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Volume 17 - No. 51 • 3 Sections – 16 Pages

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On Christmas Day, Duterte calls for DATELINE USA ‘compassion, kindness and reconciliation’ Fil-Am high school FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

student named final 2018 Seahawks Athlete of the Week

A FIL-AM high school student in Seattle, Washington has been named the final recipient of the 2018 Seahawks Athlete of the Week award which is given to student-athletes that display leadership, passion, and dedication both on and off the field or court.

Joshua Villarino, a junior football kicker at Ballard High School, was selected for the award based on his leadership through athletics, academics and community action, according to a Seahawks announcement.

On Sunday, December 2, Villarino was recognized at the Seattle Seahawks home game against the San Francisco 49ers on the CenturyLink Field. The football team presented an in-school presentation to Villarino a couple days before on Friday, November 30.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 25, told Filipinos to remember the “wealth of lessons” from the nativity of Jesus Christ, urging people in his Christmas message to heed the calls of “compassion, kindness and reconciliation.”

“As we take part in the festivities during this joyous occasion, may we also contemplate on the wealth of lessons we can learn from the narrative of the Savior’s birth

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

AFTER the historic 2018 midterm election in which a record number of women and people of color were elected to office across the country, the California superior courts just got a little more diverse as well.

Before he hands the governorship to Gov.elect Gavin Newsom, long-time California

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Gov. Brown appoints 2 Filipina judges to California Superior Court benches Appellate attorney Audra Ibarra becomes the first Filipina to serve as a Bay Area superior court judge

Christians or non-believers alike.”

The tough-talking Philippine leader — whose drug war has killed thousands of suspected drug traffickers and users — celebrated Christmas in Davao City.

Last Sunday, December 23, Duterte performed his annual holiday ritual and played Santa Claus to cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. (Philstar.com) ■

Poll: Young Filipinos most likely to leave PH A NEW Gallup survey revealed that the young Filipino population will possibly decrease by about 9 percent due to migration as more job opportunities open abroad for the talented Filipino residents.

According to the data from the Potential Net Migration Index (PNMI), Gallup Inc. said that the Philippines has a PNMI score of a contraction of 9 percent, with a brain drain of 16 percent and youth population loss of 13 percent.

This means that 16 percent of the Philippines’ highly educated people will possibly leave the country to work or live abroad.

Meanwhile, given the option to migrate wherever they wanted, 13 percent of the young population aged 15 to 29, chose to live on countries other than the Philippines.

The poll measured the total potential net change to the adult population by subtracting those who would like to move out of a country from those who would like to move into a country.

“The higher the score, the larger the potential net population gain. Negative scores indicate net population loss. Developed countries such as Singapore would see an influx of highly educated people,” the poll

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to the calls of compassion, kindness and reconciliation being echoed throughout the globe,” Duterte said.

“Let these ideals and aspirations guide us as we embrace our fellowmen in the spirit of our shared humanity and welcome the coming year with much hope and optimism,” he added.

“Truly, it is a season of joy and happiness that is enjoyed by everyone, whether they are Christians, non-

MORAL SUPPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with pediatric cancer patients during his visit to the Southern Philippines Medical Center’s Cancer Institute Children’s Unit in Davao City.

Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

Filipina-American judge sentenced Philippine DOTr vows to make improvements to jail for $1.4-M mortgage fraud after US deems security at NAIA inadequate Jessica Arong O’Brien had made history for being first Filipina judge in Cook County, Illinois A FORMER Filipina-American judge in Cook County, Illinois this week has been sentenced to jail for one year for her involvement in a $1.4 million mortgage fraud scam.

Jessica Arong O’Brien — who made history when she was elected as the first Filipina-American judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2012 — received her sentencing from U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin on Thursday, December 20.

A federal jury found the 51year-old Filipina guilty earlier in February for lying to lenders to receive $1.4 million in mortgag-

es and pocketing $325,000 during the purchase of two properties in Chicago’s South Side over a decade ago, before she was a sitting judge.

“I am an embarrassment,” O’Brien said in her statement in court on Thursday.

She also tearfully spoke of bringing shame to her family and ruining her career. (She is married to Cook County Judge Brendan O’Brien.)

“Of course, I have remorse as to my stupidity,” she also said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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Jessica Arong O’Brien

China’s 1st completed project in PH: Gensan Rehab Center

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

CHINA’S first infrastructure project here in the Philippines, a drug rehabilitation center, took less than a year to finish, according to Sarangani Governor Steve Solon.

The P350-million Chinesefunded Soccsksargen Dangerous Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DDATRC)

had its groundbreaking on January 12. It was then turned over last week to the provincial government, which provided the three-hectare property in the village of Kawas overlooking Sarangani Bay and nearby General Santos City.

“We are not talking about a rehabilitation center that looks good on paper but one that will really reform the patient,” Solon said.

A project briefer of the 150bed capacity rehabilitation center said the main façade of the central administration building is like a “window of hope facing the future.” It symbolizes the opening of each patient’s heart “so that they can have a new and bright future.”

A friend of the Philippines Among those who graced the turnover rites are Chinese Com-

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by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

THE Philippine transportation department said it was committed to improving airport security measures after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a travel advisory on Wednesday, December 26, because aviation security at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was not up to par with international security standards.

“Aviation security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), which serves as a lastpoint-of-departure airport for flights to the United States, does not maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the security standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” the DHS said in its statement on Wednesday.

The DHS said that airlines issuing tickets for travel between the U.S. and NAIA were immediately directed to notify passengers in writing of the determination. All U.S. airports offering regularly scheduled flights to Manila were also directed to prominently display the advisory which was also to be published in the Federal Register.

The DHS’ determination was

based off assessments carried out by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security experts.

The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a statement issued Wednesday, December 26, that the Philippine government — through the department, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) — are “giving the utmost priority and attention to the implementation of strict security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.”

The installation of new security equipment such as X-ray machines, walk-through metal detectors, and alarm systems, were among the recommendations by

the TSA, the DOTr said. It said that the equipment are expected to be installed and used by the second quarter of 2019.

The DOTr added that Transportation Secretary Art Tugade gave direct instructions to carry out manual interventions such as the hiring of additional 24/7 MIAAcontracted guards while waiting for the new security equipment.

New background check procedures for newly hired airport personnel, a change in “security culture” among longtime NAIA personnel in the area of consistent implementation and observance of strict security procedures, and the submission of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances for all MIAA access pass holders,

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am high school student named final...

PAGE A1 Part of the award is a $1,000 grant for the Ballard High School athletic department.

“It took me and my parents by surprise,” Villarino told the Asian Journal. His father said the family noticed their son’s talents from as early s four years old and added that Villarino had been classified with a learning disability in 8th grade and was able to overcome the adversity through hard work.

On being recognized at the Seahawks vs. 49ers game, Villarino said it was the “most exciting experience to ever feel when you meet one of the most respected players in the NFL.” “During the leadership summit meeting, it was a great learning experience to listen to the Seattle Seahawks and CenturyLink Executives about their role in sports and the leadership role they play in their jobs in the Seahawks,” he added.

Aside from being a kicker on his high school football team — a position he stuck to after trying out his freshman year — the young Villarino is also a dancer and has been dancing since he was five years old. Among his biggest inspirations is Michael Jackson.

After high school, Villarino said he hopes to receive an athletic or academic scholarship and plans on majoring in either Business, Marketing, Aviation, or Entrepreneurship. He said he’d

Joshua Villarino was named Seahawks Athlete of the Week earlier this month.

Photo courtesy of the Villarino family

like to own his own business as well.

On what he’s learned and on what he thinks other young FilAms also looking to succeed in athletics and leadership could take away from his experiences so far, Villarino said time management and being well organized are top priorities.

“You should continue focusing your efforts on hard work, and work ethics to achieve anything you set your mind to. You should look for your passion and dedicate your time to give back

to your community. You should have a fighting spirit by taking on challenges of succeeding in your academics and excelling in athletics and extracurricular activities,” said Villarino.

“My biggest challenge is that I was labeled with a learning disability in Math, English, and Reading during my 8th-grade year,” added Villarino. “I turned my obstacles into personal drive and passion and if you focus on those goals you will be recognized for your achievements.”(Rae Ann Varona / AJPress) n

Filipina-American judge sentenced...

PAGE A1 t The former judge was born in Cebu, Philippines and migrated to the United States, where she first enrolled in community college and went on to pursue a bachelor’s of science in hotel and food management from Boston University, as mentioned in her Asian Journal feature in 2016.

“The best thing that ever happened to me was coming to the U.S. because before that, I never had any direction,” O’Brien said in that interview with the Asian Journal.

She then attended John Marshall Law School where she became the school’s first student to obtain a joint J.D./L.L.M joint degree in tax law. O’Brien became the first Asian elected president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois and served on the Illi-

nois State Bar Association’s board of directors. In 2008, she cofounded a foundation that gives scholarships to law students from diverse backgrounds.

In his argument for probation on Thursday, O’Brien’s lawyer, Steve Greenberg, said, “It is an inspirational story. She has fallen as far as she can fall. She has lost everything…There is absolutely no reason to send this poor lady to jail.”

While the alleged fraud was taking place, O’Brien worked full-time as a special assistant attorney general for the state Department of Revenue. She also worked part-time for Amronbanc Mortgage Corporation as a loan officer, and owned her own real estate company under the name of O’Brien Realty LLC, according to feds.

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The prosecutor back in February said O’Brien embellished her income when applying for loans — she once left out a $260,000 mortgage on her primary residence.

In 2012, she was elected to serve the court of Cook County, Illinois, the second-most populous county in the U.S. after Los Angeles County.

“I look at my position as an opportunity to be a part of the system that works,” O’Brien previously told the Asian Journal.

Following her indictment in 2017, O’Brien was reassigned to non-judicial activities before she was convicted in February of this year. O’Brien resigned in September, as Illinois law mandates that an elected official cannot remain in office following a felony conviction. (AJPress) n

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CHRISTMAS MASS. Thousands of devotees attend the early Christmas Day Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, Rizal on Tuesday, December 25. It is a tradition for Filipinos to attend Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Gov. Brown appoints 2 Filipina judges to California ...

PAGE A1 Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday, Dec. 7 filed for 13 Superior Court judgeships, including two Filipinas: Audra Ibarra of the Bay Area and Rohanee Zapanta of San Diego.

Audra Ibarra, a Palo Alto attorney with more than eight years of appellate experience, became the first Filipino-American woman to be appointed a superior court judge in the Bay Area when Brown appointed her to the Superior Court of Santa Clara County. (She is also the first Filipino-American ever to serve in the county’s superior court.)

The 49-year-old former assistant U.S. attorney has also been counsel at the California Appellate Law Group since 2012 as well as a sole practitioner since 2010. Previously Ibarra was the deputy chief of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of California.

Ibarra is not officially affiliated with any political party.

Audra Ibarra

Rohanee Zapanta

Before Rohanee Zapanta was appointed to the San Diego County Superior Court, she was a deputy public defender at the county’s public defender’s office, where she had been serving since 2005. She was also an associate at the Law Offices of Ray Bulaon and Price Law Group.

Zapanta fills the vacant seat left

by Judge Judith F. Haynes, who retired this year. Zapanta is a registered Democrat.

Ibarra and Zapanta are two of the 10 women (out of 13 in total) who were appointed earlier this month.

Brown also appointed the first Korean-American judge in Alameda County in Eumi K. Lee, who works as a clinical professor at UC Hastings’ College of Law. Also appointed was Joginder Dhillon who became the first Sikh judge ever appointed in Sacramento County.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

China’s 1st completed project in PH...

PAGE A1 t mercial Counselor Jin Yuan, Chinese Consul General to Davao Li Lin and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. China’s commitment to help in the development of the Philippines despite the two countries’ dispute over the West Philippine Sea was also reaffirmed by Jin. In a statement, Jin said, “The completion of this cozy center fully demonstrates that the Chinese government will never let you down.”

“The Chinese people will always stand by your side and China will help within our capacity to boost the development of the Philippines,” Jin added.

According to the Chinese offi-

cial, China is and will always be a good neighbor as well as a sincere friend and close partner of the Philippines.

The rehabilitation center project, Duque said, was launched to address the need for more rehabilitation centers for Filipino drug users.

He also said that the Duterte administration considered drug abuse and dependency as “a public health priority.”

The center will be managed by the Department of Health (DOH).

Data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency showed that as of November, the official death toll of the government’s all-out war against illegal drugs

already reached at least 5,050 since President Duterte assumed power in July 2016.

Recipients The government’s gratitude to the Chinese government “for the assistance and support for this administration’s campaign against illegal drugs” was extended by Duque.

During the talks between Mr. Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in October 2016, one of the agreements reached was about Sarangani being one of the recipients of “China-aid Philippines” DDATRC projects.

Agusan del Sur is the other beneficiary, where construction of a rehab center is still ongoing. n

Poll: Young Filipinos most likely to leave...

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PAGE A1 t stated as reported by BusinessMirror.

Educated residents constitute those who have completed four years of education beyond high school or have acquired that of a bachelor’s degree. In Southeast Asia, Singapore fared well as it attracted more population while Vietnam fared worst in the region.

“Gallup’s Potential Net Migration Index does not predict migration patterns, but it provides useful information about the people these countries are attracting from around the world and the areas where leaders need to work to ensure they retain the talent already at home,” Gallup stated as

reported by The Philippine Star.

As per all the countries rated, New Zealand got the highest PNMI score at 231 percent and would likely see an influx of young, talented migrants. Sierra Leone performed worst as 70 percent of its total adult population wants to leave their home country if they had the opportunity.

Results were based on telephone and face-to-face interviews with 453,122 adults — aged 15 and older — in 152 countries from 2015 to 2017.

The UN General Assembly last week formally ratified Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration that uses 23 objectives to cater legal migration and discourage illegal border crossings.

It was agreed upon by 152 countries, including the Philippines, while 12 countries abstained and five voted against.

“While critics of the agreement fear it would open the doors to unchecked mass migration, Gallup’s latest Potential Net Migration Index actually shows that in most of the countries that are refusing to sign, more people want to leave them than come to them,” the survey emphasized.

“Hungary, for example, which became the second country after the U.S. to withdraw from the compact, could see its total adult population shrink by as much as 16 percent if everyone around the world moved where they wanted,” it added. n

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Philippine DOTr vows to make improvements ... Filipino priest suspended over upsetting

PAGE A1 were also among other TSA recommendations.

“In this regard, re-trainings have been, and continue to be conducted to instill in every personnel he need to be consistent in every aspect of security,” the DOTr said.

The DHS said that the Department of State and the Department of Transportation have been coordinating with TSA representatives in working with the Philippine government to help airport and transportation authorities bring NAIA up to international security standards.

Security improvements Last week, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal told the Philip-

pine government’s official news agency that management had already started security system improvements such as replacing single view x-ray machines with double view x-ray machines to comply with current international aviation standards.

Monreal earlier this month warned airline passengers to be vigilant against thieves and pickpockets, given the business of the airport during the holiday season.

Immigration Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina also said last week that numerous electronic gates — meant to make the passenger entry process take only about eight to 15 seconds and reduce long queues at immigration counters — were installed in

NAIA and other major Philippine airports in Cebu, Clark, and Davao this year.

Tightened security, technical system improvements, and leadership training for immigration officers were other things Medina said were of focus for Philippine airport improvements.

In the Wednesday statement following the U.S.’ determination, the Philippine DOTr said it was fully committed to improving NAIA. “Rest assured that the government, the DOTr, the MIAA and the OTS are fully committed in employing all measures available to ensure the security and safety of the traveling public,” said the DOTr.n

Old Philippines chancery in Washington now historical landmark

In his remarks, Hank Hendrickson, executive director of the US-Philippines Society, recalled “that Sunday, November 11th, is the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. In marking Armistice Day, now known here as Veterans Day, we remember not only the end of the war, but the beginnings of efforts to construct new global arrangements embodying the principle of ‘self-determination of peoples.’ This is the point that connects events of 100 years ago to this building and the people who worked here on a mission to achieve self-determination and independence of the Philippines, with support from the government of the United States.”n

“It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that the embassy accepts this solemn charge today of preserving the history, nationalism and dignity that this building embodies for the people of the Philippines,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Philstar.com file photo

by Pia Lee

Brago Philstar.com

THE old chancery of the Philippine embassy in Washington, where Filipino leaders presided over the transition from a Commonwealth to an independent republic in 1946, was designated a national historical landmark for the Philippines.

“It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that the embassy accepts this solemn charge today of preserving the history, nationalism and dignity that this building embodies for the people of the Philippines,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Two historical markers, one in Filipino and another in English, were unveiled during the ceremony last Nov. 9.

“As a people with a deep sense of nostalgia, Filipinos will ever be mindful of the hard work of our forefathers that have taken us to where we are today. We shall do what we can to protect and safeguard it with honor.

And this building, this National Historical Landmark, no doubt, will constantly remind us of our sacred charge and of our solemn responsibility,” Romualdez added.

It was at the Old Chancery

that stands at 1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington where Resident Commissioners Joaquin Elizalde and Carlos P. Romulo presided over the transition of the Philippines from being a Commonwealth into an independent republic.

For a time during World War II, the building also served as headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth government-inexile.

“Crucial meetings, such as war Cabinet meetings, were held in this building. These gatherings were attended by President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmeña,” said Rene Escalante, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

After independence, the building became the first Chancery of the Philippine embassy in Washington and was declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Commission on April 16.

A national historical landmark is defined as a site or structure associated with events or achievements significant to Philippine history.

“With its storied past, this building, no doubt, needs to be preserved and promoted as an important cultural property,” Escalante added.

homily for teen who killed himself

by rae

ann Varona AJPress

A FILIPINO priest in Michigan has been suspended by the Archdiocese of Detroit from speaking at funerals after he upset the family of a teenager who killed himself by including in the homily, questions of whether those who die by suicide can be forgiven by God. Father Don LaCuesta of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Temperance, Michigan presided over the Saturday, December 8 funeral for Maison Hullibarger, 18, who passed away just days before on Tuesday, December 4.

Rather than celebrating the life of the teenager who was a criminal justice student at the University of Toledo, an athlete, son, and brother to five siblings, LaCuesta focused more on the issue of suicide, according to the teenager’s father.

The word “suicide” was mentioned by LaCuesta a total of six times during the homily. This, despite the parents having met with LaCuesta prior to the funeral to discuss what they wanted in the homily. LaCuesta even took notes, they said.

In a copy of the homily released by the archdiocese on Monday, December 17, LaCuesta said, “If we Christians are right in believing that salvation belongs to Jesus Christ, that it does not come from us — and that our hand cannot stop what God allows for us, then yes, there is

hope in eternity even for those who take their own lives.”

LaCuesta then continued, “Having said that, I think that we must not call what is bad good, what is wrong right. Because we are Christians, we must say what we know is the truth — that taking your own life is against God who made us and against everyone who loves us. Our lives are not our own. They are not ours to do with as we please.”

“The finality of suicide makes this all the worse. You cannot make things right again,” LaCuesta added.

He did later attempt to reassure the family by saying, “Nothing — not even suicide — can separate us from the unconditional love of God.” But that did nothing to help the situation, said the family which later gave their own blessings at the teen’s gravesite.

Jeff Hullibarger, the teenager’s father, told the Detroit Free Press that he had at one point went up to the pulpit and whispered to LaCuesta to stop, but LaCuesta continued to make statements on suicide and salvation.

“There were actually a couple of younger boys who were Maison’s age who left the church sobbing,” said the teen’s father.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Detroit said that it regrets that LaCuesta was “unable to bring comfort” to the Hullibarger family.

“Our hope is always to bring comfort to situations of great

Rev. Don LaCuesta of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Temperance, Michigan Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Detroit

pain, through funeral services centered on the love and healing power of Christ,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, that did not happen in this case.”

It added that LaCuesta would not be preaching at funerals for the foreseeable future and would have all other homilies reviewed by a priest mentor. It said that LaCuesta also agreed to “pursue the assistance he needs in order to become a more effective minister in these difficult situations.”

LaCuesta responded in a statement admitted that he “fell short”

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Filipino priest suspended over upsetting homily...

PAGE A3 t of providing the family with the comfort needed. “Instead, I added to their pain,� said LaCuesta. “I deeply regret that, and I am sorry.�

Addressing the fact that many — including the Hullibarger family — have called for his removal from the parish, LaCuesta said that he preferred to stay and is working with the archdiocese to “ensure that [he] can serve more effectively in the future.�

Adding to the family’s pain, the teen’s high school football coach Jeff Wood — who was accused of bullying players on the team

and was asked not to attend the funeral — showed up against the family’s wishes.

After being asked to leave, Wood lashed out on social media, and was later removed from his job. “If you need someone to blame, I’m your man. I’m your fall guy. This is how society is when things go not as planned, we blame others for our own shortcomings,� Wood wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide remains the 10th leading cause of death in

the U.S. In 2016, suicide claimed the lives of nearly 45,000 people — a number more than double that of homicides in the same year.

From years 1999 to 2016, the total suicide rate increased 28 percent according to the CDC. The rate remained nearly four times higher among males than among females.

If you or a loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Additional resources can be accessed at www.SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. n

PH Embassy, Healthy Mind Initiative team up for mental health and wellness Silme Domingo

CHRISTMAS TRADITION. A woman gives presents to children in Molino Homes II, Barangay Salitran III, DasmariĂąas City, Cavite on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25. It is a tradition for Filipino children to visit their ninongs and ninangs and other relatives on Christmas Day and get gifts from them.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto (2nd from left) presents the certificate of appreciation and gifts to HMI representatives Cdr. Gumapas (far left), LCdr. Pascua (2nd from right), and Capt. Fields (far right) at the conclusion of the team building activity.

Photo from PH Embassy DC

THE Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in partnership with Healthy Mind Initiative, held a team-building activity focused on promoting mental health and wellness among its personnel on December 18 at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building.

Healthy Mind Initiative (HMI) is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), federal and county government partners, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community organizations and leadership. It highlights the importance of mental health literacy by educating about mental illness, substance misuse, and suicide among AAPI

youth, with a focus on prevention and early detection. “Healthy Mind Initiative empowers AAPI parents to detect, prevent, seek treatment and at the same reduce the stigma that has been a huge problem in our culture,� said USPHS Capt. Marivic Fields, one of the lead presenters of HMI. For the embassy’s team-building activity, the HMI presentation was tailored to focus on managng stress, giving basic information about the most common mental disorders, and identifying mental health resources.

USPHS Capt. Fields, Cdr. Leo Angelo Gumapas, and LCdr. Ni-

cole Pascua facilitated the activity.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez expressed appreciation to Healthy Mind Initiative for partnering with the Embassy in educating the team about the importance of mental health. “As public servants, we should be especially conscious that no one is immune to mental health issues. We must continue to arm ourselves with the appropriate knowledge and skills to individually and collectively deal with these issues, and to develop empathy for those experiencing psychological distress,� Romualdez said. n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3 , 2018

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Sotto lauds senators for ‘prolific’ year Philippines, 194 countries adopt Paris deal guidelines

by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

by JAVIER ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III attributed the chamber’s “efficient” performance this year to his colleagues who supported the passage of a record number of landmark and highly-sought bills.

“2018 has been a very prolific year for the Senate, in terms of the number of bills that we had passed into law, along with those pending in the advanced stages of legislation, and the quality and importance of these laws. It is all to the credit of the entire Senate as an institution,” Sotto said.

The Senate chief noted that as of Dec. 13, 2018, the Senate has approved 95 bills which were passed into law, while 85 other enrolled bills are awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval and signature.

He said 19 other bills are pending in the bicameral conference committee, while 45 others were approved on third and final reading.

“Swift action was taken by the Senate without sacrificing the keen and prolonged debates on most of these very important bills,” Sotto said.

He said the Senate passed a record number of measures because of the “good cooperation” of the senators.

“The senators, from both the Senate majority and minority blocs, have been very cooperative and very active in relation to our legislative work,” he said.

“The result is that if you check the data on the legislative performance of the Senate from 1987 up to now, I can say that our rate of passing bills this year is among, if not, the most prolific in the Senate’s recent history,” he added.

Among the bills that became

MANILA — The Philippines and 194 other countries have adopted guidelines to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement meant to guide efforts for global climate action.

The so-called Paris Rulebook was adopted by all member-countries at the recently concluded 24th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) following two weeks of negotiations in Katowice, Poland.

The Paris Rulebook includes the estabishment of a new finance goal of $100 billion a year by 2020 to support developing countries in their disaster mitigation and resilience projects.

REYES ManilaTimes.net

Guzman said.

In 2015, the Philippines committed to reduce its emissions by 70 percent by 2030.

As chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in 2015, the Philippines, on behalf of 48 developing countries, led the advocacy for the ambitious global warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is now enshrined in the Paris Agreement as its long-term temperature goal.

The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature increase “well below” two degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial times and preferably within 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The climate pact is set to come into effect in 2020. ■

BUSINESS NEWS

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

law this year are the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Philippine Identification System Act, the Filipino Sign Language Act, the National Payment Systems Act, the Personal Property Security Act, and the ‘Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act.’ Major enrolled bills awaiting the president’s signature include the proposed Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, Universal Healthcare Program Act, the bill on Mandatory Philhealth Coverage for all Persons with Disabilities, the Social Security Act of 2018, the HIV/AIDS Prevention Act, the amendments to the charter of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Mobile Number Portability Act, the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, and the bill creating the Department of Hu-

ManilaTimes.net photo

man Settlements and Urban Development.

Other important bills pending in the bicameral conference committee include the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act, the National Integrated Cancer Control Program Act, and the bill expanding the supplemental appropriations for fiscal year for patients in relation to the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy.

Sotto said the speedy passage of bills can be credited to the “wealth of experience” of the Senate leaders.

“The people I work in tandem with have spent years in Congress so we really have a good rapport, including the Senate Minority Leader. Experience, cooperation, and camaraderie goes a long way,” he said. ■

col police regional office chief, said Nicanor Faeldon Jr. has been released.

THE Prosecutor’s Office in “I was informed by Naga CPO Naga City had dismissed the (city police office) that the Proscharges filed against the son of ecutor’s Office, in a resolution, Bureau of Corrections Commis- dismissed the cases filed against sioner Nicanor Faeldon, the Phil- Faeldon Jr.,” Escobal said in a ippine National Police said on text message.

Sunday, December 23.

Faeldon Jr. was detained after Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, Bi- he and several others were ar-

Winning consortium vows world-class Clark int’l airport

by IRIS

GONZALES Philstar.com

THE conglomerates that won the contract to operate and maintain the Clark international airport vowed to reinvent the airport into a world-class gateway.

Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc. and Changi Airport Philippines Pte. Ltd. bagged the operations and maintenance contract of the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The 25-year contract was awarded to their group, the North Luzon Airport Consortium (NLAC) by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

FDC, the lead consortium member, said the group is thankful for the opportunity.

“The consortium envisions to create a new identity for Clark airport as the Northern and Central Luzon’s gateway that will rested in a drug den in Naga City provide fast, efficient, and hasslelast week. free travel experience,” said JoThe police filed charges sephine Gotianun-Yap, president against Faeldon Jr. for violating & chief executive officer of FDC. Section 6 of Republic Act 9165 The project includes the opor maintenance of a drug den. erations and maintenance of the Charged along with him were existing terminal and the new Russel Lanuzo and Allan Valdez. terminal. The consortium is also The Bicol police had clarified set to develop the commercial asthat Faeldon Jr. was in the area sets, operate and maintain projas a visitor. ■ ect facilities and fit-out the new

Drug complaint vs Faeldon dismissed

by DEMPSEY

Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, who led the Philippine delegation in the COP 24, said that more work still has to be done by all countries.

The Philippines, he said, reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and engaged in all climate talks while protecting its key interests, including climate justice.

Countries are expected to resubmit or update their climate pledges known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020.

The Philippines is set to submit its NDCs next year after it has completed ground work with all local stakeholders – both with the national government agencies and the non-state actors, De

Philstar.com file photo

terminal.

“We are confident that with the vast experience of each member of the consortium in terms of property development, air transportation and airport operations, NLAC will be able to reinvent Clark International Airport to a world-class airport, meet the continued growth of international and domestic air travel, and deliver its commitment to the government and the public,” Gotianun-Yap said.

NLAC vowed to establish a new reputation for Philippine international gateway airports to ensure ease and seamless travel.

Changi is the operator of the

most awarded airport in the world, Singapore Changi Airport.

The Filinvest-led consortium was the only group that was qualified.

X-Droid, a venture that includes affiliates of Philippines Air Asia and companies owned by businessman and politician Michael Romero and Zest-O founder Alfredo Yao was disqualified.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Megawide Construction Corp. also expressed interest in the project but did not push through.

Megawide’s partner GMR Infrastructure failed to meet the requirements set by the BCDA. ■

A6

DECEMBER 27, 2018-JANUARY 2, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FEATURES

OPINION

Steep price for celebration AFTER Christmas Day, people are preparing for the New Year revelry, and authorities can’t remind the public enough that it’s better to be safe than sorry. The reminder is aimed at those who still want to greet the New Year with a bang.

Adults in particular must be mindful of the need to keep children safe.

Last Saturday, the Department of Health reported that a three-year-old girl in Valenzuela was taken to the Philippine General Hospital after accidentally swallowing the contents of a flash bomb. The DOH said another child was injured after exploding a piccolo.

The small firecracker, a favorite among children possibly because of its size, is nevertheless banned like watusi because of the high risk of injuries from mishandling. Wounds from firecrackers can develop into potentially lethal tetanus if not treated promptly.

Piccolo and watusi, however, continue to be sold all over the country along with larger and more powerful firecrackers such as pla-pla. Since the DOH started its registry for firecracker injuries on Dec. 21 until Christmas Eve, 13 cases have been recorded. The DOH has warned that the number continues to rise.

While household use of fireworks has been on a

steady decline nationwide and some local government units have banned firecrackers, many Filipinos still keep the tradition alive. Fireworks are legal and the industry is regulated, but there are several types that are banned for causing serious injuries and even deaths in the past years.

As is usual in this country, however, enforcement of the ban has been spotty. Banned fireworks are openly displayed in the streets, with vendors playing hide-and-seek with police raiders. Manufacturers of banned items cheekily give the banned products new names, usually after the most controversial figures of the year.

The three-year-old girl at least is on the mend, but several others have died from firecracker injuries, either directly from explosions or because of tetanus.

The public must remember that losing a finger, an eye or a life is too steep a price to pay for ringing in the New Year. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Commentary

MARLEN RONQUILLO IN our country, where the budget philosophy is a collection of trite and turgid words and not the definition of a great aspiration, the hard-numbers men and women who write our national budgets are just that — hard-numbers men and women. But a national budget vested with no great purpose is not the general rule.

After Jack Lew ended his second stint as Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director under United States President Barack Obama (Lew held that same post under Bill Clinton), he summed up his feeling about the budget process in these noble words: “Budgets aren’t a book of numbers. They are a tapestry, the fabric of what we believe. The numbers tell a story, a self-portrait of

National budgets are a self-portrait of a country what we are as a country.”

Take a long, hard look at the history of our contemporary budget process. Can you vest even just a sliver of loftiness, or nobility, or a sense of purpose into the Philippine budget process? No. That question is even laughable.

If the current budget process is, indeed, the self-portrait of our country, what do we have? The straight-up answer is this: The brazen attempt to corrupt it. A “corrupted budget” is the shorter version.

The P3.76-trillion General Appropriations Bill that has passed the House of Representatives and is currently with the Senate for deliberation is not a cornucopia of good intentions and good projects, but a collection of political fiefdoms currently grabbing what they could grab of the choice infrastructure component of the proposed budget. With the control will come the expected commissions, billions of pesos

greasing every power faction that manages to corner the juicy component of the funds.

Boy, Oh, boy. One gets the feeling that the Napoles scam, so far the most scandalous story of congressional corruption, a crass, unprecedented Saro-for-Cash Exchange that cost P10 billion in squandered public money, is just Little League in comparison to the grubbiness that is taking place today, budget process circa 2019, the P3.76-trillion version.

Let us visit the crime scene and itemize the fund grab. Or, let us start with the story of CT Leoncio Construction and Trading, a single proprietorship based in Sta, Maria, Bulacan, but with major public work projects mostly in Bicol, with Sorsogon as its base of operations.

Under the rules of bids and awards as specified under the Government Procurement Act, CT Leoncio is good for small projects, such as farm-to-market roads,

small flood control and drainage projects, one school buildings or two — minor projects that befit its lowly status. Projects P50 million and above are done by contractors with Triple A accreditations.

Yet, according to Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr,. himself a former budget secretary, CT Leoncio has already bagged 30 major infrastructure projects worth billions of pesos even while the Senate was still deliberating on the budget.

How did this happen? Andaya said the premature awards to CT Leoncio, single proprietorship, were courtesy of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). In 2018, CT Leoncio, single proprietorship, got P10 billion worth of projects, Andaya said.

How can the DBM embed projects and the specific contractor of these projects with the P3.76 trillion budget yet to pass the Senate? The answer to these miraculous awards may be a place

— Sorsogon.

According to a family tree drawn

by Andaya et al, the vice governor of Sorsogon, Ester Hamor, has a son from a previous marriage.

That son is married to a daughter of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno. The current husband of the vice governor is Edwin Hamor, the mayor of Casiguran town in Sorsogon province. Most of the big projects done by CT Leoncio were in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Andaya said the Hamors have been the backers of CT Leoncio.

You can readily identify the axis of the connections: Diokno-Hamors-CT Leoncio.

Of course, Andaya himself does not come clean in the whole “pork barrel” mess.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, after his routine scrutiny of the national budget, claims that Andaya has pork barrel projects worth P1.9 billion, the 2nd biggest pork beneficiary in the House. My place in Pampanga, the 2nd congressional district represented by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is on top with P2.4 billion of pork.

stitutional convention that crafted the 1935 Philippine Constitution, the core article of the MDT was much too weak, compared with the counterpart article of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Where the MDT merely provides for consultations according to its constitutional process after one of the parties is attacked, the NATO treaty provides for automatic retaliation by all its members.

Article V of the NATO treaty provides: “The Parties are agreed that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all; and consequently they agree that if, such an attack occurs, each of them, in the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually or in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.”

Recto vs Romulo The late Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, who headed the Philippine panel that negotiated the MDT, tried to assure Recto that the U.S. would not fail to respond if the Philippines were attacked.

Recto remained unconvinced. In 1954, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (Seato) was established in Manila, with the U.S., France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan as members. It was intended to prevent communism from gaining ground in Asia, but it did not add anything new to the Philippine-U.S. security alliance.

On its every anniversary, the Seato secretary general would say, because of Seato, not an inch of

territory had been lost to the communists. But France and Pakistan eventually started taking “independent” positions vis-a-vis the other members. They eventually withdrew, prompting the Philippines and Thailand to move for the dismantling of the alliance in1975.

By then the communists had won in Vietnam.

Dulles’ assurance The strongest assurance of an appropriate U.S. response to an armed attack under the MDT came from Dwight Eisenhower’s Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, when he said that because of the U.S. air and naval dispositions in the Philippines, “an armed attack on the Philippines could not but be also an attack upon the military forces of the United States. As between our nations, it is no legal fiction to say that an attack on one is an attack on both. It is a reality that an attack on the Philippines is an attack on the United States.”

Eisenhower reiterated this assurance in his joint communique with then President Carlos P. Garcia on the latter’s state visit to Washington, DC on June 20, 1958. It was later incorporated in the so-called Bohlen-Serrano Memorandum of Agreement of 1959, and reaffirmed by the Ramos-Rusk exchange of notes of 1966.

But in his monumental book, A Question of Sovereignty, Ambassador Eduardo Romualdez, who headed the Philippine panel during the 1976 renegotiations of the bases agreement with the US, points out that this assurance was not based on what the MDT provides, but rather on the fact that “the dispositions of U.S. air and naval forces in the Philippines were “such” that an armed attack on the Philippines “could not but be an armed attack upon the military forces of the United States” and therefore, would be repelled.”

Romualdez points out that in 1954, when Dulles issued his statement, U.S. forces were scattered

throughout the archipelago, from Aparri in the north to TawiTawi in the south, and from Palawan in the west to Samar in the east. Any attack on any part of the Philippines would certainly endanger some American units, writes Romualdez. But would Dulles’s reassurance still hold, if the US air and naval dispositions were altered, as in fact, they have been altered upon the end of the bases agreement in 1991? Would the U.S. feel obligated to respond if the Philippines were attacked, without inflicting damage on any U.S. public vessels or aircraft?

Cyrus Vance reiterates In a letter to Romulo on Jan. 6, 1979, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance stated: “Article V of the MDT states that for the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on either of the parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific. All elements of this definition are of equal validity in terms of U.S. commitment under the treaty. Metropolitan territory is defined below. However, as provided in Article V, an attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific would not have to occur within the metropolitan of the Philippines or inland territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific in order to come within the definition of Pacific area in Article V.” Never has there been any doubt that the U.S. has no commitment to the defense of the Philippineclaimed territory in the Spratlys, even if attacked by the Chinese. In 1969, during the so-called Symington Senate hearings on “U.S. security agreements and commitments abroad,” Sen. William Fulbright, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, while questioning Rear Admiral Draper Kauffman, the commander of the U.S. naval forces

Time to reboot our US defense ties

Commentary

FRANCISCO TATAD DRIVEN by security concerns over the Philippines’ South China Sea dispute with China, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has proposed a review of our Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States. This has not been formally endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which speaks for the government on such matters, but neither has the DFA nor Malacanang disowned it. It is the most significant statement on the subject to date. It cannot simply be disregarded.

Concluded in 1951, the MDT remains the basic defense instrument between the Philippines and the U.S., after the 1947 Military Bases Agreement (MBA) expired in 1991 and the Senate rejected its proposed extension by a further 10 years. The 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are but the MDT’s implementing agreements.

MDT background The MDT came at a time of serious security challenges in Asia. In 1949, Mao Zedong’s communist forces took over China and drove Chiang Kaishek’s nationalist forces to Taiwan. In 1950, the Korean war broke out and left the Korean peninsula divided between North and South. As Japan rose from the nuclear ashes of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the communists threatened to engulf Indonesia, and the Vietnamese moved to defeat the French colonial forces at Dien-BienPhu, resulting in the partitioning

Philstar.com photo

of Indo-China. Under President Elpidio Quirino and later, Ramon Magsaysay, the Philippines faced an armed rebellion by the Hukbalahap — the Filipino fighters originally organized against the Japanese occupation army.

The threat of a communist hegemony emerging in the Pacific provided the glue to the Philippine-U.S. military alliance, first in the MBA, and then in the MDT. In the MDT, the two allies agreed to act together to repel any armed attack on the metropolitan territory of either of the parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific, or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific. “Metropolitan territory of the Philippines” means all of the land areas and all adjacent waters subject to the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, in accordance with international law, lying with the area delineated by Spain and the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris of Dec. 10, 1898, and in the Treaty of Washington concluded by the U.S. and Great Britain on Jan. 2, 1930.

In case of attack Under Article IV of the MDT, an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the parties would be “recognized” as “dangerous” to the other’s peace and safety, and this party will have to “act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

Any armed attack and any attempt to repel it should be immediately reported to the UN Security Council, which shall take the measures necessary to restore peace and international security. Thereafter, any counter-measures taken by the affected party shall cease. his provision was strongly repudiated by Filipino critics who found it vague and meaningless.

To the nationalist Sen. Claro M. Recto, who chaired the con-

The bloc of Andaya and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez has made a counter-claim. A P5 billion pork has been cornered by former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Farinas and a few others in the deposed House leadership.

Mr. Alvarez just broke his silence. He said that he was ousted from the House leadership because of an ulterior motive — control of the multi-billion road users fund.

At the Senate, the story of a senatorial staff promising major budgetary allocations to congressmen who will allow the senatorprincipal of the staff to identify the contractor is the big story. So far, no names. But still with the same brazen story of “pork parking.”

The rot of corruption is evidently widespread and across the two chambers. What the two chambers of Congress is about to pass is a P3.76-trillion national budget unblemished by integrity.

It is, truly, the story of our sad and corrupt country. (ManilaTimes.net) in the Philippines, expressed doubt that the U.S. had any real commitment to defend the Philippines.

Fulbright’s assertions “Maybe this is the point,” Fulbright said, “we are really not there to protect the Philippines. We are there to serve our own purpose, to maintain a base for what we believe to be our forward protection against China or anybody else. That is our purpose.” To which Kauffman replied, “Oh, yes, sir.” So it’s all window-dressing? Fulbright asked.

One thing is certain: The U.S. military bases are gone, and the MDT has not been put to the test.

The Chinese geopolitical and geostrategic threat, for which reason we entered into the MDT 67 years ago, has evolved. So has national response. We no longer have a unified response. While Lorenzana and the defense establishment may still consider China a continuing security concern, President Rodrigo Duterte looks to China as a source of economic aid and investments and of unquestioning support for his authoritarian policies.

Lorenzana apparently believes the MDT could be made to work if it were given NATO’s automatic retaliatory clause, and the U.S. commitment to defend its ally in case of attack were extended to the contested territories in the Spratlys.

But aside from DU30’s change of heart with respect to the Philippines’ rightful claim in the Spratlys, we must also now contend with the unpredictability of U.S. policies toward America’s allies.

President Donald Trump’s unvetted decision to withdraw all of the U.S.’ 2,000 fighting men from Syria, without consulting the U.S. defense establishment, the leaders of Congress and America’s allies, has created an enormous uncertainty in the area of military cooperation with the U.S. Lorenzana may have no one in Washington, DC left to listen to his MDT proposal after Secretary James Mattis left the Pentagon.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

SF

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Why do so many of us fail at our New Year’s resolutions? Fil-Am consultants weigh in

Tips on how we can stay married to our New Year resolutions and the importance of being gentle with yourself and your goals

by Klarize

Medenilla / AJPress

AS 2018 wraps up, the ageold adage “new year, new me” makes its yearly spike across social media. It’s a time of selfreflection and taking stock of what we’ve achieved and what we’d like to achieve. There’s always that hope that next year will be better than the last, and the thought of a fresh start feels liberating.

With the new year comes an opportunity to improve our lives in one or more ways by making New Year’s resolutions, or setting goals to reach throughout the year. Whether it’s losing weight, eating healthier, becoming more organized or giving up smoking, these goals seek to That being said, we’re terrible at keeping these resolutions. According to U.S. News and Reports, 80 percent of New Years resolutions fall through by February. So, how can we ensure that we stay committed to our New Year’s resolutions?

Filipina-American health, wellness and career coach Anna Marie Cruz — who works primarily with high-achieving women — takes an integrative approach to wellness coaching and says that we often approach these resolutions with negative rhetoric or “with an attitude of deprivation.”

Reframing the way we see our goals by using more positive language to describe them can make them feel less like chores and more like some-

thing to look forward to, Cruz says.

“For example, ‘I resolve to give up sweets or alcohol’ can feel like punishment. The guilt associated with giving into cravings could lead us to abandon our goals entirely,” Cruz told the Asian Journal.

“How many times have we told ourselves “I can’t have chocolate” and somehow all we see around us are giant chocolate bars? Rather than deprivation, re-frame these resolutions in the positive. Instead of ‘I can’t eat sweets,’ we can ‘resolve to eat more vegetables to keep the skin even clearer and healthier.’ Who doesn’t want that?”

Cruz adds that it would benefit us to cut ourselves a little slack when it comes to working towards these goals, saying that we often adopt a “perfectionist mindset” that might convince that we’re failing when we don’t 100 percent adhere to our goals every day.

“It takes at least 21 days to develop a new habit, so instead of giving up once you leave the box unchecked for the day, use the next day to start fresh and approach your goals without the guilt of feeling of failure from the previous day,” Cruz recommends.

A popular New Year’s resolution that many adopt at the start of a new year is to be more organized: in home, in work and in mind. Moreover, the goal extends to be inten-

Filipina-American health, wellness and career coach Anna Marie Cruz

tional with the possessions we keep and the purchases we make.

Filipina-American personal and home organizer Katrina Green — who runs Badass Homelife, a home organizing business in the greater Sacramento and Bay Area —follows a minimalist approach that transcends beyond just home organizing.

“When I purchase things, there is a purpose for it; I don’t just shop for funsies,” Green told the Asian Journal. “People have a misconception of minimalism. They think that we live with no decor in our homes or what, which isn’t true, at least for me. I decorated my home with intent and for as long as it isn’t cluttered and everything has a home it works.

I’ve adapted this concept as a lifestyle because I find beauty in simplifying things. When you

live a simplified and organized life, you get to do more and enjoy more non tangible things.”

As Filipinos, we tend to put a lot of value on material things and oftentimes because of that, there’s a tendency to hoard items. On that note, Green said that “a lot of our elders have ingrained in us” that keeping certain “antiques and heirlooms” is a way to keep the tradition or family spirit alive, but that can result in keeping items we don’t necessarily need.

“I would want Filipinos to see beyond the material aspect of [these things] and see that what truly matters are the memories and teachings you leave behind,” Green says, adding that Filipinos could benefit from regular decluttering.

Although the process of

Personal and home organizer Katrina Green of Badass Home Life

organizing your work or home space may feel overwhelming, starting off slow and working at your own pace could help you set off a routine, Green says, adding that treating your organizing goals like a workout routine could turn new practices into habits.

“Be kind to yourself. Don’t get frustrated when something doesn’t work the first time,” Green says. “Take it slow, start with one area like your desk or a drawer. I do a 3-step method, Toss, Donate and Keep. Treat being organized as starting a workout routine.

It’s something that’s difficult to start but once you get into the habit of doing it every day and week, it becomes a part of your routine. The key is to keep going, when it doesn’t work the first time, try something else, when that doesn’t work you can always count on

us Organizers.”

Like Green, Cruz advises to approach your goals with kindness towards yourself and that if something doesn’t go as planned, try another method.

But the key is to keep on going and remembering making mistakes is a part of the process, and that there’s always going to be a tomorrow.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Be 100 percent committed at the beginning of the day, but also 100 percent forgiving and 100 percent curious at the end of the day,” Cruz recommends. “We are on this planet for a finite amount of time. If you don’t get your 30-minute exercise in today, channel that attitude of gratitude and count the things that went right today, rather than what went wrong. This alone can keep us motivated to conquer the next day!”

Filipino traditions to welcome the New Year by ritchel Mendiola AJPress

THE New Year has always been a countrywide celebration that is nothing short of fun, dynamic, and loud. Filipinos love to welcome the new year with as much fanfare as they can, partaking in traditions they believe will help in making the new year better, happier, and more bountiful for them. Here are some of those traditions:

1. Eating media noche Filipinos love eating — but more than that, they love eating together with their families.

New Year’s eve gives them that opportunity to celebrate, complete with an impressive spread to welcome the incoming year.

Roughly translated as “midnight,” Media Noche is a Filipino custom where family members, their relatives, and friends all gather together

to eat and drink. The menu differs for every family but there will always be some food that remain a staple in every household such as pancit (long noodles), which represent good health and long life; and sticky rice, which represent tighter family bonds.

2. Having circles/round shapes everywhere Filipinos and Chinese alike believe the round shape is a symbol of prosperity, so it’s

common to see circles during New Year’s Eve. More often than not, you’ll see 12 round fruits displayed on the dining table (one fruit per month for a prosperous year) or people wearing polka-dotted clothes.

3. Jumping when the clock strikes 12 The most popular tradition that Filipino adults and kids do as soon as the clock strikes January 1. Jumping as high as you can is believed to be a way

to help you grow taller in the new year — there’s no scientific explanation to support this belief, but it’s fun and exhilarating to do anyway.

4. Opening doors and keeping all the lights on When the new year arrives, Filipinos would open all the doors in their houses to allow good energy and good fortune to come in, and turn on all the lights to welcome a brighter year.

5. Making loud noises to drive off evil spirits Firework displays are a common sight in every country when they welcome the new year, but in the Philippines, fireworks light up the sky because it is believed loud sounds would scare off evil spirits that bring bad luck. Aside from this, Filipinos usually play loud music in the open, and use horns or toy instruments to produce ear-piercing noises.

Filipino recipes to usher in the New Year

by Shobee

dayrit

IT has been 17 years since I came to the United States and now I am a mom of two.

My eldest just left for college and the other is in 8th grade. I work full time in a neurosurgery center while balancing being a mom and wife and blogging while on my days off.

When I was growing up, my family had this tradition of cooking meals that symbolize prosperity for the coming year, and I am trying to inculcate that to my children. Although, they think it is just for fun.

My blog, www.theskinnypot.com, is about easy and simple Filipino recipes for busy moms. During the holidays, especially the New Year, I have these three go-to recipes that I can rely on.

Bibingka Bisaya Giving a nod to bringing SWEETNESS to life ahead, I make this Bibingka Bisaya. This dessert is made of rice flour, cooked rice and coconut milk.

It is round which represents money, and sweetness to bring harmony.

Ingredients 2 1/4 cups rice flour 2 cans, 13. 5 fl oz coconut milk (2/3 cup to mix with the cooked rice, 1 cup mix with the rice flour, left over for latik) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup cooked rice (put in a blender with 2/3 cup of coconut milk) 1 Tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tsp yeast 1/4 cup warm water 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional) 1 tsp coconut oil or any cooking oil

Unsplash.com photos

Getting in shape in 2019 Bibingka Bisaya

Wilted banana leaf, cut in circles Instructions Prepare the banana leaves: Using a 5-inch round bowl as pattern, cut leaves into and line in a medium-sized muffin pan.

Set aside.

Prepare the yeast: Mix yeast with 1/4 cup of warm water, add a pinch of sugar and let stand until bubble forms.

Bibingka batter: 1. Prepare the cooked rice and 2/3 cup coconut mixture by blending them on high. Set aside.

2. In a medium sized bowl, add the rice flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk and stir to mix and add 1 can coconut milk. Stir until there are no lumps.

3. Add in the blended cooked rice with coconut milk to the bowl Add the fermented yeast and mix to incorporate.

Cover bowl with cling warp and let sit for 30 minutes.

4. When ready, stir batter gently and pour1/3 cup batter into the lined pan and bake at pre heated oven 375 F for 30 minutes, or until Bibingka is

Filipino Spaghetti

Fitness and health trends and tips for the New Year

out equipment like the Bowflex and the ThighMaster became AJPress fitness household names.

As the new year comes in “NEW Year, new me,” is a saying we’ll most likely be hear- full swing, below are some ways pros and trends are seeing ing or saying as 2019 comes health and fitness playing out around, and chances are we’ll also be searching for some new in 2019.

Wearables ways to get where we want to Wearable technology like be. smartwatches have become Just like in all things, how we approach fitness and health valuable tools in integrating has gone through many chang- health consciousness into our es throughout the decades with everyday busy lives, but the trendy and useful accessories some sticking around to be aren’t reserved for our wrists. used in years after, and others While Fitbits and Apple not so much. For example, Watches are still the rage when while hula hooping blew up in it comes to health tracking acthe 1950s as an exercise that cessories, other types of “smart was also a lot of fun, vibrating jewelry” are coming out as belts and other crazy workout Leche Flan demand and curiosity for the machines meant to do all the cooked through ( insert a toothwork in the 1960s proved to be accessories go up. pick in the middle of the cake In fact, an annual survey of not so efficient. and see if there is no batter stick But one thing remained con- health and fitness professionto it.) I usually start checking 20 als published in the American stant in that people have been minutes into baking. looking for ways to make work- College of Sports Medicine’s For the latik: (ACSM) November issue reporting out and getting fit as fun 1. Put the coconut milk lefto- and efficient as possible. The ed fitness trackers, smartwatchver in medium-sized saucepan es, and other wearable technol1970s had jazzercise and and mix with ½ cup sugar. Cook ogy as being the number one rollerskating, while workout in a low heat until it will be thick fitness trend for 2019. videos via VHS tapes featuring in consistency.

Aside from watches, braceenergetic instructors like Jane 2. Brush the latik on the lets, brooches, necklaces, rings, Fonda and Richard Simmons and even earrings are being Continued on Page SF3 were becoming all the rage in the 1980s. By the 1990s, work- equipped to track a variety

by rae ann Varona

of health measures like active minutes, calories burned, sleep duration, sleep quality, and distance traveled.

The stylish, sleek, and discreet Motiv ring, for example, sits comfortably on your finger, tracks the health measures, lasts three days from full charge, is water resistant up to 150 feet, syncs with your smartphone, and can even help you find your phone.

Fashion and jewelry brands like Tory Burch and Swarovski getting in on the tracking action by coming out or helping out with designs that match their brand.

“At home” gym experiences Working out at home is nothing new, but again thanks to technology, working out at home is becoming way more efficient and fun through apps and even streaming services that provide more virtual options for working out from the comfort of your home.

Apps like Aaptiv, Nike Training Club, Sweat, and Sworkit have so far been proving that workouts through our smartphones are effective in giving Continued on Page SF3

entertainment

Filipino recipes to usher in the New...

From Page SF2 cooked Bibingka, and broil on high for 5 minutes OR LOWER. Broil until the top is gently charred.

Note: While broiling, watch it. OR YOU’LL BURN YOUR BIBINGKA. Filipino-Style Spaghetti You can cook this spaghetti in less than 30 minutes. I make this for our New Year’s meal for a long and healthy life ahead.

Ingredients 1 1/2-2 lbs ground pork or beef 5-7 cloves garlic (minced) 1 medium onion (minced/ chopped) 20 pcs hotdog (sliced diagonally) 32 oz spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts brand- Four Cheese) 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste 4 small bottles of banana ketchup (I use UFC tamis anghang banana ketchup) or Jufran 2 tbsp fish sauce 3 tbsp cooking oil 5 tbsp sugar salt & pepper to taste

grated cheese Instructions 1. Heat the cooking oil and in the garlic and saute’ for a minute. Add in the onion and saute’ until transparent. Add the ground beef and cook through (you can tell if it is not pink any more.Add the fish sauce and hot dog. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste, ketchup and sugar. Cook for a few minutes until sauce is thick.

2. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Serve with spaghetti noodles topped with cheese.

Note: This recipe was adapted from Pinoy Cooking recipe 3-Ingredient (no bubbles) Filipino Leche Flan It’s super easy to make.

Don’t be intimidated with this.

It is a crowd pleaser. This dessert is made with egg yolks, condensed milk and evaporated milk. It is soft, fluffy and sweet.

Nothing represents unity for family than this dessert.

Ingredients 1 12 fl oz can evaporated milk

1 14 fl oz can low fat condensed milk 10 egg yolks separated from the white For the caramel 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup water Instructions Prepare your steamer by pouring about 6 to 8 cups of water and let the water boil before steaming the Leche Flan.

For the caramel Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Let it boil until the sugar has melted. Turn off heat and pour and divide the caramel into 2 6-inch round mold. I used a 6-inch cake pan in this.

For the Leche Flan Mix the evaporated milk, condensed milk and egg in a medium sized bowl. When the mixture is mix thoroughly, divide and pour into the 2 prepared mold. Make sure that the caramel is cool, you do not want to cook your egg yolk. Cover the mold with tin foil and steam for 40 minutes to an hour.

For more recipes, visit www. theskinnypot.com.

From Page SF2 instruction and encouragement.

Streaming services through booming Peloton which started off selling boutique level stationary bikes with accompanied live and on-demand indoor cycling classes have been becoming a hit after it quietly launched its app Peloton Digital in June, allowing video-based workouts and outdoor running classes without the big equipment.

ClassPass, which gained fame from allowing members to access a variety of workout classes and studios with one membership, also recently launched their own streaming service ClassPass Live which brings live-streamed classes right into the home in addition to on-demand sessions.

Our Body Electric (obé) has also been gaining popularity for not only bringing home the gym experience, but bringing

in one you’d find at a boutique workout class complete with enthusiastic instructors, upbeat music, and bright neon lights.

In addition to its live signature classes held every day of the week, obé has a library of over 500 on-demand classes.

Even more emphasis on healthy eating Healthy eating is also nothing new, but it’s definitely something that will continue to be at the forefront of ways to stay healthy.

Johanna Marie of the healthy cooking blog Momma Cuisine said she sees 2019 filled with more and more people normalizing the “healthy lifestyle” and integrating it into their daily lives “Fresh pressed juices, fasting once in a while, cooking more at home — it’s all those little things out together that add up and help everyday people to eat healthy,” said Marie

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Consider volunteering over the holiday season to help others and yourself Your Immigration Solution

unteering to help others provides a palpable measurement for adjudicators to consider when evaluating an applicant.

Good moral character can be either a discretionary or a prerequisite factor, ATTY. SARA N. CROSS depending on the application at issue. Either way, a person’s AS the year draws to a close, good moral character plays a the holiday season, also known role when applying for adjustas the season of giving, is upon ment of status, United States us. The holidays are a good citizenship, and cancellation of reminder that what we give to removal for non-legal permaothers - our time, money, comnent residents before the Impassion and understanding - can migration Court. In many cases, matter a great deal to those a person’s recent or extended on the receiving end. Not only period of volunteer work with does assisting those around us organizations and others in provide tangible benefits to oth- their community provides er people and to our commustrong positive weight for an nity, it can bestow perks back adjudicator when weighing and onto us as individuals; giving is a evaluating the factors present cycle beneficial to everyone. in the application before them.

What you do for others Sometimes, recent and voland for the betterment of your untary community service can community can matter a great make the difference between deal in immigration cases. Many an application which is apapplications for immigration proved and one which will be told the Asian Journal. benefits in the U.S., including denied. It really can be the difShe emphasized cooking for those asking for relief from deference between a green card yourself as being one sure way portation in Immigration Court, or U.S. citizenship and being to get more mindful of what take stock of what the applicant deported. we put in our body. Her blog, has done to improve his or her In certain cases, prior Momma Cuisine, is all about life as well as the lives of those criminal conduct or convicgreat everyday meals with around them. In immigration tions within a specified period simple ingredients and basic law, this is generally referred to of time can make establishing cooking techniques. as “good moral character.” A good moral character particu“Cooking for yourperson’s good moral character larly difficult. Prior bad conduct, self doesn’t have to be can show that not only are they while not resulting in a criminal stressful. And when you start invested in themselves and their charge, can even have an effect cooking for yourself and your future, but that they are also on your good moral character; family, you naturally being to invested in their community and this includes acts such as makcare about fresh ingredients, in America’s future as well. Voling false statements during a making things delicious and healthy,” she said. more people learning of how and fit.

Holistic approaches to the body can heal itself given After experiencing an acworkouts proper tools — how exercise cident in the past year, Julie While workouts like Crossfit Ann, a Body Arts and Science is a tool not only for losing and high-intensity interval train- International (pilates) instructor weight or looking good, but ing (HIIT) among others have making sure bodies are doing atpilatesinlosangles.com, has gained strong followings for the most they can. made it her personal goal to their ability to really get people working towards a more toned “I believe we all need to sweating, many are seeing work on our abdominal musphysique. recovery and other concepts cles, not for the looks, but to She predicts the next year of holistic exercise being just help alleviate day-to-day pains to be filled with more holistic as important in staying healthy such as back pain, posture approaches to exercise with

Getting in shape in 2019...

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previous immigration application or border entry, even if many years in the past. Other acts, such as failing to pay your taxes or failing to pay child support can also weigh negatively on your good moral character as an applicant.

In evaluating an applicant, the adjudicator must weigh all the positive and negative factors in that person’s character and their application. Good moral character does not mean perfection, and a person’s character shouldn’t be destroyed by a single or isolated incident.

That is why it is important to hire a knowledgeable immigration attorney who can evaluate a person’s specific and unique circumstances and determine the best way to proceed when assisting them in obtaining legal permanent resident status and citizenship in the United States. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China.

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

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

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issues and imbalances in movement,” she said.

Looking at the wide field of recovery, more places are offering recovery tools and services from steam rooms and sports massages, to more extensive treatments like infrared saunas and NormaTec compression therapy.

Mindfulness or “spiritual Continued on Page SF4

SF

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Megastar Sharon Cuneta heads list of January birthday celebrants

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar THE one and only Megastar in Philippine showbiz Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan heads the list of prominent personalities who will celebrating their birthdays this January. The Megastar is turning 53 on Sunday, January 6.

Sharon has been an icon in the entertainment industry since she first appeared on Philippine pop charts in 1978 with her popular hit, “Mr. DJ.” Her success as a singer and recording artist blossomed into acting in movies, starting with her very first feature film, “Dear Heart.”

She has been married to Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan since 1996 and has four kids.

Sharon also was married to actor Gabby Concepion and they have one daughter, actress and model KC Concepcion.

Other personalities celebrating this January are: January 1 - Daly City teen Joseph Cabrera who will turn 17; January 2 - Former Mrs. RP-USA Fely Casco; January 4 - Actress Katrina

Halili; January 5 - Costco executive Renato “Boyet” Bala; January 6 - Tire-Pro owner Richard Tan; January 8 - Dancing queen of the Bay Area Lilly Smith; January 10 - Movie producer Jessie Ejercito; January 12 - Actor Piolo Pascual, comedian Bentong, actress Melissa Ricks, and Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao; January 14 - San Rafael’s singing diva Malou Hajian; January 15 - Actress Toni Gonzaga, actor Jestoni Alarcon, and South San Francisco business executive JR Garvida; January 17 - Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, and Los Angeles-based actress Hilda Koronel; January 20 - Former San Mateo Harbor District Commissioner Robert Bernardo; January 24 - Club Royale grand dame Jet Viray Navarro; January 25 - The late former president Corazon

Aquino, beauty guru Dr. Vicki Belo, former Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin, and actor Richard Gutierrez; January 27 - TV game show host and comedian Willie Revillame; January 29 - Hotel executive Flordelis L. Mayapis, and South San Francisco community leader Ressie Espiritu; January 31 - Singer-actress Jessa Zaragosa.

Happy birthday to all January celebrants, and to all my loyal readers, a happy and prosperous New Year!

Jett Viray Navarro, Club Royale’s grand dame, will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, January 24.

Getting in shape in 2019...

From Page SF3 fitness” While the focus on mental health is something we saw grow a lot in popularity during the past year, it’s looking like the focus on obtaining mindfulness is just getting started.

Anita Nacion, a life coach for nurses at nacionvita.com, sees meditation — or what she likes to call “spiritual fitness” — as continuing to play a big role in 2019.

From Nacion’s personal

ASTROLOGER

EMPLOYMENT

experience working with nurses who experience the regular stresses and demands of the job, she’s found that those who have attended her sessions found a 20 percent decrease in stress in just four weeks of meditation.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming that healthcare workers need to learn to find pauses in their days, especially during their workdays,” said Nacion.

She hopes more people

will be open to learning about mindfulness and relaxation tools to battle against exhaustion and burnout, and to relax, reboot, and find calm in stressful days.

Aside from meditation which she emphasizes can be done anywhere to reset our sympathetic nervous system, Nacion says mindful running or walking are also great ways to get in the right headspace.

“Going for a solo run has been one of my go-to move-

EMPLOYMENT

The one and only Megastar in Philippine showbiz Sharon Cuneta will be celebrating her birthday on Sunday, January 6.

Former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama is celebrating her birthday on Thursday, January 17.

Actor Piolo Pascual will celebrate his birthday on Saturday, January 12.

Lilly Smith, the reigning Club Royale Queen and Bay Area’s dancing queen, will celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, January 8.

Costco executive Renato “Boyet” Bala will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, January 6.

Robert Bernardo, former San Mateo Harbor District Commissioner, will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, January 20.

ment meditations when I don’t feel like sitting still,” she said, adding yoga as another go-to.

Surrounding yourself with those who practice a healthy lifestyle is another thing she recommends.

“Find the mentors and experts whom you admire and seek counsel or guidance from them,” said Nacion, giving credit to her own mentor Kamile Rose Soler.

Apps of course — think Headspace, Calm, Happify, and Booster Buddy — may be great tools in helping achieve a better sense of mindfulness.

Fitness for seniors As the population ages with baby boomers entering retirement, many health services like gyms are looking to cater to older adults and their fitness needs.

In the same ACSM survey that predicted Wearables to being the number one fitness trend for 2019, the survey showed that fitness programs for older adults jumped five spots on the list from ninth place to fourth this year.

“These individuals, in general, have more discretionary money than their younger

counterparts, and fitness clubs may capitalize on this growing market,” reasoned the study.

“People are living longer, working longer, and remaining healthy and active much longer,” it added.

As the New Year approaches and we begin thinking of what steps we’ll be taking to getting healthier in the future, it’s good to keep in mind that while fitness trends have changed many times throughout the years, there are more than just a few ways to get healthy. Explore what works and enjoy the process.

PSYCHIC

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community

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

A JOURNEY THAT FELT LIKE GOING “TO HELL AND BACK” REACHES A HAPPY CONCLUSION WITH ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL’S HELP. Roselyn (center) married her U.S. citizen husband and acquired her green card. Unfortunately, their love did not last forever, and Roselyn left her abusive husband. Unknowingly, she became involved in felony forgery – a crime that made her subject to deportation. When she applied for citizenship, it was denied because of this past crime.

After hiring three other attorneys and consulting with Atty. Gurfinkel at least four times, Roselyn decided to finally retain leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on how Roselyn retained her green card, terminated her deportation, and paved the way for her naturalization in a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

From felony deportation to US citizenship, on a brand-new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy!’

ROSELYN obtained her green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen. However, their marriage turned sour and love was lost between the two.

Roselyn left her husband, and became unknowingly involved in felony forgery, a crime that made her subject to deportation. When she applied for U.S.citizenship, it was denied be-

Health@Heart PhiliP S. chuA, MD, fAcS, fPcS WHAT triggers hunger and satiety?

The urge to eat (hungry or not) is, to a large extent, controlled and regulated by hormones in our body. And these hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what types of food we eat and how much calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we indulge in daily. Scientific researchers are focusing on four specific substances they call “fat hormones,” which our own endocrine glands in the body produce. There are hormones that make one eat and there are also hormones that signal the brain to tell the person

cause of the crime, and she was placed in removal proceedings.

She first went to three other attorneys, and the case dragged on for years. The Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel took over and convinced the court that her crime should not make her subject to deportation. The court agreed and terminated her deportation, allowing her to keep

her green card and become a U.S. citizen.

Watch how the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel was able to take Roselyn from deportation to U.S. citizenship on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” –– on Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Appetite regulators

to stop eating. These substances control hunger and satiety.

Which is the “hunger hormone”?

The hunger hormone is Ghrelin, which is secreted by our guts (stomach and intestines).

When its level goes up, we feel hungry and have the urge to eat. The level of Ghrelin goes up when we get less sleep or not enough sleep. This is the reason why those who are trying to lose weight should get adequate amount (about 8 hours) of sleep. An imbalance meal and stress also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food deprivation obviously increases the Ghrelin level, hence it is better to keep the level of this hormone on an even keel and not fluctuate too much by eating regularly (or even more than 3 times a day) but at a controlled total calorie

ceiling, to maintain health and body weight. So, starving oneself is not a good way to lose weight, since this will lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in the latter part of the day.

Which is the “satiety hormone”?

The opposite or counterhormone, which is called Leptin, signals the brain when to stop eating. It controls the appetite.

This “satiety hormone” is produced by fat cells in the body.

When a person loses weight, the leptin level in the blood stream also goes down. As a result, there is a “rebound” weight gain. The best strategy in losing and maintaining a desired weight level is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, and not more.

In this manner, there will still be an effective level of leptin in the

Hiring an attorney does not mean you are ‘guilty’ or did anything wrong

DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I’ve been told by friends that having an attorney handle your immigration case is a sign that you are “guilty” or not entitled to the immigration benefit. After all, if you’re entitled or eligible, then why do you need an attorney?

I thought my immigration case was simple and straightforward, and I could handle it myself. Besides, I thought it would make me look guilty to hire an attorney, and I would also save money and attorney fees.

But now my case has been dragging on for years, I’ve gone to multiple interviews, USCIS keeps asking for more evidence, and when I try to find out what’s going on, I can’t get a clear or straight answer or explanation. I don’t know what to do.

Is it true USCIS will hold it against a person if the person has an attorney represent them and handle their case?

Very truly yours, TG Dear TG: It is not true that hiring an attorney to handle your case or represent you is a sign of guilt. In my opinion, having an attorney represent you greatly increases your chances of success. I believe the USCIS has no problems with attorneys handling a person’s case, as it may even make USCIS’s job much easier.

An attorney knows the law and the requirements for the particular immigration benefit you are applying for. The attorney can evaluate your case and knows the necessary and relevant supporting documents,

cite the applicable law, and package your application so that it meets the appropriate requirements.

An attorney can accompany you to any interview or hearing to make sure there’s no misunderstandings or miscommunication resulting in a denial or deportation/removal proceedings. The attorney can also argue or discuss the legal issues with the officer, demonstrating your entitlement to the immigration benefit you are applying for.

If the officer has any questions or suspicions, the attorney can help gather the necessary evidence to address those questions or suspicions and demonstrate your eligibility.

When a person represents themselves (and doesn’t have attorney assistance) they may not know what the requirements are, and may provide documents that are not necessary or may actually be harmful to their case, or they don’t include necessary documents, or fill out the forms incorrectly.

Homeland Security is taking a very tough and aggressive position on immigration, with policy memorandum stating that cases can be denied outright if lacking certain documents or required information. After that, the person could be placed in deportation. So, it is not safe to assume that, “I’ll try it on my own, and if I get denied, then I’ll go to an attorney.” By then, it may be too late.

One of the most important things in a person’s life is their immigration status. It means

their future (and their family’s future) in the U.S., working at a well-paying job, the ability to travel to the Philippines and back, etc. With something as important as that, a person should not be looking for ways to cut corners or save money by trying to get status by themselves, and possibly messing up their case.

Simply put, having an attorney handling your case is not a sign of guilt or wrongdoing. It simply shows you want it done correctly because you’re entitled to the benefit. *** 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

body to control the urge to eat.

What’s the effect of imbalance meals?

High carbohydrate diet (rice, bread, sugar, pop drinks, ice cream, and other sweets) leads to a faster metabolism of these food items that have high glycemic indices and floods the blood stream with high glucose level. This is why those who eat a lot of these food items (rice is a

great culprit!) are feared to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Personally, much as I loved rice (a 3-meal rice addict), I had decided to give it up following all the convincing scientific evidence today of its link to diabetes. Could this be the reason why the incidence of diabetes is very high among Asians, especially among Filipinos? The research on this is still

in progress.

How about emotional stress?

When one is high on stress and low on energy, the body tries to compensate by producing more cortisol hormone. This substance mobilizes the blood sugar transformation (glycogen into glucose) and increases the blood sugar level to provide Continued on Page SF6

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people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS D EC E M B E R 29

UP Alumni Association Berkeley Chapter Celebrates 50th Anniversary The University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association (Berkeley Chapter) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee with a luncheon party from 11am to 4pm on December 29, 2018 at the Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton, California. All present and former members are invited, including alumni or graduates of the university’s high schools in Manila and Diliman, and the different institutes, colleges and campuses of the University. Interested parties are requested to get in touch with the following: Daisy Rodriguez (916) 768-9955, Henrietta Fajardo-Boyd (925) 433-3359, Diosy Rey (707) 315-2351 or Jay Castro (925) 899-8881.

D EC E M B E R 3 0

SIPA and #HashtagLunchbag host food drive in LA Give back to the Los Angeles community by volunteering with Search Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #HashtagLunchbag on Sunday, December 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as we spread love by making sandwiches for those who need it the most! Join us as we assemble sandwiches, create notes of encouragement, decorate bags, and ensure that homeless people have a meal. The event will be happening at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Parking is available on Dillion/Temple and Robinson/Temple. Donations of $5+ are not required, but are highly suggested so that we can continue to have community service events like these. For any questions, contact Maria Carmel Valendez atmvalendez@esipa.org.

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

Richard on 2018: It was a good year

by RICKY LO Phistar.com

LIKE with others, Christmas is a family affair for the Gutierrezes, with heads Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama presiding over six children and seven grandchildren (two from Ruffa: Lorin, 15, and Venice, 14; two from Elvis and wife Alexa Uichico: Aria, 4, and Ezra, one year and eight months; two from Richard and Sarah Lahbati: Zion, 5, and Kai, eight months; and one from Rocky: David, 14).

This is how they celebrate Christmas, according to matriarch Annabelle: “We celebrate Christmas on the night of Dec. 24. We have a party at home (White Plains, Quezon City) including the kasambahay from three households…Richard’s, Ruffa’s at sa amin nina Eddie with Richie Paul (Raymond has been spending Christmas Eve abroad due to his work). There’s a raffle of gifts consisting of cash and other goodies, pati na rin cash bonuses, and lots of games for everybody.

“At 11:30 p.m., tapos na ang party of the kasambahay, the drivers, off-staff and PA’s (Production Assistants). At 12 midnight, the family members open the gifts with the help of Lorin, Venice, David, Zion and Aria who read the names of the recipients. The gifts are those gathered under the Christmas Tree. The affair lasts until 2:30 a.m. of the next day, Christmas Day. Super saya kasi palaki na nang palaki ang family.”

Said Richard, “I have a lot to thank God for.” And he tells why in the following Conversation.

How would you assess year 2018 as far as your career is concerned?

“I can say that 2018 was a good year for my career. We wrapped up our successful teleserye La Luna Sangre during the first quarter of the year. Then I signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN and my new management Star Magic Philippines.

Also, I signed an exclusive contract with Star Cinema for films. I also extended my contract with my Bench family. In the middle of the year, I was able to do my first TFC (The Filipino Channel) shows, going to Canada

s/he is properly served with process according to the rules.

“What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ mine, I worked hard for it!!”

Generally, all of your assets NEW Year, new resolutions, prior the marriage is just your own separate property. Hownew life. For some of you, the ever, California is a community New Year is a time for reflection, and to realize that changes property state and so once you get married, all property are needed to be able to lead acquired during marriage is and live the life you’ve always community property. And if wanted to lead. Sometimes, anything out of the commudivorce happens. nity property is used towards The following seeks to adseparate property, the comdress or clarify some common munity might turn out to have misconceptions about divorce. a claim on part(s) of separate “What if my husband/wife property. Separate property are does not want to sign the di“all property acquired before vorce?” or “My husband/wife marriage; all gifts, bequests, does not want to sign the didevise, or descents. All propervorce papers, what can I do.” ty acquired or exchanged with California is a no-fault divorce traceable separate property; state. A party filing for divorce and all property acquired after does not need the consent of separation.” the other in order to file a Peti“S/he is the one who left tion for Dissolution (Divorce) our family. I shouldn’t have to or, in some instances, to get a pay support.” Again, California judgment of divorce.

Perhaps the confusion lies in is a no-fault divorce state. There is no assignment of blame or the part where the other party fault; fault does not factor in (your soon-to-be ex-spouse) the equation in the issue of needs to be served with procsupport. Some of the factors ess. In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marthat the other party has notice riage, age of parties, if there of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an are minor children in the marriage, income of both parties. action of divorce) and that s/he “I’m smart enough to is given time to respond. Howhandle my own divorce. Why ever, there is no requirement do I need an attorney?” You for the other party to respond. don’t need an attorney. There There is no requirement that is no requirement that you must s/he sign any document at all.

All that needs to happen is that have an attorney. However,

in cases involving issues such as domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.

Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Lea Salonga looks forward to already ‘filled up’ 2019

by BABY A. GIL Philstar.com

HOW nice that Lea Salonga has recorded an album of traditional Filipino music. It is really about time. She has already had a blessed 40 years in show business that have seen her pave the way for the entry of Filipino artists on Broadway and London’s West End. So now is a right time for her to take a look at her true musical roots and the Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati with their son Zion and Kai result is this noteworthy project.

Photo from Instagram/@richardgutz The album is titled “Bahaghari,” which is Filipino for rainhave to consider our families. and the US. In the last quarter Sarah and I want our families to bow. Released locally by Curve of the year, I was offered the Entertainment, Inc., it was promovie Fantastica co-starring Vice attend the ceremony and both duced by National Artist Ryan of us come from big clans, so Ganda and Dingdong Dantes. I Cayabyab for GLP Music. The can say that it was a blessed year the location is something that label is not your usual hitmaking we are currently working on.” for my career.” entertainment outfit. Its main Tell us about your funny What about your personal goal is to introduce children experiences filming Fantaslife? of all races to world languages tica.

“In terms of my personal and culture through music. GLP “Filming Fantastica was life, I can’t ask for more. Sarah such a great experience for me. record releases are intended to and I are blessed to have anencourage kids to dream and There’s a lot of bloopers and other happy and healthy baby funny moments. One scene that explore a world of music. Not boy in Kai. I was able to spend just their own but from everyis unforgettable for me is seen a lot of quality time with my on the trailer where Vice asked where. One excellent example family this year and was able to me to call her ‘Mahal,’ and then of the kind of work that GLP travel despite our busy scheddoes is “Coloreando” featuring I put out my tongue. I felt…I ules.”

Spanish artist Marta Gomez. It don’t know how to describe How are you as a father? won the Latin Grammy for Best it, hehehe!!! Basta, I screamed “As a father, I can say that Children’s Album. after doing that scene. I was I am a loving and hands-on And now it is Lea’s turn with relieved!” father to my two kids. They are “Bahaghari.” This is where her Is your rivalry with Dingmy first priority and I always celebrated voice is heard singing dong Dantes for real or just find time to spend with them. I native tunes that we grew up consider myself blessed to have for show? with representing various regions “Dingdong and I are actumy two boys.” and cultures of the Philippines. ally good friends, the rivalry Are you and Sarah raisThese songs are set against simwas created years ago during ing your children the way ple arrangements with just the our time in GMA, but in realyou were brought up by your basic instruments to encourage ity there has never been any respective parents? children to sing along. Hopefully, rivalry. We both worked hard ”We try to have our own to achieve where we are now in their parents, too. style of parenting but we also Like it or not, it is a fact that terms of our careers.” apply everything we learned Filipino kids nowadays are more What can we expect from from our parents. I can say that familiar with foreign songs. I do you in year 2019?

Sarah and I were raised well not mean just the likes of Jack “2019 is an exciting year and we both had a happy childand Jill went up the hill but also for sure. I am currently preparhood and we want our kids to of the latest by Post Malone ing for a teleserye with Bea have the same.”

Alonzo and Ian Veneracion that or Cardi B. Maybe with “BaHow soon is your muchhaghari,” they can be enticed will start filming by January. A delayed wedding going to into also singing “Bahay Kubo” movie with Star Cinema is also happen? like Lea does. Her rendition, as lined up.”

“Planning a wedding is not always is in her famous perfect How is Richard today difan easy task, but a very exciting ferent from Richard when you pitch. one. We are targeting early Aside from “Bahay Kubo,” were 15?

2020.” which unfortunately children “The Richard today is a If and when, what kind of have come to know as a “listagrown man…a family man wedding would you have and han ng gulay,” the album also that knows what he wants and where (here or abroad)? includes the Visayan classics what his priorities are, but also “We are still finalizing the “Pobreng Alindahaw” and knows how to live life to the location that will match the “Matud Nila”; folk songs like fullest.” date that we want. We also

Appetite regulators...

From Page SF5 energy. But it makes the person hungry. And so the person eats more. The connection between cortisol level and obesity is not a settled question yet. Physical stress, like regimented physical exercises daily, is another story.

This has a positive effect on our body in more ways than one.

While it also raises the cortisol level and increases blood sugar, exercise burns calories and also helps put our body hormones in good balance. As a matter of fact those who do daily exercises have lower risk of developing heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

California Divorce 101

The CTV Files

What is Obsetatin?

This is a hormone recently identified by researchers at Stanford. This substance has been shown to slow down the digestive process. While the studies on Obsetatin are still ongoing, it is postulated that this hormone, like the first three above, could be held in check by adequate sleep, balanced diet, physical exercise and minimizing stress.

Are appetite suppressants safe?

Most appetite control pills, juices, solutions and powders on the market are not physiological and unnatural way to suppress (by force) the appetite for weight

control. While they are readily available and very popular, they have potential adverse side effects on the heart, liver, kidneys and brain in the long haul. Some serious complications, and even deaths, have been reported from the use of these diet substances.

Since greater calorie intake than output is the cause of increase in body weight, the safest, most natural, strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food). The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous. There are hundreds of items on the market

shelves and so-called well-ness, health, stores that are untested, unregulated and unscreened for safety, side-effects, and complications, that they are downright scary. Consult with your physician before using any of them.

What strategy helps?

For any of us, who have normal weight (BMI) or overweight, exercise and calorie control are the healthiest way to maintain our weight and health.

This, of course, needs sacrifice and discipline, but the dividend is tremendously worth it. Health and longevity are priceless commodities we must work hard for. One technique my wife Farida and I learned from our late world-renowned mentor in Pediatrics, Dra. Fe del Mundo

The album is titled “Bahaghari,” which is Filipino for rainbow. Released locally by Curve Entertainment, Inc., it was produced by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab for GLP Music.

“Paruparong Bukid”; “Tinikling”, “Atin Cu Pung Singsing” from Pampanga; “Magtanim Ay Di Biro”; the Ilonggo lullaby “Ili Ili Tulog Anay”; “Sarung Banggi” from the Bicol Region; “Leron Leron Sinta”; “Pamulinawen” of the Ilocos; “Si Filemon, Si Filemon”; “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang”; “Sampaguita”; and “Waray Waray”.

“Bahaghari” is now ready for downloading or streaming online. But I hope that Curve makes the physical CD available soon. It is said to come with a booklet containing facts about the songs and would make a very good Christmas gift. It would be very good for our children to sing a “Paruparong Bukid” or “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang” once in a while instead of “Letting Go”.

Again, I say how nice of Lea to do “Bahaghari” and I hope that it becomes the start of her closer relationship with our native music. Just think, there exists a massive catalogue of classic Filipino songs just waiting to be sung again. And wouldn’t it be great if Lea were the one to sing them again now. Songs, unsung and unheard for a long time die, I hope it does not happen to ours.

By the way, the local release of “Bahaghari” caps what was truly another remarkable year

in Lea’s career. Remember, she sold out the Plenary Hall of the PICC during her two-night concert celebrating her 40th year in show business. Before that she was in New York performing as Erzulie, the goddess of love in the Tony-winning musicaI and now also Grammy-nominated for Best Theater Show Album, “Once On This Island”. She also went on a solo concert tour and was a judge in the talent show “The Voice”.

Lea’s 2019 is also pretty much filled up. Her last one was so successful that she is set to go on another long concert tour. Titled “The Human Heart Tour”, this time around she starts off in Hong Kong and Singapore in February and then continues on to around the UK in March. These shows will be followed by gigs in the U.S. and Canada.

Then there is “Sweeny Todd”. The Stephen Sondheim musical will be part of Atlantis Theatrical’s 20th anniversary celebration and Lea is taking on the role of Mrs. Lovett. She is the one who makes the worst, the most shocking, the craziest pies in London and she is one totally unhinged woman. It is an actress’ dream role and I am sure that Lea will give a truly fantastic performance. Playdate is in October.

(who was seeing patients up to age 94, and died on August 6, 2011, shortly before turning 100) was this wise counsel and simple brilliant common sense: “Pull yourself away from the table LESS THAN full.” What a sage advice! My mother, who celebrated her 100th on November 17, 2018, in Raleigh, N. Carolina, had been “calorie-estimating” (self-controlled dieting) for decades as far as I can remember. She still does her own finger-stick glucose monitoring and measuring her own blood pressure every single day. But what is more remarkable about her is her beautiful mind, vivid memory, remembering all the birthdays of my five children and 10 grandchildren, to my envy

and frustration. While the birthday of my wife and our wedding anniversary are indelibly etched on my mind (for my own personal safety and longevity), I could hardly memorize all those other dates.

Seriously, in the final analysis, the best health manager and appetite regulator for you are none other than YOU. *** 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)

Sunshine Cruz counts her blessing

people & events

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018

by Krissy AguilAr Inquirer.net

AS the end of 2018 nears, actress Sunshine Cruz recounted the blessings she has received this year and said “freedom” was among her “best gifts.”

“I am really excited and looking forward to what 2019 has in store for me. This year was definitely truly colorful,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.

“I have had my share of trials but was able to overcome them,” she admitted. “Yes! Because I am tough!”

As the Kapuso actress shared the things she learned and realized this year, she noted: “I also got my freedom. One of the best gifts I got this year.”

Cruz said she always believed that as long as one does not hurt others, “life will reciprocate and the truth shall always prevail.”

Sunshine Cruz with daughters Samantha Angeline, Angel Francheska and Angeline Isabelle Photo from Instagram/@sunshinecruz718

She may have lost people she thought were true, the actress remained positive saying she “gained better friends who stuck by me while others believed in hearsay.”

Cruz ended her post by expressing thanks to her family and friends: “To my family (thank you Mama, Ates, my beautiful princesses, my Macky

and his children for the love and support, all of you inspire me to be a better version of myself), friends and followers, Maligayang pasko po sa inyo and may God bless us all!”

Cruz’s petition to annul her marriage with Cesar Montano was granted by a court in September 2018. She filed the annulment petition in 2014.

Northern California Ford Dealers receive New Marketer of the Year Award

THE Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF) New Marketer of the Year honors were bestowed on the Northern California Ford Dealers, an organization that has increased its marketing and outreach efforts to Asian Americans in the last two years.

The judges recognized the Northern California Ford Dealers with the award for realizing the impact Asian Americans have on the automotive industry. As a result of Ford’s outreach efforts, sales are starting to build momentum. Ford received more than 3,000 visits to their dealerships in Northern California in just one month.

The award was handed out at the 3AF Summit. It is a unique forum where industry leaders, content creators, media companies, corporate marketers and other partners converge in an in-depth discussion of the Asian consumer opportunity.

Jay Kim, President of the 3AF, commented, “Once a year, the who’s who of our indus-

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! We want to thank you for your continuous trust and patronage of Mon Cargo Services, Inc.

(L-R) Jay Kim, President 3AF; Courtney Walker, Strategic Director AAAZA; Steve Kubitz, General Manager/ Partner, Big Valley Ford Lincoln; and Steve Fuentes, President, Sunnyvale Ford.

try gathers together to share information on what makes the Asian American market a critical consumer segment. We are honored to recognize and celebrate those who are showcas-

ing the power and influence of Asian Americans.”

For more information about Ford and their products visit zt.buyfordnow.com

(Advertising Supplement)

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION. The officers and staff of Health Professionals, Inc. gathered for their Annual Holiday Party at Fort McKinley in South San Francisco last Wednesday, December 19.

SF8

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 28, 2018