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Volume 17 - No. 48 • 3 Sections – 16 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Dr. Fe Del Mundo, first woman accepted into Harvard Medical School, honored with Google Doodle The pioneer in pediatrics honored on what would’ve been her 107th birthday IT may not be the Nobel Peace Prize, but a Google Doodle made in your likeness is quite possibly one of the highest honors bestowed in the digital age.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Google dedicated its Doodle — a temporary alteration of the search engine’s iconic logo on its homepages — to Dr. Fe Villanueva del Mundo, an internationally renowned Filipina pediatrician, on what would have been her 107th birthday.

Del Mundo was the first woman admitted into Harvard Medical School, but her achievements in pediatrics made her a luminary in the medical field. During World War II, she cared PAGE A2

Fil-Am Democrat TJ Cox declares victory in CA House race

FILIPINO-American Democrat TJ Cox has defeated three-term Republican incumbent David Valadao to represent California’s 21st Congressional District, giving Democrats its 40th House seat gain this election cycle.

Three weeks following the November 6 midterm elections, the 21st district remained one of the last undecided races in the country, with votes coming in favor for Cox on Monday.

By Wednesday, November 28, Cox pulled ahead with 529 votes in Fresno and Kings counties after having trailed behind Valadao

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

Arroyo: No conict in PH friendship with US, China

by GLEE JALEA Manilatimes.net

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated on Wednesday, November 28, that there was no problem with the Philippines’ friendship with both China and the United States because “they are both very important to the world and to the region, and our friendship with them is very important to us, and their friendship with each other is also very important to us.�

Arroyo was at the inauguration of the new building of the Bases Development and Conversion Authority (BCDA) in Clark Global City in Pampanga, which United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines JĂłzsef Bencze also attended.

Arroyo then invited Kim and Bencze to bring more investments to the Philippines, saying there is plenty of room for both China and the U.S. in the Philippines as far as putting in investments is concerned. “So there’s plenty of room again for more invest-

ments and we hope that there would be a lot of new investments coming from the United States Ambassador, from Europe, Ambassador, and of course from our Philippine investors. We hope that more people know about the American investments and we also hope that more American investments will come, now that we have this beautiful Clark Global City and the New Clark City as well,� she said.

Arroyo also said a big Chinese industrial park and a Chinese Cultural Museum would be built in PAGE A2

Tourist arrivals up– DOT

by NEIL JAYSON

SERVALLOS ManilaTimes.net

MORE tourists visited the Philippines this year despite the closure of key destinations for rehabilitation, the Department of Tourism said on Monday, November 26.

From January to September, 5.36 million tourists visited the country, 8.32 percent higher than last year’s 4.95 million.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat attributed the increase to well-built connections and aggressive market activities of the private tourism sector. “A successful tourism industry contributes greatly to the national economy‌ this growth is driven by more connections, affordable rates, and aggressive market activations of the private sector as we develop and promote more destinations in our beautiful country,â€? Puyat told reporters.

South Koreans topped the list of arrivals at 1.2 million.

Puyat said the closure of Boracay and several tourist hubs in Palawan had minimal effect on the number of foreign visitors.

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DUTERTE LEADS OPENING OF BOHOL-PANGLAO AIRPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the unveiling of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (inset) marker during its inauguration on Tuesday, November 27. Joining the president are Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Captain Jim MalacaĂąang photos by Alfred Frias Sydiongco.

Bersamin named new chief justice Sandiganbayan on Imelda’s appeal to take case to SC: Premature

by RALPH

VILLANUEVA Manilatimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin as the new chief justice.

Duterte signed the appointment paper of Bersamin on November 26.

Bersamin edged out Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, as well as Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes, Jr. who were included in the shortlist of the Judicial and Bar Council, the body that vets judiciary nominees.

Bersamin is the country’s 25th chief justice. He replaces Teresita Leonardo de Castro who retired last month after

New appointed chief justice Lucas Bersamin

serving only 41 days as the top magistrate following the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno through quo warranto proceedings.

Bersamin is the third most senior among Supreme Court justices but is considered the most senior in terms of service rendered in courts, with a career spanning 32 years.

Palace: Duterte is ‘physically fit’ MALACAĂ‘ANG on Tuesday, November 27, said President Rodrigo Duterte is in good physical condition amid health issues raised against him by critics for skipping a number of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the president has had a grueling

schedule prior the summit. “(Is he physically fit?) Oh yes, he is punishing his schedule,�

Panelo said in a media briefing. “That does not mean, as alleged by certain people, (that) it’s laziness or he’s seriously ill. It’s fallacious,� he added.

Duterte told reporters during the ASEAN Summit in Singapore

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Manilatimes.net ďŹ le photo

He entered the judiciary on Nov. 5, 1986 as Quezon City Regional Trial Court judge at the age of 37. He was a trial judge for nearly 17 years.

He also served six years as associate justice at the Court of Appeals, and close to 10 years as the 163rd magistrate of the Supreme Court. â–

FORMER First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos filed a Notice of Appeal on Tuesday, November 27, before the Sandiganbayan seeking to take her conviction in seven graft cases to the Supreme Court.

However, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division said that it is premature because there is still a pending motion to be resolved. “The Notice of Appeal filed by Marcos is premature as the Court has not yet resolved her Motion for Leave to avail of post-conviction remedies. Therefore, the Court cannot take action on the same,� the Fifth Division’s Clerk of Court said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The graft court pertains to the documents submitted by Marcos last November 12, requesting the anti-graft court to grant her post-conviction remedies. The widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos also explained in

her motion why she was unable to attend the promulgation of her cases last November 9. “Accused Imelda R. Marcos hereby files this Notice of Appeal, and requests that the records

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From the Front Page

Arroyo: No conflict in PH friendship... Dr. Fe Del Mundo, first woman accepted...

PAGE A1 t the New Clark City as part of a framework agreement signed during the recent state visit of

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PAGE A1 for detained children and went on to establish the first pediatric facility in the Philippines.

“I’m glad that I have been very much involved in the care of children, and that I have been relevant to them. They are the most outstanding feature in my life,” Del Mundo said in 2007.

Though she’s not exactly a household name, Del Mundo is one of history’s highly-acclaimed doctors and paved the way for other women and Filipinos to make their marks in the world of medicine.

And as an immigrant woman of color in pre-civil rights America who set the foundation for pediatrics in the Philippines, it’s not a surprise that Google would dedicate one of its famed Doodles after the famed doctor and scientist.

About Dr. Del Mundo Born in the historic Intramuros district of Manila in 1911, Fe Villanueva del Mundo was one of eight children to Paz and Bernardo del Mundo, a prominent attorney and one-term Philippine assemblymember.

Three of del Mundo’s siblings died in infancy, and her older sister died of appendicitis at 11 years old; it was this latter tragedy that inspired del Mundo’s dream to become a doctor for the youth.

In 1926, the bright-eyed 15year-old enrolled at the University of Philippines Manila (UPM) where she was class valedictori-

Dr. Fe Villanueva del Mundo, an internationally renowned Filipina pediatrician

an. Del Mundo earned her medical degree in 1933 and passed the medical board exam, ranking third among examinees.

Following her graduation in 1933, Philippine President Manuel Quezon recognized Del Mundo’s achievements and offered her a full scholarship to any United States school of her choice. She chose the prestigious Harvard University, enrolling in Harvard Medical School, which previously did not admit female applicants, making her the first ever woman to study at that institution.

She studied at Harvard Medical School until 1938 and then briefly accepted a residency at Billings Hospital at the University of Chicago. She returned to Boston the following year as a research fellow at the Harvard Medical School Children’s Hospital and then earned a Master’s degree in bacteriology at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1940.

After nearly 15 years of academic study, Del Mundo returned to the motherland in 1941 right before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. As a volunteer for the International Red Cross, she attended to children detained

at the University of Santo Tomas, which was an internment camp for foreign nationals; this stint earned her the nickname “The Angel of Santo Tomas.”

She was then named director of the North General Hospital until 1948 when she joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas and the Far Eastern University thereafter.

Due to frustrations with the bureaucracies that come with working for a government hospital, she sold her home and other personal properties to establish her own pediatric hospital. The Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City was inaugurated in 1957 and was the first pediatric hospital in the country.

The 100-bed facility expanded in 1966 via the inclusion of an Institute of Maternal and Child Health — the first facility of its kind in the continent of Asia — to train doctors and nurses.

Throughout the decades, Del Mundo worked tirelessly and pioneered research on infectious diseases that plague at-risk communities. In addition to writing hundreds of articles and reports on diseases like dengue, polio and the measles, Del Mundo penned the Textbook of Pediatrics.

She continued to her work well into her 90s, making hospital rounds and seeing patients while in a wheelchair. In 2011, she passed away from a heart attack at the ripe age of 99.

“She is a big loss to the Philippines,” Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, former director of the Philippine Department of Health’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said after Del Mundo’s passing. “We consider her as the Mother of Philippine Pediatrics and a very great scientist.”

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

Palace: Duterte is ‘physically fit’ PAGE A1 that he needed to catch up on sleep to sustain his endurance.

But Panelo maintained the president only skipped the events that could be skipped, and that he was present for the important ones.

“One, that is only an opening so it’s not that important. Two three and four, he had to read only joint statements from ASEAN countries, and then there was going to be a discussion among the Presidents so he just tasked Secretary Locsin to read the statement for him,” Panelo explained.

“Did you notice us too? We were falling asleep.. Rather than be embarrassed than fall asleep there, the camera focused on you, mag-power nap ka nalang muna, anyway, sandali lang naman ‘yun. (Just take a power nap, anyway, that won’t take long),” he added.

In contrast with Malaysia’s Mahathir Duterte’s sleep catch-up has drawn criticisms from some people, as well as comparisons with the 93-year-old Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse during the same summit, Mahathir said he does not know how he manages to still attend the events despite his age.

“I always attend meetings. It’s my duty. If I can, I will. If I’m sick, I won’t,” he said.

Panelo, for his part, pointed out that that age is not indicative of a person’s state of health.

“For one, the physique of the two may not be exactly the same.

There are people older and yet stronger than younger ones. It depends,” he said.

Duterte’s health has been a hot topic after he admitted to having several medical conditions. In his previous speeches, he mentioned that he was suffering from migraines, nausea, pain due to a spinal injury, Buerger’s disease or a disorder affecting blood vessels, and Barrett’s esophagus or a complication which causes heartburn or acid indigestion.

Calls for transparency by disclosing medical records of the president or issuance of a regular medical bulletin have been reiterated by critics again and again.

(AJPress) n

Fil-Am Democrat TJ Cox declares...

PAGE A1 by roughly 4,400 votes on election night. The Kings County Elections Division released final vote totals in which Cox gained a net 70 votes, while his lead grew by 23 in Fresno County.

As of press time, the 55-yearold Democrat led the Republican 56,634 votes to 56,105, according to the Fresno Bee. In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Cox said he was “elated” to declare victory in the race and thanked Valadao for the “six years of service” in the district.

“Voters across the district resonated with our message of expanding health care, creating good jobs, and fighting for our families’ futures,” Cox said, adding “I am honored to be the next Representative serving all of our communities throughout the 21st District. Now that the election is over, it’s time to get to work.”

With Cox’s win, Democrats now hold 46 of California’s 53 seats. It also marks Republican losses in all seven districts they

carried where Hillary Clinton also won in 2016.

Valadao first entered office in 2012 and was projected to win, given the success of his previous races. With Cox’s advance this week, the Associated Press retracted its race call on election night.

Born in Walnut Creek, California to immigrant parents—his mother from the Philippines, and half-Chinese father from China—Cox was among those endorsed by former President Barack Obama in August.

Cox, an engineer and small business owner, first entered the election by running for California’s 10th district which encompasses parts of the northern San Joaquin Valley, but dropped out to run against Valadao in the 21st district. The district includes the Central Valley areas of Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, and Tulare County. The Fil-Am previously attempted to run for Congress back in 2006. (Christina M. Oriel and Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

PAGE A1 t “We are actually on track. We are halfway nearing the end of the year and we are nearing the target of our National Tourism Development Plan arrivals,” she said.

For 2018, the DOT projects 7.4 million tourist arrivals.

The PSA previously reported that the tourism sector’s contributed 12.2 percent percent to the Philippine economy. Also, employment in tourism was estimated at 5.3 million or 13.06 percent of the total national employment.

It’s still more fun in PH Puyat also shared that the tour-

ism agency would keep the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” slogan, but it would launch branding campaigns to lure more tourists.

The campaign slogan was launched in 2012.

Puyat said at least five advertising agencies would mount the ramped up tourism campaign to also capture the younger audience.

The “refreshed” campaign, she said, would target millennials.

“When ‘it’s more fun’ was launched, social media was not that strong,” Puyat told reporters. n

Tourist arrivals up– DOT

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Home most dangerous place for women in 2017 — UN agency

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

THE home is the most dangerous place for women, with a majority of female homicide victims worldwide killed by their partners or family, according to new research published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The “Global study on homicide: Gender-related killing of women and girls” by the UNODC for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women showed that around 87,000 women lost their lives in intentional killings around the world in 2017, with 50,000 or 58 percent at the hands of their intimate partners or family members.

“Six women are being killed every hour by people they know,” UNODC said.

“While the vast majority of homicide victims are men, women continue to pay the highest price as a result of gender inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes. They are also the most likely to be killed by intimate partners and family,” said UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov.

The study found that the global rate was around 1.3 victims per 100,000 female population.

Africa and the Americas are the regions where women are most at risk of being killed by intimate partners or family members.

In Africa, the rate was around 3.1 victims per 100,000 female

population while the rate in the Americas was 1.6 victims.

The rate in Oceania was 1.3 and in Asia 0.9, while the lowest rate was found in Europe, with 0.7 victims per 100,000 female population.

The study also found that tangible progress in protecting and saving the lives of female victims of homicides has not been made in recent years, despite legislation and programs developed to eradicate violence against women.

The conclusions highlight the need for effective crime prevention and criminal justice responses to violence against women that promote victim safety and empowerment while ensuring offender accountability.

The study also calls for greater coordination between police and the justice system as well as health and social services and emphasizes the importance of involving men in the solution, including early education.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said violence against women and girls is not only a fundamental human rights issue but also a “moral affront” against them and a “mark of shame” on all societies.

The UN noted that violence against women and girls is the manifestation of a profound lack of respect – a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women – and that it is tied to the broader issues of power and control in societies.

UN Women, the organization’s

Nonprofit bets Asian-American students can learn to avoid unhealthy gambling

by Katherine

KaM Kaiser Health News

THE students listened attentively as Ryan Wong explained how casinos keep customers chasing that elusive jackpot.

Labyrinthine layouts force guests to walk past card tables and slot machines in search of well-concealed restrooms and exits, said Wong, an intern at the nonprofit NICOS Chinese Health Coalition, a San Francisco partnership of health and social service organizations. Casinos ply customers with free alcohol to loosen inhibitions, and clocks are nowhere to be found.

“You lose track of time,” Wong, 23, told the members of an Asian-American studies class at City College of San Francisco.

“The more you gamble, the more it favors the casino.”

NICOS staff members and interns visit Asian-American studies classes around the San Francisco Bay Area to talk to students about gambling because studies suggest Asian-American college students have a higher rate

of problem gambling than their peers. NICOS hopes to reduce their risk.

It’s not that they gamble more than others but that they are significantly more likely than their white, black or Latino counterparts to report unhealthy gambling behavior, according to a 2016 study in the Journal of Gambling Studies. It found that 8 percent of Asian-American students at a large public research university in Texas met the criteria for pathological gambling, compared with about 5 percent of whites and 4 percent of blacks and Latinos.

Problem gambling includes lying about losses, feeling guilty about gambling, and missing school or work because of it.

When problem gambling worsens into an addiction, also known as pathological or compulsive gambling, people fail repeatedly to curb their habit. And if they manage to stop, they have withdrawal symptoms, including restlessness and irritability. They gamble increasing sums to main-

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Mickey’s Manila visit prompts speculation of PH Disneyland

Wearing a barong Tagalog, Mickey Mouse poses in Rizal Park in this photo that has gone viral.

Disney’s most famous character is visiting tourist spots around the world as part of his 90th birthday celebration this month.

Philstar.com photo

IS Walt Disney Co. planning to build a Disneyland in the Philippines?

Netizens speculated that the land “where dreams come true” will soon become a reality for Filipinos after Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney’s famous character, was recently spotted in a barong Tagalog as he visited some of Manila’s tourist attractions such as Rizal Park and Fort Santiago in Intramuros.

Mickey Mouse also watched the sunset in Manila Bay. “I wish that they would make a Disneyworld Philippines in Clark, Pampanga,” Facebook user Ian Tristan Vergara commented on photos of Mickey Mouse on “Oh My Disney Asia” official Facebook page.

“Does this, in any way, indicate that a Disneyland or Disneysea is going to be built in the Philippines anytime soon?” Jih Sapantuan posted on Facebook.

Walt Disney Co. Philippines, however, said there is no “plan yet to build a park in the Philip-

pines.”

It said Mickey’s presence in the country was part of his 90th birthday celebration.

“Mickey Mouse made stops all around the world as part of his birthday celebration and of course, he couldn’t miss out Manila,” Walt Disney Philippines said.

Walt Disney recently collaborated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in decorating 90 traffic signal lights in the metropolis through its “Mickey Lights Up Metro Manila” project.

Mickey Mouse, which was once a rabbit called Oswald, celebrated his birthday on Nov. 18 – exactly 90 years ago after Walt Disney first sketched him in 1928.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary and spokesman Benito Bengzon Jr. said the DOT was thankful that Mickey Mouse spent his birthday in the Philippines. (Robertzon Ramirez/Philstar.com) n

entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, called for an end to the culture of silencing and to put survivors at the center of the response.

According to UN Women, the vast majority of perpetrators of violence against women and girls face no consequences and only a minority of cases are ever reported to the police.

An even smaller percentage results in charges and in only a fraction of those cases is there a conviction.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, said laws must recognize that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination against women and a human rights violation.

UN Women also called for legal protections for both formal and informal places of work to ensure that the most vulnerable workers, like those dependent on tips from customers for their income, will have a better chance to speak out against abuse and be heard.

In December 1999, the UN General Assembly designated Nov. 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, inviting governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to hold activities designed to raise public awareness on the issue.

The day also commemorates the brutal assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo. n

SEALED WITH A HANDSHAKE. Actor Coco Martin, who portrays the lead role in the ‘Ang Probinsyano’ drama series, shakes hands with PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde. Television network ABS-CBN agreed to portray the PNP ‘more realistically’ on its primetime hit series while the latter allowed ‘Ang Probinsyano’ to use PNP uniforms and facilities under supervision, under a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday, November 26.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Sandiganbayan on Imelda’s appeal...

PAGE A1 t of the instant case be forwarded to the Supreme Court for further proceedings,” the petition read.

In the Notice of Appeal, the 89year-old former first lady requested that the details of her cases be sent to the Supreme Court to start the proceedings that would entail her motion for reconsideration.

“With due respect, the accused submits that the decision convicting her is contrary to facts, law

and jurisprudence,” the notice of appeal stated.

As of the moment, Marcos is enjoying provisional freedom after posting a bail of P150,000 last November 16.

The Marcos matriarch was found guilty of violating Section 3(e) of R.A. for graft cases due to her involvement in funneling funds to seven Swiss foundations while she was in office during the 1970s.

The plea came after the Fifth Division’s ruling that old age could not evade anyone from a serving prison term referring to the case of a 71-year-old retired police officer who was found guilty of corruption in 2009.

The Ilocos Norte Representative was a minister of Human Settlements and Metro Manila governor from 1976 to 1986, and member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984. (AJPress) n

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Ex-official who used city’s $4K to send gifts to PH charged with embezzling VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia –A former city economic development official has been charged with embezzlement over allegations he improperly used $4,000 to send packages to his girlfriend in the Philippines.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that a grand jury indictment alleges the crimes happened between late 2016 and June 2018.

Brian Scott Hall, former business development coordinator for Virginia Beach, has been charged with three felony counts of embezzlement, said

Macie Allen, a spokeswoman for the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

Virginia Beach Auditor Lyndon Remias said the charges stem from packages that Hall sent to his girlfriend in the Philippines, where he traveled to promote the city. The newspaper reports that it obtained FedEx receipts showing that he had sent packages to a Philippines address not associated with the city’s business office there. (Inquirer.net with reports Brian Scott Hall Photo courtesy of from Associated Press) n Commonwealth Attorney’s Office

FDA head makes statement about current romaine lettuce recall, E.coli outbreak

Silme Domingo

HONORING THE FLAG. Members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, in full battle gear, stand at attention during the flagraising ceremony on Monday, November 26 at Camp Crame.

Manilatimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA MGA PANGANGAILANGAN SA PABAHAY AT PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD Magsasagawa ng Pampublikong Pagdinig ang Konseho ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa Enero 2, 2019. Iniimbitahan at hinihikayat ang publiko na magbigay ng mga komento sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ng Lungsod para sa Bultuhang Pagbibigay para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad sa Taong Pananalapi 2019-2020 (CDBG) Taunang Plano sa Pagkilos sa Taong Pananalapi 2019-2020. Batay sa nakaraang pagpopondo, inaasahang makakatanggap ang Lungsod ng nasa tinatayang $1,000,000 sa CDBG Mga pondo para sa entitlement at $150,000 sa Kita ng Programa para sa TP 20192020. Hindi bababa sa 70% ng mga pondo ng CDBG ang dapat makuhang benepisyo ng mga residente o kapitbahayan na may mababa at hindi gaanong malaking kita; may limitadong halaga ng mga pondo ang maaaring maipamahagi upang maiwasan ang kahirapan sa mga piling lugar.

Iniatas ng Departmento ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod ang pagbuo ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos (HUD), at isusumite ito sa Alameda County HOME Consortium. Tutukuyin ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng komunidad sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Kabilang sa mga pangangailangang tinukoy ng nagdaang Mga Binuong Plano ang: pagpapanatili at pagpaparami ng aboy-kayang pabahay at suporta; pag-iwas sa pagpili ng bibigyan ng pabahay; pagpigil sa kawalan ng tirahan at pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad na walang kaugnayan sa pabahay gaya ng pagpapahusay ng kapitbahayan, mga serbisyo sa publiko, mga pagpapahusay sa accessibility at pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya. Ang Kabuuang Plano sa Limang Taon na sumasaklaw sa TP 2015-2020 ay makikita bilang sanggunian sa website ng Housing Authority sa http://www.alamedahsg.org/housing_development.html.

Nagsawa ang Lupon ng Serbisyong Panlipunan para sa Ugnayan sa Publiko ng Lungsod (SSHRB) ng pampublikong pagpupulong sa Nobyembre 29, 2018.

HINIHIKAYAT AT INIIMBITAHAN ANG PAGBIBIGAY NG KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO Hinihikayat at iniimbitahan ang publiko na makilahok sa proseso ng CDBG at na magkomento sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad.

Attn: Lisa Fitts Housing Authority of the City of Alameda 701 Atlantic Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 lfitts@alamedahsg.org Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay maaaring isumite sa address na nasa itaas hanggang 9:00 a.m. sa Enero 2, 2019. Papakinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at pag-iisipan nila ang pagpapatupad ng Pahayag tungkol sa Mga Pangangailangan ng Publiko sa regular nitong pagpupulong nang 7:00 p.m. sa Enero 2, 2019, sa Tanggapan ng Lungsod, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue. Mangyaring iparating ang anumang tanong kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-4349 o (510) 522-8467 (TDD).

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang may interes sa paglahok sa programang Bultuhang Pagbibigay para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / HOME at isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, na ang tao ay dapat gumawa ng kahilingan para sa kaluwagan kay Lisa Fitts, (510) 747-4349 o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedahsg.org. Ang naturang kahilingan ay dapat kabilang ang isang paglalarawan ng kaluwagang hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay agad ipagkakaloob sa humiling. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Lungsod sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), (510) 522-8467 (TDD) o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedahsg.org upang humiling ng anumang makatwirang kaluwagan na maaaring kailanganin.

Ang tagapag-ugnay ng Seksiyon 504 ng CDBG/HOME ay si Tonya Schuler-Cummins. Si Ms. Schuler-Cummins ay makakausap sa (510) 747-4342 o tschuler@alamedahsg.org. Ang isang kopya ng 504 na pamamaraan sa karaingan ng Lungsod ay matatagpuan online sa www.alamedahsg.org.

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring kumilos bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung binigyan ng paunawa nang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang interpreter. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayansa Lungsod sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), (510) 522-8467 (TDD) o magpadala ng email sa lfitts@alamedahsg.org.

PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina laban sa anumang mga tao dahil sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, angkan, bayolohikal na kasarian, kasarian, kinikilalang kasaraian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang pampamilya, pinagkukunan ng kita, henetikong impormasyon, kondisyong medikal, kapansanang pisikal o kapansanan ng isipan o anumang kategoryang protektado ng batas.

THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state authorities, continues to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157: H7 infections associated with consumption of romaine lettuce in the U.S. As of Nov. 26, 2018, this outbreak has resulted in 43 people becoming ill in 12 states, with the last reported illness onset date being Oct. 31, 2018. An additional 22 people in Canada have become ill, and the FDA and our partners are also coordinating the investigation with Canadian health and food safety authorities.

As the investigation on this outbreak continues, the FDA is announcing new steps to help consumers better identify where their romaine is grown through voluntary labeling.

To prevent additional cases of E. coli O157:H7, on Nov. 20, 2018 the CDC advised the public not to consume romaine lettuce and to destroy any romaine lettuce in their homes. At the same time, the FDA requested that all romaine lettuce on the market, including in restaurants and other commercial establishments, should be withdrawn and destroyed. The FDA made this request because initial information available at that time had not identified a likely source for the outbreak that would allow a targeted request, it was likely romaine lettuce contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 that could cause illness was still available on the market, and a market withdrawal was the fastest way to remove potentially contaminated product. The romaine lettuce industry agreed to comply with the FDA’s request to withdraw any romaine lettuce on the market on that date, and available information suggests this action was effective in removing potentially contaminated romaine lettuce from retail establishments.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the FDA continued to investigate the outbreak. The investigation at this point suggests that romaine lettuce associated with the outbreak comes from areas of California that grow romaine lettuce over the summer months, and that the outbreak appears to be related to “end of season” romaine lettuce harvested from these areas. The involved areas include the Central Coast growing regions of central and north-

ern California.

The FDA is continuing tracebacks of romaine lettuce from locations where impacted consumers purchased or consumed romaine lettuce before they became ill in order to identify specific locations that are the likely source of the outbreak and to determine the factors that resulted in contamination. Through laboratory studies we have identified that the E. coli O157:H7 strain causing the outbreak is similar to one that produced an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in the fall of 2017 that also occurred in the U.S. and Canada, which was associated with consumption of leafy greens in the U.S. and specifically romaine lettuce in Canada.

Based on further discussions with the leafy greens industry and with agricultural authorities, the FDA was able to narrow the location the contaminated romaine in the current outbreak was grown. At the time of the outbreak, the vast majority of the romaine on the market was being grown in the Central Coast region of California. Since, then harvesting from this region has ended for the year. Growing and harvesting of romaine lettuce is now shifting to the winter growing regions of the U.S., which include mainly the California desert region of the Imperial Valley, the desert region of Arizona in and around Yuma, and Florida.

Romaine lettuce grown in Mexico is exported to the U.S. during the winter months. Smaller quantities of are grown in other states. At this time, the FDA has no information to suggest any of these growing areas are involved in the current outbreak. In addition, hydroponic romaine lettuce and romaine lettuce grown in greenhouses is also marketed in the U.S., but there is no information to suggest these products are implicated in any identified E. coli O157:H7 outbreak.

The FDA believes it was critically important to have a “clean break” in the romaine supply available to consumers in the U.S. in order to purge the market of potentially contaminated romaine lettuce related to the current outbreak. This appears to have been accomplished through the market withdrawal request of Nov. 20, 2018.

Knowing the growing origin of produce will continue to play an important role in allowing con-

sumers to avoid contaminated products and facilitating market withdrawals and tracebacks.

To this end, the FDA recently participated in discussions with the major producers and distributors of romaine lettuce in the U.S. and with the major trade associations representing the produce industry regarding product labeling and dating to assure consumers that any romaine lettuce that will come onto the market is not associated with the current outbreak of E. coli O157: H7. The labeling will identify the origin of the romaine based on harvest region, along with the date of harvest. This can improve the ability of the FDA to provide more targeted information to consumers in the event of a future outbreak of illness. The FDA also has commitments from the romaine lettuce industry that such labeling will continue into the future and become the standard for their products.

In addition, the leafy greens industry has agreed to establish a task force to find solutions for long term labeling of romaine lettuce and other leafy greens for helping to identify products and to put in place standards for traceability of product. The task force will also examine information from this outbreak to identify measures that led to its occurrence and how to prevent ongoing safety problems with romaine lettuce. One outcome could be to extend the commitment for labeling for origin and date of harvest to other leafy greens.

Based on discussions with major producers and distributors, romaine lettuce entering the market will now be labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date. Romaine lettuce entering the market can also be labeled as being hydroponically or greenhouse grown. If it does not have this information, you should not eat or use it.

If consumers, retailers, and food service facilities are unable to identify that romaine lettuce products are not affected – which means determining that the products were grown outside the California regions that appear to be implicated in the current outbreak investigation — we urge that these products not be purchased, or if purchased, be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

(FDA.gov) n

Nonprofit bets Asian-American students...

PAGE A3 t tain the rush of excitement.

Why Asian-American students have a higher rate of gamblingrelated problems is not entirely clear, said Nolan Zane, a professor of psychology and AsianAmerican studies at the University of California-Davis.

He thinks cultural, social and psychological factors all play a role. In many Asian cultures, he noted, a “belief in good luck or fortune pervades customs and rituals.”

At family and social events, for example, many Asian-American adults bet money in games that involve skill and chance, such as mahjong. Often, they teach children to play, too. Exposing youngsters to gambling at an early age tends to normalize it.

“If you look across cultures, anytime there’s a behavior that’s more acceptable, then people are more likely to develop problems with that behavior,” Zane said.

Zane’s research suggests that impulsivity is not a factor in problem gambling among Asian-American students, as it is for white students. Rather, they gamble to cope with negative feelings, such as anxiety, shame, loneliness or a sense of being disconnected from the college culture or mainstream society.

Asian-American studies departments at Bay Area colleges first approached NICOS more than a decade ago about educating students, said Michael Liao, the organization’s program director.

“Instructors were noticing that gambling affected their students, either directly or through someone they knew, like a family member.”

San Francisco State University graduate student Calvin Zhao and Michael Liao, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition’s program director, present study findings at the 2018 Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling.

Photo courtesy of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition

Liao has firsthand experience: His stepfather attempted suicide after racking up insurmountable gambling debts and losing the family’s life savings.

Some immigrants who work at low-paying jobs are under financial strain and perceive gambling as a magic ticket, especially if their English is poor, Liao said. “‘Oooo, that next lottery ticket, that next trip to Vegas — that could be my way out, my way to send my kids to that school that they want to go to.’”

Even well-educated young Asian-Americans can get caught up in the allure of big money.

College graduate Calvin Zhao’s ordeal began at age 21. He was an assistant and translator for an investor in a cosmetics company.

The man was known as a high roller, or “whale” in casino parlance — a customer who wagered thousands of dollars in a single day. Zhao tagged along with his boss to the casinos.

“I would spend days, even allnighters, in casinos,” Zhao recalled.

When he started betting his own money and lost several

thousand dollars, he realized his gambling had become a harmful habit. “You lose money, you get sad,” he said. As his gambling habit grew, Zhao said, he became more isolated.

He ultimately broke the bad cycle by quitting his job and setting limits on his gambling. His scrape with problem gambling led Zhao, now a 23-year-old graduate student at San Francisco State University, to study unhealthy gambling among his Asian-American peers on campus for his master’s thesis.

If students visit casinos, NICOS offers these tips: Limit spending by leaving credit and debit cards at home, and set an alarm on phones or watches to signal when it’s time to quit.

When students ask Zhao for advice about their own gambling worries, he tells them that gambling itself isn’t a bad thing. Just “don’t do it excessively,” he said.

“Even if you lose, you should be OK with what you lost.”

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6 , 2018

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

A5

Bicam approves reconciled version of ‘historic’ universal health care bill

by BERNADETTE

E. TAMAYO Manilatimes.net

THE bicameral conference committee on Tuesday, November 27, approved the reconciled version of the proposed Universal Health Care (UHC) bill, which provides free check-up and laboratory fees.

“It’s a historic day,” said Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, and sponsor of the passage of the UHC measure.

“I hope that it would be ratified so that it can be transmitted to the president (Rodrigo Duterte), for review and for the president to sign before Christmas,” he said.

Under the consolidated version, all Filipinos whether direct

or indirect contributors, will be covered by the UHC. “If you’re a Filipino, you are covered by health insurance automatically. However, we have two types of members: the ones who contribute, 35 percent, and the rest, 65 percent, are subsidized. These are senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and indigents,” he said.

“We had a long discussion on this part because we have to subsidize 65 percent of the population because only 35 percent are able to pay their premium,” Ejercito said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the UHC would provide all Filipinos the “immediate eligibility and access to preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care for medical,

dental, mental, and emergency health services, including out-patient drugs by registering them to a primary health care provider of their choice.”

If passed into law, Ejercito said that the government would need P257 billion for the first two years of implementation and another P280 billion the following year.

“The needed amounts can be provided by present appropriations for DoH (Department of Health), PCSO (Phil. Charity Sweepstakes Office), and Pagcor (Phil. Amusement and Gaming Corp.),” Ejercito said.

“But for the 3rd year and 4th years (of implementation) we feel that we need supplemental additional sources of fund because there will be an increase in the number of claimants,” he said. ■

Carpio: China peddling ‘false’ narrative on sea dispute

by GLEE JALEA Manilatimes.net

ACTING Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday, November 26, urged Filipinos to assert the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), pointing out that the Chinese narrative on the disputed territory is “totally false.”

During the West Philippine Sea forum at the House of Representatives, Carpio said the Chinese claims stretching supposedly to more than 2,000 years ago could be easily disproven by old maps.

Carpio, who joined the Philippine legal team that secured a victory against China from a United Nations (UN)-backed arbitration tribunal in 2016, noted that China’s nine-dash-line map, encompassing an area in which it supposedly “enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters as well as the seabed and subsoil thereof,” is a recent claim that was submitted to the UN only in May 2009.

Beijing refuses to recognize the ruling of The Hague-based tribunal, which invalidated China’s historical claims to the area.

China’s narrative means China and the Philippines share a common border that lies just 64 kilometers (km.) off the coast of Balabac Island in Palawan, the southernmost island in Palawan;

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio Manilatimes.net file photo

70 km. off of Bolinao in Pangasinan, and 44 km. off Y’ami Island in Batanes, he said.

The Philippine team submitted over 170 ancient maps — the highest number of ancient maps ever submitted to an international tribunal — including Chinese maps from the Song to the Qing dynasties, Philippine and Southeast Asian maps, and European maps of Asia — to prove that China “never owned or controlled [South China Sea] at any time in its history.”

“Even under China’s Maps of National Humiliation, the Spratly Islands and Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal [in the South China Sea] were not part of Chinese territory,” Carpio said.

National humiliation maps were produced for mass education in China to “mourn the loss of national territories” since the early 20th century.

China’s nine-dash-line map dating to 1947 is the first to claim the Spratlys. Scarborough Shoal

appeared on the map without an exclusive name, unlike all other features drawn as part of China.

The Philippines in reality owns most of the features in the Spratlys, Carpio said. It named Scarborough Shoal “Panacot” as early as 1734, he said.

Carpio called on the public to “help the Philippines, among other claimant countries, to explain to the Chinese people that China has no historic claim to the South China Sea.” Carpio’s statements came just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit, which the Chinese leader said was meant to “deepen political mutual trust” amid “differences” that needed to be handled “properly” through consultations and dialogue.

He said the West Philippine Sea should be a “sea of friendship and cooperation” that would create a bond of friendship between China and the Philippines.

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and some lawmakers have called for a protest against China after a Filipino TV news crew aired a documentary showing a Chinese Coast Guard preventing it from filming and conducting an interview in the disputed area.

GMA News’ “Reporter’s Notebook” team accompanied a group of Filipino fishermen to Panatag Shoal on November 8. ■

COOLING OFF. Children from Tondo, Manila’s Baseco Compound enjoy swimming in Manila Bay. The health department has earlier called for strengthened security to prevent the public, especially children, from swimming in the polluted water to protect them from water-borne diseases.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Manny Pacquiao begins daily grind

by ABAC

CORDERO Philstar.com

old Pacquiao put on his business suit and headed to the Senate to fulfill his legislative duties.

MANNY Pacquiao marked the “This will be my daily activity,” first day of serious training on Tues- said Pacquiao as he left the gym in day, November 27, exactly 55 days Pasig City. before he defends his WBA crown Pacquiao, who will turn 40 on against American Adrien Broner.

Dec. 17, will face Broner on Jan. 19 Pacquiao was out on the road in at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. the morning and was at the gym It will be his first fight on Ameriin the afternoon, the bulk of his can soil in two years or since he training done in the ring when he defeated Jessie Vargas on Nov. 5, worked the mitts.

2016 at the Thomas & Mack Cen- Senator Manny Pacquiao By mid-afternoon, the 39-year- ter. ■ Philstar.com file photo

PDEA: Almost 5,000 killed in Duterte’s war on drugs as of October 2018

by CATHERINE

GONZALES Inquirer.net

ALMOST 5,000 have been killed in anti-drug operations launched by government authorities since July 2016 up to October 2018 as the Duterte administration continues to intensify its drive against illegal drugs, government data showed.

A report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) released on Tuesday, November 27, said 4,999 drug personalities died while 161,584 were arrested during the period. The report covers the date after President Rodrigo Duterte took his oath on June 30, 2016.

The October data also disclosed that 113, 570 anti-drug operations

have been launched by the PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt.

Benigno Durana Jr. denied that the figures from the government were so much lower than the almost 30,000 fatalities in the drug war estimated by some critics.

“It’s a lie. Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s a lie by some quarters, insisting on this 30,000 [deaths],” he said in a press conference.

“We’ve been telling them [the real numbers] already. We’ve been very transparent and truthful on our figures. [It’s] 4,999,” he said.

According to Durana, the supposed addition in the death toll are “normal, regular homicide cases under investigation” and “not in a way related to drug operations.”

But he said that around 2,000 from this number are somehow related to the problem on drugs.

He said some were caused by killings committed by drug suspects against each other.

Nevertheless, he said the supposed 30,000 deaths claimed by critics is “too much of a stretch” and is only “propaganda.”

“The facts will not lie but some will insist on lying on these figures,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDEA said only 8,935 of the 42,044 barangays have been declared drugfree. Another 23,161 are yet to be cleared.

According to PDEA, law enforcers have also dismantled 271 drug dens and illegal drug laboratories ■

A6

NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 6, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Violence against women and girls

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

FEATURES

THE Philippines ranks among the 10 best countries in the Gender Gap Index. Yet in recent weeks, police officers have been accused of raping in separate incidents the daughter of a couple arrested on drug charges, a woman apprehended for illegal gambling, and even a policewoman.

Teenage girls continue to be trafficked for sex and child labor. And despite the passage of tough laws against domestic violence, women and girls continue to suffer various forms of abuse.

In impoverished areas, women are unaware of the numerous laws for their protection. Even in upper income households, however, women are held back from seeking help for violent assaults due to the perceived stigma and shame attached to the attacks. Unfortunately, this failure to bring offenders to justice breeds impunity.

Elsewhere in the world, women and girls suffer worse forms of violence and abuse, including arranged marriages and genital mutilation. Girls continue to be deprived of formal education and women are given limited access to job opportunities in certain societies.

In South Sudan, a teenage girl was sold to a prospective husband in what is tantamount to an auction, for the price of 500 cows, three luxury cars, $10,000, two bikes, a boat and several mobile phones. The auction has drawn global outrage, but

local observers reportedly noted that the practice was not uncommon in that country.

The United Nations General Assembly approved back in 1993 the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Yet the attacks continue, derailing efforts to achieve gender equity, peace and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls is marked today, the UN reports that one in three women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence in this lifetime.

Nearly 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; 200 million have undergone female genital mutilation.

Only 52 percent of women in a union can freely make their own decisions about contraceptive use, health care and sexual relations. Among human trafficking victims worldwide, women account for 71 percent, with three out of four sexually exploitWith this day’s theme of Orange the World: ed. Violence against women is considered as seri- #HearMeToo, there will be 16 days of global activous a cause of death and incapacity as cancer. ism for ending violence against women and girls.

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LAST Friday, November 23, hundreds of government and external scientists involved in the U.S. Global Change Research Program, released a report that concluded that climate change could cost the United States billions of dollars annually within decades if greenhouse gases aren’t dramatically reduced, and could worsen environmental disasters like wildfires and flooding. Its findings aligned with those of the broader scientific community.

This federally mandated study warned that the U.S. economy could lose hundreds of billions of dollars — or, in the worst-case scenario, more than 10 percent of its GDP — by the end of the century. Worse, climate change damages not only our ecosystem but our health — the health of ALL living things on the planet if we do not act NOW, as we are ALL in this TOGETHER. As CNN reported, the Fourth National Climate Assessment was put together with the help of 1,000 people, including 300 leading scientists, roughly half from outside the government.

It’s the second of two volumes.

The first report was released in November 2017, concluded that

RICARDO SALUDO SO, who’s ahead in Asia’s geopolitical main event between America and China?

Answer: Asia.

With the top superpower and the rising one jousting for regional support, no prizes for guessing that Asian nations, especially those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are getting buttered up with aid and trade, mostly from Beijing, and defense goodies, mainly from Washington.

Just see how President Rodrigo Duterte is wangling favor after favor from China, Japan and America. Much as his critics claim he has capitulated to Beijing’s territorial violations, he has in fact obtained far greater aid from China, Japan and Russia than any other Philippine leader.

And if it finally transpires, the impending return of the Balangiga bells, seized by America’s

The goal may seem elusive, but the effort to eliminate violence against women and girls must be unrelenting. (Philstar.com)

For the sake of your children and grandchildren, who would you believe on climate change: Scientists or Donald Trump?

there is “no convincing alternative explanation” for the changing climate other than “human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases.”

The world used to look up to the United States for leadership in addressing this problem but things changed when Trump became president. Trump has called climate change a “hoax” many times in the past, espousing and pursuing a pro-fossil fuels agenda.

Asked by reporters outside the White House about the findings that unchecked global warming would wreak havoc on the U.S. economy, BBC News reported that Trump’s reply was: “I don’t believe it.”

The members of his administration and many members of the Republican Party echo Trump’s position, and denigrated the scientists and scholars who have been working on this U.S. government study as co-conspirators to push a liberal agenda that runs contrary to the interests of the fossil fuel industry.

THE TRUTH IS — we all need to be concerned about this because climate change is already affecting us now, and this includes more frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-related events.

Unless we face the FACTS

and do something now, we will be betraying our children and grandchildren by leaving behind a planet that will be harmful to their health, their life and their future.

The report says that projections of future catastrophe could change if the governments and the people of the world work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and “to adapt to the changes that will occur.”

Just last October, the United Nations warned that we have only 12 years to limit the catastrophic effects of climate change. The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there is an urgent need “to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.”

The Guardian reported that the authors of the landmark report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say “urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, which they say is affordable and feasible although it lies at the most ambitious end of the Paris agreement pledge to keep temperatures between 1.5C and 2C.” The report further explained

that the half-degree difference could also prevent corals from being completely eradicated and ease pressure on the Arctic, according to the 1.5C study, which was launched after approval at a final plenary of all 195 countries in Incheon in South Korea. Donald Trump was not on board, promising to withdraw the U.S. – the world’s biggest source of historical emissions – from the accord.

Let me quote The Guardian report on this and you decide whom to believe: Trump or the scientists on climate change.

“The world is currently 1C warmer than preindustrial levels. Following devastating hurricanes in the U.S., record droughts in Cape Town and forest fires in the Arctic, the IPCC makes clear that climate change is already happening, upgraded its risk warning from previous reports, and warned that every fraction of additional warming would worsen the impact.

Scientists who reviewed the 6,000 works referenced in the report, said the change caused by just half a degree came as a revelation. “We can see there is a difference and it’s substantial,” Roberts said.

At 1.5C the proportion of the global population exposed to water stress could be 50% lower than at 2C, it notes. Food

scarcity would be less of a problem and hundreds of millions fewer people, particularly in poor countries, would be at risk of climate-related poverty.

At 2C extremely hot days, such as those experienced in the northern hemisphere this summer, would become more severe and common, increasing heat-related deaths and causing more forest fires.

But the greatest difference would be to nature. Insects, which are vital for pollination of crops, and plants are almost twice as likely to lose half their habitat at 2C compared with 1.5C. Corals would be 99% lost at the higher of the two temperatures, but more than 10% have a chance of surviving if the lower target is reached.

Sea-level rise would affect 10 million more people by 2100 if the half-degree extra warming brought a forecast 10cm additional pressure on coastlines.

The number affected would increase substantially in the following centuries due to lockedin ice melt.

Oceans are already suffering from elevated acidity and lower levels of oxygen as a result of climate change. One model shows marine fisheries would lose 3m tonnes at 2C, twice the decline at 1.5C. Sea ice-free summers in the

Arctic, which is warming two to three times faster than the world average, would come once every 100 years at 1.5C, but every 10 years with half a degree more of global warming.

Time and carbon budgets are running out. By mid-century, a shift to the lower goal would require a supercharged rollback of emissions sources that have built up over the past 250 years.

The IPCC maps out four pathways to achieve 1.5C, with different combinations of land use and technological change.

Reforestation is essential to all of them as are shifts to electric transport systems and greater adoption of carbon capture technology.

Carbon pollution would have to be cut by 45% by 2030 – compared with a 20% cut under the 2C pathway – and come down to zero by 2050, compared with 2075 for 2C. This would require carbon prices that are three to four times higher than for a 2C target. But the costs of doing nothing would be far higher.” ***

press the flesh with Asian leaders and what the U.S. and China brought with them to spice the hi’s and hello’s.

In these two all-important markers, the winner by miles was China. With U.S. President Donald Trump staying home, Pence is, well, trumped by Xi, especially in Asian eyes valuing formal titles.

So it was at the 2013 ASEAN and APEC summits, when then President Barack Obama was a no-show, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton subbing. Plainly face time is of the essence in a region that goes overboard on saving face.

It’s the economy, stupid Now, it might still have been a draw for Washington if billionaire Trump let money do the talking, with Pence offering big bucks to match Xi’s zillions. But instead of cash and commerce, Pence talked tough on trade, and delivered unsolicited advice on Chinese loans.

It’s no secret that APEC remains keen for even more open markets, despite Trump’s aboutface two years ago from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment accord the

U.S. had erstwhile championed.

TPP signatories are trying to salvage it, sans Uncle Sam. And Asia-Pacific nations are working hard to get the Beijing-led Regional Cooperation Economic Program signed by next year.

So, APEC and ASEAN were hardly in any mood for Pence’s trade war rhetoric and threats, which already undercut growth, exports, stock markets and currencies across Asia over the past year.

Also sure to have lead-ballooned was his warning on borrowing too much from China.

How can the U.S. tell that to ASEAN countries with far lower debt, budget and trade deficit levels than America, and have been extra careful with foreign loans and trade balances since the 1997 Asian financial crisis?

The good news for Asia is that the U.S. is gearing up to offer more cash for the region’s growth. Last month Trump created the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to provide $60 billion in loans, credit guarantees, and investment insurance to American companies investing in developing nations.

Bottom line: The charm race in ASEAN among America, China and Japan looks set to escalate.

Beneficiary countries need to

read the fine print and counter any disadvantageous terms and moves by aid givers. But that’s a far better problem than having little assistance on offer.

Asia wants peace in the seas Uncle Sam predictably warned of Chinese military deployment, including the so-called “wall of SAMs,” or surface-to-air missiles, deployed by the People’s Liberation Army and capable of striking anywhere in the South China Sea. For sure, ASEAN is concerned about the reported installation of PLA anti-ship and anti-aircraft armaments in the disputed Spratlys islands. And there may even be some support for the U.S. and its allies challenging China’s territorial claims with freedom of navigation operations, including U.S. Navy sailings near Chinesereclaimed islands.

But President Duterte encountered no loud challenges in Asia when he said that China had possession of the South China Sea, and criticized naval activity challenging the Chinese.

What Duterte presumably meant is that short of a full-scale war, which no nation wants, it is near-impossible to stop Chinese moves in the South China Sea. And fonops by the U.S. and its allies only escalate regional ten-

sions without budging the Chinese.

Two U.S. naval moves may signal that Washington could be opting to avoid more confrontations in the South China Sea like the near-collision between U.S. and Chinese naval vessels last month.

The much-hyped U.S. naval exercise this month, said to be larger than usual, was held in the Philippine Sea west of the archipelago. And Beijing seemed to accept the joint American-Australian plan to build a naval base on Papua New Guinea.

With the Philippines not implementing the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which the U.S. sought for its plan to move 60 percent of its naval assets to Asia, Duterte’s view of South China Sea military matchups seems to hold for now.

That leaves China and Asean to sort out maritime security matters, mainly through the longawaited Code of Conduct now being negotiated, while the U.S. and its allies beef up defense west of the Philippines.

If this reduces tension and militarization on the high seas, especially if Beijing forges a code that truly advances peace, that’s another plus for Asia. (ManilaTimes.net)

America vs. China: How Asia can win

Commentary

Philstar.com photo

conquering troops after their heinous massacre of Filipinos over a century ago, would be another unprecedented superpower concession obtained by Duterte’s independent foreign policy.

And now that visiting President Xi Jinping has agreed with Duterte to elevate the ChinaPhilippines relations to “strategic cooperation,” expect Japan and maybe the United States to also press for some upgrading of ties, sweetened by more offers of assistance, investment and other goodies.

Multiply this scenario in varying degrees across ASEAN and that’s, pretty much, the story of the regional rivalry between China and the United States in recent years all the way to last week’s ASEAN summit meetings in Singapore and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

While media understandably focused on the verbal jousts in APEC between Xi and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, what really counted were not the phrases but the faces and the finances.

That is, who showed up to

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

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Business news

A

BOI still hopeful to hit P680 B investment OK target

by LoueLLa

DesiDerio Philstar.com

THE Board of Investments (BOI) is confident of meeting the P680 billion target for approved investments this year with the tally as of mid-November reaching P575 billion, as it still expects investments to come in for big ticket projects.

BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo told reporters approved investments by the agency have reached P575 billion as of midNovember.

“This is a 26 percent increase over last year and we just need P100 billion to meet the target,” he said.

He said the BOI is upbeat it would meet the target this year, as the agency still expects investments for big ticket projects

like infra and construction-related sectors,” he said.

As of end-October, the BOI approved P515.9 billion worth of investments, up 26 percent from the P408.8 billion a year ago.

BOI-approved investments as of end-October were boosted by five key industries such as energy or power, manufacturing, transportation and storage, construction or public private partnership, and real estate.

Earlier, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the country could attract more investments to be registered before yearend. if roadblocks to achieving a comIn particular, Rodolfo expects petitive industrial structure such investments for projects in man- as power cost, logistics costs, ufacturing, construction, and and greater access to major agritourism, to be registered with the cultural inputs are addressed.

Last year, approved investBOI within the year.

“Hopefully, we will have in- ments by the BOI hit a recordvestments in strategic sectors high of P617 billion. n

Gov’t eyes VAT refund system for foreign tourists

by Catherine

taLavera Philstar.com

THE implementation of a value-added tax (VAT) refund system for foreign tourists is seen to benefit the hotel sector as it may result in longer stays, a property services firm said.

Colliers International Philippines research manager Joey Roi Bondoc told The STAR the VAT refund system will allow tourists greater purchasing power.

“It will bode well for the hotel sector, for retail, especially now that the peso is depreciating,” Bondoc said.

“With the return VAT, they will be able to purchase more and stay longer in hotels,” Bondoc said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez earlier said the government is targeting a tax refund system for tourists, similar to what is being done in other countries, in place by 2020.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier told The STAR that the DOT welcomes this move.

“We’ll discuss it. But of course if it will help tourism, why not. I think he’s just saying that other countries do that,”Puyat said.

She said it may encourage more foreign tourists to shop.

“Anything that will encourage tourists arrivals is welcomed.

And I am so grateful of the Sec-

retary,” Puyat said.

Based on data from the DOT in 2017, shopping was the number one activity made by tourists visiting the country, with 51.60 percent of tourists taking part in it.

Shopping is also where tourists spend a large amount of expenditure on, as it amounts to $20.90 dollars of the average daily expenditure per capita in 2017 of $125.65.

Dominguez earlier said the establishment of the tax refund system would be possible once the government has already launched its electronic invoicing system for more efficient implementation.

“There’s a possibility for us to outsource the system but our problem at the moment is we don’t have an e-invoicing system, which we are currently working on,” he said.

He added that the Philippines has tapped the South Korean government’s assistance to study an e-invoicing structure for the country.

“We have received a grant from the Korean government to study an e-invoicing system, and our plan is to put this in place by 2020. So we have a lot of space to do that. We really targeted the Koreans because they have a very efficient system, which they have developed over at least five years,” Dominguez said.

Philippine Retailers Associa-

tion (PRA) chairman emeritus Samie Lim earlier said that the implementation of a VAT-refund system would help make the country’s retail sector more competitive.

“All our neighbors, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and even Korea, their focus now is on shopping. The people spend the most amount on shopping. More than hotels, more than the airlines and the hotels,” Lim said.

“We are very competitive, but we are talking to the Department of Finance to start have the VAT refund so that we are at par with the other countries,” Lim said.

Puyat earlier described the retail sector as an integral component of tourism.

“It’s actually the retailers that help tourism. People come here because of the fantastic local quality of goods. People like to go shopping and we really have the best products,” Puyat said.

The tourism head said the growing number of foreign arrivals presents an opportunity that retailers can tap in a bid to further grow the tourism industry.

Among these opportunities are participation in trade shows; creation of jobs in tourism commerce; promotion of local products; expansion of inventory based on tourism market trends; and collaboration with tourism stakeholders.n

INSPIRING THE YOUTH. Former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go addresses youth leaders in Zamboanga del Norte. He urged young Filipinos to focus on their responsibilities to their community, reminding them that every Filipino should serve the country. Go, who is running for Senator in the 2019 elections, said that part of his legislative agenda is to empower the youth to become productive citizens and keep them away from illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.

ManilaTimes.net file photo

UK think tank: US-China spat won’t drag down PH growth

by Ben

o. De vera Inquirer.net

ECONOMIES with robust domestic demand, hence not too dependent on external trade, like the Philippines and India would come out unscathed from the trade war between the United States and China, UK-based Oxford Economics said.

“We expect U.S.-China tensions and the resultant slowdown in Chinese demand to weigh significantly on Asia-Pacific’s growth, especially in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia, where trade ties with China matter greatly. But India and the Philippines, which have less trade with China, will hardly be affected,” Oxford Economics economists Louis Kuijs and Priyanka Kishore said in a Nov. 20 report titled “2019 outlook still positive despite U.S.China trade spat.”

As such, “the more inwardlooking economies—India and the Philippines—should remain growth leaders” in the region this year, Oxford Economics said.

Oxford Economics expects the Philippines’ real gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.3 percent this year before slowing to 6.1 percent in 2019 and 5.7 percent in 2020.

The growth forecasts were below the government’s target ranges of 6.5-6.9 percent in 2018 and 7-8 percent starting next year until 2022.

For 2018, growth in emerging Asia-Pacific would be led by India, whose GDP growth Oxford Economics projected at 7.6 percent, followed by Vietnam’s 6.9 percent and China’s 6.5 percent.

Oxford Economics said the growth outlooks for India and the Philippines both had “deteriorated over the last six months, as eroded investor confidence

in twin-deficit economies has coincided with domestic turbulence—renewed financial sector stresses in India and rapidly rising inflation in the Philippines.”

As food and oil prices soared, inflation hit over a nine-year high and averaged 5.1 percent in the 10 months to October, above the government’s 2-4 percent target range.

Oxford Economics sees fullyear headline inflation rates in the Philippines hitting 5.3 percent this year before easing to 4.3 percent in 2019 and 4 percent in 2020.

But since the Philippines, India as well as Indonesia remained among the fastest growing economies globally, “this should reinforce investor faith in these countries and lead to foreign exchange gains, despite rising rates in most advanced economies,” Oxford Economics said. n

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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

Friday, November 30, 2018

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

16th Annual San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival and Parade: A celebration of lights, hope and peace by

aJPress

ONE of the symbols of a Filipino Christmas is the parol lantern, which also stands for hope, blessings, luck and peace during the holiday season. Traditionally made out of bamboo and paper, patterns of the parol evolved from the five-pointed paper star lantern originally crafted in 1908 by an artisan named Francísco Estanislao.

The parol, derived from the Spanish ‘farol’ (lantern), shares similarities to global traditions like Diwali, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and both Indigenous Filipino and Christian traditions.

Competitions are held around the world, with “Ligligan Parul” in San Fernando, Pampanga being the largest. The parol symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos’ hope and goodwill during the holiday season.

In San Francisco, the Parol Lantern Festival and Parade

is one of the most awaited holiday events. Now on its 16th year, the annual event will light up SOMA Pilipinas (San Franciso’s Cultural Heritage District) on December 8, at Jessie Square, Yerba Buena Lane, and Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Streets.

“The Parol Lantern Festival is a beautiful annual celebration of culture, community and light that has become a beloved tradition in the Yerba Buena neighborhood. We look forward to it every year,” said Linda Lucero, Executive/Artistic Director of Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in a press statement.

This year’s theme is “A Gathering of Lights,” to honor the resilience of leaders, artists, youth and student groups; as well as families who have faced political and economic challenges for decades in the

Moscone Center/Yerba Buena Gardens/South of Market district).

Handmade lanterns created by community members and commissioned artists will be part of the parade and will be displayed at Jessie Square.

Beautiful lanters from the City of San Fernando, Pampanga —the giant parol capital of the Philippines — will be mounted, together with amazing lantern creations by local artists Lynn Bryant, Mel Vera Cruz, Pamela Ybanes, Michael Sacramento, Robin David, Gene Apellido and many more. Of course, the most awaited in the annual event is the Tala Awards ceremony for this year’s best parol lantern for group and individual entries.

Aside from the parade and gallery of parols, there will also be live music and dance, including a community-wide performance inspired by “Pandanggo sa Ilaw” choreographed by master choreographer Sydney Loyola. Other performers are the American Center for Philippine Arts Rondalla, Autonomous Region, Cry Wolfs; and Joshua Icban and Aimee Amparo.

One of the highlights of the evening will be “A Taste of Christmas,” an assortment of

traditional Filipino sweets and delicacies including bibingka (sweet rice flour cake), and turon (glazed lumpia filled with plantain and jackfruit).

There will also be modern takes of Filipino desserts from acclaimed chef Francis Ang (Pinoy Heritage) and newcomers to the pastry scene Sweet Cheeseus and Sweet Condesa, who will serve sweets like Biko Passion Fruit Curd and Nut Crumble, ube cheesecake and ube panna cotta.

The Parol Festival is presented by the Filipino American Development Foundation and KulArts in partnership with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, MJM Management, and St. Patrick’s Parish, and supported in part by Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Yerba Buena Community Benefit District and SoMa Pilipinas.

For more information, please contact Parol Festival at (415) 348-8042, parolsf@gmail. com or visit www.bayanihancc. org/parol-festival.html and https://www.parollanternfestival. com/. *Photos by Erina Alejo and courtesy of MC Canlas. **Special thanks to Paloma Concordia of PapaLoDown Agency and MC Canlas.

Sweet offerings by Sweet Condesa will be featured at the festival.

Why Sharon cried and felt Iza shares her wedding preparations nervous, at first, to shoot reunion movie with Richard by riCky lo Philstar.com

by Marinel r. Cruz Inquirer.net

SHARON Cuneta confessed that she had to extend shooting for the movie “Three Words to Forever” for one more day after she failed to finish working on several important scenes as a result of deep sadness and grief because of the death of a good friend.

“I was only able to finish one scene that day,” said Sharon of her reaction to the death of Inquirer Entertainment writing editor Bayani San Diego on October 24. She claimed to have been so grief-stricken that she wasn’t able to focus on the scenes that she was supposed to do for Cathy Garcia-Molina’s latest drama.

“We were so tense that day because of her,” said Sharon’s costar Richard Gomez, who broke the news of Bayani’s passing to her after reading about it on Facebook. “Direk Cathy scolded me. She asked, ‘Why did you tell her? What will we do with her now?’”

“That was why he tried to

Sharon Cuneta with Richard Gomez

take it back. It’s funny how he said ‘Ay, buhay naman yata!’” recalled Sharon as she laughed while wiping away her tears. She then proceeded to answer the Inquirer’s question on what the audience could expect from her reunion movie with Richard, as compared to her well-received tandem with Robin Padilla in “Unexpectedly Yours.”

“My film with Robin is comedy. He has his own charm.

We’re very effective onscreen because we’re so in sync

WHEN Iza Calzado marches down the aisle in a Rajo Laurel gown, she will be given away by her brother Dash since both their parents (dad was Lito Calzado) are long gone. It will surely be an emotional moment for Iza — “And I think I couldn’t help but cry,” never mind if that would spoil her makeup. “I don’t think Ben would mind.”

The groom is half-British/ half-Filipino Benjamin “Ben” Wintle, the founder and CEO of the app Booky whom Iza met in 2011 during an Esquire magazine event, with their mutual friend Isabelle Daza acting as Cupid.

“He’s my Prince Charming,” Inquirer.net photo said Iza, “and I met him at the when we work together,” she Ball.” explained. “I never got to watch How do you prepare for any of Richard’s work with Dawn your wedding emotionally, (Zulueta), but I know this project mentally and physically? is different. There’s something “To be honest, it’s very difhere for everyone. It’s not just ficult to prepare mind, body and for two people in love. It’s about spirit for the wedding because three generations of women I am doing a soap (“Ngayon in one family trying to keep it at Kailanman”) and a movie together. We try to show—even (“Sanggre Project” for iflix). But though it’s difficult—how impor- when I can, I try to work on all tant it is to do that.” our requirements (ang daming Richard, meanwhile, said kailangan gawin!). My lifestyle is her onscreen partnership with already pretty healthy in terms Continued on Page SF7

Iza Calzado is undergoing a series of treatments at the Belo Medical Clinic in preparation for her and boyfriend Ben Wintle’s wedding ‘in a very special island’ sometime mid-December. Philstar.com photo

of my food intake and physical activities, except for my sleep because of work so that much I get to take care of physically.

“I have also gone to Belo for some pre-wedding treatments but I haven’t been back in over a month because of work.

Lastly, I plan to do a two-tothree day stay at The Farm just before I get married so I can be centered and grounded before I say I do.”

Any beauty regimen that you practice?

“I always make it a point to cleanse and moisturize my

face. I eat lots of vegetables and fruits, drink copious amounts of water, drink bone-broth soup which is rich in collagen and try to get enough sleep when I can.

Plus, I make sure to always wear a smile on my face. Kahit anong pagpapaganda mo, kung hindi ka masaya, hindi ka magiging truly beautiful!”

What about your fiancé, did he have to undergo some treatments at Belo?

“Nope, none. He has never gone to any facial clinic in the Philippines. Ben is super low Continued on Page SF7

From tourist to student: entertainment SF Mother of three obtains approval to pursue studies in the United States Kathryn on her relationship with The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

in relation to nonimmigrants seeking to change their status from tourist to student. The guidance stated that nonimmigrants seeking to change their status from tourist to student must maintain their tourist status while the change of status Brittany M. Milliasseau application for student status AFTER submitting mulwas pending. In compliance tiple applications with the U.S. with this guidance, Priscilla Citizenship and Immigration filed two subsequent applicaServices (USCIS) and living in tions to allow her to extend her a state of great uncertainty for tourist status while the student several months, Priscilla was status application was pending. overjoyed when she finally Unfortunately, Priscilla retained received approval of her F-1 an attorney for assistance student status application with these applications who and was allowed to begin her provided her with misguided studies in the United States. advice and advised her that Priscilla, whose name has been submitting fraudulent docuchanged for confidentiality ments in her applications was reasons, entered the U.S. along the only way that USCIS would with her three minor children in approve them. Priscilla trusted 2017. She entered with a tourist and relied on the attorney and visa for the purpose of attendregrettably followed with his ing a wedding and spending misguided advice. time with family members.

A few months later, PrisInitially, Priscilla only cilla received four notices from intended to visit the U.S. for a USCIS requesting additional few months, but she decided information and documentato extend the stay to allow for tion in relation to the pendadditional time with friends and ing applications. Priscilla was family members. When it was overwhelmed with the requests ultimately time for Priscilla and and was also worried that she her children to depart the U.S., would face serious trouble her young daughter became because of the fraudulent ill. Not wanting to subject her information submitted in the daughter to a long international applications. Overcome with flight during her illness, Priscilla uncertainty, fear, and concern filed another application to about the fast approaching extend her tourist status. deadline to respond to the Around this time, Priscilla requests, Priscilla desperately began thinking about her life, needed guidance. Knowing her goals, and how to provide that she did not want to return a better life for her children. to the prior attorney who had She realized that the best way provided her with ill-advised to do so would be to advance advice, Priscilla began seeking her academic studies. Believing competent immigration counsel that obtaining a degree from who could provide her with a university in the U.S. would sound and ethical advice. She provide her with better job opcontacted Reeves Immigration portunities in the future, Priscilla Law Group (RILG) to see if she decided to pursue a MBA dehad any chance at resolving her gree in the U.S. Priscilla filed a complex immigration situation. change of status application for The attorneys at RILG exF-1 student status with USCIS. plained that although it would In the months prior to filing be very challenging in her case, the change of status applicaobtaining student status in the tion, USCIS issued guidance U.S. was possible. The attor-

Your Immigration Solution

neys at RILG further explained that Priscilla would need to submit very detailed responses with supporting documents to USCIS and that she should also disclose and avoid furthering the prior fraud. Although Priscilla knew that her case presented many challenges and that approval was far from certain, she decided to retain RILG to assist with her case.

Priscilla worked closely with the team at RILG in preparing responses to the requests from USCIS. RILG argued that both her tourist and student status applications should be approved and that she should not be inadmissible for fraud/ misrepresentation. Less than a month later, USCIS approved all four of her applications. USCIS approved the tourist status extension applications which allowed Priscilla to maintain a valid status while the student status application was pending. USCIS also approved the F-1 change of status application which granted Priscilla student status in the U.S. She is now able to begin her MBA program and remain in the U.S. while she works hard towards attaining her degree. Priscilla is excited about the knowledge that she will obtain during her program and the opportunities that will arise for herself and her children once she obtains her U.S. degree.

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

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Daniel and views on marriage

by Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

IN Star Cinema’s new film “Three Words To Forever”, Kathryn Bernardo plays a young bride-to-be. Her plans to wed will uncover the good, the notso-good and the challenging in the marriages within her threegeneration family.

Kathryn’s grandparents (played by Freddie Webb and Liza Lorena) are preparing to renew their vows as husband and wife for 55 years. Her parents (Richard Gomez and Sharon Cuneta) are drifting apart but putting up a pretence for their 25th wedding anniversary. What is supposed to be a triple celebration of love faces complications so much so the film asks the question, is staying together still an option? Or, is the situation worthy of a happy resolution?

The theme of “Three Words To Forever” inspired some discussion on marriage during a presscon last Nov. 22 at Dolphy Theater. Kathryn offered her thoughts on the subject as prompted by a fan question.

Asked how can one tell if she’s ready for marriage, she said, “Feeling ko, you’ll feel it when you are ready for it and if your partner is ready for it, kasi iba-ibang age tayo pwede maging ready pasukin ang marriage because it’s a different level from being boyfriend-girlfriend.

For me, if you can see your life, things you do now with that person, I think that’s one; then if you can’t see the future without him; and if there’s respect for each other, that’s important.

People get ready for marriage at different ages. If you feel it, go! Sometimes, you just have to jump.”

However, she was quick to add that marriage is far from her mind. “Not so soon, siempre si Mama andyan!” she laughed,

Kathryn Bernardo with Daniel Padilla

pointing at her mother Min in the audience. “Too early for now. These are things you don’t rush because it’s marriage and it’s unfair to the other person if you enter something when you can’t give it everything. So, we’ll see.”

The 22-year-old actress has been going steady with her perennial love team partner Daniel Padilla for five years now. She and DJ “officially” confirmed their relationship in a media con in August for their Star Cinema film “The Hows of Us”, which the ABS-CBN film outfit declared as highest-grossing Pinoy film of all time for earning over P600 million.

Like her new film’s title, Kathryn has three words for this young love. “I am happy.

Alam mo, ang sarap mag-share ngayon ng lahat, na ganito

Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath

ka-open since sinabi namin last presscon yung totoong status namin. But really, I am happiest when I am with DJ. Yes, because he’s not just a boyfriend eh.

He’s a friend also, whom you can tell everything, and how he is with my family.”

She also has three words for what she thinks will make a relationship, whether romantic or familial, for keeps.

“I am sorry. In general, whether in a family or in a relationship, it’s easy to say I love you, but it’s difficult to (release the words) I am sorry, right?

When you say I am sorry, it means you still want to fix things or you want to give another chance, ang dami niyang pwede pang puntahan. In my family, if you’ve done something wrong, I am sorry. With DJ and I, whoContinued on Page SF6

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

celebrity world

Internationally known boxing champ Manny Pacquiao heads December birthday celebrants

By Ferdie Villar WORLD boxing champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao heads the list of prominent personalities who will be celebrating their birthdays this merry month of December. Pacquiao will be turning 39 on Monday, December 17.

Other personalities celebrating their birthdays this December are: December 4 - Former Miss RP-USA winner Sarah Atienza Leong, and singer Yeng Constantino; December 6 - Philippines Today Vice President for Operations and Promotions Thelma Cruz; December 7 - GMA Pinoy TV President Atty. Felipe Gozon, Daly City medical assistant Susan Gonzales, and San Francisco jewel designer and manufacturer Josie Harris; December 7 - Filipina caregiver Aida Marinas; December 9 - Former

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, and community leader Anita Lomboy; December 10 - Former Miss RP-World Eva Reyes; December 11 - Former president of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California Dr. Carmelo Lim Roco, and matinee idol Derek Ramsay; December 12 - Hillsborough businesswoman Upeng Abad Sy, and Concert Queen Pops Fernandez; December 13 - Former Senator Manny Villar; December 15 - Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa; December 16 - The original Queen of Philippine Movies the late Rosa del Rosario, multiawarded veteran actress Gloria Romero, Health Professionals chief accountant Elvie Angeles, and actress Aiko Melendez; December 17 - Former Miss United Nations International Anna Satorre, and GMA Pinoy TV comedian Michael V; December 20 - Star Cinema

actress Valerie Concepcion, South San Francisco community leader the late Connie Belleza Gaspar, and singer-actor Carlos Agassi; December 21 - Former Mrs. RP-USA International and model Marilen Bernardo, former Mrs. RP-USA World Christine Acha and Filipino restaurateur Manny Noguera; December 23 - Karilagan Restaurant owner Elsie Palencia; December 24 - Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino; December 27 - Gilroy auto shop owner Dar Rabonza; December 28 - Former Mrs. RP-USA Las Vegas and fashion designer Nina Alberto, and former LBC treasurer Fely Ruiz; December 29 - San Ramon businesswoman Flora Enriquez; December 30 - Star Cinema actor Jake Cuenca (who was born in San Jose, California before joining Philippine showbiz).

To all December celebrants, a very happy birthday and advanced holiday greetings to all!

Ester Dabo, 2018 Afasar Queen of San Jose, celebrated her birthday last November 10, at the Grange Social Hall in San Jose. Shown in photo above is Filipina Community Leader, Susan Pacifico handing a bouquet of roses to the celebrant.

World boxing champion and Philippine Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao heads the list of personalities who will be celebrating their birthday this December. Paquiao will turn 39 years old on Monday, December 17.

Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa will be celebrating her birthday on Saturday, December 15.

A galore of internationally known Filipino singers had a concert entitled “The Diva and Divadings Show” held at South San Francisco Auditorium recently. Shown in photo are (seated, front, L-R) Rey Kilay, Lani Misalucha, Jaya and Poca; and San Francisco community leader Violet Orence (standing, far right) who was among special guests posing with the stars in the photo above.

Filipina insurance agent in Northern California Michelle Esteron celebrated her birthday recently at the San Bruno Social Hall. Shown in photo with the celebrant are Edsel, Brenda, Edwin and Eren Grace Padilla.

Former Miss RP-USA winner Sarah Atienza Leong will celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, December 4.

Philippines Today Vice President for Operations and Promotions Thelma Cruz will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, December 6.

Two Magical Words (Conclusion of 2 parts)

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

So okay, your partner is the consummate slob and you have to pick up after him. He thinks he has a maid living with him for free. He has this maddening habit of not putting the toothpaste cap back on. That’s easy.

Get one with a cap that snaps back on.

The point is to find a way to work around an annoyance or accept the tiny irritations. With time and patience, things get easier. As you get older and hopefully, wiser, your eyes dim and your hearing goes for a reason. You become less critical as you see the bigger picture more clearly. You become tone deaf and refuse to be thin skinned and easily offended. of humor maybe or the way he makes you laugh…

Love is a two-way street.

Note how you behave towards him. How do you look to him?

Do you take the time and the effort to look va-va-voom and give him that look that can make his heartbeat race just a tad?

Or do you nag him to death for

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”

- Jean Baptiste Massieu every little thing? Do you make him feel small with your smartass barbs? Or does he feel he can soar like an eagle when you are around him?

Don’t buy into the modern concept of the throwaway or trade-up society that seems to imply you can change partners every five years or so. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. It may work for cars and appliances but falls flat for human relationships. Fix what can yet be fixed. Nurture what can grow into something beautiful. Eat humble pie, if you have to. There is no shame if you truly love. Ask a Higher Power to help you keep things whole.

Taking your husband, wife or partner for granted is the biggest cause of so many divorces these days. If alarming numbers are to be believed, half the population already live in Splitsville.

There is a disproportionate number of single moms and single dads worldwide struggling with severely diminished finances and dealing with court-appointed visits, juggling schedules, shuttling children in two locations and in cases of bitter, Continued on Page SF7

community SF Warning: US Embassy charging crewmen with fraud, despite approved provisional waivers The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

to now qualify for a provisional waiver, even though the Immigration provisional waiver regulations Corner expressly state crewmen are eligible for provisional waiver, and even though, in the past, crewmen had routinely been atty. MiChael granted provisional waivers, GurFinkel, eSQ returned to the Philippines, had HER “AMERICAN DREAM” SHATTERED WHEN HER CASE WAS DENIED AND HER TWO ATTORNEYS TOLD HER THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO JUST “HIDE.” Mariel their immigrant visas issued, IN a shocking and disturb(left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status. Distraught and lost, especially after her first two and then they returned to ing change in policy, the U.S. lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-Last-Hope” Michael J. Gurfinkel who sought reconsideration and was able to get the U.S. I myself have written Embassy in Manila has begun Mariel her elusive green card in record time. Watch Mariel’s dream come true on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. about provisional waiver for charging crewmen with fraud (Advertising Supplement) crewmen and featured several when those crewmen return crewmen on Citizen Pinoy, who to Manila for immigrant visa went back to the Philippines, processing after obtaining an were processed for their immiapproved provisional waiver. grant visa, and safely returned Until this policy is rehuman being because it is in the considered, I would caution shouldn’t he/she have rights, to the U.S. womb, totally dependent on just like anyone of us? I grant It appears the reason for crewmen against leaving the the mother, and therefore has you that a fetus is not a fully U.S. for Embassy processing of this change in policy is the U.S. PhiliP S. Chua, no right at all. In other words it developed person yet because State Department’s recently their immigration visa even if MD, FaCS, FPCS does not count! But if a pregit is still in the womb and not imposed “90-day rule,” by they have an approved provinant mother is a victim of any independent, just like anyone of which if a person enters the sional waiver. This is because violence or crime, which results THE 6 million Jews killed us when we were in the womb U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, they could be charged with in the death of both the mother fraud if the provisional waiver is and then engages in conduct during the holocaust, genocide of our mother, but our animal and the fetus, the courts count perpetrated by Nazi Germany pets (and their fetuses) who are voided, and they would have to inconsistent with that visa the “value” of the fetus, and if (17 million total if the other not even humans and do not apply for a fraud waiver for the within 90 days of entry, they the perpetrator is found guilty, exterminations are considered even have the potentials to be 10-year bar and misrepresenta- have committed fraud. Therehe/she could be sentenced to, as a part of Hitler’s “The Final human beings, are accorded tion which could take the USCIS fore, if a crewman (or even a and meted out, “double” the Solution,” between 1941 and their rights and have legal visitor who overstayed) entered several additional months to punishment because of the two process, while they are stuck in the U.S., and started working 1945) pales in comparison to the protection against cruelty and dead victims. So, why should 60,069,971 fetuses killed (per abuse under the law. Why not within 90 days of arrival, they the Philippines. the treatment and regard for choice of the mothers or parents the unborn child? have committed fraud. If they The reason or grounds the value of the fetus be differof these unborn) in the United I am surprised why there is now return to the Philippines for the fraud finding is based ent in the case of abortion?

States alone (about the same even a debate at all whether on a provisional waiver, they on the fact that the crewman Another argument I find number killed in World War II) fetuses should be considered risk being charged with fraud. merely overstayed his visa ludicrous is the one that says since abortion was legalized human beings, and whether In addition, the maximum time and/or began working in the a woman has the right to do in America 45 years ago, on we, fellow humans, should have a crewman may remain in the U.S. soon after arrival. This is whatever she wants with her January 22,1973, thru Rose v. the right to kill them or not.

U.S. is 29 days. Therefore, it the case even if the crewman body, and therefore she has the arrived in the U.S. decades Wade Supreme Court Decision.

Legally, they are not considered could be considered fraud if right to terminate the life of her ago! As the Embassy explains According to WHO, there are a human, an individual, yet. To they merely overstay beyond child inside her womb. The fetus its fraud findings, the crewman about 45 million abortion a year me, the issue is lucidly clear that the 29 days or began working inside the womb is not a normal, entered the U.S. on a C-1/D performed around the world, the fetuses, when not killed, within 90 days of their arrival. natural, and integral part of the about 125,000 fetuses killed a could have a “naturally preBut none of this makes visa, “and engaged in conduct female body. All the women I day. determined” fate, to develop sense! inconsistent with his nonimknow or have read about were When I read the question, into a human being. These are • The regulations specifimigrant visa status within 90 not born with a fetus inside her “Do fetuses have rights?”, on not fruits or vegetables or any cally and expressly state that days of his entry by engaging the cover of a U.S. weekly maga- inanimate objects, but future hu- womb as a part of her anatomy. in unauthorized employment crewmen qualify for provisional zine years ago, I wondered how man beings. They have an active All the rest of her anatomy, waiver. and by failing to depart the her entire body and appendsome people could even think brain, a heart that beats, body, • Provisional waiver is supUnited States within 29 days as ages, are there as natural parts otherwise. If the fetus is allowed arms and legs that move, just posed to benefit those aliens required on a C-1/D visa.” of her, but not a fetus. So how to grow and develop normally, it like us. They are living beings. who overstayed.

Under the Embassy’s can these pro-abortion group will mature to be someone like One of the issues being • Obviously, anyone applyreasoning, it would be legally any one of us, humans, so why made is that the fetus is not a ing for the provisional waiver Continued on Page SF7 impossible for any crewmen

Health@Heart

EMPLOYMENT

Abortion vs. holocaust

EMPLOYMENT

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has overstayed.

• Crewmen are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a maximum of 29 days. But if the Embassy is imposing a 90-day rule, no crewmen could qualify for provisional waiver and the regulation is meaningless.

• Simply put, if the Embassy’s position is that overstaying constitutes fraud, how can any crewman qualify for the provisional waiver?

For my part, I’m continuing to monitor this development, and will provide updates if there are any changes. But for now, crewmen risk being charged with fraud if they return to the Philippines for Embassy visa processing even with an approved provisional waiver. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

SF6

people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

C

alendar of Events

across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS N OV E M B E R 3 0 - D EC E M B E R 1 2

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

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

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

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

Message to East Bay Regional Parks users: Unhealthy conditions

THE Bay Area’s Air Quality Index is currently at unhealthy levels and your health is important to us.

The East Bay Regional Park District is advising visitors to minimize or refrain from active outdoor recreation due to the unhealthy air quality. Scheduled programs by interpretive or recreation instructors may be canceled. Check our website at www.ebparks.org for details.

Those with reservations in East Bay Regional Parks should contact our reservations office, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4 p.m. at 1-888-EBPARKS (888-327-

Kathryn on her relationship...

throughout the State, in particular Butte County, as this fire is greatly contributing to the Bay Area’s air quality.

Up-to-date information on air quality and guidance to limit exposure is available at www.baaqmd.gov.

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

San Mateo County first to embrace statewide law for emergency alerts In wake of deadly wildfire season, new state law provides counties greater opportunity to notify residents about natural disasters and emergencies

REDWOOD CITY – San Mateo County Supervisor David J. Canepa in partnership with San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos and the Office of Emergency Services will introduce a resolution Tuesday, Nov. 13 that will allow OES to further expand upon its existing alert notification system, to send emergency alerts to a greater number of residents in the county. Currently, only about 10 percent of San Mateo County residents are signed up for SMC Alert.

“I’m proud that San Mateo County will be the first in the state to adopt this protocol.

During the state’s deadly wildfire season, we heard too many times that residents felt they did not have adequate access to informa-

tion that could have saved lives,” Canepa said. “With the San Andreas Fault running right through the middle of the county, we know another big quake is looming. Being on the same page as a community during any natural disaster is the greatest way to preserve public safety.”

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 821 into law Sept. 21, 2018. It allows counties to work with public utilities, for the sole purpose of emergency notifications, to provide their customers with important information in the event of a major disaster. While the intent is to garner a greater audience for notifications, customers will still have the ability to decline the service.

“We know natural disasters

or other emergencies can strike at any time,” Sheriff Bolanos said.

“During these events, emergency alerts and timely information can save lives. SB 821 improves our ability to connect with the community whether it’s a major fire, earthquake, tsunami or other threat. We may not know when Mother Nature will strike, but this resolution will improve how we communicate when she does.”

SMCAlert is San Mateo County’s alert and warning notification system for first responders and emergency management agencies to send emergency alerts to the community. For individuals who live and/or work in San Mateo County, they may go to SMCAlert.info to sign up and register for this free service.

SF Mayor London Breed announces emergency winter schedule

IN addition, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing has opened 75 Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in La Puente, CA emergency shelter mats to help Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Friday, November homeless individuals avoid cur30 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church (444 N. Azusa Ave., La Puente, CA rent air quality 91744). Contact Rainier Valenzuela at (626) 964-4313 for more information.

Mayor London N. Breed, the Department of Homelessness D EC E M B E R 1 and Supportive Housing (HSH), the San Francisco Interfaith NAFFAA hosts civic leadership forum in Carson, CA Council, and Episcopal ComThe National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will have a civic leadmunity Services (ECS) recently ership forum on Saturday, December 1 in Carson, CA from 1 to 5 p.m. It is a free event focused announced the schedule for the on civic leadership and empowerment within the Filipino-American community. Following the Emergency Winter Shelter Proforum will be a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Carson Community Center on gram and shelter site locations.

801 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745. To RSVP, visitnaffaa.org/events.

The program will run from Sunday, November 18, 2018 through “Pasko Na Naman” in Glendale, CA Saturday, March 30, 2019.

The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled: “Pasko Na Now in its 30th year, the Naman 3” on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Incarnation Community Center (214 Fairview City and ECS have collaborated Avenue, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 3:30 p.m. The presentation’s theme is: Tapestry of with the San Francisco Interfaith Music and Dance which will show a variety of music and dances in the Philippines especially Council to provide additional at Christmas time. The show is filled with talented artists who give to the community with shelter services to homeless San generous hearts. Bre Harris and Matt San Jose will portray the role of friends who happened to have shared a common denominator about life in the Philippines; depicted through choral Franciscans during the winter singing and folk dancing. The performers are: Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Holy months.

Family Adult Choir under the direction of Tom Makiling and the Spirit of God Community The Department of Homeunder the direction of Ralph Santiago. “Ninangs” and “ Ninongs “ will also be presented. lessness and Supportive Housing Pasko na Naman presentation is on its third year. This show will bring nostalgia especially has additionally opened 75 to those who miss their families at Christmas time. Benefactors of proceeds include but are emergency shelter beds to not limited to: Channel of Charity feeding and scholarship programs, FFRG faith formation provide space for homeless events and projects. Come one! Come all! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. individuals to avoid the unThe audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” at intermission. Ticket donation is $20.00 per healthy air quality caused from person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or smoke resulting from the Camp Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

Fire. Members of the Homeless Outreach Team are conducting If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the direct outreach to encourage details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com unsheltered people to head indoors as well as conducting wellness checks. Additionally, they are providing masks, water, and transportation to shelter. Unbut then, after a week maybe or movie.”

From Page SF3 sheltered individuals should go She also refused to compare to 525 5th Street for assistance ever is at fault should say sorry two, everything was OK already. kasi kung wala yun, it can’t just Nakatulong din, of course, si DJ, “Three Words To Forever” to with shelter placement.

“The Hows of Us”, particularly be ‘I love you’ every day. And how much he supported me in “The winter months can be box-office expectations. “Actuit’s important that you know how this film. I’m so lucky!” particularly difficult for our homeally, this movie is very differto forgive and humble yourself According to her, Daniel less population, which is why ent from “Hows of Us”. This in any kind of relationship.” came to their set location in Orthe Emergency Winter Shelter Meanwhile, to be filming moc, Leyte, a visit that obviously is a family movie... More than Program is so important,” said the amount it will earn, I want without her long-time screen thrilled the young actress. He Mayor Breed. “I am committed families to be touched by our partner for the first time, she also talked to Tommy Esguerra, to opening 1,000 new shelter said, has been “a big, big adjust- who plays Kathryn’s fiancé in the story. Of course, it’s a bonus na beds by the end of next year kung ilang milyon yung kinita ng because it is our responsibility ment for me. I won’t say that film, so that it would be easier it has been easy because for a for them to do scenes together. movie. But at the end of the day, as a City to make sure we have I think we are able to do our jobs enough spaces for everyone who long time, for six or seven years, She also credited the film’s as actors if audiences can relate I’ve been (working) with DJ, and director Cathy Garcia-Molina needs one. Additionally, with the to our characters.” you know when you report to (who last directed her in “The current condition of the air in San She continued, “I’m very the set, he’s there (laughs).”

Hows of Us”). “She’s like my Francisco, we are taking immedihappy with the material, espeFor Kathryn, it did feel mother in the industry. She was ate steps to help our unsheltered cially when we shot the constrange “but then when this film a big help as always. She took population, and our Department was offered to me, with Tito care of me,” she said of the lady frontation scenes and all. I want of Homelessness and Supportive Richard and Tita Sharon, when director (a no-show at the press- our movie to be watched by all Housing is working tirelessly to I learned about the story, ang con because she was editing the members of the family. The past help move folks indoors.” few projects that Star Cinema ganda-ganda. I wanted to do film.)

Winter Shelter Program made (were) all love stories, and spaces are reserved on a firstthe film because I’m a daughter Asked how it was workI’m a fan of “Four Sisters and a in a family.” ing with Richard and Sharon, come, first-served basis each Wedding”, I’m a fan of “Seven She continued, “I want to who are reuniting on the big Sunday. The reservation ticket Sundays”. Super! Nung sinabi sa will allow the guest a seven-night represent for the youth once screen 15 years after “Walang akin, di ko talaga alam na parang stay. Two meals will be served to they watch the movie. I will be Kapalit” in 2003, Kathryn said, the voice of the children. Of “Of course, I was shy at the start part siya nun,” she said, referring shelter guests each night. Those course, in the first shooting days, but they helped me out and they to the 2013 and 2017 family-cen- interested in a sleeping space tered films also megged by direk on November 18, can go to St. we were all adjusting because didn’t make it hard for me to Cathy. “I am fan of this project. it was an out-of-town shoot. adjust to the environment, new Boniface Church, 133 Golden I hope (people) give it a chance, Gate Avenue, at 5:30 p.m., 30 You couldn’t go home to your co-workers. I’m so lucky that give it their time.” house or see (certain) people they guided me throughout the minutes prior to the opening of

N OV E M B E R 3 0

2757), option 2 or the park directly should you choose to cancel or change a reservation for picnic, camping, program, or indoor facility reservation/ registration. Currently, no fires of any kind are allowed in any East Bay regional park.

Should air conditions worsen, park or facility restrictions may occur, and service levels may be reduced for the safety of the public and our park staff.

All restrictions will be posted by 4pm for the following day on our website, ebparks.org, as well as via social media.

Our hearts are with the communities affected by fires

the Winter Shelter program to receive a ticket. These spaces are not reserved through the regular adult emergency shelter reservation system.

“What began as a call from our City to provide a one year emergency shelter, during the most inclement months of the year, today enters its thirtieth year of service,” said Michael Pappas, Executive Director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council.

“Our Interfaith Winter Shelter puts into action the greatest common teaching shared by our rich diversity of faiths, to care for those in need. We are indebted to our partners in this effort, the congregations that open their doors and offer shelter, those who prepare and serve meals, Episcopal Community Services for their diligent operational oversight and the spiritual assistance of the Night Ministry. We pray for the day when shelters, like ours, won’t be necessary.

Until then, we are committed to do our part to help ease the suffering of some of our City’s most vulnerable residents.”

ECS is funded by the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to provide the operational staff that sets up, manages and takes down the shelter every day in the host churches. The Interfaith Council works to identify the four host churches where the overnight shelter is located and to identify the church groups, congregations and community groups that sign up to provide the evening meals throughout the program.

“The Interfaith Winter Shelter plays a crucial role in sheltering the chronically homeless through the winter months, and Episcopal Community Services is proud to continue to offer our operational expertise as the shelter enters its 30th year,” said Beth Stokes, Executive Director, Episcopal Community Services.

“Engaging with guests at the Interfaith Shelter is a key first step to bringing those individuals experiencing homelessness inside, off the streets and near the critical health services they need to stabilize and move into permanent housing.”

The Winter Shelter Program increases HSH’s sheltering capacity by 5% to 8% on any given night throughout the winter, when shelter demand increases with the colder, wetter weather, not including navigation centers.

The regular adult emergency shelter program will operate parallel to the Winter Shelter Program. Access information

is available on HSH’s website, shelter reservation and resource center sites and by calling 311.

The Women’s Winter Shelter Program at Bethel AME Church was converted to a year-round women’s shelter program operated by the Providence Foundation. This program has been in continuous operation since November 2014, providing 30 beds every night.

“I would like to thank the SF Interfaith Council, Episcopal Community Services and the faith community for coming together, yet again, to provide shelter and warm meals each night this winter,” said Jeff Kositsky, Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. “Through this partnership we’re better able to meet the increased demand for shelter as the temperature dips and the nights get longer; in addition to the safe places provided, the program also offers each guest dignity, warm meals and connection to the City’s larger homelessness response system.”

This effort is in addition to Mayor Breed’s recently announced plan to open 1,000 shelter beds by the end of next year, the largest expansion in San Francisco in the last 30 years.

For more information about the Winter Shelter Program and HSHs Emergency Shelter Programs please visit: hsh.sfgov. org/emergencyshelter.

Winter Shelter Schedule for Single Adult Men: St. Boniface Church, capacity 60 men 133 Golden Gate Ave November 18 through December 7 Canon Kipp Senior Center, capacity 50 men 705 Natoma Street December 8 through December 15 Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, capacity 100 men 1111 Gough Street December 16 through January 12 St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, capacity 65 men 1031 Franklin Street January 13 through February 2 First Unitarian Universalist Society, capacity 70 men 1187 Franklin Street February 3 through February 23 Canon Kipp Senior Center, capacity 50 men 705 Natoma Street February 24 through March 30

Why Sharon cried and felt...

From Page SF2 Dawn “is different from Sharon’s in terms of how we approach acting. I can’t pinpoint exactly, but if you see this movie, you’ll know.”

What Richard was most proud about “Three Words to Forever” was that it was shot entirely in Ormoc City, where he is the incumbent mayor.

“We were locked in there for three weeks. We had a wonderful time. It’s my honor to be their host. I’m also proud to show the whole country how beautiful the city is. I’m glad they enjoyed their stay in Ormoc. I’d like to bring more people there,” he declared.

For Sharon, the 15 years

that she lost touch with Richard made her feel uncomfortable around him in the beginning. “I was nervous to shoot the film. I told Inang (Olive Lamasan, one of her mentors) that I didn’t know if I could do this. I cried to her. I told her, ‘I don’t know him anymore. He’s not my Richard,’” Sharon recalled. “I wasn’t used to Richard being a mayor. I was even more shocked when I heard him speaking Bisaya. I’m glad things eventually turned out great.”

On the big screen, Sharon and Richard last worked together in Joel Lamangan’s “Walang Kapalit” in 2003.

“We went through a lot, you just don’t know. Grabe ang tiniis

ko dito,” she said of her ex-boyfriend while laughing.

“We were still so young then. We were officially together for a year, but we dated for five years on and off. Richard is really a good person—that’s why I was able to forgive him easily, repeatedly. I don’t think I would be able to put up with a boyfriend that long if it wasn’t Richard,” she declared.

“Three Words to Forever,” which also features Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Lorena, Tommy Esguerra, Joross Gamboa, Marnie Lapus and Tobie dela Cruz, is part of Star Cinema’s 25th anniversary celebration. It will be shown in cinemas starting Nov. 28.

Iza shares her wedding...

From Page SF2 maintenance.”

What kind of wedding will you have?

“Beach wedding. Hopefully, a fun one!”

Tell us how you and Ben met and matched?

“I was hosting for the launch of Esquire magazine in 2011.

He was a guest and he saw me on stage. Our common friend, Isabelle Daza, found out that Ben was asking another friend about me and was quick to pull him to me. She tapped my shoulder and said, ‘Ben-Iza, IzaBen. Single-Single.’ Safe to say I met my Prince at the Ball. The rest is history.”

More about Ben (his family background, profession, etc.)?

“Benjamin Wintle is halfBritish, half-Filipino, born and raised in Hong Kong. He is a tech entrepreneur and is the founder and CEO of the app Booky which started as a food app and has now entered fitness and beauty space. He loves dogs and plays tennis on the weekends.”

How did you know that

you were compatible enough to settle down as husband and wife?

“Ben and I balance each other out. I feel that we fill each other’s weaknesses with each other’s strengths. I knew he would make such an amazing father because of how he is with our dogs and how he has been very helpful in helping me raise my stepbrother. I knew he would be a great partner in life, that’s what made me realize that he is The One.” How soon do you plan to have a child and how many do you want?

“Just need to finish some projects next year so end of the next year is the deadliest deadline to start creating and hoping for a family.”

Where’s the honeymoon?

“We haven’t planned it, I am still very busy with work.”

Will there be any changes (choice of roles, etc.) in your career after the wedding?

“Ben is very supportive and understanding so in terms of roles, I don’t see anything changing. I have been playing

Abortion vs. holocaust...

From Page SF6 claim that a fetus is a part of the woman’s body, and, therefore, a pregnant woman has the right to “cut it out” at her whim, like her hair, or her nails? The woman has the right to mutilate her own body, cut off her limbs, etc., if she so chooses, because those are her own body parts.

But the fetus is not a natural part of a woman’s anatomy. It is another life, formed when she voluntarily chose to enable her ovum to come in contact with a man’s sperm. Rape is, of course, another story.

The fetus can’t defend itself.

It is in the womb, at the mercy of the mother, or parents, and of society, meaning all of us.

All we have to do as a society is to gang up on the powerless fetuses, legalize abortion, and allow termination of the life of the unborn ad libitum at whim. This will also confer upon our people the right to practice irresponsible sex and escape parenthood.

If a woman does not want to be pregnant, she could, and should, prevent conception. Why even allow life to start at all and then decide to annihilate it?

I do realize the situation is not that simple and straightforward. But guided by our Christian sensibilities and sensitivities, by our education, by our culture where the family is the basic structure of our foundation in society, and the natural instinct of humans (even of animals) to protect their off springs, even while still in the womb (that’s why there is prenatal examination and other protective measures pregnant women do to maintain a healthy growing fetus), I am puzzled why there is even a debate on the matter at all.

Freedom to kill?

Freedom, individual rights, and the pursuit of happiness are fundamental tenets in a democracy. The constitution of all the civilized nations of the world, ours included, provides and guarantees every human being the basic freedoms that protect their individual natural rights in the pursuit of a happy, productive, and peaceful life, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, and age, without denying others their equal and natural rights.

The everlasting controversy in the abortion debate really hinges on the denial that a fetus is a human being, and on the misinterpretation of the word freedom. The pro-choice

group (who, accurately, should call themselves pro-abortion, but who prefers to be called pro-choice to hide behind a politically correct name) believes that the freedom under the constitution means the right to do whatever one chooses, and in this case, obviously including the right to kill. That is, of course, blatantly absurd, ludicrous, and unconstitutional, not to mention immoral and sacrilegious. The freedom and right to choose, as guaranteed us by our constitution, gives us the liberty to ONLY do what is right, proper, ethical, moral and legal. Freedom does not mean the liberty to do anything one wants to do, even abridging the rights of others, like killing the weak, the sick, or even the hopeless and terminally ill, and extinguishing the life of the innocent, fragile and powerless fetus. Mutilating a living fetus for expediency, cutting them into pieces and crashing their skull is never a part of our freedom nor a right of anyone.

The unborn did not force its mother to have and enjoy a carefree, careless, unprotected sex. IF the death “penalty” is at all warranted and needs to be meted out to one of them, it should be to the guilty perpetrator(s) and certainly not to the innocent victim, the faultless and defenseless unborn.

I honestly do not understand how some obviously intelligent and educated family people, who value their rights, and are vigilantly fighting for those rights, can unconscionably deprive and deny the helpless fetuses their rights? I wonder how any member of the prochoice movement would feel if she/he were the targeted fetus in the womb?

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

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mother roles naman na so it’s not like that will be something new for me pa. Maybe, it will be different to execute it once I have a child of my own.

“I really don’t know where this road will lead me but I know that when the time comes for me to be a mother, I will take on that role as seriously as I have taken on all my other roles as an actress — probably 1,000 times more serious. My passion to create and express and grow as an artist will always be in me but this time, it will go hand in hand with my growth as a woman, wife and hopefully a mother.”

community Two Magical Words...

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018

From Page SF4 acrimonious divorces, competing for their children’s affections.

Honestly, who wants to live a life like that? Does anyone in his right mind really want to be disappointed and live cynical lives dealing with what I call the BIG D’s? These are the doldrums of doubt, darkness, disease, depression, desperation, dejection, disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment. You just wish you can DELETE all that from your life. Sadly, some go to the deep end tragically ending in death.

Love has died. Nothing matters. Yet love, according to the “Desiderata” is as perennial as the grass. While there is life, hope springs eternal. Those who are not put off by a disastrous relationship think that “the right one” is just around the corner.

Perhaps. But if they do not learn from their previous mistakes, they are doomed to repeat them. There’s that D again. They will cycle in and out of one disastrous relationship after the other.

Single parenthood is no cakewalk in most cases. Ask around. Do not believe the distortion of truth in movies spun

by Hollywood or this trend of celebrities adopting babies and the media glamorizing the lives

of single parents. That is one tall tale of an ego on overdrive.

There is no romantic or comedic element in going it alone. Single parenthood is more like the Theater of the Absurd. The honest truth: there is little glamour or fun in single parenthood – in far too many cases, it is just an endless, harrowing tale of one struggle after the next.

There are exceptions of course. Unless fate played a dirty trick on you and you ended up meeting and marrying the partner from hell who is a sociopath, a psychopath, a criminal, a user, a liar, a pervert, a druggie, a murderer, a serial philanderer or just unfit to live in this planet with another human being, the best way to happiness would be to love, appreciate and say “thank you” to the one you’re with every single day of your life together. And while you’re at it, blow a kiss to the heavens for making you a winner in the love lottery stakes sending you someone you love or can learn to love AND (THE BLESSING of all blessings) who loves you back!

Love is not a 50-50 proposition. It’s not even giving 110% of yourself to the other. It sounds sentimental, sappy and old fashioned but whether you like it or not, it is giving of yourself

without counting the cost. It is the pure, intrinsic nature of life’s greatest mystery – LOVE, beyond all telling.

Those couples buried six feet deep, side by side at Forest Lawn probably understood what love and devotion meant. Their souls may have fused. Their hearts in the life beyond beat as one.

That is one story you can believe in.

(Or if you’re in for a laugh and have a sly, dry, wicked sense of humor, you might say those savvy couples probably got a twofer from the cemetery plot sales rep at Forest Lawn! LOL ;) How to find THE ONE if you’re on the hunt? Or how can you make THE ONE realize that you’re THE ONE for him or her without beating him or her over the head?

That is one story for yet another day. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu. com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - November 30, 2018