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Volume 11 – Issue 07 • 16 Pages

N O V E MBE R 2 4 - 3 0 , 2 0 1 7

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Supreme Court begins oral arguments DATELINE USA Defrocked priest in US on constitutionality of PH drug war arrested in Laguna FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by DANA

A FORMER Filipino priest wanted in the United States for allegedly molesting two minors in North Dakota between the years 1995 to 1998 has been arrested in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines on Sunday, November 19.

Reports say Fernando Laude Sayasaya was consequently brought to Manila for extradition to the U.S. where he is facing two counts of “gross sexual imposition” filed by brothers Hugo Zamarron and Pablo Zamarron.

Sayasaya faces accusations of engaging the then 15-year-old brothers in sexual contact, both in their home and church, during his assignment as priest at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo, North Dakota.

The ex-Catholic priest reportedly asked for the church’s permission in December 1998 to visit the Philippines for Christmas, and said he would return to the U.S. in Janu-

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Filipinos named in Paradise Papers leak

SEVERAL Filipinos were included in the so-called Paradise Papers—one of the world’s largest leak of financial documents showing how personalities manage to keep from paying higher taxes—according to a report from the Philippine Star.

The recent leak detailed how some politicians and business personalities use complex structures to launder money, fend off sanctions, and evade tax.

The controversial documents were first obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, and were shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ is now overseeing the investigation on the leak.

The Paradise Papers is composed of 13.4 million files, covering seven decades from 1950 to 2016. Most of its leaked documents

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SIOSON AJPress

THIS week, the Supreme Court (SC) began hearing arguments in the petition to declare Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs as unconstitutional.

More than 3,900 Filipinos have been killed since the so-called drug war launched last year mostly for supposedly resisting arrest. Critics of the campaign have claimed that summary executions are occurring during operations—an allegation that the police has repeatedly denied.

Last month, lawyers from the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) filed a petition before the SC. They argued that the the drug war should be declared unconstitutional because it paves way for the police to kill suspects in guise of “neutralizing” them during operations.

“That could be subject to misinterpretation by the policeman on the ground,” Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno of FLAG said during the course of oral arguments on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Diokno pointed out that the term “neutralize” could mean “kill”.

In their petition, human rights

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Supreme Court justices, led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, enter the SC en banc session hall in Manila during the start of oral arguments on the consolidated petitions to declare President Duterte’s drug war unconstitutional on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Duterte warns of revolutionary gov’t if ‘things go out of control’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, Nov. 18, warned anew that he would declare a revolutionary government if things have gone “out of control” and the government is at risk of being overthrown violently.

“If things go out of control and [the] government is weakened—that is my predicate,” Duterte told reporters in Davao City.

“If my country is weakened and I see revolutionaries bringing firearms on the streets, well, maybe you shouldn’t have second thoughts, I will declare a revolutionary government,” he added.

The president also pointed out that he prefers to declare a revolutionary government instead of martial law, as the latter has “many restrictions.”

He went on to say, “I will take it to the hilt. So do not do something that will cause or even attempt to topple [the] government, I will not allow that.”

Last month, Duterte warned that he would not hesitate to set up a revolutionary government in order to

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MEDAL OF HONOR. President Rodrigo Duterte confers the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan Medal to the wounded soldiers at the Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, November 21. The president awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan Medal to the wounded soldiers who took part in the anti-terror operations in Marawi City and to those who were wounded in separate encounters with lawless armed groups. During his speech, Duterte reiterated his assurance that he will improve the operational capabilities of the military.

Malacañang photo by Ruji Abat

Pacquiao mulls quitting politics

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin swore in nine new private citizens, including Filipina community leader Faith Bautista, to serve on the department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Community Advisory Board on Thursday, November 16.

AJPress photo

Filipina sworn in as member of key US Treasury advisory board

Faith Bautista, the president and CEO of the National Diversity Coalition (NDC) and NaWASHINGTON – A Filipina tional Asian American Coalition community leader was sworn in (NAAC), was appointed by the as a member of the U.S. Trea- Trump administration to serve sury Department’s Community for a total of four years.

The swearing-in ceremony Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Community was led by U.S. Treasury SecreAdvisory Board on Thursday, tary Steven Mnuchin inside the November 16. u PAGE A2

by CARINA

ORIEL

AJPress

Sen. Manny Pacquiao

Inquirer.net photo

PHILIPPINE Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday, Nov. 21 admitted that thoughts of resigning from politics have been crossing his mind.

In a press briefing at the Senate, Pacquiao expressed dismay toward “destabilizers” and politicians with “hidden agenda[s],” saying such feelings have made him ponder if he will still seek a new government post after his term ends in 2022.

“If you would ask me right now about politics, I feel like

getting dismayed, discouraged.

I’m thinking about quitting, like—so this is politics? Because I don’t know how to play politics. Whichever is correct, whichever I think is right for the nation, that’s what I will push for,” the senator told reporters in Filipino.

He added, “I discovered a lot when I joined politics—things that you wouldn’t know whether it’s true or not. A lot of them are concealing behind a different appearance.”

Pacquiao, more globally known for his boxing career, was elected as Sarangani Rep-

resentative in 2010. In 2016, he was elected as a member of the Senate.

Asked about his chances of running in the next election, Pacquiao responded, “You know, I told my wife [Jinkee] that I wanted to resign. But if I quit, who will be left with a heart? Who will provide real service?”

The senator said he was displeased by politicians who pretend to help the poor but have “hidden agenda[s].” He also expressed disappointment toward personalities who try to

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Dureza: Gov’t cancels peace talks with Reds

by FRANCES

G. MANGOSING & NESTOR CORRALES

planned meetings with the CPP/ NPA/NDF in line with President Duterte’s directive that there Inquirer.net will be no more peace talks with SECRETARY Jesus Dureza, them,” Dureza said in a statePresidential Adviser on the Peace ment.

“There will be no peace negoProcess, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, announced the cancellation of tiations anymore with the CPP/ peace talks with the communist NPA/NDF until such time as the rebels following the directive of desired enabling environment conducive to a change in the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process President Rodrigo Duterte.

(OPAPP) Secretary Jess Dureza “We are hereby announc- government’s position becomes Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc ing today the cancellation of all evident. We will closely watch

the developments,” he added.

Recent tragic and violent incidents all over the country committed by the communist rebels, he said, left the President with no other choice but to arrive at this decision.

In his visit to soldiers Tuesday, Duterte announced that he wants to cut talks with the New People’s Army following their string of attacks that have affected civilians.

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A november 24-30, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

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

From the Front Page

Supreme Court begins...

PAGE A1 t advocates wanted the high court to declare as unconstitutional the Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) 16-2016 or Philippine National Police (PNP)’s “Project: Double Barrel” or Duterte’s drug war.

The CMC 16-2016 aims “to clear all drug affected barangays across the country, conduct no let up operations against illegal drugs personalities, and dismantle drug syndicates” by pursuing the “neutralization” of illegal drug personalities and its network backbone.

Petitioners also want the high

court to declare as unconstitutional the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s Memorandum Circular 2017-112, which created a system of anonymous reporting of suspected criminals Lawyer Joel Butuyan, who represents families of 35 victims of anti-drug operations carried out by the Manila Police District Station 6 at San Andres Bukid, told SC that it was easy to be included but hard to be removed from the list of drug suspects.

Butuyan cited that his clients tried to clear their names but the “police are not allowing them.”

Next week on Tuesday, Nov.

28, it will be the key officials in Duterte’s drug war’s turn to defend the campaign before the high court.

The SC has ordered PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Interior officerin-charge Catalino Cuy to appear during the next week’s hearing.

Also summoned were Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Chief Aaron Aquino; Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) officer-in-charge Jose Marlowe Pedregosa; National Police Commission (Napolcom) Chief Atty.

Rogelio Casurao; and PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspector General Alfegard Triambulo. n

Duterte warns of revolutionary gov’t...

PAGE A1 t avert the country from falling into chaos amid the alleged destabilization efforts by his political enemies.

The president accused then that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the elite, the terrorists, and even the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), were working on his ouster. “’Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na (If your destabilization slips into chaos), I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary govern-

ment until the end of my term,” Duterte told state-run television network PTV 4 last October 13.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, has repeatedly claimed that there were no current destabilization threats against the president.

Critics have accused Duterte of wanting to extend his term by declaring a revolutionary government, but the president has repeatedly denied seeking to perpetuate himself to power.

Misquoted Duterte also accused the me-

dia of chopping his statements on their news reports and leaving out his conditions on declaring a A CALL TO JUSTICE. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Roberto Cadiz (4th from left) is joined by lawyers from the Integrated revolutionary government. “[A] revolutionary [govern- Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and various alternative legal groups such as the Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag), Alternative Law Groups ment]? Then we should have (ALG), Artikulo Tres, Center for International Law (Centerlaw), National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), Association of Law Students of a revolution first. Until there is the Philippines (ALSP), and the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (Ideals), gathered on Monday, Nov. 20, to urge fellow lawyers to take a more active role in standing by their solemn oath to be advocates of justice and human rights. a revolution, that’s unlikely,” Inquirer.net photo by Pathricia Roxas Duterte clarified.

“It wasn’t an outright statement that we should establish a revolutionary government. What I said…they (media) would really cut my message. That’s why I said I won’t engage on media’s PAGE A1 t “If I continue my career in God.” whims,” he added. n “There have been a lot of “destabilize” the government. politics, whatever responsibility But when asked whom he was God bestows on me, I will ac- strong people who wanted to become the president. Many referring to, the senator refused cept,” Pacquiao remarked.

According to him, many have have potentials, yet God did to cite specific names.

Concerning the possibility of aspired to become the chief ex- not approve. No one can benization focused on sustainable running next for presidency, ecutive of the country but “it come the president but those homeownership, job creation, the neophyte senator said he is is impossible to become presi- whom the Lord anoints,” he small business, and economic looking to God for guidance. dent without the approval from added. n development for Asian Americans throughout the nation. NDC is a congregation of community organizers, faith-based leaders, nonprofit directors, and busiproclamation tagging the NPA as added. “We will closely watch ness owners who work together PAGE A1 t the developments.”

“We take guidance from the terrorists. to achieve financial equality and The Communist Party of the “We have expressed our deep empowerment for underserved President’s recent announcements and declarations. This is Philippines and the NPA are part gratitude to the royal Norwegian communities.

Through her work at NDC and an unfortunate development in of the list of foreign terrorist or- government for its strong supganizations since 2002. port as we also expressed to their NAAC, Bautista creates strategic our work for peace,” he said.

He said Duterte “has taken officials our regrets for this turn The President also threatpartnerships between corporations, government agencies, and ened to shut down mining firms unprecedented steps and has of events.

Despite this setback, hopecommunity organizations to ad- which give revolutionary taxes walked the so-called extra mile fully only temporary, we remain vocate for opportunities in hom- to the rebels. This is seen as a to bring peace.”

“Never before have we all steadfast and undeterred in our eownership, small business, and form of extortion by the milifinancial literacy. The three major tary, which allows the mining reached this far in our negotia- unrelenting journey for sustainable and just peace,” he said. themes that the organizations’ firms to be spared from the reb- tions with them,” he said.

“However, the communist “I now call on everyone: “let’s work focuses on are diversity, els’ attacks.

Duterte also recently an- party and its armed elements all stay the course together,” he economic empowerment, and corporate social responsibility. n nounced that he would issue a have not shown reciprocity,” he added. n

Pacquiao mulls quitting...

Filipina sworn in as member of key US Treasury...

PAGE A1 t Cash Room of the department’s building.

Bautista is one of nine private citizens to serve on the board, alongside six public representatives, totaling 15 members. She is one of two officers on the board coming from a national consumer or public interest organization.

The Advisory Board advises the U.S. Treasury Department’s CDFI Fund on policies and activities focusing on economic development and empowerment for underserved and low-to-moderate income communities.

“I am honored to be the first person of Filipino descent to serve on the CDFI Fund’s Community Advisory Board. Through this role, I will continue to advocate for the underrepresented within our community and beyond,” Bau-

tista told the Asian Journal, adding that her position will hopefully bring more Filipinos appointed to government positions.

In October, Bautista and the NDC announced the launch of The Capital Corps, LLC, a CDFIcreated with the intention to finance homeowners and small businesses that are currently underserved by banks and other traditional financial institutions.

“I’ve been working on policies to help 70 percent of people living paycheck to paycheck. CDFIs are the solution to give access to capital to low-to-moderate income consumers. I will continue shaping up policies to increase jobs, homeownership, and provide access to small businesses,” she said.

NAAC is a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling orga-

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

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

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

Dureza: Gov’t cancels peace talks...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 10 April 1, 2018 (Sun ) Rome

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

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

Day 12 April 3, 2018 (Mon) Rome – USA

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

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 24-30, 2017

A

How a Filipina educator in LA inspires kids through social justice

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

OUTSIDE of Elizabeth Kleinrock’s 4th-grade classroom hangs a sign that welcomes undocumented people hangs outside by the entrance. Inside, the classroom walls are decorated with charts that define fairness, justice/injustice, race/ethnicity and gender inequality and what being an ally and advocate mean.

This isn’t your everyday 4thgrade classroom.

Kleinrock, known as Ms. Liz, teaches fourth graders at the Citizens of the World Charter School - Silver Lake (CWC - SL), a network of schools committed to socio-economic, cultural and racial diversity.

CWC - Silver Lake prepares transitional kindergarten through 8th grade (TK-8) students for academic success, but what separates them from traditional schools is a particular focus on social justice. Since 2012, CWC Silver Lake has embraced nontraditional methods of teaching students some rather nontraditional topics taught in schools like race, gender, cultural diversity and socio-economic disparities.

One of the founders of the school is Filipina-American Maureen Lamorena-Tatsui, who serves as TK-5 co-principal.

According to Lamorena-Tatsui, CWC is preparing students to become responsible citizens who understand what justice means and who are able to have healthy conversations about race and gender among other issues.

Moreover, CWC teachers encourage deep, critical thinking over mere memorization of right answers to encourage students to develop active reasoning skills. “yes, we’re preparing them academically, yes we’re preparing them socially and also emotionally,” Lamorena-Tatsui told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. “But if they leave us and they go into a world which they don’t know how to navigate around or how to have discussions with people who are different from them and they don’t know how to embrace difference then that’s a problem because then we’re just going to be replicating the problems we see in our country today. So that’s why it’s important for us to teach it and address it.”

CWC - Silver Lake takes on a constructivist learning model which seeks to build experiences around students’ existing knowledge. Rather than just have students learn everything from textbooks, study guides and teacher lectures, teachers seek to understand the students and build lessons around that, promoting active learning.

“In the classrooms, learning is social,” Lamorena-Tatsui explained. “That’s also where that diversity really comes into play because it’s great that the schools are diverse, but if we’re not taking advantage of that and kids aren’t learning from each other’s different experiences, it’s all for naught.”

An educator from the beginning The inherent desire to revolu-

Defrocked priest in US arrested...

PAGE A1 t ary 1999 which he failed to do.

“Alam niya na papalabas na ‘yung warrant of arrest [so] nagpaalam siya dun sa Amerika. Nagpaalam siya dun na magbabakasyon siya sa Pilipinas (He knew of the warrant of arrest release in America. He said that he would be going on vacation to the Philippines),” said Laguna Provincial Intelligence Branch chief, Superintendent Vic Cabatingan, according to GMA News.

According to Laguna police who said they received a tip regarding Sayasaya’s location, the former Catholic priest had been changing his name and residence for the past 15 years. His warrant of arrest was released in 2002.

“Kaya nga nagkaroon tayo ng tracking dito. Nagkaroon tayo ng validation sa address na binigay sa warrant of arrest, wala siya dun. So trinack-down natin kasi may mga kakilala siya, hanggang ma-landing natin sa Barangay Looc, Calamba City (So we did a tracking here. We got validation at the address given in the warrant of arrest, he was not there. So we tracked him down because he had a lot of acquaintances, until we landed in Barangay Looc, Calamba City),” said Cabatingan.

In 2012, the United States’ Court of Appeals (CA) First Division approved a lower court’s order for Sayasaya’s extradition in 2012. He had been charged in the District Court East Central Judicial District in Cass County, North Dakota.

“It is… in the interest of civilized communities that crimes should not go unpunished. On this score, we cannot allow our country to be a haven for fugitives, cowards, and weaklings, who, instead of facing the consequences of their actions choose to run and hide,” said the CA decision.

The Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on December 28, 2010 found probable cause to grant the request of the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) to extradite Sayasaya who then attempted to challenge it.

In a 23-page ruling, the CA through Associate Justice Amy Lazar-Javier denied Sayasaya’s petition of reversal and said the evidence against his alleged sexual offences “met the standard of probable cause”.

The CA decision also reiterated that the RTC found the affidavit of detective Grey Clayton Warren of the Police Department of West Fargo, North Dakota, who investigated Sayasaya’s illegal acts, as valid.

“This Court gives respect and credence to the foregoing factual findings, which are amply supported by the evidence on record,” said the appeals court. It also stated that the Philippine government “has an obligation to ensure crimes not go unpunished”.

“Suppression of crimes is the concern not only of the state where it is committed but also of any other state to which the criminal may have escaped,” it added.

(Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

This map shows the location of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Mauritius and Seychelles where law firm Appleby holds offices. The latest dump from the Paradise Papers leak by the ICIJ lists bankers, businesmen and politicians from the Philippines.

Infographic by Jonathan Asuncion/Philstar.com

Filipinos named in Paradise...

PAGE A1 t were from offshore law firm Appleby, and other 19 tax havens.

In a statement, Appleby, one of the world’s most prestigious offshore law firms, insisted that it “does not tolerate illegal behavior.”

“Appleby has thoroughly and vigorously investigated the allegations and we are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing, either on the part of ourselves or our clients,” it said.

“We refute any allegations that may suggest otherwise and we would be happy to cooperate fully with any legitimate and authorised investigation of the allegations by the appropriate and relevant authorities, it added.

Having “researched the ICIJ’s allegations,” Appleby said it believed the allegations are “unfounded and based on a lack of understanding of the legitimate and lawful structures used in the offshore sector.”

There are reportedly 169 Filipinos and major entities included in the list.

The ICIJ, meanwhile, emphasized that “there are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts.”

“We do not intend to suggest or imply that any people, companies or other entities included in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database have broken the law or otherwise acted improperly,” the group said.

(Dana Sioson/AJPress)

tionize education for LamorenaTatsui — whose 8-year-old son is a 3rd grader at CWC - Silver Lake — began in college.

A native of Los Angeles and daughter of Filipino immigrants, she was heavily involved in the Filipino organization Samahang Pilipino as an undergraduate at UCLA. There, she founded an outreach organization called Samahang Pilipino Advancing Community Empowerment (SPACE), which provided counseling and tutoring to local high school students with the goal to increase access to college for Filipino Americans.

She then realized that she’d always been engaged in school, and after college, she joined Teach For America which provided training for prospective teachers. Teach For America brought her to the Bronx, where she received training and taught kindergarten alongside four other teachers. Here she met Ramona Patrick who would approach her years later to co-found CWC - Silver Lake.

After Teach for America, she taught at Dickison Elementary School in Compton, California for 10 years. It was at Dickison where she saw the effects of a good education has on a disenfranchised community.

“The inequalities start from birth,” she said of the students she taught at Dickison. “The things my students and their families were up against in that environment was really challeng-

A GATHERING OF MAYORS. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with the Mayors who joined the 65th League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) General Assembly at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City on Tuesday, November 21.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Re-elected Lavarro urges Jersey City Pinoys to vote for Team Fulop candidates on Dec. 5 runoff elections

JERSEy City Council President Rolando Lavarro was re-elected convincingly in the last November 7 elections, and was the top vote getter for the At-Large position, garnering 20,470 votes, according to the Hudson County Clerk website.

“I am thankful and humbled by the resounding support, which reaffirms the work and progress we have accomplished in Jersey City,” said Lavarro. “But to keep Jersey u PAGE A5 City moving forward, I need col-

leagues on the Council that I can work collaboratively with and who share our values and vision for Jersey City.”

The contest is not over for Lavarro’s teammates running for their Ward seats, who are headed to a December 5 runoff election, as they did not secure more than 50% of the votes in their respective contests. Lavarro is urging the community to vote on Tuesday, December 5, to send his teammates to the Council.

“It is imperative that we come out to vote on Tuesday, December 5, for Denise Ridley (3A) for Ward A, Mira Prinz-Arey (3A) for Ward B, and John Hanussak (1A) for Ward C.” “I cannot stress enough that every vote counts. Our friend Mira missed the 50% mark on November 7 by literally a handful of votes. We cannot let this opportunity to pass us by, to elect Council representatives that can fight for

u PAGE A4

A november 24-30, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

Sen. Franken accused of groping and kissing Fil-Am entertainer in 2006

Dateline USa

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

Anchor for “McIntyre in the Morning” Leeann Tweeden tells her story

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

A FilipinA-AmericAn model turned radio newscaster on Wednesday, november 15, said that in 2006, she, without her consent, was kissed and groped

by Sen. Al Franken (D-minn.), who joins a growing list of men accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct against women. morning newscaster on the los Angeles-based KABc, leeann Tweeden, who is half Filipina from her mother’s side, described her experience in a piece titled, “Senator Al Franken Kissed and Groped me Without my consent, And There’s nothing Funny About it.”

She details a time in December 2006 when she — then a model — was on her ninth tour with the United Services Organization (USO) to entertain the troops in Afghanistan. Franken, who was still a working comic and not yet a senator, was the troupe’s headliner.

Franken, a former “Saturday night live” writer and performer, “had written some skits for the show and brought props and costumes to go along with them,” Tweeden wrote. “like many USO shows before and since, the skits were full of sexual innuendo geared toward a young, male audience.”

She continued, “As a TV host and sports broadcaster, as well as a model familiar to the audi-

ence from the covers of FHm, maxim and playboy, i was only expecting to emcee and introduce the acts, but Franken said he had written a part for me that he thought would be funny, and i agreed to play along.”

The skit Franken wrote for Tweeden required his character to come at the then-model for a kiss, but Tweeden suggested she turn her head at the last minute “to get more laughs from the crowd.”

Before the show, they rehearsed the skit alone backstage where Franken insisted they rehearse the kiss. She ignored him, but he kept insisting to which she told him, “‘relax Al, this isn’t Snl...we don’t need to rehearse the kiss.”

He persisted they rehearse everything, making her uncomfortable. She reluctantly agreed, and when it came in time for the kiss, he “put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth,” Tweeden wrote.

Soon after this incident, Tweeden avoided Franken for the rest of the tour. She said that he attacked her with petty insults, “including drawing devil horns on at least one of the headshots i was autographing for the troops.” in another instance on the 36hour flight back to los Angeles, Tweeden, wearing a helmet and

flak jacket bearing her name, fell asleep on the c-17 cargo plane where Franken groped her breasts for a photo without her consent. “i felt violated all over again. embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated,” Tweeden said upon discovering the lewd photo. “How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?”

At the time, Tweeden only told a few people, including her husband. For years, she wanted to tell her story but was worried that it may affect her career.

What made her change her mind was when california rep.

Jackie Speier (D-San mateo) was a guest for “mcintyre in the morning” a few weeks ago when she recounted when she was sexually assaulted as a congressional aide in an experience similar to Tweeden’s.

Tweeden now felt compelled to tell her story, saying, “i had locked up those memories of helplessness and violation for a long time, but they all came rushing back to me and my hands clinched into fists like it was yesterday.”

One day after the news broke on KABc, Franken told reporters, “i certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but i send my sincerest apologies to leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. i shouldn’t have done it.”

HIGANTES FESTIVAL. Townsfolk of Angono, Rizal celebrate their fiesta with the Higantes Festival, in which 12-feet papier mache giants are paraded on the streets in honor of San Clemente, Patron saint of fishermen.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

On Friday, november 17, he issued a statement where he said, “The first thing i want to do is apologize: to leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone i represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. There’s more i want to say, but the first and most important thing—and if it’s the only thing you care to hear, that’s fine—is: i’m sorry.”

Franken, who expressed shame over his behavior, added that if an ethics investigation were to go forth on his conduct,

he “will gladly cooperate.”

U.S. president Donald Trump even took to Twitter to weigh in on the issue, saying “The Al Frankenstein picture is really bad, speaks a thousand words.”

“And to think that just last week he was lecturing anyone who would listen about sexual harassment and respect for women. lesley Stahl tape?” the president said in another tweet.

Tweeden has since said that she only came forward her with her story to shed a light on the rampant sexual misconduct that permeates many professional environments.

“i wasn’t calling for his resignation, i wasn’t calling for his career to end,” Tweeden said Friday morning on “The View.” “i didn’t want any of that. i just wanted to shine the light and stand on the shoulders of these other women to go, ‘This is not right, this is not what should be happening in our society.’”

Since the story of the downfall of Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein (who was accused by several hundred women of sexual misconduct and rape) in October, many have come out and told their own stories of sexual assault and harassment by many men in power. n

UN slams Duterte over threats against special rapporteur by dana

SioSon AJPress

THe United nations’ (Un) human rights office on Tuesday, nov. 21, rebuked philippine president rodrigo Duterte for issuing threats against special rapporteur on summary executions Agnes callamard. in a statement, Un High commissioner for Human rights spokesperson rupert colville said the international body condemned “in stronger terms” the insults and threats of physical violence made by the Filipino leader. “last week mr. Duterte threatened to slap ms. callamard if she investigates him for alleged extrajudicial killings,” colville said, adding that Duterte “made the same threat” against callamard in June.

On nov. 9, the Filipino leader warned callamard that he will “slap” her if she insisted on probing his drug war.

“Kung imbestigahin mo ako, sampalin kita (if you investigate me, i will slap you),” the president said then in a speech before the Filipino community in Vietnam. callamard has repeatedly expressed the intent to investigate “all unlawful deaths” that allegedly transpired under what she described as a “cruel” campaign in the philippines—earning the ire of Duterte.

Data from the government showed around 3,900 drug suspects were killed during drug war operations for reportedly resisting arrest. police have also repeatedly claimed that there were zero cases of extrajudicial killings.

Defending callamard, colville noted that the special rapporteur “has clearly been acting fully in line with her mandate when commenting on the situation in the philippines.”

“This campaign, coupled with the repeated personal attacks on ms. callamard by president Duterte, seems to be designed to intimidate her into not carrying out the mandate bestowed on her by the Human rights council,” colville added.

According to him, callamard has also been recently “subject-

UN special rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard Inquirer.net photo

ed to a tirade of online abuse, including physical threats, during what appears to be a prolonged and well-orchestrated trolling operation across the internet and on social media.”

He went on to say, “We condemn this treatment of ms. callamard, and the disrespect it shows to the Human rights council that appointed her, in the strongest terms.” responding to the international body’s latest criticism against him, Duterte challenged the Un human rights office to face him.

“Sabihin mo sa kanya, harapin niya ako dito, p**** talaga hiritan. Binabastos niya tayo (Tell them to face me here. They are being rude to us),” the chief executive said in a media briefing at the 65th general assembly of the league of cities of the philippines on Tuesday.

Duterte insisted that callamard contradicts the Un’s own report when she supposedly believed a “black doctor” who qualified that “the use of drugs is harmless,” referring to columbia University neuroscientist Dr. carl Hart.

The chief executive pointed out that the doctor’s statement contradicts a Un report entitled “international narcotics control Board precursors and chemicals Frequently Used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic Drugs and Tropic Substances 2014,” which stated that the use of methamphetamine or shabu “sometimes triggers aggressive, violent and bizarre behavior among users.” n

Re-elected Lavarro urges...

PAGE A3 t us and represent our interest in the council.”

The Jersey city municipal council is a 9-member body, with three At-large and six Ward council representatives. “i cannot pass meaningful legislation on my own,” said lavarro. “it is important that the community vote for Team Fulop candidates of ridley for Ward A, prinz-Arey for Ward B, and Hanussak for Ward c.”

The Wards in the December 5 runoff represent concentrations of Filipinos in Jersey city. Ward A encompasses country Village, Franklin park, Greenville, port liberte, Society Hill, and where Jollibee is located. Ward B encompasses the stretch of West Side Avenue, a major business corridor with many Filipino small

businesses. Ward c encompasses Journal Square, which also has its share of Filipino businesses, including the popular max restaurant and philippine Breadhouse.

Ward e encompassing downtown Jersey city is also in a runoff, with rebecca Symes facing off against James Solomon.

“We need to speak loudly with our votes,” said lavarro. “Anyone who needs information about early Voting or Vote By mail or need assistance to vote in the December 5 runoff can go to lavarroforjerseycity.com or contact my campaign by calling or texting 201-988-5260 or sending an email to lavarroforjerseycity@gmail.com or stopping by the Team Fulop HQ on the corner of West Side & ege Avenues. We are working hard until December 5 to get Team Fulop candidates to the finish line.” n

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

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 24-30, 2017

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Former Chief Justice Davide warns against rush to federalism

by Jerome

Aning Inquirer.net

ForMer Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, described as a “lethal experiment” and a “leap into hell” the apparent rush by Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a shift in the form of government from unitary to federal.

“I assert that the shift to federalism or amendments to our Constitution to accomplish the goals and objectives of the proponents of federalism is totally unnecessary,” Davide told business executives at Manila Polo Club in Makati.

He said the reasons cited to support the move were “deceptively misleading.”

“All such goals and objectives can adequately and sufficiently be accomplished by merely but effectively and efficiently implementing the provisions of the 1987 Constitution for strong local autonomy and decentralization,” Davide said.

He said the local government

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

units’ complaints about their share in the proceeds of the use and development of natural resources in their areas were already addressed in Article 10 of the Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991. regional dev’t councils The Constitution, according to Davide, even provides for the creation of regional development councils to accelerate socioeconomic growth in the regions.

“In brief, effective decentralization or power-sharing between

Inquirer.net photo

the central government and the political subdivisions are already assured and mandated, not denied or impeded by the Constitution,” he said.

If there are deficiencies in the Local Government Code that hinders regional development, then Congress should just amend the law, he added.

Because natural wealth and resources are not evenly distributed geographically in the country, some of the regions under the

u PAGE A7

How a Filipina educator in LA...

PAGE A3 t ing, but I learned how incredibly resilient the children are and how, regardless of where they go to school, they can achieve great things.”

In 2012, while she was still teaching at Dickison, she was approached by Teach For America colleague Patrick, who had been hired by CWC to start a new chapter in Silver Lake. originally approached to be a dean and then a teacher, Lamorena-Tatsui became the assistant principal of the newly-formed charter, taking care of transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.

She described starting CWC Silver Lake as an entrepreneurial endeavor and compared the experience to launching a startup company. Although challenging many times, the enthusiasm that she and Patrick shared has continued, and both saw a need for a school like CWC.

As co-principals, LamorenaTatsui and Patrick both enjoyed the freedom and flexibility when choosing a teaching diverse staff who are “mission and visionaligned” with CWC and have the drive to incorporate non-traditional teaching methods into their lesson plans.

“There’s a need for our schools. If you look at what’s going on in the world, you’ll know that there’s a need for schools like ours. I think CWC schools are founded and start-up in communities that are already diverse and CWC schools are diverse by design. It’s a unique model because you don’t have a lot of schools today that are intentionally integrated.”

A need to teach social justice Teaching young students about things like race, gender, immigration and socio-economic injustice is not easy, “Through this work, we real-

ized it’s going to be really tough to talk about and really tough to address, and people are going to have differing opinions on how it should be done, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done,” Lamorena-Tatsui said. “When you talk about what it means to be a citizen of the world, we’re not trying to do business as usual here.

It is going to ruffle of some feathers and it certainly has.”

Some of the teachings did concern some parents who questioned if teaching elementary school children about touchy subjects like race and gender disparities was appropriate.

Lamorena-Tatsui, Patrick and a group of parents met to discuss some of the more controversial subject topics that teachers were incorporating into their teaching material, including racism and white privilege.

Most parents are on board with the school’s mission because they

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PNP Chief Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa together with Police Director Oscar David Albayalde (RD, NCRPO) visited the policemen and policewomen who were deployed during the 30th ASEAN Summit last Nov. 10-14.

PNP photo

Duterte to return leadership of drug war to PNP

by DAnA

SioSon AJPress

oNe month after the police exited the anti-illegal drugs campaign, President rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, Nov. 22, said he would soon reappoint the Philippine National Police (PNP) to lead his drug war.

During his visit to the headquarters of Special operations Command in Nueva ecija, Duterte hinted that the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA), which is currently spearheading the campaign, may have been struggling due to lack of manpower.

According to Duterte, he has no choice but to bring back the police to prevent the drug situation in the country from worsening.

“But as of now, just to, you know, parry, inilagay ko sa PDeA (I designated PDeA). But whether I like it or not, I have to return

that power to the police because surely, it will increase the activity of — sa shabu (methamphetamine),” the president said.

Last month, Duterte ordered the PNP out of the drug war amid public outcry over alleged police abuses and killings of suspects, including teenagers. replacing the PNP, he designated PDeA as the “sole agency” in charge of his anti-narcotics campaign.

Just days after the order was issued, PDeA Director General Aaron Aquino himself expressed hope that the agency’s lead role in the drug war would only be “temporary.”

“I know the public has high expectations but I am asking the public for understanding because of our limitations,” Aquino said in a radio interview. “I hope this is just a temporary arrangement; we need the police.”

Supporting the proposed return of police back to drug war,

House minority leader and Quezon rep. Danilo Suarez noted that the PNP “has more resources and personnel than the PDeA to confront drug syndicates.”

Compared to about 175,000 police nationwide, PDeA has only about 2,000 personnel, 1,100 of which are agents.

“I believe that the PDeA is doing its best to eradicate illegal drugs. However, if the problem worsens and the president decides to tap the PNP again, I will support that,” Suarez told reporters in a media briefing.

He pointed out that the illegal drug trade “is a P700-billion industry whose resources cannot be matched even by the PNP.” He went on to say, “The president has admitted that he underestimated the severity of the drug problem in the country. We are far from completely eradicating illegal drugs 16 months into the campaign.” n

want their kids to learn alongside kids who aren’t like them, Lamorena-Tatsui said. However, some parents disagreed with some of the school’s teachings regarding some of the more touchy subjects; for example, the co-principals found that some parents didn’t think racism should be discussed at all.

“I struggled with that,” Lamorena-Tatsui recalled about the meetings. “We’re in very liberal

Los Angeles, we attract very progressive families so for even that to emerge, and to hear someone say that, I was taken aback.”

It’s an ongoing challenge, she lamented, to get these parents to engage with CWC’s mission, but she and Patrick are determined to continue their mission to incorporate these “necessary lessons” to prepare students for navigating through “an unjust world.”

“We do have students of color here who are hurt. They hear things from other children so it’s important for us to address it because the school should be a safe space for children,” she said.

“At this young age children are so open to learning these things and it’s an opportunity. It doesn’t mean we’re brainwashing them, but we’re just bringing to light that these are things that exist out in the world.” n

A6 NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FEATURES

OPINION

Rehabilitating criminals THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has scrapped a plan to set up a mega prison facility in Nueva Ecija. The DOJ estimated that such a facility would cost some P150 billion over 20 years. Instead, according to DOJ officials, the funds earmarked for the facility would be used to construct additional prison buildings in existing penal colonies and another regional prison in Pangasinan or one of the Ilocos provinces.

Building additional prisons around the country would make it easier for people to visit incarcerated relatives, DOJ officials said. They have apparently taken into account the case of the mega rehabilitation facility donated to the government by controversial Chinese tycoon Huang Rulun. The 10,000-bed center in Laur, Nueva Ecija remains underutilized. The former head of the Dangerous Drugs Board attributed this to the inaccessibility of the facility to families with members needing drug rehabilitation. The facility may be converted into an academy for drug enforcement units, with smaller rehabilitation centers instead set up in other parts of the country.

This is the same approach now being considered by the DOJ in constructing more national prisons.

While the department ponders its final move, the government should also consider building additional local jails, which are under the Department

of the Interior and Local Government’s jail management bureau and provincial governments.

Local jails were already congested even before the Duterte administration launched its intensified crackdown on illegal drugs. The system was not prepared for the flood of drug suspects tossed behind bars, apart from those arrested for other offenses. The government may also consider constructing additional prisons for women as well as special facilities for juvenile offenders and those convicted of whitecollar crimes.

The state must make it clear that crime does not pay. Many convicted criminals, however, deserve a second chance to become productive members of society. Alongside punishment, the thrust of modern penology is corrections. This starts with the provision of adequate prison facilities. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Thanksgiving challenge: What is your gratitude inventory?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! Amid the stress at work and at home, preparing for a Thanksgiving feast, planning for Black Friday shipping, thinking about the Christmas holidays and giftgiving, our year-end review of goals met and those still pending, the bank, credit card, auto, rent and mortgage payments, tuition fees, money to be sent to help family back in the Philippines — the list goes on and on... and we feel overwhelmed by them all that we forget the very essence of Thanksgiving Day. Of course, as a nation, this holi-

day is meant to collectively give thanks for our liberty, freedom, and graces we receive as one people in this great experiment that is America. But this day is also a perfect time to slow down and reflect about the things we are thankful for in our own lives. Unfortunately, this ritual of counting our blessings has been taking a back seat as we worry about life.

So this week, let me share with you this “gratitude inventory” that I got from Psychology Today, written by Dr. Barton Goldsmith, and challenge you to make your own gratitude inventory. Are you up to it? Here it goes: “As Thanksgiving approaches, I think it’s important to take a gratitude inventory. A number of things in life can make us

uncomfortable or even a little miffed. But sometimes they are gifts in disguise. With that in mind, here are my top ten things to be thankful for.

1. Be thankful for growing older. Not everyone gets this opportunity. Aging with health and grace is a rare and beautiful gift.

2. Be thankful that you can read these words. It is a very sad thing that many people do not have the ability to read.

3. If you have to wait in line at the supermarket for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful that you can afford what you want to eat and have a convenient place to buy it. We are all aware of the many people waiting in line to have a meal at the local homeless shelter.

4. Be thankful for the ability

to pay your bills, even if it means that you have to give up some things that you want. Remember that having basic needs met is a luxury for many people.

5. If you have to get up before dawn to get to work, be thankful that you get to see another sunrise and have a job to go to.

Think about what it would be like if you slept everyday until noon and spent the rest of your waking hours wondering what to do with your life.

6. When you’re stuck in traffic, be thankful you have a car to get where you need to go and money to buy gas. Standing in the rain while waiting for a bus is, at the very least, uncomfortable.

7. When the kids are screaming at each other, be thankful that you have children to love

Trump’s Asia strategy

Commentary

DAN STEINBOCK PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s critics claim that he lacks a comprehensive approach to Asia. In reality, his current approach is aligned with moderate ‘America First’ goals. But what did Trump really achieve in Asia?

While former President Barack Obama’s Asia pivot was based on multilateral trade agreements, which were mainly geopolitical and predicated on exclusionary politics against China, Trump’s interest is in bilateral trade deals, which are fueled by U.S. exports, foreign investments in U.S. jobs and foreign purchases of American military weaponry.

That’s what Trump was after in the grueling 12-day Asia tour.

Deals with Japan Outside of North America, Japan is America’s third-largest export market and second-largest source of imports. Japanese firms are the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S., and Japanese investors are the largest foreign holders of U.S. treasuries. After Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the White House’s focus has been on a redefined bilateral trade deal with Japan that would also include significant arms deals.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pursues controversial strategic initiatives, including re-militarization, the U.S.-style security legislation, and re-nuclearization. However, the share of Japanese trade covered by free trade deals or economic partnership agreements remains less than a third now (and

would only rise to 34 percent even with the EU deal), which is half of that of South Korea (68 percent).

Also, Japan lacks deals with its largest trade partners, China and the U.S., as well as India.

With his quest for a bilateral trade deal with Japan, Trump wants more U.S. exports and arms sales to Tokyo, and Japan’s military buys from Pentagon. Abe seeks a trade deal to assist support structural reforms at home and U.S. security assurances against China.

Tensions with South Korea Since the 1950s, the Mutual Defense Treaty has allowed the U.S. to dominate South Korea’s defense. However, after the Park impeachment, South Korea opted for a strategic U-turn in economy and strategic relations. Elected in May 2017, President Moon Jaein supports the U.S. anti-missile system (THAAD) and sanctions against North Korea, but only as long as it may bring Pyongyang to the negotiating table.

South Korea is the U.S.’ seventh-largest trading partner and the U.S. is South Korea’s secondlargest trading partner. The two economies are joined by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). While the Trump administration has stated its intent to review and renegotiate the deal, it has not specified what it would like to amend.

During his visit, Trump offered strategic security assurances in return for deals that would generate more jobs in the U.S. and reduce the bilateral trade deficit.

South Korea is likely to purchase advanced strategic assets, including nuclear-powered submarines and reconnaissance assets.

Strategic patience with China In East Asia, Trump’s priori-

ties are secondary to his China agenda. In 2016, U.S.-China trade amounted to $579 billion, while Trump’s focus is on the $368 billion trade deficit. Yet, merchandise trade is only one aspect of the bilateral economic relationship. China is America’s fourth largest services trading partner, third-largest services export market, and U.S. has a major services trade surplus with China.

The combined annual U.S.China investment passed $60 billion in 2016, and China remains the second-largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities ($1.2 billion as of August 2017), which help keep U.S. interest rates low.

In Beijing, Trump’s more moderate approach toward China paid off, as evidenced by the historic $254 billion deals. Some of these buys, including Boeing’s $37 billion aircraft order, were negotiated previously, while other pacts extend over long periods, including a 20-year shale gas and chemical project in West Virginia. Nevertheless, the volume of bilateral deals will ease tension between Washington and Beijing for some time to come.

Tributary deals with ASEAN Trump seeks to renegotiate many of the existing trade deals.

So, several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (SEAN) countries that were not included in the current tour sought to preempt pressures.

During a recent visit, Premier Najib Razak announced that Malaysia’s national pension and provident funds would invest several billion dollars in equity and infrastructure projects in the U.S. Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha promised Thailand would buy Blackhawk and Lakota helicopters, a Cobra gunship, Harpoon

missiles and F-16 fighter jet upgrades, plus 20 new Boeing jetliners for Thai Airways.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong showcased Singapore Airlines’ deal with Boeing for buying 39 B787 and B777-9 aircraft.

That is the regional way to offer dollar-tribute to the US hegemon.

‘Strategic partnership’ with Vietnam While Obama’s goal was to push a “strategic partnership” with Vietnam, Trump’s objectives are more economic. Following the post-1986 Vietnamese economic reforms and U.S. extension of normal trade relations (NTR) status in 2001, bilateral trade soared from $220 million in 1994 to $45 billion in 2015, which has turned Vietnam into the 13th largest source for U.S. imports (but only 37th largest destination for US exports).

According to Trump, the U.S. got a $12 billion order from Boeing, but critics claim that the deal with Vietnam’s VietJet airline was a result of Obama’s visit in 2016.

Nevertheless, Trump sees Vietnam as a deficit risk and the latter sees the U.S. as a captive of agricultural interests.

Obama and his Pentagon dreamed of permanent U.S. military installations in Vietnam.

Trump might concede – if the price is right.

Strategic continuity with the Philippines During the Aquino III years (2010-16), increasing cooperation with the U.S. resulted in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the return of US forces, rearmament supported by the Pentagon and the escalation of maritime conflicts with China. However, close U.S. ties

and who love you, and remember that at least some of the time, they do get along. There will always be bumps in the road, but they are usually followed by easier times.

8. When your mate is acting grumpy or giving you a hard time, be thankful for having love in your life and someone to grow old with. A life partner is something that less than half the population has. Having your partner is a blessing that needs to be counted several times.

9. When your parents are telling you how to run your life, be thankful that you still have them around. If they are no longer with you, take a moment to be thankful for the time you had with them.

10. When you sit down with

your loved ones for your Thanksgiving dinner, be thankful for everyone and everything that makes it possible. Look your family and friends in the eye and express to them your gratitude for sharing this wonderful time together.

Thanksgiving is a very special holiday. Embrace those around you and your ability to give thanks with the people you love.”

WHAT IS YOUR GRATITUDE INVENTORY?? ***

also coincided with deep strategic dependency on U.S., economic polarization within the country and the spread of drugs, corruption and alleged “narco ties” with the pre-2016 regime.

With Duterte, the U.S.-Philippine relationship has been subject to a recalibration and, at the end of the Obama era, alleged U.S. efforts at destabilization. Duterte’s sovereign foreign policy maintains U.S. security guarantees but benefits from economic ties with China. Now the Philippines is linked to China’s One Road One Belt (OBOR) initiative, which supports the government’s infrastructure program to triple the Philippine per capita incomes in the next 25 years.

Concurrently, U.S.-Philippine tensions have been eased as Duterte has developed more constructive personal ties with the Trump White House.

Free trade prospects Trump also attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Danang, Vietnam, followed by the 50th anniversary of Asean in Manila.

While trade ministers from 11 countries announced they would push ahead with a TPP without the U.S., the latter is a shaky TPP lite that will serve as a face-saving measure to Japan and as a hedge option to other nations.

The best APEC may hope for is long-term U.S.-Chinese cooperation for the Free Trade Area of Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which focuses on trade and investment and has room for both the U.S. and China.

In effect, the Asean nations’ integration plan AEC 2025, which would be undermined by a “America First” policy, stands to benefit from China’s OBOR plans, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment initiative (AIIP).

New risks, new opportunities

Except for China, Trump’s Asian tour was largely a hard sell of military assets across the region.

While the conventional wisdom is that Obama achieved America’s pivot to Asia, the reality is that the pivot was mainly military and sought strategic gains.

This is why: During the Obama military pivot to Asia, Asia/Oceania received most of global imports (43 percent), according to SIPRI. The U.S. continues to dominate imports to its key security allies in Australia, Japan, and South Korea. But while the Obama pivot contributed to maritime conflicts in the region thus fueling demand for weapons, the Pentagon did not cash the profits. Instead, today Russia accounts for most arms deliveries to Asia and Oceania (37 percent), followed by the U.S. (27 percent) and China (10 percent).

What about the economic realities? Trump said that the Asian tour generated “at least $300 billion worth of deals,” which will more than “triple in a fairly short period of time.” Yet, the bottom line is $253 billion from deals with China and perhaps a total of $300 billion — if ASEAN deals that were negotiated prior to the tour are included. That may be far more than any post-Cold War U.S. administration — including Clinton, Bush and Obama — ever achieved in Asia.

If U.S.-Chinese economic ties prevail, China’s rebalancing and the rise of emerging Asia could contribute to far greater economic gains with the US and in the region. (ManilaTimes.net) ***

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

Dr Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served as research director at the India, China and America Institute (USA) and visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see https://www. differencegroup.net/

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

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 24-30, 2017

Ombudsman unfazed amid looming impeachment rap

by Dana

budsman rushed her filing of graft and usurpation cases against former President Benigno Aquino III to block the graver charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides.

Some families of the SAF 44 accused the Ombudsman of downgrading the case when she junked their complaint about reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides against Aquino due to the “lack of probable cause.”

Topacio, who also serves as the legal counsel of the SAF families, said some congressmen already expressed intent to endorse their impeachment complaints against Morales, especially when President Rodrigo Duterte called for her impeachment.

“We are garnering more and more support in the lower

house… We have two or three already confirmed,” Topacio said last week. A complaint needs the endorsement of at least one congressman before it can be heard by the House of Representatives.

Earlier in October, Duterte said he will file an impeachment complaint against Morales for her supposed selective justice.

Asked about the allegations against her, Morales only said: “No comment, I go by the evidence.”

Morales likewise declined to comment when asked on the status of her office’s investigation on the alleged unexplained wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family.

“I have inhibited myself there and I wouldn’t know its status,” the Ombudsman reiterated.

Morales previously said she has inhibited herself from acting on any case filed against the Duterte family as her nephew, lawyer Manases Carpio, is married to Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

She instead authorized Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang Carandang to investigate the bank transactions of the Duterte family based on Senator Antonio Trillanes’ complaint. The senator has accused the president and his family of having billions of illegally amassed wealth. n

“As soon as the accused have rested their presentation of evidence, their respective cases may already be submitted for the decision of the court,” the Supreme Cour stated.

As of November 21, 2017, the RTC had heard a total of 273 witnesses: 166 prosecution witnesses and 107 defense witnesses.

It has resolved all the 15 sets of FOE in connection with bail applications of 70 of the accused.

The lower court has also resolved all bail applications of the accused, including that of accused Andal “unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., which was denied on May 31, 2017.

A motion for reconsideration filed by the accused was denied by the court in its order dated June 16, 2017.

The prosecution has finished presentation of evidence in the main cases against all of the accused, save for Datu Andal Am-

patuan Jr. Because bail proceedings against him had been terminated, the RTC is awaiting a manifestation to be filed by the prosecution on their Formal Offer of Evidence where accused Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. is concerned.

Eight batches of FOE have been filed in court. Seven of them have been resolved.

It is already the turn of the accused to present their evidence-inchief.

Thirty-one of them have concluded presentation of their evidence.

Thirty-four more accused are presenting their respective evidence-in-chief. under guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, specifically applying to these cases only, the RTC may render judgment separately and not wait for all the accused to conclude presenting their evidence. n

SioSon

AJPress

OMBuDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales remained unfazed by reports of looming impeachment complaints against her.

“Everybody is at liberty to file any complaint against anybody including me,” Morales told reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 22, when asked to comment the reported impeachment complaint to be soon filed against her by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Earlier, Ferdinand Topacio of the VACC said their group would file an impeachment complaint against Morales this week before the House of Representatives.

Topacio cited Morales’ supposed “inordinate delays” in conducting an investigation on several complaints, which according to him, resulted in the dismissal of several high-profile cases before the Sandiganbayan.

In addition, Topacio said their complaint would also cover the Ombudsman’s alleged partiality on her office’s investigation into the botched Mamasapano incident that led to the deaths of 44 members of the Special Action Forces (SAF).

Topacio claimed that the Om-

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales Inquirer.net photo

Maguindanao massacre case trial nears end

by Jomar

CanlaS ManilaTimes.net

THERE are only three major issues left to be resolved before the Maguindanao massacre case can be considered closed, according to the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Supreme Court (SC).

On November 23, 2009, 57 people, including at least 38 journalists, were killed in what has been regarded as the world’s worst crime that visited members of the media.

The case, which involves murder charges against 103 individuals, is being tried at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 before Judge Jocelyn Reyes.

The three major issues are: resolution of the remaining formal offers of evidence (FOE) of the evidence-in-chief; demurrers to evidence; and termination of presentation of evidence by the defense.

A

OFWS AND FAMILIES IN A SUMMIT: Senator Cynthia A. Villar, together with DPWH Sec. Mark Villar and the OFWs and their families ‘showed their force’ during the Villar SIPAG 7th OFW and Family Summit held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The success stories of OFWs who ventured in agriculture or the agri-preneurs were highlighted during the event. The senator, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, says she wants to see the day when our countrymen no longer need to work abroad due to various opportunities from agriculture. Also in the photo with the Villars are Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Ramon Lopez, Acts OFW partylist Rep. Aniceto John Bertiz III and Engr. Albert Paredes, Pasay City Mayor Chief of Staff.

Senate photo

Former Chief Justice Davide warns...

PAGE A5 t proposed federal setup might end up poor and would have to be run by the central government, Davide said.

Social justice Davide, a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the basic law in 1986, called it the “best Constitution in the world.”

He noted that Congress had yet to fully enforce provisions of the current Constitution, especially those dealing with social justice.

Congress has yet to enact enabling laws to “give life” to many unimplemented provisions of the Constitution.

He reminded government officials, whether appointed or elected, that they swore to uphold the 1987 Constitution. “Have we done enough to be true and faithful public servants under the Constitution?” he asked.

“We can work better, faster, more efficient in a unitary system,” Davide said, adding that under a rushed federal system, “democracy would be at risk.”

Bangsamoro Basic Law The former Chief Justice advised that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law be passed first as it contained elements of a federal type of government for Muslim Mindanao.

If the system succeeds in Muslim Mindanao, then the federalization of the rest of the country could follow, he said.

In his talk, Davide used three

major drafts being considered by Congress for the proposed constitutional amendments.

One is a draft submitted by former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Another has been presented by the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, which also includes a parliamentary form of government.

The third is embodied under proposed Joint Resolution No. 8 crafted by Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and ABS Rep. Eugene Michael de Vera.

Davide echoed other sectors, legal experts and political pundits’ criticisms of efforts to change the form of government.

“A shift to federalism is a lethal experiment, a fatal leap, a plunge to death, a leap to hell,” he said, as he enumerated 18 of his objections to federalism.

Bloated bureaucracy The former Chief Justice centered his objections on the “bloating” of the bureaucracy with the creation of the regional governments.

Davide said people would be made to pay more taxes to support and maintain regional governments. There would also be an increase in the number of nonelected government and civil positions.

The introduction of elected executive and legislative positions in the regions could also breed new or entrench old political dynasties as there would be “more juicy elec-

tive positions which will guarantee more fortune, fame and power to soothe politicians and their families,” he said.

Regions and its subunits might become mired in “feudalism” and end up becoming turfs of a ruling political class, Davide added, warning against the continuing “reign of the few.”

There would also be more private armies, more warlordism, more expensive elections and wider opportunities for graft and corruption with the creation of new public offices.

Judicial independence The proposals for the shift to federalism could also affect judicial independence as there are proposals to abolish the Judicial and Bar Council, which vets and recommends nominees to positions in the Judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The proposals call for mere recommendations from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to the Commission on Appointments, which will choose the nominees.

There would also be a massive reorganization in the judiciary with the regionalization of the Courts of Appeals and the antigraft Sandiganbayan.

The rule of law would also “suffer a lot” under the feudal lords while there would also be “disarray” in the criminal judicial system with the “unavoidable” reclassification of federal and state offenses. n

A november 24-30, 2017 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

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

NOVEMBER 24-30, 2017

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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 24 , 20 1 7

FIL-AM ArTIST FrAnCIS CALIMLIM

Connecting with his history, community and identity by

FILIPInO-AMErICAn interdisciplinary artist Francis Calimlim believes that you should always have conversations with yourself.

Some may think it’s crazy, but from his experience, doing such can open the avenue to discover who you are and want to be.

As an interdisciplinary artist, Calimlim’s practice focuses on “the process of making,” meaning he doesn’t categorize himself in any particular style or medium.

“Whether it be drawing, installation, video or performance, it really depends on what I’m trying to figure out,” he explained. “I’ve stopped myself early on to jump straight to an end-goal or outcome, and allow my work to take the forms it needs to be, usually ending up in places I did not expect in the beginning stages. I like

“W/alis,” 2016.

Malou liwanag-bledsoe / AJPress

the process of the game, play, setting rules and limitation to start a project off with, and I basically just go for the ride.”

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Calimlim was only three years old when he and his family immigrated to the United States. His mother was from nueva Ecija; while his father was from Baguio. He grew up mostly in San Diego, California, although he traveled back to Manila almost every year.

Being an only child, Calimlim spent most of his time at home The artist doing work on “A Lala.” watching TV and drawing. “My mom, who was an engineer, thought of different career would bring home old navy paths such as animation or ship schematics as scratch illustration.” paper for me to draw on where He graduated from San I would sketch my own version Diego State University, majoring of the cartoons and TV shows I in Multimedia. Although he watched,” he shared. “I never got pursued photography and out of that practice of drawing moved through many different and inventing, and always phases — film, illustration and sculpture — he eventually found himself focused on painting.

Insider/outsider: Finding the connection as a Fil-Am Calimlim gradually shifted his focus during the two years before he began his graduate studies at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) in 2014. “...I took three trips to the Philippines. I shot a lot of photos and really focused on my experiences of now being there as an adult. It really started to sink in that going back home [to Manila] felt both welcoming and extremely foreign to me “Peaces,” 2016, in plaster cast.

— I became very aware of my positionality as a FilipinoAmerican, and how that affected my interactions with the people and places I passed through.

“The Three That Made It (Were Left Behind,” 2017.

“Bumalik ka na, ha ha ha,” 2017”

“Without A [(Be)C/P(I)]ause.”

“Lazarus,” 2017.

Francis Calimlim

“The last phase of my paintings described those feelings of being an outsider in the Philippines, painting landscapes depicted through various kinds of windows and frames in the foreground; looking out into the scenery from the inside of some sort of vehicle or house, to express feeling like a tourist,” he said.

Halfway through his graduate program, Calimlim left painting and began to focus more on interdisciplinary approaches, including what he felt during his trip to the Philippines. “ I was still thinking about depicting this “insideroutsider” experience, while also including other issues such as diaspora, social and cultural contradictions, and (dis)connection. “I am still currently focused on these ideas, although they are angled from a more subjectivityfocused orientation. I am interested in the individual subject and the idea of community that is both longed

“A Lala,” 2017.

and searched for – more specifically, Filipino-American communities,” he said.

In 2016, Calimlim made the nine-sculpture installation project entitled, “Balikbayan.”

Each sculpture was a balikbayan box that has been cut in a particular angle, arranged across the gallery floor. It was a continuation of his previous project, “For When You Welcome Me (2015),” which was a series of 132 ink drawings on featuring at least one figure protruding a part of their body out of the box.

Calimlim’s artist statement reveals his eagerness to explore “subjectivity within Fil-Am diasporic communities and its (neo/post) colonial symptoms.”

Through mixed media, he focuses on the subject of the balikbayan (overseas Filipino) entangled in intergenerational collisions and trauma. He is “interested in the individual residing within and who form these communities, who are often times generalized under the focus of communal healing, resistance, and solidarity.”

However, including his “Mmm, ano? K! Manok, man. OK: Chickens,” Filipino heritage in his work 2017. is important to “very specific extent.”

“It’s all about intention — and if more obvious Filipino signifiers are required to fill certain holes of content then they certainly should be used, but very intentionally and responsibly,” he explained. “I don’t believe in using materials for just the sake of being more easily legible and indicative of who I am and where I’m from. I think to do that ends up misrepresenting and backfiring in the long-run, resulting in potentially tokenizing myself in some regards, as if saying, ‘I’m Filipino because I’m using Filipino things!.’ It can really narrow the perspective of the Filipino(-American) experience for others to understand by redirecting the focus to just these particular objects, closing

the scope to just a few aspects, and blocking a lot of our complexities and history.”

Sharing his struggles during his early years as an artist, Calimlim explained that he continually face these — though at a different level — today.

“It was tough going through school and never taught about Filipino artists, or even artists of color in general. It was a mostly white, male and Eurocentric art history, which conditioned me to only know how to learn from and try to emulate in the beginning. I had to do a lot of my own research and digging to find artists and figures who I can really connect with.

“My particular struggles personally as an artist reflect a lot of issues that I face on a regular basis. Living in San Francisco with a brutal economic environment, being a person of color that potentially reads as ethnically ambiguous, and a presidency that targets many forms of racial queerness and identity, are just some of the things that I struggle with that affects my practice and how I think about my work. In a lot of ways, I work with and through my art as a way of coping with and understand these issues that I’m a part of. Art can be a way of figuring things out, a way of processing that is already inherently a struggle,” Calimlim said.

At present, Calimlim is currently teaching an Experimental Drawing class at the SFAI’s Public Education Program. He was also part of “APAture,” the annual Asian & Pacific American arts festival, presented by Kearny Street Workshop at the Arc Studios and Gallery in San Francisco.

For more information on Francis Calimlim and his work visit his website at www. franciscalimlimart.com. *Cover photos: Installation, “Balik” (2016), medium: balikbayan cardboard boxes, rope, duct tape. All photos courtesy of Francis Calimlim.

Zanjoe Marudo dapper on iEmmys red carpet Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia on working by iza iglesias

ZAnjOE Marudo stood tall and proud as the lone Filipino nominee at the 45th International Emmy Awards (iEmmys) in new York Monday night, nov. 20.

Wearing a white-on-white suit, the 35-year old ABS-CBn talent said he felt like winner just by walking the length of red the carpet along with gifted actors from all around the world.

Marudo was nominated for his portrayal of a single father who raised his children in side a cave after a storm ravaged their home in an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” He lost to no less than the British multi-awarded actor and director Kenneth Branagh for the UK crime series “Wallander.”

Besides Branagh, Marudo was up against Brazil’s julio Andrade and France’s Kad Merad.

Zanjoe Marudo “This recognition from the Photo from Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo ManilaTimes.net

iEmmys is a personal milestone for me as an actor and as a Filipino. This is a dream come true. I thank the jurors, the show MMK, ABS-CBn and Star Magic,” Marudo said in statement sent to The Manila Times in October when his nomination was first announced.

In 2016, Marudo’s colleague in Star Magic, jodi Sta. Maria, was also nominated for the top female acting honors for her role in “Pangako Sa ‘Yo.” It will be remembered that MMK gave Marudo one of his first acting jobs after his stint in the “Pinoy Big Brother” reality show in 2006. That same year, he starred with rica Peralejo and Derek ramsay in the “Love Letter” episode of the anthology.

Between 2006 and 2016, Marudo Continued on Page 6

with Robin Padilla, Sharon Cuneta

by Jan Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA love team “joshLia,” composed of joshua Garcia and julia Barretto, shared what could be their “scariest nightmare.”

“There is one time, in my dreams, there is something bad happened kay josh. Umiiyak ako sa dream ko hanggang paggising ko. Talagang iyak ako ng iyak hanggang narealize ko na dream lang pala iyon,” julia told select media during joshLia’s launch of the new Oppo F5.

For joshua, who had many experiences in supernatural occurrences but refused to share his stories, his worst nightmare was seeing his partner julia with another guy.

“Unexpectedly Yours” stars Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla, and Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto Star Cinema photos

“Nangyari na rin sa akin ‘yon, ang bigat sa pakiramdam paggising mo. Siya (julia) nakita ko na may kasamang ibang lalake, umiyak ako. Parang secretly may sinasamahan s’yang iba. Paggising ko ang bigat sa pakiramdam.

Salamat at panaginip lang,” the “Good Son” actor said.

Since the success of the film “Vince and Kath and james,” the pair skyrocketed to the top. now, they have an upcoming movie Continued on Page 6

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An Asian Journal Magazine

Immigration Corner

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks

Thank you to ABS-CBN, TFC, and the entire crew of Citizen Pinoy, who share my vision of providing a public-service program to the Filipino community THANKSGIVING is when concerning immigration people step back and reflect on information. It makes me so proud all of the wonderful things and and happy when people come up events to be grateful for, and to to me, saying they watch Citizen give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us Pinoy every single week, and have learned so much from the real life achieve them. stories and questions and answers At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all presented. I thank all the crew of Citizen Pinoy for their hard work, of the people who have been so kind and supportive of me and my dedication, and passion for this worthy public service. immigration law practice.

Thank you to all of our friends Thank you to all of my clients. in the media, who through their You are the reason I am able to prestigious publications, enabled remain in business. I also know us to reach those who need our how important your immigration services and inform the Filipino matter is in your life and in the life community about newsworthy of your family. I appreciate your immigration information. You trust and confidence in my office, serve as an avenue to help “BRING in allowing us to handle such an FAMILIES TOGETHER” and help important matter.

Thank you to the entire Filipino “MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE.” community. I truly appreciate Thank you to my staff. Your your warmth and support, and I thank you for all of your letters and tireless efforts and dedication to our clients are the main reasons emails telling me how you enjoy we can continue to provide quality my articles and television show, service to our many loyal clients.

Citizen Pinoy. I am happy to be of Thank you to my wife, Millie. service to you, and I will continue People say that behind every to support Filipino events and successful man, there is a Filipina causes.

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

A rollercoaster of emotions on a brand-new ‘Citizen Pinoy’!

NORMA and Joy had to leave behind their autistic child Michael when they immigrated to the U.S. because he aged out.

It was a very painful decision for the couple. Visits were also rare, as Norma also had to care for her blind mother and her father who had Parkinson’s Disease.

In their desire to bring Michael over the soonest, Norma and Joy has seen three other lawyers who were unable to deliver results. In the end, they decided to retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who had also successfully handled their daughter’s immigration case.

When Michael’s priority date became current, Atty.

Gurfinkel wrote the U.S. Embassy to request special accommodations, that Michael’s caregiver/guardian be allowed to accompany him to the interview.

Atty. Gurfinkel briefed the caregiver days before Michael’s interview.

Michael passed the interview and entered the U.S. as a green card holder in September 2014.

Michael’s parents had a tearful reunion with their son and a truly Merry Christmas that year.

But then tragedy struck.

See how the events turned from pleasant to painful on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

The curious case of Stephen C. Davis Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Part 1 of 2) JUST for kicks during my halcyon days as a full-time working /full-time grad student at the University of the Philippines long ago, I had agreed to act as medium for a séance or a hypnotic session to conjure or call the spirit or spirits that were causing a disturbance.

I took over from another medium in a previous session weeks earlier conducted by a Jesuit priest from the Ateneo, Fr. Bulatao. There were repeated paranormal disturbances at the old building where I worked, a stone’s throw from the Institute of Mass Communication (now called by another name) where I was a grad student at night while working during the day as a full time research associate of what was then the Institute of Environmental Planning, now called the School of Urban & Regional Planning. That haunted building has been razed and there stands a newer multistory building.

At night, the custodian claimed that when all the rooms were locked up and no one was inside, there were eerie noises that would make the hair on the back of one’s neck stand on end. The occurrences were so frequent and so disruptive, ignoring them and pretending life was normal was no longer an option. Someone finally did something about it and called on Fr. Bulatao to help shed light on the mysterious goings-on at the institute. I simply avoided the rest rooms and steered away from isolated areas of the building and never stayed in the building past sundown.

Professor Cynthia Turingan was the first medium. Under hypnosis, she revealed that an American soldier, an enlisted man,

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 24 , 20 1 7

wife. After many years of marriage, I know it’s true. Words cannot express my gratitude for your help, support and dedication to our business. You are the “wind beneath my wings.”

And most of all, thank you to the Almighty. Without His blessings, benevolence, and guidance, none of this would be possible. May He allow me to continue to assist people with their problems, and allow the prayers of all people to be answered and fulfilled. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

THE UPS AND DOWNS, AND THE BITTERSWEET ENDING OF A SPECIAL CASE ABOUT A SPECIAL SON WHO HAD AUTISM ON THIS SUNDAY’S CITIZEN PINOY! When Norma immigrated to the U.S., she had to leave behind their autistic son, Michael because he aged out. The separation broke her heart.

Norma and husband Joy (left) went to three other attorneys who were unable to deliver results, until they decided to retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was finally able to bring Michael to the U.S., to be reunited with his parents.

Watch the heartfelt journey of Michael and his family that led to a pleasant reunion, but with a painful ending, on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

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

AUGUST 2018

A ghost story “...In memory of one American soldier...” by the name of Stephen Davies (his name was spelled with an e in the surname) was murdered at the location right smack dab where the building stood. Details of a murder story flowed out of her like a gusher. But then it came to an abrupt halt when the door to the room where the session was being held, for no apparent reason, suddenly burst open.

The medium snapped out of the hypnotic trance feeling extremely limp and exhausted as though she had traveled many miles across a desert. I stood up and with a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders calmly closed the door.

Dissatisfied with the aborted session, the group decided to hold another. Professor Turingan was unavailable for the next session and I was drafted to act as medium, a role which I accepted on a lark and a dare.

There was a thunderstorm raging outside but I don’t remember much of what I said when I went on a trance. I do remember feeling very light, as though weightless, while someone gently whispered things to my ear. Later, I learned that under hypnotic suggestion, I was instructed to go back to 1945, the year that the medium revealed when the alleged murder of the American soldier occurred.

I described the place as I saw it — an open field, a moonless night, quonset huts and a heavy sense of foreboding in the air.

During the session, the same Stephen Davies revealed the name of his murderer. He said he was hit on the head by a piece of wood while he was out on patrol one night and was robbed of his money. The ghost revealed details about his murderer: his assailant’s Continued on Page 6

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

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

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

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

GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORKING & MARKETING BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS

GOVERNMENT-TO-BUSINESS

BUSINESS-TO-CONSUMER SALES

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

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

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

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

4

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 24 , 20 1 7

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Excelsa De Jesus: multi-faceted, ambitious, and indomitable

BoBBy T. yalong “WE only pass this stage of youth but once…and dreaming lofty dreams today is to be assured of a dazzling and secured tomorrow…”

Millennials, (the demographic cohort following Gen X or the 13th Generation composed of people born in the 60s and 70s) according to Iconoclast, are made up of Gen Y or those born during the 80s and 90s) that have quantified the paramount significance of an astute groundwork for the future. While Generation Y and Generation Z (those born from 1981 to 2001 (including those born a little beyond) are both called

Gerald Santos as Thuy in a scene from Miss Saigon: “I was so nervous during the gala night.

Thank God I was able to pull it off.”

Philstar.com photos

Gerald Santos almost lost his voice in 1st show of the ‘Miss Saigon’ UK tour

Excelsa... plain and unfiltered

Excelsa’s beauty exudes even in her simplicity

Millennials, it can’t be denied that their perceptions, ideologies, and principles have incredibly transformed and altered global communications and identity brought about by the advent of modern technology.

Excelsa M. De Jesus, a quintessential exponent of the Millennial generation (being born on April 21, 1999), has candidly embraced the most recent advancement this world has to offer leaving her family values unaffected and intact.

A Taurean by heart Excelsa is strongly equipped with a great sagacity of will power, prefers clear paths and routes, and works diligently towards developing an intellectual sense of empathy and justice. As the youngest child in Excelsa De Jesus... an epitome of beauty, the brood of 3 and only daughter of Wilfredo De Jesus (a Physical brains, and heart.

Therapist and Pastor at the International Fellowship Church at College Point, NY) and Ana Gene M. De Jesus (a Physical Therapist and Homecare Provider), the dutiful “apple of the family’s eyes” grew up closely guarded and overly protected.

At the tender age of 18 she’s unmistakably loaded with wit and wisdom, she meticulously scrutinizes what is proper and good for her and what would ensure an excellent foundation for her future. Having weathered several trials and ably examined in her keenest analysis how to give the best of her in any endeavor, she finds her journey interesting and every challenge was worth giving a try.

Excelsa is the intelligent type, setting aside serious personal affair and listing it last among

A mamoth crowd that benefited from Excelsa’s fundraisers.

A welcome billboard in Iloilo

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

There’s beauty even in her voice

her priorities.. “That will come later only after I have attained everything I have aspired for and success is comfortably rested in the palm of my hands,” she straightforwardly said. There was always that divergent sense of security and assurance in her every statement, with decisions firmly punctuated with precision and brevity. Substantial in her thoughts with inexhaustible mind Excelsa indubitably epitomizes a true-blooded millennial but honed and molded conventionally.

The future is her main concern so no slapdash judgment for her. Excelsa constantly keeps in mind that now is what tomorrow will be. A great number of guidelines could be beneficial such as studying her option and Continued on Page 7

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

SoMETHING not-so-funny happened to Gerald Santos on opening night of Miss Saigon last July in Leicester, the first leg of the long-running Cameron Mackintosh mega-musical’s UK tour.

“I almost lost my voice,” Gerald Santos, who plays Thuy, told Funfare. “Sobrang pagod because of the continuous rehearsal as soon as we arrived in Leicester.”

That was aside from the rigorous rehearsal and training that began in May as soon as he arrived in London from Manila to fulfill a contract that expires in April next year, together with three other Filipino actors who passed the auditions conducted in Manila late last year — Red Concepcion (Sam’s brother) as The Engineer, Joreen Bautista (from Pampanga) as cover for Kim and Christian Rey Marbella as cover for The Engineer.

“I felt a big relief when I was able to pull it off without any hitch,” added Gerald who was incredulous when Mackintosh congratulated him, saying, “You did a great job. You made me emotional.”

After more than 100 performances in four months in Birmington and Dublin (seven weeks), Gerald said that the

SCHOOL

SERVICES

Thuy character has become like second skin to him.

“I am Thuy eight days a week, with an extra performance in some days,” he noted. “So I am Thuy as soon as I wake up, I am Thuy when I’m eating, I am Thuy when I leave home (15-minute walk to the theater in Dublin). I am Thuy all days of the week.”

But not on Sundays, his rest day, when Gerald sleeps for as long as he wants, does groceries and laundry and cleans the apartment he shares with a Korean actor (also in the musical). “Sometimes, when I have free time I take a walk or I work out in the gym. I am a member of a health club that has jacuzzi and a sauna. Besides the workout, I make sure that I get enough sleep. The performance usually ends at around 10:30 in the evening and I get home with my energy level still high so I take Melatonin to put me to sleep.”

To preserve his voice, Gerald said that he has included all kinds of English tea in his diet (no meal at least two hours before he goes onstage and no chocolates except when he performs twice a day to help sustain his energy) and “steaming” his vocal cords before bedtime.

Although he cooks, Gerald Continued on Page 7

5 Getting to know Miss Universe-Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters Why Pia Wurtzbach believes Rachel Peters 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 24 , 20 1 7

BY MONET

LU

I HAVE caught wind of the latest update regarding Miss Universe 2017 that is happening on November 26 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The Philippines’ representative to Miss Universe 2017, Rachel Peters, seems to be a crowd favorite in this early stage in the competition. She is now leading in the pageant’s Facebook poll with over 209,000 votes as of posting. Rachel is followed by Miss Thailand with over 155,000 likes; Brazil with 28,000; Colombia with 37,000; Indonesia with 24,000; Nicaragua with 18,000; and Germany with 14,000.

This is good news for our country as we have been consistently placing well in these pageants for the past six years It would be an honor to win the crown again after Pia Wurtzbach won Miss Universe in 2015. I was there when that happened and I’m so thrilled to be witnessing it again this year. I will be in Las Vegas to support our candidate (hopefully I would be a lucky charm). Many will be flying out to support Rachel and we all just hope she gets in the top 5.

I watched her performance in the Binibining Pilipinas. She is oozing with confidence and she really owned the stage the night. She won Best in Swimsuit and that’s not really surprising once you see her walk with such fierceness and boy, her legs are endless! The crowd couldn’t get enough of her upon seeing her in her shimmering evening gown and the way she handled the Question and Answer (Q&A) portion like a pro.

She was asked about what she would say if she were to speak to leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)Summit. To which she confidently responded: “I believe one of the biggest problems that our country is facing today is divisiveness in politics, in religion, and also in culture. And I believe that it is something that is the same across the world, and that is something I would want to address. I believe that when people

Health@Heart

deserves to be Miss Universe 2017

can learn to tolerate each other’s differences and respect each other’s opinions, then we will just be a stronger nation and world.”

Rachel is 25 years old, of Filipino and British descent, and is from Camarines Sur. She is a graduate of La Trobe University in Australia. Before she entered Binibining Pilipinas, Rachel joined the Miss World Philippines 2014 pageant, where she placed 4th Princess to Valerie Weigmann.

She loves dogs and posts a lot of photos with her pets. According to her Bb Pilipinas profile, Rachel completed her International Baccalaureate at the British School in Phuket, Thailand, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business, Tourism and Events from La Trobe University in Australia.

She is also an events organizer.

On her Bb. Pilipinas video profile, she talked about organizing events and concerts.

“I’ve been living and breathing events for as long as I can remember. I’ve been lucky enough to work with artists such as Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera,” she said.

In her interview with Mega Style PH, Rachel described herself as “not very girly.”

“Growing up I wasn’t very girly.

I’d always hang out with boys and we’d be playing on the beach, I’d also play lots of sports like rugby.

You can imagine how it was a transition for me when I needed to start walking in heels, but I kept my style completely the same. As I said my advocacy is staying true to oneself and that’s what I did all throughout.”

It took longer for Rachel to be convinced of joining the Binibining

AT first, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach seemed hesitant to answer why Miss Philippines Rachel Peters should win Miss Universe 2017.

Perhaps, Pia, who will be judging at the pageant’s coronation night on November 26, does not want to be accused as biased to any candidate.

She, however, is confident that Rachel would take home Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown, not only because Rachel is her “kababayan.”

“Like a lot of people have said, she is the perfect package. I don’t think people have anything to worry about,” Pia told Philstar.com.

During the Miss Universe 2017 welcome party in Las Vegas, Rachel wore a dress in Pia’s signature royal blue. When asked

eyes on the prize but not forget to enjoy being in Vegas.

“Like with all the girls, I told them to have fun and stay focused. Don’t get distracted especially at this time of the competition where you’re there already, you’re wearing the sash already. People are trying to tell you what to do, but don’t get distracted and just focus on yourself,” Pia reminded Rachel and other Philippine pageant bets.

“And most importantly, to have fun because these few weeks are going to go by so fast and you don’t want to regret not making friends, having fun because whatever the results, that’s the kind of memories that you’re going to take with you!”

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

Pilipinas.

“Since joining Miss World, I’ve always had some people messaging me, ‘Please join. Why don’t you try?’’ And there’s always been a prestige that comes with being a Binibini. And I’m 25 and so I thought this was kinda my last chance and my last shot. And so I’m here and I’m gonna give it my all.” says Rachel in an interview with Rappler.

Now that she is finally in one of the greatest moments in her life competing with 91 candidates around the world, she has this one trick up her sleeves that her mom taught her.

“The most important thing that my mom has thought me is to really enjoy myself and also to take time for myself too. Because it can get pretty crazy what we’re doing and so we really need take ten minutes by ourselves. And when I started doing that, it made things so much clearer. And also to be kind to everyone,” Rachel says Well, Rachel, you are doing a great job charming them with your personality, attitude and beauty.

Congrats on the votes! I will be there cheering for you along with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtbach is among the judge for the Miss Universe 2017 Coronation Night on Sunday, Nov. 26. “half the country.” Keep shining, Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Organization Pilipinas! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Fascinating history

Calendar of Events across

Adrian Kantrowitz, American surgeons, implanted mechanical devise to help the diseased heart.

1967 - Christian Barnard of South Africa, performed the first whole heart transplant from one person to another.

1968 - Denton Cooley performed the first heart transplant in the United States on a 47-year-old man, using a donor heart from a 15-year-old.

The patient lived for 204 days. He had done 22 heart transplants over the next year, a record at the time.

1969 - Denton A. Cooley implanted the first artificial (mechanical) heart on a man to “tide him over” and keep him alive while waiting for a donor heart.

1972 - In the field of clinical application, Denton A. Cooley had, by this time, performed more than 10,000 open-heart surgeries, more than any other surgeon in the world. That year, in his honor, the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society was founded.

Its members are the more than 800 heart surgeons from 50 countries around the world whom he trained at the Texas Heart Institute (THI) in Houston.

(As a Filipino-American heart surgeon, I was truly humbled to be elected as its first president.)

The THI has been doing more than 30 open-heart surgeries per day since then.

1970s - Michel Mirowski, M.D., and his associates, Morton Mower, Stephen Heilman, M.D., Alois Langer, PhD, and a company called Medrad in Pittsburgh, developed the automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator. In 1980, the prototype AICD was implanted at Johns Hopkins to prevent sudden cardiac death.

1982 - Willem DeVries, an American surgeon, implanted a permanent artificial heart, designed by Robert Jarvic, also an American physician. O. H. Frazier and his team under Continued on Page 5

America

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(Part 1 of 2) Dutch physician, developed the first electrocardiogram.

PHILIP S. CHUA, 1912 - James B. Herrick, MD, FACS, FPCS an American physician, first described heart disease resulting AS the year comes to a close, from hardening of the arteries, a allow me to take you back in fundamental concept that led to time to revisit some of the great the modern therapy of today. moments in medical science 1938 - Robert E. Gross, an which made possible the great American surgeon, performed strides man has made in the the first heart surgery (closetreatment of cardiovascular heart, not open-heart). diseases that benefit all of us 1951 - Charles Hufnagel, an today. I had the privilege in 1972 American surgeon, developed a to train as a fellow in Cardiac plastic valve to repair the aortic Surgery under one of the world’s valve. giants in heart surgery, Dr. 1952 - F. John Lewis, an Denton A. Cooley, founder and American surgeon, performed surgeon-in-chief of the Texas the first successful open heart Heart Institute in Houston. surgery.

The management of heart 1953 - John H. Gibbon, an diseases was still in the Dark American surgeon, introduced Ages during my undergraduate the heart lung machine (which he years in the late 50s. Physicians published as a concept in 1937) then did not know how to treat and first used this mechanical heart diseases, much less, save heart and “blood purifier” to do the lives of patients with these the first “real open heart surgery” ailments. Looking back, the utilizing the heart lung machine, physicians at that time did not precursor of the modern day even know that simple aspirin cardiopulmonary bypass had any potential role in the machine. prevention or treatment of 1950 - John Hopps, a heart attacks. Treatment was Canadian, invented the external mainly symptomatic, using pain heart pacemaker. That same year, pills or pain shots. The most Willem Greatbatch introduced sophisticated pill was the nitrate the concept of an implantable pill, a vasodilator that “relaxes (internal) heart pacemaker. open” the coronary artery, 1960 - The first selfsince the “current” knowledge contained implantable heart in physiology then said angina pacemaker made by Medtronic pectoris (chest pain) was due to was inserted by W. C. Lillihei. spasm in the coronary arteries Over the years, this has been which supply the heart muscles improved, made more versatile, with oxygen and nutrition. smaller, better, and longer The first milestone that started it all was in 1628 when an lasting.

1961 - J. R. Jude, an American English physician first described blood circulation. Inspired by that, cardiologist, led a ream in performing the first external these historical events followed: cardiac massage to re-start the 1706 - Raymond de heart, the foundation for today’s Vieussens, a French anatomy CPR. professor, first described the 1960s - Denton A. Cooley structure of the heart’s chambers of Houston, Texas, rose to fame and vessels. for his extraordinary dexterity 1733 - Stephen Hales, an in performing thousands of English clergyman and scientist congenital heart surgeries in first measured blood pressure. infants, and for being the first to 1816 - Rene T. H. Laennec, a successfully remove pulmonary French physician, invented the emboli (clots in the lungs). first stethoscope.

1965 - Michael De Bakey and 1903 - Eillem Einthoven, a

if Pia thinks Rachel and other Miss Universe candidates have been copying her style, Pia said: “I think she has her own identity. I mean, that’s her advocacy. Her advocacy is celebrating self-identity. I don’t really see it as other girls making up a formula on how to win.”

Though Pia thinks Rachel has what it takes to bring home the bacon, winning still depends on how a candidate projects herself onstage and “if it’s meant for you.”

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN, Pia said that the coronation venue, Planet Hollywood, has been lucky for her, so she hopes that the lucky streak would extend to Rachel this year.

If Pia has a contribution to Rachel’s Miss Universe training, it would be her advice to keep her

N OV E M B E R 29

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

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

N OV E M B E R 3 0

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

D EC E M B E R 1

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

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

D EC E M B E R 2

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

Free oil filter exchange in Alhambra, CA Attention all Alhambra residents! Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event on Saturday, December 2! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone located at 1100 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803.

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

6

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 24 , 20 1 7

New York Consulate holds forum on elder abuse and scam NEW YORK - The Philippine Consulate General in New York held an anti-abuse and

anti-scam forum for the senior and aging members of the Filipino-American community on

November 18 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.

The event was organized by the Consulate to inform the community of the different forms of abuses and scams perpetrated against seniors and aging citizens, how to avoid them, and the different actions and resources available to them if they become victims. Representatives of Fil-Am organizations for the seniors, as well as unaffiliated senior members of the community, actively participated in the forum.

Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega said that the event is part of the Consulate’s efforts to provide programs and platforms Resource persons discuss abuses and scams targeting the aging. (Top R-L) Ms. Jennine Ventura, to further empower members of Ms. Carol Tanjutco, Consul Arman R. Talbo, Mr. Timothy Hatter, and Ms. DJ Arucan. the Fil-Am community, particularly the underserved and vulnerable sectors. She said that this session is important as the number of those belonging to the aging sector is expected to significantly increase in the coming years.

The resource speakers invited by the Consulate shared their expertise on the subject. Ms. Jennine Ventura, a Fil-Am Director at the NYC Department of the Aging, gave an overview of the services and resources provided by the New York City government Senior members of the Fil-Am community participate in the Forum organized by the Philippine for members of the aging Consulate. community. Ms. Carol Tanjutco of Eagle Strategies LLC discussed in detail the different forms of financial scams and how to avoid them.

Ms. DJ Arucan of the organization Womankind shared her experience as an advocate against abuses against women and offered the services of her organization in case there are cases of abuse and scams in the community. Mr. Timothy Hatter of the Office of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman shared to the community the actual forms of abuses and scams reported to their office and how they could be avoided.

The forum was moderated by The resource persons and participants pose for a photo after the forum.

Photos by NYPCG Consul Arman R. Talbo.

Teachers and Educators listen intently to the presentations and reports during the plenary

Association of Fil-Am Teachers in America holds NY Int’l Conference NEW YORK CITY – The Association of Fil-Am Teachers in America, Inc. (AFTA) held its International Educator’s Convention last November 11-13 at the Philippine Center in New York.

The convention, themed “Celebrate.Inspire.Lead” was attended by dozens of educators from across the United States.

Convention delegates had the chance to attend multiple modules designed to enhance their capabilities as teachers and educators. These modules included Classroom Strategies, Math Skills Development, Using Information and Technology for Literary Skills, and even Educator’s Brand Building among others.

The first day’s highlights included a presentation on the status of the Philippine educational system delivered by Undersecretary Lorna Dig Dino of the Philippine Department of Education, as well as a report on the status of Overseas Worker deployment policies by Philippine Labor Attaché Saul De Vries.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin

(Left to right Consul Kerwin Tate, USEC Lorna Dig Dino, Labor Attaché Saul De Vries)

Tate represented the Consulate and with the Consulate’s Cultural – Community Section, assisted during the morning program.

The spirited discussion that followed the reports led to the proposal to formalize the “Balik-turo” program of the AFTA and the Department of Education, to enable US-based Filipino teachers to share with their Philippine counterparts the best practices of the American educational system, to see what could be applied to the Philippine learning context.

The educators expressed their excitement and pleasure at

being afforded the opportunity to expand their skill sets, and at the same time interact with teaching colleagues coming from the Philippines.

The United States has been recruiting teachers from the Philippines for many years, with many of the teachers gaining recognition and awards for their excellence and dedication to education. AFTA has been a valued partner of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, and has been a major collaborator with the Paaralan sa Konsulado, one of the Consulate’s flagship programs.

Zanjoe Marudo dapper on iEmmys...

From Page 2

Photos from Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo

counts a total of 13 MMKs in his body of work.

Marudo said that while this latest validation of his acting skills comes from an international award-giving body, he has also thrived in nominations in the local scene.

The actor was nominated in 2011 for two awards: New Movie Actor of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies for the Star Cinema Film “You Got Me!” and Breakthrough Actor of the Year at Golden Screen Awards for “Altar.”

In 2011, he took home the 9th Gawad Tanglaw for Television’s Best Single Performance by an Actor for his role in MMK’s “Kuliglig” episode.

Thereafter, he was nominated

for the Best Supporting Actor award at the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival for his portrayal as Angel Locsin’s devoted boyfriend in the drama movie “One More Try.” The same role earned him two more best supporting actor nominations in the 61st FAMAS Awards and the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Movies.

Most recently, Marudo won the PinakaPasadong Katuwang na Aktor in the 19th Gawad Pasado Awards for the movie “The Third Party.” The dramedy was all the more challenging for Marudo as he portrayed Sam Milby’s new love interest. It also marked his second movie with Locsin who played Milby’s exgirlfriend.

Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia...

From Page 2

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

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

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

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

with no other than the “Bad Boy of Philippine movies” Robin Padilla and “Megastar” Sharon Cuneta.

“I am overwhelmed and very excited na makakatrabaho namin sila ni Josh. It is really a great opportunity that we really have to grab right away,” said Julia.

JoshLia admitted that they want to be together always, so

having a project together is a blessing for them.

“Personally, gusto ko katrabaho si Josh kasi masarap magtrabaho ‘pag kasama mo ‘yung taong nagi-inspire sa’yo, nagpapangiti sa’yo so ‘yung work, hindi sya nagiging work parang mas light sya,” Julia said.

The love team said fans always request for them to have their photos taken together

especially when on a date.

“Ayun din yung maganda eh. Nabibigay namin sa kanila and at the same time, gusto rin namin na lumabas so parang hindi namin kailangang magtago sa mga tao na lalabas kami,” said Joshua.

“Unexpectedly Yours,” starring JoshLia, Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla, will be showing on November 29.

The curious case...

From Page 3 name, the exact address where he lived, describing him as an old man by that time, languishing in jail for other crimes he committed and that the house where the murderer used to live on J.P. Rizal Street in Makati was eventually destroyed by fire.

He was asked about the name of his wife and where she lived, questions upon questions which the ghost said were “not important” but pressed further, he

lay scattered and mixed with the soil in the same area which was leveled years earlier by a bulldozer. The ghost of the dead said that his wife had remarried and pleaded not to bother his wife soldier requested that a mass be said on a sunny day in his anymore. He said that he was not the only spirit hovering in the area remembrance — a request the group readily granted him. Shortly and that there were many others. after, the eerie occurrences Asked about how he felt, he said seemed to stop. that he was lonely and that he (To be continued in next just wants to be remembered. week’s issue …)

Over and over again, he said he *** wanted to be remembered. He Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP ignored questions about his past of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send brushing them aside for the one comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ thing he wanted — that he be asianjournalinc.com remembered. His bones, he said,

Fascinating history From Page 5 Dr. Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute has performed more than 600 heart transplants, and doing extensive works on artificial (mechanical) hearts. Someday, they will be available on the shelf like pacemakers today, and heart bypass and cardiac valve surgeries would be a thing of the past.

A crazy idea A most worthy pioneer was Werner Forssmann, who, as a surgical resident in Germany in 1929, experimented with himself by inserting a catheter through a vein in his arm and into his heart. He walked to the basement

where the X-ray machine was, and x-rayed himself to prove that the catheter was in his heart. In another experiment, he injected dye to his heart through that catheter and took x-ray film.

Many of his fellow physicians were outraged by his “daring and insane” acts.

This, by the way, was the origin of what we know today as coronary or heart angiogram or cardiac catheterization that made possible life-saving procedures, like angioplasties and heart bypass surgeries all over the world. Thanks to Forssmann’s “crazy idea.” In 1956, Forssmann was awarded a Nobel prize, shared with Dickinson Richards

and Andre Cournand, physicians in New York who studied heart function and physiology using catheters.

(To be continued next week) *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Excelsa De Jesus: multi-faceted...

From Page 4 disseminating it like in a book, discerning its contents from the beginning and absorbing its concluding message with exactitude. She justifies the real context and digest it sans being bias or lop-sided for she knows mistakes will give a different meaning or ultimately lose its essence.

Music has constantly been an innate expression of her emotions since childhood. It is her heart and soul and the main core of her persona.

“I can’t even remember a single day I failed to sing or hum a tune. For me, music is something like a fundamental need like water, air, and food… something I couldn’t live without. Maybe, I can skip a meal but not my music,” Excelsa explicitly volunteered with an impish smile in an attempt to persuade me to her side. I smiled back with a nod to assure her that I believed what she stated.

Now that she has just exited the gates of La Guardia High School of Music and Performing Arts, Excelsa plans to take up Musical Theater (Integrated / Conservatory) at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in NYC to further hone her musical ingenuity and (maybe) explore her latent flair for theater arts.

To have a perfect grasp of who the real Excelsa is, here is an excerpt from what transpired during our cordial conversation one chilly Friday afternoon.

Asian Journal (AJ): What was your childhood like?

Excelsa De Jesus (EDJ): Being the youngest in the family I was overly cared for but I wasn’t a spoiled brat. I was born in Queens and moved to the Bronx when I was a toddler. I maybe young but I was responsible and clued-up as to the “don’t’s” and “do’s.” My parents and brothers could leave me alone at home when I was 5 weighed down with reminders like “Don’t open the door,”“Don’t go out,” etc.

AJ: What made you lean towards music?

EDJ: I remember I started to sing at a church service during a Christmas Cantata when I was 4. They just taught me the lyrics in English and Spanish without even knowing its meaning and message. From then on I began to love singing… at home entertaining guests and in school programs.

AJ: What type of music do you prefer?

EDJ: I go for lyrical and narrative songs… songs that tell story.

AJ: If not music, what other options do you have?

EDJ: Hmmm, I guess that would be dancing so there’ll still be music… or acting since music will still be applied as background to underline the scene. But honestly, I wouldn’t be happy without music.

AJ: Who was your greatest influence?

EDJ: Earlier when I first heard “Sing Me Your Song Again, Daddy” from Jose Mari Chan’s “Constant Change” album I instantaneously fell in love with it that I repetitiously sung it. Whitney Houston’s dominant vocal range empowered my inclination for high octave rendition, then I gravitated towards Broadway after I watched Lea Salonga in “Allegiance.” Now, I have a list of Broadway pieces in my repertoire.

AJ: What has been your biggest achievement?

EDJ: For me achievement is sharing. Whatever I accomplish, I share. I’ve done a couple of solo fundraising concerts like “Harmony of Praise” and “Fun To Raise” that benefited the less privileged children of Cebu, Manila, Iloilo, Palawan, and Estancia. Seeing these kids’ smile made me feel like my achievement has enormously multiplied.

AJ: How is your free time spent?

EDJ: I haven’t actually outgrown the very child in me.

Yeah, I watch anime, I write poetry and compose music. One evening I was so inspired that I composed a song overnight and performed it at the church service the next morning.

AJ: When the right time comes, what traits are you looking for in a man?

EDJ: He should be Godfearing, mature enough to take the challenges that marriage entails, he must be intelligent to carry a sensible conversation, and with a sense of humor. Well, good-looking should be a bonus. (giggles and laughs) AJ: Enumerate 5 things you cannot leave the house without.

EDJ: My meter card, money (of course), a fully charged cellphone, keys, and headphone.

AJ: What songs would you belt out in a bar, school auditorium, social hall, and an assemblage of senior citizens?

EDJ: Easily that would be jazzy music, pop and rock, Broadway and ballads, and classical or old time favorites… in that order.

AJ: Describe yourself in 5 adjectives: EDJ: Spunky, optimistic, ambitious, creative, and (passionately) driven AJ: Have you received an unsatisfactory comment after a performance? How did you handle it?

EDJ: I managed to acknowledge the constructive points and shrug off my shoulder if it was just meant to beleaguer me.

AJ: What music genre is your waterloo? And where are you best at?

EDJ: I really tried to be comfortable in any given genre but my weakest? That would be rock! On the other hand, I could straightforwardly say I’m at ease with Broadway.

AJ: Any regret in life?

EDJ: I regretted so much not having auditioned for a major musical production in school.

It could have given me the opportunity to shift my major from vocal to musical theater.

AJ: What was the performance that you could have done better?

EDJ: That would be my latest performance at the Town Hall in Times Square where I did “The Girl in 14G.” I thought I could have done it better if I only have more time to rehearse…but everybody was impressed and said it was good.

AJ: Any motto in life or guiding principle?

EDJ: This I wrote for my Annual Book: “Though I may not hold the pen but I carry the ink to make my mark in this world…after all, I cannot keep the history books waiting!”

Currently, while still on vacation from school, Excelsa unstoppably prepares for her upcoming journey as New York’s representative to the Miss Republic of the PhilippinesInternational to be participated by Filipinas around the world at the Sofitel Hotel on the last week of January, 2018.

From the Asian Journal, together with your friends in the local entertainment arena, we all wish you luck and come back home a queen.

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

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Participants of the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA) Region 1 Conference held in Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania last November 11. At front row center is Aida Navidad Rivera, MD, NaFFAA Region 1 Chairman. To her right is Representative Ron P. Salo of Kabayan Partylist (Philippine House of Representatives) Photo by NYPCG

PH Consulate General in New York renews engagement with NaFFAA-I THE National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA) Region 1 held its Conference last November 11 at Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, and with its conference theme, “the Beginning of a New Phase,” NaFFAA has handed over the baton to its first ever “millennial” national chairman, Brendan Flores, who is committed to engaging and empowering young Filipino Americans.

The Conference had

several sessions on a wide variety of topics such as civic engagement, entrepreneurship, tourism, and human/labor trafficking, amongst others.

Immigration lawyer JT Mallonga, the former National Chairperson of NaFFAA and current President of the Filipino American Legal Defense Education Fund (FALDEF), together with Vice Consul Tanya Faye O. Ramiro of the Philippine Consulate General, New York had a panel discussion on immigration, highlighting the need to assist Filipinos who are

affected by the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program by the Trump Administration.

Representative Ron P. Salo (Kabayan Partylist) of the House of Representatives of the Philippines also graced the occasion, where he discussed the advocacies of his Partylist, and congratulated NaFFAA for spearheading various initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Filipino-Americans.

The Conference ended with dinner in honor of Filipino Veterans.

Gerald Santos almost lost his voice...

From Page 4 really has no problem with food because of what he described as “the massive support” of kababayan who gives him pansit, pandesal, adobo, suman and other Filipino delicacies.

“The mom of the boy playing Tam (son of Kim) is a Filipina and she has been very supportive and very helpful. The boy is the third Filipino to play Tam in the UK tour and he’s very good.

Mahusay umarte even if he doesn’t have any dialogue.”

Aside from the Filipinos, there are other Asian artists in the cast including a Malaysian, a Vietnamese and an Indonesian.

“Christian Rey told me that I was very fortunate to be in my group, one of the best and the kindest daw, kaya maganda ang bonding namin. Sila at ang ating mga kababayan make me feel at home so I got over my homesickness easily. I have done shows abroad but it’s the first time that I’m living abroad and doing things myself.”

By now, Gerald (who rose to fame after winning Season 2 of the GMA talent search Pinoy Pop Superstar;the first winner was Jona) shall have finished recording an album for Star Records.As soon as he’s back in UK, he will join the cast in the Cardiff leg of the tour until April next year.

Beyond Miss Saigon, what?

“I want to audition for other musicals,” said Gerald. “I am keeping my options open and my fingers crossed.”

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY NOvEmbER 24, 2017