102718 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 85 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

Fil-Am man federally charged in connection with bombs mailed to political figures Suspect revealed to be half-Filipino with extensive criminal record in Florida nationwide investigation on improvised explosive devices that were sent to liberal political leadTHE U.S. Justice Department ers starting earlier this week. has formally charged 56-year-old Sayoc faces five federal charges Filipino-American Cesar Alteri and a total of 48 years of prison.

Sayoc on Friday, October 26, af- The charges include attempting ter authorities arrested him in to kill a former president, assaultPlantation, Florida following a

by RAE

Cesar Sayoc Jr., the suspect in the bombs mailed to various Democratic officials this week.

Photo courtesy of the Broward County Sheriff

DATELINE

ANN VARONA AJPress

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USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

‘Trade with China to continue despite Philippine-US ties’ TRADE with China will continue despite the Philippines’ stronger economic ties with the United States, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said, as President Duterte expressed reservation over a condition that he said is being imposed by Washington on its trade partners.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lightizer recently announced that the two countries had resolved issues under their bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

The two governments agreed, among other things, that enhanced bilateral engagement on trade under the TIFA should include work that yields benefits for agricultural producers, importers, exporters and consumers.

Lopez said the two countries have settled a u PAGE A3

Fil-Am media ‘game changers’ share stories from their careers, inspire young Fil-Am creatives to follow their passion WHEN Ricky Nierva was a young boy, he loved to draw. Inspired by the cartoons he would rush home to watch as a kid, he would draw pictures on his bedpost, around his room and the walls of his home.

His mother, instead of forbidding him to draw altogether, came home one day with stacks of paper and asked him to express his creativity on paper.

“I will never forget that. My parents, instead of getting angry at me for destroying the house, they allowed me to express myself and were really supportive of me,” Nierva said.

“But I never knew that it could actually be a job.”

Nevertheless, he decided to pursue fine arts, eventually landing a job at Pixar Animation Studio in 1997. He started as a visual development artist and did storyboarding for “Toy Story 2” in 1999 and then shortly after be-

NEW WEAPONS. President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the new arms procured by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during its 117th anniversary celebration at the Port Area in Manila on Thursday, October 25. Joining the president are Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and PCG Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino.

Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

Boracay now open to the public after six-month rehab

by AJPRESS WORLD-renowned Boracay island opened its doors to visitors on Friday, October 26, six months after it closed for rehabilitation.

President Rodrigo Duterte previously called the hot spot a “cesspool” due to overcrowding and the disregard for environmental safety and standards. Given the circumstances at the time, he ordered that the island be shut down in April.

During the past six months, the famed destination was only accessible to residents and employees of the businesses on the island.

NEW ICON. Boracay unveils its new icon as it reopened to the public on Friday, October 26. The Despite the official opening on Friday, the 15-meter vertical garden and backdrop welcomes tourists and guests upon their arrival at the rehabilitation efforts on the island will be onCaghan Jetty Port.

PNA photo by Jay Rome Pablo

going until the end of 2019, according to the Philippine government. It has implemented a “no compliance, no opening” policy for establishments to prevent the island from reverting back to its “old” state.

Visitors to the island are expected to stay at one of the accredited hotels and resorts, which comply with the requirements and regulations of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

On Friday, 157 resorts and hotels with 7,308 rooms have been allowed to operate, according to ABS-CBN News. Prior to the

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Enrile apologizes to Martial Law SWS: Majority of Filipinos believe victims, blames ‘unlucid intervals’ PH heading in ‘right direction’

by PAOLO

ROMERO Philstar.com

by AJPRESS

MANILA — Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has apologized to victims of atrocities during the dark days of martial law and attributed to “unlucid intervals” his controversial disclaimer of arrests and killings of suspected dissidents in his recent interview with the son and namesake of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

The 94-year-old Enrile, who is seeking to return to the Senate in the May 2019 elections, however said that the magnitude of the killings and human rights violations during the Marcos regime was “debatable” and the warrantless arrests at the time were justified.

“I’m sorry for (human rights violations), if I have to Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile

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THE majority of Filipinos have a positive outlook on the current climate in the Philippines, the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey has revealed.

Results from the September 2018 survey found that 75 percent of adult Filipinos view the country is heading in the “right direction.”

Only 22 percent said the country is in the “wrong direction.” The remaining 3 percent did not give an answer.

Philstar.com photo The percentage of respondents

who believed that the country is in the right direction is five points higher than the June 2018 survey which was at 70 percent. During the same period, 25 percent said that the country was in the wrong direction while 5 percent of respondents did not give an answer.

The nationwide poll showed that those the percentage of those who say that the country is in the right direction rose in all areas, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Those who

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Pres. Duterte dismisses Customs officials amid drug scandal

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, October 25 fired all commissioners and department heads of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) amid controversy that P6.8 billion worth of shabu was uncovered.

Upon the discovery of shabu in four magnetic lifters in Cavite, Duterte commanded the dismissal of BOC executives in his speech during the anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila.

“Out lahat (Everybody’s out). To the last man, the commissioners are out, the department heads are out,” the president said.

Duterte also made the announcement at the same event that he moved Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to the Techniu PAGE A3 cal Education and Skills Development Au-

thority (TESDA).

Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero was ordered to take over the BOC. Speaking to Guerrero, Duterte at the ceremony on Thursday said, “...I know that you’re happy there [in Marina] and you are contented, so I’ve heard, but the demands of public service and the need for honest men requires your presence there. Good luck.”

Guerrero will be the third Customs head after Lapeña and Bureau of Corrections Chief Nicanor Faeldon, who was removed from the post after it was discovered that drugs were smuggled into the country in May 2017.

Lapeña is reportedly under fire after a shipment of the billion-peso worth of shabu slipped past the BOC under his watch. He Isidro Lapeña will be replaced at the Bureau of Customs by former Armed Forces chief and

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current Marina administrator Leonardo Rey Guerrero.

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

A OctOber 27-30, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Boracay now open to the public...

PAGE A1 t closure, there were 525 hotels in the island with over 14,000 rooms.

Some businesses remain closed, pending the issuance of permits from the inter-agency task force.

Travel around Boracay still remains a challenge, as some streets are still closed for road widening work, as of this writing.

Only a part of the Boracay Circumferential Road – from Cagban

Port to Hue Hotel – was open on Friday.

Currently, new environmentfriendly transportation methods, like e-trikes and solar-powered shuttles, will be available to reduce traffic and pollution.

According to the rules and guidelines, only 19,215 tourists will be allowed on the island at any given time. Officials said they would limit entry, with around

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From the Front Page

6,400 allowed to enter per day, assuming they would stay for at least three days.

Tourists and residents on the island are refrained from water activities, dining by the beach, smoking and consuming alcohol along White Beach, and littering, among other rules. Those who violate the Anti-Littering Ordinance could face a fine or imprisonment.

“Let us treat the island as our home. Keep it clean and pristine.

Don’t drink alcohol or smoke in the beach, don’t litter,” DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a message prior to the opening.

The DOT has requested that airlines reduce the number of flights to Kalibo and Caticlan in the Aklan province, which is below the average flight frequency prior to the island’s closure, as reported

by Rappler.

The Ombudsman this week suspended Cicero Cawaling from his post as mayor of Malay, Aklan for six months, due to the circumstances of the island under his leadership, including allowing businesses to operate without permits in addition to the disregard for the environment.

LaBoracay, the annual Labor Day party, and other beachfront parties are to be no longer accommodated. The vibrant nightlife was a dominant source of revenue for most local businesses.

Foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines reached 4.84 million in September, despite the island’s rehabilitation. Officials are optimistic that the year-end target of 7.5 million will still be met even with Boracay’s shutdown. Last year, the island received 2 million visitors. n

NEW NATIONAL ARTISTS. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with the National Artist Awardees following the awarding ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, October 24. Joining the President are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair Virgilio Almario, and other officials from the NCCA. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Fil-Am man federally charged...

PAGE A1 t ing federal officers, and illegally mailing explosives.

The criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, said that in the packages that included the improvised explosive devices, or “IEDS,” were photos of potential targets with red “X” marks on them.

Three of the potential political targets were former president Barack Obama, former CIA director John Brennan, and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) Other targets were billionaire George Soros, and actor Robert De Niro.

Investigators said they were able to trace Sayoc from DNA found on an envelope containing a bomb sent to Waters, and which matched DNA samples taken from Sayoc in an earlier Florida arrest.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said during a press conference on Friday that the homemade explosives that were discovered or intercepted this week were “not hoax devices.” He added that the bombs contained “energetic materials” that were packed into PVC pipes.

When asked about the allegedly targeted political figures PAGE A1 t being of the Democratic Party, previously said that the four magAttorney General Jeff Sessions netic lifters discovered in Cavite said that Sayoc “may have been did not contain illegal drugs. a partisan… appears to be partiHowever, he later changed his san, but that will be determined statement saying that the lifters as the case goes forward.” did contain shabu.

President Donald Trump in Amid the current scandal, a White House statement, conthe former military official, who demned the bomb scares, and previously oversaw the Philippraised law enforcement agenpine Drug Enforcement Agency, cies in their efforts. has denied that he was involved “These terrorizing acts are dein covering up the smuggling of spicable and have nor place in our drugs into the country. n country,” said Trump. “We must

Pres. Duterte dismisses...

never allow political violence to take root in America. We cannot let it happen.”

Fil-Am with extensive criminal record Following the FBI’s announcement of Sayoc’s arrest, information about the bomb suspect began to emerge, revealing Sayoc as a half-Filipino registered Republican with a long criminal background dating back to 1991.

Lenny Altieri, a retired chef in Florida and a cousin of Sayoc’s mother Madeleine Altieri, told the New York Times that Sayoc was raised by his grandparents after having problems with his mother. Altieri said that Sayoc’s father was from the Philippines.

Altieri also told the New York Times that Sayoc once worked as a male stripper in South Florida nightclubs and was obsessed with bodybuilding. She said the last time she saw Sayoc was at a family gathering about six years ago, and that his political thinking “must have happened after Trump came along.”

Sayoc, who was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1962, described himself on his LinkedIn page as a “promoter, booking agent for live entertainment, owner and choreographer.”

He also claimed on his LinkedIn that his grandfather, Col. Baltazar Zook Sayoc, was an expert of the Philippine martial art Kali, who helped fight the Communist Party in the Philippines, and who “built all hospitals in Philippines islands.”

He also reportedly claimed to be a former professional soccer player and cage fighter in his bio on Twitter which has since been suspended.

Court documents show that Sayoc was first arrested on a felony theft charge in Florida back in 1991, and on charges of domestic violence in 1994.

Sayoc was also arrested in 2002 on charges of making bomb threats, according to public records.

A string of arrests followed with most recent ones prior to Friday’s arrest, being on theft and battery charges in 2013, and for stealing $58 worth of items from a WalMart in 2015.

Court documents also show that Sayoc filed for bankruptcy in 2012, three years after his home was foreclosed on in 2009.

Sayoc was also revealed to be an ardent Trump supporter who frequented Trump rallies while donning a red Donald Trump “MAGA” hat, and frequently tweeted conspiracy theories and memes about liberal public figures and CNN. Among his tweeted conspiracy theories were that Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg was a protestor paid by Soros, that Waters was a “poverty pimp” who took money from Russians, and that Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) took money from elderly people.

Sayoc was reportedly active on his now suspended Twitter account this week, tweeting about Democratic nominee for Florida governor Andrew Gillum, while investigators were looking into the bomb scares.

Upon Sayoc’s arrest, authorities impounded his white van which was covered in political images and stickers of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, along with a sticker that read “CNN Sucks.” n

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DATELINE USA

Fil-Am media ‘game changers’ share stories from...

PAGE A1 t

came the lead character designer for “Monsters, Inc.” (2001).

For two decades, Nierva has worked as character art director and production designer for many of Pixar’s beloved Disney films, including the award-winning films “Finding Nemo” and “Up.” Now he’s left Pixar after 20 years to start a new company.

“It was this thing where it really was my passion. Nobody told me to do it, and so I kept trying to keep that passion alive,” Nierva said. “So now, I get to do the thing that nobody told me to do because I had such a supportive family who encouraged me to do what I love.”

As Filipino-American History Month comes to a close, the office of Los Angeles Councilmember Gil Cedillo hosted a special panel event called “Filipino American Game Changers” to inspire “a new generation of media talent” within the Filipino-American community.

Nearly a hundred FilipinoAmericans gathered at the city council chambers at LA City Hall on the night of Thursday, Oct. 25 to listen to and take heed of the advice from a panel of seasoned players in music, film, radio and television.

Notably, many of the audience members were young FilipinoAmerican college students hailing from Cal State Northridge (CSUN), UCLA and Pasadena City College who have strong interest in pursuing careers in media.

On the dais were singer/songwriter AJ Rafael, television personality and actor Giselle “G” Tongi, radio personality PJ Butta and Nierva who all shared their stories of ambition, failure, getting over failure and using their inherent talents to succeed and provide a voice for the FilipinoAmerican community.

In his early YouTube videos, Rafael would only film himself off the to the side and faced away from the camera, but as he started to gain more subscribers and listeners, he began to put a face to his videos, a crucial moment in the 29-year-old’s music career.

“I was, like, literally hiding away from the camera, but then I realized how important it is for people of color, especially young Filipinos, to see themselves represented,” Rafael said. “That confidence is key because you never know who’s going to look up to you and is going to see you as a sign that tells them, ‘Hey, if they can do it, I can do it, too.’”

As Filipino-American History Month comes to a close, the office of Los Angeles Councilmember Gil Cedillo on Thursday, October 25 hosted a special panel event called “Filipino American Game Changers” featuring singer/songwriter AJ Rafael, television personality and actor Giselle “G” Tongi, radio personality PJ Butta and Ricky Nierva, who was an art director and production designer for many Pixar movies. The conversation was moderated by media personality Karmina Landicho.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

All panelists agreed that a cohesive community is crucial for younger Fil-Ams to kick start their careers. Both Tongi and Butta said that one of the most important moments for them was discovering their community, and Tongi said that it’s important to have mentors to help guide you along the way.

But you can’t just wait for it.

“You just have to get over it, the fear,” Tongi told a young member of the audience who asked how to deal with fear.

“You have to work on recognizing your worth, because, guess what? You are enough, but you have to find that confidence in yourself and ask for what you want.”

Butta mirrored that sentiment and added, “You also can’t be afraid to fail. Every single one of us up here has had some kind of failure, but failure is how you learn. You are going to fail, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end for you.”

Building off the momentum of “Crazy Rich Asians,” the increasing popularity of the Korean-Canadian sitcom “Kim’s Convenience,” and rapper/actress Awkwafina’s historical hosting of Saturday Night Live earlier this month, Asian representation in mainstream Western entertainment seems to be experiencing an upward march.

The industry-wide reckoning of the lack of diversity in music, film, tv and other media avenues has been called into question for the last few years, and with studios looking to be on the right side of history, are slowly con-

forming to people’s demands for more and better representation of Asians.

Ryan Duenas, a 20-year-old student of CSUN, is currently majoring in finance, but has aspirations in the music industry.

Showing videos from his phone of him singing with a guitar, his music style seems directly inspired by the Filipino YouTube stars of the early aughts.

“I actually grew up listening [to] and watching AJ [Rafael]’s music and it was really inspiring to see someone who looked like me get that many views and become pretty famous,” Duenas told the Asian Journal. The Arcadia-native said that his family isn’t “super supportive” of his wanting to become a musician, but he said that he has enough “love for the music” to pursue his passion.

“I agree with what a lot of the panelists said to day, and I resonate with that feeling of not necessarily being supported by my family,” Duenas lamented.

“Most of my cousins are doing things like medicine, accounting and all these jobs that guarantee financial security, but I’m more concerned about what makes me happy. I don’t want my career to feel like a job, you know? I want to feel happy and proud of what I do, and that’s singing and writing songs.”

When asked why he was so drawn to singing, Duenas said, “I really don’t know. I just picked up a guitar and knew that’s what I wanted to do. And there’s nothing else that gives that same feeling.” ■

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

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‘Trade with China to continue despite...

PAGE A1 t number of trade and investment issues under the TIFA that would allow the Philippines to enhance its trade relations with the U.S. and take it to the next level.

Duterte, however, expressed concern that a free trade deal with Washington might bar the Philippines from doing business with China, widely perceived as a rival of the U.S. “Do you know the implications of the agreement with the United States ngayon? There’s a free trade. You can trade freely, that’s what it means to say, with America,” Duterte said in a speech delivered last Wednesday, October 24 at Malacañang.

“But you have to sign a sort of a modus vivendi if you do trade (with the U.S.). That’s OK and you can agree on the tariffs. But you cannot do business with China,” he added.

Lopez clarified that the resolution of bilateral issues under the TIFA would not jeopardize the Philippines’ trade relations with China.

“The President is always supportive of any move to enhance our country’s trade relations with any country,” Lopez told The Star on Thursday, October 25.

Lopez noted that Duterte had expressed concern that the U.S. may adopt a provision in its recent free trade agreements that prohibits participating countries from entering into a new FTA with non-market economies like China. He admitted that the policy direction may create the perception that the Philippines would be inhibited from trading with nonmarket economies or from entering into a new free trade deal with other non-market economies.

The trade chief, however, maintained that the recent developments in Philippine-U.S. trade relations would not stop the Southeast Asian country from maintaining economic ties with China.

“Our understanding is that the U.S.’s future trade partner cannot be prohibited from dealing or trading with other non-market economies. Trading will continue.

What may be limited is the formation of a new FTA with a non-market economy,” Lopez said.

“But, in case there will be such policy or rule, it will of course be subject to further discussions, and it may apply moving forward. Prospective application. Thus, it will not cover existing FTA which the U.S. partner may have with a nonmarket economy,” he added.

Total bilateral trade between Manila and Washington has grown over the decades to about $27 billion in 2016. The Philippines is also a beneficiary of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences program, with about $1.5 billion of Philippine exports entering the U.S. market duty free every year.

China, meanwhile, was the Philippines’ top bilateral trading partner last year, with Manila’s exports to Beijing increasing by 8.4 percent during the period. PH President Rodrigo Duterte with his Chinese counterpart Pres. Xi Jinping (Alexis Romero/Philstar.com) Philstar.com photo

A OctOber 27-30, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

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LA receives $85 million in state funds to address homelessness LOS ANGELES became the first city in California to receive $85 million in state funds for projects aimed at reducing homelessness, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced this week.

The city received $85 million, its full disbursement of state Homeless Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) dollars, which will be used to fund two A Bridge Home projects — one in Holly-

wood and the other at the VA in West L.A. “We pushed for these dollars because the homelessness crisis demands urgent action, and we’re putting them to work immediately because our neighbors and neighborhoods can’t wait,” said Garcetti in a statement. “These funds will help us start getting people under a roof more quickly and giving our communities the

additional relief they deserve.”

The $85 million in HEAP dollars were awarded to the city for immediate assistance to people experiencing homelessness, with another $81 million awarded to the Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority (LAHSA).

Funding is flexible and can be used for capital; operating support; homelessness prevention; criminal justice diversion efforts for individuals with mental health challenges; services for homeless youth or those at risk of homelessness; and emergency aid like shelters, beds, voluntary storage, public bathrooms and shower facilities.

“We are thrilled that we were able to get this money to the city of Los Angeles so quickly,” said Alexis Podesta, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency and Chair of the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. “We’re also pleased that the city plans to use this money immediately to begin addressing its homelessness issues. We look forward to working with other cities and counties throughout the state to help them address homelessness.”

In early 2018, Mayor Garcetti led a coalition of California’s big city Mayors to call on Governor Brown to direct a portion of the state’s budget surplus to cities hardest hit by the statewide homeless crisis. In June, the Legislature passed and Governor Brown signed a budget that included $359 million for cities to spend on homelessness.

“My colleagues in the Legislature and I understand that truly ending homelessness requires collaboration across governments,” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago. “The $85 million allocated to the City of Los Angeles is key to getting more people off the streets and into safe housing. As the representative for Skid Row, I will continue finding solutions to end the homeless crisis in our state.”

The first of these projects is in Hollywood, and will offer 70 beds for individuals currently encamped near the site. It has already received approval from the City Council and broke ground last week. This site will be supported with mental health, addiction, and job and housing placement specialists from People Assisting the

Ecstatic Filipino delegation whoop it up in this group shot after the approval by the visual arts committee of the San Francisco Arts Committee of the revision of the Dewey Monument plaque.

Inquirer.net photos by Jun Nucum

SF agrees to change Dewey plaque to include Philippine-American War

by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — After nearly half a century of persistent efforts by well-meaning Filipino Americans to correct the Union Square monument plaque honoring Commodore George Dewey’s 1898 naval victory in Manila Bay, the city finally approved the posting of a corrective text.

The revision clarifies that Filipinos had already risen up for their independence from Spain and that Filipino revolutionaries resisted the U.S. decision to seize the archipelago for itself, leading to the Philippine American War. The original inscription seen by thousands of tourists reads: “On the night of April 30, 1898 Commodore Dewey’s squadron entered Manila Bay and, undaunted by the danger of submerged explosives, reached Manila at dawn of May 1, 1898.

Attacked and destroyed the

The approved revision to the Dewey plaque.

Spanish fleet of ten war ships.

Reduced the forts and held the city in subjection until the arrival of troops from America.”

The correction will read: The Battle of Manila Bay and the Philippine American War “The people of the Philippines struggled against Spanish colonial rule for over 300 years. At the outbreak of the Spanish American War, Filipinos joined with American forces and rejoiced in Commodore George Dewey’s decisive defeat of the archipelago’s Spanish fleet in May 1, 1898 Battle of Manila Bay. “Within a month of that naval victory, the Philippines declared its freedom from Spain, marking June 12, 1898 as Philippine Independence Day. Filipinos took the historic occasion to declare their national sovereignty and to establish the first republic of record in Southeast Asia.

“The Spanish American War ended with the Treaty of Paris in December, 1898. However, the United States’ continued military presence in the Philippines led to the conflict later known as the Philippine American War. In that The statue in San Francisco’s Union Square dark period, 4,400 American solhonoring Dewey’s victory over the Spanish fleet diers died, together with 20,000 u PAGE A6 in Manila Bay in 1898.

Inquirer.net photo

Filipino combatants. Civilian lives lost numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The Philippines remained a colony of the United States from 1899 to 1935, and granted commonwealth status thereafter.

“The crucible of World War II bonded together the United States and the Philippines as never before against a common enemy. The extraordinary sacrifice and heroism of Filipinos in that struggle for freedom led to the United States’ acknowledgement of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946. –Philippine American War Centennial Committee, San Francisco, California 2018” Approval of the revision came just in time for Filipino American History Month. The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) visual arts committee unanimously favored the proposal.

Filipino community leader Rudy Asercion, among the most persistent campaigners for the revision, was elated: “Some people celebrate Filipino American History Month, but we are part of making history today with this unanimous approval. It was a big

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 27-30, 2018

A

Spurred by convenience, millennials LA’s Historic Filipinotown activists warn of gentrification often spurn the ‘family doctor’ model

by Sandra

G. Boodman Kaiser Health News

CALVIN Brown doesn’t have a primary care doctor — and the peripatetic 23-year-old doesn’t want one.

Since his graduation last year from the University of San Diego, Brown has held a series of jobs that have taken him to several California cities. “As a young person in a nomadic state,� Brown said, he prefers finding a walk-in clinic on the rare occasions when he’s sick. “The whole ‘going to the doctor’ phenomenon is something that’s fading away from our generation,� said Brown, who now lives in Daly City outside San Francisco. “It means getting in a car [and] going to a waiting room.� In his view, urgent care, which costs him about $40 per visit, is more convenient — “like speed dating. Services are rendered in a quick manner.�

Brown’s views appear to be shared by many millennials, the 83 million Americans born between 1981 and 1996 who constitute the nation’s biggest generation. Their preferences — for convenience, fast service, connectivity and price transparency — are upending the timehonored model of office-based primary care.

Many young adults are turning to a fast-growing constellation of alternatives: retail clinics carved out of drugstores or big-box retail outlets, free-standing urgent care centers that tout evening and weekend hours, and online telemedicine sites that offer virtual visits without having to leave home. Unlike doctors’ offices, where charges are often opaque

and disclosed only after services are rendered, many clinics and telemedicine sites post their prices.

A national poll of 1,200 randomly selected adults conducted in July by the Kaiser Family Foundation for this story found that 26 percent said they did not have a primary care provider. There was a pronounced difference among age groups: 45 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds had no primary care provider, compared with 28 percent of those 30 to 49, 18 percent of those 50 to 64 and 12 percent age 65 and older. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

A 2017 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a Washington think tank, and Greenwald and Associates yielded similar results: 33 percent of millennials did not have a regular doctor, compared with 15 percent of those age 50 to 64. “There is a generational shift,� said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, an internist and associate professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. “These trends are more evident among millennials, but not unique to them. I think people’s expectations have changed.

Convenience [is prized] in almost every aspect of our lives,� from shopping to online banking.

So is speed. Younger patients, Mehrotra noted, are unwilling to wait a few days to see a doctor for an acute problem, a situation that used to be routine. “Now,�

Mehrotra said, “people say, ‘That’s crazy, why would I wait that long?’�

Until recently, the after-hours alternative to a doctor’s office for treatment of a strep throat or oth-

SWS: Majority of Filipinos believe...

PAGE A1 t

conducted the survey considered the country’s recent condition in its inquiry. “Sa pangkalahatan, kung iisipin po ang kasalukuyang mga nangyayari sa bansa, sa inyong palagay, patungo po ba ang ating bansa sa tama o maling direksyon?

(In general, considering what is happening in the country today, in your opinion, is the country going in the right or wrong direction?)� the survey asked.

The percentage of those who claimed that the Philippines is treading the right direction stayed highest in Mindanao with about 89 percent which was 2 points higher than June 2018 poll’s 87 percent.

Metro Manila’s results showed that it went up by eight points from 57 percent in June to 65 percent in September while in Luzon it rose by five points from 68 percent in June to 73 percent in September.

The percentage increased by three points from 66 percent in June to 69 percent in September in the Visayas region. The survey result also showed a 4 point increase in overall rural areas with 79 percent in September com-

pared with 75 percent in June.

Meanwhile, for overall urban areas, it rose by 2 points from 66 percent in June to 68 percent in September.

The poll conducted from September 15 to 23 interviewed 1,500 adults ranging from 18 years old and above. Three hundred respondents were interviewed each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, and 600 in Balance Luzon.

The survey had a sampling margin of error of notably Âą3 percent for national percentages, Âą4 percent for Balance Luzon and Âą6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

SWS stressed that the poll on people’s opinion on the current direction of the country was a “non-commissioned� survey.

MalacaĂąang “welcomedâ€? the results of the survey, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Friday, October 26. “We view this as a reflection of our people’s continued trust and confidence in the president and an affirmation that the policies and programs of the current administration are on the right track,â€? Panelo added. n

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er acute problem was a hospital emergency room, which usually meant a long wait and a big bill.

Luring millennials For decades, primary care physicians have been the doctors with whom patients had the closest relationship, a bond that can last years. An internist, family physician, geriatrician or general practitioner traditionally served as a trusted adviser who coordinated care, ordered tests, helped sort out treatment options and made referrals to specialists.

But some experts warn that moving away from a one-on-one relationship may be driving up costs and worsening the problem of fragmented or unnecessary care, including the misuse of antibiotics.

A recent report in JAMA Internal Medicine found that nearly half of patients who sought treatment at an urgent care clinic for a cold, the flu or a similar respiratory ailment left with an unnecessary and potentially harmful prescription for antibiotics, compared with 17 percent of those seen in a doctor’s office.

Antibiotics are useless against viruses and may expose patients to severe side effects with just a single dose. “I’ve seen many people who go to five different places to be treated for a UTI [urinary tract infection] who don’t have a UTI,� said Dr. Janis Orlowski, a nephrologist who is chief health care officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges, or

u PAGE A6

LOS ANGELES — New projects, along with market-rate multifamily buildings that began springing up shortly after the recession are attracting a new crowd and displacing longtime residents in Historic Filipinotown, community activists warned.

They see the gentrification of Koreatown in the past 15 years as an omen of what’s to come as downtown Los Angeles experiences a resurgence of development. Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, Echo Park and Boyle Heights, are seen as the next hot spots for a new wave of projects and redevelopment, according to a report in Bisnow.com.

From the 1940s to 1970s, many Filipinos bought homes and set up businesses in the Temple Street-Beudry Avenue neighborhood and Temple Street and Beverly Boulevard area, which became home to some of the oldest Filipino American organizations, churches and Filipino-run

Gentrification is threatening to swallow up Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown, say activists.

Joel Jacinto

Aquilina Soriano

businesses.

The average rent for an apartment in the Westlake neighborhood that includes Historic Filipinotown is nearly $1,900. Ten years ago, the average rent was $1,300.

To ease some Historic Filipinotown residents’ worries about development, Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who represents the neighborhood, and the Los Angeles Planning Department came

up with a “North Westlake Design District� community master plan to improve the area.

But the proposed pedestrianand transit-friendly overlay that places regulations on the type of new construction, business signage and other requirements for local and new businesses only heightened residents’ concerns, said Aquilina Soriano, who heads the Pilipino Workers’ Center. said. The plan did not include any affordable or low-income housing. “A lot of people want to know what this design district overlay is all about. What is all this going to bring? That is the central tension,� Joel Jacinto, of the nonprofit Search to Involve Pilipino Americans said. Jacinto is also member of LA’s public works commission.

Local activist Arturo Garcia called the design plan terrible. “All we are seeing is market-rate housing,� Garcia said. “Who can afford $2,100 for a one-[bedroom] apartment? Historic Filipinotown is being erased because of these designs,� said Garcia. (Inquirer. net)

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Enrile apologizes to Martial Law victims...

ALL SAINTS DAY PREPARATION. A worker starts to perform chores in preparation for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day at the Manila Memorial Park (Holy Cross) in Novaliches, Quezon City on Friday, October 26.

PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

LA receives $85 million in state funds to...

PAGE A4 t Homeless (PATH) and the Center at Blessed Sacrament. This project will receive a check for $1.67 million, and is projected to open in early 2019.

The city will also disburse funds to a project at the West Los Angeles campus of the VA that will offer 100 beds to veterans experiencing homelessness.

This project has already received necessary approval from the City

Council and will break ground in the coming weeks. These veterans will be supported with mental health professionals, addiction specialists, job and housing placement counselors from the Veterans Affairs Administration.

This project will receive a check in the amount of $1.43 million, and is expected to open early next year.

Building on L.A.’s broader strategy to assist homeless Ange-

lenos and those at risk of becoming homeless — which includes creating thousands of units of supportive housing, increasing the overall housing supply by at least 100,000 units, and working with the County to expand mental health services — the HEAP funds will allow the city to expedite the opening of A Bridge Home projects that are designed to help people come off the streets more quickly. (AJPress)

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PAGE A1 t apologize, but that was our perception: it was not an intention to harm anybody but to protect society. You are unleashing a system of government control over the society that needs to be firmly established so that you avoid violence,” Enrile told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News on Wednesday, October 24, referring to Marcos’ imposition of martial law on Sept.

21, 1972.

“If there were people who were hurt because I could not control all the people, I recognize that there were people who were aberrant and who could not be – who abused their power, and I tried to minimize it as much as I could, as a single person,” he said, referring to his former role as martial law administrator.

Asked if he did something to protect the innocent from the atrocities of the government at the time, he replied: “I did that, I swear to God I did that. I tried to prevent anybody from being killed or hurt.”

Enrile later turned against Marcos and was among the key players in toppling the regime in what was dubbed as the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

As Senate president, Enrile signed Republic Act 10368 in 2012 that granted recognition

and reparations for the more than 11,000 documented human rights victims during the Marcos regime.

Enrile’s acknowledgment of the deaths and disappearances came weeks after his interview with former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. – where he denied there were arrests and extrajudicial killings during the martial law regime – was met with outrage by human rights groups and families of victims.

The 23-minute tête-à-tête titled “Enrile: A witness to history” was released on Marcos’ Facebook account on the eve of the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law last month. Critics slammed the interview as an attempt at historical revisionism.

Enrile said it was the younger Marcos who asked him to grant the interview “to document the achievements of the father.”

When pressed to clarify his challenge during the interview to critics to name anyone who was executed during martial law, he said, “Well, if I said that, it must have been in my unlucid interval.”

Enrile, however, denied saying there were no arrests during martial law.

“I never said that,” he said twice. “What I said was that we

never killed people needlessly, or without any reason, needlessly, with impunity. I never said we did not arrest. I never said there were no human rights violations.”

Enrile shrugged off criticisms on his and Marcos’ apparent attempts at historical revisionism, saying everyone has their own stories to tell.

He said it was not easy being the martial law administrator, signing warrants of arrest while trying to protect some of his friends, like the late Senate president Jovito Salonga and the late senator Jose Diokno.

Asked why he also ordered the arrests of journalists including the late The Star publisher Maximo Soliven, he said, “I must tell you, in the initial stages, we must emasculate all the leaders in order to control the situation.

I must admit, and afterwards, when we have quieted the society, we started releasing them.”

While he signed RA 10368, he said he was not aware of the number of victims who suffered under Marcos.

“There’s no question that there were (human rights victims) but the magnitude is a debatable issue, that’s what I’m saying, if there were, they’re entitled to whatever justice they deserve,” he said. n

SF agrees to change Dewey plaque to include...

PAGE A4 t help that the Filipino community, not just by one person or one organization but the whole community, showed and up and spoke in behalf and in favor of the plaque,” Asercion beamed. “We are doing this thing for our children so that they know that rich history of the Filipinos with regards to the Filipino American War.” Proponents thanked San Francisco Mayor London Breed and her Filipina senior adviser and concurrent chief of staff, Marjan Philhour, who impressed on the San Francisco Arts Commission the historical importance of the proposal.

The SFAC will next formally confirm the visual arts committee’s approval of the proposal and the historical accuracy of the text, in its November 5 meeting.

Asercion will discuss with cultural affairs director Tom DeCaigny the next moves to put the inscription in place possibly on October 5, 2019 in time to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

Lawyer Rodel Rodis recalled that as early as 1977, he and Dennis Normandy went to the San Francisco Chronicle to report that the inscription in the plaque needed to be corrected.

“John King wrote a very prominent article in the op-ed section that said Filipinos speaking out for change (in) the Union Square monument was causing controversy. The reaction was very positive that people were telling us it is going to happen, but

somewhere along the line, it just kept getting postponed and we got lost in the shuffle.”

Rodis said they kept following up and nothing happened. Then in 2005 or 2006, Rudy (Asercion) got involved and “we started drafting the text of the plaque and we went through the different channels to get it to happen, and again it failed,” Rodis recalled.

“Rudy never gave up, saying we have to keep pushing this.

And then finally with his persistence, we were able to get the Arts Commission to do it after we went to the Union Square Committee, Park and Recreation Committee, the Board of Supervisors that also approved of it before finally when we went to the Arts Commission, the last hurdle, and had it had it approved today.

It also helped a lot that Marjan Philhour has the ears of Mayor Breed,” Rodis added.

“It is a cautionary tale so that the U.S. doesn’t go to other countries thinking that what Dewey did would be the motto for invading other countries. They should know that there were human consequences to that invasion,” asserts Rodis, adding that Filipino Americans must understand that the Filipinos in the Philippines “believed in freedom and democracy and were willing to fight for it and they were central players not just bit players in the drama of Commodore George Dewey, the U.S. Navy and the Spanish fleet.”

Speaking for Filipino youth and the millennials, National Federation of Filipino American Association executive director Jason Tengco acknowledged that “this is obviously a great step in Filipino American History Month, the intergenerational collaboration you really paved the way for young people to really step up.”

Probably the only witness to the event who is a direct descendant of a historical Filipino figure Cristina Osmeña, great granddaughter of President Sergio Osmeña, the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth. She said it was a “wonderful gesture on the part of the SF Arts Commission to acknowledge this part of Philippine history” and to embrace the different cultural perspective and it was very heartwarming for them to do so.“A lot of students in the U.S. know that it is not referred to as the Philippine American War but as the Spanish American War that belittles the efforts of the Philippines to win their own independence” she said.

Scores of Filipino Americans and non-Filipino supporters showed up at the visual committee hearing and spoke in favor of the correction proposal. The SFAC visual arts committee hearing was headed by Dorka Keehn, chair, with members Abby Sadin Schnair, Barbara Sklar, Susan Pontius and Tom DeCaigny present. n

Spurred by convenience, millennials...

PAGE A5 t AAMC. “That’s where I see the problem of not having some kind of continuous care.”

“We all need care that is coordinated and longitudinal,” said Dr. Michael Munger, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, who practices in Overland Park, Kan. “Regardless of how healthy you are, you need someone who knows you.”

The best time to find that person, Munger and others say, is before a health crisis, not during one.

And that may mean waiting weeks. A 2017 survey by physician search firm Merritt Hawkins found that the average wait time for a new-patient appointment with a primary care doctor in 15 large metropolitan areas is 24 days, up from 18.5 days in 2014.

While wait times for new patients may reflect a shortage of primary care physicians — in the view of the AAMC — or a maldistribution of doctors, as other experts argue, there is no dispute that primary care alternatives have exploded. There are now more than 2,700 retail clinics in the United States, most in the South and Midwest, according to Rand Corp. researchers.

Connecting with care To attract and retain patients, especially young adults, primary care practices are embracing new ways of doing business.

Many are hiring additional physicians and nurse practitioners to see patients more quickly. They have rolled out patient portals and other digital tools that enable people to communicate with their doctors and make appointments via their smartphones. Some are exploring the use of video visits.

Mott Blair, a family physician in Wallace, N.C., a rural community 35 miles north of Wilmington, said he and his partners have made changes to accommodate millennials, who make up a third of their practice.

“We do far more messaging and interaction through electron-

ic interface,” he said. “I think millennials expect that kind of connectivity.” Blair said his practice has also added same-day appointments.

Although walk-in clinics may be fine as an option for some illnesses, few are equipped to provide holistic care, offer knowledgeable referrals to specialists or help patients decide whether they really need, say, knee surgery, he noted. Primary care doctors “treat the whole patient.

We’re tracking things like: Did you get your mammogram? Flu shot? Pap smear? Eye exam?”

Dr. Nitin Damle, an internist and past president of the American College of Physicians, said that young people develop diabetes, hypertension and other problems “that require more than one visit.”

“We know who the best and most appropriate specialists in the area are,” said Damle, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Brown University in Providence, R.I. “We know who to go to for asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease.”

Marquenttha Purvis, 38, said her primary care doctor was instrumental in helping arrange treatment for her stage 2 breast cancer last year. “It was important because I wouldn’t have been able to get the care I needed” without him, said Purvis, who lives in Richmond, Va. Sometimes the fragmented care that can result from not having a doctor has serious consequences.

Orlowski cites the case of a relative, a 40-year-old corporate executive with excellent medical insurance. The man had always been healthy and didn’t think he needed a primary care physician.

“Between treating himself and then going to outpatient clinics,” he spent nearly a year battling a sore throat that turned out to be advanced throat cancer, she said.

For patients without symptoms or a chronic condition such as asthma or high blood pressure, a yearly visit to a primary care doctor may not be necessary. Experts no longer recommend the once-sacrosanct annual physical for people of all ages.

“Not all access has to be with you sitting on an exam table,” Munger said. “And I may not need to see you more than every three years. But I should be that first point of contact.”

Convenience is paramount Caitlin Jozefcyk, 30, a high school history teacher in Sparta, N.J., uses urgent care when she’s sick. She dumped her primary care doctor seven years ago because “getting an appointment was so difficult” and he routinely ran 45 minutes behind schedule.

During her recent pregnancy, she saw her obstetrician.

Jozefcyk knows she’s not building a relationship with a physician — she sees different doctors at the center — but “really likes the convenience” and extended hours.

Digital access is also important to her. “I can make appointments directly through an app, and prescriptions are sent directly to the pharmacy,” she said.

After years of going to an urgent care center or, when necessary, an emergency room, Jessica Luoma, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mother in San Francisco, recently decided to find a primary care doctor.

“I’m very healthy, very active,” said Luoma, who has been treated for a kidney infection and a miscarriage.

Luoma said her husband pushed her to find a doctor after the insurance offered by his new employer kicked in.

“He’s a little more ‘safety first’ than me,” she said. “I figured, ‘Why not?’ — just in case.”

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 27-30, 2018

Dateline PTrillanes hiliPPines asks Pasay prosecutor’s

More free medicine for breast cancer patients

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

MANILA — More government hospitals will soon be providing free medicine for breast cancer patients, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Thursday, October 25.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the department is expanding its Breast Cancer Medicine Access Program to help more people suffering from the potentially deadly disease.

He said from only seven, there will be 14 hospitals where breast cancer patients can avail themselves of free medicine.

The additional hospitals in-

clude the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Region 1 Medical Center, Bicol Medical Center, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Zamboanga City Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center.

The DOH launched the program in 2011 and identified Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital and Philippine General Hospital as initial access sites.

“For those who are already

diagnosed with the disease, we encourage you to get treated at the DOH hospitals and receive holistic care,” Duque said in a statement.

The DOH has recorded more than 4,000 breast cancer patients who were provided free medicine from 2011 to 2017.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Filipinos and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Thus, the DOH is urging women to regularly do self breast examination and seek immediate consultation to improve their chances of successful treatment. n

Ex-Miss Earth bet Bong Go’s replacement PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has picked a woman to replace his former top aide, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Duterte, in a speech during the 2015 to 2017 Philippine Quality Award and Conferment ceremony, gestured to police senior inspector Sofia Loren Deliu and referred to her as “the replacement of Bong.”

Go resigned from his post when he filed his certificate of candidacy for senator.

He told reporters that Deliu will be the presidential aide, since the Special Assistant to the President title was created only for him.

Deliu was a candidate of the Miss Earth Philippines pageant in 2015. (Ralph Edwin Villanueva/ManilaTimes.net)

Sofia Loren Deliu

Philstar.com photo

Jesus Dureza, Ramon Tulfo named envoys to EU, China

rent PTV 4 head of operation and longtime broadcast journalist Raquel Tobias as undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Other appointees were: Myra Paz Abubakar as assistant secretary of the Department of Tourism; Nenita Failon, Thea Marie Palarca and Nenita Failon as directors 4 of the Department of Budget and Management; and Albert Mogol as director 2 of the Office of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense.

Also appointed were Nelson Manaloto as director 2 of the Land Transportation Office; Henry Comel Jr. and Noel Flores as provincial trade and industry officer, Department of Trade and Industry; Lester Fiel as senior state prosecutor and Joel Caminade as member of the Board of Trustees of the Asian Productivity OrganiDureza took the place of the late Senate president Edgardo Angara. His term would have started zation (APO) Production Unit Inc. July 1 but the Palace order was dated Oct. 23. It will end on Dec. 31.

Philstar.com photos (Phistar.com) MANILA — President Duterte has designated Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and veteran journalist Ramon Tulfo as special envoys to the European Union and China, respectively.

Dureza took the place of the late Senate president Edgardo Angara. His term would have

started July 1 but the Palace order was dated Oct. 23. It will end on Dec. 31.

Angara held the post until his death last May. Malacañang also released the appointment papers of Tulfo as special envoy to China for a term of six months.

Duterte likewise appointed cur-

A

office to junk inciting to sedition raps

MANILA — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV asked Pasay prosecutor to junk the inciting to sedition raps filed against him by Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras and lawyer Manuelito Luna.

Trillanes went to Pasay Prosecutor’s Office to attend the preliminary investigation into the inciting to sedition raps filed by Paras and Luna over the senator’s statements allegedly urging members of the armed forces to take up arms against the Duterte administration, and allegations of corruption against the president.

Luna and Paras wanted Trillanes charged over his “incendiary and hateful speeches against President Duterte after issuance of Proclamation 572 that voided the amnesty granted to him during the previous administration.”

Article 142 states that inciting to sedition can be done through speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners or other representations “that tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes, or which suggest or incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the government, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices.”

Last March, Pasay City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Joahna Gabatino-Lim charged Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for inciting to sedition, over a separate complaint, over his pronouncements on Duterte’s alleged hidden wealth.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

In the senator’s counter-affidavit, he argued that his remarks said in an interview with members of the media were made in his capacity as a lawmaker.

“As one of the Senators of the Republic respondents believes in

good faith that it is part of his public duties to report to the people, through the media and to keep the public updated on the relevant issues of graft and corruption,” he said.

u PAGE A10

A8 OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

PDEA vs BOC

FEATURES

IN the ongoing feud between the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Customs over the smuggling of billions worth of shabu, the PDEA is enjoying the upper hand in the court of public opinion.

From the start, most folks had more trust in the PDEA canines that detected traces of shabu in empty magnetic lifters seized in Cavite than in the human testing trotted out by the BOC to refute the PDEA. Customs officials have yet to deny PDEA chief Aaron Aquino’s statement that the magnetic lifters subjected by the BOC to x-ray scans and a handheld sweep by a member of the US Homeland Security were not the same lifters found by PDEA agents in the raid in Cavite.

Another factor going against the BOC is its long record of corruption, which even President Duterte has noted. This image has been reinforced by the Senate testimony and public statements of lawyer Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, BOC deputy collector for passenger service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The response of BOC officials to Mangaoang’s accusations is to insist that their tests indicated the scrap lifters in

Cavite did not contain shabu, and to announce that she would be subjected to a lifestyle check.

If Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña intends to pursue a lifestyle check in connection with accusations of unexplained wealth, he must cast his net wide, to include other BOC personnel. Not only to disprove Mangaoang’s claim that she is being singled out in a retaliatory move, but also to try to determine the extent of the rot in an agency that has consistently ranked high in all surveys on corruption.

The illegal drug trade is big business, and the colossal profits to be made can be irresistible especially to those already used to engaging in corrupt practices. Even the PDEA is conducting a purge of its own officials implicated in recent massive shabu shipments. Instead of being in denial, BOC officials must confront this problem head-on and launch a long overdue housecleaning. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

No place for political violence in America? Look at the man in the mirror, Mr. President!

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS CESAR SAYOC JR. is the name of the person who sent bombs by mail to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former VP Joe Biden, former Attorney General Eric Holder, Representative Maxine Waters, actor Robert de Niro, CNN, and George Soros, the billionaire investor who has been supporting progressive and liberal causes.

These people and media institution are all critics of President Donald Trump. All of them have been the usual target of Trump’s hate speeches when he goes out to campaign rallies to fire up his base. All of them had been demonized by Trump, including CNN, as the “enemy of the people” in the Trump alternative universe.

Yet the 45th President of the United States delivered a statement in response to the news, pontificating: “In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together, and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political vio-

lence of any kind have no place in the United States.”

And less than 12 hours later, Trump was at his game again, blaming the news media for the toxic political climate, and playing the victim role. He refuses to admit that he is culpable for the hate he has been spewing.

Sayoc is a Filipino — a fanatic Trump supporter who blindly believes and literally follows the words coming out of Trump’s mouth. He acted on the seed of hate Trump has planted in his consciousness.

Following the arrest of Sayoc, Trump said, “We must never allow political violence to take root in America. We cannot let it happen. And I am committed to doing everything in my power as president to stop it — and to stop it now.”

Here are a few examples of Trump’s rhetoric and action that have incited or encouraged violence: Politifact reported that in February 2016, during his campaign for president, Trump told a crowd in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, “So I got a little notice. We have wonderful security guys. It said, ‘Mr. Trump, there may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience.’ So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Just knock the hell...I promise

you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.”

On July 2, 2017, Trump shared the doctored video, from a 2007 WWE skit in which he is seen taking down WWE owner Vince McMahon. In the version Trump shared, McMahon’s face is blocked by the CNN logo.

• August 2015: At a press conference in Michigan, Trump contrasted his interactions with the public with those of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, who had recently faced opposition from Black Lives Matter protesters.

“That will never happen with me,” said Trump, according to a dispatch by the Washington Post’s David Weigel. “I don’t know if I’ll do the fighting myself, or if other people will. It was a disgrace. I felt badly for him, but it showed that he was weak.

You know what? He’s getting the biggest crowds, and we’re getting the biggest crowds. We’re the ones getting the crowds. But that’s never going to happen to Trump.”

• November 2015: At a rally in Alabama, Trump said about a protester, “Get him the hell out of here, will you, please? Get him out of here. Throw him out!”

The following day, calling into Fox News, Trump responded to a question about allegations that the protester had been “roughed

up.” The protester, Trump said, had been “so obnoxious and so loud...maybe he should have been roughed up. Maybe he should have been roughed up. Because it was totally disgusting what he was doing.”

• February 2016: At a rally in Las Vegas, Trump again responded to a protester: “See, he’s smiling. See, he’s having a good time. Oh, I love the old days, you know? You know what I hate?

There’s a guy, totally disruptive, throwing punches. We’re not allowed to punch back anymore. I love the old days, you know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They’d be carried out in a stretcher, folks. Oh, it’s true...The guards are very gentle with him.

He’s walking out with big highfives, smiling, laughing. I’d like to punch him in the face, I’ll tell you.”

• March 2016: At one point at a rally in Michigan, Trump reiterated his pledge to pay legal fees for people who remove protesters. “Get him out,” Trump said.

“Try not to hurt him. If you do, I’ll defend you in court, don’t worry about it.” (Trump later said he had never made the pledge to pay legal fees.)

• March 2016: At an event in Palm Beach, Fla., Trump referred to a past incident with protesters.

“We have had a couple that were

really violent, and the particular one when I said I’d like to bang him, that was a very — he was a guy who was swinging, very loud and then started swinging at the audience and the audience swung back, and I thought it was very, very appropriate. He was swinging, he was hitting people, and the audience hit back, and that’s what we need a little bit more of.”

• March 2016: At a rally in North Carolina, Trump said, “In the good old days this doesn’t happen because they used to treat them very, very rough. And when they protested once, they would not do it again so easily.

But today they walk in and they put their hand up and they put the wrong finger in the air at everybody. And they get away with murder, because we’ve become weak.”

• March 2016: At a rally in St. Louis, Trump once again addressed protesters who were being removed from the facility.

“Part of the problem and part of the reason it takes so long (to remove the protesters) is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore, right? And they’re being politically correct the way they take them out. So it takes a little bit longer. And honestly, protesters they realize it — they realize there are no consequences to protesting anymore. There used

to be consequences. There are none anymore.”

• March 2016: At a rally in Kansas City, talking about someone who had rushed the stage, Trump said, “I don’t know if I would have done well, but I would have been out there fighting, folks. I don’t know if I’d have done well, but I would’ve been — boom, boom, boom. I’ll beat the crap out of you.”

UK’s Mirror reported how Trump told crowds at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina: “Hillary wants to abolish, essentially, the Second Amendment.“By the way, and if she gets the pick - if she gets the pick of her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.”

Trump should look in the mirror and find the man responsible for pulling America into the quagmire we are in right now. He is the president of the United States.

His words matter. His words have consequences. His words incite violence. He should lead by example. This has to stop now. *** 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.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

‘The Coming of Good Winds’: Their paintings and the guiding principles of Ronald Cortez, Danny Doce and Master Jessie Mariñas

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D.

visionary capacity, reaches into a realm less accessible to normal “We used to be able to manage perception and, through acquired with the belief that the physical technique, translates vision into a art object was the end product finished work of art – the art obof art, and the process of art was ject itself. As part of that process, everything that went into achiev- the artist communicates inwardly ing it. In this view, the artist, the at first. The art of creation is a

A copy of Spoliarium by Jessie Marinas

learning process for the artist, as both vision and techniques are honed by the production of each art object. The process is one of considering, refining, learning – in an exchange with the self. As the ever-quotable Picasso said, ‘I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.’” – Hugh Moss, “The Art of Understanding Art: A New Perspective” (2015).

“We were also taught to navigate the seas around us by men of wisdom and talent, who had sailed far, to the lands in the north where there was ice in the mountains, to the south, and the far countries which were ruled by leaders with skins fairer than others. And then, there were the techniques of war to be learned as well, but I was never meant to be a warrior for I was meant, I suppose, to be a sailor, a navigator, having memorized as I did the landfall of different islands, different nations, the coming of the good winds, of the cruel seas, whipped by typhoons.

I learned them all, for we have always been a nation of traders as well and the craft of the sailor is hammered into us as a matter of course, even before we learned how to sail.” – F. Sionil Jose, “Viajero - A Filipino Novel,” (1998).

Photos courtesy of Jessie Marinas

RONALD Cortez was born in Lucban, Quezon when at two months old, he lost his father to an aneurysm to be singlehandedly raised by his mother, Nanie Ratio Cortez, who earned enough for rent, food and school fees, but no luxury like toys for Cortez.

He possessed an innate interest for the arts and pencils and brown paper bags became his sketchpad where he would doodle away the “stored mountains in his imagination.” When his mom went overseas, he started drawing portraits at 10 years old.

He watched commercial artists do charcoal drawings at shopping malls for inspiration and saved his allowance to buy art materials. In high school, his cousin asked Cortez to paint a portrait of his girlfriend. His cousin got him his first set of oil paints and it was then that he decided to be a painter. When he went to college at Southern Luzon Polytechnic, his mother persuaded him to be a viajero, a seaman. Yet, being a viajero was not his dream. He completed his seaman course to comply with his mother’s wishes.

But, he satisfied his artistic hunger by browsing through books at the National Bookstore in Avenida. At an art store in Man-

daluyong, he then met his first mentor, Loreto Racuya, an artist who persuaded him to follow his dream. Racuya introduced him to the owner of an art supply store and shared insights about “the Parable of the Talents” which became Cortez’s guiding principles in life and his art.

First: one must share his Godgiven talent with mankind. Second: that God would provide for what he needs to further his talents. Third: that each individual is endowed with their own set of talents but one can focus on a particular one and still be able to use other talents. Fourth: whatever we do should glorify God, who provides us with these talents.

Fifth: we will be held accountable for our work.

Cortez’s paintings were introduced to me through a friend’s iPhone. They were lifelike, seemingly able to breathe on their own.

In his paintings, fish appear to swim and glide, much like sailors who navigate the seas; tomatoes seem so ripe that you would want to slice them; a salted egg with a distinct-looking yolk and a hint of oil to it; and the Philippine peso is realistically portrayed.

“We overlook so many things because of our greediness. Masy-

“Jessie Marinas: Miracle Man of Manteca,” a feature on the artist in the Asian Journal’s SF Magazine

ado tayong fixated sa ibang bagay (We are too fixated on things). Lahat ng ito – paintings I credit to the One who gave me the talent and [it is] important for me to share my talent, to the Glory of God, even without my signature,” he said.

His exhibited paintings at the

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‘The Coming of Good Winds’: Their paintings and...

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Viajeros: “The Farmer, Still Life, “Mag-ina,” “Helping Hands,” “Isda at Kamatis (series iv and v)” presented the daily realities of a farmworker. He intended their lives to be elevated, e.g., the ordinary “Tinapa 1 and 2,” masterfully rendered in pastel of bluish gray, white, red and brown, quite worthy of an art enthusiast’s attention, perhaps by someone like Hugh Moss whom I quoted above.

In contrast, he rendered four charcoal paintings: “Mag-ina” depicting a breastfeeding mother; “The Farmer” — showing a farmer and his carabao, “Helping Hands” — a grandmother and her granddaughter mending a dress with the child attempting to thread a needle, and “Isda at Kamatis” — a plate of fresh mackerel and tomatoes. These paintings created ‘dignity of labor’ impressions, illustrating the ordinary lives of farmers and low-income workers.

“Minsan, nasisipa lang (at times you just get kicked around),” yet his paintings captured the realism of subjects in action. Like the ripped upper arms of the farmworker, which matched the shield’s curvature, coming from two horns of the water buffalo or carabao that grow to join as one base. One also notices the formation of the mother’s arms as she breastfed, coddling her baby and her long hair joining the curvature as if one sees the formation of a sling holding the baby safely.

“Pag nakatungo ka – marami kang makikitang simpleng bagay, pero pag nakatingala ka, parang iyong striving for greater things, greater expectations. I am not after that. One can see how greed

creates chaos in the world, pero kung konti lang ang mayroon tayo, nakapagpasaya sa atin ay simpleng bagay lang. The world will be much happier and peaceful (If you look down, you get to notice simple things, but if you are looking up, it appears you are striving…but if you are content with what little you have, even the simplest things can bring you joy).”

Cortez joined 15 painters, whose works were displayed at the Philippine Consulate June 22 to July 6, 2018, as part of Bringing Filipino Art to the World’s initiative, to San Francisco, Manila, New York and Texas. Close to a hundred folks attended their opening night, themed “Viajeros” (Voyagers). The participating artists included Emil Bauto, Xander Caceta, Raul Roco, Jr., Apolinario Follos, Maria Pureza Escano, Jane Ebarle, Ina Jardiolin, Coco Torre, Oying Madrilejos, Jesse Marinas, Danny Doce, Jun Impas, Jun Aquino, Orlando Distor, Ernesto Veroya and Ronald Cortez.

The exhibit is a full circle moment for Cortez who considered being a seaman because of his mom’s persuasions, yet might it be that God had a different plan for him, to be a painter whose works are on exhibit at Viajeros?

At New York’s Philippine Consulate, he joined 31 artists whose paintings were on display as part of the Society of Philippine – American Artists’ 25th-anniversary exhibit held Oct. 16 to 26, 2018. His painting was called “Pamana.”

“Yes, Tita Prosy, that is our family portrait. I made it for my wife.

I’m observing my son making

“Nassan Ka?” by Danny Doce

“Pamana” by Ronald Cortez

drawings while my wife is watching. It is an oil painting on canvas, 24 x 18, “ he continued.

The ‘coming of the good winds’: Mentoring (a relationship of respect and caring) “Natutulog ako kasama si Mama Mary (I sleep with Mama Mary). Everywhere I travel the statue is with me. This statue has been with me since I was 14 years old as [the] leader of the block rosary. I pray to her every night, siya lahat ang nagbibigay ng grasya kahit nasaan ako (She is the source of grace wherever I go).

My friends call me Milagrosa,“ Mariñas told me over a Facebook Messenger’s interview on October 15, 2018. Mariñas has now moved to the Philippines.

“Why Milagrosa?”

Mariñas was born in the squatters area with four siblings. When he was little, he recalled being told by relatives that he would scratch his face until it got bloodied. But, while he slept, the wounds got healed, “Wala daw sugat ang mukha ko paggising ko. Nawawala. Kasi, kinakamot ko ang mukha ko hanggang magdugo (I woke up with no wounds on my face.

They would banish, even though I would scratch my face until my face bled).”

He got a degree in fine arts as a painting major from the University of Santo Tomas. Following the firing of his parents by Mr. Marcos, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1973, as the eldest of 12 siblings, intending to give them a fresh start in the U.S. He worked at Western Knapp Engineering Co., which specialized in plant designs and oil platforms, as the senior mechanics principal de-

signer (the highest title given to a non-engineer) under an umbrella engineering group, Kvaerner, based in Norway. He worked for 35 years and qualified for disability retirement, following a spinal deterioration.

While recuperating from his spinal surgery in Manteca, he felt the energy, the “soul of a wall,” and told his wife, “I will soon have my mural there.” His wife doubted it would occur as he just had a spinal operation.

He resumed painting again at “Viajeros” exhibited artists in San Francisco.

58 years old and started with an abstract painting such that one might even see the image of Nativity, on closer look.

Nine years later, he is more prolific as a painter and has produced 40 paintings in a span of a decade.

He joined the “2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, [California].

Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane.”

His mural, “The Harvest Continues,” won first place. It was described as exceptionally detailed as it shows the grapes being prepared for crushing. The crushed product is then made into juice or fermented into wine.

The process of painting started with: “he met with the local grower, John Leandro at his property to research and design his mural. Although Jessie’s dog was not in the original design, Promise insisted on being included, ” based on the association’s website. Promise

“Passion of Christ” by Jessie Marinas

Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D.

u PAGE A10

Photos courtesy of the artists

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A10 OctOber 27-30, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Farmers, human rights group seek truth behind Sagay massacre Employers push for P20 wage hike instead of P344

by AJPress THE National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), labor organizations and human rights advocacy groups on Wednesday, October 24, started their joint fact-finding investigation on the massacre of nine farmers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Karapatan, a human rights advocacy group, named the initiative — National Fact-Finding Mission (NFFM) — which delves

into the facts of the actual incident and “the context that led to it.”

“This independent investigation of people’s organizations and human rights groups will delve deeply into the root causes of poverty and agrarian unrest in Hacienda Nene and the overall situation of peasants and farmworkers in Negros – those that have plagued the island for years with the continuing feudal exploitation and oppression of peasants and the poor,” Karapa-

tan said.

Karapatan also emphasized the ways to which they could guarantee that accountability will be sought as reported by The Philippine Star.

“The mission will likewise look into the role of state forces in addressing the climate of impunity that persists in Negros and other parts of the country where peasants are being persecuted and killed because of their advocacies and organizing work,” it added.

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, National Union of People’s Lawyers, Promotion for Church People’s Response, National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates-Youth, Gabriela Women’s Party, Gabriela Youth, Salinlahi, Children’s Rehabilitation Center, Kabataan Party-list and Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates were among the other groups joining the NFFM. Karapatan said that their investigation would seek to counter any possible attempt by state forces to “whitewash” the incident and manipulate the story to their benefit.

“Numerous spectacular angles have been floated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their so-called investigation on the case. They allege that the leaders and organizers of the NFSW are those behind the massacre,” Karapatan claimed.

Another suspicion from the PNP noted that communist rebels intentionally created the unrest in order to have an incident that could be attributed as the government’s fault.

“In yet another disjointed angle, they say that the perpetrators are members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA), purportedly using their ‘mass base’ to create untoward incidents which can be blamed on the government,” the group added.

“We view these statements by authorities as a prelude to other forms of whitewashing that are being employed to deny justice to the victims. These baseless statements serve as a diversion, thus enabling the perpetrators to evade accountability,” Karapatan added.

Unknown gunmen killed nine NFSW members who occupied part of Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City. n

by AJPress THE Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Wednesday, October 24, found a total of P20 increase in daily minimum wage to be the “acceptable” amount for workers to recover from the lost of purchasing power brought by inflation.

This is said to be way below the P344 wage increase that the labor group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) is proposing.

ECOP cautioned against the P344 pay increase during the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board as they claim that such move would further increase the prices of goods eventually resulting in the closure of several businesses and loss of jobs for thousands.

Although workers in Metro Manila have the highest daily minimum wage in the country at P512, its value has since eroded to just P340 due to the hike in the prices of goods. ALU-TUCP noted that the increase in salary

would help recover the purchasing power lost from inflation.

However, ECOP claimed that workers might not even feel a significant adjustment because businesses would be forced to pass on the additional cost to consumers.

“There must be other factors for increasing wages,” ECOP governor Antonio Abad said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“If we increase the wages and the inflation rate goes down, will the wages also go down? I don’t think it is a good basis for increasing wages,” Abad added.

Wage increase might have ‘unintended consequences’ The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines (JFC) warned that issuing a salary increase among the two million minimum wage workers in Metro Manila would have “unintended consequences” to the 43 million other workers in the country.

JFC’s Ernie Cecilia said that investors and businesses might prefer to operate in other countries in the Southeast

Asian region.

“The problem is not the low wages but poverty and unemployment. It’s a vicious cycle. If we really want to help [minimum wage earners], increasing wages is not the solution because doing so would have an inflationary effect,” Cecilia said.

ALU-TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said that it was wrong to say that the minimum wage in the Philippines was one of the highest in the region because conditions and the cost of living in neighboring countries were different.

The Department of Labor and Employment wage board would come out with its decision on the amount of wage adjustment on Friday, October 25.

Over the last few months, other boards across the country only gave daily minimum wage increases ranging from P9 to P56.

In September, inflation rose to a fresh nine-year high of 6.7 percent. Among all regions, it was only in Metro Manila where inflation slightly eased to 6.3 percent from 7 percent in August. n

Trillanes asks Pasay prosecutor’s office to junk...

PAGE A7 t The senator also stressed that the complainants lacked personal knowledge of the factual allegations in the complaint as they merely attached printouts of news articles in their complaint.

He also argued that Luna and Paras failed to show how he “incited the people to rise publicly or tumultuously” for sedition.

He added: “The elements of conspiracy and/or proposal to

commit coup d’etat have not been sufficiently proven by complainants. Thus, the charges against respondent must be dismissed.”

Last March, Pasay City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Joahna Gabatino-Lim charged Trillanes for inciting to sedition, over a separate complaint, over his pronouncements on Duterte’s alleged hidden wealth.

The case was raffled off to Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court

Branch 45.

Trillanes had just recently scored a legal victory at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148, when it junked the government’s plea for warrant and travel ban against him.

A separate court at Makati, Branch 150, meanwhile, had reopened his rebellion case pursuant to Proclamation 572 that voided his amnesty. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)

‘The Coming of Good Winds’: Their paintings and...

PAGE A9 t

faithfully stayed by Jessie’s side as he painted through the night that the final mural included the dog, including individual paint lines for the fur,” as described in the website.

When he endeavored to paint adopting a different technique, he shared the dialogue he had in a dream with his spiritual Mentor.

“What would you like to do?”

“I want to paint again, but I want to paint my way, instead of a brush. I want to show my suffering from my spinal condition.”

“Didn’t you know that guys nailed me to the cross – why not use nails?”

Since then, his paintings have used oil-dipped nails, with clearly defined lines and skin textures.

He painted a mural, Eagle Heart, with soldiers in a group hug, representing five different wars: World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and War against Iraq and Afghanistan.

This was eventually purchased by the Manteca Mural Society and is still on display, as he predicted to his wife, “My mural will hang there.” Later, he discovered that wall used to be a memorial wall, only it had been painted over. It is simply giving back to the “soul of that wall,” he added.

Manteca Ripon Bulletin reported on April 12, 2011 that “Jessie Marinas - a man who found strength in his “artistic soul” after a series of spinal injuries triggered a number of painful surgeries - is being inducted into the Manteca Hall of Fame.”

Mariñas has just finished painting Imeldific, a stunning portrait of Imelda Marcos surrounded by diamonds, with her face inside a diamond.

In the artistic world, there is a belief that art is a powerful vehicle for both its surface appeal and its implied underlying nature.

Admittedly, the painter Mariñas succeeded in showing the subject’s beauty, the so-called surface appeal, “but I also sense her sadness, even if surrounded by all of [this] brilliance,” Mariñas added.

In the process of doing Imeldific, Danny Doce became the first student at Jessie Mariñas School of Arts in the Philippines.

Mariñas and Doce met for the first time as part of the “Viajeros” exhibit, which created a mentoring opportunity between Mariñas, the mentor and Doce, the mentee.

Mariñas picked up Doce from the airport, outbound from the Philippines. Doce believes God’s provision allowed him to make this trip to San Francisco. He relied on the prayers of his pastor and fellow church members’ prayers and later was introduced to a sponsor.

A few days before the exhibit, the sponsor bought him an airline ticket and inside was $500 as his allowance.

But, Doce had to find lodging.

Mariñas offered lodging for Doce in Manteca, a trek of two hours and 23 minutes by car, 74 miles away. Together they went back to Manteca for rest, and commuted daily, 148 miles round trip, for the installation, opening and take-down of the exhibit. That meant staying till dawn to work on their installations, drive to Manteca and back again to San Francisco.

“Imeldific” by Jessie Marinas

Danny Doce on a break with Jessie Marinas

Photos courtesy of Jessie Marinas

After, they went to the Golden Gate Bridge, a place of inspiration. There, they sat and drew all day.

In the Philippines, Doce painted with Mariñas. Together they attempted new levels of excellence in portrait painting with three–dimensional effect as if the subjects are coming out of the canvas.

Doce, in an interview on Oct. 14, 2018 via social media, described how a village of generous Filipinos helped him achieve his dream to be in San Francisco.

“Imagine for a month and a week in Manteca, I did not spend a dime, and that is due to the immense generosity of the Mariñas couple. I am grateful for what they did,” he said, adding that even today, Mariñas continues to be his mentor.

“What lesson did you learn,” I asked?

To which he answered, “That I need to focus, that I have to level up, that I am competing not against any other painter, but my former self, and my last painting.”

It is from this rigorous exchange of what can be finessed, what lines can be drawn, what color can be used, that a magnificent painting of Doce came to be, “Nasaan Ka?” It is a portrait of a beautiful woman, almost ephemeral, her facial expressions reaching upward with vibrant red roses surrounding her face, and

her face as if coming out of tree branches. Soon after Doce posted it on Facebook, he sold the painting.

Mentoring is described as a relationship between equals, where there is respect and caring between the two. The ancillary effect to their relationship – both have improved from interacting with one another.

After trying to finish the Spoliarium study for a decade, the original was painted by Juan Luna, a Filipino painter in 1884, Mariñas conscientiously studied it at the National Museum of the Philippines and finally, he has just completed it recently.

Mentoring has its inexplicable rewards, from master mentor to mentee and vice-versa. To whom much is given, much is expected, yet, as one gives, he too gets much in return, as well. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years.

She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine.

Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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A12 OctOber 27-30, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

SHOWBIZ&STYLE

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Journal

Palace on Nora Aunor: She’s a ‘people’s artist’

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

Malacañang heaped praises on actress nora aunor after she was excluded anew from the new batch of national artists.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo called aunor a “crowned people’s artist” and expressed optimism that the iconic movie star would be proclaimed national artist in the future.

“The artistical and musical legend that is nora aunor may not have passed the critical eyes of a select juror and the awarding authority to be bestowed the national artist award, but her enrapturing film artistry and musicality and mass acceptance surpass technical recognition given by any entity or author-

ity,” Panelo said at a press briefing.

“She is still young and in god’s perfect time we are optimistic that she will be proclaimed as a national artist.

Her non-inclusion does not diminish her iconic stature as the country’s superstar and her significant contributions to film, theater, television and music industries,” he added.

Panelo said aunor’s phenomenal rise to movie and musical stardom counted “a generation of shrieking and adoring fans unparalleled in the movie and music industry.”

In 2014, former president Benigno aquino III removed aunor from the list of national artists because of issues linking her to drug use.

The actress was automati-

cally nominated this year to become national artist because she was included in the previous shortlist of nominees.

The President has the prerogative to remove names from the list of nominees submitted by the national commission for culture and the arts and cultural center of the Philippines.

Panelo could not say why aunor was excluded anew from the list.

In a statement, aunor thanked her fans for believing in her and clarified that she did not aspire to be named national artist.

“The respect I got from my colleagues is enough. If the national artist award is used to mock my personal struggles in life, I would urge everyone to put an end to this issue. What is the value of an award if it would

Piolo Pascual defends self for cursing basher by mARidol

RAñoA-BismARk Philstar.com

acTOR Piolo Pascual recently became the talk of the town for cursing a basher who commented that his brother, who he greeted in an Instagram post, is his boyfriend.

In the post, Piolo said: “To my best friend:) my one and only Bubi... lamonayon tol! hehe... haberday my lab:) no matter what we go thru, we go thru it together:) I’m witchu coz you’re my Bubie:) to more years of travels and excursions with you... labyu lollipat.” a netizen then commented that the guy in the picture with the actor is his lover.

“For sure boyfriend nya yan,” the netizen commented on Piolo’s post.

The comment compelled Piolo to reply back to the netizen with

But he later relents, deletes the post, and prays for the offending netizen instead.

Because he thinks restraint is the key in managing social media, Piolo trains his son, Inigo, to rein in his emotions before he clicks.

“I scold him and say he doesn’t have to be pikon (over-sensitive),” Piolo said in an interview following a Sun life event, where he is an endorser. “at the end of the day, these people just want his attention, so he shouldn’t give in.”

Piolo reminds his son to “choose your battles,” and refrain Piolo Pascual from posting everything that’s on Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual his mind on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. a cuss word. close friends and those you In a recent interview with Philstar.com, Piolo admitted trust are still the best when you that below-the-belt comments want to bare your heart, because provoke him to retort with a not- they will not judge you, Piolo concluded. so-pleasant message.

repeatedly malign me and the people who believe in me?” the actress said. aunor said she would rather do movies that inspire Filipinos and help her colleagues in the entertainment industry than dwell on the issue.

“I was not the one disrespected and mocked but the noranians, the people who still trust me and the talents given to me by god,” she said.

Panelo said aunor’s exclusion would spare her from “emotional and psychological torment” she would go through because of the barrage of mixed reactions the award would bring.

Nora Aunor

GMA photo

B OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

EntErtainmEnt

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LA Arboretum unveils “Moonlight Forest,” new larger-than-life lantern displays

Schulhof told the Asian Journal that he was struck by Tianyu’s AJPress “artistry and creativity” and STARTING Friday, October invited the design company to 26, 2018 to January 6, 2019, the produce the lantern show at the Los Angeles County Arboretum arboretum. and Botanical Garden will be “Our team has worked meticuhome to “Moonlight Forest,” a lously on the production of over dazzling evening experience of 60 lanterns since early summer, lights, art, and culture. and we can’t wait for the public to Featuring over 60 displays enjoy our handcrafted creations,” of larger-than-life lantern art, said Grace Zhou, a representaMoonlight Forest is surely a tive of Tianyu, in a statement. destination for the entire family. “Seeing our artwork come to The illuminating lanterns reflect life is one of the most rewarding three themes: nature, children’s moments of the entire process. garden and Chinese culture. We hope everyone who comes to “Moonlight Forest” at the LA Arboretum officially opened October 26 and will be up until Some of the displays include pea- Moonlight Forest is entertained January 6, 2019.

AJPress photos by Christina M. Oriel cocks, dragons, pandas, flowers, by our lanterns, performances, moons, and Chinese figures. One and crafts!” attraction is a rendition of the This is the first year the arboA large dragon light display sits over a pond at the LA Arboretum.

Terracotta Army, for example. retum will be hosting this festival, The LA Arboretum partnered but is already seeking to make with Tianyu Arts & Culture — a it an annual tradition to explore China-based design company other cultures around the world. that organizes international cul- The property previously hosted tural events — to bring these three Harvest Moon Festivals. lanterns to Southern California.

“These sorts of art forms [arTo date, Moonlight Forest is range] so beautifully within a Tianyu’s largest festival in the natural landscape that we wanted United States. to bring additional arts tradiDuring the media preview of tions to the arboretum that fit Moonlight Forest on Thursday, well in our natural environment, October 25, LA Arboretum CEO our landscape…and make this Richard Schulhof told reporters a regular happening,” Schulhof that he attended a lantern festi- said. val last fall and realized that the In addition to lantern attracarboretum had not featured lan- tions, the festival features muterns of this scale before, given sic, food trucks, drink bars, Red Chinese lanterns hang in one part of the “Moonlight Forest.”

One of the themes of “Moonlight Forest” is nature. the cultural diversity and greater and nightly performances from Asian American community in Tianyu’s Chinese acrobats, dance changers.

Southern California. groups and “bian lian” face “Any time you can experience the traditions of another culture, that’s a growth experience. You’re learning how other people experience the world and live their lives. This cultural exchange enriches our quality of life here in Southern California and lets us experience the cultural diversity around us,” Schulhof said.

Presented by the Arboretum Foundation with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Moonlight Forest is open A rendition of the Terracotta Army. to the public at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden on Wednesday-Sunday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. starting October 26, 2018 to January 6, 2019. Prices for timed tickets A temple and rows of moons are among the over 60 displays in this exhibition. range from $20-28. The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007. For more information and tickets, please visit https://www. arboretum.org/moonlight-forTerracotta Army lit up at night as the large temple sits in the background. est/.

by Christina

M. Oriel

The Dragon Light Tunnel at the entrance of the arboretum shows a Chinese dragon, which represents the evolution from ancestors and qi energy.

A large-scale frog that changes light colors.

Sculptures of pandas, among other animals, are on display.

Edielyn L. Quijano, FNP-C selected for inclusion in the Trademark Women of Distinction 2018 Honors Edition

BALDWIN Park, California, April 6, 2018, Edielyn L. Quijano, FNP-C has been selected for inclusion in the forthcoming Trademark Women of Distinction Honors Edition for demonstrating dedication, leadership and professional excellence.

Her compassion and expertise set the standard in the industry.

She has truly dedicated herself to her profession. Representing the sate as one of the best in the country requires talent, experience and integrity. There is humility and personal touch she adds to her relationship with everyone she does business with, more than the value of her service it’s her way of treating everyone like an extended member of her own family that people remember the most. As a talented disciplined professional she has maintained a proven tract record of quality service, driven by her desire to succeed.

During the betting process it was noted along with her exceptional reputation that she has also maintained a positive peer rating. Her years of service along with her level of expertise and several other factors also contributed to her inclusion. She prides herself on honesty and integrity. She is the kind of professional admired by colleagues and peers alike... her kindness and willingness to always help others and find solutions to most questions is both exemplary and honorable. She has made her mark on her profession as an expert and will become part of history as one of the top professionals in her field.

About Trademark Women of Distinction With expert female members representing every major industry, Trademark Women of Distinction Honors Edition

is a trusted resource and tool dedicated to highlight the professional accomplishments and stories of today’s best and brightest women in business.

Trademark Women of Distinction is dedicated to the preservation of each individual females story as each of them deserve their won special place in history. The talented women profiled in this historic registry share such virtues as determination, courage, leadership, patience, and discipline. It is not these characteristics which set them apart from the rest of us, but their extremely high degree of accomplishments as female professionals. Now more than ever these females serve as an example, each of these extraordinary women documented in this publication

offer tangible evidence of the value of hard work, goal setting and passion. Trademark Women of Distinction membership provides these hard working accomplished women with a certified and validated third-party endorsement of their accomplishments, and serves as a way to spread the word about their success through a trusted network of women brought together by the same common morals, values, and dedication.

The historic preservation of each woman’s family legacy and personal achievements is also a driving force in the success of the publication. Such a well-researched and verified source ensures this tool to act as a bridge forging long lasting new business relationships.

(Advertising Supplement)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

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The AlDub phenomenon lives!

Jampacked ‘homecoming’ stuns Alden and Maine

by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

SHE TRIED TO COMPLY, BUT HER CASE WAS DENIED…A MOTHER’S DESPAIR AND AN ATTORNEY’S RESCUE ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” 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 up” and return to the Philippines. She finally decided to consult with “the attorney of last hope,” 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 Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Horror flick baits Andi out of surfing waves by teSSa

Mauricio-arrioLa ManilaTimes.net

FREE-SPIRITED actress Andi Eigenmann has gotten pretty good at slipping in and out of the spotlight. After a two year period of quiet, she suddenly showed up at a media conference in July to help promote a movie she had finished a while back —“The Maid in London”—but whose showing was rather belated.

It will be remembered how the very outspoken daughter of multiawarded actress Jacklyn Jose and the late Mark Gil of the revered Eigenmann clan of Philippine movies shocked everyone with the news that she had rid her life of all material possessions to live a simple surfer’s life between Baler and Siargao.

“I’ve no more car, no luxury bags, signature clothes or makeup,” she blissfully declared of her sun-kissed life by the beach back then.

And as her unusual story of going back to basics made showbiz headlines and her drama-starrer ran, Andi returned to the sun and sand sans fanfare, only to pop up anew beside prolific screen

CONTRARY to unending judgements and declarations that the “AlDub” tandem of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza (a.k.a. “Eat Bulaga’s”) is no more, a jampacked SMX Convention Center proved that one of the most phenomenal showbiz pairings is alive and well.

The first AlDub Nation Homecoming was held on October 21 gathering Alden and Maine fans from across the country and around the world in Pasay City. A massive project in the works for some time now, AlDub fans club leaders near and far made it happen to show their love for two of this generation’s most important stars, but also the tangible good that has come out of their shared admiration.

Besides a fun-filled day-long program of all things AlDub, with matching souvenir booths and food from Alden’s Concha restaurant, the AlDub Scholarship Drive set up a prominent space at the homecoming where young fans were able to line up to apply for scholarships funded by AlDub Nation (ADN). A truly praiseworthy project of this global network of fans, Showbuzz learned from one ADN officer that they have 100 scholars to date.

“An ADN scholar is given funding not only for tuition fees, but also for their school supplies and daily allowance,” the officer added.

Alden and Maine were both stunned and deeply touched to see AlDub Nation alive and

The young actress returns to big city for the horror flick ‘All Souls Night.’

Photo from the film ‘All Souls Night’

writers-turned-directors Aloy Adlawan and Jules Katanyag for another movie promo this week.

“Like I said in July, I may have left Manila, but when a good movie offer comes up, I’ll do it because I love acting and it will always be a passion for me,” said the 28-year-old artist, whose career is still managed by Viva Entertainment.

“I trust Viva when it comes to giving me projects, and this one I had to do because, one, I’m a fan of horror movies; and two, this project is an idea of [director] Yam

Laranas who’s behind ‘Sigaw’ [also known as ‘The Echo’ and winner of a Special Award at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Films].”

Simply yet ominously titled “All Souls Night,” Andi said she excitedly left the alluring waves temporarily to shoot because of a compelling story line.

“Kasi hindi basta senseless horror ‘yung movie na ito n nananadya lang manggulat at manakot. This one is creepy all throughout with reason,” she Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza are still phenomenal together.

PAGE B4 ManilaTimes.net photo

well and making a difference in society.

“I feel so happy that the AlDub fandom is not just here to support us but also to reach out to others in need. Nakakatuwa kasi ang daming nang kabataan na nakikinabang sa scholarship drive nila. We are really so proud of them because they were able to come up with this project on

their own initiative and talagang tinutuloy nila,” Alden beamed with pride.

“That’s what we really hoped would happen, for our fans to become a channel for doing good.

And nakaka-surprise na ganyan na pala kalaki yung scholarship project nila. Of course, we’ve always supported this project PAGE B4

B4 OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS LOSING weight on a diet that is high in fat is dangerous for overall health. The risk of coronary heart disease has been found to increase significantly among those individuals who stayed on a high protein red meat diet to lose weight. While these subjects became slimmer, their cholesterol levels were high, leading to a higher rate of heart attacks. The object of dieting is not only to maintain a normal weight but also to be healthier all around.

Nothing beats abstinence from red meat and eggs (eating only fish, vegetable, fruit, high-fiber), combined with daily exercise and abstinence from tobacco as the best formula for maintaining good health. *** Persons getting a flu shot to prevent influenza may even experience an added benefit from it. Studies have shown that flu vaccination appears to be associated with a reduced risk of stroke, especially among those who are 60-75 years old. *** Forget all old worries and past problems, if you want your blood pressure not to shoot up.

It is a medical fact that recalling previous sad or morbid events, or emotional trauma, raises the blood pressure during the moment of recollection. If these spikes in blood pressure happen often, they could adversely affect the heart. All of us should let go of these painful experiences of the past and not dwell on them.

Anything not within our control should be left to God. Life ahead of us is so precious we ought to leave our miserable baggage behind and have a more positive outlook, at the same time protect our heart and health as a whole. *** If you love tuna, which is a good fish, it is better to eat canned light tuna because its mercury content is much lower than fresh or frozen tuna, especially large albacore tuna, which is higher in mercury content.

Short-lived and younger tuna is used for canning. *** You do not really have to 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.

Medical pearls

*** 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 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 cancer-inhibitor.

All vegetables and berry fruits are great anti-oxidants. 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, SF-11.8; corn: Cal-121, F-13.6, SF-1.7; olive: Cal-119, F-13.5, SF-1.8; peanut: Cal-119, F- 13.5, 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 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 extra-virgin 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 Indiana 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; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Horror flick baits Andi...

PAGE B3 added.

Co-produced by Viva and Aluid Entertainment, All Souls Night finds an all-around helper named

Shirley who answers an ad for a quick three-day job to take care of a sick man. Ellen, the inhospitable wife, readily tells her the three important house rules: Keep the

doors and windows shut, stay locked inside the house, and don’t go inside their room without permission.

Shirley is assigned to room with the couple’s young daughter who turns out to be a terrified mess. When the child tells Shirley her dark secret, a slew of horrific events befalls the unfortunate temp.

Besides raving about the plot, Andi also gushes about working with her two directors. Noted for award-winning horror projects, Adlawan is the man behind “Ouija,” recipient of the PinakaPasadong Dulang Pampelikula at the 10th Pasado Gawad Sining Sine; and the highly-acclaimed “Signus,” winner, among others, of the Best Foreign Film award at the 2007 Lone Star International Film Festival in Texas and Best International Thriller at the 2008 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. He also wrote “Sundo,” “T2,” “Tumbok,” “Third Eye” and segments in “Shake, Rattle and Roll” movies.

Katanyag’s body of work as writer on the other hand incude “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (12 and 13), “Bampirella” (TV series, 2011), “Darna” (TV series, 2009), and currently Alden Richard’s superhero teleserye, “Victor Magtanggol.” As director, he won the Special Jury Prize in Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival for the movie “Si Magdalola at ang mga Gago” (2016).

“Needless to say they really knew what they were doing on set, and then there’s Direk Yam as our creative head,” Andi stressed.

Asked if she sees herself surprising the biz with another movie after All Souls Night, the adventurous mestiza smilingly shrugged her shoulders but let it slip that she’ll be busy working on a project in Siargao.

“I’m building an AirbNb with my boyfriend [top Filipino surfer Philmar Alipayo]; he’s from there,” she simply said. “But we’ll see.”

Also starring Yayo Aguila, Allan Paule and new child star Lhian Gimeno, All Souls Night opens in cinemas nationwide on October 31.

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MOONLIGHTING

by MYLAH DE

LEON

IN private homes, we learn yet of another world — of quiet angels with gentle hearts that back home used to be teachers, bank tellers, office workers, civil engineers, registered nurses, and certifi ed nurse aids, who handle with special acrobatic grace and cold arrogance, the fi ne dignity of their “clients” last moments.

Not to torment with meaningless chemical assaults in their last days when they could no longer be at a “hospice,” not medical invasion of that life’s integrity, not one indignity imposed through carelessness or indifference...just the precise moment to let go, for that last plunge to let them fall easy and gentle. That is the human art, the caregiver at his or her best.

A caregiver in general terms is one who is responsible for the care of someone who has poor mental health, physically disabled or whose health is impaired by chronic sickness or old age. It can be an unpaid or paid relative or friend of the individual that help in their activities of daily living; those who provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend, or partner.

In the so-called “sandwich generation,” there’s this genre of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their children.

But because of the declining standards of living and economy many caregivers are immigrant workers who toil long unregulated hours, underpaid who left their families that required care themselves which puts further stress and pressure, throw in the utter non support from social work and health services, and the fact that they remain hidden or invincible as undocumented aliens.

They play many roles, while caregiving hands-on: health provider, care manager, friends, companion, surrogate decision makers and advocate, personal hygiene.

They manage medication personal hygiene, take them to their doctors, take care of household chores, meals or bills, for those who cannot do these things.

The running flaps and presumed conclusions over board and care and related healthoriented facilities make the choice of putting one’s trust in someone to care for loved one that has reached across roads one of life’s most difficult decisions.

While most who work in the field are caring and well trained, still there is no denying the essential truth of such places.

You can choose your board and/or care facility or conva-

Caregivers: Quiet angels with gentle hearts

Adela Ferguson

lescent hospital by collecting referrals, talking with social workers and learning the ins and outs about caregivers and consumers.

Let me tell you about a factual nugget. About 90 percent of board and care facilities are owned by Filipinos and for those in (smaller scales) like six beds, time was when it barely breaks even. The negatives are disheartening, but indomitable like a magnificent obsession, these owner’s resiliency in the field of health services has won respect and admiration even from their American counterparts, they no longer wonder, why those who started as caregivers, given a couple of years end up administrators, managers, owners or all of those rolled into one!

A standing example is a table of courageous Ilonga the one who many, many, years earlier, came with a couple of hundred dollars in her purse, with two young children, to become the most successful board and care operator here in Southland from Beverly Hills.

It is not quite 7:00 a.m. on a sleepy midweek in a small unpretentious corner, that opens to her California Bungalow Board and Care. Ms. Vina Nacionales works while half the country is asleep. She is on the phone, on the computer, does her own photocopying, and networking with her other facilities. She tells us, “My central efforts is to assure clients a sanctuary of comfort and affection and my personal accessibility. Health care is not business, but more of a vocation, a calling. The role of caregivers is a very important one, both functionally and economically. With the increasingly aging population of all developed societies, while organizations provide support for the disabled and old various forms of support for caregivers should be developed as well.” It was the topic of our conversation: the lack of public awareness, humanitarian and government support groups.

The major provider of longterm care in any country have also long-term care needs of their own.

Aida Reyes

Vina Nacionales

Adela Ferguson narrates that when Mrs. Reagan fired her now famous first order, “Honey, walk Rex” (the dog), the staff looked and smiled at each other. They knew who would be the real commander-in-chief. Life could be easy here in Bel Air, after the White House.

The first time Adela held the tray for the president, she was shaking like a leaf, and he leaned forward and kindly towards her, holding her trembling hands and said “It is alright Adela, you are doing fine. If you could just tell me what this is?”

She replied, “Shepherd’s Pie, Sir,” to which the president said, “But I can’t find the shepherd. Where is it?” The ice was broken and everyone broke into guffaws including Mrs. Reagan.

For Aida Reyes, it was another story, she’s typical of the “one-on-one” caregiver where you virtually lived with your ward, with only a day off a week.

She has lived with Mrs. Joy Vogelsang for 14 years, hired as her nutritionist, but ended up as her personal assistant (PA), chauffeur, beautician, and nurse companion. She sings her opera, arias, loves her and gets to see her famous son, Nicolas Cage.

But who takes care of the caregivers? *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com

Darren Espanto apologizes for using ‘bakla’

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA singer Darren Espanto publicly apologized for using the word “bakla,” but the word war between him and “The Voice Kids” co-finalist JK Labajo continues as the former threatened the latter to see him in court.

On his Twitter account, Darren said: “I didn’t mean to use the word ‘bakla’ as a derogatory term.”

“I’m sorry if this has offended anyone. And to the people who say I have ‘fragile masculinity’?

I’ve been bashed with this since I was in ‘The Voice Kids’ (I was 12) pero wala kayong narinig.

I’m 17 now, kakapagod na rin,” he wrote.

On another Tweet, Darren said he will just see JK in court and will not fight him in a rude manner.

“Hindi ako lalaban sa’yo pagdating sa bastusan kasi alam ko naman na bastos ka gaya ng sabi mo. Wag mo rin sasabihin na tinuring mo akong kapatid nung ‘The Voice’ kasi ang plastic nun.

Sa korte nalang tayo magkita

kung di ka masyadong busy.

Sikat mo na eh, ‘brother’! @ KarlosLabajo,” he wrote.

For his part, JK, who changed his name on Twitter to “pano mo nasabe?,” wrote tweeted that he cannot ask for forgiveness for things he did not do.

“And di ko lang kayang gawin ay humingi ng patawad sa mga bagay na hindi ko ginawa. mamatay man lahat ng tao na mahal ko at nagmamahal sakin pero once and for all, hindi ako ang nag tweet nun at hindi siya ang pinaguusapan namin sa pbb dati. yun lang yun,” he wrote.

“It’s so hard to defend yourself

Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto

because the more you do it mas hindi na kapanipaniwala. pero kung tatahi-tahimik ka lang din, para ka naring nag admit na tama mga hinala nila. gulo ng sistema diba?” he wrote in another post.

The AlDub phenomenon lives...

PAGE B3 and may bonus pa kami when they presented some of the scholars today in performances.

In fairness, ang galing nilang mag-mime and mag-dubsmash,” Maine exclaimed.

As Alden and Maine went up the stage, pandemonium erupted and it took some time before the crowd calmed down and their idols were able to speak.

Alden was first to express his gratitude to their fans’ unwavering support even as he and Maine are now busy with separate projects.

“I have ‘Victor Magtangol’ and she has ‘Daddy’s Gurl’ [both GMA Network shows], but they’re still there for the both of us,” he told Showbuzz.

“I’m overwhelmed with their support for Daddy’s Gurl. Fans

have been telling me how much they enjoy watching the show pero siyempre hindi naman ako lang ‘yun. I’m just a part of the show. Nandiyan si Bossing na talagang nagdadala ng show.”

“To tell you the truth it was not easy for me to play my character because I need to deliver my lines with a Batangueño accent. Ay, kahirap eh!” she joked in perfect character.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

B

Pechanga Resort Casino cements Most Influential Filipina: “Best in California” standing Ms. Maria Victoria M. Acosta in 4 major readers’ polls READERS across the country were recently asked to rate their favorite casinos, and their favorite things within those casinos – hotel, spa, golf course, restaurants and more. Enthusiasts of USA Today, Orange County Register, Press-Enterprise and the So Cal Gaming Guide were asked to take a few minutes to cast their ballots, and readers spoke loud and clear.

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

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

The national contest put on by USA Today’s 10Best.com nominated Pechanga in three categories - Best Casino Outside Las Vegas, Best Casino Hotel and Best Casino Restaurant (Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar). Out of field of internationally acclaimed restaurants in Las Vegas and elsewhere, Umi took second place. Pechanga

Event Center - The Summit

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

came in third place in the Best Casino Hotel category and fourth in the Best Casino Outside Las Vegas poll. Umi was the only West Coast casino restaurant nominated.

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

Guests know Pechanga Resort Casino as a destination where they can relax or take in the casino excitement with a less than two-hour drive from Los Angeles and about a one-hour drive from San Diego. Pechanga offers AAA Four Diamond accommodations, service, warmth and style in a relaxed, approachable luxury environment.

For more information or to make reservations at Pechanga Resort Casino, visit Pechanga. com or call (877) 711-2946.

About Pechanga Resort Casino Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the country.

Named the number one casino in the country by USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay.

Offering more than 4,500 of the hottest slots, table games, worldclass entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.

Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

Pool - The Cove

Spa - Spa at Pechanga

(Advertising Supplement)

THE Filipina Women’s Network, a non-profit professional global organization that recognizes women of Filipino ancenstry, recently awarded Ms. Maria Victoria M. Acosta the distinction of being one of the world’s most influential women. It is an honor that befits Ms. Acosta, whose lifelong journey in her corporate and personal life can be summarized in two words: faith and service.

These values make Ms. Acosta influential.

With steadfast faith, she serves God, her family, community and country. At home, she is the ideal wife and mother. Within her community, she serves at Villa San Miguel as the Head for the Education and Formation Ministry. At work, she promotes the Philippines, inviting investments from all over the globe.

Ms. Acosta entered corporate life with a challenge to take on—one given by Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Megaworld Corporation’s Chairman and CEO. She went on to spearhead the marketing of Megaworld to the global market.

Faith and skills were her capital into turning this vision into a reality.

Like in any start-up organization, Ms. Acosta encountered numerous trials. She started with only three staff members, and together they faced the whole world as a market to conquer. From deciding which country offices to open, to visa processing, to the legalities of an international office, establishing an international team proved to be daunting at first. But for Ms. Acosta, it was also very motivating. Back then, her drive didn’t stop at selling globally. She also hoped to make a difference in the lives of overseas Filipinos.

At the time, Ms. Acosta’s primary motivation was: how could Megaworld International help Filipinos enjoy the fruits of their labor? She knows that one of the ways to grow one’s money is through wise property investments, a pearl of wisdom she must impart to fellow Filipinos abroad. More importantly, this motivation is guided and driven by the mission and vision of Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Chairman and CEO, as well: to give clients the very best value for their real estate investment. For Megaworld, this is not a mere vision for it has already pioneered the Live-Work-

Play-Learn concept in township development, providing future homeowners a master-planned and complete community that adds value to a real estate investment.

For the past two decades, Megaworld International has opened several offices abroad, establishing its presence in over 60 territories. More importantly, it has countless satisfied clients, which helped its sales networks to earn extra income and has created employment opportunities for nearly a hundred backroom support employees in the Philippines.

The turning point was during the period of time spanning from 2011 to 2013 when the sales of Megaworld International grew by leaps and bounds.

Inspired by the bible verse: “May your barns be full with every kind of store. May our sheep increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; may our oxen be well fattened.” Psalm 144:13A (NAB), Ms. Acosta initiated the strategy, I.N.C.R.E.A.S.E. I - INTENSIVE RECRUITMENT N - NEW TERRITORIES C - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION R - RENEWED TEAMWORK E - EXPERT TRAINING A - AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION S - STRATEGIC GLOBAL BRANDING AND MARKETING E - ENHANCED PROCESSES Ms. Acosta, in addition, took a novel approach in managing the division’s structure. She increased the number of Vice Presidents to spearhead selling in four major regions, which are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and

the Middle East. With more VPs, the rest followed. Megaworld International grew its number of sellers, added new territories and built its team of support staff.

The result was the aggressive promotion of the Philippines as a viable investment and retirement choice. This, by extension, led to a jump in sales.

On Megaworld International’s 20th year, Ms. Acosta continues strongly on her path, armed with the Latin phrase ne plus ultra, “the highest point that can still be achieved.” As seen in Ms. Acosta’s performance, any challenge can be overcome through strong faith, as well as sincere service to one’s country and countrymen.

All things considered, Ms. Acosta doesn’t strive to be influential. Rather, her sincere dedication to share her time, energy, talents and faith serves as an inspiration to others.

Ms. Acosta is currently the Senior Vice President of Megaworld Corporation, and has been the Managing Director of International Sales at Megaworld Corporation since September 1999.

She has 30 years of marketing experience in real estate and consumer products. Prior to her appointment in Megaworld Corp., she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Empire East Land Holdings Inc. from 1997 to 1998 and served as its Executive Director for Marketing from 1996 to 1997.

Earlier, she served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Raffles & Co. Inc. from 1987 to 1995. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Marketing.

(Advertising Supplement)

B OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Atty. MichAel Bhotiwihok 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 fiancÊ(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 fiancÊe 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 fiancÊe 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,

Derivative of K-1 fiancĂŠ(e) visa holder found eligible for green card “The successful resolution of Angela’s case, even though she was over 21-years-old 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.â€?

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 her green card even though she had already turned 21-years-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 fiancĂŠ(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-years-old 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) 7958009 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)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

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DON'T FILE BANKRUPTCY )LPUN PU KLI[ JHU IL Z[YLZZM\S HUK TVZ[ WLVWSL KVUÂ?[ RUV^ ^OLYL [V [\YU MVY OLSW 0 VMMLY H MYLL OV\Y JVUZ\S[H[PVU [V JHYLM\SS` YL]PL^ `V\Y ZP[\H[PVU HUK OLSW `V\ THRL [OL YPNO[ KLJPZPVU MVY `V\YZLSM HUK `V\Y MHTPS` r *9,+0; *(9+ +,);: r :;<+,5; 36(5: r 469;.(., 796)3,4: r 3(>:<0;: 1<+.4,5;: r 09: ;(? 796)3,4: >(., .(950:/4,5;: r )(529<7;*@ */(7;,9 -69 469, 05-6 =0:0;! >>> )<3(653(> *64

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Â?>L HYL H KLI[ YLSPLM HNLUJ` \UKLY MLKLYHS SH^ 0M ULJLZZHY` ^L OLSW JSPLU[Z VI[HPU KLI[ YLSPLM \UKLY [OL )HURY\W[J` *VKL Â&#x17D;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA

YES, definitely! These are the best of times to invest in the stock market. If you are not trading stocks now, you are missing the longest bull run in history. It may not be too late.

We may still have a year or two before the party is over. Returns have been awesome. The internet has made it easier to research. Brokers have reduced commissions. Some even offer free trades. Technology has made trading fast and easy with your mobile phone. Get off the couch and jump in the stock market.

Start with a few small trades: If you don’t have knowledge or confidence in trading stocks, start slow – perhaps with a few trades of cheap pharmaceuticals or biotechs. If you don’t have time because you have a job, run your own business, or raise a family, consider ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) that you can leave alone as passive investment. Google how to trade ETFs. Watch YouTube videos.

Get your feet wet. I know – it’s

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

Are these good times to invest in the stock market?

scary to venture into a strange field where you can make or lose money. This is why you need to kick off with a few small trades and gradually trade more as your confidence grows.

If you need a little convincing: Let me relate a real life example with my cousin’s retirement plan at work. I took over his portfolio and earned more than what she did in 15 years.

Instruct your investment adviser to transfer 10 percent from their usual conservative holdings to aggressive funds.

Chances are that 10 percent will outearn the 90 percent funds. Take a little risk. Anyway you still have that slow earning 90 percent in a safer and more conservative fund.

Caution: Investors have a history of buying and selling at the wrong time so do your research before taking a long position (meaning buying). Remember the dotcom bubble? The stock market hit its peak then burst. Nervous investors who went on a sell-off lost; those who stayed reaped huge gains that followed.

In Conclusion: These are golden years of

making money in the stock market, but it has been nine years.

You need to get in soon before these good times end.

PS: While my column for Asian Journal has always been about taxes, the stock market is so fantastic that I could no longer ignore it. I’ve been investing in the stock market for 40 years and have done quite well. I’d like to impart some knowledge to our faithful readers and hopefully convince some to start trading and make money… before this Bull Run ends. Accordingly, our subject switches to Stock Tips for the remainder of 2018.

*** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

On being healing partners of God The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs AND as he was leaving Jericho along with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, son of Timaeus sat at the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up. Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you”?

The blind man replied, “Master, I

want to see.” Jesus told me, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10: 46-52) This vivid and dramatic scene on the life of Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel speaks volume to many of us. We often find ourselves in the life of the blind man during moments of struggles and darkness.

We too often repeatedly shout out saying, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

Instead of focusing on the character of the blind man, let us look at the other important character in the Gospel: the “many” in the large crowd who were following Jesus. They played an important part in this Gospel for they became Jesus’ advocates, intermediaries, and encouragers.

At the beginning of the scene, the blind beggar’s cry for help irritated them, so they urged him to be quiet. But then they heard Jesus asking them to call the blind man. Without hesitation, they obeyed Jesus and told the

man, “Take courage. Arise! He is calling you.” The blind man threw off his clothes, rose up, and came to Jesus.

Isn’t it our role as Christians to bring others to the heart and arms of Jesus? We’re called to encourage others to turn to Jesus for help. We’re called to intercede to God for them.

It’s striking to think that this is precisely what Jesus conveys in the Gospel. Jesus could have responded directly to the cry of the blind man without seeking the assistance of the people around him. Instead, he asked them to call the blind man—to encourage him to take courage, walk to Jesus, and seek healing of his blindness.

The story of the healing of the blind man then is more than a story of God coming to our rescue.

It’s a story of how he wants us all to be his partners in bringing healing to people and the world.

It’s a story of discipleship.

Through Baptism God calls us

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ARE you desperately struggling in debt and feel like you have no way out? Do you spend a lot of time worrying about your finances and your financial future? Are you worried that you will never get out of debt no matter how hard you work? Are you afraid of being broke by the time you retire because all the money you make just goes to pay debts that don’t seem to go away?

When your financial circumstances are forcing you to declare bankruptcy, it is one way of dealing with debts that you can no longer manage on your own.

Of course, the decision should not be taken lightly and it is best to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see if it is best for your situation.

The truth is that filing bankruptcy is no longer the taboo that it used to be when people were less informed about the legal process. Now with information readily available on the internet, people are able to educate themselves much faster and can do their own “research” to get some general ideas about bank-

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes

ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads.

Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child.

Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant.

Girlfriend for some reason decides u PAGE C3 to exclude boyfriend from baby’s

To people who need to file bankruptcy as their only option “Bankruptcy is never a fun thing to do or just an easy way out for people who simply want to run away from their obligations.

The fact is that most people want to do the right thing and pay their creditors but their situation has gotten so bad that without bankruptcy, they would simply be trapped in debt forever.” ruptcy before they even see an attorney.

In our current economy, I’m sure you know someone in your family or perhaps at work who had no choice but to file bankruptcy in order to save their home, reorganize their finances or simply to wipe out their debts and start all over again. Did you know that every year, almost a million people in the United States file bankruptcy in order to take advantage of the fresh financial start that the law provides to those who are eligible for relief?

Contrary to what creditors may lead you to believe, these are honest, hard-working every day people just like you who simply got buried in debt with no other way out.

Bankruptcy is never a fun thing to do or just an easy way out for people who simply want to run away from their obligations. The fact is that most people want to

do the right thing and pay their creditors but their situation has gotten so bad that without bankruptcy, they would simply be trapped in debt forever. Thus, with no means to pay their debt, it may be their only chance of ever recovering financially.

Can you just imagine what would happen if someone was hopelessly buried in debt with no way out and creditors were just breathing down on this person’s neck every single day?

If he works, creditors can garnish his wages. If he puts what little money he has in the bank, creditors can levy his bank accounts. If he decides to purchase a home, they can put a lien on the home. He can’t even answer his phone and is always afraid to open his mailbox. Every time someone knocks on the door, he cringes in fear thinking that he’s being served a lawsuit.

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How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend.

One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity.

A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.

Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary

declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611:

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

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr.

Legal Advice

Checklist: If ICE officers knock on your door

modation to disabled employees is intended to remove barriers to equal opportunities. Employers must not deny employment opportunities because of an employee’s disability or medical condition. However, despite protections provided under disability discrimination laws, some employers continue to flout the law.

Do’s case went to trial for 11 days. The jury eventually found in favor of Do, deciding that the employer failed to engage in interactive process and failed to accommodate the employee. The jury then awarded the employee $550,000 in loss of earnings damages, $450,000 in emotional distress damages, and $750,000 in punitive damages for a total award of $1,750,000.

Employees who are wrongfully terminated need to know that there are legal remedies available to them. An experienced employment attorney may help them clarify what to do next. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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“It is important to realize that all people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights.”

• If the warrant does not have your correct name and address on it and is not signed by a judge, you do not have to open the door or let them inside.

• If at any point you decide to speak with the officers, you do not need to open the door to do so. You can speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door.

• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions.

• If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent.

• If you choose to remain silent, say so out loud.

• You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.

• Do not show any false documents and do not lie.

• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer.

• Even if you do not have a

lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to one.

• If you have a lawyer, you have the right to talk to them. If you have a signed Form G-28, which shows you have a lawyer, give it to an officer.

• You can refuse to sign any/all paperwork until you have had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer.

• If you choose to sign something without speaking to a lawyer, be sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@ dtanlaw.com.

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To people who need to file bankruptcy as...

PAGE C2 t If you were in this situation, you would almost feel like a criminal with no chance of ever rebuilding your life and learning from your mistakes. So a long time ago, Congress decided that there had to be away for people in this situation to be able to get back on their feet financially when no other options exist. So, that’s how the bankruptcy laws started, you see.

Of course, they’ve evolved over the years to keep up with the changing times but the concept remains the same: The honest debtor who got in too deep in debt is given a fresh financial start free from the burden of debt so he can be a free person again! Wow! Thank God we

have laws like that in this country. What a blessing, don’t you agree?

Again, bankruptcy is NOT for everyone and people who can pay their bills should do so. But if you’ve tried everything and your best is just not good enough, remember that you may be eligible for relief under our bankruptcy laws. It may not seem like it but the legal process does work and it can work for you if you want it to!

The truth is that starting over after bankruptcy is not as bad as most people think. Never lose hope! Rebuilding your credit and your life will take some effort and strategy on your part but it is not impossible. As a matter of fact, most people are

able to rebuild their credit in as little as 2-3 years after filing bankruptcy. That’s not a very long time considering the potential benefits to be gained if it’s the only option you have.

You can turn bankruptcy to your advantage and regain control of your life.

For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos, and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt.

For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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On being healing partners of...

PAGE C2 t to represent His son, Jesus, the High Priest, to people who are confused, who are searching for truth and looking for direction, meaning, and purpose in life. He calls us to free others from the bondage of sin and bring them to the light of Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He calls us to share in the royal priesthood of Jesus to serve the poor, the sick, the lame, the blind, and the weak.

I find this calling to be particularly evident in the life of an ordained priest. A priest’s fundamental role is to represent Jesus in a world that needs healing, reconciliation, and light. The

She says that the business had two loans that she guaranteed personally. She thinks the two loans are about $20,000.

How many times have I said, never personally guarantee a business loan. I must have said Atty. LAwrenCe yAng it a hundred times before. If the business folds, just put the THE client is 71. Her husband company, LLC or corporation, died five years ago, so she lives in Chapter 7 liquidation and let with her unmarried son who the business creditors file their does not have full time or steady claims in the bankruptcy estate employment. of the business, and forget about She has a large equity in her them. You, as owner or officer, residence of about $400,000. For will not be personally liable for her age, the equity exemption those business debts, unless of for homestead is $175,000. She was a registered nurse when she was still working. Her social security is $2,200, while her mortgage payment is $1,100.

She has no other income in addition to social security.

Considering son is not gainfully employed, she has to rely on herself. She says, in response to my question, how she feels, that course, you give the creditors she still feels the same as when your personal guarantee, then she was young, but when she most assuredly, you are on the looks at the mirror, she says that hook, including your beloved she has become old. Well, how house. true that age is only in the mind.

Certainly, the client does not An older person actually is like want the business creditors to an older model car that is well touch her house. How can they kept and maintained. It still runs do this? They can sue her on well and looks like a car, but the her personal guaranty; get a new cars sort of stand out when judgment and subsequently a they are placed side by side. judgment lien on her residence.

Just put your well-maintained Unfortunately, judgment credi1995 Camry beside a 2018 Tesla tors can literally force the sale model 3, and the difference in of her house in due time unless appearance is obvious. But both she protects herself and her cars will get you where you want house now with Chapter 13. She to go. The Camry will be noisier can’t do a Chapter 7 because because of its gas engine. The her home equity is a lot more Tesla will be very quiet because than $175,000. It doesn’t make it has no mechanical engine. It’s sense to lose your house to the electric. It looks sleeker than the Chapter 7 trustee who can sell Camry. her house, give her $175,000, The client had $300,000 in her and use the rest of the sale 401K when she was still working proceeds to pay the $20,000 and younger. However, she liq- and pay trustee fees as well as uidated the entire amount with trustee legal fees, which can be penalty. Why did she do this, a lot. Just the trustee motion to I asked. She said she invested authorize the sale of the house half, $150,000, in a business can cost $25,000 to $30,000. which did not succeed. The other The trustee lawyer gets his fees $150,000 she put in something as well as the trustee CPA. After else. In other words, right now, all debts and expenses are paid, at age 71, the $300,000 is gone. in addition to the $175K given to Would have been nice to have her for her home equity exempthat $300,000 around now that tion, not much more will be left she is retired, right? Anyway, to be given to her. This means this is water under the bridge. that with Chapter 7, she could The investment mistake has lose her house for $20,000 of been made and cannot be re- business debt that she guaranversed. Well, “what’s the prob- teed personally. lem now?” I ask.

But in Chapter 13, the trustee

Debt Relief

that Do and the supervisor simply could not work well together due to a personality conflict.

California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. If a disabled employee is unable to perform his or her work duties, the employer must engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for the employee. This means an employee suffering from a disability or medical condition is entitled to reasonable accommodation.

Allowing temporary leave may constitute reasonable accommodation. The employer must in good faith determine whether a disabled employee can be transferred or reassigned to a vacant position. The employer is in a better position to know what jobs are vacant or may become vacant. Additionally, the law entitles the disabled employee to “preferential consideration” in reassignment of existing employees.

If the disabled employee was terminated, even though he or she could have performed the job with reasonable accommodation, the employer’s conduct may be wrongful. The employee, who sues for wrongful termination and prevails, may be entitled to the following: reinstatement, back pay, loss of future earnings, damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs in certain instances.

Providing reasonable accom-

RECENTLY, our office has noticed growing concern in the community about the possibility of immigration (ICE) agents unexpectedly knocking on the door of your home. Our office has received a lot of inquiry as to what to do in such a situation.

It is important to realize that all people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) agents knock on your door, know that you have the following rights: • You do not have to open the door. You do not have to open the door or let the officers into your home unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge.

• An ICE deportation warrant is not the same as a search warrant.

If this is the only document they have, they cannot legally come inside unless you verbally agree to let them in.

• If the officers say they have a search warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can see it.

C

Sick employee entitled to Senior needs Chapter 13 to protect ‘reasonable accommodation’ house from creditors of a failed business even after lengthy absence

TRISTAN Do worked as a mechanical engineer at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems Company for eight years without any issues. However, that changed when he started reporting to a new supervisor who unfairly singled him out for performance deficiencies.

Do believed that his status as a gay man played a role in the supervisor’s harassing conduct.

Do then experienced a debilitating physical and mental condition for which he took a medical leave of absence.

Upon being released back to work, Do requested a transfer to a different supervisor, which the employer denied. After a twoyear medical leave of absence, Do was informed by email that he must return to work for the same supervisor or he would be terminated. Within days of that email, Do was fired.

Do sued the employer for wrongful termination based on disability discrimination, among other things. Do presented an email that the supervisor sent to HR requesting that Do be immediately terminated for complaining about the supervisor, and that the supervisor was concerned that the complaint could jeopardize the supervisor’s bonus.

Do argued that this was direct evidence of retaliation.

The employer asserted that Do was fired due to Raytheon’s Medical Leave of Absence Policy after having been on a leave of absence for over two years. The employer further claimed that there was no discrimination, and

Atty. DArriCk tAn

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

Second Reading from the Letter of the St. Paul to the Hebrew speaks about this role: “Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.”

(Hebrew 5:1-4) Despite our weaknesses then, God keeps inviting us and urging us all to bring love, peace, and harmony to a broken and divided world. In today’s times when deep divisions in politics and church dismay us, the more that we need

the urging and encouragement of each other to get up and to keep hearing the voice of Jesus to be his disciples, his healing partners.

*** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1991-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

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doesn’t have the power to sell debtor’s residence. Chapter 13 protects the debtor and her house be preventing the creditor lawsuits and judgment liens on her residence from ever happening. However, the Chapter 13 plan, in her case since she has a big amount of nonexempt equity, the $20,000 must be paid over 60 months in equal monthly installments. That would be about $350 a month, more or less for 60 months. Once the case is filed, the creditors cannot sue her on her personal guarantee. Therefore, they can-

“Creditors have to pay lawyers to file the lawsuits and get the judgment and liens. They cost money as everyone knows. Trump paid his personal lawyer Cohen hundreds of thousands of legal fees Lawyers cost money. That’s a fact of life.” not get a judgment lien on her residence. Chapter 13 protects her residence. How can she “Age Well” with a judgment lien on her residence?

If you add attorney fees, interest and costs, the judgment lien would be about $30K, not $20,000, which is just the principal owed. Creditors have to pay lawyers to file the lawsuits and get the judgment and liens. They cost money as everyone knows.

Trump paid his personal lawyer Cohen hundreds of thousands of legal fees. Lawyers cost money.

That’s a fact of life. Judgments earn legal interest of 10 percent a year. So, soon enough the $20,000 of business debt becomes $60,000 of judgment lien on client’s house. We don’t want that to happen. Certainly not.

Her business is an S corporation with several stockholders.

That corporation can file it’s own Chapter 7 to handle all of its business debts. These debts have nothing to do with the client because she only gave her personal guarantee on $20,000 of those business debts. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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C4 OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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 9 - N OV E M B E R 9

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

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

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

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

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.

For details and purchase of tickets, please call: Mul (661) 253-1825, Zeny (661) 284-0181, Myra (424) 350-1056, Zony (661) 312-3422, Nic (661) 312-9077, Linda (661) 904-1365 and Emie (661) 877-2699.

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

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

Spectator fee is $10.

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

O C TO B E R 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 at https://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.

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

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

Commentary

ON October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially posted proposed changes to public charge regulations in the Federal Register. They are not final, and are open for public comment for 60 days, until December 10, 2018. The proposed rules change the public charge test and expand the number of public benefit programs to be included in the determination, making it more difficult for immigrant families to stay together and creating fear, confusion, and anxiety among community members. This article provides an overview of the proposed rules and those who may be affected by them, as well as steps that individuals can take to advocate against them.

Public charge is a term used by immigration officials to refer people who rely on government assistance to primarily support their cost of day-to-day living. Officials look and consider the totality of a person’s circumstances in a public charge determination. Currently, the only public benefits that are considered are cash assistance programs, such as Temporary for Needy Families, and long-term nursing home care paid for the government.

It is critical to understand that the proposed public charge are not final and the rules governing public charge in the U.S. have not yet changed. However, if the rule is finalized, immigration officials could consider a much wider range of government program to public charge determination including: Non-emergency Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (which helps low-income seniors afford prescription drug coverage),

Understanding the proposed public charge regulations Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps, Section 8 housing vouchers and subsidized public housing. In addition, the new proposed rule will consider certain factors more heavily weighted negatively such as age, income, health conditions, and English Language Proficiency.

The proposed changes will significantly impact the people who are applying to be lawful permanent residents (LPR or Green Card Holders) inside the U.S., LPRs that have been out of the country for more than 6 months and are seeking to come back to the U.S., nonimmigrant visa holders, (i.e students, tourist, temporary workers) who would like to stay longer or to change a different visa or status and foreign nationals seeking entry or reentry into the U.S. In addition, the proposed changes will not affect people who are applying for citizenship; people who have become citizens; and certain groups of immigrants, including refugees, asylees, T- or U-visa applicants/holders, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners, special immigrant juveniles, and certain other immigrants who have a special relationship with the U.S. or came here under certain humanitarian programs.

There is no set date settled when these changes are going to happen.

Since proposed changes were published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2018, the public has an opportunity to provide feedback in writing for 60 days during the process of the public comment period.

The government is required to review individualized comments and respond to them for deciding on the final rule. You should continue to stay enrolled and use health, nutrition and housing programs that are

important for your health and wellbeing. In total, it will take at least several months for these proposed rules to be finalized and the rule would not be retroactive so the use of benefits before its effective date will not be considered in any public charge determination.

There are several ways you can do to stop this from happening.

You can share your stories by writing a letter and submit it during the public comment period at: bit.ly/AAAJ-public-charge. The federal register website only accepts letters in English, and, if you are more comfortable writing your letter in another language, it will need to be translated into English before you submit it. The open comment period ends on December 10, 2018. Furthermore, you can contact your Congressional representative at (202) 224-3121 and express why many of these health, housing, and nutrition programs are important to you and to your family.

If you have questions, or would like a sample letter, please contact Advancing Justice - L.A’s Tagalog helpline at 855-300-2552.

*** Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI).

Founded in 1983 as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Advancing Justice - LA serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, Advancing Justice - LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and NHPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. For more information, please visit https://www. advancingjustice-la.org/.

Unexpected Connections 2018 LONG BEACH — On Wednesday, November 7, 2018 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Imprint Culture Lab and MAEKAN will hold its first joint conference, Unexpected Connections, which will host distinguished leaders from the creative world.

Imprint Culture Lab is a Long Beach based incubator that was founded to investigate global creative culture and foster cross-pollination between business and creative entities. Every year, through a series of talks and workshops, Imprint Culture Lab has built a wide nexus of thinkers, doers, and makers poised to initiate cultural vectors.

MAEKAN is an audio-visual platform that focus is on creative culture. Their content focuses on fashion, art, design, tech, music, food and beyond.

This special occasion brings together some of the most creative leaders across many disciplines to discuss global creative culture for the one day conference. Each speaker will be paired with an unlikely partner for a 45 minute panel discussion. Speakers this year include: •Julia Huang, CEO of Intertrend Communications/Imprint Venture

Lab • Eugene Kan, Co-Founder of MAEKAN • John C. Jay, President of Global Creative at Fast Retailing/Uniqlo • David Choe, Artist • Kenya Hara, Art Director of Muji & President of Nippon Design Center • Jeff Staple, Founder of Staple Design • Jennifer Ferro, President of KCRW • Jason Mayden, CEO of Super Heroic • Karen Okonkwo, Co-Founder of TONL • Jun Cha, Tattoo Artist • Lindsay Jang, Co-Founder of Yardbird & Missbish • Madeleine Brand, Broadcast Journalist for KCRW • Helen Zia, Journalist/Activist • Joe Gebbia, Co-Founder of AirBnB • Niklas Lilja, Race Car Driver* • Christian Von Koenigsegg, Founder & CEO of Koenigsegg Automotive* • Shepard Fairey, Artist/Activist* • John Maeda, Global Head, Computational Design and Inclusion at Automattic**

* Awaiting confirmation ** Special cameo appearance “More than a decade ago, Imprint Culture Lab had an idea of putting luminaries around the world in one room to share their experiences. This simple idea sparked conversations among pioneers, deities, gurus and mavericks spanning industries, which then led to amazing friendships, collaborations and business ventures,” said Julia Huang, CEO of Intertrend Communications and Imprint Venture Lab. “Together with our partner MAEKAN this eleventh year, we are excited to bring back several alumni along with other industry game changers. This will not be a cookie-cutter talking heads event.

Unexpected Conversation is all but guaranteed.”

Tickets can be purchased at https://unexpectedconnectionsevent.com/tickets/.

General admission early bird tickets are $75 and special event tickets are $100 which will include a limited edition James Jean print.

The event will be held at Long Beach Convention Centers Beverly O’Neill Theatre (300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802). ■

PAGE C2 t

of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.

Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612.

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protect-

ing children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200– 1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born.

While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

How to obtain custody and visitation rights... (a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate.

(2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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President Duterte declares 2018 Upsilon Sigma Phi celebration year MEMBERS of the Upsilon Sigma Phi have been going around the country doing advocacy work as part of their centennial celebration this coming November 18, 2018. According to Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA) Chair a n d f o r m e r U . P. President Alfredo Pascual,â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want our celebration to be meaningful to us and communities in dire need of help.â&#x20AC;?

Pascual revealed that Malacanang issued Proclamation Order No. 539 recognizing the Upsilonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to Philippine society and likewise declared 2018 as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Year for the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.â&#x20AC;?

We are grateful to the President for recognizing our efforts in nation building said USPAA President Thad Liamzon who has spearheaded the nationwide advocacy programs such as those in Albay, Marawi, Sulu, Basilan, Laguna, Tarlac and Pampanga. The Programs included provision of clean water facilities, rehabilitation and donation of school buildings, tree planting, educational outreach and medical missions. Projects also include the construction of an outdoor learning center for UP Diliman called the UP Promenade and the Kapit Kapit monument in UP Los Banos.

The Upsilon Sigma Phi was founded in 1918 at the University of the Philippines. Its roster of mem-

bers since its founding include a President, former Chief Justices, Senators, Congressmen and UP Presidents. Many more serve in the private sector as business leaders, lawyers, journalists, the academe, doctors, scientists, farmers, government employees and community leaders. Members are from all political persuasions and religions. Several have even been included in the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani for their contributions to freedom and democracy.

Proclamation Order No. 539 recognizes the fraternity for its significant contributions to numerous civic and humanitarian causes, as well as the dedication and commitment of its members to public service and nation-building.

According to Pascual, the centennial celebration of Upsilon Sigma Phi provides it the rare opportunity to further strengthen its relationship with the UP system and to honor our home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without UP, the UPSILON would not exist,â&#x20AC;?

Pascual added that the celebration allows us to train young members to become responsible new leaders for their communities in particular, and the nation in general.

Upsilon Sigma Phi is the oldest Greek letter fraternity in Asia. n

Safety first can keep Halloween hazards from haunting Starting with candles, smart choices, planning and placement of decorations are the safest ways to prevent electrical and fire accidents

by Paul Netter Southern California Edison

YOUR Halloween decorations might be considered the best, the scariest or even the most realistic loBut are they the safest?

If light strands or electrical cords are thrown into trees or vegetation near power lines or placed on utility poles, they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. If highly flammable decorations like cornstalks and ghosts are left too close to heat sources like incandescent lightbulbs, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not.

And, if combustible items like spider webs and goblins are placed too close to burning candles, they most certainly are not.

With candles and decorations very high on the list of the $9 billion in Halloween spending expected this year and more than 175 million Americans likely to participate in the festivities, Southern California Edison joins public safety experts nationwide in encouraging smart and careful decisions with decorations, candles and costumes to avoid electrical and fire accidents. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want families and celebrants to enjoy their decorations as safely as possible,â&#x20AC;? said Andrew S. Martinez, SCEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vice president of Safety, Security and Business Resiliency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example, jack-oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;-lanterns should always be illuminated with flameless candles. Actually, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ideal for all decorations since they provide the same effect as burning candles and, most importantly, they are not a fire hazard.â&#x20AC;?

That fire hazard is epitomized

by Halloween being among the highest days annually for candle fires and that candles ignite 41 percent of the estimated 860 yearly home decoration fires (excluding Christmas trees).

Candles, however, are only one of the many potential hazards

posed by installing and maintaining decorations this Halloween. SCE offers additional dos and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts on decorating safely around electricity: Decorating doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;˘ Always look up and look out for power lines when decorating outside and always stay at least 10 feet away from them. â&#x20AC;˘ Carefully inspect electrical lights and cords, discarding any with broken bulbs or damaged wires. â&#x20AC;˘ Consider LED lights that generate less heat and are far more efficient. â&#x20AC;˘ Use plastic zip cords when hanging lights instead of staples, tacks and nails. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep highly flammable decorations like cornstalks and ghosts at least three feet away from heat sources like space heaters.

Decorating donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts â&#x20AC;˘ Avoid overloading extension cords. Follow manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions for use of extension cords and connection of strands of light. â&#x20AC;˘ Never connect two extension cords to extend their length and never place them in pinched positions. â&#x20AC;˘ Look out for unsafe electrical decorations by using only those bearing the labels of trusted independent safety organizations like Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek or CSA. â&#x20AC;˘ Never use electrical products outdoors that are marked â&#x20AC;&#x153;for indoor useâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;˘ Never leave decorations on when leaving home or going to bed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should always choose your decorations with safety in mind,â&#x20AC;? said Martinez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smart planning and careful placement of those decorations are the best preparation for a fun and safe Halloween.â&#x20AC;? n

Voter alert: Beware of robocalls making misleading statements LOS Angeles County election officials are alerting residents about a misleading robocall now circulating that wrongly claims there is an error in one of the ballot titles for the November 6 General Election.

The call, sponsored by a campaign, states there is an error printed on the title for one of the propositions in voting materials mailed by County Registrars of Voters.

Ballot titles are prepared by the state Attorney General, with no alterations by local Registrars of Voters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During election season, voters should be aware of misleading claims that can cause confusion,â&#x20AC;? said Registrar-Re-

60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL.

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corder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our office takes election integrity seriously and will continue to monitor any issues or concerns brought to our attention.â&#x20AC;?

Los Angeles County urges voters to be vigilant about electionrelated robocalls or materials.

For any questions or concerns, please email voterinfo@rrcc. lacounty.gov The mission of the RegistrarRecorder/County Clerk is to serve Los Angeles County by providing essential records management and election services in a fair, accessible and transparent manner. For more information, visit lavote.net and follow us on Twitter @LACountyRRCC. n

Free caregiver development training PILIPINO Workers Center is hosting a FREE Caregiver Development Training this Sunday, Oct 28th from 9-5 p.m. We will provide snacks, coffee, drinks, and lunch for $5.

Who can join? Anyone who IS or WANTS to be a caregiver is encouraged to attend. This training is a government-mandated certification that is required under the California Consumer Protection Act 2016.

Topics covered will include: â&#x20AC;˘ Roles and responsibilities of

a Home Care Aide â&#x20AC;˘ Activities of daily living â&#x20AC;˘ Personal hygiene â&#x20AC;˘ Preventing falls/ safely transporting a patient/client â&#x20AC;˘ Infection control and chemical hazards (OSHA) â&#x20AC;˘ Emergencies â&#x20AC;˘ Caregivers rights/ Patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights and more!

Facebook Event Page: https:// www.facebook.com/ events/2160662097286939/ RSVP at (213) 250-4353 as spots are limited! n

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C OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 27-30, 2018

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I came to the US under a different Philippines wins seat in international privacy body name, is there hope for me?

by IAN

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

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ 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 Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

Business Quote of the Week “The distance between number one and number two is always a constant. If you want to improve the organisation, you have to improve yourself and the organisation gets pulled up with you. That is a big lesson.”

—Indra Nooyi, Chairman of PepsiCo

NICOLAS CIGARAL Philstar.com

THE Philippines has secured a seat in the five-member executive committee of the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners (ICDPPC), two years after the country became a member of the premier global privacy body.

“Having a seat at the committee’s table to take part in addressing challenges that privacy regulators face is definitely a privilege,” National Privacy Commission Raymund Liboro said in a statement.

“Definitely, the Philippines, although young, has a lot to contribute too especially in assisting new members.” Liboro added.

The NPC became an ICDPPC member in October 2016.

The election was held last October 23 during a closed session meeting at the Palais D’ Egmont in Brussels, Belgium. Each member of the international conference’s executive committee has a term of two years.

Current members include the privacy authorities of Australia, Canada, Burkina Faso, and the United Kingdom which holds the

The voting was held last October 23 during a closed session meeting at the Palais D’ Egmont in Brussels Belgium. Each member of the international conference’s executive committee has a term of two years.

Philstar.com file photo

chairmanship. The conference has two additional members, comprising of the next hosting authorities namely: Albania and Mexico.

Last week, NPC ordered Facebook to submit a data breach notification report and provide identity theft and phishing insur-

ance to the 755,973 affected users of the social networking site based in the Philippines.It has also previously acted on separate data breaches at the Commission on Elections, ride-hailing service Uber, and the websites of fastfood companies Jollibee and Wendy’s Philippines. ■

Tax-free shopping eyed for visitors

by MAYVELIN

U. CARABALLO Manilatimes.net

FOREIGN visitors could soon enjoy tax-free shopping in the Philippines if the Finance department has its way.

“We don’t have the system at the moment, but we are certainly going to do it. And it should be in place some time in two years,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd told members of a hotel owners association on Tuesday, October 23.

Value-added tax (VAT) refunds for foreign tourists are offered by countries like Singapore, Japan and Thailand. The money can be claimed before leaving the country if purchases reach a certain amount.

No measures proposing VAT

refund for tourists have been filed in Congress and Dominguez said an e-invoicing system would also have to be established before taxfree shopping was allowed.

“Definitely there’s a possibility for us to outsource the system but our problem at the moment is we don’t have an e-invoicing system, which we are currently working on,” he said.

The Finance chief said that assistance from the South Korean government would be used to put up the system.

“We have gotten a grant from the Korean government to study an e-invoicing system and our plan is to put this in place by 2020. So we have a lot of space to do that,” he said.

The Philippines has been given a $41-million grant from South

Manilatimes.net file photo

Korea for the implementation of an Electronic Receipt, Invoice and Sales Reporting System that will help the country improve its revenue-monitoring mechanisms.

“We really targeted Koreans because they have a very efficient system, which they have developed over at least five years,” Dominguez said. ■

D OCTOBER 27-30, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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PH, US pledge to enhance trade ties Think tank urges gov’t to plug

by Jordeene

She lagare Manilatimes.net

THE Philippines and the United States have scored significant progress in resolving several bilateral trade issues under the bilateral trade and investment accord between the two countries.

In a joint statement, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said both parties are committed to enhance economic relationship under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

“Both governments agree that enhanced bilateral engagement on trade under the TIFA should include work that yields benefits for agricultural producers, importers, exporters and consumers, and intend to work together in a number of areas,” the joint statement said.

Among others, both parties intend to collaborate “on the development of cold chain requirements and best practices in the Philippines,” taking into consideration the international guide-

lines and codes of practice about food hygiene.

The government welcomed the resolution of issues pertaining to market access for its agricultural products including mango, young green coconuts, and carrageenan, as well as the inclusion of travel goods in Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) accorded by the American government.

The U.S. recognized its partners’ adherence to rules laid out by the World Trade Organization (WTO) by ensuring the consistent valuation of agricultural imports and enforcing laws, regulations, and policies prohibiting the use of reference pricing.

The Philippines, meanwhile, acknowledged America’s interest in extending the Philippine tariff rates on certain agricultural products which would help contribute to stable prices for food products.

The USTR mentioned the Philippine government’s effort to continuously protect geographical indications by ensuring transparency, due process, and fairness in the laws, regulations, and

tax collection loopholes first

practices.

Moreover, both nations vowed to cooperate on the implementation of a work program as stipulated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-U.S. TIFA on automotive standards issues.

The United States welcomed the commitment of the Philippines to further discuss ways to ensure that Philippine laws, regulations, and policies do not restrict or prohibit entry of U.S. products.

“Both governments agree to continue technical dialogue and policy discussions on the National Retail Payments System (NRPS) and other measures related to electronic payment services, including domestic retail debit and credit electronic payment transactions,” the joint statement said.

The two countries concurred to a continued dialogue on priority issues of interest to them, including for the Philippines, discussions on seeking relief from U.S. safeguard measures on solar cells and Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. n During an economic forum Wednesday, October 24, Dindo Manhit, president of policy research body Stratbase ADR Institute, said the government

Worst is over for PH inflation crisis as food prices ease, ING says

Inquirer.net file photo by daxim

l. luCaS

Inquirer.net

DOMESTIC inflationary pressures — which made local consumer prices accelerate to their fastest levels in almost a decade in recent months — seem to be abating and may, in turn, make the central bank pause from its rate hike streak when its policy makers convene next month.

In a research note to clients, ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa said that recent declines in food prices together with lower utility rates and pump

prices bode well for the Philippines’ inflation outlook, and predicted that the rise in the October consumer price index would be capped at only 6.5 percent.

“Government officials have sounded off recently on the increasing likelihood that domestic inflation had indeed peaked in [the third quarter], pointing to recently implemented non-monetary and monetary measures that have begun to take root,” he said.

The central bank has, so far, raised local interest rates by a total of 150 basis points in four

successive adjustments since May, after initially predicting that price hikes would abate by the fourth quarter of 2018 or early 2019, at the latest, without need for any policy intervention.

“The fruits of such measures are now being reflected on the ground, validating our earlier expectation that inflation had peaked in September, affording [the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] some leeway to pause at its November meeting,” Mapa added.

His view jibes with that of government economic managers PAGE D3

must first plug loopholes in collection before legislating more tax measures.

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

A LOCAL think tank has urged government to justify new or increased taxes particularly those with inflationary effects.

During an economic forum Wednesday, October 24, Dindo Manhit, president of policy research body Stratbase ADR Institute, said the government must first plug loopholes in collection before legislating more tax measures.

“With regard to the government’s tax reform program, the administration must work double time to justify the increase in taxes or the imposition of new taxes, especially those with inflationary effects to consumer goods,

before embarking on legislating more tax measures,” he said.

“Legislating new tax measures is easier than plugging loopholes in the system and reforming the culture of corruption in tax collection agencies. It took 20 years for the tax system to be upgraded, but it might take a longer period to muster the political will to make the entire government more accountable and transparent,” he said.

Congress passed last year the first package of the comprehensive tax reform program which reduces personal income taxes, with revenue losses offset by excise taxes on sugary beverages, cigarettes and fuel.

Revenues from the first package will help fund the adminis-

Philstar photo by Edd Gumban

tration’s ambitious infrastructure program and investments in social protection and human capital development.

But due to persistent rise in inflation, however, the government is considering to suspend the next hike in fuel excise tax scheduled to be implemented in January 2019.

Currently being deliberated on in Congress is the second package of the tax reform program which seeks to lower corporate income tax.

To offset revenue loses from this, it is proposed that fiscal incentives enjoyed by some firms be rationalized as some of these incentives were given perpetually and have created disparities between similar businesses. n

Car sales to contract for first time since 2011 by anna leah

e. gonzaleS Manilatimes.net

VEHICLE sales are expected to contract in 2018 following six years of growth, an industry official said on Wednesday, October 24, due to factors such as higher taxes, rising inflation and a weaker peso.

An earlier forecast of 8.0-percent growth “will not happen,” Chamber of Automotive Manu-

facturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi) Vice-President Dante Santos said at the sidelines of the 7th Philippine International Motor Show’s opening.

“Instead, the forecast for 2018 is 14 percent down,” he added.

The expected decline will be the first since 2011 when sales fell by 4 percent following supply shortages caused by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan and massive flooding in Thailand.

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Gov’t urged to forge stronger DOF: Economic reforms in past tieups with conglomerates 30 years reversed PH debt

by Czriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

ECONOMISTS and policy experts on Thursday, October 25, urged the government to form stronger partnerships with conglomerates as the weakness in public institutions puts the private sector in the best position to help the government spur inclusive growth in the country.

In a lecture titled Capitalism and Inclusion Under Weak Institutions delivered during a forum hosted by the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), professor Raul Fabella of the UP School of Economics said the Philippines is finding it difficult to follow the growth trajectories of China, Japan and Singapore because its institutions are not as strong as those found in these countries.

Because of this, an alternative then would be for the government to “re-channel” the resources, expertise, organization, and stability of conglomerates to provide public goods and services while keeping their activities well within the boundaries of the law.

“When enlisted, conglomerates can greatly boost the state’s capacity for public goods provision and attract foreign investment and resources,” Fabella said. “We can build on what we have and facilitate that.”

Enabling greater private sec-

tor participation in the provision of public goods, he said, would foster healthy market competition and give consumers more options.

He noted that other than pouring in resources into long-term infrastructure investments, conglomerates are also now pouring in resources into human capital development as seen in investments in “non-elite tertiary education” such as in the improvement of the facilities and faculties of schools such as Mapua, NU, FEU, National Teachers College and University of Nueva Caceres.

Fabella also noted that conglomerates have also been lowering the cost of telecommunication for poor consumers through retail prepaid credits.

Private firms are also proving to be more able in providing piped water services to poor households.

Dindo Manhit, president of policy research body Stratbase ADR Institute, said neighboring countries in Asia sustained inclusive growth among their citizens because of the strength of their institutions.

“To be more inclusive, we need a strong and sustainable economy which traditionally, only come about with strong institutions. Since we cannot follow our neighbors in this path, the alternative is conglomerates,” he said.

“A greater partnership between the public and private sector is close to what my institution has been advocating for.”

Manhit said that while bright economic prospects boost investor confidence, “endemic corruption” and red taper persists in the government.

He noted, however, that with the passage of the Ease of Doing Business Act, bureaucratic red tape may be addressed.

“It can help address the decline in the country’s economic competitiveness globally especially in our region. In the end, however, there should also be a change in mindset among our officials and frontline government workers to focus more on the output rather than on the procedures,” Mahit said.

Manhit also urged the government to focus on lifting restrictions on foreign investments especially for areas related to providing public services.

Likewise, he urged state to promote stability and predictability of policies in industries to sustain confidence.

“Take the volatile policy on the mining industry, for example. Already, the regulatory environment in the Philippines is far from agreeable. A prohibitive tax structure threatens to drive out badly needed investments to other mineralized countries that have more sensible tax structures,” he said. n

DECLINING foreign debt as a share of the growing economy placed the Philippines at a better position than most of its Asean peers, thanks to economic reforms implemented during the past 30 years, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Wednesday, October 24.

In an economic bulletin, DOF Undersecretary and chief economist Gil S. Beltran said “the Philippines emerged from being a highly-indebted developing country in the 1980s to become one of the fastest-growing emerging economies with debt ratios lower than its Asian neighbors.”

Citing the latest World Bank data, Beltran said the Philippines’ external debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio further declined to 20.4 percent as of end-June from 21.9 percent in 2017, 23.3 percent in 2016, and 25.2 percent in 2015.

To compare, Thailand’s external debt-to-GDP ratio was a higher 31.7 percent at end-June; Indonesia’s ratio was 37.5 percent at end-2017; Malaysia’s was 74 percent in 2017; and Vietnam had a ratio of 44.8 percent as of last year.

But the share of foreign debt to GDP in China and India were lower than the Philippines’ ratio—14.5 percent at end-2017 and 17.4 percent as of June, re-

spectively.

“The average for the seven major Asian countries is 26.8 percent, which is more than 30percent higher than the Philippines’ [external debt-to-GDP ratio],” Beltran noted.

Also, foreign debt’s share to exports of goods and services dropped to 47.9 percent in June this year from 324.8 percent in 1985, Beltran said.

“From 64.6 percent of exports of goods and services in 1985, the country’s external debt service declined to 6.2 percent during the first half of 2018,” Beltran added.

The Philippines’ ratio of external debt service to total merchandise and services exports also declined to 6.2 percent last year from 7 percent in 2016, although higher than the 5.6 percent posted in 2015.

Citing the latest Asian Development Bank data, Beltran said the Philippines’ debt service ratio in 2017 was half of the Asian average of 12.5 percent and below Indonesia’s 25.5 percent, Malaysia’s 13.9 percent, as well as India’s 7.9 percent.

“The reversal of the country’s debt position did not come overnight. It was a product of three decades of economic reforms, including fiscal consolidation, prudent economic management, debt management, shift toward market-determined exchange rate, and export and investmentfriendly regime,” according to

Beltran.

“The country reduced the fiscal deficit by increasing the tax effort from 10.1 percent in 1990 to 14.2 percent in 2017 and reining in on expenditures so that the targeted deficits averaging 2.1 percent of GDP for almost three decades are attained,” he also said.

“Major infrastructure projects were subjected to economic evaluation so that only projects that matched or exceeded the EIRR benchmark rate of 15 percent was implemented and those priority projects that failed to reach the benchmark used ODAs [official development assistance] with softer terms.”

“The country reduced debt service through debt rescheduling initially, and later, debt conversion and debt exchanges, shifted to domestic borrowing to reduce forex risk exposure as domestic savings rose and domestic capital markets grew, and focused on longer debt maturities,” Beltran explained.

Further, Beltran noted that “the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shifted to a market-determined exchange rate to ensure competitiveness and relieve pressure on the balance of payments” while the investment incentives regime “was enhanced to remove bias against exports through reduced tariff rates and tariffication of quantitative restrictions” during the last 30 years. n

PAGE D2 Last year, Campi reported an 18.4-percent jump in vehicle sales to 425,673 units, boosted by last minute buying as consumers sought to avoid the implementation of a 2018 sales tax hike under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

“There was accelerated buying in 2017 especially during the last quarter because they were anticipating price hikes,” Santos noted.

“Now, we have the TRAIN, higher interest rates, foreign exchange, basic needs such as food and oil are also on the rise while per capita income is stagnant,” he added.

“The market is really affected by all these, so rather than making major purchases, [customers] are observing first [before buying].”

The TRAIN law, which raised taxes on a host of goods and services in exchange for lower personal income tax rates, has been blamed for above-target inflation that has raised the cost of living for Filipinos.

Consumer price growth hit a new nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September, well over the 2.0-4.0 percent target, and the government is currently considering the suspension of another fuel tax hike scheduled next year to contain inflation.

Campi originally expressed

guarded optimism despite sales declines since the start of the year, hoping for a yearend boost from holiday sales. The drop was steepest in July at 24.1 percent and an easing to 9.7 percent in September had reinforced the hope.

Campi President Rommel Gutierrez, however, said on Wednesday that a fourth-quarter improvement would not be enough to avoid a contraction.

“This year we are really down … Initially we were expecting that the decline will only be in the first and second quarter but it continued. But I think by this time, I think the market has already adjusted,” he told reporters. n

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

Worst is over for PH inflation crisis... Car sales to contract for first...

PAGE D2 who have pointed out that the September inflation rate of 6.7 percent, though marking a nineyear high, saw a lower monthly increase from August’s 6.4 percent — a possible indication of an emerging plateau in prices that may develop into a downtrend moving forward.

Mapa said the normalization of supply chains after super Typhoon Mangkhut coupled with the government’s efforts to augment supply and improved distribution “has been felt on the ground” with the latest official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority validating this development.

A price drop of P1 was recorded for regular milled rice across seven out of the 17 regions with

the average week-on-week decline at 0.5 percent, he noted.

Meanwhile, prices for meat and fish were broadly stable while substantial declines were reported for vegetables such as carrots (-40 percent), native pechay (-50 percent), cabbage (-50 percent) and white potato (-12.5 percent).

“Aside from food, utility costs are also pulling back with Meralco lowering October charges while motorists have welcomed successive weeks of hefty pump price rollbacks,” the economist said. “All these positive developments increase the likelihood that inflation has peaked in the third quarter with the October print seen to settle at roughly 6.5 percent year-on-year.”

Because of this, he said that risks to the inflation outlook now

appear more balanced with upside pressure drawn from transport fare adjustments in November coupled with the projected minimum wage hike slightly higher than BSP’s assumption for its current 2018 and 2019 inflation forecast.

Balancing these risks is downside pressures from the National Food Authority’s plan to fast track an additional 703,000 metric tons of rice via governmentto-government deals to augment supply of the all-important staple going into the holiday season.

“If declining crude oil prices continue their trend, normalizing pump prices and utility rates, together with favorable base effects will all factor into a decelerating trend for inflation towards end-2019,” Mapa said. /kga n

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EMPLOYMENT

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DOF seeks public database Customs hikes 2019 collection of firms enjoying incentives target to P670 billion

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) wants to make available to the public a database of firms that enjoy tax perks, as well as the foregone revenues incurred by the government due to the grant of incentives, a top official said.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said this was included in the amendments proposed by the DOF to the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA), as part of the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

“We propose that the names of firms receiving incentives be made public, including the amount of their incentives and contributions to society,” Chua said during a recent hearing of the Senate ways and means committee on the bill seeking reforms in corporate taxation.

TIMTA or Republic Act 10708 has allowed the government to monitor and measure the fiscal incentives it is administering to local companies.

According to Chua, there is a need to further improve TIMTA and make incentives more transparent to inform regular taxpayers who are benefiting from their tax payments.

He said as one enjoys tax

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said this was included in the amendments proposed by the DOF to the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA), as part of the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

Philstar.com file photo

perks, others pay for it in terms of higher tax rates.

In 2016 alone, Chua said 3,102 corporations paid discounted corporate income tax (CIT) rates ranging from six to 13 percent, while 90,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) paid the regular CIT of 30 percent.

The DOF is pushing for the Congressional passage of the administration’s second CTRP package, which seeks to reduce the country’s corporate income tax rate of 30 percent, while rationalizing the government’s fiscal incentives system.

Chua said the government

must stop granting hundreds of billion of pesos yearly to only a select group of companies, specifically if they are already profitable or enjoying such perks for decades already.

“We recognize the value of incentives as a key component of a country’s policy toolkit. We assert, however, that incentives should not be given indiscriminately at the expense of building up our more powerful attractions: first, a skilled and hardworking talent pool that needs sufficient human capital investments, second, an ambitious infrastructure development program that requires fiscal commitment, and third, a sizable SME community that deserves to be treated fairly,” Chua said.

The undersecretary, however, clarified that incentives would not be removed, and would only be redirected to industries that are proven to be beneficial to the economy.

“We will continue to support firms or activities that are priority with tax incentives that are performance-based, targeted, time-bound, and transparent,” Chua said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez earlier expressed hope that the Congress could pass CTRP’s Package 2 soon enough, in consideration of President Duterte’s appeal to approve the measure within the year. n

Peso-RMB spot market MoU inked next week

by Mayvelin

U. caraballo Manilatimes.net

FILIPINO traders and Chinese tourists will soon be able to change their renminbi (RMB) into pesos, and vice-versa, at better exchange rates with the soon to be institutionalized Philippine RMB Trading Community.

In a statement, Bank of China Manila announced that the pesorenminbi spot market — aimed at to promoting fair, transparent, and resilient currency market — would be formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed on October 30.

The MoU will be signed by representatives of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Bank of China Manila, along with local banking partners.

EMPLOYMENT

Bank of China Manila said the use of RMB presented several practical benefits for Philippine businesses.

“This will be felt by all industries — from tourism to foreign direct investments to Filipino companies sourcing their raw materials from Chinese suppliers,” it pointed out.

The bank said traders would be able save on hedging costs by using renminbi directly when exporting or importing from China.

Accepting renminbi will also greatly benefit the domestic tourism industry, it added, noting that on average, Chinese tourists spend $1,541 per trip per person or about $1.5 billion in total tourist spend globally.

Lastly, Bank of China Manila said that renminbi reserves would

open the door to increased investments from mainland China.

“Doing away with the need to exchange RMB for USD will be a tremendous incentive for Chinese firms looking to invest in the Philippines,” it added.

The setting up of the Philippine RMB Trading Community was greenlighted by the central bank in March this year.

Partner banks include Asia United Bank, BDO Unibank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, China Banking Corp., East West Banking Corp., Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Philippine Bank of Communications, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Business Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Sterling Bank of Asia, Security Bank Corp., UnionBank of the Philippines, and Bank of Commerce. n

FOR RENT

Customs deputy commissioner for the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Edward James dy Buco said the BOC’s revenue program for next year has been increased by 12 percent to P670 billion from the current year’s target of P598 billion.

Philstar.com file photo

by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

MANILA — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) raised its target collection for 2019 to P670 billion to help the government raise more funds for its massive infrastructure program, a top official said.

Customs deputy commissioner for the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group Edward James dy Buco said the BOC’s revenue program for next year has been increased by 12 percent to P670 billion from the current year’s target of P598 billion.

“The targets presently (are) high targets because of the Build Build Build program of the President,” Dy Buco said during a panel discussion at the Tax Management Association of the Philippines’ General Membership Meeting.

“So from 2017, our target was

P481 billion, by 2018 it became P598 billion. By next year, it will become P670 billion. Every time, (there is) by hunders of billion of increase in collection,” he said.

For this year, customs duties and taxes collected by the BOC already reached P434.6 billion as of end-September.

This was 34 percent higher than the P323.8 billion generated by the agency in the same period last year. It was likewise four percent above the bureau’s P417.5 billion target for the ninemonth period.

For September alone, the BOC‘s collections rose by 27 percent to P51.1 billion compared to the P40.3 billion collected in the same month last year.

The BOC attributed the continuous improvement in its revenue performance to the increased volume and value of traded goods, as well as higher exchange rate.

NOTICE

SERVICES

Improved enforcement and correct valuation and tariff classification in all ports also contributed to better collection.

Dy Buco expressed confidence the BOC would be able to hit its P598 billion target for 2018 amid efforts to address corruption and increase revenue collection.

Among these measures is the one-strike policy against erring employees and district collectors who fail to meet their respective target collections.

Upon his assumption in office, Customs commissioner Isidro Lapena laid out his plans to introduce reforms within the BOC. The five-point reform plan includes an intensified anti-corruption drive, improvement of trade facilitation, increase in revenue collections, strengthening of anti-smuggling efforts, and enhancement of personnel incentives and compensation program. n

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