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Duterte to deal with Trump in ‘most righteous way’ Two leaders reportedly have ‘warm rapport’

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

U.S. President Donald Trump looks forward to meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a controversial move he sees as a success over the last administration. The two leaders are said to have a ‘warm rapport.’

“You remember the Philippines — the last trip made by a president that turned out to be not so good,” said Trump on Wednesday, November 1. “Never quite got to BACK WITH INVESTMENTS. President Rodrigo Duterte is accorded with military honors upon his arrival at the Francisco Bangoy International land.”

Airport in Davao City following a successful two-day visit to Japan on Tuesday, October 31. The president noted Japan’s pledge of assistance PH Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. Pres. Donald Trump

DATELINE

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Malacañang, White House photos

USAID programs in PH ‘not conditional’

USA

by AJPRESS

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

New York City bike path terror attack: What we know 8 killed after driver plows through cyclists and pedestrians near World Trade Center

A MAN driving a rental truck rammed through a bike path on Tuesday, October 31, killing eight people and injuring more than a dozen in the deadliest attack in the city since 9/11.

At about 3:05 p.m., the suspect sped in a Home Depot flatbed pickup truck for nearly a mile down a popular bike path on West Houston Street in lower Manhattan just blocks away from the World Trade Center.

“The Home Depot truck starting running people over,” said witness Nelson Arroyo, 58, according to various reports. “I heard a boom boom, a crushing noise from the bikes. People were sitting down crying. I saw two areas of blood.”

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US running out of nurses, Philippines a historical source

amounting to almost $9 billion, as well as the economic, defense and security cooperation between Philippines and Japan. Accompanying the president is Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of Staff Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim Philstar.com photo

THERE are no conditions attached to the programs of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Philippines, Washington’s top diplomat said last week.

In a forum with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim affirmed that the USAID programs are also unaffected by the U.S.’ concerns over the alleged human rights issues in the Philippines.

“Our USAID program is not conditional,” Kim said on Thursday, October 26. “In fact, we have a long history of providing very significant foreign assistance to the Philippines.”

While maintaining that Washington’s stances on human rights, rule of law, and due process remain unchanged, Kim reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to helping the Philippines, especially the war-stricken city of Marawi.

Earlier in September, Kim announced that the U.S. government has donated P730 million ($14.3 million) for the re-

habilitation of Marawi City in the southern Philippines—which was besieged

by Islamic State (IS)-inspired militants for five months since May—under its USAID programs.

“The work of rehabilitation is critically important,” the ambassador added, saying that the U.S. wanted to “support the Philippine government as much as we can.”

He also affirmed that the U.S. will continue to provide assistance to the Philippine army in addressing security threats.

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US proud of helping PH retake Marawi Incoming Presidential Spokesperson Roque warns: Palace can get ‘explosive’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE United States is proud to have supported the Philippine government in liberating Marawi City from Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terrorists.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city liberated on October 17 after insurgent leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute were killed by the government troops. Following October 23, the country’s Department of National Defense (DND) declared Marawi siege over.

Since the terrorist group’ attack on May 23, the U.S. has provided intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance support to the Philippine army. They also donated at least P2.84 billion worth of equipments, which include drones, guns, and ammunitions.

Speaking before the before the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim hailed the Philippine military’s victory in its battle against Maute terrorists.

“We are proud to have supported the Armed Forces

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AN editorial by The New York Times once expressed in 1956 that, “The nationwide shortage of nurses is likely to reach crisis proportions.” Now over six decades later, the shortage again seems far from being resolved due to a rising elderly population, a large amount of retiring nurses, and the challenge to recruit new nurses.

With over three million registered nurses (RNs), and over 800,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the United States, nursing is said to be among the nation’s fastestgrowing occupations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is expected to see a growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 — a growth the bureau says is “much faster than the average for all occupations.”

In this Nov. 18, 2016 file photo, former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ children The current outlook, though, has many Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Irene Marcos-Araneta, and Imee Marcos worried that the supply of registered nurses and his wife Imelda Marcos, pay tribute to the flag-draped casket of the

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Philippine Navy armored personnel carriers join the convoy upon arrival in Manila from Marawi City. The Fleet-Marine contingent that saw battle in Marawi was given a heroes’ welcome at its headquarters along Roxas Boulevard on Monday, October 30.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

WITH a tough-talking president soon having a fiery litigator as his mouthpiece, things may get “explosive” in Malacañang, incoming Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque himself warned.

Roque, a human rights lawyer known for his tirades and outspoken opinion, is set to replace Ernesto Abella as Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson on November 6.

Speaking to reporters on Mon-

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Incoming Presidential Spokesperson Harry Inquirer.net photo Roque

Marcos family marks All Souls’ Day at Heroes’ Cemetery

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE family of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos marked this year’s All Souls’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) for the first time, nearly 30 years after the late strongman’s death.

A mass was held near the tomb of the former president on Wednesday, November 1. The entire Marcos family were reportedly present, except for the late dictator’s daughter, Ilocos Norte late Philippine president during a ceremony of his burial at the Heroes’ Governor Imee Marcos.

Despite the public outcry of Cemetery in Taguig City.

Philstar.com photo

martial law victims and their families, the late strongman was buried “unannounced” at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig City on November 18 last year.

This was months after President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-signal in August to bury the late dictator at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

In a statement, Bongbong Marcos, the late dictator’s son, signified the importance of the event for his family. He also expressed gratitude towards the supporters of his father.

“Mabuti naman at hanggang ngayon ay naalala pa ang kani-

yang mga naitulong at nagawa para sa bansa sa panahon na siya’y buhay pa at nagseserbisyo (It’s good that until now people still remember his service to the country when he was still alive),” Bongbong said.

“I remember the moments of greatness during his presidency but also the moments of intimacy.

I’m lucky to have known him in that regard, perhaps not the same as other people, but I had the benefit of knowing him as a father, as a person, as a man,” he added.

Late President Marcos, who

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From The FronT Page

Incoming Presidential Spokesperson...

PAGE A1 day, October 30, Roque said he has warned the president about his personality. “I think it’s because I’m even more controversial than him (Duterte) so together we could be explosive. I warned the president about that and he says fine,� said Roque, who’s also the Kabayan Party-list representative.

Last week, Duterte confirmed

that Roque will succeed as his new spokesperson.

The president remarked that the solon fits in his new role since both of them “speak in a playful language.� He added that Roque will also be given a rank of “secretary.�

Duterte, however, failed to cite specific reasons for dismissing Abella, who has a rank of undersecretary and is a pastor by profes-

sion. He insisted that changing his spokesperson was his “personal decision.� “That is my personal decision. I am not about to explain why I did it,� a tight-lipped Duterte said.

Roque served as the lawyer of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre in 2009, wherein 58 people killed—32 of which were journalists. He also served as the legal counsel of the family of transgender Jennifer Laude, who was killed by American Joseph Scott Pemberton in Olongapo in 2014.

Likewise, Roque represented the Malaya Lolas—who were victims of systematic rape and abuse by the Japanese Imperial Army— as well as the family of murdered Palawan-based environmentalist and media practitioner Gerry Ortega.

Same human rights conviction Even with his new post as Duterte’s spokesperson, Roque said he would continue to advocate human rights.

Duterte, who assumed presidency last year, has been criticized by local and international organizations over the alleged human rights abuses in his anti-illegal drugs campaign. He was also accused of endorsing the killings of drug suspects.

For his part, Roque made clear that his “mandate as an advocate of human rights is to protect and promote human rights.�

Despite this, Roque warned critics that he will not tolerate any disrespect to the president. “If, in the past, you were able to throw stones without anyone hitting back, be warned that if you throw stones, I won’t just throw stones but hollow blocks,� he said. “Just wait for the adobe and hollow blocks that I will throw at you.�

Concerning his relationship with the press, Roque expressed optimism as he noted that he has not had a negative history with members of the media.

Noting that he “believed in the free marketplace of ideas,� he remarked that the “free market of ideas� must be allowed to “flourish.�

He went on to say, “I have been working with the media for the past 15 years at the very least. I’ve represented media in libel cases.

I’ve represented heirs of media victims when they were killed. I look forward to this kind of partnership.� n

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REMEMBERING OUR HEROES. Angel Dimacutac, a member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, puts miniature flags beside the tombs of fallen heroes at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, Oct. 31, as part of the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Duterte to deal with Trump in...

PAGE A1 A day before, the president said, “We’re going to the Philippines which is a strategically important location where the previous administration was not exactly welcome, as you probably remember.�

Trump’s remarks come as statements by a White House senior administration official, who also on Tuesday, October 31, signaled that Trump and Duterte have a good relationship. “President Duterte, he’s spoken with, they’ve had exchanges of letters,� said a senior administration official to reporters on Tuesday. “I think there’s a warm rapport there, and he’s very much looking forward to his first in-person meeting with President Duterte.�

Around two weeks ago, the White House announced that Trump would meet with Duterte during his upcoming tour of Asia slotted to take place Nov. 3-14.

Countries included in the Asian tour are Vietnam, China, South Korea and Japan. The U.S. leader is expected to participate in the special gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-U.S. meeting in Manila but will skip the East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 14 in Pampanga.

In a media briefing on Sunday, October 29, Duterte said that during the forthcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, he intends to discuss with Trump, issues of terrorism, relations between the two countries, and the ongoing fight against

drugs.

He also expressed camaraderie with the U.S. president and said, “I would deal with President Trump in the most righteous way, welcome him as an important leader.� “I would have to also listen to him, what he has to say,� Duterte added.

Duterte has openly expressed criticism towards the United States before, once accusing Washington of treating the Philippines “like a dog with a leash.�

Upon being criticized for his extrajudicial killings by the former Obama administration last year, Duterte called former U.S. President Barack Obama a “son of a whore,� which led Obama to cancel his meeting with Duterte.

Just a year ago in October 2016, Duterte voiced his intention to end cooperation with the U.S. while also expressing intent to side with Beijing. “In this venue, your honors, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States,� said Duterte to Chinese and Philippine business people, as reported

by Reuters. “Both in military, not maybe social, but economics also. America has lost,� he added.

The controversial Philippine president, who was sworn into office in June of last year, has long been condemned by international leaders and human rights groups for his war on drugs which has claimed thousands of lives.

Trump, on the other hand, has

been noted to have taken a different approach when engaging with Duterte which many have criticized. “Trump’s explicit eagerness to meet with the architect of a killing campaign that has resulted in the deaths of more than 12,000 men, women and children over the past 16 months is more than grievous insult to injury for family members of victims,� said deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, Phelim Kine, as quoted by The Guardian.

In May, leaked phone conversations between the two leaders revealed Trump congratulating Duterte on his controversial war on drugs. “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem,� said Trump in a leaked April 29 phone call transcript obtained

by The Washington Post and The New York Times, and published by The Intercept. “Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,� he added.

Duterte’s biggest and most persistent adversary, Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes, recently visited the United States where he met with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Upon returning to the Philippines, Trillanes denied reports that he tried to persuade U.S. government officials into convincing Trump to cancel his Manila visit. n

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017

A3

De Lima receives int’l ‘Prize for Freedom’ award

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

The late strongman Ferdinand Marcos has been honored with a national stamp by the Philippine Postal Corp. The commemorative stamps, which bore the portrait and signature of Marcos, were issued last Sept. 11, 2017—the day of the ex-leader’s 100th birthday anniversary.

Philippine Postal Corporation handout photo

Marcos family marks All Souls’ Day at...

PAGE A1 was ousted during the 1986 EDSA Revolution, died of kidney, heart and lung ailments in 1989 while he was in exile in Hawaii.

His body was allowed to return to the Philippines in 1992 with several conditions, among of which include that he will be buried in his family mausoleum in Batac upon arrival.

Marcos stamp another ‘revision of history’ A group of martial law victims and peace advocates criticized the recent issuance of a commemorative stamp for late President Marcos.

Earlier in September, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) released a commemorative stamp for the 100th birth anniversary of the late strongman.

The stamp, which shows a smiling Marcos with his signature and the words “Birth Centenary,” will be on sale until the September 10 next year.

In a statement released Friday, October 27, the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacanang (CARMMA) said the centenary stamp is another “stolen credit, another stamping of Marcos rehabilitation and revision of history.”

“The Duterte regime’s political rehabilitation of the Marcos goes on and on. One day, shall we see images of Marcos all over the country? Posters, action figures?

We can only express extreme disgust,” it said.

CARMMA also tagged Duterte, who’s been accused of whitewashing the late dictator’s ca-

reer, as a “copycat” of “his idol Marcos.”

“Before he thinks of being put in a stamp, or becoming an action figure, he should worry of the people’s verdict to him as one president who won through popular support, but gave failed change and resulted [in] antipeople policies, and creeping towards a tyrannical rule,” CARMMA added.

In defense, PHLPost assistant post master Luis Carlos clarified that the Marcos stamp has no political overtones and was only released as part of a series of stamps marking Philippine presidents’ 100th birthdays.

“We are just following the guidelines. The presidents who have birth centenaries have stamps issued,” Carlos said. ■

USAID programs in PH not...

PAGE A1 “We continue to provide very important assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of training, equipment and sharing intelligence,” he said.

While USAID programs in the Philippines are not conditional, the U.S. envoy noted that the reported human rights issues affect Washington’s provision of firearms to Manila.

“What has been affected by our concerns over human rights issues is that we have been much more cautious about

providing lethal weapons to the Philippine National Police (PNP), elements that are directly involved in the anti-drugs campaign,” Kim said.

A few weeks ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to be the “sole agency” to conduct all the government’s campaigns and operations against illegal drugs.

Under the new order, Duterte once again removed the PNP from the forefront of the socalled drug war amid public out-

rage over alleged police abuses and deaths of thousands of suspects.

More recently, the Philippine government announced that it would no longer accept grants with conditions perceived to affect the country’s sovereignty from the European Union (EU) and other nations.

Duterte has slammed the EU over criticism from a seven-member delegation of international parliamentarians on the administration’s war on drugs. The bloc later clarified that the delegation does not represent the EU. ■

state-sanctioned killings.

She has been detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Quezon City since February over drug-related charges but her camp and supporters claimed the accusations against her were “politically-motivated and trumped-up.”

LI also noted that it was one of the first international organizations to campaign for the senator’s release.

In a statement, De Lima said she is “humbled and honored to be chosen as the recipient of this prestigious Human Rights Prize, which was also bestowed to former President and democracy icon Corazon Aquino.”

In 1987, LI has conferred Aquino the same recognition “for her world-renowned advocacy of democracy, peace, and the

IN recognition for her human rights advocacy, Liberal International (LI) has awarded Philippine Senator Leila De Lima its “highest human rights honor.”

In a statement released Tuesday, October 31, LI said the senator was chosen to become this year’s recipient of the Prize for Freedom award during its 199th Executive Committee meeting earlier this week in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This made De Lima—whom the organization described as a “political prisoner” and a critic of “authoritarian” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte—the second Filipino to receive the same award after the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino in 1987.

According to LI, the Prize for Freedom is awarded to “a wellknown personality of liberal conviction who has made outstanding efforts for the defence of freedom and human rights.”

LI’s Human Rights Committee Chair Markus Löning, who met with the senator in detention in July this year, tagged her as a “flag-bearer” for human rights in the country and beyond “Leila De Lima has been a flagbearer for human rights in the Philippines and beyond, setting a shining example for other human rights defenders,” Löning said.

He added, “Even from inside the prison she keeps fighting for the rule of law and the dignity of individuals. She should immediately be released from pre-trial detention.”

De Lima, a member of the Liberal Party (LP), has been highly critical of the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” over its alleged human rights abuses and Senator Leila De Lima

empowerment of women.”

De Lima then vowed to “continue opposing this murderous regime,” citing the recognition as her inspiration.

“More than a recognition, I regard this award as an inspiration that strengthens my resolve to continue opposing this murderous regime, its outright disregard for human rights and trampling of human dignity to my last breath, especially because I am not alone in my fight,” the senator added.

Her political party, likewise, hailed the international organization’s recognition of her advocacy.

“The prize is a testament that no walls or prison bars can weaken the spirit of any freedom fighter. Democratic change is a legitimate and rightful dream,” the LP said in a statement. ■

Inquirer.net photo

US proud of helping PH retake Marawi PAGE A1 of the Philippines (AFP) as they defeated the terrorist insurrection in Marawi City,” Kim said.

“As [U.S. Defense] Secretary Mattis made clear earlier this week, we commend the outstanding work of the Philippine military in retaking Marawi. They deserve great respect and appreciation,” he added.

Mattis earlier lauded the AFP for its effort in reclaiming Marawi, saying its triumph has sent a “very strong message” to terrorists.

The U.S. government likewise

expressed anew its condolences to the victims of the conflict as they reiterated their support for the rehabilitation of the city.

“I also would like to again offer our deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines for the suffering and the loss of life during the five months’ ordeal,” Kim said.

“We will continue to support the Philippines’ government as it begins to rehabilitate Marawi and the surrounding area,” he added.

The U.S. government has donated P730 million ($14.3 million) for

the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

According to Kim, these include 153 million pesos in humanitarian assistance and more than 577 million pesos “to support the early recovery, stabilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi and the surrounding area.”

The U.S. government further expressed support to “educational programs that bring together students and women leaders to explore innovative ways to address the challenges facing the people of Marawi and the Mindanao region.” ■

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november 2-8, 2017 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

US running out of nurses, Philippines a ...

PAGE A1 won’t even be able to keep up with the demand.

At the forefront of issues driving the shortage are Baby Boomers. Once spiking in births between 1946 and 1964, the baby boomer generation is again showing a significant rise in numbers of those entering retirement.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people ages 65 and older in the U.S. is projected to increase to 55 million in 2020, around 70 million by 2030, and to 88.5 million (or 20 percent of the population) in 2050. As put by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the U.S. population of adults aged 65 plus will have almost doubled from 37 million to 71.5 million between 2006 and 2030.

The bureau also found in 2010 that the 65 and older population in the U.S., who had a growth increase of 15.1 percent, grew at a faster rate than the whole U.S. population which grew at 9.7 percent. From 2000 to 2010, the 65 and older population saw an increase of 5.3 million people.

These numbers are especially alarming to the healthcare industry as it prepares to provide care to the growing demographic. eighty percent of adults 65 or older have at least one chronic condition, while 6.8 percent have at least two, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Top chronic conditions are hypertension, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease (ischemic heart disease), and diabetes.

Patients aren’t the only ones aging. Many current U.S. registered nurses are reaching retirement age as well, and are in turn leaving behind many job vacancies.

Statistics by the American Nurses Association (ANA) projected that an estimated 690,000 nurses will leave the workforce through 2024, resulting in a net nurse vacancy of around 1.2 million.

In a survey of over 130 healthcare facilities from 29 states, nurse recruitment and retention firm NSI Nursing Solutions Inc., found that facilities have been experiencing increasing vacancy rates since 2013.

While close to 50 percent of facilities had a vacancy rate of five percent or less in 2013, 18.2

percent did in 2017. In other words, close to 80 percent of facilities were finding vacancy rates over five percent.

It doesn’t help that the recruitment of new RNs has been challenging. The average time to recruit an RN ranges from 55 to 119 days, depending on specialty. The longer a vacancy remains open, the more quality of care becomes an issue — fewer nurses usually means higher patient loads.

A report by Reuters that interviewed more than 20 hospitals including some of the largest chains, said that many hospitals have resorted to spending billions of dollars collectively in recruiting and retaining nurses to avoid risking patient safety or closing down departments.

It wasn’t uncommon for hospitals to offer higher salaries, make retention and signing bonuses, offer incentives like student loan repayments, or provide free housing in order to stay afloat.

Many hospitals, especially those in regions where the demand for nurses can be exceptionally dire, further shelled out money for temporary nurses and travel nurses whose assignments typically range from 13 to 26 weeks.

Global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions Staffing Industry Analysts, found that the cost for travel nurses in 2017 almost doubled over three years to $4.8 billion.

Philippines’ long history of supplying a needed demand Foreign nurses often provide relief. A June 2016 report by the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University and the Immigrant Learning Center, found that foreign-born nurses made up 15 percent of registered nurses in the U.S. The Philippines has long been a source of nurses, and has been since the country’s colonization by the U.S., as explored by Catherine Ceniza Choy, professor of Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies at the University of California Berkeley, in her book “empire of Care: Nursing and Migration in Filipino American History”.

Filipino nurses first arrived in large numbers through The Pensionado Act of 1903 which allowed pensionados (government sponsored scholars) to study in the U.S. through a government subsidized

Dateline USa

scholarship. Nursing students either stayed in the U.S to work, or returned to the Philippines where they helped establish nursing schools. Many graduates who would again immigrate to the U.S. to work.

In 1928, the Philippine Nurses Association of New York was founded — Its first president, Marta Ubana, completed her B.S. in Nursing at Teachers College, Columbia University.

More nurses came in 1948 through the United States Information and educational exchange Act of 1948, also known as the Smith-Mundt Act, which allowed interchanges of students, trainees, teachers, guest instructors, professors, and leaders “in fields of specialized knowledge or skill” between the U.S. and other countries.

By 1961, the Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California was created just a few years before many nurses again came to the U.S. in numbers as a result of laxed immigration laws.

Since then, many Filipinos have continued to take the National Council Licensure examination (NCLeX), or complete Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) qualifications in hopes of working in the U.S. By 2007, the number of Philippine-educated nurses in the U.S. reached its peak and accounted for more than 30 percent of the U.S. foreign-educated nurses, according to a study

by Health Services Research.

Yet as soon as the wave went up, it was followed by a drastic decrease in the following years.

The Organisation for economic Co-operation and Development (OeCD) found in 2016 that while approximately 10,000 nurses came to the U.S. in 2007, less than 2,000 have been recorded each year from 2011 to 2013.

The decrease may have been attributed to the U.S.’ own attempt at churning out nurses. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), close to a million nurses graduated from U.S. nursing schools from 2006 and 2011.

But in light of the current shortage situation, foreignsourced nurses may once again be needed to provide relief.

(Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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DADDY’S HOME. A Marine soldier kisses his baby upon his arrival at Manila’s south Harbor on Monday, Oct. 30. Five hundred soldiers returned to Manila after fighting the Maute Group in Marawi city for five months.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

US envoy denies CIA part of plot to oust Pres. Duterte

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THe United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is not behind any destabilization plot against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a U.S. official said on Thursday, October 26.

“There is absolutely no effort by the CIA to undermine the Philippines leadership,” U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim told reporters in a media forum as he stressed that the relationship between the two countries remains strong. earlier this month, Duterte warned that he would not hesitate to set up a revolutionary government in order to avert the country from falling into chaos amid the alleged destabilization efforts by his political enemies.

The president accused the CIA as among the entities allegedly working on his ouster. At one point, Duterte also claimed that he obtained reports pointing the foreign intelligence agency has plans to eliminate him.

“They say that the CIA wanted

me out of the government. I believe so but not really killing but they could have – they would have prepared another one,” he said in a speech.

The U.S. envoy, however, denied the allegations. Kim remarked that the U.S. government respects Duterte’s electoral victory last year.

“President Duterte won a very impressive election. We respect his election and we are in fact working very well together with his administration,” he added.

Kim further emphasized, “It is much important for us to focus on what we are doing with our relationship than public statements.”

Marawi role During the forum, the top diplomat also highlighted Washington’s crucial role in combating Islamic State (IS)-inspired terrorists in the Southern Philippines.

Kim cited American intelligence, urban warfare training, and drones as among the factors that contributed to the success of fully retaking the Marawi City

from Maute rebels.

“We did play a very important role in supporting the (Philippines’) efforts to retake Marawi,” Kim said.

“We had P-3s (surveillance planes), Grey eagles (drones) providing crucial intelligence information to the Armed Forces of the Philippines so that they would be able to carry out operations necessary to retake Marawi,” he added.

Kim added that the U.S. forces provided guns, ammunition and rubber boats to the Philippine military, as well as “very useful technical advice,” particularly in the area of urban warfare.

The U.S. government likewise committed P750 million ($14.7 million) in aid to victims of the crisis and for rehabilitation of the city.

On Monday, October 23, the Philippine Department of Defense (DND) declared the Marawi siege is now over, five months since the Maute group launched an attack onMay 23. n

Overseas voter registration centers for 2019 national elections now operational in Metro Manila THe Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS), advises the public that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as well as immigrants, seafarers and students who are about to leave for abroad, and who are not yet registered as Overseas Voter, may now register to vote, for the 2019 National elections, at the following Overseas Voter Registration Centers (OVRCs) in Metro Manila until 30 September 2018: • Department of Foreign Affairs – Satellite Office at Robinson’s Galleria Level 1 Lingkod Pinoy Center, eDSA cor. Ortigas Ave. • Department of Foreign Affairs

– Satellite Office at SM Manila 5th Floor, SM City Manila, Conception St., Manila • Department of Foreign Affairs – Satellite Office at Alabang Town Center 4th Floor, Metro Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Zapote Road,Muntinlupa City • Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Citigold Center, 1345 Pres.

Quirino Ave. cor. Osmeña Highway, Manila • OWWA Training Center Victoria cor. Solana Sts., Intramuros, Manila • Philippine Overseas employment Administration (POeA) eDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong

• Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) 5th and 6th Floor Parkview Plaza, Taft Avenue cor. T.M. Kalaw City of Manila All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad from April 13 – May 13, 2019 during the overseas voting period for the 2019 elections, at least 18 years old on May 13, 2019, and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register as an overseas voter, at the abovementioned locations or at the nearest Philippine Foreign Service Posts abroad including the three (3) Manila economic and Cultural Offices (MeCO) in Taiwan. (for an updated list please go to www.dfaoavs.gov.ph or www.comelec.gov. ph). Register and vote! n

New York City bike path terror attack...

PAGE A1 The truck then rammed into a school bus on Chambers Street, injuring two adults and two children inside. He then exited the truck, wielding pellet and paintball guns as panicked bystanders began fleeing the scene.

The suspect began shouting, “Allahu Akhbar (God is great)” as a uniformed police officer chased him down and fired at least five shots at the suspect.

The suspect fell to the ground, but did not die. The attack resulted in six people dying immediately on the scene and two dying later in hospitals.

Victims that have been identified include six Argentinian high school students, two young American men and a Belgian mother, according to the NYPD. Several knives were found in and around the truck used in the attack.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio immediately classified the attack as an “act of terror” in a press conference held later that day.

“This was a cowardly act of terror. It was intended to break our spirit. But New Yorkers are resilient. We will be undeterred,” de Blasio tweeted on Tuesday.

Ties to the Islamic State The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov, a native of Uzbekistan who came to the U.S. in 2010 through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, a program that distributes nearly 50,000 visas to countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, the federal government has filed terrorism charges against Saipov.

Specifically, he is being charged for providing material support to the Islamic State (IS), violence and destruction of motor vehicles.

Investigators spoke with Saipov from his hospital bed, where he was getting treated for a gunshot wound, and confirmed that he was inspired by truck attacks from IS videos. He said he rented a truck

on October 22 to “practice making turns” and specifically chose Halloween for the attack “because he believed there would be more civilians on the street for the holiday.”

John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, said that Saipov, a resident of New Jersey, had been planning the attack for weeks and “did this in the name of ISIS,” as evident from a note written in Arabic found near the scene.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday morning that Saipov had been “radicalized domestically,” and that “the evidence shows — and again, it’s only several hours, and the investigation is ongoing — but that after he came to the United States is when he started to become informed about ISIS and radical Islamic tactics.”

Immediate response and aftermath As Americans attempt to grapple with yet another terrorist attack, the White House has announced several initiatives to prevent another attack.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States must “come up with punishment that is far quicker and far greater than the punishment these animals are getting right now.”

He added: “We need quick justice and we need strong justice - much quicker and much stronger than we have right now. Because what we have right now is a joke and it’s a laughing stock.”

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the president announced plans to bring a proposal to Congress asking to eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery, which was signed into law in 1990 to promote immigration from countries which have little representation in the U.S. “I am going to ask Congress to immediately initiate work to get rid of this program, diversity lottery, diversity lottery,” Trump said at the meeting. “Sounds nice, it is not nice, it is not good.

It hasn’t been good and we have been against it.”

Trump has also announced that he’s considering sending Saipov to the U.S.-run Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, a move that many critics disagree with.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was quick to condemn the president’s “rushed” response to send the suspect to the controversial Guantanamo Bay as well as his “reactionary” proposal to impose major changes to the country’s immigration standards.

“Sending Saipov to Guantanamo or treating him as an ‘enemy combatant’ would violate due process and the rule of law,” Anthony D Romero, executor director of the ACLU, said in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s a shame that Trump is using this attack as a platform for pushing his anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim agenda.”

Wade McMullen, an attorney at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, said that “it’s not even worth reacting to whether the president’s suggestion of sending this suspect to [Guantanamo] is legal or even effective — it’s clearly neither.”

McMullen cited the president’s universally panned response to the attack at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August which resulted in the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer. He criticized the president’s hurried response to the New York attack in comparison to his lukewarm response to the Charlottesville attack.

“What we should be asking is why is this president is quick to use such radical, extreme language in the wake of the tragedy in New York, but after the terror attack in Charlottesville, could only muster something about how ‘there were very fine people on both sides’,” McMullen said.

“Racism and Islamophobia will never result in sound, legal or effective counterterrorism policy.”

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEmbER 2-8, 2017

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

A

Dateline PAlvarez hiliPPines to Sereno: Show up at impeachment hearing

by Dana

sIoson AJPress

against her through lawyers representing her.”

HOUSe Speaker Pantaleon “The right to be heard and be Alvarez said Philippine Chief defended by counsel in all stagJustice Maria Lourdes Sereno es of a criminal proceeding is a should personally appear dur- very basic right of an individual, ing Congress hearings so she which not even this Honorable could be given the opportunity to Committee, indeed Congress, cross-examine witnesses in the can take away from a respondent impeachment complaint against her.

In a statement, Alvarez claimed that Sereno’s failure to appear before Congress amount to the waiving of her right to cross-examine witnesses.

Citing the rules of procedure in impeachment proceedings, AlvaPARADE OF SAINTS. Children dress as saints on the eve of the feast of All Saints at San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila. Clerics are rez insisted that defense lawyers encouraging kids to put on saintly costumes instead of dressing up as ghosts, ghouls and goblins for Halloween.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma cannot cross-examine witnesses themselves.

“She should appear because she is the accused. Otherwise, her right to cross-examine the

by Ian nIcolas cIgaral optimistic that China will stop new mine,” he said, referring to waters witnesses would be waived. If Philstar.com expansions in South China Sea un- and features within the Philippines’ she does not appear, her lawyers have no right to cross-examine MANILA — President Rodri- der a deal brokered by both sides. exclusive economic zone. go Duterte on Tuesday, Oct. 31, said Duterte nonetheless gave an the witnesses,“ the House speakAsked about his response should he is hopeful that China will keep its China decide not to honor its assurance that he will raise the er said over the weekend.

Sereno’s camp recently filed a promise to stop the occupation of promise, Duterte said the question maritime issue to his Chinese counmotion asking the House Comnew features in the disputed South should be answered by Beijing, terpart within his term to discuss mittee on Justice to allow her China Sea as he reiterated anew his not him. “what is really in store for us all.” strategy to settle the maritime row: He also said the Philippines is not lawyers to question the witnesses “China has put it on record, that Don’t insult the superpowers. near the Pag-asa, where we also ready to go to war against China, in the impeachment proceedings The Philippines claims parts have our bay there, the Scarbor- adding that “talking” to Beijing against her.

In the motion filed last week, of the South China Sea within its ough Islands, China has committed remains his key strategy in solving the chief justice’s counsel asked exclusive economic zone and calls to us not to build anything there and the sea row in order to not upset the the panel to “recognize her conit the West Philippine Sea. I hope that they would honor that Asian power.

Speaking to reporters upon his commitment to us,” Duterte said.

“I hope we will reach that stage. stitutionally guaranteed rights to return from his second visit to “I have been clear on this. I And China is a good listener. Okay?” be represented by a legal counsel and to confront the witnesses Japan, Duterte said he remains did not grab anything, but this is Duterte said.

Duterte hopeful China will stop expansion in disputed sea

Trillanes disputes column claiming Trump called him ‘little narco’ MANILA — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday, Nov. 1 clarified that an opinion column claiming that U.S. President Donald Trump called him a “little narco” is wrong.

According to an opinion column in The Star published Wednesday, Trump reportedly remarked “the little narco met with Senator Marco (Rubio)” when asked about Trillanes.

The writer of the column said that Trump reportedly made the remark “while onboard Air Force One.” The column, quoting from the supposed report, claimed: “Trump responded: ‘Senator who? Like I said senator who? The lil narco who met Marco? Who’d he get a

visa? Isn’t he wanted, doesn’t he have an arrest warrant or something?’”

But Trillanes pointed out that the columnist “can’t even cite the news outfit that conducted the interview.”

An online search for the supposed report leads to the Adobo Chronicles, a website that claims to offer satirical news but whose content is often shared online as legitimate news.

The Adobo Chronicles post “Trump calls Trillanes a ‘narco;’ Trillanes calls Trump a ‘wacko’” has since been picked up and republished by websites that were already identified earlier as sources of “fake news” — false information made to look like real news.

Pro-Duterte blogger RJ Nieto of Thinking Pinoy also reposted the column.

“In the first place, those senior U.S. government officials would not meet with me if I had dubious credentials,” the senator said.

“Moreover, a significant remark like that would’ve been captured by mainstream media and not released through bloggers, fake news websites and tabloid columns.”

The senator, a known Duterte critic, went to the U.S. last month and met with Republican Senator Marco Rubio. He said that they discussed, among other topics, the human rights situation in the country.

PAGE A7

“That’s fake news,” said Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday as he called out a newspaper column that claiming U.S. President Donald Trump called him “little narco”.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

in an impeachment proceeding,” the motion further read. expressing disagreement with the House speaker, Sereno’s camp insisted that her lawyers have the right to cross-examine the resource persons as a matter of due process.

PAGE A7

A6

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Asian allies

FEATURES

THE Philippine economy is booming. With more foreign players starting to invest in the country, there is no better time to harness the good prospect of doing business in the Philippines than now. Despite some tough times, the country is still able to offer the best investment opportunities.

The country is entering a “golden age of strategic partnership” with Japan, as both sides have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in various areas of mutual concern.

This was how Pres. Rodrigo Duterte described his recent two-day sojourn to the Land of the Rising Sun on Oct. 30-31, where he met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to reaffirm bilateral partnership between the two Asian nations and deepen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

When he returned home on Tuesday, Oct. 31, Duterte brought home with him multi-billion dollars worth of pledges of assistance and investments from Japan.

The Japanese government reiterated its full commitment to assist the Philippines in its economic and infrastructure development in the next five years by pledging close to $9 billion through a special fund.

“This covers huge impact and high-value infrastructure projects that my country needs to sustain and spur our economic growth. There will be some of the most ambitious and groundbreaking projects, including the Metro Manila Subway project, and major developments in the regions and prov-

inces,” Duterte announced.

Prime Minister Abe also vowed “maximum support” for the restoration of Marawi and further strengthen support for Mindanao’s peace and development and its efforts toward the establishment of an autonomous government.

He said it was a great honor to welcome Duterte whom he described as “dear and cherished friend.”

“I conformed with President Duterte that we are both maritime nations sharing basic values and strategic interests. And as such, Japan and the Philippines will cooperate to address common issues such as North Korea nuclear and missile issue and the only resolution of the abduction issue and realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific and also counter measures against terrorism and illegal drugs,” Abe said.

Aside from the whopping amount worth of investments, the two leaders also vowed to further promote bilateral cooperation in energy, employment creation, information and communication technology, environment, agriculture and disaster reduction.

Six decades have passed since the reconciliation of the Philippines and Japan after the dam-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

age brought upon by the Japanese Military in the country during World War II. Since then, Japan has been one of the Philippines ’ top donors by continuously providing the country with grants and soft loans.

Duterte’s recent trip from Japan brought not

only good news but also generated a certainty about the future path of cooperation between the two countries. Japan—being an adherent of globalization—expressed its confidence in the Philippines and has always provided ways to help the country gain its full economic potential. (AJPress)

Russia collusion case vs Trump campaign moves forward with indictments and a guilty plea THE TRUMP administration has claimed The Fil-Am that the independent probe by Special Perspective Counsel Robert Mueller on the alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign to interfere in GEL SANTOS-RELOS the 2016 U.S. presidential election is ending because of lack of evidence.

However, the fact is: the case has moved forward with the indictment of Trump’s former top campaign aides and his one-time foreign policy adviser pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his Kremlin-related contacts.

President Donald Trump downplayed the significance of this development and his administration said this has nothing to

do with the campaign and proves nothing about its alleged conspiracy with Russia to influence the elections by hurting Hillary Clinton’s chances in order for Trump to win.

Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and the latter’s business associate, Rick Gates, pleaded not guilty to charges against them which include money laundering.

Trump used Twitter to call this development “Fake News,” stating that according to Manafort’s lawyer, there is no collusion and that what was being charged against his former campaign chief took place before he joined his campaign.

However, according to BBC News, the

indictment of the Mueller investigation alleges that Manafort and Gates conspired on financial crimes from 2006-2017, which covers the period over the summer when Manafort played the important role as campaign manager of the Trump campaign.

Trump also lambasted the credibility of George Papadopoulos through Twitter, calling him a “liar” and a “low-level volunteer” when in the past he would describe him as an “excellent guy” when he served as his campaign’s foreign policy adviser.

BBC News reported further that Papadopoulos was in a photo that Trump tweeted of himself in March of 2016 hosting a national security meeting with his foreign policy team.

According to NBC News, court documents in the case revealed that based on

evidence gathered by the Mueller investigation, the Trump campaign officials were aware that Papadopoulos was trying to set up a meeting between Trump and the Russians, with one of them being Manafort, who wrote a key email about what Papadopoulos was trying to arrange.

The Manafort email stated in the court documents stated, “We need someone to communicate that DT is not doing these trips. It should be someone low level in the campaign so as not to send any signal”.

As NBC News reported, the court documents revealed how Papadopoulos lied when questioned by the FBI regarding communications with foreign nationals with ties to the Russian government who were seeking to establish a relationship with at least one Trump campaign offi-

cials, offering “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

THEREFORE, for the Trump and his administration to continue to say the charges against the Trump campaign is a witch hunt and that the Mueller investigation is folding for lack of evidence is FAKE NEWS. Mueller will weigh how this and the other evidence regarding the communications and ties of other Trumpan campaign members with Russia tell the whole and factual story.

We, the American people, deserve to know no less than the truth. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

America faces deadliest drug crisis in its history. Why is the world not butting in?

Opinion

YEN MAKABENTA LAST Thursday, October 27, according to The New York Times and news agencies, U.S. President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency, taking long-anticipated action to address a rapidly escalating epidemic of drug use.

Speaking from the White house, Trump said: “No part of our society—not young or old, rich or poor, urban or rural—has been spared this plague of drug addiction and this horrible, horrible situation that’s taken place with opioids.”

The elaborate and emotional ceremony was attended by families affected by opioid abuse, members of Congress and administration officials.

Facts of US drug crisis It’s useful even for Filipinos to understand the ramifications of the U.S. drug crisis, because it can help us understand our own embattlement.

Trump said in his announcement: “Effective today, my administration is officially declaring the opioid crisis a national public health emergency under federal law. I am directing all executive agencies to use every appropri-

ate emergency authority to fight the opioid crisis.

“We can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic.”

Opioids are a type of drugs that include illegal substances, such as heroin, and legal painkillers—medications such as oxycodone, codeine and morphine are all types of opioids.

According to the latest figures from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from opioid overdoses—either prescription or illegal—have quadrupled in the US since 1999. The CDC recorded 33,091 deaths in 2015.Since 2000, more than 200,000 Americans have died from overdoses of prescription opioids.

The opioid epidemic or opioid crisis is the rapid increase in the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in the United States and Canada in the 2010s. Opioids are a diverse class of moderately strong painkillers, including oxycodone (commonly sold under the trade names OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and a very strong painkiller, Fentanyl, which is synthesized to resemble other opiates such as opium-derived morphine and heroin. The potency and availability of these substances, despite their high risk of addiction and overdose, have made them popular both as formal medical treatments and as recreational drugs.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, “overdose deaths, particularly

from prescription drugs and heroin, have reached epidemic levels.” In 2016, 62,000 Americans died from overdoses, 19 percent more than in 2015.

Mention of the drug Fentanyl will ring a bell with Filipinos. The drug is being used by DU30. A newer synthetic opioid painkiller, Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

In 2016, the medical publication STAT reported that while Mexican cartels are a main source of heroin smuggled into the US, Chinese suppliers provide both raw fentanyl and the machinery necessary for its production. In British Columbia, police discovered a lab making 100,000 fentanyl pills each month, which they were shipping to Calgary, Alberta.

Silence of the meddlers Now, here’s the remarkable part. As America struggles against its deadly drug crisis, the United Nations has not noticed. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have not said a single word in comment. The European parliament has kept it silence.

Here in the Philippines, after President Rodrigo Duterte declared the existence of an alarming drug crisis here at home, and then decided to use state powers to wage war on illegal drugs, by arresting or even killing people engaged in the drug trade and taking into custody drug users, they took notice.

After he started to show results,

with casualties in the drug war, they got even more interested.

They started taking part in home-based efforts to stop DU 30 and his campaign.

I am mystified why the drug epidemics in America and the Philippines have produced totally contrasting responses from foreign countries and groups.

With one, they are unconcerned and do not care. With our problem, they have no hesitation in meddling and even prescribe what we should be doing instead.

Is this the recrudescence of colonialism?

I think it has more to do with the difference in our political cultures and the current state of national politics in our two countries.

Americans unite against epidemic In the U.S., both Democrats and Republicans support Trump’s declaration of a health emergency because of the opioid crisis.

Democrats were disappointed only by the fact that Trump did not appropriate federal funds to combat the crisis.

“America is hemorrhaging lives by the day because of the opioid epidemic, but President Trump offered the country a Band-Aid when we need a tourniquet,” said Sen. Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts.

Republicans stand squarely behind the emergency declaration. The chairperson of the Republican national committee

issued a strong statement: “Last year more than 64,000 Americans in every corner of our country were lost to drug overdoses.

That’s 142 people each day.

For too long we have not faced this growing crisis head-on. And while we’ve lost so many, we must also remember the innocent children born to addicted parents who are exposed to the dangers of this crisis from their first breath. According to a Center for Disease (CDC) report, the number of babies born addicted to opioids has tripled in the US in 15 years.

It won’t be easy, but we can be —and must be—the generation that puts an end to this crisis, and that starts with our politicians in Washington.

Because addiction is a disease, not a moral failing, we must treat it as such.

Every moment we wait to act, the crisis gets worse.”

Why foreign groups meddle in our affairs Foreign countries and international NGOs meddle in Philippine efforts to combat the drugs epidemic, while shying away from intervening in the US, not because Americans will only laugh at them, but because the Filipino political opposition actively lobby for them to intervene and make life miserable for Duterte and his administration.

Foreign intervention in our affairs may be the only card of the opposition now. They once had hopes in the CIA doing some mischief, but now it’s out of the business of regime change

under Donald Trump. What the opposition relies more on now is the noise that can be readily provided by human rights groups, that seek mainly to raise funds from donors. Some countries, especially in Europe, can be counted on to issue statements.

And then there are the international media organizations, which are always in the hunt for a good story and a cause to champion.

The Philippine drug war has become a convenient target of criticism and propaganda. It’s a sign of the superficiality of the criticism that international critics and agitators do not see the drug problem in the Philippines at all. They are fixated on the so-called extra-judicial killings (EJKs), which have not been documented. It‘s only Duterte’s oftentimes wild statements that give them currency.

The opposition looks overmatched in the battle for hearts and minds. When the Liberal Party shifted colors from yellow to white, it was seen by most Filipinos as the waving of a white flag. Administration communicators have only to remind the public about Noynoy Aquino to rev up government support.

When the AFP and the government ended the IS-inspired siege of Marawi this month after five months of urban warfare, they recorded a victory that will translate to a new reserve of strength for the Duterte presidency. No one will meddle in Philippine affairs for a while.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEmbER 2-8, 2017

A

Philippines ranks 5th in unsolved media killings PH, Japan sign $6 billion business deals by auDrey

Morallo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines remains one of a dozen countries where journalists are killed and perpetrators can get away with it, according to a recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

According to CPJ’s 2017 Global Impunity Index, although the Philippines dropped by one place compared to its rank in the index last year, perpetrators of killings of media workers still go unpunished in the country.

In the past decade, 42 journalists have been killed with impunity many of whom local reporters from outside the capital covering politics, corruption, business and crime, CPJ said.

Since the last index, only one murder was recorded in March 2017, the shooting of reporter Joaquin Briones.

Justice however has not advanced for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre in 2009, among them 32 journalists who were covering the filing of candidacy of a politician that would challenge the iron-clad rule of the Ampatuan family in Maguindanao.

“Three (out of dozens) of suspects were acquitted in July this year on grounds of insufficient evidence. The regional appeals court also upheld petitions for bail

by Datu Sajid, a principal suspect, according to news reports,” CPJ said.

Despite still being ranked as among the most dangerous places on earth for media workers, the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte has made progress, CPJ said.

Duterte formed in October 2016 the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, which has its own team of investigators and prosecutors for the speedy probe of cases of media killings.

Since its formation, the commission has announced investigations into several killings, but no convictions have been achieved so far, CPJ noted.

The media watchdog also took note of the accusations of two people that Duterte, during his time as mayor of Davao City, ordered the killing of radio broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003.

“Duterte has denied any connection to the crime,” CPJ said.

Although many of the killings around the world are related to conflicts, media deaths such as those in the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and India, countries which bill themselves as democracies, have led to the regular appearance of these nations on the group’s impunity index.

The group said that in these countries government officials and criminal groups went unpunished for murdering journalists in high numbers.

“Impunity thrives in conflict environments, where powerful actors often use violent intimidation to control media coverage, while weak-to-nonexistent law and order increases the likelihood of attacks,” it said.

It also noted that the Philippines, India, Mexico and Nigeria, which are all on this year’s impunity index, are on the governing council of the Community of Democracies, a coalition dedicated to upholding and strengthening democratic norms.

The country with the highest

impunity index in the world, according to CPJ, is Somalia which is ravaged in the past decade by a prolonged civil war and an insurgency waged by al-Shabaab militants.

“The war in Syria pushed that country into the second worst spot on the index, compared with third last year. Third on this year’s index is Iraq, where journalists are menaced by the militant group Islamic State and state-backed militias, among other groups,” CPJ said.

The fighting between political forces in South Sudan led it to become number four on the list, CPJ said, adding that this conflict resulted in a 2015 ambush during which five journalists were killed.

In the case of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, much of the danger facing media men and women stems from threats of violent extremist groups operating beyond the reach of authorities.

Afghanistan is not on the list this year because targeted killings of journalists have declined although security conditions remain volatile.

Mexico is number 6 on the list, followed by Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and India.

The Impunity Index is published annually to mark the International Day to end Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2.

It calculates the number of unsolved killings over a 10-year period as a percentage of each country’s population. For this edition, CPJ analyzed journalist killings in every nation that took place between Sept. 1, 2007 and Aug. 31, 2017.

Alvarez to Sereno: Show up at impeachment...

PAGE A5 Defense counsel Josa Deinla, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, warned that the impeachment proceedings against the chief justice might turn into “onesided” affair if their camp would be barred from cross-examining witnesses.

“What will happen is that the determination of probable cause will be a one-sided affair and we think that it should not be the picture seen both by the public and the members of the committee,” Deinla said in a radio interview.

Deinla said they would insist on their motion to recognize Sereno’s “constitutionally

guaranteed rights” when the hearing resumes on November 20.

“Under our Constitution, since she is the accused, Sereno has the right to be defended by her lawyers,” he pointed out.

“Only she has the right to decide whether or not to exercise this right since she is a respondent, who is similar to an accused, and not just a witness or resource person invited by Congress,” he added.

Last month, the house justice committee found the impeachment complaint filed by Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon to be sufficient in form and substance. he accused Sereno of culpable violation of

the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes and betrayal of public trust.

Among the grounds in Gadon’s impeachment rap include Sereno’s “whimsical” and “excessive” purchase of a Toyota Land Cruiser amounting to P5.1 million, and misuse of judiciary funds when attending local and foreign conferences. he also accused Sereno of failing to be truthful in declaring her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), as well as obstructing justice when she ordered Muntinlupa judges to not to issue arrest warrants against Senator Leila De Lima, among others.

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

The Philippines has signed 18 business deals with Japanese firms that will yield at least $6 billion worth of new investments, Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced.

Lopez said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was present during the signing of agreements on Monday, October 30, in Tokyo.

According to the trade secretary, firms will invest through joint ventures and the expansion of operations in the Philippines in manufacturing (shipbuilding, iron, steel); agribusiness, power, renewable energy, transportation, infrastructure, mineral processing, retailing, information technology, among others. “[Duterte] met several Japanese companies and witnessed several B-B MOUs (business-tobusiness memoranda of understanding) and letters of intent on Investment plans, joint ventures and expansion of operations in the Philippines,” Lopez said.

“Total new investments (are expected to reach) $6 billion,” he added.

Among the Japanese companies that pledged investments to the Philippines were Marubeni Corporation; Itochu Corporation; Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.; Taiheiyo Cement Corporation; Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.; Japan Tobacco Inc.; Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.; Ministop Co., Ltd.; and Lawson Inc. Also included were Ubicon holdings, Inc.; Advanced World Solutions, Inc.; Densan System Co. Ltd.; hitachi Asia; hitachi Ltd.; Subic Smart Community Corporation; Nomura Real estate Development Co., Ltd.; Isetan Mitsukoshi holdings Ltd.; Federal Land, Inc.; and Yamato Kogyo and Itochu Corporation.

Meanwhile, Philippine firms which expressed intention to engage in joint ventures with Japanese companies were Alsons/ AWS Information Systems, Inc.;

President Rodrigo Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands after delivering their joint press statement following the summit meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, October 30.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

CIS Bayad Center, Inc.; Meralco; Newcoast Southbeach Realty, Inc.; Federal Land, Inc.; SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation; and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

Lopez added that he also met with his Japanese counterpart hiroshige Seko and discussed ways to improve market access and lowering tariff for Philippine agricultural products like banana, pineapple, and mango.

They also discussed Japan’s support for Industrial Cooperation Dialogue and improving supply chain for the benefit of small and medium enterprises in the Philippines. $1-billion loan The Japanese government likewise pledge $1.143 billion or 129.857 billion yen worth of loans to fund key infrastructure and development projects in the Philippines.

According to a statement released by the Japanese foreign ministry, the loan will partly fund three Philippine projects, which include the Metro Manila Subway Project; the arterial road bypass project; and the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project.

Citing the robust ties between the two countries, Lopez said the terms of loans are friendly.

“It’s really development assistance. It’s like giving a friend a very good deal,” Lopez told re-

porters. “It’s like a friend helping another friend.”

Japan is providing as much as 104.53 billion yen to support the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project, which has an interest rate of 0.1 percent per annum and repayment period of 28 years after a 12-year grace period.

The subway—which seeks to help address the traffic congestion in Metro Manila—is expected to run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to FTI complex in Taguig City, with an additional line extending towards the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, about 9.399 billion yen will be used to fund the third phase of the arterial road bypass project, which has an interest rate of 1.5 percent per annum and repayment period of 20 years after the grace period of 10 years.

The bypass project aims to relieve traffic congestion in Plaridel City by constructing a highway directly linking Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Japan will also provide 15.928 billion yen loan to fund the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, which seeks to reduce flood damage in the province.

It has an interest rate of 0.3 percent per annum and repayment period of 30 years after a 10-year grace period.

Trillanes disputes column claiming Trump...

PAGE A5

Trillanes, in his statement, urged the public: “Let us be more discerning about these things.”

Last month, the Senate committee on public information and mass media conducted a probe into the proliferation of fake news.

The hearing was prompted by a manifestation by seven senators who said they had been targeted by malicious social media posts for not signing a resolution denouncing extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s campaign against

illegal drugs.

They said they did not get a chance to sign the resolution.

The one-day hearing however, failed to discuss crucial issues as some senators took the time to air their grievances over social media posts critical of them.

A

november 2-8, 2017 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

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JOURNAL

‘Geostorm’: Fil-Am Dean Devlin’s directorial debut Miss International 2016

By MOMAR

G. VISAYA

change? What if we don’t? What if we could create this amazing machine to control the weather FIL-AM Hollywood honcho around the entire planet? And Dean Devlin has stepped a bit outwhat would we do if it went side his comfort zone and made rogue?” his feature film directorial debut Essentially, the concept of a with the suspense sci-fi thriller geostorm, in the context of the “Geostorm”, starring an internafilm, is that the planet is being tional array of Hollywood stars led protected by a massive array of

by Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, satellites and if the satellites go Abbie Cornish, Andy Garcia and rogue, they can actually start a Ed Harris, among others. storm instead of prevent them.

While “Geostorm” is still in theAnd if the satellites systematically aters, Devlin in post-production fail, that storm can continue to on his second feature directorial grow and it can cover the entire effort, “Bad Samaritan,” starring planet.

David Tennant, and is also in As writer/producer/director post-production on the fourth Devlin imagines a world in which season of the TNT hit series “The global political cooperation and a Librarians,” which premiered in vast network of weather-control2014 as the most watched cable ling satellites installed in space debut of that year. have rendered natural disasters a Over the last twenty years, Devthing of the past. lin has co-written and produced “At the heart of ‘Geostorm’ is some of the most successful a political thriller, it’s a whodunit. feature films of all time. He coIn the film, someone is murdered wrote and produced “Stargate,” and there is a big effort to figure “Godzilla,” and “Independence out who did it and why. The conDay,” which grossed more than sequences of this political thriller, $800 million worldwide, and rehowever is a disaster on a worldwide scale,” Devlin added.

Asked about the advantages (or disadvantages) of his multiple roles in the film, Devlin paused and replied, “If you’ve written it, you know about the story you want to tell. The challenge is you have to disrespect the script sometimes and throw the script away and face the challenges of what’s happening on the set at that moment, divorce yourself.”

“Tom Hanks once said that the reason it is difficult to make a great movie is that you have to make a great movie three times, you have to write one, shoot one and edit one. All three of those experiences have to be great.

The biggest challenge of doing all those three challenges is being able to separate each section, the advantage is you have a lot of information.”

Devlin also heaped praises on his cast, an international group Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish and director Dean Devlin on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and of actors meant to represent the Skydance’s suspense thriller “Geostorm,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. global scale of geostorms.

AJPRESS

cently produced the sequel “Independence Day: Resurgence.”

For “Geostorm”, Devlin also wears a couple of other hats as he also wrote the script with Paul Guyot and he is also co-producing it.

“When my daughter was about 6 years old, she started learning about climate change and she very naively asked me, ‘Daddy, why can’t we just build a machine that fixes this?’,” Devlin said in an interview. “I tried to engage her in discussing geo-engineering and the complexities of how hard it is to accomplish and the moral questions on what we should be doing of what we should not be doing, I realized that the best way to explain it to her is through a bedtime story.”

That question sparked all these ideas in his mind about what would happen if we did build just such a machine. Then more questions came, one after the other.

And what if something went horribly wrong? What if we wait too long to deal with extreme climate

Photo by Ben Rothstein

Kylie Verzosa: Heart strong

by SAMANTHA

BELTRAN Philstar.com

Fil-Am Dean Devlin

PAGEANTRY is perhaps the closest thing the Philippines has to royalty. Over time and again, our pageant-obsessed culture has allowed us to exalt our beauty queens to such a high pedestal, revered for their otherworldly mix of beauty, brains and the ability to give quotable soundbites as the next inspirational mantra.

Although we usually expect regality from our illustrious roster of beauty queens, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa is out of the ordinary. In spite of her striking features, Kylie has an innate down-to-earth nature that leaves her charming yet relatable.

A year after passing on the crown, Kylie Verzosa is still fondly adored by the people who supported her reign. She still gets approached on the street for selfies, she has over 700,000 followers on Instagram, and she’s still very

One of the first discussions with respect to casting the film, Devlin said, centered on the fact that global warming is a global concern.

“We wanted to make a movie that would speak to the whole world, with a truly international cast to reflect it,” he said.

Among the film’s players are actors from all over, including Scottish-born Gerard Butler, the UK’s Jim Sturgess, Australian Abbie Cornish, Mexico’s Eugenio Derbez, Romanian Alexandra Maria Lara, Germany’s Zazie Beetz, Nigerian Adepero Oduye, Egypt’s Amr Waked, Irish-born Robert Sheehan, Cuban Andy Garcia, and the USA’s Ed Harris, Talitha Bateman and Daniel Wu, the latter being a first-generation American of Shanghainese descent.

“We got lucky with the casting.

When you set out to do a movie, you have a wish list of people you want in the movie and most of the time, you don’t get them,” he said laughing. “This cast was just a blessing in every sense.”

“I have always wanted to work with Ed Harris my whole career and suddenly to be on set with him, I was like a stammering little fan because he is an icon. Gerald Butler is a storm, he literally is a storm of energy. It is a giant blessing on the set, because it is tiring making a movie, the hours are long and it is exhausting and then this storm comes to set and Designer Pia Gladys Perey he is just full of energy.”

ManilaTimes.net photo PAGE B4

Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa Photo from Instagram/@kylieverzosa

much in the public eye. After all, being a beauty queen doesn’t stop after one’s reign.

“Being a beauty queen is putting your best foot forward. It’s my job to be the best I can be,” Kylie PAGE B3

Pia Gladys Perey: Empowering women of all shapes and sizes

by CARLA

HIGHAM ManilaTimes.net

IT was an unusually cold summer night in Westlake, California, but Westlake Magazine managed to turn up the heat in a celebration of fashion and fast cars with a petite Filipina and her beautiful dresses at the center of attention.

Underneath the glare of the spotlight and flashing cameras, Pia Gladys Perey was full of energy, giving hardly any hint she had no sleep the past three days.

As her models sashayed around her, wearing her latest take on her trademark drape designs, she was still on a high from unveiling this very collection at the 2017 New York Fashion Week.

PAGE B4

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B2 NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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‘The Girl Who Sees’: First-ever video game on Filipino culture and mythology Reconnecting with Filipino culture The idea of the game first GIVEN the lack of Filipino came about sometime in 2016 representation in the interna- when Umali was pursuing a tional gaming industry, a group master’s degree in international of Filipino-Americans is seeking and intercultural communication to change that with the develop- at American University in Washment of a Filipino fantasy video ington, DC and had taken some courses at the Game Lab. game.

Later that year, she particiSet during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines dur- pated in the Global Game Jam, ing World War II, “The Girl Who where she met Cherisse Datu Sees” is a 2D point-and-click and Nathan Hahn, who are both adventure role-playing game now part of the design and (RPG) that follows Quina Laban development team of “The Girl (the Tagalog word for fight), a Who Sees.”

“I was looking for a quick sumyoung Filipina girl living in a fishing village. She encounters mer project to do and it turned mythological creatures, like a into a much bigger thing with duwende (dwarf) or kapre (tree a life of its own,” Umali told the giant), and embarks on quests, Asian Journal.

Others behind the game are such as translating a mysterious Jerald Dorado (game and promoancient scroll.

With the scroll, Quina hopes tional art), Joshua Marquez (music), to uncover “this secret [to] ex- Tristan Espinoza (animation and plain why she suddenly gains story), Andrew Pendergrast (muthe power to see Tagalog words sic), and Brittany Williams (video).

In conceptualizing the game, everywhere she turns,” according to the game’s creator and project Umali thought about a period of time in the Philippines — World lead, Pattie Umali.

U m a l i s h a re d t h a t “ T h e War II — that could spark interGirl Who Sees” looks to make est in younger generations of strides as the first game of Filipinos and even non-Filipinos its kind — including the first to learn about the country’s internationally-released, kid- history. Her previous research friendly adventure game about found that there had not been ancient Philippine mythology any game whose title or main and the first game in the United focus was on Filipino culture or States to focus on Filipino the Philippines.

“There is a social good edge to culture.

By CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPRESS

“The Girl Who Sees” team includes Filipina-Americans Cherisse Datu (game design and media communications) and Pattie Umali (creator).

it, which is to learn more about Filipino culture that no one has ever really delved deep into in terms of media, unless you’re talking about war zones and someone shooting up things in the Philippines,” Datu said.

Datu, whose media background includes working at Al Jazeera and ESPN, remarked that she was attracted to Umali’s project because of the opportunity to bring more visibility to Filipino culture and compel second and third generations of Filipinos to learn their parents’ native tongue.

“I think to be a Filipino-American in America, it’s kind of like a revolutionary act to love yourself or to say like, ‘Oh, my language is important,’” Datu said.

The main character Quina and the setting of the game were

Cherisse Datu (left), Pattie Umali (right), and lead programmer Nathan Hahn (far right) during a work session.

heavily influenced by Umali’s maternal grandmother Ofelia, who grew up in Pigcawayan, a municipality in the Cotabato province of the Philippines, during the war.

(The fictional town in the game is named Pigcaway.)

Twelve years old when the war began, Ofelia and her family hid in the forest after their home was burned down. With the help of a local tribe, the family was able to build a house using supplies and materials they found.

“That really impacted me as such a different life experience that I’m never going to have to encounter, God willing,” Umali said. “It was something I really wanted to highlight about how so many people in the Philippines who were of the older generation had experienced such trauma and such cruelty…They are only a couple of generations away and we should be aware of those differences and experiences.”

With choosing a young girl as the heroine — inspired by games from the early 2000s that featured “a kid running around on an adventure” — Umali and Datu hope Filipinas will be motivated to play the game.

“I really hope that it shows them that they don’t need any boys’ help to explore. I hope that they build plenty of confidence.

And frankly, one thing that Cherisse and I have sort of talked about is that there is definitely not going to be any romantic interest in this game because you know we want to show that a girl can do all this on her own without anyone’s help,” Umali said.

Datu added that throughout the game, Quina has to navigate and communicate in a “male-influenced world.”

The team anticipates that young boys will be receptive as well to playing as a female character because of the types of adventures and challenges Quina encounters along the way.

“For me, I would love to get boys to experience playing a female who isn’t completely sexualized like Lara Croft or you know any other game in which there’s a female character,” Umali said.

Added Datu, “And recognize that you know, girls can be as bad ass and kick ass too. And she’s doing a lot of kick-ass things that boys enjoy doing as well. There’s nothing really gendered too much about her, just like she’s wearing a dress.”

Tool for social change Though the target audience is 10 to 30 years old, the team says it can transcend generations and age groups — kids can play it with their parents and other older relatives and start conversations their own stories— and cater to those who don’t have much expe-

Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado

rience playing video games.

“I hope that people who don’t traditionally play games will give this a chance and check out our demo. Something that I’m really focused on is making this game accessible to people of all types of ages and all levels… because as I said, I do think that this is something that could really bond people of different age groups together,” Umali said. “They don’t have to be scared of it just because it’s a video game. It is fun to play and it will teach you some things.”

To coincide with FilipinoAmerican History Month in October, the team launched the game’s demo and a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo with a $30,000 goal. As of this writing, nearly $8,000 had been raised with a month left.

Before the campaign ends, the team is reaching out to the Filipino-American community, either through online or live events, to preorder and donate to the campaign.

“I can say it’s that interesting so far in sort of engaging the Filipino community online and we have been seeing the awesome sharing and exposure…but one request and plea that our team

has is that interest should be accompanied by action. We have had a lot of interest, but people aren’t necessarily going and donating to our campaign. They don’t have to go and give $100. I mean even just expressing their support in the form of $5 or $10, this could be a world of help to us,” Umali said.

This funding will go toward developing, promoting and publishing the game with four chapters by December 2018 available for Windows and Mac computers.

Those who donate will receive a copy of the full game, which has features like learning Tagalog through translating an ancient scroll with Quina and completing quests for Manong Kapre, such as interacting with Japanese soldiers and hidden guerrilla fighters.

“There are a lot of brilliant Filipino artists and Filipino musicians. And so, for me, after we reach our funding goal, I’d be totally open to getting back to the community and talking through what it takes to sort of make the game. Hopefully, this won’t be the only Filipino game; this will be the beginning of more games about Filipino culture,” Datu said.

Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado

Quina Laban, the heroine of “The Girl Who Sees”

EntErtainmEnt

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Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa...

PAGE B1 shares. “And I like it because it pushes me and it gives me that pressure to be at your peak all the time — to be beautiful physically, to be able to say something at the snap of anyone’s finger.”

Although Kylie does lead quite the peculiar life, thanks to a job that shuns the usual nine-to-five, the beauty queen is quick to point out that there is hard work that goes beyond the high heels, the hair extensions and the glamour.

“It’s not what people think it is. It’s a lot of hard work because it’s not a common job. It’s not the normal path to success,” Kylie says. “It’s fulfilling because it pushes me, but at the same time, it’s a job. I’m my own person at the end of the day. I go home and kick off my shoes, and I’m Kylie again. It takes a lot of emotional and mental strength — but I like it. It’s fun, it’s work, and I wouldn’t do anything else. It took so much for me to get here, and for me to stay here.”

As Miss International, she had the immense fortune of traveling around the world, visiting 15 countries for her reign while pushing for mental heath, an advocacy she’s taken to heart.

Kylie’s bright look turns a tad solemn at the mention of mental health, an advocacy that hits close to home. In her industry that calls on motherhood statements such as world peace and inner beauty as pageant staples, Kylie’s decision to take on mental health as an advocacy from day one was unheard of, a peculiar choice that earned its share of skeptics and critics.

The beauty queen says, “About two or three years ago when I first joined Binibini, I was asked about what advocacy I wanted to take on, and I said, ‘mental health.’ I wanted to talk about depression and suicide, and how mental illness is affecting the youth, and how suicide rates are increasing.

I was told, ‘That’s such a sad advocacy. Isn’t that too depressing?

Why don’t you just take on the usual, like ‘women and children?’

And I thought, is this how we really help people?”

Kylie adds, “I wanted to take on mental health because it was something I went through. I know what it’s like to be depressed.”

The beauty queen shares that after college, she was diagnosed with clinical depression by two psychiatrists. As she didn’t like medication, she turned to natural

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017

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Kris Aquino gets over depression, happy in social media platforms

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

Who will be her successor?

healing, which meant having a strong support group to talk to, an active change in the environment and lifestyle, and strengthening good and positive connections while staying away from toxic people.

“I was lucky to have a strong support group. I have my dad, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so he understood my depression, what I was going through. I got through my depression with a lot of psychotherapy, which is talking to someone — whether it was my psychiatrist or my mentors, as I only have a few people I talk to. I kept my surroundings clean. It’s possible to heal depression naturally, but it’s important to seek your doctor’s advice first.”

As a survivor of mental illness, Kylie still continues to advocate for mental health long after her reign. She’s the ambassador for the World Health Organization’s mental health campaign this year, “Depression: let’s talk,” encouraging people with depression around the globe to talk about their condition. Kylie has also joined Senator Risa Hontiveros’ team as one of the three main advocates for the Mental Health Act. Kylie has also spoken at a TED Talk, crossing it off her bucket list, as she talked about mental health awareness.

Kylie has certainly been the busy bee in pushing for mental health, yet perhaps the most poi-

Photo from Instagram/@kylieverzosa

gnant of her milestones this year is the launch of Mental Health Matters by Kylie Verzosa, an online support group that allows itself to be a safe space for those going through mental illness.

“I just wanted to talk about mental health because no one was doing it at the time — no one was doing it when I was going through it,” Kylie says. “So I just said what I felt like saying. I didn’t know it was going to grow into this huge thing. People started relating to it.

They started to come up to me. I would get tons of letters, e-mails, DMs, and Facebook messages thanking me, or asking for help for themselves or their family members.”

Mental Health Matters was launched in March this year, offering its own corner of the web as a space where those with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can come, as sometimes, they have no one to turn to. Kylie runs the group with a small crew of volunteers, plus a medical professional, sharing articles, quotes, and graphics that personally helped her while she was going through depression.

While it may not seem much, Kylie proudly shares that their group has saved three lives.

Kylie’s certainly been through a lot, but she remains steadfast with a strong heart and clear mind.

Now she’s ready, more than ever, to take on the next chapter of her life.

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

( Mt Carmel, Mt Beatitude, Mt.Tabor, Cana, Capernum, Nazareth, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem Qumran, Masada, Jericho )

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

WHIlE Kris Aquino has been missing out of the small screen since her last TV special “Trip ni Kris” aired in April, the “Queen of All Media” continues to thrive in a different medium.

Conquering social media, Aquino has been among the most followed local celebrities on Instagram with more than three million followers and on Twitter with 1.3 million followers. She has also gained strong followings on Facebook with her official page now at almost 900,000 likers and on YouTube with her official channel reaching more than 55,000 subscribers.

With these platforms, Aquino was able not only to give her followers a peek into her personal life but also to continue doing what she is arguably best at: hosting.

Mini webisodes (web episodes) “The Kris list,” “Wear Kris” and “Heart to Heart with Kris”—where she gets to share her favorite recipes, fashion items and makeup tips, just to name a few—are a hit among netizens with almost 300,000 views per episode.

Kris Aquino

“I love doing it because ang bumebenta dun ay authenticity.

Bawal dun ang scripted. Apart from certain brand mandatory, each epis ode is really freewheeling,” the host remarked during the sidelines of her launch as PlDT-Home’s new endorser.

With her growing following and consistent production of online content, it came as no surprise that Aquino continues to bag brand endorsements despite having no TV show at the moment. Apart from her PlDT endorsement, the actress continues to be the face of a banking institution, a department store and a fastfood chain, among others.

“I am super kilig, to be affiliated with these companies,” the 46-year-old exclaimed.

Aquino was noticeably in a happy disposition during her launch that she freely admitted, “There were doors that were closed but new ones opened.

Also, I am a single mom in her mid-40s so, of course, ang hirap to reinvent and I had to reinvent myself now so yes, there was a time I was really feeling down.”

Now that she is back on her feet, Aquino generously shared how she was able to overcome her dark episode.

“One, you should never stop praying. Two, hold on to your family and your closest friends because they are not going leave you behind. And three, believe in yourself,” the mother of two said.

Nevertheless, Aquino admit-

Photos from Instagram/@krisaquino

ted that she will always have self-doubts, “That’s a constant in everybody’s life, no matter how successful you are or how blessed you will be, you will always have moments when you ask yourself, ‘Am I enough?’”

But instead of growing gloomy with this realization, Aquino said she uses it as a motivation to keep going. She also thanked her two sons and the rest of her family for providing her encouragement.

“I have unconditional love coming from my two sons. Yun ang support system ko. And I have siblings who really love and support me. I think doon nanggagaling yung encouragement and that sense of responsibility to be better everyday because ayaw ko mapahiya sa kanila,” Aquino admitted.

In conclusion, Aquino promised that now that she has found a new platform to reign over and has regained her confidence, she will show gratitude to those people who stayed beside her during her darkest time.

“My sister Pinky told me this, ‘Stay loyal to those who never left your side. Remember when it was dark and raining, those people who were there, now that the sun is shining again, reward them with as much gratitude as you can give them.’ I am taking those words to heart. That’s why I always say na magpapasalamat ako at mamahalin ko nang bonggang-bongga yung mga talagang nagmahal at nagsuporta at nag-encourage sa akin,” Aquino finally shared.

Italia� Pilgrimag� Ho�� �eek� March 23 to April 3,2018 Spiritual Director : TBA

Day 1 - March 23, 2018 (Fri) Los Angeles, California to Venice, Italy Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to LHR connect to our flight to Venice (Meals served in-flight)

Day 2 - March 24, 2018 (Sat) Venice, Italy 3 DEC-Day 1 - (Sun) LAX/TLV On board meals are served

4 DEC-Day 2 - (Mon) - Arrive at Ben Gurion airport Tel-Aviv/Tiberias

After you have finished Immigration, collect Luggage then Meet our guide and driver. Transfer to Tiberias , Dinner /overnight Gai Beach Hotel

After we clear Immigration & Custom, we will meet our Tour Director and driver for our transfer to our hotel,. Dinner at the hotel.( Dinner) If time permit, discover the most romantic views of Venice on foot and from the comfortable seats of a gondola, spend some time gliding through the cities peaceful canals.

Day 3 – March 25, 2018 (Sun) Venice, Italy

Holy Eucharist at the Church of annunciation “And Mary said, Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” We head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth, Celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of Annunciation, visit St Joseph workshop. We return to Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

The greatness of Venice has always been reflected in the richness of St. Mark’s Basilica, the perfect synthesis of Venetian art and a unique blend of Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. Five Oriental-looking domes crown the shadowy, mysterious interior gleaming with golden mosaics, colored marbles, precious stones and pearls, and guarded by the four gilded bronze horses that stand proudly atop the central entrance. The glittering mosaics of the interior tell the story of St. Mark and episodes from the Bible. It’s most famous treasure stands behind the altar in the sanctuary - the Pala D’Oro, a golden altar screen encrusted with jewels We’ll visit theDoge’s Palace, the magnificent VenetianGothic building from where the leaders of the former Venetian Republic ruled until the late 18th century. Head inside and explore the grandiose public chambers that the doges lavished with fine art and ornamentation. Masterpieces by Renaissance champions.(BB,D) Holy Mass at St. Marks Basilica.

07 Dec-Day 5 - (Thurs) Mt Tabor/Mt Beatitude/Capernum/ Sea of Galilee/Tabgha

Day 4 - March 26, 2018 (Mon) Venice to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

5 DEC-Day 3 - (Tues) Cesarea /Haifa

There was a certain man in Caesarea” Drive north to the sparkling port city of Haifa, viewing Caesarea en route, the city built by Herod. In Haifa, we will ascend Mt. Carmel; home of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, Visit the Stella Maris Church celebrate Holy Mass in the main Altar, after enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean, continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Gai Beach Hotel (BB,D)

6 DEC-Day 4 - (Wed) - Tiberias/ Cana/ Nazareth

We drive to Mount Tabor, celebrate Holy Eucharist at the church of Transfiguration, Visit Mt. of Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

08 DEC-Day 6 - (FRI)-Jordan valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will spend the day travelling from Venice to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July 1916 until his death on 23 September 1968. Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive and take in the picturesque scenery along the way. We will reach our hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo in the afternoon. Will have panoramic sightseeing on the way to our hotel,(BB,D).

Day 5 - March 27,2018 (Tues) San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

Drive the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. View the Mount of temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Visit the ancient ruins of the wall. Drive through Wadi Welt to view St George’s Monastery. Continue to Bethany celebrate Holy Eucharist, and then visit the tomb of Lazarus. Arrive in Mount Scopus; enjoy the first view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Notre DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

We begin the day by celebrating Holy Eucharist. Eucharist,. Followed by a short film about St. Padre Pio.Done by our local guide who are very knowledgeable about the life of St. Padre Pio. We’ll start our visit with the Old Church.Here you can see his cell, his confessional box, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Then will visit the New Basilica, Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) dedicated to Padre Pio. (BB,D)

09 DEC-Day 7 - (Sat) - Jerusalem (old City) - Via Dolorosa

Day 6 March 28,2018 (Wed)San Giovanni Rotondo

Holy Sepulcher Church “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place of a skull, which was called in Hebrew Golgotha” Enter the old city of Jerusalem, Sing a hymn in the Church of St Anne and view the pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, where the soldiers played the Game of Kings, and Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the tomb of Our Lord. This afternoon drive to Mount Zion, to visit the upper room, revered as the site of the last supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey’s, St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus three times. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME Vatican Hotel (BB.D)

Holy Eucharist in the Morning in the New Basilica.followed by Station of the Cross. Rest of day spend Praying and meditating (BB,D)

10 DEC-Day 8 - (SUN) - Mount of Olives/Gethesemane/Bethlehem/New City

Day 8 - March 30 2018 (Fri) Assisi to Florence (Good Friday)

Holy Eucharist celebration at the Church of all nations Main altar Arrive at the Mount of Olives and enjoy the beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit Church”God wept “& walk the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethesemane and the Church of all Nations. This Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name the whole world recognizes ,visit the Church of Nativity, the manger, Church of St Catherine, The Grotto of St Jerome, and the shepherds fields. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB ,D).

11 DEC-Day 9 - ( MON) - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Masada

Visit the Western Wall , the only part of the Herodian temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. We drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to Jerusalem Overnight Notre Dame Vatican Hotel (BB,D)

12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City

Return to the new City, Including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Here we will have a better understanding between old and New Jerusalem. Next to Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist, visit the Visitation church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat Overnight NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

13 Dec-Day 11 - (WED) Jerusalem/TLV/LAX

Breakfast rest of the morning Free time early PM dinner has to check out from the hotel, around 8:30 PM flight from TLV/ LAX in the 13 Dec flight depart TLV at 1:00 Am Dec 14,2017 ( end of Service )

Day 7 – March 29, 2018 (Thur) San Giovanni Rotondo to Siena, Italy

After breakfast, we will spend the day travelling from San Giovanni Rotondo to Siena. We will 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 Renaissance art and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena. You’ll learn about the city’s history while admiring its cathedrals, museums, and libraries. Then admire famous Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares.(BB,D) Continue to Assisi overnight /Dinner Celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Crypt where the tomb of the most beloved saints is located ,after Mass visit the Basilica of St Francis, We’ll also visit the Basilica of St.Claire After Lunch continue to Florence Best know for it leather goods,the best in the world Leather (BB,D) Free time in the afternoon Dinner/ Overnight

Day 9 - March 31, 2018 (Sat) Florence to Rome

2 hrs walking tours of Florence,before we continue to Rome We will have a guided walking tour of this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist, Continue to Rome.

Upon our arrival in Rome, Guided tours of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel .See the Largest church in Roman Catholicism ,St Peter Basilica,see the Crypt of St Pope John Paul (BB,D) Transfer to the Hotel /overnight

Day 10 April 1, 2018 (Sun ) Rome

EASTER SUNDAY MASS, VATICAN SQUARE FOLLOWED BY PAPAL BLESSING Visit the Major Basilicas like St Mary Major,St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, St. Paul Outside the Wall, St. Peter’s in Chain, Santa Croce of Jerusalem, afternoon see Imperial Rome, and short visit to the Trevi Fountain on the way to the hotel (BB,D) Dinner in the hotel

Day 11 April 2, 2018 (Mon) Rome Free time in Rome ( BB,D)

Day 12 April 3, 2018 (Mon) Rome – USA

Transfer to the airport for our flight back to USA, End of our memorable Pilgrimage

B NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

EntErtainmEnt

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Pia Gladys Perey: Empowering women of all shapes...

‘Geostorm’: Fil-Am Dean Devlin’s...

PAGE B1

From the cast to the set, the film’s producers made sure that everything was credible, including their recreation of the International Space Station, completed

by NASA in 2000 after 12 years of construction in orbit, utilizing parts manufactured on Earth and shuttled to the site, which today maintains a distance of about 250 miles above the planet as it circles it approximately 15 times each day.

“We wanted to have a set that had so many twists and turns in it that you can get lost inside of it. It was a remarkable set and it always blows my mind on movies when you see these amazing sets and you think in a few weeks, they’d be gone. I wish I had a bigger backyard so I can just say ‘Put that in my house!’,” Devlin shared.

Devlin added, “When the guys from NASA came in early on to look at the artwork and to check out our designs for the sets, I had my heart in my throat. It was im-

portant to me that we have their stamp of approval, and I trust Kirk’s work implicitly, but when they told us how close we were to reality, I was floored nonetheless!”

The whole of the ISS sets for “Geostorm” were accommodated by five adjoining soundstages at New Orleans’ Big Easy Studios, situated on a portion of an actual NASA manufacturing plant on the city’s eastside, the Michoud Assembly Facility.

As someone who grew up watching fun sci-fi films, Devlin said he hopes the film gets to resonate with fans who are looking for a great time at the movies.

“The audience can expect a big, wild, crazy fun adventure.

This is a throwback to the kind of big popcorn movies that I fell in love with that I wanted to make, and have made,” he said.

“But beyond that, there is an underlying message in what is otherwise a big, giant popcorn adventure.”

PAGE B1 Juggling a runway show with a fashion shoot all at once, it was plain to see how this Filipina designer’s label has penetrated the highbrow markets of the United States, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. She works to the bone for her success and she is greatly rewarded.

Hands on in every aspect of the PGP brand’s creative process, as well as its business operations, Perey is able to produce pieces of enchanting clothing that make women of every shape and size look and feel like a Greek goddess.

No wonder her designs have attracted the likes of Hollywood goddess idols in Angelina Jolie, Demi Lovato and Petra Nemcova to name a few. For no matter how soft and feminine her silhouettes and fabrics may be, Perey’s line has embodied one principle from the very beginning: women empowerment. She celebrates and enhances curves of every kind in the most beautiful and flattering ways, and surges on as PGP marks its 10th anniversary in fashion.

A decade of strength Perey first launched PGP in 2007 at the New Generation of shows of IMG’s Mercedes Benz Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. Soon after, the label appeared in the runways of France, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and of course Manila.

Reflecting on the last 10 years of her rise to success, Perey told The Sunday Times Magazine, “It feels surreal. When I think of the things I did, what I sacrificed to reach a decade of pushing for something I believe in, I would say to myself, ‘Wow Pia, you are crazy!’”

Settling down from a delighted laugh, she thoughtfully added, “But I know this is the path I am meant to tread and that makes me very happy and grateful.”

Asked if she feels “she made it” in just a short 10 years in the international fashion scene, Perey honestly replied, “I don’t think that at all. A lot of things may have happened in 10 years but I always say I’m not even halfway where I want to be and that’s the truth. I still have so many things to accomplish.”

Clearly a go-getter, she acknowledges her milestones just the same, saying, “They validate me and my work as a designer, but I don’t like to limit myself because when you think you’ve made it, that’s when you stop growing. There will always be more things to achieve and things to accomplish.”

Grateful for the last 10 years, Perey declared, “My brand is my baby and as kids say reaching the double digits is special. Not a lot of self-owned brands make it to 10 so this year also reminds me of all the work that happened behind the scenes that nobody sees.

“The first three years represented the struggle to start, get the brand out there, and make it known, while the next two represented the challenges of staying in the game. It was only after the fifth year that I finally got to enjoy the ‘perks’ of being a designer, and of course now, more than ever, I have the chance to enjoy the fruits of my labor and concentrate on expanding to new markets.”

Sharing her secret to success, she simply stated, “I never do things half baked and I always give my 100 percent. I am in the limited ready-to-wear business and not couture—retail does not

Juggling a runway show with a fashion shoot all at once, it was plain to see how Filipina designer Pia Gladys Perey’s label has penetrated the highbrow markets of U.S., Asia and even South Africa.

ManilaTimes.net photos

Gerard Butler as Jake Lawson in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Skydance’s suspense thriller “Geostorm.”

Photo by Ben Rothstein

Besides being one of the country’s top international designers, Perey is a proud mother of four children.

get as much attention and praise as couture but I saw the gap and I saw the need for comfort without sacrificing style. It was then I identified with the everyday woman with real needs and duties. She’s what made me keep going through the years. Whenever I see I can make real women feel good about themselves through my work, I keep on going all the more.”

Every woman At the core of PGP is its designer’s belief that every woman deserves to feel beautiful and confident. It is this conviction that literally shaped her brand and designs, all leading up to a special project Perey unveiled to mark her 10th anniversary.

Dubbed the “Shape Campaign,” she recalled its inspiration to The Sunday Times Magazine: “The Shape Campaign actually just fell on my lap. I just saw more and more women from petite to plussized wearing my dresses from all over the world and I realized, women, regardless of where they are from, share the same fears about their body.”

Through her label, women have reached out to Perey thank-

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

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ing her for making them look and feel good about themselves.

“To hear how your dress made someone feel empowered is very rewarding, especially with curvy women. They rave about how my designs offer coverage yet still emphasize their curves and I feel validated. I feel like I’m doing something right whenever that happens.

The Shape Campaign therefore encourages women to appreciate their bodies.

“I want women to embrace who they really are because a dress size doesn’t define who she is and doesn’t dictate what she can or cannot do. It is important to accept who you really are.”

Speaking on a personal note, Perey continued, “I grew up with a disability that was only corrected a year ago and it caused me a lot of distress growing up, until I decided I cannot let it get in the way of what life has to offer me.”

The designer, who is also a mother to three girls shared, “I feel like if I help women understand that it’s OK to be themselves, then they will influence PAGE B7

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017

B5

I came to the United States with my Calendar of Events across America undocumented family, and am being charged with ‘alien smuggling’ Your Immigration Solution ATTY. NANCY MILLER & ANDA C. KWONG THE phrase “alien smuggling” often conjures images that Hollywood has dramatized. Movies depict unsavory people paid to sneak people into the country, as well as armed henchmen playing cards and hired to play a part in a major international human trafficking ring. Recently, a truck driver in Texas was caught transporting at least 100 undocumented Mexican nationals in the back of his tractor-trailer. Sadly, ten died, and about 30 were hospitalized for heat stroke and dehydration.

What many people do not realize, however, is that alien smuggling can be charged against those who travel with family members who are entering the country unlawfully. It can also charge those who pay and arrange for the smuggler to help people enter the U.S. illegally, regardless of whether the smuggler was physically present at the time of planning the entry.

There is no requirement of monetary exchange or ill-intention before the individual is charged.

On February 20, 2017, an executive memo was released directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take action against parents, family members, and others who have directly or indirectly facilitated the illegal smuggling or trafficking of an alien child into the US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may ask questions about undocumented family members or travel companions, and find that a person is a smuggler even if the person does not admit to it. ICE has confirmed that it has begun to target individuals in the US who may have paid to smuggle family members into the US.

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS AT the 103rd Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) last week in San Diego, California, I met several surgeons from the Philippines who flew in to attend congress. As a Fil-Am surgeon, I always enjoy and savor meeting my colleagues from my native land. One of them happened to be an old friend, Dr. Enrique T. Ona, former Secretary of Health of the Philippines. This yearly continuing surgical education event attracts hundreds of surgeons from all over the world.

One of the hot topics at this international convention was Antibiotic Stewardship, a vital global program ACS is spearheading that could save humanity as a whole from deadly superbugs that could wipe out civilization, if not prevented or contained, an issue I have discussed in a previous column.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “antibiotic resistance is one of the major threats to human health, especially because some bacteria have developed resistance to all known classes of antibiotics.”

Improper use The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that “30 percent to 50 percent of prescribed antibiotics in hospitals are administered in settings where an antibiotic is unnecessary or is ineffective against the pathogenic organisms….

Increased and inappropriate antibiotic use leads to increased risks of antibiotic resistance, as well as contributing to clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections.”

Pandemic of superbugs While terrorism is holding peace hostage around the world today, a more rampant but under the radar killer is on the loose and becoming more widespread, wiping out lives, as the medical community helplessly battles this pandemic situation of super bugs resistant to all drugs we currently have. Being at the mercy of these powerful and defiant microorganisms is a most scary situation. And they seem to be ahead of us.

Pneumonia and wound infections killed hundred of millions of people globally before penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, Professor of Bacteriology at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Today, these conditions and hundreds of other infections respond well to penicillin and the other more sophisticated antibiotics, savings hundreds of

The definition of alien smuggling for immigration purposes is broad. It includes any person who has knowingly encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted, or aided any other person to enter, or try to enter, the U.S. illegally.

Case law explains that the person must have knowingly and affirmatively acted in order for the conduct to constitute alien smuggling. The key is that the assistance must have been given knowingly that the person was entering unlawfully. For example, if money remittances were sent to help with finances, and a portion was saved by the recipient who then used that money to pay to enter into the country illegal, there may be no alien smuggling if there was no knowledge. Depending on the facts of the case, there is a thin line between being charged with alien smuggling and fraud—which could open the door to different problems and potential avenues of relief.

Once found to be an alien smuggler, the individual is not only inadmissible, or alternately deportable, from the United States, but she can also be barred from certain forms of relief that require good moral character for the statutory period required. Good moral character is a requirement to apply for citizenship, self-petitioning and cancellation under the Violence Against Women Act, and cancellation of removal for non-permanent residents before an immigration judge. Additionally, a smuggler can be charged criminally for that offense and, if convicted, will be an aggravated felon and subject to removal from the United States.

Clearly, the consequences of alien smuggling are serious.

Nevertheless, there may be hope for relief through a discretionary waiver. The waiver for inadmissibility requires that the person be either a lawful permanent resident who temporarily and voluntarily traveled outside of the US, and is otherwise admissible, or someone who is applying for permanent residence based on certain fam-

ily-based petitions. The person must also have smuggled only her spouse, parent, son, or daughter.

Additionally, the person must show that the waiver is warranted for humanitarian purposes, for family unity, or for reasons that are otherwise in the public interest. Other waivers available for alien smuggling are the general waivers for those who are applying for U or T nonimmigrant status, as well as for special immigrant juveniles, aslyees, and refugees applying for adjustment of status.

The rules differ if the person is charged under deportation grounds. The person is deportable if she committed alien smuggling before, during, or within five years of any entry into the United States. There is defense to this charge if the person engaged in the conduct over five years after her last entry. Similarly, if charged under this ground, the person may request the discretionary waiver if the smuggling was only of her parent, spouse, son, or daughter, who had that family status at the time of the smuggling. Alien smuggling is extremely complex area of law; the ramifications of being charged can be devastating.

Additionally, each fact changes the possible outcome of the case.

Therefore, anyone who believes she may be subject to this charge should consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza 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)

Antibiotic stewardship

million of lives every century... until now, with the explosion of super bugs!

Scary statistics At least 2 million Americans develop drug resistant infections a year and more than 23,000 of them die, 10 million deaths a year worldwide. This translates to $100 trillion sacrificed gross national products. Most of these scary infections occur in hospital settings, but they are also noted in the general community. These could be the commonly known conditions, like pneumonia or wound infection, but this time caused by drug-resistant bacteria, and hence, deadly. It is like retrotransporting us back to the early 1900, the pre-penicillin era.

Lessons from the past While two of the most devastating outbreaks of the Black Death (plague) that wiped out more than half of the population of Europe in the 14th century killing about 75 million, leading to the final demise of the Roman Empire, was caused by two different strains of infectious agents from the black rats, one drug resistant infection today could kill much more around the globe.

Just like us, humans, bacteria are active living microorganisms, with survival “instinct,” and when exposed to the drugs that aim to kill them, have the capacity to adapt by mutation and replication to become resistant to the drugs, When they become super bugs, they are untouchable killers, unless we develop new drugs effective against them.

Who to blame We cannot blame the bacteria, who simply want to survive just like all living things. We, humans, healthcare providers and lay people, who abuse antibiotics, are to blame.

Whether prescribed indiscriminately or purchased over the counter by self-medicating individuals, the widespread abuse of antibiotics make the bacteria mutate and grow resistance to them.

Currently, there are at least six common pathogens that are drug-resistant, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. Coli, and MRSA, and 3 global diseases: HIV, TB and malaria. There are many others.

Unless science discovers fast ways to fight and kill these resistant superbugs with new drugs or methodology and we, the people, do not abuse their use, any and all of them will continue to kill humans and other animals with impunity around the world.

Bacteria are on ALL surfaces These microorganisms are on our skin, on our entire body.

They are also all around us, in all surfaces, in our kitchen (which has more bacteria than our bathroom), all over our home, and

in all public areas, like escalator hand rails, door knobs, cabinets, microwave oven door handle, countertops, tables, chairs, etc..

Paper money and coins are loaded with bacteria. If bacteria are on our skin and everywhere, why do we not always get infected? The reasons are factors like our skin integrity. If our skin is intact, the bacteria cannot invade us, except though our mucus linings (in our eyes, nose, mouth, ears, anus).

This is where personal hygiene is essential. Touching our face contaminates it with bacteria. The other factor is the type and dose (number) of bacteria. Even if we have a skin abrasion or cut, if we thoroughly wash the affected area right away, the dose of bacteria will be so reduced our immune system can handle them to prevent infection. If the dose is not reduced, then we get skin infection. This is why all wounds must be washed clean immediately after sustaining them.

Simple handwashing On the prophylactic side, the simple habit of washing our hands religiously, at least 8 times a day (after going to the bathroom, before and after eating or working around the house or outside) can prevent contamination and infections, eliminating the need for antibiotics. This practice can also prevent viral infections, like common cold, for which some misinformed or uninformed individuals might opt to take antibiotics. Viral infections do NOT respond to antibiotics. This is just a waste of money, and worse, it will “encourage” bacteria in our body to develop antibiotic resistance. When treated longer than necessary, even bacterial infections commonly sensitive to specific antibiotics will increase the risk of the bacteria developing resistance. Skin sanitizers, preferably with skin moisturizer, in liquid, gel or foam, are helpful in minimizing infection. Those with sixty to 95 percent alcohol are most effective Antibiotic Stewardship is also our individual responsibility as a member of society. Let’s all help prevent a super bug pandemic that could wipe us out of this wonderful world. *** 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. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

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

N OV E M B E R 2- 4

Franchise Expo West in Los Angeles Franchise Expo West, the premier franchise event in the western U.S. is returning to Los Angeles after a five-year absence, to provide the strongest business opportunities for potential franchisees in this dynamic, growing region. Attendees can engage with over 200 franchise brands in every industry at every investment level, access over 60 free educational sessions where in-depth answers are provided to any franchising questions, and meet with lenders and consultants to learn about financing options. It will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center at 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 from Thursday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 4. For more information, please visit: www.franchiseexpowest.com. For free registration, use promo code AJ here: https://r1.events-registration.com/franwest2017/.

N OV E M B E R 4

Free oil filter and motor oil recycling event in Gardena, CA Attention all Gardena and West Carson residents! There will be a free oil filter & motor oil recycling event on Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone (1361 W. 190th St., Gardena, CA 90248). Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean.

N OV E M B E R 6

AAPA’s achievement awards & graduation gala in San Gabriel, CA Celebrate the 2017 class of Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Mentorship and Board Leadership Program participants, and this year’s Achievement Awardees on Monday, Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a banquet dinner, entertainment, and keynote speech from Brigadier General Mark Toy! It will be held at the San Gabriel Hilton (225 W. Valley Blvd. San Gabriel, CA). For more information, please visit https://aapagala2017.org/.

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Filipino indie film “1st Semester” screening in Los Angeles Catch the Hollywood premiere screening of the award-winning Filipino indie film, “1st Semester” on Wednesday, November 8. “1st Semester” is a Filipino coming-of-age comedy movie about a young boy who is sent to college by his mother with their entire clan but goes home immediately after experiencing separation anxiety. It explores a boy’s rite of passage to manhood and a mother’s strong will and determination to uphold the best for her family. “1st Semester” stars Allan Paule, Darwin Yu and award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon. It is written and directed by Dexter Paglinawan Hemedez and Allan Michael Ibanez. The Hollywood Premiere will be held on Wednesday, November 8 at the American Film Institute (AFI), 2021 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. Showtimes are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Come and meet the writers and directors of this internationally-acclaimed film. Parking is free For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please email 1stSemAFI@gmail.com.

PWC 20th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles The Pilipino Workers Center will have its 20th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pico House and Courtyard (424 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Attire is smart casual or Filipino-inspired fashion. Honorees include Sen. Connie M. Leyva, Jose Antonio Vargas, and PWC Council of Leaders. The program will be hosted by Giselle “G” Tongi. There will also be special performances and a feast of Filipino delicacies. Tickets are $100 each. For tickets and sponsorship details, call (213) 2504353 or visit www.pwcsc.org. com.

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Diva 2 Diva concert in Pasadena, CA The Philippines’ Pop Diva, Kuh Ledesma, and the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla, are back in Southern California with DIVA 2 DIVA on Saturday, November 11! They will be joined with comediennes Nanette Inventor and Mitch Valdez. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at the “PazNaz” First Church of the Nazarene (3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, California).

For tickets, you may purchase them online at diva2diva2.eventbrite.com or you may call Henry at (818) 612 4500 for more details.

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13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367).

Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.

D EC E M B E R 1

Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065.

For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.

D EC E M B E R 2

Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

D EC E M B E R 3

Arnel Pineda in Los Angeles Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band JOURNEY, will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3 at the famed Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show begins at 6 p.m. VIP ticket ($200) includes CD, concert tour shirt, meet & greet. Other ticket prices are $150, $100, $75 or $50. For sponsorship and tickets, please call or text: Trini Foliente at (626) 818-7147; Cora Soriano at (213) 999-1993 or Andy Tecson at (323) 467-5096.

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

Features

B NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

The glow and shine of a beautiful bride

By Monet

Lu

“THE radiant glow of my bride is simply breathtaking.” This was what people have told me about beautiful actress Joyce Jimenez, and countless other brides that have trusted me to be part of their very special day. Even after many years of making brides shine on their wedding day, I still have this important task—to master perfection and pursue my passion to continuously update my knowledge in the latest styles in make up and hairstyle, like the new “ 3D illusion technique 2018.” My stylists and I have done weddings so many times that they have become second nature to us.

If you have been doing this as long as we have, I think you reach a certain level of proficiency. It is my passion, and I am still so excited to apply the skills that I gained after all these years of being in the beauty industry. I employ highly proficient hair and makeup artists as my part of my team. We work together in unison to create a perfect makeup look and style for the whole bridal entourage. Timeless elegance starts with perfection.

Personalized service is a key element in my profession and experience, especially for brides who are still deciding on a look they want to wear on the big day.

It’s important that the bride com-

municates how she wants her overall look to be. It’s her day and she should be the center of attention. As experts, we can make recommendations and perhaps improve on her raw ideas but ultimately it is up to the bride.”

From our variety of personalized service menu, brides may opt for salon-caliber makeup and hair service from the comforts of their own home or hotels. More than this, brides can also count on me and my crew to dish out useful tips on the essential pre-wedding must-knows, such as choosing the perfect gown, the placement of the tiara, skin care and other details.

One suggestion would be light makeup, which is very soft, glowing and flawless. The aim is to look like you are not made-up.

The natural, timeless look never runs out of style, nor do the dramatic smoky eyes — so that when a bride looks back at her wedding pictures, she will be reminded that she wore a style that never ages. I have been grooming beautiful brides from all over Southern & Northern California, Nevada, the East Coast and even as far as Europe. Budget is never an issue, as I give personalized and reasonable prices depending on the bride’s need and location. We understand that price is always a big consideration when it comes to choosing your hairstylist and makeup artist. There are other salons out there who charge lower than Monet Salons, but the important question to ask is: “Will I be happy with the outcome?” Brides should choose talent and expertise over budget.

My team of makeup artists and

hairdressers boast of extensive training and experience both in the Philippines and in the United States. We have three locations in Panorama City and Winnetka, California. All are full service salons that specialize in hair and makeup for weddings, debutante balls, and other special occasions. For the full service menu and a complimentary consultation, visit www.monetsalon.com or call (213)216-4923 and ask for me. I would love to be of service to you. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Scarlet Snow Belo shops in Audrey Hepburn costume

SCARLET Snow Belo, daughter of celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, delights netizens anew with her latest Instagram photos showing her shopping and on her way to a dinner dressed like Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

In two Instagram posts, Scarlet Snow showcased her cuteness and fashion savvy as she posed in character as fashion icon Holly Golightly, the role Hepburn played in the film.

The first post was captioned: “Hi, people! Would you like to join me for dinner here at the @smaurapremier SkyPark? I’ll just finish shopping for Christmas gifts. My parents gave me a P20 budget. (Does anyone know how much a smile is?).”

At the second post, Scarlet expressed her frustration for being unable to buy anything with the P20 shopping money she was given.

“It’s been an hour and look my bag is still empty. I can’t buy anything for 20 pesos! I guess I’ll just sit here and enjoy the free aircon,” the post’s caption said.

Scarlet Snow is reportedly one of the most popular celebrity kids in Scarlet Snow Belo dressed as Holly Golightly. the Philippines with over 1.6 million Instagram followers. (Deni Rose M. Instagram/Scarlet Snow Belo Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

PhilBoxing’s Jhay Otamias wins Pamana Ng Lahi photo contest

by Ed dE la

VEga, ddS

JASON “JhayO” Otamias, a boxing photo enthusiast from Torrance, California was declared the winner of the Photo of the year Contest at the just concluded Pamana ng Lahi, a month-long art and photography exposition at the Filipino Cultural Center in Historic Filipinotown located along Temple Street near Downtown Los Angeles.

The exposition was opened a month ago by former California Assemblyman Ray Haynes, Philippine columnist, Ramon “Mon” Tulfo and Bernie Targa-Ganon, president of Philippine Institute of Language, Arts and Culture (PILAC).

Hundreds of Filipino Americans and friends of the Filipino community have seen and enjoyed the exhibits that included work and masterpieces from Filipino artists including Rey Garcia Zipagan, Sal Budhz G Floriano, Parts Bagani, Vics Magsaysay, Luz Balbin-Spanks, Bienvenido Sibug, Magoo Valencia and Johnny Esj Otilano.

A great majority of Otamias’ work is seen on Philboxing, the

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 3) ON the night of October 1st 2017, Stephen Paddock, 64, a self-made millionaire who made his money largely through video poker gambling, mass murdered 58 country music concert goers and injured over 500 from a crowd of 22,000 from his vantage point of 2 adjoining corner suites on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel along the Las Vegas strip.

His motive is still unknown.

With the official narrative and the timeline changing every which way like the shifting sands of the Sahara, it looks like the truth will be held hostage in the biggest domestic terrorism on US soil.

Many seem to think that a coverup seems likely.

A lesser known incident in 2015 was the mass murder of 9 Christian students in Umpqua Community College in rural Roseburg in Oregon by a demented, twisted young man.

In both instances, left leaning politicians with an agenda were quick to make political hay of these tragic events. This is why career politicians may be going the way of the dodo. Empathy and sympathy, the genuine kind, are quickly set aside to push gun control with the thinly disguised end game of subverting second amendment rights mandated by the Constitution.

This makes a good argument to impose term limits and put an expiration date on political careers of the same group of elites and families of both Democrat and Republican parties who have gravitated, banded together and colluded over the last three decades with agendas to destroy middle America while enriching themselves and preserving their multigenerational political influence.

In Oregon, the college where the perpetrator carried his heinous, dastardly deed was a gunfree zone. Does it occur to most that gun-free zones are the habitat of the deranged, which in effect, make sitting ducks out of intended victims?

Unless and until the world becomes a utopia where everyone is an angel with no evil thought and there is no further need for law enforcement, walls and locked doors, everyone should be given the chance and the wherewithal, both physical and spiritual, to defend themselves from the tyranny of evil.

There is a consistent pattern here for those with a keen sense of historical perspective, plain common sense, and more importantly perhaps, with no self-serving agenda to push.

These people are sick. At the root of the matter of every atrocity in recent times that deranged

largest boxing portal outside of the USA. He also contributes to the GMA network through Chino Trinidad and to Rappler.com and Spin.com.

Otamias winning photo depicts the victorious Filipino Boxing legend, Manny Pacquiao with his arms in victory after beating Mexican-American Jesse Vargas at a fight billed as “The Legend/ The Champ” a boxing match for the WBO welterweight championship. The event took place on November 5, 2016 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao won the fight by unanimous decision and took the WBO welterweight title.

Judging for the photo contest was based on the following: - Relevance/importance to the Filipino American community - Composition, display of photographic skills - Impact on viewers - Less use or absence of technological enhancement Judges included among others, Master photographer Dexter Grey, a multi-awardee International photographer from China, Mr. Cao Yong, Filipino professional photog-

rapher Romeo Balboa Cesar Angeles, the Public Information Officer of the Philippine Consulate and Fernandico Gonong, President of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles.

For his great win, Otamias was awarded a nice glass plaque and fat check.

“This win is not only about me,” Otamias stated to this writer soon after he received his award.

“It is also about our Philboxing US-based photography team and the PhilBoxing management who trusted my work and used it for many boxing stories they put up,” he added.

Whatever happened to ‘happily ever after’ “...All the lonely people Where do they all come from? ... All the lonely people Where do they all belong?…

— Eleanor Rigby, Lennon-McCartney gunmen who had no qualms about killing others before they kill themselves is the deplorable state of mental illness so many people are afflicted with for a long time now.

This is, perhaps, the reason there are so few happily-everafter stories these days that can make the collective heart of the human race glad. In just one act, one sick, demented soul can cause so much incalculable grief.

Stories make up the fabric of human life. Each life story is one thread in this vast cosmic tapestry of billions of stories all of humanity is weaving from one generation to the next.

We are born in this world with our own unique set of circumstances. We like to believe that each of us is created for a purpose wired into our DNA, like a GPS directing us to a destination — a state of being — whatever that may be.

In the age old fairy tale of “Sleeping Beauty,” Princess Aurora’s life was protected by Three Good Fairies: Flora, Fauna and Merriweather. They have gifted her and her Prince Charming with the weapons to fight off the evil of the villainess, Maleficent.

In real life, from princes to paupers, most people like to think that they too have been given gifts that serve as shining weapons when they do go through those dark periods in every season of life. The darkness can range from just being lonely and isolated for periods of time to the more extreme and detrimental negative emotions that drive people to insanity or worse, to suicide.

We want to have those weapons to deal with those inner struggles in order to do battle with deep, dark depression and fend off those eerie voices that urge the afflicted to inflict selfharm or even worse, to kill others as well.

We would like to become courageous, even bold, as we come out swinging with our blessed swords slaying our dragons every time they rear their ugly heads. Until finally at the end of all earthly struggles, we become happy and content as we stride off into the sunset, victorious and fulfilled. Well, there you have it – the final frame of a movie of one’s life story. There’s that happily-ever-after ending to the life stories we seek.

Alas! How we wish most of life’s stories end happily. Instead of happily ever after endings, we have sad stories, cautionary tales, even horror stories like these mass murders to drive us out of our wits’ end. There’s just no rhyme or reason. It’s like being trapped in our seats, strapped tight, in the Theatre of the Macabre and watching grim Tim Burton stories unfolding onscreen on repeat mode.

What causes all this darkness, all this loneliness that seems to affect a number of people in the world today? Who let those rabid monstrous creatures out from the gates of hell? The gates seem to have swung wide open, unleashing all the evils that can be conjured from a witch’s brew simmering in a big black cauldron over the fires of hell. All the evils are unleashed from Pandora’s box with just one thing left at the bottom of the box — HOPE. And yes, HOPE springs eternal.

There are strong indications the tide of unspeakable evil may have turned. Silently, millions of Christians worldwide have been doubling down on their Christian faith in a merciful God. Untold millions are getting down on their knees with unceasing prayers that are being heard and responded to, sometimes slowly but if you observe quietly, oftentimes quickly like lightning bolts. The barbaric persecution of Christians particularly in the Middle East and elsewhere has not been seen since the Middle Ages. Do take heart. Then as now, it is said that the blood of martyrs only spawns, breeds and spurs the resurgence of an even stronger and deeper Christianity that will shape humanity for the better, hopefully, for several thousand more years.

For years, there has been an onslaught of terrifying events from just about everywhere, facilitated by the startling phenomenon of social media and the ease of anything going viral and trending through the internet. Social media, like any other invention during modern times, has become a double-edged tool. It can be used for good or ill, depending on the user and his motivation.

(Continued next week…) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

EntErtainmEnt

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017

B

KZ, Quest recall life-changing moments

by Yugel losorata Philstar.com

Most success stories have that one special moment before things turned around.

KZ tandingan and rappersongwriter Quest recently collaborated on a song called Win the Moment, giving them the perfect time to look back on their lives, in particular the game-changing points that took them away from the claws of obscurity and identity crisis.

“I grew up an alcoholic, a brawler and a bully. My dad was a drug addict and hostile ang family ko.Everybody thought my life would go left side,” Quest shared poignantly. then he traveled back to a particular date that led him to the right path, happily stating, “My winning moment happened on Nov. 9, 2002 when I was brought to the church by my sister. that began my spiritual walk. I discovered my faith and my life made a 180-degree turn. I’ve been walking through this spiritual journey for the past 15 years.”

What a walk it is!

Quest, born Jose Villanueva III, is now a sought-after act, having sung jingles that he prefers calling anthems, and being effectively busy in the mainstream gig circuit. He’s the voice behind the smart Gilas cheering song sige Lang and rapped, co-wrote that catchy It’s A tropa thing tNt tune. He also performed PBA’s current season’s theme.

Quest and KZ had wanted to work together, thus, quickly they grabbed the opportunity

Quest (left) and KZ Tandingan perform during the BPI-Philam Win The Moment Wellness Fest at Trinoma to promote their song Win The Moment.

Philstar.com photo

when it was offered. Win the Moment is BPI-Philam’s thrust which, according to its CEo surendra Menon, “calls on Filipinos to aim for success.”

Both artists were on hand during the Win the Moment Festival, an open-to-public wellness event held at trinoma.

For KZ’s part, it wasn’t her X Factor victory that changed the ballgame for her. But the point when she found out she had a throat condition. that she was able to address it correctly made it a triumphant moment for her own run. she explained, “It happened before X Factor. Hindi ko mahahanap ang identity ko as a singer if hindi nangyari ang moment na iyon.”

By now, KZ is among the few major artists who came off from reality tV contests. she is recognized for superb live performances accompanied by basic acoustic guitar and drums which clearly emphasize the jaw-dropping force of her vocal acrobatics, clever

No matter how soft and feminine her silhouettes and fabrics may be, Perey’s line embodies one principle from the very beginning: women empowerment.

MnilaTimes.net photo

Pia Gladys Perey: Empowering women of all shapes...

PAGE B4 their children to be respectful and loving so that there will be less conflicts and more acceptance in the world. Not just in weight or shape but a things in general.

“It is important for children to see beauty in others even if it is different from what they are used to or saw growing up. I always tell my daughters that they do not always have to fit in because each of us is different. I see so many children suffering from bullying, eating disorders or being discriminated just because they don’t fit in. this can all change if women are not so confined to one particular standard of beauty.

After all, women play a great part in shaping the youth.”

Working mother Besides being one of the country’s top international designers, Perey is a proud mother of four children. Citing them as her source of courage, she is proof that one can raise a happy family and become successful at work.

Asked how she manages all her responsibilities, she replied, “the most honest answer I can give you is I don’t know. But with everything I do, I make sure to do it out of love and passion—that’s what makes things easier.”

Perey further noted how “compartmentalization” has helped her get through the day.

“I go out to work and I am Pia Gladys Perey, I am a designer and a businesswoman. I go home and I am just mama to my children and just Pia to family and friends. I do not carry my media features, my fashion weeks, or the celebrities who wore my dresses with me. to me, those are just part of the job and they don’t make me entitled or better than everyone else.”

Fashion week pride As Pia Gladys Perey, the de-

signer excitedly recalled her latest New York Fashion Week Experience, humbly saying, “It was daunting. I felt exactly how I felt 10 years ago when I launched my brand in Australia. Fashion shows keep me grounded because you never know how people will respond. After all, you are only as good as your last collection.”

However she admits that this particular outing was special. “It was my first listed in the CFDA’s calendar. CFDA is the authority in fashion. they only open a few slots to up and coming designers.”

Perey further related how she felt proud to be Filipino on the New York Fashion Week stage.

“I will never get tired of carrying the Philippine flag so I was very proud. My company is 100 percent Filipino-owned and everything we sell is made in the Philippines. It was such a special experience too because we had great support from the Philippine trade office in New York as well as the Philippine consulate.”

Asked how she plans to go on for the next 10 years, Perey said she will move forward recalling the disappointments of the past.

“It’s my conviction and belief that when you are on a mission to share something good—and for me that’s empowering women through fashion and embracing their true selves—you have to keep going even if there are bumps along the way. I had the closest people to me saying my dreams were unreachable and unrealistic and that was very disappointing. But then I thought, it’s free to dream and I can work for my goals, so if anyone says no to you, just keep going. You’re probably just knocking at the wrong door. Keep knocking until you get a yes.”

renditions of popular tunes and norm-breaking outfits. of her collaboration with Quest, she said, “It’s worth the wait. We finally found the perfect moment to collaborate. Kanta ni Kuya Quest ito. My input is more on the vocal harmonies and I knew the song by heart when I arrived at the studio.”

Win the Moment, the song is released in digital format along with an official music video.

Quest, who quipped that he likes rapping since he wouldn’t have to worry about hitting flat or sharp notes, noted, “this song is a dreamer’s anthem. I want to empower people to fight for their right to win.”

KZ added, “As artists who are given this kind of platform where we can be of influence, I think it is important that we encourage people to dream and strive hard for their dreams.”

With that, Quest and KZ are no doubt examples of those who fought for their clearly uncertain future and made it big.

BFFs Kim Chiu, Angelica Panganiban and Bela Padilla at Star Magic Ball 2017.

Philstar.com photos by EC Toledo IV

Kim Chiu on BFFs Angelica Panganiban, Bela Padilla

by Jan

Milo severo Philstar.com

WHILE actress Angelica Panganiban is being criticized on social media for allegedly cutting the immigration line at an airport, Kim Chiu is among those that could attest that Angelica is not an “asshole,” as the netizen accusing Angelica of cutting the line said.

Looks like Kim, the so-called “Chinita Princess,” has found her “BFFs” (best friends forever) in the form ofco-Kapamilya actresses Angelica and Bela Padilla.

In their Instagram accounts, the three have been posting photos of them together and commenting on their respective posts.

“Pumunta lang kami sa birthday na hindi kami invited. Gate-

crasher kami ni Bela. Galing kasi kami sa ibang birthday tapos ayaw pa naming umuwi, pumunta kami dun sa isa pang birthday, birthday ni Direk Andoy Ranay na nandun si Angelica. so iyon, ang saya-saya, nagtatawanan kami hanggang sa lagi nalangkaming lumabalas,” the “Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin” star recalled. since then, they hangout every time their schedules allow them, and they talk about everything under the sun.

“Ang bababaw pala naming lahat. ‘Yung mga simpleng jokes tawang tawa kami so parang dun kami nagkitakita. ‘Yung mga simpleng bagay pagtatawanan, yung takbo sa UP enjoy na enjoy kami. ‘Yung mga kainang hindi namin napupuntahan dinadayo

namin,” she shared with media during the recent Blue Water Day spa (BWDs) event where she is an ambassador. since october is BWDs’ anniversary month, the spa is offering its patrons a 40 percent discount on wellness and beauty services.

By bonding with Angelica and Bela at the spa and over barbeque, cinema, videoke, and even arcade, Kim found out many things about her fellow actresses.

“Na-discover ko kay Angelica na malalim pala s’yang tao. Ang dami n’yang words of wisdom.

Si Bela namanmakata siya. Naniniwala siya sa mga hopeless romantic, sa mga ganyan. Parang nagca-clash sila tapos ako tawa tawa lang!”

B8 NOVEMBER 2-8, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

TRAVEL TRADE & CONSUMER MULTI-CITY ROADSHOWS PROMOTING TOURISM, TRADE, AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE USA AND PHILIPPINES.

AUGUST 2018

The Asian Journal Media Group, now on its 27th year in business, is a leading ethnic multimedia agency serving the global Filipino industry. Asian Journal publishes over 7 million weekly community newspapers annually in the USA from California, Nevada, New York, to New Jersey. In addition to this, the Asian Journal also publishes a quarterly magazine that is distributed in 60 countries and 101 cities throughout the World.

Complementing these frequent print publications are a variety of digital channels such as AsianJournal.com, BalikbayanMag.com, and LoveOfCounry.ph.

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These events are in line with the “Balikbayan Program” of the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the “One Town, One Product” of the DTI. The organizers collectively aim to ignite, drive, and fuel business-to-business, government-to-business, and business-to-consumer networking while showcasing and promoting tourism, investment, studying abroad, philanthropy, and retirement in the Philippines.

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