111319 - Southern California Midweek Edition

November 13-15, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 87 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

Robredo meets with UN to discuss DATELINE USA PH supported 3 United ‘best practices’ in tackling drug problem Nation resolutions FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

on journalists’ safety

THE Duterte administration has supported three out of the last four United Nations resolutions to ensure the safety of journalists amid heightened risks members of the media are facing globally, including the Philippines.

A report of Article 19, a British human rights organization with a specific mandate and focus on the defense and promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide, titled “Ending Impunity: Acting on UN Standards on the Safety of Journalists,” showed the countries that expressed intent to support or co-sponsor UN resolutions that set out commitments for states to ensure the safety of journalists.

The Philippines was a party to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolutions in 2018 and 2016 and UN General Assembly Resolutions in 2017 and 2015.

The 2018 UNHRC Resolution called on political leaders to stop denigrating journalists and undermining trust in independent media, and urges states to bolster digital security, and cease the abuse of defamation laws against journalists.

The 2016 Resolution, meanwhile, spotlights impunity, urges the release of arbitrarily detained journalists, the reform of laws that obstruct journalists’ work, and calls on states not to interfere with tools for encryption and on-

Palace says VP can scrap ‘tokhang’, ICC still has no jurisdiction

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

VICE President Leni Robredo on Monday, November 11, met with the officials

of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for a briefing on the strategies that other countries employ in fighting illegal drugs.

“I can’t disclose to you all the details

8CHAN owner James Arthur “Jim” Watkins on October 30 filed a cyber libel complaint against its founder Fredrick Brennan for tweeting that Watkins is “going senile” on September when he appeared before the United States Congress to give his testimony about 8chan.

8chan is an online messaging board that has been used by anonymous right-wing extremists, misogynists, and conspiracy theorists. Brennan left the website in 2016 after the site strayed away from his initial vision of free speech and completely cut ties with it in 2018.

The website has been linked to atrocities like the shooting in El Paso, Texas, which killed 22 and injured 24 others.

“My theory that Jim Watkins himself is going senile and actually believes in Q is no longer a theory,” Brennan’s tweet read.

Meanwhile, in Watkins’ 12-page complaint

of addressing the drug problem,” said her chief of staff Undersecretary Philip Dy. He added that the emphasis on the

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The Philippines is set to reach its record-high rice imports at three million metric tons this year, beating China’s requirements after Manila opened the floodgates to rice importation.

Philstar.com photo

Palace ‘concerned’ PH is world’s top rice importer

by KRISSY

AGUILAR Inquirer.net

MALACAÑANG is “concerned” that the Philippines has become the world’s biggest importer of rice this 2019. u PAGE A2 But presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government was on top of the situation.

“We are concerned precisely that’s why [Agricul-

8chan owner sues founder for cyber libel in PH

of the discussion. Of course some of it is confidential. But in broad terms, what have been covered in the UNODC meeting are the best practices that we can learn from other countries in terms

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VETERANS DAY. Philippine National Defense Undersecretary Ricardo David (left) and U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission John Law (right) lead the ceremonial wreath-laying during the Veterans Day, a United States federal holiday every November 11 to honor and remember all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, held at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio Taguig City on Monday (Nov. 11, 2019). More than 17,000 American and Filipinos who served with American forces were buried in the 152-acre cemetery.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Sandigan grants gov’t bid to appeal Lorenzana rejects another junked forfeiture case vs Marcoses, cronies extension of martial law

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

LALU

THE Sandiganbayan has allowed government lawyers to appeal the dismissal of a forfeiture case against the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos and their cronies.

In a November 6-resolution penned by Second Division’s Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna, the motion for reconsideration – which was previously filed but denied for not complying with certain rules – was approved citing a Supreme Court provision, which states that exceptions may be made if only to ensure the right to due process.

The prosecution, composed of lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor General u PAGE A2

(OSG), sought for the relaxation of the rules citing the importance of the case.

“It is undisputed that the Motion for Reconsideration was laden with procedural defects for failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 15. Although the inadvertence of the plaintiff’s counsel is not a compelling or sufficient reason to relax the rule, the Court is of the view that the defendant’s right to due process will not be impinged should the Court act on the earlier motion,” the court said.

Last August 8, the same division dismissed the P102-billion forfeiture case against the late dictator and his wife, Imelda, as well as their associates over the prosecution’s inability to produce the original copies of key

by DEMPSEY

REYES ManilaTimes.net

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday, November 11, said he would no longer support any proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao.

But he added that the final decision would be based on the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We are waiting for the recommendation of the Armed Forces and the PNP, it will depend on u PAGE A2 them. But if I will be asked, I will

not recommend anymore the extension [of martial law],” he told reporters in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Mindanao was placed under martial law in 2017 following clashes between government troops and militants affiliated with the Islamic State. Congress extended the implementation of martial law three times. If it will not be extended again, military rule will be lifted at the end of the year.

Lorenzana said three years of martial law is too long.

“It’s been there for so long. If

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Filipino veterans host yearly Veterans Day demonstration to secure rights, recognition for Fil-Am vets The veteran community demands action from lawmakers to secure rights and compensation to Filipino World War II veterans

by KLARIZE

MENDIOLA AJPress

American Veterans (JFAV), and just like marches past, it called IN Hollywood, Los Angeles on for national recognition and Monday, November 11, dozens legislative solutions for the conof Filipino veterans and their cerns of the nearly quarter-miladvocates once again came to- lion Filipinos who fought under gether in support for recognition the American flag during WWII. Filipinos of all ages gathered and rights for Filipino World War on Hollywood Boulevard and II veterans.

Monday’s demonstration was Ivar Avenue in the heart of HolDozens of Filipino veterans and their advocates once again came together in support for the 19th annual march, estab- lywood, signs in tow and hearts recognition and rights for Filipino World War II veterans last Monday, November 11 in Hollywood, lished by the Justice for Filipino full of passion for the cause that Los Angeles.

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

brought them together.

In 2017, the United States awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the surviving Filipino WWII veterans and the family members of those who have fallen, but JFAV is calling for concrete solutions that could “appropriately bring justice” to the Filipino veteran community.

“It was a milestone for our Filipino WWII veterans and their

families to receive this honor, but today we are asking for four things, four things that could bring us closer to appropriate recognition of the Filipino World War II veterans,” Art Garcia of JFAV said on Monday. “These four things won’t take away the decades of negligence on the part of our nation’s lawmakers, but it will right the wrongs and

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Dateline USa

by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

Palace ‘concerned’ PH is world’s top...

Dar is a former director-general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and was acting agriculture secretary during the administration of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

“Secretary Dar has been appointed there precisely because he used to head that department

and he was successful during his stint. So, he would be knowledgeable on how to curb whatever problems that are existing today,” Panelo said.

The country’s rice imports have been projected to reach a record 3 million metric tons (MT) by year-end, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Services (USDA-FAS).

“Secretary Dar has been placed there precisely to undertake measures, to solve the problems hounding the industry,” Panelo said.

He said the government recognized that the county had as rice sufficiency problems but said Dar President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo meets with officers of the Community- Based Drug Rehab Alliance (COBRA) in Quezon City.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez was “on top of that.”

“I’m sure Secretary Dar knows the problem and he will introduce measures to solve the same,” he said. “We expect Secretary Dar to implement measures that will make our rice produce in- PAGE A1 munity-based drug rehabilitation However, he maintained that crease.” the president will not be keeping public health approach alongside programs,” he explained.

Palace, PNP promise support law enforcement was one of the his hands off the campaign.

Malacañang on Monday said key findings in other countries that “He is accountable to the whole President Rodrigo Duterte is ready country. If she fails, the president was discussed.

Robredo, for her part, has been to provide Robredo everything she also fails,” Panelo said. urging the Duterte administra- needs to perform her responsibiliHe added that while Robredo is tion to treat the drug problem as ties as drug czar. within her rights to consult with PAGE A1 According to presidential the United Nations and U.S. ofa health issue aside from being a spokesperson Salvador Panelo, ficials on the drug war, the Interlaw enforcement issue. obtained by CNN Philippines, The vice president also met Duterte would issue an appoint- national Criminal Court (ICC) is he said: “[Brennan’s] Twitter with Community-based Drug Re- ment paper though Panelo could still banned from investigating the posts are not only an innocent habilitation Alliance (COBRA), a not say when the paper would be drug war as it does not have juriscommenter, with knee-jerk re- group consisting of members of released. diction over the country. actions and comments just to academe, civil society groups, He also said that Robredo now The Philippine National Police catch in on the controversy. His and faith-based organizations that has the authority to give her as- (PNP) also promised to make Rostatements were posted out of pushes for a more public health- sessment on existing drug war bredo “comfortable as possible” pure hate and lust for vengeance based manner in solving the drug policies like Oplan Tokhang, a in her newly designated role as to ride on and exacerbate the problem in the country. knock-and-plead campaign tar- the administration’s drug czar. issue so as to darken [my] repuAccording to Robredo, these geting drug offenders.

According to PNP officer-intation and competence.”

“VP Leni is in charge so what- charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, were the same groups that her ofHe also stressed that free fice has been working with since ever she feels that should be en- they are looking forward to an speech had its limits in the Phil- she took post in 2016. forced, we will do it,” Panelo said, intensified anti-illegal drug camippines.

Dy also said that Robredo and referring to the question about paign that upholds the rule of law “The exercise of the right of COBRA made an agreement about Malacañang being open to scrap- under her leadership. free expression and free speech the establishment of more com- ping Oplan Tokhang.

He added that the PNP is open like any other right enshrined munity-based rehab centers.

“It is a yes. If she wants it... But to studying the recalibration of the in our Constitution comes with “The community-based rehabili- I heard her saying tokhang is not drug war. an equal burden of responsible tation approach is something that that serious or deadly. They were “In any government approach it exercise of that right. after all, is really done in partnership with just asking people if they want to should be dynamic because time the recognition of a right is not the local government units. And voluntarily surrender... If that will changes and me, personally, I a free license for the one claim- part of the discussion was how can be effective insofar as the drug would like to open up options being it to run roughshod over the we support the local government war is concerned, she has been cause we had a drug war which rights of others,” Watkins said. units more, particularly in terms given the authority,” he added.

I think is very successful. But if Both Watkins and Brennan of strengthening the Anti-Drug Further, Panelo said Duterte is there is a need to recalibrate and are U.S. nationals residing in Abuse Councils and making sure willing to provide additional bud- maybe touch a few points, study the Philippines. Unlike in the that they have adequate resources get to Robredo so she can imple- it, then the PNP is open to it,” said U.S., defamation is a criminal and capacity to implement com- ment her policies on narcotics.

Gamboa. n offense in the Philippines and could land anyone convicted of it in jail. (Ritchel Mediola/AJPress) PAGE A1 threats, whether of a physical, safety of journalists,” the organiline anonymity. legal, political, technological, or zation said.

The UN-GA Resolutions fo- economic nature.

The organization said that cused on addressing gender-re“Public officials and politi- states must be pushed to conlated attacks on journalists and cal leaders who denigrate and demn systemic challenges in national security and counter- threaten the media, and un- country situations of concern, as terrorism measures that hinder dermine its credibility are also well as to call for answers and journalists’ work. acknowledged as exacerbating targeted action in response to The resolutions have also high- journalists’ risks of facing other individual attacks, particularly in lighted the growing threat posed types of attack,” said the report. cases of impunity. by unlawful surveillance, and inArticle 19, which took its name They should work collectively terference in the right to privacy, from Article 19 of the Universal to ensure accountability in these including government sponsored Declaration of Human Rights situations, regardless of the pohacking. and defends freedom of expres- litical power of the state in which But despite these, journalists sion and freedom of information, the violation or abuse has oc— including those who live in said the international commu- curred. countries that are party to these nity must ensure that states that Article 19 emphasized that resolutions — still face height- require technical assistance to “States should also, at minimum, ened risk at work. meet their international human ensure they are reporting on the “In spite of the adoption of rights law obligations and com- implementation of their commit10 UN resolutions on the safety mitments on the safety of jour- ments on the Safety of Journalof journalists since 2006, and nalists are encouraged to seek it, ists, including by responding the establishment of numerous and that those mechanisms are systematically to communicamechanisms for monitoring im- sufficiently resourced to provide tions on the safety of journalists plementation of States’ commit- meaningful assistance.

by UN Special Rapporteurs, and ments at the international level, Making resources available requests for input by the OHCHR the risks facing journalists and to organizations working to en- and UNESCO, and by systemmedia workers have not subsid- hance media freedom, protect atically submitting data for the ed and, in many contexts, are on journalists from attacks and en- monitoring of SDG 16.10.1.” the increase,” the report said. sure their access to remedies, is UN Resolutions on the Safety Through the resolutions at the also essential. of Journalists call on all states to UNHRC and UN-GA, states have “At the same time, the interna- effectively enhance the safety of increasingly recognized the need tional community must respond journalists and break the cycle to take a holistic approach to en- more effectively to States who of impunity through targeted hancing the safety of journalists, repeatedly or flagrantly violate action on three interconnected addressing the range of intercon- their human rights obligations fronts: prevention, protection nected, and often overlapping, and commitments related to the and remedy. n

Robredo meets with UN to...

8chan owner sues founder...

Philippines supported 3 United Nation...

Sandigan grants gov’t bid to appeal...

PAGE A1 documentary evidence.

According to the Sandiganbayan, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which has been tasked to retrieve the ill-gotten wealth of Marcoses, did not satisfactorily

A

Peralta seeks ‘marshal’ protection for judges

From the Front Page PAGE A1 ture] Secretary [William] Dar is there,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing. “Dar is doing his own ways to solve whatever problems confronting the farmers.”

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dar last August to head the Department of Agriculture to Emmanuel Piñol.

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-15, 2019

prove that Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) officials extended loans to various shipping companies owned by Marcos’ cronies.

Since the former president has already died, the case was aimed at his relatives and crony Roberto

Benedicto, who supposedly took advantage of his connections to the Marcoses in order to secure loans.

With the court’s resolution, the defendants are given 10 days from receipt of the document to comment or oppose the issue. n

Lorenzana rejects another extension...

PAGE A1 the Senate or Congress can pass the [amended] Human Security Act [of 2007], which will give more teeth on our law enforcement [and] that’s a better arrangement than martial law,” he added.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. earlier proposed another extension of martial law in Mindanao. However, the heads of the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Western Mindanao Command said it could be implemented in Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana leads the send-off ceremony for the Philippine contingent selected areas.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez Malacañang said President to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Rodrigo Duterte would take Palace spokesman Salvador “That will be considered by the into consideration Lorenzana’s Panelo said Duterte would wait president. The president always opinion in deciding whether to for the recommendation of peo- says he will defer to the advice extend martial law in the South ple on the ground before mak- or the recommendation of those or not. ing any decision. on the ground,” he added. n

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta is seeking protection for judges, but also warned that judges must do their jobs well and threatened so-called hoodlums in robes.

During his first meeting with the press, Peralta on friday, November 8, said he would like to ask Congress to pass a law that would give marshal security to judges in view of a series of killings, one of which was that of San fernando City, La Union Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez. he added that the Supreme Court can handle its own security, but it is very limited and the main problem is that the cases of Monday’s march marked the 19th year that JFAV has hosted the demonstration with the intention of raising awareness and showing support slain judges are still unresolved. for the nearly quarter-million Filipino WWII vets who have gone decades without recognition for their service. AJPress photos by Noel Ty “The Supreme Court may be authorized to create or employ security services. The problems in the past, there has not been positive result on the outcome of PAGE A1 the investigation of the killing of build a foundation for the future, judges. There are so many cases the future of how we treat our involving the killing of judges. veterans.”

And up to now no cases have Garcia explained that the imbeen filed against those perpepetus of the march, the fourtrators,” Peralta said. pronged thesis, included passing

Filipino veterans host yearly Veterans Day...

The filipino Veterans fairness Act (hR 2823), reinstate the filipino WWii Veterans Parole Program, securing pension eligibility for survivors and their families and removing the quitclaim first proposed in 1993, hR 2823 aims to guarantee citizenship to filipinos who have served under the United States Armed forces. Despite the bill’s failure in nearly every Congress since 1993, it continues to be re-introduced by U.S. representatives and senators of both parties.

Similarly, the filipino WWii Veterans Parole Program, established during the Obama administration, was a family reunification immigration program that allowed family members of filipino WWii veterans (those who were citizens or green card holders) to remain in the U.S. pending approval of their own immigrant visas.

Passed in 2016, the temporary program was set to last until 2021. But the Trump administration announced on Aug. 2, 2019 that it would suspend the program prematurely based on an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

As the march and protest grew throughout Monday afternoon, protestors began speaking on a so-called “cultural erasure” of

In addition to WWII veterans, Filipino veterans from the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars joined in on the march as an act of solidarity.

filipinos in American history.

“When we learn about World War ii in school, we hardly get any mention when there were more than a quarter-million Pinoys in the war effort fighting on behalf of the Americans, and this is how they’re treated,” Sheryl Lagasan told the Asian Journal.

Lagasan referenced the Rescission Act of 1946 which denied military benefits to the 250,000 filipinos who fought in the war.

“Though it was a big deal for the veterans to receive the congressional gold medal, we need structural change to address the very real needs of these veterans, a community that has been neglected for so long,” Lagasan said.

Other protestors called for extending the awareness to other concerns of the veteran community and pointed out the dissonance of instituting a federal

holiday in the name of veterans while, at the same time, failing to address the needs of the veteran community through policy and government programs.

“Of course it’s important that we have this day, Veterans Day, to honor, not just filipino veterans, but all veterans. Of course, it’s a really significant thing we do as Americans,” filipino American Los Angeles Community College student Paul Chavez, whose grandfather fought in the Korean War, told the Asian Journal after the demonstration.

“But it means nothing, all this praise, it means nothing if we don’t have these actions to back that up. You can’t have this sentiment without addressing the needs of these veterans and their families, and that means looking out for their mental and physical health, housing and, you know, securing all their needs.” n

The chief justice said Congress was sought to pass a law for the marshal system like in the United States that helps in the security and resolution of cases of slain magistrates.

“But if Congress is willing to help us, probably they could come up where there are powers given to investigative bodies like the NBi (National Bureau of investigation), the PNP (Philippine National Police) be given to us, for example Judge Banez, we just rely on the policemen. if we had a marshal [system], patterned after America, our marshals can do the work. in other words, they could investigate, they can summon witnesses to appear in the investigation,” he pointed out.

“Likewise, ask the different agencies to help us, give us expert witnesses, submit to forensic chemists and prepare our own investigation and allow them also to file the cases before the fiscal’s office. in that way, we have control of our marshals, we can get positive results they are now under us and they also have powers similar to the powers of those agents of the NBi an also

the PNP,” Peralta said.

On the hoodlums in robes and judges involved in the protection of illegal drug traffickers, he warned that their days are numbered.

Peralta encouraged the public to lodge their complaints with his office so that they could take an immediate action on them. he said they now had the Judicial integrity Board that will oversee the conduct of the judges, and the Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD) is the watchdog in weeding out the hoodlums in robes. it was pointed out that the OCAD is going around the Philippines to audit cases and performances of judges to determine if the latter are really doing their job.

“The OCAD has been doing its best in order help the court in weeding out the misfits and you are aware that we have been disciplining judges, but we have to have an office that would help the OCAD because we have only few lawyers to go around the Philippines and auditing the performance of our judges,

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Dateline USa

White House chef honored by UP

by Janvic

Mateo

Philstar.com

THE University of the Philippines conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Filipino-American White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford.

Comerford was conferred a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the university’s Diliman campus in Quezon City, where she studied for two years before her family moved to the United States in 1983.

The honorary degree was for her “service that embodies the university’s ideals,” including her humanitarian work and contribution to culinary diplomacy.

“As one of the longest serving White House executive chefs in history, through three presidents, chef Comerford has successfully introduced Filipino-inspired dishes to the White House, to presidents, to the families, officials and other dignitaries,” said the university.

“Her passion and commitment to promote nutritious food and healthy eating are likewise evidenced in her work as volunteer in humanitarian missions outside the United States, including returning to the Philippines,” it added.

Comerford, who was appointed as White House executive chef in 2005, expressed gratitude to the university for the recognition, noting how her years at UP contributed to her development.

She also narrated her experiences in the Philippines prior to moving to the U.S., including liv-

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ing with her grandparents, who were farmers in Bulacan.

“For you to succeed in everything you do, you must passionately be in love in whatever it is,” she said after being conferred the degree.

“Life is the most fruitful journey in that each and every step, you breathe all the influences, you ignite the passion and you continue to use your calling,” she added.

Comerford studied Bachelor of Science in Food Technology at the UP College of Home Economics for two years before her family moved to the US. She took a wide range of courses related to culinary arts, including food and beverage production, sanitation and quality management.

She worked in various hotels and restaurants in Chicago and Washington before she was accepted as a sous chef at the White

House in 1997.

Comerford was promoted to executive chef when her mentor Stanley Schieb III retired in 2005. She is the first woman, first Asian, first minority and the first Filipino to hold the distinguished post.

She has so far served three U.S. presidents: George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Comerford is also a member of Le Club des Chefs, an exclusive organization of 26 chefs of heads of state around the world that promotes culinary diplomacy, safeguarding of culinary traditions, as well as healthy, well-balanced gastronomy.

She has received numerous recognitions including the Gawad Pangulo Pamana ng Pilipino Award conferred by former president Benigno Aquino III in 2014 and the UP Alumni Association Presidential Award in 2013. n

Kai Sotto commits to play for Atlanta-based basketball team

by Luisa

MoraLes Philstar.com

FILIPINO basketball phenom Kai Sotto has agreed to play a season with Atlanta-based squad The Skill Factory (TSF) in the U.S. Taking to his personal Youtube channel, Sotto announced his commitment to the squad as well as the national team.

TSF is an organization aimed at the continued development of youth in basketball and volleyball across different levels.

Sotto and the rest of the TSF basketball squad will be competing across different tournaments in the United States.

TSF also announced Sotto’s commitment to the squad with an Instagram TV video in their official account.

The video also shows highlights of Sotto’s stint with the team so far. n

THE Senate will look into the rising incidents of cybersex trafficking involving children in the Philippines despite existing laws meant to shield and guard them against all forms of exploitation and violence.

The inquiry was prompted by a resolution filed by detained Sen. Leila de Lima directing the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality to inquire into the unabated proliferation of child cybersex abuses in the country and review the status of implementation of existing laws on protecting children from abuses.

“Cybersex abuse is now terribly advancing and spreading to different platforms from social media networks, dating sites and online chat rooms thus making the investigation and identification of sexual predators harder,” she said in raising alarm over the rising cases.

“The continuous increase of disturbing and disheartening cases of cyber child sex abuse only shows the utmost need for the government to review, assess and expand the implementation of the laws that are supposed to protect the Filipino youth and children,” she added.

Citing a report of the anti-traf-

ficking organization International Justice Mission, the senator said the number of rescue operations related to cybersex trade in the Philippines appallingly increased from 17 in 2015 to 51 in the first quarter of 2018, with age of the victims down to below 12 years old.

A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund noted the Philippines has become “the epicenter” of the livestream sexual abuse trade and the No. 1 global source of child pornography. The same report said Philippine justice department receives more than 3,000 reports from overseas of possible cybersex trafficking cases every month.

Based on the 2019 records of PNP Women and Children Protection Center’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, among hotspots for child pornography trade in the country is Taguig City, while Iligan City, Cebu, Pampanga and Tarlac are areas with the most recorded cases of cybersex trafficking.

“Many victims are exploited by their own families and unable or afraid to speak out, while the encrypted nature of modern technology from messaging to video call apps makes criminals tough to track,” De Lima noted.

She said she hopes that the proposed Senate investigation into the cases of cybersex traf-

ficking in the country could lead to possible legislation imposing stiff penalty and hefty fines against sexual predators.

“The pervasive problem of child abuse and sex trafficking in the Philippines calls urgently for more vigilant, tougher and higher penalties to eradicate this growing industry of child exploitation through cyber pornography in the country and consequently ensure that offenders are held accountable, and due justice is delivered to children,” she said.

She also underscored the need to coordinate the Philippine government’s efforts with its international allies “to overcome all obstacles in terms of enforcement, particularly in tracking international offenders who are protected by internet anonymity.”

“There is urgent need to take notice and act as these types of crime tend to proliferate quickly with the advent of exponential advancement and sophistication of technologies connected to the internet,” De Lima said.

This 18th Congress, De Lima filed Senate Bill No. 621 requiring commercial establishments and public institutions to use appropriate filtering devices that will restrict children’s access to harmful materials on the internet. n

‘Albayalde had control of ninja cops in drug sting’ by eveLyn

Macairan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said their former boss Oscar Albayalde had direct control and supervision over the multimillion-peso anti-illegal drug operation conducted in 2013 by the team of Maj. Rodney Baloyo IV, tagged as “ninja cops,” in Pampanga.

In their 15-page reply affidavit, the PNP-CIDG represented by police Lt. Julius Sagandoy rebutted the counter-affidavit filed

by Albayalde, saying the former PNP chief used denial as his main defense.

They added that Albayalde wanted to downplay the “partial committee report” of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee headed

by Sen. Richard Gordon and instead supported as gospel truth the testimonies given by Baloyo and his police team.

The CIDG argued: “The Senate Blue Ribbon proceedings and the witnesses presented therein under oath are competent enough to establish probable cause against the respondents.”

“The overt acts of respondent Police General Albayalde, as then acting provincial director, Pampanga Police Provincial Office, were clear. He had direct control and supervision over the operation of respondent Supt.

Baloyo and his team at Lakeshore, Mexico, Pampanga as of 23 November 2013 until he was administratively relieved on 26 March 2014,” the CIDG said.

Albayalde claimed he was administratively relieved as provincial director of Pampanga and placed on floating status on March 26, 2014, but the CIDG said this was already four months after the large quantity of illegal drugs reportedly went missing.

“Albayalde was fully informed about every detail that was happening during the raid, including,

Former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde

but not limited to, the marked money, pre-arranged signal, suspects’ arrest and confiscation of suspected shabu placed in one open luggage and one medium-size box, the cash money amounting to P300,000 and the marked money amounting to P100,000,” the CIDG said.

It added, “Despite knowledge of the irregularities in the said operations, he remained mum and even applauded respondents Supt. Baloyo and his team for a job well done.”

The CIDG also pointed out that the dismissal of the criminal case against Chinese national Ding Wenkun and Roel Cabag strengthened the allegations allegedly committed by the respondents in the case.

There are reports that Baloyo’s team originally arranged an antiillegal drugs operations against alleged large-scale Korean drug trafficker Johnson Lee in a house he was renting in Woodbridge Subdivision in Mexico Pampanga.

But the 13 policemen allegedly released Lee in exchange for 160 kilograms of shabu worth P648 million, P50 million in cash, brand new sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and, in his stead, presented Ding Wengkun as suspect.

During the fourth preliminary investigation, the DOJ panel of

Philstar.com photo

prosecutors led by Senior Associate State Prosecutor Alexander Suarez and members Assistant State Prosecutors Josie Christina Dugay and Gino Paolo Santiago noted that out of the 13 original respondents and Albayalde, only nine of them were present.

Present were Police Sr. Insp.

Joven de Guzman Jr., Senior Police Officer 1 Jules Maniago, SPO1 Rommel Muñoz Vital, SPO1 Dante Dizon, SPO1 Eligio Valeroso, Police Officer 3 Dindo Dizon, PO3 Gilbert de Vera, PO3 Romeo Guerrero Jr. and Police Officer 2 Anthony Lacsamana.

While Albayalde and Baloyo were not present, SPO1 Donald Roque and SPO1 Alcindor Tinio attended separate court hearings, while SPO1 Ronald Santos never showed up for preliminary investigation.

Prosecutor Suarez said last Nov. 8, Santos sent his counteraffidavit via courier. But the panel decided to no longer accept his counter-affidavit because he submitted it after the deadline set by the panel; the complainant CIDG said they were not furnished a copy and Santos failed to state to whom he affirmed his counter-affidavit.

The DOJ panel gave the respondents seven days or until Nov. 18 to submit their rejoinders. n

PNP to start using body cameras in 2020 by

Darwin Pesco ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday, November 11, its operatives would use body cameras in 2020 to make its operations transparent.

“We will be able to use the body-worn cameras, 3,000 of them, probably second or third quarter of next year,” PNP officer in charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

These cameras will ensure that PNP personnel will adhere to rules of engagement and would not violate human rights, whether they are conducting anti-drug operations or manning checkpoints.

“The PNP will not only procure body cameras, but a sophisticated, reliable and secure system, which will allow complete system management, real-time, live

ManilaTimes.net photo

streaming, data storage, and backup and overall connectivity and monitoring,” Gamboa said.

Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, co-chairman of the Interagency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, said body cameras

were “indispensable” in anti-illegal drug operations.

The demand for the use of body cameras was floated in 2017 during the tenure as PNP chief of now senator Ronald dela Rosa. n

Peralta seeks ‘marshal’ protection...

PAGE A3 we have only 11 lawyers going around the Philippines, conducting judicial audits on our judges, so we thought then that there must be another body that would

help the OCAD and that’s now what we are now about to implement this is the Judicial Integrity Board. We expect that this will perform its task very well and we hope that this will be a deter-

rent to those who are still with us and who are not supposed to be there,” Peralta said.

On alleged narco-judges, according to him, the probe shall remain confidential. n

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-15, 2019

A

Duterte takes it slow, to work from home

by Alexis

Senate to probe rise in child cybersex trafficking

by PaoLo

Fil-Am White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford is conferred an honorary doctorate at UP Diliman.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

Dateline PhiliPPines RomeRo

Philstar.com

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND. SM City Manila unveiled recently its Icy Wonderland Christmas display, which features an endless blanket of snow, twinkling snowflakes, Arctic animals coming to life and an enormous Christmas tree. The sparkling attraction will spread holiday cheer among families visiting the mall. Vice Mayor Maria Shielah Lacuna Pangan, City Administrator Felix Espiritu and SM executives led the unveiling.

Also present were actress Elisse Joson, TV host Janeena Chan and the National University Chorale.

ManilaTimes.net photo

DFA warns vs tourist visas for jobs abroad

usually where a visa is not required for Filipinos, as jump-off points,” said Foreign Affairs UnTHE Department of Foreign Af- dersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola. fairs (DFA) renewed its warning to The 71 distressed OFWs from Filipinos against using tourist or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visit visas to secure jobs overseas. arrived in Manila at 8:40 a.m. on The warning comes after the Friday. They were accompanied DFA reunited 71 distressed over- by Consul General to Abu Dhabi seas Filipino workers (OFWs) Marford Angeles.

— who all left the country using The DFA, through the Office of visit visas — with their families in the Undersecretary for Migrant the Philippines.

Workers’ Affairs, shouldered “OFWs without the proper em- the Filipinos’ airfare to Manila, ployment documents are more cost of processing of exit visas, prone to abuses and exploita- and maintenance and operating tion abroad. The DFA has been costs of government shelters in receiving an increasing number Abu Dhabi and Dubai. of reports about illegal recruiters Some 106 distressed OFWs using a third or fourth country, from Abu Dhabi were also repaby

JAvieR J. ismAel ManilaTimes.net

triated in October.

The Foreign Affairs department explained that some Filipinos were employed abroad using short-term visit visas, as illegal recruiters and traffickers would promise them working visas upon their arrival.

The OFWs, however, only ended up overworked and maltreated, with their employers violating their employment contracts.

The DFA said it was working with partner agencies in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

As per data from the DFA, more than 5,000 OFWs have returned home from the UAE since January 2019. n

MANILA — Hours after Malacañang’s announcement that President Rodrigo Duterte would be taking a three-day break from his “punishing” schedule, the Palace clarified that he would not do so after all but would only work from his Davao City home.

The Palace said Duterte had decided to take a break not a leave of absence for three days for reasons not related to health.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte would still be doing paperwork while at home in Davao City.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was initially named caretaker while Duterte goes on break.

Panelo later clarified at a press briefing: “Rest lang iyon, parang pahinga lang sa kanyang maraming trabaho (It’s just rest, like a respite from his work load).”

The president is getting some rest “upon the advice of friends, of colleagues in the world scene and most likely the advice of the doctors,” Panelo added.

He stressed that the three-day rest is not related to Duterte’s health condition. Except for previous illnesses, the 74-year-old president is not experiencing any health problem, Panelo said.

The rest would also allow Duterte to catch up on sleep, Panelo added.

“I told him (Duterte), every time you have eight hours sleep, you look good. I think he lacks sleep,” Panelo said.

Asked if Duterte’s three-day

rest could be extended, Panelo replied: “Everything is possible, subject to change without prior notice.”

Panelo said Duterte attended a birthday party and visited the wake of the late representative Rodolfo Albano Jr. last Saturday.

Duterte’s former aide Sen. Christopher Go previously said Duterte had been advised to rest so he could recover from the back pain he felt after figuring in a motorcycle accident.

Lawmakers said they saw nothing wrong with the president’s taking a three-day leave, saying he deserves the muchneeded break.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it is “about time” Duterte goes on leave.

“His doctor has been telling him to relax even for just a few days. I’m sure he will be recharged thereafter,” Sotto said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino said everybody deserves a rest, “especially the Chief Executive — a very taxing role — considering that he will embark again on a trip to South Korea to attend an ASEAN conference.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said people deserve to take some break from work.

He said it was good that Malacañang made an announcement that made rest a formal break or leave.

“Even U.S. presidents take a break from work. And that is the president of the world policeman. The Philippine president can take a break from work by clearing his calendar for a few

Duterte certifies as urgent Senate Peralta revamps Senate, bill hiking alcohol, tobacco taxes House Electoral Tribunals PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent a proposed Senate bill increasing excise tax on liquor, e-cigarettes, and vapor products, including electronic cigarettes.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday, November 12, Duterte called for the “immediate enactment” of Senate Bill 1074 “to address the urgent need to generate additional revenue to support the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and to further protect the right to health of the people.”

Under the bill, fermented liquor

(beer) and alcopops will face a specific tax rate of P45 per liter on the first year of implementation— which will increase by P10 every year until the fourth year. The specific tax rate will increase by 10 percent every year thereafter.

The bill also proposes to increase e-cigarettes (under the heat-not-burn product category) rates from P10 per pack to P45 per pack on the first year.

Wine products will also be slapped with a specific tax of P600 per liter for sparkling, and P43 per liter for still and carbonated wines.

Lawmakers have previously

expressed a possible “win-win situation” with the bill’s passage— as it seeks to “curb” vices while supporting the nationwide health program.

If passed into law, the measure could generate P47.9 billion for the Universal Health Care program next year, and a total of P356.9 billion for the program over the next five years based on Department of Finance estimates.

A counterpart version of the measure was approved in the House of Representatives in August. (Catherine Valente/ManilaTimes.net)

CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta has reorganized the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).

The chief justice issued a Special Order assigning senior members of the Supreme Court to the electoral tribunals.

The SET will still be headed by Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe with Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa and Alexander Gesmundo as members.

Meanwhile, Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen shall serve as chairman of the HRET with Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and

Jose Reyes Jr. as members.

The SET and the HRET are mandated to rule on electoral cases involving Senate candidates and congressional candidates.

The most recent case pending at the SET was the election protest filed by Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs and former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino against detained Sen. Leila de Lima. Tolentino placed 13th, while de Lima placed 12th in the May 2016 elections. Tolentino withdrew the case when he again ran for senator in the May 2019 polls. (ManilaTimes.net)

days,” Pimentel said.

“That is the usual practice whenever the President will be taking a short leave of absence or whenever he leaves the country, a caretaker is usually chosen by the president,” Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said.

“Such was the practice during the time of former president Aquino and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And such practice is not violative of the 1987 Constitution,” the veteran legislator said. n

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive proposals for PS66750 - Enterprise Data Governance Design & Implementationat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Set-Aside contract. To participate in this RFP, proposers must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside Program, visit: https://business.metro.net/VendorPortal/faces/home1/certifications.

All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m.

Pacific Time on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Victor Zepeda. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened.

For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@ metro.net.

11/13/19 CNS-3313248# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A6 NOVEMBER 13-15, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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

O PINION Creative cities

FEATURES

larly in furniture and fashion accessories. The artistry is also evident in the new Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, which is designed to look like a tropical resort. Opened only in July last year, the expanded airport has also received recognition as one of Asia’s best from the sleepinginairports.net travel website.

Apart from producing items that are pleasing to the eyes, creative cities are also expected to promote efforts for sustainable development. Congestion and the consequent urban blight are increasingly bedeviling Baguio and Cebu. Creativity and innovation can help the two cities manage overcrowding and the need for sustainable development. Creativity also boosts tourism, which stimulates economic growth and creates jobs and livelihood opportunities. Other cities across the country should aspire for recognition in creativity. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

TFC honors the true ‘Global Pinoy Idols in Las Vegas’ on Nov. 23: See you all there!

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS IDOL. LODI. I see these words a lot on social media especially in my engagement with kababayans all over the world. Usually they give reference to people in the entertainment industry that they admire, or people who sing very well to qualify and win in the “Global Pinoy Singing Idol” competition they watch on ABSCBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC).

But ABS-CBN’s Radio DZMM, of which I have been an anchor for more than 12 years, and TFC, led by the Integrated News and Current Affairs Department of ABS-CBN have given “IDOL” a whole new meaning it rightfully deserve.

Going beyond Filipinos’ innate gift of singing, the “Global Pinoy Idol” campaign now aims to keep the spirit of Bayanihan alive by sharing stories of Filipinos help-

ing one another around the world.

As MyTFC.com shared, “DZMM Global Pinoy Idol is a global campaign to share and promote inspiring stories of overseas Filipinos who helped their fellow Filipinos. Our Idols will be recognized and acknowledged during the event. Kapamilya artists will also entertain and give tribute performances for our idols, guests and event attendees.”

This campaign has started honoring our Global Pinoy Idols in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand. Now, we will share and promote inspiring sto-

ries of Filipinos in America helping their fellow Filipinos here in their time of need.

Our idols will be recognized and acknowledged during the event “Global Pinoy Idol Las Vegas”.

Kapamilya artists Randy Santiago, Jaya and Inigo will also entertain and give tribute performances for our idols, guests and event attendees. I will be hosting this event with DZMM’s Ahwel Paz. Hear the stories of our Global Idols and be entertained by our world-class performers!

The event will be held on NOVEMBER 23, 2019, Saturday, at the International Theatre of the

An epic miscalculation

Commentary

ANTONIO P. CONTRERAS IT PROBABLY started as a bluff. Or perhaps President Rodrigo Duterte was simply fed up with the incessant criticism from Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo of his war on drugs.

So, out of exasperation, he simply caved in to what would have been an irrational and ill-conceived urge. It was almost like someone who, having failed to do something right and facing a

barrage of criticisms, just simply told these critics to take over and dared them to do the difficult job knowing that they, too, would not succeed. This is a typical mindset of someone who in the face of failure just had had it, and threw a tantrum.

His loyal base and apologists would love to divine from this move of the [resident some semblance of reason. Others were even bold enough to paint over it the image of a strategic mind par excellence. Some even described it as pure genius. When the offer to become the drug co-czarina was made,

President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo

they gleefully said that this was a move to quiet Robredo. And when the offer was turned into an appointment, they said that it was a brilliant move to contain Robredo and paint her into a corner. These loyal Duterte supporters even taunted Robredo, daring her to accept the post.

They claimed that the president has brilliantly checkmated Robredo, in that if she refuses the offer then she would lose any moral ascendancy to criticize.

On the other hand, if she accepts the position it would both silence her and give her the opportunity to self-destruct.

Philstar.com photo

Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Tickets are now on sale at $20 for general admission. Go to MyTFC.com for details and where to buy your tickets.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! See you very soon, Kapamilya! *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

The diehard Duterte supporters (DDS) were all banking on their popular belief that Robredo is allegedly both inept and unhinged, judging by the quality of her pronouncements.

She is a walking disaster in the eyes of the DDS. They thought that the president had cornered Robredo.

They forgot one thing.

On her own, Robredo, may not be a strategic thinker. But the political opposition is not totally bereft of strategists and tacticians. They may be down, but definitely not out. It is also a fact that money can certainly easily procure strategists and tacticians. There are many whose loyalties are not to any politician or party, but to the highest bidder.

Many people paint the president as the ultimate strategist.

However, the jury is still out on whether this is just a claim made by believers based on partisan bias, or if it is based on actual empirical evidence. But, certainly, admitting that he overestimated his capacity to wage war against illegal drugs, something he thought could be completed in three to six months, doesn’t offer a comforting proof of a brilliant strategic mind.

One needs to pause and ask what is the genius behind personally diminishing Robredo publicly, even asking people not to vote for her in the future because she is incapable, only to appoint her to a very important post. One has to perhaps read tea leaves or gaze at crystal balls, even make offerings to the oracle, to know where is the

brilliance in the act of the president in appointing to a sensitive position someone who is being investigated by his own people as part of a cabal that is allegedly involved in inciting to sedition. One can argue that it is inherent in the art of war to keep your enemies closer. Indeed, this is true. But if this is the reason why Robredo is now the anti-drug half-czarina, then it is a tacit admission that she is a formidable foe. This is contrary to Robredo being painted publicly both by the president and the DDS as an inept, incapable and clueless vice president.

It is clear that the president bluffed, and the political opposition, and not Robredo, called his bluff.

And now, the opposition has found a pawn and a platform, to troll the master troll Duterte on the very issue that truly vexes him, one for which he has been targeted for global condemnation, and for which he himself admitted to having overestimated his capability. Some people call this a brilliant strategy, a stroke of genius. Others can, nevertheless, call it an epic miscalculation, one that boomeranged big-time.

I read one DDS gleefully arguing that when Robredo accepted the post of co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the critics of the president will now be silenced. This is simple naïveté. When in the past, critics of the drug war had no official platform to articulate their criticisms, Robredo now comes in bearing these criticisms as she

MANILA, Philippines – They are game-changers, rule breakers, and trailblazers.

The country’s “Outstanding Men and Women of the Year” for 2019 were feted at a glittery gala in late November in Teatrino (“the biggest little theatre” in the heart of Manila’s shopping haven, Greenhills).

This year’s batch of awardees was led by Isko Moreno who is admired by many because, just days into his first term, he has accomplished what his predecessors, despite their brutish ways, had not. For this, he inarguably deserves this accolade.

The “Outstanding Men and Women of the Year (Philippines)” program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of Filipinos in the industries and communities they inhabit.

“Each year, we select people who want to accomplish, who have compassion and a good heart, not just make a lot of money. They must have real value to society,” said Richard Hiñola, the chairman of the awards committee.

Meet this year’s “Outstanding Men and Women (Philippines): • Isko Moreno – Mayor of Manila • Catriona Gray – the reigning Miss Universe, the 4th from the Philippines • Dr. Mario Guiang Jr. – noted dentist and social media influencer • Nora Aunor and Iza Calzado – multi-awarded actresses • Concon Sinel – the creator & director of “Best of the Islands” world tour • Neliza Nandwani – Singaporean-Filipino philanthropist • Reggie Panganiban – owner of one of the leading hospices in San Francisco • Wilbert Tolentino – LGBTQ advocate and entrepreneur • Gazini Ganados – Philippine representative to Miss Universe 2019 • Sharifa Akeel – the first woman from Muslim Mindanao to win Miss Asia Pacific International title • Derrick Monasterio – responsible teen heartthrob who dabbles in acting, singing and dancing • Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres – the celebrity husbandand-wife tandem who are in the service of the people of Leyte and Ormoc, respectively

• Atom Araullo – award-winning broadcast journalist and environmental activist • Hidilyn Diaz – Olympic silver medalist in weightlifting The rest of the awardees are as follows: Aileen Adigue Carandang, Allan Taunan, Aries Villaester, Arlyn Dela Cruz, Ate Gay, Atty. Bruce Rivera, Atty.

Ernesto Isip Jr. Atty. Joel Respall Chua, Avon Morales, Chiqui Lacsamana, Cory Quirino, Daddie Wowie, Danilo Ramos Jr., Dante Salamat, Don Cristobal, Dr. Joseph Lee, Dr. Rey Salinel, Dulce, Ejay Pardo, Elmer Ngo, Emelie Katigbak, Evangeline Pascual, Faye Tangonan, Fernan De Guzman, Gladys Reyes Legaspi, Greg Gregorio, Hanina Omar Alrefai, Hellen Cayunda Miller, Jeffrey Jeturian, Jemuel Salterio, Jessie Marquez Baul, Jinnie Uy, Joanna Ampil, Joaquin Domagoso, John Estrada, John Gandia, John Salandan, Jojo Bragais, Jojo Gabinete, Joseph Ople Canabuan, Josephine Canonizado, Keanna Duterte Reeves, Kristine Caballero Aplal, Lea Mae Luna-Parisales, Lharby Policarpio, Llena Tan, Lovely Gervacio Tajan, Major Rosalino Ibay, Manuel Zarcal, Marian Louise Villanueva, Marilou Talico Villanueva, Nato Roque, Niña Taduran, Noel Ferrer, Pilar Mateo, Pio Morabe, Pon Ho Acera Chua, Priscilla Meirelles, Prof. Childe Libertad, Raoul Barbosa, Reginald Lassy Marque, Ricci Ang, Rich Lopez Pabilona, Rodeli Salvador, Rodgil Flores, Rollie De Leon, Ron Macapagal, Shirley Pizaro, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Wency Lagumbay, Wilbert Tolentino, William Thio, Yves Jacob Saguin, Zenaida Palisoc, Zenny Muncal Crago.

“I didn’t think what I was doing was enough to win an award.

To begin with, I wasn’t doing it for an award. I simply wanted to promote Filipino fashion to the world,” said Concon Siñel, one of this year’s awardees.

Siñel is the founder and creative director “Best of the Islands: Luxe Fashion” – a touring show promoting the works of emerging Filipino designers in the international arena. The tour held successfully, SRO shows in America and Europe.

Siñel was also the creative director of another successful touring show, the “Philippine Tapestry” of the Department of

presides over official meetings.

She will most definitely push for things that the president and the DDS opposed or were skeptical about — decriminalizing drug use, ending killings, shifting to rehabilitative than punitive measures and looking at drugs more as a public health issue rather than a purely criminal one. If the Duterte administration continues to oppose these, the critics will definitely make noise. And if the DDS both inside and outside of government gang up on Robredo for espousing these ideas, which is very likely, then the opposition will paint this as bullying. Robredo can play the victim card.

What supporters of the president fail to appreciate is that in the attempt to paint Robredo into a wall, they have just delivered to the political opposition an early Christmas gift. Undermining Robredo can expose the idiocy of appointing her but not taking her seriously. And if the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and ICAD adopt her policies, and these end in fail- Mayor Isko Moreno ure, then it will become not only her failure, but a failure of the Duterte administration.

But should Robredo’s strategies succeed, then she wins. It will be easier for the political opposition to use this to boost her political capital. We can just imagine the political opposition proudly announcing to the world: where Duterte failed, Robredo succeeded.

To think that before this, Robredo was just an object of presidential trolling. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres

Tourism, which showcased the “wearable art” of noted designer Renee Salud in North America, Europe and the Middle East. All of Salud’s creations were made of indigenous weaves found only in the Philippines.

Now on its third year, the “Outstanding Men and Women of the Year (Philippines)” selects awardees based on influence and power, the contributions they have made to the society, and the advocacies they have initiated or have taken active Catriona Gray participation in, which serves to inspire others.

“I didn’t expect it, and I’m really grateful,” said New Yorkbased John Gadia. Gadia is the “go to” person of Filipinos in New York for their entertainment and event technology requirements.

“I know I wouldn’t have gotten where I am now without my mentors, many of them women,” said Reggie Panganiban, an awardee.

Panganiban runs one of the biggest hospices in San Francisco Hidilyn Diaz and, as such, has given employment to numerous Filipinos in the area.

“This award represents so much more than me,” Neliza Nandwani, a Singapore-based philanthropist, said. “There are so many people doing amazing things in their little corners of the world.” Nandwani conducts various charity projects in her native Zambales.

Indeed, Nandwani and the UNI_CB-182811 CB Loan Offer Asian_Update 2019.pdf other awardees have all made an impact in the Philippines. n Neliza Nandwani

Gazini Ganados

Iza Calzado

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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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SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 13-15, 2019

Outstanding Men & Women of the Year (Philippines) awards honor trailblazers

EVEN before the year is over, tourist arrivals for 2019 have hit six million — the first time that the figure has been attained. It’s unclear if much of the increase can be attributed to Chinese mainlanders intending to work in offshore gaming operations but entering the Philippines by securing tourist visas on arrival.

Still, the overall visitor figures are up — and they could go even higher. One way of becoming more attractive to foreign travelers is by unleashing the creative juices of residents.

The cities of Baguio and Cebu have received recognition for creativity from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. As part of UNESCO’s “Network of Creative Cities,” Baguio and Cebu can draw more visitor interest from around the world.

Baguio, long known for its distinctive Ifugao designs and craftsmanship, was included in the network in late 2017 as a “Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art.” On Oct. 30 this year, UNESCO designated Cebu as a “Creative City of Design,” including it among 66 new additions to the network, which now covers 246 cities.

Cebu is renowned for its craftsmanship particu-

Dateline PhiliPPines

Atom Araullo

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Asian Journal

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cover story

How Judy Ann feels about being so back in showbiz

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

Karaw Craftventures: Sustainable, imaginative creativity with a heart

by Nika

Roque ManilaTimes.net

BESIDES a primetime series, Juday has an MMFF entry and of course her family priorities With her teleserye comeback “Starla” well into its

by Malou liwanag-bledsoe / AJPress second month, not to mention a Metro Manila Film Festival advocate of environmental susWHAT initially started as a entry in “Mindanao,” and of tainability through recycling, and business college project is now course, her regular YouTube is able to respond productively a social enterprise with a paschannel “Judy’s Kitchen” runto the alarming deterioration of sion to help the community. It ning, as well as her restaurant the environment. may sound so simple, but Paul Angrydobo ironed out, to say “The products are a realizaOrpiada and together with three that hands-on mom and detion of our creatively playful other group mates, started voted celebrity wife Judy Ann minds. Our products introduce KARAW! Collections and SouSantos is busy is an underuniqueness in their designs bevenirs as a hands-on application statement. cause [the] materials which will of what they learned while in Nevertheless, her star be used are of great variety,” their business course at Ateneo shines as bright as ever with Orpiada shared. “These designs de Naga University. However, her fans and admirers of sheer towards the end of the semester cater not only to Filipinos who talent excited to see “Juday” share common love for arts, in 2011, the group decided to back on the small and big stop their operations because all environment, and fashion but to screens, and even their smart of them were about to graduate. all nationalities and cultures as phones and tablets. well.”

With assets divided and while With so much going on, Under Karaw Craftventures others decided to work, Orpiada The Manila Times had to ask Paul Orpiada, one of the founders of Karaw, when the enterprise was chosen as one of the finalists for are the following brands: decided to continue on, once the Prime Superstar at the the search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) last January 24.

• The Ragpet Project he acquires enough funds for sidelines of yet another en• Munequeta main interest is to help the com- severe depression that leads to capital. dorsement launch if she feels • Encatures - Re-imagines suicide attempts. The congested munity.

The opportunity came via the in anyway her showbiz comeprison cells also deprive them “We strongly believe that, British Council’s “I am a Change- and re-creates Philippine mythiback a little overwhelming. cal creatures into adorable plush as a social enterprise, we can with breathable space. All of maker Ideation Camp,” and “Actually!” Santos laughed Inmate artisans at the Naga City Jail learning how to make mini plush toys. these lead to the dehumancontribute to social progress Orpiada decided to re-structure forms and other merchandise. in acknowledgement. She had izing condition that makes their by empowering our stakeKARAW, but with the objectives Made by the partner artisans of just come off stage after her Karaw Craftventures, Encantures holders to collaborate and to rehabilitation difficult to achieve. of a social enterprise, renaming official presentation as readyalso retell the stories and origins improve their outlooks in life Those insights during my visit it to Karaw Craftventures. to-use coconut milk brand of traditional characters from have lingered on me as I thought by providing them opportuni“I was joined by some Coco Mama’s new ambassaPhilippine folklores. of ways to pay them a visit again ties for self-growth,” explained friends who have the same pasdor but still granted inter• Best of Pinas - A collection Orpiada. “We give and show and do something that will help sion in art and who were also views to waiting media. inspired by the popular tourist in alleviating their pains. love by combining art enthusieager to make change for the “Napapagod na rin naman attractions and icons of the Phil- asm with passion to take part “When we were targeting society,” shared Orpiada in an ako pero I am not complainour possible partners for the in community development interview with Asian Journal. My ippines. From the the majestic ing. I’m just praying for enMt. Mayon of Albay, to the gen- advocacy and promotion of project, I thought of the instance two friends and I, including one ergy and positivity to be able wherein maybe we could posfacilitator who was also a gradu- tle giants of the sea of Sorsogon, environmental sustainability. It to do all these properly and to the guitars of Cebu, and to sibly help in positively touching aims to empower the marginalate of BS Entrepreneurship and to be able to inspire. Parang the sweet mangoes of Guimaras, ized women’s groups in Naga the lives of those who are incara student in Ateneo de Naga pang beauty pageant yung these icons prove that Philipcerated in the prisons. Our team City while spurring economic University, decided to re-orgasagot ko,” she joked. pines is a country that is richly mobility by providing career and has come to realize that among nize KARAW.” What she said next was blessed with amazing things the vulnerable groups in the training opportunities, capacity What is Karaw? surprising though as the Filipinos can really be proud of. building activities, and guidance society, the prisoners are a secThe word “karaw” is a Bicol Karaw interns Photos courtesy of Paul Orpiada/Karaw Queen of Philippine Soap These icons are re-created into tor that is neglected most of the in financial savings.” term which is associated with handcrafted pouches, keychains, Guided by the core values of time. Only a limited number of “playing and doing certain Sur, as well make Karaw Craftpuppet shows staged by the (RAGPET): R-ediscover creativity cause-driven organizations help things using one’s imagination,” and ref magnets. ventures a well-recognized Filiinmates themselves.”

They also customize items in the rehabilitation activities for and imaginative play, A-ppreciOrpiada said. Using the term for pino brand. He is also thankful Karaw also has expanded according to clients’ preferencate Filipino cultre and arts, G-ive this group. With this premise in their enterprise, Karaw is aimed that their products are getting their artisan communities to the es, such as corporate giveaways. and show love to others through mind, our team decided to tap to show that recyclable and attention not only locally, but urban poor women — mostly From Page 2 Art with a heart the prisoners to realize the proj- mothers — in Naga City and gifts, P-rovide sustainable scrap materials can be transalso outside the Philippines. ring,” the sweethearts haven’t Business wise, Karaw may ects for Karaw Craftventures be- some rural areas in Camarines livelihood, E-mpower society’s formed into a piece of useful “It actually inspires us to categorically admitted that have it all down. However, it is cause we believe that, whatever Sur. underserved sectors, and Tcreative artwork such as plush do more for our communities they are engaged. Actually, it not just about creating business their individual backgrounds are, ranform scraps into artisanal toys, keychains, trophies, bags, since there are people from Orpiada admits that it is a goes without saying. and generating income, as its products; Karaw aims to become these people still be subject to shirts and shoes. Karaw is an big challenge implementing and other parts of the world who What remains is the hint at basic human rights. They also a powerful source of hope for believe in what we as a social operating a social enterprise. when and where they would the marginalized communities in have a right to a livelihood, a enterprise. Right now, the inter- get married. Sarah at 31, two For one, Karaw is ran by a team basic privilege to be given good on a part-time basis. the Philippines. national exposures that we’ve years older than Matteo, needs Orpiada’s active involvement and dignified opportunities for been getting already provide us no parental consent. Ac“We have to allocate extra the welfare of their and their in outreach activities when he the jumpstart to be noticed and cording to those close to the time and effort for the social families’ futures. These people was still in college opened his be supported,” Orpiada said. enterprise while attending eyes and heart into reaching out should not be left to simply “By purchasing our products or to our work commitments in to those who belong in different idle away in confinement but supporting our cause through our respective jobs,” shared be empowered towards better marginalized communities and donations, we would be able Orpiada. tomorrows,” he said. sectors such as the poor, street to continue to expand to more Also, dealing with inmates Orpiada also said that children, orphans, PWDs and the communities. Thus, providing is a bigger challenge, as Karaw elderly. But with just one experi- the “common concern of the livelihood support to poor and want to make sure that they are involved stakeholders is for ence of visiting the jail struck a marginalized communities in the fulfilling their commitment to the livelihood to provide them chord in him. offer them sustainable livelihood Philippines. We would also be “I have heard their stories of with sustainable income since grateful to personally showopportunities to complement physical, emotional and psycho- integration with regular jobs is case our works should there be the reformation activities proillusive due to lack of capacity, logical struggles inside the jail. opportunities for international vided by the jail management. educational background, and Some of them rarely get a visit trade expositions.”

Add into the mix are expectafrom and already abandoned by the social stigma for the exThey have also been tion of production vs the reality Karaw also has expanded their artisan communities to the urban poor women — mostly mothers — in prisoners to the available jobs in of distance, communication and their families, others suffer from overwhelmed by inquiries from Naga City and some rural areas in Camarines Sur. the society.” With this in mind, Filipinos here in the United lack of monitoring between the Karaw wants to address these by enterprise and inmates.

States, wanting to purchase empowering these skillful and their products so they can share “One thing I learned in the talented inmates to achieve their process is that I should always culturally-relevant stories to full potential and prepare them their kids. be hands-on in the production when the re-integrate into soci“We’re just happy to know aspect of the enterprise,” Orety when they are released. piada said. “Otherwise, you can how supportive Filipinos abroad “As of now, Karaw Craftare whenever they notice fellow designate someone from the ventures creates sustainable Filipinos doing good things that group who will effectively monilivelihood opportunities for they also want to amplify that tor the production. In our case, the woman inmates in Naga same goodness in order to cresince we only have very limited City District Jail and introduces ate positive impacts. It is evident time to visit the jail, it became in-prison skills development that the members of Filipino essential in the operations of program for poverty and crime American community are able to the enterprise to entrust the reduction,” shared Orpiada extend invaluable cooperation monitoring of the production and added, “This community is in helping the initiatives of felprocesses to one or two of the treated as suppliers or produclow Filipinos, which means that inmate artisans. This could also tion units, where 36 inmate-arthey are always proud of and mean empowerment for them tisans craft the products during still rooted on their identity as and at the same, building of their idle time inside the jail. The trust to what they can do for the Filipinos,” he said. interventions to this sector help For more information on success of every project.” the inmates maximize their time Orpiada shared that they are Karaw Craftventures and their productively and earn income products, you can check out looking to expand production for their daily needs. We also their social media accounts: five times, create more artisanal conduct activities that help them product concepts, set up a retail Facebook/KarawCraftventures reconnect with their loved ones and Instagram @karawcraftvenspace, and empower additional The Encantures collection re-imagines and re-creates Philippine mythical creatures into adorable plush forms and other merchandise. Made by the partner such as Christmas Party, and tures. inmate artisans in Camarines artisans of Karaw Craftventures, Encantures also retell the stories and origins of traditional characters from Philippine folklores.

decades, Santos has definitely played every role there is and has earned to be more adventurous in choosing what projects to do today.

“OK na ko maging adventurous when it comes to characters. Tapos na ‘ko sa sabunutan, sampalan factor,” she laughed again, explaining she wants roles that would challenge her artistry.

“Just like my role in Starla na bida-contrabida,” she noted.

Given her vast experience in the biz, what advice can Judy Ann Santos give to Judy Ann Santos ABS-CBN photo endless generations of young Opera who started out as a Filipinos hoping to become child actress to become a like her? household name to this date, “If you put your heart and admitted she still had doubts passion in your work, it will about taking on full plate in never feel difficult,” she deshowbiz. clared. Hindi ka mapapagod, “At some point, mawa‘di ka mabubugnot. Hindi ka walan ka ng lakas ng loob magiging diva sa set kasi mai[and think] na ‘makakabalik intindihan mo na yung mga pa ba ‘ko?’ And then when kasama mo nagtatrabaho dun, you start doing things that nagtatrabaho ng mas doble, you really love to do, hindi triple sa ‘yo pero ikaw isa sa mo napapansin na nakabalik mga pinaka malaking bayad. ka na pala. And then you get It’s unfair to give them a hard overwhelmed with so many time just because you’re tired. things, you get tired, then you It’s not acceptable.” just reset again.”

Most of all, she calls on Santos continued, “I just the young ones in showbiz “to always start my day with a make it real.” positive note na ‘I am just “I am not the smartest so lucky because I was given celebrity out there but you another chance in show busiknow whatever I say, alam ness.’ I am just so happy that nilang ganun ako magsalita at people still watch me, people naiintindihan nila na nagiging still get inspired with what totoo ako sa sinasabi ko. Sana I do, with what I say. And at some point, mag-transcend yung gratefulness ko that din sa ibang celebs na you people appreciate and accept just have to show the real you whatever role I play, OK na and all the more people will OK na ako because I get to appreciate you. You believe play around already with the your truth and as long as characters given to me.” you’re happy with what you Life lessons do, I don’t see you going With a career spanning wrong.”

Matteo talks about his dream...

Maja on how she got lucky in life and love

by MJ

MaRfoRi

ManilaTimes.net

YES, Maja Salvador has got it all. The looks, the talent, a top-rated prime time show on ABS-CBN and a flourishing love life. How can anyone get so lucky in life and love, right? Her secret?

“Maging positive ka lang lagi pag-gising mo. Iba talaga — sobrang powerful — and magtiwala ka sa sarili mo. Isa iyon sa dahilan para maging successful ang isang tao,” she generously spilled.

In The Know caught up with the award-winning actress, singer and dancer during her launch as the newest celebrity endorser of fast food chain Jollibee’s Super Meals.

Another blessing come her way, Maja admitted she has Continued on Page 4 Maja Salvador

Photo from Instagram/@iammajasalvador

Matteo talks about his dream wedding

by Ricky lo Philstar.com

SIX months before Matteo Guidicelli posted their “sakal” (strangled) photos in his social media accounts, showing his girlfriend Sarah Geronimo wearing what looked unmistakably like an engagement ring on her left hand, Matteo already hinted ”at it“ in an interview with The STAR last May. He captioned his post, ”I love you my love, now and forever,“ and his brother Paolo confirmed that Matteo and Sarah have been engaged for a year.

Asked in that May interview if he and Sarah got engaged during a trip abroad, Matteo only laughed and said, “Secret!” In showbiz parlance, that kind of answer (like “no comment”) is interpreted as yes. Even if Sarah is proudly showing the whole world “that Continued on Page 2 Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo

Photo from Instagram/@matteog

Geronimos, not even Sarah’s over-protective mom Divine can thwart whatever decision Sarah makes. Proof: Sarah has been traveling un-chaperoned with Matteo and is accepted as member of the Guidicelli family.

In that interview, Matteo also revealed what kind of wedding he had in mind.

“Of course, getting married has been a topic, we’ve been discussing marriage,” he had added, “after all we’ve been together for several years now. What I want is just a simple and small wedding with family.” (Note: It was Sarah who admitted that she and Matteo have been going steady since 2014.)

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

A1’s Ben Adams picks Morisette over Catriona, Sarah BEN Adams, the lead singer of chart-topping boyband a1 and now a prominent producer based in the UK, teams up with Filipina singer Morissette on “This Is Christmas,” a potentially timeless bop for the Yuletide season.

Released under Sony Music, the song was originally written for a Dutch artist, but the BRIT awardee and multi-platinum star changed his mind and took the material as part of his own.

“I loved it so much I couldn’t give it away,” stated the British singer-songwriter and producer.

“So I decided to take it back.

Once I recorded the whole thing I was like, it sounds magical but I’m sure I can squeeze some more magic out of it - so I began searching for the best person to collaborate on it with me.”

It can be recalled that last September, the English singersongwriter told his fans on Twitter that he is looking for someone “well known” in Southeast Asia to perform a duet with, probably, for an upcoming duets album with performers from all over the globe.

Sarah Geronimo and Catriona Gray’s fans then bombarded the a1 singer with video clips to nominate the two artists from the Philippines.

After checking some links and recommendations from friends, Adams found the perfect duet partner in Morissette, one of the biggest and bestselling Filipina pop stars of her generation.

Roslyn Pineda, Sony Music’s GM Philippines and Vice President for Business Development Asia, even referred the “Akin

Ka Na Lang” singer to Adams as a potential duet candidate.

Having worked with Adams during his boyband phase and having personally recommended Morissette to co-host the Asian singing competition “Bolt Of Talent” with two-time Grammy winner Michael Bolton, Pineda was confident that the two would hit it off together as singing partners for the new Christmas track.

“A1 was the first boyband I ever worked with, so I know firsthand how popular they are in Southeast Asia. When I saw Ben’s post asking his fans who to collaborate with, I messaged him about Morissette. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one!”

Pineda shared.

“As for Morissette, it’s always a pleasure to work with Continued on Page 4

entertainment

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

Maja on how...

From Page 2 always dreamt of endorsing the proudly Filipino brand fast food chain.

“Seventeen years na ako sa industriya pero hindi ko sukat akalain magiging parte ako ng Jollibee. Ito yung prize mo eh nung bata ka pa. Kapag pinaghugas ka ng mommy mo ng pinggan, sasabihan niya mamaya may Chicken Joy ka o Spaghetti.

So bata palang talaga ako, parte na siya ng buhay ko.”

The 31-year old actress shares that contentment is another secret to her success; that which she credits for the endless blessings that come her way.

“Walang kulang. Feeling ko sa ating lahat akala natin may hinahanap tayo but sometimes kailangan natin sabihin na kung ano talaga ang para sa atin —no more no less. Katulad nito, nagperform lang ako sa isang prestigious awards show ng Jollibee and parang sabi ko gusto ko mag-audition so kinareer ko talaga iyong pagsasayaw ko. Performance level at may dance showdown pa

kami ni Jollibee. And ayon na, here I am.”

To end such a productive year, Maja said she will be taking a short break for the holidays as a promise to her family. No matter how busy she is, she makes sure to join their yearly tradition to bond during the season, and is extra excited this year because she will be bringing her non-showbiz boyfriend Rambo Nuñez to meet her mom.

“Mom ko alam naman ng tao nasa Canada na so doon kami sa holidays and kasama si Rambo kasi special request niya. So ipapaalam ko pa si Rambo sa family niya.”

Maja and Rambo first went public as an item in February this year, but the two apparently got together almost a decade ago before rekindling a now more mature romance.

What hasn’t changed though is the support of Rambo’s family for their reunion.

She happily shared, “After nine years, nag quadruple pa ‘yung love na binibigay nila, especially ‘yung mga kapatid niya, lalo na si Tita Marilen.

Since very supportive sila,

talagang ipaparamdam nila na parte ako ng pamilya nila.

Ang maganda roon, ganun din ang kapatid ko at mom ko kay Rambo.”

Maja is pretty certain that Rambo is her real deal but clarified that the rumors of her settling down next year is not true.

“Wala pa. Sabi ko nga sa ibang interviews ko, ito ang first time na sobrang open ako sa relationship ko with the public. Sa Instagram, very open ako and hindi ko po ipagkakait ‘yung moment na ‘yun at yung happiness ko ngayon. Kung mangyari man ‘yun, kung mapag-desisyunan man namin ni Rambo na i-take na namin ito to the next level, malalaman niyo po.”

She also said her posts with Rambo in South America recently were not prenuptial photos, but were done solely for the ‘gram.

“Si Rambo lahat nag-arrange nung trip; hindi ko na kailangan ng travel agent.

Nakita niyo naman Best In Pictorial ako di’ba? Anim ang dala ko na outfits pero three days lang kami. Nagmukang six days. Pag pumunta kami ng restaurant change outfit ako. For Instagram talaga.”

Morisette Amon with Ben Adams

about the team-up. “All the more when he first shared the song to us, it got me more excited because of the danceable vibe and fun feel the song had.”

(Continued from last week …)

Fortunately, the dollar’s value is holding up pretty nicely, this time around but don’t go crazy spending like a drunken sailor. If you are still in the work force, you know deep down in your bone marrow that each dollar is hard earned.

Tame that ego that wants to flaunt your dollar-earning status.

It can trigger jealousy and envy from others. Come down from your high horse when buying stuff but go big-hearted when giving tips and gifts to others in your immediate and far-flung orbit especially strangers down on their luck.

If you have a good-paying job or a thriving business during this to finish, this event showcases booming American economy in women to the front. And I am the Age of Trump, realize you are so happy and humbled to be one of the blessed ones. Gratiperforming for Burlesque Las tude translates to generosity and FilipinX that is going to be giv- benevolence. After all, each of us ing back to the arts and creatis God’s conduit or tool to spread ing a culture of love, tolerance, His graces. respect, and coexistence”.

Depending on your persuasion, Representing the East God or the devil, is in the details. coast, flying in from New York You map out the daily schedule City is Lady Mabuhay. “Befrom Day One to the end date ing part of Las FilipinX allows and get all the advance informame to choose how I display tion you need. my identities. I can flaunt my Why? Because unlike in the US Filipina-ness or leave it in the where information is like water background. I can show my available on tap, the flow of inforsoft, slow side or switch to my mation in the Philippines, unless aggressive, electrical side. I can you are wired with a laptop and exhibit my sexuality or let my always in a place with wi-fi access, funny bone take over. I can mix may be spotty. Information may and match if I feel like it. It’s be inaccessible. Paying an extra important to have an all-Filip$20 hotel rate per day for wifi acinX cast because, let’s face it: cess in your room is a stinker. A We’re underrepresented; as a better way is to get a cellphone result, it’s easy to be misrepwith local access and be good at resented. An all-FilipinX cast texting. Filipinos are champion allows each of us performers texters and they will leave you in to represent ourselves the way the dust, if you aren’t. Even the we want to be represented magtataho and tricycle driver – individually and collectively” owns a cellphone. says Lady Mabuhay.

Why go to the Philippines when Hosting is Chicago native, there are a lot of choices out there now LA transplant, Performer at far less cost? Ask any emigre.

JP Moraga, as a fundraising A trip to the native country is in benefit to FilAm Arts. Tickets a class by itself when it comes to are limited at $40 a ticket with travel choices. a two drink minimum at GeFor many first generation exnever in Historic Filipinotown patriates, the Philippines holds a and only on sale on Eventbrite. special place in one’s heart. It’s Ride sharing encouraged and a place you’ve seen before but burlesque protocol on site is would like to look at again with required. Tickets to the public fresh eyes — notwithstanding are extremely limited to only 40 the negatives— the seemingly tickets. November 17, Sunday, endless spate of negative news, 8-11 p.m. For more info email disconcerting tales of horrific trafinfo@filamarts.org fic congestion, the heat, the pollution, extremes in poverty and wealth and the vicious inanity of politics.

Okay then, it’s not perfect but no place in the world is. Nonetheless, it’s still a special place.

Period. No ifs and buts about it.

FilAm Arts’ Burlesque Las FilipinX celebrates Filipina empowerment

CLOSING out 2019, FilAm Arts’ Burlesque Las FilipinX returns to Genever Lounge in Historic Filipinotown to present a celebration of Filipina Empowerment and the Art of Burlesque on November 17, 2019, Sunday from 8-11 p.m. The event boasts of three FilipinX American Burlesque Artists that are already widely performing in the scene of burlesque and for the first time are performing together for the Filipino American Los Angeles community. All our dancers are coming in from out of town, just to showcase their talent.

Giselle Tongi-Walters, Current Director of Programs for FilAm Arts, who conceptualized bringing together Burlesque dancers of FilipinX origins shares the empowering feeling of bringing together talent from the Burlesque scene to the community at large. “By curating spaces for people to gather to celebrate all kind of talent, including burlesque is essential to misspell the idea of the Maria Clara sense of colonialism. Reclaiming our sexuality as a FilipinX is complicated particularly when it comes with the baggage of the cultural stigma of sex and sexuality, as this is a topic never discussed. As progressive and open minded Photo from Instagram/@benadamsuk FilAm’s, we need to pay tribute “This Is Christmas,” is an up- and celebrate the womanhood of the FilipinX in all shapes, beat tune about “enjoying the sizes and shades of brownness. holiday season with your loved Also, the discovering of the ones, looking forward to coming home and making the most exotic world of burlesque as a legitimate art form should be of the Christmas season.”

A1’s Ben Adams picks...

From Page 3 her. I thought of her for ‘Bolt of Talent’ because she exemplifies the best of the Philippines,” Pineda shared.

“Well for starters, she has an amazing voice,” said Ben Adams. “I was blown away by her performances. So we started talking, and I sent her the song online. We facetimed to work out who wanted to sing what.”

Being no stranger to epic collaborations, the “Asia’s Phoenix” has brought the holiday spirit to heights with her soaring vocals and charismatic interpretation, giving Adams’ self-penned earworm the effortless joy it needs.

“When Ben Adams of a1 first reached out to us about possibly working on a Christmas track together, we were just thrilled and thought It would really be an honor to be working with him,” shared Morissette

Monette AdevA MAgLAyA

experienced without shame!

Love the FilipinX and celebrate our bodies!”

Curated by Di’ Lovely, who headlines the event, she shares,” It was already a huge milestone to have an all-FilipinX cast, which is rare within our burlesque community as we are few and far in between. In its third installment, I’ve pulled my sisters from Chicago and New York to join, each embodying different backgrounds and style of performance. Burlesque is a continuous journey for one to embrace and explore their sensuality, body confidence, and find strength in vulnerability, especially when pushing passed traditional Philippine ideals. I see this as an opportunity to dismantle harsh expectations of the Filipina woman, in hopes to inspire others to push the envelope in their own way.”

Joining Di’ Lovely all the way from the Windy City is Ms. B. La Rose who shares, “As a growing performer, I am excited to join a talented cast of powerful and uplifting artists working together to support FilAm Arts. As an artist, it’s my opportunity to welcome guests and audiences alike into the world of burlesque where they transcend from the everyday and see that women are strong, confident, and capable. It is with this art form, we break those away from stereotypes of women being submissive and complacent. It is with this art form we continue to give Filipina women a voice. From start

Getting the most out of a Philippine visit Part 2 of 2

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” —St. Augustine Warts and all, there are a million and one reasons a Philippine trip is all worth it — particularly during Christmas.

With few exceptions, there can be no happier group of people come Christmastime than Filipinos. Of course, I’m biased. Anyone else can claim the same.

Nonetheless, it’s a perplexing phenomenon that the world has taken notice of with somewhat of a jaundiced eye.

Christmas begins in September and ends with a bang in January of the New Year, the longest season of merrymaking anywhere in the world. It is as commercial and profit-driven as anywhere else, with cavernous shopping malls and a slew of holiday activities that can give other international shopping malls a run for their money.

Dining out in restaurants can have you wearing clothes 2 sizes bigger in no time at all, if you don’t watch it. There’s just something about the Philippines during Christmas. Despite crass commercialism, Christmas joy among the multitudes seems genuine.

The churches still get filled to the rafters with the faithful, unlike some churches in Europe that are more like empty, tomblike museums than churches with just a handful in attendance. In a largely cynical, jaded world as we have today, JOY as pure, unfettered, unfeigned and childlike as all that, cutting across all social strata in a poor country, is a phenomenon as rare as the appearance of Halley’s comet.

Why do we come home? Part of the reason is the people — a complex combination of goodness and wickedness, of intelligence and ineptitude and of humility and pride. In the world stage, the Filipino has become the unofficial poster child of what an imported model worker is — and for good reason.

Our best export is our overseas foreign workers, whose remittances, put together, from everywhere in the world, have been propping the Philippine economy, for decades now, IN A HUGE WAY. There are large numbers of OFWs that come home for Christmas just to be with their loved ones. The Filipino is an amazing worker. Whether we like it or not, the work we do has become our sense of worth. To be sure, we have our fair share of scumbags and scalawags whose shenani-

gans make us cringe and cower in collective shame.

We DO have a disproportionate share of character flaws we laugh off self-deprecatingly with jokes we use in spades as we poke fun at ourselves. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Maybe it’s time we did, so the world will sit up, take notice and render to us the respect that we deserve.

All told and for the most part, we are a God-loving and Godfearing mass of people — close to 100 million plus strong with about 3 million Fil-Ams and several millions more scattered about the globe— who, in droves, contribute to the general good of humanity in an increasing number of places in the world in myriad capacities.

Edith Wharton was right when she said of travel, “ … you find out how many good, kind people there are.” This is true of this Philippine trip. With fresh eyes, you find out that our native land is worth coming home to again and again.

More importantly perhaps, a trip such as this forms part of a lifelong journey of self- discovery.

This trip and others I have taken over the years in different other places, reveals to me those secret places about myself that I would not otherwise have known.

I have brought back with me thousands of digital images as a future, foreseeable crutch to my memory, to help me remember over time. I have brought back spare change and worthless trinkets and a string of pearls from the Philippine deep, some burnay pottery and some Ilocano woven cotton blankets from Vigan.

But the intangibles I’ve taken home with me are the best by far — shared experiences of grief, tears and laughter, rekindled friendships, a heartfelt appreciation of people I have met and will probably never meet again, a sense of genuine gratitude for life on both sides of the globe and above all, a deeper, newer and fresh understanding of our tiny, yet brilliant and beautiful place in the universe.

So go ahead, head home this Christmas, kabayan — for a visit or maybe, for keeps. You’ll be glad you did. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Client compares Chapter 13 to various alternatives for $60K credit cards

THE client is 50 and married. He owes $60,000 of credit cards. He pays $2,000 a month as minimum credit card payments to keep the $60,000 current.

His wife is not jointly liable on these cards. She owes about only $2,000 of credit cards by herself.

They own a house that is currently worth $500,000 with a mortgage of $300,000. So their equity in the house is at least $200,000.

Since the client is not yet 65, his exemption for the house is $100,000. This means that there is $100,000 of nonexempt equity. Under the liquidation analysis when compared to Chapter 7, the client will have to pay the entire $60,000 of credit cards in Chapter 13 over five years in 60 equal payments, no interest. All payments made pursuant to the Chapter 13 plan pay down the principal balance because there is no interest applicable.

The Chapter 13 plan payment is about $1,000 a month for 60 months that pays of the entire $60,000 of credit cards in five years. If the client makes all the 60 payments pursuant to the confirmed plan, the court will enter a discharge order at the end of the 60th payment. The discharge order will state that the client owes zero or nothing on the credit cards at the end of the 5th year.

Can creditors still sue the client for unpaid interest, absolutely not!

Legally, the client owes nothing anymore on these cards.

Further, while the client is on the plan, creditors cannot sue, call or otherwise contact the client to collect on the cards. The client has peace of mind. He doesn’t have to worry about being sued.

They cannot garnish his wages or levy his bank accounts. The bankruptcy court protects the client’s residence from any creditor liens attaching to it. So in Chapter 13, the bankruptcy automatic stay protects the client including all his assets and house. This is the court order from the bankruptcy court ordering creditors to cease and desist from any and all collection efforts against the client and his assets. Pretty cool.

The client pays his plan payments to the Chapter 13 trustee, an officer of the court whose re-

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng sponsibility it is to make sure that all plan payments are distributed to the creditors who have filed their proofs of claim. The trustee guarantees that all payments are distributed to the right creditors.

In other words, the trustee cannot run away with your money. This is another reason why the client will have peace of mind in Chapter 13.

He pays the trustee who is under the supervision of the bankruptcy court.

What other alternatives were available to the client before he decided to seek Chapter 13 relief for his $60,000 of credit cards?

One option he had was getting a $60,000 loan with very high interest to pay off all of his credit cards. There were many offers from lenders for these alternatives. Payday lenders have branched out into this type of high-interest medium-term loans to avoid regulation. The offers are $60,000 at 50% to 100% interest.

Does it make sense to get this kind of high- interest loan? No, it doesn’t. The client might end up losing his house if he got this loan.

He will live a life of pain. He would have to repay a principal loan of $60,000 with $90,000 to $120,000 in three to five years. Compare it with zero or no interest in Chapter 13.

Another option that he had was consolidation. He actually was on consolidation paying $1,800 a month for 60 months for six months to a “consolidator.” A “consolidator” is not an officer of the court. He is a businessman and consolidation is his business. What if he decides to close his business?

Well, that’s the risk you take. One problem that arose was that two creditors did not agree to toe the line and proceeded to sue him for $30,000. Compare this to Chapter 13 where the court protects the client from all lawsuits and collection efforts. All collection efforts

including lawsuits stop the minute client’s Chapter 13 is filed.

He also had the so-called “settlement” option. He can negotiate directly with the creditors, or use a third party to “settle” the debt at less than what is owed.

The client actually did get several offers from various creditors to knock off a portion of the debt owed with a lump sum payment.

For example, creditor A will agree to accept 70% of what is owed of $10,000 as a settlement. So for $7,000 payment, the creditor will consider the matter closed. Good luck raising the $7,000. Maybe you can do Uber at night and not sleep at all. After three months you might have $7,000. The problem is they want the $7,000 upfront, not in three months. And, the other creditors do not agree to settle, they prefer to sue you right now to get their money.

It’s really not surprising that the client chose Chapter 13 relief for protection of his house from levies, from lawsuits, from wage garnishment, from bank levies and just putting a stop to all those harassing phone calls for collection.

Peace of mind, no interest & total legal protection from the bankruptcy court. Trustee guarantees that your payments are distributed to the right parties.

Of course, if the client were 65, he would only need to pay $400 a month for 60 months. At the end of the plan, $35,000 is discharged or wiped out. He doesn’t have to pay the entire $60,000, but he just needs to pay only $25,000 of the $60,000 cards because, under the liquidation analysis, only $25,000 is not exempt.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 SouthLower Level Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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community 5 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BuLAon FACING serious debt problems can be depressing to a lot of people. It may seem like the end of the world. You may feel angry, depressed, guilty- or a combination of all three. You may even be blaming yourself for making the decisions that led you to your present situation.

I’m here to tell you, however, that like most things in life, whatever you’re going through is most likely only temporary and will soon pass. How can I possibly say this?

Well, did you know that millions of honest, hard-working people just like yourself are having problems paying their debts? As a matter of fact, more than 1 million file bankruptcy in the United States every year as a result of being in debt. Do you think these people file bankruptcy simply because they don’t want to take personal responsibility for their debts? Not at all.

The truth is that most people who file bankruptcy do so as a result of circumstances beyond their control. Study after study has shown that some of the most common reasons why people file for bankruptcy -unemployment, sickness, disability, death in the family- are events which are beyond our control. It is not always your fault. `Thus, if you find yourself totally unprepared for the financial challenges that life brings your way, take comfort in the fact that the law provides a solution for you to get relief. At one time or another, we all face those moments. Life is very unpredictable and you never know what lies ahead. If we all had a crystal ball, our lives would be perfect and we’ll always be prepared for everything that might happen.

But that’s not how life works.

So if you’ve found yourself in a situation where bankruptcy is the only way out, don’t be too hard on yourself. More often than not, it’s not as bad as you think. Dwelling on the negative only makes things worse because it stops you from taking

Is your situation forcing you to file bankruptcy? positive action to change your situation for the better.

Like most people, you will survive bankruptcy, get on with your life and do just fine. Wallowing in self-pity and feeling sorry for yourself will not help your situation one bit. Instead,

be proud of the fact that you have made the decision to make things happen by taking matters into your own hands instead of waiting for things to magically change in your life. It’s really all up to you.

Continued on Page 7

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people & events The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

Waiver of joint petition to remove conditional permanent residency on less than 2-year-old marriage “When the alien spouse falls into this situation, it is still possible for them to obtain their permanent green card by filing a waiver.”

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THE Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) requires an alien obtaining a green card through a marriage less than two years old to come back at the end of that two years with the petitioning spouse and show that they are still married or, if the marriage was terminated, to show that the marriage was entered in good faith before the USCIS will issue them a permanent (unconditional) green card.

Any alien who obtains a green card through a spousal petition by virtue of a marriage entered less than twenty four months before the status is obtained will only receive a conditional green card under INA 216(d). To remove this condition, both spouses must file a form I-751 with the USCIS within 90 day period preceding the expiration of the conditional green card along with other supporting documents showing the marriage was entered in good faith.

However, sometimes alien spouses are not able to file this Joint Petition to remove the condition on their green card because the couple got divorced or are in the process of filing a divorce and is having difficulties getting the co-

operation of the US citizen spouse.

When the alien spouse falls into this situation, it is still possible for them to obtain their permanent green card by filing a waiver. The waiver must be based on one of the following reasons 1) Extreme hardship would result if such alien is removed 2) The qualifying marriage was entered in good faith by the alien spouse, but … has been terminated (divorce or annulled), and the alien was not at fault in failing to timely file the joint petition and attend the interview; or 3) The qualifying marriage was entered into in good faith by the alien spouse and during the marriage the alien spouse or child was battered by or was the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the US citizen parent or permanent resident spouse or parent and the alien was not at fault in failing to file the joint petition and attend the interview. INA 216(c)(4); 8 CFR 216.5 If you have a conditional green card and your are having difficulty obtaining cooperation from your US citizen spouse in signing a joint petition to remove this conditional green card, you should consult an attorney to assist you in planning

for and obtaining a waiver. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Ramon R. Casal Jr. February 19, 1931 - October 29, 2019 Visitation November 15, Friday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Rosary - 6:30 p.m.

Calvary Mortuary 4201 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90023 Funeral and graveyard service Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.

Calvary Mortuary 4201 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90023

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

CSUF Education Week celebrates teaching profession, college’s 15th anniversary Nov. 12-14 event offers activities for future and current teachers and community members

CAL State Fullerton’s College of Education is hosting “Education Week” Nov. 12-14, featuring programs and events for future teachers, current teachers, faculty and staff members, and the community that offer insights about the teaching profession.

“Education Week 2019,” which celebrates the 15th anniversary of the college, will feature a research symposium, speakers, future teacher expo, educator panel discussion and a donation drive to benefit local schools.

“It’s an opportunity for students and the community to learn more about the impact of earning a teaching credential or graduate degree in education, while spotlighting the achievements of our teacher candidates, graduate students and alumni,” said Lisa Kirtman, dean of the College of Education.

Most events are open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

The schedule of events include:

• Nov. 12-14 — School Donation Drive to support local schools, with donations accepted in the College of Education front office in College Park, Room 500 and at the Education Classroom Building, Room 379.

For a complete list of accepted donations, visit online.

• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 — “A Reflection of the Past 15 Years and Looking Forward to the Future” 15th Anniversary Celebration and Mixer, open only to campus members, Golleher Alumni House • 4:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12 — “Education for the Common Good” 9th annual Research Symposium, hosted by the Educational Leadership Department and Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership (C-REAL), Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion. Education master’s and doctoral students will present research on topics such as black male students’ exploration of a pathway towards de-

gree completion, classroom behavior management and college readiness. Robert Q. Berry III, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, will deliver the keynote address.

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 — Future Teacher Expo, in front of the Humanities-Social Sciences Building, hosted by the Center for Careers in Teaching, featuring information about teaching careers and programs to support future teachers.

• 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 — “Multilingual, Multicultural and Ideologically Responsive P-12 Educator Panel,” Pollak Library, Room 403. Educators will discuss how to embrace, support, promote and implement multilingualism in schools.

For more information, contact Dianna Lopez, assistant dean for student affairs for the College of Education, at dialopez@fullerton.edu or 657-278-4871. Visit the Education Week website for the complete list of events. n

Red Cross commemorates one year since Woolsey Fire Nonprofit thanks 700 volunteers and community partners who supported relief effort

UP to confer honorary degree upon Cristeta Comerford THE University of the Philippines is set to confer upon White House Executive Chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, on November 11, 10 a.m., at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.

The conferment will be led by Commission on Higher Education and UP Board of Regents Chairperson Prospero E. de Vera III, and UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, after which the honoree will deliver a lecture.

Comerford has been a chef at the White House since 1997. She was recruited by then Executive Chef Walter Stanley Scheib III to be his sous chef. In 2005, she was promoted to Executive Chef by former First Lady Laura Bush in an announcement that made big news, following a selection process that lasted six months with 450 aspiring candidates.

She is the first woman and the first chef of Asian descent to occupy the prestigious post.

Her appointment has made her a member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, an exclusive organization of 26 chefs of heads

press interviews, a guest in many talk shows, a keynote speaker at conferences, and a lecturer-presenter in workshops and panels across the U.S. She received the Gawad ng Pangulo Pamana ng Pilipino Award in 2014, one of the three Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. It is awarded to individuals who, “in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work White House Executive Chef Cristeta Pasia or profession”. Throughout her Photo courtesy of wikipedia career, she has been honored of state around the world. It pro- by various organizations for her motes culinary diplomacy, the achievements as a chef and a safeguarding of culinary tradi- Filipino-American.

Before migrating to the U.S. tions, and healthy, well-balanced with her family in 1983, Comergastronomy.

Comerford has served as con- ford was a BS Food Technology sultant and resource person to major in UP Diliman. In 2013, the US government agencies, such centennial year of the UP Alumni as the Department of Agricul- Association (UPAA), she received ture, Department of State, and the UPAA Presidential Award. In the Federal Bureau of Investiga- September of this year, she was tion. Her position, as well as her named by UPAA in America as advocacy for healthy eating, has one of the University’s distinled her to become the subject of guished alumni. n

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

ON Friday, November 8, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region gathered volunteers, staff, community partners and donors to thank them for their work during the Woolsey Fire.

The fire, which tore through Los Angeles and Ventura counties in November 2019, burned 96,000 acres and affected more than 1,800 homes, prompting the Red Cross in Los Angeles to open four shelters for more than 3,000 residents.

“During their darkest days, when thousands of Californians didn’t have so much as a home or bed to call their own, the Red Cross was there for them,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the Red Cross Los Angeles Region.

“While the heartbreak was undeniable, what struck me most was the amazing resilience of this community – how people came together to support the men, women and children whose lives were devastated by this tragedy.”

The commemoration featured volunteers, community partners and board members that spoke about how the Woolsey Fire personally affected them. Peter Laugharn, CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, spoke about the difficult situation he found himself in informing his staff about evacuating to then returning to the Agoura Hills campus and opening it as a resource center in partnership with FEMA. Red Cross disaster casework volunteer Nancy Hall recalled being out to dinner with her husband celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary when news of the Woolsey fire reached them and stepping into the shelter to help residents find the best resources.

Bill Walrath, an executive at Farmers Insurance and Red Cross board member, first evacuated the area with this family traveling all the way to Anaheim before signing back up to help with the month-long disaster response.

The stories reflect only a few of the more than 700 Red Cross volunteers who worked tirelessly to help neighbors devastated by the Woolsey Fire one year ago.

“While the recovery process is still far from over, I could not be more proud of all the our incredible disaster workers and the aid they were able to offer to those affected during this incredibly difficult time,” said Marium F. Mohiuddin, the Red Cross LA Communications Director. “Our selfless volunteers, who worked around the clock to ensure every last person was provided for, truly embody the spirit of this organization, and proved yet again why the Red Cross is a symbol for hope around the world.”

During the 2018 Woolsey fire response, the Red Cross and its partners: • Provided more than 3,000 overnight shelter stays • Served more than 20,000 meals and snacks • Distributed more than

15,000 relief items • Made more than 4,000 individual care contacts made In 2019, California is once again in the thick of wildfire season and already has faced back-to-back wildfires including the Saddleridge, Tick and Getty fires in Los Angeles, threatening homes and forcing thousands to evacuate. Red Cross disaster workers have sprang into action helping to provide food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance to those affected. The Red Cross wants to remind all Angelenos that though the weather may be getting cooler, it’s important to get a kit, make a plan and be informed.

Wildfire safety A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all evacuation orders from officials: • Back your car into the garage or park it outside, facing the direction of your evacuation route.

• Confine pets to one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.

• Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.

• Don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fire places and gas stoves.

• If you’re trapped outdoors, crouch in a pond, river or pool.

• Don’t put wet clothing or bandanas over your mouth or nose, as moist air can cause more damage to your airway than dry air at the same temperature.

• If there is no body of water, look for shelter in a cleared area or among a bed of rocks.

Lie flat, face down, and cover your body with soil. Breathe the air close to the ground to avoid scorching your lungs or inhaling smoke.

• Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.

• Inspect the roof immediately, and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.

• Check your home for embers that could cause fires.

Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.

• Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires.

Keep your animals under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.

• Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.

• Wear leather gloves and shoes with heavy soles.

• Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

Download Red Cross App Red Cross Emergency App provides real-time alerts, open shelters and expert advice on wildfires. The Emergency App also includes an “I’m Safe” fea-

Here’s the quickest way...

From Page 5 Bankruptcy is not for everyone. But if appropriate for your situation, why not make the legal process work for you so that you can get on with your life and create the freedom that you’ve been wanting for yourself and your family? Put your money worries behind you forever and start with a clean slate. It’s never too late but you need to start somewhere.

Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is

right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1866-477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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ture that help people check on loved ones. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.

Visit redcross.org/wildfire for full wildfire safety information. n

people & events 7 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019

U.S. EPA celebrates WIFIA Project with groundbreaking at Orange County Water District FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.

– On Friday, November 8, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion in Orange County, California. This project is funded in part by a $135 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan.

“Not only will OCWD’s Ground Water Replenishment System provide Orange County residents and businesses with an additional local drinking water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Good water quality and wastewater management is vital to our health, communities, and economy. Through the WIFIA loan program, EPA is helping renew our nation’s aging water infrastructure.”

“OCWD greatly appreciates the WIFIA funding that will support public water infrastructure in Orange County,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento.

“The GWRS Final Expansion will produce enough water for 1 mil-

lion people, while also recycling 100% of the reclaimable wastewater from the Sanitation District.

It’s truly a win-win and we will continue to implement projects and programs that bring increased water reliability to the region.”

Today, the OCWD hosted an event in Fountain Valley, California, to break ground on the GWRS Final Expansion project.

Speakers included officials from OCWD, Orange County Sanitation District, State Water Resources Control Board and EPA, as well as elected officials. In August 2018, EPA announced the closing of this WIFIA loan.

Upon completion, the expanded system will purify treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District to produce an additional 30 million gallons per day of drinking water, which will be stored in the Orange County Groundwater Basin. This additional drought-proof drinking water supply reduces the region’s need to import water, benefits the environment through reduced discharges into the ocean, and increases replenishment of the local groundwater source.

The Orange County Water District estimates the project will cost

$310 million. Because the WIFIA program offers loans with low interest rates, the Orange County Water District is expected to save up to $16 million compared to municipal bonds. Project construction is expected to create 700 jobs and is scheduled to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2023.

Background on WIFIA Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing longterm and low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects.

EPA has issued 14 WIFIA loans totaling over $3.5 billion in credit assistance to help finance over $8 billion for water infrastructure projects and create over 15,000 jobs. Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a leading role in President Trump’s efforts to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure, protect public health, and create jobs.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit https:// www.epa.gov/wifia. n

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 13, 2019