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DATELINE Duterte thanks US for returning Balangiga bells FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
AFTER 117 years in the United States’ possession, the Balangiga bells made their way home to Balangiga, Eastern Samar. President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, December 15, witnessed the turnover of the Transfer Certificate of the Balangiga Bells from U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission John Law to Philippine Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The president, then, personally led the handover ceremony of the historic bells to the people of Balangiga. He also handed the certificate of transfer to Balangiga Mayor Randy Graza. Duterte, in his speech, thanked the U.S. government for the return of the century-old war artifacts. He also said that the return of the bells was possible due to “several efforts made by both Americans and the Philippines� and that no
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Study: Asian American students have highest amount of unmet financial aid need
ASIAN Americans remain the fastest growing population in the U.S., but recently released data by the U.S. Department of Education shows that Asian American students have the largest gap between the cost of college and what they must pay—a gap advocates are labeling as unmet need. “This further illuminates how the Asian ‘model minority’ myth is damaging to the success of Asian American communities and has wide-ranging implications postsecondary financial aid policies,� said the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Improving Philippines-China ties not a concern for US by PATRICIA LOURDEVIRAY Philstar.com
WASHINGTON does not consider the improving relations between Manila and Beijing as a concern, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said. The American envoy said he thinks that all countries in the region want to have a productive and constructive relationship with China. “And the fact that the Philippines is interested in
improving relations with China also is not surprising and it is not by itself a cause of concern,� Kim told CNN Philippines’ “The Source� Wednesday, December 18. Kim added that he was not surprised that President Rodrigo Duterte has pursued policies based on the Philippines’ own interests and independent foreign policy. The envoy said he was more focused on maintaining the strong alliance between the Philippines and the U.S. while the former seeks stronger ties with
other nations. “I am quite confident that our relationship in all aspects including, of course, our very strong alliance remains very much intact,� Kim said. Asked if the proposed joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea would affect U.S. freedom of navigation operations in the area, Kim said it should not. “Freedom of navigation and overflight are international rights for everybody and does not belong PAGE A2
Philippines moves up to 8th in gender gap ranking by LOUELLA
DESIDERIO Philstar.com
THE Philippines climbed two places to reach the eighth spot out of 149 countries in this year’s Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum. The WEF index showed the Philippines, which placed eighth this year from 10th in 2017, was the second highest ranked country in the East Asia and the Pacific. Within the East Asia and the Pacific region, New Zealand (sixth) was ahead of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the following countries in East Asia and the Pacific region were behind the Philippines: Lao People’s Democratic Republic (26th), Australia (39th), Mongolia (58th), Singapore (67th), Thailand (73rd), Vietnam (77th), Indonesia (85th) and Myanmar (88th). In terms of the overall index, Iceland remained the world’s most gender-equal country as it topped the list. This was followed by Norway in second place and Sweden in third, while Finland
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FILIPINA QUEEN. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray waves to the crowd who greeted her after she arrived in Manila on Wednesday, December 19. Gray, a Filipino-Australian, won the title on Monday, December 17, in Bangkok, Thailand, besting over 90 candidates, and becoming the fourth candidate from the Philippines to be crowned Miss Universe. ManilaTimes.net photo by Arlo Custodio
FCC rules might block proposed text message tax in California Catriona Gray back in Philippines, welcomed by children New A California commission’s proposal to tax text messages met with strong pushback by NATHALIE
TOMADA Philstar.com
MISS Universe Catriona Gray arrived in Manila Wednesday, December 18, at past 3 p.m. on a chartered plane. Wearing an all-white pantsuit, the 24-year-old Filipino-Australian beauty queen was welcomed by the children of Young Focus Foundation, the Tondo nonprofit for children she has been helping before she became Miss Universe. “She was so surprised. She didn’t expect us to be there,� Mark Soriano of Young Focus said. They were hoping she would visit the foundation in the future, but for now they were content to see her in person. “(She said) she will get in touch with our boss.� Media access to Catriona was tightly controlled, but she gave a press conference at the Frontrow Cares: Christmas Charity for Kids with the Miss Universe Organization, which is also a gift-giving activity. However, she gave a short message.
SMILE. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray takes a selďŹ e with children and staff of the Young Focus Foundation from Tondo upon her arrival from Bangkok. Gray has worked with the foundation to help children of the slums, whom she referred to when asked about the most important life lesson she learned during the recent Miss Universe pageant. Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales
President doesn’t bully people - Palace did not bully people, except the criminals. “No, because he doesn’t bully PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte people,� Panelo said when asked does not feel alluded to in Car- if the president felt alluded to by dinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s con- the archbishop of Manila’s redemnation of the abuse of power minder to the faithful on Sunday, by people who use it to bully or December 16. The president, he said, excoerce others. Presidential spokesperson Sal- presses his sentiments or dislikes vador Panelo on Tuesday, De- in speeches, and only threatens cember 18, said the president u PAGE A3 by JULIE
M. AURELIO Inquirer.net
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THIS week, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed a proposal for a statewide “texting tax� that, if passed, would go into effect next month. The new surcharge — which is currently presented as less than 7 percent — would not tax per-text message, but rather it would appear as a monthly fee on any cellular bills that include fees for text messaging services, according to the 52-page proposal. Essentially, the applicable texts are traditional text messages, known as SMS or MMS – messages sent via Apple iMessage or WhatsApp won’t count in the tax. (As iPhone users may know, the “green bubbles� in the iMessage app which denote texting a noniMessage user would be counted in the surcharge.)
A majority of mobile service carriers already offer a flat fee option for texting – this proposal would extend across all carriers. This proposal would also retroactively put a tax on text messaging data that’s up to five years old, though CPUC didn’t expand this mandate further in their initial filing.
California already taxes phone services, which funds public telecommunication services such as the 911 emergency line and subsidized phone rates for low-income users; so, this proposal simply seeks to expand that access by including text messaging in that
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Improving Philippines-China ties...
invasion by another country. In 1951, the two countries signed a Mutual Defense Treaty declaring their “sense of unity and their common determination to defend themselves against external PAGE A1 t tax. armed attack.” n Since text messaging has surpassed phone calling as the primary mode of communication among Americans, the idea is that the money generated from this text message tax would make up for “lost revenue” the state used to generate from an existing tax on voice calls. CPUC is the commission that regulates public utilities operating across the state, overseeing a wide range of public services such as communications (including mobile phone carriers), energy, water and transportation over railways and passenger cars. Despite what seems to be the greater purpose of the proposal, CPUC has already received pushback for implementing yet another tax. On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Federal Communication Commissions (FCC) clarified its definition of text messaging services as “information services” rather than “telecommunications services.” This means that regulating text messaging services falls outside CPUC realm of control. Since its announcement the proposal — which contains little detail
lations. Used to signal a historic siege during the Philippine-American War in 1901, where Filipinos killed 48 out of 74 U.S. troops, the Balangiga bells were taken as war trophies when the American forces led the Balangiga Massacre, where about 2,500 Filipinos were killed. Duterte said the bells’ return is a “restoration of Filipinos’ dignity.” “I am sure that our ancestors are celebrating with us here on this remarkable victory. And that it does not only bring back the glory of the town, but also contributes to the full restoration of our dignity as a Filipino,” he said. Long wait is over Duterte was not the first president to ask Washington to return the Balangiga bells, as reported by Rappler. Then-president Fidel Ramos in 1994 requested the same from his U.S. counterpart, Bill Clinton, but to no avail. In 2014, an online petition
signed by more than 3,000 people also urged the U.S. to return the Balangiga Bells. However, thenU.S. president Barack Obama made no mention of the matter when he visited the Philippines that year. Duterte first demanded the bells’ return during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2017 in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. “We know fully well that several efforts have been made by both Americans and the Philippines. It is really indeed a long and tedious process to the point that the outcome was disappointing sometimes, but the long wait is over,” Duterte on Saturday said. The Balangiga bells finally arrived home in December 11, after making a stopover in Okinawa, Japan, where the two bells in Wyoming, and the bell in South Korea were reunited. (Ritchel Mendiola/ AJPress) n
— has already received pushback from industry trade groups and other business advocacy groups across the Golden State. The trade association CTIA — which represents AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile — is among the most loudest voices opposing the proposal, filing a legal argument on Wednesday, December 12, that if texts are, as the FCC puts it, an “information service” like email, CPUC doesn’t have the jurisdiction to impose surcharges and would therefore violate federal law. “Subjecting wireless carriers’ text messaging traffic to surcharges that cannot be applied to the lion’s share of messaging traffic and messaging providers is illogical, anticompetitive and harmful to consumers,” the CTIA wrote in its argument. CTIA also noted that the proposal would complicate the “messaging services” landscape by creating inequity among wireless carriers and other messaging providers like Apple’s iMessage, Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype or any social media messaging service, all of which utilize wireless Internet rather than cellular data.
“We hope that the CPUC recognizes that taxing text messages is bad for consumers,” Jamie Hastings, senior vice president of external and state affairs for CTIA, wrote in a statement. “Consumers exchanged 1.77 trillion messages in 2017, making text messages one of the most common and effective means of communication for Americans. Taxing this service would burden those who rely on and use this service each and every day.” President and CEO of the business advocacy group Bay Area Council Jim Wunderman told USA Today that the proposal’s logistics lacks clarity. “I don’t know how clear the CPUC has been with answering these questions,” Wunderman said. “Does the sender pay? Does the receiver pay? What if you move out of state but you keep the California number? What if you drive down to Reno, Nevada and get a phone? Can you avoid the charge then? These are all things that would be really hard to resolve.” After the FCC’s Wednesday ruling, CPUC could alter the draft proposal before it goes to a vote on January 10, 2019. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n
PAGE A1 t In a recent report titled “When Financial Aid Falls Short,” the center found that nearly three in four students experience the unmet need, with the level of unmet need being higher among students of color compared to their white counterparts. Compared to 66 percent of white students, 72 percent of Asian American students at public two-year institutions experience this unmet need. The unmet need was particularly higher for Asian American students when looking at the dollar amounts. The report said that dependent Asian American earning less than $27,900 and independent Asian American students earning less than $7,200 (which puts them in the bottom income quartile) have an average unmet need of $8,507. “This is significantly higher than the average unmet need of $6,903 among all students in the bottom income quartile,” reads the report. It added that the disparity remained true for Asian American students across all types of institution and income quartiles. ‘Model minority myth’ and disaggregated data When taking a closer look at the data, disparities between Asian Americans were further
found. For example, rates among Southeast Asian-Americans— particularly Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Laotian—were higher than the national average. Given that roughly half of all Asian Americans have at least a bachelor’s degree, the numbers revealed to be lower for certain Asian American groups. Only 27 percent of Vietnamese American, 17 percent of Hmong and Cambodian Americans, 14 percent of Laotian Americans, and 11 percent of Bhutanese Americans were found to have the same educational attainment level. One third of white in comparison, have a bachelor’s degree or higher. “The model minority myth portrays Asian-Americans as a monolithic group that are both academically and professionally successful when compared to other communities of color,” reads the CLASP report. It cited the recent lawsuit between a group of Asian Americans and Harvard University regarding the issue of affirmative. Asian American students claim to be systematically discriminated against in the admissions process which caps the number of qualified Asian Americans from attending the school in order to level opportunities for other less qualified students of other ethnicities.
While average and median incomes among Asian Americans is comparable to their white counterparts, looking at income inequality puts them at a greater difference among any other racial or ethnic group. “In other words, the highestearning Asian American have higher incomes on average than the highest-earning white; however, low-income Asian American are poorer on average than lowincome whites. The poverty rate among Asian Americans is also greater than white,” the report reads. Despite reports highlighting the fact that Asian Americans are the fastest-growing population in the U.S. with a record 20 million tracing their roots back to the greater Asia continent, CLASP emphasized the importance of disaggregated data to fuel conversation on what factors would be driving the great levels of unmet need among Asian American students. “Any number of these factors could be driving the high amount of unmet need among Asian American students,” said CLASP. “That’s why we must use disaggregated data to inform the nuanced conversations that’ll help us understand the needs of Asian American students and how financial aid policies are failing them.” (Rae Anne Varona/AJPress) n
In this Dec. 6, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate of the United States of America Sung Kim and members of his delegation after the latter presented his credentials to the president in Malacañang. Presidential file photo by Rene Lumawag
PAGE A1 to any set of countries,” Kim said, adding that the U.S. continues its operations in the region to protect these rights. A recent survey from Social Weather Stations found that ma-
jority of Filipinos believe the U.S. defense commitment to the country is strong. Sixty-one percent of the respondents said they believe the country’s long-time ally would defend the country in case of
Duterte thanks US for returning...
PAGE A1 t one should take credit for the return of the bells, not even him, because it was the voice of the Filipino people especially the people of Balangiga, that convinced the U.S. to return them. “Let me be very clear on this: There are some who are front loaders and pedantic in the government. The bells are returned and it was really because of the fervent prayers of the entire Filipino nation,” Duterte said. “But nobody can claim a singular credit for the generous act of the Americans. The bells are returned. The credit goes to the American people and to the Filipino people. Period,” he added. ‘Vibrant’ U.S.-Philippines relations According to Duterte, the homecoming of the artifacts was “truly a milestone and part of a meaningful history of the United States and the Philippines,” a vibrant chapter in the Philippine-U.S. bilateral re-
New FCC rules might block proposed text...
Study: Asian American students have...
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Philippines moves up to 8th in gender gap... PAGE A1 and Nicaragua ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Yemen was at the bottom of the list at 149th spot. The WEF’s Global Gender Gap report seeks to measure the relative gaps between women and men across four key areas: health, education, economy and politics. In the health and survival pillar, the Philippines saw its ranking drop to 42nd place from 36th last year. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ ranking improved to 14th place in the economic participation and opportunity pillar this year from the previous year’s 25th place. “It manages to narrow its economic participation and opportunity gender gap due to increases in wage equality for similar work and women’s estimated earned income,” the WEF said. As for the educational attainment pillar, the Philippines maintained its top position. It likewise held on to the 13th spot in the in the four key areas, the index political empowerment pillar. also seeks to identify potential Apart from looking at the gaps role models by showing which
CHRISTMAS RUSH. Shoppers pack C.M Recto St. in Divisoria, Manila as the mad rush to buy Christmas gifts continues. Since the start of December, throngs of shoppers have flocked to Diviso ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia
Philstar.com file photo
countries are leading in terms of PAGE A1 distributing resources equitably criminals occasionally. between women and men. n Expressing dislike “He expresses his sentiment on a particular matter, situation. He expresses dislike and he explains it,” Panelo said. “He threatens Moran (1973) and Pia Wurtzbach criminals, yes. To make them feel threatened and stop doing their (2015). It was former Ilocos Sur gov- criminal acts,” he added. In his homily on Sunday at Maernor Chavit Singson who arranged for Catriona’s return to nila Cathedral, Tagle said officials the country from Bangkok, Thai- should not use power to bully land where she was crowned last or disrespect others. People “in Monday, December 17. They high office” should not belittle were joined by Singson’s daugh- others, he said. “Do not bully anyone. Do not ter Richelle, who sat as one of the judges in the pageant. (With use your power to disrespect others. Do not use your power to coRudy Santos) n
Catriona Gray back in Philippines... PAGE A1 “It’s the season of gift-giving. It’s Christmas,” she said, adding she is looking forward to the gift-giving activity, “hopefully inspiring everyone to get into the spirit of gift-giving this Christmas.” She is reportedly only staying in the country overnight and is expected to fly to New York to start fulfilling her duties as Miss U.
In a video released by Miss Universe Organization, Catriona said: “I just want to say thank you to the Philippines, my country. You know, you guys have supported me all through this and if not for you, I wouldn’t have the endurance or spirit to do what I do.” Catriona is the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie
Census confidentiality concerns worry activists by Mark Hedin Ethnic Media Services
AS the Census Bureau prepares for its 2020 count, concerns about new plans to question respondents about their citizenship status have taken center stage. But now, civil rights activists and others focused on the importance of ensuring a full and accurate tally of everybody living in the United States are also worried that current administrators seem to be wavering from a long-standing practice of fiercely safeguarding the confidentiality of census data. In discussing the implications of government workers asking vulnerable communities about their legal status, Department of Justice officials were reluctant to reassure members of Congress this spring that census confidentiality remains sacrosanct. “We are alarmed,” Corrine Yu, of the Leadership Conference Education Fund, the country’s oldest coalition of civil rights activists, said. “We are alarmed by DoJ’s position that census confidentiality protections are open to debate. In our view, there is no debate.” Although census data informs billions of dollars of government spending, the allocation of government representatives, business decisions and more, the Census
Bureau’s “culture of privacy” bars sharing information gathered beyond sheer numeric tallies. That prohibition lasts for the lifetime of those who have access to the data, with penalties that include years of incarceration and hefty fines. But things may be changing in Wilbur Ross’ Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau. California is only one of many states, cities and others who have filed lawsuits opposing Ross’ intention to add the question about respondents’ citizenship status to the 2020 census questionnaire, a proposal made at a very late stage in the normal, carefully thoughtout and field-tested process. At a May appearance by John Gore, acting head of the DoJ’s civil rights division, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to discuss that proposed change, California’s Jimmy Gomez (D-Riverside) asked if Justice concurred with findings prior to the 2010 census that “there appears to be no provision in the USA Patriot Act that would supersede or create an exemption to the confidentiality provision of the Census Act.” That opinion was rendered in 2009 to address concerns that the then-recently enacted Patriot Act, PAGE A4
President doesn’t bully people - Palace erce others,” Tagle said. “Just because you are in power, you already have the right to trample upon others. In truth, the bully, he who uses power to belittle his fellow man, he is the one who is most afraid and insecure,” he added. Tagle did not name anyone, but he was clearly referring to the president, who had been attacking the Catholic clergy in recent days and even urged the people to kill the bishops. ‘Useless’ bishops The president called the bishops “useless” because they had been critical of his administration’s war on drugs.
Malacañang said Tagle’s reminder was also applicable to the clergy, who may use the pulpit for other purposes. “I agree. But whom does [Tagle] refer to? Because those in power would also apply to those in the Church. You use the pulpit for bullying people, then it’s the same,” Panelo said. He added that the president agreed with Tagle’s reminder “in a general term.” “If the message is in the generic or general term, then I agree. You cannot be using power to bully or to coerce people. The president is against that, too,” Panelo said. n
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Health care is where the jobs are: But what kind of jobs? by Rachel
Bluth Kaiser Health News
Silme Domingo CITIZENSHIP ENDORSED. Senator Richard Gordon (left) and Majority floor leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (right) congratulate Mohamad Wassim Nanaa (center) after the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights endorsed his application for Philippine citizenship Monday, 17 December 2018. Nanaa is the honorary consul general of the Philippines in Aleppo, Syria, a post he has occupied since 2008. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo
Jollibee takes full control of Smashburger by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
U.S.-based burger chain Smashburger has been fully acquired by Jollibee Foods Corp. following the purchase of its remaining stake in the Filipino-owned fast-food chain for $10 million (P526 million). Jollibee first acquired Smashburger with an initial stake of 40 percent, which was later raised to 85 percent back in February. Jollibee, in a regulatory filing on Friday, December 14, said the remaining 15-percent stake in SJBF LLC, owner of Smashburger, was acquired in cash through its subsidiary Bee Good! Inc. (BGI). “Jollibee is now the sole
owner of the Smashburger business,” the fast-food giant said. According to Jollibee, it would pour in more capital into Smashburger following its purchase. It plans to convert an $80 million loan held by BGI into equity to support Smashburger’s growth in 2019. “We look forward to the development of Smashburger into a very strong brand and business in the United States,” Jollibee Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said. Jollibee Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong, meanwhile, said, “We look forward to replicating in Smashburger the significant brand and business development that [the group] achieved in practi-
cally all its new and acquired businesses in the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and other countries through the introduction of [Jollibee’s] business methods.” Smashburger has 351 stores worldwide, among them in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Kuwait, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. In North America, JFC has 435 stores, which comprise 12 percent of its worldwide sales. “We are preparing for even stronger growth in the United States with [a] higher rate of store expansion led first by Jollibee starting in 2019 and by other brands in the succeeding years,” Tanmantiong added. n PAGE A3 t created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, would impact census confidentiality practices. Gore declined to answer, citing the litigation already filed against the proposed citizenship question. Gomez then asked for a rooms.” written response. The chief justice also praised A June 12 draft of that reCalifornia Governor Jerry sponse, not released but reBrown’s more than 600 judicial cently uncovered in the course appointments since 2011 as “fan- of California’s suit challenging tastic.” More than half have been the proposed citizenship queswomen, about 40 percent are tion, raised red flags among connon-white, and most come from cerned observers. “a whole new generation” in at“I don’t think we want to say titude as well as age, she said. too much there, in case the issues Instead of the “tough-on- addressed in the OLC opinion or crime” stance stressed by previ- related issues come up later for ous governors, Cantil-Sakauye renewed debate,” Ben Aguinaga, said, Brown’s appointees seem Gore’s chief of staff, wrote. OLC more concerned about such is- is the Justice Department’s Ofsues as climate change and gun fice of Legal Counsel. violence, seeming to fit the “phi“We are worried about relosophy of California,” which sponse rates and working to enshe described as “people-cen- sure a fair and accurate count. tric” and “underdog-centric.” This affects every state, rural and (Inquirer.net) n urban areas alike. That’s why there’s such a groundswell of opposition to the citizenship question. It’s a real problem.” Current census confidentiality protections, though, Yu said, “are the strongest in federal law.” Already, the census’ biggest challenge is to follow its mandate, ternational Trade Practice. Pickard continued: “One of enacted with the U.S. Constituthe lessons from CBP’s recent tion in 1790, to count every peraction is that importers must ex- son residing in the United States, ercise caution in order to ensure whatever their circumstances. that even though merchandise is Opposition to the citizenship marked as “Made in the Philip- question often focuses on the pines” or elsewhere, that it is concern that people won’t trust not actually Chinese or Indian that they can be honest about forged product. Today’s notices their situations without fear of represent an important step in becoming targets of law enforceensuring that these orders are ment, immigration authorities properly enforced and the ap- and the like. To bring into question the underlying guarantee of propriate duties are paid.” CBP will continue its inves- confidentiality only increases the tigations of these imports from challenge of obtaining the best the Philippines and make a final data possible. Asked what steps are available determination regarding evasion by August 2019. (Inquirer. to protect census confidentiality, Yu said: “Congress should connet) n
California’s Fil-Am top judge slams Trump’s attacks on the judiciary SAN FRANCISCO — In her annual meeting with journalists, California’s Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye said President Donald Trump’s attacks on federal judges who rule against him are damaging the rule of law. Trump has called a Republican judge who ruled against his travel ban as a “so-called judge,” denounced the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as “hostile” and “in chaos” for rulings on immigration and other issues, and labeled a U.S.-born Hispanic judge as a “Mexican” who was biased against him. A report by the San Francisco Chronicle said Cantil-Sakauye called such attacks as “doing
damage, short-term and longterm, to courts, to the rule of law.” The chief justice is a Filipino American appointee of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also reportedly agreed with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ statement, in response to Trump’s attacks on judges, that ‘We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,’ but simply “an extraordinary group of dedicated judges. “We as a branch (of government) need to defend our own,” Cantil-Sakauye said. The best way to do that, she said, is to promote civics education and “invite the public into our court-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is investigating certain imports of stainless steel flanges from the Philippines on “a reasonable suspicion” of evading the payment of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) duties. According to CBP, stainless steel flanges sold by a Philippine producer, EN Corporation (also known as “Enlin Corporation”), should be treated under the law as Chinese products for purposes of the AD and CVD duties. As a result of its findings, CBP has imposed interim measures on certain importers of stainless steel flanges from the Philip-
pines, directing that all such imports will be subject to AD/CVD duties. Earlier this year, AD/CVD orders were issued against stainless steel flanges from India and China, with combined duties as high as 400%. The stainless steel flanges imported from the Philippine producer were found to have been forged in China and therefore are covered under the existing antidumping and countervailing duty rules. “We are pleased with the results of CBP’s investigations and the message it sends that AD/ CVD orders will be strongly enforced,” said Daniel B. Pickard, partner in Wiley Rein LLP’s In-
MORE Americans are now employed in health care than in any other industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tallies job creation, says that for most of this year the health sector outpaced the retail industry. Only government, on all levels, employs more people. One of the consistent features of the BLS reports is that health care has reliably added thousands of jobs to the economy each month. November was no different. The health care industry created 32,000 jobs, adding to the 328,000 health care positions created since early 2017. But what kinds of jobs? Were they highly paid doctors and hospital executives or were they positions on the other end of the pay scale, such as nursing home aides and the people who enter data for billing in hospitals and clinics? It’s hard to know for sure, because the BLS monthly data measure industries not occupations and what information it does have on occupations is overly broad. For instance, it says hospitals accounted for about 13,000 jobs in November. Another 19,000 jobs were for “ambulatory” care, which is a broad term for services delivered outside of hospital systems, like in clinics and private doctors’ offices. But another set of BLS data offers additional insights. Every two years, BLS puts out a wonky set of numbers called “industry-occupation matrices,” which more finely slices job categories and predicts which will grow or shrink over the next 10 years. The most recent, from 2016, still provides a pretty accurate
US Customs probing import of stainless steel flanges from PH
snapshot, according to Joanne Spetz, a professor at the University of California-San Francisco’s Institute for Health Policy Studies. Registered nurses are the fastest-growing occupation. They account for more than 25 percent of jobs in hospitals. If that share remained the same last month, 3,289 of the new hospital jobs added in November went to RNs. Healthy growth The federal government projects that many patient-facing jobs in the health care industry will continue to grow vigorously, but not jobs inputting patient information. It’s likely that many of the hospital jobs went to medical assistants, who currently make up only 1.5 percent of the industry. Medical assistants are usually the people taking your vitals and helping the doctor take notes. The BLS expects about a 16 percent increase in these jobs in the next decade. “There will be a fair amount of growth in physician and surgeon employment in the next decade, but so many more medical assistants than physicians,” Spetz said. The national median pay of a registered nurse is $70,000 a year, according to more BLS data. For medical assistants, it is $32,480. Doctors’ median pay is more than $200,000. Far more of those medical assistants found work outside the hospital in the ambulatory sector: almost 1,300. There is also a good chance that in these ambulatory settings many of the newly created jobs were filled by non-medical staff. As of 2016, fewer than 30 percent of staff in ambulatory settings were workers whom Spetz
calls “paper pushers.” If the trend held up, around 5,700 of the hires in November, or 30 percent of ambulatory jobs, fall into these categories. These jobs can pay as much as medical assistants. The BLS says the median income of “medical record and health information technicians” is about $39,000 a year. BLS is predicting around a 20 percent increase in “information and record clerks” and another 22 percent increase in “secretaries and administrative assistants.” But the idea that hospitals and doctors’ offices are hiring only lower-paid support staff might be overblown. The BLS figures “health care practitioners and technical occupations” still make up more than 37 percent of the ambulatory industry, and “health diagnosing and treating practitioners” are almost 23 percent. So nearly 70 percent of ambulatory hires last month were probably physicians or other skilled professionals like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers and personal care aides. “What we have seen over the past couple years is with the job growth in health it is not dominated by back office,” said Ani Turner, an economist who focuses on health sector labor trends with Altarum, a nonprofit health research and consulting organization. Another thing hiding in the numbers? A dissipating distinction between ambulatory and hospital care. Traditionally, hospital jobs were pretty straightforward; they referred to the doctors, nurses and support staff who worked in hospitals. But as business models shift, more care is given outside of PAGE A5
tinue to press senior administration officials, including Cabinet members, for confirmation that they will respect the ironclad confidentiality protections for census responses that are embedded in the Census Act (Title 13, U.S.C.). “Congress’ efforts could involve oversight hearings, requests for written assurances from relevant Executive Branch agencies, and – if necessary – considering legislation that would remove any doubt about the supremacy of Census Act protections “Advocates will continue to work with Congress, which has constitutional responsibility for the census, and senior Census Bureau and Commerce Department officials, to secure written assurances from the Justice Department and other federal agencies that they fully understand the supremacy of confidentiality protections in the Census Act and that they will respect the need for a positive environment before and during the 2020 Census.” And asked of any indications of changes already apparent in the government upholding its tradition of confidentiality, she said, “Civil rights advocates and other census stakeholders will be monitoring carefully the public rhetoric coming from the White House and senior administration officials with respect to the constitutional requirement that the census count all persons living in the United States and the statutory requirement that census v cannot be used for any purpose – including national security and law enforcement – other than producing anonymous, aggregated statistics (datasets). “We also will be monitoring the activities of immigration and other law enforcement authorities as the start of peak census operations approaches and during the census, to be sure there are no activities, such as im-
migration raids and sweeps of certain communities (other than searches for criminals who are endangering public safety) that could needlessly frighten residents away from participating in the census.” “Congress has a role to play,” Yu said. “Our hope is that Congress exercises robust oversight of the 2020 census.” She cited concerns about “insufficient and frequently late” funding of census work in recent years to prepare for the 2020 count, with its plans to be the first to which people can respond online. “We need to make sure the Census Bureau has the resources it needs to do the job well.” Yu and a colleague, Allyn Brooks LaSure, spoke of how “we blew the top off” of their target of encouraging 100,000 public comments on the citizenship question plan prior to the Aug. 7 deadline for such comments. A quarter-million voices made themselves heard, they said. As for what effects that public outcry may have, Yu said, “The Census Bureau is expected to submit the final 2020 Census questionnaire to the Office of Management and Budget by the end of this month, for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. That request will allow for another 30-day public comment period (which is somewhat pro forma), but more importantly, it will address the tens of thousands of public comments submitted previously in response to the proposed questionnaire. “Both comment periods provide an opportunity to establish a strong, clear public record from a broad range of stakeholders and experts who oppose addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.” “Links to the many organizational comments filed this summer can be found here,” Yu said in conclusion. n
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-27 , 2018
DATELINE PHILIPPINES
A5
Drilon uncovers P16-B ‘pork’ in 2019 budget Void Bangsamoro law, Supreme Court urged by BERNADETTE
TAMAYO Manilatimes.net
SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon discovered over P16 billion lump sum appropriation supposedly to assist local government units (LGUs) in the P3.7 trillion national budget. However, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) tasked to assist LGUs disowned the fund, claiming no knowledge on how the money would be implemented, Drilon said. In his budget interpellation, Drilon zeroed in on the huge increase in a lump-sum appropriation called Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which was given a budget of P40.26 billion for next year, up by P8.8 billion
this year. The fund was supposed to be used for assistance to municipalities, P11.7 billion; assistance to cities, P2.6 billion; other financial assistance to LGUs, P16.18 billion; and conditional matching grant to provinces, P8.2 billion. Drilon has asked the DILG to explain the nature of the huge lump-sum funds. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who defended the DILG’s budget, confirmed that the agency had nothing to do with the implementation of the P16.18 billion other financial assistance to LGUs. “This is quite a sizeable sum of money. This assistance to LGUs is a mandate of the DILG. But now you’re saying the DILG has nothing to do with these funds?”
Drilon said. “This budget is full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Each day we discover something new. Hence, the Senate should intensify its scrutiny of the spending bill,” he added. The senator said the DILG’s admission that it was not aware of the P16 billion earmarked for LGU assistance only reinforces doubts about the budget. He said that the P16 billion should instead be used to augment the budget of the Department of Health. “If the DILG had nothing to do with this item, we will move that we give it to the Department of Health, because, certainly, our 900 rural health units should have the highest priority in the budget,” Drilon said. ■
shipment to a private warehouse in Cavite in a subsequent raid but found only four empty lifters that are now widely believed to have contained more than 600 kilos of the drugs. The committee asked the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman and other concerned agencies to investigate at least 18 individuals –including former and current officials of the BOC, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), private importers and eight Hong Kong nationals for possible filing of drug charges, among others. Among those named in the report were dismissed PNP Supt. Eduardo Acierto; former PDEA deputy director general Ismael Fajardo; former BOC intelligence officer Jimmy Guban; consignee Marina Signapan; Karina Cuasay; BOC agents Gorgonio Necessario and Joseph Dimayuga; private importer Meg Santos; BOC x-ray operator Noli Martinez; BOC appraiser Girlie Umali; BOC examiner Jenaline Garcia and Hong Kong nationals KC Chan, Hsu Chung-chun, Zhang Quan, Lin Tien Yi, Lou Tian Yi, Chen Minxuan, Fung and Ping Cheung James. Guban was recommended by the panel to be entered into the government’s witness protection program. The panel also pressed for closer coordination between
the BOC, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Trade and Industry for the proper and accurate registration of consignees. It also called for the periodic training of BOC x-ray operators and the creation of a Customs academy. The committee also sought amendments to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act to shorten the declaration of abandoned goods from 30 days to just three days. Meanwhile, the shabu shipment from the empty magnetic lifters found in Cavite could have made its way to Mindanao, according to PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino. “There was a ‘high similarity’ between the illegal drugs recovered from the first shabu shipment at the Manila port and the drugs recently seized in Mindanao,” Aquino said yesterday. “This could mean that there was only one source, one manufacturer, the way it was produced was the same,” Aquino said. The sample was taken from the P2.4-billion shabu stuffed inside magnetic lifters and seized at the port of Manila. Aquino earlier said the missing drugs have “flooded” Metro Manila. Shabu prices dropped to about a third as the drug shipment that the authorities failed to recover were allegedly sold in the metropolis. ■
Senate seeks raps vs alleged shabu smugglers by PAOLO
ROMERO Philstar.com
MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee released on Tuesday, December 17 its report on its inquiry into the alleged smuggling of tons of shabu into the country, recommending the filing of drug charges against several government officials, importers and Hong Kong nationals. In its 45-page report, the committee – chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon – also made other recommendations to help prevent drug smuggling through the Bureau of Customs (BOC), including the elimination of “consigneesfor-hire,” lifestyle checks and investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council of those allegedly involved in the P11-billion shabu shipment case. The report was signed by 14 senators, including Gordon, based on several resolutions seeking to probe corruption as well as drug smuggling at the BOC. The report, however, made no mention of former customs chief Isidro Lapeña, under whose watch an estimated ton of drugs contained in scrap magnetic lifters entered the country in two separate shipments, one of which was intercepted at the Manila International Container Port last August yielding 355 kilos of the shabu. Authorities traced another
by JOMAR
CANLAS Manilatimes.net
A GROUP of constitutionalists and framers of the 1987 Constitution have petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which grants wider autonomy to Muslim Mindanao, illegal and unconstitutional. In a 37-page petition filed on Dec. 11, 2018, the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) assailed the legality of Republic Act (RA) 11054 or the BOL, which forms the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as a result of a 2014 peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Philconsa, represented by lawyer Manuel Lazaro, is recognized by the high court as an expert on constitutional issues impressed with public interest or of transcendental importance. The association pointed out that the BOL violates Section 18 and 19 of Article X of the 1987 Constitution, which, it argued, authorized the enactment of only one organic act for Muslim Mindanao, RA 6734 passed in 1989 and amended by RA 9054 in 2001. Only an amendment to the Constitution will allow the creation of a new autonomous region, Philconsa said. Political participation through the ARMM was part of the 1996 final peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, from which the MILF broke away. The BOL needs to go through a plebiscite before it is implemented, and there will be two days of voting in January and February 2019. Violation of separation of powers Philconsa’s arguments are similar to those raised by the
Manuel Lazaro
Manilatimes.net file photo
Province of Sulu, through Gov. Abdusakur Tan 2nd, in October. It said establishing a parliamentary form of government in the BAR would violate the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. “[A]ny exercise of power of the legislative and the executive departments or any of their respective functionaries beyond what is circumscribed by the Constitution and law is unconstitutional, and a nullity,” the Philconsa petition stated. It also cited the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, which it said was crystal clear that the ARMM and the Cordilleras are the only autonomous regions recognized by the Charter. “It is indubitable the ARMM and the Cordilleras were created by the Constitution. They are the only autonomous regions recognized by the Constitution. The [BAR] was created by Congress in violation of the Constitution,” it said. “In light of the language of Article X of the Constitution and the clarifications [that commission delegates] Fr. Joaquin Bernas and Blas Ople elicited, it is submitted that: (a) A Constitutional amendment is the only way to create a new and distinct autonomous region, such as the [BAR] in this case or to abolish an existing autonomous region,
such as the ARMM; (b) Congress is prohibited or has no authority or jurisdiction to create other autonomous regions; (c) Congress cannot defy or supplant the Constitution; and (d) Congress cannot amend the provisions of the Constitution,” it said. Named respondents to the case are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and members of the Senate and the House of Representatives headed by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, respectively. The petitioners argued that Congress committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in passing the BOL in July. Leonen is ponente The former government chief negotiator of the peace process with the MILF, Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen, was tasked to be the ponente or member in charge of studying the petition and drafting the ruling. Philconsa filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition and asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order that will stop the respondents from implementing the BOL. “Until and unless a TRO or preliminary injunction is issued, unlawful disbursements or uses of public funds pursuant to the illegal/unconstitutional RA 11054 will escalate into continuing violations, if not a flaunting disregard or defiance, of the Constitution, and the laws further prejudicing public interest and welfare,” it added. It also urged the tribunal to issue injunctions on both RA 11054 and Executive Order 120 that formed a Bangsamoro transition commission, for “creating public offices only Congress has the mandate to create.” Philconsa said the commission should stop spending public funds and return the balance to the Treasury.■
Health care is where the jobs are... PAGE A3 t hospital walls, something not reflected in employment numbers that split health into two distinct categories. Employees who staff the clinics, surgery centers, labs and imaging centers run by hospitals are counted as hospital
staff, Turner said, though they work in outpatient settings. So those 13,000 new hospital jobs the BLS cited last month may not reflect real-world trends about where hiring happens. “Whether in physicians’ offices, free-standing clinics or
hospital outpatient clinics, you’ll see it as the two separate settings, but the same trend,” Turner said. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. ■
A6
DECEMBER 21-27, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
Spectacular
FEATURES
IN a word, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray was “spectacular” at the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, Thailand this year. It was no surprise to anyone that she ran off with the much-coveted crown. She was amazing throughout the week of competition in “Amazing Thailand.” First, Catriona is truly a sight to behold in her statuesque 5’10” frame. And in her good looks, she appears to have distilled the best qualities from her mixed parentage (a Filipino mother and an Australian father). Second, she showed great flair in walking the ramp. She executes a slow-motion twirl at the apex of her walk, which leaves audiences gasping. Early in the pageant, when she did the twirl, she established herself as a crowd favorite. Supermodel Tyra Banks expressed her awe of her. During coronation night, Catriona once again did her signature twirl. This prompted pageant commentator Carson Kressley to exclaim in admiration: “Oh wow, a slow-mo turn! And then she goes on into giving us great face that great attitude. She’s killing the game here.” Third, Catriona is highly quotable, probably more so than most Filipino politicians. At the Miss Universe pageant she answered many questions with intelligence, poise and a little wit. In the finals, she was asked what is the most important lesson she’s learned in her life. She replied: “I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is very…poor and it’s very sad. And I’ve always taught myself to look for the beauty in it… As a spokesperson, if I could teach
people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster and children could have a smile on their faces.” During the Top 5 Q&A, she was asked her thoughts about the legalization of medical marijuana. She said: “I am for it being used in a medical use, but not so for recreational use because I think if people were to argue, what about alcohol and cigarettes? Everything is good but in moderation.” The totality of her feat at the Miss Universe pageant reflects her varied background, education and training. She was born in Queensland, Australia. She studied at the Trinity Anglican School in Queensland. She earned a certificate in music theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In addition, she obtained a Certificate in Outdoor Recreation and a black belt in the martial art of choi kwang do. Finally, this young lady can sing. She was the lead singer of her school’s jazz band, and starred in a local production of “Miss Saigon.” What kind of ambassador will Catriona be for the Philippines and the Miss Universe beauty pageant? She will be remarkable. She will turn heads and win admirers even without executing her signature slo-mo twirl. (ManilaTimes.net)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s quotable soundbites during the 2016 U.S. presidential elections campaign trail as compiled by TIME: “She’s likely to be under investigation for criminality for a very, very long time to come,” Trump said during an Oct. 31, 2016 speech in Warren, Michigan. “We’re going to be tied up in court for the rest of our lives with this deal,” he added, referring to if Clinton were elected. “She’s not going to win the election, but I’m just saying. If Hillary is elected, she will be under protracted criminal investigation likely followed by the trial of a sitting president. This is just what we need.” Two days ahead of the election on Nov. 5, 2016, Trump said Clinton’s “current scandals and controversies will continue
At Ground Level SATUR C. OCAMPO UPON President Rodrigo Duterte’s behest, the Senate and the House in joint session voted to again extend martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao. This third extension will remain until December 31, 2019. The vote was 235 yes, 28 no, 1 abstention. No doubting the overwhelming “yes” vote. What lingers disquietingly, however, is the question whether the extension complies with the provision of the 1987 Constitution, specifically Section 18 of Article VII (Executive Department). Essentially Section 18 says the President may, “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it,” suspend the privilege of the writ or place the Philippines “or any part thereof under martial law.” It requires the President to submit a report in person or in writing to Congress within 48 hours. Voting jointly by at least a majority of all its members, Congress may approve or revoke his proclamation. Upon the president’s initiative, Congress may, in the same manner, extend such a proclamation for a
ManilaTimes.net photo
Trump embroiled in a growing web of investigations and legal cases: What’s next for the president and the US?
throughout her presidency” and it would be “impossible for her to govern.” FAST FORWARD to the present time. These are the FACTS: President Donald Trump is now embroiled in several investigations and lawsuits and all of these stem from his lies and cover-ups to the American people and institutions, his attack on the rule of law, and his sleeping with the enemies of the United States, as he projects all of these transgressions to his political opponents and democratic institutions, including the news media, the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, CIA, and other members of the U.S. intelligence community. Last week, the results of independent investigations have proven that from his denials and lack of knowledge about his affairs, testimonies under oath and corroborating evidence point out Trump actually had
knowledge of and directed the payment of hush money to cover up his affairs just before the 2016 election. Furthermore, from the denials of his campaign’s communication and business ties with Russia, the Mueller probe has now proven that at least 16 of his team had in fact been in correspondence, meetings and even, deals with Russia. After Mueller’s 18-month-old airtight and methodical investigation — which has led to charges against 32 people including 26 Russians, with four aides to Trump have pleaded guilty to various charges — the Special Counsel this week has released three important filings, sentencing three of these people in the Trump orbit — Trump’s ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn, Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort, and Trump’s former attorney and fixer Michale Cohen.
The Mueller probe that investigates on the alleged conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign to help Trump win is far from over, contrary to Trump’s incessant chanting of “No collusion.” THIS WEEK, just on Tuesday, December 18, CNN and all other news media reported that the Donald J. Trump Foundation has agreed to dissolve under judicial supervision amid an ongoing lawsuit concerning its finances, according to a document filed Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court by the New York state Attorney General’s office.” The dissolution of Trump’s charitable foundation resolves one element of the attorney general’s civil lawsuit against the foundation, and as CNN reported, this includes claims that the president and his three eldest children — Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric — all violated campaign-finance laws and abused its tax-
exempt status. Rather than operating it as a genuine charity as it pretends to be, the lawsuit alleges that Trump and his family allowed it to be used “as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump’s business and political interests.” This agreement to dissolve also allows the attorney general’s office to review the recipients of the charity’s assets. The foundation’s most recent tax return listed its net assets at slightly more than $1.7 million. The closure of Trump’s “charitable foundation” is but part of the growing web of criminal and other investigations touching almost every nooks and crannies of Trump’s business and political operations, including but not limited to his presidential campaign, his inauguration committee and his family real estate business. As this reality show drama
unfolds starring the President of the United States, will you continue to wear your MAGA spectacles that allows you to view the universe only according to Trump’s narrative? Are you just going to beca spectator, grab a bag of popcorn and view this as an entertainment show? OR, will you now be part of the enlightened citizenry that should now be demanding accountability from our elected officials, especially from the 45th President of the United States and his cohorts? We deserve the government that we elect, tolerate, and condone. *** 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
Is martial law extension constitutionally justified? period it shall determine – “if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.” Section 18 also says the Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by a citizen, “the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation… and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.” Through Proclamation 216, Duterte originally declared martial law and suspended the writ privilege for 60 days on May 23, 2017, in the wake of the “siege of Marawi” by the combined forces of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf extremist groups. The proclamation denoted the siege as a “rebellion” to comply with the constitutional requirement, and Congress and the Supreme Court both approved it. With Congressional approval, the period was first extended for six months until end-December 2017. Although the Marawi siege had been quelled by October, the security forces recommended a second extension, for one year, citing various justifications that didn’t seem to accord with Section 18. However, the extension easily sailed through Congress and was again upheld by the Supreme Court. In his letter-request to Congress, dated last December 6, Duterte wrote:
“A further extension of the implementation of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao will enable the AFP, the PNP, and all the other lawenforcement agencies to fully put an end to the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and continue to prevent the same from escalating in other parts of the country.” He said that during the extended martial law period in Mindanao, “we have achieved significant progress in putting the rebellion under control, ushering in substantial economic gains.” Despite these gains, he noted, the security assessment submitted by the AFP and the PNP highlights “certain essential facts which indicate that rebellion still persists in Mindanao and that public safety requires the continuation of martial law in the whole of Mindanao.” For instance, he said the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Daulah Islamiyah (former Maute group) and other groups which “seek to promote global rebellion” continue to defy the government by perpetrating hostile activities. He mentioned four bombing incidents during the extended period of martial law. Duterte also cited “342 violent incidents” alleged by the AFP to have been carried out by
the CPP-NPA and the continuing kidnap-for-ransom activities of the ASG. All of these, he said, “merely illustrate in general terms the continuing rebellion in Mindanao.” He promised to submit “a more detailed report on the subsisting rebellion in the next few days.” Doesn’t this statement suggest that the indicators Duterte cited are insufficient to establish an actual rebellion threatening public safety? Yet, without waiting for the “detailed report,” Congress approved the requested extension. Based on their statements to the press, the chiefs of the AFP and the PNP however seem to have different takes on the martial-law extension: Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., the new AFP chief, vows stricter implementation of the extended martial law “to prevent another Marawi.” For his part, PNP director-general Oscar Albayalde says the extension will assure the people of Mindanao another full year of peace and security against the “imminent threat of violence from extremist and communist terrorist forces.” Note that both officials point, not to actual or ongoing rebellion, but to potential or imminent threats of violence, which no longer justify martial law declaration.
Come now Sen. Franklin Drilon and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who voted “No” to the extension, citing its lack of factual and constitutional basis. Their insights as seasoned lawyerlegislators should be given due consideration, along with Sen. Chiz Escudero’s credible assertion that Mindanao achieved economic growth “not because of martial law but because of (the Duterte administration’s) allocation of resources where Mindanao got bigger attention.” Martial law, Escudero stressed, “cannot be the new normal for Mindanao.” Drilon insisted that “there is no actual rebellion or armed uprising in Mindanao which can justify the declaration of martial law” in that part of the country. He revealed that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, during the closed-door security briefing for senators last Monday, had described the martial-law extension as “a psychological war, to quell an armed uprising.” He also recalled that the AFP had classified the local terrorist groups as merely “a peace and order problem today.” Likening martial law to antibiotics, Drilon said these are “resorted to only when ordinary over-the-counter drugs have ceased to work.” Unlimited resort to such powerful medicine,
he added, “desensitizes the body and eventually no longer becomes effective in providing the protection that it was designed to give.” Presumably recalling what he heard at the closed-door security briefing for House members Tuesday, Lagman also averred there are no constitutional and factual bases for the extension. He concluded rebellion does not persist in Mindanao and public safety is not imperilled. “An extension of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” he warned, “will prolong inordinately the regime of martial law to a total of 951 days [2 years and 4 months].” This, he added, “contravenes the prescription of the 1987 Constitution delimiting the period of martial law to a short duration, since the original proclamation should not exceed 60 days.” When Lagman and other oppositors bring the issue again to the Supreme Court, the latter should thoroughly review if this third extension is really sufficiently based on facts, beyond the security forces’ self-serving inputs. Can the people hope that the Tribunal will reconsider its ruling last year, that it has no power to review the decision of Congress granting President Duterte’s request? (Philstar. com)
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Business news
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Warming PH-China ties to Retail, healthcare sectors on hiring spree boost local construction by lisbeth
K. esMael Manilatimes.net
THE deepening PhilippineChina relationship is expected to bolster the local construction industry over the next 8 years, a Fitch group unit said. In a report released Friday, December 14, Fitch Solutions raised its growth rate forecast for the Philippine construction sector from 8.8 percent to 9 percent for 2019-2027. Optimism in the industry, it noted, is being buoyed by the strengthened bilateral ties between the two nations, evident in “positive developments” witnessed recently. After 13 years, it was only in November of 2018 when a Chinese president paid a state visit, it noted. During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte closed a number of bilateral deals, including a 10-year cooperation for an infrastructure program. “China’s willingness to invest and swift execution of agreements are welcoming signs for the infrastructure industry, where projects often progress slowly due to the existence of complex issues such as financing, land acquisition, lack of technical expertise and weak political will. Chinese involvement in Filipino projects is expected
President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Malacañang on Nov. 20, 2018. Presidential pool file photo
to expedite the progress of infrastructure projects, boosting the growth of the construction industry in the next decade,” Fitch Solutions said. “We expect the construction of Chinese-backed Filipino projects to gather pace in the following years,” it added. The Fitch unit also stressed that while Japan and the U.S. remain the largest foreign investors in the country, this would eventually change given the “Infrastructure Cooperation Program between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China (ICP)” agreement, where the Philippine government could tap
China’s expertise in road and railway construction. However, some Filipinos’ disapproval against the Duterte administration’s warming relation with China may threaten the growth of the construction industry, it said. “The South China Sea dispute will continue to pose a downside risk as projects can potentially be suspended or cancelled if tension between the two nations escalate,” Fitch Solutions said. “Such a risk will be amplified once the leadership transition takes place during the 2022 Philippine Presidential Election, where the current President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to step down.” n
Economy to weather next year’s challenges by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is optimistic the Philippines will hurdle whatever challenges await it next year. “If 2018 has not been easy for us, 2019 will not be bereft of challenges as well,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a year-end statement issued Thursday night. The external environment, he admitted, is expected to be less supportive for potential economic growth. “But the resilience of the Philippine economy in 2018 will likely continue over the medium term,” Pernia nonetheless said. The NEDA chief assured that key reforms implemented this year would enable the economy to remain robust despite domestic and external risks.
vide a strong foundation for growth next year,” he said. Pernia also believes that the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games next year would be something to look forward to, particularly for the tourism sector. The NEDA, meanwhile, will continue to urged reforms in line with the Philippine Development Plan. Manilatimes.net file photo The agency will be reiteratThe “Build Build Build” pro- ing its call for the immediate pasgram, which is expected to gain sage of amendments to the Public steam next year, will provide an Service Act, the Universal Health Care Bill, Coco Levy Bill and the additional boost. Pernia also announced that National Land Use Act. It also wants Congress to pass more projects of regional significance would be included in line the 2019 budget —unlikely to be agency budgets for implementa- ratified by legislators before the tion following the signing of a Joint end of this month — at the soonMemorandum Circular between est possible time, with Pernia saythe NEDA and the Department of ing: “We need this to make sure that we are on track of meeting Budget and Management. “We expect this move to pro- our development targets.”n
IF you’re a job seeker applying online, it could be better to look past BPO (business processing outsourcing) and ITES (IT-enabled services) industry postings, as this sector saw stagnant growth in online recruitment activity in the past year, according to a recent report by Monster.com. Based on the Monster Employment Index (MEI), retail and healthcare were the two industries that saw the highest growth in online recruitment activity from August 2017 to August 2018, at 40 percent and 33 percent, respectively. After retail and healthcare, logistics and the BFSI (banking, financial services and insurances) industries also enjoyed significant growth of 27 percent and 21 percent, respectively. At the opposite end of the spectrum were BPO/ITES and Education, which respectively saw 0 and -3 percent year-on-year growth. The index, compiled by online career and recruitment resource Monster.com, is a monthly gauge of online job posting activity, based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of career websites and online job listings across the Philippines. Overall, online hiring in the Philippines saw an 18 percent year-on-year growth. In terms of occupations, those under the purchase/logistics/supply chain category had the highest demand with a 38 percent growth, followed by posts under sales and business development, healthcare, and HR and admin (32 percent year-on-year growth each). Other occupation categories which registered positive growth include: finance and accounts, 31 percent; software, 22 percent; marketing and communications, 18 percent; hospitality, 15 percent; and engineering 11 percent. Customer service is the only occupation which saw a decline (one percent) from last year’s numbers. “Infrastructure is the backbone of a country’s economic development. A McKinsey Global Institute study predicts the Philippines’ economy is set to rise again and will achieve sustained growth over the next decade. The IMF, too, retained its growth forecast of 6.7 percent for the country. In line with this optimistic outlook, the MEI has reported an uptick in the demand for talent in logistics and supply chain. This can be attributed to the fast-changing infrastructural landscape of the economy, which is likely creating more jobs,” said Abhijeet Mukher-
jee, CEO of Monster.com–APAC and Middle East. “While the medium-term outlook may be positive, the labor market can be exposed to domestic risks and vulnerabilities as a consequence of market irregularities and structural changes. The government’s Build, Build, Build campaign is looking to pave the way for a new era of growth and prosperity in the Philippines,” he added. (Inquirer.net) n
Inquirer.net file photo
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018
“I won’t be home for Christmas”: How OFW families mark the holiday season by Nathalie
ily if the trip would be expensive and time consuming. Of to sustain the needs of the course, she misses her family in families they left behind in the the Philippines. But she cannot Philippines. Some might get to afford to throw her job away come home during the holidays, because it pays more than what but most of them might not, she can earn back home. That is given their circumstances. a sacrifice she continually makes Their families do their best to ensure a better future for her to celebrate Christmas in a family. way that feels like they’re still Her family isn’t happy with together — by conquering the the setup, either. They miss winter chill with good old-fashtheir bubbly and fun Rachel ioned Filipino spirit. who would always jumpstart the No matter how bad Rachel holidays by gathering them all Rivera wants to go home, she in one place and be the life of cannot. As an OFW, her vacathe party. She would urge the tion days are very limited so it young ones to stop playing for doesn’t seem practical to spend a while so they could start with the holiday season with her fam- their festivities. She would ask the elders to prepare their gifts to the younger members of the family. Now that she is distant, there is a feeling that something is missing. But thanks to technology and its innovative nature, she can spend time with her family even if distance does not seem to be in their favor. Through video-messaging applications, she can easily participate in the Christmas festivities by being on the other side of the screen. It is a little inconvenient, the family admits. But for Rachel and her family, it is better than nothing. They have created a new tradition so that Rachel can be a part of the celebration -- she prepares her own Christmas meal and ‘joins’ the family dinAJPress illustration by Godwin Gasacao ner via technology. They would
Robles aNd Ritchel MeNdiola / AJPress
IT is not easy to work far from the place you call home. But this ‘fear of missing out’ lingers especially on a special day like Christmas — when streets are decorated and jolly and everyone seems to spend this season with their families and loved ones. According to Philippine Statistics Authority, over 2.3 million Filipinos will be celebrating Christmas apart from their families this year. The unsung heroes, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), all over the world brave the loneliness and the distance
laugh, joke and talk about almost everything. As a family, they too worry about Rachel. They often think about whether she eats on time or sleeps enough. They never fail to remind her to take care of herself. They would pray for her daily. They know that if things would go beyond their control, they only have to trust the God above. Even if she herself cannot grace the halls of the place she called home, the gifts she sends become her substitute. Canned food, clothes, chocolates, toys and gadgets for all her relatives would make their way to the family’s doorstep by Christmas through a balikbayan box. Her cousins would send her pictures of the nieces and nephews enjoying the toys she sent, while her aunts and uncles pose for the camera, showing off the clothes she gave them. All the smiles on their faces and wholesome expressions of gratitude are enough to keep Rachel going. “All my sacrifices will soon be worth it,” she said. Even if she can’t be home for Christmas this year, she is saving up to return to the Philippines for good. For Diana Mendiola, whose husband is a Filipino seaman currently situated in Malta, Europe, celebrating Christmas apart is a normal occurrence, having already experienced this
Diana Mendiola with her family.
for over 10 years. “It still gets a little lonely,” she said. “But it’s nothing we can’t handle.” As soon as December rolls around, she and their two daughters, Dennise and Hannah, start decorating their three-story house. It’s nothing too grand, just the usual holiday fixtures like bright lights, a Christmas tree in the corner of their living room, and a parol lantern outside their home. Christmas Eve is a busy time for her. She prepares for the night’s festivities with a holiday menu that can feed her immediate and extended family — the ever-present hamonado and keso de bola; spaghetti; fried chicken; lumpiang shanghai; and her specialty, buko salad. “I like making buko salad because it gives variety to the menu,” she said. After attending Misa de Gallo at their nearby parish church, she and her family start eating as soon as the clock strikes 12. That’s when she contacts her
husband, Edward, as well. “We use Skype to communicate so he can see everyone else,” she said, explaining how their tablet gets passed around among family members so everyone can offer their greetings and holiday wishes. “That’s how he catches up with the rest of the family,” she added. To compensate for his absence, Edward usually sends Christmas gifts that everyone opens during the call so he can see their reactions. Diana and her daughters also show off the Christmas decors around the house and provide a play-byplay account of the ongoing festivities to ease the homesickness. In Diana’s household, Christmas is a family affair. Despite the holiday made even colder by the empty head-of-the-family seat, the love and happiness shared by Diana’s other family members are enough to keep them warm and cozy this season.
Celebrating Christmas in America as new immigrants: Filipinos share their stories of beating the holiday blues
Angeles couple Nina and Michael recently moved to the AJPress United States and are making a WE associate the holidays conscious effort to join nearby with many things. Presents under family members and bring in the Christmas tree. Yuletide the flavors of home to their first songs playing everywhere we American Christmas. go. But most importantly, the “As new immigrants, we’ve holidays are about family, and as sought out family close by—for Filipinos, family time during the us, they’re like home in a new holidays is a must. land. More so during the holiHowever, geographic disdays,” the couple told the Asian tance and financial roadblocks Journal. “We are cooking homemake that impossible for some grown favorites together—latik, Filipino-Americans who may not Pinoy tamalos, longganisa, puto get to travel back to the mothand the kids will be making [a] erland to spend the holiday with gingerbread house from scratch, their families. More so, spendwhile we enjoy American faing the holidays in a brand new, vorites like ham and steak. Feelunfamiliar country can feel lonely ing very grateful to have family and foreign. with us, and reveling in the love But there are ways to make of family this Christmas season, the most of the holidays despite wherever we may be.” the change in residency. Here are Baguio-native Rodolfo how some Filipino immigrants Salazar moved to LA in 2017 cope with spending Christmas in and will be spending his second their new homes. Christmas outside of the PhilipFilipino-American Los pines and away from most of his
by KlaRize MedeNilla
family. Having no relatives who live in California, he said that his first Christmas was “lonely” compared to his celebrations back home, which included nearly a hundred friends and family. “My first Christmas was very lonely and very depressing,” Salazar, who lives in Northridge, said with a sigh. “I didn’t really do anything but I called my brothers over FaceTime and spent a little time with them. But it really just made me sadder that I wasn’t with them. When you spend a lot of time with family, and then suddenly [find yourself] alone, it’s really shocking.” Although he said he’d “like to forget” about his first Christmas, this year, he made a conscious effort to make Christmas 2018 even better. “I feel better about it this year because I made friends with some of my neighbors
and they invited me to spend [Christmas] with them!” he said. “It’s funny because when I told them about how awful and lonely my last Christmas was, they said, ‘Why didn’t you tell us? You could have come over!’ So, I decided that to help them out with Christmas dinner and spend time with their family.” Although his neighbors may not be his blood relatives, he said that they feel like family and that even though you may not spend Christmas with your own relatives, you can “find family” anywhere. “It’s starting to feel like more of a home now,” Salazar said of living in California. “The more people I meet and the closer I get to some of the friends I made, the less lonely I feel. Even though I miss my family back home, I’m not so worried [about feeling lonely] anymore.” Administrative assistant Aida Apelacio moved from
the Philippines to California in 1993 and has spent nearly every Christmas in the U.S. without her immediate family. Although she now has extended family in the United States, she, like Salazar, described that first Christmas without her family in 1993 as “really, really lonely” and “extremely sad.” “It was unexplainable, especially for me because I am really close to my brothers and sisters and my mom. When I had that first Christmas without them, it was really so hard and I really missed them a lot,” Apelacio told the Asian Journal in a phone interview. In addition to missing her family and loved ones back home, Apelacio noted that she also misses the massive monthslong event that is Christmas in the Philippines which, as most Filipinos know, begins in September. “There’s nothing else like it.
It really is a special time of the year,” Apelacio said. “The small children singing Christmas carols around the neighborhoods, the different foods that they have over there and the Christmas parties we used to have over there. It was really, really fun and [a] very unique experience, and it is really beyond words.” Apelacio, who is now married and living in Artesia, California, now takes advantage of the telecommunication advancements that have been introduced in the last 25 years to communicate with her family back home, especially during the holidays. “It’s a lot easier now since we have all these social media like Viber, Messenger or Skype so our family feels less far away and we can feel less lonely. It would have been nice to have that before, but I’m glad we have it now,” Apelacio adds with a laugh.
Feasting on noche buena miles away table. • Leche flan - The Filipino AJPress version of a creme brulee — but FILIPINOS are known for tional dishes. better. A mixture of egg yolks, their love for food and fellowHere are some of the noche condensed milk, fresh milk and ship, and noche buena — which buena spread favorites: sugar; this sweet concoction is Spanish for “night of good• Hamon/hamonado - Ham, is steamed and topped with ness” — is the epitome of both (from the Spanish jamon). Pork caramelized sugar. of those combined. marinated in pineapple juice, • Macaroni salad - Although Typically after the last Mass sugar, salt and spices; then every Filipino has their own of Simbang Gabi, families go baked. version, this dish starts with the back home to a large spread • Keso de bola - Literally, a same ingredients — pasta, mayadorning the dining table. ball of Edam cheese (a semionnaise and chicken. Others Though families may have hard cheese from Netherlands), add carrots, celery, cheese and created their own traditions, usually with a red paraffin wax sometimes pineapple. among the noche buena staples covering. • Spaghetti - Filipino-style, include favorite Filipino dishes • Bibingka - Flat cake that is. Made with tomato sauce such as lechon (roasted whole cooked in banana leaves with and paste, ground beef or pork, pig), pancit, barbecue, rice, salted egg, kesong puti, served cheese and a little sugar to adobo and native rice cakes with butter and grated coconut. sweeten the taste, the spaghetti (kakanin — biko, sapin-sapin, • Lechon - Roasted pig, is a Filipino staple in parties and bibingka, puto bumbong, or pork belly, chicken, fish — it for noche buena. cassava cake). However, Westmeans anything that’s roasted In some households, Christern influence has brought in over coals. But in Filipino house- mas is a time for the families to spaghetti or fruitcake, and a holds, it is always the lechong reunite all relatives with their fusion of Filipino with internababoy (pig) that rules over the kin and clan depending on the number of family members. For a more closeknit type of family, they usually organize a reunion since this is the time of the year where most members are available. Some sort of production number whether a dance or song AJPress illustration by Jillian Peñalosa performance is
by Ritchel MeNdiola aNd Nathalie Robles
assigned to the younger members of the family as a form of entertainment. However, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) often feel farthest away from home during the Yuletide season. The Philippines is famous for making a big deal about Christmas — celebrating it as soon as the “-ber” months start, so it can be a little, if not a lot, jarring to spend it in another country, away from home and your loved ones. OFWs usually make do with their resources and imagination so their holidays can have that distinct Pinoy feel. For Regine Santelices, who’s celebrating her second Christmas in Dubai this year, one way to do this is by having a Filipino noche buena feast. “Ours is the typical Filipino noche buena feast,” she said. “People here usually prepare menudo, fried chicken, Pinoy spaghetti, smoked ham,crispy pata, lumpia, and fruit salad.” To battle homesickness last year, she called her family residing in Pasig City through Skype. “There wasn’t any specific time for Skype since it was hard to get signal here. I tried different apps to call them but none of those worked except Skype,” she said. However, since Dubai banned the instant messaging app this year, she had to look for other alternatives so she can
Regine Santelices and her fellow OFWs in Dubai during their noche buena celebration last year.
continue being in touch with her family. “I applied for a plan — international voice call for 300 minutes per month,” she said, adding that “I’m saving up minutes to call them this Christmas.” Aside from having Filipino cuisine and contacting her family to fill her stomach and her heart respectively, she also mentioned the Christmas party that the Filipino community in Dubai throws annually as a noche buena tradition, as well. “The good thing about Dubai is that there are a lot of Filipinos,” she said. She added, “Even if you’re far away from your family, the fellow OFWs you’re with will somehow make you feel like you’re part of their family. Their Christmas party usually consists of gift exchanges, grocery raffle, and karaoke. “The one we anticipate for is the raffle for groceries. They
give away rice, personal effects such as bath soap and the like, and other essential things. The cost of living here in Dubai is very high so this is important to us,” she said, sharing that she got a free rice supply for a month last year. According to Regine, the feeling of sadness is still there — “it’ll take some time to get used to,” she admitted — but she remains positive, and promises to make the most out of the Christmas celebration this year. Whether you celebrate noche buena among family and friends or in your new home away from home, the Filipino camaraderie and love for food are amplified during this evening. Though the meal’s central focus may seem to be on the feast being served, the real reasons for getting together are the ever-present laughter, storytelling and love.
The emergency B-2 Tourist Visa
upon entry to the country, B Your Visa holders commonly receive authorized stays of six months. Immigration The B-2 Visa is typically Solution used for tourism, vacations, visits with friends or relatives, medical treatment, participation in social events hosted ATTY. MICHAEL BHOTIWIHOK by fraternal, social, or service THE B Visa is a nonimmiorganizations, participation by grant visa to temporarily enter amateurs in musical, sports, or the United States for business similar events or contests, if not (B-1), as a visitor (B-2), or as a being paid for participating, combination of both (B-1/2). An and enrollment in a short recreapplicant must apply for the B ational course of study, not for Visa and appear for an interview credit toward a degree. at a United States Embassy When an urgent need to where the examining official travel to the United States will determine if the applicant arises, the B-2 Visa provides a qualifies. vehicle for a person to enter The B-1 Visa is commonly the United States for expedited issued for individuals to consult medical care, to accompany a with business associates, attend relative receiving medical care, a scientific, educational, profes- or to visit a relative suffering sional, or business convention from an immediate life threator conference, settle an estate, ening medical condition. For or negotiate a contract. example, a person donating It is important to note an organ and bone marrow for that the B Visa holder cannot transplant to a family member engage in gainful employment in the United States is a medical in the United States. Also, or emergency situation where
the B-2 Visa is appropriate. Other situations where the need for an Emergency B-2 Visa arises include when the purpose of travel to the United States is for a funeral or to make arraignments for repatriating a body of an immediate family member. Further, the B Visa may be used for urgent business travel when the need for travel was not anticipated, and for students or exchange visitors to return to the United States to attend classes or resume working in a timely fashion. An emergency reason to travel to the United States does not result in a waiver of any of the standard visa processing requirements through the United States Embassy. Despite the expedited or emergent need for a B-2 Visa, the burden is on the applicant to prove that he or she qualifies for the visa. Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that “every alien shall be presumed to be an immi-
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grant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa… that he is entitled to nonimmigrant status.” To overcome the intending immigrant presumption, applicants must demonstrate 1) the purpose of the trip is to enter for business or pleasure; 2) temporarily entering for a specific, limited period of time; 3) evidence of financial funds to cover expense; and 4) a residence outside the United States along with binding ties to his or her home country. An applicant must provide enough evidence for the United States Embassy to conclude that one’s ties to his or her home country (family relationships, employment, possession, etc.) will bring them back at the end of a temporary stay in the United States. Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant’s residence and ties abroad,
rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. Since each person’s situation is different, evidence of adequate ties to one’s home country comes in many forms. In the same vein, an applicant for an Emergency B-2 Visa must provide specific documentary evidence to prove the urgent, bona fide need to travel to and enter the United States. A different yet similar option to the Emergency B-2 Visa is the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without obtaining a visa, for stays of 90 days or less for tourism or business. However, even with eligibility to travel on the VWP, one may prefer having a visa in the passport and may still apply for a B-2 Visa. To understand the B-2 Visa process from start to finish, an applicant with an emergency need to travel to the United
States should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. Without the proper preparation and specific documentary evidence to establish an urgent need to enter the United States, an applicant runs the risk of being unable to enter the country for the emergency reason. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
Lani on her first Christmas with Bong after his acquittal by DOLLY ANNE CARVAJAL Inquirer.net
RAMON “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s plunder acquittal has elicited ambivalent reactions. But setting politics aside, I am featuring Bong’s ageless wife, Lani Mercado. She really stood by her man, no matter what. Bong’s fans have missed watching him on TV and the silver screen. Hopefully, the actor in him will opt to resume his show biz career instead of running for senator again. Après tout, it was show biz that paved the way for Bong’s political career. So, why not go back to where he started? Here’s my chat with Lani: What was the first thing that Bong did when he got home? There were a lot of people waiting for Bong to come home, so it was a time for receiving all their heartwarming greetings. The household staff was quite emotional, and it was a marathon of hugs and kisses— and selfies! Then, we took time to pray.
The Revilla family
The family was complete, except for Ram who’s in San Francisco for his studies. So, it was a great time to say a prayer of thanks to God, for granting us this best Christmas gift ever— Bong’s acquittal. What are his immediate showbiz plans? No concrete plans yet, especially because of the elections next year. Bong has decided to return to the Senate, so there are a lot of
Photo from Instagram/@joloo_revilla
invitations for him to travel all over the country to unveil the legislative plans that he had a lot of time to think about when he was in detention. How was your first night together after a long time? It was a happy but very long, exhausting day. Bong and I got to finally sleep together in our bed at home after four years, five months and 19 days. We slept way past midnight. We
were both very tired, and it was a restful sleep, although quite short, because we had to wake up very early. How has his incarceration changed Bong? He has become more concerned about the plight of our countrymen … and more deeply committed to his responsibilities to alleviate their plight. It has also made his relationship with God more clingy. He has learned total surrender, and he now clings to God more tightly. The way he sees it, God allowed this greatest trial in his life to happen for reasons that continue to unfold as the future reveals them. I believe Bong has now become more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life, especially on how he may serve as an instrument to make the lives of our people better. What’s your message to Bong’s detractors? May God bless them all. What has that family trial taught you? Deeper faith. It has also allowed me to develop cer-
tain virtues I would not have had the chance to learn more deeply if this trial did not happen to our family—like patience, fortitude, forbearance, letting go… I also
learned to have hope and joy. I learned that hope and joy are special graces from God, and we should never allow anything to Continued on Page SF6
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celebrity world
Miss Philippines Catriona Gray brings home Miss Universe crown
By Ferdie Villar THE Philippines is back on the (pageant) map when our very own Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe 2018 held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday, December 17. Catriona became the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines after she bested 93 contestants from all over the globe. She followed the footsteps of beauty queens Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973) and Pia Wurtzbach (2015). This 24-year-old FilipinaAustralian (who is also from Albay) was a crowd favorite from the very start. Her performance at the pageant was highly praised, and was lauded for her iconic “lava walk” at the preliminary competition on December 13. Also, she gave confident, swift and precise answers during the questionand-answer rounds. So aside from the title (and the hearts of the Filipinos), what else did Catriona win? According to the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), this year’s winner is getting the following perks and prizes: • Salary as Miss Universe for the year; • Luxury accommodation in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign – including living expenses; • One-year supply of beauty products; • Full shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry shoes and accessories; • Modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographers; • Skin and healthcare products; • Extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners;
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EMPLOYMENT
• Access to various events including casting opportunities, movie premiers, screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; and • Personal appearance wardrobe and styling by the official MUO fashion stylist. For the next year, Catriona will be living in New York City and meet her Miss Universe family and focus on her chosen advocacy. Congratulations again Catriona! *** Here’s another reason to celebrate — actress Iza Calzado tied the knot with British businessman Ben Wintle at Club Paradise Resort in Coron, Palawan last Wednesday, December 19. The solemn ceremony
was highlighted by the sunset and wonderful blue sea, but the real beauty was the radiant bride. Iza looked stunning as she walked down the aisle wearing a white lace wedding dress made by Rajo Laurel. She also carried a bouquet with a locket containing photos of her late parents — TV director and choreographer Lito Calzado and Marian Antonia Ussher. The groom — who is behind the popular restaurant finder app Booky — wore a matching white suit as he waited for his bride at the altar. The couple has been together for over six years and got engaged last year. Congratulations Iza and Ben!
Actress Iza Calzado tied the knot with businessman Ben Wintle in Coron, Palawan last Wednesday, December 19. Photo from Instagram/@gideonhermosa
EMPLOYMENT
Miss Philippines Catriona Gray was crowned as Miss Universe 2018 last Monday, December 18, in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo from Facebook/CatrionaGray
Actor Raymond Bagatsing returns to GMA 7/Pinoy TV after five years to join Kylie Padilla and Ruru Madrid in the upcoming drama series, “TODA One I Love.”
The Senior Padre Jesus Nazareno de Quiapo will celebrate its 41st Annual Fiesta on Tuesday, January 1, 2019; with the Holy Rosary, novena prayer and liturgical celebration at the residence of beauty impresario Ferdie Villar in South San Francisco at 11 a.m. Shown in photo are (L-R) Mrs. Rachel Satorre, former California senator Leland Yee, PBRC president Ray Satorre, Ferdie Villar and Club Royale grand dame Jett Navarro.
Actress Thea Tolentino portrays the role of a transsexual in GMA 7/Pinoy TV’s teleserye, “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko” with actro Rayver Cruz.
World boxing champ and senator Manny Pacquiao recently celebrated his 40th birthday with his close friends and family through a grand party recently. Shown in photo with Manny is his wife, Jinkee. Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao
Actor Luis Alandy is the lead star of ABS-CBN 2/The Filipino Channel’s well-liked teleserye, “Kadenang Ginto.”
PSYCHIC
SERVICES
community
SF
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018
Immigration Corner
January 2018 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
February 15, 2008
March 01, 2007
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder
December 01, 2017
November 08, 2016
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
December 15, 2007
June 22, 2007
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
June 01, 1997
July 22, 1995
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
April 22, 1997
September 01, 1995
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
“ABANDONED” PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001. However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to “abandonment.” USCIS had sent a notice to petitioner’s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyer’s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of “Citizen Pinoy,” suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Health@Heart
Food contamination
This leads to abdominal pains, diarrhea and vomiting, which are part of the body’s defensive PhiliP S. chuA, ways of getting rid of the offendMD, fAcS, fPcS ing bacteria. The most common bacteria causing food poisonHOLIDAYS are upon us ing is listeria salmonella, usually once again and food abound from poultry or infected eggs, everywhere we go. This is also specifically duck eggs), clostridia the season where gastroenteri(contamination by dirt or flies), tis from food contamination is and shigella and escherichia coli more common, especially from (fecal contamination of food unprotected, unrefrigerated food and/or water). and leftovers. What about toxins? What is food poisoning? Food that is kept in a warm Food poisoning is a variety place, or improperly preserved, of illnesses caused by eating can produce chemicals called food contaminated with bacteria, toxins. One of the commonest is toxins or chemicals. This is more the staphylococci toxin from stacommon during holidays and phylococci bacteria that can be summertime. The symptoms usu- transmitted by a food careless ally include diarrhea, abdominal handler with a boil or infected pains and vomiting. The diarrhea wound full of the staph bacteria. and vomiting could be so severe Botulism (due to clostridium as to cause extreme dehydration, botulinum), from badly tinned which, if untreated and unabator bottled food, is not very comed, could be fatal. mon but can be fatal. When the How does bacterial contami- contaminated food is ingested, nation occur? severe gastrointestinal sympRaw food may have bacteria toms may occur. in it or may be contaminated What chemical poisons are by unsanitary handling. These found in food? bacteria then grow and multiply, There are some common and when the “infected” food is food items that contain natural eaten, the growth and multiplica- chemical poisons. Some fungi tion of the bacteria continue in are very poisonous even when the stomach or bowel, producing eaten in tiny quantities, caussymptoms of food poisoning. ing irregular heartbeat, coma
or even death. The green areas on potatoes which have been exposed to the light, uncooked kidney beans, some nuts, etc. contain poisonous chemicals, which can cause symptoms of food poisoning if inadequately cooked. Not properly washing fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with pesticides can also cause food poisoning. Some mushrooms are poisonous and not edible. What bacteria grow on cooked rice? Bacillus cereus thrives and multiples in cooked rice and can cause food poisoning. The bacteria produces chemical toxin which is very resistant and not destroyed even by high temperatures. The best way to prevent this is by refrigerating left over rice, which should be consumed within 48 hours. The symptoms of food poisoning usually start fairly suddenly with abdominal pains, frequently cramping in nature and soon followed by diarrhea. The pains can be persistent for a few days and become worst before an episode of diarrhea or vomiting. Throwing up may cease after a few hours but the diarrhea may continue for days. If the illness is due to bacterial contamination, the symptoms appear about
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.
*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or
legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook. com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES
12-24 hours after ingestion, but if it is due to toxins, the onset of symptoms comes rapidly, usually within minutes after eating the contaminated food. Severe botulism begins after about 12 hours with vomiting, abdominal cramps, and may culminate in paralysis and coma. Is food poisoning dangerous? Obviously yes, as discussed
above. In young children and among the elderly, dehydration is the main danger. Vomiting and diarrhea can result in a rapid loss of body fluids and electrolytes. This can disrupt the very delicate chemical balance in the body and, if not treated early, can lead to coma and even death. Botulinum and staph toxins are in themselves dangerous, and the poisoning can be fatal, if not
managed in a timely and proper fashion. How do we prevent food poisoning? Good environmental and personal hygiene, proper food preparation, handling and storage, avoidance of questionable food (fruit or potato salad and dishes sautéed with tomato that have been exposed for more Continued on Page SF5
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
August 01, 2017
June 22, 2017
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
August 01, 2017
June 22, 2017
(Advertising Supplement)
SF6
people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018
Calendar of Events across
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS D EC E M B E R 2 1 -23
Simbang Gabi at Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church in Las Vegas Come and join Simbang Gabi at 8:30 p.m. from December 15-23 (except on Sundays at 5 p.m.) at Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church located at 1901 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89104. Complete nine days novena Mass with Christmas carols and a community feast! For more information, please contact the parish at (702) 735-0510 or Cris Pelayo at (702) 2456235.
D EC E M B E R 22
Simbang Gabi at St. Bridget Church in Las Vegas Bishop George Leo Thomas will celebrate Simbang Gabi at St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, December 22. Mass will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a potluck at the courtyard of the church. The church is located at 220 N. 14th St. Las Vegas, NV 89101. For more information, please call Andre at (702) 498-2934.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
Anne returns to horror genre by CHRISTINA ALPAD ManilaTimes.net
ACTRESS Anne Curtis is no stranger to bringing the scares to the big screen. She was just in her early teens and a newcomer in showbiz when she did “Ika-13 Kapitulo” (2000) under the helm of Michael de Mesa. Six years later, sh e transformed into a soughtafter young star when she did the Jerry Lopez Sineneng-Quark Henares-helmed movie “Huwag Kang Lilingon” (2006). This year, the 33-year-old actress returns to the genre via Yam Laranas’ “Aurora” as a more mature artist who has just done challenging roles for her latest project. Aurora tells the story of Leana (Curtis), owner of a rundown inn in an island and guardian to Rita (Phoebe Villamor), her eight-year-old sister. One day, a ship named “Aurora” collided into a rocky shore near the island where they live. This results in to the demise of over a thousand passengers. Many of the dead bodies turn up along the shore of the tiny island near the shipwreck, but many are still missing, and their distressed families are in need of a place to stay in as the search continues. The same families eventually ask Leana to look for the cadavers in exchange for a large amount of money. And so, together with her ex-boyfriend Ricky (Marco Gumabao) and boatman Eddie (Alan Paule) they brave the strong waves and murky waters without knowing what awaits them. A different kind of horror
In the same manner that MMFF has been part of the Filipino Christmas tradition, watching horror films during the most cheerful time of the year has been part of viewers’ itineraries too. And so for Aurora, a horror film, to be included in this year’s lineup is a welcoming option for MMFF patrons. But unlike the films under this genre that have competed in former MMFF editions, Curtis proudly noted that they are bringing a new sub genre of horror with Aurora. “Iba ang makikita n’yo dito sa ‘Aurora’ — from the cinematography to the music, na talagang world-class, to the location, the acting and the color grading —lahat iba dito. Kaya sobra akong excited to be back in the genre with this film,” Curtis noted during the movie’s grand media conference. “And one thing I learned while doing this movie, ito pala ‘yung sinasabi ni direk Yam na genre, ang ‘Elevated Horror,’” the actress proudly shared. Asked what exactly elevated horror is, Laranas — the highly acclaimed director of “Sigaw” (2004), which was turned into a Hollywood film titled “The Echo” (2008), “The Road,” and “Abomination” — came to the rescue. “Marami kasing permutations, branches of horror. When you say elevated horror there is a clear story. It is story-and character-driven. Susundan mo ‘yung kwento at tinatakot ka pero excited kang malaman ‘yung turnout ng story. Hindi ito ‘yung tatakutin ka lang for the sake of it,” the director explained adding
that they hope the story will resonate with the MMFF audience. With this abandonment from the typical horror formula, Curtis herself was surprised to have a different experience in making Aurora. “When we were shooting the film, tinatanong ko kay direk, sabi ko, ‘yung character ko, hindi ba talaga siya sumisigaw nang todo, which is usual sa horrors? Then sabi niya, hindi tayo ganun, kakaibang experience ang ibibigay natin sa lahat ng manononood ng Aurora,” Curtis recalled. “This is really something different from all the other horror films I’ve done,” she added before citing that Aurora has the feel of her favorite Hollywood movies “The Sixth Sense” and “The Others.” The departure from formulaic horror elements also afforded the movie of an MTRCB PG (Parental Guidance) rating, allowing younger children to experience a horror flick. “Having a PG rating, ang aking metaphor diyan ay, tipong parang hihilain ni tatay at nanay yung anak nila, excited lahat. Aurora is something like that, sabaysabay silang natatakot,” Laranas additionally explained. In ending, Curtis calls out to the moviegoing public to catch their quality horror film beginning December 25. “I have so much faith about this film because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about the film. I hope people decide to watch this film not because it’s me but because they really want to watch a quality and amazing film during the MMFF by direk Yam Laranaz,” Curtis finally shared.
Lani on her first Christmas...
From Page SF3 steal them. What’s your message to wives who want to give up on their husbands? Always be reminded of your wedding vows: In sickness and in health, for richer
or poorer, for better or for worse … Never let go of your husband. You can do that by never letting go of God in your life. Surrender your life to God, and He will do the rest. Jodi Sta. Maria joins Rubby
Sy-Coyiuto, Flawless’ CEO and founder, in leading the Pink Movement, which is about “uplifting people and helping them pursue all things beautiful.” It coincides with the seventh anniversary of the aesthetic clinic.
Food contamination...
From Page SF5 than an hour at a party or picnic under hot weather, mussels and other shelled foods that remain closed after cooking, poultry or meats (hamburgers, etc) that are not thoroughly cooked, and can goods that are of questionable freshness, that are “expired,” or with bulging top, are some basic preventive measures that can be taken to prevent food poisoning. The prudent practice and common sense dictum is “if in doubt, discard.” What is the mainstay of therapy? This depends on the cause of the food poisoning: bacteria, toxin or chemical. But basically, oral and/or intravenous fluid replacement is the key to prevent further dehydration from fluid and electrolyte loss from diarrhea and vomiting, which could be
life threatening. Young children and the elderly can become very ill fast, since they succumb rapidly to dehydration, so medical consultation, or even hospitalization, may be needed early. Antibiotics may be given where indicated to clear up the infection, but as a rule they are usually not used because they may sometimes worsen the condition. Fortunately, most of the food poisoning cases respond well to fluid replacement. Possible botulism patients should be hospitalized without delay. The stomach may be pumped out and botulism anti-toxin given to counteract paralysis. Those who are very ill may need ventilator support in the ICU. An antidote may be needed for fungal food poisoning. All the evaluation and decision on the management are
best handled by the attending physician. After surviving the acute stage, the patient is expected to recover fully with excellent prognosis. However, just like most other illnesses, food poisoning is best prevented. In majority of situations, this is within our power. Here’s wishing you, your loved ones, and the whole of humankind, a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with love, good health, joy, prosperity and peace *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is a medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com (Advertising Supplement)
Petitioning children of your spouse from a previous marriage The CTV Files ATTY. DENNIS CHUA, ESQ. A stepparent may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild. However, before a stepparent may be able to file an immigrant petition for a stepchild, the stepparent – stepchild relationship should have been created before a stepchild turns 18 years old. This means that the stepparent and the biological parent of the stepchild must get married before the child turns 18 years old. If the petitioner can no longer file an immigrant petition for the stepchild because the child has turned 18 years old, the child can still be petitioned by the biological parent after she obtains his or her permanent residency status. The significance of having a U.S. citizen
stepparent file for a stepchild is so that they could avoid the visa backlogs for visa petitions filed by legal permanent residents for their minor children (2d preference category). But considering the current visa priority dates being processed under the 2d preference category, the stepchild may be able to immigrate sooner than later even if petitioned by a legal permanent resident biological parent. If the biological parent is about to get married to the U.S. citizen petitioner and the biological parent has a child who is already over 18 years of age, it might be wise to consider postponing the marriage to give the child an opportunity to enter the United States faster. Instead of marrying the biological parent, the U.S. citizen petitioner can just file a fiancé petition for the biological parent. Once the fiancé petition is approved, both the biological parent and child can be issued the corresponding K visas for them to enter the United States. Upon marriage of the U.S. citizen to the biological parent,
both parent and child can file their respective applications for adjustment of status to have their status changed from K to permanent resident status. The decision whether to file a fiancé petition or an immigrant petition is crucial especially if the child is aging out or turning 21 years of age. The decision to just get married instead of filing a fiancé petition could mean a long wait of at least eight years before the child can be able to immigrate to the United States and join the biological parent. *** Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; (916)449-3923 Dchua@ctvattys.com (Advertising Supplement)
Dimples Romana to set flavorful holiday memories by NIKA ROQUE ManilaTimes.net
GROWING up in a flavorful and fragrant household, whose kitchen was ruled by a Kapampangan mother, it is almost a certainty that actress Dimples Romana has made a many flavorful holiday memories. Her Kapampangan roots played a huge role in her love of food, with her hashtag #DimpsKitchen on Instagram showing an impressive and diverse range of dishes. A mom of two kids, Romana shared that the Christmas season is the best way for her family to bond especially in the kitchen. “Every Christmas talaga, we get together and we always cook. My husband Boyet cooks as well, my daughter Callie bakes and loves cake decorating, and my youngest Alonzo helps me out in the kitchen,” Romana told The Manila Times. By trying out different cuisines or restaurants, part of Romana’s learning process is trying to recreate them at home. If the food came out a success and loved by the family, it would then be part of their staple
Dimples Romana Photo from Instagram/@dimplesromana
household recipes. The actress continued to share that food makes up a large part of their holiday traditions, saying that the fun activity brings them together. “Usually it’s a competition between the family. Ipapatikim namin sa buong pamilya and then malalaman nila kung sino nagluto.” Romana recently showed off her foodie and kitchen skills by preparing her special shrimp and sausage boil. “I began cooking when I was nine years old, so I learned from my mom — she’s Kapampangan
and she would cook a lot for the family,” she explained while preparing her dish. Based on her stories and passionate approach to cooking, the holidays definitely feel like something to look forward to in their family. “I like trying new things so we would have different themes for Christmas. We would do Filipino fiestas, Chinese or Japanese just to explore more.” Celebrating with her family and having themes for 15 years already, Romana said that they have not yet settled on one for this year. “However, we always go back to being able to share with the whole family kasi lagi kaming feast na style.” “Our table and communication is very open, so I always ask my children what they want to eat,” she shared. “Even if it’s not fit for our celebration, we serve it kasi Christmas is all about what you want to eat, and it’s all about family. So what’s the use of cooking something they will not enjoy diba? So para sa akin, kahit na hindi sila matched, basta gusto ng pamilya, okay na sa ‘kin,” she ended.
PG&E proposes critical investments to enhance wildfire safety and help reduce wildfire risk Additional Diablo Canyon Power Plant proposal affirms PG&E’s commitment to meet California’s renewable and clean energy goals
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— Reflecting the company’s commitment to address the growing threat of wildfires, PG&E is proposing a series of important additional safety investments as part of its 2020 General Rate Case (GRC) to help further protect the 16 million people it serves. The company’s GRC proposal, filed on December 18 with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), includes additional precautionary measures implemented after the 2017 and 2018 wildfires to help further reduce wildfire threats. Such measures will help bolster wildfire prevention, risk monitoring and emergency response; add new and enhanced safety measures; increase vegetation management; and harden PG&E’s electric system to help further reduce wildfire risk. 2020 General Rate Case More than half of PG&E’s proposed increase would be directly related to wildfire prevention, risk reduction, and additional safety enhancements. Among the important wildfire safety investments in the GRC proposal are the following components of PG&E’s expanded Community Wildfire Safety Program: • Installing stronger and more resilient poles and covered power lines across 2,000 miles of high fire-risk areas;
• Increasing ongoing work to keep power lines clear of branches from an estimated 120 million trees with the potential to grow or fall into overhead power lines, including annual vegetation inspection of approximately 81,000 miles of high-voltage electric distribution lines; • Implementing SmartMeter™ technology to more quickly identify and respond to fallen power lines; • Expanding the network of weather stations to enhance weather forecasting and modeling by adding 1,300 new weather stations in high fire-risk areas by 2022; and • Installing nearly 600 new high-definition cameras in high fire-threat areas, increasing coverage across these areas to more than 90 percent. While the GRC proposal will help fund a series of important safety investments, this proposal does not request funding for potential claims resulting from the devastating 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, the largest of which are still under investigation. The proposal also does not request recovery of PG&E Corporation or Utility officer compensation. “We understand and embrace our responsibility to safely provide electricity and gas to the communities we have the privilege to serve. As California
experiences more frequent and intense wildfires and other extreme weather events, we must take necessary, bold and urgent steps to protect our customers. The prudent investments we are proposing will help build a safer and more resilient energy system for the future,” said Steve Malnight, PG&E Senior Vice President of Energy Supply and Policy. Open and Transparent Public Process As with any GRC proposal, all investments and expenditures are subject to open and transparent public review and approval by the CPUC. The Commission will thoroughly review PG&E’s proposal, including holding public hearings across the state. PG&E strongly encourages its customers to provide feedback and participate in this important public process that will help shape customer rates and California’s energy future. Customer Bills If the CPUC approves the proposed investments, the average monthly bill for a typical residential electric and gas customer would increase by $10.57 a month, or 6.4 percent. This includes $8.73 for electric and $1.84 for gas service. The resulting rate change would occur in 2020 following the Commission’s decision. “PG&E recognizes that any Continued on Page SF7
FACCC, Inc. Christmas party and installation SAN PABLO, Calif. — The Filipino-Americans of Contra Costa County, Inc. held its Christmas party and installation of officers on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Rockefeller Lodge in San Pablo, California. The event had Hercules Council member Roland Esquivias as the installing officer. Members who were inducted and serve for two years are Romeo Serranzana, president; Fil Obmerga and Rey Calub, first and second vice presidents respectively; Dorie Nues, secretary; Linda de
Paz, assistant secretary; Lolit Obmerga, treasurer; Araceli dela Cruz, assistant treasurer; Mandy Villanueva, auditor; Cip Ayalin, public relations officer. Roy de Leon, Rick Llamado, Joe Medrano and Fernando Poquiz are the sergeant-atarms. Board of directors are Lito Villanueva and Victoria Bautista, chair and vice chairpersons respectively; Vicky Calub, board secretary; Rollie Rosette, Nemy Bautista, Frank Palomares, Ernie de Paz, Flor Malicse and Jim McCabe.
SF
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018
From Page SF6 increase to a customer’s energy bill has a significant impact, and we are committed to keeping customer costs as low as possible, while ensuring we are meeting our responsibilities to safely serve our customers,” Malnight added. 2018 Nuclear decommissioning cost triennial proceeding Romeo Serranzana, FACCC president. PG&E filed a second and separate proposal today at the CPUC that is referred to as the 2018 Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Triennial Proceeding (NDCTP). The filing is consistent with the CPUC’s decision to retire Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) in 2025 to meet California’s evolving energy policies and increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency resources. The NDCTP filing proposes an updated cost estimate for the safe decommissioning of DCPP and to restart the collection of customer conPPC INDUCTION AND INAUGURAL BALL. (R-L) Rod T. Andres, executive chairman; PPC first lady Lita Andres; tributions that are necessary to Susan Esteves; Jose S. Esteves, former Milpitas mayor and inducting officer; and Art Gabot Madlaing, real fund the project. “Diablo Canyon continues Estate broker and accredited notary public. to be an important resource for many honorable professions. and Ball was ably handled by California in achieving our clean We are also business owners, Marita N. Padilla, executive coenergy goals. When the plant catering to the needs of our chairperson and Arsie Valdez, has completed its service at the communities. Many Filipinos are executive co-chairperson with end of the operating licenses, we in government positions, from Merle Rabelas as master of are committed to safely decomschool boards members and ceremonies. missioning Diablo Canyon in a city council members to mayors, During dinner Bob Samfashion that is consistent not only State assembly members and payan, first Filipino mayor with all laws and regulations, the California State Supreme of Vallejo, shared a special but also recognizes its imporCourt chief justice. message to the PPC membertant location to the community It is time to be a part of the ship and guests, which was and California. We will remain decision making process. As read by Art Gabot Madlaing, firmly focused on working with such, I encourage all of you to real estate Broker, accredited the state, local leaders and our become involved in your comnotary public, former Publisher neighbors to determine the munity. Look for ways to make of Philippine Examiner and now most appropriate path forward life better for you and your city. columnist with Philippines Toconcerning the surrounding Volunteer, run for public office day and Philippine News. Here lands and coastline,” said Malnand become active in shaping are excerpts of the message of ight. “This proposal will ensure the future of your city. Mayor Sampayan: we have the proper funding to “We, the Filipino community “For many years, Filipinos achieve these important environof the San Francisco Bay Area, have been a silent group in the mental and community goals.” are proud of who we are and Bay Area. Our voices, which are Process to close Diablo what we represent. Show our many, demand that our needs Canyon pride by becoming involved. as residents be heard and Following the 2016 anCongratulations to the inrespected. Filipinos are part of nouncement to retire DCPP in ductees and may your event be mainstream America and repre2025, PG&E completed a comsuccessful. From my wife, Rasent a large portion of docprehensive, site-specific DCPP mona and me, happy holidays tors, lawyers, dentists, police decommissioning analysis. The and Merry Christmas.” officers, firefighters, clergy and
PPC holds Induction/Inaugural Ball and holiday celebration
THE Pangasinan Presidents Club (PPC) USA, club of past presidents of towns and cities organizations from Pangasinan, held its second Induction & Inaugural Ball and Holiday Celebration last Saturday, December 15, at the Best Western/ Grosvenor Hotel in South San Francisco. Jose S. Esteves, former mayor of Milpitas inducted the incoming executive officers, namely: Rod T. Andres, executive chairman; Jose Pepe Rosario, executive vice chairman; Evelyn B. Ramirez, executive secretary ; Marita N. Padilla, treasurer; Lito A. Lavarias, assistant treasurer; Bernard P. Valdez, auditor; Emma F. Torres, assistant auditor; Bob B. Baltazar, Regulatory Board chairman; and Alvin R. Padilla, Regulatory Board vice chairman. Rod T. Andres, executive chairman and past president of the Binalonan Association of Northern California (BANC), inducted the following head of standing committees, namely: Judith Fornoles, Ways and Means; Chris Y. Torres, Membership; Ben L. Bibat, Sports, Recreation and Cultural; Merle Rabelas and Cynthia Almeron, Press Relations Officers; Damazo L. Prestoza, Constitution and Bylaws; Jose S. Esteves, Parliamentarian; Fred T. Almeron and Jose S. Esteves, Advisory Council. The Inaugural Banquet
people & events PG&E proposes critical... study informed PG&E’s updated project cost estimate of $4.8 billion and proposal to re-start the collection of customer contributions into a separate trust established to finance the decommissioning project, safely store used fuel until the federal government takes storage responsibility and to remove all supporting campus infrastructure such as office buildings, warehouses and the site’s marina. Currently, PG&E has approximately $3.2 billion set aside in the decommissioning trust for the project and needs an additional $1.6 billion in 2017 dollars to fully fund the safe decommissioning of DCPP. In the NDCTP filing, PG&E is requesting that customer contributions for decommissioning restart in 2020 and conclude at the end of 2025. This will ensure that only those customers who benefit from the clean, reliable and affordable energy produced by DCPP will be responsible for supporting its decommissioning. It will also ensure compliance with California and federal laws requiring the reasonable costs of decommissioning be funded prior to the closure of a nuclear power plant. The decommissioning cost estimate could potentially decrease in the future if existing campus infrastructure, such as the site’s marina, is repurposed for alternative uses. Decisions on future repurposing will be made by PG&E with the input of the Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel and the local community, and are subject to regulatory approval. Customer Bills Approval of the 2018 NDCTP would result in a short-term monthly bill increase for a period of six years. For an average non-CARE bundled residential electric customer in 2020, the bill impact is about 2 percent, or $1.98. Open and transparent public process The NDCTP filing, as with the 2020 GRC proposal, are
subject to open and transparent public review and approval by the CPUC. The Commission will perform a thorough review of PG&E’s proposals, which will include public hearings across the state. PG&E strongly supports and encourages its customers to provide feedback and participate in this important public process which will help shape customer rates and California’s energy future. Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements This news release includes forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs, expectations, estimates, future plans and strategies of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which management believes are reasonable, and on information currently available to management, but are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition to the risk that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include the timing and outcome of the remaining investigations into the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires, weakened credit conditions that may impair PG&E Corporation’s and PG&E’s ability to access the capital markets, and other factors disclosed in PG&E Corporation and PG&E’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, their most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, and their subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PG&E Corporation and PG&E undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events or otherwise. (Advertising Supplement)
SF8
The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 21, 2018