LA Midweek Edition -- August 24 -- 26, 2016

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

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T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

Volume 26 - No. 68 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

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from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Mysterious fire destroys Filipino family’s home

Investigators unsure of cause, but say incident unrelated to an earlier fire

1210 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204

Philippines ‘not leaving’ the UN Duterte brushes off comment as a joke

by Dana anD

SioSon Klarize MeDenilla AJPress

DesPIte President rodrigo Duterte’s threat that the Philippines may opt to leave the United Nations (UN), the country is staying “committed” to the international agency, malacañang confirmed on monday, August 22. foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. said in a news briefing on monday that

A fILIPINo family in Northern California woke up to find their house threatened by flames during the predawn hours of saturday, August 13, less than a day after firefighters had put out an earlier blaze in the same area. fire crews extinguished a fire that consumed a shed, pumphouse and less than an acre of rural land in Coarsegold, California near the corner of highway 41 and Black oak road shortly after 5 p.m. on friday, August 12. Investigators told one of the homeowners that the fire started in a shed on the property and might have been caused by an electrical issue involving a malfunctioning heating blanket.

Power was cut to the house while the investigation of the first fire took place, then restored at about 8 p.m. the home’s occupants fell asleep sometime after 11 p.m., but were forced out of their beds by a second fire just hours later.

“At about 3 a.m. my husband woke up, noticed there was too much light for that time of night, and heard the bullets popping,” mary “Lyn” Aguillon, 59, told the Asian Journal. she owns the home along with her husband,

the Philippines’ commitment to the UN remains amid “frustrations.” the international agency is looking to investigate the rising extrajudicial killings in the country associated with the crackdown on illegal drugs.

Yasay said that Duterte did not outwardly express plans to withdraw from the UN, but that the president was just merely frustrated with the UN inquiries, stating that “like us, he is only human.”

“the president is understandable extremely disappointed and frustrated with this action of the special rapporteurs in arbitrarily concluding that these drug-related killings were done by or are at the instance of law enforcers,” Yasay said. “But I can assure you that he remains committed to the United Nations, of which the Philippines is one of the founding members.”

In a press conference on monday,

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Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s burial on hold

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

resPoNDING to petitioners, the Philippine supreme Court (sC) has ordered the government to hold former President ferdinand marcos’ interment at heroes Cemetery for 20 days. the court has issued a status quo order effective from August 23 to september 11 and rescheduled the oral arguments regarding the issue from August 24 to August 31, sC spokesman theodore te explained on tuesday, August 23.

Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier issued a memorandum dated August 7, informing Armed forces Chief of staff General ricardo Visaya of President rodrigo Duterte’s verbal order on July 11 to prepare for marcos’ hero’s burial. te added that the high court also granted the request of the sC Public Information office to conduct a live stream audio broadcast of the oral arguments “subject to the usual conditions and restrictions imposed.” on monday, August 22, two more petitions by a

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Bill to expand ‘Asian American’ label pushed in California 6,000 Aquino-appointed

INAUGURAL ON STAMPS. A postal employee shows a special stamp commemorating the inaugural of President Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippines’ 16th President on June 30, 2016.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

the CALIforNIA senate on tuesday, August 23 unanimously passed a bill that would expand the definition of “Asian American” for demographic reports on ethnic and racial origins. the measure will be sent back to the state Assembly. eArLIer this year, filipino-American California Assemblymember rob Bonta introduced AB 1726, or the Accounting for health and education in API Demographics Act (AheAD) to include more ethnicities in the Asian American label.

According to the bill, the state would be required to collect data for Bangladeshi, hmong, Indonesian, Pakistani, taiwanese, thai and other ethnicities. the bill proposes updating demographic categories by including these subgroups into the label. this would address their unique needs, and the state would more easily be able to dole out the necessary resources. “the bill would require the state Depart-

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US ‘deeply concerned’ as death officials ordered to vacate posts toll in Philippine drug war rises

by JoSeph

alMer B. peDraJaS AJPress

mANILA — At least 6,000 government appointees are set to vacate their posts as President rodrigo Duterte demanded a “massive revamp” to end the corruption that persists in the bureaucracy.

Presidential spokesman ernesto Abella clarified that only former President Benigno Aquino III’s appointees and two transport regulatory agencies mentioned by Duterte will be affected. these include the Land transportation office (Lto) and the Land transportation and regulatory Board (LtfrB). “these are appointees from the past administration and do not refer to appointees of the current administration, except those who have been made

reference to,” Abella said, clarifying that the current appointees, unless compelled, are exempted from the revamp.

In a press conference, Duterte stressed that “the most corrupt agencies” are the Bureau of Internal revenue (BIr), the Bureau of Customs and the Lto. the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Corrections and Philippine Drug enforcement Agency are also subject to an overhaul, after the deaths of five people during a concert at the mall of Asia grounds.

“It was a failure of intelligence on the part of the police and other agencies concerned. how did it pass security?” Duterte said.

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De Lima’s former driver called to be star witness in House inquiry

by JoSeph

Senator Leila De Lima

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr.

alMer B. peDraJaS AJPress

seNAtor Leila De Lima’s former driver and alleged lover is now being eyed as a state witness against the senator in a house of representatives inquiry.

During a press conference on monday, August 22, house Deputy speaker Karlo Nograles said that De Lima’s driver, ronnie Palisoc Dayan, could testify before the house about the senator’s alleged role in protecting drug syndicates inside New Bilibid

Prison (NBP), while she was justice secretary. “the probe is for the sake of transparency and accountability. If it involved the driver, Congress must send an invitation for him to air his side,” Nograles said.

In house resolution No. 105, 11 house leaders have requested to investigate De Lima’s and other Bureau of Corrections officers’ (BuCor) negligence regarding the illegal activities existing inside the Bilibid, which were mostly perpetrated by drug lords.

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by ChriStina anD

M. oriel Dana SioSon AJPress

UNIteD states officials again expressed this week that they are “deeply concerned” about the extrajudicial killings that have occurred since President rodrigo Duterte took office and called for a crackdown on illegal drugs. “the United states believes in the rule of law, due process, and respect for universal human rights, and that these principles promote long-term security,” U.s. Department of state Deputy spokesperson mark toner said on monday, August 22. since Duterte became president on July 1, the Philippines has reported 712 deaths of drug traffickers and users, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief ronald Dela rosa said before a senate hearing on monday.

Dela rosa also said that 1,067 other drug-related killings were being investigated. earlier this month, Duterte reiterated his campaign promise to get rid of illegal drugs and traffickers. “my order is shoot to kill. I don’t care about human rights,” the president said on August 5, dismissing the concerns of his critics. “We have a crisis.”

During monday’s news briefing at the U.s. state Department, toner

1

US State Dept. Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner

said it was “not for me to judge” Duterte, who he called a “plainspeaking” politician.

Despite the long-standing “frank and candid” bilateral relationship with the Philippines, the U.s. will not be “turning a blind eye to human rights abuses or possible human rights abuses in the Philippines.” the U.s. is committed to urging the Philippines to ensure its law en-

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A AUGUST 24-26, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Philippines ‘not leaving’ the…

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Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella mirrored Perfecto’s statements and clarified Duterte’s claims.

“We are not decoupling,” Abella said. “It was a matter of record, it was a statement. [Duterte] was just basically stating the fact that the Philippines is a sovereign nation and should not be meddled with.”

The UN’s special rapporteurs — who operate under the Human Rights Council — have an-

nounced plans to investigate the rise of killings since Duterte’s entrance into the presidency.

“We call on the Philippines authorities to adopt with immediate effect the necessary measures to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,” Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, said in the report.

Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that more than 1,500 people have been killed since early July.

The president has also publicly tied politicians, judges and police and military personnel to the drug trade.

He had been aggravated with the comments, prompting the threat to leave the world body.

“I do not want to insult you.

But maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations,” Duterte said on Sunday, August 21. “Eh ‘di kung ganun kayo ka bastos, p*****i**, eh, umalis na ako dyan sa inyo (If

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6,000 Aquino-appointed officials ordered…

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“They have to go,” the president said, “there are those we want to get, but the low pay in government discourages them from being part of my administration.”

Aside from the LTO and LTFRB, the order does not also include officials from state uni-

versities and colleges, judiciary, and government-owned and controlled corporations.

On Monday, August 22, Malacañang released Memorandum Circular No. 4 that “all presidential appointees [should] tender their unqualified courtesy resignations within seven calendar days.”

The vacated posts will be filled with next-in-rank officers until the president appoints replacements.

The memo added that any presidential appointee who fails to tender his or her courtesy resignation may be held administratively liable and given the appropriate penalty. n

A JOURNEY FOR PEACE. Peace consultants Adele Berto Silva, Wilma Tiamzon, Benito Tiamzon, Alan Jazmines and Renante Gamara raise their fists before boarding their plane for Oslo, Norway where formal peace negotiations will be held starting Monday, Aug. 22.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s…

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youth group and a group of former government officials were filed against Marcos’s burial at Heroes’ Cemetary, bringing the number of petitions to a total of five.

The first group of petitioners on Monday included students of the University of the Philippines Zaira Baniaga, John Arvin Buenaagua, Joanne Lim, and Juan Antonio Magalang, also referred to as ‘millennials.’

They argued that Lorenzana “may have abused his authority” in issuing preparation orders for the interment and that Marcos had long been disqualified from a hero’s burial when he was ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution.

“We cannot with a clear conscience accept that Marcos the tyrant lie beside the nation’s

genuine freedom fighters. Malacanang cannot insist its will when laws have been enacted recognizing the human rights violations during the Marcos regime. The government must be consistent,” Baniaga said.

The second group of petitioners included former Senator Heherson Alvarez and his wife, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez, former movie director Joel Lamangan, former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Edmund Tayao, Movement Against Political Dynasties chairman Danilo Olivares and actor Noel Trinidad.

They argued that the administration on former President Fidel V. Ramos permitted the return of Marcos’s remains in the Philip-

pines on the condition that the exiled president’s body would be flown straight to Ilocos Norte.

The agreement also specified that Marcos will not be buried at the national shrine nor be given military honors.

“Our petition is not only of local significance but macro – global. The atrocities during Marcos’ time is like Hitler in scale. Would Hitler be a hero in Germany? Would Mussolini, who was killed by the guerilla in Italy be a hero?” Alvarez said.

The Marcos family, however, told the SC that the allegations of human rights violations during the martial law years are irrelevant to the issue of the late president’s hero’s burial.

“Apart from being irrelevant to the issue at hand, the allegations may not be assumed as facts

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From the Front Page

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 24-26, 2016

A

Mysterious fire destroys Filipino family’s…

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Antonio, 69.

At that time, eight people were inside as the conflagration circled the home, including the couple’s 1-year-old grandson. Two of the house’s tenants and Antonio Aguillon suffer from disabilities affecting their mobility.

Lyn Aguillon helped the home’s occupants get to the family’s car, then had to run back inside to retrieve her keys. She said flames had spread to inside the home when she returned from the vehicle and saw windowpanes shatter due to the heat as she raced back out.

“We could have lost our lives,” Aguillon told the Asian Journal over the phone.

Firefighters returned to the property just after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, but multiple reports of gunfire in the area prevented them from immediately apDE LIMA MEETS BATO. Senator Leila De Lima, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, welcomes Philippine National proaching the scene. Sheriff’s Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa before the start of a Senate hearing on extrajudicial and summary killings. In her opening statement, De deputies investigated and deterLima assured resource persons that the goal of the investigation is not to weaken the war against drugs, but to create legislation that mined that heat from the fire was will address the increasing number of extrajudicial killings in the country.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo setting off loose ammunition.

Crews used eight fire engines and a bulldozer to put out the blaze. They managed to contain Last Friday, August 20, De the situation by about 5 a.m. No woman who funded the house of PAGE A1 t Last week, President Rodrigo her lover and yet, we do not see Lima said there were some “snip- people were reported injured as Duterte warned that he could use any complaints about it,” Duterte pets of truth” in the president’s a result of the incident, but fireallegations.

Dayan, the said “driver-lover” to said, referring De Lima.

“This is what I can say at this Asked to react to De Lima’s apwitness against the senator.

“I can use many people. I peal to spare her family, Duterte point, may konting totoo dyan can use a prisoner. I can use replied, “if you are in public of- pero karamihan ho dyan (There her lover who is her driver,” fice, De Lima, your life is an open were snippets of truth there PAGE A1 t but most of them were) exag- forcement efforts comply with its he said. “[De Lima] created the book.”

On the other hand, Presiden- gerations, distortions and lies,” human rights obligations. scandal. She knows she is a “I’m just going to say that we tial Communications Secretary she said, without disclosing public official.” continue to work with the FilipiDuterte publicly accused De Martin Andanar charged back at what the truths were.

However, she denied that she no Government on a broad range Lima of having an affair with her the criticism following Duterte’s former driver, who allegedly was reported misogynistic tirades and her driver were tied to illegal of bilateral and regional issues, and while at the same time makthe senator’s crony in covering il- against De Lima wherein he drugs.

“That’s completely false. I will ing clear that as [the] Philippines legal drugs that had persisted in called her an “immoral womnever do that because I’ve never addresses issues that touch on an.” the correctional facility.

“The president was merely betrayed my oath as a public ser- human rights that we’re going to “Here is an immoral woman flaunting, well, of course, in so stating the facts and laying down vant and I don’t intend to ever make our concerns clear,” Toner far as the wife of the driver was the legal bases of his argument,” betray my oath as a public ser- added. vant,” she said. n Following US Secretary of concerned, it’s adultery. Here is a Andanar argued.

State John Kerry’s visit to Manila in late July, Duterte confirmed that the Philippines will receive Last year Governor Jerry $32 million in aid from the U.S. will be used PAGE A1 t ment of Public Health to use the An attorney from the Bay Brown vetoed a similar bill, AB meant to fund training and seradditional separate collection Area Kai Zhu told 89.3 KPCC 176, which had proposed creat- vices for security forces. categories and other tabulations that the bill could potentially ing new guidelines in collecting In another outburst against the for specified Asian groups and reignite affirmative action, demographic data critics of his anti-illegal drugs Pacific Islander groups, and to which was banned in California “I am wary of the ever grow- campaign, Duterte over the take additional actions as speci- in 1996. Moreover, he said that ing desire to stratify,” Brown weekend lashed out against the fied above, under certain circum- the bill could be a disadvantage wrote in a letter. “Dividing U.S. police killings of black men. stances,” the bill read.

“Why are you Americans killto Chinese-Americans applying people into ethnic or other Opponents of the proposal say to college. subcategories may yield more ing the black people there, shootthat it is divisive, especially for The bill is in its early stages of information, but not necessar- ing them down when they are Chinese Americans and more data collection, but the promise ily greater wisdom about what already on the ground?” Duterte represented Asian groups. Policy of the bill is impactful. There are actions should follow. To focus said on Sunday, August 21.

Director for Empowering Pacific currently two categories: Asian just on ethnic identity may not The president added that those Islander Community (EPIC) Cal- American and Native Hawaiian be enough.” (By Klarize Mede- cases are “still human rights viovin Change doubts how the data and Pacific Islander. lations.” n nilla / AJPress)

De Lima’s former driver called to be star…

US ‘deeply…

Bill to expand ‘Asian American’ label pushed…

fighters were unable to prevent the Aguillon’s home from burning down.

“I loved that house,” said Aguillon, who wishes she could have saved her jewelry to help the family pay for expenses while an insurance company processes their claims. “We don’t have anything.”

The couple hasn’t yet decided whether to rebuild the home or move to a new one. Relatives have set up a GoFundMe page to help the family recover from the disaster.

Investigators are still working to discover the cause of the second fire, but say it was unrelated to the initial blaze. Madera County Fire’s Public Information Officer, Jamie Williams, told the Asian Journal that the department has no reason to believe one caused the other.

However, Aguillon alleges that firefighters failed to conduct proper cleanup and followup procedures after the initial fire, thereby contributing to her home’s incineration.

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A AUGUST 24-26, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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Obama visits Louisiana after criticism of delayed response

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

PRESIDENT Barack Obama toured southern Louisiana on Tuesday, August 23, where residents are recovering from historic storms and flooding that damaged approximately 60,000 homes and led to the deaths of 13 people.

Approximately 110,500 displaced people had applied for federal disaster aid and $74 million dollars have already been distributed as of Tuesday, according to Reuters.

In contrast to the controversies associated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, state and local officials have praised the federal government’s handling of Louisiana’s current crisis.

“They’ve gotten good at it, and they actually do care,” Louisiana’s Lt. Governor, Republican Billy Nungesser, told the New York Times.

Despite bipartisan approval of the government’s management of the situation in Louisiana, the president had received criticism for choosing to finish a two-week vacation before making his visit.

An editorial published in the Louisiana-based newspaper, The Advocate, on Wednes-

day, August 17, noted that Obama made time to attended a “swanky fundraiser for fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton,” before deciding to “show up for a catastrophe that’s displaced thousands.”

However, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards had requested that White House officials delay the president’s trip in order to avoid diverting the state’s resources away from disaster response.

On Tuesday, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump said via his official Twitter account that Obama’s appearance was “too little too late.” He flew to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday, August 19 to meet with survivors and assist in relief efforts.

The Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, which has been organizing volunteers in flooddamaged communities, confirmed the receipt of a $100,000 donation from Trump via its Facebook account on Monday, August 21.

The charitable contribution faced scrutiny after reports surfaced of the Church’s association to a conservative lobbying group that supports the traditional Christian definition of marriage. The interim pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Tony Perkins, is also

the president of the Family Research Council (FRC), according to an LGBT-focused online publication, similarly titled The Advocate. The publication referred to the FRC as a hate group.

Despite earlier reservations, Edwards told CNN that Trump’s appearance in Louisiana helped bring national attention to the disaster in his state on Sunday, August 21. He had said he worried that the Republican nominee’s plans would boil down to a “photo-op” in a statement released ahead of Trump’s visit.

Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she would come to Louisiana “at a time when the presence of a political campaign will not disrupt the [disaster] response, to discuss how we can and will rebuild together,” in a statement released Monday, August 22.

Like Clinton, representatives for the White House say they have been keen to avoid politicizing the suffering of thousands of Louisiana residents.

“But the survivors of the flooding in Louisiana are not well served by a political discussion, they’re well served by a competent, effective, strong, coordinated government response,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said during Monday’s press briefing. n

EDUCATION HEARING. Senator Bam Aquino, chair of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, met with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) led by Education Secretary Leonor Briones during the committee’s first Senate hearing, Monday morning. Aquino, who authored the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, encouraged the Education officials to include financial literacy in their curriculum for elementary and high school students. Senators Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva also attended the hearing.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

2% of Californians with no health coverage now insured

by Viji

sundArAm NewAmericaMedia

SAN FRANCISCO — Three years after California launched its online health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly threefourths of its 5.8 million previously uninsured residents now have insurance, according to a study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

Of them, one-third has coverage through Medi-Cal (California’s name for Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income

people), while 21 percent gained coverage through an employer and 11 percent bought insurance through Covered California, the online health insurance marketplace that launched in early 2014.

Another 8 percent said they have non-group coverage or insurance through some other source.

But the survey, conducted in English and Spanish, found that one ethnic group was under-represented: Latinos.

One-third of Latinos who were uninsured three years ago still did not have any health insurance after the 2015 open enrollment, with individuals who may not be eligible for insurance comprising nearly half of this group. The ACA disqualified undocumented immigrants from federally subsidized insurance offered through Covered California.

But the majority of the uninsured said the cost of insurance didn’t “fit into the family budget,” said Bianca Dijulio, KFF’s associate director of public opinion and survey research.

About one-fifth of those surveyed said they didn’t get medical insurance in the past year, and half of those surveyed said that they worry about bills in the event of a serious illness or accident.

Those on Medi-Cal, however, would be protected because the program is free or low-cost. The program is open to families that

meet the income requirements, and has recently expanded to include all children, regardless of their immigration status. It is also open to those who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

For the rest, costs will likely remain a challenge as prescription drug prices continue to spike, and premiums in Covered California plans on average are expected to rise by about 13 percent next year.

KFF researchers first surveyed a representative sample of 2,001 uninsured Californian adults under the age of 65 in the summer of 2013, prior to the ACA’s first open enrollment period. It followed the same group of people over the next three years, concluding the survey last February after the third open enrollment period.

By interviewing the same group of people four separate times, Dijulio said she and her team of researchers were able to track changes in their insurance status and how health insurance affected their lives.

“We were trying to shed light on the first few years of the ACA,” Dijulio said of The California Endowment-funded survey.

One thing that became obvious to researchers, she said, was that for many of the newly insured, the ACA has provided “stable coverage.” n

Supreme Court puts Marcos…

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but needs to be established with competent evidence,” the former president’s family said through counsel Atty. Hyacinth E. RafaelAntonio.

“Since the purported standing of the petitioners is predicated on those facts…and would require the presentation of evidence and the factual determination beyond the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, this by itself will warrant dismissal of the petition,” the comment stated.

They also argued that Duterte’s order is supported by RA 289 or the Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines,

National Heroes and Patriots of the Country.

“President Duterte understands that if this country really intends to extricate itself from the quagmire it is presently embroiled in, history must be viewed differently... President Duterte’s order to allow former president Marcos’ interment at the (Libingan ng mga Bayani) is based on his determination that it shall promote national healing and forgiveness, and redound to the benefit of the Filipino people,” Solicitor General Jose Calida told the Supreme Court on Monday.

Duterte previously said Marcos was worthy of a hero’s burial as a former president and soldier. n

Philippines ‘not leaving’ the…

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you are that rude, son of a b****, then I would rather leave) So take us out of your organization — you have done nothing, anyway, also.”

However, following the remarks, Duterte clarified that his comments were mere levity.

“Can’t you take a joke?” Duterte told the media on Tuesday, August 23. “What will you join, the association of those who sunk?”

The president added that he’d “like to talk to that alleged expert of the UN” and urged that expert to visit the Philippines to see the situation firsthand.

“You do not just throw that kind of allegations or statement without even coming here. You rely on the reports of the newspapers,” he said.

Duterte has expressed his distaste for the UN in the past, calling it a “useless, inutile body.” n

Mysterious fire destroys…

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“They didn’t remove the trees that were burned,” said Aguillon.

“They didn’t chop them down.

They didn’t dig them [out].”

She also said a vehicle belonging to the sheriff’s department blocked their exit when they reached the end of their driveway while fleeing the burning property on Saturday. Aguillon accuses a deputy of harassing her family after she drove offroad and around the other car.

She said the fire’s survivors were accused of making drugs.

“He said ‘why do you have so much ammunition … do you have a meth lab?’” Aguillon told the Asian Journal.

Aguillon said the deputy went on to suggest that the residents were manufacturing honey oil, a concentrated version of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

The production of both drugs can pose fire and combustion hazards. A honey oil lab operating in the Parkwood area of Madera exploded on Saturday, July 23, destroying the house it was run out of and displacing the 18 residents who lived there, according to the Madera Tribune.

Representatives for the Made-

ra County Sheriff’s Department question Aguillon’s accusations.

“Ten years ago, we used to get meth labs all the time, but we’re just not seeing them anymore,” the department’s Public Information Officer Commander, Bill Ward, told the Asian Journal.

“Something about that [accusation] doesn’t seem right.”

He adds that deputies have no record of interviewing any of the destroyed home’s occupants.

On Thursday, August 18, Aguillon said she didn’t know the name of the deputy she accuses of misconduct.

At the time she spoke to the Asian Journal, she had not yet filed an official complaint with the department, but said she planned to go to the Madera County Sheriff’s headquarters to learn the deputy’s name and make her claims known. She added that the other occupants who fled Saturday’s house fire can corroborate her version of events.

The Aguillons’ misfortune transpires amidst a destructive fire season that has razed homes and evacuated families throughout the state of California. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 24-26, 2016

A

Dateline PhiliPPines

Biomass projects to begin in Visayas

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

INTERNATIONAL organizations and the Canadian government have partnered up to invest in three biomass power plants in Negros Occidental, Visayas, enriching the country’s renewable energy sector.

The project is estimated to cost $161 million with investments from World Bank Group member International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and Canada. In addition to the construction of the plants and technology, the funding will help provide more income to farmers.

“Energy is central to the country’s development, and the Philippines needs to further diversify and secure its energy sources,”

FREED COMRADES. Communist rebel leaders Wilma (with raised fist) and Benito Tiamzon get out of the Camp Crame police headquarters in Quezon City after getting temporary passes from the courts. The two, who will join the resumption of peace talks with the government in Oslo, Norway next week, was welcomed by militant groups.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

JV Ejercito suspended from Senate

by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA, Philippines — Antigraft court Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, August 23 issued a 90-day suspension order against Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who is facing graft charges.

The court earlier charged Ejercito and other San Juan City officials with graft and technical malversation over the alleged anomalous use of high-powered firearms worth P2.1 million in 2008.

The senator had posted bail last April 18 for the graft charges following the warrant of arrest against him. A hold departure order was also filed against Ejercito for the charges against him.

Ejercito, who was then the mayor of San Juan City, insisted that it was his duty to approve the purchase of firearms to address the crime situation in the city.

“Our police force needed more than moral support as it urgently needed firepower against criminals who virtually held the city under siege. Thus, I approved

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito

the purchase of additional firearms for our police force to protect the lives and property of my constituents,” Ejercito said in a statement.

The senator said he does not regret his decision to purchase the high-powered firearms as it was his duty and responsibility to protect the city residents.

“The Duterte administration knows very well that its campaign against crime and illegal drugs requires that the Philippine Na-

tional Police is well-equipped to run after criminals,” the senator said.

Ejercito admitted that he was saddened by the suspension order issued by the Sandiganbayan but said that he respects the order.

“In the same breath, however, I am fighting this legal battle without delay as deep in my heart I know I did the right thing and that justice in the end will be on my side,” Ejercito said. n

IFC Country Manager Yuan Xu said. “Converting agricultural waste to biomass power is a sustainable way of creating economic value while caring for the environment.”

The cost-efficient project is slated to generate 70 megawatts of renewable energy. Sugarcane will be converted into energy using circulated fluidized bed boiler technology, a method which greatly reduces carbon emissions.

In the past, sugarcane waste was used to burn fields in swidden agriculture, which added to the country’s air pollution problem.

Local firm Bronzeoak partnered up with financial group ThomasLloyd Group Ltd. to build the plants in the towns of Manapla, San Carlos and La Carlota.

“We are happy to receive this support from IFC and the development partners,” Jose Maria Zabaleta, CEO of Bronzeoak, said in a statement.

Despite low scores on pollution indexes, the Philippines has been moving towards more renewable energy sources to reduce the country’s pollution epidemic.

According to Philippine Senator Juan Manuel Zubiri, since the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 that he co-authored, there have been more than 400 renewable energy projects that have been already implemented or are in the planning stages.

“In the last four years, we produced about 3 million jobs for engineers, construction workers all over the country. It’s a booming industry,” Zubiri told CNBC. n

PNP chief Bato to witnesses in drug killings: We will protect you by rosette

adel

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday, August 23 guaranteed the safety of witnesses who testified at the Senate on drugrelated killings.

Dela Rosa particularly mentioned one of the witnesses, Mary Rose Aquino, who named Antipolo City police officers allegedly involved in drug trade. Aquino claimed her parents used and sold drugs, which they sourced from the police officers. The drugs sold were allegedly the same seized in raids.

The PNP chief assured Aquino that the police officials named have already been ordered removed from the Rizal Police Provincial Office and will be confined in Camp Crame pending the results of investigations by the PNP Internal Affairs Service.

“Tinanggalan na po namin ng armas. Huwag po matakot sila Mary Rose. Hindi na po kayo under threat kasi iyong mga pulis na iyan, tinanggal na namin doon,” Dela Rosa said.

“Umuwi na po kayo sa inyo.

Puwede niyo na tanggalin ang cover sa mukha, please. Andito

kami. We’re here to protect you.

Dela Rosa also offered the witHuwag kayong mag-alala, iyong nesses the ‘White House’, the mga pulis na iyan, naka-confine PNP chief’s official residence, na po,” he added. u PAGE A7

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OpiniOn

Features

Impasse

HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today.

On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure it. But for those who lived through the wretched moments of this tumultuous era in Philippine history, the horror and pain live on.

In February 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power Revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country, and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power Revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power.

The People Power Revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics.

The impact of this period may very well be wiped in Philippine history following the order of Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte to allow the remains of Former Pres. Marcos to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).

“The only requirement of the law is for one to be president . . . that law provides for the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Deputy Speaker

Fredenil Castro said.

Republic Act 289, which provided for the construction of a National Pantheon or the Libingan ng mga Bayani for President of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country states that it was erected “to perpetuate the memory of all the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn.”

The issue has caused a public divide, even among the president and his allies.

“I see the point of the President that if it’s a completely legal issue, he (Marcos) is entitled to it. But the name [of the cemetery] is Libingan ng mga Bayani. While he had heroic moments in his life, we do not consider him in totality heroic because of things that happened during martial law. Unless we change the name to Libingan ng mga Bayani at Diktador,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

But for Vice Pres. Leni Robredo, this recent decision is complete disregard of the human and civil rights violations accounted for during the martial law period.

“How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos?

Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Robredo emphasized.

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

“This decision will not bring unity to our country; it will only deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and family members of victims of the terrible years under the Marcos presidency. Furthermore, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole,” she added.

Groups opposing the planned Marcos burial has brought the issue to the Supreme Court. The High

Court has issued a status quo ante order against Marcos’ burial set in September. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The halt order is effective for 20 days as the court prepares for oral arguments on the petitions against the former president’s final interment at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig.

Until then, Filipinos are once again reminded how the martial law period and lessons of the People Power Revolution have impacted how they live today. (AJPress)

Human Rights Watch: Killings in Duterte’s War on Drugs a National Emergency INTERNATIONAL organizations like the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch(HRW) did not mince words in their concerns about how Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is governing the country, specifically on his war against drugs.

The United Nations may send observers to the Philippines after it has expressed concern regarding what the international organization deems as Pres. Duterte’s empowerment of the police to eradicate the drug problem. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has condemned this, and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime referred to as an “apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings.”

ABS-CBN News reported that the number of drug-related fatalities since May has reached 1,179. With this alarming number and trend, the

Human Rights Watch organization believes that what is hapThe Fil-Am pening now in the Philippines is now a national emergency and Perspective that governments like the United States the members of the European Union should make it clear to Duterte that this will have diplomatic and economic conse- Gel SantoS-ReloS quences to the Philippines.

In a report by Balitang America New York Correspondent Don Tagala on The Filipino Channel, HRW Deputy Asia Director Phelium Kine said, “In terms of foreign aid or foreign support for various Philippine Agencies and programs — this is something -- an obligation of the international com-

munity to support the Filipino people, and to support their universal rights and freedoms which the Philippine government right now is absolutely trampling and streamrolling.”

On “Balitang America,” Kine said, “What we have seen in the last seven weeks since President Duterte came to ffice is an almost unprecedented scale of government-sanctioned bloodletting on the streets of the Philippines.”

“President Rodrigo Duterte was not elected with a mandate to trample on the Constitution, to absolutely ignore and abuse human rights and legal process,” Kine pointed out.

With Duterte’s much publicized dismissal of international critics, Kine contended: “President Duterte is a former lawyer he should know these things. And so for him to either profess ignorance about the idea of due legal process, or to announce that he will not honor it — this is a very disturbing development in terms of where the Philippines is going.”

DO YOU AGREE with the perspective of the UN and the Human Rights Watch? *** 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

Drug killings an international issue now BECAUSE in the first draft of this column, I used the word Opinion “Draconian” to describe the unprecedented measures that President Duterte has adopted in his war on drugs, I was led by Yen Makabenta my research to the story of Draco, from whose name the word was taken.

In the Encyclopedia Britannica, I found this entry on Draco: “Draco also spelled Dracon (7th Century BC), Athenian lawgiver whose harsh code punished both trivial and serious crimes in Athens with death – hence the continued use of the word “draconian” to describe repressive legal measures.

“The six junior archons or magistrates, are said by Aristotle to have been instituted in Athens after 683 to record the laws. If this is correct, Draco’s code was not the first reduction of Athenian law to writing, but it may have been the first comprehensive code.

“The code was later regarded as intolerably harsh, punishing trivial crimes with death; it was probably unsatisfactory to contemporaries, since Solon, the archon in 594 BC, later repealed Draco’s code and published new laws.

An international issue now This excursion into Draco’s story is a way of introducing my theme today, that President Duterte’s war on drugs and the over a thousand drug killings are no longer just a national issue; they are an international issue now.

The name “Duterte” is now known all over the world and carried by innumerable newspapers and news media.

It has taken a seat for notoriety beside the likes of Hugo Chavez and Osama bin Laden at a time when the world has started to forget them.

By going to war against the United Nations because of the world body’s desire to inquire into the drug killings, and because of his obstinate re-

fusal to honor human rights and humanitarian law in the drug war, President Duterte has placed himself in the cross-hairs not only of the UN but in those of every international human rights organization.

By threatening to pull the Philippines out of the United Nation (even organizing his own association of nations), the President may have only boxed himself into a corner.

All the profanities that he has heaped on the UN and his human rights critics cannot wipe away the cloud that has formed over him and his government.

The human rights issue will not go away. It may well wind up in an international court.

The dead will not be forgotten. More than 1,500 people have been killed since Duterte took office and immediately began his law-and-order crackdown, according to police statistics.

The UN’s special rapporteur on summary executions, Agnes Callamard, said last week said that Duterte’s promise of immunity and bounties to security forces who kill drug suspects violated international law.

This follows UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s criticism of Duterte in June, for promising during the election campaign to kill 100,000 people and dump so many bodies in Manila Bay. “I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms,” Ban said.

This led to more cuss words from DU30: “Fuck you, UN, you can’t even solve the Middle East carnage … couldn’t even lift a finger in Africa,” he said then.

Last month Duterte said he might not ratify the country’s commitments to a historic UN climate change pact agreed to by his predecessor last year.

Teaching the UN how to count

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST Funeral parlor workers lift the body of one of the two drug suspects who were killed in an alleged shootout with police in Barangay Bonuan Tondaligan in Dagupan City.

Ray B.zambrano/ Inquirer.net

In his latest blast against the UN, President Duterte boasted that he would teach the UN how to count.

He addressed himself to the UN, saying: “You’re complaining that there is no process. Okay, you guys, you law experts of the United Nations, come here, come here and face me and make the accusations and I will show you the statistics and I will hold your finger and teach you how to count,” he said.

The President said that he was willing to dialogue with UN observers to explain to them the effects of his war on the narcotics industry, yet his spokesman Ernesto Abella said a UN fact-finding mission that Callamard offered to lead to look into the summary killings in the country was not welcome and would be considered “unnecessary meddling” in internal affairs.

Duterte justifies everything by saying that what he has launched and sown are in line with fulfilling his duty: “My job as President is to protect law-abiding citizens. I was never tasked by any law to protect criminals.

I say this because 16 million people voted for me and I have a large margin between me and the next candidate,” he said.

“The President therefore finds the pronouncements from certain bodies as unwelcome meddling in national matters. The Philippines has not extended any invitation to anybody, nor the UN to look into its national affairs.

We are capable of our own internal dialogue.”

A necessary catharsis But all this blah-blah cannot wipe away, however, the fact that Duterte’s draconian measures have gone against

humanity’s fundamental belief that people have a right to be left alone by government when there is no evidence that they have committed a crime, and if there is evidence, that they have to be charged and tried in public, under judicial oversight.

When officials deviate from this norm, they should be grilled and must be called to account.

Yesterday, the Senate inquiry into the drug killings opened with Sen. Leila de lima leading the probe. The hearing was broadcast live, and the public finally began to hear for themselves accounts about the killings, and the stories of some of the people killed.

It was excruciating to behold. But this inquiry is the necessary catharsis that the Filipino nation must go through because of the war on drugs. (yenmakabenta@yahoo.com)

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A

Atienza to clear Marcos in Plaza Miranda bombing

by Romy

P. maRiñas ManilaTimes.net

THE LATE former President Ferdinand Marcos had no hand in the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing that crippled the political opposition and shortly led to the declaration of Martial Law by the then emerging strongman.

The assertion was made over the weekend by Rep. Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list, who was one of those severely wounded when bombs exploded off at the Liberal Party (LP) campaign rally at the famous square in Manila’s Quiapo district 45 years ago on August 21.

At a weekly breakfast meeting in Quezon City, Atienza announced that he will clear Marcos of allegations that the former president had masterminded the deadly attack in a privilege speech this afternoon, August 22, and identify those behind the bombing.

He said he will try to connect the bombing to the 1983 assassination of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., who, until his death on August 21 of that year, remained an LP stalwart.

Atienza, also the House senior deputy minority leader, made the announcement even as he threw

his support behind the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the Marcos family to bury the remains of its patriarch at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).

“I have fought Marcos. After the explosion at Plaza Miranda, I was picking up body parts of my colleagues. I was cursing Marcos.

What we knew after all these years is that Marcos was the brains behind the bombing. We blamed him but what we did not know was that we should be blaming somebody else,” Atienza said at the breakfast meeting at Anabel’s on Tomas Morato Avenue.

The lawmaker said he hopes his privilege speech will help heal old wounds without prejudicing whatever cases that supposed political enemies of the Marcoses then and now will file in court against the former leader’s family.

In backing the President’s decision to have Marcos’ remains buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery, Atienza called on members of the Duterte Cabinet to follow his lead.

Also supporting a hero’s burial for Marcos were former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Dionisio Santiago, Lakas ng Manggagawa labor center

Secretary General Teri Tuazon and Moro National Liberation Front youth convenor Zulfikar-ali Bayam, who attended the weekly breakfast forum.

Atienza, a former mayor of Manila, chided those “who enjoy the confidence of the President and yet oppose his decision to honor Marcos with a hero’s burial.”

While he clarified that he is in no position to dictate on members of the Duterte Cabinet, he pointed out that the President’s decision is motivated by “the pursuit of national unity and reconciliation.”

Among those who previously objected to Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani were Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, who, as congressman of party-list Anakpawis in 2011, was co-author of House Resolution 1297 that opposed the plan.

Opposition lawmaker Teodoro Baguilat of Ifugao had urged Taguiwalo, Mariano and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., a former anti-Marcos activist, to speak up against Duterte’s decision.

Reports have said that the burial would take place on September 18. n

PAGE A5 t

‘It was a good run in Rio for Philippines’

ter these Games,” said the IOC president.

For the Philippines, which RIO DE JANEIRO — Kirstie won a silver medal courtesy of Elaine Alora, the last Filipino ath- weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, it’s time lete to compete in the Rio Olym- to move on to the next battles pics, carried the country’s colors ahead – the SEA Games, Asian in Sunday’s closing ceremonies Games and then Tokyo. at the iconic Maracana Stadium.

Chef-de-mission Jose RomasThe Rio Olympics came to a anta gave an assessment of the close, and the Tokyo Olympics Philippine participation here. was formally introduced.

He called it “a good run” in Alora said if she stays fit, she that the country ended a 20-year will give the Olympics another medal drought in the Olympics. shot in 2020, hoping to do bet- Diaz came here eyeing the bronze ter than her already gallant stand in the women’s 53 kg class, and last Saturday. won the silver.

“If our association still wants Medals can be won in the me to, I will try to qualify,” said Olympics, according to RomasAlora. anta, if the Philippines does what The closing ceremony lasted needs to be done. He said it has three hours, and featured Brazil- to do a better job discovering talian music, dances by half-naked ents that can deliver the goods. women in Carnival costumes and “It’s about time we come up the Japanese Prime Minister in a with a really organized approach, Super Mario costume. a documented program, profesEverybody looked forward to sional in manner, management the Tokyo Olympics after Rio for- style,” he said. mally bade goodbye.

“We need a third eye. We need International Olympic Commit- to commission an independent tee president Thomas Bach said with the objective of assessing the Rio Olympics, like all the rest, what really has to be done,” said will be remembered with joy. the first vice president of the People will remember the Philippine Olympic Committee.

PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa Romasanta is speaking from Tokhang campaign, historic run of Usain Bolt and nya ng pulis laban sa droga ay Oplan seryoso dahil andiyan pa si PO1 a door-to-door campaign to the ripples created by Michael experience because as head of the now-defunct Project: Ginat PO2 ganon kaya tinanggal na- ask drug suspects in the po- Phelps.

“History will talk about a Rio tong Alay, he managed to steer lice watch list to surrender to min,” the PNP chief said. before and a much better Rio af- the country to great heights in The PNP has intensified its authorities. n

PNP chief Bato to witnesses in… which he said may serve as their safe house for the meantime.

Asked what will happen to police personnel proven to be involved in drugs, Dela Rosa controlled his temper and said he could not imagine officers sworn to serve and protect the public engaged in illegal drugs, “Hindi ko sasabihin dahil masama, your honor, pero alam niyo na ang ibig kong sabihin. Gigil na gigil po ako, your honor,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said he has already removed officers involved in drugs and have prohibited them from conducting Oplan Tokhang and Oplan High Value Target operations. He also allayed fears of some in the public, citing that some police officers even offer free rides and serenade the public to dismissed the negative perception of the police.

“Nilipat na po namin sila at hindi po namin ini-involve sa Oplan Tokhang at Oplan HVT kasi po, habang nakikita sila ng taumbayan, hindi maniniwala ang taumbayan na itong kampa-

NINOY REMEMBERED. Former president Benigno Aquino III stands near the tomb of his father as he and his sisters and supporters marked the 33rd death anniversary of Benigno Aquino Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Aquino Jr. was assassinated on Sunday, August 21, 1983 upon his arrival the Manila International Airport.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

by abac

coRdeRo Philstar.com

sports.

“We need an agency or a group to champion this. I’m batting for a management group to help everybody through it and to help organize our plans,” he said before the closing ceremony.

Romasanta said the Philippines can’t keep going back to the drawing board after each international competition, and can’t rely on sports summits that doesn’t really mean a thing.

“Hindi puwede dakdakan lang (It can’t be all talk). It has to come in an organized manner.

We can all have our two cents worth. But we need to put things in fine form and professionally done,” he said.

To be successful in the Olympics, the Philippines must first identify the sports where Filipinos can really excel, and then find the talent from as far as the eyes can see.

“Why not go to the provinces to look for kids with physical attributes for a certain sport. Somebody has to have that eye for this and recruit them,” he said.

“What I’m saying is there should be an organized and identified steady stream of athletes for particular sports if we want more qualifiers in the Olympics,” he added.

Then the Philippines can really look forward. n

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B

7!2.).' TO

(OMEOWNERS

by IrIs

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries to watch out for because of positive demographics and stable fiscal position, said Ruchir Sharma, head of emerging markets for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

In his keynote address during a recent investment summit organized by the Financial Times and First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC), Sharma said the country’s demographics is an area where the Philippines ranks well.

In his keynote address during a recent investment summit organized by the Financial Times “Given its working age popu- and First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC), Sharma said the country’s demographics is an area

u PAGE B2

where the Philippines ranks well.

Photo by Paulo Alcazaren

DOT’s Teo reports first 50-day accomplishments She held a marathon meeting with the agency’s ranking and regional directors to conduct a THE holding of next year’s reality check and ascertain that Miss Universe beauty pageant in its resources were being used efthe Philippines and an exchange ficiently for tourism-related projtourism agreement with Thai- ects and activities only. land are just two of the key suc“After all, that is the mandate cesses the new tourism chief has of President Rodrigo Duterte: accomplished within the first 50 Stop corruption and ensure that days of her term. the fruits of tourism industry will Tourism Secretary Wanda trickle down to the masses,” Teo Corazon Tulfo-Teo is a long-time said. travel agency executive and inAs chair of the board of direcdustry leader and her first order tors of the Tourism Infrastrucof business was to pick sure per- ture and Enterprise Zone Auformers for her support staff to thority (TIEZA), she announced revitalize the DOT’s daily opera- the scrapping of the “processtions. ing fee” for the issuance of cerShe noted that the DOT is one tificates of Travel Tax Exemption of the country’s top earning in- and Reduced Travel Tax effective dustries and that she “knows by July 25, 2016. heart” the state of affairs in the She is also pushing for “shared tourism scene. tourism” to ensure that the ecoby raadee

s. sausa ManilaTimes.net

nomic benefits of tourism are inclusive of the marginalized members of the community.

At an industry reception for tourism leaders and DOT officials on July 11 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, Teo disclosed the proposal to hold the next Miss Universe pageant in Manila, a timely idea since the reigning Miss Universe is the country’s very own Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

Having secured President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of the proposal, Teo said the DOT will ensure the successful staging of the event.

On August 3, the Miss Universe Philippine hosting committee met at the DOT main office to set the ball rolling, with the participation of at least 12 depart-

u PAGE B2

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Hotel boom likely to continue five years

by Raadee

S. SauSa ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine hotel industry is expected to see continuous growth in the next five years as top players and hotel brands pursue their respective expansion projects, according to the latest Market Insight report of Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc. Industry players continue to pursue their respective expansion projects. For instance, Pinnacle said Filinvest Group is beefing up its hotel portfolio and expects to reach 5,000 guestrooms by 2020 from 1,063 guestrooms at present in Alabang and Cebu.

The Filinvest Group’s Chroma Hospitality, which offers hotel management services, is investing P2.6 billion into a 228-room

Canvas Hotel in Cubao and a 185room Canvas Hotel in Mactan.

“Filinvest is also bringing to the market a Crimson Hotel in Boracay; Quest Hotels in Dumaguete and Tagaytay; Canvas Hotels and Resorts in Cubao, Mactan, and Cebu City; and a Serulyan condotel in Mactan.

These hotels will open between 2018 and 2019,” Pinnacle said.

“The Philippines is actually doing better than most countries in Southeast Asia,” Pinnacle said.

With the hotel sector marking such growth, a trade fair called the Hotel Suppliers Show is scheduled to take place on September 22-24, 2016 at the ground floor of the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

This is our response to the vol-

ume of requirements needed by the domestic market – a one-stop shop sourcing platform to link up suppliers, developers, stakeholder, and buyers, said event chair Liza Hernandez.

“From the front desk to the back of house, to the kitchens, to the furniture, and to housekeeping, Hotel Suppliers Show has it all covered,” she said.

The show, a joint project of the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) and Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist Inc. (GESI), will bring together a comprehensive expo, Food & Beverage Suppliers Show, and Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment Philippines.

Some 200 exhibitors and 500 brands from top international and local companies will take part in this event. n

DOT’s Teo reports first 50-day…

PAGE B1 t

ments and agencies.

Teo emphasized the need for coordination among government entities particularly in addressing concerns such as facilitating the arrival/admission of the Miss U contestants, companions and organizers, public safety, traffic, travel and hotel accommodations.

“The maddening traffic mess is obviously the one single problem that beset our daily economic activities in Metro Manila, and we will find ways so as not to aggravate this with the hosting of Miss Universe,” said Teo.

Teo requested the representatives of the member agencies of the hosting committee to submit inputs for the formulation of the master plan for the Miss Universe hosting.

Also within her first 50 days, the country embarked on an “exchange tourism” agreement with Thailand during Teo’s four-day visit to Bangkok recently.

The DOT chief also visited the Fil-Am community in New Jersey, USA and asked the help of the community in promoting the Philippines as a tourism destination.

While there, she discussed her advocacy of the one-town,

one product concept, how DOT is eyeing medical tourism as a prime magnet for East Coast Fil-Am and non-Filipino tourists, the enhancement of Filipino cuisine’s profile as tourist attraction and the local governments’ participation in boosting tourism through the offices of mayors and governors.

Teo also emphasized that the DOT aims to promote domestic tourism as well. “Filipinos should not be strangers in their own country. They should be able to see with their own eyes the bountiful beauty God has endowed this country,” she said. n

Republic Act 10911 penalizes through fines and imprisonment employers who refuse to hire workers because of their advanced age.

New law vs age discrimination dismays employers pects of the hiring processes, but all other aspects of employment relations such as alleged MANILA, Philippines — The discrimination in promotion, Employers Confederation of the training and retirement.

“Jurisprudence has reiterated Philippines (ECOP) has lamented the lapsing into law of a bill time and again that the exercise that bans age discrimination in by the employer of management prerogative is not subject to inthe workplace.

ECOP said employers are terference so long as it is done strongly against the new law as in good faith based on the exithe prohibitions infringe on the gencies of business and not inexercise of management pre- tended to circumvent the legal rights of labor,” ECOP said. rogative.

Republic Act 10911 lapsed The group said prohibitions on age limitations under the into law recently because it was new law cover not only all as- not signed by former president Benigno Aquino III after it was approved by Congress.

The law penalizes through fines and imprisonment employers who refuse to hire workers because of their advanced age.

“Imposition of penal sanctions for violation of prohibitions is oppressive and violative of the constitutional rights of employers,” ECOP said.

ECOP cited a case law according rights and privileges to employers to assure their selfdetermination and independence and reasonable return of capital pursuant to the provision of the Constitution. “This mass of privileges comprises the so-called management preby Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

rogatives,” it said.

Covered by the new law are all employers, labor contractors or subcontractors, and labor organizations and publishers.

ECOP’s opposition to RA 10911 or the “Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment” came amid the warm reception from the Department of Labor and Employment which said the law is a positive development for the labor sector.

The law seeks to promote employment of individuals on the basis of their abilities, knowledge, skills and qualifications rather than their age.

It also stipulates that it is unlawful for a publisher to print or publish any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications and discrimination based on age.

Although having an opposing view with regards to the new law, ECOP, said it is one with the government in fighting abusive contractualization which the new administration has vowed to wipe out next year.

“ECOP does not and will not tolerate labor-only contracting.

It’s against the law and should be properly implemented,” ECOP president Donald Dee has said. n

LBC charts product, network expansion by daneSSa

o. RiveRa

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — LBC Express Holdings Inc. is looking to expand its product offerings and local reach in the next two years in anticipation of a surge in demand for logistics and e-commerce activities, its top official said.

LBC president and COO Miguel Camahort said the local logistics market would be driven by customized logistics, e-commerce activities and the introduction of new technologies and systems in freight forwarding, which the company would take advantage of.

“True to our leadership culture, we intend to be the frontrunner in these new developments, and steer the industry towards new growth opportunities,” he said.

Camahort said last month the company is earmarking P200 million in the next two years to diversify its services into warehousing, procurement, inventory, consolidation and cold storage.

“Our continued expansion lends itself to building trust and ensuring convenience, for both our loyal customers and our ever growing team. It’s part of a longstanding commitment to provide the kind of service our kababayans deserve. And we will go on to find new ways to innovate our product offerings to ensure our service truly deliver value and answers their needs,” the company official said.

Citing latest industry figures, LBC said it maintains its leadership in the Philippine domestic air freight forwarding market with a 40 percent market share in terms of throughput by weight.

To widen its reach, the company is opening at least 70 new

branches this year and another 60 new branches for 2017, LBC senior vice president for Philippine retail operations Oliver Valentin said.

It has 1,300 branches as of the end-of June, based on its latest financial report.

The branch expansion will allow the company to meet the inbound and outbound logistics needs of Filipinos as a result of opening up of trade and commerce in the ASEAN market, Camahort said.

“The recent implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community framework is seen to open up trade and commerce between all members of the ASEAN,” he said.

“This increase in regional economic activity – including access to manpower, raw materials, and other resources – will also mean increased demand for efficient and on-time logistics. With our investments to improve service infrastructure, we are more than ready to meet the incoming demand,” Camahort said.

LBC provides courier and freight forwarding services for individual and corporate customers, inbound remittance services originating from the US, Canada, the Asia Pacific region, Europe and the Middle East, and overthe-counter collection and payment collection. n

Demographics, fiscal stance…

PAGE B1 t

lation, it is still expanding at a decent pace. It has the necessary condition for being able to grow well over the next five years,” he said.

Aside from positive demographics, Sharma said the country’s fiscal situation is also quite stable, debt levels are relatively well, inflation is kept in check, and currency appreciation is managed.

Sharma said the country should first focus on spending in infrastructure before spending on welfare and other subsidies.

Geographically, he said the country is doing well in keeping itself open to trade.

But on internal geography,

Sharma said there is too much wealth or economic development concentrated in Manila.

This, he said, is a reflection of the wide income inequality in the country that needs to be addressed.

Moving forward, Sharma said countries like the Philippines can pursue the development of lowend manufacturing because it creates jobs.

He noted high-end manufacturing brings about automation and competition which you don’t want at this stage.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of logistics and interconnectedness for these businesses, and not just labor costs. n

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

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon IF you’ve made the decision to file bankruptcy in order to get a fresh financial start, here are some things to consider in choosing between Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Be aware, however, that your income and expenses have a lot to do with which chapter you will be able to file because the courts do consider your ability to pay when you’re applying for debt relief. For starters, below are some of the basic things you need to know.

Under Chapter 7, you receive a fresh start by having most debts wiped out (“discharged”). This includes most unsecured debt except student loans, alimony, child support, most taxes and debts incurred by fraud. If you have non-exempt assets, you may possibly have to sell them in order to pay creditors. However, most filers do not. For example, almost 100% of my clients keep everything and lose nothing at all by filing Chapter 7.

Under Chapter 13, you must

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA THE American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC and Lifetime Learning Credit can reduce your tax liability if you pay for college in 2016 even if you are studying outside of the U.S. The PATH Act makes permanent the AOTC used to be known as Hope Credit. The AOTC has been increased up to $2,500 and phases out with modified adjusted gross income MAGI from $80,000 to $90,000 for single and from $160,000 to $180,000 for married filing jointly. The AOTC had been scheduled to expire after 2017.The objective remains the same: to aid you in paying for college and collegerelated expenses.

Here are some tips to help you benefit in 2016 • The AOC was increased to $2,500 from $1,800 under Hope Credit.

• This is a credit for each

Community Journal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 24-26, 2016

Bankruptcy: Should you file Calendar of Events across Chapter 7 or Chapter 13? still pay off all or some of your debts over a 3-5 year period. Priority debts must be paid in full while unsecured debts are paid either a percentage or in full, depending on how much you can afford.

The discharge of debt under Chapter 7 usually occurs within 5 months, as opposed to the 3-5 year repayment plan under Chapter 13. Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years while Chapter 13 stays on it for 7 yearsboth from the date of filing. Most people are able to rebuild their credit, however, much sooner than 7-10 years from their bankruptcy case filing date by timely paying debts that are reported to the major credit bureaus.

There is no limit on the amount of debt you may have if you are filing Chapter 7. However, Chapter 13 does have limits for both secured and unsecured debts.

The important thing to remember is that not because you want to file Chapter 7 necessarily means that you can do so. Not everyone is eligible. If the court thinks that your income is suf-

ficient to fund a Chapter 13 repayment plan, then your Chapter 7 petition will be denied. Under current law, you can only file a Chapter 7 once every 8 years so if you’ve had a recent bankruptcy and you find yourself in debt again, you may not have a choice but to file a Chapter 13. Your bankruptcy attorney can review all relevant dates and advise you what is possible and best for your situation.

If you need help in getting your finances back on track, call my office at 866-477-7772 to schedule a free confidential consultation. Since 1998, I have represented more than 5,000 clients in bankruptcy. Let me help you get out of debt once and for all. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Education tax credits eligible student (per family for the Lifetime Learning Credit of $2,000).

• This expanded credit was made permanent by the PATH Act. It was scheduled to expire in 2017.

• It could be claimed for expenses paid for any of the first four years of post-secondary education towards a certificate program or degree.

• The expenses can be incurred for you, your spouse, or dependent.

• The credit is based on a cost percentage of qualified tuition and related expenses which has been expanded to cover required course materials, books, supplies and equipment. Credit does not apply to room and board, transportation costs, health fees, or insurance expenses.

• Such expenses will only qualify if paid to the eligible educational institution. Payments to the bookstore do not count.

• A tax credit will be received by the taxpayers based on 100% of the first $2,000 plus 25% of the next $2,000 of course materials, fees, and tuition paid during

the taxable year with a $2,500 maximum amount.

• Forty per cent of the credit is refundable, so even those individuals who owe no tax can get up to $1,000 of the credit for each eligible student.

• Phases out when your modified adjusted gross income has reached $80,000 or $160,000 for those filing jointly. Phased out for individuals whose income is more than $90,000 and $180,000 for those filing jointly.

TIP: If you cannot take the credit because of the phase-out rules, having your dependent student file his or her own return and claim the credit should be put into consideration. If the dependent does not have any income, consider employing your child or make gifts of appreciated stocks, and have the children sell these stocks and then pay their own tuition fees and related expenses.

• Credit can be claimed for the first four tax years.

• Credit can reduce the AMT. • Your tax returns must have the taxpayer identification num-

u PAGE B4

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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 AU G U ST 27

St. Margaret Mary Parish Luau The St. Margaret Mary Parish will celebrate their Annual Luau on August 27 at the SMM Parish Hall on 12686 Central Ave., Chino, California. Music will be provided by The Mid-­ night Motion Duo. For more information, please call SMM Filipino Ministry President -­ (90­9) 3­15-­9812, Adel Rellora.

SEPTEMbER 1

Startup Business Expo Tour (with Tagalog translation) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration invites you to the 20­16 Startup Business Expo Tour. The series of events is intended to help startups, small businesses, entertainment and production companies, food services, event planners, home-­based businesses, entrepreneurs, fashion & beauty businesses, e-­commerce, accounting services, cleaning services, consultants, childcare and more! Topics include: starting a business in LA, predicting your financial future, choosing a legal entity & access to capital. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 63­13­ Topanga Canyon Blvd., Ste. 2140­, Woodland Hills, CA 913­67. The event is FREE & open to the public. There will also be free food & refreshments for participants. To RSVP, please visit www.startuptourla.com.

SEPTEMbER 3

Filipino Association of Leisure World Annual “Luau” The Filipino Association of Leisure World will hold its Annual Hawaiian Luau at the LW Hall (123­2 Golden Rain Rd. Seal Beach, California) on Saturday, Sept. 3­. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. Please call the president of the association, Ren Villanueva at (3­23­) 854-­620­9 for other related questions.

S E P T E M b E R 9 -1 7

42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90­0­29. A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10­, at 3­:3­0­ PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;3­0­ PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept.

17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrat-­ ed Mass at 10­ am at Lincoln Park, 3­50­1 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90­0­3­1. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Ber-­ rei (818) 281-­3­169 or Gene Leano (818) 43­9-­6896.

SEPTEMbER 10

17th annual Asian Small Business Expo The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-­to-­business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. Admission to the expo is FREE! It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10­ from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Almansor Court Banquet & Conference Center, 70­0­ S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 9180­1. To register, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-­asian-­ small-­business-­expo-­tickets-­23­824155691. Walk-­ins are also welcome on the day of the expo. For more information, please visit www.apisbp.org.

SEPTEMbER 16

CAC to celebrate Town Fiesta The Cabatuan Association of California will celebrate their Annual Town Fiesta in honor of their Patron Saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10­, 20­16 with a mass at 11:0­0­ am at Nati Matitu-­Mercado’s residence -­ 15255 Knapp St. North Hills, CA, 913­43­. Please invite four friends and relatives. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa. For other inquir-­ ies, please call Esoy Tavarro, president, (714) 797-­0­0­73­; Sally Bilbao, adviser (951) 878-­ 5589; Boboy Mosqueda, adviser (714) 519-­8973­; or Nati Matitu-­Mercado, adviser at (818) 894-­5142.

S E P T E M b E R 23

AAPA’s leadership symposium Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) for an all-­day event from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptional and diverse keynote speakers and panelists, as well as multiple workshops on diversity and leadership topics. The symposium is open to everyone, and will be held at the Pacific Palms Hotel, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744. For more information, please visit http://aapamentoring.com/.

S E P T E M b E R 24

8th Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Region invites everyone to the 8th Regional Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint. Festivi-­ ties will be on Saturday, September 24, 20­16, at this year’s host parish, Holy Family Church -­ Glendale (20­9 East Lomita Avenue, Glendale CA 9120­5). Procession starts at 4:3­0­ PM , then Mass at 5:3­0­ PM with Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Ange-­ les, as Principal Celebrant. Reception , fellowship and program will immediately follow at the Holy Family Grade School Auditorium across the church. For more information, please contact Ping Bayani at(913­) 558-­43­3­2 or bayani0­950­@yahoo.com.

S E P T E M b E R 25

FAPCCA Media Awards The Filipino American Press Club of California invites you to The First FAPCCA Media Awards Gala Night 20­16 at Glendale Hilton Hotel, 10­0­ W. Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale CA 9120­2, Sept. 25, 20­16 Sunday 5pm (www.facebook.com/fapccamediaawards/) Tickets: $65/person includes dinner and entertainment. Call: ‪626.475.3­0­52‪; ‪3­10­.60­0­.9913­‪;‪8 18.3­57.4566‪ or pay by Paypal at www.paypal.me/fapcca (please indicate the amount, number of tickets, name, mailing address and cell number on the Special Instruction field).

FAPCCA Contact Persons: Chairperson Thelma Calabio -­ ‪3­0­1.60­0­.9913­‪; President Andy Z. Edralin -­ ‪626-­475-­3­0­52‪; VP Isidric Panganiban -­ ‪818.3­57.4566‪; Treasurer Christie Rosacia -­‪818.451.660­6‪; Auditor Sonia Bermejo -­ ‪818.653­.3­177‪; Joe Cobilla -­ PRO -­ ‪3­23­.80­4.9959‪; Director Rose Sarreal ‪213­.3­21.1119‪

S E P T E M b E R 29

Bataan Legacy Historical Society multimedia presentation Bataan Legacy Historical Society, a non-­profit educational 50­1(c)(3­) organization, will hold a multimedia presentation at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bataanlegacy.org.

O c TO b E R 8

25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake. Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-­running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern Califor-­ nia. Audiences can expect to enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.” While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City. For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 213­3­80­3­722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org.

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 AUGUST 24-26, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

PeoPle & events

Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for massive default on mortgage

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT is 55 and single. He appears to have no problems to worry about. He is self-employed and makes about $5K monthly teaching people a special skill.

He has no dependents. He owns a house that has no equity. The house is worth $400K but he owes $420K on it. He has not paid the mortgage for at least 3 years and has massive arrears on his mortgage of $88K. He has applied several times for loan modification. Unfortunately, all attempts to modify were denied by the bank. I would surmise that his income is not easily verifiable. He filed another loan modification package three months ago (looks like he won’t take no for an answer) and the bank has yet to respond.

Despite his pending loan modification request, the bank proceeded with a notice of default to start the foreclosure process. As you probably know, the bank is not supposed to proceed with foreclosure if there is a loan modification pending.

However, the reality is that most banks don’t follow this law. Why should they? All you have to do is keep on resubmitting a loan modification package after each denial. As a result, the bank will never be able to foreclose on the house and you get to stay in your house without paying the mortgage forever. They’re not that dumb.

So, with a week before the foreclosure sale date, he comes to see me because he says he wants to stop the foreclosure.

Well, the only sure way to stop the foreclosure is with a Chapter 13. Foreclosure stops upon filing of the Chapter 13 petition. The default amount gets frozen and client is given 60 months to pay the default in equal monthly installments without interest. However, the current mortgage payment must be resumed a month after the case is filed. I said, “Are you sure? Because your default is $88K and this means that your monthly plan payment to cure the default will be at least $1,466, and

“

Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $19K credit cards

you have to resume your regular mortgage payment.” This means that in addition to your regular mortgage payment, you have to produce another $1,466 to save your house from foreclosure.

Considering that the house has no equity isn’t it more productive to just abandon the house and rent somewhere since client is still single with no dependents.

I mean, he lives by himself, so

On the other hand, client has no credit card debt, but he does pay for two new cars, total of about $900. Why not just abandon the house and live in the brand new van? That’s something to think about. The van has all the amenities of a house except a toilet and a kitchen. He doesn’t cook anyway. Maybe he can just buy one of those tiny houses? You can buy one for $20K. It has everything that a normal sized house has, except it’s smaller, like 200 sq. ft.

We just came back from the first hearing. Client paid the plan payment plus the first mortgage payment. I guess he could be hoarding a lot of cash since he hasn’t paid the house for two years.

Next client is 80.

Finally, someone older than I. Would you believe, my oldest client for Chapter 7 was 92 years old! He did his first Chapter 7 case when he was 60. He had four wives and outlived all of them. He just retired last month. His social security benefit is $1,000. His wife’s social security is $400. They migrated here just ten years ago.

He had to work for ten years to qualify for social security. Rent is $900. He owes credit cards of $19K requiring minimum monthly payments of $700, which is 70% of his social security. Obviously, it’s high time to get rid of the $19K with a Chapter 7 petition. Client agrees and decides to file for Chapter 7 immediately. That’s the right decision of course.

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

— Psalm 33:20

As you probably know, the bank is not supposed to proceed with foreclosure if there is a loan modification pending. However, the reality is that most banks don’t follow this law. Why should they? All you have to do is keep on resubmitting a loan modification package after each denial. he can actually go buy a mobile home and live in it for less than $600 a month, plus rent of the space. That’s even less than the estimated plan payment. Or, he can just rent a room and pay $300 a month. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Client is headstrong and really wants to keep his house, I guess for sentimental reasons. He still believes that his pending loan modification might turn out ok.

So he is willing to pay through his nose to save his house.

Maybe it’s a matter of pride?

Whatever the reason is, and I’m no psychiatrist, he is willing suffer a pyrrhic victory to save his house. A pyrrhic victory is one where the victor suffers a devastating loss to achieve victory. Of course, if the loan modification comes through, then the mortgage will become current again as the $88K default will just be added to the principal. There’s another problem that has just reared it’s ugly head. He has an adjustable rate mortgage that will reset next month by adding $500 to the monthly mortgage payment because of higher interest. When it rains it pours.

”

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

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

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Take a stand, you all!

Fight for dear life

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAgLAyA (Part 1 of 2 parts)

IF there is one issue aside from the fearsome economic downturn we are currently experiencing that must be given due attention particularly during this election season, it is the issue of ABORTION that all God-fearing and /or God-loving citizens everywhere across the nation should fully engage in.

As a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic conservative in agreement with millions of Christian evangelicals in many parts of the country, I staunchly believe that the gift of life is from God and that life begins at the moment of conception.

For me personally, there can be no equivocation on this issue.

Abortion is nothing less than the murder of innocents — a most grievous offense against the Holy Spirit from whom all life emanates. It is the duty of all who hold human life sacred to fight for it and uphold moral laws that guarantee the life of future generations.

It’s not easy to stick your neck out these days particularly with the so-called intellectual pundits of the liberal media spewing bile and sarcasm over those who believe differently, relying on their Ivy League credentials for their authoritative take on social mores.

It takes courage that comes from deep down to confront the issue of immorality that has become so pervasive and ingrained in popular culture, we can drown in it just by switching on the television or watching the movies.

The scripts and the stories on TV are skewed towards political correctness, rather than what is true, good and moral, while most pander to the least common denominator in order to serve the largest demographics and the biggest markets all for the sake of profit.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

— Edmund Burke

It does not help that our scandal-plagued churches and political and religious leaders appear to have lost the moral high ground.

The voice that once seemed so sure and resonant in matters affecting life, is lost in the din and cacophony of so much chatter.

The task seems overwhelming. As daunting a challenge as it is, the wholesale murder of innocents must be addressed. The family unit, which was once the cornerstone of a strong society, has to be revived and energized to take charge of a child’s upbringing — not society, not government, and certainly NOT media.

A moral grounding that starts from childhood, nurtured in the teen years and blossoming in adult life is basic in order to see through the twisted and depraved logic of political correctness and pervasive immorality that afflicts many nations in the world today and confront these evils head on.

The moral issue of abortion far transcends any earthly concerns.

The battered economy made worse by the rampant, mindblowing corruption in the finance industry and in government at the highest levels, the war on terror, national security, taxes, energy independence, global warming, health care— all these are important issues of our time.

But as history will attest, all these will be overcome in due time. Our problems in the material world will find resolution and eventually come to pass.

This issue is fundamental to our humanity and our connection to divinity. Our decision to take it down or uphold it, will reverberate for centuries beyond our time.

Abortion strikes at the root of our essence as human beings.

It is pure evil. Without action on our parts to confront this, it will prevail. As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

This is a call to fight for the unborn — the most defenseless of all creatures, a call to preserve the life of a thinking, feeling, spiritual being in human form.

Estimates of the number of abortions in this country alone have reached way past the 48 million mark, the population of a small country. Worldwide, the figures could be staggering.

China, one of the economically advantaged nations of the world today, is beginning to pay the price for its one-child policy that has brought on a serious and detrimental societal imbalance in its male-to-female ratio, in a culture that puts a higher stock on sons.

With the recent accidental discovery near the Ural Mountains of discarded, plastic vats of 250 near full-term human embryos mummified and preserved in formaldehyde still with tags of the mother’s name on some of the babies’ legs, it is even possible to guess that some scientists have been experimenting or conducting studies in the name of research and disposing of the evidence as biological waste.

The sale of fetal body parts by Planned Parenthood for research purposes is a horrific offense against all of humanity. (To be continued) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Provisional waiver of unlawful presence expanded to cover more immigrants

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

is particularly helpful for individu- USCIS has reason to believe that THE USCIS announced the fi- als present in the United States the individual may be subject to nal rule expanding the existing without having been inspected other grounds of inadmissibilprovisional waiver to allow certain and admitted or having been in- ity. 3) Eliminated the proposal for family members of US Citizens spected or paroled since they are temporal limitations that would and lawful permanent residents ineligible to adjust status inside have restricted eligibility for provito apply for the provisional waiver the United States. The provi- sional waivers based on DOS visa of unlawful presence. 8 CFR Parts sional waiver would also be help- interview scheduling. 4) Allows 103 and 212. The final rule goes ful to individuals who entered the individuals with final orders of reUS under certain non-immigrant moval, exclusion, or deportation to on effect on August 29, 2016.

Prior to this expanded rule, only visa that has restrictions to ad- be eligible for provisional waivers immediate relatives of US Citi- justing to lawful permanent resi- provided that the individual have zens were eligible to request pro- dent inside the US such as crew already applied for, and USCIS has visional waiver of unlawful pres- men who entered on a C-1/D visa. approved, an Application for Perence before departing mission to Reapply for the United States for Admission into the UnitTo qualify for a provisional the processing of their ed States after Deportaimmigrant visas. This waiver, applicants must establish that tion or Removal, Form was a limited to only a their US citizen or lawful permanent I-212. However, an insubset of all individuals dividual will be ineligible resident spouses or parents would for a provisional waiver if statutorily qualified to request a waiver of unICE or CBP, after service experience “extreme hardship” if lawful presence. of notice under 8 CFR the applicants are not allowed to The final rule ex241.8, has reinstated the panding the provision- return to the United States due to the removal, deportation, or al waiver of unlawful exclusion order prior to unlawful presence bar. presence makes eligithe individual filing the bility for the provisional provisional waiver or waiver available to all individuals In addition, this is also helpful while the provisional waiver appliwho are statutorily eligible for a to spouse, sons or daughters of cation is pending. waiver of the unlawful presence lawful permanent residents who *** grounds of inadmissibility. 8 CFR overstayed their status while wait- Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Parts 103 and 212. These individ- ing for their visa priority dates to Family Law Specialist. He was President of uals are the parents, spouse, and become current. An individual the Philippine American Bar Association. He is son or daughter of US Citizens who entered the US on a fiancé k- a member of both the Family law section and and spouse, sons or daughters of 1 visa based on a different US citi- Immigration law section of the Los Angeles lawful permanent residents. The zen fiancé/spouse will also ben- County Bar Association. He has extensive provisional waiver will also ex- efit from the provisional waiver. CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW tend to the spouses and children These individuals would have to OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located who accompany or follow to join obtain their visa through the US at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, principal immigrants. To qualify consulate overseas but without CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail for a provisional waiver, appli- an approved provisional waiver, kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website cants must establish that their US would run the risk of not being at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** citizen or lawful permanent resi- able to return to the United States dent spouses or parents would due to the unlawful presence bar. Please note that this article is not legal advice experience “extreme hardship” if INA section 212(a)(9)(B)(i); 8 USC and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, nonthe applicants are not allowed to 1182(a)(9)(B)(i); return to the United States due to In addition, the expanded final specific legal information. This article is not the unlawful presence bar. Appli- rules provided for the following: intended to cover all the issues related to the cants must also establish that his 1) All individuals seeking provi- topic discussed. The specific facts that apply or her case warrants a favorable sional waivers, including those in to your matter may make the outcome different exercise of discretion and meet all removal proceedings before the than would be anticipated by you. This article other regulatory requirement.

EOIR must file applications for does create any attorney client relationship Obtaining a conditional ap- provisional waivers with USCIS. between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. proval of a provisional unlawful 2) Individuals are allowed to ap- Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

(Advertising Supplement) presence waiver of inadmissibility ply for provisional waivers even if

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Education tax…

PAGE B3 t

ber of the person claiming the credit otherwise credit is not allowed.

• Taxpayers who are married must file a joint return to claim the credit.

• For you to be able to claim the credit, you must claim the student as your dependent.

• Should receive Form 1098 from the education institution the student attended. Expenses paid by the student are treated as paid by the parent.

• The student must pursue a course of study on at least a half-time basis. A student is dis-

qualified if he or she has been convicted of felony or possession/distribution of a controlled substance.

• The credit is available in the taxable year the expenses are paid. Expenses paid for qualified tuition with the proceeds of a loan are eligible for the credit when the loan is procured, not when it is repaid.

• Courses must be taken at qualified educational institutions that offer credits toward bachelor’s degree, associate degree, vocational institutions or other distinguished post-secondary credentials.

• Use Form 8863 to claim Education Credits: American Opportunity, Hope, and Lifetime Learning Credits 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. *** 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.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

PeoPle & events

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 24-26, 2016

Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto: Miss Amor of So. Cal to be crowned Sept. 24 ALYSSA Lauren Veloria Soto, 23, will be crowned as Miss Mangatarem of Southern California on Sept. 24 at the Holiday Inn. Miss Soto who is also the reigning Miss Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA will succeed Sheila Christine M. Tejada, a budding Hollywood actress and singer.

Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto is no stranger to the beauty pageant world. She began competing in pageants at age 17 and has since won nine titles. With these triumphs, Alyssa has been able to give back to her local community by volunteering with many organizations in the greater San Diego County area, a few of which include, the Poway Lions and Kiwanis Clubs, and also the Council for Youth Empowerment.

Over the past five years, Alyssa has won many awards recognizing her for her involvement within the community, three of these awards being the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.

Alyssa who has been Miss PangasinanUSA for the past three years, is the eldest of only two siblings of Jerry Soto, a Puerto Rican American and April Veloria-Soto. Alyssa’s kid brother, Bryce, 21, is a fourth year computer engineering student at California State University San Francisco. Alyssa is the niece of AMOR of Southern California’s founding president and PB-USA’s Past President Dan E. Nino.

EMPLOYMENT

Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto

Aside from beauty pageants, Alyssa enjoys the excitement and adventure of both travel and study. In 2014-2015, Alyssa spent a year living in Germany where she studied at one of Europe’s oldest and Germany’s top universities — the prestigious Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (University of Tuebingen). During her time abroad, Alyssa was able to immerse in both language and culture — and over the past

two years -- she has been fortunate enough to travel to nine different countries in the continent. Through her travels, she has met new people and has gained a deeper understanding of different cultural values and practices.

Most recently on May 21st of this year, Alyssa graduated from California State University San Marcos with Honors and earned two Bachelors degrees: Anthropology with an emphasis in Medicine and German.

On campus, Alyssa served as a leader and coordinator of Cal. State University San Marcos’s Global Partnership Program, was an active participant with the Asian Pacific Islander and Latino Student organizations, a sister of the Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity and member of the German Club, Anthropology Club and the national Lambda Alpha Delta Anthropological Honor Society.

In a tie-up with her University, Alyssa also worked closely with several Native American Tribes in order to learn about the purpose and usage of indigenous plants.

With this knowledge, she helped to create an ethnobotany restoration proposal for Mission San Luis Rey De Francía in San Diego. In the near future, Alyssa hopes to do more work with local plants to popularize another form of alternative medicine as a possible career plan. – denino1951@gmail. com n

EMPLOYMENT

B

25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC)

THE Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture.

FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake.

Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. Audiences can expect to

enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture.

This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.”

While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City.

For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 2133803722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org. n

CAC to celebrate Town Fiesta

THE Cabatuan Association of California will celebrate their Annual Town Fiesta in honor of their Patron Saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10, 2016 with a mass at 11:00 am at Nati Matitu-Mercado’s residence - 15255 Knapp St. North Hills, CA, 91343. Please invite four

FOR RENT

SERVICES

friends and relatives. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa.

For other inquiries, please call Esoy Tavarro, president, (714) 797-0073; Sally Bilbao, adviser (951) 878-5589; Boboy Mosqueda, adviser (714) 519-8973; or Nati Matitu-Mercado, adviser at (818) 894-5142. n

B AUGUST 24-26, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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

The Asian Journal

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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 24, 2016

Building your career:

Tips on how to love what you’re doing

I

t’s not uncommon that we hear people say that they only go to work because they are being paid and that they need the money. Most workers you’ll come across have that mindset and only a few would really honestly say that they love their jobs. the whole concept of getting a job you love and the excitement of working after school wear off fast when reality sets in. Many wonder if there’s such a thing as “going after your passion.”

According to a 2014 Global Workforce study by towers Watson, only 4 out of 10 workers are highly engaged. the same year, the Us Department of Labor Department released a survey that showed that Americans are quitting their jobs at the fastest pace since early 2008.

For those who have been in and out of the job market too often, they’d tell you that

an inconsistent employment history looks bad on one’s resume. Aside from a potential employer seeing this as a lack of loyalty and possibly an inability to adapt to a new job or work environment, the lack of a career foundation can be detrimental. so is there hope for someone who hates getting up in the morning just because it’s a workday?

Kerry Hannon, career transition, retirement and personal finance expert, and author of the book “Love Your Job: the New Rules for Career Happiness” believes that there are a few ways you

can fall in love with your job — even if you don’t like it right now.

In an article she wrote for Forbes Magazine, Hannon shared some tips on how to make it work where you are right now: (1) Focus on what you like about your work and ramp it up. Knowing what you like in and about your work can help you get through the tough parts.

Weed through the negative things you don’t like, and consider things like your coworkers, opportunities for learning, whatever respect you get and/or any perks — whether

free coffee or a 401(k).

(2) Kicking boredom out and making a change. One of the roots of unhappiness at work is boredom. the challenge is gone and there is no drive left to do your best. Making a change — even a small one — can give you more joy at work. Who knows, if the change persists, it can add worth to your job and chances are your boss will notice and reward you for it.

Hannon also suggests to sign up for continuing education or professional development programs that your employer may offer. Learning new things turns your mind on, thus keeping boredom at bay.

(3) Take out the clutter. Usually when people see unfiled papers on their desks or their inbox overflowing, their energy becomes low. they can’t think properly and the clutter only adds to the stress.

Hannon shared that decluttering is liberating and empowering. As career coach Beverly Jones said, “You are saying, ‘this is valuable, this is not.’ It’s a physical, practical way to engage in making decisions about your life and what you want to do with it.”

(4) Inspire yourself with a positive image or view. We all have our “happy place,” that one image or moment we go back to when we feel down or stressed out. It could be that one sunny day at the beach or the childhood town you grew

According to a finance expert, there are ways you can fall in love with your job — even if you don’t like it right now.

Inquirer.net photos

up at. It could be Disneyland or just your favorite nook at your home.

Whatever and wherever it may be, try to have a picture of that happy place and tape it on your office wall or on your desk. It’ll help you transport there even for a few minutes and revive your mind.

(5) Laugh more. Yes, we get it — how can you laugh if you don’t love what you’re doing. But then again, the

saying “Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just words. A Gallup poll found that people who smile and laugh at work are more engaged in their jobs. thus, the more engaged you are, the happier and more enthusiastic you’ll be. Plus, laughter is infectious — you are not just making yourself feel better, but also your co-workers who may be in the same boat just like you.

(AJPress)

Sources: (“Foreign-born healthcare workers in the United States”) (“Filipino immigrants in the United States”) from www.migrationpolicy.org and www.pewsocialtrends.org/asianamericans-graphics/filipinos/

features

3

The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 24, 2016

On retirement and preparing for your ‘nest egg’

By EriC

anthony liCas AJPress

NO career lasts forever. however dedicated individuals might be their professions, health and other concerns will eventually limit their ability to work.

When that time comes, it is unlikely that seniors will be able to rely on their Social Security pension to live comfortably in retirement.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that the average beneficiary receives about $15,600 a year.

That leaves about a $20,000 annual shortfall for a retired couple planning to live off of the median household income of about $50,000. Factoring in some interest, they would need to set aside about $450,000 to fund 30 years of retirement. The exact amount a person would need to stop working while living comfortably can vary greatly depending on their intended lifestyle, projected healthcare costs and other expenses.

The importance of saving has increasingly resonated with Americans, according to a study released by Bankrate. com on March 28, 2016. Their

research shows that the number of people saving at least 10 percent of their income grew to 28 percent, compared to 24 percent in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of Americans saving 5 percent or less dropped from 28 percent to 21 percent.

“The bad news is that 21 percent of employed Americans claim not to be saving any of their paycheck,” said Bankrate. com Chief Financial Analyst, Greg McBride in a statement announcing the study. “Nothing for retirement, nothing for emergencies, and nothing for other financial goals.”

Most experts recommend that people begin saving as early as they are able to provide as much time as possible for their wealth to grow, according to a special money and retirement edition of AARP magazine. in addition, the internal Revenue Service (iRS) places limits on how much people can pay each year into an independent Retirement Account (iRA), 401(k) plan, and other retirement funds. in 2013, 45 percent of working-age households did not have any retirement account

assets, according to a study by The National institute on Retirement Security (NiRS). in order to combat what the NiRS and others have called a retirement savings crisis, lawmakers in California proposed legislation last March 28, that would create a state-operated 401(k) plan, according to the los Angeles Times. Senate Bill 1234 calls for the creation of the California Secure Choice Retirement plan, which would be available to workers at companies that do not offer savings plans with 5 or more employees.

Those getting a late start at retirement planning should consider setting aside more of their income by reducing their expenses, according to AARP. Workers over 50 can make catch-up contributions that allow them to pay more into their iRAs each year than younger people.

There are also benefits to delaying retirement. Working longer allows more income to contribute to retirement. in addition, Social Security benefits increase 8 percent for each year a person delays retirement.

According to AARP, Those getting a late start at retirement planning should consider setting aside more of their income by reducing their expenses.

Photo from USA.gov

Martin Nievera: The past, the present and accompanying lessons

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

While other artists would rather sweep their past under the rug, Martin Nievera is not shy to talk about his. in fact, “The Big Mouth”—a moniker he has earned for doing a lot of singing and hosting—can be quite talkative about it.

Answering questions from the press for the promotion of his new album Kahapon… Ngayon and an upcoming concert titled The Best of Martin Nievera: Kahapon… Ngayon, Nievera gamely responded when asked of his past that keeps recurring.

“Probably bad habits, things that i can’t seem to outgrow like watching too much TV when i have free time, not sleeping enough, or not watching my health the way i should,” the 54year-old initially confessed.

Turning more somber, Nievera continued, “i guess, some of the wrong decisions you make in life. You seem to think that you’ve corrected them but you didn’t and they come back over and over again.”

When probed to be more specific, the “Concert King,” caved in.

“Not spending enough time with my children; i have one in las Vegas and i’ve got two here.

That haunts me, that’s the past that haunts me. i should have corrected it back then by being more of a hands-on father, by being a better husband before.

These things still come back and bite me in the butt,” Nievera shared.

But he was quick to point out that despite his shortcomings, he still maintains a good relationship with his former partners, most especially with former wife, Pops Fernandez. “i’m good with my exes most especially with Pops. We support each other. Whenever she needs me, i’m there maybe not physically but i’m still the first or second guy or person that she calls and she’s usually the first girl that i run to for advice or help. So we’re all good,” Nievera related.

54 albums and more Career-wise, recording an album is one recurrence in Nievera’s life that he is more than willing to do over and over again.

For the past 34 years in the business, the Concert King has already released 54 albums under Polyeast Records. But irony of ironies, the latest collection has been conceived with neverdone-before melodies. “‘Saan Ka Man Naroroon’ is one of my favorites because of its sentiments. And i realized, i had never sang that song in my entire career. it’s a must. every Filipino should know that song and i’ve never sang it!” in the middle of this realization, Nievera and Polyeast decided not just to have the song in an album but dedicate the whole album with songs from that same era, same genre and same field. Nievera explained that he wanted to bring back the beauty of harana or traditional serenading.

Aside from the levi Celeriopenned OPM, Nievera had also been brave enough to request the inclusion of the widely popular Visayan song “Usahay.”

“While all the songs are coming in, i asked, ‘Can i have ‘Usahay?’’ every time i go to Cebu i’ve always wanted to sing that song,” the Concert King said.

As it turned out, Nievera has deeper affinity with the song, “My grandparents, when they married, they lived in Cebu. So i was thinking that i should have one Cebuano song.”

But because Bisaya, the dialect used in “Usahay,” is not his native tongue, Nievera naturally had a hard time perfecting his language. “it was challenging, really, as it doesn’t float like some of the Tagalog songs. The first time i did it, they said, it was wrong.

My ‘angs’ and ‘ngs’ do not sound the way they should be,” Nievera recalled.

Thankfully, he has what he calls “more talented and more natural people” to guide him in the process of learning “Usahay.”

‘I learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. My new motto in life is, listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’

The same experience has taught Nievera a new lesson.

“At this stage of my career, i learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. My new motto in life is, ‘listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’,” Nievera proudly imparted.

Overall, Nievera is proud to have recorded an album consisting of vintage OPM. he also noted that it is his way of honoring his roots.

“My grandmother was an opera singer and she also sang a couple of these songs so i’m also honoring my grandmother which i’ve never done before,” Nievera shared.

The grandmother he’s referring to was lourdes Corrales, a Cebuana mezzo-soprano.

“That’s the reason why i’m a singer today. A lot of people think it was because of the father side but mostly it’s because of the mother side,” Nievera concluded with pride.

4

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 24, 2016

Enteng Kabisote keeps going by lhar

santIago ManilaTimes.net

AFTer a six-year break from the annual Metro Manila Film Festival, ace comedian Vic Sotto is bringing back to life his well-loved character of enteng Kabisote to the big screen anew via “enteng Kabisote 10 And The Abangers.” intended for the 2016 MMFF, Vic is so proud of the new “enteng Kabisote,” which is being directed by two known comedy directors Tony reyes and Marlon rivera.

“This new enteng Kabisote is really different. Of course, we’re levelling up. From the story to the dialogue and special effects, they’ve all been attuned to the millennials.”

The new “enteng Kabisote” franchise also boasts of at least 30 stars in the cast. Among them are the three “lolas” of eat Bulaga’s “Kalyeserye” fame, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros; Oyo Sotto, epi Quizon, Bea Binene, Ken Chan, ryza Cenon, and Jerald napoles; and “Kalyeserye” discovery rogelia. “i was actually not planning to join the film festival this year,” Vic revealed. “The first time they announced that there would be changes in the rules—like they will only accept entries that are already finished and the deadline for submission was early—i said

Vic Sotto

it would be impossible for us to finish the whole movie.

“But when they moved the deadline to a later date, i knew we had enough time to finish the film with all the special effects.

That was when i sat down with my co-producers and our directors. All it took was one meeting and we ironed everything out.

Before we knew it, we already had our shooting schedule. As you can see, even before we had our story conference, i had my first shooting day already.” everybody is guessing now who will be enteng’s Faye in the movie. The last Faye was played

by Bubble gang mainstay gwen Zamora.

in “enteng Kabisote” 10, Vic assures that Faye’s character will be very prominent in the story.

There are those who say that it might be Kris Aquino who just had a lengthy meeting with APT entertainment boss Tony Tuviera, but the producers were quick to say, “no.”

So who will she be? “Secret… surprise,” Vic answered with a smile.

Actually, i know who will play Faye and i would say that the role really fits her. But then, i am forbidden to say who the actress is, so let’s just allow Vic to make the announcement very soon. even before Paolo Ballesteros makes his much anticipated comeback in “eat Bulaga,” he already had his reunion with his fellow “lolas” Jose and Wally at the shoot of “enteng Kabisote 10 And The Abangers.” it has been more than five months since the trio—collectively known as “Jowapao”—worked together and Jose and Wally don’t hide the fact that they miss Paolo very much.

“We have been used to see him and to work with him every day, so of course we miss Pao. it’s different when the three of us are all together—it’s more fun.

And now that we are working in a movie together, we’re very excited. We can see so many things we can do now that we’re all together again,“ Jose said.

Sharon Cuneta sparks excitement in first indie film by rIcky

calderon ManilaTimes.net

We are excited with the news that Sharon Cuneta is finally doing her first Cinemalaya entry for next year titled “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha.”

This will be Sharon’s first indie film.

Aside from preparing for her first Cinemalaya entry, Sharon is also set to have a two-night intimate concert this October and a new pure-OPM album.

The Megastar is also doing a movie with Star Cinema and this

is why she is taking her dieting seriously because she really wants to start with the project real soon.

Sharon mentioned before that Vic del rosario of Viva Films wants her to do a reunion film with gabby Concepcion. But this has yet to materialize.

The thing is, gabby signed a contract with gMA Films.

With this development, should the Sharon-gabby diehards still hope for a reunion film featuring them?

But what we’re truly excited

Sharon Cuneta

about is Sharon agreeing to do an indie film.

Aiza Seguerra sends empathic message to bashers

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

Singer and former child star Cariza “Aiza” Yamson Seguerra formally assumed post as the new national Youth Commission (nYC) chairperson.

During the oath-taking at the nYC headquarters in Quezon City, Seguerra bared plans and priorities for the three-year term as head of the said Philippine government’s sole policy-making body on youth affairs. “nYC will do its best to reach the people. My plan is to go to every region in the country to know what problems the youth are facing, be it health or education, we want to know everything so we can effect solutions immediately,” Seguerra told reporters covering the event. “i really want to consult with the sectors in different regions because i don’t want to have a cookie-cutter policy. For me, there are different problems in different places. it is very important that all voices will be heard,” the “Pagdating ng Panahon” hitmaker added.

On Monday, Aug. 22, Seguerra together with wife Liza Diño, joined other appointees of President rodrigo Duterte in a mass oath-taking ceremony held in Malacañang.

Diño has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, also for a period of three years.

Aiza and Liza are known staunch supporters of Duterte even prior to the May 9 presidential elections. “i thanked the President last night. i told him, ‘Don’t worry, i will not fail the Philippines and i will make you proud’ and then he responded ‘Let’s fix the Philippines,’” the new nYC chair shared “now i’m just looking forward to everything. Last night, i was actually very anxious because of mixed emotions. There are so many things i want to do.

There are also many things that i can’t wait to happen. right now, we are preparing for the start of the transition,” Seguerra beamed with excitement.

New National Youth Commission chairperson Aiza Seguerra takes oath before NYC Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Seguerra admitted that the job is entirely new as it’s way different from the rigors of show business.

“This job is entirely new to me, there are different processes like presiding a meeting. in all honesty, i found it funny because when i was having my briefing last night, i was concerned about terminologies i’ve encountered for the first time. However, when it comes to organizational skills and flow it’s not exactly new to me because in my job before, there were also organizations put in place because the production cannot run perfectly without it,” Seguerra said.

“Same thing for me, you have to organize everything to be able to run this agency well. You have to have the right direction and the right division and you have to make sure that everyone is doing their job,” Seguerra continued.

The appointment came as a surprise; in fact, the popular singer rejected it at first but realized that this is the opportune time to serve in government. “it was shocking because when they asked us for help about arts and culture, we agreed then immediately we did some consultation with cultural workers and practitioners. From there, we got the call asking us if we wanted to serve with the government and we said ‘no, that’s not really our plan’ then they pointed out that ‘no, the President wants you to be in government’. So, of course, we cannot just decline the offer,” Seguerra said.

“What i just told them is that if ever i will be given a position, i wanted to be in a place

where i know i can do things. i don’t want to be in a position where i don’t know anything about. So when they gave me nYC, i got excited. Of course, there’s still my advocacy for the LgBT, and then there will be advocacies for the marginalized and indigenous people whom we will give voices to as we believe it’s about time to listen to their complaints and grievances, but the sad thing is, no one’s listening,” Seguerra lengthily related.

Meanwhile, when asked about the negative reaction from people especially netizens against the appointment of the couple, Seguerra defended saying, “i’ve had bashers ever since. i will not stop them, just go ahead. They can question everything, about me, but they cannot ever question my integrity. So go ahead.”

“But what i’ve been saying since before is that they can bash me, but not my wife.

Maybe they know that is my soft spot, when she is being attacked because i know she doesn’t deserve it. i rant but only to my friends, not publicly.”

Seguerra also wants to help the Duterte administration in the campaign against drugs.

“For the anti-drug campaign, we plan to establish rehabilitation centers specifically for the youth. i still have to meet with the commission first, though, but if you ask me, i want to make sure that the youth sector will be afforded rehabilitation because it’s not yet too late for them, there’s still hope for their future. i have no details for that as of now but for sure we will be pushing for it,” Seguerra ended.

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

At the recent FASO’s Summer Family Concert, you’d think that time honored, phrase “Maestro, at his best!” says it all..

But there is more between fresh observation and stale clichés when one thinks of the Maestro.

All his past concerts, resonates into journeys to a musical world, with beauty heard and seen, through intangible shades of music, never old, never worn out, in its own power and splendor: as he translates into sound with such magic human thoughts and feelings, the soul cries: events and conditions of life…whispering such secrets of subtle or ravishing beauty to an even receptive listener.

Observers of all forms of music, all inexorably asks only what is worthy, beautiful and good, a decision which is personal only you can make for yourself…it takes independence and courage that opens to wrong decisions.

FASO’s repertoire pyramided into Offenback’s “Orpheus in the under world,” the greatest Jacques Offenback’s oper-

FASO’s prime movers

Bob Shroder’s perfect, graceful fusion of musical past with contemporary musical world

FASO Playse Prokokiev’s Peter and the Wolf – with Bob Shroder and Liza Grzanka

Sylvia La Torre and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle with The Maestro.

Serge Prokofiev, to the world outside Soviet Union, represented the fruition of the highest ideals of music…yet at the height of his fame and creative powers, was suddenly, and without warning, hurled down from his unassailable position, when the Central Committee of the Communist Party in 1948 announced the adaption of a new music policy. Away from modernism, or celebratism and toward a musical expression which was easy, rstrained of which drew to its styles and techniques from the Russia past, they thought he was too Westernized .

Peter and the Wolf is a delightful orchestral fairy tale.

Most popular of Prokokievs narrator and orchestra “written tale to illustrate for children the instruments of the orchestra” said Maestro Bob Shroder as he explained each of the characters re[resented by different instruments, the bird, by a flute: the duck, by an oboe, the cat by a clarinet in the low regard: the grandfather by a bassoon: the wolf by three horns: Peter by string quartet: the shooting of the humblers: by the kettle and bass drum: the story is simply a fairy tale about a boy, named Photos by Andy Tecson and Marc Pijuan Peter who despite of his grand-

etta although critics found little amusement in this satire about Olympian gods – but the curiosity of an intense loving public, who flocked to the to see what motivated the critical thunderbolt at this operetta, it became the thing to see, to discuss, to quote and dance to… to the operetta became the vogue…although its repertory is of a salon ensemble rather than symphony orchestra…all their melodies delights and exquisite subtleties…were interpreted to its by the FASO, musically directed and conducted by the Maestro .

Janice Mendoza Arellano, Tom Makiling and the Childrens ensemble

Vinnie Aguas - the magnificent drummer

fathers warning goes out into the meadow… there he confronts a wolf, captures it with a stout rope, then proudly marches off with it into the zoo. the Concert explored the rich fascinating era of the Kundiman was song by Sylvia La torre irreplaceable Queen of Kundiman with her equally gifted granddaughter. Anna Maria Perez de tagle of Broadway Fame, Incantations that revealed expressive poetic texts; unforgettable melodies: lyrics that became the voice of hope, service various social and aims of the time and creating a common national Filipino Identity.

La torre has been for decades a bright star, dazzling her fans with remarkable performances in the movies and tV. She was absolutely gorgeous and glamorous and glitzy, she seemed to be sweating glitters. that night with granddaughter, de tagle sadness, frustrations, love lost. together, the Lola and Apo… sparkled and bubbled as they sang for those who loved. (sometimes not wisely) conveying the message that love is what life is all about.

Sylvia La torre was the scene stealer, of all performers, it was she who sent fans into tremulous roars that whopped , her comedian instincts were infalliable, to this day…she knew how to chase the unimportant things away, then she writhes in agony – as in contrast, Anna bounced all over the stage with “I enjoy being a girl” Musical concerts even in theaters are a collaborative art form – FASO’s Board of Directors involvement in the production

features

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 24, 2016

was total, the performers enthusiasm limitless and irresistible: the compelling admiration and awe from the audience grew in every note the Maestro conducted with tender interpretation of each ensemble: the artists each one, more glorious than the other. the compelling admiration and awe from the audience grew in their every note: On that splendid note sum-

mer evening, we will remember how we got up on our feet as FASO united us with its marvelous music.

Next week, meet the artists and the men and women toiled quietly without whose luster and dedication this concert couldn’t have happened. ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 24, 2016

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