111017 - New York / New Jersey Edition

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Volume 11 – Issue 05 • 16 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Filipino doctor denies financing foiled NY terror plot A FILIPINO doctor has denied accusations that he financed a thwarted jihadist plot targeting New York’s subway and Times Square in May 2016.

Appearing in a Manila Court on Tuesday, November 7, orthopedic surgeon Russell Salic explained that authorities from the United States may have mistaken the money he sent to a charity as funding for attacks.

“That’s not true,” Salic told reporters when asked about the allegations. “I just donated money without any malicious intent.”

Salic’s lawyer Manuel Dalucapas also claimed that there is “no proof” showing the doctor wanted to bomb New York.

He added that their camp is ready fight the case in the Philippines and not in the United States.

But the U.S. Department of Justice main-

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Duterte ready to tell Trump to ‘lay off’ human rights

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, November 8, he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump to “lay off” if the latter were to bring up the issue of human rights during their upcoming meeting.

Upon speaking to reporters before

leaving for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam where he arrived Wednesday night, Duterte was ready to answer questions of how he would respond to human rights discussions.

“You want to ask a question, I’ll give you an answer. Lay off,” said Duterte. “That is not your business. That is my business. I take

care of my country and I will nurture my country to health.”

Since taking office in June of last year, Duterte has been condemned by international leaders and human rights groups for his war on drugs that has left thousands dead.

Bloomberg previously reported that a White House official said Trump would send a clear message on human

rights principles during his meeting with Duterte, but the U.S. president hasn’t raised the subject before.

In a Thursday, November 2, media briefing, U.S. National Security Adviser H .R. McMaster defended Trump’s reluctance to speak out about human rights abuses.

“How much does it help to yell

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White House, Republicans delay decision on DACA

Lawmakers postpone finding a solution for the program until after the holidays

SINCE the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in September, Congress has engaged in talks on how to protect the nearly 800,000 undocumented youth currently enrolled in the program.

While minimal progress has been yielded from these talks, the White House and congressional Republicans on Thursday, November 2 have decided not to include a solution for DACA in the end-of-the-year

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Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque

Inquirer.net photo

Palace reiterates adherence to rule of law amid US House panel call on EJKs

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, November 9, reiterated its “firm” adherence to the rule of law after a United States House of Representatives caucus urged U.S. President Donald Trump to raise human rights concerns with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during their upcoming meeting.

In a statement, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed that the Philippine government remains committed to protecting human rights.

ON HIS WAY TO THE APEC MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte does his signature pose with members of his delegation to attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting while on board the Philippine Airlines chartered flight bound for Vietnam on Wednesday, November 8. Aside from meeting his fellow leaders, Duterte is also expected to speak before the APEC Business Advisory Council and CEOs. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

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DOT’s ‘Bring Home a Friend’ program launched in NY Two Filipinos in TIME’s 30 Most Influential Teens of 2017 NEW YORK – The Philippine Department of Tourism led the launch of one of the Philippines’ signature tourism campaigns Bring Home a Friend (BHAF) at the Philippine Center on October 30.

The event saw members of the Filipino-American Community including second generation Filipino-Americans, the travel sector, media, and influencers grace the occasion during which the official BHAF campaign video featuring popular Filipino actor Piolo Pascual was shown for the first time in the U.S. Northeast.

The evening’s guest of honor Tourism Undersecretary Katherine S. De Castro enjoined the overseas Filipino Community and all the Philippines’ friends in media and the travel industry to invite join the BHAF program and invite their

friends and colleagues to experience the Philippines’ firsthand. She noted the plaudits which the Philippines’ most popular destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu, continue to collect from international visitors.

Tourism Representative Purificacion Molintas explained the mechanics behind the BHAF program and the many incentives and prizes for those joining the Philippine Government’s efforts to invite more foreign tourists to visit the Philippines. Under the BHAF, Filipino passport holders overseas could register in the program and have the chance to win various prizes when they are able to invite a non-Filipino friend to visit the Philippines.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega wel-

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by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

FILIPINO teens Shibby de Guzman and Bretman Rock Sacayanan made the cut for TIME’s 30 Most Influential Teens of 2017 where they join other teens like Millie Bobby Brown of the hit TV series Stranger Things, emoji proposer and designer Rayouf Alhumedhi, and R&B singer Khalid among many others.

The annual list was published on Thursday, November 2, and featured individuals chosen from across different fields, who have

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Shibby de Guzman

Beauty blogger Bretman Rock Philstar.com by Ina Jacobe

Aquino charged with graft, usurpation of authority over Mamasapano incident

tion with the botched 2015 Mamasapano operation that killed 44 police commandos.

THE Office of the Ombudsman The anti-graft body filed the has filed graft and usurpation of raps on Wednesday, November authority charges against former 8, at the Sandiganbayan and has Philippine President Benigno recommended a P30,000 bail for “Noynoy” Aquino III in connecu PAGE A2

Photo from Instagram/@bretmanrock

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Guests join DOT Undersecretary Katherine De Castro, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Tourism Attaché Purificacion Molintas at the BHAF launch at the Philippine Center in New York.

Photo by PDOT-NY

Former Pres. Benigno Aquino III Inquirer.net photo

A november 10-16, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

Duterte ready to tell Trump...

PAGE A1 t about these problems,” said McMaster. “What the president is doing is being effective,” he added.

McMaster suggested that Trump may be speaking on the issues more privately and said, “I don’t think you should assume anything.”

In May, Trump was revealed congratulating Duterte on his “unbelievable job on the drug problem” in a leaked telephone conversation between the two.

“Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that,” he added.

Duterte’s war on drugs has left over 7,000 people dead with most coming from the urban poor community, according to Human

Rights Watch.

Despite Duterte’s warning to avoid the subject of human rights, the relationship between the two leaders have been rather cordial.

Preceding Trump’s 12-day Asian tour, a White House senior administration official signaled that the two leaders have a good relationship and said, “I think there’s a warm rapport there, and he’s very much looking forward to his first in-person meeting with President Duterte.”

This followed a media briefing in which Duterte also expressed camaraderie with Trump and said he “would deal with President Trump in the most righteous way, welcome him as an important leader.”

On his upcoming meeting with Trump, Duterte said on Wednesday that discussion priorities

would be on trade, extremism and terrorism, and maybe Philippines’ position in relation to China, adding “we all hunger for peace”.

“The Philippines is a sovereign state. I will not allow anybody to impose anything on my country. I will listen to you, but if it is not to the best interest of my country, I will ignore you,” said Duterte.

“I have to hear them first before I make my response because it will be based on the outcomes of their talks,” he added. “I will not go there as a subservient lackey of anyone.”

The two leaders will have opportunity to meet for the first time at the APEC Summit events. Trump is also slated to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday, November 12 to attend the ASEAN SUMMIT READY. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City is all set for the 31st ASEAN Summit. Lockdown of the complex including several roads in the area will be implemented from Nov. 12 to 15, 2017.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan East Asia Summit. n

Palace reiterates adherence... Two Filipinos in TIME’s 30 Most Influential...

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“We reiterate that our adherence to the rule of law remains as firm as ever, as is our commitment to the protection of human rights,” he said.

Roque, also a human rights lawyer, said that the Philippine government was investigating allegations of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), as well as homicide cases with drug-related motives.

“Ongoing investigations include the conduct of public congressional hearings. All these are undertaken precisely to ensure that due process and the rule of law prevails despite the Philippines’ significant drug problem,” the Palace official added.

Malacañang said it would not issue a further comment on Washington’s internal affairs, as it noted that Duterte and Trump share a good relationship.

Roque added that the two leaders could also have “candid and productive discussions on matters of shared interest.”

Duterte and Trump are expected to have a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila next week. They are also expected to have an encounter

at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam this week.

U.S. Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-Illinois) and James McGovern (D-Massachusetts), co-chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, recently urged Trump to “impress upon President Duterte the United States’ profound concern over reported extra-judicial killings associated with the Philippine government’s war on drugs.”

In a letter dated November 2, the congressmen cited the results of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing early this year, which showed that police have killed 7,000 suspected drug dealers “without charges or trial” in the Philippines.

Figures from the government’s #RealNumbersPH campaign, however, showed that only 3,967 drug suspects were killed in legitimate police operations since July 2016.

While Hultgren and McGovern acknowledged that the Philippines serves as a key player in resolving conflicts in the region, they insisted that the U.S. must remain a “champion of human rights.”

They stressed that it is the “obligation” of the U.S. “to advocate for and defend those hu-

PAGE A1 t had global impact through social media and through making headlines.

Fourteen-year-old De Guzman got her spot on the list for her activism against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs — a “risky move” as noted by TIME’s Joseph Hincks.

WIth megaphone in hand and a cardboard sign hung around her neck that read, “Lahat tayo posibleng drug pusher” (We are all possible drug pushers), De Guzman led her fellow St. Scholastica’s College Manila high school classmates in a protest rally against former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ burial and Duterte’s ongoing drug campaign.

The sign on her neck was akin to the signs often found on slain victims of the drug crackdown which has left thousands dead.

A photograph of the moment went viral on social media where supporters praised De Guzman for speaking out against Duterte, calling her the “hope of our country”.

To critics who called her and the other young protesters “brainwashed”, De Guzman replied, “We completely know and understand the injustice we are protesting against.”

De Guzman, though only a ninth grader, continues to encourage young people to speak out against injustices.

“It’s so important that [they] know their own rights and when

Aquino charged with graft...

PAGE A1 t

graft and a P10,000 bail for usurpation charges.

In the information sheet of the usurpation of authority charge, Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Reza Casila-Derayunan claimed that Aquino “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously” allowed then-dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief u PAGE A4 Alan Purisima to participate at

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

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

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

the planning of the operation, dubbed “Oplan Exodus.”

In the separate information sheet for the graft charge, the prosecutor said Aquino “allowed himself to be persuaded, induced, or influence” to violate the PNP chain of command, and preventive suspension order against Purisima.

The prosecutor further claimed that Aquino knew “fully well” that

authorities abuse them,” said De Guzman as quoted by TIME. “These values aren’t up for debate.”

Also on the list of influential teens is Hawaii-based Fil-Am Bretman Rock Sacayanan, a beauty vlogger known simply as Bretman Rock to his nearly nine million Instagram followers.

“There is nobody on the Internet more fabulous than Rock.

Just ask him,” wrote TIME’s Cady Lang.

In the social media world of beauty vloggers and influencers, the 19-year-old Filipino American is easily one of the most recognizable. His Instagram feed features photos and videos of him lip syncing, dancing, and going on comedic rants, all while in flawit was officer-in-charge PNP chief Leonardo Espina who had the authority “to oversee the preparation and conduct of Oplan Exodus, to the damage and prejudice of the State.”

The former president was charged with violation of Section 3(a) of Republic Act 3109 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and of usurpation of authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

Similar cases have also been filed against Purisima and former

less makeup and an assortment of colorful wigs.

While his makeup skills are indeed captivating, or as Lang put “could give the Kardashians a run for their money”, even more so is Rock’s personality which can be described as glamourous, fierce, funny, and above all confident and unfiltered.

“I love myself too much to care honestly,” reads his Instagram bio. Among his favorite topics, as mentioned by TIME are his haters, appearance, and his friends and family.

Earlier this year, Rock hosted the Miss Universe red-carpet preshow. In August, he hosted the Video Music Awards for MTV’s Instagram story before embarking on a national meet-and-greet tour.

“I think the universe is taking quite good care of [me],” said Rock in the TIME list. n PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) head Getulio Napeñas.

Section 3(a) of RA 3019 states that it is unlawful for any public officer to persuade, induce or influence another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority.

Usurpation of authority, on the other hand, is committed when a person falsely represents himself as a government official or per-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City

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

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

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

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

After breakfast, we will spend the day travelling from San Giovanni Rotondo to Siena. We will begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of Renaissance art and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena. You’ll learn about the city’s history while admiring its cathedrals, museums, and libraries. Then admire famous Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares.(BB,D) Continue to Assisi overnight /Dinner Celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Crypt where the tomb of the most beloved saints is located ,after Mass visit the Basilica of St Francis, We’ll also visit the Basilica of St.Claire After Lunch continue to Florence Best know for it leather goods,the best in the world Leather (BB,D) Free time in the afternoon Dinner/ Overnight

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

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

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

Day 10 April 1, 2018 (Sun ) Rome

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

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

Day 12 April 3, 2018 (Mon) Rome – USA

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

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A

Trump visits South Korea on second leg of Asian tour, talks negotiation as option with N. Korea

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

AFTER making a first stop in Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump made way to South Korea on Tuesday, November 7, amid tensions with its neighbor North Korea.

At a joint news conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump said that the nuclear and missile programs of North Korea’s Pyongyang were threatening to “millions” of people and required worldwide action.

“We call on every responsible nation, including China and Russia, to demand that the North Korean regime end its nuclear weapons and its missile program and live in peace,” said Trump at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, almost 35 miles from North Korea’s border.

“It’s time to act with urgency and great determination,” he added.

Despite Trump’s previous diatribes against North Korea which he said would be met with “fire

and fury” and calling Kim Jongun “little rocket man”, Trump took a different approach and indicated dialogue with North Korea as an option towards denuclearization.

“It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world,” said Trump.

Trump also said he had seen “a lot of progress” in diplomatic efforts with Pyongyang, adding, “Ultimately, it will all work out.”

Moon shared similar words and said, ”President Trump and I reaffirmed our current strategy, which is to maximize pressure and sanctions on North Korea until it gives up nuclear weapons and to come to the table for dialogue on its own.”

“At the same time, should North Korea choose to make the right choice, we also reaffirmed our view that we are willing to offer North Korea a bright future,” he added.

Trump flew into South Korea from Japan where he had been

Filipino doctor denies...

PAGE A1 t

tained that it would do everything to have Salic extradited and stand trial in U.S. U.S. Department of Justice representative Christopher Cardani, who attended the Tuesday’s hearing, stressed that the case is “an extremely serious matter in the United States.”

“It’s been alleged these three individuals conspired to build a bomb and explode it at Times Square in New York in the summer of 2016 and it doesn’t get any more serious than that,” Cardani added.

According to U.S. court documents released October 6, the Filipino doctor sent $423 to the other suspects for the operation.

U.S. authorities said the FBI agent posed as an IS supporter and communicated with Salic and two other alleged plotters: Canadian Abdulrahman El Bahnasawy, and American citizen living in Pakistan Talha Haroon.

The U.S. Department of Justice said it has requested Salic’s extradition following his arrest in the Philippines in April of this year.

Russell Salic

ManilaTimes.net photo

White House, Republicans...

PAGE A1 t spending bill, and instead will table the issue until after the holidays.

“There was also a consensus that anyone on the other side of the aisle who thinks that they’re just going to codify DACA in the year-end appropriations bill, it may not be very well received,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

Back in January, the president assured DREAMers that he’ll continue to protect them. “[DREAMers] shouldn’t be very worried,” said Trump in an interview with ABC News shortly after his inauguration. “I do have a big heart. We’re going to take care of everybody.”

In July, when probed about his plans for DREAMers, he softened his stance and said that a decision on DACA is “very, very hard to make” but that he understood the situation “very well.”

Trump then broke his promise in a surprising decision to would phase out DACA, which was established in 2012 by former President Barack Obama to provide work authorization, protection from deportation and a host of other benefits to undocumented youth.

In a statement, he said that his decision was driven by a concern for all Americans, saying that “millions of Americans [have been] victimized by this unfair system.”

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the program has said that DACA, through its work authorization measure, “denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans.”

Since 2012, more than 800,000 undocumented youth — called DREAMers — have received benefits. More than 22,000 young Filipinos are eligible for the program, and between 6,000 to 10,000 are currently enrolled, according to several reports from the United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The White House announcement to end DACA sent a shock signal to DREAMers and their families who worry about their educational and career goals set forth because of the program.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a statement condemning the decision by the president and congressional Republicans to not include DACA in the endof-the-year spending bill.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-California)

said that the “cruel decision” to end DACA left the lives of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in limbo.

“It is reprehensible that the president is now attempting to use these young people as bargaining chips to advance his anti-immigrant agenda,” Chu, who represents Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley area in Congress, said in the statement.

“The White House should not play politics with the lives of our nation’s Dreamers. If the bipartisan, bicameral DREAM Act were brought to the floor today, it would have the votes to pass,” Chu asserted. “I urge my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and allow us to vote on a clean DREAM Act before Congress adjourns in December.”

DACA advocates in Congress also aren’t going down without a fight.

The progressive liberal wing of the Senate has decided to take a stand against Trump and the Republicans and warn they will oppose a government funding bill in December if a deal is not made on DACA. Senator Kamala Harris (DCalifornia) was one of the first senators to speak out against the delay in a decision for DREAMers, whose lives she said should not be used as political pawns.

“I will not vote for an end-ofyear spending bill until we are clear about what we are going to do to protect and take care of our DACA young people in this country,” Harris, a longtime advocate for immigrants’ rights, said at a press conference two weeks ago. “Each day in the life of these young people is a very long time, and we’ve got to stop playing politics with their lives.”

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) are among the senators to hold the president accountable for his promise to protect DREAMers he made early in his presidency.

“Trump must make good on his promise to sign a bill protecting DREAMers. I won’t vote for any spending bill without a permanent DACA fix,” Sanders tweeted on Friday.

Booker cited the “chaos and uncertainty” DREAMers are currently facing as they await government action on their futures, saying, “I want solutions to protect these kids, and won’t vote for a spending bill that doesn’t include one. It’s an issue of basic decency and morality.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

since Sunday, Nov. 5, meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who Trump gifted with a gold lettered hat inscribed “Donald & Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater.”

“We have to spend more time together because I have enjoyed every minute of it,” said Trump at the state dinner on Nov. 6.

Among discussing the pressing issues of North Korea, Trump and Abe agreed to maximize pressure on the country to change its policies.

“No one likes conflict,” said Abe. “But North Korea continues its provocation against international communities so we need to collaborate in the international community so they change policy,” he added.

Trump also discussed trade ‘PISTANG DALUYONG ‘ 17. Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmencita Abalos (black polo) waves to people as she leads the fluvial parade along imbalances between the U.S. and Pasig River during the 86th anniversary of the law changing the name of the Municipality of San Felipe Neri in the Province of Rizal to Japan saying, “We will try to re- Mandaluyong City.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon solve unfair trade relations with Japan.” Purchasing U.S. military Trillanes earlier said that holdequipment, and building cars in ing Aquino liable over a failed the U.S. were two suggestions mission means that all failed milmade by Trump. (Rae Ann Va- PAGE A2 t Duterte to Trillanes: ‘Good itary and police operations may rona/AJPress) forms any act pertaining to any point’ now be blamed on the country’s In a rare instance, Philippine chief executive.

In the Philippines, Salic is also person in authority without bePresident Rodrigo Duterte sup“It will set a bad precedent kasi under investigation in connection ing lawfully entitled to do so.

Last September, the Ombuds- ported his staunch critic Senator otherwise lahat ng palpak na miswith the abduction of six and the Antonio Trillanes IV for saying sion sa AFP and PNP ay puwede murder of two sawmill workers man denied Aquino’s appeal to that charging Aquino over the mong file-an ng kaso yung comin April in the province of Lanao drop the charges. The complaint botched police operation would mander-in-chief (because all failed for reckless imprudence resultdel Sur, located at the Southern ing in multiple homicide against set a bad precedent.

AFP and PNP mission may now be part of the country.

“You cannot usurp what is in- used to file a case against the comSalic is likewise accused of be- Aquino, which were filed by SAF herently your duty,” he said in a mander-in-chief). Hindi puwede ing connected with the Maute 44 families’ lawyers from the press briefing before leaving for yun (It’s not okay),” Trillanes said.

Volunteers Against Crime and terrorists, the IS-pro group beVietnam to attend the Asia-Pacific Agreeing with the senator, hind the attack in Marawi City, Corruption (VACC), were also Economic Cooperation (APEC) Duterte said Trillanes “has a junked due to “lack of probable also in the Lanao del Sur. n summit. cause.” good point there.” n

Aquino charged with graft...

A november 10-16, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

Dateline USa

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House Republicans release long-awaited tax reform plan Bill delivers major tax cuts to corporations and benefits top earners

AFTER months of outlining and delay, Republicans in the United States House of Representatives have finally released their first draft of their highly anticipated tax reform bill on Thursday, November 2.

Introduced by the House Ways and Means Committee, the heavily detailed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a sweeping reform that seeks to simplify the current U.S. tax code. The $1.5-trillion plan promises the kind of tax system favored by businesses, as it delivers a significant tax cut for corporations and more conservative savings for the middle-class.

According to calculations by ASEAN SECURITY FORCE. A priest blesses the 60,000-strong multi-agency force during the send-off ceremonies on Sunday, November 5 for the Joint Committee on Taxathe upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2017 and Related Meetings.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan tion, the bill would garner about $1 trillion in net cuts. At its core, the bill is a win for corporations, which will see its corporate tax rate cut from 35 percent to 20 percent, a shift that is measured to decrease federal revenues by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. the Philippines failed to meet the

by Dana SioSon In general, the legislation performance standard after scorAJPress promises major tax cuts for ing zero in controlling corruption wealthy Americans who tend to MALACAñANG on Friday, No- and -0.01 in ensuring the rule benefit from corporate tax cuts vember 3 downplayed the Philip- of law. The country’s percentile than most Americans. Ameripines’ low score in terms of con- ranking in the low-income group cans that earn between $400,000 trolling corruption and ensuring category was 50 percent. to $1 million a year would face Malacañang expressed optithe rule of law, as assessed by the drastically lower top income tax Millennium Challenge Corpora- mism that the Washington-based rates. poverty reduction agency would tion (MCC).

Americans who tend to earn a In a statement, incoming Pal- consider the Philippine governprofound share of their income ace Spokesperson Harry Roque ment’s latest reforms to combat from capital (i.e. stock sales, divipointed out that the indicators corruption and improve goverdends, etc.) also benefit from the considered by the foreign aid nance. corporate tax cut.

Roque emphasized that agency for the fiscal year 2018 In a statement delivered on were based on its methodologies Duterte, who assumed the Thursday, Trump applauded the presidency last year, has “fired Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III cited House for sticking to tax reform in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

With an assessment based government officials from their “inherent time lags” in the third-party data priorities long desired by conserused by the MCC in assessing the annual on data that are not up-to-date, posts, including those who were country scorecard for the Philippines. vatives. perceived to be close to him, due Roque claimed that the Philip“My tax reform priorities have Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez pines’ low scores may not reflect to reports of corruption.” been the same since day one: He added that the president Philippine President Rodrigo Roque further pointed out that bringing tax cuts for hardworkDuterte’s reform initiatives, such has also “moved towards restor- the government is likewise “seri- ing, middle-income Americans; as the dismissal of corrupt offi- ing people’s faith and trust in the ous in its revenue-collection ef- eliminating unfair loopholes and government by making govern- forts,” including running after deductions; and slashing busicials, among others.

“We have to understand that ment services accessible to the big-time tax delinquents, such ness taxes so employers can crefor this year’s scorecard, the rat- public.” as Mighty Corporation, Sunvar ate jobs, raise wages, and domiRoque cited the implementa- Realty Development Corporation nate their competition around ings in the various indicators were based on their methodolo- tion of the Freedom of Informa- and Philippine Airlines. the world,” Trump said in a gies in 2014, 2015 and 2016,” tion order in the executive branch, “We are hopeful that the MCC statement. cutting red tape and streamlining Board would take into account Roque said.

Although the bill does cut taxHe added, “The findings, the delivery of frontline services, these initiatives and see our com- es, it doesn’t do much for midtherefore, may not completely re- such as applying for business mitment to further reforms in the dle-income Americans whose flect the reform initiatives of the permits and licensing systems. areas covered by the compact as- incomes don’t qualify them to Hotlines, such as 8888 for pub- sistance,” he said.

Duterte administration in the area receive the significant tax cuts. of fighting corruption and good lic complaints and 911 for emerIn December 2016, MCC deThe bill simplifies the sevengencies as well as government ferred a vote on the re-selection bracket tax system to just three governance.”

In the MCC 2018 scorecard, centers to receive public con- of the Philippines, saying the tax brackets: 12, 25 and 35 percerns, were also established. u PAGE A5 cent, which means that Americans are now subjected to different income tax rates.

The threshold for the top 39.6

Malacañang: PH’s low MCC scorecard based on old data

percent of individual income raises to $1 million for couples, an increase from $470,700. In other words, this bill shifts the definition of “wealthy American” because of its change in the consolidation of its tax brackets.

For example, Americans who make $600,000 to $700,000 will get a sizeable cut in their income taxes because they are subjected to the 12 percent tax rate; before they would have been taxed at 15 or 25 percent.

Due to the elimination of the state and local income/sales tax deduction, people residing in blue states would also pay higher taxes. Wealthier residents who benefit from these deductions would also see increases in income tax, but it could be counteracted by other tax cuts detailed in the bill.

California, which has the highest state income tax rate, would see disproportionate damage. “[The bill is] really so punitive to certain states and, to California, it is devastating,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) said at a press conference on Thursday. “It removes over $100 billion of possible tax deductions against – over $100 billion for our state. Did they ever check with our economic or our finance department in our state to see what the impact would be on that state? No.” Additionally, the change in mortgage interest deductions in the housing sector would reduce the incentive to buy and build homes, which would deliver a significant blow to homeowners.

The deduction would apply to home purchases and mortgages made after Nov. 2, which experts say would put homeowners and the housing industry at risk.

“Contrary to their assertions, the Republicans are picking winners and losers,” Chief Executive of the National Association of Homebuilders Jerry Howard told the New York Times. “They are picking rich Americans and corporations over small businesses and the middle class.”

Another significant measure listed in the bill that would affect families details the elimination of tax-free savings accounts for child and dependent care.

An unlikely passage As is the case with many major bills, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is likely not to stay in its current form and would need changes to satisfy lawmakers in high-tax

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states.

The increase in budget deficient promised from its corporate tax slash would certainly raise the deficit over the next decade, an outcome which would guarantee strong challenge in the Senate.

Per Senate rules, some legislation can pass with only 51 votes, so long as the bill doesn’t result in long-run deficit increases.

Since this current draft violates that stipulation, it would need 60 votes, meaning unlikely profound support from the Democrats.

But the bill was also met by reservations from Senate Republicans, who are looking to push for changes to the bill, specifically reducing the overall cost that the bill entails.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) hasn’t been shy about his criticisms of Trump and the Republican Party and on Thursday blasted the current version of the bill for increasing the overall deficit — a goal shared by all Republicans.

“As I have made clear from the beginning of this debate, it is my hope that the final legislation — while allowing for current policy assumptions and reasonable dynamic scoring — will not add to the deficit, sets rates that are permanent in nature and closes a minimum of $4 trillion in loopholes and special interest deductions,” Corker said.

Amid the controversy and backlash surrounding the GOP House tax bill, Republicans have emphasized that the initial draft would be far from the final product.

A day after the bill was introduced, Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-Texas) offered an amendment that would delay the repeal of taxfree savings accounts for child care. He also plans to amend the tax on private university endowments, which would affect schools that receive endowments that measure to $250,000 per student, rather than $100,000 per student.

However, the amendments proposed don’t do much to the estimated increase in the federal budget deficit.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) — the nonpartisan wing of Congress that estimates the financial outcomes of proposed legislation — it found that the bill would raise

u PAGE A5

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Consul General Dizon-De Vega, Undersecretary Katherine De Castro, Tony and Grammy-winning Fil-Am producer Jhett Tolentino, and Tourism Representative Purificacion Molintas at the launch

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PDOT-NY’s Emelita Blaza, Ms. Molintas, Program Emcee Mr. Wayne V. Lee, Jr. , Undersecretary de Castro and Consul General Dizon-De Vega.

In the background is Fil-Am singer Martina San Diego and her band.

Photos by PDOT-NY

DOT’s ‘Bring Home a Friend...

PAGE A1 t comed all the guests and said that they could be in their own way Ambassadors for the Philippines in their respective communities and workplaces.

The evening was made even livelier with a performance from popular Filipino-American singer Martina San Diego and her band.

Filipino food prepared by Chef Aris Tuazon of New York’s Ugly Kitchen and signature Philippine drinks such as Tanduay Rhum and San Miguel Beer made for a fun gathering.

The Bring Home a Friend Program runs from October 15, 2017 to April 2018. Details on the program may be found

Palace reiterates adherence...

PAGE A2 t man rights as set forth in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

“Human rights are fundamental. Every government should afford their citizens the protection and due process of the law,” the

congressmen said.

“The Philippines is a valuable ally of the United States and major recipient of U.S. aid. For these reasons, it is paramount that human rights violations not be the consequences of the Philippines’ ‘war on drugs,’” they

at www.bringhomeafriend.online. The program’s main proponents are the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority with the support of Duty Free Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Megaworld, Toyota, JPark Island, El Nido Resorts, and Pearl Farm Beach Resort. n added.

In a media briefing on Wednesday, November 8, Duterte said he wanted Trump to “lay off” topic of human rights during their first bilateral meeting.

“Human rights? Lay off, that is none of your business,” Duterte said before his flight to Da Nang, Vietnam, for the APEC Summit. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Palace on Sereno impeachment: Let constitutional process continue

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Malacañang indicated that it would now distance itself from the impeachment case against chief Justice Maria lourdes Sereno and would just let the process take its course.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, november 7, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said it would now be up to congress to deal with the impeachment complaint against Sereno after she refused to voluntarily step down from her post.

“That’s fine. That’s her answer and we let it be from now on. The suggestion was made to resign so that the constitutional process of impeachment will not have to continue,” the Palace official said.

“But since she refused, we will now let the constitutional process of continue to proceed.

Henceforth, that’s the call of the House and that’s the call of the Senate,” he added.

Earlier this week, Malacañang urged Sereno to resign in order to save the Supreme court (Sc) from “further damage” in case another chief justice would get ousted for the second time.

Former chief Justice Renato corona, Sereno’s successor, was impeached and subsequently ousted in 2012 for failing to disclose his peso and dollar accounts in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (Saln).

“It will be very difficult for the judiciary to recover from a second Senate decision to remove a sitting chief Justice because of a finding that that chief Justice is guilty of an impeachable of-

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno Philsrar.com photo

fense,” the Palace official said.

“I don’t think the court can afford that so soon after the removal of former chief justice corona,” he added.

In response, Sereno’s camp maintained that she will stay put as resignation has never been an option.

The chief justice’s camp also claimed Malacañang’s call for her resignation only means that the impeachment complaint against her is “weak.”

“We view this resignation call — instead of allowing the process to proceed — as a strong indication that the impeachment case filed against the chief Justice is weak,” she said in a statement,” said lawyer Josa Deinla, one of Sereno’s spokesperson.

“The public knows that the allegations against cJ Sereno are malicious and baseless. These are not even grounds for impeachment under our constitution,” she added.

In the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer lorenzo gadon,

Sereno was accused of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution.

Sereno was accused of failing to be truthful in declaring (Saln), as well as obstructing justice when she ordered Muntinlupa judges to not to issue arrest warrants against Senator leila De lima. also cited as grounds for her impeachment were her supposed “whimsical” and “excessive” purchase of a Toyota land AERO WORKOUT. Thousands of fitness fans clad in blue join the Aero Taebo workout along San Francisco Street, Barangay Plainview in cruiser amounting to P5.1 mil- Mandaluyong City on Sunday, November 5. The Aero Taebo workout in a single location is a sample entry to the Guinness World of Records. lion; misuse of judiciary funds PNA photo by Joey O. Razon when attending local and foreign conferences; inaction the petitions for the retirement benefits of justices, judges, or their surviving spouses; among other allegations.

Deinla also refuted claim that Sereno’s resignation would

by ElizabEth MarcElo bail bond before the concerned High Tribunal and to moot the “spare the institution from any Philstar.com court division. an accused may pending Petition,” Topacio said. further damage.”

ManIla — Families of the Spe- post bail even before the court Topacio said that the ombudscontrary to accusations that Sereno is “destroying” the ju- cial action Force policemen killed determines if there is probable man’s filing of graft and usurpation cases against aquino is a diciary, Deinla insisted that the in the 2015 Mamasapano incident cause to order his or her arrest.

In a text message to reporters, “hollow victory” for the grieving chief justice is actually “leading on Thursday, nov. 9 said they will reforms in the judicial system so not participate in the cases initi- Sandiganbayan Presiding Jus- families of the slain police troopthe people will see that justice is ated by the Office of the Ombuds- tice amparo cabotaje-Tang said ers. man against former President Be- aquino’s cases “will be treated Topacio maintained that aquirunning well in this country.” the same as all other cases.” no should be held liable for 44 “It is clear that there are forces nigno aquino III. “as a sign of disgust and proTopacio questioned the timing counts of reckless imprudence out to destroy the entire Supreme court and not just the chief Jus- test, the SaF 44 parents and the of the ombudsman’s filing of the resulting in homicide for the lost Vacc (Volunteers against crime cases against aquino. lives of 44 SaF members. tice,” Deinla claimed.

Topacio pointed out that the graft carries a maximum pen“at any rate, attorney Roque’s and corruption) will not particistatements are premature and pate in the sham proceedings Vacc, representing two moth- alty of 15 years of imprisonment misdirected as it is the chief initiated by Ombudsman before ers of the slain SaF troopers just while penalty for usurpation of Justice’s accusers who are in- the Sandiganbayan. Instead, we filed before the Supreme court a authority is up to six months of flicting damage to the Supreme shall continue to pursue the at- petition for certiorari seeking the imprisonment which is convertcourt. The chief Justice remains tainment of justice for the 44 he- reversal of the ombudsman June ible to just a fine.

“We say again that the said unfazed by the false accusations roes,” Ferdinand Topacio, legal 13, 2017 resolution ordering the against her and is as resolved as counsel of SaF 44 kin said in a filing of graft and usurpation cas- (graft and usurpation) charges es against aquino. are designed to fail – in order to ever to keep serving the people statement.

On Wednesday, nov. 8, the It can be remembered that the inoculate Pres. aquino against at the helm of the judiciary,” she Ombudsman filed before the Vacc, representing the families the graver charge of mass hoadded. n Sandiganbayan one count each of the SaF 44, originally filed a micide which could possibly put of graft and usurpation of official complaint of 44 counts of reckless him behind bars for the rest of his functions against aquino in con- imprudence resulting in homicide life,” Topacio said. nection with the Jan. 25, 2015 against aquino, former Philippine “To Ombudsman (conchita) Mamasapano incident. national Police chief alan Puri- Morales, we say, may god have The ombudsman recommend- sima and former Special action mercy on your soul,” he added. ed to the Sandiganbayan to set Force chief getulio napeñas Jr. in The cases against aquino aquino’s bail bond at P30,000 for connection with the Mamasapano stemmed from his alleged act of the graft case and P10,000 for the incident. allowing then suspended PnP usurpation case.

“The filing of such charges only chief Purisima to participate in The cases are set to be raffled now...after the SaF 44 kin’s filing the planning and implementation off to determine the which among of a Petition before the Supreme of Oplan Exodus, a botched pothe seven divisions of the Sandi- court seeking the reversal and lice operation aimed to neutralize ganbayan that will handle them. upgrading of the said shallow Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir It is only after the raffling of charges, is an insidious disre- alias Marwan and Filipino bomb cases that aquino may post his spectful attempt to preempt the maker abdul Basit Usman.

SAF 44 kin won’t testify for ombudsman on cases vs Aquino

Not that kind of secretary: Uson asks Andanar to produce press corps papers

by KriStinE Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

ManIla — Presidential communications assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson has asked her nominal boss, Martin andanar, to provide her with documents on the Malacañang Press corps.

In a letter dated november 8, Uson asked andanar for the following documents: • copies of any department or office orders relating to the status of the Malacañang Press corps and any and all the rights and privileges exercised by its members • any laws, executive orders or administrative orders, directly or indirectly pertaining to the right or rights of the MPc to cover the president • copies of the Securities and Exchange commission documents on the MPc’s registration a photo of the letter was posted on Mocha Uson Blog, Uson’s Facebook page, on Wednesday night with the caption : “Kung walang tinatago, wag mabahala. nagtatanong lang po (If you are not hiding anything, you need not worry. I am just asking around).”

The SEc has an online platform where the public can check the registration of “corporations, partnerships or associations.”

The commission is the “national government regulatory agency charged with supervision over the corporate sector, the capital market participants, the securities and

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson on Tuesday asked Communications Secretary Martin Andanar to remove Rappler from the Malacañang Press Corps, but the group of journalists hit her move on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Senate photo

investment instruments market and the investing public.”

Other press corps covering other beats do not have SEc registrations. Some beats, like the Senate, do not even have a formal press corps.

The MPc on Wednesday slammed Uson for her attempt to “reclassify” news website Rappler as a “social media” entity, which would be subject to accreditation by her office.

The journalists called the “proposal to expel” Rappler from the press corps an “attempt to curtail press freedom.”

The press corps, which has included Rappler since 2013, stressed that it is an independent organization.

“The MPc and its affairs, governed by by-laws in accordance with the constitutional provision

on press freedom, is not in any way under the control and supervision of the Presidential communications Operations Office or any government agency,” the Palace reporters said.

Uson justified her request by arguing that Rappler “has no counterpart print or broadcast arm,” while omitting that the organization is run by professional journalists.

Rappler is one of three media organizations that Uson has referred to as basura, or trash, because of a perceived bias against the government.

Uson, one of the most vocal of Duterte supporters since before the elections, is handling the Malacañang’s social media efforts, including the accreditation of bloggers to cover presidential activities. n

Malacañang: PH’s low MCC...

PAGE A4 t

organization withheld its second aid due to “significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.” The first grant, worth $434 million, was approved by the Mcc in 2011.

The Philippines is among the candidate countries to receive assistance for 2018.

Mcc said it will assess a country’s eligibility for the grant based on criteria, such as the country’s demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments

in its people.

While the Philippines scored low in controlling corruption and ensuring the rule of law, it met the performance standard in terms of democratic rights, with scores of 27 for political rights and 36 for civil liberties. It also passed in government effectiveness at 80 percent, and freedom of freedom of information at 77 percent.

In terms of economic freedom, the Philippines failed in access to credit (13 percent), gender in economy (13 percent), and busi-

ness start-up (43 percent); but passed in fiscal policy (87 percent), regulatory quality (87 percent), and trade policy (67 percent). The country also garnered a good score of 1.8 in terms of inflation.

In the area of investing in its resources, the Philippines met the standards under the categories of natural resource protection (73 percent), child health (70 percent), and girls’ secondary education enrollment rate (55 percent); but scored below the standard in health expenditures (13 percent). n

“I mean, it could, because the elections went against the Republicans,” said Senate Finance committee chairman Orrin g.

Hatch (R-Utah) said of how the recent elections could shape the bill going forward.

When probed about whether pressure to shape the tax plan’s benefits in favor of the middle class, Hatch assured, “I think we’ve been moving that way anyway.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan, however, remained hopeful that the elections won’t affect the bill’s success and intends to go forth with the House plan, which would raise the deficit and de-

liver radical cuts to corporations and the affluent.

“It doesn’t change my reading of the current moment,” Ryan said on Wednesday, nov. 8. “It just emphasizes my reading of the current moment, which is we have a promise to keep and we have to get on with keeping our promise.”

Maintaining the bill benefits all americans, Ryan added: “I fundamentally believe, when we deliver on comprehensive tax reform and tax relief...I think that’s going to bear fruit politically, but most importantly, it’s going to help people.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

House Republicans release...

PAGE A4 t

the federal budget deficits by $1.7 trillion in the next decade. additionally, U.S. debt would increase to 97.1 percent of gDP in 2027, up from 91.2 percent under current cBO estimates.

The election on Tuesday, nov.

7, also presented as potential roadblocks as the gOP attempts to establish their landmark tax reform.

Democrats handily won gubernatorial races in new Jersey and Virginia; particularly, Democrats also have the power to take control of the Virginia House of Delegates, which could provide a sizable challenge to the gOP.

A6 NOVEMBER 10-16, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Safety first

“GENERALLY, it is safe to work, study, do business, and travel in the Philippines.”

This was what newly appointed Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured foreign embassies following the fresh travel advisory issued by the Australian government against the Philippines.

In its advisory, the Australian government cautioned its citizens on the Philippines’ safety or security risks.

“We verified with Australian officials and that the advisory is not a response to any specific threat. Their general threat assessment has remained the same as it was the height of the Marawi rebellion, which we all know has already been resolved by our government forces,” Roque said in his official statement.

The United Kingdom (UK) likewise said its existing travel advisory regarding terror threats in the Philippines remains in effect. The alert on its official website, updated Nov. 3, was identified as “still current” on November 4.

“Militant groups in rural areas throughout the Philippines. Armed clashes between security forces and militant groups can occur at any time without warning. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines, including in Manila,” the advisory stated.

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has coordinated with other embassies and confirmed that there are no changes on the travel advisories to the Philippines issued by other countries.

“The Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the county and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one’s surroundings,” Roque added.

Fighting in Marawi City was declared over after military forces killed Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon

Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the founders of the Maute Group, last October 23.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8, the entire force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be on full alert to address any security concerns for the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2017 which is scheduled next week. Under this status, PNP units are available 100 percent for immediate deployment should they be required immediately.

Military personnel are also tasked to remain vigilant and secure the safety of leaders and delegations attending next week’s summit. National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said no security threat has been detected so far.

An estimated 60,000 personnel from 21 agencies and their equipment will be deployed to various ASEAN meeting venues in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga to secure the week-long event.

“We cannot be very complacent. We should be aware, we should be on guard. We need to be strict in implementing tight security measures to prevent any untoward incident,” Lorenzana said.

National security is of paramount importance to any country and to everyone. Confronting any looming threat goes beyond the power of governments. Travel advisory or not, every citizen is advised to remain vigilant and to take extra precautions wherever they go.

The war against terrorism requires a resolute individual to take a stand and confront it. This also means understanding terrorism: why it exists and why it has had adverse consequences on humanity. (AJPress)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

The Filipino Channel’s ‘Balitang America’ turns 15

The Fil-Am Perspective

Documentary airs on November 12

GEL SANTOS-RELOS “BALITANG AMERICA” (BA), the daily newscast of ABS-CBN International’s The Filipino Channel, is celebrating its 15th year and has become the leading source for Filipinos in North America.

BA is a 30-minute newscast aired daily from Mondays to Fridays that presents news stories about Filipinos in North America, as well as news reports about currents events in America, Canada, the Philip-

pines and around the world that affect our lives here in North America and the lives of our families in this global community — all told from our unique Filipino-American perspective.

BA was created as a result of ABS-CBN’s mission to expand news bureaus in different parts of the world where The Filipino Channel (TFC) was shown.

The mission was the driving force — to serve the overseas Filipino community.

With meager resources and limited manpower, BA premiered on September 28, 2002

as a weekly newscast, with headlines and stories focused on the aftermath of the biggest terrorist attack on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001, specifically on the heightened security and growing anti-immigrant sentiments.

I was already anchoring the daily newscast in the Philippines for 12 years when my family immigrated to the United States in 2001 for my husband’s advanced training as a surgeon. It was in 2003 when I started to re-connect with my ABS-CBN family when BA tried to cover as many U.S. states as

possible. I was based in Minnesota at that time doing real estate on the side when I was invited by BA to contribute stories about Filipinos in this part of the Midwest.

In 2005, my family moved to California. This paved the way for me to be in front of the cameras for ABS-CBN again, initially as a co-host of Atty.

Michael Gurfinkel for “Citizen Pinoy,” and as a pinch-hitter for Cara Subijano for BA. In 2007, BA became a daily newscast, and it paved the way for me to go back to anchoring the news on a daily basis.

BUT there is a bigger story on how BA came to be the most far-reaching source of news and information for Filipinos in America.

WATCH the BA documentary and find out how the newscast began, the grit and tenacity of the BA team, and the inside stories of our coverage.

“For every breaking news, for every compelling story, BA has been with you for 15 years. With our team of reporters across the United States and Canada, BA has become a voice for the most underrepresented in the community, a

unifying force for important undertakings, and a rallying point during times of crisis and tragedy.”

Watch “Beyond News: 15 years of Balitang America,” airing November 12 at 7:45 p.m. across time zones - ONLY ON TFC! *** 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

Philippine foreign affairs in good hands

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ LESS than six months after joining the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, former senator and now Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano literally hit the ground running. And I can comfortably say – after watching him up close – that he is the perfect man for the job. I traveled with Secretary Alan to Davao last Friday for the briefing of the president on the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

With 21 heads of state plus the UN Secretary-General set to attend, the preparations for this historic event are simply overwhelming. This column may sound “sipsip” to some people but I can bluntly say I’ve been around long enough to know who’s who in government and what’s what. Observing Secretary Alan in the past couple of weeks, I can see he can aptly articulate what is in President Duterte’s mind.

“The Philippines integrates the human rights agenda in its

development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence and anarchy… That is why we have a massive campaign to restore the rule of law by fighting corruption, crime and illegal drugs,” he said in his eloquent speech at the UN general assembly in New York, emphasizing that “security and human rights are not incompatible.”

However, he also stated that Filipinos expect the sovereignty of this nation to be respected, and that “its democratically elected government’s assessment of threats and how to go about addressing them shall be accorded pre-eminence among nations.”

He also had very good meetings in Washington, D.C. with US State Secretary Rex Tillerson as well as Senators John McCain III and Cory Gardner. McCain is a strong advocate of the continuing engagement of the U.S. in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region. McCain’s grandfather served in the Philippines during the Second World War while his father, U.S. Navy

Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor. Senator McCain himself spent time in Subic and it was in Clark where he was processed after his release from Vietnam as a prisoner of war.

Senator Gardner — who chairs the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia — visited the Philippines last June to have a “face-to-face” discussion with President Duterte about threats to US national security and the importance of adhering to the rule of law. Gardner is also one of those who urged US President Donald Trump to attend the ASEAN Summit, noting the importance of showing US leadership “not just in rhetoric but in action, in visible ways.”

In the meeting with Tillerson, both officials reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the partnership and alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines which, in the words of Secretary Tillerson, is “on an upward vector.”

During that meeting, Secretary Alan also said the Philippines is ready to work with

independent observers and experts on the serious problem of illegal drugs – but he also made it clear in no uncertain terms that these experts or investigators must be fair and impartial, and make sure investigations are not politicized so that outcomes are credible.

People who know Secretary Cayetano well say his sharp wit, unflappable character and eloquence are among the reasons why he is perfect as our top diplomat – able to articulate what the president really wants to communicate.

Many Filipino-Americans who met Alan Peter during his month-long trip to the U.S. were clearly impressed, saying he “exemplifies a young diplomat with charisma and sense of humor…” positive characteristics that could be utilized to “balance and calm down political tensions that the Duterte administration is facing with other countries.”

During a speaking engagement dubbed as “A Conversation with Alan Peter Cayetano” organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, former U.S.

Ambassador to the Philippines Frank Wisner introduced him as “a man who has worked [his] way up from the grassroots of Philippine politics through the House of Representatives, to [his] election to the Senate…”

– representing “the very best in Philippine politics,” and adding “particular tone and luster” to the Cabinet of President Duterte.

The said speaking engagement highlighted the eloquence and intelligence of Secretary Cayetano – framing the president’s new independent foreign policy through the balanced use of metaphors and “plainspeak” as he discussed the challenges that global change poses on bilateral relations.

President Duterte pursues “a truly independent foreign policy for Filipinos by Filipinos, where we pursue bridges to places where once there was none… a bridge to the other side of the river,” Secretary Alan said.

When the president announced our “separation” from the U.S. during his state visit to China, what he meant was this: When Philippine interests in-

tersect with the interest of the U.S. or any other country, we go together. When the interests do not meet, then we make our own path.

“Sometimes we sacrifice, because that is what foreign relations is all about… It’s about we. It’s about us,” Alan Peter told his audience, elaborating that the Philippines also wants to stand on its own two feet.

“What good is the Philippines as an ally to the U.S. if we are always dependent upon you?

But as a strong ally, standing on our own, we are more use to you and the American people,” he said.

This is actually aligned with President Donald Trump’s speech to the UN: “Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty, to promote security, prosperity, and peace, for themselves and for the world,” Trump said.

With Secretary Alan as Foreign Secretary, I completely subscribe to what he described as our foreign policy: “The Filipino people’s interest comes before all others.” (Philstar.com)

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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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 10-16, 2017

A

De Venecia pushes peace mission to North Korea

by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

FORMER House Speaker Jose de Venecia believes that two major international summits can be good opportunities for world leaders to come up with a new approach to address the Korean peninsula crisis.

De Venecia, a special envoy for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, said leaders of the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 21-member APEC could explore the possibility of forming a small team to lead negotiations with North Korea.

He noted that the APEC meeting in Vietnam to be held on November 8 to 11 and the Asean summit in the Philippines on November 10 to 14 are opportunities for the leaders to explore the idea of sending a joint peace mission to Pyongyang.

President Rodrigo Duterte in a recent speech said someone should talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to convince him nobody is out to remove him or destroy his country.

De Venecia said a joint peace mission could help ease tensions in the Korean peninsula and pave the way for an enduring peace in the area.

nations.

“This would add North Korea to the current ASEAN Plus 3, which includes the 10 Asean nations plus China, Japan, and South Korea. In the future, perhaps the two Koreas could consider a “unification” or “confederation,” he added.

De Venecia, the founding chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), counts Pyongyang’s Korean Workers Party as one of ICAPP’s more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent parties as members.

Also, as co-chairman of the InFormer House Speaker Jose de Venecia Inquirer.net photo ternational Association of ParliaHe said the inter-Korean talks mentarians for Peace (IAPP), he could be at senior or mid-levels, plans to invite the North Korean representing not more than sev- Parliament to nominate delegates en parties including key APEC to the IAPP. The unification of Korea, de members like the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Ko- Venecia said, is not impossible, rea, a representative of Asean, citing the cases of Germany and Vietnam. and North Korea.

“Unforeseen, unnegotiated “Progress could be publicized or unpublicized with a recess on geo-political circumstances eventhe eve of the Christmas holi- tually proved everyone wrong, days, and the talks could target resulting finally in a strong, prospreliminary understanding by perous united Germany and a early next year,” de Venecia said flourishing united Vietnam,” he pointed out. in a statement.

De Venecia is on a visit to The former speaker noted that a meeting of the two Koreas, Iran to promote Inter-Cultural with the participation of APEC Dialogue and to pursue a projand Asean representatives, could ect for a petrochemicals comeven lead to the inclusion of plex in Pangasinan and NorthNorth Korea in the Asean Plus 3 ern Luzon. n

Red Cross: Trillanes’ allegations vs Gordon based on ‘false, old facts’ by gAeA

KAtreenA Philstar.com

CAbiCo

MANILA — Sen. Antonio Trillanes’ accusation that Sen. Richard Gordon misused funds of the Philippine Red Cross was based on “misleading and outdated facts,” the humanitarian organization said on Thursday, Nov. 9.

In a statement, Red Cross Secretary General Oscar Palabyab said the issues that Trillanes is hurling at the organization are now being “sensationalized to the prejudice of the PRC.” He added that these have already been investigated and settled before.

“We can show without fear of contradiction that the PRC remains a trustworthy and dependable humanitarian organization that is committed to save lives and help the most vulnerable and

come out clean in the end,” Palabyab said.

Responding to Trillanes’ allegation that Gordon misused his Priority Development Assistance Fund, Palabyab said that the Red Cross chairman had no participation in the implementation of the projects and the disbursement of the funds.

“On the alleged misuse of PDAF funds, these refer to projects that the PRC undertook as an implementing agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the past,” Palabyab noted.

He added that liquidation reports had been submitted to the DSWD and provided answers and explanations in the course of the liquidation process.

In his complaint, Trillanes alleged that P200 million worth of Red Cross funds were misused since Gordon assumed chair-

manship of the organization in 2004.

Of this amount, P193 million came from Gordon’s pork barrel, which he allocated to the organization from 2004 to 2011 during his term as senator, Trillanes said.

He added that Gordon’s PDAF allocations were coursed through DSWD. The department and Gordon’s office then entered into a memorandum of agreement with Red Cross.

Trillanes sued Gordon, as well as former Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, before the Office of the Ombudsman for committing plunder, graft, malversation of public funds and violating the Code Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, the Government Procurement Reform Act and Article VI, Section 14 of the Constitution.

AFRICAN DRUG SYNDICATE . Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino (seated, right) talks to Solomon Anochiwa y. Lewi, (in green shirt), alias “Brother,” and Desmond Ozoma y Cima (covering his face), alleged members of African Drug Syndicate who were arrested for selling 1,011.1 grams of shabu worth P6 million, during media presentation held at PDEA office in Quezon City. With them are Atty. Ruel Lasala (seated left) PDEA Deputy Director General for Operations.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

Hazing killed Atio, MPD medico-legal report states

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

pAtAg

MANILA — Horacio “Atio” Castillo III died due to severe injuries resulting from hazing, the medico-legal report filed by the Manila Police District reads.

On the resumption of the DOJ’s probe on the hazing case of Castillo on Thursday, Nov. 9, Horacio Jr. and Carmina filed their replyaffidavit where the medico-legal report of the MPD is attached.

The MPD serves as the public complainant in the case, while the Castillo couple, through counsel Lorna Kapunan, are the private complainants.

The couple pointed out that the MPD’s finding that Atio allegedly had HCM “was only a provisional anatomical diagnosis.”

“Respondents seem to have conveniently forgotten the other provisional anatomical diagnosis, namely blunt traumatic injuries, right and left upper extremities, and that same was still pending hispathological examination,” the couple added.

Medico-legal report According to the report, Castillo due to “severe blunt traumatic injuries, both upper limbs.”

Also cited in the report are the following findings from a microscopic examination of tissue: • Acute tubular necrosis and congestion, kidneys

• Severe pulmonary congestion and edeme, lungs • Fatty Metamorphosis, liver • Focal Autolysis, pancreas • Normal Histology, brain, heart, spleen Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, at an earlier news conference, detailed the final grueling hours of Castillo in the hands of his would-be fraternity brothers.

Citing the sworn affidavit of witness Mark Ventura, Aguirre said that Castillo was punched for about an hour until his arms were black and blue and swollen.

It was also revealed that members of the fraternity took turns hitting Castillo with a paddle until he collapsed.

Several members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity, in their filed counter-affidavit, said that Castillo died due to a pre-existing heart condition “hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.”

‘HCM, not hazing, killed Castillo’ Believed to be Aegis Juris Fraternity leader Arvin Balag insisted in his defense that Castillo died with “grossly normal” kidney, which meant that the injuries he might have sustained due to hazing did not kill him.

The same defense was also cited by other members of the

fraternity, John Paul Solano and Alexander Hipe.

“Simply put, there is no finding in any manner whatsoever that [Castillo] suffered multiple organ failure which is the reported common cause of death from hazing.

Thus, the most likely proximate cause of the death of [Castillo] is cardiac arrest because of HCM, and not due to hazing,” his counter-affidavit reads.

But the Castillo couple argued that the certificate of death of their son only cited HCM as a “provisional cause of death.”

“The same document clearly stated that such finding was still pending hispathological result, which, in turn, declared that Atio’s cause of death is ‘severe blunt traumatic injuries, both upper limbs,’” the Castillo couple added.

This was even confirmed by Dr. Maria Cecilia Lim, a forensic pathologist from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, during the Nov. 6 2017 Senate Hearing, the couple noted. “(Lim) stated that ‘I would agree with the impression of the Philippine National Police that the patient had an acute kidney failure, secondary to the rhabdomyolysis, secondary to the multiple blunt force trauma,” the reply-affidavit further reads. n

A november 10-16, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

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NOVEMBER 10-16, 2017

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‘The Girl Who Sees’: Fil-Ams design new video game on Filipino culture and mythology BY

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL / AJPRESS

GIVEN the lack of Filipino representation in the international gaming industry, a group of Filipino-Americans is seeking to change that with the development of a Filipino fantasy video game.

Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, “The Girl Who Sees” is a 2D point-and-click adventure role-playing game (RPG) that follows Quina Laban (the Tagalog word for fight), a young Filipina girl living in a fishing village. She encounters mythological creatures, like a duwende (dwarf) or kapre (tree giant), and embarks on quests, such as translating a mysterious ancient scroll.

With the scroll, Quina hopes to uncover “this secret [to] explain why she suddenly gains the power to see Tagalog words everywhere she turns,” according to the game’s creator and project lead, Pattie Umali.

Umali shared that “The Girl Who Sees” looks to make strides as the first game of its kind catering to the Filipino diaspora — including the first internationally-released, kid-friendly adventure game about ancient Philippine mythology and the first game in the United States to focus on Filipino culture.

[Editor’s note: There have been a plethora of Filipino-produced video games, including Anito: Defend a Land Enraged (2003), which is considered the first-ever video game produced and designed by an entire team of Filipino game developers, spurring the game development industry in the Philippines. It was released in Europe and North America, and went on to win the excellence in audio award at the Independent Games Festival in 2004. One of the more recently released games is Mayari, a mobile game influenced by Filipino myths and beliefs, which won at the International Mobile Gaming Awards - Southeast Asia this past October.]

Reconnecting with Filipino culture The idea of the game first came about sometime in 2016 when Umali was pursuing a master’s degree in international and intercultural communication at American University in Washington, DC and had taken some courses at the Game Lab.

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

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

Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I can say it’s that interesting so far in sort of engaging the Filipino community online and we have been seeing the awesome sharing and exposure…but one request and plea that our team has is that interest should be accompanied by action. We have had a lot of interest, but people aren’t necessarily going and donating to our campaign. They don’t have to go and give $100. I mean even just expressing their support in the form of $5 or $10, this could be a world of help to us,” Umali said.

On the potential criticism, Datu shared that there is some vulnerability in making a game drawing from a specific culture and time period. “…You worry about what people are going to say — even if it’s a worry about whether you’re Filipino enough, you talk about it, and then you’re going to worry about like, ‘Oh, what are we missing?’” Datu said.

“We have all these reference points in Filipino culture. When we get to the end of the Indiegogo [campaign] in November…we’re going to see where we’re at with our reputation in the Filipino community. Is it our funding level enough that we can give them a good game?”

This funding will go toward developing, promoting and publishing the game with four chapters by December 2018 available for Windows and Mac computers. Those who donate will receive a copy of the full game, which has features like learning Tagalog through translating an ancient scroll with Quina and completing quests for Manong Kapre, such as interacting with Japanese soldiers and hidden guerrilla fighters.

“There are a lot of brilliant Filipino artists and Filipino musicians.

And so, for me, after we reach our funding goal, I’d be totally open to getting back to the community and talking through what it takes to sort of make the game. Hopefully, this won’t be the only Filipino game; this will be the beginning of more games about Filipino culture,” Datu Illustrations & graphics by Jerald Dorado Quina Laban, the heroine of “The Girl Who said.

Later that year, she participated in the Global Game Jam, where she met Cherisse Datu and Nathan Hahn, who are both now part of the design and development team of “The Girl Who Sees.”

“I was looking for a quick summer project to do and it turned into a much bigger thing with a life of its own,” Umali told the Asian Journal.

Others behind the game are Jerald Dorado (game and promotional art), Joshua Marquez (music), Tristan Espinoza (animation and story), Andrew Pendergrast (music), and Brittany Williams (video).

In conceptualizing the game, Umali thought about a period of time in the Philippines — World War II — that could spark interest in younger generations of Filipinos and even non-Filipinos to learn about the country’s history. Her previous research found that there had not been any game whose title or main focus was on Filipino culture or the Philippines.

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

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

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

The main character Quina and the setting of the game were heavily influenced by Umali’s maternal grandmother Ofelia, who grew up in Pigcawayan, a municipality in the Cotabato province of the Philippines, during the war. (The fictional town in the game is named Pigcaway.)

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

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

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

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

Sees”

Judy Ann Santos goes nostalgic Piolo Pascual says he can’t replace John Lloyd Cruz in ‘Home Sweetie Home’ about simple, unspoiled life of actors

Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga

AFTER John Lloyd Cruz went on an indefinite leave of absence from showbiz, his sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” had to find a workaround.

Enter Piolo Pascual, who had previously appeared on the show as a guest star.

Actress Toni Gonzaga, who plays Cruz’s wife on the show, was eager to have her “Last Night” co-star on board. “We are very thankful na he’s available and he said yes,” she told ABS-CBN News.

She stated that two episodes have been shot with the buff actor, who is more accustomed to dramatic roles.

“Exciting siya… I’ve worked with Tin so many times, with Tita Sands [Andolong],” Pascual related.

When asked if he would play a love interest to Gonzaga, he clarified, “You cannot replace Lloydie. I don’t know how they’re gonna twist the story but I came as a cousin of him (sic).”

“I’m just doing this because we are one family in this network, so whatever help you can give.”

On leave with Cruz is “Sweetie” actress Ellen Adarna. (Niña V. Guno/Inquirer.net) ABS-CBN photo

by CLARIZEL ABANILLA Inquirer.net

WITH over three decades of experience as a powerhouse drama actress, Judy Ann Santos surely has gone through the evolution of a thespian’s life through the years.

Starting off as a child star in the late 1980s, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after teen stars of the 1990s, then rising as a top-ranked dramatic actress, Santos truly has a lot of stories to tell about the life of an actor, then and now.

She reminisced about these experiences in a recent Instagram post.

“Ganito kami noon.. nung mga panahong walang aircon tent na standby area ang mga artista, at kanya kanyang diskarte ng tutulugan, tatambayan at kakainan.. maglalatag kami kahit saan basta hindi hagip ng camera. Walang issue, walang diva, kakwentuhan ko lahat ng crew. Masaya lang kahit inuumaga kami ng tapos,” she wrote.

(We were like this before. Back when there were no air-conditioned tents as standby areas for actors, and everyone just has to improvise

Judy Ann Santos

about where to rest, wait and eat. We would just lay down mats to sleep on, anywhere, as long as it’s not seen in the camera. No issue, no fuzz. I talk to everyone in the crew. It was a joy even if we would finish late.)

As to why she shared it, “Wala lang… masarap balikan ang simpleng buhay ng pag aartista kung minsan…”

(Nothing much, it just feels good to reminisce about the simple life of being an actor, sometimes.)

Her post featured a photo of her lying on a comforter outside of what appears to be a location set.

Tagged as the Teleserye Queen,

ABS-CBN photo

she has top-billed some of the most successful drama programs ever produced by her home network ABS-CBN. Considered as the longestrunning local daily soap opera of all time, Santos top-billed “Mara Clara” which spanned airtime for five years from 1992-1997. It was where Santos officially became a full-fledged drama actress.

It was succeeded by a few more top-rating teleseryes such as “Esperanza”, and “Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka” which debuted her television team-up with Piolo Pascual.

You don’t need a Philippine annulment to get married in the US

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

anymore”. In the Philippines, there usually has to be a reason, like abandonment, psychological incapacity etc.).

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: Second, court proceedings I have been out of status in the U.S. since 2010. I’ve been separated usually require the plaintiff or petitioner to personally appear from my husband since 2003, and in court. If you are in the U.S. and he already has another family in are out of status, how would you the Philippines. be able to personally appear in a I have a boyfriend here in Philippine court? If you depart the the U.S., and we have been living U.S., you could be subject to the together for about two years.

10-year bar, preventing you from We’re planning to get married, but returning for 10 years, unless you I know that since I was married in applied for and were granted a the Philippines, I need to annul my waiver. marriage in the Philippines before Third, U.S. immigration law I can marry my boyfriend. Is there is clear that if a divorce is valid any hope for me? and recognized where it was Very truly yours, JN obtained, it will be recognized for Dear JN: immigration purposes. Therefore, First, divorce is recognized in the U.S. for immigration purposes. if you obtain a valid U.S. divorce, it will be recognized by USCIS, You do not need to annul your and with that divorce, you could marriage in the Philippines in marry your boyfriend. order to get married in the U.S. Finally, some types of divorces Instead, you can divorce your would not be recognized, such spouse in the U.S., which would as divorces obtained in the constitute a valid termination Dominican Republic without of your first marriage, enabling either party showing up in you to enter into a second marriage. (Uncontested divorces, court. (I know that some people obtained these “no-appearance” where the other party will sign divorces, but those type of the papers, and not contest the divorces may not be recognized divorce, typically takes about or be valid).

6 months. That’s a lot shorter I know that there are a than the time for an annulment. lot of myths, misconceptions, Further, in most states, you don’t rumors, etc. about various laws need a reason for divorcing; just and requirements, including “irreconcilable differences,” or the validity of divorces in lieu “we just don’t love each other

A reunion that was almost 10 years in the making, on ‘Citizen Pinoy’

RAFFY’S mother, Asela, came to the United States as a registered nurse when he was only 16 years old. Asela was able to adjust status in July 2007, and then tried to bring Raffy and her husband to the U.S. to join her.

Their case suffered several setbacks: their priority date retrogressed (moved backwards), her previous two lawyers were unable to see the case through, Raffy had already aged out and the Embassy refused to issue his visa, and tragically, Raffy’s father was stricken with cancer and died in

the Philippines.

Through all these trials, Asela was losing hope, until she decided to retain “Attorney-ofLast-Hope” Michael Gurfinkel, who convinced the U.S. Embassy to reconsider their visa refusal, by demonstrating Raffy’s eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act. See how this bittersweet family reunion finally happened almost 10 years later, on this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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Whatever happened to ‘happily ever after’ (Part 1 of 3)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA

“Suicide, contrary to the lyrics of a popular song, is never painless.”

(Continued from last week...)

FOR years, there has been an onslaught of terrifying events from just about everywhere, facilitated by the startling phenomenon of social media and the ease of anything going viral and trending through the internet.

Social media, like any other invention during modern times, has become a double-edged tool. It can be used for good or ill, depending on the user and his motivation.

Against this gloomy global backdrop, what is good and true appear to be defenseless against unseen forces that doom personal struggles: relationship problems, self-esteem issues, financial problems, addictions, physical and mental illnesses and other ills too many to mention.

The result — there seems to be far too many lonely, alienated people these days. The suicidal stage is the most dreaded period of such a state of mind, when intense loneliness descends to a deep vortex of hopelessness and darkness. Suicide signals the end of a futile human struggle.

There is available help — a sliver of hope. Psychotherapy and the safe and judicious use of antidepressants can help keep deep depression at bay. But that is all it does — keep it at bay. One cannot help but think that there has to be a better way when an alarming percentage of those who take antidepressants still throw in the towel and end it all.

In simpler times, if you can call and label adversity by name,

you can figure out simple ways of defeating it. Yet now because of the complexity of the world we live in, we don’t call people lonely. We call them depressed.

They are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a whole dizzying lexicon of mental diseases.

Two thousand years ago, our ancestors called the whole gamut of mental diseases and bizarre behavior, possession by the devil.

One is no longer in charge of one’s soul but has been overpowered by a sinister, evil force. The soul is its habitat.

Pope Francis, fully aware and deeply concerned about what is going on in the spiritual realm in today’s world, has ordained exorcism official Catholic practice. There are only a few of these exorcists among the dwindling number of clergy. Pray unceasingly that God sends to everywhere around the world more of this class of holy spiritual soldiers in the tradition of Michael the Archangel who defeated Satan.

The greatest lie perpetrated by the devil during modern times is to make people believe that evil does not exist. It does.

People lulled by a false sense of security in believing they are not in the sights of that sinister, unseen force, have become like the dodo—fat sitting ducks for evil—unwary and often caught off guard when tested.

Continued on Page 6

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of annulments. People also have misunderstandings about eligibility for various immigration benefits, the requirements, documents required, proof necessary, etc. That’s why it’s important that when seeking immigration benefits, you should consult with an attorney, who can clarify with you the requirements and how you can meet those requirements, if you are eligible. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL

Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT INCLUDE RETROGRESSION OF PRIORITY DATES, AGING OUT AND THE FATHER SUCCUMBING TO CANCER JUST BEFORE VISA ISSUANCE ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY.” In July 2007, Raffy’s mother adjusted status in the U.S., hoping to immediately bring her husband and son, Raffy (left) to the U.S. from the Philippines. However, her priority date retrogressed (moved backwards) and the wait stretched for years.

Several setbacks occurred, including further retrogression of the priority dates, Raffy aging out, and Raffy’s father being diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately he passed away in the Philippines without seeing his American dream come true.

Raffy’s mother then retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case from two previous attorneys, who were not taking active steps to move the case forward. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the Embassy to reconsider Raffy’s denial, showing he qualified under the Child Status Protection Act, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

PACCAL turns 25, honors Silver Jubilarians, avows unremitting advocacy

BoBBy T. yalong Ken Chan and Barbie Forteza

GMA photo

Barbie Forteza, Ken Chan spread love and tears in new movie

by Iza IglesIas

being mature adults,” he added.

Comparing their roles before to this film, Forteza explained, “Here, KAPuSO stars Barbie Forteza everything that could happen in a and Ken Chan’s first big screen teleserye running for three months outing as a team, the love storyhas to be fit in a film of two hours, romance-comedy-drama “This max. That’s why we’re always ready, Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” is poised to be because we cannot run out of things one of this year’s much-anticipated on the set. Or we will be left blank, so theater releases. In fact, the Joel in fairness, every one of us prepared Lamangan flick instantly became a for it.” trending topic when its full trailer The 20-year-old actress was then was released across social media asked if they shared kissing scenes platforms.

Forteza and Chan initially caught since the film has a more mature treatment. the television viewers’ fancy when “There’s no kissing scene on the they were paired in the hit GMA Arman Talbo of the Philippine lips, pero bawing-bawi naman. Direk Network series, “Meant To Be.” Consulate Office in New York, the Thus, the “Ken-Bie” loveteam was Joel did something for that special event’s Motivational Speaker, and scene,” Forteza answered. born. The union also gave birth to with the assistance of the Silver In the movie, Erika (played loyal followers who rejoiced when Anniversary Honorary Chairs Elsa

by Forteza) and Tristan (Chan) are Forteza ended in Chan’s arms in the Mole-Lambert, Dr. Cris Ayroso, classmates in college. Tristan is series finale.

Jr., Jocelyn Aligarbes, and Myrna considered a campus crush due to Now, the pair’s avid followers Bautista, the following outstanding and fans need not wait any longer his swimming skills. He and Erika personalities were presented with a because the chemistry of the two will grew close to each other but were silver trophy, a silver Jubilee Medal, have their debut on the big screen. left heartbroken when they had to and Certificate of Appreciation part ways.

The pair swore that “This Time from the Office of Jersey City Erika then graduates as cum I’ll Be Sweeter” is different from their Council President Rolando Lavarro: recently concluded soap as the laude and succeeds as a field 1. Erlinda Contreras: reporter. Tristan, on the other hand, film requires Forteza and Chan to Healthcare Provider ends up working for the familyshowcase deeper emotional range 2. Miles Paguio: Educator without sacrificing moments of kilig, owned airline company.

3. John Domingo: Entrepreneur joy and laughter.

Their paths crossed once more 4. Erlinda Consul: Medical when an incident involving Tristan’s “The biggest adjustment that Continued on Page 6 Barbie and I had to do here is that family and Erika’s career come to play. The call of duty prompts Erika we came from a romantic-comedy to communicate with Tristan for a teleserye that was very light, every scene very easy to do. Then we have follow-up on a story she did.

The incident brings them closer to transition to “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter”—a romantic love story. So again with Erika throwing in help the adjustment was really from light so that Tristan may recover from a misfortune. to heavy. We have so many heavy In this event, is Erika prepared to drama scenes here and we also had be hurt again or can love be sweeter to adjust our ages and the way we the second time around? had to deliver our lines,” Chan told The movie also stars Thea members of the entertainment Tolentino, Ara Mina, Rey Abellana, press during the film’s press Neil Ryan Sese, Yayo Aguila, Kim conference.

Rodriguez, Hiro Peralta, Akihiro “‘In Meant To Be’, it was more on Blanco, Jai Agpangan, Kaki Ramirez, tweens, so Direk Joel really helped Fiona Yang and Jon Leo among us flesh out our characters, starting from the time they were young up to others.

ManilaTimes.net

PACCAL Silver Anniversary Chair Ria Serrano

AFTER two decades and 5 years since its inception in 1992, PACCAL, (the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.), has productively carried out its advocacy and successfully achieved its goal in assisting the community through its various services. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, PACCAL holds the distinction of being the only Providing Agency duly recognized by the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging.

On its 25th year of dynamic service to the community PACCAL, in its relentless dedication and focused drive, has been actively disseminating health related projects via its Healthy Heart, Healthy Family program mainly concentrating on senior citizen

groups and others to which the program could be effectually directed. PACCAL prides itself to be the only Jersey City-based community organization with 9 certified CHWs (Community Health Workers) administering the compassionate mission and selfless voluntarism from sources funded

by DHHS Office on Aging.

Aside from its humanitarian services, PACCAL also annually recognizes distinct personalities who excel in their chosen fields.

PACCAL is the only organization that celebrates International Women’s History Month (every last Saturday of March) this side of the east coast while simultaneously

recognizing women’s success and achievements via a lavish awarding ceremony.

And every October PACCAL pompously observes its foundation anniversary and also highlights it with a ceremonious awarding gala.

In this connection PACCAL enthusiastically marked its 25th year just recently at the Ramada Plaza Hotel honoring 25 among the most accomplished personalities in the community to keep in tune with its grandiose 25th Founding Anniversary… although, for some inevitable circumstances, only 23 made it to the Big Event.

In the presence of the indefatigable Honorable Consul

A great assemblage of organizers, achievers, and talents captured by the lens of Ed O’Donnell

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

SCHOOL

SERVICES

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Meeting with Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi: Journey to the Himalayas; Next Visit: Iran

by Jose

C. de VeneCia, Jr.

W

e were travelling most of last month to Myanmar (which we, the older ones, still remember as Burma), to the Kingdom of Bhutan, high on the Himalayas; Dubai, the small bustling air travel and trading center of the United Arab emirates, home to hundreds of thousands of Filipino overseas workers; and on to Iran, which everyone knows as the seat of the old Persian empire, and which today is one of the leading petroleum powers, with Saudi Arabia, Russia and the U.S. From Yangon, the old capital, my wife, Gina and I travelled to the geographic center of the nation, Naypyidaw, the newly proclaimed capital. We were fortunate that inspite of the raging Rohingya crisis, where today some 500,000 Muslims, who had been living in Myanmar for decades, were fleeing the endangered region to their ancestral Bangladesh, to escape persecution from the Myanmar military, Aung San Suu Kyi found time to receive us.

We conferred with Myanmar’s constitutional senior government leader, an intelligent no nonsense lady, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and much admired all over the world.

In the last national elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, National League for Democracy (NLD), won overwhelming majority of the seats in parliament, inspite of many years under house arrest, but she could not be president under the terms of a military-influenced technicality in the Constitution because her late husband was British.

Today the senior leader in the Cabinet and largely running the country, she nominated the incumbent President and most cabinet posts, but the powerful ministries, defense and security are still held by the generals.

Accompanied by our old friends, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar eduardo Kapunan, Jr. and wife elsa, we asked Aung San Suu Kyi, (who received us three years ago at her residence in Yangon, in the course of an Asian parties conference), to nominate her party’s senior representatives to join the Boards of our International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), based in Seoul, now composed of more than 340 ruling, opposition and independent political parties in Asia, and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), based in New York, to which she enthusiastically agreed. This week we are sending her ICAPP’s and IAPP’s written invitations so she and her party would pres-

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi receives and holds talk with Hon. Jose de Venecia, Former Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and Special Envoy to President Rodrigo Duterte to the APEC and Intercultural Dialogue, accompanied by wife, Former Congresswoman Gina de Venecia and Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Ed Kapunan.

ent their nominees.

With Ambassador Kapunan, we also raised the possibility of the Philippines acquiring perhaps 25,000 to 50,000 hectares of potential rice fields in Myanmar for a possible government-to-government joint venture or an agreement among the Philippine private sector in partnership with Myanmar, hopefully with the bulk of rice production, following anticipated successful rice growing and shipment to the Philippines. The Philippines has been importing rice from Thailand and Vietnam in large volumes, as far we could remember, even when we were first assigned to Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) as Minister – economic Counselor there in 1966-1969 when we were 30, at the height of the Vietnam War. Today Vietnam is one of the world’s major rice exporters, is industrializing and doing well.

Our friend Aung San Suu Kyi expressed much interest in the potential of Myanmar – Philippine economic collaboration and she asked our Ambassador to immediately confer with her Minister of Agriculture. Upon return to Manila, we suggested to San Miguel Corporation Chairman eduardo Cojuangco, a confirmed, successful, largescale agriculturist, and San Miguel’s dynamic President Ramon Ang and other leading agricultural-industrial groups to perhaps co-lead a Philippine private sector effort in a consortium that could present a helpful solution to the Philippines’ perpetual rice crisis, with the current massive rice imports every year, largely from Vietnam and Thailand.

The Philippines is fragmented with 7,100 islands while Myanmar’s land is massive, contiguous, perhaps larger

than France and Ireland combined, and connected to Asia’s two largest countries, China and India, the latter via Bangladesh. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma used to be ruled by the english Viceroy in British India. President Rodrigo Duterte might consider asking our capable Agriculture Secretary Piñol to look into this potential initiative in Myanmar.

We also asked the popular Ambassador and former Armed Forces reformist to raise the possibility of joint Philippine-Myanmar exploration in Myanmar’s rich oil-producing petroleum exploration concessions and explore establishment of an ASeAN-supported or Filipino-led export Processing Zone with a petrochemical complex, as part of a combined Agricultural – Industrial initiative. We should be awaiting some feedback.

On the Rohingya crisis, we suggested the U.N. and ASeAN might propose an appreciable International Red Cross deployment in the Rakhine region, which will help, not inflame the refugees, and not alarm the Myanmar military.

From Myanmar, we flew back to Bangkok as there is no direct flight in the journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan, high on the mountain ranges, next door to Nepal. In the Himalayas, the Nepalese King sometime back was forced to abdicate the throne and gave way to an elected democratic civilian government, while the other Himalayan state Sikkim chose to give up its sovereignty and joined the State of India.

We have been to the Himalayas a few times. In Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, the ruling Hindu Party and the Marxist Communist Party have their representatives on our Board

in ICAPP. In Bhutan’s Himalayan mountains we were hoping to check into the Chinese-Indian military stand-off but by the time we reached the capital, the crisis had calmed down, the forces in the highest hills had disengaged.

The well-loved Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Prime Minister were out of town but we had a delicious luncheon and good conversation with Bhutan’s Chief Justice, Dasho Tshering Wangchuck, Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji, Acting Speaker of Parliament Zigme Zangpo, and others, hosted by Bhutan’s former Ambassador to Thailand and Bangladesh, Tsherung Dorji and his lady, who were introduced to us by former Thai Minister Nalinee Taveesin, Gina’s friend, and our current ICAPP representative at the first Asia-europe Political Forum, which met recently in Seoul, and which will now meet yearly among Asian and european political party leaders.

(We collectively set the trend a few years earlier with our bringing together Latin America’s and the Caribbean’s political parties under their regional organization, COPPPAL, with our ICAPP, followed by our successful encouragement of the founding of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP), based in Khartoum, which is now a reality).

The Bhutanese leaders indicated their people are not living in paradise but are happy with God and with the world; their land has never been conquered; they live in a happy Kingdom, and national success is not measured in Gross National Product (GNP) but in Gross National Happiness (GNH). Our tourists should consider a visit there.

Victories, Colossal Defeats, and Victories in the Middle East

by Jose

C. de VeneCia, Jr.

FROM MYANMAR, Thailand and the Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas, we returned to Manila, rested for a few days, and then we journeyed on to Dubai, commercial and aviation center of the United Arab emirates (UAe), whose capital is the oil-rich and largest emirate, Abu Dhabi.

With much nostalgia, our son, Jose de Venecia III, today Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan, was with us together with our parliamentary assistant of many years, Aldwin Requejo. Joey III had his first exposure to the Arab world in the mid 1970s at age 16 as an apprentice in our company in Kuwait and Iraq.

Shortly before our next flight to Tehran, seat of the ancient Persian empire, we briefly motored to Ajman, the smallest emirate in the UAe. The other emirates are of course oilrich Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujerah on the coast of the Persian Gulf (Arab Gulf to the Arabs), between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The desert sands had long enveloped the exploratory oil well we drilled in the mid1970s in Ajman, on the coast, whose population today is listed at 372, 923, living in some 250 square kilometres of largely flat land. Our two Philippine oil exploration companies then, Basic Petroleum and Landoil, were the first pioneering Filipino companies to venture in the Arab world. At that time, we won in tough international bidding as prime contractor in operating the Port of Jeddah, with our joint-venture, Philippine-Singapore Ports Corporation (Philsinports) at the helm

with multi-national executives and 3,500 Filipino port workers on the Red Sea, and opened and operated as well the Port of Jubail, also on the Gulf facing Iran not too far from Ras Tanura, seat of Saudi Arabia’s richest oil fields in Arabia’s eastern region, peopled largely by Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims. We operated Jubail with another set of executives and some 800 port workers, closer to Kuwait and the Shatt Al Arab en route to the Iraqi frontier, where as in Jeddah, we built our executive offices and mass housing.

We were perhaps the largest pioneering Southeast Asian companies in the Middle east at the time, as prime contractors, with our own equipment, management team and work force, not labor recruiters. On the Ajman project, we brought from Manila by sea-freight a heavy U.S.-built oil-drilling rig, and our capable drilling superintendent was the respected white-haired Mario Nieto, who was then Vice-President and General Manager of PODCO. Our brother Oscar de Venecia, president of Basic Petroleum, literally borrowed Mario from old man Andres Soriano’s oil company PODCO on “lendlease.” We also engaged the American Dr. Francis Gibson, who was a celebrated geologist of the then U.S.-owned Iraqi Oil Company, which was responsible at the time for some of the big oilfield discoveries in Iraq. Thus us Filipinos, we were ready, drilled and co-financed with Arab entrepreneurs the first-ever Filipino and Asian-Arab oil wells in Ajman as prime contractor and risk-taker (not sub-contractor), in this poorest emirate of the UAe. Our other key executives

in the field were the late Luis Catubig, the late Mario Uson, Ambrosio “Boy” Collado and Gus Macam of Pangasinan and of Basic/Landoil, and Jess Galang, of Pampanga, who later moved to Dubai and is today a successful entrepreneur there.

After a few weeks, at perhaps 3,000 to 4,000 feet depth, our memory does not remember the exact depth, we hit good guzzling crude, and soon the entire Filipino-Arab-American drilling crew were screaming with joy and drenched in oil as in the old Texas movie, the “Giant”.

But as fate would have it, when we hit black gold, the price of crude worldwide was at $38 per barrel, the highest at the time, and we were jumping with joy and imbibing prohibited Champagne. Soon after a few weeks, however, the price began to slide to $30 per barrel, and before we knew it, plunged to $20, then $15, and then settled at the bottom, at $8 per barrel. All of us were sobbing as if our desert had become one large funeral parlor.

We closed down the rig and we shipped it home together with our much disappointed drilling crew. everywhere in the Arab world, in Iran, North Africa, the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Russia, Central Asia, Australia, the Philippines, even with its tiny petroleum production, which our companies, Basic and Landoil, and partners Oriental, Philodrill, and the U.S. Cities Service, co-produced, the price of petroleum had crashed. There was a time, it had soared to some $120 per barrel and the Arabs were kings but slowly, inexorably

the price declined to below $50 per barrel and today it is in that neighbourhood. We are almost 81 now, and have not been following, like a dedicated stock broker, the rise and fall of crude.

Our tragedy in Ajman was only the beginning. In a couple of weeks, our declining 3,500 Filipino workforce, under our Group companies, building houses, roads and hundreds of kilometers of electricity grid in Iraq and adjoining Kuwait were hit hard. The worst was those in Iraq, on the frontlines of Basrah on the Saudi-Iraqi border, which by then was being hit by Iranian artillery, with the unexpected outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war. We thought the war would end a few months, but actually lasted almost 10 years up to the late 1980’s.

Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein was telling all foreign companies and ourselves that Iraq was already running out of foreign exchange. Most foreign and Arab companies in Iraq and nearby Arab states, with the severe oil price crisis and the Middle east wars, were then being driven close to bankruptcy and began evacuating hundreds/thousands of their workforces to their respective countries. Our great triumphs in the Gulf region had turned to great defeats and we began “folding up our tents,” packing up and sent thousands of our people home and many of us entrepreneurs were in tears and driven to near bankruptcy.

In our case, the price of oil had not only fallen in the entire Arab world and our construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts have been greatly slashed or came to a halt. Worse, we

On Eve of APEC/ ASEAN Talks, A Proposal for a Joint Mission to North Korea TEHRAN, Nov. 4 - - Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia, the Philippines’ Special envoy for APeC and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, proposed today a “small composite team of APeC and ASeAN” to journey to Pyongyang to begin to negotiate “a peace that will hopefully endure in the Korean Peninsula.”

He said the 21-member Asia Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN) are meeting one after the other, back-to-back, in Vietnam (November 8-11) and in the Philippines (November 10-14) for their annual Leaders Meetings. He added their leaders could quietly explore in the next two weeks the idea of sending a joint peace mission to the North Korean capital.

He pointed out Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hopes a new tack could ease the continuous exchange of accusations in the Peninsula and lead to opportunities for the difficult peace.

De Venecia said he envisioned inter-Korean talks could be at senior or mid-levels, representing perhaps not more than seven parties including key APeC members, U.S., China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, a representative of ASeAN, and North Korea; progress could be “publicized or unpublicized” with a recess on the eve of the Christmas holidays, and the talks could target preliminary understanding by early next year.

He pointed out there should be a timetable otherwise the talks could be endless as in the old Panmunjom talks. However, while the 1950-1953 South-North Korean conflict ended, “a technical state of war persists until now, with both sides not signing a formal peace treaty,” he said.

Today there is continuous, recurrent threat of hostilities, even nuclear war, since North Korea has already developed nuclear weapons with a missile delivery system.

De Venecia said he hoped a meeting of the two Koreas, with nominees from APeC and ASeAN in attendance, could lead to an “eventual peaceful ASeAN Plus 4 configuration.” This would add North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) to the current ASeAN Plus 3, which includes the 10 ASeAN nations plus China, Japan, and South Korea until at some point, in the future, perhaps the two Koreas could consider a “unification” or “confederation.”

De Venecia pointed out as a first stage ‘Confederation” is easier to promote, ahead of eventual unification.

De Venecia, who is founding Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), counts North Korea’s Korean Workers Party as one of ICAPP’s more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent parties as members. Also, as Co-Chairman of the International Association of Parliamentarians

for Peace (IAPP), he also plans to invite the North Korean Parliament to nominate delegates to the IAPP. Looking back at recent history, de Venecia said for decades since the 1950s observers said the two Germanies and the two Vietnams could never unite but unforeseen, unnegotiated geo-political circumstances eventually proved everyone wrong, resulting finally today in a strong, prosperous united Germany and a flourishing united Vietnam.

As then head of the Philippine Congress’ foreign relations committee, he journeyed to Pyongyang in 1990 and with North Korea’s founder then President Kim Il-Sung, grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un, finalized North Korean-Philippine diplomatic relations and dispelled as well North Korea’s rumored assistance to the Philippine New People’s Army.

At the time, in Kim Il Sung’s mountain retreat, de Venecia pointedly asked the North Korean leader if there was truth to speculations that he planned to attack South Korea, he replied: “If we attack the South, the South will be destroyed. But we in the North will also be destroyed.”

After a few weeks, on de Venecia’s invitation, North Korean Deputy Premier Kim Dahl-Hyun flew to Manila to finalize agreement on formal diplomatic relations with then Philippine President Corazon Aquino’s Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus. After about a year, Japan’s LDP leader Kanemaru journeyed to Pyongyang, followed later by then former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

De Venecia said he hopes ICAPP and IAPP could contribute even modest efforts to a North-South inter-Korean peace process.He disclosed one of the founders of IAPP and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Madame Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband Dr. Sun Myung Moon, donated a much-appreciated hotel and automobile factory in Pyongyang to the North Korean government. He added a small team of IAPP headed by former Nepal Premier Madhav Nepal and former Minister of Peace and Reconstruction ek Nath Dakhal recently visited Pyongyang and had constructive talks with the North Korean Workers Party.

De Venecia has asked UPF President Thomas Walsh, IAPP Co-Chairman Dan Burton, Washington Times Publisher Thomas McDevitt, and Ambassador Joseph de Trani, former U.S. envoy to the Six-Nation Party Talks on North Korea, to organize a peace mission to Pyongyang, which he earlier discovered with UPF President Walsh.

NOTE: (Tehran, Nov. 4 - Former Speaker Jose de Venecia is on a visit to Iran to promote InterCultural Dialogue and to pursue a project for a Petrochemicals Complex in his home province of Pangasinan and Northern Luzon.)

were also caught and trapped by the Iraq-Iran war, and we then phased out our offices in Basrah, Baghdad, Kuwait, Bahrain, Ajman, Riyadh and Jeddah, and head office in London, and also closed our smaller construction, agriculture and health-based operations in Libya, also hit hard by the oil crisis.

Our triumphs in the Arab world were now turning to tragedy. Our then Vice-President for Finance Rudy de Lara, a graduate of the SGV executive group, reports that up till today, we have not been paid by Iraq since 1981, 37 years ago, since Iraq, formerly known as Babylon or Mesopotamia, had faced war, after war, after war up to today. Saddam Hussein tried invade Iran and was driven back by the Iranians, also invaded Kuwait, and was ousted by the Americans in the second Gulf War. Our most expensive war-risk $50-million insurance policy which we acquired from Lloyds of London and the U.S. insurance companies, turned out to be only “contracts that enabled us to sue and which did not insure immediate payment.”

Thank God, after almost two years, with legal battles in London and New York, and with the help of the great U.S. law firm White and Case, which took our case on a rare “contingency basis,” (which illustrated the high merits of our case, and with the help of european investment bank, Lazard Frere) we won our case, and we thus were able to pay back all of the thousands of our employees back home. In London, New York, and Manila after the legal judgments, we were shouting like Arabs “Allahu Akbar,

Allahu Akbar!”, indeed “God is great, God is great!” with bottles of champagne.

Yes, we were the pioneers in the Middle east and our own companies employed some 51,000 Filipino executives, technicians and healthcare specialists over the yeas at the time as prime contractors or consortium partners and we were proud to say that we set the stage for the later millions of Filipinos who followed and streamed into the Gulf region, and then later many sailed into the Suez Canal and into Greece, Spain, Italy and thence to england and Northern europe. Today the OCWs, reminiscent of the first Filipino workers in Hawaii and Alaska in the 1900s, and Filipino expatriate community total more than 10 million, almost 10% of the Philippine population.

When we began in the Middle east and earlier in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the total Philippine dollar reserves were somewhere at $200-million to $300-million. When we later designed and started the historic Philippine dollar remittance program, which totally wiped out the Philippine black-market and became a model for many “Third World” nations, and which netted us many government decorations, the national reserves went up pile after pile, through the dark years of martial law, through the various coup attempts, and through various administrations, the reserves today stand at some $80-billion, propped up by more than $25-billion every year from our foreign offshore, largely labor remittances to the Central Bank.

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 1 0, 20 1 7

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS N OV E M B E R 1 1

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

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

Veterans Day Celebration in San Pedro, CA On Saturday, November 11 (Veterans Day), Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting “An Evening of Remembrance” to honor both fallen and surviving U.S. and Filipino war veterans. The event — which is 5 to 7:30 p.m. — is free and open to the public. Seats are limited so RSVP is necessary by emailing to linda@philbooks.us or calling (310) 548-8148. At 5 p.m. there will be a book talk and signing, launching of a two-volume comix on World War II written by military historian Jay Wertz and illustrated by Ed Jimenez. At 6 p.m., there will be a documentary screening of “Manila 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities.” Philippine Expressions Bookshop is located at 479 W. 6th St., San Pedro, CA 90731.

N OV E M B E R 1 7

Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ 45th anniversary awards & benefit dinner in Los Angeles Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will have its 45th annual anniversary awards and benefit dinner entitled “Embrace. Empower. Evolve.” The dinner will take place on Friday, November 17 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go towards the organization’s health & human services, community economic development and education programs. Tickets may be purchased online at sipa.ticketsocket.com.

N OV E M B E R 29

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

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

N OV E M B E R 3 0

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers in association with Civicminds Recruitment presents an immigration forum on Thursday, November 30 at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). Candidates and employers with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visa issues are encouraged to attend this FREE Q&A session from 6 to 8 p.m. Civicminds Recruitment will offer tips on how to find employers for green card and work visas after graduation, job placement assistance for qualified applicants and free resume evaluation. To register, please email admin@globallawcenters.com or call (714) 657-7460. For more information, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

D EC E M B E R 1

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

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

D EC E M B E R 2

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

D EC E M B E R 3

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

D EC E M B E R 27-29

Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

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

Health@Heart

Medical Journal updates

are already proven to protect the heart and the brain, to reduce the risk of developing heart attack, PHILIP S. CHUA, stroke and Alzheimer’s.

MD, FACS, FPCS “A study of 681 elderly American men showed that those who ate fish twice a week TODAY, about 1.25 billion had a 36 percent lower risk of people smoke cigarettes, and macular degeneration…In the one billion deaths from tobaccoother study, which followed 2,335 related illness are expected, ten Australian men and women over times more compared to the toll five years, people who ate fish just in the 20th century. The deadly once a week reduced their risk habit accounts for one in five (or by 40 percent,” according to the 1.4 million) cancer deaths all over report. The American study also the world annually. Each year revealed that smokers double around the world, 10.9 million their risk of developing macular tobacco-related cancer of the degeneration and blindness. lungs are diagnosed. This does not even include other pulmonary, Those who do not like fish may take good quality fish oil capsules. gynecological and cardiovascular Check with your physician if this is disabilities and death tolls as a right for you. consequence of smoking. * * * “We know with cancer, if we The American Journal of take action now, we can save 2 Clinical Nutrition reported that, million lives a year by 2020 and “probiotic yogurt —Lactobacillus 6.5 million by 2040,” said Dr. and Bifidobacterium containing Judith Mackay, a World Health yogurt (AB-yogurt) — enhances Organization (WHO) senior policy the effectiveness of quadruple adviser. therapy for eradicating residual * * * Helicobacter pylori (stomach) New studies have shown infection.” This bug is the cause that even light activities in and of gastric ulcers, which used to around the house, like mundane endeavors of daily living (climbing be treated with surgery, but since the discovery that it is caused by stairs, cleaning the house, Helicobacter pylori, it is now a cooking, running after the kids, disease, treated with pills. A big garden work, etc.) help prolong life. Especially the ones that make boon to better quality evidencebased patient care. you perspire. Of course, daily * * * regimented exercises will do a Exercise-induced muscle lot more. But simple household damage, which happens to most chores have a positive health athletes, can be minimized to effect on longevity as well. a great extent by drinking tart “Elderly couch potatoes were cherry juice, reports the British much more likely to die within Journal of Sports Medicine. For about six years than those whose those who exercise at home, lives included regular activity no drinking tart cherry juice will more strenuous than washing certainly not hurt. This is, indeed, dishes, vacuuming, gardening a welcome new to those who and climbing stairs,” according exercise. to the study of adults aged 72 to * * * 80 published in the Journal of the Soft drinks, which I call liquid American Medical Association. candies, are toxic to the body, * * * especially to children. All of them Macular degeneration, the — cola or uncola, regular or diet, leading cause of blindness in old caffeinated of decaffeinated age can be prevented by eating a — increase the risk for metabolic diet rich in fish, according to two new studies in the U.S. Archives of diseases. The harm to our body does not manifest immediately— Ophthalmology. Omega-3 fatty it takes years to develop. By then, acids (fish oil) abundant in fish

the damages would have been done. Prevention is obviously the key. * * * To prevent cardiovascular illnesses, metabolic diseases and cancer, diet alone is not enough.

Daily exercise, abstinence from tobacco and moderation in alcohol intake are a must. The American Heart Association has revised its former decadesold recommendation that stressed mainly healthy diet as the regimen to prevent these illnesses.

“The previous recommendations mainly stressed the importance of a healthy diet; the new (revised) ones broaden that concept to include the importance of a healthy lifestyle pattern,” lead author and chair of the AHA’s Nutrition Committee Alice Lichtenstein, DSc, from Tufts University in Boston, said in a news release. “The two go together — they should be inseparable.”

A simple walk around the block (or brisk-walking if tolerated) for about 30 minutes does wonders to our cardiovascular, pulmonary, and immune systems, warding off not only metabolic diseases but also deadly cancers.

Warning: Processed foods increase the risk for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Sample of these are hot dogs, sausages and other deli meats, and other food items that have gone though processing. Fresh is better and healthier than processed food items.

The AHA 2006 detailed recommendations are as follows: • Consume an overall healthy diet.

• To maintain a healthy body weight, balance calories consumed with calories burned.

• Increase awareness of calorie content of foods for portions typically consumed and of daily caloric requirements.

• Set a goal of at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

Continued on Page 7

Whatever happened to...

From Page 3 The dodo is gone because it did not recognize the predators that wanted to kill it. In the spiritual realm, it has always been the battle for the human soul — good versus evil. The battle is raging. Sadly, many are none the wiser. Remember though that hope springs eternal and the tide always turns in God’s perfect timing.

The beheadings, stonings and widespread Christian persecution in the Middle East and Africa by radical elements of Islam in recent years, and in the home front of western civilization, the pervasive liberalism that mocks Christian morality and values by touting political correctness, the world is yanked back to 1 AD all over again. This is history repeating itself — a throwback to two thousand years ago when the blood of martyrs flowed, and Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

This is the present social and

cultural canvass that engenders hopelessness and darkness in the souls of many individuals today.

There are far too many news of suicide these days and its horrible spawn, murder-suicide.

Consider the case of that deranged, suicidal Germanwings pilot who planned and deliberately slammed a planeload of passengers against an Alpine mountain, causing the death of 149 people.

Who can forget about that despondent Malaysian Airlines pilot who may have caused the death of others by murdersuicide? After 17 months of fruitless searches, debris of the ill-fated MH 370 have been recovered on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean close to Mauritius and Madagascar, perhaps dragged by ocean currents from where it crashed on March 08, 2014 killing 239 people onboard. To this day, this tragic incident continues to be shrouded in mystery.

And then there are the twisted beliefs of suicide bombers seeking martyrdom. They think they will go to paradise and be rewarded with seventy-two virgins for their atrocity. There are religious leaders intolerant of other beliefs, who incite their followers to eradicate Christians and Christian nations. Who can explain evil incarnate?

There is news of suicide that hits you harder because you personally know the person who took his own life. By all accounts, he has led a good life but unknown to all, was going through overwhelming personal struggles, quietly wallowing in darkness and despair never wanting to cause a ripple and simply gave up.

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

PACCAL turns 25, honors Silver Jubilarians...

From Page 4

Technologist 5. Evangeline Lazaro: Faithbased Server 6. Richard Rillera: Media Practitioner 7. Carolina Salvador: Food Caterer 8. Mae Lozada & Kristian Sese: Terpsichorean Professionals 9. Francis Zuasola: Businessman 10. Jennifer Castaneda: Community Service 11. Duncan Ransom: Augmented Virtual Reality Specialist 12. The Band of Brothers: Band Players of the Year 13. Councilwoman Angela McKnight: Government Service 14. Dr. Angelina Ricafrente: Dental Specialist 15. Rasmin Diaz: Singer / Performer 16. Mark Alvarez: Ichthyologist 17. Teresa Damito: Nursing Professional 18. Sylvette Julian: Entrepreneur 19. Stevenson Derodar: Young Professional 20. Consuelo Almonte: Senior Citizen of Year 21. Angelo Maristela: Fine Artist 22. Bryan B. Magsayo: YouTube Sensation 23. Atty. Nicolas “Nick” Caraque: Legal Practitioner As if recognizing the achievements of various personalities that excel in their

respective fields wasn’t enough to underline the occasion, the spotlight focused on a special presentation honoring PACCAL Founder and President Emeritus Linda M. Mayo with the AARP / AAPI Community Hero Award following her being voted as one of the Nation’s Top Community Leaders, an annual search sponsored by AARP. Well revered AARP Multi-Cultural Leadership Senior Consultant Steven Raga presented the award with matching checks for her and PACCAL. Amiable Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, not to be left sans giving credit where it is due, handed out Certificates of Appreciation to every PACCAL officer and hardworking committee members for all the preparatory efforts they put in to insure the event’s success.

To carve an idiosyncratic niche in the annals of the organization’s notable record and to stamp that consummate PACCAL Hallmark of Distinction, beauteous Denine Mies, a young achiever herself, was crowned PACCAL Silver Jubilee Queen.

The title is awarded to a quintessential exponent of femininity that embodies the distinctive qualities of the FilipinoAmerican young woman who possesses the traits and personality

of a modern-day youth…that, in her selflessness and munificent heart, willingly volunteers her services to her fellowmen and the community where she lives…. aside from excelling in her own field and innately embracing the truest essence of family-centered and God- fearing upbringing.

The powerful vocal performance of YouTube sensation Bryan B. Magsayo indubitably raised the level of excitement of the already ecstatic crowd after his high-pitched vocal rendition of top-chart hit covers…and not to forget the equally sensational performances of Rasmin Diaz, the Band of Brothers, and the jawdropping terpsichorean exhibition of Mae Lozada and Kristian Sese, fast-rising international dancing tandem.

Suffice it to say that the recently concluded black-andsilver-themed PACCAL gala, ably chaired by multi-faceted Ria Serrano with Joyce AndesDavid and hosted by stunningly fashionable Amira Allah Arcanghel and veteran radio announcer Fiorello Salvo, was an evening of inexhaustible nostalgia loaded with fun and thrill that took everyone to a startling escape from reality even for just a while.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 1 0, 20 1 7

Social Security, NYU Langone Medical Center collaboration makes Social Security disability process more efficient Cuts costs, saves time, and improves service

NANCy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced a new collaboration to access medical records electronically from New york University Langone Medical Center. Headquartered in New york, Ny it is a leading health care system in the area.

New york University Langone Medical Center will transmit Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez at the 56th annual Drama Desk Awards in New York. Right photo shows a scene from “Olaf’s complete secure medical records for Social Security disability Frozen Adventure.” applicants, with the appropriate patient consent. Social Security will receive medical records within minutes or hours, as compared to weeks through the traditional

Composer of Filipino-descent returns for ‘Frozen’ sequel WALT Disney Animation Studios has recently announced the release of its untitled featurelength follow-up to the hit film “Frozen,” slated for November 2019 and to reunite filmmakers Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck and Peter Del Vecho with the Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

Award-winning composer of Filipino descent Robert Lopez, who co-composed the Oscar

and Grammy award-winning hit “Let It Go” with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, has been tapped again by Disney to compose new songs for the “Frozen” sequel.

An American songwriter, Lopez co-created the hit musicals “The Book of Mormon” and “Avenue Q.” He is reportedly the youngest of only 12 individuals who have won all four of the biggest awards in the entertainment world — an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony

In her Instagram account, Pauleen Luna introduced her daughter with husband Vic Sotto.

Photo from Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto

Pauleen Luna shares first picture of baby Talitha

by Niña

V. GuNo

Inquirer.net

DAyS after giving birth, Pauleen Luna is ready to show the world her firstborn.

Her daughter with husband, Vic Sotto, is named Talitha Maria.

Celebrity friends and fans couldn’t help gushing over Talitha’s chubby cheeks; the picture has already over 1,000 comments on Instagram.

Sotto and Luna had hinted that their baby’s name would begin with a “t” during a baby

shower.

Dad Vic joked that they would name her Prima, short for “premature.”

Talitha came three weeks ahead of schedule, according to a report from the Philippine Entertainment Portal.

Luna had to undergo an emergency caesarean section on Nov. 6. Sotto, who is also called Bossing, said it was a happy surprise to welcome their “bouncing baby girl” earlier than expected.

Medical Journal...

and prepare foods with little or no salt. Middle-aged and older adults, • Consume a diet rich in a wide African Americans, and those with variety of fruits and vegetables hypertension should consume (not fruit juices), especially those no more than 1500 mg of sodium that are deeply colored (spinach, daily. carrots, peaches, and berries).

• Limit alcohol intake to not • Prepare fruits and vegetables, more than 1 drink per day for minimizing saturated fats from red women and 2 drinks per day for meats and transfats. men (1 drink = 12 oz of beer, 4 oz • Choose nuts and high-fiber of wine, 1.5 oz of 80-proof distilled foods. spirits, or 1 oz of 100-proof spirits).

• Consume 2 servings of fish, • When eating out, be aware of especially those relatively high portion size; select vegetables and in omega-3 fatty-acids (salmon, fruits; and avoid foods prepared trout, and herring) at least twice with added saturated or trans fat, weekly. salt, and sugar. Eating fruits first • Children and pregnant before the meal is better than women should follow Food eating them after the meal for and Drug Administration (FDA) physiologic reason. guidelines for avoiding mercury*** contaminated fish (shark, Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac swordfish, king mackerel, and Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and tilefish). chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to • Limit intake of saturated 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, fat, trans fat, and cholesterol by where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus choosing lean meats, vegetable in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. alternatives, and fat-free (skim) He is a Fellow of the American College of and low-fat (1 percent fat) dairy Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, products and minimize intake of and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular partially hydrogenated fats.

Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the • Minimize intake of beverages Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) and foods with added sugars. humanitarian foundation in the United States.

• To consume NO more than For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: 2300 mg of sodium daily, choose scalpelpen@gmail.com From Page 6

Award — in just 10 years.

In 2013, his and his wife’s composition “Let It Go” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 2015, “Let It Go” also won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Besides “Frozen,” Lopez also wrote songs for “Finding Nemo,” “Winnie the Pooh” and “The Simpsons,” among others.

Lopez was born in Manhattan to parents Katherine and Frank Lopez, whose father was Filipino

and whose mom was Filipino and Scottish-American. Robert’s Filipino dad became director of publications for New york University’s Langone Medical Center.

Prior to the much-awaited “Frozen” sequel, Walt Disney Animation Studios has posted previews of the new songs from “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” an all-new featurette that will open in Philippine cinemas as a front to Disney/Pixar’s “Coco”

manual process (mail, fax, or secure website). The electronic process saves time and money.

“This fast, safe, and secure method for receiving medical records will significantly shorten the time it takes to make a disability decision and makes the process more efficient,” Acting Commissioner Berryhill said.

Over the last several years, Social Security has entered into similar relationships. The agency currently receives electronic medical records from several very large organizations including the United States Department of Defense, the United States

Department of Veterans Affairs, Kaiser Permanente, and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Social Security plans to continue expanding health IT partners with new high volume organizations, as well as additional facilities with existing partners.

People may apply online for disability benefits by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.

To create a my Social Security account, please visit www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount/.

To learn more about Social Security’s Health IT program, please visit www.socialsecurity. gov/hit.

on November 22.

The songs are “Ring in the Season” by Kristen Bell, “That Time of year” by Josh Gad and “When We’re Together” by Idina Menzel.

Featuring four new original songs, the 21minute featurette “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” welcomes the original cast and characters of “Frozen” back to the big screen, including Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), who is on a mission to harness the best holiday traditions for

Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) and Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff ). The featurette is directed by Emmy-winning filmmakers Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton (“Prep & Landing”), produced by Oscar winner Roy Conli (“Big Hero 6”), with original songs

by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (“Between the Lines”).

(Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/ Philstar.com)

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY NOVEMBER 10, 2017

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

AUGUST 2018

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

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

As an extension of that core mission, the Asian Journal, in cooperation with the Philippine Departments of Tourism (DOT), and Trade and Industry (DTI), is organizing multi-city “Travel, Trade, and Consumer Roadshows” to connect the US and Philippine markets together.

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

GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORKING & MARKETING BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS

GOVERNMENT-TO-BUSINESS

BUSINESS-TO-CONSUMER SALES

MEET, CONNECT, AND COLLABORATE WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND STREAMLINE YOUR BUSINESS RESULTS.

CONNECT WITH LEADERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR FROM ACROSS THE USA REGION AND PHILIPPINES.

WHETHER YOU’RE SHOPPING FOR NEW AND AMAZING PRODUCTS OR A VENDOR LOOKING TO PROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT,

FOR MORE INFORMATION TRAVELTRADECONSUMER.COM I INFO@ASIANJOURNALINC.COM