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DECEMBER 5-11, 2019

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 30 - No. 49 • 16 Pages

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DND, DOE to probe China’s threat to PH power grid

by FRANCES

MANGOSING Inquirer.net

MANILA — Does China really have the capacity to shut down the Philippines’ power grid? Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will soon find out.

The top defense official said they are forming a team from the defense and energy department to address the public concerns and settle the issue once and for all.

“We are putting up a team in the (Department of National) Defense and Department of Energy to really find out to prove or disprove the allegations of others that China can shut down our grid anytime they want,” he said in a forum hosted by the Manila Overseas Press Club in Makati on Wednesday, December 4.

“Although the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) has strongly denied the allegations, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

DATELINE

Inquirer.net photo

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POSTPONED. President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act and the Malasakit Center Act during a ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, December 3. Under Republic Act 11462, the barangay and SK elections will be held in December 2022. This is the third time that the barangay and SK polls were deferred since 2016.

Malacañang photo by Valerie Escalera

Maguindanao massacre verdict out on December 19 – judge

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Ressa selected as Princeton University’s 2020 Baccalaureate speaker RAPPLER CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa has been chosen as the speaker for Princeton University’s 2020 Baccalaureate ceremony, the university announced this week.

The Baccalaureate ceremony is an end-ofyear interfaith service that is one of Princeton’s oldest traditions, with its speaker selected by the Committee on Honorary Degrees and approved by the Board of Trustees.

According to the letter of invitation to Ressa, her record of civic leadership makes her “a superb role model for our students, and throughout your career you have demonstrated values of humanity, community engagement and social responsibility that we hope our students will exemplify in their lives.”

Ressa graduated from Princeton in 1986 with a degree in English.

Juston Forte, president of the senior class, expressed his excitement to have Ressa speak

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US authorities probe death of Filipina in Colorado; husband arrested A 27-year-old Bacoleña, who was an alleged victim of domestic violence, died in Fort Lupton, Colorado.

The victim was identified as Russcel Recelistino, a human resource management graduate of La Consolacion College in Bacolod City.

Recelistino’s husband, Joseph Garza, was taken into police custody.

“On Nov. 27, 2019 at approximately 7:30 a.m., officers from the Fort Lupton Police Department, Fort Lupton Fire District and Banner Health Ambulance staff responded to an address in the 1200 block of 3rd Street in response to a medical call on an unresponsive person. Upon arrival officers found an unresponsive adult female. She was transported to the Northern Colorado Medical Center where she later died,” a police press release said.

“The cause of death is under investigation,” it added.

The victim’s mother Cely Recelistino, a

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by FRANZ LEWIN

EMBUDO ManilaTimes.net

THE long-awaited promulgation of the decision on the Ampatuan massacre case will be out on December 19, the judge handling the case said.

In a notice issued by Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes, the verdict will be read at the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong A makeshift shrine at Mendiola in Manila pays tribute to the 58 people, including 32 journalists, Diwa in Taguig City at 9 a.m. who were killed in the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009. The case heard at the Quezon The judge will release the decision after City Regional Trial Court is set for judgment on Dec. 10.

10 years of trial.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

In late November, Reyes asked for a 30day extension to promulgate the decision, citing the sheer volume of case records, which the Supreme Court granted and gave her until December 20.

The massacre happened on Nov. 23, 2009 in the town dominated by the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao province in southern Mindanao, where 58 individuals — 32 of them journalists — were killed while on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan

Duterte threatens water concessionaires for economic sabotage

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 3, threatened to jail and file economic sabotage cases against Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services due to their 1997 contracts with the government which was described as “the world’s largest water privatization.”

“We will expose them. And I will insist that they be tried for economic sabotage,” he said in a speech in Malacañang.

“I will file this, economic sabotage, and I will arrest them all. I will let them taste of a

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prisoner’s life,” he added.

Duterte ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General to review the concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad after a water shortage was experienced by Metro Manila in March.

The DOJ, during Monday night’s (December 2) Cabinet meeting, informed Duterte of its findings — the government contracts with Manila Water and Maynilad had 12 onerous provisions that were disadvantageous not only to the government but more Among 79 participating countries, the Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension so to water consumers.

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in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), according to the results released Dec. 3, 2019.

Philstar.com photo by End Gumban

New envoy optimistic on Philippines-China ties Philippines lowest in reading comprehension among 79 countries

by AJPRESS

MANILA — New Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian arrived past midnight in Manila on Tuesday, December 3, to take up one of China’s most important diplomatic posts. “The best is yet to come” for PhilippinesChina relations, Huang said in his short message upon arrival.

Huang, a seasoned career diplomat, replaced Zhao Jianhua, who ended his tour of duty in October after five years as China’s top diplomat in the country.

Welcoming China’s former ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) past midnight on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were protocol officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, officials from the Chinese embassy and representatives from Chinese communities in the Philippines.

The 52-year-old Huang expressed his “astonishChinese Ambassador-designate to the ment” at the Philippines’ achievements in recent years Philippines Huang Xilian

Philstar.com photo

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by RATZIEL

SAN JUAN Philstar.com

AMONG 79 participating countries and economies, the Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), according to the results released on Tuesday, December 3.

PISA is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that examines students’ knowledge in reading, mathematics, and science.

Reading was the main sub-

ject assessed among 15-year old students in the 2018 PISA. The Philippines had an average reading score of 340, more than 200 points below China (555) and more than 100 points less than the OECD average (487).

In the Philippines, boys’ and girls’ performances in reading both ranked lowest among PISAparticipating countries.

“Reading proficiency is essential for a wide variety of human activities — from following instructions in a manual; to finding out the who, what, when, where, and why of an event; to communicating with others for a

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DECEMBER 5-11, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Duterte threatens water concessionaires...

PAGE 1 Among these provisions was the “prohibition against government interference in rate-setting, and the provision on indemnity for possible losses in the event of such government interference,” prompting the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore to order the Philippine government to pay Maynilad about P3.6 billion for losses and damages and

recently P7.4 billion to Manila Water Duterte, for his part, has ordered Solicitor General Jose Calida and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to create a new water concession contract that is favorable to the public and the government.

“This is the amended contract, accept it or nothing to it,” he said.

The president also slammed the two private water firms for treating water like a commodity and not as a natural resource.

“The contract is so one-sided, because if they fail to realize the profit during the lifetime of the contract or at any period, we will pay for their losses. You sons of bitches, if that is so,” he said.

According to Duterte, the government was not allowed to raise or lower water rates, and that the private water firms kept on charging the public for wastewater treatment facilities that were never built.

“I said I’m ready to go. But if it’s like this, I will not go without a bang. I will expose these rich people who are profiteering from the nation for free. Corruption is really at the top, not at the level of the Customs,” he said. ■

Maguindanao massacre verdict out...

CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE. The Christmas Tree of the Office of the President illuminates the Kalayaan Grounds after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led its ceremonial lighting at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, December 2.

Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

DND, DOE to probe China’s...

PAGE 1 it’s good to prove to us, to our people there who are experts, that they can’t do it. So we will inspect the NGCP in the next coming days,” he added.

PAGE 1 Manila and Beiijng have long town, in the 2010 national elec- been at odds over the South Chitions. na Sea, which the latter claims The other victims had also been entirely.

President Rodrigo kidnapped and killed, including Duterte has set aside the PhilipMangudadatu’s wife and his two pines’ historic win in the internasisters, lawyers and aides. tional court invalidating China’s Mangudadatu was challenging massive claims in exchange for then-Mayor Datu Andal “Unsay” loans and investments.

Ampatuan Jr., member of one of Lawmakers and experts have Mindanao’s leading Muslim po- recently raised concerns that litical clans, in the 2010 guber- China can control the nation’s natorial polls. power grid remotely. The priAndal Jr. and Zaldy Ampatuan vately-run NGCP, the country’s are still in jail, while Sajid Ampat- lone power transmission line, is uan is out on bail and is currently 40 percent owned by State Grid the mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao.

The father of the Ampatuans, Andal Sr., the alleged mastermind of the crime, died on July PAGE 1 specific purpose or transaction,” 17, 2015.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary the summary of the PISA 2018 Menardo Guevarra thanked the results reads.

The Philippines also placed court judge “for her patience and diligence” in handling the mul- the second-lowest in mathematics (353), along with Panama, tiple-murder case.

“We trust that she will dis- and science (357). Only the Dopense justice even-handedly and minican Republic scored lower with utmost respect for the rule in these categories.

China also led the ranking in of law,” Guevarra said in a mesmathematics and science. The sage to reporters.

Private Prosecutor Nena San- OECD average for mathematics tos said they were confident of is 489 and the average for scia “guilty verdict” at least for the ence is 483.

“Results from PISA indicate principal accused, sons of the althe quality and equity of learnleged mastermind Andal Sr. ■

Corp. of China since 2009.

Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi also believes that the allegations are not impossible. “I wouldn’t say it’s unfounded. It’s a concern that has been raised before. Potentially, I repeat potentially, they can do it (remotely shut down) considering its digital nature,” he told reporters last week.

These concerns have been brushed off by NGCP, saying the Chinese firm is limited to being a technical adviser and that the power grid cannot be accessed by remote users.

“There is no proverbial Wile E. Coyote Acme red button that you can press to shut down the grid. You have to call at the very least, 200 substation managers and have them shut off sev-

eral breakers in each of these substations one by one,” NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza told ABS-CBN News Channel in an interview on Tuesday.

The suspicions were likewise downplayed by the Chinese government in late November.

“The allegation of China’s control over the Philippines’ power grid or threat to the country’s national security is completely groundless,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

“We hope certain individuals in the Philippines will look at cooperation with China in an open, objective and impartial manner. There is no need to worry about the sky falling or imagine trouble where there is none,” he added. ■

Philippines lowest in reading comprehension... ing outcomes attained around the world, and allow educators and policymakers to learn from the policies and practices applied in other countries,” a post on the OECD website reads.

According to the PISA 2018 profile of the Philippines, socio-economic status accounts for 18% of the variance in reading performance in the country, compared to the OECD average of 12%.

The country has the largest percentage of low performers in reading among socio-economi-

cally disadvantaged students.

The profile noted that average class sizes of 15-year olds in the Philippines are the largest, and the ratio of students to teaching staff in socio-economically disadvantaged schools is the highest.

The Philippines also had the highest percentage of students reporting being bullied at least a few times a month.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said they did not expect high marks based on National Achievement Test results, according to a report by The Star. ■

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 5-11, 2019

Ressa selected as Princeton University’s 2020...

PAGE A1

Dina Titus, Sikh Drama Ambassador recognize 550th birth anniversary of Sikh religion founder Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-nV) met with leaders of the sikh Community on Tuesday, november 26, to deliver a Congressional record statement recognizing the 550th Birth anniversary of guru nanak Dev, who is considered the founder of the sikh Faith. receiving the statement was satpal singh Khalsa, the Chief religious and spiritual authority of the sikh religion for the western Hemisphere. “november 12, 2019, marked the 550th birth anniversary of the Founder of sikhism, guru nanak Dev, and is celebrated worldwide as guru nanak’s gurpurab. “sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with around 30 million followers, one million of whom are in the United states. sikh americans pursue diverse professions, including service in the U.s. armed Forces, agriculture, real estate, transportation, technology, small business, and medicine. In their efforts, sikh americans have made rich contributions to the economic, cul-

tural, and social landscape of the United states and have strengthened our communities by fostering respect among all people through faith and service,” the statement read. “as a member of Congress, I remain committed to educating citizens about the value of religious diversity, tolerance grounded in the principles of the First amendment, and a culture

of mutual understanding and respect. we are a stronger nation and community when we embrace our diversity and afford all citizens the opportunity to better understand our many faiths and cultures. “accordingly, this month let us recognize and appreciate the rich history and culture of sikhs as they celebrate gurpurab,” the statement added. n

Outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce THe Center for Disease Control (CDC), public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.s. Food and Drug administration (FDa) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of e. coli o157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce harvested from the salinas, California, growing region.

The CDC advises that consumers not eat and retailers not sell any romaine lettuce grown in this growing region. This includes all use-by dates and brands of ro-

maine lettuce from this region.

This advice includes all types of romaine lettuce grown in salinas, California, such as whole heads of romaine, organic romaine, hearts of romaine, romaine in salad wraps, and packages of precut lettuce and salad mixes which contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad. most romaine lettuce products are labeled with a harvest location showing where they were grown.

Hydroponically- and

greenhouse-grown romaine, which is voluntarily labeled as “indoor grown,” from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak.

If you have romaine lettuce or packaged foods containing romaine at home: • Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.

• If the label says “grown in salinas” (whether alone or with PAGE 5

to the graduating class.

“In her work as an accomplished journalist and executive editor of rappler.com, maria ressa continuously fights against disinformation and fake news. ressa’s work to share the truth and raise awareness of unjust situations despite its consequences embodies Princeton’s informal motto, ‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity,’ by showing a dedication to humanity Rappler chief Maria Ressa speaks to Princeton University students in April 2019. and an extraordinary level of soPhoto by Denise Applewhite / Princeton cial responsibility,” Forte wrote in a statement.

“I am confident maria ressa will impart wisdom and inspire the Class of 2020 as we continue to grapple with injustice in our lives and in our future journeys beyond the gates of Princeton,” he added.

Prior to becoming rappler chief, ressa has been a journalist in asia for more than 30 years, with two decades nearly spent as a lead investigative reporter in southeast asia for Cnn. In 2012, she co-founded rappler and saw it grow to become one of the leading online news organizations in the Philippines. ressa has received various awards around the world for her fight for press freedom and against disinformation, such as the prestigious golden Pen of Freedom award from the world association of newspapers and news Publishers and the 2018 gwen Ifill Freedom award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. she was also named as “Person of the Year” by TIme magazine in 2018.

“The only defense journalists have is to shine the light,” ressa said in a Princeton “she roars” podcast. “and part of what’s keeping us safe is because of the coverage that international news groups are giving what’s happening in the Philippines, both the drug war, the information war and the attacks against rappler,” she added.

Princeton’s Baccalaureate service focuses on members of the senior class. It includes prayers and readings from various religions and philosophical traditions.

The earliest recorded Baccalaureate address — titled “religion and the Public spirit” — was delivered

by University President samuel Davies to the 11 members of the graduating class of 1760. The Baccalaureate ceremony for the graduating class of 2020 is scheduled on may 31. (AJPress)

december 5-11, 2019 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Dateline USa

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 5-11, 2019

Foreign tourist arrivals in PH reach 6 million in September

by Jaymee

t. Gamil

Inquirer.net

FOREIGN tourist arrivals have reached over 6 million for the first nine months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday, December 2.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon said the agency recorded 6.16 million visitors from January to September this year,

which is 14.37 percent higher than the recorded foreign tourist arrivals in the same period in 2018.

“We reached 6.16 million foreign visitors, this is a recordhigh for the first nine months of every year,” Bengzon said in an interview.

From January to September last year, DOT recorded 4.95 million tourists.

This number is right on track with DOT’s target for 2019 pegged at 8.2 million tourist arrivals, said Bengzon.

“The 6.16 [million] represents a growth rate of 14.37 percent so almost invariably the next question is are we on track? With the 8.2 million [target], if you look at the 14.37 percent growth, yes do have a striking distance,” Bengzon said. n

2010s hottest decade in history, UN says as emissions rise again Children gather by the seawall as strong waves brought by Typhoon Kammuri surge high along the coastline in Legazpi City in the province of Albay, Philippines on Tuesday. December 3.

Photo by Basilio Sepe/Greenpeace Philippines

Duterte urged to declare climate change a priority

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

A GROUP of environmental campaigners called on President Rodrigo Duterte to declare climate emergency in the Philippines—a country vulnerable to the catastrophic effects of severe weather made worse by climate change.

In an open letter, Greenpeace Philippines asked the president to make a climate emergency declaration, which would make climate change and its impacts on Filipinos a top government priority.

The call came as the country recovers from the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri), which lashed southern Luzon and the Eastern Visayas on Tuesday, December 3.

The Philippines—an archipelagic nation—is hit by an average of 20 tropical cyclones each year, killing hundreds and putting people in disaster-prone areas in a state of constant poverty.

“Year after year, Filipinos are identified among the most impacted globally by this crisis, an emergency situation by big polluters, fossil fuel companies who have lied and covered up about how their operations have been driving the climate crisis and

who have been raking in trillions in profits at the expense of millions of people who suffer from its impact,” Lea Guerrero, Greenpeace Philippines country director, said, “Filipino communities have been leading the way in exposing the big fossil fuel corporations most responsible for the emissions heating up the planet. But now it’s time for our government to formally acknowledge this urgent crisis and declare a climate emergency,” Guerrero added.

Greenpeace said the climate emergency declaration should be in the form of an executive order, which should include “critical political decisions and concrete actions” for the government.

Prioritize renewable energy, move away from fossil fuels The declaration should put climate urgency at the center of all policy decision-making, hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for driving climate change and inflicting harm on Filipinos and demand industrialized nations to make ambitious emissions reduction target, the group said.

It added that the climate emergency declaration should ensure the country’s rapid and just transition to a low carbon future by prioritizing renewable energy

sources as well as phase out and stop plans for future fossil fuel investments.

Fossil fuels, when burned, release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, making them major contributors to global warming.

A Greenpeace report released last month found that coal remains the dominant energy source in the Philippines despite the country’s commitment to move away from fossil fuels and shift to clean renewable energy.

The group’s call also came as world leaders attend the 2019 UN Climate Conference—known as COP25—which is aimed at finalizing rules for the 2015 Paris Agreement and setting up a fund to help countries already reeling from droughts, floods and storms.

The Paris accord calls for blocking global warming at well below 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius, if possible.

The United Nations-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in its 2018 report that global carbon dioxide emission must drop 45% by 2030 and reach “net zero” by 2050 to cap temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius. (With reports from Agence France-Presse)

US authorities probe death of Filipina in Colorado...

PAGE 1 former Negros Occidental provincial government cashier, said she learned about her daughter’s death from her employer at the Wholly Stromboli restaurant in Fort Lupton.

She said it was not clear yet how her daughter died.

Cely said her daughter and her husband lived with his parents in Fort Lupton. At the time that she was found unresponsive, only her husband was at home with her.

Recelistino’s remains will be subjected to an autopsy and a hearing is set within the week.

“Her employer assured me that he will attend the hearing and assist us in seeking justice,” Cely said.

She said Recelistino’s husband was a very jealous man.

“He would check her phone and social media account. My daughter complained she was not free. Her husband was jealous even of the people she worked with at the restaurant, but she was not doing anything wrong,” Cely said.

Recelistino went to the United States for an on-the-job training in Minnesota in 2015 and later moved to Colorado where she met her husband.

She was waiting for her green card but she could no longer stand her life with her husband and planned to return to the Philippines in January after she got her state tax refund, her mother

said.

Cely said her daughter went to the United States because she wanted to help her family in the Philippines.

Recelistino’s father Russ who used to work at the laboratory of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian of Negros Occidental, was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer and died in April 2019.

Cely said the last time she spoke to her daughter was on November 26 and “she told me she was okay.”

However, Cely said when she called again she could no longer reach her, and that was when they got in touch with her employer. (Carla Gomez/Inquirer. net)

New envoy optimistic on Philippines...

PAGE 1

under the leadership of President Duterte.

His assignment coincides with the coming 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic relations in 2020.

He said he was “very honored and grateful” to have been designated ambassador to the Philippines, which to him feels like home.

“Since I was a little child, my families have kept telling me that the Philippines which faces China across the sea is our relative with close kinship and cultural bond. Therefore the natural affinity with the Philippines has grown in my heart,” Huang, who was born in Fujian province, said.

“Neighbors wish each other

well, just as loved ones do to each other. Since President Duterte took office, the Philippines has made impressive achievement at various areas,” Huang said.

“I have every reason to believe and expect that the country will achieve greater strength and prosperity in the coming years and decades,” he added.

He said the improved relations between the two countries have been generating “more and more tangible benefits for the people, and brought about a closer China-Philippines community of shared future.”

“Good neighbors are a blessing. China and the Philippines enjoy a time honored friendship deeply rooted among the two peoples,” Huang said.

He called the Philippines an “important partner” of China in

the latter’s Belt and Road initiative.

China, he said, stands as the Philippines’ top trading partner, the largest source of imports, the third largest export market and the second largest tourist origin.

China’s diplomatic efforts in recent years, led by President Xi Jinping, have helped Beijing “manage” and “control” differences over territory with neighbors and offered other countries a viable way to ease territorial tension.

“China, as it firmly safeguards its sovereignty and rights and interests, has taken a multipronged approach with the parties concerned and actively carried out dialogue and cooperation,” Huang wrote when he was ambassador to ASEAN. n

Outbreak of E. coli infections linked to...

PAGE 3

the name of another location), don’t eat it. Throw it away.

• If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t eat it. Throw it away.

• If you don’t know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix or wrap contains romaine, don’t eat it. Throw it away.

• Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine lettuce was stored.

If you are buying romaine lettuce at a store: • Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.

• If the label says “grown in Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location), don’t buy it.

• If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t buy it.

• Restaurants and retailers should check the label on bags or boxes of romaine lettuce, or ask their suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce.

Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown.

It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.

- If the label says “grown in Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location), don’t sell or serve it.

- If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t sell or serve it.

- Suppliers, distributors, and others in the supply chain should not ship or sell romaine harvested in Salinas, California.

Take action if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection:

• Talk to your healthcare provider.

• Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick.

• Report your illness to your local health department.

• Assist public health investigators by answering questions about your illness.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers, using the toilet, and before and after preparing food to lower the chance of infecting others.

A total of 67 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 19 states. Six people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.

No deaths have been reported.

(With reports from HHS.gov)

THIS decade is set to be the hottest in history, the United Nations said on Tuesday, December 3, in an annual assessment outlining the ways in which climate change is outpacing humanity’s ability to adapt to it.

The World Meterological Organization said global temperatures so far this year were 1.1 degrees Celsius (two degrees Farenheit) above the pre-industrial average between 1850-1900.

That puts 2019 on course to be in the top three warmest years ever recorded, and possibly the hottest non-El Nino year yet.

Man-made emissions from burning fossil fuels, building infrastructure, growing crops and transporting goods mean 2019 is set to break the record for atmospheric carbon concentrations, locking in further warming, the WMO said.

Oceans, which absorb 90 percent of the excess heat produced by greenhouse gases, are now at their highest recorded temperatures.

The world’s seas are now a quarter more acidic than 150 years ago, threatening vital marine ecosystems upon which billions of people rely for food and jobs.

In October, the global mean sea level reached its highest on record, fuelled by the 329 billion tons of ice lost from the Greenland ice sheet in 12 months.

Up to 22 million displaced Each of the last four decades has been hotter than the last.

And far from climate change being a phenomenon for future generations to confront, the effects of humanity’s insatiable, growth-at-any cost consump-

tion means millions are already counting the damage.

The report said more than 10 million people were internally displaced in the first half of 2019—seven million directly due to extreme weather events such as storms, flooding and drought.

By the end of the year, the WMO said new displacements due to weather extremes could reach 22 million.

“Once again in 2019 weather and climate related risks hit hard,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

“Heatwaves and floods which used to be ‘once in a century’ events are becoming more regular occurrences.”

At just 1C hotter than pre-industrial times, 2019 has already seen deadly heatwaves in Europe, Australia and Japan, superstorms devastate southeast Africa, and wildfires rage out of control in Australia and California.

‘Not adapting’ Nations are currently in crucial talks in Madrid aimed at finalizing rules for the 2015 Paris climate accord, which enjoins countries to work to limit global temperature rises to “well below” 2C. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last year outlined how vital it was for mankind to aim for a safer cap of 1.5C—ideally by slashing greenhouse gas emissions and retooling the global economy towards renewable energy.

The UN said last week in its annual “emissions gap” assessment that the world needed to cut carbon emissions by 7.6 percent each year, every year, until

2030 to hit 1.5C. Instead, emissions are rising.

And while governments spend hundreds of billions of dollars subsidising fossil fuels, there appears to be no consensus in Madrid over how countries already dealing with climate-related catastrophe can fund efforts to adapt to the new reality.

“Our economic activities continue to use the atmosphere as a waste dump for greenhouse gases,” said Joeri Rogelj, Grantham Lecturer in Climate Change at Imperial College London.

Even if all Paris pledges were honoured, Earth is still on course to be more than 3C warmer by the end of the century.

“There is no indication of a fade out of the warming,” Taalas told reporters. “The numbers will be higher if we continue our current behavior.”

Part of the discussions in Madrid is aimed at getting countries to increase their climate action ambition ahead of a deadline next year.

Friederike Otto, deputy director of the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, said the WMO report “highlights that we are not even adapted to 1.1 degree of warming.”

“And there is no doubt that this 1.1 degree is due to the burning of fossil fuels,” she said.

Christian Aid’s global climate lead Kat Kramer said the WMO report showed the need for concrete progress in Madrid.

“Delegates have no excuse to block progress or drag their feet when the science is showing how urgently action is needed,” she said. (Philstar.com with reports from AFP)

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DECEMBER 5-11, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

FEATURES

Communities make the difference TWO laws have been passed related to the spread of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus. The first one aims to prevent its further spread, and the latest one promotes the welfare of persons living with HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

In the past decades, awareness of HIV/ AIDS has risen among Filipinos. More people are getting themselves tested, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. These, however, have not stopped the country from recording the fastest rate of HIV infection not only in the Asia-Pacific region but in the world, according to the joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS or UNAIDS Philippines.

As the country joined the international community in marking World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the numbers remain grim.

Last year, UNAIDS recorded 13,384 new HIV infections nationwide – up by 203 percent from the 4,419 registered in 2010. The highest rate of infection is recorded among men having sex with men, with up to 80 percent of those infected in the 15 to 34 age group, according to UNAIDS. The new law lowers the age requiring parental consent for HIV testing, but the potentially fatal virus

continues to spread.

UNAIDS estimates that there are now 77,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines, but only 62,029 of them had been diagnosed as of October this year. While the figures are low compared to those in several other countries, the rate of infection is fastest in the Philippines.

This gives urgency to measures that will slow down the spread of the virus and help persons living with HIV/AIDS remain productive, protected from discrimination, and able to live as normal a life as possible. World AIDS Day 2019 aims to mobilize communities along these lines. As in any public health problem, a holistic approach is needed to improve understanding of HIV/AIDS, promote safe sex and prevent the spread of the virus, and protect persons living with the affliction. The theme of World AIDS Day emphasizes this thrust: communities make the difference. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

SEA Games hosting helps build nationalism

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO I CAN’T remember anything recently quite like it. But there was inarguably so much joy among Filipinos who saw — directly or through videos — the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 in New Clark City the other night.

What was amazing was that two words were often used to describe their feelings: “goose bumps” and” tears.”

Veteran journalist Jay Sonza, whom one would expect to be so jaded with his long career, posted in his Facebook time-line: “Noong sindihan ni Pacquiao iyong cauldron at magliyab ito, kasabay ng world-class fireworks sa loob ng Class 1A Olympic Track and Field sa Athletes’ Village, New Clark City, nanindig ang balahibo ko, sabay nangilid ang aking mata sa tuwa at kagalakan.We have built a monument, a work of art, and a remembrance of good governance.”

“Goosebumps and tears!

World-class ceremonies indeed!

So proud to be a Filipino! We win as one! Go Philippines!,” wrote TV presenter Gretchen Fulido.

“Naiiyak ako with pride seeing

the entire Team Philippines take center stage,” renowned singer Gary Valenciano said.

It was also sheer genius for the organizers to have our eight ‘legendary’ sports heroes carry in a dramatic way the SEA Games federation flag. That made it an event in which we were reminded that the Filipino could be world-class.

Rare moment What is so significant is that the goose-bump-and-tears remarks were almost always followed by a reference to the nation: “I’m proud to be Filipino.”

We are witnessing a rare moment in history, of the same kind when we from Metro Manila had been mesmerized by the drama of the Yellow Widow, and were with EDSA I. The SEA Games ceremonies, significantly with President Duterte there and wildly cheered, was an event that was a communion of the community we call the nation. The President was the High Priest of that ritual, as any leader of a nation should be, or its value would be much lesser.

To agree with me that I’m not exaggerating with this column’s title, one has to understand the groundbreaking insights on nationalism of the late Cornell University political scientist and historian Benedict Anderson, which he explained in his aca-

THIS is my fourth column on recent events that unexpectedly thrust Vice President Leni Robredo into the limelight.

Even if some may think the issue it deals with has become stale, I believe we shouldn’t let go of it easily as though it signifies nothing of importance.

That’s exactly how the Duterte administration wants us to treat this entire affair — a joke over which everyone has had a good laugh.

But let’s pause and consider even for a minute what has just happened, and what it tells us about decision-making under a Duterte presidency.

A short recap of the events would be useful. VP Leni gives an interview to Reuters News, in which she criticizes the brutal conduct of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. She makes the case that the killings and the arrests that

demic bestseller, the 1983 book Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism.

For starters contrary to what an unfortunately growing number of “globalists” claim, it is nationalism, or the intensity of a people’s sense of belonging to this association called the nation, that has been the biggest factor in all countries’ growth and prosperity.

This is an incontestable fact of history around the globe. It is only when these countries have become rich nations that they have espoused “globalism,” a tactic one Korean nationalist economist claimed was a form of “pushing the ladder away” after they’ve reached the summit of their countries’ development.

The nation The nation is the most important organization any human being belongs to in this era, since its situation mostly determines his fate. Just think of the grossly contrasting fates of an ordinary Filipino worker’s family if he stays here or migrates to the U.S. Anderson pointed out though how difficult it is for a people to be nationalistic, since the nation is really an “imagined community.” It is different from “real communities” such as the fam-

ily, the clan, the tribe, or even the fraternities to which it is just natural to have an allegiance to, since we get to be acquainted with each and every member of these organizations. These are after all simply collections of relatives or friends we know.

A Filipino will never ever meet each of his 110 million kababayan (countrymen). But in his mind, when he recognizes and greets somebody, say, in a strange foreign land and calls him kabayan, he does so because from his childhood, he was taught to imagine a community called the Philippines.

To imagine a community is not easy, even if the necessary but insufficient conditions exist, such as a shared territory, language, history and nuanced but similar genetic features.

There has to be myriad rituals (e.g., the singing of the national anthem at the flag-raising ceremony), martyrs (who make the supreme sacrifice to further the community’s aspirations, as Rizal did), and events (which remind us that we share the same fate, that we are in the same “boat”). These are intended to wrench us out of our ego-centered (or clan-centered) consciousness, and merge it with the community.

Imagine Hosting the SEA Games and

its crucial opening ceremonies are such events that helps us imagine the nation. This is the reason why countries for such global sports events as the Olympics compete fiercely to win the bidding to host. (For the SEA Games, one of the 10 Southeast Asian countries is assigned a year to host it, although a country can waive such assignment, as we did in 2017 on grounds that funds at that time were better used for the rehabilitation of the war-devastated Marawi City. ) Marxism, with its view that society is divided into irreconcilable exploitative and exploited classes, could not explain the emergence and strength of nations starting in the 19th century. How could nations ever survive if it is torn by class struggles?

Anderson’s theory of imagined communities filled this lacuna in Marxist theory. As he put it, “regardless of the actual inequality and exploitation that may prevail in each, the nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. Ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible, over the past two centuries, for so many millions of people, not so much to kill, as willingly to die for such limited imaginings.”

The goose bumps felt and

tears of joy shed by Filipinos proud of the SEA Games’ opening ceremonies are indications of that nationalism, that sense of comradeship among citizens of one nation is a good feeling to have. That therefore should make it easy for a state to develop among its citizens.

Indeed, the venom and inanity that reveals their wretchedness was shown by comments by a few Yellow commentators — such as that one Raissa Robles who claimed that ceremonies were like a “perya sa probinsya,” referring to the native dances featured in the show such as northern Luzon’s “La Jota Moncadeña” and Mindanao’s “Singkil.” But then Raissa also wrote that it was like the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which at the time was considered the most awesome opening ceremony so far — planned by the best German architects and film-makers of that time — of that global event.

I hope our slogan for the SEA Games — We win as one! — will eventually be understood in the sense of that truth of history globalists have tried to bury in our minds: That we win — grow to be a prosperous country — only if we are united as one, with each citizen imbued with a deep sense of nationalism. (ManilaTimes.net)

The perils of an impulsive presidency

Public Lives

RANDY DAVID

Philstar.com photo

have occurred in this so-called drug war amount to a war against the poor. This brutal campaign, she says, has remarkably spared the big-time drug lords.

These criticisms are not new. They have been made before by many other observers.

But coming from the vice president, the leader of the opposition and, more importantly, a woman, these points appear to have stung Mr. Duterte.

He seethes in anger, but he does not think she is worth taking seriously. He’s torn between treating her dismissively and teaching her a lesson by daring her to take over the government’s antidrug campaign, an obvious bait she could run away from like a coward.

In my initial column on this subject, I said that no sensible person could possibly take Mr. Duterte’s “offer” seriously.

Dripping with contempt, it was made in a moment of pique.

The president could barely conceal his exasperation over

the way the drug war has been derailed by a corrupt police force. He seemed exhausted, drained not just by the drug problem but by the demands of the presidency itself. In fact, he sounded like he was calling for help.

I think his own people were confused. On one hand, the boss did sound as if he was taunting the vice president who, in their view, had no right to speak about a subject she knew nothing about. But, on the other hand, they suspected that the president was up to something naughty and interesting. And so they went along, conjuring a charade that was designed not only to put her in her place but to embarrass her.

Such is their belief in the Duterte myth that men like presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo are completely incapable of telling him what he can and cannot do. They take his incoherent musings as emanations of a genius too deep for ordinary minds to

grasp. Thus, they indulge him, willfully acting as enablers of a childish capriciousness never before seen in the nation’s highest office.

As events in the past week have shown, it did not take long for Mr. Duterte and his men to realize that it is they, not Leni, who got stuck in a quagmire of their own making. Because she would not quit, they had to fire her. Though we have her to thank for accepting a dare she knew she had little chance of winning, and not blinking, this is not at all just about Leni Robredo.

One finds in this unfortunate incident a pattern of impulsive decision-making that is as reckless as it is thoughtless.

Two instances quickly come to mind — the banning of rice imports for the duration of the harvest season in response to the pleas of affected local rice farmers, and the order to ban vaping products and arrest users caught vaping in public.

The president had to recall his order suspending rice importa-

tion after he was told that this populist gesture was against the law he himself had signed.

As for vaping, the police said they would comply with the president’s orders, but only to the extent of confiscating the products. They were told that the existing law against smoking does not give them the right to arrest vapers.

The same policy confusion resulting from spur-of-the moment orders was visible in the abrupt closure of Boracay, the short-lived shutdown of lotto outlets and the Small Town Lottery, the initial banning of online gaming operations or Pogos, etc. Behind all these is the penchant to act boldly without the benefit of careful study. Far from being a strategic thinker, the president operates entirely by the hit-and-miss method of a local strongman. Sometimes, it works, as in the case of Boracay. But a lot of times, it creates and leaves a mess. Look at Marawi; look at the state of the peace talks with the armed

left. Look at the drug war.

The wonder of it all is that, as far as the public is concerned, this president is incapable of committing a mistake so grave as to make them turn to the opposition for succor.

The high approval ratings he continues to get in public opinion polls practically eliminate the need for self-examination. As his spokesperson puts it: The high ratings speak for themselves.

I don’t think they do. To me, they speak more of the depth of the public’s disenchantment with previous administrations than of any unwavering commitment to Mr. Duterte’s impulsive presidency. More than three years after catapulting him to the nation’s highest position, populist resentment borne of decades of perceived elite betrayal continues to drive our people’s responses to political events. We need a different kind of politics if we are to put a stop to the dragon seed of authoritarianism. (Inquirer.net)

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

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D ateline PhiliPPines Duterte hopes successor won’t neglect drug issue

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, November 30, said he is hoping his successor will not forget about the country’s drug problem, which he described as the “everyday fight of Filipinos.”

“Two more years I can get out.

Maybe we can look at this drug problem,” he said during the 156th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan.

“I just hope that my successor — perhaps he does not want a really strong reaction, maybe you can temper it a little — but he should not forget about drugs.

Drugs [are] destroying our country,” he added.

According to Duterte, people are being lured by drug lords to use narcotics every day.

“The problem is there are plenty of them every day recruiting,

because those affected by drugs will look for a victim to support his habit... Maybe his own wife or his children will contaminate him to support his own. When the monkey rides on the back, then he has to have the fix,” he said.

“We are being punished. We are being imposed and beaten by drugs and it’s not our fault.

Drug lords and then the young and all... It is an everyday occurrence and it is an everyday fight for the Filipino,” he added.

More than 6,000 drug suspects have lost their lives since Duterte waged his war against illegal drugs in 2016, drawing concern and criticism from human rights advocates who claim that the campaign is endorsing extrajudicial killings and other abuses.

Last year, communications seeking Duterte’s indictment for alleged extrajudicial killings

have been filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world’s permanent war crimes court tackling cases that local tribunals could not handle.

Duterte, for his part, said that the ICC cannot prove that he was behind the killings.

“You know, we have repudiated the International Criminal Court. And I said you cannot prosecute me for a thousand years,” he said Saturday.

“There’s no such crime as extrajudicial killing. They will individually count the dead and charge it to you. Let’s see,” he added.

Duterte also said he was ready to debate with members of the ICC, hoping that he will be able to “show them how stupid they CABINET MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte skims through a book presented by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the start of the 44th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, December 2.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante are.”

“Do not be afraid of those cases. Mas bright ako sa kanila (I am brighter than them),” he said. n

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana recommended on Wednesday the lifting of martial law in Mindanao, after it was extended three times.

Lorenzana disclosed in a forum in Makati City that he submitted the recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday morning, based on the endorsement by ground commanders in Mindanao.

“I just sent my recommendation today to the President recommending the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao, the whole of Mindanao,” he said.

“I was assured by our Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police that we have already accomplished what we need to do with martial law and with the situation there now, I think, we believe that we can maintain the peace and order and improve it further,” Lorenzana added.

Despite this, Lorenzana main-

tained that some residents in Mindanao still felt that there was no martial law declared at all compared to the military rule declared by the late president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s.

The lifting of martial law will also “attract” more investors, citing one “big investor” coming from Japan “who was about to put up a steel mill” in Mindanao but pulled out when martial law was declared in the southernmost island.

In a separate statement issued later on Wednesday, Lorenzana said the recommendation to lift martial law in Mindanao was based on the military and the police’s recommendation.

“Our security forces have determined that the purpose of implementing martial law has been attained and the prevailing conditions in the whole of Mindanao island, as well as the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi

have greatly improved since the defeat of the Maute fighters in October 2017,” he said.

Lorenzana said from the recommendation, the military was confident that the Islamic Stateinspired Maute and other threat groups were no longer capable of launching a “Marawi-type attack, as their forces and capabilities have significantly dwindled.”

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in 2017 following the attack in Marawi City led by the Maute group that lasted for five months and ended with the deaths of the Maute brothers and the then-IS Southeast Asian “emir” Isnilon Hapilon.

Since then, high-ranking defense and military officials have pushed for further extension of the military rule, which has been consistently backed by Congress and even the Supreme Court.

(Dempsey Reyes/ManilaTimes. net)

by ritChel

Mendiola AJPress

Cayetano: We have enough time DND recommends lifting of martial law in Mindanao to tackle ABS-CBN franchise next year

Gonzales Inquirer.net

MANILA — A total of 497 villages have been affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus but its spread in outbreak areas has leveled down for the last two months, the chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday, December 4 In a roundtable discussion with the Inquirer, DA Secretary William Dar said the 425 affected barangays are in Central Luzon, 46 in Calabarzon, 19 in Metro Manila, and seven in Ilocos Region. This figure covers up to November

30.

Affected barangays are those that have recorded positive cases of ASF and have conducted swine depopulation as part of disease control, explained Dar. “Even isa or dalawa may sakit sa isang area, outbreak area na ‘yan. Ngayon ay bumababa [na], not as much as prior to these last two months (Even one or two [hog/s] inflicted with ASF virus, that’s already an outbreak area.

Now it’s been subsiding, not as much as prior to these last two months),” he said.

According to Dar, this means the protocols set by DA are

LIGHT TRAFFIC. Traffic is light along EDSA-Kamuning on a rainy Tuesday afternoon, December 3 as Metro Manila readies for tropical storm “Tisoy” (Kammuri). According to the weather bureau, Metro Manila remains under tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 as of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4 as “Tisoy” weakens into a severe tropical storm.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

EO signed reorganizing presidential VFACom

by Christina

Mendez

Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has expanded the powers of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. by naming him chairman of the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces (PCVF) and boosted the commission’s capability by including the national security adviser as member.

In issuing Executive Order 97, Duterte reorganized PCVF by attaching it to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) while being under the oversight function of the Office of the President. Malacañang released the order dated Nov. 29.

Duterte, who has crafted an independent foreign policy that veered the Philippines towards China, decided to relinquish direct supervision over the body to the Secretary of DFA while appointing the NSA and a representative from his office as members.

“Whereas, there is a need to further reorganize the PCVF to ensure an effective integration of its functions with the Government’s independent foreign policy,” read the new EO, which removed the authority of the Executive Secretary as chairman of the

commission.

The former Visiting Forces Agreement Commission (VFACOM) is tasked to supervise and monitor the Visiting Forces Agreement entered by the Philippines with the U.S. and Australia and the other related agreements that may be included by order of the President.

It was also named as the lead inter-agency mechanism that will “provide policy coordination and advice, guidance, and assessment to ensure that all SOFAs serve the national interest.” SOFA is the acronym for Status of Forces Agreement.

The Philippines and the U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement took effect on May 27, 1999, about eight years after the closure of the Clark Air Base in Angeles City in 1991.

The country also entered into a military agreement with Australia—dubbed as the Philippine– Australia Status of the Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA)—that was ratified by the Senate on July 24, 2012.

Under the new EO, Duterte removed the “control and supervision” of the President, but maintains the chief executive shall maintain “oversight functions” over the commission.

ann V. Inquirer.net

roxas

MANILA — House Speaker Alan Cayetano on Wednesday, December 4, said the chamber has enough time to tackle the franchise renewal of radio-television giant ABS-CBN Corp. next year, confirming that the House would no longer tackle the franchise this year.

The Taguig-Pateros representative was asked about a report of CNN Philippines, which tagged House legislative franchises committee chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez as saying that the House would no longer tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise this year.

Alvarez later confirmed this to reporters.

“Walang hearing sa December 10, walang hearing (There will be no hearing on December 10, there will be no hearing) for the year,” Alvarez said.

The chamber would go on a Christmas break from Dec. 21 until Jan. 19.

“I reiterate that Congress would be fair, will always have a fair working and that hog-raisers hearing. Alam naman ito din ng are now more cooperative with management ng ABS-CBN na the government in controlling uunahin namin ang budget atsaka the disease. mga revenue bills (I reiterate that Dar said a total of 136,770 Congress would be fair, will always hogs have been depopulated.

These pigs were broken down as follows: 96,575 in Central Luzon, 10,709 in Calabarzon, 4,046 in Metro Manila, and 1,059 in Ilocos Region.

Of those, Dar added, 24,381 were actually affected by the virus while the remaining 112,389 pigs were healthy but nevertheless culled since the animals are situated within a kilometer from ASF virus’ ground zero. n

ASF affected 497 villages; outbreak eased off – DA chief

by Cathrine

by PathriCia

Duterte retained the provision (on the old EO 175) on powers and functions of the Commission, which are: to ensure respect for Philippine laws, state policies, public morals, customs and traditions and strict compliance with the provisions of all SOFAs and the rules and regulations promulgated by the concerned departments and agencies.

The new executive order amended EO 175 that was signed by former president Benigno Aquino III in 2014.

The PCVF is now composed of the secretaries of foreign affairs as chairman and of national defense as vice-chairman. Its members include the secretaries of justice, social welfare and development, and the interior and local government; as well as the national security adviser, VFACom executive director, and representatives of the Office of the President and the private sector (to be appointed by the President).

The NSA was not previously included as member of the commission.

On the post of executive director, the EO mandates that “the president, upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National

have a fair hearing. ABS-CBN management knows this also that we will prioritize the budget and revenue bills),” Cayetano said in an interview.

“Pero we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February dahil March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise (But we have more than enough time to tackle it in January, February because the expiration of the franchise will still be in March),” he added.

But will the network have its franchise renewed before its expiration on March 30, 2020? The Speaker could not say, for now, noting that it would depend on the panel’s discussions.

“Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken (It depends on the outcome of the hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken),” he added.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said minority members have the freedom to decide on ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“Of course hindi ko masasabi sa majority congressman (But of course I cannot say the same with the majority congressmen),” he

said in a press conference, The six-member Makabayan opposition bloc for their part supports ABS-CBN, according to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night issued a new threat to block the network’s franchise renewal.

Cayetano said he respects the opinion of his former running mate during the 2016 elections.

“Having said that, nirerespeto rin ng ating Pam ngulo ‘yung proseso so hintayin na lang natin ‘yung proseso na ‘yun but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process (Having said that, our President also respects the process so let’s just wait on that process but even the President admits that there has to be a fair process),” the congressman said.

Both Cayetano and Duterte had accused the broadcast giant of being unfair to them during the 2016 national election campaign. But ABS-CBN chair Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, at the time, brushed aside such allegations.

Every now and then, the President has been repeatedly uttering threats against media outfits critical of his administration like ABS-CBN, broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and online news site Rappler. n

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Dengue cases plateau at 400,000 – DOH

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

MANILA — The number of dengue cases recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) has reached more than 400,000 even as the epidemic of the mosquitoborne disease is almost over.

In its latest Dengue Surveillance Report, the DOH said there were 402,694 cases documented from Jan. 1 to Nov. 16.

This is 92 percent higher than the 209,335 cases recorded during the same period last year.

The death toll also soared from 1,075 last year to 1,502 this year.

But Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the trend of den-

gue cases has been going down and the epidemic is coming to an end.

He urged the public though to remain vigilant by continuing to eliminate all possible mosquitobreeding sites as he cautioned that the trend can easily be reversed when there are heavy rains.

Dengue is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in clean and stagnant water. It bites during daytime.

The report showed that Calabarzon had the most number of cases with 68,158; followed by Western Visayas with 57,212; National Capital Region with 36,790; and Central Luzon with 33,511.

Deaths caused by dengue were also highest in Western Visayas with 229; followed by Calabarzon with 206; National Capital Region with 175; and Central Visayas with 134.

In August, the DOH had declared a national dengue epidemic due to the soaring number of dengue cases. It was the first time it made the declaration.

The significant increase was primarily attributed to the socalled three-year cycle of dengue.

This means that cases may soar on the third year, which in this case is 2019.

It was in 2016 when dengue cases also increased not only in the Philippines but in some parts Naked members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity hold placards to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS issues in the Philippines as they take part in an Oblation Run at the University of the Philippines campus in Manila.

Philstar.com photo by End Gumban of the world. n

Filipino activists call on world leaders to act on climate crisis UP Manila Oblation Run highlights HIV awareness

by JanviC

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — Environmental groups in the Philippines called on world leaders attending a key climate conference in Madrid, Spain to act urgently in the face of climate crisis and hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the harms they cause.

Countries are currently in crucial talks in the 2019 UN Climate Conference—known as COP25—aimed finalizing rules for the 2015 Paris Agreement, which enjoins nations to work to cap global warming to 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures.

The Madrid conference is also focused on setting up a fund to help countries already reeling droughts, floods and storms made worse by rising seas.

“We are in a climate emergency. Now more than ever is a time to act. We strongly call on our world leaders to not simply deliver speeches, instead work together to protect our people,” Yeb Saño, Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director, said.

Save Philippines, a youth movement that aims for ecological and climate justice, said Filipinos are among the individuals who suffer the “worst” impacts of climate crisis.

“We who live in the Pacific bear the amplified effects of unstable climate conditions,” it said.

The onslaught of Typhoon Kammuri (locally known as Tisoy) coincided with the opening of COP25. At least 11 people were reportedly killed and hundreds of

thousands fled their homes when “Tisoy” thrashed Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas with destructive winds and heavy rains on Tuesday, December 3.

“The Philippines is regularly battered with extreme weather events that are getting more severe with climate change. We’re currently facing another strong typhoon, yet we are still dealing with the same problem—the same greed of big polluters that have stolen our future and blocked progress to attain climate justice,” Saño said.

He added: “We must use this platform to expose the climate complicity of the fossil fuel industry and take concrete actions to ensure they are accountable for the harms they cause, particularly in countries that are the most vulnerable.”

Duterte urged to declare climate emergency Save Philippines called on President Rodrigo Duterte to declare climate emergency as it slammed the continuing operations and expansions of coal-fired power plants in the country and projects under the government’s Build, Build, Build program.

Man-made emissions from burning fossil fuels and building infrastructure are among the primary contributors to global warming.

“We expect nothing less but the declaration of a climate emergency. We shall see you amend all policies that exacerbate our already vulnerable situation and allocate all resources for ordinary Filipinos to successfully adapt to the impacts of climate change,”

the group said.

The World Meteorological Organization said in its annual assessment that global temperatures so far this year were 1.1 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. This puts 2019 on course to be in the top three warmest years ever recorded.

In its 2019 Emissions Gap Report, the UN Environment Programme stressed that greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 7.6% per year from 2020 to 2040 are needed to meet the goal of a 1.5 degrees increase in temperatures.

The Philippines committed to a conditional target of 70% emissions reduction below business-as-usual-levels.

PH delegation in COP25 Rep. Loren Legarda (Antique), who will head the country’s delegation to COP 25, said she is hopeful that developed nations will do their fair share to combat the climate crisis.

“We come to this year’s UN climate talks to unite our voices with our fellow developing countries in the urgent call for climate justice. We maintain the resolve to urge developed nations to provide us sufficient climate finance, technologies and means for capacity building to aid us as we face the intensifying impacts of climate change,” Legarda said.

She added: “Expect the Philippines together with other developing countries to champion climate justice—to demand what is right and fair for us highly vulnerable countries. (With reports from Agence France-Presse)

mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — The increasing cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) took center stage in the annual Oblation Run held at the University of the Philippines in Manila.

Members of the UP Manila chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity ran naked around the campus calling for collective effort to address the problem.

“We all have a role to play in properly educating the public about HIV/AIDS. First and foremost, we must break the stigma surrounding sex and reproductive

health and the stigma on people living with HIV/AIDS,” the group said.

“HIV/AIDS is a persistent threat to our communities, especially to the youth who make up majority of newly diagnosed cases,” it added.

The group noted that 35 Filipinos test positive for HIV every day, a dramatic increase compared to just one per day in the previous year.

“In July 2019 alone, 1,100 new cases were recorded by the Department of Health. Almost 20 percent of the new cases have advanced stage of HIV infection or AIDS,” it added.

The United Nations Program on HIV-AIDS (UNAIDS) earlier projected that there there will be 201,000 HIV cases in the Philippines by 2025 if the current rate is not abated.

“UNAIDS considers the HIV/ AIDS situation in the country as the fastest-growing epidemic in the world,” noted the fraternity.

HIV screening booths were set up at the UP Manila campus in time with the Oblation run.

The annual Oblation Run, officially called the Ritual Dance of the Brave, is a tradition started

by APO in UP Diliman in 1977 as a form of dissent against martial law. n

House to restore P10 billion palay-buying fund

by JeSS

Diaz Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives will work for the restoration of next year’s P10billion palay-buying fund, which the Senate inexplicably cut by P3 billion.

“We will propose the return of the P3 billion to the budget of the National Food Authority (NFA). We are trying to give the agency more money so it can buy more palay and, in the process, force prices for the rice farmers’ produce to go up,” Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. said yesterday.

He said he would submit his proposal to the House panel in the bicameral conference on the budget, of which he is a member.

Rep. Isidro Ungab of Davao City, who heads the appropriations committee, and his Senate counterpart, Sen. Sonny Angara, co-chair the conference.

The Ungab panel held a closeddoor meeting yesterday to tackle the P3-billion palay procurement fund reduction and billions in other realignments made by the Senate in its version of the 2020 budget.

Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, another House budget conferee, said there is no basis to reduce the palaybuying fund.

“We should even increase it if we can to allow the NFA to buy more palay. It is important that the government should be able to increase palay prices beyond the production cost of P12-P13 per kilo so that farmers will recover their losses in the last cropping season,” he said.

He said the 6,000 farmers in his district lost P4 per kilo, since they sold their produce only at P9, when their cost was P13.

At an average yield of 70 50-kilo bags per hectare, Gonzales added that his farmers lost at least P84 million.

The P3 billion the Senate took away from the palay procurement fund could buy 150 million kilos, or three million 50-kilo bags, at P20 per kilo, NFA’s price for dry palay. The agency offers a much lower price for wet palay.

This means that the NFA, using P3 billion, could buy the produce of almost 43,000 farmers owning one hectare each and individually harvesting 70 cavans.

The original P10-billion fund would allow the agency to buy 10 million cavans from nearly 143,000 farmers at an average of 70 cavans each.

It was learned from the House contingent in the budget conference that the Senate shaved P3 billion from the palay-buying fund upon the initiative of Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chairs the committee on agriculture.

In a text message to The STAR, Angara’s office said Villar diverted the P3 billion to the Land Bank, which would make the funds available to the NFA as a loan.

Members of the Ungab contingent wondered why the P3 billion was moved from the NFA to Land Bank.

They said Land Bank is not authorized to buy palay from farmers, since such authority belongs to the NFA. “If the intention is for Land Bank to eventually give the P3 billion to the NFA as a loan, then why transfer it in the first place?

Why give it to NFA as an interest-bearing loan when the House wanted it as a no-interest allocation for palay procurement?” they asked.

Raising level of help to farmers At an event in Rosales, Pangasinan on Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Wiliam Dar told local reporters that President Duterte has given them directives to help raise the level of assistance to farmers and fishermen, and said the Rice Tariffication law provides a six-year investment for rice farmers.

He added that this year, P5 billion was for a grant for farm machineries, P3 billion for seed distribution of inbred rice, P1 billion for additional credit and P1 billion for extension services.

“This is continuing,” Dar said.

He said on top of these, there are many programs that the Department of Agriculture has for farmers in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.

Dar also said that there are LGUs that also buy palay from farmers but since harvest is over, the NFA is taking up the cudgels in most of the provinces.

The agriculture secretary added that there is a sizable volume of imported rice, approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry, that has been ordered but is yet to arrive.

“Many are still pending,” he said, adding that he cannot say the exact volume.

Dar said the President’s directive is to tighten the guidelines .

“The importer has to meet all these guidelines before we issue import clearance of rice,” he added. n

DENR chief orders Puerto Galera rehab by eireene Jairee

Gomez

ManilaTimes.net

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the rehabilitation of Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental to follow in the footsteps of Boracay in Aklan and Manila Bay in a bid to protect and preserve the country’s prime tourist destinations.

“What we did and are doing in Boracay and Manila Bay, we will replicate in Puerto Galera,” Cimatu was quoted as saying.

He recently ordered Henry Adornado, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Mimaropa to put up a DENR office in Puerto Galera to ensure that the popular resort is properly managed.

Cimatu also instructed Adornado to facilitate the transfer of the regional office from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro pursuant to provisions of Republic Act 10879 that makes the city the regional center for Mimaropa.

Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan make up Mimaropa.

On his visit to the island last week, Cimatu checked on the construction of a P100-million modern sewage treatment plant (STP) in Barangay Sabang, which can treat up to 1,750 cubic meters of wastewater per day.

Now on its commissioning stage, the STP is expected to be fully operational this month.

Meanwhile, Barangay San Isidro is also being eyed as a prospective site of a second STP on the island.

Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental

The DENR chief thanked Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilagan for actively participating in the island’s rehabilitation by facilitating the construction of the treatment plant to address urgent issues of water pollution.

“It will never be easy. But I can already see the strengthened collaboration between the DENR regional task force and the local government unit in saving Puerto Galera,” Cimatu said.

“I commend and thank you for your sacrifices but please be reminded that we are protecting Puerto Galera not only for ourselves, but more importantly for the generations to come,” he added.

In February 2018, Task Force Puerto Galera was created to spearhead the cleanup of the island and ensure strict implementation of environmental laws including Republic Act 9275 or the “Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004” and Presidential Decree 705 or the “Revised Forestry

Philstar.com photo

Code of the Philippines.”

The task force is composed of personnel from the DENR and the Environmental Management Bureau.

It works closely with the provincial and municipal governments, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Tourism.

In April last year, a total of 14 establishments in Puerto Galera were given notice by the DENRMimaropa to vacate and remove structures that the businesses had built on easement zones in Sabang and White Beach — two major tourist destinations in Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera was declared “Man and Biosphere Reserve” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1977, but was almost stripped out of the title in 2014.

From 2009 to 2017, it showed high levels of fecal coliform as a result of the absence of proper wastewater disposal and overcrowding. n

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VEGAS&STYLE

Journal ‘Artists Talk’ explores the evolution of artistic Philippine representation Architect and professor Edson Cabalfin and Cannes-winning filmmaker Raymond Red discuss cultural identity in post-colonial Philippines

mannerisms and, most notably, engaging in ritualized consumption of dogs.

IN 1904, at the World’s Fair “They wanted to show the Philin St. Louis, Missouri, the United ippines as still very primitive and States’ official exhibition included not civilized because that was the a live installation of the Philip- only way the American governpines, then a U.S. territory. ment can justify why they needed Just five years before, the to be in the Philippines. Because if 333-year-old occupation by the they showed it as being civilized, Spanish Empire of the Philippine then there would be no need for Islands ended with Spain ceding the U.S. to be in the Philippines. the country to the United States. That was the narrative they were The new colonizers of the Philip- trying to showcase,” Cabalfin pines had something to prove. explained.

According to Edson Cabalfin, From the time of Spanish coa Filipino American architect lonialism to as recent as the late and professor at the University of 1990s, this is the way that the Cincinnati, the exhibition was less Philippines has been portrayed to a realistic rendering of the Philip- the world for global exhibitions. pines and Filipinos and more of a This “problematic” representapublic relations move to convince tion, as Cabalfin noted, continued the public that the U.S. needed to even after the Philippines gained maintain control over the primi- independence and speaks voltive archipelago and its “exotic” umes of the way Filipinos saw and and “uncivilized” natives. continue to see themselves.

The installation featured a But in the era of diverse reprecrude representation of a stand- sentation in the art world, why do ard Philippine village that includ- some Filipino creatives continue ed bahay kubos on lakes, coconut to propagate the antiquated view trees and other structures and of the Philippines and, by extennatural features of the indigenous sion, the Filipino people?

Filipinos. In addition to physical On Wednesday, November 20, structures, the U.S. also flew in Cabalfin joined the Cannes Film hundreds of native Filipinos who Festival-winning alternative filmparticipated in a stereotypical maker Raymond Red in a panel fashion that many saw as uncivi- called “Artists Talk” hosted by lized: little clothing, prehistoric the Philippine Consulate in Los by kLaRize

MedeniLLa AJPress

Angeles.

“Artists Talk” is a Consulate series that strives to foster nuanced discussions about Filipino creatives and the role of Filipinos in the art world.

“There is so much potential within our community to really advance creativity in cinema and all arts,” said Red, mentioning the new crop of young filmmakers making a dent in the industry, including his son Mikhail Red whose film “Birdshot” was the first Filipino film released on Netflix worldwide.

But the question still remains about the Philippine image worldwide and the misconceptions propagated by the so-called postcolonial anxiety that has affected creative expression.

“I teach in Cincinnati, and when I show some students contemporary architecture of the Philippines, many of them are surprised we have skyscrapers and all these modern styles of buildings,” Cabalfin shared.

“Some of them thought that it was all huts and these very primitive living standards as the norm, even today.”

Along with other Filipino architects, Cabalfin is seeking to change that image of the Philippines. In 2018, at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, Cabalfin

Filmmaker Raymond Red, professor Dr. Edson Cabalfin, and author Reuben Domingo at a recent ‘Artists Talk’ held at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.

AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

helmed the committee presenting “The City Who Had Two Navels,” the official Philippine installation which explores the relationship between “the past and the challenges of constructing contemporary subjectivity.”

The pavilion was inspired by the 1961 novel “The Woman Who Had Two Navels” by Nick Joaquin and, at the center of the installation, featured two oval complexes that represent the post-colonial anxiety of the last several decades

and how the new wave of “neoliberalism” affects Philippine urbanity.

Similarly, Red seeks to expand the possibilities of Philippine cinema amid drastic shifts in technology and creative perspective in the cinematic community at large.

Seen as a pioneer in Philippine experimental film, Red was the first and only Filipino so far to have won the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in

2000 for his short film “Anino.”

The collective with which Red came onto the scene, the small but wily group of experimental filmmakers of the 1980s telling stories through super-8mm and 16mm film cameras, inspired a whole new generation of filmmakers and creatives in the Philippines that seek to change the narrative and take the reins of Philippine representation on a global scale.

“I was a part of the group of PAGE 13

Angel makes it to Forbes’ ‘Heroes’ Gloria gives Gazini 50/50 chance list for Mindanao charity work

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

AS the 2019 Miss Universe pageant gears toward the grand Philstar.com coronation night in Atlanta, GeorACTRESS Angel Locsin is gia, on Sunday, December 8, pagamong the personalities included eant-loving Filipinos are keeping in this year’s Forbes Asia’s Annual their collective fingers crossed, Heroes Of Philanthropy List. hoping against hope that our bet, In its website, Forbes listed Gazini Ganados, will pull a feat by down 30 “Altruists In The Asia scoring a back-to-back victory for Pacific Region” that includes the the Philippines. Will, rather can Kapamilya actress who recently Gazini (who is up against 91 other helped in the earthquake aftergorgeous girls) take the crown math in Mindanao. from reigning Filipina queen Ca“Angel Locsin, an actress from triona Gray? the Philippines, supports causes Impossible dreams can come aiding victims of violence, natural true and miracles do happen... disasters and the conflict in Minand, yes, lightning does strike danao,” Forbes wrote. twice...but in the fiercely-comOther celebrities included in Angel Locsin Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin petitive Miss U such a surprise the list are Yoshiki Hayashi, leader happens only once in a blue of the popular Japanese band X Other personalities in the list moon. But then, who knows, who “Hans Sy from the Philippines Japan; and South Korea’s singer helped launch Child Haus’ newly include Jack Ma, Azim Premji can tell? and actress IU (Lee Ji Eun), the renovated center in Quezon City and Theodore Rachmat, to name In the 68-year history of the youngest to make it in this year’s in July to house 40 cancer-stricken a few. pageant (first won by Finland’s list.

In the past, among those in the Armi Kuusela in 1952), it hapchildren and their caregivers; he Filipino businessman Hans Sy had purchased the property for list were Bill Gates, Azim Premji, pened only once when Venezuis also included in the list because the organization as one of its first Melinda Gates and Warren Buf- ela’s Stefania Fernandez (2009) of his project in Quezon City. fett. donors in 2010,” Forbes wrote. succeeded her compatriot Dayana Mendoza. That “first” earned a slot in the Guinness World Records.

Asked about the possibility of by doLLy anne caRvaJaL the Philippines duplicating that Inquirer.net record, the country’s first Miss Universe (1969) Gloria Diaz said I HAD a blast with Richard Yap and other stars at in her famous honest-to-goodness the fab birthday bash of Dr. Mark Gan of the “go-to manner, “I give Gazini a 50/50 dental center” of celebs, GAOC. chance,” and she meant it, addI’ve always liked Sir Chief’s (Richard’s moniker) ing, “beauty contests are a rat style. Not too many men his age make it big in race. Either you win or you lose. show biz.

So, 50/50.”

With the way women swoon over him, Richard can give matinee idols a run for their money. The Kapamilya actor ought to give a crash course on how to age well. Fifty-two never looked so good.

Here’s my chat with Richard: What’s your secret for growing old gracefully?

By not stressing myself out, and having faith that our Lord will always guide me. Exercise, diet and doing the things I love.

How do you stay away from temptation and stay faithful to your wife?

I always think of how good she is to me and that, by itself, stops me from doing anything crazy. I also think of my kids before I do anything.

How do you handle midlife crisis?

I passed that during my 40s, when I was unsure of what I wanted to do and where my life was headed. I prayed a lot and asked for guidance and enlightenment.

Sure enough, all the answers came. I also leaned a lot on the support of my family.

How do you and your wife handle misunderstandings?

By talking about them. Arguments are inevitable, but by making sure you stick to the problem and not drag your pride and other problems into it, then surely it will all work out.

Compromise is the key.

Photo from Instagram/@iamrichardyap What’s your advice to bachelors who are wary Richard Yap people know about you? of tying the knot?

That I’m a bit shy and I don’t talk much, espeMarriage gives your life a certain direction. It’s always nice to have someone to come home to, to cially if I just met you. And I can be really corny at times. have a family.

What’s the best and toughest part of being What’s your advice to the future husband of Richard Yap? your daughter?

The best part is that I am still the same person I Just love my daughter and take care of her and was, even before I entered show biz. Only my ciryou will be just fine.

What’s the craziest thing a fan did for you? cumstances have changed, but the person remains Three of my fans had my name tattooed on them- the same.

The toughest part is that people expect me to selves. It really touched me, but it’s a bit too much live my life like it is on TV. They sometimes can’t for them to do it.

What are some of the things that not too many differentiate between the real and the reel.

Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados

by Jan

MiLo SeveRo

How Richard handles midlife crisis

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz

Funfare interviewed Gloria during the recent junket in Manila for the Netflix dark comedy series Insatiable in which she’s cast in a “special participation” role (good for two episodes) as “beauty adviser” Gloria Reyes to Debbie Ryan’s character Ratty who proves wrong those who bully her for being overweight.

Gloria had a close look at Gazini when she sat as judge in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant topped by the Boholana beauty.

“Yes, Gazini was my choice,” shared Gloria who was 18 when she bagged the Binibini title that

Photo from Instagram/@gazinii

Photo from Instagram/@its.gloriadiaz

earned her the right to represent the country in the Miss U pageant in Miami, Florida, USA. “But you know, they change after winning, nagbabago sila, they improve, and I wish I could take a closer look at her now.”

Gloria might be pleasantly surprised to see how Gazini has changed...for the better. All you have to do is check her “before/after” photos and you will see.

Her advice to Gazini?

“Like me when I joined Netflix, I thought I couldn’t give justice to the role but I did. All it takes is palakasan ng loob and pakapalan ng mukha. Feel that you are a winner and make sure that nobody gets in front of you. And make lots of friends.”

At a recent chance encounter with 2015 Miss U Pia Wurtzbach at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Funfare asked her how she’s supporting Gazini.

“She visited me at home and I showed her DVD copies of Miss U pageants. Dami ko kasing collection and I have watched them as part of my training before I competed in Las Vegas. From the tapes, I think Gazini got several pointers.” (Note: Pia was in Bangkok for a photo shoot and went back barely a week later to model at two fashion events, one for the 9th Celebration of Silk show provided by Her Majesty Queen Mother Sirikit’s factory, and then at the Thai Silk International Fashion Week. Pia modeled dresses by Hollywood-based designer Oliver Tolentino, featured in this corner Tuesday last week.).

Funfare asked 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran for her take on Gazini. Margie texted this reply: “Everyone has an equal chance. It all depends on the judges.”

I will let Gloria have the last say.

“You know, we are too ambitious. After Pia and Catriona won, we want more, we want something more.”

Oh well, as the title of Gloria’s Netflix stint aptly puts it, we are, ehem, “insatiable.”

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA AT a breakfast after mass at the Holy Family Church during a school fundraiser in Glendale California one beautiful fall morning five years ago, a statuesque, well groomed lady holding her breakfast tray asked my husband, my sister Olga and myself, if she could join us. We said yes of course. There weren’t enough tables and chairs in the auditorium at the time.

After a few pleasantries and the frost among strangers had thawed, the woman indicated that she was from the East Coast and she was visiting her son who lived in the city. She was staying in a hotel for a few days and had checked online for the nearest church where she could attend mass. She remarked that the Glendale Holy Family Catholic Church with Spanish architecture built in the 1920’s was beautiful.

The conversation around the table was light at first, meandering around innocuous, safe topics. Out of nowhere, she asked us to pray for her son. Startled at first, I asked what her son’s name was and we all must have made a mental note of it. It seems that her 36-year old son who is an engineer, with so much going for him, had a major relapse in his bid to overcome his alcoholic addiction — yet again.

His poison of choice – vodka.

She was in town to check him in to a rehab facility and taking a chance

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS PHILIPPINE Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, on January 29, 2008, issued a circular, rescinding a previous one released in 2003, reinstating ampalaya (Momordica charantia) on the Department of Health’s list of “scientifically validated herbal medicinal plants.”

The reason cited for his decision was the “recent evidence on the clinical efficacy of ampalaya against diabetes mellitus.” The basis was the “clinical trials conducted by scientists at the University of the Philippines in Manila and Los Baños which have found that leaves of ampalaya growing in Mt. Makiling are comparable to synthetic drugs for diabetes….Other studies have established that ampalaya fruits and seeds have medicinal properties.”

Not potent enough by itself As we have written in this column on September 15, 2003 (The Brewing Bitter Controversy), “….while ampalaya has the property to lower blood sugar, eating ampalaya or taking any of those ampalaya preparations (capsules, tea, etc) being marketed as herbal alternative “cure” for diabetes, alone and by themselves (in lieu of prescription medications for diabetes), is not effective enough to adequately and safely treat diabetes.”

Announcing that ampalaya has been “scientifically validated herbal medicinal plants” is fine, but saying that the “ampalaya leaves are comparable to synthetic drugs for diabetes” is dangerously confusing to the lay persons. That statement should be qualified for public safety.

The 2003 circular “Ampalaya…is not intended to treat, prevent, mitigate, cure or diagnose (diabetes) disease,” said Leticia B. Gutierrez, Director of the Philippine Bureau of Food and Drugs (BPAD) in her position paper released August 29, 2003.

Then Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit on June 23rd issued Circular 196-A series of 2003 where he “strongly advised all concerned to cease, desist and discontinue any endorsement ampalaya an alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus.” I could not agree more with those two vital pronouncements which could save countless of lives.

Safe as an aid While eating the sumptuous ampalaya vegetable and leaves

11

The power of prayer “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin on a new drug that would have adverse, irreversible ramifications if there is recidivism or if he ever went back to the bottle. In short, it was a last ditch attempt to end his addiction.

Over breakfast we had a glimpse of the turmoil the woman was going through in seeing a loved one going through the repeated cycles of addiction and rehabilitation, only to go through it over and over again– a seemingly hopeless struggle that many battle with these days.

It is like Sisyphus of Greek mythology who was punished by the gods for chronic deceitfulness and wickedness. He was cursed for eternity to roll a rock uphill only to have fate roll it back downhill just when success at lodging it safely on top of a steep hill seemed like a sure thing a sure thing.

She let slip that another son had died in the last year, the reason for which, she didn’t mention. And she would have to come again and visit in December because her alcoholic son has an ex-girlfriend who is pregnant and is due by then.

You can’t make this stuff up.

Life is just so tough that her face

Cebu Institute of Medicine - Nexus 1987 reunion

was etched in pain. Yet there was also a brief glimpse of hope for DR. Santos Yu of the Neurology Center of Nevada the baby about to be born. Grief, just like joy, has way of welling up played host to this year’s Cebu Institute of Medicine Nexus 1987 class reunion. In a Las Vegas themed within and spilling over.

We listened to her over breakfast aware that she just wanted to ease up some of the heavy burden that was troubling her.

A lot of us are like this woman.

We each have problems that seem too much to bear until we reach out and ask others to pray for us, even strangers we will never ever see again. We ask others to knock and bang on the doors of heaven with a battering ram, if need be, to beg for help on our behalf.

In many ways, each one of us can be a prayer warrior. Often, we come to church just to be with others who are a bit like us, searching for one another’s company in seeking God’s help in many ways, big and small. We know deep down, by ourselves, we can do nothing.

Just as gravity holds the physical universe together, prayer draws the spirit universe together among kindred souls. The power of prayer is boundless among those whose faith is built on solid rock.

PAGE 12

reunion, practicing doctors from all over United States and the Philippines came together for three days of activities and bonding.

Ampalaya for diabetes? can conceivably aid in the management of diabetes, using this alone, or taking ampalaya preparations alone, as an alternative method of treatment for diabetes, abandoning anti-diabetes medication prescribed by the physician, is most unsafe.

With the advent of these widely and irresponsibly advertised ampalaya pills and drinks “for diabetes,” there have been cases reported where diabetic patients unwittingly discontinued taking their prescription drugs and replaced them with ampalaya capsules, who went into coma, some of them dying. The ampalaya preparations were obviously not potent enough to control the diabetes.

Among those with pre-diabetes, people who are prone to develop the disease but who do not have the full-blown diabetes yet, physical exercises and dieting can significantly delay, and in some cases prevent, the onset of diabetes. It is conceivable that this pre-diabetic stage is where eating ampalaya regularly or using the ampalaya pills or tea as a part of the delaying regimen might be of real benefit in warding off the disease for as long as possible. But these socalled Ampalaya supplements could have deadly results when taken alone as a treatment for diabetes, abandoning prescribed medications to control the blood sugar level.

The Metformin wonder Metformin (Brand names: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, and Glumetza) is an effective and widely used drug for the treatment of non-insulin dependent Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It controls blood sugar by making the body cells to be more sensitive to insulin, slowing the release of sugar from the liver, and by reducing the speed of absorption of sugar from food in the intestinal tract. Some studies have shown metformin to possibly improve longevity among its users.

Future larger evidence-base clinical research, a global consortium, would be a welcome endeavor in this regard, since there are almost half a billion T2 diabetics around the world today, rising from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.5 percent in 2014, the prevalence rising rapidly among the middle-and-low income countries.

Legal liability The manufacturers and distributors/vendors of these herbal and other food supplements with their implied claim of medical use or cure must be legally liable for any complications, adverse reactions or deaths caused, directly or

indirectly by their claims and their products. Marketing misleading ads, half-truths, unproven claims, is criminal. The poor unsuspecting ignorant people are the obvious targets of the unscrupulous advertising that floods the world.

This trillion business industry must held accountable for whatever harm they cause society, just like the tobacco industry.

Be first, do no harm While it might be a bitter pill to swallow for some people, especially for the money0-hungry entrepreneurs marketing “food supplements,” we have to face the fact that ampalaya derivatives (pills, tea, etc.) have not been fully proven to be effective, by themselves, as sole treatment for diabetes, to warrant abandonment of the physician prescribed proprietary or generic drugs for diabetes. That is a fact the Department of Health and all health providers should accept. Furthermore, the DOH must explain and qualify its new circular as clearly as possible for public safety. Not to do so would be to trivialize and denigrate the sanctity of the healer’s precept of primum non nocere (first, do no harm) in treating living beings, the basic tenet of the Hippocratic Oath which all physicians took as they were sworn into the practice of medicine. Not doing so would also be a great disservice to the patients and a potential grave risk to people’s lives.

The message The January 29, 2008 circular of the Department of Health should be carefully understood with all its medical subtleties. The fact is while ampalaya could be an aid in the treatment of diabetes, the ampalaya vegetable alone, and/or the ampalaya preparations being marketed as a treatment or “cure” for diabetes, alone and in themselves, are NOT effective enough to replace the antidiabetic medications prescribed by the physician. Before using or shifting to this or any other herbal alternative, patients should first discuss this thoroughly with their attending physician. To do otherwise would be foolhardy and dangerous. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Veteran & military spouse job fair on December 12

DAV and RecruitMilitary will host the Las Vegas Veterans Job Fair on Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Conference Center of Las Vegas. This free event for veterans, military spouses, transitioning military, National Guard members and Reservists features employers ready to hire.

In addition to providing career opportunities for veterans, RecruitMilitary is also focusing efforts on the more than 600,000 military spouses in the United States who are unemployed and/or underemployed in their professional careers. The company is actively

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 5-11, 2019

working to help address the exorbitantly high unemployment rate of military spouses - nearly 25% - a rate more than six times the national average. This is the highest unemployment rate of any singular group in the U.S. Through its partnership with Google, anew job search tool is now available to assist military spouse and military trained talent to explore 8,000 remote work options in the RecruitMilitary database of more than 250,000 jobs. With more than 140 veteran and military spouse job fairs this year, RecruitMilitary offers veterans and military spouses the most opportunities of any

organization to help facilitate their future career goals.

RecruitMilitary’s Event Director Allen Von Plinsky, who is also a US Army Veteran, is available to discuss next week’s hiring event and how we’re helping Las Vegas veterans, transitioning military and military spouses find meaningful career opportunities.

I’d like to gauge your interest in interviewing Allen today, to learn more about how our company is changing the careers — and lives — of those who serve our nation.

Please feel free to contact me today to arrange a time to speak with Allen.

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS D EC E M B E R 7

UPHPEIS-AANA fundraising event in Whittier, CA UPHPEIS-AANA (UP High Prep Elementary Integrated System- Alumni Association in North America) is hosting its annual fundraising event with the 8th Annual Grand Reunion on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Whittier (7320 Green Leaf Ave. Whittier, CA 90602) from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Luncheon buffet includes entertainment, DJ music, dancing, raffle drawing and other fun surprises. Thereafter, guests are invited to more live dancing and fun music provided by the AM FM Band at Noypitz Bar & Grill at 333 S Alameda, LA 90013 in the evening. Funds raised will be use for needed building repairs, classroom and educational projects for UP Diliman students in Elementary and High School, and for the training of public school teachers in nearby communities. Tickets donations are $50.00 each which you can reserve on line through our website at www.uphpeisaana.org, or by calling for Bobby at (562) 607-8839 or Mabel at (562) 852-7116.

Kapayapaan Healing Festival in Los Angeles Kapayapaan Healing Festival will be held on Saturday, December 7 at the FASGI Bayanihan Center (135 N Park View St, Los Angeles, CA 90026) from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Come join for FREE healing services, health screenings, workshops, and one-on-one sessions from holistic healers and medical practitioners! Please wear comfortable clothing so that you can move freely during healing activities. Healthy food and drinks will be served. Everyone is urged to help save the environment - bring your own reusable/recyclable plates, bowls, utensils and beverage containers. Reserve your one-on-one healing session now by calling (213) 908-5050 and register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kapayapaan-healing-festival-tickets-84055868365.

D EC E M B E R 1 2

Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pasadena holiday party in Pasadena, CA Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pasadena is throwing a holiday bash on Thursday, December 12 to celebrate this festive season! Meet new friends, make connections, and get to know each other. Ugly sweater is optional. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at We Olive & Wine Bar (32 East Colorado Boulevard. Pasadena, CA 91105). $25 gets food and drinks and other fun goodies. For questions, please email Donina at donina@ohhevents.com.

D EC E M B E R 2 1

SIPA’s holiday festival and toy distribution in LA During this season of giving, volunteer with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as they spread joy in Los Angeles. Join SIPA as they hand gifts out to over 250 youth in the Historic Filipinotown community, eat a delicious meal, and listen to some Christmas tunes! It will be held at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA. Contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext.107.

D EC E M B E R 29

#HashtagLunchbag/SIPA food drive in LA The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown on Sunday, December 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown.

When finished, they will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families.

Registration contact and link: Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext. 107.

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

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Joseph to star in HBO Asia’s ‘The Bridge’ Daniel reacts to mom’s new boyfriend

by Ryan

aRcadio

Inquirer.net

JOSEPH Marco jetted off to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to start working on his first international acting project, HBO Asia’s crime-drama series “The Bridge”.

The “Los Bastardos” star began shooting for the series’ second season alongside other international actors on Monday, December 2, as seen in his Instagram post on the same day.

He also showed moments of him on the show’s set alongside his fellow cast members Malaysian actor Bront Palarae, Singaporean actress Rebecca Lim, and Indonesian actors Ario Joseph Marco Photo from Instagram/@josephcmarco Bayu and Miller Khan.

“Feels very surreal doing my first ever acting stint abroad!”

Marco said. “It’s such an overwhelming experience to be able to work with international production and I really am grateful for it!”

The said program is a remake of the Swedish TV series of the same title that originally aired from September 2011 to February 2018.

Marco is not the only Filipino artist to appear in a project under HBO Asia recently. Bianca Umali and Sam Concepcion are also set to star in the said network’s fantasy series “Halfwords”. The show will be filmed in the Philippines under the direction of filmmaker Mikhail Red (“Eerie”, “Birdshot”).

Why Roxanne cried a river at a press con HAD there been an award for Best Single Dramatic Live Performance by An Actress, Roxanne Barcelo would have won it hands downs.

It happened at the recent presscon for “Love is Love,” the initial offering of RKB Productions directed by GB (Giuseppe Bede) Sampedro that also stars JC de Vera, Raymond Bagatsing and Jay Manalo.

As this corner mentioned several issues ago, last June while Roxanne’s parents were vacationing in the U.S., her father slipped in the bathroom and his head hit the floor, suffered a stroke and died a month later. Roxanne’s family needed money and she was thankful that people came to their rescue.

Tears rolling down her cheeks, Roxanne narrated how the tragedy was eased by the projects that came her way…just when she was about to quit showbiz (after she broke up with an actor who sired a child with his new girlfriend recently).

“Work has been a therapy for me,” said Roxanne who buckled down to work even during her father’s wake. “I told myself that I would give my all to honor my dad. I thank God for the blessings.

I’ve been used to working since I was 13 and if work comes, I will do it with all my heart.”

Besides Love is Love, she was also cast in “The Panti Sisters” and “The Art of Ligaw.” When she competed in “It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan Celebrity Edition” and sang “Somewhere

EMPLOYMENT

Roxanne Barcelo

Over The Rainbow” with so much feeling, Roxanne melted the hearts of televiewers. The lyrics aptly described what she had gone through.

Incidentally, “Love is Love” is about people who believe that true love knows no gender. The actors claimed that, yes, love is love whether the object of that love is male or female. Local movies have

Photo from Instagram/@roxannebarcelo

reached a level of maturity and same-sex relationships are now tackled sans apology.

As Roxanne put it, “Love is a feeling. You get attracted to someone because of that feeling, regardless of gender. I am open-minded about this. Kung ano ang nararamdaman ng puso mo dapat bigyan ng laya.” (Ricky Lo/Philstar.com)

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

ACTOR Daniel Padilla is happy for his mom Karla Estrada’s newfound love, but said he’s still vigilant.

In a recent interview with Boy Abunda in “Tonight With Boy Abunda,” Daniel said he already met his mom’s new boyfriend Jam Ignacio.

“Yes, napakilala na sa akin ni ermat (mommy). At siya naman, nagpakilala na rin siya sa akin,” Daniel said.

“Lahat ng relationship ng ermat ko, nandoon ako. So lahat nakita ko, narinig ko. So siyempre bilang anak ka at nakita mo lahat, hindi siya kaagad, ‘Ayos, Daniel Padilla with mom Karla Estrada ABS-CBN photo okay na.’ Ngayon iba na. Ayoko The “Teen King” also added ng maging kontrabida pero at the same time on the look lang ako. that he witnessed all the relationships of hid mom and now, seeing I’m just hovering,” he added.

her in love makes him happy.

“Lahat ng masasaya, lahat ng malulungkot nakita ko na lahat sa ermat ko e, so masaya lang ako sa mama ko kasi she’s very happy, she’s in love,” he said.

When asked by Boy on what makes a man perfect man for his mom, Daniel said he thinks a tamed man is the one ideal for her.

“Siya ang tumayong nanay at tatay namin kaya ang hirap ikumpara sa isang lalaki dahil ang nanay ko kulang nalang tubuan na rin ng balbas. Siguro kailangan niya ng mas tamed na lalaki. Kasi masyadong mataas ermats ko e. Kailangan balanse lang silang dalawa. Nakikita ko naman kay Jam na ganoon naman siya,” he said. (Philstar.com)

The power of prayer

PAGE 11 If you can, please pray for this anonymous woman Mrs. B and her son G. Mother and son both need prayers so badly; for the son to break the bonds of addiction once and for all and for the mother or the strength and the fortitude to endure her trials and finally, for both mother and son to find the peace, serenity and just maybe, hope and joy even during a deeply personal season of darkness.

And while we’re at it, we might as well decide to make time for prayer ourselves. We need to grit our teeth and cut off the extremely intrusive electronic leash that is so much a part of our lives these days.

We know we are in deep trouble when we have to post the latest “selfies” on FB even while we are in the restroom.

Isn’t it time we weaned ourselves from having to spend too much time tethered to our gadgets? Our obsession with our tech toys may very well be another form of addiction.

Dwell in the silence for that is where God is. How can God speak to us if our ears are stuffed up, our hearts are not right and our minds are cluttered with non-essentials all the time? Modern life is much too full of inane, sometimes insane, distractions assailing all our senses during our waking hours to make time for God. Dwell in prayerful silence for that is where God is.

Perhaps we can even pray for complete strangers and those in our immediate orbit who we know are in dire straits but are either too timid or too proud to

ask for help.

There are people who feel diminished if they ask for help. They label themselves as proudly independent. The truth is that they are poor, unfortunate fools severely afflicted with hubris. Hubris, that extreme form of pride, the same brand that brought down the fallen angels, always prevents humans from seeking help.

When we pray, we need to learn how to delete specifics. God knows specifics — our blood type, our DNA, even the number of hair on our heads. God knows what we are asking for. The how, what, why, when and where of answers to prayers will have to be his call and his alone.

God’s love for us is beyond all telling. It will be between God and each one of us alone in the silence of our hearts. It will be that space and time where there is no FB, no Instagram, no Snapchat, no Twitter — none of the things that tend to make pompous asses of ourselves demanding attention and approval from others.

The answer to prayers is God’s call alone. We ask for help but end our prayers in humble supplication saying as Jesus said in agony as he prayed to the Father, “ … yet not my will, but yours be done.” We are simply conduits, pipelines of the flow of good that comes from God. But there is a residual effect when we suit up and become prayer warriors.

The prayers we pray build layer upon layer an intangible aura of light and goodness that soak us, permeate and envelop us. And just like in the physical universe,

SERVICES

what goes around always comes around. The laws of cause and effect also govern the spiritual universe.

It is uncanny but most of us who try our best to nurture a spiritual life even as we take care of our bodies, have that instinctive gift for detecting which among us emanate this invisible shield of energy and light. They are usually the ones with the quiet or sometimes effusive, contagious joy about them. Strangely, we tend to gravitate towards such people.

After all, as humans, we are all in this together, from one generation to the next. As the Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once so astutely said of humanity: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

I have the strangest feeling that with faith and unceasing prayer, both mother and son and his new family will be just fine in the end.

There is no doubt it will be a long tough slog but they won’t be alone.

The woman has faith. She reaches out and asks for prayers and the ripple of powerful heartfelt prayers builds up like a tsunami wave that will burst open heaven’s door for the graces they need.

Will we ever know for certain of the outcome? Perhaps not, but that is what faith does. We do not need to know. We simply trust in God’s ways. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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Fil-Am actress Cassie Grilley shows her love for acting in ‘Gypsy’ Tony Award-winning musical on striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee runs until Dec. 8

By AJPress

IT doesn’t come as a surprise that San Francisco native Cassie Grilley has loved acting. Growing up, she watched musicals and even performed in her grandmother’s musical theater group, Young People’s Teen Musical Theater Company, which was founded in 1984.

Fast forward to the present, the Filipino American actress is shining onstage through numerous plays.

After being the lead role of Tracy Turnblad in Bay Area Musical’s production of “Hairspray,” Cassie is back in the supporting role of “Agnes” in the six-time Tony Award-winning musical, “Gypsy.”

“Gypsy” is loosely based on the 1957 memoir of famous striptease artist, Gypsy Rose Lee. The story is about Rose, (who is Agnes’ friend Louise’s mother), and her dreams and efforts to raise two daughters as performers.

In an interview with Inquirer. net, Cassie shared that playing Agnes is fun. “...It’s been fun with this character because it’s been open ended,” she said. “She’s super quirky and it’s a fun character to play. She’s like ‘I’m in a real live theater for the first time.’ It parallels a lot with my excitement for the theatre.”

Cassie also admits that the musical theater is definitely in her body since she was a baby. And although her family is supportive of her career choice, her mother

was initially apprehensive.

“There’ll be times when she’ll be like ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ I think my mom felt a lot more comfortable because knowing my grandma and knowing how they are all artists and they’re still afloat and they’re still making money… Yeah, it’s definitely what I love to do. There are success stories. And she’s like, ‘Oh, I understand.’ I’m very aware of how lucky I am,” she said in an interview with Inquirer.net Of course, Cassie has faced challenges of being a bi-racial actress in an industry that is full of stereotypes. Having a Filipino mom and a Caucasian dad, the young actress shared that her identity and appearance is something that she “is still working on.” Whether playing the role of Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray” (where a patron said she wasn’t “white enough”), to the Asian production or “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” (where someone alluded that she wasn’t Asian); Cassie shared that she continues to audition for roles to play regardless of their ethnicity.

Playing the lead role of “Rose” is Ariela Morgenstern. Others in the cast are Jade Shojaee, Tia Konsur, DC Scarpelli, Emma Berman, Chloe Fong, Jean-Paul Jones, Elaine Jennings, Olivia Cabrera, Glenna Murillo, Mark Robinson, Ernie Tovar, Amber Lee Wunderlich, Dakota Colussi, Kayla Yee, Juan Castro, Benjamin Nguyen, Phillip Leyva, April Deutschle, Veronica Ortiz and

Cassie Grilley

Photo by Anthony Chan

Teddybear Nguyen.

“Gypsy” is directed/choreographed by Matthew McCoy, with musical director Jon Gallo and is onstage until December 8 at Alcazar Theatre, 650 Geary Street, San Francisco. Music by

Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Tickets range from $50-$1000 and may be purchased online at www.bamsf.org/gypsy.

Follow Cassie Grilley on Instagram @cassiewassie295.

James on Momoland’s Nancy, JaDine

by JAn

Milo severo Philstar.com

James Reid

ACTOR James Reid refused to give an update on his upcoming teleserye with Korean girl group Momoland member Nancy McDonie.

“I can’t say too much about that. Sorry,” James told the media.

When asked if his upcoming teleserye with Nancy will push through after rumors that it will be axed, James again refused to comment.

“I cannot answer that and I don’t want to talk about it,” James said.

Meanwhile, the actor said that there are ABS-CBN Photo still no projects lined up for him and on- and

off-screen partner Nadine Lustre.

“In the pipeline, no right now. Since I left Viva, it’s been... waiting for things to settle down. We can work out together in the future,” he said.

He added that he’s busy doing his second album with collaborations with Filipino artists from Canada and Los Angeles.

“I’m currently making an album. That’s my second album. My first one was in 2017, so I’ve been waiting for a long time for this,” he shared.

“I will be collaborating with Filipino artists from overseas, like from Canada and LA. I don’t want to talk about it now but I have collaborations with other artists,” he added.

13

‘Artists Talk’ explores the...

PAGE 10 young filmmakers who took advantage of the technology that was available to us to be able to create cinema, and the big question back then was, is this legitimate cinema?” Red pondered, showing early examples of moving pictures that are regarded as the pioneers of film as we know it.

He also acknowledged film director and producer Jose Nepomuceno’s role in establishing Philippine cinema in the 1910s. And as the Philippines gained independence in 1946, so did its entertainment industry, paving the way for the Golden Age of Philippine cinema in the 1950s, the second Golden Age in the 1970s and the era of mass-production in the 1980s and 1990s.

But in the case of the 1980s, quality and nuance of cinematic storytelling were sacrificed for national commercial success.

Slapstick comedy, melodramas and predictable and hackneyed storylines became cash grabs which, in turn, made them the

norm.

Red and the rag-tag group of guerilla filmmakers sought to provide an alternate road for filmmakers, and it wasn’t until the new millennium that independent filmmaking came into the fray.

During 100th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine cinema, there is still concern over the widespread preoccupation of commercial success within the country over international presence and acclaim, but Red assured that the stars are aligned for Philippine cinema to emerge.

“It’s happening now. There are so many ways to get your film made what with the advances in technology and the places and communities where you can share your movies,” Red told the Asian Journal, noting his son’s own success on Netflix. “There’s a lot of rising talent who are innovating the industry nowadays and with the current Film Development Council, there’s a lot of hope for cinema to thrive within our community.”

14

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Boy Abunda’s Nanay Lesing passes away Ronnie receives pin as solo pilot

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Licerna Romerica Abunda, mother of veteran Kapamilya TV host Boy Abunda, has passed away last December 1.

She was 90 years old.

Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda, Boy’s sister, confirmed the news last Monday, December 3, in a Facebook post written in Waray.

A funeral mass has been held in Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City since yesterday.

In his book, Boy recalled his early life as a young child residing in Borongan, Eastern Samar, where he merrily participated in fiestas, went caroling during Christmas, and waited for his Tatay to finish his “bulangan” (“sabong”). A happy kid loved by both his parents, the author was always driven and outspoken as he entered various declamation contests. His Nanay would always be excited to pin ribbons on his shirt every school year.

In Boy’s late night show “The Bottomline” last October, the host confirmed that his mother, who had dementia, had been in the hospital for weeks.

“She’s the center of my life and I hope she’s not suffering.

‘Yun lang naman ang gusto ko sa nanay. She’s turning 91 in January, huwag lang masaktan,” Boy said at

Boy and Licerna Romerica Abunda

that time.

“I am grateful in both joy and pain. Grateful because kahit nasasaktan ako, I’m being given the chance by God to be the best mother to my mother and I’m being able to say thank you to her,” he added.

Boy has been known for his

ABS-CBN photo

love for his mother as he always reminded his viewers to “make your mama proud.”

“I will be honest, I don’t know how I’m going to live my life without the presence of my mother.

Pero katulad ng maraming sugal sa buhay ko, susuungin ko, because that’s the only way,” he said.

The love story of Juancho and Joyce by ricky lo Philstar.com

HAPPY for Joyce Pring and Juancho Trivino who have announced their engagement on social media although Joyce wouldn’t reveal when and where the wedding would be, except to say that it would be “a garden wedding next year.”

Joyce announced on her Instagram that Juancho proposed to her last Aug. 3 during her mom’s birthday celebration in Boracay, saying that “we have been praying about this decision for a couple of weeks and even attended premarital counseling in church.”

It’s interesting to note that in an interview with The Star a few months before the engagement, Joyce admitted that Juancho was courting her, joking that “I’m giving him a hard time,” although Juancho stood a good chance.

They became close while segment co-hosting for the GMA earlymorning show Unang Hirit starting in October last year. The athletic

POP balladeer Ronnie Liang is one celebrity who puts a premium on education. From being a fastfood server, he broke into showbiz with his singing voice but never let go of his lofty dream, which happily he just achieved.

“When I was a kid, palagi kong nakikita yung eroplano na lumilipad sa ere. I told myself, sa tamang panahon, makakapaglipad din ako. Here I am now, fulfilling my greatest dream.

Tuwing nagpapalipad ako, bilang parte ng pag-aaral ko as a pilot, minsan nagiging emotional ako, mixed feelings. What a moment like that,” the singer-actor-pilot expressed.

Rejected multiple times, the Viva artist did not lose his drive to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. After his sold out “Love x Romance” concert with Sarah Geronimo at the Music Museum on November 8, he finally got his pin from APG International Aviation Academy in Subic as a solo pilot on November 26.

He was joined by Capt. Christian Atanacio, Capt. John Corda, and school owner Capt. Arnel Miguel during the ceremony.

Formally starting his pilot course in October 2018, he finished the required hours for skills training in July. He is thankful that his mentors have been supportive of his endeavor as he was able to manage his time as an artist and aviation student.

Three of the main requirements before taken into the academy

Ronnie Liang

were good eyesight, attentiveness and a bachelor’s degree. Good that Liang has a Bachelor of Education Major in Science degree from the Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“You have to pass the physical, mental and psychological exam.

Napakahalaga ng mga ito kasi dapat physically, mentally and psychologically capable ka. Then yung time mo. Kailangan mo ng time and budget. Ang pagpa-pilot is very expensive. You really have to prepare,” he shared.

Liang believes there really is no deadline when it comes to achieving one’s dreams.

“I believe that you can pursue your dreams at any point in your life. You have to listen to yourself. Maraming mga magsasabi na hindi mo kaya, pero ikaw pa rin ang piloto ng buhay mo, ang magdadala sa sarili mo sa tamang direksyon. Of course with the help of prayers and family and friends who are always there to support

Photo from Instagram/@ronnieliang

you.”

After passing solo test, he’s preparing now for a private license that requires him to complete 40 hours of flying, he can apply for commercial license.

“I’m now preparing myself para mag-private and siyempre going to commercial na rin. I feel na ito ang calling ko. I am 100 percent fully myself kapag nagpapalipad ako,” he said.

He clarified that he’s not leaving showbiz. He will continue singing and acting. His collab song with Sarah G called “Liwanag” is available on Spotify and other digital music platforms.

In time for the holidays, another new song Ronnie did is “Sa Paskong Darating,” a touching Christmas ditty destined to be a future Yuletide favorite.

“Nakakatuwa na people are calling me The Singing Pilot. I hope marami pa akong ma-inspire na kabataan,” he ended. (ManilaTimes.net)

Patricia first to win international beauty title

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Juancho Trivino and Joyce Pring

Joyce is petite at 5’4” while Juancho towers over her at 6’1”.

“He’s lanky so his center of gravity is alanganin,“ laughed Joyce.

Asked then why she and Juancho clicked, Joyce (whose famous dad, policeman Joe Pring died when Joyce was two years old) said, “We are both old school. We

Photo from Instagram/@juanchotrivino

have a similar upbringing. I want to be pursued the traditional way you know, with flowers and whatever.

Am I giving him a deadline? No naman. Everything depends on how ready I am to go into a relationship. I haven’t had a boyfriend for two years now. Juancho and I are together every day, so mahirap hindi ma-develop.”

FORMER actress Patricia Javier has been crowned as the first ever Noble Queen of the Universe last Sunday at the Manila Hotel.

She bested 20 other candidates from different countries.

Filipina Marie France Imelda Papin Carrion (PhilippinesBicol) was the Noble Queen International followed by Noble Queen Globe Beau Singson Villanueva (Australia), Noble Queen Tourism Anna Rabtsun Baylosis (Russia), Noble Queen Earth Jill Chapman (West Coast USA), First Runner-up Ritchell Catt (Guam) and Second Runner-up Sylvia Kim (Korea).

In her Instagram account, Patricia thanked her family, friends and followers for all the prayers and support.

“Thank you so much to all my family, friends and followers for all your prayers and full support with my journey,” she wrote.

Javier joined Binibining Pilipinas 1998 but failed to take home a crown.

Last year, Patricia won as Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019, but backed out from the Mrs. Universe pageant in December 2019 to January 2020 as it coincides with her planned family Noble Queen of the Universe 2019 Patricia Javier Photo from Instagram/@patriciajavier1 vacation in California.

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