La Midweek Edition -- March 30 - April 1, 2016

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March 30-April 1, 2016

Volume 26 - No. 26 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

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

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‘Brains’ behind $81-M heist identified

by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

Rem. At the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon hearing on the TWO Chinese businessmen multimillion-dollar money launmasterminded the transfer of the dering scandal, Wong denied $81 million stolen from the Ban- any involvement in the opening gladesh Bank to the Rizal Com- of the four fictitious accounts mercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), where the stolen money was deaccording to casino junket op- posited as claimed by Deguito in erator Kam Sin Wong alias Kim her previous testimony.

Wong.

Deguito, when she appeared In his testimony at the Senate before senators last week, on Tuesday, Wong claimed that claimed that it was Wong who the two traders — Shuhua Gao instructed her to open dollar acand Zhize Ding — got help from counts for Michael Cruz, Jessie Maia Santos-Deguito, the former Lagrosas, Alfred Vergara, enrico bank manager of RCBC Jupiter Vasquez and businessman WilBranch in Makati City (Metro liam So Go. Manila) and remittance firm PhilWong admitted knowing De-

DATELINE

guito but only because of her persistence in convincing him to open an account in her branch every time they bump into each other. he said he remembered Deguito’s offer when Gao told him that he is interested in opening a dollar account in the Philippines.

Gao, according to Wong, is a junket operator from Beijing and has been in and out of the country for more than eight years. he said he had known Gao since 2007 and that the latter owed him P450 million.

Wong added that Gao also told him that he and his partner are

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USA

ELECTRIFYING. Kam Sin Wong – alias Kim Wong – holds up a document to back his testimony that it was Maia Deguito who helped two Chinese businessmen move the stolen money to RCBC. Left photos show Philrem president Salud Bautista and John Gomes, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines.

Photos by Czeasar Dancel

fROM The AJPReSS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

CA prepares to raise minimum wage to $15 CALIfORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday, March 28, announced a deal reached with state legislators and labor leaders that would raise the minimum hourly wage to $15.

The move would make California the state with the highest minimum wage in the nation, although this could change as other states such as New York are also working toward raising wages to that level. It would also boost wages for nearly 6.5 million California workers, or about 43 percent of the state’s workforce, according to USA Today.

“I’m hoping that what happens in California will not just stay in California but will be expor4ted to the rest of the country,” Brown said during a news conference in Sacramento.

California’s current minimum wage, $10 per hour, is one of the highest in the United States. Under the plan, hourly wages would rise to $10.50 in 2017, $11 in 2018, and an additional $1 per hour each until it hits $15 in 2022. Under the proposal, the governor can

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Filipina in California not guilty of kidnapping own daughters NAPA, California — A filipina mother charged with child abduction and kidnapping her own daughter in Napa County, California had her hope for a better life revived when a 12-person jury found her not guilty of all the charges.

Makati resident Anna Nepomuceno looked greatly relieved and teary-eyed as she turned to her lawyer, Stacy Barrett, after the verdict was announced, then hugged her family and supporters and thanked them profusely.

“The mood at the courtroom was very intense as we were also uneasy and nervous,” said faye Lacanilao of filipino Community Center worker’s rights program and Migrante NorCal. “When the verdict was announced, all of us found ourselves crying. We joined hands and hugged each other. Before that we were all praying and trying to console each other.”

Barrett also looked relieved, overwhelmed with feelings and seemed to be trying to hold back tears although she was heard saying that the verdict had not really sunk in yet.

“The support shown by the filipino commu-

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Comelec will not stop airing of Pacquiao fight

by WilliAm

B. depAsupil ManilaTimes.net

The Commission on elections (Comelec) will not stop the airing of the upcoming bout between Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley despite claims that the fight will give the senatorial candidate an advantage over his rivals.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista on Tuesday said by romy p. mAriñAs the commission decided not to ManilaTimes.net take action on the manifestations A “TACTICAL alliance” has been struck between in- filed by former Akbayan party-list dependent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe and Rep. Walden Bello and former Sen. ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a leading Senator Rene Saguisag. contender for Vice President, sources of The Manila Bautista said that based on the Times said. outcome of a study by the ComThe agreement was sealed in early March this year, according to the “pro-Chiz” source in Poe’s camp, through Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, eldest sister of Bongbong.

Chiz is the nickname of Sen. francis escudero, Poe’s running mate who is regarded as Marcos’ closest rival for the vice presidency in the May 2016 elections.

In early february, when Poe held a campaign rally in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Gov. Marcos showed up.

The governor even joked of a Marcos-Marcos win, alluding to unending rumors that Poe is the daughter of former President ferdinand Marcos.

But Poe had denied the rumors, saying her family had been friends with the Marcoses for a long time. her father, action star fernando Poe Jr., shot one of his famous movies, “Ang Panday,” in the province.

The Poe-Marcos merger comes amid a surge in Marcos’ ratings in recent surveys.

The latest Pulse Asia poll, whose results were released before the holy Week, showed that Marcos and escudero “statistically tied” as the top aspirants for vice president.

Senators Grace Poe and Bongbong Marcos

Poe, Marcos forge ‘tactical alliance’

elec Law Department, that there was no need to take any action primarily because no formal complaint was filed against Pacquiao.

The Comelec en banc, Bautista said, also pointed out that the fight has not occurred and that “it might or it might not happen.”

“The Comelec en banc believes, at this point, (that there is) no justiciable controversy,” the Comelec chief said.

Bello and Saguisag, in separate letters, have sought clarification on the implications of the Pacquiao fight scheduled on April 9 (April 10 in Manila).

The duo expressed the belief

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Rep. Manny Pacquiao

Binay allows peek into his bank accounts

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Vice President Jejomar Binay.

CeBU CITY— Vice President Jejomar Binay has signed a general waiver that would allow the Anti-Money Laundering Council to look into his bank accounts, and dared the other presidential candidates to do the same.

In a statement, Binay’s campaign spokesperson Joey Salgado said the Vice President’s waiver and his call for all the candidates to undergo lifestyle checks was his response to assertions he did not answer the corruption allegations thrown at him by his rivals in the second presidential debate here.

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Marc Jayson Cayabyab/Inquirer.net file photo

Indonesia says 10 nationals held hostage after ship hijacked in PH JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that 10 Indonesian nationals are being held hostage after their ship was hijacked in Philippine waters.

The ministry said in a statement that the owner of the hijacked tug boat and coal barge has received two telephone calls, purportedly from militant group Abu Sayyaf, demanding a ransom.

It does not know exactly when

the incident occurred but said the ship owner was first contacted on Saturday. The ministry’s statement also referred to the hostage takers as pirates.

“The current priority is the safety of 10 citizens who were taken hostage,” the statement said. It said the company that owns the ship has informed the families of the crew.

Abu Sayyaf, which is on US and Philippine lists of terrorist organizations, is notorious for

bombings, extortions and kidnappings for ransom in the volatile south of the Philippines. It has been weakened by years of US-backed Philippine offensives but remains a security threat.

The tug, Brahma 12, and the Anand 12 barge were going from Sungai Putting in Kalimantan, which is the Indonesian part of Borneo island, to Batangas in the southern Philippines.

Philippine police say the tug

1

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A MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

‘Brains’ behind $81-M heist…

PAGE A1 t

planning to invest in a casino business in the Philippines because they are having a difficult time maintaining their business in Macau.

He introduced Gao to Deguito at his office inside Midas Hotel and Casino sometime in May 2015 to discuss the process of opening a dollar account.

According to Wong, he heard Deguito telling Gao that he needed five persons if he wants to open a company account.

She assured Gao that she will take care of everything and she will just need $2,500 as initial deposit for the five accounts.

On February 4, 2016, Wong said, Gao introduced him to his partner Ding. He was told that a huge amount of money will be transmitted to the Philippines through the bank accounts that Gao earlier opened.

The next day, Wong said he met Gao and Ding inside Solaire Resorts and Casino, where he

was told that the funds will be arriving that day.

According to him, he called Deguito several times to inquire about the money.

It was around 1 p.m. on that same day when the bank manager informed him that $6 million has been transmitted to the branch.

The money continued to arrive until it reached $81 million.

He then asked Deguito if she could bring a portion of the deposits in cash to Solaire to which she agreed.

Wong said he was informed by Solaire that Philrem transmitted some of the funds for the junket players at 6:30 p.m.

Then around 7 p.m., Michael Bautista of Philrem arrived at Solaire and handed him P80 million upon the instruction of Deguito.

Wong said it was already past 8 p.m. when Deguito arrived at Solaire to deliver another P20 million cash.

The junket operator even

showed a photo of Deguito’s vehicle inside the parking lot of the casino on February 5.

Wong said that apart from the P100 million cash he got on February 5, he also collected P300 million and $5 million cash from Bautista from February 10 to 14.

“Si Maia ang nagpeke ng sinasabing limang bank accounts.

Si Maia ang gumawa ng lahat ng paraan para mailabas ang pera sa banko [It was Maia who created the five fictitious bank accounts. It was Maia who released the money from the bank],” he added.

RCBC cleared Wong cleared RCBC president Lorenzo Tan of any involvement in the controversy, dismissing Deguito’s allegations that the RCBC head knew of the transaction.

He said there was never an instance when Tan asked Deguito to take care of him.

Deguito had told senators that it was the RCBC president who

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NEW SHIPS. The Australian government donated the first two LCHs to the Philippine Navy in November last year. The three newly arrived vessels were sold to the Philippines for P270 million at a friendship price.

Australian Defense Ministry file photo

Poe, Marcos forge ‘tactical…

PAGE A1 t

In past surveys, Escudero always enjoyed an edge over Bongbong, pushing his fellow senator to second place.

The source said Gov. Marcos initially met with Poe in Ilocos Norte to forge the alliance.

The two continued their negotiations in an exclusive village in Metro Manila, according to another source.

The political union seems to have been validated by the proliferation of “Grace-Bongbong” stickers in many parts of Metro Manila.

One of the sources said the Poe-Marcos merger has caused friction in the Poe-Escudero camp.

Apparently also fueling the silent war between Grace’s group and Escudero’s is that people from “Malacanang and DILG [Department of Interior and Local Government]” are in charge

of making Poe’s media presence felt, to the exclusion of Escudero’s, the pro-Chiz source told The Manila Times.

One of these communication specialists, according to the source, is an “Assistant Secretary” close to President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

The source said Escudero had thought all along that the President fully supported the senator’s bid to become the country’s second-highest official.

The supposed backing stems from Aquino reportedly having said that he would never allow a Marcos to enter Malacañang again and, also, that Escudero is the only candidate who could thwart Bongbong’s bid for the vice presidency.

The President is seen throwing his support behind Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, the running mate of the administration Liberal Party’s Manuel Roxas

2nd.

The skirmish between groups in the Poe-Escudero camp seemed to have emerged right after Escudero was reported to have met with the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay in Davao City a few months ago when he was already the declared running mate of Poe. Much earlier, during the 2010 elections, Escudero was widely suspected of having been behind the “Noy-Bi” caper, wherein Noy (then-Sen. Benigno Aquino 3rd) junked then-vice presidential candidate Roxas for Bi (Binay).

Aquino eventually won the race for President and Binay, for vice president.

Binay, the candidate for President of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance in this year’s synchronized local and national elections, has faltered in recent surveys, which early on he was topping for the most part. n

of the fight in the Philippines.

“The right thing to do is if someone is aggrieved a formal complaint should be filed in accordance with Comelec rules and procedures. It must be very specific if what rules of the Omnibus Election Code or the implement-

ing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act have been violated,” the poll chief added. “We will act if a formal complaint is filed.”

He explained that being a quasi-judicial body, the Comelec

Comelec will not stop airing of Pacquiao…

PAGE A1 t

that election laws would be violated by Pacquiao if his boxing fight would proceed as scheduled.

Bautista maintained, though, that the Comelec is not in a position at present to stop the airing

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From the Front Page

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016

A

‘Brains’ behind $81-M heist…

PAGE A2 t

instructed her during a birthday party of a common friend, to “take care” of Wong.

“Impossible … that never happened,” Wong told the blue ribbon committee.

Francis Lim, Tan’s counsel, said Wong’s statement proves Deguito’s attempt to muddle the issue by implicating her boss.

He added that Deguito is trying to put the blame on Tan and “obscure her role as a principal player.”

“It vindicates our position that Ms. Deguito has maliciously dragged Mr. Tan into the fray in a shrewd design to muddle the issues before the Senate and

confuse the public to obscure her role as a principal player in this money-laundering scheme,” Lim noted.

Of the $81 million that entered RCBC last month, $63 million was transferred to Midas and Solaire while the remaining $17 million, according to Wong, is still with Philrem.

But Philrem officials disputed his claim.

Wong said the funds received by the casinos were converted into dead chips to be used by the junket players.

Dead chips cannot be exchanged for cash.

So far, only P40 million of the P550 million that entered Midas

remains.

Deguito was not able to attend the hearing on Tuesday because of health problems.

Former senator Rene Saguisag, co-counsel for Deguito, asked the Senate panel for a weeklong respite.

He assured the senators that the bank manager will continue cooperating with the lawmakers.

Saguisag himself asked that he be excused early because he was just released from the hospital.

The former senator was asked

by Deguito’s camp over the weekend to act as co-counsel and consultant because Ferdinand Topacio was not able to attend the proceedings. n

Binay allows peek into his bank…

PAGE A1 t

“We, the undersigned candidates for president of the Philippines, hereby authorize the Anti-Money Laundering Council or its duly authorized representatives to open and check all bank accounts under my name, under my spouse’s name, my children’s names and my children’s children’s names to ensure full transparency in this election process,” read the waiver that Binay presented to the media during a press briefing Tuesday at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino-Mactan.

“We, the undersigned candidates for president of the Philippines, also voluntarily submit

ourselves to a lifestyle and government service performance check in accordance with the law,” added the document dated March 20.

Binay affixed his signature on top of his name. Blank spaces were reserved for the signatures of Sen. Grace Poe, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Mar Roxas.

Duterte was the first to respond, saying he would sign the waiver, but not in behalf of his children, “because it would be unlawful.”

“My children are of age and I cannot act for them,” he said.

During Binay’s press conference, documents he supposedly

wanted to show during the presidential debate were presented.

These included his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN), statement of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE), income tax returns, and a waiver he signed authorizing the AMLC to subject him and his family to a lifestyle check and a bank investigation.

A medical certificate from Makati Medical Center was also presented which stated that Binay was physically and mentally fit, It was signed by three doctors after a medical check-up on Jan. 27. (With reports from Michelle Joy L. Padayhag, Connie Fernandez and Nancy Carvajal)

Filipina in California not guilty of kidnapping…

PAGE A1 t

nity helped her case and uplifted her and my spirit. I have been practicing for ten years and I can say that this was the first time I’ve had protesters supporting my client. So I am grateful for this support and I know Anna is as well,” Barrett stated.

Anna’s eldest daughter from a previous relationship, Nichole Nepomuceno, kept consoling, hugging and keeping Anna company. Anna’s own mother, Haydee, was also there to lend much-needed moral support.

Child molestation incidents According to the timeline provided for the case, Anna’s plight began in March 2012 when her erstwhile husband, Jeremy Faust, started showing signs of having lewd intentions on her younger daughter, M, as after Anna reportedly saw Faust’s hand moving around M’s sensitive part.

Her suspicion was bolstered after she learned in 2013 that Faust had been giving then 16-year-old Nichole unwanted massages since September 2012 when Anna wasn’t home and especially when she was on business trips. In January 2013 Faust alleged-

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SAVE NATIONAL TREASURES. A member of the Quezon City government’s public order and safety team dumps illegally posted campaign materials at a vacant lot following a clearing operation in the city in February. Most of the posters removed were found attached to power lines, lamp posts and trees. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) asked candidates not to display their campaign posters of tarpaulins in national cultural treasures, world heritage sites and works of national artists.

Philstar file photo by Boy Santos

Indonesia says 10 nationals held…

PAGE A1 t

boat was found in Languyan town in the southernmost Philippine province of Tawi Tawi.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry believes the barge carrying about 7,000 tons of coal is still under the control of the hostage takers.

Philippine security officials suspect the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf for last year’s abductions of two Canadians, a Norwegian

and a Filipino woman from a marina on southern Samal Island.

The kidnap victims are believed to be held in the jungles of southern Sulu province.

In a recent video posted on a Facebook account linked to the militants, they threatened to kill the hostages unless a huge ransom was paid by April 8. The Philippine military said the government’s no-ransom policy re-

mains and security forces would continue efforts to secure the safe release of the captives.

Indonesia has been helping the Philippines forge a peace agreement with Filipino Muslim rebels by sending soldiers to join an international oversight group which helps monitor government and rebel adherence to a ceasefire. (Niniek Karmini and Jim Gomez/Associated Press)

It’s the same with the Supreme Court and other courts,” Bautista explained.

Pacquiao’s lawyers had said that the 12-round bout between Pacquaio and Bradley, at three minutes per round, will only last for 36 minutes and may even be cut short in the event of a knockout during the early rounds.

“Thus, assuming but not admitting that said fight could be considered as political advertisement, surely, there would be no unfair advantage on the part of Pacquiao because he would still be well within the allotted 120 minutes TV advertisements which right is also enjoyed by other candidates,” they said. n

both the Senate and Assembly, but is not guaranteed. One hurdle is getting business-friendly moderate Democrats who may object to the plan on board.

Among supporters of the potential legislation were labor advocates, who touted the pact.

“This is a very, very significant increase and for the first time would begin to reverse years of falling pay at the bottom” of the

income ladder,” said Paul Sonn, general counsel of the National Employment Law Project, USA Today reported.

Dave Regan, president of SEIUUnited Healthcare Workers West, which represents more than 85,000 California hospital workers, said even if the proposal has potential economic downsides, the fact it empowered workers to

Comelec will not stop airing of Pacquiao…

PAGE A2 t

is not supposed to rule on hypothetical or contingent possibilities, but on factual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable.

“We cannot operate in terms of possibilities. We do not give hypothetical opinion, advisory opinions as a quasi-judicial body.

CA prepares to raise minimum wage to…

PAGE A1 t

Nichole and mother Anna Nepomuceno in a tight embrace outside the courtroom after the verdict was read.

Migrante Norcal

temporarily pause the hike depending on economic conditions and budget deficits.

“This plan raises the minimum wage in a careful and responsible way and provides some flexibility if economic and budgetary conditions change,” Brown said.

The deal still requires approval from the state Legislature, which appears likely, as Democrats rule

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A MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-979

NextDayBetter, Doctors Without Borders join forces to reduce price of pneumonia vaccine in PH

LANDED. Scientists and officials of the Department of Science and Technology watch a livestream of the launch of Diwata-1, the country’s first microsatellite, during a press conference last Wednesday, March 23. Diwata-1 has successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) and is now being unloaded of its 7,500-pound payload. In photo are engineer Mark Edwin Tupas of University of the Philippines-Diliman’s geodetic engineering department; Carlos Primo David, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development executive director; and Gay Jane Perez of UP-Diliman’s Institute for Environmental Science and Meteorology.

Philstar photo by Rainier Allan Ronda

Filipina in California not guilty of kidnapping…

PAGE A3 t

ly started putting his hand under Nicole’s shirt as the massages became intimate. Faust allegedly even asked Nichole not to tell Anna of the massages so Nichole “wouldn’t get into trouble.”

Anna also caught Faust looking at Nichole’s posterior.

Anna and Nichole reported the alleged molestation to the American Canyon Police Department, leading to Judge Rodney Stone to grant a move out order against Faust and an emergency protection order (EPO) prohibiting him from having any contact with Anna and Nichole, aside from younger daughter M. Divorce proceedings Anna then filed for divorce in March 2013 the succeeding summons of which accompanied an automatic restraining order (ARO) prohibiting either parent from leaving the state with M without the other parent’s permission. It was not clear whether Anna actually ever saw the ARO. In August 2013, the Napa Sherriff Office (NSO) recommended charges against Faust for violations of Penal Code on annoying or molesting a child under age 18 with respect to Nichole, and lascivious acts on a child under the age of 14 for M. But these were rejected by the Napa District Attorney’s Office (DA) in September 2013 for lack of sufficient evidence.

While the divorce case was ongoing, on July 25, 2014, Anna flew to the Philippines with M from SFO to visit Anna’s ailing father. Both mother and daughter had round trip tickets with a return date of August 25, 2014.

Her family lawyer dropped her, citing irreconcilable differences, after Anna informed her she was in the Philippines. In Anna’s absence and without a lawyer to represent her, family court Judge Elia Ortiz granted full legal and physical custody of M to Faust and ordered Anna to return M to Napa County.

Anna and M failed to return to San Francisco on August 25, 2014. She was able to obtain a permanent restraining order on February 10, 2015 protecting Anna and M from Faust at the Philippines Regional Trial Court.

Judge Ortiz granted dissolution of of Anna’s marriage to Faust on December 12, 2014 in Anna’s absence.

Arrested at SFO Anna returned by herself to San Francisco on a February 27, 2015 flight from Manila; she was arrested at SFO airport. She was taken to San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City then transferred to Napa County Department of Corrections The Napa Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Anna through then-Deputy Public Defender Stacy Barrett. Anna

posted a $100,000 with the help of friends of her family and was released from the Napa County Department of Corrections (NCDC) on March 12, 2015.

Deputy District Attorney Holly Quate then moved on November 9, 2015 to amend the original charge of child custody deprivation, which is punishable by up to 3 years in county jail, to a violation of kidnapping with enhancement for purpose of permanently depriving a parent of custody of the child, which is punishable by up to 13 years in state prison.

Quate’s motion to amend the charge was granted, and Anna was found not guilty of by the jury before Judge Francisca Tisher in a trial that started February 22, 2016.

“We were ready to accept a mistrial outcome as we felt the jurors were taking a long time deciding on a verdict. We were then surprised that there was a unanimous decision that even some of the jurors waited for Anna to come out and hug her,” Lacanilao added.

“We are really happy that justice prevailed, that Anna would be reunited with M and we hope that this will no longer happen to any Filipino mother like her,” Lacanilao declared.

Several members of Gabriela US came to show support for Nepomuceno. (Jun Nucum/Inquirer.net)

NEW YORK – Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood death in the Philippines. There is a vaccine to prevent the disease, but at about US$45 per child, the price charged to the government by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, this price may become unsustainable to vaccinate all children in the future.NextDayBetter – a storytelling platform for creative diaspora communities – announced on Thursday, March 24 that it is joining Doctors Without Borders’s efforts to encourage pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – the sole manufacturers of the pneumonia vaccine – to reduce the price of the vaccine to $5 dollars per child in the Philippines and all other developing countries.

The pneumonia vaccine is the world’s best-selling vaccine, and last year alone, Pfizer brought in more than US$6 billion dollars in sales just for this product. At the lowest global prices, which the Philippines cannot access, it is now 68 times more expensive to vaccinate a child than in 2001, according to a 2015 MSF report, The Right Shot: Bringing down Barriers to Affordable and Adapted Vaccines. The pneumonia vaccine accounts for about half the price of vaccinating a child in the poorest countries. After years of fruitless negotiations with Pfizer and GSK to lower the vaccine’s price for use in its projects, in 2015, MSF launched the ‘FAIR SHOT’ campaign to ask Pfizer and GSK to reduce the price of the pneumonia vaccine to $5 per child (for all three needed doses).

“Due to the high price charged by the companies, many countries where millions of children risk getting pneumonia simply can’t afford it, and for countries such as the Philippines the high price

threatens sustainability of the vaccination program,” said Dr. Greg Elder, Medical Coordinator for MSF’s Access Campaign.

NextDayBetter is hoping to amplify the “FAIR SHOT” campaign and make the pneumonia vaccine more accessible to millions of children in the Philippines. “The Philippine diaspora is very involved in the provision of healthcare on this continent, while being extremely well aware of the situation at home. Together, we think we can put pressure on Pfizer and GSK to reduce the price of the vaccine, and speak out against high vaccine prices in the Philippines,” said Elder.

To increase awareness about the pneumonia crisis in the Philippines, NextDayBetter will be launching a storytelling campaign that humanizes the people affected by this issue and highlights the work of Filipinos who are dedicated to improving the quality of public health in the Philippines. The campaign will be launching on NextDayBetter’s multimedia platforms with the intent of inspiring and empowering the Philippine diaspora to take action in effecting change in their homeland.

“The Philippine diaspora is overflowing with incredibly talented nurses, doctors, and other leaders in public health who have pioneered breakthroughs in healthcare. We have saved so many people around the world – now we need to focus on our own community back home,” said CEO of NextDayBetter, Ryan Letada.

To sign the petition and learn more about the “FAIR SHOT” campaign, visit http://nextdaybetter.com/afairshot/ or email NextDayBetter at curious@nextdaybetter.com n

CA prepares to raise minimum wage to…

PAGE A3 t

play a role in the outcome of the minimum wage could be transformative politically, The New York Times reported.

“There’s so much cynicism, anger,” Regan said. “To have the governor and legislature responding in a positive and constructive way to our members is really important. It shows, ‘Wow, what we do really does matter.’”

Opponents of the wage hike, including business groups and Republicans, say it will result in fewer jobs for low-skilled workers.

Brian Hibbs, the owner of a comic and graphic novel store called Comix Experience, told the Associated Press he favors the idea of a minimum standard of living, but thinks increasing wages will not do that because it will negatively impact small busi-

nesses. He anticipates that by 2018, with the wage hike, payroll for six workers will cost an additional $40,000.

“I don’ t think this was thought through,” Hibbs said, according to the AP. “The cost of labor is so high. It’s very, very difficult to run a profitable business at this point.”

The negative impact of a higher minimum wage, however, may not be as severe as some anticipate. Michael Reich, an economics professor at UC Berkeley, said this could be offset by because workers would have greater purchasing power, which could boost economic activity.

Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle have opted to boost their minimum wages to $15 an hour throughout the next few years.

In March, Oregon Gov. Kate

Brown, a Democrat, signed legislation that makes it the first state in the country requiring higher pay in cities than in rural areas.

By 2022, the minimum wage in Portland is set to hit $14.75 per hour.

Gabe Horwitz, the economic program vice president at Third Way, a left-center Think Tank, called California’s plan “blunt” in comparison to that in Oregon.

“Fifteen dollars an hour may work in places like San Francisco or Los Angeles, but it could have very different economic effects in some of the very rural areas in the state,” Horwitz said, according to the Journal. “Oregon took that into effect and adjusted their wage to address fears that a big-city minimum wage would destroy jobs in low-cost small towns.” (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

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A

Dateline PhiliPPines

It’s official: Erap picks Poe over Binay Comelec website hacked by Anonymous PH

by Jose

Rodel Clapano Philstar.com

MANILA — Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday endorsed the presidential bid of his goddaughter Sen. Grace Poe over that of his compadre Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Estrada told The STAR that he chose to support Poe not only because she is the adopted child of his best friend the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., but also because he saw her good character and excellent performance as senator.

“I watched her grow up and how she carried herself as a senator. She performed well. I have known her as a woman of integrity, with capacity and intelligence to be a good president,” he said.

“I have seen her excellent performance in the Senate. She was a graduate of political science in Boston College,” he added. “I am sure that she will follow the footsteps of her father. She knows the pro-poor programs of FPJ.” Asked why he chose Poe instead of the other presidential candidates like Binay, Estrada only said the other candidates are also qualified “but I have to make a choice.” He refused to elaborate.

Estrada is also the godfather of the Vice President’s son, former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. Estrada said he is ready to help Poe when she needs it, but he would not accept any position in the government should she become president.

“I will never give her unsolicited advice. If sought, I will give her advice. I will not accept any position, unless it is an elective position,” he added.

Estrada also said that he and FPJ have the same fate: the presidency was stolen from them.

“That’s our fate. I was unconstitutionally removed as president.

FPJ was cheated. I know that she (Poe) will be a good president,” he added.

Roxas shrugs off Estrada’s support for Poe Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Mar Roxas shrugged off Estrada’s endorsement of Poe. Roxas attributed the endorsement to simple politics as he

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada Philstar.com/File Photo

recalled Estrada’s kind words for him when he served as trade secretary under the Estrada administration.

“It’s natural that he’ll endorse the candidate who is not supported by his rival, it’s that simple,” Roxas told reporters, referring to former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim. He also downplayed the announcement of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez that the Centrist Democratic Party would back the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is also doing well in the surveys.

He said Rodriguez, who has been allied with the administration, would naturally endorse another presidential bet as his rival for city hall in Cagayan de Oro is from LP. Estrada also endorsed the vice presidential bid of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and senatorial candidates, including boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Other senatorial candidates given the thumbs-up by Estrada are Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Serge Osmeña III, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director Joel Villanueva, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, former Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas and former senators Richard Gordon, Miguel Zubiri and Panfilo Lacson.

‘SC must resolve Poe’s eligibility issues’ The Supreme Court (SC) was

urged yesterday to resolve the issue on the Filipino citizenship of Poe, the frontrunner in surveys for president.

Veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal made the appeal, saying the SC decision on March 8 allowing Poe to continue seeking the presidency did not resolve the citizenship and residency issues hounding her.

“There is now the imperative need for the SC to immediately decide on the pending appeal filed by Rizalito David from a majority decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), which ruled that Poe, as a foundling, is a natural-born Filipino citizen,” he said.

He noted it is in the SET case where Poe’s citizenship was directly assailed.

“If the SC rules that Poe is a natural-born citizen, then that settles this issue once and for all. If the SC rules that she is not, then the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on its own could still disqualify her and all votes cast for her will not be counted, if the decision is rendered before the election,” he said.

Macalintal pointed out that in its March 8 decision, the high court “did not categorically say that Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen nor did it say that she has complied with the 10-year residency requirement to qualify to run for president.”

“This is so because, as stated

by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in her separate opinion, the only issue the SC needed to resolve is to ‘grant or deny Poe’s petitions’ appealing the decisions of the Comelec denying her certificate of candidacy for president under Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) on the ground that she made a false material representation in her COC when she stated she was eligible to run for president,” he stressed.

He noted that the majority of the justices, 9 out of 15, ruled that since there was no “prior proceeding” in which the senator was found ineligible to run for president on the ground of citizenship or residency, there was no basis for the Comelec to conclude that she misrepresented the information she wrote in her COC. (With Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero)

by Ian JamotIllo AJPress

A MONTH before the Philippines is scheduled to hold its third national automated elections, local hacking group Anonymous PH defaced the website of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday, March 27.

The hacktivist group, which is notorious for hacking government websites and even celebrity accounts posted a message to the Comelec, asking intensive security for the new vote-counting machines (VCMs) that will be used for the automated national elections.

“What happens when the electoral process is so mired with questions and controversies?

Can the government still guarantee that the sovereignty of the people is upheld? We request the

implementation of the security features on the PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines,” Anonymous PH said in its statement on the upcoming automated elections.

Fearing that the hacking incident would leak private information from registered voters, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez assured that all sensitive information was stored carefully and wouldn’t affect the processing of the automated elections.

“The website’s interface changed. But for the most part, the database are intact. As a standard procedure with any intrusion, we are taking the time to make sure that we remove all the malware codes that were penetrated,” Jimenez said regarding the incident.

Anonymous PH urged the Comelec to execute wide secu-

rity features stating that the elections is “one of the processes by which people exercise their sovereignty.” In response, Comelec said it will provide measures to secure the upcoming automated elections.

Before the incident, the Supreme Court ordered the Comelec to issue voting receipts as another security feature of VCMs. Also included as a security feature of the new voting machines are digital signatures of the Board of Election Inspectors, who will certify the poll returns and an ultraviolet lamp that makes sure fake ballots are not inserted into the machine.

The poll body’s website, however, remained functional at around 8 or 9 pm on the same day. The site was officially restored as of early morning the next day on Monday, March 28. n

86-year-old Lim seeks 5th term as Manila mayor, bashes Estrada over plunder is my responsibility to present to you who deserves to be your next leader, someone who made sacMANILA — Seeking a return rifice for your sake… That is Mar to City Hall for a fifth term, for- Roxas,” Aquino said. mer Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim “If the other candidates are launched his bid against incum- laden with controversy, he offers bent Mayor Joseph Estrada at his experience and skills,” he the storied Plaza Miranda on said. “If we want to continue on Monday with the blessing of ‘daang matuwid (straight path), President Aquino and the entire we must choose Mar and Leni Liberal Party (LP) ticket.

(Robredo),” he said.

The 86-year-old Lim, whose During his speech, the former crime-busting exploits as a for- mayor took the occasion to atmer National Bureau of Investi- tack his opponent Estrada, to gation director earned him the whom he lost the mayor’s seat in moniker “Dirty Harry,” formally their last face-off in 2013. declared his support for LP’s Mar “We’ve had 15 presidents. Of Roxas and Leni Robredo. our 15 presidents, who was conPresident Aquino graced the victed of plunder?” he asked the early evening LP proclamation crowd. When they yelled “Erap!” rally that drew hundreds of Ma- in answer, Lim said: “You are so nila residents in yellow, waving banners and balloons, at the square fronting the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the heart of Manila’s Quiapo district.

During his speech, he took the occasion to criticize the rivals of Roxas, his chosen successor, skewering Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on his triggerhappy remarks, Sen. Grace Poe on her experience, and Vice President Jejomar Binay on the corruption charges against him.

“As the father of the people, it by dJ

Yap Inquirer.net

good at history.”

Lim said Estrada was a far cry from the incumbent President.

“But our President, Benigno S. Aquino III, was never once involved in corruption. He has fought for clean and honest governance, something he inherited from his mother, President Cory Aquino,” he said.

“He will be succeeded by Mar Roxas, who has no record corruption, no theft of public coffers,” he said.

Emblazoned across the awning of the makeshift stage was a streamer that embodied the campaign theme of the LP-led “Daang Matuwid coalition: “Huwag kang magnakaw. Huwag kang magsinungaling (Do not steal. Do not lie).” n

A MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Deterrents to growth THE government has heard this before, but it bears repeating over and over: inadequate infrastructure, economic restrictions and bureaucracy are preventing the Philippines from achieving its full growth potential.

This is according to a recent report prepared by the Nordic Business Council Philippines. The NBCP promotes trade, industry and investment between the Philippines and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden plus the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Despite sustained economic growth and sound macroeconomic fundamentals, key challenges continue to hinder the Philippines’ competitiveness as an investment destination and trading partner, according to the NBCP report. The organization noted that the Philippines continues to lag behind the other founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in terms of attracting jobgenerating foreign direct investment.

Other business groups have long called for the easing of economic restrictions imposed by the Constitution on foreign investments. Amending the restrictive provisions will have to wait for a new administration.

Dealing with the other problems does not need

Guest Editorial

Charter change. The NBCP noted the inadequacy of airports, power, roads, seaports and telecommunications facilities – something that can be addressed through execu-

tive initiatives.

Resolute political will can also remedy the red tape and corruption that investors have complained about for years. The NBCP report lamented the “repetitive, complex, and often conflicting orders and procedures of government agencies on business permits, licensing, entry approval, and an array of regulations.”

The Aquino administration has often touted the economic gains achieved in the past six years, particularly the nation’s first-ever investment grade.

The positive credit rating, however, has not translated into significant levels of investments that can provide meaningful jobs. Unless the issues raised for several years now by investors are decisively addressed, the gains of the past six years will be wasted. (Philstar.com) Philstar.com photo

Balitang America poll: Duterte surges among Fil-Ams Roxas second, Poe third

AFTER the March 20 Philippine presidential debate in Cebu, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” asked its viewers in an online poll: “If the Philippine Presidential Election was held today, who would you vote for?”.

The results of the poll aired on March 23 was quite a surprise. The “Dirty Harry” of the presidential slate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte topped the list with a whopping 60 percent rating among the viewers who voted online.

Duterte has taken over former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, who used to top Balitang America’s Isyu Ngayon online polls in the past. Roxas got 26 percent, despite being highly favored and endorsed by many Fil-Am community leaders in the United States.

Sen. Grace Poe, who got the biggest bump in the SWS survey in the Philippines after the said debate, placed fourth with only 9 percent.

also voted for her in March Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago 18, while 2% were former Bigot 5 percent, while VP Jejomar The Fil-Am nay voters, 2% were former Binay got zero vote.

Roxas voters, 2% were former SWS Survey in the Philip- Perspective Duterte voters, and 1% were pines former Santiago voters. One The Social Weather Station percent used to be undecided, (SWS) conducted surveys in the while 3% did not respond to Philippines to measure how the the March 18 mobile survey. ratings of the candidates would Gel SantoS-reloS Of the 26% who chose be affected by the second presiDuterte, 19% were solid Duterte since March 18, dential debate. here are the results: The Bilang Pilipino SWS Mobile Survey of 2% switched from Poe, 2% switched from Binay, March 22, 2016 has the following new national 1% switched from Roxas, and 0.3% switched scores in the Presidential race: Grace Poe 35%, from Santiago. Less than 1% used to be undeRody Duterte 26%, Jojo Binay 18%, Mar “Daang cided, while 3% did not respond to the March 18 Matuwid” Roxas 17%, Miriam Defensor Santiago mobile survey.

Of the 18% who chose Binay, 15% were solid 2%, and undecided/others 1%.

Binay since March 18, 1% switched from Poe, Post-Presidential Debate effects Of the 35% who chose Poe in March 22, 25% 0.3% switched from Duterte, 0.2% switched

from Santiago, and 0.1% switched from Roxas.

None of them used to be undecided, while 2% did not respond to the March 18 mobile survey.

Of the 17% who chose Roxas, 14% were solid Roxas since March 18, 1% switched from Poe, 0.2% switched from Duterte, and 0.1% switched from Binay. A marginal 0.3% used to be undecided, while 2% did not respond to the March 18 mobile survey.

WILL POE CARRY THE MOMENTUM UNTIL May 9? Or will Duterte be able to overtake her lead? Can Roxas pull an upset and be voted President? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Will the real Grace Poe-Llamanzares please stand up?

RUDY Rosal lived in the squatters’ area Street across the creek from our house in Pa- Talk ranaque when I hired him as a driver. But he had lofty dreams for himself and his family that he felt he GreG B. MacaBenta couldn’t achieve by ferrying me and my family in our jalopy.

Thus, at the first opportunity, he and his wife signed up with a labor recruiter and went off to work in Saudi Arabia.

Rudy and his wife became Overseas Contract Workers or OCWs. That term is no longer in common usage, having been replaced with the term Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). According to Google, “The term OFWs was officially adopted under the President Fidel V. Ramos Administration to give recognition to millions of Filipinos who sacrifice by working in other countries.”

At any rate, there is a world of difference between OFWs and the other kinds of overseas Filipinos, namely, immigrants or naturalized citizens of their country of residence or foreign students, as in the case of Sen. Grace PoeLlamanzares, based on her account of her initial stay in the United States.

Joe Molano, the former executive director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, has taken pains to make this distinction, perhaps because of the unique status and the travails of the millions of Filipino contract workers laboring – often suffering - in foreign countries.

On one of my visits to Manila, Rudy suddenly appeared at our house, driving a nice-looking van. He was rightly proud of his possession, referring to it as “katas Saudi” – literally, the “juice” (or fruit) of working in Saudi Arabia.

“I just want you to know that my family and I are doing well,” said Rudy.

“Our children have all finished college.

One of them is an engineer, another one is a teacher. We’re no longer squatters.

We bought a little house in Paranaque.

Lahat iyan, kuya, katas Saudi.”

I told Rudy that I felt really good, hear-

ing that from him. But, at that point, the sheer hypocrisy of Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares suddenly came into stark focus. You see, she has often described herself as “also an OFW.” Apparently, in an effort to ingratiate herself with the millions of Filipinos working abroad, in oil fields and factories, as seamen, teachers, caregivers, nurses or domestics, Poe-Llamanzares has tried to portray her life in America as being similar to that of the overseas Filipino workers.

Does she realize how spiteful she is when she compares her affluent life in America with that of the average OFWs? Being an overseas Filipino myself and having lived in the US for nearly 30 years, I would be embarrassed to compare my relatively comfortable circumstances with that of our countrymen trying to earn a living in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and in Hong Kong and Singapore. It’s like rubbing salt on a wound.

In case Poe-Llamanzares is still blissfully unaware of the harsh realities of eking out the equivalent of “katas Saudi,” here is an excerpt from an article

by Shakira Sison of Rappler, published in May 2014: “…there are a few things they don’t tell you about the OFW life; things that are often kept secret from those we leave behind…hard and menial work, long hours, or getting scolded by an employer. Nobody talks about the constant immigration struggle, or the fear involved in the life of an undocumented immigrant.

“Cramped quarters and poor living conditions rarely make it to Facebook posts. We don’t talk about bad bosses, layoffs, or the complete physical or emotional exhaustion overseas jobs guarantee. Nobody puts in a status update that they came as a nurse or a scientist but actually work as nannies. Nobody brags about being a tenured professor in the

Philippines who works as a factory worker abroad.

We do what we can and we keep the drama away from home, even if our lives aren’t exactly what we imagined. At least our families can imagine otherwise.”

Needless to say, PoeLlamanzares never experienced any of that. To claim that she has is not just hypocrisy but dishonesty.

By trying to sell herself as something completely detached from reality, she is no different from a used car salesman glibly pushing a newly-painted heap to a naïve and unsuspecting first time buyer.

Sadly, the counterfeit OFW claim isn’t the only Senator Grace Poe there have been coincidences that only problem with this person who would like to become president of the supernatural can explain, the fact the country. In recent weeks, the un- that her school ID number is exactly the raveling of the many facets of the life same as the SSN of a deceased US naof Poe-Llamanzares has begun to make tional could mean that she claimed that number as hers, which was why it was one wonder who or what she really is.

She has portrayed herself as the epit- assigned as her school ID number.

Another coincidence that perhaps the ome of honesty and integrity but recent public records unearthed by investiga- supernatural can explain is why and tive journalists indicate that she may how that same combination of numbers have a dark side of her ostensibly pris- – 005-03-1988 – has appeared in US records as having been used by a certain tine character.

Records in the US exposed by Phil- Llamanzares Grace P. in circumstances ippine Daily Tribune editor-publisher remote to Boston College.

Poe-Llamanzares has accused a rival Ninez Cacho-Olivares indicate that a certain Llamanzares Grace P., with the presidential candidate of refusing to same date of birth of the lady senator, appear before a Senate sub-committee used two sets of social security num- investigating allegations of corruption, bers, one of them belonging to a de- criticizing him of resorting to denials.

And yet, when Cacho-Olivares took ceased person. According to US law, that is a felony punishable by imprison- up the dare to come up with proof of the allegations of illegal use of a dement and a fine.

Poe-Llamanzares has acknowledged ceased person’s social security number both SSNs while claiming that the sup- in America, Poe-Llamanzares resorted posedly illicit one was really her school to exactly the same tactic: Denials.

Apparently, she has had the advanID number at Boston College. In fact, a student enrolling in a US college is rou- tage of having media that have convetinely asked for a social security num- niently failed to print any follow stories ber. Lacking one, the school may assign on a matter more serious than the gosa number to the student. But, unless, sip they have routinely sensationalized.

Poe-Llamanzares, according to the findings of the Commission on Elections, willfully misrepresented her residency in the Philippines in order to qualify as a presidential candidate. She also applied for dual citizenship as a “natural born Filipino” by claiming that she was the biological child of Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces. She must have known that it was not the truth.

Was it really an “honest” mistake?

Her own presidential platform is founded on a fictional premise: She will ostensibly continue the good work of her father, the late Fer-

nando Poe, Jr. As someone who used to work in the Filipino movie industry, I am aware of the many acts of kindness and beneficence that FPJ showed to people in the industry, but beyond that, he never really did any “good work” that would qualify as a meaningful presidential platform as, say, achievements in land reform or employment generation or social welfare or national defense or the fight against poverty or criminality or even achievements in local governance.

FPJ’s achievements were mainly those depicted in his many fictional roles as a defender of the oppressed. Thus, PoeLlamanzares, by promoting herself on the basis of fictional achievements and credentials and claiming to be a person of unsullied integrity, is no better than a used car salesman passing off a heap to an unsuspecting buyer as a vehicle in tip-top condition.

In sum, this presidential candidate still has to tell us the truth about herself.

Will the real Grace Poe-Llamanzares please stand up? (gregmacabenta@hotmail.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 30-APRIL 1, 2016

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 Dear Dr. Wu: The Registered Nurses at Monterey Park Hospital wonder who is behind the union busting activities at Monterey Park Hospital these past few days.

While we’ve had our differences in the past, like when you tried to cut the pay and benefits of Registered Nurses at Garfield Medical Center and Greater El Monte Community Hospital in 2015, we’re thinking it wouldn’t be you.

You’re a pillar of the Monterey Park community. A caring man with a personal stake in the welfare of your patients and the residents of Monterey Park, right? Really, the $67 million earned by AHMC in 2014 should be enough to allow you to relax and let the nurses at your hospitals enjoy the fruits of their hard work. So now that the nurses at Monterey Park Hospital have expressed their desire to join SEIU 121RN, you wouldn’t do everything in your power to discourage a fair vote.

Would you Dr. Wu? Because a caring man would want his employees to succeed.

A pillar of the community would want to spread the wealth.

A man of honor would respect the path of others.



A

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

B

Challenges face PH trade, investments

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MANILA — Economic restrictions, poor infrastructure and bureaucracy remain the major concerns pulling back Philippine trade and investment from reaching their full growth potential, according to a report by the Nordic Business Council Philippines (NBCP).

In its 2016 country report of the Philippines, NBCP identified key challenges that continue to affect the country’s competitiveness as a trade partner and investment destination.

Topping the list are the economic restrictions in the 1987 Constitution which limit foreign participation in several industries.

“Take for instance Art. II,

Sec. 19 that mandates a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled

by Filipinos, which paves the way for several government regulations, laws, and orders that restrict foreign investors.

For example, it allows only 40 percent foreign equity share in mining, agriculture, forestry, and transportation related undertaking while zero percent foreign equity share in media,” the report read.

As a result, the NBCP said the Philippines for decades has been lagging behind with ASEAN-6 peers in terms of attracting foreign direct investments.

Another concern cited is infrastructure, an area in which the report said the Philippines

u PAGE B2

Philippine profile better than neighboring countries – Moody’s

Investors Service said.

In a report, Moody’s described the Philippines’ macMANILA – The Philippines roeconomic profile as “modercould sustain a robust growth ate”, which is better than the and survive external shocks on assessment for select neighborthe back of its strong macroeco- ing countries. nomic fundamentals, Moody’s u PAGE B5

by LawRence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

by Ben

o. de VeRa Inquirer.net

MANILA — Tax managers on Monday, March 28 urged whoever would win the presidential election in May to certify tax reform measures as urgent within the first 100 days of the new administration.

The Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) also called on taxpayers to join a social media campaign dubbed “April 15 Black Friday” on the same day as the deadline of filing last year’s income tax returns to show support for comprehensive tax reform.

“TMAP is calling on all presidential can-

didates to certify tax reform as urgent and commit to enact a holistic tax reform measure within the first 100 days of their presidency. TMAP is likewise calling on all candidates for Senate and Lower House seats to support and enact the needed tax reform measure,” it said in a statement.

TMAP sees an “urgent need” for tax reform on the back of an “inherent inequity in the current personal income tax system and our uncompetitive corporate income tax rates vis-à-vis the corporate income tax rates of our Asean neighbors.”

“The tax brackets for individuals are outdated, resulting in an unfair regressive system. Inflation has eroded the income brack-

ets and has pushed up the meager earnings of salaried individuals into higher tax rate brackets causing increases in income taxes, but without a corresponding increase in purchasing power. This has created inequity and has caused the current personal income tax system to be regressive,” TMAP explained.

According to TMAP, the Philippines slaps one of the highest personal as well as corporate income tax rates in the region, which, if brought down “will make the Philippine workforce and corporations doing business in the Philippines competitive with their Asean neighbors.”

TMAP nonetheless pointed out that tax

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OFW households saving, investing more – BSP

by LawRence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA – More households that received remittances from their loved ones abroad allocated portions of the inflows into savings and investments this quarter.

Results of the latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showed an increase in the number of overseas Filipino workers’ households allocating remittances for savings to 43.4 percent in

the first quarter of the year from 41.4 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

Likewise, the number of households that allocated remittances for investments was steady at 6.5 percent.

BSP deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo said the percentage of OFW households using remittances to save as of the first quarter was almost six times the 7.2 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2007 when the CES was launched.

Likewise, Guinigundo said the percentage of OFW household investing remittances was almost three times the 2.3 percent level when the survey was first conducted.

The latest survey showed the overall confidence index improved to -5.7 percent in the first quarter from -8.1 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, matching the all-time high of 5.7 percent booked in the second quarter of 2013.

“They are more optimistic

about the outlook and if the economic conditions are improving and the family financial situation is improving and they perceive their family income is improving then you can expect that they will continue to be more optimistic,” he said.

“That can be translated into higher savings since they can afford to set aside a higher percentage of their income to save. And for those who have higher savings some have gone into actual investment,” Guinigundo added. n

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Ayala to expand auto business

by IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Ayala Corp. is on the lookout for new and existing automotive brands to add to its portfolio as it eyes to expand its automotive distribution and eventually go into the automotive manufacturing business.

In an interview, Ayala group head for Corporate Strategy and Development Paolo Borromeo said automotive is a business that Ayala Corp. is looking to expand.

“In automotive distribution and manufacturing, there are opportunities in those spaces that we are currently evaluating. We are strengthening Volkwagen and evaluating new and existing brands for potential M&As,” he said.

Ayala Corp. through subsidiary Ayala Automotive Holdings Corp. brought back the Volkwagen brand in the Philippines in 2013.

Ayala Automotive Holdings

Corp. expects sales would hit 40 percent this year from last year’s 602 units, with its best selling Tiguan and the Polo sedan as well as hatchback models as growth drivers.

The conglomerate hopes that if sales volume improves, Volkwagen would eventually consider the Philippines as a manufacturing hub.

Borromeo said this plan is on hold for now but is still a possibility in the future.

“We were trying to get manufacturing of Volkwagen but it’s on hold right now,” he said.

Germany’s Volkswagen has an assembly facility in Malaysia and is considering setting up another manufacturing plant in Southeast Asian, with Indonesia and Thailand as potential candidates.

Borromeo said when the company expands into the automotive manufacturing business, it can be across the value chain and not just vehicles.

“It’s also across the value chain

— vehicles, auto parts, components and that’s one goal we’re trying to do this year,” he said.

Manufacturing, he said, translates to more jobs, which Ayala Corp. believes are the solutions to achieve inclusive growth.

“We’re looking for jobs for inclusive growth. Manufacturing is a big driver especially in the automotive manufacturing side.” he noted.

At present , Ayala Corp. is into manufacturing through its subsidiary IMI, which has facilities in Asia, Europe and North America. It serves various markets such as electronics, automotive, industrial, medical, telecommunications, infrastructure, storage device and consumer electronics industries.

The conglomerate reported a 20 percent increase in net income last year, booking P22.3 billion a year earlier than planned, on the back of its strong real estate and telecommunications business as well as contributions from its power unit. n

Next PH president urged: Prioritize tax…

PAGE B1 t

reform should be holistic to ensure that foregone revenues from lower rates would be compensated to sustain the strong growth in revenue collection seen these past years.

In this regard, TMAP is proposing a five-point tax reform agenda that will not only make the tax structure fair but also further expand the revenue base, as follows: restructuring the personal income tax and corporate income tax systems; improving tax compliance of self-employed individuals and professionals by

simplifying processes as well as by a congressional move to lift the bank secrecy law to allow revenue authorities to more easily go after tax evaders; broadening the value-added tax or VAT base; considering indexing the excise tax on petroleum products; and enacting the fiscal incentive reform bill.

Taxpayers should likewise support comprehensive tax reform, TMAP said, hence the group has enjoined participation in its “April 15 Black Friday” activity, which it described as a “symbolic unity declaration [to demand] for

tax reform.”

“Taxpayers who wish to participate in ‘April 15 Black Friday‘ are asked to wear black on that day, post selfies in social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) holding a ‘Tax Reform Now’ sign, and use the hashtag #April15BlackFriday in their posts,” TMAP said.

“Taxpayer-voters are also encouraged to speak to their candidates about the issue, engage them in healthy discussion, and get them to commit to publicly declare support for tax reform,” it added. n

Challenges face PH trade…

PAGE B1 t

had underinvested over the last 10 years, limiting the country’s growth potentials with an average allocation of two to three percent of its GDP. “Challenges in airports, power, roads, seaports, and telecommunications are evident that affected the overall performance of the Philippines,” NBCP said.

The report also cited bureaucracy and corruption as economic stumbling blocks for the Philippines.

“Due to repetitive, complex, and often conflicting orders and

procedures of government agencies on business permits, licensing, entry approval, and an array of regulations, investments are delayed and foreign investors are discouraged,” the NBCP said.

Given that these challenges remain, the report, however, said the government under the current administration has taken steps to address these concerns.

“Considered to be the rising tiger of Asia after posting robust economic growth for the past five years backed by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the Philippines aims to attract

foreign investors on various sectors and industries. Investment opportunities are further boosted with government incentives on priority areas as identified in the IPP 2014-2016,” it said.

Among the local industries mentioned in the report that boast of opportunities for investments are information technology and business process management, renewable energy, construction and infrastructure, healthcare, and manufacturing.

NBCP is an organization that promotes and facilitates trade,

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Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng I HAVE two chapter 7 cases right now where the trustees are aggressively pursuing debtor houses. Trustees are tasked with the responsibility of getting whatever non-exempt asset they can get their hands on and sell them to liquidate them into cash for distribution to creditors. When the values of houses are high, the calculation of how much homestead equity is exempt because the bone of contention between trustee and debtor. The homestead exemptions at this time in California, although there is credible news that the limits are going to be increased next month are as follows: $75K for a single person without any other family living in the house; $100K for a person who has another family member who lives in the house who doesn’t own another house, $175K for seniors who are 65 irrespective of what their gross income is, and $175K for debtors who are 55 with household income that doesn’t exceed $35K annually. To be sure, most debtors still have homestead equities that are within these limits specially those who have HELOCs or 2nd trust deeds, or who recently obtained refinancing increasing their mortgage. But sometimes, we have clients who are borderline cases.

In borderline cases, a very aggressive trustee who really wants the house under any circumstances can turn into a nightmare for debtor. In one client’s case, there are two issues that argue in favor of a complete exemption of the $100K homestead claimed by debtor. One is the fact that when he bought his house, there were two partners who put in $50K each, and there was a written express trust agreement among the parties that allowed the debtor to hold legal title only in his name, as well, the mortgage was only in his name because the other two partners were foreigners who had no residency in the United States. But the agreement provides that once the property is sold, the profits will be divided 40% for debtor and the other partners 30% each. Property was bought 2.5 years ago, but the express trust agreement was not recorded. Since it was not recorded, the trustee’s position is

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016

Watch out for current fair Calendar of Events across market value of residence and tax refunds in chapter 7 that the agreement does not bind him. Debtor’s position is that he holds the property in trust for the other two partners and there is documentary proof of wire transfers from the two partners from abroad directly into escrow at the time of purchase of the property.

Since the property is held in trust, irrespective of the unrecorded status of the agreement, 60% of the property is not property of the bankruptcy estate that is subject to administration by the trustee. Debtor’s 40 under this agreement is completely covered by his $100K exemption.

And should the trustee be correct in his legal position, debtor has a 2nd argument, stronger than the first and strong enough to defeat the trustee’s claim, and that is the fact that there is a judgment lien for $97K recorded in LA county six months before debtor’s bankruptcy was filed.

This argument is very strong because the $97K recorded judgment lien effectively wipes out the $127K free equity that trustee is gunning for. If you add a 6% cost of sale, there is zero free equity. Thus, there is nothing for the trustee to liquidate for creditors.

Trustee filed an adversary proceeding even without asking for proof of the recorded judgment lien, and proof of the unrecorded trust agreement, claiming falsely that debtor lied in his petition, to hide non-exempt equity that debtor should be denied a discharge, for misrepresenting himself in the bankruptcy petition, and for the court to order debtor to transfer his house to trustee.

I was really surprised by these allegations because these allegations have no credible factual basis. Trustee attached a preliminary report of title showing that there were no judgment liens on the property. Fortunately, debtor had copies of the recorded judgment lien for $97K and proof of the express trust agreement, and the wire transfers of $100K from his partners. Needless to say, we filed an answer to the complaint attaching all documentary exhibits to prove that debtor was not lying. Of course, this will take at least six months to go to trial, which may even take a year, depending on the court’s schedule.

But this is an example of a debtor being demonized just because the trustee thinks there is free equity that he can take, when in fact, there is none. We expect to win this case at trial with our God’s help. We pray to Yahweh who loved us so that He sent his one and only beloved son Jesus Christ, who became man through the Immaculate Conception embodied by the blessed Virgin Mary, now Queen of heaven, and who was tortured & died for us on the cross, to redeem us from the consequences of sin, 2016 years ago today, and the Holy Spirit for total victory.

With the other client, we just went to his hearing this morning.

His house is owned half by him and half by his son. His half is completely within his homestead exemption of $175K because he is 55 and he and his wife have income that is less than $35K a year. Indeed, debtor and his wife have zero income since he lost his business, which paid his salary in 2014. Since that time, his son, who is a US marine, has been paying the mortgage. The line of questioning by trustee was too aggressive, I thought. I knew what the trustee was trying to do. He wanted to elicit testimony that would show that debtor was actually receiving income, by way of support from his ex-wife, divorced 9 years ago. Trustee even questioned the rank of the US marine son and questioned if the son actually existed. I thought that was way overboard. He asked what was the rank of his son. Debtor answered he doesn’t know but said he has been with the marines for 9 years. Is he an officer? Debtor said yes, he is. What is his name?

Debtor must have repeated his son’s name 3 times, but trustee still could not get the name right.

So trustee shows a preliminary title report that states the name of the son as for example Sun Ning. Then, trustee shows debtor’s tax returns for 2014 and says, ‘How can your son be a US marine when you claim his name here on your tax returns (Adam Sun Ning, for example) as a dependent?’ Debtor says because Adam Sun Ning is my second son who was born in the United

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America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS APRIL 1

Eagle Rock High School Monthly Open House Tours laureate Open House Tours, from 8-10am during the spring semester on Friday, April 1. Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 7-12, and was the first school in the LAUSD to be authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 11-12), a project-based program for concept and content-based learning to promote global mindedness and service to others. The IB Open House is open to all interested students, and will include an introductory presentation in the ERHS library, followed by campus tours, classroom visits, and a short question-and-answer period. To register for the Open Houses, please visit www.erhs.la, and click on the “IB Open House Registration” link. Please email Mylene Keipp mylene.keipp@lausd.net for more information. We look forward to your visit!

APRIL 9

Prisoners of War Day at the Filipino Veterans Education Center All WWII veterans and families, please join us as we commemorate the historic 74thanniversary of Prisoners of War Day and the Fall of Bataan, the Day of Valor, on Saturday, April 9th. In the spirit of reconciliation, friendship and international cooperation, let us leave the past behind us as we move forward with joined hands to attain peace for all mankind. The formal Commemoration and remembrance ceremony will start at 2:00pm in the Filipino Veterans Education Center, at the War Memorial Performing Arts Veterans Building (401 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102). This event is open to the public.

Please RSVP RudyAsercion@gmail.com; naffaasf@gmail.com. Tel: 415 564 6262.

A P R I L 23

Chino Hills Multicultural Festival Inspired by last year’s successful celebration of the community’s diversity, the Rotary Club of Greater Chino Hills Foundation will host its second Multicultural Festival on Saturday, April 23, from 3 to 9 pm, at the Chino Hills Community Center (14250 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills, CA 91709). Admission is free. There will be food booths, live entertainment, music, dance and performances by an array of participants. Sponsorship and advertisement packages are available for non-profit organizations to fundraise, and for businesses interested in market their products and services. For more information, contact rotary.chinohills@gmail.com or visit www.chinohillsrotaryclub.org. Contact: Ted Alvarez (909) 456-0359, tedalvarez@verizon.net; Tessie Lightholder (909) 576-4152,tessielightholder@gmail.com, or Ginny Mondonedo (951) 212-4624, vmondonedo55@gmail.com.

APRIL 30

COSC celebrates 27th Anniversary The Candonians of Southern California (COSC), under the leadership of their newly elected president, Mrs. Elizabeth Gacula Singh, will celebrate their 27th Anniversary on April 30 at the Doubletree Hotel-Monrovia (924 W. Huntington Dr., Monrovia). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For questions and those interested, please email thecandoniansofsocal@gmail.com.

APRIL — SEPTEMBER

Pilgrimages to Eastern Europe, Mexico and India Amazing Pilgrimages for the Jubilee Year of Mercy! All are welcome to join Fr. Joe Joseph of Holy Trinity Church for the spiritual and fun-filled experiences of EASTERN EUROPE (April 17- 30): Poland, Czech., Austria, Hungary, Medjugorje; COLONIAL MEXICO/ OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (June 20 - 27): Mexico City, Theotihuacan, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Ocotlan, Xochimilco, Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, Guadalajara, San Juan De Los Lagos, Cristo Rey, Zapopan, Tonala; and INDIA (September 15 - 29): Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kerala. For more pilgrimage information and detailed flyers, please contact Bernadette at bcorp1114@hotmail.com OR call 323-344-1548 & 323-547-6618.

M AY 27-29

PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion Attention all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine College of Commerce: join us in our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION being organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association, USA Inc. scheduled on May 27-29, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of fun-filled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends.

For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-5448210 orloiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-970-8317 orMonette_santillan@yahoo.com; Rose Mejia at 323-997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa Sugay-Palanca at 818-281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at661-7948906 or rmaghari@gmail.com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@ yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562-480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 or connieacosta1@ att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 orvee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com.

JUNE 4

Missionary Society of St. Columban Dinner-Dance The Missionary Society of St. Columban will hold its annual dinner dance event on June 4th, 6PM, at the Friendship Auditorium (3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90941).

Organized by the Dancing for the World, an affiliate of the Columbans, will celebrate the “Year of Mercy” to echo and emphatically support the call of Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year.

This year is very important to be responsive to the call of the church and be faithful to the mission of God because God is by nature merciful. Thanks to the many dedicated missionaries, priests, sisters and lay missionaries who responded to the call of God and live among the poor to make a difference and allow God’s mercy to flow into the hearts of those they minister. For more information, please visit www.columban.org. The Dancing for the World event on June 4 is also an opportunity to meet supporters, donors and friends to thank them for their valuable contribution to the Columban mission. Event will include delicious food, ballroom dancing, and fabulous raffle prizes. (For this year, the first prize will be a cruise for two to Mexican Riviera. The second prize is a Flat screen TV. The third prize is a Tablet.) There are many amazing prizes available for all lucky winners. The dinner dance ticket is $40.Reserve your tickets now or before May 15. For information and tickets please contact Carmencita Enriquez (213) 880-5075 or Ariel Presbitero (323) 691-5262, or at: 2919 Moss Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Thank you in advance on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and the Dancing for the World committee members.

Please continue praying for all Columban Missionaries all over the world and the success of this event.

JUNE 11

Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook Please join us on Saturday, June 11 for the 3rd Philippine Fest Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook) at the beautiful Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center (375 W. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook, IL). This year’s event will include a variety of food vendors, business, merchandise, and non-profit organizations, as well as hours of dance, games, and musical entertainment, including special guest performances. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) is proud to promote and share our rich Filipino cultural heritage and traditions in America. Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. For more information, or to volunteer, perform, exhibit, or donate, please visit www.piyestapinoy.net.

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 30-APRIL 1, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years.

Married Sons and Daughters of Legal Permanent Residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age.

For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s

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4 ways filing for divorce can Immigrant Living: 101 benefit your immigration case and Beyond priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

Conditional Legal Permanent Residents in failed Marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status.

The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case.

Married Aliens in Non-Immigrant Visas and those without Status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is

usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the US to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse.

If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001.

Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines.

For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey. ***

Monette AdevA MAglAyA

I AM doubling down and taking my own piece of advice. Unless absolutely necessary, I intend to be logged off for longer periods of time. How else can I SAVOR THE MOMENT except by living real life in real time with as fewer hours as possible spent on the internet?

Communication has become efficient, almost done by rote, and sometimes borders on the cold and impersonal. I still don’t enjoy being part of a global network to be used for someone’s purpose or agenda.

I REFUSE TO BE A PRODUCT TRADED ON WALL STREET. Yes, I am kicking and screaming. There’s a stubborn part of me that rebels and chafes at becoming part of a statistic. I resent being used for the purpose of advancing some corporate agenda.

There are companies who mine data from social networking sites and the gigantic hoard of public information mega databases.

These are then sold to interested parties as valuable psychographic information. Companies package, repackage and sell personal information with the sole purpose of manipulating the mass behavior of citizens in a free society. It stinks to high heaven when the powers that be use information for social engineering and political purposes such as skewing election results.

With blatant, unlawful NSA snooping on anything electronic by any citizen these days, can the Gestapo thought police be far Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified behind?

Family Law Specialist. He was President of I doubt if my opinions on a the Philippine American Bar Association. He is twitter account holds any gravia member of both the Family law section and tas to twitterverse users. Saying Immigration law section of the Los Angeles something by tweeting on anyCounty Bar Association. He has extensive thing can and will be held against CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW you. A screen grab of your comOFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located ment makes it permanent. Why at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, give anyone any ammo? The CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail number of users following you is kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website supposed to be an indication of at Kenreyeslaw.com. your fan base. Few things on the *** net, particularly regarding the Please note that this article is not legal advice and is ego, are real however. I heard not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to some enterprising company lets provide only general, non-specific legal information. you claim thousands of fake twitThis article is not intended to cover all the issues related ter followers who purportedly to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than follow your tweets. That goes for would be anticipated by you. This article does create a fee, of course. The internet has any attorney client relationship between you and the become the de facto hothouse for Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not growing gigantic egos. a solicitation.

(Advertising Supplement) We’ve all become easy targets for privacy intruders. Nothing seems sacred or private anymore. There’s more than enough out there in the public records to fill a dossier on anyone with an SSN or a pulse. We are living in the throes of the Information Age and the currencies being traded are bits and bytes of information.

It’s like living in glass houses these days. There’s too much na-

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA THERE are two important aspects that should be taken into consideration in your estate planning: 1. Asset reduction which reduces your estate and the amount of estate taxes that must be paid upon death; and 2. Asset protection which safeguards your assets from creditors and lawsuits.

Gross estates over the following amounts are taxed at the following rates for the following years: 2006 - 08 – $2.0 million – 46 & 45% maximum, 2009 – $3.5 million – 45% maximum.

2010 – $0 – no estate tax!

2011 – $5 & $5.12 M – 35% maximum 2013 – $5.25 million – 40% maximum (permanent) 2014 – $5.34 million – 40% maximum (permanent) 2015 – $5.43 million – 40% maximum (permanent) 2016 – $5.45 million – 40% maximum (permanent) Estate plans should have a combination of the following instruments: 1. Pour-Over Will directs any assets not held in the trust will be placed in a trust by virtue of a will upon death. It takes care of the assets that you fail to remember to transfer to the living trust as well as assets purchased after executing your living trust.

2. Durable Power of Attorney comes into effect if either spouse becomes incompetent or incapacitated. It names a conservator and avoids court procedures. Durable POAs end at death.

3. Revocable Family Trust avoids probate of your assets upon death. And upon death of either spouse, it will provide a step-up basis (and reduced taxes) for any property held and directs the distribution of assets to beneficiaries. By use of a

Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything…

They just make the best of everything that they have.”

—Author Unknown

ked transparency.

As an ordinary, private individual, I am downright resentful. Celebrity is now a curse rather than a blessing. Witness the public meltdown of Hollywood celebrities whose lives more often than not, serve as cautionary tales.

Because obscurity is becoming rare these days, it has become all the more precious.

No wonder our sense of mystery and awe at anything in this life is fast eroding. I regard social networking with a bit of trepidation and suspicion. And frankly, who’s got the time? I am probably one of a vanishing breed, always itching to get out of the virtual world and into the real world of doing things in private, without fanfare: creating, fixing, cooking, gardening, making memories and connecting personally and laughing until my sides are nearly split. By choice, I am generally offline and often unwired on the weekends these days. My personal motto: LOG OFF AND LIVE. There’s so much living yet to do: so many recipes to try, seeds to plant, topiaries to shape, weeds to pull, walls and blank canvasses to paint, places to see, photos to shoot, plays to watch, games to play, puzzles to solve and mysteries to unravel, books to read, people to meet, goals to achieve, skills to learn and courses to take, stuff to give away, stories to write, naps to take and a thousand and one more things to feel, see, touch, taste, hear and soak in before the end game. With all that’s in the past, life still feels like a tabula rasa —lots of living to do, so little time. Sigh.

I am picking and choosing from the constant flow of messages in my inbox, only this one below. Some of these forwarded messages are for laughs, others inform while some can make you think harder or even move you to take action. Pet peeves are those that are pure drivel and chain emails with a punitive clause, like a curse of bad luck, if you fail to forward. For malevolent messages and all the rest of the junk from scammers promising riches, simplify your cyberlife and hit DELETE. DO NOT ENGAGE. Better yet, mark them as SPAM. Sometimes a golden nugget comes through that deserves to be amplified. So simple, it hits

you right between the eyes. I searched for the author’s name but like many other pieces flung by anonymous, creative beings in Cyberville, authorship is largely unknown and unclaimed. To the originator of this metaphor then, whoever you are and wherever you may be, please accept a profound THANK YOU, from the rest of us. Here it is.

The hot chocolate story A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups-porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: ‘Notice that all the nice looking; expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don’t have the best of everything… They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply. Love generously.

Care deeply. Speak kindly.

But first, LOG OFF. ***

marital deduction, it will also defer estate taxes until the second spouse dies.

4. Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a new hybrid business association that merges the advantages of a corporation with the flexibility of a partnership.

Some liability protection is given for each member (not like general partnerships whose partners are exposed personally to liabilities of all other partners). Liabilities are limited to equity invested by each member. For real estate, the LLC has become the entity of choice.

5. Family Limited Partnership (FLP) protects your assets from creditors by having them owned by a limited partnership. It allows asset reduction by gifting partnership ownership to children, grandchildren, and other beneficiaries. The gifting makes use of the annual exemption that avoids gift taxes, thus reducing estate tax.

6. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) trims down your assets as it takes life insurance earnings out of your estate and utilizes it to fund a trust for your beneficiaries and to control fund distribution. It is an exceptional device to preserve insurance money to pay medical expenses, tuition fees of your beneficiaries, children, and grandchildren. At your death, this trust also serves as the main source of funds to pay any estate tax, administration expenses, debts, etc..

7. Qualified Personal Resi-

dence Trust (QPRT) trims down your assets as it takes your home out of your estate and at the end of the term of the trust, transfers it to your beneficiaries usually family members . Also, it affords asset protection as the home is transferred to an irrevocable trust. You no longer own it. In the meantime, during the term of the trust, you still have the right to live and use the residence. (TIP: This trust can also avail of the $250,000/500,000 exclusion of gain, if treated as a grantor trust, from the sale of principal residence provided all other IRC section 121 requirements are met). And yes, you can continue to enjoy your property tax deductions and mortgage interest.

These estate plan vehicles save significant amounts of estate tax dollars while helping protect your assets from unwanted creditors conveyance claims and frivolous lawsuits. Please seek legal counsel for your asset protection and estate planning.

In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. ***

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Basics of family estate planning

Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities.

The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

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Challenges face PH trade…

PAGE B2 t

commerce, industry, and investment between the Philippines and the Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) and Baltic (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) countries.

Total external trade relations of the Philippines with the Nordic region reached € 502.69 million in 2014.

The Nordic countries exports to the Philippines amounted to €314.40 million led by Finland with € 104.67 million and fol-

lowed by Sweden with €83 million.

Imports, on the other hand, was at €188.30 million, driven primarily by Sweden and Finland.

Total trade of Baltic countries with the Philippines, meanwhile, reached €12.35 million in 2014.

Total exports stood at €4.24 million with Lithuania’s sugar commodity contributing the bulk of the amount at €3.62 million, while total imports was €8.12 million also primarily driven by Lithuania. n

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

Watch out for…

PAGEB3 t

States and who is in high school, that’s why I called him Adam Sun Ning, while my older son was not born in the United States, that’s why I named him Sun Ning. What a perfect response because it’s the truth! Truth is stranger than fiction. Still, trustee asks for mortgage statements for last two years, tax returns for last two years, bank statements for last two years etc., and continues the hearing to next month. But the truth is, trustee cannot touch debtor’s house because he really does qualify for $175K homestead exemption.

Watch out also for tax refunds because it’s tax season now. If you expect a refund, you have to exempt it on schedule C; otherwise, you will be asked to turn over your refund to the trustee. Or get the refund first and use it to pay your rent or mortgage so it’s no longer a receivable that is part of the bankruptcy estate.

“Then pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.

The soldeirs twisted together a crown of thorns & put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him & again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face… carrying His own cross-, He went to Golgotha. There they crucified Him…” — John 19 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

EMPLOYMENT

PeoPle & events

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016

Philippine profile better than…

PAGE B1 t

The macroeconomic profiles of China, India, Indonesia, and Thailand were assessed a tad lower at “moderate,” while that of Vietnam was four steps lower at “weak.”

Moody’s describes macroeconomic profiles of countries within a scale ranging from “very weak” to “very strong.”

When assessing a sovereign’s macroeconomic profile, Moody’s takes into account a host of factors, including economic strength, institutional strength, susceptibility to event risks, and credit conditions.

Moody’s uses a country’s macroeconomic profile, which describes the operating environment for corporate entities, as one of the bases for rating banks.

In its banking report published March 18 and which provided an overview of the Philippines’ macroeconomic condition, Moody’s said: “the Philippines remains among the fastest growing major economies in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Moody’s expects the Philippines to post a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of six percent this year, faster than the 5.8 percent recorded last year.

“The country’s strong growth results from the continued strength of domestic consumption – fueled by a combination of improving employment conditions at home and relatively stable overseas remittances – as well as healthy public and private-sector investments,” Moody’s said.

The debt watcher said its relatively favorable assessment of the country’s macroeconomic profile is backed by robust economic growth, comfortable external liquidity, and improved institutional strength.

On external liquidity, the Philippines posted a surplus in its current account (CA) estimated at $8.9 billion in 2015, which marked its 13th consecutive year of CA surplus.

Also, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) at $81.3 billion as of endFebruary were enough to cover for over 10 months of imports.

On institutional strength, Moody’s mentioned the important role played by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in helping maintain a stable macroeconomic environment.

Since 2009, the Philippines has managed to keep inflation below ceiling. Last year, inflation stood eased to 1.4 percent from 4.1 percent in 2014.

“The country’s institutional strength has also improved, driven in part by an increasingly credible track record of policy effectiveness by a number of national agencies, especially the central bank,” Moody’s added.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said external risks, including contrasting monetary policies in advanced economies and lackluster global growth, make the job of central banks tougher. n

EMPLOYMENT

B

Ex-BSP chief passes away

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MANILA — Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov Gabriel “Gabby” Singson passed away early Tuesday at the age of 87, according to the central bank.

Singson died around 2 a.m.

The cause of his death remains undisclosed. However, reports said his health has been deteriorating recently.

Singson was the first governor of the BSP after it was reorganized from the old Central Bank of the Philippines in 1993 when former President Fidel Ramos signed the Republic Act 7653 or the New Central Bank Act. He served the central bank from July 6, 1993 to July 5, 1999.

The former central bank chief is also remembered for laying the foundations for a stronger peso and stable banking system during the period when the foreign exchange gains from Overseas Filipino Workers and Business Process Outsourcing were not yet steady as it is today. He also led the BSP’s monetary authority during the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

Singson, who placed second in

EMPLOYMENT

Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Gabriel “Gabby” Singson passed away early Tuesday, March 29, at the age of 87.

Photo from Ateneo.edu

the 1952 Philippine Bar Examinations, graduated magna cum laude and valedictorian from the College of Liberal Arts of the Ateneo de Manila University in 1948 and obtained his law degree from the Ateneo Law School in 1952. He also earned his master of laws degree from the University of Michigan Law School as a Dewitt Fellow and Fulbright Scholar in 1960.

Aside from serving as the central bank’s governor, Singson also taught commercial and civil law at the Ateneo Law School from 1956 to 1972. n

B MARCH 30-APRIL 1, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 30, 2016

Genever: A bar in HiFi “where the drinks are queen”

by Allyson EscobAr / AJPrEss

A

place for anyone who enjoys a great cocktail, and has a good spirit--that’s the concept behind Genever, a new boutique bar opening this year in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown (HiFi).

Solely owned and managed by a group of women behind Red Capiz Partners, Inc. (RCP), Genever seeks to breathe new life into HiFi and eventually, attract more Filipino entrepreneurs to the area.

The three Filipinas who comprise RCP – Roselma Samala, Christine “Tinette” Sumiller, and Patricia “Trisha” Perez – are all Los Angeles-based entrepreneurs, business partners and, first and foremost, close friends.

“RCP is our initials. Honoring our Filipino heritage in our name, ’Capiz’ is a province in the Philippines, and is also the name of the white shell commonly used in decorating,” Samala shared. “And red is a symbol of strength and love.

But it also symbolizes our friendship.”

Growing up in different parts of the Philippines and in Southern California, their stories converged during their college years participating in

UCLA’s Samahang Pilipino organization, where they bonded not only through their shared experiences, but also in their shared culture.

“My friendship with Tinette and Roselma has come to mean family. They are like sisters with whom you grow and learn,” Perez shared. “Having and maintaining close friendships with other women is important in helping you get to know your own self, strength, and build your support network, especially in sharing experiences and gaining perspectives that only other women can empathize.”

Samala, who grew up in Anaheim Hills, California, realized her passion for community service in the non-profit sector.

She attended Yale University to get her MBA in management, and has been doing consulting and non-profit foundation work for over 10 years.

Sumiller had been working long hours in corporate finance,

Genever’s bar space in Historic Filipinotown, the old headquarters of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).

The ladies of RCP, celebrating in their natural element.

and later ended up in personal finance, running her own schedule. “Running my own business is in my blood,” she said. “We’re constantly thinking about other things, other ventures.”

A full-time business entrepreneur, Perez works under information technology for the City of Culver City, and owns two branches of the Pho Show Vietnamese restaurant in Culver City and Redondo Beach. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the California Restaurant Association, LA Chapter.

Despite the different fields the three friends work in, they are bonded by honoring their heritage through Kayamanan Ng Lahi and today,with Genever.

“Being involved with KNL [Kayamanan Ng Lahi] through performance and teaching,

maintaining relationships with other fellow Filipino and Filipino American entrepreneurs and professionals [and UCLA Pilipino Alumni], perpetuating Filipino traditions and customs…helps me to keep my Filipino roots alive,” Perez said.

With the opening of their new business, they are proud to be a part of the thriving Filipino-American culture, food and beverage industry in the greater Los Angeles area.

“Genever is not a Filipino bar--we are three women, who are all Filipina, opening a bar in Historic Filipinotown. We welcome everyone who has a good spirit, for a good spirit,” said Sumiller. “Our goal is to honor our heritage and some of the drinks, food, and flavors that Philippine culture has to offer.”

Agreed Perez, “By ownership alone, this bar highlights our ethnic and cultural back-

Roselma, Tinette, and Patricia are the proud first Filipina female bar owners in Los Angeles.

grounds, since minority small business owners--especially female minority small business owners--are underestimated, but [we] contribute to the American economy.”

Building a bar The idea for a boutique bar was born on New Year’s Day in 2013, when the three women gathered at Perez’s house, reflecting on the past year and focusing on the new one, while celebrating over homemade drinks.

“Basically, it was like…we like to be together. We like to break bread together. We like to drink. Why don’t we open up a bar?” Then, the wheels started turning and it became more than just a conversation,” Sumiller shared.

“We discuss about the constant notion of ‘the good life’ and what we would like to do differently in our own lives, how one day we wish we could do something we love. We realize that we like to eat, drink, and be merry,” Perez added.

“So why not start a bar business--especially since there are not too many existing femaleowned full liquor bars.”

With their shared experiences of running businesses and familiarity with the restaurant industry, the three of them began the long, patient process of finding and leasing a space for the bar. In their search for the ideal venue, they found an online listing for a sizable space located in the neighborhood of Rampart Village, in LA’s up-andcoming Historic Filipinotown.

“Divine destiny” was at work in bringing the Genever

project to the neighborhood, the women shared. They visited the space on Beverly Boulevard, and soon discovered they had personal ties to its location -- it was the original office site of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), a well-known community non-profit aimed at improving the quality of life in Historic Filipinotown, back in the 1970s.

“When we found out this piece of news, there was a sense of coming home for us,” Perez shared. “All three of us have been involved with SIPA at different points in our lives.”

SIPA also played a key role in Genever’s space. In September 2014, along with US Bank and the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, SIPA awarded three small business start-ups as top winners of the Citi Business Plan Competition, presented at the Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, California. Red Capiz Partners won first place in the business competition, granting them financial resources, community partners, and a valuable opportunity to refine and strengthen their plan for the boutique bar, as part of “the revival of HiFi.” “[The Small Business Program] has been a solid creative collaborator,” Perez previously told the Asian Journal in 2014.

“The process has already been a valuable learning experience…for example, finding a space that would help us make our dreams come true was tough to find, and even longer to negotiate. Our support also brought us out of our com-

Continued on Page 3

7 HMart stores in CA hold Customer Appreciation Sweepstakes Grab a chance to win Brand new Toyota Vehicle at Hmart

features

The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 30, 2016

‘This Time’ a summer movie for JaDine

by Ver

Paulino Philstar.com

THE largest Asian supermarket chain, Hmart is having its Customer Appreciation Sweepstakes in 7 Hmart CA stores, including Diamond Bar, Irvine, Norwalk, Garden Grove, San Diego, Los Angeles and Buena Park locations.

This event will begin on Mar 26th, 2016 and end on June 26th, 2016. The Grand prize winner will receive 2016 Toyota RAV4 XLE (1 winner), first prize winner will receive Toyota Corolla L (1 winner), and second prize winner will receive $500 Hmart Gift Certificate (1 winner), third prize winner will receive Coway air purifier & air care unit for car (1 winner), fourth prize winner will receive $100 H Mart Gift Certificate (21 winners – 3 winners from each store), and finally fifth prize winner will receive Haru Haru rice 15lb(350 winners – 50 winners from each store). Total of 381 winners will receive the gifts. The customers who visit in California 7 Hmarts with Smart Cards will have a

MANILA, Philippines – After the success of their first primetime series, ABS-CBN’s On The Wings of Love (OTWOL), real-life sweethearts James Reid and Nadine Lustre (JaDine) are gearing up for the big screen again with their latest movie This Time.

James and Nadine recently made public the real status of their relationship. They confessed that they are finally a couple during their sold-out concert JaDine in Love last February at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The popular love team and their fans are happy that Viva Films has given them another project immediately after their participate for a chance to win chance to enter. You may enter TV series. In This Time, James a New 2016 Toyota. For more by inserting the bottom of the portrays the role of Coby while event details, you may contact shopping receipt in the SweepNadine plays Ava. Coby and Ava H Mart Diamond Bar, Irvine, stake Drawing Bin. The drawing are childhood friends who see Norwalk, Garden Grove, San date is scheduled on June 27th, each other only during summer Diego, Los Angeles and Buena 2016. vacations.

Park locations.

H Mart Customer AppreciaJames and Nadine have Advertising Supplement tion event encourages many to been a love team since the 2014 film Diary ng Panget, and during a recent visit to the This Time set in Tarlac, James admitted MANILA, Philippines – Daniel Matsunaga felt that he that in the past two years that has already found “the one” in Erich Gonzales. they’ve been together doing In an interview with “Tonight With Boy Abunda” on movies, TV shows and comMonday, Daniel said he discovered that “she’s the one” mercials, both of them have when they celebrated their first year as a couple. certainly gotten to know each On the other hand, Erich learned that “if you put God in the center, everything will come together.”

The two first met through ABS-CBN morning magazine show “Kris TV,” and has worked together in the afternoon TV series “Two Wives” where their relationship developed.

As for their anniversary celebration, they chose to have a simple dinner and spend quality time together.

“Everytime naman po [is] special with him. No need na may anniversaries,” Erich concluded.

Daniel Matsunaga said that in his one-year relationship with Erich Gonzales, he discovered that “she’s the one.”

Their currently starring the morning show “Be My Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion Lady” which was extended. (Philstar.com)

Daniel Matsunaga on Erich Gonzales: She’s the one

Genever: Reviving Historic Filipinotown...

From Page 2 fort zones, because it pushes is to take the risk to invest in ourselves as Filipino women entrepreneurs. We are a work in progress.”

The name ‘Genever’ is a tribute to its unique focus on gin as a cocktail, and as one of the original spirits during the Prohibition Era. They also wanted to pay homage to the many female speakeasy owners during Prohibition: strong, courageous women who ran their own bars and enjoyed quality secret liquor, as well as their own grandmothers, mothers, and female role models who influenced them growing up.

“Genever is our modern take on the speakeasy. It also sounds more feminine than masculine, and it has a history that is hundreds of years old,” Sumiller shared. “When you think speakeasy, you think dark furniture, dreary lighting, dark everything…we’re going for the complete opposite. You will walk into the bar and see more of the glitz and glamor of the Prohibition, and be welcomed here.”

Genever’s cultural elements will be “subtle and inherent,” from the bar’s design, liquor brands, and community connections.

“There are many choices for bars these days, but we want you to go to Genever because of the experience, the staff, the people, the overall environment…and of course, where the drinks are queen. We hope to be a timeless classic piece here in HiFi,” Sumiller added.

With unique Filipino flavors as culinary inspiration, Genever aims to use outsourced, fresh ingredients in their drink recipes--calamansi instead of lemon, for example--and to collaborate with bar consultants, partners, and chef friends to create specialty cocktails on the menu (with fun inspired names; such as “The Pasha,” “Queen Sophia,” and “Sumiller Spice”).

“I think another thing that drove us to open a bar is that we are three women who appreciate good alcohol. Our strength is in tasting the drinks,” Samala laughed. “Being a solely female-owned bar in Los Angeles gives us a challenge, pushes us to overcome our shared struggles as women.

If you say we can’t do it, we’re gonna prove you wrong.”

With the tremendous support of family and friends, RCP was able to lease the space in

3

RCP with business partners/friends

July 2014, and got an official permit from the city of LA and the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council the next year.

“We were approved on the spot,” Samala proudly shared.

“It was both a challenge and a major success. We feel very lucky. If you really want to gain patience, and faith in God, open a bar.”

Up until April 9, RCP is also running a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $30,000 for Genever’s initial inventory, furniture and supplies. As of press time, the campaign is nearly 50 percent funded.

Mixing business with friendship Looking ahead, the women behind RCP hope to see more bars opening with the start of Genever. “This is just one of the many things we want to work and be successful at,” said Samala. “You’ll know that it’s an RCP bar when you walk in. It’s got that flavor.”

In the process of getting the business running, the women already have their fair share of lessons to impart.

“It really matters who you work with, internally and externally. [The three of us] have a lot of history together, but we didn’t have a lot of history in business together until Genever,” said Sumiller. “Choose your partners wisely. It’s not a hobby; it’s a business. Everyday we learn. We just so happen to be breaking stereotypes, and we are constantly evolving.”

The three women are also breaking the myth that close friends can’t go into business together.

“A few important lessons I keep re-learning over and over again is patience, understanding, follow-through, and punctuality--all needed to

complete every task for this project. We are accountable for every decision and action we execute. If you communicate to yourself and your customers a promise of your time/effort, meet your deadline, follow up and deliver,” Perez added.

“And, most profound, is the value of friendship.

Despite what people think (or think they know), you can mix business with friendship.”

Agreed Samala, “This whole experience has taken our friendship into another capacity. We’re friends, we’re family, we’re business partners...and for that we are better communicators, friends, family for it.”

As for making it full-time career owning, managing, and being behind the bar, Sumiller said, “Maybe. Ultimately, we will continue to do what we do, because we believe this is going to be our impact on society, and how we will get to heaven.”

With Genever, Samala, Sumiller and Perez are eager to put Historic Filipinotown and the Rampart Village neighborhood on the sprawling map of Los Angeles. As entrepreneurs, they hope to pay it forward by sharing resources and information with aspiring business owners, while connecting with the community over a drink, or two.

“We would always discuss among ourselves, how us as Filipinos should do more things to support one another, support our culture,” said Sumiller.

“We want to give our community the same opportunities, same connections and ways to become recognized and in the mainstream. We’ve had a lot of support from our family, friends and community. We’d like to be able to support others.”

other more. The couple could no longer hide their sweetness on and off camera.

Asked what he loves most about Nadine, James said, “I always say I like her, no one understands me like she does.

Hindi s’ya maarte and she’s hands-on with everything, like until now wala pa s’yang driver.

She’s independent; she doesn’t rely on anyone. I find that attractive in women.”

Nadine, on the other hand, said that she did not see the romance coming at all. “Nagaaway pa nga kami sa Wang Fam premiere night, may tampuhan. Pero ngayon iba na, pag-gising ko sa umaga I look forward to working with him, excited, kasi s’yempre makikita

mo na ang mahal mo, he makes me smile and happy. Siguro yun ang pagkakaiba ngayon.”

Asked how they feel about being considered as the No. 1 love team in the country, James said, “I can’t say that we’re the No. 1 love team. It’s just that we just have successful projects, we have a lot of noise or hype because of our fans. I don’t think the noise decides if you’re No. 1 or not. It doesn’t mean that we’re better, it’s just that right now, we have a lot of happening.”

As of presstime, James and Nadine are doing the OTWOL world tour.

This Time is under the direction of Nuel Naval and expected to hit theaters in April.

It’s a boy for James & Michela by ricky lo Philstar.com

THE first time Michela Cazzola underwent an ultrasound, the gender of the baby couldn’t be determined,“kasi nakatalikod siya” according to Michela’s boyfriend James Yap. That was two weeks ago.

Recently, Michela again had an ultrasound and, yes, she and James will have a baby boy to be delivered sometime end of July or middle of August.

“We have several names in mind for the baby but we haven’t chosen which one James Yap and Michela Cazzola Photo from the James Yap’s Instagram yet,” Michela, who is into her

sixth month of pregnancy, told Funfare.

It will be James’ third child; the first is from a previous relationship and second is Bimby, with ex-wife Kris Aquino who is with Bimby and other son Joshua on a three-month doctor-advised vacation in Hawaii to stabilize her erratic blood pressure.

James, 34 (last Feb. 15), and Michela (turning 33 on Oct. 27) have been going steady since 2012. Michela told Funfare in an earlier interview that they do have plans of getting married, Continued on Page 4

4

features

Mango Mix

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 30, 2016

Coco Martin gets his creative juices flowing

by MarineL

r. Cruz

Inquirer.net

MaNY are unaware that coco Martin, aside from being the lead actor of the top-rated action drama series, “ang Probinsiyano,” is also a part of the program’s creative team. “as in my previous televi-

sion projects, i’m very much involved here. i want to prove that actors are good, not just at working in front of the camera,” said coco, who plays the heroic cop, cardo, in the series.

This week, his mission is to rescue his nephew, Junior (lei andrei Navarro), from the

Coco Martin

hands of kidnappers who are also members of an organ-trading syndicate. “i learned a lot from Direk Brillante Mendoza and Bing lao,” said coco of his director and writer, respectively, in a number of indie movies that he was part of in the early 2000s. “i observed and listened to them while at work. When i started doing projects for TV, i made sure to participate in the brainstorming sessions.”

He works hard at maintaining a good working relationship with the people on the set. “They look at me as their leader. When i have ideas, especially on how to improve the program, i share it with the production team. i’m not in favor of making just one character shine in this series. i want the program to be a showcase for a lot of talents.”

The show also features Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, arjo atayde, Pepe Herrera, agot isidro, albert Martinez and Susan Roces, who plays cardo’s lola Flora.

Relevance “We try to make episodes that are relevant to the times.

We create characters that inspire and encourage the audience to do good,” coco said in

Social media vs. real life

by Martin

Jason L. ita-as

Social media is amazing, isn’t it? You can show people what’s going on with your life at a simple click of a button. Whether it’s through photographs, status updates or even a video, your friends and family can catch a glimpse of your life and vice versa. But not everything you see can be taken at face value.

Here are a few topics that are often exaggerated on social media: Camping Out camping may seem all nice and cozy with all those photos of star gazers, tents and warm bonfires. in reality, camping may be a lot more than you bargained for. Rainy or stormy days can spell trouble for campers since most tents were not made for such conditions. Bugs and wild creatures can be a problem too if you’re not fully prepared and starting a fire is a lot harder when you lack proper equipment. camping may be a great bonding moment, but not for a lot of the reasons you think.

Beach Days are you often jealous of the amazing beach destinations your friends go to based on their vacation albums? Well what if i told you those pictures may have taken quite a bit of work or even photo manipulation to make them look that way. No matter what tropical island you go to, weather and atmosphere plays a significant role in the perfect vacation pic. While it is usually sunny days, even warm islands have their fair share of dark and stormy times.

The Struggle is Real Did you think those fun and carefree-looking vacation pictures

From Page 3

and videos were easy to make?

Making media to post on your social media accounts is very tiring and tedious work in reality.

Those flawless swimsuit and jump photos? a lot of time and tries have been poured into it just to get the right one. Those amazing mountain hike photos? Their feet are probably sore from climbing near steep terrain just to get up there. it seems like no sacrifice is too great to nab the perfect shot when it comes to the internet.

The Journey While it may be fun to see a photo of smiling faces on a plane or car on your news feed, chances are the people in the picture were close to passing out while trying to look good for the camera. Road trips and plane rides can really take a lot out of you from the early waking call to the long and boring moments of doing nothing. Next time you get jealous of a photo of your friends on a trip overseas or a car across the country, just remember that they were probably dead tired and that it isn’t all that glamorous as they make it out to be.

The Sights and Flavors it can be easy to get envious of the many different foods or attractions your traveling friends and family get to go to, but for most cases they probably just got lucky. The more popular a

national dish or tourist site is, the less likely you are to visit it. When you visit a country, chances are you’re not the only one looking forward to taking videos or writing status updates in a famous restaurant or a world renowned monument. long lines and terrible conditions will more often than not be present when you arrive. it can be easy to get carried away with the allure and sparkle of social media posts, but it would do you well to remember that not all trips were created equal and that some posts may be exaggerated to make it appear better than it actually was.

That said, there is no harm in having a bad vacation as it can net you valuable experience you can learn from.

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It’s a boy for James & Michela

perhaps when their son is old enough to serve as ring bearer.

Meanwhile, James is recuperating from a right-calf injury he sustained during the third Continued on Page 5 quarter of last Sunday’s game in

which his team, Star Hotshots, lost to the San Miguel Beermen (117-98). The two-time MVP (Most Valuable Player) cried “ouch!” when he was injected with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) at the St. luke’s Medical cen-

ter (Global).

(Note: Also expecting are Isabel Oli and husband John Prats, Drew Arellano and wife Iya Villania; and, although they are mum about it, Kean Cipriano and Chynna Ortaleza.)

features 5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 30, 2016

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

In private homes, we learn yet of another world—of quiet angels with gentle hearts. Back home, they used to be teachers, bank tellers, office workers, engineers, or registered nurses who handle with special grace the dignity of their “clients’” last moments. They help not to torment these people with meaningless chemical assaults in their last days, when they could no longer be at a hospice. That precise moment to let go, for that last plunge, to let it fall easy and gentle. That is when the human art of caring, is when the caregiver is at her best.

Whether in high rise multistory building, a cozy condo, or in any elegant sprawling California-style bungalow, stately mansions at Bel Air or Hancock Park where the caregiver is co-

Who will take care of gentle angels called caregivers? cooned for five days or a whole week, she is aware of how eerily the outside world drops away.

At home by the side of the “client,” she is intimate with the bleak environment that suddenly becomes her temporary domain. If she’s lucky, she could watch the ebb tide and flow of the respite of a TV, listen to the radio. Saddled with culture clash, she can help herself with those stupefying, awful food.

Within our complex system of long term care, women’s care giving is essential in providing a backbone of support. In fact, the value of informal care that women provide ranges from $306 million annually. Women provide the majority of informal care to spouses, parents, in law, friends and neighbors; and they play many roles while care giving such as health provider, care manager, friend, companion, surrogate decision maker and

advocate.

Women are the major providers of long term care in this country, but they also have a long term care needs of their own. Women live longer than men, tend to outlive their spouses, and have less access to retirement savings such as pensions. In 2010, almost seven percent of all women were aged 75 or older. A common scenario is when an older woman who cares for her husband discovers that their few resources—financial or otherwise—are not enough to meet her own needs for assistance. So, who will take care of the caregivers?

But as the Greek philosopher Shades Seneca said, “Wherever there is a human being, there is opportunity for kindness.” ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com

Coco Martin gets his creative juices...

From Page 4

“Walang Hanggan,” also with Roces as Manang Henya; and Filipino. “These heroes aren’t hard to find. They aren’t necessarily policemen like Cardo.

We see them in ordinary men who are always ready to help others.”

He said he was able to relate easily to the character because “like me, Cardo came from a poor family. He worked hard to be able to fulfill his dreams, and he did this with his family in mind. I like that he is also concerned with the welfare of his community. I consider him a hero.”

The actor also finds strength in the lola characters in all of his TV series. “This is because, in real life, I was raised not by my parents but my grandmother.

I always say, my leading lady is my lola. I have one in most of the shows I was part of,” said Coco, such as “Juan dela Cruz,” where he worked with Gina Pareño as Lola Belen;

“Tayong Dalawa,” with Pareño as Lola Gets.

6

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - March 30, 2016

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