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Volume 11 – Issue 12 • 16 Pages

DE C E MBE R 2 9 , 2 0 1 7 - J A N U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 8

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DATELINE

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

MALACAÑANG YEAREND REPORT

USA

Duterte admin’s reforms ‘gaining ground’

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE “crucial reforms” introduced

by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte since taking office a year ago “have been gaining ground,” Malacañang said in its year-end report released Tuesday, December 26.

In its 63-page report, Malacañang trumpeted the administration’s key accomplishments in line with its goal

“to give Filipino people a safe, secure, and comfortable environment through his key platforms of providing law and order, lasting peace, and prosperity for all.”

“Crucial reforms being instituted by the Duterte administration to resolve the nation’s problems have been gaining ground, paving the way for the economy to maintain its growth and allowing the government to pursue more sustainable and inclusive socio-

development programs,” Malacañang said in a statement.

According to Malacañang, the Duterte administration “has accomplished much in its first year in office in 2017.”

“The president’s decisive leadership, plus the strong collaboration among various government agencies, has resulted in the attainment of many of the priorities set out by the national government in the last twelve

months,” it added in its report.

The administration also assured that it “will act in urgency to implement the Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022, which covers the socioeconomic agenda and strategic infrastructure development” of the administration.

It also reiterated its commitment to eliminating illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government.

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The float will feature a florograph with the likeness of Filipino accountant Pablo “Jun” Dizon, whose tissues and bones were donated after he passed away in 1994.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

Filipino tissue donor one of the honorees for float at 2018 Rose Parade

SINCE January 1, 1890, the Rose Parade has thrilled hundreds of thousands of spectators who revel in marching bands, equestrian units and, of course, the elaborately decorated floats donned with vividly colored roses that cruise down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California.

Every New Years Day morning, the world focuses its attention on the Tournament of Roses Parade, which has become a widely-attended celebration and a fixture on television screens in living rooms all across the country.

The Rose Parade announces an annual theme for the floats it will feature from vari-

Resigned Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte Photo by Davao City Information Office

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Cyber threats, fake news expected to rise in 2018 NEW cyber threats, including the prevalence of fake news, are expected to arise in 2018 as the world becomes more interconnected and digitial, according to Trend Micro Inc., a cybersecurity expert.

In a report titled “Paradigm Shifts: Trend Micro Security Predictions for 2018,” Trend Micro forecasts the prevalence of digital extortion, business email compromise, and fake news among others.

Losses from business email compromise are expected to widen with an increase in digital extortion activities.

“In today’s increasingly interconnected environments, users and enterprises in the Philippines stand as vulnerable as the rest of the world to different forms of cybercrime,” said Myla Pilao, director for technology marketing at Trend Micro.

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UNITY FOR PEACE. A total of 668 New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan rebel returnees take their oath of allegiance before President Rodrigo Duterte during the event dubbed ‘Panaghiusa Para sa Kalinaw (Unity for Peace)’ at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

US envoy: PH economy has ‘tremendous potential’ to improve

U.S. Ambassador to PH Sung Kim Inquirer.net photo

THE already robust Philippine economy “can do so much better” because of the Filipinos’ “tremendous potential,” said United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Tuesday, December 26.

According to Kim, the Philippines can further improve its already good economic performance because of its young, hardworking and Englishspeaking population, in addition to its great natural resources.

“The Philippines, like many other

countries, faces some huge challenges [such as] infrastructure. But I also sense that there is tremendous potential here in the Philippines. It’s a very young population, a hardworking population,” Kim said in an interview with ANC’s Early Edition.

The envoy also expressed hope that the U.S. would become a “key partner” in the Philippines’ economic development.

Allaying fears that the U.S. economy

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Paolo Duterte’s resignation ‘accepted’ if not acted upon in 15 days by his father

THE resignation letter of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte will be considered accepted after 15 days if the President does not do anything about it, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Roque on Wednesday said the younger Duterte needed to tender his resignation to the President in writing, as required by the Local Government Code (LGC).

The resignation could take effect even if the President does not expressly accept it, said Roque.

“Because after 15 working days, upon receipt of the resignation and the President does not do anything [about it], it is deemed accepted,” he said in a press briefing.

Paolo’s resignation letter had been mailed to the Office of the President, according to his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who defended her brother from accusations

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Vice Pres. Robredo’s wish for Jeepney phaseout, transport modernization to begin in January 2018 2018: No more divisiveness and killings, fewer calamities

by ROBERTZON

RAMIREZ

Philstar.com

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Vice Pres. Leni Robredo Photo from the Office of the Vice President

FOR Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, 2017 has not been a good for year for Filipinos. That’s why she hopes that the coming year would be better for her fellow countrymen.

In a media interview on Thursday, December 28, Robredo shared her New Year’s wish for the country: a more united Filipinos, fewer calamities, and zero

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MANILA — It’s the end of the road for the country’s iconic jeepney.

Beginning next week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will remove jeepneys that are at least 15 years old from streets as part of the government’s transport modernization program.

DOTr Undersecretary Thomas Orbos said on Wednesday, December 27 they would start taking out the “problematic” jeepneys beginning January – the start of a three-year transition period.

Orbos stressed they could not physically remove all old jeepneys from the road at the same time but over three years, or until 2021.

He said the DOTr will launch the Motor In this October 16 photo, a transport strike was held by militant group Piston as it protested the rollout of the government’s jeepney

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modernization program planned for next year.

Inquirer.net photo

A December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 • neW yOrK anD neW JerSey aSIan JOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

Duterte admin’s reforms...

PAGE A1 t Fight against illegal drugs Despite drawing heavy criticisms from rights groups over the rising death toll, Malacañang lauded the Duterte administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs.

Based on the combined data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 1,308,078 drug addicts have surrendered to the government as of July 26, 2017.

According to the report, 2,236 drug dependents have already completed the Department of Health’s (DOH) drug rehabilitation program while 16,103 are still undergoing rehabilitation.

On the other hand, 14,046 drug surrenderers are said to have received livelihood and skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as of September.

Data also showed that authorities have conducted 79,193 antidrug operations and arrested 118,287 individuals as of November 27, 2017. There are, however, 3,967 “drug personalities” who died in anti-drug operations during the same period.

Fight against criminality According to the data from the PNP, there has been an 8.44 percent decrease in the total crime volume nationwide, while there has been a 20.56 percent decrease in index crime across the country.

Figures showed that the 493,912 reported crimes in January-October 2016 nationwide decreased to 452,204 in JanuaryOctober 2017.

There was also a decrease in robbery incidents by 23.61 percent—from the previous 18,259 in October 2016 to 13,948 in October 2017.

Malacañang also highlighted the PNP’s efforts in cleansing its ranks to free the institution from abusive police personnel.

In its report, Malacañang took note that a total of 375 police officials were recommended to be dismissed from service during the period of January to December 2017.

Among these cops include two policemen involved in the death

Based on the combined data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 1,308,078 drug addicts have surrendered to the government as of July 26, 2017.

Inquirer.net photo

of 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz in November. Also dismissed in October were police generals Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio and Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao due to drugrelated charges.

Malacañang added that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has relieved 1,000 policemen of the Caloocan City Police Station in batches to undergo retraining and reorientation at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

More than 1,900 drug-related investigations have also been carried out against law enforcers from July 1, 2016 to June 15, 2017.

Fight against corruption In connection with its effort to address corruption, Malacañang cited the administration’s Freedom of Information (FOI) program and its Citizens’ Complaint Hotline 8888.

According to Malacañang, its FOI platform has already received 2,635 requests for information from the public as of December 5.

The Citizens’ Complaint Hotline 8888, meanwhile, has resolved 27,000 or 87 percent of the 31,000 complaints it received as of June 30.

Other accomplishments Among the other strides mentioned in the year-end report include the Philippines’ “successful chairmanship” of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the country’s hosting of this year’s ASEAN summit.

The report also cited the

country’s 6.9 percent economic growth and 2.32 percent agriculture growth in the third quarter of 2017.

Malacañang said it expects “a more robust year ahead” with the approval of the 2018 General Appropriations Act and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) that “would see greater investments in infrastructure modernization and human capital formation.”

In the report, Malacañang also mentioned the passage Republic Act (RA) No. 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” which provides qualified Filipino college students free tuition and other school fees in the 112 state universities and colleges (SUC) and 108 local government created colleges and universities (LUC) that pass the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) standards nationwide.

According to the report, the P8.3-billion the Free College Tuition Fee benefitted a total of 990,899 Filipino students and an additional 2,163 medical students.

From July 2016 to June 2017, the Department of Education (DepEd) has also constructed 36,838 classrooms; delivered 448,935 school seats; and hired 29,725 teachers for the implementation of the K to 12 Program.

It also announced the rolling of its P157.44 billion infrastructure program from 2018 to 2020 that will include 1,313 region-specific infrastructure projects. n

SAFE NEW YEAR. This girl shows the safer way to usher the new year, as her mother sells horns of varied colors, shapes, and sizes at Riverside market in Las Piñas City. Las Piñas is among the cities that implemented a ban on the use of firecrackers, aiming to record no firecracker-related injuries or casualties.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

US envoy: PH economy has ‘tremendous...

PAGE A1 t

would restrict its global trade initiatives in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s so-called “America First” policy, Kim claimed that the U.S. remains to be the “most open economy anywhere.”

He stressed that the U.S. remains supportive of trades that are fair to all parties.

“What the President (Trump) emphasized is we wanna promote trade but what we are looking for is fair and reciprocal trade,” Kim said.

The envoy also added that he regularly encourages U.S. businessmen to consider investing in the Philippines. In turn, he asked Filipinos to explore business op-

portunities in the U.S. “I always encourage US companies to think about business opportunities here in the Philippines.

Likewise, I think it will be good for Philippine industry to look for opportunities in the United States,” Kim said.

Apart from economic relations, Kim also mentioned Washington’s assistance to the Philippine government in its five-months operations against the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terrorists in Marawi City.

The U.S. government had supported the Philippines in reclaiming the city from the terrorists by providing technical information, technical advise, and equipment,

the U.S. envoy noted.

He also added that the U.S. had already provided P750 million in aid that would address not only the immediate, but also the mediumterm and long-term rehabilitation projects in the war-torn city.

As a countermeasure for the reported recruitment efforts of militants, Kim said the U.S. is keen on establishing more educational programs in the southern Philippines that would help the youth in steering away from extremism.

“It is important to help these young people make smart decisions and to resist when these evil people try to recruit them for evil purposes,” he remarked. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

Paolo Duterte’s resignation ‘accepted’ if not acted...

PAGE A1 t he decided to quit to shield himself from a possible investigation by the Ombudsman over his alleged drug ties.

Correct procedure The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said Paolo followed the correct procedure in submitting his resignation letter to the President.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier told his eldest son, who resigned on Christmas Day, to “do what is right.”

Paolo said he was quitting out of “delicadeza.” He cited his verbal spat on social media with his daughter Isabelle, the failure of his marriage, and the allega-

tions of his involvement in the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) as his reasons for quitting.

In his letter, he said his parents taught him the value of delicadeza, and wanted to protect his and his children’s honor.

Paolo’s resignation was a first from a highly urbanized city like Davao, according to DILG officer in charge Catalino Cuy. Based on the LGC, the resignation of an elective local official in a highly urbanized city or an independent component city is deemed effective upon acceptance by the President, who also approves resignations of governors and vice governors.

Sara’s support In the case of municipal may-

ors and vice mayors as well as city mayors and vice mayors of component cities, the governor approves their resignation.

In Davao City, Mayor Sara contradicted opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s assertion that her brother stepped down to prevent the Ombudsman from investigating him for his alleged link to drug smuggling.

“I don’t think the Ombudsman’s probe stops just because [Paolo] resigns. It doesn’t work that way,” she said.

Sara called Trillanes, “mema,” a Filipino slang for someone who talks cheap, and said she would “support all the way” her brother’s decision. (Jeannette I. Andrade, Leila B. Salaverria/Inquirer.net)

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 29, 2017-JANUARY 4, 2018

A

Filipino charged with murder in Guam A FILIPINO in Guam was charged with two counts of murder after shooting to death two men with whom he had a fight.

Joseph Nicholas Sagdal, 24, was charged Tuesday, December 19 with two counts of aggravated murder as a first-degree felony, with a special allegation of use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, the complaint states.

Sagdal allegedly shot to death A.V. Mwarecheong, 25, and Brokey Thamaso, 18, after a fight at Hemlani’s Apartments in Harmon on Sunday, December 17.

After one of four men shot Saqdal in the face with a sling-

shot during an argument, the men drove away with Sagdal giving chase in his car.

One of the men said that Sagdal pulled up alongside their car and started shooting at them, hitting Mwarecheong and Thamaso.

Sagdal, who said he was as a shooting instructor, told police, “I felt as though I shouldn’t have used my gun in this situation, but I was afraid for my life. I regret not resolving this another way,” according to a report.

A handgun registered to Sagdal, a 9 mm Canik TP-9, was confiscated, according to court documents.

PAGE A1 t

event on Tuesday, December 19 at the Rose Pavillion in Pasadena, and it depicts a tropical backdrop referencing the ancient Mayan civilization. Providing substantial height to the float are a flock of brilliant macaws who represent “the beauty, richness and potential of life.”

The center of the float rests a monumental Aztec calendar, aptly depicting the float’s theme.

Designed by Charles Meier, Creative Director for Paradiso Parade Floats, the float will feature eight living donors and four professional sports legends: MLB legend and heart and kidney recipient Rod Carew, NFL coach and heart recipient Sam Wyche, former NFL player and Carew’s donor Konrad Reuland and Nascar driver Bryan Clauson.

Also, 44 organ, eye, and tissue donors will be honored with florographs of their likenesses, including Filipino accountant Pablo “Jun” Dizon, who had his tissues and bones donated after suddenly passing away from a brain aneurysm in 1994.

“To be here on behalf of my husband, I’m truly, truly honored and very humbled to be a part of

Murder suspect Nicholas Sagdal at his booking.

Photo courtesy of Bureau of Corrections

Judge Benjamin Sison Jr. set Sagdal’s bail at $500,000 cash, as requested by prosecutors. (Inquirer.net)

Filipino tissue donor one of the honorees for float... ous organizations and institutions.

This year’s theme is “Making a Difference,” and one organization has decided to celebrate the difference of some brave, kind individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of others.

Teaming up with Donate Life America, OneLegacy is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ, eye and tissue donations in the greater Los Angeles area, and this year, it celebrates its 15th year in being a part of the Rose Parade.

This year, their float is called “The Gift of Time,” and it celebrates the power of kindness of the individuals who have made a positive difference in the community by bringing awareness to the more than 1 million people who are in need of organ, eye and tissue transplants.

“This ancient calendar reminds us of the enduring, life-saving power of the generosity of donors and families,” the organization said in a press release.

The vibrantly colored float was unveiled at a special OneLegacy

Jeepney phaseout, transport...

PAGE A1 t Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) to determine the age of a jeepney and its roadworthiness.

Under the government’s modernization program, jeepneys 15 years and older will be replaced by electric-powered or Euro 4 compliant vehicles.

Euro 4 is a set of emission standards on particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

The venerable jeepney, an icon of the post-war era, is powered by Euro 2-compliant engines.

Other proposed specifications for the improved public vehicles include closed-circuit television cameras, a GPS navigation system, automatic fare collection system, dash cameras and Wi-Fi. The PUV modernization program seeks to phase out old and dilapidated jeepneys and replace them with high-quality transport systems that are environmentfriendly and have greater capacity.

The program was officially launched on June 19. It is also seen as a solution to decongest the traffic-choked streets of the country’s urban areas.

Financial assistance Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the jeepney modernization program is “not-anti poor.”

Tugade said the program is not designed to phase out the jeepney or the business but to guarantee its profitability.

The government, under the Development Bank of the Philippines’ Program assistance to Support Alternative Driving Approaches (PASADA), promised to provide assistance amounting to P1.5 billion to transport firms and cooperatives to purchase new PUVs. PASADA’s key features are the five-percent equity for vehicle purchase, six-percent interest rate and seven-year repayment period.

The eligible borrowers of the program include transport companies and cooperatives which have been qualified to receive franchise under the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines.

Under these guidelines, individual jeepney operators will not be granted a franchise if they are not part of a cooperative or consortium.

Transport groups, however, have opposed the scheme, saying small operators and drivers cannot afford to take on new loans to buy vehicles.

They argued the loan facility is not the solution to the problem.

They said the program will kill the small cooperatives and singleunit jeepney owners while the government will replace them with larger corporate-type franchises.

Transport groups also warned the current minimum fare of P8 would go up if the government pushes through with the program.

Transport groups like the Stop and GO Coalition and the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said they support the rehabilitation of jeepneys but not the total phase out of the icon of the Philippine transport system.

The groups staged a series of transport strikes to show their opposition to the modernization program.

The government, however, remained unfazed and said it would continue the program, which officials said was “long overdue.”

President Duterte recently warned owners of old jeepneys to take their vehicles off the road by Jan. 1 or face arrest and have their units impounded.

Duterte said he is committed to pushing through with the jeepney modernization program and have the old smoke-belching jeepneys off the road by next year.

Heavier traffic by next year Expect heavier traffic in 2018, especially in Metro Manila, as the government begins its massive infrastructure projects, Orbos said.

Orbos said they will start constructing all of the infrastructure projects in 2018, which will cause heavy traffic until the end of Duterte’s term.

“So many projects next year, which is part of the building program… they will all start simultaneously until the end of the term of the President,” Orbos said.

“In order for us to have better infrastructure, we need to go through this heavy traffic, which will start next year… Just remember we will all benefit from it,” he said.

Orbos said they will start constructing the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite extension, the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) East extension, Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10 in Caloocan City and several bridges in Metro Manila.

He said most affected by the traffic is the entire stretch of EDSA. Orbos said the DOTr is closely working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to ensure that traffic remains manageable.

With the looming horrendous traffic, Orbos, who is also the general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), appealed for understanding as he emphasized the problem is part of the long-term solutions to the traffic.

“There are already corresponding actions of the government to address this not in terms of traffic decongestion, but we are looking at permanent solutions in the long run,” he said.

For the meantime, the public should be more patient, he said.

Bong Nebrija, operations supervisor of the MMDA, said they will work closely with the DOTr and other agencies responsible for the infrastructure projects to ensure the traffic will not cause so much burden to commuters.

“If the projects start at the same time, it will really pose a challenge to us, “ Nebrida said. “We will try to manage it, but not only with MMDA… it’s a collective effort.”

Nebrida said they will have to implement re-routing schemes to ensure motorists would have more options on the road. n

this,” Dizon’s widow Tessie Dizon shared with the Asian Journal at the OneLegacy float unveiling.

“I’m a retired nurse so I had always been passionate about organ donation, so this is really an honor to be involved.”

Understanding the dire need for more organ, eye and tissue donors, Tessie Dizon — who, before her retirement, boasted a 36-year career as a nurse in the ICU where organ donations are frequent — carries on her husband’s legacy in inspiring others to register as donors.

“There’s a lot of people, young and old, who are in desperate need of organs. If you could just even save one life by hearing what we have to say it’s pretty amazing,” she remarked with a smile.

The Rose Parade will begin at 8 a.m. PST on January 1, 2018 and will be broadcast live in the U.S. by several networks and stations.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

YEAR OF THE DOG. A woman displays a dog statue in her shop in Binondo, Manila. Under the Chinese calendar, 2018 will be the year of the dog, one of the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mary Dagoy

Cyber threats, fake news expected to rise in...

PAGE A1 t Digital extortion will define most cybercriminals’ business model and pave the way for new schemes. Vulnerabilities in IoT devices such as drones, wearables, and medical devices will expand the attackers’ ground, it said.

Losses from Business Email Compromise (BEC) will exceed $9 billion next year, the company said in the report.

Trend Micro said fake news would continue and would provide threats to enterprises as competitors may resort to such ways to damage the reputation of rival companies.

Machine learning and block-

chain technologies, meanwhile, are likely to bring benefits, as well as pitfalls to enterprises.

Machine learning, in particular, can enhance security solutions, but comes with blind spots that cybercriminals will exploit at an increased rate.

“The threat landscape is constantly evolving and shifting with the emergence of new technologies. The expected prevalence and rise in cybercrime in 2018 only illustrates the importance of investing in security,” Pilao said.

To address such threats, Pilao said enterprises and users alike would have to take a multilayered approach.

“Enterprises and users must have a connected threat defense

– from the email and web gateway to the endpoint – to ensure maximum protection against the constantly evolving threats,” Pilao said.

Trend Micro is a global leader in cyber security solutions. It provides consumers, businesses, and governments with layered security for data centers, cloud environments, networks, and endpoints.

All its products work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster protection. It has more than 5,000 employees in over 50 countries worldwide.

(Iris Gonzales/Philstar.com)

A December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 • neW yOrK anD neW JerSey aSIan JOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Duterte: 2017 ends ‘from one sorrow to another’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

With a string of tragedies that struck parts of the country this holiday season, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the last days of 2017 felt like a series of sorrows.

During a disaster briefing on Wednesday, December 27 in Lanao del Norte, Duterte lamented the deaths and damage brought on by typhoons and other recent unfortunate incidents in the country.

“Napakalungkot sabihin (It’s very sad) to say we will end 2017 with a bang of so many deaths, ranging from carelessness to accidents and the typhoons. there seems to be a sorrow prevailing in the country today,” the president said.

At least 240 people were killed after typhoon Vinta (international name tembin) battered the southern Philippines over the weekend, causing landslides and flash floods. According to government officials, around 13,000 families remained in evacuation camps on Christmas Day. Prior to typhoon Vinta, typhoon Urduja (international name Kaitak) also ripped through Visayas and Mindanao, claiming at least 41 lives. in his speech, the president vowed to the victims of calamities that the government will “fast track everything” to bring normalcy back in the affected areas. “it was not a good Christmas day for all of us, thinking that there are persons suffering. . .

From one sorrow to another ako,” he added.

TRAGEDY ON CHRISTMAS. President Rodrigo Duterte extends his condolences to the families of the victims who died in the recent fire incident at the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall Davao during his visit to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on Monday, December 25.

Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain

the president himself spent his Christmas break assisting his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, in consoling the relatives of the 38 individuals who died after a fire broke out at the NCCC Mall on Saturday morning, December 23 that set the building ablaze for the next 32 hours.

Duterte said he had to stay up until the early morning of December 24 to break the news to families that there was “zero chance” of survival for the 36 people trapped inside the burnt mall. “i stood until morning time in just one place because my daughter begged off, inday Sara, to make the announcement na hindi daw niya – Sabi niya, ‘Pa, hindi ko kaya,’ (she cannot, she told me ‘Pa, I can’t do it’)” the president said. he went on to say, “i told her, ‘Well, i have been mayor for so

long a time and i am not new to this kind of situations where you have to break the news.’ i dread it every time i do it but you just have to tell them the truth.”

On December 25, during Christmas day itself, at least 20 people were killed and 15 others were injured after a bus crashed with a jeepney in Agoo, La Union.

Among the casualties were three minors and a five-month-old.

Days earlier, a ferry with 251 people on board capsized during bad weather off Quezon province, killing at least eight people.

According to local authorities, the M/V Mercraft 3 was sailing toward the port of Polillo from Real, Quezon when huge waves hit the vessel and caused it to sink. the ferry, which is licensed to carry up to 286 people, was allowed to sail despite the bad weather due to typhoon Vinta as there were no storm warnings in the area that day. n

RIZAL DAY. The country is set to commemorate the 121st death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal on December 30. Rizal was arrested by the Spaniards for his alleged involvement in a series of revolts in the late 1800s. In the morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, then 35 years old, was shot by a firing squad at Bagumbayan (now known as Luneta).

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

House opposition challenges martial law extension

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

MeMbeRS of the house of Representatives opposition bloc are challenging the constitutionality of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s second martial law extension in Mindanao before the Supreme Court (SC). in a petition filed on Wednesday, December 27, the so-called “Magnificent Seven” insisted that the re-extension of martial law for one more year should be declared “null and void” because there is “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao.

Led by Albay Representative

edcel Lagman, petitioners include Akbayan Representative tom Villarin, Caloocan 2nd District Representative edgar erice, ifugao Representative teddy brawner baguilat, Jr., Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, Capiz 1st District emmanuel A. billones, and Northern Samar Representative Raul Daza. the respondents, on the other hand, are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel iii, house Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, budget Secretary benjamin Diokno, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero. in their petition, the opposition lawmakers asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (tRO) “before the effectivity on January 1, 2017 of the challenged re-extension” of the military rule. “the issuance of injunctive relief will foreclose the further commission of human rights violations and derogation of the rule of law in Mindanao during the extended period, which violations occurred in the initial implementation of Proclamation No. 216 and its first extension,” the petition read. the opposition lawmakers also accused Pimentel and Alvarez of “unduly constrict[ing] the period of deliberation and interpellation on the subject extension so much so that the President’s request for extension was approved without basis and with inordinate haste.”

Duterte first declared martial law and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao following the attack of Maute rebels in Marawi City on May 23. the president’s 60-day proclamation was initially set to expire last July 22 but was then extended by Congress until December 31 of this year. the president declared the liberation of Marawi on October 17 but on December 11, he requested Congress anew to retain martial law in Mindanao until December

31, 2018. he cited the continuing threats posed by islamic State (iS)-inspired terrorists and local terrorist groups basis for his extension request.

On December 13, Congress approved the one-year extension of martial law after the Senate voted 14-4 and the house voted 226-23 in favor of extending military rule in the area. in their petition, however, opposition lawmakers pointed out that the phrase “imminent danger,” which was used by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos for placing the entire Philippines under martial law from 1972 to 1981, was removed in the current 1987 Constitution.

Petitioners also argued that ‘remnants’ of vanquished terrorist groups “do not have the capacity to launch a rebellion even as the government is molding them into apparent menacing ogres, instead of preempting them by ordinary military and police operations without the need for extending martial law.” “‘Rebellion’ or ‘invasion’ is neither a state of mind or a state of fear. it must be actual, not contingent. it must be real, not contrived,” they added. insisting that a one full-year extension “defies the unequivocal intent and mandate of the Constitution of having a limited duration of martial law and its extension,” petitioners further claimed that the Constitution “does not allow a series of extensions or re-extensions of a martial law proclamation, which may lead to ‘extensions in perpetuity.’”

Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution states that the president may declare martial law “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.. for a period not exceeding sixty days.” it also states that Congress “may revoke such proclamation or suspension” and “upon the initiative of the president... may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period.” n

Vice Pres. Robredo’s wish for 2018...

PAGE A1 t

violence and killings.

“Sa akin, hindi lang siguro isa, pero una, katahimikan para sa ating bansa. Pangalawa, sana mabawasan na iyong mga sakuna. (For me, it’s not just one, but first, peace for our country.

Second, I wish there will be less calamities),” she said.

She continued, “Maiwasan na iyong away, maiwasan na iyong patayan; at magkaisa tayong mga Pilipino. (I wish we can avoid fighting, killings; and that Filipinos will become united.)”

Robredo, a vocal critic of the drug war, has repeatedly called in the past to put a stop to the killings of thousands of suspects amid the implementation of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. the vice president also remarked that the year 2017 “didn’t end very well” for Filipinos due to the recent natural calamities that struck different parts of country this December.

“Parang hindi naging masyadong maganda iyong pagtatapos ng taon para sa ating lahat. Sunud-sunod iyong mga sakuna na nangyari, at iyong nakakalungkot doon, maraming namatay. (The year didn’t end very well for all of us. There were calamities that happened one after the other, and what’s saddening is that many people died),” she said.

Last week, typhoon Vinta (international name tembin) battered the southern Philippines, leaving at least 240 people dead.

Prior to typhoon Vinta, typhoon Urduja (international name Kaitak) ripped through Visayas and Mindanao, claiming at least 41 lives. the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it is also monitoring clusters of clouds east of Mindanao as

of early Friday, December 29.

According to the weather bureau, the clusters of clouds are likely to develop into a low-pressure area that could enter the Philippine area of responsibility on or before New Year’s Day. PAGASA said the low-pressure area may later develop into a tropical depression.

Lamenting the deaths of Filipinos due to the recent typhoons despite the government’s efforts to aim for zero casualty, Robredo said it’s time to reassess the government’s disaster preparedness.

“Matagal na nating pinagtatrabahuhan na zero casualty sana tayo sa mga sakuna, pero iyong tanong ngayon, bakit ang daming namatay? tingin ko panahon ito para i-assess ulit kung ano iyong mali na ginagawa natin.

(We have been working for a long time on achieving zero casualty in times of disaster, but my question now is, why were there so many deaths? I think it’s time to reassess what we’ve been doing wrong),” she said. the vice president also lamented the supposed divisiveness between Filipinos. She expressed hope that things will be different in 2018. “tingin ko hindi naging maganda iyong 2017 as far as pagkakaisa is concerned. Masyadong polarized iyong mga Pilipino noong mga nakaraang buwan at nakaraang taon. (I think what happened in 2017 wasn’t good as far as unity was concerned.

Filipinos were too polarized in the past year),” Robredo said.

“Sana mag-iba na iyon sa 2018, kasi iyong susi lang naman para umasenso tayo bilang isang bansa ay iyong magkaisa tayong lahat (I hope this will change in 2018, because the key to progress as a nation is national unity),” she added. n

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D ateline PhiliPPines DOH chief: WHO update shows Dengvaxia

A

can worsen dengue in some cases

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA — Latest data from the World Health Organization confirmed an “earlier hypothesis” that those inoculated with a dengue vaccine without prior infection of the disease could be at a higher risk of contracting a more severe form of the illness, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday, December 26.

Duque said five-year follow-up data from the WHO showed that the risk of developing a more severe form of dengue among this group persisted for up to a period of five years after the first dose of anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was given.

The WHO data also showed the efficacy of Dengvaxia in reducing the risk of severe dengue and hospitalization overall among vaccinated trial participants, according to the DOH chief.

“Based on the latest update from the WHO, the five-year follow up data provides evidence of reduced risk of severe dengue and hospitalization overall among vaccinated trial participants but also confirmed an earlier hypothesis that those vaccinated with no prior dengue infection could be at higher risk of more severe dengue and hospitalizations,” Duque said in a statement.

According to its French-based manufacturer Sanofi Pastuer,

a post-clinical study of Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Attenuated) indicated an increased risk of hospitalization for dengue and “severe” dengue for patients who had not been previously infected by it.

This worried many parents in the Philippines as the previous Benigno Aquino III administration administered the vaccine to more than 830,000 children starting April 2016. Another 32,000 were vaccinated through private officials, based on official figures.

Congressional investigations have been launched to determine the liability of officials of the previous government as well as possible irregularities in procurement and implementation of the immunization program.

The Department of Justice has also directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and build cases against those involved in the program as some officials of the previous government, including Aquino, have already been sued for their possible liability.

Duque also announced that the DOH would convene a panel of dengue experts next week to review the latest evidence on Dengvaxia gathered from the five-year observation period in clinical trials.

The panel will also study data

available to the government through the post-marketing surveillance of the Food and Drug Administration and observation of adverse events following immunization from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, according to the health secretary.

He added that the DOH had already partnered with the Philippine General Hospital to conduct an independent review of the medical charts of children who had experienced adverse effects and died after immunization.

“The DOH continues to refine our response and action plan in the Dengue Task Force to ensure the safety and best health outcomes for children who were vaccinated through heightened monitoring and surveillance, effective management of adverse events following immunization, activation of the dengue fast lanes in RUSH HOUR. Workers make firecrackers at a factory in Bocaue, Bulacan on Tuesday, December 26, hoping to fill the huge demand for ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez public hospitals and truthful and pyrotechnic products that Filipinos use to greet the new year. timely risk communication to the public,” he said.

Duque stressed that the primary concern of the health office was attending to the concerns of the public and managing the overall situation.

by GAeA KAtreenA CAbiCo He called on agencies and inPhilstar.com dividuals concerned to cooperate and allow investigating bodies to MANILA - As they commemodo their jobs without being sub- rate Niños Inocentes (or the Holy jected to accusations based on Innocents’ Day), Filipinos should unfounded speculation and sus- remember and pray for the chilpicion. n dren who were killed in the conduct of the government’s brutal war on drugs, Sen. Leila de Lima said Thursday, December 28.

De Lima said the celebration of Holy Innocents’ Day should serve as the chance for people to pray for justice for Philstar.com photo young EJK victims and the heal- Sen. Leila de Lima ing of their families. sion on Human Rights chairper- in Duterte’s drug war include 17“Ipanalangin nating matig- son, said the celebration is remi- year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, il na ang karumal-dumal na pa- niscent of the fate of the minors 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman t a y a n s a a t i n g b a y a n p a - who were killed in either police and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arra sa isang maaliwalas na bukas operations or vigilante-style naiz whose deaths have sparked para sa lahat lalo na sa mga ba- killings since President Rodri- public outcry. ta,” the detained senator said in go Duterte assumed power.

Duterte’s war on drugs, which a statement.

According to rights group Am- has claimed over 12,000 lives The Catholic Church cele- nesty International, as much as according to rights watchdog, brates Niños Inocentes annually 60 young individuals have been has received strong criticisms at to commemorate the innocent killed in anti-drug operations home and abroad. children who were killed by order since June 2016, adding that The government has disputed of King Herod of Judea, who was family members claim they wit- these numbers. According to fearful of being overthrown by nessed cops shooting children the latest #RealNumbersPH data the prophesized Messiah, to en- “begging for mercy” at point- release, there have been 3,967 sure the death of Jesus Christ. blank range. drug suspects killed in government De Lima, a former CommisThe cases of minors killed operations since July 2016. n

De Lima: Remember young EJK victims on ‘Niños Inocentes’

DOLE: Over a million OFWs deployed in 2017

by MAyen JAyMAlin Philstar.com

MANILA — Over a million Filipinos left the country to seek employment abroad while thousands returned home for various reasons in the first nine months of this year, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported on Tuesday, December 26.

Partial data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed a total of 1,281,506 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were deployed from January to September – 1,058,029 of whom were sent to various countries as land-based workers while 223,477 were hired as sea-based workers.

POEA noted that of the total overseas deployment during the first three quarters of the year, a majority or 736,684 were rehires while 321,345 were new hires.

Last November, the POEA temporarily stopped the deployment of new hires in a bid to control illegal recruitment operations involving certain officials and employees of the agency.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III also reported that close to 1.2 million OFWs have been repatriated and provided reintegration assistance in 2017.

Bello said a total of 1,170,514 OFWs received welfare and protection programs, including reintegration and repatriation services from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

From July to October of this year, Bello said 54,470 OFWs and their families benefitted from the government’s intensified reintegration programs, including skills training and livelihood assistance.

Bello said 36,438 OFWs, mostly from the Middle East, were repatriated and provided with on-site assistance and P20,000

Partial data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed a total of 1,281,506 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were deployed from January to September – 1,058,029 of whom were sent to various countries as land-based workers while 223,477 were hired as sea-based workers.

Philstar.com photo

financial aid each.

A total of 9,512 repatriated OFWs were provided additional cash grants of P6,000 each while 13,245 OFWs were given food and hygiene kits each.

In connection with the 90day amnesty program of Saudi Arabia for undocumented and stranded foreign nationals, OWWA also recorded a total of 15,839 Filipino migrant workers who took up the amnesty, 10,011 of whom were repatriated to the Philippines.

The DOLE released a total of P514,412,350.21 to provide various assistance to OFWs, such as food and hygiene kits, legal counseling and stress debriefing, medical and psycho-social services and training assistance.

OWWA also provided postrepatriation services to 14,165 OFWs, 4,343 of whom received welfare services, including medical, psychosocial counseling, stress debriefing, transport and accommodation, while 1,630 have been listed for employment

facilitation or training services and 2,625 were provided with livelihood assistance.

DOLE likewise provided legal assistance to 4,829 OFWs while 354 OFWs were given reintegration assistance in the form of small and medium enterprise establishment in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and 384 were granted educational assistance through the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Management.

Bello said DOLE sought bigger budget for next year’s repatriation program because the government needs to prepare for the possible repatriation of OFWs in Qatar and other countries in the Middle East due to prevailing conflicts.

“The situation in Qatar is still stable, but we cannot just relax our guard, we are talking of 240,000 Filipinos staying there,” Bello said. n

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CARDINAL TAGLE APPEALS FOR DONATIONS

Enough funds for storm victims, foreign help not needed by deMpsey

reyes ManilaTimes.net

THERE are enough funds to assist families of the victims of disasters, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Tuesday, December 26.

NDRRMC spokeswoman Romina Marasigan said each family that lost a loved one would receive P10,000 from the government while those with injured members would get P5,000.

For the injured, the families or the injured persons themselves must submit requirements such as proof of hospitalization.

Those with totally damaged houses are entitled to get P30,000 while those with partially damaged homes will receive P10,000 for emergency shelter assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will assist claimants on the processing of the documents.

“So far, these can be still

supported by the government.

What we just need is the fasttracking of the process,” Marasigan told a news conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

She also denied that there was a backlog of previous victims of typhoons and other natural disasters who were left unpaid.

“So far, there were no reports on the backlog according to the DSWD. The assistance funds have been allocated already for those who have been affected by previous disasters,” Marasigan said.

“What we need to gear up for now is the documentation for those who were affected by typhoons Urduja and Vinta because both happened towards the end of the year,” she pointed out.

Int’l help not needed The NDRRC thus sees no reason to ask the international community for further assistance to storm-hit areas, especially in the southern part of the country, Marasigan said.

Over the weekend, the European Union (EU) said it was

ready to assist the Philippines, either through humanitarian assistance or development funds.

President Duterte however said the Philippines was not bound to accept any assistance coming from the EU, pointing out that the bloc had criticized his bloody war against illegal drugs.

“There were no calls yet for international assistance…The government can still provide the assistance funds needed by our people,” she said.

The NDRRMC reported P52 million worth of agriculture damage in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula and Caraga because of the onslaught of Vinta.

An estimated P167 million worth of infrastructure damage was recorded in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao.

No finger pointing Marasigan also debunked allegations that the NDRRMC had missed its chance to remind and advise the public about previous typhoons before it entered PAGE A7

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A6 DECEMBER 29, 2017-JANUARY 4, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

FEATURES

OPINION

Philippines should carefully weigh policy on Israel IN AN unsurprising move, the Philippines last week abstained from the United Nations General Assembly vote on the United States’ contentious decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The status of Jerusalem is a very clear faultline in international diplomacy. Jerusalem is of course considered by three religions — Christianity, Judaism and Islam — as a Holy City.

Politically, Israel and the Palestinian Arabs both claim it as their capital.

To be sure, U.S. President Donald Trump’s historic decision has upended, if not ended, the Middle East peace process.

It should be pointed out however that the international condemnation of Trump’s decision is animated by a near-universal dislike of the billionaire ex-realtor and reality TV star, when any U.S. president, Republican or Democrat, could have made the same decision given the historically close U.S.-Israel ties.

Indeed, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to imagine a Jewish nation whose capital is not Jerusalem.

But the geopolitical context within which Trump made his decision has changed. Sympathy has shifted considerably away from Israel decades after it was able to convince the UN General Assembly to partition Palestine into separate states for Arabs and Jews.

Trump, for his part, was undoubtedly influ-

enced by a desire to undo his predecessor Barack Obama’s foreign policy legacy, deemed weak by Republican conservatives, as well as by his culture-war crusade in which Obama and the Democrats are blamed for undermining America’s Judeo-Christian moorings in favor of religious and racial minorities.

On top of all this, the Philippines needed to consider the plight of its overseas workers, who are both in Israel and the Arab world.

It was therefore not a surprise that the Philippines abstained from the December 21 UN vote on the non-binding resolution co-sponsored by Turkey and Yemen, which declared as “null and void” Trump’s decision on Jerusalem.

The bottomline nonetheless is that the Philippine abstention is a pro-US stance, or at the very least one that is acceptable to Washington.

The Philippines has generally toed the U.S. line on Israel policy. In 1947, the newly independent republic, still dependent on American aid, was the only Asian country in the UN General Assembly to vote in favor of the Arab-Jewish partition.

The Philippines and Israel established full dip- the U.S. lead to move its embassy to Jerusalem lomatic relations 10 years later, and subsequent- from Tel Aviv, and talks are said to be ongoing ly opened their respective embassies. in this regard.

The question now is whether Manila will follow This will be a very tough decision for the

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

Duterte administration, and one that should be weighed carefully, taking into account historical precedent and present realities. (ManilaTimes. net)

Revisit 2017 with ‘Balitang America’

The Fil-Am Perspective

AS we bid farewell to 2017 and greet the new year 2018, join GEL SANTOS-RELOS me and the whole team of “Balitang America” (BA) in revisiting the stories of 2017 that made headlines in the Filipino American community. The Filipino Channel airs BA’s 2017 Year-end Report on December 29, with an encore presentation on January 1. This is yet another special presentation on BA’s 15th anniversary.

Our News Desk Editor and Senior Correspondent Henni Espinosa keeps score of President Donald Trump’s achievements in his first year in office, including what may be considered Trump’s

helped kababayans learn from these sad news stories. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Correspondent Bev Llorente presents the massacres and atrocities that America endures in 2017 and how the Filipino Bayanihan spirit helped in the recovery of the scarred communities.

Jon Caña, one of BA’s producers, brings us the emergence of social movements in 2017, and examines what sparked the engagement among Filipinos in voicing out their opinion and making a stand in issues that matter to the country.

BA’s San Francisco Bay Area Correspondent Rommel Conclara reports on the major achievement of Filipinos in America in 2017, and what paved the way for these triumphs for our community. We also bring you how talented Filipino athletes took center stage in sports news this year.

Our Entertainment Correspondent Yong

“moments” in 2017.

Don Tagala, BA’s New York Correspondent, will present another newsmaker in 2017 — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte — and the impact he has made not only in the Philippines but on kababayans here in North America and around the world.

Another headliner in 2017 was Mother Nature.

BA’s contributor Cheryl Piccio reports on the wrath of Mother Nature. From the wildfires in California, to the gulf coast of Texas and along the Atlantic coastline, BA brings you how Americans endured a string of devastating natural disasters in 2017 and how the resilience of the American spirit helps in rising up and starting anew.

BA’s Los Angeles Correspondent Steve Angeles reports on the tragedies that happened in the Fil-Am community and how these stories have

Chavez presents success stories of Filipinos in Hollywood and the controversial outspokenness of celebrities about politics.

Ginger Conejero reports on BA’s most watched videos on YouTube, and talks about which of our news stories caused the most buzz on BA’s social media platforms.

WATCH BA’s special presentation — our 2017 Year-end Report on December 29, 2017 with a replay on January 1, at 6:40 p.m. across all time zones.

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

An opportunity to modernize Parañaque US security strategy: Street Getting tougher on China Talk

Commentary

FRANK CHING IT is no secret that China and the United States compete around the world, although in certain areas they cooperate. The newly released National Security Strategy of the United States, unveiling the Trump administration’s thoughts of national security, focuses primarily on China as its top competitor.

Although North Korea grabbed headlines in recent months for its attempt to become a nuclear power with ballistic missiles that can deliver death-dealing warheads to North America, the national security document puts the threat from Pyongyang at a lower level than that posed by Beijing and Moscow.

According to the Trump administration, China and Russia “challenge American power, influence and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity.”

Those two countries, it said, “are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.”

China and Russia are paired in the document, with China always being named first. It is as though the two form a partnership, with China being the senior partner.

Then, of course, there is the North Korean threat. The national security document sees North Korea and Iran as regional actors, “determined to destabilize regions, threaten Americans and our allies, and brutalize their own people.”

U.S. President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping

After naming these state actors, the document describes “jihadist terrorists” and “transnational criminal organizations” as “actively trying to harm Americans.”

But America, the national security strategy says, “will respond to the growing political, economic and military competitions we face around the world.”

While China and the US cooperate on certain issues, with North Korea currently being a prime example of such issues, albeit within limits, this document very much puts the spotlight on competition.

“Although the United States seeks to continue to cooperate with China, China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda,” it says. “China’s infrastructure investments and trade strategies reinforce its geopolitical aspirations.”

In the section on intellectual property, the Trump administration pledges to reduce the “illicit appropriation of U.S. public and private sector technology and

White House photo

technical knowledge by hostile foreign competitors.” The administration says it would work with the Congress to strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), whose role is to ensure that foreign acquisitions do not endanger US national security.

Congress is considering legislation to expand the scope of CFIUS and to enhance its power to address national security risks.

The Trump national security strategy echoes that of President George W. Bush in 2002, which said of the American military: “Our forces will be strong enough to dissuade potential adversaries from pursuing a military buildup in hopes of surpassing, or equaling, the power of the United States.”

The Trump document says: “The United States will seek areas of cooperation with competitors from a position of strength, foremost by ensuring our military power is second to none.”

Chinese activities around the world are noted. Regarding ChiPAGE A7

If EDSA has become known as “carmageddon” (or the Armageddon of cars) because of the horrible traffic, Sucat Road AKA as Dr A Santos Avenue in Parañaque easily qualifies as zonageddon or the Armageddon of zoning.

If the concept of zoning had ever crossed the minds of Parañaque officials, that must have been in the distant past. Since then, no one has bothered to exhume the zoning plans from the archives.

Where else can you find on one stretch of road, three SM branches — SM Sucat, SM BF and SM Hypermart — two Pure Gold supermarkets (plus a third inside BF Homes), a WalterMart facility, a Virra Mall branch, a Lianas supermarket and a Shopwise supermarket, on top of ad hoc wet markets or talipapa, three hospitals, several schools and colleges, including Olivarez College, a branch of virtually every known bank in the country, dominated by several branches of Banco de Oro, multiple branches of every conceivable fastfood chain, in addition to several restaurants, two memorial parks, and who knows how many shops providing all kinds of services, from car repair to cargo forwarding to money remittance, some factories, plus an Elorde sports center – and all these on top of several subdivisions, including BF Homes and the San Antonio Valley subdivisions, plus churches (and two more supermarkets) in the residential areas.

And, oh yes, further down Sucat Road, there is NAIA One and a short distance from there is NAIA Two. The result is a chaotic traffic situation to rival EDSA. Worst of all, the Parañaque city hall is located in San Antonio Valley One, just off Sucat.

As if this is not bad enough,

GREG B. MACABENTA vehicles (including trucks) wanting to avoid the traffic on Sucat take what they foolishly think is a short cut to South Superhighway by driving through San Antonio Valley into Better Living Subdivision to Bicutan (which qualifies as zonageddon part two, SM also has a Bicutan branch).

But wait. It gets worse. Maynilad, the water provider, has been digging up Sucat Road and the subdivision streets and has not bothered to do a decent patch up job on their diggings.

But wait. It gets much, much worse. The Parañaque city government has been allowing Maynilad to get away with it.’

I remember Sucat Road in 1968 when my wife and I built our house in San Antonio Valley 8. Back then, there were salt beds along the rutted, cogon-lined stretch, the beach resorts near Kabihasnan were still the destination of choice for company excursions, one could actually safely swim in Manila Bay and one could also buy freshly-caught fish from fishermen bringing in their early morning catch. This was before the full-scale reclamation project along Roxas Boulevard. South Superhighway was just being built.

When the Parañaque municipal building was moved from the town proper to San Antonio Valley One, we welcomed it because of the convenience the new location offered.

That was many decades ago.

What has happened to Parañaque and the Sucat Road area epitomizes the horrible state of public infrastructure in the country.

It’s like having a grown man still struggling to fit into a pair of pants made for him when he was a little boy.

It serves no useful purpose to heap the blame on the current Parañaque government for a problem that began years back and became progressively worse over several municipal administrations and, subsequently, several city administrations (the town became a city in 1998).

In fact, I think that the situation is a golden opportunity for the current mayor, Edwin L. Olivarez, to imbue real meaning to his muchadvertised slogan, Serbisyo Lang Po (with the letter “e” in “Serbisyo,” the letter “l” and the letter “o” in “po” highlighted to spell the mayor’s initials).

Olivarez has an opportunity to add genuine meaning to an otherwise clumsy attempt at self-promotion - the opportunity to modernize Parañaque city, to make it look even more modern than Manila, Makati, Taguig, Las Piñas or Pasay City.

Olivarez should move city hall out of the terribly congested Sucat Road neighborhood and transplant it in the reclamation area now populated by plush casinos and the humongous SM Mall of Asia, the new entertainment and cultural hub of Metro Manila, located right within Parañaque’s jurisdiction.

Frankly, this is a solution to a disgraceful zoning situation that should have been attended to by mayors past. But they did not.

Now Mayor Olivarez has a chance to prove that he is a much better visionary than his predecessors.

For months, all kinds of patchPAGE A7

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A

Unlike Palace, DND aware of China expansion in South China Sea

by AJPress IN contrast to Malacañang’s earlier statement, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) claimed knowledge of China’s reported expansion of military presence and enhancement of construction in its artificial islands in the South China Sea. According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the DND is aware of China’s activities in the disputed waters. He also said that the government has a “West Philippine Sea Task Force” that monitors the developments in the area.

Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times on Monday, December 25 reported that Beijing has “reasonably” expanded its man-made islands along the South China Sea this year.

According to the report, the construction projects covered about 290,000 square meters (72 acres).

The projects reportedly included new facilities for underground storage and radar facilities.

Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, told the Global Times that the island-building in the contested waters not only improved the public service capacity of China but “also maintained its sovereignty over the islands.”

“The relationship between China and other Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines, has calmed in recent years, providing a golden opportunity for China to upgrade these areas,” Chen added, as quoted from the report.

Asked to comment on the reported expansion, Malacañang said: “We don’t know where these works are. We continue to rely on China’s good faith.”

The DND, however, told the Philippine Star that security officials are aware of China’s activities.

“Of course! We have known where they reclaimed and what improvements they have been do-

US security strategy: Getting...

PAGE A5 na’s man-made islands in the South China Sea, the document says that the country’s efforts “to build and militarize outposts” endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability. “States throughout the region are calling for sustained U.S. leadership in a collective response that upholds a regional order respectful of sovereignty and independence,” it says.

From China’s standpoint, the U.S., in refusing to recognize Beijing’s South China Sea claims and activities, is threatening what China calls its “core interest.”

Aside from its immediate neighborhood, China is also expanding

its influence around the world. In Africa, for example, China’s trade with the continent has grown phenomenally, from less than a third of U.S. trade in 2000 to today, when it is the continent’s largest trading partner.

As for Latin America, the national security document says that China is seeking “to pull the region into its orbit through stateled investments and loans.”

In Europe, too, “China is gaining a strategic foothold by expanding its unfair trade practices and investing in key industries, sensitive technologies and infrastructure.”

While the Trump visit to China was viewed by many as a great success, with the President saying

An opportunity to modernize...

PAGE A5 work solutions have been conceived to ease the Sucat Road traffic problem, but it took an appeal on social media by my eldest son, Ringo to prompt me to pursue this matter. He is the only member of my immediate family still occupying our old house in San Antonio Valley 8 and every day he has to suffer the torment of negotiating Sucat or Bicutan traffic to get to his job in Taguig.

This is what my son posted on Facebook: “Mayor Edwin Olivarez - It’s high time to think about the worsening traffic situation in San Antonio Valley. This is only going to get worse. Maynilad projects have no end in sight and have left our roads in shambles, traffic volume will never go back to manageable levels, and Sucat is now a major thoroughfare. Short term solution is getting Greenheights to allow passage to vehicles for those going towards SM Sucat and beyond, and Barangay Village allowing passage for vehicles headed towards the highway to free up San Antonio Avenue. Long term solution is to start consider-

ing relocating the Paranaque City Hall somewhere in the reclamation areas. Having it in Valley 1 was okay back in the 70s-80s. This is no longer feasible. The new rubber humps at City Hall and San Antonio Church serve no purpose except to slow down what already is a crawl through congestion, potholes, and badly made concrete humps. (And by the way, do we really need that many to begin with?).”

Opening up the subdivisions to public vehicular traffic was one of the short-term solutions conjured

by Sec. Art Tugade which met stiff resistance from homeowners, especially in the exclusive villages.

At any rate, it really is a band-aid solution to an infrastructure deficit problem.

But the idea of relocating Parañaque city hall to the reclamation area, ahead of Pasay City, (which also has jurisdiction over parts of the area) would be a coup. It would also be a lasting monument that will bear Olivarez’s name. It would be a shame if the mayor does not get this done during his tenure. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

ing,” Lorenzana told the newspaper.

“The latest report was that the Chinese continue to improve their reclaimed islands – two are within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and one in the Kalayaan Island Group,” he added.

Earlier this month, a U.S. thinktank released a report showing that China has installed a high-frequency radar system and other facilities at the northern end of Fiery Cross Reef — locally known in the Philippines as the Kagitingan Reef — in the Spratlys.

According to the Asia Maritime Volunteers fill up boxes with relief goods to be distributed to typhoon victims in Lanao del Norte. The Department of Social Welfare and Transparency Initiative (AMTI), Development continues to send food and other basic items to thousands of families who lost their homes after tropical storm Vinta unleashed ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada China also continues to build de- floods that triggered landslides, killing more than 200 people. fence “fortifications” on Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) reefs. missing following landslides to the faithful to offer their asPhilippine Foreign Affairs Sec- PAGE A5 and flashflood incidents trig- sistance to the victims of the retary Alan Cayetano downplayed the think-tank’s report, saying that the Philippine Area of Respon- gered by Tropical Storm “Vin- tropical storms “Urduja” and ta.”

“Vinta” in Visayas and MindChina has not occupied any new sibility (PAR).

“We are not here to blame “But all of us still believe in anao. area in the disputed region and “It is only right that we behas only been “building in areas anyone or point fingers. We miracles at this time of this seawould like to see areas we would son because who knows if these come good channels of goodthey already occupy.” n want to improve and ensure the missing persons just went to ness for our brothers who lost support of our communities es- another province,” Marasigan their loved ones, homes and he didn’t blame China for taking pecially for call of evacuations,” added. livelihood,” Tagle said in an inadvantage of the U.S. over many Marasigan said.

Of the 176 missing, only six terview over Church-run Radyo administrations, the thrust of his The NDRRMC spokeswoman were positively identified: Jino Veritas. statement was that such behavior recalled that the Mines and Agapay Lacaza, 21, from BuTagle encouraged the public would not be tolerated in his pres- Geosciences Bureau of the De- nawan, Agusan del Sur; Eliza- to offer their help to the victims idency. He meant he was planning partment of Environment and beth Alferez, 45, from Gutalac, by sending aid to their diocesto be tough with China.

Natural Resources had issued Zamboanga del Norte; Nelgine es, Caritas offices or social acThe national security docu- a list of areas prone landslides Alferez, 5; Jinjie Duriaz, 3; Cor- tion centers. ment confirms that toughness. and flashfloods, mostly in Min- nelio Alferez, 54; and Benjo “We in Caritas Manila are The North Korean issue means danao.

Apigo, 14 from Salug, Zambo- ready to accept your donations. that Beijing can buy some time ‘Slim chances’ anga del Norte.

We will send your donations to by cooperating with Washington, At the same time, Marasigan Tagle appeals for help different churches and dioceses but Trump’s overall China policy admitted that there were “slim Manila Archbishop Luis An- in the Visayas and Mindanao,” is set. (ManilaTimes.net) chances” for the reported 176 tonio Cardinal Tagle appealed Tagle added. n

Enough funds for storm victims, foreign...

A December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 • neW yOrK anD neW JerSey aSIan JOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

DECEMBER 29, 2017-JANUARY 4, 2018

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY D EC E M B E R 29, 20 1 7

Tips on finally achieving your goals in 2018

by Rae ann VaRona AJPress

The year 2017 is coming to an end with 2018 coming in full force. With Christmas over, it seems that all there’s left to do is plan for New Year’s eve festivities, and start making annual New Year’s resolutions.

For those who enjoy resolutions, it most probably won’t be the first time making them — nor the second, the third, or even the fourth.

Merriam-Webster suggested that the first modern new year resolution was first recorded (though satirically) in a publication called “Walker’s hibernian Magazine” in 1802 in which a

list of people were said to have “begun the year with a strong of resolutions, which they all solemnly pledged to keep.”

A few years later in 1813, a Boston newspaper used the words “new year” and “resolution” together in a January 1 article in which the author believed that there were “multitudes of people” who were “accustomed to receive injunction of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behavior.”

While resolutions have changed with the times, it seems that many people find themselves making the same resolutions year after year. According to Statistic

business coach, and founder and CeO of The Ultimate Lyfe, shared with the Asian Journal that the most common resolutions she hears from clients are to lose weight, make more money, and spend more time with loved ones.

If these resolutions sound similar to ones you’ve made before or even the ones you’re planning on making for 2018, you’re not alone. A good 41 percent of Americans recorded in the Statistic Brain poll were said to usually make New Year’s resolutions, with only 9.2 percent of people feeling like they were successful in achieving their resolution. Nearly 42 percent of people said they never succeed on their resolution each year.

Regardless of numbers, it’s safe to say that keeping up with resolutions is tough to do. But why?

According to Soler, most people fail because they focus on the wrong thing — on what they “can’t do,” rather than what on what they “will do.”

She gives the example of differentiating between telling yourself that you can’t eat cake or sugar because you want to lose weight, versus telling yourself that you’ll go for a walk three times a week or join a boot camp to reach Continued on Page 7 Artwork by Jillian Peñalosa

Brain Research Institute, the top 10 New Year’s resolutions for 2017 were to lose weight or eat healthier, make life/self improvements, quit smoking, do more exciting things, spend more time with family, work out more often, learn something new, do more good deeds for others, find the love of their life, and find a better job.

Discussion platform Forum Mantra found that most of the same goals were forecasted for 2018, with a few differences of traveling more, and getting more sleep. Yet another Marist Poll found that “being a better person” made a tie with weight loss for the top 2018 resolution.

Kamille Rose Soler, transformational speaker, life and

Inquirer.net photos

Improve your spending habits and save more this new year

by Ritchel Mendiola AJPress

BAD spending habits are always hard to break, no matter how many times you promise yourself you will. however, having no control over your spending can ruin your finances and may even leave you in debt.

While it is true that there’s no way to avoid spending, there are ways to curb your spending habits in order to save money. here are some of them.

• Construct a shopping list. It’s easy to lose control of your spending when you’re shopping, especially when it’s near the holidays and there are sales and promotions. having a list with you — even if it’s just for a quick run to the market or convenience story — will help prevent unnecessary and compulsive purchases.

• Bring only the cash you need. Leave your debit and credit cards at home while you’re at it too. It’s more difficult to spend when you know you’ll be paying with cash. Moreover, not having any spare dollars with you will make you prioritize which items to buy.

• Wait before you buy. If you happen to come across an item that you want to buy but isn’t in your list, put the item back and only return to it after you’ve thought it through. This is one way of lessening that compulsion within you. If the compulsion is still strong even after waiting it out, see if it fits in your budget before buying it.

• Don’t shop when you’re at an emotional high. According to National Debt Relief, people make irrational decisions whenever they feel exaggerated emotions. Using retail therapy when you’re

Photo courtesy of StatePoint Photo from Shuva Rahim/stock.Adobe.com feeling down or when you’re in a celebratory mood will only lead morning. in control of your busy schedule, to overspending. Unless you can commit to a strict limit, it’s best to Stress less then cross items off the list when avoid spending when you’re at an emotional high (or low).

Stress can have adverse completed.

• Budget. This will help you save money as budgeting gives you effects on minds and bodies, as Practice positivity an idea about how much you spend whenever you’re shopping. insomnia, weight gain, anxiety A sunny outlook can affect Knowing your financial situation will help lessen impulsive buying. and depression are all potential your wellbeing. Keep a gratitude • Know your shopping weaknesses. Is it shoes? Clothes? If related risks. While it isn’t always journal by writing down you’re on a tight budget, knowing your avoidable, simple changes will something good that happens weaknesses will help you avoid help you manage tension. each day. On bad days, you’ll be the department store or your Sometimes, stress can be forced to focus on the positive favorite boutique. solved with some “me time.” aspects of your life.

• Stop and ask yourself.

Treat yourself to a massage or One of the best ways to Before buying anything, manicure, soak in a hot bath, improve your happiness is by take the time to ask or unwind with a nature walk. giving others a boost. Volunteer yourself if you really need Connecting with others can help, with a charitable organization the item. Knowing the too. Plan a brunch with your best or donate to a favorite cause. difference between needs friend or a date night with your Practice doing something kind and wants will help in significant other. daily. curbing your spending habits Feeling overwhelmed with This new year, take small and saving money this new work and family life? Build out a steps to help you feel happier and year. to-do list or calendar to feel more healthier. (StatePoint)

4 steps to a healthier you this new year

WANT to make resolutions you’ll keep this new year? Think simple, sustainable changes.

Follow these four steps for a healthier you, inside and out.

Stick to your workout After the holidays, the gym is filled with people who have resolved to incorporate exercise routines into their lives. Come February, the novelty of the new year wears off, life gets in the way and, according to “U.S. News & World Report,” 80 percent of resolutions fail by the second week of the month.

Instead of jumping from no routine to a seven-days-a-week commitment, introduce workouts to your schedule in small doses.

Dread cardio or weight machines?

Find something that you’ll look forward to, like a cycling class, yoga or outdoor pursuits.

Choosing activities that you enjoy will increase your chances of sticking to your resolution.

Eat smarter According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most Americans are falling short of their fruit and vegetable intake goals, and most eat only half the recommended amount of fiber.

To increase your consumption of essential nutrients, create a grocery list packed with fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains.

Plan meals for the week to ensure you stick to a whole-food menu. Keep ingredients on hand for meals you can make in a pinch, so you’re not tempted by fast food on a busy day. Try frozen salmon fillets, which you can cook without thawing, or eggs, low-fat cheese and veggies for a quick-baking frittata.

Freeze individual servings of chopped fruits and vegetables in resealable bags to create quick Photo from LMproduction - Fotolia.com and delicious smoothies each

Easy ways to cut back on sugar Tips for keeping your busy family organized NATIONWIDe, 30 million children and adults have diabetes, and 86 million are prediabetic, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is being overweight. But the good news is, according to the ADA, losing just 7 percent of your body weight can decrease that risk by 58 percent.

One way to manage your weight is to cut back on sugar, which can often be a sneaky source of weight gain.

Before getting started, it’s important to remember that many healthy foods naturally contain sugar, a carbohydrate your body burns for energy. Processed sugars are different, adding calories that provide no other nutritional benefit, and at excessive levels, disrupting your metabolism, and potentially posing serious health risks.

The USDA’s dietary guidelines recommend that added sugar account for less than ten percent of your daily calories — that’s a maximum of 50 grams a day for average women and 62.5 grams for men. To keep your sugar consumption in the healthy range, Courtney McCormick, Corporate Dietitian at Nutrisystem offers the

following tips: • Hold the ketchup. You know baked goods and candy are loaded with added sugar, but so are many foods you may not think of as especially sweet. A tablespoon of ketchup, for instance, has four grams of sugar, more than some chocolate chip cookies. Salsa, barbecue sauce, spaghetti sauce and even bread are hidden sources of sugar.

• Sweeten with spices. Replace sugar from coffee, hot cereal and other foods with spices that have a naturally sweet taste, such as vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom, instead.

• Flavor your water. A 12ounce can of soda has as much as 40 grams of added sugar. Skip the soda and drink water sweetened with fresh fruit and herbs, like strawberries and basil or lime and mint.

• Start with plain. The fruit in the bottom of your yogurt can come with 25 or more grams of added sugar. Buy plain yogurt and add your own fresh or dried fruit.

• Snack on fruit. One cup of blueberries, for example, has seven grams of natural sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth, but the fruit also Continued on Page 7 Continued on Page 7

WheN it comes to busy families, things have a habit of becoming scattered quickly. here are five ways to keep everything and everyone organized, all the time.

1. Centralize information. hang an erasable calendar or family to-do list in a high-traffic area of the home where everyone can see it, so that everyone can add appointments, practices, vacations, school plays and other events. Be sure to hang it at a height appropriate for all members of the family, big and small.

2. Planned meal prep. Pick one day a week to plan meals and snacks for the days ahead. Prep items that you can in advance.

Chop veggies, pack school lunches, assemble the lasagna. This will make the rest of the week a breeze.

Family members can easily grab

pre-prepared lunches and snack items before school and work, to take away the stress of busy mornings and getting out the door on-time. Plus, evenings won’t need to feel so rushed.

3. Label it. From the spice rack to the medicine cabinet to the filing cabinet and the garage, clearly labeling containers saves time and energy, ensuring you can quickly and easily find needed items. Seek out tools to make the job of labeling speedy and tidy.

4. Leverage storage. Do you take full advantage of storage nooks and crannies in your home? Use bed risers to create more space under the bed. Well-designed furniture can pull double-duty. Seek out specialized sofas and ottomans that lift up to reveal extra storage.

5. Tidy up. Items tend to

Photo from jolopes/stock.Adobe.com

move around the house, often ending up where they don’t belong. Soccer gear in the living room, toys in the bathroom and items of clothing left on the couch. Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes

a week for the family to organize items and put things back where they belong. having a standing appointment to do so will ensure everyone pitches in to help.

(Statepoint)

5 rules for a more organized home

AFTeR the hectic holidays, it’s no surprise that many people commit to getting better organized in the new year.

There are plenty of reasons why people obsess over organization and resolve to master it year after year. household items become easier to find. Rooms all of a sudden seem bigger and more welcoming. each walk past a tidy linen closet — where there was once an avalanche waiting to spill forward — comes with a small sense of accomplishment.

Whether you’re after smarter storage or looking to cut clutter, successful resolutions begin with a thoughtful approach.

Think small While it’s fun to dream about a large-scale routine reset, smaller sustainable actions are key to Photo from Elena Blokhina/stock.Adobe.com lasting change. Take it one room or

even one drawer at a time to keep momentum positive and to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Doing so also allows you to focus, leading to more creative solutions for taking advantage of under-utilized areas.

For example, you may find using

over-the door organizers a great way to free up space in home offices and craft rooms.

Say “No” to clutter everyone has items they keep around for no real reason that aren’t particularly meaningful and

don’t serve a purpose. Being able to objectively identify these items makes everything easier.

Paring down possessions doesn’t have to be painful. That cardinal shaped cookie jar that you’ve always been on the fence about? It would make an incredibly thoughtful “just because” gift for an ornithology-obsessed aunt.

Often, less can literally be more: Consignment shops and eBay make it easy to turn four or five pieces of furniture you “kind of like” into one piece you absolutely love.

Store décor wisely everyone loves holiday decorating. Taking down decorations afterward... not so much. It’s difficult to preserve items in a haphazard collection of cardboard boxes, plastic bags and mismatched bins, all Continued on Page 7

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

A wonderful yearend gift for your family

been separated from their family members for many years, because An important part of they have not done anything Christmas and new Year is about their immigration situation. buying gifts for loved ones Yet, if you ask the family members and making resolutions for the back home, they probably believe coming year. Filipinos are busy that nothing that could be filling their balikbayan boxes bought in any store would mean with pasalubong, to send to as much as the family being their families “back home.” The together. pasalubong may consist of clothes, If you have not yet done food items, electronics, or other anything about your immigration useful items, given as a way of situation, and are spending yet “sharing one’s blessings.” another lonely Christmas and However, many Filipinos new Year in the U.S., maybe forget about what could be the now is the right time to give the most important “gift” for their real gift a family wants – being family members: legalizing their together in the U.S. Or at least status, or finding a way for their make a new Year’s resolution to family members to immigrate to finally take steps to either legalize the U.S. and be reunited, under your status and/or bring your the same roof, not only during family to America.

Christmas, but all year round. I On behalf of myself and my know that some people have law office, Manigong Bagong Taon

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA EMMA looked down at the busy huddle in the operating room. She was floating, hovering above the doctors and nurses in their blood spattered scrub suits while working on someone. They were desperately trying to bring a patient back to life. Emma took a closer look. “Why that’s me,” she thought.

The doctors were trying to bring her back from the brink.

Her vital signs were weakening.

If the monitor flat lined, Emma knew she would be gone for good. There seems to be a thin silver thread that still anchors her to her body but the physical life force is ebbing away fast.

She remembered being in a car accident. Emma was only 42.

“Go back,” she seemed to hear someone tell her but there was no sound. Emma felt so light, so free. She hadn’t felt this wonderful in a long time. A feeling of wellbeing was engulfing her. She was in

An Asian Journal Magazine

sa inyong lahat! *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Coming back from the brink of a near-death experience “ Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, It remains but a single grain with no life.”

–From a hymn composed by Bernadette Farrell

TWICE, HE APPLIED FOR AN IMMIGRANT VISA. TWICE, HE WAS DENIED. FIND OUT THE FINAL SCORE THIS SUNDAY, ON CITIZEN PINOY! Joseph (center) was initially petitioned as a minor child of a green card holder, but his visa was refused at the interview because he admitted to drug use. When he aged out, his petition was reclassified to F-2B. At his second interview, he was denied for the same reason.

His mother, Josie (right), and his sister, Evelyn (left), felt hopeless. They were running out of options, and were desperate. It felt like Nanay Josie’s promise of having the family reunited in America would just remain a dream.

Mother and daughter consulted with leading U.S. attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, after seeing a case similar to Joseph’s that was featured on Citizen Pinoy. Atty. Gurfinkel went to the U.S. Embassy in Manila and becomes a major contributor to a landmark decision and policy change that benefitted Joseph and many more.

Watch a mother’s promise fulfilled on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement)

Xian Lim, Kim Chiu, amazed by northern lights, enjoy dog-sledding in Finland

by Niña GuNo Inquirer.net

a tunnel and a white speck of light glowed at the end. There was a being of light in the distance. She began moving towards it.

Suddenly, she felt the grief of her husband and her two young children weighing down on her. She caught a glimpse of them in the hospital waiting room. Matt, the younger one, has his face pressed against the windowpane staring out through the glass at the pouring rain. Her heart was filled with love for them. They still need her. “Go back. It’s not yet time,” she seemed to hear the gentle voice once more although there was no one and there was no sound. And Emma did. She heard one of the doctors say to her, “Welcome back.”

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Emma knew her life, what remained of it, was never going to be the same again. Emma is only one of several millions the world over who have come back from the edge of death, having gone through what is called nDE or near Death Experience.

Are you afraid of death? I am. I suppose so do most of humankind through most of history.

In Greek mythology, the Fates represented by 3 women named, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos determined a person’s destiny upon birth. Clotho is the spinner who spins the thread of life and Lachesis is the measurer who chooses a man’s lot in life and how long it is to be. Atropos is the most dreaded one. It is Continued on Page 5

KIM Chiu and Xian Lim enjoyed a cold Christmas in Europe where they witnessed the northern lights in Finland.

The on-screen love team strolled through the cobbled streets of Copenhagen and took pictures among the iconic, colorful houses in nyhavn.

They headed north to Finland where they were all wrapped up in the negative-degree weather. The 27-year-old actress described it as her “first super snow experience.”

The Kapamilya actors were lucky witnesses to the aurora borealis, which usually appears between April and August.

Chiu shared that she had lost hope on seeing the northern lights when their tour guide told them it was cloudy.

She couldn’t help gushing over

the experience. “It is truly magical!

Totoo nga sya akala ko edit lang yung colors (It’s real, I thought the colors were just edited)! It is really dancing!”

The “Ghost Bride” star described the range of emotions she felt while Xian Lim and Kim Chiu Photo from Instagram/@xianlimm seeing the natural light show. “nakatulala, nakakaiyak, They also bonded with the nagulat ako (I was dumbstruck, doggos who gave them a ride. crying, shocked).”

“Sorry for being so heavy,” The 28-year-old actorwrote Lim in an Instagram post singer had just one word for the with the dogs. experience: “Amazing.”

While the two have Continuing their adventure, been romantically linked, no the pair went dog-sledding in confirmation has come from negative 19-degrees Celsius either one on their relationship weather. status.

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong Boxing Day, following Christmas, became even more significant not only because of the exciting gifts i received but for the rare opportunity to watch one of my favorite recording artists of the 60s, Petula Clark, when she mounted a sold-out holiday concert in one of new York City’s popular entertainment landmarks, the BB King Theater-Lounge along 42nd Street.

My thrill was beyond being contained… enthusiasm was teeming…yesteryears inevitably came flashing back as i tread down memory lane listening to her every single ditty. The petite English Darling of the Airwaves impressively delivered a oneand-a-half-hour performance sans break. it was amazing that the 85-year-old grand Dame of the Limelight could still sustain notes as she stunningly carried her regal demeanor with confidence, memorized and delivered her repertoire without the aid of a monitor or an idiot board.

The celebrity icon opened her show with “You and i” backed by a 5-piece band to the deafening applause of the full-house crowd.

From among the sixteen songs

Despite fame and fortune, Petula went through a period of depression

EMPLOYMENT

Close enCounter with ‘Downtown’ iCon

Petula Clark sustains seven decades of musical supremacy and iconic status Liza Soberano

Inquirer.nert photo

Liza Soberano takes number one spot in ‘100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017’

by Katrina Hallare Inquirer.net

A 1967 photo on the set of a location shoot with husband Claude, young daughters Barbara & Kate.

she performed, i loved her signature chart toppers like “Don’t Sleep in The Subway,” “My Love,” “i Know A Place,” and “This is My Song.”

To effectually reprise her role as norma Desmond in Andrew Floyd Webber’s hit musical “Sunset Boulevard” in London’s West End Adelphi Theater in 1993, (originally played by gloria Swanson in the film and glenn Close on Broadway) Petula donned a long black robe and sang “With one Look”… then capped the show with a song

Petula as a teen celebrity

At their wedding reception in 1961

synonymous to her name, “Downtown,” that nearly brought the house down. A standing ovation ensued while persistently clamoring for an encore… and she gave in with “Here Comes The Rainbow.”

Sophisticatedly garbed in a floor length straight cut black skirt matched with a glittery top, Petula’s shaggy silver locks perfectly complimented her amiable face. As she executed her act, i couldn’t help but reminisce the golden years of her prime when her moniker was proudly

Music is therapeutic for Petula

PAWNSHOP

bannered on almost every theater marquee.

Petula was born Petula Sally olwen Clark on november 15, 1932 to Leslie (a frustrated actor-singer), and Doris (a gifted soprano) in Epson, Surrey, England. Her father noticed Petula’s penchant for singing at age 6 and at the tender age of 7 her talent was officially recognized after she won a singing contest in a village fair. on october 1942 during World ii her father Leslie brought her to BBC to join other children cheer military forces overseas by sending them messages and care-for notes. Accidentally the transmission was cut off due to the massive bombing during an air raid. Ten-year-old Petula readily volunteered to sing and entertain the audience while waiting for regular programming to resume.

Petula since became a regular volunteer and was delegated to entertain the British Troops in the war and later made more than 500 appearances that earned for her the title “The British Shirley Temple,” an American sweetheart her age who brought inspiration and cheer to American armies at war.

KAPAMiLYA actress Liza Soberano showed that Filipina beauty truly stands out as she topped a list of the most beautiful faces for 2017.

Soberano claimed the top spot in “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces 2017” released by independent Critics, led by film critic TC Candler as revealed in a YouTube video on Monday, December 26. Soberano bested 90,000 female celebrities from around the world This makes her the first Filipina to be hailed as the most beautiful since the list started in 1990. Previously, the actress placed second on the list (2016), behind English model and actress Jourdan Dunn. other notable local celebrities who made the list are Kim Domingo, who took the 98th spot; nadine Lustre who was placed 78th, and; Kathryn Bernardo in 60th place, marking her third appearance on the list.

Aside from ranking the most beautiful, independent Critics also released “The 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2017” list, which included model Daniel Matsunaga taking the 88th place; Soberano’s love team partner Enrique gil at 61st place, and; actor James Reid, who placed fourth.

As stated on its website, the independent Critics searches for “grace, elegance, originality, daring, passion, class, poise, joy, promise, hope” in finding the most beautiful people from almost 40 countries to be included in its lists.

Movie offers came pouring like rain. in 1944 she faced the movie cameras for the first time via “A Medal For the general” at age 12. By the time she was 15 she was already accustomed to showbiz system having had made a number of films and a veteran of thousand professional appearances. At 17 she cut her first album “Music, Music, Music” that became number 1 in six countries.

Despite the company’s strong desire to make her stay youthful to maintain her sweet image, maturity got into the way. 1952 marked a significant milestone in

PSYCHIC

her movie career when she did “Made in Heaven” and portrayed a married woman. She created a new record by becoming the first British female vocalist to shoot up in the charts on the first entry of “Sailor” which she recorded in 1961.

The Birth of “Downtown” in november 1964 Petula Clark’s star even shone brighter with the november release of her october 16, 1964 recording of “Downtown” written and produced by Tony Hatch. A soul composition flip-sided by “You’d Better Love Me,” “Downtown” Continued on Page 7

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Queries from readers

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS Q: What is holiday heart Syndrome?

Prevalent during holidays, this symptom complex is mainly characterized by cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm irregularity), mostly due to alcoholic binges. The excitement brought on by the festivities and ingestion of a lot of caffeine (coffee, chocolate, cola drinks) during the holidays could also play a role in this syndrome.

The symptoms are transient, unless the person has other complicating health problems.

Q: Last Christmas I was happy and also sad. Why? The feeling is called Christmas Blues, or Holiday or Birthday Blues. This is not uncommon. The sadness could be due to sorrowful memories of past events recalled during this season, or feeling sorry for yourself, some family members, friends, or even strangers for certain negatives occurrences or misfortunes in your or their lives, personal problems, financial worries, some guilt for things you did or failed to do, or some things you want to do but couldn’t.

Any of these can explain the sadness one feels during a festive occasion like the Christmas season. This is usually seasonal and temporary, unless the problem causing it lingers on Q: Is MSG safe?

Eating food with “Betsin” (MSG: Monosodium Glutamate, flavor enhancer) could cause a condition known as “Chinese Food Syndrome,” which could sometimes mimic a heart attack.

It causes chest pains, facial pressure, and burning sensations throughout the body, sometimes with dizziness or fainting, which are mostly temporary. This phenomenon is a pharmacologic reaction to Monosodium Glutamate, a popular white powder food seasoning used in cooking. The symptoms are due to individual sensitivity or reaction, and are dose-related.

Most people are not bothered by MSG, but some react to it more severely. Although death is very rare, some people could actually be allergic to it and die from it.

Those who develop any of the symptoms enumerated above after eating food cooked with MSG should clearly request chefs or cooks in restaurants, at home, or anywhere else not to use MSG in preparing their food. Because of this syndrome, many Chinese

By Monet

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY D Ec E m b E R 29, 20 1 7

Lu

“BEHIND every man’s success is a woman,” but beside every strong woman is an even stronger man whose iconic existence demands a celebration filled with fun and dancing – Studio 54 style!

Richard Maghanoy, COO of Image Body Spa and husband of celebrity aesthetician Imee (and co-owner of Image Spa MD) celebrated his 50th birthday with friends and family at the Revolver Video Bar in Hollywood last Sunday. Friends and family kept up with its “Relive the magic of Studio 54” theme and partied like the 70s - glitz, glamour, retro and all.

Richard, a devout Christian and a loving husband is turning 50 on December 31. He says knowing Christ and walking in faith as a family is by far the greatest blessing he’s had. His birthday wish is to have good health and to remain steadfast in their faith, and continue to be happy and fulfilled as a family.

“With all the blessings that the Lord has poured upon our life over the years, I can’t thank Him enough for all the experiences He allowed me to have that helped me become the person I am today.

I’d like to thank my wife Imee Ong Maghanoy who is the one who led me to the Lord, and loved and supported all these years; as well as my daughter Shannen for being my inspiration,” he said. “I also want to thank my parents for their guidance and for teaching me to be independent. At first, I wasn’t really planning on having

(and other) restaurants today no longer use MSG. If in doubt, ask the manager or waiters, and instruct them accordingly.

Q: at 72, can Viagra still improve my performance?

Your feat, albeit not as perfect as you want it to be, is amazing. Majority of men, even 20 years younger, are unable to do it as often as you do. Weakly perhaps, but not weekly. Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is a marvelous pill, truly a giant step for man, that would help, but you must consult with your physician to make sure you are not on any form of nitrates (heart medications), which is dangerous when taken in combination with Viagra, and that you do not have any health risk that will contraindicate the use of this very effective pill for erectile dysfunction.

Q: I have bleeding after sex, what is wrong?

Trauma is the most common cause, especially among virgin females. Infection can cause cervical inflammation, abrasions or excoriations that bleed on contact. Hormonal problem or cancer can also lead to vaginal bleeding. If you have bleeding, even staining, every time you have sex, then it is most prudent for you to seek consultation with a gynecologist. Recurrent vaginal bleeding, with or without sex, is abnormal and should be investigated to make certain no serious medical condition exists.

Q: Can fright kill?

Yes, sudden or extreme fright can, among other possible effects, lead to an instant and steep rise in adrenalin (and other neuro-chemical) level in the blood circulation, leading to dangerous or fatal arrhythmia (heart irregularity) called ventricular fibrillation followed by cardiac arrest. This is especially true among those with heart disease to begin with. Death by fright is not very common but it does happen.

Q: Do pets help sick people in their recovery?

Yes, pets, like dogs for instance, greatly help patients recover from their illness.

Medical literature is replete with reports where even terminally ill people gained greater strength and more will to live when their pet is near them. The security, unconditional loyalty and love of “man’s best friend” have infinite medicinal value to the suffering patient, much like the love and compassion of human loved ones. And more often than not pets, especially dogs, are more loving, forgiving, and loyal than even some of our friends and

relatives.

Q: Why do my feet swell in the evening?

Edema (swelling) of the legs and feet, when present all the time, could be due to excess salt intake, heart failure, kidney disease, Beri-Beri (vitamin B-1 deficiency), some tropical parasitic infestations, and other even rarer diseases. Since yours happens only in the evening, and since you stated in your email that you were otherwise in perfect health, then I suspect the edema to be due to some leg vein insufficiency, where the valves in your leg veins are somewhat incompetent allowing back flow of blood and pooling of blood in your lower extremities by gravity.

Elevation of your feet at least 4 inches higher than your knees whenever you can, especially when you get home at night, will help the venous circulation of your legs and minimize, if not eliminate, edema. Low salt diet, and wearing support stockings (when you are on your feet) will also help. The best is for you to have a medical check-up by your physician if the swelling persists.

Q: are eyeshades beneficial?

Yes, dark glasses to protect our eyes from the glaring brightness of any source, like the sun and its UV rays. These rays (UVA and UVB), and laser lights cause eye damage (cataracts, etc.) premature skin aging, and skin cancers. Using eyeshades daily and staying under a shade or umbrella to reduce sun exposure are healthy behaviors. Polarized dark glasses with UV ray protection are best, with our without prescription.

Consult with your optician or ophthalmologist to find out what is best for you. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Richard Maghanoy, husband of Image Spa MD co-owner Imee Ong-Maghanoy, celebrates 50th Birthday

a big party but now that I am celebrating my ‘golden years’ with all of you have made this night very very memorable.”

Richard would like to thank the following people for their presence in celebrating his special day: Alex Pineda, Edward Soriano & Scott, Abby Luz, Frank Villafuerte, Sam Loyola, Lyn Bautista, Monet Lu, Lorraine Diego, Filbert Diego Kung, Karla Gordy Bristol, Angie Yamini, Jun and Lilibeth Banawa, Odette Tan, Nicole Dy, Tee Roy & Suzette, Cheryl Asuncion and Jeff, Priam Guian, Jessie Romero, and Benjo Balcobero.

Special thanks to Lou Razon, Vic Perez, Joel Vera Sebastian, Angel Bonila, Angie Mamaril, Ruby Pangan, & Marlyn Guian and Rod Samson for helping with the preparations. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Christ must be a part of Christmas and our daily lives to have a life with joyful meaning “Jesus tells us that the love for others — foreigners, the sick, The prisoners, the homeless, even our Metamorphosis enemies — is the yardstick by which God will judge our actions, our eternal destiny depends on this.” - Pope Francis IT has been forty plus ErniE D. DElFin years that I have witnessed To be a believer and follower and celebrated the birthday of means doing our best to follow Christ in America, a nation built His teachings and admonition. on Judeo-Christian traditions.

What we do daily becomes a Over those four decades, I have habit. That’s faith in action, seen the gradual transformation exemplified by the way saints live and obvious commercialism their lives. Christ was not only a of Christmas that may have revolutionary individual but also contributed to the decline of a great servant leader during His its true essence, as the name time on Earth. He was not just of Christ is gradually separated from CHRISTmas. To be politically great teacher but our Savior by dying on the cross, to redeem us correct, people — including from our sins.

Christians and Catholics —greet The story of Jesus — from or decorate their workplace or His birth in Bethlehem in a lowly homes with “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” manger to His death in Calvary greetings, instead of the and His Resurrection on the third traditional “MERRY CHRISTMAS” day — is the greatest story ever signage. I often wonder why told. Our faith in Christ gives people are afraid or hesitant to us hope and hope gives us life. say “Merry Christmas” whereas Without HIM, our human life will some non-Christians, like our be meaningless.

Muslim brothers or sisters, are Christmas is a season that unabashedly proud to wear their motivates us to think more of hijab, niqab or burga, as a part others, hence we take precious of their garments. Although time to buy and wrap many gifts America was founded as a for our loved ones, family and Christian nation, it appears that friends. And we do our best it is shying away from those and take precious time to “feed Christian beliefs and traditions. the homeless, clothe the naked, Now, the vocal minority nongive drink to the thirsty and visit Christians who want America those in prison” (Matthew 25:36to forget its glorious past by 46). Even donations to charities demanding the deletion of and churches surge during this Christ’s name and all things that Christmas season. Practicing pertain to Him. These demands century old tradition, families include but not limited to the banning of prayer in schools and and friends get together to celebrate this joyous occasion of other public places, Christmas Jesus’ birthday. Service to others trees, stars and decorations; and becomes more common and even the Ten Commandment has become a tradition for many signs in public! And they are families. winning slowly but surely.

Serving others without Removing such reminders of our faith, regardless of one’s religion, expecting anything is a universal truth that keeps countless of nonand challenging our rights to profit organizations to continue practice them or pray, I believe, their mission of volunteerism has some direct correlation and servicing the needs of with lawlessness and crimes others from America to Africa. committed in our country today.

For instance, last Dec. 17, CNN People who conveniently again honored Ten Heroes of the remove Christ from their Year, who have unselfishly did Christmas celebration probably extraordinary acts of compassion means that He may not be really to others without expectations present in their lives during of being compensated. The the other months of the year.

timing just about a week before Christmas was inspiring that motivated me to heed the challenge of Subaru’s CEO to donate some money to the CNN heroes’ causes to be matched up to half a million dollars. I just hope all the other networks or multi-national companies will also honor other heroes so that every month we are reminded and inspired that there are still many people who immerse themselves in the service towards others. As past Rotary International president Cliff Dochterman proclaimed, “Real Happiness is Serving Others,” a philosophy that hundreds of thousands of Rotarians heed, believe and practice everyday throughout the world.

However, with countless basic human needs that are unmet globally there is still a massive need for people to become Servant Leaders, to lessen the human suffering and tragedies in our world. More works of charity, social justice and peace are sorely needed in many parts of our planet. This columnist in his own modest ways, is also contributing his time, talent and treasure in a few volunteer works: like Catholic Church Peace & Justice Ministry and Prison Ministry ( www.rcbo.org./group/ restore), also with Gawad Kalinga (www.gk1world.com), and to our Rotary organization (www. rotary.org). I challenge our dear readers who are not yet doing any Service Above Self to please consider volunteering in their communities in any humanitarian organizations. Doing so will make one’s life worth living and fulfilled, and real JOY will be its fruits.

Lastly, may I (again) share my Christmas prayer that was originally composed more than20 years ago: My Christmas Prayer It’s Christmas Day again and I feel all alone — except with my thoughts, reliving where I have been, where I am now and where I want go from here.

Although I am a man, I can’t help but become nostalgic with Continued on Page 7

Coming back from the brink of a...

From Page 3 she who decided how and when a man is to die, using her large, sharp, unrelenting scissors to cut off the thread of life. No one, not even the Gods at Olympus trifled with her.

Should we fear death?

Stories abound that tell of those who have gone through NDE that strongly indicate that there is grace in dying. There is strong evidence of life beyond death and that the act of dying is transitioning into that life.

In almost all cases of NDE, people relate of feeling weightless, floating and hovering above looking down at their own bodies and even seeing how doctors, nurses and technicians struggle to bring them back from the brink. They are literally hanging on by a thread. It is an out of body experience and that there exists a thin silver iridescent cord that still connects them to their own bodies. If that cord is cut, it means that they are now truly physically dead and that they will continue on to the afterlife with no more chance of coming back to their previous physical life.

Many of those who have gone though NDE report that there is that feeling of being drawn into a tunnel. There is the presence of a strong, white, comforting light at the end of it. The light appears small and as they progress through the tunnel, it becomes a strong being of light filled with love and compassion.

Many report of meeting deceased relatives. Many go through a flashback of powerful memories like a review of their life, both good and bad.

Above all, there seems to be an overwhelming feeling of release from all the constraints of their physical lives.

For some, the decision to return is theirs to make. For others, the decision has already

been made that their time to die hasn’t come yet and that they must go back. An unfinished business or a strong emotional attachment can make some go back and resume living.

The impact of NDE is life changing. Documentation for those who have been declared clinically dead and have come back to resume living shows that those who have seen a glimpse of life beyond death undergo profound changes.

Many have changed their view of life for the better. Some have a better appreciation of life becoming more kind, compassionate and considerate of others.

For others, there is a renewed sense of purpose and a reordering of life’s priorities.

Some have even gone on to develop a sense of spirituality convinced that their new lease on life tells them that they were made for something more.

But not all stories of NDE are the same. It seems that for some on the dark side, the experience is totally different. Some report of the presence of a dark void and all the chillingly cold, negative, consuming energies of such emotions as seething anger, loathing and arrogance swirling about in a thick, dark, putrid cloud, the complete antithesis of the typical NDE experience of light. This story is more like horror. Just as there are good people and bad people, the nature of the near death experience seems to be a direct and proportionate result of the collective, aggregate choices each one makes through life.

Remember the movie Ghost? The merciless murderer Willie, was on his way to commit another contract murder, when he is confronted by the invisible energy of the spooky, rampaging spirit of Sam whom he murdered earlier for money.

He suddenly flees and in his

haste, is run over by a car and dies on the spot. The murderer’s spirit rises from his body as he realizes he is dead. His soul, however, is instantly shackled and suctioned off screaming into the void by howling, hooded, dark, macabre, misshapen creatures rising like toxic fumes and disappearing just as suddenly from the sewers of New York City. That is, perhaps, a glimpse of what it must be like to truly die and go to hell.

When the other kind of NDE happens, some report that there is no concept of space or time at all. There is neither beginning nor end. Communication with beings of light or deceased relatives who may accompany the dying is telepathic. There is no sound and no need for words.

Many of those who have nearly died and allowed to come back to live out the rest of their lives express a reluctance to return to their previous physical lives. But there was a strong pull, a tug from their earthly life that made them do a U-turn, at least for the time being.

What is stunning is this.

Nearly all those who have had an encounter with death and did come back to resume their lives claim they no longer fear death. The fear of death is no more. Death for them has become a door one must pass to enter a more beautiful, enticing reality full of love and mercy.

What most have learned from their brush with death is startlingly simple. LOVE, they profess, is the most important thing in this earthly life — giving it, accepting it and learning from it. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY D Ec E m b E R 29, 20 1 7

Cecile Licad to perform in NYC concert in January 2018 The brilliant virtuoso Cecile Licad, hailed by The New Yorker as “a pianist’s pianist,” will be presented by the Key Pianists concert series on Thursday evening, January 18th, 2018, 8 p.m. at Weill Recital hall at Carnegie hall.

Key Pianists was conceived by pianist Terry eder to fill a void in New York concert life: “Many wonderful pianists playing with wisdom, insight, sensitivity and beauty are not heard in New York. These stellar artists, as well as New York audiences, deserve an event to share this extraordinary music-making.”

Cecile’s program features works by elie Siegmeister and edward MacDowell, as well as the towering Liszt B Minor Sonata and the Mephisto Waltz.

General Admission tickets are $35 and available for purchase at: www.carnegiehall.org, CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800 or the Box Office at 57th St and 7th Ave. Cecile Licad began her piano studies at the age of three with her mother, Rosario Licad, in the Philippines, and later studied with the highly regarded Rosario Picazo. At seven, she

made her debut as soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Philippines. As one of the youngest musicians to receive the prestigious Leventritt Gold Medal, Cecile won immediate international recognition, and her career was launched.

Cecile’s artistry is a blend of daring musical instinct and superb training. her natural talent was honed at the Curtis Institute of Music by three of the greatest performer/ pedagogues of our time: Rudolf Serkin, Seymour Lipkin and Mieczyslaw horszowski. Cecile’s large repertoire as an orchestral soloist spans the Classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, the Romantic literature of Brahms, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schumann and Rachmaninoff, and on to the 20th century compositions of Debussy, Ravel, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Bartok.

St. Paul Manila Alumnae USA is selling a limited number of tickets to Cecile Licad’s Jan. 18th Concert for the Fleur de Lis Fund to benefit St. Paul Music Therapy Center in Manila. established in 2013, St. Paul Music Therapy Center provides music therapy services to children and youth

Cecile Licad

with disabilities. For more information about the Alumnae, visit www.spma-usa-inc.org Donations for special $60 tickets to benefit St. Paul can be made at www.spma-usa-inc. org. Or by check to St. Paul Manila Alumnae USA (Memo: Cecile Licad) and mailed to: St. Paul Manila Alumnae USA, 4 Park Avenue, Suite 16G, New York, NY 10016.

Services provided by St. Paul Music Therapy Center include individual music therapy sessions, group music therapy sessions and experiential and educational services, such as workshops, in-service trainings and presentations about music therapy. It is a venue for the practicum of the graduate students in music therapy and for helping people with debilities have a better quality of life. The mission of the St. Paul Music Therapy Center is to promote, empower and serve families, professionals, adults, youth and children with special needs employing music therapy strategies.

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ

Joanna Ampil, Derek Ramsay lead MMFF 2017 winners

By Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

MUSICAL theater actress Joanna Ampil let the tears of joy flow as she accepted her Best Actress trophy for playing Candida Marasigan in “Ang Larawan.” She and fellow award recipients were honored at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Awards night in Kia Theater, Quezon City on Wednesday, December 27.

“I was asking my parents what they wanted for Christmas, and my dad said, ‘Just bring home the trophy,” she explained.

The acclaimed actress, who has been based abroad most of the time because of her various theater projects, humbly declared, “Finally, I’m contributing something to the arts in the Philippines.”

Other artists nominated for Best Actress were Jennylyn Mercado (“All Of You”), Dawn Zulueta (“Meant To Beh”) and erich Gonzales (“Siargao”).

For Best Supporting Actress, Jasmine Curtis Smith won for “Siargao.” Other nominees were Andrea Torres (“Meant To Beh”), Rachel Alejandro (“Ang Larawan”), Dimples Romana (“Deadma

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Walking”) and Menchu Lauchengco (“Ang Larawan”).

Derek Ramsay (“All of You”), on the other hand, dedicated his Best Actor win to his 14-year-old son Austin, who was present that night.

Other nominees for Best Actor were Coco Martin (“Ang Panday”), Jericho Rosales (“Siargao”) and Joross Gamboa (“Deadma Walking”).

For Best Supporting Actor, the award went to edgar Allan Guzman (“Deadma Walking”).

Other nominees include Robert Arevalo (“Ang Larawan”),

Jake Cuenca (“Ang Panday”), Nonie Buencamino (“Ang Larawan”) and Sandino Martin (“Ang Larawan”).

For Best Director, the nominees were Julius Alfonso (“Deadma Walking”), Loy Arcenas (“Ang Larawan”), Coco Martin (“Ang Panday”), Dan Villegas (“All Of You”).

Best Director winner Paul Soriano touched everyone for expressing his admiration for “Ang Larawan,” while receiving his trophy for “Siargao.” he said the musical/historical/drama film fest entry is “such a beautiful film.”

Tips on finally achieving your...

From Page 2 fitness goals.

“Focus on the positive, and what is possible, versus where you are restricted. One is empowering, the other is dis-empowering,” Soler shared with the Asian Journal.

If that sounds simpler said, than done, here are a few more tips to help you go forth with your 2018 resolutions.

Develop a stronger and better plan As Benjamin Franklin once supposedly said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, making sure you execute your goals properly deserves time and thought.

Soler gave three keys to transformation that are great for all aspects of life, with the first key being developing a strong mindset.

“Shift your mindset, shift your life,” said Soler. Before stepping into action, she encourages people to ask themselves certain questions: What are the stories you’re telling yourself about this situation? What statement are you making? What questions are you asking about?

Only after you develop a good mindset should you spring into the second key to transformation — action, the daily and weekly steps we take to make our goals happen.

“Micro adjustments in your life, like deep breathing at least three times a day, are just as important as major adjustments like going to the gym five times a week,” said Soler.

And then, there’s putting yourself in the right environment, which she said is probably the most important of the three keys.

“You must rig your environment for success,” shared Soler.

Whether it be writing your goals on index cards, or creating a vision board, producing an effective environment should be conducive to you reaching your goals. This includes being aware of what you take in — podcasts, books, inspirational YouTube videos versus negative television shows — and the people you surround yourself with.

Soler quoted Jim Rohn — regarded as the grandfather of self-development — as having said,

“You are the average of the top five people you spend the most time with.”

“So if you want to improve your average anywhere in life, then look at the people you are surrounding yourself with,” said Soler.

Keep it simple We’ve all done it: grabbed a pen or opened up our laptop, and started making a list of things we want to accomplish by the end of the year. Often times, we get ambitious and before we know it, our list comprises of an overwhelming amount of things we want to achieve. This makes it harder to stay on track as the months go by.

According to the Statistic Brain poll, around 72 percent of people maintain their resolutions through the first week of the new year, but by the end of one month, only 58.4 percent of people stay in the game. By six months, only 44.8 percent of the people remain pursuing their resolutions.

Rather than trying to conquer a bunch of resolutions, try narrowing your goals down to a few more realistic resolutions.

The American Psychology Association (APA) suggests changing one behavior at a time. Because unhealthy behaviors tend to develop over a course of time, replacing them with better behaviors also requires time.

It may also help to be smarter and more specific with your resolutions. Instead of resolving to get more hours of sleep per night, for example, think of concrete ways of how you can do so like putting down your phone 30 minutes before bed, or creating a relaxing bedtime ritual.

Don’t be too hard on yourself With 365 days in a year, it’s completely normal we run into challenging obstacles. In fact, setbacks can be expected as they’re part of the learning process. What matters is what we do when we find ourselves wandering off track.

Soler advises that the best thing to do is be honest with ourselves, take a step back, and ask ourselves a few questions: “Is this something that I really want? Why do I want it? Is it a must for me to have it?”

“If it’s not a must yet in your life and if your ‘why’ isn’t exciting for you, then you most likely won’t do it but it’s always important to be honest with yourself and reflect on that truth,” shared Soler.

The reason? “Because the truth will set you free and we all want to feel free to live our fullest and best life. So, keep it real,” she added.

Remember, January is just a day in the calendar so don’t be afraid to re-evaluate your goals and commitments when needed.

Get a support system Soler advises getting a “warrior buddy” — someone who is willing to root for you, knows about your goals, and is someone you can check in with and vice versa, at least twice a month.

“The health of our relationships are one of the major keys to living a successful and fulfilling life so we must include others in staying on track with our resolutions, commitments, and goals,” said Soler.

And sometimes, it isn’t even about staying “on track,” but just having someone to discuss your progress and changes with.

“Involve great people in your goals and watch how much further you go and how much more fun it is,” Soler added. “Success is so much better shared.”

Rethink New Year’s “resolutions” If anything, sometimes successfully reaching our goals just needs a change of perspective or change in how we understand our resolutions.

“I actually much prefer the word ‘commitment’ versus ‘resolutions’ because to commit to something implies that you are set on doing it. It is important because you begin to declare what you will do in your life here on out,” shared Soler.

“Our actions are constantly responding to what our minds tell us, whether we know it or not, so the key to great success in anything is to be fully aware of what you are doing — and not doing — and to make a clear convicted decision for what you desire,” she added.

“Commit to what you desire in 2018, then begin strategizing and planning.”

Easy ways to cut back on...

From Page 2

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Best Actress Joanna Ampil and Best Actor Derek Ramsay accept their trophies for the films ‘Ang Larawan’ and ‘All of You,’ respectively, during the Gabi ng Parangal of the 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, December 27.

comes with fiber to help you feel full and slow the breakdown of the sugars, so you don’t crave more calories soon after eating it.

• Bake with applesauce. eating fewer baked goods is sure to reduce your sugar intake, but when the occasion calls for you

to make a cake, replace a third of the sugar in the recipe with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce. For a delicious no-sugar added applesauce recipe, visit leaf.nutrisystem. com/recipes.

• Eat right and often. When you’re hungry, you crave calories

and that too often leads to sugary snacking. Reduce between-meal munching by eating healthy, filling foods four to six times a day.

To lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes, make small swaps to reduce your sugar intake and more easily manage your weight.

(Statepoint)

5 rules for a more organized...

From Page 2

crammed into the corner of a garage or basement. Stepping up storage containers can make a big difference. For a wide selection of storage solutions specifically designed for holiday décor, check out Improvements, which offers everything from ornament and gift wrap organizers to wreath and garland storage bags.

Keep a place for everything Nobody likes wasting time

gathering or searching. Make storage more convenient and efficient by streamlining. Items frequently used together should be kept together, from coffee supplies to vehicle maintenance tools.

Make a plan Create a schedule so nothing is overlooked. Knowing which project is next gives you time to prepare and purchase any storage items you might need. When

scheduling, designate specific rooms and spaces for certain seasons. For example, the first warm days of spring are made for cleaning out the shed or garage.

Successful resolutions are essentially new habits that become part of a lifestyle.

Deliberately choosing to incorporate small acts of organization on a daily basis will pay off tremendously throughout the year. (StatePoint)

Petula Clark sustains seven decades of musical...

From Page 4 was recorded in a 7-inch vinyl single and instantly became an international hit reaching No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart., No. 1 in Australia, New Zealand, Rhodesia, and South America, No. 2 in Denmark, No. 3 in India, and No. 4 in the Netherlands.

It was The Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” that dominated the chart and hindered Petula’s ultimate climb to the top. But did you know that “Downtown” was originally intended to be recorded by The Drifters and Petula loved it the first time she heard the melody?

Petula was honored by the American Recording Industry with a Grammy for “Best Rock n’ Roll Recording of 1964,” the first for a UK female artist to win a Grammy, and “Best Contemporary R & R Vocal Performance of 1965 – Female” for “I Know A Place”.

In 1981 “Downtown” received the most coveted Ivor Novello Award for the Best Song musically and lyrically.

In America, Petula Clark’s luster was overshadowed by The Beatles during their British music invasion in the mid 60s.

While the Mop Heads were touring American studios, Petula was performing to a sold-out audience that included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the legendary Fred Astaire (who would later be her leading man).

Petula Clark’s “Downtown” was also recorded by Mrs. Miller (1966), Frank Sinatra (1966), The B-52’s (1979), Dolly Parton (1984), and other voice artists like Erica

Schoeder, Denise Summerford, Gullie Dingman, Marie France Arcilla, and Evans and Erin Crosby.

Incidentally, “Downtown” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004 and considered one of the best recorded songs of all times.

Petula Clark’s name was appended to more than 40 films famous of which were: “London Town” (1946), “Easy Money” (1948), “Huggetts series” (1948-1949), “Dance Hall” (1950), “Madame Louise” (1951), “The Card” (1952”, “The Run Away Bus” (1954), “Gpodbye, Mr. Chips” (1969), “Never, Never Land (1980), and a lot more.

It’s also worth noting that Petula, aside from playing Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard,” also starred in the acclaimed London revival of “The Sound of Music” (originally played by Julie Andrews in the movie).

Meeting Mr. Right The light bulb played a significant role in her personal life. During one of her visits to a recording company in Paris, France the lights went off while in the middle of a production discussion. The office manager called for somebody to change the bulb…and when the room was totally lighted Petula’s heart skipped a beat upon sight of a towering French man who did the job.

Their first meeting inevitably led to frequent rendezvous that was sealed by a matrimonial vow in 1961 when she was 29. The dashing groom, Claude Wolff, stood 6’2” while the blushing

bride was merely 5’2”. Their marital bliss was blessed with 3 children: Barbara (married to French Interior Designer Baron Robert de Cabrol), Kate (a yoga professor and painter), and Patrick (studied Finance and currently a pro golfer who operates a golf store in Geneva).

For a female star to increasingly settle on the crest of the turbulent and competitive wave of showbusiness for more than 7 decades it wouldn’t be surprising for Petula to have accumulated numerous awards both in recording and movies like Britain’s Most Popular Childstar, Britain’s Leading Teenage Star, Jukebox Queen, First Lady of Pop, and Superstar of the Decades, just to mention a few.

Among her latest awards are: Commandeur Du Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres (2012), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) presented by the Queen of England (1998), and Guiness World Record as British Most Successful Solo Recording Artist (spanning 5 decades of consistent popularity).

But “change” will forever create a different set-up with neither justification nor validation… and Petula’s marriage wasn’t spared. In the 1980s, she and Claude called it quits and went on their separate ways but they remained civil with each other and discovered they’re

better off as friends than lovers.

Petula’s world unrelentingly turned. Just last year her Petula Clark Signature Collection album was released… a fitting testament to her being a stalwart pillar of the music industry. Aside from her own albums, she was included in almost a hundred album compilations with other established recording artists.

In 1996 Petula was honored with “This Is Your Life” career history tribute at the Royal Albert Hall for her string of successes and the paramount image she had indelibly carved not only in Britain but all over the world.

Petula’s unrivaled prominence and unparalleled success has brought her immense wealth.

She owns a posh mansion in Geneva (where she stays most of the time), a holiday chalet in the French Alps (where she loves to ski and escape from the hassle and bustle of city life), and a pied-a-terre (a condominium or apartment) in London’s Chelsea district.

“I may not be the best cook but I consider myself an emotional cook!” she admitted, punctuated with her signature laugh after her youngest son, Patrick, punned at her kitchen capability. “But my being a devoted mom to my children was duly recognized and voted “Personality Mother of the Year” in

An Asian Journal Magazine

Petula Clark’s look during her heydays

The entertainment icon defies old age and enjoys the sunset of her life.

a nationwide poll in 1972.”

Ironically, if there was anything she regrets most that would be her failure to constantly look after her children since her frequent concert tours drew her away from them. “I just wish I’d been a better mother, the perfect wife, and a great performer. I thought I could do it all but it can’t be done. Sorry but it just can’t. I had a good stab at it but being a parent and married is a full-time job!”

When she discreetly celebrated her 80th birthday in Geneva, Switzerland a couple of friends attended but nobody dared sang “Happy Birthday”

because they knew she wouldn’t like it. “I don’t think about age,” she said straightforwardly. “And I certainly don’t worry about it. What’s the point? As long as you’re doing what you do well, who cares a damn…?”

Being the most successful surviving singer, songwritercomposer (she has been writing and composing songs under the pseudonym, Al Grant), and multifaceted artist that Petula Clark is, it will take decades before another star of her caliber will be born.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

Petula with son Patrick, daughter Kate, and hubby Claude Wolff

Petula Clark during her Dec. 26 concert at BB King

Christ must be a part of...

From Page 5 misty eyes, while composing this unorthodox Christmas prayer.

Oh Lord, Redeemer of the World, is this what it takes to be alive? To witness or undergo the endless depravations, and tribulations of humanity?

Why can’t all your children be happy and at peace not only in dreams and words but also in reality? For since I’ve flown from parental nest, I think I have seen more human sadness and struggles than the “joy and hope” that Christmas traditionally brings.

During this festive season celebrating the Nativity of the Savior of Men, it has always amazed me that people do unusual things to bring out their brotherly concern toward another; it continuously puzzles me why can’t your people show signs of love and charity every time? Tradition says, I was told, that’s the way it was, that’s the way it is, and that the mystery of Christmas time. And I asked in my prayer, “But Lord, why not?”

Dear God, I know I am just one creature who does not always understand and conform with what I see in this world, help me that in my

desire to be a successful and strong leader, I may also be compassionate and loving person, that this Christmas and in the coming years, I may become more sympathetic and understanding with those around me despite their divergent views of the world we share, as I fervently pray that other people would also your light and do what is right and not what is just convenient. This is my prayer for the world and for all mankind.

Dear Lord, please hear these prayers from my heart and soul; I implore you especially that my health and my general well-being as well as those I care and love will be at its peak; that the basic material things that are necessary to be happy and fulfilled be provided for; that my hopes, fears and dreams in life are shared lovingly with all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and that my life here on this Earth will have real purpose and meaning.

Oh dear Lord, my Savior, hear me --- this is my CHRISTMAS PRAYER! *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com

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