121418 - New York & New Jersey Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

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DEC EMBER 14-20, 2018 Volume 12 - No. 8 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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PH Congress approves martial law extension in Mindanao till 2019 by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

CONGRESS on Wednesday, December 12, gave its approval to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year once again. The extension, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, would “put an end to the on-going rebellion in Mindanao.”

A total of 12 senators voted to extend the martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2019; meanwhile, five voted not to extend. Only one abstained. The House for its part, had 223 votes to extend the law. Only 23 were against, and there were no abstentions. After about three hours of debates in a joint session at the

USA

DATELINE SWS: 3 in 5 Filipinos believe US will defend PH FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

ACCORDING to a Social Weather Stations survey released Wednesday, three in five Filipinos believe that the United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is strong. The survey showed 61 percent believe the U.S. will defend the country, with 31 percent answering strongly believe, and 30 percent somewhat believe. Meanwhile, 9 percent said they do not believe U.S.’ commitment, and 30 percent were undecided. It also showed that 53 percent only learned about the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two countries when the survey was conducted. The remaining 47 percent were aware of such agreement, and among them, 80 percent said they believe the US will defend the Philippines if there was an invasion. Awareness of Mutual Defense Treaty The highest number of those aware of the MDT was recorded in Metro Manila with

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The late George H.W. Bush remembered for sponsoring a Filipino child nearly 20 years ago

Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, the Congress ultimately approved the martial rule extension in the South with a final total vote of 235 for an extension, 28 against, and one abstention. Duterte, in his letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria Arroyo dated December 6, said “rebel-

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BELLS ON DISPLAY. Students view the Balangiga bells at the Philippine Air Force Museum on Wednesday, December 12. To Filipinos, the three bells are symbols of patriotism and bravery while U.S. troops view them as war trophies of the Philippine-American war in 1901. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa lands ‘Return of Balangiga bells time for healing, closure’ TIME’s ‘Person of the Year’ cover by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA

AJPress

ON Tuesday, Dec. 11, TIME Magazine released its yearly “Person of the Year” issue, and the magazine has chosen “The Guardians” — journalists who have been persecuted for their work. Among the journalists given a blackand-white cover included Maria Ressa, chief executive of Philippine news site Rappler; whose consistent, formidable reporting on the This screenshot from TIME Magazine shows extrajudicial killings Rappler CEO Maria Ressa who is one of the in the country, to journalists it has picked as Person of the Photo courtesy of TIME put it lightly, caused Year. a kerfuffle in the Duterte administration. TIME writes, “In the Philippines, a 55-year-old woman named Maria Ressa steers Rappler, an online news site she helped found, through a superstorm of the two most formidable forces in the information universe: social media and a populist President with authoritarian inclinations. Rappler has chronicled the violent drug war and extrajudicial killings of President Rodrigo Duterte that have left some 12,000 people dead, according to a January estimate from Human Rights Watch.” Last month, the Duterte administration indicted Rappler with charges on tax fraud, which could send Ressa

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THE return of three church bells taken as war booty from Balangiga, Eastern Samar more than a century ago symbolize “something precious” to both the Philippines and the United States, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday, December 11. The historic bells landed at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130. U.S. Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim officially turned the bells over to the Philippines during a handover ceremony. “They are going back to where they belong. It is time for healing, it is time for closure, it is time to look ahead as two nations should with shared history and as allies,” Lorenzana said in a speech.

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In his speech, Lorenzana also acknowledged American businessman Henry Howard for playing a major role in the efforts to return the Balangiga bells. Howard, who is Philippine Honorary Consul in Miami, Florida, shouldered the cost of bells’ refurbishing the bells and transporting them from Wyoming to Philadelphia. Two of the bells were initially displayed as a memorial at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming while the third one was at a U.S. Army regiment in South Korea. Other than being spoils of war, the Balangiga bells symbolize unity and national identity, according to Lorenzana. “How could mere three church bells evoke so much intense emotion among Filipinos and Amer-

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Fil-Am individuals and organizations among awardees honored by Duterte by AJPRESS OVERSEAS Filipinos and organizations were recognized by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a ceremony on Wednesday, December 5 at Malacañang Palace. Called the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO), 25 outstanding Filipino individuals and organizations from abroad were honored. Six families were also given the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA). The recipients of the 2018 PAFIOO have been selected from a total of 96 nominations received by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas from 28 countries through 37 Philippine embassies and consulates. In conferring the Awards, the president was as-

Funeral held for 41st US President at Washington National Cathedral THE late former President George H.W.Bush who passed away on Friday, November 30 is said to have begun sponsoring a young Filipino boy under a pseudonym some 20 years ago. Through Compassion International, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit, the 41st President of the United States sponsored the boy named Timothy and used the pseudonym “George Walker,” according to the nonprofit. To the Colorado Springs Gazette, Wess Stafford, president emeritus at Compassion, said the pseudonym was also for the young boy’s safety as he could have been in danger had others known he was communicating with a former president. Yet that didn’t stop Bush from occasionally slipping in some clues to his true identity,

VIRAY

sisted by DOLE Secretary Silvestro Bello III, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, CFO Secretary and Chairperson Justice Francisco “Nick” Acosta, and OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac. “OFWs are the lifeblood of the nation. As appreciation for all your hardships, you have my assurance that the protection and promotion of your welfare and well-being will remain as one this administration’s top priorities,” Duterte said in his speech during the awarding ceremony. “This nation will always recognize your invaluable contribution to nation-building, and this administration will continue to craft policies and implement programs that will respond to your needs and protect your rights,” he added. He also urged the OFWs to remain committed to their families “as we work towards a more

Filipino Christmas, a big hit in New York

The lobby of the Philippine Center is adorned with lanterns from Pampanga

The large window of the Philippine Center in New York showcases the nativity scene with Filipino touch. Photos by NYPCG

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Two large capiz parols welcome guests to the Philippine Center.

CHRISTMAS celebration the Filipino way is in full swing in New York as the lobby and glass windows of the Philippine Center along the bustling Fifth Avenue in mid-town Manhattan showcase a colorful collection of traditional parols (Christmas lanterns) and nativity scene. Thousands of New Yorkers and tourists pass by the Philippine Center everyday and admire the colorful display that depicts the rich values and Christmas traditions of the Philippines. The project, dubbed as “Feel Pinas”, is a joint undertaking by the Philippine Consulate General, Department of Tourism-New York Office, and the Philippine Center Management Board. It brings together elements of Filipino Christmas that make Filipinos feel

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From the Front Page

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa lands TIME’s... PAGE A1 to prison for up to 10 years. Ressa wasn’t the only Asian honoree of the esteemed cover. Young Reuters reporters Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone are currently in prison in Myanmar for their consistent reporting on the deaths of 10 Rohingya Muslims amid the ongoing ostracization and discrimination against the minority group in Myanmar.

Also featured in the issue — called “The Guardians and the War on Truth — was investigative Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose mysterious killing continues to breed speculation into abuse of power among those who may be involved. The staff at historical Maryland newspaper The Capital Gazette also landed a cover for continuing to “press on” after a gunman

entered their newsroom on June 28 and gunned down five of their colleagues. “For taking great risks in pursuit of greater truths, for the imperfect but essential quest for facts that are central to civil discourse, for speaking up and for speaking out, ‘The Guardians’ are the Person of the Year,” TIME editor Ed Felsenthal wrote. n

SWS: 3 in 5 Filipinos believe US will...

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58 percent. It was followed by balance Luzon with 53 percent. Visayas had 41 percent, while Mindanao had 31 percent. 55 percent were aware of the treaty in urban areas, while 38 percent were aware in rural areas. When it came to socioeconomic classes, 51 percent of class ABC were aware of the treaty while class D had 49 percent and class E had 34 percent. Among elementary graduates, awareness of the treaty was recorded at 67 percent; while 53 percent was recorded among

non-elementary graduates who were aware. The survey also registered a higher awareness of the MDT among people who were aware of the West Philippine Sea dispute, with 54 percent. “The survey also found that previous awareness about the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty was highest among those with extensive knowledge about the PH-China dispute in the West Philippine Sea (73 percent),” SWS said. Among those aware of the maritime dispute, 67 percent believe that the U.S. will defend

the Philippines should an invasion happen. The survey was conducted from June 27 to 30. It employed face-to-face interviews among 1,200 adults nationwide, and had a sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “The Social Weather Survey items on people’s opinion about the PH-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty were non-commissioned. They were included on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service,” SWS said. n

Filipino Christmas, a big hit... PAGE A1 at home and foreigners want to visit the Philippines. The launch of the “Feel Pinas” last December 6 was highlighted by the debut of the nativity scene display by the two glass windows of the Philippine Center facing Fifth Avenue. The nativity scene is made of images and decors from the Philippines and is complemented by the display from large LED screens showing videos of lanterns and snippets of Filipino Christmas celebrations. As guests enter the Center, they are welcomed by two white lanterns made of capiz shells from Sorsogon. The lobby is adorned with bright and colorful lanterns from Pampanga. This year, the display is further enhanced by nine lanterns from the Fil-Am community, each one symbolizing Filipino values or virtue. One of the lanterns is lighted everyday starting from the first night of the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado last 6 December, until all the lanterns are lighted on the last evening of the traditional nine-day mass on

PH Congress approves martial law... PAGE A1 lion still persists in Mindanao” and “public safety requires the continuation of martial law.” He also argued that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies would be able “to finally put an end to the on-going rebellion in Mindanao and continue to prevent the same from escalating in other parts of the country” with the help of the extension.

The martial law in Mindanao was first declared by Duterte on May 23, 2017, after the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City. He asked for an extension until December of the same year from the Congress, and then requested to extend it until the end of 2018 despite the government’s declaration of an end to fierce urban fighting in the war-torn area. According to Article VII Section 18 of the Constitution, the presi-

dent may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part of it under martial law for not more than 60 days if there is “invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.” The Congress, however, may extend it by a vote of at least a majority of all its members and upon the initiative of the president. The legislative branch may also choose to revoke such in the same manner. n

‘Return of Balangiga bells time for...

Consul General Claro S. Cristobal (right) welcomes guests to the first night of the Simbang Gabi coinciding with the Parol-lighting and debut of the Feel Pinas window display. Photo by NYPCG

December 14. Consul General Claro S. Cristobal said that it is heartwarming that the Filipino-American community in New York has preserved our Filipino Christmas traditions. “Our sense of community, bolstered by faith, has given us the inspiration to be here, despite the busy- ness of our holiday schedules, to devote our time and

President Rodrigo Duterte takes a bow before scout ranger troopers, as he takes center stage during the awarding ceremony of 500 housing units to the personnel of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (1st SRR) at the Scout Ranger Ville in San Miguel, Bulacan on Monday, December 10. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

resources in nine days of prayer and praise, “ he added. Tourism Attaché Susana Del Mundo is hopeful that the “Feel Pinas” project will further bolster tourism in the Philippines as thousands see the beauty of our country and the richness of our culture and traditions. The display runs until January 6, 2019. n

PAGE A1 icans? Maybe because we human beings live by symbols such as our national flag and, in this instance, these bells,” Lorenzana said. Replicas of the historic bells will replace the original ones that were repatriated to the Philippines. Closure to ‘painful episode of history’ The Defense secretary expressed hopes that the return of the bells would serve as closure and would no longer remind both countries of “that painful episode of our joint history.” Lorenzana also quoted U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis who previously said, “To those who think that we are losing something by returning the bells, please hear me out when I say that the bells mark time but courage is timeless. It does not fade in history in dimly-lit corridors nor is it forgotten in this history of conflict. For Washington, the return of

Filipino and American government officials witness the handover of the historical Balangiga Bells at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday, December 11. The historic return of the famed Balangiga Bells to the country marks an “important milestone” in relations between the Philippines and the United States, Malacañang said. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

the Balangiga bells reflect the Philippines-U.S. relationship, which Ambassador Kim described as “enduring and deeply personal.” “The bells’ return reflects the strong bonds and mutual respect between our nations and our peoples. It demonstrates our determination to honor the past and the sacrifices made togeth-

er by Filipinos and Americans. And it heralds our bright future as friends, partners, and allies,” Kim said during the handover ceremony. Following the ceremony at Villamor Air Base, the bells are expected to be returned to their original home, the Church of San Lorenzo de Martir in Balangiga, Eastern Samar. n

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Dateline USa

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DEcEmbER 14-20, 2018

Filipino skateboard champ makes TIME’s 25 influential teens by Faye

Orellana Inquirer.net

AsiAn Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal is among TIME Magazine’s “25 Most influential Teens of 2018,” making the sole Filipino included on the list. “This summer, the 19 year old from Cebu City, Philippines, won the gold medal in women’s street skateboarding competition at the Asian Games —and became a national hero in the process,” TIME said. Those included on the list were determined by “accolades across numerous fields, global impact through social media and overall ability to drive news.” Didal rose to prominence after bagging the gold medal in the women’s street skateboard

mark 30.4 points, 5.4 more than silver medalist isa Kaya of Japan who had 25. TIME said that Didal’s win paved a way for the public to consider skateboarding as a serious sport in the Philippines. “i want to build a new generation of skaters for the future,” she told Time. Apart from Didal, actresses Millie Bobby Brown, storm Reid, Kiernan shipka, Joey King and Korean boy group nCT Dream were also included on the list. Also part of the annual list of the magazine were French footMargielyn Didal ManilaTimes.net photo baller Kylian Mpabbe and American snowboarder Chloe Kim. competition during 2018 Asian in 2017, two Filipino teens Games held JsC skateBoard sta- were included in the annual listdium in Palembang last April. ing of influential teens around Didal finished with an average the globe. n

PH ranks 73rd in worldwide freedom index by Darryl JOhn

esguerra

Inquirer.net

THE Philippines ranked 73rd out of 162 countries in the Human Freedom index (HFi), a study by Canada’s Fraser institute, Germany’s Friedrich naumann Foundation for Freedom, and the Cato institute in the United states showed. The country slid two spots from its previous ranking in the fourth edition of the annual index, which uses a 10-point scoring system. The index “captures the degree to which people are free to enjoy important rights such as freedom of speech, religion, association, and assembly, and also measures freedom of movement, women’s freedoms, crime and violence, and legal discrimination against same-sex relationships.” HFi ranks the countries based

on 79 distinct indicators of personal, civil, and economic freedom, using data from 2008 to 2016, the most recent year for which sufficient data are available. in the 2018 index, the Philippines registered a score of 6.92, at par with the global average Human Freedom rating of 6.89. The country scored 6.50 in the “Personal Freedom” category, 7.34 in the “Economic Freedom” and 6.92 in the “Human Freedom” category. its aggregate score of 6.92 was 0.13 points below its previous ranking in 2015-16, the study noted. new Zealand topped the rankings followed by switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada. Among the south Asian countries, the Philippines ranked third, just behind singapore

Palace accuses UN expert of ‘assaulting Philippine sovereignty’ by alexis

rOmerO Philstar.com

MAlACAñAnG has accused a United nations expert who called for the dropping of charges against journalist Maria Ressa and her website Rappler of “assaulting” the Philippines’ sovereignty and “politicizing” a serious crime. Presidential spokesman salvador Panelo said Un special rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye had barged into the country’s legal and judicial processes when he urged the government to drop the tax evasion charges against Ressa. “Without the benefit of factual information, Mr. Kaye, Un special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, has called on the government to drop the tax evasion charges against Rappler and its head, Maria Ressa, contend-

ing falsely that the same constitutes censorship,” Panelo said in a statement issued on saturday, December 8. “We expect the Un representative to be more circumspect instead of politicizing a crime and ignoring its gravity and assaulting the sovereignty of our country,” he added. Rappler Holdings, the parent firm of news website Rappler and Ressa are facing five tax evasion cases. The justice department has accused them of not filing a value-added tax return for the second quarter of 2015. Kaye has called on the Duterte administration to drop the charges against Rappler and Ressa, claiming the cases were being used as a “censorship tool.” The Un expert has also described the charges as “a serious threat against independent and investigative journalism in the Philippines.” n

(8.16) and Cambodia (7.20). The Philippines was also named 100th in Personal Freedom, 49th in Economic Freedom, and 73rd in Human Freedom, in the foreword of the report, authors claimed that “aspiring authoritarian rulers in nations such as Poland, Hungary, and the Philippines may have little interest in imposing their despotic vision of ‘good governance’ outside their borders—but the real evangelists of authoritarianism are emerging elsewhere. it’s a bit like cancer—all cancer is bad, but metastasizing cancer can be lethal.” n

Twenty-five Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas Awardees were recognized by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a ceremony on Wednesday, December 5 at Malacañang Palace. Photo courtesy of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas

Fil-Am individuals and organizations... PAGE A1 equitable progressive future for our country.” The Commission on Filipinos Overseas is led by Acosta who said in his welcome message, “The Filipino nation honors you not only for your wide-ranging achievements but more for your advocacy in behalf of the marginalized, distressed, and underprivileged.” He also encouraged the awardees to “become our emissaries abroad.” PAFiOO is a biennial search for individuals and organizations based abroad who have dedicated their work in the service of Filipinos. This year’s presidential awardees come from 12 countries and territories and had gone through a four-stage selection process involving multi-sectoral representation.

The Awards have four categories: Banaag, Pamana ng Pilipino, lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (linKAPil), and Kaanib ng Bayan. The Banaag Award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations for their contributions that have significantly benefited or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities. The Banaag awardees are Corazon A. Francisco (Australia), Agnes Katbeth O. Kreimer (Peru), Dindo B. Malanyaon (italy), Juliet Montano (Taiwan), Pilipino Workers Center of southern California (United states), Maria Cristina F. sulaik (sudan), and Wimler Foundation Hong Kong, ltd. (Hong Kong). The Pamana ng Pilipino Award is conferred on Filipino overseas, who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and

recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession. The Pamana ng Pilipino awardees are Paul C. Balan (United states), Edward M. Brotonel (United states), nicolas M. Caraquel (United states), Elizabeth l. Engle (United states), Maria Theresa A. Eviota (switzerland), Pedro A. Jose (United states), Teresita A. Marques (Portugal), C. Joe sayas, Jr. (United states), Jose Dennis C. Teodosio (Myanmar), saturnino H. Tiamson, Jr. (Hong Kong), Jhett D. Tolentino (United states). The linKAPil Award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations for exceptional or significant contributions to the reconstruction, progress and development of the Philippines. The linKAPil awardees are Association of Fil-Am Teachers of

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Dengvaxia ban likely to stay — DOH by AJPress

The public paid its respects on Monday, Dec. 3 at the casket for former President George H. W. Bush lying in state at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

The Late George H.W. Bush remembered for... PAGE A1 t added Stafford. “The first time he started breaking our little security rules was when he sent a picture of his dog, Millie, and he added, ‘This Is Millie. She’s met lots of famous people,” The Gazette quoted Stafford saying while laughing. “And I thought, ‘OK, that’s cute, but boy, that’s starting to slip some littler secrets in there.’ The sponsorship started around 2000 in Washington, D.C., after Bush attended a Christmas concert, according to the report. When performers asked during intermission if anyone wanted information about sponsoring a child, George Sr. was among those that quickly rose his hand. Two weeks later, Timothy got his first letter from the former president — the first of many handwritten notes and hand drawn pictures. Stafford recalled Bush sending Timothy a package full of colored pencils after learning that the young boy liked art. “He really threw himself into it,” Stafford told The Gazette. “He would write to little Timothy and Timothy would write to him, and anything that Timothy said that was interesting, President Bush would write right back with a comment on it. You know, ‘Thank you for the picture of that beautiful rainbow. You know, we had a rainbow like that right outside my house just last week.’ He was everything that we wish all of our sponsors would be. He was engaged in this little child’s life.” Though Timothy got a new sponsor years later due to Bush’s

busier schedule, Stafford described Timothy as being dumbfounded and speechless when his new sponsor Angie Lathrop told him about Bush. “It’s amazing enough that anyone would care about them but it was beyond his wildest imagination and even his ability to comprehend that the president of the United States knew his name,” said Stafford. Funeral for late president held at Washington National Cathedral A service was held on Wednesday, December 5 at the Washington National Cathedral for Bush, who passed away on Friday, November 30 at the age of 94, after battling Vascular Parkinsonism for years. Among those present were his son George W. Bush, current President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter, and former President Bill Clinton and 2016 Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton among others. In a 12-minute tribute, George W. Bush — the 43rd president of the United States — described his father as being the “brightest of 1,000 points of light.” “He looked for the good in each person, and he usually found it,” said the younger Bush during the service’s main eulogy. He went on to talk of how his father showed him what it meant to a president “who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country.” He continued, “Through our tears, let us see the blessings

of knowing and loving you — a great and noble man, and the best father a son or daughter could have.” Referring to his late mother Barbara Bush and his sister Pauline “Robin” Bush who died at three years old, he added, “And in our grief, let us smile knowing Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again.” Former Canada Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, and the late Bush’s biographer Jon Meacham also gave their tributes. His granddaughter Lauren Bush Lauren, Jenna Bush Hager, and Ashley Walker Bush delivered readings. On Thursday, December 6, Bush’s casket took a final journey aboard a Union Pacific Locomotive 4141 train — named the Bush 4141 in his honor — to College Station, Texas. Bush was known to have been fond of trains, once saying he preferred it over the Air Force One. “If I had one of these when I was president, I might have left Air Force One behind,” said Bush at the train’s unveiling in 2005. The locomotive was specially made with clear side panels and allowed people to pay their respects. Thousands of people lined up with flags and signs in honor of the late commander in chief. The 4,300-horsepower train traveled from Houston where a second memorial service took place at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Memorial where Barbara Bush and Robin Bush were also interred in a family plot. n

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THE Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, December 11, said that the agency does not see Dengvaxia being used anytime soon despite its one-year ban coming to an end. DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo, in an interview, noted that the one-year suspension of the marketing license of Dengvaxia will likely get an extension after December 29. “The one-year suspension of the Certificate Product Registration (CPR) of Dengvaxia is not yet lifted and I don’t see it being lifted anytime soon,” Domingo said. The administering of Dengvaxia was suspended on December 29, 2017 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after its manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur had failed to comply with post-marketing requirements. According to Domingo, the DOH does not see the product being registered and sold again in the country right after the oneyear suspension of its CPR. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III suspended the dengue vaccination program after Sanofi admitted in November 2017 that it could cause severe dengue if given to those who have not had dengue. Pending regulatory and legal issues and the lack of testing kits to detect previous dengue infection were cited by Duque as some of the reasons that would stop the return of Dengvaxia. “Even if the suspension is lifted, who will let themselves be vaccinated with Dengvaxia?” he added. DOJ ends probe Meanwhile, preliminary investigation on criminal charges against former health secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial over the deaths of school children inoculated with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine has been concluded by the Department of

The dengue vaccination program was suspended by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III after Sanofi admitted in November 2017 that it could cause severe dengue if given to those who have not had dengue. Philstar.com photo by Miguel de Guzman

Justice (DOJ). Investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Claire Eufracia Pagayanan has submitted the case for resolution. This is after the last hearing on Monday where Ubial submitted her rejoinder and sought dismissal of the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide for lack of basis. Former Health Secretary Janette Garin, who is facing a string of criminal charges over the alleged Dengvaxia deaths filed by families of victims, filed the complaint against Ubial. According to Ubial, the accusation of Garin that she should be held criminally liable because it was she who decided to shift the dengue immunization program from being school-based to community-based, contributing to the alleged deaths among immunized children, was “false and unfounded.” Garin “merely surmises that the implementation of the Community-Based Dengue Immunization Program ‘may have’ contributed to ‘alleged reported deaths,’” she stressed. Garin’s claim that the community-based implementation of the dengue immunization program

was contrary to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations that immunization programs should be school-based was also refuted by Ubial. Ubial was “not negligent or imprudent in implementing the Community-Based Dengue Immunization Program,” she explained, and further said the decision to implement it was “a result of discussions by the (DOH) executive committee, consultations with medical experts and was supported by scientifically and medically backed-up research culled from several years of clinical trials.” Garin served as health chief from December 2014 to June 2016, followed by Ubial, who was in the post from July 2016 to October 2017. Garin and 37 other health officials, executives of Sanofi and its distributor Zuellig Pharma are currently facing a total of 29 cases for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture and Consumer laws. Ubial has not been charged in the cases because she would be used as a prosecution witness, the Public Attorney’s Office earlier explained. n

Duterte warns 2019 poll bets: ‘Do not intimidate, let them choose who they want’ by AJPress PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, December 10, warned all candidates for the 2019 midterm elections not to intimidate Filipino voters into voting for them or their allies regardless of their political affiliations to the president. “Ke kasama kita sa gobyerno, kasama kita sa partido o kalaban kita sa politika (Whether you’re a colleague in government, a political ally, or a political opponent). Do not terrorize, do not intimidate, do not create fear in the voters,” Duterte warned. Duterte made it clear during the military housing project in San Miguel, Bulacan that he will not tolerate nor permit any candidate to bully their voters into choosing them for a certain government position. “I would just like to inform, I want to tell the candidates and that goes for the entire Philippines, during my watch, in my time, I will not allow you,” the president added as reported by Rappler. Aside from offering to arrest politicians himself, the strongmouthed leader delivered some

threatening remarks to those who dare not to follow his orders. He presented his punishment in mind in a graphic and detailed manner. “‘Pag ginawa ‘nyo ‘yan, ako mismo pupunta doon at ako mismo mag-aresto sa ‘yo at ako mismo maghila sa inyo. Talian kita sa leeg, doon sa gilid ng eroplano (If you do that, I myself will go to you and arrest you and drag you. I will tie you around the neck. I will tie it to a wheel of a plane and take off),” he warned. He urged the candidates to leave the decision to the voters. He noted that even if they would not like the attitude of those who will win they must deal with it because those are the government officials the people have chosen. “Hayaan mo ang tao kung sino ang piliin nila — maski piliin nila yung parang aso ‘yung ugali. E pasensiya tayo (Let the people choose who they want – even if they choose someone who behaves like a dog. That’s just too bad for us),” Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. He emphasized the importance of giving in to the call of democracy which is surrender-

ing the selection of leaders to the will of the people. He said that the choice of the majority should dictate who will be the rightful person in public office. “That’s the will of the people. It’s the will of God. Iyon ang pinili ng tao. Eh, di pasensiya (That’s who the people chose. That’s just too bad for us). You might not like him, but if it’s their free will, it’s the choice of the people. Do not mess it up,” he said. The commander-in-chief also issued an order to government officials and members of the military — soldiers and police alike, not to express favor towards any politician, even if they are allied with the administration. “One thing also is we are observing the election period. I would like to remind everybody in government, everybody especially the Armed Forces and police. Do not take sides either for or against any party. Don’t interfere,” he said. “Huwag kayong magkampanya (Don’t campaign for) and do not favor any candidate whatsoever,” he added. “That is the mandate of the Constitution. And we will stick by it,” Duterte added. n

Sandiganbayan sets 2019 trial for Enrile plunder case by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

trial level for years. It has caused years-long worth of pre-trial conferences at the third division. THE plunder trial of former The Supreme Court also grantSenator Juan Ponce Enrile for al- ed him bail, which gave Enrile legedly receiving P172.8 million his freedom for more than three in kickbacks from projects funded years. by his office’s pork barrel will fiEnrile is also charged for 15 nally start in 2019 by the Sandi- counts of graft over the scam. ganbayan Third Division. Two women are crucial links to It is set to begin on February Enrile — his former chief of staff 19, 2019 by the anti-graft court’s Gigi Reyes, and socialite Ruby third division. Tuason who said she got kickDue to the Supreme Court backs for Enrile from Janet Limgranting the former senator’s Napoles, and she coursed them request for a Bill of Particulars, through Reyes. which required the prosecution to Reyes, who allegedly signed specify to the tiniest details its evi- endorsement letters to Napoles dence against Enrile, his plunder NGO, has has been detained for Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile case has been stuck at the preInquirer.net photo PAGE A5

Fil-Am individuals and organizations... PAGE A3 t America, Inc. (United States), Salvacion G. Cimanez (Netherlands), Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers Association (United States), Friends Indeed U.S.A., Inc. (United States), and Hilda L. Gigioli (United States). The Kaanib ng Bayan Award is conferred to foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contribution to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development, or have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or

advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities. The Kaanib ng Bayan awardees are Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (Singapore), and Stichting LOOP (Netherlands). After the conferment of PAFIOO, the president also awarded the OFWs with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 2018 MOFYA. MOFYA is given to promote success stories of OFWs amid the challenges of overseas employment and to highlight the role of OFW

families as units in achieving socio-civic, education and professional success. The 2018 MOFYA awardees are engineer Mohammad Ali Sulay Urao and family (outstanding achievement in community projects); engineer Arnulfo Navarro Geganto and family (in entrepreneurship); Josefina dela Chica Villamor and family (Model OFW Family of the Year: land-based); and Domingo Cuanang Jr. and family, Reynaldo Granada Gaitan and family, and Gemelito Geloca and family (sea-based OFW fam-

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Bishops in show of force at cathedral rite by Tina

sanTos Inquirer.net

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING. The Villar family, led by former Senate President Manny Villar (right) and Senator Cynthia Villar (2nd right), celebrates their annual Christmas gift-giving get-together with some 150 kids from Barangay Baseco in Tondo and Barangay Iruhin in Tagaytay City at the Christmas Village in Crosswinds, Tagaytay on Sunday, December 9. Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (left) and his wife, Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Villar (2nd from left), sang and played with the kids in the annual gift-giving affair. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Infra spending up 50% in 10 months Monthly expenditures on roads, school buildings, health facilities surged 83.4% to P94.4B in October by BEn

o. DE VEra Inquirer.net

CONSTRUCTION of more roads, health facilities, school buildings as well as local projects in Mindanao nearly doubled the national government’s infrastructure expenditures in October to P94.4 billion, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday, December 12. The latest Department of Budget and Management data showed that disbursements on infrastructure and other capital outlays jumped 83.4 percent in October from P51.5 billion a year ago. In a press conference, Diokno explained that “billing claims and payments for completed infrastructure projects were made” that month. Infrastructure spending in Oc-

tober also exceeded September’s P65.2 billion. Diokno said among the finished infrastructure projects in October included the rehabilitation, reconstruction and upgrading of damaged paved national roads, flood control and drainage improvement, construction of bypass/diversion roads as well as road improvement/widening by the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Department of Health’s health facilities enhancement program, building repairs and equipment purchases of state universities and colleges and the Department of Education’s school building repair and rehabilitation projects also boosted spending that month. The budget chief also noted the rollout of local infrastructure projects in the Autonomous Re-

gion in Muslim Mindanao. As such, the amount spent by the government on infrastructure and other capital outlays from January to October climbed 50.3 percent to P665.1 billion from P442.7 billion during the same 10-month period last year. “Looking ahead, the public sector will continue to buoy the Philippine economy. Faster and more targeted spending will translate to wider roads and better mass transport systems, more accessible education and health services and overall better standards of living for our people,” Diokno said. These investments form part of the Duterte administration’s amby EmmanuEl Tupas bitious “Build, Build, Build” inPhilstar.com frastructure program and meant that “there is no underspending, MANILA— A Tourism official as critics falsely claim,” the budon Thursday, December 13, said get chief said. n the department sees the recent extension of martial law in Mindanao as a “good sign.” “If you talk to the people of the height of the exposé on the Mindanao they are all for it because safety and security is alpork barrel scandal. The report also shows that Es- ways a very important factor,” trada transferred millions of pe- Undersecretary for Tourism sos to accounts under the names Development Planning Benito Gregorio (P42.849 million), Ro- “Bong” Bengzon Jr. said in an lando Francisco (P20.7 million), interview with members of the Juan Ng (P29.904 million), and press on Thursday, December Reynaldo Pazcoguin (P11.9 mil- 13. Bengzon said that the departlion). After the special 5th divi- ment is confident that the extension granted him bail, Estrada sion will “further stabilize the has been free since September situation” in Mindanao. On Wednesday, December 12, 2017. n

Sandiganbayan sets 2019 trial for Enrile plunder...

PAGE A4 t four years; meanwhile, Tuason has been turned into a state witness. Estrada trial For former senator Jinggoy Estrada’s plunder case, the defense is set to start its presentation of evidence after the prosecution rested its case. Estrada is charged for 11 counts of graft for allegedly receiving P183.793 in kickbacks from his pork barrel, as reported by Rap-

pler. Supposedly, some of it were personally delivered by Tuason to his San Juan City home. It was recently ruled by the Supreme Court that the Sandiganbayan can use explosive Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report as evidence, which shows Estrada under declared his cash assets from 2006 to 2012. Estrada was also shown in the report withdrawing a total of P76.446 million from four bank accounts in September 2013, at

SEVERAL bishops joined Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in celebrating Mass at Manila Cathedral on Monday, December 10, in an apparent show of force after President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to kill “useless” prelates who criticize his brutal war on drugs. The bishops, led by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), concelebrated Mass with Tagle for the dedication of the altar of Manila Cathedral, which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its restoration after its destruction during World War II. During the Mass, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Manila Cathedral rector, urged the congregation of about 2,000 to show their support for the prelates. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed,” Malicdem said quoting 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “Let us show our love and support for our bishops with a loud and sustained round of applause,” Malicdem added, and the congregation applauded. The President has been badmouthing the Catholic clergy since he took office in 2016. ‘Useless’ prelates In a speech in Malacañang last

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle

week, he said the people should kill the bishops, whom he called “useless” because all they did was criticize him. Also present during the Mass were Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, one of the President’s most vocal critics, and LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, a former president of the CBCP. Bishops from the dioceses of Baguio, Pampanga, Lucena, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato and Zamboanga also attended the Mass. “Their presence tonight only shows that the Manila Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Philippines,” Malicdem said. Some of the bishops have expressed dismay over the approval by the House of Representatives of a resolution for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution. “There are provisions that are self-serving like the abolition of terms for Congress,” Manila Aux-

Inquirer.et photo

iliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said in a statement. A statement from the Archdiocese of Manila said the dedication of the altar of Manila Cathedral according to the Rites of the Second Vatican Council was “a great time for many of us to come together in our Mother Church, as we dedicate the table where, as one people of God, we offer our sacrifices and our prayers.” A highlight of the celebration was the veneration at the altars of the eight side chapels of the cathedral, which were all consecrated in 1958 by bishops. “It is interesting to note that two Filipino prelates who are on their way to sainthood were present during the consecration rites in 1958—Archbishop Teofilo Camomot and Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar who consecrated the altars of the Pius X Chapel and the Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel, respectively,” the archdiocese said. n

‘Martial law extension good sign for tourism,’ DOT official claims the 17th Congress granted President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for the extension of martial in Mindanao for another year up to the end of 2019. Duterte placed all of Mindanao under martial law in May 2017 in response to the Marawi siege, but did not lift it when the city was declared liberated in October of that year. He said martial law was still needed because of a continuing rebellion in the southern Philippines, an argument the executive branch again raised this week for the third extension. ‘Security for tourists in place’ Asked about tourist protection programs being implemented to address the country’s security issues, Bengzon said the Department of Tourism has been

running a program called “TOPCOP”—for Tourist Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection. Bengzon said the program has been running for six or seven years. “The idea is to develop a pool of tourist-friendly police who can address the needs of not only foreign visitors but also domestic visitors,” Bengzon said. The Tourism official cited that these cops can be seen in major tourist destinations such as Boracay, Bohol, Davao, and Cebu. “The TOPCOP has been deployed all over those destination and that’s our commitment to our tourists so that they’d have enjoyable, safe stay,” he said while assuring local and foreign tourists. n

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FEATURES

OPINION

Not so guilty

THE prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. But the Sandiganbayan found sufficient basis to order former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. to return, together with his co-defendants, P124.5 million in connection with the pork barrel scam. The anti-graft court found accused scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles and Richard Cambe, a member of Revilla’s staff in his Senate office, guilty of plunder and sentenced them to life in prison. But the court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that Revilla actually received over P224.5 million for endorsing funds from his pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund to nine bogus non-government organizations set up by Napoles. Also given weight by the court was the testimony of a handwriting analyst presented by the defense, who declared that Revilla’s signatures on the letters of funding endorsements were forged. Set aside by the court were the documented money trail provided by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the unwavering testimony of scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy, as well as

Editorial

the fact that the charged offense involved a conspiracy, in which there may be no direct line leading to the head of the office where the plunder of public funds was

committed. An acquittal can no longer be appealed, so Revilla is home free. His lawyer stressed that the burden of proof rests on the accuser. But he may appeal his conviction on the civil aspect all the way to the Supreme Court, so he may even be spared from returning the P124.5 million. While Cambe must prepare to spend the rest of his life in prison, Revilla was released from detention yesterday, and can now freely move around in preparation for the official start of his bid to return to the Senate. The court of public opinion can deliver its own verdict on his case in May. (Philstar. com)

Philstar.com photo

Sorry President Trump: Journalists you call “Enemy of the People” and Special Counsel Robert Mueller beat you in TIME’s ‘Person of the Year’

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s response to reporters last November when asked about who should be Person of the Year: “Trump…I can’t imagine anybody else other than Trump, can you imagine anybody else other than Trump?” His bubble of self-aggrandizing must have painfully burst when the very people he has been denigrating, demonizing and undermining have been the ones who got the distinction he has been obsessing about for a long time. TIME Magazine’s 2018 Person of the Year went to “The Guardians,” the honor awarded to journalists who, in their pursuit of the truth, had paid the sacrifice of being harassed, imprisoned, and even killed. According to the reporting of NBC News, the age we we live in now is a dangerous time to be

journalists with what has been happening to the world. “With a record number of reporters behind bars around the planet — the Committee to Protect Journalists documented 262 cases in 2017 — an avalanche of misinformation on social media and government officials from the United States to the Philippines dismissing critical, real reporting as “fake news.” In the TIME Magazine cover are four pictures of these courageous journalists who have all been targeted for doing their job. Among them is the Philippines’ very own, Maria Ressa of Rappler. According to NBC News, “The former CNN bureau chief started the online news site ‘Rappler’ in 2012 and has reported critically on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.” According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, that coverage earned the site a “campaign of legal harassment” from Duterte’s Department of

Justice.” Another journalist honored, albeit posthumously, was Jamal Khashoggi, whose brutal killing had been widely talked about internationally. As NBC News reported, “The Washington Post columnist and United States resident penned columns critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — and was brutally killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in October.” The CIA has concluded with “high confidence” that bin Salman ordered his murder, although Trump has seemingly dismissed that assessment, saying, “It could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!” Also honored are four journalists and sales associate who were gunned down in a mass shooting at Maryland’s state capital newspaper, The Capital Gazette, in June. According

to NBC News, authorities said the assailant — who had sued the newspaper and lost after it reported on his guilty plea in a criminal harassment case — targeted the paper in a “coordinated attack.” “The Guardians” also included Myanmar journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. As NBC News reported, “A judge in Myanmar sentenced the pair of Reuters journalists to seven years in prison in September. Their crime? Breaking a colonial-era state secrets law while reporting on the military’s mass killing of Rohingya Muslims.” RUNNER -UP: Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the man tasked to head the independent probe investigating the alleged conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia in damaging Clinton’s campaign to help Trump win the presidency. Trump has been characterizing Mueller as “conflicted,” “not the man you think he is” and the

Returning the Balangiga bells

Commentary U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE PHILIPPINES SUNG KIM

THIS morning (Tuesday, December 11), a U.S. Air Force plane bearing three historic bells from San Lorenzo de Martir Church in Balangiga landed at Villamor Air Force Base. These bells were taken 117 years ago; it was my honor to return them. Their safe return is thanks to the efforts of U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, supported by President Trump, and is driven by respect for the Philippines, our friend, partner, and ally. It has been a long road home for these bells, which were caught up in the aftermath of the tragic conflict that raged across this archipelago at the turn of the last century. The U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Regiment, whose C Company was garrisoned at Balangiga, returned with one of the bells to its home garrison in Sackets Harbor, New York. This bell followed the Regiment to subsequent assignments, most recently residing at a U.S. Army base in South Korea. The two other bells were sent to Fort D.A. Russell in Cheyenne, Wyoming with the 11th Infantry Regiment, where the bells were displayed as part of a memorial to fallen U.S. service members. Good hearted individuals and groups labored for decades to bring the bells home. Former presidents, Cabinet secretaries, Philippine and U.S. ambassadors, historians, philanthropists

and many others worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the history of the bells and to advocate for their dignified return. Others viewed the bells in a very different light. In the state of Wyoming, some U.S. military veterans expressed their belief that the two bells housed there were an integral part of a war memorial that should not be deconstructed or disturbed. In the fall of 1999, Congress passed legislation that made it unlawful to remove the two bells from the memorial on the base, challenging efforts to lobby for their return. The turning point in this century-long saga came in October of this past year during the 2017 ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Clark. Secretary Mattis met with Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana to discuss security cooperation and opportunities to further strengthen the U.S.-Philippine defense relationship. At this meeting, SND Lorenzana raised the issue of the “Balangiga Bells.” Later that day, in a meeting with President Duterte, Secretary Mattis stated definitively that it would be his personal initiative to find a way to return these religious artifacts. In the Secretary’s words, “all wars end,” and it was time to heal a wound that had strained the U.S.-Philippines relationship for too long. Following this important meeting, I maintained direct communication with the Secretary and my colleagues and I worked with his outstanding staff to ensure the bells’ swift return. In Washington, Secretary

Mattis sought legislation that would make it legally permissible to return the bells. Members of Congress and senior officials in the Department of State and National Security Council endorsed returning the bells. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars both passed national resolutions supporting the bells’ return. These unambiguous expressions of support clearly demonstrate the special bond veterans and the U.S. public share with the Philippine people.

On August 9, Secretary Mattis announced his intent to return the bells, which began a legallyrequired 90-day waiting period. On Nov. 14, the Secretary traveled to F.E. Warren Air Force Base and, in a solemn ceremony, officially informed Philippine Ambassador to the United States Babe Romualdez that the bells would at last be returned to the Philippines. At the culmination of his moving speech, he turned to Ambassador Romualdez and asked him to “bear these bells home, back to the

Russia probe a “witch hunt.” According to TIME, “Mueller has spoken only through his work: in the hundreds of pages of known court filings, some of which laid out Moscow’s alleged plots to help Donald Trump win the presidency; in the 34 people and entities he charged with crimes this year; in the plea deals he made with Trump’s former lawyer, former campaign chairman and another top campaign aide. Beyond that: Nothing. No interviews. No press conferences. No tweets. No leaks.” “Mueller’s silence has invited noisy speculation from partisans. To critics on the right, he is an overzealous prosecutor drunk on power and roaming beyond his mandate in a bid to drum Trump out of office. To liberals, he is a crusading hero who won’t quit until he brings the president to justice. The public narrative of Mueller’s investigation this year has often

described its central character more as myth than man.” TIME’S commentary comparing Trump and Mueller is spot on: “Trump and Mueller could hardly be more different. One created a public persona as the embodiment of gaudy capitalism; the other is a reticent patrician, driven and serious, who’s devoted his life to institutions. One embodies disruption, the other consistency. One flouts the rules, the other enforces them. One is the avatar of disorder, the other the personification of order. Nothing less than core principles of American justice and self-government are at stake in their struggle.” ***

Catholic Church, confident that America’s ironclad alliance with the Philippines is stronger than ever.” And so the bells began their journey home. This decision to return the bells is consistent with our values and overwhelmingly viewed as the right thing to do. From World War II to today’s struggle to defeat ISIS and the scourge of terrorism, our militaries have fought together, bled together, at times died together. As your ally and friend, we will forever honor and respect this shared history. Today we do not focus on looking back or relitigating a

painful chapter in our past but investing in our shared future. In Secretary Mattis’ words, “In returning the Bells of Balangiga to our ally and our friend – the Philippines – we pick up our generation’s responsibility to deepen the respect between our peoples.” Ours is a close friendship, and we do not take it for granted. Strengthening and maintaining it requires sustained commitment and investment. To these bells — the Bells of San Lorenzo De Martir — welcome home. We wish you safe onward travel to Samar and your church in Balangiga. (Philstar.com)

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

After 117 years, the three Balangiga Bells, taken as war booties by U.S. troops during the height of the Philippine-American War, have returned on Tuesday, December 11. The Balangiga Bells were brought by U.S. Air Force C-130 Spirit MC Arthur at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

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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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY D EC E M B E R 1 4 , 20 1 8

Feed2Succeed: How three high school students found a way to feed young students in the Philippines by Rae

ann VaRona / AJPress

“I think that LA can kind of be like a bubble sometimes. We don’t really realize how the world is,” said Caroline Raquel, a Fil-Am freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. “Luckily, LA is really diverse and I’m very lucky to have grown up in LA, but I think keeping an awareness is something that my parents have always tried to impress on me and my sisters,” she continued. Caroline is one of the people behind Feed2Succeed, a nonprofit she co-founded in high school with her sister Carmina Raquel, and their friend Tiffany Sato. Carmina is currently a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, and Sato, a junior at Vanderbilt University. While making a positive and lasting impact on a stranger’s life is something all should strive to do, the three girls found a way to impact the lives and trajectory of many young Filipino students by starting the nonprofit with a mission to give young children in the Philippines a chance to be educated by implementing and funding feeding programs. Feed2Succeed sprouted from a trip to the Philippines in the spring of 2014 when the sisters went on a family trip to the country as a reward by their parents for their good scholastic achievements. The trip was designed to not only be a fun vacation exploring the white beaches of Palawan, but a way to bring civic awareness, which in this trip happened in Vigan, Philippines. The girls had an aunt who was very involved with community service there and allowed them to shadow her. One of the events that ended up inspiring Feed2Succeed was a feeding program at an elementary school where the girls met kids that were around their age, living lives very different to theirs. “You always hear about it, but seeing it up close is definitely a very eye-opening experience,” said Caroline. What really struck them was the fact that you only need $4 to

feed a child for an entire month. “I was a high schooler at the time and I felt very inspired because four dollars is something I could contribute to someone else’s life,” she added. Upon coming back to Los Angeles, the Raquel sisters who were then students at the Marlborough School, shared their experiences with Sato. From there, the girls began the brainstorming process of not only figuring out a name for their project, but a solid mission to stand by. That mission was to give the children “a chance to be educated by implementing and funding feeding programs in elementary schools,” said Sato. From small scale high school fundraisers, Feed2Succeed has grown into a full-fledged nonprofit organization with club chapters run in different U.S. schools helping eleven sponsored elementary schools in the Philippines. They’ve also taken on the sponsorship of a number of high schoolers that were once a part of Feed2Succeed’s original elementary school feeding programs. “It’s been really great to go back to the schools and see familiar faces and see the kids progress,” said Carmina, adding that they try to go back as often as they can which is typically once a year. “Being able to watch them go through elementary school, middle school, and high school is a great experience and its made the experience so much more enjoyable — to be able to know and have an actual connection to the kids,” added Carmina. Being that Vigan is where the girls’ parents grew up, the whole experience also gave the girls a deeper sense of connection to the country. One of the schools Feed2Succeed adopted was one that their mother and all her siblings attended, and where their grandmother was a principal at. “To be able to really help people so close to home is something that really allowed us

Caroline Raquel and Tiffany Sato at one of Feed2Succeed’s yard sales in Los Angeles.

to have that connection back to the Philippines,” said Caroline. On challenges and new opportunities Starting Feed2Succeed as young high schoolers naturally came with challenges, but nothing the three girls couldn’t turn into positive experiences such as growing the high school club to official nonprofit status. “It was a lot of paperwork and we had to hire a lawyer, and as high schoolers, we were very unclear on the process. Luckily we got a great lawyer, Atty. Nabeel Zuberi, who instead of just doing the work for us and handing it off to us, walked us through a lot of the paperwork and actually walked through the process so we were actually to learn about how it really happened,” said Caroline. “Growing it from a club all the way to an actual business was definitely something that we weren’t thinking about initially, but of course as we spoke to more donors and volunteers, everyone was suggesting to us we get tax exempt status and we realized we could a lot more support if were an official nonprofit,” she added. Another challenge, Carmina added, was dealing with the transition to running Feed2Succeed separately as the three girls went on to pursue university life. It’s different, Carmina said, “not being together in LA, always being ten minutes away from each other, and being able to plan and really engage our community.” Both Raquel sisters play on the University of Pennsylvania varsity volleyball team in addition to pursuing their degrees, and Sato is pursuing majors in Human and Organizational Development and Medicine, Health, and Society in addition to her minors. But the challenges of Carmina Raquel, Corrie Phillips, and Jordan Trester meet Feed2Succeed fund students at Silang Elementary School in Ilocos Sur during their July 2017 trip to the Philippines. branching out have of course opened doors to newer opportunities. Sato, for example, has been able to merge her new community with Feed2Succeed by bringing its presence across the country to Vanderbilt this year. “I think the mission and values of our organization is something that is easy to become passionate about once hearing about the children we help and how healthy they have become over the years,” shared Sato. At Vanderbilt, Feed2Succeed has leadership positions Vanderbilt University’s Feed2Succeed chapter held a fundraiser at Cycle Bar and raised around specifically for its university $1,000 for students. students such as Head or Risk

The Archer School for Girls’ raised money to fund a feeding program at Nagsangalan Elementary School.

Photos from Feed2Succeed

Caroline Raquel, Tiffany Sato and Carmina Raquel

Management, Head of Marketing, and Head of Public Relations among others. Its current Vice President is Sarah Gordon who Sato said has gone above and beyond in putting in work for the organization. Sato said there are now about 23 students passionate about Feed2Succeed and are excited to grow its presence in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Most recently, the club raised close to $1,500 from a CycleBar fundraiser. They’ve also raised about $1,000 for typhoon relief. For the next school year, the group is planning a Fall Festival Concert with various talents around Nashville and on campus. “I am so grateful to have found a group of people who are passionate about these children and our cause,” said Sato. Kids helping other kids On what their favorite experiences have been throughout their Feed2Succeed journey to date, the girls said it has all have been about the close connections built with the kids being helped. “Meeting the kids is best part of it all. At the end of the day, they’re the reason we’re all doing this,” said Caroline. Through the program, the girls have developed a personal relationship with not only the kids, but the kids’ immediate community. During her last trip to the Philippines during which she brought some of her high school friends, Carmina was not only able to meet the Feed2Succeed high school scholars, but their parents and siblings as well — all of them wrote to them thank you notes

and read them out loud. “It was very touching for me,” said Carmina. “Being able to hang out with them, and not even through computer of letters, but just being able to talk to them face to face and thank them was just a humbling and powerful experience for me.” Caroline shared of a special moment during her senior year in high school when all of the students in the Philippines sent handmade Christmas cards to their Marlborough School club — a moment Feed2Succeed turned into a pen pal opportunity. “Carmina and I have the privilege of going back to the Philippines, but for our club members and LA supporters, they don’t necessarily get to have that connection like we do, so it was really cool to see the Marlborough club members read these letters and see what the kids are actually saying and then writing back a response,” said Caroline. “I like seeing that connection.” Small acts, big impacts Having started Feed2Succeed in their teenage years, the girls cited much of their success to the fact that people saw the passion they had at such a young age. The girls said that in addition to expanding their network and service, they’ve been looking for younger girls who share their mission and want to get involved. “I didn’t even realize what a difference we could make and how such a small act of giving kindness could turn into this,” said Caroline. She added, “I think inspiring kids to involve themselves early on in community service is a value I hold very close to my heart and

I think that’s something I always try to help other people my age realize.” Going back to the initial realization of what four dollars could do for a kid in the Philippines, she said, “that amount is just something that every person my age has.” She equated the amount to giving up one Starbucks drink in order to help one kid’s life. On Saturday, December 15, Feed2Succeed will be having their Holiday Donor Appreciation Concert as a way to give thanks to all who have been donating and supporting the cause. Stephanie Reese, a FilipinaAmerican singer who will be featured at the concert, has been very passionate about the cause and was even able to visit the kids in Vigan during a recent trip last year. The Feed2Succeed cofounders — who will all be together at the concert — are hoping that they event will be a way to celebrate the helping community and show their gratitude for all the donations and work that have put in. Looking back at the first trip to Vigan and the beginnings of Feed2Succeed as a small club headed by young high schoolers, the girls said they hope that their organization can further encourage people to open up their awareness about their communities and feel compelled to give back. “My parents always taught me the importance of giving back and this club turned nonprofit is something that I am incredibly passion about even today,” said Sato. “One of the really impressive things that realized was that, had something even just changed slightly, I could have been one of these kids in the elementary schools back in Vigan” said Caroline. “I hope that people can understand that passion behind our mission and how I think we just want to help as many kids as possible, and I think kids helping kids is a very powerful effect that we can have,” she added. “There are so many ways to help, and creating a community and surrounding yourself with people that also just want to help I think is something that we Singer Stephanie Reese headlined Feed2Succeed’s holiday concert in 2015. She will be back to are trying to push forward with perform again at the concert on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Feed2Succeed.”

An Asian Journal Magazine

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USCIS could waive marital interviews on petitions to remove conditions (Form I-751)

DREAMS OF A FAIRYTALE WEDDING ENDED UP IN A NIGHTMARE OF BATTERY AND ABUSE. Anne entered the U.S. on a fiancé (K-1) visa, hoping to build a beautiful, love-filled life with her U.S. citizen petitioner. But the marriage turned into a nightmare, when the husband became verbally and physically abusive. Battered and abused, Anne reached out to leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch as Anne was able to escape the chains of abuse, through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition that the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel filed and was “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA IT’S that time of year again. And every year, whether we like it or not, we all go through the same rituals. This is a time of winnowing and thinning, just like the fall season when we prepare for hibernation and rest and when balance must to be restored by slowing down the pace to bring back equilibrium. For now, Christmas gives us a major reprieve. We have a solid excuse to find joy, peace and contentment and even rediscover what Christmas really means. Perhaps, stripped of the material layers, the Christ-centered core values of a truly meaningful Christmas will come to the fore. Going through the motions, we assume that the emotion of joy should follow. We do the lists, mass email the e-cards, shopping for presents, the decor, the cooking, the parties — hoping that by doing all these we would have an infusion, a dose of the Christmas spirit within us. Some people have it down to an art and science. They know the

Taking the Time to JUST BE This Christmas “ …Lose the remote control. Break free of your electronic leashes for a little while. Take the time to just be yourself …” secret of being joyful in all kinds of weather and you can see it in the glimmer in their eyes, the extra bounce in their gait and the aura that they exude about them. A great many, however, still feel empty even if they fill their time with activities and max out their cards at the shopping malls or on online purchases. Deep down, they know that things are just stuff, no matter how beautiful or how pricey. The spirit of Christmas is a mystery. It cannot be pinned down. It cannot be put on. It is only when we dwell within the deep recesses of our souls that the true spirit of Christmas comes slowly, quietly, enfolding us in its warm embrace. That somewhat elusive spirit will come and alight upon us like a butterfly during quiet moments when our senses are sharpest. Take a deep breath and

experience Christmas with your senses. Lose the remote control. Break free of the electronic leashes for a little while. Take the time to just be yourself. We can use our sense of sight and see, as though for the first time, the splendor of nature all around us — of trees garbed in vermilion red, yellow and gold putting on their finest raiment in quiet anticipation of some glorious event about to happen. A canopy of blue skies with light wisps of fluffy clouds provide a backdrop for the verdant hills and mountains bathed in shafts of golden light. At night, houses and apartments on the street where you live are ablaze in twinkling icicle lights simulating the glow of millions of fireflies. Though a sight to behold, our puny human efforts pale in comparison with a glimpse of the universe just above our

under a new Policy Memorandum, the USCIS could waive (or not Immigration require) a marital interview under Corner certain circumstances: • The petition to remove conditions contains sufficient Atty. MichAel evidence about the bona fides of Gurfinkel, eSQ the marriage, and demonstrates the marriage was not fixed. This STARTING on December 10, might include extensive joint 2018, the USCIS could waive (or documents, pictures together, not require) an interview for a possibly a baby born during married couple seeking to remove the past two years, and other conditions on a conditional green evidence showing this truly was card. a love marriage, and not one of Generally, when a U.S. citizen convenience. petitions a spouse for a green • The petitioner had already card, and the spouse receives their been interviewed in connection green card within two years of the with the case, either in connection date of marriage, they are given a with the original spousal petition two-year “conditional” green card. (Form I-130) or the adjustment of Before the expiration of that twostatus (Form I-485). year green card, the couple must • There is no indication of fraud then file a joint petition to remove or misrepresentation in the Form Iconditions (Form I-751), and 751 or supporting documentation; submit evidence to demonstrate and the bona fides of the marriage, and • There are no complex facts that the marriage was not entered or issues that require an interview into to evade U.S. immigration to resolve questions or concerns. laws. In other words, demonstrate Some complex issues might that it was not a fixed marriage. include the couple is not living If the couple cannot file a joint together, perhaps because of petition to remove conditions, job location; the couple is now because the marriage broke down, separated, maybe one spouse had they divorced, etc., the conditional a child outside of marriage during resident would file a “waiver” of the those two years, etc. requirement to file a joint petition Of course, there is no and seek to remove the conditions guarantee or assurance that on their green card alone. any interview on removing the In adjudicating these petitions conditional status will be waived. to remove conditions, the couple However, if you have filed a joint (or the person seeking a waiver petition to remove conditions of the joint petition) could be (or a waiver of the joint petition required to attend an interview and are filing on your own) to enable the officer to more fully and are being called in for an evaluate whether or not this was interview, that could be a sign a bona fide marriage. However, your case has certain problems, heads — stars that seem to shine brightest on the clearest skies about this time of the year. Step out during a clear night, turn off the boob tube, get out of

the rut of the insipid details and mundane activities that seem to pass for real life and look heavenward. If you are patient, the sight of shooting stars and

whether it is the bona fides of the marriage, possible fraud issues etc. In such a situation, I would strongly recommend to seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, and possibly represent you at that interview and make sure your case is properly documented and demonstrates the bona fides of your marriage. This is especially important because if the petition to remove conditions is denied, USCIS could place the person in deportation/removal proceedings. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

meteor showers might reward you. Better yet, make a beeline for that awesome telescope at Continued on Page 5

An Asian Journal Magazine

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Travelogue: (FIrST oF 4 parTS)

Discovering the less known gems of Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro On the PEP Front

Inside Rovinj’s cobbled streets leading up the hill.

People, Events, Places

Catriona Gray in her national costume

Catriona Gray ready to conquer the universe

BoBBy T. yalong STEPPING outside of our shell to be free from the monotonous grind allows us to enhance our lives, stimulate our dormant mind, and enables us to welcome unfamiliar faces and places. Constant travelers would often say that the world is a book and those who do not travel read only

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Postcard perfect view of Pula, Croatia’s resort town The tower of the Church of St. Euphemia stands proud amid Rovinj’s rustic rooftops

The seemingly floating city of Rovinj

a page… and that being exposed to new cultures and meeting new people will greatly shift one’s paradigm whereby creating a healthier perspective once he returns back home. Traveling gave me an exciting discovery of many wrong things written and talked about other country’s culture, people, and government. However, I realized the truth after gaining beneficial knowledge about many things that motivated my curiosity even more. After having been disconnected from what I normally do every Continued on Page 7

EMPLOYMENT

Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray

EMPLOYMENT

AFTER a sudden malfunction in her national costume that was supposed to light up during the National Costume competition on December 10, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray posted on social media the original look of her Christmas lantern costume, with its lights now working. On her Instagram account, Catriona posted a video dressed in the elegant national costume, which is now blinking because of the lights. Gray said she was saddened that the lights on her costume did not work. “On the day itself and on the time that I walked out of stage, yung ilaw ko, or the lights, they weren’t working and I am really really sad about it,” Gray was quoted by Pep.ph as saying. On her Instagram post, she also expounded on the inspiration behind her costume’s design, with Luzon representing “Magdiwang,” Visayas as “Lumaban” and Mindanao as “Pagyamanin.” “The island group of LUZON is represented by the worldrenowned ‘PAROL/CHRISTMAS LANTERN’ from the province of Pampanga with a BRASS BORDER designed and made in Apalit,

PSYCHIC

SERVICES

Pampanga,” she wrote. She also added that at the back of the lantern, there is a painting with the lyrics of the Philippines’ national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” written in Baybayin. “The PAINTING also highlighted victories, festivals, events, heroes and national icons with a style inspired by the works of Philippine National Artist Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco, a native of the Art Capital of the Philippines, Angono, Rizal in Luzon,” she added. Meanwhile, Catriona said that the island group of Visayas is “represented by a body suit with authentic ‘tattoo designs’ embellished with crystals derived from patterns used by the ‘PINTADOS’ who are indigenous peoples found in various islands in this part of the Philippines.” “The tattoos represent an individual’s journey and a public testimony recounting acts of combat, bravery, and strength, that perfectly represents the courageous and resilient Filipino spirit amidst trials we face in this day and age,” she added. On the last part of her post, she described that Mindanao is represented by an authentic headpiece and brass accessories from South Cotabato, and kneeContinued on Page 5

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS LAST February 28, 2018, my wife, Farida, and I arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport from Manila, following our two medical missions in the Philippines. While waiting at the lounge for our flight back to Las Vegas, we received a call from our friend, Lynn Santos, a nurse, who relayed to us the sad news that a close mutual friend, a medical colleague who was 84 and recovering well from a stroke, had collapsed in a grocery store. About half an hour or so later, while we were on board the plane, Lynn called again, this time to inform us that he had passed away. A testament Our friend’s departure was a devastating loss to his family, friends, and the community. The health issues this physician and his wife of 53 years experienced as they grew older were a testament to the realities of aging. This natural part of life, aging, is inescapable and an equalizer, as much as death is a part of life, without exception or exemption. In certain ways and instances, we could perhaps alter the progress and reduce the odds to some degree, but the inevitable end is obviously beyond us. As the clock ticks, we are older by the second. As we grow older, the expected normal wear and tear in our body progress faster and faster, including the reduction in the secretion of our various essential glands and the weakening of our immune system. Our telomeres – caps at the ends of each strand of DNA that protect the chromosomes, similar to plastic tips at the end of shoelaces, which prevents them from fraying – get damage and the telomeres become shorter as our body is subjected to all assaults internally and externally. The shorter the telomeres, the shorter the lifespan. The speed of the degenerative changes in us depends on our genes and to a great significant degree, on our lifestyle. That’s why the aging process varies in different individuals. While we cannot (yet) do anything about our genes at this stage in science and technology to extend longevity for everyone, we have enough evidence-based medical data today on how to achieve maximal health benefits through healthy lifestyle and extend our life, our telomeres, to the fullest possible. Physiology of deterioration

Aging: An equalizer

The degeneration starts in the basic cellular foundation of our body as we grow older, varying in different individuals since people age at different speed, but in general the physiological changes start to manifest when we reach about 40 years of age, more obvious when we reach about 65. As we age, all the systems and essential functions of our body work less efficiently, at suboptimal level. Inflammation, the precursor of almost all diseases, invades the entire body. All the glands in the body secrete significantly less, if not meager, hormones and other essential substances that regulate the various vital organs in the body. Arteries lose their elasticity and hardened, causing high blood pressure and arterial blockages. The blood gets thicker, increasing the risk for blood clots, coronary heart disease and stroke. Joint lubricants decrease causing aggravating arthritic pains. Male and female hormones drop and lessen sex drive. The dermal collagen and oil production slow down and the skin loses turgor and moisture, becoming thinner and thinner, and wrinkles form. Most of our biologic functions peak at age 30, declining in a linear fashion thereafter. This, however, does not materially affect our daily activities at this stage. Only stresses and diseases, and not aging, impact the physiology negatively during this period. Theory of aging There are a few, but the prominent one is the Free Radical Theory where oxygen-containing molecules called free radicals, with a life span of one-millionth of a second, and are toxic, are damaging our body. Free radicals attack the cell’s DNA, causing the cells to prematurely die. Our body’s natural antioxidant (defense) system mops up free radicals before they could cause damage, but as we grow older, and continue to abuse our body through unhealthy lifestyle and behavior, our body’s immune system becomes less efficient, allowing the free radical level to increase. This negatively impacts the normal cellular regulation and function, which leads to aging and its physical and physiologic consequences, as well as weaker defense system to diseases. On top of the damages from free radicals, external assaults are caused by sunlight, environmental pollution, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle (high carbohydrate-low vegetable-low fruit and low-nut diet, smoking, alcohol, soft drinks, lack of exercise, and substance abuse). Just to illustrate the

damage: From using a single stick of cigarette alone, trillions of free radicals are generated. And if we added all the assaults listed above, many of which are self-inflicted, it would be clear why the body deteriorates as we grow older. The human body is fundamentally a unique, amazing, efficient, and tough machine, that can withstand a lot of abuses, but it also has its limit. Discipline and resolve The harder part of the equation in slowing down aging and avoiding preventable diseases to solve is our lack of personal discipline and resolve. Today, most, if not all of us, know which items are good and which ones are unhealthy to eat or drink, and also know that regular physical exercise and de-stressing are fundamental to our health and longevity. Yet, somehow, we seem to always find enough reasons or excuse to justify our noncompliance with these known and proven scientific principles of healthy living. As alluded to in the book “Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children,” inflicting harm to our body with self-abusive behavior and by living an unhealthy lifestyle is masochistic. Some of us appear to have programmed our mind to an auto self-destruct or suicidal mode and continue to do things, or perpetuate bad habits, that we know could maim or kill us. The book also proposes healthy lifestyle and disease prevention should begin at the cellular (DNA) level starting in the womb and in the crib, to protect the integrity of the DNA as early as possible. Damaging the DNA-telomeres with our unhealthy habits and insults from our environment lead to major metabolic (diabetes, thyroid illness), pulmonary, cardiovascular (heart attack and stroke), and, especially cancer. With volumes of evidencebased medical data on healthy lifestyle and with our more informed selves today, disease prevention is much easier to achieve compared to five or more decades ago. We no longer have any excuse not to maximize our health and longevity. To do otherwise is simply asinine. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is a medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

Catriona Gray ready to... From Page 4 high boots with designs inspired by different indigenous textile patterns. “The woven textiles express a strong belief in ‘ancestral and natural spirits’ and ‘cultural roots’ of indigenous communities that remain well-preserved up to this day,” she added. She ended her post by declaring that she did all these for her country: “Pilipinas, para sa iyo ang lahat ng ito.” Looking ahead As competition day draws near, super fans of Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray are worrying about the beauty queen after a barrage of online bashers started to surface on December 5. It almost seemed like black propaganda what with negative posts popping up out of nowhere one after another. There were those that said Catriona seems so rehearsed as the pre-pageant activities in Bangkok continue, while there were more cruel ones that read they were counting the

days until she misses the Miss U crown and cry just as she did when she vied for Miss World in 2016. Thankfully, Cat is cuddled in so much love from her pageant team, so much so that her shoe designer Jojo Bragais went as far as posting a cryptic message about helping people he loves even when surrounded by angry forces. These are proving to be the toughest days indeed for our representative to Miss Universe because besides the onslaught of criticisms online, her strongest competitors are also starting to emerge, specifically Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Mexico who are fast becoming heavy favorites like Cat. All the same, you’ve got to give it to our beauty who is set with her game plan to win, confident her preparations for the pageant are more than enough. Moreover, she simply shot down her critics, saying, “They’re part of the whole thing. If many people love you, there will always be

others who don’t.” Meanwhile, past Miss Universe judge Lea Salonga has great things to say about Catriona even though they’ve never met. “She has a chance [to win] kasi nga matalino at magaling sumagot, so it’s not just her physical beauty going for her. I spoke with people who also worked with her and they are very amazed over how she prepared for the pageant and even say she’s a sweet girl.” Last year’s Philippine bet Rachel Peters also spent time with Cat before she left for Thailand and swears she’s the most prepared Miss Universe candidate she’s ever met. “Catriona knows everything, even if you jumble the format. She’s very confident about the pageant and she seems to be enjoying herself, which is the most important part of competing. I don’t know how Pia [Wurtzbach] prepared for Miss Universe during her time but all I know is that Catriona already did everything.”

Taking the Time to JUST BE this...

From Page 3 Griffith Observatory and prepare to be amazed. Stargazing can leave you breathless in the same way it has moved generations of men before us. The best part about it is that like the air we breathe, the sight of the heavens is absolutely free. The most aweinspiring nightly galactic shows are at about this time of the year. Some nights, you might want to search the heavens for that one shining star that the Magi used as a guide to steer them by through the desert looking for the Christ Child more than two thousand years ago. It might just happen that during one of these nights while stargazing, you might rise

above our puny mortal concerns and stand in awe of the majesty of creation. That we are a part of it all puts everything in perspective. We may be tiny and insignificant but we are part of creation. We come to realize that human life is a gift and that what we do with that life is our gift in return. As best as scientists can figure out, the universe is some thirteen and a half billion years old. Being aware of this mindboggling space-time continuum can take a huge bite out of our ego and our sometimes obsessive-compulsive selfabsorption. The sight of the heavens can cut down our

bloated egos down to size. Even if we live to be a hundred, human life is just a blink of an eye in eternity. The nose knows. That proboscis jutting out of our faces does a truly important function. Do handle it with real care particularly during this season of colds and flu. Well I did catch it and tried to stay away from people. It could have been worse if I didn’t get my flu shot. Catching a cold or worse, the flu, deprives us of the enthralling, beguiling smells of cooking and baking and sabotages our sense of taste as well. I have been taking gobs of Vitamin C, bundling up, wearing a hat,

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

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4th annual TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run in Los Angeles During this holiday season, the TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 15 highlights the fuzzy feels and the festive flavors of Christmas. Open to all ages, gender and races, ABS-CBN TFC presents another platform for Filipino cuisine to shine in. With Filipino taste stations at every kilometer of this 5K fun run, and a picnic and entertainment past the finish line, there is a lot to savor for every member of the family. A great selection of food trucks and restaurants like Silog, Nova’s Grill, Thai-Mex Cocina, Paella Paella, Ateh’s Pinoy Pusion, Heavenly Ice Cream, White Rabbit, and Goldilocks will be participating. Fun and nostalgic games will bring back childhood memories, and five choral groups battle it out on the TIKIM stage for A Merry Christmas Choir Competition. Winning group gets $1,000. One of the best things is that by registering and joining the TIKIM fun run, each adult participant would have provided meals for 10 malnourished children in the Philippines. Run starts at 10:00 a.m.; Food Festival starts at 12:00 p.m. It will be held at Los Angeles State Historic Park (1245 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012). For more information, visit TIKIM athttps://mytfc.com/tikim.

Long Beach Parol Lantern Festival The inaugural Long Beach Parol Lantern Festival will be held on Saturday, December 15 from 5 to 10 p.m. along Pine Ave. and 4th Street in Long Beach, CA. Celebrate and learn about the Filipino holiday tradition in Downtown Long Beach. There will be parol making lessons, food, entertainment, and more! Inspired by the SF Parol Lantern Fest, Chef Romeo Garcia of Rome Chocolates forged a team of people in the Long Beach community to assist in getting his vision for this event off the ground and onto Pine Ave. The Long Beach Bacolod Association is the non-profit partner for this inaugural event which is sponsored by Romeo Chocolates and First District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez. For more information, please visit http://www.lbparollanternfest.com.

PAFCOM’s 3rd Annual ‘Pasko sa Hudson Mall’ in Jersey City PAFCOM is inviting the community to join ‘Pasko sa Hudson Mall’, on Saturday, December 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be health screenings (blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI/weight screening and general health counsellors will be present. There will be Zumba from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon and line dancing from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. There will also be live music and caroling, face painting and tattooing for the entire family.

“Simbang Gabi” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in LA The Filipino Ministry leaders of San Gabriel Pastoral Region, this year’s sponsoring region and the Archdiocesan Filipino Ministry Council would like to invite our whole Filipino community to our traditional Archdiocesan “Simbang Gabi” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels with our beloved Archbishop Jose Gomez as the main celebrant, the Regional Bishops and the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Saturday, December 15. The procession of the parols begins at 6:30 p.m. with the liturgy at 7 p.m. It will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels (555 West Temple St., LA, CA 90012). Filipiniana/Barong attire is encouraged but not mandatory.

Simbang Gabi mass at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pasadena, CA The Filipino-American Ministry of St. Andrew Church in Pasadena, CA invites the public to its annual Simbang Gabi on Saturday, December 15 at 5 p.m. with Rev. Pastor Paul Sustayta as the main celebrant. St. Andrew Catholic Church is located at 311 N. Raymond Avenue Pasadena, California 91103. Banquet to follow after mass in school auditorium.

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UPAAGLA annual holiday party in LA The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles invites you to the 2018 UPAAGLA Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Silver Lake Medical Center (1711 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA). The cost is $25 and attire is festive. Please register at: https://upaagla2018xmasparty.eventbrite.com. *Net proceeds from the event will benefit the UPAAGLA Scholarship Fund. For inquiries, please contact Ethel Rubio, President-Elect at upaagla.rsvp@gmail.com or at (818) 640-2946.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com gloves and scarves, sipping my chicken soup and catching up on my ZZZZZZZsss. We need all the help we can get particularly when depression strikes our weary souls, battered minds and tired bodies. We need to listen to what our bodies tell us. It can’t be all about work or play. Sometimes, we simply need to just be. If you have time, that glorious, welcome gift of all for most of us with far too many hats to wear OR if you can beg, borrow or steal just a few hours to allow you to meander about your days and nights and deliberately trudge paths off the beaten track of shopping and carousing during this season, take in more of the smells that lift you.

They call it aromatherapy. But in the unpretentious days of old, it was merely the simple act of smelling what smells good to make you feel good. Lavender is great. So is rosemary. Try crushing some of their leaves from the garden between your fingers and sniffing it. Lemon verbena’s dainty smell is sheer delight though passing and transient. Like glorious moments, the lemon verbena’s scent is so ephemeral but the delight to the senses while the scent lingers makes it all worthwhile. Find out what beguiles your senses and let these bring you the delights of this blessed season. Don’t strain yourself or try too hard. Picture the Christmas spirit as an elusive little butterfly that alights on

you only when you are very still. Let your senses soak it all in. The Christmas spirit, once it dwells in you and suffuses your being stays on autopilot. It stays on to warm your heart all year round like embers that just need a little stoking from time to time to keep it burning. ALL YOU ARE, with all your senses, is all you need to JUST BE. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu.com/ asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

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Louie Del Carmen: The man behind ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ By Scott

Garceau Philstar.com

INCLUSIVENESS is something the Marvel Cinematic Universe has strived towards since the “Avengers” rollout began, culminating in the universal mashup that was “Infinity War”. Now, that inclusiveness is set to cross over to the multiverse, and “Spider-Man,” a sometime player in the MCU, is bringing it all back home. Coming out Dec. 12, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is an animated entry introducing Brooklyn African-American/Puerto Rican teen Miles Morales, coming face to face with the unlimited possibilities of the Spider-Verse, originally birthed in the 2011 Marvel comic by Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli. Miles, bitten by a radioactive spider, finds he has special talents, just like Peter Parker did. Parker shows up as an older, half-baked mentor (“like Mr. Miyagi, if Mr. Miyagi doesn’t know anything,” says screenwriter Phil Lord) and Miles quickly learns there are an infinite number of mask-wearing webslingers out there, in the multiverse. As it happens, yet another talented Fil-Am is part of this multiverse: he’s Louie Del Carmen, sibling to Rick Del Carmen (storyboard artist for “Family Guy,” “Dilbert” and others) and Ronnie Del Carmen (storyboard artist at Pixar, Oscar nominee for “Inside/Out”). Together, these three Fil-Ams have been living the comic artists’ wet dream for decades. Louie worked on the most recent entry to the “SpiderMan” cinematic saga — the most ambitious yet, with 140 animators onboard, screenwriting/production team Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“The Lego Movie,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”) handling the snarky, fun dialogue (expect plenty of Easter eggs and

Sony Pictures Animation storyboard artist Louie Del Carmen: “Telling and sharing stories was very much a part of us growing up in Cavite City.” Philstar.com photo

hidden gags), plus a multiverse of production credits under its belt (basically, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation did it in association with Marvel Entertainment). With cutting-edge animation and a youthful vibe, it all looks to be a huge smash, and we shot a few questions to Louie, born in Cavite City and now situated at Sony Pictures Animation, on how this all came together. The Star: Two of your brothers — Rick and Ronnie — are also story artists. Did you see all this coming, growing up together? Did you bond over artwork and comics? Is there any rivalry? Louie del Carmen: As far as working together in animation? No, we didn’t see that coming. Nor did we even dream of actually making a living as artists. What we did have was a love for art, comics, movies, television and cartoons. Telling and sharing stories was very much a part of us growing up in Cavite City. I always said that it really felt like we had our own club with a membership of three. I think to anyone looking from the outside in, we probably sounded like aliens (or nerds, really). And no, there is no rivalry. We looked out of each other and inspired each

other. That bond continues today The last “Spider-Man” entry, “Homecoming,” was live action. Is this a total pivot from that storyline? It’s a brand new standalone, and a mash-up of Marvel multiverses in which the Miles Morales origin story is front and center. As a story artist, how much voice do you have in the look and aesthetic tone of the movie? If it’s early in the process, you sometimes work with early concepts from the art department. But generally, aesthetics and tone evolve during the entire process with the director, art department and story; there’s constant dialogue. Why did they decide to spin off into animation for “SpiderMan” at this point? (Of course, it’s good for you!) I can’t speak for the studios as for the decision to go animated, but I know it was strongly championed by producers Avi Arad and Amy Pascal and, of course, Chris Miller and Phil Lord had such a great take on it. Consequently, their take could only be done as a fully animated feature. How is this different from

Filipina-American newcomer H.E.R. nabs 5 Grammy noms, including Album of the Year was released. She said she wanted to remain anonymous because “I feel like maybe THE Recording Academy some people wouldn’t announced the nominations for have accepted the the 61st Grammy Awards and music if they knew I 21-year-old R&B singer Gabi was 19. Some people, Wilson, known by her stage name they make these H.E.R., received five nominations, assumptions before including Album of the Year. they even listen to the Wilson — who is half-Filipina, music,” she told NW half-black American — was also nominated for Best New Artist, Best Asian Weekly. And there may R&B Performance (for the song be some truth to that “Best Part” feat. Daniel Caesar), reasoning. Her body of Best R&B Song (“Focus”) and Best Photo courtesy of Instagram/@hermusicofficial work mainly consists R&B Album for her self-titled wanted it to be about the music, of dreamy, yet low-tempo R&B compilation album. and get away from, ‘Who is she ballads, and the soft maturity In response to her Grammy with?’ and ‘What is she wearing?’” in her voice and lyrics make for nominations, Wilson posted on For the slew of extended plays what Apple Music described as Instagram last week with an all(EPs) the young Bay Area native caps caption, “I DON’T EVEN KNOW “downcast post-breakup material received praise from industry that sounded vulnerable and WHAT TO SAY. BUT THANK YOU juggernauts Usher, Pusha T, SO MUCH. GREATEST TEAM IN THE assured at once.” Wyclef Jean as well as RCA Records The enigmatic nature of her WORLD. IT’S BEEN A LOOONNNG labelmates Alicia Keys and Bryson [sic] TIME COMING! GOD IS GOOD.” work also has to do with who she Tiller. Wilson emerged in 2016 when, is as an artist seeking to separate In October 2017, she released her art from celebrity, explaining through her record label Sony’s the Grammy-nominated self-titled RCA Records, she released her first on NPR, “This project came from an emotion, and that’s what I want compilation album which peaked extended play (EP) “H.E.R. Volume at No. 47 on the U.S. Billboard 200 it to be about — not what I look 1” as H.E.R. (which stands for and No. 24 on the U.S. Top R&B/ like or who I’m with, but the raw Having Everything Revealed). emotion and support for women.” Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also won Wilson, whose identity was Album/Mixtape of the Year at the “I feel like this is the era of the revealed in late 2017, was 19 2018 Soul Train Music Awards. anti-star,” she added. “I really just years old when her that first EP By Klarize

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the TV and film work you’ve done before? I’ve done superhero fare before in television and each one is a lot of fun to do, but certainly when a project has the potential to be a game changer as “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse” can be, you really look forward to it. I have to say that working on Spider-Verse has been one of the highlights of my career. Stan Lee just passed away. Did you get a chance to meet him? Unfortunately, I did not meet him personally, but having attended a multitude of comic book conventions over the years, Stan was always very visible. The impact he had was not only in comics, but culturally, where his creations have really become household names and icons. I

didn’t get to hear him speak until I watched “How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way” but his affable and approachable personality really came through even in those early comics. One of the things Stan Lee said was that to help viewers identify with the characters, you have to make them personal. How were you able to inject a little of your personality into the characters here? What really made “SpiderMan” unique when he was first introduced was the fact that underneath he was just a teenager coping with all the pressures and insecurities of growing up. Characters become more real to audiences the more they are flawed and unsure of themselves. Peter Parker was that kind of a character and the same goes for

Miles Morales. With anything I work on I always put myself in the characters’ shoes, so to speak. What are they thinking and feeling? What are they trying to suppress emotionally? It’s that inner conflict that really gives scenes a very appealing complexity. You were a DJ for a while. Does that help you in imagining the voices of your characters while writing/designing a story? Part of working in story is being able to act out your characters. It’s one of the really fun aspects of the craft. I’ve always had an overactive imagination and that short stint as an on-air personality was just an extension of that. The idea that you can transform into someone else and get to step in their shoes is such a huge part of storytelling.

Discovering the less known gems... From Page 4 day and hooked up with quaint and antiquated new worlds, my limited twelve-day Central Europe escapade was more than enough to open my eyes to the grandiose wonders of the less known gems of Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. Although I wasn’t actually into being a gallivanter or wanderlust since I consider myself as merely a travel enthusiast, my urge to personally see and experience distant places I only saw in movies and magazines strappingly encouraged me to be fearless in the pursuit of what sets my soul on fire… and one gratified attempt led to another. This time, what actually made me hesitant to pursue my trip to the Balkan countries was the fact that they were once parts of Yugoslavia, a socialist state created after the German occupation in WWII, that was involved in heated ethnic conflicts, wars of independence, and insurgencies from 1001 to 2001. But after being assured that it’s safe, I started to pack my bags and flew to Brussels, Belgium via United Airlines Flight 999 for my connecting flight (Brussels Airlines Flight SN3201) to Venice, Italy where the other members of the group would merge and get picked -up. It was Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving Day) at 6:55 PM when we left Newark International Airport and arrived in Belgium at 8:05 AM (after a 7-hour-10-minute flight) and took Brussels Airlines to Venice, Italy at 9:55 AM for an hour and 25-minute flight. We landed at Marco Polo Venice Airport at 11:30 AM… quite groggy from an exhausting overnight flight. We’re met by our Tour Director Tena Perkov and driver Damir then headed to Opatija, Croatia… some 232 kilometers (almost 145 miles) away. After passing along winding roads, lofty hills, verdant vegetations, immensely gigantic rocky mountains, and uninhabited places, we finally reached our destination at 4:45 PM: the Grand Hotel Adriatic built atop a hill overlooking the panoramic Adriatic Sea. A group orientation of a modest group of 17 was conducted prior to our first dinner away from home. Since majority of the members were Asian (with just one American from Tucson, Arizona) it was easy for us to bond and instantly develop that ingroup feeling. Incidentally, the Republic of Croatia is a predominantly Christian country at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe set along the Adriatic Sea with twenty-one counties, Zagreb being its capital. Croatia provides a social security, universal health care system, and a tuition-free primary and secondary education. On June 25, 1991 Croatia gained independence from Yugoslavia and joined the European Union on July 1, 2013 but since 1994 they used kuna ($1= kn 6,5) for their monetary unit instead of euro. We were informed that Croatians are huge coffee drinkers and there are more coffee shops than any other business

establishments. Natives enjoy sipping coffee in café bars than at home…and are allowed to stay for hours with just a cup of cappuccino or expresso. According to Tena, our Tour Directress, coffee is even considered a great gift idea especially during holidays and special occasions. Interestingly, sales tax in Croatia is 25%, considered highest in Europe but second only to Hungary. Ironically, while people are hardworking, they opt to keep their money at home rather than in banks and constantly chose to pay in cash. Croatia’s major industries include shipbuilding (with active shipyards throughout the country), construction, petrochemicals, food processing, farm produce, and currently, tourism. Popular souvenir choices are Sestine umbrellas from Zagreb, traditionally handmade cravats, laces, jackets, cheese, lavender, sea salt, pure virgin olive oil, and honey…and currently the mass production (for worldwide distribution) of their soccer jerseys and related memorabilia after winning 2nd place (France winning as champions) during the recently concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup Championship. Opatija, Croatia, our twoday residence, is a town in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in western Croatia which is within the traditional seaside resort on the Kvarner Gulf known for its Mediterranean climate and historic villas and chateaus and centuryold buildings… reminiscent of the Austrian Riviera. The city is geographically located on the Istrian Peninsula and a popular summer and winter resort. According to our guide, the coastal town of Opatija was already a fashionable resort destination of the royalties even during the early 19th century when they started to build elegant Habsburg-era villas and famous Lungomare promenades that snake along the shoreline. Excited to uncover the “mysteries” behind the exotic villas that lined the main thoroughfare, we dared to walk down the dimly lit narrow side streets before dinner. It was only a little past five but darkness has fallen early in Opatija…with only the enigmatic silhouettes of lofty edifices and ornate villas standing chivalrously like watchtowers prepared to combat and shield their spots against intruders and prowlers. The vicinity was quiet but seemingly safe with full-house bars and cafes operating on both sides. We stumbled upon their local marketplace (apparently at cessation)…thinking the operations were over due to the absence of animated shoppers and cramming tourists. Our curiosity was caught by attractive items at a souvenir shop. After picking our choices we called the attention of the owner but wasn’t around until a man from two stalls away came to assist us. It wasn’t actually his but he scrupulously attended to us with all sincerity until the real owner came. Verified, Croatians

are really known to be innately kindhearted and decorous. Early morning on our second day, we joined the optional tour to Pula, a provincial center during the later part of the Roman Empire, now home to one of the most impressive constructed Roman architectures outside of Rome, the Arena. We were met by our local tour guide, Andrei, a brawny middle-aged native, who further oriented us about the City of Pula’s colorful past. Built between 27 BC and 68 AD, the Arena is the only amphitheater in the world with a complete circle wall that could hold 20,000 spectators. It is still being used today as an outdoor cinema and for diverse events such as hockey, concerts, foodie markets, etc. Ninety percent of Pula’s population are of Roman influence. Pula, being the largest city in Istria County and the 8th largest city in Croatia, is also known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast, Roman ruins, prehistoric era settlements, and had been occupied, destroyed, and rebuilt numerous times by the Romans, Ostrogoths, Venetians, and allied forces in WWII… and each had administered (with personal agenda) the city. Pula, being a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is also a major fishing port and if one craves for the freshest oysters and mussels, numerous restaurants along the Limski Canal or nearby eateries have them ready. We had

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Venny takes advantage of the Arena’s magnificence despite the rain.

The ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater in Pula, Croatia

the best opportunity to dine at the world-famous Bistro Alighieri (named after the major Italian poet Dante Alighieri of the late Middle Ages.) It offers an outdoor tent terrace and an indoor cozy ambience diner with retro accents of Sophia Loren’s old movie posters in varied sizes. Since there was a precipitation that day, we chose to have lunch inside… and true enough, they served the freshest wild-caught fish and shelled stuff. Throughout the summer, Pula is transformed into a city of festivals with every public space hosting international concerts, plays, and film showings. One of Pula’s main attractions is the Lighting Giants installation in Uljanik shipyard where all cranes are lighted and illuminated with various attractive colors. Since Pula is in the Istrian

region, the climate and soil are perfect for producing wine and the region is famous for top quality muscat, merlot, and cavernet sauvignon, all made from the indigenous malvasia grapes. For leisurely shopping and homey café bars, strolling along the main city square and The Forum that features the Temple of Augustus, a well-preserved Roman temple dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, which, indubitably, was an interesting photography subject. Later after lunch we drove to Rovinj, Croatia … about 45 minutes away from Pula. A stunning little city in a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula, Rovinj stands on a headland with colorful-painted houses crowding down the seaport… very Italian in influence! A tangle of winding

Panoramic Adriatic Sea as viewed from our hotel balcony

)ROORZ XV RQ

Opatija’s coast at dawn

Elegant villas and vacation castles lined the coast of Opatija’s Adriatic Sea.

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and narrow cobbled streets leads up to the hilltop Church of St. Euphemia. Rovinj, as quaint as it is fascinating, has only a population close to 15,000 with a market place teeming of locally baked pastries and bread, souvenir items, paintings by local artists, bags and pouches of lavender, and a variety of honey and olive oil. The sleepy city, contrastingly, is kept awake by hordes of tourists and annual visitors. It was already 5:00 p.m. when we arrived at our hotel after an hour and fifteen minutes of travel (61 miles or 98 km), just perfect to refresh and get dressed-up for our 7:00 dinner. We retired early to gain renewed energy for the next day’s destination: Split, Croatia. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

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