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

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DATELINE Election rundown: Midterms 2018 edition FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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

Duterte defends ex-military men in Cabinet: ‘They deliver’

by GERMELINA LACORTE Inquirer.net

A BARRAGE of texts from unknown numbers letting you know about a candidate or asking if you support a certain cause. Piles of glossy campaign ads lauding the promise of lowering taxes. News articles of the latest polls filling up your social media timelines.

Election season is in full swing, and the 2018 midterm elections on Nov. 6 is shaping up to be one of the most critical elections in American history.

On the right, Republicans are putting in their last-ditch efforts to secure and maintain majority in Congress in order for their agenda to have traction. On the left, Democrats are looking to unseat Republicans in the Senate and the House to gain majority in at least one of the chambers.

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N O V E MBE R 2 - 8 , 2 0 1 8

DAVAO CITY — “Ayaw ko himua nga inutil (Don’t make me very helpless),� President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, October 31 as he justified the military takeover of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), a government agency he described as having been long pervaded with corruption. “I will not sit as president kung himuon ko ninyong inutil (if you make me very helpless). They’re saying, [the move to take over the Bureau of Customs] is militarization of the government. Correct,�

the President said. “Some are saying not all of us are corrupt. That’s right. But how come the shabu (crystal meth) shipment slipped through?�

The President made the statement in his speech during the distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (Cloa) in Cagayan de Oro Wednesday night.

Duterte, who continued to defend former Customs Commissioner Isidro LapeĂąa and Lapena’s predecessor, Nicanor Faeldon, said he had appointed former military officers to his Cabinet because they were the ones who delivered. “Most of my Cabinet secretaries are already

military men, why? I do not have anything against the bureaucracy, but the bureaucracy takes a long time to deliver. It will take you forever [to implement projects] because they’re fond of debating,� he said, speaking in a mix of Cebuano and English. “In the midst of a disaster — fire, flooding — they’re not there because they’re drinking,� he added.

He said he had doubled the pay of the police and military. “But what’s the work of the military?� he asked. “Fight the enemy of the state and die.�

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PH named 5th worst country for the prosecution of What’s on your ballot? journalists killings’

A look at the 2018 California propositions

by AJPRESS

ON Tuesday, November 6, in addition to candidates for state and local positions, voters in California will also decide on 11 statewide ballot propositions. There were originally 12, but Proposition 9 was removed from the ballot by the California Supreme Court. It had proposed splitting California into three different states.

During the June 5 primary, four measures were approved while one was defeated.

Here’s a guide to the 11 propositions on the ballot and what a “yes� or “no� would mean:

by AJPRESS A REPORT from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) revealed that the Philippines, for the second time in a row, remained fifth among the countries with the worst prosecution of journalist killers.

In the recent CPJ’s 2018 Global Impunity Index report, the Philippines followed countries in the Middle-East Asia and African regions, namely Somalia, Syria, Iraq and South Sudan. The said report ranked countries that exempted and/or failed to prosecute alleged journalist killings.

Afghanistan, Mexico, Colombia, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and India ranked next to the Philippines in the NEW CUSTOMS CHIEF. President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath of newly-appointed Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero during a ceremony at the Presidential Guest House in Davao City on Tuesday, October 30. As a marching order to Guerrero, Duterte instructed him to “double the zealousness� same CPJ report.

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in performing his mandate of ridding the agency of corruption. The Chief Executive also expressed optimism that Guerrero would be able to do his job well, noting that he was a “good and honest� man.

MalacaĂąang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Fil-Am mail bomb suspect reportedly Trump declares he can end birthright citizenship AAPI leaders respond to proposal at odds with the 14th kept list of over 100 potential targets Amendment which guarantees “equal protection of the laws�

Sayoc makes first court appearance

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

CESAR Sayoc, the man suspected of sending at least 15 potentially explosive devices to high profile Democrats and Trump critics, had a list of over 100 potential targets, according to recent reports.

The reports came as the 56year-old half-Filipino, half-Italian U.S. citizen appeared in federal court in Florida for the first time on Monday, October 29 where he was ordered held without bail after being arrested by FBI last Friday, October 26.

Sayoc faces five federal charges — interstate transportation of an

explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents, threatening interstate communications, and assaulting federal officers — and could receive up to 48 years in prison if convicted.

Federal authorities have not yet publicly released the names of the targeted individuals and organizations on the list, but have begun privately notifying those listed.

The Associated Press reported that more elected officials were included in the list.

The FBI also reported early Monday that authorities intercepted a suspicious package on

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Barely a week after reopening, litter found on Boracay beach and establishments were fined for violating environmental AJPress laws.

THREE days after its reopening, Tourists and locals witnessed Boracay island once again faced the improper trash disposal seen problems as visitors flocked the on the newly-rehabilitated isworld-famous destination. land, which had been closed for Piles of trash were seen along the past six months. its coastline while businesses u PAGE A3

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and many other countries in the American continents.

UNITED States President DonTrump’s announcement a week ald Trump on Tuesday, October before the midterm election was 30 announced that he is prepar- met with intense pushback from ing to issue an executive order both sides of the aisle. that would eliminate birthright citizenship in the U.S., a concept that is widely interpreted as a constitutional guarantee.

In an exclusive interview with Axios, the president falsely claimed that, “for 85 years,� the U.S. is “the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and that baby is Cesar Sayoc Jr., the suspect who mailed the essentially a citizen of the United bombs to various Democratic officials last States...with all the benefits.�

But 38 other countries do grant week. !.$2%7 " 3().

Photo courtesy of the Broward County Sheriff birthright citizenship, including

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

House Speaker Paul Ryan (RWisconsin) said in a radio interview with WVLK in Kentucky that Trump “obviously� does not have the power to eliminate birthright citizenship.

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NOVEMBER 2-8, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Election rundown: Midterms 2018...

‘JESUS IS LORD’ ANNIVERSARY. Millions of ‘born again’ faithful flock to the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park in Manila to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jesus is Lord Church founded by televangelist Eduardo Villanueva. Portions of Roxas Boulevard were closed for the event.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Trump declares he can end birthright...

PAGE A1 t “I’m a believer in following the plain text of the Constitution, and I think in this case, the 14th Amendment is pretty clear, and that would involve a very, very lengthy constitutional process,” Ryan explained.

Trump’s announcement directly coincides with his longdesired mission to cut family reunification (wherein family members who are U.S. citizens can petition undocumented relatives) and prevent the proliferation of “anchor babies,” a pejorative used to describe children born on U.S. soil to undocumented parents.

Birthright citizenship has been widely accepted as law since the implementation of the 14th Amendment. Ratified in 1868 after the abolition of slavery, the 14th Amendment guaranteed citizenship, and the rights that come with it, to all persons born on U.S. soil.

Section 1 of the amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge

the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

In 1898, Chinese-American Wong Kim Ark, who was born in California to Chinese nationals, won a Supreme Court case that ruled that he was a citizen, a milestone that established an important precedent and laid the foundation for modern interpretation of the Citizenship Clause in the 14th Amendment.

Though nearly all of the Trump administration’s immigration practices and proposals have sparked outrage across the country and the world, the president’s declaration of ending birthright citizenship brought upon notably angered responses, especially from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

“Denying children their birthright citizenship would have a devastating impact on the AAPI community by making it harder for immigrant families to integrate and pursue the American Dream,” John Santos, AAPI media director for the Democratic

National Committee, offered in a statement. “This proposal is just one of many anti-immigrant ideas that have been introduced

by Trump in order to distract voters from his administration’s failed policies.”

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), a Washington-based coalition of national APA groups also chimed in on the issue, interpreting the announcement as a “stunt” and reminded the president that the APA community and other communities of color “aren’t going anywhere.”

“Under normal circumstances, we would likely not respond to obvious, incendiary political stunts that are intended to provoke and polarize, rather than unify; however, these are not normal circumstances,” Gregg Orton, national director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, said in a statement.

“If President Trump is serious about his proposal, and this is not a desperate attempt to galvanize his political base a week before the elections, he should release it, so all the world can see that there is no question that white nationalism has found a home in the White House.” n

PAGE A1 t Historically, the midterm election turnout has not been great, to put it lightly. The 2014 midterms saw an abysmal voter turnout at 36.4 percent national participation; young voters between the ages 18 to 29, in particular, accounted for a 13 percent turnout.

However, 2018 promises to be different. A new poll from the Harvard University Institute of Politics found that 40 percent of voters in that age range will “definitely vote” in the 2018 elections, a nearhistoric high for young voters.

The Asian American community, too, promises a higherthan-usual voter participation, as reported by the Asian Journal.

According to APIA Vote, 48 percent of Asian American voters are “more enthusiastic about voting this year,” including 92 percent of Filipino Americans.

United States Senate U.S. senators play one of the most crucial roles in all of American government. Senators propose, co-sign and vote on legislation and sit on important committees like those of the judiciary, education, public health, science and technology, etc.

The incumbent Dianne Feinstein has impressively held her post since 1992 and is generally seen as a moderate Democrat, even negotiating with Republicans on some issues and legislative decisions. Her opponent, California Senate President Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), however, has been campaigning on the message that he is more progressive and promises to be tougher on the Trumpian conservatism that has permeated throughout Washington.

In an interview with the Asian Journal last spring, de Leon believes that Feinstein does not represent the current state of California, telling the Asian Journal in an interview earlier this year, “I think these are very tumultuous and dangerous times in our nation’s history, and I think that the current Democratic establishment is not reflective of the diversity of today’s California.”

Earlier this year, the California Democrats endorsed de Leon, but Feinstein has maintained her lead ahead of de Leon; as of Oct. 21, Feinstein is 15.3 points ahead of the progressive state senator.

Governor In the famously liberal haven

that is California, it’s no surprise that Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom has maintained a comfortable lead ahead of businessman and Republican candidate John Cox. As of Monday, Oct. 29, Newsom holds a 15.3-point lead, according to RealClearPolitics’ aggregated polling data.

Newsom, 51, is currently California’s Lt. Gov, but before that he was the mayor of San Francisco.

As mayor, he legalized gay marriage in 2004 in the city, a move which shocked the country. He’s been a fierce critic of the Trump administration and supports single-payer healthcare, immigrants rights and other progressive issues and causes. Former President Barack Obama is among the long list of liberal endorsements for Newsom.

Cox, 63, is a Chicago-native who founded a law firm specializing in corporate law and tax planning in 1981. His political aspirations began in 1976 when he unsuccessfully ran for a delegate position at the Democratic Convention. A Trumpian Republican, Cox has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Lieutenant Governor In a nutshell, the lieutenant governor is the state’s second ranking position right below the governor.

Similar to the vice president, the lieutenant governor is the President of the State Senate and takes the governor’s place if the governor is killed or becomes disabled.

Both candidates for lieutenant governor this election are Democrats. Eleni Kounalakis, a GreekAmerican native of Sacramento, is the former ambassador to Hungary, and she was a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as well as a figure in Clinton’s foreign policy advisory team. During the June primaries, Kounalakis, 52, won the majority vote (24.2 percent) Her opponent, 61-year-old Edward Hernandez, is a Montebello native and current California State Senator for the 22nd District (San Gabriel Valley). He is also a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and, because he’s an optometrist, also chairs the Senate Committee on Health.

Attorney General State attorneys general (AG) act as the top legal officers of the state and are often referred to as the “People’s Lawyer” for the state’s residents. Some AGs are appoint-

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William Street Flood

BEFORE THE WATERS RISE AGAIN – MEASURE T WILL GET SAN JOSE READY Measure T, on the Nov. 6 ballot, would put $650 million into upgrading San Jose’s aging infrastructure that puts our communities at risk. Many of our bridges and overpasses are old and deteriorating, and at risk of collapse in earthquake. Two of our City’s fire stations are falling apart and one of them is at risk of sliding into a nearby creek. Last year we saw how many of our neighborhoods were vulnerable to flooding. We can’t prevent natural disasters, but we can do more to protect ourselves by passing Measure T. Measure T will make us all safer by: GZeaVXZ YZiZg^dgVi^c\! ZVgi]fjV`Z"kjacZgVWaZ Wg^Y\Zh Je\gVYZ .&& Xdbbjc^XVi^dch [VX^a^i^Zh id ^begdkZ ZbZg\ZcXn gZhedchZ Je\gVYZ ZbZg\ZcXn deZgVi^dch XZciZgh GZYjXZ ÓddY^c\ Wn gZWj^aY^c\ eVgih d[ djg ,%"nZVg"daY hidgblViZg hnhiZb EgZhZgkZ cVijgVa deZc heVXZ i]Vi egdiZXih V\V^chi ÓddY^c\ Yjg^c\ ]ZVkn gV^ch ;^m edi]daZh VcY gZeVkZ gdVYh id egZkZci VXX^YZcih GZWj^aY eda^XZ igV^c^c\ [VX^a^i^Zh VcY gZeV^g XgjbWa^c\ ÒgZ hiVi^dch

San Jose Rock Springs at Needles Dr. and Welch Ave.

Paid for by Safer San Jose, Yes on Measure T, supported by Mayor Sam Liccardo Committee Major Funding from Kieu Hoang MCK Services

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ed by the governor, but most are elected, and Californians will vote on an AG this coming election.

The incumbent, Xavier Becerra, became the first Latino AG of California when he was appointed after former AG Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate in the 2016 elections. As AG, Becerra, a Democrat, has taken a strong stance against the Trump administration for its policies and proposals, filing 40 lawsuits against the federal government.

His opponent Steve C. Bailey is a Republican and retired California judge who has condemned the lawsuits and opposes net neutrality, the principle that internet service providers should allow access to all content and should not favor/ block certain content.

Secretary of State The Secretary of State (SOS) serves as the chief elections officer and the handler for the state’s key documents like the constitution, Great Seal and archives. The SOS also registers businesses with the state, commissions notaries public and overlooks state ballot initiatives.

Democrat Alex Padilla, 45, is the incumbent running for reelection. Padilla was first elected in 2014 after working on Democratic campaigns, including those for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, former State Sen. Richard Alarcon and LA City Councilor Gil Cedillo.

Padilla’s opponent is Republican Mark Meuser, who previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for the California Senate in 2012.

Controller The state controller acts as the Chief Financial Officer of the state.

The controller has more “big picture” responsibilities than the treasurer (who handles more specific finance-related duties) such as holding authority over every dollar the state spends a la an accountant and bookkeeper.

The incumbent is ChineseAmerican Democrat Betty Yee, who has held the post since 2015.

Previously, she was a member of the California State Board of Equalization from 2004 to 2015 when she successfully led the effort to force online marketplace Amazon to collect sales taxes. As state controller, Yee has advocated for investing in alternative, green energy and tax reform, specifically ending Gov. Brown’s temporary tax increases.

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-8, 2018

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What’s on your ballot? A look at the 2018... Duterte defends ex-military men...

PAGE A1 t Proposition 1: Bond for veterans, affordable housing This would authorize $4 billion in general obligation bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans, farmworkers, manufactured and mobile homes, infill, and transit-oriented housing. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years.

A YES vote means: Allows the state to sell $4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund veterans and affordable housing.

A NO vote means: The state could not sell $4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund veterans and affordable housing.

Proposition 2: Bond for housing for those with mental illness This would amend the Mental Health Services Act to fund No Place Like Home Program, which finances housing for individuals with mental illness. Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program. Fiscal Impact: Allows the state to use up to $140 million per year of county mental health funds to repay up to $2 billion in bonds. These bonds would fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.

A YES vote means: The state could use existing county mental

health funds to pay for housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.

A NO vote means: The state’s ability to use existing county mental health funds to pay for housing for those with mental illness who are homeless would depend on future court decisions.

Proposition 3: Bonds for infrastructure projects This would give $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging $430 million per year over 40 years. Local government savings for water-related projects, likely averaging a couple hundred million dollars annually over the next few decades.

A YES vote means: The state could sell $8.9 billion in general obligation bonds to fund various water and environmental projects.

A NO vote means: The state could not sell $8.9 billion in general obligation bonds to fund various water and environmental projects.

Proposition 4: Grants for children’s hospitals This would allow $1.5 billion in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund grants for construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of qualify-

ing children’s hospitals. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $80 million annually over the next 35 years.

A YES vote means: The state could sell $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds for the construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of certain hospitals that treat children.

A NO vote means: The state could not sell the $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds proposed for these purposes.

Proposition 5: Expand tax benefit for certain homeowners This would remove certain transfer requirements for homeowners over 55, severely disabled homeowners, and contaminated or disaster-destroyed property.

Fiscal Impact: Schools and local governments each would lose over $100 million in annual property taxes early on, growing to about $1 billion per year. Similar increase in state costs to backfill school property tax losses.

A YES vote means: All homeowners who are over 55 (or who meet other qualifications) would be eligible for property tax savings when they move to a different home.

A NO vote means: Certain homeowners who are over 55 (or who meet other qualifications) would

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Election rundown: Midterms 2018...

PAGE A2 t Yee’s opponent, Republican business owner Konstantinos Roditis, supports Prop 6 which repeals the gas and car tax increases (he co-chairs the Yes on Prop 6 organization), defunding the proposed high-speed rail and ending the new service and labor tax. Previously, the GreekAmerican CFO has served as the city commissioner for the City of Anaheim.

Treasurer As the name suggests, the state treasurer functions as the state’s chief investment officer and banker. Generally, the treasurer receives and deposits state monies and observes the state’s budget, surpluses and deficits.

Republican candidate Greg Conlon is a businessman and certified public accountant (CPA) and has served as the president of the California Public Utilities Commission and also served on the California Transportation Commission.

Conlon’s opponent is Democrat Fiona Ma, a CPA with experience in tax law and budget balancing and currently serves on the California Board of Equalization. Ma, a Chinese-American, was also a state assemblymember from 2006 to 2012 and became the first Asian American woman to serve as the Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore, the second highest ranking member of the Assembly.

Insurance Commissioner As the title denotes, the insurance commissioner oversees and manages the services of the Department of Insurance, including licensing and regulating insurance companies, enforces laws according to the California Insur-

ance Code and, in general, provides a check on the insurance industry.

Ex-Republican Steve Poizner was elected as insurance commissioner as a conservative and served from 2006 to 2010, and he is running again this election — this time, without any party affiliation. Consequently, Poizner — who donated $1 million of his own money to his campaign — is running a campaign touting nonpartisanship in a state in which no-party-preference is becoming more prevalent.

Poizner faces off against Democratic CA Sen. Ricardo Lara (DBell Gardens), who has been a fierce proponent for immigrant rights, especially in the realms of education and public safety.

Voters may have seen television attack ads airing anti-immigrant statements Poizner made in the 2010 elections, in which he used the derogatory term “illegals” in reference to undocumented immigrants. If elected, Lara would be the first openly gay office holder in California.

Key congressional races Congress is the de facto spotlight of the 2018 midterms.

When Republicans took majority of both chambers of Congress, people across the country were shocked. The legislative branch is the body responsible for proposing and passing federal laws, and provides a check to the other branches of power.

Whichever party earns the majority gains more momentum in passing laws and confirming presidential appointments among other duties. Currently, the House of Representatives contain 235 Republicans and 193 Democrats.

But according to RealClearPolitics, Democratic House candidates have an average 7.6-point lead ahead of Republican candidates, making the so-called “blue wave” possible.n

PAGE A1 The President said the military also served as “utility boy,” who, when ordered to dig the road, would really do it.

“That’s why, [most of my Cabinet members] are former military

generals,” he said. “In Boracay, if not for military men [Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo] Año and [Environment Secretary Roy] Cimatu, would Boracay be cleaned up? In Marawi, if not for [Housing Sec-

PAGE A1 t A report from The Philippine Daily Inquirer stated that firsttime Russian visitors were dismayed by a pile of uncollected trash they saw on the roadside of D’Mall Plaza at Barangay Balagbag.

Aside from that, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has yet to enforce a ban on single-use plastics on the said island. Stores and restaurants still contain their food and drinks on disposable materials such as plastic plates, cups and straws. DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said that the strict implementation of the ban would start after November 2.

As of this writing, Boracay has five garbage collection points wherein tourists and locals would drop their segregated trash and will be collected from 2 am until sunrise. A “no segregation, no collection” policy has been implemented by Alberto Rodriguez who oversees the disposal.

“If I say I will not accept their garbage, they cannot do anything. I am just doing my job,” Rodriguez said as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

DENR fines 219 businesses A hefty amount of P43 million worth of fines was collected by the

DENR’s Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) on 219 businesses and establishments in Boracay for violation of environmental laws just days after they resumed operations.

DENR Undersecretary and PAB’s presiding officer Rodolfo Garcia said that the collected fines ranging from P10,000 to millions depending on the weight of the offense.

“We at the DENR believe that anyone who pollutes or destroys the environment must pay the cost for that destruction,” Garcia said as reported by The Manila Times.

Garcia was adamant on the reprehension of those who fail to follow the rules and guidelines of the rehabilitated island. He added that the other branches of the government are in support of the said move to rid the destination of people with no regard for the environment.

“The DENR, together with other concerned government agencies, is firm in its resolve to clean not only the waters and air of Boracay and to manage its solid waste. It also wants to clear Boracay of irresponsible and greedy business people who have placed care for the environment their least priority,” Garcia said.

retary Eduardo] del Rosario, a military man from Davao, would [the rehabilitation] be that fast?

Would the money still be there?”

He said when you order the military to finish it in 60 days, they really would finish it.n

Barely a week after reopening, litter found...

The PAB officer also stated that the institution will maintain the guidelines and disciplinary actions so that the businesses and establishment will continue to abide by them “We will continue to monitor all establishments and impose the necessary penalties should they be found breaking laws,” Garcia added.

More than half of the fined establishments violated the Clean Air Act of the Philippines which requires a permit to operate all sources of air pollution from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). The 110 businesses fined a total of P1.5 million.

A total of P2 million was collected from 72 establishments for violating The Philippine Clean Water Act. Another P39 million was collected from five businesses that discharged untreated wastewater.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the cleanup and rehabilitation of the famous tourist spot due to the widespread disregard for cleanliness exhibited on the island. Government officials recommended a month-long shutdown of Boracay annually to reestablish its beauty amid the influx of tourists it welcomes on a regular basis. n

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What’s on your ballot? A look at the 2018...

DELUGED. Residents of Barangay Dacalan in Tanudan town in Kalinga province carry classroom chairs and equipment as the Dacalan Elementary School gets flooded fast, after the nearby Tanudan River swelled due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Rosita around midday on Tuesday, October 30.

PNA photo

Presidential photo by Toto Lozano

PAGE A3 t continue to be eligible for property tax savings when they move to a different home.

Proposition 6: Repeal gas tax This would repeal a 2017 transportation law’s taxes and fees designated for road repairs and public transportation. Fiscal Impact: Reduced ongoing revenues of $5.1 billion from state fuel and vehicle taxes that mainly would have paid for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs.

A YES vote means: Fuel and vehicle taxes recently passed by the Legislature would be eliminated, which would reduce funding for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs. The Legislature would be required to get a majority of voters to approve new or increased state fuel and vehicle taxes in the future.

A NO vote means: Fuel and vehicle taxes recently passed by the Legislature would continue to be in effect and pay for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs. The Legislature would continue not to need voter approval for new or increased state fuel and vehicle taxes in the future.

Proposition 7: Changing daylight saving time The Legislature would have to ability to change daylight saving time period by two-thirds vote, if changes are consistent with federal law. Fiscal Impact: This measure has no direct fiscal effect because changes to daylight saving time would depend on future actions by the Legislature and potentially the federal government.

A YES vote means: The Legislature, with a two-thirds vote, could change daylight saving time if the change is allowed by the federal government. Absent any legislative change, California would maintain its current daylight saving time period (early March to early November).

A NO vote means: California would maintain its current day-

light saving time period.

Proposition 8: Regulating kidney dialysis clinics This would regulate the amounts outpatient kidney dialysis clinics charge for dialysis treatment.

It would also require rebates and penalties if charges exceed limit and annual reporting to the state.

Simultaneously, clinics would be prohibited from refusing to treat patients based on payment source.

Fiscal Impact: Overall annual effect on state and local governments ranging from net positive impact in the low tens of millions of dollars to net negative impact in the tens of millions of dollars.

A YES vote means: Kidney dialysis clinics would have their revenues limited by a formula and could be required to pay rebates to certain parties (primarily health insurance companies) that pay for dialysis treatment.

A NO vote means: Kidney dialysis clinics would not have their revenues limited by a formula and would not be required to pay rebates.

Proposition 10: Repealing rent control restrictions This would repeal state law that currently restricts the scope of rent control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose on residential property.

Fiscal Impact: Potential net reduction in state and local revenues of tens of millions of dollars per year in the long term. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or considerably more.

A YES means: State law would not limit the kinds of rent control laws cities and counties could have.

A NO vote means: State law would continue to limit the kinds of rent control laws cities and counties could have.

Proposition 11: Private ambulance employees on call during breaks Law entitling hourly employees to breaks without being on-call would not apply to private-sector ambulance employees. Fiscal Im-

pact: Likely fiscal benefit to local governments (in the form of lower costs and higher revenues), potentially in the tens of millions of dollars each year.

A YES vote means: Private ambulance companies could continue their current practice of having emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics stay onduty during their meal and rest breaks in order to respond to 911 calls. Private ambulance companies would attempt to reschedule meal and rest breaks that are interrupted by a 911 call.

A NO vote means: Private ambulance companies would be subject to labor laws for this industry.

Based on a recent court decision, these laws likely would require ambulance companies to provide EMTs and paramedics with offduty meal and rest breaks that cannot be interrupted by a 911 call.

Proposition 12: Standards for farm animal confinement This establishes minimum requirements for confining certain farm animals, and prohibits sales of meat and egg products from animals confined in noncomplying manner. Fiscal Impact: Potential decrease in state income tax revenues from farm businesses, likely not more than several million dollars annually. State costs up to $10 million annually to enforce the measure.

A YES vote means: There would be new minimum requirements on farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal. California businesses would be banned from selling eggs or uncooked pork or veal that came from animals housed in ways that did not meet these requirements.

A NO means: Current minimum space requirements for confining egg-laying hens, pregnant pigs, and calves raised for veal would continue to apply. Current ban on businesses in California selling eggs not meeting these space requirements for hens would remain in effect. n

PAGE A1 Monday that was addressed to CNN’s office in Atlanta. They said the package looked “similar in appearance to the others” that were previously addressed to other intended targets.

“The FBI has confirmed a package has been recovered in Atlanta, similar in appearance to the others, addressed to CNN,” tweeted the FBI Monday afternoon.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Friday that each mailed device contained six inches of PVC pipe, battery, a clock, wires, and potentially explosive material.

CNN’s president, Jeff Zucker, said in a statement on Monday that there was “no imminent danger” to CNN Center.

The New York Times on Monday also reported that Sayoc may

have been considering threatening other media outlets, as one of the names on the list recovered by authorities Monday was an editor for the Times.

“While the agents urged the employee to exercise caution, they also played down the likelihood of any imminent threat,” the Times reported.

Authorities were led to Sayoc last week via DNA from fingerprints, and social media posts. He was later revealed to be a half-Filipino registered Republican with a long criminal background dating back to 1991.

Officials said that as of Friday, October 26, authorities intercepted 14 packages sent by Sayoc to potential targets, many of which were sent through the U.S. mail system.

Potential political targets revealed earlier included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former CIA director John Brennan, and Rep. Maxine Waters (DCalif.), and Sen. Kamala Harris (DCalif.), among others.

The first of last week’s 14 packages was found in billionaire Democratic donor George Soros’ mailbox in New York. A number of law enforcement officials said that federal authorities believed it to have been left by someone, and not delivered by mail.

Sayoc, as of Monday, was being held at a federal detention center in Miami. His next hearing is slated to take place on Friday in New York where many of the explosives were sent, and where prosecutors are seeking to transfer him. n

Fil-Am mail bomb suspect reportedly...

PH named 5th worst country for the prosecution...

PAGE A1 For four years, specifically from 2011 to 2014, the Philippines ranked third on the same list. However, the rank favorably dropped to fourth in the years 2015 and 2016. In 2017, the country moved down to fifth place as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The New York-based organization noted that at least 324 journalists worldwide have been murdered with 85 percent of those cases, or about 275 of them, having perpetrators who remain unconvicted of their crimes.

CPJ Impunity Campaign Consultant Elisabeth Witchel said that the report revealed that the majority of the crimes were concentrated only in the few countries listed in the index.

“It is an emboldening message

to those who seek to censor and control the media through violence. More than three quarters (82 percent) of these cases took place in the 14 countries that CPJ included in the index this year,” Witchel said.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), however, saw the silver lining in the country’s ranking, claiming that the Philippines’ rating can be seen as an improvement.

PTFOMS Executive Director Undersecretary Joel Egco claimed that the results of the Global Impunity Index report were somehow predictable since it made use of figures from unsolved mediarelated murders over a ten-year period.

The said period would include the Maguindanao Massacre that

transpired in 2009 wherein 32 media workers were killed. The massacre has been named as the world’s deadliest single attack on media workers, journalists, civilians, and members of the Mangudadatu family.

The independent nonprofit organization is made up of about 40 experts around the world. CPJ is in charge of mobilizing a network of correspondents who will report and take action on behalf of those who are victimized and targeted especially when press freedom violations occur.

Its task is to report on violations in repressive countries, conflict zones, and established democracies alike. It is also composed of a board of prominent journalists from around the world that aid CPJ’s activities. n

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A5

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

by JUN

NUCUM Inquirer.net

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

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

Attacked and destroyed the Spanish fleet of ten war ships.

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

The correction will read: The Battle of Manila Bay and the Philippine American War “The people of the Philippines

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

“The Spanish American War ended with the Treaty of Paris in December, 1898. However, the United States’ continued military presence in the Philippines led to the conflict later known as the Philippine American War. In that dark period, 4,400 American soldiers died, together with 20,000 Filipino combatants. Civilian lives lost numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The Philippines remained a colony of the United States from 1899 to 1935, and granted commonwealth status thereafter.

“The crucible of World War II bonded together the United

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

Filipino community leader Rudy Asercion, among the most persistent campaigners for the revision, was elated: “Some people celebrate Filipino American History Month, but we are part of making history today with this unanimous approval. It was a big help that the Filipino community, not just by one person or one organization but the whole community, showed and up and spoke in behalf and in favor of the plaque,” Asercion beamed. “We are doing this thing for our children so that they know that rich history of the Filipinos with regards to the Filipino American War.” Proponents thanked San FranPAGE A6

SJ Mayor, Community Advocates Push for Measure T

by JOSEPH

PERALTA AJPress

SAN Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, community advocates and residents are encouraging voters to vote yes on Measure T which is included in the coming November 6 ballot. This was the gist of a media briefing at Rock Springs Park in San Jose on Thursday, October 24 which was one of the neighborhoods that were inundated by water during torrential rains almost two years ago.

The measure addresses the city’s aging infrastructure and emergency preparedness and response to natural disasters.

According to information provided by proponents of Measure T, it will make San Jose safer by: • Upgrading 911 communications facilities to improve emergency response • Rebuilding police training facilities and repairing crumbling fire stations • Upgrading the emergency operations center • Replacing deteriorating,

earthquake-vulnerable bridges • Restoring safe locations for emergency food and shelter for displaced families • Fixing potholes and repaving roads to prevent accidents • Reducing flooding by rebuilding parts of the 70-year-old sewer system and preserving natural open space that absorbs water during heavy rains.

Measure T is supported by a wide coalition, including Mayor Sam Liccardo, US Congressman Ro Khanna, Assemblymember Evan Low, Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco, Fire Chief Robert Saplen, former Mayor Chuck Reed, all members of the San Jose City Council, former Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Cunneen, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, La Raza Roundtable, Sierra Club, League of Women Voters, Santa Clara County Democratic Party and Save The Bay Action Fund.

In his remarks, Mayor Liccardo said, “I want to be sure that our residents never again pay again for our lack of investment

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo

in their safety. With Measure T, we are moving forward with a $650 million investment in keeping our community safe.”

“We are here because we know these investments will critically help our community be safer. It will also help us maintain the critical infrastructure PAGE A6

FIGHTING POOR SANITATION. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Environmental committee, gives 300 toilets bowls to households in Gasangan, Barangay 649 in Baseco to address the problem of poor sanitation, which has been made worse by the practice of open defecation due to the lack of toilet facilities. The senator also leads tree-planting a nearby mangrove area to ensure the continuous flow of water in the vicinity to prevent the onset of water-borne diseases. DOH NCR Asst. Regional Director Paz Corales and Manila Rep. Crystal Bagatsing also joined the senator in the distribution of toilet facilities. Bagatsing was also with Villar in the treeSenate photo planting.

Don’t Use Gift Cards to Pay for Scams

by MARK HEDIN Ethnic Media Services

GIFT cards – prepaid creditcard-like financial instruments – are for gifts. Just ask the government.

Use them, perhaps, to give your style-conscious niece who lives far away the chance to shop for something she’ll actually wear. But DON’T use a gift card to help rescue that niece, or anyone else, from sudden misfortune or a mishap, and especially not because you got an urgent call from someone with surprising news, needs or an offer. You’re only being robbed.

That message was reinforced in a media teleconference Oct. 23 with Federal Trade Commission representatives Monica Vaca and Lois Greisman organized by Ethnic Media Services.

The FTC urges anyone contacted by a person who wants to be paid via a gift card – iTunes and Google Play are popular just now – to put down the phone, take a deep breath and call the law.

“Anyone who demands payment by gift card is always a scammer,” the FTC’s website Consumer Sentinel Program (FTC.gov/giftcards) says.

Greisman and Vaca urged people to check it out.

“There is not a single legitimate merchant, government or agency that will ever ask for a payment in that way,” Greisman said.

With people becoming more cautious about sending money via wire transfers, gift-card scams are the latest thing in stealing people’s money, they said.

From an annual total of $20 million a few years ago, gift-card scams in the first nine months of this year already total $53.1 million – and those are just the ones reported to the agency. That $53.1 million is the haul from 30,309 different crimes. African American and Latino people are disproportionately victimized, the FTC officers said, and also the least likely to report the crimes, Vaca and Greisman said.

Often, when victims don’t report their losses, they said, it’s either out of shame and embarrassment or the belief that there’s nothing that can be done to help them anyway, so why bother?

And it’s true, getting people to buy a gift card is an effective way to steal their money, because currently there is no way to stop the payment, Vaca, associate director of the FTC’s Divi-

sion of Consumer Response and Operations, said. “Gift cards are for gifts, not payment,” she emphasized.

“The money is gone, as soon as that pin number is provided,” Greisman, director of the Division of Marketing Practices, confirmed.

But it’s still a good idea to reach out to the gift card company for help, or to call the FTC at (877) FTC-HELP (382-4357), if you’ve given a stranger money that way. The agency is trying to work with gift-card sellers on ways to block frauds, she said, and the more they learn about the various ways people are being robbed, the more ability law enforcement may have to stop it.

“We’re going to continue to work with the issuers – Google Play, Amazon, Apple, Walgreen’s, CVS and others – to see what can be done to minimize the harm,” Greisman said.

Vaca and Greisman steered listeners to the Consumer Sentinel Program on government websites FTC.gov/giftcards and also FTC.gov/data, where there’s advice, a trove of data on various ways people have been cheated and statistics showing that people of all ages are targeted and fall victim to the scams. ■

A

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte rejects nationwide martial law

by Catherine

S. Valente Manilatimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he was not amenable to placing the entire Philippines under martial law just to keep law and order in the country.

In his remarks during the birthday celebration of former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in Davao City on Sunday, October 28, Duterte said he preferred to use the “strongest political tools” in office to fight threats to public security, particularly the illegal drug trade.

“I will not declare martial law but just like what I’m doing, I will go for the strongest tools — political tools in my hand,” the President said.

The entire Philippines remains under a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence, which Duterte declared in September 2016 following the bombing incident in Davao City.

Mindanao, meanwhile, has been under martial law since May 2017 after a terrorist siege on Marawi City. The martial law proclamation has been extended until the end of the year to quell the terror threat.

In his Sunday speech, Duterte reiterated that keeping peace and order was among his priorities in the remainder of his sixyear term.

The President reiterated his commitment to rid the country of illegal drugs.

“Drug problem, it will remain the same especially if you are a

drug lord, I would be happy to kill you. My God I will be happy to kill you. Just don’t f*** with my country,” Duterte said.

Duterte also issued a stern warning to communist-linked groups that illegally take over properties in the country.

Duterte referred to the killing of nine farmers at Hacienda Nene in Sagay City on October 20, where communist rebels were allegedly involved.

Duterte reiterated his directive to the soldiers and policemen to shoot those who have violated the law.

“My orders to the police and the soldiers, shoot them. If they resist violently, shoot them. If they die, I do not care. And you can complain but let’s have order in this country,” he said. n

cide raps against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former Health chief Janette Garin and 36 others, including officers of Sanofi Pasteur, manufacturer of the vaccine.

They also accused the health officials of violations of The Consumer Act of the Philippines and Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

This new batch of complaints is the third batch of complaints filed over the controversial vaccine.

Duque, sought for comment, dismissed the complaints as “malicious” and “bereft of merit.”

Garin, for her part, said that the raps were a “circus that has now affected public health.”

“Ultimate losers are the Filipino people. Let’s pray that the inappropriate exhumation will not cause more health problems,” she added.

A recent study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that the Philippines’ “highly politicized response” to the reported risks of Dengvaxia has eroded overall public trust in immunization. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com) n

More raps over Dengvaxia filed at DOJ MANILA — Former and incumbent Department of Health officials are facing more criminal raps over the inoculation of the controversial anti-Dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.

Ten more raps were filed before the Department of Justice on Tuesday, October 30. The Public Attorney’s Office assisted the complainants who came from Cebu, Quezon City, Valenzuela and Quezon province.

The complainants, who claim that their children allegedly died due to Dengvaxia, filed reckless imprudence resulting in homi-

DAVAO VISIT. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo welcomes China’s State Councilor and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport on Sunday. Looking on are Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana and Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag. Yi is in the country for a two-day official visit.

Photo courtesy of DFA

SF agrees to change Dewey plaque...

PAGE A5 cisco Mayor London Breed and her Filipina senior adviser and concurrent chief of staff, Marjan Philhour, who impressed on the San Francisco Arts Commission the historical importance of the proposal.

The SFAC will next formally confirm the visual arts committee’s approval of the proposal and

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

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

“John King wrote a very prominent article in the op-ed section that said Filipinos speaking out for change (in) the Union Square monument was causing controversy. The reaction was very positive that people were telling us it is going to happen, but somewhere along the line, it just kept getting postponed and we got lost in the shuffle.”

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

“Rudy never gave up, saying we have to keep pushing this. And then finally with his persistence, we were able to get the Arts Commission to do it after we went to the Union Square Committee, Park and Recreation Committee, the Board of Supervisors that also approved of it before finally when we went to the Arts Commission, the last hurdle, and had it had it approved today. It also helped a lot that Marjan Philhour has the ears of Mayor Breed,” Rodis added.

“It is a cautionary tale so that the U.S. doesn’t go to other countries thinking that what Dewey did would be the motto for invading other countries. They should

know that there were human consequences to that invasion,” asserts Rodis, adding that Filipino Americans must understand that the Filipinos in the Philippines “believed in freedom and democracy and were willing to fight for it and they were central players not just bit players in the drama of Commodore George Dewey, the U.S. Navy and the Spanish fleet.”

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

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

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

SJ Mayor, Community...

PAGE A5 we have neglected for decades – everything from our streets and roads, to our fire stations. With regard to flood protection, there are particular elements of this measure that will be uniquely relevant. We have a strong sewer system which is, in parts of our city, 70 to 80 years old that need to be rebuilt. We have fire stations that are teetering, one of which may fall into a creek if a sufficient earthquake were to prompt it to move. We need firefighters to be ready to help our community and not struggle with the poor condition of their own facilities,” Mayor Liccardo continued.

“And what I think is a monumental investment is that we are committing $50 million to buy land in the Coyote Valley. We know that Coyote Creek flooded that caused so much devastation in our community… We know that it was the spillover of water from Anderson Dam that caused inundation in our neighborhoods, and we need to critically find a way to divert that water and store it before it gets into our neighborhoods and dense areas of our city. Coyote Valley offers an opportunity for us to retain water that is spilling over from Anderson Dam, inundating Coyote Creek and keeping it in a preserved area, away from development, away from people,” he added.

The Mayor also said other benefits of the measure include protection of wildlife corridors, and protection of underground aquifers from pollution/pollutants.

Mayor Liccardo finished his remarks by saying that the measure invests in the city’s safety and future, and “allows our children to make good decisions with our resources rather than making those decisions for them.”

The briefing gave Mayor Liccardo an opportunity to break down some of the areas where

the $650 million from Measure T will be allocated: $300 million will be dedicated to restoring the city’s worst roads; up to $50 million will be allocated for Coyote Valley; tens of millions of dollars will be allocated to repair seismically-vulnerable bridges; some of the money will be allocated for the rebuilding of fire stations (Station 8 and Station 23) and building of new fire stations for the city’s rapidly-growing population, as well as the replacement and upgrading of the 9-1-1 communications system and the city’s storm sewer system.

Funding for Measure T, which is a bond measure, will come from bond dollars issued as a result of a property tax assessment, which Mayor Liccardo put at 11 cents for every thousand dollar in valuation. The cost, according to the Mayor, will be around $60 to $65 per house, as the average assessed value for a San Jose homeowner is about $530,000.

Mayor Liccardo also made it clear that the money generated

by Measure T will be capitally-restricted, “meaning it can only be used to build things or buy land upon which you may build things or protect from development. It cannot be used to increase salaries or pensions or anything else for staff. This is about construction projects that we build and land that we purchase, and that’s it. Under state law, you can’t use capitally-restricted money to pay my salary. So, that is important for voters to know that we are going to see projects out of this investment.”

Other speakers at the briefing included Minh Ngoc Do, whose close friends were pushed out of their home for a long period due to flooding in the Rock Springs Park area; city councilmember Tam Nguyen; and Alice Kaufman of the Committee for Green Foothills.

[More information about Measure T can be found at SaferSan Jose.org.] n

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Business news

A

DoF chief open to Bataan plant revival

by MayVelin

U. Caraballoi Manilatimes.net

THE government should consider reviving the 34-year-old Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) to lower electricity costs, according to the Finance department.

In a recent interview, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said “we have all the safety measures” for the revival, adding that updating the instrumentation of the mothballed facility in Bataan province’s Morong town would reduce power rates.

“That is something that we should consider if we want to bring down power rates. It might be a good investment; it’s already 600 megawatts,” he said.

The Finance chief also said he would encourage Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to further study the possible revival to see if it was really safe and made economic sense.

“Incidentally, the exact sister plant of BNPP has been running in Slovenia for the past almost 50 years with no problems,” he noted.

Cusi would also be the right person to ask how much the gov-

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

Manilatimes.net photo by Rene H. Dils

ernment would spend on the possible revival, Dominguez said.

For Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, cutting electricity costs is important, but any plan to revive the plant must be carefully scrutinized.

“All options should be considered in order to lower power rates. The costs and benefits should be looked into before the decision to operate BNPP is taken,” he told The Manila Times in a text message on Sunday, October 28.

The 620-megawatt BNPP was constructed in 1976 under the regime of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. It was completed in 1984, but Marcos’ successor, the late Corazon Aquino, opted not to activate the plant following

the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

Plans to revive the facility have cropped up in succeeding administrations.

During the administration of Benigno Aquino 3rd, a bill aimed to rehabilitate the BNPP was approved by the House of Representatives Committee on Energy.

But it got stalled after an earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in Japan in March 2011.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a study on the possibility of reopening the BNPP. Earlier this year, the Energy department said Russian, Slovenian and South Korean nuclear experts recommended the plant’s revival. n

Peso still under pressure, may drop further – DBS

by MayVelin

U. Caraballoi Manilatimes.net

U.S. interest-rate increases will continue to put pressure on the peso, Singapore-based bank DBS said as it sees new lows for the local currency next year.

In its monthly “Economic & Strategy Research” report released over the weekend, DBS claimed that the dollar’s uptrend would extend into the middle of 2019, as the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to keep increasing rates every quarter to 2.50 percent by end-2018 and 3.50 percent by end-2019.

“The [dollar’s] recovery since 2Q18 (second quarter of 2018) has been attributed to [the] shift in the Fed’s monetary stance from accommodative to neutral,” it said.

Economies that relied the most on external borrowing would see the most pressure on their exchange rates, DBS said.

The lender also said the peso was one of three Asian curren-

cies that would face sustained pressure next year if US rates continued to rise.

“The twin (current account and fiscal) deficit currencies — Indian rupee, Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso — are expected to keep depreciating throughout the Fed hike cycle that ends in 4Q19 (fourth quarter of 2019),” it added.

While noting that the Philippines’ twin deficit is likely to be structural, DBS warned that the peso was likely to continue its plunge.

“The current account’s return into a deficit position is likely to be structural… The Duterte administration has rejected the IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) advice to lower its fiscal deficit to [the] more neutral targets of 2.4-2.5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) from 3-3.2 percent,” the bank said.

The country’s current account — a major component of balance of payments — hit a deficit of $3.087 billion in the first half

of 2018, equivalent to 1.9 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, the government’s budget deficit widened by 78 percent in January-to-September to $378.2 billion from $213.1 billion a year ago, based on latest available data.

Despite its positive view, DBS pointed out that “the odds of the Philippine peso hitting a new alltime low over the next 12 months cannot be fully discounted.”

It projected that the currency would likely end this year at P54.5:$1 before plummeting to P55:$1, P55.55:$1, P56:$1, and P56.50:$1, respectively, from the first to fourth quarters of 2019.

The peso has fallen to near 13-year lows to the P54:$1 level and is often described as Asia’s worst-performing currency this year. But the local unit has been showing signs of recovery in the past weeks, closing at P53.64:$1 on Friday, October 26, up 16 centavos from the previous day’s figure.n

KIDS AT PLAY. Unmindful of the bad weather brought by Typhoon “Rosita” (Yutu), children still enjoy playing at the Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Tuesday, October 30..

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

ADB prioritizes speed of implementation, climate resilience in project funding

by Czeriza

ValenCia Philstar.com

SPEED and efficiency of implementation and climate resilience will be the top priorities in the delivery of projects under the new long-term strategy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Manila-based multilateral bank recently held the Forum for Successful Project Design and Implementation: Implementing Strategy 2030 on the Ground.

This year’s forum brings together more than 100 representatives from 37 ADB member countries.

During the forum, ADB president Takehiko Nakao highlighted six areas in which ADB is collaborating with executing and implementing agencies to deliver successful projects.

On top of the priority list is ensuring speed and efficiency in project delivery, supported by recent procurement reforms and new mechanisms for project readiness.

Another priority is incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk, and environmental considerations.

ADB and partner agencies must also always consider ways

The Manila-based multilateral bank recently held the Forum for Successful Project Design and Implementation: Implementing Strategy 2030 on the Ground.

Philstar file photo by Michael Varcas

to include gender elements into projects and programs.

Innovation and the use of advanced technologies must likewise be promoted to address complex problems.

Financial management must also be strengthened to ensure accountability and financial sustainability.

Sixth is aiming to increase the use of country systems in procurement, and environmental and social safeguards.

ADB begins the implementation of Strategy 2030 this year,

setting the future direction for the bank’s efforts to respond to the region’s changing needs.

The bank is expected to commit $61.8 billion across 428 sovereign and non-sovereign projects over the next three years.

Infrastructure investments— particularly those that are green, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient—would remain a key priority.

At the same time, ADB is expanding operations in social sectors, such as education, health and social protection.n

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OPINION

Military takeover

FEATURES

UNDER two former military officers, the Bureau of Customs saw traffickers smuggle billions of pesos worth of shabu last year and in mid-2018 through the Port of Manila, home of the BOC main office. The head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency says that over a ton of smuggled shabu has found its way to the streets of Metro Manila.

Now another retired military officer has been named BOC chief, with key Customs officials relieved and replaced — temporarily, according to Palace officials — by military officers in the active service.

President Duterte has explained that unlike bureaucrats, military officers follow orders quickly and mostly without question from their commander-in-chief. The military officers will be on temporary deployment in the BOC, with their main task to ferret out the corrupt, particularly those responsible for shabu smuggling.

It’s the Philippine National Police, not the military, that is carrying out the brutal Oplan Double Barrel against drug personalities. But perhaps the military presence can scare the crooks in the BOC. The scare tactic, however, must be accompanied by a relentless effort to implement structural reforms that will eliminate opportunities for corruption. Even military officers can be vulnerable to bribery, especially where massive amounts of drug money are involved.

Certain former BOC officials have said that opportunities for corruption can be plugged by re-

ducing to a minimum human intervention and individual discretion in valuation and other Customs procedures. Equipment such as x-ray machines can also be upgraded to improve the capability to detect contraband.

Reforms must come not only from within the BOC but also from the public. Politicians must also avoid pulling rank to break the law and BOC rules. Corruption is a two-way thing; those who do business with the BOC must avoid paying bribes.

Many, however, are compelled to pay “facilitation fees” because of the red tape that is designed into BOC procedures precisely to compel the payment of grease money.

The takeover of BOC posts by military officers must not result in worse red tape and further delays in shipment processing, which could increase the need for “facilitation fees.”

The Christmas season is the busiest time for the BOC, with shipments piling up in the country’s principal port. Efficiency in BOC processes is a premium requirement at this time. Efficiency must not be compromised as military officers take crash courses on a complex system that is critical in trade and industry. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS ONE WEEK before the consequential midterm elections — amid the news cycle being dominated by criticisms against the massacre of 11 people in a synagogue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the sending of pipe bombs via mail to prominent Democrats critical of Trump, including news organization CNN by a Trump fanatic Filipino-Italian American; the deaths of two black men killed because of the color of their skin; and the threat of sending the military at the border to stop the asylum seekers from Central America hoping to save their families from violence and hunger in their countries — Trump is at it again, this time, reigniting the contentious issue of birthright citizenship.

In an interview with Axios on HBO, the president said, “that he

Trump to subvert the Constitution by terminating birthright citizenship using an executive order has run the idea of ending birthright citizenship by his counsel and plans to proceed with the highly controversial move, which certainly will face legal challenges.”

“It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don’t,” Trump said, declaring he can do it by executive order.

When told that’s very much in dispute, Trump replied: “You can definitely do it with an Act of Congress. But now they’re saying I can do it just with an executive order.”

He continued, “We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States ... with all of those benefits. It’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. And it has to end.” (More than 30 countries, mostly in the Western Hemisphere, provide birthright

citizenship.)

“It’s in the process. It’ll happen ... with an executive order.”

The truth and facts: Trump CANNOT terminate birthright citizenship using an executive order as this is stipulated and protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” (Fourteenth Amendment,

Whom can President Duterte trust?

THE smuggling of shabu worth P11 billion into the country in August right under the very noses of our customs officials is yet another compelling evidence of the national malaise that is gripping our country today.

At the root of the problem is corruption. The crime of smuggling thrives because of corruption. Corruption, however, is not exclusive to the low-ranking policemen or customs personnel, or to their superiors, or the ordinary government employees.

Corruption at their level can be categorized as petty. But they are picayune compared with the corruption that is embedded or has almost become a way of life in high places in government. It is more organized, more sinister and more debilitating as it brings untold misery to our people.

Smugglers masquerading as businessmen Corruption cannot thrive without the active participation of both those in government and the private sector. There are big, “successful” businessmen who are reportedly into the business of smuggling. Remember those 2,000 container vans that left the Port of Manila ostensibly for the Port of Batangas but went missing during the early months of the presidency of Noynoy Aquino? Whatever happened to that? What was the result of the

Philstar.com photo

percent of barangay (villages) in Metro Manila are under the influence of illegal drugs, according to official documents. Say what you want to say but President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs has effectively interdicted the country’s march to the preciDR. DANTE A. ANG pice of hopelessness and despair.

He is the only president in living investigation? Who was the im- memory who has stood up against porter? Who was the consignee? the powerful and deadly drug Who processed the release of the syndicates.

At the same time, I sympathize vans that reportedly contained with the loss of countless innocent consumer goods?

As always, the same names lives. One death is one death of smugglers masquerading as too many. Admittedly, there are businessmen come up each time loose ends in the President’s war the problem of smuggling gets against illegal drugs. One of them mentioned in private discussions is the involvement of the rogue among members of the press and policemen who are members small groups of businessmen. or assets of the drug syndicates Yet, these same smugglers-cum- in the war against illicit drugs. businessmen go around town Some detractors accuse them of flouting their illegal wealth. Their waging a war against illegal drugs tentacles run deep and wide and only as a ruse to eliminate their spew venom that infect people “competitors.”

Surely, there are ways to imin government, from the lowly customs employees, to their su- prove the government’s war on periors, to investigators, to the drugs. Foremost is the protection Philippine National Police, the of the innocents and for another, fiscals and the judges. I admit, to catch the “big fish,” not just however, that naming the smug- the small fry. Alongside the twin glers posing as businessmen is concerns, there must also be a noone thing, and proving that is nonsense cleansing or purging of scalawags from the PNP and the another.

The situation is dire. We may Armed Forces of the Philippines. not like it, but the reality is that our To his credit, the president has country is on the cusp of becom- waged a war against the corrupt ing another Colombia. Eighty (80) for he knows that the success of

Commentary

immigrant statements just days ahead of the midterm elections?

A desperate attempt to fire up his base to win, win, win, at the expense of dividing the country even more?

Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, had this to say: “The president cannot erase the Constitution with an executive order, and the 14th Amendment’s citizenship guarantee is clear. This is a transparent and blatantly unconstitutional attempt to sow division and fan the flames of anti-immigrant hatred in the days ahead of the midterms.” ***

Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution ) The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted on July 5, 1868, and as history.com chronicled, “was one of three amendments passed during the Reconstruction era to abolish slavery and establish civil and legal rights for black Americans.”

This law has been challenged in court and upheld by the Supreme Court for more than 200 years. The only way to terminate it would be through Congress. However, despite efforts by the GOP to end birthright citizenship through bills filed in Congress, these never advanced even during the times when the House or Senate was under Republican control.

TRUE. There are those who abuse this system, even among our kababayans. “Sa States ka na manganak para U.S. citizen na and anak mo at puwede kang

mapetisyon,” is an advise many Filipinos give to those who want to seek better opportunities for their families.

Valid argument to look into this abuse of the system by some, but Trump’s way to do it is unconstitutional. And now the president is pushing to knowingly subvert the Constitution of the United States by issuing an executive order.

CNN reported that Trump’s own party mate, House Speaker Paul Ryan, refuted in a radio interview the president’s claim that he can end the right to citizenship for the children of noncitizens and unauthorized immigrants born on U.S. soil.

“As a conservative, I’m a believer in following the plain text of the Constitution and I think in this case the 14th Amendment is pretty clear,” Ryan said.

Critics ask, what is Trump up to in spewing more of these anti-

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

his war against illegal drugs is conditioned upon the elimination of the scumbags from the ranks of the police and the military.

Whom can we trust?

Sometime in 2001 and in the early weeks of the Arroyo Administration, I met one-on-one with the erstwhile President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the matter of illegal drugs.

At that meeting, I suggested to her to consider hiring unofficially a retired drug enforcement agent from the United States. I reasoned that while there were good, honest policemen and members of the military, the question still persisted: “Who are untainted, honest among them?” In short, “Whom can you trust?” The problem is that we are not sure who among the police and the military are not involved in the illicit trade, I said.

I then explained to her the arrangement. I would talk to a retired U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent, look for a group who can finance the expenses, and the outcome of the investigation would be forwarded to her directly. That way, I said, she would know the right people to tap in her campaign against illicit drugs. She would then be able to identify the PNP and AFP personnel involved in the illegal drug trade.

I proceeded to suggest that she must allow me to seek an audience in my private capacity

but with her imprimatur, with the representatives of the U.S. DEA. If the plan got exposed, she could disown me, I said.

Meet with US Representatives A little over a week after my meeting with President Arroyo, I met with two or three staff at the U.S. embassy. My opening statement to them was, “This is an official, yet unofficial call. The president knows I am meeting with you but that she can’t officially say so.”

They understood and promised to look for a retired DEA agent and get back to me after I had explained to them that the project was so sensitive and should the project be exposed, she would “disown it.”

Sure enough, after a few days, I received a call from a source from the U.S. Embassy to tell me that they had identified a retired U.S. DEA agent based in Hong Kong.

He assured me that they were already set to talk to him and that he would update me on the decision of the retired agent.

Meet with Chinese financiers I hurriedly assembled a group of Chinese who were concerned about the growing threat of illegal drugs to the people, especially the youth. During our first meeting in one of the Chinese restaurants in Manila, I explained the plan to them and the wisdom of hiring a retired U.S. DEA agent who would investigate and identify who among the ranks of the police

and the military were involved in the illicit drug trade. The findings would then be submitted only to the president.

The group readily agreed to finance the expenses in the hiring of a retired American DEA agent.

Many of them were living in fear — fear from the kidnappers, who, according to a Chinese who was present, could also be involved in illegal drugs.

I also briefed them on what the U.S. representative told me over the phone. We were all gung-ho.

The big disappointment Just when I thought the identity of the drug lords and their assets in the PNP and the AFP would be finally exposed, and the guilty charged in court, I received a call from my contact in the U.S. Embassy informing me that the retired U.S. DEA agent felt that the drug problem in the Philippines was too big for him to handle, saying that people in high places were directly involved.

The long and short of it — the retired U.S. DEA agent was scared of the powerful figures behind the illegal drug trade that included ranking PNP, AFP and government officials.

We can either support President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs or run the risk of turning our country into another Colombia. It is now or never.

Corruption and illegal drugs are two sides of the same coin.

(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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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

Gina Ortiz Jones could be the first Filipina in Congress

by MoMar

G. Visaya / AJPress

FOUR Filipino Americans have a chance to make history and be elected to the United States Congress in the upcoming midterm elections next month.

Jennifer Zimmerman, who immigrated to the United States 25 years ago, will face Republican Matt Gaetz for Florida’s District 1 seat.

Zimmerman — or Dr. Z as she is known in her community — was born in the Philippines to a father who was a prisoner of war during World War II and a mother who was not allowed by her father to attend school.

The eldest of six children, Zimmerman received a full academic scholarship to attend the University of the Philippines, where she majored in Zoology. She obtained her medical degree at the University of the East before moving to the United States where she completed her residency training in Pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. Zimmerman has been a resident of Florida since 1997.

TJ Cox, another congressional candidate, is up against a three term Republican for California’s 21st Congressional

District, which covers a large part of San Joaquin Valley in Central California.

Cox’s mother Perla De Castro migrated from the Philippines, while his father, who is mixed Chinese and European, migrated from China.

Also running for a congressional seat in California is Cristina Osmena, a great granddaughter of Sergio Osmena, the second President of the Philippines. She and her family moved to California when she was only 6 years old. Her family opposed, then fled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, according to her website.

Osmena is running against a Democratic stalwart, Jackie Speier, whose political career spans nearly four decades.

Speier has been representing California’s 14th Congressional District, which includes most of San Mateo County, since 2008.

Making History Gina Ortiz Jones will be up against incumbent, two-term Representative Will Hurd in Texas.

If she wins this tightly-contested battle, she will make history in the United States by becoming the first Fili-

Gina Ortiz Jones with (from left) actress and martial artist Diana Lee Inosanto and restaurateur and White House appointee Billy Dec. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

Gina Ortiz Jones is running to become the first Iraq War veteran (who served under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) and Filipina American to represent the 23rd Congressional District of Texas.

Gina with Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro, Aries dela Cruz, Manhattan Regional Representative for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority at a reception in New York City.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

pina-American to be elected to the US Congress and the first openly gay, first Iraq War veteran and first woman House representative from the 23rd District of Texas.

“This is an election that is going to be based on our values. If you think your values align with a president who calls immigrants animals, somebody that is okay with separating families at the border and holding them like animals,” said Ortiz Jones as she delivered a short speech recently before members of the Filipino American community in New York.

Since winning the primaries, Ortiz Jones has been through an extremely busy schedule, raising funds and campaigning for votes.

“This is a district that Hillary won by three points and so that means we have to travel the district extensively and we will continue travelling this massive district to talk to as many voters as possible, explaining to them what is on the line, the real choice that is available to them in November and why I am best suited to represent them,” she explained.

The candidate also expressed to feeling a little pressure, specially knowing what’s on the line if she wins.

“I would be honored to be the first but it is important that I am not going to be the last because I am only here because of the opportunity my community, my country afforded for me. This is very much about protecting those opportunities for others that are just as talented, just as hungry and need a little bit of help,” Ortiz Jones said.

Ortiz Jones believes that it is districts like theirs, which is key to flipping the House.

The 23rd District runs from San Antonio to El Paso and about 538 miles across, roughly the distance from Manhattan to Raleigh in North Carolina.

Forty percent of the US border with Mexico is in this district. It is a majority minority district, something that this country will be in 2040.

On October 1, former President Barack Obama endorsed

Ortiz Jones and other Texas Democrats.

“Our incredible array of candidates up and down the ticket, all across the country, make up a movement of citizens who are younger, more diverse, more female than ever before,” Obama said in a news release. “They’re Americans who aren’t just running against something, but for something.

They’re running to expand opportunity and restore the honor and compassion that should be the essence of public service.”

Why She’s Running Ortiz Jones’ story started 40 years ago when her mother, Victorina Ortiz came to the United States.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, she became a domestic helper because that was the available opportunity for her then to chase her own American dream.

“Like so many people that you and I know, they humbled themselves and came here in that capacity. She would go on to raise my younger sister and I by herself and we were reminded every single day that our trajectory in life was in so small part to be born in this country,” she said.

This is why she went into public service while her younger sister is in the US Navy, a proud member of the “Filipino mafia” there.

Her current beliefs, she says, were shaped by how she was raised.

“Why do I think reduced lunch is important? Because I needed it at some point. Why do I think subsidized housing is important? Because I needed it at one point. All of those were critical investments - not handouts, investments - that allowed me to earn a four-year Air Force/ROTC scholarship that took me to Boston University,” Ortiz Jones said.

She then went to the Air Force to serve as an intelligence officer and was deployed to Iraq in the time of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. She also served in the intelligence community for a decade advising on operations in Africa and Latin America.

Photos from ginaortizjones.com

Ortiz Jones recently wrapped up her career in the Executive Office of the President working on economic and national security issues.

“I’ve been honored to serve our country in and out of uniform in a number of different ways - the frontline in Iraq, the frontline in Africa and the frontline of what I think to be the most important portfolio moving forward, how do we understand our economic and national security interests,” she said.

While working at the White House, she would sometimes pinch herself when she would walk into the Executive Office because she knows that not

a lot of kids would go from reduced lunch to the Executive Office of the President.

“I studied hard and worked hard but my country and my community invested in me.

That is what this race is about,” she emphasized.

One of her earliest memories is quizzing her mom on her naturalization test and right to this day, she says she remembers Patrick Henry said ‘Give me liberty or give me death.’

“We are being tested as Americans. What does it mean for us? What kind of future do our children deserve? I am stepping up to serve again. I look forward to winning this race,” she said.

Nora: Does one have to be subservient Sharlene and Nash are all grown up to gov’t to become a nat’l artist

by Marinel r. Cruz Inquirer.net

“LET’S all move on… If God does not will it, it will not happen.”

This was the gist of the official statement of veteran actress Nora Aunor, who was once again excluded from the list of 2018 National Artist awardees.

President Rodrigo Duterte conferred on seven individuals the National Artist award on October 24, and the veteran actress was conspicuously not among them.

“Just let it be,” said Aunor, addressing her supporters, whom she calls Noranians, and members of the show biz press.

“Let’s just forget about it, move on and start anew with our goal to do good for others.”

Aunor, however, admitted that she felt bad about the Malacañang decision. “I’m sad for my Noranians and for all my friends who had helped, believed and fought for me since I joined the business through ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ … 51

Nora Aunor

GMA photo

years [ago].”

She added that life goes on for her, whether or not she is declared a national artist. “I’m thankful to God because I still have work and am still being idolized and loved by my supporters and friends who cared for and defended me endlessly.”

Aunor was first recommend-

ed to be a national artist in 2014, during the term of former president Benigno S. Aquino III, who rejected her nomination due to her alleged links to illegal drugs while in the United States.

“I was shocked when I learned that he removed my name from the list. I asked myself why. This happened even though I’ve repeatedly said that the drug case against me was untrue,” she stressed.

Aunor said she had opted to keep quiet then.

The actress was again nominated for the same award recently.

Sabrina Tan, project coordinator of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said Aunor had earned an “automatic” nomination because she was already previously nominated.

The members of the joint boards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the NCCA are tasked to submit a list of names to the Office of the President for possible proclama-

tion as national artists.

“What happened to me during PNoy’s time happened again during the Duterte administration,” Aunor pointed out. “I asked myself once again, ‘What does it really take to be a national artist?’ What are the criteria that the NCCA and CCP go by? Why did they include me if they thought I was not worthy to be one, in the first place?

Does one have to be obsequious to the administration to get this award?”

In a statement sent to the Inquirer, Aunor also said: “In my opinion, we do have pillars in this industry, those who have served as its vanguards, who are truly deserving of the award, just like (the late comedian) Dolphy. I was just lucky to have achieved things as an artist and singer, and that a lot of people took notice.”

She ended her message by addressing her loyal Noranians.

She said: “For now, I can only offer you ‘Onanay’ (her drama series on GMA 7). Don’t forget to watch it. I love you all.”

by riCky Calderon ManilaTimes.net

TEENAGE actress Sharlene San Pedro didn’t expect she’d get the lead role in “Class of 2018,” an upcoming horror flick from T-Rex Entertainment.

A former children’s gag show star of long-running ABS-CBN Sunday program, “Goin’ Bulilit,” Sharlene told Roving Eye she went to audition for any role on the youth-oriented project but was overwhelmed to learn the outcome.

Sharlene San Pedro and Nash Aguas

As the story goes, the young actress was already assigned a supporting role following her tryout but was surprised when she heard the film’s director, Charliebebs Gohetia, had something else in mind for her: the lead role with fellow Goin’ Bulilit partner Nash Aguas.

Both young adults now, fans who grew up with their tandem on the gag show have apparently stayed loyal to them through the years, which gave T-Rex and Gohetia the idea to give in to Continued on Page SF7

ABS-CBN photo

Your Immigration Solution Devin M. Connolly A non-citizen who is granted permanent resident status (green card) based on their marriage will only be granted conditional permanent resident status if they have been married less than two years at the time their application is approved. Conditional resident status is nearly identical to permanent resident status.

However, a major distinction is that the conditional resident’s status is only granted for two years. It expires on the second anniversary of having been granted permanent resident status.

In order to prevent the automatic termination of their status, the conditional resident and their petitioning spouse are required to file a joint petition in the 90-day period preceding the second anniversary of the date the non-citizen became a conditional resident.

A joint petition requires the conditional resident and their spouse to prove that their marriage is “bonafide.” The term “bonafide” refers to a marriage between two people who had the intent to establish a life together. This can be contrasted from a “sham” marriage, where the only purpose of the marriage is for one of the parties to obtain an immigration benefit. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will obviously only remove the conditions on a person’s residency when that person has sufficiently demonstrated they are in a bonafide marriage.

The conditional resident and their spouse should therefore attach sufficient documentation proving the validity and bonafides of the marriage.

Despite the requirement for a conditional resident to file a joint petition with their spouse, it is sad reality that marriages are sometimes terminated before they reach their second anniversary. In these instances it is not possible to file a joint petition. There may be other

Removing the conditions entertainment SF on your permanent Andi takes a break from resident status The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

reasons as well why a joint petition is not possible, such as because the conditional resident’s spouse has passed away or because they refuse to sign a joint petition. The USCIS therefore allows the conditional resident to request a waiver of the joint filing requirement.

The Immigration and Nationality Act permits requests for waivers to be granted in the following situations: (1) the marriage was entered into in good faith but the qualifying marriage has been terminated; (2) the non-citizen will suffer extreme hardship if removed to their native country; and (3) the marriage was entered into good faith but the noncitizen was subject to battery or extreme cruelty during the marriage.

A good faith waiver requires the conditional resident to demonstrate that the marriage was not entered into solely for immigration benefits.

Rather, they must prove that they entered into the marriage with the intention of creating a life together with their exspouse. The USCIS will deny the waiver request unless the conditional resident is able to submit sufficient evidence of the bonafides of the marriage.

Also, a good faith marriage waiver can only be granted after the marriage is terminated. This sometimes causes problems for the conditional resident because they may be in the middle of a divorce when it is time to file a petition. However, an experienced immigration attorney will be sure to file the request for a waiver prior to the conditional resident’s status being terminated while also making sure that the request is accepted.

An extreme hardship waiver requires the conditional resident to establish that they would suffer extreme hardship if deported from the U.S. The USCIS will only consider hardship to the conditional resident

that arose during the conditional status period. There are many examples of hardship, including the separation of family members, inability to treat their medical conditions outside the U.S., or lack of employment opportunities in their native country.

Finally, a conditional resident may also request a waiver of the joint filing requirement based on the extreme cruelty they were subjected to by their spouse. Extreme cruelty often includes physical violence at the hands of their spouse, but it does not have necessarily have to include physical violence. Extreme cruelty also includes psychological and emotional abuse. Though extreme cruelty based on psychological and emotional abuse is often difficult to establish, it may still be done through well-drafted declarations and detailed psychological evaluation. If a non-citizen believes they have suffered extreme cruelty, it is important for them to seek assistance for their personal safety as well as help with their immigration status.

Removing the conditions on a person’s residency is a difficult process. It becomes ever more challenging when a request for a waiver is required.

Conditional residents should therefore consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney.

*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

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

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her provincial life

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

ANDI Eigenmann is one of a kind. Unlike her colleagues who find pleasure in hoarding material things (jewelry, branded accessories, etc.), she has “downsized” (read: “simplified”) life by selling most of the properties she had acquired through her showbiz earnings and retreated to the countryside, initially in Baler, Quezon, where she met her (now ex-boyfriend) Emilio Arambulo and where she’s reportedly building a house; and then to Siargao where she has found not just a new paradise but also a new boyfriend, Philmar Alipayo, a champion surfer resident of the island.

Taking a break from her leisurely provincial life, Andi was lured back to the limelight by Viva Films and ALIUD Entertainment to star in “All Souls Night,” an ImaginePerSecond Halloween thriller conceptualized by Yam Laranas and co-directed by Aloy Adlawan and Jules Katanyag.

(Laranas is the director of another thriller, Aurora, an official 2018 Metro Manila Filmfest entry starring Anne Curtis.)

“All Souls Night” follows the story of Shirley (Andi), an all-around housemaid who answered an ad for a quick three-day job to take care of a sick man. Ellen, the hospitable wife, readily tells Shirley the three important house rules: 1).

Keep the doors and windows shut; 2). Stay locked inside the house; and 3). Don’t get inside their room without permission.

Before long, Shirley will unravel the mystery that will give her the biggest scare of her life.

In the following Conversation, Andi talks about her life “out in the country” and why she decided to resume acting (“My passion,” she said).

What’s so special about the province that you decided to live there (first in Quezon and

Andi Eigenmann

now in Siargao)?

“It’s the simplicity of it all.

Living by the ocean and being surrounded by nature every day keeps me grounded and happy.

I like who I turned into because I placed myself in that type of environment. I feel like I really found myself there, and that’s where I belong.”

Is it a matter of going where your love is (from Quezon to Siargao)?

“If by ‘my love’ you mean myself, then yes. It’s choosing to stay where I am at my happiest. It was also when I found the genuine joy that I feel as I became the best mother I could be for Ellie. So I know I’m doing it right.”

How and when did you develop your love for sand, sea and surf(ing)?

“Ever since I was a little girl. I think my family can vouch for me on that, hehehehe!!!”

You could just have taken a break from the hurly-burly of showbiz. But why did you sell your belongings on which you invested most of your earn-

Photo from Instagram/@andieigengirl

ings? No regrets?

“I sold the luxury items that I felt had no purpose in my life anymore. I kept those with sentimental value and the timeless pieces I know I’d always love to have or wear. What’s the point in having 200 pairs of high heels when you live in the island half of the time? Hahahaha!!! If there’s something I regret, it’s ever buying those things.”

Describe a typical day of your life “out there.”

“I wake up super early, sometimes to catch the sunrise by walking to the Cloud 9 Tower. I go surf, have breakfast, go surf again or watch my friends catch lunch! Cook with all our friends and eat together, hang around or go around (there’s so much to see), take walks or visit new cafés around town, head to the ocean to surf some more, watch the beautiful sunset, exchange stories with island family and friends, and head to bed feeling super fulfilled.”

What about your daughter Ellie, who’s taking care of Continued on Page SF7

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

celebrity world

OPM King Rico Puno Passes Away at 65

By Ferdie Villar RICO Puno, acknowledged as one of the pioneers of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and hailed as a rock ‘n roll legend in the Philippines, passed away last October 30.

The singer’s passing was announced on social media by concert producer Anna Puno, his sister-in-law, according to PEP. ph.

According to an Instagram post shared on the site, Puno said “I am seized with deep emotional shock when I found out that our OPM King – Kuya Rico J. Puno has passed away this morning (manila time).

Numbed with grief, I would like to call on all entertainers in the OPM industry as well as his worldwide fans to stop for a moment and say a prayer to one of the most respected singers in the country. I cannot help but say it was serendipitous that Starmedia prepared a solo 40th Anniversary concert for him and a US tour with the OPM stalwarts and colleagues just recently. Little did I know that this is his Final Bow in the live entertainment world. We will forever miss the TOTAL ENTERTAINER… but his songs will forever cherish in our hearts.”

In the same article, it was revealed that the singer had filed his bid for reelection as councilor for the 1st district of Makati with another political party after Makati Mayor Abby Binay had tried to dissuade the singer from becoming a candidate for the May 2019 polls. Puno had served as councilor from June 1998 to 2007, and was reelected to the post in June of 2016.

Already, tributes and thoughts from fellow singers have flooded social media, as

shared by Inquirer.net.

Jim Paredes: “When I see old friend and colleagues these days, I must remind myself that this could be the last time I will see them. Rico J., you were bigger than life. A real OPM legend.”

Leah Navarro: “Goodbye, #RicoJPuno. You were a great entertainer, a good pal, a caring person. I remember our gigs with fondness; you enjoyed seeing Lola Masay cringe at your dirty jokes. She loved you. Miss you, bro. To your family, prayers for strength, and heartfelt condolences.”

Ogie Alcasid: “This man was the reason I wanted to be a singer. His voice, his charm, wit and entertainment style has wowed millions of opm fans all over the globe. I am deeply saddened to hear that he has now joined our creator. More than being my idol, he was a dear friend.

Everybody loved and adored the great Rico J. Puno. Rest now rico. The whole country applauds you for your contributions as a singer, and entertainer and as a public servant. #ricojpuno” Regine Velasquez: “Nakakalungkot na balita, naalala ko pa Buhat ang unang awitin na inawit ko sa harap ng maraming tao. I was 6 years old. Maraming Salamat Rico J Puno.”

Martin Nievera: “#ricojpuno we will miss you! Now that you are in heaven, behave! We love you!”

Gary Valenciano: “Rest in His peace kapitan. I’m in total shock at this news.”

Sharon Cuneta: “I grew up with you. Actually singing in the same concerts that Vicor and Blackgold put together for all their artists, with you. I had

no idea that I was singing with one who would become a true LEGEND. The Total Entertainer, the funny, always down-to-earth guy who was always humble and in the forty years I’ve known you, ever, ever changed or let success go to your head. I hated when you would make green jokes, but loved that they made people laugh. You were a true gem of a talent, and person, dearest Kuya Rico. We and the whole entertainment industry have just been turned upside down by your passing. Thank you for being so sweet and loving to me… I will miss you dearly. I love you.” *** Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez revealed in a short interview with PEP.ph that she left GMA-7 on good terms.

Regine recently signed a deal to become an ABS-CBN contract artist. Her first day as a Kapamilya artist was on October 17.

“Maganda naman yung pamamaalam ko sa kanila, tsaka binigay ko naman sa kanila yung twenty years ko. Nagpaaalam ako nang personal, e, kasi dapat lang, kasi nagkaroon naman ng relationship with them,” Regine said.

According to the singer, it was really hard for her to leave GMA-7, which was her home network for 20 years.

“I’ve been with them for twenty years and, you know, I love the people that I worked with there, and nalungkot din sila. Pero alam mo, yung mga boss ko doon, naintindihan naman nila.”

Regine’s move to ABS-CBN will allow her to follow and join her husband, Ogie Alcasid, who is also now a Kapamilya artist.

OPM legend Rico J. Puno passed away recently at the age of 65. The singer’s death was announced on social media by sister-in-law and concert producer Anna Puno. (photo credit: philstar.com)

Filipino leaders from Salt Lake City Renato and Lillian Lao celebrated their Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary at the Calervega Church in Tagaytay City, Philippines. After the church rites, a reception was held at the Rosemont Garden.

Beauty Gonzalez, a demure and alluring actress, portrays the role of a secretary-turned-wife of a business tycoon (played by Albert Martinez) in the well-liked ABS-CBN teleserye “Kadenang Ginto.”

GMA Pinoy TV talented actor Rocco Nacino is one of the lead actors of the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Pamilya Roces.” Nacino first gained attention when he won 2nd Prince in the fifth season of Starstruck, a reality show broadcast

by GMA-7.

Philippine entertainment power couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez are now both Kapamilya artists, with the latter’s recent transfer to ABS-CBN.

Regine Velasquez, who became an ABS-CBN contract artist on October 17, says she left GMA-7 on good terms and has the support of her bosses from her old network. (photo credit: philstar.com)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (CONTINUED from last week’s issue …)

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

Daedalus took off flapping his wings faster and faster to get vertical lift-off and escape gravity. Icarus followed suit and took off shortly after. As they flew, the people on the ground in Crete watched in amazement wondering whether the winged creatures are the gods themselves flying.

Icarus trailed his father closely at first, following his flight pattern and struggling to take heed of his father’s admonitions. But feeling an overwhelming sense of growing power in his ability to fly, reveling in his freedom and giving in to his impetuous, youthful nature, Icarus deviated a little at first, taking little swoops and side trips and catching up with his father who was intently flying on a steady speed and altitude.

As Icarus swooped, dived and indulged frivolously in his aerial acrobatics, Icarus soon forgot his father’s words and flew higher and higher towards the noonday sun. Then the wax in his wings melted, the wooden framework broke apart and the feathers blew away. Wingless and panicking, Icarus plunged headlong like deadweight into the blue waters. Daedalus swooped down in hot pursuit to save his son but it was much too late. All he saw were a few feathers floating on the surface.

Daedalus, with a heavy heart at the tragic loss of his beloved Icarus, managed to fly to Sicily.

In his grief, Daedalus retired his wings, lost his love for life and never flew again.

Children Just Like You (2 of 2 parts)

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

—Alfred North Whitehead Over and over again through the generations, we see this tendency of some of the young ones to “forget” the things they have been taught and allow hubris and folly to rule. Some throw away everything they have learned and painstakingly worked for in one impetuous decision or action.

It is as if their overwhelming sense of freedom, newly-attained independence and sense of power goads them to “fly close to the sun.”

Humility gets torpedoed and overweening pride rules.

They feel they no longer need guidance from anyone. Sometimes a good scare or a tiny thorn of bad experience can be humbling and worth more than a lifetime of warnings, advice and admonitions to nudge prideful youth back to reality and on the straight and narrow.

While we may think that this tendency of the youth today is unique to our times, we only have to look back several thousand years to know that the scenario may have changed, the cast of characters in every generation in every nation may be different, but the predilection for hubris particularly in the young, remains the same.

Notice the youth within your immediate daily orbit. With few exceptions, you might see that the egocentric self-absorption that consumes the severely distracted young these days is borne of hubris that a modern, tech-savvy culture seems to engender with short-cuts that only serve to short-circuit.

Self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem come only after the young have paid hefty dues in life’s lessons learned in the process of becoming. Humility, erroneously perceived as meekness these days, is scoffed at and swept under the rug.

And yet without humility that instinctively knows and accepts that one needs to learn from

others to grow in wisdom, no real learning is possible. There are lives all around us who can serve as models that we can emulate and cautionary tales we can learn from.

On the part of adults who have been there and done all that and have the scars to show for it, achieving perspective and an empathetic bone are needed to remember we were once just as young, just as foolish, or perhaps even more so. But that we praise the God of our being and with all humility admit that we were the lucky ones who got a pass because life was magnanimous enough to let us get past that harrowing stage of youthful folly, with barely a scratch and live long enough to see the cycle repeated in our children. DEEP SIGH… Picture a flashback. You can almost see your mother, her eyes rolling upward, throwing her hands in the air in sheer frustration after you’ve committed a stupid, arrogant stunt or acted like a mindless jackass for the nth time when you were young, quipping a line that sounds like a curse, “May you have children just like you!”

Of course, it works just as well on the flip side of the coin.

When you have children who have finally become wise after being foolish, you can say the same line as a blessing and heave a sigh of relief.

Take heed, young ones.

One day, you will become adults who will have children of your own. Then you’ll know that what goes around, definitely comes around. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http:// issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

What is ‘extreme hardship’?

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IF a person commits certain immigration violations (such as fraud, or overstaying in the U.S. for over six months and then departing, etc.), the person may not be eligible to AN ENCORE EPISODE ABOUT A ‘SPECIAL CHILD’ ON CITIZEN PINOY! When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, she had to make a difficult receive a green card, unless decision of leaving her special needs daughter, Nina (left) behind in the Philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been the person applies for, and is separated before. Nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and Ruth granted, a “waiver of inadmisgone, who will take care of Nina? Find out how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Nina to the U.S. through Humanitarsibility” (or “forgiveness”) on ian Parole, on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday 6:15pm PST on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) a Form I-601. To be eligible for the waiver, the person must demonstrate he or she has a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen or a green card of 100,000 hair on the scalp. than the male sperm cell. holder (“qualifying relatives”), • You burn more calories • Our kidneys filter and and the qualifying relative sleeping than you do watching would suffer “extreme hardclean blood about 300 times PhiliP S. chuA, television. daily, producing urine that ship” if the applicant is not MD, fAcS, fPcS • The first product to have granted the waiver. contains waste.

• Urine of healthy persons, a bar code was Wrigley’s gum.

But what is extreme hard• The king of hearts is the who are not on medications, HERE are some remarkship? How does a person only king without a mustache. is an effective fertilizer for able, educational, and attendemonstrate or prove ex• The plaques that cause vegetable and fruit trees. tion-grabbing bits of medical treme hardship on the qualifyblockage inside the arteries • Equal amounts of 3 perand general factoid that could ing relative? How should the are as hard as teeth or bones. enrich your cerebral armamen- cent peroxide and water are immigration officer evaluate • A Boeing 747’s wingused to treat tree root rots. tarium: the qualifying relative’s exspan is longer than the Wright treme hardship?

• Mosquito repellents • Arteriosclerosis (hardenbrothers’ first flight. ing of the arteries) starts when don’t repel. They hide you.

The USCIS has a policy • American Airlines saved The spray blocks the mosa child is five or six years of manual (PM), to provide some $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating guidelines on establishing quito’s sensors so they don’t age, and not after fifty.

1 olive from each salad served extreme hardship. In the past, know you’re there.

• Cholesterol and saturatin first class.

• Contrary to popular ed fats (from pork, beef, eggs applicants had to rely on • Venus is the only planet and other dairy products) have belief, fish do drown. published immigration cases that rotates clockwise.

• Dentists recommend killed more people around the that discussed extreme hard• Without the mucous that toothbrushes be kept at world than all the battles and ship, memos, etc. to figure membrane of the stomach, it least 6 feet away from a toilet wars combined. out what constitutes extreme would digest itself. to avoid airborne particles • Rice, almost like sughardship and how to prove • Apples, which are resulting from the flush. ars and sweets, has a high it. USCIS’s PM on extreme healthier than caffeine, are • The juice inside young glycemic index, which makes it hardship aims to clarify how most efficient at waking you coconuts, and other natural unhealthy. Eating rice freUSCIS should make extreme up in the morning. Coffee is a fluids, are undergoing laboraquently increases the risk for hardship determinations. healthy drink. the development of metabolic tory investigation as possible But even with this PM, • Soft drinks, all variety of substitute for blood plasma. and cardiovascular illnesses figuring out what constitutes them, are toxic to the body.

• Donkeys are said to kill down the line. Healthy lifestyle extreme hardship can still be They all increase the risk for now includes super low carbo- more people annually than confusing. Even USCIS admits the development of Metabolic that the term “extreme hardhydrate and high protein (plus plane crashes.

Syndrome.

• Eating brown rice, generous vegetables and nuts, ship” is not expressly defined • The first owner of the instead of the white variety, virgin olive oil) diet. in the law, regulations, or in Marlboro Company died of can help prevent and control • The female ovum (egg) case law. USCIS further states lung cancer. arthritis pains. is the largest cell in her body, that to meet this “extreme • A person has an average about 175,000 times heavier Continued on Page SF7 hardship” requirement, the

Health@Heart

Entertaining trivia

person must show that the refusal of admission would “impose more than the usual level of hardship that commonly results from family separation or relocation.” That’s an important point: “extreme” simply means “more than usual,” or more likely than not, or 51% probability.

Among the items to be considered are: • Hardship to the qualifying relative if they had to relocate overseas (to be with the applicant), or, in the alternative, remain in the U.S., (separated from the applicant).

• Strong family ties in the U.S. • Social and cultural impact if the qualifying relative had to relocate overseas to be with the applicant • Economic impact on the qualifying relative if the hardship waiver is not granted • Health conditions and medical care of the qualifying relative • Country conditions, and State Department travel warnings for the country where the qualifying relative would have to relocate.

The PM lists dozens of specific factors which could constitute extreme hardship on a qualifying relative, and points out numerous factors which would not be considered extreme hardship. The PM provides some hypothetical examples where the claimed hardship would be considered normal or a “common consequence of relocation”, as opposed to being “extreme.”

Many people, when faced with having to file a waiver of inadmissibility, do it on his or her own, rather than seeking the advice or guidance of an attorney. While hiring an attorney does not “guarantee” approval, the determination and evaluation of extreme hardship can be a complex and complicated task. Putting together an effective pres-

entation is also critical. The PM is 48 pages long. The instructions for filling out the Form I- 601 are 21 pages. The I-601 form itself is 13 pages long. The stakes are so high in applying for the waiver. If a person is not granted a fraud waiver, it could result in a lifetime ban. If the 3/10 year bar waiver is not approved, the relative may not be able to apply for a visa to come to the US for at least 10 years.

That is why when you have something as complex as a waiver of inadmissibility, you should seek the advice and guidance of an attorney, rather than doing it on your own. Learning immigration law (or figuring out what is “extreme hardship” and how to prove it) by doing the waiver on your own could have lifetime consequences on your relative. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been a attorney for over 35 years and licensed, and an active member o the State Bars of California and Ne York. All immigration services ar provided by, or under the superv sion of, an active member of th State Bar of California. Each case different and results may depend o the facts of the particular case. Th information and opinions containe herein (including testimonials, “Suc cess Stories”, endorsements and re enactments) are of a general nature and are not intended to apply to an particular case, and do not constitut a prediction, warranty, guarantee o legal advice regarding the outcom of your legal matter. No attorney-cl ent relationship is, or shall be, estab lished with any reader.

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

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entertainment Bretman rocks Darna costume for Halloween

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

by Rosette Adel Philstar.com

FIlIPINO-AMErICAN social media personality Bretman rock once again made buzz online as he donned the wellloved Filipino superheroine costume, Darna, in this year’s Halloween.

The Ilocano-born rock said he chose Darna as his costume as he always identified with her given the superheroine’s personality.

He also described Darna as “a picture of a strong Filipino woman.”

“This year I wanted to pay tribute to My Filipino Super Hero – Darna,” rock wrote on his Instagram post.

“Growing up I watched all of her Shows and Movies and

Bretman Rock Photo from Instagram/@bretmanrock

I have always identified with her,” he added.

Darna is a fictional female superhero character created by comic artist Mars ravelo. Her human form is Narda who is known for swallowing a magic white stone as she transforms into a fierce superheroine clad in a red and gold sexy two-piece outfit by shouting “Darna!” rock, known for being a beauty influencer and for his humorous posts, uploaded video of him showing off his Darna costume across his social media accounts. He even used Kamikazee’s “Narda” as background music as he modeled the superheroine costume.

The video has since been viewed by over 1.7 million times on Instagram, over 133,000 times on Facebook and more than 780,000 on Twitter.

Janno a certified Kapamilya

by Boy ABundA Philstar.com

AFTEr appearing in such ABS-CBN shows as ASAP and FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano,” Janno Gibbs is now a certified Kapamilya singer as he recently signed up with the network’s music label Star Music.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for the singer-actor and comedian whose tandem with Ogie Alcasid, via Small Brothers, was born in ABS-CBN. His return marks an exciting turn of his career with him articulating that it’s a good time to push himself to do something different. “I think I need to shake things up. I need to challenge myself.”

By challenging himself, Janno is bent on making his song compositions relevant to what are trending in this day and age of millennials.

Apparently, many people from the said generation are clueless that he is the son of veteran actor ronaldo Valdez. Jan-

EMPLOYMENT

Janno Gibbs Philstar.com photo

no could only laugh about it and said that he knew the reason why “because some would say, ‘Ay, bakit mestizo (si ronaldo)?’ or ‘Ay, bakit hindi matangos?’

Pero ito (referring to his nose) naman matangos, malapad lang (laughs).”

What cannot be denied is that Janno is the dad of two beautiful daughters Alyssa and Gab with wife Bing loyzaga.

The proud father shared some similarities with his daughters.

“The coolness and vanity, they got them from me obviously. The make-up styling and fashion, they would often tell they got them from me. I never had a stylist ever since. I do my own make-up. Alyssa is a lot more like Bing in looks but her character is very me. Si Gabby medyo hawig ko, hawig ng sister ko si Melissa pero ugali ng mommy n’ya.”

He also revealed that Alyssa is now engaged without him feeling any sadness about the reality of his daughters starting a family of their own someday.

“I think it was very easy for me to accept because the boyfriend (of Alyssa) has been part of the family for years already.”

Even before, Janno was used to seeing suitors of her daughters visiting them at home.

Thus, he welcomes the idea of becoming a grandfather in the near future by humorously telling that being a lolo won’t

EMPLOYMENT

The CTV Files

California Divorce

for it!!” Generally, all of your assets prior to the marriage is just your own separate property. However, California is Atty. LiLLi BerBAno BAcuLi, eSQ a community property state and so once you get married, SOMETIMES, divorce hapall property acquired during pens. The following seeks to marriage is community propaddress or clarify some comerty. And if anything out of the mon misconceptions about community property is used divorce: towards separate property, the “What if my husband/wife community might turn out to does not want to sign the have a claim on part(s) of the divorce?” or “My husband/ separate property. Separate wife does not want to sign property are “all property the divorce papers, what can acquired before marriage; I do.” California is a no-fault all gifts, bequests, devise, or divorce state. A party filing descents. All property acquired for divorce does not need the or exchanged with traceable consent of the other in order separate property; and all to file a Petition for Dissolution property acquired after separa(Divorce) or, in some instances, tion.” to get a judgment of divorce.

“S/he is the one who left Perhaps the confusion lies in our family. I shouldn’t have to the part where the other party pay support.” Again, Califor(your soon-to-be ex-spouse) nia is a no-fault divorce state. needs to be served with procThere is no assignment of ess. In proceeding in an action blame or fault; fault does not for divorce, there are procedur- factor in the equation in the al requirements dictated by law issue of support. Some of the that must be followed to ensure factors that the Court will look that the other party has notice at to determine whether there of the action (that is, that s/he is basis for support, and if so, is being brought to court for an in what amount, are – length action of divorce) and that s/he of marriage, age of parties, is given time to respond. Howif there are minor children in ever, there is no requirement the marriage, income of both for the other party to respond. parties.

There is no requirement that “I’m smart enough to hans/he sign any document at all. dle my own divorce. Why do I All that needs to happen is that need an attorney?” You don’t s/he is properly served with need an attorney. There is no process according to the rules. requirement that you must “What? I have to share have an attorney. However, my retirement earnings? in cases involving issues such This is mine, I worked hard as domestic violence, custody

disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.

Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 4493923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www. chuatinsayvega.com.

again ‘coz whenever I’m with you feels like the first time…”

At the end of the song, Janno said that he also mentioned other loveteams like MayWard, Joshlia and Kimerald (perhaps, Janno doesn’t know that it’s now KimXi).

But he definitely knows how to keep his marital relationship intact. Never mind if Janno and Bing were reported, for so many times, to have broken up. Problems crop up at times but Janno said that they were able to patch things up.

“Apart from love, I think the keyword is respect that’s what keeps us together. ‘Pag

may kasalanan ako tya-tyagain ko ulit, manliligaw ako.” And it worked since the two didn’t give up on each other even while there was a controversy involving Janno whose alleged sexy photos circulated online.

Janno said it’s not him and he found it funny to a certain extent. “Nakakatawa lang na, ako? But it was embarrassing for me because of my kids. Probably if I am single, I’d just let it pass but I have two girls. There were two photos, definitely ‘yung isa ako because of the face but the other one, I don’t know. I felt offended. It was foul.”

affect his looks.

His being young at heart also reflects in his first single Feeling JKl under Star Music.

“Feeling JKl actually means feeling JaDine, KathNiel and lizQuen, the loveteams I mentioned in the song that I also composed. If you listen to the song, it speaks of love appropriate for my age because I am telling that I’m not young anymore but whenever I’m with my love, it feels like the first time.”

He continued by singing, “Feeling JaDine ‘pag ikaw ang kapiling. Feeling ko ako’y si Daniel at ikaw si Kathryn, feeling lizQuen like I’m young all over

FOR RENT

SERVICES

(Advertising Supplement)

Most Influential Filipina: Ms. Maria Victoria M. Acosta

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

With steadfast faith, she serves God, her family, community and country. At home, she is the ideal wife and mother.

Within her community, she serves at Villa San Miguel as the Head for the Education and Formation Ministry. At work, she promotes the Philippines, inviting investments from all over the globe.

Ms. Acosta entered corporate life with a challenge to take on—one given by Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Megaworld Corporation’s Chairman and CEO. She went on to spearhead the marketing of Megaworld to the global market. Faith and skills were her capital into turning this vision into a reality.

Like in any start-up organization, Ms. Acosta encountered numerous trials. She started with only three staff members, and together they faced the whole world as a market to conquer. From deciding which country offices to open, to visa processing, to the legalities of an international office, establishing an international team proved to be daunting at first.

But for Ms. Acosta, it was also very motivating. Back then, her drive didn’t stop at selling globally. She also hoped to make a difference in the lives of overseas Filipinos.

At the time, Ms. Acosta’s primary motivation was: how could Megaworld International help Filipinos enjoy the fruits of their labor? She knows that one of the ways to grow one’s money is through wise property investments, a pearl of wisdom she must impart to fellow Filipinos abroad. More importantly, this motivation is guided and driven by the mission and vision of Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Chairman and CEO, as well: to give clients the very best value for their real estate investment.

For Megaworld, this is not a mere vision for it has already pioneered the Live-Work-PlayLearn concept in township development, providing future

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

Kris Aquino hints of possibly signing with GMA Philstar.com

homeowners a master-planned and complete community that adds value to a real estate investment.

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

The turning point was during the period of time spanning from 2011 to 2013 when the sales of Megaworld International grew by leaps and bounds. Inspired by the bible verse: “May your barns be full with every kind of store. May our sheep increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; may our oxen be well fattened.” Psalm 144:13A (NAB), Ms. Acosta initiated the strategy, I.N.C.R.E.A.S.E. I - INTENSIVE RECRUITMENT N - NEW TERRITORIES C - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION R - RENEWED TEAMWORK E - EXPERT TRAINING A - AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION S - STRATEGIC GLOBAL BRANDING AND MARKETING E - ENHANCED PROCESSES Ms. Acosta, in addition, took a novel approach in managing the division’s structure.

She increased the number of Vice Presidents to spearhead selling in four major regions, which are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. With more VPs, the rest followed. Megaworld International grew its number

of sellers, added new territories and built its team of support staff. The result was the aggressive promotion of the Philippines as a viable investment and retirement choice. This, by extension, led to a jump in sales.

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

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

About the awardee: Ms. Maria Victoria “Marivic” M. Acosta is currently the Senior Vice President of Megaworld Corporation, and has been the Managing Director of International Sales at Megaworld Corporation since September 1999. She has 30 years of marketing experience in real estate and consumer products.

Prior to her appointment in Megaworld Corp., she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Empire East Land Holdings Inc. from 1997 to 1998 and served as its Executive Director for Marketing from 1996 to 1997.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

before the public’s eyes.

“There were times I got hurt accidentally but it was all worth it,” Sharlene enthused. “I made sure I was physically ready for the part so I went on a diet and got leaner. Hopefully I look sporty on screen too.”

Clearly both excited and proud of Class of 2018 which she described as a “different kind of horror film.”

Meanwhile, Nash Aguas is just as grateful as Sharlene to land the lead in their first movie team up.

Noted Nash, “It’s also pretty

cool they thought to launch our love team with a horror movie rather than a rom-com as everyone usually does. But of course, besides the horror, this film also has elements of drama, comedy and romance all rolled into one.”

He also admits feeling pressured that their launching movie is coming up in less than two weeks, as they make that huge leap from Goin’ Bulilit to a fulllength movie.

“But it’s all good! Kahit na nasuntok ako ni Sharlene sa mukha,” he ended jokingly.

Entertaining trivia...

From Page SF5 • Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

• Secondhand cigarette smokes contains 4,000 chemicals, 200 of them are known poisons like benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.

• All U.S. presidents have worn glasses. Some just didn’t like being seen wearing them in public.

• Walt Disney was said to be afraid of mice.

• Pearls melt in vinegar (acetic acid).

• The three most valuable brand names on earth are Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser, in that order — very sad, indeed.

• Pinot Noir red wine has the highest level of resveratrol, the cardio-protective antioxidant.

• Richard Millhouse Nixon was the first U.S. president whose name contains all the letters from the word “criminal.” The second was William

SF

by Jan Milo Severo

Sharlene and Nash are all...

From Page SF2 the longstanding clamor to see NashLene on the big screen.

Asked to describe her surprise role, Sharlene excitedly shared she tackled a good number of action scenes in Class of 2018. She admits feeling frightened at times but on the whole, she enjoyed the adrenalin of fighting it out for the camera.

“I’ve been dreaming to do an action movie but actually, I had this feeling I would never be able to because I’m frail,” said the 19-year-old who grew up

community

Jefferson Clinton.

• Cardiac surgeons use surgical loop magnifying lenses to do coronary bypass surgery (joining two arteries with super fine sutures) on arteries as small as the size of round toothpicks.

• Turtles can breathe through their butts.

• Butterflies taste with their feet.

• In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world’s nuclear weapons combined.

• On average, 100 people choke to death on ball-point pens every year.

• In general, people seem to fear spiders more than they do death.

• Heart attack can cause sudden death in people without any obvious symptoms.

• Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.

• Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.

• Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

• A snail can sleep for three years.

• We have about 59,652 miles of blood vessels (arteries and veins) in the body.

• The heart beats an average rate of 103,860 per day for most people.

• It might seem the heart does not rest, but it does, during the split second between beats.

• The electric chair was said to be invented by a dentist. And the dental chair by an electrician? No way.

• In ancient Egypt, priests plucked EVERY hair from their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes as part of their ritual.

• An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

• “Typewriter” is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

• “Go,” is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

• A crocodile cannot stick Continued on Page SF8

AFTER singer Regine Velasquez’s much publicized transfer from GMA to ABS-CBN recently, GMA has reported that “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino hinted of a television return.

In a “Life Update” video posted on her account on YouTube, Kris admitted that she misses television appearances.

Aquino said that if a network will just give her a limited time to shoot every week, she will gladly accept the offer, so she can have time to balance work with personal life.

“I do. I miss TV, but TV requires long hours and I cannot give that,” she said.

Nonetheless, if a network will allow her to shoot just once a week, Kris will grab the chance especially if she will team up with Jessica Soho or Willie Revillame, who are now both signed with GMA network.

“There are two people that I have not had a chance to work with that I love to work with.

Kris Aquino

One is Jessica Soho and the other one is Willie Revillame,” she said.

“Kung magkaroon man anytime in the future and if it is just once a week, I’d grab it.

Magmamakaawa ako sa doctor ko sa Singapore, ‘yung health certification, pirmahan niya,” she added.

Kris described Soho as professional and always nice

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

to her.

“She was always nice to me. And I got to work with her actually way, way back noong nagkaroon ng Japanese Royal Wedding, nagalingan talaga ko sa kanya from before,” she said of the veteran news anchor.

Kris or GMA, however, have not yet officially confirmed if they are going to work together.

Andi takes a break...

From Page SF3 her while you are away? And what’s the role of Jake Ejercito, Ellie’s dad?

“Jake and I share time with Ellie. She studies in Manila and since school has begun she has to be with her dad and then half of the time I would be in the city with her. But not like before anymore. Now nobody ever knows if I’m in town because it’s just all about me and Ellie when I’m in town. No publicity.”

Everybody thought that you were turning your back on showbiz. What made you change your mind?

“Actually, I didn’t really change my mind about anything. I quit showbiz, in a sense,

because I felt that I was not fit for that lifestyle. But I’ll always be an actress. I’ll always love filmmaking. I’ve always said that it’s not about turning my back; it’s just that I didn’t want it to be my whole life anymore.”

What’s so interesting about All Souls Night that it brought you back to acting?

“For one, it’s a horror film.

And I love horror films just like a lot of Pinoys do. And second, it’s a story with a strong female main character. I appreciate how the creators want to present a story that shows that we don’t need a male lead, or a man to fight for us or to get through such obstacles. We can protect and defend ourselves just as

much as men can.”

Describe your role and what you find attractive about it.

“Shirley is a strong, independent college student who accepted a side job to be a household assistant in order to help pay for her tuition for the coming semester. I love how when faced with the problem, it wasn’t just about saving herself, or simply getting through it. She made sure to help the people around her and create a solution that would put an end to the problem.”

Are you back for good or are you going back to Siargao?

“I will keep going back and forth for now.”

SF8

entertainment The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

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alendar of Events

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merica

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- 9

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

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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles features Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future exhibition JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is pleased to announce the upcoming SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE exhibition, taking place Oct. 27 - Dec. 12, 2018 at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, located at Hollywood & Highland. Named the Wall Street Journal’s Architecture Innovator of The Year in 2014, Fujimoto has designed public and private buildings around the world since establishing his atelier in 2000. This exhibition is a showcase of over 100 models and large-scale photographs of past and current projects by the celebrated Japanese architect. Fujimoto addresses many opposite concepts, including the recurring theme the “primitive future.” This apparent contradiction refers to the primordial, intuitive moments that reconnect us with our own humanity, and open us up to new possibilities. His designs often feature juxtapositions of outside and inside, nature and urbanity, objects and spaces, public and private. And, his work considers the macro and micro: when does an object become a space? Exhibition dates from Oct. 27 to Dec. 12 are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day 11/22). JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (inside Hollywood & Highland).

Admission is free. For more information, please call (800) 516-0565 or visit https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles/events/.

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Association of Calambeños of Southern California holds gala night in Monrovia, CA The Association of Calambeños of Southern California (ACASCA) invites you on Saturday, November 3 to its gala night at The Courtyard by Marriott (700 W. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, CA 91016). Entertainment and music will be provided by Maricar and the 4700 Band with Val Villar. The attire is formal and cost for prepaid ticket is $55. For tickets, please contact Marcie Reyes at (323) 528-5672 or Junea Carritos at (818) 235-4155. For souvenir book sponsorship, please email fides.nagpala@cox.net. For more information, please visit http://acasca.org.

FASO@10 at Alex Theater in Glendale, CA The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) presents, “FASO@10: A Decade of Music, Harmony and Community,” the 10th anniversary concert of the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, will be held on November 3 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. The program will include Fil-Am Broadway performers Deedee Magno Hall and Cliffton Hall, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjadja, the WIN (Waraynon Initiative Network) Chorale, FASO Children’s Ensemble and Alumni, and more guests! The show, presented by Espina Lawyers, APLC and Silver Saddle Ranch and Club, begins at 7 p.m. Alex Theatre is located on 216 N. Brand Blvd. Tickets and other details at:https://www.alextheatre.org/event/filipinoamerican-symphony-orchestra-presents-faso-10th-anniversary-concert.

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Art exhibit inspired by Filipino food movement in Santa Ana, CA In “Super Sarap” — from November 3 to December 15 at Gallery 6/67 — three artists Mik Gaspay, Jeanne Jalandoni, and O.M. France Viana revisit commonplace objects and food within Filipino cooking. Through sculpture and photography, the artists elicit personal and collective memories and offer cultural connections that go beyond the Philippine diaspora.

The exhibition title, “Super Sarap,” fuses both English and Tagalog together, to hold multiple meanings. It can convey something that is extremely delicious, an expression of excitement and affirmation. Artists in “Super Sarap” play with these definitions and mutate symbols, making them both strange and familiar, challenging the expectations of cultural norms. It is guest curated by Patricia Cariño Valdez, an independent curator based in Oakland, CA. In addition to the exhibit, there will be two art and culinary events: an intimate four-course gourmet dinner prepared by acclaimed Orange County Chefs, Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar on November 15 and Chef Ryan Garlitos of Irenia Restaurant on December 9 combined with an exhibition walk-through. The opening reception for Super Sarap will be on Saturday, November 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Gallery 6/67 is located at 404 West 4th St., Suite K (2nd floor), Santa Ana, CA 92701. Gallery visits are by appointment. For more information about the exhibit and related events, visithttps://www.gallery667.com.

Ken Chan says new show makes sick dad happy

by IZA IGLESIAS ManilaTimes.net

GMA Network heartthrob Ken Chan is grateful that his show “My Special Tatay” is rating well. According to AGB Nielsen Philippines’ Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in Television Homes, the Kapuso afternoon drama earned its highest rating on October 16 with a 6.9 percent viewership share.

According to the young actor, all his hard work has paid off in what he considers as his hardest role yet. In the show, Chan portrays Boyet, a man with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder. His simple life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered a child.

In a pocket interview, Chan confessed to The Manila Times that playing Boyet in the afternoon series is more difficult than playing a transgender woman in “Destiny Rose” in 2015.

“The two characters — being a transgender and a mentally challenged person — are both hard to portray. But the requirements of a transgender onscreen is more on the physical because I needed to look, feel and move like a woman.

Madaling ipakita nang maayos kapag ginalaw yung physical.

Nilagyan ako ng mahabang buhok sa Destiny Rose, pinaganda ako, pina-sexy, nakatulong yun para ma-internalize ko na babae ako,” he related.

“But here in My Special Tatay as Boyet, for me it is more challenging because nothing is done with my appearance. I don’t have any outlet to show that I am different. It takes one’s full acting abilities only, kailangan manggaling sa kalooban ko, hanggang maipakita ko sa labas na meron akong special needs,” recalled the 25-year-old actor.

“Actually it took us a while to perfect the role of Boyet.

Since his condition has mild intelectual disability, hindi kami puwedeng lumagpas sa moderate or severe. Hindi rin kami bumaba [kasi] puwede kaming ma-bash or puwedeng may masaktan kami na magulang na mali kami. Napakasensitive ng role ko dito kaya hinanap namin siya, binusisi namin at inupuuan namin nang maraming beses. Nag-screen

The young actor with his father who is going through chemotherapy sessions for cancer of the esophagus Photo from Instagram/@akosikenchan

test kami nang ilang beses.

Hanggang isang araw, nakuha namin at nabuo si Boyet,” he added.

Chan also said it helped a lot when his co-star Candy Pangilinan gave him a book about children with special needs. Last year, Pangilinan launched a book which talked about her journey as a parent to Quentin, her son who has autism.

“Binigyan ako ni Miss Candy ng book although I haven’t finished [reading] it yet. Sobrang nakatulong din po sa akin dahil same ng condition ni Boyet kay Quentin. Nalaman ko na ang mga may ganitong condition pala ay bawal kumain ng matatamis dahil hyper sila. Meron silang gustong ilabas sa katawan kaya nanggigigil sila,” he said.

Dedicated to dad Besides the challenge of essaying his role, Chan shared that his family is also facing a real-life challenge. Chan thus dedicating his new show to his father who was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in July, and is now in chemotherapy sessions.

“He’s doing good and getting better. Sakto kasi nung pagka-start ng My Special Tatay, nalaman ko na na-diagnose yung tatay ko sa cancer of the esophagus — stage 2B. Rapid po siya, mabilis kumalat.

Pero yung tatay ko, luckily, hindi pa binubuga ng lymph nodes niya yung cancer cells sa iba’t ibang organ niya. Nahabol namin so early detection yun,” cleared Chan.

“Ngayon the chemo is ongoing for six months, 12 ses-

sions. Hindi siya na-depress.

Pero nandito kami lahat ng family para sa kanya. At ang laking tulong ng My Special Tatay kasi binalanse ni Lord na, oo na-diagnose yung papa ko sa cancer, pero may good news naman na dumating, so kahit papaano, nabalanse yung lungkot ni papa. Masaya siya para sa akin kasi may magandang project na dumating,” he added.

Chan continuously shows gratitude to his management as projects keep coming in, making him able to provide for his father’s needs and as his family’s breadwinner.

“My father has not been working since 2010 kasi bago siya nagka-cancer, nag-kidney transplant siya. Ang daming nangyayari sa kanya so pinagiingatan namin siya kasi baka hindi kayanin ng kidney niya yung chemo and he’s 63 now.

Kaya rin talaga ako nag-try pumasok ng showbiz para matulungan ang family ko,” he revealed further.

“That’s why sobrang saya na napunta sa akin yung project na ito. It’s on its highest rating. At bihira lang po sa isang aktor na ipagkatiwala yung mahihirap na roles — from being a transgender to a person with special needs.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi may trust sa iyo ang management. Parang nakakalakas ng loob na, ‘Ano kaya ang susunod kong role?’ Gusto ko po kasi kung ano yung role ko na ginawa ko, gusto kong higitan pa sa mga susunod na projects. So excited na ako sa mga susunod na gagawin ko,” Chan ended.

Entertaining trivia...

From Page SF7 its tongue out.

• The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

• Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

• One person in the United States dies of a heart attack every 60 seconds.

• In every 1000 babies born, one comes out with a tooth.

• In our lifetime, we each shed about 22 kilos (48.5

pounds) of skin.

• Hand shaking transfers germs to a greater extent than kissing does. Perhaps we should change the way we greet each other with the opposite sex.

Take good care of your body. It’s the only one you’ve got! Life is impossible without one. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac

surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; comments questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

N OV E M B E R 8 -1 1

2nd annual Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco The second annual Cinematografo International Film Festival will be held from November 8 to 11 in San Francisco. The Cinematografo International Film Festival is the premier event for Filipinos abroad to tell their stories and the platform to bring these films to the world stage. The festival is an annual celebration of film and culture, highlighted by Cinematografo Originals – a co-production initiative to help filmmakers realize their stories on the big screen.

On its second year, the festival’s theme is “Breaking Down Walls,” which refers not only to divisions along global political lines but also aims to empower storytellers in breaking through barriers in film and story whether in terms of subject matter, representation and cultural limitations. For more information, please visit https://cinematografofilmfestival.com/.

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PUPAA-USA Inc. to host dinner/dance and installation of officers in Glendale, CA The Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association-USA, Inc., (PUPAA-USA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will hold its installation of officers and board members on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Pacific Community Center (501 S. Pacific Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204). This will be a dinner and dance and membership night, holiday celebration. The net proceeds from this fundraising event will go to the PUPAA Scholarship Fund. This is a great opportunity to get together with former classmates, colleagues, friends, families and supporters. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and get inspired of what PUPAA, USA Inc. has done and contributed to our Alma Mater and what it can offer for you! The Officers and Board Members to be installed are: Chairman of the Board, Dr. Oscar Jornacion, Vice Chairman of the Board, Dr. Henry Divina; President, Monette Santillan-Rivera; Executive Vice President, Vee Cristobal; Vice President-Job Placement, Honeylette Deleon; Vice President-Finance, Jun Mapoy; Vice President-Public Relations, Rosemarie Mejia; Vice Presidents-Membership, Evangeline Codilla and Sandra Dollano; Vice President-Ways and Means, Aimee Sarmiento; Secretary, Marissa Palanca; Treasurer and Accountant, Dr. Gerry Fernando; Auditor, Linda Santos; and Assistant Public Relations Officers, Connie Acosta and Virginia Herbito. For other related questions, please contact Monette Santillan-Rivera at (818) 970-8317, Sandra Dollano at (213) 570-3179 and Vangie Codilla at (818) 468-3386.

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

Pasig Catholic College Batch 1988 welcomed Nelson Juinio and Jay De Guzman on their recent visit to the San Francisco Bay Area on October 28 with a preHalloween Bash. The event also served as celebration for Mannie Castilloʼs birthday. Photo collage above shows Nelson Juinio, Bing Espiritu, Rey Carlo Rivera, Mannie Castillo, Lelith Adriano and Jay De Guzman.

(Photos and caption provided by Lelith Adriano)

Fil-Am Mayor Proclaims Carlos Bulosan Day CARLOS Bulosan, famous writer, poet, essayist, labor union leader and activist will be honored and recognized during the City of Vallejo’s declaration of November 24, 2018 (his birth anniversary) as CARLOS BULOSAN DAY with the reading of the Proclamation by Mayor Bob Sampayan honoring Carlos Bulosan on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, 7:00 pm at the John F. Kennedy Library’s Vallejo Room (lower level). The Library is adjacent to the City Hall, with address at 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, California 94590.

Mayor Bob Sampayan has personally invited Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr. of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco to attend the Proclamation presentation and program. Also invited to share a brief talk on Carlos Bulosan is Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, Director of the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies (BCFS) initiative at UC Davis in Davis, California.

The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies (BCFS) initiative (the first of its kind in the University of California and nationally) successfully conducted the first Filipino Policy Symposium last September 9, 2018 at the UC Davis in Davis, California.

The Proclamation will honor and recognize Bulosan’s contribution to the struggle for recognition of Filipinos, particularly the farm workers, cannery workers and laborers and their labor union in America, which according to then Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, in speeches before the Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the United States, helped make what the Filipinos are today.

Expected to attend the Carlos Bulosan Day Proclamation are BANC (Binalonan Association of Northern California ) president Romualdo Cerezo, Binalonan townmates now residing in California, local officials and community

A prelude to Carlos Bulosan Day, the first Filipino Policy Symposium was held last September 29, 2018 at the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies (BCFS) initiative at the UC Davis in Davis, California. Shown in picture during symposium break (from left) Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, BCFS Director; Art Gabot Madlaing, Carlos Bulosan grandnephew.

leaders, relatives now residing in San Francisco Bay area like Elena Sampayan Gabot Madlaing from Santa Clara, California, the oldest living cousin of Bulosan who will be celebrating her 100th Birthday in their hometown in Binalonan, Pangasinan on January 21, 2019.

In his hometown in Binalonan, Pangasinan, Bulosan has been honored and recognized by celebrating every September 11 (his death anniversary) as CARLOS BULOSAN DAY in Binalonan. Through the initiative and leadership of Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico III , a Carlos Bulosan Museum was established inside the University of Eastern Pangasinan in the town along the national highway going to Baguio City.

In 2013, then US President Barack Obama had a fitting tribute to Carlos Bulosan during his term when the Carlos Bulosan poem “I Want the Wide American Earth� was chosen as the theme and poem for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month which he covered with a Presidential Proclamation.

Obama became the second US President to honor Bulosan.

Bulosan is being honored for his outstanding achievements as an essayist (“Freedom from Want� as commissioned for by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt); novelist (“America is in the Heart� and others); short story writer ( “The Laughter of My Father�and others); poet (“I Want the Wide American Earth�and others); editorial writer, journalist and labor movement propagandist.

The members of the CARLOS BULOSAN DAY Committee cordially invite the Binalonan townmates and relatives now residing in California and “kababayans� to join the presentation of special Proclamation of CARLOS BULOSAN DAY on Tuesday, November 13.

For more information and reservation, please contact Angelic Bennett, Executive Assistant to the Mayor at (707)649-3479 or email:email: angelic.bennett@cityofvallejo. net. You can also contact BANC President Romualdo Cerezo at (415)235-4899 or Art Gabot Madlaing at (650)438-3531 or email: agmadlaing@hotmail.com. (Art Gabot Madlaing)

people & events

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018

Park District begins construction to close major gap in Bay Trail between cities of Berkeley and Albany

THE East Bay Regional Park District will be commencing construction to extend the San Francisco Bay Trail by 1 mile between Buchanan and Gilman streets west of Golden Gate Fields. This is one of the largest remaining gaps in the Bay Trail in the East Bay. When completed, the new trail will provide spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and Mt. Tamalpais.

The trail segment will be constructed across a 4.88 acre easement donated by Golden Gate Fields to the East Bay Regional Park District in

2016. Golden Gate Fields will remain open during construction, which is expected to take approximately 15 months between October 2018 and December 2019. Patrons of the horse racing venue will continue to access the race track at the entrances located at Gilman and Buchanan streets.

Bicyclists and pedestrians crossing Golden Gate Fields property during construction should be mindful of the on-going construction. Security fencing, barriers and signage will be in place to keep race-track patrons and members of the

public safe.

As part of this same project, EBRPD is undertaking a habitat restoration project at Albany Beach. The beach is expected to be closed for 5 months during construction.

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

Share+Give launches Swimwear Calendar in fashion show

SAN BRUNO, CA – On December 1, 2018, Share+Give Initiative is launching the “United Against Cancer 2019 Swimwear Calendar� to raise funds and awareness for breast and ovarian cancer at the Burlingame Masonic Hall.

The calendar features breast and ovarian cancer survivors, models and advocates from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Japan, USA and the Philippines.

A fashion show by fashion designer Colleen Quen (a breast cancer survivor), Renee Gee, HaydĂŠe Quesedo Castillo, Rolando Carlin and Gia Galicia to be modeled by cancer survivors and advocates highlights the show with performances by Maddie B and breast cancer survivor Annette Velasco.

The event will be hosted by Radi Calalang and Miss Asian Global 2017 Trisha Bantigue.

100% of the calendar proceeds benefits breast and ovarian cancer foundations,

including the Pilipino Senior Resource Center Breast Cancer Support Services Program. The event is being held in cooperation with the Rotary Club Daly City/Colma Evening, PSRC, Filam Star Newspaper and The Filipino Channel.

For more info and tickets, please visit www. unitedagainstcancer.com.

[About Share+Give: Share+Give Initiative is a nonprofit company founded in 2017 by fashion designer Gia Galicia-Carrascoso. Galicia-

Carrascoso produces fashion shows and other projects to help organizations raise funds for breast and ovarian cancer patients, children in foster and even for medical missions.]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 2, 2018