121119 - Southern California Midweek Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

December 11-13, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 95 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Poll: 84% of Filipinos prefer economic ties with US over China by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MAJORITY of Filipinos prefer having strong economic ties with the U.S. rather than China, according to a survey by Washington-based Pew Research Center.

The poll released December 5 found that 84% of Filipinos named the U.S. as the world’s leading economic power while 59% answered China. Pew noted that those who identify the U.S. as the world’s leading economy are more likely to prefer stronger economic ties with the country. A separate survey from Pew also showed that 64%

of Filipinos said they rely on the US as a dependable ally in the future while only 9% chose China. In terms of views on China’s growing economic stature, Filipinos have mixed views. The same Pew survey revealed that 48% of Filipinos said China’s growing economy is a bad thing

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Duterte says no Fil-Am California prosecutor extension of martial law Patrick Bumatay confirmed in Mindanao - Palace

Fil-Am federal prosecutor Patrick J. Bumatay Department of Justice photo

to the Ninth Circuit

by ROSETTE

The Trump nominee becomes the first Filipino American to serve on a federal appeals court

THE United States Senate on Tuesday, December 10 voted to confirm a President Donald Trump-nominated Filipino American prosecutor to the largest appeals court in the country. As the first Filipino American and second openly gay federal appeals court judge, Pat-

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Palace slams Filipino couple for using Duterte for US grant of asylum

ADEL

Philstar.com

AFTER more than two years of martial law in Mindanao, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Tuesday, December 10, announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has decided against extending it further. The martial law declared in Mindanao in May 2017, which Congress readily agreed to extend three times, is set to expire in December 31 this year. Duterte placed all of Mindanao under martial law in response to the siege of Marawi by Islamic State-linked terrorists. Duterte’s decision came after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier recommended lifting martial law in Mindanao due to police and military assessment of the security situation in the region. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año likewised said the situation in the southern Philippines has improved. Last Friday, December 6, Duterte already hinted that

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Ombudsman starts SEA Games probe

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, December 10, criticized a Filipino couple for using President Rodrigo Duterte’s human rights record as a reason to seek political asylum in the United States. Last week, Rene Flores and his wife Joy were granted asylum by a San Francisco immigration judge after claiming that they might experience political persecution from the government if ordered to return to the Philippines. The couple sought help from immigration lawyer Ted Laguatan, who said the rulings affirmed that many American officials are already aware of what he described as the “extensive human rights violations” of Duterte. The couple, who flew to the U.S. in 2000 to visit relatives, participated in U.S. protests against Duterte for the alleged extrajudicial killings and the war on drugs in the Philippines. ON THE ATTACK. Filipino Charly Suarez (left) and Thai Pidnuch Khunatip However, presidential spokesperson Salvador exchange blows during the men’s lightweight ﬁnals of the 30th Southeast Panelo said Malacañang “have never heard of Asia Games at the PICC Forum in Pasay City. Suarez won.

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, December 9, started its investigation into the possible corruption in the organizing of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). “I have just created a panel to conduct a fact-finding investigation, at kapag may nakitang ebidensya (and if we find evidence) we will be forced to file a case against those officials na involved sa (involved in) alleged Vice President Leni Robredo corruption,” said Ombudsman Samuel Martires in an interview.

Photo from the Ofﬁce of the Vice President

On Human Rights Day, Robredo Tagle to hold key Vatican post reminds people: Preventing abuse a continuous work ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

by AJPRESS

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

TOYS FOR THE BIG BOY. President Rodrigo Duterte admires the miniature dolls given by toymaker Dennis Mendoza during their meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, December 9. Among the toys is a mini-me of Duterte riding a motorcycle. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle on Sunday, December 8, was appointed by Pope Francis as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, usually referred to by its historic name of Propaganda Fide. According to Catholic News Agency, the Propaganda Fide is one of the largest curial departments, with a size and scope exceeding almost any other. It is also the most financially autonomous curial department. As the Propaganda Fide, the 62-year-old cardinal is tasked with the Church’s missionary works and territories. This appointment marks the PHilstar.com photo

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end of Tagle’s eight-year reign as pastor of the country’s capital city, including Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Pasay as he will no longer be the archbishop of Manila once he assumes office in the Vatican “Historically, the prefect is based in the Vatican. The prefect has to be in Rome to advise the pope. Cardinal Tagle’s post is one of the top posts in the Vatican,” a Church official who requested anonymity said. Tagle, who is now one of the most powerful figures of the Catholic Church, follows Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who will now take the post as Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher

by GABRIEL

PABICO Inquirer.net

LALU

WORKING towards the protection and enshrinement of human rights is a continuous work, Vice President Leni Robredo said during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, December 10. After being asked whether the country has improved its approach towards human rights in the context of the drug war, Robredo said that the mindset should revolve on never being satisfied with the current state of human rights. u PAGE A4 “Kapag usapin ng human

rights, dapat hindi tayo nakukuntento,” she said during a special edition of the Istorya ng Pag-asa, where photos of the various faces in the drug war were displayed at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office. “Dapat parati tayong, iyong desire na pag-igihin iyong ginagawa, parating nand’yan. Parating naghahanap ng mga paraan kung paano mapoproteksyunan iyong ating mga kababayan (When talking about human rights, we should never be contented. The desire to improve our body of work should always be there. We should always look

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On Human Rights Day, Robredo...

PAGE A1 for ways to protect Filipinos),” she added. Robredo also mentioned that the occasion is a good platform to show the alleged human rights problems facing the administration’s conduct of the war on drugs. Just weeks ago, she headed the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

She was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte after 19 days, as she allegedly talked with foreign organizations that have been rebuked by the government. While she was ICAD co-chair, Robredo pushed for the integration of community-based rehabilitation programs, the creation of baseline data on the campaign, and the eradication of the police’s Oplan Tokhang.

From the Front Page

“Sa usapin ng drug war […] sa usapin ng karapatang pantao, dapat iyong pamahalaan nandiyan para proteksyunan iyong bawat mamamayan,” Robredo explained. “Doon naman sa nalabag iyong karapatang pantao, dapat iyong pamahalaan din iyong mag-aassure sa bawat isa na iyong hustisya nandiyan para sa kanila (In terms of the drug war, in discussing human rights, the government should always be there to protect every citizen. In terms of human rights abuses, the government should also assure that justice will be served).” The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every December 10, on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). For this year, the theme is “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights” — which aims to engage young people into discussing such issues. CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia earlier said that the youth’s participation in talks about human rights is vital to a democratic future. “Youth participation in nationbuilding, therefore, is essential to ensure a vibrant and healthy democracy. Empowering the youth to better know their rights while teaching them the lessons of the past will lead to a better tomorrow where everyone’s rights are respected,” De Guia said. Concerns over the whole human rights situation in the Philippines have been raised especially with reports of abuses in the authorities’ conduct of the drug war. Duterte has been criticized for allegedly disregarding human rights, threatening human rights defenders who oppose his policies. According to police data, over 5,500 drug suspects have already died in legitimate anti-drug operations, but groups claim that the true number could be way higher. They also maintained that the drug war has been used by state actors to harass people with different political beliefs, left-leaning groups, critics, and dissenters. The administration and the police force have constantly maintained that all operations are regular and no abuses have been done while implementing the law. n

COMPETITION WINNERS. President Rodrigo Duterte looks at the trophy won by the Philippine Army shooting team in the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet 2019 held in November in Indonesia. The President, who met with them at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, December 9, announced that the team is getting a P500,000 incentive for their performance in the event. The team brought home 22 medals. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal, Jr.

Poll: 84% of Filipinos prefer...

PAGE A1 while 47% said it is a good thing. Filipinos are also divided on investment from China as 49% said it is a bad thing while 45% said it is a good thing. Generally, in the Asia-Pacific region, more countries tend to see investment from China as a potential liability as it gives Beijing too much influence over their economies. “These same countries are also more likely than others to see U.S.

economic influence in their country positively. And, when it comes to developed countries, views of China are much more mixed to negative,” the report read. The study also noted that countries in the Asia-Pacific region tend to be generally negative in their views of China. In the Philippines, the percentage of those who have a favorable view of China dropped from 63% in 2002 to 42% in 2019. The Pew survey was conducted

among 38,426 people in 34 countries from May 13 to October 2. A total of 1,035 adult respondents were surveyed in the Philippines using face-to-face interviews, with the margin of error at 4.3 percentage points. “For results based on the full sample in a given country, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus the margin of error,” the think tank said. n

Palace slams Filipino couple for using Duterte... PAGE A1 Rene and Joy Flores being political activists in the Philippines.” “We consider the application of the Flores couple highly doubtful. Their attendance to political rallies and issuance of anti-Duterte statements while in the U.S. are more of a stratagem of their lawyer for them to stay permanently in the U.S. and to shield them from being deported. Apparently, they have opted for an easy way out at the expense of the Duterte administration,” he said. According to the spokesman, the Flores couple “have been illegally overstaying in the U.S.” “The ignorant granting of the

judge of their application would, therefore, set a dangerous precedent to other illegal aliens who can abusively use politics as a scapegoat in violating immigration laws of the United States,” Panelo noted. He assured that no citizen of the Philippines has been charged in court nor clamped in jail by reason of criticism against the policies of the present government. “If they happen to be critics and they presently face criminal charges, it is because both the administrative and judicial officers found probable cause for certain infringement of laws and

for which by law should be properly charged,” Panelo said. “Their being critics have absolutely nothing to with their criminal prosecution. They can not hide behind the mantle of the freedom of the press and of speech when they are found violating the laws of the land. This circumstance alone casts doubt on the scheme employed by the Floreses,” he added. Panelo also stressed that the Duterte administration does not resort to any form of persecution and welcomes criticisms as long as they are based on facts and not on rumors or fake information. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJ-

Duterte says no extension of martial... PAGE A1 he is inclined to end martial law in Mindanao. “Yang martial law, martial law, wala yan. Kalokohan yan. Bugok lang na presidente gagamit niyan. It’s an overused,

abused word, martial law and... its practice (That martial law, that’s nothing. It’s baloney. Only a stupid president will use that. It’s an overused, abused word, martial law and... its practice),” he was quoted in a

briefing in Legazpi City last Friday, December 6. “We will not allow it. I am sure. My military will not allow it. My police will not allow it,” he added. (With a report from Alexis Romero)

Fil-Am California prosecutor Patrick Bumatay confirmed... PAGE A1 rick J. Bumatay’s confirmation is historic. Originally nominated for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California last year, Bumatay was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District on Oct. 15, 2019. The Republican-majority Senate voted 53-40 on Tuesday in favor of Bumatay’s appointment which is currently awaiting judicial commission. The 41-year-old assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California is the son of Filipino immigrants. He was born in Secaucus, New Jersey and graduated cum laude from Yale University, earning his Bachelor of Arts; after, he earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. He then served the U.S. Department of Justice in a variety of capacities, working in the offices of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and the Associate Attorney General and Legal Policy. He also volunteered for President George W. Bush’s presidential campaign in 2000 and was later hired as a staff assistant and paralegal for the Bush White House. As Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District

of California in the San Diego office, he has served in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Section. At the time of his confirmation, he served as a counselor to the Attorney General consulting on the national opioid crisis, organized crime and the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” approach at the Southern border. The Fil-Am prosecutor had assisted in the president’s efforts to appoint Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, during which he earned a departmental award for his work on the latter’s confirmation. In 2018, Trump announced his intent to nominate Bumatay to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California despite opposition from both U.S. Sens of California Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. Both senators noted the diversity that Bumatay would bring to the court — as most court appointees are white and straight — but expressed concern over Bumatay’s lack of experience in appellate courts. Harris also cited Bumatay’s “troubling prosecutorial record” when she formally opposed his nomination in 2018. On Sept. 20, 2019, Trump announced his intent to nominate

Bumatay for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which is headquartered in San Francisco and covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Bumatay is also a member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) which recommended Bumatay to the executive branch in early 2019 “and has supported him throughout the appointment and confirmation process,” NFALA said. “We congratulate Patrick on his historic confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,” NFALA President Philip Nulud wrote in a statement. “Patrick’s strong qualifications, including his breadth of experience as a federal prosecutor, a defense attorney and a senior Department of Justice attorney make him ideal for the Ninth Circuit. We commend President Trump on his selection of Patrick, adding much-needed diversity to the federal judiciary.” Nulud added, “We look forward to seeing the impact he will make not only on the bench but also on the community.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Tagle to hold key Vatican... PAGE A1

from Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien, who retired last April when he turned 80 years old. The appointment was met with a warm welcome from Tagle’s fellow pastors. “We have again a Filipino cardinal who is working in the Vatican. He can bring his wisdom to the work of evangelization. We will him success in this heavy responsibility and we pray for

him,” Bishop Broderick Pabillo said. Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, meanwhile, stated that Tagle’s appointment is “an immense blessing to our country.” “It is an immense blessing to our country, overflowing grace to His Eminence. His appointment shows the trust and confidence of His Holiness to our dear Cardinal Tagle. He makes us proud as Filipinos, and our country as

beacon for new evangelization. For his appointment we glorify our God, we are grateful to His Holiness. And we give to His Eminence our collaboration and services,” he said. Senator Richard Gordon also congratulated Tagle, saying his appointment brings pride and joy to our country because it is another manifestation that the world recognizes the ability and talent of Filipinos. n

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ICC cannot arrest Duterte – Panelo by Divina

nova Joy DeLa ManilaTimes.net

Cruz

The International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot order the arrest of President Rodrigo Duterte because it has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Sunday, December 8. Panelo was reacting to former Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares’ statement that the ICC might request for a warrant of arrest against Duterte once the preliminary examination on allegations of crimes against humanity in relation to his war against drugs campaign was concluded. Panelo dismissed the claim as a “fervent wish.” “hindi mangyayari ‘yun (That will never happen),” Panelo said CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE. The Christmas Tree of the Office of the President illuminates the Kalayaan Grounds after President Rodrigo Roa in a radio interview. he stressed that the ICC could Duterte led its ceremonial lighting at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, December 2. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet not enforce a warrant of arrest since it has no jurisdiction in the country. “So ineffective na mag-isyu pa sila ng warrant. Paano nila i-i-enforce (Issuing a warrant is ineffective. How can that be enAsia is one in which the region’s won’t be forced to make such forced)?” Panelo added. by Pia Lee-Brago diverse countries can continue a choice by the united States,” Philstar.com to thrive as they wish. They are Stilwell said. he noted that America’s viSuPPORTINg a “pluralistic” secure in their sovereign autonoAsia, the united States will not my,” Stilwell said in a speech on sion is pluralistic and inclusive force its allies and partners to u.S., China and Pluralism in In- and the u.S. record shows it, as choose between the u.S. and ternational Affairs at the Brook- Washington aspires to friendly relations with China and has no China, but Washington encour- ings Institution on Dec. 2. ages them to choose prudently in In a pluralistic Asia, he empha- objection if other countries simiways that protect their sovereign sized that countries enjoy open larly strive to deal with Beijing in national interests. and shared use of the global cooperative and cordial ways. “We encourage our allies and Assistant Secretary David Stil- commons, international waters well of the u.S. Department of and airspace belong to all and partners to choose prudently, in State-Bureau of east Asian and no one country can convert them ways that protect their sovereign Pacific Affairs said many of the into a sole possession or a zone national interests,” Stilwell said. “Sovereignty means the ability initial hopeful signs and assump- of exclusion. tions for China’s reform and On Beijing’s “new type” gov- to live free of foreign dominaopening when it began to grow ernance idea, he said Chinese tion, to live according to one’s from ideologically self-imposed officials have spoken for them- own laws and make one’s own decisions.” isolation and economic weakness selves. “We’re not looking to dictate 40 years ago – were wrong. he said former Foreign MinAmerican officials hoped that ister Yang Jiechi summed up to others and we want our allies demonstrating the benefits of Beijing’s view of regional order and friends not to be subject to “openness” would move Beijing in 2010, when he declared to an anyone else’s dictates. Choosing onto a more liberal path. Association of Southeast Asian for sovereignty is important behe said that 20 years of empty Nations meeting: “China is a big cause without it, the freedom to post-World Trade Organization country and other countries are choose at all could be lost,” he (WTO) assurances that “China small countries, and that’s just a added. The u.S. said Washington will continue to work toward fact.” greater openness” have triggered The official stressed that for does not want the Philippines an overdue rethink of China, its China, international relations is to choose between the u.S. and ambitions and u.S. response. about hierarchy and big-makes- China, and they do not object China, according to Stilwell, right, and Beijing is not respect- to improved relations of Manila is a major consideration in the ful of pluralism or sovereign au- with Beijing. The State Department said the long-overdue changes to u.S. tonomy. policy in the Indo-Pacific region “Now, let’s consider the com- u.S. remains a steady and trustthat the Trump administration monly heard concern that coun- ed partner, strong ally, stands has made. tries will be forced to choose ready to honor its commitments, “The united States supports between the united States and international law and stands by a pluralistic Asia. A pluralistic China. I want you to know, they the Philippines. n

US to Asian allies: Choose prudently, protect sovereignty

he explained that the ICC must first determine if it can have jurisdiction after the preliminary examination. “‘Pag meron na, saka mag-tatrial. Malayo pa ‘yun, assuming na may jurisdiction, eh wala nga (After that, there would be a trial. It would take long, assuming there is jurisdiction, but there is none) as far as we’re concerned,” Panelo said. On Saturday, December 7, the Palace official said the ICC’s insistence to investigate the government’s drug was an “utter disrespect” to the Philippines, an “independent country” that has a working justice system. The ICC, in its 2019 preliminary examination activities report, said it intended to conclude its initial review of Duterte’s drug war by 2020 to determine the possible necessity to conduct a full-blown investigation into the Philippines’ anti-narcotics trade campaign. The Philippines became a party to the Rome Statute, which created the ICC, on Nov. 1, 2011. Duterte, however, submitted a formal notice of revocation of its membership from the ICC on

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo ManilaTimes.net photo

March 17, 2019. The ICC’s preliminary examination of Duterte’s drug war, which was launched by prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, pushed through in February 2018, noting that it has jurisdiction over the possible crimes perpetrated during the period the Philippines was a state party to the Rome Statute. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

46 environmental defenders killed in the Philippines in 2019, says group by Gaea

ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORT. Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso and other government officials lead the relaunch of the Pasig River ferry service at the Lawton ferry station in Manila on Monday, December 9. The public is encouraged to try the relaunched ferry service, a viable alternative for commuters wishing to avoid the hassles of vehicular congestion on the streets of Metro Manila. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Ombudsman starts SEA Games probe PAGE A1 He added that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) — a non-stock, non-profit group created solely for the hosting of the SEA Games — is included in the probe. “Hindi puwedeng hindi kasama ang PHISGOC (We cannot not include PHISGOC),” Martires said. “Hindi tayo pwedeng maging selective sa ating (We will not be selective in our) investigation. We have to see kung anong (what is the) participation ng bawat (of each) official involved in the Southeast Asian Games,” he added. Martires also said that the seven-man panel will also investigate the other agencies that had a hand in organizing and hosting of the SEA Games, adding that

the panel has already begun collating documents. “I gave the panel the discretion kung paano nila gagawin ang investigation, basta ang kailangan ko lang sa kanila ay report ng kanilang investigation which I suppose will be completed anytime within the year (I gave the panel the discretion how to do their investigation, I just need their report which I suppose will be completed anytime within the year),” he said. And while House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who is also the PHISGOC chairman, welcomed the investigation, he maintained that there was no anomaly. “We welcome this as an opportunity to put to rest all the questions so that we may move forward in celebrating the success of our athletes and honoring the sacrifices of our work-

force and volunteers,” Cayetano said in a Facebook post. “We will fully support all investigations, and as I said before, I am ordering full transparency, audits and opening of all books. Thousands of Filipinos worked hard and faithfully to make the Games the success that it is. Wala itong anomalya (There’s no anomaly here),” he added. Cayetano also warned those who criticized the SEA Games. “As we are ready to meet all these accusations, I am also issuing fair warning to all those who plotted against the SEA Games and put politics over country; those who espoused and spread fake news and malicious lies. Personally, I forgive you, but for the national interest there to accountability and a reckoning,” he said. n

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — Forty-six environmental defenders in the Philippines have been killed in 2019, a watchdog said in a new report as it called on government agencies to conduct inquiries into human rights violations faced by community activists. In a report released Monday, December 9, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment said there was a 53-percent increase in the number of environmental activists killed this year. The group documented 30 deaths in 2018. The Philippines was the deadliest country in the world for environmental and land defenders last year, according to a report published by international rights watchdog Global Witness last July. Kalikasan PNE said conflicts driven by agribusiness and other land grabs comprise 70% of the recorded killings in 2019. It cited the attacks against members of National Federation of Sugar Workers and Unyon sa Mag-Uuma sa Agusan del Norte as well as the struggles of Lumad communities. The killed environmental activists stood in defense of almost 1.2 million hectares of forest areas and agricultural plains, the organization stressed. “These fallen environmental defenders worked to protect ancestral lands and farmlands and to hold accountable agribusiness, mining and other extractive proj-

ects over the destruction of ecosystems and the plunder of natural resources,” Kalikasan PNE said. “We stand to lose P212.8 billion worth of ecosystem services every year if environmental defenders in these landscapes continue to be attacked to prevent them from effectively doing their work. These are ecosystem services fundamental to our country’s resilience in the face of the global climate emergency,” it added. Ecosystem services refer to benefits that humans gain from the natural environment like food and water, climate and disease control, nutrient cycles and oxygen production as well as the cultural benefits like recreation. Militarization In its report, Kalikasan PNE also said the places subjected to heavy militarization are the areas where most environmental defenders were killed. Nineteen environmental defenders in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have been killed in 2019, making the island the “epicenter” of deaths, the group said. In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Memorandum Order 32, which directed the deployment of more troops to Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and the Bicol region. The chief executive also created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict through Executive Order 70. Karapatan earlier told Philstar.

com that more individuals have been subjected to red-tagging since the order was signed. Eleven environmental defenders in Mindanao—under martial law—were killed with positive identification or corroborating circumstances linking to state forces and paramilitary groups, Kalikasan also said in its report. Attacks vs state workers The watchdog also said there has been a rise in the attacks against state environmental workers. The attacks against government forest rangers and other local government officials comprise 22% of all recorded cases. On September 4, Bienvinido Veguilla Jr. was hacked to death by illegal loggers in Palawan after his team confiscated the chainsaw they used. Gaudencio Arana—a Department of Environment and Natural Resources informant assigned in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija—was shot dead on September 11. A month later, forest ranger Ronaldo Corpuz, also assigned in Muñoz was shot dead. Kalikasan PNE called on the Commission on Human Rights, House of Representatives and the Senate to conduct investigations to look into “policies that promote extractives and consequently instigate attacks against environmental defenders.” It also urged for the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill, which seeks to prevent violations and abuses against rights activists. n

BI to launch e-gates at NAIA before Christmas for departing OFWs THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday, December 9, announced that they will launch electronic gates (e-gates) for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before Christmas. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said pilot testing of the e-gates will initially be at the NAIA 2 immigration departure area, adding that he already signed a memorandum of agreement with the service provider.

BI port operations division chief Grifton Medina, meanwhile, said that the service provider has committed to install and operate two e-gates and biometric machines at NAIA Terminal 2 catering exclusively for OFWs and airline crew of Philippine Airlines (PAL). Medina said the pilot testing will last for six months, targeting at least 100,000 passengers before the project becomes fully operational. Medina said the project’s entire cost will be shouldered by Ascent

Solutions, a Singapore-based IT company who supplied the egates. Morente expressed hopes that the installation of the new e-gates will replicate the success of the earlier installed e-gates in arrival areas of NAIA, and international airports in Mactan-Cebu, Davao, and Clark. The move was made in an effort to hasten immigration processes at the airports and avoid long queues. (Neil Arwin Mercado/Inquirer.net)

File photo shows environmental activist group Alyansa Tigil Mina picketing near Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Philstar.com photo by End Gumban

SC allows live coverage of massacre verdict by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

THE Supreme Court (SC) is considering live media coverage during the promulgation of the verdict in the Maguindanao massacre case on December 20. In an interview with reporters on Monday, December 9, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said he would consult with the court en banc Tuesday on the mechanics for the coverage because not all media entities could be accommodated in the courtroom in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Live coverage of the handing down of the verdict was recommended by the Pubic Information Office (PIO)and the Supreme Court’s Office of the Court Administrator. “You’ll come to know about the procedure after the en banc tomorrow, but there’s already a recommendation. As to how many people will be accommodated inside…that will be taken up tomorrow,” Peralta said. The court is negotiating with People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV4) to be the main carrier station for the live coverage. Supreme Court PIO Chief Brian Keith Hosaka wrote to Julieta

Claveria-Lacza, general manager and chief operating officer of PTV4 to say that the high court will allow live media coverage because public interest is involved. The high court is seeking PTV4’s technical support so that other TV networks could hook up with the government network. Peralta said the tribunal wanted to ensure that the promulgation venue is secure. “We are always after the security of a judge. If they need security, then we will provide them,” he said. The presiding judge, Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, has not asked for security during the promulgation. Solis-Reyes has not reported any threats against her life, Peralta said. “She’s been doing her job very well. I think she gave all the… especially the accused the required due process under the Constitution and exhausted all the trial dates in order to defend themselves. I think she has nothing to fear. I know that judge… she was my former student. … performing very well. She does not hesitate to read her books, and ask her peers if she has problems in the course of the trial,” Peralta said. He said the Philippine National

Police (PNP) gave suggestions in beefing up the security for the proceedings. Peralta raised the importance of discussing the need to provide marshalls for justices, judges and the courts. “This is my first time to hear cases involving so many victims I think in the last century I have yet to hear cases involving massacre of so many people. The accused are all entitled to due process. But we adopted several ways to fast track the resolution of cases. It’is good that the parties agreed to the tools that were adopted by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes in order resolve the case as early as possible,” he said. Fifty-eight people, including at least 32 journalists, were slaughtered on Nov. 23, 2009 in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. The case has been on trial for almost 10 years. Also on Monday, the PNP said it would go after the more than 80 suspects who are still at large. PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, had assured the bereaved families and relatives of the victims that efforts to arrest the remaining suspects were being intensified. n

Robredo to release ‘drug war’ report next week MANILA — No one should feel threatened by the report on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs that Vice President Leni Robredo is expected to release next week, she said. The vice president confirmed that she will release her report on Monday, December 9. “Walang dapat matakot. Medyo nakakatawa nga na parang ‘yung anticipation nananakot ako. Wala naman tayong tinatakot (No one should be scared. It’s kind of funny that the anticipation is that I’m threatening them. We are not threatening anyone),” Robredo told reporters. The report will include the gaps that Robredo found in the “drug war” and her recommendations

to improve the campaign. “’Yung sa atin lang, mas rekomendasyon para ipakita ko naman na hindi ko sinayang ‘yung 18 days na binigay sa akin. Nakita n’yo naman kung papaano ako nagtrabaho (These are more like recommendations to show that I did not waste the 18 days given to me. You saw how I worked),” Robredo said. Robredo met with several government agencies and foreign entities during her stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). President Rodrigo Duterte fired Robredo from the ICAD less than a month after her designation, saying he could not trust the vice president with classified

information. Robredo, however, said she would continue her work against the country’s drug problem despite being dismissed as ICAD co-chair. “Makakaasa kayo, kahit tinanggalan ako ng posisyon, hindinghindi nila kayang tanggalin ang aking determinasyon itigil ang patayan, panagutin ang kailangang managot, at ipanalo ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga,” she said in November (You can expect that even though I was stripped of my rank, they cannot take away my determination. My determination to end the killings, bring to justice those who need to answer for their doings, and win the campaign against illegal drugs). n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 11-13, 2019

Duterte threatens to ‘expropriate everything’ from water firms by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 10, threatened to “expropriate everything” from the two major water distributors, claiming he has an “airtight” case against people behind the concession deals that he said are disadvantageous to the government. Duterte said he would seize water distribution from Manila Water and Maynilad if he is not satisfied with their explanation of the concession agreements. “I want to face all of them here. I will ask each of them, the lawyers who crafted the son of a b**** contracts. Who are the officials of the MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System)? I will ask them, what the f*** did you do and screwed the country?” the president said during the oath-taking of newlypromoted uniformed officials in Malacañang. “Ngayon, pag hindi ako ma... satisfy (Now, if I am not satisfied), I will expropriate everything, kunin ko lahat. Magdemanda ka ng magdemanda. Tutal, dalawang taon lang naman wala na ako (I will seize everything. Go ahead, file charges. After all, I’ll be out in two years),” he added. Duterte said he is ready to suspend the writ of habeas corpus to force those who drafted the water deals to appear before him. “I want everybody, the lawyers, if they do not want to come here, I will drag them. If you will force my hand, I will throw my last card. If you don’t want, go ahead... Then I will suspend the writ of habeas corpus. I will drag you. Widespread economic sabotage,” the president said. A writ of habeas corpus is an order to present the body of someone who is in jail. It serves as a safeguard against illegal detention. According to the 1987 Constitution, “the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires it.” Earlier Tuesday, Manila Water president and CEO Jose Almendras and Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez told a House panel that their firms will no longer try to collect nearly P11 billion that they had been

awarded in separate arbitration cases. On Monday, December 9, Duterte said there would be no compromise with water concessionaires until he has spoken with their owners and the state lawyers who crafted the water distribution agreements. He also demanded amendments to the contracts, which he claimed “bargained away” Philippine sovereignty. Duterte has also threatened to file plunder, graft, and economic sabotage charges against people who allowed the concession agreements to be implemented. Rody: Case vs. water firms ‘airtight’ The president expressed confidence that his case against the water firms would stand in court. “If they say, mayor run after them, then I will file economic sabotage. My case is airtight. The contracts themselves, if you review it in relation to the antigraft law, it mirrors, it is a mirror of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices (Act),” Duterte said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the removal of onerous provisions in the concession deals would not exonerate people who crafted the agreements. “You know, when the crime has been committed, even if you return, there is still a crime. And the president is mandated to enforce the law and the law said any transgression will have to be prosecuted,” Panelo said in a press briefing. Panelo said former presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would also face charges if it is proven that they were part of the conspiracy to implement the “onerous” contracts. “(Cases will be filed) against all so everybody that is involved in the drafting and approving of that concessionaire agreement,” Panelo said when asked if Arroyo and Ramos would also be charged in connection with the concession deals. “He (Duterte) will file economic sabotage to those involved… against all of them,” he added. The 25-year water concession agreements were signed in 1997 during the Ramos administration. They were extended by 15 years in 2009 when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was president.

‘How do you correct that?’ Duterte was also unmoved by the announcement of Manila Water and Maynilad that they would no longer collect damages from the government despite the favorable rulings they secured from arbitration proceedings in Singapore. The arbitration court has issued separate rulings ordering the Philippine government to compensate the two water firms for the losses they incurred due to the delayed implementation of rate hikes. The Singapore court ordered the government to pay P3.42 billion in damages to Maynilad and P7.39 billion to Manila Water, prompting Duterte to demand the scrapping of a contract provision that barred the state from stopping rate increases. “Two administrations, they allowed this to happen...Now they are saying through a letter, they will forgo with the P7 billion. Then, they are willing to talk, to correct...How? How can you talk about correcting things?” the president said. “You were collecting from the people,” he added. Duterte claimed Filipinos are paying for the water treatments undertaken by water concessionaires and are shouldering their corporate income taxes. “And you placed in the contract, ‘The corporate income tax shall be spread in the accounts of the consumers in public.’ I want to throw this away,” he said. Duterte said he was also angered by the provisions that allowed water firms to adjust rates, a set-up that he said “bargained away” the Philippines’ sovereignty. He reiterated his call for government forces to continue looking after the issue involving the water concession deals. “But you know, I said if I do not make it, huwag ninyong bitawan ito (Do not let this slip away). I’m not saying you initiate something like coup d’état. Huwag kasi hindi na ‘yan tanggap ng Pilipino ‘yan eh (No because Filipinos won’t accept it),” Duterte said. “If you want an outright, huwag martial law. Mag-revolutionary government ka na lang. Diretso na (do not impose martial law. Just declare a revolutionary government). Tapos (Then) you start to correct everything,” Duterte said. n

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. SP524-20 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Authority) is seeking to retain a bench of qualified firms to provide Marketing and Communication Support SerSWEET KISS. Karateka Jamie Christine Lim of the Philippines gets a kiss from her mother, former Pag-IBIG Fund president and chief executive officer Darlene Berberabe, during the vices. The period of performance awarding ceremony in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the World Trade Center in Pasay for this project shall be the base City on Monday, December 9. Lim clinched the gold in the women’s kumite +61 kilogram. period of three years with one PNA photo by Avito Dalan two-year option. Electronic proposals must be submitted online at http://www. planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=13821# at or CLARK, Pampanga — Seemingly on its way to declare its hostbefore 2:00 p.m. on January 13, ing of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games successful, the Philip2020. Electronic proposals will pines again got the nod to host another major sporting event next not be received after this date and year with the signing of the staging of the 11th Asian Swimming time. Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center on Sunday, A Pre-Proposal Conference will December 8. be held at 10:00 a.m. on DecemThe Asian Swimming Championships is a major aquatics event ber 16, 2019 at the Authority’s held every four years among athletes from Asian countries under office, 900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite the governance of the Asian Amateur Swimming Federation (AASF), 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90017. The the governing body of aquatics in Asia. The last edition of the champrospective Proposers are encourpionships was held in Tokyo in 2016. aged to attend the conference and This will be the first time the Philippines will host the event. to carefully review all RFP materiThe signing ceremony was attended by Taha Suleiman Al Kishry, als before the conference. secretary general of the AASF; Lani Velasco, Philippine Swimming The Contract to be awarded will Inc. president; Butch Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports be subject to a financial assistance Commission; and Vince Dizon, president and chief executive officer agreement between Authority and of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. n U.S. Department of Transportation under grants issued by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). As a condition of financial assistance agreements between by DARwin Pesco ManilaTimes.net the Authority and U.S. DOT, the Authority has established a DisDEFENSE Secretary Delfin advantaged Business Enterprise Lorenzana is not keen on having (DBE) Program and overall DBE a ceasefire with communist rebgoal in accordance with Title 49 els during the Christmas season. CFR, Part 26. Authority’s overall “We will not recommend,” DBE goal for the current Federal Lorenzana told reporters on Fiscal Year (FFY) is twelve percent Monday when asked if he would (12%). propose the declaration of a In conformance with the Authorceasefire to the President. ity’s DBE Policy and Program the Last week, President Rodrigo Authority has established a 11% Duterte declared his intention to DBE contract-specific goal on this resume the peace talks with the project. Prime Proposers will be Communist Party of the Philiprequired to either meet the 11% pines (CPP). goal or submit an adequate Good Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana But the Philippine National PoManilaTImes.net photo Faith Effort (GFE) demonstrating lice (PNP) said it would continue of warrants of arrest will con- intent to meet the goal, for their arresting CPP members and as- tinue),” PNP spokesman Brig. proposal to be deemed responsive sociates with standing warrants Gen. Bernard Banac said. to DBE Program requirements. of arrest even if the peace talks National Security Adviser For further information contact would continue. Hermogenes Esperon said Armine Menemshyan, Senior “Hangga’t di pa opisyal na peace talks should happen in Contract and Compliance Admindinideklara, lahat ng warrant the Philippines. This was reject- istrator at 213.452.0294 or email of arrest ay patuloy pa rin ang ed by CPP founder Jose “Joma” MenemshyanA@scrra.net. paghahain at paghahanap sa Sison who said it would jeopar12/11/19 kanila, (While the talks have not dize the National Democratic CNS-3321961# been made official, the serving Front of the Philippines. n ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

PH hosting 2020 Asian swim meet

No Christmas ceasefire with‘Reds’– DND

A6 DECEMBER 11-13, 2019 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Promoting a human rights culture

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FEATURES

THERE was one noteworthy detail during the 19-day stint of Vice President Leni Robredo as anti-drug czar last month: as confirmed by the Philippine National Police, there was not a single case of death resulting from “nanlaban” or the suspect resisting arrest anywhere in the country. Officials of the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have stressed that nanlaban deaths have in fact been abating for some time now, as anti-drug units shift their focus from street pushers to high-value traffickers. Such killings by police have again been reported in recent days, but the cases are dramatically lower. This should be a piece of good news as the country joins the international community in observing World Human Rights Day today. The special day is the culmination of the yearlong commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was proclaimed by the assembly as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations” – with everyone enjoying inalienable rights regardless of race, sex, color, religion, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. For 2019, the theme of this special day is “The Year of Indigenous Languages: Promoting and Deepening a Human Rights Culture.” In the Philippines, this takes the form not only of preserving

the many indigenous languages, but also promoting the welfare of indigenous communities. A number of these communities face challenging circumstances arising from development programs and armed conflict. Although a democracy, the Philippines is a focus of concern among global rights advocates. Last year, New York-based Human Rights Watch in its country report declared that there is a “human rights crisis” in the Philippines — due mostly to the violent war on drugs, the arrest or criminal indictment of government critics and killings of journalists. President Duterte has often argued that his principal concern is the human rights of crime victims and the protection of law-abiding people. Like several other Asian leaders, he also stresses the importance of economic rights – freedom from poverty, which he says is a focus of his administration. Those in charge of his most controversial campaign appear to be heeding concerns raised by human rights groups. There is still more to be done, however, as the country pursues the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Aquino, Hilbay agreed to keep water arbitration suits secret

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO FORMER President Aquino 3rd and his solicitor general Florin Hilbay agreed to the two water companies’ demand to have the arbitration suits that the latter had filed against the government kept secret. The two arbitration panels, one each for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc., in decisions announced in July 2017 and November 2018, upheld the two concessionaires’ claims, and ordered government to pay them P3.4 billion and P7.4 billion, respectively. Each panel had three members, two of which were foreigners, and one Filipino. The suits were heard by a three-man panel the two parties agreed to, with the Singapore unit of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration acting as registrar. What’s so outrageous about this is that the water companies in their suit claimed that these amounts represented their losses when the regulatory body Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) refused to grant their petitions to raise their tariffs from 2014 to 2018. (The other day though, the Ayala-led, majority foreign-owned Manila Water claimed the suit was filed for “breaches of procedure” it hasn’t explained.) But the MWSS proved to have been correct in its computations. Even without the rate increases

they demanded, these firms’ income in those years totaled P67 billion; their average annual income of P13.4 billion during those five years was even higher than the P10.5 billion of the previous five years. Yet the firms still wanted to recover those amounts that they claimed in 2015 when they filed the case they would lose, but didn’t. How could the arbitration panels have dismissed such facts staring them in the face? Was Hilbay as solicitor general just too dumb or too lazy to defend the MWSS stand? Or did he sabotage the government’s defense so it would lose the case? Secret We don’t know. If Hilbay deliberately plotted to have the water companies win the arbitration, he was clever enough to hide his tracks, literally: the arbitration was kept secret. Unlike other arbitration cases that the Philippine government has been involved in, such as its suit against China over the South China Sea dispute, the proceedings, the two water companies’ arguments, the government’s defense, and the award itself have been kept confidential. Check it out for yourself at the website of the Permanent Court of Arbitration for the two suits. Only the Maynilad case is listed, but contains no details. Manila Water’s case is not listed at all Such confidentiality is allowed under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (Uncitral), under whose

provisions the suits were filed. But this could be done only upon agreement of the two parties, and only when the private party can prove that it stands to have its proprietary secrets revealed to its competitors. What competitors? Manila Water and Maynilad Water are monopolies in the sectors they distribute water. Why did the government, represented by Aquino 3rd and Hilbay, agree to such confidentiality? If they had not agreed to keep the proceedings secret, they could just have told Maynilad and Manila Water: “Take it or leave it, and just comply with the MWSS decision.” If not for a November 29 letter by Manila Water’s assistant corporate secretary to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Disclosure Department — a requirement because the firm is publicly listed — the public would not known of the award and the water company would have secretly negotiated with government for the payment of the P7.4 billion. It would have claimed that even the payment was covered by the confidentiality agreement. If I were of a very suspicious mind, I’d even think that Hilbay’s bending oer to make the proceedings secret, and even perhaps a promise not to undertake a genuine defense of the MWSS decision, clinched his job as solicitor general. After then Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, Hilbay took over, but only in an acting capacity for eight months until Aquino ap-

The Philippines’ Bernie Sanders Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN “THE lesson of this moment is that winning politics is grassroots politics,” said the firebrand U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, reflecting on his unlikely political success in an interview with The New York Times. Confined to the fringes of American politics throughout his youth, which was marked by radical activism and unabashed socialist advocacies, Sanders found an improbable political lifeline in one of America’s most rural, conservative states. A Jewishborn New Yorker, Sanders burst into electoral politics by moving to Vermont in the 1970s. For an

entire decade, he became a serial loser, twice running for the Senate and once for the state’s gubernatorial position. His numbers hardly cracked into the double digits. The following decade, however, marked a dramatic turn in his fortunes. In one of the most iconic electoral shocks of the era, Sanders became one of the first openly socialist American mayors at the height of the Cold War. In 1981, the tall, lanky activist found himself at the helm of Burlington, besting veteran mayor Gordon “Gordie” Paquette. Against all odds, including active sabotage by the establishment-infested city council, Sanders managed to secure several reelections throughout the 1980s before heading to Capitol Hill and, later, becoming the longest-running independent senator in American history. In 2016, he almost pulled

off another electoral tsunami against the Democratic establishment. The latest polls show that Sanders can still beat Donald Trump were he to be picked as the Democratic presidential nominee today. His secret to political success, as Sanders put it, is simple: “[W]inning politics is developing coalitions of working people, of low-income people, of women, of environmentalists. So the coalition is, we do it from the bottom on up, and we ended up in my years as mayor taking on everybody.” Through nonstop political organization, and astute populist initiatives such as a local television show called “Bernie Speaks With the Community,” Sanders mobilized a whole new constituency, which sustained him in office throughout decades of progressive advocacy. Throughout the world, the rise

pointed him formally to the post in June 2015. Solicitor General Did Aquino need that much time to decide who the solicitor general would be? Was it just coincidental that after Maynilad filed its suit on March 2, 2015 and Manila Water on April 23, 2015, Hilbay was appointed permanent solicitor general about two months later on June 16, 2015? Why would Aquino and Hilbay agree to make secret arbitration proceedings and rulings that would affect over 10 million Filipinos, the captive market of the two water monopolies? Indeed, Maynilad got the arbitral panel to order the Philippine government to pay it the P3.4 billion it asked for, while Manila Water got panel to agree for the government to pay it P11.4 billion. Did the two companies want to hide things from the public? For all we know Hilbay might have just sent the tribunal a onepage defense or asked his clerk to write it. Sources claim that neither Hilbay nor any other staff from the Office of the Solicitor General had asked MWSS to help them draft their defense before the arbitral panels. Technically called “rebasing” undertaken every five years, the process for computing reasonable tariffs the water companies can charge is complex, and involves the expertise of teams of accountants, auditors and technicians who even physically inspect the firms’ facilities, to determine how much the firms can charge

given the need both for their captive consumers’ right to clean, accessible water and a reasonable return on capital for them. Objectionable The MWSS found objectionable many items the two firms included as part of their costs, which reduced their income, on paper. The most scandalous was their inclusion of corporate income taxes, as part of their costs. This is such a blatant violation of accounting principles and even of plain logic. How can something (a tax) that is computed after expenses is deducted from income (to yield taxable profit) be included among the expenses? Congress must call Aquino and Hilbay to a public hearing and ask them why they agreed to keep the arbitration cases confidential. It must subpoena all of the docu-

ments involved in the arbitration cases, to determine if Hilbay really defended the MWSS stand against the water companies. Congress must summon Manila Water’s owners, the Ayalas and Maynilad’s Manuel Pangilinan, who runs the firm for Indonesian owner Anthoni Salim, to its halls to ask them if they, or their representatives, ever consulted with Hilbay over their firms’ suits against the government. During the last elections in which he ran for senator (where the hell did he get the funds to dare to do so?), Hilbay’s sole claimed qualification for that post, which he boasted about, was that it was he who filed the arbitration case against China, which the country purportedly won. AntiChina, but pro-oligarch? (ManilaTimes.net)

of right-wing populists such as Donald Trump has opened up the space for their polar opposites — progressive populists such as Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Their rallying cry is an end to American oligarchy in favor of the middle classes, for, as Sanders explained, the likes of “Ronald Reagan and his billionaire friends do not represent America, but we do.” Fortunately, we also have our own versions of Sanders. On top of my mind is professor Walden Bello, a world-renowned scholar and activist, among Princeton University’s most distinguished alumni, and a former progressive congressman who became the first-ever statesman to voluntarily resign his office out of sheer conviction. I had the privilege of knowing and working with him about a decade earlier as his consultant on foreign affairs. He is unquestionably an indefatigable soul, a passionate advocate and arguably the best mentor one could ask for. While no socialist or

communist, I always appreciated Bello’s genuine passion for social justice. True, his bid for the oligarchic Senate failed to bear fruit, but he has been a consistent advocate for political reform and human rights in the Philippines. And despite unimaginable difficulties, including personal tragedy, he recently managed to finish not one, but two books almost simultaneously. The first, as discussed in an earlier column, is “Counterrevolution,” tracing the global rise of right-wing populism. “I would say that Duterte is a counterrevolutionary” Bello argues, since ”he challenges the whole liberal democratic project” without offering a true progressive alternative. His latest book is “Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash,” which analyzes the structural vulnerabilities of the Chinese economy and its dangerous implications for the global economy. More fundamentally, it skillfully traces the contours of the existing international order and

the perilous direction of SinoAmerican rivalry. Bello makes two crucial arguments. First, he rightly criticizes both the United States and China for their imperialist mindset and behavior, while arguing that Beijing’s foreign policy is far from predetermined. Through a combination of diplomacy, engagement and tough bargaining, Bello believes that smaller countries such as the Philippines have some agency in shaping the rise of China. Moreover, he downplays fears of a Chinese “debt trap,” instead focusing on an even more troubling phenomenon. For Bello, Chinese investments bring about a “20th-century [top-down] model of economic development, [with] tremendous negative impact on the environment” of its beneficiaries. Like Sanders, Bello believes in participatory grassroots politics as the best countermeasure against both imperialism and right-wing populism. (Inquirer. net)

Hilbay at the arbitration hearing against China at The Hague. Did he also appear in the hearings for the suits ﬁled by the water companies, even if these were only in Singapore, which the government lost? Contributed photo

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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Business news

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • deCembeR 11-13, 2019

E-money transactions up 33% to P1 trillion in 9 months Diokno sees strong PH growth despite global slowdown by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

DIGITALl payments surged by 33 percent to breach the P1 trillion level from January to September on the back of enabling regulatory environment, rising number of providers and aggressive marketing. Melchor Plabasan, director of the BSP’s Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department, said electronic money (e-money) transactions, both inflows and outflows, amounted to P1.04 trillion during the ninemonth period from a year-ago level of P784.92 billion. Plabasan said e-money transactions coursed through banks went up by 12.8 percent to P752.4 billion from P667.17 billion, while transactions coursed through non-bank electronic money issuers (EMIs) surged by 147 percent to P290.3 billion from P117.74 billion. “Inflow and outflow transactions from non-bank EMI players which registered at 147 percent could be attributed to effective promotional ploys, be it in the

form of cash backs, discounts and even gamification of e-money functionalities,” he said. On the other hand, the volume of e-money transactions increased by eight percent to 433.05 million from 400.97 million. “The volume and value of emoney transactions for the 9month ending September 2019 compared to the same period last year reflects the gaining market impetus toward digital payments. This provides more encouraging signs that the consuming public is becoming more attuned to the use of their phones and prepaid cards for daily payment needs,” Plabasan said. To date, the BSP has issued more than 50 EMI licenses including 31 banks and 20 nonbanks. Non-bank EMIs include i-Remit, Tagcash Ltd Inc., MarCoPay Inc., giant Grab’s GPay Network Philippines, SpeedyPay, OmniPay, Metrobank Card, GXchange, Alipay Philippines, Infoserve, Lulu-Phils Internatonal Exchange, PayMaya Philippines,

True Money Philippines, DCPay Philippines, Wisecard e-Money Philippines, Starpay, Zybi Tech, Airpay Technologies Philippines, Togetech and Ecashpay Asia. The BSP launched the National Retail Payment System (NRPS) in December 2015, paving the way for the introduction of clearing houses including the PESONet and InstaPay to raise the level of digital payments to 20 percent by 2020 from only one percent in 2013 as part of the shift to a cash-lite from a cash-heavy economy. The regulator together with the Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) also launched the EGov Pay facility for online payment of taxes and government fees as well as the QR (quick response) PH for person-to-person money transfers. “The trending effect of these activities coupled with the BSP’s continuing efforts to provide a convenient, safe and secure retail payment environment give us great optimism that we will hit our target of 20 percent electronic payments by 2020,” Plabasan said. n

Tourist arrivals increase 15% in 10 months by catherine

taLavera Philstar.com

IMPROVED air connectivity, intensified marketing and promotions boosted foreign tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of 2019 to 6.8 million, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported. Based on DOT data, international visitors from January to October grew 15.04 percent to 6.8 million from 5.9 million in same period last year. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat attributed the gain to improved air connectivity and intensified marketing promotions including the refreshed “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, budding relations with other countries, as well as the growing recognition of the country’s sustainable tourism advocacy. “The collective efforts and resolve of the whole tourism industry have paid off with the continued increase in our visitor arrivals and tourist receipts as well as recognition from major international award giving bodies,” Puyat said. Korea remained the country’s top source market in the period with a total of 1,609,172 arrivals, a 21.75 percent increase from year ago.

The DOT added that this is expected to further increase following the signing of the five-year tourism cooperation program between the Philippines and Korea, which aims to introduce joint programs and activities that will bolster two-way tourism promotion and align tourism efforts between the Philippines and Korea, facilitate deeper and meaningful interactions between Filipinos and Koreans, and strengthen overall cooperation of the two countries on matters concerning tourist safety, security and quality assurance. China was the second largest source market with a total of 1.5 million arrivals, a 41.13 increase from last year. The U.S. landed on third spot with 872,335, a 2.53 percent growth from the same period last year. Japan remained at fourth place in the list with 569,625, followed by Taiwan, with 282,220. The DOT reported that 98.77 percent of October arrivals or 630,666 visitors were made via air. It added that Manila, through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, served as the main gateway welcoming 396,446 tourists.

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

The economy may post one of the fastest growth in the world in the fourth quarter despite the global economic slowdown, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno. Diokno expects the economy to expand by about 6.4 to 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter. “Fourth quarter growth rate is expected to be strong, bringing full year growth rate at six percent, one of the fastest in the world and amidst a synchronized global slowdown,” Diokno said. The economy grew by 5.8 percent in three quarters, lower than the six to seven percent target range set by economic managers for 2019. The economy grew to a fouryear low of 5.5 percent in the second quarter. The slower-than-expected GDP growth, as well as the benign inflation environment, allowed the BSP to slash interest rates by 75 basis points this year, partially unwinding its tightening episode that saw rates jump by 175 basis points last year.

carabaLLo ManilaTimes.net

Cebu, which was recently included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Network of Creative Cities, followed suit with 131,217 arrivals. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 recently earned the top prize in the Completed Buildings-Transport Category at the recently-concluded World Architecture Festival. Moreover, air arrivals from Kalibo totaled 59,467. Air arrivals from Clark reached 35,236 while the rest of the airports yielded 8,300 arrivals. Under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the country is targeting to hit foreign arrivals of 8.2 million this year, a 15 percent rise from the 7.1 million arrivals in 2018. n

The central bank also lowered the reserve requirement ratio for big and mid-sized banks by 400 basis points and for small banks by 200 basis points this year to release more funds into the system to boost economic activity. Inflation averaged 2.5 percent from January to November, well within the BSP’s two to four percent target, after accelerating to a three-month high of 1.3 percent in November from a 43- month low of 0.8 percent in October. Based on its assessment last Nov. 14, the BSP’s Monetary Board sees inflation averaging 2.4 percent this year before rising to 2.9 percent in 2020 and 2021.

Philstar.com file photo

The volatility in global oil prices and the potential impact of the African swine fever outbreak are the main upside risks to inflation, while the impact of global trade and policy uncertainty, as well as geopolitical tensions continue to be the main downside risks. Economists widely expect the Monetary Board to keep interest rates unchanged this Thursday after a prudent pause last Nov. 14 to allow previous monetary actions to work its way through the economy. Diokno had said the central bank’s Monetary Board would consider new data and potential risks at its rate-setting meeting scheduled on Dec. 12. n

40M Filipinos avail of microinsurance by MayveLin

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat Philstar.com file photo

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

ABOUT 40 million Filipinos are now covered by microinsurance as of the third quarter of the year, the Insurance Commission (IC) reported on Monday, December 9. Citing preliminary data, Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa noted that mutual benefit associations (MBA) registered the highest number of individuals covered by microinsurance. “Taking up 62 percent of the market share in terms of the number of individuals covered, the mutual benefit associations sector covered 25 million members and dependents which translates to a total of P3.91 billion in terms of premium production,” he said in a statement. Of the total registered by the MBA sector, the IC added that CARD MBA Inc. dominated the MBA sector with a total market share of 80 percent and 82 percent in terms of the number of lives insured and premium production, respectively. It also announced that the life insurance sector, on the other

hand, covered 8 million individuals with a total premium production of P1.95 billion. “The life insurance sector posted a 27-percent decrease in terms of the number of insured lives from 11 million during the third quarter of 2018 to 8 million for the same period this year. Nevertheless, the life insurance sector posted a 4-percent increase in terms of premium production,” Funa said. The IC added total premium production of the life insurance sector increased by 3.72 percent to P1.95 billion as of end-September this year, from P1.88 billion during the comparable period last year. The top five life insurance companies in terms of the number of covered lives are: Pioneer Life Inc.; CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative Inc.; The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co.; United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp.; and Country Bankers Life Insurance Corp. In terms of premium production, CLIMBS Life and General Insurance ranked the highest. It was followed by: Pioneer Life

Inc., United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp., The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co., and Country Bankers Life Insurance Corp. Meanwhile, the non-life insurance sector posted an increase of 74 percent year-on-year in the number of lives covered from 4 million to 7 million, the IC added. The sector also posted an increase of 19.20 percent in terms of premium production from P604 million during the third quarter of 2018 to P720 million for the same period this year, it added. Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corp. ranked the highest in the non-life insurance sector in terms of number of lives covered, followed by Visayan Surety & Insurance Corp., CARD Pioneer Microinsurance Inc., Bankers Assurance Corp., and Country Bankers Insurance Corp. CARD Pioneer Microinsurance took the top spot in the non-life insurance sector in terms of premium production. It was followed by Visayan Surety & Insurance Corp., The Mercantile Insurance Co. Inc., Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corp., and Bankers Assurance Corp. n

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019

Give the gift of knowledge with these books by Filipino authors BY

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL, KLARIZE MEDENILLA & MALOU BLEDSOE / AJPRESS

CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and we are all rushing to complete our shopping list. Gifting during the holidays is a tricky thing, however, as most people tend to buy what is trendy or popular. In the end, our recipients are most likely to receive something that someone else has given, or a gift that they have no use for. This is why a book is one of the best gifts you can give — it’s compact with stories and details that can fill not only one’s brain but heart as well. So this holiday, why not give the gift of knowledge? This year alone, The Asian Journal team has read (and featured!) a plethora of books by Filipino and Filipino American authors across genres, including: “Loves You” (poetry) by Sarah Gambito; “The Body Papers” (memoir) by Grace Talusan; “I Was Their American Dream” (graphic memoir) by Malaka Gharib; “Patron Saints of Nothing” (young adult fiction) by Randy Ribay; “Why Karen Carpenter Matters” (biography/memoir) by Karen Tongson; “Somewhere in the Middle” (memoir) by Deborah Francisco Douglas; “No Forks Given” (cookbook/stories) by Yana Gilbuena; “Baking at République” (cookbook) by Margarita “Marge” Manzke; and “Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes” (cookbook) by Abigail Sotto Raines. Here are a few more recommendations that will be perfect either as a stocking stuffer or a special Christmas gift to family and friends.

“Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion” by Jia Tolentino From the whip-smart voice of a generation Jia Tolentino, “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion” has been named one of the 10 best books of the year by the New York Public Library and appeared on best of the year lists from The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Time and The Washington Post to name a few. In nine moving essays, Tolentino captures, with photographic clarity, the

state of collective confusion and distortion we’re currently experiencing in the age of the internet, peppering in her own experiences as the daughter of Filipino immigrants. Among the contemporary cultural topics featured in the book, she discusses the capitalization of feminism, her tumultuous relationship with religion and how that intertwined with her experience with drugs in the vein of ecstasy and the toxic, convoluted triangle of “sex and race and power.” “Trick Mirror” is a necessary read that showcases the incredible talent of the 31-year-old writer who, time and time again, perfectly sums up millennial sensibilities in the age of social media and attempts to untangle the most muddled parts of American culture. In the intro to the book, Tolentino writes, “I began to realize that all my life I’ve been leaving myself breadcrumbs. It didn’t matter that I didn’t always know what I was walking toward. It was worthwhile, I told myself, just trying to see clearly, even if it took me years to understand what I was trying to see.”

“Lalani of the Distant Sea” by Erin Entrada Kelly Embark on a courageous and mythical journey with 12-year-old Lalani Sarita in “Lalani of the Distant Sea,” the debut fantasy novel by Filipina American Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Drawing from Filipino folklore, Lalani is in search of Mount Isa, a mysterious landmark known for a flower with healing powers that could potentially help her ailing mother as well as good fortune that could save her fellow villagers on the island of Sanlagita, which is facing its own threats of survival. The 12-year-old protagonist is confronted by external tests along the way as many men, including her own father, have perished in the quest for the mountain. The issues of toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes are also prevalent in the dialogue and text as well. Though a children’s novel, the lessons of empathy, per-

severance, identity and fate transcend any age. In the end, sometimes you choose yourself. “I created a heroine in Lalani, who isn’t particularly gifted in any way,” Kelly told the Washington Post. “What’s extraordinary about her is her power to be compassionate... That’s not something we typically celebrate in our society.”

“From Rufio to Zuko” by Dante Basco You know him as the trimohawked Rufio of the Lost Boys in the 1990s cult classic “Hook.” You also know him as the voice of Prince Zuko from the wildly popular Nickelodeon show “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Regardless of your point of reference, you’re Filipino American, you know actor Dante Basco as the symbol of Filipino representation in entertainment of the 1990s and the aughts. Often playing a wide range of Asian side characters, Basco is the success story of the Asian American who broke into mainstream entertainment, and that journey is detailed in a new memoir called “From Rufio to Zuko.” The memoir released this year chronicles Basco’s beginnings as a breakdancer from the Bay Area and the impact his family upbringing has had on his career. (Basco is one of four siblings who are also in entertainment) navigating the entertainment industry as a Filipino in a pre-“Inclusion Rider” world. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Basco said that his memoir may be beneficial “for the next generation of people of color” who are trying to break into Hollywood.

“Steel Crow Saga” by Paul Krueger Named of the best books of 2019 by NPR, “Steel Crow Saga” by Filipino American author Paul Krueger takes readers on a post-colonial, adventure-filled fantasy heavily influenced by Asian cultures, such as Filipino, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. From magical animal characters to themes of diplomacy, rebellion and unlikely alliances, the novel brings together four destinies — a soldier with a curse, a prince with a debt, a detective with a grudge and a thief with a broken heart — to defeat an evil force who defies the laws of magic. Many reviews liken the Fil-Am author’s second novel to Pokémon, Avatar: The Last Airbender and anime. “The biggest thing I learned was to trust my instincts. ‘Steel Crow Saga’ happened because I felt like I had nothing left to lose, so I might as well roll the dice on the wildest, most specifically Paul book I could write. I’m very fortunate the dice came up in my favor, but I think it’s because readers respond well to specificity and honesty,” Krueger wrote in an AMA thread on Reddit.

delivered letter — which she had her mother translate into Tagalog — to a Filipino family who owned a home she had her eyes set on in northeast LA. The aesthetically pleasing photography is enough to get you to flip through the book or even keep it on a coffee table, but one can get engrossed and feel a glimmer of hope in the notes that reveal the humanity and emotion in a business that is often transactional, as well as the heartwarming interactions in a city that can sometimes feel disjointed and inhospitable. In another letter and story, a Pinay shares how moving from West Hollywood to Eagle Rock had “really transformed our lives…We have neighborhood friends, we take care of each other’s kids and we hang out—the quality of our life has really shifted, it is so much better.” The book is available on Narrated Objects’ website or local LA shops like Skylight Books. A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to Piece by Piece, which provides free mosaic art workshops to low-income and formerly homeless people, according to

“Dear Seller: Real Estate Love Letters from Los Angeles” edited by Teena Apeles As the adage goes, home is where the heart is, but finding that ‘home’ in a competitive and pricey market like Los Angeles can be a grueling process. In “Dear Seller: Real Estate Love Letters from Los Angeles” — edited by Filipina American Teena Apeles and Apeles. released by her LA-based “A for Adobo” by Nelson publishing company Narrated Objects — homebuyers share Agustin Are you looking for a letters about the moment present that can teach your they found the place of their children the alphabet while dreams. “I have a very huge Filipino introducing Filipino food and family up in the Bay Area that language to them? Then “A for Adobo” by Nelson Agusis very excited to know that tin is the perfect gift! I am just a few hours’ drive From the simple tuyo to away, instead of across the country. I plan to house them the lavish paella Valenciana, as often as they let me. I plan “A for Adobo” is a visual feast for the palate. Both to fall in love, get married, Filipino kids and adults will and have a family. I plan to plant a garden and have a play delight in the eye-popping pictures of beloved and set and have barbecues with friends and family—and I want iconic native dishes, and the to do it in your home,” another use of the bilingual descripPinay buyer writes in a hand- tions and food notes will deepen their appreciation for

Look and feel good: How two US-based Pinay beauty brands give back to the Philippines By CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPRESS

BEAUTY products are often considered individually beneficial as they are intended to make one look and feel good. But certain brands take it a step further and help others as well. With the season of giving in full swing, purchases from two Filipina-owned beauty and skincare brands in the United States support causes back in the Philippines, from feeding school children to supporting mothers in need postpartum. Prim Botanicals The story: With $3,000 of her own money and mixing and packing products by hand, Stefanie Walmsley started Prim Botanicals from her New York apartment as a passion project. Today going four years strong, Prim Botanicals is now sold at all U.S. Anthropologie stores, certain natural beauty storefronts, and online on its website. Each month, the company sets aside an amount to donate to Philippine-based organizations, but customers can also add an extra donation while checking out. “Whatever free time I had, I would play around and study all kinds of essential oils and got really lost in it,” the Filipina

Disco nap and siesta spray aura mists by Prim Botanicals Photos courtesy of Prim Botanicals

Prim Botanicalsʼ face oil and facials potions to ﬁght inﬂammation and breakouts.

Prim Botanicalʼs hair oil

A former TV and film professional, Stefanie Walmsley started Prim Botanicals in 2013 as a hobby and officially launched it in 2015. Each month, the brand supports a non-profit back in the Philippines.

American founder recently told the Asian Journal. “It was a great outlet.” Walmsley had been working in TV and film as an actress and producer (one project she produced, “God of Love,” won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 2011) and was experimenting with ingredients, many of which came from her native Philippines to treat her various skin concerns. “The more I owned my story as a Filipina from the Philippines and reflected that in Prim’s products and branding, the more attention the brand got,” she said. “I wasn’t just another brand — I was a brand with a real identity, story and

full culture behind it.” The offerings: Prim Botanicals offers products predominately using Philippine-found ingredients that can be used on hair, lips, body and face. Prices range from $12 to $60. Her first concoction was a Face Oil that took a year to create and then was sent to different women to test out and provide feedback. It’s now one of the signature brand products using cold pressed sea buckthorn, black cumin seed, wild moringa from the Philippines, Polynesian tamanu and African marula to address inflammation and blotchy skin. There’s also the Hair Oil that has Virgin Coconut Oil from the

Philippines, camellia, moringa, marula, and black seed; the Debauchery Detox Body Scrub using Activated Charcoal, Philippine Barako Coffee, Hawaiian Black Lava Salt; Aura Mists to energize you; and CBD-infused products from body lotion to a roll-on for period pain. “The question I ask myself each time is, ‘Is something that I confidently feel is better than whatever else on the market?’ ‘What could I sell that I would buy and confidently get my friends to buy it?’ But I also need stuff that’s affordable. Trust my gut, know my customer and know what I would like to see and so far, that formula has been working really well,”

she said. Not so proper: The product formulas at the beginning used a lot of evening primrose oil so the brand name is a play on that ingredient, as well as Walmsley liking “how nice and clean the name sounded,” she said. “But we’re not so prim and proper...and we try to highlight all of that in our copy. It’s a brand effort to keep the writing accessible, snarky and more tongue-in-cheek. With everything that I do with Prim, I want to take away any sense of intimidation and make the language like if a friend is talking to you.” Embracing womanhood: With Prim Botanicals’ products,

their cultural heritage. It’s not a read-aloud book, but it’s an introduction for a child to the Filipino alphabet as well as food. From A to Z, the reader will be taken into the world of Pinoy cuisine, and the mouth-watering pictures (also taken by Agustin) make it more appealing. Best of all, it’s available in soft cover for the adults, and in board book edition for kids. A for Adobo is truly an alphabetical, gastronomical journey to Filipino food. It’s available on Amazon and

other online seller sites. “Zoobooloo: With Filipino translation” by Christine L. Villa Another children’s book that teaches kids self-love and acceptance in a nonpreaching manner is “Zoobooloo” by Christine L. Villa. What’s also great about it is that the book comes with Filipino translation, which is perfect to introduce the language to children as well as a deeper appreciation of the heritage. “Zoobooloo” is about zoo animals that are not content with their own body parts and so they decide to switch with each other. Sprinkled with humor and wit, the book points out about being happy with our God-given gifts and talents. “All of us were created to be unique individuals with a special purpose. In a materialistic world, where outside appearance and superficial attributes matter more, it is so easy to be envious of other people, to whine about what we don’t have, and wish we were as beautiful, talented, or smart as the others. Instead, we should accept and appreciate who we are, look beyond our flaws, and utilize our gifts and talents to bring joy to others,” said Villa during a past interview with the Asian Journal. Available on Amazon, but signed copies can be purchased directly by e-mailing her at chissivilla@gmail.com. You can also check out Purple Cotton Candy Arts at www. purplecandyarts.com. Walmsley wanted to bottle the excitement a woman gets in the moment before she uses a product. Each product is not meant to be mindlessly used. “It’s not meant to be a prissy brand. But I wanted to fill this white space that was decidedly and unapologetically feminine and celebrated womanhood,” she said. “It’s not unisex...I wanted something that felt really feminine and was also clean and something you would keep on your bathroom shelf. I know there are so many products that are hidden behind, I love that a lot of our customers come from seeing a Prim product in someone else’s shower or on their shelf.” Teaching Pinay beauty rituals: Rooted in the beauty and wellness rituals Walmsley grew up following — whether using coconut oil as a mask or barako coffee as a skin scrub — she said Prim Botanicals is a way to teach others about the ingredients the country is rich in and its resourceful, inventive traditions. In the coming months, expect more basic, day-to-day products from a cleanser to body wash too. “In 2020, I plan to go harder on wellness as a whole and I’m happy that trend is occurring. Back home in the Philippines, you don’t even think about it. When you get a sunburn, everyone says to put aloe vera. If you have a stomachache, they say to drink Continued on Page 4

This cookbook shows that an Instant Pot is all you need to prepare classic Filipino dishes By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

THERE are many Filipino dishes typically take a long time to cook, with nilaga, pata tim and bulalo to name a few. We can remember our mothers and grandmothers slaving it in the kitchen boiling and braising pork or beef bones. We also remember that trusted pressure cooker, which comes out to help shorten the prep and cook time for many of these dishes.

A whiff of the dish wafting in the kitchen and eventually tasting it usually triggers nostalgia, bringing back memories of days past. Such is the immense power of food. That is why the Instant Pot is a lifesaver and a Godsend for working moms and dads who crave these classics once in a while. There’s no shortage of Instant Pot groups on Facebook, one just needs to look hard. Among them is the Filipino

How to make ube cheesecake in an Instant Pot

Reprinted with permission from ‘The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook’ “NOT to be mistaken for taro, ube has been a longtime staple in Filipino desserts and has recently made its way into mainstream American culture. This yam adds a sweet and nutty flavor to desserts and is easy to identify by its deep purple color, making ube desserts very Insta- gram-worthy. In this recipe, I used ube halaya (purple yam jam) and ube extract to make ube cheesecake. Cheesecake is probably one of the most popular desserts to make in the Instant Pot because you can cut your cooking time in half.” -Tisha Gonda Domingo Serves 6 to 8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Active Time: 0 minutes Pressure Cook Time: 15 minutes Release: Natural For the cake: 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese 1⁄4 cup sour cream 1⁄3 cup white sugar 3⁄4 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) 3 tsp ube extract 3 eggs, room temperature 11⁄2 cups water For the crust: 1 packet graham crackers 2 tbsp white sugar 4 tbsp butter, melted Equipment: Food processor, parchment paper, 7-inch springform pan,

Hand mixer, Instant Pot trivet , and heavy-duty aluminum foil 1. About 30 to 60 minutes in advance, take cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs out of the refrigerator so they can come to room temperature. Prepare the crust: 2. Break graham crackers into food processor and pulse until fine. Alternatively, you can put the graham crackers in a resealable plastic bag and crush the crackers into crumbs using a rolling pin. 3. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs, 2 tbsp sugar, and butter. Place a larger circle of parchment paper on the bottom of a 7inch springform pan. Spray the liner with cooking oil and pour crumb mixture into pan and press evenly to form the crust. Make the cake: 4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, 1/3cup sugar, ube halaya, and ube extract using a hand mixer at low speed. Add eggs one at a time and continue mixing at low speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix batter. 5. Spray the sides of the pan with cooking oil. Pour batter into springform pan and tap pan on counter to get air bubbles out. 6. Add water to the inner

Ube Cheesecake

Photo by Nancy Cho

pot and place trivet inside. 7. Make a sling using an 18-inch piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fold it into thirds lengthwise and place the springform on the center. Carefully lower the springform onto the trivet using the sling. Fold down the excess foil from the sling to ensure that the pot closes properly. 8. Turn and lock the lid into place, making sure the steam-release valve is in the sealed position. Select Manual and program for 15 minutes on High Pressure. When cooking is complete, allow pressure to release naturally. 9. Unlock and carefully remove the lid. Remove the cheesecake using foil sling and place on a wire rack to cool. Gently blot any water on the cheesecake with a paper towel. 10. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. 11. To remove the cheesecake from the pan, run a thin knife around the inside of the pan and release the spring to remove the round pan rim.

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019

Recipes Instant Pot Community, which as of press time has 40,300 plus members and counting, making it one of the largest and most active Filipino Instant Pot (IP) congregation on the web. When Jorell and Tisha Domingo got their Instant Pot, they were a bit overwhelmed and went on Facebook to see if there was a group or a community focused on Filipino recipes for what she calls “a magic little machine.” They came up emptyhanded so they decided to start one. That was in February 2018. There were a few rules, among them keeping the focus on Filipino recipes cooked using the Instant Pot and if possible, posting the photos and the recipe along with the posts. Last month, they announced the release of “The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook: Classic and Modern Filipino Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker.” In the book, its six authors — Tisha and Jorell Domingo,

Jeannie E. Celestial, Art Swenson, Romeo Roque-Nido, and Jaymar Cabebe — set out to explore their Filipino heritage and intimate family histories, one dish at a time. The result was a collection of over 75 Filipino recipes, all carefully translated for preparation in the Instant Pot, today’s most essential piece of kitchenware. “Late last year, some friends approached us about joining them in converting our collective family recipes into a cookbook. Tisha and I agreed that it would be a pretty cool thing to preserve our family history and culture in this special way,” Jorell posted in the Facebook group. “It’s been such a great and eye-opening experience. We especially appreciate the spirit of bayanihan that comes alive in our/your sharing of stories, photos, cooking tips, and recipes,” he added. The authors all currently live in California and self-identify as second-generation Filipina

and Filipino Americans. They all have young children, so there’s a need to prepare dishes quickly and easily (Filipino or otherwise). “The IP has certainly been a game-changer for all of us. And we, of course, would love to see Filipino cuisine continue to make its way into mainstream American culture...this is our little contribution to that movement,” Jorell added. Many of the members shared how they used the Instant Pot to cook Filipino dishes for their Thanksgiving feast, and are planning to cook the same for the upcoming holidays, particularly for Noche Buena and Christmas Day grub. Members shared the usual, from lechon kawali to mechado and desserts such as leche flan and bibingka. Others were more adventurous, coming up with ube coconut tart and using ube for their sweet potato casserole, showcasing the range of dishes that can be done using the Continued on Page 4

entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019

Look and feel good... From Page 2 ginger tea. These are things we have taken for granted but the rest of the world... I’m very that most of our ingredients come from the Philippines,” Walmsley said. “Younger generations are now paying homage to our roots — I see it in fashion, design. It’s such an exciting time and I’m glad this generation is looking more at our own history and own traditions instead of constantly looking at what the rest of the world is doing.” On paying it forward: Since 2015, Prim Botanicals has identified several Philippinebased non-profits to give back to, including the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation which builds boats for kids in flood-affected areas so they can get to school and Glory Reborn in Cebu that helps marginalized pregnant women receive medical and childcare support. Walmsley announced that the next nonprofit the company will support for the next eight months is Tiny Blessings, which provides food, shelter and basic needs to homeless children in Manila. “It’s 2019 and there’s so much going on. I don’t think it’s enough to just sell a product for profit anymore. At one point, it was enough that we’re natural and sustainable, and we know where everything is coming from and we’re transparent,” Walmsley said. “Now, those values are pretty common. How else can I give back and what more can I do? Even within the green beauty and natural, organic world, it can start to feel like any other business, especially when these really big companies are getting into the game. For Prim, we give back all year long and I feel really good about that.” Kaya Essentials The story: Sara Meredith was a college student at University College London when she heard Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto delivering a talk about alleviating poverty in the Philippines and building social enterprises toward that goal. She soon took on a three-year internship with the Filipino organization’s Europe chapter and spent time on

GK’s Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan. “That was my first introduction into a social business, the idea that the business model did good, rather than it being an afterthought,” the half-Filipina, half-British entrepreneur said in a recent interview. “What I originally thought of as a business doing good or charity was giving a percentage of the profit. It made me think how your sourcing and business model have a true impact.” DIY: Her experience with Gawad Kalinga — coupled with her childhood of making products with her mom and noticing how there were hardly any Filipino-owned coconut brands in the market — led her to founding Kaya Essentials in 2017, an organic skincare line using cold-centrifuged coconut oil from a fair trade farm in Davao. “My mom is a super DIYer. She would make her own beauty, skincare and a lot of cleaning products at home so I always grew up making organic products. One thing we always did was use coconut oil as a hair mask where we would put the coconut oil all around ourselves from root to tip and we’d leave it for three hours. She would make the coconut oil from scratch, from coconut meat and make it into an oil,” Meredith recalled. Kaya spirit: Her first products were the calamansi and lemongrass lip balms, using essential oils from a Filipino family-owned business called Casa de Lorenzo. As a part-time commercial model, Meredith would sell the lip balms to people she met on sets. “I started with the lip balms because those were something everybody could use. My focus was not so narrow. I was looking at it more like, what is something is for every age group, male or female, and is a small way that could do good?” Meredith said. “Starting with calamansi came from wanting to introduce a product that was proudly Filipino so I wanted it to capture the Filipino culture and essence. I always knew the

This cookbook shows...

From Page 3 kitchen workhorse. Crafting the cookbook “To truly appreciate and understand Filipino dishes, you have to understand the evolution of the spices, the nuances of the flavor profiles, the land from which these dishes were birthed. That’s what this book provides. This is not just a book of recipes; this is a book about our story,” said Pati Navalta Poblete, editor-in-Chief of San Francisco Magazine. For many of the Instant Pot diehards and believers, the appliance is the best to use when it comes to cooking Filipino food. From classic dinner staples like the traditionally sour Sinigang na Baboy (pork tamarind soup) to sweet treats like Putong Puti (steamed rice cake), the rich flavors of Filipino food are typically unlocked through a long braise or boil, a delicate steam, or some other treatment by moist heat. Fortunately, this is exactly what the Instant Pot does best. “The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook” is an absolute musthave for every modern home cook and the timing of its publication could not have been any more perfect as Filipino food is fast becoming a mainstay in the consciousness of foodies from around the world. “I believe that anyone can become a great Filipino cook. However, cooking new food can sometimes feel intimidating. The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook helps any level of cook step into the kitchen and create delicious Filipino food, the kind you thought only your mom and aunts could make for you,” said Chef Dominic Ainza, executive sous chef at Facebook and experienced restaurant owner and corporate chef. That’s one of the good things about the Instant Pot. You can easily cook for a small group or you can create a feast enough for the extended family, friends and neighbors included. It was actually her mother who introduced her to Instant Pot, according to Tisha Gonda Domingo. She quickly developed her expertise cooking with the electric pressure cooker through practice with traditional Filipino ingredients, methods, and dishes. Through her first published work, The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook, Tisha offers personal

stories and family recipes that bring her love for food, community, and Filipino culture together. Outside of her work as an author and home cook, Tisha works in publicity for a major television studio. She currently lives in Orange County, California, with her husband, Jorell, and two children. One of the book’s authors, Jeannie E. Celestial was born on Guam and raised by Filipino parents and grandparents who were skilled farmers. They helped develop her cooking instincts early on, instilling in her a deep understanding of and respect for traditional Filipino ingredients. In addition to her work with food, Jeannie is a practicing psychologist who is committed to holistic wellness and fostering healthy Filipinx (Filipino/a/x) communities. Earlier this week, Celestial and her husband Art were on Good Day, Sacramento talking about the cookbook and showcasing the ease in cooking with the Instant Pot. They served adobo sa gata, ginataang sitaw at kalabasa, Filipino style spaghetti, ginataang mais and mango royale cheesecake, all done using the versatile kitchen gadget. “The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook” brings her passions together, allowing her to promote mental health through food, helping to break down colonial mentality by proudly sharing the recipes, stories, and cultural practices of her motherland, the Philippines. She currently works in Vallejo, California. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Romeo Roque-Nido’s cooking was influenced early on by a diversity of cultures before being broadened further during his time as a world-traveling student in the California Maritime Academy. While his culinary influences are varied, his truest passion Filipino cuisine. With The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook, Romeo hopes to preserve the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines, by using modern appliances to make it more accessible to even the busiest of families. He lives in Vallejo, California with his wife and two children. This holiday season, instead of using multiple pots and pans and spending time over the stove, let the Instant Pot do all the work so you can spend more time with loved ones.

[brand’s] name would have a Filipino affirmation in it. That’s where Kaya comes from.” Now based in Los Angeles, Meredith makes each product by hand and in small batches. The brand is sold online, at select retailers and special farmer’s markets and pop-ups in LA. Prices range from $5 for balms in seven flavors, $16 for a 2 oz jar of extra virgin coconut oil, and $26 for body balms ranging from calamansi to tea tree flavors. The products don’t contain fragrances nor long, unidentifiable ingredients. “I wanted it to be minimalist so there are only seven flavors. We don’t do different blends. You know exactly what you’re getting so that puts you more in control of your skincare,” she added. In the coming months, Kaya Essentials is expanding its line to include clay masks, candles, and limited edition jewelry, which will be made by Filipina artisans through Gawad Kalinga. One for one: Kaya Essentials uses the ‘one for one’ model, meaning that for every product sold, one school meal is provided to an elementary school student through Gawad Kalinga’s feeding program. This model, Meredith argues, allows more transparency for customers to know the direct recipient of their purchases. To date, the company has fed over 5,000 students. “People innately want to

Coconut oil-based body balms and lip balms from Kaya Essentials come in seven different ﬂavors, from calamansi to honey. Sara Meredith of Kaya Essentials displays her products at a local farmersʼ market.

For each Kaya Essentials product purchased, a lunch meal is donated to a child in the Philippines through Gawad Kalingaʼs feeding program. Photos courtesy of Kaya Essentials

give back... but there’s a distrust in how much is going and what it’s really helping. With one for one, it’s tangible and transparent because you can imagine what a lunch school meal looks like and everyone knows the importance of education. It’s a small way to give back, but I would argue that it’s big because you’re helping nourish a child who can then continue going to school,” she said. Meredith will be launching a partnership with No Kid Hungry to bring the giveback

model to local LA schools, a way to reflect the “Filipino American experience” of sourcing from the Philippines, yet producing and selling the products here in the U.S. “I felt like it was time the give back really reflected the making of our balms,” she added. Until Dec. 13, Kaya Essentials is running a promotion that for each body balm purchased, customers can get a free lip balm too. In turn, the brand will donate two school meals for each purchase. “Purchasing with a pur-

Kaya Essentials, founded in 2017, uses high-grade coconut oil from a fair trade farm in Davao.

pose, voting with your dollars, and our new tagline in 2020 is ‘small acts of kindness together have a big impact.’ Sometimes when you talk about making a difference or contributing, it can feel overwhelming so I really love the message of even kindness to one another and any little act can make a difference. Just because you’re not some huge corporation making a huge donation doesn’t mean your impact isn’t there. In fact, I would argue that it’s even stronger,” Meredith said.

community Immigrant Remember the wonder Living: 101 5

Debt Relief

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019

and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

“REMEMBER the Wonder” was a catchy TV ad slogan for Wonder Bread, an iconic bread company that fled the woeful state of California. But the phrase can very well be used to refer to the true season of wonder — CHRISTMAS. December days and nights seem to slip from our grasp like fine grains of sand. The hours seem to hurtle through the day as we complete a year’s cycle and move on to the next. Women in particular try in earnest to mesh the unusually heavy demands of the many roles they play specially this season. If we get completely sidetracked by the minutiae and the methodology, the expenses and the endless activities of what constitutes Christmas, we are more than likely to morph into the likes of Scrooge and be tempted to say “Bah, humbug!” More than likely, the heaviness and drudgery that we seem to associate with this season have a lot to do with the failure to find that somewhat elusive SENSE OF REAL JOY that this season can bring in abundance to those who are open to it. Sure, we can go through the motions of Christmas activities, shopping, baking, decorating, partying, drinking and binging. And yet, very often even if we diligently check off all the things in our list, something remains amiss. We fail to catch that Christmas feeling. The spirit of the season is like a butterfly. If you keep mindlessly trashing about in endless activities, it will elude you. But if you sit very still, that Christmas feeling might simply alight on you. Be still and soak in the sight, sounds and smells of the season. If you can, take time to be holy. One trick I have learned is to SIMPLIFY and not try to take on too much of anything. That includes refraining from maxing out my credit cards, no matter how infinitely tempting it is to rush out and join the shopping madness.

Filter out distractions. Tune out of social media. Make room in your tight schedule to ponder the wonder of this season. Each day of the season, count at least ONE BLESSING that you may have taken for granted — like YOUR FAMILY, dysfunctional or imperfect the members may be, including yourself, we are all we’ve got. To borrow from a song, “Love the one you’re with.” That means stop looking elsewhere. The internet and social media could be a minefield of dashed hopes and dreams. For the most part, it is definitely not the place to find what you think is missing in your life. It is, at best, an illusion. If you still have relatively good health and do not have to depend

not XMAS. Those are minions of the devil at work in the guise of “multi-culti” political correctness always on the lookout for relabeling things to suit a twisted, AND oftentimes, sinister agenda The strongest evidence of Christ living in our hearts during this season is an inner glow becoming an outward display of joy that wells within. The joy overflows and like a heaven-sent viral infection affects those we work and live with within the small orbit of our existence. Sorrow, pain and disappointment, heartache and heartbreak in spades — we will always have. They have a place in the general scheme of things. They work like a sculptor’s tool kit that shapes and molds the structure of our soul and our being that ultimately make us resilient. We can then not only weather all seasons, but to survive and even THRIVE. But just for this season, BELIEVE that you are allowed to get a moratorium from all that. This season is filled with awesome wonders and all it takes is to open our eyes, sharpen our senses and soak them all in. Conditioned by years of mundane repetition, we have lost the magic and instinctive sense of wonder we were born with. We went through the motions of getting an education, raising a family, earning a living, running a business, working ceaselessly, it seems till we drop down dead or until Social Security says we can stop, (whichever comes first), sleeping and doing the same things all over again at daybreak. Routine and predictability though calming and reassuring, can numb the soul over time. Don’t let that happen. Christmas is a gift. Christ was born so we can have eternal life. God, in His great love for us, thinks that we are worth saving. Take heart. This season of wonder, as God intended it to be, will always be a joyful reminder of HIS LOVE for us. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

“Lest we forget ......... CHRIST is the reason for this season.”

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes TO many people, the New Year signifies a chance to have a fresh beginning. People dispose of old personal items and clean out the closet in order to make room for the new. This is also the time of the year many people realize when a marriage is not working out and it may be time to start a new life as a single person whether or not you have children. You can decide to take action and file a divorce. Before you take any action, you need to think about your situation carefully. First, you should decide whether you should you move out of the family residence or not? If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, it may be more economical to continue residing in the same household until you resolve the issues in the divorce case. However, if your relationship is heated and riddled with conflict, then someone should to move out. If your spouse has threatened you, hurt you, or committed domestic violence, you may file a domestic violence temporary restraining order and request the court to order your spouse to move out of the house. In the same application, you may also request for custody, support, and attorney’s fees. If on the other hand you decide to be the one to move out, you should move somewhere close to your spouse if you have children to make it easier for both of you to co-parent with the children. Second, you should decide whether your spouse is the type who will disclose all the financial assets or not after you file for divorce. Although the family code

on a cocktail of drugs to get you through the day, REJOICE AND BE GLAD! Many wealthy yet ailing people longing to live a bit longer, will trade places with you in a heartbeat. TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED. Love your life but without conceit. It is simply on loan to you. Treasure the hours. Forcibly yank out just an hour each day to sit in the silence during this season to take the time to smell the coffee, steep the tea or quaff the cocoa in a quiet spot, free of the interruptions of all those annoying electronic beeps. Unless your job entails spelling the difference between life and death, CUT OFF YOUR ELECTRONIC LEASH, at least for just an hour. Who said you have to be on call all the time? That hour you gift yourself with is yours to savor and JUST BE. That hour might very well help you to remember the wonder — to get back that gift of amazement we once had when we were children. Lest we forget, CHRIST IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. Pay no attention to the godless fools who would like to delete Christ from the season. It is CHRISTMAS,

Starting the new year fresh with a divorce

(family code 2100 et seq.) imposes a duty to disclose all material facts and information, spouses’ are not always forthcoming in disclosing completely all assets, debts, income and expenses specially after a divorce case is commenced. What sometimes happens is once a divorce case is commenced, assets are either not disclosed, disappears, or documents/ bank statements are not produced even with formal discovery. You should gather and make copies of all financial documents before filing the divorce. Third, there is an automatic temporary restraining order (ATROS) in place once you file and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. The four standard mutual restraining orders are 1) removing their minor children from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or a court order. family code Section 2040(a)(1) 2) restraint from transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate without the other party’s written consent or court order; fam code 2040(a)(2) 3) restraint from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability held for the benefit of the parties and their child for whom support may be orders. Fam C 2040(a)(3). 4) restraint from creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property subject to the transfer without the other party’s written consent or court order. fam c 2040(a)(4). There are exceptions to the above restrictions. One ex-

ception is for property transfers in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Examples would be property transfers as part of your usual business operations or to pay for usual household living expenses. Another exception is payment of reasonable attorney’s fees. fam c. 2040(a)(2). If you need to do any transactions that may violate the ATROS, it is best to do it prior to filing and serving the divorce petition provided you do not breach your fiduciary duty to your spouse. If you are thinking of filing a divorce, it is best to consult an experienced family law attorney before taking any action. *** 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 is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. 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 kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Parol installation on display at LA’s Grand Park by AJPress

GRAND Park’s Winter Glow in Los Angeles is back for a free month-long event, featuring an immersive experience by multimedia artists representing the city’s diverse population. With LA’s sizable Filipino American community, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without the parol, a symbol of Christmas in the Philippines. Until December 25, the free exhibit at the downtown LA park begins from sunset to 10 p.m.,

inviting guests to revel in the illuminated art installations. “Grand Park embraces the purpose of being a park for everyone where all residents and visitors can connect culturally and celebrate the many faces and cultures of the county. We highlight that diversity by showcasing the work of local artists and by working with our community partners to create experiences people of all ages could enjoy,” said Julia Diamond, interim director of Grand Park. On Saturday, December 7, a two-hour parol art-making

workshop was held at Grand Park, which drew more than 100 attendees and allowed them to create and take home their own parol. The workshop was done in partnership with community group Kayamanan Ng Lahi. “Light is a main constant celebrated among the various holidays this month and is a focal point of the parol. It was a natural fit to highlight this Filipino tradition as part of our Winter Glow festival with a beautiful art display created by Alfie Ebojo aka alfienumeric and Lakandiwa Continued on Page 6

Atty. lAwrence yAng THERE’S a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest. There’s a time for everything. So states Ecclesiastes 3: “For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up; a time to cry and a time to laugh…” The client is was 72. Three years ago, the client and his wife became my clients for a Chapter 13 case. They had a relatively small default on their residence, less than $20,000. And they owed about $18,000 to the IRS for back taxes, which were not yet dischargeable. The client and wife were still working, gainfully employed as members of a profession. But all of a sudden, the client’s kidneys start to fail. Diabetes is the culprit, and he needs to go for dialysis three times a week. He says he’s too old to wait for a kidney transplant as the wait is about 10 years. So, he’s decided to tough it out, just continue living with dialysis. It’s not hard to imagine that once you start needing dialysis, your whole life is now centeredaround dialysis. Three times a week, each time four hours at least tethered to the machine to filter your blood. I wish God had not allowed diabetes to exist. So they fall behind on their mortgage since all of a sudden, their income gets substantially reduced from regular paychecks to social security. They owed about $14,000 of arrears in their mortgage, and they could no longer pay the $18,000 of income taxes that were due. Clients decided to file for Chapter 13. The plan allowed them to pay off the $14,000 owed on the mortgage over 60 months, and the $18,000 owed to the IRS over 60 months as well, without interest. The plan’s payment each month was about $650. Shortages were covered by family contributions by their children who are both adults and working. By year 3, the client died of a massive stroke at 72. The wife, who is a joint debtor, is now wondering what she will do. What are her options? Option no. 1: since the house has $200,000 of equity now,

Chapter 13 client with house default dies. What happens next? she can sell the house while in Chapter 13. We will need to file two motions. One is to suspend plan payments. Another is to ask for court permission to sell the house subject to comments by the Chapter 13 trustee. The right time to do these motions and when there is a firm offer for the purchase of the house. The motion to sell will tell the court how much the sale price is, the net proceeds and who the escrow

agent is. From the sale proceeds, the unpaid balance of the plan, since it has two more years to go, will be paid off. The balance will be given to the surviving spouse who happens to be the co-debtor’s wife. Let’s do the math. Net proceeds are $200,000. About $12,000 of this will be used to pay the balance of what is owed on the plan. $188,000, less whatever trustee expenses are, will be Continued on Page 6

people & events

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019

Simbang Gabi 2019: ‘Come and celebrate as we encounter Christ; For we are one body’ LOS ANGELES: The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is now preparing for its annual Simbang Gabi celebration, which will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 6:30 PM. The liturgy will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This year’s theme,”Halina’t Magdiwang sa Ating Pakikipagtagpo kay Kristo; Dahil Tayo ay Isang Katawan” (“Come and Celebrate as We Encounter Christ; For We are One Body”) was selected and agreed upon by parish representatives from the all over the San Fernando Pastoral Region. The Mass will be concelebrated by the bishops and priests of our archdiocese with the principal celebrant, his Excellency, Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez, D.D., Archbishop of Los Angeles.

The San Fernando Region is leading and organizing this year’s event. Chairperson Raymond De Guzman and ViceChair Patty Santiago are coordinating the preparations with the advice and support of Rev. Fr. Albert H. Avenido, Chaplain and Moderator of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The celebration will again include the procession of Parols (star lanterns) which is a tradition that Filipino faithful from different parishes, Catholic organizations, civic, government and non-governmental organizations throughout Los Angeles continue to observe and enjoy. The parols will be blessed at the conclusion of the Mass and sent forth to the different parishes that will be celebrating Simbang Gabi for the next nine mornings or eight evenings leading to Christmas. All participating parishes

will have its in-parish coordinator submit their Simbang Gabi schedule for publication. Attendees to our Simbang Gabi are encouraged to wear Filipiniana to signify the beauty of our cultural tradition. We encourage Kababayans to attend and bring the youth, the next generation of faithful! Simbang Gabi is one of the longest and most powerful celebrations in the lives of Filipinos and Americans of Filipino descent. We invite everyone to this joyous event, to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas and experience community solidarity. Mabuhay! For more information, please call or send an e-mail to: Raymond De Guzman, Chairperson of Simbang Gabi 2019, Phone: (818) 634-8664, E-mail: rdeguzman1317@verizon.net or Patty Santiago- Vice- Chair, Phone: (818) 472-4288, E-mail: piesan@ hotmail.com n

Chapter 13 client with house default... From Page 5 given to the wife. Option no. 2: Continue paying on the plan for another 24 months and complete all plan payments. On the 60th month, the wife will not have any arrears on the house, will be back on the current status with the lender, and will not owe anything to the IRS. And she will still own the house with equity of at least $200,000, and rising. Since she will still own the house, she can continue living in it, or rent it out and get rental income. Option no. 3: Ask the lender for a loan modification because her husband died to reduce mortgage payment. If this is approved, then the arrears will be added to the principal and she will be back to current status. The plan can be reduced by a motion to modify plan payments since only what is owed to the IRS will be left proportionately unpaid. These are three basic options available to the surviving co-debt

spouse. Which is the best option to go for? Well, this all depends on how the wife feels about the house and what the children want to do with it. Right now, of course, the wife does not want to live in the house by herself, which is un-

Parol installation on display at LA’s Grand... From Page 5 de Leon of Kidlat Woodworks,” said Diamond. In partnership with Kayamanan Ng Lahi, Los Angeles artist Alfie Ebojo aka alfienumeric and designer Lakandiwa de Leon have combined forces to present, “Kaduduwa: When Spirit and Body Meet,” a collaborative piece dedicated to the city they love with the unique language of merging two worlds: their ancestral home of the Philippines and their current residence in Los Angeles. This piece is their interpretation of the Christmas parol, a lantern made out of paper and bamboo which is traditionally hung during the holiday season in the Philippines. The parol is widely popular and loved in the islands. This artist duo derives their inspiration from the traditional and connect it to their hopes to invoke unity, goodwill and love in this diverse city. “Beyond being a beautiful piece of art, Kaduduwa not only represents the importance of the Filipino community in Los Angeles, but is a representation of light over darkness – a wonderful reminder of hope and goodwill this holiday season,” Diamond added. Additionally, exhibits during Winter Glow include the LA County Holiday Tree at The Music Center Plaza, Grand Park Tree by the fountain and Menorahs to honor the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Grand Park’s Winter Glow is kla.org/event/grand-parks-winfree and open to the public until ter-glow-2019/ for more inforDec. 25. Visit https://grandpar- mation. n

Grand Park and Kayamanan Ng Lahi hosted a free parol-making workshop where kids and adults were supplied with materials to create their own star lantern to take home on Saturday, December 7 as part of Grand Park’s annual Winter Glow event.

sickness and death. In heaven, I understand we will have glorified “Kaduduwa: When Spirit and Body Meet” installation by Alfie Ebojo aka alfienumeric and bodies that last for eternity and Lakandiwa de Leon of Kidlat Woodworks will never get sick or die. So, the client now has a glorified body in heaven with Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit that will last him for eternity. Never again to need dialysis ever. Well, that’s a really sweet deal, right? So all you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of the one true God who died for our sins that we may have a chance to enter heaven. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than 5,000 clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. A group of friends show off their creative Holiday spirit while attending a free parol-making workshop on Saturday, December 7th in downtown (Advertising Supplement) Los Angeles as part of Grand Park’s annual Winter Glow festival. Photos courtesy of the LA Music Center

“ We will need to file two motions. One is to suspend plan payments. Another is to ask for court permission to sell the house subject to comments by the Chapter 13 trustee.”

EMPLOYMENT

derstandable. So she has quickly been able to rent the house. I feel bad for her but as stated by Ecclesiastes, there’s a time to be born and a time to die. There’s a time for everything. This is so true. All of us will be called by God one day and on that day; it will be our time to go. Even if you had all the money in the world, you can’t pay someone to die for you. You can’t even pay someone to be sick for you. Because of the original sin by Adam and Eve, we now have these frail bodies that suck. We all succumb to

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 11, 2019