LA Weekend Edition -- April 9 -- 12, 2016

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

Volume 26 - No. 29 • 4 Sections – 36 Pages

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Overseas absentee voting starts

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DATELINE

USA

FROM thE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

New campaign encourages Asian American immigrants to apply for citizenship NON-profit organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, in partnership with community-based organizations and local government, on Wednesday, April 6, announced a new campaign to encourage and boost the number of Asian American immigrants applying for US citizenship. the campaign, “Endless possibilities. Citizenship Now!� is a coordinated effort of more than 10 organizations, government agencies, and offices of elected officials. “the United States was founded by im-

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San Francisco passes law mandating 6 weeks paid parental leave

SAN Francisco has become the first municipality in the United States to mandate that businesses provide workers who are new parents with six weeks of fully-paid parental leave. “Our country’s parental leave policies are woefully behind the rest of the world, and today San Francisco has taken the lead in pushing for better family leave policies for our workers,� Supervisor Scott Wiener, who supported the bill, said tuesday, April 5, according to USA Today.

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by WIllIam

B. dePasuPIl ManilaTimes.net

MORE than one million registered overseas Filipino voters (OFVs) will start casting their votes on Saturday, April 9 as the law-mandated monthlong overseas absentee voting (OAV) opens in 85 Philippine posts in vari-

ous countries around the world.

Figures from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed a total of 1,376,067 OFVs registered worldwide for the 2016 polls.

Of the number, 1,326,728 are land-based workers, while the rest or 49,339 are seafarers.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista

US interested in $81-M money laundering case

by PIa lee-Brago and Jess Philstar.com

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on Friday, April 8, explained that unlike the rest of the 54.4 million locallybased registered voters, the OFVs are only allowed to vote for candidates vying for national positions, which include the President, Vice President, 12 senators and a party-list group.

Bautista said the OAV will simultaneously close along with local voting

at 5 p.m. on May 9. “Philippine time may vary with other countries. In other part of the world, it’s either May 9, 8 or 10, depending which [country] but everybody has to adjust to Philippine time because that’s what the law provides,� he added.

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dIaz

MANILA — the United States is also investigating the laundering in Manila of $81 million in Bangladeshi funds stolen from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Ambassador Philip Goldberg said on Friday, April 8. the money found its way to the Jupiter Street branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. before ending up in casinos in Manila. Chinese hackers reportedly carried out the heist. “Because the Federal Reserve Bank in New York had some involvement, we too are looking and our law enforcement people, but I don’t want to get into details about the ongoing investigation,� Goldberg said in a chance interview after attending the American Chamber of Commerce Inc. general membership luncheon meeting at the Peninsula Manila.

Asked if representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation are already in Manila, Goldberg said US

WEIGH IN. Manny “Pacman� Pacquiao and Timothy “Desert Storm� Bradley do their final weigh in on Friday, April 8 in preparation for their third fight on Saturday, April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao, 37, came in at 145.5 pounds, while Bradley, 32, came in at 146.6 pounds. Pacquiao has said that this will be his last fight before he retires to focus on his political career in the Philippines.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

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Watching me fight PH launches world’s first mass dengue vaccination Aquino got late explanations for NAIA helps the poor, blackout, dispersal Pacquiao says

by Ian JamotIllo AJPress

thE Philippines began rolling out the world’s first mass dengue vaccine named “Dengvaxia� last Monday, April 4. About seven hundred children, ages 9-10 at a public school in Marikina were the first to receive the dengue vaccine.

Dengue or Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease transmitted by certain species of mosquito of the Aedes type, most prominently Aedes Aegypti. Symptoms usually begin three days after the infection and include high fever, vomiting, DENGUE VACCINATION. A pupil from Parang Elementary School in Marikina receives an skin rash, and muscle or joint pain. anti-dengue vaccine from a Department of Health worker at the start of the nationwide the Philippines is one of the coun- dengue vaccination program in schools on Monday, April 5. Inset shows vials of the

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vaccine.

Philstar.com photos by Miguel De Guzman

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MANILA — It took a few days before President Aquino got an explanation from officials on the Kidapawan violence and the five-hour blackout at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Aquino told Makati City residents in a campaign rally held on Friday, April 8, at the Makati Coliseum that he was ill beginning Friday and had to stay in Bahay Pangarap, his official residence until last weekend. he added he did not know about the violent dispersal until Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento told him about it after they went to Carmona and Kawit in Cavite for different events.

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by Celest

LAS VEGAS — Buy a ticket, feed a family.

Purchase a pay-per-view, save a life.

If you had shelled out money in the past for a Manny Pacquiao fight, you’ve probably helped some poor community back in the Philippines. At least, that’s how the Filipino ring icon sees it.

And now Pacquiao, whose rags-to-riches story has been an open, often read book, says you can help once more–and perhaps one last time–by watching him take on timothy Bradley Jr. for the third time on Saturday, April

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A APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Overseas absentee voting…

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The poll chief said results would be transmitted electronically and via satellite in some of the areas.

According to Bautista, the Comelec will also open a 24-hour Skype facility to assist members of the special board of election inspectors and support personnel during and after the conduct of the OAV. Commissioner Arthur Lim,

chairman, Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting, said 30 of the 85 embassies and consulates that were designated as polling centers would use the automated election system, 26 would use personal manual voting and another 26 would adopt the postal mode voting.

The Comelec opted to suspend voting in 3 overseas posts–Baghdad, Iraq; Damascus, Syria; and

Tripoli, Libya–for security reasons brought about by prevailing conflicts in these countries.

According to Lim, the affected 3,915 registered voters in the three posts may still cast their votes in conflict-free polling centers accessible to them.

He said their target is to exceed the 16.11 percent overseas voter turnout during the 2013 elections to at least 80 percent of the 1.326 million registered OFVs for 2016.

There were only 737,759 overseas registered voters in 2013.

The 30 posts that will adopt the automated voting system are Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu (Hawaii), Los Angeles, New BONSAI EXHIBITS. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee, commends the Philippine Bonsai Society York, San Francisco and Washand other related clubs and groups for bringing bonsai and suiseki closer to the general public so they would better understand and ington in the United States; Otappreciate growing them. The senator was the Guest Speaker during the Bonsai Clubs International Convention and Exhibition at the tawa, Toronto and Vancouver in Ayala Triangle Garden in Makati City. Over 350 bonsai trees and suiseki or natural stone sculptures, were on exhibited during the event Senate photo Canada; London, Madrid, Milan that showcased the most beautiful and oldest bonsai trees from all over the country. and Rome in Europe; Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo in Asia; and Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Doha, ings], all the tickets you buy, I people, to the community [that Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Manama, PAGE A1 t do not keep those for my family needs] help,” Pacquiao said on Al Khobar, Riyadh and Tel Aviv 9, at MGM Grand Arena here.

“All the pay-per-view [earnalone. [Part of that] I give to the Wednesday, April 6. in the Middle East. n “I’ve never said [this] before and I’m announcing it right now because this is my last fight,” Pacquiao added.

Pacquiao did not exactly say what part of his earnings went to charity or what form of charity exactly he engaged in. But his generosity has never been much of a secret. Top Rank chief Bob Arum calls Pacquiao a one-man social welfare system, narrating how he once bought outboard motors for fisherfolk in a town in General Santos City in the Philippine island of Mindanao because they spent more hours getting to and from fishing areas than they did fishing.

Stories of people queueing for a whole block to this house to receive any form of doleout, cash or kind, have been retold several times.

“If Manny Pacquiao loses all his money someday,” Freddie Roach said in a trainers’ roundtable Thursday morning, “It will be because he gave them all away.”

A lot of this generosity comes from Pacquiao’s difficult life as a kid.

“You know my life. I came from nothing. The boy that’s speaking in front of you now I experienced days with no food.

Sometimes, I’m hungry, I do not

Watching me fight helps the poor, Pacquiao…

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From the Front page

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

A

PH launches world’s first mass dengue…

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tries with the highest cases of dengue fever with 200,000 last year resulting to 600 deaths.

About 20,000 cases had been reported this year until February 20.

“We are the first country to introduce, adopt and implement the first-ever dengue vaccine through the public health system and under public school settings,” said Philippine Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Developed by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, Dengvaxia was approved

last December 2015 in the Philippines and was launched for use in individuals aged 9 to 45. It is estimated that it will cost about 18,000 pesos to treat each dengue patient and the Philippine government will spend3.5 billion pesos ($76 million) to administer the free vaccines.

A clinical test performed by the New England Journal of Medicine states that the vaccine reduces the risk of contracting dengue by 65.6 percent, thus preventing hospitalizations by 80 percent.

The World Health Organiza-

tion (WHO) was in full support for the use of Dengvaxia in the Philippines. “It is the prerogative of a country to license the product (and) determine its use based on the internal scientific appraisal of the clinical research that is underpinning the product,” WHO country representative Gundo Weller said.

Health Undersecretary Vicente Belizario told the press that only 27 were reported to develop side effects, proving it was an effective vaccine in contrast to the safety concerns raised by several public health advocates. n

Aquino got late explanations for NAIA…

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Aquino said he asked Sarmiento: “Anong gagawin mo sa Kidapawan (What will you do about Kidapawan)?”

“In truth, it was only in Cavite that I learned that some people had blocked the highway and about the violent dispersal,” he said in Filipino.

But Aquino said he summoned officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other agencies on Sunday to explain the incident, though he did not elaborate on what they had reported to him.

The President’s silence on

the issue is being questioned by various sectors, although Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said on Saturday that the rally was politically motivated and involved local officials and instigated by the communist New People’s Army.

Two farmers were killed and scores injured after the police dispersed over 6,000 farmers that blocked the main highway in Kidapawan in North Cotabato to protest the failure of the government to provide 15,000 sacks of rice and other assistance to the hungry farmers and their families suffering from the effects of drought in the region.

“I had a flu, was shaking, wore a sweater, had no aircon, had no

President Aquino explains government projects to media in his private office at Malacañang.

Joanne Rae Ramirez

electric fan. I tried hard to sleep (last Friday night) only to end up suffering from another problem the next day - my stomach – and was advised by the doctor to rest even just a bit because it was badly needed. I rested last Saturday,” he said.

On Sunday, Aquino said he regained his strength a bit and asked Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to call the officials of the different departments and agencies to discuss the incident with him but they were not ready.

The President said before the Kidapawan incident could be resolved, a five-hour blackout hit the NAIA Terminal 3.

“My conscience is truly bothered because my fellow (officials) rest only on Sundays but I was very eager to begin to resolve these incidents,” Aquino said.

However, the President said the officials were not ready to meet him and he had to wait until Monday for them to explain.

He did not say if he was satisfied with the explanations.

The President said he could not be at peace until all the problems were solved but if they were not ready, nothing would happen in their meetings and it would take time to get all the data he would be asking.

“It was already Monday when we talked,” Aquino, who was coughing and shaking a bit while speaking inside the air-conditioned coliseum, said, adding he would really have to rest but could only do so after June 30.

Before these problems cropped up, Aquino said he was also addressing the Abu Sayyaf’s kidnapping of Indonesian fishermen and had to meet with their foreign minister, Retno Marsudi at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. n

EARLY WINNERS. Binibing Pilipinas candidates Angelica Anita, Angela Lauren Fernando, Jennylyn Malpaya, Dindi Pajares, Ma. Lina Prongoso and Paula Baltolome celebrate after being declared winners in the National Costume category on Wednesday, April 6 in Quezon City.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

US interested in $81-M money laundering…

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investigators are working closely with their Philippine counterparts in the law enforcement community. The Bangladeshi government has requested the FBI’s help in investigating the heist.

“As I said, I don’t want to comment on an ongoing investigation, but clearly there’s an interest from the US law enforcement side as well. We work very closely with our colleagues, our counterparts here in the law enforcement community and of course we have an interest in it,” he added.

In a separate interview, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. said the embassy in Washington has not made any request for help from the US in the ongoing money laundering investigation.

“No. Not that I know of. Nothing has been coursed through us.

It has to be the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) that will initiate and if they do that they will probably inform us because they will probably ask the US Treasury to assist,” Cuisia, who was also at the AmCham meet, said.

Cuisia, former BSP governor, said he was not aware if the FBI has sent representatives to Manila for the investigation.

Speaking at the AmCham meeting, Cuisia said the money laundering controversy has put the Philippines “in a very negative” light.

“I think it is incumbent upon

our authority, the central bank, to conclude the investigation as quickly as possible so all the facts can be presented to the public,” he said.

China to cooperate?

China is likely to help track down alleged Chinese hackers responsible for diverting the $81 million to RCBC if requested, a senior lawmaker said on Friday, April 8.

“We do not see the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea getting in the way of the Philippines and China cooperating closely on other issues, especially money laundering,” House deputy minority leader Arnel Ty said.

“The Chinese government itself has been cracking down on VIP gaming promoters in Macau, so our sense is Beijing is prepared to help locate the two alleged Chinese hackers and two Chinese junket operators, should the Philippines, and possibly Bangladesh, seek assistance,” he said.

Ty was commenting on Sen. Serge Osmeña III’s statement that Chinese nationals Gao Shuhua and Ding Zhize – who are being sought by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee for questioning with regard to the laundering of the stolen funds – are no longer in the Philippines and had returned to China.

“We don’t know if the government of China will cooperate.

This may be a problem. We don’t have nice relations with China at

this time,” Osmeña said.

For his part, Sen. Ralph Recto said Beijing should help hunt down the alleged Chinese hackers.

It is not clear if Bangladesh or the United States has sought Beijing’s help. Initial reports on the $81-million heist identified the hackers as Chinese.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched its own investigation into the loss of the $81 million.

A total of $951 million was to be transferred to RCBC, but banking authorities in New York stopped the remittance of $870 million when they became suspicious.

Shared interest Ty said he believes China would go out of its way to help, if requested, judging from Beijing’s launching its own clampdown on casino junket operators who have been coaxing wealthy Chinese citizens in other parts of China into gambling lavishly in Macau.

“In a way, the Philippines and China have a shared interest in this case. There is mutual interest at stake here,” he said.

Junket operators are those who recruit rich gamblers to pay in casinos, usually abroad.

In last Tuesday’s Senate hearing, long-time Philippine resident and junket operator Kim Wong said Gao and Ding promoted VIP gaming in Macau, but apparently decided to move to Manila when

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A APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

From the Front page

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

Watching me fight helps the poor‌

PAGE A2 t

have food, I needed to drink water to survive,� Pacquiao said. “That’s why I love the poor people. I love to help them.�

It would be impossible to trace what part of the public’s boxing spending goes to helping the poor. But Pacquiao has been one of the richest athletes in the world and even a fraction of that wealth is sizeable enough to help some poor family in need.

According to Forbes, Pacquiao’s earnings until the Mayweather fight could easily breach the $425 million mark, making him one of the few athletes in the world to boast such an income. That elite list includes Mayweather, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Roger Federer, LeBron James, and

Kobe Bryant, who like Pacquiao also said he was calling quits on his career after this NBA season.

That income comes from a mix of guaranteed pursues, endorsement and shares of payper-view and ticket sales.

Since knocking out Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001, where he cashed a $40,000 paycheck and began a lucrative US career, Pacquiao has earned about $312 million in guaranteed purse. His bout against Mayweather last year, where he lost a unanimous decision, helped bump up that figure. Pacquiao was guaranteed $80 million to fight the undefeated American superstar.

The rest of the $113 million comes from PPV and gate receipts shares and from endorsements.

And, at least according to Pacquiao, a slice of that wealth has gone to charity. “The money you spend you support us, there’s a lot of families in the Philippines you help with that,� Pacquiao said. “You can see the houses I built and [gave] for free to those who cannot afford them, and also giving sustainable livelihood [I’ve created] for them.� “If Manny Pacquiao retires, he’ll be happy with his life helping people in the country,�

Roach said. “He spends more money on his people. Government also gives money also but Manny gives more out of his pocket than anybody. He’s a very generous person.� (With reports from Inquirer Research and Francis T.J. Ochoa)

US interested in $81-M money laundering‌

PAGE A3 t

business in the world’s gaming capital started to decline.

Besides organizing gambling parties in Macau for Chinese “whales� or high rollers, Wong said Gao in particular also wagered heavily on his own in Macau and more recently, in Manila, causing him to be heavily indebted to Wong.

Wong has admitted helping Gao open Philippine bank accounts that received the $81 million in stolen Bangladeshi funds.

He said he agreed to help Gao after getting assurance from the

latter that he had money coming in from abroad.

Worried about potential corruption, money laundering and capital flight, Beijing has been restricting VIP gaming agents that have been luring Chinese high rollers to Macau, the only Chinese territory where gambling is permitted.

As a result of the Chinese government’s crackdown, the combined gambling revenues generated by the 36 casinos in Macau plunged 34.3 percent from $44.16 billion in 2014 to $28.33 billion in 2015 – the low-

est level since 2010, Ty said.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile said there was apparently a conspiracy in the opening of five bank accounts in RCBC where the $81 million was deposited before ending up in casinos.

He said the accounts had been idle for almost a year when dollar funds suddenly began pouring in “like rain,� only to be hastily withdrawn. “That can’t be done without preparation, without planning,� he said in Filipino. (With Christina Mendez)

INJURED AT WORK?

ALLIANCE. His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, delivers his remarks during the joint press briefing with President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Reception Hall of the MalacaĂąang Palace for the official visit of the Prince to the Philippines on Thursday, April 7.

MalacaĂąang photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr.

New campaign encourages Asian American‌

PAGE A1 t

migrants and continues to thrive because of the contributions of immigrants,� Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of Advancing Justice – LA, said in a statement. “For many Asian Americans, the risk of leaving their native countries in pursuit of better opportunities outweighed all their fears of the unknown.�

Through the campaign, those seeking citizenship assistance or legal services are encouraged to call the Advancing Justice – LA

hotline, which is staffed by members of the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP). The project offers assistance in seven languages: English, Tagalog, Mandarin/Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese.

Calls are triaged to communitybased partners who will then provide individuals with direct legal assistance.

Nasim Khansari, citizenship project director at Advancing Justice – LA, said the campaign also provides English language classes for individuals who may require this type of assistance, as well as a fee waiver, which 65 percent of the organization’s clients receive.

At the announcement of the campaign, Rep. Judy Chu (DMonterey Park) cited that among benefits of becoming citizens include that many educational scholarships are available only to citizens, and that permanent residents only receive half of the social security benefits received by citizens. “There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by becoming a US citizen. You can protect yourself, protect your family, have a better life, and you can vote.

What better thing can there be?�

Chu said.

In Los Angeles County, among the more than 300,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrant LPRs, nationals from the Philippines were the largest ethnic group between 2000 to 2010.

Among clients Advancing Justice – LA has helped and continues to assist is Rebeck Sadangsal, a Filipino-American lawful permanent resident (LPR) currently applying for naturalization.

Sadangsal told media that one factor motivating him to apply for citizenship is so he can vote.

He arrived in the United States in 1992, became an LPR in 2007 and came to Advancing Justice – LA in May 2014 for assistance in the naturalization process.

At the time, Sadangsal and his wife were undergoing financial difficulties, but their application for a fee waiver was rejected multiple times, as their income was slightly above the federal poverty level. “We had no choice but to delay filing our applications because the cost of two applications was $1,360. It was a big burden on our family and children. Luckily, Advancing Justice did not give up on us,� he said.

Sadangsal said he and his wife eventually received waivers with the help of Advancing Justice – LA, and shared that they underwent biometrics last week.

The campaign’s first partnership event is a free citizenship workshop that takes place on Sunday, April 10, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Filipinos interested in receiving citizenship assistance or legal services are encouraged to call the Tagalog hotline at (855) 300-2552. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

A

Earn less than $13,870? California rewards low-income tax filers

by Viji

Sundaram NewAmericaMedia

INDIGNATION. Students of the University of the Philippines-Diliman hold a rally to call for justice for the victims of the violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City last week.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy L. Martinez

San Francisco passes law mandating 6 weeks…

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The city board of supervisors and city council on Tuesday, April 5, unanimously passed the measure requiring employers to offer new parents paid leave.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not require paid parental leave, and California is one among only five states in the nation with a form of paid parental leave. It entitles employees to six weeks of partially paid leave – 55 percent of their salary – to care for newborns, as well as adopted and foster children. The time off is paid for by a state insurance program funded by workers.

“The vast majority of workers in this country have little or no access to paid parental leave, and that needs to change,” Wiener said at a news conference before the vote, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Under San Francisco’s new ordinance, businesses with 50 or more employees will be required to pay the remaining 45 percent of their salaries for a six-week leave beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

Employers with 35 to 49 workers have until July 2017 to comply.

For those with 20 or more work-

ers, the law will apply starting Jan. 1, 2018.

Businesses with fewer than 20 employees will be exempt from the law. The ordinance further makes it illegal to terminate an employee after taking parental leave, whereas California’s program doesn’t guarantee a worker’s old job when they return from leave.

“Paid parental leave increases the probability that employees will return to work, be more productive and earn higher wages. That is good for business and families,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, according to the AP. Last week, New York also signed a similar measure into law that requires employers to provide 12 weeks of paid time off, though the program will initially offer 50 percent of an employee’s salary and will be phased in until it fully begins in 2021.

While labor groups have touted the legislation in San Francisco and New York, others have noted that other developed countries offer expectant and new mothers at least 12 weeks of paid leave; in Australia, they receive 18 weeks, 39 weeks in the UK and 480 days

thiS Week in RevieW US Sanders says Clinton isn’t qualified to be president DEMOCRATIC presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton made headlines this week when Sanders said his opponent isn’t qualified to be president. Sanders first made the contention about Clinton Wednesday, April 6, at a rally in Philadelphia, citing her support from super PACs and her vote in favor of authorizing the “disastrous” Iraq war. “I don’t think you are qualified if you have supported virtually every disastrous trade agreement which has cost us millions of decent paying jobs,” Sanders said. The roots of the Vermont senator’s comments are in an interview Clinton did with MSNBC on Wednesday, where co-anchor Joe Scarborough attempted to get Clinton to say Sanders wasn’t qualified to be president. However, the former Secretary of State never did. In response to Sanders’ comments, Clinton on Thursday, April 7, told reporters in New York City, “Well it’s kind of a silly thing to say. But I’m going to trust the voters of New York who know me and have voted for me three times.”

Pope urges Catholics to be more understanding toward divorced, remarried couples POPE Francis on Friday, April 8, released a 256-page document on family law, which, among other things, touches on divorce. The document, “Amoris Laetitia,” which is Latin for “The Joy of Love,” encourages Catholics to welcome sinners and saints, as well as divorced and remarried Catholics who have long been prohibited from receiving Holy Communion. He said such couples should not be discriminated against or excluded from the Church, and he urged priests to be merciful in considering if these Catholics can receive communion. “I understand those who prefer a more rigorous pastoral care which leaves no room for confusion,” the pope said. “But I sincerely believe that Jesus wants a church attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows in the midst of human weakness.” Although he had a softer stance toward those divorced and remarried, he still rejected same-sex couples. He said “there is some good” within these government-recognized unions, but said the church is not changing its position on the issue. The document also mentions the Church’s take on violence, abuse, contraception, fertility treatment, poverty and migration. While the pope appeared to be encouraging his clergy to deal with the world they live in, he didn’t make any change in Church laws.

PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IMINUMUNGKAHING BADYET SA FY2017 Ang Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Awtoridad sa Transportasyon ng Kalunsuran ng Los Angeles County) ay magsasagawa ng isang pampublikong pagdinig sa iminumungkahing badyet nito sa FY2017 (Hulyo 1, 2016 Hunyo 30, 2017) sa 1:00pm sa Miyerkoles, Mayo 18, 2016. Ang pulong ay gaganapin sa MTA Board Room sa ika-3 palapag ng Gateway Plaza Building, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, na matatagpuan sa tabi ng Union Station sa downtown Los Angeles.

Upang humingi ng karagdagang komento mula sa publiko at mga apektado tungkol sa taunang badyet, ang mga talakayan tungkol sa badyet ay itinakda sa Mayo sa Metro Service Councils, Citizens Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, at sa Bus Operations Subcommittee. Ang ibang mga tagahatid ng balita na ginagamit upang magkaloob ng impormasyon tungkol sa proseso ng badyet sa FY17 ay ang Social media, mga podcast, ang bagong interaktibong kasangkapan sa badyet at ang website sa badyet.

Ang mga interesadong miyembro ng publiko ay hinihimok na dumalo sa darating na pampublikong pagdinig o sa alinman sa binanggit sa itaas na mga pulong upang magbigay ng testimonya. Ang mga taong hindi makakadalo ay maaaring magsumite ng nakasulat na testimonya na may tatak ng koreo o inihatid hanggang Mayo 18, 2016. Ang mga komento ay maaaring isumite sa paraang elektronikal sa budgetcomments@metro. net, habang ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa koreo ay dapat ipadala sa: Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932 Attn: Michele Jackson Ang mga kopya ng dokumento sa badyet ay makukuha para sa pamamahagi sa publiko 15 araw bago ang pagdinig at maaaring makuha mula sa Records Management Center (RMC) sa pamamagitan ng paghiling sa e-mail sa RMC@metro.net. Ang mga kopya ng dokumento sa badyet ay maaari ring makuha sa RMC sa Plaza level ng Gateway Building, o tingnan online sa http://www.metro.net.

CNS-2865724#

for parents in Sweden.

Also criticizing the requirement are small business owners who say the current list of city mandates unfairly targets them.

“They don’t necessarily have the resources, they can’t absorb the increases in cost, and they feel like it’s kind of relentless, it’s one thing after the next,” said Dee Dee Workman, vice president of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, according to the Associ-

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SACRAMENTO — The Golden State’s poverty statistics are grim: Two in five people live just over the federal poverty level (FPL), and the state has the highest child poverty rate in the nation.

But this year, for the first time, California’s working poor will get to keep more of their earnings in their pockets thanks to the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But people with low incomes – less than $13,870 a year – must be sure to file their taxes in order to get their money back.

600,000 Families Eligible Around 600,000 families in California are eligible for the state EITC. Some 12 percent are Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders, 30 percent are Latino, 12 percent are Black, and more than 15,000 individuals are Native American.

The majority of those eligible are single women who are working part-time jobs.

Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last year, the state’s EITC program is expected to cost the state $380 million. California is the 25th state, plus the District of Columbia, with such a program.

The tax credit is modeled on the federal EITC program, which has been around since 1975.

California Budget and Policy Center (CBPC) Communications Director Steven Bliss called the state program “an important tool for helping move the lowest earn-

Asian Inc. tax preparer Crystal Huang helping a client prepare her 2015 tax returns.

ers toward economic security.”

Some of those targeted for the program, he said, “have earnings so low that they may not even file state income taxes.”

To qualify for the California’s EITC a person must earn no more than $13,870 a year. On average those who apply for the credit will receive $900 back from the state.

Families with three or more children could get back more than $2,500.

“Every community has people who live in deep poverty,” said state Assembly Member Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, speaking on a panel with other state officials in Sacramento, March 9. “The state’s poorest communities will benefit from this.”

Asian-Community Gap Even though California is doing outreach around the new program, not everyone knows about it, especially in the Asian community, said Crystal Huang.

She wears the hats of tax pre-

parer and housing counselor at Asian, Inc., in San Francisco.

San Francisco resident Hou (who would only share her last name) was one of them. The Chinese immigrant, 40, has been raising her five-year-old son alone since her husband died two years ago, leaving her with very few resources. She pulls in about $5,000 a year from her three part-time jobs and struggles to put rice on the table.

She came to Asian Inc. to get her taxes filed for free and found, to her surprise, that she could get back $1,300 from the state’s EITC program, plus another $1,500 from the federal EITC, plus an additional $250 from San Francisco’s Working Families Credit – a little over $3,000 in all.

Rick Kim, economic development services manager with Koreatown Youth and Community Center in Los Angeles, which provides free tax help for low-

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Book on Amerasians in PH to be launched soon Citing Filipinos’ WWII role in Calif. curriculum not done deal

by EunicE

BarBara Inquirer.net

c. novio

GROWING up in Angeles City, Pampanga, Enrico Dungca, 47, a former US-based fashion photographer had seen the faces and heard the voices of Amerasians, or those children fathered by Americans stationed at the former Clark Airbase in his hometown and Subic Naval Base in Olongapo.

Even when the Dungca family immigrated to the United States in 1984, he never forgot the faces of his fatherless playmates. This motivated him to produce a photography book on the Amerasians.

Dungca was on vacation in Angeles City in December 2013 when he realized that there were still many Amerasians, most of them living in poverty, without support from their fathers or from the American government because they were not recognized as American citizens. Many of them were children of prostituted women.

Some of those Filipinas had a short-term affairs with their American boyfriends, but the eruption of Pinatubo in 1991 forced the Americans to permanently close the bases. However, even prior to closures, many Amerasians had been abandoned by their fathers, whom most of them never knew.

“The project is coming along well. The book is in its design process, and I’m excited to see the final piece. I’m hoping a huge population of Americans will know more about the issue but so far the few who have learned about the project did not know

by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

that the issue existed,” Dungca says.

“The Forgotten Americans” will be published soon with the help of friends and supporters from both the American and Filipino communities as a self-published book.

Aside from personal advocacy, the book project is a tribute to Dungca’s father. His father was orphaned at five years old and raised by a single father. The elder Dungca knew what it was like to live in poverty, thus, he became a pillar in their community in Angeles.

“His love for the Filipinos

and the Americans parallels the premise of my goal for the project, which is to have my photographs speak for the poor abandoned Filipino Amerasians,” Dungca says.

Finding some American fathers Dungca is in contact with two Americans who know about their children in the Philippines.

“It’s a sensitive situation for a couple of reasons. Firstly, one of them has his own family does not want to open a can of worms. It’s a selfish reason in my opinion, but I cannot push any decisions

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income people among other services, said it’s too early to know how many people will apply for the new state program. Many of his clients, he said, work in very low-paid, high-stress jobs, such as in the garment industry or supermarkets.

He noted that the CalEITC could motivate more people

5/3/16

who fall below the federal filing threshold to file returns because they could qualify for the benefits.

“For a family making around $10,000 or $12,000, a benefit of $500-$800 is significant,” he said.

Outreach to Immigrants CalEITC4Me.org, a coalition of community-based organiza-

tions, is conducting outreach to neighborhoods with the highest number of eligible families.

Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries is one of them. It is working with the Southeast Asian population in Fresno, many of whom are Hmong and Laotian.

“We are making sure the community has in-language materials and helping people get free tax assistance,” said Executive Director Zachary Darrah.

He noted that not speaking English limits many immigrants’ employment and educational opportunities. That aside, many immigrants have a “general mistrust” of government, and it takes some persuasion by organizations, such as his to convince them otherwise.

“For folks who are living in poverty, [the extra money] is a game-changer for them,” Darrah said. “That goes a long way toward paying bills, paying for housing costs, paying for education, perhaps a mode of transportation--there are a lot of uses for those funds for families living in poverty, as many families are here in Fresno.”

San Francisco’s Hou, who speaks very little English, has decided to invest the tax credit dollars she will get back in her son’s education. n

SAN FRANCISCO — The 17person delegation that trooped to Sacramento recently to press for the inclusion of the role of Filipino soldiers in World War II in California’s school curriculum hoped to get good news. They were somewhat disappointed.

The delegation led by the Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) was ready to defend its prepared and submitted comments on the History-Social Science Framework Second Field Review Draft approved by the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) on November 2015.

It planned to have its presence felt and its voice heard, especially as the 74th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan neared.

It turned out, however, that the scheduled discussion in Sacramento was only between the members of the History-Social Science Subject Matter Committee (SMC) chaired by Louis Bill Honig and the California History Social Sciences Project (CHSSP), which wrote the draft of the curriculum framework and made recommendations to the SMC and is headed by Nancy McTygue.

The delegation included Filipino American Arts Exposition President Al Perez; Ruth Asmundson; BLHS board members Major (Retired) Rick Villarina (Air Force) and Robert Hansen; former Lowell High School Dean Ray Cordoba; retired Judge Betty Bucat and Consul Reginald Bernabe, among others.

Suggested changes not taken up As later recounted by BLHS Executive Director Cecilia Gaerlan, to California Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil, the meeting “was a complex discussion of the recommended changes and there was not much deliberation by the committee and the CHSSP about the changes that we requested.”

Gaerlan reported though that “the Committee recommended two salient points: that the phrase ‘American soldiers and their Filipino allies’ be changed to ‘American and Filipino soldiers of the U.S. Army’ and to include the word ‘strategic’ before the word ‘retreat’ in lines 705706 as this was part of War Plan Orange 3.”

The BLHS educational steering committee had recommend-

The Filipino delegation to the History-Social Science Subject Matter Committee (SMC) of the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) in Sacramento led by Bataan Legacy Historical Society executive director Cecile Gaerlan and Filipino American Arts Exposition President Al Perez, among others. (Left-Right) Rick Villarina, Cecilia Gaerlan, Manuel Bella, Al Perez, Gemma De Ocampo, Robert Hansen, Ray Cordoba and Jeanette Adi. Contributed photo

ed seven changes, including the statement that “Despite suffering from massive diseases and starvation and fighting without any air support, the USAFFE troops performed a delaying action that disrupted the timetable of the Imperial Japanese Army of 52 days, defending Bataan for 99 days,” and that “on March 12, 1942, General MacArthur left the Philippines for Australia,” with the deletion that MacArthur uttered the words “I shall return” that they claim “does not add value to the framework and only continues to mystify General MacArthur.”

These recommendations were given letters of support by Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco, Hydra Mendoza, Commissioner, San Francisco Board of Education, Fiona Ma, Chairwoman, State Board of Equalization and one of the sponsors of AB199, Philippine Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr., Major General Antonio Taguba, Major General Eldon Regua, among other personalities, community leaders and organizations.

Gaerlan added that even as they had come to realize that the curriculum revision process was complex, they were “grateful to the Committee especially to IQC

Exec. Director Tom Adams and to Bill Honig, the History Social Science Committee Chair, for exerting extraordinary efforts after the public comments to address our concerns, especially the two salient points I mentioned.”

Much work ahead She said further: “Much work lies ahead as we will not be privy to the final curriculum framework document that will be approved by the State Board of Education in May, so we need to double our efforts to ensure that it will be historically accurate and will reflect the perspective of those who sacrificed so much during WWII in the Philippines. Groups from other states are already looking at our process. If we do this correctly, then California can lead the rest of the nation.”

Gaerlan also stressed that the BLHS needed to create the actual curriculum for the implementation of AB199 for what was discuss so far was just the curriculum framework or mere guidelines.

“The bill was just a starting point… The real test is whether history teachers will include the curriculum. The monumental task of developing the actual curriculum, introducing this to

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ated Press.

Despite critics, Wiener said he’s confident other cities and states will take notice of what is happening in San Francisco. “[Every time] San Francisco adopts a local pro-worker ordinance, we’re told that it’s going to be the end of the world for businesses,” Wiener said, according to The Guardian. “What ends up happening is the state and sometimes the federal gov-

ernment follows our lead ...”

Another ordinance the city approved for workers was a $15 hourly minimum wage or workers, which passed in 2014. On Monday, April 4, the governors of New York and California signed off on legislation raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Among supporters of paid parental leave include tech companies Google and Facebook.

Others like eBay and Spotify provide employees six months

of fully-paid parental leave, while Netflix announced unlimited parental leave for the first year after a child is born.

Vicki Shabo, vice-president of the National Partnership for Women and Families, praised local San Francisco leaders for supporting the measure.

“There’s a growing consensus that the nation must do something to address this,” she said, according to The Guardian. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

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Book on Amerasians in PH to be launched…

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for him. I can only keep reminding him that he has a beautiful daughter in the Philippines calling for him. I hope someday he will open his heart. There is another father who questions the authenticity of the paternal relationship. He is not aware that he left a child in the Philippines.

I need to follow up with him without being a nuisance,” Dungca explains.

Call for help In 2014 Dungca presented the project to the Philippine Consulate in New York. Consul General Mario De Leon commented that this issue had been placed in the back burner and appreciated that someone was right back on the issue.

“I have not officially reached out to the Philippine government (in the Philippines). I try not to think that the Filipino Amerasian plight is not a political number but more of a humanitarian cause but it’s an inevitable concept,” he says.

The Philippines and the United States recently agreed on reinstalling U.S. military bases in the archipelago under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Dungca hopes that both governments will not overlook the forgotten sons and daughters of American fathers.

There are thousands of abandoned Amerasians in the Philippines. He hopes that EDCA

Citing Filipinos’…

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all school districts in California, training the teachers on how to teach this and finally teaching it to the students remain ahead of us,” Gaerlan explained.

“That is why the community must coalesce in order to get their school districts to adopt this. BLHS is in the initial stages of developing a curriculum template.”

Even as they are working on these, Gaerlan said the BLHS has not given up on getting all of its recommendations approved by the IQC before it makes the final document for the State Board of Equalization’s approval.

“I will speak about the efforts we are undertaking during the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society meeting in Las Vegas on April 23. Other states like New Mexico, Washington, Hawaii, among others, have inquired about the process that we are going through,” Gaerlan disclosed. n

would not produce more abandoned children. Both countries must understand that no child deserves to be abandoned socially and politically.

The US passed the Amerasian Act of 1982, a law that permits Amerasian children born in Laos, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea to enter the United States through preferential immigration treatment, but the Philippines and Japan who were originally included were deleted at the last minute.

“The Filipino Amerasians are

beautiful people, and I hope they let their beauty shine in spite of where they are, and what circumstances they’re in. Life is a beautiful gift, and it should not be taken for granted. There are plenty of chances given in life, and I hope that the Amerasians understand that I took the chance in bringing light to their call for help. I have not forgotten about them, and I will not forget about how beautiful they are. It is the least I can do to keep my father’s legacy alive,” Dungca concludes. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

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OpiniOn

Features

Swing vote

WITH over 1.8 million Filipino overseas absentee voters across the world, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) strongly believes that these Filipinos will play a major role in influencing the results of the Philippine national elections in May. Republic Act No. 9189, also known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003,” provides a system of honest and orderly overseas absentee voting that upholds the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot. Through this, the government ensures equal opportunity to all qualified Philippine citizens living abroad, so that they can exercise this fundamental right.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said that overseas absentee voters may help decide who the next Philippine president will be. He cited the victory of former President George Bush’s victory against Al Gore as an example of how overseas votes became a gamechanger.

Rafael Seguis, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for civilian security and consular concerns, agreed and added that Filipino absentee voters may also influence family members.

“Since overseas Filipinos are considered to be their family’s bread winners, it is not a stretch to surmise that each overseas Filipino can influence

the vote of at least three family members. Thus, the 1.3 million active registered overseas voters are roughly equivalent to 5.2 million votes. This is a definite game changer for Philippine politics,” he said.

Seguis explained that if each of them influences at least three family members, that could bring in an additional 5.2 million votes to their preferred candidates.

While the number of registered Filipino voters abroad is strong, apathy is one of the biggest challenges Comelec sees as the elections draws near. Because of this, the DFA urges Filipino voters abroad to spare “20 minutes” of their time and participate in this year’s elections.

Recent Comelec records showed that the turnout of overseas absentee voters in the 2007 and 2013 midterm polls were both only 16 percent. With so much at stake in the coming elections, officials are appealing to Filipino voters to exercise their right to vote. (AJPress)

Editorial

ManlaTimes.net photo

Good luck, Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao ever wished and prayed for, and gives the glory back to God. He said he wants to leave a legacy of inspiration, especially for the Filipino people.

You may not agree with Pacquiao’s politics but I am sure he has earned the respect and admiration of many of us with what he has already achieved in the boxing world. He has brought pride to the Philippines, and has been a role model for those who may be knocked down in life because of poverty and helplessness.

Through Pacquiao’s life story, he has empowered so many people to roll with the punches of life and continue standing after each fall.

THIS Saturday, April 9, could be the last time we The Fil-Am will be seeing and cheering for Manny Pacquiao Perspective fighting for the belt in the boxing ring. As his camp announced, the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao is expected to hang Gel SantoS-ReloS up the gloves so he could concentrate on serving the Filipino people as senator, and probably as president in the future as some reports say.

Pacman was emotional in his last interviews at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, where his rise to fame started. He reminisced about his humble beginnings, and said he has been blessed more than he had

Manny Pacquiao

As he faces Tomothy Bradley in the ring for the third time, let us wish him well and offer some prayers for him. May he win this fight.

After this, win or lose, he moves on to fight for a seat in the Senate. May God direct his every step and guide him how he could serve the Filipino best. Win or lose, a good heart like his will always find ways and means to continue to be of service and an inspiration for others.

MABUHAY KA, MANNY PACQUIAO! *** 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

Reflections on the 2008, 2012 and 2016 presidential elections “WHILE we are contending for our Rhizomes own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering Prosy AbArquezthat God alone is the DelAcruz, J.D. judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable.” — Pres. George Washington, America’s First President, in a letter to Benedict Arnold, Sept. 14, 1775.

“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” – Pres.

George Washington’s farewell address on Sept. 17, 1796.

President Barack Obama, who garnered a total of 132, 115, 406 American citizen votes in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, made history. He won decisively and unprecedented first, with over 69, 500,000 votes, and was re-elected with 62, 615, 406 votes.

I recall these numbers as they prove that the American people are voters who care about progress and a progressive platform of ending the war in Iraq, universal health care, creating a new economy based on new forms of nonfossilized energy, rebalancing the tax code (to cut taxes for the middle class and small businesses), creating jobs, and in David Plouffe’s book, to reverse “the human toll of our nation’s veering off the tracks.” Their votes are not for sale.

Never mind that emails were distributed amongst Catholics who mischaracterized him as a Nazi and a Hitler, to which I questioned a relative, “How many Jews did Barack Obama incinerate?” For a while, our Thanksgiving dinner got tense because of the stance I took, to tell the truth.

Our votes count After two elections, I stand tall, as my vote counted along with over 132

million other American citizen voters.

Now, over 18 million Americans without health care insurance now have coverage, and no one can be discriminated against for his or her pre-existing health conditions.

To some musicians with a “pre-existing condition of cancer,” Obamacare is a lifesaver as their cancer is in remission. With a new lease in life, they wear big smiles, singing to our community.

Even with the inordinate broadcast of a subscription only-cable television, promoting the president’s opponents, citizen voters used social media and the Internet to combat what is false and to neutralize what is incorrect and offered up more details on what the president stands for.

We also knew that independent voters (formerly from the East Coast) were voting for Barack Obama, when we door-knocked in Las Vegas. Why? They did not appreciate the former governor’s use of state national guards to patrol his lakefront mansion, treating a public waterway, as if his own backyard, and in their words, “an egregious inappropriate use of public servants.”

Never mind that ultra-conservative voters were vehemently against the president, falsely promoting him as the “pro-abortion” president, calling him an “Anti-Christ,” including a Catholic bishop in New Mexico who advocated for a no-vote for Barack Obama’s reelection during his homily, at a mass he celebrated for a national organization.

Even with that hideous falsehood, community folks -- including Catholic priests and nuns -- pulled me aside to say, “I am voting for Barack Obama.”

Some went on to say, “he seems to be the more reasonable and more rational candidate, but do not tell other community folks.”

Why not? Do we have the courage of our hearts’ convictions to reflect us, like in our votes?

Honoring what our hearts tell us I will not vote for a grumpy candidate, even if a grandfather in age, as social customs might say to give tolerance, as grumpiness communicates a

troubled heart.

“All at once I saw that what makes a human being human is the heart with which one can give and receive love,” writes Henri Nouwen, in “Spiritual Direction.” That candidate is not being human to me, and his campaign reflects one singular color in his intimate circles, until recently, reacting to criticisms, he appointed a director of Native American interests.

I too will not vote for a candidate who has put down Muslims, Asians, Mexicans and women. It is a red flag saying stop, as it shows how in his reality, the only hero is himself, and he has made himself a “demi-god,” a god of billions, which he worships, and would like us to worship as well.

I will also not vote for a candidate who props himself up by lying in his television ads, plagiarizing and using falsehoods to deliberately misinterpret the US Constitution.

For when your heart is at peace, a person communicates how “we are born in intimate communion with God, who created us in love. And we will die into the loving arms of God, who loves us with everlasting love, “ Henri Nouwen reflected.

I will vote for a candidate who served us with integrity for decades, not one who is simply “advocating integrity,” and one who has come into a coalition, to negotiate to deliver progress to people in their legislative roles. I am not looking for a candidate who has not made a mistake, as it means this candidate has been in the frontlines, making decisions for us.

I once admonished a congressman in the Philippines who kept criticizing at the margins, as if he is not in the corridors of power, the Philippine Congress, and highlighting the mistakes of the administration. I told him that he could join or form coalitions so he might get the support of fellow legislators, for the laws that matter to the people, as “you are now with power to serve the people.”

In the U.S., I am propositioned left and right, to vote for insurgent candidates, as a protest vote at the American electoral system.

But, I am not protesting, I have the power of my words. I use it when I dis-

President Barack Obama

agree with the White House. I freely write an email to the White House, as any other American can.

Twice, President Barack Obama responded with an email, and another a powerful letter, on why he is seeking diplomacy and why his security policy is multi-pronged, including self-defense for our country.

I only saw, from my vantage point as a citizen, the need for peace and how the injured and dead bodies, are not in our best national interests. Their families and our national treasury bear the brunt of a country’s wounded bodies and lost souls, a nation which has been perpetually at war with other nations in the world.

I will vote for the candidate who keeps evolving in decades of public service, from being a supporter of military might to that of vigorous diplomacy - a candidate who reflects the best of America.

David Plouffe fondly wrote in “The Audacity to Win,” “The greatest treasure of the campaign was the chance to be my best self, and to share this with a band of brothers and sisters who were also their best selves, as we met and seized our moment. Win or lose, I knew how fortunate I was to be in this position, managing a presidential campaign on the precipice of achieving something that would have a profound and lasting effect. I felt lucky to be working with this

candidate [Barack Obama] and this campaign team, and with all our passionate volunteers, at this moment in history.”

Pres. George Washington’s prescient words still ring true, we cannot simply label someone Anti-Christ, nor exclude groups of people like Muslims, Asians, Mexicans, women, and judge them. We should not allow unprincipled men who judged these groups, to subvert our federal government and blatantly spread lies about a government built by the blood, sweat and tears of millions of Americans.

In Barack Obama, the best of America converged. I hope the next resident of the White House embodies the best of America as well. May God guide us to vote for the best embodiment of ourselves in the polling places! *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Binay defends alliance with Ampatuan

by Janvic

MaTeo Philstar.com

BEAT THE HEAT. Filipino children use an inflatable pool to cool off from the summer heat. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday that 2016 could be one of the country’s warmest years — with daily maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao or Cagayan area.

Inquirer.net photo

Napeñas hits Aquino over Mamasapano

by Reina

TolenTino ManilaTimes.net

UNISAN, QUEZON — Getulio Napeñas, former director of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), said Friday that President Benigno Aquino III has no courage to take responsibility for the anti-terrorist police operation in Mamasapano that led to the deaths of 44 SAF members last year.

Napeñas, one of the senatorial bets under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, made the statement during a proclamation rally of local candidates in this province that was attended by UNA officials and members.

“Even here, I have to tell the President himself dito sa harapan [here in front]: Wala kang bayag [You have no balls],” Napeñas said.

He alleged that it was not he but Aquino who broke the chain of command.

“I was charged with usurpation of authority,” Napeñas continued in Filipino. “How will I commit it when it was the President who made the orders? Right? How funny,” He added, “They alleged that I allowed myself to be induced by

General Purisima to perform an illegal act. I don’t understand it. It was the President himself making the orders, how could I ever be induced by General Purisima when he was the one making the orders through General Purisima?”

On Tuesday, April 5, the Ombudsman said it found sufficient grounds to file charges of graft and usurpation of authority before the graft court Sandiganbayan against Purisima, former PNP director, and Napeñas for their alleged participation in the planning of a counter-terrorist police operation in Mamasapano, despite Purisima being under preventive suspension.

The respondents can still file motions for reconsideration on the Ombudsman’s ruling.

“I leave it for you to judge and I hope those at the Ombudsman or at the Sandiganbayan are enlightened that I will see this fight through to the end,” Napeñas said in Filipino.

The Ombudsman also found Purisima and Napeñas administratively liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

But because Purisima was ordered dismissed from the ser-

vice in June 2015 while Napeñas retired in July 2015, the penalty imposed was a fine equivalent to their one-year salary.

They also face perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and cancellation of civil-service eligibility.

“Just a small amount, that is what hurts,” Napeñas said in Filipino. “That is why I said, I will fight for this until the end.”

The charges are in connection with the police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that ended in the deaths of over 60 people.

Dubbed “Oplan Exodus,” the operation was aimed to capture international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and his protégé Abdulbasit Usman. Marwan was killed while Usman escaped.

Forty-four PNP-SAF members, said to be part of the operation, were left dead in a cornfield after a firefight with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups.

Members of the MILF and civilians were also among the casualties. n

MANILA — Vice President Jejomar Binay has defended his decision to support the candidacy of one of the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case.

In an interview on Thursday, Binay noted that the evidence against former Maguindanao vice governor Sajid Islam Ampatuan was weak and this is why the latter was released on bail.

“I am endorsing him… Based on the evidence, he was allowed to post bail. If you are allowed to post bail, the evidence against you is weak… (from) what I heard, he was not in the area at the time of the incident,” Binay said in Filipino.

Ampatuan – a son of deceased clan patriarch and alleged Maguindanao massacre mastermind Andal Ampatuan Sr. – is running for mayor of Shariff Aguak town, the provincial capital and known Ampatuan political stronghold.

He was allowed to post bail last year after the court handling the multiple murder case ruled that the evidence presented against him was not enough Vice President Jejomar Binay Philstar.com photo to merit continued The ruling is currently being detention while the trial is going appealed before the Court of Apon. peals.

Prosecution witnesses said Earlier, The Star reported that Ampatuan was present in at Sajid Islam is one of 19 Amleast one of the meetings when patuans who are running under the massacre was allegedly dis- Binay’s United Nationalist Allicussed, but the judge noted that ance. his non-participation and the “toUNA spokesman Mon Ilagan tality of the circumstances (pre- said local candidates know their sented) presently fails to reach politics more than the members the threshold of strong evidence of the party at the national level. of guilt.” u PAGE A10

A10 APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PHiliPPineS

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

Binay defends alliance with Ampatuan

PAGE A9 t

“We leave it to them (to choose) candidates, in this case it is UNA gubernatorial candidate Ali Midtimbang and his team who have chosen Sajid Ampatuan,” Ilagan explained.

UNA is fielding Midtimbang against re-electionist Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu of the ruling Liberal Party.

Mangudadatu’s wife Genalyn led the convoy that was ambushed and brutally killed by alleged members of the private

army of the Ampatuans on Nov. 23, 2009.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 media practitioners, died in the massacre.

Meanwhile, Binay resumed his attacks against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, saying the tough-taking mayor only kills poor people who cannot fight back.

Trumping his pro-life stance, Binay – who called the Davao mayor “executioner” and “berdugo” – alleged that Duterte

would not kill the rich since he knows that they will retaliate.

“I am pro-life and what I do is for them to have a better life. But you, you kill poor people,” Binay said in a statement yesterday, responding to Duterte’s statement that the issue on extrajudicial killings is “recycled garbage.”

He recalled cases of human rights violations against the Davao mayor, including the killings of three minors allegedly on his orders.

Binay reminded Duterte of his previous statements admitting his links to the Davao Death Squad and the killing of 1,700 people or 700 more than what was reported by rights group Amnesty International.

He also noted reports, like the one submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in 2009, which said that Duterte “has done nothing to prevent these killings, and his public comments suggest that he is, in fact, supportive.”

Duterte has surged past Binay in the latest pre-electoral surveys.

Honasan bows to Enrile Vice presidential candidate Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, Binay’s runningmate, said he would respect Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile should the latter decide to support another VP bet.

Honasan and Enrile, former defense minister of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, became primary players in the 1986 EDSA revolution. Enrile reportedly said he is torn between Honasan and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “I have said this before and will not hesitate to say it again, the reason why we’ve been friends for a long time is because we don’t interfere with each other’s decision,” Honasan said in a statement.

As a close associate, he added that he would not allow politics to affect his friendship with Enrile, whom he considers a second father and mentor.

“I have been in the Senate for 18 years. And in my almost two decades of working as a senator alongside Senator Enrile, we are not like if you get one, you get two. We debate, if we need to debate based on conflicting data but never on the issue of personal position or belief,” Honasan said.

Enrile, who attended the announcement of Marcos’ candidacy, is supporting Binay in the presidential race. n

MISS U STAMPS. You can now own a piece of Miss Universe history. The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) on Thursday, April 7 announced that it would release this month limited edition commemorative stamps featuring Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. The stamps, which show Wurtzbach’s winning moment in the pageant in her royal blue Albert Andrada gown, will feature a special embellishment called “tactile glittery texture embossed” to “enhance the important look and feel of the stamps.”

US to investigate death of Pinoy soldier in Balikatan

by Michael Joe

T. Delizo

ManilaTimes.net

THE US Embassy on Friday, April 8, expressed regret over the death of a Filipino soldier during the Philippine-US Balikatan joint military exercises.

The victim died from a bad fall in the proficiency parachute jump exercise in Subic on Thursday, April 7, which Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson, public affairs officer of this year’s Balikatan exercises, attributed to “wind drag.”

The soldier was supposed to land in a zone at the Subic port, but he dropped to the nearby sea.

“I wanted to express our condolences on the loss of [the airman]. We have reached out to the family and to the public. This was a tragic accident,” US Ambassador to the Philippines Phil-

ip Goldberg said in an interview.

“He will be remembered for his great courage and service to his country.”

The envoy said the US officials are now coordinating with their Filipino counterparts to investigate the matter.

The name of the soldier has yet to be disclosed, but it was reported that he had the rank of Airman 2nd Class and belongs to Philippine Air Force’s 710 Special Operations Wing.

On the arrival of US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter in Manila next week, Goldberg said the official will meet several Filipino government officials apart from observing the war games.

“Secretary Carter is, of course, coming because the Philippines is an important ally of the United States and it comes with conjunction of the Balikatan exercises so

he will be here during the exercises. Seeing the troops is important to him as a secretary of Defense. It’s part of our regular contact and something special within the alliance,” Goldberg said.

Carter is the first top US defense official to observe the joint military drills. His visit comes after the implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that allows American military to build facilities and preposition defense assets inside Philippine military bases.

The Philippines is the largest recipient of US military aid in the region.

Washington has increased its military fund to the Philippines to $79 million this year. This is apart from the $50 million allocation for maritime security. n

PH gets US military aid boost amid sea row China Sea. Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia said MANILA — The United States Manila was also in talks with has allocated more than $120 the United States to acquire a million in military aid to the Phil- fourth Hamilton-class cutter to ippines this year, the biggest in strengthen Philippine capability about 15 years, a Filipino dip- to patrol its waters. lomat said yesterday. The aid “We got the largest-ever allocomes amid rising tensions with cation from the US government China over the disputed South this year to enhance the defense

by Pia lee-Brago Philstar.com

and security of our country,” he told members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila.

Cuisia said Manila received $79 million in annual military aid this year, compared to about $50 million in 2015.

He said Manila would get an additional $42 million from the

u PAGE A13

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL 9-12, 2016

A11

P205-M plunder case filed vs Bongbong 14 election-related killings recorded since February

by Perseus

echeminada christina mendez Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Filing a P205-million plunder complaint on Friday, April 8, a group calling itself the iBalik ang Bilyones ng Mamamayan (iBBM) is asking the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Sen. Ferdinand â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bongbongâ&#x20AC;?

Marcos Jr. for alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

In a protest action in front of the anti-graft agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main office along Agham Road in Quezon City, iBBM accused Marcos, a vice presidential candidate, of being one of the lawmakers who had illegal transactions with pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So plunders the father, so plunders the son,â&#x20AC;? group spokesperson Rafaela David said in a statement upon the filing of the plunder complaint, which is supported by nine special allotment release orders (SAROs) showing that Marcos channeled his pork barrel or priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to bogus nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

Also named respondents in the complaint were Napoles and Senate consultant Catherine Mae Santos, who should allegedly be likewise held administratively liable for gross abuse of authority, misconduct and neglect of duty.

Marcos said Friday, April 8, that the filing of plunder charges against him is part of the political demolition job and selective justice of the Aquino administration.

During his unity caravan in Las PiĂąas City, Marcos said that he is not surprised by the filing of the plunder case against him before the Office of the Ombudsman over PDAF scam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the problem with us.

Everything is all about politics.

Justice becomes politics,â&#x20AC;? he said in a mix of Filipino and English. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what they do, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not an ally you will be charged.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re an ally even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re involved they do nothing. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we are victims.â&#x20AC;?

Marcos said the filing of the case a month before the elections and at the height of the campaign season is yet another way of derailing his vice presidential bid.

Among the evidence of the iBBM is an Aug. 22, 2014 statement from Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; office which admitted that he requested a municipal mayor of General Nakar, Quezon to tap the services of the

Sen. Bongbong Marcos

Social Development Program for Farmers Foundation Inc. (SDPFFI) in implementing the senatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pork barrel projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These SAROs constitute part of the (Benhur) Luy files, which saw that Marcos Jr. himself was directly involved in stealing the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money,â&#x20AC;? David claimed.

Luy is a former employee of Napoles who turned state witness against his former boss and the erring lawmakers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marcos himself admitted that he instructed the LGU (local government unit) to use a Napoles NGO. Why would Bongbong Marcos give special instructions to deal with SDPFFI when they had no known address, projects or reputation to speak of,â&#x20AC;? added Marlon Cornelio, also of iBBM. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; implication in the Na-

poles scam clearly demonstrates that Marcos is not detached from his parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; legacy of corruption and plunder. Marcos was an accomplice in his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crimes during the martial law years,â&#x20AC;? he added.

SDPFFI, based on a Commission on Audit (COA) report and investigation conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman, is one of the allegedly fake NGOs created to implement ghost or fictitious projects using the pork barrel funds of lawmakers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This complaint is also filed to seek justice for the people of the Philippines whose tax money, intended for development, has instead been defrauded through official acts and the abuse and neglect of official responsibility on behalf of public office-holders,â&#x20AC;? iBBMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complaint said.

Several legislators, including incumbent Sens. Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, have been indicted before the Sandiganbayan for alleged involvement in the anomaly.

Under the scheme, lawmakers are allegedly given kickbacks, commissions or rebates in exchange for funding projects that are never implemented. n

attempted killings, strafing, harassment by armed groups and the proliferation of loose fireMANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Commission arms in Sorsogon, Zamboanga on Human Rights (CHR) has del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi confirmed at least 14 election-re- , Zamboanga City and Caraga related killings in different parts of gion. These violations create an the country since the start of the atmosphere of fear among the campaign period in February. electorate and impede the efforts It also noted a rise in cyber of human rights communities to bullying, which include insulting achieve peaceful, transparent words and grave threats, as neti- and credible elections,â&#x20AC;? Gascon zens continue to express their po- said. litical viewpoints in the Internet.

The CHR, Commission on ElecDuring a press conference of tions (Comelec) and other human the Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan rights groups launched the BKH (BKH) initiative on Friday, April 8, CHR chairman Chito Gascon said the regional offices have started their fact-finding investigations on the reported killings for the possible filing of criminal and election-related charges against the perpetrators.

Although he did not provide enough details, he said these occurred in Regions IV-A and IX and in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Secondary data showed at least 49 cases of election-related violence, including killings, assaults and harassment since June 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There (were also) reported by sheila

crisostomo Philstar.com

on Firday, April 8, to monitor and report cases of human rights violations during the election season. The BKH will deploy around 10,000 volunteers in the country, especially in election hotspots or areas of concern.

Gascon noted that no electionrelated human rights violation case has prospered because of the decision of victims or witnesses to stop pursuing the cases.

Aside from the election-related offenses, the CHR will also work

u PAGE A13

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A12 APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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PAL celebrates 75th [GCT YKVJ .# VQ %GDW ƃKIJV

P

hilippine Airlines (PAL) marked its 75th year in the industry with a bang: by opening a historic direct flight between Los Angeles and Cebu, and hosting a press conference and gala at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, March 15, PAL’s first non-stop service to Cebu departed from Los Angeles — a historic date 75 years after the airline first took off from Makati to Baguio City.

It was on March 15, 1941 when the first-ever commercial flight under the registered name of Philippine Airlines flew Mr. Andres Soriano Sr. and his friends from Nielson Field in Makati to Baguio City. Since then, PAL continues its insatiable quest for quality service and a world-class travel experience by creating another memorable milestone in history with the Cebu-LA route.

In 75 years, Philippine Airlines has became one of the largest airline company to serve Filipinos, boasting several improvements since its launch, like being the first to launch in-flight movies, to have fully-flat sky beds and to employ the first-ever female pilot in Asia.

PAL chose Cebu — the Philippines’ second-largest city — as a route because it is a “jumping off point” for visitors who want to go on to visit the Visayas and Mindanao. Cebu is also known for its adventurous offerings and cultural attractions.

Selected guests, members of Philippine and FilAm press, PAL officers and representatives from LAX were given a taste of what Cebu can offer to its visitors.

They had their first stop at

Shangri-La Resort and Spa in Mactan, a seaside resort offering a wide array of outdoor activities like snorkeling, fish feeding, kayaking, jet skiing and ziplining, among others. The tour to the Queen City of the South included the visit to Magellan’s Cross, Cebu Heritage Monument and Fort San Pedro.

Neighboring province, Bohol, was also included in the itinerary. The tour comprised of a visit to the breathtaking Chocolate Hills in Carmen, bonding with the famous tarsiers and a sumptuous lunch cruise along the Loboc River.

The tour ended up in Manila with the guests staying in Shangri-La at the Fort, the new five-star luxury hotel in Bonifacio Global City. DOT also sponsored a getaway outside the city to Tagaytay, where guests marveled at the Taal Volcano.

PAL President and COO Jaime Bautista, Senior Vice President/Airline Operations Ismael Augusto Gozon, Senior Vice President/Commercial Group David Lim, Vice President of Marketing Ria Domingo, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary for Tourism Development Planning Rolando Canizal graced the press conference in Los Angeles on Friday, March 18.

Each spoke of PAL and the DOT’s visions to attract more visitors to the Philippines, such as millennials and retirees.

“The nation’s flag carrier aims to continue its legacy of service to the nation and the rest of the world leveraging on the strengths

of the brand. We take pride in the fact that PAL is the only Filipino legacy carrier offering the distinct brand of service marked by heartfelt warmth and hospitality,” Bautista said.

PAL has received a significant rise in their passengers with 10 million in 2014 and 12 million in 2015. The airline expects over 14 million passengers for 2016, Domingo said.

“This celebration that we brought, especially to the city of Los Angeles, is a tribute to the 75 years of proudly flying the Philippine flag across oceans and borders, representing the best of the Philippines and the Filipino to the world,” Gozon said.

After the press conference, guests enjoyed a gala at the hotel and a surprise performance by Filipina actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.

The historic Cebu-LA direct flight is just the start of PAL’s innovation to improve the overall service of its airline. There will be three flights from the two cities weekly, which adds to the 40 flights PAL operates in the US already. Passengers can expect more direct flights for easier travel from certain destinations, like Doha and Saipan.

“We take pride in the overall safety and service competence of the team.

Our goal is to make PAL the airline of choice in all the markets we serve, one that exceeds passenger expectations. We want PAL to be a source of pride for Filipinos,” Bautista said about the future of PAL and the tourism in the Philippines.

(AJPress)

Richmond Jimenez, Director of Department of Tourism - Los Angeles; Marila Revilla, PAL Country Manager ; Harry D. Inoferio, Senior Assistant Vice President of Philippine Sales; Ryan T. Uy, Vice President of Sales; Jacqueline Yaft, Deputy Executive Director of Operations & Emergency Management at Los Angeles World Airports; Rex Aldanese, PAL Station Manager at LAX

Jaime Bautista, PAL President and COO

David Lim, PAL Senior Vice President - Commercial Group

PAL senior officers, with Richmond Jimenez of DOT and Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and wife Fides, at the 75th anniversary gala in Los Angeles on March 18.

Ryan T. Uy, PAL Vice President of Sales

Ria Domingo, PAL Vice President of Marketing

Zsa Zsa Padilla

Fil-Am media fam tour group is joined by Ryan Uy (PAL VP of Sales), Marie Jemma Saranillo (PAL-LA Area Sales Manager), Maricel Wall (PAL-LA Senior Account Manager) and Richmond Jimenez of DOT.

Photos by Ding Carreon and Joe Cobilla

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RECORD-BREAKERS. Buoyed by its stunning upset of North Korea and a creditable showing against Uzbekistan in its last two games, the Philippines climbed to its highest-ever position of No. 116 in the latest FIFA rankings. The Azkals made the biggest leap among Asian teams, moving up 19 places to their latest position, which team manager Dan Palami said only reflects the current form of the national side. The Azkals also reclaimed the billing as Southeast Asia’s top ranked nation ahead of Thailand which is at No. 119.

Inquirer.net photo by Tristan Tamayo

14 election-related killings recorded…

PAGE A1 t

with the Department of Justice for the criminal aspect of the violations.

“Every single instance of election violence is a mark on our political process because in other democracies, there is no case of election violence,” said Gascon.

He said they would also look into violations committed on the Internet as a “heightened degree” of cyber bullying was noted.

Gascon stressed that while the group is for freedom in cyberspace, it has to ensure that the rights of everyone are protected.

“There should be a degree of civility in (cyber) interactions like the way we do in the physical world,” Gascon said.

On Thursday, climate campaigner Ayeen Karunungan post-

ed on Facebook screenshots of some of the hate messages that she received from the supporters of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

She said the messages poured in after she started a campaign against the candidacy of Duterte, whom she criticized over his support for coal.

While some tried to engage her in polite conversation, she said a number sent her insults, with some even wishing her dead or raped.

“I will say this again: what concerns me most are the values we have come to uphold as a society. I am concerned how people can just say, ‘Sana ma-rape ka’ or ‘Ipapapatay kita’ like it’s nothing,” Karunungan said in a follow-up post.

“How can people just say these

things to others? How can people wish other people harm? I don’t understand it. What have we become as a people? What values do we teach our children? More than what we need to change in the government, we need to take a look back at our values and what makes us human. Have we lost our humanity? It’s sad and disconcerting,” Karunungan added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines have monitored a number of pre-election violence but said that the Philippine National Police, as the Comelec’s lead deputized agency, is the record keeper of these incidents.

Joint coordination centers for the police and the Armed Forces were also set up in the provinces, especially in hotspot areas. (With Janvic Mateo, Jaime Laude)

PH gets US military aid boost amid sea…

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new US Southeast Asia Maritime Initiative, a maritime capacitybuilding program announced by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who is visiting Manila next week.

The two amounts represent the biggest amount of military aid since 2000, when the US military returned to its former colony after the American bases closed in 1992.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters, through which about $5 trillion in trade passes every year.

Beijing’s more assertive pursuit of its claims over the past year or so has included land rec-

lamation and the construction of air and port facilities on some isles and reefs.

The Philippines has sought international arbitration on the dispute and a decision is expected late this month or in early May. Cuisia also urged American business leaders to articulate that the business community will not tolerate the current situation in the region that is dictated by China.

“While the diplomats, lawyers and military strategists work on avoiding military conflict, the voice of the business community is just as powerful. I encourage AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines) to weigh in on the issue to ensure that business interests are protected,” Cuisia said during the

American businessmen’s general membership meeting and business leadership program in Makati.

He said that sustained economic growth and prosperity are underpinned by political stability and “no single country should be allowed to jeopardize the region’s peace and security.”

The US has always maintained that its economic prosperity is closely linked to the AsiaPacific.

US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said that the potential for deepening economic engagement is tremendous.

Cuisia echoed that the potential is great but this could only happen if peace and stability in the South China Sea remain as constant variables. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 9-12, 2016

SHOWBIZ&STYLE Journal

Hailee Steinfeld on what it means to have Pinoy roots

by Micah Levin isLa Philstar.com

A true Hollywood It Girl — one with a legitimate talent to match the face — arrived in Manila with her relatable brand of spunk.

Actress and singer-songwriter Hailee Steinfeld recently served her infectious electro-pop sound for all her Filipino fans to enjoy.

In a press conference at Marco Polo, the 19-year-old star talked about her blossoming career and her first love — music.

At 14, Hailee has already caught the attention of critics when she joined the stellar cast of the Coen Brothers’ western thriller “true Grit” as feisty little Mattie ross, a role that earned her an Oscar nod. this feat opened more doors in film, but her singing had to take

a backseat — then Pitch Perfect 2 came along.

“Music’s always been something that I love and always been something that I wanted to pursue; I started pursuing it around the same time I began to pursue acting, but the acting took off quicker and the music became more of a side project over the last couple of years. And it was really always a matter of ‘How am I going to transition and be doing it the right way?’”

But Hailee somehow knew how she wanted to jumpstart her musical endeavor — by way of the big screen.

“I had always hoped that it would happen through a movie, so when ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ came, it was the perfect opportunity for me to use that as a segue into making

Hailee Steinfeld traces her Pinoy roots.

music,” she said.

Hailee shared that she was a huge fan of “Pitch Perfect”—the funny blockbuster that exposed the crazy world of collegiate a cappella singing competitions in 2012.

“My family would always sing PAGE B2

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B april 9-12, 2016 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal

by Mylah de

leon

POLITICS back home had gradually turned into a world of petty bickering, big money and bad manners. The presidential campaign undeniably takes the surge of the interest in the personalities of the candidates.

In turn, it has become a season of poisonous back biting with Pandora’s Box, which has been opened, creating overblown multiple plots. Tabloids ooze with offers, insinuations and blatant, unapologetic approbation, sending aspirants dancing on pin heads.

But campaigning in any presidential election is a process every candidate has to go through. It is like running for your life, and any help is welcome.

Last Sunday, April 3, at the Mayflower restaurant, diehard friend and supporter Ms. Trini Foliente gathered her all Vice President Binay supporters here

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VP Jojo Binay: His big dreams for KC Concepcion hesitant to our country are worth fighting for work with mom Sharon

The author with Mrs. Ha, owner of Mayflower restaurant in Los Angeles, and Vice President Binay.

Photo by Sid T. Guererro

in Southern California. In an unprecedented glorious celebration of what looked like Community Day for Vice President Binay, simple, happy people mingled with the crème de la crème of the Filipino community in magical fun. Even their hearts danced, with the feast offered — the food aroma alone can elevate your cholesterol level — and they were equipped to feed an army of famished guests that came pour-

ing in hundreds!

One would remember with clarity the first time he sat as Mayor of Makati City (and the hundred days after his election).

Binay’s grace, his good manners, are almost as clearly as the substance of our talk, in all the successive meetings here in Los Angeles.

In every small gathering among his constituents was an important meeting. There was

an air of excitement about his every act and gesture. Every word for everyone who came to celebrate as guests felt themselves part of history. Something old had gone out and the new had come in, an exciting promise of possibilities and hope. It was indeed an excitement for they have elected the one who fights for the powerless as he moved Makati in the right direction.

Whose enormous intelligence and great sense of commitment, is surpassed only by his heart and generosity of spirit.

As he constantly reminded the media fawning over him, he said, “We’re not here to make a point, but to make a difference.”

Candor was part of his charm.

My conversation with the Vice President, through the years, simply sparkled. He was a lawyer, his movements were exploratory, from one area of interest to another, moving around with a lot of questions and answers. We talked in a comfortable confidentiality, as he sorted into his young life, as PAGE B5

by Joyce JiMenez Philstar.com

KC Concepcion expressed hesitation in an acting project with her mom Sharon Cuneta.

“Nahihiya ako kay mama,” she explained, smiling, in an interview on Wednesday, April 4. “I’ll learn a lot from my mom [sa acting], I’m sure. Pero makiki-sit in na lang siguro ako sa kanya.”

She also felt that the people watching them in a movie or TV series would feel like a “reality show” since their life has always been open to the public.

As for doing a project with ex-boyfriend Piolo Pascual, the Kapamilya actress said she would like to make sure first that they’re both “100 percent” willing to do it.

“Piolo and I are okay,” she first clarified, then continued. “If there’s anything na may project we would have to talk about it and of course pareho kaming 100 percent. Kasi ang hirap na hindi ka 100 percent, kasi unfair naman ‘yon sa mga manonood, makikita nila ‘yon.”

Hailee Steinfeld on what...

PAGE B1 along to the songs; we were all connected to this little film; I wondered if there would be a sequel, I would want to be part of that,” she recounted.

And so it happened — she joined the ensemble as Emily Junk, the wide-eyed newbie who happens to be the daughter of a Barden Bella alumna.

“Part of the role involved being in the studio, recording and performing. That’s when I realized that I have to do this, that I have to start focusing on my music,” she said.

“Making movies has expanded my knowledge and I bring the experiences I have as an actress to the (recording) studio,” she added.

In a serendipitous encounter at an event in New York sometime after “Pitch Perfect 2” wrapped up, Hailee met Charlie Walk, an executive from Republic Records.

She worked up the nerve to talk about her music and later on, the label signed her up. Within six months, she had been able to release her introductory EP “Haiz,” which carries her entrancing single “Love Myself.”

It might come as a surprise

AJ Ads 64 Lemongrass_Layout 1 2/8/16 10:59 PM Page 1

KC Concepcion

The former couple has patched things up in September last year, after their breakup in 2011.

As for her love life, KC prefers to talk about it when she felt that the guy is already “super special.”

“Kasi feeling ko rin, ang daming nangyari sa akin, it’s not just my love life,” she added. “So ang ganda na for once hindi lang puro love life ang sinasabi ko.” to many that Hailee has a Filipino blood. Her grandfather, her mom’s dad Ricardo Domasin, is half-Filipino. Naturally, questions about her Pinoy roots — and what it means to her — cropped up.

She said, “Very early on, I was made aware of how much passion and pride Filipinos put into anything. I feel so connected to the people and the culture. It is so nice to be somewhere far from home and still feel like I am home.

I’m so happy to be here!”

Hailee, who’s already in love with chicken adobo and the Philippine weather, left a piece of advice for young hopefuls who are still finding their voice.

“We all live in a world where whatever we do, we kind of leave it open for anybody to say anything. If you have that self-confidence and reassurance then it won’t matter,” she started.

“Do not give up and know that if it’s something that you love and passionate about, it can never be a wrong thing.”

The versatile star also revealed that she’s currently working on a full-length album. Watch out, Hailee is only beginning.

age gracefully

Lemongrass: A Stalk to Remember Healing HoneyLemongrass Tea Yield: 2 drinks 1 stalk fresh lemongrass, chopped 1 cup hot water 2–4 Tbsp. honey

1. Soften lemongrass by simmering in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and pour into a French-press coffee pot.

Depress plunger.

3. Decant into teacups and add honey to taste.

BY GRACE O

I love to cook with lemongrass. It adds a wonderful perfume and zingy flavor to both savory and sweet dishes, and it has health benefits, too. It pairs particularly well with coconut milk, ginger, red chiles, chicken, and seafood. Use the white, more tender section of the stalk in recipes where it remains in the final dish. If you’re just steeping the stalk, as in my tea recipe, you can use all of it, including the tougher green part.

Lemongrass also contains vitamins A, B, and C, plus calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. According to studies, it is a great antioxidant with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Lemongrass has a long history in herbal medicine as a strong anti-inflammatory. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to detoxify, calm stomachs, reduce cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. You can find fresh lemongrass (a.k.a. lemon grass) at melissas.com and Indian and Asian markets.

In Thailand, lemongrass is added to seafood soups. It’s the star of Tom Yum Soup, a classic Thai dish made with chicken stock, garlic, Thai chili paste, fish sauce, shrimp, cilantro, palm sugar, and kaffir lime leaves. Lemongrass is also popular in Vietnamese cuisine. In one

classic recipe, thin beef slices are marinated (for 2 hours in the refrigerator) in a mixture of minced lemongrass, minced garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and vegetable oil and then cooked over tabletop charcoal grills.

I like to add a few tablespoons of minced lemongrass and a pinch of salt to the cooking water when I boil rice. For a fragrant, coconut-lemongrass rice, I substitute half of the water for light coconut milk. Is there any substitute for lemongrass? Lime zest and juice can impart a similar flavor in cooked foods, but you won’t get the same health benefits.

Lemongrass tea is another classic Southeast Asian staple. In my recipe, I pair lemongrass with natural, unprocessed honey because it, too, has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Honey’s fructose content gives it fewer calories than cane or beet sugar, and the body tolerates it better. Honey also contains antioxidants and has been shown to be a natural cough remedy. The combination of honey and lemongrass makes a very tasty drink that not only helps you relax, it also helps heal whatever ails you.

GRACE O – Combining her passion for food and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, GRACE O has created FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. Grace O is a fusion chef and cookbook author with a mission: to introduce delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

© 2016 by FoodTrients.com

Moonlighting

Features

Features

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‘Timeless’ marks Regine Velasquez’s return to the big stage in Los Angeles AsiA’s songbird returns to Los Angeles for her biggest show yet, when V Entertainment presents Regine Velasquez in “Timeless” on May 22, 2016 at 5 pm at The Pasadena Civic.

“Timeless” features the legendary singer in fine form alongside guest performers John Gummoe of Cascades and Filipino pop-rock favorites introvoys, plus a hundred voices from various LA choirs.

Velazquez is one of the most influential performing artists in Asia. Celebrated for her vocal power, technique and versatility, this singer and record producer has influenced a generation of young female vocalists. she has collaborated and performed with legends from Michel Legrand to Paul Anka, and stars from Jim Brickman and FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD– ON Dave Koz to Peabo Bryson, Brian A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY.” Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised McKnight, Ronan Keating, Jacky “Non-Appearance” visas for $2500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the Cheung, and Alicia Keys. airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and Border Protection accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. she has won scores of awards That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake visa would affect and released platinum and gold his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an albums throughout the region. encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy – this Sunday April 10 at 6:15pm (PST) on TFC. The Philippine Association of the Record industry hailed her the country’s Best-selling Artist of All The Global Time, with more than 7 million albums sold in the Philippines and Kababayan 1.5 million albums in Asia.

Among her historic feats, Velasquez was the first Asian artist to Philippine folk dance group’s cultural gap between America & the Philippines stage a solo concert at the Carnegie but to help with the generational gap between Hall (1998) and the first Filipino performances!

G. TönGi our own people. She is married with two to win in the MTV Asia Awards as *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer children and is based in Southern California Favorite Artist (2002); she won the We will be re-airing Kayamanan Ng Lahi’s’ trip to the Merrie of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to same award the following year. in Monarch Festival last year. All features relevant topics for Filipino’s living Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans 2003, she became the first Filipino week long revisit and enjoy the in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the who are empowering the FilAm community. artist to have a CNN Talk Asia special interview. And her performance of the Philippine millennium theme, “Written in the sand,” made history when it was broadcast by the BBC to 67 countries, reaching almost a billion people.

Watch “Timeless” and let Regine Velasquez transport you to golden in previous reports, the KaJOHN Lloyd Cruz denied that he’s avoiding ex-girlfriend An- pamilya actor confirmed that he’s “single,” indirectly confirmgelica Panganiban.

“Wala naman po tayong ini- ing his breakup with Angelica.

During Holy Week, the aciwasan,” said John Lloyd in an interview on the set of his new tor was spotted at an Art fair in movie “Just The 3 of Us” in Pam- Hongkong with Aga Muhlach, panga, the Philippine Entertain- Charlene Gonzales and Ruffa Guttierez. ment Portal reported.

Angelica Panganiban, who is “Parang sa buhay po, life is too short para meron pa pong also in Hongkong, uploaded a gustong iwasan na tao, ‘di ba? photo with “Banana sundae” co- John Lloyd Cruz Especially kung may pinagsa- star Aiko Climaco that resulted iwasan, hindi naman niya ako mahan kayo, ‘di ba? Parang, in social media buzz about the iniiwasan,” John Lloyd said. wouldn’t you want time to catch former couple.

(Vanessa Bernardo/Philstar.

“Hindi ko naman siya ini- com) up?” he added.

Programming of Kababayan Today, April 11-15, 2016

John Lloyd says he’s not avoiding old flame Angelica

Filipino ‘Voice Kids’ finalist to play little Cosette in ‘Les Miserables’ FROM Rachelle Anne Go to another Filipino talent.

Esang de Torres of “The Voice Kids Philippines season 2” is set to play as the young Cosette in the world’s longest running musical, “Les Miserables.”

A photo of her as the character was released on Thursday, April 7. in an interview with ABsCBN, Esang, who is dubbed as the mini Lea salonga for her singing voice, said she’s very

thankful that her dream of playing the role finally came true.

Les Miserables will be staged at The Theatre at solaire until M a y 1. E s a n g , m e a n w h i l e , will be playing the alternate Cosette on the April 8 and April 9 shows of the musical.

On “The Voice Kids Philippines,” Esang impressed judge Lea at the blind edition. singing “Home” from musical “The Wiz,” Esang was dubbed

by Lea as her “mini me.” (Philstar.com)

Esang de Torres of The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2 is set to play as the young Cosette in the world’s longest-running musical, “Les Miserables.”

VP Jojo Binay: His big dreams...

PAGE B2 truthful and candid, with wit and charm that was delightful.

Today, the political cauldron back home has started to boil. Everything that has been said, felt, done or thought by every aspiring presidential candidate was beyond rules, beyond judgment. it seems the power to repair the country was already in the candidates’ hands.

He had experienced moments

in all colors, uttered brilliance, persuaded by coaching his remarks in words of genuine concern. Laughed and wept, married and had children, taught as well as learned.

His abstraction in life were form the times, as an astute and dedicated civil rights lawyer, he has been down in the dirt literally picking up dead bodies, stabbed, bludgeoned on the pavement and had seen man’s inhumanity

against a fellow human being.

And yet he speaks the mantra of resilience of the spirit, in spite of a bruising campaign.

He is our country’s biggest cheerleader now, and like the rest of his supporters, i am looking forward to that day -- we all get to cheer him up, into the greater political path he has chosen, no longer the president we had hoped for, but the president of our country.

days with her well-loved hits: “Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang,” “Narito Ako,” “Urong sulong,” “You’ve Made Me stronger,” “You Are My song,” “ikaw,” “On The Wings of Love,” “Kailangan Ko’y ikaw,” “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,” “Nandiyan Palagi,” and many more!

The Pasadena Civic is located at 300 E Green st, Pasadena, CA

91101. showtime is at 5 pm. Tickets are running fast at $48, $68, $78, $100 and $150 for super ViP Limited. Call now to reserve the best seats in the house.

For inquiries, please call Vic Perez at V Entertainment at (818) 458-9258 or log on to www.ventertainment.biz or ticketmaster.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

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My thoughts on three P’s: politics, presidentiables and platforms

By Monet

Lu

I KNOW I have been writing mostly about famous personalities and celebrities, as well as fashion and lifestyle. But this time, I want to give my two But this time, I want to give my two cents on a national issue. Allow me to share my thoughts on politics, “presidentiables” and

their platforms, or what I call, the “three P’s”—a much talked about subject—and not for a lack of reason.

The election is a few weeks away and everybody is busy campaigning for their presidential candidates.

On the other other hand, the candidates are feeling the tension as they put their best foot – or feet

– forward to get as many votes as possible.

I’m still a proud Democrat -- and always will be. I believe in gun control and the Affordable Care Act. I believe in having an open mind on a number of social issues, and in devoting more resources to welfare programs. In short, I believe in a lot of things that align with the Democratic Party.

Having said that, you pretty much know who I am rooting for to take the presidential seat this term.

Well, aside from her being a Democrat, I truly admire the woman. If you guessed, Hillary Clinton, then you are correct.

Mrs. Clinton is an extremely intelligent woman, a quality that’s validated by her countless credentials. To name a few:; she was elected Senior Class President of Wellesley College, she graduated with honors from Yale Law School before completing another year of graduate studies, and she worked on the presidential campaigns of Barry Goldwater, George McGovern and Jimmy Carter. She also chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee while her husband Bill Clinton was Governor. After serving as first lady, she became US Senator for the state of New York and was appointed as Secretary of State.

But beyond these individual achievements, Hillary has always been so zealous about women’s rights.

Honestly, her support and prostand on equal rights for LGBT Americans is, for me, even second-

ary to all the amazing causes she is fighting for including her support to gun control, American workers, and her being Pro-Choice.

I also believe that her being First Lady of the United States for 8 years holds a significant factor in her leadership. Aside from the fact that I voted for her husband, Bill Clinton during his time, Aside from the fact that I voted for her husband, Bill Clinton during his time, I sincerely think it’s about time we put a woman in that seat.

I believe that phenomenal changes would start taking place once something radical like that happens. I am not saying it will solve all the problems our country is facing, but placing a lady as Head of State would dramatically alter the way women are viewed around the world. And as someone who has witnessed the resilience of women, I have no problem believing that such governance will revolutionize a nation given the proper resources.

Since I’ve been talking non-stop about how I would love Hillary Clinton to be president. I think it’s just fair for me to say who I am least in favor of. Well, not that I hate the guy, but Donald trump strikes me as somewhat unpredictable, inconsistent and unprincipled. In his answers to questions and his reactions to national issues, he seems “undercooked” (no pun intended) for such a huge undertaking.

On second thought, there’s one way Donald Trump’s ruthless image could work. And that is personified by Philippines’ presidential

Who among these aspirants will be the next Philippine president? (L-R) Sec. Mar Roxas, Sen. Grace Poe, Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

candidate, Rodrigo Duterte. As one article I read says, “Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump seem to capitalize on the deep frustrations of Filipinos and Americans with the failings of their respective countries’ democratic systems.”

Rody Duterte, who is currently leading the polls, is known for his fearless, unfiltered threats about killing criminals and drug dealers.

The strongman-image that he and his team are projecting seem to hit the right spot as more and more people are drawn to the Davao mayor’s straightforward and candid remarks. While his candor is appreciated by many, still some are unhappy about Duterte’s admission to being a lady’s man. Others also oppose to his ways of providing justice.

Running second in the survey for Filipino presidential candidate, is Sen. Grace Poe. She promised to eliminate classroom backlogs, free irrigation, increase the infrastructure budget, and hold the corrupt accountable, to name some of her platforms. Poe is highly admired among well-to-do respondents but aside from issues on her citizenship, she lacks anti-poverty, socioeconomic and national security platforms.

And amid controversies, let’s not discount Vice President Binay who, according to one article, “is the only one with clearly-defined social, economic and national security platforms, where he showed his expertise and policies on anti-terrorism and cybercrime safeguards and eradication, which his office put into action in a series of seminars at the start of his term.”

Mar Roxas, while also facing flak from some parties, is getting support for his platform to continue President PNoy’s agenda of “daang matuwid” (straight path).

And there you have it, my take on our presidential candidates both here and in the Philippines. I conclude this article with a wish that we may have clean and peaceful elections. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) celebrates 44th anniversary Annual Awards Benefit and Dinner on April 14 at the Sheraton Universal

LOS ANGELES—Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will celebrate 44 years with “Magtatag Ng Kinabukasan (Building for the Tuture)) and 44 years of service to the community at the organization’s 44th Anniversary Awards Benefit and Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Sheraton Universal.

This gala fundraiser—which attracts hundreds of business and community leaders, philanthropists and government officials in the Los Angeles Pilipino community—commemorates SIPA’s 44th year of community service to Historic Fili-

pinotown and Los Angeles County at-large. SIPA will honor the outstanding contributions of various individuals to SIPA’s programs and services, to the multi-ethnic Historic Filipinotown, and to the Greater Los Angeles Pilipino-American community.

Esteemed honorees include: Lillibeth E. Navarro, Executive Director and Founder, Communities Actively Living Independent and Free Chef Charles Olalia, Owner, Rice Bar Ramona G. Rich, Principal, Rich Development Consulting Services Hon. Elito M. Santarina, Councilmember, City of Carson The evening, which is from 5:00pm-9:30pm., will feature emcees Gio Ortega (fresh from a successful run of his play “Criers for

Hire”) and social media sensation Liane V. The evening will also feature a performance by SIPA’s Hip Hop Dance Crew. Super Hero Single Dad Kalani Vale will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Dance music will be provided by Isaiah “Icy Ice” Dacio.

This year’s dinner chairs are SIPA Board members Lyle del Mundo and Benito Miranda.

Dinner and concert tickets are available for $175.00 per person, and sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 to $30,000. For more information about sponsorships, tickets or silent auction donations, please contact (213) 382-1819 x106 or email dgamoning@esipa.org.

Dinner sponsors include California Municipal Finance Committee, Comerica Bank, Pacific Western

Bank, Southern California Gas Co., US Bank, Walmart, Californians for Energy Independence, City National Bank and ProAmerica Bank.

Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) was founded in 1972 and provides health and human services as well as community economic development and arts/ cultural programs for low to moderate-income youth and families in multi-ethnic Historic Filipinotown and Pilipino American residents in the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. SIPA is the largest community-based, charitable nonprofit organization primarily serving the Pilipino American community in the United States. For more information and updates, go to SIPA’s Facebook page or SIPA’s website www.sipa-online.org or www.sipaonline/dinner.org

9-year-old Fil-Am raises funds for Gawad Kalinga house MOST kids who go to Gawad Kalinga (GK) fundraisers are there to listen to speeches and be inspired. Emma Montemayor Stang is there to give a speech and inspire.

In 2015, she raised and donated money to build one house at a GK village, which is quite an accomplishment for a 9 year old.

“It took two years and many challenges along the way but she reached her goal,” said Emma’s mother, Geline Stang.

At age 3 Emma started volunteering at an elderly care center, where she would entertain residents by reading books and playing piano and guitar alongside her brother and grandmother.

By third grade, she became a children’s choir member and an altar server at St. John the Baptist Church.

As fulfilling as it was, she wanted to do more than volunteer her time. She found inspiration from stories about children who raised money to help others.

In 2013, she started Planting Wishes, a project about helping others through growing and selling plants that nourish and provide lasting value.

She and her family sought the help of Tess Poling, a co-parishioner at St. John’s who was involved with various charities including GK, and looked into possible beneficiaries of Planting Wishes.

Emma Montemayor Stang

“Emma has great compassion for others and demands a lot from herself. She chose GK because she wanted the first goal of Planting Wishes to be about helping a poor family in the Philippines,” said Tess.

GK is a Philippine-based nation-building movement that aims to end poverty through community development and values-formation. Through sponsorship and fundraising GK enables people to build homes, empowers them through skill-building and addresses the problem that got them displaced.

Emma’s goal: to raise $3,800, the cost to build one house in a GK village in Gabuc, Capiz.

Gabuc is a fishing village that boasts a scenic coastline but it’s also a place that is straining to recover from a series of natural calamities. One of the hardest hit areas of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, it is a community of resilient survivors with limited prospects, an area where they have to work twice as hard to merely survive let alone build a house for their family.

“I wanted to accomplish my goal as quickly as possible so a family without a home could have one right away,” said Emma, who started selling heirloom tomato plants from seed on weekends and no-school days.

In addition to selling, she did yard work, recycled cans and

plastic bottles, and participated in church bake sales, with the proceeds going toward funding of the GK house.

It has not been without sacrifices but she has a remarkable support system. “Emma has received support from family, friends, church, and classmates and their parents,” said Tess.

To get the tomato plants market-ready her parents Geline and Greg, grandmother Marelou, and brother Zachary helped her with seed selection, transplanting and caring for them, processing orders, packaging, and making deliveries.

“Each plant comes with a hand-decorated brown paper bag which includes organic fertilizer and the tomato plant description.

Her teacher and some of her classmates also helped decorate the bags after Emma spoke in front of the class about Planting Wishes,” said Geline.

At age 7 she spoke at a Gawad Kalinga Haiyan concert in 2014 about her goal. “Please buy your heirloom tomato plants from Planting Wishes, together we can build a house. Mabuhay kayong lahat, maraming salamat po,” she addressed the crowd in her gentle, lilting voice.

Over the next two years, she gave speeches and presentations at local events and church functions, sold tomato plants, and PAGE B7

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A huge success: California rallies behind Binay for president On Sunday, April 4, VP Jejomar Binay’s supporters -- hundreds of them -- trooped to Mayflower restaurant in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, hailing Binay as the Philippines’ next president.

The crowd cheered “Binay, Binay -- Gaganda ang Buhay,” as friends and supporters of the presidential candidate continued troop to the restaurant nonstop with white and blue placards bearing his name. A good 600 or more were the headcount in attendance, in and out of the venue.

People from all over California came to show their support and be counted as Binay’s loyal followers.

Trinity Foliente, Binay’s family friend who organized the very successful impromptu gathering, said “Today marked our first step for national change. Today we gather to be united with a vision of progress for the Philippines with Binay as our leader.” Ms. Trinity was very specific in identifying the headliners who made the gathering successful, like generous patron Grace Mercado Ouano who donated in a huge way for this rally, Cecile Ramos, Cora Soriano, Lester Arevalo, and most especially the owners of Mayflower, Mr. and Mrs. Ha, in addition to the numerous volunteers.

While hundreds were partaking in a Chinese Lauriat lunch, chanteuse Christine Love sang OPM songs as Tenor Jon Paul

Puno sang cover songs.

The program started with the Philippine and US anthems and then with welcome remarks by staunch Binay supporter Trinity Foliente. Hosted by Thelma Aranda Sugay, the program was filled with local LA talents, entertaining the huge crowds who were enthusiastic and bold to declare their full support. Young Russian ballroom dancers opened the energetic event followed by testimonials of civic leaders, individuals and community advocates.

On the list of speakers was Cecile Ramos, head of the Historic Filipinotown, Rupert Ouano (special friend of the Binays), Lester Arevalo, representing APO fraternity, Manny Ilagan (former DTI Chief who is now a travel agency executive), Errol Santos and many others. Each speaker relayed passionately how Binay was an effective leader and government executive in Makati, making this city one of the most progressive and how he can replicate this strength and effectivity for the whole country.

The program closed with a tribute to neil Diamond and a raffle drawing of T-shirts and souvenir bags, to much delight of the crowd. A catchy audio-visual presentation of Binay’s campaign was also presented showing Binay for President 2016 and with the slogan “Kay Binay Gaganda ang Buhay!”

Photos courtesy of Bobby Crisostomo

B april 9-12, 2016 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal

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The convenience of flying Philippine Airlines It will come as no surprise that many travellers place a high premium on nonstop direct flights. the advantages are obvious.

Since a nonstop direct flight goes directly from the origin airport to the destination airport, without any connections in between, it is generally the shortest path.

Further, without a connection, there is no waiting around for the intermediate flight to board, which means less travel time.

Add to this is the less chance of travel complications associated with missed connections, mid-trip delays, checked baggage getting lost and other unpleasant events that could happen mid-way through your trip. to put it simply: flying direct is always preferable. this becomes an even more important choice to many when flying internationally.

Although given that other airlines’ pricing strategies and itineraries that entail connecting flights are usually less expensive, a huge percentage of Filipino travelers –especially those from the West Coast -- still prefer PAL because it provides them the advantage and the convenience of that non-stop direct flights to either Manila or Cebu.

Missing a connecting flight adds more stress to an already long exhausting trip. And Philippine Airlines has conveniently addressed this with their non-stop direct flights. With PAL’s direct flights to either Manila or Cebu the traveler enjoys the advantage of checking in only once and not worry about going through another check-in for a connecting flight.

Moreover, a direct flight also provides convenience to senior citizen travelers who no longer need to walk and navigate the long distances between arrival and departure gates to make their connecting flights.

And once you’re on board, you are guaranteed that the next stop is your final destination. In addition it gives you an additional piece of mind knowing that your checked in luggage don’t have to make a connection and do not involve another series of handling; therefore, the possibility of losing your checked-in bags as very

remote.

Further, Filipino travelers immediately feel at home as soon as they check-in and board the aircraft – for the simple reason that they can speak tagalog and not be afraid of being misunderstood by the airline cabin crew.

Meanwhile, non-Filipino speaking passengers will have no communication problem because every member of the PAL staff speaks fluent English.

And of course, another advantage is that PAL international passengers use terminal 2, which is far more convenient than terminal 1. *** Philippine Airlines, which recently marked its 75th anniversary with the launch of its non-stop direct flights between Los Angeles and Cebu, is the first commercial airline and the oldest operating in Asia.

PAL has a good history, and although the company was severely affected the Asian financial crisis in 1997, it has nonetheless overcame the challenges. Jaime Bautista, PAL’s president and chief operating officer during the gala event that mark the company’s 75th year revealed that PAL is setting its sights into becoming a 5-star airline within the next five years.

Speaking during the gala event held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 18, the PAL chief executive said that the company’s goal is to make PAL the airline of choice in all markets.

Mr. Bautista acknowledged that this goal is not a simple task.

However it is doable, which means PAL needs to further improve the quality of its service – from their front-line products to their staff service, both in the ground and in the air – to be at par with other 5-star airlines.

With the launch of its LAXCebu service is aimed at boosting PAL’s presence in the United States that includes flights between San Francisco and Manila, New York and Manila, Honolulu and Manila, Guam and Manila, and Los Angeles and Manila. the thrice-weekly non-stop LAX-Cebu flights mark’s PAL’s first long haul destination from its secondary hub in Cebu. PAL currently has

four international flights from Cebu, namely Nagoya, Osaka, Narita, and Seoul.

Cebu, is of course, becoming a very important hub outside of Manila, and an exciting gateway to the country’s dive sites, beaches and other nearby tourist destinations like Bohol, among others.

Aboard the inaugural flight from LAX to Cebu were mostly balikbayans with roots in Cebu and Mindanao. Also on board were members of the media who were part of the joint PAL-DOt Fam tour featuring various tourist sites and destinations in Cebu, Bohol and Manila, that include the historic Magellan’s Cross and nearby Basilica del Santo Nino which houses the oldest religious relic in the country; Fort San Pedro, the 17th century stone fort that served as the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. In Bohol, Fam tour participant were treated to a countryside tour where they visited the tarsier sanctuary for a close encounter with the tarsier, the world’s smallest primate; enjoyed a cruise with lunch buffet down the Loboc River; plus the opportunity to visit Bohol’s geological wonders of limestone cone shaped hills known as the “Chocolate Hills”.

Of course a trip to Manila would not be complete without a quick trip to tagaytay, a perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Locals have always been drawn to tagaytay because of its mild climate, the endless roadside stores offering the freshest fruits and vegetables, and native delicacies and of course the magnificent view of the world’s smallest volcano, taal Volcano, which sits on an island within a lake. *** With the advantages and the convenience of direct flights it offers to Filipino-American travellers notwithstanding, Philippine Airlines nonetheless faces stiff competition from other Asian airlines. With their attractive tour packages, additional perks such as city tours during layovers, and competitive prices, other airlines are slowly but surely dipping into the sizeable Filipino-American traveling population between the United States and the Philippines.

Jaime Bautista, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer led the ceremonial toast in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Philippine Airlines during the gala event held March 18 at SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. He was joined by officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism headed by Assistant Secretary for Tourism Development Planning Rolando Canizal; the Philippine Consulate General office headed

by Consul General Leo Herrera Lim; and other executives of Philippine Airlines. (Photo Courtesy of Julian Oriel)

PAL VP-Passenger Sales Ryan Uy with Eliza Chung, Regional Director of GTT International, one of the largest airline consolidators in the United States. (Photo courtesy of Julian Oriel)

Aware of the competition posed by other airlines, PAL is expected to come up with competitive prices as a result of a recent meeting between PAL’s VP-Passenger Sales Ryan Uy and Eliza Chung, Regional Director of Gtt International, one of the biggest airline consolidators in the US. this latest move will, hopefully, place the national carrier in a more advantageous posi-

Philippine Airlines Personnel gathered at the LAX during the send-off ceremony of the maiden launch of PAL’s direct flight between Los Angeles and Cebu on March 15, 2016. In photo, in front from left: Ricky Panis, account officer; Ed Rivera, cargo supervisor; Mitty Torres, account officer; and Junerick Marinas, LAX sales secretary. Standing, from left: Catherine Guino, Assistant Deputy Manager-LAX airport station; Terry Romilla, Activations Team-Manila; Anna Pisigan, Deputy Manager, LAX airport station; Marie Jemma Saranillo, outgoing Area Manager-Los Angeles; Maria Milagros Revilla, Country Manager, Americas; Ryan Uy, Vice President-Sales; Harry Inoferio, Senior Assistant Vice-President-Sales; Maricel Wall, Senior Account Officer; Rex Aldanese, LAX Station Manager; and Mark Andrews, ramp assistant. (Photo Courtesy of Philippine Airlines)

tion in the highly demanding and competitive travel industry. *** Manny V. Ilagan is a Tourism Specialist with over 23 years experience in the tourism and travel industry. He provides travel consultancy services to some of the biggest wholesalers and tour operators in the country as well

as to some airline companies. He is the former Tourism Director-OIC of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles, where he worked for over two decades. As a writer, he has written numerous articles about travel and tourism which have been published in various Filipino-American newspapers in Los Angeles and San Diego.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 9-12, 2016

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Wi Spa: an urban sanctuary in the heart of La

THINK of a spa and the immediate perception is an air of pretense and privilege that only a select few can indulge in, given the exorbitant prices.

However, if you live in Los Angeles, Korean spas have sprouted up, contributing to the idea that pampering oneself and affordability are not mutually exclusive.

Though the options are abundant, among the best is Wi Spa, known as the “Disneyland of Korean day spas.” While there are no shiny bells and whistles to it, the spa certainly lives up to its reputation as an urban sanctuary, and it’s family-friendly too.

Prior to venturing into a Korean spa, one must understand the significance it plays in Korean culture: a communal place for friends and families to gather, bathe and receive the therapeutic benefits rooted in ancient bathhouse traditions.

Conveniently located in between Koreatown and Downtown, Wi Spa itself is an expansive, multi-level facility (48,000 square feet, to be exact) that blends the bathhouse tradition with the modernity of marble and glass interiors. It is open 24/7, so you can go anytime, even on a whim.

Enter Wi and the process of unwinding begins. For starters, valet parking is complimentary to relieve you of the stress of having to find parking, especially when there are a lot of guests checked in.

With the $25 admission fee, you gain full access to amenities like a fitness room, pools, showers, saunas, a restaurant, and the rooftop deck. A wristwatch is given as your locker key and form of identification during your stay.

The rush of cramming in the day spa experience and trying out all the rooms is practically gone, as you are welcome to stay for hours on end. There are spaces to lounge in between services and even designated “sleeping rooms” for those who want to doze off in peace.

Wi is divided into gender-specific floors, where the spa and other facilities are located, as well as locker rooms and changing areas. For Korean spa newbies, it’s best to take a shower once you get settled in to wash away the day’s grime (dirt and the tubs do not make a great combination) and to ensure you get the maximum benefits of anything you decide to do, like sweating it out in the sauna.

Outside the bathing areas, you’ll find changing rooms, complete with vanities and toiletries.

And take this as a fair warning to expect nudity from guests of the same gender, but any judgments and awkwardness should be left at the door.

If you want to treat yourself further, the spa offers a menu of body treatments at the fraction of the price tag you’d find at a spa elsewhere in the city. Better yet, if you purchase a treatment worth $110 or more, the entrance fee is waived. The usual spa treatments, like acupressure massages, facials, manicure/ pedicure, can be booked by reservation. But one must try the full-body scrub, perhaps Wi’s signature offering.

Based on the traditional Korean technique of buffing, the scrub entails a procedure of sloughing off dead skin cells with an exfoliating towel, as you lie down on a table and get doused with water every

Action speaks louder than words for Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla as they share sweet moments at “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” appreciation lunch.

Twitter.com photos by Roxy Liquigan

so often. It may take a few minutes to get accustomed to the intensity, but the person (of the same gender) administering the service repeatedly asks you if you’re doing fine. The service can last 35 minutes ($30) or can be reserved as a $90 package complete with the scrub, aroma oil massage, a face mask and hair shampoo, which all lasts for 90 minutes.

Depending on one’s pain tolerance, the impression afterward may vary, but you’ll feel cleaner after the dead skin is washed off to make way for the lasting effects of radiating, supple skin.

On the co-ed floor (called the Jimjilbang, which translates to “bathhouse”), guests are required to wear the yellow T-shirt and khaki shorts received upon check-in. There you’ll find families and couples convening at one of the five specialty sauna rooms, noshing on Korean cuisine staples at the full-service restaurant, or taking in fresh air on the rooftop deck. The floor also features a kid’s area, a library and computer room.

It’s worth noting that the five sauna rooms—Bulgama, Salt, Clay, Jade and Ice—boast unique characteristics that contribute to the detoxification and healing powers. The Bulgama is set at 231 degrees, inviting guests to lie down somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes to sweat out toxins from the body; Salt features minerals to purify and strengthen the body; layers of clay improved from Korea are placed in the Clay sauna to aid in lymphatic stimulation and heavy metal detoxification; the Jade room is hot to relieve any tension and stress; and the Ice sauna is recommended to end your visit to cool the body’s temperature, tighten the skin and improve circulation.

If you felt like you’ve detoxed enough from technology, free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the building to bring you back from your moment of zen, as are TVs in lounge areas.

Before you leave, don’t forget to take another shower and close out your tab. Whether you stay for an hour or the whole day, it’s nearly impossible to not feel rejuvenated and make you itch for another visit. Good thing, Wi won’t leave holes in your wallet. (AJPress) Wi Spa is located at 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (on the corner of Rampart). Visit http://www.wispausa.com/ for more details on spa services and specials.

(Advertising Supplement)

9-year-old Fil-Am raises funds...

PAGE B4 received pledges and donations.

Emma went to as many gatherings as possible, sought people out, and with her amiability and eloquence, won over a new audience of supporters each time.

Still, it was a new responsibility that Emma had to learn over time.

During one of her yard sales she’d sold a total of three plants out of fifty-six, clearly way below her sales goal for the day.

“We were concerned that our tomato plants were not being sold as fast as we hoped and we had many more left,” she said.

Undeterred she rallied her team, regrouped, and got the word out. By the end of the day they’d sold the remaining plants and learned a very important lesson in marketing.

On April 16, 2015, Emma made her goal. She delivered a check for $3,800 to the area coordinator for GK Sacramento wrapping up nearly two years of learning and sacrifices.

The Orestes family of Gabuc will receive the new house -unit #16 -- once construction is completed. In 2013, the family lost their home, belongings, and livelihood to typhoon Yolanda.

“It was my wish last Christmas to have a home and my prayer was answered. God sent Emma to us,” said Mrs. Orestes.

For the Orestes famil, the donation is life-changing. For Emma its meaning goes beyond the monetary value of the gift: it has inspired her to do more.

“Although I was initially hesitant, I realized that Planting Wishes is her project and we are only there to support and help make her vision a reality,” said her mother.

For the 9 year old, faith in God is paramount, and helping others a belief system that she continues to uphold. Upon reaching her first goal, she eagerly looks to the future.

“We have set new goals for next year,” she announced on her Planting Wishes Facebook page.

Tess Poling, a longtime Gawad Kalinga advocate who has led several GK Build and practical community service and evangelization in places like Isabela, Batangas, Bicol, and Capiz, and who through the Divine Mercy, Adoration, and Filipino Apostolate Ministry, was instrumental in connecting Emma with GK. “When support for our projects get weak, God sends someone like Emma to pick up my spirits and encourage me to continue my work with Gawad Kalinga,” Tess said.

We’ve heard stories about children running lemonade stands to support Make-A-Wish, kids washing cars to send care packages to the troops, students organizing food drives or planting trees to help the environment.

Emma drew inspiration from these stories and brought to life a simple dream, saw it through to fruition without fanfare, and changed a family’s life forever.

(Marili Raymundo)

Kathryn, Daniel share sweet moments at ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo’ lunch

KATHrYN Bernardo and Daniel Padilla fans can’t contain the sweetness of the love team on and off cam.

On Wednesday, April 4, roxy Luquigan posted on his Twitter account a series of photos, where Kathryn and Daniel were seen sweet with each other.

They were together with the other cast and staff of the defunct primetime series “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” which ended last February, for an appreciation lunch.

Kathryn and Daniel will

soon start working on their film, which according to reports will be shot in Spain.

Although the onscreen partners haven’t confirmed nor denied their relationship, many people around them believe that they’re already an item.

The two even celebrated the Kapamilya actress’s birthday in Balesin Island during the Holy Week break.

On his personal Instagram account, Daniel posted a photo of him and Kathryn holding hands while on the island.

(Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com)

B april 9-12, 2016 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal

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COMMUNITY Journal

HONORING ROBERT L. REEVES

Passing the Torch

by NaNcy E. MillEr, May ZhaNg, FloMy DiZa, DEviN coNNolly aND Eric WElsh

IT is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of our founder and Senior Partner Robert L. Reeves. Attorney Reeves began practicing law thirty-five years ago. For over three and ½ decades, he never stopped fighting for the rights of immigrants.

The firm that began as the Law Offices of Robert L. Reeves evolved to Reeves & Associates and then to its current incarnation of Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza (RMZD). Through the name changes, one thing never changed. The firm’s goal was and remains to provide the best legal services possible at an affordable price to the members of the immigrant community.

While his death was absolutely unexpected, Attorney Reeves did anticipate that he would retire in the not-distant future. He took steps to ensure that the firm would continue to pursue his goals by hiring talented, knowledgeable and experienced attorneys and support staff. Over the course of the last decade, the firm evolved into a partnership. Attorneys/Partners Nancy E. Miller, May Zhang, Flomy Diza, Devin Connolly and Eric Welsh, all of whom are Certified by the State Bar of California as Specialists in Immigration & Nationality Law, were personally mentored by Attorney Reeves and shared his visions for the firm. We worked together on the Filipino War-Veteran cases, the Child Status Protection Act cases and so many others. We stand ready to continue to pursue the vision of helping those in need of legal assistance in the immigrant community.

RMZD has lost an amazing attorney, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Attorney Reeves have lost a dear

friend and an inspiring mentor.

He leaves behind a company that his vision built and that he would want to continue. His spirit will forever be the foundation of RMZD. No words can adequately express our sadness at Attorney Reeves’ passing or our gratitude for the opportunity to know him and work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work

he loved so much.

The business will carry on under the same name and at the same premises and on exactly the same lines as before. We thank you for the trust that you have placed in us in allowing us to help you resolve your immigration issues in the past. We look forward to continuing to help you and your families lawfully unite in the United States over the course of many years to come. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon THE last few years have been financially difficult for a lot of people. When the real estate marked crashed a few years ago, millions of people found themselves with a mortgage they could not afford. A lot of people simply walked away from their homes out of desperation in some cases, they were forced out of their homes after the bank foreclosed. Millions went to the bankruptcy courts seeking relief and hoping to find a way to get their finances back in order.

Debt is a very personal matter so most people don’t even talk about it. You may not realize this but chances are that someone close to you, perhaps a family member, a friend or a co-worker is seriously struggling with debt at this moment and have not told anyone about it. They seriously need help but don’t even know where to begin.

Like most people, you’ve worked hard, paid your taxes and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But at some stage in life, all of us get into debt. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives. Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. I have seen marriages become unstable and relationships destroyed forever. If you are currently in

Community Journal

Filing bankruptcy when no other options are available debt, rather than allowing your money problems to affect your life in such a dramatic way, filing for bankruptcy protection may help you get your life back on track.

If your liabilities exceed your total assets, you’ve suffered a job loss, are facing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bankruptcy laws that can help you get your finances in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous so they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late. I find this unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could have turned their situation around much sooner had they taken the time to find out what their legal rights are.

Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only option. In the process, they use up hard-earned assets like their retirement plan, savings accounts, etc. but in the end they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem.

If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, it is time to face your debt problems with dignity and do what your situation calls for. I am not saying that bankruptcy is for everyone

but after being a bankruptcy attorney for 15 years now and having represented thousands of clients in bankruptcy, what I have seen is that oftentimes, bankruptcy is THE ONLY WAY for most people in debt to get a fresh start when they are in over their heads in debt. If bankruptcy is the best option for you, you don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single month. Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once you’ve taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help you get out of debt, you may realize that it’s actually not as difficult as you first may have thought.

If you are in debt and feeling hopeless about your situation, I would like to help you. Call my office for a free confidential consultation at Toll-Free 1-866477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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10 tips for tax deadline jitters

Tax Tips

holdings to complete Form 4852 and attach it to the front of your return.

2. If you have not received VictoR Sy, a 1099 (that you do not want cPA, mBA anyway), estimate your 1099 inIF you have not filed your in- come with no withholding and come tax returns by the end of report that in line 22 of your fedMarch, chances are you do not eral tax return.

3. Check the recipient I. D. expect a refund, your tax records are a mess, or you simply number on your 1099s for commissions and independent condo not want to break tradition.

Just remember that filing ex- tract income (without withholdtensions is not exactly a nice ing). For example, if you have a habit. Besides prolonging your corporation with its own federal worries, it also extends your own statute of limitations within which the IRS can audit you. If you file your 2015 tax returns by April 15, 2016, the IRS has until April 2019 to audit you.

If you request for an extension and file by October 2015, the identification number and the IRS has an extra six months to payor erroneously issued a 1099 October 2019 to snoop at some to your Social Security Numitems that you may not want dis- ber, ask the payor to reissue a turbed. If you fail to file a return, corrected 1099. That erronethere is no statute and therefore ous 1099 causes an unreported no end to when the government income by you personally and could trigger an unnecessary can examine your returns.

Having primed you up to beat correspondence (or even an authe tax deadline, here are some dit) on Form CP2000.

4. You can still contribute to Tylenol caplets for you: 1. If you are missing a W-2 an IRA by April 15, 2016 and from an employer who moved claim it for 2015 even if you did or closed shop, use Form 4852. not open an IRA account last Use your last pay stub that shows year. In fact, the funds do not year-to-date earnings and with- even have to be physically received by the bank by April 15.

In a recent Letter Ruling, the IRS stated that an IRA contribution that is mailed to a bank is considered made on the postmarked date, not on the date the bank actually receives it. Therefore, a contribution mailed April 14 but received by the bank on April 15 can still count as an IRA deduction for 2015. Use certified mail.

“

5. Set up a SEP (Simplified Employee Pension Plan). You may set it up after 2015 just like a KEOGH and fund it by the extended due date of the return.

6. Do not forget to deduct property taxes and state income taxes due in 2016 but prepaid in 2015.

7. For many of you who were forced to pay mortgage prepayment penalty for refinancing high interest bearing trust deeds, now is the time to recoup that expense. Deduct the penalties as interest expense for 2015.

8. You may also deduct penalties for premature withdrawal of time certificates of deposits.

9.

Review your filing status. Filing a joint return almost always results in a lower tax bite. Study the possibility of filing as Head of Household if you have a dependent child and your spouse was not a member of your household from July to December or if you are supporting a parent.

10. Do not forget tax credits (Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit, Hope and Lifetime Credits) to reduce your tax bite.

Just remember that filing extensions is not exactly a nice habit. Besides prolonging your worries, it also extends your own statute of limitations within which the IRS can audit you.

”

*** 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 Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

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Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California.

Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family.

Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Mar-

riage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828.

Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such, out-of-state community property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country.

For the same reason, the parties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal

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I have a work injury, do I need an attorney?

Worker’s Comp Made Easy Atty. Kennen Kim OFTEN when someone is injured at work one expects the employer to “do the right thing” by assisting you with the process, making sure that medical treatment is timely provided and to help you get back to work as soon as possible. At first this may be the case, but as a claim matures you may find it increasingly difficult to get the simplest benefits and may feel as if you are being treated unfairly.

Of course, you are not required to hire an attorney because you have a work related injury or workers’ compensation claim, and the law permits you to represent yourself (in pro per). However, if your injury involves more than just first-aid treatment, or you do not expect to make complete recovery, or you are having a difficult time understanding the process then you may want to consider hiring an attorney to handle your claim.

How can an attorney help me?

Most workers’ compensation

attorneys will not charge you for an initial consultation. When you do see an attorney for the first time, it is important that you bring with you all relevant documents and records related to your claim and to be honest and frank with the attorney.

The job of your attorney is to: 1) protect your rights and interests; 2) be your advocate and explain your case to you; 3) represent you in dealing with the insurance company, their attorney, and hearings before the court; 4) investigate and gather information; 5) obtain benefits on your behalf; 6) inform you of additional claims and benefits that may be available.

Once you are represented by an attorney, communication with the insurance company or defense attorney will be through your attorney and they can no longer speak directly to you about your case.

How is the attorney paid?

There are no out-of-pocket fees or costs to hire your attorney, nor are there any court fees to file your case. Most attorney’s fees are limited to a maximum of 15% of any award or settlement and need to be approved by the Workers’ Compensation Judge before the attorney can be paid. The attorney cannot settle your case without your permis-

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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. NYKEYA Kilby worked eight months as a customer service representative for CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (CVS). During the interview and training process, CVS told Kilby it expected her to stand while she did her duties.

Kilby’s duties included operating a cash register, organizing and stocking shelves, cleaning the register, vacuuming, and gathering shopping baskets. CVS did not provide Kilby a seat for these tasks.

On the other hand, Kemah Henderson worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank as a bank teller.

While in their teller stations, the bank tellers’ duties include processing checks, and handling deposits/withdrawals.

Tellers also had duties away from their stations, such as escorting customers to safety deposit boxes, and making sure that automatic teller machines were working properly. These duties varied depending on the shift or branch location and whether the employee was a lead or regular teller. The bank had a corporate policy of not providing tellers with chairs unless there was a medical justification for doing so.

Both groups of employees separately sued their employers alleging that the employers violated laws which require employers to provide them with suitable seats at work.

Community Journal

Sitting on your rights: Do employers have a duty to provide seats?

California law generally requires employers to provide suitable seats to employees when the nature of the work reasonably permits the use of seats.

Both of the above cases reached the California Supreme Court. The court clarified that the phrase “nature of the work” refers to the employee’s actual or expected tasks at a given location, and not to the entire range of an employee’s duties anywhere on the jobsite during the whole shift. If the task being performed reasonably permits sitting, which would not interfere with performance of any other tasks that may require standing, then the employer must provide a seat.

If an employee’s actual tasks at a specific location make seated work feasible, he is entitled to a seat while working there. However, if other job duties take him to a different location where he must perform standing tasks, he would be entitled to a seat during “lulls in operation.” This means the employee can sit down if not actively working on the task that requires standing.

Whether the nature of the work reasonably permits sitting is a question to be determined objectively based on the totality of the circumstances. An employer’s business judgment and the physical layout of the workplace are

important factors to consider but will not necessarily dictate the outcome.

If the employer does not provide employees seating and argues there is no suitable seat available, the burden is on the employer to prove unavailability.

The issue of sitting at work may sound strange for some employees. Why would this be a big deal? Certainly, in some industries, sitting down to work is not an issue. But for those other industries that require employees to stand up while working, a public health issue may arise.

According to the Labor Department, “humane considerations for the welfare of employees require that they be allowed to sit at their work or between operations when it is feasible for them to do so.” *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant recoveries for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum.

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Are judgments dischargeable in bankruptcy?

child support, including such A DEBTOR with a judgment amounts owed to a governmenagainst him needs to determine tal unit; certain fines, penalties, if he can discharge his perand forfeitures payable to govsonal liability under that judgernmental units including state ment in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy court criminal restitution and petition. That would depend payments due under federal whether the underlying debt is criminal restitution orders; and dischargeable or not. (In bankstudent loans. ruptcy, a discharge is the final Certain debts may also be order issued by the bankruptcy considered non-dischargeable court which releases the debtor provided the creditors file an from personal liability of certain objection with the bankruptcy types of debt. In other words, court requesting the court to dea debtor does not have to pay clare a debt non-dischargeable for the debts, and the creditors due to the following actions of can no longer collect on those Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos the debtor: debts.)

• Transfer, removal, destruction, mutilation, or Although a lot of debts are generally dischargeable (like credit card debts, medical debts, concealment of any of the debtor’s property within personal loans, utility bills, etc.), the Bankruptcy one year before the petition was filed or of any Code identifies specific debts are not discharge- property of the bankruptcy estate after the petition able due to public policy or improper actions of was filed, with the intent to hinder, delay, or dethe debtor. Debts that are automatically consid- fraud a creditor or the trustee; • Concealment, destruction, falsification, muered non-dischargeable debts include certain taxes or customs duties; certain debts not listed tilation, or failure to keep or preserve any books, or scheduled by the debtor in the bankruptcy documents, or records relating to the debtor’s fifiling not covered by exemptions; domestic nancial condition or business transactions, unless support obligation owed either for spousal or u PAGE C4

Fil-Am is among CA’s 10 best attorney in family law THE American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) has selected for membership, as one of the 10 Best Attorneys in California for Client Satisfaction, Los Angeles Fil-Am Attorney Roman P. Mosqueda for 2016.

The American Institute was created in 2014 as an impartial third-party attorney rating and invitation only legal organization recognizing excellence of practitioners in their field.

The selection of Attorney Mosqueda is a significant achievement as each attorney must: Be formally nominated by the Institute, clients, and/or a fellow Attorney; Have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his or her field of law; and Have an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating.

The American Institute’s rating system helps clients

oughly researches each candidate and the list is narrowed down to the “10 Best”.

Attorney Mosqueda was also selected as Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum in 2015; Super Lawyer of Southern California in Immigration for 2014, 2015, and 2016; The National Advocates’ Top 100 Lawyers in 2014 and 2015; Lifetime Member of Trial Masters in 2015; Lifetime Charter Member of Best Attorneys of America in 2016; and Lawyers of Distinction’s Top 10% Attorneys in the United States in Attorney Roman P. Mosqueda Civil Litigation in 2016.

Now, he has been selected as throughout the United States make educated decisions when California’s 10 Best in Family it comes to choosing their attor- Law! (Roman P. Mosqueda pracney.

Membership is exclusive and tices law in Los Angeles, Panextended only to those select few orama City, and Long Beach. who have reached the top of their He can be reached at his main profession while doing so with LA Office at 3460 Wilshire the client’s satisfaction being of Boulevard, Suite 407, Los Anthe most paramount importance. geles, CA 90010; Tel. No. (213) Once nominated, AIOFLA thor- 252-9481).

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

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Permanent residence for crewmen

Dear Attorney Tan, I ENTERED the US in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a US citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have heard that since I entered as a crewman, I cannot adjust my status to a permanent resident. Is this true? — Lost on Land Dear Lost on Land, Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, analysis of this issue must begin with determining whether you are actually a “crewman,” who is barred from adjustment.

A “crewman” is defined as a person “serving…in a capacity required for normal operation and service on board a vessel, …or aircraft, who intends to land temporarily and solely in pursuit of his calling as a crewman and to depart from the United States with the vessel or aircraft on which he arrived or some other vessel or aircraft.” INA Section 101(a)(15(D). A “crewman” under this definition is assigned a “D” visa classification, but is often issued a dual C-1 transit/ D crewman visa. Because of this, a common misperception exists that a C-1 visa classification is designated for crewmen, and that a person who entered the US under a C-1 classification is by definition a “crewman,” therefore barred from adjusting his status to permanent resident. However, it is important to keep in mind that if a person entered on a C-1 transit visa, he may not be a “crewman” and may be eligible to adjust status. Further, the facts of a particular case regardless of letter classification of one’s visa upon entry may also be considered. If you entered on a C-1 transit visa, or under circumstances that do not fit the definition of a “crewman,” you may be eligible to adjust status.

If you are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you can still file for adjustment of status to permanent residence and get a green card in the US if you are covered by INA Section 245(i). To be covered under INA Section 245(i), one must be the beneficiary of a visa petition or labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001. If the petition was filed between January 14, 1998 and April 30, 2001, physical presence in the US on December 21, 2000 is also required.

If you are not covered under INA Section 245(i), and are considered a “crewman” under the above definition, you would need to obtain your immigrant visa at a foreign consular post. Traditionally, persons who were unlawfully present in the US for more than 1 year, and who had to obtain their immigrant visa at an overseas US consulate were subject to an unlawful presence bar from returning to the US for 10 years. That person would be able to seek a waiver of the unlawful presence bar after leaving the US, but if denied, he would be left outside of the US, and away from his family for 10 years. However, under the Provisional Waiver program, you can apply for and get a decision on the waiver of the unlawful presence bar without leaving the US. If the waiver is approved, you can leave the US with some assurance that you will obtain your immigrant visa at the US consulate post and quickly return. Spouses and minor children of US citizens are eligible for provisional waiver relief. *** 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 Philipp ine American Bar Association.

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

Disclosure and characterization of overseas…

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separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce

case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries.

Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and

Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

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C APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng THE one true GOD YAHWEH, created man and woman with free will. He gave us free will to choose what we want to do, because our GOD doesn’t force us to do anything that we do not want to. If we love Him, He wants our love for Him to be a free choice on our part, a love freely given, not forced. Indeed, what a great and wonderful creator we have! He could have made us into drones and robots with no free will, then the whole world right now, all 6 billion people would be worshipping Him without any free will; a world without terrorists!

All throughout our lives here on earth, we have to make choices. Therefore, we are responsible for our own choices and the consequences of those choices. Even

To Live With Faith reverend rodeL g. BALAgtAs Many years ago when I was an associate pastor, there was a young man named Nick who spoke boldly in front of hundreds of his fellow youth about his Christian faith. He was filled joy, passion and courage as he shared his faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

He spoke with genuine concern for his peers, convincing them to turn their hearts to God who loves them unconditionally.

I remember him saying, “The longest journey in life is the journey of the heart,” referring to his personal conversion. These were words that got stuck into my mind and heart. I have often wondered how a young man like him got this wisdom.

It’s true--the longest journey is the journey of the heart. I see this more now that I am involved in the field of teaching. Many times the movement from the mind to the heart is not easy for students.

It’s not easy even for many professors and leaders because it requires a great deal of inwardness, honesty, vulnerability, humility, selflessness and ultimately, conversion.

Community Journal

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Clients choose dependents/house over credit cards Both clients seek chapter 7 relief to discharge credit cards

when you drive to work every day, you have to decide which freeway to take. When its time for lunch, you have to decide, what you want to eat. So it is, life is full of choices to make. Will you vote for Hilary, or will you vote for Trump. That’s the choice you have to make. I’m voting for Hilary. That’s the choice I make.

Client no. 1 is 64. He is single and has never married. But he has several dependents. He works in the health care industry and makes a good salary of $80K a year. He has never owned a house because he has a number of dependents. He takes care of his brothers and sisters as well as his nieces and nephews, here and abroad. One niece is now a registered nurse because of him. He paid for his nursing degree. Another nephew is an accountant.

He paid for his business degree.

Without client’s help, his broth-

ers and sisters, nieces and nephews would not be able to provide a roof over the heads much less pay for their children’s college expenses. In short, without the help given by client, his loved ones, his dependents here and abroad will not be able to get out of poverty.

Client is actually the main breadwinner for his extended family.

So this is why he never married.

His priority was to help his family. If he had his own family, then obviously, he would have to give his wife and children first priority, leaving a small amount as help for his extended family.

Client actually spends $2K a month for his extended family.

Even with his $80K gross income a year, he still has to budget carefully. He rents a house, not an apartment, because two nieces and brother live with him. He takes care of them, and he is really happy to be able to provide

The journey of the heart Parker J. Palmer attests to this human condition in his book, “The Courage To Teach”: “Many of us became teachers for reasons of the heart, animated by a passion for some subject and for helping people learn. But many of us lose heart as the years of teaching go by. How can we take heart in teaching once more so that we can, as good teachers always do, give heart to our students?”

Palmer is convinced that it is the journey of the heart that would bring salvation not only to each person, but also to the society. He alludes to the wisdom of Vaclav Havel, a poet and man of practical affairs and a leader in the Velvet Revolution that liberated Czechoslovakia from Soviet rule: “The…experience I’m talking about has given me one certainty:…the salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and in human responsibility. Without a global revolution in…human consciousness, nothing will change for the better, and the catastrophe toward which this world is headed…will be unavoidable.”

Indeed, not too many people are listening to and are discerning the movement of their hearts. They are mesmerized

by the technical world than the inward world; they are easily influenced by the constant barrage of comments in the social media without thorough critical reflection. If they only look deeply within their hearts—what God is telling them to do to bring freedom, justice, and well-being to others, to their countries and to their lives…

In the Christian world, Easter season is journey of mystagogy—the period in which the meaning of the Sacraments is explained to those who have newly received them. May this season be also a journey of mystagogy for all us, when we take the journey of mind to heart to receive the truth of our faith and of ourselves, destined to be partners of God in bringing life and light into this world! *** 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.

that help. And he still sends his sister and her children who live abroad, a significant sum every month. The problem is that client also has $40K of credit card debt.

He allocates $1,500 a month to keep those cards current. But with his age now, he would rather use the $1,500 to save up to buy a house for his extended family, and to be able to continue providing for his extended family.

The choice he is faced with is to keep on paying $1,500 a month for $40K of credit card debt for the next 20 years, or get ride of those credit cards now with a Chapter 7 discharge and use the savings of $20K a year to buy a house and to continue providing help to his extended family.

If you were him what would your choice be? It makes client happy to help his extended family and to save up for a house for them.

His choice is to get rid of his $40K cards now with a Chapter 7 discharge. Smart choice.

Client no. 2 is 70. She owns and lives in a condo. She still owes a hefty sum on the condo.

Her equity in the condo is about

$100K. She stopped working last year and now gets social security of $1,800. Her mortgage is $1,400, leaving her $600 for the other necessities. The problem is that she owes $30K of credit card debt, which she has been paying $1K a month for the last 10 years, just to keep them current.

Having paid $120K of minimum payments for 10 years, it’s really sad to say that she still owes the very same $30K! She did not think about this situation when she was still working and when her husband was still around.

But with her husband gone and with her now retired and receiving just social security, she had to decide if she wanted to keep her house or keep her credit cards. Let’s see. You can live in your house; it provides you shelter from the elements and a nice place to sleep in. You can’t live in your credit cards, can you? Needless to say, client decided quickly to file for Chapter 7 to discharge $30K of credit card debt so that she could keep paying her house.

She chose to keep her house over her credit cards. It’s a matter of

choice, is it not? But the choice you make should be the correct one. Otherwise, you will suffer the consequences. On my way to court his morning, a homeless man was all wrapped up in rags in really filthy blankets, sleeping right there on the sidewalk. I felt bad for him. But that’s his choice.

Our God gave him the free will to make that choice.

I hope you make the right choice in your situation. If client had discharged her cards ten years ago, she would $120K save up right now, instead of $30K of cards that need to get discharged. “ “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my Hope is in You all day long.” — Psalm 25:5 *** 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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Are judgments dischargeable in bankruptcy?

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such failure was justified under the circumstances of the case; • Knowingly and fraudulently making a false oath of account, presenting a false claim, withholding information from the trustee, or offering or accepting money or property in exchange for acting or forbearing to act in connection with the bankruptcy case.

• Failure to explain any loss of assets or deficiency of assets to meet the debtor’s liabilities; and • Refusal to obey a court order, refusal to testify, or invoking the Fifth Amendment after the debtor has been granted immunity to testify with respect to that matter.

Please note that while you can get a discharge on your personal liability of the debts (whether under a judgment or not) as explained above, the lien in a secured debt survives bankruptcy and can re-

main attached to the property such as a residential house. Under certain applicable conditions, that lien can be avoided (such as a second mortgage).

If you are contemplating of filing bankruptcy or other alternatives, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a bankruptcy lawyer to guide you on the intricacies of filing for such a petition. *** Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of the State Bar of California and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To schedule for a free initial in-person consultation, please call Tel. Nos. (213) 284-5984 or (626) 329-8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. *** Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, constitutes legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

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I have a work injury, do I need an…

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sion first or force you to do so. If there is no award or settlement, you are not responsible for any attorney’s fees.

What if I already have an attorney?

You may be discouraged by the lack of communication from your attorney and the amount of time that has elapsed. This may not

necessarily mean that your claim is not going well. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation process is often complicated and time consuming and not hearing from your attorney may mean that there is no change in status since the last time you talked.

However, if you already have an attorney, but for some reason are not satisfied, you are entitled

to change your attorney at any time during your case and may consult with another attorney in order to do so.

Disclaimer: None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation and no attorney-client relationship is, or shall be established, with any reader. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 9-12, 2016

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C APRIL 9-12, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 9-12, 2016

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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

MANY people may be guilty of attempted “alien smuggling” and not even realize it. They may also be totally unaware of the harsh or drastic consequences to themselves and the rest of their family if they are caught. A person could be committing alien smuggling by claiming a grandchild or “given” child (whom they raised since birth), is their biological child when applying for a US visa.

The law defines alien smugglers as: “Any alien who at any time knowingly has encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted, or aided any other alien to enter or to try to enter the United States in violation of law . . .”

Some people have the misconception that smugglers are only those people who are paid to sneak people into the US across the borders, in boats, etc. This is not true. A person can be guilty of alien smuggling, even if he is just attempting to bring in his own family member!

Some examples of alien smuggling would include: An aunt who buys a fake birth certificate from Recto Street, making her the “biological mother” of her niece or nephew. She then tries to petition that niece or nephew as her own child.

A grandmother files a fake birth certificate, making her the “biological mother” of her grandchild, but she never formally or legally adopted the child.

&

Lifetime ban for ‘alien smuggling’ for including a ‘given’ child

A woman is “given” a child, and, at the time of the child’s birth, she is “timely registered” as the biological mother. She raises the child since birth and considers the child “her own,” but never bothered legally adopting the child before the child’s 16th birthday. She then petitions the child as her own child, or includes that child as a derivative beneficiary under a petition filed on the “mother’s” behalf. This is also alien smuggling. Most times, the Embassy will suggest DNA testing.

Sometimes, a person who has been petitioned by a family member, such as a brother or a sister, includes a kumpadre’s child among his derivative beneficiaries, by claiming that child as his own. (when a person is petitioned by certain family members, the person’s spouse and minor children could be included for green cards, as derivative beneficiaries, when the priority date on his petition becomes current.)

People try to “add on” children to enable the kumpadre’s child to get a green card, as a favor to the kumpadre.

The Embassy takes a very strict position when it comes to alien smuggling. They believe that people who are entitled to visas, should get visas. But, people who are not entitled to visas, should not get visas. when the Embassy finds out somebody is attempting to sneak a relative or other person into the US by claiming they are the biological child, the Embassy denies a visa not only to

SM Group’s Teresita Sy-Coson and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. chief Robina Gokongwei-Pe

Tessie Sy, Robina Gokongwei make Forbes list of Asia’s powerful businesswomen

by Doris

DumlAo-AbADillA Inquirer.net

ThE SM Group’s Teresita Sy-Coson and Robinsons Retail holdings Inc. (RRhI) chief Robina Gokongwei-Pe landed in Forbes Magazine’s list of 50 most powerful businesswomen in Asia.

In a press statement Thursday, April 7, the leading business and

D

financial news magazine said the 50 businesswomen were picked among those “active in the upper echelons of business in Asia, wield significant power and have access to robust financial resources” in this part of the world.

In short, the 5th annual “Asia’s Power Businesswomen” list comPAGE D2

CARING FOR OUR HEROES

Learn about caregiving resources for seniors & veterans and the legacy of WWII in the Philippines Special guest Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba

ThE Bataan Legacy historical Society, in collaboration with AARP CA, the Filipino American Communities/Veterans Associations of Union City, Daly City, Vallejo and Sacramento, is proud to present CARING FOR OUR hEROES, a series of caregiving eventswith AARP Community Ambassador Major General (Ret) Antonio “Tony” Taguba. Major General Taguba will speak about Caregiving and Veterans issues as well as the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. These events are free and open to the public. Light Refreshments will be served on each occasion.

Major General (Ret) Antonio “Tony” Taguba

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Business Quote of the Week “Walt Disney told his crew to ‘build the castle first’ when constructing Disney World, knowing that vision would continue to serve as motivation throughout the project. Oftentimes when people fail to achieve what they want in life, it’s because their vision isn’t strong enough.”

— Gail Blanke, President and CEO, Lifedesigns

the person being smuggled, but also to the person under petition.

This could also affect the rest of the family under that petition.

No one gets a visa.

In one case, a mother had been petitioned by her US citizen daughter. The mother tried to list her nephew as a biological child in her biographic data. The Embassy found out and considered this to be alien smuggling and denied a visa to the citizen’s mother, because she attempted to smuggle an alien. So, by attempting to list her nephew, the woman lost her own visa. Alien smuggling could even result in a lifetime ban from entering the US. If you have already submitted paperwork to the USCIS or Embassy improperly listing or including ineligible persons (i.e. nephew, grandchild, given child who was never legally adopted, etc.), I would strongly recommend you seek the advice of a reputable attorney who could analyze your situation and, hopefully, straighten things out, before it’s too late. The stakes

are high. Don’t have the attitude that, “I’ll just give it a try. If the Embassy catches me, the worst that can happen is that the person I’m helping won’t get the visa, but I’ll still get my visa.” Claims for unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to 267,000 for the week ending April 2, according That is not the case. If you are to a Labor Department report on Thursday, April 7. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg projected Photo from Dol.gov caught, you could also lose your claims would hit 270,000, the publication reported. own eligibility for a visa! *** 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)

US jobless claims in late March fell below projections

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

FEwER Americans filed for unemployment benefits at the end of March, suggesting a continually strengthening labor market in spite of slow economic growth.

Claims for unemployment benefits fell by 9,000 to 267,000 for the week ending April 2, according to a Labor Department report on Thursday, April 7. Economists surveyed

by Bloomberg projected claims would hit 270,000, the publication reported.

Jobless claims have been below 300,000, a level economists associate with a healthy labor market,

for the last 57 weeks, the longest stretch since 1973.

Employers also added 215,000 jobs in March, on top of the 245,000 positions created in February, the government reported last week.

Evidence also suggests the job market is experiencing steady hiring and few job cuts, and that employers are holding onto their workers despite weak growth.

“Employers are not only retaining workers but also looking to hire more,” said Jacob Oubina, a senior US economist at RBC Capital Markets LLC in New York, who accurately estimated the claims, PAGE D2

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D april 9-12, 2016 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal

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Ayala, JG Summit, Phinma express support to RCBC

by Lawrence

agcaOiLi

Philstar.com

MAniLA—Ayala Corp., JG summit Holdings, and Phinma Group of Companies are vouching for the integrity of rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (rCBC) amid the alleged $81 million money laundering scandal.

John eric Francia, president and chief executive officer of Ayala-led AC energy Holdings inc. and AC infrastructure Holdings Corp., said the diversified conglomerate would continue to partner with rCBC for various infrastructure projects. “rCBC has been a reliable and consistent supporter of Ayala’s energy and infrastructure projects.

We hope to continue this partnership as we pursue more initiatives that contribute to national development,” Francia said. the bank owned and controlled by taipan Alfonso Yuchengco was dragged into the bank heist last February after dismissed Jupiter bank branch manager Maia santos-deguito allegedly facilitated the entry of the money stolen by hackers from the account of Bangladesh Bank in the Federal re-

serve Bank of new York.

For his part, JG summit president and chief operating officer Lance Gokongwei expressed the flagship firm’s solidarity and confidence in the management of rCBC. “rCBC has for many decades been a strong supporter of the JG summit Group, and has been a vital partner in our continuing growth; with a team of rCBC professionals providing us a full suite of banking products including cash management, deposits, loans and transaction services,” Gokongwei said. “in the many years of our partnership, the JG summit Group and rCBC have operated under a relationship of deep trust and confidence. We expect this relationship to remain unwavering, and fully expect it to further deepen and strengthen in the coming years. rest assured of our continuing trust and partnership in your leadership and rCBC in the decades to come,” Gokongwei said.

Phinma senior vice president and treasurer Pythagoras Brion also said Phinma is supporting the Yuchengco-led bank amid

the ongoing investigations by the Bangko sentral ng Pilipinas (BsP), the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the senate Blue ribbon Committee.

“Phinma Group treasury continues to treasure its banking relationship with rCBC,” Brion said. the list of companies that are standing behind rCBC continues to grow. it also includes diversified conglomerate san Miguel Corp.

CLsA exchange Capital Corp., All Asian Countertrade inc., Liwayway Group, Megaworld Corp., Vista Land, edgar sia of double dragon, and the Laus Group of Companies.

Yuchengco-led Pan Malayan Management and investment Corp. and Cathay Life insurance Co. Ltd. of taiwan raised their shareholdings in rCBC as a vote President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Out-Patient Department (OPD) of the President Ramon Magsaysay Malacañang photo by Benhur Arcayan of confidence amid the ongoing Memorial Hospital at the tented area here in Barangay Palanginan, Iba, Zambales on Tuesday, April 5. investigations.

Pan Malayan spent P264 million to raise the company’s stake in rCBC to 42.31 percent from 41.68 percent, while Cathay Life insurance invested an additional P174 million to increase its shareholdby Ben O. de Vera in a statement on thursday, $8.4 billion, sustaining a surplus ings to 22.71 percent from 22.29 Inquirer.net April 7, the government’s inves- for 13 straight years. the share of percent.

President Benigno Aquino tor relations Office (irO) said general government debt to GdP, iii will leave an economy that will the almost $300-billion Philippine meanwhile, slid to 36.8 percent continue to expand at a faster economy was expected to grow as of september last year from pace and can be crisis-proof de- by 6-7 percent in the medium- to 59.2 percent a decade ago, irO international trade growth has spite a global slowdown, accord- long-term despite a change in noted. irO said Capital economics slumped to a figure below a 1 per- ing to international research firm administration by midyear, citing Capital economics’ forecast. the “also recognized efforts to boost cent annual rate in the first quarter Capital economics. in an April 5 report on the Phil- government has projected the the manufacturing sector, which of the year, following a 1.4 percent rate of growth in the last quarter ippines, Capital economics said gross domestic product (GdP) to economists say has bigger multi“there are good reasons to think grow between 6.6 percent to 8 plier effects on growth compared of 2015. with the services sector.”

A Labor department analyst said that [Mr. Aquino’s] achievements percent in the next four years.

On Mr. Aquino’s watch, the the manufacturing sector only Louisiana had been estimated will outlast his presidency,” hence in last week’s claims, and that no it “remain[s] optimistic that the Philippine economy expanded expanded 5.7 percent last year, other special factors influenced Philippines will continue to grow by an average of 6.2 percent—the bringing the average growth to strongly over the coming years.” fastest average rate since the late 7.6 percent during the 2010-2015 the data.

1970s. period. in contrast, the manuAccording to irO, Capital eco- facturing sector grew by a mere nomics noted the Philippines’ 3.2 percent from 2000 to 2009, solid macroeconomic fundamen- irO said. tals, especially its current account Also, Capital economics took surplus as well as manageable note of the Philippines’ young debt burden, which “will help population—with an average age ensure the Philippines avoid crisis of 23.5, which “will help keep the situations in the face of global economy on the robust-growth economic challenges.” trajectory,” irO added.

“Low levels of government “the Philippines is said to debt and a current account sur- have recently entered the ‘demoplus mean that, even if investor graphic window,’ a period when a sentiment did take a sudden turn majority of the population belongs for the worse after the election, to the working-age group and, a crisis is unlikely,” Capital eco- as such, economic production is nomics said. likely to accelerate with sufficient Last year, the Philippines post- investments in human capital ed a current account surplus of development,” it noted.

Aquino to leave behind crisis-proof economy, says Capital Economics

US jobless claims in late March fell...

PAGE D1 according to Bloomberg. “the job market remains healthy.” despite the decline in jobless claims, in the week that ended on March 26, the number of individuals who continued receiving jobless benefits increased by 19,000 to 2.19 million. Additionally, the four-week average of claims, a less-volatile figure compared to the weekly

claims, rose to 266,750 last week from 263,250. data last week further showed that about 2.4 million people entered or re-entered the job market from september to March, marking the second-largest increase in the work force in a six-month period on record, reuters reported.

Globally, reuters reported that

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When: two seminars on saturday, April 23, 2016, either 10 am - 11:30 am or 1 pm - 2:30 pm Where: 110 Jackson street san Jose, CA 95112 seAtinG is LiMited, call 1-800-411-0546 for reservations!

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Tessie Sy, Robina Gokongwei...

PAGE D1 prised of women who were “shaking things up across diverse industries.” the 2016 list, which is available on www.forbes.com/asiawomen as well as in the latest issue of Forbes Asia, acknowledged the inroads women were making in the business world.

Women from 14 countries were represented. sy-Coson, 65, is the country’s constant representative to this list. since joining the Banco de Oro board in 1997, she led the growth of sy family-led BdO

Unibank from a niche player to the largest lender in the country.

A graduate of Assumption College, she is an expert in banking and finance, retail merchandising, mall and real estate development. she is also believed to be the most likely to succeed her father, the sM patriarch Henry sy sr. as the captain of the ship.

At present, she is vice chair of sM investments Corp., the country’s most valuable conglomerate and is adviser to the board of sM Prime Holdings inc. she also sits on the board of sM Mart inc. and PAGE D5

Learn about caregiving...

PAGE D1 When: • saturday, April 16, 2016 at 2PM at Union City, City Hall Council Chambers, 34009 Alvarado-niles road, Union City, CA 94587 • sunday, April 17, 2016 at 1PM at Holy Child & st. Martin’s episcopal Church, 777 southgate Avenue, daly City, CA 94015 • sunday, April 17, 2016 at 5PM at Vallejo Veterans Memorial Building, 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, CA 94591 • Monday, April 18, 2016 at 6:30PM at Filipino American Veterans Memorial Hall, American Legion Post 604, 8831 Gerber road, sacramento, California 95828 [UPdAted] AArP Community Ambassador Major General taguba will discuss the challenges facing caregivers around the country. these events will provide opportunities for caregivers and veterans to learn about local resources and organizations that can help them take care of their loved ones and themselves.

Major General taguba will

also speak about the Filipino Veterans recognition and education Project, which aims to educate the public about the Filipino soldiers who fought during WWii and to seek recognition of their sacrifices through the Congressional Gold Medal Award. Cecilia Gaerlan, executive director of Bataan Legacy Historical society, will speak about her organization’s work with the California department of education to implement California Legislation AB199, which aims to include the role of the WWii Filipino soldiers in the history/social sciences curriculum framework for Grade 10 and 11 in California.

For more information for each event, please contact: • Jim navarro (Union City) at jimnavarro6@gmail.com • rev. Leonard Oakes (daly City) at revleonardoakes@gmail. com • nestor Aliga (Vallejo) at nestor.aliga@comcast.net • richard Weitzenberg (sacramento) at richard@weitzenberg. org.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

Showroom

WIN Hyundai and WIN Chevrolet: Three giant locations to serve you There’s no better place for kababayans to shop for hyundai vehicles than WIN hyundai in Carson, Calif. established in 2011, the young dealership started with the goal of becoming the premiere hyundai dealership. since then, it has lived up to its aim by consistently ranked among the top five dealers in the district.

In 2012, the dealership, which is also equus Certified, was also ranked No. 1 in district sales.

WIN is proud to carry hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power and Associates ranked the automaker No. 2 among nonpremium automakers in the 2015 Automotive Performance, execution and Layout (APeAL) study.

“Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power, the APeAL study shows hyundai takes design, technology, features, and performance seriously across the entire lineup. having the bestselling sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a remarkable accomplishment and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at hyundai.

WIN hyundai offers a wide selection of quality hyundai vehicles and extends its offerings across the Los Angeles area with its two locations: one in Carson and another in el Monte. On both sites, customers can find new and certified pre-owned vehicles – including the santa Fe, sonata, elantra and Genesis Coupe – to meet a variety of budgets and preferences.

Because the Carson and el Monte locations serve just about anyone and everyone in southern California, its experienced sales representatives are prepared and eager to help customers find the cars that best fit their preferences and needs.

When it comes to purchasing a hyundai, WIN specializes in working with all types of credit, good or bad, and has the ability to refinance current loans.

Additionally, although it sells hyundai cars, the dealership services vehicles of all makes and models and currently has an oil change special of $19.95 For Chevrolet owners and

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shoppers in Los Angeles, you may check out WIN’s third location at WIN Chevrolet, which will make sure to handle everything from helping you purchase a new or used Chevy. schedule an appointment or just stop on by to take any of our 2015 Chevrolet models for a test drive including the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro, 2015 Chevrolet Impala, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Beyond the highly-praised brand WIN offers southern California residents, it has departments dedicated diverse groups found throughout the Los Angeles region, including Chinese, Korean, hispanic and Filipino communities. “ We w a n t t o m a k e t h e buying process as easy as possible, so we understand communicating in your native language can be important to completely understanding the purchasing and financing of your vehicle,” said Munir Younis, general sales manager of the dealership.

Younis, who is of Middle eastern descent, grew up in the Philippines and can speak Tagalog fluently, just as the Filipino sales representatives at the dealership.

“We have a dedicated team that serves the largest Filipino community in the U.s. We believe in giving back to the community and have participated in multiple sponsorship opportunities with multiple Filipino groups and organizations, including the Philippine Independence Day Foundation,” he said.

Among Filipino members of the WIN hyundai Carson team include long-time car industry veterans Jun Milan and Jay Trinidad.

“WIN is a great dealership and customer service is the best it can be,” Milan said.

Also on the Filipino team is Franklin Magarro, the dealership’s internet sales manager.

In addition to its on-location offerings, those shopping for hyundai cars can browse WIN’s inventory online with userfriendly filters. Whether you know specifically what make and model you’re looking for, are trying to shop based on a budget, or simply want to browse through what is available, the dealership website makes it easy to shop around from home. Live chat is also available and sales representatives are happy to assist customers via phone.

WIN Hyundai Carson 2205 e 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (877) 354-4253 Monday through saturday: 9am to 9pm sunday: 10am to 8pm WIN Hyundai El Monte 3462 N Peck road el Monte, CA 91731 (877) 290-2164 Monday through sunday: 9am to 9pm www.winhyundai.com Win Chevrolet 2201 e. 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (818) 639-1216 www.winchevrolet.com 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 9-12, 2016 D

D april 9-12, 2016 • la WEEKEND aSiaN JOUrNal

Marketplace & ShowrooM

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

PH IT-BPM sector sets sights on unseating India

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

Huntley at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy offers elegant design and central OC location close to The District TUSTIN—Brookfield Residential’s huntley at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy is designed for extraordinary living with a collection of elegant, brandnew homes brimming with the sought-after features today’s buyers want the most. These attainably priced, single-family detached residences offer an array of innovative floorplans, beautifully designed with expansive great rooms for casual gatherings; chef-caliber kitchens styled with center islands, granite countertops and KitchenAid stainless steel appliances; upstairs family rooms; private firstfloor bedrooms; and optional outdoor rooms that can be enhanced by a kitchen, entertainment center or fireplace. With large homesites rounding out the appeal, plus private resort-style recreation and an amazing Orange County location just steps from The District, this is one new home ownership opportunity homebuyers cannot afford to miss. Visit the huntley Sales Gallery today for model tours or find out more information at www.BrookfieldSoCal.com.

“The unparalleled design elements incorporated into every huntley home seamlessly blend style and function, transcending the aspirations of today’s modern homebuyers,” said Mercedes

Meserve, Vice President of Marketing for Brookfield Residential Southern California. “Tour the model homes today to discover what’s waiting for you at this spectacular new home collection.”

Set within Greenwood in Tustin Legacy, the first planned community to be built within the master-plan in two years, huntley presents three beautiful singlefamily home designs showcasing Santa Barbara, American Classic, Cottage and Monterey architectural themes. With prices from the mid $900,000s to the low $1 millions, huntley’s home designs span from approximately 2,597 to 3,032 square feet with four to five bedrooms, three to four and one-half baths and two-car garages.

Located in the center of Orange County near Jamboree Road, four impressive new-home neighborhoods at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy include huntley, Sheldon, Crawford and Stafford.

Major employment centers, cultural attractions and the Pacific coastline are also conveniently close by, while commuters will appreciate the proximity to I-5 and the 405 Freeway, as well as the Metrolink station located just a few miles away. For frequent air travelers, the John Wayne Airport is easily accessible.

homeowners also have access to a variety of compelling neighborhood amenities including Greenwood Park, a six-acre neighborhood park which offers a multi-functional lawn, amphitheater, play structures, a basketball court and two bocce ball courts. Additional amenities include the 1,455 square foot Legacy Club which features a resort-style clubhouse with swimming pool and spa, outdoor living areas, interconnected walking paths and dedicated green spaces.

Developed by CalAtlantic homes (previously known as Standard Pacific homes), Greenwood in Tustin Legacy is a brand new, planned community located within the 1,500-acre, masterplanned community of Tustin Legacy in Tustin, CA. Situated at the center of Orange County, the community offers four residential neighborhoods that showcase all new architectural concepts within a thoughtfully planned setting.

Greenwood pays tribute to the area’s natural landscape through miles of interconnected walking trails, dedicated green space, parks, heritage trees, picnic pavilions and adventure play zones.

Residents will enjoy impeccable craftsmanship, impressive indoor-outdoor living features and PAGE D5

MANILA—The Philippines remains unfazed by challenges from emerging markets on the country’s position as the second most preferred global outsourcing destination in the world as it continues to set its sights on unseating India in the top spot.

IT and Business Process Association Philippines (IBPAP) chairman Danilo Sebastian Reyes told The Star the country is capable of holding off challengers as the local information technology and business process management industry (IT-BPM) industry faces competition from other countries.

“That’s fine. I think we stand on our strength in regards to the people we have here, the talent, and certainly on top of that is we remain competitive. The next wave cities are very critical part of this strategy. The clients love locating here in the Philippines,” he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier said countries like Vietnam, Turkey, Egypt and Canada are positioning to give the country’s voice outsourcing services a run for its money.

“If you consider some of those countries that have been mentioned, there are some geopolitical events that are happening in those countries that provides us

Employees at work in a call center in Makati City.

that window of opportunity to remain to be expanding our position,” Reyes said.

“We’re also graduating from one level to another in terms of the value chain. There will always be countries who will find the formula and that’s fine but at the same time, as long as we make sure that we remain relevant and that we remain to provide quality service and competitive value, then I think we will be able to sustain not only the growth but sustain also the presence of these investors and clients in the coun-

Philstar.com photo

try,” he added.

The Philippines is currently the top voice outsourcing destination in the world. Meanwhile, it chases India in terms of overall IT-BPM revenues and number of people employed.

Last year, the country’s IT-BPM industry employed 1.15 million people and generated $21.5 billion revenues.

For this year, the local IT-BPM industry is expected to generate $25 billion revenues and 1.3 million direct employees under the IBPAP roadmap.

PH tourism still lags behind regional peers

by Amy

R. Remo Inquirer.net

ThE Philippine tourism industry continued to lag behind its peers in the region as its development is being hampered largely by the lack of infrastructure, inadequate access for foreign tourists to reach the country and the relatively high cost of getting here.

“There is no doubt that the Philippines can become a tourism destination. The Philippines has unbounded potential to develop tourism as a leading contributor to the economy. This sector is recognized as a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth as it opens up unlimited opportunities for new business ventures for both domestic and foreign investors. But comparative figures showed that there is much to be done in Philippine tourism industry,” said Guenter

Taus, president of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP).

Speaking at the European Union-Philippines Business Network forum yesterday, Taus pointed out that international tourist arrivals in Thailand, for instance, reached nearly 25 million in 2014, while Singapore had some 15 million visitors. In contrast, the Philippines attracted only 5 million international tourists for the same period.

“There are concrete reasons why despite the substantial growth, the Philippines continues to lag behind regional peers in attracting (a bigger) share in the growing tourism pie. The lack of quality infrastructure, both hard and soft, is often cited as a major bottleneck to tourism development. The ease and cost of getting to the Philippines by foreign visitors, the presence of

top international brands and the creation of tourism destinations that meet visitor expectations are also decisive factors in the success of Philippine tourism,” Taus explained.

“If the country (were) to become a desirable tourism destination especially for high spending visitors, it needs to facilitate international investments in infrastructure and facilities that better match visitors’ expectations,” he added.

Taus also cited the need for the Department of Tourism to map out specific sectors in the tourism industry that hold the biggest potential, whether it’s in ecotourism, medical, cruise or high-end tourism. A clear direction in the Philippine strategy would also create a clearer picture for potential investors as to what and in where it made sense to invest, he added.

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

Marketplace & ShowrooM

Tessie Sy, Robina Gokongwei make Forbes...

PAGE D1 SM Retail Inc. Gokongwei-Pe, 54, has joined the list for the first time. She is the president of multiformat retailer RRHI, one of the country’s largest retailers which benefit from growing consumer affluence in the country. She is also a director of JG Summit Holdings Inc., Robinsons Land Corp., Cebu Air Inc. and Robinsons Bank Corp. She is also a trustee of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Inc., Immaculate Conception Academy Scholarship Fund and the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation.

The daughter of tycoon John Gokongwei, she attended the University of the Philippines-Diliman from 1978 to 1981 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Journalism) from New York University in 1984. She joined the group in 1984 as a management trainee.

China and Hong Kong dominated the latest list with 14 women, followed by India with eight, Thailand with five and Japan with four. Singapore, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam each have three. South Korea and the Philippines each have two while Macau, Taiwan and New Zealand have one each.

The magazine said that despite China’s slowdown, a core group of this year’s listees was creating wealth in the country’s manufacturing sector. They include Ma Xiuhui, cofounder and chief executive officer of Opple Lighting, a company that started out making traditional bulbs and whose LED lighting now illuminates homes around the world; and, Mou Jinxiang, cofounder and chair of Lianhe Chemical Technology, which sells specialty chemicals to giants such as Dow Chemical and BASF. With a 30.5 percent stake in the company, Mou is also a member of the Forbes China Rich list with an estimated net worth of $960 million.

From India, Nita Ambani, director of Reliance Industries and chair of Reliance Foundation, debuted on this year’s list. She is also the wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani. “Her rising profile in the Reliance empire is unusual and earns her a spot in this year’s ranking,” the magazine said.

Chanda Kochhar, a five-time listee, is at the helm of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private-sector lender.

The other women honored for their achievements include:

Wendy Sui Cheng Yap, cofounder, president-director and CEO of Indonesia’s Nippon Indosari; Yuwadee Chirathivat, CEO of Thailand’s Central Department Store Group; Arundhati Bhattacharya, chair and managing director of State Bank of India; Ho Ching, executive director and CEO of Singapore’s Temasek; Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, CEO and managing director of Australia’s Mirvac; Lee Boo-jin, president and CEO of South Korea’s Hotel Shilla; Pollyanna Chu, CEO of Hong Kong’s Kingston Financial Group; and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, cofounder and chair of Vietnam’s Sovico Holdings.

In addition to the power 50 list, 12 women in their early 20s to mid-30s have been singled out as “Women to Watch.” Among them are Nang Lang Kham, executive director of Myanmar’s KBZ Bank; Tan Hooi Ling, cofounder and COO of Grab; Sabrina Ho Chiu Yeng, project manager at the Palazzo Versace and Karl Lagerfeld Hotels in Macau. Lavanya Nalli, the first female vice chair of India’s Nalli Group of Cos., and Anna Fang, partner and CEO of ZhenFund, also made the watch list.

Huntley at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy...

PAGE D4 extensive neighborhood amenities including Greenwood Park and the residents-only Legacy Club. For more information, visit www.greenwoodintustinlegacy. com.

To visit Huntley from the 405 Freeway, exit Jamboree and head north. Turn right on Warner Ave., turn right on Valencia S. Loop Rd., turn right on Victory Rd. and follow the signs to Huntley. From the 5 Freeway, exit Jamboree and go south. Take the Warner Ave. exit and turn right. Turn right on Valencia S. Loop Rd., turn right on Victory Rd. and follow the signs to Huntley. The Huntley Sales Gallery and model homes are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please call 888.886.3573, or visit www.greenwoodintustinlegacy.com. Prices are effective as of the date of publication.

Brookfield Residential Brookfield Residential Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego), a division of Brookfield Residential, is committed to being more than a

homebuilder. We strive to create the best places to call home. The Brookfield Residential Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego) team has the passion, the expertise and the local knowledge to craft homes and neighborhoods that speak to homebuyers at every stage of life. We are an award-winning homebuilder and industry leader with an exceptional reputation for quality, design, and customer service.

Brookfield Residential Properties is a leading land developer and homebuilder in North America. We entitle and develop land to create master-planned communities, build and sell lots to third-party builders, and operate our own home building division. We also participate in selected, strategic real estate opportunities, including infill projects, mixed-use developments, and joint ventures. We are the flagship North American residential property company of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with over $200 billion of assets under management.

Further information is available at www.BrookfieldResidential. com or www.Brookfield.com.

CalAtlantic Homes CalAtlantic Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAA), a combination of Standard Pacific Corp. and Ryland Group, Inc., two of the nation’s largest and most respected homebuilders, offers well-crafted homes in thoughtfully designed communities that meet the desires of customers across the homebuilding spectrum, from entry level to luxury, in 41 Metropolitan Statistical Areas spanning 17 states. With a trusted reputation for quality craftsmanship, an outstanding customer experience and exceptional architectural design earned over its 50 year history, CalAtlantic Group, Inc. utilizes its over five decades of land acquisition, development and homebuilding expertise to acquire and build desirable communities in locations that meet the high expectations of the company’s homebuyers. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting www.calatlantichomes.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 9-12, 2016 D

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.

Cesar Macalino

Raymond Perez

Butch Gabutina

THANK YOU FOR MAKING US NUMBER ONE! For the longest time, Longo Toyota has been priding itself as the #1 Toyota volume dealer in the United States. Also considered as the #1 Prius and Hybrid dealer in America, Longo Toyota is grateful for the continuous support of its clients that have trusted them with quality brand new and used cars. Having served customers for 45 years, there must be a reason why Longo Toyota is still considered number one. Call 1-800-617-4516 today to find out.

If you’re thirsty and you’re looking for that quick coffee 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 Ray-Ban 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 15-mile 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 (800) 617-4516 to set up your appointment.

(Advertising Supplement)

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EMPLOYMENT

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