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Volume 17 - No. 28 • 3 Sections – 22 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump administration releases proposed public charge regulations

New proposal could affect 24 million immigrants, including those previously eligible for green cards

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 PAGE A2

O C T O BE R 1 9 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 8

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Philippines ranks 56th in global competitiveness report THE Philippines placed 56th globally among 140 countries in the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2018-2019 of the World Economic Forum.

It also showed the Philippines as the fifth most competitive economy among the nine economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index released by partner institute Makati Business Club (MBC) on Tuesday, October 16, measures a country’s standing using a set of criteria that determine levels of productivity.

According to WEF, the Philippines ranked lower than Singapore, which placed first in ASEAN and second globally; Malaysia, 25th globally; Thailand, 38th; and Indonesia, 45th. The country was ahead of Brunei Darussalam, 62nd; Vietnam, 77th; Cambodia, 110th; and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 112th, however.

This year, the United States topped the index, followed by Singapore, while Germany cinched the third spot.

WEF said that the latest report is not comparable to the previous ones as it has transitioned to a new

methodology.

About 60 percent of the indicators used in the new index “are brand new, as we increasingly believe factors such as workforce diversity, labor rights, egovernment and disruptive businesses are driving competitiveness,� it said.

The index looked at 12 pillars — institutions, infrastructure, information and communication technology adoption, macroeconomic stability, health, education and skills, product market, labor market, financial system, market size, business dynamism, PAGE A2

Abby-Junjun feud brings Nancy to tears

Fil-Am federal prosecutor nominated

by Trump to 9th Circuit Patrick J. Bumatay to be first Fil-Am judge to serve on federal appeals court FILIPINO-AMERICAN attorney Patrick J. Bumatay was nominated by President Donald Trump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday, October 10.

If confirmed, Bumatay would become the first Fil-Am judge to serve on a federal appeals court, and the second Fil-Am Article III judge ever in U.S. history. Bumatay would also become the second openly LGBT federal

u PAGE A3

In separate interviews at the Inquirer ofďŹ ce, 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 ďŹ ght. Abby shows a document stating she’s the ofďŹ cial 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

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

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.

PAGE A3

LEADERSHIP CHANGE. President Rodrigo Duterte looks on as outgoing Philippine Army Commander Lieutenant General Rolando Bautista congratulates newly-installed Philippine Army Commander Major General Macairog Alberto during the Change of Command Ceremony held at the Philippine Army OfďŹ cers’ Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday, October 15. Outgoing Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, who was recently tapped by Duterte as the next secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Monday. Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines commander Maj. Gen. Macairog Alberto was set to take the helm of the 98,000-strong Army.

MalacaĂąang photo by Valerie Escalera

still ‘confused’ over Boracay opening plans Noted Fil-Am leader seeks back mayorship Businesses the ocean.

THE government’s guidelines clarified),� she said.

by TEDDY

MOLINA

MILPITAS, CALIF. — A noted Filipino-American political, civic, social, and religious leader is back in the campaign trail to regain the mayorship of Milpitas that he had previously held for six terms.

Jose “Joe� S. Esteves, who traces his roots in Dagupan City and Mangatarem town, both in Pangasinan, is running to bring back the “old glory� that the enviable city in the heart of Silicon Valley once enjoyed.

In the race for the November 6 elections, he is offering his accomplishments and track record of 12 years on the saddle as the city’s chief executive and four years as council member backed by a record of integrity,

Councilmember Gary Barbadillo

Jose “Joe� Estevez

accountability and responsible, proactive leadership.

It was learned that his guiding principle in running the city of Milpitas has always been to make it a great and safe place to live and work. He first served as mayor in 2002, got reelected in 2004 and again in 2006. Esteves, bound by the three-term limit rule, mandatorily took a momentary leave during the

Joma: Peace possible in our lifetime ACCORDING to Jose Ma. Sison, peace during our lifetime is possible as he sat down for an interview with The Manila Times.

The founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the umbrella organization of the National Democratic Front (NDF) and the New People’s Army (NPA), is hopeful that peace with the government will be achieved sooner or later in spite of a series of reversals.

“Kung maganda ang kasunduan and for the benefit of the people, bakit hindi? Kung makukuha sa usapan bakit kailangan pang tumuloy sa pukpukan o santong paspasan? (If we are able to reach a fine agreement and if it’s for the benefit of the people, why not? If we can talk and settle our problems, why do we have to resort to violence and fierce fighting?)� he asked.

u PAGE A3

2008 polls.

He went back to city hall two years later after a resounding victory in 2010, and a repeat of his first three terms ensued after he successively won two more elections, after that. Having served his second third term, Esteves sidelined himself in the 2016 mayoralty race.

During Esteves’ time as may-

u PAGE A4

for popular tourist spot Boracay Island still have many Boracay businesses confused.

Elena Brugger, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Boracay, said in a DZRH interview on Tuesday, October 16, that many establishments are still unaware of the progress of their permit applications. “Hinihingi ng business sector na bigyan kami ng kopya. Be transparent. We in the business sector have the right to know.

Confused pa ang business community dahil marami pa ring hindi naklaruhan. (The business sector is asking for a copy [of compliant businesses]. Be transparent. We in the business sector have the right to know. The business community is confused because there are a lot of things that need to be

Boracay was partially opened for local tourists on Monday, October 15, and it will be officially opened to the public again on October 26. This is six months after it was closed down due to environmental problems caused by tourism-related businesses dumping raw sewage directly into

According to Brugger, the bulk of the applications stay on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) desk because they have to review of compliance to five laws. “Ni-lift na ng DENR ang [suspension] ng ECC (environmental PAGE A4

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Philippines ranks 56th in global...

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.

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PAGE A1 t and innovation capability for the rankings.

Of the 12, the Philippines was found competitive in its market size, placing in the 32nd spot.

Its labor market, financial system, and business dynamism all nabbed a spot in the the top 40 globally, as well.

Business dynamism includes the time to start a business as well as the cost of starting a business and insolvency rates, as reported

by Philstar.

MBC chairman Edgar Chua, in a statement, said that the Philippines’ business dynamism noted in the report was primarily driven by the private sector’s mindset, in finding innovative ways to become more efficient and productive.

“We see companies integrating sustainability and innovation into their business models and harnessing the potential of technology to increase productivity — and this drives the continued growth of the Philippine economy,” he said.

“Hopefully, we will see more business-government-academe linkages to support the growth of priority sectors. This type of dynamic ecosystem has been pursued by other economies which can be improved in the Philippines,” he added.

Chua also noted that the country ranked high in e-participation, or the use of online platforms to link government information to citizens despite time and cost of starting a business remaining problematic factors for the business community.

“With the recently passed Ease of Doing Business Act, we remain optimistic that the government will be able to sustain these gains and address the concerns of efficiency in doing business,” he said.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in May, the Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act provides a required number of days for processing government transactions to address bureaucratic red tape.

The Philippines’ biggest chal-

lenges lie in fixing its institutions, ranking 101st; health, 101st; and infrastructures, 92nd.

In institutions, the country’s weakest pillar, critical indicators where the country ranked poorly include terrorism incidence, homicide rate, organized crime and reliability of police services.

Meanwhile, in infrastructures, the country lagged in road connectivity, exposure to unsafe drinking water, efficiency of train services, and electrification rate.

“With WEF’s new competitiveness index, policy-makers and business leaders are guided to focus on long-term development,” Chua said.

“While we continuously build on our strong pillars, it is equally important to address our weak spots. The business community remains committed to work with the government to address these gaps, especially in our weakest links in ease of doing business, corruption incidence, and infrastructure, particularly in road connectivity,” he added. (AJPress) n

Trump administration releases proposed...

PAGE A1 t “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 reources 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 [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 proposed 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) n

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Dateline USa

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A

Fil-Am federal prosecutor nominated...

PAGE A1 t circuit court judge.

The Ninth Circuit — considered to be the most liberal of circuits — is the largest federal appeals court with 29 judges, serving nine western states including Alaska and Hawaii.

Currently, Bumatay serves as the Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in San Diego, where he is a member of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Section. Detailed to the Office of the Attorney General, Bumatay serves as Counselor to Attorney General Jeff Sessions on various criminal issues such as the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime.

Bumatay has also served in the Department of Justice in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the Office of the Associate Attorney General where he oversaw aspects of the department’s civil enforcement program, and the Office of Legal Policy.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, and an alumnus of Yale University, Bumatay started his career as a law clerk for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Court, and for Judge Sandra L. Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

He is also a member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), the

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association.

In congratulating Bumatay’s nomination, NFALA president David Mesa said, “Patrick’s strong qualifications, including his breadth of experience as a federal prosecutor, a defense attorney, and a senior Department of Justice attorney make him ideal for the Ninth Circuit.”

“Patrick is a proud first generation Filipino-American, the son of Filipino immigrants to the United States, and I have no doubt he will serve the Ninth Circuit and the people of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands with excellence, fairness, integrity, and intellect,” added Mesa.

Resistance among California senators Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris said on Thursday, October 11 that they would oppose the confirmation of Trump’s three nominees, which includes Bumatay, for the open California seats on the Ninth Circuit.

Aside from Bumatay, California nominees include Los Angeles appellate attorney Daniel P. Collins, and Los Angeles litigator Kenneth Kiyul Lee. Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote to the White House last week saying that she was hope-

ful that they could work together in coming up with a “consensus” package that included one of her picks being U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh. “I repeatedly told the White House I wanted to reach an agreement on a package of 9th Circuit nominees, but last night the White House moved forward without consulting me, picking controversial candidates from its initial list and another individual with no judicial experience who had not previously been suggest ed,” said Feinstein in a statement on Thursday.

“Instead of working with our office to identify consensus nominees for the 9th Circuit, the White House continues to try to pack the courts with partisan judges who will blindly support the president’s agenda, instead of acting as an independent check on this administration,” said Harris’ spokeswoman Lily Adams.

Being the most liberal district, the Ninth Circuit has been the bane of conservatives and the Trump administration; the president has before blamed the Ninth Circuit for a “broken and unfair” federal court system.

Since Trump came into office, the Ninth Circuit’s moves have included blocking the president’s travel ban order, blocking the shutdown of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and striking down restrictions on so-called sanctuary cities.

(Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) n

Joma: Peace possible in our...

PAGE A1 Sison also said that at the people’s level in his organization back home, they have laid out their views and programs and considered everything, and have reached a degree of understanding about the emergence of the Duterte administration when it started.

They have even welcomed the election of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the presidency, Duterte’s background in cooperating with the Left when he was still Davao City’s mayor “OK” with them.

The Manila Times interview with Sison showed that the CCP founding chairman supports the Duterte agenda.

Sison said that it would be quite an achievement for Duterte if he could industrialize the Philippines like South Korea and Japan have become, and “establish an independent political track.” After all, the country is still “semifeudal, controlled by the ruling class,” and that the “the superrich are all land-based and they use and accept people’s land as collateral even now.”

He cited Duterte saying he wanted the country to industrialize, create jobs, and for Filipino workers overseas to come and settle back in the Philippines. He agreed that the Filipinos living overseas as OFWs can be given jobs in the Philippines if the country is able to industrialize.

Willing to participate in honest election

According to Sison, the CPP/ NDF group is willing to participate in an open, free and honest election under a peace agreement.

“If the agreement becomes substantial, sabay na reconciliation, mayroon pang explicit agreement, may ceasefire pa (it will have provisions for reconciliation, an explicit agreement, plus a ceasefire),” he said.

He also said that the constitutional conditions should allow all parties to compete in the elections, except the fascists.

Sison acknowledged that the people want to elect their leaders and that the time is ripe for a federal form of government, as reported by The Manila Times.

“Magandang pagkakataon (It is a good opportunity) that Duterte wants a federal form of government. (It’s a) win-win, provided the democratic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are carried over, with the provisions against political dynasty and foreign bases,” he said, also stressing that there must be constitutional reform to make sure the economic programs are carried out.

The CCP is willing to help “cofound the federal government of the Philippines,” Sison said, but they were excluded from the framing of the draft of the new Constitution. They were disappointed when they found that they weren’t given five seats out of the 25 members of the ConCom (Constitutional Commission).

PAGE A4

BRINGING HOME THE BACON. The first batch of athletes comprising the Philippine team to the 3rd Asian Para Games arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport (NAIA) Terminal 3,in Pasay City on Sunday, October 14. The country’s para-athletes established a new record of 19 medals (six golds, six silvers and seven bronzes) in the multi-sporting event held on October 8-13, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Abby-Junjun feud brings Nancy to...

PAGE A1 t 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 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.

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

A

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Joma: Peace possible in our...

PAGE A3t Opposing localized peace talks “To achieve a permanent truce, madali (is easy).”

Sison said once peace is achieved, members of the NPA can be given jobs as environmental guards, industrial guards or security guards.

He opposes the localized peace talks initiated by the government, according to The Manila Times.

He said Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the Peace Process, was “negotiating on a super-big table, but that the peace process may not even be included in the localized peace negotiations.

They are simply offering goodies to the surrenderees.”

Sison said he doesn’t think the government has money, undermining the government’s capability to pay off all the rebel returnees who would lay down their arms and surrender to the government.

He also doesn’t believe that localized peace talks will succeed. He said it doesn’t amount to doesn’t amount to peace negotiations as they do not cover the national issues.

No precondition to peace

talks resumption According to The Manila Times, the CPP/NDF/NPA would welcome the resumption of the peace talks if the president wanted it. Sison said it is the policy of the NDF to continue the peace negotiations despite his hostile exchanges with President Duterte and the communist group’s bloody confrontations with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

“Wala kaming preconditions (We have no preconditions),” Sison stressed. However, he said that the president has to reaffirm all previous agreements between the Philippine group panel and the CPP/NDF/NPA since 1992.

He talked about the difference between now and the first time they met Duterte as Davao City mayor. He said they embraced Duterte’s promise of a general amnesty to release all political prisoners early on as they were reluctant to clash with him.

“He showed some flexibility,” Sison said.

But then he started calling Duterte a ‘thug’ when the peace talks were terminated and the

word war between them escalated.

He said it is now up to the president to continue the peace negotiations. They are open to holding talks with Duterte, he added.

The NPAs, however, are not willing to lay down their arms as a prelude to lasting peace.

Sison said the NPA is a revolutionary force and the only way to achieving peace is to satisfy the people’s demand for social and economic reform.

He told The Manila Times he is willing to come to the Philippines from his Utrecht base to sit down with the president faceto-face when the conditions are favorable.

“At a certain point in time when the end of hostilities [is at hand] at pag naayos na ang (and when the) comprehensive agreement on social and economic reform is all ironed out, I will come to the Philippines very confidently,” Sison said.

“I have to heed the advice of my lawyer and Congress on whether it is legal and the security arrangements are ensured,” he added. (AJPress) n Presidential photo by Toto Lozano

PH election to UN rights committee draws criticisms

by GAEA

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

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 three-year 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 president’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

Former Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

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 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 itPAGE A5

Noted Fil-Am leader seeks back...

PAGE A1 or, Milpitas gained U.S.-wide recognition as one of the best places to live in the country. The city also enjoyed triple AAA status in funds rating, one of the highest in the golden state, and had low unemployment rate.

The city notched the distinction after Money Magazine ranked Milpitas as 29th best place to live among the best U.S. cities it evaluated in 2014. It was also adjudged as one of the best places to live in the Bay Area.

Money magazine wrote, “There is a lot of silicon valley money in Milpitas. Tech giants like Sandisk and Cisco are big employers. The city is centralized and convenient to other cities. It is also a magnet for a well-educated diverse population.”

Esteves has worked for the relocation of Silicon Valley giants and other electronics industry players from other cities to Milpitas. This did not happen overnight though as his supporters said.

“He had to crack brain and keep his creative juices working to come up with an attractive package to draw them in,” reelectionist Councilmember Garry Barbadillo revealed.

Companies were offered a set of concessions including a unique financial incentive program that the establishment found irresist-

ible. He also overhauled city hall’s administrative operations by cutting red tape and shaving off too much bureaucratic baggage to make sure businessmen and investors can start their operations right away without having to wait too long.

Consequently, the arrival of electronics industry companies spawned vast employment opportunities for the residents and perked up the local economy.

Esteves had previously told reporters that early on in his political career he had his eyes trained on the so-called Fortune 500 companies, a great number of which are based in the Silicon Valley region.

During the early stages of his first term as mayor, Esteves had pushed for an aggressive economic development program according to Barbadillo. “This set-up went on without let-up as long as he was the mayor. He was always thinking forward,”he added while stressing that his efforts yielded big revenues that ensured solid financial footing for Milpitas.

Barbadillo who is also of Filipino origin, is also seeking his second term this November. He disclosed that fiscal responsibility measures were, at the same time, instituted by Esteves to maintain the city’s good financial condi-

tion.

During his term, the city was also adjudged as among the most peaceful in Santa Clara County for having a low crime rate.

Esteves is also known as the prime mover and founder of the sprawling $50 million state-ofthe-art Milpitas Public Library which also houses an auditorium that is benefitting the youth, students, adults and everyone from both the city and other neighboring places in the county.

Esteves finished with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Industrial Engineering and also has a Master’s in Business Administration degree, both from the University of the Philippines.

Here in the U.S., he attended the UCLA Anderson School of Business) and Harvard University’s JFK School of Government where he took a course in “Leadership in the 21st century.”

Esteves began his political career in 1998 as a member of the Milpitas City Council where he served until 2002. Before that, he served as the city’s planning commissioner and as a volunteer in various socio-civic and church organizations.

In a 2015 interview with visiting Filipino newsmen, the former mayor credited the city council for having supported the projects he had proposed. n

Businesses still ‘confused’ over...

PAGE A1 compliance certificate) pero hindi pa rin klaro. Meron pa ring mga nakapila pa rin na naghihintay ng certificate of compliance. (DENR has lifted the suspension of the ECC but it’s still not clear. There are still some businesses waiting for their certificate of compliance),” she said.

The suspension of ECC has already been lifted by the DENR. It also issued 159 Certificates of Conditional Approval to businesses that are 90 to 95 percent compliant to environment laws.

Businesses can only proceed to get accreditation from the Department of Tourism after the

DENR’s green light.

“We want transparency because we want to work together and cooperate since Day 1. They should have told us from the very start the guidelines kasi marami pang agam-agam ‘yung iba (because others are still unsure),” Brugger said.

Only the list of 68 hotels and resorts (with 3,519 rooms) approved as of October 12 were provided by the government, as reported by Rappler. The government will be limiting the number of accredited establishments in order to bring down the total number of rooms in the island to 8,355 from 14,456 rooms prior to

the tourist spot’s closure.

The decision will affect the Philippines, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia estimated that the country would lose P1.96 billion due to this.

Despite Boracay Island’s closure, international tourist arrivals in the country rose by 9.7 percent to 4.3 million visitors for the period January-July 2018 compared to its level in the same period last year, as stated by the Department of Trade and Industry. Tourism officials are confident that the Philippines can achieve its target of 7.5 million by the end of the year. (AJPress) n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 19-25, 2018

PH election to UN rights committee...

PAGE A4 t self.

‘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 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. ■

Voter enthusiasm soars as the midterm elections approach

New survey finds increased enthusiasm among the Asian American electorate, Filipinos’ intention to vote ranks highest among surveyed groups IT’S election season, and voters are fired up.

Recent events in Washington have mobilized American citizens to exercise their rights to vote. The bi-yearly national public service announcements by lawmakers, celebrities and organizations to vote are spreading through social media.

Although the midterm elections, historically, draw significantly less voter turnout, the preponderance of voter encouragement has been on the rise with a vast majority of voters unhappy with many Congress decisions: the passage of the tax code last year, the Cabinet appointments and the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, as previously reported by the Asian Journal, has steadily become a more viable electorate; the United States Census Bureau found from the 2010 census results that the AAPI electorate is the fastest growing demographic, and the population is slated to double by 2040.

A coalition of AAPI groups led

by APIAVote released its quadrennial midterm election survey of Asian American voters this week, and it found that 48 per-

cent of participants are “more enthusiastic about voting this year.” In 2014 — which received a poor showing of votership in general — the APIAVote survey only found 28 percent of AAPI voter enthusiasm.

“We have seen great enthusiasm from Asian American voters increase as community organizations and college campuses participate in our regional trainings and organize voter registration and engagement programs,” said Christine Chen, executive director of APIA Vote.

When broken down by ethnicity, Filipino Americans are the group with the highest intention to vote in November; 92 percent of the surveyed Pinoys said they are planning to vote while 6 percent and 4 percent said they were planning not to vote or don’t know, respectively.

The more-opaque-than-usual voter enthusiasm overall could be attributed to the possible partisan majority/minority shift in Congress if voter turnout increases this year.

In 2016, the Republican Party gained majority of the Senate and the House, which resulted in legislative decisions essentially dependent on the GOP, but with key Senate and House seats up for grabs this election and the

vast disapproval of congressional decisions since the 2016 election, the partisan sway may begin to veer blue.

In terms of party preference, a high proportion of AAPI voters — 38 percent — do not identify with either major political party, while 38 percent identify as Democrat and 22 percent identify as Republican.

Within the Filipino-American electorate, it’s more of an equal distribution with 34 percent identifying as Democrat, 30 percent Republican and 32 percent not identifying with either party.

“These data show why it’s vital to survey the Asian American community,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data, said in a statement.

“Not only is the Asian American community the fastest growing racial group in the country, it is also a politically dynamic population whose vote still remains up for grabs.”

On the approval for President Donald Trump, 3 in 5 Asian American voters disapprove Trump’s job performance since he got elected, a significant shift from AAPI Data’s 2014 midterm survey wherein half of the AAPI votership approved of President PAGE A6

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GALLERY OF LEGACY. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (2nd, right), together with Senators (from left) Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, Joseph Victor Ejercito and Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, pose before the “Gallery of Legacy, a mural of senators of the 17th Congress which was unveiled Tuesday, October 16, as part of the Senate’s 102nd anniversary celebration.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

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, Democrat Kamala Harris, has received nothing from the industry. In April, Harris joined other Democratic 2020 presidential prospects vowing not to accept money from corporate PACs. As voters prepare to go to the polls, they can use a new database, “Pharma Cash to Congress,” tracking up to 10 years of pharmaceutical company contributions to any or all members of Congress, illuminating drugmakers’ efforts to influence legislation.

The drug industry ranks among lawmakers’ most generous patrons. In the past decade, members of Congress have received $79 million from 68 pharma political action committees, or PACs, run by employees of companies that make drugs treating everything from cancer to erectile dysfunction.

Drugmakers’ campaign contributions have reached recordbreaking levels in recent years 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 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 PAGE A6

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OCTOBER 19-25, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Drugmakers funnel millions to...

PAGE A5 t 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 tar-

get congressional districts that are home to their headquarters and other facilities.

The PAC for Purdue Pharma, the embattled opioid manufacturer, 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 cam-

paigns 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

NEW EQUIPMENT. A personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) takes a look at the 320 new modular vests, 838 sando type vests and 350 units of Galil Ace Rifle and 21 night fighting system equipment that will be distributed to various PDEA regional offices after a turn-over ceremony at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, October 15.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

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

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

THE United States government has 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 said in a statement.

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 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

Voter enthusiasm soars as the midterm...

PAGE A5 t Obama’s performance and onethird disapproved.

The Democratic Party has claimed the Asian American vote in elections past, which runs true for many minority groups. Generally, the Democratic Party brands itself as a champion for workers’ rights, pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, affirmative action, gender equity and other social justice causes which Asian American voters tend to prioritize and favor.

“Our communities will not stand for the extreme anti-immigrant, anti-worker agenda that has disproportionately impacted communities of color, including Asian American workers and families,” said Alvina Yeh, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), who added that the AAPI electorate is “uniquely positioned to be the margin of victory in key races across the country this November and in 2020.”

Are you registered to vote? If

not, your application for voter registration must be postmarked or submitted on or before Monday, October 22. To vote by mail, the deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 30.

If you are a new citizen and would like to vote in the midterms, the deadline to apply for New Citizen Eligibility registration is Tuesday, October 23. For more information, please visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 19-25, 2018

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A

No longer a cesspool, Boracay now fit for swimming Government slashes 2018 economic

growth outlook, sees higher inflation

by IAN

Residents of Aklan run on Boracay beach after being granted the privilege of taking the first steps on the island’s white sand during the soft opening on Monday, October 15.

Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos

by JENNIFER

RENDON Philstar.com

ILOILO CITY — World-famous Boracay was declared safe for swimming as the island resort reopened Monday, October 15 for a 10-day test run, almost six months after it was shut down for a massive cleanup.

“Boracay is no longer a cesspool but an island whose waters passed the standards fit for swimming,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who heads the Inter-Agency Task Force Boracay, said.

Heads of government agencies involved in Boracay’s rehabilitation attended the program dubbed “Aklan Day Salubungan,” 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, October 15.

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.

“President Duterte has instructed the Cabinet that after Boracay’s rehabilitation, the department will take over,” 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 island’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 noncompliant 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 Condé Nast Traveler.

“It is an honor that Boracay was voted once again in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. This serves as an invitation to the tourists to visit the island,” 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 island’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.

“These vehicles will preserve the beautiful environment of Boracay. I call this day the resurrection of Boracay,” 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 Boracay’s closure on April 26 to give way to a massive rehabilitation of what he referred to as a “cesspool.” n

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

MANILA — Philippine policymakers have slashed their 2018 growth forecast for the economy amid high inflation, which they expect to remain elevated this 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 government’s target band by next year.

“We have revised the government’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,” the DBCC said.

Inflation bites The Philippines had enjoyed uninterrupted growth in the past quarters, thanks to benign inflation in the previous years that had given the central bank enough room to keep interest rates low.

But in the second quarter of 2018, the economy slowed down to a three-year low of 6 percent, which the government’s chief economist attributed to “spoiler” inflation.

“We feel we can still achieve up to 6.9 percent [GDP growth in 2018] with a lot of prayers by you guys and also given the measures that we are pushing for spurring economic growth in the coming months,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters.

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

and temper consumer demand that could have lifted prices.

Some analysts expect economic growth to continue to decelerate over the second semester of the year as tighter monetary policy and higher inflation weigh on consumer spending, which accounts for about seven-tenths

of the Philippine economy.

The Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have recently downgraded their growth projections on the Philippines as high inflation bites.

Prices began soaring at the PAGE A8

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OCTOBER 19-25, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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PAUNAWA NG PAGPAPASIYA NA WALANG MALAKING EPEKTO AT PAUNAWA NG LAYUNING HUMILING NG PAGLABAS NG MGA PONDO Oktubre 19, 2018 Lungsod ng Alameda 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 190 Alameda, California 94501 510-747-4349 Ang Paunawang ito ay dapat tumugon sa dalawang magkahiwalay pero magkaugnay na mga iniaatas sa pamamaraan para sa mga aktibidad na isasagawa ng Lungsod ng Alameda.

PAGHILING NG PAGLABAS NG MGA PONDO Sa o mga Nobyembre 5, 2018 ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay magsusumite ng isang kahilingan sa Kagawaran ng Pagpapaunlad ng Pabahay at Kalunsuran (Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD) ng Estados Unidos para sa paglabas ng mga pondo ng Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (Community Development Block Grant, CDBG) sa ilalim ng Titulo I ng Batas ng 1974 sa Pagpapaunlad ng Pabahay at Komunidad, gaya ng sinusugan, upang isagawa ang isang proyektong kilala bilang Cross Alameda Trail Project para sa layuning lumikha ng isang bago, ligtas na pasilidad na wala sa kasalukuyan, na aakay sa mas maraming tao upang magbisikleta at maglakad sa isang koridor, na isang dating karapatan sa daan ng riles ng tren sa kahabaan ng Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway sa pagita ng Webster Street at Main Street na may pagpopondo na hanggang $250,000.

PAGPAPASIYA NA WALANG MALAKING EPEKTO Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay nagpasiya na ang proyekto ay hindi magkakaroon ng malaking epekto sa kapaligiran ng tao. Dahil dito, ang Isang Pahayag ng Epekto sa Kapaligiran sa ilalim ng Pambansang Batas sa Patakaran sa Kapaligiran (National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA) ng 1969 ay hindi iniaatas. Ang karagdatang impormasyon tungkol sa proyekto ay nakapaloob sa Rekord ng Pagrepasong Pangkapaligiran (Environmental Review Record, ERR) na nasa talaan ng Awtoridad ng Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California, 94501 at maaaring suriin o kopyahin Lunes hanggang Huwebes sa pagitan ng mga oras na 8:30 A.M. at 5:00 P.M. MGA KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO Sinumang indibidwal, grupo, o ahensiyang hindi sumasang-ayon sa pagpapasiyang ito o nais magkomento sa proyekto ay maaaring magsumite ng mga nakasulat na komento na ipapadala kay Lisa Fitts sa Awtoridad ng Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, California, 94501. Lahat ng komentong natanggap bago lumampas ang Nobyembre 4, 2018 ay isasaalang-alang ng Lungsod ng Alameda bago ang pagsumite ng isang kahilingan para sa paglabas ng mga pondo. Dapat tukuyin ng mga komento kung aling Paunawa ang tinutugunan nila.

PAGLABAS NG MGA PONDO Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay nagsesertipika sa HUD na si Debbie Porter, sa kanyang kapasidad bilang Direktor ng Muling Paggamit at Pagpapaunlad na Pangkabuhayan, ay sumasang-ayong tanggapin ang hurisdiskiyon ng mga Pederal na Hukuman kung ang isang aksyon ay dalhin upang ipatupad ang mga responsibilidad na may kaugnayan sa proseso ng pagrepasong pangkapaligiran at na ang mga responsibilidad na ito ay natugunan. Ang pagtanggap ng HUD sa sertipikasyon ay tumutugon sa mga responsibllidad nito sa ilalim ng NEPA at nagpapahintulot sa Awtoridad ng Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda upang gamitin ang mga pondo ng programa.

MGA PAGTUTOL NA ILABAS ANG MGA PONDO Ang HUD ay tatanggap lamang ng mga pagtutol sa paglabas nito ng mga pondo at ng sertipikasyon ng Lungsod ng Alameda para sa isang panahon na labinlimang araw kasunod ng inaasahang petsa ng pagsumite o sa aktuwal na pagtanggap nito ng kahilingan (alinman ang mas huli) kung ito ay nasa isa sa mga sumusunod na batayan: (a) ang sertipikasyon ay hindi isinagawa ng Opisyal sa Pagsertipika ng Lungsod ng Alameda; (b) inalis ng Lungsod ng Alameda ang isang hakbang o nabigong gumawa ito ng desisyon o pagpapasiya na iniaatas ng mga regulasyon ng HUD sa 24 CFR Bahagi 58; (c) ang tumanggap ng gawad o ibang mga kalahok sa proseso ng pagpapaunlad ay naglaan ng mga pondo, nagtamo ng mga gastos o nagsagawa ng mga aktibidad na hindi ipinahihintulot ng 24 CFR Bahagi 58 bago ang pag-aproba ng isang paglabas ng mga pondo ng HUD; o (d) ang ibang Pederal na Ahensiya na umaakto alinsunod sa 40 CFR Bahagi 1504 ay nagsumite ng isang nakasulat na pagpapasiya na ang proyekto ay hindi kasiya-siya ayon sa pamantayan ng kalidad na pangkapaligiran. Ang mga pagtutol ay dapat ihanda at isumite alinsunod sa mga iniaatas na pamamaraan (24 CFR Bahagi 58, Sek. 58.76) at dapat ipadala sa U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, sa One Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104. Dapat kontakin ng mga posibleng tututol ang HUD upang maberipika ang akuwal na huling araw ng panahon ng pagtutol.

Debbie Potter Direktor ng Muling Paggamit ng Base at Pagpapaunlad na Pangkabuhayan MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong may interes sa paglahok sa programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / HOME ay isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, ang isang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay maaaring gawin kay Lisa Fitts, (510) 747-4349 o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedahsg. org. Ang naturang kahilingan ay dapat kabilang ang isang paglalarawan ng kaluwagang hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay dapat ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay ipagkakaloob agad sa humiling. Mangyaring kontakin si Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), (510) 5228467 (TDD), o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedahsg.org upang humiling ng anumang ibang makatwirang kaluwagan na maaaring kailanganin. Ang tagapag-ugnay ng Seksyon 504 ng CDBG/HOME ay si Tonya Schuler-Cummins, na makokontak sa (510) 747-4342 o 504coordinator@alamedahsg.org. Ang isang kopya ng pamamaraan ng karaingan ng 504 ay matatagpuan online sa www.alamedahsg.org.

MGA IPAGKAKALOOB SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring kumilos bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga pederal na programa. Kung binigyan ng paunawang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang interpreter. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Lungsod sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), (510) 522-8467 (TDD), o email lfitts@alamedahsg.org.

PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON Ang pederal na batas ay nagbabawal ng diskriminasyon sa pabahay batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, kasarian, bansang pinagmulan, edad, katayuang pampamilya, at kapansanan.

Ang Batas sa Patas na Pagtatrabaho at Pabahay ng California ay nagbabawal ng diskriminasyon sa pabahay sa mga katulad na batayan, gayon din sa kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, angkan, pinagkukunan ng kita, at impormasyong henetiko. Ang AHA ay lubos na susunod sa lahat ng pederal, pang-estado, at lokal na mga batas na walang diskriminasyon, at sa mga tuntunin at regulasyon na namamahala sa patas na pabahay at pantay na pagkakataon sa pabahay at pagtatrabaho.

IMEE FOR SENATOR. Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos files her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for senator at the Commission on Elections main office in Manila on Tuesday, October 16. Also in photo is Imee’s brother, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Roque changes tune, says Duterte’s ‘playful 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 October 14, Sunday night 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. President,’ ” 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.

As of today, however, Roque’s fate under the Duterte administration is still uncertain. n

Candidates can’t use government resources to campaign, Duterte says

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — No candidate will be allowed to use state resources during the campaign period, President Rodrigo Duterte said, as he ordered security forces to remain non-partisan and to work for honest elections.

“Nobody but nobody can use government resources. Not even (former presidential aide Christopher) Bong (Go). I will not allow it,” Duterte said during the Army’s change of command ceremony in Fort Bonifacio.

“Let us make a deal here, promise. You make a commitment to the Filipino people. This election, we will all be strictly neutral. The Armed Forces, the police, and the uniformed personnel of government, I am asking you not to indulge in partisan politics. We won’t support anyone,” he added.

Go, who served as Duterte’s top aide for more than two de-

cades, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator earlier Monday. Duterte noted that Go is no longer his aide but the former presidential assistant was with the president during the Army event.

Go, who has been very visible in government events and whose photos are emblazoned in tarpaulins and posters, has been accused of using state resources to promote himself. The former presidential aide has denied the allegation and claimed that his supporters are behind those materials.

Go earlier urged his supporters to take down the posters and tarpaulins containing his photo and his face.

While he is the commander-inchief of the armed forces, Duterte said he would endorse candidates because the presidency is a political position.

“But I expect everybody to respect the constitutional prohibition. It’s good, it’s good for

the country, and I announced to the country now that we make a pledge: there will be an election and it will be an honest one,” the president said, referring to the constitutional provision that bars uniformed personnel from siding with politicians.

“I hate to talk about politics in a crowd like this. Ours is a commitment to a democractic ideals. One is that the military and the uniformed police personnel should not, should not indulge in politics,” he added.

Duterte said he never entered military camps during election season when he was still mayor of Davao City. Duterte was mayor of the southern city for 23 years.

“There will never be a time that I will talk to you...I may have a very lousy mouth but you know my values are quite good. Especially when it calls for the exercise of delicadeza,” the president said.

“But I value friendship, I value loyalty,” he added. n

PH deports, blacklists suspected ISIS leader

by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

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 Po-

lice 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 Las-

soued 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. n

Government slashes 2018 economic...

PAGE A7t 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 $70-

75 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

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BUSINESS NEWS

A

Global think tank hikes inflation forecast for Philippines

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

by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — 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 BSP’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. “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 bank’s above target range inflation forecast in 2019, suggest another rate hike before the end of the year is not improbable,� Ice earlier said.n

DOT braces for tourist upsurge in Central Luzon MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is gearing up for the expected spike in tourist volume in the Central Luzon region.

DOT Central Luzon officer-incharge 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 government’s Build Build Build program. “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,�

Uy said, also pointing to the emergence of Subic as a hub for cruise ships.

Uy placed the number of Subic’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. “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.),� Uy pointed out.

She said the development in Clark of a 1,500-hectare industrial park could further increase tourism traffic to and from and around NorthPhil. “Thus, the tourism industry is taking measures to beef up its ab-

sorptive capacity for both foreign and domestic tourists by striving to attract investments in hotel and resort facilities and room accommodations, 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 available 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

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FEATURES

OPINION

A seat in the UN rights council 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 Philstar.com photo been elected to.”

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

Editorial

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

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

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 Dem-

ocrats support. Very true.

Healthcare for All immigrants The detailed poll results MAY Regardless of Legal Status indicate how the Fil-Am vote will Asian Americans: turn out to be in November, espeDisagree 32%; Agree 46% cially on public policy issues.

Filipinos: Party Favorability [In GenDisagree 42%; Agree 40% eral] Support for Stricter Gun ConAsian-Americans: trol Republicans - 34%; Democrats Asian Americans: 58% Agree 78%; Disagree 12% Filipinos: Filipinos: Republicans - 48%; Democrats Agree 70%; Disagree 24% 50% Raise Minimum Wage If you had to choose, would Asian Americans: you rather have a smaller govDisagree 18%; Agree 64% ernment providing fewer serFilipinos: Disagree 24%; Agree vices, or a bigger government providing more services?

Commentary Asian Americans: Bigger 44%; Smaller 24% Filipinos: Bigger 42%; 32%

A message to Fil-Am voters: Go back to basics Commentary

ANJ CAB EACH election season reveals not only the character of the candidates, but the values of every voter as well. Regardless of one’s race or religion, what can truly make America great again is the premium that every individual places on the fundamentals, to the way things were before. The roots, so they say, determine the fruits.

Going back to basics. The United States used to be the sender of missionaries to nations which did not know God, including the Philippines in the early 1900s.

God, who, as any deity-believing religion knows, catapulted the U.S. to being a superpower.

The Creator of the Universe is the same Being that bestowed all human talents and natural resources that the America now utilizes for its enjoyment and richness. Preaching aside, only an atheist could deny this fact.

But a majority of the population believes in a Supreme Power that began everything. Isn’t it that the national motto is still “In God we trust?”

From this belief springs forth the rest of the genuine American values that were passed on by the forefathers. The commonality between Filipinos and Americans is the belief in the sanctity of marriage and family.

Traditional American families have become the ideals of other families around the world. Father and mother roles, especially in raising children, have become the epitome of a model family as shown in American classic films and books. One would ar-

gue that it is from the obsolete past, wherein now a family can be seen with two females or two males doing mother and father roles. Whom to love and marry is the heart of the issue. Since the beginning of time, a man and a woman have been mandated by God to subdue every creature and procreate. Even science cannot make a biological man get pregnant and deliver a child!

So much so, American values also advocate pro-life principles.

Abortion might be able to save you from your cares and burdens only temporarily. One who has gone abortion has a whole life to spend facing each day in guilt and shame.

Moving outward from the confines of a typical American home with American family values, the society is a combination of all these sorts of moral compasses stemming from familial cultures.

It is with this belief of protecting the family and its members that Americans are allowed by law to carry registered guns. Anti-gun advocates argue that this causes the chaos in regard to recent incidents and home-grown terror acts. But again, one has to go back to the fact that the lack of a quality relationship at home contributes to the uncontrollable hatred for what is sacred — life that is. It is this lack of God that pushes the inner demon in every gun carrier. Again, this leads us to go back to the basic American family values. There were no mass shooting incidents in the past even though the men used guns for hunting or even just for safekeeping for future protection.

It is common knowledge that clan by clan, America is a melting pot. Sojourners from all over the world, including the very first Filipinos and other Asian migrants, arrived and stayed all the way down to their second and

third generations. There were no rigid laws back in ancient history when one would look at an immigrant and say that he or she should leave the U.S. judging merely by skin color. Suffice it to say, it is because of this openness that the United States has become what it is now in terms of manpower.

However, order and security dictate that it is time to follow the law and protect what is left for the legal citizens and migrants. This ensures that the future generations of real Americans (those who followed the rightful immigration process) will have access to jobs, health care, education, and basic government services. To be fair and just; equity versus equality — that is what is right for all who follow the law.

This equity-equality difference can bring us to the issue on capitalism and socialism; then lower taxes versus higher taxes.

All these differences manifest the two extremes in the U.S. political debate. The list is long. Emotions are high. But the more sensible choice is up to you as a thinking Asian voter.

Are you for the Democratic Party that knowingly or unknowingly eradicates the original American identity in order to embrace a more generalized global view for the benefit of a few? Or are you for the Republican Party that keeps the genuineness of America, protects its core values in order to become great and bless the future generation? Just go back to basics and you can never go wrong. *** The writer is a former public diplomacy foreign service national senior staff of the U.S. mission in the Philippines and is now a media relations consultant based in Malaysia.

She also has experience as a marketing practitioner for radio and TV networks in Manila before immersing in global political affairs.

CHRIS LU, FORMER DEPUTY LABOR SECRETARY WITH the end of summer, college students have now returned to campuses around the country, and high school seniors are beginning the dreaded process of college applications.

Meanwhile, a trial is set to begin this month in a federal case challenging the admissions process at the nation’s oldest university, Harvard University. Within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, this case is being closely watched, as it involves allegations that Harvard’s affirmative action policy is biased against AAPI students.

Given the Democratic Party’s longstanding support for affirmative action, some conservatives are using this case as a wedge issue to appeal to Asian Americans, who increasingly have supported Democratic candidates over the past quarter century.

This cynical ploy won’t succeed.

Because on a broad range of issues – including health care, the economy, immigration and civil rights – the values of the Asian American community are far more in sync with the positions of the Democratic Party.

Asian Americans believe in hard work and education. We understand the importance of diversity.

We want to create strong, healthy families and communities. And we work tirelessly to build a country where everyone has a shot at achieving the American Dream, whether it’s starting a business, buying a home or saving for retirement.

In Congress and statehouses around the country, Democratic lawmakers are fighting for policies that reflect the values of the Asian American community. That means protecting the Affordable Care Act, which helped two million AAPIs gain health care coverage.

That means pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back family-based immigration policies that have allowed

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

Is Harvard University’s affirmative action policy biased against AAPI students?

Asian families to reunite in this country.

Democrats are also fighting to make higher education more affordable, protect clean air and water, create greater economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses, and most importantly, ensure that everyone can exercise the most important right of all – the right to vote.

As the fastest-growing racial group in the country, the Asian American community isn’t monolithic, and we certainly don’t agree on every issue. One of those issues is affirmative action.

While AAPI groups have staked out positions on both sides of the Harvard case, national surveys find that two-thirds of Asian Americans support affirmative action in higher education – a position that is backed by over 150 AAPI organizations. And in the Harvard litigation, prominent AAPI civil rights groups and academic experts have filed friend of the court briefs explaining how affirmative action helps Asian Americans.

One of those civil rights groups, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, explained in filing its brief: “The heart of this lawsuit is whether Harvard can continue to value racial diversity in ways in which our country has consistently fallen short: acknowledging the entrenched racism that still pervades every aspect of life, bridging racial divides, and developing racially diverse leaders in every sector. This lawsuit has nothing to do with discrimination against Asian Americans.”

There are certainly strongly held views on both sides of the affirmative action debate, and questions have been raised about Harvard’s policies for evaluating Asian American applicants. As an alumnus of Harvard Law School, I will be the first to criticize my alma mater if its policies are found to be unfair.

However, the media’s disproportionate focus on one elite university’s admissions policies doesn’t reflect the view of most

AAPI parents, who are far more concerned about rising college costs. And while many parents do aspire to send their children to an elite institution, it’s worth nothing that about half of AAPI college students attend community colleges.

At its heart, this new-found conservative interest in Asian American college admissions is nothing more than an attempt to drive a wedge in the coalition of communities of color. Fortunately, most AAPIs understand full well that restricting access and opportunity for one racial group affects all groups.

That’s why Asian Americans have united against the Trump administration’s Muslim ban, the separation of immigrant families at the border, and the despicable embrace of white nationalists after Charlottesville. When Asian Americans hear about border walls, we remember more than 80 years of exclusionary laws that cut off Asian immigration to this country. When we hear the president scapegoating immigrants, Muslims and people of color, we remember the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. That’s why we’ve fought every step of the way to promote tolerance and progress. That’s always been the spirit of Asians in America. Our families came to the U.S. from dozens of different countries, and they faced many challenges upon their arrival. But when they climbed the ladder of success, they understood their obligation to lend a hand to the next generation climbing up the ladder.

No matter our background, Asian Americans work hard not only to better our own lives, but to better the lives of our fellow Americans. That’s why we refuse to be pawns in this shameless effort to divide communities of color. *** Chris Lu was a former senior official in the Obama administration. He is now a senior fellow at the University of Virginia Miller Center and an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee.

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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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 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

rive to North America on Oct. 18, 1587 in California.

History Month theme to be This year in particular marks “Turning Points” in honor of the 120th anniversary of the the three biggest events that declaration of Philippines independence from Spain in 1898, changed the lives of Filipinos and Fil-Ams: the declaration and by relation, the 120th Anof the Philippine independence niversary of the Spanish-Ameriand the establishment of the can War. On June 12, 1898, First Philippine Republic, the Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader Spanish American Way, and the of the Philippine Revolutionary establishment of Ethnic Studies forces, declared Philippines’ independence from Spain, and in the states.

In 1988, the FANHS desestablished the First Philippine ignated October to celebrate Republic.

Filipino-American history in But as many Filipinos know, honor of the first Filipinos to ar- 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 FilipinoAmericans, 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, Fili-

MEDENILLA AND RAE ANN VARONA / AJPress

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

pinos 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 FilipinoAmerican 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, upper-class 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 call-to-

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

“It’s about time,” Johnny Itliong, Larry’s son, said after Continued on Page SF3

Your Immigration Solution ATTY. SARA N. CROSS A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction that blocks the Trump administration from ending the Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for over 300,000 people from four countries: Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, and Sudan. This means that the Trump administration must keep the TPS program running for those countries while the lawsuit remains active.

TPS protects foreign nationals from certain designated countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, and health epidemics. It allows these people to stay in the U.S. and work legally. The program was originally signed into law by President George Bush in the 1990s. TPS was set to terminate for Sudan on November 2, 2018; for Haiti on July 22, 2019; for El Salvador on September 9, 2019; and for Honduras on January 5, 2020.

In issuing the injunction, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen stated that the beneficiaries of this program, if deported, “indisputably will suffer irreparable harm and great hardship.” He found that there was substantial evidence showing that the U.S. government lacked “any explanation or justification” to end the TPS program for the four countries, which amounted to a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. Judge Chen also stated that this lawsuit raises “serious questions as to whether a discriminatory purpose was a motivating factor” in the Trump administrations’ decision to end this program from each of the named countries; if so it would violate the Constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.

TPS has become an important issue since President Trump took office. Recently, Federal Circuit Courts in the Ninth and the Sixth Circuits have held that a grant of TPS qualifies as an admission under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”). Thus, when a person is granted TPS, they are considered to have been “inspected and admitted or

Trump administration temporarily blocked from deporting certain TPS recipients paroled” into the U.S., thereby satisfying a crucial requirement for adjustment of status.

Following the Ninth Circuit’s Precedent Decision, a District Court in California held that a grant of TPS status by USCIS constituted an “entry” in relation to the bar stated in Section 245(c)(2) of the INA. This bar states that a person, “must maintain continuous lawful status since entry to the United States.” The California District Court held that the grant of TPS status is the date of entry to the country, and as long as the person maintains lawful TPS status continuously since their initial grant, then they shall be deemed as “being in and maintaining” lawful immigrant status. Importantly, the plaintiff in the District Court case was a national of El Salvador, who initially entered the U.S. without inspection, but was granted TPS in 2001 and continuously reapplied and received renewal to his TPS status. Also notable is that the petitioner for his relative petition was his U.S. citizen mother.

In California, at least, this decision may significantly help people who have entered the U.S. unlawfully, but who have since obtained and maintained lawful TPS status. For a person in this position, who knows that their TPS status will terminate on a specific date, they should immediately find out whether they may be potentially eligible to apply for permanent resident status (“green card”). It is imperative that an Immigrant Visa Petition (“I-130”) be filed as soon as possible from a Legal Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen spouse, parent, or child over 21-years-old. The petition should be filed as soon as possible, as it normally takes USCIS many months to process.

Once an I-130 is approved, and provided a visa is available for that category, a person then can file an adjustment of status application. Please also note that

How did we get...

From Page SF2 Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law in 2013. “I’ve 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 Filipino-American 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 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 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 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 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 Continued on Page SF8

only U.S. citizens over 21-yearsold may file petitions for their parents.

This latest injunction against ending TPS for Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, and Sudan, gives those who have benefitted from the program a little more time to navigate the U.S. immigration system in hopes of obtaining lawful permanent status in the U.S. Contact a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney today to discuss your options. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

BY MONET

LU

IT is almost cliché whenever we hear about “real men” doing unusual things. Some say “they (can) wear pink,” or that they cry (when necessary and are not ashamed of it) or that they “stay faithful to their woman.” In retrospect, these are things that are being done not only by real men, but also the “few good ones.” I am fortunate to have known and be friends to some of them and call it good karma because they are not only good men, they are also blessed to live the ‘American dream.’

Dr. Regalado “Loloy” Valerio I’ve known Loloy and his wife for a long time. In fact, I did the hair and makeup for their wedding not too long ago. I admire them as a couple. They are good for each other and as the head of their household, Loloy is doing a great job.

Born and raised in Bulacan, Philippines, the young Loloy Valerio attended a quasi- Seminarian high school where he learned the value of academics, discipline and spirituality.

Meet Loloy, Max and Andy: A ‘few good men’ living the American dream

He holds double bachelor’s degrees in medical technology (Magna Cum Laude) and nursing (Cum Laude) from the University of Santo Tomas and Dr. Carlos Lanting College respectively. In the United States, he initially worked as an oncology nurse at St. John’s Health Center and then transferred to the critical care area at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. In 2011, he pursued a master’s degree in Nurse

Anesthesia from the University of Southern California where he graduated as the class valedictorian. In 2017, he finished his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Duke University with a final GPA of 4.0. His doctoral project’s focus was the implementation of a standardized surgical checklist in the operating rooms at LA county hospital which aimed to improve communication and teamwork among perioperative Continued on Page SF8

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celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

celebrity world

Showbiz personalities running for public seat in next year’s election

By Ferdie Villar IT’S a known fact that show business and politics seem to mix very well in the Philippines.

One example is Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who became president in 1992 (only to be impeached in 2001) and now mayor of Manila since 2013. He is also running for re-election next year.

In the past, many showbiz personalities ran — and won — for public office, and next year’s election is no different.

Here are some who have filed for their candidacy: • Action star and former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla - Running for senator, although he is still imprisoned at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame because of his ongoing plunder case.

• Actor Richard Yap - The 51-year-old filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to run as congressman for the North District of Cebu. Richard is running under the Barug PDPLaban party.

• Former TV5 host and presidential son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte - Running for vice mayor of Davao City, in tandem with his sister, incumbent Mayor Sara Duterte.

• Former GMA News anchor and senior reporter Jiggy Manicad is running for senator under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party.

• Three-term Bulacan Vice Governor and actor Daniel Fernando is running for the gubernatorial seat next year.

• Former action star and incumbent first district representative of Makati Monsour del Rosario is running for vice mayor under the party of former Mayor Junjun Binay.

• Former actress Maricel Morales is running for councilor in Angeles Pampanga.

• Comedian and stage actor Lou Veloso is running for councilor in Manila • Former actor (and father of Kapamilya heartthrob Daniel Padilla) Rommel Padilla filed his COC for Nueva Ecija congressman.

• Actress Sheryl Cruz is going into politics for the first time. She filed her COC for her bid as councilor in the 2nd district of Manila.

• Actor Yul Servo is seeking another term as congressman.

In Quezon City, actor and 2nd district Representative Alfred Vargas is seeking to be reelected as well.

• Three-term Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista is seeking a seat in Congress, according to his brother, Councilor Hero Bautista.

• Director and incumbent Representative Lino Cayetano is running for Mayor of Taguig City.

• Isko Moreno, former matinee idol and former Manila

vice mayor is running for mayor in Manila.

• Star for All Seasons and incumbent Batangas 6th district representative Vilma Santos is running for re-election.

• Actress and dancer Rochelle Barrameda is running for Paranaque councilor, as well as actor Dominic Ochoa.

• Actor and incumbent Cavite vice governor Jolo Revilla is running for re-election.

• Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin is running for vice governor of Camarines Sur. • Comedia Long Mejia is running for Camarines Sur councilor.

• Actor Gary Estrada is running for vice mayor of Cainta.

• Actor and incumbent Ormoc mayor Richard Gomez is running for re-election. His wife, actress and incumbent Leyte 4th district representative is also running for re-election.

• Lani Mercado, actress and incumbent Bacoor mayor is running for re-election.

• Lito Lapid, actor and former senator is trying another run for the senate.

Actor and incumbent Ormoc mayor Richard Gomez is running for re-election. His wife, actress and incumbent Leyte 4th district representative is also running for re-election.

Gloria Diaz, the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe title almost four decades ago, is one of the lead actresses in the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Pamilya Roces.”

Beautiful actress Ana Roces is one of the lead performers featured in the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Pamilya Roces.”

Fashion model Kate Valdez, who is an exclusive artists of GMA Network, plays a kontrabida role in the well-liked teleserye, “Onanay.”

Actor Richard Yap is running as congressman for the North District of Cebu.

Actress Sheryl Cruz is going into politics for the first time. She filed her COC for her bid as councilor in the 2nd district of Manila.

Isko Moreno, former matinee idol and former Manila vice mayor is running for mayor in Manila.

community

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

Immigration Corner

November 2018 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

February 15, 2008

February 1, 2007

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

December 01, 2017

September 15, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

December 15, 2007

June 01, 2007

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

June 01, 1997

June 22, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 08, 1996

June 15, 1995

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

FAMILY CATEGORY:

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a perFRAUD WAIVER DENIAL TURNED AROUND TO APPROVAL WITH NO FRAUD WAIVER REQUIRED, ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY!” Wilma entered the U.S. on a son’s “place in line” for a visa, C-1 “transit” visa, on her way to work in Guantanamo, Cuba. She remained in the U.S., married a U.S. citizen, and filed for adjustment of status. A “consultant” gave her hope and said he would take care of Wilma’s papers. Unfortunately, the consultant altered Wilma’s documents and put down false information meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available (that she entered on a visitor’s visa), to cover up that she actually entered on a C-1 transit visa. Her case ended up being denied because of fraud! for persons whose priority date Wilma then consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case, and filed an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in is earlier than the cut-off date Washington, DC. Atty. Gurfinkel convinced them that Wilma committed no fraud, and was eligible for a green card, despite her entry on a transit visa. Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel’s determination won the day for Wilma, when her name was cleared, and she got her green card with no fraud waiver required, on an listed below. If your priority date encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m,. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status where some stress factors cause in the U.S.), you would have to factors: genetic, age, medical wait until it becomes current hair roots to be forced premaconditions (auto-immune disoragain. turely into the resting state. der, diabetes, thyroid illnesses, Beginning last October PHILIP S. CHUA, When clamps of hair suddenly and lupus, etc.) medications, 2015, the format of the Visa MD, FACS, FPCS major surgery, stress, vitamin/nu- fall out, the hair loss is acute Bulletin changed, in that a new telogen effluvium. tritional deficiency and/or bad column was added, called the There are actually two associhabits.

When a handful of hair falls “Application Filing Date.” If a ated conditions leading to hair Male pattern baldness and out each single day, clogging person’s priority date is earloss: (production) inefficiency in thinning hair among women, the drain, it is scary. While it is lier than the Application Filing growing hair and (destruction) especially beyond the age of normal to lose 50-100 strands Date, they can already file for hair falling out of its follicle.

50, are usually hereditary in of hair a day, it is a source of adjustment of status and work The aim of the treatment is to nature (androgenic alopecia). serious concern when one loses authorization (provided they are stimulate hair growth and the After menopause and majority clamps of hair daily. other is to strengthen the health otherwise eligible and USCIS of women age 65 and older will The human head has beindicates on its website it will of the follicle and hair root by experience hair loss to varytween 100,000 to 150,000 hair use the Application Filing Date first eliminating any substance ing degrees. Medications that strands on it. There are three for that month). This could allow induce hair loss includes Vitamin and conditions toxic to hair stages (phases) of hair growth, people to obtain work authoritogether with bad practices in A (when taken in excess), beta the anagen, catagen, and zation much sooner than before, hair care, and the second is by telogen. After completion of the blockers (for high blood presproviding whatever nutrition that where they had to wait for the cycle, each strand restarts a new sure), anti-depressant, antipriority date to be current (in the is deficient. convulsant, hormones (male: growth in the same follicle. Hair Visa Issuance Date column) in What are the aggravating grows about 1.25 centimeters or testosterone) and female: (birth order to both file for adjustment factors? half an inch per month, or about control pills), blood thinners, The issue and bad habits that and be eligible for a green card. cholesterol lowering drugs, 6 inches a year. Greater than 50 contribute to hair loss are: stress drugs for dieting and weight percent of men age 50 or older and traumatic events leading to band), forceful combing or hair will suffer hair loss (male pattern loss, medications for ulcer or hair loss called telogen efflubrushing (leading to traction acid reflux, fungal infection, baldness), and 80 percent of vium, which occurs 6 weeks to alopecia), and eating unhealthy gout, eyedrops for glaucoma, them by age 70.

3 months after the severe stress foods. Wearing a wig, curling anti-inflammatory pain meds, What causes hair loss? or trauma of personal tragedy, rollers, and using chemical to like NSAIDs (for arthritis, etc.), About 80 million people like financial dilemma, death in color, curl, or uncurl hair, are and chemotherapeutic drugs. in the United States develop the family, childbirth, or major also culprits. alopecia, the partial or complete Like tobacco and alcohol, street surgery, etc. The bad habits How does one minimize drugs (marijuana, cocaine, amof loss of hair from areas of the hair loss? phetamines, etc.) can aggravate include: too much blow-drying, body where it normally grows; combing or brushing hair when Albeit less effective for anshedding of hair. (baldness). There are many posdrogenic alopecia, which is due What is Telogen effluvium? wet, too tight braids or ponysible causes of abnormal hair to genetic predisposition, most Telogen effluvium is a phase tails (especially using a rubber loss. Here are the more common

Health@Heart

Hair falling out?

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 01, 2017

June 08, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 01, 2017

June 08, 2017

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or

legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

hair loss could be minimized, to one degree or another, especially the type that is caused by substances toxic to hair growth, our unhealthy habits and behavior.

Experts recommend the following: Allow hair to dry naturally, instead of using a hair dryer, gentle combing and brushing, not brushing hair when wet, avoid using rubber band and

making ponytail or braids too tight, use of multivitamin-mineral supplement if not eating properly to make sure that the blood level of the following are normal: Vitamins A, D, K, B1,2,3, etc., biotin, folic acid, zinc, iodine, iron, pantothenic acid (B5), folic acid (B9). Caution: Vitamin A is good for vision and hair, but excess could lead to hair loss.

Continued on Page SF8

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

The CTV Files

Recent USCIS policy changes could lead to loss of status or deportation

How to Build a House of Bricks in Any Season

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Third of 3 parts

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA

(This is the third and final installment of the 15 Tips on How to Build A House of Bricks ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ in Any Season Series.) applicants a 30-day warning that instructs an individual to appear 11. Pray without ceasing to their application would likely be before an immigration judge RECENT policy changes the God of your being. Realand is the first step in starting rolled out by the Department of rejected. ize that when you do, you will Applications affected by removal proceedings. According never be alone. The single, most Homeland Security this Septhese policies and its recent to this Policy Memorandum, US- important foundation of any tember and October can result changes in policy apply to: (i) CIS may issue NTAs on denied in loss of permanent resident life begins with the realization applications and renewals of status-impacting applications, status (green card) or even dethat by yourself alone, without temporary (non-immigrant) viincluding but not limited to Ad- help, you can do nothing of real portation in some cases. sas, and (ii) permanent resident justment of Status Applications In September, changes in meaning and lasting value. No status (immigrant) visas. Securand Application to Extend or policy were put in place allowobstacle is too big, no situation ing immigration officers to reject ing such visas are required in or- Change Nonimmigrant Status. too difficult, or setback too overder for non-U.S. citizen foreign In simple terms: USCIS will issue whelming that cannot be helped visa applications immediately nationals to legally live and work an NTA where, upon issuance of by constant, heartfelt prayer due to missing or inaccurate in the United States. an unfavorable decision on an information. Previously, USCIS and a foundation of faith so Most recently beginning application, petition, or benefit will issue “Requests for Evistrong, it can move mountains. dence” (RFE) if there are missing October 1, 2018, USCIS will take request, the alien is not lawfully In the physical world, gravity an incremental approach to impresent in the United States. information, allowing appliholds everything together. In the plement a new memo regarding USCIS will continue to cants to address gaps in their spiritual world, where transitional the issuance of Notices to Apprioritize cases of individuals paperwork. “Notices of Intent human life is ultimately headed, pear (NTA). A Notice to Appear, with criminal records, fraud, to Deny” were also issued, as prayer is the most powerful force or an NTA, is a document that per prior guidance, which gave Continued on Page SF8 there is.

EMPLOYMENT

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 wer e 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 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 this, try and be Continued on Page SF8

FOR RENT

Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Apartments Available

SF #2838

70 studio, one, two bedroom BMR rental units available at 450 Folsom Street. Rents: Studio $970, $978, $979, $987; 1 BR $1,032, $1,042, $1,116, $1,126; 2 BR $1,228, $1,241, $1,242, $1,255 per month. Must be income eligible and meet occupancy guidelines. Households must earn no more than the maximum income levels below:

40% of Median Income Household Size

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

Max Annual Income

$41,080

$46,920

$52,800

$58,640

$63,360

Household Size

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

Max Annual Income

$41,450

$47,350

$53,300

$59,200

$63,950

50% of Median Income

Application information found on DAHLIA at housing.sfgov.org starting 10/11.

Applications due by 5pm on 11/1. Please contact Related Management Company for building information at (628) 241-4501 or 450Folsom@related.com.

Income limits are subject to change based on changes to the Area Median Income as published by HUD, and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

8QLWV DYDLODEOH WKURXJK WKH 6DQ )UDQFLVFR 0D\RU¶V 2I¿FH RI +RXVLQJ DQG Community Development and are subject to monitoring and other restrictions. Visit www.sfmohcd.org for program information.

FOR RENT

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1101 Connecticut is now leasing brand-new units!

18 apartments available for lease through DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal

SF #2830

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“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

Apartment sizes and rents range from: Two studios

$979-$1,187 per month

Four 1 BR’s

$1,115-$1,351 per month

Eleven 2 BR’s

$1,238-$1,504 per month

One 3 BR

$1,650 per month

Households must have a minimum monthly gross income of two times the rent Households must earn no more than the gross annual income listed below: 60% AMI

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2

3

4

5

6

7

$49,750

$56,800

$63,950

$71,050

$76,700

$82,400

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Applications must be received by 5PM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Postmarks will not be considered. Applications available from 10/2 to 10/23.

Apply online to ensure your application is received on time.

Applications must either be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org or mailed in to: 1101 Connecticut, P.O. Box 420847, San Francisco, CA 94142 Applications can be downloaded from housing.sfgov.org or picked up from one of the housing counseling agencies listed at housing.sfgov.org/housing-counselors.

Some units are available with special features for mobility impaired or sensory impaired households. Several preferences apply; learn more at housing.sfgov.org.

community

Derek Ramsay soon a Kapuso

by RICKY LO

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

Fil-Am singer Radha blows ‘The Voice’ judges away during blind auditions

Philstar.com

THE merry-go-round in local television continues.

In the footsteps of Regine Velasquez’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 — 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.

It’s Derek’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 company’s sister company, Star Cinema, got Derek for the hit movie Kasal. Why didn’t ABS-CBN rehire Derek? That’s the big question.

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

He’s none other than Derek’s younger brother Derek Andrew 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 kuya’s 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 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 Ram-

SF7

by CODY CEPEDA Inquirer.net

Derek Ramsay

say, 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.�

Philstar.com photo

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.

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

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.â€?

Despite the bickering between Shelton and Levine, RADHA eventually chose the Maroon 5 frontman as her Photo from Facebook/TheOfficialRadha coach. “I pick Adam,� she said, is absolutely the era of the much to the joy of Levine. female and I’m your guy.�

RADHA is a first-generaHudson, although upset tion American, as her parents she had been blocked by emigrated from the PhilipLevine, told RADHA that she pines to the United States to was just delighted to see the give their family a better life. likes of her come into the She learned how to read and show: “I’m just happy to see sing through karaoke, as per a voice like yours make it to NBC, with karaoke being big a show like this. You outdid in Filipino culture. Today, she yourself, ‘lil sister, I just wanna is a full-time honor student at say that.�

Montclair State University in Shelton, too, was nothing New Jersey while pursuing her short of floored, as he told her dreams of becoming a songthey’ve never seen anyone like writer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SF8

Meet Loloy, Max and Andy: A ‘few good...

entertainment The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

Beauty queens Kylie, Maxine to win over afternoon block

by IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net

FRESH from ensemble roles in the comedy movie “Abay Babes” and hit afternoon drama “Hanggang Saan,” respectively, beauty queens Kylie Verzosa and Maxine Medina are determined to win over prime time television as they join the sizzling and powerhouse cast of ABS-CBN’s newest Kapamilya Gold teleserye, “Los Bastardos.”

Verzosa is Dulce and Medina is Isay in this TV adaptation of Precious Hearts Romances’ “Cardinal Bastards” series that tells the story of five brothers (Jake Cuenca, Diego Loyzaga, Marco Gumabao, Albie Casiño and Joshua Colet) who must fight against each other to earn the right to the riches of the powerful family of Don Roman Cardinal (Ronaldo Valdez).

At the series’ media launch before the weekend, Verzosa, Miss International 2016 and Medina, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2016, shared they will figure in a love triangle in Cuenca’s character. To be sure they pull off their respective roles, they took intensive acting workshops in their goal to match the skills of their leading man’s well-known acting chops.

“Nag-workshop po kami before kami isalang sa taping.

If you will remember, my role in Hanggang Saan as Georgette Sandiego was a lawyer,

Maxine Medina and Kylie Verzosa

ABS-CBN photo

and somewhat needed that air of stature that a beauty queen has. But this one, Isay is very different,” explained Medina.

“Si Isay kasi probinsyana, so kailangan ko mag loosen up and be simple—the opposite of a beauty queen—and I really enjoy the challenge.

Verzosa, acknowledged on the other hand, “Kami ni Maxine, we’re here to prove to ourselves and the viewers that we can act. Ako naman malaki ang pasasalamat ko kay Direk Ruel [Bayani] dahil binigay niya itong opportunity sa amin and he trusted us with the roles.

Para sa akin, dito ako na-challenge na patunayan yung sarili ko. Like I said, we’re here to prove something.”

Los Bastardos will find Don Roman leading a happy family life until tragedy strikes, leading him to recklessness as he seeks to find true love. He will sire five sons from five different women: Isagani (Cuenca), Don Roman’s long-lost son with his

Calendar of Events across

first love; Joaquin (Loyzaga), the only son who will grow up under his care; Matteo (Gumabao), who will end up with the Cardinals’ rival family; Connor (Colet), who will become a conman bent on destroying the Cardinal wealth; and Lucas (Casiño), who will grow up not knowing the man he serves is his own father. With lives worlds apart, these five men are bound together by the same blood, which will inevitably bring them face to face as they learn the truth about their identities.

Besides Verzosa and Medina, Marijoy Apostol, Mica Javier, Jane Oineza and Ritz Azul are also cast as the Cardinals’ leading ladies.

Giving sterling support to this assembly of prime time actors are veterans Perla Bautista, Pinky Amador, Isabel Rivas, Lito Pimentel, Bert Reyes, and Rosanna Roces.

Los Bastardos airs after “Kadenang Ginto.”

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 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.

O C TO B E R 23

Asian Business Association - LA hosts business policy discussion in Monterey Park, CA Many business owners understand that elected officials makes rules and regulations for businesses. These regulations do affect the way in which businesses are conducted. However, many entrepreneurs may NOT understand, that they have the ability to shape these rules and regulations. One of the most important leverage business have is the power of their vote. On Tuesday, October 23, hear from Monterey Park City Manager Ron Bow, Alhambra City Mayor Jeff Maloney, and Public Affairs Expert Thomas Wong to gain some insight on how small business can better engage City Hall to shape business policy. Join the Asian Business Association (ABA) for this intriguing panel discussion from 6 to 8 p.m.! Appetizers will be provided. It will be held at Cafe M Park, Monterey Park Golf Course (3600 W. Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754). For more information, please visit http://abala.org/events/policy.

O C TO B E R 27

Candidates’ Forum in South San Francisco, CA The Friends of the Filipino American Community (FFAC), a political action committee headed by Dr. Fel Amistad, is hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Saturday, October 27 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Fort McKinley (101 Brentwood Drive) in South San Francisco, CA. Along with meeting the candidates running for State and City offices, the forum will also tackle the different Propositions included in the ballot in the coming November 6 elections. For more information, please call Dr. Amistad at (650) 544-5221.

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

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

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

From Page SF3 providers.

Valerio is a faculty Nurse Anesthetist at LAC + USC Medical Center and a clinical liaison for the Program of Nurse Anesthesia, Keck School of Medicine. He is the current president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California (PNASC) and is one of the examination writers for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). He invites the Filipino nurses to join and be part of PNASC. Dr. Valerio is a published author and currently, he is one of the primary investigators in an IRB-approved-research at Case Western University on transformational leadership practices, level of engagement and psychological empowerment among Philippine Nurses Association of America leaders.

His published articles included Anesthetic Considerations for an Adult Heart Transplant Recipient Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery: A Case Report (AANA Journal) and The Impact of Standardized Surgical Checklist on Communication and Team Work among Interdisciplinary Surgical Team (DNP Journal).

Dr. Valerio is married to Roan and a father of two (soon to be three) kids, named Ruvielle and Reagan.

Max “Jojo” Narvaez Like Loloy, who has now achieved so much here in the land of milk and honey, Max “Jojo” Narvaez has so much to live for now that he has assumed a bigger role in the nursing industry.

Max, who is also known as Jojo to his family and friends, now works as a Marketing Director for Panorama Meadows in Panorama City. He was born in Manila. He went to La Consolacion for elementary, then Notre Dame of Greater Manila for high school. He took his Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Jojo migrated in the US in January 2002 and worked as a CNA and a private caregiver in different nursing homes and home health agencies. Amidst all his struggles came success when he ended up with a loving family; with beautiful daughters who motivate him to work even harder so that he can give the best for them.

In 2015, Jojo was reunited with his parents after 13 years of being apart. He was able to bring him here to the U.S. Unfortunately, their reunion was cut short when his father passed away just two months after. Jojo considers his dad as his hero and the one who inspired him to be the best person.

Jojo is one of the most compassionate men I’ve known.

He is determined to be the best person for everybody, and I can just imagine how wonderful this world would turn out if we have more like them in our community.

Ferdinand “Andy” Uriarte Digal Doria Andy has gone a long way from being a fresh graduate of accountancy in Butuan City in the Philippines. He is now an entrepreneur and a successful license insurance broker for

over 16 years. He is a leading figure in the networking industry including Javita coffee, Alliance in Motion Global and a Saladmaster Senior Consultant.

He is currently the Vice President of Butuan Club of Southern California and has served as a board member for a couple of years. He is also the Vice President of Los Angeles Unity Lions Club 2017 and Vice President of Los Angeles Dignity Lions Club 2018 up to the present time.

Andy loves to travel, having been to more than 20 countries so far. I’m fortunate to have been friends with one who is not only well-traveled but who is also very passionate about his craft. He is a good influence.

Loloy, Max and Andy know what it’s like to dream and achieve their dreams. They have been awarded as the Men of Distinction by “Reflections presents The Beautiful Life Celebration” committee. These three men are inspiring a lot of Filipinos who wanted to give more and do more for the community.

To Loloy, Max and Andy, I wish you even more success and thank you for being one of the few good ones. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

How did we get here...

From Page SF3 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 FilipinoAmericans helps us understand how we got here and gives us an idea of what we’re capable of in the present and future.

Hair falling out...

From Page SF5 Low level of Vitamin D or iron leads to hair loss.

What are foods good for hair health?

Plant-based foods are generally good for hair health.

The following items are considered favorable: green leafy vegetables and multicolor veggies, olive oil, salmon, herring, mackerel, shrimp, oyster, berries, oatmeal, almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, chia, sunflower, avocados, beans, sweet potatoes, eggs, red meats, and yellow pepper.

How is hair transplant done?

When medication and good hair care are not enough to stop hair loss, hair transplantation is an option, albeit expensive. The procedures moves individual hair follicles from fuller area of the head (donor site, typically the back or sides of the head) to the balding or bald spot of the head (recipient site), like the receding hairline in male pattern baldness. This is supposed to be permanent but the results vary among different individuals. The final result after the transplant has matured successfully is quite impressive, making the person look much younger, which socially could be life changing.

The only downside is that the procedure is tedious, time-consuming, not totally painless, and is not cheap.

What is the treatment for hair loss?

If hair loss is not from bad habits, like smoking or alcohol intake, hair pulling, or from faulty hair care/styling, talk to your doctor, who might refer you to a dermatologist. The most commonly used medications are Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Porpecia), besides the various “herbals” advertised for treatment of hair loss.

The past few years witnessed the introduction of new treatments to regrow or promote hair growths for people losing hair. These include hair transplant, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) infusion and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). In PRP, blood is withdrawn from the person and span to separate platelets from the other blood components, and the concentrated platelets are injected back to the individual, which has been found to promote healing in wounds, tendon tears, arthritis, and perhaps in problem hair follicles. Supposed to promote hair growth in 6 months, LLLT

uses light (laser) therapy in the physician’s office. While PRP and LLLT both show promise, their precise doses, applications, and results are still under clinical scrutiny. More studies are needed, with a greater number of patients to provide evidencebased results and more positive outcomes in order to be an acceptable standard in medical care.

Healthy lifestyle, which includes good diet, habits, and behavior, exercise, rest and relaxation, and meditation and prayers for inner peace, help not only our hair but also our body and soul. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; comments questions: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Recent USCIS policy changes...

From Page SF6 or national security concerns.

There has been no change to the current processes for issuing NTAs on these case types, and USCIS will continue to use its discretion in issuing NTAs for these cases.

Now more than ever, we urge people to seek legal and competent counsel especially with regard to their immigration concerns, and in particular, in their immigration applications. It

is important to be vigilant and understand how immigration policy changes may affect you or your loved ones. It is important to consult with a licensed, competent, and experienced immigration attorney who will be able to walk you through your and your family’s immigration questions. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a

full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

PAL wins another 4-Star international award

people & events

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018

APEX confers 4-Star honors for PAL’s inflight service, seats & cabin products PHILIPPINE Airlines has won another international award, garnering a FOUR STAR Major Regional Airline 2019 rating certified by APEX – the New York-based Airline Passenger Experience Association, a world-renowned global, non-profit airline customer association.

The new 4-Star honors, awarded in a special ceremony in Boston, USA on September 24, is the latest in a string of international victories notched by the Filipino flag carrier. These include the 4-Star Global Airline certification from London-based Skytrax in February 2018 and a “2nd Most Improved Airline in the World” ranking from the annual Skytrax passenger survey released in June 2018.

The APEX award is the result of a fully “Certified, Validated, Verified” rating program based on passenger feedback on PAL’s over-all flight experience in five sub-categories: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity.

PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista dedicated the honor to the Filipino people and to PAL’s loyal customers, as he accepted the award on behalf of the flag carrier during the APEX awards ceremony in Boston.

“We are truly humbled by this latest vote of confidence from our valued customers,” said Mr. Bautista. “This new 4-Star APEX award is another victory for the Philippine Airlines team of dedicated professionals, coming after the 4-Star global rating certified by Skytrax earlier this year.”

Over-all ratings were certified by an external audit firm

hired by APEX. The association processed verified itineraries that were validated by geo-location from over 50 million verified airline generated itineraries. More than 500,000 flights by passengers from around the world were rated throughout the year ending on 31 July 2018.

“We are extremely proud of the results of our passenger driven Official Airline Ratings program with TripIt,” said APEX CEO, Dr. Joe Leader. “Of nearly 500 airlines rated worldwide, less than 9% were rated by their passengers at the highest Five Star Airline level and only the next 14% reached the prestigious Four-Star Airline tier.”

The award will spur the airline to step up its service enhancement program as PAL introduces new aircraft, routes and product innovations.

PAL has begun deploying the sophisticated Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A321neo aircraft on key international routes. The A350 now operates the nonstop Manila-London route and will inaugurate Manila-New York nonstop flights by 29 October 2018, marking another milestone (the longest commercial flight ever operated by a Philippine carrier). The A321neo now serves Brisbane, Sydney and Port Moresby, and will also fly the much-awaited Manila-Sapporo (Japan) route that opens on October 8th.

PAL president Bautista stated: “This new accolade comes with a fresh challenge: We

Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

JOIN us at Sterling Park Recreation Center for Colma’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Party on Monday, October 22, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sterling Park Recreation Center at 427 F Street, Colma.

Participants will be provided with pumpkins, child-safe carv-

ing tools and designs. Following the carving party, participants and families are invited to take a photo in our Halloween photo booth.

Registration is required

by October 19, to ensure that enough pumpkins can be provided for the carving party.

How to Build a House of...

From Page SF6 happy for others (even if it kills you).

14. Strive to learn any way you can. Learning is a lifelong process of adaptation. To copy Yoda’s transposed way of making a point, “Adapt, you must.

Or die early, you will.” The dodo bird of the Galapagos never learned to adapt, never learned to defend itself against predators and became extinct.

It’s been said that the human mind is like a cup with a hole at the bottom. You just have to keep trying to fill that bottomless cup. But be warned: intelligence alone is sorely inadequate. The whole person’s mind and heart must evolve.

Of the two, the heart should lead. A good heart has a wisdom all its own. Blaise Pascal, a noted French philosopher noted: “The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.” Draw from 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 set of gifts, talents and the circumstances that GOD gives you.

Remember what someone wise wrote so succinctly long ago about the essence of any worthwhile life and that is — TO LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN AND more importantly, LOVE MUCH! May the house of bricks you build allow you to do ALL THAT and perhaps, even for the most sensible and square among us, even sing and dance, when all is said and done. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu. com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

should never rest on our laurels but must always remain focused on our primary role to provide a pleasant and comfortable travel experience for all our passengers, in the air and on the ground. Thus, this latest award as 4-Star major regional airline will inspire us to keep getting better and achieve more until we attain the coveted 5-star status as a prime player in global aviation.”

Also in Boston for the APEX ceremony, PAL Vice President for Marketing Ria C. Domingo said: “Our strengths lie in our legacy of service to the Philippines and to the world through our expansive flight route network covering 42 international and 33 domestic destinations, utilizing one of the world’s youngest fleet of aircraft, and our trademark heartfelt Filipino service. Customers are responding positively to our new cabins, our new seats and inflight entertainment systems, our dine on demand business class meals and other product enhancements.”

(Advertising Supplement)

PCGSF SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH GMA PINOY TV, FILHOFF. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCGSF) signed Spark*Connect*Empower partnership agreements with GMA Pinoy TV and Filipino Band Musicians Hall of Fame Foundation (FILHOFF) last October 5 in ceremonies held at the Kalayaan Hall of the PCGSF in downtown San Francisco. Joseph Francia, First Vice President and Head of Operations of GMA International, flew in from Manila to sign the partnership, accompanied by Josh Andowitt, Afilliate Development and Marketing for GMA International; and GMA artists Christian Bautista (Asia’s Romantic Balladeer), Julie Anne San Jose (Asia’s Pop Sweetheart) and Mika Gorospe (top 15 finalist in GMA’s The Clash), who all rendered performances for attendees. Photos above show (bottom) ConGen Henry Bensurto Jr. (seated, left) and Frank Sityar (seated, right) signing the partnership agreements for the PCGSF and FILHOFF, respectively; and (top) ConGen Henry Bensurto, Jr. and GMA Int’l First VP/Head of Operations Joseph Francia shaking hands after signing the partnernship agreements as GMA officials and network stars, and PCGSF officials clap and look on.

(Photos/caption by Joseph Peralta/AJ Press)

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 19, 2018