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EJanuary D I T I6-8, O 2016 N
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Mamasapano inquiry to be reopened on operation’s first anniversary by christina
Mendez
Philstar.com
mANILA — the senate has set the reopening of the mamasapano inquiry on the first anniversary of the incident on Jan. 25. sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, cited
the requests of some lawmakers in reopening the probe. Poe set the inquiry at 10am on Jan. 25 after the chairman of the senate committee on rules, Alan Peter Cayetano, announced there were no obstacles that would prevent the reopening of the inquiry. “It’s good that the rules com-
USA
DATELINE Pres. Obama issues executive order on gun control
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NIELSEN SURVEY
Roxas top ad spender by Jefferson
antiPorda ManilaTimes.net
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS SS AMEric MEricA ricA
IN his first major action of the new year, President Barack obama announced new executive actions to address gun control and strengthen restrictions, amidst multiple mass shooting attacks that occurred nationwide last year. In an emotional address on tuesday, Jan. 5, the president made a passionate call for “urgency” to end gun violence. “the United states of America is not the only country on earth with violent or danger-
mittee gave a go-signal that additional hearings can be called, in response to minority Leader (Juan Ponce) enrile’s request to call such, citing his personal information, and possibly new evidence,” Poe said. she said the reopening would not affect the previous findings
Marcos, crony ordered to return ill-gotten wealth to gov’t
Pacquiao confirms retirement after April fight The People’s Champ to focus on politics by agnes
constante AJPress
the People’s Champ manny Pacquiao will hang up his boxing gloves after a bout against timothy Bradley on April 9 to focus on a career in politics. “my April 9 fight against timothy Bradley will be my last. I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,” Pacquiao told PhilBoxing.com. Promoter Bob Arum said the fight is a “done deal.” It will be the third time the filipino boxer
McCain blasts White House for lack of action in South China Sea
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Philstar.com photo
fINALLY he’s on top. Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer manuel roxas 2nd bested other presidential candidates not as the by Patricia Lourdes Viray top choice of voters but as the biggest campaign ad Philstar.com spender. research done by AC Nielsen showed that roxas mANILA — the sandiganbayshelled out the most money for campaign ads last an ordered the marcoses and the year—a whopping P774 million. the amount covered family of alleged marcos crony expenses for political advertisements from January to Alfonso Lim to return all properu PAGE A2 ties claimed by the government.
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senator John mcCain on monday, Jan. 4 criticized the White house for delaying any future “freedom of navigation” patrols near artificial islands that China has built in the disputed south China sea. mcCain, who chairs the Armed services Committee, said China was continuing to “pursue its territorial ambitions” in the region, including by landing a plane on a man-made island in the spratly Islands on January 2. In a statement to reuters, the senator from
LOW MORALE. The morale of the Philippine National Police (PNP) hit rock bottom at the beginning of the year just past as 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were massacred in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and police chief Alan Purisima was dismissed from the service. However, 2015 was also the PNP’s shining moment when it oversaw the peaceful and orderly conduct of two major international events – the visit of Pope Francis in January and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in November.
the anti-graft court issued a 35-page decision on Dec. 14, 2015, ordering the marcos and Lim families to return properties found to be illegally obtained. In 1987, the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG) filed a civil case against
1
the family of former President ferdinand marcos and his alleged crony. the sandiganbayan second Division ordered the marcos and Lim families to return the remaining assets registered to Alfonso
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PH population to hit 142M in 2045 by MayV ay eLin
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the Philippine population is expected to balloon to 142 million by 2045, the Philippine statistics Authority (PsA) said, with
growth in 10 regions forecast to be faster than the national average. In a statement on tuesday, Jan. 5 the PsA said its projection signified about 49 million people being added to the country’s
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A JANUARY 6-8, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Mamasapano inquiry to be reopened… PAGE A1 t
FARMERS GRADUATION. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar tells farmers that by producing high-value and high-yielding fruits and vegetables, their income-earning capacity and profitability will also improve. The senator was the guest speaker in the 99th Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Graduation sponsored by the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) in which 197 participants graduated after attending 12 sessions on new farm technologies and procedures. Senate photo
Pacquiao confirms retirement… Roxas top ad…
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will face Bradley in the ring. Pacquiao, currently the lone congressman of the Sarangani province, is looking to run for one of the 24 national senate seats in the May election. Because of this, Pacquiao has insisted the fight takes place no later than mid-April to give him at least one month to spend on the campaign trail, ESPN reported. Immediate public reaction to the fight on social media was negative, as the first two bouts between the boxers weren’t particularly memorable, according to ESPN. However, Arum said he believes Bradley is a different fighter now compared to the earlier two fights, given he is training with ESPN television analyst Teddy Atlas. He also cited Bradley’s November 2015 match against Brandon Rios, in which he stopped his opponent in the ninth round. “The Bradley that fought Rios, whatever you thought about Rios, was a different fighter. It’s still Bradley, but a new Bradley with Teddy. And at this point of his career, can Manny handle that? Remember, Manny is also coming off an injury,” Arum said,
according to ESPN. After Pacquiao’s long-awaited fight against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2, 2015, he revealed he fought with an injured shoulder. He had surgery afterward to repair a torn right rotator cuff. Atlas also said Bradley is in better mental and physical shape, and has learned from his previous fights against the Filipino boxer. “We’d correct the mistakes from the first two fights, use his experience from the past,” Atlas said, according to RT. “A lot worked well in those first two fights, and then we’ll learn from our past. It’s what winners do, what smart people are supposed to do.” In October, Arum told ESPN he wasn’t sad about the fight being Manny’s last, given his goal to pursue a political career, which requires mental acuity. “If he stays in boxing a little too long, his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired,” Arum said. However, in more recent reports, the long-time promoter said he didn’t want to say it would
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December 2015. Vice President Jejomar Binay, the presidential candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), placed second, spending P695 million, based on the Nielsen report. Senator Grace Poe ranked third at P694 million. She was followed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who spent P129 million. Duterte only officially declared his candidacy in November. But prior to the release of the Nielsen report showing Roxas as the top political ad spender, an earlier report also released by Nielsen showed Binay as the top television ad spender, having paid P596 million for TV ads last year. The report that covers the period January 1 to November 30, 2015, put Poe in second position with a total ad spending of P448 million. Roxas ranked third at P425 million. Rep. Barry Gutierrez, spokesman for the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid, said the Nielsen survey showing Roxas as the third big-
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contained in Committee Report No. 120, which found President Aquino “ultimately responsible” for the deaths of the 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF). “Let it be stated as I manifested before, the new hearings will not affect or void our earlier findings. Our committee report has been signed by 21 members. We have a leeway to allow new evidence. We will schedule the additional hearing on Jan. 25 in the session hall of the Senate at 10 a.m,” Poe announced. Malacañang sees nothing wrong with the decision of the Senate to resume its Mamasapano inquiry. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said the Senate is mandated to conduct such inquiry as part of its oversight functions. For his part, Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said the previous findings of the Senate regarding the incident should be respected. Sarmiento pointed out the probe has gone through several processes and the Department of Justice has filed charges against
those allegedly involved in the killing of the 44 SAF commandos. On Monday, Cayetano said there are no legal obstacles and took note of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III’s statement that he is amenable to the motion to reopen the investigation. Cayetano said the rules committee took into consideration Section 32 of the Senate rules which provides that: “when a report is returned to a committee or is transmitted to another, unless it is returned for purposes of conducting further public hearings on new matters arising after the report, all previous proceedings in connection therewith shall be deemed to be void and that matter in question shall revert to its original status.” Enrile earlier asked his colleagues during session if he can interpellate on the committee report No. 120 since he was under detention at the height of the Senate hearings last year. In Poe’s report, Aquino was found ‘ultimately responsible’ for the deaths of 44 SAF personnel. Almost 400 police commandos had swooped before dawn in the operation to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias
Marcos, crony ordered to return ill-gotten…
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Lim Sr. to the government, which amounts to an estimated value of P378 million in 2006. This includes properties in Tagaytay City (P206.6 million), Batangas (P96.8 million) and Angono, Rizal (P74.5 million). Meanwhile, Lim’s properties in Cagayan and Manila have been sold at a public auction to settle tax liabilities and labor claims, according to the Sandiganbayan. Lim, who died in 2002, reportedly acquired these properties through timber concessions and management contracts. The court also ordered the return of sequestered aircraft, RPC208 Cessna Centurion II and RP-C333 Cessna Golden Eagle, which are registered under the name of Taggat Industries. The aircraft have been grounded at the Manila Domestic Airport since 1994. Aside from Marcos and Lim,
Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was ousted in 1986 after two decades of martial rule. Philstar.com file photo
the other defendants in the case were former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Alfonso Lim Jr., Teodoro Q. Peña, Taggat Industries, Pamplona Redwood, Southern Plywood, Western Cagayan, Veterans Woodworks Inc., Sierra Madre Wood, and Tropical Philippines Wood Industries Inc. The court, however, did
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Marwan, and local confederate Basit Usman in a remote village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25. But after killing Marwan, the SAF commandos were ambushed by heavily armed Muslim rebels and villagers. A total of 44 policemen were killed and 12 others were wounded in the attack. Operation Plan: Exodus went haywire after operatives supposedly failed to coordinate properly with the military as then SAF commander Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas’ plea for reinforcement was apparently ignored by his military counterparts. President Aquino, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, has repeatedly refused to admit command responsibility for the killing and instead put the blame on Napeñas. Coloma said Aquino had no regrets when he allowed then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima to supervise by remote control the police operation that led to the death of the 44 elite police troopers. (With reports from Delon Porcalla and Cecille Suerte Felipe)
not mention the civil liability of Imelda and their children Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Imee Marcos-Manotoc, and Irene Marcos-Araneta. In November 2015, the Philippine government ordered the appraisal of the jewelry collection seized from Imelda Marcos three decades ago. n
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Dateline USa
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 6-8, 2016
A
API physicians make push for healthcare enrollment Prominent Physicians Group Again Assists in the Effort to Reduce the Number of Uninsured Californians
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians have again joined forces to raise awareness of the third open-enrollment period under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians -- a national organization of AsianAmerican, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander physicians who advocate for the health and wellbeing of patients and communities -- partnered with Covered California during open enrollPresident Barack Obama speaks with the attendees following a meeting in the Oval Office on the executive actions he can take to curb gun violence, Jan. 4, 2016. Listening to the President, from left: Neil Eggleston, Counsel to the President; Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates; Eric Nguyen, Associate Counsel to the President; Michael Bosworth, Deputy Counsel to the President; Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett; Attorney General Loretta Lynch; Natalie Quillian, Deputy Assistant to the President (partially hidden behind the Attorney General) and FBI Director James Comey. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Pres. Obama issues executive order on…
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ous people. We are not inherently more prone to violence--but we are the only advanced country on Earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency,” Obama said tearfully at a press conference, surrounded by families of gun violence victims. “We become numb to it, and start thinking this is normal. And instead of thinking about how to solve the problem, this has become one of our polarized, partisan debates.” The White House announced an executive action package, with multiple separate provisions to address major aspects of gun control policy. One provision would require more gun sellers (including those online or at gun shows) to be licensed, and oblige vendors to conduct extensive
background checks on potential buyers, the Washington Post reported. The initiative is the White House’s attempt to close the gun show “loophole” that allows gun collectors, private vendors and hobbyists to do business without background checks. A recent Harvard University survey of more than 2,000 gun owners found that of those who purchased their most recent firearm, about a third did not undergo a background check. In a statement emailed Monday, Jan. 4, the administration outlined the policy in line with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): “It doesn’t matter where you conduct your business: from a store, at gun shows or over the Internet. If you’re in the business of selling firearms, you must get a
license and conduct background checks.” With the extensive, thorough background checks, the FBI will also overhaul the current check system to make it effective, efficient with more staff and notifications, and background checks being processed 24/7. “The new guidance is consistent with existing law because it clarifies its original intent,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “The hobbyist exemption in federal law was never meant to cover people regularly devoting significant time and effort to selling firearms just because they were doing so at a gun show.” Obama has said that the strengthened background checks would make the process more secure, not harder for people to purchase guns. He has also criti-
Roxas top ad…
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gest spender showed that the campaign of the LP presidential bet is focused more on grassroots communications and less emphasis on “air war.” He added that it also showed that rivals of the former Interior secretary are more capable of spending big on television ads than the administration candidate who is accused of using government money to fund his campaign. Gutierrez issued the statement before the camp of the Vice
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PH population to hit 142M in…
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population from 2010 to 2045, with an average annual growth at 1.21 percent. As of May 2010, the country’s population was estimated at 92.34 million. Over the 35-year period, the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is projected to have the highest average annual growth rate of 2.12 percent. Caraga at 1.72 percent was ranked second, with Soccsksargen, the Davao Region and the Zamboanga Peninsula following with 1.47 percent, 1.41 percent and 1.37 percent, respectively. Areas in Luzon also expected to post high population growth rates
are the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 1.35 percent, Calabarzon with 1.31 percent, Mimaropa with 1.58 percent and Bicol with 1.65 percent. Eastern Visayas, meanwhile, is projected to grow by an annual average of 1.53 percent. The Calabarzon population is expected to be the largest in 2045 at 20.1 million, followed by the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Central Luzon with 14.5 million each. Western Visayas and Central Visayas will surpass the 10-million mark, with 10.4 million each in 2045. The CAR will continue to have the smallest population with 2.6 million in year 2045.
“This report presents some of the highlights of the 2010 census-based regional population projections prepared by the Philippine Statistics Authority in collaboration with the InterAgency Working Group on Population Projections headed by Dr. Mercedes Concepcion with members representing the Commission on Population, Department of Education, Department of Health, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute and the University of the Philippines Population Institute,” National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales said. n
Pacquiao confirms retirement after April…
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be Pacquiao’s final showdown in the ring. “I’m not going to sell it as that because I don’t want everybody to say, ‘Hey, it’s his last fight, come and see it!’ and then it turns out that it’s not his last fight,” he said. “Who the hell knows with these guys? They all change their minds so I’m not selling it as his last fight,” he added. Both Pacquiao and Bradley won one fight each of their two
matches, with Bradley the victor of the first showdown in 2012 in a split decision, and Pacquiao winner in 2014 via unanimous decision. Atlas said he has already studied both fights in preparation for the third. “It’ll be a tough challenge, but we’ll make sure we’re ready for it. We will respect the challenge Pacquiao presents. We will do what we’re supposed to do and be 100 percent prepared. It will be a difficult fight,” he said.
Pacquiao also took the opportunity to refute a previous Philboxing.com report that quoted the Filipino boxer saying he would not retire until he secured a rematch against Mayweather, after his defeat last May. “I never said that. Nobody spoke to me about that,” Pacquiao said, Inquirer reported. Pacquiao’s retirement will follow that of Mayweather, who retired after his fight against twotime welterweight world champion Andre Berto in September. n
McCain blasts White House for lack of…
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Arizona said the US military’s failure to conduct additional patrols last year was “disappointing yet hardly surprising.” He said the President Barack Obama’s administration was “either unable to manage the complexities of interagency national security decision making or simply too risk averse to do what is necessary to safeguard the rulesbased order in the Asia-Pacific.” In October, the Pentagon began conducting patrols within 12 nautical miles of the man-made islands. McCain’s complaints come af-
ter Chinese foreign ministry officials confirmed on Saturday that a test flight by a civilian plane landed on one of the islands, the first time Beijing has used a runway in the area, Reuters reported. The landing was not a surprise, as China has been building runways on the artificial islands for over a year. Washington suspects that the islands may be used as military outposts, while Beijing insists that they will serve primarily a humanitarian purpose. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, through which
ment for the second consecutive year by sending out a letter to more than 3,000 council members that featured ways to get the word out about open enrollment in physicians’ offices and on social media sites. Open enrollment began on Nov. 1, 2015 and ends Jan. 31, 2016. “We are proud to be partnering again with the trusted members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “Their voices help us highlight
trillion in trade passes annually. However, there are overlapping claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. After the Chinese plane’s landing, Vietnam launched a formal diplomatic protest, while the Philippines said it is planning to do the same. “That’s the fear, that China will be able take control of the South China Sea and it will affect the freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight,” said Philippines Foreign Ministry spokesman Charles Jose. (ManilaTimes.net)
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President presented an updated and inclusive report by Nielsen showing Roxas as the overall top spender on political advertisements. Joey Salgado, spokesman for Binay, said the Nielsen report showing the Vice President as top ad spender only covers 11 months. He added that Nielsen research did not include ads placed by Roxas supporters like the Mar Roxas for President Movement and Mar Roxas School Alumni. The campaign period for candi-
the importance of the open-enrollment period and our shared goal of getting as many Californians health insurance coverage as possible.” An estimated 750,000 uninsured Californians remain eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California, and approximately 1.4 million uninsured Californians qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Cultivating a culture of coverage is also a goal of physicians across California. “We recognize how significant
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dates for national positions such as President, Vice President, senators and party-list representatives will run from February 9, 2016 to May 7, 2016. Under Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Elections Law of 1991, candidates for President and Vice President are allowed to spend P10 for every voter, while bets for other posts can spend P3 per voter in the constituency where they have filed their certificates of candidacy.The Commission on Elections earlier urged Congress to increase the campaign spending of candidates, saying the ceiling is no longer realistic. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Marcos: New Mamasapano probe may affect BBL by Jefferson And
AntipordA neil A. Alcober
ManilaTimes.net
REOPENING the Senate investigation on the January 25 Mamasapano incident may affect deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which has been renamed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Area of Responsibility (BLBAR) in the Senate. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who heads the Senate Committee on Local Government, on Tuesday said any new information that may come out during resumption of the Senate probe could have an effect on their deliberations on the Bangsamoro measure. The senator, the author of the BLBAR, however, backed the reopening of the Mamasapano inquiry, noting that the move could serve justice to the 44 police commandos mowed down in Maguindanao in January last year by suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups. “We really need to reopen it because there seems to have been no effort from the DOJ [Department of Justice] to seriously go after those responsible for the death of the SAF [Special Actiojn Force] 44,” Marcos explained. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs headed by Sen. Grace Poe came out with a draft committee report blaming President Benigno
Aquino 3rd for the tragedy. The report also recommended filing of charges against resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima, former SAF commander Getulio Napeñas and other officials. Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile has called for plenary discussion of the draft committee report. On Monday, the Senate Committee on Rules heaed by Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano gave the go-signal for the reopening of the hearings on the Mamasapano massacre without voiding the previous proceeding conducted by Poe’s panel. Poe has scheduled hearings for January 25. Not giving up Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles said the government will continue pushing for tpassage of the Bangsamoro bill despite uncertainties and challenges. “We should hit the ground running. These last six months are going to move fast [during which] we will face challenges,” Deles added. “This January, we are looking forward, working hard and praying harder, that we will see the passage of [the] BBL when Congress resumes [sessions],” she said. The passage of the BBL, according to her, would ease discussions during a ministerial meeting this month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) on the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the
Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front, once the strongest Muslim rebel group operating in Mindanao. “The House leadership is hopeful that they will be able to muster a quorum and finish the process. This is a message that we should not give up hope and we need to keep pushing for the completion of the most important milestone on the peace table.” Chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the government and MILF will remain steadfast in upholding a ceasefire in pursuit of lasting peace in southern Philippines. “[T]he best thing about the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [is that the] two parties have not gone back to war,” she noted. “We are gradually transforming the lives of the people on the ground, nurturing their hopes and dreams for a better future. And we are so close to putting firmly in place the needed institutional reforms to realize meaningful autonomy and democracy in the Bangsamoro,” Ferrer said. According to her, both peace panels will continue to collaborate in strengthening joint mechanisms and building mutual trust and confidence among and between their respective organizations. “In rising to the tasks before us, we have fortified our confidence in the process. [W]e shall continue to carry on in order to get to our destination sooner than later,” Ferrer said. n
Manaoag Church, Nueva Vizcaya bridge, San Joaquin, Iloilo Camposanto declared National Cultural Treasures Also declared NCTs: Paco Cemetery, Cagsaua ruins, Manansala rice murals
by edgAr
AllAn M. seMbrAno Inquirer.net
THE National Museum (NM) has recently released the list of new sites, structures and objects declared as National Cultural Treasures (NCT) and Important Cultural Properties (ICP) in 2015. Among those declared are Paco Park or the Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio in Manila; the watchtowers in the municipalities of Badoc, Currimao, Baccara and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte, and in Santiago, San Esteban and Narvacan towns in Ilocos Sur, including the watchtowerbelfries of Laoag and Bantay; the Minor Basilica and Complex of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (including the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and movable and intangible properties intrinsic to the cultural significance of the property) in
MANAOAG Minor Basilica, Pangasinan
Photos by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano
Manaog, Pangasinan; Cagsaua Church ruins in Albay; Dampol Bridge in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; and San Joaquin Camposanto in Iloilo.
The last two became controversial last year due to a road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways that threatened to affect them. n
track of illegal gun trafficking online, and promises to devote $4 million and additional personnel to improve the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. Additional research into gun safety technology will be directed by the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security. “The ATF will assess each case individually,” said Valerie Jarrett, a senior Obama advisor involved in drafting the policy, reported the Los Angeles Times. “Agents will consider such qualifications as whether sellers represent themselves as dealers by taking credit card payments, handing out business cards, selling firearms quickly after acquiring them or selling them in the original packaging.” Dodging the licensure rule can carry five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for gun sellers both online and at flea markets, said the Justice Department. Republicans, presidential candidates, and gun rights advocates have already blasted the executive actions. “The president is at minimum subverting the legislative branch, and potentially overturning its will…this is a dangerous level of executive overreach, and the country will not stand for it,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), referring to the Senate rejecting Obama’s proposals in 2013 to overhaul gun laws, including running extensive background checks. “The recent tragedies that have gripped our country are heartbreaking, but none of the unilateral restrictions President Obama is proposing would have prevented them, making his proposal all the more insulting and political,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus. “The truth is, this executive overreach is all about burnishing the president’s legacy and boosting Democrat
enthusiasm in a presidential election year. But that’s no excuse for subverting the will of the people’s representatives in Congress, and the American people won’t tolerate President Obama’s dangerous power grab.” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called the president a “petulant child” acting “as if he’s a king, as if he’s a dictator.” Speaking at a Christian bookstore in Iowa, Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas) called the idea “illegal and unconstitutional.” Obama has “waged war on the Constitution,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). “You can pass all the gun laws in the world that you want. It will not stop the criminals.” Meanwhile, Democrat frontrunner Hillary Clinton applauded Obama during her campaign stop, saying that she would go even further implementing guidelines as president. “Our next President has to build on that progress, not rip it away,” Clinton tweeted. A recent poll found support for an assault weapons ban to be below 50 percent, the lowest level in more than two decades, according to Politico. Gun sales also spiked after the San Bernardino attacks on December 2nd, 2015, as many Americans react to mass shootings with a desire for selfprotection through firearms rather than more regulation of them, reported Mic News. An analysis by IBISWorld also said that consumers have “increased their gun purchases,” particularly following the series of mass shootings that has generally increased the talk about gun control. The Gun and Ammunition Manufacturing industry reported a higher revenue at an estimated annualized rate of 6.4 percent, to $15.8 billion over the last five years up to 2016. Polls have found a broad sup-
Pres. Obama issues executive order on…
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cized congressional Republicans for the lack of legislation, as well as the National Rifle Association, insisting that his actions are “not a plot to take away everybody’s guns.” “I believe in the Second Amendment, there written on paper, that guarantees the right to bear arms,” he said. “But I also believe that we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment. Until we have the Congress that’s in line with the majority of Americans, there are actions within my legal authority that we can take to help reduce gun violence and save more lives.” Along with the bolstered background checks, the White House announced more federal funding for mental health treatment and reporting. The Administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care, and a new rulemaking process for the Social Security Administration to include background information about individuals with mental health problems. Another provision will require licensed gun dealers to report any lost and stolen guns to the National Crime Information Center. Over the past five years, an average of 1,333 guns recovered in criminal investigations each year were traced back to a seller who claimed the weapon was missing but did not report it to authorities, the White House said. “This is a broad set of actions that tackles a variety of the issues related to gun violence,” said Arkadi Gerney, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, “and in combination it represents a comprehensive effort to strengthen the laws we already have on the books.” The ATF has also established a new investigation center to keep
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FORMER COLLEAGUE. President Benigno S. Aquino III pays his last respects to former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres on Tuesday, Jan. 5 Paniqui, Tarlac. Malacañang photo by Marcelino Pascua
Church no longer allows personal wedding vows focus of the action of Christ Himself in the liturgical action. The liturgy is not ours to change at THE Church will no longer al- whim,” Villegas said. “[It] should low couples to write and express not be mixed with the liturgies of their own wedding vows during a the Church.” The prelate explained that exmatrimonial ceremony. The head of the Catholic Bish- pressing personal vows is tanops’ Conference of the Philip- tamount to altering the liturgy, pines (CBCP), Lingayen-Dagupan which a priest has no authority Archbishop Socrates Villegas, on to do. “No other person, not even Tuesday, Jan. 5 said that personal marriage vows is not part of the a priest may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on eucharistic rite. “Mixing personal pious devo- his own authority,” Villegas said. “Based on these norms, the tions with the liturgy could confuse, remove or diminish the idea of pronouncing personal by WilliAM
b. depAsupil ManilaTimes.net
vows inserted within the wedding liturgy must not be allowed,” the Archbishop added. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle earlier prohibited priests from saying Mass at political events. “The Eucharist is the source and sign of unity. Its celebration should not be seen as favoring or endorsing particular candidates, organizations or parties,” Tagle said in a circular to the clergy. He also called on priests to not allow candidates to organize mass baptisms, mass confirmations, and mass weddings. n
API physicians make push for… PAGE A3 t
open enrollment is for our patients and consumers across California and the nation,” National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians President and CEO Dr. Ho Luong Tran said. “We want to do our part to ensure more Californians have health care coverage than ever before.” Covered California has served more than 2 million consumers since it began offering health coverage in January 2014. Last year, nine out of 10 Covered California enrollees received fi-
nancial assistance to help pay for their coverage. Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. Covered California helps individuals determine whether they
are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits. n
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DESPITE ardent calls by the international community to halt its military assertion in the West Philippine (South China) Sea, China remains undaunted in reiterating its “indisputable sovereignty” and has moved forward with its reclamation activities. While the Philippines was enjoying the New Year revelries, China was busy completing the construction of a 3,125-meter-long airfield on Kagitingan Reef in the highlycontested Spratly archipelago. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that China recently used a civilian plane to conduct a flight testing in the Philippine-claimed reef. Vietnam, which also claims Kagitingan and calls the reef “Da Chu Thap,” immediately protested China’s recent actions. Le Hai Binh, a spokesperson for the Vietnamese foreign ministry, said the test flight violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, breached mutual understanding and hurt bilateral relations. Vietnam also warned China to immediately stop and not to repeat similar actions. China rejected Vietnam’s protest. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the test flight to Kagitingan, which the Chinese call Yongshu Island, was to “test whether or not the facilities on it meet the standards for civil aviation” and a matter “completely within China’s sovereignty.” Washington also criticized China’s recent actions, saying that the test flight had exacerbated tensions in the region. Pooja Jhunjhunwala, a spokesperson for the US State Department, said
Editorial
there was “a pressing need for claimants to publicly commit to a reciprocal halt to further land reclamation, construction of new facilities and militarization of disputed
features.” The US encouraged all claimants to actively reduce tensions by refraining from unilateral actions that undermine regional stability, and taking steps to create space for meaningful diplomatic solutions to emerge. The Philippines, Vietnam and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have competing claims to parts of the West Philippine (South China) Sea. China claims the largest swathe of the strategic water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits. Over the last two years, it has been increasingly assertive in pressing its claims over the disputed waters against its smaller neighbors. According to a report, “China has piled sand atop seven reefs in the Spratlys, on at least two of which it has built airstrips, radar installations and docking facilities. Besides Kagitingan, China has built artificial islands on Calderon (Cuarteron), Burgos (Gaven), Mabini (Johnson South), Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi) and McKennan (Hughes) reefs, all claimed by the Philippines and
ManilaTimes.net photo
within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” China claims that the new facilities will strictly be used to provide civilian services, including maritime search and rescue, navigation aid, marine research, and even weather observation. Manila has already taken its claim for arbitration to a United Nations-backed international tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). China, however,
refused to participate in the arbitration. The United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected to hand down a resolution by June. While this pressing international matter calls for a swift conclusion, it must undergo such tedious process to reach a peaceful resolution. This is the essence of international law, which was built by principles based on universally accepted values and moral standards. (AJPress)
Do you support Pres. Obama’s executive action on gun control? IN a rare display of emotion, President Barack Obama shed tears as he passionately spoke to the nation about the urgent need to cure the gun violence epidemic in America and save lives. He recalled the innocent first-grade kids massacred in Sandy Hook, among other victims whose lives were cut short because of these senseless killings. Obama reportedly considers the failure to sign into law the much needed sensible gun control legislation to be the biggest frustration of his presidency, and he felt that time is running out. He blamed Congress, which blocked a tougher gun bill in 2013, and noted that it still needs to impose new gun control measures. He stressed the fact that many of the actions he’s calling for can only be imposed through legislative action. “The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now. But they cannot hold America hostage. We do not have to accept this carnage as the price of freedom,” Pres. Obama empathically declared. Thus, the president put matters in his own
hands. Using his executive power, he announced measures The Fil-Am to expand and bolster the background check system to cover Perspective sales that take place online and at gun shows, and provide more funding for mental health treatment, FBI staff and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms Gel SantoS-reloS and Explosives agents. He also announced that his administration is going to advance research to update firearms technology to make gun use safer. “I taught constitutional law. I know a little about this,” Obama said, insisting that he believes in protecting the Second Amendment right of responsible gun owners. And then he made his case that this right to bear arms is not all that America should consider: “All of us should be able to work together to find a balance that declares the rest of our rights are also important—Second Amendment rights are important, but there are other rights that we
care about as well. And we have to be able to balance them. Because our right to worship freely and safely—that right was denied to Christians in Charleston, South Carolina. And that was denied Jews in Kansas City. And that was denied Muslims in Chapel Hill, and Sikhs in Oak Creek. They had rights, too. Our right to peaceful assembly—that right was robbed from moviegoers in Aurora and Lafayette. Our unalienable right to life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—those rights were stripped from college students in Blacksburg and Santa Barbara, and from high schoolers at Columbine, and from first-graders in Newtown. First-graders. And from every family who never imagined that their loved one would be taken from our lives by a bullet from a gun. Every time I think about those kids it gets me mad. And by the way, it happens on the streets of
Chicago every day. So all of us need to demand a Congress brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies. All of us need to stand up and protect its citizens. All of us need to demand governors and legislatures and businesses do their part to make our communities safer. We need the wide majority of responsible gun owners who grieve with us every time this happens and feel like your views are not being properly represented to join with us to demand something better. And we need voters who want safer gun laws, and who are disappointed in leaders who stand in their way, to remember come election time.” What do you think about this latest move towards gun control? *** 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 Vice President Jejomar Binay will win EARLY in the year I began expressing Opinion through the social wire my initial views on the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay for President. For sheer want in specifics on the demoli- Mauro Gia SaMonte tion job being undertaken against him, I could only resort to citing historical patterns by way of contributing to his cause. Jojo and I had an interlude of camaraderie in the past, and this interlude, no matter how brief, had prompted me to do something for him for old time’s sake. I cited three modes of succession to the presidency undergone by the country. The first mode, the most popular one, is election. The second mode, power grab by the successor. The third mode, death of the incumbent. Of the third case, there have been two occasions. One was the death of President Manuel Roxas in 1948 and then Vice President Elpidio Quirino succeeded him. Another was the death of President Ramon Magsaysay in a plane crash in 1957 and Vice President Carlos P. Garcia took over. Of the second case, the first time was the power grab by Cory from President Ferdinand E. Marcos in the EDSA uprising in 1986, and the second time was the military breakaway that resulted in the removal from office of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and the infamous installation by Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as president. We elaborate on the first case because it has been the democratic means of changing Philippine presidents, or at least that’s how it has been pictured to us, and it is the means currently ongo-
ing and hence deserving the most attention now. Without any attempt at all to hide my sympathies for Jojo, I nonetheless tried my best to be objective about the matter of him being the historically-destined one to succeed to the presidency. To begin with, it is in the psyche of electorates that the next president is the sitting vice president. I don’t pretend to any expertise at socio-psychology or some such by which to be able to explain this phenomenon. I just put it in terms of a layman’s understanding that in many sphere’s of social living, people get disciplined on the principle of next-in-line: the queue at the cashier’s counter in supermarkets, at the movie theater ticket windows, at transport terminals, the examples are many. In succession to authority in the family, when the parents are gone, the eldest of the children becomes the family head – and that, by no force of law, is the tradition. History itself bears me out in standing by this contention. No vice president who ran for president has lost. Vice President Diosdado Macapagal ran for president in 1961 and won. Vice President Joseph Ejercito Estrada ran for president in 1998 and won. When I made this contention on Twitter, somebody was quick to point out that Vice President Salvador P. Laurel ran for president in 1992 and ended up at the cellar of the contest. I was quick to retort likewise that Laurel was not a duly-elected vice president in 1987 but a bogus one, like his president Cory, both of them having been forcibly rammed by America down the throat
of the Filipino nation. Laurel does not fit in this reckoning and my contention remains unchallenged. Now the country is into the fever of another electoral change in the presidency. Studying historical patterns of presidential elections, we notice the interesting detail that presidents have been coming only from three training grounds, if we may put it that way. What are these three? First, indeed, is the Vice Presidency. Already cited are the cases of Vice President Diosdado Macapagal in 1961 and Vice President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 1998. In fact, the very first president of the Republic of the Philippines, Manuel Roxas, must also fit into this category. Remember that when Roxas ran for president in 1946, he was the effective vice president of the preceding commonwealth government. President Manuel L. Quezon had already died then and Vice President Sergio Osmena must succeed him to the post, thus vacating the post of the vice president. Who would fill in the vacancy? The sitting Senate President, who else but Manuel Roxas. In this regard, Manuel Roxas must also serve as the precursor of Senate Presidents succeeding to the presidency through election. Next Senate President to do so was the longest-serving President of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos, who was Senate President when he ran for President and won in 1965. And the third historically proven training ground for Presidents is the Secretaryship of the Department of National Defense. First defense secretary to get elected president was Ramon Magsaysay in 1954, beating the sitting President Elpidio Quirino. Next was Fidel V. Ramos, who was Secretary of National Defense prior to winning the presidency in 1992.
A fluke in this pattern was the election of incumbent President Benigno C. Aquino 3rd , who was just a senator and just half-way through his term when he ran for president and won in 2010. But I personally rate this happening as still a consequence of the Cory presidency which in the first place I damn as bogus, hence any effect of which must likewise be bogus. The Benigno C. Aquino presidency simply highlights the utter corruption of the people’s consciousness of democracy, and if it sets at all another pattern for sitting a president, then that pattern should be no less condemnable than the barefaced power grab executed by Cory by which she frustrated the people’s will in the 1986 snap presidential poll. Now, we take a close look at the current presidential contenders. Who among them conforms to the abovecited criteria? We start from the bottom in the latest poll survey. Miriam Defensor Santiago is a senator, all right, but is not a Senate President. Besides, she bears the stigma of having lost not once but twice already in attempts at the presidency, and history bears out one outstanding characteristic of winning presidential candidates: virgin runners. It must be a truism, Miriam is no virgin – presidential candidate, that is. Next is Manuel Roxas 2nd, who has been consistent in placing fourth in poll surveys. No cabinet member has ever won in a run for president except the Secretary of National Defense; he has headed the DPWH, DOTC and the DILG but never the DND. He will lose. Then comes Grace Llamanzares, who for a time appeared headed for the fate that had proven true of Benigno C. Aquino 3rd (not a Senate President and just a senator half-way into his term but capitalizing on the death of his par-
ent, Cory; Grace, too, just a senator, half-way into her term and capitalizing solely on the death of her parent, FPJ) until she ran into disqualification blues. She will lose early on. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is the penultimate presidential aspirant in the reckoning. Will he win? He is neither a vice president, a senate president nor a secretary of national defense. No mayor has become president of the country overnight. History bares to us the fact that there has been just one case in which a mayor has risen to become President of the Republic of the Philippines – President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, formerly a mayor of San Juan. But Erap had to be vice president first. That gives us the ultimate criterion for the last man standing – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. Not only is he a Vice President, traditional heir to the presidency, but is also historically-destined to sit in that post. No vice president who ran for president ever lost – even against a sitting President. Vice President Diosdado Macapagal beat the incumbent President Carlos P. Garcia in 1961. In regard to Erap, Vice President Binay perfectly fits into the pattern of a mayor becoming vice president onward to winning the presidency. And yet this ultimate criterion is what precisely makes winning the presidency not really just a question of historical pattern. Having spent long years at local governance, Vice President Binay has had a good grasp of the problems of his constituencies, has learned how to solve those problems, and he only needs to sit as president to make life good, as is his obsession now, for those constituencies no longer just on a local basis, as in Makati, but on national scale as well. This fact is well known to the Filipino people. They will make Vice President Jejomar C. Binay win. n
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63RD NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF LEAGUE OF VICE GOVERNORS. Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the 63rd National Assembly of League of Vice Governors of the Philippines held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City themed “Taking Stock, Moving Forward Stronger and Bolder”. In his speech, Senator Marcos urged the Vice Governors to be instruments of unity. Senate photo
Napoles, Gigi plunder trial to start next week ‘Daang Matuwid’ coalition not surprised by SC justices’ inhibition in Poe case
by michAel
PunongbAyAn Philstar.com
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan is set to begin trial proper next week for the plunder charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against alleged pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes. Marathon hearings at the antigraft court’s Third Division will be held from Wednesdays to Fridays beginning Jan. 13 to July 7. The Sandiganbayan will not yet begin trial for Enrile since he still has pending issues with the Supreme Court which granted him bail last year. Reyes and Napoles, who have been confronted with initial evidence in bail hearings last year, are expected to again face their accusers led by whistle-blower Benhur Luy. Enrile is accused of receiving commissions totaling P172.8 mil-
RomeRo Philstar.com
Marathon hearings at the anti-graft court’s Third Division will be held from Wednesdays to Fridays beginning Jan. 13 to July 7. Philstar.com file photo
lion from Napoles, whose bogus non-government organization implemented ghost projects using pork barrel funds. Sens. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada are also facing plunder charges for allegedly receiving commissions from the pork barrel scam. They are still being held at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame. The Sandiganbayan’s First Di-
vision has denied Revilla’s petition for bail, while the Fifth Division is yet to resolve Estrada’s request for temporary freedom while undergoing trial. Napoles is already serving time in jail for serious illegal detention for allegedly detaining Luy before the pork barrel fund scam was exposed. The First and Third Divisions of the Sandiganbayan also denied her petition for bail. n
Pres. Obama issues executive order on…
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port for expanded background checks, according to CNN. In the Quinnipiac University poll from December, 89 percent of those surveyed said they overall support it, including 84 percent in gun-owning households. In the CNN/ORC poll, 48 percent of Americans said they were in favor of stricter gun control laws, with a sharp partisan divide
November the petition to remove Poe from office over her citizenship issue. The petition, filed MANILA — The Koalisyon ng by defeated 2013 senatorial bet Daang Matuwid is not surprised Rizalito David, claimed that Poe by the inhibition of three Supreme is not a natural-born Filipino and Court justices from the petition should not remain in the Senate. The four SET members who challenging the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s (SET) decision to up- voted against Poe were Carpio, hold Sen. Grace Poe’s eligibility de Castro, Brion and Sen. Nancy Binay. Those who upheld Poe’s to run in the 2013 polls. The coalition’s spokesman, Ak- eligibility were Sens. Vicente bayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez, said Sotto III, Bam Aquino, Pia Cayetthe inhibition of Senior Associate ano, Loren Legarda and Cynthia Justice Antonio Carpio and As- Villar. “It’s the position of one parsociate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion ticular portion of the government showed that the country’s insti- and that’s the SET. The Solicitor General, as the lawyer of the tutions are working properly. “The justices are members of SET, has to take that position,” the SET. They actually voted and Gutierrez said. “At the end of the day, it’s the were part of the decision-making process at the level of the SET. Supreme Court that will decide,” Now that that same decision is he added. A high court resolution that rebeing appealed to the Supreme Court level, it would be awkward quired the SET and Poe’s camp if they will be deciding on the to answer David’s petition withdecision that they themselves in 10 days from notice said the actually had a hand in crafting,” three justices inhibited “due to Gutierrez told reporters. “Again, it (inhibition) is not surprising, it is very expected. It’s again a testament to the fact by TinA sAnTos that our institutions are workInquirer.net ing,” he added. Gutierrez said the Solicitor ALL THREE disqualification General’s support for the SET cases against presidential aspiruling that favored Poe was also rant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo expected. Poe is one of the ri- Duterte will be consolidated, the vals of administration candidate Commission on Elections (ComManuel Roxas II in this year’s elec) said Tuesday, Jan. 5. presidential race. The poll body’s First DiviVoting 5-4, the SET denied last sion has decided to merge the by Alexis
(74 percent of Democrats, 23 percent of Republicans in favor). Among those who live in a gunowning household, 29 percent favor restrictions, and rises to 65 percent among households without guns. “We have to be very clear that this is not going to solve every violent crime in this country. It’s not going to prevent every mass shooting,” Obama said
from the Oval Office. “But it will potentially save lives and spare families the pain and extraordinary loss.” Most of the president’s new initiative will be implemented through his executive authority to direct changes in federal agencies. The measures will go into effect without congressional approval. (Allyson Escobar / AJPress)
prior participation in the SET.” The justices did not say though if they will also inhibit from separate petitions seeking Poe’s disqualification from the presidential race over residency and citizenship issues. In defending the SET’s decision, the Office of the Solicitor General said the tribunal correctly ruled that proof of Poe’s status as a foundling did not necessarily equate to the lack of proof of Filipino parentage. The government counsel also cited the senator’s physical features and the circumstances surrounding her abandonment and discovery. “What we therefore have, in lieu of a birth certificate evidencing Filipino parentage, are relevant pieces of evidence, properly admissible under the Rules of Court, that private respondent has, at least, a Filipino mother or Filipino father and, most likely, both,” Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said in a comment. n
Duterte DQ cases to be merged
petitions against Duterte filed by broadcaster Ruben Castor, “nuisance” presidential candidate Rizalito David and University of the Philippines Student Council chair John Paulo de las Nieves. But the Duterte camp said it would be opposing the Comelec’s decision to consolidate the cases. n
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Emerging markets’ growth Dispo, Banatao join Cirtek Group to remain subdued in 2016 by IrIs
Gonzales Philstar.com
by IrIs
Gonzales Philstar.com
MANILA — Growth in emerging markets including the Philippines will remain somber this year but will see an improvement, according to investment bank UBS. In its report titled “House View: 2016 and Beyond,” UBS said “growth in EM will remain subdued, but should improve in aggregate.” “We expect a 4.3 percent growth for developing economies, relative to 4.1 percent in 2015,” it said. UBS said the plunge in many currencies last year boosted competitiveness, which would allow weaker currencies to improve their current account positions and provide the potential for positive growth surprises. At the same time, UBS cautioned private companies to be watchful of their debt.
Private sector deleveraging would need to continue in several countries. Furthermore, the falls in many EM currencies mean that US dollar debts are now more burdensome, it added. Data culled by UBS showed that the stock of US dollar-denominated bonds from EM corporate issuers amounted to $1.3 trillion, more than double the 2009 amount. “We see great vulnerabilities for companies that are heavily indebted in foreign currencies but do not generate a significant part of their revenues abroad,” it said. Some countries could see downgrades in credit ratings or outlooks in 2016,” UBS said in the report. However, the Switzerland financial giant did not name which EMs could get downgrades in credit ratings this year. “EM policy makers will look for opportunities to ease fiscal and monetary policy, but the scope
to do this will be more limited in those countries which have experienced the most severe currency depreciation,” UBS said. Thus, emerging markets would need to look for new drivers of growth, it noted. They would also need to have some combination of reduced reliance on investment, commodities, and cheap capital, and a greater focus on structural and political reform. “The way each country manages its own transition will define its years ahead,” UBS said. At the same time, it noted many merging markets still have comparatively favorable loan-todeposit ratios, and its banks are well capitalized on average. “Favorable demographics in many emerging market countries mean that their growth story should be far from over. But only through this transformation will EM be able to find new drivers of growth,” it said. n
MANILA — Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. announced on Tuesday, Jan. 5 the appointment of former First Metro Investments Corp. president Juanchito Dispo as group vice chairman and president. Aside from Dispo, Cirtek appointed renowned Silicon Valley pioneer Diosdado Banatao as adviser to the board of Cirtek Group. A seasoned investment banker, Dispo has more than 17 years of considerable experience in capital raising, investments, strategic acquisition and asset management. Dispo is credited for creating successful financial products such as retail treasury bonds, OFWs Bonds and the country’s first exchange trade fund. He has worked for both the government and the private sector. Banatao, on the other hand, is known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has been credited with developing several
Dispo and Banatao
key semiconductor technologies such as five-chip set, system logic chip set for IBM’s PC-XT and PCAT and graphic accelerator chip using his invention of local bus. Cirtek chairman Jerry Liu welcomed the entry of the two executives, saying they would be instrumental to the group’s goal of further expanding operations within and outside the country. Dispo’s proven track record
as an investment banker, capital markets expertise, and extensive business network will further strengthen Cirtek’s already very capable management team as it pursues strategic asset acquisitions here and abroad, Liu said. “As Cirtek moves from strength to strength and scales up its business activities, technology capabilities and geographic presence,
immediately reported the matter to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). “The government immediately responded to our complaint and we have not monitored any report of illegal entry of foreign workers since then,” he said. But he urged the government to implement programs such as intensified skills training that would prepare local workers for the ASEAN integration. “Our workers should be highly skilled so they could compete with their counterpart from other ASEAN countries,” Seno explained. Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that the country is set to open its door to foreign profes-
sionals to address the prevailing skills shortage. Dominique Tutay, DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) director, said the government will allow hiring of foreign workers included in the Skills Occupational Shortage List (SOSL) now being drafted by DOLE. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz , however, stressed although the government is opening the doors to foreign professionals, they will still be required to comply with certain requirements. Baldoz said foreign nationals who will be working here are required to secure an alien employment permit (AEP) from DOLE while those under regulated professions needs to apply for permit from the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). n
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BPO revenues soon to overtake OFW remittances No surge in foreign workers despite ASEAN integration by IrIs
Gonzales Philstar.com
MANILA — The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry may soon overtake dollar remittances from overseas Filipinos in terms of revenues given the continued strong demand for office space, a real estate market consultancy firm said. In 2014, the BPO sector registered $18.9 billion in total revenue and is forecast to grow between 15 percent and 18 percent for 2015. Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc. said the industry is expected to further grow this year with revenues projected to hit $25 billion. According to Pinnacle, revenues from call center firms and outsourcing centers could soon
by Mayen JayMalIn Philstar.com
MANILA — Despite the integration of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), there has been no surge of number of foreign workers into the Philippines. Gerard Seno of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), said they have not monitored any unusual increase in the number of foreign workers since the effectivity of the ASEAN integration last December. “At this time, we have yet to feel any impact of the ASEAN inEmployees at work in a call center in Makati City. tegration, if there would be any,” grow faster than inflows from IT-BPO firms given the educated Seno said in an interview. When they received reports of overseas Filipino wokers. talent pool, excellent infrastrucAt present, the Philippines ture, cost competitiveness, and illegal entry and hiring of foreign remains the top destination for u PAGE B2 workers last year, Seno said, they
B JANUARY 6-8, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
The Kite Runner Prof. enrique M. SoriAno “WITH great enthusiasm, family businesses always look forward to a wish list of New Year’s resolutions and good intentions. But in a relatively short period of time, we naturally revert back to business as usual with our old habits by sweeping unresolved issues under the rug.” Succession is a process and must be planned One of the thorniest and often times an extremely unpleasant topic is the issue of succession. It is not only isolated to the founder and the successor but a complex process that involves all actors both inside and outside the family business. Resistance to succession comes from multiple levels including individuals (founder-entrepreneur, successor, siblings), groups, the nonfamily employees, the family business organization and its external environments. Senior generation leaders contemplating of retiring in 5 years must start the planning process. Uncertainty over who will succeed Ownership issues are often generational and lead to conflict between parents and their children. If the senior generation is not prepared to give a definite call on when they intend to retire, the result can be frustration among the successor generation about their lack of control over the operations and direction of the business. Confucian Orientation Can be a Catch 22 Scenario Chinese family businesses are heavily influenced by traditional Confucian ideology and are currently facing more challenges in succession and human resource management. The general success of Chinese overseas business firms has raised interest on the influence of Chinese ethnicity on business performance and
Community Journal
Will the new year resolve conflicts in the family business? many government officials and academics attribute the success to Confucianism. Confucianism is a way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BC and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The Confucianism philosophy teaches that the family is the basic unit of all social organizations and the core of society is not the individual, but the family (Hofstede, 1991). The business is considered a family property. Moreover, it is claimed that individuals are indistinctly connected with and embedded in a family, a group or that social organizations so that they do not exist as a separate entity (Krug, 2004). Following the value of Chinese collectivism, family members cannot do anything that will facilitate the success or the achievement of an individual to disturb the harmonious settings within the family, thus, under the circumstance of collectivism culture, individual desires are always repressed. The Confucian value of caring for older parents reduces fear of losing financial support. This value is a very important lesson on filial piety that is taught from childhood. One of the most famous stories about filial piety teaches how children should sacrifice themselves for the sake of their parents. The story tells how a son used his body heat to melt the ice on a river to get fish for his sick mother. In general, Confucian ideology contributes to factors that promote successful succession. Confucianism supports cooperation, mutual trust, harmony and obedience to se-
nior leaders’ decisions. When conflicts are not resolved, piety precedes all other virtues. Confucianism criticized In South Korea, there has long been criticism of Confucianism. Many Koreans believe Confucianism has not contributed to the modernization of Korea. For example, South Korean writer Kim Kyong-il wrote an essay entitled “Confucius Must Die For the Nation to Live”. Kim said that Filial piety”filial piety is one-sided and blind, and if it continues, social problems will continue as government keeps forcing Confucian filial obligations onto families. The LOTTE Group Corporate Succession Scandal Such dilemma came to light late last year in South Korea involving the Hotel and Retail Giant, Lotte Group. It was a corporate succession scandal involving the intense rivalry between the two sons that led to the younger one turning against the 92 year old Mr. Shin, his father and founder and ended up ousting him as the General Chairman. Strait Times highlighted in its report that “while corporate succession battles are not unusual in South Korea, a son overthrowing his aged father is almost unheard of in a Confucian society where respect is valued.” This is what a catch 22 is all about, a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. (sorianoasia@ gmail.com) ***
Banatao’s expertise and industry foresight will be invaluable to the company’s future,” he added. Cirtek Holdings is the holding company of Cirtek Electronics Corp. and Cirtek Electronics International Corp., collectively known as the Cirtek Group. Through its subsidiaries,
Cirtek provides full service/ turnkey solutions including wafer probing, wafer back grinding, assembly, and packaging and final testing of semiconductor devices, and complete manufacturing solutions for value-added, highly integrated radio frequency, microwave and millimeterwave technology
Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng
CLIENT is part owner of an S corporation. Business started 15 years ago. It imports and distributes high value items such as appliances and furniture. It has several retail outlets. Last week, it lost a civil case where a judgment for $1.0M was awarded in favor of plaintiff for breach of contract. The business has no money to pay the judgment. What can the plaintiff do with the judgment? It can enforce the judgment by placing a lien on all assets of the company such as receivables, inventory, bank accounts and other assets. Any asset in the name of the company can be attached and sold to satisfy the judgment. For a relatively small business like this, a $1.0M judgment that is being enforced can create chaos and literally bring the business to its knees! Any person engaged in business can tell you that this is the way it is. Judgment creditor can get all of the assets of the business and sell them for cash until the $1.0M judgment is paid in full. And until the judgment is paid in full, the unpaid balance incurs 10% annual interest. So even if the business paid back $100,000 in the next 12 months, at the end of next year, it would still owe $1.0M. So what can client do as part owner of this business? Client can file a Chapter 11 for the business if client wants to continue doing the business. The Chapter Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business 11 reorganization will allow the Advisor and Chair of the Marketing Cluster of business to present a plan to the the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is court that stops the enforcement a National Agora Awardee and book author on of the judgment, or prevent the Family Governance and Succession. He will be facilitating one of his best selling 1 day workshop in the Philippines on September 19, 2014 Friday, entitled The Challenges of Managing a Family Business at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. For further inquiries please visit www.wongadvisory.com or contact Allen at 09228603186 for details. Slots are limited.
Dispo, Banatao join Cirtek…
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products. The group, through its subsidiaries, harnesses more than 50 years of combined operating track record. Its products cover a wide range of applications and industries, including communications, consumer electronics, power devices, computing, automotive, and industrial. n
Choosing between Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 enforcement of the judgment. It is preferable, in fact, necessary to file the Chapter 11 before the judgment lien attaches to the assets of the company. If the judgment lien has already attached to the assets of the business, the nature of the judgment claim changes from unsecured to secure. This change in status can make or break the Chapter 11 case. A Chapter 11 plan can propose partial or even no payment to unsecured creditors. But the plan has to pay secured creditors in full. Therefore, the difference in cost to the business is $1.0M if the judgment is secured. If the judgment is unsecured, the business can get away with paying only a partial of the $1.0M, for instance, 5% or $50K, or even nothing if the plan proposes zero distribution to unsecured creditors. If client no longer wants to continue doing business, the best option is Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, all claims against the company, including the judgment of $1.0M will be filed in the bankruptcy case. All assets that the business has legal or equitable title to will constitute the bankruptcy estate under administration of the trustee. The trustee will sell all of the viable assets to convert them to cash. Whatever cash is generated will be used to pay all creditors. All creditors in the same class will get equal treatment in payment of dividends. So, if the judgment lien is secured, the $1.0M will have priority over all the unsecured claimants. For example, after selling all inventory and collecting all receivables plus
cash in the bank, the bankruptcy estate has $300K of cash. First the trustee will pay himself for services rendered and the trustee will pay his lawyers. Let’s say trustee and his legal fees is $200K. The $100K left will be paid to the judgment lien holder because it is secured. Since there is nothing left, the unsecured creditors will get nothing. Client, who is part owner of the business and the other owners of the business, can walk away from the business without any personal liability on their part (unless they signed personal guaranties). Then can thereafter start another business by establishing a new company and start fresh with a new business that has no liability. If this business is profitable, except for the problem with the $1.0M judgment, client should choose Chapter 11, and he should do so before the judgment becomes a lien on the business assets. If this business is not profitable, client should choose Chapter 7 so he can get rid of a business that is losing money and so that he can forget about the $1.0 M judgment and start fresh anew. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)
BPO revenues soon to overtake OFW…
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adequate government support for the industry. Pinnacle said the next 10 cities for BPOs are Baguio City, Davao City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Lipa City, Metro Bulacan (Baliuag, Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao and Meycauayan City), Metro Cavite (Bacoor City, Dasmariñas City and Imus City), Metro Laguna (Calamba City, Los Baños and Sta. Rosa City), Metro Naga (Naga City and Pili), and Metro Rizal (Antipolo City, Cainta and Taytay).
In terms of BPO space, Pinnacle said there has been a take up of approximately 200,000 sqm of office space in the past three months, most of which were pre-leased. “Makati office spaces still command the highest rents, but with the influx of modern Bonifacio Global City (BGC) buildings, there is a slight downward pressure on Makati rents,” Pinnacle said. Pinnacle noted that some Grade B&C buildings, and even Grade A buildings are slightly lowering their asking rates due
to competition from newer and better stocks in BGC, and other CBDs. The weighted average rent in BGC of P870 per sqm per month is comparable to slightly higher when compared to Makati Grade A buildings. The average rent of Grade A office buildings in Ortigas, Alabang, Quezon City, and Bay Area business districts is estimated at P650 per sqm per month. On the other hand, in Cebu and Davao, average Grade A office rent is P450 per sqm per month. n
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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose to assist the supported spouse “get back on his or her feet” as a single person, or until community property is distributed. On the other hand, the facts and circumstances of an-
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA THE immigration issue is now at the forefront of the national debate during this election year. It is a good time as any to talk about the immigrant life. Tabula Rasa, these words of Latin origin, refer to a fresh, clean slate. If we don’t lug around too much emotional and mental baggage, we as immigrants who have gone the legal route or have taken steps to become legal, could be bright-eyed, bushy tailed, eager beavers who can create a new life. It is great to make an accounting of what it is that we already have. At the top of the list should be the fact that because we are new, we have none of the bad habits and distorted ways of thinking and doing that have burdened both the natives and longtime immigrants. We can look at things with fresh eyes and the glow of our new surroundings no matter how humble in the beginning takes on new meaning knowing that this life is brand new with little or none of the garbage that many jaded, cynical old-timers grapple with. In a fairly short time, as we live and orbit among others similarly situated as ourselves, we will find that it is easy to pick up and copycat the cynicism and pretentious jadedness of many who would constantly whine about everything in general, complain-
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 6-8, 2016
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What factors will the court look at in awarding spousal support? other case may call for support for an extended period of time, perhaps until death of the supported spouse, the purpose for which to provide assistance to one who cannot support himself. The two situations mentioned hereinabove are extreme cases, on opposite ends of the spectrum. Quite obviously, the facts and circumstances in a particular case may be such which call for some amount of support for some period of time, though not until death of the supported spouse. For example, the court may order support for that period of time required for the supported spouse to obtain or complete an education, to allow the supported spouse to take care of
the children until they reach an age where a return to employment would be more feasible, or to become self-supporting within a reasonable time. Although the use of standard guidelines based on income is encouraged in the award of temporary support, such guidelines cannot be used in awarding permanent spousal support. As indicated hereinabove, the award of support is in large part based on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. In determining spousal support, the court considers numerous factors, set forth in Family Code Sec. 4320. They include: 1) The extent to which the earning capacity of each party is sufficient to maintain the stan-
A clean slate “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.” — Steve Jobs ing about how nothing works and why the government and everyone else is to blame for everything that runs afoul. Even during these unusually protracted tough times of severely diminished expectations, it is easy to fall into the trap of taking things for granted. The list is endless: phones that work at all hours of the day 24/7; the amazing network of freeways and streets that if connected end to end would circle the moon several times; the constant supply of electricity and water as well as the basic necessities for survival that much of the developing world has to beg and grovel for; the sheer abundance of every imaginable kind of food and drink in the well-stocked supermarkets; the synchronicity of how the police and fire departments get their job done; the highest ratios of car ownership anywhere in the world; new cutting edge films and movies every week (though a high proportion of these have questionable merits). The amount of information available is overwhelming. There are vast amounts of in-
formation to sift through at our fingertips. There is the embarrassment of riches of the social and cultural wealth for those who seek them in the libraries, in the internet and in books; the presence of truly excellent, wonderful people of illustrious pedigrees of every race, color and creed in our midst in every field, both in high places and among those of us of lowly, peasant stock, the religious, the teachers and the bureaucrats who go about living their lives with unheralded commitment and passion. I could go on till hell freezes over. The point is this. As life for the immigrant takes on its daily routine and as he begins to settle down, raise a family and find a job to crank out an income or start a business to build wealth with, a lot of the initial wonderful impressions that were amazing in the beginning will be taken for granted. Everything becomes ordinary, dull, predictable, mundane — just plain vanilla ice-cream boring. He begins to expect the steady pulse with which every
u PAGE B4
dard of living established during the marriage, 2) The extent to which the supported party contributed to the attainment of an education, training, a career position, or a license by the supporting party, 3) The ability of the supporting party to pay spousal support, taking into account the supporting party’s earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living, 4) The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage, 5)The obligations and assets, including the separate property, of each party, 6) The duration of the marriage, 7) The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without unduly interfering with
the interests of dependent children in the custody of the party, and 8) The age and health of the parties. The factors set forth hereinabove are only several of the many factors the court will consider in deciding the issue of spousal support. In that the amount and duration of an award is largely based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it is advised that one who is requesting support, or is opposing a request for support, obtain experienced counsel, who will be able to present the facts and circumstances in the best light possible. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the
Calendar of Events across
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)
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 JA N UA RY 9
Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu All are cordially invited to the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bellflower, California, organized and sponsored by the Santo Niño de Cebu Association of Southern California, Inc., a non-profit religious organization. The Eucharistic Celebration will be presided by the Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, His Excellency Bishop Oscar A. Solis at 10:00 am followed by the traditional procession of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu, fiesta lunch and Sinulog presentations. Food and financial donations are welcome, and all donations are tax deductible. For further information, you may contact the association President, Danny C. Diluvio at (323) 252-4991 or email at: dannydiluvio1@gmail.com.
JA N UA RY 1 7
29th Anniversary Feast of Santo Niño Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participation of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus and a Sinulog group, is inviting everyone for a holy mass to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles (555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) on Sunday, January 17, at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, with Father David Gallardo as concelebrant. For more information, please contact any of the following officers: Romy & Tess Esturas (213-387-9682), Rey & Tess Edpao (818-469-7292), Lilia Figuracion (626-394-2661, Carmen Estrada (213-413-2881), Fe Montana (323-218-1587), Ester Paredes (213-864-1149), Fe Reyes (213-413-5286), Laurie Dolorfino (213-407-0097), and Cherry Guerrero (213-632-2096).
F E B R UA RY 2 0 -2 1
PCCHS / PUPLHS 1996 Golden Jubilee The Philippine College of Commerce High School Laboratory Batch 1966 (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from February 20-21 in Manila, Philippines. According to the President of the PCCHS Batch ‘66 Alumni Association, ROLAND ATIENZA, about 55 batchmates from Australia, Canada and USA have confirmed attendance to the Homecoming and 50 from Manila local chapter. Activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration are as follows: February 20, 2016 -- 6:00-12:00 pm. Formal Program/Dinner at the Banahaw Ballroom, The Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City, Philippines February 21, 2016 -- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm - Visit the ANAWIM Home for the Abandoned Elderly, Montalban, Rizal Province (Fellowship/Lunch/Donate basic needs of the elderly) - Tour of Manila (Former PCCHS in Lepanto, Intramuros Tour (old churches and Cathedral, Rizal Park, Fort Santiago) - Dinner/Cultural Show, at Barbara’s, Intramuros February 22, 2016 - BREAKUP GROUP (To Palawan, Laguna and respective hometown provinces of the guests) For inquiries, please contact the following members of the CORE group: Agnes T. Sule #09165567000 suleagnes@yahoo.com, Roland Atienza #09062947156 atienza8@yahoo.com, Rebecca T. Sayed 09064032624 rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com, Lourdes T. Flores lulutflores@yahoo.com, Rebecca Sayed rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com.
F E B R UA RY 1 2
An Intimate Night with Miguel Vera Beat the Valentine’s Day rush and get your tickets to “An Intimate Night with Miguel Vera,” a special Valentine Show featuring Miguel Vera, performing the greatest OPM hits and romantic Filipino classics by Cayabyab, Canseco, and Cruz. The one-night-only concert will take place at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620) on February 12 at 8:00pm. Special guests include Annie Nepomuceno and Kit Navarro. Please call (714) 814-0412 or (818) 913-329 for tickets and information. Tickets are $40 each.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
Parathanal of Holy Trinity Parish Piligrimages Fr. Jose Joseph Parathanal of Holy Trinity Parish, San Pedro District, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, invites all to join Fr. Joseph Parathanal’s Pilgrimages to EASTERN EUROPE, OLGUADALUPE/Colonial Mexico, and INDIA. During the journey, pilgrims will pray to God for healing of body, mind and spirit especially for healing of the world from violence, terrorism and climate changes. Trip dates are: Divine Mercy/Infant Jesus of Prague/Austria/Hungary/ Medjugorje (Eastern Europe) April 17- April 30; OLGuadalupe and Colonial Mexico - June 20 - June 27; and Mother Teresa/St. Thomas/St. Alphonsa/St. Euprasia/St. Chavarra (India) - Sept. 15 - Sept. 29, 2016. For more details and pilgrimage information, please contact Bernadette at bcorp1114@hotmail.com or call 323-344-1548 & 323-547-6618.
M AY 27-29
PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion
Attention all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine College of Commerce: join us in our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION being organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association, USA Inc. scheduled on May 2729, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of fun-filled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends. For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-544-8210 or loiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-970-8317 or Monette_santillan@yahoo. com; Rose Mejia at 323-997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa Sugay-Palanca at 818281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at 661-794-8906 or rmaghari@gmail. com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562-480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 orconnieacosta1@att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 or vee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323-627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com.
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 JANUARY 6-8, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Let’s Law It!
Aldwin Alegre, CPA Q. HOW can children/heirs transfer the title of the property from their deceased parents to their names without going to Court? A. In order that the title of the property left by parents can be transferred to the children/heirs, the latter have to execute a Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate of their parents. The extrajudicial settlement is a summary settlement of estates. Meaning, the children or heirs need not go to court to partition the properties left by their parents. What is important is that all heirs must agree on how the properties are to be divided and distributed among themselves. It is also important to note that the execution of the extrajudicial settlement of the estate is allowed only if the decedent left no will and no debts. In the execution of the extrajudicial settlement, certain formalities have to be made. The extra-
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Community Journal
How to transfer title of property to heirs without going to court judicial settlement should contain an enumeration and brief description of the decedent’s properties, both real and personal. The heirs may agree to physically partition the property and an individual titles be issued for their corresponding segregated lot. If there is only one heir, he may adjudicate the entire estate by means of an affidavit filed in the office of the register of deeds. Likewise, the Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement must be notarized before a notary public after all the heirs have signed it. The fact of extrajudicial settlement shall be published for at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation. After completion of publication, the amount of inheritance tax/estate tax must be determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The amount of estate taxes to be paid will depend on the zonal or market value of the property, whichever is higher. Once the amount of es-
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People and Events PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion
ATTENTION all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the tate tax is determined, said taxes Philippines and the Philippine will then have to be paid to the College of Commerce: join us in BIR. Thereafter, after paying the our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION necessary taxes, the BIR will now being organized by the Polyissue a Certificate Authorizing technic University of the PhilipRegistration (CAR). pines Alumni Association, USA The most important part is the issuance and release of CAR by the BIR as this is the best evidence that title of the property from the parents can now be PAGE B3 t transferred to their children. convenience is accessible. The Finally, to effect the transfer of daily grind has taken its toll. The title, the CAR issued by the BIR freshness with which he sees should be presented before the things is gone and in its place Register of Deeds and Assessor’s is this cynical, jaded, somewhat Office and pay the minimal trans- repulsive person who has forgotfer fees for that purpose. ten what it means to be thankful *** for every grace, every conveAtty. Aldwin F. Alegre is a CPA and Lawyer nience, every person living and in the Philippines. Presently, he is one of dead who has made America the founding partners of Paredes Alegre the phenomenally beautiful, if Quiño Law Offices with office address at sometimes flawed, place that it Unit J 2nd Floor 323 Maysilo Circle Plainview was, is and will still be no matter Mandaluyong City, Philippines. For any inquiry, which political winds blow. you can contact the office at (063) (02) 655The antidote for mental plaque 5864/ (063) 0922-8996128 or email partner@ of this nature that will catch us all paqlaw.com or attyaldwin@gmail.com or visit unawares as we slide into a rouwww.paqlaw.com. tine is a generous, heaping dose
Inc. scheduled on May 27-29, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of funfilled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our
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A clean…
of gratitude on a daily basis. Say a heartfelt thanks as often as the sun rises in the morning and sets at twilight. Realize that the mental plaque builds up unless we take a willful conscious effort to renew the way we look at things each day. The secret is to make each day of our immigrant life brand new. Come to think of it, the same secret holds true for every inhabitant of this planet, both immigrant and native. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
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high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends. For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-544-8210 or loiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-9708317 or Monette_santillan@ yahoo.com; Rose Mejia at 323997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa SugayPalanca at 818-281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at 661-794-8906 or rmaghari@gmail.com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 orconnieacosta1@att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 or vee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323-627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com. n
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PeoPle & events
Annie Nepomuceno in OPM Then and Now
Miguel Vera
Kit Navarro as Maria Clara in Noli Me Tangere.
Miguel Vera honors OPM Icons in February 12 Valentine concert THE first-ever solo concert of the reknown singer/actor features music by Canseco, Cruz and Cayabyab OPM music fans have a lot to be excited about in “An Intimate Night with Miguel Vera”. To be held at the Knotts Berry Farm Hotel on February 12, Vera has prepared a program of romantic Filipino songs, perfect for Valentine’s Day. Joining him are vocalist Annie Nepomuceno and soprano Kit Navarro. All three artists are known as excellent singers, thus the audience is surely in for an entertaining evening of music. Vera and his guests shall perform love songs by iconic composers Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz and George Canseco. Backed by a live band, one can expect to hear classics such as “Ngayon
At Kailanman”, “Kastilyong Buhangin”, and excerpts from Cayabyab musicals such as “Katy” and “Noli Me Tangere.” Willy Cruz’s best known hit is “Never Ever Say Goodbye.” The smooth-voiced Vera, known for his dynamic tenor vocals, is an established theatre actor, having appeared in lead roles in the Philippine, Hong Kong and Singapore runs of Cameron McIntosh’s “Miss Saigon” as Thuy, an in Filipino Musicals, written by such greats as Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist Bien Lumbera, staged in The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino. Vera is also a recording artist having released three albums which contained the hits “Nais Ko”, “Narito Ang Puso Ko” and the Aldub-inspired song “Dahil Nandito Ka.”
The three performers recently appeared in leading roles in the US staging of “Noli Me Tangere” at the Cerritos Perfoming Arts Center and the Aratani Theatre. Joining them are singer Patricia Arca plus surprise guests. Musical direction is by Yoyong Nalasa. Beat the rush and get your tickets now by calling (714) 8140412 or (818) 913-329. Tickets are $40 each. The show starts at 8pm at the Knotts Berry Farm Hotel located at 7675 Crescent Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620. The event is sponsored by Asian Journal, The Law Offices of Jemela Nettles, GMA Pinoy TV, Music Arts Events, World Finance Group, Philippine Tennis Academy, Adidas, Uniqlo, iDance Studio and MPE Marisse Panlilio Entertainment. n
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 6-8, 2016
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B JANUARY 6-8, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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The Asian Journal
MDWK Wednesday, January 6, 2016
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 6, 2016
New Year, New You:
Tips on achieving your goals by Christina M. Oriel and MalOu liwanag-BledsOe / aJPress AT the beginning of each year, the fresh start prompts endeavors for self-improvement. As the holiday season fades, we tend to approach the new year still clinging onto a glimmer of optimism, and craft a lofty list of professional and personal resolutions that we’d like to achieve in the coming months. The items on the list can range from getting finances in order to shedding unwanted pounds or even making brave choices out of our comfort zones. Despite the best intentions motivating these goals, actually sticking to them for the long haul is often a daunting task. research has shown that 36 percent of those who made New Year’s resolutions already broke them by the end of January; the amount rises to 56 percent by July. The Asian Journal enlisted the help of individuals for insight on how to have a successful and fulfilling year ahead, no matter what intentions you set for yourself. Sticking to your resolution(s) • Set specific and realistic goals often times resolutions are broad and general like, “lose weight” or “save money.” But make them more specific, such as “lose x amount of pounds in x amount of time” or “save x amount of money” to make the resolutions more measurable. Likewise, being more specific serves as a motivator to keep you moving as you inch closer to achieving that goal. Yet, the goals should be reasonable and realistic — those that you actually want to achieve for yourself. “When you make a resolution to do something other than what deeply feels comfortable for you, it’s unlikely that you’re going to do it,” said Dr. Ellen Langer, a professor of psychology at Harvard University. • Track progress and actions Aim to set smaller shortterm goals, as you slowly ease into the changes that you want to incorporate in your life. That way you can track how far along you’ve come and stay motivated. • Find a support system The American Psychological Association recommends sharing the journey toward your goals with those around you, like family, friends, coworkers or those at your gym. Having someone to listen to your achievements and struggles makes the path easier and less intimidating. They can support your efforts and push you to keep going. • Reward yourself Celebrate the achievements along the way, without derailing your resolution. For example, if your resolution is to eat healthier and lose weight, a reward can be to buy new workout gear, not indulging in sweets once you lose a few pounds. • But above all, don’t be too hard on yourself. “remember that the journey is about progress, not perfec-
Being physically fit and in proper shape are things that people should ideally be.
Philstar.com photo
Jenny Castaneda, food blogger behind www. Paleofoodiekitchen.com
A home office gets organized
tion. It’s about the lessons. So rather than just making a list of resolutions, ask yourself in what ways would you like to grow?,” said Anna marie Cruz, an LA-based health and wellness coach. Organization 101 With the clean slate that a new calendar year brings, getting organized becomes a priority. Jiliane Patriarca, professional organizer and founder of The organization organization, said that having an organized home and/or workspace can have a huge impact on our mental and emotional being. Added Kat ong, an internationally trained professional organizer based in manila, “being organized isn’t about neatness (or being a neat freak), it is about productivity — getting things done. Aim for organized enough.” Some tips for organizing one’s home/workspace, by Kat (who runs the website www. spacethatworks.com) and Jiliane (www.theorganizationorg.com): • Start small Choosing one place in your home or workspace that is cluttered helps you focus. “Set a timer for 30 minutes and focus on that area,” Jiliane said. “Set some time aside, maybe once a day or once a week, to organize another area. You’ll be surprised what you can do if you really focus. • Determine what doesn’t serve you Kat recommended getting a trash bag and start filling it with items that are of no use to your setting. Decorations on one’s table can take up space, either take them home from work or donate the rest. • Everything has a place “If you have a home office and a creative studio in one room, set an imaginary line that separates the two so that your administrative things don’t spill over into your creative things,” Jiliane added. “If you have boundaries set and make sure you stick to them, you’re already being — and keeping things — more organized.” “Allot a drawer or shelf for
were out sick and you really needed to send out an urgent document. If your workspace is organized, you can call someone and easily direct them where the item is located. Done. If your space is disorganized, well, they might not find it. Potential loss of opportunity right there and Photo courtesy of The Organization Organization that could be anything from monetary to health crisis level,” writing and other office supshe said. plies. Use trays / small holders Her best advice for keepto keep them segregated and contained,” Kat said. Categorize ing your schedule organized? Devote a moment for “Quiet files by the type of attention Time Planning,” which means to they need, such as those requiring immediate action (ex: call/re- sit down and write out your daily to-do’s. turn/pay/research) or those that Having a schedule tracker just need to be filed away for — either a physical planner or safekeeping. She also recommended keeping a wastebasket a calendar app — is helpful for planning. Next, she suggested near your desk can ensure that any junk/trash doesn’t end up on determining whether a “to-do” item is a task (something that your work area. tasks a few minutes) or a project • A lesson in essentials (longer period of time) and At work, keep only the important things that you need on estimating how much time each would take. “Starring” the most your desktop -- those that help you get your tasks done. Getting important item(s) means that those should get done first. As rid of unnecessary items gives you more room. To find out what you go along, check off things that have been completed. you really need, Kat suggested “But even with the best asking yourself “what’s the planner or app, if we don’t take worse case that can happen if time to sit, analyze and ‘organize you throw an item away if you our brain’, we won’t get the are unsure what to do. Is it on the internet? Does someone else clarity we need to manage and maximize our days the best we have it? Can someone advise can. And of course, all the planyou if you need to keep it (do ning in the world won’t do much ask why)? Are you keeping it all without action,” Kat said. for one tidbit of info?” Healthy living • Keep it simple — a comWorking towards a healthy plicated system for filing and organizing your items at home lifestyle — either through a workout regimen or mindful and at work will often times eating — is among the top New not get followed. • Don’t be afraid to ask for Year’s resolutions that people set for themselves. help “Whether [its] food or “Clutter can be overwhelmexercise [related], do it gradually ing and frustrating! It’s someand build up. Don’t set goals times hard to get started bethat are too drastic and sudden cause you don’t know where to start,” Jiliane said. “This is most — physically and emotionally you might get shocked. It’s a often the reason why people long-term commitment and need a professional organizer. With our fresh eyes, we can help lifestyle change,” shared Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN “Balitang you get started and develop a America” correspondent who plan that will make the space lost 80 pounds in two years. work for you; so that you are Getting a daily dose of in control of it, not it being in physical activity doesn’t have to control of you.” be expensive or require a gym The connection between membership. Find an exercise organized and productive that suits your fitness level and moreover, Kat noted that personality. The simplest form having an organized space can be through walking, as it is means that you won’t spend free, easy and social. your energy looking for missing For overall cardiovascular items; instead, you can focus on health, the American Heart Asdoing work. sociation recommends at least “Do you need to rummage 30 minutes of moderate-intenfrantically through your desk sity aerobic activity for at least while someone is in front of five days a week (total of 150 you waiting, aging to get it? minutes) or at least 25 minutes or can you whip it out without of vigorous aerobic activity at even blinking? Imagine if you
By aJPress
Illustrations by Kenno Samulde
From the Sankskrit root “yuj” which means “to yoke,” yoga is an ancient practice and philosophy promoting inner peace by joining the spirit and physical body together. The physical postures or asanas done in yoga are used to purify the body and control the chatter or fluctuations of the mind. Among the many benefits of yoga include: 1. Energizes and rejuvenates the body 2. Tones the muscles 3. Increases mobility and flexibility 4. relieves pain from bad postures and habits 5. Improves immunity and blood and energy circulation 6. Promotes inner peace and a more balances mindset Beginners’ poses:
Paleo-friendly chicken tocino
Paleo-friendly chicken tocino
By Jenny Castaneda / www.PaleOfOOdiekitChen.COM Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients marinade: • ½ cup (120 ml) pineapple juice • 1 tbsp (15 g) ketchup • 1 tbsp (15 g) tomato paste • 2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut aminos • 3 tbsp (45 g) coconut sugar • 1 tsp (2 g) garlic powder • 1 tsp (2 g) sea salt • 1½ pounds (675 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs thinly sliced or flattened • 4 tbsp (60 ml) of your preferred oil for frying Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and mix thoroughly until the sugar and salt are dissolved. 2. Add the thinly sliced chicken thighs and mix until each piece is coated with the marinade. 3. Place the chicken and marinade in a large zip-top plastic bag. remove excess air and seal it well. 4. Place the bag in the fridge and leave it in there for 2 days to allow the marinade enough time to cure the chicken. 5. once you’re ready to cook the tocino, heat a large cast iron pan or skillet over medium heat. 6. (Note: Fry the chicken in 2 batches so that it browns nicely and evenly on both sides.) 7. For each batch, add 2 tablespoons of oil into the pan. 8. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook it for 3 - 5 minutes. Flip to the other side and cook for another 3 - 5 minutes until browned and caramelized. 9. remove from the pan and repeat the same process for the remaining batch. 10. Serve immediately with fried eggs, cauliflower rice (or garlic rice) and a spicy vinegar dipping sauce on the side. least three days a week (total of 75 minutes). on top of that, adults should engage in moderate to high-intensity musclestrengthening activity at least two days a week for additional health benefits. “Even if you’ve been sedentary for years, today is the day you can begin to make healthy changes in your life. If you don’t think you’ll make it for 30 or 40 minutes, set a reachable goal for today. You can work up toward your overall goal by increasing your time as you get stronger. Don’t let all-or-nothing thinking rob you of doing what you can
every day,” the AHA said. Drink up H20 Water, though taken for granted, is a beverage that can aid with digestion and proper bodily functions. many suggest drinking half of your body weight in ounces (and more if you are active). Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, so staying hydrated is key to warding off cravings and avoiding overeating. To keep track of your daily water intake, keep a refillable water bottle nearby and sip it throughout the day. You can add fruit, sliced cucumContinued on Page 3
Yoga for beginners • Mountain pose Benefits: good for improving posture, honing in on breathing and finding your center With feet hip-width apart, stand tall — shoulders relaxed and weight evenly distributed — place your arms at your sides. Slowly start to breathe and then breathe deeply, as you raise your hands overhead in a prayer position or reaching toward the sky with your fingertips. • Downward facing dog Benefits: calms mind, strengthens arms and legs, stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands After mountain pose, get on hands and knees hips-width apart. make sure knees are below the hips and walk hands forward. (Fingers should be spread apart to stabilize the
body). Next, curl toes under and lift knees away from the floor — keep them slightly bent as the heels are lifted. To stretch even more, keep heels down on the floor. • Cobra Benefits: strengthens spine, stretches chest and lungs, shoulders, and abdomen, opens hearts and lungs As you lie facedown on floor with thumbs directly under shoulders, extend legs with the tops of feet on the floor. Press tops of feet and thighs firmly on floor, and press shoulders down and away from ears. Straighten arms and push thumbs and index fingers down to raise chest off the floor. Breathe easily, as you hold the pose from 15 to 30 seconds. • Warrior I Benefits: full-body stretch,
strengthens shoulders and arms, back, thighs, calves and ankles Stand in mountain pose, then place legs 3 to 4 feet apart. Turn right foot to 90 degrees (and bend, keeping it over the ankle) and left foot in slightly. raise arms perpendicular to the floor, and gaze out over right hand. • Child’s pose Benefits: gentle stretch on the hips, thighs and ankles; relieves stress and any neck and back pain. Begin by kneeling on the floor with big toes touching together. Sit on heels and then separate knees as wide as hips. roll torso forward, as forehead rests in front of you. Extend arms forward and lower chest as close to knees. Breathe as you hold the pose.
‘How would you bring about world peace?’ Pia Wurtzbach answers
MANILA—Pia Wurtzbach began her first day as Miss Universe with a series of TV appearances and interviews. Apart from her interview with US morning shows “Good Morning America” and “Live! With Michael and Kelly,” the 26-year-old beauty queen appeared in the news program “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon” on Monday, Jan. 4. As with the previous interviews, Pia was asked how she coped and moved on from her unusual crowning as the 64th Miss Universe last month. “I’m okay now, actually. I’m very excited to start my reign as Miss Universe,” she told Lemon. Pia also said on her Miss Universe win, “We (Filipinos) take pageants very seriously, especially Miss Universe. I think the relevance is, it gives people hope.” In another clip, which was posted on the official social media accounts of CNN, Lemon asked Pia “traditional pageant questions” in a span of 45 seconds. “You guys always talk about world peace. How would you bring about world peace,” Lemon said. “By telling people that com-
Sharon Cuneta sells Los Angeles mansion for $2.195M bought the mansion, which she considers “a happy place,” six years ago at $2 million. Built in 1997, the twostorey mansion “opens to a grand foyer with marble floors, an elaborate chandelier and a sweeping staircase” and “a dining room done in detailed wainscoting and a living room with a fireplace sit off the for-
mal entry,” said the LA Times. Inside Cuneta’s mansion is a family room, a library or a study room, and a center-island kitchen, the report said. Outside the mansion is a lawn with a covered patio, a swimming pool with a spa and a waterfall, a built-in barbecue grill, and a sunken trampoline. (Inquirer.net)
Pia Wurtzbach talks to American journalist Don Lemon for cable news program CNN Tonight. The 26year-old beauty queen is currently doing media rounds during her official first day as the reigning Miss Universe. Photo from Miss Universe official Twitter account
munication is the best way to world peace. I think the reason why there is war is because of conflict, and that’s because of miscommunication,” Pia answered. Lemon also asked, “If you have one wish, what would it be?” Pia said, “Contentment for everybody.” “If you were a color, what color would you be and why?” “I would be green. Because it’s very relaxing to the eye, and it’s the color of nature,” Pia answered. “If you were an animal,
angelo l. de lara Inquirer.net
DESPITE its critical and box office success in the Philippines, Jerrold Tarog’s “Heneral Luna” has failed to make it to the shortlist of movies vying for the 88th Academy Awards or Oscars’ Best Foreign Language Film. The Academy Awards posted on its website in December a list of the films that are being considered for the award, which continues to elude Filipino movies. The films that are on the shortlist are: Belgium’s “The Brand New Testament;” Colombia’s
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 6, 2016
“HOME thousands of miles away” was how singer-actress Sharon Cuneta described her Calabasas mansion in Los Angeles in a photo she posted on her Facebook page in 2014. But a recent report from the Los Angeles Times said Cuneta is selling her Calabasas Mansion for $2.195 million. LA Times said Cuneta
what would you be?” “Philippine Eagle. Very strong.” For his final question, Lemon asked Pia: “Who is Miss Universe 2015?” “Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach,” the Pinay beauty queen said. The reigning Miss Universe also did interviews for “Access Hollywood,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Inside Edition,” among others. She also did a live interview with ABS-CBN morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda” on Tuesday, her first since winning the crown. (Philstar.com)
‘Heneral Luna’ misses Oscars shortlist by Ivan
entertainment
John Arcilla as ‘Heneral Luna’
“Embrace of the Serpent;” Denmark’s “A War;” Finland’s “The Fencer;” France’s “Mus-
tang;” Germany’s “Labyrinth of Lies;” Hungary’s “Son of Saul;” Ireland’s “Viva;” and Jordan’s “Theeb.” Several hundred members of the Academy Awards selected the films on the shortlist from mid-October until December 14. The nine films in contention will be narrowed down to the final five nominees by committees from New York, Los Angeles and London. The final list of nominees will be announced on January 14 (US time). In December 2015, it was also announced that “Heneral Luna” failed to make the cut for the best foreign language film of the Golden Globes.
A photo of singer-actress Sharon Cuneta’s Calabasas mansion.
Photo from Sharon Cuneta’s Facebook Page
New Year, New You: Tips on achieving... From Page 2 bers, mint leaves or fresh lemon slices to make your plain water more exciting and flavorful. Find alternatives to ingredients Jenny Castaneda, the Southern California-based paleo food blogger behind www.paleofoodiekitchen.com said that though it’s a challenge to not have rice with a Filipino meal, try finding low-carb and healthier alternatives. One good substitute is cauliflower rice, “which can easily be made with a few pulses in the food processor,” Jenny said. “Stir fry it on a dry pan until slightly softened and it’s ready to eat! Cauliflower is packed with vitamins C, K and folate, making it much more healthier than white rice.” Other substitutes include: coconut aminos or regular soy sauce (“It is made from coconut tree sap that is gluten-free, soy-free and has 70 percent less
sodium. It has a slightly sweet taste that adds the same type of flavor as soy sauce but it’s much healthier,” she suggested); apple cider vinegar for cane vinegar; or tomato ketchup without added sugar for banana ketchup (“Banana ketchup sounds like a novelty but take a peek at any Filipino fridge and you’ll find a bottle lurking in there. Using bananas as the base for ketchup is such a unique idea but the added ingredients plus a ton of coloring makes it undesirable. Bananas are yellow and this ketchup is bright red!”) Financial habits Another category of resolutions is getting personal finances in order. One of the basic ways to do so is assessing one’s accounts and creating a budget to determine what expenses to prioritize over others, such as necessities (i.e. housing, food, healthcare) versus entertainment (i.e. social
experiences). Victor Sy, CPA and author of the forthcoming book “How to Avoid IRS Audits” shared that paying with cash can help you track your spending and avoid future or further debt. “If you cannot afford to pay for something with cash, don’t even buy it,” he said. “When people get money, the first thing they do is go and buy something, like a car. They’ll put a 1020 percent downpayment and they take on more debt. Eventually, they’ll pay it off and then enter the vicious cycle again.” By saving receipts and tracking transactions, studies show that individuals tend to be more thoughtful about what they spend their money on. What are your resolutions for this year and how do you plan to stick to them? Share your ideas with us at editor@asianjournalinc. com or Tweet us @Asianjournalcom.
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entertainment
Meet the newest ‘Starstruck’ ultimate survivors
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 6, 2016
Carla Abellana welcomes heavy workload by
Leah C. SaLterio Philstar.com
MANILA—If Carla Abellana would have it any other way, she still would not change anything in her life. She would still finish her studies before embarking into a showbiz career. And that was said without any regret
about what could have been. Carla, who completed her Psychology degree at the De La Salle University (cum laude), was not initially inclined towards show business. Even if she has a strong showbiz lineage, being a star was not her dream. She opted to work in the outside
A BETTER and brighter year awaits Migo Adecer and Klea Pineda as they were hailed the “ultimate survivors” of the latest season of “Starstruck,” GMA Network’s original and reality-based celebrity search, in December. As winners, Migo and Klea are on their way to becoming GMA’s newest stars with shows and other projects in the making. But before anything else, they generously shared to The Sunday Times Magazine how they feel about what could be their life’s greatest achievements. Migo Adecer, the Ultimate Carla juggles her time between four regular shows on GMA 7 — “Because of You,” “Ismol Fam- Male Survivor, recalled “Naguily,” “Karelasyon” and “Del Monte Kitchenomics.” lat ako talaga. Hindi ko talaga ini-expect na ako ang mananalo world after finishing her studies. but I kept on striving for what However, that was not God’s I want. I just thank God that it plan with somebody whom He pulled off talaga. And I can’t has blessed with tremendous wait to share the happiness to acting talent. Over the years as my parents, my family, and to an actress, Carla has undoubtthe people who supported me.” edly built a stellar reputation of Migo also celebrated his her own, away from her showbiz birthday on December 20 and relatives — dad Rey “PJ” he considers his win as the Abellana and even maternal biggest gift from God. “I want grandmother, Delia Razon. Apto thank God kasi this is the bigparently, there was no stopping gest present He has ever given Carla from making a name for me for my birthday. Sobrang herself. hirap ng mga challenges sa “It was my mom (Rea Reyes) ‘Starstruck’ and seeing it from who convinced me to try it out in where I’ve come from and finally the business,” Carla said. “I gave pulling it off, super relieved it a ‘go’ and after that, offers and happy ako and I thank came one after another. I guess I God talaga He did not let me didn’t look back. Tuloy-tuloy na.” At present, Carla juggles her time between four regular shows in her home network. She is seen nightly in the GMA 7 soap series, MANILA—Cristine Reyes “Because of You,” with Gabby said her wedding with Ali Concepcion and Rafael Rosell. Khatibi will push through this She also appears in the weekly month. sitcom, “Ismol Family,” oppoThe couple first announced site Ryan Agoncillo. She hosts in the ABS-CBN morning magathe weekly true-to-life drama, zine show “Kris TV” that their “Karelasyon” and is seen daily wedding will be on January 27. in the cooking segment, “Del “Tuloy na tuloy po,” she Monte Kitchenomics.” replied when asked if her “Time management” is how wedding will push through, in Carla describes her busy workload. Within the week, she allots an interview in the late-night talk show “Tonight with Boy time for taping, TV guestings, Abunda” on Monday, Jan. 4. personal appearances and even “Sinadya po namin na private shooting. She recently wrapped lang talaga. It’s just me, Ali, the up the Regal Films romanticpastor, the wife of the pastor comedy, “No Boyfriend Since and some witnesses.” Birth,” with rumored boyfriend She added that they’ll Tom Rodriguez. have another wedding where they’ll be celebrating with their friends. “Magkakaro’n pa rin kami ng another wedding, later on, when everything is settled na,” she explained. “Kasi right now ang daming nasa plate namin ni Ali, e. May work, Amarah, new house, ang dami.” Meanwhile, the Kapamilya actress admitted that she’s a jealous type of partner to Ali. Hindi ko ide-deny na selosa ako talaga. Selosang, selosang,
As winners, Migo and Klea are on their way to becoming GMA’s newest stars with shows and other projects in the making.
down. Never has He ever let me down.” For her part, Ultimate Female Survivor Klea shared, “Hindi ko po ito talaga inaasahan. Hanggang sa dumagdag na lang ng dumagdag yung blessings ni Lord kaya sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa Kanya.” For her, emerging as one of the grand winners is one of the most beautiful gifts she ever received for Christmas. “Ito na po talaga yung pinakamagandang regalo na natanggap ko this Christmas. Sobrang saya ko
po at sobrang blessing po ito ni Lord sa’kin. At nagpapasalamat po ako sa Kanya dahil another bonus na naman po ito galing sa Kanya.” Klea and Migo each took home P1 million in cash, a house and lot from Camella worth two million pesos, and a five-year exclusive contract with GMA Artist Center worth P5 million. They will also be part of the remake of the highly successful fantaserye “Encantadia.” (ManilaTimes.net)
Cristine Reyes: Wedding will push through
Cristine Reyes said that her wedding with Ali Khatibi will push through this month, and will be attended only by the pastor and some witnesses. Instagram/ Cristine Reyes’ account
selosa ako,” she said, but she denied limiting her husband’s interactions with other people. Cristine is part of one episode in the upcoming film “Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin,” where she stars with Antoinette
Taus, Jason Gainza and Paolo Ballesteros. She’ll also soon star in the upcoming TV series “Tubig at Langis,” her reunion project with Zanjoe Marudo. (Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com)
Kris Aquino’s resolutions for 2016 to focus on family, health by
JoyCe Jimenez
Aside from strengthening her personal relationships, Kris MANILA—Kris Aquino would also like to take care shared some of her New Year’s of her health more, due to resolution this 2016. the health problems she had The twenty resolutions she encountered in 2015. shared on her blog mostly foLast year, she was hospitalcuses on prioritizing her family ized due to over fatigue. She and health. also recently lost her voice, The 44-year-old TV hostwhich forced not to speak for actress also plans to slow down five days. from work to give way to learn“Health is wealth. I’m eating ing new things in life. better, taking my maintenance Top on her list is spending religiously, but realizing that “quantity of time” with her sons 14-16 hour work days are just Josh and Bimby. so unrealistic to expect from “My sons will grow up each Kris Aquino makes a number of New Year’s reso- my 44 year old physical body, lutions this 2016, which focuses on prioritizing year, much faster than the and in the long run- mauubos her family and health. I nstagram/Kris Aquino previous year, no matter how ang naiupundar ko for the kids much I pray to keep them as my what may.” kung walang tigil ang pagpapa babies forever,” she said. As for relationships, Kris ospital ko,” she said. “Yes quality time is imsaid she wants to “focus on just In line with this, she plans to portant, but I will now aim for a really small circle of friends, “lessening my load, will make QUANTITY of time, for acfriends who are inspiring and time for physical activities I tivities together, for everyday positive, real, and compassion- enjoy (elliptical and yoga), and memories, for more travel, and ate. I shall reciprocate their I will sleep before midnight, for meaningful conversations kindness and generosity enthu- CONSISTENTLY.” where I’ll do most of the listen- siastically!” She also added that she ing,” she added. The Queen of All Media “shall learn when and how to Kris also noted the imporalso promised to “let go of the say no. But I shall maintain my tance of spending more time one who didn’t have the ability passion for the work I really with her siblings President Beto hold on. And just maybe love, it’s just a matter of PRInigno Aquino III, Ballsy Aquino- someone new will now have the ORITIES.” Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, space in my life I kept locked Her other resolutions inand Viel Aquino-Dee. up, because now that space is clude de-cluttering their home, “My siblings deserve more free.” taking an intensive cooking of my company, whether they Through these resolutions course, and writing regularly in want it or not,” she stated. “At in her relationships, Kris aims her journal and blog. the end of the day, we can cry to be “less self absorbed, more Kris is part of the Metro together, wipe our tears away, introspective and involved in Manila Film Festival 2015 laugh at life’s surprises, and my life, making careful decientry “All You Need is Pagappreciate just how blessed we sions, and being more present ibig.” In a recent episode of are to get along, to be supin the lives of the people I care her morning show “Kris TV,” portive yet honest, and to just about, and the people who the actress hinted that she is know there’s always someone care about me. I shall develop open to the possibility of “All who will just be ready to love, true personal, life long connec- You Need is Pag-ibig” being comfort, and forgive, come tions.” her last movie. Philstar.com
Moonlighting
Rizal, the Literateur
by Mylah de
leon
HIS country absorbed him as affectionately as he absorbed it. His poems are easy to read, even to sing, to take to heart and put meaning into its ability to bring what is dearest to the human heart and taste. Through murmurs of pleasantness, pains and wrongs, Rizal’s poetry sings of exceptional passions, of humanities jogged escapades into freedom. His poetry soothes and heals, excites and haunts, and embraces the nation’s soul. It has a kind of chemical solvent to social corruption, to an “archipelagic nation wrought by centuries of abuse, injustice and repression.” Poetry often appears at night, wrapped in a dark and sad mood. Rizal’s most renowned “Mi Ultimo Adios” -- whose exquisite music of a darker and sadder mood -- speaks in authentic voices to and for the country. It was written in a familiar style of rhymed cadences about an amorphous subject (himself) in a strange brew of confession, prophecy and language of the soul. He believed in using literature as an instrument for improving the conditions of society, to open the gates to social justice and benevolence. He didn’t believe in didactic homilies at the end of his poems, but rather, by teaching, reaching and charming together that literature itself can be an anodyne to profit, acquisition and utility. To push away a culture of moral blindness and rampant selfishness, he pointed out that the true greatness of a nation is, the greatness of the mind and the true glory of its moral and intellectual predominance. In these times of globalization, Dr. Jose P. Rizal by all accounts was the first Filipino global citizen. In an age when travel for Filipinos was rare and arduous, Rizal was already leaving his imprint on several continents. He had been to Asia only for a tour, but did a surgical job in Hong Kong. He had reportedly been to the United States and Europe where the gem of his visionary words were developed and
PASAY—Following through on their discussions in the recently concluded Asia Logistics Summit 2015, LBC Express, Inc., the country’s largest logistics, remittance, and courier company, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are working hand-in-hand to ensure that balikbayan boxes, especially ones targeted for Christmas, arrive promptly and safely. BOC Chief Bert Lina was one of the guests of honor at the Asia Logistics Summit 2015. In his keynote speech, he mentioned “[In] logistics, the name of the game is speed.” He then followed it up with a clamor for the logistics companies and government to work together to ‘accelerate the pace of getting things done across all The Knights of Rizal Historic Filipinotown on their 4th anniversary and induction of new members. members of the supply chain.’ nurtured. He chose an exile to Dapitan In response to Lina’s call, He immersed himself in instead of freedom in Cuba. LBC has been working with the European language and literaWhile there, he revealed Bureau to hasten their turnover ture. Through translation and more dimensions of his getimes. “The balikbayan box more subtly through an alembic nius—that of an educator, sciis where the OFWs translate process, he inferred his visions entist and engineer. In addition their hard work and effort into of a new country outgrowing its to his medical practice, he ran a something that is tangible and touchy backwardness and deschool for boys, discovered new can be felt by their families pendency in the familiar bardic species of plants and animals back home. Its more padama traditional singing of legends and built an irrigation aqueduct than it is padala,” said Rene and poems. He raised native that to this day still helps irFuentes, LBC’s Head of Global themes and landscape into rigate the farms in Dapitan. Retail. “Through the years, LBC memorable verses and mastery On Wednesday, Dec. 30, has always been trusted with of delicate versifications, conthe Knights of Rizal Historic sending those important gifts stantly repeating the essence of Filipinotown (KOR-HFT) marked and gestures of love, so we’ve his faith in the Filipino. the 119th Rizal Day at Kapistsynchronized our systems with Dr. Jose P. Rizal was exahan Grill in Los Angeles with Customs to be able deliver ecuted in Manila on December a simple luncheon and exaltapackages as quickly as pos30, 1896 by a Spanish Court tion rites hosted by Dr. Charlie sible,” he continued. and died as a martyr. His death Agatep for new members, and In this cooperation begalvanized the Filipinos to give 2nd and 3rd-degree knighttween LBC and the BOC, both birth to a new nation on June hood for the elder members on entities have streamlined their 12, 1896. its fourth anniversary. processes and systems to creAside from his exemplary KOR Commander Arturo ate a cohesive structure that medical acumen, he was also Garcia, assisted by Dep. Knight will facilitate the movement of known for his linguistic skills, Commander Dr. Orly Cagambalikbayan boxes from point having mastered 22 languages pan, exalted new members, to point. The method ensures and his proficiency in about which was the highlight of that the boxes will be handled 45 different disciplines. His the event. Among the new safely, and will guarantee that democratic ideals stirred the Knights of Rizal are Atty. Roman the boxes will never have to be republican yearnings of towerMosqueda, Dr. Carlos Manopened unless there is a coming figures like Gandhi, Sun Yat lapaz, Architect Fernandico pelling reason to do so. Sen, and even Rabindranath Gonong Jr., Ramon Inchong, Dr. In August 2015, the BOC Tagore. He was a hero as well Arturo Flores, Lino Caringal and issued Customs Memorandum to contemporary Malaysian newsman Joe Cobilla. Sir Macky Order No. 27-2015 stipulatpolitical leader, former Deputy Fortu, KOR Exchequer, was Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. exalted into 2nd-degree knight. Just like in many of our exDr. Orly Cagampan, Deputy patriates today, Rizal returned Knight Commander of KORto his country, to share his rare HFT and Paul Julian, into 3rd skills and to serve his people. Degree Knights by Western Region’s Knights Commander Sir Tony Berango. Berango also launched a book, “Jose Rizal’s Life in Poetry.” It was a perfect time to remember Rizal in a celebration of independence and heroism, honoring his life as an educator, historian, sociologist, whose nationalistic ideas and writings from the late 1800s made him the Philippines’ national hero. It was his views on political freedom, education and independence that led to his martyrdom. ***
The moonlighter with guests at the Rizal Day celebration: Aleli, Claire Julian, Glow Resurrecion, Linda Neri, Aida Reyes.
E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com
Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano admit time a challenge in married life MANILA—Now that they’re married, Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano admit that time is a major issue in their relationship. In an interview with ABSCBN morning show “Kris TV” aired Monday, Jan. 4 Toni said she and her director-husband have had major arguments about their time for each other. “The major ones are always (about) time,” the actress said when asked if she and Paul have had arguments during the six months they have spent as husband and wife. It can be remembered that Toni went back to work to host the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” only days after she and Paul tied the knot in June. She is currently working on the upcoming ABS-CBN drama “Written In Our Stars” with Piolo Pascual. “Kasi there was a time, I would get home late na, mga 10pm, and she’s not home yet. She’s taping... Me, now being a husband, I don’t want her on the road at 2am. I get a little bit weary. [I ask her], ‘Where are you?’ And she keeps texting, ‘Stop texting, I’m working!’” Paul said. But Toni and Paul said they also continuously work on their
features 5 LBC and BOC collaborate to ensure speedy balikbayan box deliveries
Toni Gonzaga: “This 2016, the goal is to be the best wife for Paul.” Photo from Toni Gonzaga’s Instagram account
time issues. Toni also said she aims to be better wife for her husband this year. “The great thing about it was, after PBB, we did almost two weeks of straight of just the two of us,” Paul said. Toni added: “Lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘I don’t want to be your free-time husband, kung kailangan ka lang may free time. I want you to be my wife when I need you’.” “So sabi ko, ‘Okay, okay, this 2016, the goal is to be the
best wife for Paul,’” she said. The 31-year-old actress-TV host said it’s important that she and Paul learn how to meet halfway. “He tells me naman na he’s not asking me to stop. He’s just asking for one little thing. He just wants me to be his wife. Tapos nag-usap kami na this is my heart’s desire. I also want to be the best wife for you but I also have dreams. Magme-meet lang talaga kayo halfway,” she said. (Philstar. com)
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 6, 2016
LBC Express Chief Marketing Officer Javier Mantecon welcomes the biggest names in the shipping and logistics industry to the Asia Logistics Summit 2015 presented by LBC. He describes the event as both ‘significant and timely’ as the industry is in a unique position to contribute to and benefit from the Philippine Economy.
(L-R) LBC Express President Miguel Camahort, LBC Express CEO Santiago Araneta, Customs Commissioner Bert Lina, Brian Lane, Suzie Mitchell, and Beth Lee address some of the concerns and comments of shipping and logistics practicioners at the Asia Logistics Summit 2015.
ing that “balikbayan boxes of OFWs shall not be subjected to random or arbitrary physical inspection. Instead, they shall undergo mandatory X-ray scanning.” This X-ray scanning is conducted at the Designated Examination Area (DEA), for preliminary non-commercial shipments. However, should any box be tagged “suspect” after X-ray scanning (containing goods of commercial value), these will be physically inspected by duly authorized BOC inspectors. In this regard, all senders are encouraged to properly adhere to the procedures and policies of the BOC, while likewise preparing complete documentation (packing list). To further assist senders,
and respond to queries and concerns in real-time, LBC and the BOC also initiated a regular live chat with BOC officials, where OFWs may directly communicate with BOC officials. “We hope that through our collaborative efforts [with the BOC], we can further improve our services to our customers, as well as upgrade the standards for the industry-at-large,” Fuentes said. “At the end of the day, all we want is for our OFWs to be able to send their love to their families, so that they will have a very Merry Christmas,” he concluded. To know more about the services of LBC Express, you may visit http://www.lbcexpress.com. *Advertising Supplement
6
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 6, 2016
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