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T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 17 - No. 28 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Filipino doctor among ‘drug dealers in white coats’ arrested for illegal prescription mill THE United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York recently announced that five doctors and two medical professionals were charged in Manhattan federal court with illegally distributing oxycodone.

Among the five New York doctors charged was Dr. Dante Cubangbang, 50, of Franklin Square, New York.

Cubangbang and the other doctors were charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

He is also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which PAGE A2

Fil-Am woman in Orange County killed after large tree falls on vehicle A 34-year-old Filipina-American passed away Monday morning, October 15, after she was trapped in a vehicle that was hit by a large tree.

Dennet Bermas from Tustin, California was identified by officials after rescue crews responded to a report of the accident on the 14400 block of Red Hill Avenue. Also damaged were a carport and power lines.

“Decedent from today’s wind-related tree incident in Tustin is identified as Dennet Ber-

by GHIO

ONE Philstar.com

PRESIDENTIAL Proclamation 572 does not revoke the amnesty given to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV by former president Benigno Aquino III, the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 ruled on Monday, October 22.

“Proclamation 572 does not deprive Trillanes of a lawful protection from a previous proclamation of amnesty because (it) does not operate to revoke Proclamation 75 (given by Aquino),” read a part of

standoff; and November 2007 siege at The Peninsula Manila for which Trillanes is slapped with a rebellion case before the Makati RTC Branch 150.

Eight months after Aquino issued Proclamation 75, then RTC Branch 148 presiding judge Oscar Pimentel and Makati City RTC executive judge Elmo Alameda separately dismissed the coup d’etat and rebellion cases against Trillanes.

However, seven years on, President Duterte issued Proclamation 572 to declare Trillanes’ amnesty as void “ab initio” (from the start) because of the latPAGE A2

Senatorial candidate and former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go (middle) accompanies Taguig City congressional candidate Alan Peter Cayetano (left foreground) during his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filing at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila last week.

PNA photo

by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

FORMER special assistant to the president and senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong Go said that he was just an ordinary citizen who wanted nothing more than to continue serving the public by passing laws that would uplift their lives.

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SHOW OF RESPECT. President Rodrigo Duterte shows a gesture of respect to the relative of one of the slain police officers during his visit at the Camarines Sur Provincial Police Office in Naga City on Tuesday, October 23.

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

Facebook,” Facebook said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Although Facebook did not deliberately named all the pages and accounts that were taken down, it did include other ProDuterte pages as examples.

Among those were Duterte Media, Duterte sa Pagbabago BUKAS, DDS, Duterte Phenomenon and DU30 Trending News.

Some of the pages with similar links did not directly refer or relate to the president. Among those were Hot Babes, News Media Trends, Bossing Vic, Pilipinas Daily News, Like and Win, Manang Imee and Karlo ang

Probinsyano.

One of the pages that was closed down by the said social networking site even had 4.8 million followers.

“We don’t want this kind of behavior on Facebook — and we’re investing heavily in both people and technology to keep bad content off our services,” Facebook said.

Facebook said it used reports from the social media community and machine learning and artificial intelligence “to detect bad behavior and take action more quickly.”

“We’re monitoring for a range

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The Battle of Leyte Gulf, the greatest naval battle ever THE Battle of the Leyte Gulf (October 23 to 26, 1944) which followed the successful Leyte landing on October 20, 1944 is considered the greatest naval battle of all time (Military History. Norwich University. Retrieved March 7, 2015; William Manchester, American Historian).

It was considered as the greatest naval battle of all time for the

the 33-page ruling issued by RTC Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano.

He stressed that “the wording of the Proclamation does not inflict punishment without judicial trial since the Department of Justice (DOJ) was precisely directed to pursue previous cases filed against Trillanes.”

Aquino in January 2011 granted amnesty to Trillanes and other soldiers who participated in the following uprisings: the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny for which Trillanes faced a coup d’etat case before the Makati RTC Branch 148; February 2006 Marine

No special treatment for ‘Citizen Bong Go’

Facebook purges 95 pages and 39 accounts in the Philippines

by GPP

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

Duterte proclamation ‘does not revoke’ Trillanes amnesty

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THE social networking site Facebook on Tuesday, October 23, has shut down a total of 95 pages and 39 accounts linked to President Rodrigo Duterte and Imee Marcos, daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos for operating as a “spam network.”

According to a statement from Facebook, the said pages and accounts were “encouraging people to visit low quality websites that contain little substantive content and are full of disruptive ads.”

“These pages ranged from political to entertainment content, but all were sharing links to the same advertising click farms off

O C T O BE R 2 6 - N O V E MBE R 1 , 2 0 1 8

following reasons: Impact on history and final outcome of the Second World War The outcome of the naval battle that happened on October 23 to 26, 1944 off the Gulf of Leyte, Philippines resulted in the final destruction of mighty Imperial Japanese navy, paved the way for the invasion of Japan and its surrender in September 1945, ending the Pacific theatre of the Second

World War. Extent and geographic size of battle The battle of Leyte Gulf involved thousands of square miles of the Pacific Ocean, from as far down as the Surigao Straight on the south, Guam on the East and the Batanes Islands strait on the North.

Units and strength of the naval forces involved

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Cabinet ‘good’ rating a nod to gov’ts taming of inflation

by RALPH

VILLANUEVA ManilaTimes.net

THE “good” rating that the Duterte cabinet received in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows the people’s appreciation of the government’s efforts to address inflation, Malacañang said.

The cabinet’s net satisfaction rating in the SWS poll jumped by seven points, to +32 in September compared with June’s +25.

This was good for a “good” rating, a notch higher than the “moderate” one last quarter.

The survey was conducted from September 15 to 23.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the timing of the survey said a lot about the government’s efforts to bring down prices, as well as the Filipinos’ perceptions of official actions of the Duterte administration on the issue.

“Since the survey was conducted during the month of September when inflation was at 6.7 percent, the findings tell us that our people, indeed, recognize and appreciate the efforts of the administration in stabilizing the prices of basic commodities and bringing a comfortable and dig-

nified life for all,” Panelo added.

The 6.7 percent inflation rate was the highest in nine years.

Malacañang blamed rising oil prices in the world market as one of the main drivers of inflation, prompting the Duterte administration to float the possibility of suspending the second tranche of the fuel excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. The possible suspension, however, will result in about P40 billion in revenue losses for the government, the Department of Finance said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the recordhigh inflation was mainly brought

about by the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index, as well as alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

To address the rising inflation, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Administrative Order 13, which removes non-tariff barriers and streamlines administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products; Memorandum Order 26, which directs the Departments of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to adopt measures to reduce gap between farmgate prices and retail prices of agricultural products; MO 27, which also directs the DA and the

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OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page Duterte proclamation ‘does not revoke’...

PAGE A1 t ter’s supposed failure to comply with the minimum requirements for the amnesty program.

Trillanes “did not file an Official Amnesty Application” and “never expressed his guilt” for his involvement in the Oakwood mutiny and the Peninsula hotel siege, Duterte’s order alleged.

It also ordered the DOJ and the court-martial to “pursue all criminal and administrative cases filed against (then lieutenant seniorgrade) Trillanes in relation to the Oakwood mutiny and the Manila Peninsula incident.”

‘Constitutional’ Soriano also ruled that Trillanes’ argument that Proclamation 572 violated the Constitution, particularly for issuing such an order without agreement with Congress, “is at least misplaced if AKLAN TOURISM AND TRADE CENTER. Senator Loren Legarda leads the groundbreaking of the Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment and not irrelevant.”

Promotions Center at the Aklan Provincial Capitol in Kalibo. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance who allotted the funds for the said He pointed out that having conproject, Legarda stressed the importance of tourism and trade in spurring local economy and boosting rural livelihood.

Senate photo trol over the executive branch’s departments, Duterte has the right to order the Department of National Defense to look into the hours, someone in New York City “allegedly erroneous inclusion of PAGE A1 t dies of a drug overdose. carries a maximum sentence of 10 Trillanes as one of those qualified While the rate at which people for amnesty despite his non-comyears in prison, and conspiracy to are dying from drugs slowed in pliance with the basic requirecommit money laundering, which 2017, the number of fatal drug ments for the grant.” carries a maximum sentence of overdoses rose for the seventh 20 years in prison. straight year to 1,487, up 62 from Cubangbang, who operated a a year before, according to the medical clinic in Queens, was arcity’s health department. The rise rested Thursday evening, Octohas been driven by opioids, par- PAGE A1 t ber 11 and presented in Manhatticularly the powerful, synthetic mas, 34, Tustin. Official cause tan federal court Friday, October opioid, fentanyl, according to city of death is pending autopsy,” 12. His co-defendants in the case officials. include John Gargan, 62, of Mantweeted Orange County Sheriff’s Informant hattan, a nurse practitioner who Dr. Dante Acebo Cubangbang Department on Monday, October Photo from Facebook.com Prosecutors disclosed on 15. also prescribed pills, and employees Michael Kellerman, 54, of pills tracked by Medicaid and Wednesday, October 10 that a “It’s hard to express what confidential informant visited the words to say about DenDen,” Queens, and Loren Piquant, 37, Medicare.

They prescribed more than clinic of Dr. Cubangbang multiple reads a GoFundMe page created of the Bronx.

“These doctors and other health twice as many oxycodone pills times. A video bug was also in- by Bermas’ family to cover burial professionals should have been that were paid for by Medicare stalled in his office. expenses. “She’s a person that I “The confidential informant should say was sent from heavthe first line of defense against and Medicaid than the next highopioid abuse, but as alleged in est prescriber in New York and was not asked any questions en, but taken so abruptly from today’s charges, instead of car- doled out these prescriptions about pain, but nonetheless re- this world. A person who is an ing for their patients, they were during office visits that lasted no ceived a large prescription for 30- angel, whose heart is ever filled drug dealers in white coats,” said more than a few minutes and in- milligram oxycodone pills,” pros- with love for the people around U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman volved little to no physical exami- ecutor Michael Krouse told U.S. her. A person who brings joy on nation.

District Judge Paul Gardephe as every moment that you share with said.

Together with Kellerman and reported by Newsday.

According to the allegations her. A person who I wish was not “They hid behind their medical taken at an early age, who could in the indictment unsealed on Piquant, who worked in the clinic Thursday, Cubangbang, a physi- and recruited patients, the de- licenses to sell addictive, danger- have spread and shared her love cian, and Gargan, a nurse practi- fendants collected more than $5 ous narcotics. This Office will do to more people that she could tioner, prescribed over 6 million million in all-cash office visit fees, everything in its power to bring have met.” oxycodone pills to individuals which they laundered and divided to justice anyone responsible for On the GoFundMe page, fueling the opioid epidemic that friends, family members, and they knew did not need the medi- amongst themselves.

The Wall Street Journal, cit- has taken so many lives,”Berman community members shared cation for any legitimate medical ing the city’s health department said. reason. their condolences, describing Cubangbang is out on a $1 mil- Bermas as kind, generous, downTheir clinic allegedly took in reported that New York City is $5.7 million in cash over 3 1⁄2 in the midst of what law enforce- lion dollar bail after pleading not to-earth, and always showering years and was the largest New ments have described as an opi- guilty at a brief hearing Thursday. people with kindness and greYork prescriber of oxycodone oid epidemic and that every six (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n gariousness.

Filipino doctor among ‘drug dealers in white coats’...

“It is purely an executive act which does not need the concurrence of Congress,” Soriano ruled. “The said proclamation also did not direct law enforcement agencies, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to arrest him without any warrant.”

Trillanes applied for a temporary restraining order against Proclamation 572 before the Supreme Court last September, with the high court junking it and declaring that the lower courts have the jurisdiction to hear and resolve pleadings by both the prosecution and defense attorneys.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima welcomed with “guarded optimism” Soriano’s order, which she described as an act of independence and a breath of fresh air from the judiciary.

“I consider this development as a positive act of independence of the judiciary. We must recognize small victories against Duterte’s tyranny, and this is definitely one of them,” she said in a statement.

However, De Lima said the other part of Soriano’s order,

upholding the power of the president to nullify a grant of amnesty and affirming the constitutionality of Proclamation 572, was a cause for concern.

“Any proposition supportive of the power of the President to unilaterally revoke an amnesty granted by a previous president would be dangerous. We must continue to be vigilant to ensure that the decision of the Makati RTC is not reversed on appeal.

The efforts of Duterte and the DOJ to put Senator Trillanes behind bars do not end here. They will continue to move heaven and earth to get what Duterte wants, even if this means doubling their efforts to pressure the judiciary all the way up to the Supreme Court,” she added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the decision “reinforces our belief that at the end of the day, the rule of law will prevail and no amount of underhanded legal maneuvering will be rewarded by an independent judiciary.”

“The resolution of this case will definitely help restore the perception of stability in our courts,” he said. (With Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla) n

Fil-Am woman in Orange County...

OFFICE OF THE

CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER & ASSESSOR-COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER

Officials said that Bermas was pulling her car out of a carport, when the tree fell onto and crushed the vehicle, downing power lines in the process.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Captain Tony Bommarito said OCFA technical rescue teams were sent to scene at around 9:00 a.m., and pronounced Bermas deceased shortly after.

A neighbor of Bermas told KTLA that he saw the eucalyptus tree fall while he was walking his dog.

“I saw the lady close her door and lock it,” said Bermas’ neighbor, Danny McCabe. “I said, ‘Good morning, have a good day.’

And before I got to my house, I heard the tree snap and I turned around and watched it fall.”

“I started ripping tree branches up, trying to get to her,” added McCabe. “And then I was like, ‘Ma’am? Can you hear me?’ And I shook her arm, there was no movement. I checked her pulse in her wrist, there was nothing.

I check her pulse in her throat, and there was nothing.”

//",

Dennet Bermas from Tustin, California was killed after a large tree, caused by strong winds, fell on her vehicle on Monday, October 15.

Photo from Facebook.com

The fatal accident came as Santa Ana winds brought heavy gusts throughout Southern California that lasted from Monday through Tuesday, October 16 reaching nearly 60 mph in some areas. Meteorologists expected the winds to be among the strongest in years. (By Rae Ann Varona / AJPress) n

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REGISTRATION & ELECTIONS DIVISION

November 6, 2018 Statewide General Election More Days, More Ways to Vote!

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If you are registered to vote, you will be mailed a ballot the week of October 8.

You have 3 ways to return your voted ballot: Mail it in the included postage-paid envelope.

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Use a County Drop Box.

Visit a Vote Center.

You can also vote in person at any Vote Center in San Mateo County. Vote Centers and Drop Boxes are available starting October 9.

Not registered to vote? Now you can register and vote the same day at any Vote Center — all the way through Election Day.

Find Vote Center and Drop Box Locations at Call or Text: 650.312.5222 Web: www.smcvote.org @smcvote

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Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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No special treatment for ‘Citizen Bong Go’

PAGE A1 t Go said that if elected in the 2019 mid-term elections, he would support the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte and push for the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center.

Under the direction of Duterte, Go put up 15 Malasakit Centers all over the Philippines, which serve as one-stop shops that hasten the delivery of medical services to indigent patients and provide access to free medicines.

A fast lane prioritizing senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) is also available in every center.

Go said that he would push for

the enactment of a law institutionalizing Malasakit Centers so that these would continue to be operational even after Duterte’s term ends in 2022.

Go credits President Duterte for imparting many lessons during their more than two decades together, especially on being loyal to the nation and to the Filipinos.

“Sa kanya ko talaga natutunan ang pagserbisyo na may malasakit sa sambayanan. Marami akong natutunan sa kanya kaya nakarating ako dito. Dahil na rin sa kanya, after 20 taon, nagpapasalamat ako na marami akong natulungan dahil sa kanya. Akin na itong naumpisahan at ipagpapatuloy ko kapag nasa senado na

ako (It is from [President Duterte] that I have learned how to serve with concern for the people. I have learned much from him to be where I am now. And because of him, in 20 years, I was able to help many people. I have started this and will continue once I am in the Senate), Go said.

Go filed his certificate of candidacy on October 15 accompanied

by Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd, and presidential security personnel. (ManilaTimes.net) n

Cabinet ‘good’ rating a nod to gov’ts...

PAGE A1 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to adopt measures to ensure efficient and seamless delivery of imported agriculture and fishery products from ports to

markets; and MO 28, which further directs the National Food Authority to immediately release existing rice stocks in its warehouses.

On Friday, October 19, Panelo voiced confidence that the Filipinos will experience a “disinflationary” trend this month.

Despite the higher net rating,

he said, members of the cabinet would not be complacent and will continue to work hard.

“Notwithstanding the favorable survey numbers, the members of the official family of the president will not grow complacent in addressing national issues, Panelo added. n

Facebook purges 95 pages and 39 accounts...

PAGE A1 t of abuses on Facebook, including spam behavior, and will remove any account or page that breaks our rules,” the Mark Zuckerbergled company said.

‘More avenues’ aside from Facebook - Palace Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo denied the claims that the pages that were taken down reflect those that support the current administration.

“Not necessarily,” Panelo said as he denied the allegations that the government sponsors bloggers and so-called “trolls” in order to spread false news on the popular social media platform and attack critics and those who do not favor Duterte.

Instead, the presidential spokesperson expressed his respect with regards to the decision of Facebook to shut down the pages and accounts they deemed

Pacquiao to speak at Oxford

by Joaquin

Henson Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao has accepted an invitation to speak before the Oxford Union, the university’s prestigious debating society, in Oxford, a city in southeast England 51 miles from London, on Nov. 5 and the event will precede a likely US press tour to announce his fight against Adrien Broner.

A source in Pacquiao’s camp said negotiations and contracts are being finalized to lock in the Broner fight, tentatively in Las Vegas on Jan. 19 but even as it’s 90 percent sure, there is no absolute certainty at the moment.

Pacquiao is expected to leave for the UK on Nov. 3, speak in Oxford then return to Manila before embarking on the press tour.

“If the fight is on Jan. 19, Sen. Manny will be right on schedule,” said the source. “He’s staying in shape, playing basketball and running. Sen. Manny will be fine entering camp. After he speaks in Oxford, he’ll do the press tour then open camp. Training period will be a little over two months.”

Oxford Union secretary Tom Brown forwarded the invitation from society president Stephen Horvath to Pacquiao who will join the ranks of several distin-

Senator Manny Pacquiao Philstar.com file photo

guished speakers in the past.

Oxford Union was established in 1823 and is the third oldest student union in the UK. Oxford is known as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Previous speakers included Winston Churchill, Robert Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Mother Teresa, Benazir Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher, Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, John McCain, Yasser Arafat and Albert Einstein. From show business, among the past speakers were Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Orson Welles, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Warren Beatty. From sports, the roster listed Roger Bannister, Diego Maradona, Boris Becker, George Foreman, David Haye, Vitali Klitschko and Chris Eubank.

Horvath said Pacquiao’s presence will continue the “fine traPAGE A4

inappropriate.

“Facebook must have its rules and regulations. If they are implementing that, then that’s their own rule,” Panelo said.

“Now, if the concern is, there will be no more avenues, there are so many avenues. We have Twitter, Instagram and many others where the advocates can express themselves in support of this administration,” he added. (AJPress) n

CLEAN-UP DRIVE. Student volunteers and members of the Special Cleaning Operations Group of the Quezon City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) clean the streets as part of the “Mother’s Street Cleanup Campaign to Reduce Crime Together” in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City on Sunday, October 21.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

The battle of Leyte Gulf, the greatest...

PAGE A1 t The battle involved about 370 ships from both sides (Japan/ Australia 300 versus Japan 67+) and more than 1,800 planes (US 1500, Japan 300+). It took the U.S. Navy several months to report what happened at the Battle of the Leyte Gulf because the battle “had been too large, involved too

many U.S. military personnel, and had resulted in too much loss of life just to ignore.” It involved the last of the only 2 “battleship-tobattleship” shooting engagement during World War II (the first one involving the battle at Guadalcanal).

Losses and casualties U.S. casualties – 3,000

U.S. losses: 1 light carrier, 1 fleet carrier, 2 escort carriers, 3 light carriers, 2 destroyers, 3 battleships, 1 destroyer escort sunk, 10 cruisers,200+ planes.

Japanese casualties – 12,500 Japanese losses: 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers sunk, 300 planes. (Info from Wikipedia) n

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CDC warns parents of a polio-like disease that’s spreading among children

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

INNOVATIVE. A man uses an air rifle fitted with a small harpoon (barbed spear) attached on a string to catch fish in Laguna de Bay in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City over the weekend.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Presidential photo by Toto Lozano

A POLIO-LIKE “mystery” disease has been rapidly spreading across the country, with most cases affecting children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said this week.

Although rare, acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious condition that affects the nervous system and causes the body’s muscles and reflexes, especially the legs and arms, to weaken. It also causes sudden paralysis in patients, especially in children.

Of the 127 patients who reported an AFM case in 2018, 62 AFM cases have been confirmed in 22 states.

The average age of confirmed AFM patients over the past five years is 4 years old, and of the confirmed cases, 90 percent are children, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

“There is a lot we don’t know about AFM,” Messonnier told reporters. “The reason why we don’t know about AFM — and I am frustrated that despite all of our efforts we haven’t been able to identify the cause of this mystery illness — we continue to investigate to better understand

the clinical picture of AFM cases, risk factors and possible causes of the increase in cases.”

Symptoms of AFM include drooping of the face and eyelids, difficulty with eye movement and swallowing and slurred speech.

In more severe cases, patients might have difficulty breathing and may require a ventilator for muscle weakness.

Messionner said that AFM outbreaks tend to occur in the late summer and fall in a phenomenon she called “seasonal clustering,” and, so far, has only been detected in the United States.

Since the outbreak has impacted many states, there is no evidence that the disease is concentrated on specific regions of the U.S., also known as geographic clustering.

Messonnier added that that although researchers have tested the disease extensively in laboratories, they have not determined the exact pathogen or immune response caused the weakness in arms and legs and paralysis in most patients.

There is one report of a child dying of AFM last year.

Since 2014, the rate of AFM diagnosis is less than one in a million. Medical and public health professionals are currently looking into whether environmental agents could be a factor in AFM,

but confirmed that poliovirus is not the cause of AFM; none of the patients’ stool specimens tested positive for poliovirus.

“We know this can be frightening for parents,” Messionnier said. “This is a mystery so far and we haven’t solved it yet, so we have to be thinking broadly.”

While there is no specific treatment for AFM, neurologists might recommend treatments and interventions — such as physical or occupational therapy — on a “case-by-case basis,” according to the CDC. Doctors may perform a series of tests, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the brain and spinal cord. Messionnier recommends seeking medical right away if a patient is exhibiting AFM symptoms.

“We want to encourage parents to seek medical care right away if you or your child develops symptoms of AFM, such as sudden weakness and loss of muscle tone in your arms or legs,” Messionnier said. “As we work to better understand what is causing AFM, parents can help protect their children from serious diseases by following prevention steps like washing our hands, staying up to date on recommended vaccines and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites.” n

Fil-Am gets grant to document stories of Filipino nurses in the US A FILIPINO-American graduate student in nursing at the University of Virginia won a Virginia Humanities grant for an oral history project on Filipino nurses in the United States.

Ren Capucao, the son of a nurse from the Philippines, received a grant of $6,500 to videotape interviews with nurses from the early batches of immigrant health professionals and mount a show at the Philippine Cultural Center in

Virginia Beach next summer.

“Filipino Americans are the largest internationally educated group of nurses in the United States.

That trend traces back to the early 20th century when this country took control of the Philippines, taught residents English, and began training women in the newly created field of nursing,” Capucao told Virginia public radio WVTF. In the United States “they could earn more in a day than they’d

make in a month back home,” he added.

“After the Second World War some of their brothers joined the U.S. Navy as stewards and mess hall attendants. Many ended up in Norfolk, making weekend trips to find brides in East Coast hospitals,” taking two Greyhound buses to Philadelphia where there were many Filipino nurses they could court and start a family with. (Inquirer.net) n

ASEAN, US to hold joint maritime drill in 2019 SOUTHEAST Asian nations and the United States will be holding joint maritime drill in 2019 as a way of enhancing their relationship.

In a joint declaration, defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said they welcome the exercise with the U.S., as well as an ongoing joint drill with China in Zhanjiang.

“We welcome the conduct of the Asean-China Maritime Exercise in 2018, and intention to conduct the Asean-United States Maritime Exercise in 2019, which will enhance friendship and confidence between Asean member

states’ navies and the People’s Liberation Army Navy and the United States Navy,” the declaration read.

The ASEAN defense chiefs were all gathered in Singapore for the 12th Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Plus Defense Ministers’ Meeting, which will be attended by defense heads from the U.S., Russia, China, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and India.

In a separate statement, the Singapore Defense Ministry said Singapore’s Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen and U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis held an informal meeting among Asean

defense chiefs. The exercise, it added, was in conjunction with the U.S.’ Exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (Seacat), with Ng and Mattis also welcoming it as a “useful” confidence-building measure that would “build the capacity of and enhance cooperation between regional navies.”

The ASEAN defense ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to abide by laws and regulations that would observe the order and avoid incidents within the seas surrounding Southeast Asia.

In the joint declaration, the Asean defense ministers pointed PAGE A5

Pacquiao to speak at Oxford PAGE A3 dition” of the society hosting world leaders in various fields.

“As the first and only eight-division world champion and the winner of 11 world titles, your legacy as a world champion professional boxer is unmatched,” said Horvath. “Your strategic brilliance and your remarkable speed make you a truly legendary fighter. We would be delighted to hear more about how you stood above the characteristic trash-talking of big fights to stay focused on winning. You have applied this determination and endurance to your political career as well, overcoming an initial setback in your first election to become a widely-popular and respected Senator.

“At a time where there is such international interest in the politics of the Philippines, our members would be intrigued to hear more about your views on President Duterte and the war on drugs. On top of your success in politics and boxing, it is impressive that you are so involved in basketball as a player, owner and coach. We would be truly honored to host you and learn from your immensely rich life.”

Horvath said Pacquiao’s appearance will be filmed for the union’s YouTube channel which has received over 60 million views since its recent relaunch.

Pacquiao was asked to choose a date in the school’s autumn term from Oct. 8 to Dec. 1 to speak before the society.

Brown said “it would be an honor to host Sen. Pacquiao and hear him discuss his career, both about his epic boxing journey and his career in Filipino politics, something which many of our members are watching closely.”

He called Pacquiao’s coming visit “a fantastic highlight of our termly program.”

It won’t be Pacquiao’s first visit to the UK. In 2009, he did a press tour to promote his fight against English hero Ricky Hatton who was knocked out in two rounds in Las Vegas. In 2015, he was invited by Prince Harry to visit London for dinner and a tour of Buckingham Palace. Pacquiao presented Prince Harry with a pair of autographed Cleto Reyes boxing gloves.n

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018

A5

DATELINE PHILIPPINES Duterte approves telco franchise of Villar-owned Streamtech

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

Act No. 11089 on Oct. 18, 2018, allowing Streamtech “to construct, install, establish, operate and PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte maintain telecommunications syshas approved the franchise of the tems throughout the Philippines.”

“The franchise shall be in effect Villar-owned Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc. to provide na- for a period of 25 years,” the law tionwide telecommunications ser- said.

The Villar family, known for real vices.

The president signed Republic estate development, was look-

ing for prospective partners in its bid to be the country’s third telco player.

“The family is looking seriously at getting involved in the telecom side. When I say seriously, it’s possibly a national involvement,” Manuel Paolo Villar, company president of Vista Land & Lifescapes (VLL) said. ■

Enrile wants to fix Train Law

by NEIL JAYSON

SERVALLOS Manilatimes.net

FORMER Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile criticized several policies of the Duterte administration such as the tax reform law that has led to an uptick in inflation, vowing to fix them if elected anew to the Senate.

Enrile, who is seeking a comeback to the Senate in 2019, said he was concerned with the economy following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law. The 94-year-old politician said the situation has gone “beyond the control” of President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic managers.

“We must find solution para ang taumbayan di masasaktan, kung alam nila na ganun at wala silang suggestion mahirap yun (We must find solution for the people not to get hurt; if they [economic managers] knew it was like that and do not have suggestions, it would be difficult),” Enrile said in a radio interview.

Enrile said that while he was not completely opposed to the Train Law and Train 2 or Trabaho Bill, he would revise sections so that the poor would not bear the brunt of increasing prices.

“Hindi ko haharangin pero isasuggest ko mga babaguhin para din masasaktan sapagkat pag pinatawan mo ng buwis ang enerhiya at babagsak pa ang valor ng peso di mo mareresolve ang inflation (I will not oppose the bill, but I will suggest changes to avoid hurting people because if you impose taxes on energy and if the value of the peso further slides, inflation will not be resolved), Enrile added.

NEVER LOOK DOWN.Painters hold on to the scaffolding while painting a building in Quezon City. Workers on Sunday, October 21, called for a significantly bigger wage hike after the Department of Labor and Employment said on Friday that the Metro Manila minimum wage would be adjusted by at least P20 per day before the end of the October.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Senators oppose PH withdrawal from IPU

Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile

The senatorial candidate added that the current situation of increasing prices would be worsened by “rushing” the shift to a federal form of government.

He said that he wanted to join the discussions as soon as possible as there were several amendments that needed to be made to the draft charter.

Enrile claimed that nobody so far had reviewed the charter the way he had.

Enrile filed his certificate of candidacy on October 17 for the second time during the filing period last week as the first time was marred by a mistake on his form.

His 2019 senatorial bid was met with criticisms amid his pending case before the antigraft court Sandiganbayan 3rd

SENATORS Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson, and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, October 23, rejected the proposal of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the Philippines withdraw from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Drilon, Lacson and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto were part of the Philippine delegation this month to the 139th IPU conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Aside from Arroyo, House members present in the same IPU meeting were Representatives Gustavo Tambunting, Ron Salo, Rodante Marcoleta, and ManilaTimes.net file photo Eric Martinez.

Division, which junked his pleas With 178 members and 12 asto dismiss the plunder case sociate members, the IPU is an against him.

Enrile was charged with plunder together with former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada at PAGE A4 Sandiganbayan over alleged mis- out the commitment to “fully and use of their pork barrel or Prior- effectively” implement the Declaity Development Assistance Fund ration on the Conduct of Parties in (PDAF), the lump-sum funds pre- disputed waters of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). viously allocated to legislators.

They reiterated the importance The Supreme Court allowed Enrile to post bail in August 2015 of the freedom of navigation withdue to his old age and medical in the contested waters.

“The exercise of this freedom conditions.

Enrile, however, downplayed calls for confidence-building meathese criticisms and said he was sures and, through practical maritime cooperation, [promotion of] “innocent.”

“Di nila mapapatunayan na ako peace and stability,” the declaraay tumanggap (They will never tion said. “We reaffirm the imporprove that I received money),” tance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, safety and he said. ■

organization of national parliamentarians worldwide. Formed in 1889, the IPU aims to “protect and build global democracy through political dialog and concrete action.”

“House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should mind her own and we will mind our own.

I oppose the proposal of Arroyo that we withdraw from the IPU just because this global body of parliamentarians expressed its concern over the political persecution of our fellow Senators Leila de Lima and (Antonio) Sonny Trillanes,” Drilon said.

“Arroyo’s proposal is despairing, defeatest and will be seen by the world as a tacit admission that indeed critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte

administration,” said Drilon, also Senate minority leader.

The Senate majority bloc said that the supposed inquiry by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians into the alleged political persecution of de Lima and Trillanes is still in the recommendation stage “and is thus not binding for now.”

Asked to comment on Arroyo’s proposal to withdraw from IPU, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd said, “I am inclined to concur but after due consultation with my colleagues.”

“Perhaps the IPU’s human rights committee should be reminded that the Philippines is a sovereign state with a working judicial process, and a ConstituPAGE A6

ASEAN, US to hold joint maritime... freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea,” it added, noting that the resolution should be in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The defense chiefs adopted guidelines for air military encounters and the operational annexes on observing existing aviation conventions and rules, among others.

The guidelines, drafts of which were provided to reporters, recognize the safety and security of air lanes as “important” for the growth and prosperity of coun-

tries in the ASEAN region. They stressed the “safe and smooth” conduct of encounters between the ASEAN militaries’ aircraft.

The defense ministers also welcomed positive developments in the Korean Peninsula such as the inter-Korean summits and the recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.| “We also reiterate our support for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” the declaration further read. (Dempsey Reyes/ManilaTimes.net) ■

A

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Former VP Binay receives international scout award

by Neil JaysoN

seRvallos Manilatimes.net

FORMER vice president and Makati City congressional candidate Jejomar Binay was awarded the Bronze Wolf Award for “exemplary leadership and service� to scouting by the World Scout Committee (WSC).

The Bronze Wolf is the highest honor given to a volunteer scout leader worldwide, and is given by the WSC, the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Binay, who served as chairman of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scouting Committee, called on fellow scout leaders to fulfill the mission of the scout movement to develop the youth’s physical, moral, intellectual and social responsibilities as citizens and individuals. “I hope that those among us who are leaders in their own right are making a conscious and sustained effort to be catalysts of holistic growth among the youth, taking every opportunity to bring out the best in them and help them achieve their full potential,� Binay said in the awarding ceremonies on Saturday at the

Former vice president Jejomar Binay

Philippine International Convention Center.

Binay first joined the scout movement as a cub scout.

He was regional chairman of the Asia-Pacific Scouting Committee for 12 years where he

ManilaTimes.net file photo

enlisted several Asian countries into the organization.

Binay was also part of the transition team that transferred the World Scout Bureau Global Office then in Geneva, Switzerland to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. n

INTRODUCING THE SIKLESA. Fairgoers pose for a picture while trying the ‘siklesa’ outside the World Trade Center during the 2018 Manila Fame fair. The biannual trade show is the country’s premier lifestyle and design event. Manila FAME aims to promote the Philippines as a reliable source for quality home, fashion, architectural and interior pieces by presenting masterpieces crafted by local small and medium enterprises to the global exports market.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ DIosinan

AFP backs call for Reds to surrender

by Dempsey

Reyes Manilatimes.net

THE New People’s Army (NPA) does not need Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma� Sison in achieving lasting peace in the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

In belittling Sison’s role in ending what is probably the world’s longest communist insurgency, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, said the military joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s renewed call for communist rebels to surrender to the government. “The NPA [rebels] do not need the likes of Jose Maria Sison to broker for peaceful and meaningful lives for them. They can

avail [themselves] of localized peace talks, as the AFP has been supporting [such talks],� Arevalo said in a statement. “CPP leaders abroad are out of touch and have only their personal interests to protect in making ludicrous demands for the talks but do not perform their share to make peace work,� he said.

Arevalo cited the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, in which former NPA rebels receive a “wholistic package� of benefits such as health, education and livelihood and legal assistance. “This is the best time to surrender and avail (sic) of these benefits now enjoyed by hundreds of former rebels,� he said.

At the same time, the military spokesman branded the revolu-

tion being pushed by the NPA rebels as “passĂŠ,â€? saying Filipinos have “already realized the inutilityâ€? of the ideology being presented by the local communists.

In a speech last Friday, October 19, Duterte reiterated that he was willing to provide jobs to NPA rebels surrendering to the military, saying he did not want to kill them.

Arevalo backed the statement of the president, boasting that hundreds of communist rebels had yielded. “They have come to realize that while they were being pushed to fight it out in the frontlines, the CPP leadership in Europe and in the cities luxuriate in the money they extort from business persons,� he said. n

Senators oppose PH withdrawal from IPU PAGE A5 tion that decrees the separation of powers for the executive, legislative and judicial branches,�

Sotto said in a text message.

Lacson said Arroyo’s recommendation is based on the wrong premise. “The IPU has yet to act on its Human Rights Committee’s recommendation to the IPU Governing Council.

Having said that, it is premature, if at all, to denounce the IPU as a whole, much less withdraw

membership from the body.� “Second, by withdrawing, it would imply that the Philippine Senate acknowledges the political persecution of opposition senators. Third, it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, that is a member of the IPU, so I’m not sure where Speaker GMA is coming from,� he said in a text message.

Hontiveros said the plan to withdraw membership in the IPU is a “virtual admission of

guilt on the part of the Duterte government.� “It only confirms the IPU’s serious concerns about our country’s worsening human rights record. If this goes on, the way it’s going, the Philippines will soon run out of intergovernmental bodies that it can be part of.

President Rodrigo Duterte cannot withdraw our country from the world,� Hontiveros said.

(Bernadette Tamayo/Manila  Times.net) n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018

BUSINESS NEWS Fuel tax deferral means substantial 2020 increase

by MAYVELIN

U. CARABALLO

A7

Welcome home.

ManilaTimes.net

CONSUMERS should brace for a substantial fuel tax hike in 2020 should the government shelve increases set to take effect next year, a senior Finance department official warned.

“The suspension is temporary and there is already the law that provides the scheduled increase,” Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua told reporters.

“So if you suspend for one year, by 2020 you have to apply the full amount,” he added.

Economic managers have recommended that President Rodrigo Duterte order the deferment of a second round of fuel tax hikes next year given rising inflation.

Higher taxes on fuel products, among other goods and services, were implemented under the Tax Reform of Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law that took effect at the start of 2018.

Under the law, a second and third round of fuel tax hikes should be implemented at the start of next year and in 2020.

Following a P2.50 increase this year, the excise tax on diesel

Commuters ride a jeepney in Quiapo, Manila in this photo taken on Friday, October 19. Taking the jeepney will become more expensive as regulators have approved fare hikes in response to higher fuel prices, among others.

Manilatimes.net photo by Russell Palma

will increase to P4.50 per liter in 2019 and by P6 per liter in 2020.

The excise tax on gasoline, meanwhile, will increase to P9 per liter and P10 per liter by 2019 and 2020, respectively, after having been raised by P7 this year.

“In the law, it does not say additional, it says that at this time — this is the amount and by that time it is the full amount already,” Chua said.

“So if you suspend in 2019, you have to implement both [the] 2019 and 2020 increase,” he added.

Deferment of next year’s tax

hike appeared a given early last week as a Palace official announced the move, which economic managers confirmed.

Statements issued later in the week, however, caused confusion as one official said the recommendation should be recalled and the Finance department noted that crude prices were not at levels that would prompt the suspension.

The tax hikes under TRAIN law have been blamed for rising inflation, which hit a fresh nineyear high of 6.7 percent in September.■

Health expenditures rise 8% in 2017

by CZERIZA

VALENCIA philstar.com

THE country spent more for healthcare last year with outof-pocket expenses growing steeply, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

The country’s total health expenditures at current prices grew by eight percent to P712.3 billion last year from P659.3 billion in 2016, contributing 4.5 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Out of the total health expenditures last year, 96.1 percent were current health expenditures while 3.9 percent comprised health capital formation expenses in the government sector.

Every Filipino spent an average of P6,791 for health as seen in the per capita health spending during the year using a population count of 104.9 million. This has grown from P5,834 in 2015 and P6,388 in 2016.

The bulk of health expendi-

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tures came from households as seen in the 54.5 percent share of household out-of-pocket expenses to the total health expenditures.

Government schemes and compulsory contributory health care financing schemes made up 33 percent of the country’s health expenditures amounting to P225.9 billion.

Voluntary health care payment

schemes, meanwhile, contributed P85.7 billion or 12.5 percent of the total.

More than half (50.1 percent) of the out-of-pocket medical expenses amounting to P186.6 billion went to pharmacies, private hospitals (P97.5 billion or a share of 26.1 percent).

Providers of ambulatory healthcare received P50.3 billion or 13.5 percent of the total.■

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OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 1, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Successful rehabilitation

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FEATURES

IN polluted, overcrowded Metro Manila, good news comes rarely on the environmental front. Last week saw one of those rare moments, as the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission became the first recipient of the Asia River Prize Award conferred by the International River Foundation. The PRRC bested the Yangtze River rehabilitation effort in China.

The honor, conferred during the 21st International River Symposium in Sydney, Australia, considered the scale of the problem and recognized the response of the PRRC. Fidel Ramos, whose wife Ming was among the ardent movers of the river cleanup during his presidency, may still not want to swim in the Pasig as he says he used to do in his youth. But those who haven’t taken a close look at the river for some time should try taking the ferry today. They may be pleasantly surprised. Floating solid waste has become a rare sight and water lily is not allowed to proliferate. The water does not stink like a cesspool, and children fish along the banks in certain areas.

It wasn’t just the water cleanup that was recognized. The awards body noted that the PRRC, from 1999 until last year, resettled in decent homes 18,719 families living along the banks of

the 27-kilometer river. The PRRC dismantled 376 private structures encroaching on the river, established nearly 37,500 meters of environmental preservation areas and developed 17 of 47 identified Pasig tributaries.

The challenge for the country is sustaining the rehabilitation effort and further improving the state of the river. National hero Jose Rizal wrote about fishing and picnics along the Pasig. Other countries have shown that rivers can be restored if not to a pristine state, then at least to a much cleaner one.

Another challenge is to apply the principles behind the successful rehabilitation effort to other bodies of water in Metro Manila and in other densely populated and polluted urban centers across the country. This is a success story that must be replicated. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Who you will vote for is a reflection of your values — and your children are watching The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS IT’S LESS than two weeks before the consequential midterm elections and already, the fiery and toxic battle for your votes have already been revealing the true color of the candidates, the politicians they choose to associate with, and the party they represent.

They are who they are, but the question is who will you vote for? Your answer may very well reveal who you are, what you are, what values you hold dear, what principles you stand for. As this transpires, know that your children are watching.

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who just tells you what you want to hear, entertains you, arouses your emotions, gets you fired up, gives you empty promises, knowingly fabricates stories, manipulates you, and lies to you, demonizes his critics, undermines the democratic institutions and processes of this nation — just to win, win, win, win without regard for the truth, without respect to your sensibility, decency and intelligence, and without consideration of the greater good.

Just like when President Donald Trump limited the scope of the Brett Kavanaugh investigation, sacrificing the integrity of the quest for truth just so his pick who was accused of sexual misconduct and unfitness to sit in the Supreme Court could be confirmed. When asked “What if

Commentary

SOMCAN FILIPINOS are among those affected by California’s worst housing crisis to date. The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau shows Filipinos as the largest ethnic group in California.

According to the 2008 National Asian American Survey, 22.24 percent of Filipinos are renters and 14.37 percent of Filipinos held an income of $20,000 to $50,000 which makes a large part of the population middle to low income working class.

Rent control was established in California starting in the late 1970’s to address a housing crisis similar to what the state faces today. The establishment of Costa-Hawkins Housing Act

the accuser Dr. Christine Ford was telling the truth,” his response was, “It does not matter. We won!” Just as he marginalized and criticized women who have accused him and his league of sexual misconduct and abuse.

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who used to trade personal insults with a former rival in politics — calling them names, convincing the American people why that candidate is BAD for America — only to kiss each other’s behinds because of political expediency to win, win, win. Just like how Trump labeled Ted Cruz “Lyin’ Ted” during their battle for the Republican nomination in 2016, insulted the latter’s wife, defamed his family, and suggested his father was a co-conspirator in the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.

Cruz fought back and called Trump a “sniveling coward” a “pathological liar.” That was then, now they need each other.

Trump needed Cruz to defeat the popular Democrat Beto O’Rouke so the Republicans could continue to have control of the Senate, and so he would now campaign for Cruz, labeling him as “beautiful Ted”. Cruz, of course, needed Trump’s support and endorsement in Texas to win, and so he now sings only love songs for the president.

Politics at its worst.

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who capitalizes on your baser emotions like FEAR, to cause you to hate and be afraid of other people? Just like how President Donald Trump would scare you about the thousands of people from Central America — men, women, children who

are fleeing violence, hunger, pain; fathers, mothers, grandparents who only want to give their children and grandchildren a better and safer life just like what you did when you decided to immigrate to the United States?

They walked thousands of miles from their country to do a legal recourse. That is, to go to the border and apply for asylum. U.S. laws allow this, and each asylum seeker would have to be screened and evaluated, and then their application will either be accepted or denied.

But they had to at least try to save their family.

But what did Trump do? He demonized them and called them criminals, violent gang members, drug peddlers who are coming to destroy America.

He even added another layer to the fabricated story, that these asylum seekers are NOT just people from Central America.

Trump said there are “unknown” people from the Middle East — aka Muslim or terrorists in his language — who will do us harm, just as he had labeled Mexicans and Muslims even before he became president.

When asked by reporters if he has proof, he flatly said “No proof.”

Sadly, this is not just happening now. It has been part of plan’s goal “to make America great again” — vilifying and discriminating against immigrants, especially people of color; demonizing all of the Islam faith, limiting not only illegal immigration but also legal migration — when this great nation is built and enriched by immigrants.

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who cares more for money

than the truth, life of a human being and justice? Like President Donald Trump who again peddles a new conspiracy theory that terrorists infiltrated the botched interrogation of Jamal Khashoggi, a brave Saudi national who was a legal U.S. resident who wrote for the Washington Post.

The Turkish government’s investigation has proven that Khashoggi was brutally murdered by Saudi officials who are close to the Crown Prince, reportedly because of his writings that call for freedom of the press and freedom for the people of Saudi Arabia.

While Trump awaits the results of the investigation of the murder of Khashoggi by the Saudi government, who were named by the Turks as the suspect in the killing, Trump’s administration keeps on stressing the strong alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia, in the fight against Iran. This, despite the fact that a big majority of the 9/11 terrorists who attacked America in 2001 were Saudi nationals.

“With all that being said though, we have $450 billion, $110 billion of which is a military order, but this is equipment and various things ordered from Saudi Arabia, $450 billion,” Trump said in defense of Saudi Arabia. “I think it’s over a million jobs. That’s not helpful for us to cancel an order like that.

That hurts us far more than it hurts them.”

But according to the reporting of Politifact, “The $110 billion in arms sales to the Saudis would be eye-popping enough, but this was the first time we heard the $450 billion total that

Filipino votes needed to pass Prop 10 in 1995 in favor of the real estate industry has proven to be detrimental to Filipinos who earn less and could not afford the rising cost of housing in major California cities. According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, California is home to 22 percent of the nation’s homeless population. The state’s worst housing affordability and homelessness crisis is a direct result of the CostaHawkins Housing Act that prevents cities and counties from passing rent control on singlefamily homes and condos built after 1995, on “new” construction, and mandates vacancy decontrol that allows landlords to raise the rental price as much as they want when a unit becomes vacant.

On September 2018, The Bulosan Center for Filipino Stud-

ies at UC Davis coordinated its first Filipino Community Policy Symposium with advocates and policy experts across the state.

Advocates noted the rise of gentrification in low income neighborhoods, the skyrocketing rent increases, and how rent control serves as a “lifeline” for families to afford a place to live. Tenants are being evicted in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Daly City and are pushed out of the Bay Area. Tenants in Sacramento and Santa Cruz are also facing similar problems. This outward migration from the Bay Area drive up rental prices as those who were displaced compete with the local tenants.

According to the 2017 Joint Center for Housing Studies, one in three renters in Los Angeles are severely cost burdened. The results of the 2017 LA Homeless Services Survey show that 8000

people have become homeless for the first time. At the symposium, Alex Montances, an organizer with the Filipino Migrant Center (FMC), shared that they do not have rent control in Long Beach. Most of their clients at FMC are Filipinos with evictions or who are searching for housing with many Filipino and Latino families living in bad conditions in crowded and small apartments.

Filipino students across California have also been impacted by the rising costs of rent. Angie Tullo, a student activist at UC Santa Cruz, shared at the symposium that Santa Cruz has one of the most expensive rental markets in the world. Those most vulnerable are low-income students who are often preyed by landlords offering housing in very poor conditions. The trend of homelessness and dis-

included everything else. Nor has Trump said that 1 million jobs are on the line.”

Or could there be stronger ties that bind Trump’s business empire and his son-in-law Jared Kushner with the Saudis?

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who, on the eve of the midterm elections, fearful of losing control of the House, would say he will unveil a resolution pledging congressional action sometime after elections on a 10 percent middle-class tax cut, claiming his administration has been working with Rep. Brady on the plan “very hard for a pretty long period of time.” This statement by President Trump took his own White House staff and the Republicans in Congress by surprise, not knowing what Trump was talking about.

The problem with this “Hail Mary” attempt is that it looks like a desperate move to “buy” votes for his cohorts in Congress. Trump’s earlier permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations had already caused the U.S. deficit to balloon to $779 billion in the fiscal year 2018, up 17 percent from last year, according to final data released by the Treasury Department.

That’s the biggest spike since 2012 when the Republicans were criticizing former President Barack Obama for “massive spending,” which was intended by the previous administration to stimulate an economy struggling to recover from the deepest recession.

Trump’s spending, on the other hand, was to give welfare to the richest of the rich, in permanent tax breaks, when this approach was what drove the

U.S. into the deepest recession since the Great Depression.

What is worse — the Republicans are now blaming the deficit to “welfare programs” like Social Security and Medicare — social benefits that we all already paid for deducted from our paycheck, as an investment toward our retirement and healthcare needs. These politicians are proposing to cut funding for social services and would want to touch our retirement money in Social Security and Medicare, but not their own lifetime entitlement.

WILL YOU VOTE for a politician who uses his words and example to hate, denigrate, even suggest harm against others, especially his critics here and around the world, other world leaders including our allies, the free press?

Remember when Trump said “that’s my kind of guy,” rewarding a Republican lawmaker who body-slammed a reporter, while singing high praises and openly expressing admiration to dictators like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, China’s Xi Jinping, and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince?

WOULD YOU VOTE for politicians who enable, condone, support these political tactics?

Do these politicians reflect your own values, principles and aspirations? If so, how would you explain your decision to your children and grandchildren? ***

placement, according to the UC Global Food Initiative in 2017 and CSU Basic Needs Initiative in 2018, has been found across campuses with 5 percent of the UC student population and 10.1 percent of the CSU student population reporting to have experienced homelessness.

Proposition 10, the Affordable Housing Act, is about basic fairness and a tenant’s fundamental right to housing. The repeal of Costa-Hawkins Housing Act by the passing of Proposition 10, will empower local communities to limit increase in the price of rent, make communities safer, stronger, and more stable, address the state’s housing crisis, curb homelessness, and will have a positive impact on the quality of life of Filipinos across California.

As the largest Asian population in California, Filipino votes can make a significant impact that can lead to significant changes. Filipino votes could

help pass Proposition 10.

Voting yes on Proposition 10 is a necessary step to deal with the housing crisis and homelessness across the state and in order to establish a law to protect members of our community, to ensure that they have access to affordable housing, and to keep them in neighborhoods and communities where they belong.

The South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is a multi-racial, communitybased organization, serving low-income immigrant youth and families in SoMa and greater San Francisco since 2000.

The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis is the first Filipino American history research space at a major American university. Information and data in this article is from a Prop 10 policy brief by The Bulosan Center and used with permission.

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The 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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

Friday, October 26, 2018

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

From bean to bar: Fil-Am chocolatier Hernan Lauber finds joy in native Philippine cacao On promoting the Philippines as the “Napa Valley of cacao”

by Rae

ann VaRona / AJPress

FILIPINOS love chocolate.

And sure, that affinity includes the Hershey’s, M&M’s, and Toblerone bars that fill up balikbayan boxes sent by loved ones abroad, but there’s also the traditional tablea chocolate disks whisked in boiling water to make hot tsokolate, or mixed in with glutinous rice to make champorado.

To Fil-Am chocolatier Hernan Lauber, the Philippines is what he describes as the “Napa Valley of cacao” — a big claim, given that the country may not initially be one that comes to mind when talking about the bean.

“The Philippines currently produces less than one-percent of the world’s supply of cacao but it’s been a part of Filipino history for as long as it’s been part of European history,” said

Lauber, the chocolatier behind the new bean-to-bar chocolate brand, “Oodaalolly”.

According to some historical accounts, cacao first came to the Philippines aboard Manila galleons by way of Acapulco, Mexico in the 1670s. The first cacao plants in the Philippines yielded pure aromatic and mild Criollo cacao beans which have a distinct reddish color, and are today very rare and generally regarded as the superior bean over the more common Trinitario and Forastero cacao beans.

Situated along the cacao growing sweet spot dubbed the equatorial “Cacao Belt,” the Philippines nonetheless found itself laying low in the modern global cacao market, unable to meet even its local demand. As a result, the Philip-

Hernan displays his products at Undiscovered SF, a monthly night market in San Francisco that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the SOMA Pilipinas district.

Oodaalolly chocolate is made in small batches using Swiss techniques.

odaalolly’s products include dark chocolate and dark milk chocolate

Samples of the almond and sea salt chocolate

Photos courtesy of Hernan Lauber / Oodaalolly

pines began importing much of its cacao beans from nearby Malaysia and Indonesia, and its chocolate products from the U.S. and Singapore, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

But the country has recently been showing global ambitions for its chocolate to capture a larger slice of the growing global market.

In 2015, the Philippine government’s Department of Agriculture and the Mindanao Development Authority signed an ambitious agreement to increase cacao bean production tenfold to 100,000 metric tons by 2020. By 2017, the Philippines joined the international Cocoa of Excellence Programme for the first time where it snagged a spot in the top 50.

On what makes the Philippines the “Napa Valley of cacao,” Laubner said it goes back to the country’s unique agricultural landscape.

“Cacao is truly an agricultural product, so it is influenced by how and where it’s grown,” said Lauber. “Since much of the country is still agrarian, especially in the provinces, the cacao can be found among many other types of fruits including bananas, mangoes, and guavas, all of which have an impact on the flavor of the beans.”

Growing up on chocolate Born in the Philippines, Lauber spent the first two years of his life in the country and grew up in other parts of the world like Geneva, Toronto, and New York, before moving outside Philadelphia where he spent the bulk of his middle and high school years. He then went on to get a degree in mechanical engineering, before getting his MBA in international business.

“I spent my childhood bouncing around the U.S., the Philippines, and Switzerland which sounds glamorous when I tell people, but it really wasn’t,” shared Lauber. “When I was a kid and spent summers in the Philippines with my mom’s family — there was no running water, no electricity, so it was humbling to have that experience.”

Yet despite all the moving, there was one thing that remained rather constant and that was his exposure to quality food and most importantly chocolate by the influence of his dad who worked as a Swisstrained pastry chef.

Lauber described how his dad, after finding a business partner at Swiss hotel in Toronto, decided to start a chocolate business in the early ‘80s. As the ‘90s came around, Lauber’s dad decided to pursue his own venture.

“He is a traditional chocolatier, importing bulk chocolate from Switzerland, melting it down, and creating chocolate confections. It wasn’t necessarily something he intended to do, but being an immigrant and having no higher education, it was what he knew best,” said Lauber.

He continued, “So I basically grew up in a chocolate factory, as did my two sisters,” adding that time at the familyrun factory was a typical afterschool activity that continued into college.

“I first started as a dish-

washer in the fourth grade, then I got to start decorating truffles, then feeding the enrobing machine, then making shells, and from that point on, I helped out with whatever was needed,” said Lauber. “You could say I apprenticed with a Swiss chocolatier for over a decade.”

Oodaalolly By the early 2000s, Lauber decided to try his hand at the chocolate business and create his own chocolate company that got rid of the melting of imported bulk chocolate, and focused more on bean-to-bar.

After running the idea through with his dad who had a few hesitations given that the bean-to-bar market was rather small, Lauber decided still to go ahead with it and got a loan from the Small Business Association. But just as he was ready to launch, he got an offer to move to Europe with his engineering job and decided to take the opportunity.

However, chocolate was still on his mind. After moving to Sydney, Australia with his wife who he met in Europe, and then back home to the U.S., plans of his chocolate business were put back on the table.

“One thing to keep in mind is 15 years ago, there were probably only a few U.S. chocolate makers being Hershey’s, Scharffen Berger, and a few other companies,” Lauber said of the market when they returned.

He added that today, there are close to 300 U.S. bean-tobar makers.

Lauber and his wife—who being half-Italian, also grew up with an affinity for good food— decided to try all the bean-tobar makers they could get their hands on before deciding that entering the chocolate business was indeed what they wanted to do.

“I just thought we could make bars as good as what we tasted, but we would only use Filipino beans and focus only on them,” said the second generation chocolatier.

One thing that distinguishes oodaalolly from other chocolate makers is that they source their own cacao beans directly from the Philippines without using any distributors, he said.

The cost and logistics of sourcing their own beans have as a result been more challenging, but that has also meant having direct access to supply which Lauber holds important. Lauber said he spent a year working on the process before launching their original collection of bars in December of 2017.

Currently, the maker has three bars: 60-percent dark milk, 70-percent dark chocolate, and 70-percent dark almond and sea salt. All bars are single roast, single origin, and use 100-percent Filipino cacao.

Yet oodaalolly’s bars are only the beginning as the maker is taking the next step in making sure its products come as close from the source as possible.

In 2018, oodaalolly planted about 4,000 cacao plants on his grandfather’s land in Western Visayas after testing some out on his mom’s property a few years ago.

“They sprouted pods rather quickly so hopefully in a few

Taken at UndiscoveredSF / AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

B

C

years, we can start harvesting some of our own plants,” said Lauber.

As for the definition of ‘oodaalolly’? The name, Lauber shared, is a play on a phrase from his older son’s favorite cartoon when he was about a year old during their days moving back from Sydney.

“Oodaalolly is an expression of joy, surprise, delight, ecstasy, and effervescence, and is often shouted or sung repeatedly,” said Lauber.

He added, “That’s what we want people to feel when they eat our bars. A bit of joy, and a bit of delight. If it causes you to sing—even better. But if it

makes you smile, even a little bit, then we have achieved success!”

In the meantime, Lauber hopes that oodaalolly helps make true Philippine chocolate a more common part of everyday life.

“When I met my father-inlaw for the first time, he had this magical ability to pull out a bar of chocolate at the most random times. While waiting for a train, when sitting on a park bench, while enjoying an espresso. It always put everyone in a good mood,” said Lauber. “The best way to enjoy oodaalolly is by sharing a bar with those you love.”

Maine enjoys everything that comes her way ian Rivera’s new co-endorser for skincare brand Maxi-Peel Philstar.com Zero, Maine might have not WHAT is the real score confirmed if she is dating Arjo between Maine Mendoza and or anyone, but she affirmed Arjo Atayde? that she is open to having a The two actors have been boyfriend who also works in recently reportedly spotted to showbiz. be dating, and even kissing, in She also said that if ever restaurants in Bonifacio Global she has or would have a City, Taguig City. boyfriend, she would not keep Although pictures of the it a secret, but will try to be pair eating out have spread on- low-key about it as much as line, no proof yet has surfaced possible. to show them actually kissing.

“Hindi naman secret. Pero In a recent press confermas okay na kung anong ginaence launching Maine as Margawa n’yo, you keep it private.

by Deni Rose M. afiniDaD-BeRnaDo

Maine Mendoza

Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm

Kasi s’yempre mahirap, people will meddle eh. Parang ang dami nilang i-co-comment about sa buhay mo, about sa love life mo, so mas okay na kung private. Pero hindi naman ‘yung as in sikretong sikreto,” she said in an interview with the press following the launch.

During the press conference, Marian revealed that Maine has a lot of suitors.

Maine said she just laughed at Marian’s revelation.

“Wala naman!” said Maine when the press squeezed her

about her suitors.

She, however, admitted that she opens up to Marian about her love life.

The best advice she got from Marian, said Maine, is to enjoy everything that comes her way.

“Kung anong meron ako, kung anong dumating sa’kin, i-enjoy mo lang ‘yan,” Maine said of Marian’s advice.

“Minsan ka lang mapupunta dito sa showbiz, minsan ka lang magiging bata, so ienjoy mo lahat ng kung anong binibigay sa’yo.”

ATTY. MICHAEL BHOTIWIHOK

Derivative of K-1 Fiancé(e) entertainment SF3 visa holder found eligible for green Card After troubled past, Baron Geisler

ADJUSTMENT of status for K-1 and K-2 visa holders can be complex even under the best of circumstances. Things become even more challenging when there is a divorce and the derivative child turns 21-years-old. However, as one happy Reeves Immigration Law Group client can say, good lawyering can still lead to a green card.

Reeves Immigration Law Group is proud to announce that we were recently able to assist our client in obtaining permanent resident status (“green card”) after extensive litigation in immigration court on a rare and complex area of immigration law. Our client, who we will refer to as Angela to protect her privacy, can now enjoy all the benefits of permanent resident status, including the ability to work, petition family members, and freely travel back home to the Philippines to visit family and friends.

Angela entered the U.S. many years ago with a K-2 visa. Her mother had been granted a K-1 visa, which is granted to foreign nationals to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying their U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of their entry. Angela was able to obtain a K-2 visa as her mother’s derivative since she unmarried and under 21-years-old.

Angela thought everything was going to be easy after she entered the U.S. She thought her mother would marry her U.S. citizen fiancée and that shortly thereafter her application to become a conditional permanent resident would be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Everything was initially going according to plan – Angela’s mother timely married her fiancée and they both submitted their applications for green cards. Sadly though, Angela would not

be receiving her green card anytime soon.

Unfortunately, Angela’s mother’s marriage did not work out. Before Angela and her mother were interviewed on their applications for adjustment of status, Angela’s mother separated from her U.S. citizen spouse. She even divorced her husband and left the U.S. to return to the Philippines. Angela, however, decided to remain in the U.S. so that she could help care for her ailing grandmother.

Angela’s application for adjustment of status was denied after she failed to appear for her interview. The Department of Homeland Security then referred her case to Immigration Court with the issuance of a Notice To Appear. Angela was now facing deportation from the U.S. Angela decided to retain the services of Reeves Immigration Law Group. Her case was assigned to Attorney Michael Bhotiwihok, who is one of the firm’s Senior Associate Attorneys. Attorney Bhotiwihok explained to Angela that there were obstacles in her case, but he also devised a strategy to overcome those obstacles so that Angela could still get her green card despite her mother’s divorce.

Attorney Bhotiwihok successfully argued to the Immigration Judge that Angela was still eligible for her green card based on two different cases from the Board of Immigration Appeals. First, Attorney Bhotiwihok said she was eligible according to Matter of Sesay, a case that allows a K-1 visa holder to adjust their status so long as they entered into a bona fide marriage within 90 days of entry to the United States . . . even if the marriage to the U.S. citizen petitioner has since been terminated.

Second, Attorney Bhotiwihok also had to establish that Angela remained eligible for

Your Immigration Solution

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

her green card even though she had already turned 21years-old and was therefore no longer a minor. For this issue, Attorney Bhotiwihok successfully argued that Matter of Le held that a K-2 derivative child of a K-1 fiancé(e) visa holder is not ineligible for adjustment of status simply by virtue of having turned 21-years-old after admission to the United States on a K-2 visa.

The significance of Angela’s case cannot be understated. This is because even after the Board of Immigration Appeals has issued decisions favoring K-1 and K-2 visa holders in certain situations, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has inconsistently applied the law and incorrectly denied their applications for green cards.

Many people are then left to fight for their green cards in deportation proceedings.

However, the successful resolution of Angela’s case, even though she was over 21-yearsold and her mother never received her green card, should provide a shining light for K-1 and K-2 visa holders placed into deportation proceedings before an Immigration Judge.

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.

(Advertising Supplement)

now speaks the gospel, educates on mental health

by CODY CEPEDA Inquirer.net

ACTOR Baron Geisler has come a long way since March when he was involved in a physical altercation with family members that left him bloodied and bruised. Things have been looking up for Geisler since he vowed then that he would be going back to rehab—an undertaking that he promised to take “very seriously this time.”

Geisler remained true to his word and has now flipped over a new page as he continued on his journey to recovery and healing. Geisler recently shared on social media the recent goings-on in his new life, one of which is becoming a speaker in symposiums where he raises awareness about mental health and dangerous vices.

He took to Instagram on Oct. 18 and shared some pictures during his time at the Digos City District Female Jail in Davao del Sur where he was a guest speaker in their “Drug Symposium.”

In his post, Geisler extended his gratitude to the policewomen of the Digos City Distritct Jail, who gave him handmade tokens as remembrance.

“Special shoutout to the beautiful ladies of Digos City District Jail. I am touched by the handmade tokens of appreciation and I am more than grateful to have shared His story to each and everyone of you,” Geisler wrote. “Your strength and resilience inspire me to overcome the battles I face everyday. I will be praying for you.”

Geisler also shared a picture of his certificate of appreciation from the drug symposium, which recognized him for imparting his “valuable insights and inspirations to the Female Persons Deprived of

Baron Geisler

Liberty (PDL)” last Oct. 17.

Back in Sept. 24, Geisler showed pictures of him speaking in the Mental Health Symposium on the Awareness on Depression and Suicide in Cebu.

“This is being headed by the Phil. Mental Health Association,” Geisler wrote then. “#PMHACEBU #payingitforward #ItsallAboutHim #grateful #Love #futuregeneration.”

Geisler, too, has accepted the divine in his life. A scroll on his Instagram feed would show him sharing pictures of verses he had taken from his own Bible, sometimes with his own interpretation and sentiments on the verse.

Last Oct. 9, Geisler shared pictures of him having lunch with some members of the Maranatha Knights of the Kingdom. Being involved with the group has changed Geisler’s life for the better, as he said, he has come a long way since being involved with the people behind Maranatha.

“I can never get enough wisdom from our meetings.

I’ve come along way since you

Photo from Instagram/@baron.geisler

brothers, dads and lolos took me under your wing. God is Faithful and Good all the time.

More of Him less of me,” he wrote. “Pointing it always back to the cross. My identity is upon Him! Much love and respect to Pastor Joseph, Pas Michael and Dad Lyndon. Thank You, Lord.

Eternally grateful.”

Geisler, too, has inspired the youth with his journey. Last Oct. 16, a certain Ellen Ternio took to Facebook to show a picture of Geisler in Sulop National High School in Davao del Sur where he shared his personal testimony.

In Ternio’s picture, Geisler can be seen on stage behind a podium, where he spoke to the students and staff of the high school.

“Kilala mo ba sya? Sya lang naman si BARON GEISLER. Yung nakilala mong adik na artista. Pero ngayon nandito sa Sulop National High School, sharing the Gospel OF GOD,” wrote Ternio. “Akala ko di na sya mag babago sa pinag gagawa nya noon. BUT with GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. I’m blessed with his testimony.”

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

celebrity world

Star for All Seasons and Cong.

Vilma Santos-Recto heads the list of November birthday celebrants

By Ferdie Villar STAR for All Seasons and Congresswoman Vilma SantosRecto heads the list of prominent personalities who will be celebrating their birthdays this month of November. She will turn another year on Saturday, November 3.

Vilma has portrayed roles in different genres and holds the titles of Grand Slam Queen, Queen of Queens and as the longest reigning box-office queen of Philippine cinema.

She was hailed as the Enduring Grand Dame of the Philippine Film Industry by a legitimate foreign critic at the 2013 Toronto International Film, the first Filipina actress to ever be bestowed such a title.

Also a politician, she had served as Governor of Batangas for three consecutive terms and Mayor of the City of Lipa also for three consecutive terms. She won a seat in Congress in 2016, representing the lone district of Lipa, Batangas.

Other celebrants for November are: November 1 - Daly City Filipino parist priest Pastor Abraham Alonzo, and former Mrs. RP-USA winner Arlene Lindalop; November 2 - Former San Francisco top fashion designer Encarnito “Ito” Curata, who is now in the Philippines, and caregiver Myrna Padilla Bautista; November 3 - New Haven Health and Hospice owner Eunice Bijar Lee, and Kadok’s Restaurant owner Ricky Tejada; November 4 - Beautiful actress Angelica Panganiban; November 5 - Handsome actor Gabby Concepcion, actress Shaina Magdayao, former

Miss Philippines Earth winner Melissa Sokukawa, and Fil-Am basketball player J. Taylor; November 6 - Singer-actress and “Magandang Buhay” co-host Jolina Magdangal, ABS-CBN Vice President for Entertainment Deo Edrinal, and comedienne Ai Ai de las Alas; November 9 - “Eat! Bulaga” co-host and actress Pauleen Luna-Sotto, actress Janice de Belen, singer-actress Tuesday Vargas, actor Rafael Rosell, and San Francisco brilliant lawyer Ted Laguatan; November 10 - Pittsburg party planner Susan Tanedo; November 11 - Former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay who will be celebrating his 76th birthday; November 12 - Filipina singer for all occasions Tess Gregorio; November 13 - International wine distributor Ronald Villar, and San Bruno Filipina community leader Alma de Leon Scott; November 14 - Former RP-

USA winner and fashion model Leilani Vinegas of Fairfield; November 18 - Filipina care home owner Remy Acedillo and actor Enchong Dee; November 19 - Antioch community leaders Joselito and Margarita Cabrera; November 24 - Buri-Buri Senior Association president Moring Macalinao, and ABSCBN News Senior Vice President Ging Reyes; November 25 - Former Bb. Pilipinas Universe winner Bianca Manalo, singer-actor and TV program director Randy Santiago, and “Magandang Buhay” co-host Melai Cantiveros; November 28 - Sen. Frank Drilon, and “Eat! Bulaga” cohost and make up artist Paolo Ballesteros; November 29 - Former VP for Operations of TV5 International Jeff Remigio; November 30 - San Francisco veteran photographer Bonifacio Valera.

To all celebrants a very happy birthday!

Philippine Senator Frank Drilon will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, November 28.

Filipino priest in Daly City Pastor Abraham Alonzo will celebrate his birthday on Thursday, November 1.

New Haven Health and Hospice owner Eunice Bijar Lee will celebrate her birthday on Saturday, November 3.

Filipina singer for all occasions Tess Gregorio will celebrate her birthday on Monday, November 12.

Filipino community leader in Antioch Joselito Cabrera will celebrate his birthday on Monday, November 19.

Balladeer Basil Valdez will celebrate his birthday on Thursday, November 8.

Congresswoman and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto heads the list of November birthday celebrants. She is shown in photo with beauty impresario Ferdie Villar, her son Luis, and Michael Back.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (HERE’S an abbreviated version of a fascinating story from Greek mythology. This is a redux.)

Long ago in the island of Crete, there lived a man named Daedalus, who was famed for his skills as an inventor. He worked for King Minos. Foremost among his many achievements was building the labyrinth in which the king kept the Minotaur, a fearsome, legendary beast which was half-man and half-bull that fed on human flesh. It was said that anyone who went into the labyrinth never came out of it again because of its complex, undecipherable winding walls and corridors.

Daedalus was brilliant and this was a problem for the king.

Although Daedalus had been giving the king great and loyal service all his life, Minos was deeply insecure and feared that Daedalus who was wise, celebrated and ingenious would, one day challenge him to become king. As a preemptive move, Minos imprisoned Daedalus and his son, Icarus in a prison tower. The king underestimated Daedalus, for one dark night, father and son escaped from their prison tower. They found out however that it was well nigh impossible to escape the island with the paranoid King Minos sending out an all points bulletin to his mindless minions. Minos’ soldiers carefully searched every boat that left the island.

Father and son took cover in a remote cave along the shore hidden from the watchful eyes of Minos’ soldiers while Daedalus

Children Just Like You (1 of 2 parts)

“The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy.”

—Alfred North Whitehead figured out a way to escape.

Watching the seagulls for hours soaring and diving for food on the shore, Daedalus was struck with the idea of flight as an escape route. He caught one bird and studied the structure and form of its wings and after careful thought, decided to copy how a wing is made. He instructed Icarus to catch seagulls and pluck their feathers. When there were enough feathers, he sewed them together and used melted wax to bind the feathers on a wooden framework. He created the contraption so skillfully that they looked like a giant replica of a bird’s wings. He customized two pairs of wings for himself and for his son, careful to take each of their individual body weights into consideration.

But having wings was one thing, knowing how to use those wings to fly was another. So Daedalus strapped his wings and still taking his cue from the seagulls on how to soar, swoop, dive and glide, he proceeded to learn how to fly so that the wings felt like a seamless part of his arms and his body. He studied wind currents, the waters of the sea and the heat of the sun. Having gained the skill, he proceeded to teach his son patiently. At first, Icarus stumbled and fell and when he got past the first few fumbles, the youth learned quickly, his lithe, svelte form seemingly destined for flight.

He learned to fly like a bird, swooping and diving, gliding

and circling about, looking down below at the blue waters and their island prison, now a mere speck from above, and frolicking about overhead, chasing the seagulls and rolling in the clouds. Freedom was a heady drink. Icarus felt complete elation, knew the incredible lightness of being and tasted the sweet freedom of flight.

Then came the day when Daedalus and Icarus were to fly out of Crete. The sun was up, and the wind was mild and Daedalus decided it was an auspicious day to make the great escape. Daedalus sat his son down and looked him in the eyes for serious pre-flight instructions knowing that once in the air, there would be little chance for communication.

“Pay attention, Icarus. Stick close behind me and watch your altitude. Fly too low and the sea with its moisture will make your wings too heavy. Fly too high and the heat of the sun will melt the wax in your wings. Take heed and stay close.” Icarus nodded agreement but he was far too excited and his mind was already in the sky.

(To be continued …) *** 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.

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

I came to the US under a different name, is there hope for me?

DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I came to the U.S. on a visitor’s visa under a different name. The passport and visa had my picture, but somebody else’s name. I still have that passport.

I recently married a U.S. citizen for love, and want to get a green card. Is there hope for me, since I entered the U.S. under a different name?

Very truly yours, ES Dear ES: Yes, there could be hope for you, despite having entered the U.S. under a different name. (Please note I said there is “hope�, but as an attorney, I cannot, and do not, “guarantee� success or approvals.)

In your case, you could be eligible to file for adjustment of status (be interviewed in the U.S. vs Manila) because you were “inspected,� meaning you presented yourself to an immigration officer who checked your visa or other papers, and admitted you to the U.S. (or allowed you to enter). Even though you were inspected under a different name, that still constitutes “inspection.�

The fact that you saved that

passport provides evidence of your inspection. This is critical to a person’s ability to file for adjustment in the U.S.: proving you were “inspected.�

Many people who entered the U.S. under a different name eventually wind up either losing or misplacing the passport they used to enter the U.S., or they mailed it back to the agency in the Philippines. If they don’t have proof of inspection, it could be considered that they entered the U.S. without inspection (or are “EWI�), and they would not be eligible to adjust status in the U.S., even through marriage to a citizen, unless they have the benefit of Section 245(i). This was a law allowing people who entered without inspection to still get a green card in the U.S., provided they were petitioned on or before April 30, 2001.

However, in your case, you also committed fraud by entering the U.S. under a different name. Therefore, you would be required to submit a fraud waiver, demonstrating “extreme hardship� to a “qualifying relative�, who would either be a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen or immigrant (legal permanent resident). Moreover, in your case, you would not be eligible for a provisional waiver, because you committed fraud.

What would need to happen in your case is your citizen spouse could petition you, and you could also file for adjustment of status and fraud waiver.

Of course, no guarantees can be made, but there could be hope in your case, despite having entered the U.S. under a different name.

If this situation applies to you, you should seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation and determine your eligibility, guide you through the process, and help prepare the documentation and represent you at your interview. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories�, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

compound that imparts yellow color in mustard is curcumin, component of tumeric spice, and curcumin has been found to slow down the progression of cancer. *** Also a cancer inhibitor is raspberry because of its content, ellagic acid, a cancerinhibitor. All vegetables and berry fruits are great anti-oxi-

dants. Also with oats, grains, nuts, and spices in general. *** Which cooking oil is the best for us? Here is a list of the most commonly found ones on the grocery shelves, including the calories (Cal), fat contents in grams (F), saturated fat in grams (SF), cholesterol (Ch), per tablespoonful: Canola: Cal-121, F-13.6, SF-1;

coconut: Cal-118, F-13.6, SF11.8; corn: Cal-121, F-13.6, SF-1.7; olive: Cal-119, F-13.5, SF-1.8; peanut: Cal-119, F13.5, SF- 2.3; soybean: 121, F- 13.6, SF-2.0; palm: Cal-121, F-13.6, SF-6.7.

All of these have zero cholesterol and sodium. Coconut has the highest saturated fat content. One coconut has Continued on Page SF8

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ SHE TRIED TO COMPLY, BUT HER CASE WAS DENIED‌A MOTHER’S DESPAIR AND AN ATTORNEY’S RESCUE ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!â€? Rowena and Mike came to the US in 2010 to build a better life. Rowena was sponsored as a teacher. As she was filing her third extension for her H1-B visa in 2016, the shocking news hit her. She was denied! Then her adjustment (green card) application was denied because, according to the USCIS, she worked a mere 14 days without the necessary DHS authorization. Three lawyers tried handling her case, to no avail, and her family was urging her to “give upâ€? and return to the Philippines. She finally decided to consult with “the attorney of last hope,â€? Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel, in a last-ditch effort to be able to provide a better life for her children. Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to solve the problem in a record 43 days, turning a disastrous denial into green cards for the entire family, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoyâ€? – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Health@Heart

Medical pearls

those who are 60-75 years old. *** Forget all old worries and PhiliP S. chuA, past problems, if you want MD, fAcS, fPcS your blood pressure not to shoot up. It is a medical fact that recalling previous sad or LOSING weight on a diet morbid events, or emotional that is high in fat is dangertrauma, raises the blood presous for overall health. The risk sure during the moment of of coronary heart disease has been found to increase signifi- recollection. If these spikes in cantly among those individuals blood pressure happen often, they could adversely affect the who stayed on a high protein heart. All of us should let go red meat diet to lose weight. of these painful experiences While these subjects became slimmer, their cholesterol levels of the past and not dwell on them. Anything not within our were high, leading to a higher control should be left to God. rate of heart attacks. The object of dieting is not only to Life ahead of us is so precious we ought to leave our misermaintain a normal weight but also to be healthier all around. able baggage behind and have a more positive outlook, at the Nothing beats abstinence same time protect our heart from red meat and eggs (eatand health as a whole. ing only fish, vegetable, fruit, *** high-fiber), combined with If you love tuna, which is daily exercise and abstinence a good fish, it is better to eat from tobacco as the best canned light tuna because formula for maintaining good its mercury content is much health. lower than fresh or frozen tuna, *** especially large albacore tuna, Persons getting a flu shot which is higher in mercury conto prevent influenza may even tent. Short-lived and younger experience an added benefit tuna is used for canning. from it. Studies have shown *** that flu vaccination appears to You do not really have to be associated with a reduced risk of stroke, especially among run or jog for health. Jogging

is actually no longer encouraged because of the damages it causes on the spine, hip, knee, and ankle joints. Brisk walking can lower the incidence of heart disease by 18 percent, as effectively as any of those more vigorous exercises, minus the injuries to the various joints. *** Oil of oregano: an “antibiotic�? It seems so, to a certain extent, anyway. It has been found that oil of oregano, which is used in salad dressing and for cooking, reduces harmful food pathogens. This oil has been found to inhibit e.coli and listeria monocytogenes.

Hydrogen peroxide (H202), which splits into water (H20) and an extra “H’ ion, is good for washing (rinsing) food items, like fruits and vegetables, etc., and effective in inducing root formation when plant branch cuttings are soaked in it for about 30 seconds before planting them for propagation. Rooting hormone powder also speeds up rooting. *** Mustard is a popular condiment, used in a variety ways, especially with hotdogs. The

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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

SF

Lani continues her fight to entertainment keep family intact Criminal convictions and immigration law The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

The CTV Files

Atty. LiLLi BerBAno BAcuLi, eSQ

WHAT makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or non-citizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) states: “Any alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of . . . any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 802 of Title 21), other than a single offense involving possession for one’s own use of 30 grams or less of marijuana, is deportable.

What counts as a “conviction” for immigration purposes? “The term “conviction” means, with respect to an alien, a formal judgment of guilt of the alien entered by a court or, if adjudication of guilt has been withheld, where – (i) a judge or jury has found the alien guilty or the alien has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or has admitted sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt, and (ii) the judge has ordered some form of punishment, penalty, or restraint on the alien’s liberty to be imposed, including fine, court costs or probation.

Immigration consequences of a drug conviction.

A non-citizen alien will still have a drug conviction for immigration purposes even after a dismissal of his/her charges following completion of a drug diversion program or a DEJ. As such, a permanent resident/green card holder who is deportable can be stripped of his or her lawful status and permanently removed (deported) from the United States.

A lawful permanent resident who agrees to plead

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guilty in exchange for probation or entry in a diversion program or a DEJ, even after dismissal of charges under PC 1000.3, will have a conviction and will be automatically deportable and inadmissible.

Worse, since this will be considered a drug conviction, the green cardholder will also be subject to mandatory immigration detention without bond.

California residents often are detained in federal prisons in isolated areas in Arizona or Texas, far from family or counsel. This is because a diversion program or a DEJ is a conviction for immigration purposes in that there is a plea and some form of punishment and restraint. Thus, although California considers there to be no conviction if the court dismisses the charges based on the defendant completing DEJ requirements, the conviction still stands under immigration laws. To eliminate a conviction for immigration purposes, the plea must be withdrawn for cause, due to a legal defect in the underlying case.

The Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017. On February 20, 2017, the Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary John Kelly issued a new policy memorandum, announcing that DHS will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. Pursuant to the Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017, noncitizens are removable if they – (i) have been convicted of any criminal offense; (ii) have been charged with any criminal offense that has not been resolved; (iii) have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a governmental agency; (iv) have abused any program related to receipt of public benefits; (v) are subject

to a final order of removal but have not complied with their legal obligation to depart the U.S.; (vi) in the judgment of an immigration officer, otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security.

Negative consequences of criminal conviction. The Record of Conviction details an individual’s criminal history.

More importantly, the relief(s) available to an individual facing deportation will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. Thus, even “just a misdemeanor” can make a non-citizen deportable, even if that person is a long-time green card holder and has lived in the United States for 20 years. Therefore, it is very important to understand that before taking a plea deal, consult with a deportation defense attorney.

No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. *** 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.

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CALL her a martyr and you won’t hear a single word of protest from Lani Mercado if it means fighting for her right as a wife in order to keep the family intact.

Straightforward and honest, Lani didn’t hesitate to speak her mind on the subject of her marital relationship with husband, former senator Bong Revilla, who has been detained for four years now at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame. It can be recalled that Bong was arrested on plunder and graft charges on the alleged misuse of his pork barrel funds or PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Funds). Although the trial regarding the case ended in August, Bong’s case is up for decision.

It was on the hot seat of “Tonight With Boy Abunda” when Lani, with eldest son Bryan, expressed difficulty coping to the situation of physically not having the padre de pamilya by their side.

“I look forward to visiting him twice a week. I told my children we have to adjust na kung may problema man pwede siguro nating sabihin sa kanya pero ‘yung hindi na kayang i-solve na problema.”

“It’s very hard you really have to be strong for everyone,” added Bryan who is one of the three lead actors in Tres. The three-part action anthology also stars his brothers Jolo and Luigi. His mom, on the other hand, has a guest appearance in one of the episodes.

The now Bacoor City mayor also gave light on issues pertaining to Luigi, her husband’s son by another mother.

“At first, everything was just hearsay. I spoke to the mother (of Luigi) once over a telephone conversation. Then, when my mother-in-law died in 1998, Luigi was brought

Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado: I am here because I love my children. I love my family.

Philstar.com photo by Ver Paulino

to the house; he was around two years old. But Bong told me that he will be visiting my mother-in-law. So when he first came into the room, in our house, wala parang nagmelt na ‘yung heart ko, so I embraced the boy.”

She admitted to feeling furious at first. “It’s normal because it was painful na pinagtaksilan ka at may bunga ‘yung pagtataksil na ‘yun.”

But her anger didn’t last long knowing that she, too, came from a second family. Lani came from the second relationship of her mom and her half-siblings accepted her.

For the first time, Lani also revealed to the public that Luigi’s mom was Bong’s former girlfriend. “The relationship rekindled after I lost my daughter in 1991 so it was very difficult for me because I just lost a child.”

She added, “I told her (during their phone conversation) ‘I’ve been here in a marriage for how many years

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at ikaw pumapasok ka…you still have a way out because you’re not married. I am here for life and I am here to stay so whatever you have with my husband, I hope you’ll realize that this is not right.’ Really, there are things that happen in our life na hindi natin maintindihan. And it happened and I cannot erase the past.”

Lani never denied about contemplating on ending her marriage before. “A lot of times, actually. But I am here because I love my children.

I love my family. I love Bong and that’s the reason I am here for them.”

What’s her reaction to people telling that she’s a martyr?

“Kung ang ipinaglalaban mo ay kung ano ang para sa ‘yo because you have other people to take care of. Not just yourself. It’s your children, it’s your family. And it is your right to take care of it no matter what, I am a martyr. I’m guilty in that sense.”

More than 100,000 community SF PG&E customers update contact information, sign Asian American artists reclaim place up for emergency alerts, at 17th Annual APAture Festival prepare for wildfires and Over 60 emerging artists featured in multidisciplinary arts festival extreme weather The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers are responding to the energy company’s call-to-action to update their contact information, as part of a campaign encouraging customers to have a plan for the growing threat of climate-driven extreme weather and wildfires.

To help educate customers from Bakersfield to the Oregon border, PG&E has mailed letters and postcards and sent emails to more than 570,000 homes and businesses served by electric lines that run through high fire-threat areas. The company is informing customers that it may be necessary for PG&E to temporarily turn off power as a last resort for safety if extreme fire danger conditions occur.

More than 100,000 PG&E customers so far have updated their mobile numbers, email addresses and other contact information so PG&E can communicate with them through important wildfire safety alerts.

“With the 2018 wildfire season off to the worst start in 10 years, we all need to be better prepared to stay emergency-ready and keep our families and friends safe,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “We are asking our customers who live in or near high fire-threat areas to be sure we have their latest contact information so we can do our best to reach them in advance of a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff event.”

The Public Safety Power Shutoff program is one of many additional precautionary safety measures that the company is putting in place as part of its Community Wildfire Safety Program, intended to further reduce wildfire threats and strengthen communities for the future.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Kearny Street Workshop (KSW) has been a hub for emerging Asian Pacific American (APA) Wildfire safety alerts artists for 45 years, and is the Extreme weather threats oldest APA arts organization can change quickly. PG&E’s in the country. Their flagship goal, dependent on weather event, “APAture,” is a multidisand other factors, is to send customer alerts through auto- ciplinary arts festival now in its 17th season, featuring the work mated calls, texts and emails at 48 hours, again at 24 hours, of emerging APA artists in the and again just prior to shutting San Francisco Bay Area. The festival showcases talent in film, off power. literature, music, performance, In addition to notifying comics, zines and illustration, customers directly, PG&E will and visual art. From October 13 provide outage updates and through November 4, over 60 information through commuartists will present their work to nity channels such as social over 1,000 festival-goers across media, local news, radio and multiple venues. This year’s the pge.com website.

Importantly, these advance theme “RE/place” will create art notifications are for a potential that explores issues dominating the news today, including Public Safety Power Shutoff displacement, migration, and event to help reduce the risk of wildfire during the most ex- reclaiming place. Among the featured artists on the lineup treme fire danger conditions. are Janice Sapigao (Literary But loss of power can happen Arts/KQED’s Women to Watch), for a variety of reasons like storms or emergency response SETI X (Music/United Shades and there is no advance notice of America with W. Kamau Bell), and APAture newbie Jody when PG&E needs to turn off power at the request of a first Stillwater, film category featured artist. responder agency due to an active wildfire or other emergency response situation.

How customers can take action PG&E thanks those customers who have taken action to ensure they will receive its wildfire safety alerts. For customers who have not yet confirmed or updated their contact information, PG&E strongly encourages everyone to do so by logging on at pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling the PG&E contact center (1-866-743-6589).

Customers can visit pge. com/wildfiresafety to enter their address and find out if their home or business is served by an electric line that may be turned off for safety during high wildfire threats (click on “Check Your Address” under the “Shutting Off Power For Safety” tab).

Customers will also find tips on preparing their own emergency plans.

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Medical pearls...

From Page SF5 about 1349 calories and 127.7 grams of fat, 113 saturated fats and 76 mg of sodium. Eating a lot of coconut oil or food items made of, or with, coconut, is not really healthy. Our choice is, of course, virgin or extravirgin olive oil, proven for centuries to be a healthy oil. *** While imbibing alcoholic beverage (one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) was considered “healthy,” new studies have shown that there is no safe limit for alcohol intake. Any amount of alcohol, even a shot or a can of beer has a deleterious effect on health, no matter how subtle or unobvious it is. *** Homocysteine is a substance within our body that is implicated in the development of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the artery), leading to blockages in the carotid (causing stroke) and coronary arteries (causing heart attack), including the aorta in the chest and abdomen (causing aneurysm/ rupture and bleeding), and arteries in the legs (causing gangrene). The Framingham studies showed that the more elevated the level of homocysteine in the patient, the higher the finding of blockages in carotid and coronary arteries. Those with low folate (folic acid) to metabolize the harmful homocysteine have 3 times higher risk of developing heart attack. Folic acid in B complex vitamin is prescribed to these patients. This substance is found in green leafy vegetables, like spinach, lettuce, chard, whole grains, yeast, peanuts, wheat germ and dry beans. *** Is genetic a more important factor than diet in the development of coronary heart disease/heart attack? Familial

hyperlipidemia (super high serum cholesterol due to a genetic defect) is seen in one in 500 persons. Except for this type of individuals, and all “unhealthy habits” (smoking, inadequate, or lack of, daily exercise) remaining equal, diet is a very significant factor in the causation of coronary heart disease. It has been shown that even if the parents had coronary heart disease, the children did not necessarily develop the disease, if these offsprings lived a healthier lifestyle than their elders. Keeping the cholesterol level low by not eating red meat and eggs, and concentrating on fish, vegetables, fruits, hi-fiber diet, coupled with abstinence from cigarettes, doing daily exercises, properly treating high blood pressure and or diabetes, if present, is the best strategy to ward off coronary heart disease/heart attack and stroke.

The caveat: simply because we cannot choose our parents, does not mean we are trapped in this genetic dilemma, and, therefore, are hopeless. Far from it. If we are disciplined enough to live a healthier lifestyle than our parents did, we can outsmart those particular defective genes they gave us. *** 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)

“Knowing yourself makes your voice more powerful,” shares Stillwater. “I’m excited to help contribute to a deeper and more concentrated modern Asian-American voice. Part of that is looking at where we

came from, where we went and why, and of course the vision of where we’re going. APAture carries that forward, in one place, and I’m very excited to both have a voice in it and be exposed to other unique &

strong voices in the community.”

In a period of U.S. history being called the “watershed moment” for Asian-Americans in the entertainment industry (see “Crazy Rich Asians”), it’s organizations like Kearny Street Workshop that nurture, inspire, and create safe spaces for APA creatives to thrive.

With famous APAture alums like comedians Hasan Minhaj (“The Daily Show”), Ali Wong (“Baby Cobra”), Gene Luen Yang (writer/artist, DC’s “Super Man”), and Hellen Jo (writer, Cartoon Network’s “Steven Universe”), Kearny Street Workshop has earned the reputation of being a launching pad for APA artists from the Bay Area.

“APAture 2007 was the very first real ‘show’ I ever performed stand-up at, that seated an audience of over 10 people, who actually paid to be there.”

Shares Ali Wong, when she was honored as a recipient of KSW’s inaugural, Focus Award. “I’m so grateful to Kearny Street Workshop for providing me with the

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entertainment The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

The City of South San Francisco encourages residents to register to vote by the October 22 deadline

THE City of South San Francisco is encouraging residents to vote by 11:59:59 p.m.

Pacific Time on October 22 for the upcoming election, which is Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote, you can visit https://registertovote. ca.gov.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of registering to vote and voting in this upcoming election,” said South San Francisco Mayor Liza Normandy. “This is your chance to have your voice heard and it’s also a chance to shape our City’s future.” she added.

Most neighborhood polling places will no longer be used

for voting. Instead, you can vote at any vote center in your county.

All registered San Mateo County voters will get a ballot and voter guide in the mail a few weeks before the election.

There are three ways to vote: 1. Mail your ballot.

2. Drop off your ballot at a secure ballot drop-box.

3. Visit any San Mateo County Vote Center to drop off your ballot or vote in person.

Four vote centers are open 29 days before the election from October 9, 2018 - November 6, 2018. The South San Francisco Main Library, located at 840 West Orange Avenue, is

one of the four centers open.

You can find additional locations at www.smcvote.org.

The South San Francisco vote center is open to the public, including weekends and holidays (except October 1314 and October 20-21), on the following dates/times: • October 9, 2018 - November 2, 2018; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• November 3, 2018 - November 5, 2018; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

• November 6, 2018 ELECTION DAY; 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

All vote center are fully accessible for voters with disabilities. To obtain information regarding what is on your local ballot, please visit http://votersedge.library.ca.gov/en/ca.

MANGO TOURS/TRAVELFAST CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY. Travelfast International Inc./Mango Tours celebrated its 40th anniversary last October 5, 2018 with an event held at Fort McKinley Restaurant in South San Francisco, CA. Aside from a special message from President/CEO Johnny Francisco, the party honored the companyʼs travel (airline) partners, employees and long-time customers with trophies and citations. The event also provided guests the opportunity to know more about Mango Tours Foundation, which is currently partnering with A Better Chance (ABC) Foundation in the Philippines. Mango Tours Foundation is involved with a feeding program that benefits the students of Payatas Elementary School in the Philippines. Photos above show (left) President/CEO Johnny Francisco and Vice President Juan Francisco III with Philippine Airlines top officials led by PAL President & COO Jaime Bautista; (top right) Johnny Francisco addressing the attendees; and (bottom right) Juan Francisco III with representatives from different airline companies who attended the anniversary bash.

(Photos provided by Travelfast/Mango Tours; text by Joseph Peralta)

Calendar of Events across

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 22 - 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.

FAC HOLDS MEETING. The Filipino American Coalition invited officials from Filipino American organizations and candidates to the upcoming November elections to a meeting in Atherton, CA last September 22 hosted by Rene Medina, one of the founding members of the FAC. The event gave Filipino American candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to attendees. Special guest speaker at the FAC event was Consul General Henry Bensurto of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. Photos above show (clockwise, from top left) ConGen Bensurto speaking on the Consulateʼs Spark*Connect*Empower advocacy; candidate for US Congress Cristina Osmeña posing with some supporters; and attendees in a group photo after the FAC event. Photo below shows the current and founding members of the FAC receiving a certificate from San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa.

(Photos/caption by Joseph Peralta/AJ Press)

O C TO B E R 26 -28

Wellspring gathering in Palm Springs, CA The creators of Wanderlust bring the first annual Wellspring, a first-of-its-kind wellness gathering, featuring the world’s leading innovators, teachers and socially conscious companies from Friday, October 26 to Sunday, October 28 in Palm Springs, CA. From invigorating workouts and hands-on treatments to inspirational, actionable workshops, Wellspring connects us to a common goal: fostering healthy individuals, a healthy society and a healthy planet. Events will take place from October 26-28, 2018 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center (277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262) and Renaissance Hotel (888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262). Wellspring Sage badges are on sale now athttps://wanderlust.com/wellspring/. The 3-day badges include unlimited access to all event areas, advance scheduling for all sessions; guaranteed access to any pre-scheduled session, access to lodging at the on-site Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel and select partner hotels (first come, first served), a premium gift bag and more. For a limited time, receive a $150 hotel credit when you purchase your Sage badge. Special savings and scholarships are available for wellness professionals, locals to the Palm Springs area, active students, and active and retired military and their families.

O C TO B E R 27

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

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

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

“The Upside Down” – the Ateneo Blue Eagle Circle Halloween fundraiser party in Sunland, CA The Ateneo Blue Eagle Circle (TBEC) invites you to “The Upside Down” – a fundraiser Halloween Party, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00pm PST, at the Tierra del Sol event hall on 9919 Sunland Blvd., Sunland, CA 91040. Kids of all ages are welcome to join! Fr. Carmelo Caluag will be celebrating an anticipated mass at 5:30pm. Program will follow thereafter. Tickets are $40.00 per person, which includes food and drinks. Alcohol will be served for 21+ years old only. Kids 12 and under come in free. Wear your best Halloween Costume, inspired by the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, for a chance to win a special prize! For more information about TBEC or the upcoming event, call or text Benkie Natividad at (818) 484-0948, or visithttp://bit.ly/UpsideDownTBEC.

LA Builder Lions Club to hold Outstanding Parents Night The Los Angeles Builder Lions Club will hold its 28th Anniversary & Annual Outstanding Parents Night on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Oxford Palace Hotel (745 S. Oxford Ave. Los Angeles 90005). The club is headed by Lion Ken Marchand. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions, please call PDG Sonja Menor (323) 4650613, Tita James (818) 203-2325 or Willard Palahang at (661) 312-0912.

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

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 (Asiaʼs Romantic Balladeer), Julie Anne San Jose (Asiaʼs Pop Sweetheart) and Mika Gorospe (top 15 finalist in GMAʼs The Clash), who all rendered performances for attendees. Photos above show (top) ConGen Henry Bensurto Jr. (seated, left) and Frank Sityar (seated, right) signing the partnership agreements for the PCGSF and FILHOFF, respectively; and (bottom) ConGen Henry Bensurto, Jr. and GMA Intʼl 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)

Asian American artists...

From Page SF7 opportunity to get up on stage.

The experience was electric and motivated me to do stand-up again and again and again.”

Kearny Street Workshop has launched an indiegogo campaign this year to help fund the festival which provides honorariums and stipends to artists.

Additional featured artists this year include Jyun Jyun and MissTANGQ (Performing Arts), Malaya Tuyay (Visual Arts), and Jess Wu-O (Book Arts). For times,

locations, and ticket information for the APAture Festival 2018 - RE/place, please visit www. kearnystreet.org/apature.

About Kearny Street Workshop Kearny Street Workshop (KSW) is an organization dedicated to producing, presenting, and promoting art that empowers diverse Asian Pacific American communities. Since 1972, KSW has offered multidisciplinary arts presentations and workshops to Bay Area

community members. www. kearnystreet.org About APAture APAture is a multidisciplinary arts festival for emerging Asian-Pacific American (APA) artists to develop their art, affirm their voices, and share their work with the APA community.

For the past 17 years, Kearny Street Workshop’s festival has shaped the culture of the San Francisco Bay Area by addressing the realities and narratives of APA lives.

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 26, 2018