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NO VEM BER 16-22, 2018 Volume 12 - No. 4 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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US officially announces the return of Balangiga bells

by AJPRESS AS a move to establish closer ties with the Philippines, United States Defense Secretary James Mattis on Thursday, November 15, decided to return the Balangiga bells that were taken as war booty over a century ago.

“In returning the Bells of Balangiga to our ally and our friend the Philippines, we pick up our generation’s responsibility to deepen the respect between our people,” Mattis said on Wednesday, November 14 as reported by The Philippine PH Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez was joined by Defense Secretary James Star.

Mattis in a Veterans Remembrance ceremony held on Wednesday, November 14 at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

Photo courtesy of DFA

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Elections 2018 Update on Fil-Ams in Calif. local races

WITH the elections more than a week behind us, some statewide and local races in California continue to be too close to call.

While the battle for majority of the top positions in the California state government have all been decided, the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction is still a toss-up between Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck.

According to the California Secretary of State (SOS) website, Thurmond leads Tuck 50.5 percent to 49.5 percent, as of Tuesday, November 13. The difference between the two candidates is currently 76,408 votes.

The position of Superintendent of Public Instruction, along with the U.S. Representative for District 39, U.S. Representative for District 45, State Assemblymember for District 16, State Assemblymember for District 38, and State Assemblymember for District 60, are currently deemed as close contents by the office of the California Secretary of

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Trump administration faces another legal setback on DACA termination A PANEL of federal judges in California on Thursday, Nov. 9 halted the Trump administration’s termination of an Obama-era program that granted benefits to certain eligible undocumented youth including protection from deportation.

The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is to stay in effect; last year, the Trump administration announced its plans to terminate the program after claiming former President Barack Obama’s executive order putting DACA into effect violated the constitution.

“We conclude the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the rescission of DACA — at least as justified on this record — is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not in accordance to law,” Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote in her opinion.

On Sept. 5, 2017 the Trump administration announced its plan to end the Obama-era program, opening up the possibility of the longawaited passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship to

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ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the opening ceremony of the 21st ASEAN-Japan Summit at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore on Wednesday, November 14.

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Duterte: ‘It ain’t here until it’s here’ Ambassador Kim cites unbreakable US-PH bond

by AJPRESS

REPORTS about the U.S. returning the Balangiga bells to the Philippines were welcomed by the Malacañang on Wednesday, November 13.

But officials have yet to comment until the actual arrival of the bells that were seized by American troops during the Philippine-American war in 1901.

In a report by The Philippine Star, it was said that the bells — which were taken from local churches by American forces as war trophies following the massacre in Balangiga — would be formally turned over to the Philippines in a ceremony on November 15 at the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

According to historian Rolando Borrinaga of the committee on historical research of

National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the event would mark the beginning of the journey of two bells to the Philippines.

The third Balangiga bell, which was located at a U.S. Army museum in South Korea, has been crated and is ready to be shipped back to the country.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said they welcome any movement towards the return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines.

“Given that possession of the bells has not yet been turned over to the Philippine government, we are withholding any further comment on the matter until the last bell has been properly delivered to the country. In the words of the president himself: ‘It ain’t here until it’s here,’” he said.

Duterte himself expressed his desire for the return of the bells during his second State of

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by MATTHEW

REYSIO-CRUZ Inquirer.net

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Sunday, November 11, saluted the two nations’ enduring military alliance, “from the crags of Corregidor to the streets of Marawi,” as he led the twin commemorations of Veterans’ Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. “The Philippines is our oldest treaty ally in Asia and our strong bond remains unbreakable,” Kim said at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in

Taguig City to an audience that included Filipino and American veterans, military officials and former president Fidel V. Ramos.

Kim’s remarks were the latest in a tenure full of public expressions of confidence in the durability of U.S.-Philippine ties, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s sidling up to China and Russia and his brash rejection in August of a U.S. offer to sell “useless” F-16 jet fighters to the country.

Time to remember

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APEC leaders meet amid trade tensions, economic uncertainties

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte and 20 other leaders and representatives of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies will meet in Papua New Guinea this weekend as the region is facing challenges posed by a high inflation, trade tensions and market uncertainties.

Duterte, who attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, is expected to express support for multilateral trade and micro, small, and medium enterprises, a sec-

tor that accounts for the bulk of the employment in the Philippines.

The APEC Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18 will also be an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance trade in the region, which is experiencing a trade slowdown that has been attributed to a trade spat between the United States and China.

Duterte’s spokesman Salvador Panelo expressed hope that the Philippines’ trade ties with fellow APEC economies would be strengthened despite the security threats they are facing.

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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim

Customs eases rules on balikbayan boxes THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has eased the guidelines for qualified Filipinos availing themselves of the duty- and tax-free privilege of consolidated balikbayan boxes.

Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18-2018, issued on Oct. 11, 2018, reduced the documentary requirements needed to obtain the duty- and taxfree privilege for balikbayan boxes. It supersedes CMO 04-2017.

Under the new directive, the submission of a

copy of one’s Philippine passport as proof of Filipino citizenship will no longer be mandatory and other IDs will be accepted, including: permanent resident ID or equivalent document in other countries; Overseas Employment Certificate/OWWA Card; work permit; Unified Government ID issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), or any other equivalent document except the birth Liza Macaranas, parcel section chief at the Manila Post Office, starts organizing certificate.

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stacks of boxes sent in by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from all around the world.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Inquirer.net photo

‘Philippines not interested in war’

by EDITH

REGALADO Philstar.com

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has virtually put on notice the United States, China, Australia and other counttries not to use any territory in the Philippines in case war breaks out in the South China Sea. “The Philippines is not ready for a war. We cannot afford it and we cannot manage it,” Duterte told the crowd at the 1st Subaraw Biodiversity Festival in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The president particularly cited Palawan because of its strategic location in the South China Sea.

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november 16-22, 2018 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

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From the Front Page

APEC leaders meet amid trade...

The bells will be refurbished first before they are repatriated. Details of their arrival in the Philippines have yet to be announced.

US officially announces the...

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Mattis announced the repatriation of the three Balangiga bells in a ceremony at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. The said ceremony was attended by the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Romualdez said that President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned the proposal to return the Balangiga bells during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Clark, Pampanga last year. Since then, the leader became adamant in getting back the bells that once belonged to the Philippines.

“That one was the beginning of the real strong process into getting things done and Secretary Mattis did promise that he will do everything he can to get those bells back,” Romualdez said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed their positive regard with the decision of the U.S. Department of Defense. They

showed their gratitude to Mattis and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who both coordinated to make the return of the church bells possible.

“The Philippine Government and the Filipino people appreciate this gesture. Today is a time of solemn remembrance as we pay tribute to all those who gave up their lives during the FilipinoAmerican War. We also honor the shared sacrifice of Filipinos and Americans who fought shoulder to shoulder during the Second World War,” the DFA said in a statement on Thursday, November 15.

Aside from the two, they also called to recognize the efforts of people who helped in the said move. Among those are Hank Hendrickson, Dennis Wright, Henry Howard, Dan McKinnon and others from the U.S.-Philippines Society.

In line with the ceremony, offi-

PAGE A1 the Nation Address last year, Panelo noted. In his SONA, Duterte mentioned that the bells form part of Philippine patrimony and were

taken at the cost of bloodshed of thousands of Filipinos.

A U.S. Air Force plane would bring the three bells to Villamor Air Base, Philippine Ambassador

cials did not forget to commemorate those Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War II. “Today is a time of solemn remembrance as we pay tribute to all those who gave up their lives during the Filipino-American War,” the DFA statement read.

More than a century ago, the U.S. Army soldiers took the Balangiga bells after an attack killed 48 American troops in 1901. Two of the Bells of Balangiga are at the U. S. base while one can be found in the U.S. Army in South Korea.

The U.S. forces claimed ownership of the bells because they used it as a trophy to remember the American war dead, thus, some veterans and officials in the U.S. disagree with the return of the bells. However, the Filipinos PAGE A1 revered the bells as symbols of “The island (of Palawan) is very national pride as per President critical and I think as a matter of Duterte persistence to have them foreign policy, I will not allow any returned. n country to stockpile any kind of weapon here,” he said.

Duterte said there is great risk that Palawan might get hit in a crossfire between feuding forces to Washington Jose Manuel Ro- in the South China Sea. mualdez told CNN Philippines.

“All of those (missiles and bulHowever, no specific date has lets) that may have misfired, they been set for the arrival of the will hit Palawan. That’s the truth,” bells. n he stressed.

Duterte noted the Philippines won over China in the international arbitration court in 2016 over Gen. Robert] Brown and [Armed exclusive economic rights in some Forces of the Philippines Chief islands in the region.

China claims almost all of South of Staff Gen. Carlito] Galvez,” he China Sea including the islands said.

Kim also hailed Ramos as one and reefs in the maritime region. of his favorite examples of those The UN-backed tribunal had ruled who “placed their countries and there was no legal foundation for loved ones above themselves.” n China’s ambitions to control South China Sea.

Duterte: ‘It ain’t here until it’s...

Ambassador Kim cites unbreakable...

PAGE A1 Speaking to reporters, Kim said the day’s celebration was a fitting time to remember not only those who fought in World War I, which unofficially ended in an armistice on Nov. 11, 1918, but also the “strength of the partner-

ship between the United States and the Philippines.”

“We have shared sacrifices, and I’m convinced every day that our partnership grows stronger because of the dedication and commitment of generals like [U.S. Army Pacific Commander

PAGE A1 “We hope that trade relations really improve vastly with respect to other countries and specially the security concerns. The problems of this region are, one, terrorism; and then we have the piracy on the seas; and the radicalism that seems to seep in into other countries of this region,” Panelo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday, November 15.

Slower trade growth More than 5.7 million Filipinos live in the APEC region and account for 57 percent of remittances, which has been keeping the Philippine economy afloat.

The Philippines’ trade with APEC economies constitutes 84 percent of the its total trade worldwide, with 82 percent of the country’s merchandise exports destined for the APEC region. A huge bulk or about 85 percent of all imports in the Philippines come from its APEC partners.

Despite the momentum in global demand, merchandise trade growth in APEC has slowed down in terms of both value and volume, reflecting the combined impact of tradetensions and policy uncertainty, according to an APEC regional trend analysis released this week.

According to the report, merchandise trade growth in APEC lagged behind the rest of the world

in terms of value, with exports expanding 11.1 percent and imports 12.7 percent in the first half of 2018 compared to 14.8 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively, for the rest of the world.

“The relatively sluggish performance of APEC merchandise trade suggests that trade tensions and policy uncertainties during the first half of 2018 have started to take a toll in the region. An escalation of trade tensions could result in further weakening of trade performance, with important implications for incomes and jobs,” the report entitled “APEC Regional Trends Analysis: The Digital Productivity Paradox” read.

U.S. President Donald Trump, whose protectionist policies are worrying free trade advocates, is planning to impose billions of dollars worth of additional tariffs on Chinese goods as he accused China of cheating on trade rules.

China has retaliated by also unveiling billions worth of tariffs on American goods. Last month, Asia Pacific finance ministers who met in the Papua New Guinean capital of Port Moresby said risks to the global economy have increased because of “heightened trade and geopolitical tensions.”

The report cited the need for alternative sources of growth, claiming that trade is no longer the reliable driver of APEC economic growth it once was.

“The recent escalation in trade tensions, not only in terms of tariff impositions but also difficulties in trade cooperation, has made finding alternative sources of growth more urgent,” it added.

Global uncertainties While the rest of the world doubled its trade growth in the first compared to the same period in 2017, trade growth in the APEC region rose by less than half a percentage point during the same period.

The volume of merchandise exports and imports grew at 4.6 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively in the first six months of the year, slowing down from 5.7 percent and 7.9 percent during the same period last year.

While trade in APEC continued to expand in the first half in terms of both value and volume, the region’s performance contrasted markedly from the significant turnaround seen in the first half of 2017 and was significantly below the performance of the rest of the world, the report said.

The APEC region grew by 4.2 percent in the first half of 2018, faster than the 3.9 percent growth posted in the same period last year. But the rate of expansion of APEC as a whole has “moderated” as it inched up by only 0.1 percentage point in the first half of 2018 to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent in

“We have the arbitration.

Whether we like to believe it or not, but some of the Cabinet members were present and I told Chinese President Xi Jinping who’s scheduled to visit the country,” Duterte said.

Duterte lamented criticisms over his lukewarm approach in implementing the arbitration ruling.

“I really bluntly said the statement to the President (Xi): ‘You know, I have also plans, among others, that I will try to dig oil in our territory’,” he said.

Duterte said he was assured by China that the matter would be resolved peacefully.

“Well you know, Mr. President, we just renewed our good relations which were interrupted,” Duterte said, quoting the Chinese leader in referring to former president Benigno Aquino III. “So you are here, we will just have to solve it the peaceful way.

We will talk about it from time to time,” Duterte said in quoting the Chinese leader. Duterte said he was also being honest when he told the Chinese officials that the Philippines cannot afford to go to war over the arbitration ruling.

Duterte added China has been overtaken by Israeli firm, Ratio Petroleum in forging a deal for the exploration of oil in the area covering the East Palawan Basin or Area 4 of the fifth Philippine Energy Contracting Round.

“So now China has been overtaken. But I’m trying – I’m inviting the United States. And Israel… they had partnered with us for an exploratory activity,” Duterte said.

Duterte said no one could question the oil exploration agreement the Philippines has with Israel.

He said he will continue with the exploration activities in the disputed maritime area even with other countries. n

‘Philippines not interested...

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Dateline USa

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. Motorists pass under the Kamuning footbridge in Quezon City, which will be opened to pedestrians on November 27.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will modify the controversial P10-million footbridge. A photo of the footbridge, which goes over the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) railway, went viral on social media after netizens said it is not accessible to the elderly, pregnant women and persons with disability (PWDs).

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL •

NOvEmbER 16-22, 2018

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US ready to amp up navy amid China’s aggression in disputed waters MANILA — The United States Navy is prepared to build up its capabilities aside from increasing its patrols in the South China Sea, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said.

Speaking to reporters in Singapore, Bolton noted that Washington has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region, irking China which has installed military outposts on its artificial islands in the area.

“Countries of Southeast Asia don’t want to be dominated by any external actor and we support that,” Bolton was quoted saying in a report by American news channel CNBC on Tuesday, November 13.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s security advisor also warned Beijing that Washington would oppose any agreement among South China Sea claimants that would limit free passage to international

shipping.

Prior to the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, Bolton warned Southeast Asian leaders, particularly the Philippines, who are in talks of possible joint exploration in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea. Bolton also expressed concern over China’s hosting of joint military exercises with the 10-member regional bloc, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The said exercises might limit U.S. military engagement with Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, according to Bolton.

Bolton, however, welcomed the ASEAN and China’s negotiations on a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. “The outcome has to be mutually acceptable, and also has to be acceptable to all countries that

have legitimate maritime and naval rights to transit and other associate rights that we don’t want to see infringed,” Bolton said.

Speaking ahead of the opening of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the South China Sea code should be finished in three years.

“It is China’s hope that the (code of conduct) consultation will be finished in three years’ time so that it will contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Li said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, acting as coordinator for ASEANChina dialogue relations, said the concerned parties are committed to the “expeditious conclusion” of the COC. The ASEAN and China are looking forward to complete the first reading of the single draft of the COC negotiating text by 2019. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

PAGE A2 July to December 2017.

“This slower increase in growth could be attributed to elevated uncertainty in the global economy,” the report said.

Inflation has also picked up in the region, averaging 2.5 percent in September 2018 from 2.2 percent in September 2017, mainly because of higher energy prices.

“Growth is expected to be further weighed down by policy uncertainty, higher inflation,

exchange rate pressures, and episodes of financial market volatility. Against these downside risks is the upside potential for growth that could come from continued pick-up in global economic activity which should translate into sustained strength in domestic consumption,” the report said.

Denis Hew, director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, said there is much potential for growth in the Asia-Pacific region that could

come from continued pick-up in global economic activity.

“To ensure that growth is balanced, sustainable and inclusive, APEC needs to boost reliable sources of growth, such as the services sector, and encourage more private investment,” Hew said in a statement.

“We also have to harness future drivers of growth like the digital economy and green technology, as well as implement productivity enhancing reforms.” n

PH gets failing mark in ‘rule of law’ APEC leaders meet amid trade...

by Ben de

Vera Inquirer.net

WHILE the Philippines is not applying for any financial grant from Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), the U.S. aid agency has given the country a failing mark in “rule of law” on its latest scorecard.

MCC, however, gave the Philippines passing marks in “control of corruption,” “democratic rights” and more governance indicators.

On MCC’s fiscal year 2019 scorecard released on Nov. 5, the Philippines gained passing grades in 14 of the 20 indicators: fiscal policy, inflation, regulatory quality, trade policy, gender equality in the economy, and land rights and access under “economic freedom”; political rights, civil liberties, control of corruption, government effectiveness, and freedom of information under “ruling justly”; as

PAGE A1

well as natural resource protection, girls’ secondary education enrollment rate, and child health under the “investing in people” category.

Improvement over 2017 This year’s scorecard for the Philippines showed an improvement, as the country failed in control of corruption last year, and got passing marks in only 12 indicators.

But the country again garnered a failing grade this year in rule of law in the “ruling justly” category, which MCC said it based on the World Bank and Brookings Institution’s 2018 update of the Worldwide Governance Indicators data set mostly reflecting performance in 2017.

In the “economic freedom” category, the Philippines also failed in access to credit and business startup.

It also failed in health expenditures, primary education expenditures as well as immunization

Elections 2018

State, with margins between candidates less than 2 percent.

The California SOS site says county elections officials plan to complete their work by December 7, 2018.

One Filipino-American candidate in Northern California has found himself experiencing a change in fortune as county elections offices continue their work and count votes.

In San Mateo County, Rod Daus-Magbual has moved to the third position in the race for the three city council seats in Daly City after trailing in initial results on election night and in a subsequent updated vote count release. Daus-Magbual currently has 6,606 votes (22.3 percent) leading Gabriella Makstman (6,292 votes, 21.2 percent) by 314 votes, according to semi-official results posted in the San Mateo County elections website as of November 13.

Elsewhere, results continue unchanged for many Fil-Am candidates in local contests who found themselves inside the magic circle after initial election results.

Here’s a rundown of current results for those Fil-Am candidates as of November 13 from the different county elections websites: San Mateo County • Daly City Council (three seats open) – Ray Buenaventura (first), 9449 votes (31.9 percent); Rod Daus-Magbual (third), 6606 votes (22.3 percent) • Colma City Council (two seats open) – Joanne del Rosario (first), 125 votes (51 percent) • South San Francisco City Council (three seats open) – Mark Nagales (second), 4850 votes (18.4 percent); Flor Nicolas (third), 4817 votes (18.3 percent)

• Jefferson Elementary School District Member, Governing Board (three seats open) – Maybelle Manio (third), 6137 votes (26.5 percent) Santa Clara County • Los Gatos City Council (three seats open) – Marico Sayoc (second), 7818 votes (28.53 percent) • Berryessa Union School District (three seats open) – Thelma Boac (second), 9613 votes (23.53 percent) Alameda County • State Assemblymember, 18th District – Rob Bonta, 115306 votes (88.31 percent) • New Haven Unified School District Member, Governing Board (two seats open) – Linda Canlas (first), 10443 votes (38.18 percent) • Alameda City Council (two seats open) – Tony Daysog (second), 10697 votes (22.92 percent) • Emeryville City Council (two seats open) – Dianne Martinez (first), 2592 votes (49.19 percent) • Oakland City Council, District 2 (1 seat open) – Nikki Fortunato Bas (first), 8645 votes (52.62 percent) • Union City City Council (three seats open) – Pat Gacoscos (third), 4868 votes (13.46 percent) Solano County • Vallejo Unified School District (three seats open) – Tony Ubalde (third), 13611 votes (15.81 percent) Contra Costa County • El Cerrito City Council (two seats open) – Gabriel Quinto (second), 6714 votes (50.97 percent) Yolo County • Mayor, West Sacramento – Christopher Cabaldon (first), 5187 votes (52.8 percent). (Joseph Peralta/AJPress)

Trump administration faces...

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DACA recipients.

Many recipients of DACA — and undocumented youth in general — were brought to the United States as children, and with DACA, were given certain benefits that would have never been available to them before, including protection from deportation, work authorization, wider education opportunities and driver’s licenses. (Specific benefits vary from state to state.)

The Center for American Progress released a study last year that found that, through DACA’s work authorization piece, undocumented youth contributed positively to the overall American economy.

DACA recipients reported positive results like greater access to higher education and financial security, as well as social mobility.

The Trump administration’s decision to terminate DACA

sparked intense outrage among immigrant rights’ advocates, lawmakers and the families of DACA recipients, and that outrage reached federal court rulings. Like this week’s ruling, many federal judges across the country have halted the termination of DACA using the same exact language as this week’s ruling: “arbitrary” and “capricious.”

Though the appeals court ruling is a win for DACA advocates, the nationwide injunction is likely to face the Supreme Court, which now clearly leans Republican after the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh in October.

“The good news is, by rejecting DACA in the 9th Circuit — finally, we’ve been waiting for that — we get it to the Supreme Court,” Trump said at the White House on Friday. “We want to be in the Supreme Court on DACA.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

rates in the “investing in people” category.

In August last year, MCC identified the Philippines as one of the countries in the running for eligibility for funding this year.

The Philippine government, however, declined the proposed fresh grant from MCC. In December last year, MCC announced that the Philippines had withdrawn from the planned second grant to build better roads along the coast of Eastern Luzon.

First compact achievements

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Dateline PhiliPPines

El Nido cleanup set before 2019

by AJPress The Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR) on Tuesday, November 13, is set out to remove business establishments that violate environmental rules and guidelines in el Nido by the end of 2018.

DeNR for Region IV-B Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Regional executive Director henry Adornado said that such move is done to protect the area and to keep it from becoming Boracay.

“We are eyeing to clear errant PRIDE OF CEBU. Sen. Grace Poe accompanied by GMR Megawide Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison tours the world-class structure establishments off Bacuit Bay, and facilities of the Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). Poe says that the new terminal should serve as an example for future Public-Private Partnerships in the country.

Senate photo hopefully by the end of the year,” Adornado said as reported by Rappler.

In February, DeNR Mimaropa formed Task Force el Nido and issued 407 eviction notices to structures built on declared easement zones and forestlands.

“There were times demolition The NPC said there appears to pressure from lower-cost Chi- activities were put on hold due to The National Privacy Commission has issued an order on be a failure on the part of Cathay nese carriers and Middle east high tide or because dump trucks and heavy equipment units used Cathay Pacific Airways in rela- to report to the privacy commis- rivals.

It booked its first back-to-back to knock down structures were tion to a notification it submit- sion what it knew about the data ted last October 25 about a data breach at the time it confirmed annual loss in its seven-decade used for more urgent reasons, like breach that affected 102,209 unauthorized access, and what history in March, and has pre- the cleanup of typhoon debris,” viously pledged to cut 600 staff Adornado said. the affected data fields are.

Philippine data.

The regional executive director In an order dated October 29 including a quarter of its manCathay Pacific said last month it had suffered a major data leak but was released to journalists agement as part of its biggest also shared that 253 out of 289 establishments were found in vioaffecting up to 9.4 million pas- on Saturday, November 10, the overhaul in years.

“We take personal breaches lation of environmental laws in the NPC asked Cathay Pacific to: sengers.

• explain within ten days why seriously. Under the Data Priva- said tourist spot. Such violations The airline admitted data including passport numbers, Cathay should not be held liable cy Act non-disclosure of a breach involve the failure to secure disidentity card numbers, email for its apparent failure to timely is a serious offense, that is why charge permit, permit to operate addresses and credit card de- notify the commission about the we remind data controllers of and hazardous waste generator’s their obligation to properly nooccurrence of a data breach. tails were accessed.

• Submit within five days tify the NPC whenever breaches Roughly 35,700 passport numbers from the Philippines further information on the occur. We expect every one to were exposed due to the breach, measures taken to address the abide by this provision,” Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro while over 100 credit card num- breach.

by AJPress The leak comes as the trou- said. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philbers were compromised, the hong Kong flag carrier told the bled airline battles to stem star.com with reports from ChINeSe Premier Li Keqiang major losses as it comes under AFP) NPC. on Tuesday, November 13, said a rulebook to settle disputes in the hotly contested South China Sea should be finished in three PAGE A3 were candidates for Millennium the lowest per capita income; and years. he also insisted that his “The government of the Phil- Challenge compact eligibility in is not ineligible to receive United nation does not seek “hegemony ippines has decided not to move 2019.

States economic assistance un- or expansion.” forward with the development “A country will be a candidate der Part I of the Foreign AssisTalks about the code of conof a second MCC compact. MCC country in the low-income cat- tance Act of 1961, as amended duct have dragged on for years, is proud of the achievements of egory for fiscal year 2019 if it has (the Foreign Assistance Act), by with China accused of delaying our first compact with the Phil- a per capita income that is not reason of the application of the progress as it prefers to deal ippines, and both MCC and the greater than the World Bank’s Foreign Assistance Act or any with less powerful countries on a United States are proud of our lower middle-income country other provision of law,” MCC one-to-one basis. Li’s comments long-standing positive relation- threshold for such fiscal year said. appeared to be the first clear timeship,” the corporation said.

MCC also listed down five frame for finishing the book. ($3,895 gross national income In its Sept. 10 report, MCC per capita for fiscal year 2019); lower middle-income countries Ownership of islands and waincluded the Philippines among is among the 75 countries identi- as possibly eligible for a compact ters in the South China Sea is 65 low-income countries that fied by the World Bank as having next year. n disputed by the Philippines and several other nations.

The country’s “principled positions” on the dispute over the South China Sea will be “reiterated” by President Rodrigo Duterte during this week’s summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore, according to Malacañang on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Palace said, “The president will reiterate the Philippines’ principled positions C<>8C @DD@>I8K@FE `j X 9@> @JJL< k_\j\ [Xpj% D8EP `e fli Zfddle`kp E<<; on matters concerning the South pfli j\im`Z\j% K_\i\ Xi\ k_fljXe[j n_f dXp nXek kf \og\[`k\ k_\`i i\j`[\eZp fi China Sea and transnational and trans-boundary issues such as glijl\ ]lcc Z`k`q\ej_`g Ylk [feËk befn _fn kf Y\^`e Xe[ n_\i\ kf ^f% terrorism, violent extremism,

trafficking in persons, illicit drugs and disaster risk reduction and management.”

“The Philippines looks for8J@8E AFLIE8CËJ GIF=<JJ@FE8C J<IM@:<J ;@I<:KFIP# n`cc efn Y\ ward to exchanging views on ASeAN community-building as ilee`e^ n\\bcp# \m\ip =i`[Xp f] E\n Pfib& E\n A\ij\p <[`k`fe% well as discussions on regional

Data of 102,209 Filipinos hit

by Cathay Pacific data breach

The Palawan Inter-Agency Task Force met on Wednesday, November 14 to discuss plans to rehabilitate El Nido.

Philstar.com photo by Chino Ramirez

identification, and to designate a pollution control officer.

“They are also strictly monitored if they have corrected their violations and met the conditions set provided by the laws,” Adornado added.

Adornado said that erring establishment owners were facilitated by the regional environmental Management Bureau (eMB) through technical conferences facilitated to correct their disregard for DeNR protocol.

“While improvements as a result of clean-up drive can now be seen and felt in el Nido there is still much to be done in the town,” Adornado said.

“Yes, we are not near the finish line but what is important is that

we keep an eye even on possible violators to ensure the protection of the environment and conservation of the rich biodiversity of el Nido,” he added.

DeNR Mimaropa also created similar task forces in Coron and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. They are now following what is done in el Nido to further improve the environmental integrity of the said tourist spot.

“The task forces are likewise helping the local government unit and concerned agencies in the preparation of an identified sanitary landfill area in Coron; and in the construction of a sewerage collection system and central wastewater treatment facility in Puerto Galera,” Adornado said. n

Beijing: Finish sea code in 3 years

PH gets failing mark in ‘rule...

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and global developments that impact regional peace, security and stability,” it added.

Duterte in the past has talked about his preference to set aside the Philippines’ 2016 victory in an international arbitration court, which invalidated Beijing’s claims on the disputed waters, in the meantime in favor of boosting economic ties.

Slow progress China has established military positions on disputed outcrops and intimidates fishermen and naval vessels from rival countries, as reported by The Manila Times.

Tensions are ever-present with fellow claimants such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan, as well as the United States.

Li, speaking in Singapore ahead of the opening of an Asean summit, said that it is China’s hope that the code of conduct consultation will be finished in three years’ time in order to contribute to enduring peace and stability in the South China Sea. “We are not and we will not seek hegemony or expansion.

That is something that we will never do,” he said.

“What we hope is to have a harmonious relationship with our neighbors,” he added.

Warships and drills Small signs of progress can be seen in recent months.

In August, China and Southeast Asian nations announced that they had agreed on their initial bargaining positions as they work towards a code.

Both sides had hailed this as a vital step, however, critics pointed out that some of Beijing’s proposals in the agreement were clearly aimed at expanding its influence in the region at the expense of Washington.

First joint drills by navies from China and Southeast Asia were also staged last month in the South China Sea in an effort to ease tensions.

Many parts of Southeast Asia have weakened their opposition to to China’s aggressive behavior in the waters in recent years as they are keen to attract investment from Beijing. They are also worried about U.S. commitment to the region under President Donald Trump.

Washington and other western allies like Britain and Australia, for their part, have ramped up freedom of navigation exercises in recent months.

A stance that infuriates Beijing, however, is the sailing of warships through the strategic region. It is bid to enforce the idea that the sea is international waters and open to all.

According to National Security Advisor John Bolton, any code of conduct deal struck between China and Southeast Asian nations should not be allowed to restrict access to the sea.

“It also has to be acceptable to all the countries that have legitimate maritime and naval military rights to transit and other associated rights that we don’t want to see infringed,” he said. n

‘Imelda Marcos not exempt from arrest’

by AJPress FORMeR first lady Imelda Marcos, widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is not exempt from being arrested and jailed despite her advanced age, various lawmakers said on Tuesday, November 13.

According to them, the police should enforce any order from the court to take her into custody after she was sentenced by the Sandiganbayan to up to 77 years in prison for graft last week.

Senator Francis escudero, in a television interview, expressed his thoughts about the matter, saying he disliked the comments made by Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde who appeared ready to provide special treatment to the 89-year-old former first lady because of her age.

“I dislike the comment of Albayalde,” escudero said. “he has no business actually commenting on those things because as a member of the police force, he’s just supposed to just either implement the law or to obey the order of the court,” he added. escudero also said that if the court orders the arrest of Marcos, Albayalde’s opinion on her “age and other things are completely immaterial.”

“And I find it, to say the least, out of place to be commenting on such a thing when everything is in the hands of the court — whether she will be arrested or not and whether she will be allowed to be out on bail or not,” he concluded.

Marcos was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan on Friday,

November 9, in seven graft cases filed against her from 1991 to 1995 in connection with Swiss foundations she and her husband established and used to stash more than $200 million abroad while serving as a government official.

‘No legal anchorage’ By the time former president Marcos was toppled in the 1986 eDSA People Power Revolution, their secret deposits had deposits had ballooned to $680 million.

In a news conference, Opposition Rep. edcel Lagman said there was no law that exempted Marcos from serving her prison sentence.

According to Lagman, a human rights lawyer who fought the dictator, a convict aged 70 or older was “only entitled to a mitigating circumstance.”

Marcos’ advanced age was a “nonissue” in determining whether she should be arrested, he said, and added that not imposing the jail sentence because she was old “has no legal anchorage.”

“After a conviction, no one is exempted from incarceration whether one has held a high position in the government before or is an incumbent official of the government,” Lagman said. he reiterated the Supreme Court’s reminder to lower courts to observe “grave caution” in granting bail to convicted offenders, as well.

The Sandiganbayan said Marcos’ absence appeared to be “unjustified” when it handed down its verdict and ordered her arrest Under Rule 120 of the Rules of Court, a convict who fails to

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos

Inquirer.net photo

appear without justifiable cause would “lose the remedies available in these rules against the judgment and the court shall order his arrest,” as reported by the Inquirer.

A motion for leave of court was filed by Marcos’ lawyer, Manuel Lazaro, on Monday, November 12, to avail the defense of postconviction remedies, which could include staving off her arrest and justifying her absence from the promulgation. however, a pending motion would not prevent the release of the arrest warrant.

Victims of the dictatorship led

by Samahan ng ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) denounced the continued absence of an arrest warrant for Marcos.

The guilty verdict was welcomed by Selda chair Trinidad herrera-Repuno, but demanded Marcos’ immediate arrest. n

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

Dateline PhiliPPines

This file photo taken on June 21, 2018 shows 130 personnel of the Philippine Army during a sendoff ceremony at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Andrea De La Cruz

Military inclined to recommend ML extension

by Dempsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is inclined to recommend another extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, however, said Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., the AFP chief of staff, had yet to determine whether martial law would be extended.

Arevalo’s statement came after Galvez visited military commands in Eastern Mindanao and

Western Mindanao.

The visits form part of the AFP’s assessment for the recommendation of martial law in Mindanao.

“More likely, yes [we may recommend martial law extension]. But we are not yet saying if we will actually recommend it,” Arevalo told reporters in a phone-patch interview at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

It will be the people of Mindanao who can determine if there is still a need for martial law, he said.

There have been no docu-

mented complaints of military abuse under the existing martial law, Arevalo added.

“Our study for martial law extension is still ongoing, as well as the collating of data and inputs from local government officials, from the local citizens in Mindanao and, of course, the inputs of commanders on the ground,” he said.

The local government officials in Mindanao, the military spokesman said, had expressed their wish to extend martial law in Mindanao. n

• Housing, water and sanitation • Health and nutrition • Employment “These mean that six out of 10 families in 2016 and five out of 10 families in 2017 were deprived of basic education,” the PSA explained.

“That is, six out of 10 families had at least one family member aged 18 years old and above who did not complete basic education in 2016 and five out of 10 in 2017,” it added.

To note, the period covered by the PSA’s study did not capture latest efforts by the Duterte administration like the free tuition law, which the president signed

in 2017 but was fully implemented this year.

According to the PSA, the health and nutrition dimension came next to education in the index, followed by housing, water and sanitation dimension and employment dimension.

The state statistics agency’s report also found that in 2017, the proportion of “multidimensionally deprived” Filipinos — or those who lack at least four out of the 13 indicators identified across four dimensions — was estimated at 17.3 percent, down from the previous year’s 23.9 percent. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/ Philstar.com)

PSA: Pinoy families most deprived of education MANILA — Among basic necessities, it is education that Filipino families lack the most in the past two years, a new study by the Philippine Statistics Authority released on Wednesday, November 14 showed.

Based on the PSA’s multidimensional poverty index — which sought to identify which basic need Filipinos are most deprived of — education consistently had the highest incidence of deprivation in 2016 and 2017 at 59.3 percent and 49.4 percent, respectively.

The four dimensions that the PSA looked into were: • Education

Customs eases rules on balikbayan...

PAGE A1 Qualified Filipinos availing themselves of the duty- and taxfree privilege will no longer be required to submit the commercial invoices of the goods contained in the balikbayan box. Invoices are to be submitted only when these are available.

Aside from proof of citizenship, qualified Filipinos, through their freight forwarders or deconsolidators, are only required to submit three copies of the information sheet that serve as the packing list of the balikbayan box.

The first copy of the information sheet, which can be down-

loaded from the BoC website, is to be placed on the topmost portion of the box. The second copy will be kept by the sender, and the third copy will be given to the consolidator to be forwarded to the bureau together with other documentary requirements. n

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL •

NOvEmbER 16-22, 2018

A

Taguig voter questions Cayetano couple’s bid for separate House seats MANILA — A complaint has been filed before the Commission on Elections against the candidacies of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and wife Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, who are both gunning for seats at the House of Representatives.

Alan Peter has filed a certificate of candidacy for representative of the first district of Taguig-Pateros.

He was congressman of the lone district of Taguig-Pateros from 1998-2007.

Lani will run in the second district in the 2019 midterm elections.

She was the district’s representative in Congress from 2007-2010.

Taguig voter Leonides Buac Jr. filed the petition to deny due course or to cancel certificate of candidacy against the spouses, according to a report from ABS-CBN News.

In his COC, Alan Peter declared that he is a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan while Lani declared that she lives in Barangay Fort Bonifacio.

The petitioner pointed out that a married couple can only maintain one legal residence at any given time.

“The usual place of abode of the husband and wife, as jointly fixed by them, is their one legal residence for the purpose of running for public office,” the petition read.

Section 6, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that among the minimum requirements for members of the House Representatives are that they should be “a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

The petitioner also noted that the eldest of the Cayetano siblings, Rep. Pia Cayetano (Taguig), is running for senator while their younger brother Lino Cayetano is running for mayor to replace sister-in-law Lani.

“This may not surprise anyone, but this election, the Cayetanos have crossed the lines of decency, now plumbing the depths of shamelessness,” the petition read.

In a statement, the Cayetano couple said they “have been serving for many years now the residents of Taguig and Pateros” and that their running in both legislative districts in the city “would simply continue our public service.”

They said: “We are running

because our constituents trust us that their interests would continue to be promoted and protected. The disqualification cases, from the correct perspective, are irrelevant to our constituents’ desire.”

“That said, we would like to assure the electorate of Taguig and Pateros of our absolute preparedness to answer point by point the issues raised in these disqualification cases,” they also said.

Alan Peter, who relinquished his

post as secretary of Foreign Affairs to run for Congress, earlier insisted that their family is not a political dynasty.

“You have to understand the dynamics. Our opponents in the first district mayor and congressman are siblings. Our opponents in the second district are father and son,” Alan Peter said in an interview with ANC’s “Headstart” last month. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

A6

NOVEMBER 16-22, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

But will she go to prison?

OVER three decades after her family was forced into exile by a popular revolt, Imelda Marcos has been convicted of crimes committed during her husband’s dictatorial regime.

The Sandiganbayan found Marcos guilty of seven counts of graft in connection with private organizations she set up in Switzerland when she was a government official from 1968 to 1986. Each count carries from six to 11 years in prison.

Victims of the Marcos regime, however, know the country’s judicial system well enough not to celebrate prematurely. The case is expected to be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and the former first lady and her family have a formidable stable of lawyers known to be influential with the courts.

At 89 – and much older if ever the conviction is affirmed with finality – Marcos might also be spared by sympathetic magistrates of incarceration. The conviction for simple graft allows her to post bail. She is also expected to pursue her bid for reelection as congresswoman representing the second district of her husband’s bailiwick, Ilocos Norte, even if the sentence permanently disqualifies her from holding public office.

Still, the conviction sets a precedent for other cases pending against the heirs of dictator Ferdi-

nand Marcos. The world, for example, has been confounded by the seizure of millions of dollars established to be ill-gotten and deposited in Swiss banks, and the Philippines’ failure to hold anyone accountable for the crime. Switzerland has turned over the deposits to the Philippine government, but no one has been brought to justice for the plunder.

The former first lady is still fighting efforts of the government to seize her collection of priceless paintings by the Masters. No president of this republic and his wife can ever earn on an honest wage in their entire lifetime the enormous sums needed to buy even one of those paintings. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also has in its safekeeping a king’s ransom in jewelry confiscated from the Marcoses as they fled the country.

And yet Ferdinand Marcos is buried at the heroes’ cemetery, and no Marcos has ever been convicted of corruption – until now. The question is whether Imelda Marcos will ever actually suffer the penalty for graft, or if her conviction will turn out to be nothing but a farce. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Americans elected Democrats to lead the House as a message to Trump: You are not above the law

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS OUR Founding Fathers had the foresight to protect the democracy of the new union they just built when they were drafting the Constitution of the United States.

They knew then that with the power vested upon elected and appointed officials, there could be some who would try to abuse this power for their personal gain and aggrandizement, and so they instituted the system of checks and balances.

The U.S. Constitution mandated that there be three co-equal branches of government: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. Each branch checks on

the others to make sure no institution or individual abuses such power, and has provisions of law to serve as guide for centuries to protect our democratic institutions and processes.

The election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States, however, has challenged the checks and balances requirement of the Constitution. Trump’s popularity with the Republican base has casted a spell on the party of Lincoln and Reagan that has caused so many members of the Legislative branch of government to abandon their faithfulness to conservative values of adherence to the Constitution, the rule of law, and accountability for po-

litical expediency.

Many of the leaders of the Republican Party, who were up in arms in criticizing Trump’s character, temperament, and qualification during the primary election up until he was sworn in, have morphed from rabid wolves to meek lambs who have given Trump a pass in everything he has said and done that have gone against true Republican and conservative principles in his performance of his job as president and Commander-inChief. They failed to call out the president for his rhetoric, decisions and actions — for fear of losing support of the Republican base.

The confirmation of Trump’s

nominee Brett Kavanaugh as Justice of the Supreme Court, despite all allegations against him, tilted the balance of power in favor of the party of Trump, causing concerns among many Americans that Trump could indeed continue to assault our democracy with the failure of the Legislative and Judiciary branches of government to fulfill their obligations of checks and balances to the Executive.

Trump said during his closing arguments campaigning for Republicans running for office in the midterm elections that “a vote for a Republican is a vote for Trump”.

Indeed, the results of the midterm elections had been a

referendum on Trump, revealing that a majority of Americans reject the culture of impunity deepening in Trump’s tenure, and voted out the Republicans who have been enabling and condoning the president’s abuse of power.

Democrats were able to regain the majority in the House of Representatives, which means the oversight function of Congress will now be functional again. The House will cease to serve the interest of the President and the GOP, and will now do its job to make the president accountable.

Moreover, the midterm elections also reveal the diminishing margin of the victory of the Re-

publicans in the Senate, and in races in the House that the GOP won, even in districts and states that Trump won by double digits in 2016, and where he campaigned so hard for in the midterm elections.

We have so much to look forward to, and to be following vigilantly, in order for us to do our part in protecting our democracy — government of the people, by the people, for the people. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Imelda today, PNoy and DU30 tomorrow?

Opinion

FRANCISCO TATAD WILD partisan cheering greeted the Sandiganbayan’s recent ruling against the 89-year-old Imelda Marcos on several counts of graft when she was Metro Manila governor in the 1970s.

Although the sentence is not yet final and executory, and could still be reversed on appeal to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, there is already so much gloating on the part of Marcos’ political enemies. They seem determined to show not only that the Marcoses committed serious crimes during martial law, but that his most unforgivable crime was to try to turn back the communist rebellion in 1972 by declaring martial law.

We have not heard anything from the former first lady but sources close to her say she remains hopeful and confident she’ll overcome the challenge, given her record of winning her court cases. So far she has won most of them, including the hardest. In 1990, without having to call a single defense witness against 95 prosecution witnesses, she was acquitted in a New York grand jury trial together with Adnan Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian financier, who was accused of providing legal cover for her allegedly extravagant purchases in the U.S.

The name Khashoggi has since resurfaced in the world press, following the murder of Adnan’s celebrated nephew, the 59-year-old journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last October 2. This has triggered global speculation that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, could be dethroned because of his alleged involvement in the murder.

Exploiting the verdict Marcos’ political opponents will certainly exploit the Sandigan decision to try to bring down Imelda and her daughter Imee, who are both candidates in the May 14, 2019 elections.

But there’s no sign this campaign will gain much traction.

Imelda, who is on her third term as congresswoman of Ilocos Norte, is running for governor of the province, vice the incumbent Imee, who is running for the Senate. Both candidacies appear to be a shoo-in.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who ran for vice president in 2016, is not running for anything now, but is eagerly awaiting the results of his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Roberto before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). If the PET upholds his protest, he would become the vice president, and possibly a presidential candidate by 2022, when President Rodrigo Duterte steps down.

The Sandigan conviction is the first major setback for the Marcoses since Marcos fell in a ci-

vilian-backed military mutiny in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. If the Sandigan decision is appealed and upheld by the appellate court, the former first lady will most certainly not be able to outlive her cumulative sentence of up to 70 years.

But it would create a precedent of putting a former president or former first lady in jail long after leaving office.

In South Korea, former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were convicted of corruption and treason during the administration of President Kim Young-sam. But they were pardoned before Kim Young-sam left office, on the recommendation of President-elect Kim Dae-jung, the Nobel Prize laureate, who also amnestied all political prisoners and removed the criminal conviction of pro-democracy protesters.

Will PNoy and DU30 follow?

For us, the question that needs to be asked is this: If Imelda’s conviction is affirmed, will not DU30 pardon her? Even more important than this, if Imelda goes to jail today, will B. S. Aquino III and DU30 go to jail tomorrow?

Putting Smartmatic, the Venezuelan election provider, in charge of our otherwise sovereign elections is a continuing crime which has installed venal and corrupt de facto officials in our midst. In a normally functioning democratic order, Aquino should have been made to pay for all this.

Obviously not too many citizens fully appreciate the gravity of this crime, but do they also

Former first lady Imelda Marcos, former Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

Philstar.com file photos

if the next government punished Aquino or DU30 for their unpunished crimes? That would certainly mean an improvement in our state of governance, but we need to be able to look forward to something more, and better.

We have a civic duty to make sure that no serious crimes go unpunished, but we have a much graver duty to prevent the commission of crimes which cannot be punished just because their perpetrators are in power.

These include the killing of drug suspects without due process; the presidential takeover of the three branches of government without any protests from members of the legislature and the judicial branch; the military takeover of a civilian agency of government without any effort on the part of the legal community to stop it and DU30’s lawless railroading of proposed constitutional amendments to “federalize” the unitary Republic of the Philippines in violation of the Constitution, which excludes the president from any such process, and in violation of common sense and economic realities.

Enter JPE At 94, former senator Juan

Ponce Enrile has decided to run again for the Senate, specifically to oppose DU30’s mad rush toward federalism, among other things. He considers federalism the most dangerous idea ever proposed by anyone, which could totally destroy the Republic. I had Enrile on my TV program “Una Sa Lahat” with broadcaster Ariel Ayala on Sunday evening, and he expounded on the perils of the proposal. He also spoke of how the poor are overtaxed, and how the raging inflation threatens to wipe out our economic system.

The day before, on Saturday afternoon, I listened to members of the Lay Society of St. Arnold Janssen, affiliate society of the Divine Word, following a lecture

by Charles Avila on the “Modern Rise of the Laity.” We are the Church, Charles pointed out, and we have the primary duty of leading the society in making the right choices. It became obvious that DU30’s “federalism” presents the most dangerous threat to the country at this time, and that the laity must work to save the country from DU30 and DU30 from himself. (ManilaTimes.net)

not appreciate the plunder of at least P200-billion “Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP)” funds, which Aquino and his budget secretary Butch Abad illegally siphoned off from the national treasury in order to, among other things, bribe the members of the Senate impeachment court, with at least P50 million each, to convict and remove the late Chief Justice Renato Corona at his impeachment trial?

This did not only involve the plunder of billions. It also involved the illegal use of those billions to corrupt and destroy a vital organ of our Constitution, the Congress, as well as the principle of checks and balances and the separation of powers. It created the unconstitutional and lawless precedent which DU30 would follow when he personally attacked Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as his “personal enemy” and made her SC colleagues remove her from office through an unconstitutional quo warranto proceeding, despite their lack of jurisdiction on any official who may be removed by Congress only in an impeachment trial.

Should it surprise the nation

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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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 1 6 , 20 1 8

What we eat: Favorite staples on your Thanksgiving dinner and how they’re changing by rAe

Ann VAronA / AJPress

cornbread, bread stuffing, pies, FOR years, no Thanksgiving cakes, and more. dinner spread has been complete And yes, such modifications without the centerpiece turkey, have applied to Thanksgiving sides of mashed potatoes, green turkeys as well with companies like beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce, Tofurky, Gardein, Quorn, Harvest and the assortment of pumpkin, Celebration, Vegetarian Plus, and apple, and pecan pies. even Trader Joe’s (who makes a But while Thanksgiving dishes more reasonably priced alternative) have stayed the same at the core, making mock meats stuffed with it’s natural that they’ve picked things like wild rice, traditional bread up some changes and influences stuffing, vegan sausages, and even a throughout the years. Think deepfaux wishbone among other things. fried or brined turkeys that became While mock turkeys aren’t as popular in the mid-1990s, truffled new as some may think (Tofurky first mashed potatoes and savory bread came out with their holiday roast puddings during the transition to the 21st century, and the use of kale in 1995), data from Nielsen Product in almost all vegetable dishes in the Insider and Label Insight found that vegan and vegetarian products more recent years. sell faster during the three weeks Here are some ways leading up to Thanksgiving that Thanksgiving dinners have been during the weekly average. changing in today’s times.

“Specialty diets don’t restrict Healthier holiday mashups In regards to food, Thanksgiving consumers from creating delectable dishes and desserts to celebrate the is a holiday associated with holiday,” read the insight report. unapologetic indulgence. Kraft Meal kit dinners Foods even came out with limitedThanksgiving usually entails edition elastic “Thanksgiving Dinner multiple trips to the market and Pants” that sold out in about a day. hours of meal prep before getting But while the holiday has in down to the actual cooking, but ways marked the beginning of “cheat days” that go on until the new with the growing trend of meal kits, Thanksgiving has become a prime year, more and more people have time for pre-prepped and mailbeen making the commitment of delivered meals. making their Thanksgiving meals Nielsen reported that 32 percent healthier or more specialized to of Americans said they preferred certain diets. using meal kits in making their Take mashed cauliflowers holiday meals. On Google, searches in place of mashed potatoes for for Thanksgiving meal kits this year instance, which have been seeing more than quadruple that of last an obvious uptick in searches year, and are skyrocketing to the everytime Thanksgiving comes highest they’ve ever been. around. Even mainstream markets The general idea behind the like Trader Joe’s, Sprout’s, and Vons popular model is that instead among others have picked up on of scouring for recipes before the trend, making heat-to-serve mashed cauliflower readily available collecting and preparing ingredients yourself, literal meal kits with in the freezer aisles. pre-portioned ingredients and Specialty diets in general instructions to curated recipes have been making an appearance are sent to your door for you during Thanksgiving dinners, with to get straight to cooking. The alternatives for those looking upside is that it provides that to avoid meat, dairy, or gluten same homemade feel without the becoming more accessible outside extra time. The downside? The of specialty markets. convenience does often come with Recipes for vegan options that a high price tag. are still holiday worthy like vegan Meal kit company HelloFresh gravy and vegan scalloped potatoes offered a Thanksgiving meal kit for can easily be found online, as can eight to 10 people for $159 and recipes for versions of AJ gluten-free Ads Thanksgiving 2015_Layout 1 11/12/15 2:20 PM Page 1

Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without the centerpiece turkey, pies and tarts.

came complete with the classic turkey, and everything needed for ciabatta stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, garlic mash potatoes, green beans with shallots, and apple ginger crisp. They also offered a Sides and Desserts Box, essentially everything without the turkey, for $99 or about $9 per person.

Longtime household brand Williams-Sonoma offered a complete Thanksgiving dinner for eight to nine people that also covered the essentials with an organic turkey from Willie Bird Ranch, and sides that upped the scale like green bean casserole with Gruyere cheese sauce and crispy shallots, mashed potatoes with rich butter and fresh chives, and pumpkin pie made with homemade pastry, all for $250.

For those looking for a more intimate meal with just two to three people, meal kit delivery company Blue Apron offers for its customers all the ingredients like a turkey leg and breast, green beans, cranberry, potato, and bread to make for a cozy at home dinner for $50.

Diversity on and around the table While Thanksgiving has been reserved for gathering around with

Unsplashs photo by Priscilla Du Preez and Gabriel Garcia Marengo

main dish, 32 percent planned it to be a dessert, and 38 percent planned to make a traditional American dish with international flavors.

There is one big rule to Friendsgiving though which is that the host provides the turkey or faux turkey, and the gravy.

Unique spins on desserts Sticking with the simple dessert classics is arguably part of what makes the night’s meal so satisfying, but more room has been opening up to creative takes on traditional desserts throughout the years.

When it comes to pies, purple sweet potatoes or ube have become a popular alternative in traditional sweet potato pies, giving a unique deep purple hue and perhaps an ode to multicultural cuisine. “Brûlée-ing” pumpkin pies have also been popular during Thanksgiving, with numerous recipes and techniques posted online.

And because pies in general are a thing of Thanksgiving tradition, it’s become acceptable to add different filled pies to the table.

At the Filipino food stall Sari Sari Store in Downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, pastry chef Margarita Manzke has been making

what some call the buko pie in Los Angeles. In place of sweetened condensed milk, their pie uses silky pastry cream with slices of fresh, young coconut, a layer of coconut jam, all under a streusel-like topping.

Despite transitions into cooler weather, ice cream has also proved to be popular during the holiday. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams for example, is just one of the many brands that have been offering holiday flavors. Taking a step further, the ice cream maker has continued its tradition of making their pumpkin ice cream pie available for pre-order during Thanksgiving.

At artisanal ice cream shop Salt & Straw that has locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Anaheim, and San Diego, customers have been indulging in scoops of their Salted Caramel Thanksgiving Turkey ice cream which consists of sweet and buttery turkey brittle folded into turkey fat caramel ice cream. Other Thanksgiving flavors are their Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Pecans, Salted Goat Cheese and Pumpkin Pie, Roasted Peach and Sage Cornbread Stuffing, and their vegan Roasted Cranberry Sauce Sorbet.

Thanksgiving traditions that stay

age gracefully

How To Have a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

BY GRACE O

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-loaded, overeating frenzy. You can make satisfying, anti-aging food choices for this holiday that will leave you feeling thankful for indulging.

Take turkey, for example. I cook at least four turkeys each Thanksgiving because I usually have about 30 people over for dinner. Turkey contains tryptophan, which produces niacin, giving us energy. Turkey also contains selenium, a detoxifying antioxidant.

You don’t have to drown your turkey in fatty gravy. It can be deliciously sauced using healthier ingredients. I like to marinate my turkeys in a mixture of red wine, soy sauce, and lemon juice before roasting. By the time the turkey is done roasting, the marinade has become a rich sauce.

Resveratrol is present in another classic Thanksgiving ingredient: cranberries. Every year I make Cranberry Bread Pudding. I add walnuts to my bread pudding because they are high in antioxidants like Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E—both of which reduce the risk of heart disease. Instead of butter, I use a butter substitute, Smart Balance®, so that this dessert stays heart-healthy.

Wild rice is another holiday staple that is really good for us. It’s a whole grain that provides the FoodTrient fiber for great digestion and Omega-3s, which also is good for our skin. It can be cooked with plenty of herbs and tossed with lightly sautéed bell peppers for a colorful side dish.

You can also add some healthy holiday vegetables like red cabbage and leeks.

The trick is to load your table with delicious healthy options while

family, “Friendsgiving” has in ways become an additional holiday itself, giving people more chances to celebrate and take in more servings of food with close friends.

While Friendsgiving emerged around the early to mid 2000s with its first mentioning on Twitter in 2007, it’s become a phenomenon particularly among the millennial generation. Over 950,000 posts on Instagram have been dedicated to the holiday, most being photos of smiling groups of friends, and of course food.

It comes with no surprise that numerous companies have jumped on its popularity for marketing, with some like Baileys and Butterball even trying to make Friendsgiving their trademark.

And despite it being a relatively new “holiday,” it is tradition that Friendsgiving dinner be served in a pot-luck fashion. Not only has this given people opportunities to show off their favorite family recipes, it’s also opened opportunities for other to taste meals around the world.

Nielsen reported 39 percent of Friendsgiving celebrants in 2016 made plans of adding a side dish from another culture, to the table. Thirty-two percent planned to make the their cultural dish a

minimizing exposure to foods—such as mashed potatoes, white rolls, or creamy gravies. Mashed sweet potatoes are a better choice than mashed white potatoes because the orange tubers contain carotenoids, a FoodTrient that supports the immune system. Whole-grain rolls (as opposed to white ones) will provide fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium.

Pumpkin is another healthy Thanksgiving tradition. Be sure to use evaporated milk in your pumpkin pies instead of cream and a sugar substitute like Xylotol. In the crust, you can substitute Smart Balance® for the shortening. That way, you will reap all the benefits of pumpkin’s carotenoids and fiber without taking in too much fat or sugar.

The same rules apply to apple pies. Just remember to leave the skins on the apples so that you will get some quercitin, an anti-inflammatory that can reduce allergy symptoms and keep arteries from becoming inflamed. I make a beautiful Pear and Apple Tart with plenty of cinnamon, an antioxidant-rich holiday spice that makes me feel good about eating dessert. All of these recipes and more are available on FoodTrients.com

GRACE O – Combining her passion for food and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, GRACE O has created FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness. Grace O is a fusion chef with a mission: to cook up recipes for a long and joyful life that are built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 15 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com © 2015 by FoodTrients.com

in searching for the turkey’s wishbone, which is located within the breast meat. Once found FOR most Americans, and cleaned, two participants Thanksgiving is associated with take on end of the bone, make a gathering around a table with wish, and pull. The lucky one with family and devouring a hearty the larger section of the bone meal with the turkey at the center. Though families across the is supposed to have their wish country who celebrate the holiday come true.

Pardoning the lucky may have developed their own turkey(s) traditions — whether going on One live turkey makes it to a yearly family vacation during the White House, where the Thanksgiving week or scrapping president “pardons” it, meaning home cooking altogether and it is spared from becoming a eating out instead — here are a few that continue to be observed: cooked dish. There are generally alternate turkeys along the main Expressing gratitude Like the holiday’s name itself, one who also get pardoned and get to roam on a farm, according the day is about giving thanks. to National Geographic.

Before digging into the meal, Watching the Macy’s those around the table go around Parade/a football game and share what they are grateful While the meal is being for. It usually can be one thing or prepared — and anticipation multiple things, but the amount of sharing depends on how many builds as the bird is in the oven — those at home gather around people are around the table or the TV to watch the Macy’s how quickly everyone wants to Thanksgiving Day Parade, an start eating. annual celebration since 1924 Finding the wishbone held in New York. The parade Many families partake

By AJPress

featuring massive balloons, performances, and special guests is now broadcast to the homes of millions across the U.S. Later in the day, those who are football fans may take over the remote and flip to one of the games being played that day. For some families, watching either of these events in person may be their own traditions too!

Scouring Black Friday deals As the food coma subsides and hunger calls for leftovers, those who love deals and want to get started on Christmas shopping participate in the Black Friday phenomenon. The truly devoted may start lining up as soon as possible, like right after the Thanksgiving meal or even do that all day, just to get a prime spot to run into the store once midnight hits or whenever it opens. Thanks to the internet, however, you can now search for deals on various websites that day or on Cyber Monday, which is a day for technology sales.

Thanksgiving Is All Rolled Up With This Dish!

By GrAce

o

IF you don’t feel like roasting a big turkey for Thanksgiving, or want to try a great dish for holiday entertaining, you might want to try my Stuffed Turkey Rolls. I pack these turkey cutlets with my Savory Stuffing, roll them up, and secure them with kitchen twine. The finished rolls are sliced and fanned out on a plate to make a beautiful presentation, and you can serve them with cranberry chutney or cranberry sauce for a nice added touch.

Because I marinate the turkey

before cooking, it’s juicy and flavorful. The selenium in turkey can increase your resistance to infection. The red wine (I use a Pinot Noir) adds a bit of resveratrol to the selenium’s antioxidant power.

Stuffed Turkey Rolls SERVES 6 ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbs. lemon juice (about ½ lemon) 2 Tbs. red wine Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 6 turkey cutlets or butterflied turkey breasts

1 recipe Savory Stuffing 2 Tbs. butter 2 Tbs. olive oil 1. To make the marinade, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, red wine, salt, and pepper in a large re-sealable plastic bag.

2. Add the turkey cutlets to the bag. Squeeze out the air, seal the bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

3. Remove cutlets, reserving the marinade. Pat each cutlet dry with paper towels.

4. On a work surface, lay one Continued on Page 6

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Immigration Corner

December 2018 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

February 15, 2008

February 15, 2007

December 1, 2017

October 8, 2016

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

December 15, 2007

June 8, 2007

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

June 1, 1997

July 8, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 22, 1997

July 15, 1995

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

FAMILY CATEGORY: Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various ABANDONED BY HER BIRTH PARENTS, WILL NIKKA BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN WHEN USCIS CHALLENGED HER ADOPTIVE PARENT’S ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION HER? Lilia (right) and her husband Peter filed a petition to adopt Nikka (left) when the child was 12 years old. The adoption family and employment based decree was issued six (6) days before Nikka turned 16 years old, and the certificate of finality came out two (2) months after Nikka’s 16th categories. A priority date is a birthday. When Lilia and Peter filed an Immediate Relative Petition for Nikka, the USCIS served a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging person’s “place in line” for a visa, them eligibility to adopt Nikka. Lilia and Peter were devastated, depressed, and in despair. Would this mean losing the chance to be meaning immigrant visas (or reunited with their adopted child - whom they loved and considered their own? Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL came to the rescue and secured approval of their petition in a mere two months, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on green cards) would be available Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed Immigrant (or “moved backwards” and Living: 101 became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or and Beyond before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait Monette until it becomes current again.

AdevA MAGlAyA Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa HOW has 2018, which is Bulletin changed, in that a new beside me that the sun will die about to come to a close, treated to persevere and endure and in column was added, called the too someday, like everything accordance with God’s will, live you thus far?

“Application Filing Date.” If a else. the full measure of our lives.

Has it been smooth sailing? person’s priority date is earlier Alarm showing in her face, Perhaps, now is a good time Or has there been an unfair than the Application Filing she asked when it was going to to begin mulling about the end. volume of challenges, glitches Date, they can already file for happen and I smiled, patted her adjustment of status and work It is a grim thought on cold and and bumps that tend to on the knee and said that it isn’t authorization (provided they overwhelm and capsize that little dreary November mornings, I going to happen anytime soon, admit, but it seems appropriate boat you are navigating in the are otherwise eligible and USCIS at least not in our lifetimes or the indicates on its website it will when taking stock of the year sea of life? lifetimes of many generations about to be filed away in some For many of us, the use the Application Filing Date yet to come. Then, I added, to distant cosmic memory bank challenges tended to test the for that month). This could tamp down her visible concern, and we are given a new, clean limits of human endurance. allow people to obtain work the sun will still be there, maybe, authorization much sooner slate in 2019.

They say trouble only makes us for another five to nine billion Just as sure as the sun rises stronger. They say God would than before, where they had to years or so, nearly twice the in the morning, the end will only give you a load He knows wait for the priority date to be length of time it took to form the current (in the Visa Issuance Date you can carry. But sometimes, we come. No one knows the day solar system and all its planets in column) in order to both file for wonder if God overestimates our or the hour. It is a sobering thought to contemplate the end. its present form, if the educated adjustment and be eligible for a ability to deal with suffering. guess of scientists are to be At the extreme end, troubles But somehow, it sets our moral green card. believed. compass and values straight can break us. But if we’ve made *** We are fortunate that the sun knowing for certain the end does it thus far, still standing albeit belongs to a class of stars that come. It makes sense to plan for ago, wiping off the dinosaurs a little stooped and weary, this slowly and steadily burns its fuel and making the earth a new the inevitable. should be a testament and and holds the promise of a full Long ago, while driving tabula rasa for a new thinking, assurance that although the road life. And provided of course, that feeling life form, called humans, one day on the freeway headed ahead may pose even greater there is no large-sized meteor or to take shape. west in late afternoon while the challenges to our exceedingly cosmic debris careening off its We realize that our limited human abilities, we know summer sun in all its crimson track hurling itself helter-skelter tomorrows have a finite number splendor slowly sank in the that from a deep wellspring of onto earth as many believe horizon, I commented to my and each year-end, brings faith and abiding trust in God’s mercy and love, we will continue young daughter who was seated happened some 65 million years home that point that much

Cycling to the End Game “Nothing is more important than THIS DAY!” — Goethe

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

August 1, 2017

June 15, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

August 1, 2017

June 15, 2017

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a

prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

more clearly. Alan Watts wrote perhaps to explain the results of man’s creative urges as a means to preserve itself, “It is because men know they will die that they have created the arts and sciences, the philosophies and religions.” What perhaps separates us from other life

forms is that we become aware of our own mortality, our own inevitable ending and seeks, as a matter of self-preservation to extend it, not only by passing on genetic material to our own progeny but by the expression of thought.

Continued on Page 6

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Fil-Am animator Josie Trinidad would love to see a Filipina Disney princess warrior and definitely thinks ‘that’s in the future’

By Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

WALT Disney Animation Studios’ Josie Trinidad recently visited the Philippines to talk to fellow Filipino animators at the 2018 Animahenasyon, Philippine Animation Festival.

Trinidad is the head of story for Disney’s upcoming “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2,” the much-awaited sequel to 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph.”

“I can’t tell you what a dream come true everything on this film has been for the animators,” Trinidad told the aspiring and professional animators at the festival about her experience working on “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.”

The proudly Filipino animator, who oversaw the film’s story team (the group responsible for translating the script to its first visual form), shared the animation process at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

She also showed behind-thescenes videos and several clips from “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.”

Hometown hero “My journey started here in the Philippines,” said Trinidad, whose parents are both Filipinos who migrated to the United States.

“I feel very connected to the Philippines, despite being miles away.”

In 2004, Trinidad joined the Disney team as a story apprentice, and once she completed training, she was hired as a story artist.

Her Disney credits include “The Princess and the Frog” (2009), “Tangled” (2010), “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012), and the Academy Award-

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Josie Trinidad, head of story for “Ralph Breaks the Internet”.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

In Ralph Breaks the Internet, video-game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz leave the video-arcade life behind and venture into world of the Internet.

winning “Zootopia” (2016), for which she was co-head of story.

She is joined by other Filipino talents in the studio such as Ronnie Del Carmen, Gini Cruz, Paul Abadilla, Nelson Bohol, and Bobby Rubio.

“The diversity is by design,” said Trinidad, “because Disney’s stories go global.”

Research, research, research According to Trinidad, once the directors give their idea for

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

a film, the team goes on full-on research mode.

“We start every film we do with research,” she said. “We’re passionate about research because we care for the believability of our stories.”

Plus, research can be so much fun! For example, for “Moana,” the animation team went on a research trip to the beautiful islands of Polynesia.

Continued on Page 6

Paolo talks about his leading role in ‘Through Night and Day’ ORIO-ESCULLAR Philstar.com

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 1 6 , 20 1 8

By HONEY

PAOLO Contis never imagined that he would find himself tackling his first-ever lead role in the Viva Films and Octo Arts Films-produced romantic comedy “Through Night and Day” currently showing in Philippine cinemas, with Alessandra de Rossi as his leading lady.

This soon-to-be dad of three believes he is not the ideal leading man material.

In a pocket interview at GMA recently, Paolo related that even when he was just a newbie, the thought of being a leading man or matinee idol did not occur to him “because I was already busy that time. Ang sa akin work na lang talaga. And it doesn’t suit me well.

I was more interested in playing villain roles. What really matters is, they trusted me. To be honest, ano ba naman ako? When it comes to work I always give my best. I don’t want to be pressured kasi baka pumasok sa ulo (ko), di ba? (I’ll just) treat it like a normal day.”

Paolo feels blessed that he has a job and would grab whatever is offered to him, especially since his girlfriend LJ Reyes is giving birth to their daughter in January 2019.

Asked if there’s pressure to equal, if not surpass, the box-office success of Alessandra and Empoy Marquez’s movie “Kita-Kita”, Paolo replied, “I can’t let it get into my head. Normally, you can’t help but feel the pressure and if you allow it, wala ka din namang magagawa e, di ba? What I do is just pray that people would appreciate it. Malay mo, minsan may tsamba-tsamba naman yan, e. If not, at least they were able to watch it and that would still be a big thing (for us).”

Directed by Veronica Velasco, “Through Night and Day” is a love

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS WHAT is Lactobacillus acidophilus?

L. acidophilus is the most popularly used probiotic or “friendly bacteria.” They live in the intestines and vagina and prevent the entrance and proliferation of disease-causing organisms, thus protecting the individual.

Are there other friendly bacteria in the body?

Yes. Actually there are several trillion friendly bacteria (over 400 species) in the human gastrointestinal tract. Literally, we carry about four pounds (1.8 kilos) of microbacteria in our guts. A healthy predominance of the good bacteria over the bad bacteria spells well being for the person. If the bad or pathogenic bacteria “outnumber” the friendly ones, ill health occurs.

How does L. acidophilus do it?

There are a variety of mechanisms through which L. acidophilus accomplish its good job. Example: the breakdown of food by this probiotic results in the production of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and a few other by-products that create a hostile environment for the bad bacteria. Lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) into simple sugars for proper digestion and absorption, is produced by L. acidophilus too.

Those with lactose intolerance or lactase deficiency may be helped

by L. acidophilus.

Who develops lactase deficiency?

While it is possible that some people could be born with lactase deficiency state, most of those with lactose intolerance (lactase deficiency) develop the condition secondary to lifestyle.

People who, during childhood, do not drink milk or do not eat dairy products regularly, acquire lactase deficiency. Lack of this enzyme prevents milk and dairy products (cheese, ice cream, even beans) from being digested and absorbed and properly. This leads to what is known as lactose intolerance, where the milk sugar (lactose) is not effectively broken down to simple sugars, a process needed for proper digestion.

How prevalent is lactase deficiency?

To some degree or another lactase deficiency is found in 75 percent of adults worldwide.

Among Chinese, it is 100 percent.

Twenty five percent of the U.S.

Calendar of Events across

Alessandra de Rossi and Paolo Contis in Through Night and Day, co-produced by Viva Films and OctoArts Films.

Photos courtesy of Viva Films

America

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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles features Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future exhibition

Paolo (second from left) in “Ang Pangarap Kong Holdup” with Jerald Napoles, Jelson Bay and Pepe Herrera.

story of an engaged couple, Ben and Jen, who embarks on a trip of a lifetime to Jen’s life-long dream destination — Iceland. Their relationship is put to the test as all sorts of misfortune happen to them on this trip, mostly caused

by Jen’s blunders. What they hope to be a trip that will make their relationship stronger ends up tearing them apart.

Meanwhile, opening on Nov. 28 is a comedy film titled Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap, where Paolo will also be starring in with Pepe Herrera, Jerald Napoles and

Jelson Bay. Produced by Miss Chief Films and helmed by Marius Talampas, the film is about the misadventures of a group of holduppers.

Asked how it feels to have back-to-back movies in a single month, Paolo said in jest, “I call it a Paolo Contis festival, hahaha!” quickly adding, “I’m happy because it’s been a while since I had my last movie, and my roles are very significant in these films.

Sobrang gusto ko yung parehong projects and I’m so excited that I am part of both films.”

Lacto A: Friendly germs?

population has some degree of lactose intolerance. About 90 percent of Asian Americans, 80 percent of Afro-Americans, 53 percent of Mexican-Americans, about 80 percent of Native Americans, and 15 percent of Caucasians suffer from lactose intolerance of varying degrees.

The incidence for southern Italians and Ashkenari Jews is 70 percent. A high prevalence is also reported among the majority of Meditarranean Arabs. Exception includes northwest Europeans, where the incidence is below said to be 20 percent. It has been postulated that those with lactose-intolerance also have a higher risk of stroke, colon cancer, hypertension, osteoporosis.

Whether decreased calcium intake (as a result of lactase deficiency) is a predisposing factor in the development of these diseases is still not known.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort/distention, nausea, bloating, passing a lot of flatus, intestinal cramps following ingestion of lactose-containing food items, like ice cream, cheese, even salad or beans. Children who have lactase deficiency will fail to gain weight. The symptoms of lactose intolerance could be mild to severe, depending on the degree of lactase deficiency.

Are there pills for those with lactose intolerance?

Yes. One popular brand in the U.S. is Lactaid, an overthe-counter medication that has really been effective for those individuals with lactase deficiency. Taking this pill allows them to drink milk and eat dairy products in moderation. For children, pretreated milk (where commercially prepared lactase has been used to predigest the lactose) are available, labeled as lactose-free milk. For infants, strict glucose-galactose-free diet is a must, and where fructose becomes the main carbohydrate. For those people on lactose-free diet because they have lactose intolerance, calcium supplementation is highly recommended. Some of the non-diary sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, fish (especially salmon, tuna and sardines, where the bones are soft and edible), brussels sprouts, tofu, and broccoli.

What are the claims about Lactobacillus?

The major claims include the assertions that L. acidophilus lowers cholesterol, boosts the immune system, maintains a healthy flora in the digestive

tract, and that it prevents cancer.

While there are some probably positive preliminary studies on the first three claims, the last one has yet to be proven.

Is it effective for bacterial vaginal infection, diarrhea?

L. acidophilus, when taken by mouth (like yogurt) or as a vaginal douche, tablet or suppository, has been proven effective in treating vaginal infections caused by bacteria. For chronic or recurrent diarrhea, this “friendly bacteria” may be of some help but further clinical studies are needed to determine the safe and effective dosage.

How about for other illnesses?

L. acidophilus has also been tried in dozens of other conditions, like acne, AIDS, cancer, canker sores, constipation, cardiovascular illnesses, Cohn’s disease, heartburn, hives, indigestion, infections, stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, urinary tract infection, thrush, asthma, and many others. The studies done on some of them were flawed and scientifically not significant and worthless. There is no medically validated study to date that proves L. acidophilus is effective in any of those conditions listed above, or any other illnesses, except for the bacterial vaginal infection and some form of diarrheas.

Is L. acidophilus safe?

As aptly reported by Natural Standard in cooperation with Harvard Medical School, “there is limited scientific evidence about the safety and effectiveness of L. acidophilus in humans”.

Interactions with other drugs or herbs have not been adequately studied. Some people with weak immune system may be at risk of acquiring serious infections when taking L. acidophilus.

Before taking any lactobacillus preparation, consult with your physician. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society.

He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; comments questions: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

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

N OV E M B E R 1 6 - D EC E M B E R 1 5

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

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

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Larry Itliong celebration in Los Angeles The Pilipino Workers Center and Larry Itliong Day Committee proudly present, “Siklab!”

Larry Itliong Day 2018 — a five-hour celebration on Saturday, November 17 of music, art, education and food highlighting the life and legacy of Filipino farm worker and labor rights movement leader, Larry Itliong. Set at the heart of Historic Filipinotown, this FREE event will take place at Unidad Park (1644 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With this year’s theme, “Siklab,” the organizations aim to entertain Filipinos and Filipino-Americans about the Filipino culture, the history of the Filipino labor movement in the U.S. and its impact on workers today. There will be activities such as musical performances from local artists, art workshops, a scavenger hunts, food booths, a bazaar, and much more.

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Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in La Puente, CA Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Friday, November 30 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church (444 N. Azusa Ave., La Puente, CA 91744). Contact Rainier Valenzuela at (626) 964-4313 for more information.

D EC E M B E R 2

UPAA-NJ biennial General Assembly / Election / Holiday Party UPAA-NJ will hold its biennial General Assembly / Election / Holiday Party on Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel at 515 US Highway 1 South, Iselin, NJ. The organization will honor distinguished alumni, induct a new set of officers and Board of Trustees and feature local UP alumni talents who will provide entertainment, lead line dancing and render DJ services for an afternoon of dancing. Come and learn more about future UPAA-NJ projects and initiatives. Meet old friends, make new ones. Attached below is the event flyer. For tickets and more information, please contact any of the following: Daisy Macadaeg: (201) 446-7767,keanemac@yahoo.com, Lani Benedicto: (201) 745-6829, benedicto78@yahoo.com, Minnie Corpuz-Castillo: (551) 587-2815,mcorpuzcastillo@gmail.com, Johnny Ferrer: (201) 323-1303, juancferrer09@yahoo.com.

D EC E M B E R 3

Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in Los Angeles Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Monday, December 3 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Bernard Church (2500 W. Ave 33, Los Angeles, CA 90065).

Contact Puri Narvaez at (818) 543-1831 for more information.

D EC E M B E R 4

Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in Montebello, CA Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Tuesday, December 4 at 7 p.m. It will be held at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (820 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, CA 90640). Contact Frenz Rivera (626) 338-7898 for more information.

D EC E M B E R 5

Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in Reseda, CA Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Wednesday, December 5 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Catherine of Siena (18115 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335). Contact Divinia Encina at (310) 212-6083 or Rosalie Corpuz at (626) 825-5327 for more information.

D EC E M B E R 29

UP Alumni Association Berkeley Chapter Celebrates 50th Anniversary The University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association (Berkeley Chapter) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee with a luncheon party from 11am to 4pm on December 29, 2018 at the Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton, California. All present and former members are invited, including alumni or graduates of the university’s high schools in Manila and Diliman, and the different institutes, colleges and campuses of the University. Interested parties are requested to get in touch with the following: Daisy Rodriguez (916) 768-9955, Henrietta Fajardo-Boyd (925) 433-3359, Diosy Rey (707) 315-2351 or Jay Castro (925) 899-8881.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 1 , 20 1 8

Fil-Am animator Josie Trinidad...

From Page 4 For “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2,” after directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston had given their vision for the film, the team asked themselves: Where do we go for research?

The answer: One Wilshire Boulevard, a data center in Los Angeles, California, which houses all internet communication for the US. It was not quite like visiting the exotic islands of Polynesia, but what they saw awed and inspired the team to create a visual for the world wide web that would be relatable to audiences in the much same way that the power strip a.k.a. Game Central Station did in the first film.

“We started to envision that the internet was like a major city, like Manhattan and Manila,” said Trinidad.

Never give up Just like the stories she helps create for Disney, Trinidad’s real-life success as one of the Filipino animators at Disney is an inspiration for Filipino animators.

“I am the poster child for someone who failed but still made it to where I am today,” said Trinidad, who earlier shared that she realized while in animation school that she wasn’t as good as her peers at drawing, and that she could not find a job after graduating.

“Just be true to yourself and work extremely hard. I got to where I am because I’m Filipino and my parents instilled in me an incredible work ethic. Keep at it, and never give up.”

In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2,” video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush.

Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their

way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he has ever had.

Filipino Disney character soon?

Want to see a Filipino Disney character? For Fil-Am Disney animator Josie Trinidad, she would love to see a Filipina Disney princess warrior and definitely thinks “that’s in the future.”

“I definitely think that there will be a lot of stories that can come from and be inspired by the Philippines because culturally, artistically, creatively, it’s such a rich world that (it) would be very exciting to see. And I definitely think that’s in the future,” Josie

told the media, including The Star when asked about the possibility of a Philippines-inspired Disney animation similar to other “culturally-themed” films like Coco (Mexico) or Moana (Polynesian islands).

On bringing the Filipino culture to Disney “At Disney animation, there are at least three Filipinos working in the story department. I have a friend named Jo Mateo, he’s been there with me since I started working there, he’s like my kuya.

There’s a kinship that I feel with other Filipinos… it’s just a shared experience that I know, it’s like I’m with family.

“As far as bringing our culture? I think it just happens…

For example, there are a lot of Filipinos working in Disney Animation as well. It’s just nice to see familiar faces who have shared experiences, and I can go there and just kind of know that I’m in a trusting environment.”

Vanellope takes a groufie with the Disney princesses in a scene from the film.

Kim on Xian’s sweetness and her new film

By Krissy

AguilAr Inquirer.net

KIM Chiu finally broke silence about her relationship with Xian Lim. The two have long been rumored to be a couple, but Chiu confirmed on Wednesday their status during an interview at “Tonight With Boy Abunda.”

“Oo naman. Yes, oo, oo,” she said after host Boy Abunda asked if they are officially together.

“Kung magpapakita siya ng sweetness, doon matutunaw ka na talaga kasi iba talaga siya mag-surprise, mag-express,” she added, defending Xian for being “misunderstood” in the industry.

Meanwhile, they have yet to consider marriage, as Chiu reasoned they still had other priorities and how young they still were.

“Hindi rin namin pinaguusapan kasi siya rin. Mayroon pa kaming priorities, marami pa kaming gustong mangyari sa bahay. And bata pa naman,” the 28-year-old actress said.

She added: “Ngayon naman, ang mga career woman, 30 plus na nila iniisip. Pag nag-30 na sila, doon na sila maghahanap.”

‘One Great Love’ Meanwhile, Kim struggles to choose between two men who are trying to win her affection in

Xian Lim and Kim Chiu

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

“One Great Love”, as seen in the movie’s trailer released on Regal Entertainment’s Youtube page on Wednesday, November 14.

The trailer shows her and Dennis Trillo as the best of friends. Little does she know that he is secretly in love with her.

Meanwhile, JC De Vera wins her heart and gives her all of life’s pleasures.

As she falls for JC her doubts

Alden Richards reacts to Maine Mendoza’s rumored romance with Arjo Atayde

By JAn

Milo severo Philstar.com

Josie is the film’s co-head of story, overseeing the team responsible for translating the script to its first visual form.

start to make her question her love for him. Will she make the right choice by settling for JC? Or will she realize that Dennis is the one for her?

“One Great Love” also stars Marlo Mortel, Miles Ocampo, Niña Dolino and Eric Quizon, who also serves as the film’s director. It is set to open in theaters Dec. 25, as part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival line-up.

WITH photos of Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza and Kapamilya actor Arjo Atayde circulating online, the former’s onscreen partner Alden Richards expressed his support to the alleged blossoming romance between the two.

In an interview with PEP.ph, Alden said it is better to leave Maine and Arjo alone and let them be happy.

“Ako, siguro po sa mga taong involved sa buhay po ng ibang tao, siguro mas okay na lang po siguro na just leave them alone,

Alden Richards

GMA photo

let them be happy kung ano man ang gusto nilang gawin,” the “Victor Magtanggol” star said.

“Kung saan po siya masaya, nandoon din po ako. And I’m sure, ganun din po ang suporta niya sa

akin. Sana po, ganun na lang. Let them be happy,” he added.

His onscreen partnership with Maine, popularly known as “AlDub,” in the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” has been phenomenal.

Alden said that that they failed their fans by not being romantically linked together in real life.

“Tao lang po kami. Hindi po kami robot na basta gusto ng karamihan, gagawin po namin,” he said.

Alden was romantically linked to Julie Anne San Jose, Bea Binene and Patricia Tumulak, while Maine was linked with Sef Cadayona and Juancho Trivino in the past.

Thanksgiving Is All...

From Page 2 cutlet so it slightly overlaps a second one. Pound the seam together with a mallet. You should have one fairly large, thin turkey round. Repeat with the remaining cutlets until you have 3 rounds.

5. Spread about 1/2 cup of Savory Stuffing evenly onto each turkey round, smoothing almost to the edge. Roll up the turkey, pinwheel style, and secure with kitchen twine.

6. Heat the butter and olive oil in a heavy bottomed sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the turkey rolls and sear until a golden crust develops, about 1–2 minutes per side.

7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place turkey rolls in a glass or ceramic baking dish.

Spoon the reserved marinade and any remaining stuffing around the rolls. Cover with foil and bake until the turkey is cooked through, about 20–30 minutes.

8. Before serving, remove the twine and cut each turkey roll into 5 slices.

9. Serve with a cranberry sauce or cranberry chutney if desired.

Savory Stuffing Homemade croutons, fresh celery and onion give this stuffing its unique flavor and texture. It can also be served

on its own as a side dish if you spread the stuffing in a greased baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

YIELDS 2-3 cups 4 Tbs. olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 lb. ground turkey 2 slices cubed whole-wheat bread Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning 1 cup turkey or chicken broth 1/4 cup chopped celery 1. Heat 3 Tbs. of the olive oil in a large pan over medium high-heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the ground turkey and cook until done. Set aside.

3. To make the croutons, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Season the bread cubes with the salt and pepper, drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil and the Italian seasoning, bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.

4. Add the broth, croutons, celery, and sausages, if using, to the turkey mixture and mix well.

Season to taste.

Shrimp and Moringa Curry Shrimp and coconut milk are a classic Asian combination.

I’ve added moringa powder to this very mild dish in order to

increase the health benefits. If you want to dial up the heat a notch or two, use Serrano or other hot peppers in place of the mild red Anaheim chilies.

If desired, serve over brown or jasmine rice.

Ingredients: 1⁄4 cup peanut oil 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 inch peeled and thinly sliced gingerroot 1⁄2 cup sliced red onion 2 red Anaheim chilies, seeded and cut into strips 1 can (19 oz.) coconut milk 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips 1 lb. peeled tiger shrimp (devein, if desired) Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 Tbs. moringa powder dissolved in 1 Tbs. warm water 1. Heat the peanut oil in a nonreactive saucepan, such as copper or enamel-coated cast iron, over medium-high heat.

Add the garlic, ginger, and onion slices and sauté for 5 minutes.

2. Add the chilies and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Add the coconut milk, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Add the bell pepper, shrimp, salt, pepper, and Moring a powder and simmer for 5 minutes.

Cycling to the End Game...

From Page 3 Everything that exists — whether natural or man-made — has an end. Whether it is a car, a pacemaker embedded deep in one’s heart, a computer, a tree, an ant or anything else on earth, there is a definite end. Most men in developed, wealthy countries with better standards of living, better health-care programs and barring unforeseen circumstances like accidents or murder, have an average life expectancy of about 28,000 days.

In ideal conditions, the planned obsolescence for man is to reach the ripe old age of 115 years, at which time, death

could only be caused by natural causes, all worn out body parts simply too old and emaciated to function any longer.

Should we at all care or worry about the end? Worry can only finish us off to an untimely end. Live as though each day were your last. To live in the moment is not only both art and science, it is a determined 24hour mind-set you have to adopt out of your own free will. A few get it only after they have a clear brush with death. Sadly, many never get it at all.

Some wise anonymous soul once described how best to live one’s life very aptly in terms

of money — something that is universally understood, “Yesterday is a cancelled check.

Tomorrow is a promissory note.

Today is ready cash — USE IT.” *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu.com/ asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

An Asian Journal Magazine

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 1 6 , 20 1