LA Weekend Edition -- August 29 -- September 01, 2015

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August 29-September 1, 2015

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 25 - No. 66 • 4 Sections – 36 Pages

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PH seeks US help in West Philippine Sea developments

by AlExis

romEro Philstar.com

MANILA - The Philippines has sought help from the United states to monitor “real-time” developments in the south China sea and West Philippine sea, providing surveillance and reconnaissance, a military spokesman said, amid China’s rapid expansion in the area.

Col. restituto Padilla said the

defense ministry had asked Us Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris to provide air cover for a Philippine civilian ship that regularly delivers supplies to Ayungin (second Thomas) shoal in the West Philippine sea.

“We want the Us military to watch over our ships, which China attempts to block every time we rotate troops and bring supplies to a ship that ran aground on Ayungin shoal,” Padilla said.

USA

DATELINE Filipino immigrant in Hawaii arrested for fatally stabbing wife FrOM THe AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMErIcA

ALIAMANU, Hawaii – A Filipino immigrant was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife by stabbing her several times during an argument August 17.

Police arrested Pablo Fiesta Jr., 46, who was charged The victim, Cecilia Fiesta, with second-degree reportedly worked two jobs so murder in the death she could bring her husband of his wife, Cecilia and child from the Philippines Fiesta, 43, in their last year. home at 1017 Puolo Drive.

Their 10-year-old daughter saw her father stab her mother in their living room about six times in the back and torso, according to a police report filed in Honolulu District Court.

Cecilia Fiesta was Stabbing suspect, Pablo Fiesta. taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Pablo Fiesta gave himself up to police a day after the stabbing. He was detained Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Cecilia Fiesta reportedly held two jobs to bring her husband and a 17-year-old daughter to Hawaii from the Philippines about a year ago. (Inquirer.net)

Rep. Mike Honda condemns Jeb Bush’s ‘anchor babies’ line sILICON VALLeY - Congressman Mike Honda condemned republican presidential aspirant Jeb Bush for suggesting that having “anchor babies,” or the use of birthright citizenship by having one’s child born in the Us, is mainly practiced by Asians.

In an interview on August 24 Jeb Bush, apparently trying to avoid criticism from the voteheavy Latino community, defended his use of the term “anchor babies” by saying, “Frankly, it is more related to Asian people.”

Honda (Democrat-silicon Valley), chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus responded to Bush’s remarks: “This language is a slur against all immigrants and has no place in our culture. We need to be focused on elevating the conver-

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Harris was in Palawan to see first-hand the situation in the area, near where China has built artificial islands.

China claims most of the south China sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, chief of the Armed Forces

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Filipino teacher honored

by White House, LA City Hall by christinA

m. oriEl/AJPress

LOs ANGeLes - In high school, Jaime Ballesteros didn’t think he would be able to attend college because of his undocumented status.

Originally from Bacolod City, Philippines, Ballesteros was 11 years old when his family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey after his father obtained a temporary work visa for an accounting job.

However, when the recession hit, Filipino teacher Jaime Ballesteros receives a Ballesteros’s father recognition from the City of Los Angeles on lost his job and the Wednesday, Aug. 26. visa.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreron “Overnight my family became undocumented,” Ballesteros shared. “I never really knew how to deal with it until I opened up to my teacher during the junior year of high school.”

He kept his undocumented status a secret at first, but eventually confided in his english teacher, Ms. solberg, who helped him research colleges that could offer merit scholarships for undocumented students. Ballesteros went on to Drew University, a liberal arts college in New Jersey that granted him a scholarship.

During his junior year in college, his mom encouraged him to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that President Obama announced in 2012, and he was approved to live and work in the Us legally.

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Newly-appointed Judge Julian Racana takes the Oath of Office from his father, Judge Mel Recana, on Thursday, Aug. 27 at a ceremony held at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

Fil-Am Julian Recana sworn in as LA County Superior Court judge

by Allyson

EscobAr

a deputy district attorney for LA County, was among 19 superior LOs ANGeLes - A Filipino- court judges recently appointed American judge was sworn into around the state. the LA County superior Court on The Honorable sean D. Coen, an Thursday, Aug. 27 at a ceremony LA County superior Court judge, held at the stanley Mosk Court- served as the event’s master of house in downtown. ceremonies on Thursday. Over Julian C. recana of Long 200 people, including a number Beach became the newest Fil- of judges, lawyers, and district atAm judge, following his appoint- torneys, attended the ceremony, ment by Governor Jerry Brown in which took place inside the largJuly. recana, who has served as er Presiding Judge’s Courtroom.

AJPress

by robErtzon

rAmirEz

Poe has the highest popularity ratings among possible presidential candidates in the 2016 elecMANILA - As sen. Grace Poe tions. The ruling Liberal Party has continues her soul searching amid long been trying to convince her calls for her to run for president to be the running mate of its presinext year, the senate electoral Tri- dential candidate, Interior and Lobunal (seT) has directed the Bu- cal Government secretary Manuel reau of Immigration (BI) and the roxas II. National statistics Office (NsO) to In a resolution dated Aug. 27 produce her citizenship and birth and signed by the nine-member certificate documents, signaling seT, the two government agenthe start of an investigation that cies—through a subpoena duces Sen. Grace Poe has not yet announced her could make or break her political tecum—were directed to produce plans for the 2016 national elections. future. u PAGE A3 Philstar.com photo by AJ Bolando Philstar.com

INC wants DOJ to stop probe on illegal detention raps filed by expelled minister

by JAymEE

t. GAmil, Jovic yEE tArrA Quismundo Inquirer.net

THe Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) took its protest to eDsA on Friday, Aug. 28 to pressure the Department of Justice (DOJ) to drop its investigation of the alleged kidnapping of several INC ministers.

At 8:30pm, hundreds of INC members converged outside sM Megamall Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City and then started to march toward shaw Boulevard.

The marchers chanted, “Justice!

INC! Nobody goes home!”

By 11:30pm, TV5 reported that President Benigno Aquino III’s aunt, Margarita “Tingting” Co-

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Grace Poe’s birth, travel records sought

Iglesia Ni Cristo protesters occupy EDSA And

The reception was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, featuring a performance from young a capella group The Filharmonic.

Julian’s father, Honorable Judge Mel red recana, was appointed by Gov. Brown 34 years ago as the first Filipino-American judge in the United states.

“I’m trying to find any other father-son judge duos in the Us, and I still haven’t found any,” said

FREEDOM OF RELIGION. Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo stage a protest at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas on Friday, Aug. 28. The protesters have been calling for a separation of church and state following Secretary Leila de Lima’s supposed meddling in the internal affairs of their church.

Inquirer.net photo by Rem Zamora

SEAFOOD CITY 1

A AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

PH seeks US help...

PAGE A1 t Western Command based in Palawan, told journalists the US commander promised to help its oldest ally in the Asia-Pacific, but would also prevent conflict from erupting.

“They will be rooting for regional peace and stability. That’s

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From the Front Page

it. They do not want conflict,” Lopez said. “They will help in whatever way.” Officials did not give specifics on the meeting, merely reiterating the oft-repeated lines about defense cooperation between the Philippines and the US. “The trip of Admiral Harris COOPERATION. United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) chief Admiral Harry Harris (right), and Philippine Armed Forces Chief General Hernando Iriberri (left) review the Philippines Armed Forces pass-in-review during an honor ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, Aug. 25. During’ his visit, both leaders agreed on a variety of operations and exercises that are aimed to maintain regional stability.

Armed Forces Philippine photo

to the Western Command was dubbed by the chief of staff as a sort of area familiarization for the new commander of the Pacific Command,” Padilla said.

“Adm. Harris wanted to be apprised of the situation on the ground and follow on a previous meeting with Adm. Alex Lopez, commander of WESCOM, who he met earlier in Singapore during the Shangri-La Dialogue,” he added.

Padilla said Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri

viewed the visit as “a great opportunity to further enhance a long-lasting and enduring alliance.”

“It was also in furtherance of a collective effort at ensuring regional security and stability as well as levelling of expectations,” he added.

Lopez said Harris’ visit paved way to a “meeting of minds that was aimed at having a common appreciation of the situation on the ground.”

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The honorable Fil-Am judges were also present at the ceremony.

Fil-Am Julian Recana sworn in as...

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Judge Mel. Mel also led his newly appointed son in taking the Oath of Office, while Julian’s wife Alexis and two daughters, Julia and Ava, led the enrobing.

“Also, I’ve decided to stay another 34 years—when my beloved granddaughters are next in line,” Mel joked. “This is truly a historic event for our family.”

The Recana family: Judge Julian, his wife Alexis, and daughters Julia, 8, and Ava, 6.

AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

Taking after his father as an experienced and seasoned defense lawyer, Julian joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 1999, seeking justice for victims of crime and murder. As a DA, he served in the Long Beach Courthouse for 11 years. During that time, he also became involved with various bar associations, including the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA), as a founding officer and assistant secretary.

Many of his colleagues and fellow attorneys were also present at the event to give remarks, including Asst. Head Deputy at the LA County District Attorney’s Office, Brian Schirn; the Honorable Judge Tomson Ong of the LA County Superior Court; and Atty. Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo.

Seven other Filipino judges PAGE A4

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From the Front page

Filipino teacher honored by...

PAGE A1 t Since it was introduced, more than 660,000 people have received DACA, according to the White House.

“Applying to DACA is very personal. A lot of immigrants may be scared of coming out of the shad- ows because of the repercus- sions that may come with it. But personally, I feel that DACA has changed the way that I engage every day — I can drive, I can work, I can do all these amazing things I wouldn’t have been able to do without a social security number or a driver’s license...it has impacted me on a positive way,” Ballesteros said. “I definitely recommend that if you are eligible for DACA to pursue it because I don’t think there are negative repercussions from applying and trying.”

Becoming a DACAmented teacher Ballesteros, who graduated from Drew University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in art history and a minor in chemistry, originally intended to go to medical school. But the reality of his status made him recognize that he wouldn’t be able to live out that plan.

With Ms. Holberg and how she impacted his educational career in the back of his mind, he decided to delve into teaching. “…I changed my path in my senior year when I thought back to Ms. Holberg and what she did for me. I joined Teach for America soon after graduating from college,” Ballesteros said.

Sharing how he “wanted to be civically engaged but didn’t know how to do that while being undocumented,” Ballesteros came across Teach for America (TFA) again in college when a friend applied, and saw that the program was accepting corp members who are DACA recipients.

TFA first accepted two “DACAmented” teachers into the program in 2013, and 44 teachers were placed in 10 regions across the country the following year.

To date, over 90 DACAmented teachers are working in 13 regions, according to the organization’s website. Among the areas where the organization has partnerships with schools to hire these teachers are the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

“TFA-Los Angeles has the largest number of DACAmented

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Grace Poe’s birth...

PAGE A1 t

the documents as part of the tribunal’s investigation into allegations by defeated 2013 senatorial candidate Rizalito David that Poe had distorted information in her certificate of candidacy filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) when she ran for senator.

The NSO has been asked to produce Poe’s birth certificate, while the BI has been directed to show her complete travel records, citizenship papers and immigration records when she was still an American citizen.

The SET wants to know if the senator has complied with the Leandro Otero, director of external affairs & partnerships for Teach for America - LA (TFA- LA); requirements under the Republic Stephanie Goodman; Lida R. Jennings, executive director of TFA-LA; Jaime Ballesteros; Joe Act 9139 or An Act Providing for Bernardo, policy analyst for the LA Mayor’s office of immigrant affairs; and Luis Figueroa at the Acquisition of Philippine CitiLA City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon zenship for Certain Aliens by Administrative Naturalization and for other purposes.

The SET also wants the BI to present documents on the oath reportedly taken by Poe when she

re-acquired citizenship.

In the case he filed with the SET, David also alleged Poe failed to satisfy the two-year residency requirement for senatorial candidates.

David said he wanted Poe removed as member of the Senate, citing her not being a natural-born citizen of the Philippines.

Poe’s camp, for its part, said the subpoenas issued by SET were unnecessary because the documents being required for submission would all be included in her response to the petition filed by David.

In a statement, Poe’s chief of staff Nelson Victorino said that “certified true copies of all pertinent documents from the NSO and BI relative to said matters covered by the subpoena will all be submitted to the SET as attachments to Senator Poe’s answer to serve as pieces of evidence that will prove that Senator Poe is a natural born

A

Filipino citizen.”

“She has complied with all other constitutional requirements to become and remain a duly elected senator of the country and that therefore Mr. David’s petition has no legal basis and must be dismissed,” Victorino said.

Poe stated she re-acquired Filipino citizenship in 2005, a year after she decided to finally settle in the Philippines shortly after her father’s death in 2004.

Poe became an American citizen in 1991 after she went to the US to pursue her relationship with her boyfriend, Neil Llamanzares. Poe married the young US navy officer who is a natural-born American.

Poe earlier said she welcomed the filing of the SET case as it would give her the opportunity to address issues leveled against her

by David.

Immigration spokesperson Elaine Tan said that they have yet to receive SET’s order, but assured the tribunal that the bureau would comply with the order. (With reports from Marvin Sy)

Rep. Mike Honda condemns Jeb Bush’s ‘anchor babies’...

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Nine educators who received DACA, including Jaime Ballesteros, were honored by the White House as “Champions of Change” in July.

Photo courtesy of Teach for America - Los Angeles.

corp members in the country across our 52 regions and mainly because when we heard about the opportunity to have DACAmented corp members, we were able to call Los Angeles Unified School District and our big charter partners and say ‘will you hire our teachers? will you support this initiative?’ and all of them across Los Angeles said yes. We have tremendous support from our partners…we’re able to bring in all kinds of folks, like Jaime, as possible because we believe so deeply in his story, in him and the children who have the same experience,” said TFA-LA Executive Director Lida Jennings.

For DACA recipients to be considered for TFA, they must have at least a 2.50 undergraduate GPA, a bachelor’s degree, a social security number and an Employment Authorization Document to meet the hiring requirements of partner schools. TFA

also helps corp members with legal assistance if needed.

Ballesteros is now entering his second year as a high school chemistry teacher for Animo College Preparatory Academy, a public charter school in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Since it’s an inner-city school, Ballesteros said he tries to be positive and engaging in the classroom, noting that some of students may not come from “healthy backgrounds.”

“Throughout my first year, I found out that the key to me being able to make a great impact in the classroom is making strong individual relationships with my students…I pride myself in knowing the strengths of my students and what they need to improve on—that really guides me when I’m planning my lessons and teaching in class,” Ballesteros said.

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sation and working towards real, comprehensive immigration reform.”

Honda continued, “As the representative of the only Asian American majority district in the continental United States, and as a proud American of Japanese descent, I strongly condemn these statements.”

He added, “Our country is one founded on a multitude of cultures and backgrounds, and such closeminded language goes against the foundation of our democracy.”

Honda remarked that the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, “and we cannot

Jeb Bush

Rep. Mike Honda

stand by and let anyone diminish that right.”

“In Silicon Valley, one of the most diverse areas of our coun-

try, we celebrate people from all backgrounds and their contributions to our nation,” Honda stated. (Inquirer.net)

PH seeks US help...

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Asked to confirm reports that the US has already agreed to help the Philippines deliver supplies to troops securing the West Philippine Sea, Lopez said: “We did not tackle that.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs, for its part, said Harris has voiced his country’s commitment to its security arrangement with the Philippines.

Harris made the commitment during a meeting with DFA

Secretary Albert del Rosario at Malacañang onWednesday, Aug. 26.

The DFA said Del Rosario and Harris exchanged views on how to further strengthen the alliance between the Philippines and the US. They also discussed the current regional security environment, and agreed on the need to jointly protect freedom of the seas and oppose any unilateral actions by any country aimed at

changing the status quo in the region.

Harris commanded the US Pacific Fleet from 2013 to May 2015.

The AFP said on Wednesday the US intends to increase its military and humanitarian drills in the Asia-Pacific region as part of a strategy to counter China’s expansion in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Harries discussed key aspects of the Pentagon’s freshly drafted Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Strategy with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief Iriberri at Camp Aguinaldo. n

A AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNALFrom the

Iglesia Ni Cristo protesters...

PAGE A1 t juangco, and Council of Philippine Affairs (Copa) head Pastor Boy Saycon, were seen at the INC rally on EDSA. Cojuangco is the wife of Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, brother of Cory Aquino. The Cojuangco couple and Saycon are allies of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

It was apparently a show of force, as at 9pm the crowd spilled over to the southbound lane of EDSA, paralyzing traffic on the opposite lane.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) placed the crowd estimate at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue to be at 1,500 people.

Meanwhile, those gathered at the intersection of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard were estimated to be at 3,000 as of 11pm.

The protesters cheered as buses gave up on trying to make progress and pulled back to take other routes.

“We are one!” the protesters chanted.

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They repeatedly shouted a countdown, then howled, but gave no explanation of what they were trying to accomplish.

But one sign, repeated on many others, indicated the reason for the mass action: “We won’t be on the street now had the Iglesia been left alone!”

The NCRPO went on full alert starting 6pm as the INC protesters gathered on EDSA. Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, NCRPO director, ordered riot police deployed to the People Power Monument on EDSA. Malacañang said the government was monitoring the INC mass action to ensure public safety.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Aquino did not call an emergency meeting. But a source said Interior Secretary Mar Roxas was called to Malacañang.

Coloma declined to comment when asked if the President alerted the military and the police as more INC members poured into the stretch of EDSA from EDSA Shrine to Shaw Boulevard.

“The government is taking appropriate action with focus on public safety assurance,” Coloma said when asked if there was reason for the public to worry about the INC mass action turning into a people power uprising.

Pagdilao said Task Force Manila Shield was activated.

Task Force Manila Shield is a complex police security arrangement for securing Metro Manila during massive demonstrations.

The task force was last activated in 2014, during the rallies against the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

Roxas, overseer of the Philippine National Police, ordered maximum tolerance as the protesters grew in number.

He said the rule of law must prevail as the protesters press their accusation that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was meddling in INC internal affairs.

In a statement issued Friday night, Roxas said the police was “duty-bound to ensure that the safety and general welfare of the public is maintained, both those protesting and those uninvolved.”

The INC protesters, numbering about 5,000, had yet to hold a program as of 9 Friday night, although they blocked the northbound lane of EDSA, rendering it impassable to all vehicles.

Chanting “De Lima pabebe (trying to be cute),” the protesters massed in front of EDSA Shrine.

Riot police deployed to EDSA Shrine said they were under orders to keep the INC members out

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Fil-Am Julian Recana sworn in as...

PAGE A2 t

were also present at the event, continuing the legacy of Filipino judges, including California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

Today, there are over 2,000 judges in the state of California - 11 of them Filipino-American, nine of whom serve in Los Angeles County, and only one father-andson duo, the Recanas.

“I want to thank Gov. Brown for appointing me and my father,” said Julian during his closing remarks. “[Mel] becoming a judge was a life-changing experience for me; he later became my coach.

He always motivated me to work hard, and inspired me of what could be.”

Among his other accomplishments, Julian was honored last year with the California Journal for Filipino Americans Community Leadership Award, as well as the Association of Deputy District Attorney’s Prosecutor of the Month award for his successful work in a robbery-murder jury tri-

al. Most recently, he received the prestigious National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPIA)’s “2015 Prosecutor of the Year.”

But Julian owes all of his success to family and especially to his late mother, Emerita Recana.

“Her spirit is here in this courtroom,” he said.

“You have made all of us proud, and especially Mom,” said his wife Alexis.

Philippine Consulate General Leo Herrera-Lim also applauded Julian’s appointment to the bench.

“We could not be any prouder for a guy like Julian, who really represents our community well… and more importantly, we get one more notch in having a Filipino judge in the California judicial system,” Herrera-Lim told the Asian Journal. “We need more good people like Julian to serve as role models, and a representative for our community. I hope that while we celebrate today, that tomorrow we continue looking for our next

judge.”

“For aspiring Filipinos, we should learn from the experience of Julian being appointed, and draw strength from our community, to make their own push as the Recana judges have,” he continued.

A key aspect of the father-andson appointments as Filipino judges is diversity on the bench.

“We are all striving for diversity, for the judiciary to protect all the people and represent their diversity. We need these different bar associations to find qualified candidates out there and become involved,” said Julian. “It is my hope that me standing here today will inspire people who ever thought of filling out that application, to just do it. I hope one day I can be sitting in the audience watching someone take the great oath of becoming a judge too.”

Looking on at his father, his loving wife and two daughters, and his audience of enthused supporters, Julian smiled.

“I am the luckiest man in the world.” n

Filipino teacher honored by...

PAGE A3 t Similar to how Ms. Holberg took an interest in him despite his immigration status, the 23year-old teacher intends to do the same with his students.

“In sharing my story with some of my students, they’ve also told me that they themselves are undocumented,” he said. “I’ve been working with them to look for different colleges and scholarships they can apply to so that’s definitely been a powerful experience to do what my teacher did for me back in high school.”

At Animo, about 80 percent of the students are Latino, and many of his students are undocumented or have family members who are.

“Jaime represents a commitment that we as an organization have made to bring teachers to match the backgrounds of our students. This is a more personal story behind that, but we are bringing in a more diverse corp and we’re proud to say that our students are being taught by people that look like them and come from the same background. It’s a commitment we’re going to continue see through,” Leandro Otero, director of external affairs and partnerships for TFA-LA said.

Though he is in a unique posi-

tion to connect with his students on a more personal level, Ballesteros shared that other teachers may not be aware of how to handle undocumented students. “[Teachers] should inform themselves of the struggles that undocumented students face and the solutions that are available for these students. It’s not enough to tell the students that they need to work hard. I think teachers need to provide actionable solutions to students,” he said.

Champion of change In July, nine educators who have received DACA were honored by the White House as “Champions of Change.”

“This event honored nine young leaders in the field of education that are also DACA recipients, who have been strong role models for students and families, as well as change agents within their communities,” the White House said in a statement.

Among the nine was Ballesteros, who flew out to DC for an awards ceremony for the leaders and a convening of DACAmented teachers hosted by TFA. The DACA-recipient teachers also spoke on a panel about their experiences and pathways into teaching.

“It was definitely a very surreal experience. As someone who is

undocumented, I never thought I would have been honored at the White House or even step foot in [there]. After finishing my first year—which as any first-year teacher knows is a great feat—it was almost like a victory lap for me for my efforts to be recognized,” Ballesteros recalled.

Since joining TFA, the recognitions for Ballesteros haven’t stopped there.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the City of Los Angeles presented a certificate to Ballesteros in an intimate ceremony.

“This is a such a big honor for me, especially just moving to LA and just starting my second year in teaching,” he said.

In addition to teaching, Ballesteros is currently pursuing a master’s degree in urban education at Loyola Marymount University and hopes to shape education policy in the future.

“I plan on staying in the classroom as long as I can and making a career out of education. Eventually, way into the future, I see myself making an impact on education policy because I feel that as a teacher, I have control on the impact that I could make on the 120 students that go through my classroom each day. As I gain more experience, I want a broader impact on my students,” he said. n

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California Senate advances six tobacco regulation bills

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

WASHED ASHORE. A 400-meter pipe is found along the shoreline of Barangay Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union. Residents in the area believe the pipe is the same used by the Chinese to build structures in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

ManilaTimes.net photo by Lester Cardinez

Iglesia Ni Cristo protesters...

PAGE A4 t of the shrine.

“We want to show this government, especially Injustice Secretary (Leila de Lima) that the INC can muster its own people power,” said an elderly INC member who identified herself as Ka Minda.

Ka Minda said the INC protesters wanted De Lima to stop meddling in the group’s internal affairs.

Earlier Friday, INC members said they would not leave their protest in front of the DOJ building in Manila until they were recalled by the leaders of their church.

The city government was willing to allow them to stay there for one week, with Mayor Joseph Estrada extending their rally permit up to Friday next week, but the Iglesia protesters said they would stay “for as long as the church’s administration wants us to be here.”

Invoking the constitutional provision on the separation of church and state, the INC ordered the protest to pressure De Lima to give up the investigation of the alleged abduction of several INC ministers who had spoken against questionable decisions of the sect’s governing council called Sanggunian.

Human shield Afraid of prosecution and aware of their guilt, the INC highest administrative body is using church followers as human shields against the law, lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Friday night, speaking

on behalf of her client Isaias Samson Jr., the expelled INC minister whose detention, harassment, threats and coercion charges filed in the DOJ against Sanggunian officials spurred protests against De Lima at her very doorstep.

“The Sanggunian, the people who we filed charges against are running scared, they are very, very afraid,” said Angeles when reached by phone.

She said the charges filed earlier this week were only the initial set of cases that her client is planning to lodge against his former peers in the church.

Samson, former editor in chief of the INC’s official publication Pasugo (God’s Message), has accused Sanggunian members of placing him and his family under “house arrest” in July amid an apparent crackdown against church members critical of certain practices of INC officials.

“First they thought Ka Jun (Samson) would not put his money where his mouth is, so to speak, that he was afraid. They thought they had neutralized him. But with his coming out and filing cases, these are only the first cases.

There are more. And they know that,” Angeles said.

Church divided “Not only that. They are also aware of their own guilt, that much of the church is aware of their guilt. This is a church divided, as

u PAGE A6

ThE state Senate approved on Thursday, Aug. 27, six tobacco regulation measures that would raise the smoking age in California from 18 to 21 and restrict e-cigarette usage in a variety of public areas.

Thursday’s vote marks the second time in three months that California’s Senate has advanced measures boosting the smoking age and restricting e-cigarettes. The package of legislation also expands on tobacco bans in schools and workplaces.

“We cannot continue to sit by while these tobacco companies continue to poison generation after generation with their addictive products,” said Sen. Ed hernandez (D-West Covina), who pushed for the bill supporting the increase in smoking age, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Behind the legislation restricting e-cigarettes was Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), who revived an earlier measure during a special health care session. Leno’s proposal came in part as a response to a federal finding last year revealing that use of e-cigarettes among teenagers has multiplied three times in the last couple of years.

“This is important because the fastest growing segment of the e-cigarette market is middle and high school students,”

Leno told his colleagues, pointing out that 11 other states, including Colorado and Minnesota, possess similar laws, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The bills passed mostly along partisan lines, although Republican Sen. Jeff Stone of Temecula and Democratic Sens. Cathleen Galgiani of Stockton and Richard Roth of Riverside joined their colleagues on opposite parties for certain measures.

“They are going after the kids, and that’s where I have to draw the line,” Stone said in support of the e-cigarette regulation bill.

Opponents of the legislation argue that if Californians are allowed to join the military at 18 years old, they should be permitted to decide if they wish to smoke.

“These people are adults who are willing to put their life on the line for their country and they ought to be able to go buy a pack of cigarettes if they want to,” said Pete Conaty, a lobbyist for the American Legion, according to the Times.

Among lawmakers, Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine), spoke against a measure by Sen. Mike McGuire (D-healdsburg) that would allow local governments to impose their own taxes on tobacco.

“If we want to ban cigarettes, let’s just ban them,” he said. “This slow approach makes no sense to me.”

Anderson argued that allowing local governments to increase levies on tobacco would probably discourage smoking and cause a drop in California’s tobacco revenues.

“I think we have to be very careful that we don’t kill the golden goose,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

The tobacco industry has contested the regulation legislation, arguing that e-cigarettes are safer since they use vapor rather than combustible tobacco. The industry also notes that the products are often used by smokers working toward eliminating the habit.

The bills now head to the Assembly where they face an uncertain future. In the past, a committee shelved previous Senate legislation.

Along with the six-bill package, a separate measure to increase the to tobacco tax by $2 a pack is supported by Save Lives California, a coalition whose members include the American Cancer Society, American Lung Assn., California Medical Assn. And Service Employees International Union.

Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who is sponsoring the bill, noted that the state’s tobacco tax of 87 cents per pack ranks California 33 in the country, falling behind New York, which tacks a $4.35 tax per pack.

Federal tax on each pack of

cigarettes is $1.01.

Pan said he knows convincing Republicans to back a tax raise will not be easy, but said he believes a tobacco tax is a “win-win” for taxpayers as it would simultaneously boost revenue and decrease costs, Mercury News reported.

“It’s time to step away from the rhetoric and look at the facts,” Pan said, Mercury News reported. “But if my colleagues refuse to support this, we’ll take it to the ballot. The people will pass this.”

In addition to the passage of the six bills, a new Field Poll on Thursday found that twothirds of California voters support a $2 tobacco tax increase.

The survey sampled 1,555 registered California voters and was conducted via phone from June 25 to July 16. Most interviews were done in English, but were also conducted in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and hindi.

Another bill approved Thursday by the Senate would permit the California Board of Equalization to charge a $265 licensing fee to tobacco retailers annually instead of a one-time $100 fee. The board would also be allowed to raise the annual license fee assessed on tobacco distributors from $1,000 to $1,200, the Times reported. (With reports from Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News and the Associated Press)

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Kobe Paras ends playing career with LA Cathedral

by Randolph

B. leongson Inquirer.net

United States and the Philippines, Kobe would exhaust his eight semesters of eligibility at the end UCLA-commit Kobe Paras had of the 1st semester this year,” to cut short his high school playMiddlebrooks told the LA Times. ing career with LA Cathedral.

“His family made the decision not His coach William Middlebrooks to have him play for Cathedral for bared the development to the Los only half a basketball season.”

Angeles Times, saying that the difThe 17-year-old Paras had alference between the academic calready played two years in high endars in the Philippines and the school for La Salle Greenhills in United States caused the mix-up.

Kobe Paras won’t be playing for his high school the NCAA before going to the “Due to the difference in aca- team LA Cathedral Phantoms this season.

United States.

Inquirer.net photo by Tristan Tamayo demic calendars between the He will no longer suit up for

Cathedral but Paras, the son of PBA legend Benjie, will still attend classes in the same school.

Paras would exhaust his last remaining semester playing for the Middlebrooks Academy team before going to college in UCLA. He was a key player for the Phantoms averaging 15 points per game as a junior. Paras also attended numerous basketball camps with his AAU team Compton Magic. n

Protesters hit San Jose care home’s refusal to pay unpaid wages I. BaRkIn Inquirer.net

by aRvey

SAN JOSE - More than 50 activists Saturday, Aug. 22 protested in front of a Filipino-owned care home in an attempt to make it pay $83,846 in unpaid wages to two of its former employees, as ordered by the California Labor Commission.

The protesters, members of a coalition led by the Pilipino Association of Workers and Immigrants—Silicon Valley (PAWIS-SV), arrived at the 2882 Scottsdale Avenue address of the Bayview Care Home only to find it shuttered and with no vehicle in the driveway. However, a disabled elderly person was seen being helped into a para-transit SUV at the curb just 30 minutes before the rally.

PAWIS President Michael Dalupo asked that the names and photos of the former employees not be released alleging that the industry blackballs whistleblow-

ers.

The activists distributed copies of their statement to make the neighborhood aware of the wage theft judgment on Bayview.

Abusive owner One of the former Bayview employees told INQUIRER.net that they filed the case jointly near the end of 2012. It took about seven months of investigation. At a court hearing in early 2013, a letter written by the Labor Commission ordered Bayview owner, Lolita Bautista. to pay back wages due. But until now, “We haven’t seen a dime of it.”

The 31-year-old caregiver is owed $53,154.39. He said he worked as a live-in caregiver for more than eight hours a day for almost eight years. He was “not given any meal time breaks.” He also heard Bautista tell the other caregivers, “I don’t want to pay.”

The other caregiver is 53 years old and is owed $25,693.29. She said her sister brought her to Bayview at a time when Bautista

could find no worker. When she told Bautista she could not leave her five-year-old daughter, Bautista allegedly told her not to worry because they could stay in the facility for free. But later, Bautista allegedly charged her for water and electric consumption, and mother and daughter had to room with a relative of Bautista.

But a coalition leader said, “The law states that unless you have a written agreement, you can’t subtract the rent, and the amount that you subtract is set by law. It’s very, very small. You can’t subtract the full amount of the paycheck.”

When she asked Bautista for a rental invoice as her lawyer advised, Bautista reportedly told her she was exaggerating their mutual understanding. Bautista would also instruct the worker to say she was not around when nurses and nutritionists called to collect their bills.

Bautista allegedly told the

caregivers that they were paid to take responsibility even for things they didn’t do. So, when Bautista’s relative inflicted violence on a client, the worker had to say it was her doing. She claimed this led to her firing in April of 2012. Bautista allegedly promised to place her at another job but it didn’t happen and her replacement arrived when she was still working.

The caregiver also alleged that they would get their paycheck regularly on the 15th, but they were usually told to cash it three or five days after. The 53-yearold worker added, “Even if you acquired more pay because of overtime work, Bautista always found ways to bring it down to $50 a day.”

She believes Bautista could afford to pay her because Bautista owns a house in the Yerba Buena Hills and sold her Las Vegas house to her sister a while back.

She also said Bautista owns two

u PAGE A7

thiS Week in RevieW US Two journalists killed during live broadcast A SOUTHWESTERN Virginia WDBJ-TV reporter and her cameraman were shot and killed in the middle of their morning broadcast on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Police later identified the suspect as Vester Lee Flanagan II, one of the journalists’ former TV station coworkers. The person who was interviewed, local Chamber of Commerce executive director Vicki Gardner, was wounded but survived. During a highway police chase, Flanagan shot and killed himself. Police cited racism and bullying as a motive, though Franklin County Sheriff Bill Overton said it was “obvious that Flanagan was disturbed in some way.” The fallen victims were 24-year-old Alison Parker, and her cameraman, 27year-old Adam Ward.

Californians cut water use CALIFORNIANS cut overall urban water use by 31 percent in July, LA officials said. Residents trimmed water use 21 percent, exceeding the 16 percent conservation target set by the state. In June—the first month conservation targets were in effect—statewide use fell by 27 percent. “Los Angeles continues to lead our state in crucial water conservation efforts in the face of this historic drought,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement late Wednesday, Aug. 26, adding that the city “is embracing sustainability and achieving real change.”

Uber and Lyft could soon start operating at LAX AFTER several weeks of debate, the Los Angeles City Council approved a policy that would allow app-based ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to apply for permits to fully operate at Los Angeles International Airport. The services could be operating at LAX in a matter of weeks, and would make Los Angeles the largest city in the nation to allow such services to pick up passengers alongside taxis at its airport.

No more Direction?

BRITISH boyband sensation One Direction has announced they will embark on an extended hiatus starting in March 2015.

After Zayn Malik’s recent departure, the now four-member band has mutually agreed to take a yearlong break to pursue individual projects. The break also means there will not be a tour for their fifth album, which is expected to be released later this year. The boys will continue to promote the album—with brand new songs—through February.

Iglesia Ni Cristo protesters...

PAGE A5 t I said,” she said.

The lawyer said Samson continues to wield influence within the church, with his followers “still growing exponentially” albeit secretly to protect the INC. She said her client already got wind of plans for members to hold protests outside the DOJ even before the first group arrived on Padre Faura. He had also received early information that the members were planning to regroup in Ortigas.

She said INC members participating in the protests were those who had “no choice.”

She said the Sanggunian had also deceived its members by saying that Samson’s complaint placed INC Executive Minister Eraño Manalo under threat of arrest. Manalo is not a respondent in Samson’s charges.

The mass action began on Thursday, with hundreds massing in front of the DOJ building on Padre Faura Street.

The crowd had grown to more than 3,000.

Jeepney drivers complained about the disruption caused by the INC mass action after city authorities closed the stretch of Taft Avenue from Pedro Gil Street to United Nations Avenue, forcing motorists to make a long and winding detour through Paco district to get to their destinations on the northern side of the Pasig River.

Students and workers whose schools and offices are located in the area complained about the racket made by the protesters, and street cleaners denounced the protesters for urinating on walls and dumping trash on the streets.

Peaceful rally Estrada said he extended the protesters’ rally permit because they “gave an assurance that they will hold a peaceful rally and there will be no obstruction of traffic.”

Asked why the INC members were given a rally permit in the first place, Estrada replied: “Why wouldn’t they be allowed? [This is] a free country. It’s a constitutional right. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Estrada said the protest would be allowed only up to the end of the period specified in the permit.

He said he had directed the city police to maintain peace and order in the protest area.

Unaware of the traffic rerouting and the stink caused by the protesters, he said that so far “everything is normal.”

He said the INC members were protesting De Lima’s “one-sided” handling of the alleged abductions.

Malacañang urged the protesters to keep their mass action peaceful.

A source from the INC, who requested not to be named because he had no clearance from the group’s leaders to speak to the media, said the mass action was caused by the “extraordinary attention” given by De Lima to the complaint of illegal detention filed on Tuesday by expelled INC minister Samson. Samson accused members of the INC advisory council of illegal detention, threats and coercion, saying he and his family were placed under house arrest in their own home because the sect’s leadership suspected he was the pseudonymous critic of the group, Antonio Ebangelista, who posted criticisms of the council’s decisions on the Internet.

Samson denied he was Ebangelista. He said he and his family escaped from detention in July.

He also alleged that several INC ministers who had spoken against the council’s questionable financial decisions were also abducted.

The INC protest failed to force De Lima to drop the investigation.

She denied interferring in INC internal affairs, saying she was just doing her job.

De Lima did not show up at the DOJ. Many employees of the department were also unable to report for work because the protesters blocked the gates to the building.

The INC source said De Lima should admit that the process for the filing of the complaint was shortened and that the decision to bring the complaint was influenced by politics.

But acknowledging that such an admission would be political suicide for De Lima, who is expected to run for the Senate next year, the source said the justice chief should at the very least say that she would “reexamine” the complaint. n

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Protesters hit San Jose care home’s refusal...

PAGE A6 t

more care homes – Baymill 1 at Danderhall and Baymill 2 at McLaughlin. Usually, she said, if there was no caregiver at Baymill 1, she would be taken there to pick up the slack and work without a break for the whole month when the other caregiver went on vacation.

Hot beds of wage theft Supervising Attorney for the Workers’ Rights Clinic of the Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center and Ruth Silver-Taube, coordinator of the Wage Theft Coalition, confirmed the abuses occurring at other care homes reported by both Bayview ex-employees.

Silver-Taube explained, “Bayview hides under a shell corporation. It declared bankruptcy and transferred its assets to another entity. Even though it does not exist in the books, the owner now operates a new company, the same owner that continues to steal from workers.”

She also said there are very strict penalties that people don’t know about when abuse of an undocumented immigrant happens. A business can get its license suspended. Any lawyer who writes threatening letters can be disbarred. There are also monetary penalties against threats.

The law protects undocumented workers, said Silver-Taub.

“No one asks immigration status. The Labor Commission does not ask. None of the other government agency asks. There’s a state statute that says you’re not allowed to ask in a lawsuit about immigration status.”

“The only thing that an undocumented can’t do is apply for unemployment because you have to swear you can work legally. They can get worker’s comp, state disability. They can go to the Labor Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and to the Department of Fair Employment & Housing,” SilverTaub explained .

Human trafficking is also rampant in care homes, activists claim. The workers are often abused, are not free to leave and are told they are indebted to the owners “who brought them here.”

Unfortunately, Silver-Taube said, “The law doesn’t have teeth.

If you file a case against someone and you win, neither the courts nor the Labor Commission collect. You need to find a lawyer

who will take 40 percent and who may not even accept the case if it’s below a certain amount. So there’s a culture of non-compliance.”

Successful collection In January this year, eight care homes were docketed at the Santa Clara County Superior Court, owing from about $4,000 to $136,000.

Michael Tayag, PAWIS education officer said, “There are certainly cases of accused care home owners who are not Filipino, but in PAWIS’ experience, all cases against home care owners that our members have filed have been Filipinos. I want to emphasize that while wage theft has a huge impact on Filipino workers in the health care industry, it is an issue that affects all workers in all industries, of all races and religions.”

Some caregivers who sought the organization’s help have seen their wage theft cases paid or resolved. Among those who won sizable amounts were Nelly Gonzales, for about $100.000 in 2012, and Prisicilla Soriano for about $64,000 this year.

San Jose office of the California Labor Commission handles approximately 300 enforcement claims from workers in Santa Clara County every month, according to Tayag. From 2012 to 2013, the nearly 2,000 workers who filed claims with this office were awarded $8 million in owed wages. This is an average of almost $5,000 per worker,

which amounts to approximately a quarter of the income they earn in a year.

Tayag admitted that San Francisco authorities have had more success in going after wage theft cases. But this year, the Wage Theft Coalition persuaded the San Jose City Council to prioritize wage theft.

Silver-Taube also cited SB588 in Sacrament with pro tem Democrat for State Senator Kevin de Leon. It would require deadbeat employers to pay the judgement or post a bond or else the Labor Commission would file a lien on their property.

The bill would also ensure that the responsible party couldn’t hide through corporate name changes and sub-contractors. It would also empower the Labor Commission to collect for the worker, collect by mail, or seize an employer’s property.

Silver-Taube said, “We are advocating that, on top of direct action, we want counties and cities to be able to revoke or suspend permits. This will make a difference. They do it in Houston, Dade, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco and now in Los Angeles.”

In January this year, the Wage Theft Coalition targeted Crazy Buffet along Stevens Creek Boulevard and helped food-servers.

Silver-Taube said, “There were 21 judgments against them and they owed $1.6million in citations. They eventually closed, but we hear they may re-open again.” n

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A

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San Francisco Fil-Ams rekindle memory of Ninoy Aquino’s sacrifice

by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO - More than three decades have passed since Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (MIA) tarmac, but his relatives, friends and admirers have not forgotten the historical impact of his martyrdom.

About 150 of them, including community leaders and Filipino World War II veterans, packed the San Francisco Philippine Consulate’s ground floor gallery August 20 to honor Aquino’s heroism, which paved the way to the peaceful 1986 EDSA Revolution.

Dubbed “Friends Meeting Friends, Remembering Ninoy Aquino,” the event became an occasion to rekindle patriotism among Filipinos thousands of miles away from the Motherland.

Also honored was Ninoy’s younger, Agapito Butz Aquino, who died days before after a lingering illness. A book of condolences was on hand at the consulate lobby for those who want

to convey their sympathies to the Aquinos.

Foremost among the attendees was Ninoy’s own younger sister, Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, and her husband, former newsman Ken Kashiwara, who accompanied Ninoy on his fateful flight to Manila.

“Ninoy has given light to the world. His martyrdom was covered (worldwide), (was even) the fifth (top) story of the world when he died,” Lupita told INQUIRER.net.

“And so it had a tremendous impact. I supposed it touched the heart — that here’s a person who wanted to go home from a comfortable life in Boston to go back home and revive and renew and bring back democracy in the country. That alone touched the hearts of many people all over the world.

If you recalled the EDSA People Power became a model for so many countries. Six or seven more countries in the world tried the bloodless People Power,” Lupita added.

Lupita’s husband Ken, a journalist who was with Ninoy on the China Air Lines flight to the

Philippines, recalled that day.

“What happened 32 years ago on the tarmac I still remember like it was yesterday. I am getting old so my memory is fading, but that historical moment I won’t forget. It kind of consumed my life for a while because Ninoy and I planned the trip for three months very intensely, trying to find a way to go so Marcos wouldn’t find out where he was to try and stop him. I was very involved. In the end it was a culmination of our all our efforts, but I still remember very well,” Ken recollected.

Asked on whether he thought Ninoy was going to be shot upon touchdown at MIA, Ken said he did not at all anticipate that the assassination would happen.

“Ninoy was a perennial optimist. So all along, he thought he would be placed under house arrest. And I tried to convince him no they are going to put him back in prison. So when I saw the soldiers coming up the stairs into the ramp of the plane, I thought they are going to escort him to prison.

So I wasn’t extremely worried

although the atmosphere in the plane was extremely tense.”

Ken said he had no idea what was going to happen until after they took Aquino to the gateway down the stairs and he heard the first shot and the shots afterwards.

“I knew then what had happened,” Ken continued. “When we landed he fully expected that he would not be shot.”

“My biggest emotion when it happened was, What a waste!

What a waste of this talent, of this person, this charismatic figure, this future leader of the Philippines who had so many ideas and so much vision. So I thought what a waste that they killed him like this. And it wasn’t until, I guess, I saw him (his body) in the morgue, went back to his house then I saw the people (remember in the controlled media there was no word on it) lined up down the street around the block to his house waiting to pay their last respects. And this went on all night into the next days. I knew at that point he would not be forgotten. He awakened something in the Filipino people.”

Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr. was a student at the University of the Philippines in Diliman when Ninoy Aquino was killed.

“When I learned that he was assassinated, that triggered a fire in my heart and I decided to know the person more. I tried to know more about Ninoy and as I learned more about him I began to idolize him in terms of the principles he stood for.

When you think about it, how one person can change the whole history? I saw that the principles that he stood for are something we really need for the country. And those are the principles I continue to hold dear to my heart.”

Speaking on behalf of the World War II veterans present, Regino Nacua told INQUIRER. net, “Nandito tayo sa kamatayan ni Ninoy bilang alaala sa kanya ng mga Pilipino. Maganda naman ang ibinunga ng kamatayan niya dahil ang mga Pilipino ay nabuhayan ng loob at nagising mula sa pagkakatulog dahil na rin sa mga naging pananalita ni Aquino.”

(We are here to relive his memory among Filipinos. Many Filipinos still remember his many contributions. After his

death, many were given hope and were awakened from a long slumber guided mainly by the words he left behind.)

Lupita Kashiwahara stated that the restoration of freedom and democracy was Aquino’s legacy. “And it is very nice that we do this on a yearly basis.

The Philippine government has made a national holiday of his death anniversary. Once a year, the people remember. Do they, the young ones especially, remember? They will have to read and know about him. Listen to the stories of us who are still alive that walked the streets of People Power.”

She continued: “So it is up to us to be vigilant and be sure that no other dictator will come to our lives. The other most significant legacies that Ninoy gave our country is patriotism, love of country, to be a true Filipino – love your country and be a true Filipino.”

Bensurto told the audience that the chance to be a hero in a big way does not come along all the time, but “we can all do heroic things by doing ordinary, day-to-day things well for the benefit of all Filipinos. This is what I take as an inspiration from Ninoy’s memory.”

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A

Tagle jumps into traffic management fray VP Binay calls for PH tax reforms

by EvElyn

Macairan Philstar.com

MANILA - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged the Aquino administration to improve traffic management in the metropolis to make the lives of Filipinos comfortable.

This came after the brief stint of emeritus Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales as a traffic enforcer. The 83-year-old cardinal hit the headlines after he stepped out of his car and helped untangle a major traffic gridlock in Sto. Tomas, Batangas despite the rains last Sunday, Aug. 23.

Tagle appealed to those responsible for urban planning to make roads a priority to enable Filipinos to lead more comfortable lives.

He suggested that the concerned agencies assess how many vehicles should be allowed to pass through a particular road.

“They should also enforce regulations on the release of new vehicles into the streets in order to

reduce the number of cars on the streets. Be realistic, if we know that a particular road could only accommodate 5,000 cars yet there would be 50,000 cars battling for limited space, then how will these vehicles move? We should have a way to monitor,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The prelate is also hoping that the government will find solutions to the problems besieging the public transport system such as the Philippine National Railways, the Metro Rail Transit and buses.

“If they would be able to fix this problem, that would lead to the smooth flow of traffic, then even car owners would think that they no longer need to use their cars since there is already an efficient public transport,” he said.

Tagle also pointed out that how a person behaves when stuck in traffic is a reflection of one’s personality.

“Our traffic is a reflection of our behavior. Are we giving? Are we

hotheaded? Or are we competitive and trying to be ahead of the others?” he said.

MMDA chief bashed Buhay party-list Rep. Joselito Atienza said the worsening traffic mess in Metro Manila has spread to the major thoroughfares outside the capital because of the incompetence of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

“The traffic in the Metro is now spreading to the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) and SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) because vehicles cannot enter or get out of Metro Manila,” Atienza said. “This has been the situation since chairman Tolentino was at the MMDA, which only means he’s incompetent.”

Tolentino personally directed the traffic in Quezon City Wednesday, Aug. 26 amid the growing call for his resignation over the worsening traffic jams in the metropolis.

PAGE A15

EXISTING income tax brackets must be adjusted to current inflation rates, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay, as he called for reforms in the country’s taxation scheme.

“Our tax system must be seen as fair, meaning, those with fat pay checks pay higher taxes than those whose pay checks are less, and inflation-adjusted tax brackets, albeit reduction of tax revenues, is simply fairness,” he said on Friday, Aug. 28 The Vice President cited the Tax Management Association of the Philippines saying the Philippines has the highest income tax in Asia—32 percent for those with at least P500,000 annual income.

“Dinaig pa natin ang pinakamayamang bansa sa Asean tulad ng Brunei kung saan 0 percent ang income tax rate at Singapore na nasa 2 percent lamang.

(We outdid Brunei Darussalam,

the richest country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, where the income tax rate is 0, and Singapore, with only 2 percent),” he said.

Binay noted that while Malacañang has denied it several times, the belief that the administration has blocked the passage of pending legislation lowering the income tax could not be disregarded.

Strong evidence is that no fewer than 17 proposals seeking reduction in income tax are pending in Congress, according to the Vice President.

“Ang kawalan interes ng administrasyon na bigyan ng ginhawa ang manggawang Pilipino ay hindi namin ikinagulat. Salamin ito ng kanilang manhid at utak-hasenderong pamamahala. (Lack of interest in passing the measure and giving our workers a better life does not shock us. This mirrors the administration’s insensitivity and

governance consistent with the mentality of an haciendero),” he said.

The family of President Benigno Aquino III owns Hacienda Luisita, a sugar estate in Tarlac province, north of Manila.

Moreover, the Vice President said, the administration’s inaction is slowly hindering the growth of the Filipino middle class.

“Kung hahayaan natin ito at hindi tayo kikilos na ma-amyendahan ang sistema ng pagbubuwis sa bansa, darating ang araw na ang tax rate ng mga guro, pulis, sundalo, at nars ay sintaas na ng tax rate ng mga milyonaryo sa bansa. (If we don’t amend the taxation system, the day will come when the tax rate for teachers, policemen, soldiers and nurses will be as high as those of the country’s millionaires),” he added. (ManilaTimes.net)

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OpiniOn

Features

What good is a straight path if traffic is not moving?

SLOWLY and inexorably, the Aquino government, by its failure to help solve the problems of daily life, is driving many of us into impossible and desperate straits.

Confronted by a traffic jam that wouldn’t budge, Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales alighted from his vehicle and decided to unlock the jam and direct the traffic himself. He succeeded in untangling the mess.

Stung by his example and hoping to earn pogi points, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino came out of his foxhole the other day to face up to his responsibilities for the crazy traffic situation in the metropolis. He decided to direct traffic himself and don the cap of traffic enforcers. He thought he would endear himself to voters, because he has plans to run for the Senate in 2016. He got catcalls instead.

An official equally responsible for the traffic situation is Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. It did not occur to him to play traffic enforcer. Given his history of indifference, he probably did not even notice Cardinal Rosales’s act of taking traffic woes into his own hands.

A government that doesn’t think very much The problem as we see it is not just absent, incompetent and insensitive government officials.

We think the problem is a government and a leadership that doesn’t think very much.

First, ordinary citizens are asking this zen-like question: Of what good is having a straight path, as President Aquino keeps on preaching, if the

traffic is not moving? Where are they going to go?

One columnist of Manila Times found this novel solution to the traffic gridlock. He and his family simply decided to boycott the traffic.

They don’t go out in the family car or ride public transport. They just subsist at home on the Internet and television and DVDs. But we have to realize that that is a sacrifice that they are forced to make because the Aquino government is so ineffective.

Second, if the leadership will only think, it will realize that “straight path” is logically a guidepost for public conduct for public servants and citizens alike. And that should include President Aquino himself.

The President has done nothing to spell out what straight path behavior consists of, or what the principles to follow are.

He could say that the straight path is following the Ten Commandments. But that will not solve the traffic mess.

It’s the system, stupid The really important insight that the government must comprehend is that what we face in the traffic situation in Metro Manila is a system breakdown. The system of roads, public and private transport is not working; it is totally out of balance. Government is out of its depth in coping with the challenge.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

Throwing officials under the bus is easy to say, although it’s probably part of the answer.

What is essential is coming up with a workable plan—a plan developed by real professionals and experts.

Cardinal Rosales’s example is an instructive one in terms of showing that people responsible must roll up their sleeves and do the job. It does not cancel the need for an expert and professional solution.

Many have intoned no end that the traffic gridlock in the metropolis is costing the economy P2.4 billion a day.

They have cited a study entitled “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas” conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in coordination with our government agencies.

The study says that lower-income households are the hardest hit by traffic congestion, and will remain so up to 2030 when they will spend no less than 20 percent of their income for transport.

Perhaps the better thing to do is for Aquino and his officials to do serious work and stop talking about their straight path, which is not straight at all. (ManilaTimes.net)

Is the Aquino administration ‘meddling in INC affairs’ over alleged illegal detention and corruption of its leadership?

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel sAntos-relos SOCIAl media was on fire on Friday, Aug. 28 with comments and criticisms from kababayans who were caught in traffic on EDSA after thousands of members of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members gathered in front of a shopping mall, reportedly following instructions from the INC leadership.

While the rest of the commuting public had been inconvenienced on a Friday payday at that, the concern runs deeper among the faithful followers of INC with this biggest “scandal” that has rocked its leadership.

As The Filipino Channel’s daily

newscast “Balitang America” reported, INC members interviewed by ABS-CBN News said they joined the rally in EDSA to declare their support for the INC leadership that is now embroiled in accusations of corruption and alleged abduction of INC ministers who criticized the leadership.

INC followers rallied against the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) supposed and alleged “meddling” into the internal affairs of INC and giving preferential treatment to former INC minister Isaias Samson Jr., who just filed criminal charges against the INC leadership.

“Bakit ang bilis? Bakit ito ang

inuna at … at personal pa at mukhang interesado— doon po kami naguguluhan…Kaya doon po naghihimagsik ang aming kalooban, parang personal siyang interesado, na guluhin po ang aming kapatiran, na ito ay internal lamang sa amin,” Atty.

Ferdie Topacio said in an ABSCBN News report, referring to DOJ Sec. leila de lima.

With criminal charges already filed against members of the INC leadership, Sec. De lima denied accusations against her and affirmed that she is just doing her job. Many kababayans showed their support for De lima with the hashtag #DelimaBringTheT-

Post-pageant reflections: BP-USA 2015’s queen and court

Rhizomes

Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D. “Being a woman is hard work.

Not without joy and even ecstasy, but still relentless, unending work. Becoming an old female may require only being born with certain genitalia, inheriting long living genes and the fortune not to be run over by an out-ofcontrol truck, but to become and remain a woman command the existence and employment of genius. The woman who survives intact and happy must be at once tender and tough. She must have convinced herself, or be in the unending process of convincing herself, that she, her values and her choices are important. She must resist considering herself a lesser version of her male counterpart. She will need to prize her tenderness and be able to display it at appropriate times in order to prevent toughness from gaining total authority and to avoid becoming a mirror image of those men who value power above life, and control over love.” - Maya Angelou, 1993.

IS there an upside to beauty pageants when some women believe that pageants are commercializing women’s bodies?

While others view pageants as self-serving for the organizers, coaches approach them as wom-

en development academies, witnessing young girls bloom into women.

It was Hydee Ursolino-Abrahan who introduced me to Miss Universe’s runner-ups and I came to know of their educational backgrounds: Janine Tugonon (first runner-up) with a degree in pharmacy; Shamcey Supsup (third runner-up) with a degree in architecture; Venus Raj (fourth runner-up) currently pursuing her master’s in social work; and Ariella Arida (third runner-up) with a degree in chemistry. Briefly, I also saw their personalities, but I did not get a full-blown interview to really get to know them.

Still, I remained open to the idea that there might be an upside to pageants and whether smart minds go hand in hand with these chosen beauties. At Mildred Deang’s suggestion, the interview space of Juanne Elisha Aquino was shared with members of her court: Megan Culp, Heather Casignia, Angelica Alberto and Eriel Uy. I asked them to take turns to be like Oprah, a talk show host, fielding questions to one another. The result was a frank and open dialogue about who they are, their high points and vulnerable moments that this writer came to appreciate their

personalities, their smarts and mostly the beautiful women they came to be with one another.

When asked a song which resonated with their lives, they sang verses of: “Flashlight” by Jessie J, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, “Grown Woman” by Beyonce, “Pretty Hurts” by Beyonce and “listen” by Beyonce.

It is quite obvious that Beyonce has been a powerhouse inspiration for these young women, as Eriel described Beyonce’s identity and accomplishments and Heather emphasized self-appreciation and how bullying affected her in middle school.

Becoming sisters, not competitors Eriel Uy (BP-USA third runner-up) as Oprah, to Angelica Alberto (BP-USA second runnerup): “What was the best part of this [pageant] experience?”

AA: “It was getting to know the girls, [I ] consider my sisters, to keep important relations, [that is] what I loved most about it.”

EU: “What do you think you struggled with?”

AA: “It was the question and answer, putting together my thoughts, as [they] were knowledgeable, around me.”

She was asked if she would be the nice girl kicked out of the reality show or the mean girl

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ruth on social media.

Even the leading presidential candidates have weighed in on the issue.

VP and UNA standard bearer Jejomar Binay posted on Facebook: “We cannot fault the INC for resorting to mass action to protect the independence of their church from a clear act of harassment and interference from the administration.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN, possible presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe said no one should downplay the importance of religion, adding that what the protesters are defending is their faith.

Commentary

Francisco TaTad lAST Wednesday, Aug. 26, as the National Transformation Council renewed its call on President B. S. Aquino III to step down and pave the way for a nonpartisan transitory council, a group of concerned citizens, including the politician-wife of his mother’s younger brother, asked the Supreme Court to compel the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice to investigate PNoy for his misuse of the unconstitutional P150-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), and lay the ground for his possible impeachment.

These are two historic moves, which the front pages of the major newspapers and prime TV managed to ignore.

In a petition for mandamus with preliminary mandatory injunction, Dr. Greco Belgica, former Tarlac governor, Cory Aquino’s sister-in-law, Margarita Cojuangco, Protestant bishop Reuben Abante, Quintin San Diego, Rev. Jose Gonzales, and former Biliran Congressman Glenn Chong, through counsel Manuelito luna, asked the High Court to order the Ombudsman and the DOJ to “investigate and prosecute, or file a verified complaint for impeachment against the Presi-

DIlG Secretary and lP standard bearer Mar Roxas issued this statement on his Facebook Page: “As in all protest actions, preserving peace and order with maximum tolerance will be practiced by all responding policemen.

“While all citizens have the right to be heard and to peaceful assembly, the exercise of these rights cannot impinge on the rights of others or cause inconvenience to anyone. lalo na yung mga kababayan nating pauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan para magpahinga at makasama ang kanilang mga pamilya.

“The PNP is duty-bound to ensure that the safety and general welfare of the public is maintained, both those protesting and those uninvolved. This includes making sure opportunists do not try to take advantage of the situation for personal ends. let us remember that ours is a Rule of law and not of men.”

What do you think? *** 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

Finally oust or impeach PNoy and welcome a caretaker dent, if warranted, or suspend or remove, the DAP authors, proponents and implementors, and continue and pursue the investigation and prosecution of other public officials and personalities anent the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).”

Named respondents in the suit are Aquino, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Justice Secretary leila de lima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Senate President Franklin Drilon and the 19 senators who had each received P50 million or more from the DAP to convict former SC Chief Justice Renato Corona during his impeachment trial, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and other members of the House who had received and misused DAP and PDAF funds on various occasions, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa on behalf of various implementing agencies.

In its ruling voiding the DAP and the PDAF for being unconstitutional, the Supreme Court had earlier ordered all prosecutorial arms to investigate and prosecute all those involved in the manipulation and misuse of the two programs. However, neither the Ombudsman nor the DOJ has sought to comply with the order.

Thus, the mandamus.

Under our jurisprudence, the writ of mandamus is resorted to

when any tribunal, corporation, board, officer or person unlawfully neglects the performance of an act that the law specifically enjoins as a duty resulting from an office, trust, or station.

It is the first time that the Ombudsman has been asked to investigate a sitting president to lay the basis for his possible impeachment less than one full year before he ends his term. At the height of the controversy on the Mamasapano massacre, an impeachment complaint against PNoy was mechanically thrown out of the House committee on justice by his Congress allies who had earlier destroyed the impeachment process by launching Corona’s impeachment without reading the complaint they had signed at Malacanang’s behest.

It remains to be seen how Morales would react to the reissuance of an order she had long previously ignored. But the more critical question is, what will the House do with a verified impeachment complaint from the Ombudsman or the DOJ, assuming the impossible happens? And how would the Ombudsman and the DOJ react to a Court order requiring them to investigate, prosecute and suspend, if warranted, top political allies who have remained “untouched,” despite

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 29- SEpTEmbER 1, 2015

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Post-pageant reflections: BP-USA 2015’s... Finally oust or impeach PNoy and welcome...

PAGE A10 who would win the competition, to which Angelica responded, “I would have been kicked out a long time ago, but [I] also recognized that my action would depend on the situation, that if there were steps to take, I would take those.”

EU: “What was your most favorite moment?”

AA: “Right before we were called to the stage, where we all held hands together, prayed together, [I] felt everyone’s energy, the culmination, 20 women [who were] super close, supportive of each other, stressing together.”

Uniquely Bb. Pilipinas-USA 2015 Heather Casignia (BP-USA first runner-up) to Megan Culp (BP-USA Tourism): “What makes Bb. Pilipinas-USA different?

MC: “You are companions, not competitors, behind the scenes, this particular year has been different.”

HC: “What was your main struggle?”

MC: “Always forgetting something, internally freaking out, struggled to compose myself, as I forget everything. We were given a kit, what to wear, sashes, buttons, I always left out something.”

Belief in oneself Megan Culp to Heather Casignia: “What kind of life lessons [have you applied] into your everyday life?”

HC: Trusting people. Other pageants teach you to build walls.

But here, [BP-USA 2015] taught me that friendship and loyalty are the most important in life.

This is one summer out of many years of my life, [I learned] to believe in myself, praying in my head, crossing my hands behind me, to not expect things, but to continue to believe in myself.

Megan Culp to Juanne Elisha Aquino (BP-USA 2015 Queen): “Out of all the possible lessons, what specifically changed in yourself?”

JA: “Having girlfriends I can trust. Guys are informative- you talk to them and that’s it. But trusting girls, you (gestures to the court members) know my entire life, [yet] there was no drama.”

Eriel Uy to Juanne Aquino: “What is the one thing you want to experience as the titleholder?”

JA: “Aside from acting, I want to be an advocate for the homeless, I once volunteered in a mission and people segregate them

PAGE A10

Photos courtesy of Mildred Deang

from the volunteers, for fear of how they look, how they smell.

In my family, we celebrate birthdays , from ages 1 to 10 at an orphanage. I see these gifts for me and they don’t even have flip flops.”

Heather Casignia to Juanne Aquino: “What are the top three qualities that stand out about you?”

JA: “I am not a public speaker.

But for as long as I tell the truth, never lie, I can speak from my gut, believing in myself, that I can appreciate other’s beauty, to appreciate my own beauty.”

Megan Culp to Juanne Aquino: “We heard pageant stereotypes – what else does a pageant look for in a woman?”

JA: “Women are put down, they have no voice. They have nice faces, pretty, but does she have something in her brains?

That makes us go, we can accomplish this.”

Lessons from the pageant MC: “Community is most important, face is not important, caring is a big trait, selfless – thinking of others, besides yourself, lending a hand to see your heart.“ HC: “Having confidence and humility, it is not about the face alone, it is putting yourself out there. It is not about you, it is helping others in promoting a platform.”

EU: “It is finding the potential in a girl, that she works hard, that she wants to improve herself, that she takes time to be self-actualized—get to bring out the best qualities of yourself.”

AA: “Seeing others, learning to build each other up, [we] could help one another be more confident, learning to appreciate, learning your self-worth.”

Get me to the light/When I am feeling insecure/Not vanity/Being well-rounded/Show inner beauty/Being Young and Brave/ Do all the big things/Be okay with decisions for myself/Shining a light/Pretty Hurts/Acknowledge your value/Blend with the Crowd These were some of the lyrics of the songs they sang, but also reflections about life which resonated with what they went through.

Do you now appreciate the inner beauties of these pageant queens? That they are more than pretty faces of young women, prizing their tenderness and vulnerabilities, but distinctly knowing who they are, their strengths and weaknesses. They are “not a mirror image of those men who value power above life, and control over love,” but true women, echoing Maya Angelou’s definition. I gained a healthier respect for beauty queens and how they sustain who they truly are . n

their obviously deep involvement in the pork barrel scandal?

Since the DAP and PDAF scandal exploded on prime TV and in running news headlines, this is the first time any charge has been brought against Abad, Drilon, Belmonte, and the 19 senator-judges who had each accepted P50 million and even more to convict Corona during his impeachment trial, and had unduly benefited from the PDAF. Whether or not PNoy is finally impeached, the petitioners seem optimistic that their clamor for changing the entire government without need of going through another round of farcical elections might finally come to pass. (“Palitlahat,” change all) is their call.

This has been the primary clamor of the National Transformation Council from the very beginning. Thus, on its first anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel last Wednesday, the NTC reaffirmed its original position that without a thorough overhaul of the electoral system, through system change, it would be futile to expect any change from the 2016 elections; the only correct course of action would be for Aquino to step down, and for a caretaker council to take over, not necessarily to succeed Aquino, but simply to fix the broken constitutional and political order before conducting elections.

Lending support to the NTC affair was a panoply of Catholic and Protestant church leaders and advocates of a clean, honest and transparent elections. Archbishop of Lipa Ramon Arguelles, Archbishop Emeritus of Davao and former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Fernando Capalla, Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz of Zamboanga, Bishop of Tandag and former CBCP president Nereo Odchimar, Bishop of Butuan Juan de Dios Pueblos, Bishop Filomeno Bactol of Naval, Biliran, Auxiliary Bishop Colin Bagaforo of Cotabato, Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando of Davao were joined by Protestant Bishops PioTica, Butch Belgica and Manuel Valeroso, Pastors Arthur Corpuz, Reuel Tica, Herman Roca, Primitivo Arce, Antonio Ecube and leaders of the nationwide movement for a more transparent elections, including Toti Casino, Leo Querubin, Mel Magdamo and Maricor Akol.

As in previous NTC assemblies, from Lipa through Cebu, Butuan,

Angeles, Davao, General Santos and back to Lipa, I was asked to facilitate the proceedings. In its statement, read to the assembly

by Glenn Chong, the NTC recalled the various premises that had long led it to conclude that Mr. Aquino had lost the moral right to lead the nation, that he had become a danger to the Philippine democratic and republican state and to the peace, freedom, security and moral and spiritual wellbeing of the Filipino people, and that his best option would be to step down so that we could restore the broken constitutional order before we begin to consider electing a new government under normal political conditions.

This demand was reiterated with increasing urgency and vigor in all the NTC assemblies, and by other groups all over the country who have adopted the same call as their own. It reached a high point after the January 20, 2015 massacre in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, in which 44 Special Action Force police commandos perished in the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters after they were denied reinforcement

by PNoy, who ordered the military units to stand down.

For a while it appeared to have been overtaken by the intense election fever identified with the legally mandated 2016 election.

This was implicitly admitted by former defense secretary and national security adviser Norberto Gonzales who told the assembly that some NTC members had begun toying with the idea of participating in the elections, just to be with the people who obviously could not resist the carnival-attraction of elections.

If later the elections turn out to be as fraudulent as feared, then that would be the time to call for direct popular action. But the idea was put on the table in Cebu, and the original sentiment in favor of nonviolent revolutionary change, rather than election, prevailed.

“One year after the Lipa Declaration, we have to ask,” said the NTC anniversary statement, “Is there anything we said in Lipa and in all the other assemblies that now appears to have been in error or in excess or our constitutional, moral and patriotic concerns? Have we unfairly and unjustly condemned the Aquino administration, and misread our

people’s capability to stand for our Constitution and the dignity and honor of the nation?

“No, we have not. The Aquino administration has not shown the slightest desire to do penance and mend its ways for its grievous wrongs. As it approaches the end of its borrowed time, it has shown no effort and no desire to conduct a clean, honest and credible election, nor to prosecute those who have debased the rule of law and the constitutional order, and ripped off the coffers of the nation.

“The apparent game plan is still to manipulate the 2016 presidential election through the Commission on Elections and its Venezuelan partner Smartmatic, in order to ensure the continued plunder of the treasury, the continued destruction of all our institutions, and the continued exploitation of our political system.

“In our effort to make the regime accountable to the Constitution and to the rule of law, some members and friends of the Council have asked the Supreme Court to declare void and unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) through which some false friends of the Republic seek to balkanize Mindanao in the name of a bogus peace. They have also asked the High Court to stop the illegal and massive realignment of public funds, which would allow Smartmatic and the Comelec to control without any accountability the next elections.

“To end the administration’s unilateral exercise of impunity, they have just filed a mandamus suit against the President, the Ombudsman, the Budget Secretary, the Justice Secretary, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the senators and congressmen, the heads of various agencies, and all those involved in the misuse and abuse of the P150-billion DAP which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional.

“Our faith in our highest Court remains strong and unimpeachable. But we fear that even if the Court should act favorably upon all our petitions, such action may not suffice to end the evil that has now become the system. We have to do more.

“We have been told that Mr. Aquino has less than one year to stay in power, and that we

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A12 AUGUST 29- SepTember 1, 2015 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PHiliPPineS

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

Arroyo wants house arrest with husband

by Marc Jayson

cayabyab

Inquirer.net

FORMER President Gloria Arroyo wants to be under house arrest with her husband, former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo.

In a supplemental to her motion for house arrest, Arroyo through her lawyers said her residence in La Vista subdivision where she wants to be detained is also occupied by her husband Mike Arroyo and a few household staff.

Within the premises of the La Vista residence is the quarters where the Presidential Security Group (PSG) resides, according to the motion filed before the Sandiganbayan First Division.

Arroyo’s lawyers clarified that the presence of Mr. Arroyo actually rules out, instead of increasing, the possibility of flight risk.

The former first gentleman faces a graft trial before the Sandiganbayan for selling to the police two secondhand helicopters as brand new.

Meanwhile, the occupants of

Arroyo’s residence in Lubao, Pampanga are a few household staff, according to her motion.

In her motion to modify custodial arrangement, Arroyo’s lawyers have said her continued detention in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) only worsened her health and a change in environment would help her recover from her degenerative bone disease.

Her lawyers had argued Arroyo was kept safe in La Vista when she was granted a four-day Christmas furlough in 2014 following the death of her one-year old grandson Jugo.

Besides Arroyo’s residence at La Vista subdivision, the incumbent Pampanga representative wanted to be detained at her 500square meter residence in Lubao which is just 200 meters from the nearest police station.

Arroyo had also said she is willing to be placed under the stringent restrictions similar to the house arrest of former President (now Manila mayor) Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada which was used as the precedent for Arroyo’s motion.

The Sandiganbayan had allowed Estrada house arrest in his rest house in Rizal as he faced plunder charges over illegal gambling. Estrada was convicted by the court but later pardoned

by Arroyo.

Arroyo said these restrictions include the police control over communication devices, a ban on media interviews unless the court permits it, among others.

Arroyo filed the motion for house arrest after the antigraft court’s first division denied her demurrer of evidence, a move to dismiss the supposedly weak evidence against her and dismiss the case.

Arroyo, 68, is under hospital detention due to plunder for allegedly using P366 million in intelligence funds for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) from 2008 to 2010 for personal gain.

The former president is confined at the VMMC as she claimed to be suffering from cervical spondylosis, a degenerative disease of the bones and cartilage of the neck.

Arroyo had also complained of “generalized body weakness, persistent pain over the nuchal and left shoulder with numbness of both hands and frequent episodes of choking,” according to the VMMC. n

SKYROCKETED. Market goers pick fresh vegetables at a stall inside the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 26 as vegetable prices rose because of the damage brought by Typhoon “Ineng” in the Northern Luzon provinces amounting to almost P41 million worth of crops.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Miguel De Guzman

Estrada commemorates Luneta hostage crisis MANILA Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada vowed on Thursday, Aug. 27 that the 2010 Luneta hostage crisis would never occur again, saying authorities have learned so much from the incident that had tarnished the relationship between Hong Kong and Manila.

Estrada joined Buddhist monks on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the road fronting Quirino Grandstand praying for the souls of eight foreign tourists– six Hong Kong nationals, one Canadian and one British–who perished along with hostagetaker Senior Insp. Rolando Men-

doza on August 23, 2010 in an incident that lasted eight hours.

The debacle hounded the administration of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, which has put the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the island in jeopardy for days after the crisis situation.

Estrada, however, worked tirelessly to restore the good relationship between Hong Kong government and Manila.

“This will happen in my time. If it does, we are ready to contain it,” he said.

Joining the mayor was Councilor Bernie Ang who was in-

strumental in bringing a Hong Kong contingent November last year.

China promised to honor the dead victims of the Luneta tragedy every July 14 of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the start of the Ghost Month, which is similar to All Saints Day for the Catholics.

Ang explained that July 14 this year coincides with August 27 of the Gregorian calendar, thus the Day of Prayer yesterday.

The Manila City Council passed Resolution 147 series of 2013 providing for the observance of the Day of Prayer at Luneta. (ManilaTimes.net)

Customs most corrupt gov’t agency -SWS THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) ranked as the most corrupt among the government agencies in a poll conducted among executives of companies according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The survey involved face-toface interview of executives of 966 companies, 325 of whom were randomly drawn large enterprises, and 641 were randomly drawn small and medium enterprises.

Under the category of sincerity in fighting corruption, the BOC placed “very bad” as it ranked from -63 net rating in 2013 to 55 in 2014/15 in the face of the issues surrounding the bureau regarding “balikbayan” boxes.

This was followed by Land Transportation Office from -32 to -26; House of Representatives from -28 to -25; Department of Public Works and Highways from -22- to -21; Philippine National Police from -24 to -16 and Department of Agriculture from -19 to -10, all categorized as “poor” by the SWS survery.

Placed in the “neutral” category were the Commission on Elections at -6, down from +7 in 2013; Bureau of Internal Revenue at -4, up from -10; Department of Transportation and Communication at -2, a wide slide from +8; Department of Budget and Management at -7, down from +9; Armed Forces of the Philippines at +4, down from +10; Department of Environment

and Natural Resources at +6, up from -4; trial courts at +6, down from +9 and Department of Interior and Local Government at +9, which plunged from +20.

“Moderate” government agencies in terms of fighting corruption were as follows: Governance Commission for government-owned and -controlled corporation and their own city government at +12, which was tested for the first time; Presidential Commission on Good Government, which improved from -28 to +15; Department of Social Welfare and Development at +24, down from +52; Government Service Insurance System +27, a boost from -5 and Department of Health at +28, down from +53.

The Department of Justice ranked “good” at +34, a slight decrease from +35. Included in this category were Commission on Audit at +36, a progress from +22; Office of the Ombudsman at +36, an increase from +23; Sandiganbayan at +37, up from +15; Department of Education at +49, a slight improvement from +43; Civil Service Commission, also tested for the first time, got +41; Supreme Court at +42, a decrease from +36 and Filipino business associations at +49, down from +64.

The government agencies that achieved “very good” ratings in fighting corruption are Securities and Exchange Commission (from +55 to +63), Social Security System (from +52 to +57),

Office of the President (from +77 to +54) and Department of Trade and Industry (from +58 to +51).

The SWS terminology for net sincerity ratings is: excellent, +70 and up; very good, +50 to +69; good, +30 to +49; moderate, +10 to +29; neutral, -9 to +9; poor, -29 to -10; bad, -49 to -30 and very bad -69 to -50.

Meanwhile, the survey revealed that a “new low 11% said that government ‘often/almost always’ punishes corrupt government officials.” It also said that 90% agreed that “corruption will be reduced by the passage of a strong law on the right of the people to information from the government.”

The SWS survey stated that a “new high 79% said transaction procedures of city/municipal government offices are somewhat/definitely transparent, being solicited for a bribe fell from 50% (2012) to 44% (2013 and 2014/15) and only 13% of those solicited for a bribe reported it.”

The same SWS survey added that “72% have good/excellent expectations (record 76% in 2013) for business in the next 2 years.”

The 2014/15 survey was conducted from November 14, 2014 to May 12, 2015. The sample enterprises were drawn from seven study areas: Metro Manila, Metro Angeles, CaviteLaguna-Batangas, Metro Iloilo, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, and Cagayan de Oro-Iligan. (Inquirer.net)

‘Zero Remittance Day’ a success, says migrant workers group

by Tina

G. sanTos Inquirer.net

MIGRANTE party-list, a group protecting the rights of overseas Filipino workers, has declared the success of Friday’s “Zero Remittance Day.” “We declare today’s Zero Remittance Day a success and resounding declaration of OFWs’ unity and collective action against any and all moves by the Aquino government to scam us and treat us as nothing but milking cows.

We have once again proven that we are worth much more than the dollars, and the balikbayan boxes, we send,” the group said in a statement.

OFW groups and communities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Middle East, Vietnam, Thailand, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, and other parts of the world have participated in the protest. Here in the Philippines, families have urged their relatives abroad to join in the occasion, according to Connie Bragas-Regalado, Migrante chair.

She said the Aug. 28 protest was called by OFWs around the world to rally against the Aquino government and the Bureau of Customs’ imposed P600-million revenue target from balikbayan boxes.

“For as long as the P600-million target collection stays, the BOC is given license to ransack

In this file photo, Filipino domestic workers line up to send money at a remittance center in Hong Kong.

our balikbayan boxes or impose other tax schemes. In fact, we have received reports from families who still received ‘inspected’ boxes even after the BOC order was issued. Our main demand today is for the Aquino government to retract its P600-million target collections on OFWs’ balikbayan boxes now,” said Regalado.

She said the Aquino administration’s most recent statements “belittling” the Zero Remittance Day “further incited OFWs and their families.”

“They feel insulted. They feel challenged. They feel confronted,” she added.

Migrante affirmed estimates by some economists and a senator of a P3.1 billion-loss for today’s

Zero Remittance Day. “Those who belittle our political exercise also look down upon our strength and unity as a sector. Our message today is clear: The migrant sector is a force to reckon with. Those who have insulted us will feel the brunt of OFWs and their families’ ire this coming election season. We have millions of overseas absentee voters, we have millions of relatives back home who are voters.

Let today’s Zero Remittance Day serve as a preview of the migrant sector’s unity come election time,” Regalado said.

Migrante earlier said it would not support any candidate endorsed by President Benigno Aquino III. n

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‘Wait,’ CJ Sereno tells public on Enrile bail case CJ Says Leonen Dissent An ‘Unqualifying Occurrence’

by Yuji

Vincent Gonzales Inquirer.net

WHILE the Supreme Court’s controversial decision to allow Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail for a nonbailable offense has sparked debates among the public and even justices themselves, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno only has a few words.

“What I will tell the public is to wait,” Sereno said during the 3rd CJ Meets the Press conference on Thursday when asked to react on public sentiment that the high court supposedly gave “special accommodation” to the 91-yearold senator.

Sereno said there are still a lot of probabilities that may happen.

Asked about Associate Justice Marvic Leonen’s dissenting opinion on the SC decision, Sereno said it was an “unqualifying occurrence with the dissent.”

“So that’s it,” she added.

In a 29-page dissenting opinion, Leonen said the high court gave special accommodation to Enrile, noting that “bail for humanitarian considerations is neither presently provided in Rules of Court nor found in any statute or provision of the Constitution.”

Reacting to issues of mistrust and call for transparency in the judiciary following the Enrile bail decision, Sereno said confidenti-

Supreme Court’ Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

ality should be discussed within the “proper context.” “‘Yang pag-uusap ng confidentiality ay kailangan tignan sa konteksto. Ano nga ba ang purpose ng confidentiality? Meron naman po kaming internal rules committee na nag-rereview ng mga ‘yan (What is the purpose of confidentiality anyway? We have an internal rules committee that reviews that),” she said.

Asked on the possible implications of the decision to similar cases, Sereno said: “Then you really have to wait.”

“Ang sagot diyan actually is to wait. I’m not a sociologist… We cannot predict what will happen,” she added.

‘Independence, integrity, competence’ Noting that a good judge should base decisions on training and conscience, Sereno, one

of the four justices who voted against Enrile’s temporary liberty, said it did not matter whether she was part of the minority.

“The role of the CJ is very clear in the Constitution—vote as independently as she can with competence, integrity and independence. It doesn’t matter if her vote is part of the majority or minority,” she said, adding that a chief justice should not show the public a lack of courage even if she is alone.

Enrile, who was detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital for a year, is temporarily free after posting a P1.45-million bail for plunder over the pork barrel scam.

In a vote of 8-4, the high court granted Enrile’s motion to reverse the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s ruling that denied his bail plea. n

Finally oust or impeach PNoy and welcome...

PAGE A10 should be patient and wait for the next administration to take over. This is a false argument.

Just as it took Mr. Aquino but one tiny moment to issue the order that led to the bribery and total corruption of Congress and the removal of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, a similar moment to issue the order that led

to the Mamasapano massacre, it would not take much longer for Mr. Aquino to commit our poorly equipped troops into an unwanted, needless and ruinous war at the West Philippine/ South China Sea, or to completely hijack the next election if, in his judgment, that would ‘save’ him and his friends from any and all imagined peril.

“We pray to the Almighty God, in whose hands we put the nation’s safety and wellbeing, that nothing like this would ever happen. But given what we have been through these last five years, we cannot afford any undue risks at this time. Mr. Aquino must step down. More than ever, we need a caretaker government now.” (ManilaTimes.net)

Many netizens expressed belief that Tolentino personally directed Tolentino said it was not the first traffic for media mileage and it time that he personally directed was connected with his plan in the traffic as he has been doing it oc- coming elections. casionally since assuming the post One Twitter user @paulsalarm as MMDA chairman. tweeted that Tolentino was “imiIt was earlier reported that To- tating Cardinal Rosales.” lentino intends to run for senator Forensics expert Raquel Forunder the administration’s Liberal tun tweeted that Tolentino’s camParty. paigning is getting in the way of

his duties.

“That’s not his job. Tolentino should step down. Campaigning is getting in the way of his duties,” Fortun added.

Another Twitter user @SidRanter tweeted that “What Tolentino does now is all for show. He failed miserably in solving traffic in the metro, why should he be voted to the Senate?” n

Tagle jumps into traffic management fray PAGE A9

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

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Journal

Xyra Cruz Bacani: From domestic worker to documentary photographer panganay. Ako yung panganay so ako yung nag give way. I left for HK to help my mom and to see her again too. I was only 7 when she left. She worked as a domestic worker for a family and I ended up working with the same family.

I took care of the children,” Xyza told the Asian Journal.

So here they were, mother and daughter working as domestic workers. Hong Kong statistics say that Xyza and her mother are two out of the 320,000 domestic workers in the former British colony.

Through the years of living in Hong Kong, she realized that her mother is a workaholic. She doesn’t go out as much and prefers to stay at home during her days off.

One day, Xyza asked her if she can buy a camera. Her mother said, ‘Pang-mayaman lang yun.’

Eventually, her mom relented.

Xyza borrowed money from their employer to add to her extra funds so she can buy the camera she wanted.

Initially, this was the reason why she went into photography – for her mom to see the outside world.

“I became her eye. Until now,

I still send her photos from New York, the food, the places,” Xyza remarked. “In a way, she became “All dreams are valid!” my inspiration.”

Xyza Cruz Bacani wrote that It was this inspiration that drove blissful post on her Facebook wall her to hone her photography skills, the morning she found out that she which she did by reading up, obwas one of seven fellows chosen by serving fellow photographers and Magnum Foundation to undergo listening to those who were giving an intensive six-week Human her advice.

Rights Fellowship at NYU’s Tisch Both her parents were crySchool of the Arts. ing when she broke to them the little did she know then that news that she was selected to her life as she knew it was about go to New York for the Magnum to make a 180 degree turn. scholarship.

We caught up with Xyza a few Asked what her mother told weeks after her program ended. her later, she remarked. “She was We met outside NYU, at the Wash“It might not happen again, or very happy but she always tells me the area in Hong Kong where the shoot because she felt that the ington Square Park, in downtown events will become part of his- it might, but I won’t be there. My to be very careful. May katigasan protesters congregated.

Manhattan. Under the heat of the Xyza went to the protests to tory. kasi ang ulo ko. I’m stubborn like PAGE B2 summer sun, we chatted about her that.” life in Hong Kong, her family and “Para-paraan lang. Sa Occupy her ultimate dream.

Hong Kong, I was there on the The 27-year-old street photogfrontline. Nati-tear gas ako and rapher is compassionate, cheerful everything. Iyak iyak ako, it’s excitand straight-forward. ing. It makes me feel alive. Pero She left her family in Nueva kapag hindi na ako nag su-shoot, Vizcaya in 2006 to join her mother boring na akong tao,” she said who was a domestic worker in laughing.

Hong Kong. She was only 19 Occupy Central then.

On her day off, Xyza would “Ours is a typical migrant story: explore the nooks and crannies of kailangang mag-aral ng mga kapaHong Kong, photographic people tid at kailangang mag give way ang and the street landscape.

“I do street photography most of the time. I find it challenging.

It’s not just about going outside and pressing the shutter, it’s about composition and light, and feelings. I love watching people,” she said.

Xyza prefers the medium of black and white because for her, sometimes colors become a distraction.

“I cannot really recognize color that much, I see the reds and the blues, yung mga matitingkad.

Hong Kong is very gray and it’s very good for black and white.

It’s also nice to play with people’s emotions using black and white, mas direct siya,” Xyza added.

Then last year, the world took notice when Hong Kong residents began staging peaceful protests Xyza Cruz Bacani’s Instagram account (@xyzacruzbacani) showcases Xyza’s journey so far, calling for the chief executive’s from covering the protests in Hong Kong to her favorite NYC spots to shoot, particularly the resignation. It was eventually city’s subways which she finds amazing and a great spot to shoot. called Occupy Central, referring to

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The gift of heritage from yesterday, today and tomorrow Xyra Cruz Bacani: From domestic...

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

THEY are the sons and daughters of dramatic journeys and fantastic tales, their stories carried like treasures as they lay down a shadow of stunning proportions, shaped both by the drama of the past and the sparkle of the moment.

They are a phenomenon all on their own -- from our ancestors who came to America amid colonial romance, famine despair and political misfortune. Through them, generations of immigrants lift their heads high.

Proud of their Filipino heritage, they left their villages, towns and cities, from which their people

came, the sign posts and headlands of their Filipino past.

These are the writers, diplomats and journalists from whom the saga of the Filipino in America expresses itself, with bold and fresh aplomb.

Despite generations of separations from the Philippines, the soft talk and imaginative tale; the English language eloquence is close to their hearts and tongues.

We remember the lyrical words of a grandmother who can quote Shelly, Yeats, Byron and Word- Atty. Roman Mosqueda with the cast of “Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas” and Bernie Targa Ganon, sworth in poetic splendor, or the director/choregrapher. pipe smoke of a rapscallion grandfather that makes the sea sky of the old country—a reality in the new.

They are the children of Filipino patriots and minutemen: manongs, train drivers, farmers, brick layers, carpenters and camineros.

A poignant history unfolds in each of their stories, beneath the success of achievements of individual careers, a long invisible thread holds to the ancient land of family

Trini Foliente, Cora Aragon Soriano with Consular Staff and Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim enjoying the program.

origins and tribunal lore.

In cooperation and joyful partnership with the Philippine Consulate, the Philippine Institute of Language and Culture (PILAC) on Aug. 19, showcased the unique combination of age old charm and appeal of yesterday’s Harana or Cameo roles for Coloratura. Dame Aida Bautista Reyes (Jovita Fuentes), Lydia V. Solis (Tandang love songs for the beloved. The participation of coloratura, soprano, Sora), Vilma Hernandez (Gabriela Silang) and the Moonlighter (Dona Victorina de Espedana) Dame Aida Bautista Reyes, drew a rousing acceptance, if not profound appreciation among the guests of the evening.

The evening presentation themed, “Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas,” was filled with commemorative events: the Buwan ng Wika, martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino, our National Heroes’ Day, patriotic song of “May pag-asa.” Stephanie Sahor and Eddie Gana Jr. also shared inspiring and amazing words. The folk dances enhanced the overall theme of the celebration, like passing down a gift of heritage.

“PILAC has been at the forefront of promoting the proper usage of Filipino as second language here in California, with the ultimate commitment and dedication to have our national language, arts and culture taught and imparted to Filipino-American students in the community,” PILAC President Emily Roberts said.

“Its continuance between generations lies in our decision to

Rosemarie Bell Mejia (Josephine Bracken) Photos by Bobby Crisostomo

choose what important values we want to pass on the to our children.

Being Filipino brings responsibilities, as well as opportunities and a commitment to treasure the sources of our rights and freedoms, derived from the struggles of those who fought and died to preserve them.”

PILAC incoming President, Bernie Targa Ganon, added: “our main objective is to significantly contribute to the development of the Filipino, as a major language, have been the principle of our organization.”

PAGE B1 purpose then was to record Hong Kong history,” she quipped.

She began posting her photos on Facebook and through the power of sharing, San Francisco-based photojournalist Rick Rocamora saw her photos and asked her what she does for a living.

“He thought I’m just a spoiled brat taking pictures. He was surprised when I told him I’m a domestic worker. Sabi niya, ‘Oh my God, I found the next Vivian Maier.”

Then he forwarded my photos to New York Times and their photo editors liked them, with her story ending on the Lens section or the photojournalism blog of the newspaper of record.

“And the ball started rolling from there. I’m now a full-time photographer!” she beamed.

Magnum Foundation/NYU Scholarship One of her colleagues, Sim Chi Yin encouraged Xyza to join Magnum Foundation’s search for their

Human Rights fellows.

NYU and Magnum Foundation asked her to submit documentary images that she has taken as part of the application process. Xyza was then working on a documentary about abuse of migrant workers in Hong Kong, something that she knows happens but people don’t talk about it. She submitted that set of photographs she took documenting the lives of domestic helpers at the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, a shelter for abused migrant workers.

The people behind the program liked what they saw and they emailed her, telling her that she was one of the seven fellows for 2015.

“I was quite lucky,” she exclaimed. “The whole experience was amazing. I gained a family, I gained friends. I learned a lot about human rights issues and how to tell their stories effectively. The connections and doors that opened from this program is amazing.”

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Xyra Cruz Bacani: From domestic...

ENCORE EPISODE ON CITIZEN PINOY! Leading US immigration lawyer Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer questions from Kapamilya in Rosemont, Illinois, such as I am a US citizen and want to retire in the Philippines. Will that affect my citizenship? I petitioned my married son in the Philippines, but he was killed in an accident. Can I still bring his family to the US? Get answers to these and more on an encore episode of the information-packed, award-winning public service program—’Citizen Pinoy,’ this Sunday, August 30 at 6:15pm PST/EST (9:15pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

The ‘Beautiful Life’ celebration

By Monet

Lu

IN celebration of Philippine cultural pride and heritage, I am happy to announce the coming of the 4th Beautiful Life Awards on November 21, to be held at the OMNI Hotel.

As some of you may know, this glamorous event is held in honor of the men and women who have remarkably influenced and inspired the Filipino-American Community. It showcases the indigenous work of our kababayans and celebrates the contributions they made in making this world more beautiful. Hence, the title; “The Beautiful Life Celebration.”

I am also proud to share that this would be the celebration’s fourth year.

In line with that, I am thrilled to give you a preview of the event beginning with my chosen theme for this year. I know I may be pre-empting my own event but I just can’t help but share my excitement as the president of this organization. Please allow me to indulge our readers with just a sneak peak. This year is so unique from the previous years’ themes. I recall: The first one was a fashion show held at the CBS Studio while the second was a black-and-pink-themed awards night, which was also held at the same venue. Both events featured the lovely, Ruffa Gutierrez and other distinguished guests.

The third one, which was held at the Metropolitan Banquet, was a classic red-and-black themed event. And now, for this year’s theme, I decided to let the colors come out! It follows the same glamorous ambiance but with more liberty on the color theme. It is a dress-to-impress night with exploding colors, so to speak. I am not one to brag but as most people say, each celebration never fails to outshine the previous ones. In light of that, I definitely guarantee that this will be the best one.

As I mentioned in the beginning, the event recognizes the extraordinary work and life of our fellow Filipinos in their chosen field of endeavor.

It celebrates the choices they made, the lives the lead and the legacy they imparted to the Fil-Am community. Among the awards that will be given are 2015 Distinguished Men and Women of the Year, Special Award of Distinction, and Distinguished Couple of the Year.

And of course, this would not be called “Beautiful Life” if we do not appreciate “Pinay” Beauty; the much awaited Queen of Queens Coronation will also take place on the said event. We will be crowning this year’s Queen of the Philippines Universe, Queen of the Philippines International, Queen of the Philippines World, Queen of the Philippines Asia and Queen of the Philippines

Awardees of the event

Queen of queens

Intercontinental.

The “Beautiful Life” Celebration is the youngest of the socio-political organizations that I lead in honor of our Kababayans who have displayed an unparalleled outlook in life. These are: “Reflections” that’s been around for 20 years and “Uliran Awards”, a Filipinana affair that has been instrumental in inspiring Filipinos to give their best always—it is still going strong for 10 years. And, out of the irresistible demand to celebrate our cultural heritage, I—along with like-minded individuals who felt a strong sense of appreciation, formed the “Beautiful Life.” It is held every other year and holds a soft spot in me. One of the most memorable events I had with this organization was the time we raised $5,000 to donate to the victims of typhoon “Yolanda” in the Philippines. And that, by far, is the best way we’ve celebrated “life” apart from recognizing noble men and women.

So, it is with so much joy and privilege that I invite everyone to gather with us in acknowledging our exceptional Kababayans. The event will be preluded with a press conference on September 16, 2015, 7pm. at the OMNI Hotel California Plaza in Los Angeles.

The actual event is on November 21. Tickets range from $100 to $150 (VIP seating). For more information and other inquiries, you may email me at monetlu@ yahoo.com. Reservations can be made via email or by contacting me thru (213) 216 -4923. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Monet Salon moves to a new location MONET Salon is excited to announce its new location at 20113 Vanowen St. Winnetka, CA (across Canoga Bowling).

Spreading its hair care and makeover expertise, Monet Salon is thrilled to add another beauty haven for the San Fernando Valley locals. As it celebrates 30 years of making beautiful beginnings, it is proud to offer updated hairstyles and bang-for-your-buck promotions! Enjoy these hair services and don’t forget to put in your reviews!

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Time for a “color change” Need some change in your life? And by that, I meant “colorchange.” NOW is the time you pay a visit to your hair colorist at Monet Salon. FYI, they moved to a new location to better meet your hairstyling needs. Speaking of needs, they offer a huge selection of colors that go with your every mood – or whatever the occasion calls for. You pay $70 for a haircut plus style and a full color. Now how’s that for change?

PAGE B2 From enhanced skills on editing and story-telling using multi-media, the program was a God-send to Xyza. It was for her, a year of lessons crammed into six weeks.

Aside from the technical stuff, she learned more about the underreported and unheard human rights and issues in the world.

“We are very lucky to be in the position where we can tell these stories, to be the voices of these people who are unheard,” Xyza said.

Currently, Xyza is working on a documentary project about human trafficking victims, another story that is underreported.

“I was shocked to learn that in New York, this is happening.

We’re in a first world country and this is happening, how much more elsewhere?” she asked.

It was also during the NYU program that she was able to meet and work with one of her idols in photography, Susan Meiselas.

“She’s my superstar, and she became my teacher. I was super excited when I found out that she was part of the NYU program. It was a total fangirl moment when I first saw her. I was excited to go to class every day,” she related.

The mentor’s advice to her?

Slow down and relax.

But that won’t seem to happen anytime soon.

Next month, Xyza will be staging an exhibit about domestic workers in Hong Kong, followed by a documentary scholarship in Missouri. Them she’s off to Canada, Geneva, Abu Dhabi for various engagements.

“Ang dream ko lang mapauwi ko mommy ko. I want her to go home and be with our family, that’s why I am working so hard. As long as kaya ko na mag-work, tanggap lang ng tanggap ng trabaho. I want her to go home and retire,” she said.

In the course of our interview, Xyza mentioned how lucky she is multiple times—from having a boss in Hong Kong who encouraged her to pursue her photography dreams to landing one of seven spots in a highly-competitive scholarship program to all the opportunities that have opened up for her.

Luck may have played a big part in Xyza’s journey so far but without her innate and raw talent in photography, a strong work ethic her parents taught her, and steel-like determination, she is nothing but a twenty something girl armed with a camera.

Xyza: In her own words On her thought process when shooting – I’m very sensitive to light but I can’t explain how I really do it.

I have no deep explanation about that. If I’m happy during a particular day, I shoot happy people. If I’m sad or feeling emo emo, I photograph sad people. I don’t usually think when I shoot.

On fame The first 15 minutes, I liked the attention but after that I just wanted to shoot. Most of the time, I ignore the attention that I get.

On inspiring other migrant workers I think the best part of this is the fact that I get to inspire migrant workers. I’m very fortunate to be in this position – to inspire people.

Yung feeling kasi ng iba, I’m just a domestic worker. It’s just a job, it doesn’t build your character and it doesn’t say who you really are.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living.

On invisibility I’m also doing a story on undocumented domestic workers, I’m very interested in the story of invisible people because I was once one of them. I like watching people, I like being invisible. I’m not into fame. I’d rather shoot.

On her favorite NYC spot to shoot – I love the subway, it’s very old but it has character. Most of my images now are taken in the subway. Most of the time, I’m in the subway. The grittier and the dirtier, the better.

On street photography vs. documentary – When I do street photography, I’m a hunter but when I do documentary, I’m a story-teller. Those are two different sides. Street photography for me is my fun side and I do it to de-stress from documentary shooting. Emotions are heavier with documentary stuff.

On her biggest take away so far I can live anywhere. I’ve been living like a gypsy for the past few weeks, living off my suitcase and staying in people’s couches. If I can do it, you can send me anywhere. I like being with my documentary subjects and being their friend.

On her ultimate dream – I want to be a Magnum photographer, the first Filipino Magnum photographer. I know people will laugh but well, I aim high. (Editor’s note: Magnum is a cooperative for international photograph)

B august 29-september 1, 2015 • La WeeKeND asIaN JOurNaL

The Global Kababayan

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Programming of Kababayan Today, The Orchards unveils citrus court models on Aug. 29 August 31 - September 4, 2015

G. TönGi AUGUST 31 - Get to know the newly-crowned winners of the Binibining Pilipinas USA 2015 and also check out our exclusive interview with Miss KSCI. September 1 - Our “Kulturahan” Correspondent for Kababayan Today Gio Ortega reports from San Francisco on the ManilaTown Heritage Foundation, the FilAm International Book Festival details and the Bayanihan Community Center!

Michele Periquet of “RESET Yourself” also joins the show for some hair analysis.

September 2 - Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and “Get Health-Thea” with health & fitness advocate Thea Fernandez.

Nove Deypalan, musical conductor gives details on his upcoming concert entitled Bellisima.

He is joined by soprano Kristy Camarella & Lucky Petterson, marketing director of Musikato International.

September 3 - Ramona Haar, owner of Ramona Fine Jewelry LLC in Florida, joins the show. Ramona Fine Jewelry LLC specializes in one-of-a-kind fine jewelry. She is a gemologist, jewelry designer and the official jeweler of Miss Earth Pageant.

Her book is her way of spreading awareness of the extraordinary skills of Filipino Goldsmith by showcasing their work. The Maharlika line in particular is inspired by the ancient Filipino designs.

These designs represent the glory of the Filipino art in jewelry making, marrying the grandeur of the past and the contemporary styles of the present.

September 4 - Get to know

Features

Global Cosplay Sensation Jin Joson and Cyril Lumboy, aka Dolldelight, and watch as they transform G into a cosplayer!

Filipino American National Historical Society / Delano Chapter Alex Edillor gives info on the 50th anniversary celebration of the Delano Grape Strike. *** G������ “G” Tö���� �� �h� ho�� a�� ��o��c�� of Kababaya� To�ay, a �a��y �a�k �how �ha� f�a����� �����a�� �o��c� fo� F������o’� ������� �� �����ca. H�� a�� �� �o b������ �o� o��y �h� c�����a� ��a� b��w��� �����ca & �h� Ph��������� b�� �o h��� w��h �h� ������a��o�a� ��a� b��w��� o�� ow� ��o���. �h� �� �a����� w��h �wo ch������ a�� �� ba��� �� �o��h��� Ca��fo���a a�� �ak�� f��q���� ����� �� �h� Pac�fic R�� �o Hawa�� a�� Ma���a �o f�a���� f���ow kababaya�� who a�� ���ow������ �h� F���� co������y.

UPLAND—On Saturday, August 29, homebuyers are invited to invigorate their lifestyles when William Lyon Homes’ unveils Citrus Court’s brand-new model homes at The Orchards in downtown Upland. Those interested in this new must-see neighborhood are encouraged to bring family and friends to tour Citrus Court’s beautifully decorated and furnished models and experience the spacious, well-appointed attached-home designs that will suit a range of lifestyle expectations. This attainably priced neighborhood offers the rare advantages of owning a brand-new home with modern amenities and no Mello-Roos fees, a benefit also found at The Orchards’ Citrus Pointe neighborhood, a stylish townhome collection, which recently unveiled four stunning model homes. To learn more about this new lifestyle opportunity, be sure to visit Citrus Court when doors open at 10 a.m. on August 29 for the highly anticipated model unveiling, or for immediate details, log on to www.LyonCitrusCourt.com. For additional information on The Orchards log on to www.lyontheorchards.com, and to learn more about Citrus Pointe, visit www.LyonCitrusPointe.com.

“The Orchards is one of the most talked about new communities in the area and we’re very excited to unveil the Citrus Court model homes to buyers,” said Ben Blomdahl, Director of Sales for William Lyon Homes. “Be among the first to experience this incredible lifestyle by joining us on August 29.”

Citrus Court presents four distinctive attached-home designs featuring well-planned interiors ranging from approximately 923 to 1,723 square feet, with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths and 2-car garages. Prices start from the $330,000s.

Citrus Pointe offers 5 appealing 2- and 3-story townhome designs that suit a range of lifestyles with spacious interiors spanning from approximately 1,177 to 1,583 square feet, with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, 2-car attached garages, and dens and lofts in select plans. Distant views of the Mount Baldy and the San Gabriel Mountains are available from select locations in both neighborhoods. Prices start from the $345,000s.

Homeowners will appreciate

The Orchards’ exclusive recreational amenities just steps from home, including a swimming pool and spa; barbecues for outdoor gatherings; a tot-lot for residents with children; and a private recreation center. Pocket parks and greenbelts will also be scattered throughout the community.

The convenient downtown Upland setting puts the Metrolink station within walking distance for easy rides to Los Angelesarea employment and attractions, while I-210 and I-10 are both nearby, easing the burden of driving commutes. For air travelers, the Ontario International Airport is also within close proximity.

The Orchards is surrounded by numerous sports and leisure opportunities with golf available at Red Hill Country Club & Golf Course and Upland Hills Country Club, baseball fields across the street at Olivedale Park, and challenging indoor climbing workouts at Hangar 18 Climbing Gym. Residents seeking culture, dining and shopping attractions can be in Upland’s historic downtown in minutes to enjoy a mix of charming boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and live theater. In neighboring Ontario, bargain shoppers will have Ontario Mills retail outlet at their disposal, while the renowned Victoria Gardens retail center in nearby Rancho Cucamonga will offer Macys, AMC Theatres, Wells Fargo Bank, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, The Cheesecake Factory and a number of other popular shops and dining spots. Vons and Trader Joe’s grocery stores will also be just a short distance from the community.

To visit Citrus Pointe and Citrus

Court at The Orchards, travel west on I-10, exit Euclid Ave., turn left, then turn right on Euclid Ave., right on 8th St. and follow the signs. From I-210, exit North Campus Ave. and travel south.

Turn right on E. 16th St., left on Euclid Ave., then left again on E. 8th St. and follow the signs.

Located on the corner of 8th St. and Sultana Ave., The Orchards’ Sales Gallery is open daily from 10m to 6pm.

For more information, please call (909) 946-0900, or visit www.

LyonCitrusPointe.com or www.

LyonCitrusCourt.com.

It matters who your builder is and William Lyon Homes is a company built upon a legacy of pride and integrity. A team of visionaries who are passionate about homebuilding and committed to providing a high quality homebuying and homeownership experience, William Lyon Homes has earned a solid track record for outstanding construction and customer service since 1956. The company continues to expand its well-respected brand beyond California, Arizona and Nevada and into other market areas across the Western region with the acquisition of Polygon Northwest Homes, its newest division in Washington and Oregon, and its Village Homes division in Colorado. William Lyon Homes’ shares are publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol WLH. For updated information and to learn more, visit www.lyonhomes. com.

Prices are effective as of the date of publication. Pricing is approximate and is subject to change without prior notice. CalBRE Officer License: 00982816.

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La Colina Estates unveils 5 magnificent model homes this Saturday, August 29

�INGING CH�MPION. 12-y�a�-o�� Ch������� U�a�� f�o� �a� D����o, Ca��fo���a wo� �h� MEG�VOICE K��� No��h �����ca �����o�a� ���a�� fi�a�� o� �a����ay, ������� 22. Th� MEG�VOICE KID� �� a ��������� co�������o� �ha� f�a����� �a������ ��������� k��� a���� 7-12 y�a�� o�� f�o� a�� o��� �h� ���� �9� �����o�� of M���awo��� I�����a��o�a�. �JP���� �ho�o by D���� Ca���o�

GLENDORA—This Saturday, August 29, homebuyers will experience the address of a lifetime at the Model Grand Opening of William Lyon Homes’ La Colina Estates. Doors open at 10am, offering guests their first opportunity to tour the five beautifully decorated models and explore the seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living areas, and estatesized properties averaging 20,000 square feet. Set in the Glendora foothills, La Colina Estates’ architectural magnificence will fulfill homebuyers’ grandest aspirations with 7 distinctive 1- and 2-story single-family detached plans that include 5 single-level designs, exquisitely appointed interiors and no Mello-Roos. Those interested in remarkable new-home grandeur are urged to attend this Saturday’s momentous event. For immediate details, visit www.

LyonLaColinaEstates.com.

“We’re looking forward to unveiling our gorgeous model homes and immersing buyers in truly breathtaking luxury,” said Ben Blomdahl, Director of Sales for William Lyon Homes. “Join us this Saturday and be among the first to experience La Colina Estates.”

Framed by the San Gabriel Mountain Range, the collection features 7 designs ranging from approximately 3,643 to 6,081 square feet with 3 to 6 bedrooms, 3.5 to 5.5 baths, modern kitchens with large islands, spacious living areas, and 2- to 4-car garages.

Sprawling homesites grace each home, providing a dramatic backdrop for outdoor living. Priced from the low $1 millions.

Located near I-210, 57 Freeway and the future Metro Gold Line commuter train makes the collection an ideal home base for commuting professionals.

Residents will also appreciate the short distance to the private Glendora Country Club, which features a 113-acre golf course with an urban forest and water features, a 25-yard swimming pool, and several indoor and outdoor venues. Other advantages include proximity to the Eastland Center’s retail and dining spots, including Albertson’s, PetSmart, Target, and Starbucks, and nearness to the Plaza West Covina. The Sandburg Middle School Park and South Hills Park are also

close, as well as Foothill Presbyterian Hospital and East Valley Hospital Medical Center.

Homeowners with children will value inclusion in the highly rated Glendora Unified School District, including La Fetra Elementary, Sandburg Middle School, and Glendora High School.

It matters who your builder is and William Lyon Homes is a company built upon a legacy of pride and integrity. A team of visionaries who are passionate about homebuilding and committed to providing a high quality homebuying and homeownership experience, William Lyon Homes has earned a solid track record for outstanding construction and customer service since 1956. The company continues to expand its well-respected brand beyond California, Arizona and Nevada and into other market areas across the Western region with the acquisition of Polygon Northwest Homes, its newest division in Washington and Oregon, and its Village Homes division in Colorado. William Lyon Homes’ shares are publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol WLH. For updated information and to learn more, visit www.lyonhomes. com.

To visit La Colina Estates, travel I-210, exit Citrus Avenue North, which turns into W. Foothill Blvd. Turn left on Barranca Ave., left on W. Sierra Madre Ave., left on Yucca Ridge Road and then right on Iris Lane. The Sales Gallery will be open daily from 10am to 5pm.

For more information, call (626) 969-1177, or visit www.

LyonLaColinaEstates.com.

Prices are effective as of the date of publication. Pricing is approximate and is subject to change without prior notice. CalBRE Officer License: 00982816.

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 29-SEptEmbER 1, 2015

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TV5 International expands reach in US via DIRECTV TV5 International marks a milestone by expanding its reach in the US via DIRECTV, now part of the AT&T family. KAPATID TV5, TV5 international’s entertainment channel, is set to deliver some of the most anticipated shows in the Philippines. As the home of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Kapatid TV5 has greatly revitalized Filipinos’ love for the Philippine’s premier basketball league and has been instrumental in bringing the action-packed PBA games to Filipino homes all over the world.

Kapatid TV5 also brings light, happy, and entertaining programs that make TV viewing appealing to the whole family. Its wide variety of shows include Young Hearts, a week-long mini-series featuring different love teams in the most requested TV adaptations of popular love stories shared on the storysharing internet site Wattpad; # Pa ra n g N o r m a l A c t i v i t y, a youth-oriented horror-comedy show featuring a lovable teen barkada who solves mysteries with the help of a pretty and friendly ghost; Hi-5 Philippines, the popular local franchise of the hit kiddie edutainment program from Australia; No Harm No Foul, which is topbilled by funnyman/songwriter Ogie Alcasid and a group of basketball superstars who have teamed up for a hilarious weekly sitcom.

Kapatid TV5’s programming also includes Misterless Misis, a

show that brings girl power and female independence to the next level with the quirky and funfilled characters portrayed by Ruffa Gutierrez, Lorna Tolentino, Gelli De Belen, Mitch Valdez, Ritz Azul, and Andie Gomez; Happy Truck ng Bayan, a lively and star-studded variety game show hosted by Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Tuesday Vargas, Marielle RodriguezPadilla, Gellie de Belen and Janno Gibbs; along with the breaking primetime news brought by award-winning news anchors Luchi Cruz-Valdes and Erwin Tulfo on Aksyon.

“It has always been TV5 International’s goal to reach out to Filipinos across the world.

With our partnership with DIRECTV, we are happy that we will be able to bring Kapatid TV5’s quality programs to more Filipinos in the US,” said Ernesto Sta. Maria, Jr., Chief Operations Officer of TV5 International. “We

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look forward to strengthening our partnership with DIRECTV and giving Kapatid viewers in the US the best viewing experience that will make them feel as though they never left the Philippines.”

“We’re excited to bring TV5 to DIRECTV’s lineup and expand our content offerings to our Filipino customers,” said Emma

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Brackett, vice president of Content, DIRECTV, part of the AT&T Family.With the addition of Kapatid TV5 we are proud to be the only TV provider in the US that carries the three biggest and most sought after Filipino networks in one place, further strengthening our leadership in the market.”

Kapatid TV5 is available in DIRECTV’s FilipinoDirect package. And now that Kapatid TV5 is seen by more Filipinos in the US through DIRECTV,

TV5 International is even more inspired to bring the best of Philippine TV to more Kapatid viewers all across the world.

A n d w i t h T V 5 ’s e v o l v i n g programming grid, viewers can expect a wider variety of innovative shows in the coming months.

Kapatid TV5 is currently being viewed in the United States, Canada, Middle East and North Africa (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran,Iraq,

Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, West Bank, Gaza Strip and Palestine), Guam, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong. To be updated with the latest happenings and events of Kapatid TV5, visit www.kapatidinternational. com or www.facebook.com/ kapatidinternational.

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B august 29-september 1, 2015 • La WeeKeND asIaN JOurNaL

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

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COMMUNITY Journal

On the wings of sham marriages Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves, MilleR, ZhAng & DiZA WHeN people are desperate, they are tempted to take dangerous routes to get what they want even if the chances of success are small and the risk is high. That is why those in positions of power have a great responsibility to promote wise decisions. At the very least, they have a responsibility to avoid leading people down a path to disaster. Unfortunately, not everyone considers that the actions or products they promote might have terrible unanticipated consequences for those who don’t know better.

People from all over the world want to come to live in the United States. However, the desire does not necessarily lead to the reality. Not everyone is eligible to immigrate to the United States.

One must qualify under either family-based or employmentbased categories in order to make that happen. (There are other requirements but now is not the time to discuss them). everyone knows you can’t choose your parents. And if yours don’t have US status, they can’t help you get it. Having a child in the United States and waiting 21 years for them to petition for you (and avoiding being deported during that 2 decade – plus wait) seems a bit drastic. Some people willing to take the longer view do choose their career on the basis of how that will help them immigrate but, that, too, is not something that happens immediately. And some may not want to wait.

But marriage to a United States citizen can make a green card happen. When a person who desires to immigrate falls in love with a United States citizen and the feeling

is mutual and they decide to create a life together, the law provides that the citizen can file a petition for the immigrant that will lead to a green card. Some people, however, are not fortunate enough to find someone that they want to share their life with who can also get them legal status.

They can then be tempted to enter into marriages solely for the purpose of getting a green card. These are called sham (fake) marriages. And because it is so tempting to many desperate people, Congress has passed laws and Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) has promulgated regulations that make the repercussions Draconian for those who get caught.

And most people in sham marriages do get caught. CIS investigates marriages to determine that they are real.

Real does not just mean legal. It means based on a real relationship. The legal term is “bona fide”. If it determines that the marriage is not bona fide, it will, of course, deny the petition. But the problem does not end there. The immigrant is placed into Removal Proceedings where he or she faces the very real possibility of being deported. And a subsequent marriage, or a petition from another family member or employer will not help. Because a separate ramification is that the immigrant who has been found to have entered into marriage in order to get a green card is permanently

barred from getting any benefits as a petitioner or a beneficiary of any family-based or employment-based petition.

This is true even if the sham marriage took place years ago and the immigrant is now married to a US citizen and the parent of several US citizens.

They will still have to leave.

That is the truth and the reality. However, unfortunately, the television and movie industry finds sham marriages a source of entertainment. Paying a United States citizen to marry an immigrant for a green card is portrayed as amusing and “no big deal”. Well, it is a crime and an immigration violation so it is a big deal.

The debate over the impact of the media on individual’s actions is ongoing. What impact does what we see have on what we do is still an open question.

But if a desperate person sees someone they admire (even if they see them portraying a fictional character) succeeding in a course of action, they may be tempted to do the same. A currently very popular television serial portrays its main characters as engaging in a sham marriage for immigration purposes. It has resulted in many people asking those in the legal community if they should do the same. So the answer is an unequivocal No! No matter how desperate you are, you should not take steps that will make your situation worse. Television is fiction.

Don’t confuse it with facts. To

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 29-SEpTEmbER 1, 2015

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C AUGUST 29-SepTember 1, 2015 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon DECiDiNg if bankruptcy is right for you can be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in your life. As much as possible, most people try to avoid it, of course. But sometimes, the hole you’ve dug up is too deep that there is no other way out. For example, perhaps you owe so much that there’s simply no way for you to ever repay your creditors. Filing bankruptcy, although not your first choice, may be a better alternative to remaining stuck in debt for the rest of your life.

The answer, of course, doesn’t always come quick and easy.

Most people will postpone making a decision until they have their back into a corner and they feel like the walls are caving in. if you are in this situation, i know how you feel. At what point does it make sense to file bankruptcy and get legal protection? if your financial situation is causing you a lot of stress and worries, perhaps bankruptcy is the best solution for your mental well-being if you’re already doing your best

Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA And ARlene Al-oS, cPA, mBA hOW long do you have to keep tax records? how long can the iRs audit your tax returns?

Let’s discuss 10 tips on statute of limitations so you can clean your garage this weekend. statute of limitations provides final dates after which neither you nor the iRs can be disturbed by the other.

• From an iRs perspective, the agency can no longer audit your tax return or collect what you owe.

• From your perspective, you can no longer claim a refund for overpaid tax.

1. The general statute to audit you is three years after a return is filed.

2. The statute is extended to six years if you omit 25% of your gross income.

3. A tax return that is filed be-

Community Journal

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

Bankruptcy: Is it the Will enlisting in the army give right decision for you? me expedited US citizenship? but it’s still not good enough.

Filing bankruptcy provides immediate debt relief because it automatically stops collection actions against you and your property. That means no more collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments and no more sheriffs at your door. For the first time after a long while, you can finally breathe better and feel like a human being again. in Chapter 7, credit card debts, personal loans, medical bills and other unsecured debts are erased completely. Although in Chapter 7 non-exempt property can be taken to pay creditors, this is very rare because most Chapter 7 cases are no-asset cases. if your case is such, you lose nothing but your debts and you get to keep your home, automobile, bank accounts, retirement plans, etc. in Chapter 13, you agree to repay all or a portion of your debts over 3 to 5 years. in most cases, you can cut your current credit card payments in half or even more, depending on your income and expenses. so, rather than struggling to pay your

debts and the ridiculous interest rates that the credit card companies are charging you, you can be out of debt in a much shorter period of time while paying zero percent interest on your credit cards. Trust me. With the interest rates of 22-29% that the credit card companies are charging you, you are likely to be in debt for the rest of your life if all you can afford is to make minimum payments. if filing bankruptcy makes sense for your situation, it may be the only way you will ever get a fresh financial start. if there are ways to avoid it, i can help you review your options. For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772.

We have offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia. ***

None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

Statute of limitations 101: How long must you keep records? fore April 15 is considered filed on April 15.

4. A tax return that is extended and filed after April 15 has its statute also extended to date of actual filing.

• For example, a return that’s filed October 15 extends its statute to October 15 as well.

• TiP: if you have sensitive issues that you don’t want disturbed, file on time so the iRs does not get an extra six months to snoop around.

5. There is no protection from the statute if the iRs does not receive your tax return.

• This is true even if you filed a return that the iRs did not receive (or claims not to have received)!

• TiP: Mail certified with return receipt especially if there are critical items in your return.

6. There is no statute if you do not file a return. They can audit you anytime. Forever.

7. There is no statute for false

or fraudulent returns. Nada.

8. if you want statutes to protect you but your records are incomplete, file anyway.

• TiP: File a signed processible return. Provide sufficient data for iRs to assess your liability.

• That return does not need to be perfect. show an honest attempt to comply with the law.

9. if the iRs identifies you as a non-filer, they can file a substitute return for you.

• Believe me, that return will be estimated on the high side of the scale.

• The result can be painful. it could go up to 200% of what you actually owe.

• Add penalties and interests and, houston, you have a problem.

10. if you are under audit, the agent may ask you to sign either Form 872 or Form 872-A. • sign Form 872 that expires at a specific future date.

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This question was recently posed to our office: Dear Attorney Tan, I am a Filipino who is presently in post-graduate studies here in Los Angeles under an F-1 visa. After 3 years, I am close to finishing my graduate degree, and would like to stay in the US and become a citizen. Is it true that enlisting in the US military can give me US citizenship?

– Uninformed Student Answer: Dear Uninformed student: Under the Us Army’s Military Accessions Vital to the National interest (MAVNi) program, certain non-immigrants who have special language or medical skills can obtain expedited Us citizenship. Persons who join the Army under the MAVNi program can move from a nonimmigrant visa directly to Us citizenship, bypassing the permanent resident process.

Persons who participate in the MAVNi program become naturalized Us citizens by the time they graduate from 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training or accept a commission as Army Officers. Currently, certain licensed health care professionals and persons who can speak more than 1 language are being sought out by the Army under this program. health care professionals must have qualifying scores on an English language proficiency test and be licensed in the Us. Those with Darrick V. Tan, Esq. special language skills must have a qualifying score on a proficiency test in his/her native language.

Certain requirements need to be met to enroll in the MAVNi program. First, an applicant must be in one of the following non-immigrant visa categories: E, F, h, i, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, s, T, TC, TD, TN, U or V. Persons also qualify if they are either in asylee, refugee, or Temporary Protected status, or have been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. second, an applicant must have legally resided in the Us for at least 2 years prior to joining the army (excluding DACA), and have not been absent from the Us during that time period for more than 90 days. Third, an applicant must have a high school diploma and have obtained qualifying scores on the Armed Forces Qualification Test. in your case, if you have a medical skill which the Army is looking for, you may be eligible to enroll in the MAVNi program, and for expedited Us citizenship. in addition, the Army is currently recruiting for Tagalog speakers. if you are proficient in Tagalog, you may also be eligible. Your F-1 non-immigrant status is one of the categories that is accepted under the MAVNi program. Furthermore, if you have been studying for close to 3 years in Los Angeles, you appear to meet the 2 year Us residence requirement (assuming you have not had an extended stay outside the Us of over 90 days during that time).

The MAVNi program to expedited citizenship will increase from the current limit of 1,500 enlistments to 3,000 enlistments during this fiscal year, and to 5,000 enlistments in the 2016 fiscal year.

While the MAVNi program may be a good option for you, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to determine all available options in your case. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com.

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On the wings of sham...

PAGE C1 t get the real facts about how to resolve your immigration problem, consult with a licensed, reputable, experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. ***

Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com

Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. IMMIGRANTS are a growing part of the labor force in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, there were 25.7 million foreign-born persons in the US labor force, comprising 16.5 percent of the total workforce.

According to the Office of Occupational Safety, an average of twelve workers die on the job per day due to work-related conditions, plus an additional 50,000 workers die each year from occupational disease. Between 8 million and 12 million work-related injuries or illnesses occur every year. For various reasons, immigrant workers are highly at risk for workplace safety and health problems. even though the law has guaranteed workers the right to work in a safe and hazard-free workplace, immigrant workers

Community Journal

Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) requires an alien obtaining a green card through a marriage less than two years old to come back at the end of that two years with the petitioning spouse and show that they are still married or, if the marriage was terminated, to show that the marriage was entered in good faith before the USCIS will issue them a permanent (unconditional) green card.

Any alien who obtains a green card through a spousal petition by virtue of a marriage entered less than twenty four months before the status is obtained will only receive a conditional green card under INA §216(d).

To remove this condition, both spouses must file a form I-751 with the USCIS within 90 day period preceding the expiration of the conditional green card along with other supporting documents showing the marriage was entered in good faith. however, sometimes alien

Problem Solved Atty. Kelly o’reilly INveSTOR visas are a great option for immigrant investors and their families. These visas are available both for those that are outside of the United States, and for those that are currently in the United States on a different type of visa. Two programs stand out as great options that should be considered by any immigrant that is able to invest in a US enterprise. These programs are the e-2, and the eB-5 visa programs.

E-2 treaty investors The e-2 visa program allows a foreign national of a treaty country (a list of treaty countries is available online) to receive a nonimmigrant visa when they are investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business. This program is especially useful for small business owners and those seeking to invest into starting a business in the United States.

The first requirement for the e-2 program is for the applicant to be a citizen of a treaty country.

Once that is established, the applicant must show that they have invested, or in the process of investing, a “substantial” amount into a US enterprise. The last requirement is that they been seeking to enter the US to develop and direct the investment

National origin is not a bar to recovery continue to face serious threats to their safety and health at work on a daily basis.

Case in point: Pablo Padilla Ayala, a fruit harvester for employer Gold Grower Services, Inc., was electrocuted when his 20-foot ladder, provided to him by his employer, came into contact with a power line directly above a row of orchard trees, while he was harvesting grapefruit. he died from his injuries.

Ayala’s widow, two young children, and brother (who was working with him at the farm at that time and saw him die) sued Southern California edison (SCe), who owned the power lines, and the employers, for negligence. Ayala’s family claimed that SCe was supposed to maintain the power lines at a minimum height of 25 feet and to ensure that there was 10 feet of clearance between trees

and power lines. At the time of Ayala’s accident, the power lines were too low, a little over 18 feet. The family sought recovery for wrongful death damages. SCe and the employers denied they were at fault. The case went to trial.

Where an injury or death was caused by the negligence of others, the injured party or their family may recover damages if 1) the other party was negligent and 2) the other party’s negligence caused the injuries or death. If some negligence is established, the real challenge is how to measure damages. how does the legal system value the loss of life to the spouse or to a family member left behind? First, there are economic damages such as medical bills and funeral expenses. There is also the loss of financial support that the

spouses are not able to file this Joint Petition to remove the condition on their green card because the couple got divorced or are in the process of filing a divorce and is having difficulties getting the cooperation of the US citizen spouse. When the alien spouse falls into this situation, it is still possible for them to obtain their permanent green card by filing a waiver.

The waiver must be based on one of the following reasons 1) extreme hardship would result if such alien is removed 2) The qualifying marriage was entered in good faith by the alien spouse, but … has been terminated (divorce or annulled), and the alien was not at fault in failing to timely file the joint petition and attend the interview; or 3) The qualifying marriage was entered into in good faith by the alien spouse and during the marriage the alien spouse or child was battered by or was the subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the US citizen parent or permanent resident spouse or parent and the alien was not at fault in failing to file the joint petition and attend the interview. INA §216(c)(4); 8 CFR 216.5 If you have a conditional green card and your are having difficulty obtaining cooperation from your US citizen spouse in

Bernardino School of Business Administration.

He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com. Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Immigration: A smart investment enterprise. Whether your investment is “substantial” and other questions you might have about the e-2 program should be discussed with an immigration attorney.

EB-5 immigrant investor program entrepreneurs and their families are able to apply for permanent residency in the US (hold a green card) through this visa program. Many are drawn to this program because it grants permanent residency, which can lead to US citizenship. Many times, immigrants are already looking for a smart investment.

This program allows that investment to be made, and has the added benefit of providing the immigrant investor with permanent residence in the U.S. The first requirement for this program is for an investment to be made in a commercial enterprise in the United States. The investment amount often does not need to be as large as most people think. The amount of investment depends heavily on the type of investment that is made.

The investment amount is very fact-specific, and should be discussed with an immigration attorney. The second requirement for this program is a plan to create or preserve 10 permanent, full-time jobs for US workers.

• Do not sign Form 872-A which is open-ended, meaning it has no expiration period.

Update at 4/15/15: • Keep records for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (OK to dispose records for prior years).

• But keep an additional 2 years if you may have omitted 25% of your income.

• Keep an extra year for California.

This concludes our Statute of Limitations Course 101. Good day!

*** Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies.

The firm celebrates its 38th anniversary in 2015. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in 704 Mira Monte Place, Pasadena, CA 91101. He has 50 years of experience in

decedent would have provided to the family but for the premature death.

Secondly, there are non-economic damages. Injury and death will affect the relationship between the decedent and the family. how does one put a price on the loss of love, companionship or consortium, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, moral support and the loss of training and guidance? how should the family of the wrongful death victim be compensated? Not surprisingly, there are no easy answers.

In the case of Ayala, who was originally from Mexico, SCe and the employers argued to the jury that the compensation to Ayala’s family should be reduced because Ayala, who travelled away for work, was living apart from his wife and children, and did not see his family

AmericAn DreAm AlliSon AqUino-SilvA, eSq

The United States was founded under the ideal of being a melting pot, where different people from different places around the world would blend as one harmonious community.

Although it is debatable whether this ideal has been achieved or not, it is clear that more and more people are finding love outside of their nationality and culture. Wonderfully, the immigration laws contain provisions that may benefit married couples who have been born in different countries.

These provisions could be very helpful to individuals from countries that are experiencing severe backlogs and waiting periods, such as those born in the Philippines, mainland China, Mexico and India. In general, *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified for purposes of the visa waiting Family Law Specialist. He was President of the lists, an individual is charged Philippine American Bar Association. He is a to the country in which they member of both the Family law section and are born. This typically applies Immigration law section of the Los Angeles even to children who are born County Bar Association. He is a graduate of outside of their parents’ native Southwestern University Law School in Los country, which is increasingly Angeles and California State University, San more common given the large signing a joint petition to remove this conditional green card, you should consult an attorney to assist you in planning for and obtaining a waiver.

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.

What is best for you?

Investor visa programs have multiple approaches and multiple options. It is important to speak with an immigration attorney in order to truly know what options are available for you.

Investment visas are not exclusively for immigrant investors with millions of dollars. Often times, these visas are available for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Call and schedule an appointment with an immigration attorney at Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC. We specialize in all areas of immigration law, and we will be able to guide you through the process involved in the investor visa program that is best for you. Call our office to schedule your free consultation.

We have offices in Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, and Salt Lake City. *** Kelly S. O’Reilly is a nationally known immigration expert and former immigration officer. He is a highly sought after speaker on immigration and employment compliance issues.

Mr. O’Reilly serves as the current chair of the Riverside County Bar Association Immigration section and is a partner in the full-service immigration firm of the Wilner & O’Reilly where he provides free consultations. Mr. O’Reilly can be contacted at (714) 919-8880 and he welcomes email inquiries at kelly@wilneroreilly.com.

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Statute of limitations 101: How long must...

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When immigrant workers are injured at work

Waiver of joint petition to remove conditional permanent residency on a marriage entered less than two years Barrister’s Corner

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 29-SEpTEmbER 1, 2015

accounting, consulting, and tax work. *** The Firm proudly welcomes Arlene Al-os in 2015. She obtained her bachelors of Science in Accountancy from Mindanao State University and MBA from Ateneo de Manila University. She teaches intermediate accounting at UCLA and was a professor of Economics at Asia Pacific College. She has over 15 years of experience including member firms of KPMG and BDO Seidman accounting firms. *** Our readers may call (626) 744-0200 or email tax questions to info@victorsycpa.com. Please visit our website for about 300 tax tips at www.victorsycpa. com.

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for long periods of time due to the nature of his work. however, the jury was urged that just because Ayala and his family did not speak english, that they come from Mexico, and that Ayala’s work required him to be away from his family for long periods of time, did not mean that their pain and loss is any less.

After nearly six weeks of trial and one day of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Ayala’s family, awarding them $4,745,000 in non-economic damages. The jury found that Southern California edison was 80% liable for the death, with the remaining 20% liability assigned to the employer and labor contractor.

Whether the fatal accident occurred at home, on the road, or at work, courts continue to struggle with the question of damages in wrongful death

cases. Trying to put a price tag on a human life is, indeed, a challenge. Families should, therefore, seek help from a knowledgeable and experienced attorney who can better articulate their true damages to a court or jury. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. Atty. Sayas’ Law Office is located at 500 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 980, Glendale, CA 91203. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against employers and insurance companies. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum.

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Expediting permanent residency through a cross-cultural relationship number of overseas workers.

An important exception to this general rule applies to married couples who are born in different countries, with hopefully one of them from a country that is not experiencing a severe backlog. The exception states that a person may use their spouse’s country of birth for purposes of determining which country’s waiting list they will be charged. It is available for either relative petitions or employment-based petitions. however, the law does require that the spouses apply for their green cards at the same time.

As an example, a US citizen mother files a relative petition on behalf of her Philippine born unmarried daughter over age 21 on September 1, 2015.

Under the visa bulletin, the cutoff priority date for this category (F1) at that time is October 22, 2000. The waiting period is therefore be about 15 years.

Now, if the unmarried daughter marries a Philippine

born individual, the daughter continues to be eligible for a green card, but would be reclassified to the category for married children (F3). For this category under the Philippines, the cut-off priority date is September 15, 1993, which adds about 7 years to the waiting period. So, unfortunately, the marriage between two Philippine born individuals makes the wait even longer. however, if the Filipina marries someone born in a country other than the Philippines, the immigration laws allow use of the waiting list for the spouse’s country of birth. In our example, if she marries someone born in Dubai, the cut-off priority date can be charged to the waiting list for Dubai, which is May 8, 2004. The waiting period would therefore be about 11 years, which is 4 years faster than if she remained single and 11 years faster than if she were to marry a Philippine born individual.

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C AUGUST 29-SepTember 1, 2015 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Community Journal

Senior with little income but large home equity seeks Chapter 13 relief Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CHAPTER 13 Client is 68 and relies on social security of $800. Wife is 55 and is a self-employed health professional. Wife, although a health professional, only grosses $20K a year. And I thought everyone in the health industry was raking it in. They bought their residence 20 years ago for $300K. It is now worth $700K. They have a mortgage balance of $200K. So they have $500K of equity. That’s not bad at all.

However, because their income is low, they have not been able to pay their mortgage of $1200 monthly for 10 months.

They come to me with a notice of auction sale for next week. Husband asks if a loan modification at this stage will stop the foreclosure. I said no.

Although there is a law that says so, in reality, it doesn’t stop the foreclosure. He also asks me if I can sue the bank for predatory lending to stop the foreclosure.

I said no. I said you can sue the bank but its not going to stop the foreclosure. I said the only thing you can do to stop the foreclosure right now is the file a Chapter 13. You can then pay the default of $12K at the rate of $200 monthly and stop the foreclosure for 5 years as long as you are timely making the plan payments to the court.

The problem, I said, is that next month, you have to resume the current mortgage payment of $1200 for the month of October so that in October, you actually need $1200 for the current portion of the mortgage and another $200 for the plan payment.

The total of $1,400 is $200 more than you mortgage of $1200 which you have not been able to pay for ten months, but it does give you enough breathing time to figure out what you can do next. The foreclosure of September 8 will not push through because of the Chapter 13. Therefore, your house is safe in the meantime.

I suggested that he can sell

There are special laws that allow middle class families to avoid paying thousands of dollars out of their pocket monthly for nursing home care, assisted living care and home care. So, why get financially devastated when a health crisis happens that cannot be avoided? the house while he was on the Chapter 13 so that he can maximize the realization of his $500K of equity, then just purchase a condo with the $500K so he won’t have to pay for a mortgage anymore, and he will probably have $100K of cash left as emergency funds. I suggested another way to pay off the mortgage but I will not mention it here. What’s important is that the filing of the Chapter 13 now will stop the September 8 foreclosure and give him enough time to figure out what his next move is going to be. Otherwise, if he doesn’t do anything and keeps on dragging his feet and not take the right step which is filing the Chapter 13, he will end up losing his house on September 8. If his house is foreclosed on September 8 and there are no bidders for the house at auction, the bank will bid the balance of the loan of $200K, and in that situation his $500K equity will evaporate into thin air.

Maybe a bank employee will bid slightly higher than $200K, then resell the house at $700K and making a half million profit overnight at the expense of client who I must say is one of the most stubborn people I have met. It’s as if his stubbornness will solve the problem of saving his house.

Paying for/eliminating nursing home costs Client is 67. He has been fairly blessed with good health until recently. He owns a house with $300K of equity. He has a retirement account of $500K. While going for his daily morning walk with his dog, he suffered a massive heart attack.

Now, he cannot take care of himself. His wife and family are worried that that they would have to place him in a nursing home. They checked around and found a nice nursing home with first class surrounding and

facilities. They would like to put him there. But the monthly expense for that nursing home is $8,000 a month. At that rate, they would burn through the retirement account of $500K in five years. And may even have to sell their house.

His wife and family are very concerned that this catastrophe will devastate them financially. I present them with a legal solution that will let them keep the $500K of retirement account and keep their house.

At the same time, the solution will provide grants and subsidies that will pay for the $8,000 monthly as long as he needs nursing home care. I can get them the care that client needs without bankrupting the family. There are special laws that allow middle class families to avoid paying thousands of dollars out of their pocket monthly for nursing home care, assisted living care and home care. So, why get financially devastated when a health crisis happens that cannot be avoided? If your loved one is in this situation now, or you need to do advance planning maybe a couple of years from now, come and see me. I can help you solve this problem legally and allow you to keep all your assets while getting the nursing care that your loved one needs.

“SEE, THE FORMER THINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE, AND NEW THINGS I DECLARE; BEFORE THEY SPRING INTO BEING I ANNOUNCE THEM TO YOU.” ISAIAH 42:9 *** 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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http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

The heart of the matter

To Live With Faith reverend rodeL g. BALAgtAs WHAT is the heart of the matter? This is the question I have been reflecting on this past week. It came out of a conversation I had with a fellow priest regarding our work in the seminary. The question strikes me because it delves into the real essence of who we are as Christians and ministers of God. Indeed, what are we called for? What is the true purpose of our lives? What is our personal and common mission here on earth?

Probably, we don’t think about these questions too much because we’re busy going around, doing things at home, at work and in the community. But even institutions like the seminary have to go back to this question of the “heart of the matter” of work, meetings, decisions, budget sheets, personnel matters and other things.

Politicians need to also ask themselves why they are running for office. What’s the heart of the matter in their pursuit for power, position and prestige?

Is it really to serve selflessly?

Is it really to serve the poor, the weak, and the people at the margins of the society? Is it to

Traditions and rituals are meant to transform our relationships, to make us relate with one another with humility, love, mercy, and compassion. promote justice and equality among all men and women?

Even laws and regulations become the end in themselves when we forget their true purpose and meaning. It is easier simply to keep them than to understand their purpose and their spirit as part of our values and life operation.

For example, take the situation in the Gospel this Sunday. The Pharisees criticized the disciples of Jesus for not following the traditions of the elders because they found them eating a meal with unclean hands. To this Jesus responded, referring to the prophesy of Isaiah, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; a vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.”

We can get caught up in rituals, traditions and other external ceremonials and expressions that we forget their significance. Traditions and rituals are meant to transform our relationships, to make us relate with one another with humility, love, mercy, and compassion. They are meant to unite us and to see one another

as brothers and sisters.

Absolutely, religious ceremonials, traditions and prayers are directed to God to give him praise and worship, but they become meaningful when they enable us to become more humane. As Jesus said in the Gospel, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Mark 9:13).

And so, we should always go back to the basic question of the heart of the matter. The best way to do this is to bring ourselves in prayer to God everyday of our lives so that we can examine our hearts for his will and mission, for what matters most in life to him and the people we love and serve. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

People and Events

The Philippine Medical Association of Southern California seeks connection & support in moving forward together THE Officers and Members of the Association headed by President Dr. Arnel Joaquin, and Auxiliary President Divinia Encina will be holding a whole day event to be held at the Reef on the Water in Long Beach, California on September 26, 2015.

A Strategic Planning Session will be held in which Mr. Joe Lumarda, Senior Vice President and Investment Counselor for Capital Group Client Services, will be the Facilitator. It will be followed by a Medical Educational Conference, and a Press Conference at 6pm in which our first Filipino-American Assemblyman Rob Bonta and the Philippine Consul General Leo Her-

rera-Lim will participate in the discussion of the law that was passed by the State Legislature regarding full immunization of children before going to school with no exemption.

Assemblyman Bonta has passed twenty bills through the Legislature, sixteen of which were signed into law by Governor Brown (two of those were signed as part of the Budget Act). He championed access to quality health care for all.

He further pursued his first two years in the Assembly as a member of the Health Committee. Consul General HerreraLim will discuss the incidence of measles which was traced

back in the Philippines. Medical Missions will also be discussed especially in facilitating the personnel, medicines, and equipments.

There will be a Dinner Show & Dance after the Press Conference and the show will be performed by Tausala Polynesian Dancers. It will be a Luau event wherein all the past Presidents of the Auxiliary will be presented after their 35 years of service to the PMASC. The ticket is $70.00 if paid before August 31 and $80.00 after the due date.

For dinner tickets, contact Noli R. Zosa, M.D. or Mrs. Nena Zosa. Telephone no. (562) 5722481

Former PVBs 2016 Grand Reunion FORMER employees of Philippine Veterans Bank will hold their Grand Reunion on February 21, 2016 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Manila.

We are trying to reach out to all members residing all over the

world to disseminate information about the upcoming event.

For more details about the reunion, please contact the following members through their Facebook accounts: Southern California – Aurora

Carillo Northern California – Angie Virola Philippines – Lourdes Barbero Ramos and Lyn Lagpitanghap We look to forward to see you all!

CELEBRATE LOCAL in San Diego this Sept.

THIS September, San Diego Restaurant Week, presented

by Lexus Dealerships of San Diego, will CELEBRATE LOCAL... keepin’ it fresh - really fresh.

San Diego Restaurant week returns September 20th - September 26th for ONE WEEK ONLY to “Celebrate Local” at all 180+ participating restaurants.

Choose from a three-course dinner or two-course lunch

deal to satisfy your cravings.

NEW THIS YEAR, San Diego Restaurant Week will be partnering with Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank to provide backpacks for children in need within the San Diego community during the ALL FOR KIDS campaign.

Ditch the dirty dishes and join over 150,000 fellow diners as we celebrate San Diego’s thriving culinary scene

and the homegrown, local businesses that provide us with the produce and products we love!

Tickets are not necessary for this delectable week of discounted dining, but reservations are recommended!

Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com for more information, including a list of participating restaurants, or to make your reservations in advance! n

Expediting Permanent Residency...

PAGE C3 t With respect to the timing of the marriage, careful assessment must be made beforehand to ensure that there are no negative consequences to getting married and to determine the potential benefits.

If not properly assessed, a poorly-timed marriage may in fact destroy a petition. On the other hand, a well-timed marriage may quickly advance an

individual’s eligibility to obtain a green card.

The cross-chargeability provisions of the immigration laws are most beneficial to individuals who are born in countries experiencing severe backlogs.

In today’s age of increasing intercultural marriages—resulting from an increase in travel, working abroad, and the internet—individuals must be knowledgeable about these provisions as they may be able

to benefit and reduce their waiting times significantly. *** For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@ aquinoloew.com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996.

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PeoPle & events

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 29-SEpTEmbER 1, 2015

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UN-NGO Conference 2015 underscores the value of NGO, government and private sector partnerships in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda New York —PH Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. addressed the 2015 NGo Conference at the United Nations in a breakout session entitled “The Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan: Learning the Value of Innovative NGo, Government and Private Sector Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Disaster Preparedness” which was held on Monday, August 25. The 2015 NGo Conference, which was sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Canada, Denmark, republic of korea, Sao Tomé and Principe, Suriname, and Ukraine to the United Nations, took place at the UN Headquarters from August 25 to 26.

In his statement, Consul General de Leon recognized the active engagement of the Filipino-American community organizations in the relief and rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Yolanda which affected millions of families in the Philippines. He also acknowledged the immediate response, not only by raising funds and giving donations, but

also through their collaboration with non-Filipino community organizations, the US-based private sector, local government authorities, and the Philippine Consulate.

“Partnerships among the NGo’s , government and private sector is imperative and relevant in the relief and in the long term, sustainable recovery in areas affected by natural disaster, in this case the families and economies of the town greatly affected by Typhoon Yolanda,” emphasized the Consul General.

He cited examples of relief and rehabilitation partnership efforts, both in disaster preparedness and sustainable development initiatives in the US Northeast during the 20 months after Yolanda.

He mentioned notable examples of Consulate-led and communityinitiated activities involving varied players from the private sector (e.g. freight forwarders, hotel chains, NY restaurants, Broadway theater producers and operators, television networks, Fortune 500 companies), NGo’s/foundations

(e.g. ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Foundation, Disaster relief Foundation, My Shelter Foundation, Gawad kalinga US Foundation and Habitat for Humanity), faithbased organizations (e.g. Archdioceses in PA and NY, Manila and Borongan, Catholic relief Services, Catholic Medical Mission Board and ANCoP USA) and government institutions (e.g. PH Department of Health, PH Department of Social welfare and Development, LGU’s in eastern Samar and Leyte, offices of the Chief executives in Jersey City, Nassau County and Staten Island NY, and Fairlawn, NJ, Fraternal organization of Police in Philadelphia, etc).

The Consul General mentioned the Build A Shelter Project (BASP) as an innovative partnership, both a community-based and Consulateled initiative, aimed at building 104 houses in four villages in eastern Samar and Leyte in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

The mission of the project to raise funds for the target hous-

Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. (4th from R) speaks at the Workshop on “The Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan: Learning the Value of Innovative NGO, Government and Private Sector Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Disaster Preparedness held at Conference 1 of the UN Headquarters on 25 August 2015. Mr. Aristeo Portugal (4th from L) moderates the workshop. Other panelists are (from L) Rene Ballenas, Nelsie Parrado, Aurora Aquino, Ludi Hughes, Ann Marie Jacob and Nanding Fernandez.

Photo by Pierre Santos

es was accomplished through close coordination and collaboration of Filipino-American community organizations, the private sector in the US Northeast, foundations and NGo’s, faith-based, and government institutions. To date, 54 houses were already built and handed over to beneficiaries in Tanau-

an, Leyte and Hernani, eastern Samar, he reported.

The Breakout Session was also participated in by other panelists from the Filipino-American community, namely: rene Ballenas of Team Maharlika; Ms. Nelsie Parrado of Handang Tumulong Foundation; Ludi de Asis Hughes of Bergen County; Ms. Aurora

Aquino, an NGo representative; Mr. Nanding Mendez of Fiesta America; and Ms. Ann Marie Jacob, of Manila-based Shoephoric Company. Mr. Aristeo Portugal, Country representative of the Food and Agriculture organization (FAo) in Manila served as the Panel moderator in a private capacity.

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D

Survey says teens are Can adopted children petition biological family members? more shopping sensible, like their parents Immigration Corner

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

“IS this a good deal? Should I buy this?” are questions many teens of today are now asking.

Gone are spending sprees and splurging for the new school year.

Teens are shopping like their parents during the back-to-school season, putting a lot of pressure on retailers to change the way they market to them.

According to a Deloitte poll, teens and young adults are more thrifty nowadays—a habit likely picked up from their recessionscarred parents.

Today’s students recycle more clothes from the previous school year, mixing and matching older and newer styles. They also shop year-round for things they need, so that they spend less money this time of year.

“I think it’s important to shop sensibly, especially if you’re a college student. It’s hard to find time to shop during the school year in between jobs or projects,” said Madeline Hemmings, 22, a student from Cal State Long Beach.

“Personally, I’d rather spend my money on experiences and social

occasions, such as dinners or concerts.”

Teens and young adults are also less likely to buy anything that’s not on sale, according to the poll of 1,000 parents. The number of students who will willingly reuse last year’s items rose to 39 percent from 26 percent between 2011 and 2015.

According to a survey of 6,500 by the National Retail Federation, teens are generally spending less.

On average, families with schoolage children are expected to spend $630.36 this year. That’s down 6 percent from last year, and results have registered declines for four out of the past seven years.

“I always look at the price; it has to be cheap and on sale,” said 21-year-old Marcus Romero from Chino, California. “Pretty much anything less than $20.”

Overall, back-to-school spending this school year should hit $42.5 billion, up 2.1 percent from the previous year, according to research firm The Retail Economist. The amount is much lower than the 5 to 6 percent average gains typically seen in a healthy economy.

PAGE D2

Forbes: Henry Sy richest Filipino for 8th straight year

by PAtriciA lourdEs Philstar.com

VirAy

MANILA - Shopping mall mogul Henry Sy topped the latest Forbes magazine list of 50 richest Filipinos for the eighth consecutive year with a net worth of $14.4 billion.

“At age 90, Henry Sy, the country’s richest man, still is chairman of his retail and property juggernaut SM Prime Holdings,” Forbes said.

Sy’s estimated net worth in 2014 was $12.7 billion.

John Gokongwei Jr. rose up from the fifth spot in 2014 to the second spot this year with a net Shopping mall mogul Henry Sy’s net worth worth of $5.5 billion, up from his increased to $14.4 billion from $12.7 billion $4.9 billion net worth last year.

Ranking third is Alliance Global last year.

Group Inc.’s Andrew Tan whose wealth slid to $4.5 billion from $5.1 billion last year.

From last year’s second spot, tobacco and airline magnate Lucio Tan slid to the fourth spot with a net worth of $4.3 billion, down from $6.1 billion last year.

International port magnate Enrique Razon Jr. took this year’s fifth spot with a net worth of $4.1 billion, a drop from $5.2 billion last year.

Other Filipinos who completed the top 10 were George Ty ($4 billion), Aboitiz family ($3.6 billion), Jaime Zobel de Ayala ($3.5 billion), David Consunji ($3.2 billion) and Tony Tan Caktiong ($2.2 billion).

PH ranks 15th in global survey on financial inclusion by lAwrEncE

AgcAoili And louEllA d. dEsidErio Philstar.com

MANILA - Washington-based think tank Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) has ranked the Philippines 15th out of 21 countries in terms of access and usage of affordable financial services.

The Philippines earned 68 percent of the total possible points based on the 2015 Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FIDP) Report prepared

by John Villasenor, Darrell West, and Robin Lewis.

The FIDP report is the first of a series of annual reports examining financial inclusion activities around the world. It ranked the 21 countries which have committed to improving financial access and usage using 33 indicators spanning four dimensions: country commitment, mobile capacity, regulatory environment and adoption.

The Philippines placed eighth with a score of 94 percent in country commitment and seventh place in terms of regulatory environment with a score of 89 percent.

It received its lowest score of 40 percent to place 15th in the adoption dimension as it got low marks in financial institution account penetration, debit and credit card use as well as mobile money use.

In terms of mobile capacity, the Philippines got a score of 89 percent to rank eighth. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has permitted mobile network operators Smart Communications and Globe Telecom to offer their respective mobile money services.

According to the report, the Philippines developed two of the earliest mobile financial services schemes with Smart’s Smart Mon-

ey launched in 2001 and Globe’s GCash introduced in 2004.

As of 2014, there were about 111 mobile subscriptions per 100 people in the Philippines as individuals could hold more than one subscription. Registered e-money accounts increased 34 percent to about 27 million in 2013.

The number of micro-banking offices increased to 465 in 2013 from 370 in 2012 and the number of local government units (LGUs) that did not have access to a bank branch but did have access to a micro-banking office increased to 56 from 50.

Of the 604 unbanked LGUs in 2013, 398 had access to alternative financial services providers – so only four percent of the total Philippine population technically remained fully financially excluded.

The report noted that the BSP was the first central bank in the world to establish an office, the Inclusive Finance Advocacy Staff, dedicated to financial inclusion.

It said the Philippines has been very active in taking leadership roles in international organizations for increased access to financial services.

To make financial services more accessible, the BSP is working with industry leaders to design governance and operational structures for a national retail payment system, which is being developed with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through the E-PESO project.

Moreover, the BSP is working on a draft national payment systems law and associated regulations.

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

Dear atty. Gurfinkel: Before I was 16 years old, I was adopted and petitioned by my aunt, and got my green card through her petition. I am now a US citizen, and would like to bring my biological mother to the US. Is it possible to petition my biological mother?

Very truly yours, B.N. Dear B.N.: When a child is adopted before their 16th birthday, and receives an immigration benefit as a result of that adoption (such as being petition and obtaining a green card), they are considered the “child” of the adoptive parents. This means, the adopted child cannot petition for his or her biological parents or siblings, and they cannot receive any immigration benefit from them.

In your case, since you obtained your green card as a result of an adoption, you could not petition your biological parent, or your biological brothers or sisters.

However, it is still possible for an adopted child to re-establish a “petitionable relationship” with their natural parents even if there was an adoption, provided, (a) the child received no immigration benefit as a result of the adoption; (b) the adoption was lawfully terminated (pursuant to a court order rescinding the adoption); and (c) the natural parents relationship has been re-established. For example, a person may have been adopted, but later obtained a green card through marriage, and not through the adoption. They could perhaps go back to court, have the adoption rescinded or terminated, at which point it could be possible to petition their biological parents.

In addition, there is a difference between a person being petitioned or obtaining a green card as an adopted child and as a stepchild. If a person obtained their green card as a stepchild (their parent married a US citi-

zen before their 18th birthday, and the citizen stepparent petitioned them), that child could still petition his or her other natural parent.

If these situations apply to you or someone you know, you should seek the advice of a reputable immigration attorney. ***

Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information

contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “Let’s be honest. There’s not a business anywhere that is without problems.

Business is complicated and imperfect.

Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings.”

- Bob Parsons, business leader

Marketplace

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SWS: 51% of businessmen think 70% of Filipinos digitally not connected—Intel exec PH laws lack fangs vs corruption

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

by AnA

RoA Inquirer.net

HALF of respondents composed of 966 small and medium and large enterprises in Metro Manila and six other urban areas in the country believe that present laws aimed to combat corruption are inadequate, with nine in 10 respondents agreeing that a law on the right of the people to information from the government will reduce corruption, the 2014/2015 Social Weather Station (SWS) Survey of Enterprises on Corruption showed. the SWS poll said that a new high of 51 percent among the

businessmen respondents believe that the current “laws to fight corruption in the country are adequate. “ one in 10 said that the government “often/almost always” punishes corrupt government officials, results of the survey also showed. other findings of the survey, conducted from Nov. 14, 2014 to May 12, 2015: 32 percent have personal knowledge of a corrupt transaction with the government in their line of business in the last 3 months and 39 percent said most companies in their sector of business give bribes to win public sector contracts.

2015 GDP growth target may be cut – NEDA PHILIPPINE Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio balisacan said it would still be a challenge for the economy to achieve the government’s 7 percent to 8 percent target growth range for 2015, and the government is now reviewing that target.

“Realistically, even the lower end [of that range] is very much a challenge,” balisacan, who is also director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), told reporters in a press briefing. the NEDA and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier released data on gross domestic product (GDP) showing growth of 5.6 percent in the second quarter, up from the first

quarter’s revised 5 percent and a revised 6.4 percent expansion in the year earlier.

“It’s very likely that we will scale down the targets. What would be realistic is a 6.0 percent to 6.5 percent growth for the full year, but again, we will look into other issues and concerns. We are not projecting that [range] right now. What I am talking about is a realistic scenario,” he pointed out. the Development budget Coordinating Committee’s technical Working Group is now working on the numbers and will meet with the NEDA soon to decide on the targets for the rest of year, balisacan added.

(ManilaTimes.net)

About 70 million Filipinos or nearly 70 percent of the population are still not digitally connected. this was bared thursday, Aug. 27 during the Digitalbayanihan milestone update program of Intel Philippines at the Asian Institute of Management.

“While we see an increased adoption of digital devices in Southeast Asia and in the Philippines, there is still a growing gap in digital skills that needs to be addressed in order to fully take advantage of the benefits of the digital age,” said Prakash Mallya, Intel Southeast Asia managing director.

“If the 70 million unreached Filipinos can be digitally connected, they can change the landscape of the Philippines,” Mallya said.

In Southeast Asia, there are 374 million people who are not yet digitally connected, said Mallya, citing data from Intel.

Digital Inclusiveness He said Intel is promoting digital connectivity to provide access and form a more productive Philippine society.

“We introduced Digitalbayanihan to promote digital inclusiveness in the country and empower Filipinos with access to digital skills training and devices,” he said.

Launched in September 2015, Digibayanihan is Intel Philippines’ initiative that seeks to promote digital literacy through training, volunteerism and providing access to affordable technology.

ASSIST founder and managing director Sreenivas Narayanan, FIT-ED senior program manager Sylvia Garde, TEVSAPHIL executive director Alex Mercado, NATCCO IT group head Evangeline Lopez, NATCCO president Sylvia Paraguya, Intel SEA managing director Prakash Mallya, Intel Philippines country manager Calum Chisholm, PSITE EVP John Ruero, Intel Philippines Business development manager Carlo Subido, Intel Philippines corporate affairs manager Yvonne Flores, and Intel Philippines marketing manager Randy Kanapi.

Philstar.com photo

together with 20 partner organizations and 4,000 volunteers, the program promotes the use of digital devices and services through comprehensive digital skills training.

Called “Digibayanis,” the volunteers facilitate training and outreach initiatives that have touched 1,690,763 individuals and have listed 336,722 who have completed their training across the country this year. the beneficiaries of the program learned how to use computers, digital devices such as tablets and smartphones, and how to the access the information available on the web.

Digibayanihan targets to “touch” five million Filipinos and to fully equip one million individuals with information and

communication technology (ICt) literacy.

Close the digital divide For Intel Philippine country manager Calum Chrisholm, the Digibayanihan is a journey for everyone.

“Every journey has a destination. our destination is to close the digital divide, i.e., for everyone to be included in the Philippines. that is our shared goal,” Chrisholm said.

“Digibayanihan is all about digital inclusiveness for everybody.

All Filipinos should be included in digital literacy. It is also improving their connectivity. their basic accessibility is an empowerment and development,” he added.

Partnering with organizations like Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable transformation (ASSISt), National Confederation of Cooperatives (NAtCCo), Philippine Society of It Educators (PSItE), and technical Vocational Schools and Associations of the Philippines (tEVSAPHIL), Intel Philippines seeks to level up the program beyond the basic digital literacy skills.

NAtCCo will offer financial literacy and livelihood programs through their network of cooperatives, while tEVSAPHIL will assist technical vocational schools in acquiring affordable devices.

Chrisholm said the program currently targets women, farmers, educators and students in the rural communities and even a school

in Yolanda-hit Leyte.

He also lauded the Department of Science and technology for providing free wifi access in remote communities in the country.

DigiBuy Intel Philippines wants to level up its digital literacy initiatives by developing a platform where its beneficiaries can buy affordable devices.

Digibayanis may own affordable devices through loans and special pricing from their respective organizations. Volunteers and their beneficiaries may also go to a special site on Lazada where they can buy specially-prized gadgets and devices whether for leisure or livelihood. “the Digibayanihan movement allows us to tap individuals who have limited to no access to digital devices. by introducing Digibuy, these individuals have more opportunities to learn and apply their digital skills in their daily lives,” said Sreenivas Narayan, founder and managing director of ASSISt. “We at Intel acknowledge the role of education and connectivity in empowering developing countries throughout the world.

With Southeast Asia being a relatively young but strong region in terms of digital adoption, introducing programs that help promote and sustain digital literacy will help increase productivity and lay the foundation for a stronger digital economy,” said Mallya.

Survey says teens are...

PAGE D1 Modern youth behavior is an extension of how their parents learned to shop since 2008 when retailers pushed discounts to entice people to buy during the downturn. the trend helped to lure shoppers, but it also got them addicted to such deals, making it difficult for stores to make money because discounts cut into profits.

Massive discounting has cut into sales from July through September, the second biggest shopping period of the year behind the winter holidays. Sales during that period were 24.9 percent of total sales annually last year, down from 25.8 percent in 2003, according to the Retail Economist.

“Consumers are sending a message to retailers that says ‘the back-to-school shopping season just isn’t that important anymore,’” Deloitte’s Alison Paul told the Associated Press. the shift is changing how stores market to teens and young adults. Whereas most stores’ promotions would end around Labor Day, companies are now extending deals through September. Retailers are also pulling together complete outfits from different brands in stores to make it easier to shop for looks. With the popularity of social media, brands are aiming to be more easily discovered. “typically, I tend to look online first to see if they have anything I like. For example, I check out H&M or Forever21.com. then I go to the store, try on the clothes I like, and I just purchase what looks good but is also affordable,” said 24-year-old Francis Saunders, also from Cal State Long beach. teens are also more relaxed, less impatient about shopping.

“I only shop if I absolutely need more clothes; other than that, it’s pretty rare,” Saunders said.

Many teens surveyed said they would delay buying things not needed immediately, such as new jeans, until well after school starts and the weather cools. they also hope for bigger discounts.

“I think I buy on sale because my mom never buys something unless it’s on sale,” said 14-yearold Arianna Schaden.

“When I shop, price is the first thing I look at. usually, I go straight to the sale rack,” agreed Hemmings. “I also love going to cheaper thrift stores!”

In response to this new thinking, department stores Macy’s and J.C. Penney are now staggering back-to-school promotions through September. J.C. Penney also is increasing the back-toschool merchandise it carries in

late August and September to include more denim, backpacks, and body basics such as underwear.

Hollister, a division of Abercrombie & Fitch, says it is timing promotion deals on items that shoppers most want at that time; for instance, trendy tops and tshirts with graphics.

As if gearing for a research paper, teens are also researching the looks they want online and follow popular hashtags on social media so they can piece together looks before they get there. Google said its image searches for “school outfit” have grown dramatically in the past three years, and soared 76 percent in July.

Social media presents certain challenges for retailers afraid teens will bypass their stores because they are focused on items they already want to buy. to combat this, retailers are trying to get teens’ attention even before they visit stores.

For instance, Macy’s is identifying key trends and hashtags on social media that are getting lots of followers. It now highlights shoe trends using the popular hashtag FWIS, which means “from where I stand.” the retailer also is putting together more looks from different labels to create outfits on mannequins or tables in the teen department.

J.C. Penney uses Pinterest personalities like Katherine Accettura and Mai Phung who are influential among teens to market its backto-school fashions. the company says it sees up to 500 times more re-pins than if it promoted the product itself.

Finally, retailers are marketing specific looks to attract teens with a more independent style, inspired by what they see on Instagram.

For example, J.C. Penney’s back-to-school ad campaign called “bend the trend” tries to show how easy it is to put together trends for a personalized style.

Like many teen retailers, Hollister has scaled back its logoed merchandise. “today, the customer is the center of everything we do,” said Hollister president Fran Horowitz.

Interviews and studies show today’s teens are less interested in how they look, versus the experience itself.

“It’s funny, I wouldn’t think twice about paying $15 for a meal, but I would hesitate on a $15 shirt,” said Hemmings. “to me, fashion isn’t necessary what you wear, it’s how you wear it.

When people compliment me on my clothes, my usual response is, ‘thanks! It was on sale!’”

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Buying a new car stress-free: Kababayans at DCH Toyota of Torrance will show you how

EDSA turns into a parking lot at rush hour but expect traffic to turn for the worse next year when the busy thoroughfare undergoes a major renovation.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

‘Odd-even’ scheme again?

Pres. Aquino talks traffic

by Jerry

e. esplanada

Inquirer.net

“MAKIISA at dagdagan ang pang-unawa at pasensiya (Be one with us and have more patience and understanding).”

The appeal came straight from President Aquino as he assured Metro Manila residents and commuters on Thursday, Aug. 27 that his administration was doing its best to address the capital’s traffic and flood problems.

He said various plans to ease road congestion would soon be presented to him for his consideration.

The “most radical” solution he sees for now is the revival of the so-called odd-even scheme for vehicles, which was implemented in the early 1990s. “For sure traffic flow will be lighter since half of the vehicles will be out, but many will complain since they can’t use their cars. ” “We want to solve all these problems. And we could have done it yesterday if only that was possible,” Aquino said in Filipino in a speech at Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong City, where he inaugurated a school building. “There are limitations to what we can do and we cannot expect immediate results with just one step.”

The remarks came as an acknowledgment of the deteriorating traffic conditions that have become a daily ordeal for motorists and commuters on practically all major roads in the capital, with many swearing it has never been this bad.

As early as January 2014, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority warned of monstrous traffic jams due to the implementation of up to 13 major road-repair or expansion projects up to 2016. Netizens and the media then described it as the coming “carmageddon.”

For the President, the current traffic situation may be considered

both “both good and bad news.”

“More than 22,400 new cars and other vehicles are sold each month. Add to that nearly 100,000 new motorcycles a month, or about 1.2 million new motorcycles last year. As a result, lalong siksikan sa kalsada (there is more road congestion),” he said.

“Now here’s the ideal situation: Build more bridges and widen the roads. However, this would take several years to implement,” he said, noting related concerns like right-of-way issues.

The prevailing thinking among those who complain now is: “We agree to the solutions, the construction (of new infrastructure), but spare us the inconvenience while those measures are being implemented.”

The President was on the RTU campus to formally open the P600.98-million Sen. Neptali Gonzales Building.

He received a briefing from Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson also on the government’s master plan for flood management in the capital up to 2035.

The plan calls for at least P351.72 billion in infrastructure spending for several mega-projects, like a large dam on Marikina River costing P198 billion; a ring-road dike on the rim of Laguna de Bay; embankments and catch basins in the Marikina watershed; and an 8kilometer dike and pumping station in the Camanava area. Camanava is short for the neighboring cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Singson also reported that the P5.54-billion Phase II of the PasigMarikina River channel improvement project had been completed.

The project covers the area from the Del Pan bridge and Lambingan bridge in the upper Pasig River to the Napindan hydraulic control facility in the upper Pasig River. Phase III of the project, which costs P7.54 billion, is now in progress.

Joward’s forward: Pinoy gamer wins Asian Nissan GT PlayStation Academy PH bet Policarpio, driving a yellow car, claims Nissan PlayStation GT Academy 2015 championship at Silverstone by aida

sevilla-Mendoza Inquirer.net

SILVERSTONE, Northampton, England - For some people, yellow denotes lack of bravery, but for Jose Gerard “Joward” Policarpio, it was his lucky color.

Policarpio, 25, one of the six Philippine national finalists sent

by Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) to the fabled Silverstone race circuit in Northampton, England for the 2015 Asian Race Camp of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition, drove a yellow Nissan 370Z to victory in the final race on Aug. 20 and the night before that, a yellow Nissan Micra in the stock car challenge.

In both races, Policarpio bested the drivers chosen by Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and India to represent their respective countries on the track.

Gt academy GT Academy was created in Europe in 2008 by Nissan, Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital, Inc. as a contest to discover and develop drivers through the video game Gran Turismo by testing their skills in both online gaming and live events.

Players who pass the preliminary qualifying rounds have a chance to receive driver training and a license enabling them to participate in international races. In this way, GT Academy takes gamers from the virtual world to real racing circuits, supporting their new career as professional race car drivers.

After its launch in Europe, GT Academy grew in popularity all over the world so much so that competition now takes place everywhere from Germany to the United States and Russia to the Middle East. GT Academy Asia was launched in January 2015 to join GT Academy Europe and GT Academy International as an international region. The Asian component of GT Academy was

opened to gamers from Thailand, India, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In fact, the road to Race Camp in Silverstone was a long, arduous one for the six Philippine finalists.

Nissan held live events in various locations nationwide in the Philippines during which thousands of aspirants competed in time trials behind the wheel of GT pods. The 20 fastest and qualified gamers who excelled in online and live preliminary qualifying rounds advanced to the national finals in July where the top six Filipino players were selected for the Asian Race Camp at Silverstone this August.

Those who reached the national finals underwent a mandatory health screening for physical fitness and had to be in good general health in accordance with the Automobile Association Philippines medical requirements.

Race camp in Silverstone Jumping from the virtual cars of PlayStation to actual Nissan sports cars, the competitors were tested on their strength, stamina, mental agility and driving skills at Race Camp. The judges assessed and graded the performance of each driver in every event. The scores were added up to determine the starting grid positions of the final five Asian competitors in the final race, together with other qualifying points.

Along with the other PH finalists Joel Agoho, Daryl Braby, Luis Cachero, Rafael Lesaguis and Terence Lallave, Policarpio had to hurdle tough tests such as a gymkhana using the Nissan 370Z and a buggy race plus time trials in the Formula 3000, Palmer JPLM car and the Caterham Super 7, to qualify for the semi-final race, the stock car challenge at Race Camp.

By the time the Philippine print media including this writer arrived PAGE D4

FILIPINO Loyd Aler landed his first job as a produce and vegetable delivery man.

Then he became a fast food restaurant manager, and then a quality insurance inspector.

His father, Edgar, who used to work in wholesale for food and vegetables, and that inspired him to ultimately pursue a career in sales: today, he works as the Filipino Dept. Manager and Senior Sales Specialist at DCH Toyota of Torrance.

“I really love what I do for living and I enjoy very much not just selling cars, but making new friends, selling great products, and helping people get and drive their dream cars,” he says.

Buying a car is no easy decision. It requires careful thought and it’s something Aler understands. Since 2002 he has been selling Toyota vehicles, a brand that has been touted for its safety, retail value and longevity.

In addition to the quality brand he sells, Aler works at an auto dealership owned by a businessman based in Hong Kong. It was established almost a decade ago and is continually growing: since its inception, it has opened more than 20 DCH dealerships across the United States, with locations in Temecula, Oxnard, Simi Valley, and on the east coast in New York and New Jersey. The goal of the company is to exceed customers’ expectations and

provide exceptional service to ensure the highest satisfaction.

Among ways the dealership demonstrates how much customers matter is by delivering luxury services including oil changes, loaner cars, shuttles and much much more.

The dealership also boasts a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles to meet the broad range of tastes and needs customers have.

Among the customers that visit DCH Toyota of Torrance, Aler says he sees many Filipinos who show interest in a variety of cars, including Highlander, Priuses and Camry models.

Joining Aler in the Filipino Dept. of DCH Toyota of Torrance are Phillip Rivera (Sales & Leasing Consultant), Edgar Relova (Sales & Leasing Consultant) and JP Panganiban (Sales & Leasing Consultant).

Aler as a manager of DCH’s Filipino department, welcomes and looks forward to serving his fellow kababayans. His overflowing friendly personality, as well as that of Rivera, Relova and Panganiban, make the Filipino sales team approachable and easy to talk to.

Aler says he enjoys his job, although one of the bigger challenges he faces in his job is when interested buyers with poor credit or lower incomes are turned down by the bank.

DCH offers special promotions, including low APRs and $0 down

We welcome all of our kababayans to the DCH Toyota Filipino Sales Dept. Simply call us at toll-free (888) 443-7619. We can always help you get an affordable car you want to drive that will fit your budget through a very smooth, professional, friendly, and straightforward transaction. Just ask for Loyd, Phillip, Ed or JP. Tawag na kaibigan!

payments, but it isn’t always easy to extend these to certain customers.

“But for me, that’s the time I will be more aggressive and shop around for more banks to help them,” he says.

In most cases, Aler is able to pull some strings and find a way to overcome this particular hurdle in the selling process, though interest rates tend to be just a little higher for individuals with credit and income limitations.

“But the important thing is

they [have] another chance to get a car loan and that helps build their credit again,” he says.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is conveniently located just off the 110 at: 2909 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505.

DISCOUNT CONNECTION HOTLINE for Kababayans Phone: (888) 443-7619.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30am to 9pm, and on Sundays, from 10am to 8pm.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Joward’s forward: PH gamer wins Asian...

PAGE D3 at Silverstone on Aug. 18, drivers Agoho, Braby and Lallave had been eliminated, leaving Cachero, Lesaguis and Policarpio to duke it out. But the consensus was that the Philippine drivers formed the strongest team, with Thailand and Indonesia snapping at their heels.

All the drivers were accommodated in a place other than Whittlebury Hall (where the media stayed) and had to sleep outdoors one night in a tent. Although August is still considered summer in A victorious Policarpio gets ready for the champagne spray on the podium and later joined Northampton, which is about two his teammates for an obligatory photo-op with the pit ladies. hours’ drive north of London, the temperature drops substantially The final race Academy award and waving to after sunset and the cold wind gets In the final 10-lap race on Sil- the crowd. After the television stronger—a chilly weathering test verstone’s Stowe Circuit featuring interviews on the ground, he for visitors from the tropics sleep- Nissan 370Z powered by a 3.7-liter posed beside a grinning, jubilant DOHC 24-valve V6 engine deliver- coach Ricardo Sanchez holding ing outdoors.

The Philippine group was men- ing 332 max horsepower through a small Philippine flag. He still tored by Fil-Swiss GP2 driver a six-speed manual transmission, looked somewhat dazed, as if he Marlon Stockinger and Mexican Joward was assigned to third posi- couldn’t believe that he had won Ricardo Sanchez, 24, the 2014 tion on the starting grid behind the the championship.

GT PlayStation Academy Interna- Indonesian Andika Rama Maulana At dinner afterwards in Whittletional Champion who is now the who was in pole position and the bury Hall’s Grand Prix terrace.

Nissan NISMO driver in the GT3 Japanese finalist in second.

Joward remained unassuming, Blancpain endurance series. But Yet in the very first lap, Joward calm and soft-spoken. He was the Stockinger had to leave Silverstone overtook the Japanese when he champion of the Nissan GT Playon Aug. 19 to compete in a race noticed an opening, to quickly gain Station Academy 2015 Asian Race in Germany, leaving Sanchez to second position. In the fourth or Camp, and it was not in his nature coach the Filipinos through the fifth lap (“I’m not sure which lap, I to brag about it. final intensive phases of the Asian lost count,” says Joward), Maulana The award overshot the corner, allowing JoRace Camp.

What award will Joward Poliward to pass him and gain the lead. carpio receive for winning? From The finalist When all but Lesaguis and The Philippine print media and October up to December, he will Policarpio had been eliminated, Joward’s fellow drivers, who were join other GT Academy winners in Sanchez phoned Stockinger to watching the race on the rooftop intensive training under the wing agree on who would drive for the of a building beside a portion of of professional coaches and racers Philippines in the final race. Un- the Stowe Circuit, cheered lustily at the Silverstone Racing Circuit fortunately for Lesaguis, his Micra when they caught sight of Joward’s in England to qualify for a profescollided with the car of the Indian yellow 370Z leading the pack. sional International C license. In driver along the wall in the stock Joward never lost the lead, January 2016, he will compete car challenge and had to drop out, although Maulana came close in the International 24 Hours of leaving Policarpio as the best quali- to overtaking him in the last lap. Dubai endurance race, supported fied to carry the Philippine flag in Joward said afterwards that his by Nissan Global. car’s engine was sputtering in the final race.

The professional license will At this point, their coach Ri- the last three laps, especially in a enable Joward to qualify for incardo Sanchez rallied the Filipino particular corner, but on the rest of ternational automobile races as drivers and the Philippine print the track it performed well. “There well as support to compete in and broadcast media present to was a fuel surge in the last lap,” races as a member of the Nissupport Policarpio loud and clear Joward told us, but he was able to san racing team, just like Nissan in his effort to bag the trophy. It control it and steer ahead of the NISMO driver Ricardo Sanchez was the first time that the Philip- Indonesian competitor past the of Mexico, who coached the pines was competing in the Nissan checkered flag.

Philippine finalists together with Asian champion PlayStation GT Academy challenge Marlon Stockinger. This is the After the final race, everyone dream coming true for Joward, and it would be absolutely stupendous if our driver won the Asian had to wait for the judges’ deci- who says: “I want to race for Nischampionship in the country’s sion as to who was the 2015 Asian san in endurance races driving a Nissan GT PlayStation Academy Nissan GT-R.” (The GT-R packs first attempt.

And Joward Policarpio did champion. Winning the final race 600 brake horsepower.) it: gained international rec- was no guarantee that Joward Thanks to Nissan Philippines, ognition for the high level of would be declared champion, Inc., Philippine motorsport fans motorsport skills in the Philip- since the performance of all five will now be able to follow Joward pines by winning the first Asian finalists in all the previous time Policarpio’s progress in the NisGT Academy championship. In trials and competitions had to be san PlayStation GT Academy the stock car challenge, Joward assessed and compared.

Driver Development Program in Finally, Joward Policarpio ap- Silverstone later this year and his was consistently ahead of his rivals and he never gave up peared on the national podium performance in the upcoming 24 of Silverstone, holding the GT Hours of Dubai race. the lead.

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Longo Toyota delivers world class experience Being the premiere Toyota retailer in the nation, Longo Toyota aims to deliver a truly world-class experience to our guests on every transaction, everyday. it all starts with our friendly and welcoming staff, a clean and modern environment, and a wide range of services to make your visit pleasant and convenient. Here are some of our key amenities at Longo Toyota: Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) in november 1999, Longo Toyota became the first automotive dealership in the US to have the Auto Club on its premises. For 14 long years, our Auto Club branch has served countless satisfied Longo customers with its wide array of services Today, our on-site branch offers DMV services, airline, car and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, membership processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, and more. Sign up at our Longo Toyota branch and get $13 off the original membership application price. Located in our new car showroom, our AAA branch is open Mondays thru Saturdays, from 11am to 7pm.

Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer Longo Lexus is the first car dealership in the US to provide Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless neighborhood services on-site.

Our Verizon branch offers the latest in telecommunications, mobile devices, accessories and services. We also offer complimentary cellphone charging stations for our customers. Our Verizon retailer is located inside our parts retail center. Our Wireless Playground is open Monday-Friday, 7am7pm; Saturday, 7am-5:30pm; and Sunday, 8-4pm. Please call (888) 623-2133 for more information.

Starbucks and Subway While waiting for your car to come out of our car-care service lines, you can enjoy a quick bite at Subway or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

We offer healthy dining options with Subway’s wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. if you’re thirsty and you’re looking for that quick coffee

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 29-SEptEmbER 1, 2015 D

Lexus of Glendale: The honest luxury experience

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fix, you can grab a refreshing Hazelnut Macchiato or a smooth Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. Offering only the finest coffee specialties, teas, juices, and assortment of pastries, there’s something for everybody at our on-site Starbucks branch.

Both our Subway and Starbucks branches are available for catering services.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Longo Toyota also has two enterprise Rent-A-Car offices on its premises. One is located adjacent to the Service Drive in the Pre-Owned Vehicle Showroom, and the other is in the Collision Repair Center.

Customers are welcome to utilize the enterprise rental services, regardless of whether or not they leave their vehicle in Longo for any car service.

Complimentary Vehicle Delivery Service Longo Toyota also offer complimentary vehicle delivery service. Our delivery service is available 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday, anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Longo Toyota.

Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department You can also shop at the Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department, which carries a wide selection of genuine Toyota parts and accessories for your vehicle. With thousands of parts and accessories in stock, we definitely have whatever it is you’re looking for. Our boutique also carries a selection of RayBan and Oakley sunglasses, women’s and men’s apparel, and so much more.

Shuttle Service For your convenience, Longo Toyota offers complimentary shuttle service while your vehicles are being serviced.

Our shuttles can take you to virtually anywhere within a 15mile radius of Longo Toyota – be it your home, work, the mall, or even the parlor!

Anywhere!

An engaging stay While we understand that our customer’s time is precious, we realize that many of them may need internet connectivity at all times. As such we are more than happy to provide FRee WiFi throughout our facility, and FRee use of our great business center. in our business center, we provide a quiet setting where our guests can work on our computers or on their own laptops.

We also provide free use of an iPad for Longo guests who are waiting for their vehicles. Our guest Check-in representative will be more than happy to arrange this for you. if you decide to bring the kids to the dealership, boredom will never be a problem. We also offer a variety of video games and DVDs just for kids so that they can also enjoy their visit to Longo Toyota.

For more information on our Longo Toyota guest Services, please log on to http://www. longotoyota.com/dealership/ amenities.htm.

Longo Toyota is located at 3534 north Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731. Call (626)539-2584 to set up your appointment.

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WALK into Lexus of Glendale amidst Brand’s boulevard of car dealerships, and the first thing you notice among the striking artwork and shiny luxury cars are the bright smiles on everyone’s faces—from the guests, to the sales team and every staff member.

Mr. Kevin Wuepper, the new owner of Lexus of Glendale, emphasizes Honesty and Integrity as key aspects of the Lexus experience.

“We want everyone who walks through these doors to be absolutely thrilled.”

Since 1989, Lexus of Glendale has been serving the Pasadena, Burbank, and North Los Angeles area in the “Passionate Pursuit of Perfection.” With hundreds of new and pre-owned models, a friendly showroom with a “Ritz Carlton feel,” and even a special Technology Center, Lexus of Glendale is among the best of car dealerships.

Known for its quality service and community involvement, Lexus of Glendale is among the Lexus Elite.

Lexus, proudly contributing to Glendale’s future, has supported various high schools in their sports, marching band, art and journalism programs, as well as sponsoring an award-winning dance group in their nationals’ competition. Along with fundraisers and donating to various charities, Lexus of Glendale has also supported community events such as golf tournaments and city clean-up programs.

Guest Services for Lexus shoppers offers the best of the luxury dealership experience, with a committed, professional team offering the best in everything: in-andout express service, parts and maintenance, a courtesy local shuttle and car wash, and loaner vehicles at no extra charge. With a state-ofthe art Tire Center, Lexus of Glendale also sells more tires than every independent car dealer combined.

Lexus of Glendale has top master-certified, expe-

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rienced technicians who are committed to keeping your Lexus in top performing condition. The highly-professional, always-friendly team promises a quality ownership experience, whether you’re a first-time owner or seasoned veteran.

“We want to treat you as if you were a guest in our own home, “ say General Manager Patrick Kane. “Pursing the passionate pursuit of perfection we strive to be exceptional in every aspect of your buying or servicing experience.

Our optimum goal is your uncompromised satisfaction and happiness with Lexus of Glendale.”

With a full spectrum of models at affordable deals, Lexus of Glendale has special offers during the month of August with the Golden Opportunity Sales Event, with affordable leases and red tags on every

vehicle marked to sell. We also have special offers for military and new graduates!

To our kababayans in the Filipino community, we promise knowledge and professionalism in making your Lexus experience comfortable and fair. We have a wellrounded, non-exclusive team of Filipino Lexus specialists in all departments: from sales and financing, to internet and car servicing. Come visit us at 1221 South Brand Boulevard in Glendale! Please mention this newspaper sales ad and ask for Lexus Product Specialist by calling toll free at (800) 693-6139. You can ask for Marcos Sarreal (818) 5352868 or Financial Consultant Conrad Sarreal (818) 5352108. At Lexus of Glendale, we cannot wait to meet and assist you now, and in the future.

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