LA Midweek Edition -- December 14 -- 16, 2016

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December 14-16, 2016

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 26 - No. 100 • 3 Sections - 22 Pages

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Palace hits the New York Times for being ‘onesided’ in drug war piece when reporting the Philippine government’s intensified campaign against narcotics.

“We ask the foreign media to MALACAÑANG on Monday, December 12, slammed the New present both sides of the story York Times for allegedly being when reporting on the Philippine ‘one-sided’ in its recent report war on drugs,” Andanar said.

The statement comes following about the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and a New York Times article entitled the supposed spate of extrajudi- “They are slaughtering us like animals,” published last Decemcial killings in the Philippines.

In a statement, Presidential ber 7. The article — which covCommunications Secretary Mar- ers 57 murder victims at 41 sites tin Andanar called on foreign over the span of 35 days — also media to maintain impartiality includes graphic images depictby DANA

SIOSON AJPress

ing some of the incidents.

In the piece, writer Daniel Berehulak reported that about 2,000 people “had been slain at the hands of the police alone” since President Rodrigo Duterte launched his “bloody and chaotic” crackdown on drugs.

Berehukak added that vigilantes seem to be “taking seriously Mr. Duterte’s call to ‘slaughter them all.’”

According to Andanar, the article “depicts the Philippines as

u PAGE A2

Duterte begins PH ends support for US patrols in the South China Sea state visit to Cambodia

USA

DATELINE American Red Cross reps urge Filipinos to prepare for disasters

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Without ACA guarantees, 52-M adults could have trouble buying individual plans MORE than 1 in 4 adults younger than 65 live with conditions that private insurers could have declined to cover in some policies prior to the Affordable Care Act, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The researchers noted that a large share of those individuals likely get their insurance through their employers, which does not take into consideration prior health issues. But if the health law were repealed and those people lost their health insurance for any reason, they could face problems.

Southern states carried the highest percentages of adults at risk of being shut out by insurers.

The analysis found that 52 million nonelderly adults faced the possibility of being denied

u PAGE A4

from military bases in the Philippines by the prior administration of former President Benigno OFFICIALS in Manila said on Aquino III. Monday, December 12, that they In line with efforts to strengthwill prohibit the launch of U.S. en the Philippines’ ties with Chipatrols from the Philippines in- na, representatives of the Duterte tended to contest Beijing’s claims administration have set out to to sovereignty in the South China end that arrangement.

Sea. Philippine Defense Secretary American forces conducting Delfin Lorenzana foreshadowed exercises asserting freedom of the country’s decision during a navigation in the region had been press conference on Thursday, allowed to stage their operations u PAGE A3

by ERIC

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

HOME fires claim 2,500 lives and make up the vast majority of the roughly 70,000 emergencies the American Red Cross responds to each year in the United States. They happen about twice daily in the greater Los Angeles region.

In light of the frequency at which fires wreak havoc, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC-LA) is encouraging residents of Historic Filipinotown and surrounding communities to volunteer in efforts to promote fire safety. They have also been offering free smoke alarm installations throughout the city.

Residents of Pico-Union and Westlake neighborhoods, including parts of Historic Filipinotown, can now sign up for a free smoke alarm installation provided by the ARC-LA on Saturday, February 11 next year.

The ARC-LA has installed 8,000 new smoke

OPLAN TOKHANG. Members of the Southern Police District together with Barangay officials hand out flyers containing the effects of illegal drugs as well as contact numbers of authorities to reach for emergency cases to homeowners of exclusive Ayala Alabang Subdivision during Oplan Tokhang.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday evening, December 13, for an official state visit.

Duterte was expected to meet Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday, December 14 at the Peace Palace for expanded bilateral meetings and the signing of various agreements.

The two country leaders were President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Albert Alcain/Presidential Photo

u PAGE A2

Miss Universe tickets to cost up to $1,000

by MARY

AND

GRACE PADIN EVELYN MACAIRAN Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Get ready to shell out about P50,000 ($1,000) to see over 90 of the most beautiful women in the universe up close.

Tickets for the 65th Miss Universe pageant coronation night will be available online starting Dec. 20, with prices rang-

ing from $160 to $1,000, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday.

In a press briefing in Makati City, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo revealed that fans could start buying tickets online through the SM Tickets website.

General admission tickets cost around $160 (approximately P8,000), while VIP tickets would more or less cost $1,000 (almost P50,000), Teo said. Prices for

ANTHONY LICAS AJPress

Palace on Duterte’s health: Nothing to worry about

by KRISTINE

ANGELI Inquirer.net

SABILLO

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, Dec. 13 assured Filipinos that President Rodrigo Duterte is well despite his complaints about his health.

“There’s really, absolutely nothing to worry about,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters.

“What is really being men-

u PAGE A2

tioned is part of wear and tear.

But he’s okay,” he said.

Abella said Duterte is fit and that “he likes the job” of being the President.

During the Wallace Business Forum in Malacañang on Monday, Duterte said that he has been experiencing migraine daily and that he has “a lot of issues with (his) spinal.”

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A DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

Palace hits the New York Times for being…

PAGE A1 t

the Wild, Wild West in this part of the world. This is farthest from the truth.”

“If the reporter had bothered to check the facts of the 3,000 deaths under investigation by the Philippine National Police, only 1,080 are drug-related. The rest are murder and homicide cases perpetrated by gunmen

which the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now investigating, the results of which will be made public in due time,” Andanar noted, insisting that Duterte has not given any direct order for police to kill drug dealers and users on mere suspicion.

Instead, police officers “neutralize those who violently resist

arrest” and have the right to defend themselves, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, in his speech during The Outstanding Filipino Awards for 2016 at Malacañang, the president responded to the international criticism.

“I am not a killer. I do not relish or enjoy a Filipino sprawled there with all the blood,” he said. n

“Well, I must tell you that Prime Minister Hun Sen has deep admiration for President Duterte. He has expressed it publicly in the past,” Montero previously said.

“He sees in him an ally in terms of standing up against Western countries in so far as non-interference in internal affairs as far as the state is concerned.”

Apart from Prime Minister Hun Sen, Duterte is also expected to have a royal audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Duterte is also scheduled to meet with the head of the Cam-

bodian Chamber of Commerce and Cambodian business leaders.

“The fact that it was elevated to a state visit only shows, demonstrates, that Cambodia attaches great value to its bilateral relaSTAR POWER. Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle thanks Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach for her donation of cash and goods for Caritas tions with the Philippines in spite Manila’s bazaar to raise funds for 5000 scholars.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez of certain differences in our approach to the South China Sea issue,” Montero said.

He added that the South China Sea “may or may not be dis- PAGE A1 t activities. Most of the ladies said tender said. cussed” in the meeting. Cambo- upper and lower box tickets have this was their first time to visit.

The candidates toured Intradia had backed China’s claims yet to be announced.

Last Sunday, the candidates muros yesterday and are set to u PAGE A3 Teo said only 200 tickets re- visited Siargao – the Philippines’ be in Oslob, Cebu today.

Reigning Miss Universe Pia main for the VIP section, as most surfing capital – and said the of the seats have been reserved beauty of the beaches and the Wurtzbach said seeing the new by the Miss Universe Organiza- locals’ warmth and hospitality batch of candidates “brings back a lot of memories.” tion (MUO). But she assured the awed them.

“We had a wonderful time. We “I remember the days when I public that many seats in other went to Cloud 9 beach and it is used to be a candidate for Miss sections are still available.

The announcement came amid probably one of the most beau- Universe and my advice is, ‘Girls, speculations online on the ticket tiful beaches I’ve ever been to,” enjoy it because it really is a onceprices for the final event of the Miss USA Deshauna Barber in-a-lifetime opportunity.’ And I’m not going to lie, I miss it. I Miss Universe competition to be said.

“It’s so beautiful it was like miss being Miss Philippines, but held at the Mall of Asia Arena on paradise. I’m definitely bring- I’ll definitely miss being Miss UniJan. 30, 2017.

“I have heard that some things ing my family back here,” Miss verse as well,” Wurtzbach said.

Meanwhile, Shugart promised have been put on the internet, Malaysia Kiranmeet Kaur Baljeet a “unique” Miss Universe combut we don’t know where it came Singh added.

For Miss Myanmar Htet Htet petition next January. from,” MUO president Paula Tun, the warmth and friendliness “We’ll be able to expect an Shugart said.

Teo said the DOT is working of Filipinos were “overwhelm- even better production. IMG only owned us for two months, on Miss Universe tour packages ing.”

“All the staff and all the people when we went into last year’s in response to demands from returning overseas Filipino work- in Siargao have warm hospitality, show. Now they love the brand, I had a pleasant time with them. they love Pia and they’re working ers (OFWs).

“We’re still fixing it because I think (I gained) a lot of friends very hard. It’s going to be a great the packages will not only be Ma- here. All the Filipino friends are show,” Shugart said.

IMG is the company that nila, but will also include Davao, very cute and warm. I was overCebu, all the provinces – also, Le- whelmed by their support to all bought MUO from US presidentelect Donald Trump last year. gaspi and Palawan,” Teo said, re- of us,” she said.

Maxine Medina, the country’s Wurtzbach to donate to Caritas ferring to the provinces hosting bet for the Miss Universe crown, Manila the pageant’s ancillary events.

Meanwhile, the reigning Miss “We will be submitting that said this is just a taste of what’s soon (to the MUO). Before the in store for the contestants in Universe pledged yesterday to donate bags and shoes to the end of the week, the packages January.

“I’m very proud that the girls first celebrity bazaar organized will be ready,” she added.

Eleven candidates of the 2016 are happy to see the place and by Caritas Manila.

The 27-year-old Wurtzbach Miss Universe pageant are cur- that is just a preview of what is rently in the Philippines for a going to happen next. So, we’re met yesterday morning with week of pre-pageant tours and very excited,” the Filipina conu PAGE A5

Duterte begins state visit to…

PAGE A1 t

expected to discuss defense and security relations, bilateral trade, and cultural and tourism cooperation.

The visit marks the first time in 20 years that the Philippines is having standalone bilateral talks with Cambodia, according to various reports.

According to Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher Montero, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has deep admiration for the Philippine president.

Miss Universe tickets to cost…

From the Front Page

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. Groups gather at the Mendiola Bridge in Manila as they commemorate the International Human Rights day in the Philippines. The Duterte administration has earned international condemnation on the spate of killings in the country amid his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs and criminality.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

PH ends support for US patrols in the…

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December 8. He told reporters that the Philippines would likely scale back its support for American freedom of navigation patrols “to avoid any provocative actions that can escalate tensions in the South China Sea.” The government’s announcement on Monday may conflict with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by representatives of the U.S. and the Philippines in 2014.

The document grants U.S. forces access to certain Philippine military bases and was recently affirmed as constitutional by the latter country’s Supreme Court in July.

Since taking office at the end of June this year, Duterte has pushed to mend ties with Beijing which had soured due to disputes over fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal.

Efforts to expand the Philip-

pines’ relationship with China were spurred partly by tensions that grew out of U.S. opposition to the Duterte administration’s crackdown on the country’s illegal drug trade.

President-elect Donald Trump had offered a clean slate to his Filipino counterpart and expressed support for Duterte’s war on crime during a direct phone call on Friday, December 2. Despite that conversation, officials in Beijing have said that the Philippines’ pivot to China will continue, according to Bloomberg and other sources.

American forces will, however, be allowed to land, refuel, and resupply in the Philippines on their way back from those missions. Lorenzana told reporters on Monday that the U.S. could still launch exercises from Guam or Japan.

The Duterte administration’s

decision might have threatened to cancel joint exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the American military. However, the exercises could still take place if they were repurposed into humanitarian and emergency relief training, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander of the U.S. Army I Corps, told Voice of America.

Despite a reduction in support from what has traditionally been one of the United States’ closest allies, American officials say they are likely to remain committed to promoting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “You know, we will fly, we will sail anywhere within international waters and we will continue that,” State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday, December 8. n

Duterte begins state visit to…

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over the disputed sea.

In recent moves and remarks, Duterte has seemed to be more open to a relationship with China, while slowly distancing the Philippines from its longstanding ally, the United States.

Senator-boxer Manny Pacquiao is also part of Duterte’s delegation to Cambodia.

“The presence of Pacquiao in Cambodia will be a huge en-

couragement to our athletes, because although he is of small stature he became a legendary boxer. He was born in a poor family but strove very hard and achieved huge success,” Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, told the country’s newspaper, The Phnom Penh Post.

He added that Pacquiao’s presence is also meant to pro-

mote tourism.

After Cambodia, Duterte is scheduled to fly to Singapore for another official visit.

“These state visits will reaffirm our relations with our close neighbors in Southeast Asia and seek to further strengthen our engagement with our brothers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” the president said in Manila before departing. n

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A DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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US senator’s bill targets China aggression in South China Sea

by Camille

Diola Philstar.com

IMEE MARCOS AT MALACANANG. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos inside Malacanang Palace during the 2016 The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) Awards on Saturday, December 12. Gov. Marcos is chair of the board of judges for this years awards.

Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc

Without ACA guarantees, 52-M adults…

PAGE A1 t

coverage due to a preexisting condition if they were purchasing a policy on the individual market under the common rules used before the health law. In the individual market, consumers buy their own insurance. It serves people who cannot access employer-based insurance or public health coverage, such as Medicaid.

A third of the adult population in Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia fall in that category.

The study highlights the risk that some people might face if Republicans go forward with their pledge to repeal the health law and don’t have adequate safeguards against basing insurance on preexisting conditions.

The individual market is quite small — about 8 percent of adults — but the number of people affected by it is likely much higher, researchers note, because people churn in and out of that market frequently, as they change jobs or go through a divorce, for example.

The federal health law’s prohibition on denying coverage based on medical history is quite popular. But to help maintain a healthy insurance pool that could offset insurers’ costs for the care of sick customers, the law mandates that most people buy insurance or pay a penalty.

It is that individual mandate that has generated strong objections from critics of the law.

Researchers analyzed data

from two surveys conducted in 2015 by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The age, health status and conditions participants reported in the surveys were key indicators in identifying this population.

Cynthia Cox, associate director of health reform and private insurance at KFF and one of the authors of the study, said as Congress considers overhauling the health law, lawmakers need to consider those people who churn in and out of the individual market. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

“I think what the study shows is that the details of a repeal and replace act matter not only for the people that are immediately affected,” she said, “but for the people that might need this coverage at some point in their lives.”

Prior to the ACA, medical underwriting was standard practice in 45 states and the District of Columbia, the analysis said. Prospective enrollees typically filled out a survey regarding their medical history that included questions about pregnancy status, medications and lab results. Applications also included an authorization clause that allowed insurers to access all medical records.

Insurance companies could deny coverage based on preexisting conditions such as pregnancy, cancer and diabetes the study reported. Additionally, these entities could also reduce coverage by cutting out certain medications such as cancer

fighting drugs and antipsychotic medications. Individuals with certain occupations such as firefighters, taxi cab drivers and air traffic controllers faced an uphill battle to secure coverage from some insurers.

Sabrina Corlette, research professor at Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms, said the individual mandate has not provided enough incentives so far to guarantee a robust health pool, but she urged officials to give it more time.

“I would argue that before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, we should give the individual mandate a chance to work,” she said.

However, Robert Laszewski, a health care industry consultant and president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, said the individual mandate has been proven to not work. He suggested Republicans look at other options, including a penalty similar to Medicare Part B, where enrollees pay a more if they choose to enroll after they first become eligible.

Regardless of the future health policy in place, Laszewski said it is imperative that individuals living with illnesses have access to health insurance.

“You can’t have a workable system without covering a preexisting condition,” Laszewski said.

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News. (Carmen

Florida lawmaker Marco Rubio introduced at the United States Senate a proposed bill seeking to sanction Chinese individuals and entities that participate in “illegitimate operations” in the South China Sea and East China Sea. In a statement earlier this month, Rubio said the security of US allies in the western Pacific “cannot be endangered by Beijing’s ongoing flagrant violations of international norms in its pursuit of dominance in the South China Sea and East China Sea.” “China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea are illegitimate and threaten the region’s security and American commerce, with reverberations that can be felt here at home, including Florida’s ports and throughout our state’s shipping and cargo economy,” Rubio, a Republican senator, said.

He said the US should take concrete steps through his proposed South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act to hold violations of international norms accountable as the world de-

Sen. Marco Rubio

pends on freedom of navigation and overlight in the disputed waterway.

“Consistent with international law, China should not be allowed to interfere in any way with the free use of the waters and airspace in the South China Sea and East China Sea by civilian and military ships and aircraft of all countries,” Rubio said.

The Philippines, a close US ally, has long been embroiled in

a row with China and some of its neighbors over overlapping territorial and maritime claims. In June, an arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea favored the Philippines in its decision and dismissed China’s nine-dash line claim.

Rubio’s bill, once a law, will require the US president to impose sanctions and prohibit visas for Chinese who contribute to construction or development projects or threaten peace and stability in the South China Sea. The act also imposes sanctions on foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct transactions with sanctioned individuals if China “takes certains” actions such as declaring an air defense identification zone on Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippines calls Panatag Shoal.

The legislation also seeks to prohibit the publication of documents portraying the South China and East China Seas as part of China.

Even foreign countries that openly support China’s claims will receive only restricted assistance from the US once the bill is passed. n

American Red Cross reps urge Filipinos…

PAGE A1 t

alarms this year, but many buildings still have faulty units, according to the organization’s Regional Disaster Program Manager, Jeanne Woo. “We dealt with multiple fatalities over the Thanksgiving weekend,” she told the Asian Journal on Tuesday, December 6.

“There are very positive and easy steps that we can take to make sure that doesn’t happen to our families and loved ones,” she added following a disaster preparedness presentation put on by the nonprofit and hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, ARC-LA representatives and volunteers said Angelenos need to stay vigilant of the potential hazards around them and outlined strategies for surviving fires and other catastrophes. They encouraged residents to develop and practice emergency plans for a variety of Heredia Rodriguez / Kaiser Health- possible emergencies.

In addition, Woo said poorly News)

placed alarms have a tendency to go off when they shouldn’t and become a nuisance. As a consequence, some homeowners significantly increase the likelihood of a serious fire by removing the batteries from improperly mounted units, or neglect to replace them when they run out of power.

The ARC-LA hopes to properly outfit 400 homes in the Pico-Union and Westlake areas during next February’s round of free installations. Funding for the program comes from a combination of donations, grants, and the ARC-LA budget.

The organization is looking for volunteers willing to assist with installations and help reduce the likelihood of fires. They need no advanced knowledge to participate and will receive training at the event.

A smaller percentage of the ARC-LA’s volunteers come out of Pico-Union and Westlake neighborhoods, compared to other parts of the city, according to Woo.

“This is a great opportunity to reach into the Filipino community,” she said on Tuesday. “We could use more volunteers from within the community who will respond to localized disasters.”

Woo said that people from the immediate vicinity of a disaster are especially effective at coordinating relief efforts. In addition to reduced transit times, emergency responders from within the community face fewer language barriers than those from further away. They also tend to possess a deeper understanding of their neighborhood’s specific needs and challenges.

More information for those interested in taking part of any of the ARC-LA’s community events or volunteering on a more regular basis can find more information on its website. There, individuals can also set up an appointment for a smoke alarm installation and learn how to better prepare themselves for a wide variety of potential disasters. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

A

Fil-Am among APIs continuing fight against Dakota Access Pipeline VOWING to continue the struggle against the “black snake” of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, 50 Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11 to hear eyewitness accounts of recent peaceful protests against armed security forces.

Those who traveled 1,500 miles to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation said they joined thousands of other peaceful protesters – known as water protectors – to follow the courageous leadership of Native Americans who were determined to save their tribal water, land, sacred sites and sovereignty without violence.

On Dec. 4, 2016, the Army Corps of Engineers halted the pipeline construction until it completes an environmental review of alternative routes with full tribal and public input.

“It takes a tremendous amount of strength to not act out towards the Dakota Access Pipeline and their allies,” said Hsingii Bird, 35, a Taiwanese immigrant who took part in the protests. “I believe the indigenous people are the guardian of Mother Earth, and we must

be their best allies. That is what Standing Rock taught me.”

After a long cross-country drive from Long Beach, California, Alex Montances, 32, said he and other protestors were warmly welcomed by Native American women who recounted generations of violence and oppression against them. Yet when it came time for an all-women march toward the pipeline security forces, they stood strong and calm.

“Women were on the front lines. They marched up to the barbed wire and the armored vehicles,” recalled Montances, a Filipino American. “They asked the security officers to join them to protect water.”

That didn’t happen, so the 150 women – elderly grandmothers, mothers with babies and small children, teens – retreated, but returned again another time for an all-female march. “The strength of the Native Americans and the Native American women – I have never seen that in my life,” he said.

Mato Means, 34, a member of the Lakota tribe and a military veteran who lives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in

South Dakota, said he was appreciative of the efforts by Los Angeles-area APIs. “You are all part of the great turtle island,” said Means, referring to the American Indian creation story of how the world first formed as one land mass on a turtle’s back.

More than $1,000 was collected to help the Standing Rock Sioux tribal nation and to send future water protectors when needed. Speakers said they foresee a long struggle because they expect incoming president Donald Trump will attempt to force pipeline construction to resume.

A colorful banner, to be shared with the Standing Rock community of camps and shelters that now face a harsh winter, was also signed by the group. The Dec. 11 event was co-organized by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) Environmental Justice Committee and the Progressive Asian Network for Action.

APIs joining in solidarity with Native American causes is a long history, said Kathy Masaoka, of Los Angeles. She recounted the struggle more than 40 years ago

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who also heads Caritas Internationalis, at his residence in Intramuros, Manila.

During their meeting that lasted for more than an hour, Wurtzbach reportedly promised to donate rubber shoes, formal shoes, gowns and other personal items to the church organization’s first “Celebrity Pre-Loved Luxury Sale” set on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Glorietta 5 Atrium, Ayala Center in Makati City.

The beauty queen said the pageant organization would also donate to Caritas Manila the proceeds from last Friday’s charity fashion gala called “A Royal Affair.”

“We are all doing this just out of pure love and good faith and asking for nothing in return but just give back because we feel very blessed,” said Wurtzbach.

“Of course, it’s timely because it’s the holiday season as well.

So, let us give without expecting anything in return.”

Tagle thanked Wurtzbach for her generosity that would benefit

the poor.

“Miss Pia, you are a towering figure. We look up to you… We are here for one purpose and it is to serve our brothers and sisters with no other motivation but love, caritas. We are happy that a person like you and other celebrities, if we might use that word, are offering whatever you could to support, especially the young people in need of education,” Tagle said.

The Manila prelate afterwards gave Wurtzbach his personal rosary that Pope Francis had given him.

Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual said the church group hopes to raise P2 million for the education of its 5,000 Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) beneficiaries, who are currently taking college courses and vocational technology education.

“This is our way of helping the poor and give them a good future. We believe that education is the great social equalizer,” Pascual said. n

Photo by Jeff Chop / Courtesy of Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council

when she and other activists traveled to Wounded Knee in South Dakota and were met by armed federal officers, marshals and the FBI. “There was no Facebook, no video, no news coming out,” Masaoka said. “Wounded Knee was the site of the massacre in the

1800s. And treaties were long broken there.”

Looking ahead, many participants said they will travel back to Standing Rock when the call for help comes. Several supporting organizations are also planning support activities in the Los Angeles area.

“We have to continue standing as allies with our Native American brothers and sisters both in Standing Rock and locally,” said Nancy Kim, a water protector who is ready to return. “And that means educating ourselves regarding the battles and issues they are facing.” (A3PCON) n

Dateline PhiliPPines

Miss Universe tickets…

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Asian Pacific Islander nonprofits raise funds and sign the banner for NoDAPL on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 in LA.

‘LP has no choice but to take the major role of opposition’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Liberal Party (LP) has no choice now but to take the major role of the opposition, following Vice President Leni Robredo’s declaration that she will become more vocal in criticizing the administration’s policies she does not agree with, according to Caloocan City Representative and LP Chair for Political Affairs Edgar Erice.

Robredo, who holds the highest position in government among the members of the LP has been always vocal regarding her disapproval of some of President Rodrigo Duterte’s actions and remarks, including the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), the extrajudicial killings, and the reimposition of the death penalty.

Robredo also previously an- LP Chair for Political Affairs Edgar Erice

nounced that she is ready to become the “unifying voice” of the opposition after Duterte ordered her to “desist” attending from all Cabinet meetings, prompting her to resign from her post as the housing secretary.

“It’s not our doing. It’s the administration’s doing because suddenly minarginalize nila ‘yung aming chairman (Robredo) by in-

structing her not to attend Cabinet meetings. Parang sinasabi nila na mag-resign ka na lang sa pagiging miyembro ng gabinete and then we have no choice (They suddenly marginalized our chairman by instructing her not to attend Cabinet meetings. It’s like they are telling her to just resign from being a Cabinet member),” Erice told the

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A DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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He said, she said

“I WILL continue to fight against things I do not believe in. If being an opposition leader entails that, then I will be an opposition leader,” Vice Pres. Leni Robredo told the media after she resigned from Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet last week.

Robredo quit being the chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) after being ordered—via a text message—to desist from attending all cabinet meetings. She alleged that there’s a plot to eventually remove her from vice presidency.

“We had hoped this day would not come. I had been warned of a plot to steal the Vice Presidency.

I have chosen to ignore this and focus on the job at hand. But the events of recent days indicate that this plot is now being set into motion,” Robredo said in her resignation letter.

Malacañang officials said that the “separation” was caused by irreconcilable differences, as there are certain policies that the two leaders disagree on.

Robredo has been a staunch critic of Duterte’s ongoing drug war and has lamented the rising number of casualties. She insists that the rule of law must prevail and urged the public to remain vigilant.

“It’s not about deciding who dies or who lives.

It’s also about making sure that when the fighting dies down, what’s left is a community that trusts more than fears,” she said in August.

The government’s bloody campaign against il-

legal drugs has left more than 3,600 suspects dead, including more than 1,300 killed in gun battles with authorities—an average of 36 killings a day since he took office on June 30.

This brutal crackdown on drugs has also led to killings on the streets and violations of human rights, including the right to life and to due process.

Another divisive issue that might have pulled the trigger on this short-lived partnership was the controversial decision of Duterte to allow the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).

Robredo is the highest ranking leader of the Liberal Party and a known ally of former Pres. Benigno Aquino III. She also defeated the late president’s son, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, in the vice presidential race.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr, who related the president’s order to Robredo, denied that the decision to cut her loose was connected to Duterte’s close ties with the Marcoses.

On Thursday, Dec. 8, Duterte assured Robredo that there are no plots to steal the vice presidency from her.

“I will assure Leni and the rest of the Bicol region that you will have her until the very end of her

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

term,” Duterte told reporters. “There is no such thing as removing of a vice president,” he added.

Duterte has also accused the “Yellows,” or allies of the previous Aquino administration led by the Liberal Party, of plotting to oust him.

This political divide led by the country’s top leaders is set to continue well into 2022 if they

both finish their terms. This is not democracy at work because it brings heightened uncertainty and increased tensions.

Instead of inspiring intelligent opinion on the country’s current issues, the continuous disagreement causes national bickering and it is deeply unsettling. (AJPress)

Warning to DREAMers: Do not leave the US when Trump becomes president AS most kababayans in the United States are joyfully preparing for Christmas, there are Filipinos who are weighed down by feelings of uncertainty as President-elect Donald Trump’s oath taking comes near.

These are Filipinos who are living and working in the United States without the required immigration papers, while some have benefitted from President Barack Obama’s DREAM Act — deportation relief measures that protect these young people brought to the United States as kids and have considered America their home.

However, President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind Obama’s executive orders on immigration which may put many of these kababayans at risk of being deported once Trump becomes President on January 20, 2017. These may include those

who may have been granted advanced parole so they may The Fil-Am be able to leave the U.S. to visit their families back in the Philip- Perspective pines and be able to come back to the United States.

However, immigrant rights advocates, lawyers and universities have warned these undocu- gel SantoS-ReloS mented immigrants, particularly the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act, against traveling. They say it is best for them not to leave the U.S., or if they have to and have the advanced parole documents, it would be in their best interests to come back to America BEFORE Trump takes oath as president.

Immigration is a privilege and not a right,

and therefore, if the new president chooses to issue an executive order barring these undocumented immigrants from coming back to the U.S., even if they have the advanced parole documents, then they may not be able to enter the country again unless immigration laws and guidelines change.

DREAMers as many fear he would, but he would instead focus on prioritizing the removal of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal convictions.

This segues to a very important reminder to kababayans in America who may have already been granted their green card/permanent resident

status. Atty. Lou Tancinco said it may be wise for them to apply for citizenship NOW because having a green card does not protect you from deportation if you are involved and become convicted of a serious crime. There are benefits and protections accorded to naturalized citizens which green card holders do not enjoy.

So what are you waiting for? If you are already eligible to naturalize, give yourself and your family this Christmas gift: apply for U.S. citizenship now! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are 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

Why police shoot to kill, not to wound the center of which ONE of the ideas policemen are trained advanced by some Commentary to aim at. Targetpeople is that our popractice figures never licemen under Presiinclude the legs but dent Duterte’s adminonly the torso to just istration have become after the crotch, which so ruthless that they is also a target. shoot illegal drug This shoot-justsuspects to kill, when RigobeRto tiglao to-wound issue isn’t they should just fire new, and had been widely debated in a their guns to disable or wound them.

I am surprised that the idea seems to few US cities, after an uproar over pohave gained some traction. In a recent lice fatally shooting a suspected crimiconversation with former President Fi- nal, who turned out to be unarmed. del Ramos, a soldier most of his life and A bill was filed in New York in 2005, the founder of the Army Special Forces, requiring police to “shoot-to-wound,” he said that he strongly suggested to calleda “minimum force” bill. This Philippine National Police Chief Ronald would require officers to “shoot a susdela Rosa that he issue an order to all pect in the arm or the leg” and to use policemen to aim their guns at crimi- firearms “with the intent to stop, rather than kill.” The bill was withdrawn, after nals’ legs, and shoot only to disable.

That seems to be a logical sugges- it was scientifically shown to be impostion. The problem is that reality doesn’t sible to implement.

Force Science Institute work that way.

A key study by the Force Science InPolice do shoot accurately only at criminals’ hands (and even their guns) stitute—a respected institute that scienor at their legs—but only in the mov- tifically studies combat situations— revealed some of the practical problems ies.

If you’ve ever fired a gun, you’d real- with a shoot-to-wound policy. Some of ize that it’s so different from the mov- these: • “Hands and arms can be the fasties, that you can even miss a man just est-moving body parts. For example, an across the room.

When I had to train for security pur- average suspect can move his hand and poses how to use a gun when I was in forearm across his body to a 90-degree government, the instructor in combat angle in 12/100 of a second. He can shooting would always shout at us nev- move his hand from his hip to shoulder er ever to fire only once, but to shoot height in 18/100 of a second. The average officer pulling the trigger as fast as three times in rapid succession.

The reason is obvious: Just a few mil- he can on a Glock, one of the fastest-cylimeters’ deviation of the gun muzzle cling semi-autos, requires 1/4 second to from the target, which almost always discharge each round. There is no way happens when you improperly pull (in- an officer can react, track, shoot and stead of squeeze) the trigger, and you reliably hit a threatening suspect’s foremiss your opponent, who of course arm or a weapon in a suspect’s hand in would be defending himself to kill you, the time spans involved.

• “Even if the suspect held his weapeither with his own gun, or even just a knife. Your chances obviously of stop- on arm steady for half a second or more, ping your opponent increases when it’s an accurate hit would be highly unlikesecond nature to fire the gun thrice, ly, and in police shootings the suspect and his weapon are seldom stationary. rather than just once.

So, training in combat shooting, Plus, the officer himself may be moving which all policemen go through, never as he shoots.

• “The upper arms move more slowly ever involves shooting at the arms or even the legs, which are almost always than the lower arms and hands. But moving targets, compared to the torso, shooting at the upper arms, there’s a

beings. greater chance you’re going to hit the suspect’s brachial arIf Berehulak was so tery or center mass, areas with aghast that the police have a high probability of fatality. So been slaughtering Filipinos where does shooting only to “like animals,” as his piece wound come in when even arwas entitled, why didn’t he eas considered by some to be document exactly what po‘safe’ from fatality risk could in lice units—and what were fact carry the same level of risk the names of the policeas targeting center mass? men–were involved in the • “Legs tend initially to move 57 homicide scenes he phoslower than arms and to maintographed? This could have tain more static positions. Howhelped the Commission on ever, areas of the lower trunk Human Rights or even the and upper thigh are rich with justice department in their vascularity. A suspect who’s hit investigation of these cases. there can bleed out in seconds Or at least just shame them. if one of the major arteries is “What I experienced in the severed, so again shooting just Philippines felt like a new to wound may not result in just level of ruthlessness: police wounding. officers summarily shooting • “An officer’s survival instinct anyone suspected of dealing may exert an overpowering influor even using drugs, vigience on target selection. If your lantes taking seriously Mr. life is threatened you’re going to Duterte’s call to ‘slaughter go for the surer thing first and them all’,” he even wrote to worry about your assailant’s life caption his photo essay. But being saved second. If a guy is he didn’t even bother to try running at me with a blade, the getting the names of those last thing I’m going to be thinkpolice officers. ing is, ‘I’m going to shoot him SHOOTING TARGET: Why do you think legs aren’t included, and the bullseye is Berehulak would likely win in the arm’. Hence, shooting for in the torso’s center? journalism awards with his center mass is the psychological photo essay. He has been with practical suggestions that could default. plainly unethical though. He • “Poor shot placement is bound to prevent police from undertaking sum- seems to think that his sole responsibilincrease. Even when officers are trying mary executions of criminal suspects. ity was to photograph the killing, not to to shoot center mass, they often miss. Require every raiding party –-whose protest them as a human being, which Hitting an arm or a leg on a moving operations after all are planned days he could have done by identifying the suspect with surgical precision will be in advance — to have a non-policeman police he claimed did the summary record through video such encounters? shootings. Professional photographers virtually impossible.”

Of course, we’re barking at the wrong Require as much as they are available, would even conclude that he used camtree if the real problem is that our po- media to cover such raids? era filters—obviously a red one in that Perhaps I’m dreaming. But I don’t haunting photo of a coffin with a child licemen actually have been executing unarmed suspected criminals, as in the think Duterte will call back his dogs of crying beside it—to make the scenes case of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espino- war (vs drugs) during his term. We just appear so horrible. sa. The police fantastically claimed that have to come up, as a civilized nation, If Berehulak had covered the MaguEspinosa had a gun in his cell, which he with the means to restrain them from indanao massacre that took the lives of fired against the Criminal Investigation slaughtering unarmed Filipinos, even if 57 human beings, he would have come and Detection Group officers serving a involved in illegal drugs. up with a gory photo essay, but without Unethical search warrant— on his jail cell run by mentioning at all who were the suspectWhile the New York Times photo ed perpetrators and masterminds. the Department of Justice’s Bureau of essay by Daniel Berehulak has drawn Jail Management and Penology. *** Instead of this fantasy of requir- raves as an excellent piece of photo- tiglao.manilatimes@gmail.com ing police to shoot to wound only, we journalism, it’s an example of how jour- FB: Bobi Tiglao and Rigoberto Tiglao as a civilized nation have to come up nalists often forget that they’re human Archives: rigobertotiglao.com

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

A

PH, China yet to sign firearms deal

that he will receive firearms from other countries.

“It is the right of the Filipino CHINESE Ambassador to Ma- side to decide from which counnila Zhao Jianhua said the Philip- try they would like to have weappines has not finalized any deal ons they need at a reasonable on the purchase of firearms from price,” he said.

Duterte over the weekend said China.

“We’re exploring the possibili- that Beijing is rushing him to ties of providing arms and radars have the weapons shipped.

In a separate press briefing in [but]we have not come to the stage of finalizing any kind of Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesdeal,” Zhao said at the embassy’s person Geng Shuang did not give Christmas reception for media in an elaborate answer when asked about Duterte’s statement.

Makati City on Monday night.

The official said both sides are still in the preliminary stage of talks and had not discussed the amount of the deal.

But if the deal pushes through, Zhao said China can only provide the Philippines light arms to counter terrorism and for the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“Most probably [rifles],” he said.

He acknowledged that the Philippines needed more firearms for the increasing number of policemen and soldiers.

Zhao also noted that President Rodrigo Duterte has made it clear

by Michael Joe

t. Delizo

ManilaTimes.net

SURPRISE GALUGAD. Police and jail operatives found several contraband items, including at least 70 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu,” during a surprise search inside the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on.

Members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, in cooperation with Bureau of Immigration authorities conducted a surprise “Oplans Greyhound and Galugad” at the MMDJ with over 5,000 inmates.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Leni: I would have wanted to stay

by Janvic

Mateo

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — If given a choice, Vice President Leni Robredo would have remained in the Cabinet to show her support for the administration of President Duterte.

“If it were up to me, I wanted to have the chance to support his policies because that is our mandate. It was expected of us to not let politics affect our relationship,” Robredo told reporters in Filipino on Monday, Dec. 12.

“The order not to be a part of the Cabinet did not come from us,” she added.

Robredo resigned as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council last Monday after she was told to desist from attending Cabinet meetings.

Malacañang cited “irreconcilable differences” between Duterte and Robredo in explaining the desist order.

Robredo was in Laguna to attend the anniversary of microfinancing institution CARD MRI Inc. In an interview, Robredo was asked about the recent joke of the President that she was waiting for his plane to crash.

“The Philippines will be at a disadvantage because he is the one who has the mandate of the Filipino people,” the Vice President said.

“Because he has the mandate, it is our obligation to support him.

“As China and the Philippines work on improving their relations, China stands ready to resume and strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with the Philippines in various fields,” he said.

Reports said Duterte secured an agreement with China and Russia to give the Philippines a 25-year soft loan to buy military equipment as the new administration veers away from the country’s traditional ally, the United States. n

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“If it were up to me, I wanted to have the chance to support his policies because that is our mandate. It was expected of us to not let politics affect our relationship,” VP Leni Robredo told reporters in Filipino yesterday.

File photo

However, it is also our obligation to call his attention on policies that we think are wrong,” she added.

Amid allegations that the Liberal Party (LP) is plotting to oust Duterte and install her as chief executive, the Vice President repeatedly stated she had no ambition to be president and even assured Duterte he would finish his six-year term.

Robredo said she talked with former president Benigno Aquino III, her runningmate former interior secretary Mar Roxas and with other LP leaders and her employees before she decided to make public her decision to resign from the Cabinet.

She noted, however, that their position as a party has yet to be discussed in a party meeting.

Robredo, who is currently party chairman as she holds the highest elected post, said she met with partymates at the House of Representatives where she was asked for the direction of the former ruling party.

“I said they should talk among themselves, but told them of my position to be supportive of good policies and be vigorously opposed to policies that threaten our democracy,” she said in Filipino.

Most LP members in the House are part of the ruling coalition, and a small faction led by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat is claiming to represent the legitimate minority.

Robredo said she hopes LP interim president Sen. Francis Pangilinan will call for a party meeting in January. n

ABS-CBN News Channel last Sunday, December 11.

Erice said that the party must accept the challenge of providing ‘checks and balance’ and of providing the ‘much needed critical thinking.’

However, he noted that the LP seemed to be ‘castrated’ right now due to ‘fear.’

“Every time na meron kaming criticism, naba-bash kami sa social media (Every time that we have criticism, we are bashed on social media),” he explained, calling on party leaders to rally behind the vice president.

He remarked that it is “unthinkable” for LP members to belong to the administration party coalition, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), when their LP’s chairman, Robredo, leads the opposition.

On the other hand, Robredo said over the weekend that she would soon like to meet with LP leaders — mentioning former President Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Roxas II, who was the defeated LP presidential candidate in the recent election — regarding the party’s next step following her resignation in the cabinet. n

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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may attain a 10 percent economic growth before 2020 if the country successfully uses its “gateway to Southeast Asia” advantage, a European business leader said.

“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is important. ASEAN is the only region at the moment that attracts lot of investments. A lot of businesses are looking at ASEAN. Europe looks at ASEAN, and if the Philippines uses its cards well, if the

Philippines gets the message across that the PEZA zones are excellent base in order to basically attack ASEAN, then you will create more investments coming in, jobs are created, then 10 percent is possible,” European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) senior advocacy adviser Henry Schumacher told The STAR. Schumacher said the Philippines is considered by many European investors as a “jumping pole” to the vast potential they see in the ASEAN market.

“If the Duterte administration is serious in opening the econo-

my, particularly the 60-40 issue, then people will come,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher, however, urged the President to focus his war on poverty instead of drugs.

“If we focus a war on poverty then the rest will follow, we don’t have to kill people,” he said.

Local business leaders, for their part, are not as bullish as Schumacher in terms of the Philippines attaining a 10 percent economic growth as early as 2018. Nonetheless, they remain hopeful the current strong momentum will be sustained.

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Palace maintains ‘wait-and-see’ stance on BPO

MALACAÑANG said on Monday, December 12 that it is too early to speculate on the future of the American business process outsourcing (BPOs) in the Philippines under the leadership of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar made this reaction amid concerns that American BPOs might pull out of the Philippines following threats of ‘retribution’

by Trump against US companies

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

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B DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

OFW households saved, invested more in final quarter

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — A quarterly survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed more Filipino households are using the money sent home by their loved ones from abroad to save and invest amid the continued strengthening of the dollar.

Teresita Deveza, deputy director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics, said results of the latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showed the number of overseas Filipino workers’ households allocating remittances for savings increased to 46.8 percent in the fourth quarter from 39.6 percent in the third quarter.

The percentage of OFW households using remittances to save as of the second quar-

ter was more than six times the 7.2 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2007 when the CES was launched.

On the other hand, the number of households that allocated remittances for investments declined to 10 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter’s 3.8 percent.

The percentage of OFW households investing remittances is now more than four times the 2.3 percent level when the survey was first conducted.

Of the 500 households included in the survey that received OFW remittances for the fourth quarter, 96.4 percent used the remittances to purchase food and other household needs.

The proportion of households that used part of their remittances for education reached 70 percent and for debt payments was pegged at 42.8 percent.

About 22.2 percent of the respondents said they use the money they received to purchase consumer durables, followed by 12 percent to buy houses, and 8.8 percent to acquire motor vehicles.

Deveza said OFW households decided to save more as the spending outlook index of households on basic goods and services remained steady at 27.8 percent for the first quarter of 2017.

More respondents expected an increase in expenditures on electricity, fuel, medical care, transportation and personal care, while a decline in spending was noted for clothing and footwear.

The spending outlook was steady for food, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, house rent and furnishing, water, communication, education, recreation and culture, and restaurants and cafes. n

Philippine economy could grow 10%…

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The Philippine economy expanded by 7.1 percent in the third quarter, the fastest in Asia and the highest since the 7.6 percent growth posted in the second quarter of 2013.

“I think that (10 percent) is a bit too optimistic. Possible, but that really depends on infrastructure spending, in which we see the commitment is there,” Management Association of the Philippines president Perry Pe said.

Ten percent is a very tall order, that’s very difficult. But seven to

eight percent is great. It would be a great achievement already on a sustained basis,” Makati Business Club trustee and immediate past chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said.

Del Rosario said “the tone at the top” would be key for the Philippines to maintain not only its economic growth but also the way the rest of the world perceives the country in the years ahead.

“It makes sense to be friendly to all to the extent we can and that could be very beneficial, but

don’t make enemies to our old friends,” Del Rosario said.

“I really don’t believe those dark scenarios because our fundamentals are attractive and I think we got something to offer, which is opportunity. Business will thrive wherever there’s opportunity to thrive. On the business side, whether it’s Russia, Africa, or whoever the government chooses to align with, I really don’t care as long as there’s opportunity for business to thrive.

That is where businesses are coming from,” Pe said. n

Palace maintains ‘wait-and-see’ stance on…

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that continue to outsource their operations and services.

“The statement of Presidentelect Trump on US companies that continue to outsource their operations and services is not a policy set in stone,” Andanar said in a press statement.

“We cannot speculate on the future of American BPOs in the Philippines until President-elect Trump takes his oath of office and spells out his policies,” he added.

Andanar said US President Barack Obama had similarly appealed to American BPOs to conduct their operations back in

the US “but his call fell on deaf ears.”

He said American BPOs opted to stay in the Philippines because it is more viable to do business in the country.

“They would have less operating expenses. In the US, workers are paid per hour. In the Philippines, workers are paid per day,” Andanar said.

Andanar also the shift in the structure of the work force of the information technology-BPO sector in the country is another factor considered by the foreign BPOs to stay in the Philippines.

“It is expected that the sector will cater to more complicated

requirements as the industry plans to climb the value chain from the traditional voice and IT services to animation, game development and healthcare information. We hope we can capitalize on this where the Philippines has a competitive advantage,” Andanar said.

“It is for this reason that the Duterte Administration included in its 10-Point Agenda; one, investment in human capital development, including match skills and training, and two, promotion of science, technology and the creative arts to enhance innovation and creative capacity,” he added. (PNA)

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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ONE of my clients told me recently: “My wife and I both work very hard to raise our two children. On some days we work long hours and don’t even get home until late. It doesn’t seem fair. No matter how hard we work, we are flat broke every single month. We don’t even see our paychecks anymore. After paying all our bills every month, our bank account is back to almost zero, sometimes even negative! It’s very frustrating. What are we doing wrong?”

Does this sound familiar? Are you married and have children who depend on you for support?

If you belong to a two-income household and are supporting dependent children, do you find yourself working harder and harder than ever before and yet still find yourself falling farther and farther behind in your financial obligations every month?

You are not alone. And it’s not your fault.

We are all living in tougher times. Unlike the old days, most families nowadays can no longer survive on just one income. Two paychecks are usually needed in order to make ends meet. But it seems like even having two incomes doesn’t leave much at the end of the month for working par-

Debt Relief

Community Journal

Couples filing bankruptcy: Two incomes but still going broke ents who are supporting dependent children. Elizabeth Warren, Harvard law professor and author, said in her book, “The Two Income Trap: Why Middle Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke”: “The people who consistently rank in the WORST financial trouble are united by one surprising characteristic.

They are working parents with children at home…”

See, if you are a parent who is still raising children, you are probably at a stage in your life where your living expenses at their highest. And then as you grow older and your children become self-supporting adults, your expenses begin to decrease. Hopefully, at the end of your working days, you would also have saved enough money for a comfortable retirement.

You would think that with both parents working in a household, all of the above should not be a struggle and that these households should be financially well.

But why is it that parents with dependent children still rank as being in the worst financial trouble according to Professor Elizabeth Warren?

One of the likely answers to the above question is this: A lot of people have simply overextended themselves on debt. A big chunk of their income goes to paying personal debts each month such that very little is left to pay for living expenses and

personal needs. And with the outrageous interest that the big banks and credit card companies are charging, most people will remain in debt for the rest of their lives.

The so-called “credit card debt trap” is a reality that a lot of people live with every single day. No matter how hard these people work, there is never enough money to go around. In some cases, they borrow even more in order to pay other creditors, and thus perpetuating this vicious borrowing cycle with no end in sight. Did you know that if you borrowed $4000 on a credit card and paid only the minimum required each month, it would take you about 17 years to pay it off? That’s not the worst part.

Over that period of time, you would also have paid more than $7000 in interest alone!

If you belong to a two-income household but are still struggling to make ends meet each month, I suggest you review your finances and find out exactly where your money goes every month. If you are one of the few people who have made it to this point without getting buried in debt, more power to you. But if you are part of the majority who is still not making it in spite of the two incomes that you have, perhaps you need keep your debt obligations in check before they get out of hand (unless they

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Young seniors file Chapter 13 for $145K unsecured debt Another young senior files Chapter 7 for $10K credit cards

Atty. lAwRence yAng CLIENTS are 59 and 58. Husband had a solid and well paying job for the last 20 years. He grossed about $150K a year working for the State. But the job caused his mental health to deteriorate, as it was a high stress work environment where he saw the “evil that men do”. Since he could no longer take the mental stress, he resigned. I asked him what was so stressful about his job. He said that he would see dead people every day and how they died. He would see people with their heads cut off as an example and that image would stay

with him in his mind for some time, which prevents him from sleeping. Well, if that’s the case, I can’t really fault him for losing $150K a year of income. Nobody wants to go insane from work or any source. The oldest woman in the world, the Italian woman who just turned 117 this week, when asked what was the secret to her long life, replied that she ate 3 eggs a day and divorced her husband in 1938. She said that leaving her husband was the best decision she made for her happiness. So, whatever the source of the stress, I guess you should remove that source of stress from your life if you want to keep your

sanity and live longer; makes sense. So avoid people who are nasty and mean to you, and you should feel better because the source of harassment disappears, right? So client must be on the right track.

What does he do now for work?

He drives for Uber. There’s no stress. He makes decent money but nowhere near $150K, but he has peace of mind and he keeps his sanity. Wife makes $3,500 a month. Their household income has been reduced by 50% but they are happy with their decision to give up the higher income.

The problem now is that they

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

Calendar of Events across

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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 1 5

Simbang Gabi at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will once again host the Annual Simbang Gabi Advent (night mass) on Thursday, December 15. It is the 14th anniversary of the liturgical celebration of the Philippine tradition of culture, faith, and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Our theme this year is “JESUS, MAKE US GENEROUS DISPENSERS OF YOUR DIVINE MERCY” translated in Tagalog, “HESUS, GAWIN MO KAMING MASAGANANG DALUYAN NG IYONG BANAL NA AWA.” Ministers from parishes of the Pastoral Regions of Santa Barbara, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro and Our Lady of the Angels together with Dignitaries, Civic, Business and Non-profit organizations will march with their banner and parol (lantern), a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Most Reverend Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, D.D will be the main celebrant. Other Concelebrants will be the Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese. Over 3,000 individuals are expected to attend. The celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Parking is available at the cathedral for $8 or at adjacent lots. For more information, please email Lem Amit at filipinoministryola@gmail.com or (323) 793-5141.

D EC E M B E R 1 6 -1 7

Simbang Gabi at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles Christ the King Roman Catholic Church will have Simbang Gabi on Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 17 at 5 p.m. The church is located at 624 N. Rossmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004. For more information, please call (323) 465-7605.

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SIPA’s 2nd annual toy drive & distribution in Los Angeles The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will have its second annual toy drive and distribution in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 17. The toy drive will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; please bring in an unwrapped toy for children between the ages of 0-15 years old or make a $25 donation to SIPA. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a toy distribution by the Purist Group, SCPASA & special celebrity guests. Activities include free kids haircuts by celebrity barber JayR Mallari and holiday music by DJ Icy Ice. Light food and drink will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. SIPA is located at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026.

Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni of Greater Los Angeles’ anniversary celebration Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni of Greater Los Angeles (APOGLA) will have its 36th anniversary celebration with the theme “Christmas in the Inland Empire” on Saturday, December 17. Registration and no-host cocktails will take place between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. while buffet dinner will start at 7 p.m. During the event, the organization’s new officers will be inducted. The event will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton on 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, California 91764. To RSVP, please contact Bro. Rocky Marte at rsmarte@ sbcglobal.net or at (626) 482-3410.

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Consular outreach mission in Miami, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death. No applications for dual citizenship will be accepted at this time, as oaths of allegiance must be administered by the Philippine Consul General or Consul. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and copy furnish honcon.miami@gmail.com. The Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami is located at 12/F 1200 Brickell Ave., Miami, Florida 33131.

D EC E M B E R 1 8 -1 9

Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana Parish in Los Angeles hosts Simbang Gabi oin the community on Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m. and Monday, December 19 at 7 p.m. for Simbang Gabi celebrations. The church is located at 923 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036. For more information, please call (323) 930-5676.

D EC E M B E R 2 0 -2 1

Simbang Gabi at St. Basil’s Church in Los Angeles St. Basil’s Church is hosting Simbang Gabi at on both Tuesday, December 20 and Wednesday, December 21. The church is located at 637 S. Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90005. For more information, please call (213) 381-6191.

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Simbang Gabi at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles Everyone is invited to Simbang Gabi at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. on both Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23. The church is located at 310 S. Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020. For more information, please call (323) 936-4656.

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Grand Park + The Music Center in Los Angeles host New Year’s Eve celebration Los Angeles will put its mark on New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world as Angelenos join together with friends and family to share their hopes, dreams and resolutions for 2017 at the fourth annual Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. The West Coast’s flagship New Year’s celebration will feature three stages with live music, DJs and dancing throughout the night; large scale inflatable art; and 3D digital video mapping on City Hall along with an integrated light show to count down to the new year in true L.A. style. The free family-friendly event, which attracts thousands from all over Southern California and beyond, reinforces Downtown Los Angeles as a destination for a grand-scale New Year’s Eve experience. Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. takes place from 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2016 to 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and will cover 90 acres from The Music Center Plaza to City Hall (Hope Street to Spring Street) and from Temple Street to 2nd Street. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend. For more information about Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A., visit grandparkla.org/nyela or musiccenter. org/nyela.

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Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

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

B DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA JOSHUA hurried outside the inn to the courtyard. A stranger summoned him for help. He had a mule tethered to a post. A badly beaten, wounded man who looked half-dead was splayed helplessly face down across the girth of the pack animal.

“What happened?” Joshua asked.

The stranger replied, “I came across this man on a deserted part of the roadway to Jericho.

He was stripped naked, unconscious and bloodied all over.

He was still alive, but barely. I couldn’t just leave him.”

He paused and pleaded with Joshua, the innkeeper, “Can you help us?”

Joshua sprang to action, “Let’s bring him inside quickly. I can have Luke look him over.”

They carried the man inside and laid him in a bed in one of the rooms. Joshua quickly fetched the man he called Luke.

He was a physician who spent much of his time writing.

They hurried to the wounded man’s room. With his deft hands, Luke diagnosed the injured man’s condition and briskly gave instructions to Joshua to prepare warm water, oil, ointment and strips of clothing to bind the man’s wounds.

The man’s breathing was shallow. He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness. The man moaned asking where he was.

Then he drifted out once more.

Luke felt his pulse. It was weak but steady. They ministered to him as best as they could. The man drifted in and out of consciousness but the bleeding had stopped. Seeing that there was no more they can do for the man at the moment, the three men left the room.

“I am Micah from Samaria,”

Community Journal

A new twist on an old tale — Micah of Samaria “… He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness.

The man moaned asking where he was.

Then he drifted out once more. …” the man said. “I am Joshua,” the innkeeper replied, “and this is Luke.” Luke gazing at the two men with kind knowing eyes, nodded, acknowledging them both as he went back to his writing.

Micah stayed with the injured man through the night, lying down on a cot on one side of the room for short naps in-between while Luke checked in on the man’s condition from time to time during the night. Joshua made sure there is food for Micah and enough oil for the lamp that burned faintly in one corner of the room. It looked like the man was going to make it. He said a prayer of thankfulness.

Micah was up early. He had pressing business to attend to.

He looked in on the wounded man. He set aside two silver coins for the man’s care. Micah made a mental note to stop by the inn on his way back. He wanted to cover any other cost.

Sometime during the day, the wounded man opened his eyes and saw he was in a strange room. His body ached all over and his head was spinning. He was hungry and thirsty and was about to call out when Joshua entered the room.

“How are you feeling?” Joshua asked him. He had a tray of warm food and a flask of wine with him.

The man groaned in reply.

Joshua placed the tray of food beside the man. He had great difficulty eating and swallowing but he must have been truly famished. He cleaned up what was on the tray.

Joshua asked as he sat down on a chair, “ So tell me. What happened?”

The man answered, “A band of four robbers sprang up on me while I was traveling on a deserted road on my way to Jericho. They beat me up so badly and left me for dead. They took all I had, even my clothing.”

The man continued, “Hours had passed when I saw someone, coming up the road. He was garbed like a priest. I shouted for help and he saw me. Alas, he went on the other side of the road and hurried along. No one else came for hours. My heart was sinking. And then, in what seemed to be forever, a Levite came by and saw me but he too could not be bothered and went to the other side of the road and went on his way.”

He paused for a while and said, “I was losing hope. I asked God for mercy to send someone, anyone to help me. The sun was going down and it will soon be cold and dark when I saw someone coming up the road. He was riding in a mule. I managed yet again to shout for help. This time, the man stopped, got off his animal and quickly hurried to where I lay bleeding. I must have passed out since that was the last time I remembered anything.”

Joshua told him, “The man who brought you here saved you just in time. God heard your prayer. A physician has been treating you.” Joshua looked at him squarely and added, “The man who saved you is named

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Couples filing bankruptcy: Two incomes but…

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already are!).

If you are experiencing serious debt problems, how you handle your current situation may not only have a significant impact on your own financial future as it may also affect the future of the ones you love. These are the

EMPLOYMENT

people who have no one else but you to depend on for their financial support. If you need help and don’t know what to do, we are here to help. For immediate assistance, you can reach us at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.

*** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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EMPLOYMENT

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What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA JANUARY 31, 2017 is the new deadline for filing 2016 Forms W-2 and W-3 both in paper forms and electronic. If you need 30-day extension complete Form 8809.

There are penalties for the late filing of W2s for employee compensation payments and Form1099 Misc for non-employee compensation payments in box 7.These penalties are based on the length of time that the returns are filed late.

The categories of information return penalties are: late filing with the IRS and late furnishing to employees or independent contractors.

1. These penalties apply for the late filing of per return of W-2s and 1099s, due by January 31: A. $50 if filed within 30 days from due date.

B. $100 if filed by August 1.

C. $260 if filed after August 1 or never filed.

2. The maximum penalties for A, B, C mentioned in 1. above are $532,000, $1,596,500, and $3,193,000 per year, respectively. These maximum penalties are lowered for small businesses to $186,000, $532,000, and $1,064,000 per year. You are considered a small business if your annual gross receipts is $5M or less for the last three years or since the business began if less than three years.

3. You could be subject to penalties for furnishing W-2s and 1099s late to your employees or independent contractors by the required date January 31 for W2s and 1099s. And the penalty amount is based on when you furnish the correct payee statement under code section 6722.

This is an additional penalty and is applied in the same manner, and with the same amounts, as in failure to file correct information returns under code section 6721 by the due date.

4. The penalties increases to at least $530 per form W-2 if the failure to provide W-2s and 1099s to workers is due to intentional disregard of rules. There is no maximum penalty for this.

5. These penalties also apply if the returns are incomplete or incorrect.

6. There are exceptions for having these penalties abated.

What is new: Federal penalties for late W2s and 1099s

Penalty exceptions for failure to file correct information returns: • The penalty will not apply to any failure that you can show was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

Generally, you must be able to show that your failure was due to an event beyond your control or due to significant mitigating factors. In addition, you must be able to show that you acted in a responsible manner and took steps to avoid the failure.

2. An inconsequential error or omission is not considered a failure to include correct information. An inconsequential error or omission does not prevent or hinder the SSA/IRS from processing the Form W-2, from correlating the information required to be shown on the form with the information shown on the payee’s tax return, or from otherwise putting the form to its intended use. Errors and omissions that are never inconsequential are those relating to: • A TIN, • A payee’s surname, and • Any money amounts.

3. De minimis rule for corrections. Even though you cannot show reasonable cause, the penalty for failure to file correct Forms W-2 will not apply to a certain number of returns if you: • Filed those Forms W-2 on or before the required filing date, • Either failed to include all of the information required on the form or included incorrect information, and • Filed corrections of these forms by August 1.

If you meet all of the de minimis rule conditions, the penalty for filing incorrect information returns (including Form W-2) will not apply to the greater of 10 information returns (including Form W-2) or one-half of 1% of the total number of information returns (including Form W-2) that you are required to file for the calendar year.

4.Forms W-2 with incorrect dollar amounts may fall under a safe harbor for certain de minimis errors. The safe harbor applies if no single amount in error differs from the correct amount by more than $100 and no single amount reported for tax with-

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held differs from the correct amount by more than $25.

If the safe harbor applies, you will not have to correct the Form W-2 and it will be treated as having been filed with all of the correct required information. However, the safe harbor does not apply if the payee elects to have you issue a corrected return.

5. Exceptions to the failure to furnish correct payee statements.

An inconsequential error or omission is not considered a failure to include correct information. An inconsequential error or omission cannot reasonably be expected to prevent or hinder the payee from timely receiving correct information and reporting it on his or her income tax return or from otherwise putting the statement to its intended use. Errors and omissions that are never inconsequential are those relating to: • A dollar amount, • A significant item in a payee’s address, and • The appropriate form for the information provided, such as whether the form is an acceptable substitute for the official IRS form.

7. File Extension Form 8809 to get you 30 days extension from the original filing date of January 31. Complete Form 8809 using FIRE system at https:fire.irs. gov or if completed on paper: 1) fax to 1-877-477-0572 or 2) send to Internal Revenue Service, Attention: Extension of Time Coordinator, 240 Murall Drive, Mail Stop 4360, Kearneyville, WV 25430.

9. You may request for one additional extension for 30 days or less by submitting second Form 8809 before the end of the first extension.

In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/ her know of this account?”

Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other. This duty arose based on California’s policy (1) to marshal, preserve, and protect community and quasi-community assets and liabilities that exist at the date of separation so as to avoid dissipation of the community estate before distribution, (2) to ensure fair and sufficient child and spousal support awards, and (3) to achieve a division of com-

Community Journal

Micah, a Samaritan. He was up all night looking after you. ” Samuel’s swollen eyes grew wide. Joshua noted the man seemed stunned at knowing who had saved him.

“I’m the innkeeper. I’m Joshua. What is yours?” he asked him.

“Sam … Samuel from Jerusalem,” the man stammered.

Joshua nodded, stood up and took the tray away. “Well, rest and feel better,” he told him in a quiet voice, headed for the door and left the room.

Joshua thought to himself as he went about his day. In the many years he had been an innkeeper, he knew Jews and Samaritans took great pains to avoid one other. They were like oil and water. They just did not mix. Jews considered Samaritans as halfbreeds, inferior in every way, since they had married pagans and had included pagan rituals in their worship. In the Jewish tradition, they were outcasts, tolerated but not welcome.

Joshua guessed Samaritans probably felt just as resentful toward Jews. They probably regarded Jews as high-handed, arrogant stiffs, rigidly set and unbending in their ways and tra-

B

Consequences of failing to disclose material assets, income, facts and information in a divorce case

munity and quasi-community assets and liabilities on the dissolution or nullity of marriage or legal separation of the parties as provided under California law.

To promote the above public policy, the family code requires a full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the parties have or may have an interest be made in a divorce or a legal separation, regardless of the alleged characterization of the property as either community or separate. Parties are also required to disclose all income and expenses of the parties.

The parties also have a continuing duty to update and augment that disclosure to the extent that there has been a material change to their financial position. The purpose of the duty to augment and update the disclosures is so that at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or trial, each party will do so with full and complete

knowledge of all relevant underlying facts of the case.

The disclosures are made by the parties by serving each other with a preliminary declaration of disclosure and a final declaration of disclosure. The preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within 60 days of serving the divorce, separation, or nullity petition.

The commission of perjury on the preliminary declaration of disclosure may be grounds for setting aside the judgment in addition to other remedies available under the law. The preliminary declaration of disclosure is not filed with the court but only exchanged by each party.

The preliminary declaration of disclosure shall set forth 1) the identity of all assets and liabilities which the declarant may have an interest regardless of the characterization of community, quasi-community, or separate property; 2)The declarant’s percentage in the asset or liabil-

A new twist on an old tale — Micah…

PAGE B4 t

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 14-16, 2016

ditions. So deep was the resentment between them that Samaritans and Jews did not even talk to each other. But now somehow Joshua knew it did not have to be so.

He knew and felt better about this bit of wisdom about who true neighbors are. He refused the two silver coins Micah was giving him. Joshua felt good doing his bit for the wounded man.

Joshua went about his day with a lighter heart. He felt sure God made him an innkeeper to meet people on the crossroads.

Since that glorious night long ago when he witnessed something rare, precious and mysterious in a childbirth at the stable at the back of the inn that only a few men had ever seen, stories have been unfolding right before his eyes.

People and their stories have been opening up his heart and enriching his soul. Joshua often regaled his wife and children with these stories at the dinner table.

He thought that maybe one day when the time is ripe, he could share these stories with as many others who cared to listen.

These stories are just too good to keep to one’s self. Maybe he can tell Luke who can then write

about these stories to pass them on to many generations.

Samuel, the wounded man, was in deep thought too. He felt sure the priest and the Levite who had both passed him by were going to help him in his hour of need. They were supposedly men of God. Samuel was a man of some means and had given generously to the temple’s coffers. He even sat with these men in places of honor. Like them, he grew up bound by tradition and despised Samaritans.

And yet, here he is, still alive by an unexpected grace. Here he still is because of a surprising deed of kindness from a man whose tribe people thought, including himself, were good for nothing. He closed his eyes and felt deep shame and remorse.

Samuel knew he could never repay the kindness this Samaritan man Micah had given him. Yet, Samuel now knows in his heart he can look at Samaritans and perhaps, even other groups who worshiped the same God, with fresh eyes and treat them like his own. ***

ity; 3) the declarant’s characterization of the asset or liability.

In addition, the declarant shall also provide the other party with a completed income and expense declaration. The declarations may be amended without permission from the court.

The parties shall serve each other with a final declaration of disclosure at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or if the case goes to trial, at least 45 days prior to the first assigned trial date. The final declaration of disclosure shall include (1) All material facts and information regarding the characterization of all assets and liabilities(2) All material facts and information regarding the valuation of all assets that are contended to be community property or in which it is contended the community has an interest. (3) All material facts and information regarding the amounts of all obligations that are contend-

ed to be community obligations or for which it is contended the community has liability.(4) All material facts and information regarding the earnings, accumulations, and expenses of each party that have been set forth in the income and expense declaration. The parties may agree to mutually waive the final declaration of disclosure requirement but not the preliminary declaration of disclosure.

A party who fails to comply with the disclosure requirements under the family code may be held in breach of the party’s fiduciary obligation to the other spouse under family code section 721, 1100, and Marriage of Feldman. The party that failed to disclose material assets, income, facts, and information may be sanctioned by the court by awarding attorney’s fees and sanctions to the other spouse under family code section 271. When hiring an attorney to represent you in a high

asset divorce case with complex property issues, it is important to hire an attorney that understands the disclosure obligation under the family code. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

(Advertising Supplement)

Young seniors file Chapter 13 for $145K… PAGE B3 t

owe $145K of unsecured debt of which $100K is credit cards and $45K is student loans. The cards need minimum monthly payments of $3K a month. They don’t have the income to make that payment anymore. They actually want a Chapter 7 discharge of all credit card debt of $100K. Is this possible? Let’s see. They have an older house built in 1920 that has equity of $140K. This fact alone knocks them out of Chapter 7.

In Chapter 7, they will lose the house and get $100K of cash as their exempt homestead equity. I don’t think they want to lose their house for credit card debt. They confirm to me that they want to keep their house. They also have a car loan in which they pay $250 for a small new car. Chapter 13 will reduce the car payment to $85 a month. They have a car lease for a luxury car, a Lexus, which they lease at $585. The lease ends in 2018. At the end of the lease, they have the option of converting to purchase at the same payment. Chapter 13 will allow them to assume the lease and do the conversion in 2018.

Considering all relevant factors, Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To debtors plan payment will be $680 send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ a month for 60 months. It pays 16% or $16,000 of the $100,000 asianjournalinc.com

credit cards; pay the new small car in full at $85 a month. Clients will pay the Lexus lease payments directly to Toyota at $585. Student loans of $45K will also get paid 16% during the term of the plan. The $100K credit cards will be discharged after $16K is paid through the plan. However, 84% of the student loans are not dischargeable. They will own the new small car after the end of the plan and they will keep the Lexus lease. Their residence will not be affected. They keep it. They have no arrears on the house. They just continue their mortgage payments. The bankruptcy court protects their house from judgment liens from credit cards as well as wage garnishments on wife’s salary. The pending lawsuits for two credit cards will get dismissed.

Order and peace of mind out of chaos will be achieved with Chapter 13. Client gets to keep his sanity. He doesn’t want to enter sanitarium. I am very glad to help him keep his sanity.

Next client is 61. She is single.

Never got married. Her problem is she just got sued for $2,500 for a credit card debt. Her total debt is only $10K. However, her income is only $600 a month.

She has a part time job doing inventory work. She counts inven-

tory for an accounting firm. She rents a room for $250. Well, even though she only owes $10K, she obviously can’t pay $10K of credit card debt because the minimum monthly is $300, which is half her income. I guess she lives a really simple life; nevertheless, she needs debt relief. Chapter 7 will wipe out the lawsuit and the $10K of credit cards giving her a fresh start at 61. She tells me that her creditors call her everyday starting at in the morning up to nighttime and she can’t stand the stress of the phone calls. Here comes the stress factor again.

It makes sense to get peace of mind to wipe out all her cards to remove the stress factor in her life doesn’t it? People just want to live their lives in peace and stress free. Chapter 7 will give her what she seeks.

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.”

— Psalm 33:20

*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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B DECEMBER 14-16, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD: The noche buena spread

THERE is no doubt that Christmas is one of the Filipinos’ favorite holidays. Aside from having the longest holiday season (starting in September until January), Christmas is the time for parties, gift-giving, and of course, a multitude of culinary delights.

On Christmas Eve, the last Mass of Simbang Gabi is attended; and then noche buena — a family feast — takes place after midnight. Noche buena (“good night” or “holy night” in Spanish) is a Filipino custom adopted from Spain and Mexico.

It is not your typical meal, as it is very much like an open house celebration where everybody who drops by is invited to partake in what is served on the table.

Food is in abundance, often served buffet style. Among the noche buena staples include favorite Filipino dishes such as lechon (roasted whole pig), pancit, barbecue, rice, adobo celebration, and native rice cakes (kakanin a devotional — biko, sapin-sapin, bibingka, nine-day puto bumbong, or cassava novena of Mass • Holy Family Parish, cake). However, Western influfrom December 16-24 Glendale (Dec. 16-24), 5 ence has brought in spaghetti or to celebrate the coming of a.m. fruitcake, and a fusion of Filipino Christmas and to honor the • Immaculate Heart of with international dishes.

Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses Mary, Los Angeles (Dec. 16Here are some of the noche begin as early as 3 a.m., but in 24), 5 a.m. buena spread favorites: some parishes, masses are held • Precious Blood Catholic • Hamon/hamonado the previous evening. The last Community Church, Los AngeHam, (from the Spanish jamon). day of the service on Christmas les (Dec. 16-24), 5 a.m.

Pork marinated in pineapple Eve is called Misa de Gallo, • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, juice, sugar, salt and spices; then Spanish for “Rooster’s Mass.”

Rowland Heights (Dec. 16-24), baked.

Simbang Gabi began as a 5:30 a.m.

• Keso de bola - Literally, a tradition in 1669 in the early • St. Genevieve, Panorama ball of Edam cheese (a semidays of Spanish colonialism in City (Dec. 16-24), 5:30 a.m. hard cheese from Netherlands), the Philippines. As Christmas • St. Jane Frances de Chanusually with a red paraffin wax approached, novenas were tal, North Hollywood (Dec. 16covering. often held in the evenings, but 23), 5:30 a.m.

• Bibingka - Flat cake priests noticed the fatigue on • St. Kevin, Los Angeles cooked in banana leaves with the faces of those who had (Dec. 16-24), 5:30 a.m. salted egg, kesong puti, served with butter and grated coconut. been working in the fields all • St. Lucy, Long Beach (Dec. • Lechon - Roasted pig, pork belly, chicken, fish — it means day. To compromise, clergymen 15-23), 6 p.m. anything that’s roasted over coals. But in Filipino households, it is across the country began hold• St. Barnabas, Long Beach always the lechong baboy (pig) that rules over the table. ing Simbang Gabi in the early (Dec. 15-23), 6:30 p.m.

• Leche flan - The Filipino version of a creme brulee — but dawn before folks headed out • Holy Trinity, Los Angeles better. A mixture of egg yolks, condensed milk, fresh milk and to work in the fields.

(Atwater) (Dec. 15-23), 7 p.m. sugar; this sweet concoction is steamed and topped with caramelToday, Filipino parishes hold • MAST Sisters Convent ized sugar.

Simbang Gabi either early in the (Dec. 15-23, except Dec. 16), 7 • Macaroni salad - Although every Filipino has their own morning or later in the evening. p.m. version, this dish starts with the same ingredients — pasta, mayonSome local parishes hold partial • St. Philomena, Carson naise and chicken. Others add carrots, celery, cheese and somenovenas while many are host(Dec. 15-23), 7 p.m. times pineapple. ing full services per the 9-day • St. Christopher, West • Spaghetti - Filipino-style, that is. Made with tomato sauce tradition. Here are some of the Covina (Dec. 16-23), 7 p.m. and paste, ground beef or pork, cheese and a little sugar to parishes in the Los Angeles area • St. Columban, Los Angesweeten the taste, the spaghetti is a Filipino staple in parties and hosting full novenas. (Note: les (Dec. 16-23), 7 p.m. for noche buena. times, especially on weekends, • St. John the Baptist, BaldThere is no doubt that Filipinos love to celebrate occasions and may vary – call parish to conwin Park (Dec. 16-22), 7 p.m. holidays with food. However, this brings the Filipino value of being firm).

• Blessed Sacrament, Los family-oriented. Though the noche buena’s central focus may seem • St. Anthony of Padua, Angeles (Dec. 16-23), 7:30 to be on the feast being served, the real reason for getting toGardena (Dec. 16-23) 4:30 a.m. p.m. gether is partaking the food over laughter, storytelling and love.

Filipino Christmas traditions

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA / AJPRESS THE Philippines touts the longest Christmas celebration of any other country in the world.

As early as September, Filipinos begin the holiday festivities by partaking in the many customs and traditions unique to the global Filipino community.

Christmas traditions comprise both native customs and the West, which comes from Spanish colonization. Filipinos have adopted Santa Claus, Christmas trees, carols and cards as well as other Western holiday fixtures while still keeping true to native Filipino traditions.

Philippine holiday décor Although Americanization of the holidays has found its way to Philippine culture, like Christmas trees, tinsel, reindeer and even snow, Filipinos still keep true to their heritage by decorating their homes with traditional ornamentation.

The parol — which comes from the Spanish word farol, meaning “lantern” or “lamp” — is one of the most notable adornments seen on Filipino homes and buildings. These extravagant, colorful starshaped lanterns connote the Star of Bethlehem that helped the Three Kings navigate their way to the manger of the baby Jesus Christ.

The decoration was originally designed and crafted by

artist Francisco Estanislao in 1908. He used bamboo strips as the skeleton of the design and overlaid it with papél de japón, or Japanese paper. A candle would be placed in the middle for the star’s famous illumination. Famously, before electricity was available, Filipinos who lived in the provincial areas would use a paról to illuminate their paths on the way to Simbang Gabi.

Another popular mainstay of the traditional Filipino Christmas is the belén, which is a nativity scene depicting the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

The expansive installation often includes a three-walled barn house with the infant Christ in the manger flanked by the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Three Kinds, the shepherds and stable animals. The scene is often surmounted by an angel or a star.

Belén is almost always seen at churches, but Filipinos often implement them in their homes, schools and office buildings.

Belén can be minimalistic, but the ones that garner the most public view are more extravagant with folks adorning them with Christmas lights, painted backdrops or even paról.

Simbang Gabi Filipino Catholics around the world often partake in the “Simbang Gabi” (night Mass)

How to cook ginataan bilo-bilo Recipes for the holidays from Chef Eric Pascual A Filipino sweet soup snack perfect for chilly winter nights

Contributed by SARAHLYNN

PABLO drive into the city to Chinatown

to stock up on Asian groceries.

For Thanksgiving and other holiBEYOND the brown sugar days, my ninang made lumpia and coconut milk, my aunt said, and pancit canton, and little girl any available fruit or vegetable me tried to assist her. Of course may be used for the Filipino gina- we had turkey with stuffing and taan recipe below, like taro root gravy or honey-cured hams, too, (gabi), corn (mais), even mongo but holidays wouldn’t feel spebeans or guava (this last one she cial if there wasn’t Filipino food said was especially good). The at the table. important things are that, like Far from home and surthe work of a farm, everyone rounded by the unfamiliar, the pitches in — peeling, chopping, migrant clings tightly to what she dough-ball rolling — to make the knows best: music, holiday tradidish a sweet success and that the tions and food. Migrants bring ingredients are local, seasonally their “stinky” fish sauces and available, excess crops. other spices. They pick up from Eating seasonally and locally the butcher for free bags full of makes sense, right? In much of what would be thrown away and the world, this is the only way to turn it into culinary creations like eat. In fact, in America, we are fish head sinigang or kare-kare used to eating out-of-season, far with oxtail. They seek out the away and/or foreign. markets of other, older, more When I was growing up in established migrant groups the northwestern suburbs of Chi- – Chinese, Indian, Mexican – to cago, my family was one of a few find ingredients for a taste closer Filipino families there. For a large to their own. part of my childhood, we would Though ginataan calls for Filipino Kitchen

THOUGH born and raised in the Bay Area, Chef Eric Pascual spent a good amount of his childhood in Hawaii. His passion seasonal and local, I’m grateful for cooking started at a young that my family flew in the face of age when he was introduced those practicalities / limitations in our little part of America, holiday to cooking by his grandparents and parents. after holiday, meal after meal.

Chef Eric’s family told him In the spirit of the cold, that he share his grandfather’s Christmas-y season, I’d like to share one of my favorite Filipino passion for cooking, who would late-evening snacks: ginataan prepare meals for large groups bilo-bilo, or coconut milk and of people using ingredients rice flour balls – a sweet, hot sourced from his backyard. dessert-y soup perfect for when To this day, he can still see his the mercury dips low. lolo’s passion for cooking and My aunt reminds me that food through the bountiful this dish is actually a snack, 50-foot mango tree that he or merienda. Though sweet, ginataan is too heavy to serve as planted in his aunt’s backyard in Hawaii nearly 40 years ago. a dessert at the end of a meal.

Growing up in a household Merienda, I should note, is a very important part of agricultural life with two working parents, he in the Philippines. had to learn independence at Life on a farm, day into day a young age and it began with and months into seasons, is a cooking. When his mom wasn’t dance. It has a rhythm. working she was showing In the couple of hours after Chef Eric around the kitchen. lunch, it’s much, much too hot Something that began as a for the workers, the kids, the responsibility soon turned into farmers to do strenuous physiContinued on Page 4 a curiosity, slowly turned into a

hobby, and is now one of his passions.

Through the meals he has hosted, he has been able to portray my style of cooking,

which is a blend of his travels, upbringing, experiences, and Filipino culture. Follow him at http://eatsbye.com and Instagram/Twitter @eats_by_e

Cassava Cake by Chef Eric Pascual INGREDIENTS: • 3 ½ cups of frozen grated cassava or fresh cassava if available • 1 ½ cup evaporated milk (or ¾ cup of whole milk and ¼ cup half and half )

• 2 eggs • ½ cup cane sugar • ½ cup condensed milk • 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz.)

Continued on Page 7

From books to chocolate: How a Fil-Am college dean transitioned into becoming a chocolatier

By CHRISTINA

features

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

M. ORIEL

AJPRESS

ONE night about two years ago, Romeo Garcia decided it was time to take a “creative sabbatical” from his career in academia.

Over the past six years, Garcia — who was then a dean of special programs and grants at Merritt College in Oakland, California — had been attending chocolate making workshops on weekends as a way to decompress from his daily routine.

“I would just watch how the chocolates would melt and I thought, ‘Wow that is super meditative,’ he told the Asian Journal. “I just enjoyed watching the process and the craft.”

The late-night thoughts soon turned into concrete actions: resigning from his position, withdrawing from a doctorate program, and booking a flight to Belgium.

“I told myself, ‘If I’m going to study fine chocolates, I want to learn from the world’s best,’” he said.

Garcia enrolled in a sixmonth program at Ecole Chocolat, where he learned designing, recipe crafting, and different techniques in fine chocolate making. From there, he continued on at the Chicago Chocolate Academy, and then trained with chocolatier Melissa Coppel in Las Vegas.

Berry Bliss Bars

Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds

He eventually came back to Southern California — where he had grown up after migrating from the Philippines at a young age — and started making homemade chocolate creations and selling them to wholesale clients and at popups and other retailers.

Romeo Chocolates was eventually born, as an “accessible” line “for everyone.”

“I make artisanal, handcrafted chocolates that are influenced by Belgian technique and style,” he said. “It is influenced by local flavors within Long Beach, local artisans and inspired by my heritage.”

Some of Romeo Chocolates’ standouts include milk and dark chocolate bon bons, flavored bars (i.e. berries or almonds), and calamansi-honey mojito bon bons, which has honey from Bantangas and hints of Tanduay Rum. On average, the bon bons take three days to produce

because of the process that involves shelling the mold and hand painting designs onto the final product.

Recently, Garcia introduced three sipping chocolates as sweet sources of warmth for the colder temperatures. One concoction is a thicker, sweet drink using tablea (Filipino chocolate).

His brand was originally called Amihan, a reference to the savior bird in Philippine mythology and the northeast wind that would cool the backs of Filipino farmers.

“My intention was that this company wasn’t built for me.

It was going to be built for a daughter I was planning to adopt and this company was going to be her namesake. Her name was going to be Amihan — that was my goal,” he said.

But Amihan didn’t roll off the tongue so easily, especially for non-Filipino customers.

“Everyone correlates Ro-

Filipino-inspired Calamansi+Honey Mojito bon bons

Handcrafted sipping chocolate options include Filipino Tablea Tsokolate

meo with a sense of romance, a sense of love or affection. It’s about something that people will remember,” Garcia said.

“I’m definitely not an expert on romance but I’m learning a lot about chocolates. In whatever way that makes people feel good, I’m happy to provide that.”

This past year, Garcia has set his sights on opening a brick and mortar shop in Long Beach, an area he regards as very friendly to small businesses. He’s taken to Kickstarter to help raise $20,000 in funds needed to turn this into a reality.

The campaign, “Let’s Build a Chocolate Shop,” is meant to draw in community participation. It ends on Sunday, December 18, and is just a few hundreds of dollars away from reaching the target, as of this writing.

The 1,200-square foot shop, which is projected to open in the first quarter of 2017, is designed to have retail space, an open kitchen where customers can observe the chocolate being made, and a chocolate tasting room.

“This room is supposed to be an experiential room, where they try chocolate from different origins, whether it be from Honduras or El Salvador. It can be from North Shore Hawaii.

Lately, I traveled to Davao in the Philippines. folks can try the different flavors in chocolate, just like coffee,” he said, adding that there will also be chocolate making workshops for kids, and chocolate and wine pairings for adults.

Chocolatier Romeo Garcia

The space will also help keep up with the demand of online orders.

Though chocolate making may seem like an entire life transformation, Garcia said that the patterns of “learning and teaching” are still very much present now. He has traveled to different areas of the world — from Europe to the Philippines — to source ingredients and understand how these cultures make chocolate.

“What I appreciate about chocolate in the Philippines is that sometimes it’s just right in your backyard. Some of the methods I saw there made me have an appreciation for even the rustic methods. It’s so small scale. But it’s cacao made with love — there’s a lot of affection put into that,” he said, hinting at more Filipino-inspired creations to come.

Further, being a first-time business owner has taught him a lot about operations and managing people. “Being a chocolatier is an extremely romantic profession, but there is nothing romantic about be-

Photos courtesy of Romeo Chocolates

ing a small business owner,” he joked.

Later down the line with the shop, he hopes to teach apprentices about the detail and care that goes into the craft and introduce more chocolate recipes.

“The core thing is: How do you make this a meaningful and productive working environment for your team? How do you maximize their greatness?” he said.

But beyond the taste of the chocolates, Garcia intends the company to create a “wellness and mindful experience” for customers, referencing the feeling he gets while watching chocolate slowly melt.

“Because of the product itself, chocolate doesn’t allow you to rush. You have to wait for it to do its thing — it’s such a metaphor for life. A lot of times, the best things take patience, grit and persistence.

Sometimes the batches don’t turn out the way I plan so I just try again. It’s given me a lot of lessons in terms of patience,” he said.

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features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

How to cook ginataan bilo-bilo From Page 2

cal activity in the sun. You look to do some activity that’s still necessary to make the farm run but doesn’t require a lot. Maybe you’d take a short siesta (nap).

Bring the goats out to the field.

Thrush some rice. Make feed for the pigs. Dress some tobacco leaves. Or maybe you could take on a few of those things. After a few hours of low-key activity, you need merienda before the hard work begins in earnest again at 3 o’clock. Enter ginataan.

IngredIents Milk and meat from two coconuts (gata). This is the critical ingredient.

Brown sugar. The second of two critical ingredients.

Six plantains or cooking bananas, peeled (saba) Ten pieces of jackfruit, pitted (langka) Grated cassava root (kamoteng kahoy), two medium-sized pieces Glutinous rice flour (malagkit), two cups, and water for bilobilo. Yep, literally, that’s ball-ball.

One medium sweet potato, peeled (kamote) Three small purple yam, peeled (ube). If you add this, obviously, your ginataan will have a tingle of violet.

Two notes on ingredients.

One: Where available and possible, fresh ingredients are best.

Most of these ingredients may be available in canned or frozen form in non-tropical climes where there are communities of Asians or Filipinos nearby. Substitute canned or frozen counterparts if you need to and don’t feel any shame about it.

Two: I’ve added suggested amounts of each ingredient but suit the proportions to your taste.

If you like more cassava root like I do, add more of those. If you’re on a low-sugar diet, put less.

InstructIons 1. Open the coconuts carefully and set aside the milk.

Scrape the meat from the husk into strips. Or you can just buy fresh scraped coconut meat and fresh coconut milk if you don’t have the tools (we did). Squeeze the remaining milk from the coconut flesh with your bare hands or with a cheese cloth. Simmer the coconut milk in a large pot with brown sugar. Make sure the

brown sugar is fully dissolved.

The brown sugar pictured is unrefined, wrapped in a leaf and formed in a coconut shape called panutsa (also known by panotcha or panotsa, which are also the words for peanut brittle). It was so tasty, I think, owing to its smoky molasses quality. I was lucky enough to have shared some with my cousin in the Netherlands in the ginataan she made. She used about a third of this half-dome of sugar. If you’re not lucky enough to get this awesome sugar, granular brown sugar works just fine, too.

2. Now, the remaining ingredients – plantains, jackfruit, cassava, rice flour balls, sweet potato, purple yam – need to be cut or formed at approximately the same size, I’d say half-inch to one inch pieces, so each spoonful has a few small bits of awesome. All the kids are going into the coconut milk pool later.

3. Glutinous rice flour bilobilo. Put a cup of the flour in a bowl, add water slowly, a spoonful at a time, stirring slowly.

What you want to form from the flour and water is a paste that holds its own. You can tell when it’s “done” when the paste will come up off the bottom of the bowl cleanly when you scrape it with a spoon. After you get the paste to this point, let it rest for a few minutes on the counter.

This paste is called galapong, the sticky rice flour dough that is the basis for an infinite number of kakanin, rice-based desserts like bibingka. Get a plate and sprinkle it with rice flour. Pick up a little divet of that flour with your fingers and rub it around your palms. Snip off a bit of the dough paste, and form it into a ball by rolling between your

floured palms. Set the little ball on the floured plate. Repeat.

4. Cassava root. If using fresh cassava, cut a narrow, diagonal line the length of the root. This will help you shave off the root’s bark. Grate the root, though at the core of the root is a very stringy and tough core. Don’t include that. The core left will be about as wide as your pinky finger. Squeeze out the water from the grated cassava root with your bare hands or with a cheese cloth.

Form the grated root into balls. Add a little of the glutinous rice flour to help it stick together.

These cassava truffles – if I may coin this phrase – are really delicate.

Pictured here is frozen, packaged cassava. Defrost and treat it the same as the fresh root.

4. Now that the sugar’s all dissolved in the coconut milk, layer your cut-up ingredients inside, with the heavier, denser ingredients going in first: sweet potato, purple yam, jackfruit, glutinous rice balls and cassava root truffles. Once you’ve layered everything inside, DON’T STIR THE POT. The cassava’s really delicate (just reminding you!) and, with all that starch, stirring too much will make the ginataan too thick. Just let everything get warm, and come up to a simmer.

Get a hot bowl and a spoon and go to town. Sweet, stickto-your-ribs, warming taste of home. *** Sarahlynn Pablo is the co-founder of Filipino Kitchen, a food media and events group whose mission is to connect Filipinos across the diaspora with their culture and history by celebrating our cuisine. With fellow co-founder, Natalia Roxas, they produce the annual Kultura Festival in October. Pablo, 38, lives in and loves Chicago. For more stories and recipes, please visit http://filipino.kitchen.

Pia Wurztbach fought for Miss Universe to happen in PH

by Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is all set to pass on the crown to her successor in her home country no less on Jan. 30, 2017. “i’m just really grateful that the pageant is finally happening,” Pia said during the Miss Universe kick-off party featuring candidates from the U.S. and Asia-Pacific at the Conrad Manila on Saturday, Dec. 10. “it would be really great if i can finally have a proper walk onstage,” she added in jest, recalling Steve Harvey’s oops moment when the pageant host initially declared Miss Colombia as the winner and not Pia. (Harvey, Pia confirmed, will be back as host of the Miss U coronation in Manila).

The Star also had an exclusive interview with the 27-year-old beauty queen, and there’s no hiding her happiness to have been of help in ensuring that Miss U will be staged here — for the third time. The first one was held in 1974 at the Folk Arts Theater and then in 1994 at the Philippine international Convention Center (PiCC). “i think it’s a great way to end my reign, to do the Miss Universe pageant here in the Philippines. i’ve been very vocal of the possibility of having it here. it started with an idea a few months ago and i told the Miss U Organization about it, like what if i just mention it to the media? You know, mention that it would be great to have the competition here, and if we could get the help of everybody, get them involved, maybe we can make that happen,” Pia told The STAR on the sidelines of her shoot for etc’s latest show airing Sunday nights at 7:30, titled Journey to the Crown: A Celebration of Beauty (hosted by 2010 Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj and 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee.) “We were able to connect with the right people. everybody’s worked hard to make it happen. now that i’m reaching the end of my reign, it’s bit-

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

tersweet because it was a long time...it took a long time for me to get here but at least i get to end it — in the most beautiful way i can think of.”

There were reports that it almost didn’t materialize though. “i think the reason why people thought it wasn’t going to happen was because there wasn’t an official announcement yet and everybody was waiting in anticipation. But i had no doubts that it was going to happen because being in Miss Universe myself, i get to see first hand how hard they’ve worked, what’s happening and who’s really involved. (And) i really fought for it, yes!”

Asked how it feels that her reign is about to conclude in less than two months from now, Pia shared, “i’ve come to terms that it’s time to give a chance to a new girl — for her to experience what i’ve experienced. i know that it was amazing, it was more than what i expected it to be, and i’m sure it’s going to be the same thing for her.”

According to Pia, what she’ll sorely miss are the people she has worked with for almost a year now. “i’ll miss new York. i’ll miss the organization. not really the attention, the social media, the interviews, getting glammed up and all that, it’s really more of the people i work with every day because they’re family now. Can you imagine after one (coronation)

Paolo Ballesteros ends 2016 on a high note

by Boy

aBuNda Philstar.com

LiFe has a strange way of surprising Paolo Ballesteros.

While he wasn’t looking, the “eat, Bulaga!” mainstay’s make-up transformations of Hollywood celebrities went viral.

What started out as a hobby for the star of Regal Films’ Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Die Beautiful” turned out to be a source of pride for Filipino artistry.

American supermodel-turnedTV host Tyra Banks posted Paolo’s make-up transformation of her on her Facebook page, and said the actor-host did a good job.

Fashion it girl gigi Hadid called Paolo’s make-up transformation of her “amazing,” while game of Thrones’ Lena Headley described the actor-host’s work as “fantastic.”

As most of us know by now, Paolo went home with Best Actor honors from the Tokyo international Film Festival for playing a transgender in Jun Robles Lana’s “Die Beautiful,” which also won the Audience Award.

2016 seems to be Paolo’s year. But he’d rather think of it as a roller coaster ride that ended on a high note.

“That’s the beauty of life,” the ever-optimistic Paolo muses.

“Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down.” instead of letting not-so-positive things like his “vacation” from “eat, Bulaga!” bring him down, Paolo looks at the bright side and sees things as a phase that will soon pass. “What matter is how you deal with it,” he adds.

The devoted father just takes one good look at his beloved daughter Keira Claire, eight, and all the problems melt like ice cream on a sizzling summer day.

“She’s very supportive,” beams the proud dad. “She plays with my make-up kit and high heel shoes.”

Paolo doesn’t mind rising bright and early in the morning to apply make-up on the little girl when she has a school program to go to.

Keira Claire loves it when her dad studies her face and applies make-up that enhances her looks.

As usual, Paolo is so good at it.

Paolo Ballesteros

He gets requests to do the makeup of his daughter’s classmates.

But he politely turns them down. “i’m not a commercial makeup artist,” he points out.

Paolo explains that he can apply make-up on his own face, but not on another’s. That’s because no one knows his face, its contours, strengths and flaws — more than Paolo does. He knows which parts to highlight, and which to camouflage.

He tried to put make-up on his sister, but he wasn’t happy.

The self-confessed perfectionist needs to get everything right, and often feels he could have done something more to enhance the make-up.

Paolo has grown so used to wearing make-up the minute he steps out of the house, he feels incomplete without it. good thing his skin can tolerate all kinds of make-up brands, high-end or not.

Paolo does all this to immerse himself in the moment, when all eyes were on him as he delivered his acceptance speech as Best Actor on stage.

With Paolo, it’s all or nothing.

He looks and dresses the part to become the character his role demands of him. His award and the lavish praise he gets from his work prove he’s on the right track.

You can’t fault Regal Matriarch Mother Lily for offering Paolo three movies in 2017.

The guy’s talent and dedication call for even bigger movies.

night i have to go back to my real family? That’s the bittersweet part of it.”

Pia will be the focus of the final episode of Journey to the Crown, a series that’s more than just about beauty queens and contests. “i think a lot of women will be able to relate to it because of the struggles, the ups and downs... There’s really a lot of challenges involved that viewers would be able to relate to.” if she were to sum up her own journey to the crown, she would say, “Unpredictable (laughs). Full of surprises, definitely! But all good and i’m very excited for what’s going to happen. now that i look back on

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) holds 2nd Annual Toy Distribution in Historic Filipinotown

LOS AngeLeS--Search to involve Pilipino Americans (SiPA) is pleased to present its 2nd Annual Toy Distribution event on Saturday, December 17, 2016, from 8:00am to 1:00pm. The distribution will take place at Search to involve Pilipino Americans, 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (on the corner of Temple and Robinson).

Toys will be distributed on a

first-come, first-served basis, to children ages 0-15. Free kid’s haircuts will be provided by celebrity barber JayR Mallari.

Holiday music will be provided

by DJ icy ice. There will also be coffee and donuts!

SiPA would like to thank Purist group for the generous contribution of toys. Toy donors are welcome to drop off a toy or make a contribution

of any amount to help support SiPA’s programs and services.

And many thanks to SiPA’s Board of Directors and Staff for their commitment and dedication.

For more information about the event and SiPA’s programs and services, please contact Dorothy gamoning at (213) 3821819 x106, or email dgamoning@esipa.org.

it, i think everything happened for a reason. i joined Miss Philippines three times for a reason. i won Miss Universe this year for a reason. now, everything is coming full circle.”

When asked about the challenges of being Miss U that viewers, pageant fans or social media followers hardly get to see, Pia said, “i guess one of the hardest parts of the reign that people don’t really see is that there’s so much thought put into each event i do, each activity, each appearance, hindi kasi siya bastabasta that i jump in front of the camera and start saying things.

“We have to review it, think about it, we have to take the

endorsements in consideration, the venue in consideration, the people around us, i think that’s the hard part. it’s just being aware and mindful of the right place, and the right time to do certain jobs or certain things as Miss Universe because if you do it the right way, you do the job the right way.”

What tips can she give to the next Miss U queen? “it will really test you. There are going to be moments where you’ll really be working and barely have any time to sleep but you can’t doubt the reason you’re there. i’ve never doubted, not one second of my reign (did i think) bakit ko ba ginagawa to? never! even when

i’m very sick and tired, i fight through everything, the shoots, the appearances. i’ve never missed a day of work.”

What’s next for Pia after Miss U? She’s already thinking of a possible return to show business. “everyone knows i’m from showbiz. Most probably i’m going back to doing that because i’m used to it and i already started it so why not?”

She continued, “i can’t really imagine myself not continuing what i’m doing with regards to my charities and being in front of the camera. i really enjoy it!

Siguro kung di na ako Miss U, hosting or acting, i’m open to it.

Let’s just see.”

6

features

MOONLIGHTING

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

Ruffa Gutierrez gives modern dating tips in new book

by RICKY LO Philstar.com

WHAT do they say again?

Yes, you can’t judge a book by its cover. I beg to disagree, at least in the case of Ruffa Gutierrez who has just released her own book titled “Truth & Lies My Mother Told Me,” a modern woman’s guide to

finding love today, following that of her mom Annabelle Rama’s ‘Day, Hard!, both published by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. First, Ruffa justifies the title by confessing in the Dedication, “My own Mother did everything in her power, and I mean everything, to protect me from the big bad

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by MYLAH DE

LEON

IT was an unbridled celebration of sound and scenes last Saturday at the International Celebrity Center for the Philippine Institute of Language, arts and culture (PILAC) in partnership with the United National Human Rights Organization.

Himig Pasko showcased an evening of Christmas songs performed by a mix of adult and children’s voices rendered in a quiet elegance of escape, energy and intelligence – as a warm hearted community together in an unwavering support.

Mon Concepcion and Mat

world, to protect me from myself, and to protect me from breaking my heart. Of course, I didn’t always see it that way. Sometimes, I listened and sometimes I was too stubborn to care. There were times she was right and there were times she went overboard.

But no matter what, she never gave up on me. Even when I had to learn the hard way.”

Adding in the Introduction, “Even my mom, the unapologetically blunt Annabelle Rama, told me, when I started writing this book — ‘Day, ‘wag mo nang ikwento ‘yang love life mo! Walang magbabasa niyan.‘ What do I know about finding true love and romance, about loss, and moving on?”

And what are the “truths” and Romy Borje the “lies” that Mom Annabelle told Ruffa? I will let you find out for yourself.

What I found interesting in the book is not Ruffa’s fashion sense and style, nor her tips on how to find true love, but her colorful and dramatic romances which she enumerated in blind items.

It was unnecessary because, as Ruffa herself admitted, her life is an open book read and reread by showbiz-watchers. On the cover, Ruffa is shown in a full-body shot, her left arm on her hip, with a slit in her dress revealing a portion of her upper right leg. That’s why I said that in Ruffa’s case, you can judge her book by its cover — that is, her cover photo tells it all…well, almost!

Mon Concepcion and Mat Relox

A celebration of Christmas and Filipino culture Relox as headliners were the perfect mix for a splash of a show defining the beauty of our national language with the rest of the ensemble on a

perfect display of our arts and culture. ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com

PILAC Prez Bernie Targa-Ganon, Rosemarie Mejia and the Moonlighter

Knights of Rizal with the Dickens Choir

Golden Agers of the Fil-Am community

why ORGANIC? Organic products meet stringent standards Healthier for you & kids Organic food tastes better Organic farming respects natural resources Avoids pesticides & are artificial-fertilizer-free Non-GMO, no synthetic pesticides, no growth-promoting antibiotics There are many, many more reasons to go Organic. But in short: You’ll leave the world a better place than when you found it

features

Cassava Cake by Chef Eric Pascual From Page 2

IngredIents: • pinch of salt • ½ cup melted butter (save 1 tbsp to grease bottom of pan) • ½ cup of unsweetened

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

toasted coconut Topping • 4 egg yolks • ž cup of whole milk and

Simbang Gabi

CookIng ProCess: 1. in a bowl combine the egg yolks, condensed milk, and evaporated milk and stir well.

Set aside.

2. Using the melted butter or margarine, grease bottom and all sides of a 13� x 9� baking pan.

2. in a large bowl, combine sugar, grated cassava, coconut milk, and condensed milk. Stir well and pour mixture into greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 F oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick

inserted in the middle comes out clean.

3. Remove from oven and let cake settle for 5 minutes.

4. pour custard topping mixture over surface of cake.

Return back to oven and reduce temperature to 325 F and continue to bake until top sets and lightly browns (Approximately 20-25 minutes).

5. Allow to cool for at least 45 minutes for the cake to settle and then slice into serving pieces.

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2. pour over surface of cake and return to oven to bake until set.

3. Top with toasted coconut

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Ginataang na Alimasag at Hipon by Chef Eric Pascual IngredIents: • Meat from 2 large Dungeness crab (approximately 1 lb. of meat) • ½ lb. shrimp (shells removed) • 1 cup green jackfruit, chopped (fresh or 1 can large, seeds removed) • 3 tbsp bagoong (shrimp paste) • 2 tbsp patis/fish sauce • 5 garlic cloves, minced • 1 onion, minced • 1 1/2 tbsp grated ginger • 3 tbsp cooking oil • 5 cups coconut cream • 1 tsp ground black pepper • 1 stalk of green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish) • 3 birdseye or Thai chili, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp. fried onions (for garnish)

CookIng ProCess: pRepARing The CRAB 1. i suggest using live/fresh crab.

2. Steam or boil crabs in a large pot at 7 minutes/pound, lid on but not completely covered to allow a bit of venting.

3. Rinse and cool crabs.

4. Remove the carapace/top shell 5. Remove gills 6. Remove crab meat and set aside

pRepARing The ginATAAn 1. in a large pot, sautĂŠ the garlic, onion, and ginger until the garlic is slightly browned and onions are transparent.

2. Add the jackfruit, birdseye chili, ground black pepper, and bagoong 3. Add the coconut cream then bring to a boil 4. Add the fish sauce, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the coconut milk’s

7

texture starts to thicken (approximately 25-30 minutes) 5. Add the shrimp and stir occasionally for 3 minutes.

6. Add the cooked crab meat and simmer for an additional 3 minutes.

7. if needed, add additional fish sauce and/or black pepper to taste 8. Remove from heat and serve over rice. garnish with sliced birdseye chili, green onions, and fried onions.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 14, 2016

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