who is making his way to the network that Regine is leaving â&#x20AC;&#x201D; yes, Derek Ramsay!

The Funfare DPA who broke this piece of good news said that anytime now, Derek will sign an exclusive contract.

Derek is a valuable/bankable actor who should be a big asset to his new home.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Derekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second big move. Originally a contract star of ABS-CBN, he transferred to the TV5 Kapatid network where he starred in big shows. Even if the Kapamilya network frowned on his transfer (after his contract had expired), the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister company, Star Cinema, got Derek for the hit movie Kasal. Why didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ABS-CBN rehire Derek? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the big question.

Meanwhile, did you know that another Derek Ramsay is poised to join showbiz?

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s none other than Derekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s younger brother Derek An-

showbiz journey and it fueled his own dream to be an actor. His own journey began in the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts where he studied Musical Theatre, after which he explored the Shakespearean techniques

drew Ramsay who, to avoid any confusion, will be identified by his initials DAR in the rest of this story.

The youngest of five siblings, DAR left home early in pursuit of his dream.

Growing up in Tagaytay City, DAR saw his kuyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Continued on Page 6

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entertainment Fil-Am recruiters share benefits of...

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

From Page 4 For SSG Lio Palacpac of the Army Recruiting Station in Carson, a former X-ray technician, enlisting in the Army 10 years ago has enabled him to pursue further education, which in turn opened up other career options.

“I told my mom that I didn’t come to America to be here working, day on, day off and if I don’t go to work, I don’t get paid,” Palacpac said.

“I told her that I was quitting my job to look for something better. Being Filipino, the next step is: join the military.” He became an engineer mechanic with the Army and received the training for free.

He added, “Education is very important, but a college degree is almost becoming like a high school diploma. What’s going to separate you from other applicants that have the same degree and credentials?

Now they want experience.

That’s what the Army offers — skills and experience at the same time. If you learn a certain job in the Army, you’re going to do it and is more hands-on. It’s not just by the book.”

The Army also offers graduate-level scholarships in law, medicine and the seminary.

Through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), the Army will pay 100 percent of tuition for a graduate-level health care degree for any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico.

For the latter two fields, there is the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) that selects several active duty Army officers to obtain a legal education and the Chaplain Candidate Scholarship Partnership (CCSP), which is a joint venture between some of our nation’s leading graduate institutions and the Army to provide financial assistance to candidates for chaplaincy.

Job opportunities and competitive pay “Coming from the Koreatown recruiting station, there are a lot of Asians, especially Filipinos, who come in. If

someone wants to join, especially under 18, I want to talk to their parents because they don’t know what they want to do in the Army and they don’t have a goal or plan. We’re recruiters but at the same time we’re career counselors as well. We try to make a roadmap for them,” said SSG Chae.

Every soldier part of the U.S. Army earns a salary and may qualify for allowances and bonuses on top of that.

Soldiers are not just trained for combat, but for jobs within the brand and beyond in the civilian world, as over 150 career opportunities are available, whether it’s a medical, engineer, or IT job. Soldiers take a standardized test that will help them determine what occupations are best suited for them.

“It’s not just about deploying and fighting with enemies.

Some people join the Army as well to advance their career.

For me, I graduated college before I joined the Army but I didn’t have a lot of job experience. I was able to get experience in HR with the Army, which could help me with future opportunities,” said Sgt. Young Choi of the Army Recruiting Station in Koreatown.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Julius Williams added, “If you’re going to come to the land of opportunity, take advantage of the opportunity.

When I talk to future soldiers, I try to relate to their situation and break it down for them. I came here as a green card holder and couldn’t get a job that required top secret clearance. But now I am a citizen, have a job with top secret clearance, and I got a bachelor’s degree paid for by the Army. Then I’m starting my master’s next month in organization leadership. And it’s all free. Most important thing is, I have experience.”

Williams was recently able to recruit four Fil-Ams from one family, who have logistics and medical jobs.

“The biggest difference between the Army and any other branch is the power of choice.

In the Army, I have a choice of what I’m going to do there.

For the Navy, for example, they put you in whatever area that they need you in. We have the most jobs in the Army,” he added.

Soldiers receive a compensation package that includes basic pay, allowances for housing, health care, and more and increases depending on rank and years served.

Naturalization Non-citizens who are legal permanent residents (green card holders) may join the military. Members of the Armed Forces can file for naturalization and may experience a quicker process in terms of becoming a citizen. Their spouses can also be eligible for expedited naturalization.

For SSG Morales, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in Hawaii, joining the Army gave him the opportunity to petition his wife.

“Instead of waiting years and years, my wife was here within three months because we have special section in the USCIS for military,” he said, adding that his wife was able to become a citizen in three years.

Community and camaraderie The Army prides itself in being the most diverse Army in the world, with recruits coming from all backgrounds that represent the areas and communities the recruitment centers are.

“The misconception is that recruiters will lie to you because they need you...

I take pride in, especially when someone comes from nowhere, when two or three years down the road, you get a phone call from them thanking you. That’s the goal. We want everyone to know how we can help them,” SFC Williams said.

“This is more than recruiting for me.”

SSG Palacpac said, “I tell new recruits that I’m available for advice and to be a mentor to help them navigate all the options. One day they will take my place and look for their replacements as well. It’s a cycle.”

Sense of duty and lifelong skills Though there are oppor-

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tunities to build a long career within the Army, many believe that the training and experience received during their service sets them up for whatever they do afterward.

“People come to the U.S. for the American Dream. I’m only 28 and I already have two properties. I’m not saying I’m the most successful Filipino in California, but for a kid from Cavite, I couldn’t have imagined these opportunities,” SSG Palacpac said, adding that the Army has helped him set up for retirement as well. A lot of Filipinos have been living in the U.S. for years and they’re still working at 69 years old.

I’m living for my future and not just waiting for the next paycheck to come, that’s why I’m investing in my retirement.”

Some of the skills that the recruiters shared include leadership, strong work ethic, and time management and discipline, management and communication.

“The number one skill I’ve learned is resiliency and being able to bounce back after any situation,” SSG Gerry Whigan from the U.S. Army Recruiting in Lakewood said.

SFC Williams said, “For me, it’s been a sense of appreciation because growing up in the Philippines and coming here with the opportunity, I realized how a lot of people here complain about certain stuff.

What they complain about is nowhere close to what people can complain about. So I appreciate what I have a lot more and in that sense, I can also relate to people a lot more when I’m talking to them.”

For more information about joining the Army and its benefits, you may contact: U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Koreatown: SSG Nak Chae at (213) 2649233 / nak.h.chae.mil@mail.mil Sergeant Young C. Choi at (323) 839-7587 / young. c.choi2.mil@mail.mil.

U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Carson: SSG Lio Palacpac at (310) 387-4490 / lio.m.palacpac.mil@ mail.mil SSG Alvic Morales at (818) 209-1745 U.S. Army Recruiting in Lakewood: SSG Gerry Whigan at (562) 496-3815 / gerry.n.whigan. mil@mail.mil

Maxine Medina and Kylie Verzosa

ABS-CBN photo

Beauty queens Kylie, Maxine to win over afternoon block

ally enjoy the challenge.

Verzosa, acknowledged on the other hand, “Kami ni FRESH from ensemble Maxine, we’re here to prove to roles in the comedy movie ourselves and the viewers that “Abay Babes” and hit afwe can act. Ako naman malaki ternoon drama “Hanggang ang pasasalamat ko kay Direk Saan,” respectively, beauty Ruel [Bayani] dahil binigay niya queens Kylie Verzosa and Max- itong opportunity sa amin and ine Medina are determined to he trusted us with the roles. win over prime time television Para sa akin, dito ako na-chalas they join the sizzling and lenge na patunayan yung sarili powerhouse cast of ABSko. Like I said, we’re here to CBN’s newest Kapamilya Gold prove something.” teleserye, “Los Bastardos.”

Premiering today, Los Verzosa is Dulce and Medi- Bastardos will find Don Roman na is Isay in this TV adaptation leading a happy family life until of Precious Hearts Romances’ tragedy strikes, leading him “Cardinal Bastards” series that to recklessness as he seeks tells the story of five brothers to find true love. He will sire (Jake Cuenca, Diego Loyzaga, five sons from five different Marco Gumabao, Albie Casiño women: Isagani (Cuenca), Don and Joshua Colet) who must Roman’s long-lost son with his fight against each other to first love; Joaquin (Loyzaga), earn the right to the riches the only son who will grow up of the powerful family of Don under his care; Matteo (GumaRoman Cardinal (Ronaldo bao), who will end up with the Valdez).

Cardinals’ rival family; Connor At the series’ media launch (Colet), who will become a before the weekend, Verzosa, conman bent on destroying Miss International 2016 and the Cardinal wealth; and Lucas Medina, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (Casiño), who will grow up not 2016, shared they will figure knowing the man he serves in a love triangle in Cuenca’s is his own father. With lives character. To be sure they pull worlds apart, these five men off their respective roles, they are bound together by the took intensive acting worksame blood, which will inevitashops in their goal to match bly bring them face to face as the skills of their leading man’s they learn the truth about their well-known acting chops. identities.

“Nag-workshop po kami Besides Verzosa and before kami isalang sa tapMedina, Marijoy Apostol, ing. If you will remember, Mica Javier, Jane Oineza and my role in Hanggang Saan as Ritz Azul are also cast as the Georgette Sandiego was a Cardinals’ leading ladies. lawyer, and somewhat needed Giving sterling support to this that air of stature that a beauty assembly of prime time actors queen has. But this one, Isay is are veterans Perla Bautista, very different,” explained Me- Pinky Amador, Isabel Rivas, dina. “Si Isay kasi probinsyana, Lito Pimentel, Bert Reyes, and so kailangan ko mag loosen up Rosanna Roces. and be simple—the opposite Los Bastardos starts airing (Advertising Supplement) of a beauty queen—and I retoday after “Kadenang Ginto.”

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

How did we get here...

From Page 2 DeSanto (Umpeylia Marsema Balinton) found success as a R&B singer with many songs landing on the Billboard’s Hot R&B chart. Giving her the name Sugar Pie was none other than the famous American musician Johnny Otis.

In the world of social activism and civil rights, there were of course Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, Fil-Am farm workers who most notably pioneered the 1965 Grape Strike and Boycott and were leading voices in the agricultural strikes throughout Central and Southern California.

Entering the early 2000s, Fil-Ams saw the successes of creatives like Philippine-born animator Van Partible, who animated and created the classic Cartoon Network series Johnny Bravo; and Cristeta “Cris” Comerford who at the age of 21, moved to the U.S. where she ended up becoming the first Asian and first ever female White House Executive Chef, a position she

still holds since starting over 10 years ago.

And then there’s Fil-Am historian, activist, and professor Dr. Dawn Mabalon who inspired many of today’s young Fil-Am generation through her writings, teachings, and enthusiasm for Fil-Am histories and experiences.

The FANHS has this year dedicated this year’s Fil-Am History Month to be in memory of Dr. Mabalon, who suddenly passed away in August while on vacation in Hawaii.

“Collecting, preserving, and spreading knowledge about Filipino American history for our community was an honest and vibrant labor of love for Dr. Dawn Mabalon,” wrote the FANHS. “As she noted, ‘History is about the events, experiences and lives of people in our community (in the U.S.) and their impact upon society and the political, cultural and economic events and moments that shape their lives,’” the FANHS quoted Mabalon

once saying.

As we celebrate Fil-Am History Month, let us not forget the turning points, the people those events involved, and the opportunities they provided us in the following years.

History is an ongoing account of the human experience as it relates to social and political change, and FilipinoAmerican history continues to manifest itself as a story of continued resilience and respect; it’s a book with no conclusion, a sentence without a conclusion.

We all play a part in the history of the Filipino-American, and the reckoning of immigrant rights, intersectional feminism and representation of Filipinos in public roles is currently being written and will be written in our history.

Understanding the history of Filipino-Americans helps us understand how we got here and gives us an idea of what we’re capable of in the present and future.

Derek Ramsay soon a...

From Page 5 with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and recently graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York Film Academy. Asked if there was anything else he was interested in pursuing, DAR (now based in Los Angeles) said, “Honestly, I don’t see myself doing anything else. My dad, also named Derek Ramsay, convinced me to work in the family business but I was unhappy. He was obviously disappointed, but I knew I had to follow my heart and pursue my dreams.”

He’s determined to make a name of his own and not bask in the long shadow of his kuya.

“My entire life I’ve always been known as Derek Ramsay’s younger brother,” he admitted. “I never really had my own identity mainly because we had the same name and I was still young then. I

want to be known as Derek Andrew Ramsay, the actor. I want my own limelight and where better to start than in a place where I can carve my own niche and start of my acting career.”

Asked further how he felt being compared to his kuya and why he moved to L.A., DAR explained, “Being compared to your older brother who is already a household name can be a big disadvantage. So rather than be negative about it, I use it to motivate myself to create unique and meaningful scripts infused with personal experiences and apply my acting skills from techniques I learned.”

Recently, Derek collaborated with his best friend, Warren Carman, on a short film titled Pangako (Promise), described as a very personal film close to the lead actor’s heart that exemplifies a diverse theme focusing on an individual in

search of who he is and where he belongs. The director, Christian Lat, and writer, Blasgil Tanquilut, together with DAR created a parallel universe relatable to the artist’s cultural background.

The film recently premiered at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival, which showcased 333 films from 23 countries and is accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) as well as The British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

DAR is currently represented by Oliver Carnay, the proprietor of International Artists PR & Talent Management whose roster includes a diverse selection of actors, musicians, directors and writers. DAR is cast as Malcom in Macbeth, directed by Kenn Sabberton, which will be staged by The Shakespeare Center of L.A.

entertainment Pechanga Resort Casino cements “Best in California” standing in 4 major readers’ polls The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018

READERS across the country were recently asked to rate their favorite casinos, and their favorite things within those casinos – hotel, spa, golf course, restaurants and more. Enthusiasts of USA Today, Orange County Register, Press-Enterprise and the So Cal Gaming Guide were asked to take a few minutes to cast their ballots, and readers spoke loud and clear.

In the Orange County Register’s readers’ poll in which they asked readers to rate the best activities and entertainment in Southern California, Pechanga took the top spot earning the title of Best Southern California Casino. The award highlighted Pechanga’s new expansion that added another 568 hotel rooms and suites, a luxury, twolevel spa, two new restaurants, another 68,000-square feet of event space and the 4.5-acre pool complex called The Cove.

The Press-Enterprise, covering the Inland Empire region of Southern California, encouraged its readers to vote in dozens of categories to rank their favorite things in the area. Readers chose Pechanga Resort Casino as their favorite Southern California Casino and Kelsey’s as the best sports bar. Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar received a prestigious nod as a “Critic’s Choice” selection for best sushi restaurant.

The national contest put on by USA Today’s 10Best. com nominated Pechanga in three categories - Best Casino Outside Las Vegas, Best Casino Hotel and Best Casino Restaurant (Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar).

Out of field of internationally acclaimed restaurants in Las Vegas

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Pechanga Resort Casino after $300 million expansion completion in March 2018

and elsewhere, Umi took second place. Pechanga came in third place in the Best Casino Hotel category and fourth in the Best Casino Outside Las Vegas poll.

Umi was the only West Coast casino restaurant nominated.

In the Southern California Gaming Guide’s readers’ poll, readers were asked to rate dozens of categories pertaining to regional casinos. Pechanga picked up first place wins in the categories of Best Casino Resort, Best Entertainment, Best Poker, Best Spa, and Best Casino Golf Course.

Guests know Pechanga Resort Casino as a destination where they can relax or take in the casino excitement with a less than two-hour drive from Los Angeles and about a one-hour drive from San Diego.

Pechanga offers AAA Four Diamond accommodations, service, warmth and style in a relaxed, approachable luxury environment.

For more information or to make reservations at Pechanga Resort Casino, visit Pechanga.

com or call (877) 711-2946.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the country. Named the number one casino in the country by USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 4,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 7112946 or visit www.Pechanga. com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

Pool - The Cove

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 17, 2018