La midweek edition march 29 31, 2017

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LOS ANGELES

M I D W E E K M I D W E E K

EDITION

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EMarch D I T29-31, I O 2017 N

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

Volume 27 - No. 26 • 3 Sections - 22 Pages

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DATELINE Filipino faces murder, burglary charges in Las Vegas shooting FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

A FILIPINO man was arrested for a deadly shooting inside a public bus on the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday, March 25.

Rolando Bueno Cardenas faces charges of open murder with use of a firearm, attempted murder with Rolando Bueno Cardenas was use of a firearm, arrested on Saturday, March 25 for shooting at passengers inside burglary while in a public bus on the Las Vegas possession of a Strip. The incident left one man firearm, and disdead and another hospitalized charging a gun with nonlife-threatening injuries. within a vehicle, Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas the Las Vegas MetMetropolitan Police Department ropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) announced on Sunday.

The 55-year-old Filipino peacefully surrendered to police after a nearly four-hour standoff that left one male dead and another injured.

He had been sitting toward the back on the second floor of the double-decker bus before he began opening fire from a handgun around 11 a.m. The bus had come to a stop on Las

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Trump admin warns anew that sanctuary cities could lose federal funding STATES and cities that continue to shield undocumented immigrants and refuse to abide by federal immigration laws may face the risk of losing federal funding, the Trump administration said.

During an announcement at the White House on Monday, March 27, Attorney General Jeff Sessions urged the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions to “consider carefully the harm they are doing to their citizens” by resisting federal immigration enforcement.

“Such policies make their cities and states less safe — public safety, as well as national security, are at stake — and put them at risk of losing federal dollars,” he said.

The attorney general added that if these sanctuary jurisdictions had not protected criminal undocumented immigrants, “countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today.”

About $4.1 billion in law enforcement grants will be allocated through the Department of Justice this year. In order to receive a portion of that funding, cities and states must comply and share citizenship and immigration status if requested by Immigration and Customs En-

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Erratum

IN the March 25, 2017 issue of the Los Angeles Asian Journal Weekend Edition, the wrong headline “Duterte opposes moves to impeachment Robredo” was mistakenly printed instead of “Duterte opposes moves to impeach Robredo”.

The Asian Journal continues to uphold the highest standards in journalism and thus regrets this inadvertent mistake. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused our readers. ■

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Palace slams NY Times for ‘obvious demolition work’ against Duterte

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MALACAÑANG has accused U.S.based publication The New York Times (NYT) of “demolition work” against President Rodrigo Duterte, following its series of reports on the Philippine government’s controversial war against illegal drugs.

Citing the recent pieces, Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto

Abella on Monday, March 27 condemned the NYT and alleged that it is trying “to stir global outrage in a nation that welcomes its newfound peace and order.”

Last week, the publication published the following: a news feature, which Abella said narrates Duterte’s “rise to power under the context of violence”; an editorial, with jailed mutineer Gary Alejano and lawyer Jude Sabio “mouthing unsubstantiated

claims” against the president; and a documentary “zeroing in on the vigilante deaths that occurred under the present administration.”

Abella then took note that with such reports, “one can only conclude that certain personalities and politicians have mounted a well-funded campaign utilizing hack writers and their ilk in their bid to oust PRRD.” Despite this, Malacañang affirmed that the Duterte administration “will

not be deterred in fulfilling its promise of building a progressive and inclusive nation free from drugs, crimes and corruption.”

The spokesperson also said that the reporting comes “in the face of the very high approval” of the president.

In January, a Pulse Asia survey found that Duterte’s trust and approval ratings reached 83 percent.

In an earlier statement, Abella

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PNP: Crime rate lower under current admin

by AJPRESS RECENT statistics from the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that the crime rate in the country has significantly decreased under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the data from PNP Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management (DIDM), recorded crimes from July 1, 2016 until March 24, 2017 — which include murder, homicide, robbery, theft, carnapping, and physical injuries — reached an estimated 78,900.

The figure is lower compared to the 158,900 cases recorded from July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2016 under the previous administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. “The reduction of carnapping, theft, and robbery is huge. Have you heard of a violent carnapping lately?

In the past, reports of this would always be on TV on prime time news. Now, you won’t see or hear about it,” Police Director Augusto Marquez, who heads the

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TIME CAPSULE. President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri bury the time capsule during groundbreaking ceremonies for a P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon on Saturday, March 25. Also present were Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

Malacañang photo

Duterte assures Robredo impeachment UN calls on Congress leaders to reject lowering against her won’t prosper

by JULLIANE LOVE

of criminal liability in PH

DE JESUS

Inquirer.net

THE last time President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo met, Duterte told Robredo that he will not allow the impeachment complaint against her to prosper.

Robredo on Tuesday, March 28 recalled her conversation with the President when they met at the commencement exercises for the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Masidlak” Class of 2017 last Friday.

“Iyong pagdating niya pa lang, sinalubong ko siya sa stage. Ang una niya sa akin sinabi na hindi niya papayagan iyong impeachment, iyon ang naalala kong sinabi niya. Sabi niya hindi pa nga one year after the elections,

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo show no signs of animosity as they exchange pleasantries while seated next to each other during the commencement exercises of the Philippine National Police Academy on Friday, March 24, 2017.

Photo by Marianne Bermudez / Philippine Daily Inquirer

magtrabaho muna tayo,” Robredo said in an ambush interview at St. Paul University in Quezon City.

(When he arrived, I met him at

the stage. The first thing he said to me was he won’t allow the impeachment, that’s what I remember him saying. He said not even

THE United Nations (UN) has sent a letter to the leaders of the Philippine Congress, urging them to not lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the country.

In a letter sent to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez Jr. last January, UN Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral on Violence Against Children (VAC) Marta Santos Pais said that the move to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility would only further expose children to violence in prison facilities.

She argued that lowering the age of criminal responsibility and punitive criminal justice to youth offenses will have negative consequences.

Among the effects she cited include: risks of being used in criminal activities at increasingly younger ages; compromising completion of education and

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Analyst: Trump in Manila could do more harm than good

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA, Philippines — The attendance of United States President Donald Trump on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila on November might do more harm than good, an analyst said.

Aaron Connelly, a research fellow in the East Asia Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, said that

it would be difficult to imagine Trump listening to a plenary session that might last until four hours.

“It is difficult to imagine Trump patiently listening to the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party hold forth on sustainable development, or responding in a constructive manner should Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte blast century-old U.S. human rights abuses, as he did last year,” Connelly said in his article titled

“Don’t waste time trying to get Trump to Manila.”

Connelly noted that it is unclear whether Trump will attend the summits as he is not fond of spending more than a couple days on the road.

The APEC and ASEAN summits are scheduled back-to-back in November and would require at least six days, including flights to and from the region.

Trump may take interest in the APEC

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President Donald Trump

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From the Front Page

Palace slams NY Times for ‘obvious demolition…

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criticized the NYT’s recent news feature article about Duterte, describing it as a “cynical and unfair report.”

“One gets the feeling NYT is not interested in presenting the whole truth, only that with which they can bully those who attempt an independent foreign policy,” he said, adding that the piece seems like a “well-paid hack job for well-heeled clients with shady motives.”

One article, entitled “Becoming Duterte: The Making of a Philippine Strongman,” follows Duterte’s life from his early childhood to his more than two decades term as Davao City’s mayor, and later as the country’s president.

“President Rodrigo Duterte relishes the image of killer-savior. He boasts of killing criminals with his own hand. On occasion, he calls for mass murder,” the NYT report, authored by Richard Paddock, read.

The article went on to describe

Duterte as a “child of privilege turned populist politician” and “an anti-drug crusader who has struggled with drug abuse.”

“Obsessed with death, he has turned his violent vision into national policy,” Paddock wrote.

“First as a mayor, now as president of the Philippines, he has encouraged the police and vigilantes to kill thousands of people with impunity.”

Meanwhile, in an editorial published on Thursday, March 24, the NYT called on the trading partners of the Philippines to make Duterte “accountable” for the alleged deaths and human rights abuses in his war on drugs.

“The EU (European Union) has proposed hitting his government where it may hurt the most -- by imposing tariffs on Philippine goods. Other democratic trading partners should do the same,” NYT said in its editorial, titled “Accountability for Duterte.”

The Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government

(DILG) earlier revealed that some European countries threatened to impose taxes on Philippine products due to the drug war.

“This will make our farmers suffer because this will be charged to them by European countries as a sanction to the Philippines.

Many countries in Europe are importing products from the country,” Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said. “Our government is now accused of violating human rights so we stand to lose in this 27 trade agreements.”

Various reports claim that more than 7,000 individuals were killed either during legitimate police operations or by unknown vigilante suspects since Duterte launched the campaign last July 2016, earning condemnation from different local and international human rights groups.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated that only about 1,400 cases were related to the government’s campaign while the remaining numbers were ho-

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CONSERVING AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar enjoys watching the floats in this year’s Anilag festival of Laguna with the theme “Handog ng Laguna sa Lawa ng Pag-asa.” The Land Float Parade & Competition showcases the “wonders” of the province and the good life it offers residents. In her speech, the senator, chair of the Senate environment committee, urges Lagunenses to continue their advocacy and involvement in environment conservation and protection.

Senate photo

PNP: Crime rate lower under current…

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DIDM, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Using the same timeline, the PNP has recorded 9,200 murder cases, 2,400 homicide cases, 66,500 theft cases, 27,300 robbery incidents, and 12,950 carnapping cases during the Aquino administration.

These were relatively higher compared to figures during Duterte’s first eight months: 8,500 murder cases, 1,600 homicide cases, 27,500 theft cases, 12,300 robbery incidents, and 4,800 carnapping cases.

Marquez also clarified that of the reported 7,000 killings in the drug war, only over 1,400 cases were actually related to the campaign while the remaining cases were homicides or still under investigation.

Likewise, PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa discouraged various sectors, particularly the media, of using “extrajudicial killings” as the term to refer to “homicide incidents.”

“Some sectors want to make it appear that the killings are (state)-sponsored when in fact we deny in the highest possible terms the claim,” Dela Rosa said.

“I myself can’t stomach that I will give the order to kill a person.”

Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, said that the PNP should “stop giving illusory statements that everything is fine and people are living well.”

“To say that there are no extrajudicial killings in the country, whether perpetrated through counter-insurgency programs or through the war on drugs,

is covering up State accountability when its official policies sanctioned the sufferings of the poor majority of Filipino people,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement.

Palabay also branded the PNP’s recent claim that there have been no extrajudicial killings in the country as an “outright lie” wielded by those “who

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Police Director Augusto Marquez

LUNSOD NG CERRITOS PAUNAWA NG MGA LUGAR NG BOTOHAN AT MGA MIYEMBRO NG LUPON PARA SA PANGKALAHATANG MUNISIPAL NA HALALAN NG IKA-11 NG ABRIL, 2017 ANG PAUNAWA SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO AY IBINIBIGAY na sa Pangkalahatang Munisipal na Halalan na gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Cerritos sa Martes, ika-11 ng Abril, 2017, magkakaroon ng walong (8) presinto ng pagboto; na ang mga lugar ng botohan para sa kinauukulang mga presinto ay ang mga lugar na itinalaga sa ibaba at ang (mga) wika na iba sa Ingles kung saan ang tulong ay ipagkakaloob.

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 1 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 1, 7, 11, 12 & 23 Lugar ng Botohan: Sentro para sa mga Sining ng Pagganap ng Cerritos Silid ng mga Associates 12700 Center Court Drive Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 2 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 2, 3, 4, & 34 Lugar ng Botohan: Liberty Park - Galerya ng Aktibidad 19211 Studebaker Road Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 5 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 5, 17, 18, 29, 31 at 46 Lugar ng Botohan: Sentro ng Nakatatanda ng Cerritos - Silid ng River Rock 12340 South Street Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 6 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 6, 21 at 70 Lugar ng Botohan: The Grove sa Paninirahan ng Nakatatanda ng Cerritos Lobi 11000 New Falcon Way Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 8 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 8, 10, 14, 32 & 40 Lugar ng Botohan: Cerritos Crossroads Multinational Church of the Nazarene Silid 13 12229 Del Amo Boluevard Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 9 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 9, 24, 26 at 36 Lugar ng Botohan: Mataas na Paaralan ng Whitney Silid ng Pagsasayaw 16800 Shoemaker Avenue Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 13 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 13, 16, 25, 28 at 37 Lugar ng Botohan: Concordia Lutheran Church -Maraming-Paggamit na Silid 13633 183rd Street Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

PINAGSAMANG PAGBOTO NA PRESINTO BLG. 15 Binubuo ng mga Palagiang Panghalalang Presinto: 15, 22, 41, 48 at 49 Lugar ng Botohan: Opisina ng Pinag-isang Distrito ng Paaralan ng ABC Lobi 16700 Norwalk Boulevard Mapupuntahan ng May-kapansanan: Oo Ang tulong sa wika ay ipagkakaloob sa: Tsino, Koreano at Hindi

Ang mga lugar ng botohan ay mananatiling bukas sa pagitan ng mga oras na ika-7 ng umaga at ika-8 ng gabi.

Ang iyong lokasyon ng pagboto at ang numero ng presinto ay nakalagay sa panlikod na pabalat ng iyong halimbawang balota. Dahil ang mga lokasyon ng mga lugar ng botohan ay nagbabago sa mga lokasyon, mangyaring tingnan ang likod ng iyong halimbawang balota para sa kasalukuyang lokasyon ng iyong lugar ng botohan. /s/Vida Barone Vida Barone, Klerk ng Lungsod Pinetsahan: March 29, 2017

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 29-31, 2017

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A MARCH 29-31, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

From the Front Page

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Duterte assures Robredo impeachment…

PAGE A1 t

a year has passed after the elections, let’s work first.)

Robredo, in turn, thanked Duterte. She also assured the President that she has nothing to do with the impeachment raps against the latter.

“Sabi ko, Mr. President, sana po maniwala kayo sa akin na hindi naman po ako behind doon sa impeachment din laban sa iyo.

Tapos iyong sagot niya sa akin, alam ko naman,” she said.

(I said, Mr. President, I hope you believe me that I’m not the one behind the impeachment against you.

His answer to me was: I know.)

Duterte’s allies are preparing an impeachment complaint against her for expressing op-

position against Duterte’s bloody drug war before the international community, saying this falls under the violation of the Constitution for betraying public trust.

Duterte has, however, defended Robredo from her critics, saying he believes that the Vice President has no hand in the alleged destablization plot against him.

Critics of the President also filed an impeachment complaint against him.

Dinner invitation Robredo also confirmed that Duterte invited her and her children to have dinner with him.

“Noong nagpapaalam na ako pauwi, sinabi niya sa akin na, bakit hindi tayo mag-dinner?

Isama mo iyong mga anak mo,

sama ko din iyong pamilya ko,” she recalled.

(When I said goodbye, he told me, why don’t we have dinner?

Bring your children, I’ll also bring my family.)

Robredo then told Duterte: “Sige po. Sabihin niyo na lang po kung kailan.”

(Okay. Just tell me when it will be.)

After their brief conversation, Robredo said Duterte called Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and instructed him to schedule the dinner.

Although there’s no date yet, Robredo said they might meet when the President returns to Manila.

Duterte is currently in his home province in Davao to celebrate his birthday. n

ing number of political killings, illegal arrests, bombing of communities and other human rights abuses of State actors, in relation to the counter-insurgency program and all-outwar of the Duterte regime and the AFP (Armed Forces of the

Philippines).”

“We encourage the media to look deeper into the context of the dire lack of public housing, land, secure jobs and living wages, and transgressions on national sovereignty,” Palabay added. n

PNP: Crime rate lower under current…

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CADRES IN CUBAO. Young members of the Communist Party of the Philippines stage a lightning rally in Cubao, Quezon City to mark the 48th anniversary of the New People’s Army and urge others to join their ranks. The communist insurgency in the Philippines, which began in 1968, is one of the longest running in the world and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives, according to the military.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Analyst: Trump in Manila could do more…

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Forum’s economic orientation but the ASEAN Summit will cover issues of less interest to him, Connelly said.

The ASEAN Summit is expected to tackle regional diplomatic architecture and the Chinese challenge to the rules-based order in the region.

“Trump could skip much of the plenary (leaders do occasionally duck out to take bathroom breaks or hold the odd bilateral) but not without offending his hosts and indicating the very lack of engagement we’d hoped to avoid,” Connelly said.

Connelly noted that plenary sessions of the summits have tested the patience of former U.S. President Barck Obama but he understood the importance of

demonstrating his willingness to listen to the concerns of Southeast Asian leaders.

The Obama administration’s Asia pivot gave assurance to ASEAN countries that the U.S. will back them despite pressure from China.

“If Trump were to skip the summits, some diplomats and analysts would probably conclude that U.S. commitment to the region had diminished, and Trump would miss an opportunity to put a face with a country in a way that might be helpful in a future crisis,” Connelly said.

The new U.S. president’s absence, however, would reduce the chances “that an errant early morning tweet by Trump would throw the day’s sessions into chaos.”

Sending U.S. Vice President Mike Pence or U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson instead would lessen such risk, Connelly said.

The U.S. also has other ways of signaling its commitment to the region such as negotiation of new economic arrangements, attendance of Cabinet officials at key ministerial meetings in the region, continued funding of governance problems and increased naval presence.

Last January, President Rodrigo Duterte sent an invitation to Trump to attend the ASEAN summit that will be held in the country.

Trump, however, has not yet committed to visiting the Philippines for the ASEAN summit in November. n

Palace slams NY Times for ‘obvious demolition…

PAGE A2 t

micides or deaths under investigation.

The NYT also encouraged the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to conduct a “thorough, independent investigation into the killings under Mr. Duterte’s watch.”

The country’s Department of Tourism (DOT) and the PNP have

both called on the media to “tone down” reports of the drug war and the extrajudicial killings as the negative reports have made it harder to attract foreigners.

Earlier in March, the first impeachment complaint against the president was filed by Magdalo Party-list Rep Gary Alejano, who claims that the latter is guilty of culpably violating the Constitu-

tion, engaging in bribery, betraying public trust, committing graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

In his 16-page complaint, Alejano cited Duterte’s alleged links to the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), the massive killings in his war against illegal drugs, and his alleged undeclared wealth worth nearly P2.2 million. n

think that press statements and powerpoint presentations are sufficient excuses to rid them of the responsibility for the series of killings.”

She then encouraged journalists “to report on the increas-

UN calls on Congress leaders to reject…

PAGE A1 t

access to opportunities for vocational skills; and stigmatizing them as criminals and exposing them to further violence, neglect and social exclusion.

“The human brain is not fully developed in its capacity for cognitive functioning and emotional control until well into the period of young adulthood,” Pais said.

She argued that exposing children to toxic stress or violent environments – such as in prisons – this “will have irreversible damage to their brain architecture and create high long-term financial costs for families and the government.”

Likewise, she added that the move would only lead them to further commit crimes.

In a statement, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander said that “punishing and incarcerating children is not going to have any impact on crime reduction.”

“Why penalize children who are themselves victims and do not have the maturity to discern right from wrong?” Sylwander said, pointing out that the percentage of children involved in crime is less than 2 percent.

She argued that such move

“will only condemn and damage the children for life instead of giving them a chance to reform.”

“The underlying and structural factors that bring about child abuse, exploitation and violence must be addressed first. We need to invest in the full implementation of the Juvenile Justice Law, which is a much commended law.

Then there should be support for parenting programmes to deter at-risk children from committing crimes,” she added.

A bill seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsi-

bility in the country from 15 to 9 years old was previously filed by Alvarez and Rep. Fredenil Castro.

While Alvarez and Castro acknowledged that protecting the youth was “laudable,” they argued that it has opposite effects.

“The pampering of youthful offenders knowing they can get away with it. Worse, adult criminals individually, or in organized cabals knowingly and purposely make use of youth below 15 years of age to commit crimes,” Alvarez and Castro’s bill read. n

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Dateline USa

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 29-31, 2017

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US reaffirms support to Mindanao

by Catherine

S. Valente and Jaime r. PilaPil ManilaTimes.net

UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday discussed Washington and Manila’s extensive bilateral partnership and cooperation on counterterrorism, child protection and piracy.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Kim met Duterte in Davao City.

Abella said Kim told Duterte that he is “quite proudâ€? of the cooperation between the US and the Philippines’ intelligence forces “in terms of intelligence and information sharing, training and equipment support.â€? “Sung Kim also assured Duterte that the US understands the security concerns of the Philippines and that the US is ready to provide more military equipSUPPORTING THE DRUG WAR. More than a thousand joined the fun run in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao local officials organized to show community support to MalacaĂąang’s anti-narcotics campaign. Security officials were elated with the enthusiasm of local executives in enforcing MalacaĂąang’s nationwide program against drugs and corruption in Maguindanao province.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

Trump admin warns anew that sanctuary‌

PAGE A1 t

forcement (ICE), Sessions said.

The attorney general, however, did not offer any new policies with regard to how the administration would handle the defiant areas. “The American people want and deserve a lawful system of immigration that keeps us safe, and one that serves national interests,� Sessions said. “This expectation is reasonable, just, and our government has the duty to meet it and we will meet it.�

In late January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called for the stripping of federal funds for areas that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies and do not hand over undocumented immigrants who are subject to deportation.

Those who do not comply “are not eligible to receive federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary,� the order read.

It also called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a “Weekly Detainer Outcome Report� that highlights crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and a list of jurisdictions that

choose not to cooperate with ICE’s detainers or requests for notification.

Last week, the department released its first report, which found that Clark County in Nevada had the highest number of declined detainer requests at 51. It also showed that 206 out of 3,083 detention requests were declined by local law enforcement across the country.

The requests call for local law enforcement to hold individuals who could be deportable for an extra 48 hours after they are jailed for their arrests so they can be picked up by ICE agents. “Our goal is to build cooperative, respectful relationships with our law enforcement partners.

We will continue collaborating with them to help ensure that illegal aliens who may pose a threat to our communities are not released onto the streets to potentially harm individuals living within our communities,�

Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan said in a statement.

Cities and towns across the United States, including Los Angeles and New York, have made it clear that they would continued to defy the administration’s moves.

On Monday, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti reiterated that he would fight any attempts to take away federal funding. “Slashing funds for first-responders, for our port and airport, for counterterrorism, crimefighting and community-building serves no one — not this city, not the federal government, not the American people,� he said, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

He added that he would work closely with members of Congress “to make sure that Los Angeles does not go without federal resources that help protect millions of people every day.�

Last week, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a brief in support of a Santa Clara County lawsuit against the president’s executive order on sanctuary cities. “California has a sovereign right and responsibility to protect the safety and the constitutional rights of its residents, and that is what we will continue to do,� he said, arguing that the threat to take away state and local resources “raises serious constitutional questions and threatens the safety of our communities.�

(AJPress)

ment, assistance and training,� the Palace official said.

Duterte believes the bilateral ties between US and the Philippines “remain strong and there is readiness to discuss more matters of mutual interest with the US.�

The relations between the two countries soured when Duterte launched tirades against former US President Barack Obama and Kim’s predecessor, Philip Goldberg. Washington has been critical of Duterte’s bloody drug war.

At a luncheon meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce Mindanao, Kim conveyed the US government’s wholehearted support to the Philippine economy, as well as its commitment to development in Mindanao.

The US has pledged more than P3.5 billion for dozens of projects in Mindanao to be implemented in the next few years, including

the roll-on, roll-off, or RORO, a nautical highway.

On April 30, the route will connect the cities of Davao and General Santos to Bitung in the Sulawesi Island of Indonesia. This accomplishment will help US and Philippine businesses operating in Mindanao increase their exports at great savings.

The ambassador said US clients generate an estimated 40,000 well-paying BPO jobs in Mindanao.

Cargill, a US agricultural corporation, exports P7.5 billion of coconut oil every year, much of which comes from Mindanao, Kim said. Cargill has trained more than 1,000 coconut farmers since 2011 on improving agricultural practices. As a result, 300 small farmers from the region have been certified to produce the world’s first Rainforest Alliance certified copra, raising their incomes by 15 percent. n

Filipino faces murder, burglary charges in‌ PAGE A1 t

Vegas Boulevard in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel to unload passengers.

The deceased victim has been identified as 57-year-old Gary Breitling of Sidney, Montana, who died at a nearby hospital, various reports show. The other victim, who was shot in the stomach, has not been identified. He remains hospitalized but is expected to survive.

Cardenas proceeded to barricade himself inside the bus, leading the LVMPD to call in crisis negotiators and a SWAT team to help. No gunfire was exchanged with police.

During the standoff, the usually bustling tourist destination had been closed off, while people were advised to stay inside other hotel-casino properties nearby. “He was on the bus. He was shooting people on the bus. He was just contained to that location. He never exited the bus,�

Clark County Assistant Sheriff Tom Roberts told reporters.

The gunman began shooting “for no apparent reason,� police said. An article by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said that Cardenas told police that he meant to threaten a “large male� sitting next to him. He supposedly intended to fire into the back of a seat, but instead hit the two men as they exited the bus.

According to the arrest report,

the suspect “felt bad about what happened and reiterated that all he wanted to do was scare the large male.�

Cardenas, who moved to Las Vegas from Hawaii in 2008, is said to have been a transient with no prior criminal history. He is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center and had a hearing on Monday, March 27.

Saturday’s shooting is the 35th

homicide investigated by the police department this year.

Hours before, masked robbers used sledgehammers to break into the Rolex store at the Bellagio Resort & Casino and stole several items. No injuries were reported and police say the two incidents are not related. (By AJPress with reports from Bev Llorente / ABS-CBN News North America Bureau)

LUNSOD NG CERRITOS IPINAGBIBIGAY-ALAM NA ANG LAHAT NG BALOTA PARA SA PANGKALAHATANG HALALANG MUNISIPAL NA GAGANAPIN SA MARTES, ABRIL 11, 2017 AY BIBILANGIN SA ISANG SENTRAL NA LUGAR NG PAGBILANG ANG PAUNAWA AY IBINIBIGAY SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO na ang Klerk ng Lunsod ay nagbigay ng awtorisasyon na ang City Council &KDPEHU %ORRPÂżHOG $YHQXH &HUULWRV &$ D\ LWDODJD ELODQJ sentral na lugar upang bilangin ang mga balota para sa Pangkalahatang +DODODQJ 0XQLVLSDO QD JDJDQDSLQ VD 0DUWHV LND QJ $EULO Ang mga balota ng Pagboto sa Pamamagitan ng Koreo ay sisimXODQJ ELODQJLQ VD LND QJ JDEL $QJ PJD UHVXOWD QJ PJD EDORWD QJ SDJboto sa pamamagitan ng koreo ay hindi ilalabas hanggang pagkatapos QJ SDJVDVDUD QJ PJD OXJDU QJ ERWRKDQ VD LND QJ JDEL /s/Vida Barone Klerk ng Lunsod, Lunsod ng Cerritos 3LQHWVDKDQ 0DUFK

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OpiniOn

Features

Critical time

Millions of people turned the lights off for at least an hour in some of the world’s most famous cities on Saturday, March 25, as they joined the global initiative to raise awareness and take action against climate change.

Now in its 10th year, the Earth Hour called for the world to collectively act together to protect the planet. More than 170 countries and territories joined the biggest Earth Hour event to date, which aimed to focus attention on people-driven solutions to building a bright, sustainable future.

“Each light turned off or profile picture changed represents an individual who has made the switch from being a passive bystander to someone eager to be a part of the solution...” said Sid Das, executive director of Earth Hour Global.

The United Nations led the event in the U.S. as it dimmed the lights at its iconic headquarters in New York.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Climate change continues to imperil lives and livelihoods around the world. From the darkness, we can create a sustainable and inclusive world for all” In the Philippines, this year’s observance of Earth Hour is a milestone as it comes after President Rodrigo Duterte’s ratification of the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The country has been actively participating in Earth Hour since 2008 and has topped global participation records from 2009 to 2012 – earning it the title Earth Hour Hero Country.

“The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, but has a very small climate footprint. However, this should not

prevent the country from achieving economic development while adopting lifestyles, systems and measures that can slow down climate change,” Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said.

According to Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UN Global Champion for Resilience, the Paris Agreement would allow the country access to the Green Climate Fund, which will allow developed countries that are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) to aid vulnerable, low-emitting nations like the Philippines.

Every year, the world experiences weather-related disasters that cause significant loss of life, and economic and social development setbacks.

The planet is exhausted and the world stands witness to the devastating effects of climate change.

This dreaded phenomenon has brought signals of unimaginable changes such as increasing trends in change of temperature, sea level rise and extreme climate events. These manifestations have brought floods, droughts, forest fires, and an increase in tropical cyclones—all amounting to billions.

For now, the world is not forced to take drastic measures to let the Earth survive. Natural hazards are normal. But hazards become disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are swept away.

When this happens, poor countries are the ones that suffer most—even though they are the least

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

responsible for such disasters.

As experts warned and as the warming continues, the effects are sure to become more catastrophic. There are no exact ways to stop the impending consequences climate change has brought, but this is an endeavor every human be-

ing will have to surpass.

While we can’t undo the damages done, we are still capable of decelerating the rate of the effects of climate change and produce a desirable future for the planet altogether. Everyone is simply responsible. (AJPress)

Trump, Republicans in Congress give companies that steal their workers’ wages a gift AS the news gets inundated with headlines about the failed Trumpcare The Fil-Am and the ongoing muddled investigation on the alleged collusion between Perspective the Trump campaign and Russia, President Donald Trump signed a bill into law that will end Obama-era regulation that protects ordinary folks from unscrupulous employers from abusing Gel SantoS-ReloS and neglecting them.

Under the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule, companies who have outrageously been stealing hard earned money from their employees by not paying them the right wages, and companies who do not follow safety laws at the expense of their workers, would lose their government contracts if they did not comply with labor laws.

Unfortunately, Trump and the Republicans in Con-

gress do not believe in this, and side with businesses who say these regulations are excessive and are job killers.

They argue that the Obama rule was too punitive and unfair to businesses.

When Trump signed this bill into law, he made sure that the regulation would not only die, but also that no similar regulation could be imposed by the Labor Department again.

Who are the real winners here? Is this law good for American workers or the millionaires and billionaires and greedy businessmen? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The Philippines a target and victim of clickbait journalism?

IN 1898, at the birth of the Philippine reOpinion public, the United States press oppressed the new nation with its newly minted “yellow journalism.”

One hundred nine- Yen Makabenta teen years later, the US press is using on the Philippines today its newfangled weapon of “clickbait journalism.”

The office of the historian of the US Department of State filed this report on the events of 1895-98: “During the heyday of yellow journalism in the late 19th century, it was one of many factors that helped push the United States and Spain into war in Cuba and the Philippines, leading to the acquisition of overseas territory by the United States…

“The battle between Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World and Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal for greater market share gave rise to the term “yellow journalism.”

“Once the term had been coined, it extended to the sensationalist style employed by the two publishers in their profit-driven coverage of world events…

“Yellow journalism is significant to the history of US foreign relations in that its centrality to the history of the Spanish-American War shows that the press had the power to capture the attention of a large readership and to influence public reaction to international events.

The dramatic style of yellow journalism contributed to creating public support for the Spanish-American War, a war that would ultimately expand the global reach of the United States.”

Flash forward to the present day. The US press is waving at the Philippines the weapon of “clickbait journalism.” In the age of the Internet, US journalism

has the impudence to demand that the Philippine republic bend its policies to its wishes. “Release Sen. Leila de lima,” declared the New York Times.

Most Filipinos are unmoved. They like the thought that DU30 has an unusual vocabulary for rebuff.

Clickbait to stop falling revenues In contemporary journalism, the term “clickbait journalism” is more recent than “fake news” and “post-truth politics,” which were crowned as words of the year by the Oxford Dictionary in recent years.

Economics was the driver of yellow journalism in the 19th century. Economics is similarly driving clickbait journalism in the 21st century.

Clickbait is the offshoot of the frantic effort of media organizations (particularly print media) to find an availing response to the devastation wrought by the Internet on advertising revenues, readerships, and bottom lines.

According to Wikipedia, “Clickbait is a pejorative term describing web content that is aimed at generating online advertising revenue, especially at the expense of quality or accuracy, relying on sensationalist headlines or eyecatching thumbnail pictures to attract click-throughs and to encourage forwarding of the material over online social networks. Clickbait headlines typically aim to exploit the ‘curiosity gap’, providing just enough information to make readers curious, but not enough to satisfy their curiosity without clicking through to the linked content.”

The practice and methods of clickbait were developed because of the interest of advertisers and media buyers in the volume or number of clicks generated by certain stories and news analyses; it

was thought that clicks were the virtual equivalent of readers, though clicks do not necessarily mean that the stories/ opinions are read.

The sensational writing, headlining and angling of stories are designed to induce the reader to click to the story or message.

From here, it’s a short leap of imagination to see that communication strategists and public relations practitioners would develop clickbait strategies in their communication campaigns.

Although clickbait was first started by social media, mainstream media quickly caught on and realized the potential of clickbait journalism to generate more readers and stem falling revenues. Soon every mainstream media had its own digital site and edition. In combination with fake news, clickbait journalism was potent.

Distorted view of the Philippines Over the past eight months, I have diligently gathered in my files the many reports and analyses of Philippine developments by Western media. I can honestly say that I have read and reviewed them all.

It amazes me that what many Filipinos perceive as a time of hope (a chance) for our country, is casually dismissed without thorough analysis by Western media as a national disaster.

Thus, I have concluded that the Philippines and President Duterte have been both targets and victims of clickbait journalism. As our new government has struggled to cope with the challenge of governing a nation of over 100 million, there has been a counterpart movement—loosely composed of opposition groups, international media and international organizations—that has sought to control the narrative and eventually tried to bring the nation down.

It is not coincidental that the publication of multiple stories on the Philip-

pine drug war and President Duterte’s bold policies, has happened alongside criticisms leveled at our new government by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and international human rights organizations. It is not accidental that they all use the same numbers, level the same charge, and make the same demands from the Philippine government.

The entire communications effort is organized, directed and managed. And it’s mostly taking place in and from New York City, where a large international community of journalists, communicators and experts are based, and the whole community of nations can be reached.

Ms Loida Nicolas-Lewis and her group of Filipino propagandists operate from NYC. Together they work on US media and the UN; they have turned the New York Times, the Washington Post, the International Business Times, Time magazine, the New Yorker, the Atlantic and other publications into complaisant channels for critical pieces of what is happening in the Philippines.

From this perspective, the New York Times’ recent analysis, “Becoming Duterte: The making of a Philippine strongman” and Time’s earlier report, “Night falls on the Philippines” have the same DNA. It seems unbelievable that such prestigious publications would allow themselves to be used for dishonest journalism. They all fell for the line that Duterte has perpetrated over 7,000 extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in his murderous war on drugs.

In a way, Duterte was (is) a dream subject for clickbait journalism. He is outrageous, out-of-control, and uncouth, and the more outrageous he is, the more clicks he will generate.

This is the reason why international media have eagerly given him space.

The wonder is why they never bothered to report on Duterte and the Philippines properly through serious fact-finding, investigation and fact-checking. They remain as blind and clueless as the UN and the human rights lobby.

Backlash against clickbait Not surprisingly, there has lately emerged a backlash against clickbait journalism. The modus operandi of clickbait has been exposed by alert media critics and fact-checkers in the US and UK. In a revealing critique of clickbait journalism by the International Business Times, Mother Jones magazine reported that IBT journalists are subject to constant demand to produce clickbait; one former employee reportedly complained that management issued “impossible” demands, including a minimum of 10,000 hits per article, and fired those who couldn’t deliver. Of 432 articles published by IBT Japan in a certain time interval, 302 were reportedly created by copying sentences from Japanese media and combining them, “collage-style,” to create stories that seemed new.

Similarly, IBT employees told The Guardian in 2014 that at times they seemed to operate more as “content farms” demanding high-volume output than a source of quality journalism.

At least two journalists were allegedly threatened with firing unless traffic to their articles increased sharply.

Katherine Viner, editor in chief at the The Guardian, declared that “chasing down cheap clicks at the expense of accuracy and veracity” undermines the value of journalism and truth.

Others have concluded that clickbait could be the death of journalism.

Alarmed by the trend, Facebook and Google have taken measures to reduce the impact of clickbait on their social network and internet service. (yenmakabenta@yahoo.com)

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

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 29-31, 2017

A

Dateline PhiliPPines

China can now deploy military assets to South China Sea

by PATriciA lourdes Philstar.com

VirAy

MANILA, Philippines — Beijing can now deploy military assets to the Spratly (Kalayaan) Islands in the South China Sea as wraps up construction of infrastructures on the “Big Three”—Subi (Zamora), Mischief (Panganiban) and Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reefs.

Washington-based CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) reported that China’s naval, air, radar and defensive facilities in the islands are near completion.

These facilities in the three air bases would allow Beijing to deploy military assets including combat aircraft and mobile missile launchers to the Spratly Islands at any time.

Another facility on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands would allow Chinese military aircraft to operate nearly the entire South China Sea. “The same is true of China’s radar coverage, made possible by advanced surveillance/earlywarning radar facilities at Fiery Cross, Subi and Cuarteron Reefs, as well as Woody Island, and smaller facilities elsewhere,” the AMTI said.

Surface-to-air missile systems on Woody Island have been maintained on Woody Island for more than a year, according to the report. China once deployed antiship cruise missiles to the island.

China now has constructed hardened shelters with retractable roofs for mobile missile launchers on Subi, Mischief and Fiery Cross Reefs.

The construction of all hangars at Fiery Cross Reef has finished.

These hangars can accommo-

This March 9 satellite image released by the CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative shows that all hangars for 24 combat aircraft and four larger planes have been completed on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef.

AMTI/CSIS via DigitalGlobe

date 24 combat aircraft and four larger planes that can be used for transport, refueling or a bomber aircraft.

In January, radomes protecting radar structures were installed on large towers of the reef, representing a significant radar or sensor array.

Construction of hangars for 24 combat aircraft has also been completed on Mischief Reef early March.

“A finished radar tower stands in the middle of the reef and a trio of large towers have been constructed on the southwestern corner. The recent placement of a radome on the ground next to one of these towers indicates that they will follow the same pattern as the identical sets at Fiery Cross and Subi,” the report read.

Recent imagery also shows that construction hangars for 24 combat aircraft and four larger hangars is complete on Subi Reef.

A high-frequency “elephant cage” radar array was also seen

on the southern end of Subi Reef.

“This is unique among the Big 3. As with radar facilities at the other reefs, this high-frequency radar is close to a point defense structure, providing protection against air or missile strikes,” the AMTI said.

The Washington-based think tank has been monitoring Chinese activities in the area for nearly two years.

China’s “Big Three” reefs are also being claimed by the Philippines. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration released its final and legally binding award on Manila’s case against Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the disputed waters.

The arbitral tribunal ruled that Mischief and Subi Reefs are lowtide elevations while Fiery Cross Reef is a rock. The United Nations-backed tribunal also ruled that Mischief Reef is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. n

Arrest warrant out for Matobato

by AllAn

nAwAl Inquirer.net

DAVAO CITY – A Regional Trial Court judge issued a warrant of arrest against self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato for the 2002 kidnapping of Turkish national Sali Makdum.

In her order issued on Monday, Judge Dorothy Gonzaga of Re- Edgar Matobato

Inquirer.net file photo

gional Trial Court 4 in Panabo City in Davao del Norte said Matobato would not be allowed to post bail.

Matobato admitted during the Senate hearings on the Davao Death Squad that he and Sonny Custodio abducted Makdum on Samal Island in 2002 on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He said Makdum was a suspected terrorist. n

MOUNTAIN OF TURNIPS. A vendor stacks turnips at the Balintawak Public Market in Quezon City. The root crop is in demand because of their thirst-quenching quality.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Duterte leads online poll for Time’s most influential by llAnescA

T. PAnTi ManilaTimes.net

DESPITE international criticism, President Rodrigo Duterte is leading early in the online poll for Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2017.

Duterte ranked first with four percent of the online votes, beating Pope Francis whom he cursed in the campaign trail for creating a traffic mess during his 2015 visit to the Philippines. The Pope got three percent.

Duterte is also beating Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who each got two percent of the votes.

Also high on the vote tally are Microsoft founder Bill Gates, former US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, American gymnast Simone Biles, Women’s March organizers Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez, and Bob Bland; Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, tennis star Serena Williams, celebrity Oprah Winfrey, Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling, actresses Emma Watson and Viola Davis, Olympic athlete Usain Bolt, US Supreme Court

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and business magnate Elon Musk.

The Time poll comes on the heels of the New York Times article titled “Duterte: The Making of a Strongman” that tackled Duterte’s supposed appetite for violence, which Malacañang has dismissed as a “hack job.”

Duterte won the presidency in the May 2016 polls with 16 million votes despite joining the race two months late, overwhelming his closest rivals Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd and Sen. Grace Poe by seven million votes.

But for the Time 100, the popular vote is not the clincher because Time magazine’s editors will choose who gets in the final list.

Voting will close on April 16, 11:59 p.m., US Eastern time. The Time 100 list will be unveiled on April 20.

Duterte promised to eradicate the illegal drug trade and corruption in three to six months after assuming the presidency on June 30, 2016, but has since backtracked.

Duterte has said the fight against illegal drugs, corruption and other crimes will continue until the end of his term in June

2022, claiming he didn’t know the magnitude of the problems until he became President.

The President, a former mayor of Davao City, nevertheless remains popular, particularly in the National Capital Region.

A Pulse Asia survey over the weekend showed that 82 percent of Metro Manila residents feel safer as a result of the administration’s bloody war on drugs.

“We are pleased with the latest Pulse Asia survey showing that more than 8 out of 10 residents of Metro Manila now feel safer in the streets as a result of the government’s drive against illegal drugs. The administration’s drug war is well-received by the people on the ground in sharp contrast to the gloom and hopelessness depicted by the President’s critics,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

“This favorable public sentiment gives us strong impetus to surge ahead in our anti-drug campaign and hope that we continually get the cooperation of the community, and even support of the clergy, especially in the implementation of a rehabilitation program for Tokhang surrenderers,” Abella added, referring to the police’s anti-drug campaign. n

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Fewer OFW households save, invest in 1st quarter by lawRence

agcaoili Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Fewer Filipino households allocated portions of remittances they received from their loved ones abroad to save and invest during the first quarter of the year as they prioritize their spending amid the sharp rise in consumer prices, results of a quarterly survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Teresita Deveza, deputy director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics (DES), said results of the Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) for the first quarter showed a decline in the percentage of households allocating a portion of their remittances for savings to 36.9 percent in the first quarter from 46.8 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

“The decline in the percentage of households that allotted remittances for savings could be due to the higher prices of goods and expected increase in expenditures on their basic goods and services,” Deveza said.

Despite the decline, the percentage of OFW households using remittances to save as of the first quarter of the year was more than five times the 7.2 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2007 when the CES was launched.

On the other hand, she added the number of households that allocated remittances for investments slipped to 6.2 percent in the first quarter from 10 percent in the fourth quarter.

The percentage of OFW households investing remittances is almost three times the 2.3 percent level when the survey was first conducted.

u PAGE B2

PH needs new frame work for driverless cars

by Mayvelin

U. caRaballo ManilaTimes.net

THE government needs to draft a comprehensive framework amending certain laws to create a conducive environment for driverless vehicles in Philippines, the Insurance Commission said on Monday.

“The commission understands that when the time comes, the regulatory frameworks would have to be set in place in order to address the various concerns that will arise with the advent of driverless vehicles,” Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said.

Funa gave a keynote speech during the 5th Asia Motor Insurance & Claims Management Conference in Makati City on Monday, March 27 on the theme “Future of Motor Insurance in Asia.”

When autonomous vehicles start to rule the roads, 90 percent of traffic accidents caused by human error will be avoided, as cars are not going to crash nearly as frequently as before, and if they do, cars will not crash as severely as seen in the past, Funa said citing a Forbes report.

Allied Market Research also

u PAGE B4

Philippines better off with 2 telcos tech expert

by RainieR

allan Philstar.com

Ronda

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines may be better off having two profitable telecommunication companies providing mobile internet connectivity, a telco industry executive said.

Sean Gowran, president and country manager of telecommunications network operator Ericsson Philippines, said while having a third or even a fourth

player could be good for consumers as it provides them more choices, having two strong players allows the companies to raise enough revenues to support massive capital expenditures for infrastructure investments.

Gowran said in an assessment of the local telco industry, currently with the two big players PLDT-Smart and Globe Telecom, the two companies are engaged in fierce competition that forces them to pour

massive investments to improve their network infrastructure as they seek to improve the quality of their service to consumers.

“Thirty percent of their revenue were spent for network infrastructure, so that means they are competing, and they are competing for the same number of subscribers,” Gowran said in his presentation on “Investment and Bandwidth Management”at the 2nd day of the first-ever Philippine Tele-

coms Summit 2017 held recently at the PICC in Pasay City.

‘We don’t have an investment problem, we have a revenue problem,” Gowran said.

“Philippine operators’ capex (capital expenditures) intensity has been among the highest.”

Philippine telecom service providers are investing on network infrastructure above the global average in terms of capex and revenues, he said

u PAGE B2

Clark Intl Airport eyes increase in flights

by Reicelene joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

CLARK International Airport (CRK) officials are in discussions with domestic and international airlines to encourage them to increase their flights from the region.

CRK President and CEO Alexander Cauguiran, said in an in-

terview that Philippine Airlines wants the airport to become its second biggest hub, next to the Ninoy Aquino Internati-onal Airport.

PAL recently had its inaugural flight to Busuanga from CRK. Cauguiran also said that PAL committed to build its own passenger terminal building and a maintenance, repair and over-

haul facility inside the Clark Civil Avia- tion Complex.

Caguiran said that flights to

u PAGE B2

B MARCH 29-31, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

Women entrepreneurship: Find funding to start, run and grow your business

by Shuyi

Wang Wells Fargo

Women’s History Month is a great time to recognize the important role of women-owned businesses in the nation’s economy. From tech to fashion to healthcare and manufacturing, there are 9.9 million womenowned firms spanning almost every industry, and representing a third of all small businesses in America. And that number is only expected to grow. According to the latest U.S. Census data, women-owned firms increased more than 26 percent from 2007-2012, and had receipts of $1.4 trillion in 2012.

Despite their successes, women entrepreneurs can face the same challenges as all business owners when it comes to obtaining funding for their businesses. This is especially true for new business owners who are just starting out and may have limited business credit history. There are, however, more small business funding options today than ever, and it pays to be familiar with each one.

Here are five types of funding to explore when starting, running and growing a small business.

SBA loans and resources – Whether you’re launching a new business or growing an existing business, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a variety of lending products designed to meet the financing needs of businesses of all sizes, including smaller, newer businesses. Through SBA lending, Wells Fargo offers financing to businesses that may not be able to obtain a conventional loan or loan terms that meet their business needs.

The SBA also has a number of programs and resources devoted specifically for women entrepreneurs. A good place to start is with the SBA Women’s Business Centers, which consist of nearly 100 educational centers around the U.S. These centers are dedicated to helping women start and grow their businesses by offering seminars and workshops on various business owner topics, including raising capital.

Business credit –At some point, most small business owners will see a need for credit as their business evolves and their financial needs change. When

used appropriately, credit can fuel opportunities for business growth from helping cover basic expenses to supporting a capital expenditure. There are many types of credit to consider depending on your business financing needs and stage of business. Talk with a business banker to learn what option is right for your business.

Self-funding – Many entrepreneurs fund their businesses themselves, either by tapping into savings, selling assets for cash, or taking on personal debt. While self-funding increases your personal liability, there are several advantages to this method of financing, including having complete control over your business’ financial decisions. As our bankers will tell you, self-funding is also a smart way to show that you are truly committed to succeeding – the more you invest in your business, the easier it will be to secure capital from other sources down the road.

Investors – Another common way to fund a business is through investors. Often, an investor is a family member or friend with the means to invest capital upfront to cover startup costs. While this may seem like a good idea at first, it’s important to set up a formal arrangement to protect your relationship from losses that may result if the business fails. If you want to steer clear of personal connections, then an angel investor may be a better fit. Angel investors are typically affluent individuals or investment groups who are willing to invest in new businesses and ideas. To improve your chances of securing an investor, you’ll need to dem-

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Fewer OFW households save invest...

PAGE B1 t

Of the 485 households included in the survey that received OFW remittances for the first quarter, more than 98 percent used the remittances that they received to purchase food and other household needs.

The proportion of households which used part of their remittances for education reached 68.2 percent and for debt payments, at 31.3 percent.

About 22.5 percent of the respondents said they use the money that they received to purchase consumer durables followed by 12.4 percent to buy houses, and 6.4 percent to acquire motor vehicles.

Deveza said the spending outlook index of households on basic goods and services remained steady at 28.7 percent for the onstrate a healthy credit history, second quarter.

More respondents expected and provide a written business an increase in expenditures on plan complete with a strategy for paying back investors.

Crowdfunding –Based primarily online, crowdfunding is the practice of funding a PAGE B1 t project or venture by raising all major tourist destinations small amounts of money from a are already taking off from Clark large number of people. While except for Bohol, which is still crowdfunding has been around under negotioation with PAL. for a long time, social media Meanwhile, he also disclosed and online crowdfunding networks comprised of thousands of investors have helped it gain in popularity among entrepreneurs and startups. From do- PAGE B1 t Gowran also said a 4th quarter nation-based, to rewards- and equity-based options, there are Ericsson speedtest intelligence many types of crowdfunding data study from Ookla they made options available. The method on the internet speeds in the you choose may depend on ASEAN region showed the Philthe type of product or ser- ippines was not really lagging vice your business offers, cash far behind its neighbors when it comes to connectivity speed. flow and revenue projections.

“The Philippines today is As you explore funding opright in the middle of our tions, it’s also important to be- neighbors,” Gowran said. come familiar with the credit While Singapore was far process so you know what to ahead in internet speed among expect – from preparing to ap- its ASEAN counterparts, he said ply, applying and managing the average cost of connectivity credit. Wells Fargo’s new Busi- in the city-state was $50 while in ness Credit Center is designed the Philippines, it was only $2.

Gowran also aired doubts on to help inform business owners on the credit process and financ- the financial viability of a third ing options, and address gaps player entering the market.

The executive said they esin their understanding of credit. timated a third player needs to No matter how you fund your business, remember that pour an investment of around P500 billion just to catch up knowledge is power. Take time with PLDT-Smart and Globe to arm yourself appropriately and grab a decent market share. so you can confidently navigate He pointed out if given an althe credit journey throughout ready optimistic time frame of five all stages of your business. years to do this, the third player Shuyi Wang is head of will still have a long way to reAsian segment strategy at coup its P500-billion investment.

Wells Fargo in San Francisco.

Gowran said in the GSMA

house rent, furnishings, water, electricity, fuel, and transportation while fewer expected to spend more for clothing and footwear, medical care, communication, education, recreation and culture as well as personal care and effects.

She added respondents are expecting inflation to increase to 3.1 percent for the first quarter from the 2.7 percent inflation rate expectation in the fourth quarter. Inflation kicked up to a 27-month high of 3.3 percent in February from 2.7 percent in

January due to higher food and oil prices.

According to her, fewer respondents expect an increase in interest rates.

Likewise, respondents are of the view that the peso would continue to depreciate against the dollar this year. The peso is the worst performing currency this year after weakening by 1.7 percent against the greenback.

The stronger dollar means higher peso conversion for recipients of remittances from overseas Filipinos.

Clark Intl Airport increase... that negotiations are ongoing with China Eastern Airlines.

“The talks between Clark and China Eastern are going well.

They are interested in flying to Clark from Shanghai, and Clark

to Beijing as well,” Caguiran also said that plans are afoot for the construction of a new airport terminal. “The catalyst of development for Region 3 is the full development of the airport,” he added.

Philippine better off with 2 telcos tech...

Mobile World Congress 2017 held in Barcelona last week, there was a discussion about the disadvantages of having four or more mobile telcos in a country.

He said GSMA chairman, Indian telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal, had said a country only needed at most three players while smaller nations could have two carriers.

The analogy, Gowran said, was that in a telco industry with three or four players, there could be two strong players, and the remaining one or two could just be struggling players.

‘We need to be careful about that,” Gowran said.

In his presentation at the summit, Gowran said from 2012 to 2015, local telecom service providers have been investing in network infrastructure at a level significantly higher than the global average in terms of capex and revenues.

Neighboring ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Myanmar put back 20 percent of their rev-

enues into capex over the same period, while Vietnam’s ratio was at 17 percent. Countries such as Singapore and Malaysia were even lower, with a capex level of less than 15 percent.

Only Indonesia spent more than the Philippines at 27 percent.

Both PLDT and Globe increased their capex- to-revenue ratio even further in 2016, as they spent 30 percent of their total revenues on network improvement and expansion.

Gowran said the significant investments in Philippine networks are a result of the enormous growth in data traffic in the country, which is driven in large part by video demand and the increased adoption of smartphones.

“Migration to newer technologies such as LTE is the key to providing an efficient network and better customer experience to subscribers, said Gowran, adding “service providers must also capitalize on various business industries’ digitalization revenue opportunities.”

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Community Journal

How to build a house of bricks

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (3rd of 3 parts)

This is the third and final installment of the 15 Tips on How to Build A House of Bricks Series.

11. Pray without ceasing to the God of your being. Realize that when you do, you will never be alone. The single, most important foundation of any life begins with the realization that by yourself alone, without help, you can do nothing of real meaning and lasting value. No obstacle is too big, no situation too difficult, or setback too overwhelming that cannot be helped by constant, heartfelt prayer and a foundation of faith so strong, it can move mountains. In the physical world, gravity holds everything together. In the spiritual world, where transitional human life is ultimately headed, prayer is the most powerful force there is.

12. Bring it all together. Once your circumstances become stable and you are able to choose the type of work you love to do and more importantly, that which makes you happy — GO FOR IT. The shift will be uncomfortable and unnerving at first. Seek the path that makes use of the abilities and the talents that you were born with. Listen to what your whole being says you were meant to do and enter that rare, enviable state of being that fi-

nally feels like coming home.

13. Rein in the spirit of the crab. Put a number of live crabs in a basket and witness how crabs behave. Any crab successful enough to rise above the heads of the other crabs to escape the confines of the basket will be pulled down by the pincer claws of the other crabs underfoot. The crab mentality is nothing more than envy in disguise— alive and well in human nature. Lest you think the Severe Acute Crab Syndrome (SACS) — a name I coined for this social phenomenon — is endemic or unique only to a specific com-

The whole person’s mind and heart must evolve. Of the two, the heart should lead. A good heart has a wisdom all its own. Blaise Pascal, a noted French philosopher noted: “The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.” Draw from the strength of one’s native culture and weave it into the new one. The hybrid is often better suited to the new environment. Yet, we must never lose sight of the fact that in the end, all learning means nothing if we never learn how to love.

15. See the big picture. Between birth and death is life. How you live your life is up to you. Many of the wisest men who have pondered the meaning and the purpose of life over thousands of years, have defined life according to their own perceptions and circumstances. In the end, if you are in full control of all your faculties as an average human being, you and you alone define your own life with the set of gifts, talents and the circumstances that life gives you.

Remember what someone wise wrote so succinctly long ago about the essence of any worthwhile life and that is — TO LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN AND LOVE MUCH. May the house of bricks you build allow you to do all that. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

“Draw from the strength of one’s native culture and weave it into the new one.”

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly.

Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied.

Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution

Debt Relief Atty. lAwrence yAng Freak accident liability I THINK I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. First client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have never encountered a case like this before in the last 30 years. Client has a rental condo that needs plumbing repair because of water leak coming out of the walls. He hires a plumber that he knows from work. Plumber determines that the leak is coming from a water pipe that is inside the wall. So he cuts a hole through the wall big enough for him to work on the leaking pipe.

He uses a blowtorch to seal the leak. The blowtorch accidentally sets the inside of the wall on fire.

They try to stop the fire from spreading. They fail to stop the fire from spreading. The condo burns down. The fire spreads to the other condos in the building.

Eventually, the entire building is on fire and is destroyed.

The building has a master insurance that covers the repairs for building so the building is reconstructed and everybody gets their condos back in shape.

So what is the problem for client if the insurance has paid for everything and all the damage caused by the fire? The problem of course is that the insur-

munity, take heart, for we’re not alone. Other immigrant communities report the same thing. To counteract this, try and be happy for others (even if it kills you).

14. Strive to learn any way you can. Learning is a lifelong process of adaptation. To copy Yoda’s transposed way of making a point, “Adapt, you must. Or die early, you will.” The dodo bird of the Galapagos never learned to adapt, never learned to defend itself against predators and became extinct. It’s been said that the human mind is like a cup with a hole at the bottom. You just have to keep trying to fill that bottomless cup. But be warned: intelligence alone is sorely inadequate.

I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it

If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition.

If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment.

Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court.

Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement.

QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided.

Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and

debt equally between the parties.

Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor.

Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

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

(Advertising Supplement

Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek BK relief “Chapter 7 will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused.”

ance company will sue client to recover whatever they can from client and client does not have liability insurance for the fire. I don’t know what else to call this but a freak accident. This is potentially a multimillion liability for client in the future.

If client qualifies for Chapter 7 relief then he has no worries anymore because Chapter 7 will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused.

If he does qualify, he can wipe this out and have a fresh start.

What we can learn from this accident is that if you should have a plumbing problem and the plumber uses a torch, you better stand behind him with a big fire extinguisher! So, just in case the same thing happens, you can immediately use the fire extinguisher on the fire to kill it and prevent your house from being burned down by a plumbing problem.

Wage garnishment The second client is 63. She had car repossession some time ago. As far as she knows, the repo deficiency was about $25K. Must have been an expensive

car with that kind of deficiency.

She has just received a wage garnishment order for $40K based on the repo deficiency judgment! She still works and earns a gross of $5K monthly.

How does the wage garnishment work? It will take 25% of her gross wages, or $1,250 a month until the $40K is fully paid at legal interest of 10% a year. She can’t live with such a big deduction from her wages. She won’t be able to pay her rent of $1,100 if the garnishment is done. She also owes about $30K of credit cards.

She needs Chapter 7 relief to stop the garnishment, wipe out the judgment of $40K and all of $30K of credit cards. She will get a fresh start without the burden of accumulated debt. She will be able to reestablish credit immediately. She still has a car payment. She will also be able to get new credit cards as soon as she is done with her bankruptcy because there are banks that specialize in giving new credit cards to debtors who have just come out of bankruptcy.

u PAGE B4

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 29-31, 2017

Calendar of Events across

B

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 MARCH 30

Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce Tri-County ‘General Assembly and Mixer’ in Covina, CA The Officers and Board Directors of the newly-established Chamber of Commerce, interacting with Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, invite the community to a ‘General Assembly and Mixer’ on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m., at RE/MAX MASTERS REALTY office at 475 E. Badillo, Covina, CA 91723. Meet Merwynn Montenegro, President, and the Officers and Board Directors, along with their advisers Noel S.V. Omega, guest speaker, and Mary Ann Omega, both officers of the FilAm Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles. You will have the opportunity to make business connections and build relationships. Special guest is West Covina Councilmember and former Mayor James Toma. Atty. Abraham Lim will deliver the opening remarks and PNB Remittance Center Inc. President and CEO Ricky Villacisneros will close the Assembly, but not before guests have scored winsome door prizes. For information, contact Secretary Ed Cansino (909) 263-7297 or Email edcansino53@gmail.com; Asst. Sec. Grace Vaughn (951) 261-0601; or 1st VP Elen Yuhico (909) 636-6271.

APRIL 8

Filipino Cursillos’ Kalbaryo show in San Diego, CA The Filipino Cursillos in Christianity of Los Angeles, CA (FCIC-LA) will present a Kalbaryo (Lenten) show about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus on Saturday, April 8. It will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Pala Mission Church, San Juan Diego Center at 3015 Pala Mission Rd., Pala, CA 92059. For further information, please contact any of the following: Tess Tan Torres at (213) 249-1507; Agnes Golingay at (818) 599-8401; Len Balino at (310) 2033639; Genie Bagsic at (858) 472-9338; or Oddie Sabas at (760) 670-5868.

APRIL 14

Greenlining Institute Economic Summit in Oakland, CA On Friday, April 14, the Greenlining Institute’s 24th annual Economic Summit will boldly tackle local and national controversies as it focuses on the theme, “Racial Justice on the Frontlines.” With Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza moderating the opening discussion, community activists, political and business leaders will take on such challenging issues as gentrification, tech diversity (or the lack thereof), possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the impending arrival of Uber in downtown Oakland. It will be held at Oakland Marriott City Center at 1001 Broadway, Oakland, California. Registration opens 8 a.m., program starts at 8:30 and runs to 5:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www. greenlining.org.

APRIL 15

“A Musical Odyssey” in Cerritos, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. and DreamAgeGroup presents Rudolf Paleaz Golez, an internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist in “A Musical Odyssey” on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Other local singing talents will be present at the concert, such as recording artist Sean Collado, aspiring actress and singer Sheila Tejada, Sabrina Oxciano and Samantha Murray. Ticket prices are $35, $65 and $100. Proceeds of this performance will go toward the Pangansian Brotherhood-USA’s scholarship funds, which helps academically successful seniors who are college-bound in both the greater Los Angeles area and the Philippines. The performance will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ Sierra Room at 12700 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, California 90703. Interested parties may contact project managers Dan E. Nino at (562) 921-5116 or denino1951@gmail.com; E. Mendoza at (623) 341-6247 or thedreamagegroup@gmail.com; Lino F. Caringal, Jr. at (714) 808-2642 or linojr.caringal@gmail.com; Bong Soriano at (909) 851-1493 or believe1156@gmail.com; Neil Estrada at (562) 301-9972 or bluezero2sixty@yahoo.com; or Feliz Lopez at (562) 572-2301 or fblopezinsurance@msn. com.

APRIL 20

CAUSE’s annual gala in Los Angeles Join Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) for its annual gala on Thursday, April 20. It will be held at LA Hotel’s California Ballroom at 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact kim@causeusa.org or visit www.causeusa.org.

APRIL 21

Fundraising event to benefit the first-ever Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum in Las Vegas The Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum (FAHAM) will host “Heritage Celebration - Filipinos Landing in California,” a fundraising event on Friday, April 21, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Dallas Ballroom of Texas Station Hotel and Casino. Festivities include a buffet dinner, arts exhibits, vendor booths, cultural entertainment a native fashion show, a Philippine history presentation, and dance performances. The cultural entertainment will be provided by the FAHAM Cultural Dance Group, Heart of Polynesia, Gina Kim Korean Dance Group, Filipiniana Dance Company of Las Vegas, Sophia Ramos, Sharon Tanyag, and DJ Mike. Emcees will be Amie and Leo Belmonte. The donation is $50 / person. Attire is formal. FAHAM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is currently America’s first Filipino American Museum, Archives, Legacy, Culture, Innovation Research Center, and Library Garden founded in Delaware by Mrs. Ditta Camomot, M.Ed., M.A. Its holdings are artifacts, ethological materials, and ecclesiastical, historical, arts and ephemera collections, as well as environmental projects. Texas Station is located at 2101 Texas Star Ln, North Las Vegas, NV 89032. For tickets and more information, please contact Salve Edelman at (702) 418-8968.

A P R I L 29

12th annual Sikad ng Bayan bike ride in Anaheim Hills, CA The Sikad ng Bayan (Cycling for the Nation) is an annual bike ride that raises funds to build preschools for less fortunate communities at Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages in the Philippines. It is a non-competitive ride that will be held on Saturday, April 29, where cyclists traverse the Orange and Los Angeles counties. And in true Filipino fashion, this fun ride culminates in a Pinoy-style luncheon where cyclists can get together and know more about Sikad. It will be held at the Yorba Regional Park (7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807). For more information or to register please visit www.sikad.org or call Rey D. at (562) 964-1445 or Robbie V. at (949) 351-8344.

APRIL 30

Filipino Cultural School to host “Sari-Sari Talent Show 2017” in Cerritos, CA Filipino Cultural School (FCS) will host its 2nd annual Sari Sari: Talent Show Fundraiser on Sunday, April 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Josephine’s Cerritos (11305 183rd St, Cerritos, CA 90703). Filipino Cultural School, based in Cerritos, CA and other neighboring cities, is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization geared to the preservation and promotion of the Philippine heritage and culture. FCS has and continues to be open to all. Filipinos and non-Filipinos who are interested in Philippine culture are invited to attend. “Sari-Sari” is a Tagalog word for “variety,” and in this talent show, FCS aims to celebrate the diverse talents of our community members in forms of singing, dancing, spoken words, etc., along with some great Filipino food from the restaurant. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for ages 13 years old and above, and $5 for ages 12 years old and under. Door prices will be $15 for ages 13 years old and above, and still $5 for ages 12 years old and under (ticket prices do not include food). The raised funds for the event will go towards helping cover for the cost of venue, insurance, and materials for the FCS Summer Program. For information on how to purchase a ticket and also sign-up to perform in the show, please visit the website http://filipinoculturalschool.org. For any inquiries, feel free to contact FCS at filipinoculturalschool@ gmail.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 MARCH 29-31, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Clients with wage garnishment...

PAGE B3 t

Huge sales taxes The third client is 66. He operated a business for several years but did not pay sales tax for his products as they got sold.

He owes $120K of sales tax. He closed his business last year.

However, before he closed his business, he was audited by the State and it was determined that he owed $120K of sales tax.

Well, that’s bad news. Nobody wants to owe $120K of sales tax at the age of 66; in fact, no one at any age would want to owe so much sales tax. I mean, at 66 you get full benefits from social security but if you owe $120K of sales tax, then your social security will just go to pay the sales tax. Now what kind of retirement is that? That would be like living in the twilight zone, wouldn’t it?

Now the question is, are sales taxes dischargeable in Chapter 7? In California, sales taxes are dischargeable. The reason they are dischargeable is because they are transactional taxes.

They are not taxes, which are held in trust by debtor. If they were held in trust by debtor then there would be a fiduciary relationship that was breached and that would make the tax not dis-

EMPLOYMENT

chargeable. So sales taxes are not excepted from discharge, therefore they are dischargeable. The caveat is that the legal prerequisites to discharge the sales tax must be met.

Credit cards If you owe credit card debt that eats up a significant portion of your net income, it’s time to get rid of them now with a Chapter 7 wipe out or Chapter 13 reorganization. It’s time to get a fresh start and become productive again. If you owe $30K of credit cards, the minimum payment is $1K a month just for interest payment to keep them current.

In three years you will pay $36K of interest but still owe $30K of principal. Get out of financial quicksand now with Chapter 7 or 13. Owe nothing but keep all your assets, your house, your cars, your retirement accounts and everything else you own and more of your net income for your future financial well being and the financial well being of your family. Even Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before he became successful. Hershey also filed for Chapter 7 before his Hershey chocolate business became successful. Orange County also filed for bankruptcy

to protect itself a decade ago.

Several Catholic dioceses filed for bankruptcy protection from child molestation lawsuits just several years ago. So, if there is too much debt, bankruptcy is a prerequisite for future success and productivity. It’s the right step to take and the simplest and best solution to take.

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advise to any reader. There is no attorney client relationship established by this article with reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with Attorney Yang.

First general consultation is free.

“Jesus came and spoke to the disciples, saying, ‘all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.’ — Matthew 28:18 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

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

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EMPLOYMENT

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What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA Customer Service Dashboard: The goal is provide tools and resources in resolving tax matters.

The “Customer Service Dashboard” was launched in March 1, 2017 with estimated time frames for your wait time. For more in-

New California laws Part 1

formation go to: https://www.ftb. ca.gov Deductions for Taxes Paid or California Other State Tax Credit (OSTC) Legal Ruling 2017-01: California resident is allowed to OSTC for net income taxes paid to other state. California nonresident is allowed OSTC for net income taxes paid to taxpayer’s resident state that is also taxed in California if the resident state 1) does not tax income of

California resident or 2) allows OSTC to California resident on income sourced within the state.

California Competes Tax Credit: The credit is an income or franchise tax credit, available to businesses that stay or expand in California. Applications for the credit started from March 6, 2017 through March 27, 2017 at calcompetes.ca.gov or goto:http:// www.business.ca.gov/Programs/

pine laws deal with accidents depending on the type of driverless car, he added.

With the advent of driverless cars, regulators will face challenge of developing standards and regulations to guide the insurance industry in adjusting to such changes and safeguard it from collapse.

“With respect to Philippine laws, it is not only the insurance regulatory framework that would have to be reevaluated, but also more importantly the Civil Code on torts and damages,” Funa said.

As things now stand, the driver and the owner of a vehicle may

be held liable in case the vehicle is the cause of the accident.

Subsequently, the owner may have a right to recover from the driver. But if the car is a driverless car, the owner would then have to recover from the manufacturer or the network provider, Funa noted.

“Clearly, Philippine laws would have to be amended,” he said.

With the help of the private sector—insurance companies and motor vehicle industry stakeholders—policymakers can formulate a comprehensive framework regulating driverless vehicles in the Philippine jurisdiction in the future, Funa added.

PH needs new frame work...

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predicted that driverless cars will reduce insurance costs by 30 percent, he said.

“Taking this into account, I, as the Philippine Insurance Commissioner, would like to lead the way in exploring how driverless cars may affect the industry,” he said.

Driverless cars will have impact on automobile prices, as well as claims and underwriting processes of insurance companies, Funa noted, saying new technologies installed in vehicles will raise prices.

With respect to claims, driverless cars will change how Philip-

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 29-31, 2017

New California...

CaliforniaCompetesTaxCredit.

New Filing Deadline for Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Who Are Partnerships: The new filing deadline is now March 15 previously April 15, for calendar year filers. For fiscal year filers, the new filing deadline is the 15th day of the 3rd month following the close of the taxable year. Extension deadline is now September 15 previously October 15 for calendar year filers and for fiscal year filers, the extended deadline is the 15th day of the 9th month following the close of the taxable year. For more information go to: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/businesses/City_Business_Tax_Program City County Business Tax Program (CBBT): Starting in January 2017 under a reciprocal fully executed standard agreement, California counties are eligible to exchange taxpayer data.

The data exchange will identify businesses that are not reporting income and not filing income tax returns; and give leads to counties locate unlicensed businesses and not paying business taxes.

California’s Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC). If your earned income is not more than $14,161, you may be qualified for the credit and could receive up to $6,000 if you qualify for both Cal EITC and Federal EITC. To amend a previously filed return for the credit, file Form 540X and Form 3514 to claim the credit.

Cash and Non-Cash Charitable Contributions: Payments to an individual are not deductible.

If you itemize deduction reported in Schedule A of Federal Form 1040, then charitable deduction is deductible in California subject to certain limitations and documentation requirements.

To check if the charitable organization qualifies for income tax

deduction go to: https://www. irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check Failure to Respond Penalty: The penalty is 25 percent based on total assessed tax liability for failure to file a return and provide information. The imposed penalty will apply if the taxpayer has a tax due and filing requirement.

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The Asian Journal

MDWK

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

A PINAY GATHERING:

Celebrating Women’s History Month through Fil-Am women writers and their books

by HEATHER DOMINGO / AJPress

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O honor Women’s History Month, a Pinay gathering was celebrated at the Philippine Expressions Bookshop in San Pedro, California on Saturday, March 25.

With about 50 guests in attendance, eight different authors participated in the event, sharing their journeys as Filipino-American women and authors, and the value of their books.

Although this bookshop was established in 1984, this event — hosted by co-owner Linda Nietes-Little — is part of over three decades of ongoing community outreach programs to promote books written by Filipino and Fil-Am authors in English and Tagalog for all ages. Philippine Expressions seeks to inspire Americans of Filipino heritage who want to discover their roots.

Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier, editor of the anthology

“Filipinotown: Voices from Los Angeles” featuring 40 contributors, spoke of growing up in the Historic Filipinotown neighborhood of Los Angeles, where her strong paternal genes from her Swedish father forced her to stand out in the neighborhood.

Though she says she does not capture the look of a traditional Filipina and was not born in the Philippines, her heart remains close to her mother’s heritage. Bonnivier spoke fondly of her mother who is “not five feet tall or 100 pounds,” but a gentle, sweet, and tender woman. Capturing daily life in the decades of the 1900s, Bonnivier shares the exciting daily adventures in “Little Manila,” as well as the political struggles Fil-Ams had to endure with the swaying government decisions. The cover of her book displays artist Eliseo Silva’s famous mural depicting Fil-Am history, which can be found in Unidad Park along

Books written by Fil-Am women showcased at an event on Saturday, March 25 at the Philippine Expressions Bookshop in San Pedro California.

AJPress photos by Noel Ty

Philippine Expressions Bookshop co-owner Linda Nietes-Little

Beverly Boulevard.

Herminia Menez Coben, author of “Verbal Arts in Philippine Indigenous Communities: Poetics, Society, and History” and “Explorations in Philippine Folklore,” was the first Filipino graduate of University of Pennsylvania’s Folklore and

Roselyn Estepa Ibáñez, Herminia Meñez-Coben, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Linda Nietes-Little, Lucy Urgello Miller, Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier, Carmen F. Davino, and Leslie Ryan receive certificates of recognition.

Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko shares her book, “Forty Years of Writing in America.”

Folklife department. With a humble sense of humor, she said that despite her book being published in 1996, she is surprised to know it is still being widely used and is even “published as an eBook now, whatever that means,” she laughed. Her book is an analysis of indigenous cultures of the northern Luzon region.

Carmen Davino said her book, “Of Love and Virtue,” is a coming-of-age novel set in the Philippines in the 1970s, teaching young adults to learn to rely on one another and achieve love through a deep respect in self and in others. She hopes it teaches young adults to wisely mesh East and West cultures, but to be also rooted in traditional values of hope and faith.

Davino was a columnist for the Philippine Times and taught at the International School of Manila. She received her doctorate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). When she came to the United States, she attended the California State University of Northridge to continue her passion for teaching, and retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). During her free time, she writes music, plays the piano and spends time with her grandchildren, teaching them music and painting.

Roselyn Estepa Ibanez, the co-author of “Filipinos in Carson and the South Bay,” said her book highlights local heroes such as Helen Agcaoili Summers Brown (who founded the Filipino American Library in 1985) and Bobby Balcena of San Pedro (the first Filipino to play in Major League Baseball in 1956).

Ibanez is also a public servant, working with the LA City Housing Council to focus on combating the issue of homelessness. A proud Carson resident, she explained to the audience that the city is politically active and calls for more Fil-Ams to be more engaged.

“Our history needs to be told and our stories need to be written,” she stressed.

“Magdalena,” a novel by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, reveals the journey of three generations of women during the Philippine-American War, World War II, and Vietnam

Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier reads excerpts of her book, “Filipinotown: Voices from Los Angeles.”

War. “Magdalena” was picked up by UST in a Tagalog edition as well. She is now the author and writer of 20 different books.

Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, author of “Forty Years Writing in America,” has lived in the U.S. for 54 years. A graduate of the University of the Philippines, she also became the first female reporter for the Philippine Times. Here in the States, she was also a professor at the University of Southern California (USC) and the managing editor of the university’s scholarly journal, Sociology and Social Research.

Leslie V. Ryan, author of “I am Flippish,” was inspired to write a children’s book when she overheard another mom tell her son that he wasn’t Irish. Because her son did not look traditionally Filipino, she wanted her son to understand why he is the way he is and where he “comes from.”

Ryan noticed that there were only a few books written for children explaining multiculturalism. She proudly exclaimed, “We are all made up of the best parts of our parents.”

She wants her son — and all children — to know that they can equally express gratitude in the varying cultures their parents come from. She says her book hopes to teach tolerance, love, kindness, and acceptance.

Lastly, Lucy Urgello Miller, who was born and raised in Cebu, shared her book, “Glimpses of Old Cebu.”

A postcard collector, her passion started when she saw a postcard of a carabao pulling a native sled, a technique she said her grandparents used

to talk about. Although she heard the stories of how they lived, these postcards made those stories alive, giving her a “window to my grandparents’ world.” One day, she put up her postcards in Ayala Mall and now proudly owns the biggest postcard collection from Cebu in the world.

After each author spoke, a group discussion emerged with the audience. With an intimate setting, guests were able to network amongst themselves.

“It’s great to see these women come together to speak of their passions and remind us of the strong Pinays we have.

I am thinking about doing my own writing and this has helped me a lot,” said Shalimar Verador, one of the guests.

Dr. Ronald Buenaventura, one of the few male audience members, shared his story of how he encourages young women to partake in their culture.

He said that during his time off he trains young women to do Garimot Arnis Training, a type of Filipino martial arts. He does this to “give the kids a sense of family outside their normal school groups, so they understand what it’s truly like to themselves with other Filipinos.”

While the Pinay gathering celebrated these successful women writers, it also called for young Fil-Ams to keep the fire burning in their hearts and represent who they are in a bright and honest way.

The authors and audience members developed a close bond stressing the value of living a humble and honorable way of life through giving back to the community – to the people who brought us to where we are now.

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Herminia Menez Coben speaks about her book, “Verbal Arts in Philippine Indigenous Communities: Poetics, Society, and History.”

entertainment 3 Megan Young to penetrate Hollywood and Europe entertainment Atom Araullo gets into acting The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

by RICKY LO Philstar.com

Angeles and since expanded into the areas of voice over, commercials, beauty, comedy and hosting, and speakers—always affirming the company’s initial vision of aggressive service from highly experienced agents in an intimate setting.

Among its current talents are Amanda Seyfried and Ashley Greene.

Young started in showbiz as part of GMA Network’s talent reality search, “StarStruck” Season 2 as Top 6 in 2004.

She transferred to ABS-CBN in 2007, following her sister Lauren.

She joined Miss World Philippines in 2013 and became the most awarded candidate, winning the title and honor to represent the country in the largest beauty pageant in the world in Bali, Indonesia.

She became the first Filipina to win the blue crown since the pageant started in 1951.

She hosted Miss World in 2014 before bequeathing her crown to Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss. She has also been co-hosting Miss World and Mr. World for three years.

Not too long ago, Young confirmed fellow Kapuso talent Mikael Daez’s revelation that they have been a couple since 2010, an open secret, she said, but felt relieved that people understood and have accepted their status. (ManilaTimes.net)

Atom in Baguio on the set of Citizen Jake, the comeback film (after 17 years) of director Mike de Leon.

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“With her partnership with the New York-based agency, she will be assured of her career growth, training, guidance as well as promising opportunities and challenging projects to flaunt her acting prowess on television and the silver screen.”

He ended by wishing the most popular Miss World, “May you continue to remain grounded and humble as you move close towards clinching your Hollywood dream!”

Innovative Artists was established in 1982.

It has offices in New York and Los

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Miss World 2013 Megan Young

IT wasn’t as “painful” as the rite of passage that young boys undergo during summer. In fact, it was “painless.”

That’s how an eyewitness graphically described the “baptism” of Atom Araullo on the set of Mike de Leon’s “Citizen Jake” (CJ) that marks the revered director’s much-awaited comeback after more than 17 years of pregnant silence.

“It was Atom’s first shooting day and Mike told him to simply walk casually toward the De Leons’ house in Baguio which is used as the set,” recalled the eyewitness. “In fact, Atom was made to do light scenesmuna and his heavier scenes will follow, in which he is required to ‘act,’ and show more emotion.”

For what some people described as his “swan song,” Mike was supposed to do a movie about the De Leon Clan, eyeing Vilma Santos as lead actress. That would have been their second movie together (after the controversial “Sister Stella L.,” the 1984 political drama produced by Regal Films in which Vilma plays an activist nun inspired by a real person).

Unfortunately, Vilma was too busy with the May election campaign to allot time for the movie’s shoot that was set for early January this year.

“Sayang,” said Vilma about

the abortive project. “I would have loved to work with Mike again. Sayang at hindi nagkatugma ang schedules namin,” adding that she’s still hoping (against hope?) that someday, maybe not soon, she and Mike can work together again.

Citizen Jake could be as political as Sister Stella L. (for which Vilma won a Best Actress Urian). CJ is a noir crime drama set in the world of journalism and social media today. Cast as a journalist, it must be easy for Atom to be in character since he’s a journalist in real life noted for covering life-threatening events (such as the storm surge caused by Yolanda that virtually erased Tacloban City from the map three years ago.) Atom himself co-wrote the movie with Mike and Noel Pascual, so he should know what he is navigating in his acting debut. (Photography is by Dix Buhay.)

Reared by an activist mom, Atom in CJ co-stars with theater actor Teroy Guzman as his senator father and Gabby Eigenmann as Atom’s congressman brother. (Atom’s reel character hates politics.) Interesting, isn’t it? Atom doesn’t have to act (not so much, anyway), he just has to be natural.

The role is so challenging that Atom said yes when offered to him by Mike who is producing the movie under Cinema Artists Philippines. In an

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MEGAN Young, accompanied by her manager, recently flew to New York City and signed a five-year talent agency contract with Innovative Artists Agency.

The contract assures the beauty queen-actress-host of career growth, training, guidance, as well as promising opportunities and challenging projects to further hone her acting prowess on television or the silver screen.

Young’s manager, Arnold Vegafria, who now holds the franchise of Miss World as well as Mr. World in the Philippines after Cory Quirino gave up the responsibility, is ecstatic about this development.

“With Megan’s talent and this company’s stewardship, we are optimistic that she will soon penetrate Hollywood, the rest of the United States, and maybe Europe as well,” he said.

In his post on Instagram during the contract signing, Vegafria congratulated Young for signing up with Innovative Artists Agency, “launching her bid for international stardom as she secures her rightful place as the Philippines’ pride in the annals of Hollywood and the bustling American showbiz industry.”

He said further,

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interview, Atom called his decision “a leap of faith,” describing Mike as “a genius” who makes socially-relevant movies, also including Itim (1976, his first starring Charo Santos who won an Asia Best Actress award), “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising” (1977, also shot in the same De Leon house in Baguio), “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” (1980), “Kisapmata” (1981), “Batch ’81” (1982) and “Bayaning 3rd World,” his last film now a classic made in 1999.

Mike described Atom as “an intelligent person with deep social conscience” and since Atom is reputed to be a journalist and not an actor, he will be billed as “featuring” and not as “starring.”

Playing Atom’s love interest is Max Collins (“Mike finds her a very good actress,” said the eyewitness).

“No,” clarified the eyewitness, “Atom and Max won’t have a torrid love scene. Siguro light kissing-kissing lang.”

Other members of the cast are Cherie Gil, Lou Veloso, Luis Alandy, Noni Buencamino, Anna Luna, Allan Paule, Richard Quan, Victor Neri, Ruby Ruiz, Nanding Josef and Dina Bonnevie, all of whom are Mike de Leon first-timers, except Dina who starred in Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit (Mike’s only komiks-based work) with Lorna Tolentino, Edu Manzano and Christopher de Leon.

entertainment

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Ina Raymundo: Sexier on her second coming

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

A ‘closure’ for Rocco Nacino & Lovi Poe “Finally,” rocco told movie

by Ricky Lo writers who visited the encanPhilstar.com tadia set at a studio in Makati MOre than a year after he City, “I was able to get out of and Lovi Poe broke up, rocco my chest, kung anuman yung Nacino finally found a chance to mga dinadala ko.” have a heart-to-heart talk with For one year, the hurting Lovi that lasted until the wee lover boy was in denial, refusing hours of the next morning. to talk even when pressured by

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There she is in the San Miguel Beer commercial, turning men’s heads (including Vic Sotto and his son-in-law Marc Pingris, and Marc’s SMB teammate June Mar Fajardo) toward her as she glides across a crowded bar in a flaming-red sexy dress, the same one she wore 22 years earlier during the beer’s first commercial introducing her as a Sabado Girl (you know, ready for a swinging weekend).

And there she is on the cover of FhM magazine (above), seductive as ever, and even more so than she was when she graced the magazine for the first time a few years ago. What a fitting come-on for FhM’s17th-anniversary issue!

Ina raymundo is sexier on her second coming and there’s no stopping her. Take a good look at her and she doesn’t look Rocco Nacino and Lovi Poe 41, a mother of five beautiful the press, not even to correct children by Bryan Poturnak, the rumor that it was Lovi who her Canadian husband who is a initiated the break-up. financial consultant.

“Actually,” rocco now Let’s find out how Ina does admitted, “ako ang nakipagit. break. Whatever the reason How did you prepare for doesn’t matter anymore. What’s your second FHM outing? important is that (Lovi) and I are “Actually, I didn’t have okay now.” much time to prepare because There was a bit of hesitance I learned about it only four (ilangan), some ribbing and days before the pictorial. They teasing from the un-couple’s called me on a Friday and I had friend stars at the restaurant, a taping the following Wednesuntil rocco turned serious and day. The next Wednesday, they asked Lovi if they could talk. called to tell me that we were Their companions left them. having the shoot the followThey talked about what went ing Sunday. Mabuti na lang I wrong and what might-haveam into fitness, so I was always been, and ended up wishing prepared. I didn’t have a hard each other well. time.”

“I felt light when I woke What’s your regular workup the next day,” confessed out? rocco. “Ang gaan-gaan ng “I work out in the gym for pakiramdam ko.” one hour five times a week. I Lovi has had one or two can’t do it at home kasi there’s romances with foreigners since no motivation sa bahay. I also then while rocco opted to attend Zumba classes.” remain fancy-free.

What about your diet?

With the “closure,” accord“Yon, that’s very important. ing to rocco, “I can move on I am not diabetic but I eat like and look forward to my next I have diabetes. I take six small relationship.” meals every day. I avoid sugary rocco is being matched food and I eat on time para with his encantadiaco-star San- sakto lang ang energy levelko, ya Lopez. So far, no sparks… hindi gutom at hindi rin busog

Ina Raymundo is back on FHM cover for the magazine’s 17th anniversary issue and as the sexy Sabado Girl of the new San Miguel commercial. How doesa mom of five do it... at 41?

na busog. I eat lots of fish and chicken breast, beef once in a while, but not pork. On my ‘cheat’ days or special occasions, I do eat fried food but very rarely. I drink lots of water, about eight glasses because I work out and sweat a lot. And for snack, two to three pieces of fruit.”

Do you get enough sleep?

“I try to sleep seven hours per night, and try to take power naps when I have a chance.”

Have you ever gained weight, especially when you got pregnant?

“I did when I was heavy with erika, my eldest. I gained more than 40 lbs. When I got pregnant with Jakob, I didn’t eat much so I gained only 25 lbs.”

What’s your normal weight?

“Around 112 lbs. to 115 lbs. which is just right for my height, 5’4,” and my measurements, 36-26-35. After giving birth, I started working out, really working out, kasi ang asawa ko is very fit. he’s my fitness inspiration and he encourages me to go to the gym.

And you haven’t stopped working out since then?

“Yes, since 2002. Tuluy-tuloy na. I would stop only when I got pregnant kasi bawal to work out kapag buntis ka.”

Do you work out with Bryan?

“We go to the same gym but we don’t work out together

because he follows a program different from mine.”

How do you divide your time between showbiz and family?

“It’s important to follow a routine. Like this morning, I took them to school because Bryan is in Australia with Jakob.

They are there for sport…baseball. Bryan takes it seriously. he wants our son to be a baseball star. It’s a long way to go, pero wala namang masamang mangarap, di ba?”

You are way ahead of your contemporaries and you beat some young actresses, fitnesswise. How do you maintain your being competitive?

“Seriously, I don’t even plan on what to do with my career.” (her manager, Paula Punla, takes care of that.) “But I do appreciate the offers coming my way, despite my age and my being a mom of five kids. Aside from erika and Jakob, we have Mikaela, 8; Anika, 6; and Minka, 4. Lahat sila may ‘k’. They are my priority. I must admit that before, parang I took my career for granted. But now, inaalagaan ko talaga.”

The sixth coming up… soon?

“Oh no, enough na! I just have my period nga, e. My husband doesn’t want any more kids. Five are enough.”

If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you now?

“Forty-one.”

Continued on Page 7

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

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entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

Finally, Britney Spears is coming to Manila Multi-platinuM, Grammy award-winning pop icon Britney Spears is coming to Manila.

Wilbros live has confirmed the news on twitter on tuesday, March 28. the iconic pop sensation will perform on June 15, 2017 at the Mall of asia arena.

Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with nearly 150 million records worldwide.

She became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “...Baby

one More time,” a Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 smash and international hit that broke sales records with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is currently 14x platinum in the uS. Her musical career boasts countless awards and accolades, including six Billboard Music awards and Billboard’s Millennium award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry. (Philstar. com)

Luis Manzano and his healthy lifestyle

Manzano said that despite his busy schedule, he still manages ManilaTimes.net to find time to engage in vigorous physical exercise or training CoMinG from showbiz to keep him in good shape. royalty, luis Manzano—son of “i try to make time for it.

Star for all Seasons Vilma Santos it’s not very easy because i am and actor Edu Manzano—has managed to successfully carve a very blessed, i have a very busy schedule so it’s fortunate if i get name for himself in the enterto work out maybe four times a tainment industry, both on the week. if i have a late call, i’ll go big and small screen. in the morning and then when i as a versatile actor, he has finish early, i’ll go straight to the appeared in a string of box-office hits straddling both comedy gym so it’s something to put an and drama such as “in My life,” effort to it,” Manzano told the media. “petrang Kabayo,” “Moron 5” “if you want to be fit, if you and “the Crying lady,” and want to get in shape—you need “this Guy’s in love With u to get ready, find ways, and Mare!” in the television realm where everything will fall into place,” he added. he’s a highly talented host of Describing himself as a body top-rating tV game shows, his wit, sense of humor, and instant weight type of guy, the 35-yearold actor-host shared he continrapport with contestants and the audience cannot be denied, ues to do the sport he loves.

“For the longest time i’ve earning him awards and legions been doing MMa (mixed martial of loyal fans and followers from shows such as “the Voice,” “pili- arts). i also make it a point to do Muay thai or thai boxing, a pinas Got talent,” “Kapamilya, striking art that uses the eight Deal or no Deal,” “Minute to limbs for punching, kicking, Win it,” and “Family Feud.” noticeably, with his chiseled elbowing and kneeing, and also Jiu Jitsu,” he said. abs and over-all robust phy“although i also swim and sique, Manzano is a fitness buff. run, those are for reflex trainWith these fun and wholesome ing,” he noted. attributes and more, Manzano also considered funny man, is truly a perfect fit as he got tapped to be the latest endorser he is definitely one of the goodlooking tV personalities around, of Century Corned tuna. but does not wallow in the During the press launch,

by Iza IglesIas

Luis Manzano

distinction.

With 1.7 million followers on instagram, most of Manzano’s posts are self-deprecating jokes, funny photos and viral videos.

Some of his followers don’t appreciate that kind of content in their feed, and would comment how arrogant he is. “people follow me on instagram, there i do a lot of my pogi ako jokes but i am the number one believer that i am not handsome. i’m not like any other leading men at aBS-CBn. that for me is sarcasm and selfdeprecating humor,” Manzano explained.

Continued on Page 7

How Jodi Sta. Maria takes care of herself ADVANCEMENT of age makes the daily grind of work and errands become more physically challenging. Those over 30 may not be feeling it yet, but it will surely come— sooner or later.

Adults have more duties that can be physically taxing.

Others race against time to accomplish more in life, like completing an education degree, trying a new recreation, pursuing more passions, or initiating a goodwill project. There’s just so much to do every day.

Just like actress Jodi Sta. Maria who needs to be constantly on the move because of the rigorous demands of her work. She is, above all, a mother to young son, Thirdy.

“It is vital that we are physically prepared and able to do what we need to do. Reality is, most of the things we have to do requires mobility. Being physically healthy is something we do for ourselves. No one can do it for us. We take care

MOONLIGHTING

body. Now scans have given us an ailment for the fear we DE LEON might find. When we do — and if there’s anything true about cancer — it’s the unpredictability about whats coming WHAT gives cancer its awful next that we fear most. That’s why when the oncologist asks power? No one can explain me how I was feeling, to which why a malignant tumor strikes I reply, “You tell me!” one and spares another.

But I believe (and always Anyone whose been to Cancerland is familiar with the scan: have) in the benevolence of my doctors’ intentions and They’re like revolving doors, skills. Together, we fought with emotional roulette wheels that knife and laser, radiation and spin us around for a few days chemical weapons; as we run and spit us out on the other reconnaissance with scans and side. tests, targeting and cutting the They come in all shapes, tumor, poisoning them with sizes, and even flavors. Some toxic drugs and tests, and huntrequired me to drink disgusting down every wayward cell ingly bitter sweet liquids or those that shot a Chernobyl-like that sneaks away from the original lesion to seed more growth dose of radioactive isotopes elsewhere. All of these are perinto my blood stream. Scans ceived as the most aggressive that inserted me into a giant carpet bombings in order to donut of a machine and scans engage an ailment as insidious that used a machine that looks like a huge daddy longlegs and as cancer. A healthy cell picks signal to grow and grow, until ran a coffin size metal plate it becomes a biological enemy, over my body. as it infiltrates, overtakes and And as my cancer scan approached, I become increas- ultimately shuts down normal tissues and organs. ingly wary. My breathing gets According to researchers, tighter. It is among the tensest the Big C is not one disease, feelings I’ve ever had, though but hundreds, potentially there is nothing I can do, at thousands. Not all cancers each juncture to affect any outcome. That makes me think are caused by a single agent, it is the only area in modern life virus or bacterium that can and medicine in which progress be flushed or crushed; but a potentially lethal combination is not embraced; we measure of genes gone awry, of growth success in sameness. inhibitors gone missing, or There was a time when hormones and epigenome doctors and patients would changing and rouge cells have given anything to be breaking free. The cellular able to look inside the human

by MYLAH

The actress believes that taking care of oneʼs self is essential to care for others.

of ourselves because we want to be able to take care of the ones we love,” she shared.

Often it’s being said that best way to preserve the ability to move comfortably is through regular exercise and proper nutrition. But for most, help in nutrition is needed as aid us in physical movements,

in mobility – with the right dose of nutrients that enable the body to engage in physical exercise or just in performing everyday tasks.

“Let the people who matter to us be our motivation. For people we love and care for, every move is worth it,” the actress said. (ManilaTimes.net)

Ina Raymundo: Sexier on her second...

From Page 4 Wow, you don’t look it!

You look 31!

“Thank you, Tito! I love you!”

And you don’t look like you have five kids!

“Thank you, Tito! I love you talaga! Thank you talaga!”

And now you’re back as Sabado Girl in the new San Miguel commercial.

“Yes, after 22 years…imagine!”

What comes to your mind when you think of the first one?

“Oh wow! It was an ultimate experience. Yung recall ng tao, talagang wow! Imagine, that happened when I was 19. That commercial opened lots of doors for me.”

Do you drink San Miguel Beer?

“Of course!”

How many bottles can you consume?

“You know, sometimes I would take a bottle before my Zumba.”

What about Bryan?

features 7 The emperor of maladies

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017

“He likes it, too. He does; he likes San Miguel.”

Did you ever think of retiring when you got married?

“No. The quitting was only temporary. Showbiz is in my heart. Remember, I am a Padilla. Showbiz is in the blood of the Padillas. Robin is my uncle.

The dad of my mom, Erlinda Padilla, was the half-brother ofTito Robin’s dad. More than ever, I really appreciate my career now. I hope to continue acting even until I am 80. Habang kaya ng katawan at mind ko, I will continue doing it.”

How does Bryan deal with your career?

“He’s supportive. He’s cool.”

Not the jealous type?

“No. Sometimes I wish he were. He’s not seloso at all…. at all! He’s successful in his own field; he’s secure with himself.

I’m a hands-on mom and he’s a hands-on dad. That’s why we are a good team.”

What made you decide to return to showbiz?

“It just happened. You

know naman what happens when you post something on Instagram. People see my pictures and offers started coming back.”

Teka, how long have you been gone ba?

“It’s like this…on and off.

I would get pregnant and I would be off for two years.

I would do a TV show then I would get pregnant again, and I would be gone for two years.

On for two years and then off for two years to breastfeed my babies. Yung pregnancy ang nagpapatigil sa career ko. But I don’t get pregnant anymore because my fifth child is four years old, so I am back for good.”

Any advice to women in the same situation?

“Just this: Find your balance, find what makes you happy. Mommies out there, take good care of yourself so that you will look and feel good and therefore have a clear mind and a positive outlook. If you are positive, everything good follows.”

saboteurs working as one great armed force in an attack by the equivalent of air, land and sea stealth. The thief and biological con artist, breaking into, taking control of the mechanism of a cell and coaxing it to grow and divide in dangerous ways through its teasing and signaling pathway, and resist treatment.

Yet for all the progress against some types of cancer, there are others that have never been but bad news.

We’re going to take it out with what?

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 580,350 people will die of this disease this year. Last year, another 1.7 million cases were diagnosed and these figures grow as the population ages.

One can not know why this rare horrible thing happens.

Our hopes are in the traditional researchers sitting alone or with a couple of oncologists, post-docs, in a laboratory somewhere, waiting for that eureka moment.

When I defected to Hollywood, I thought of all the movies you can make this way.

It’s a new script for an old plot — but there’s still a lot to be written as researchers learn more about the mutations driving most cancers.

Since I only live one day at a time, all I need now is the Hollywood ending. ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com

Luis Manzano and his healthy...

From Page 6 “It’s just unbelievable that there are people who believe that I am really guwapong guwapo sa sarili. I will be the first one to say I have a long chin, I know my flaws. I’m not like Piolo Pascual-handsome. I make fun of myself and it’s kind of funny that some people take it seriously. It just happened that

I am naughty—I am not saying I am funny. There is a big difference,” he pointed out.

Despite all that, he still thanked those people who took notice of how he looked happy and how he is in good shape.

“When you’re inspired, that’s what people see and feel, so thank you,” he shared.

With summer coming,

Manzano updated that he and girlfriend Jessy Mendiola will go to places they had already planned, including the beaches.

“The place will still be a secret but we’re definitely going to the beach. We make time, we’re both busy but we have to put in that extra effort to spend time with each other,” he ended.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 29, 2017