LA Midweek Edition -- November 23 - 25 2016

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November 23-25, 2016

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

Volume 26 - No. 94 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

The future of DACA under the Trump administration

ONE of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises was a strict crackdown on immigration to the United States.

In that promise, he expressed commitment to ending many of President Barack Obama’s immigration policies, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was introduced in 2012.

Holding his first press conference since the election, Obama urged the new presidentelect to think twice before getting rid of DACA because of the benefits it’s delivered to its recipients, who “for all practical purposes are American kids.”

“These are kids who were brought here by their parents. They did nothing wrong. They’ve gone to school. They have pledged allegiance to the flag. Some of them have joined the military. They’ve enrolled in school. By definition, if they’re part of this program, they are solid, wonderful young people of good character,” Obama said on Monday, November 14.

“And it is my strong belief that the majority of the American people would not want to see suddenly those kids have to start hiding again. And that’s something that I will encour-

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Duterte becomes ‘fast friends’ with Putin, rants about US ‘hypocrisy’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte finally met his ‘hero’ and ‘idol’ Russian President Vladimir Putin during the sidelines of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru last week.

Duterte, who also had bilateral talks

with Chinese President Xi Jinping before meeting Putin, said he became ‘fast friends’ with the country leaders of Russia and China.

“You know, we have become fast friends, President Putin and President Xi Jinping,” Duterte told reporters on Monday, November 21, narrating his experience at the summit.

The Philippine president went on to

say, “It was like we have known each other for a long time and even [by] the way we pat each other’s hand in a handshake.”

During his long-awaited meeting with Putin, Duterte chided the United States and other Western nations for their supposed hypocrisy and bullying of smaller countries.

“Of late, I see a lot of these western

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Covered California begins open enrollment

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FVR on ‘sneaky’ Marcos burial: An ‘insult’ to veterans

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ELAINE Young spent 20 years teaching students with special needs in Los Angeles before she learned an important lesson — that her retirement benefits did not include health insurance.

“Because I worked six hours a day, my position was considered part time, and my 20 years was only equal to eight to 10 years full time,” Young, 62, recalled. While stunned by the revelation, Young was still determined to retire and put her health insurance issues “in God’s hands.”

Her prayers, she said, were answered last June when she enrolled in a health insurance plan through Covered California, the state agency that helps Californians get namebrand coverage through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — commonly known as Obamacare.

“I absolutely love it. And I would highly recommend it to anyone who does not have health insurance,” Young said.

The fourth open-enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act is underway and continues through Jan. 31, 2017. Californians like Young who need health insurance will find

nations bullying small nations. And not only that, they are into so much hypocrisy… They seem to start a war but are afraid to go to war. That is what’s wrong with America and the others,” Duterte told Putin.

Asked about the Russian leader’s response regarding Duterte’s antiWestern remarks, Philippine National

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the first meeting between President Duterte and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in this Peruvian capital turned out “good” as both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

Robinson Niñal Jr./Presidential Photo

Duterte to align foreign policy with China-led Asian development

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

LIMA — President Duterte said he would adopt a foreign policy that veers toward a China-led regional development in a pronouncement that highlights Manila’s pivot to Beijing amid its rocky relationship with traditional ally Washington.

“I have given you my word, we will cooperate with you,” Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit here.

“I said, with my thrust of an independent foreign policy, we will find ourselves mutually agreeing in so many things and align our foreign policy towards the development of Asia, strengthening of ties among the countries in the region, with China leading the way in the economic development,” he added.

The Philippines, which toed the line of the US during previous administrations, is now

seeking closer ties with China following a rift between Duterte and American officials over his aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.

Washington has called out Duterte for the spate of killings tied to his anti-drug war and has asked him to make sure that human rights are upheld in all law enforcement operations.

Duterte responded by accusing the US of hypocrisy, citing the alleged discrimination against African-Americans

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FORMER President Fidel Ramos on Monday, November 21, expressed his dismay over late President Ferdinand Marcos’s unannounced funeral last week.

Despite the public outcry of martial law victims and their families, Marcos was buried “in secrecy” and with military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) on Friday, November 18, in Taguig City.

Former President Fidel Ramos “I felt very bad especially for the veterans as well as the members of the AFP, retirees and other active members of PNP which I commanded sometime ago as well as the Philippine Coast Guard,” Ramos said.

He also called the burial an act of “insult” to the “sacrifices of our Armed Forces, PNP (Philippine National Police), Coast Guard, veterans – retired and active.”

Marcos, who was ousted during the 1986 EDSA Revolution, died of kidney, heart and lung ailments in 1989 while he was in exile in Hawaii.

Ramos allowed the late strongman’s remains to return to the Philippines during his administration in 1992, along with the following conditions: first, Marcos’s body would be brought directly to Laoag Airport in Ilocos Norte without passing through Manila; second, Marcos would be buried in his family mausoleum in Batac upon arrival; and third, there would be no “pomp and protocol and extravaganzas” during the funeral.

This agreement was signed former First Lady Imelda

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UN alarmed over proposed Philippine Kerwin Espinosa vows to law to lower criminal age to 9 years old tell all about drug trade

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE United Nations (UN) expressed its concern over bills that propose lowering the age of criminal liability in the Philippines from 15 to 9 years old.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who backs the proposal on lowering the age of criminal liability, originally wanted it to go down to 12 years old.

Several senators, however, proposed lowering it to 9 years old.

“Jail is no place for a child. It is alarming for children to be institutionalised (sent to a penal institution),” the United Nations Children’s

Fund (UNICEF) said in a position paper sent to Agence France-Presse on Monday, November 21. “It will be retrogression on the part of the Philippine government.”

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a minimum age of criminal responsibility below the age of 12 years is considered by the committee ‘internationally unacceptable.’

“If children who have been exploited by criminal syndicates are penalized instead of the adults who had abused them, we fail to uphold the rights and well-being of children. If we fail to understand the underlying reasons why they commit crimes,

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by ANTHONY

VARGAS AND JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA ManilaTimes.net

EASTERN Visayas drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa flew back to the country more than a month after fleeing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), vowing to reveal everything he knows now that his father, Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolaando Espinosa, is dead.

Kerwin arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Philippine Airlines Flight 657 from Abu Dhabi at 3:41 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18 and was later presented to the media by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald de la Rosa.

From NAIA, Espinosa was whisked by the PNP to its headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City, where he was booked and later detained at the PNP Custodial Center.

Repatriated Eastern Visayas drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa (left) is presented to the media by Espinosa had feared for his life after the killing of his Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

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A NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Duterte becomes ‘fast friends’ with Putin…

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Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Putin replied, “Our assessments coincide in many respects.”

Putin also expressed his appreciation for the chance to speak with Duterte and talk about developing the bilateral relationship between Philippines and Russia.

“Well, you have been able to do a lot in a short period of time in terms of developing all round

partnership between our countries and with respect to promoting greater trust and confidence between us,” Putin said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said Russia committed to boosting its imports from the Philippines to about $2.5 billion from its current $46-million worth of purchases.

According to Lopez, the imports would possibly be more on agricultural products like fruits.

“We can only look up, I mean, there is nowhere to go but up because it’s really a relationship that offers a lot of opportunities because there was almost nothing before when it comes to trade and investment with Russia,” Lopez said.

The trade secretary also said that Russia offered their cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, industrial engineering, agriculture, tourism,

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UN alarmed over proposed Philippine law…

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we fail children,” UNICEF previously said in a statement.

The organization explained that imprisoning children “further stigmatizes them as criminals and creates an environment that triggers repeat offense, often extending to adulthood.

“Children, especially the most marginalized and at risk, must be treated with a sense of dignity and self-worth,” UNICEF

added.

Among the bills that sought to revert the criminal liability back to 9 years old include the “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act” filed by House Speaker Bebot Alvarez and Representative Fredenil Castro.

Although Alvarez and Castro acknowledged that the intent of Pangilinan’s bill to protect the youth was “laudable,” they argued that R.A. 9344 or the

Juvenile Delinquency Act of 2006 “pampers” the young offenders.

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

APEC DIALOGUE. President Rodrigo Duterte, together with 20 leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries participate in the general dialogue at the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Lima, Peru on Friday, November 19. Leaders of the APEC economies have vowed to shun and roll back protectionist policies in a joint declaration that also reaffirmed their commitment to address corruption, terrorism and climate change.

Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

FVR on ‘sneaky’ Marcos burial: An…

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Marcos and former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan on August 20, 1992. Since then, the late dictator’s remains have been frozen in a glass coffin in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte.

In August of this year, President Rodrigo Duterte later gave the go-signal to bury the late dictator at the Heroes’ Cemetery, living up to his campaign promise that he would let the event happen to “unite” and “heal” the nation.

After two months of hearings, the Supreme Court ruled that Marcos can be buried at the cemetery in November, dismissing all the petitions against the

burial, which were mostly filed by victims of torture during the martial law period.

According to the court, the burial does not violate the Philippine Constitution.

Ramos said that Marcos’ funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is a “step backward” for President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

“You must understand, that is just a happening in a series of happenings. The scheme of the Marcos family with the connivance of some elements of Armed Forces including the national police — some only, not everybody — is a step backwards for this administration in the sense that

they are losing support, they are losing friends,” Ramos said.

He also suggested that the police and military personnel involved in Marcos’s burial be probed or booted out of the office because “they were disloyal to the service for failing to inform their immediate commanding officers.”

“Bakit nagawa yung sneak burial (How did the sneak burial happened) without you media knowing about it? There was advanced planning. Call it connivance led by the Marcos family together with some local police and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official. I said local because the commanders did not know,” Ramos said. n

Duterte to align foreign policy with…

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and the atrocities committed by American troops against Muslim Filipinos in the 20th century.

During his visit to Beijing last month, Duterte declared that he would be “separating” from the US in terms of security and the economy. Officials clarified though that the Philippines is not cutting ties with US but is just pursuing a more independent

foreign policy “where the national interest is paramount.”

At the same meeting, Duterte told Xi that his four-day state visit to Beijing last month “opened a new chapter in Philippine-China relations” and signified the need to “fast-track mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.”

“Though it was a short visit, it has produced a lot of goodwill in my country and we hope to

remain a good friend of China,” Duterte said.

Duterte also invited Xi to visit the Philippines at a mutually agreeable date. Xi accepted the invitation.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said the purpose of the meeting was to follow through on the memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed

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From the Front Page

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Duterte becomes ‘fast friends’ with Putin…

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education, law enforcement, and counterterrorism.

Chinese President Xi also praised Duterte’s visit to China last month, which resulted in a significant improvement in the relationship between the two countries.

Duterte, on his part, extended Xi an invitation to visit the Philippines, thanking Beijing for its “warm hospitality and excellent arrangements” when he previously visited China last month.

“And as I have given you my word, we will cooperate with you.

And I said, with my thrust of an independent foreign policy, we will find ourselves mutually agreeing on so many things and align our foreign policy towards the development of Asia, strengthening of ties among countries in the re-

The future of DACA under the Trump…

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age the president-elect to look at,” he added.

Under DACA, undocumented youth – who meet several guidelines – are granted certain privileges previously unavailable to undocumented immigrants including a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation.

Nearly 742,000 undocumented youth – with 8,000 Filipinos – are currently enrolled in the program, with one-third living in California, according to data from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The specific benefits vary from state to state; California, for example, also grants DACA recipients access to driver’s licenses in addition to work authorization and deportation protection.

To add to the uncertainty of DACA’s future, Tiffany Panlilio, a DACA legal advocate at legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles (Advancing Justice LA), said that many DACA recipients are fearing work termination due to backlogging at USCIS. Because of the uncertainty of the program, Advancing Justice - LA has temporarily halted the processing of DACA applications and renewals. The organization has also encouraged DACA prospects to not go forth with applying and spending the $465 fee

until there’s confirmation from Washington.

“The attitude in the last few weeks has completely changed,” Panlilio told the Asian Journal, adding the rush of fearful clients inquiring about the next steps to take to protect their rights.

Panlilio said that although the future of the program is uncertain, Advancing Justice - LA is offering free immigration screenings to see if recipients are eligible for other programs like family-based petitions, asylum and U-Visas, among others.

“DACA has opened up the gates for so many opportunities here in California,” Panlilio said. “We have a lot of Filipino clients who have used to DACA to complete nursing school and have since become nurses. They’ve also become doctors and lawyers. So it’s complete change, and they’re not going to take this down without a fight to maintain their dreams in the United States.”

Panlilio added: “I think one of the things that’s giving the community hope are organizations like ourselves which have agreed to have their back and support them. So right now, I think we’re all passed the mourning part, and I think we’re all ready to fight for their rights.”

Apart from the benefits in the legislation, DACA has boosted the morale among undocumented immigrants, according to An-

thony Ng, an immigrant rights and policy expert at Advancing Justice - LA. Ng – who is a DACA recipient himself – said that DACA provides far more opportunities for undocumented youth than ever before.

“I think it’s valid to be fearful for your future, but the one thing I’m telling myself and other folks that I know who have DACA is to not lose hope. This fear shouldn’t let us stop fighting for our rights, and I think, in this moment, the community has our back,” Ng said, adding that the community includes, not just immigrants, but all Americans who believe in “people’s humanity and equal rights.”

DACA also provides a significant economic benefit to the program, Ng said. Because of the work authorization feature, DACA has allowed for individuals and families to improve their household incomes and prepare them for greater employment opportunities.

“I think we really need to look at our elected officials to champion our communities by holding the line to Washington, D.C.,” Ng added. “I think it’s helpful to see mayors to affirm DACA in their cities and communities, whether it’s in a social or economic way. It really affirms that DACA impacts the community that we live in.”

California lawmakers have al-

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Duterte to align foreign policy with…

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during Duterte’s state visit.

Thirteen bilateral agreements covering a wide range of areas including trade, tourism, agriculture, security, health and infrastructure were signed during the visit.

“I’m very happy to report that we are on track on this one. We will be pushing for now a more vigorous talks for the purpose of implementation the broad strokes that we have arrived at when we signed the MOUs,” Yasay said.

“These are things we are looking forward to. We’re very happy that China is as enthusiastic as the Philippines in making sure that the trade and economic relationships that we would like to foster would be fast tracked,” he added.

Guaranteed access?

Yasay said Duterte and Xi also talked about the South China Sea dispute, with the Chinese leader guaranteeing Filipino fishermen access to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

“We spoke a little bit about the South China Sea disputes not for the purpose of resolving them now but I think most of the conversation along that line was an

expression of good will,” Yasay said.

“We have the assurance, we have not asked for it but this is a voluntary act on the part of the Chinese that fishermen will continue to be having free access to their traditional fishing grounds,” he added.

Panatag Shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Zambales and is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China started occupying the shoal in 2012 when it prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese poachers who harvested endangered species.

Yasay said China reiterated its offer to train Filipino fishermen on the culturing of fish to support their livelihood.

“We also had made sure that any actions that would be taken by us will be precisely to just simply promote our interests in the area of jurisdiction. Territorial ownership and sovereignty will be set aside in the meantime until a solution is in sight in the future,” Yasay said.

Upbeat Yasay said Duterte is “very optimistic” about the prospects of the relationship between the

Philippines and China.

“We have instructions from the President to also move forward fast on this and incidentally, the agricultural aspect, sector of our relationship will be pushed through. China has indicated an intention to really beef up their importation of agricultural products particularly in the area of fruits,” he said.

“They also mentioned the lifting of the ban of tourists coming over and we expect in the few weeks a marked increase in tourists coming from China.”

Yasay said Xi also invited Duterte to attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) conference in September 2017. n

gion, with China leading the way in the economic development,” Duterte told Xi during their bi-

Kerwin Espinosa vows to tell all about…

PAGE A1 t

father Rolando inside a Leyte jail by a raiding team from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last November 5.

But he said the PNP had guaranteed his safety.

Father and son had been linked

by President Rodrigo Duterte himself to illegal drugs in August, which forced Rolando to turn himself in to the PNP chief.

Rolando was later charged for illegal possession of drugs and firearms.

“With my situation now that my father is gone, I can assure [the President]that I will reveal all the names of all those involved in drugs,” Kerwin, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in Camp Crame.

De la Rosa said Kerwin would be treated both as a drug suspect and a witness.

“As far as the PNP is concerned, he is a drug lord,” de la Rosa said in the same news conference early Friday morning.

“During the election period, he supported some politicians and he even gave some money to them,” he added.

Kerwin claimed he had not used illegal drugs for the past 12 years and that he had fled the country in a bid to protect his family.

The alleged drug lord from Eastern Visayas also said no member of his family or anyone from the Philippines provided him support while he was in Abu Dhabi, where he sought refuge after escaping from Malaysia.

Kerwin said he went to Kuala Lumpur, first then flew to Phuket, Thailand. From Phuket, he went to Bangkok before flying to Hong Kong. From Hong Kong, he flew to Abu Dhabi, where he was arrested by authorities.

The PNP chief said Kerwin brought $40,000 and an ATM card when he left the Philippines more than two months ago.

Mum on de Lima Kerwin declined to comment if he personally knew Sen. Leila de Lima, the former Justice secretary linked by President Duterte to illegal drugs. De Lima was also named as a protector of drug traders in a supposed sworn testimony signed by Rolando.

“No comment,” Kerwin said when asked about de Lima.

De Lima has denied knowing the Espinosas and receiving

drug money from them, but said she was expecting Kerwin to point to her.

De Lima’s Senate colleague, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, was the first to visit Kerwin in Camp Crame, at the latter’s request, said his lawyer Lani Villarin.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, headed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson,

has invited Kerwin to testify in a hearing next week.

“He might have an idea why his father was killed,” Lacson said, adding that Kerwin had expressed his willingness to testify before the Senate.

Kerwin on Friday asked for forgiveness from President Duterte.

“I hope he gives me a chance to change my ways,” he said. n

Measure M Passes On November 8, 2016, LA County voters authorized The Los Angeles County Tra;c Improvement Plan called Measure M. Funding raised through the measure will help us tackle the tra;c, congestion and air pollution that are expected to get worse with more growth. With your support, we will create a brighter future for us all. Learn more about Metro’s Plan at metro.net/theplan.

Go Metro to LA Football Metro is the smart choice for fans attending football games at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Metro provides frequent bus and rail service to the stadium, so you won’t get caught in tra;c or miss a minute of the action. To plan your trip and >nd the route that’s best for you, visit metro.net/gameday.

Airport Metro Connector Final EIR Complete Another signi>cant milestone has been reached toward connecting the regional transit system to LAX. The >nal Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project is now complete. Please visit metro.net/laxconnector for more information.

Union Station Patsaouras Plaza Upgrades Now Complete Renovations to Patsaouras Bus Plaza on the east side of Union Station are now complete. Since opening, the plaza is restricted to buses and shuttles only.

Private vehicles should use the new Union Station East Pick-up/Drop-o= Facility, accessible on Vignes St. For more information, visit metro.net/busplazaclosure.

metro.net @metrolosangeles losangelesmetro

17-1089ps_gen-v-17-005 ©2016 lacmta

NO LONGER KEYBOARD WARRIORS. Millennials were among the strongest voices against the surprise burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, leading rallyists at the EDSA People Power Monument on Friday, Nov. 18.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte attends a meeting between business leaders and heads of states of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, during their annual forum in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016.

lateral meeting at the APEC sidelines.

On the other hand, Duterte didn’t conduct any bilateral meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama, despite both leaders being present at the APEC Summit.

The decades-long relationship between the Philippines and the United States has been put into question this year, following Duterte’s continuous anti-U.S. remarks for the latter country’s alleged interference in the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos last September, Obama scrapped his scheduled meeting with Duterte after reports indicated that the Philippine leader called him a “son of a b*tch.” n

A NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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NaFFAA hails growing civic participation of Fil-Ams WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As evidenced by the last election cycle, higher voter registration rates and Fil-Ams running for public office are among positive indicators of engagement in the electoral process.

“While the 2016 election results may be delightful to some and disappointing to others, we are nonetheless heartened by the growing participation of Filipino Americans who exercised their democratic right to choose the person who will lead our country in the next four years,” said NaFFAA National Chairman Brendan Flores. “We are also encouraged by the number of Filipino Americans who ran for public office in local and state elections. This is what community empowerment is all about, and they proudly demonstrated these aspirations on November 8.”

NaFFAA’s FilAmVote program was notably successful in San Diego, California, where voter registration rates increased by 15 percent.

“We estimate a 10 percent increase nationwide, thanks to the tremendous voter outreach conducted by our NaFFAA members across the country,” said FilAmVote National Coordinator Juanito Amor. “Voter turnout was also high among Asian Americans as a whole, as indicated by early CNN exit polling, but we don’t know just yet the share of votes casted nationally by Filipino Americans.

I appreciate the tireless efforts of the many Filipino American groups to register voters, educate them about the issues and get them to the polls.”

In acknowledging the outcome of the election, Flores stated that he is heartened by Presidentelect Donald Trump’s assurance that he will be president for all Americans.

“We wish him well as he takes on this challenging task,” Flores said. “Fear, hate and bigotry dominated the political rhetoric of the presidential campaign. We hope that he will indeed, ‘bind the wounds of division’ so we can all ‘come together as one united people’ regardless of partisan differences.

“NaFFAA stands ready to work with the new administration under President-elect Donald Trump to ensure that the voices of the millions of Filipino-Ameri-

BUSY-BUST OPERATION. PNP chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa presents arrested drugs suspects to the media after members of the Southern Police District seized 22 kilos of shabu from them in a buy-bust operation in Makati City on Monday, Nov. 21.

Inquirer.net photo by Julliane Love De Jesus

Youth volunteers spurred NaFFAA’s FilAmVote program in Denver, Colorado.

cans across the United States are heard. We call on the new administration to fulfill their promises in empowering all Americans through education, creating safe communities, providing equal justice and representation under the law, creating uplifting policies for better job creation and helping businesses, and by giving recognition and respect to all Veterans.”

An inclusive America “Hillary Clinton and her supporters are to be commended as well for their determined efforts and for the causes they championed,” Flores asserted. “Her long public service record is truly remarkable and we owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for her selfless dedication. We are also inspired by her call to build an America that is ‘hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted,’ one that is fair to people of all races and religions, for immigrants, for LGBT people and people with disabilities.”

The plight of veterans, the men and women who served in the military, was also one of Clinton’s concerns when she was a U.S. senator and that of Trump when he was running for president.

“Our Filipino World War II veterans have yet to be recognized for their service and sacrifice, an emotional issue that widely reso-

Photos courtesy of NaFFAA Communications

nated with voters,” Flores noted.

“Fairness and justice demand the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal bill which is pending in Congress. We call on House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to act now and get this legislation passed this year.”

This measure was approved by the Senate in July and enlisted 310 cosponsors in the House.

NaFFAA members across the country engaged their senators and U.S. representatives, through emails, personal visits and tweets in securing their support.

Empowerment aspirations “To the Filipino Americans who ran for elective office or reelection to their current positions, our community owes you its deepest appreciation for your dedication to public service,” Flores added. “We congratulate all the candidates who succeeded, and we commend those who tried but fell short. Your efforts to represent us and give voice to our issues are inspiring examples of leadership. They are integral to our empowerment.”

The following are the candidates who ran for various offices across the country: Rob Bonta, the first Filipino to serve in the California legislature, was reelected to a second term as the assemblymember for district 18 in Alameda County.

In Hercules, Calif. Andrew Gabriel, a 23-year-old law student, won a seat at the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Board, while newcomer Roland Esquivias won and placed second in the three open seats on the Hercules city council.

In Vallejo, Calif., Bob Sampayan won as Mayor. A retired police officer, he has served in the city council since 2011. Hermie Sunga and Rozzana Verder Aliga were elected city councilmembers while Ruscal Cayangyang won a seat on the school board.

Mae C. Torlakson put up a good fight but lost the Dist. 14 assembly contest for the Contra Costa and Vallejo area.

In Daly City, Juslyn Manalo, a former community service worker who fought for the rights of Fil-Am veterans, became the first Filipina to win a council seat in San Mateo County’s largest city. Former Daly City Mayor Mike Guingona lost his bid, however, for northern San Mateo supervisor.

In their bid for elective posts, success eluded Marjan Philhour, a Filipina-Iranian candidate for San Francisco Dist. 1 supervisor; Magdalena de Guzman, for San Francisco District 11 supervisor; former Hercules mayor Ed Manuel, for Concord city council; Council member Jim Navarro, for Union City mayor; Tony Daysog, for Alameda City Council, Evelyn Centeno, for the Martinez Unified School district, and incumbent Zachary Mallet, who lost his reelection to the Bart board district 7.

In Bergenfied, New Jersey, businessman and community leader Salvador “Buddy” Deauna won a city council seat. A farmer’s son from Camarines Norte, Deauna is the eldest of 16 children. This is his first time to enter the political arena. Jonathan Wong didn’t quite make it to become mayor of Mahwah, New Jersey.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes won re-election to the post he was elected to in 2012. Reyes is the first ethnic minority to become the Attorney General of Utah and hold statewide office in Utah. He sat on the Asian Pacific American (APA) Advisory Committee for the Trump campaign.

Torlakson summed up best these electoral aspirations: “Together, we fought for our working families, for our children, and for our environment-- and, I am deeply proud of that fight. I may have lost the race to represent Assembly District 14, but I have not lost my drive to fight for the people of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. I will continue to work to improve the lives of our

community members, and I am grateful that you gave me this opportunity.”

Moving forward Two prominent Filipino Americans who have served in state legislatures are encouraged by the showing at the polls and the number of candidates from the community who threw their hats in the ring. They urge the Filipino American community to continue to be energized by the electoral process.

Republican Delegate Ron Villanueva of the 21st District of Virginia and a member of Trump’s APA advisory committee said, “we have a lot of work ahead to advance our communities and make America great again, like fixing a broken immigration system, sustaining jobs here in America, restoring our prominence in the international community and having government work for us instead of against us. America is great because of its people, so let’s all unite, work hard and move our country forward.” Villanueva was elected to the Virginia state assembly in 2009.

In her ninth year as a delegate to the Maryland Assembly, Democrat Kris Valderrama calls on the community to welcome President-elect Trump’s vow to be “president for all Americans,” but to also be “vigilant in protecting our civil and religious rights. I am deeply concerned by some of the hateful and frightening things he said about Filipinos during his campaign, particularly his plan to ban Filipino immigration to the United States, along with those from most Arab countries, which he considers a threat to national security. Such an action would ignore the many contributions that our community has made over the last century.”

Valderrama also thanked President Barack Obama for his leadership in the last eight years, which he assumed “with grace, humility and with a touch of humor,” and for enacting the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program, which allows the families of certain WWII veterans to come to the United States and be united with their loved ones during their last years.

Voter outreach During the election season, NaFFAA encouraged the active participation of Fil-Am millennials in voter registration and outreach. NaFFAA’s Capital Region partnered with APIA Vote and deployed more than half a dozen students from area colleges to make phone calls, reaching 26,000 voters in the Washington DC, Mary-

land and Virginia region.

“It’s my second year phone banking,” said JC Videna, a graduate of George Mason University. “It’s a civic responsibility for me as a Filipino-American to encourage people to vote. We are already marginalized in terms of numbers, but we do not want to further marginalize ourselves by failing to turn out at the polls.

Every great change in the world has started with leadership, and in this country, that leadership is voted on. I did my part, and I hope others did the same.”

John Victoria, a former US Navy Academy student, added, “The most fulfilling part about the entire experience was being on the frontlines as a direct touchpoint to our community. I am confident that our phone calls and voicemails may have been tipping points for some members of our community who had been on the fence about voting, or who may have felt their vote and their voice did not matter.”

For Victoria, the most important lesson was being able to connect with Filipino American voters, regardless of their party affiliation, so their voices can be heard. “Low voter turnout makes it easy for elected officials to discount what we have to say because why should they care about the issues we voice in our community if we won’t affect election results?”

Challenges ahead NaFFAA’s mission of community empowerment was put to the test in the last few months, and it will be tested again in November next year when voters elect their governors in New Jersey and Virginia. There’s also the mid-term elections in 2018 when House and Senate candidates vie for electoral support.

“Off-year elections are a great way to maintain [the] momentum of voter turnout from the presidential election,” Flores said. “It would remind elected officials that we will remain engaged in shaping our government at all levels and at all times, and that we will continue to hold them accountable for their campaign promises. Let us lead in safeguarding our civil rights, protecting vulnerable communities from hate crimes and unfair treatment, encouraging diversity, inclusion, partnership and collaboration to help rebuild America and its future.”

“Our resilience as a community, as borne out in our history of struggle and resistance, will see us through as we face tomorrow’s challenges.” n

FilAmVote National Director Juanito Amor and NaFFAA Region 10 leaders Myrna TF Reyes and Aurora Cudal (right) led NaFFAA’s nationwide voter registration, voter education and get-out-the-vote campaign.

US teacher convicted for sex with PH girls, kiddie porn SANTA ANA, California—A former Southern California teacher has been convicted of child exploitation after prosecutors said he traveled to the Philippines to have sex with young girls and videotaped the encounters.

The United States Attorney’s Office says 65-year-old Robert Ru-

ben Ornelas was found guilty on Thursday on seven counts including producing child pornography.

The former Orange County teacher will be sentenced on Feb. 27, 2017, when he faces a total of 190 years in federal prison.

Authorities said that after at least three trips to the Philip-

pines beginning in 2006, Ornelas brought video images of the sexual encounters back to the United States.

Ornelas worked as a teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District from 1992 to 2003, and coached a local girls’ softball team. (Inquirer.net)

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A

Pinoy did not expect $32.7-M lotto jackpot in Canada MANILA, Philippines – Canada-based Filipino Patrick Estacio thought it was an ordinary day when he decided to have his lotto ticket validated on his way to work. It turned out to be his big day.

Estacio, who holds two jobs to support himself and who has been living in a rooming house in Montreal for two years, according to a report on GMA News

Online, is now one of Canada’s latest millionaires after winning the 6/49 Lotto jackpot prize of $32.7 million.

“Surreal” was how the 41-yearold described his current state of mind, a report on Journal de Montreal said.

“I do not expect to win the jackpot when buying a lottery ticket,” the journal quoted Estacio as saying in an interview on

TVA Nouvelles.

The lucky Filipino chose the winning combination 06-09-3037-43-49.

At first he thought he only won $32,700, and was surprised when the employee of the lotto outlet told him he had become a millionaire.

He said he has yet to decide how he would spend his money.

(Philstar.com)

Covered California begins open…

UNDISTURBED THIS TIME. Fifty-six-year old Danny Palolay scans the surrounding waters for Chinese coast guards while fishing at Panatag Shoal. China has loosened its grip on the shoal after reaching a “friendly understanding” with the Philippines, allowing Filipino fishermen to return to the traditional fishing ground.

Inquirer.net photo by Rem Zamora

Fil-Am young leaders take part in immersion trip to the Philippines this week MANILA, Philippines — As the spotlight on U.S.- Philippine relations increases, the 2016 delegates for the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) prepare for a trip to Manila for its week-long Immersion Program starting Wednesday, November 23 FYLPRO officials announced.

Ten selected delegates hail from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, with all having a passion to advance the Filipino community, both in the United States and the Philippines. This year’s FYLPRO delegates represent New York, Washington D.C., California, Hawaii, Washington, and Guam.

The 2016 FYLPRO Immersion Program, which will be held on Nov. 23 to Dec. 2, 2016, is a joint undertaking between FYLPRO, the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States and

the Ayala Foundation, Inc. The program is an all-expense-paid trip to the Philippines to meet with top government, business and civil society leaders.

Minister Patrick Chuasoto, the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affairés ad interim and Chair of the FYLPRO Selection Committee, officially welcomed the delegates on a teleconference earlier in the month.

The delegates have also expressed how much they look forward to reconnecting, and discovering more about their motherland.

“I am honored to be a part of this immersion trip and thrilled to finally meet everyone,” said Joanne Boston, a 2016 FYLPRO delegate from California. “My batchmates are talented and passionate, and I look forward to seeing how our work will benefit the communities in our respective cities. It’s not everyday that one

is given the opportunity to make connections with people who can potentially make goals into reality. I already know this will be a life-changing experience.”

The 2016 FYLPRO is made possible with the invaluable partnership of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the generous support of corporate sponsors that include PhilAm Life, SGV, PHINMA Corporation, and Philippine Airlines.

The 2016 delegates are: Noel Aglubat (New York, NY); Tiffany Batac (Washington, DC); Joanne Boston (Daly City, CA); Mark Calaguas (Chicago, IL); Brandon Dela Cruz (Honolulu, HI); Elizabeth Frilles (Honolulu, HI); Christopher Lapinig (Los Angeles, CA); Maria Teresa Quintans (Tamuning, Guam); Donny Rojo (Seattle, WA); and Jhett Tolentino (New York, NY). n

buy top-quality insurance,” said Peter V. Lee, Covered California’s executive director.

More than 92 percent of consumers will have three or more health plans to choose from, and none will have fewer than two, Lee said. In Los Angeles and much of the Bay Area, there is robust competition with as many as eight plans competing for business. These are plans that are recognizable and trusted by consumers. Plans such as Kaiser, Anthem, Blue Shield, and some regional plans such as L.A. Care and Molina Healthcare in Southern California and the Chinese Community Health Plan in the Bay Area.

For 2017, most consumers can save up to $55 per urgent care visit and their copays for seeing PAGE A3 t ready begun campaigning for their primary care doctor will immigrant rights, like Rep. Judy also be lower.

Chu who on Tuesday, November 15 urged the Obama administration to “protect” the undocumented youth from the proposed policies of the incoming presidential administration.

“These children and families provided extensive amounts of sensitive information to their government, including fingerprints and relatives’ home addresses, with the understanding that it would not be used against them.

We promised them security,” Chu said in a statement. “Now they are facing a nightmare. When we asked immigrants to come out of the shadows, we never imagined the election of a candidate who ran on a policy of mass deportation.”

A study released last week by the Center for American Progress estimated that removing the DACA program could potentially cost “wipe away at least” $433.4 billion from the U.S. economy.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

PAGE A1 t

new ways to shop for coverage and new ways to save.

Approximately 1.4 million people, about 22.5 percent whom are Asian Americans, now have coverage through Covered California. Meanwhile, over 100,000 Asian Americans in California remain uninsured, yet most are eligible for thousands of dollars in federal subsidies to help them pay their monthly premiums.

“California has built a robust marketplace where insurers are competing for consumers and where there is financial help to

The future…

And, for consumers selecting Silver, Gold or Platinum plans, most of their outpatient services like primary care and specialist visits, lab tests, X-rays and imaging are not subject to a deductible. Emergency room visits for these plans are now a flat fee.

Even consumers in Covered California’s most affordable Bronze plans are able to see their doctor or a specialist three times without having to meet their deductible.

These changes for 2017 can help consumers save thousands of dollars.

“We know health care is expensive, so we took steps to make sure consumers who do buy coverage get the care they need without having to first meet their full deductible,” Lee said.

Visit CoveredCA.com to find more locations. n

A NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Unrest

WHEN news broke out on Friday, November 18 that former Pres.

Ferdinand E. Marcos has interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), it lit a fire.

Public opposition is at high as more people mounting protests and unfurling banners saying that the former president “is no hero.”

For some, the LNMB hold’s the nation’s esteem and reverence for those who have fought for freedom and democracy. The tyrant deposed by the People Power Revolution does not deserve such honor. For them, the burial was a slap in the face the country’s beloved democracy, and of the human rights victims during the martial law period.

Today, various groups and organizations are marshaling support for rallies to denounce the notoriously callous decision by the Supreme Court allowing Marcos’s burial at LNMB. The decision was still subject to a motion for reconsideration.

Voting 9-5 last November 8, the high court put an end to the issue, dismissing the petition filed by human rights groups, and victims during the martial law from 1972 to 1981. Marcos died in exile in Hawaii in 1989, three years after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution toppled his two-decade rule.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman has pled the high court to order the exhumation of the remains of Marcos, saying that his burial was “premature,

precipitate and irregular” on the basis that the decision allowing the burial “has not attained finality and was not executory.”

“The exhumation is imperative in order not to render moot and academic the petitioners’ forthcoming and seasonable motion/s for reconsideration, the resolution of which had been preempted by the precipitate burial in the wake of nationwide protests and cogent commentaries against the subject Decision of the [SC],” Lagman’s motion read.

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos has called for unity amidst the growing clamor to exhume his father remains.

“This was in keeping with his idea that he was but a soldier doing his duty, a citizen serving his country. We have waited 27 years to fulfill that wish that he left us with. But we are here today and we are able to grant him that wish,” the former senator said.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte stood by his decision to allow the internment of the former president at LNMB. “I have only two answers: He (Marcos) was a president, he was a soldier. His name appears on

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

the record, it was recognized,” Duterte said.

And for those refuse to move on from this, the president has this to say: “You just have to live with your grief and that grief is hate.”

Because there have been an alleged high number of atrocities done under Marcos’s regime, this

issue will remain hounded by higher public opposition.

In this charged atmosphere, the government should find a solution to address this contentious issue and provide a ground for peaceful resolution of political conflicts. (AJPress)

A big majority of Filipinos in America don’t agree that Marcos’s burial at LNMB will heal the nation ultimate sacrifice THE remains of the in offering their deposed dictator Fer- The Fil-Am lives for the coundinand Marcos was try. schemingly buried in Perspective Marcos, on the the Libingan ng mga other hand, had Bayani (LNMB) last been deposed Friday, despite a movia the People tion for reconsideraPower Revolution pending in the Su- Gel santos-relos tion in 1986, as preme Court.

The highest court of the land de- the Filipinos’ way of putting an end to cided in favor of President Rodrigo all the corruption and human rights Duterte’s decision to allow the burial violations he and his administration of Marcos in the National Heroes’ committed while in power. Burying Cemetery, contending that Marcos Marcos in the Libingan, they conwas a former president, soldier, legis- tend, was a desperate deplorable atlator who, by law, deserved to be laid tempt to rewrite history.

Anti-Marcos protesters even asked to rest in the Libingan. Duterte said people should accept this, forgive, so the Supreme Court to allow the rethe country can unite and move for- mains of the late dictator to be exhumed; some warned that they would ward and unite.

Once the news about the burial do so on their own nevertheless in spread, Filipinos protested in differ- the name of justice for those who had ent parts of the world, denouncing been victims of the Marcos dictatorthe burial. They said this is an insult ship.

Filipinos in America, even among to the real heroes who have paid the

some who voted for Duterte, had been vocal about Marcos’s burial in the Libingan.

The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” asked its viewers in an online poll: Do you agree that Marcos’es hero’s burial will start to heal the division among Filipinos?

Only 24 percent said YES. They said this will finally bring this issue to rest.

An overwhelming majority — 76 percent — said NO. They contended that wounds have been cut too deep when it comes to the Marcoses. They said the former dictator’s hero’s burial is an issue that will be argued for generations to come. *** 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

Trump flip-flops keep the Philippines guessing VANCOUVER — It is not clear if incom- Postscript ing US President Donald Trump would keep his campaign promises, so United States partners like the Philippines Federico d. Pascual Jr. should prepare for the eventuality that the Donald might just do some of the horrible things he had threatened to do.

Trump has his own share of policy flip-flops – which is normal, especially for a strong-willed non-politician who ran and won without the full support of his Grand Old Party.

Will he kick out undocumented Filipinos together with 11 million other undesirable (to him) aliens? Will he pressure US companies to pull out from other countries like the Philippines and relocate home? Will he revamp trade contracts that are working fine for Filipino exporters but not for American consumers? Will he cut US foreign aid and demand that the Philippines pay for US military assistance?

These are some questions culled from some of his intentions announced during the campaign. He has revised some of them and might continue to change them even after his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Running on a promise to “drain the swamp” and give back to the citizens the system that he said had been taken away from them, Trump pledged to build a wall – physical and psychological barriers – to keep away alien elements eating away at the values that have made America great.

• Harsh steps against undesirable aliens What is President Rodrigo Duterte doing to shore up the economy and

keep it from sliding if/ when some of Trump’s white-supremacy notions become policy with the collaboration of the Republican-controlled Congress?

Some of Trump’s plans that could have harsh economic ef-

fects: > Build a 2,500-mile wall on the border with Mexico then throw out some 11 million aliens (including some Filipinos, we presume) staying illegally while competing for jobs and social security benefits. > Ban immigration from areas that have a “proven history of terrorism” against the US, the European Union and its allies. For some reason the Philippines was included in the list. > End “birthright citizenship” which is one of the jus soli routes taken by many foreigners, including moneyed Filipinos, to secure US citizenship by having their children born in the US. Ending the practice may require amending the Constitution. > Remove the attraction to intending immigrants of the opportunities and social security benefits of residing in the US, at the same time making the screening of immigration applicants extremely strict.

• Few Pinoys fear Trump crackdown TRUMP’S plan to clamp down on aliens (mostly non-whites) who take advantage of US immigration rules and social services does not seem to alarm that many Filipinos. Many of them are generally optimistic that some relief would turn up for them.

More than 3 million of nearly 4 million Filipinos in the US are legally employed, comporting themselves properly and contributing to the common weal by achieving an educational and

President-elect Donald Trump

economic status higher than the US average.

One estimate has it that less than 10 percent of Filipinos in the US could face deportation, mainly because they have run afoul of the law or cannot show documentation.

The number of OFWs in the US comprises only 0.1 percent in 2014. From 2010 to 2014, their number averaged 0.2 percent over five years.

The possible expulsion of a good number of Filipinos has raised concern that that could result in a drop in OFW remittances from the US, which contributes the biggest share at 32.8 percent of the total remittances that help keep the economy afloat.

But one analysis shows that the number of “illegals” who could be deported or lose their jobs contribute only 2.5

percent of the total remittances, representing only 0.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas officials said remittances reported from the US may be overstated, because some money originating from other OFW areas are coursed through and listed under the US. • BPOs diversify to non-voice field IN THE FACE of a decline in the number of jobs by around 5 million since 2000, Trump talks of forcing US firms operating abroad, especially those engaged in manufacturing, to go back to America.

Trump threatens to impose a 15-percent tax on outsourcing as one way of discouraging it and forcing manufacturers back to US soil.

It has been observed in some studies,

however, that the decline in the number of domestic jobs was caused mostly by the improvement of technology, not so much by outsourcing.

Trump seems to believe that the displacement of American workers was caused principally by outsourcing and what he perceives to be the onerous terms of some free trade agreements entered into by the US. He thinks that China, Mexico and other countries offering lower wages are benefiting from these trade acts that hurt US interests.

One school says, however, that taxing or limiting outsourcing may even hurt the competitiveness of US firms. Affected companies could just move to other countries, such as Canada just north of the border, that offer more liberal employment terms.

The National Economic and Development Authority once estimated that a 10-percent drop in demand for call centers could reduce the GDP by 0.8 percent.

Anticipating such a possible problem, the BPO sector has moved towards higher value-added non-voice business processes that are less languagedependent and may be attractive to a wider set of countries, especially those that are not English-speaking. *** Advisory: To access Postscript archives, go to www. manilamail.com (if necessary, copy/paste the url on your browser’s address bar). Follow us on Twitter as @ FDPascual. Email feedback to fdp333@yahoo.com

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Arroyo’s co-accused in PCSO case cleared

by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

THE Supreme Court has junked criminal raps against all co-accused of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the supposed misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

In a 14-page en banc resolution, the high court dismissed all petitions as a result of the “supervening event” of the acquittal of the former PCSO board of directors before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court and the granting of demurrers to evidence sought

by Arroyo and PCSO official Benigno Aguas.

The court said there was no case or controversy.

“Any discussion on the probable cause … will be a purely theoretical exercise that will serve no practical judicial value,” the en banc resolution stated.

The 15-man high tribunal anchored its ruling on the April 6, 2015 resolution of the Sandiganbayan, in which charges of plunder against former PCSO board members Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero and Jose Taruc were dismissed as there was no proof that they pocketed PCSO funds.

As to former Commission on Audit chairman Reynaldo Villar and co-accused Nilda Plaras, the Sandiganbayan found that they were “not tainted with any criminal design.”

The accused in the PCSO case ran to the high tribunal to stop the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with their trial, and to seek the reversal of the finding of the Office of the Ombudsman of probable cause against them for the crime of plunder.

The Supreme Court argued that with the granting of demurrers to evidence and the acquittal of Arroyo’s co-accused, criminal proceedings could no

longer be pursued.

“With the grant of demurrers to evidence — and the acquittals ensuing from it — as well as this Court’s pronouncements negating conspiracy and the commission of plunder, the proceedings against [the PCSO officials]are terminated. There is no longer any case relating to [their]indictment and arrest. There are no longer any proceedings to restrain or enjoin,” the resolution stated.

In July, Arroyo was acquitted by the court en banc of the crime of plunder in connection with the allegedly embezzlement of P366 million in intelligence funds of the PCSO from 2008 to 2010.

With a vote of 11 against 4, the criminal charges against Arroyo were dismissed.

Arroyo no longer presented evidence before the Sandiganbayan on the belief that the prosecution, headed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, had insufficient evidence. n

Dayan arrest a hoax – Pangasinan police execs

by Eva

vispEras Philstar.com

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, Philippines — Police officials said on Monday, Nov. 21, a report that Sen. Leila de Lima’s former driver Ronnie Dayan had been arrested was “a hoax.”

Senior Supt. Ronald Lee, acting police director of Pangasinan, told The STAR that many have been asking him about Dayan since Saturday, but they themselves do not know his whereabouts.

Chief Inspector Joshua Maximo, Urbiztondo police chief, also denied reports on Dayan’s arrest.

Maximo said they learned about the news last Saturday when people kept asking police about it.

Another report said Dayan was in the custody of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“If that was true, there should have been photos published in newspapers or were flashed on television,” he said.

He said somebody reportedly posted a story on Facebook about Dayan’s arrest.

Maximo said if another law

Reports about Ronnie Dayan’s arrest also circulated yesterday on social media. A ranking military official supposedly confirmed the report.

Geremy Pintolo, file photo

enforcement group had nabbed Dayan, they would know about it.

Dayan’s legal wife in Barangay Galarin, Urbiztondo has maintained that she still has no

communication with her husband.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption has offered a P1-million reward for any information leading to Dayan’s arrest while a businessman pledged an additional P100,000.

Dayan is accused of collecting drug money at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) for De Lima when she was still justice secretary.

De Lima admitted on television last week that Dayan was her lover for several years.

The House Committee on Justice cited Dayan for contempt and issued an arrest warrant for snubbing a congressional inquiry on the NBP drug trade.

He is reportedly being coddled by a politician in Northern Luzon, according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.

Lee said Aguirre’s statement is consistent with the intelligence report of Pangasinan police, adding that they are unrelenting in their manhunt for Dayan.

Reports about Dayan’s arrest also circulated yesterday on social media. A ranking military official supposedly confirmed the report. (With Cecille Suerte Felipe)

DRUG RAID. The executive department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will suspend indefinitely the mayor of Talitay, Maguindanao for possession of illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms. Three platoons of policemen, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and personnel of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division raided just after dawn Friday the house of Mayor Muntassir Sabal in the town proper of Talitay and found there methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and undocumented guns.

PH to honor defense accord with the US respect to the Mutual Defense Treaty. We will continue with Edca,” Yasay told Filipino journalists after the Kerry meeting.

The country’s top diplomat met with his US counterpart, along with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

In October, Mr. Duterte threatened to stop the implementation of Edca, saying it was under government review. The President also reminded the US government that Edca was just an executive agreement.

Signed in April 2014, Edca allows US troops access to military bases and camps in “agreed locations” in the Philippines.

But Yasay clarified that Mr. Duterte “never said anything about discontinuing Edca.”

“In fact, during his inaugural speech, he said he would continue to respect our Mutual Defense Treaty and other supporting documents, including EDCA,” the official said.

What Mr. Duterte had stressed, however, that the cooperation with the US would no longer be focusing on the area of “joint military exercises that would be demonstrative of preparing ourselves for any eventual attack from aggressors particularly China,” Yasay said.

As its relationship with China has improved for the better in spite of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, it may be time to do away with this “bias or mindset insofar as our military alliance with the US is concerned,” he said. n

insulto na iyon sa ating lahat na kababaihan.”

Philstar.com Meanwhile, the vice presiMANILA, Philippines — Vice dent’s spokesperson Georgina President Leni Robredo on Mon- Hernandez released a separate day, Nov. 21, chose to laugh off statement on the “vicious rurumors that she is pregnant after mors” which she tagged as a deher health was subjected to ridi- molition campaign. cule on social media.

Hernandez described the attack Robredo said that while the to the vice president as “wellrumor is funny it is insulting funded and well-orchestrated.” for women.

“We were warned about these “Ako kasi ayoko na patulan eh. well-funded and well-orchestratAyoko na patulan parang insulto ed attacks to malign the vice presnaman yata iyon,” the vice presi- ident. The demolition campaign dent said. “Nakakatawa siya, has begun. And the next logistical pero at the same time, parang question is: who is behind it?”

The spokesperson claimed that the troll armies are behind the rumors circulating online as she leaves to public on how to differentiate real from fake news.

“We have complete trust in the Filipino’s ability to discern fact from fiction, and steer clear of false news. Websites that masquerade as news sources have been fabricating these rumors, which are then spread by troll armies,” Hernandez said.

Rumors surfaced on social media after Robredo was advised to take a break from work last week as she felt unwell. n

by DJ

Yap Inquirer.net

LIMA, PERU—The Philippines will continue to honor its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting here, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said he had communicated to US Secretary of State John Kerry the assurance of President Duterte that the Philippines would continue its defense cooperation with the United States.

“The President has assured America we will continue to respect our treaty agreement and the supporting agreements with

Leni on ‘vicious pregnant rumors’: Funny yet insulting by aJ

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A NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

SEAFOOD CITY FP

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

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016

BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal

Council (Abac) said economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region remained the best course of action for the 21 Pacific Rim countries belonging to APEC. “Regional economic integration can be made to work better and its benefits more obvious,” said Juan Raffo in a statement.

Raffo is the Abac chair for 2016.

“If governments adopt policies which enhance the capacity of economies, their communities and people will be better able to take advantage of more open and

by DJ

Yap Inquirer.net

LIMA, Peru — In a message that seemed directed at US President-elect Donald Trump, business leaders from the member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) cautioned world leaders Thursday about “retreating into protectionism and inward-looking policies.”

Business leaders meeting here for the APEC Business Advisory

competitive markets,” he said.

“In the face of growing public disquiet about the impact of freer trade and investment, business leaders are concerned that many governments are looking to impose new tariff and non-tariff barriers,” he said.

But “protectionist actions make it harder for business to play its part in creating employment and raising living standards across the region,” he added, in remarks that appeared to be in

u PAGE B2

PH growth forecasts through 2017 upgraded Private institutions raise average GDP outlook to 6.85% from 6.5% a quarter ago

by Doris

Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

AFTER the surprising thirdquarter Philippine year-on-year economic growth of 7.1 percent comes a string of economic growth upgrades by big financial institutions, some of which see the momentum continuing through next year assuming that the Duterte administration deliv-

u PAGE B2

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B NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Business news

US official urges PH to ease foreign investment limits

by Raadee

S. SauSa ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines must ease restrictions on foreign investors and improve infrastructure to attract more investment, particularly from the United States, as crucial steps to expanding trade and growing the economy, a US official said.

“The Philippines is one of the most restrictive countries in the world against foreign investment, with more barriers than any other large Asean country,” US Embassy Manila Trade Officer Brian Breuhaus said in a statement over the weekend.

The constitutional restrictions on foreign investment, widely known as the 60-40 rule, must be relaxed, Breuhaus said.

The Constitution stipulates that only Philippine nationals are allowed to operate a public utility. This applies to nearly all public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

“No American firms have been involved in a PPP, and no foreign firms have taken the lead on a PPP, even though they could provide a huge amount of expertise.

This would take a constitutional change,” Breuhaus said.

The Philippines can also relax the limits set under the Foreign Investment Negative List, he said.

Breuhaus underscored the

response to Trump’s vaunted economic policies focusing on shoring up the US economy.

“Brexit (Britain’s exit from the European Union) and recent election results in both developed and developing economies seem to have served as a referendum on the merits of economic integration,” he said.

Raffo said such developments have created an “unprecedented uncertainty about the direction of the global economy.”

“They appear to call into question the successful model of economic integration that has been responsible for rapid growth and the spread of prosperity around the world,” he added.

“We accept the need to do more to help convince our citi-

Chinese investors eyed for PH tourism sector

by MaRy

GRace Philstar.com

Padin

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — More Chinese investors are eyeing to invest in the Philippine tourism sector almost a month after President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said more Chinese businessmen have signified their interest to

invest in tourism-related projects and establishments in the country, particularly in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

“Many will be coming. They’re looking for partners,” Teo said.

For one, Teo said a group of 100 Chinese investors would be coming to the Philippines to explore opportunities here and talk to potential partners.

“I just got the email that they are coming on the 21st and will be staying here for one month,” Teo said. n

PH growth forecasts through 2017…

PAGE B1 t

need for better infrastructure, including roads, airports, seaports and internet connectivity.

For a start, a Single Window in Customs could make it easier for goods to be shipped here. The Trade Facilitation Agreement at the World Trade Organization must also be approved, the US official noted.

“This [Single Window] is a promise the Philippines has made under Asean,” Breuhaus stressed.

The US is among the largest foreign investors in the Philippines, with a current stock of

$4.7 billion in Philippine placements.

The Philippines is the 30th largest source of US merchandise imports, and the 32nd largest export destination for US products.

Breuhaus noted the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) promotes economic growth, creates jobs and opportunities, and deepens economic integration in the Asia Pacific region.

The TPP covers 40 percent of global gross domestic product and 30 percent of world trade. n

APEC warned: Trump-inspired…

PAGE B1 t

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

zens that economic integration is directly linked to expanding prosperity and that open markets—enhanced by new technologies and ways of doing business—have lifted millions out of poverty,” he said.

Raffo also expressed disappointment over the slow progress of discussions and negotiations for the planned Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which was seen as a means to achieve reforms both within economies and beyond borders.

“We are disappointed that progress of the pathways toward FTAAP—ratification in the case of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and completion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)—has slowed,” said Raffo.

TPP is the US-led grouping of 12 APEC nations, excluding China, but whose ratification in America has stalled as a result of Trump’s election victory. The billionaire businessman had been scornful of the TPP during the campaign and vowed not to sign it.

Raffo said: “We are, however, encouraged by the completion of the APEC Collective Strategy Study. It will position APEC to set some ambitious targets for FTAAP with a future timetable and further concrete actions.”

Abac was created by APEC leaders in 1995 to be the primary voice of business in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2016 co-chairs are Hoang Van Dung and Doris Magsaysay-Ho, who chaired last year’s Abac when APEC was hosted by Manila. n

ers on its promise to escalate infrastructure spending.

At least six big financial institutions have upgraded their gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts for the country this year to levels averaging 6.85 percent, rising from the same institutions’ average growth outlook of 6.5 percent in the previous quarter. The forecasts ranged from a high of 7 percent to a low of 6.7 percent.

In a research note written by economist Jun Trinidad, Citi jacked up its full-year growth forecast to 6.9 percent from 6.8 percent while retaining the estimate of 6.8 percent for 2017, still banking on resilient domestic demand.

“With Duterte’s policy agenda still firming up along with a slumping Philippine peso, rising yields and falling equities, real investments probably ended 2016 on slower double-digit gains,” Trinidad said.

“Domestic demand story remains intact in 2017 but we maintain a sober outlook with intensifed financial market volatility and risks associated with US President-elect (Donald) Trump’s policy agenda,” he said.

Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) revised its fullyear GDP growth outlook to 6.7 percent from 6.4 percent, economist Emilio Neri Jr. said, adding this was “on the resumption of national government spending ramp-up and surges in manufacturing and capital spending mostly propelled by faster vehicles production and demand in fourth quarter.”

In the third quarter, Citi’s Trinidad noted that the robust growth defied the post-Philippine election fiscal slowdown.

“Base effect and government transition should dictate the pace of total fourth-quarter fiscal expenditures but, on balance, private spending should still lead the way. The slow transition, with many senior government posts still without appointments, may

finally take its toll on public expenditures in the fourth quarter in our forecasts, such that GDP may depend largely on fourthquarter private spending gains.

Just like in third quarter, food and beverages may provide the upside during the festive quarter, with the peak of discretionary spending behind us,” Trinidad said.

Barclays upgraded its full-year GDP growth forecast to 6.8 percent from 6.6 percent while also raising its 2017 growth outlook to 6.8 percent from 6.3 percent, noting that an easy monetary policy and an expansionary fiscal stance should continue to support economic expansion.

On the expenditure side, private consumption continued to underpin growth, rising by 7.3 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, broadly similar to the growth rate in the second quarter.

“Government spending weakened in the third quarter, rising only 3.1 percent year-on-year, likely reflecting the transition to a new administration. Strong gains in investment continue, with another quarter of doubledigit growth [of] 20 percent yearon-year, which pushed the yearto-date rate to 24.2 percent,” it said.

Barclays noted that overall trade activity remained a drag, paring GDP growth by 3.5 percentage points in the third-quarter GDP growth number. By industry, a big turnaround was noted in agriculture production (+ 2.9 percent) while services also grew faster (6.9 percent).

Nomura raised its 2016 growth forecast to 6.9 percent from 6.7 percent. “Government consumption indeed slowed sharply but private consumption and investment spending remained solid in the third quarter. Within investment spending, construction activity accelerated further in the third quarter, led by the private sector. This reinforces our view that the quality of growth is im-

proving and is likely boosting medium-term potential growth.”

HSBC tweaked its 2016 GDP forecast higher to 6.8 percent from 6.5 percent, adding that momentum would likely continue into 2017 on the back of infrastructure spending and resilient remittances.

“The election of Donald Trump introduces some risks to growth due to the possibility of protectionist policies, but we believe risks to the Philippines are manageable and more limited than elsewhere,” HSBC said in a research note.

The biggest risk comes from the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, which employs around 1.2 million Filipinos and earns around $21-22 billion a year, out of which the US contributes about 70 percent.

“We think risks are mitigated because there is little direct competition with American workers and President Rodrigo Duterte appears to have struck a more conciliatory tone concerning future cooperation with the US,” HSBC said.

Metrobank is the most optimistic among these institutions, upgrading its full-year growth forecast to 7 percent from 6.3 percent previously.

“The plans for massive infrastructure spending by the Duterte administration is seen to further boost investment spending growth. The sustained expansion in investment spending is expected to shield the domestic economy from negative externalities and form the backbone for a more inclusive growth,” Metrobank said.

Meanwhile, Metrobank said the weakening of the peso meant that overseas Filipino workersupported households would have greater purchasing power this Christmas season. “This will keep fourth quarter consumer spending on an uptick, providing some counterbalance to base effects from last year’s strong yearend finish as well,” it said. n

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

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAyMond BulAon IF you are doing your best to pay your debts but simply do not have enough income to pay what your creditors are demanding from you, it may just be a matter of time before you face harsh collection actions. One legal option that most people don’t know about is debt consolidation through Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code. It is not the same as Chapter 7 (wiping out debts) as I will explain in this article.

You may have heard the term “debt consolidation” many times.

A lot of people seem to get confused about the meaning of this term and in this article, I would like to clarify what it means as it relates to solving debt problems.

First, there is the “debt consolidation” loan. This type of debt consolidation involves going to

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Debt Relief Atty. lAwRence yAng CLIENTS are young seniors at 62. Husband took an early retirement as he has a serious illness.

Two years ago, husband was diagnosed with stage 3 leukemia.

He has been undergoing treatment with a new cancer-fighting drug that is still experimental.

The cancer went into remission last year but resurfaced recently.

I sometimes wonder, with all our advanced technology that can send people to mars, we still cannot cure cancer. Sure, certain cancers can now be fought effectively if detected early enough and we know more about cancer now that we did a couple of decades ago. There is of course our City of Hope that boasts of being cutting edge on cancer treatment, but if you are unlucky enough to get cancer, I am sure that the thought of dying sooner than later will certainly be a constant thought in your mind. I’ve also heard of people who get cured of cancer by stem cell therapy administered by a group of German doctors in Mexico. The cost of treatment is about $30K per session using stem cells from a fetus, which they provide. In any event, the best thing that can happen for our loved ones & us, is that we never get sick until we die of natural causes.

I rely on Psalm 91, written by Moses a long time ago, for protection from cancer and other illness for my loved ones & myself.

In that Psalm, Moses says that “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. So, like Moses, I go to our Lord to keep my loved ones & I safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases. Going back to clients, since husband fell ill, he stopped working; hence his income went down as he now re-

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016

B

File Chapter 13 to make monthly debt payments more affordable a bank or credit union and borrowing a sufficient amount to pay off all your existing debts so that you only have one debt payment to make each month. For some people, this may be a good idea if you are paying an interest rate on the loan that is lower than what you are paying on the debts you are consolidating. Apart from the convenience of writing just one check each month instead of ten when you are paying your bills, the obvious benefit here is the potential amount of money you are saving in interest charges over the long haul.

While a consolidation loan may sound like a great idea, the truth is, often it will not resolve your financial hardship. The reason is that it is usually difficult to obtain a low interest rate on your consolidation loan unless you have an excellent credit rating and have something to offer the lender as collateral such as equity in real estate or a car, for example. Lenders with less strin-

gent credit requirements usually charge high interest rates; 21% or higher is not uncommon. And even when credit is excellent, often the interest rate is higher or close to what you are already paying on your other debts.

Secondly, there is “debt consolidation” through a credit counseling agency. There are a handful of such agencies (usually non-profit) who help consumers consolidate bills by working out payment plans for a small fee each month. While this strategy might work in some cases where the monthly payment is affordable, it can only work if all of your creditors agree to your proposed payment plan. Another limitation is that there are certain debts that the agency cannot and will not handle such as IRS taxes, back mortgage payments, judgments or cases where the creditor has initiated a lawsuit or wage garnishment. Lastly, paying your debts through this type of debt consolidation will still be

A grateful, humble heart “Gratitude is the heart’s memory.”

— French Proverb

Monette AdevA MAglAyA ABOUT 400 years ago, the first Pilgrims who settled in the New World celebrated Thanksgiving Day after their first harvest in 1621.

With prayerful thanks in front of the food they harvested from the soil and feasting with Native Americans as honored guests, this tradition, has been preserved through much of American history by presidential proclamations beginning with George Washington and lives on to this day.

Washington proclaimed, “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.”

This first batch of immigrants was particularly grateful to Squanto, the Native American and former British slave who, not only acted as interpreter but also taught them the ropes on how to live off and with nature, teaching them how to fish, plant corn and generally survive the harsh conditions of the new land. There is strong reason and evidence to believe that without Squanto’s help, this group may not have survived the rigors of living in a harsh environment.

For many ordinary people living mundane lives, Thanksgiving Day has become, not only as a tradition we go through the motions year after year, but something

Community Journal

that gives crystal-clear meaning and purpose to our endeavors of facing increasingly challenging seasons year after year.

Thanksgiving Day is widely observed by many in the US, as a day for family and friends to gather together in front of specially prepared food and with a prayerful attitude of thanksgiving to God, for the graces bestowed on each one.

At the very least, for the bored and blasé, it is a most welcome 4-day break from the workaday world we live in. The squeeze on the byways is on specially now that gas prices are lower than usual. Expect the sky routes, roads and railways to be clogged with millions of travelers wanting to be with family on this special day. For many millions more, it is a special day to simply stay put within our homes, make a run for provisions at the corner supermarket, stuff a turkey or buy a spiraled ham and enjoy the blessings of hearth and home.

Some big nationwide stores are bucking the previously held sacrosanct tradition of being close during Thanksgiving Day and opening their doors wide for business as usual. But one store published a message as some kind of rebuke to these megaretailers saying to the effect that they make enough during the rest of the year so they can be close on Thanksgiving Day to allow their workers to spend time

with their families. Touche.

Today, many in the immigrant population accept and relish this tradition of giving thanks to God for blessing a country that has been heaped with so much abundance, its cornucopia still filled to the brim, despite the many challenges it has faced for a protracted period of time.

The immigrant whose head is screwed on tight and whose heart is in the right place can appreciate a bit more the significance of giving thanks to God for a country he has adopted to be his own, no matter the struggle and the rigors he has had to go through and which in turn, has accepted him to be a part of.

Thanksgiving is a time to forget our petty concerns, tune out of the noise, confusion and melee that try our souls, and take absolute joy in the moment of just being alive.

And if you are one of the lucky ones, Thanksgiving Day is a time to simply take quiet, humble joy in being blessed with the gift of one thing more, without which, hell has your soul in a stranglehold.

This free gift is nothing more than the gift of a grateful, humble heart. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!! *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Seniors with $40K credit cards seek Chapter 7 relief Client needs Chapter 13 to handle $50K personal guaranty

ceives social security at 62. He took early retirement. Normally, one would wait until 67 to get full social security benefits. But with client’s illness, he may not be around at 67 so he might as well start getting social security even if it’s a lesser amount now.

Clients are paying for a 2016 4 Runner. They pay $600 a month with 5 more years to go. They feel that it’s too much of a debt burden and have decided to return the 4 Runner. The dealer told them that even with a voluntary return of the car, they would still owe about $12K. This is called the voluntary car return deficiency. What happens is that the dealer sells the returned car at wholesale and uses the proceeds to pay a portion of the car loan. Since clients still have 5 years on the car loan, at $600 a month, they owe $36K. The dealer anticipates selling the car for $24K at wholesale. The sale proceeds of $24K will be used to pay down the $36K, leaving a balance of $12. By contract, clients have agreed to pay $36K for the car, so they are still contractually liable for the unpaid difference of $12K even if the car has been returned.

In addition, clients owe $40K of credit cards. They need $1200 a month for minimum monthly payments. Since client only gets $1,100 from social security. It’s a no brainer that they need to wipe out the $40K of credit cards as well as the $12K voluntary car return deficiency. Clients have further decided to buy a cheaper car where they will only pay about $200 a month or less on a lease.

I told them to go ahead and get a smaller car, which is consistent with pre bankruptcy planning.

Second client is 52. He owns a California S corporation, and has a residence that has $300K equity.

His import distribution business was doing well since it started in 2002. But business turned south

last year when gross sales went down by 30%. With a 30% sales reduction, the company is losing money. He obtained a $50K loan from bank, which required him to execute a personal guaranty for $50K. Company has not paid the loan for several months. Bank then sued the company and client on his personal guaranty last week. Since client has $300K of equity in his house, the non-exempt portion of the homestead equity is $200K. That’s a lot more than the $50K guaranty.

Client does not qualify for Chapter 7 relief. However, Chapter 13 will provide relief in that client will be given a repayment plan of 60 months to pay $50K without interest, that’s about $850 a month for 5 years. Since client now works for employer and has a gross salary of $3,500 a month, and his wife also has some income, Chapter 13 will protect his house from a judgment lien of $50K from the lawsuit. If he were to opt for Chapter 7, he would lose his house. Trustee will sell his house, give him his exempt equity of $100K, then use the $200K to pay the $50K and trustee administrative and legal fees which will be substantial.

So Chapter 7 is not the right way to go. Chapter 13, however, will provide adequate relief while protecting his residence from a judgment lien. Besides, Chapter 13 trustee have no power to sell debtor’s house.

“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”

— Psalm 147:11 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

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

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a negative on your credit report because it will be reported as “slow pay”.

The type of debt consolidation we help people obtain is one that eligible individuals may do under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Done correctly, it is the best type of consolidation you will ever find. Chapter 13 allows you to pay back all kinds of debts including the debts I have mentioned above that the credit counseling agencies cannot help you with. On credit card and a majority of your debts, you also pay 0% interest, allowing you to pay off what you owe much faster than any type of debt consolidation.

The greatest benefit of consolidating through Chapter 13 is that you only pay based on what

you can afford each month and it is possible to pay creditors only a very small portion of what you owe over a period of 3-5 years.

And if you are facing foreclosure of your home, repossession of your car or other property, you can stop the creditor immediately from taking your property once you file for Chapter 13. Once your Chapter 13 payment plan is approved, creditors must accept it. The result: a reduced monthly debt payment which still allows you to live with the other expenses you have- rent or mortgage payments, food, clothing and transportation expenses, etc. If your debt problems have caused you a lot of financial stress, Chapter 13 is often the most effective tool in getting your finances back in order in the shortest time pos-

Calendar of Events across

sible because relief is immediate upon filing of the case.

I have helped a lot of individuals and business owners obtain debt relief through Chapter 13.

If you would like to find out if this is an option in your situation, I would be glad to talk to you and explore this possibility further.

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For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS 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 4

Aurora Inter-organizational Alliance-USA celebrates 8th anniversary in Granada Hills, CA Aurora Inter-organizational Alliance-USA announces its 8th anniversary celebration on Saturday, December 10 in Granada Hills, CA. It is an annual gathering of immigrants from the Aurora province’s 8 towns, aiming to further strengthen the camaraderie and spirit of the members. This year’s celebration hopes to gather 100 members and guests, who will be treated with traditional Filipino dishes as well as entertainment amid the sounds of Christmas carols. The night will be capped by the election of new officers for the new year.

The event will be held at the Granada Hills Pavilion at 11128 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Atty Al Nabor at (951) 818-8172 or Luchie Cuento at (818) 300-3212.

D EC E M B E R 5

AAPA Graduation Gala

Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) cordially invites you to the Graduation Gala on Monday, December 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate with AAPA mentor and mentees and learn about the organization’s impact in the community. Mr. Anthony Hong, vice president of clinical research and development of Johnson & Johnson Cardiovascular & Specialty Solutions will be the keynote speaker of the night. It will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton - Rosemead at 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770. The event is business casual/cocktail attire and is open to everyone. Complimentary for mentors and mentees. Guests at $25. Please RSVP and purchase tickets by November 28 at www.aapa. abcptsa.org.

D EC E M B E R 7

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACC-SLAA)’s Business & Professionals Networking Mixer Come celebrate the holidays with FACC-SLAA, and meet other driven Filipino/FilAm businesspersons and professionals in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. It will be at Wednesday, December 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the SOL Venue, 313 E Carson St., Carson, CA 90745. Tickets for FACC-SLAA members are free with pre-registration, $5 at the door. For non-members, $10 for pre-registration and $20 at the door. *Please bring presents ($20 minimum) for the gift exchange, and plenty of holiday cheer! For more information, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com.

D EC E M B E R 1 1

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA)’s 15th year anniversary The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA) is celebrating its 15th year anniversary by recognizing businesses and community partners and installing officers and board members on Sunday, December 11 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside at 6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230. The cost to attend is $50 and formal attire is required. Please make your check payable to FPACC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the educational scholarship funds and to help the underprivileged children in the Philippines. For any inquiries, please email info.faccgla@gmail.com.

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.

JA N UA RY 28 , 2 0 1 7

Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

B NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

What is new: Federal penalties for late W2s and 1099s

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA JANUARY 31, 2017 is the new deadline for filing 2016 Forms W-2 and W-3 both in paper forms and electronic. If you need 30-day extension complete Form 8809.

There are penalties for the late filing of W2s for employee compensation payments and Form1099 Misc for non-employee compensation payments in box 7.These penalties are based on the length of time that the returns are filed late.

The categories of information return penalties are: late filing with the IRS and late furnishing to employees or independent contractors.

1. These penalties apply for the late filing of per return of W-2s and 1099s, due by January 31: A. $50 if filed within 30 days from due date.

B. $100 if filed by August 1.

C. $260 if filed after August 1 or never filed.

2. The maximum penalties for A, B, C mentioned in 1. above are $532,000, $1,596,500, and $3,193,000 per year, respectively. These maximum penalties are lowered for small businesses to $186,000, $532,000, and $1,064,000 per year. You are considered a small business if your annual gross receipts is $5M or less for the last three years or since the business began if less than three years.

3. You could be subject to penalties for furnishing W-2s and 1099s late to your employees or independent contractors by the required date January 31 for W-2s and 1099s. And the penalty amount is based on when you furnish the correct payee statement under code section 6722. This is an additional penalty and is applied in the same manner, and with the same amounts, as in failure to file correct information returns under code section 6721 by the due date.

4. The penalties increases to at least $530 per form W-2 if the failure to provide W-2s and 1099s to workers is due to intentional disregard of rules. There is no maximum penalty for this.

5. These penalties also apply if the returns are incomplete or incorrect.

6. There are exceptions for

having these penalties abated.

Penalty exceptions for failure to file correct information returns: • The penalty will not apply to any failure that you can show was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Generally, you must be able to show that your failure was due to an event beyond your control or due to significant mitigating factors.

In addition, you must be able to show that you acted in a responsible manner and took steps to avoid the failure.

2. An inconsequential error or omission is not considered a failure to include correct information. An inconsequential error or omission does not prevent or hinder the SSA/IRS from processing the Form W-2, from correlating the information required to be shown on the form with the information shown on the payee’s tax return, or from otherwise putting the form to its intended use. Errors and omissions that are never inconsequential are those relating to: • A TIN, • A payee’s surname, and • Any money amounts.

3. De minimis rule for corrections. Even though you cannot show reasonable cause, the penalty for failure to file correct Forms W-2 will not apply to a certain number of returns if you: • Filed those Forms W-2 on or before the required filing date, • Either failed to include all of the information required on the form or included incorrect information, and • Filed corrections of these forms by August 1.

If you meet all of the de minimis rule conditions, the penalty for filing incorrect information returns (including Form W-2) will not apply to the greater of 10 information returns (including Form W-2) or one-half of 1% of the total number of information returns (including Form W-2) that you are required to file for the calendar year.

4. Forms W-2 with incorrect dollar amounts may fall under a safe harbor for certain de minimis errors. The safe harbor applies if no single amount in error differs from the correct amount by more than $100 and no single amount reported for tax withheld

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4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

differs from the correct amount by more than $25.

If the safe harbor applies, you will not have to correct the Form W-2 and it will be treated as having been filed with all of the correct required information. However, the safe harbor does not apply if the payee elects to have you issue a corrected return.

5. Exceptions to the failure to furnish correct payee statements.

An inconsequential error or omission is not considered a failure to include correct information. An inconsequential error or omission cannot reasonably be expected to prevent or hinder the payee from timely receiving correct information and reporting it on his or her income tax return or from otherwise putting the statement to its intended use.

Errors and omissions that are never inconsequential are those relating to: • A dollar amount, • A significant item in a payee’s address, and • The appropriate form for the information provided, such as whether the form is an acceptable substitute for the official IRS form.

7.File Extension Form 8809 to get you 30 days extension from the original filing date of January 31. Complete Form 8809 using FIRE system at https:fire.irs. gov or if completed on paper: 1) fax to 1-877-477-0572 or 2) send to Internal Revenue Service, Attention: Extension of Time Coordinator, 240 Murall Drive, Mail Stop 4360, Kearneyville, WV 25430.

9.You may request for one additional extension for 30 days or less by submitting second Form 8809 before the end of the first extension.

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. ***

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

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

For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked unSy Al-os Accountancy Corporation der operation of law the moment provides accounting and tax services you get married and cannot be to individuals, corporations, LLCs and reclaimed by a divorce. In thebusiness entities. The Firm has a niche in ory, it can be argued that filing defending taxpayers audited by the IRS a subsequent petition after your and other governmental agencies. divorce under the same category (Advertising Supplement) inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part

205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you married. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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People and Events

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A meaningful gift to save the children LOS ANGELES, CA -- In early September, Christmas songs are heard through the airwaves in the Philippines. Holiday themes dominate sights and sounds, signaling preparations for a festive Christmas.

Despite hardships and challenges faced by many people in the Philippines, the spirit of Christmas prevails.

It is a time to celebrate the Birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

As part of the religion class’s social justice and environmental awareness lessons at St. Joseph School in Pomona, California, students shared their thoughts and views on how they can help students their age can give support.

Alejandro Vetus, an 8th grade student, thoughtfully said, “Jesus is the reason of Christmas.

Malls and stores try to commercialize it but those who knows that Christmas is about Baby Jesus, cannot change that concept. I see many children so young who suffers due to poverty and unfortunate circumstances. In my heart. I feel for them. I see Jesus in the eyes of less fortunate children who are asking not morsels of food but something more than what they are getting from charities. They want self-respect but before that can happen, we need to give

them more than simply giving them bags of food.”

Chaste Pagente, a student from the same school, shared, “Jesus showed us the way and He keeps blessing us. During the Christmas season, we reflect on the goodness of God whose blessings fill our heart. It is a time to give thanks to Him for all the joys, challenges and opportunities to grow in faith.”

Two of the service learning projects students will handle would be to collect new socks and mittens to keep the homeless warm in the cold weather. They will also give blankets to animal shelters so that animals will feel safe and comfortable. However, foremost in their mind is how to help children in the Philippines who need to break away from the cycle of poverty.

Matthew Pandes, president of the student council said, “ Education is the best tool that can be given to children who are poor.

Organizations need not only think of giving basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter but to go beyond that. Perhaps, more organizations can collaborate with others to empower and motivate parents to send children to school to break away from poverty and hopelessness.”

“It is the best gift they can give to their children.”

In the season of giving, what could be a better gift than what the heart desires most. We give not to receive but to feel the joy in giving. Christmas is the best time of the year for children. When a child is gifted with something he or she can use a lifetime, there is much joy that we get from it. Christmas in the Philippines is filled with colors, music and dance!

Yes, that is what Christmas is all about especially in a nation so rich in cultural tradition.

Thoughts shared by students are also extended to mission-driven charity organizations so that they can do something for the children and put these thoughts into reality.

With similar thoughts in mind, The Channel of Charity, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit tax exempt organization is sponsoring Pasko Na Naman, a music and dance presentation that revolves around two siblings, Luz (Lyra Dominguez) and Gene (Peter Jeensalute), who are reminiscing their early childhood at Christmas time while growing up in the Philippines.

The music part will be provided by Koro Filipino of Los Angeles under the direction of Ning and Joe Manahan while the dance part will be provided

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PeoPle & events

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016

B

1961 UP Diliman High School graduates Paco Catholic School HS Class 1961’s celebrate their emerald milestone in Las Vegas November to Remember Reunion UP High School Diliman 1961 co-graduates from California, Ohio and New Jersey came together in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 29 to November 1, 2016.

The group joined friends living in Las Vegas to mark their Emerald anniversary. Headlining their 4-day reunion was a well-attended concert of “Songs, Music and Memories” by a co-graduate, soprano, Everlita Rivera-David at The Smith Center. This was followed by dinner and fun in Fremont Experience, get togethers in Henderson, riding a private pad on the Linq High Roller and buffet and bowling at the Red Rock Casino. n

Photo shows the UP High School Diliman 1961 graduates with their spouses during their milestone 55th Emerald Anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Standing L-R) Art and Rose Alvarez, Roly Catiis, Paul Cajiuat, Jack Jacala, Dony Joaquin, Manny Tabora, David David, Nelson and Merle Borrero, Doris Velasco, Jess Aquino, Art Jorge, Mario and Marie Maglalang. (Seated L-R) Nina Joaquin, Evelyn Crispino, Norie Catiis, Evelyn Andamo, Aura Cajiuat, Everlita David, Florence Tabora, Myrna Jorge, Bing Jacala and Cora Aquino. Reclining in front is Vicente Velasco

A meaningful gift to save the…

PAGE B4 t

by the Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts. The presentation will prove to be one that is joyful ; full of familiar sights and scents that will bring nostalgia especially among Filipinos living in America. The presentation will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. at Incarnation Community Center, 214 W. Fairview,

EMPLOYMENT

Glendale, CA Tickets are $20 per person.

“Pasko Na Naman” funds will benefit children in the Philippines who are unable to attend school due to poverty and lack of resources.

For ticket information, please call Arnel Bailon at (818) 3103663 Other inquiries, please call

May Mallari at (323) 401-0886.

About the contributor: Jo Solomonson currently teaches Religion in junior high at St. Joseph Catholic School in Pomona, CA. She serves as President of the Filipino Catholics of Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas, CA. She is also the secretary of the Federation of Rosary Groups/ Los Angeles, CA. n

EMPLOYMENT

MEMBERS of this Paconian class came together in Los Angeles, California from November 3 to 6, 2016 for a bit of fun and games and a touch of nostalgia.

PCS HS 1961 graduates residing in California, Florida, Illinois, Las Vegas, New Jersey and Manila, Philippines held their annual reunion to celebrate their milestone Emerald anniversary.

Events of the 4-day reunion included a meet and greet seafood dinner in Sylmar, followed by a full day of karaoke, games, singing, and reminiscing in a clubhouse in Irvine. Tour of celebrity homes and Hollywood sights, worshipping together and Remembrance Hour to memorialize departed and sick friends and relatives capped this annual gathering.

A bit of a backgrounder on the school which has produced many fine graduates spread clear across the world through the decades: Paco Catholic School in Paco, Manila in the Philippines was started in 1934 by a pioneering Dutch priest known fondly as Fa-

PCS ‘1961 Emerald Anniversary celebrants. (L-R) Nap Badillo, Norie Quesada-Catiis, Lou Torres-Salvador, Mila Ranola-Valdez, Bella Lyna, Nelia Manalang-Padua, Olga Adeva Galano, Susan Reinares-Muego, Julito Gernandez, Evelyn Penaloza-De Jesus, Teresa Olarte and Mila DeLeon-David

ther Godo, which was short for Godofredo Aldenhuijsen of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM). Fr. Godo came from a large family of 18 children, 7 of whom entered the religious order to serve the Lord.

He built the parish and school.

Years of building expansion by the intrepid builder-priest turned out to be a well-run and well-re-

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garded parochial school to this day. The school was later administered by Belgian, French and German religious priests and sisters in the nineteen fifties and sixties and local Filipino religious and secular learned men and women in the seventies. Fr. Godo died in 1976 and his remains are interred underneath a bust in his likeness at the school’s quadrangle. n

B NOVEMBER 23-25, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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The Asian Journal

MDWK

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

MAGAZINE

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 23, 2016

Director & filmmaker Jon Jon Augustavo

on his artistic purpose and discovering his Filipino heritage

by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

O

N a recent afternoon, award-winning director and filmmaker Jon Jon Augustavo visited Unidad Park in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown neighborhood, which houses the largest Filipino-American mural in the country.

Surveying the work of art before him, Augustavo pointed to prominent Filipino and Fil-Am figures across various decades— those he’s seen or read about in the news or history books.

Augustavo—whose mother is Filipina—grew up in Seattle and didn’t really know much about his Filipino heritage, other than it physically made him look different from his peers.

“It makes you wonder about who you are and where you fit in,” he told the Asian Journal.

“My past is littered with me trying to find where I fit in.”

Over the past few years, especially since moving to Los Angeles, he has made more of an effort to identify and learn more about the Fil-Am culture.

“It’s important that I know about the side that makes me look different and to be proud of it. I say I am Filipino American, even though I’m not sure culturally what that means. I’m not afraid to say it. But, I’d love to learn more about the cultural side,” he said. “Someone will say, ‘do you like this food?’ but I’ve never had it because I didn’t grow up with that. I grew up with a mother who was told to be an American.”

Artistic purpose With parents who are artists in their own right, Augustavo showed creative promise and drifted towards drawing, painting, and sculpting at an early age.

Then, he began exploring the world of filming and editing when he received his first camera as a teenager.

Guided by this hobby, he graduated from Washington

Director and filmmaker Jon Jon Augustavo

Enjoying halo halo

State University’s Murrow College of Communication and landed his first job in writing and producing news at a station in San Diego.

However, he was dissatisfied with this career path and played around with being behind the camera by making amateur music videos for friends in Seattle. He eventually enrolled in a graduate film program at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

“My friends were rappers and musicians and it seemed like something I could be good at.

From there, I went to school for film and now I do it for a living. I started making shorts and commercials. My hobby became my job,” Augustavo said.

One of Augustavo’s most notable creations is the music video for Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop,” a hip-hop song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013. That same year, Augustavo also went on to collaborate with the rapper and producer duo on videos for “Can’t Hold Us” and “Same Love.”

The three videos were nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards. “Can’t Hold Us” won Best Cinematography and Best Hip Hop Video, while “Same

Love” won Best Video with a Social Message. “Can’t Hold Us” was also nominated for Best Music Video at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

“When I worked with Macklemore, it still felt like I was playing around. I was still in film school and we were buddies.

‘Thrift Shop’ was made with just friends. We had high school kids helping me. It was still the environment of film school, so I don’t consider that a professional job even though it was the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” Augustavo reflected.

Though working with Macklemore helped ignite his career as a director, Augustavo considers “Make A Little Room” for R&B artist Jarvis his first “professional” video since it was for Capitol Records and had a bigger budget.

“This thing for Capitol was different. I had no friends on the job, everyone was professional and had that jaded professional attitude. I was this young director and no one gave me any respect.

The label was very disrespectful.

It was a very tough experience, but I needed that,” he said. “I grew up very quick from that one job. That was a tough video. The other day I was just reflecting on it with a friend, who was my one

he will only accept music video gigs that give him the creative freedom and confidence from friend on the job. We walked the artist to execute his ideas. away from it like, ‘Do we want to “I used to just do really pretty do this anymore?’” shots and make the artist look In nearly four years, he has good. I almost never use the worked with chart-topping artist anymore, just because I artists, such as Shawn Mendes gravitate more towards film now for several videos, including and am trying to make movies. breakout hit “Stitches,” and Mike The last couple of years I’ve only Posner for “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” done narrative. You can’t really (SeeB Remix). do commercials if you don’t do Augustavo’s artistic style of narrative already because they turning a song into a narrative want you to tell a story in 30 has since progressed, as well. He seconds, but in videos, that’s counts director Spike Jonze as not necessary. Like 5 percent of one of his role models. videos are stories. They say ‘you “I think narcissistically or self- don’t want that,’ but those are ishly I look up to him because he the videos you remember. Over started in the same place as me. the last three and a half years He was kind of viewed as this of videos, I’ve become more of young whippersnapper type and just a narrative director. I have didn’t have a lot of depth to him moved away from performance because he was making these and style, which have been great. cool, funky videos. The guy’s When I do videos, they’re defimaking these very emotional, nitely more of my video than the heartfelt films that are winning artist’s video. That’s the trust they Academy Awards, [while simulta- give you when they hand it over neously] making commercials to to you,” the director said. dramatize a lamp sitting on the Despite his success as a sidewalk. Originally he didn’t get music video director, Augustavo’s respect because he was making focus is shifting more toward crazy videos, but he was using making films. One way he is that to try things out… It’s cool continuing to develop his craft to see that a guy like that, who is by constantly creating videos, started similarly to me, is now a even daily, consuming art and very respected, A-level direcasking for feedback from fellow tor for film and commercials,” creatives.

Augustavo said.

“I’m still an infant as a direcThese days, Augustavo said tor; I’ve been doing it for three

PLAY NOW TO DECEMBER 18

AJPress photos by Noel Ty

years. The only way to get good at this is to always be making and always consuming film and art. Before I was a professionally doing it, I was always trying to make things.It takes something in you just to always be creating or writing. I have so many scripts I’ve written that no one has read.

It’s just that I had an idea, it’s like talking to you. I have an idea and I need to get it out. You need that exercise to get better and think of another idea. You also have to know what’s out there.

Watch everything, good or bad,” he shared.

“I’m very lucky to have some very talented people whose work I can look at and talk to.

They help me be better, they ask questions, they push you. There’s few that I trust a lot, but I do have friends that are in a similar field as me that I can trust to push me. Their questions aren’t to hurt you. They’ll read your script and say, ‘Why is it this way?

What is this? It doesn’t work for me,’ because I trust them. they’re not saying it to cut your legs out, they want it to be better.

They inspire me just as much as anything else.”

In the latter part of this year, he has worked on two short films and shot videos in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Detroit, New Jersey and New Orleans “that show emotion Continued on Page 4

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entertainment

Angelica Panganiban: 24 years and counting

by IrIsh

ChrIstIanne DIzon Philstar.com

Not many 30-year-olds can say they have been working for 24 years. But this is Angelica Panganiban’s reality. When she was six years old, her mother became fixated on the idea of her cherub-faced baby girl joining a “Little Miss SM” contest. “Gustong-gusto niya kasing dinedress up ako. Lagi niya akong isinasali sa mga sagala. Yung mga kamag-anak, mga friends, kinukuha akong abay, flower girl. So sa ganun ako nag-start,” Angelica begins.

It’s not that Angelica doesn’t want to be an expert at juggling multiple jobs. And she sounds sincere when she expresses her respect for celebrities who go straight from a teleserye taping to a movie shoot. “Bilib na bilib ako sa mga ganun kasi kaya nilang hatiin yung ginagawa nila.

Sobrang talented nung mga kaya nilang mag-deliver with flying colors kahit puyat sila,” she says.

Angelica knows herself very well and is aware she’s not built for this kind of schedule. “Ako kasi ‘pag puyat, may tendency na uminit yung ulo ko or minsan tatamarin na ‘ko. Yung, ‘Puwede na ’to.’ Ayokong magkaroon ng kahit na anong ganung moment sa mga projects na gagawin ko.” In 2015, she dedicated her energy to reprising the iconic Madame Claudia role in the “Pangako Sa ’Yo” reboot and didn’t say yes to any other offers.

Aside from the story’s genre (“heavy drama”), the character she was playing (Madam Claudia is a “driven, ruthless, and manipulative woman tormented by her past,” clarifies Star Creatives’ Angelica Sales), and the punishing schedule (“Hand to mouth kami eh, so kung ano yung shinu-shoot namin ng umaga, pinapalabas na namin ng gabi.”), her congenital heart problem made things difficult. Fatigue makes her palpitate, something she keeps secret to avoid inconveniencing the people on set.

“Kahit inaatake na ako, tinutuloy lang namin yung eksena. Kasi nagpa-panic sila, natataranta sila, gusto nila ko itakbo kaagad sa ospital.” She has prescribed medication for these attacks, but the meds make her “groggy,” making inhabiting Madam Claudia’s reptilian skin a real “struggle.”

‘The Unmarried Wife’ Which is why in March this year, a month after “Pangako

Angelica Panganiban

Sa ’Yo” wrapped up, she nearly turned down the offer to play scorned spouse Anne Victorio in the movie “the Unmarried Wife.” When they told her it was going to be a drama film, Angelica politely declined, telling her bosses that she’d rather focus on comedy for now. (“Napapanaginipan ko pa yung show eh [Pangako Sa ’Yo]. Nagigising ako sa madaling araw kasi feeling ko late ako sa call time. tapos minsan sa panaginip ko hinahanap ako sa set, tapos sinasabi ko sa sarili ko sa panaginip ko, ‘Hoy, tapos na yung show. Matulog ka, ’wag kang gumising tapos na yung show.”) But they were insistent, telling her, “Pakinggan mo muna.” Angelica did, and she reconsidered. the story, written by Vanessa Valdez, revolves around young couple Anne and Geoff (played by Dingdong Dantes), and how the latter’s infidelity wrecks their marriage and their family. Anne, for a time, is a brand manager, mother and wife, in that order, which becomes her husband’s excuse to philander. After he cheats on her for a second time, Anne unexpectedly finds solace in Bryan (played by Paulo Avelino), a man who smells like cigarettes and takes her for AtV rides in the rough roads of Rizal. Some dismiss the Unmarried Wife as just another kabit film, but it succeeds where others have failed: to go beyond dishing out quotable quotes, to establish that concubinage is not just against the law of God, but also against the law of man — that there are legal repercussions when you engage in it. (Also refreshing to note: No wife versus mistresses sampalan!) this film is more nuanced than the ones that came before it. In a confrontation scene between the mother of the wife

and the mother of the husband, betrayal is framed in the context of our patriarchal society.

Commitment, discipline, and patience If 2015 was all about “Pangako Sa ’Yo,” Angelica dedicated her energy to playing Anne in 2016. Vanessa, who has worked with Angelica before, says she has never seen the actress this “committed and disciplined and patient and persevering.”

“She pays attention to details, right down to the continuity of scenes — whether they ought to be night or day. She’s become more open to everyone around her, more attuned to how people feel.” Paulo Avelino, who had never worked with Angelica prior, describes her as “a very brave, excellent actress.” He adds, “She’s someone who’s not afraid of what people will think of her, of whether she’ll look ugly onscreen.”

Angelica’s other leading man Dingdong is “floored by how good she was,” says Vanessa, often texting the screenplay writer his feedback regarding her acting. this is Angelica’s and Dingdong’s third time working with each other, and it’s interesting to note that not once did the two become romantically linked, nor did Angelica ever figure in a fight with Marian Rivera, Dingdong’s famously feisty wife.

In “the Unmarried Wife,” there is a lot of kissing and some sexually charged scenes, but Angelica wasn’t worried about those.

She was more worried about how Marian would react to how intensely she slapped Dingdong in a confrontation scene. “Mas kinakabahan ako nung nasampal ko si Dingdong,” she says. “Kinabukasan nag-text naman ako.

Sabi ko, ‘Yan, umabuso yata ako sa sampal. Sorry ah. Yaan mo last na ’to. Di na ako ulit tatanggap ng project with him,” she says.

Marian’s reaction? “Natawa lang naman siya. Nangangamusta lang: ‘Kumusta shooting niyo? okay lang ba kayo?’”

Perhaps Marian’s being okay with Dingdong working with Angelica is because the two women are friends. But we’re guessing it also has something to do with Angelica’s professionalism, one she’s honed over the last 24 years. that Dingdong’s real, legal wife can trust Angelica to be his reel, Unmarried Wife tells you that Angelica’s I’m-here-to-worknot-fool-around ethic, like her image, is authentic.

3

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 23, 2016

Janella Salvador delivers positive message of ‘Moana’ WALt Disney Studios Southeast Asia has chosen fast-rising star Janella Salvador to sing and appear in the music video of “How Far I’ll Go,” the lead song from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th animated feature “Moana.” the music video of Salvador’s cover version was launched simultaneously on Disney Channel and Disney Philippines’s social media accounts on Friday, Nov. 18.

“How Far I’ll Go” is one of seven original songs from the Moana soundtrack and is written by the tony Award-winning Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. the inspirational song boasts a soaring chorus and lyrics that echo the film’s plot of a young woman who leaves her South Pacific island to restore her people’s ancient role as master voyagers. the Philippines localized

Janella Salvador

music video aims to deliver the inspirational and positive message of Moana, which is to have courage, determination and compassion, while keeping a sense of adventure and a never-say-die attitude.

Salvador is one of five singers

from Southeast Asia, namely Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, Ayda Jebat from Malaysia, Myra Molloy from thailand and Minh Nhu from Vietnam, who were selected to cover the song in each of their local languages.

(ManilaTimes.net)

Erich Gonzales, Daniel Matsunaga relish moments in ‘Be My Lady

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

Reel and real life couple Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga

AIRING for more than 10 months now, the toprating and social media-trending morning series “Be My Lady” has truly resonated with the Filipino audience. the show’s network, ABS-CBN cannot be happier to see the story of a barrio lass and her handsome prince come to an end on November 25 as one of the most successful tV programs of 2016.

Since January, viewers tuned in to the love story of Phil (Daniel Matsunaga) and Pinang (Erich Gonzales) toward their journey to forever, buoyed by the fact too that the lead stars are also a couple in real life.

Besides the on screen and off screen kilig the pair brings, however, the show further captivated viewers because of its valuable lessons on relationships and family. Indeed, Phil and Pinang’s love proved that culture is not a hindrance to having a long-lasting relationship. the Crisostomo family, meanwhile, exhibited strength and unity during rough times.

Pinang, on the other hand, showed that everyone can reach their dreams with perseverance.

Gonzales expressed her gratitude to be part of the show during their “Be My Lady’s” press conference on Friday, Nov. 18. According to the actress, besides becoming a family on the show with the cast members, she also credits the program for the “stronger” bond she now has with Matsunaga.

“I will miss my co-stars and the rest of the team who have all become my second family. Imagine seeing them everyday for taping—so much more than I see my own family,” Gonzales said. “And because of Continued on Page 5

4

features

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 23, 2016

Pechanga Resort & Casino wins 4 ‘best of’ awards: Journey at Pechanga Golf Pro recognized as 2016 Merchandiser of the Year AwArds season is upon us, but we’re not talking the Emmys, EsPYs or even the Oscars.

Pechanga resort & Casino was recently awarded top honors by three nationally recognized magazines and organizations for its guest service excellence and amenities. The Temecula resort/ casino beat more than 20 other competitors for the distinctions. readers of the soCal Gaming Guide named Pechanga resort & Casino as the Best Casino in southern California. Voted on by magazine readers, 22 southern California tribal casinos were eligible for the distinction in the annual reader’s Choice 2016 BEsT CAsINOs conducted in August.

Pechanga was also awarded Best Overall Gaming resort, Best Golf Course, and Best Craps

by Casino Player Magazine. A repeat winner in Casino Player’s Best Of series, the full-service resort and Journey at Pechanga golf course were the catalysts that won readers over this year. rated among the top public courses in California by Golfweek magazine, readers love the sacred tribal aspects of the course as well as the challenging terrain.

The southern California PGA bestowed Journey at Pechanga’s First Assistant Golf Professional, Bill Crist, with the 2016 Merchandiser of the Year. The course’s 2,600 square foot pro shop features clubs, balls, shoes, apparel, gadgets, magazines, and anything else a golfer needs to go from street to golf chic in a matter of minutes. “Providing friendly customer service is always the top priority for us at the Journey Pro shop,” said Bill Crist. “If we don’t carry something a golfer wants, we’ll do everything we can to find it.”

“At Pechanga we strive to provide a truly exceptional experience to all of our guests - on the casino floor, at the

Talking turkey about Thanksgiving safety Though unattended cooking remains the biggest problem, worn appliance cords and overloaded outlets are also fire and shock hazards to avoid

by Paul

Netter

FIrE takes no holiday.

Thanksgiving is proof positive of that. Nearly four times as many reported home-cooking fires usually happen on Thanksgiving than a typical day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Unattended stovetop cooking is the biggest problem, leading to one-third of those fires.

Additionally, electric stovetops factor in a disproportionate number of those fires.

Though 60 percent of households cook with electricity, the fire association says that 80 percent of the stovetops involved in reported cooking fires are powered by electricity.

“Keeping an eye on your cooking can go a long way toward keeping your Thanksgiving

fire-free,” said Paul Jeske, sCE’s director of Corporate Health and safety. “Never leave your stovetop cooking unattended.

If you have to leave the kitchen even briefly, turn off the stove or get someone to watch it.”

But, it doesn’t stop there.

There are other electrical hazards, like overloading extension cords or plugging a major appliance like a space heater into an extension cord, to avoid as well.

To prevent fires and other electrical hazards on a day when 88 percent of Americans are expected to eat turkey and there is an average of 10 fatalities, 50 injuries and $28 million in property damage, southern California Edison offers some Thanksgiving safety tips: • Before using them, replace any appliances with frayed or

worn cords and ensure that all appliances bear the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.

• Need more power to make everything work? do not overload outlets with multiple adaptors or power strips.

• water and electricity don’t mix and, for the best protection, plug all countertop appliances into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter-protected outlets.

• In the event of a fire, never fight an electrical or grease fire with water. Only use a UL-listed fire extinguisher rated for electrical and grease fires.

• For a prompt warning of a fire, never disconnect smoke detectors while cooking.

And deep fryers? Not only does the fire association discourage them, UL still refuses to certify turkey fryers. *Advertising Supplement

Director & Filmmaker Jon Jon...

From Page 2

hotel, in the spa and on the golf course, so to be recognized by those guests for our efforts is an honor,” said rudy Prieto, Pechanga resort & Casino General Manager.

Pechanga’s 200,000 square foot casino floor sets the bar high for casinos throughout the country, having a larger casino floor than any Las Vegas resort, as well as being one of the largest resort-casinos in the United states. A selection of 3,400 slot machines, 130 table games, 700-seat Bingo hall, 43-table poker room, dedicated nonsmoking areas and opulent high limit amenities, the prestigious awards are well deserved.

To experience all the award winning amenities and gaming Pechanga resort & Casino has to offer, visit pechanga.com.

Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/ca-

sino experiences anywhere in the United states. Voted the Number One Casino in America by readers of UsA TOdAY and rated a Four diamond property

by AAA since 2002, Pechanga resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. Offering more than 3,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1888-PECHANGA or visit www.

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Follow Pechanga resort & Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. *Advertising Supplement

and a different side of the United states, not just stereotypes,” he said.

“Honestly, the biggest dream in my life is to do a feature film.

I think I set out to do that. That’s my goal in life. I love music videos, but it’s never going to fully be your project — as much as I make it that. As much as you can, you can’t fully put yourself into it because there are people making sure it speaks to the song,” he shared. “with a film, it’s the closest it can be to your own voice the director or artist.

My goal has always been to make a film that speaks to who I am as a person, director, artist or whatever it is.

My main goal, main dream is to do that. And to have someone allow me to make what I think is right with the story I want to tell.”

On visiting the Philippines One of his plans in the coming months is to visit the Philippines to scout locations for a film idea he has been developing a script for. He also intends for this

trip to be a learning experience about where his mother’s side of the family hails from.

“I come from a family that is stereotypically not Filipino. I have my mom and one auntie, who has one daughter. My grandparents have passed away, we don’t know our family in the Philippines or how to connect with them. I grew up 0 percent Filipino. People would ask me, ‘what are you? where are you from?” he said. since he didn’t grow up idolizing a particular figure who looked like him, he hopes he can break stereotypes on Asian American males and be an inspiration for future Fil-Ams who want to make it in the entertainment industry too.

“I don’t think it’s going to change overnight, but the more people are proud of their roots, it will help the next generation be proud of it too. It’s not like you have to stand on a soapbox and say it, but at least feel more comfortable in your skin. It’s very difficult growing up, especially where I did, to be proud and comfortable that I am how I am,” he said.

2016 MMFF minus Wenn Deramas

by Edgar

O. Cruz

Philstar.com

WITHOuT director Wenn Deramas, the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), will the annual event be the same?

The television/film writer/helmer widely known as the Blockbuster Director who passed on at 49 early this year from cardiac arrest will be out. In the year that MMFF is curiously undergoing a direction-changing “#Reelvolution,” Wenn will not be at the turnaround year.

Wenn entered MMFF with Ai-Ai delas Alas’ iconic starrer Ang “Tanging Ina Mo” series.

Wenn owns three slots in the 2015 List of Highest-Grossing Films (Local and Foreign) in the Philippines with his MMFF films “Beauty and the Bestie” (Yes, it is 2015 MMFF highest estimated grossing film with P526M) at rank No. 3, “The Amazing Praybet Benjamin” with P456M at rank No. 5 and “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” with P436M at rank No. 7.

All were MMFF entries, the other Philipines-made film is Cathy Garcia-Molina’s “A Second Chance” with P446M at rank No. 5.

“Iron Man 3” with P626M and “The Avengers” with P601M hold ranks No. 1 and 2 in that order.

MarfOri ManilaTimes.net

WHILE almost everyone is looking forward to spend time with loved ones this season, Solenn Heussaff and her Argentinian husband Nico Bolzico will be spending their first Christmas as a married couple away from each other.

This good looking twosome tied the knot with a beautiful wedding just this May, but nonetheless decided to spend the break apart. Solenn needs to stay in Manila to continue taping for GMA Network’s Encantadia, while her husband always goes to Argentina for a month every Christmas to be with family.

Given her tight schedule, Solenn will only have four days off in December, which is just enough time go to Palawan

5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 23, 2016

Erich Gonzales, Daniel Matsunaga relish...

From Page 3

this show, my relationship with him [Matsunaga] is more solid.

For better or for worse, we always have each other, supporting each other,” she added.

Known as “DanRich”, the celebrity couple first met when they appeared on special episodes of KrisTV and then were Wenn with Coco Martin, writer Mel Mendoza-del Rosario and Vice Ganda during the victory party of soon paired on primetime via “Beauty and the Bestie.” the hit series, “Two Wives.” The Wenn is the highest-grossing with “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank two admitted they got together 2.” This is assuming, for sure, Filipino helmer as of 2015 and back in June 2015. their entries are picked as official topped MMFF grosses in the “I agree with Erich. The entries. last four years (with “Sisterakas” whole year we have learned so The kind of commercialism at P393M) as director, from 2012 much about each other. We’re that Wenn and the perennial top so much stronger than we could to 2015. grossers represented is precisely be. Right now, we are in a stage Known for his own brand the reason the 2016 MMFF camp comedy, Wenn selected where we stepped up, not just Executive Committee opted to top crowd drawers for headlinbecause of work but because of adapt global film festival staners, among them Ai-Ai, Vice the time that we spent togethdards of finished entries, quality er—that was the most precious Ganda and Kris Aquino with a films and open category. complement unswerving supthing,” the 27-year-old Brazilian If this is achieved, who port cast. He made them act out actor-model explained. knows if Wenn’s absence will fresh narratives to bring capAsked if they wish they open doors for a different kind tured viewers reeling and rolling would be paired up again for of comedy. But the most daring with laughter. their next TV project, Gonzales Ai-Ai and Vice with the work- challenge is to exceed his boxsaid yes without hesitation. office record. ing title Sampung Gamol will be “Of course I still want to work But Christmas without MMFF with him because it’s so good back, with Vice and Coco Martin as much-anticipated by children as lead actors in that order. to work with the one you love. and families to celebrate it with Although they never launched But we also understand that it’s is a dire and disgusting prostheir dream full-length feature, not always possible we get to Eugene Domingo will be present pect. work together. Honestly, we’re not really a love team, we were together as a couple before we were given this opportunity to have a show together—so we’re just very grateful. Work is work with her sister and parents. so if the project is good, why Ever the cool chick, the actress, would we refuse. It would be a singer and recording artist told blessing.”

In The Know, “Oh well, wala If they do work on other kaming magagawa. OK lang projects, how will she feel if naman because I’m working, she sees her boyfriend kissing another actress on the screen? and we’ll have many ChristGonzales replied, “It’s not for mases until we die!” she added me to forbid Daniel from all the laughing. things he has to do. I will always Solenn is proud of Nico who support him, and as an artist, became an instant social media I understand there are certain celebrity after he posted videos things we have to do that are of her in her most unguarded required for scenes.”

Solenn Heussaff and her Argentinian husband moments. Nico now has more The same goes for MatsuNico Bolzico. than 166,000 followers on naga whoever his girlfriend’s Instagram, thanks to the secret meddle with each other’s lives. next leading man will be. “I have trust in her. That’s imporShe doesn’t want Nico to get videos he takes of his beautiful tant, I know she’s a professional into showbiz, and neither does wife while she dances in front when it comes to work, even in she get involved in his agriof the mirror and when she business, “para marami pa kami our own scenes. If it’s work, it’s wakes up. Nico even makes up work, and if your relationship is witty hashtags, and calls Solenn mapag-usapan.” strong in God and in each other, Asked about their plans to “wifezilla” because of how she I think there’s nothing to worry have kids, Solenn is looking at trains him to be tidy at home. about.”

2018 as the year they’ll start Solenn says their relationDuring the last episode of ship works because they do not “trying.”

“Be My Lady,” Pinang and Phil

Solenn and hubby to spend Christmas apart

by MJ

features

finally tied the knot after a long courtship. The couple said that although the show previewed a wedding, they are not pressured to get married too even if they do talk about marriage.

“We are not pressured. They saw it, they loved it and they supported us. If it’s the time to get married for us in real life,

it’s time. If I think I’m settled and I can afford to raise family, that’s it,” said Matsunaga. “I’m still working hard right now, and we’re focused on our careers.

I’m working on my house but I still won’t be able to provide everything. I don’t want to depend on anyone but everything is coming along,” he said.

6

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$1.59 38%

CELERY BUNCH

1

$ 59 WAS

Cow & Mill Sweetened Condensed Creamer 13.8oz

Nestle Table Cream Big 12.5oz

Black & White Filled Evaporated Milk 14oz

each SAVINGS

SAVINGS

$0.99 49%

SPINACH

CUCUMBER

$ 99

SAVINGS

WAS

$0.50 68%

pcs for

Orientex Lumpia Shanghai Asstd Flavors 2 lbs

pcs for

SAVINGS

5$

each

1

2$

6$

pcs for

$0.50 60%

Argentina Boneless Fiesta Ham 2.2lbs

SAVINGS

Fresh Produce

WAS

Hereford Cooked Ham 16 oz

WAS

$2.99 43%

SIERRA MACKEREL

Magnolia Queso De Bola 500g

1499 WAS

SAVINGS

$ 69/lb

$10.99 18%

for

WAS

$1.99 15%

HAMACHI BABY YELLOWTAIL

Grocery

SAVINGS

FILIPINO EGGPLANT

99

¢

WAS

$1.79 SAVINGS

/lb 45%

1

2$

lbs for WAS

SAVINGS

$0.79 37%

SWEET POTATO

1

2$

lbs for WAS

SAVINGS

1

4$

lbs for WAS

SAVINGS

$0.50 50%

GREEN CABBAGE

3

lbs for WAS

99¢ SAVINGS

$0.99 67%

UPO

1

2$

lbs for WAS

SAVINGS

$3.99 60%

$0.99 49%

$0.79 37%

PINEAPPLE

BIG TARO

JICAMA

“WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE SALES PROMO WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REPLACE ITEMS WITH PRODUCTS OF APPROXIMATE VALUE. NO RAIN CHECKS. PROMO GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON OR PROMO. PRICES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. GIVEAWAYS NOT VALID FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISCOUNT.”