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w w w. a s i a n Volume 24 - No. 50 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

.com T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

december 29, 2017-jaNuary 4, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Palace: Duterte won’t allow ‘perpetual’ martial law

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

PhiliPPine President rodrigo Duterte will not allow perpetual extensions of martial law, malacañang assured on thursday, December 28.

Allaying fears that the recent re-extension of martial law proclamation in mindanao may lead to “extensions in perpetuity,” Presidential spokesperson harry roque stressed that an endless military rule is “patently unconstitutional.” “martial law in perpetuity is a scenario that

neither the president, Congress or the supreme Court (sC) will allow as it is patently unconstitutional,” roque said. malacañang issued the statement a day after the house of representatives’ “magnificent seven,” led by Albay representative edcel lagman, filed a petition challenging the re-extension of Duterte’s military rule in mindanao before the sC. in their petition, the opposition lawmakers stressed that the 1987 Constitution “does not allow a series of extensions or re-extensions of a martial law proclamation, which may lead to ‘extensions in

perpetuity.’” roque, however, insisted that the petitioners’ allegations of unending military rule “are mere surmises and conjectures and not supported by law and the Constitution.” the Palace official also expressed the readiness of the Duterte administration to defend the re-extension of martial law in mindanao. he pointed out that both the legislative and executive departments of the government have already agreed that martial PAGE A2 Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

DATELINE

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

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

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 Year’s 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 PAGE A3

US envoy: PH economy has ‘tremendous potential’ to improve 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 ecoU.S. Ambassador to PH Sung Kim nomic performance Inquirer.net photo PAGE A3

Inquirer.net photo

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

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 de-

u PAGE A2

Malacañang yearend report: Duterte admin’s reforms ‘gaining ground’

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.

Resigned Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.

u PAGE A2

Photo from the Davao City Information Office

Teo: ‘Negative global perception’ Vice Pres. Robredo’s wish for 2018: No more a challenge for PH tourism divisiveness and killings, fewer calamities

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the supposed “negative global perception” of the Philippines remains to be a challenge for the country’s tourism industry, according to the Philippine Department of tourism (Dot).

While saying that is not hard to envision the Philippines as a top travel destination, tourism secretary Wanda tulfo-teo admitted that “misconceptions” of the country has been affecting the nation’s tourist arrivals.

According to teo, the perception Tourism Chief Wanda Teo

Inquirer.net photo

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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 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

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

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A

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december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018 • Oc/Ie aSIan jOurnaL

From the Front Page

Malacañang yearend report: Duterte...

PAGE A1 It also reiterated its commitment to eliminating illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government.

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 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 PAGE A3

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 photos by Mary Dagoy

Palace: Duterte won’t allow...

PAGE A1 law in Mindanao is “necessary to quell the remaining terrorists” in the area after Congress “overwhelmingly” approved to retain it for another year.

He went on to say, “The legal and factual bases of the martial law extension have been clearly established based on the security assessment by our ground commanders.”

“We are thus prepared to defend our position before the High Court,” Roque said.

Last 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.

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, including their recruitment efforts, as basis for his extension request.

Petition against re-extension Opposition lawmakers, however, insisted that the re-exten-

sion of martial law for one more year should be declared “null and void” because there is “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao. “‘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,” their petition read.

They 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.”

The opposition lawmakers likewise 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.

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.”

Apart from Lagman, other 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 group said.

They 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.” n

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)

Paolo Duterte’s resignation ‘accepted’ if...

PAGE A1

fended her brother from accusations 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-

Vice Pres. Robredo’s wish for 2018: No more...

PAGE A1

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 (PAGA-

SA) 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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Dateline USa

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Malacañang yearend report: Duterte... Filipino charged with murder in shooting that killed 2 in Guam

PAGE A2

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

PAGE A1 because of its young, hardworking and English-speaking 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 would restrict its global trade initiatives in line with U.S. president Donald Trump’s socalled “America First” policy, Kim claimed that the U.S. remains to be the “most open economy anywhere.”

He stressed that the U.S. re-

mains 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 opportunities 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 medium-term 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)

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 firstdegree 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 slingshot 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 by the pacific Daily news.

A handgun registered to Sagdal, a 9 mm Canik Tp-9, was confiscated, according to court

Murder suspect Nicholas Sagdal at his booking.

Photo courtesy of Bureau of Corrections

documents.

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

(Inquirer.net)

US envoy: PH economy has ‘tremendous... UN warns Philippines over ‘massive’ impact

Teo: ‘Negative global perception’ a challenge...

PAGE A1

of the philippines as “a center of natural calamities such as typhoons, flash floods and earthquakes” influences the number of foreigners who want to visit the country.

She also cited threats to peace and order, especially in the southern philippines, as among the factors that contribute to the negative perception of the country.

“The DoT continues to face challenges of uplifting tourism amidst perceived security and safety problems. Another factor is the perception of the philippines as the center of natural calamities such as typhoons flash floods and earthquakes,” Teo said during the Tourism Crisis Management Symposium on December 12.

Despite the declaring the Marawi crisis over, the martial

law in Mindanao has been extended until December 31 next year due to threats posed by the communist new people’s Army, islamic extremist groups and local terrorist groups. philippine president Rodrigo Duterte first declared martial law in Mindanao in May amid the attacks of Maute rebel group in lanao del Sur. The government declared the war over in october.

“Despite the overwhelming support the president received from the southern local and regional communities plus the personal testimonies of our southern kababayans that all is well, that the government’s move actually provides stability, the global perception is still —global perception was very, very vague,” Teo said.

She then urged stakeholder to help the country address such

issues to improve the country’s global perception. “we cannot blame those who are outside looking in if the international community perception is one with chaos and instability. it is our duty as stakeholders of this nation to figure out how we can correct this misconception,” Teo said.

“This is why crisis management, much like sustainability, is our shared responsibility,” she added.

According to the DoT, tourism industry contributes to almost 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDp).

Government data also recorded 4.47 million international arrivals to the philippines from January to August 2017. This is higher compared to the 4.04 million during the same period in 2016.

Filipino tissue donor one of the honorees...

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for the floats it will feature from various 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 nonprofit 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 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 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.

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 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 36year 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)

OneLegacy’s float “The Gift of Time,” which will be highlighted at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1, 2018.

AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla

of military ops on Lumads in Mindanao

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

Two United nations experts have warned the philippines over what they call “massive” impact of military operations on indigenous people in Mindanao, with the extension of martial law for another year seen to escalate militarization in the southern region. in a statement dated December 27, Un special rapporteurs Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Cecilia Jimenez-Damary said the ongoing militarization in Mindanao has “massive and potentially irreversible” impact on human rights of some lumads.

“Thousands of lumads have already been forcibly displaced by the conflict and have seen their houses and livelihoods destroyed,” the Un experts said. “we fear the situation could deteriorate further if the extension of martial law until the end of 2018 results in even greater militarization,” they added.

According to Corpuz and Damary, they were particularly alarmed by figures suggesting 2,500 lumads had been displaced since october.

“The very culture and ways of life of indigenous peoples are intimately entwined with their ancestral lands and environments,” they said.

“Forcing indigenous peoples to leave their homes has an in-

calculable impact on their very lives and ways of living – one that risks erasing their culture and existence from the heritage of the philippines, eventually forever,” they added.

They also expressed concern over reports that lumad farmers had allegedly been killed by military forces on December 3 in Barangay ned in the province of South Cotabato.

“The Government of the philippines must ensure that military personnel do not engage in violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples,” the special rapporteurs said. “we urge the philippines to observe its obligations under international law to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples, including in the context of armed conflict,” they added. with 240-27 vote at a joint session, it took Congress less than half a day to approve president Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2018 to defeat jihadist militants and communist rebels operating there. last month, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the Communist party of the philippines and its armed-wing, the new people’s Army, as terrorist organizations.

The declaration, which came after a breakdown of peace

talks following a series of guerrilla attacks, had raised concerns among activists in the national democratic movement that legitimate organizations could be targeted as supporters of terrorism.

Membership in or support of a national democratic activist organization does not mean joining the Cpp or its armed unit.

Meanwhile, Duterte earlier threatened to bomb lumad schools that he said were run by communists to influence the youth to rebel against the government. “we fear that some of these attacks are based on unfounded suspicions that lumads are involved with militant groups or in view of their resistance to mining activities on their ancestral lands,” Corpuz and Damary said.

The national democratic movement believes that imperialism, a feudal agricultural system and “bureaucrat capitalism” has kept most of the philippines poor despite the country being rich in natural resources.

Early this month, advocacy group pAn Asia pacific reported that the philippines recorded the highest number of killings related to land conflicts and struggles in 2017 amid a government crackdown on rural communities. n

A

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEmbER 29, 2017-JANUARy 4, 2018

D ateline PhiliPPines Unlike Palace, DND aware of China

A

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-

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 Transparency Initiative (AMTI), China also continues to build defence “fortifications” on Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) reefs.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano downplayed the think-tank’s report, saying that China has not occupied any new area in the disputed region and has only been “building in areas they already occupy.” n

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.

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

FRUITS FOR NEW YEAR. A stall owner sells round-shaped fruits in time for New Year’s Eve along Carriedo Street in Santa Cruz, Manila. Part of the Filipino tradition is buying 12 kinds of round-shaped fruits on New Year to bring luck and prosperity.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

DFA denies PH has plan to move Duterte: 2017 ends ‘from one sorrow to another’ embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

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

by Dona

J. Pazzibugan Inquirer.net

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denied reports it was engaged in talks with Israel to relocate the Philippine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as the United States said it planned to do despite an international outcry.

For the first time, the DFA explained why it abstained from the United Nations General Assembly vote last Dec. 21 on the issue, saying that the Philippines respected the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

But it also reiterated the Philippines’ long-standing support for the UN’s so-called two-state policy to peacefully resolve the Palestine-Israel conflict, including settling the status of Jerusalem in an eventual peace deal between the two sides.

Considered a holy place by Jews, Muslims and Christians alike, Jerusalem is claimed by both Palestine and Israel as their capital.

“There has been no recent dis-

cussion whether among relevant government agencies or bilaterally with Israel or with any other country, on the location of the Philippine embassy in Israel,” the DFA said in a statement on Wednesday, December 27.

“Any decision on the location of our embassy will be based firmly on our national interest and our long-standing support for peace in the Middle east,” it stressed.

During an emergency special session by the UN General Assembly last Dec. 21, a huge majority of nations rejected U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital with a vote of 128 against 9.

Meanwhile, 35 nations, including the Philippines, abstained, while 21 nations were absent during the vote, after the U.S. threatened to cut aid to those who would oppose its move. earlier, the U.S. move was also rejected by the UN Security Council in a 14-1 vote. The U.S. used its veto power to block the decision.

After the UN General As-

sembly vote, news reports from Israel said the Philippines was among the countries consulting with Israeli authorities on the transfer of their embassy to Jerusalem.

“The Philippines has always supported the policy of two states for two peoples as a long-term solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians,” the DFA said. “The Philippines is also willing to play its part in brokering peace in the region.”

“On the other hand, the Philippines values every nation’s sovereignty. each nation should be able to determine with whom, to what extent, and how it will develop its bilateral relations with other countries,” the DFA added, alluding to the controversial U.S. decision.

“While the Philippines retains this important prerogative, there has been no recent discussion, whether among relevant government agencies, or bilaterally with Israel or with any other country, on the location of the Philippine embassy in Israel,” the DFA stressed. n

A

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OpiniOn

Philippines should carefully weigh policy on Israel

Features

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

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

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.”

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

Commentary

ManilaTimes.net photo

“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

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

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

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

White House photo

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 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: PAGE 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,

GreG B. MacaBenta just off Sucat.

As if this is not bad enough, 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 loca-

tion 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 much-advertised 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 PAGE A7

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEmbER 29, 2017-JANUARy 4, 2018

A

Duterte vetoes some provisions of 2018 nat’l budget by ian

HELP IS ON THE WAY. Volunteers fill up boxes with relief goods to be distributed to typhoon victims in Lanao del Norte. The Department of Social Welfare and Development continues to send food and other basic items to thousands of families who lost their homes after tropical storm Vinta unleashed floods that triggered landslides, killing more than 200 people.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

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

a statement.

The Catholic Church celebrates Niños Inocentes annually MANILA - As they commemo- to commemorate the innocent rate Niños Inocentes (or the Holy children who were killed by order Innocents’ Day), Filipinos should of King Herod of Judea, who was remember and pray for the chil- fearful of being overthrown by dren who were killed in the con- the prophesized Messiah, to enduct of the government’s brutal sure the death of Jesus Christ. war on drugs, Sen. Leila de Lima De Lima, a former Commissaid Thursday, December 28. sion on Human Rights chairperDe Lima said the celebration of son, said the celebration is remiHoly Innocents’ Day should serve niscent of the fate of the minors as the chance for people to pray who were killed in either police for justice for young EJK victims operations or vigilante-style and the healing of their families. killings since President Rodri“Ipanalangin nating matig- go Duterte assumed power. il na ang karumal-dumal na paAccording to rights group Amt a y a n s a a t i n g b a y a n p a - nesty International, as much as ra sa isang maaliwalas na bukas 60 young individuals have been para sa lahat lalo na sa mga ba- killed in anti-drug operations ta,” the detained senator said in since June 2016, adding that by

Philstar.com

According to rights group Amnesty International, as much as 60 young individuals have been killed in anti-drug operations since June 2016, adding that family members claim they witnessed cops shooting children “begging for mercy” at point-blank range.

Philstar.com photo by Ernie Peñaredondo

US security strategy: Getting...

PAGE A5 “Our forces will be strong enough to dissuade potential adversaries from pursuing a military build-up 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 China’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 ex-

panding 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 he didn’t blame China for taking advantage of the U.S. over many administrations, the thrust of his statement was that such behavior would not be tolerated in his presidency. He meant he was planning to be tough with China.

The national security document confirms that toughness.

The North Korean issue means that Beijing can buy some time by cooperating with Washington, but Trump’s overall China policy is set. (ManilaTimes.net)

An opportunity to modernize...

PAGE A5 chance to prove that he is a much better visionary than his predecessors.

For months, all kinds of patchwork 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 considering 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)

family members claim they witnessed cops shooting children “begging for mercy” at pointblank range.

The cases of minors killed in Duterte’s drug war include 17year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz whose deaths have sparked public outcry.

Duterte’s war on drugs, which has claimed over 12,000 lives according to rights watchdog, has received strong criticisms at home and abroad.

The government has disputed these numbers. According to the latest #RealNumbersPH data release, there have been 3,967 drug suspects killed in government operations since July 2016. n

niColas CiGaral Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed four “rider” provisions of his freshly signed 2018 national budget.

Early this month, Duterte inked Republic Act No. 10964, or the General Appropriations Act of 2018, which was about 12.4 percent more than the P3.35-trillion budget for 2017.

Malacañang on Wednesday, December 27, released a copy of Duterte’s veto message dated December 19 and was sent to Congress.

“Powered by a sound financing program and carefully crafted priorities, the 2018 Budget will not only foster the golden age of infrastructure and secure peace and order, but also accelerate human capital development for sustained and inclusive growth,” the president said.

Below are the items vetoed by Duterte and his corresponding comments: • Provision granting of monitoring expenses for members of Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. According to Duterte, board members are already authorized to receive per diems in the performance of their official functions under the Salary Standardization Law. • Provision prohibiting the imposition and collections of fees in relation to the Retention of Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship and Provision authorizing the Department of Education to use its appropriations for maintenance and other operating requirements for its capital outlay needs. The

President Rodrigo Duterte is flanked by lawmakers as he leads the Ceremonial Signing of the 2018 General Appropriations Act and Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion in Malacañang Palace last Dec. 19.

Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

president argued that agencies of the government cannot be deprived of their inherent authority to assess reasonable fees in the provision of services.

• Provision on the use of income to augment the operational requirements of the Energy Regulatory Commission. Duterte said that apart from being a “rider,” the sources of income enumerated have already been included in the Non-Tax Revenue Program for fiscal year 2018, “thereby resulting in double programming for the said income sources.”

As required by the 1987 Constitution, the education department received the lion’s share of the budget with P553.3 billion.

Agencies with the highest allocations include Department of

the Interior and Local Government (P170.8 billion), Department of National Defense (P149.7 billion) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (P141.8 billion).

Last Friday, the Department of Finance released a copy of Duterte’s message to Congress which consists of five line item vetoes to Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill.

With the presidential veto, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the TRAIN act’s estimated revenue should go up to at least P90 billion.

The TRAIN law is the first package of the administration’s muchawaited Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. It takes effect on Jan. 1, 2018. n

A

December 29, 2017-January 4, 2018 • Oc/Ie aSIan JOurnaL

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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

resolution.

Kamille Rose Soler, transformational speaker, life and 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 Continued on Page 3 Artwork by Jillian Peñalosa

the same resolutions year after year. According to Statistic 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

december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018

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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

Photo courtesy of StatePoint Photo from Shuva Rahim/stock.Adobe.com morning.

National Debt Relief, people make irrational decisions whenever they feel in control of your busy schedule, Stress less exaggerated emotions. Using retail therapy when you’re feeling down or then cross items off the list when Stress can have adverse when you’re in a celebratory mood will only lead to overspending. Unless completed. effects on minds and bodies, as you can commit to a strict limit, it’s best to avoid spending when you’re at Practice positivity insomnia, weight gain, anxiety an emotional high (or low).

A sunny outlook can affect and depression are all potential • Budget. This will help you save money as budgeting gives you an your wellbeing. Keep a gratitude related risks. While it isn’t always idea about how much you spend whenever journal by writing down avoidable, simple changes will you’re shopping. Knowing your financial something good that happens help you manage tension. situation will help lessen impulsive each day. On bad days, you’ll be Sometimes, stress can be buying. forced to focus on the positive solved with some “me time.”

• Know your shopping aspects of your life.

Treat yourself to a massage or weaknesses. Is it shoes? Clothes? If One of the best ways to manicure, soak in a hot bath, you’re on a tight budget, knowing improve your happiness is by or unwind with a nature walk. your weaknesses will help you giving others a boost. Volunteer Connecting with others can help, with a charitable organization avoid the department store or your too. Plan a brunch with your best or donate to a favorite cause. favorite boutique. friend or a date night with your • Stop and ask yourself. Before Practice doing something kind significant other. buying anything, take the time to ask daily.

Feeling overwhelmed with yourself if you really need the item. Knowing This new year, take small work and family life? Build out a difference between needs and wants will help in steps to help you feel happier and the to-do list or calendar to feel more healthier. (StatePoint) curbing your spending habits and saving money this new year.

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 3

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 3

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

by Niña

GuNo

Inquirer.net

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

described the range of emotions she felt while seeing the natural light show. “Nakatulala, nakakaiyak, nagulat ako (I was dumbstruck, crying, shocked).”

The 28-year-old actorsinger had just one word for the experience: “Amazing.”

Continuing their adventure, the pair went dog-sledding in negative 19-degrees Celsius Xian Lim and Kim Chiu weather.

Photo from Instagram/@xianlimm They also bonded with the when their tour guide told them it doggos who gave them a ride. was cloudy.

“Sorry for being so heavy,” She couldn’t help gushing over wrote Lim in an instagram post the experience. “it is truly magical! with the dogs.

Totoo nga sya akala ko edit lang While the two have yung colors (It’s real, I thought the been romantically linked, no colors were just edited)! it is really confirmation has come from dancing!” either one on their relationship The “Ghost Bride” star status.

december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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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 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 Inquirer.net photo night.

Other nominees for Best Actor that truth,” shared Soler. were Coco martin (“Ang Panday”), The reason? “Because the truth Jericho Rosales (“Siargao”) will set you free and we all want to and Joross Gamboa (“Deadma feel free to live our fullest and best Walking”). life. So, keep it real,” she added.

For Best Supporting Actor, the Remember, January is just a award went to Edgar Allan Guzday in the calendar so don’t be man (“Deadma Walking”). Other afraid to re-evaluate your goals and nominees include Robert Arevacommitments when needed. lo (“Ang Larawan”), Jake Cuenca Get a support system Soler advises getting a “warrior (“Ang Panday”), Nonie Buencamibuddy” — someone who is willing no (“Ang Larawan”) and Sandino martin (“Ang Larawan”). to root for you, knows about your For Best Director, the goals, and is someone you can nominees were Julius Alfonso check in with and vice versa, at (“Deadma Walking”), Loy Arcenas least twice a month.

“The health of our relationships (“Ang Larawan”), Coco martin (“Ang Panday”), Dan Villegas (“All 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.”

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.

Tips on finally achieving your goals...

From Page 2 weight, versus telling yourself that you’ll go for a walk three times a week or join a boot camp to reach 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

Easy ways to cut back on...

From Page 2

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)

Members of the ‘Larawan’ team (from left) – producers Girlie Rodis, Ampil, Rachel Alejandro and Celeste Legazpi sing on stage together with Dulce and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo after receiving the Best Picture Award.

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.”

Liza Soberano takes number one spot Hungarian envoy lovestruck with in ‘100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017’ Jose Rizal’s ‘Mi Ultimo Adios’ december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018

www.asianjournal.com

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by Katrina

Hallare Inquirer.net

by GHio

onG Philstar.com

THE Hungarian ambassador has fallen in love with the poem “Mi Ultimo adios” or “My Last Farewell” written by Dr. Jose Rizal and hopes his fellow citizens would also get to learn more about the national hero.

“Every Hungarian…(who will) visit here in Manila, i hope they will come to the Rizal Museum... to see Rizal’s life,” Dr. József Bencze told reporters as he and officials of the National Historical Commission of the philippines (NHCp) unveiled a marker for “Mi Ultimo adios” in intramuros, Manila.

Bencze, a police general and a poet, translated the poem and said the process gave him a “very fantastic feeling.”

Rizal wrote the poem before his execution on the grounds of Bagumbayan or what is now Rizal park on Dec. 30, 1896.

He described the poem, which he finished translating in around

two days, as “a very real vision” of Rizal as he bid goodbye to his family, friends and country before he died by firing squad.

“When i finished the translation and read it to my colleagues for the first time, when i finished reading everyone was crying... the poem is really fantastic,” he said.

By translating “Mi Ultimo adios”, Bencze wanted to show the “Hungarian style” of “honoring Rizal and respect for the philippine people.”

This is the 16th marker bearing the translation of Rizal’s last poem in another language, which also includes arabic, italian and Chinese.

Bencze “fell in love” after reading “Mi Ultimo adios” upon noticing the markers bearing translations of the poem in other languages, NHCp executive director Ludovico Badoy said.

“When the ambassador visited the Rizal shrine in Fort Santiago for the first time, they fell in love, they got to know

more about the national hero and then he went to the garden, saw the different translations from different countries… and when he read the ‘Mi Ultimo adios’, he fell in love with it,” he said.

He also noted that the NHCp, along with the National Commission for Culture and the arts (NCCa), promotes awareness about Rizal through the Centro Rizal situated in philippine embassies.

Badoy said “it’s about time” for people, especially the youth, “to put into their minds the love for our country and our people.”

“Especially now, it is really a challenge not only for the parents but for all of us to impart this to the youth,” he said.

The NHCp said various programs will be held in celebration of Rizal Day on Saturday, which include medical services, job fair and discount caravan. president Duterte is expected to lead the commemoration of Rizal’s death anniversary.

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,

Liza Soberano

Philstar.com photo

joy, promise, hope” in finding the most beautiful people from almost 40 countries to be included in its lists.

Pia Wurtzbach says comment on wanting gay child ‘misinterpreted’

merong excited na bihisan ako, na ayusan ako, alagaan Philstar.com ako. parang magiging best MiSS Universe 2015 pia friend ko. Nai-imagine ko na‘yung Wurtzbach on Wednesday, anak ko, best friend ko, at beki December 27, apologized to siya (And I want to experience the lesbian, gay, bisexual and having someone who is excited to transgender community over her dress me up, to do my make-up, to comment on wanting a gay child. take care of me. He would be like my Wurtzbach, who said she was best friend. I imagine my child would shocked to see negative reactions be my best friend, and he’s gay),” she regarding her recent interview added. with aBS-CBN’s “Tonight with Boy This comment of Wurtzbach abunda” took to Twitter to say earned mixed reactions from that she does not mean to offend netizens. Some said her remark anyone when she said she wanted speaks about her stereotypical a gay child. She also said her perception of the LGBT community comment was “misinterpreted.” which “belittles” them. Others Philstasr.com photo defended her. “please don’t misinterpret what Pia Wurtzbach i said. i have high regards for the care of their aging parents really Wurtzbach then said that LGBT. it was just a fun interview, well. she would treat the incident as a guys! Meant no disrespect at all.

“Because i really believe na lesson.

Mahal ko kayo! Happy holidays aalagaan ka nila kapag matanda ka “Lesson learned: always always everyone! #GoodVibesLang,” na (they would take care of you when be cautious with what you say,” she Wurtzbach wrote in her tweet. you grow old). Not to say na hindi wrote. “[Namisinterpret] lang po (I ka aalagaan kung straight ‘yung The beauty queen is an was just misinterpreted). Meant anak mo (this is not to say that advocate of HiV awareness and no malice at all. i didn’t mean to you would not be taken care of if a known supporter of the LGBT offend anyone. i’m sorry for the your child is straight), but based community. She recently called out misunderstanding,” she added. on my experience, iba mag-alaga the philippine Drug Enforcement On Tuesday, December 26, ‘yung beki (a gay person has an agency and some members of the Wurtzbach was asked by abunda extraordinary way of taking care of media for disclosing the HiV status why she wants to have a gay you),” Wurtzbach responded. of one of the suspects in a HONORING RIZAL. Hungarian Ambassador József Bencze and National Historical Commission of the Philippines executive director Ludovico child. The former beauty queen “and gusto kong buy-bust operation in a hotel in Badoy unveil a historical marker of Dr. Jose Rizal’s ‘Mi Ultimo Adios’ translated into Hungarian at the Rizal Shrine inside Fort Santiago in answered that gay children take ma-experience ‘yung Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Intramuros, Manila.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

by ricKy lo

SERVICES

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 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.”

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

5 Coming back from the brink of a near-death experience Christ must be a part of Christmas and our “ Unless a grain of wheat shall fall daily lives to have a life with joyful meaning upon the ground and die, It remains december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018

www.asianjournal.com

“Jesus tells us that the love was inspiring that motivated for others — foreigners, the sick, The me to heed the challenge of –From a hymn composed by Bernadette Farrell prisoners, the homeless, even our Metamorphosis Subaru’s CEO to donate some enemies — is the yardstick by money to the CNN heroes’ which God will judge our actions, causes to be matched up to half chance of coming back to their over who have come back from our eternal destiny depends on a million dollars. I just hope all previous physical life. the edge of death, having gone this.” - Pope Francis the other networks or multiMany of those who have gone through what is called NDE or It has been forty plus ErniE D. DElfin national companies will also though NDE report that there is Near Death Experience. years that I have witnessed honor other heroes so that every that feeling of being drawn into Are you afraid of death? I am. I means doing our best to follow and celebrated the birthday of month we are reminded and suppose so do most of humankind a tunnel. there is the presence of His teachings and admonition.

Christ in America, a nation built inspired that there are still many a strong, white, comforting light through most of history.

What we do daily becomes a on Judeo-Christian traditions. people who immerse themselves at the end of it. the light appears In Greek mythology, the Fates habit. that’s faith in action, Over those four decades, I have small and as they progress represented by 3 women named, exemplified by the way saints live in the service towards others. seen the gradual transformation As past Rotary International through the tunnel, it becomes Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos their lives. Christ was not only a and obvious commercialism president Cliff Dochterman a strong being of light filled with determined a person’s destiny revolutionary individual but also of Christmas that may have proclaimed, “Real Happiness is love and compassion. upon birth. Clotho is the spinner a great servant leader during His contributed to the decline of Serving Others,” a philosophy Many report of meeting who spins the thread of life and time on Earth. He was not just its true essence, as the name that hundreds of thousands deceased relatives. Many go Lachesis is the measurer who great teacher but our Savior by of Christ is gradually separated through a flashback of powerful chooses a man’s lot in life and how from CHRIStmas. to be politically dying on the cross, to redeem us of Rotarians heed, believe and practice everyday throughout memories like a review of long it is to be. Atropos is the most from our sins. correct, people — including the world. dreaded one. It is she who decided their life, both good and bad. the story of Jesus — from Christians and Catholics —greet However, with countless basic Above all, there seems to be an how and when a man is to die, His birth in Bethlehem in a lowly or decorate their workplace or human needs that are unmet overwhelming feeling of release using her large, sharp, unrelenting manger to His death in Calvary homes with “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” from all the constraints of their scissors to cut off the thread of and His Resurrection on the third globally there is still a massive greetings, instead of the need for people to become physical lives. life. No one, not even the Gods at day — is the greatest story ever traditional “MERRY CHRIStMAS” Servant Leaders, to lessen the For some, the decision to Olympus trifled with her. told. Our faith in Christ gives signage. I often wonder why human suffering and tragedies return is theirs to make. For others, people are afraid or hesitant to Should we fear death? Stories us hope and hope gives us life. in our world. More works of the decision has already been abound that tell of those who Without HIM, our human life will say “Merry Christmas” whereas charity, social justice and peace made that their time to die hasn’t have gone through NDE that be meaningless. some non-Christians, like our are sorely needed in many parts come yet and that they must go strongly indicate that there is Christmas is a season that Muslim brothers or sisters, are of our planet. this columnist back. An unfinished business or a grace in dying. there is strong unabashedly proud to wear their motivates us to think more of in his own modest ways, is also strong emotional attachment can hijab, niqab or burga, as a part evidence of life beyond death others, hence we take precious make some go back and resume and that the act of dying is time to buy and wrap many gifts contributing his time, talent of their garments. Although and treasure in a few volunteer living. transitioning into that life. for our loved ones, family and America was founded as a works: like Catholic Church Peace the impact of NDE is life In almost all cases of NDE, friends. And we do our best Christian nation, it appears that & Justice Ministry and Prison people relate of feeling weightless, changing. Documentation for and take precious time to “feed it is shying away from those Ministry ( www.rcbo.org./group/ those who have been declared floating and hovering above the homeless, clothe the naked, Christian beliefs and traditions. restore), also with Gawad Kalinga clinically dead and have come looking down at their own bodies give drink to the thirsty and visit Now, the vocal minority non(www.gk1world.com), and to back to resume living shows that and even seeing how doctors, those in prison” (Matthew 25:36Christians who want America our Rotary organization (www. those who have seen a glimpse nurses and technicians struggle to 46). Even donations to charities to forget its glorious past by rotary.org). I challenge our dear of life beyond death undergo bring them back from the brink. and churches surge during this demanding the deletion of readers who are not yet doing profound changes. Many have they are literally hanging on Christmas season. Practicing Christ’s name and all things that any Service Above Self to please changed their view of life for by a thread. It is an out of body century old tradition, families pertain to Him. these demands consider volunteering in their the better. Some have a better experience and that there exists and friends get together to include but not limited to the appreciation of life becoming a thin silver iridescent cord that banning of prayer in schools and celebrate this joyous occasion of communities in any humanitarian more kind, compassionate and still connects them to their own Jesus’ birthday. Service to others organizations. Doing so will other public places, Christmas make one’s life worth living and considerate of others. bodies. If that cord is cut, it means becomes more common and trees, stars and decorations; and fulfilled, and real JOY will be its For others, there is a renewed that they are now truly physically has become a tradition for many even the ten Commandment fruits. sense of purpose and a reordering signs in public! And they are dead and that they will continue families.

Lastly, may I (again) share Continued on Page 6 winning slowly but surely. on to the afterlife with no more Serving others without Removing such reminders of our expecting anything is a universal my Christmas prayer that was originally composed more faith, regardless of one’s religion, truth that keeps countless than20 years ago: of non-profit organizations and challenging our rights to My Christmas Prayer to continue their mission of practice them or pray, I believe, It’s Christmas Day again volunteerism and servicing the Q: Why do my feet swell in the has some direct correlation today no longer use MSG. If in and I feel all alone — except needs of others from America with lawlessness and crimes evening? doubt, ask the manager or waiters, with my thoughts, reliving where to Africa.

For instance, last Dec. committed in our country today.

Edema (swelling) of the legs and instruct them accordingly.

PhiliP S. ChuA, I have been, where I am now 17, CNN again honored ten People who conveniently and feet, when present all the Q: at 72, can Viagra still MD, fACS, fPCS and where I want go from here.

Heroes of the Year, who have remove Christ from their time, could be due to excess improve my performance?

Although I am a man, I can’t unselfishly did extraordinary Christmas celebration probably salt intake, heart failure, kidney Your feat, albeit not as perfect help but become nostalgic with acts of compassion to others means that He may not be really disease, Beri-Beri (vitamin B-1 as you want it to be, is amazing.

Q: What is holiday heart misty eyes, while composing this without expectations of being present in their lives during deficiency), some tropical parasitic Majority of men, even 20 years Syndrome? unorthodox Christmas prayer. compensated. the timing just the other months of the year. infestations, and other even rarer younger, are unable to do it as Prevalent during holidays, about a week before Christmas to be a believer and follower diseases. Since yours happens often as you do. Weakly perhaps, this symptom complex is Continued on Page 6 only in the evening, and since but not weekly. Viagra (Sildenafil mainly characterized by cardiac you stated in your email that you Citrate) is a marvelous pill, truly arrhythmias (heart rhythm were otherwise in perfect health, a giant step for man, that would irregularity), mostly due to then I suspect the edema to be help, but you must consult with alcoholic binges. the excitement due to some leg vein insufficiency, your physician to make sure you brought on by the festivities and where the valves in your leg ingestion of a lot of caffeine (coffee, are not on any form of nitrates veins are somewhat incompetent (heart medications), which chocolate, cola drinks) during the allowing back flow of blood and is dangerous when taken in holidays could also play a role in pooling of blood in your lower combination with Viagra, and that this syndrome. the symptoms extremities by gravity. Elevation you do not have any health risk are transient, unless the person of your feet at least 4 inches that will contraindicate the use of has other complicating health higher than your knees whenever this very effective pill for erectile problems. you can, especially when you Q: Last Christmas I was happy dysfunction. get home at night, will help the Q: I have bleeding after sex, and also sad. Why? venous circulation of your legs and what is wrong? the feeling is called Christmas minimize, if not eliminate, edema. trauma is the most common Blues, or Holiday or Birthday Low salt diet, and wearing support cause, especially among virgin Blues. this is not uncommon. the stockings (when you are on your females. Infection can cause sadness could be due to sorrowful feet) will also help. the best is for cervical inflammation, abrasions or memories of past events recalled you to have a medical check-up excoriations that bleed on contact. during this season, or feeling sorry by your physician if the swelling for yourself, some family members, Hormonal problem or cancer can persists. also lead to vaginal bleeding. If friends, or even strangers for D EC E M B E R 27-29 Q: are eyeshades beneficial? you have bleeding, even staining, certain negatives occurrences Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates Yes, dark glasses to protect our every time you have sex, then it or misfortunes in your or their eyes from the glaring brightness is most prudent for you to seek lives, personal problems, financial 50th anniversary in Naga City of any source, like the sun and its consultation with a gynecologist. worries, some guilt for things you The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th AnniUV rays. these rays (UVA and UVB), Recurrent vaginal bleeding, did or failed to do, or some things versary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni memand laser lights cause eye damage you want to do but couldn’t. Any of with or without sex, is abnormal bers. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines (cataracts, etc.) premature skin and should be investigated to these can explain the sadness one Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee aging, and skin cancers. Using make certain no serious medical feels during a festive occasion like table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, eyeshades daily and staying under the Christmas season. this is usually condition exists. tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for a shade or umbrella to reduce sun Q: Can fright kill? seasonal and temporary, unless the the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will exposure are healthy behaviors. essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a Yes, sudden or extreme fright problem causing it lingers on remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion Polarized dark glasses with UV can, among other possible effects, Q: Is MSG safe? will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities ray protection are best, with our lead to an instant and steep rise Eating food with “Betsin” lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those without prescription. Consult with in adrenalin (and other neuro(MSG: Monosodium Glutamate, residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute your optician or ophthalmologist chemical) level in the blood flavor enhancer) could cause a their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various to find out what is best for you. condition known as “Chinese Food circulation, leading to dangerous identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For *** Syndrome,” which could sometimes or fatal arrhythmia (heart coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the irregularity) called ventricular mimic a heart attack. It causes The main objective of this column is to following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); fibrillation followed by cardiac chest pains, facial pressure, and educate and inspire people live a healthier Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo.ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD burning sensations throughout the arrest. this is especially true lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, (email: assjrmd@gmail.com). among those with heart disease to body, sometimes with dizziness and achieve a happier and more productive D EC E M B E R 3 1 begin with. Death by fright is not or fainting, which are mostly life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or very common but it does happen. temporary. this phenomenon treatment in our article are general medical Fil-Am Council of Ventura County to host New Year’s Eve celebration Q: Do pets help sick people in is a pharmacologic reaction to information and not intended to be applicable in Oxnard, CA Monosodium Glutamate, a popular their recovery? or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a Yes, pets, like dogs for instance, substitute for your physician, who knows your white powder food seasoning used The Filipino American Council of Ventura County, Inc. invites the community to an evening greatly help patients recover from in cooking. the symptoms are due condition well and who is your best ally when of GLAM and GLITTER as we ring in the new year on Sunday, December 31, from 6 p.m. - midto individual sensitivity or reaction, their illness. Medical literature is it comes to your health. night at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center located at 800 Hobson Way in Oxnard, California. replete with reports where even and are dose-related. Most people *** This year, the Fil-Am Council has taken over OPACC to provide guests with two options to are not bothered by MSG, but some terminally ill people gained greater Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac celebrate! The Oxnard Room: Glam & Glitter — The magical evening will include dinner, a react to it more severely. Although strength and more will to live Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and short program featuring the induction of officers for the Filipino American Council, raffles, and a lot of dancing to live music by Boyd Elston which includes the latest cha-cha, ballroom, and when their pet is near them. the death is very rare, some people chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to tunes to line dance to! Donation: $45 presale, $50 at Door; $25 children 12 years and below. security, unconditional loyalty and could actually be allergic to it and 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, Attire is semi formal. The second option is the Ventura Room: THE FLIP SIDE! Local deejay, DJ love of “man’s best friend” have die from it. those who develop where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus CARL10 will be mixing the hottest tracks for our GENX guest to groove to, from old school to infinite medicinal value to the any of the symptoms enumerated in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. new school and everything in between! Donation is $25, doors open at 9 p.m. Sponsorships are suffering patient, much like the above after eating food cooked He is a Fellow of the American College of available. For more information, please call Myrna Viloria at (805) 236-8901 or Grace Tuazon at love and compassion of human with MSG should clearly request Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, (805) 766-3231. To purchase tickets, please visithttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/fil-am-council-ofloved ones. And more often than chefs or cooks in restaurants, at and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular ventura-county-new-years-eve-celebration-tickets-39771817577?aff=es2. not pets, especially dogs, are more home, or anywhere else not to Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the loving, forgiving, and loyal than use MSG in preparing their food.

Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the even some of our friends and Because of this syndrome, many humanitarian foundation in the United States. details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com relatives.

Chinese (and other) restaurants Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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but a single grain with no life.”

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6

Direk Joyce: Box-office triumph doesn’t define who you are

How Jasmine Curtis got her ‘Siargao’ body

by Deni

Rose BeRnaRDo

Philstar.com

DURING Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff’s recent wedding in New Zealand, guests noticed that Anne’s sister and maid of honor, Jasmine Curtis, lost a lot of

by PaBlo a. taRiman Philstar.com weight. Is it because of her latest movie and Metro Manila Film A FEW days before Festival (MMFF) entry “Siargao”?

Christmas, director Joyce Bernal “Hindi naman!” Jasmine said faced media men who survived with a laugh during a recent four hours on the road to interview with Philstar.com. reach the presscon venue for Although she thinks that “Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger being a surfer girl in “Siargao” Squad” in an industrial town in helped tone her physique, she Laguna. attributed her sexier curves to It looked like a typical, having no house help for months. stressful day for everyone, but the “The shock on the body was director is the epitome of take-itintense since I’m doing a lot of as-they-come attitude. She is cool house work now. It’s a workout!” about a lot of things and how the Jasmine revealed in the interview passing year looked like for her. following her launch as endorser “I did three films during the year of hair care brand Pantene. and I guess it was pretty good. I She said that her two dogs am working on another film with and two-bedroom flat are there to Sarah Geronimo and of course, keep her busy sweating out. it ended with this Metro Manila “So far, kaya naman. And Film Festival (MMFF) entry with also I’m enjoying the feeling of Vice Ganda.” living alone and the goal is to MMFF 2017 entry “Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad” director Joyce Bernal (second from It is the second time around left) with stars (from left) Daniel Padilla, Pia Wurtzbach and Vice Ganda. Philstar.com photo live independently because one for her with this feisty stand-up day what if I decide to try it out comedian who defies labeling good at. On the set with her is to hit hard, but she is too wary to abroad?” cajoled the actress, who every time he takes a leave hurt her co-star. In the beginning, not like work. We laugh a lot, we is preparing herself for auditions, from his noontime show to do a share meals and jokes and truly, she is lost in the dialogue rejections and living alone when once-a-year movie project. “Let’s exchange and her timing is not it’s like working with a barkada. she tries it out in Hollywood face it, Vice Ganda is a big entity good. But by not being in sync But mind you, you have to be someday. now considering his box-office ready when she wants you to do with the rest, she creates her She clarified, though, that following. What does it take to something different. Her level of own funny moment. In time, she is not leaving the Philippines handle a box-office star? Well, artistry is high, and she knows she will learn. For one, she has soon. courage for one. When you work the energy and the discipline to at what point she can get the “During a long break from with someone like him, you best from me. But we both know absorb what is there for her in local showbiz, I might go to study where he is good at and we can’t present the same Vice this line of work. In fairness to Hollywood or be inspired to go what he represents. Then you Ganda all over again.” her, she worked very hard and in there.

I just want to be open with tell yourself you have to find a Why should movie audiences the end, she delivered. She didn’t way to present him in another watch her film with Vice Ganda? have the airs of a beauty queen light. Or find a different story to Joyce said, “Let’s face it, Vice while working and it was obvious make the job extra challenging,” from the way she dealt with us is synonymous with fun and direk Joyce said. “To be sure, he laughter and I can’t imagine that she didn’t want a special

by KatRina HallaRe knows what he wants, and you Christmas without them.” treatment.”

Inquirer.net have to act fast to catch up with But to work well, the director For Vice, direk Joyce is TV host and entrepreneur his ideas. Because every project added that she has found a virtually his “second mother” Raymond Gutierrez reminisced is different, and every artist is better way of dealing with when direk Wenn Deramas about his decision of being in different. As the director, you pressure even as media men passed away a few years back. shape. work hard to get the best from were quick to quote box-office “In the beginning, you feel like On an Instagram post on everybody.” figures and how her latest output an orphan and you wonder who Monday, Gutierrez shared a photo Working with a will most likely fare at the tills else you can work with. It didn’t of himself and celebrity chef newcomer to the movies with other equally strong MMFF take effort to like her. It is pure Erwan Heussaff, who was with like former Miss Universe entries. joy working with her. She knows him to witness his fitness journey Pia Wurtzbach, direk Joyce is She admits a box-office what she wants, and she knows throughout. candid. “Well, she is new in triumph boosts her confidence in what level your collaboration “Surround yourself with people the business and she is new but made one thing clear. can work with good result. who push you to work harder,” the in comedy which needs good “Box-office results give you an “Yes, she is very versatile for TV host wrote. Along with Heussaff, timing to be effective. She had one. She can handle materials for idea how far or how deeply you he tagged in trainer Arnold a hard time slapping Vice in the specific audiences and she knows connected with your audience.

Aninion who helped him attain his confrontation scene. You tell her But it doesn’t define who I am.” my audience and where I am current physique.

Sharing the same photo on his own page, Heussaff applauded Gutierrez for not only keeping up but for also now being able to push forward. “He is also more disciplined with his diet than I am!” he added.

Because of his inspiring post,

my career. Kasi naghahanap din ako kung sa’n ako pinakabagay. At hindi ko rin maiiwan ang Pilipinas.

It’s still a home to me. Gusto ko lang mag-try ng ibang bagay.”

So far, she is enjoying her career and her bikini-worthy “Siargao” body.

“This year is a big adjustment so na-shock ‘yung body ko. But I’m trying to gain a little weight because I’m also not comfortable being so thin,” she professed.

According to her, Pantene helped protect her hair from being damaged by seawater while filming “Siargao.”

“On days when I don’t have a glam team, I feel uncomfortable.

Pero on days na I want to feel comfortable, kahit walang ayosayos, go lang. Nakasuklay naman ako!” Jasmine enthused.

She admitted that for men, she likes “big curls” like those of “Game of Thrones” star Jon Snow, the younger Jonny Depp, or her “Siargao” co-star Jericho “Echo” Rosales.

“It was very nice working with Echo. He’s very brotherly. Maalaga s’ya na actor. He’ll talk to you about the script. He’ll talk with the director, he’ll get involved.”

She also appreciates director Paul Soriano’s unique directing style. “He would bring the two of you to talk and discuss the scene.

Hindi ‘yung kung ano ‘yung nasa script, eto na ‘yung ishu-shoot natin. He asks what actors think, what we can revise and make better. It’s a very collaborative work and it’s a good experience!”

Jasmine Curtis flaunts her bikini body in Siargao. Instagram/@Jasmine Curtis Smith

What can moviegoers expect from “Siargao”?

“Pain and the feeling of hope and love. Also expect the great shots in the water!” said Jasmine.

According to her, the film’s outfit hired a Siargao-based cameraman who takes world-class shots in the water.

“Masaya kasi lahat ng tao du’n (Siargao) community ang feeling. So, kung may hindi kilala, tatanungin ka nila kung okay ka…

Everyone makes everyone feel safe. So, it’s a place that makes you feel you’re part of a community, much like La Union or Baler…Very welcoming and accommodating.”

If there is something she learned from making the movie, it is to look like a more natural surfer.

She said she started surfing last year, thanks to her non-showbiz boyfriend, Jeff Ortega, who taught her to ride the waves.

Raymond Gutierrez and the year he got fit

Photos from Instagram/@mond

netizens could not help but express their awe at how Gutierrez achieved his goal, and wished they could do the same.

It was back in March when he wowed his fans and followers with his weight loss, documenting the whole process on social media.

Coming back from the brink of a...

From Page 5

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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

Christ must be a part of Christmas and...

From Page 5

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

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

december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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december 29, 2017-january 4, 2018 www.asianjournal.com

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