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E DITION November 2-4, 2016
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Volume 26 - No. 88 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
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DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
FBI may reopen Clinton email investigation as election tightens AFTER deciding not to press charges in September after its initial investigation on Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, the FBI announced that it is reviewing additional emails to see if it would reopen the case. On Friday, October 28, the FBI revealed that it found a number of Clinton’s email on the laptop of disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, husband of prominent Clinton aide Huma Abedin. They were uncovered during a separate FBI investigation on Weiner’s alleged illicit online interactions with an underage girl. The bureau hasn’t officially announced a reinvestigation but is seeing if the emails are related to the bureau’s investigation into Clinton’s emails. The move shifts the election race, which had been leaning in Clinton’s favor amid favorable debate performances. Moreover, the infamous leaked audio of Trump in 2005, which pundits have said irreparably damaged his chances and ensured a Clinton win. Since news broke out in March 2015, the email scandal has been a roadblock for Clinton, and her opposers use it as a way to de-
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US stops sale of arms to PH over drug war by ERIC
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YES OR NO ON MEASURE JJJ?
Businesses, labor groups dispute how to solve the housing crisis in Los Angeles TERRY Villasenor counts herself lucky she only has to drive for half-an-hour to get to work. Before the Angeleno managed to afford a car, she had to transfer from a train to a series of buses before hiring a driver from a ridesharing app for the last leg of her commute. She had been spending nearly $100 out of her $800 weekly paycheck for a round-trip ride from Koreatown to Beverly Hills. Between long commutes and 12-hour workdays, the Filipina caregiver struggled to find a moment to herself. “I was up at about 5:45…I wouldn’t get to bed till maybe 10:45,” Villasenor told the . “It’s always rush, rush, rush.” She and her boyfriend had looked into moving somewhere closer to work, but in a city where the average price of rent is approaching $2,000 according to a recent UCLA study, their options remain limited. They, along with over 50 percent of the people living in Los Angeles who spend more
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SHOAL HAUL. Filipino fishermen fresh from a trip to Panatag Shoal return with their fish harvest. Unlike before when they were driven away by Chinese coast guards, they now tell stories of the Chinese sharing food, liquor and cigarettes with them.
ANTHONY LICAS AJPress
A SENIOR U.S. senator’s opposition to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody crackdown on crime has blocked the sale of 26,000 firearms to the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to a new report. Aides for Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland -- the most senior Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- told Reuters on Monday, October 31, that he would oppose the transaction. The announcement reportedly prompted the U.S. State Department to halt plans for the arms deal. In the past, Cardin had introduced legislation promoting cooperation between Philippine and American law enforcement agencies. However, reports of the growing death toll linked to the Duterte administration’s efforts to curb the Philippines’ illicit narcotics trade have driven Cardin to criticize what has been a violent war on drugs. “There is a right way to approach this issue … and a wrong way,” Cardin previously said on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, September 27. “President Duterte, in advocating and endorsing what amounts to mass murder, has chosen the wrong way.” He went on to say that the Duterte administration has refused to investigate alleged abuses and that if current trends continue, over 6,000 people could wind up as victims of extrajudicial killings by the
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Inquirer.net Willie Lomibao
Palace to Moody’s FVR resigns as PH’s special envoy to China warning on policy shifts: PH will be okay by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
THE Philippines “will be okay” even if the government shifts its policies, Malacañang said on Tuesday, November 1. Moody’s Investors Service recently cautioned the Philippines that its economic growth would be affected if the country made changes in its policies. Reacting to the warning, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar pointed out that the Philippines’ economic fundamentals remain “strong.” “The poverty rate had dropped. Inflation rate is stable. Government-private contracts continue to be honored,” he said, adding the economy will withstand policy shifts. “We will be okay.” In its “Banking System Outlook--The Philippines” report, the credit watchdog stated that Philippines’
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FORMER President Fidel V. Ramos revealed on Monday, October 31, that he has resigned as the Philippines’ special envoy to China. “The moment the president came back from China from a successful state visit, I resigned as special envoy to China because the officials have taken over,” Ramos said. President Rodrigo Duterte made his first official visit to China from October 18 to 21 and announced upon his arrival in the Philippines that he secured a $24 billion deal with Beijing. According to the president, the deal, which was mostly about lion jobs for Filipinos in the next trade, investments, and maritime five years. security, would generate 2 mil“I’ve done my job to...break the
ice and to help restore the ties of goodwill and friendship,” Ramos added. Last July, Ramos accepted Duterte’s offer to become the special envoy to China in the wake of The Hague’s ruling regarding the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The arbitration tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines and concluded that China’s claim of sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis. China, however, has repeatedly refused to accept the ruling. Meanwhile, the Palace said it has not yet received the former president’s resignation. “Moreover, it is not true that the former president can no longer have any role in our engagement with China. His stature and
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Sylvester Stallone: Pacquiao Lawmaker wants is better than Rocky Balboa Americans to get Philippine visa by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
Manny Pacquiao trains ahead of Nov. 5 bout.
AJPress photo by Noel Ty
HOLLYWOOD actor and director Sylvester Stallone has recently visited Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao during his training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. After watching the training session, Stallone shared how impressed he was with the Filipino boxing champion. “Manny, you’re the greatest fighter, better than Rocky Balboa,” Stallone remarked in an interview, referring to the main character he created and portrayed in Rocky se-
ries from the 1970s to 2015. Stallone watched Pacquiao spar against Rey Beltran for six rounds. “Thank God that I never had to fight you in the ring,” he jokingly added. The Hollywood actor later took pictures with Pacman. Pacquiao is currently on the final phase of his training as his match against World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Jessie Vargas draws closer. The Pacquiao-Vargas bout will be held on Saturday, November 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. ■
SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has backed calls for parity in administrative travel conditions between the Philippines and the United States. “There are two ways we can achieve parity. Either we obligate Americans traveling to Manila to first secure a Philippine visa, or the US removes the requirement for Filipinos to get hold of a US visa before they can travel to America,” Pimentel said. The lawmaker said requiring Americans to obtain a Philippine visa could generate $125 million (P6 billion) in revenues.
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A NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
US stops sale of arms to PH…
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end of the year. The senator has yet to issue a statement regarding the terminated deal. In a statement released on Tuesday, November 1 Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson called Cardin’s position “his opinion and nothing more,” according to ABS-CBN News. He said there were plenty of other countries that could probably offer the PNP a better deal. Lacson added that “there is now more reason for our Department of National Defense to revive our self-reliance program so we can produce our own weapons and ammunition and other military hardware.” The canceled deal and Senator Lacson’s comments come during a complicated moment in Philippine-U.S. relations. In recent weeks, President Rodrigo Duterte has made comments suggesting that the Philippines ought to cut, or at least scale back its longstanding ties
with the United States. Despite unresolved territorial disputes with China, his administration has sought to build economic, diplomatic and security ties with the regional powerhouse and other countries geographically closer to the Philippines. The shift in foreign policy follows the development of a tense atmosphere between the Duterte administration and Washington fuelled by U.S. condemnation of suspected human rights violations and the Philippine president’s provocative, expletive-laden defense of his war on drugs. Figures released by the PNP place the death toll of the president’s initiative to exterminate the Philippines’ illegal drug trade at over 3,400 people as of the first week of October. About 1,400 were deemed the result of legitimate police operations while the remaining 2,000 cases were still unresolved. On Tuesday, Lacson said he has “yet to see an investigation
with the conclusion that massive and state-sanctioned human rights violations were committed under the present regime’s drive against illegal drugs.” However, one of the most vocal opponents of the Duterte administration, Senator Leila De Lima, said, in a statement released on Tuesday, that the State Department’s decision not to go through with the arms deal was a predictable reaction to significant concerns. She went on to call the administration’s pivot towards greater independence from America “hallow and bluster” that would alienate the Western power’s allies and cause friction throughout Southeast Asia. “This is just the start of what we will be reaping from the U.S. as result of the isolationist whirlwind this Administration has sown and continue to sow.” PNP officials said that, as of Tuesday, November 1, they had not yet received an official notice of the sale’s cancellation. n
HONORING THE DEAD. As of 5 on Monday afternoon, Oct. 31, the crowd at the Manila North Cemetery was estimated at 250,000 based on the city police data. The number of visitors is less compared to last year, the police said. Thousands of Filipinos filled grave sites across the country to honor their dead since Sunday, two days ahead of All Saints’ Day, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Inquirer.net photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas
Palace to Moody’s warning on policy shifts… PAGE A1 t
banking system will remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months. “Profitability remains stable and the banks’ high loss-absorbing buffers will provide support for unexpected losses,” Alka Anbarasu,vice president and senior analyst at Moody’s, said. Anbarasu added that the ample domestic liquidity will also support the banks’ funding profiles. The report, released on Monday, October 31, also forecasted that the Philippines will achieve 6.5 percent real gross domestic product growth for 2016 and 2017. “Asset quality will remain
broadly stable, supported by stable macroeconomic factors, and the stable debt servicing metrics of borrowers,” Anbarasu said. According to Moody’s, the country’s “strong domestic consumption” and an “increased pace of investments,” underpin the robust growth expectations. “Business sentiment remains strong, banking sector credit growth will stay robust, and the economy has demonstrated resilience to global shocks,” the report added. However, Moody’s warned that these growth prospects could be undermined, if there is a “significant shift in the government’s
policies.” The assessment was released a week after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is breaking away militarily and economically from the United States, the Philippines’ longtime ally. The president later clarified that there would be no severing of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the United States. However, an independent foreign policy will be pursued. During his official state visit to Beijing in late October, Duterte also said that the Philippines will explore a more dependent relationship with China instead. n
Lawmaker wants Americans to get Philippine… PAGE A1 t
“This is assuming we ask each visiting American to pay a $160 visa application fee – the same amount the US Embassy in Manila asks from every Filipino seeking a US visa,” Pimentel said. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for “reciprocity” in travel rights between the Philip-
pines and the US. Pimentel said parity could mean additional good-paying jobs for college-educated Filipinos trying to enter the Philippine foreign service. “We could use some of the P6 billion annual income to employ a large number of young Filipinos as vice consuls, and deploy them to Philippine consular of-
fices in the US, so they can process the Philippine visa applications of American citizens,” he said. Filipinos traveling to America, regardless of purpose, have to apply for a US visa, pay a $160 to $265 non-refundable fee, and show up for a personal interview with a vice consul, who may or
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From the Front Page
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016
FVR resigns as PH’s special… PAGE A1 t
expertise are needed now, more than ever, to follow up and bike on what President Duterte accomplished during his recent visit to China,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said. ‘Consider me an older brother’ Ramos also said that his criticism toward Duterte’s actions should be considered as advice in helping solve the country’s problems. “I must be considered by everybody, including the present president, as an older brother of the family,” he said. In a column published in the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, October 29, the former president chided Duterte for refusing to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change. “He (Duterte) is unwittingly shooting himself in the mouth, and also all of us, 101.5 million Filipinos. He may claim that to be more “insulting than friendly” to
JUDGE BATO. The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa, beams as he poses with the winners of the Miss Earth 2016 pageant Saturday night. (L-R) Miss Brazil Bruna Zanardo (Miss Earth Fire), Miss Ecuador Katherine Espin (Miss Earth), Miss Colombia Michelle Gomez (Miss Earth Air), and Miss Venezuela Stephanie de Zorzi (Miss Earth Water). The PNP chief was among the judges of the pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
our long-established allies is part of his God-given ‘destiny.’ But, this is obviously wrong, and full of S….T !!!,” Ramos wrote. Duterte earlier announced that he will not honor the climate agreement, arguing that it would only block the progress of Philippines’ economic growth. The agreement was signed last April by more than 150 countries, including the Philippines, “to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C.” The Philippines, under former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, agreed to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. Ramos suggested that Duterte should approve the Paris Agreement to “promote our country’s interests and fight for climate justice.” “Any further delay will increase Filipinos’ vulnerability to
FBI may reopen Clinton email investigation… Businesses, labor groups…
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clare the broader message: she is not trustworthy. The email scandal has acted as a key influencer in how polls shift as Election Day nears, and different parties are accused of using the emails as leverage to shift the favor away from Clinton in the horserace. The controversial international whistleblowing organization WikiLeaks began publishing Clinton campaign manager John Podesta’s emails on October 7 when Clinton’s lead increased by 2.7 to 4.7, according to the Washington Post. On Tuesday, November 1 an exchange between Podesta and
PAGE A1 t
double standard for the treatment of sensitive information, with what appears to be clear intent to aid one political party over another,” Reid said in a letter. Recently, Comey was under fire when he said that the United States shouldn’t declare that Russia is “meddling” in the U.S. election, saying that it’s too close to Election Day, according to a former FBI official. The anonymous official told CNBC that many other government officials find it confusing that Comey is concerned with the timing of the election in the Russia case, but not in the Clinton/ Weiner/Abedin email probe.
Cheryl Mills, former counselor to the state department (under Clinton), showed that Podesta urged Clinton’s team to delete all the emails. Comey criticized Clinton called the move to reignite the case “unprecedented” since, historically, the FBI has avoided making moves that could potentially shift the election. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) criticized Comey, saying the announcement violates a law, known as the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits government officials from the executive government from engaging in political activity. “Your actions in recent months have demonstrated a disturbing
than 30 percent of their incomes on housing, feel they have little choice but to put up with hours of driving through vehicle-packed streets. “People are being priced out of the rental market here in LA ... they have to commute,” said Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aquilina Versoza. “This is adding transportation costs to families’ budgets [and] causing more traffic as well.” A proposed measure featured on the upcoming November ballot, JJJ, intends to address traffic congestion, gentrification and the dearth of affordable housing in Los Angeles while encouraging developers to hire workers from local communities. Measure JJJ would require certain future housing developments in Los Angeles to price up to 40 percent of those units for low to middle-income tenants. The measure would apply to projects consisting of 10 or more units seeking exemptions from city zoning rules. It would also offer incentives to developments near public transit hubs. “We need affordable housing so that we can create and plan a Los Angeles that is for people of all different income levels and boosts the quality of life for everyone living here,” Versoza told the Asian Journal during a phone call. The measure would also man-
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Lawmaker wants Americans to get Philippine…
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may not issue a visa. In contrast, Americans traveling to Manila enjoy visa-free entry to the Philippines for stays less than 30 days. “There is nothing anti-American about seeking parity in travel stipulations. This is all about equality in treatment. Our people-to-people, business-to-business as well as government-togovernment relations with the US remain sound,” Pimentel said. He said requiring Americans to apply for a Philippine visa would also help weed out crimi-
lowed to travel to America for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days, without having to obtain a US visa. These countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. (ManilaTimes.net)
nal offenders attempting to enter Manila. Americans comprise the second-largest group of foreigners visiting the Philippines every year, next only to South Koreans, according to the Department of Tourism. In 2015, 779,217 Americans visited the Philippines, up 7.81 percent from the 722,750 in 2014. From January to August this year, 584,149 Americans visited the Philippines, up 9.96 percent from last year’s figure of 531,217. Citizens of 38 countries are al-
date that a portion of those hired for construction projects would need to be “transitional workers” — a category of people recognized to be at risk of poverty, like single parents, veterans, and individuals lacking a high school diploma. At least 30 percent of construction workers would also need to live in Los Angeles, and 10 percent would have to reside within five miles of the project. The measure’s opponents say it would actually make housing more expensive in the city. They argue that setting aside a mandated amount of low-income apartments and condominiums will drive up the price of other units, thereby increasing home costs for middle-income households. In addition, the proposal would also require companies to pay the prevailing wage that is offered to
super-typhoons that are forecast to come soon,” he added in his column. In a separate column, also published in the Manila Bulletin on October 8, Ramos said that the Philippines has been ‘losing badly’ during the first three months of the current administration. The former president criticized Duterte’s threats to sever ties with the U.S.: “Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics, and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that?” Despite his attacks, Ramos said he still considers himself a part of the Duterte team, adding that he is free to give friendly advice as part of the country’s democratic culture. “Those who wish the big Filipino family peace, sustainable development, progress and a place of respect and even admiration in the family of nations, must get together and look for the best solutions to the problems,” Ramos said. n workers hired for public works projects and defined by the Department of Industrial Relations for work done. “Nobody questions that we need more affordable housing,” said Stuart Waldman, the president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association during an interview with the Asian Journal. “But this measure will stop most affordable housing from being built for the simple reason that it increases costs.” He said JJJ would affect well over half of new development projects in the city and raise their labor costs by 46 percent. Large firms might be able to carry the added costs associated with the measure. However, small organizations, including some that construct affordable homes, rely on banks for loans and may find themselves at risk of losing their funding, according to Waldman. “Banks will only finance them
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A NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa
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PACQUIAO VS. VARGAS. Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao and World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world champion Jessie Vargas both arrive at the Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The two boxers will face off on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center. AJ Press photos by Robert Macabagdal
Ex-LA cop backs antidrug drive tor Jeffrey Smith and 10 other Dare instructors were invited to the country by Manila Mayor A RETIRED officer of the Los Joseph Estrada, chair of Dare Angeles Police Department on Philippines. Dare is a comprehensive eduFriday, Oct. 28, expressed support for the government’s anti- cation program taught in thoudrug campaign even as President sands of schools in the United Duterte launched his strongest ti- States and other countries “to rade yet against the United States, address drugs, violence, bullying, Internet safety and other calling Americans “bullies.” Scott Gilliam, who is in Manila high-risk circumstances that to train members of the Manila today… are often a part of stuPolice District to become in- dents’ lives.” In the Philippines, it is being structors in the local Drug Abuse Resistance Education (Dare) pro- implemented in Manila, where gram, said Mr. Duterte’s efforts the focus is on drug issues. Drastic measures to rid the country of drugs was “Having the same mission, commendable. Gilliam, director for training you have to look at that point of Dare America, fellow men- when things are terrible in the by Kristine
Felisse Mangunay Inquirer.net
country. And sometimes drastic measures have to be taken to address drastic situations, or when things get beyond the point,” Gilliam said when sought for comment on the government’s antidrug drive. Smith said the fact that the President had made an attempt to stop drugs was a “tremendous effort.” “I know the President wants to cut down drugs in the Philippines. And I think that is very important,” Smith said. Gilliam said it was imperative for “something different” to be done. In a statement, Estrada said fighting the drug menace “is a fight for survival.” n
FBI may reopen Clinton email investigation… PAGE A3 t
This instance catalyzed conspiracies that Comey is trying to protect Trump from the backlash he’s received for his ties with Russia, as Reid said in the same letter to Comey. “The double standard established by your actions is clear,” Reid said. “It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government – a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States, which Trump praises at
every opportunity. ‘ He added: “By contrast, as soon as you came into possession of the slightest innuendo related to Secretary Clinton, you rushed to publicize it in the most negative light possible.” A narrow race in the polls Consequently, several national polls indicate that Clinton’s oncecomfortable lead over Trump is dwindling just under a week before Election Day. RealClearPolitics averaged out six national polls — all of which were conducted between October 22-31 — and found that Clin-
ton leads by 2.2 points. A new poll from CNN reports that Clinton with a 5-point lead over her adversary, with the former secretary of state at 49 percent and Trump at 44 percent. However, an ABC News/ Washington Post tracking poll illustrates a different story in which Trump has taken over the lead by one point, 46 to 45 percent, as of Tuesday morning. Just a week ago, Clinton boasted a 12-point lead in a previous ABC News/Washington Post poll. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote provide in-language hotline for Asian American voters THE 2016 election season is coming down to the wire on both national and local elections. Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) and Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), two organizations that are committed to the cause of voter protection and education, are hosting an in-language hotline for Asian American voters. From now until Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, volunteers will be available in eight languages – English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog – to help those with questions about voting, how to find a polling place, or to learn about any ID requirements. Voters can seek answers to their questions through the Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote hotline, 1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683). “Every eligible voter in the United States should be able to cast a ballot and participate in our democracy,” said Mee Moua, executive director and president of Advancing Justice | AAJC. “Ensuring that all voters know their rights at the polls is critical to their participation this November. As Asian Americans continue to grow in population, and turn out to vote, we must do everything we can to support their participation and make visible their political impact.” Although officials in numerous states have proposed measures that would increase the efficiency and inclusiveness of voting procedures, introducing measures such as automatic voter registration, others have regressed in the voting process. New voting restrictions in 14 states have had a significant impact on minority voters. Courts have successfully struck down some of these regulations, but the threat to equal access to the ballot box remains. Given that this year’s election will be the first without the full
protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1964, it’s essential that voters who have historically faced discrimination at the polls can fulfill their civic duty with in-language assistance or help at the polls and without fear of intimidation. “As we head into to the first presidential election since 1965 without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act, the 888-API-VOTE hotline is even more critical to protect and serve our electorate,” said Christine Chen, executive director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote). “This election hotline not only provides AAPI voters essential in-language assistance, but it also ensures that all voters, regardless of proficiency in English, will have equitable access to the ballot box.” APIAVote has also launched in-language resources, including in-language voting information online in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese and other resources. Five voting rights videos have been also created in these languages, as well as English to highlight various scenarios voters may face at the polls—and their rights in these situations. Based on polling information the groups cited that turnout of limited English proficient voters in 2012 was 9 percent lower than English proficient voters. Asian Americans can face a number of barriers contributing to lower levels of civic engagement in our community. These challenges include lack of access to voter resources, discriminatory voting laws and practices, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with the voting process and political candidates. The groups’ voter education and protection efforts across the country are helping to amplify this hotline and to ensure equity for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities at the ballot box. n
Businesses, labor groups dispute how to…
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if they’re making a 6 percent profit,” said Waldman. “We have developers that have projects penciled out to make a 6.1, 6.3 percent profit.” The increased price of labor resulting from Measure JJJ’s passage would drive the expected earnings of small developments below what banks are willing to finance, according to Waldman. He said that the proposal would threaten current projects and make it harder to procure money for future construction. Measure JJJ’s supporters say predictions of shuttered affordable housing projects are an exaggeration. The proposal had been drafted in collaboration with housing advocates and developers who primarily construct smaller projects, according to Rusty Hicks, the executive secretary-treasurer for
the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in Los Angeles. He admitted that challenges do exist for more modestly financed firms. However, he went on to say that partnerships between many of these companies and labor organizations were already in the works. He added that, although Measure JJJ would not necessarily create new jobs, it would connect some of the city’s neediest people with decent paying work. “I believe it’s a false argument to say that you can either have affordable housing, or you can have a decent job,” said Hicks during a phone conversation with the Asian Journal. “The economics of the situation allow you to have both.” Supporters and opponents of the proposed legislation agree that LA’s complex housing is-
sues will require a multifaceted approach to solve. Labor advocates like Hicks and Versoza say that Measure JJJ would allow Angelenos to ensure that the city reaps real benefits from a current development boom. They believe it is a much-needed step in tackling a longstanding problem. Meanwhile, representatives of the business community like Waldman question whether or not the proposal will deliver its intended results. They call the measure “hypocritical” and say it misses the point entirely. “We have never claimed that JJJ would solve the housing crisis in California,” said Hicks. “What it will do is move us beyond the status quo, a time where we are constructing far more luxury housing than we need and not nearly enough affordable housing.” (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)
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OpiniOn
Features
Epiphany
NO more cussing. This was promised by President Rodrigo Duterte as he narrated how God has put a stop to his verbal rants upon his arrival from a state visit to Japan. “I was looking at the skies as I was coming over here. Everybody was asleep snoring. A voice said that you know ‘If you don’t stop, I will bring this plane down now,’” explained the president on Thursday, Oct. 27. The president -- who notorious for throwing expletives during his speeches and interviews -- described the experience as a moment of epiphany, saying that his promise to God is also a promise to the Filipino people. “And I said, who is this? Of course, it’s God. Oh, OK. So, I promised God not to express slang, cuss words,” he said. Following his divine encounter with God, Duterte reminded his colleagues in the government and kababayans on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to shun greed and corruption, telling them that all things come to pass and that “deeds will outlast our mortal lives.” “I, therefore, ask my fellow workers in government and the entire Filipino people to heed not the temptations of the temporal world,” he said. “Let us, rather, answer the call to be true servant leaders.” For Catholics and most Filipinos, November 1
and November 2, (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day respectively) are two of the days where some of the oldest Christian traditions are displayed. All Saints’ Day, commonly known as “Undas or “todos los Santos” in the Philippines is the day the life and times of all the saints are remembered and celebrated. Observed as a holy day of obligation, faithful believers are led in prayers in honor of the holy men and women, including those not listed in the Church calendar. According to Church officials, this holiday “enriches the faith of all who observe it. When we honor the saints, we actually give glory to God.” All Souls’ Day is a time for solemn reunions and trips to visit and honor the resting sites of deceased loved ones, relatives and friends. Traditionally, this day is marked by offering of prayers, flowers, and lighting of candles. In his All Saints’ Day reflection, Duterte emphasized the teaching of Jesus Christ on the importance of spirituality over material possessions. “I hope that we cherish with fondness, love and tors and loved ones on their special day,” Duterte gratitude the spiritual inheritance left by our ances- said. “May the nation receive the blessings of God
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
as we exalt and emulate the holy men and women whose lives have inspired generations.” (AJPress)
Clinton or Trump: Who will you vote as the next US president? THERE is less than a week to go before America decides who will become the 45th president of the United States. Poll after poll has shown how much people want to have this civic exercise over and done with, given the toxicity this election cycle has been characterized with, not only by the campaigns of each major political party, but by their ardent supporters as well. As fear, hate and disgust of the nominee of the opposing party continue to motivate voters to head to the polls and exercise their right of suffrage, it is important for us to look at the big picture. This election is beyond policy and platform or the here and now. Whatever the outcome of the election is will become our legacy to the next generation; that is why we have to vote conscientiously, consistently with and following our very own moral compass in choosing the candidate whose message, vision, and example resonate with us. Surely we have two flawed candidates, but this should not stop us from discerning as to whom among them will lead our nation toward the direction we want to take our kids to. Among the many campaign speeches, First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech is a sobering reminder about this — that voting for the right candidate is our gift to our children.
Let me share with you excerpts from the First Lady’s speech The Fil-Am that has moved me so much as she spoke about allegations of Perspective Trump’s sense of entitlement in disrespecting, abusing and sexually assaulting women. You may disagree with what Mrs. Obama said about the alle- Gel SantoS-reloS gations against Trump, finding flaws and criticisms against Clinton. That is a valid point, especially in light of the email controversies that continue to hound the Clinton campaign. But I am sharing this with you to make a point about how consequential this election is, especially for our children and grandchildren: This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful. It is intolerable. And it doesn’t matter what party you belong to - Democrat, Republican, independent no woman deserves to be treated this way. None of us deserves this kind of abuse. And I know it’s a campaign, but this isn’t about politics. It’s about basic human decency. It’s about right and wrong. And we simply cannot endure this, or expose our children to this any longer - not for another minute, and let alone for four years. Now is the time for all of us to stand up and say enough is enough. This has got to stop right now. Because consider this. If all of this is painful to
us as grown women, what do you think this is doing to our children? What message are our little girls hearing about who they should look like, how they should act? What lessons are they learning about their value as professionals, as human beings, about their dreams and aspirations? And how is this affecting men and boys in this country? Because I can tell you that the men in my life do not talk about women like this. And I know that my family is not unusual. And to dismiss this as everyday locker-room talk is an insult to decent men everywhere. The men that you and I know don’t treat women this way. They are loving fathers who are sickened by the thought of their daughters being exposed to this kind of vicious language about women. They are husbands and brothers and sons who don’t tolerate women being treated and demeaned and disrespected. And like us, these men are worried about the impact this election is having on our boys who are looking for role models of what it means to be a man. In fact, someone recently told me a story about their six-year-old son who one day was watching the news- they were watching the news together. And the little boy, out of the blue, said: “I think
Hillary Clinton will be president.” And his mom said: “Well, why do you say that?” And this little six-year-old said: “Because the other guy called someone a piggy, and you cannot be president if you call someone a piggy.” So even a six-year-old knows better. A six-yearold knows that this is not how adults behave. This is not how decent human beings behave. And this is certainly not how someone who wants to be president of the United States behaves. Because let’s be very clear. Strong men - men who are truly role models - don’t need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together. And that is what we need in our next president. We need someone who is a uniting force in this country. We need someone who will heal the wounds that divide us, someone who truly cares about us and our children, someone with strength and compassion to lead this country forward. Whom ever you will be voting for, make sure you listen to that voice in your heart. *** 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
Yankee go home, but take me with you IF you scan the postings on social media, Street you would get the impression that the Unit- Talk ed States is anathema to most Filipinos. Hateful statements that rake up Yankee atrocities during the GreG B. MacaBenta Filipino-American war; resentment over the U.S. ostensibly taking the Philippines “for granted” in terms of foreign and military aid; complaints about being turned down for a U.S. visa and why, in the first place, visas are required of Filipinos but not of citizens of many other countries; even the perceived “arrogance” of U.S. military officers towards their Pinoy counterparts, often accompany social and traditional media reports concerning President Rodrigo Duterte’s undiplomatic remarks against the U.S., as well as the measured response of American officials to these remarks. Along with that, in recent days, have been cheers over Duterte’s declaration on his recent state visit to Beijing that he was “separating the Philippines from the United States” and that it would now be the Philippines, China and Russia “against the world.” Yet a recent public opinion poll tells us that Filipinos trust the U.S. by an overwhelming percentage vis-à-vis China. And I don’t know of anyone eager to migrate to Moscow. Data reported in the Country Migration Report, Philippines 2013, prepared by the Scalabrini Migration Center and the International Organization for Migration, in cooperation with the Philippine government, tell us that the U.S. is the migration destination of choice for Filipinos (64.84 percent) followed by a
far-second Canada at 16.75 percent. The 2010 U.S. Census also tells us that people of Filipino descent account for the second largest Asian ethnic group in America at 3.4 million (I suppose, not counting the TNTs), next only to the ethnic Chinese. Saudi Arabia and Canada, at 1.5 million and 842.6 thousand, respectively, are a distant second and third as a migration destination for Filipinos, according to the 2013 Country Migration Report. One can only imagine what the Pinoy migration would be if the Philippines were like Mexico, sharing a common border with the U.S. The late Alex Esclamado, founding chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) once put it half-jokingly, “If Filipinos could walk on water, millions more of us would come to the U.S.” And – get this – America accounts for 42.09 percent of Pinoy brides and only 27.44 percent in the case of Japan, 7.86 percent for Australia and 4.24 percent for Canada. Meaning, more Filipina women fall in love with Americans than with any other foreign nationality. Why the inconsistency? It’s almost like saying, “Yankee go home, but take me with you!” Some pundits call it a “love-hate relationship” with America. Still, others insist that America “owes the Philippines” for having colonized it and having gotten it involved in the war with Japan and yet not treating Filipino World War II veterans equitably compared with soldiers from other countries who also fought alongside the U.S.
A certain Burt Gabriel posted something on Facebook, which I am quoting verbatim: “Phil was taken for granted, neglected, was not given economic assistance. For last 15-20 years, Phil was abandoned, no financial aid was awarded to Phil for improvement of its security, military and its infrastructure needs. [It’s] not actually a total severance of diplomatic ties with states but [the] establishment of diplomacy with neighboring ASEAN neighbor willing to extend help. U.S. is still [A Filipino] ally and States [have] diplomatic ties with PRC as well.” The statement reflects the fuzzy understanding of the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S., as well as other countries. And as vague as many of our countrymen’s perception of that relationship already is, pseudo-nationalists and leftists have muddled that limited knowledge further with their rhetoric. For one thing, assuming that the demonstrators in the recent march at the U.S. Embassy in Manila had a valid reason for doing so, didn’t they have an even more valid reason for marching to the embassy of the Chinese which has literally invaded Philippine territory? In fact, why did it take Filipino-Americans to lead the demonstrations against Chinese incursion into territory claimed by the Philippines in the Spratlys? Only after media attention had been generated by the issue did Philippine-based activists spring into action over it. But to go back to the inconsistency between what are said against the US and how Filipinos actually perceive America, one commentator wrote years ago about “the myth of Philippine-American special relations,” pointing out that we Filipinos continue
to believe that we deserve to be given “special treatment” by the US because of our shared history. The writer then urged Filipinos to wake up to the reality that the relationship between two sovereign nations cannot be based on one being overly dependent on the other, whatever their historical links might be. For all of his vulgarities, this is what I think Duterte has been trying to say. The trouble is, he simply muddles the message with his profanities and his jumbled way of expressing himself. If you disregard the trash talk and try to fathom what he is trying to say, you will see that Duterte is absolutely right. The Philippines, as a sovereign nation, should strive to stand on its own two feet, in a manner of speaking, instead of acting like a mendicant looking for a free meal and complaining that it’s getting only crumbs. But, let’s get it straight: Are Filipinos really acting like mendicants looking for a free meal? I don’t think so. I believe we have more self-respect than that. I also believe that the ones who insist that we are mendicants should not impute their own mendicancy on the rest of our people – and I’m addressing those who love to post their idiocy on social media. The fact that there are some 10 million Filipinos working overseas or have become permanent residents or citizens of other countries, and the fact that the majority of them have preferred to go to the US is not necessarily a sign of a “weak Filipino character.” Rather, it is a natural survival instinct at work. Even beasts do that, and when there were land bridges connecting the continents eons ago, ancient humans moved from areas where food was
scarce to places where they could find subsistence. That is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength. A sign of love of family and the zeal to give their loved ones a better future. It is, on the other hand, a sign of weakness on the part of our national leaders, a sign of the greed of most of our politicians who also happen to be economic kingpins. It is an indication of the imbalance in the country’s economic growth – favoring the few who are rich and throwing crumbs at the majority who are poor. They call it “trickle down economics.” But Pope Francis himself doesn’t think much of it, declaring, in not so many words, that the “trickle” benefiting the poor is not enough to survive on. Thus, we see millions of Filipinos leaving their homes and their families to seek better opportunities overseas. If Duterte can make good on his vow to uplift the poor of our country, we can forgive him for his obscenity. I think America sees through Duterte’s bluster. When he took back what he said in China (to Chinese applause) and clarified that he really doesn’t plan to cut ties with America (to Chinese puzzlement), US officials must have nodded knowingly and, to paraphrase, President Barack Obama, quipped, “There goes the colorful president of the Philippines again.” The trouble is, while Duterte keeps flip-flopping on his rants and bluster, his rabid supporters find themselves unable to take back their incendiary postings, even while deep in the hearts of many of them, they really want to say, “Yankee go home, but please take us with you!” (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016
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Duterte calls on Filipino people to ‘heed not the temptations of temporal world’ by dana
sioson AJPress
IN his message for the Philippines’ observance of ‘Undas,’ President Rodrigo Duterte urged the Filipino people and his fellow government officials to “heed not the temptations of the temporal world.” Locally called ‘Undas,’ Filipinos commemorate the departed by visiting the tombs of their loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively every November 1 and 2. “Let us, rather, answer the call to be true servant-leaders; let us accumulate riches, not for ourselves, but for future generations and for the life that comes after,” Duterte said on Monday, October 31. The president remarked that these two events remind people that deeds are more important than material gains. “Truly, Christ was right in asking the question: ‘For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his own soul?’” the president said. Duterte also pointed out that “no amount of success, power,
or position can ever compensate for the greed and corruption of human character.” “With a keen appreciation for the immaterial treasures that bring us closer to God, let us continue to pursue an agenda for genuine change that will be for the best interest of our people,” he added. Like most Filipinos, the president visited the grave of his parents, Vicente and Soledad Duterte, on November 1 at the Davao Public and Roman Catholic Cemetery. “I hope that we cherish with fondness, love and gratitude the spiritual inheritance left by our ancestors and loved ones on their special day,” the president expressed. Last week, Duterte shared his encounter with God on his way back to the Philippines from his state visit in Japan. “I was looking at the skies as I was coming over here. And... everybody was asleep snoring. A voice said that you know, ‘If you don’t stop, I will bring this plane down now.’ And I said, who is this?’ Of course, it’s God. Oh, OK. So, I promised God not
to express slang, cuss words,” he related. Also observing ‘Undas’ in Naga City, Vice President Leni Robredo said that she hoped the president will keep his promise of not cursing anymore. “Before, in Davao, no matter what President Duterte says the people of Davao will understand him. That is also my situation – before, even if I become careless with my words, my constituents here will understand me. But now that our audience is bigger, there are many people who might not be familiar with our character,” she said in an interview. She visited the grave of her late husband, former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, at the VISITING THE WOUNDED. Instead of taking a break during the holiday, President Rodrigo Duterte visited wounded soldiers at a military Eternal Gardens in Naga City on hospital in Jolo, Sulu. Duterte, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Ricardo Visaya, paid a visit to eight soldiers October 31. at the hospital in Camp Teodulfo Bautista on Monday, Nov. 1. The soldiers were wounded during a recent clash with the bandit group Abu The vice president also said Sayyaf. Inquirer.net photo by Ace Morandante that she and Duterte have maintained a respectable working relationship. “He treats me well. In fact, he swiftly granted some of my reThe President even suggestnow Pampanga Rep. Gloria Maby Christina Mendez quests…Every time I report in ed that criminals be burned to capagal-Arroyo. Philstar.com the Cabinet meeting, he always Duterte has been receiving death to decongest jails. agrees and he is very supportHe once told a Filipino crowd MANILA, Philippines — Presi- flak from the US, the UN and ive,” Robredo said. n dent Duterte has reiterated his the European Union for extra- to “forget for a while the unicall for Congress to pass a mea- judicial killings attributed to his versal declaration of human rights,” noting how many famisure reviving the death penalty anti-drug campaign. “Hindi nila naintindihan. Sabi lies of overseas Filipino workers in order to give more teeth to his anti-crime and anti-drug cam- nila, ‘Duterte, may death penalty (OFWs) have been devastated noon, wala namang nangyari, when a son or daughter gets paigns. Duterte said his critics do not ganoon rin. Bakit mo gustong hooked on drugs. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez understand the impact of the ibalik?’ Ulol, kung hindi ka namaximum penalty, as capital man tarantado, hindi ako ang said lawmakers are eyeing to punishment was not fully imple- Presidente noon. Kasi kung ako approve before yearend a law mented in the previous adminis- ang Presidente noon wala tay- that would reimpose the death ong pinag-uusapan dito (They penalty. ping during his four-day state trations. Alvarez said the House is devisit to China last week. It was during the term of for- don’t understand. They say ‘We The national security adviser mer president and now Manila had death penalty before, yet liberating the measure and the was among the officials who ac- Mayor Joseph Estrada that a nothing happened, everything form of execution. He said this would give more companied the president on his convict, Leo Echegaray, was remained the same. Why do you trip. executed by lethal injection for want it revived?’ Stupid, I was teeth to the President’s anti-drug Before his trip, Duterte re- raping his stepdaughter. Several not the president then. Had I campaign even if the bloody war marked that Filipinos might other convicts were also execut- been, we won’t be talking about has raised serious human rights this now),” Duterte said in his concerns. soon be allowed to fish again in ed. A counterpart measure has Panatag shoal. The law was repealed during speech before the Filipino combeen filed at the Senate. n “They didn’t dwell at length on the time of former president and munity in Tokyo recently. the subject matter because they tackled several other things, so to be in that confrontational po- Duterte expressed his concerns Panatag, following the reports there was no agreement. I don’t sition when you can talk about regarding the issue. that claimed China pulled out its know about their other agree- economic relations, trade relaHua said Duterte’s visit sig- Navy from the shoal. ments but our president be- tions?” Esperon said. naled “comprehensive improve“We’d like it to be a sign that lieves our fishermen won’t be However, he reiterated that ment of China-Philippines rela- China and the Philippines are touched since the matter was the Philippines is not dropping tions.” moving towards an agreement also brought up,” Esperon said. its claims over the shoal. However, Hua clarified that on fishing access at Scarborough He said it’s a ‘win-win’ situaMeanwhile, Chinese Foreign China would still continue to ex- reef that would be in accordance tion for both countries. Ministry spokeswoman Hua ercise its claims over the South with the July 12th arbitral deci“Although the two presidents Chunying said that Beijing made China Sea. sion,” U.S. State Department were not able to come up with “proper arrangements” based On the other hand, the United spokesperson Mark Toner said a resolution on the disputed ter- on the “friendship between States said last week that it is in a press briefing on Friday, ritories...why allow yourselves China and the Philippines” after “still assessing” the situation in October 28. n
‘WIN-WIN’ SITUATION AT PANATAG
Security adviser says China, PH in ‘friendly understanding’ by dana
sioson AJPress
FOLLOWING the reports that claimed several Filipinos were able to fish ‘unmolested’ at the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the South China Sea, Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said both the Philippines and China have reached what he described as a “friendly” understanding. “The coastguard of China is there, but their Navy is gone. And now, our fishermen are no longer being accosted, no longer being forced out, so we can say things are now friendly,” he said on Monday, October 31. Also known as Bajo de Masinloc, Panatag shoal is located 230 (140 miles) kilometers west of Zambales, which overlaps the 200-nautical mile exclusive eco-
nomic zone (EEZ) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Since the standoff in 2012, China has been exercising control in the shoal, claiming its “historic rights” based on the “nine-dash line.” As a result, Filipinos have been unable to fish there. In July of this year, the arbitration tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines and concluded that China’s claim of sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis and violates UNCLOS, a treaty signed by both the Philippines and China. The Chinese government, however, has refused to acknowledge the ruling. According to Esperon, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte negotiated the understanding with Chinese President Xi Jin-
Duterte reiterates need to reimpose death penalty
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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal
by Ben
O. de Vera Inquirer.net
WHILE Manila pivots to Beijing under President Duterte’s “independent” foreign policy to foster closer economic and military ties with the mainland, expect the Philippines to outpace China’s growth in the next few years, Standard Chartered Bank said. In an Oct. 27 report titled “Asia—Let’s talk about 65 per-
cent (of world growth),” Standard Chartered said it seemed that “India, Vietnam and the Philippines are the most likely candidates to grow faster than China in the coming years.” “This is both due to China’s growth gradually declining from current levels and investment playing a bigger role in driving growth in these three less developed nations,” said David Mann, Standard Chartered chief economist for Asia.
As investors eye countries whose governments are ramping up public investments, “markets are more likely to favor economies where public sector delivery on investment is improving, such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines,” Mann said. “In the Philippines, investment has been a pillar of growth this year, rising strongly by 27.4 percent year-on-year in the second quarter. The new govern-
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Palace: Chinese firms’contracts not yet final were blacklisted by international groups. “Those are simply understandMALACAÑANG on Friday said ings that they can submit feasibilthe multimillion-dollar contracts ity studies, which [will] be subject signed between the Philippine to public biddings and the necesgovernment and Chinese com- sary processes. So these are not panies were not final and would necessarily contracts or commitundergo mandatory competitive ments to contract,” Abella told reporters. public bidding. Abella did not reply when Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the assurance asked if President Duterte was amid concerns that a number aware that some of the Chinese of the Chinese companies that companies involved in the agreepledged to invest in the Phil- ments signed during his visit to ippines had shady records or China last week had tainted past by Gil
C. CaBCaunGan Inquirer.net
or dubious records. Two of the notorious Chinese companies listed in the President’s accomplishment report were CCCC Dredging Co., which reportedly handled China’s construction of artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea. Massive kickbacks It is also a sister firm of the company involved in a 2009 road project in the Philippines that was tainted by massive kickbacks. China Harbour Engineering, which planned to bankroll the
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BUSINESS NEWS
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BELLE, ARRC INK DEAL: Belle Corp. buys into All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. (ARRC) which is the main proponent of the Philippine Gateway Project, the future multi-modal transport, logistics hub and mix-used real estate development off the coast of Sangley, Cavite. This is the proposed site of the new international airport and seaport that will help decongest traffic in Metro Manila. Photo shows (from left) ARRC chairman William Tieng, president Wilson Tieng and Belle vice chairman and executive director Willy Ocier signing the shareholders agreement in a ceremony at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Saturday. Mike Amoroso/Philstar.com
Sy, Tieng family eye $50-B Cavite project Unsolicited airport-seaport proposal
by IRIS
GONZALES Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Henry Sy, the country’s richest man, has teamed up with the Tieng family to build a new $50-billion airport and seaport project on a reclaimed land off the coast of Sangley Point in Cavite. The unsolicited proposal competes with another international airport project amounting to $10 billion proposed by San Miguel Corp. president and COO Ramon Ang, possibly in partnership with corporate tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan. Belle Corp., the high-end property developer of Sy’s SM Group, has acquired a significant stake in the Tieng family’s All-
Asia Resources & Reclamation Corp. (ARRC), proponent of the Philippine Global Gateway Project just days after China Communications Construction Company signed an agreement to pour in $20 billion for the project during President Duterte’s recent state visit in Beijing. President Duterte has already “verbally approved” the massive infrastructure project during his fifth Cabinet meeting in August, said ARRC president Wilson Tieng. The Duterte administration plans to usher in what it touts as the “golden age of infrastructure” through a combination of unsolicited and solicited proposals for big-ticket projects. ARRC and Belle Corp. signed
the shareholders agreement in a ceremony at the Makati ShangriLa Hotel on Saturday. Tieng said the new airport would have a capacity of 50 million passengers and is envisioned to accommodate passenger traffic well into the year 2050. The project will be built in phases, starting with the reclamation of some 2,500 hectares of land near Sangley Point, the former naval station of the US Navy. “We will do the reclamation first and then we will start the airport which is a priority of the new government,” Tieng said. The proposed airport, which is estimated to cost $20 billion, would compete with Ang’s pro-
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Election spending boosts ABS-CBN’s profit by DORIS
DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net
BROADCASTING giant ABSCBN Corp. grew its nine-month net profit by 50 percent year-onyear to P2.85 billion as the national elections boosted advertising revenues. ABS-CBN chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado attributed the growth to election-related spending and the continued leadership in ratings of the company’s primetime shows. “Our ratings performance is key since we have adopted the cost per individual rating point pricing (CPIRP) scheme,” said Cerrado. “We are confident that we will meet our earnings guid-
ance of between P3.2 to 3.5 billion for 2016.” Consolidated revenues for the first nine months surged to P31.1 billion, close to 12 percent higher than the level generated in the same period last year. Cerrado also pointed out to ABS-CBN’s ongoing program to manage costs more efficiently. “We have been successful in controlling production costs and have been able to reduce expenses on a per program basis compared to last year,” he explained. Citing the latest survey from market research firm Kantar Media, the top 10 programs for the first nine months of 2016 for free- to-air television nation-
wide covering both urban and rural homes were all produced by ABS- CBN, with “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” consistently ranking number one. The company also reported that Digital Terrestrial Television or DTT helped boost audience share with over 1.6 million ABSCBN TVplus boxes sold as of the end of September. Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population. The company said online viewership of its content also remain strong with ABS-CBN’s videoon- demand service iWant TV
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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon MOST people are unaware that credit card companies will negotiate with you if they believe that it is in their best interests to do so. Many times you can negotiate a reduction of your interest rate, elimination of late charges and annual membership fees. If you are delinquent in payments, they may even agree to settle for less than the full amount of your debt. The fact that the account is already in collections, a lawsuit has been filed or even if a judgment has been obtained doesn’t even matter. If a debt collector tells you that it is “their policy not to settle debts”, don’t believe it. It is simply not true. From my experience, under the right conditions, all credit card
Community Journal
Credit card debt problems: Settle or file bankruptcy? companies settle. For example, a recent study revealed that over half of credit cardholders who called and complained about their interest rates got an interest rate cut, resulting in as much as a 33 percent reduction. Now, why would the credit card companies do this? Well, you have to understand that the credit card companies are in a very competitive market. These companies know that it always costs more to obtain a new client than to keep a current one. Thus, if you have been paying on time, you are in a good bargaining position to re-negotiate the terms of your contract. But what if you are behind in payments and can no longer pay
the amount owed? This is where debt settlement may be a good idea especially if you are trying to avoid filing for bankruptcy. This doesn’t work in all situations but there are certainly a lot of scenarios where bankruptcy may be avoided and debts can be settled using the least amount of money possible. It is a known fact in the collection business that as time goes on, the ability to collect on a debt diminishes. Thus, the longer your accounts have been in collections, the better your chance of settling your debts for a significantly reduced amount. For example, it is my experience that creditors will settle for about 30-60 cents
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PH growth seen to outpace…
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ment is signaling that it intends to accelerate existing plans for economic development,” Mann noted. “Moving more existing public-private partnership (PPP) projects to the implementation phase would crowd in even more private sector investment. Of the 55 PPP projects fast-tracked by the previous government, 12 are progressing. A change in this figure over the next year will be a good measure of policy progress on investment projects,” according to Mann. In a recent speech, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. DIokno said there were 40 PPP projects worth P1.14 trillion in the pipeline. These include big-ticket projects such as the P170.7-billion North-South Railway and the P122.8-billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike. “By the end of 2017, we aim to roll out 17 PPP projects worth an estimated P580 billion. This is on top of the P8.2 trillion” that the Duterte administration plans to spend on “hard” infrastructure in the next six years to raise the share of infrastructure spending to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 7.2 percent by 2022, Diokno said. Mann said that during a recent visit to Manila, “we observed rising optimism among the local business community that GDP
growth may be as high as 7 percent over the next five years,” to exceed last year’s 5.9-percent expansion as well as Standard Chartered’s forecast of 6.8-percent growth this year. However, “we acknowledge the risk that the Philippines’ capital goods imports may continue at a runaway pace, which could push the current account into a deficit, at least briefly, in the coming six to nine months,” Mann said. “The country’s balance of payments (BOP) issue is receiving a lot of attention from investors. Our base case scenario is for the current account surplus to remain largely in place, though at a much reduced 1.1 percent of GDP in 2017, compared with 3.8 percent in 2014. We expect the goods deficit to widen further, but not to the same degree as previously seen,” he added. “Business process outsourcing (BPO) services exports will likely take over from overseas worker remittances as the most important driver of the current account balance in the coming years. Tourism earnings are also likely to continue rising, albeit from a low base,” Mann said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects the current account surplus to slide to below $5 billion next year as the country spends more dollars on im-
ported capital goods amid the resurgence of the manufacturing sector. “It’s true that the current account is another buffer, it’s another indicator that many observers—investors and credit rating agencies—are looking at. But they have to consider the state of the economy—the Philippine economy is growing,” BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said. “When we are growing, we need a lot of infrastructure. We need a lot of importation especially of capital goods, raw materials and intermediate products. That pulls down your current account position and reduces the current account surplus. But that is not exactly bad,” Guinigundo explained. “In a sense, it is investing for your future—the ability to process and produce goods and improve your ability not only to export but also to produce for the domestic economy,” according to Guinigundo. A recent BSP report showed that the trade deficit as a result of the rise in imports and decline in exports narrowed the current accounts surplus to $778 million at the end of the first half. The end-June current account surplus, equivalent to 0.5 percent of the GDP, declined from $5.3 billion or 3.7 percent of GDP a year ago. n
Palace: Chinese firms’contracts not yet…
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proposed Subic-Clark railway, an airport at Sangley Point, the Davao Port expansion and the Manila Harbor reclamation, has been banned by the World Bank for corruption in a highway project in Zimbabwe. Abella said the contracts would be open to other companies. “[There] are no hard and fast rules that say, ‘Yes, we have to accept this particular company,’” said Abella, who was aware that one of the Chinese firms was blacklisted and that the ban would be lifted by January next year. More Chinese investment may be expected, as President Duterte’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, is in Shanghai, exploring economic possibilities. Vice Mayor Duterte, together with five city councilors and local government officials, arrived in Shanghai on Wednesday and met with Vice Mayor Chen Yin
and Chinese business groups, including those that import banana from the Philippines. More exchanges In a reception at the Shanghai City Hall, Yin said there would be more exchanges between Shanghai and Davao in the coming days as a result of the strengthening of diplomatic and trade relations between China and the Philippines. “The visit of President Duterte greatly improved our bilateral relations and brought up many opportunities and exchanges,” Yin said. He said Shanghai would work closely with Davao to support the cooperation between China and the Philippines. “I am sure that with great support from our governments, we can make contributions to our relationship and cooperation,” he said “I am sure Davao will have a bright future,” he added.
Duterte said investments from Shanghai would greatly help the Davao city government in improving the quality of life of local residents. “Davao City is determined to work harder to change the lives of our people for the better,” he said. Duterte said Davao would focus on agriculture, tourism, energy, real estate and information technology. “We hope to partner with the government of Shanghai in the realization of our objectives as a developed, progressive and peaceful city,” Duterte said. Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas said no specific investments were yet committed but he expressed confidence the delegation would get pledges. He said Shanghai-based business groups had good relations with the Davao business community. (With a report from Karlos Manlupig, Inquirer)
ARRC saying they would make the necessary disclosures in the coming days on how much is Belle’s stake in the company. Ocier simply said they are pleased to have been invited for the project. “We’re happy. We’ve been invited here. It’s their show,” Ocier told The Star. Proponents said they are targeting to have the project operational before the end of the term of President Duterte in 2022. The project started in 2012 when ARRC was established by a group of businessmen with a vision to build a world-class airport facility, the first integrated seaport and an economic zone. “It will also provide efficient land transportation connectivity
for private and public vehicles and rail system. The special economic zone will provide a platform for industries to establish their manufacturing and processing plants that will allow them to operate in a freeport and logistics-friendly zone, thereby positioning the Philippines competitively in the forthcoming ASEAN Integration,” Tieng said. ARRC is led by the Tieng family, which has investments in television network through Solar Entertainment Corp. and real estate, while Belle is a premier developer of the high-end Tagaytay Highlands and City of Dreams Manila, an integrated resort facility built in partnership with Melco Crown Philippines Resorts Corp. n
Sy, Tieng family eye $50-B Cavite…
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posal and the existing airport, but Tieng said this shouldn’t be a problem as other cities have several airports. “We are strongly committed to help the government through private initiatives to help promote better infrastructure that we Filipinos deserve like the Philippine Global Gateway,” Tieng said. Willy Ocier, Belle vice-chairman and executive director, expressed optimism on the landmark big-ticket project. “This project is very timely considering the air and land traffic congestion we are experiencing everyday,” Ocier said. Details of the shareholders agreement are still sketchy, with officials from both Belle and
Election spending boosts ABS-CBN’s…
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– the leading OTT platform in the Philippines – continuing to garner millions of page views very month. Total assets rose to P74.7 billion as of the end-September from P70.4 billion as of end-2015. The company’s equity base ended the period at P30.8 billion. ABS-CBN also issued an upbeat report on the performance of ventures outside its TV and studio business, namely consumer businesses such as cable subscription, ticketed experiences
and durable goods. Ron Valdueza, ABS-CBN group chief finance officer said: “Sky Cable has improved its profitability, assisted by cost control measures and the continued steep increase in its broadband subscriber base.” Valdueza said the launch of Sky’s direct-to-home pay TV service nationwide under the brand SkyDirect last May had brought in over 70,000 subscribers. “By year-end, Sky’s total Pay TV and Broadband subscriber base should breach the one mil-
lion mark,” he said. The Filipino Channel (TFC) is now being watched by over three million Filipinos abroad. Kidzania, the company’s educational theme park, has welcomed over 200,000 visitors since the beginning of the year, while the O Shopping Channel has generated P612 million in sales of various products for the first nine months of 2016. “With all these achievements, ABS-CBN is poised to deliver record earnings performance this year,” said Valdueza. n
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016
Calendar of Events across
B
America
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Consular outreach in Orlando, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Orlando on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa. org and indicate “Orlando FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at Seaworld, 6850 Westwood Blvd. Orlando, FL 32821.
Rising Tohoku Food Fair in Torrance, CA The Rising Tohoku Food Fair hosted by Mitsuwa Marketplace presents two full days of food and cultural festivities to celebrate the charms of the Tohoku region in Northeast Japan, which can be enjoyed by children and adults. In addition to presenting diverse and flavorful food products originating from the 6 prefectures of Tohoku, there will be a variety of paper craft activity workshops for families such as, coloring, origami, making hanagasa ornaments which can be used as fans, and writing wishes on tanzaku paper, in addition to city-specific dance performances and photo opportunities with city mascots. Mitsuwa Marketplace Torrance Store, 21515 Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501. Fair hours are 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily. The full schedule of dance and festival presentations, crafts workshops, photo sessions with mascots and food fair can be found at: http://www.mitsuwa.com/locations/torrance For more information, call 310.782.0335.
N OV E M B E R 6
Free Filipino American History photo exhibit, Nov. 6, Historic Filipinotown A free photo exhibit with attributions, sponsored by the book, Filipino American Experience: the Making of a Historic Cultural Monument” is slated for Sunday, Nov. 6th, from 12:00 to 2:30pm at the Filipino Disciples Christian Church, 301 North Union Ave., corner Court Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90026. Brief descriptions in English, Spanish and Tagalog will be shared by ten young leaders regarding each photo segment which represent the Filipino American experience in the establishment of Historic Filipinotown from the turn of the century to the turbulent 1960’s-70’s. The book chronicles the prominent role of the only historic, cultural landmark proclaimed by the City of Los Angeles in the city’s Historic Filipinotown. It depicts its contributions in the civic, spiritual and cultural advancement of the Filipino-American community in the Greater Los Angeles region. The first twelve arrivals with current college or high school enrollment I.D. will be awarded a copy of the coffee table book in landscape format and heavy glossy pages. Complimentary lunch will be served to all attendees hosted by the Filipino-American History Photo Gallery on site and the
N OV E M B E R 1 2
University of Baguio High School 40th anniversary in Chino Hills, CA Come join us in celebrating University of Baguio High School’s 40th Anniversary on Saturday, November 12 in Chino Hills, California. For more information please contact, Romy Vidal at (951) 733-7140.
Hyatt Baguio/Manila/Palawan Reunion in Las Vegas Former and current employees and guests of Hyatt Terraces Baguio, Hyatt Manila and Hyatt Palawan are having a dinner/dance reunion on November 12 in at the Hampton Inn Tropicana in Las Vegas. The address is 4975 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89118. For more details, please send an email to: Beng Paraguas-Flores (Hyatt Terraces Baguio) at bengparaguasflores@gmail.com or Marian Nobleza (Hyatt Terraces Baguio) at minobleza@ yahoo.com.
N OV E M B E R 1 4
Film showing of “Curiosity, Adventure & Love” in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York invites the public to a film showing of “Curiosity, Adventure & Love,” a film by Sunshine Lichuaco de Leon and Suzanne Richiardone. The showing will be on Monday, November 14 at 6:40 p.m. at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10036. To reserve a seat, please send an email to
N OV E M B E R 1 5
Build a shelter project appreciation and book launch in New York Build a shelter project appreciation and book launch in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York in cooperation with the Assumption Alumni Association invites you to Build a Shelter Project (BASP) Appreciation and a book launch on “Yolanda: An Oral History in Verse” by Tim Tomlinson. The event will be on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. To reserve a seat, please email events@newyorkpcg.org (Subject: BASP Appreciation) or call 212-764-1330 ext. 3866.
N OV E M B E R 1 9 -2 0
Consular outreach mission in Pensacola, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and indicate “Pensacola FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at the Fil-Am Community Center at 234 West Oakfield Road, Pensacola, FL
D EC E M B E R 3
FASO’s Christmas Concert in Glendale, CA The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, as it presents “A Christmas Concert” on Saturday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California. FASO will play Christmas carols, accompanied by the voices of various choir groups. John Wayne Performing Arts Center is located at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. For tickets, call Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936; and Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850. Tickets are also available athttp://fasochristmas.eventbrite.com/. Tickets are at $25, $45 and $75. More information at www.fasofoundation.org.
D EC E M B E R 1 7-1 8
Consular outreach mission in Miami, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death. No applications for dual citizenship will be accepted at this time, as oaths of allegiance must be administered by the Philippine Consul General or Consul. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and copy furnish honcon.miami@gmail.com. The Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami is located at 12/F 1200 Brickell Ave., Miami, Florida 33131.
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B NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
Bankruptcy court rules in favor of client for $250K after trial
Debt Relief
87-Year-old senior seeks chapter 7 relief Atty. lAwrenCe yAng I REPRESENTED a foreign company with a $250K claim for a forty foot container of manufactured goods that it delivered to the debtor a California company on December 30, 2014. The debtor had been in a Chapter 11 for a year before the trustee was able to convert the case to Chapter 7 on April 14, 2015. Client continued doing business with debtor while it was on Chapter 11, shipping it millions of dollars worth of merchandise, and up to a week before debtor converted to Chapter 7. When debtor converted to Chapter 7, it owed client $250K of unpaid merchandise, and a trademark that client had paid debtor $120K for. The court had previously ruled in favor of client for the $120K trademark saying that it belongs to client since they paid $120K for it. The trustee argued that the transfer to client of the trademark occurred after case was converted to Chapter 7 even though client had paid $120K for it two years prior. Hence, the transfer was void. That issue went to the court on a motion, and the court ruled that the trademark belonged to client since they paid for it. It did not matter that the transfer was made after conversion to Chapter 7, implying that debtor no longer had any legal or equitable interest on the trademark as of payment date. The court however, left the issue of client’s claim for $250K hanging. A hearing was heard on this second matter after discovery was completed, and still the court could not decide one way or the other. The objecting creditor argued that the forty foot container did not exist and that the shipment was never made to debtor, or even if the shipment was made, debtor had paid the $250K in full. Needless to say, I found the argument rather strange. Client presented invoices signed by the owner of the company, truck receipt for the fortyfoot container, and accounting summary showing a net unpaid amount of $250K. So, the court set just this issue, whether or not the $250K is owed to client for trial on September 12, 2016. Three weeks before the trial date, my client informs me that the foreign government which owns the
company has decided that client, the president of the company, will not be allowed to appear and testify before a U.S. court for political reasons. I file a motion to allow client’s testimony by telephone. Creditor objects that they will not be able to observe the demeanor of the witness if he is allowed to testify by phone. This becomes moot because the government also prohibits the witness to testify by phone. So, all the evidence we submitted for trial, including the declaration of the witness will the thrown out the door on the day of trial because the witness is not around to testify and be cross examined. In other words, we have no evidence, documentary or testimony, supporting our position at trial, while the other party has all their evidence coming in since their witness will appear to testify. On September 12, trial promptly starts at 9.30 a.m. I’m sitting there on my side all by myself (and God the Holy Spirit who is invisible but there nevertheless, giving me aid and comfort). The other side had two lawyers and their expert witness on international trade documents. First order of business, the judge says is that the declaration of our witness is stricken off the record since our witness is not around to be cross examined, meaning, we have no evidence! Creditor calls their expert witness to testify. I object that he is not a percipient witness. Judge agrees with me. They insist that their expert witness will testify on the redaction of information on the bill of lading and customs entry. I see the loophole and I withdraw my objection to the testimony of their expert witness. My plan is to bring our evidence in by crossexamining the witness as an adverse witness. Lo and behold, I was able to cross examine the witness for two hours with pin point precision on all relevant documents using his expertise against the other party. This is what happens when God the Holy Spirit is helping you out. They try to salvage the damage done by a series of direct questions to their own witness. But it’s too late. Just before noontime, the judge gave his ruling. He said that this was indeed a strange case as there was no witness for my client to testify and there was no evidence
to support our position. But during the cross examination, the evidence slowly crept in. By a hairline, Judge ruled in favor of my client for $250K. For me, this was a miracle, indeed. I had zero chance of winning this case but at the last minute, the situation reversed itself with God’s help. Second client is 87 years old. We filed his first Chapter 7 case twenty years ago when he was 67 and his wife was still alive. They owed about $50K of credit cards twenty years ago. Those were all discharged. They built up their credit again and now owe about $20K. Wife passed last year. They were able to travel the world in the last twenty years. So, the last twenty years was good. But since wife has passed away, he doesn’t feel like paying the $20K anymore. He’s just tired of paying for it. They used the cards to travel the world, but that was their last time around. Last week, one credit card sued him for $10K. With is social security at $1K a month. There really is no money to pay the cards. So, the only logical step is the get rid of his cards with a Chapter 7 discharge. Client is still able to drive around by himself at 87. He has chronic back pain and has four stents in his heart arteries, but he still praises the Lord for his relatively good health! I would like the Lord to bless my wife and I with good health and long life… this life is good and the Lord is good. See the prayer of Moses, Psalm 91: Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to him, “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.” He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases. He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care…” “The Lord. He is the once who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” — Deuteronomy 31:8
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Melting pot or salad bowl? The case for assimilation
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA
WITHOUT assimilation by every immigrant to its adoptive country through the generations, no nation can retain the structural integrity of the foundational values that created it in the first place. That nation’s collapse is not a matter of “if” but “when.” More simply put: Immigration without assimilation is nothing more than invasion. Two opposing forces on the issue of immigration are aligning. There could only be one of two ways. You are either for or against it. It was too hot to handle for previous administrations. Presently, the conscious non-enforcement of the laws in the books appears to be a longterm sinister agenda of seeding future electorate for one particular party. America has placed this divisive issue of immigration far too long in the back burner. Unchecked illegal immigration has reached critical mass and the time has come to confront this issue head on. For Election 2016, the sick American economy is still issue number one for a majority of voters. A debtor nation plagued with a serious job crisis with over 94 million workers unemployed and owing $20 trillion dollars ($10 trillion more in just the last 8 years or double the previous years) in debt is in no position to wield its big stick in the global stage. America has lost its superpower status to other nations, notably Russia and China. There is a new sheriff in town wielding the big stick in dealing with ISIS and his name is Putin. There are serious doubts ex-KGB Vladimir Putin can be trusted as he has been itching for years to rebuild the lost glory of Russia on the world stage. However, to engage Russia over Syria just as the US had foolishly done in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, costing trillions of dol*** lars and thousands of American Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in lives lost over essentially nothing bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil but the death of thousands and litigation and has successfully represented a mountain of debt, is certainly more than five thousand clients in California. not in America’s best interest at Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) this time when its economy is 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. severely battered and the psyche Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite of most Americans dealing with 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. day-to-day existence, at an all (Advertising Supplement) time low. It is true what they say. Stupid is as stupid does. Stupidity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result. Tied in closely with American economic woes is the issue of immigration. Whether deliber-
Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA
Organic products meet stringent standards Healthier for you & kids Organic food tastes better Organic farming respects natural resources Avoids pesticides & are artificial-fertilizer-free Non-GMO, no synthetic pesticides, no growth-promoting antibiotics There are many, many more reasons to go Organic. But in short: You’ll leave the world a better place than when you found it
ately or not, Donald J. Trump has yanked the issue of illegal immigration front and center. Anyone applying for the post of top dog must deal with it. It seems that Trump has tapped into an angry pulsating nerve of a YUGE swath of the American population. To the absolute dismay of both the Republican and Democratic parties, Trump’s message is resonating. Over the last 15 months since June last year, he seems to have morphed into the microphone for many Americans who have no voice and who are plainly sick and tired of political correctness spewed and enforced by mainstream media in the last few decades. It can no longer be business as usual for globalists and the elite of the New World Order who really don’t care about the welfare of the middle class. As an added attraction to the protracted front act of the primary election and nomination that precede every national election, Trump seems to instinctively know how to play the liberal media like a fiddle to the delight of many. After 2 national elections during which media played the role of an in-your-face partisan hack, majority view major networks and big publishers as dishonest and completely untrustworthy. After all, there are only 6 companies that control American media. Media’s main purpose is not to just to earn a profit. It has become a tool for those who own it to protect their power over varied interests and maintain or enlarge their self interests on a global scale. There seems to be seething cold anger among the greater bulk of the population. Something tectonic is afoot. Major unpredictable shifts will take place. Professional life-long politicians who have made it their life’s work to keep running for office and serve the interests of those who bankroll their runs may be in for a rude awakening. Immigration, legal and illegal, is now a white hot issue. The time has come to confront this head-on. While it is true that immigration has always been a cornerstone of the foundation, structure and substance of this amazing country, recent historical events and the current state of the US as a debtor nation, need to be taken into serious consideration when dealing with
immigration. An estimated 12 million immigrants or about 4% of the total American population of over 300 million are illegal. Some experts say that it could be far more massive than this lowball estimate. It is entirely possible that there might be an effective thinning out of the numbers among the 12 million, beginning with those who have committed crimes and/ or are gang members. But the lousy economy, perhaps more than anything, is already causing natural attrition in the numbers, with jobs difficult to come by. This might be followed by a steep rise in deportation proceedings, a buttressing of border measures, the building of an impenetrable wall as Trump proposes it, a near paranoid check of the flow of goods and people in the ports and airports, a tightening of the screening process from source countries now made more possible by advanced monitoring and communications technology. While the laws are in the books and the personnel to enforce them are in place, the political will to wield the ax and deal with immigration problems once and for all, has been clearly absent. Big business that funds candidates has an agenda that runs completely opposed to the interests of the American public. These are globalist interests opposing national interests. Only one can win. At this point, it’s anybody’s guess how this will pan out. But drastic measures must be implemented effectively to address the issue in a much changed world where invasion is dangerously posing as legitimate immigration. There are increasingly strident advocates who seek to shut the doors of America to immigration with the argument that recent immigration has created, instead of the melting pot society, a salad bowl of disparate, disjointed ethnic groups unwilling and unable to assimilate into the main fabric of American life. Some compare current American society as a mosaic that appears to be whole but is essentially fragmented. They further claim the absence of a common purpose poses a threat to the unity and structural integrity of this country. To some extent, the argument
u PAGE B5
Average itemized deductions
What’s New
why ORGANIC?
“Immigration without assimilation is nothing more than invasion.”
FOR taxpayers who itemize their deductions, the chart below should be of interest. But for those who take the odds, this chart should be of very special
interest. While it may be interesting for taxpayers who itemized deductions to compare their figures with these average amounts, they should, however, not consider the chart as indicating amounts that the IRS would allow. Taxpayers must, at all times, be able to substantiate claimed itemized deductions in their tax returns.
The table shows the latest available average deductions taken by taxpayers in different groupings of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). For example, a taxpayer with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $45,000 deducted an average of $7,937 of medical expenses, $4,039 of state and local taxes, $6,839 of interest, and $2,609 of contributions.
AVERAGE ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR VARIOUS INCOME LEVELS* Adjusted Gross Income Ranges
Medical Expenses
Taxes
Interest
Contributions
Under $15,000 15,000 to 30,000 30,000 to 50,000 50,000 to 100,000 100,000 to 200,000 200,000 to 250,000 250,000 or more
8,115 8,324 7,937 9,133 11,929 18,455 36,883
3,434Q 3,275 4,039 6,354 10,991 17,861 51,605
7,593 6,722 6,839 7,780 9,462 11,957 17,060
1,531 2,253 2,609 3,083 4,074 5,452 20,930
Note that these are averages for the whole United States. Mortgage interests in California, Hawaii, and New York would be much higher. Again, these averages are for your guidance only. Do not claim these amount if you do not have documents to support your de-
ductions. * Based on latest available figures for 2013. 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)
Credit card debt problems: Settle… on the dollar. What debts can be negotiated? Actually, debt settlement is possible not only for credit cards but for almost all types of debts. The list includes medical bills, bounced checks, personal loans, department store cards, auto repossession deficiencies, etc. Lately, I have even seen junior mortgage holders (example: 2nd trust deed on your home) settle for as low as 10-20 percent of the amount owed during or after foreclosure. Debt settlement works best in situations where the debtor has the ability to produce enough cash to settle for 30-60 percent of the amount owed. The reason is that creditors are often only willing to settle for less than full amount only if you pay them in a lump sum as opposed to paying
in installments. Possible sources of cash? Perhaps you can sell personal property that you don’t need, borrow cash from a relative or maybe take money out of your 401K plan. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a lot of cash available, do not lose hope. So long as you are employed or have some source of income, creditors may still agree to monthly payments over a period of time. Filing bankruptcy may make more sense than debt settlement in certain situations especially where property is exempt and beyond the reach of the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. If you are eligible, Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to wipe out debts you can no longer afford to pay so that you can start fresh immediately. Chapter 13 allows you to consolidate debts
into one affordable monthly payment so you are not stressing out every month with not having enough income to pay living expenses and debts at the same time. If you are currently in financial hot water and don’t know what to do, we can help you figure out what is appropriate for your situation. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, please call TollFree 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes CALIFORNIA law on the nature of spouses’ rights and obligations with respect to management and control of community property has evolved over the last thirty years from less stringent “good faith” standards to heightened “confidential duty” and “fiduciary duty’ standards. Under current law, the duties owed between spouses in transactions between themselves are the same highest duties owed by parties to a fiduciary relationship. The heightened standard with regard to transactions between spouses is codified in Family Code Sec. 721(b). The section provides that “in transactions between themselves, a husband and wife are subject to the general rules governing fiduciary relationships which control the actions of persons occupying confidential relations with each other. This confidential relationship imposes a duty of the highest good faith and fair dealing on each spouse,
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016
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The presumption of ‘undue influence’ in transactions between spouses during the marriage and neither shall take any unfair advantage of the other.” Incidental to this fiduciary relationship is a rebuttable presumption of undue influence when one spouse obtains an advantage over the other in a community property transaction--i.e. when one spouse improves his/ her position, obtains a favorable opportunity, or otherwise gains, benefits or profits in a community property transaction to the exclusion of the other. Marriage of Haines (1995) 33 CA4th 277, 297, 39 CR2d 673, 686. This presumption arises in connection with any interspousal property transaction in which one spouse obtained an advantage over the other. It is important to note that the presumption arises even if the transaction at issue did not result from fraud, deceit or coercion. Marriage of Mathews (2005) 133 CA4th 624, 629-630, 35 CR3d 1, 4. The spouse favored by such a transaction has the burden of rebutting the presumption of undue influence. To rebut the presumption, he/she must show that the other spouse entered into the transaction freely and voluntarily, with full knowledge
of all the facts, and with a complete understanding of its effect. Marriage of Delaney (2003) 111 CA4th 991, 996-997, 4 CR3d 378, 382. If the spouse who benefited from the transaction fails to demonstrate the foregoing, the transaction may be ignored. A classic example of this situation is when a husband executes a quitclaim deed in favor of his wife as her separate property. Generally that fully executed Quit Claim would have the effect of changing the character of the property from community to his wife’s separate property based on another presumption called “presumption of title” under evidence code section 662 and the under a the theory of “transmutation” pursuant to family code section 852., Evidence Code Section 662 presumption of title states that “the owner of the legal title to property is presumed to be the owner of the full beneficial title. This presumption may be rebutted only by clear and convincing proof. However, because of the presumption of undue influence under family code section 721(b), the wife has the burden to overcome the presumption in order to effect a change in the
EMPLOYMENT
character of the property from community to separate. If the wife does not meet the burden, then the court can set aside the quit claim deed based on a presumption that such transfer was made with undue influence. Each spouse’s fiduciary obligations toward the other spouse under Family Code Sec. 721(b) continue after separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation until the date of distribution of the community asset or liability in question. Family Code Sec. 2102(a) and (b). Accordingly, if you have made an
interspousal transaction benefiting your spouse during the marriage such as executing a quit claim and you are contemplating filing a divorce, it is advised that you consult with an experienced attorney to determine what avenues of relief you may take to set aside the transaction. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW
OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)
Melting pot or salad bowl? The case for…
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is valid. Anti-immigrant groups reserve their biggest contempt and vitriol towards first generation immigrants who refuse to assimilate and in their view, come here to America to merely take what they can, identifying and exploiting the holes and flaws of a largely generous, humanitarian system. Tourism citizenship or the concept of “anchor babies” pertaining to pregnant women giv-
ing birth in the US just to get citizenship for their babies is now in sharp focus. Some countries like Britain and Australia may have already rescinded this privilege and plugged this loophole. After streamlining the system and enforcing the laws already in the books, immigration should be hinged to some degree, on meritocracy. It must continue as a tightly controlled, highly regulated way of attracting people, possibly the best and brightest
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from around the world, but perhaps more importantly, ONLY those with the ability and willingness of heart to assimilate and become part of a whole. The founding fathers envisioned America in 1776 clearly. E pluribus Unum. Out of many, ONE. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
161102_Asian_NP.pdf 1 10/31/2016 9:51:12 AM
B NOVEMBER 2-4, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 2, 2016
Why Mayor Eric Garcetti thinks LA is a Fil-Am friendly city by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress
I
NsIDe his City Hall office, a sunlight-filled space adorned with sports memorabilia and historical books, Los Angeles Mayor eric Garcetti mulls over where to begin narrating his “Filipino story.”
A native Angeleno, Garcetti considers himself a friend of Filipino Americans, having worked alongside and for them throughout his political career. The city, which he has led since 2013, is home to over 139,000 Fil-Ams, making them the most represented Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) group. Before he was mayor of the second-largest metropolis in the United states, one of his notable undertakings as councilmember resulted in bringing major representation for the community: the creation of Historic Filipinotown (“HiFi”) in 2002, the first official geographical designation honoring Filipinos outside of the Philippines. While serving the city’s 13th Council District — which covers areas including east Hollywood, silver Lake and echo Park — Garcetti observed the political and regional divisions within the Filipino-American community, which had complicated and deferred the creation of a Filipinotown for over two decades. “I just made a very simple statement. I said, ‘If everybody is at the table and if everybody is unified and if everybody can
claim credit, we’ll do this.’ And we did it in two years, even in an area that isn’t a majority Filipino because it was important for me to teach that history to Los Angeles and for us to claim that together for white, Black, and Latino Angelenos to recognize that this isn’t just their heritage, it’s our heritage,” he recounted. Though Fil-Ams tend to be more dispersed throughout the city and county unlike other AAPI groups, the significance of having this area would be an avenue to teach the future generations of Fil-Ams and even other ethnicities about how Filipinos settled in Los Angeles and went on to create the community organizations and centers still active today. other symbols to represent the Filipino story are scattered throughout HiFi, notably the Fil-Am World War II veteran monument in Lake street Park and the mural at Unidad Park. “Historic Filipinotown is probably the proudest accomplishment of my time as councilmember,” he said. “We really were able to establish something that became a platform for investment, beautification, and cultural celebration.” However, Garcetti’s ties to
the Filipino people go even further back than his career and existence, which may not be known by most Fil-Ams. His grandfather salvador Garcetti, who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, fought in the Philippines during World War II. “He got his citizenship as a result here as an immigrant. He fought alongside his brothers in the Filipino army who didn’t get their benefits — that’s why I fought for so long to make sure Filipino veterans got their benefits,” the mayor said. As the city’s leader, this motivated him to ensure that ethnic groups are also recognized inside City Hall. “That’s a question I always ask: not are we doing well, but who are we missing? That’s why it was important for me to establish a Filipino voice in City Hall, a Filipino neighborhood in the city, and it links closely to me and to tell my Filipino story,” he said. Currently, the Mayor’s office has six Filipino Americans, working in departments from immigrant affairs and gang reduction and youth development. Last year, Garcetti also nominated former search to Involve Pilipino Americans (sIPA)
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the Board of Public Works (BPW), Bureau of Street Lighting, and community stakeholders on Wednesday, October 26 officially unveiled a streetlight project that improves pedestrian safety, and transforms the look and feel of one of the busiest commercial corridors in the 13th District. AJPress photos by Ding Carreon
LA Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell from District 13, and Commissioner for the Board of Public Works Joel Jacinto were among those who led the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) on Saturday, October 8.
executive Director Joel Jacinto to the city’s Board of Public Works, making Jacinto the first paid Filipino American commissioner. on top of that, the Los Angeles Filipino Association City employees (LAFACe) has over 500 members. “I don’t think there’s a department that…doesn’t have somebody Filipino American,” Garcetti remarked. Charting the future of the Fil-Am story in LA Throughout october, southern California experienced a whole host of festivities to mark Filipino American History Month. In Los Angeles, events included the City Council recognition of the month and awarding of several community leaders and organizations; the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) at echo Park Lake, which had over 10,000 attendees; the signing of the sister Rivers agreement between the LA and Pasig Rivers; and the unveiling of 54 street lights in Historic Filipinotown inspired by the Philippine flag. “This year was not just about celebrating the past. It was about starting to write the future with the Los Angeles-Pasig River accord. In echo Park, we’ve loved the continuing celebration, and with the new street lights that were rolled out as part of a competition in Historic Filipinotown,” Garcetti said. “We don’t want this to be a static celebration; we want it to be an inspiration to move things forward. I think those three areas were all areas in which we’ve seen Los Angeles deepen its relations with the Philippines.” A bright example of this deepening relations is the City’s thriving partnership with Makati City, which began its sister Cities program in 1992. Through the years, the sisterhood of
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Makati and Los Angeles has created a robust partnership through cultural understanding and economic exchange between the people and communities of both cities. “I hope some time while mayor, I can be the first mayor [of Los Angeles] to visit the Philippines, at least in recent history, and make those connections even stronger with Makati City, our sister city, and look what we can do to connect the rivers and just also expand trade and tourism, both to...and from the Philippines to LA,” he said. Filipino American political representation Given the sizable Fil-Am population in Los Angeles, Garcetti said Fil-Ams should be more involved with the local government, whether it’s holding office or simply being aware of the issues. “I think Filipino Americans can run for office. They can serve on boards and commissions, and we encourage that. They can get involved with a neighborhood council. First and foremost, think of yourself as being leaders and run for those positions. second, apply to work in the city. The city has been a great employer for Filipino Americans, but there
AJPress photos by Noel Ty
are new opportunities. Third, I would say, get involved in the civic life, the campaigns,” he suggested. With election Day less than a week away, as of this writing, he also urged Fil-Ams to get out and vote, not just on the national level. “Look at ways, in this election, such as Measure M and HHH, which are for transportation and homelessness that Filipinos can turn the vote out. We have Filipino Americans that are homeless, so [with] HHH, we need to help house them. All of us are stuck in traffic... I don’t think that’ll bring a bunch of jeepneys but the Filipinos have experience with public transportation that can be used here in Los Angeles, and we want to turn that vote out and they can be involved by voting,” he said. even if Filipino American History Month is over, Los Angeles continues to celebrate and honor the unique relationship that the Philippines has with the U.s. and the many achievements and contributions of Fil-Ams to the betterment of this city and this country. “This is one of the great Filipino cities of the world and Los Angeles should think itself that way,” Garcetti said.
Government officials and urban planning experts from the Philippines and Southern California celebrate new partnerships and the potential for shared growth and learning at the signing of the Pasig / LA River sisterhood agreement at Marsh Park on Saturday, October 22.
Lovi Poe gives love another shot JC De Vera wins Best Actor for gay role by lhar
santiagO ManilaTimes.net
LoVI Poe has no idea how her mother will react when the former actress Rowena Moran gets to see her hot and intimate scenes with Derek Ramsay and Christopher De Leon in the upcoming sexy drama “The escort.” “I’m gonna cringe in my seat at the premiere night knowing that my mom’s watching me,” she laughingly told showbuzz. “I just can’t imagine my mom thinking that her baby’s not a baby anymore!” Lovi insists, however, that she has nothing to be ashamed of with her scenes in the movie. even the most intimate ones, she explained, are not vulgar and she credits their director enzo Williams (“Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo”) for it. “Direk enzo was very careful during our shoot, and he made sure the [bed] scenes were artistically done. We gave him our full trust because we know he’s that good, and we’re very proud of the finished product,” she added. Lovi said the story of “The escort” justified the need to show skin, and she understood it was required of her from the beginning. Lovi has two men falling for her in the Regal entertainment
Lovi Poe
offering—Christopher, a rich and powerful man who hires her as an escort, and Derek, a former escort himself and owner of the agency who thought he could never love again. In real life, however, Lovi who earlier broke up from a two-year relationship with Rocco Nacino, is far from torn between two loves. It is clear she has moved on especially with a Filipino-French suitor named Chris Johnson in the midst. The actress doesn’t deny that she has grown fond of Chris who visited her for a few days just the other week.
“I really appreciate that he exerts effort to please me. Imagine how he has to fly from the other side of the world just to see me. sino ba naman ang hindi kikiligin?” Talking more about the visit, she added, “We really had fun. I really like how he’s truthful with whatever he feels. I also like the kind of attention he showered me with. I wish he could’ve stayed longer because he’s such a fun person to be with, but he had to go back to europe to work. Ako din naman, I have to work,” Lovi enthused. The daughter of the late King of Philippine Movies is indeed busy with a bustling career, as well as inspired for sure. Besides promoting “The escort,” she also continues to tape for her toprated prime time series on GMA Network, “someone to Watch over Me.” “We’re so overwhelmed with the show’s success not only in the ratings but from the good feedback as well,” Lovi enthused. “A lot of people have been congratulating not just me but my co-stars Tom Rodriguez, edu Manzano, and Max Collins because of the way the information about Alzheimer’s disease is being weaved into the very exciting story.”
THIRTY-year-old ABs-CBN actor JC De Vera won his very first acting plum when he bagged the Best Actor award at the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival. He was singled out from the rest of the nominees for his portrayal of a closeted gay who finds himself in prison in the independent film “Best. Partee. ever.” Directed by HF Yambao, De Vera gave a compelling performance of Mikey—a young, discreet, gay man from the affluent class, who spends five years in a city jail while the courts hear his case for drug pushing. Inside prison, Mikey makes a huge effort to adapt to the culture and stratification among inmates, and eventually becomes “mayor” [ring leader]to a group of gay inmates called “Gang-da”. Together, they thrive to survive the dangers of gang riots, the mundane, and the decay of human dignity. Talking to the reporters at the festival’s awards night on october 18 at the Quezon City Interactive Museum, De Vera was ecstatic: “This is my first acting award, my first indie film and first gay role! All
JC De Vera clutches his trophy for his portrayal of a gay inmate in ‘Best. Partee. Ever.’
of this was a surprise—very unexpected. I never thought I would reach a point [in my career]that I’d receive an acting award.” Despite the challenges of a gay role, De Vera shared he
had no second thoughts in accepting first-time director Yambao’s offer. He admitted he was overwhelmed through the shoot, recalling, “All the hardships I encountered when Continued on Page 3
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The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 2, 2016
Imelda Schweighart in hot water for controversial statements by Rosette
Adel
Philstar.com
Gina Ibarrola
Joan Cano
Nayah Damasen
Over a hundred glorious voices from combined adult and children choirs will accompany the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, as it presents “A Christmas Concert” on Saturday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California. FASO, under the baton of musical director and conductor robert “Bob” Shroder, will play your favorite Christmas carols, from cherished english to Filipino holiday chestnuts, from traditional to pop Yuletide songs, along with magnificent voices from Immaculate Heart of Mary Adult Choir, Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles, Prime Note ensemble, St. Brendan Choir, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Choir, Academy of visual and Performing Arts Youth Chorus of La Sierra University, Holy Family Children’s
Concert Chorus, Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir and Precious Blood Children’s Choir. Guest soloists who will further make the evening a special show evoking our warmest and fondest Christmas memories are Joan Cano, soprano; Gina Ibarrola, a soloist and member of the WIN (Waraynon Initiative Network) Chorale; and Nayah Damasen, an 11year-old singing sensation who is the “good luck charm” of the Golden State Warriors. Ibarrola and Damasen were chosen from auditions that FASO conducted to support and promote rising talent, one of the orchestra’s goals. The auditions drew talent from the Los Angeles area and from as far as San Diego and Chicago, Illinois. The orchestra, which has gained a reputation for presenting quality, entertaining concerts, as it proved once more in its warmly-received
summer concert last August (also at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center), will also play the Christmas favorite, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite.” expected to be a fun, popular number is when FASO plays a medley of school hymns, arranged by Dr. Louie ramos, the orchestra board vice president and arranger-inresidence. The audience members are encouraged to stand up proudly and cheer when their alma mater hymns are played by the full symphonic orchestra. John Wayne Performing Arts Center is located at 1440 e. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. For tickets, call Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936; and Arlene Ferrolino (213) 2489850. Tickets are also available athttp://fasochristmas.eventbrite.com/. Tickets are at $25, $45 and $75. More information at www.fasofoundation.org.
Over 100 glorious voices in FASO’s Christmas Concert
JC De Vera wins Best Actor for gay... From Page 2 we were shooting inside jail, the 30-second kiss—all of those paid off in the end.” elaborating on his experience, he added, “every part of portraying Mikey was hard. I was struggling through
the entire filming. It wasn’t comfortable in the Pampanga City Jail to start with, and then there were sensitive scenes I had to do for the first time.” Asked if Best. Partee. ever. signals his openness to more daring projects, De
vera replied, “I’m not so sure, but on the other hand I think I really have to take risky roles like this for the love of the craft and for my career. This [award]is the best experience that God has given me,” he ended. (ManilaTimes.net)
IMeLDA Schweighart on Monday, Oct. 31 voluntarily resigned as Miss Philippines-earth. Organizers of Miss earth and Miss Philippines-earth, Carousel Productions, subsequently accepted Schweighart’s resignation. Schweighart’s resignation came after failing to win the Miss earth title and after her controversial statements. Miss ecuador Katherine espin was named Miss earth 2016 and Schweighart failed to make it to the Top 16 last Saturday. Soon after, a video posted by a netizen showing Schweighart approaching her supporters and criticizing the winner went viral. The Philippine candidate on Monday apologized for her statement, saying what she said was “unmindful.” She said she only meant to say the newlycrowned Miss earth 2016 had had cosmetic procedures done on parts of her body. “Hindi ko naman mini-mean na malait siya (espin). Actually, she said it herself na she underwent surgery but how I said it... I was so unmindful while I was saying it,” Schweighart said in a televised phone patch interview with CNN. “And If it’s a crime to tell the truth I’m sorry,” she said. Schweighart explained that she was talking to her supporters, with whom she is comfortable. She said a bystander took a video of her from afar and posted that online. Miss Philippines’ gown allegedly stolen The Philippine bet said the statement was supposed to be private. She, however, said she is not bitter but only offended, because her gown was “stolen”. “Akala ko lang they would understand but someone took a video from afar and post it online,” Schweighart said. “Honestly, I’m not bitter I’m just offended… Why? Because
Imelda Schweighart on Monday voluntarily quits as Miss Philippines-Earth.
the gown I was supposed to wear was given to ecuador. I fitted the gown,” she said. Schweighart said the yellow gown worn by espin was taken from the Philippines’ cubicle since the designer failed to finish espin’s. Schweighart also said Miss earth-Guam let her borrow her own gown becayse she was left with nothing to wear. “It wasn’t explained to me at that time. It was just taken away from me, I have nothing to wear,” she said. A video of Schweighart wearing the controversial gown was also posted on her Facebook page. Schweighart lamented that she was being bashed for her
comments. “Seriously, I wouldn’t be here in this industry if I have a bad attitude because I wouldn’t endure the pain if I am what they say I am,” she said. She stressed that she did not mean to offend Miss ecuador whom she does not know very well. Weeks before the pageant, Schweighart was also in hot water and drew flak after she likened President rodrigo Duterte to former German leader Adolf Hitler. “Oh my God! Our president is doing Hitler stuff here in the Philippines,” she said in a video with the contestant from Austria. That video also went viral.
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Getting to know Angela Rupert
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 2, 2016
Pechanga Resort & Casino’s dedicated Filipino host team provides you the VIP advantage PechaNga Resort & casino entitles VIP valued customers access of exclusive offers and promotions to experience the VIP privileges. Our Filipino host team can assist you with advanced booking of hotel rooms, restaurants reservations, entertainment & shows tickets, preferred golf tee times and more. Join the Pechanga Rewards club to enjoy the friendly and attentive service of Marylou Bean, Dolores Salvador and Vhergie Dejesus. Marylou Bean was born and raised in the Philippines. She came to california in the 1980s and speaks fluent Tagalog and english. With nearly 20 years of casino experience, Marylou is someone who can certainly say she started from the ground up. She came to work at Pechanga initially as a Rewards club ambassador. She later moved to Player Development as a casino host. She has performed this role for more than 10 years and always greets guests with a warm, friendly smile. Dolores Salvador, born in the Philippines, brings a wealth
of experience to her post at Pechanga Resort & casino. With more than 20 years in the casino industry, she loves helping people. She speaks Visayan, Tagalog and english and has been with Pechanga Resort & casino assisting casino guests since 2005. Dolores remains very active in the Filipino community within Southern california. Vhergie DeJesus gives her guests 100% every day at Pechanga Resort & casino. She is fluent in Tagalog and english and carries 10 years of experience in the casino industry, plus another 10 in guest service in the hotel and restaurant management industries. She has worked at Pechanga Resort & casino since 2004 and has met thousands of people. her infectious smile makes other people smile. chau Ly, the Manager of asian Marketing, acts as an ambassador to the asian Southern california community and works closely with the resort’s asian marketing agency. With over 10 years of experience working with asian community outreach teams
By Monet
Lu
aNgeLa Rupert is the Democratic candidate for State assembly in the Valley, and she is in Southern california and in also a mother, wife and immigraLas Vegas, he looks forward to tion attorney. She is the choice growing Pechanga Resort & for many asians in the Valley and casino’s involvement in areas for good reason – she has a fathat matter to customers even vorable view on immigration and more. she spends a lot of time meeting Pechanga Resort & Casino and listening to people. She truly Pechanga Resort & casino cares about the residents of the offers one of the largest and Valley. most expansive resort/casino Thanks for taking the time experiences anywhere in the to speak with me, Angela. Can United States. Voted the Num- you tell me a little about your ber One casino in america by family? readers of USa TODaY and It’s my pleasure. Yes, famrated a Four Diamond property ily is very important to me. My by aaa since 2002, Pechanga husband, Jason, and I have a Resort & casino provides an three-year-old son. he is the love unparalleled getaway. Offering of my life. he recently started 4,000 of the hottest slots, table preschool and is learning so games, world-class entertainmuch. It won’t be long till he’s ment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, smarter than me! My father respa and championship golf at cently passed away, but I am very Journey at Pechanga, Pechanclose with my mother. She lives ga Resort & casino features in Kansas and visits as often as a destination that meets and she can. Of course she wants to exceeds the needs of its guests see her grandson all the time. My and the community. Pechanga brother lives in culver city, which Resort & casino is owned and is a blessing. We see each other operated by the Pechanga for dinners quite frequently. Band of Luiseño Indians. For Sounds like you have a close more information, call toll free connection with your family. 1-888-PechaNga or visit Definitely. My family is my www.Pechanga.com. inspiration. In fact, my family is (Advertising Supplement) one of the reasons I’m running for office. My father inspired me to act on behalf of others, and he always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do. he’s the reason I went to law school, and his encouraging words gave me the confidence to run for office. Of course, my husband also encouraged me to run; and he is my biggest supporter. Would you mind telling the readers a little bit about your background and work experience? I went to college in Kansas and came to Los angeles to go to Loyola Law School nearly 17 years ago. For a few years, I was a consumer attorney and helped people who had been injured by a large pharmaceutical company. It was a wonderful experience to
help thousands of people. Later, I started my own company that focuses on business development for lawyers, medical groups, finance companies and schools. Now I’m an immigration attorney helping people throughout the Valley with immigration issues. Working with immigrants has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It’s such a pleasure to ensure that everyone can experience the american Dream. You also volunteer, right? Recently, I was honored to receive the La county Bar association Volunteer of the Year award for my efforts to help those with no income or low income with immigration issues. It was an honor to be recognized, but the pleasure is all mine. In addition, I teach eSL with the Los angeles Public Libraries. It’s such a joy helping people to learn english. They can accomplish so much and I love educating people. You’re definitely busy! Why did you decide to run for State Assembly and what are you goals if elected? It’s so important to make sure the world is a better place for my son. I see crime rising in the Valley, and I want to do something about that. I’ll work to get funding for more LaPD officers on our streets to ensure the safety of our families. also, it’s important to make sure we have the best education options for
our children. a quality education is the most important thing we can give our kids, and right now our school system needs help. and of course, there’s a serious traffic problem in Los angeles. I’d like to create an incentive for employers who allow some employees to work from home at least one day a week. This will get thousands of cars off the road and clear up traffic congestion. You’ve won the support of tens of thousands of people in the Valley. How did you do that? The old fashioned way: I’ve made thousands of personal phone calls, I’ve attended community events, I’ve spoken at neighborhood council meetings all over the Valley, and I’ve hosted coffee meetings all over town. I love speaking with people and getting their input. It’s the one-on-one connection that wins people over; and, to tell you the truth, speaking with people is my favorite part of the job. I’m looking forward to serving the people the in the Valley. In case someone hasn’t had the opportunity to meet you, how can they contact you? great question! I always want people to reach out to me, so I freely give my personal email and cell phone numbers to everyone. angela@angelaRupert.com or (818) 299-2507. I’m Continued on Page 5
MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE
LEON
“ANY man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send not to know for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for thee.” - John Donne The bell tolled for many, it always does. They were taken in poignant numbers. It is All Saints’ Day, a time to remember the departed. It’s over, gone, like a bubble on a stream. What’s left of that flicker of eternity? The images flash and shimmer in your memory that sends a chill up your spine, or starts a chuckle you can’t stop and don’t want to, that makes your heart ache with tenderness or burn with rage. What happened to the years lived on this earth with such passion, even anguish, or delight? I should have guessed that it would be too much to ask to grow old with him and see our four daughters grow up. We’ve loved them and lost them, but they left images that death can not diminish. Beauty, eloquence, grace — gifts to
make us laugh. They have the power to move us, one that can never be swept into the dust of yesteryears. Instead these images will still be there, tenants of memory, a fixture in our permanent present. There is that magnificent person who gave from her heart until there was nothing left. She died of heart failure at 41. We lost the singer whose voice caressed our soul, that floated like a whisper of wind in far away leaves. Over the dense harmonies of “Kapantay ay Langit” and “Kahapon Lamang,” as a composer, George Canseco was the 70’s defining figure. He was a master of the musical phrase who sang so naturally that it sounded as if he were simply speaking. The dean of journalists Ka Doroy Valencia, also gone, headed an “elite group” during the glory days of the Jeepney coffeeshop at the now closed Manila Intercontinental. The group congregated daily from 7:30 am to past 10:30 am and was called the 365 club. Also gone was another one whose face was his fortune. For six decades, it never changed. Mang Dolphy was born a clown – the man who arguably made
more people laugh more than anyone else in history of Philippine movies. How does one say goodbye to one who was more “Pater Familia” and daughter Veruschka’s baptismal godfather. I think of every single woman, every widow, that was left behind, who simply wanted someone to love, treasure, be overwhelmed (oh, and disappoint) and grow old with. After a while you’re past all actions, decision…almost free. If it is another way of saying that our lives are now empty, well, there are days when emptiness is spacious and elevating. An old and widowed person has only one’s soul as company. There are times when you can feel it crying, you do not ask why. Your eyes are dry, but heavy hot tears drop on your heart. There is nothing you can do but wait and listen to the emptiness which is sometimes gentle, whether you’re in the rafters of overly good or bad times. A feeling beyond name. We just know, even if we lack a precise name for it, anyone who can easily understand this, is in desperate need of medication! ***
com
E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.
Ryzza Mae goes into ‘tweenhood’ GONE are the days we knew her as Ryza Mae “Cha Cha” on Eat Bulaga, because believe it or not, TV’s “Aling Maliit” is now an 11-year-old pre-teen. ManilaTimes.net caught up with the ever witty Ryzza Mae Dizon, she opened up about possibly leaving her child star status soon. “Masaya naman po kasi hindi katulad ng dati na baby ka pa pero nakakalungkot din po kasi hindi ka na maglalaro pag masyado ka nang matanda… Pero ako po naglalaro pa po ako,” the young comedienne intimated. Ryzza Mae is grateful to APT Entertainment that years after she rose to fame in 2012, they still prioritize her career and projects. In fact, the quick not-so-little miss noticed she has been given more tasks in acting lately, with two morning soaps “Calle Siete”
features
For whom the bell tolls
and “Princess in the Palace.” These projects served as the sign that her management team acknowledges the fact that she’s growing up and needs roles that fit her age. Saying she felt “more mature” in those roles, she quickly added, “Pero hindi po para magka-love team!” According to Ryzza Mae, she just wants to have similar projects in the near future. She giggled though when In The Know pointed out her “kikay” Instagram posts where she shares her OOTDs or outfitsof-the-day, fashion finds, and makeup trials. Apparently, because of the countless freebies she gets through online sellers, Ryzza Mae developed a fondness for makeup, and is even entertaining the possibility of taking classes
Ryzza Mae
for makeup application! For now she likens doing her face to painting—another interest of the pre-teener. “Hindi ko pa po siya [her latest painting]natatapos pero letter R siya para sa room ko.” With that, one’s thing’s for sure: No matter how quickly Ryzza Mae grows up, she’ll never lose her gift for comedy. (ManilaTimes.net)
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 2, 2016
Eula Valdez gives love another chance AWARD-winning actress Eula Valdez revealed that she and her model-cum-actor boyfriend Rocky Salumbides have parted ways for a month now. She admitted this to a few members of media at the launch of the new GMA Network “Afternoon Prime” offering Hahamakin Lahat, where she co-stars with Snooky Serna and Ariel Rivera, together with young loveteam Joyce Ching and Kristoffer Martin. Eula said never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that she and her partner of eight years break up, as they never had any major conflicts. That’s why when Eula felt something was not right she took the initiative to iron things out. She was the one who sought out her partner for a talk. She even consulted her kids and heard their thoughts about her relationship with Rocky.
Getting to know... From Page 4
looking forward to hearing from your readers. Thanks, Angela. Looking forward to seeing your name on the ballot! *** Angela Rupert is the Democrat running for State Assembly in the Valley including Panorama City, Van Nuys, Valley Village, Valley Glen, North Hollywood, Northridge, Lake Balboa, Sherman Oaks, North Hills, Toluca Lake, Studio City and parts of the Hollywood Hills. For more information on Angela, please see AngelaRupert.com. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
Should she fight for their love? And her kids said yes. So, for the love of Rocky, Eula decided they deserve another chance at love. So is love indeed lovelier the second time around? “Most definitely,” the Gawad Urian best actress awardee for Dagitab declared. (ManilaTimes.net)
Eula Valdez
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 2, 2016
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