120617 - Los Angeles Midweek edition

December 6-8, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 98 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

DATELINE

Palace: Philippines may quit ICC

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump travel ban given green light

by Supreme Court THOUGH not a final ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, December 4, gave the Trump administration the green light to enforce its travel ban which had been blocked by judges in Hawaii and Maryland.

The ban — in its third version — will prohibit residents of the six predominantly Muslim nations of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Chad from traveling into the United States. Travelers from North Korea and Venezuela are also said to be affected.

The Supreme Court’s Monday announce-

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines may pull out its membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it would not observe the “principle of complementarity,” which states that it will only exercise jurisdiction if a state is unwilling or unable to prosecute an official for serious crimes, Malacañang said on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

“Although the statement has not been finalized, my statement is we agreed to

be a member of the ICC because of the principle of complementarity that the court will only exercise jurisdiction if our courts are unwilling or unable to exercise jurisdiction on any crime cognizable by the International Criminal Court,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a news conference.

“And to violate the principle of complementarity would be to violate the very basis of our consent to be bound by the Rome Statute. And if this will happen, then there may be a possibility

that the Philippines, like the three other African states, may withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC,” he added.

Roque said he will be attending the Assembly of State Parties, the ICC’s management oversight and legislative body, on December 7 in New York, where he will likely give the Philippines’ position on when the ICC can intervene in domestic affairs, a touchy topic given calls for the ICC to try President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity over his controversial war on drugs.

“As you know, we are a party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and the statement that is still being finalized will focus on the principle of complementarity, which says that the court cannot exercise jurisdiction unless a specific act complained about has been acted upon by domestic institutions… There is unwillingness if there are reasons for the states not to prosecute when there’s a clear duty to prosecute and there is an inability if there is no state organ in

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u PAGE A4 Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano

Inquirer.net photo

Cayetano encourages OFWs to invest in PH

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

U.S. Ambassador to PH Sung Kim

ManilaTimes.net photo

US working ‘very hard’ to return Balangiga bells DOJ: Aquino included in dengue vaccine probe STEVEN SEAGAL VISITS JOLO. American action star Steven Seagal does the clenched-fist gesture along with President Rodrigo Duterte and military troops during a visit to an army camp in Jolo over the weekend. Seagal, the star of 1980s and 1990s hits like ‘Hard to Kill’ and ‘Under Siege,’ rallied the soldiers fighting terrorists linked to the Islamic State.

Malacañang photo

THE United States remains committed to reaching a resolution that would allow the return of the three Balangiga bells back to the Philippines, U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said on Monday, December 4.

In a television interview, Kim said Washington is working “very hard” to return the church bells which were taken from the town of Balangiga, Eastern Samar during the Philippine-American war in 1900s.

The U.S. envoy echoed the earlier statement of Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, expressing optimism that the Philippines will be able to retrieve the Balangiga bells soon.

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

FORMER Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is included in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s probe into the procurement and administration of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Everybody who was involved will be included in the NBI investigation,” Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II told reporters when asked

if the former president will also be included in the probe.

Aguirre has ordered the NBI to conduct an investigation and case build-up over the “danger to public health” of the dengue vaccination program launched by the Department of Health (DOH) in April 2016 during the Aquino administration under then-Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Under the DOH’s mass immunization program, more than 700,000 children in the country’s three highly endemic regions—Regions III

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) strongly encourages Filipinos working in Macau, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world to invest their earnings back in their home country.

During separate town hall meetings with members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong and Macau on Sunday, December 3, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter

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Central Luzon, IV-A Calabarzon, and Metro Manila—were administered Dengvaxia last year.

“We have to know why [the DOH] ordered such a huge amount of vaccine and immediately vaccinated 733,000 schoolchildren. Is that appropriate?” Aguirre told reporters.

The justice secretary also encouraged families of the children who were administered Dengvaxia to come forward and give their infor- A health officer packs Dengvaxia vaccines in a box hours mation to the NBI if their children after the Philippine Food and Drug Administration stopped would show adverse effects due to the sale and distribution of the dengue vaccine.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

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PH Vice presidential poll recount to begin in February PH vows to work with US in

The ballot recount requested by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to start on the second week of February this coming year, according to Romulo Macalintal, lawyer of Vice President Leni Robredo. In a statement on Monday, Macalintal said the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), would start collecting the ballots in Camarines Sur on Jan. 22.

Inquirer.net photo

THE Supreme Court (SC) will begin in February 2018 the recount of votes in connection with the election protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo.

The poll protest and the recount of ballots shall cover the three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental. These were the areas chosen by Marcos as the best provinces where he could prove the irregularities alleged in his protest.

According to Marcos’ lawyer George Garcia, their camp is glad that the ball will finally roll.

“Natutuwa kami, although na-delay nang

konti, tuloy-tuloy na ito.

Sana matapos na pagbibilang ng mga balota (Although there was some delay, we are happy that it will finally happen. We wish that the counting was over),” Garcia said.

Robredo’s counsel, Romulo Macalintal, said that first to be reviewed are the ballots from the contested clustered precincts in Camarines Sur, the vice president’s home province, which will be retrieved on January 22, 2018 with the recount slated for the second week of February.

The vice presidential votes in Iloilo abd Negros Oriental will be counted next. (Jomar Canlas/ManilaTimes.net)

www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.

addressing N. Korea’s threat

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

SENIOR officials of the Philippines and the United States discussed their shared concerns in the region during the bilateral strategic dialogue between the two countries in Washington last week.

Both the Philippines and the U.S. pledged to work together to put an end to North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, which are unlawful, the DFA said in a statement released on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Washington also welcomed the Philippines’ compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions relevant to the issue.

Along with the U.S., the Philip-

pines had been calling on North Korea to stop its weapons testing which increases tensions on the Korea Peninsula.

Last week, Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that traveled about 1,000 kilometers before landing near Japan’s coast.

Manila and Washington also reaffirmed their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China Sea. The two countries stressed the importance of resolving maritime disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The joint statement, however, made no mention of China’s is-

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A december 6-8, 2017 • LA mIdWeeK ASIAN JOUrNAL

Palace: Philippines may...

PAGE A1 existence to prosecute, such as in the case of failed states such as Somalia,” Roque said.

“Since we are not a Somalia, the issue is whether or not the ICC can take cognizance on any matter in the Philippines given that our courts–the only issue there is whether or not our courts are unwilling to prosecute a crime that is cognizable by the ICC,” he added.

Last March, Roque said the ICC does not have jurisdiction over possible criminal charges filed against Duterte for alleged extrajudicial killings.

He made the statement even before Jude Sabio, lawyer of con-

fessed hitman Edgar Matobato, sued the president for crimes against humanity before the international court.

The case against Duterte before the ICC was filed amid the spate of killings linked to the government’s war on drugs.

The complaint alleged that Duterte and at least 11 senior government officials are liable for murder and calls for an investigation, arrest warrants and a trial.

It is the first time in the country’s history that a President has been accused of committing crimes against humanity.

Last June, Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th and Magdalo party-list Rep.

PH vows to work with...

PAGE A1 land-building activities in the disputed waters, as well as the landmark ruling of the UN-backed tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands which invalidated Beijing’s historic nine-dash line

claim.

DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo and DND Undersecretary Ricardo led the Philippine delegation in the seventh bilateral strategic dialogue from November 30 to December 1. Meanwhile, Acting

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From the Front Page Gary Alejano filed before the ICC a supplemental complaint against Duterte over his war on drugs.

But Duterte’s chief legal adviser has said Trillanes and Alejano’s supplemental complaint against Duterte was merely based on “hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations.”

“Their [Trillanes and Alejano] belated and remedial effort only goes to show that their initial complaint was based merely on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations,” Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo was confident that the petition lodged by the two lawmakers would not prosper, saying the ICC is merely a “court of last resort.” n Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense David Helvey co-led the U.S. delegation.

The annual dialogue between the two countries is a venue for discussing political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. n

GRADUATION. Caloocan policemen gather at the grandstand in Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police, during the closing rites of the reformation and reorientation program. Caloocan City policemen who were suspended in September have finished their retraining and will be back on duty next week, Metro Police chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, Dec. 4. 1,076 policemen were given the boot following the killing of Kian de los Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz. However, only 972 policemen passed the retraining program.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

DOJ: Aquino included in...

PAGE A1 the vaccine.

Last week, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine’s manufacturer, released an analysis which found out that for those not previously infected by the virus, more cases of severe disease could occur in the long term following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection.

The DOH immediately suspended its dengue vaccination program following the disclosure of health risks.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines also ordered Sanofi Pasteur to pull out its Dengvaxia vaccine

from the market, “pending compliance with the directives of the FDA.” FDA, likewise, directed Sanof to immediately “suspend the sale, distribution, marketing of Dengvaxia,” and to “conduct an information dissemination campaign through Advisories, Dear Doctor Letters and patient fora.”

In a statement on Tuesday, December 5, Sanofi assured that they will work with the FDA to review the implementation of its order, and will hold dialogues with the regulatory body on the matter.

“We were informed of the po-

Cayetano encourages OFWs...

PAGE A1 Cayetano urged Filipinos working abroad to consider investing in the Philippines to secure the future of their families.

Citing the Philippines’ unprecedented 6.9 percent economic growth in the third quarter of 2017, Cayetano said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should “take advantage of the economic boom and start investing their savings.”

“Over the years, you and our

other kababayans abroad have been investing in the future of our country,” Cayetano told Filipinos who attended the meetings at the St. Joseph the Worker Church in Macau and at the Duke of Windsor Auditorium in Hong Kong.

“Your remittances serve as investments not only in education and housing but also for the future of your loved ones back home,” he added.

The DFA secretary thanked

sition of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration which was published on December 4, 2017 and will work with them to review the implementation of their direction,” Sanofi said.

“We will continue to seek constructive and transparent dialogue with them,” it added.

Sanofi also clarified anew that Dengvaxia does not cause dengue fever.

“We remind you that the dengue vaccine does not contain any viruses that can make people ill with dengue or severe dengue.

If you have had no previous dengue infection before vaccination, the vaccine does not give you dengue,” the company said. n the close to 219,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong and the 30,000 in Macau for their remittances, including from those in other countries, which continue to “fuel the country’s growth.”

Cayetano also encouraged Filipinos to continue acquiring new skills to have access to “betterpaying” jobs.

“I encourage you to attend regular skills enhancement and language trainings here in Hong Kong or Macau and even back in the Philippines as this will surely open better employment opporPAGE A4

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Dateline USa

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US magazine again cites De Lima as a global thinker

by Jhoanna

Ballaran Inquirer.net

FOR the second consecutive year, American magazine Foreign Policy named detained Senator Leila de Lima as one of its Leading Global Thinkers.

“From the beginning, (Senator) de Lima knew how dangerous her unfettered criticism of her country’s leader might prove,” Benjamin Soloway, an associate editor of Foreign Policy, wrote.

“But de Lima has refused to shut up. The government is trying to ‘totally silence dissent and cultivate a culture of double standard of justice, where those allied with the president and his family are accorded impunity,’” he added.

“Now, de Lima fears that Duterte could go even further to silence her. Today she refuses all prison rations, eating only food brought by visitors. While she fears for her safety, she is convinced that the international community’s scrutiny of Duterte’s rule is helping keep her alive,” he narrated.

De Lima is detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over drug charges. She is accused of coddling and earning from drug lords at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) during her term as secretary of Justice De Lima allegedly allowed convicts to sell drugs and enjoy lavish accommodations and perks, like hotel-like cells and concerts held at the NBP, in exchange for millions in drug money. She is accused of using the money for her campaign for the Senate.

The senator joins the list of this year’s Leading Global reThinkers of 2017 for “openly defying President Duterte and his brutal war on drugs and paying the price with her freedom.”

Sen. Leila de Lima

Inquirer.net photo

Early this year, she was also recognized by Time Magazine as one of 100 Most Influential People, one of the Icons, by Amnesty International as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders in 2017, and more recently by Liberal International as “Prize for Freedom” Awardee for 2018, among others.

This year’s Leading Global reThinkers include South Korea President Moon Jae-in, United Kingdom Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbin, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Senator Kamala Haris, artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Halley, among others.

Foreign Policy says it selects annually a distinguished roster of people who have made an important impact on fields such as politics, diplomacy, science, and the arts.

This year, it added, the magazine acknowledges its honorees as Global reThinkers — individuals from around the world whose actions are disrupting the status

quo and impacting countless lives.

Last year, the Foreign Policy magazine also named De Lima on its list of Leading Global Thinkers for her vocal opposition to the unabated spate of extrajudicial and summary killings in the country.

She was honored “for standing up to an extremist leader” as one of the 13 Global Thinkers in the “Challengers” category under the 100 leading global thinkers for 2016.

The Foreign Policy cited how De Lima bravely refused to be silenced by the blatant and incessant attacks by President Duterte’s allies as she stood her ground and vowed for her innocence against charges against her.

Among the ranks of Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers include former U.S. State Department Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and United Nations Secretary General Ban KiMoon. n

US vows to help fight terrorism

by Dona

Z. PaZZiBugan Inquirer.net

THE United States vowed to continue to support the Philippines’ fight against terrorism and the rehabilitation of Marawi City while stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law and human rights.

This was discussed at the annual bilateral strategic dialogue between the Philippines and the

United States held in Washington from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.

In a joint statement issued on Dec. 2, both sides said they affirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration in maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, cybersecurity, antidrug trafficking, counterterrorism, and drug prevention and treatment services.

Senior officials from both sides also pledged to continue to work together to eliminate human trafficking and combat wildlife trafficking and illegal fishing.

“The U.S. and Philippine delegations emphasized the importance of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” read their joint statement. n

READ YOUR RIGHTS. Chief Supt. Dennis Siervo, head of the Human Rights Affairs Office of the Philippine National Police, launches the ‘Know Your Rights’ app where users can read about human rights, advisories and policies. The app includes the ‘New Miranda Rights’ of criminal suspects in police custody.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

Gina Lopez wins Seacology Prize by neil

alcoBer ManilaTimes.net

FORMER Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has been awarded the 2017 Seacology Prize by the U.S.-based nonprofit environmental conservation organization in recognition of her untiring environmental advocacy in the face of powerful opposition.

She received $10,000 as part of the prize.

Lopez was recognized in awarding ceremonies held at the Shangri-la hotel in Makati city on Monday, Dec. 4. She was initially awarded the prize on October 5 at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California where the Seacology head office is.

Now on its 27th year, Seacology gives the award to someone who has shown exceptional achievement in preserving island environments and culture.

“Gina Lopez has shown the vision and courage the Seacology is meant to honor. She has fought for the Philippines environment and to give island communities there a voice in the decisions that affect their natural resources and their lives,” Seacology’s executive director Duane Silverstein said.

For more than 15 years, Lopez has been an outspoken champion of social and environmental causes. When she spearheaded the rehabilitation of the polluted Pasig river and nearby urban streams, she was named head of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

Former Environment Sec. Gina Lopez

Her efforts there led to the cleanup of at least 17 tributaries in the Pasig river system.

The former DENR chief also led a campaign to save La Mesa Watershed, a once-neglected area that contains the last remaining rainforest of its size in Metro Manila, as well as the reservoir from which 12 million people get their drinking water. It is now La Mesa Ecopark, a tree-lined park where urban dwellers can hike, fish, and ride mountain bikes or horses.

As a leader of the Save Palawan Island movement, Lopez lobbied against the environmental ravages of mining on Philippine islands. Her stance drew criticism from the powerful mining industry. That criticism intensified in 2016 when she became acting secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). She

Trump travel ban given...

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ment came unexpected, and with little explanation. It did though, signal that the high court may approve the latest version which was issued by President Donald Trump in September.

Of the nine justices, seven were in support of the ban. Only two justices — Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor — were opposed.

The Trump administration has continuously argued that fully blocking the ban was a threat to foreign policy concerns and national security.

Trump first signed his executive order which barred admission to the U.S. from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen in January. The unexpected roll out caused panic and disorder as many found themselves stuck in airports or unable to return to the United States.

The Trump administration’s second version of the travel ban was brought forth in March, but expired this fall.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that the high court’s action on Monday was “a substantial victory for the safety and security of the American people.”

“We are pleased to have de-

US working ‘very hard’...

PAGE A1

“We are continuing to work very hard to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution... I’m on the same page with Ambassador Romualdez in the sense that, yes, we very much hope that the resolution will be soon,” Kim told in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

The U.S. envoy, however, admitted that some veterans’ groups, local politicians and citizens are reluctant to return the bells to the Philippines.

“Just as the issue of Balangiga Bells is a deeply emotional issue for the Philippine side, I think

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fended this order and heartened that a clear majority Supreme Court has allowed the president’s lawful proclamation protecting our country’s national security to go into full effect,” he added. “The constitution gives the president the responsibility and power to protect his country from all threats foreign and domestic, and this order remains vital to accomplishing these goals.”

Those against the ban say that the latest version, like previous versions, show prejudice against Muslims. Many have cited Trump’s recent actions on Twitter in which he retweeted a number of graphic anti-Muslim tweets and videos.

Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project said, “President Trump’s anti-Muslim prejudice is no secret — he has repeatedly confirmed it, including just last week on Twitter.”

“It’s unfortunate that the full ban can move forward for now, but this order does not address the merits of our claims,” he added. “We continue to stand for freedom, equality, and for those who are unfairly being separated from their loved ones.”

it’s similar in the United States,” Kim explained.

The three bells were taken from Balangiga Church by U.S. soldiers as spoils of war in September 1901—where 2,500 Filipinos aged ten and up were killed in retaliation to an earlier attack made by Filipino guerillas that killed 48 U.S. soldiers.

Two of the church bells were presently displayed at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a memorial to U.S. troops killed by Filipino insurgents; while the third bell was in South Korea.

During his second State of

Cayetano encourages OFWs...

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PAGE A2 tunities for you,” the DFA chief said.

Cayetano further noted that President Rodrigo Duterte also “knows very well the important role our overseas workers play.”

“This is precisely the reason

why he wants us to not only look after your interests and welfare but to also provide you with comfort and convenience,” he added.

According to the DFA, OFWs can apply for passports that would be valid for 10 years start-

ManilaTimes.net photo

established the first-ever forums for consultations between the DENR and indigenous groups, and shut down illegal fish pens in the country’s largest lake.

But her strongest actions were directed squarely at mining operations, especially heavily polluting nickel mines. She banned open-pit mines and moved to shut down more than half of the operations of the country’s mining companies.

These bold actions cost Lopez her job. In May 2017, members of the Commission on Appointments, some of whom had ties to the mining industry, voted her out.

Lopez vowed to keep fighting.

She has started I lOVE (Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies) to lift Filipinos out of poverty by building green businesses at the grassroots level. n According to the lawsuits filed in Hawaii and Maryland, the federal courts said that the latest travel ban violated federal immigration law.

Lawyers for Hawaii said, “Less than six months ago, this court considered and rejected a stay request indistinguishable from the one the government now presses.”

“But the justification for that dramatic relief has only weakened. In place of a temporary ban on entry, the president has imposed an indefinite one, deepening and prolonging the harms a stay would inflict,” they added.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, and the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, are expected to hear the challenges to the travel ban this week.

The Supreme Court signaled that the issue was expected to be dealt with by the courts in a rather prompt manner. The Monday order read, “In light of its decision to consider the case on an expedited basis, we expect the Court of Appeals will render its decision with appropriate dispatch.”

Assuming the appeals courts reach a resolution quickly, the Supreme Court would then be able to decide on the issue by the end of June. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress) the Nation Address (SONA) in July, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte demanded the U.S. to return the Balangiga bells back to the Philippines.

The president, in his speech, emphasized that the bells serve as “reminders of the gallantry and heroism” of Filipinos who “resisted the American colonizers” and “sacrificed their lives in the process.”

Last August, Romualdez said he believes “that in the long run, we will be able to get back those bells” despite a law in Wyoming that prohibits such retrieval, noting that Philippines has “quite a number of supporters and friends in Washington, D.C.” (Dana Sioson/AJPress) ing January next year, which will lead to more efficient processing of multi-year work contracts for overseas workers.

“This is one of reforms that responds to your needs as overseas workers and I assure you that the Duterte administration will strive hard to ensure that all your rights and interests are protected,” Cayetano said. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

This photo taken in July 2017 shows guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) in formation near their camp in the Sierra Madre mountain range.

Philstar.com photo

Duterte declares CPP-NPA as terror group

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhiliPPine President Rodrigo Duterte has proclaimed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the new People’s Army (nPA), as a “terrorist organization.”

Duterte signed the proclamation on Tuesday, December 5, using Republic Act (RA) 10168 or “The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012” as basis, which lays down provisions on the financing of terrorist groups.

Malacañang, however, clarified that the terrorist tag is not applied to the national Democratic Front of the Philippines (nDFP), which serves as the CPP’s political arm. in a media briefing, Palace Spokesperson harry Roque said Duterte signed the proclamation due to the “continued violent acts

of the CPP-nPA which sow and create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace.”

Following the signing of the proclamation, executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has ordered Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre ii to file a petition seeking to classify the CPP-nPA as a terrorist group before a Regional Trial Court (RTC).

This, in accordance with the provisions of the RA 9372 or the human Security Act—which lays down acts that are defined as terrorism—according to Roque.

“They (CPP-nPA) have been proclaimed by the president [as terrorists] and that has effect already because, of course, we don’t talk peace with terrorists now,” the Palace official said.

“But for the purposes of the human Security Act, the RTC must rule that pursuant to the government petition that the CPP-nPA

is in fact a terrorist organization,” he added.

According to Roque, the court proceedings will also give the CPP-nPA the chance to be heard. last november, Duterte terminated talks with the communist rebels amid the latter’s continued attacks on state troops.

Welcoming the recent proclamation tagging the CPP-nPA as a terrorist organization, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla said the military can now “fully execute and perform its mandate without reservation or restrictions.”

“This proclamation clearly classifies and labels the group for what they really are.... We can now address without any hesitation and with all the means and resources available to us the increasing criminal and economic sabotage activities of these terrorists,” he added. n

Supreme Court justices: More killings, drug users under Duterte administration

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

The number of killings and drug users have increased since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office last year, two Associate Justices observed during a hearing on Tuesday, December 5.

During this week’s third and final session of the oral argu-

ments on petitions challenging the constitutionality of Duterte’s drug war, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio noted that the number of drug users have increased from 1.5 million in 2015 to 4.7 million in 2016.

Based on the data from the Philippine national Police (PnP)’s Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) 16-2016, which contains the provisions

of “Project Double Barrel” or the anti-illegal drugs campaign, there were 1.5 million drug users prior to the Duterte administration.

Data from the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA), however, showed that the number rose to 4.7 million in 2016, when Duterte assumed post and launched the campaign.

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OPINION

Fake drugs

FEATURES

BESIDES the anti-dengue vaccine whose use may have put some 70,000 children at risk, the country has also been saddled with the proliferation of counterfeit medicine.

For many years now, public health advocates have warned about the proliferation of fake drugs in the Philippines. The counterfeit drugs range from medication for common afflictions such as cough and diarrhea to maintenance drugs for hypertension and fake Viagra for erectile dysfunction. As early as 2010, health advocates had estimated that one in 10 drugs sold in the country was fake.

Over the weekend the World Health Organization gave a similar estimate, but on a global scale, with developing countries including the Philippines reported to be the principal markets for fake drugs. WHO officials believe tens of thousands of children worldwide die every year from afflictions such as malaria and pneumonia due to the use of fake drugs. Of some 48,000 drugs covered by 100 studies reviewed by WHO experts, 65 percent of the fake medicines were for treating malaria.

There are no suppliers if there is no demand. And demand in developing countries is high, not for fake drugs but for more affordable medicine. This is what suppliers of fake drugs can offer: products

that are dirt-cheap when compared with the branded originals.

Those who profit from meeting this demand either produce fake drugs or bypass global rules on intellectual property rights, manufacturing generic or copycat versions long before international patents lapse, without the consent of the companies that developed the medicine. The companies then cannot impose product quality controls and efficacy of the imitations cannot be guaranteed.

Fake drugs also proliferate in countries where regulation is weak. This is true in much of the developing world, including in the Philippines, where practically anything can be smuggled through Customs by anyone with the right connections and financial means. If P6.4 billion worth of shabu can breeze through the Port of Manila without even a cursory check, think of how many other types of illegal drugs including fake ones are waved through from what health advocates said were the top sources: China, India and Pakistan.

If the government wants to protect public health, the smuggling must be stopped. The government

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

must also provide the manpower and resources — all acutely lacking in this country — to prevent the local manufacture, distribution and sale of fake medicine, and to expand the capacity for screen-

ing all types of drugs for safety. Finally, to give justice to victims and prevent impunity, purveyors of counterfeit medicine must be caught and appropriate punishment imposed. (Philstar.com)

Trump endorses an alleged child molester for senator in Alabama: ‘He denied it!’

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump gave his full support behind the candidacy of Roy Moore, a former judge who is running for senator in a special election in Alabama on December 12.

Trump endorsed Moore despite the fact that at least six women have come forward, accusing Moore of making unwanted sexual advances toward them when they were teens, with one of them being only 14. Two of them accused him of assault and molestation. Moore was already in his 30s then and was

an assistant district attorney in Alabama.

When the news about Moore broke out, several Republican leaders have distanced themselves from Moore, with some calling on Moore to step aside and quit the race. Even Trump’s own daughter Ivanka Trump said in an interview, “There’s a special place in hell for people who prey on children,” when asked about allegations against Moore. “I’ve yet to see a valid explanation, and I have no reason to doubt the victims’ accounts.”

BUT for President Trump, it suffices that Moore DENIED the accusations of these women.

That was all that he needed to

hear from the former judge, despite the pain, shame and damage the latter has caused these girls through many years, who have now mustered enough strength to tell their stories.

This news about Moore allegedly preying on teenage girls was but one of the many stories of other women coming out to reveal the dark secret about how they had been sexually victimized by men in the workplace, at home, in the community — with the hashtag #MeToo as a platform for ordinary girls and women to speak up so this culture of sexual abuse and objectification of women may be addressed.

Trump was asked what he

thought about these women now speaking out about their sexual abuse and harassment stories to which he told reporters that it was great that they were speaking up, but maintained Moore denied accusations. He questioned why women were speaking out against Moore at this time, after decades, and suggested this was part of a conspiracy to damage the candidacy of Moore.

Moored denied all allegations, and that was all that mattered to him. He was effectively saying that these women, who were allegedly victimized by Moore when they were teenage girls, were all liars.

Sounds familiar? Trump him-

self had been accused of at least 16 women of sexual misconduct and of sexually violating women, even without their consent.

During the “Access Hollywood” open mic interview scandal that broke during the presidential campaign, Trump gloated he could do everything because of his celebrity status.

BUT of course, Trump was using the “deny and deny” template to claim innocence.

It worked for him before, why wouldn’t it work for Moore? He said the women who were accusing him were liars, and said he would sue them when he becomes president. He has not done so up to now.

Therefore, Trump has now

thrown his 100 percent support for Moore. Nevermind his questionable character, Trump told voters they should vote for Moore and not for a liberal.

Respect for women? Respect for the truth? Respect for the laws and the rules and morality? For Donald J. Trump, president of the United States of America, it is all about winning — no matter what the cost. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

How Duterte is making the nation more secure

Opinion

RICARDO SALUDO IF there is war in Korea, will the Philippines take America’s side?

Asked exactly that last week, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said: “As of now, we’re not prepared to say which side we will be on, other than … we want the UN charter followed, we want all parties to refrain from the use of force, we want all parties to utilize peaceful means in resolving this dispute.”

Let’s hope Secretary Roque’s remark got to Pyongyang’s rocket man. Then maybe we won’t be on the priority target list of Kim Jong-un’s projectiles, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough talk against North Korean nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development.

The heat over Kim’s rocketing ambitions flared up again after he launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, which climbed over 4,000 km before dropping into the Sea of Japan—theoretically able to reach the continental United States.

Minutes after the ICBM launch, South Korean warplanes promptly conducted practice air strikes in waters east of Korea, flying as far as the launch site was from their air base. Also keeping the pressure on Pyongyang, this week U.S. and South Korean air forces will hold military exercises.

In times like this, one can appreciate President Duterte’s independent foreign policy of taking no sides in big power rivalry, and thus moving the Philippines off the firing line in

Asia’s potential hotspots.

First of all, reduce threats That’s one of six crucial thrusts of the Duterte administration which are moving to enhance and strengthen the security of the Philippines now and in the future. These fundamental policy directions may not seem to matter much to national defense, and are even attacked by those claiming to be patriots. But think them through, and one can see why and how they will make us safer and stronger.

First of these policy thrusts is President Duterte’s controversial independent foreign policy.

It reversed the past administration’s headlong rush to become America’s military platform in Asia, mended fences with China, and cultivated warm relations and even military cooperation with all big powers.

That accomplished the first aim of any security policy: reduce threats. By keeping nuclear-capable American naval and air forces out of the country, and making friends with China and Russia, President Duterte lessened potential hostilities with two major powers.

And by openly affirming his trust that Beijing would desist from further island-building and militarization in the South China Sea, Duterte has put the onus on the Chinese to behave, and they largely have done so.

Strategy No. 2: Engage China through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Not by stirring up anti-China agitation, as then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd did, but by pressing for a Code of Conduct to reduce tensions, avoid conflict, and boost confidence and cooperation in the South China Sea. Skeptics argue that China

would never agree to a binding Code constricting its military power on the high seas.

But just as Duterte’s declaration of trust in Beijing prods it to show good faith, it also has to seriously work with Asean in crafting a credible and effective Code, or else dialogue loses, and the region turns to armaments and powerful allies to counter China.

Third on Duterte’s defenseenhancing thrusts is regional security cooperation. Instead of depending on a superpower ally that is in rivalry with China, thus making the latter an adversary, the Philippines is engaging a wide range of nations, China included, in military exchanges.

Japan is rapidly becoming the leading source of major external security hardware, with its donation or loan of some two dozen aircraft and patrol vessels to the country. Beijing has not objected, since Japan is not a strategic threat to China and will not put forces in the Philippines.

China and Russia are also providing weapons and equipment, possibly including the country’s first submarine from Moscow. Also of great importance are the joint air and sea patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia, now targeting terrorists and pirates, but can also help secure maritime economic zones in future.

Richer and stronger Asia-pacing economic growth is also a Duterte thrust, but how is that supposed to help defend the archipelago. No prizes of answering that a wealthy nation can buy or build better armaments without starving its people.

Thanks to the Arroyo-era fiscal reforms in 2006, the Phil-

Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

ippines was able to buy more attack planes and choppers, patrol boats, and tanks in succeeding years. And with even more resources under Duterte’s tax reforms and growth push, the country may finally be able to acquire the maritime surveillance aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and air defense systems long urged by Washington defense experts.

Former National Security Adviser and Parañaque congressman Roilo Golez, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has advocated buying about 200 supersonic anti-ship missiles from India. Mounted three on a truck, the BrahMos projectile can hit targets more than 300 km away — enough to guard the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The last two Duterte initiatives seem focused on domes-

Philstar.com photo

tic peace and order, but they too greatly enhance external defense. The current war on extremist terrorism and communist insurgency, if they finally put these decades-old violent movements to pasture, would finally enable the Armed Forces to channel AFP resources to defending our territory and sovereign rights.

So, instead of expending tens of billions of pesos yearly on small arms and foot soldiers, once peace is concluded with Muslim rebels, and war is won against Islamic State cohorts and the New People’s Army, the military can then build up air and naval forces needed to assert and defend our maritime interests.

What about the anti-drug war? How will dismantling the narcotics networks, including their protectors in government,

supposed to fight off foreign invaders?

Two ways. First, by tightening border controls to stop contraband, we keep out not just drugs and drug-making materials and equipment, but also guns, explosives, and other war-making gear.

But more important, in taking down narco-politicians, President Duterte is stopping the takeover of our democracy by shabu-funded officials under the thumb of overseas drug cartels, which could very well be used by big powers to influence and control our government.

Plainly, the war on drugs is also a battle against foreign control.

One can now see why our soldiers and police support President Rodrigo Duterte. (ManilaTimes.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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Dateline PhiliPPines

UAAP CHAMPIONS. The Ateneo Blue Eagles revel after beating the La Salle Green Archers in the deciding Game 3 of the best-of-three finals of the University Atheletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 3.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Duterte renews call for Congress to pass FOI law

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte Monday, Dec. 4 appealed anew to Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Law, more than a year after he signed an order implementing the policy in the executive branch.

“I hope that both the legislative and judicial branches of government would join us in strengthening our democratic institutions by following suit and instituting measures that would allow unfettered public access to relevant information about their affairs, subject to reasonable restrictions and regulations

in exceptional circumstances,” Duterte said in his message for the first anniversary of the implementation of the executive order on FOI. Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Kristian Ablan said the executive branch is hopeful that the FOI would be discussed in Congress after the tax reform measure and the 2018 budget are passed.

“Although the FOI Executive Order is a step towards the right direction, it would still be better if we have an FOI law,” he added.

The FOI policy is contained in Executive Order No. 2 signed by the president on July 23, 2016.

The order, which required all of-

fices under the executive branch to disclose details of their transactions, took effect on Nov. 25, 2016.

A total of 127 government agencies are now part of the FOI online portal.

PCOO data showed that 181 of 189 national government agencies have submitted their FOI manuals and implementing details.

Less than half or 69 of 141 government-owned and controlled corporations complied with the requirement.

The level of compliance is still low among state universities and colleges, with only 23 out of 113 of these educational institutions submitting their FOI manuals. n

Supreme Court justices: More...

PAGE A5 “So it actually increased during the term of President Duterte. Is that correct?” Carpio asked Solicitor General Jose Calida.

In response, Calida said the data “was not really accurate and was understated.”

During the hearing, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also noted that there have been 4,000 deaths recorded since the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign last year.

“There are thousands upon thousands of people who are killed either in police operations or found on the side of the road,” Leonen said.

He then asked the solicitor general, “Would you say we are now suffering a crime wave con-

sisting of a lot of murders?

“I am not an expert on that your honor,” Calida replied.

“But with the 4,000 murders for a period of one year, don’t you think that this is something we should worry about, regardless of who these people are?”

Leonen continued. “The police, of course, might be investigating them, but it worries, of course, that there is such a break in law and order.

Calida said there was a connection between the prevalence of drugs and index crimes.

Rights groups Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and Center for International Law (CenterLaw) headed by Aileen Almora and Sister Ma. Juanita Daño respectively had filed separate petitions seeking to nullify

Duterte’s drug war.

In their petition, FLAG argued that the PNP’s CMC 16-2016 should be declared unconstitutional because it paves way for the police to kill suspects in guise of “neutralizing” them during operations.

FLAG also assailed the legality of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2017112, which establishes a system of anonymous reporting of suspected criminals.

CenterLaw, on the other hand, filed the petition seeking the issuance of a writ of amparo to protect certain individuals and the residents of 26 barangays in San Andres Bukid, Manila, against the anti-illegal drug campaign. n

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEMbER 6-8, 2017

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 6-8, 2017

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Movement of free trade in PH put in back seat

by AnnA LeAh

e. GonzALes ManilaTimes.net

THE government’s focus on addressing social and political problems has put the movement of free trade in the Philippines in the back seat, an ex-official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said recently.

At the Asia-Pacific Forum 2017: Integration and Inclusiveness in a Digital Society at the Marco Polo Ortigas hotel in Pasig City on November 23, former Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino said the Duterte administration is prioritizing issues, like the integration of Philippine society through new legislation and the challenges facing Mindanao, more than the movement of free trade.

This was shown in its current stand on bilateral relations, which he said has already moved toward basic issues, such as “respect for sovereignty and other domestic priorities.”

According to him, there was also “very little” that came out of President Duterte with re-

gard to regional, bilateral and international issues during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila last month.

Aquino remained optimistic, however, noting the country’s heavy participation in the summit, which allowed it to enhance deeper ties with its regional neighbors.

“Because of that, strong expectations on what the ASEAN Economic Community can achieve and on what the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership can truly deliver are created,” he said.

Organized by Japan Economic Forum and Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the Asia-Pacific Forum 2017 highlighted the rising protectionism that threatens the promotion of cooperation, peace, and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The forum also advanced the use of digital technology to promote dialogue among peoples and strengthen the linkages that bind countries in the region. n

DOT mulls food tourism program

Increased gov’t procurement of medicines pushed Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, PIDS said expenditure for medicines now accounts for 50 percent of the total health care spending in the country.

File photo by Steve Buissinne/ Philstar

by CzerizA

VALenCiA Philstar.com

STATE-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is urging the government to expand the pooled procurement of medicines and provide incentives to local government units that invest more on primary health care with medicines as an integral part of the program to

drive down the cost of drugs in the country.

In a new policy note, the policy research institution said access to quality health care without incurring financial hardship continues to be an aspiration for many Filipinos because of the high outof-pocket costs associated with treatment.

This is despite the enactment of the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008, it said.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics

Authority, PIDS said expenditure for medicines now accounts for 50 percent of the total health care spending in the country.

“This makes the weak access of the population to medicines a key problem in achieving universal healthcare. A chronic and debilitating illness hitting a middle or lower income family can be its ticket to join the ranks of the poor, particularly if the main income

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by CAtherine

tALAVerA Philstar.com

THE Department of Tourism is targeting to promote the country’s food tourism product by creating food hubs across a number of parks in the country, a tourism official said.

On the sidelines of the Rolling Manila project launch in Intramuros, Tourism Undersecretary Katherine de Castro told The STAR the DOT is aiming to transform Intramuros into a tourist spot for food.

De Castro said the DOT is eyeing to make Intramuros into something similar to Singapore’s Hawker Center, a popular destination for street food.

“This will make Intramuros known not only as the walled city of Manila, but also the food hub of Manila,” De Castro said.

“After Intramuros, we will be focusing on Rizal Park and the other parks in the Philippines and also in our regions we will come up with their own ways and means for food tourism in their respective place,” De Castro said.

The DOT, through the Intramuros Administration (IA), launched yesterday the first

prototype of the redesigned food carts and stalls for vendors in Intramuros for its Rolling Manila project.

The Rolling Manila project is a collaborative initiative between the IA, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the Design Center of the Philippines, which aims for the sustainable transformation of food carts and stalls in Intramuros.

IA chief for finance and administrative division Mercy de Sahagun said members of the Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Maninininda sa Intramuros would be the beneficiaries of the project.

While the actual food carts and stalls have yet to be built, De Castro said funding for the project might come from the DOT. “From what I heard, they will be needing 100 of these (food carts and stalls). Specifi-

DARE TO INSPIRE. DARE TO LEAD. B E L E G E N D A R Y.

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JICA, DTI seek to bolster Filipino workers’ skills

by AnnA LeAh

e. GonzALez ManilTimes.net

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) are pursuing a partnership to build up the skill sets of Filipino workers in certain industries to boost the country’s global competitiveness.

In a statement, JICA said the partnership also aims to promote linkages between foreign and local companies, and support policies to enhance the supply and value chain (SVCD) and capacity development of local companies.

This came as JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez agreed to discuss a four-year technical cooperation on the “Development Planning Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness through Industrial Human Resource Development (IHRD) and Supply and Value Chain Development.”

This technical cooperation aims to advance the Philippines’ attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically for automotive and auto parts companies, as well as investors in information technology, electronics and engineering services.

These industries were identified under the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy (CNIS) because of their strong forward and backward linkages that have a multiplier effect on the economy in terms of job creation and value added.

“The cooperation is part of our comprehensive approach to support the Philippine government’s socio-economic priorities, such as investing in human capital development and increasing com-

petitiveness,” Ito said.

“Through this partnership with the DTI, JICA will also work with pilot universities, relevant local and foreign industries, local suppliers and training institutions,” he added.

Under the project, pilot universities will review and update their curricula and training/immersion programs to make Filipino graduates competitive in the market, while local and foreign industries could join business-matching ac as investing in human capital development and increasing competitiveness,” Ito said.

“Through this partnership with the DTI, JICA will also work with pilot universities, relevant local and foreign industries, local suppliers and training institutions,” he added.

Under the project, pilot universities will review and update their curricula and training/immersion programs to make Filipino graduates competitive in the market, while local and foreign industries could join business-matching activities.

Local suppliers could also work with foreign companies and get support for management and marketing capacity-building, market access and productivity improvement.

Training institutions, meanwhile, would receive assistance in reviewing their programs and enhancing their industry linkages.

JICA said that, through the project’s activities, operational models of SVCD and IHRD will be implemented and replicated in other industries and regions, while strengthening foreign-local company linkages.

The cooperation will also involve capacity development for counterpart government agencies and Philippine companies in the automotive industry. n

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B DECEMBER 6-8, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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 three 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 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 was a sure thing.

She let slip that another son

Business news

Tapping into 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 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 was etched in pain. Yet there was also a brief glimpse of hope for the baby about to be born. Grief, just like joy, has way of welling up 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, seeking one another’s company in seeking God’s help in many ways, big and small. Because 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 unimaginable among those whose faith is built on solid rock.

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 in a 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 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. 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,

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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.”

Family Code §760.

This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage. You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/her salary during the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account.

Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.

Signing a premarital agreement may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired

Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married? or earned during their marriage.

Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807 Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party.

Marriage of Dawley, supra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Cheney v. City & County of San Francisco Employees Retirement System (1936) 7 C2d 565, 569, 61 P2d 754, 756. Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheritance claims. Estate of Wamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, 115, 289 P2d 871, 872.

Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c ),“ Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following:(1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located. (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property.(3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event.(4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement.(5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy.(6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement.(7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty.

However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b).

Premarital agreements that are entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable. Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 C4th 39, 53–54, 99

CR2d 278, 288–289; Marriage of Facter (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 CR3d 79, 90.

Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. § 1615(c) (1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. (2) The party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. (3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations he or she was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement. The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that he or she received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information.(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to paragraphs(1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.(5) Any other fac-

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Business news

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 6-8, 2017

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More firms willing to hike wages next year Deliquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

AVERAGE salary hike across industries is projected to be higher in Philippines compared to other economies in the region next year as the country’s stable economic growth is prompting more companies to pay more, a new report by global human resources consulting firm Mercer showed.

Mercer’s Global Compensation Planning Report and Total Remuneration Survey revealed that overall salary increase across industries in the Philippines is seen at 6.3 percent for next year.

The projected increase is higher than that of Thailand (5.3 percent), Malaysia (5.2 percent), Korea (4.4 percent), Hong Kong (3.9 percent), Singapore (3.9 percent), Taiwan (3.6 percent) and Japan (2.1 percent).

In the Philippines, companies in the fast-moving consumer goods, energy and life sciences sectors are reported to be more aggressive, forecasting 6.5 percent to 6.7 percent salary increase.

“Mature industries such as energy, consumer and pharmaceutical tend to pay more compared to emerging industries such as the shared services and business process outsourcing,” Mercer said.

The Philippine market is also

Mercer’s Global Compensation Planning Report and Total Remuneration Survey revealed that overall salary increase across industries in the Philippines is seen at 6.3 percent for next year.

File photo by Philstar

bullish on hiring, the report indicated, with 47 percent of the companies surveyed planning to add headcount in the next 12 months as skills shortage continues to be acute across all levels of career.

Mercer said there remains a mismatch between the skills employees possess and skills demanded by employers in the country as the current educational and technical infrastructure is not producing enough “ready for work” employees.

Jobs that are difficult to recruit and retain are sales, finance, and IT positions at both professional and management levels, the report showed.

“The diversity of employees in the workplace in the Philippines is increasing rapidly and resulting in multi-generational workforce in organizations. We are also noticing year-over-year increase in the number of em-

ployees on local plus packages especially in the IT and BPO industries. Given the different ing by the State Department if BEGINNING January 2018, the needs and aspirations of all these IRS will start certification of indiyour passport application is deWhat’s employee groups, organiza- viduals with delinquent tax debt nied or revoked. tions should be changing their to the State Department.

New • You owe taxes and cannot approach to creating employee pay in full. Apply for installment How will the IRS certification value proposition,” said Floriza impacts you? agreement or offer in comproMolon, Philippines career busimise if you qualify, to reverse the • Upon receipt of certification. ness leader at Mercer. certification and for issuance of The State Department will either ArLene AL-os, The report further revealed deny application or revoke cur- cPA, MBA passport. that Filipino employees have a rent passport or both.

• Disagreement with the tax high level of satisfaction when it • You are overseas. Limited va- to resolve and enter into pay- amount. Call the number providcomes to their work. lidity passport for direct return to ment options with IRS to resolve ed on notice CP 508C. For proof However, it said the high level the US maybe issued by the State certification issues by the State of payment, mail to the address of satisfaction does not translate Department if you are overseas. Department and will hold your on the notice. into commitment to stay longer *** • Serious delinquent tax debt. application prior to denial of in their jobs as Filipino workers IRS tax debt of more than $50,000 passport application.

Disclaimer: Any accounting, business want to be recognized and re- inclusive of penalties plus inter• Be aware of Notice CP 508C. or tax advice contained in this warded for a wide range of con- est for which all administrative You will receive notice CP 508C communication is neither intended as tributions. remedies has been exhausted, upon certification of IRS to the a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific On the other hand, they leave and federal tax lien and levy no- State Department of serious tax issues, nor a substitute for a formal because of pay, opportunity for tices have already been issued. A debt, by mail. opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxpromotion, and flexible work op- tax debt is not considered serious • Certification reversal CP related penalties. tions. *** if there is: a) installment agree- 508R. The State Department will “Overall, apart from compen- ment; b) offer in compromise; be notified within 30-days by the Al-os & Associates Accountancy sation and benefits, it is also im- c) timely collection due process IRS to reverse previous certifi- Corporation provides accounting and portant take a more holistically hearing related to the levy; d) in- cation of serious tax debt once tax services to individuals, corporations, view from a total rewards per- nocent spouse relief under IRC assessed tax debt is no longer LLCs and business entities. The Firm has spective and to have a success- § 6015 has been requested and serious in 3. above or due to er- a niche in defending taxpayers audited ful employee value proposition collection is suspended. by the IRS and other governmental roneous certification. that not just addresses immedi• Passport application is de- agencies.

• 90-Days hold of applicaate retention needs but also the tion. You will be given 90-days nied. You will be notified in writ(Advertising Supplement) future talent attraction and retention plans. Innovative employee benefits are also key in helping employers differentiate and brand themselves as employees PAGE B1 t pack is no more than the day’s prices further down. The govfeel valued when employers take earner becomes the affected salary of the lowest govern- ernment can then distribute care of them and their families,” member,” said the policy note. ment worker. As it is, 32 treat- the medicines it procures to the Molon said. n PIDS said the government ment packs sold in the country poorest population who do not currently implements measures are considered unaffordable. even have the purchasing powto improve medicine access To address this, PIDS recom- er to acquire medicines even such as promotion of generic mends “deepening the local at reduced prices,” said PIDS. The think tank also proposed owes $40K of credit card debt. drugs, public sector importation medicine market” to spur comproviding for medicine allocaHer disability pay is $1,400 and of cheaper medicines, enforc- petition and lower prices.

This entails expanding the gov- tion in case rate of the Philipher social security is $1,000. So, ing price caps on certain drugs, she gets monthly $2,400 from establishment of village phar- ernment’s purchasing capacity pine Health Insurance Corp. as disability and social security. macies, as well as centralization for cheaper medicines to attract well as extending its coverage Her rent is $600. Her $40,000 of of the procurement of medicines more suppliers in the market. to outpatient medicine prescrip“Given that the government tions first in public health facilicredit card debt requires 50 per- for public hospitals and clinics.

These efforts, however, were is the stakeholder that can ef- ties and eventually in accredited cent of her income for minimum payments. She has two sons who insufficient to enable the poor to fectively bring up the purchas- private sector drug outlets.

It likewise urged the provihave offered to pay the minimum buy the number and quality of ing capacity, it should expand of $1,200 for her $40,000 of drugs needed to cure or control the pooled procurement of sion of incentives to local govmedicines to attract more sup- ernment units that would invest credit cards. But what is the logic their illnesses.

The policy note said a medi- pliers in the market. Such ac- more in primary health care with in keeping these cards? Sons will pay $15,000 this year. Next year, cine is considered unafford- tion gives the public sector the provision of medicines as an they will pay another $15,000 able if the cost of its treatment leverage in getting medicines integral part of the program. n and the year after next, another $15,000. In 3 years, sons will be $45,000 but client will still owe the same $40,000 of credit card Asian edition of Madrid Fusión, this,” De Castro said. debt after her sons aid $45,000 PAGE B1 t Apart from the Rolling Manila the most important gastronomy of minimum payments for three cally, it will be Intramuros sending us the proper papers,” De project, another initiative of the event in the world, celebrated years!

DOT to promote food or culinary annually in Madrid, Spain since The client decides that she Castro said.

“As I’ve said it’s one of the tourism is the annual celebra- 2003. needs the full legal power of The fourth edition of the MFM Chapter 7 to get rid of all of her priority projects of the Secretary tion of the Madrid Fusion Mais slated on April 19 to 21, 2018 $40,000 of credit cards now and (Teo) and it’s possible that we nila (MFM) festival.

The MFM is the first and only in Pasay City. n to start a new and productive will be shouldering the funds for life again at 72! Chapter 7 is the “fresh start” law. You start life again without the burden of acalendar of Events cumulated debt whether your are 72, 62, 52, 42 or 32, it doesn’t matter. You can start fresh again in life at any age! The sooner the better for you and your family, otherwise you will have a Godzilla living in your house.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“A FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE RESTING ON THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH GOD, WHO DOES NOT LIE, PROMISED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.” TITUS 1:2 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for D EC E M B E R 9 an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley holds annual Christmas Alhambra, CA 91803.

Increased gov’t procurement...

Does Godzilla live in your house?

THE Japanese created Godzilla a long time ago. It’s a gigantic T-Rex on steroids that destroys Tokyo and the rest of Japan until someone comes to the rescue and kills it with nukes. Mr. Honda, the author, created the concept of Godzilla as a metaphor for the atomic bombs in 1954 when Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were the recipients of two atomic bombs from the United States, were still fresh in the minds of the Japanese. Now, of course, Kim Jung Un of North Korea has recently threatened to wipe Japan from the face of the earth with his nuclear bombs. So, I am sure that the spectre of Godzilla is now making the rounds again in Japan.

No way that Godzilla can be living in your house, right? Well check again. Maybe you got your first credit card 10 years ago and that was Godzilla’s egg. Now, you have 10 credit cards and you have a mountain of credit card statements that you receive every month, each one of them requiring a minimum payment from you to keep them happy. What happens if you don’t make the minimum payment every month? Well, they will turn nasty and create a lot of trouble for you. This is the problem of having Godzilla in your house.

It’s very hard to kill Godzilla because it is a gigantic monster!

You can’t kill it with a 50caliber machine gun. That’s not strong enough. Those 50-caliber bullets just slide off Godzilla’s tougher-than-steel skin. Five hundred-pound bunker buster bombs have been proven ineffective against this monster. He just shrugs them off like mosquito bites. The only way you can kill Godzilla in your house is to put a nuclear smart bomb through its navel and detonate it.

Only a Chapter 7 petition has enough legal power to kill all

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

your credit cards in one explosion. Wipe out all your dischargeable debts; keep all of your assets including your house, cars, furniture and retirement accounts, and start fresh in life without accumulated debt. Kill the Godzilla in your house, or it will destroy your life.

If you owe $30,000 of credit card debt now, next year, that debt will become $40,000, then $50,000. You need at least $1,000 of net income to make minimum payments on $30,000 of credit cards every month. For $40,000 of credit cards, you will need $1,200 of net income for minimum monthly payments. If you don’t have the $1,000 or $1,200 of net income, you will have to borrow $12,000 a year to make the $1,000 of monthly payments.

This means that your $30,000 debt will become $42,000 in twelve months. If you gross $3,000 monthly, 40 percent of your net income of $2,400 will be used to service your $30,000 of credit card debt.. You are being eaten alive by Godzilla even if you don’t know it.

The client is 72. She has been a widow for three years. She used to be a caregiver until last year. Last year her patient, a 400pound woman who is 6 feet tall, threw her to the floor. The patient had mental problems. The client thought she was going to die on the floor since she is only 5 feet and 130 pounds. She became unconscious and was brought to the hospital. Although she survived the fall, she now has a lot of back pain, which makes her eligible to receive disability. She

DOT mulls food tourism...

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have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would

be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Tapping into the power of...

PAGE B2t

“ … 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, 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

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

Do I need a premarital ...

tors the court deems relevant. In addition, the parties are required to provide each other with full disclosure of all material financial information.

A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement.

Family Code § 1612(c). If you are the higher earning spouse and

across

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

potluck

The Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) invites guests to its annual Christmas potluck party on Saturday, December 9 from 6 p.m. It will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (23233 Lyons Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91321). There will be food, games, entertainment for the whole family. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dish to share. Santa will be there to give presents to everyone. For more information, please call Emie at (661) 877-2699 or Cecile at (818) 439-9392 or visit www.filamofscv.org.

D EC E M B E R 28

Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers will be hosting an immigration forum on Thursday, December 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be held at Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801); admission is FREE. The forum is about employment-based immigration, information regarding fast-track work visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by Marriage, familybased immigration, employment sponsorship for green card, and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. For more information, please contact Global Law Centers at (714) 657-7460 or www.globallawcenters.com.

D EC E M B E R 27-29

Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).

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

B DECEMBER 6-8, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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People and Events Project Joy: City of Artesia’s Holiday Program Grace Gail Cara, Esq. joins Elder Law Services of California

FOR more than twenty years, the City of Artesia Holiday Program has provided toys to more than 200 children in need each year. Last year, with the help of the Artesia-Cerritos Lion’s, Optimist, and Rotary Club’s, the LEAD Foundation, and the Community Christian Center, the City was able to expand the program to include “Project Joy”, a holiday assistance program where food boxes are provided to families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Project Joy provided 50 Artesia families with a Thanksgiving dinner, and more than 80 families with a holiday dinner box complete with a turkey and all the fixings for a special holiday meal.

This year, the City is once again expanding Project Joy by partnering with local churches throughout the community to reach more Artesia residents who may be in need. We will also be partnering to collect canned food items, allowing the community to come together to provide pantry staples which will help these families beyond the holiday season.

EMPLOYMENT

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with a holiday meal this year, or in need of assistance providing toys to children 12 and under, please pick up a Project Joy holiday assistance program registration form at AJ Padelford Park, Artesia Park, or City Hall. Registration forms collect basic in-

formation for children 12 and under, such as age and gender.

Eligibility for the program is determined by providing proof of residency in the City of Artesia, and proof of income. Acceptable proof of income includes an EBT card, MediCal Insurance card, WIC card, or proof of enrollment in the CARE or LIRA pro-

EMPLOYMENT

gram through a utility company.

Help the City make an impact this holiday season. Drop off your food or unwrapped toy donations at AJ Padelford Park, Artesia Park, and City Hall. The City will be handing out food baskets as well as toys at the City’s annual Holiday Program, December 21 from 6-9 p.m. at AJ Padelford Park. n

ELDER Law Services of California, APLC is proud to announce that attorney Grace Gail Cara has joined its trust department. Ms. Cara began her legal journey by attending California Western School of Law in San Diego and attaining her Juris Doctor in 2015. While in law school, she served as Secretary for the South Asian Law Student Association. Ms. Cara is excited to join an established law firm and hopes to educate her Filipino community about the tremendous benefits of proper estate planning.

For more information, please visit www.elderlawcalifornia.com or call 1-800403-6078.

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

Grace Gail Cara

B DECEMBER 6-8, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 6, 2017

Driver’s license and car registration 101 BY

WHEN I first learned how to drive, I was baffled with how much paperwork is actually involved.

However, it turned out to not be as scary and complicated as I thought. Car registration and the driver’s license are two of the most important components for every driver. Car registration is proof that you’re the owner of your car and your driver’s license is your passport to the roads.

All applications for car registration and driver’s license are done through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The notoriety surrounding the lackluster customer service at the DMV is not a myth. Many folks are subjected to long lines, famously unpleasant staff members and antiquated methods of processing requests.

But not every interaction and trip with the DMV has to be a nightmare.

Many services can be done online at www.dmv.ca.gov, but there are some things that need to be done in person. If a trip to your local California DMV is needed, always make an appointment so you don’t have to wait in line.

Here’s a refresher on what car registration and a California driver’s license are and how to retrieve them: Car registration: What is it and how do I do it?

The purpose of car registration is to establish a link between the vehicle and the owner(s) if the vehicle. If someone is convicted of any crimes, oftentimes the car registration is the first place law enforcement points to.

Every car (new or used) that you purchase from a licensed California dealer must be registered with the state. The dealer collects use tax fees to register and title the car, and those use taxes are forwarded to the state Board of Equalization.

Once all that is processed at the DMV, you’re given temporary operating authority. Typically within 6 to 8 weeks after you purchased the car, you’ll receive a registration card, license plates, stickers (placed on license plates to indicate the month and year of each year of renewed registration) and a California Certificate of Title.

Registration typically lasts for a year, after which time you must renew your auto registration. Renewing car registration only takes a few clicks online. Head to https://www.

KLARIZE MEDENILLA / AJPRESS

dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/ onlinesvcs/registrationrenewal and follow the steps. You should have the following with you before you renew: • License plate number • Last five digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) • Smog certification filed with the DMV • Renewal notice that was mailed to you that shows your current address or a confirmation through the Change of Address system that logged your updated address • A method of payment to pay the mandatory renewal fee In the mail, you’ll receive proof that you’ve renewed your registration and new stickers to place on your plate.

However, if you buy a car from a private owner, it’s a different story. You must transfer the ownership of the vehicle with 10 days and you’re to submit the following documents to the DMV: • An endorsed and completed California Certificate of Title OR Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title (REG 227) form • Smog certification, if applicable • Use tax payment, if applicable • Odometer Mileage Disclosure Statement, if applicable.

• Necessary vehicle registration fees Driver’s License: how to apply and when to renew Getting a driver’s license is a big moment everyone’s lives.

It’s basically a rite of passage into adulthood. Not only does it allow you to legally drive, it’s also used for self-identification.

Whether you’re a teen driver or an adult first-time driver, the process to obtain a driver’s license is pretty much the same:

• Make an appointment local California DMV office and complete a Driver’s License or Identification Application (Form DL 44) • If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s signature • Provide social security number and verify birth date and legal presence • Submit certification that you completed driver education or training or proof of enrollment • Give a fingerprint • Pay the driver’s license fee — in California, it’s $33 • Give another fingerprint, provide a signature and have your picture taken — all these will appear on your driver’s license • Pass the written knowledge test — for teen drivers, there are 46 questions and a passing score is at least 38 questions correct. For driver’s over 18, there are 36 questions. You have three chances to pass the test and if you fail, you must wait 7 days before retaking • Schedule a pass/fail road test — you have three chances to pass the driving test. If you fail, take some time to practice then you may make another appointment. There’s no waiting period, but you must pay $6 for each additional driving test.

Once you pass the road test, congratulations! Your new driver’s license will be mailed to you in the next 90 days.

Your California driver’s license expires every five years on your birthday. Two months before it expires, the CA DMV will mail you a renewal notice.

You can renew your license online, by mail, by phone or in person.

For more information on car registration and how to obtain a driver’s license, visit www. dmv.ca.gov. Happy driving!

AJPRESS EVERYONE seems hyped up for the holidays, hurrying to wrap up their shopping and head on to parties and get-togethers. This holiday season, chances are, you will be spending much of your time traveling.

Since streets will be a lot busier (and in some places, raining, snowing or covered with ice and frost), it’s a time that calls for a driver to be extra vigilant on the road. Here are some tips to stay safe on the road: Make a safe driving plan Leave enough time for you to take stops for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business. Also, before putting the car in gear, adjust mirrors, seats and climate controls.

Don’t drink and drive Driving under the influence is a problem all year round, but reports reveal that every December, there’s a spike in road fatalities in the United States between Thanksgiving and New Year. So, if you plan to indulge in a drinking spree, common sense says: Don’t drive! You can stay

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPRESS

AUTOMOTIVE complaints can be difficult to deal with, especially when you don’t know how to proceed with what to do. You don’t want to end up in a dead-end dispute with the dealer or manufacturer, but it might result to that if you don’t know the proper way to complain.

The first thing you have to do is find out if your complaint is legitimate. Write down your car’s issue/s, why you were dissatisfied, and how you want to resolve it. Take the time to consider if your complaint is valid in order to save time and effort. Setting this straight will help you communicate more effectively.

1. Time is essential. Complain as soon as possible so you can have a better chance of settling issue. There are some cases where companies are not

legally liable if you fail to complain within a reasonable time.

So, as soon as you discover the problem and figure out if it’s legitimate, act quickly.

2. Keep records. Keep all relevant information such as your account number, receipt and invoices, and record a log of your conversation when you take it up with the dealership, including the time and date.

Remember to be assertive, but not to the point where you come off as aggressive. Communication between you and the salesperson you’re dealing with will flow so much better and easier when you’re not angry.

3. Go to the next step. if needed. If the problem isn’t resolved quickly or if the customer care representative is unhelpful, you can escalate your complaint by politely asking if you can speak to someone with the authority to help you

resolve the issue. Don’t hesitate to send out an email about your complaint to the owner, president, or chief executive officer (CEO). Once a solution has been proposed, ask them to put it in writing as proof and a part of your paper trail.

4. Find alternatives. If you fail to resolve the problem, consider looking at other alternatives. Seek advice from consumer groups as they offer free consultation about consumer problems. There are government agencies that give advice and information that may help you in your complaint. You can also contact a lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.

5. The power of social media. Social media is a powerful tool to expedite a process and give consumers the power to quickly make their grievance public. Companies and businesses usually avoid getting publicly shamed so venting on Twitter or Facebook will put that pressure on them to act and see things your way.

If all things fail, take legal action — but only if you are prepared to wait as legal action may take some time.

In truth, however, an automotive complaint will rarely go to court if it’s reasonable. Just research thoroughly, and find the balance between being persistent and patient as you go through the process.

Electric vehicles a big showcase at the LA Auto Show Annual showcase of the latest automobiles include self-driving vehicles, more clean energy mechanisms and a push to make electric vehicles more accessible

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPRESS

THE automotive industry is all about innovation: where can we take the automobile next?

When cars were mass produced at the turn of the 20th century and and more and more drivers were on the road, it seemed that the evolution of the automobile rapidly advanced as technology The 2018 Lexus LC 500 features the all-new 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission, which and engineering became more promises quick shift times at lightning speed in what Lexus describes as “the most expressive Lexus sophisticated. ever built.”

AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla With the growing threat of climate change and a push by activists and lawmakers to reduce our carbon footprint, the clean energy movement has ballooned into a global movement in the 21st century. Included in that conversation was how we can limit fuel emissions of our automobiles.

The invention of the hybrid car’s electric motor allowed for less fuel consumption (there less fuel emissions), but manufacturers still strived to create a vehicle The 2018 Cadillac CT6 Sedan with Super Cruise is the first true hands-free driving system. The Super that didn’t need a trip to the gas Cruise feature allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on limited access freeways, but station. still requires drivers to remain attentive and alert.

Enter the electric vehicle (EV).

Tesla Motors — with their comes once you figure out the lunch and forum hosted by the introduction of the first luxury pricing and accessibility to these California Electric Transportation electric sports car in 2006 — ush- Coalition (CalETC) at first day of communities, as the vehicles ered in the era of the completely become more accessible through the Los Angeles Auto Show on road to allow the, police car, the night. If you insist of going electric vehicle that seeks to make education and opportunity to Friday, Dec. 1. ambulance, or fi re truck to pass. home, just take a cab, order a gasoline-powered cars obsolete these communities then the mesHowever, as many new Carry an emergency kit ride via an app, or designate a and address the growing contechnological innovations, the EV saging can be how to get more A good driver keeps an driver who’ll take you home. cerns of transportation’s impact cash in your hand that you can rehas been met with many stigmas emergency kit should that Drive defensively on the environment. invest in education or in areas of and concerns.

One of the biggest Be aware of what other driv- comes in handy if ever the car is Experts and lawmakers agree their lives, personally or for their concerns with the expansion stranded on the side of the road ers around you are doing, and children or for their community. of fully electric cars is the price expect the unexpected. Always or involved in a vehicle accident. that the shift to EVs is a signal to the future.

That is the critical issue,” said Paspoint and to make them more assume that other motorists can Your kit should include bandage “Transportation impacts our tor Najuma Smith-Pollard of Word accessible to more lower-income do something that might cause strips, hand sanitizer, antisepair quality and also our climate of Encouragement Church. communities. tic, antibacterial ointment, bug accidents, and be prepared to goals, and to shift over to electric In general, plug in hybrid Community members as well spray, aspirin (or similar), cotton avoid them. Road safety exvehicles that limit tailpipe polelectric vehicles — which utilize as car industry and energy experts say drivers must maintain balls, gauze pads, tweezers, a lution is a strategy California is perts at the CalETC forum agreed a part-electric/part-fuel running bandana that can be used as a 2-second cushion between working on in order to address system — and battery EVs range that expanding the accessibility a tourniquet or sling, small fire you and the car in front of you. those clean air standards and our anywhere from $27,100 (like of more environmentally-friendly extinguisher, road fl ares, jumper If the weather is bad, make it climate change goals,” Comcars will be beneficial to the clean the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime) to cables, rain ponchos, flashlight four seconds. missioner Janea A. Scott of the air movement as well as the com- more than $82,500 (like the 2017 and extra batteries, rags, duct Watch out for emergency California Energy Commission Tesla Model X). Used vehicles, of munities. tape, scent-free baby wipes, and vehicles told the Asian Journal at a power course, cost lower.

“For me the message bea multi-purpose tool.

In an emergency situation, One of the most crucial arguPull off the road if you feel every second counts. The moments for the financial benefits tired ment you hear a siren, be sure of driving a car that runs on Driving while feeling sleepy to pull off to the side of the electricity is the savings on gas in is a deadly mix. Do not ever the long run. Fueling a hybrid car, attempt to drive when you for example, is about the same feel like just shutting your as gas at $1/gallon of fueling with eye for a good rest. Pull gasoline, according to Plug In off the road and stop America, an advocacy organizafor a break tion focused on clean air initiaand have a tives. short rest. For EVs also currently produce long drives, about half the carbon pollution of anticipate begasoline cars, and that number is ing sleepy at a slated to decrease as the technolgiven time. Givogy to manufacture EVs becomes en that, you can more sophisticated. bring someWhether it’s for financial reaone who sons or to contribute to clean air is licensed initiatives, more and more drivers driver whom are opting for hybrid cars or fullyyou could electric vehicles.

Teslaʼs Model S is marketed as “the safest, most exhilarating sedan on the road.”

The electric vehicle take turns with pioneer promises lightning speed acceleration, full LED adaptive headlamps and a medical-grade HEPA Sam Perez, nurse practitioner in driving. in-air filtration system.

Continued on Page 4

Staying safe on the road

by JENNIFER SORIANO

Car complaints: What to do when you have a defective car

Georgina Wilson talks about motherhood, son Archie and new advocacy

by CHRISTINA

ALPAD ManilaTimes.net

THE modeling scene will never be complete without the standout that is Georgina Wilson. In fact, not only has the statuesque beauty captured local runways but she has also made a mark internationally as host of “Asia’s Next Top Model Season 3.”

Besides her modeling career, Wilson is a multi-slashie as a certified best selling author via “Besties,” a book she co-wrote with Solenn Heussaff; and a successful businesswoman with an eyewear and restaurant brand to her name.

All these achievements, however, pale in comparison with her new role as first-time mom.

“I think it’s the best adventure I’ve ever been on!” the 31-year-old declared with son Archie by her side. Picture perfect, mom and baby were launched as brand ambassadors for global baby brand Chicco on the day of this interview.

“I didn’t know how happy I could be until I met Archie,” she beamed as she hugged her little one tight.

Know-it-all to clueless Her life’s newest adventure is not without bumps along the way, according to Wilson.

Soon after her dreamy wedding to British businessman and hotelier Arthur Burnand in April 2016, the ever svelte model

was surprised to discover she was on the way.

Though unexpected, she embraced her pregnancy wholeheartedly, with the same drive and passion she has always led her career.

“Nobody thought I would be super excited to be a wife or a mom since I was very careerdriven. When I got married, it was not in my plan to have a baby so soon, so I was so surprised when I found out. I was like, ‘Wow, this is happening!’”

Wilson recalled.

“But there are some things in life that you can plan for, and others that just happen at the right time,” she added.

Wilson gave birth to her little bundle of joy in December 2016. She admitted that motherhood was challenging at first, but she was determined to learn as much and as quickly as possible.

“I didn’t have enough time

Georgina Wilson with husband Arthur Burnand and their son Archie Photos from Instagram/@ilovegeorgina

to read a lot about being a mom because it just kind of hit me that I was suddenly a mom, so I kind of had to learn from people around me,” she confessed with a chuckle.

One of the most difficult things she had to learn was breastfeeding. She found it painful, even as she persisted day and night to express milk.

“I wish somebody had told me how that part was difficult.

But I guess mothers are just so strong that they forget to talk about it once they get through it,” Wilson pondered.

“That’s why I’m sharing my story so that other moms will be empowered to feel OK when they encounter the same situation.”

Moreover, Wilson realized that no woman can be a knowit-all when it comes to motherhood. She still has so much to learn even as her son is quickly approaching his first birthday.

“I know how to dress him but that’s pretty much it. I still don’t know how to pick the right toys and I’m still learning how to feed him.”

Despite endless challenges, however, Wilson finds no other “career” rewarding as the task of raising Archie.

“The pros outweigh the cons all the time,” she guaranteed.

New ‘bests’ When she was still single, Wilson made it her advocacy to empower women in many situations. She openly shared photos of herself devoid of makeup, as well as struggles in dealing with body weight so that young girls who look up to her and ladies who see her as this perfect model will realize she is just like them.

Being a mom has not held her back in boosting women’s confidence, and in fact allowed her tackle an issue that not too many parents address in the country.

“I’m not saying that I am a strict mom but I really want to raise awareness on car safety especially here in the PhilipContinued on Page 4

entertainment 3

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 6, 2017

Jo Koy makes his kababayans laugh

to be a chemist!”

Jo also noted how different Philstar.com his son’s life is from how he was “KUMUSTA na? Andito na raised. He said that when his ako. This is my home, man.” son opens the fridge, he can Jo Koy opened his first have whatever he wants and show — 5 p.m. matinee last gets whatever the container’s Thursday, Nov. 30, at Solaire’s name says. In his case, buckets The Theatre — to a full house, in the fridge were like a “guesswhich was nothing short of ing game,” he’d never know amazing considering it was the what he’d get, like sinigang in a final and “last-minute” addicontainer that read butter. tion to his total of five shows He mused that he’d like to (four in Manila and one in Cebu) discipline his young son like the after everything else sold out. way his mom did with him “but The last two performances are he’s protected by the law!”

Jo Koy Photo from Jokoy.com happening tomorrow night, “I was born in 1971. 911 and his very Pinoy upbringing December 3. didn’t come until 1984. My — with some “toilet humor.”

“You know, you’ve made mother got away for 13 years. I “My mom made me fill it in your career when you’re didn’t say my mom hit me, but doing a five o’clock (in the after- her tabo when I was always in some of the sh*t she did, to this the living room with my friends. day, I still ask my lawyer, are you noon) show,” the 46-year-old ‘Josep!’” he recalled, imitating Filipino-American funnyman, sure, we can’t press charges?” who just wrapped up a 13-show his mother’s accent and pronunApart from the mom jokes, run in Hawaii, told the audience. ciation. “’Josep!’… She’s sitting which he swore in the phone with this tabo which was like a “This is your afternoon chat, his mother “absolutely plastic cup with a teddy bear on loves,” Jo also fed his routines show. I wasn’t even supposed to do this afternoon show! F**k it (and says), ‘Fill that for me.’ with what he observed from the ‘Why didn’t you fill it up before you, guys, you were late,” he audience. He quickly picked you sat down? Why do you joked in mock anger, about up on how they behaved or always do this?’ ‘C’mon anak, those who missed the earlier reacted, from the “white lady ticket selling and badgered him dali, hurry, my god, hurry!’ You who took a sh*t” — she went on social media to do one more know what pressure that is on a on a bathroom break right after nine-year-old child because you his tabo spiel — to “the guy show. have to make it lukewarm. I’m Back-dropped by his stage who took a nap,” referring to an failing in math and now I have name (his real one is Joseph Continued on Page 4 Glenn Herbert) emblazoned in light, Jo Koy poked fun at the “usual suspects” — his Pinay mom Josie, his son Jo Jr. and other members of his Filipino family.

His experiences with them became what he described as his “ammunition” in his live shows and TV specials in his over 20-year career as a standup comedian. (In a previous phone interview with The Star, he explained why his Filipino background is a favorite source of his material. “You know my mom and dad divorced when I was really, really young so I never got to know my dad’s side. It’s not that extended for me, I don’t really know that many people on that side.)

According to Jo, he lived in the Philippines when he was five to 11 years old. He talked about Pinoy food, Pinoy-style massage

by NATHALIE

TOMADA

features

H Mart Arcadia grand opening ceremony on December 8 Derek Ramsay gets the best of both worlds 4

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 6, 2017

H MART, a leading international supermarket chain ing Derek into showbiz.

ManilaTimes.net has made a final announcement “We finally had the talk of H Mart Arcadia Grand Opening DEREK Ramsay is a Kapami- about what happened [referring and is set to open its doors at lya once more but will remain a to his transfer from ABS-CBN 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 8, Kapatid. How will this happen? to TV5]. Matagal na dapat nan2017. gayari yun and I am very, very The showbiz hunk explained A number of community happy that we were able to sit he signed on for a movie with leaders and representatives are down and talk.”

ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema—titled set to participate and celebrate Derek said he felt nostalgic “Kasal” with Bea Alonzo and the Grand Opening.

The Grand during his visit to his former Paulo Avelino—but he is still Opening will feature a Ribbon network, relating, “It was nice under contract with TV5 until Cutting Ceremony followed by a to walk down those hallways early 2018.

Korean traditional Folk dance and “TV5 allowed me to do this again and I really appreciate Chinese Lion Dance. movie right away because they that I got to talk to Tita Cory A variety of FREE GIFTS will and Tita Malou. I really gave want me to grow as an actor. be given out to new and current them a long, long, long hug My loyalty stays with them,” the Hmart Smart Card members when I saw them.”

Kapatid Network’s prized star (while supplies last) as well as all Asked if he is willing to declared. shoppers, purchasing over $30 work again with ex-girlfriend All the same, he shared he (thirty dollars). In addition, faceAngelica Panganiban, he felt touched that ABS-CBN’s painting events will be held for instantly replied, “Of course!

I publicity arm released a statechildren (Weekends only). would really love to.” ment as early as November that H Mart is an upscale TV% photo Derek is fresh from a month- Derek Ramsay network was welcoming him supermarket with more than long vacation in Europe—his “The trip was amazing! It back for the project. This hap90 stores in U. S nationwide. It longest since joining showwas my mother’s birthday, but pened after he paid a courtesy serves both traditional Asian and biz—and is ready to promote I am glad before I took it I alcall to network chairman Gabby international food, with fresh his Metro Manila Film Festival ready had my schedule figured Lopez and executives Cory out and work lined up until the Vidanes and Malou Santos, who entry, “All Of You” with Jennylyn Mercado. end of the year.” had been responsible for reelby MJ

MARFORI

Georgina Wilson talks about...

From Page 3 pines. I don’t like how it’s not mandatory here to have car seats for children. Just Google ‘car crashes without car seats’ and you’ll see it’s not a joke,” Wilson said in a serious tone.

As such, her partnership with Chicco comes at the perfect time for Wilson who swears that the safety of Chicco’s car seat give her a peace of mind.

Happily, friends and friends of friends are starting to support her advocacy and Wilson cannot be happier. She is enjoying motherhood to the fullest, especially now that she has managed the balancing act that comes with having to take care of both a career and family.

“Now I just keep telling my mom: ‘Mom, why didn’t you tell me about all these sooner?

It’s the best thing that has ever happened to my life!” she enthused.

What she loves the most are moments that are just hers and Archie’s to share. “When we look at each other eyes as soon as we wake up… oh my gosh, I don’t know how to describe that. No matter how tired I am, I just have to look at him, and when he smiles at me, it’s just the best.”

produce, meat, poultry, and fishery.

H Mart is also known as the ‘One-Stop Shopping’ place for all shoppers in different ethnicities, backgrounds and ages.

H Mart Arcadia is over 40,000 square feet of retail space and will be placed in 1101 W Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA 91007. By directly providing products directly from its CA warehouse and local farms, Hmart Arcadia will retain and elevate its freshness to meet customers’ needs.

“On behalf of the residents of Arcadia I welcome H Mart. We are excited and honored that H Mart has chosen our great town for a location for their grocery store. It is a win-win, great for the community and great for H Mart.

I wish them many many years of success here in Arcadia,” said Arcadia Mayor, Peter Amundson.

H Mart President Brian Kwon said,“As H Mart would like to give special thanks to Arcadia and the surrounding communities for

loving our Arcadia store, we will prepare hard everyday to serve customers and go beyond any expectations of our opening.”

And added that Hmart Arcadia will be a new destination where customers can truly enjoy ‘Good for all’ H Mart is a 34 years old supermarket chain, which started with first store in Woodside, NY in 1982, offering robust and unique cultural foods that also promote a rich and healthy lifestyle. Today H Mart operates more than 90 stores in 14 states and in one of the leading international supermarket chains in the United States. In 2014, Hmart was recognized as one of the fastest growing retailers in the National Retail Federation’s HOT 100 RETAILERS (#13 Hmart). In 2016, Supermarket News has listed Hmart as one of the Top 50 Small Chains and Independents in the United States & Canada.

(Advertising Supplement)

Versatile Riley Silos, an Olympic archery hopeful, to sing in FASO’s Dec. 9 holiday concert

RILEY Silos, a versatile young man who recently competed as a member of the Philippines’ team in the 20th Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, Bangladesh, will sing with the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) in “Holiday Pops Concert” on Saturday, December 9, 6:00 p.m., at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center.

Riley, the nephew of actor Ryan Agoncillo and grandson of veteran singer Carina Afable, was proud to represent the Philippines in the recent archery “My mom is here,” Jo defloor (“It’s dirty. This is Louis clared, to more laughter. “That’s championships which drew top Vuitton!”) and went on to lift athletes from over 30 countries. my mother there.” the LV purse of a lady on the Based in Southern California, The woman named Sandra front row with the comment, later scored a selfie with Jo Koy. the 16-year-old is the son of “So many snacks in there.”

Ronnie Agoncillo Silos and EvNevertheless, his mom’s While relating how his mom elyn Abancio Silos, who is also insistence to make him join talmade him do talent shows “all a noted singer. ent shows was not for naught. the time” as a kid, he was talkThe multi-talented teen will ing about this one time his mom Towards the end of the show, Jo showed worthiness to be called a continue to train as an archer requested to do it “one last and will have another shot at “triple threat” when he flaunted time” before her friends on a qualifying for the 2018 Youth weekend. Then, the stage lights some serious dance moves and Olympic Games in Argentina. vocal chops in what could be a turned off and on, prompting He also has his eyes set on the surefire way to win over his felhim to drop his storytelling to 2020 Olympics. low Pinoys — a karaoke fest. ask a staff what just happened.

In the meantime, Riley If you’ve watched his hit A woman from the audiis excited to perform for the Netfl ix special “Jo Koy Live ence suddenly shouted a quesfirst time with the 60-member From Seattle”, you’d know tion. strong FASO under the baton that his wisecracks could turn “When did this become raunchy. Concert promoter MMI of music director and conduca Q&A?” Jo replied, drawing Live said that due to “language tor Robert “Bob” Shroder. laughs.

He participated in the FASO and content,” his shows here “What happened, Josep? vocal workshop, one of the are recommended for ages 18 Did you dance on that weekand above. He acknowledged it music education and outreach end?” the lady persisted. programs of the only Filipino himself with a brief skit on “an“Oh, we will never know because there was a glitch,” he ticipated” after-show reviews, mimicking a woman’s voice, “Jo retorted.

“Dance, Josep, dance!” she Koy was fine, but he was dirty.”

But as he told one audience threw back.

From Page 2 member — most likely doing something that again caught in Arcadia, California, made the his attention — to “just enjoy switch to a hybrid car when he the show,” the Theatre crowd bought a 2015 Chevy Volt, which on the first of his homecoming was “a little over my price range.” shows obviously took his advice, “Originally, I thought that giving him a standing ovation in spending a little more money for the end. a car that needed less gas was the Jo wasn’t done yet, though. most important thing when I was He went down the stage, accom- searching for a car years ago,” modated requests for selfies and Perez, 35, told the Asian Journal. nearly thanked everyone in the “But then, I started reading about audience for being there. Never the overall impact of electric, mind if he went overtime. For or at least partially electric, cars those in the delayed gala show and saw the projections of more last Thursday, it was going to be people opting for these cars and worth the wait. it really surprised me.”

Jo Koy makes his kababayans...

From Page 3 audience member seated right in the center, front row who was “crawling down to his seat” to have a better view of Jo in action.

When Jo heard a woman’s laugh seemingly registering a decibel higher than the others, he asked for her name. “Roxanne? Of course. That is the only name to have in the Philippines. Rox Anne, Mary Anne, Jo Anne. Sometimes, Ann-Ann. Jo Jo, Jun Jun, Boboy, just two of everything.”

“What I like about Filipinos is that they stay the same,” Jo also said. He noticed that wherever Filipinos are, be it in Manila or L.A., they will come to his show “with their purse on their lap,” then pointing out in rapid-fire succession examples in the audience, “Purse, purse, purse, purse, isa pa, purse!”

He then launched into a hilarious monologue about why they won’t put the purse on the

Riley Silos with Carina Afable

symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines.

Riley joins a select group of guest youth performers carefully picked to perform with FASO in its eagerly awaited concert of favorite Christmas carols, pop, Broadway, classical and OPM (Original Pilipino Music) pieces: Nayah Damasen, Janelle Feraro and Shane Selloria.

FASO’s pianist, Paul Concepcion, will be featured in a special number with the orchestra, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

“Holiday Pops Concert” will also highlight the majestic sound of over 200 glorious voices from combined adult

and children choirs comprising of members from Holy Family Chorale (Glendale), St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Church Choir (Walnut) and Vox Kapelle Choir (Artesia), and children’s choirs of GOD Faith Choir (Carson), IHMC Children’s Choir (Los Angeles) and Precious Blood Children’s Choir (Los Angeles).

Tickets at $100, $60, $40 and $25 are available through Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096.

Tickets are also available at http://www.arcadiapaf.org/ leased-events/. More information at www.fasofoundation.org.

Arcadia Performing Arts Center is located at 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007.

Electric vehicles a big showcase...

Standing at the Land Rover exhibit, Perez said that he’s saving money to buy one of the new Land Rover vehicles, all of which are to utilize electric mechanisms by 2020. The company’s first foray into EV technology comes in the form of the much hyped 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport P400E models, which features a turbocharged 2.0- liter-four cylinder with an electric motor to create a combined 398 horsepower.

“When you think Land Rover or Range Rover, you don’t really think ‘fuel economy,’” Perez said

with a laugh. “But I think it’s great what these more luxurious companies, which aren’t really known to be environmentally-conscious manufacturers, are doing now.”

Self-driving cars were also the rage at the LA Auto Show with many manufacturers showing off their takes on technology that allows drivers to relax a little.

The sleek 2018 Cadillac CT6 with SuperCruise features Super Cruise technology that allows drivers to go hands-free while driving on the freeway. Although not a fully self-driving car (drivers must remain alert and ready to brake), Cadillac’s introduction of the first hands-free system gestures to a more automated vehicle.

Amid all the glitz of Nissan’s elaborate “Star Wars” concept vehicles and millennial-geared SUVs (like the Jeep Wrangler and Subaru’s three-row Ascent), many families were on deck to view the latest safety features on the newest models.

Gloria and Ryan Soo, along with their 2-year-old son Justin, browsed Toyota, their prefered manufacturer for its ways in preventing car accidents.

“We really like the new Lexuses because they feature this new safety system that avoids collisions,” Ryan Soo said, referencing the company’s Safety Sense System, LSS+A, which builds on a prototype version that automatically brakes to assuage collision with other cars or pedestrians.

“It’s just so impressive to see what these big companies are doing nowadays to move towards self-driving, or more autonomous systems. It’s definitely helpful for families,” Gloria Soo added.

The LA Auto Show is still open at the LA Convention Center until December 10.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 6, 2017

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 6, 2017