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Volume 26 - No. 63 • 4 Sections – 32 Pages

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Duterte issues ‘shoot-to-kill’ order vs drug criminals who resist arrest Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey

by Dana

SioSon anD JoSeph almer B. peDraJaS

to kill’ order, Duterte said, “shoot to kill is to shoot and kill him. Do drugs and we have a crisis,” not waste the bullet.”

Duterte permitted police offiDuterte stressed on friday, Aucers to enact the order and said, gust 5. he added that the campaign “for as long as it is done in the performance of the duty by the will last until his term ends.

“Pag binasa kita at nandiyan police and soldiers, that’s my reka, bantay ka (if i read your name sponsibility.”

“Basta may police diyan na nag and you are there, be on guard),” engkwentro, huwag na ninyo imthe president said.

When asked to clarify his ‘shoot bestigahan ‘yan, order ko ‘yan (if

AJPress

mANILA – President rodrigo Duterte has issued a ‘shoot-to-kill’ order against narco-politicians and other authorities who protect illegal drug syndicates and drug criminals who resist arrest. “my order is shoot to kill. I don’t care about human rights. Believe me. I don’t give a s**t about what they will say. this war is against

there are police in the encounter, no need for investigation, that’s my order),” he added.

Duterte made the statement after visiting the police chief of magsaysay, Davao del sur, ricky Boy remoroza, who sustained two gunshot wounds in his chest after their drug operation in their town.

Last month, Duterte said he had a list of local executives and police

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LANAO MAYORS YIELD. PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa acknowledges the surrender on Friday of Maguing, Lanao del Sur, Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Mulok, and former Marantao, Lanao del Sur, Mayor Mohammad Ali Abu Abinal, who both admitted their involvement in illegal drugs.

PNP photo

UN condemns body extrajudicial killings

USA

DATELINE Suspect charged for fatally shooting Fil-Am officer in San Diego from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Jonathan “JD” De Guzman Photo courtesy of the San Diego Police Department

ProseCUtors charged a man with murder and attempted murder after allegedly killing one veteran police officer and wounding another during a gun battle in a san Diego neighborhood on thursday,

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US man acquitted of rape after 5 years in PH prison After spending five years of imprisonment in the Philippines, a man from seattle was acquitted of rape charges on tuesday, August 2. scott mcmahon has been detained since April 7, 2011, after being accused of rape by his friend’s wife whom he previously filed a case against after causing an incident that purportedly traumatized his young son. mcmahon filed a complaint after the woman allegedly broke into his house with the po-

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Duterte ready to face int’l rights group

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

ACTION FIGURES. President Rodrigo Duterte poses with toy maker Dennis Mendoza while showing two custommade action figures of himself. One shows Duterte wearing a checkered polo shirt and jeans while the other shows him as ‘The Punisher.’ Duterte is known to have an iron-fist approach in addressing crime.

Malacañang photo

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Ombudsman asks Supreme Court Senators fire back at Trump’s to reconsider Arroyo’s acquittal proposed ban on immigrants

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

mANILA – ombudsman Conchita Carpiomorales formally asked the supreme Court (sC) on Wednesday, August 3, to reconsider its decision after acquitting former President and now Pampanga representative Gloria macapagal-Arroyo from her P366-million plunder case in connection with the disbursement of confidential funds from the Philippine Charity sweepstakes office (PCso).

from ‘terrorist nations’

the sC granted Arroyo’s petition for demurrer to evidence on July 19, 2016. It was filed after the prosecution has finished its presentation of evidence, which was earlier junked by the sandiganbayan.

by Klarize meDenilla AJPress the sC ruled that the sandiganbayan’s conclusion was “plainly conjectural and tWo senators on friday, Auoutrightly unfounded” and that “the [ombudsman] had no case for plunder against gust 5 have responded to Donald trump’s call to ban immigration petitioners.” “the corpus delicti of plunder is the from countries with high rates of terrorism, including the Philip-

Names the Philippines among countries

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Pacquiao’s perfect Senate attendance threatened by PBA play, comeback fight by eric

mANILA – the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNoDC) released a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 3, condemning the “apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedom.” since President rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs started, 402 drug suspects had been killed nationwide from July 1 to August 2, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

At the same time, around 114,800 people surrendered as either drug addicts or illegal drug dealers.

UNoDC executive Director Yury fedotov said that the UN “remains greatly concerned by the reports of extrajudicial killing of suspected drug dealers and users in the

anthony licaS

quarter comeback. however, Pacquiao shot 0-1 and struggled to guard his 6-foot-2-inch opmANNY Pacquiao became the ponent for the three minutes he first active Philippine senator played in the first quarter. to play professional basketball he had been criticized off the on Wednesday, August 3, amid field for his minimal participaplans for a comeback fight and tion in Congress when he served concerns about his commitment as the house representative for to the senate. the province of sarangani from the 5-foot-6.5 athlete and 2010 to 2016. elected official’s 2016 debut in Yet despite widely distributed the Philippine Basketball Asso- reports that the former boxing ciation (PBA) was novel, albeit champ had only attended four lackluster. his team, the mahin- congressional sessions in 2015, dra enforcers, won Wednesday’s Pacquiao won his bid for a senmatchup at the smart Araneta ate seat in the Philippines elecColiseum with a huge fourth- tions held this year in may.

AJPress

Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao dusted off his Mahindra uniform on Wednesday, Aug. 3 and played in his first PBA game in nearly a year.

he declared his retirement from boxing after beating timothy Bradley in April and said he would focus his attention on politics. on saturday, may

28, Pacquiao put an end to the speculation that he would compete in the 2016 rio olympics and told reporters he would aim

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pines.

Denouncing the republican nominee’s comments, the senators asserted that the Philippines is a key ally helping the United states fight terrorism and that filipino immigrants have contributed

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From the Front Page

Duterte issues ‘shoot-to-kill’ order...

PAGE A1 t officials involved in illegal drugs.

He attested that the list underwent an exhaustive intelligence monitoring and was validated before being finalized.

Early this week, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte would soon reveal

the names of 27 local executives who are benefitting from the drug trade.

The president emphasized that there will be no due process for narco-politicians.

“Sa bibig ko walang (for me, there is no) due process,” he said.

In a statement, Presidential

Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the president’s order on narcopoliticians “is congruent with government policy on maintaining and protecting peace and order in the nation.”

“He has given due and ample notice that the clear and present danger of drugs engulfing the nation will be addressed and law enforcers will neutralize those who resist or endanger the lives of arresting officers.”

Since Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs started, 402 drug suspects had been killed nationwide from July 1 to August 2, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). More than 500,00 people surrendered as either drug addicts or illegal drug dealers across the country.

On the other hand, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s “Kill List” recorded 504 deaths between June 30 and August 4. The list includes 126 dead who remain unidentified and 49 who are identified only by an alias.

LACSON BACKS PROBE ON VIGILANTE KILLINGS. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, says he supports a probe on the extra-judicial killings in the country during the Kapihan Sa Senado, Thursday, August 4. Lacson said the government would need to check the peace and order situation of the country with the high number of killings reported at 600 a month.

Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

UN body condemns extrajudicial...

PAGE A1 t Philippines.”

“Such responses contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions, do not serve the cause of justice, and will not help to ensure that ‘all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity’, as agreed by governments in the outcome document approved at the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem,” the statement read.

“UNODC supports balanced, people-centred, evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug control, rooted in the agreed international conventions and standards.”

The international group also expressed its readiness to engage with the Philippines regarding the issue.

“UNODC stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice with the appropriate legal safeguards in line with international standards and norms, and promote prevention,

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From the Front page

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A

Senators fire back at Trump’s proposed ban...

PAGE A1 t largely to the United States.

“Donald Trump’s latest rant suggesting we ban immigration from countries like the Philippines that are helping us fight terrorism is another example of his reckless rhetoric that’s based on fear and division and further proves he is unfit to lead our country,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said in a statement.

“For generations, Filipinos have made the United States their home. It is their vibrant culture, hard work, and strong values that have enriched our communities and made this country great, not the ignorant, racist bigotry of Donald Trump.”

Senator Nerissa Bretania Underwood of Guam, a Filipina, also condemned the Republican presidential nominee’s proposals, describing his rhetoric as divisive and “reckless.”

She called on the Republican delegates from Guam and Governor Eddie Calvo to renounce Trump and “unendorse his

candidacy.”

In a statement, Underwood said, “Filipinos on our island and across the country serve in uniform, in our hospitals, in our schools and across every private and public sector -- Filipinos are also beloved members of our families and communities.”

“As a proud daughter from Iloilo in the Philippines...I am a grateful adopted daughter of Guam and horrified by Mr. Trump’s statement and the leaders who have chosen to support him. I have worked my entire life to give back to our island that we all call home. Hate, fear and division are not qualities we need in the U.S. President and should give Americans across the country concern on whether a Trump administration is fit to lead our country,” Underwood added.

The day before, Trump had once again voiced his controversial proposals to ban immigration from several parts of the world, listing countries by name, including the Philippines, Syria, Yemen,

Uzbekistan, Iraq, Somalia and Morocco.

The Republican nominee called immigration from the so-called “terrorist nations” problematic because the immigrants wouldn’t be vetted by the government beforehand.

“You have no idea who they are. This could be the great Trojan horse of all time,” he said.

Following the San Bernardino attacks last December, he came under fire for proposing to temporarily prohibit all Muslims from entering the country.

“Hillary Clinton wants to have them come in by the hundreds of thousands — just remember,” Trump said in a press conference in Portland, Maine on Thursday, August 4. “This has nothing to do with politics, folks. This is a whole different level. This has to do with pure, raw stupidity. Okay?”

The string of violence from jihadist groups like Abu Sayyaf this year have underpinned speculation that the Philippines is next on the Islamic State’s (ISIS) radar. n

Ombudsman asks Supreme Court...

PAGE A1 t

amassment, accumulation or acquisition of ill-gotten wealth valued at not less than P50,000,000.

The failure to establish the corpus delicti should lead to the dismissal of the criminal prosecution,” the SC decision read, according to ABS-CBN. “There was no evidence, testimonial or otherwise, presented by the [Ombudsman] showing even the remotest possibility that the [Confidential Intelligence Funds or CIF] of the PCSO had been diverted to either GMA or [former PCSO Budget and Accounts Manager Benigno] Aguas, or [former PCSO general manager Rosario] Uriarte.”

The Ombudsman’s 32-page motion for reconsideration said that the high court has committed “grave errors which amount to a violation or deprivation of the state’s fundamental right to due process of law.”

“The evidence presented by the [Ombudsman] was not fully taken into account, including but not limited to the irregularities in the [CIF] disbursement process, questionable practice of comingling of funds and [Aguas’] reports to the Commission on Audit (COA) that bulk of the P365,997,915.00 withdrawn from the [PCSO’s] CIF were diverted to

REPRESENTED. Amid a festive atmosphere, the Philippine flag was formally raised Tuesday, aug. 2 inside the Athletes Village as more delegates from the participating countries poured in only three days before the opening ceremony. The Filipino delegation, made up of athletes and officials number around 20, arrived at the Olympic Park in their native “barong” to join three other countries, including Japan and Panama, in the affair that lasted over an hour. The Philippine national anthem was played as the flag was raised.

Inquirer.net contributed photo

US man acquitted of rape after 5 years...

PAGE A1 t

lice, yelling as she looked for her estranged husband.

He also claimed that his accuser and her cohorts tried to extort money from him in exchange for dropping the charges but ultimately refused.

Judge Amelia A. Sabros-Corpuz acquitted McMahon, stating that she found the accuser’s rape allegations to be “merely a leverage or afterthought” to the charge previously filed by McMahon.

Records showed that no

physical evidence was found to support the claim of sexual assault at the woman’s home early morning in February 2010. Records also showed that the complainant did not report the purported crime for six months.

Sabros-Corpuz said that the prosecution’s case “is not sufficient enough to establish his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

“When they finally read the verdict, of course, Scott’s eyes became so wide and there were

tears,” Shelley Campanella, McMahon’s mother, told the Seattle Times.

“You could see his shoulders just loosen up, his whole body loosened. I know it sounds cliché, but it was like the weight of the world was lifted off of him, and I felt the same way.”

McMahon plans to return to the United States as soon as possible, she added.

However, he was asked to pay fines for overstaying in the Philippines before leaving the country. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

Pacquiao’s perfect Senate attendance...

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo physically reported for work on Monday, July 25 as Pampanga representative for the opening of the 17th Congress after being in detention for four years. Inset photo shows Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

Philstar.com photos

the Arroyo-headed Office of the President.”

The Ombudsman argued that Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence plea is not reviewable by appeal before the judgment of the case, stating that the court “committed grave errors which amount to a violation or deprivation of the state’s fundamental right to due process of law.”

“The concept of actual personal gain, benefit or enrichment to the offender is immaterial as the important consideration in offenses involving the unlawful

taking of property, as in plunder, is the intent to gain,” the motion read.

“Unlawful taking or apoderamiento is deemed complete from the moment the offender gains possession of the thing, even if he or she has no opportunity to dispose of the same.”

The Ombudsman also argued that Arroyo and co-accused Aguas conspired with their other co-accused “via a complex, illegal scheme which defrauded PCSO in hundreds of millions of pesos.”

concerns that Pacquiao might return to absenteeism. The Saranfor a perfect attendance record gani senator vowed not to allow in the Senate. his athletic career interrupt his As of Thursday, August 4, In- responsibilities as a legislator. quirer reported that the fresh“Should there be any [fight], man senator has participated in I’ll make sure it will not interall five sessions that have taken fere with my senate duties,” place since the Senate opened said Pacquiao. “I owe it to the on July 25 and has filed 10 bills people.” so far. He was recently appointOn Wednesday, August 3, ed to chair the Senate Commit- Pacquiao’s manager confirmed tee on Sports and also leads the that the boxing politician will Senate Committee on Public fight World Boxing OrganizaWorks. tion welterweight champion However, his active status as Jessie Vargas in the fall. a playing-coach in the PBA and The bout is scheduled for Norecently confirmed plans for a vember 5 while the Senate is on comeback fight have rekindled recess. Pacquiao said he will

PAGE A1 t

conduct as much of the training as possible in the Philippines in order to reduce the impact of training on his work as a senator.

His trainer, Freddie Roach, said Pacquiao’s frequent charitable contributions were the source of “money issues” that drew him back for one more fight.

“Manny is too generous, and he gives his money away,” Roach told On The Ropes Radio in July. He said Pacquiao would likely use the potential earnings from a comeback fight to “build more hospitals, schools and churches.” n

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Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling on transgender bathrooms

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

THE United States Supreme Court has refrained from deciding on a court ruling that required a school board in Gloucester County, Virginia to allow a transgender high school student to use the boy’s bathroom.

The school board had submitted a request to the Supreme Court to block the lower court ruling, and the court granted the request on Wednesday, August 3.

The lower court ruling would have allowed 17-year-old Gavin Grimm — who was born a girl — to use the school restroom that coincides with his gender identity.

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that Grimm will not be able to use the restroom of his choice.

The school board said that it wanted to “protect the basic expectations of bodily privacy of Gloucester County students.”

The school board had been

seeking exemption from President Barack Obama’s directive in May that requires public schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms that fit with their gender identity by the 2016-2017 academic year. Twenty-three states have sued against this order so far.

Joshua Block, a lawyer for Grimm, told Reuters that they are both “disappointed” at the court’s motion and “that Gavin is going to have to begin another school year being stigmatized and separated from his peers as a result of this policy.”

Last year, a lawyer from the Department of Education argued that the federal anti-discrimination law Title IX — which prohibits discrimination of sexes in educational institutions — protects transgender students and allows them to use the bathroom they deem fits in with their gender identity.

This is the first time that a case regarding transgender bathroom

rights has reached the Supreme Court. Previously, a circuit court ruled 2-1 in favor of Grimm, upholding Title IX. The American Civil Liberties Union (ALCU) sued the Gloucester County School Board last year on behalf of Grimm to dispute the board’s bathroom policy, which sectioned off alternative restrooms for transgender students.

Justice Stephen Breyer — who joined the four Republican justices to make the Supreme Court ruling a 5-3 decision — was the only Democratic justice that ruled in favor of putting the hold, saying he did not support the school’s emergency appeal, but joined the four conservative justices “as a courtesy.”

“In light of the facts that four justices have voted to grant the application referred to the court by the Chief Justice, that we are currently on recess and that granting the stay will preserve the status quo,” Breyer said in a statement.

UN body condemns extrajudicial killings...

PAGE A2 t

challenged the international group treatment, rehabilitation and rein- to instead suggest ways to solve tegration approaches based in evi- the drug issue in the country. dence, science, public health and “I am ready to face the UN, if human rights.” you are ready to solve it for us. I In a press briefing with the am ready for you,” he said.

Philippine Star, Duterte said he In his first State of the Nais ready to face the UN and even tion Address (SONA) on July 25,

Duterte said that human rights should never be used to protect drug offenders.

“Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country – your country and my country,” he stressed.

“We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered or been put behind bars or are below the ground if they so wish.”

In her privilege speech on Tuesday, August 2, Senator Leila de Lima asked the administration to put an end to the spate of killings in the country “We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction. This is the compulsion for more killing, killings that have now included the innocent,” she said.

“As a human rights advocate and human being, I plead to the government, this administration, and to the president. There must be another way.”

The Palace, however, refused to take a stance on de Lima’s speech.

Duterte only said that “it is her job.”

QUERY. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel (2nd from right) discusses a query raised by Senator Leila De Lima (4th from left) on whether there is a prescriptive period for the Senate to act on a bill vetoed by the President in order to override it. The bill in question was Senate Bill No. 3419, also known as an Act banning the re-appointment of a regular member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) who has already served two full terms. Also in photo are (clockwise) Senators Francis Pangilinan, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Sherwin Gatchalian, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Franklin Drilon.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

Suspect charged for fatally shooting...

PAGE A1 t July 28.

Jesse Gomez, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him by the San Diego District Attorney’s office on Tuesday, August 2 at UC San Diego Medical Center.

Officers took the suspect to the hospital after he was found bleeding in the Chollas Creek ravine near the scene of a gunfight in Southcrest that left Filipino-American police officer Jonathan “JD” De Guzman dead, and his partner, Wade Irwin, wounded.

Gomez allegedly “answered with gunfire” moments after Irwin stepped out of a police cruiser at about 11 p.m. and asked the suspect if he lived in the area, according to Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon. He said Gomez then proceeded to shoot at De Guzman, striking the veteran police officer with five bullets as he sat in the squad car.

Neither prosecutors nor police have discussed a motive for the shooting.

Gomez’s family members maintain his innocence and told the San Diego Tribune they have received little information from law enforcement.

“No one in my family believes

he did this,” said the suspect’s son, Daniel Gomez, 26. “I know he’s been in trouble, like when I was a baby, but after that nothing.”

The elder Gomez possesses a criminal record that goes as far back as 1983, which included several gun-related convictions.

A trail of blood originating near the site of the shooting led police to the ravine where he was discovered.

Police also searched for a man who had been walking with Gomez just before Wednesday evening’s violent incident. A second person of interest was detained on unrelated warrants after evading police in two separate standoffs, but was eventually released.

De Guzman and Irwin had been equipped with body cameras, but they were not recording as they approached the suspect, according to the Los Angeles Times. Irwin, a nineyear veteran of the police force, did manage to turn on his camera at some point after he was shot in the throat. He and his partner had been rushed to the hospital by other nearby officers.

Irwin, 32, is expected to survive his injuries. He has regained consciousness but “is

1SFQBSJOH :PVS

looking at a long recovery,” according to a GoFundMe page raising money to help cover Irwin’s medical expenses.

De Guzman, 43, died on Friday, July 29 at Scripps Mercy Hospital as a result of wounds sustained while on duty. He fought to improve the lives of people around him throughout 16 years of service, according to San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, who used to work with De Guzman before she was promoted.

“He came to work every single day wanting to just make a positive difference,” said Zimmerman during a press conference on Friday, and described De Guzman as a “loving, caring husband and father.”

The San Diego Police Officers Association is collecting donations on its website to help the fallen officer’s family pay for the funeral and other expenses.

On Friday, Aug. 5, Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon hosted an open memorial service for De Guzman at 11 a.m., which California Governor Jerry Brown attended.

Other public gatherings honoring De Guzman’s memory had been scheduled earlier in the week. (Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)

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A

Taking a closer look at Hep B and the Asian American community

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

NEW YORK – The statistics are overwhelming to digest: one in ten Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders live with chronic Hepatitis B and twothirds of those who are infected are not aware of their status.

Globally, hepatitis B virus infection is the primary cause of cancer after tobacco use and, if untreated, an estimated 15 percent to 25 percent of those infected will die from a related condition. Among U.S. populations, Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of liver cancer (up to 7.2 times higher than nonHispanic whites).

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with an infected person’s blood, semen or other body fluid. A pregnant woman infected with the virus can pass it to her unborn child. There are a variety of drugs now available to treat chronic hepatitis B, which can slow or prevent damage to the liver.

“Be About It” is a documentary directed by Christopher Wong, which chronicled the lives of Bay Area reporter/ news anchor Alan Wang and Fil-Am athlete AJ Jabonero as they battle chronic hepatitis B was screened in New York recently to coincide with July 28 as World Hepatitis Day. Medical experts and community advocates joined forces to raise

awareness of a disease that affects as many as two million Americans.

Up to one million Asian Americans have hepatitis B, half of all the cases in the country today and way more than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States.

While anyone can contract hep B, people of Asian descent bear the heaviest burden, representing nearly three quarters of individuals affected worldwide.

Shawne Jabonero Lopes is a first-generation Filipino American living with hep B. Both Shawne and her brother AJ, contracted the virus from their mother at birth. Shawne’s viral loads are currently undetectable, and she has a chronic form of the disease that is regularly monitored to detect potential liver damage. Her father and brother, however, had high viral loads, and eventually both of them developed liver cancer.

When her brother AJ was three years old, he had to be brought to a hospital and the doctors told the family that the young boy had jaundice.

Everyone in the family was tested as well and the results showed that they all had hep B. But that was just it. At the time, Shawne and her family were not aware of the serious risks associated with hep B. “It wasn’t clear what that meant then. We didn’t understand that we could potentially die from it. I grew up being told that I was a car-

CA meningococcal outbreak worsens Officials urging vaccinations for LA, OC, SD

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

AS the meningococcal outbreak in Southern California worsens, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has urged all gay and bisexual men and those with HIV in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego counties to get vaccinated.

Twenty-two cases of meningococcal disease have been confirmed in Los Angeles and Orange counties since March, with most cases confirmed in the last two months, the CDPH said in a statement released Tuesday, August 2.

In the past week, three new cases have popped up including one of the fatalities. So far, most patients have been gay or bisexual men, and two patients have died.

Although there have been no reported cases in San Diego County, the alert extends to the San Diego area to prevent the spread of the disease, according to the statement.

“Vaccination is the best pro-

tection against meningococcal disease,” Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH director and state public health officer, said in the statement.

“It is important that all gay and bisexual men and people living with HIV in the affected counties take action to protect themselves to reduce their risk.”

The CDPH recommends the MenACWY vaccine, and said that those infected with HIV should receive two doses and uninfected individuals should receive one dose. They also recommend that those who were vaccinated more than five years ago should get revaccinated.

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially fatal bacterial infection that may cause meningitis —swelling of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord — or other infections in the blood.

The disease is spread through intimate, personal contact by way of “respiratory droplets from the nose and throat,” the CDPH said.

Symptoms include fever, vom-

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COMMUNITY SERVICE. Local officials, soldiers and policemen join the cross-section community cleanup drive in Datu Anggal, Maguindanao on Thursday, Aug. 4. The activity was meant to propagate camaraderie among local security stakeholders, including sympathizers and members of Moro secessionist groups and reformed drug offenders, to hasten the municipal government’s law enforcement activities in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s security thrusts in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

rier of the virus,” Shawne told the Asian Journal. Their dad passed away in 2005 due to liver cancer yet they still did not make the connection with hep B. “We had an idea but we just thought that he was unhealthy,” she added.

Shawne recently became an advocate to raise awareness and empower people to get screened and know their status. She and AJ had no idea how to navigate the situation they were in, no one told them that they were still at risk, that they had to consult a liver doctor and that they had to monitor their liver.

But on their own, they tried to get healthier. AJ for example experimented with vegetarianism, got into endurance athletics and partied a lot less, according to Shawne. He also ate a lot better and exercised a lot.

In August 2014, AJ even joined and finished his first Iron Man competition after doing a number of triathlons.

He began complaining about pain in his abdomen and chest around November and by December, a tumor was found and he was diagnosed with liver cancer.

“Spreading the word and helping others is something AJ inspired me to do,” Shawne said. “This film and my advocacy work are a great tribute to my brother and his fight.”

Shawne is a devoted wife and loving mother to her 3year-old son. She recently obtained her Masters of Science

Shawne Jabonero Lopes (second from right) explains the need to get tested for Hepatitis B because it is a disease that is a silent killer among Asian Americans. Shawne, her brother AJ, AJ’s wife Melisaa Jabonero (right) and broadcast journalist Alan Wang (third from right) are among the subjects in the documentary ‘Be About It,’ which aims to raise awareness of the deadly disease. Joining them on the panel were (from left) Dr. Danny Chu and Dr. James Park of the NYU Langone Medical Center and director Christopher Wong.

AJPress photo

in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is currently working as a board certified acupuncturist and herbalist. She looks forward to using her educational and personal life experiences to help others to live a healthy and balanced life.

Hep B can be detected and diagnosed with a simple blood test, and health officials hope to impart the importance of screening since people with chronic hep B usually do not experience any symptoms until advanced liver diseases has already developed.

Chronic hep B can slowly destroy the liver over many years – even decades – without producing symptoms. It may cause life-threatening complications including liver cancer or cirrhosis, which is

severe liver scarring.

U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, founder of the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus, has been staging a long fight to educate Asian Americans and help end hepatitis B, a disease which disproportionately affects the Asian American community.

“By educating our community, and increasing access to testing services, we can help those who are infected address the disease earlier, and take measures to keep from passing it on to their children,” said Honda. “As Asian Americans, it is the responsibility of all of us to get tested ourselves, and to take action to educate our communities about this disease.”

In 2015, Honda offered an

amendment to increase funding for the Viral Hepatitis Division at Center for Diseases Control (CDC) by $31.3 million to improve their public education programs.

According to the CDC, Hepatitis B is common in many parts of the world, with an estimated 350 million people living with the disease worldwide. In the US, an estimated 1.2 million Americans are infected. However, hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders because it is especially common in many Asian and Pacific Island countries.

While AAPIs make up less than 5% of the total U.S. population, they account for more than 50% of Americans living with chronic hepatitis B.

Dateline USa

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China warns trespassers on ‘claimed’ sea territories

by Dana

M. SioSon

AJPress

CHINA warned foreigners who operate vessels not to trespass into its ‘claimed’ waters or else face prosecution.

The Chinese Supreme People’s Court declared that trespassers caught despite past warnings or conviction could be jailed up to a year. This rule was released on Monday, August 1, and took effect on Tuesday, August 2.

The rule also applies to Chinese citizens and foreigners declared guilty of “serious” illegal activities such as unlicensed fishing or wildlife poaching.

A statement released by the court on Tuesday, August 2, said it issued two judicial interpretations to clarify China’s jurisdiction and enforcement in their “controlled” waters which include the 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), internal seas, continental shelves, territorial seas, and contiguous zones.

“Judicial power is an important component of national sovereignty,” Reuters quoted the court.

“People’s courts will actively exercise jurisdiction over China’s territorial waters, support administrative departments to legally perform maritime management duties ... and safeguard Chinese territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.”

However, Professor Fu Kuncheng, director of Xiamen University’s South China Sea Institute, told The Straits Times that it has “nothing to do with the tribunal ruling.”

The Hague ruled on July 12 that China’s historic claims over a large part of the South China Sea have no legal basis, favoring the Philippines.

China, however, refused to accept the ruling, saying the court had no jurisdiction over the issue.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

Kuncheng said that the rule will serve largely to remove confusion among local governments by setting a national policy and standard.

China also has maritime disputes with other countries including Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia.

PH hopes COC will be implemented The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday, August 3 that the Philippines hopes a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea would soon be adopted by concerned parties.

“The Philippines wants to see the early adoption of the COC,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said, according to Inquirer.

“All parties need to work expeditiously towards the establishment of an effective code of conduct (COC), and undertake activities that are in good faith and consistent with international law with the aim of advancing, and not delaying, the process.”

Yasay’s speech was read by Undersecretary Enrique Manalo at the 2nd Manila Conference on the South China Sea. A Declaration of Conduct (DOC) signed by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members and China in

2002 was supposed to result in a COC that “would further promote peace and stability in the region and agree to work, on the basis of consensus, towards the eventual attainment of this objective.”

COC has long been stalled, however, as reports state it is difficult to get consensus among the diverse ASEAN nations.

US and Singapore joint statement United States President Barack Obama and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong released a joint statement on Tuesday, August 2, urging all concerned parties in the disputed South China Sea to avoid actions, like the militarization of outposts in the area, that would elevate tensions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

In this Monday, Aug. 1, 2016 photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a missile is launched from a guided-missile destroyer during a live ammunition drill in the East China Sea. China’s navy has fired dozens of missiles and torpedoes during exercises in the East China Sea that come amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, underscoring Beijing’s determination to back up its sovereignty claims with force if needed. The live-fire drills that began Monday follow China’s strident rejection of an international arbitration panel’s ruling last month that invalidated Beijing’s claims to a vast swath of the South China Sea. Photo courtesy of Wu Dengfeng/Xinhua

“Beyond bilateral cooperation, the two countries have worked as close partners to build a rules-based economic and security order for the AsiaPacific and to address challenges on the global stage, including economic prosperity, climate change, terrorism, transnational crime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” the joint statement read.

With regard to the South China Sea, the two leaders

“reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability and upholding freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea.” “They emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the

Sea.” They also expressed their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the expeditious conclusion of a COC in the area.

Lee made an official visit to the U.S. in celebration of the 50-year diplomatic relationship and at the same time, to enhance the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries.

Thousands of jobless Filipinos stranded in Saudi Arabia

by Klarize

MeDenilla AJPress

A PLUMMET in the price of oil has prompted construction layoffs in Saudi Arabia, leaving thousands of Asian overseas workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), without jobs, officials announced on Tuesday, August 2.

Gilbert Saludo, Migrante International coordinator in Saudi Arabia, told Agence FrancePresse that the layoffs may affect as many as 20,000 Filipinos.

There are more than 1 million OFWs in Saudi Arabia, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

He added that Manila has extended financial aid, but said he

was unclear of the extent of the aid. The situation is unlikely to improve given the country’s dependent on oil revenue, Saludo said.

“It will get much worse because so much of the income of Saudi Arabia comes from oil… so their budget for infrastructure and other projects will not be met and more people will be affected,” Saludo said.

Chairman of the Migrante group Garry Martinez said that some Filipinos have resorted to living on the streets to survive after months of not getting paid.

Migrants officials in Manila said that OFWs were not allowed to leave because they did not have the proper permits and

months of back pay were still pending.

Additionally, the Saudi government requires overseas workers to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employers or sponsors in order to return to their home countries. To grant a NOC to workers is up to the discretion of the employer.

Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello visited Saudi Arabia in July to attend to the issue, but AFP said that he did not elaborate.

Also affected are thousands of Indian and Pakistani workers.

On Monday, August 1, India had been in talks with Saudi Arabia to bring back Indian nationals who have lost their jobs and had

CA meningococcal outbreak...

PAGE A5 t iting, headache, stiff neck, rashes and muscle pains. Officials urge people to see a doctor immediately if they experience these symptoms.

Individuals that maintain close contact with multiple people and regularly frequent crowded locations like bars and parties are at increased risk. Additionally, those that do drugs, smoke cigarettes or hookahs or spend time

7/26/16

in smoky areas are also at higher risk of contracting the disease.

Officials are investigating the start of the outbreak, which some have suspected began in February. A Los Angeles Times report suggested that the cases in LA and Orange counties because lab tests showed their patients shared the same strain of the disease known as serotype C. In Orange County, two clinics at The Health Care Agency

Family Health Clinics — located at 1725 W. 17th St. in Santa Ana — are offering vaccinations. The Immunization Clinic, is open Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. The Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic, is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some pharmacies also offer vaccinations, according to LA

no money to return home.

There are reportedly 10,000 Indian workers out of jobs and starving. The Indian consulate in Jeddah has been providing shelter and resources to Indian workers out of jobs.

Pakistan confirmed it had its own workers stranded in Saudi Arabia, but it’s unclear how many. Pakistani officials had established resources centers for Pakistani nationals, according to the AFP report.

“We stand by our hardworking workers who are away from their homeland to earn a living for their families. They are our strength and pride. We will help them out in all possible ways,” Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement. n County Public Health.

To locate a clinic that offers vaccinations visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Adult Vaccine Finder at http://www.vaccines.gov/getting/ where/index.html. Additionally, those in LA County may dial 21-1 for referrals to clinics and health centers.

For more information, call the Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448. For more information about meningococcal disease, visit https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/. n

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Dateline PPacquiao hiliPPines files 3 bills re-imposing

Federalism pushed in PH Senate

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Senate President aquilino “Koko� Pimentel III on on thursday, august 4 revitalized his plan to move the Philippines to a federal system of government. “Federalism’s complex nature demands careful study. Scholars contend that there is not one model in the world that fits all. each country must discern its own version of federalism according to peculiar conditions in its society,� said Pimentel in his keynote speech. “therefore, it is important to learn from experiences–whether good or bad–of existing federations,� said Pimentel, citing existing systems across europe, north america, australia, neighboring Malaysia, and ‘emerging federations’ in Latin america and africa.�

He teamed up with his father, former Senate President aquilino “nene� Pimentel Jr. — a long-time federalism advocate — to craft a “uniquely Filipino� model of federalism.

Koko Pimentel said the Philippines should look at the “best features� of the federal systems in other parts of the world to craft a system uniquely Filipino.

Based on nene Pimentel’s proposal, the Philippines will be divided into several federal states, each with sovereign powers over its affairs. this system would decentralize governance and equalize the access to funds that may be utilized for development and granting local government’s greater autonomy. according to the Philippine Statistics authority (PSa), the 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines are also farthest from Manila. the provinces include Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Sarangani, northern Samar, Maguindanao, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del norte, Siquijor and agusan del Sur. Figures revealed that more than half (62.84 percent) of the country’s gross domestic product has been concentrated in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

death penalty, says ‘it is in the Bible’

by JoSeph

Senate Pres. Koko Pimentel

Under the federal system, Luzon will have four states: northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Bicol and Southern tagalog.

Metro Manila will “will not be treated as a separate state but will remain the federal capital,� the elder Pimentel said.

Inquirer.net photo

the Visayas will be composed of eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and the “Mimparom� state of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and Masbate. the states of Mindanao will

u PAGE A10

almer B. peDraJaS AJPress

ManILa – Boxing champ and Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao filed three bills on Wednesday, august 3, seeking the re-imposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes on the basis that “it is in the Bible.�

Pacquiao met with President Rodrigo Duterte last Monday, august 1, to discuss the need to impose once again the death penalty in the country on crimes such as drug peddling, kidnapping and rape.

Pacquiao, a born-again Christian, justified that the death penalty does not go against the teachings of the Christian Bible. “Sa Romans 13, basahin natin ‘yang one to seven. Malalaman natin ‘yan (Read Romans 13:1-7, we’ll know),� he said to the media at the Philippine International

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Convention Center (PICC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi naman ang presidente ang maghahatol niyan, kunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;di ang gobyerno (It will be the government who will decide, not just the president),â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sa mata ng Panginoon, hindi bawal

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yan (In Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not prohibited).â&#x20AC;? the three bills will punish criminals and have stiffer penalties than existing laws.

Senate Bill no. 185 seeks the

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OpiniOn

Features

Filled to overflowing

THE photographs and video footage tell the story: men, shirtless because of the heat, packed like sardines as they sleep in makeshift detention centers, or cooking their evening meal about a meter away from others who dip into water pails as they take a bath.

The detention areas are so cramped some inmates take turns sleeping on precious space. The images have become common in local jails, where persons who have been arrested or surrendered as part of the crackdown against the drug menace are held. Some are quickly freed for rehabilitation.

Those charged with heavier offenses face a longer stay as they await trial and the possibility of being freed on bail.

Local jails all over the country have always been congested. The problem has progressively worsened as jail facilities failed to expand and keep up with rapid population growth and the increase in the crime rate. Now, with the government focusing on the war on drugs and criminality, all local jails are overflowing with detainees. If many of the thousands of suspects are convicted, the problem is expected to aggravate congestion in national prisons. Like local jails, the Bureau of Corrections

has been plagued for a long time with inadequate prison cells.

People who support the brutal war on drugs probably won’t care if convicts serve their sentences in crowded, vermin-infested cells with poor ventilation. Modern penology, however, gives as much importance to rehabilitation as the punishment of criminals. Rehabilitation or correction is best achieved in a humane prison environment.

Being held in a jail where inmates are packed nearly cheek by jowl is even more aggravating for the innocent who have been wrongly accused, especially of an offense that can put them behind bars for life. The war on drugs has put a harsh spotlight on the sorry state of the nation’s detention facilities. One positive thing that should emerge from this war is an improvement in the state’s capacity to hold, penalize and rehabilitate offenders. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

A majority of Fil-Ams think Trump should apologize for slamming family of fallen Muslim American soldier

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel sAntos-relos DID Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump go too far when he defamed the parents of a Muslim American hero who was killed in the line of duty in Baghdad in 2004? Most Americans, and a majority of Filipinos in America, believe so.

A poll released by Fox News revealed that 69 percent of respondents familiar with Trump’s recent criticism of the Khan family said that his remarks were “out of bounds.” This would include respondents affiliated with the Republican Party, 41 percent of

whom said that it was “out of bounds.”

The same sentiment was revealed by the online viewer poll of The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America.” A majority of those who voted, 57 percent, said Trump should in fact apologize to the Khan family.

At the Democratic National Convention, Khizr Khan, the father, gave a speech against Trump’s plan to ban Muslims in America. The elder Khan said the plan denigrates the ultimate sacrifice their son and many other men in uniform made for the United States when they offered

their own lives for this country they love.

Khan claimed Trump “sacrificed nothing and no one,” and this prompted the Republican presidential nominee to retaliate and even speculate why Khan’s wife Ghazala did not even speak up during the convention to deliver her own remarks.

In an opinion article published by the Washington Post, Ms. Khan wrote, “All the world, all America, felt my pain. I am a Gold Star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart.”

“Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not

speak?” she added.

Ms. Khan further said Mr. Trump was “ignorant” of Islam and criticized him for offering his business career as evidence that he had sacrificed for his country. “Donald Trump said he has made a lot of sacrifices,” she said. “He doesn’t know what the word sacrifice means.”

Could this issue be the beginning of the end of Trump’s sprint to the White House? Most recent surveys may be ominous for Trump.

According to the McClatchyMarist Poll, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton now has a 15-point lead over

Donald Trump in a national poll out Thursday, August 4. This came out after Trump’s insults of the parents of a fallen soldier.

The former secretary of state gained ground in the poll, and the business mogul/reality show star lost support. Clinton won the support of 48 percent of those surveyed, while Trump had 33 percent.

Last month, Clinton was ahead by only 3 percent, 42 percent vs Trump’s 39 percent.

Amid this backlash, Trump refuses to apologize to the Khan family, saying in an interview that he did not regret saying those statements against the

Khans, as he did not regret any thing he had done before in his life.

These polls, of course, are just a snapshot of public opinions three months ahead of the November elections. Many surprises could affect how Americans would vote, one way or the other. ***

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

DNC chronicles: Patriotic To win, Hillary should speak a little Tagalog Commentary virtues of Hillary Clinton’s presidential nomination

Rhizomes

Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D. SeNATOR Bernie Sanders came down from the mezzanine, where he was seated with his family, to join the delegation from Vermont on July 27, 2016.

After all the states cast their nomination votes, Vermont’s voice (Bernie Sanders) called for a suspension of the rules to nominate Hillary Clinton by acclamation. The roaring thunder of hundreds of thousands filled up the entire Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia during the second day of the Democratic National Convention, giving this writer goosebumps.

Genevieve Jopanda, chief of staff to Fiona Ma, burst into tears after Hillary Clinton gave her acceptance speech the following day.

“When Hillary accepted her nomination, I threw my hands up in the air and cheered at the top of my lungs “YeSSS!” And as my hands came down, I burst [into] tears. My body transformed as the sacrifice of my father leaving my mom and two brothers behind in the Philippines to pursue something better in America flashed before me. Because of his sacrifice, I was born and raised in America and allowed the opportunity to work on policy that positively impacts our community with AB199 (Fiona Ma) instead of harvesting rice in the fields or drying fish above the dirt road in my family’s farm village in Iloilo.

Her nomination is our country’s biggest defense and maintaining the line so we don’t go backwards,” Jopanda shared.

Contrast that to early centuries ago when Abigail Adams — the second first lady of the United States of America, the wife of

Filipino Americans from the West Coast, Midwest and East Coast: Irene Bueno, Ben de Guzman, Meriam Reynosa, Renee Briscoe Lee, Hon. Rob Bonta, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Gregory Cendaña, Genevieve Jopanda, Melissa Ramoso, Marina Barohna, Fritz Friedman (back row, left to right); Jason Tengco, Gerri Sanchez Aglipay and an unidentified Fil-Am (kneeling, left to right).

Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

President John Adams (17971801), and the mother of John Quincy Adams, sixth US president— who was keenly aware of how women’s patriotism was the least desired aspirations among women of the 18th century.

“Patriotism in the female sex is the most disinterested of all virtues. excluded from honors and offices, we cannot attach ourselves to the state of or government from having held a place of eminence. Deprived of a voice in legislation, obliged to submit to those laws [our property is subject to the control and disposal of our partners], which are imposed upon us, is it not sufficient to make us indifferent to the public welfare? Yet, all history and every age exhibit instances of patriotic virtue in the female sex; which considering our situation equals the most heroic of yours,” as written by Cokie Roberts in “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation,” 2004.

Fast forward to the 21st centu-

ry’s front-row witness to Hillary Clinton’s presidential nomination, Loida Nicolas Lewis, a philanthropist and New York delegate, whose patriotism and political involvement are her passions.

“The DNC was beyond my expectations: the eloquence of Cory Booker; the passion of Michelle Obama; the folksy storytelling of Bill Clinton; the persuasive arguments of Joe Biden; the surprising logic of Tim Kaine; the indomitable spirit of Pres Obama; the soft charm of Chelsea; the tour de force that is Hillary Clinton,” Nicolas Lewis said.

Fil-Am delegates to DNC, a 33% increase Forty-four years ago, Larry Itliong, a Filipino-American labor leader, who worked alongside Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers, attended his first DNC in 1972.

“My only regret is that there were only 15 Fil-Am delegates at the 2016 DNC Convention.

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IF all politics is local, then candidate Hillary Clinton may very well need to speak a little Korean and Tagalog in order to win the 2016 presidential election.

Why? In 2014 Slate.com published a fascinating article with this headline, “Tagalog in California, Cherokee in Arkansas.” It is a survey of the languages spoken in each state.

Of great political interest is the most common language spoken other than english or Spanish. In Alaska it is Yupik, In Nevada it is Tagalog (spoken by Filipinos), while Vietnamese is the third most popular language in Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.

Korean fills that slot in Virginia and Georgia.

Spanish, of course, is the second most common language spoken other than english in most states. It makes sense then that Clinton’s VP pick, Tim Kaine, made his acceptance speech for the Democratic Party’s nomination partly in Spanish. His language skill will surely come in very handy when he goes stomping in battleground states like Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

After all, getting Latinos, (along with African Americans) to come out and vote is an urgent and an absolute necessary affair.

“The growth among non-Hispanic white eligible voters has been slower than among racial or ethnic minorities in large part because they are overrepresented in deaths due to an aging population,” according to Pew Research Center. “By comparison, racial/ethnic minorities – who make up 31 percent of the electorate – accounted for 43 percent of new eligible voters born in the U.S. who turned 18.”

Hispanic voters surged from 23.3 million since 2012 to 27.3 million in 2016, a 17 percent growth.

Yet in the swing states, where every vote counts, it would be

AnDrew lAm new AmericA meDiA a major mistake to not pay attention to the other minorities whose populations are growing very quickly. Korean voters in Virginia, Filipino voters in Nevada and Vietnamese voters in Oklahoma, for instance, though still relatively small groups in those states, can form a formidable voting bloc.

According to Pew Research Center, Asian American eligible voters in the U.S. have increased 16 percent as well, that is, to 9.23 million in 2016. In Nevada, Filipinos make up more than half of the Asian American population, or 120,000, although many aren’t registered voters.

A registration drive right now is not too late, and here’s a hint: Many read the Philippine News and Asian Journal, and they watch the Filipino Chanel’s popular bilingual news program “Balitang America,” which airs nationwide.

Tim Kaine might want to get on that show, or better yet, Hillary Clinton might want to remind Filipino Americans of her record in keeping the South China Sea from falling completely into Chinese domination and that, as president, she would continue to keep it a priority.

Should the Democratic campaign bother with an ethnic group, which, although growing fast, has such a low voter registration? Two words: slim margin.

Think about it this way: In 2000, in that unforgettable and most controversial presidential election in modern U.S.

history, George W. Bush won against Al Gore thanks to his 537-vote lead in Florida.

That razor-thin margin could have been turned around if the U.S. Supreme Court had allowed a recount and the fate of America might well have shifted away from wars, recession, debt, spilled blood and lost national treasure.

So far, the Democrats have concentrated on black and Hispanic voters. Although it is true that blacks and Latinos make up formidable voting blocs and should be rallied for in every state, it is a strategic mistake for the Clinton-Kaine ticket to ignore potential sizable voting enclaves waiting in plain sight in each battleground state.

Those swing states are Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Arizona, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

This is a challenge in terms of political organizing. If all politics is local, then all local politics may demand increasing outreach to ethnic media and to community organizations and their leaders.

In Orange County, Calif., for over a decade now, no candidate has been able to afford ignoring Vietnamese- and Spanish-language media when running for public office. That is because the Vietnamese population in that county is 300,000--the largest not only in the U.S., but also outside of Vietnam. That’s a formidable force.

In Nevada, Filipinos have been moving steadily to Las Vegas and Reno. Initially, many were drawn there to work in hospitals, but over the last couple of decades others sought jobs in hotels, casinos and related service industries. Now they have become a potentially powerful swing vote.

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OpiniOn & Features

An open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte Many years ago, in May of 1986, our family — my Community husband and three children — decided to leave our coun- Voice try when we experienced too much chaos and violence after the aquino assassination.

However, only ten months Tess Marino after arriving in the US, another blow more devastating came to my life: a huge fire in my parent’s Ermita property took the lives of four — my Dad and Mom, who were in their mid-seventies, a balikbayan sister who was to come home the following day, and an 8-year-old nephew.

Fortunately, my brother with his wife and six children were able to run away, but he was traumatized as he watched the fire engulf our loved ones. Firemen refused to spray the hose at our building because they prioritized on helping a neighbor whose building was not even burning because the owner had given P40,000 grease money to them!

My bitterness and pain were indescribable as I vowed never to set foot again on Philippine soil. I decided to fight depression by writing an advice column for a California Filipino newspaper, praying for my heart to melt and forgive!

I made the choice to accept the trials life threw at me, act positively to pursue worthy goals and fill my life with meaning and contribution. I let my heart overflow with joy as I watched our three children grow up to be amazingly responsible, compassionate and loving individuals and a happy marriage with my supportive husband.

Ten years after the tragedy, we had to come home to attend the wedding of our eldest son to his beautiful wife in Batangas City. We have come and gone since, have never been to the scene until now. I just released forgiveness for

the evil deeds of men, and think back about good times from the past.

Even as turbulence all over the world continues to roll like the waves of an ocean, my day never ends without a prayer for peace to reign in everyone’s hearts. I pray especially for my countrymen who for ages have been suffering from the hands of past leaders who had only self interests and greed, as well as natural disasters, poverty and overpopulation, heinous crimes by mentally impaired drug addicts, and the inability to survive against the odds. With the grace of God, their tools in life were strong faith and resilience! as Helen Keller quoted, “The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”

I feel you, Mr. President, will live up to the challenges — dare mighty things — and win glorious triumphs together with each Filipino whose heart you have aroused. after watching your SOna speech, Mr. President, I can truly say that now I can see the light from the darkness. That my soul can feel the peace that someday, my husband and I, in our twilight years, will not be afraid to come back to our once beautiful beloved Philippines, because finally God has sent a leader like you with a compassionate heart and an iron hand.

To be willing to sacrifice at the risk of your life will be your ultimate test, but what a reward you will get from all 100 million Filipinos and our future generations. Our endless thanks from our grateful hearts and a prayer for you to never stop fighting for the sake of the country you seem to love at all costs!

Very gratefully yours, Tess Marino

To win, Hillary should speak a little...

PAGE A8 t

although they make up less than 5 percent of the state’s population, they are the fastest-growing ethnic group there.

Given that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are running neck-and-neck in several upfor-grabs states like nevada and north Carolina, it would make sense for candidates to reach out beyond Latino and Spanishspeaking voters.

When a state could swing by 500 votes, Koreans in north Carolina might be the very voting bloc that each candidate needs. Elsewhere, surprisingly in Oklahoma, the third most popular language spoken turns out to be Vietnamese. also, in arizona and new Mexico, not so surprisingly, the most populous language after English and Span-

ish is navajo.

Clinton or Kaine could, for instance, give an exclusive interview to the Korea Daily or Korea Times, both of which are widely read among Koreans in Virginia and Georgia. Koreans have flocked to that state since Kia and Hyundai set up their factories there in recent years.

They number over 100,000. and here’s a hint: The Korean church plays a major role in spurring voter registration and turnout.

Trump, of course, wouldn’t bother with this kind of outreach. The GOP presidential candidate kicked Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos out of a primary-election rally for confronting him on his overt racism, and “The Donald” drives on being divisive, repeatedly playing the

xenophobia card.

Demographic shifts are underway. after the 2020 Census, the map of america will turn bluer than ever before, as more minorities register to vote. But for now, in the age of slim margins, when this historic election could result in outrageous fortunes, one wonders if the Democrats are doing all they can to turn beige states to blue. Speaking a little Tagalog and Vietnamese might help. *** Andrew Lam is an editor at New America Media and the author of three books, “Birds of Paradise Lost,” a short story collection, a book of essays, “East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres,” and a memoir: “Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora.” He is working on a second book of short stories and a novel.

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Purisima seeks Sandigan’s permission to visit son in US

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

In response to the prosecutor’s opposition to his travel bid, dismissed Philippine national Police (PnP) chief Alan Purisima pleaded the Sandiganbayan to allow him to visit his son in the United States.

Purisima has a standing hold departure order (HDO) filed on last May 16 by the Sandiganbayan 6th Division while his graft case is being heard.

He was charged with graft over the PnP’s allegedly anomalous courier deal with Werfast Documentary Agency in 2011, along with 16 other co-respondents.

The HDO prevents an individual from departing the country but allows an accused to travel abroad upon securing permission from the court.

According to Purisima, his scheduled flight was booked way back in March.

In his travel motion, Purisima asked the court’s permission to visit his son Jason Arvi from Sept.

5 to 27. His son is currently studying at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California.

“Section 6, Article III of the

1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the right of every individual to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety or public health. Accused Purisima humbly submits that his travel abroad does not, in any means, impair the interest of national security, public safety or public health,” the motion read.

“Accused has been in service with the government for more than 38 years, and during that period, accused never had the opportunity to spend time with his entire family.”

Purisima stressed that his visit abroad could be used to make up for lost time with his family, especially when the accused has “dedicated his life to the service of the country,” pointing out that family, as a basic unit of society, should be given primary importance.

However, the prosecution argued that there is no urgency for Purisima to leave the country and visit his son.

“From the tenor and import of accused’s motion, no urgent or compelling reason can be discerned to justify the grant of judicial imprimatur thereto. Ac-

cused has not sufficiently shown that there is absolute necessity for him to travel abroad,” the prosecution’s motion read.

The prosecution said that Purisima failed to indicate his itinerary during his 22-day visit to the U.S. as it cannot be proven that he will just be staying at the address indicated in his motion.

“Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court to deny the present motion for utter lack of merit,” Aside from Purisima, HDOs were also given to PnP officials Eduardo Acierto, nelson Bautista, Sonia Calixto, napoleon Estilles, Lenbell Fabia, Gil Meneses, Allan Parreño, Raul Petrasanta, Melchor Reyes, Ford Tuazon and Ricardo Zapata, Jr; and WERFAST incorporators Salud Bautista, Mario Juan, Juliana Pasia, Lorna Perena and Enrique Valerio.

The prosecutors also filed graft against Purisima and dismissed Special Action Force (SAF) commander Getulio napeñas for allegedly violating the police chain of command in the raid “Oplan Exodus” that caused the deaths of 44 elite cops in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015. n

Pacquiao files 3 bills re-imposing...

PAGE A7 t

imposition of the death penalty and increased penalties on certain crimes involving dangerous drugs.

Senate Bill no. 186 seeks to impose the death penalty on the heinous crime of kidnapping.

Senate Bill no. 187 seeks to impose the death penalty on the heinous crime of aggravated rape.

The senator also defined different consequences that criminals will face if not given the death penalty.

According to him, a penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of P1 million to P10 million should be imposed on any person who imports or brings into the country, forces, intimidates, directs, instructs or otherwise cause another person to bring into the country any dangerous drug, including any and all species of opium poppy.

The maximum penalty shall also be imposed upon any person who brings illegal drugs through the use of a diplomatic passport,

diplomatic facilities or any other means involving his official status.

For a drug protectors, the penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of P500,000 to P1 million will be imposed.

A penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of from P1 million to P10 million also awaits a person or group of persons who shall maintain a den, dive or resort where dangerous drugs are used, given away or sold in any form.

A penalty of P1 million to P10 million and a jail term of life imprisonment to death will be imposed upon any person who manufactures any dangerous drug.

The maximum penalty – life imprisonment to death and P10 million fine) – shall also be imposed on any person who possesses any dangerous drugs (10 grams or more of opium, 10 grams or more of morphine, 10 grams or more of heroin, 10 grams of cocaine, 50 grams of shabu, 10 grams of

marijuana and 10 grams of other dangerous drugs or ecstasy or other illegal drugs.

Aside from his proposal to apply the death penalty, Pacquiao also wanted to push better education for the Filipinos.

“Dapat may programa ang gobyerno para hindi maging hadlang ang kahirapan sa pagaaral (The government should have programs to ensure that poverty won’t hinder the student to study),” he said.

When asked if he will be incur more absences in the Senate, Pacquiao replied that he will not make any promises.

“As a Christian, hindi dapat tama yung mangako ka (it’s not right to promise),” he answered.

“For example, nangako kang perfect attendance. Then let’s say nagka-sakit ka, hindi mo na matutupad yung pangako mo (For example, you promised for perfect attendance. Then let’s say, you got sick, then you won’t be able to stand on what you promised).” n

URBAN AGRICULTURE. Sen. Cynthia Villar talks about some of her legislations addressing urban development and practical programs to deal with its challenges such as organic farming, urban agriculture and waste management. The senator was one of the resource speakers during the 2016 International Conference on Urban Development of USAID. She was part of the panel discussion about “Tackling the challenge of Urbanization.”

Senate photo

PAGE A7 t

Federalism pushed in PH...

be comprised of northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro.

Six senators will be elected by each of the 11 federal states, tripling the number of senators to 66.

“Will that be a little too much for a country? no, sir, because the 24 senators, senatorial limit

was conceived at a time when the Philippines only had about 18 to 20 million people,” the elder Pimentel told ABS-CBn news.

Though separated into different states, the country will still continue to have one Constitution, flag and anthem, a central bank, monetary system, foreign policy and armed forces.

“For me, federalism rests on the principle that the smallest unit of government knows what is best for the needs of its constituents,” Koko Pimentel said. “I have always believed that greater autonomy must be granted to the far flung regions of our country that are neglected and left behind in economic development.” n

DNC chronicles: Patriotic virtues of Hillary...

PAGE A8 t

Although in 2012 in Charlotte, there were five Fil-Am delegates, “ Loida nicolas Lewis noted.

America is home to about 4 million Filipino Americans, which should merit by now, more than 15 Fil-Am delegates to the DnC. Clinton may have shattered the glass ceiling, but for us, Asian Americans, the ceiling is bamboo, which must be constantly uprooted. It compels us, Asian Americans voters, to assert ourselves as engaged patriotic citizens to vote during every election.

If we skip the exercise of our voting rights, rely on polls and others to vote, we fail to protect our families, our community interests and our self-interests. We need to vote for ourselves to hold Photos by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz the line and to protect our fami- Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton lies from going backward in acquiring opportunities.

A grandmother articulates why she supports Hillary I ran into a grandmother, Joselyn Geaga-Rosenthal, a business woman who ran for LA City Council years ago. She shared: “My admiration for Hillary started in 1992 when I was a delegate to the DnC. I was a Bill Clinton delegate. I went to a special session during which Guillory and Hillary delivered speeches.

She was talking about important issues about women’s rights and civil rights, but most notable was Melissa Ramoso holding a photo of her her advocating for affordable maternal grandpa, a WW II veteran Hon. Bernie Sanders with his family childcare. This was not a sexy topic at that time. I clapped with neither wasted time nor property. known as “Obamacare.” She has such vigor but was so disappoint- She never violated a trust nor also opened many doors to diploed to see only a handful of other failed to perform a duty. In every macy, when she visited 112 counpeople clapped with me. Hillary domestic trial, she was the most tries as secretary of state.

And she has, without any fanand I are both products of the six- efficient helper, and the tenderest friend. Good mother, farewell.” fare, without any flood lights of ties generation.

Elizabeth Freeman is much like the media, just because she wants Although I am a lifelong democrat, I learned that Hillary started Dorothy (Hillary Clinton’s moth- to do the most good, stood up for as a Republican , like her father. er) who views herself as equal to our Filipino-American World War She was President of the Welles- anyone, and one who taught her II veterans. It prompted Melissa ley College Republicans. But daughter, Hillary, to stand up to Ramoso, a delegate from Los Angeles who works for Rep. Ted the times changed her and she bullies in her school.

Much like her mother Dorothy, Lieu, to share, “For this convenbecame anti-Vietnam war, procivil rights, pro-women’s rights Hillary performed her duties with tion, I am carrying with me a picand campaigned for Eugene Mc- exemplary excellence, that much ture of my maternal Lolo in his Carthy, like I did when I was at of today’s Sec. of State John Ker- Philippine Army uniform. He was UCLA. She delivered a fiery anti- ry’s accomplishments have been a Colonel during WWII and was war speech as her College’s com- paved by the hard work of Hillary, denied his benefits and recogniyet we hardly read about those tion. In college, I would attend mencement speaker.

As first lady, she fought for uni- details — the details of opening the Justice for Filipino American versal health care, for women’s doors for negotiations, or the use Veterans annual marches. My right to choose, she was not about of smart power, blending both lolo asked me why I am still fightto just stay in the White House diplomatic talks and hardcore ing for him. He said, ‘I‘ll never and bake cookies. She is my El- sanctions against Iran to stop its get my recognition.’ He passed away in 2011 and his statement eanor Roosevelt for my genera- nuclear power buildup.

“She does not fight us, she has never left me. When I heard tion, who has withstood attacks that Secretary Clinton stood up for 20 years from the right wing fights for us” Much of our own implicit bi- on the Senate floor fighting for and from our own Democratic candidates. Against the advice of ases come from mainstream and Filipino American and WWII vetthe State Department, when she specialty media that we must do erans’ recognition, I knew she was first lady, she went to China due diligence to inform ourselves was standing up for my Lolo. to the international women’s on how to vote beyond one issue, no other candidate can say they have specifically done that for our conference and spoke about the beyond what our faith tells us.

Just as there is a separation of community.” genocide against baby girls. now After reading Hillary Clinton’s she has challenged the nRA and church and state, we must inform fighting for gun control [safety ourselves as to which candidate emails, Crooks and Liars managing editor Karoli Kuns came to measures.] I look forward to hav- mirrors our values.

Which candidate has served realize: “I found a woman who ing her pave the way for girls who didn’t know they can be president our community’s interests? Do cared about employees who lost you know what Hillary Clinton loved ones. I found a woman of our country.”

Will America break the domi- has done for your family or for who, without exception, took time to write notes of condolence nance of 44 male presidents in your ancestors, for example?

Hillary’s progressive track and notes of congratulations, no the White House?

Taking the words “all men are record and public service have matter how busy she was. I found born free and equal” to heart, converged with our own Asian a woman who could be a tough negotiator and firm in her expecElizabeth Freeman, a slave wom- American values.

“Her lifelong fight and advo- tations, but still had a moment to an, sued to gain her freedom under the Massachusetts consti- cacy for children, families, the write a friend with encouragetution in 1781. Thereby she lib- underrepresented, voiceless and ment in tough times. She worried erated herself from slavery and most vulnerable in our society. over people she didn’t know, and soon, it was a precedent that led She does not fight us, she fights she worried over those she did.”

What touched me was what to the abolition of slavery in the for us. That is why I fight with state of Massachusetts, accord- her, for our children, our fami- Chelsea Clinton said, how she felt lies, our communities, our coun- deeply valued and loved by her ing to Cokie Roberts.

If you visit her tombstone, it try,” said former City of Cerritos mother — a conscientious mother reads, according to Cokie Rob- Mayor Mark Pulido, who was an who before going on road trips, erts, “She was born a slave and at-large alternate delegate for the left Chelsea daily notes, stacked neatly in a special drawer. remained a slave for nearly thirty convention.

Hillary has worked to provide How many moms do this, aside years. She could neither read nor write yet in her own sphere she 8 million children with health from leaving notes, also prepare had no superior or equal. She insurance, the precursor for the u PAGE A11 Affordable Care Act, popularly

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DNC chronicles: Patriotic virtues of Hillary...

PAGE A10 t

meals for families when they leave town to work?

Seldom do you come across balanced observations, highlighting Hillary’s strengths, in parity with men’s strengths, as what Fritz Friedman, president of Fritz Friedman Co. and former senior vice president of worldwide publicity and corporate communications for Sony Pictures, shared.

“But perhaps what were most memorable were the oftentimes very poignant, and heart wrenching speeches by a mother who lost her only child in the Orlando massacre and, of course, the Khans’ speech about their son as well as Mr. Khan’s blistering attack on Trump. In contrast were the stirring speeches of President Obama and his wife Michelle, Joe Biden, President Clinton, VP candidate Tim Kaine and, of course, Sec. Clinton. Their message of hope, inclusion and greatness was in stark contrast to the Republicans themes of darkness, fear and bigotry.

But perhaps the proudest moment for me was seeing the Asian Americans Pacific Island-

ers (AAPI) Elected officials on that stage - the first time Asian Americans have ever took that big stage. And what a statement that optic made. AAPIs are being quickly acknowledged as a major political force in the US political process wielding extraordinary sway in such battleground swing states as Virginia, Pennsylvania and Nevada. I think it is safe to say that this is the moment for AAPIs - and Filipino Americans specifically - to become full partners in the American political process. God Bless America indeed!,” Friedman, who was a member of the DNC’s Standing Committee for Credentials underscored.

Clinton’s nomination is a personal upliftment for Gloria Pulido.

“I was so proud and honored to represent the Filipino-American community and California with my husband, Mark Pulido, as pledged delegates for Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. As a woman and a mother, it was overwhelming that in my lifetime and on my birthday – I witnessed the roll call

vote that officially elected Hillary Clinton as the first female Democratic Presidential nominee,” Gloria Pulido said, a Clinton delegate and staff member to State Treasurer John Chiang.

And to Francey Youngberg, she sees Hillary as an inclusive president, one who will advance AAPIs. “I was born to a traditional Chinese family in Iloilo and my father was the only son so they were very disappointed when I was born because I was not a boy. As I was growing up, they had no interest in me. My mother’s parents and extended family raised me, while my mother studied in the US. My Filipino/ Spanish grandmother always believed in me and she didn’t set boundaries of what girls can and can’t do. So it was especially gratifying to me to see Hillary Clinton be officially nominated as the first woman presidential candidate of a major party. Having graduated from Wellesley (her Alma mater) I have been waiting for that moment since I was marching for the equal rights amendment in college.

History was made at the DNC

Ben de Guzman, Gloria Perlas Pulido, Jackie Conley, Joshua Price, Rep. Ted Lieu, Melissa Ramoso, Meriam Reynosa and Hon. Mark Pulido Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

Convention last week and as she said, ‘When there is no ceiling, the sky is the limit,’” Youngberg shared. *** Footnote: To Asian Journal readers, my DNC Chronicles will be a three-part series of articles, inspired by my very first attendance of a political convention in the U.S. As a Filipina immigrant — born to a teacher and a labor government employee who was orphaned during WWII — who came to America with just $200 in her pocket, I was grateful to attend as

one of the writers for the Asian Journal team, only one of the two specialty media outlets credentialed to represent Filipino Americans.

I have not thought of this as remotely possible, yet, here I am, now a grandmother who experienced her very first Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia from July 25-28, 2016. Thank you, America! *** 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.

A12 august 6-9, 2016 • La WEEKEND asIaN JOuRNaL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal

KathNiel writes poem on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;true Enchong Dee: The key is time management loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in 5th year as love team

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

EnChonG Dee has always been a multi-tasker. Back in the day, he was an actor, a college student, a model and a member of his schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s varsity swimming team who went on to participate in the asian and SEa Games. he acquitted himself well in all those endeavors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he built a reputation as a bankable actor in movies and tV, earned good grades and won over 400 medals as a swimmer.

Enchong has since hung up his Speedos, but he continues to juggle his acting and modeling career with the occasional foray into hosting and singing. In fact, not only has he put out a second album under Star Music called EDM

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla expressed their gratitude as they celebrate the fifth year of their love team. their paths first crossed on the aBS-CBn 2010 primetime series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mara Clara,â&#x20AC;? where they were not yet paired with each other.

It was until the next year when they finally started together on the primetime series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Princess and Iâ&#x20AC;? with Enrique Gil and Khalil ramos. now, Kathryn and Daniel, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are popularly known as Kathniel, celebrating the fifth year of their love team make up one of hottest love teams with new blessings on their way.

Enchong Dee of today. the two actors credit their success to their fans whom they say are relentless in their support.

So now, in time for their upcoming movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barcelona: a Love Untoldâ&#x20AC;? and as the newest brand ambassadors of San Marino Corned tuna, Kathryn and Daniel -/( *VU]LU[PVUHS worked together to dedicate a 7\YJOHZL 9LMPUHUJL poem for fans. the poem â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Found My true Loveâ&#x20AC;? hint at the transition from a reel teamup to a real couple. the two only admitted last month that they are exclusively dating.

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I Found My True Love by dAniel And

PAdillA KAthryn BernArdo

Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing deep within me From the moment that you were with me now I know love is not being alone So, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m giving you more and more now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all because of you that my heart feels so brand new now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready to care, with you I will share My heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alive, baby, when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re together now I found my true love

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(Enchong Dee Moves), but he has also been tapped to host a

show on the Knowledge Channel PAGE B3

Features

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The anguish of a love gone wrong Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

Romanced by fantasies, terrible things are done in the name of love. and when love goes wrong, it could be the most intensifying and painful experience of a lifetime. Secrets, disappointments, betrayal, fantasies, obsession and violence, a treasure trove of memories as well as human experiences shared.

Love in any form manifests itself into varying ways, this narrative is about the myriad colors of passion.

To see a battered woman, it is like nothing you can imagine.

The split lips, a swollen face, misshapen, the colors of a spectacular sunset just before nightfall, in a twilight of every color, blue, yellow, purple — with some of the bruises fading into a yellow green.

These are victims of spousal abuse and assault. Recorded on her chart as “PoSS da” or “Possible domestic abuse.” There would be an “again,” and there always was. What provokes the complex combustion, attraction

and destruction, unexplainable feelings between two people who are connected in way, they will never understand. This is a story of three women, the names I’ll call them are not their own. obscuring their identity to respect their good name is secondary. The primary reason is protect the moonlighter from their wrath, once they realize I’m writing their sad and gruesome stories. They related to me as a cry for help, and on a personal level. I am hoping to help these hapless souls realize that to share their terrible secret, wrapped in shame and silenced in strangled sobs; they will still be respected and have a career, as your moonlighter has.

For agnes, the first time her husband hit her, she was only eighteen. She couldn’t wear a sundress or frolic in the beach the whole summer. The marks of his beatings were like a tattoo. The next night he kissed each spot with his tears, wetting the spots like it would wash it away. He was so sorry, he cried. His sorrow and regret seemed so palpable. She wept with his sorrow more than hers. next morning, they were holding hands, gazing at each other’s eyes, acting like nothing had happened.

Rosa had a 10-year-old daughter who kept her secret. The

AJ Ads 72_Layout 1 7/19/16 2:10 PM Page 1

child had to have heard the countless sounds of the slaps, the thumps of the punches, the birdcall of her mother’s sobs, the sharp intakes of breath in pain.

In the morning her mother tapes herself up, swabbed herself off — as she tried to put her pieces back together again. a repetitive scenario.

She had seen her mother’s bruises, remembers all those countless mornings after the horrible sounds and screams. over at the breakfast table, her father calmly sits, drinking coffee from his favorite mug, her mother coming in, with a breakfast tray filled with garlic fried rice, eggs and longanisa, as though everything was just as it should be. on the outside, angelita looked fine. She was a registered nurse, had a beautiful home, three kids, a husband and a smile. nobody got to see the hitting, which was really the humiliation turned into hatred.

Hatred for her husband and the life she had lost. Her cringing self was afraid to leave. Besides, divorce was a dislocation.

She stayed because she thought things would get better, or at least not worse. She wanted her kids to have a father and she wanted a home. But the real truth, is that fact that she stayed because she loved her husband and no one had ever gotten to her the way he did. He knew and hat is why he made her an accomplice in all the abuses he inflicted.

Three women and their sad, gruesome stories. all these times they told their children they have had broken noses, collarbones, black eyes, split lips by walking into the dining room, in the dark.

They would have gone past some point of no return. They would have killed the child in every kid, the woman in what was left of them. many years ago, I have been in that distant place, where no lights illuminate dreams and fairy tales. But I learned in the process is redemption, your children make it impossible to regret your past.

When you make your choice and everyone tells you that you are doing the right thing - then maybe it is what should be done.

age gracefully

Try a Daring and Delicious Mangosteen Chutney!

Mangosteen Chutney Serves 2–4 Ingredients ½ cup diced onion 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic 1 Tbsp. sunflower oil ¼ cup raw or natural brown sugar ¼ cup apple-cider vinegar 1½ cups mangosteen pulp (from about 6–8 mangosteens) 1 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder ¼ tsp. white pepper 1 bay leaf

When mangosteens are in season, from May to September, I can’t wait to get my hands on some to eat fresh and in my delicious chutney. I know that these exotic treats, sometimes called purple mangosteen, will soon be gone. These beautiful little fruits are about the size of a baseball. Dark purple in color, they have a tough outer shell. The top is crowned with small green leaves and the bottom is stamped with a flowerlike shape. They almost look manufactured, but this is how God makes them.

You have to carefully cut a line around the tough outer pericarp—the fruit wall—with a sharp knife. The pericarp is about a quarter of an inch thick. Once you’ve made a line along its equator, you can pull the two halves of the mangosteen apart to reveal a soft, snowy white interior that is clearly segmented. The largest segment contains a seed, and sometimes the smaller segments contain one also. The juicy flesh is like a pear or a peach with more floral tones. I like to eat the fresh fruit on its own, but I also use the pulp to concoct fun recipes.

The flesh of the mangosteen has antiinflammatory properties and is full of antioxidants, including the FoodTrient vitamin C. Mangosteen rinds contain xanthones, which

kill cancer cells in the lab. More tests are being done with animals and humans to see if the xanthones can work as well when ingested.

My fruit purveyor ships fresh mangosteens from Southeast Asia, but you can purchase them online at www.melissas.com.

I created a chutney recipe for mangosteen pulp that can work equally well with rambutan pulp.

This Mangosteen Chutney recipe is featured in my new cookbook, The AGE BEAUTIFULLY Cookbook, and can be served with cheese and crackers, spread on burgers, or served alongside spicy Indian dishes. The onions supply quercitin, an immune-booster. The ginger can alleviate inflammatory conditions.

If exotic fruits are hard to find in your area, try substituting pears.

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

BY GRACE O

1. Cook onion, garlic, and ginger in sunflower oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until onions are translucent.

2. Add sugar and continue cooking another minute or so until the mixture is sticky.

3. Deglaze the pan by adding the vinegar and scraping down the sides of the pan to remove any sticky bits.

4. Add mangosteen pulp and the rest of the ingredients. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring often, until the chutney is thick and bubbly.

AJPress photos by Andy Tecson and Ding Carreon, ABS-CBN photos by Sthanlee Mirador

‘Rock The Runway’ Filipino designer Rocky Gathercole showcases stellar designs to raise funds for street children avaLon, one of Hollywood’s best and most historic landmarks that hosted the first West coast performance of The Beatles in 1964 and voted Best dance club by La Weekly last year, pulsated with theatrical excitement, imagination, energy and magic as avant-garde Filipino designer Rocky Gathercole unveiled his electrifying collection before hundreds Thursday, July 28 at “Rock The Runway,” a fashion fundraiser for Bantay Bata (child Watch), an aBS-cBn Foundation International program for abused children.

Presented by Lifestyle network in cooperation with For The Stars Fashion House, “Rock The Runway” drew enthusiastic support not only from Filipino americans but from the

larger Los angeles community as well. Hosted by award-winning actor dante Basco and emmywinning writer-producer Keesa ocampo and directed by awardDOT-LA Director Richmond Jimenez, Trini winning concert, Tv and film director John-d Lazatin, the show Foliente and Cora Aragon-Soriano also delivered strong live musical performances from cellist matthew John Ignacio, versatile performer Francesca camus and two-man rock band The dose with Indio downey and Ralph alexander.

Gathercole, who was featured in the Asian Journal’s mdWK magazine last april, boasts an extensive list of Hollywood clients. including Katy Perry, nicki minaj, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, carrie Underwood and ariana Grande.

Matthew John Ignacio plays cello

The show was sponsored by cao cosmetics USa, Paul mitchell School Pasadena, Seafood city, endless Possibilities campaign, asian Journal, Weekend Balita, US asian Post and vegas Buffet. donors included Kabayan, PPce, Sabcor, Unistar Foods, Inc., Trinity Foliente, evelyn andamo, mr & mrs Joey cruz, dr. and mrs. manuel Baculi, nataly Stuessy, Squid Printing, ed Borral and Family, Perla Santos, elena Lapid, vic Perez and cherry’s Salon. The show also acknowledged the Philippine consulate General of Los angeles, myx Tv, Beck media, croshal entertainment Group, LLc, Ted Benito, mildred deang, nelson anderson and Lem Balagot of La Rose café.

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Miss Universe to young girls: ‘Enjoy being a teenager’

By Joseph

Almer B. pedrAJAs AJPress

MISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach attended Miss Teen USA 2016 pageant held at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas last Saturday, July 30, where she told the young contestants to “enjoy being a teenager.”

Wearing a floral gown designed

by Sherri Hill, Wurtzbach stunned the mostly American crowd as the pageant’s host Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and actor Cody Johns introduced her.

Jordan, Wurtzbach’s former roommate, asked the reigning beauty queen her advice for the next Miss Teen USA. “My advice for the next Miss Teen USA [is] don’t rush into growing up. Enjoy being a teenager!” Wurtzbach answered, drawing cheers from the audience.

She added, “The judges will choose a girl tonight based on

who they think is the perfect fit to be a role model for girls. Well, not just girls, but anybody your age.”

Together with Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik and Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, Wurtzbach crowned Karlie Hay from Texas as Miss Teen USA 2016.

Wurtzbach praised Hay for choosing to talk about peer pressure during the question and answer round.

“I loved that you weren’t hesitant with how the way you answered. Like some girls would be a little bit hesitant to say the words drugs or peer pressure,” she told Hay. ‘I am very happy’ On the other hand, Wurtzbach noted that she is “very happy” with her reign as the Miss Universe.

“I am very happy that I go to all these countries, learning

Miss Universe 2015 during the Miss Teen USA pageant held last Saturday, July 30 in Las Vegas.

Photo from Miss Universe Facebook page

about culture, learning about the people… it’s all about a good thing,” she said.

The beauty queen also boasted that she has advocated for HIV awareness during her reign.

“I’m finally able to talk more about my advocacy, which is HIV awareness,” she announced, “just recently I had myself tested publicly… to lessen the stigma.”

Enchong Dee: The key is time...

PAGE B1 called “AgriCOOLture.”

According to the Knowledge Channel’s official website, the show aims to educate people — primarily eighth and ninth grade students — on the country’s top agricultural fields. Enchong said he was thrilled when the opportunity to do the show came along because he grew up on the Knowledge Channel’s programs, and he’s eager to share them with a new generation of students.

“Naging parte po siya ng childhood ko,” Enchong told reporters at a press conference at which the Knowledge Channel’s new programming slate was announced.

“I’m very happy that I was chosen

by Knowledge Channel to be part of this. I’m sure it’s going to be fun and interesting.”

According to Enchong, these days, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, kids name many jobs — call center agent, doctor, lawyer, nurse — all except those in the agricultural sector. He says this is primarily because they don’t believe a career in agriculture would pay enough for them to live on. That, Enchong explains, is exactly what his show will disprove.

“Dito sa AgriCoolture, ini-encourage namin ang mga bata na hindi lang mga big buildings, call

centers or iba pang malalaking kumpanya ang pwedeng maging daan para magkaroon sila ng magandang kinabukasan,” he said. “Nagulat ako nung minsang nag-taping ako sa Costales Nature Farms. May nakilala nga ako doon who earns P5M a month. So yun, ini-encourage namin ang mga bata by showing them na maraming magandang oportunidad ang pwedeng maidulot sa kanila ng agriculture. I hope after watching, the kids will be encouraged to try their hand in agriculture. It is actually a very stable business. At the same time, the income is stable as well.”

All talk of money aside, Enchong said there are other benefits to pursuing a career in agriculture.

“Well, besides the income, you can also have fun while doing the process. Yung pag-tatanim, hindi siya mahirap. Ipapakita din namin sa show na kahit nasa urban places ka, pwede ka pa rin mag-tanim.

You can have a farm in your balcony or in your veranda, and you will enjoy the process. Because the next thing you know, you have fresh and organic food. Alam mong sa ‘yo nanggaling at ikaw mismo ang nag-alaga. So if you go into agriculture, you can earn and at the same time be healthy.

Yun ang maganda sa ipapakita namin sa AgriCOOLture.”

Enchong isn’t just paying lip service when he talks of the benefits of agriculture. When he was a boy growing up in Naga, his mother ran a piggery and a poultry business. “Lumaki ako na laging may manok na kinakatay sa bahay namin. Ganun yung childhood ko.

Hindi malayo na bumalik kami sa ganung negosyo in the future, kasi may background na kami kung paano magpatakbo ng babuyan at poultry,” he said.

These days, Enchong’s plate is full of tapings for “AgriCOOLture,” mall shows to promote his album and a healthy movie career (his latest, the romantic horror-comedy I Love You to Death under Regal Films). Enchong shared that the secret to doing many things and doing them well — at least as far as he’s concerned — is time management.

“Well, sa akin kasi when I was studying sa Naga, naging maganda yung childhood ko kasi scholar ako ng local government noon. But I had to make sure maganda yung grades ko at hindi ko rin napapabayaan yung sport ko, which is swimming. Yun yung naging responsibility ko noon. I was studying, swimming and working. It’s possible — you just have to be responsible and manage your time well.”

'JMJQJOP 57 #PY

ENCORE EPISODE: A REAL-LIFE TELESERYE FOR CHRISTOPHER AND SANDY, TO REUNITE THEIR SICK SON WITH HIS CHILD, ON A SPECIAL EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Philippine showbiz icons Christopher De Leon & Sandy Andolong put their careers on hold to care for their cancer-stricken son, Miguel. Apart from this heartbreaking ordeal, Christopher and Sandy were able to bring Miguel’s child from the Philippines to the U.S., as a green card holder, to be with his ailing father, through the help of their immigration lawyer, Atty. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on August 7 Sunday at 6:15 pm PST/EST on TFC.

B August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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Aiza Seguerra: I won’t tolerate bullying

By Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

AIzA Seguerra said he won’t tolerate any form of bullying directed towards his wife Liza Diño, especially through social media.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, Aiza made series of posts about cyberbullying on his Instagram account.

He first posted a screenshot of the Facebook account of the person bullying Liza, followed

by a statement.

He said in the statement that people who bully others especially in social media shouldn’t be tolerated.

“These people need to be held accountable sa kanilang mga aksyon at mga pananalita,” Aiza said.

“Cyberbullying destroys people’s lives at kailangan natin labanan ito,” he added.

Aiza reiterated this in an interview on Tuesday, after the Aiza Seguerra won’t tolerate any form of bullying directed to his wife Liza Diño.

press launch of the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” album where he’s one of the collaborators.

“Siguro ang akin lang, when it’s my wife, it is a totally different thing,” Aiza explained about making a statement about cyberbullying. “I think most of us na may asawa maintindihan nila, ako tirahin nila wala akong pakialam. When it comes to my wife, siguro do’n lang ang ‘di ko kinakaya.”

The Kapamilya singer-actress also feels “responsible” over the bullying his wife is experiencing since she chose to be with him.

Aside from defending his wife, Aiza said the post is to serve as a reminder for everyone that “we’re all for freedom, but freedom comes with responsibility and accountability.”

“If you don’t know how to be responsible and accountable with your actions, then I don’t think you deserve that freedom,” he said.

Despite the bullying they’re encountering as a couple, Aiza said they’re not discouraged to use social media. Instead, he wants them to be an inspiration for those who are bullied and are part of the LGBT community to stand out for themselves.

“Para sa amin kasi may sampu man mangutya, may ma-inspire lang kaming dalawa na magcome out, na sabihin nila na dahil kay Aiza at Liza naging matatag ako, ang puso ko, kahit may nangungutya I will still come out. Enough na ‘yon sa akin,” he said.

He added, “It’s also my way of telling people who are being bullied na to stand up for themselves. ‘Wag nilang hayaan na mangyari din ‘to, and sa pamilya ng nabu-bully, ‘wag n’yo rin hayaan na mangyari ito sa mga taong mahal ninyo.”

AJPress photos by Gemma Fabro

Palawan: the most beautiful island in the world

By Monet

Lu

I’vE been to so many places.

Stories about my international exploits occupy a significant amount of coverage in my column. Traveling soothes my soul and makes me appreciate life. It causes me to discover the beauty in any city, town or island that I’ve been.

Such was my goal when I read that Palawan was voted the best island in the world by readers of a leading travel magazine.

Palawan claimed the top spot with over 76,000 votes in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards for 2015. votes attributed primarily to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, which is one of the top natural wonders of the world. At nearly five miles in length, it is the longest underground river in Asia and the second longest in the world. visitors on guided boat tours travel through a subterranean cave system featuring large chambers, stalactites and stalagmites.

I have never been to Palawan but I’ve always wanted to go. I began reading about this hidden paradise. The island boasts crystal clear waters, incredible beaches, wonderful people and amazing food.

It is surprising that Palawan is just getting all this attention now, despite the province’s extraordinary beaches and hiking and diving spots.

It was once named one of the best islands in the world by National Geographic Traveler. This is not the first time Palawan was in the limelight. The province received the coveted No.1 spot in 2013. A recognition that isn’t far-fetched.

There, beautiful blue water mixes with emerald green, junglefilled mountains that appear to rise up from the ocean, and small fishing villages dot the island. visitors are greeted with mountains rising out of impossibly turquoise waters, where shipwrecks and reefs make for prime scuba diving and snorkeling. “Palawan is every beach lover’s dream destination,” said one voter, who regarded it as a “wonderful and magical place.”

It is home to one of the most amazing locations for snorkeling

The Global Kababayan

and diving. A popular spot for undersea adventures called the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is the province’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Described as “the last frontier,” Palawan has artifacts that date back 50,000 years. The island is accessible by either boat or airplane — it’s about an hour and a half by air from Manila— although you can also get there from Iloilo and Cebu. Many say the ideal time to head to Palawan is between October and May. Prepare yourself because a load of outdoor activities awaits you. Go island-hopping around the Bacuit archipelago for the cliffs, sinkholes and lagoons. Scuba diving — we suggest Coron Bay as the bottom of it is the best spot to scuba dive — or venture to Puerto Princesa for its culinary delights and stay in one of Coron’s luxury hotels.

Do not be surprised to see some incredible (and rare) wildlife around the islands. Purple crabs, Philippine mouse-deer, Philippine pangolin and beautiful butterflies are just a few of the amazing creatures you’ll find in this place. Just be sure to avoid the creepy-looking Palawan bearcat at night.

Nature has its way of making us swoon. And if you’re like me who would travel to the ends of the world to experience nature at its finest, I definitely suggest putting Palawan on your bucket list. It has always been on mine, along with Bohol and Boracay, both of which

I visited when I went back to the Philippines.

After having explored Rome, Spain and Italy this year, I decided that my next trip would be more of a “back to basics” type of exploration. As a yearly tradition when I go to the Philippines, I wanted to check out what our country is known for: our world-class islands and amazing beaches.

I feel so proud of the recognition that Palawan received and not because it is undeserving — quite the opposite, actually. It is such a great feeling knowing that our islands are among those that the world think about when they need to be out there and experience what crystal clear waters can do to your soul. Palawan indeed has so much to offer. I would say congratulations are in order but I have a better idea — one that involves spelling “congratulations” with a diving gear on.

Stay tuned for my very own “National Geographic” adventure on paper. ***

Ninja Warrior” Fil-Am competitor Natalie Duran shares her inspiring story. ***

the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.

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 allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Programming of Kababayan Today, August 8- 12, 2016

G. TönGi Monday, august 8 - Get to know about Ruby Theatre’s latest offering, “As Straw Before the Wind.” This new Felix Racelis drama tells the story of a Filipina nurse who runs a convalescent home while living through World War II. Tuesday, august 9 - Young Filipina-American soccer players visit the show.

Wednesday, august 10 - Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and Mia Mcleod of McLeod and Associates gives real estate advice.

Thursday, august 11 - Nicanor comes to the show to discuss Cebu EcoTourism.

Friday, august 12 - “American

Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipino’s living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only

Lea Salonga takes Jessy Mendiola’s side amid online bashing

LEA Salonga put her two cents in the issue that has been pounding Jessy Mendiola ever since she was hailed as FHM’s sexiest woman this year.

Jessy has gotten body shaming insults from people who think that she didn’t deserve the title. The criticisms were further fueled after the actress mentioned Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

“Talo ko pa si Pia Wurtzbach,” she said during the victory party at the valkyrie Nightclub.

In Lea’s Facebook post, she said she thinks Jessy Mendiola is one of the sexiest people she has ever seen and it has nothing to do with how she appeared on the outside. She further added that being sexy is what’s in you.

Jessy Mendiola

Lea is not the only one who defended the actress. Reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach also responded to the rescue by

saying Jessy is just ecstatic about her achievement and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.

(Philstar.com)

EntErtainmEnt

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MCCN Inaugural organizer spearheaded by President & CEO Nik Gupta (center) together with Pedro Ramirez, MCCN Community Outreach Manager (right) and Magdalena Almira, MCCN Accounting & Business Office Manager.

Mission City Community Network Inaugural and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Aug. 10th

NORTH HILLS - Mission City Community Network (MCCN), a full service non-profit community health network announces its Sepulveda Clinic Inaugural and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 10, 2016, 10 am at 8527 Sepulveda Blvd., CA 91343.

The event celebrates the National Health Center Week and is MCCN’s response to the population needs of the multicultural community in the San Fernando Valley — to provide low-income and uninsured individuals with access to primary care, health screenings, and education and health and social-welfare referrals.

Congressman Tony Cardenas of the 29th District of the House of Representatives is the inaugural guest of honor and speaker.

Mr. Jeff Gorell, Deputy Mayor of Mayor Eric Garcetti, Ms. Amy Wiese, Community Benefit Manager of Kaiser Permanente, Ms. Alyssa Shinto, Program Associate, Federal Affairs from National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in Washington, D.C., and Ms. Susan Allen, Interim Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, Northeast, are also honored

guests and speakers.

Other dignitaries attending the event are Consul Mary Joy Ramirez of the Philippine Consulate along with Consul General Pablo Mario Ordonez of Honduras, Consul General Sylvia Ugalde of Costa Rica, Consul General Mercedez Lopez Pena of El Salvador, Consul Alberto Hart of Peru and Consul Vinanda Vannasin of Royal Thai Consulate.

Mr. Nik Gupta, MCCN President and Chief Executive Officer says, “our mission is to provide, advocate and model quality health care and social services for the uninsured and low income families in communities across Southern California.” The 20,000 sq. ft. threestory Sepulveda clinic is part of MCCN’s expanded healthcare programs offering a wide range of services to meet the needs of San Fernando Valley community. “Medical, dental and behavioral health care services will be centralized within this new state-of the-art medical facility,” says Mr. Gupta.

The MCCN Sepulveda Health Clinic is made possible by the five million grant received from

the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Affordable Health Care Act, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a primary Federal agency improving health and achieving health equity through access to quality services. Also A $500,000 grant by Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California Community Benefit program supported the clinic construction and medical equipment.

Pedro Ramirez, MCCN Outreach Manager, says “what is significant about MCCN programs is that it is a partnership that enjoys the power of an entire health community and would greatly advance its goals of providing health access in the community we serve.” In reaching out to the community, MCCN also operates a Mobile Clinic, a community health center on wheels, which provides direct health screening services, access to health care and continuum of care to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals, says Mr. Ramirez.

For more information on the Inauguration, please call MCCN (818) 895-3100 Ext. 639.

“Passport to Heavenly Eternal Life”: A story about the pathway to heaven Camilo Graza writes about faith and navigating temptations Filipino-American lay preacher and retired mechanical engineer Camilo Graza describes his vision of a pathway to heaven in his new book, “Passport to Heavenly Eternal Life” published by Outskirts Press.

Sharing his Christian faith in both the Philippines and America, his first published literary effort compiles his insights after decades of evangelism, and urges readers to look past their “shortlived and temporary” lives.

“Nobody dies,” said Graza in an interview with the Asian Journal.

“People spend eternity in either heaven or hell.”

He warns people to live virtuously on earth so they might secure salvation in the afterlife and escape eternal damnation. His book explores the pitfalls of the seven deadly sins and encourages individuals to consider themselves as spiritual entities. Graza also says the kingdom of heaven starts on Earth and that people need to align their own moral being with the spirit of Christ in order to attain immortality.

“We are all sinners,” said the 82-year-old lay preacher, but he says humble repentance can deliver the faithful from original sin.

In his book, Graza stresses the importance of learning to fear God. He expounds on the benefits of wisdom in navigating temptations. The devout Christian says gaining self-control and resisting temptation, evil and bad habits are the first steps in fulfilling spiritual transformation.

As Proverbs 9:10 phrases it: “The

fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Graza hopes others from all faiths will build from his observations and find guidance and healing.

He emphasizes spirituality over religiosity. Fervent allegiance to a specific religion is less important than cultivating a one-on-one spiritual connection with God, according to Graza. He calls that link a “prelude to immortality” that permits the faithful to establish the kingdom of heaven in their hearts.

Graza had initially wanted to write his first book about the loves of his life.

However, when symptoms of sciatica rendered him bedridden, he transformed his convalescence into an opportunity to refocus his faith.

“Passport to Heavenly Eternal Life” was conceived during that reflective period in his life.

According to Revelations 21:7 “He who overcomes will inherit all …”

For Graza, overcoming means learning to be happy and allowing one’s spiritual connection to God to touch the world around them.

Today, Graza advises people in matters of retirement, pensions and estate planning, and is a member of the Insurance Million Dollar Round Table Organization in addition to advocating his faith.

More information and Copies of “Passport to Heavenly Eternal Life” are available at the author’s website: www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore/PassporttoHeavenlyEternalLife

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Guyabano: Changing lives, one at a time

Patrick Bagat and Ralph Ayers

Air Care Saver: Your guide to home comfort

TODAY, weather patterns happen in extremes. Scientists have warned that wherever you are, people can expect hotter summers and colder winters. Because of this, ensuring the comfort of your home becomes central to you and your family’s health.

To relieve yourself from the discomfort of severe weather changes, what you need is a dependable heating ventilation and air-condition (HVAC) system and a provider that will help it adapt as the season changes.

Filipino-owned Air Care Saver has a team of highly-trained professionals who offer heating and air conditioning repairs, new installations, heat pumps, air

handlers, AC and Furnace tuneups, duct work, indoor air quality, ventilation and maintenance for residential customers.

The company provides HVAC system repair, maintenance, and installation throughout the West Covina, San Gabriel Valley, Orange Country, Inland Empire and Los Angeles areas.

From ductless mini splits to zoning system to Wi-Fi digital thermostats, hospital grade filtration and UV germicidal lights—all services are covered to match any of the client’s needs. Installations of duct work systems, whole house fans, and cool ventilations are also included in many of their versatile services.

To ensure and protect each client’s property, clean-cut technicians go through an intensive background check. Estimations for a new home comfort system are offered for free with full benefits. Schedules are always met and Air Care Saver makes sure that they arrive at an appointment on time.

Ralph Ayers, owner of Air Care Saver, is always willing to speak to new customers about how much more comfortable you can get at home through your HVAC system.

“If you need service on your A/C and Heating unit call Ralph at Air Caresaver,” Gonzalez L. Downey shared on Yelp. “Our old unit needed to be upgraded.

He showed us many different brands and prices so that we could compare them. Once we decided on a unit. He worked very quickly.”

Bad credit? No credit? No problem! Upgrade your current HVAC system now with Air Care Saver for as low as $99 per month.

Low prices and flexible financing options are also guaranteed for maintenance and repair services.

Call Air Saver today at 1(800) 847-0877 or visit www.aircaresaver.com to set an appointment.

(Advertising Supplement)

A NUMBER of fruits found in the Philippines have been touted as power fruits: the coconut, pineapple, mango and banana.

But studies show that guyabano (sometimes called soursop), also has superior properties that may be naturally antiviral, antiparasitic and may additionally suppress inflammation, according to an article published by the San Francisco Chronicle.

In a study published in the September 2015 edition of the American Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, it was found that the coumarin fraction of guyabano extract has significant antioxidant and anti-uricemic activities. Researchers further cited that laboratory studies have found that guyabano extracts can kill certain types of liver and breast cancer cells that are resistant to particular chemotherapy drugs, although there have not yet been any large-scale studies in humans.

The benefits of guyabano can be enjoyed directly through the fruit itself and now in capsules, offered by a Southern California-

based company called Natural Vitamin Source. It provides consumers with three products that help boost the immune system: Natural guyabano leaf and stem capsules. This dietary supplement is made from the natural leaf & stem of the guyabano tree.

Each capsule contains a phytochemical called Annonaceous acetogenins that support healthy cell growth and functions.

Natural guyabano advanced formula. The capsules in this product contain a unique blend of natural guyabano that is rich in vitamins and minerals, including natural Vitamin C and E, selenium, red raspberry extract, curcumin, beta-glucan, cat’s claw, garlic, Korean ginseng, lycopene, quercetin, pine bark, grape seed, pomegranate, essiac tea complex, AHCC, mushroom complex, ARA-6 and olive leaf extract.

Natural guyabano advanced formula chewable. All properties in these vitamins are identical to the regular advanced formula, except the capsules are more easily swallowable. Although the

product name suggests these are chewables, they must be taken with water, as the ingredients contained in the supplement are too strong for the capsules to be chewed.

These guyabano products are made in the United States and are made in a facility registered under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The owner of Natural Vitamin Source is passionate about his business and working towards finding a cure or remedy for cancer because of the passing of some of his close friends who were diagnosed with cancer.

He’s determined and dedicated to this cause and hopes that this new product will help make a difference in the lives of others.

Asian Journal readers can take advantage of guyabano health benefits by ordering the dietary supplements online athttp://www.naturalguyabano. com/ with a special 25 percent discount and free shipping by entering the code asianjournal at checkout.

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Richard Poon to singers, actors: Collaborate, don’t compete

By Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

RICHARD Poon believes that singers and actors can collaborate instead of compete to excel in the music industry.

This is the reason why he is open to helping actors who want to crossover to the music scene.

“My manager taught us na they can fill Araneta faster as we can, so they have something you don’t,” explained Richard, pertaining to the lesson taught by his manager Erickson Raymundo in an interview on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

“Instead of complaining, aralin mo kung anong mayro’n sila [actors] and what you can learn from it and maybe in collaboration you

can feed on each other,” he said.

However, when it comes to giving acting a chance, Richard said he would rather not try such.

“I don’t plan to [do acting],” he said. “May isa lang siguro, ‘yong ‘Kimmy Dora’ kasi ‘yong boss ko ang producer. Cameo role lang naman, nasa eroplano kami and nagserve ako ng drinks, attendant ako. Besides that no acting.”

Richard will have a concert with Richard Yap dubbed “Richard x Richard: The Chinito Crooners” which will happen on August 26 at The Theater in Solaire Casino and Resort.

Aside from a concert, they’re also collaborating in a love songfilled album.

Richard Poon believes that singers and actors shouldn’t compete in the music industry and instead collaborate and learn from each other.

Charo Santos-Concio shares secret of ‘MMK’

by Joyce Jimenez

It features inspiring stories by the Filipinos for 25 years now, THE drama anthology “Maa- which is being hosted by Charo laala Mo Kaya” is one of the TV Santos-Concio.

When asked what she thinks shows that has been followed by is the secret of their show, Charo the public every Saturday. replied, “Hindi dahil sa akin kung hindi dahil sa mga kuwentong ibinahagi sa programa.”

She also pointed out that it was not an easy journey for their show.

In those 25 years, she said, “‘MMK’ has gone through its ups and downs. It’s not like a program that faired from the challenges of the competition.

Mayro’n din siyang maraming challenges, pero sa awa ng Diyos hindi kami tinalikuran ng mga manonood.”

In the past few months, Charo had the chance to get up close and personal with some Filipino overseas workers (OFWs), the Charo Santos-Concio said their show draws ones who often send in letters strength and inspiration from the life stories of their letter-senders. to their show.

During those moments in through to be able to survive in Madrid, Spain and Hong Kong, a foreign land, to be able to take she heard stories of struggles the pain of being separated from encountered by OFWs. their children, and lahat ng hirap “Isang tanong ko lang po sa nila, lahat ng hard work, pagpukanila ng ‘kamusta kayo?’ tuluy- puyat only to give better quality tuloy nang nagkukuwento ng of life to their families.” kanilang buhay,” she recalled.

“They talk about the pain of “The challenges that they went being separated, and yet I don’t Philstar.com

hear them talking about coming back home,” Charo said.

Yet after hearing their stories, she realized that “they have found peace elsewhere.”

“Some of them said, ‘well, you know, we’ve met so many kind employers who made us part of their families. Naging miyembro kami ng pamilya nila, tinuring kaming kapamilya. Naikot namin ang buong mundo dahil sa kanila, so to repay them for their kindness hindi namin sila maiwan,’” she recalled.

She added, “‘Yong iba naman sinasabi, ‘okay naman na, napatapos na namin ang mga anak namin. May pamilya na sila, nakapagpatayo na kami ng maliit na bahay, nakapagbigay na kami ng kaunting business na tricycle, sari-sari store, jeepney.

Okay na kasi nahanap ko naman na ang pagkatao ko dito.’”

No matter how ironic it may sound, Charo said these OFWs felt that “when they’re able and ready to come back home, they have found peace elsewhere.”

These inspiring stories were translated by Charo, with the help of Jonathan Manalo of Star Music, through the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” commemorative album titled “MMK Life Songs.”

Screenshot of Teen Vogue page

JaDine tandem featured in ‘Teen Vogue’

By AlixAndrA

cAole Philstar.com

VilA

US-based magazine “Teen Vogue” finally released their article featuring Philippines’s favorite celebrity couple, James Reid and Nadine Lustre.

Titled “James Reid and Nadine Lustre Are the Filipino Love Team You Need to Know,” the write-up tells the story of how the two won over the hearts of the Filipino community and how their on-cam romance transcended to reality.

“James and Nadine say they never tried to be anything they weren’t and this transparency is what set them apart from other love teams. A partnership that started out as a mere example

of what the ideal love looks like transformed into a real, undeniable romance that the country fell head over heels for,” the article said.

James and Nadine first appeared together in a music video in 2013.

“After that music video, nothing really happened…[until] our first movie,” James told the magazine, referring to their hit movie “Diary ng Panget.” “That’s when the JaDine love team started, the fans made the name,” the article read.

It took two years before “real feelings” finally kicked in. Last February 20, James summoned the guts to tell the whole world

about their real status. It happened during their concert “JaDine in Love.” While longtime fans rejoiced over it, some others criticized them for being too public about it, saying it might have been just a publicity stunt to boost their careers. Regardless, they admitted they are both happy and it does not matter what other people think.

The pair was interviewed by the publisher during the D.C. Washington leg of their world tour dubbed as “JaDine High On Love.”

Viva Artist Agency which handles the celebrity couple has previously shared a photo taken during the interview.

Features

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Lourdes Garcia celebrates her birthday with style Lourdes Garcia chose a very appropriate date for her birthday celebration: February 14.

In a very stylish event complete with a media wall, video presentation and a fantastic Valentine show of singers and dancers, Lourdes celebrated her birthday with family and friends at the very swanky dream wedding banquet hall in Los Angeles.

Lourdes Garcia chose a very appropriate date for her birthday celebration: February 14.

In a very stylish event complete with a media wall, video presentation and a fantastic Valentine show of singers and dancers, Lourdes celebrated her birthday with family and friends at the very swanky dream wedding banquet hall in Los Angeles.

The Birthday Party was attended by who’s who in the FilAm community with the likes of Mohammed Selami, Cecilia Ramos of Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council, Virgelia Villegas of the Miss Asia USA,

Lou Razon of the Miss Philippines USA, and a big group of media friends, among others.

The fabulous event started with Lourdes’s entrance in the hall in a glamorous white serpentina gown designed by Lou Razon and styled by the Eyes of Beauty stylist Lea Spencer. She was escorted by the dashing Dr Mohammed Selami The event’s master of ceremonies was event and concert producer Vic Perez and he produced the show with an array of great artists and performers with two opening acts by Juno Rada, an American Idol finalist, andfollowed by Tenor and

Lourdes Garcia and Dr. Mohamed Sellami Chief of Cardiac Surgery Kaiser Permanente

Beverly Hills Socialite Jon Paul Puno.

The main Valentine show presented the amazing voices of the Harana Men’s Chorus singing beautiful standard love songs and Original Pilipino Music medley.

Vocal coach and songstress Annie Nepomuceno serenaded the crowd with Frank Sinatra favorites and a Carol King medley.

The surprising highlight was the belly dancing couple, Prinz Andrew and Breana, who took the audience to middle eastern style of dancing at the dance floor.

It was a grand celebration, a big event opener in the Filipino-American community circles for this year.

Marlon Christian Garcia and Lourdes Garcia

From left to right: Nana, Lourdes Garcia, Karine, Marie Florentina and husband

Trini, Ciamara, Dr. Mohamed Sellami, Virginia Villegas, Lourdes Garcia and Philip Heart

Lourdes Garcia and Ciamara being serenaded by Harana Singers

Lourdes Garcia, Trini and friends

Alex Ocampo family and friends

B August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly & nanCy Miller In 2013 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) began allowing people to apply for a waiver of their unlawful presence before they departed the United States. This waiver was limited, but it still changed so many lives for the better. The waiver has now been greatly expanded, and this change is sure to benefit even more families who are simply trying to pursue the American dream.

Before discussing the expansion of the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, we should first discuss how the waiver works. As a general rule, in order to complete processing for a green card while in the United States, the applicant must be in status. That means s/he must have entered the United States with inspection (with papers) and their visa must still be valid. Two exceptions exist. An intending immigrant who is the spouse, parent or child (under 21) of a United States citizen may complete processing in the United States if they entered with papers even if the visa has expired.

And one who is grandfathered under Section 245(i) of the InA may complete processing in the United States as long as they pay the $1,000 penalty. All others, including those who entered as a fiancé of a United States citizen and did not marry their petitioner, must return to their home country and complete the processing for their green card at the U.S. Consulate.

While this is obviously inconvenient, it is potentially much more than that. Because the foreignborn individual who has resided in the U.S. without lawful immigration status triggers an automatic unlawful presence 3-year or 10year bar from returning to the U.S. as soon as they depart the country.

A person subject to this bar may only apply for a waiver if they have a U.S. citizen or green card holding parent or spouse who would suffer extreme hardship if the applicant cannot return in less than

Expansion of the provisional unlawful presence waiver 10 years. Historically, the noncitizen could only request a waiver of the unlawful presence bar after they left the U.S., thereby guaranteeing that they would be separated from their family, employment, and overall life in the U.S. for potentially a year or more.

However, as stated above, in 2013 the USCIS took steps to alleviate these unnecessary break-up of families for such an extended period of time. The USCIS began to allow individuals to apply for a waiver of their unlawful presence before they ever left this country.

They still ultimately had to leave the U.S. and apply for permanent residence status abroad, but the amount of time they were separated from their families was reduced from months or years into mere weeks, or sometimes even days.

While the enactment of the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver was great progress, it was not perfect. Unfortunately, it was limited to certain people, such as spouses of U.S. citizens or to those who had a parent that was a U.S. citizen.

But now, ALL beneficiaries of an approved Immigrant Visa Petition are eligible to apply for a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver so long as they can demonstrate hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent. It does not matter if the petition was filed by a parent for a married son or daughter, by a child for their parent, or even by an employer, or any other category. Applicants in these categories were not even eligible to apply before this expansion!

Remember, simply having an

acceptable qualifying relative (U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent) is not sufficient. To be granted the waiver, the applicant must establish that their qualifying relative would suffer “extreme hardship” if the applicant was not granted the waiver and permanent resident status.

As with all waivers, the burden is on the applicant to prove that he or she is eligible. And, USCIS assumes that family members love each other and will miss each other so that, in itself, is not enough.

A strong argument persuasively documented is essential to a successful resolution of the waiver application process. But, thankfully, so many more deserving people can now apply.

The changes to the Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver are poised to help many people. Any person who thinks they may benefit from this change is encouraged to consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer about this wonderful path to legal status without significant separation from family. ***

Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 795-8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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C August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon Like most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time.

But in life, at one time or another, all of us get into a situation where debt can be overwhelming. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives. Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. if you are currently in 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 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

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes THe USCiS announced the final rule expanding the existing provisional waiver to allow certain family members of US Citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for the provisional waiver of unlawful presence. 8 CFR Parts 103 and 212. The final rule goes on effect on August 29, 2016.

Prior to this expanded rule, only immediate relatives of US Citizens were eligible to request provisional waiver of unlawful presence before departing the United States for the processing of their immigrant visas. This was a limited to only a subset of all individuals statutorily qualified to request a waiver of unlawful presence.

The final rule expanding the provisional waiver of unlawful

Community Journal

Should you deplete all your savings to pay debts? the process, they use up hardearned 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. Sooner or later, these people realize that they would have been better off filing bankruptcy before losing everything that they had worked so hard for. Don’t let this happen to you! 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.

Dealing with financial problems can result in stress, fear and embarrassment. Maybe you hesitate seeing an attorney for fear that you will face criticism.

Remember this: With the current economy in turmoil, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy protection so you are not alone. The stigma that once surrounded bankruptcy has almost disappeared. Once you consult with a bankruptcy attorney, you may soon discover that the law is actually on your side and that you just need to let the legal process work for you. if you find yourself overwhelmed with debt problems, i’d like to help you. To schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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Provisional waiver of unlawful presence bar expanded to cover more immigrants presence makes eligibility for the provisional waiver available to all individuals who are statutorily eligible for a waiver of the unlawful presence grounds of inadmissibility. 8 CFR Parts 103 and 212.

These individuals are the parents, spouse, and son or daughter of US Citizens and spouse, sons or daughters of lawful permanent residents. The provisional waiver will also extend to the spouses and children who accompany or follow to join principal immigrants. To qualify for a provisional waiver, applicants must establish that their US citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses or parents would experience “extreme hardship” if the applicants are not allowed to return to the United States due to the unlawful

presence bar. Applicants must also establish that his or her case warrants a favorable exercise of discretion and meet all other regulatory requirement.

Obtaining a conditional approval of a provisional unlawful presence waiver of inadmissibility is particularly helpful for individuals present in the United States without having been inspected and admitted or having been inspected or paroled since they are ineligible to adjust status inside the United States. The provisional waiver would also be helpful to individuals who entered the US under certain non-immigrant visa that has restrictions to adjusting to lawful permanent resident inside the US such as

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Debt Relief Atty. lAwRence yAng WHeN i say young senior, i mean 60. She’s a single mom with two adult daughters who are over the age of 21. One daughter is still in college but has a part time job.

The other works full time. Both daughters live with client in her house, but she does not claim them as dependents in her income tax returns. When we filed her Chapter 13 three years ago, she had disposable income of $900. However, at that time, her job security was already in question as another company had just purchased employer and heads were rolling. Client was able to keep her head for three years but lost her employment recently.

Without work, she no longer has disposable income. Our first attempt to end her case was filing a motion to pay off the 33% plan by liquidating $10k from her retirement account. The Chapter 13 trustee objected to our motion to pay off the plan unless the pay off was 100%. Well, that wasn’t a good deal because her unsecured debt was about $100k which meant that client had to come up with $90k more to get a Chapter 13 discharge, that’s a 100% plan pay off.

Client had two other options dismiss the Chapter 13 case, or convert it to Chapter 7 and get a discharge of $90k of unsecured debt. The problem is that for the last three years, the value of her house, just like most houses in Los Angeles and Orange County, have been appreciating significantly. We checked Zillow, which estimated the value at $400k, and ReDFiN estimated it at $440k.

Whereas her house only had $30k of equity when she filed for Chapter 13 in 2013, now she has equity of $160k. The other problem was that she had testified at the Chapter 13 hearing last week that her daughter was independent, although she lived with her.

And she did not mention that she had a second daughter who also lived with her, a full time college student. So, the trustee concluded that her claim of homestead exemption should only be $75k, not $100k.

We refused to reduce the exemption claim to $75k because the trustee was not on solid ground with her argument that debtor had testified that daughter

Senior loses job and converts chapter 13 to chapter 7 Fights to keep house was independent, therefore, she is not considered to be part of the family unit. We argued that the other daughter was a full time college student, therefore, unable to take care of herself. So by definition, she is part of debtor’s family unit. As a result, the homestead exemption of $100k is correct.

Settlement offers and counter offers were made. The negotiations were fruitful and trustee settled for a reasonable amount to al-

and a daughter in college, let’s just say that there’s tremendous pressure on her to budget her expenses. Obviously, there is no money to pay $2100 for credit cards every month, is there? So, she chooses to make the $70k credit cards DiSSAPPeAR with a Chapter 7 petition. Just imagine the number of calls she gets everyday from these cards trying to get their pound of flesh from her.

That’s no way to live no matter

Nowadays, the correct value of the residence is critical to keeping the house safe from the clutches of the Chapter 7 trustee, because house values are at their peaks again. Mortgage rates have been kept very low by the Feds for a long time. low the debtor to keep her house. even though debtor was not employed, she was willing to liquidate a part of her retirement account to pay for the settlement to keep her house. Daughters were willing to buy the house from her anyway later on, so she gets her settlement payment back.

Nowadays, the correct value of the residence is critical to keeping the house safe from the clutches of the Chapter 7 trustee, because house values are at their peaks again. Mortgage rates have been kept very low by the Feds for a long time. The last time house values peaked was 2007, just before the mortgage crisis, which bankrupted a lot of big banks. When the crisis hit, house values dropped by more than half. Now, all of that has been recovered, and new highs are being achieved. Therefore, a lot of factual and legal analysis must be done before deciding which path to take, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

The second client is 72. Her husband passed away some time ago. She has a daughter who has just started college. i guess she must have married late. She now receives only social security and has no other income. However, she owes $70k of credit cards, which requires $2100 of monthly minimum payments. Her social security is $1,600. Let’s not even go further. Client doesn’t own a house. She rents for $1,000. Well, with $600 left after rent is paid,

how old or young you are. $2100 a month for credit cards is equal to a mortgage of $400k. i mean you can literally buy a house, condo or townhouse for $400k with nothing down, instead of carrying $70k of credit card debt.

Think about where you want your hard earned money to go. Would you rather be the proud owner of a house, or the proud owner of $70k of credit cards?

At 72, client finally realized that she should have gotten rid of her credit card debt a long time ago. if she got rid of them ten years ago, she would have saved up $252k now. instead she gave $252k to her credit cards of $70k, and she still owes the same $70k after ten years! Think hard what you should do now because the earlier you get rid of credit cards, the faster you can save money and be productive again. even at 72, it’s not too late to get rid of them, better late than never.

“The Lord Himself Goes Before You And Will Be With You; He Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You. Do Not Be Afraid; Do Not Be Discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 *** 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) 2841142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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Community Journal

Fighting for pay equality at work Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. DANDAN Pan started work at Qualcomm, Inc. as a Market Analyst in 1993. In 2015, she was a Director of Engineering Operations. Throughout her time at Qualcomm, Ms. Pan was paid less than other male co-workers who performed equal or substantially similar work to her.

Ms. Pan claimed that her male co-workers actually received higher pay for performing equal work, despite the lower quality of their work.

Qualcomm also did not promote Ms. Pan as frequently as her less-qualified male peers. Ms. Pan says that even after leading several major projects, earning stellar ratings in her performance evaluations, and repeatedly expressing interest in being promoted, her last promotion was in 2003. Meanwhile, she saw many less qualified male peers receive promotions.

As a working mother, Ms. Pan experienced being deprived of her rights to take protected leave to care for children.

Ms. Pan was not alone in her experience at Qualcomm. Six other women, all engineers at Qualcomm, came forward to say that they, too, experienced being paid less than other male coworkers who performed equal or substantially similar work to them. They also experienced being passed over for promotion in favor of less qualified male peers.

More disturbing, as women who were pregnant and have children, they also experienced discrimination because of their gender and caregiving responsibilities.

Ms. Pan and her fellow Qualcomm employees filed a complaint with the Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accusing Qualcomm of, among other things, gender discrimination and pregnancy and family responsibilities discrimination.

Qualcomm is a multi-billion semiconductor and telecom equipment company based in San Diego, CA but operating throughout the United States.

The employees claimed that in Qualcomm, women in science,

two independent consultants who will assess the company’s policies and practices and make recommendations regarding changes at Qualcomm in order to prevent continuing discrimination against its female work force.

California law prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially

California law prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work, and performed under similar working conditions. technology, engineering, and math (“STEM”) and related occupations are discriminated in pay and promotions. Upper-level management positions are almost exclusively reserved for men.

Qualcomm’s own reports indicate that women hold less than 15% of what the company defines as “senior leadership positions.”

Throughout Qualcomm’s U.S. operations, women in STEM and related positions earn less than their male colleagues performing equal or substantially similar work. This pay and promotion discrimination is even worse for women with children.

The employees also allege that these problems affecting pay, promotion, and assignments are systemic and company-wide and result from centralized decisionmaking by the company’s primarily male senior leadership team.

Faced with a potentially expensive class action lawsuit, Qualcomm agreed to settle the employees’ claims by agreeing to pay $19.5 million to about 3,300 female employees affected by the lawsuit. In addition to the monetary settlement, Qualcomm was required to enact extensive company changes including hiring

similar work, and performed under similar working conditions.

If differences in wages exist, the difference must be legally justified based on one or more of the following factors: a) A seniority system b) A merit system c) A system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production d) A bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training, or experience.

Discriminated employees will be entitled to monetary damages, including the right to recover attorneys’ fees and costs. *** 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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Get the best care

by Andrew

PArAnAl, eSQ

LAST week, we discussed why it may be beneficial for a family to move a loved one into long-term care. Whether the determining even was a fall, a stroke, or Alzheimer’s, you want the best care possible.

The first step in assuring that your loved one gets the best of care is to know your rights, both of the resident as well as the family members.

You may be surprised, but the law (the Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA ‘87)) gives Andrew Paranal, ESQ family members specific legal is a way of learning important rights to participate in nurs- information, i.e., “the whole ing home matters. As a family picture,” about a resident so member, you have the right that an individualized care plan to: • Be informed of residents’ rights; • Immediate access to visit the resident at any time, subject, of course, to can be developed. The assessthe resident’s consent; • Be notified within 24- ment must also examine your hours of an accident resulting routines, habits, activities and in injury, a significant change relationships in order to help in the resident’s condition, a your loved one live more comneed to alter treatment signifi- fortably and feel at home in the cantly, or a decision to trans- facility.

You as the family member fer the resident; • Be notified promptly if the have the right to give informaresident is going to be moved tion, ask questions, participate to another room or if there is a in care plan meetings, offer suggestions, review care plan change of roommates; • Participate in a family documents and accept or refuse council and make recommen- offered care. If you get involved dations and present grievanc- in the care planning process, it es without retaliation; and be is almost certain that your loved involved in and to participate, one will get better care and enwith the resident if possible, joy a higher quality of life.

Within seven days after the in developing a meaningful assessment is completed, the and effective care plan.

The nursing home is re- nursing home must create an quired to do a comprehensive initial care plan that addresses assessment within 7 days of all of your needs and concerns. admission and at least once a Don’t be afraid to ask quesyear there-after. Assessment tions about anything you don’t

understand. You do not have to accept staff care recommendations unless you agree with them and feel they meet your needs. Find out who you should talk to if changes are needed in the care plan or if there are problems with the care being provided.

If done properly, the care plan is a custom made strategy for how the staff will help you every day. Use the care plan to monitor the overall care of your loved one. Hold the facility accountable for carrying out the plan in good faith. As indicated above, an effective care plan will be concrete, with many areas to observe and monitor. It will give you many practical things to look for in the overall care and in specific care approaches for your loved one.

Visit at different times and shifts and on different days of the week. It is also important to visit at meal times, when activities are planned and definitely at night and on the weekends. These strategies are important in order to get a full picture of the patterns of care in the facility and the performance and attitude of care staff at different shifts. The unpredictability of your visits can also keep the facility on its toes.

One last comment - generally, nursing home staff will resent being told how to do their job, but will appreciate knowing more about what your loved one’s likes and dislikes are and what might have worked for you. Genuine praise can go a long way in building good relationships.

When you observe a staff pro-

You as the family member have the right to give information, ask questions, participate in care plan meetings, offer suggestions, review care plan documents and accept or refuse offered care.

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Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAr) reporting requirements

Tax Tips ViCtor Sy, CpA, MBA

IF you own a foreign bank account, brokerage account, mutual fund, or other financial account, you may be required to report the account annually to the government. Let’s get an understanding of what FBAR is, who must file new forms, and who do not have to file. I also included a few tips on filing requirements.

What is FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts)?

If you have a financial interest in or signature authority over a foreign financial account, including a bank account, brokerage account, mutual fund, trust, or other type of foreign financial account, the Bank Secrecy Act may require you

to report the account yearly to the Internal Revenue Service by filing FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). FBAR is required because foreign financial institutions may not be subject to the same reporting requirements as domestic financial institutions. The FBAR is a tool to help the United States government identify persons who may be using foreign financial accounts to circumvent United States law. Investigators use FBARs to help identify or trace funds used for illicit purposes or to identify unreported income maintained or generated abroad.

Who must file an FBAR? United States persons are required to file an FBAR if: 1. You had a financial interest or signature authority over at least one financial account located outside the U.S.

2. The aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.

United States person means United States citizens; United States residents; entities, including but not limited to, corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies created or organized in the United States; and trusts or estates formed under the laws of the United States.

Who do not have to file FBAR forms?

1. Certain foreign financial accounts jointly owned by spouses.

2. IRA owners and beneficiaries, 3. Participants in and beneficiaries of tax-qualified retirement plans.

4. Certain individuals with signature authority over but no financial interest in a foreign financial

Top reasons to have a life insurance Insurance Matters JoSeph DorAtAn, MBA, CFp® A LOT of people are skeptical about the value of a life insurance. You have auto, home, medical policies. You may have these because you are obliged legally by DMV or mortgage company. Or you are afraid of confronting astronomical medical bills. You tend to be more prepared for the catastrophic events that may happen in your lifetime. But the reality is, you have to be even more prepared when you pass away, especially when you have love ones to protect. As once one unknown author puts it, “You don’t buy life insurance because you are going to die, but because those you love are going to live.”

The basic and most compelling value of a life insurance is income replacement. Imagine you have a monthly income of $3,000. That is used to buy food, clothing and provide shelter. You may be renting. Or you own your house with mortgage so part of the income is used to pay that. Or even if the mortgage is paid off, you still need to pay property tax, insurance and utilities to make the house livable. You use that income to pay other things, like car payments, child care, education, phone bills and other insurance.

You also spend for recreation, do charitable contributions, you gift, and the list goes on and on… For a second, imagine you die now… The income stops. How then will you be able to provide those things moving forward? Those left behind can

be financially devastated. But if you have life insurance to replace that income, devastation can be avoided altogether. They already lost your presence and love, and they are now grieving.

One thing you can do and must prepare is at least provide them financial security and protection through a life insurance.

ment, fix your car, house downpayment, children’s education, and even to supplement your retirement income. The cash value is liquid. It also grows taxdeferred. In fact, generally, the distribution can be tax free. In a way, it works like Roth IRA, in that all the years of accumulation of principal and gains, you

Singles or married alike must know that certain life insurance policies have valuable cash value. There is no restriction as to where you can use the cash value for.

Immediately after your passing, some expenses and funeral arrangements need to be made, like viewing, mortuary, burial or cremation. Last medical bills need to be paid. How about tax, income in respect to the decedent, or if you have lots of assets, perhaps estate tax? Somehow those left behind have to address these payments. Is it not a wonderful idea to have a life insurance that will cover all these final expenses?

True, singles may not need to buy much coverage, as they may not be supporting other people. But even singles agree that buying to cover these final expenses makes sense. Singles who also have non-dischargeable debts or who have cosigned loans would want to have life insurance covering these. A responsible single doesn’t want a loan company hounding the co-signer for payments.

Singles or married alike must know that certain life insurance policies have valuable cash value. There is no restriction as to where you can use the cash value for. You may use the cash value to pay for home improve-

don’t pay tax. And if you distribute money out, you can also avoid paying tax. High-income earners who are not even qualified to Roth IRA ride on this taxadvantaged vehicle.

There are several ways that cash value can be growing inside the policy. It can be in the form of fixed interest, or dividends, or gains from direct stock market or mutual fund trades, or interest credited based on the upward movement of an index without the risk of investing directly in the stock market. Does it sound complicated already?

Anyway the idea is the cash value can grow with good rates of return and locked-in gains.

While you are alive, your policy may also have certain valuable living benefits. For example, some policies may accelerate the death benefit to cover chronic, critical and terminal illness. The chronic illness coverage in particularly is important because health insurance like Medicare is limited.

Medicare covers 100 days of stay at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). In Los Angeles, the stay PAGE C5

account.

5. Trust beneficiaries.

6. Foreign financial accounts maintained on a United States military banking facility.

7. United States persons included in a consolidated FBAR.

8. Correspondent accounts.

9. Foreign financial accounts owned by a governmental entity.

10. Foreign financial accounts owned by an international financial institution.

Can You Give Us Some Tips on

Reporting and Filing FBAR? 1. You may have a reporting obligation even though the account produces no taxable income.

2. You may be subject to civil penalties, criminal penalties, or

u PAGE C4

Community Journal

C August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

The USCIS expands the provisional waiver eligibility

immigrant visa after their provisional On 7/29/16, the USCIS anwaiver application is approved in the nounced the release of the US. It should also be noted that per the final rule on the “Expansion USCIS, “eligibility for the provisional of Provisional Unlawful Preswaiver will also extend to the spouses ence Waivers of Inadmissiand children who accompany or folbility”. This rule expands the low to join principal immigrants”. class of individuals who may However, the provisional waiver be eligible for a provisional is limited only to those with unlawwaiver of unlawful presence ful presence inadmissibility. If the ground of inadmissibility and individual has other grounds of inadtakes effect on 8/29/2016. missibility such as criminal grounds, Before an alien who is unhealth-related ground, immigration lawfully present in the US violators (fraud, misrepresentation), has to leave for his country of they are not eligible for provisional origin to consular process his waiver. immigrant visa petition, the Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos Per the USCIS, the expanded proprovisional waiver program allows him to apply for provisional waiver and wait visional waiver is “intended to encourage eligible for its approval in the US. Without this provisional individuals to complete the immigrant visa process waiver, these individuals will have to apply for the abroad, promote family unity, and improve adminwaiver for the first time after their immigrant visa istrative efficiency”.

If you are contemplating of filing any application interviews abroad. This has discouraged a lot of aliens who are beneficiaries of immigrant visa peti- based on this provisional waiver program or any imtions but unlawfully present in the US to process migration petition for that matter, it is advisable to their petitions through the US Embassy or Consul- seek the counsel of an immigration lawyer to guide ate abroad. Due to the “3/10 bar” rule, they run the you on the intricacies of filing for such a petition.

Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of risk of not being able to return to the US if their waiver application is denied. This bar prohibits re- the State Bar of California and the Integrated Bar entry for three years to the US for individuals who of the Philippines. To schedule for a free initial have accumulated more six to 12 months of unlaw- consultation, please call Tel. nos. (213) 284-5984 ful presence in the US. Those who have been un- or (626) 329.8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at lawfully present in the US for more than a year are 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. barred re-entry for 10 years.

Information contained in this article does not, In early 2013, the USCIS published the final rule on provisional unlawful presence waivers for cer- nor is it intended to, constitutes legal advice for any tain immediate family members of U.S. citizens and specific situation and does not create a lawyer-cliwho can prove extreme hardship to the US citi- ent relationship. It likewise does not constitute a zen spouse or parent. Immediate relatives refer to guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the spouses, children under 21 years old and parents of outcome of your legal matter.

US citizens. Acceptance of the provisional unlawful *** presence waivers started last 3/4/2013.

Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of the State Bar of California The final rule on expansion of the provisional and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To schedule for a free initial waiver no longer limits the program only to im- in-person consultation, please call Tel. Nos. (213) 284-5984 or (626) mediate relatives of U.S. citizens provided they can 329-8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite show that denial of admission will result in extreme 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. hardship to a U.S. citizen spouse or parent. Instead, *** all individuals who are beneficiaries of approved Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, immigrant visa petitions statutorily eligible for a constitutes legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a waiver of the unlawful presence grounds of inad- lawyer-client relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, missibility can apply for provisional waiver. Like the warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. first provisional waiver program, these aliens must We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief still go back to their country of origin to obtain an under the Bankruptcy Code.

(Advertising Supplement)

Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts...

PAGE C3 both if you do not comply with FBAR rules.

3. Do not file FBAR with your federal income tax return.

4. An extension to file federal income tax returns does not extend the due date for FBAR filing.

5. FBAR must be received by the IRS on or before June 30 of the year following the calendar year.

6. You may not request an extension for filing the FBAR. FBAR Update: IRS no longer accepts paper filing of forms. Online E-file is now required through the BSA E-Filing System website. *** 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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HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

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People and Events

Bernarda Burgos (in red) celebrated her 100th birthday celebration on July 3, at the Olympia Banquet Hall in Los Angeles, CA. She is shown here with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a family of four generations.

(Submitted by Dora Burgos)

Deadline for applications to the 5th FYLPro extended

SAn FRAnCISCO – Calling all Fil-Am youth!

The search for the fifth batch of delegates for the Filipino American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro) has been extended!

Launched in 2012, the FYLPro is a project conceptualized by former Philippine Ambassador to the United Sates Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., in partnership with the Ayala Foundation, as a way to reach out to the youth, tap their talents and skills, and hone their potential as future leaders, movers and shakers of the Filipino American community.

The FYLPro is an immersion program held in Manila, where delegates are given the opportunity to meet and dialogue with high officials and policymakers in the Philippine government, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and cultural experts, as well as innovators in various fields. It aims to magnify the voice of the FilAm youth, increase their appreciation for Philippine culture, customs and values, and develop their understanding and empathy towards the Filipino community both in the Philippines and in the United States.

According to FYLPro Alumni, the Program has enabled them to gain invaluable insights on Philippine and Filipino American issues, maintain a global network of innovative and influential individuals, and realize a life changing perspective. Previous delegates have organized themselves into an organization that is focused on initiatives geared towards promoting the social, educational, economic and political development of the Philippines and the Filipino communities in the US. Projects such as Teach for the Philippines, Panalo Partnership with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), next Day Better and dual citizenship promotion are

the brainchild of FYLPro Alumni.

This year’s FYLPro will be held on november 24 to December 2, 2016. All Filipino Americans who meet the following criteria are highly encouraged to join: • no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by november 24, 2016; • Ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines (arriving in Manila by Wednesday, november 23, 2016 and departing no earlier than Friday, December 2, 2016); • Have potential or demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other areas of involvement; and • Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino American community, or in issues and/or activities that align with the interests of the Filipino American community or the Philippines.

The online application and list of required documentation may be found at fylpro.org/apply. The deadline for submission is on August 1, 2016, midnight of Hawaii Standard Time.

For more information, please check the website fylpro.org.

Provisional waiver of unlawful presence...

PAGE C2 crew men who entered on a C-1/D visa. In addition, this is also helpful to spouse, sons or daughters of lawful permanent residents who overstayed their status while waiting for their visa priority dates to become current. An individual who entered the US on a fiancé k-1 visa based on a different US citizen fiancé/spouse will also benefit from the provisional waiver. These individuals would have to obtain their visa through the US consulate overseas but without an approved provisional waiver, would run the risk of not being able to return to the United States due to the unlawful presence bar.

InA section 212(a)(9)(B)(i); 8 USC 1182(a)(9)(B)(i); In addition, the expanded final rules provided for the following: 1) All individuals seeking provisional waivers, including those in removal proceedings before the EOIR must file applications for

provisional waivers with USCIS. 2) Individuals are allowed to apply for provisional waivers even if USCIS has reason to believe that the individual may be subject to other grounds of inadmissibility.

3) Eliminated the proposal for temporal limitations that would have restricted eligibility for provisional waivers based on DOS visa interview scheduling. 4) Allows individuals with final orders of removal, exclusion, or deportation to be eligible for provisional waivers provided that the individual have already applied for, and USCIS has approved, an Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States after Deportation or Removal, Form I-212. However, an individual will be ineligible for a provisional waiver if ICE or CBP, after service of notice under 8 CFR 241.8, has reinstated the removal, deportation, or exclusion order prior to the individual filing the

Calendar of Events across

provisional waiver or while the provisional waiver application is pending. ***

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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America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS Au g u st 9

National Health Center Week

Fax résumé to:

Find out how health centers do more for your health on Tuesday, August 9 at the APHCV-Los Feliz Health Center. Activities begin at 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. — there will be bingo, dancercises, snacks and karaoke! To RSVP, please call Perla Santos at (323) 6443880 ext. 341 or Nitta Gibson at ext. 227. APHCV-Los Feliz Health Center is located at 1530 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Au g u st 1 3

Disco Manila at LA’s Grand Performances

info@asianjournalinc.com

Put on your boogie shoes and embrace the resurgence of disco from the Manila Sound era, the next wave of global groove music. Manila Sound was a catch all moniker during the ‘70s describing Philippine popular music that embraced its American soul/folk/pop/jazz influences, combined it with Filipino modern aesthetics and polished it off with the musical proficiency of the vibrant Manila scene that somehow flourished during the Marcos-era Martial Law. Live Performances of classic Disco dance floor fillers by the original purveyors of the sound and those who lived it. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Grand Performances, located at 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071. For more information, please visit http://grandperformances.org/disco-manila.

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

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People and Events

The same God

A Dash of Salt and Pepper (A simple thought of inspiration with biblical encouragement)

by Henjie Pimenta

I was in Manila not too long ago with our senior pastor, Pastor Courtney Hall, in Los Angeles.

It was his first time in our lovely country. We were there to grace an important milestone in the life of Dr. Felipe Ferrez Jr. He celebrated his 73rd birthday and 50th year in ministry -- a former President of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines. Along with that, Pastor Courtney was invited to minister in different churches as well and met workers at the Church of God in Cavite (Pastor Anthony Velasco), Henjie Pimenta Hail King Jesus in San Juan ( Pastor Ricky Raz ), Praise Christian Fellowship Tondo (Pastor Loi Gatchalian), PCF Novaliches (Pastor Sandy and PCF Talavera (Pastor Allan). He also met the Philippine Counsel of Evangelical Churches and the Promise Keepers Philippines headed by Dr. Don Cua and Pastor Gusty Maribojoc, and many more. With that schedule, we were able to make time to visit the children’s ward at Philippine General Hospital — organized by Pastor Noel Alberto and his son Rapture Noah — specifically to pray for the kids confined in the hospital and their family whose beside them in their journeys as well.

The first infant in the incubator melted our hearts.

As the baby fights for life, we see that only God is the source of this baby’s strength. Then, we moved from one child to the other. The most common diagnoses are hydrocephalus, meningitis, pneumonia and various intestinal complications. I am sure that there are more at other wards but due to time constraints, we were only able to cover two wards. I would say that there are about 30-50 patients in each ward. There was even an incident that we thought we covered everyone in one area and were about to conclude and head out but a group of family members called our attention and asked us to pray for a child in the isolation room.

There was one couple that was downhearted because the hospital ordered a release for their child whose hope had been exhausted. The child’s head was bigger and larger than his body. We called up to heaven and asked the Lord Jesus to do what He does best: making miracles in those who earnestly ask for it, however and whatever way possible for He is in control and His will be done. For the couple, I prayed that God will embrace them and put their trust in Him and that the Lord Jesus will sweetly re-

veal in their hearts His plan.

Then later that day as I reflected, I believed with all my heart that God has a special plan for each of them as well as their family members. That God will do miracles in their delicate bodies and that they will grow giving glory to God as they live a Christ-centered life through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the same God that an adult worships and adores, is the same God that brought these kids out in this world.

Some of you may think that I sound unrealistic but I just want to exercise my faith in Jesus who is abounding in grace (Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”). For God formed us while we were in our mother’s womb ( Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. We are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10 “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”)

Nick Vujicic, who has no arms and no legs, has been to different parts of the world giving glory to Jesus as he speaks to large crowds of students and adults alike. You may watch his testimonies on YouTube. And I pray to Jesus to meet you in a very special way, for the same God that Nick proclaims is the same God of the kids in the ward and the same God who will reveal Himself to you.

Let us live the way Jesus wants us to live, as we say in our prayers “…your will be done in our lives Lord.” In a way we say, “ whatever pleases you my Lord I will abide…it may not be the direction I personally want but I submit to your authority over me for you are my Creator, you knitted me even when I was in my mama’s womb, so what authority do I have not to follow you? After all, what you want for me is what is best for me (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). And all who agree say, Amen!

All Scriptures are taken from New International Version unless otherwise specified. If you need prayers, please do not hesitate to call us at (213)4848294 or (818)813-3971 or visit us on any Sunday at Praise Christian Fellowship L.A.(2235 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles Blvd., 90057) or PCF of the Valley (9051 Woodman Ave., Arleta, CA 91331, located behind CVS drugstore and Vallarta Supermarket, inside Helping Hands ADHC).

Top reasons to have a life...

PAGE C3 is easily above $8,000 a month.

Unless you have Medi-Cal and it’s accepted by that SNF, two great alternatives to your own bank account to pay for the stay would be either a stand-alone long term care policy or this life

insurance covering the chronic illness.

There are other great reasons why you want a life insurance. For more information, please contact Joseph Doratan through 855-955-1800 or info@GlobalWealthInsuranc-

eServices.com. ***

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 6-9, 2016

To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas I ASKED a Filipino man who was participating in a ‘Traslacion’ procession of the Black Nazarene in the streets of Manila during my last trip to the Philippines why he has a deep devotion to the image.

He responded, “Jesus Nazareno heard my prayers, Father.”

“What were your prayers to him?” I queried on.

“I was having marital problems because I could not get a permanent job. My son was also getting addicted to drugs. I was getting depressed. Then I decided to pray the novena to Jesus Nazareno and to join the image’s annual procession in Quiapo to help me with my problems. I could not believe that Jesus Nazareno heard my prayers, Father. I have a permanent job now, my marriage problems are resolved and my son is well. So now, every year I participate in the procession and continue to ask favors from him.”

Such is the faith of this devotee to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo, Manila and the other million people who show up in the streets of Manila each year on January 9 to participate in the ‘Traslacion,’ a 20-hour-long procession of the Black Nazarene.

Bringing their statuettes or replica images of the Black Nazarene, AlJazeera News reported that devotees would “endure sleep deprivation, extreme heat, hunger, and even injuries during the procession of the statue for a chance to touch, kiss, or simply feel close to the Black Nazarene.”

I witnessed this scenario too when I found myself last year in the middle of a wave of devotees, mostly young men, parading barefoot around the image of the Black Nazarene. We were like bees swarming around the

PAGE C3

viding good care or handling a If you have more questions regarding the difficult situation well, tell them enrollment periods or other insurance that you appreciate their quality questions, feel free to ask the author for service. And let the supervisors answers. A good telephone number to reach know about good staff perforhim is 855-955-1800. You can also check out mance. *** www.GlobalWealthInsuranceServices.com.

C

Devotion to the Black Nazarene now in Baldwin Park, CA statue. It was an amazing experience—a demonstration of religious piety that is unfathomable for many people.

This devotion to the Black Nazarene (Spanish: El Nazareno Negro, Padre Jesus Nazareno; Filipino: Poong Itim na Nazareno) started in the Philippines in the mid-1600s when the image arrived in Manila through galleon from Acapulco, Mexico. The image, which is dark and carved from a mesquite wood by an unknown Mexican artist, depicts Jesus bearing the cross on his way to crucifixion. It is a life-sized statue that is considered miraculous. From then on replicas of this image have been carved.

Wikipedia gives an account of the history of this image: “The older and more popular copy belonging to the Recollects was destroyed in the Second World War during the Liberation in Manila in 1945. The surviving image has been enshrined in the Minor Basilica for centuries, withstanding several fires, earthquakes, and war…The presentday statue enshrined in Quiapo Church is, in fact, a composite of the original head and replica sculpted by renowned santero (saint-maker) Gener Magalaqui, as commissioned by the Archdiocese of Manila. The second composite statue, comprising the original body and the head of the Maglaqui replica, is normally stored in a different location and brought out only for the three major annual processions. This arrangement began in the 1990s because of security concerns for the image as well as to prevent further damage to it; up to the point, the original image in its entirety was processed.”

The devotion is now strongly rooted in the Philippines. It is because Filipinos, especially poor people, identify themselves with the passion and suffering which the statue depicts.

Every Friday of each week,

devotees come to Quiapo Church in Manila to say the novena to the Black Nazarene. The heavy traffic of Manila would not prevent them from giving honor to the image and asking the Black Nazarene to answer their prayers.

Aside from the novena, devotees would kiss the image, light devotional candles and walk on their knees down the nave of Quiapo Church toward the altar that enshrines the image.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle explains this devotion in this way in a homily on January 9 this year: “Have you ever experienced having no one to turn to and no one to hold on to? Go to him, and you will understand and experience for yourselves why the devotees have that kind of affection towards the Black Nazarene.”

The devotion to the Black Nazarene is now being promoted in the United States at St. John the Baptist Church in Baldwin Park, California.

Through the blessing of Fr. Michael Gutierrez, the pastor of the church, Filipino parishioners were able to obtain a replica of the statue from the Philippines.

It is the hope of the pastor and the parishioners that this devotion would be another way to evangelize people, not only Filipinos, but also other nationalities.

Fr. Rodel G. Balagtas odey413@aol.com *** 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 ImmAaculate 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.

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C August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 6-9, 2016

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

BSP fines RCBC P1-B over Bangladesh cyber heist

by Dana

M. sIoson

AJPress

THe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued a P1-billion fine against Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) on Friday, August 5, in relation to its involvement in the $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh Bank back in February.

“The Monetary Board (MB) approved the imposition of supervisory enforcement action on RCBC to pay the amount of P1 billion, in connection with the special examination conducted by the BSP relating to the Bangladesh Bank cyber heist,” BSP said in a statement.

“This affirms the BSP’s strong commitment to ensure the stability of the country’s financial system through strong and effective regulation of BSFIs (BSP-supervised financial institution).”

According to BSFI, this is the largest amount ever approved as part of its supervisory enforcement actions on a BSP-supervised financial institution.

“The BSP recognizes RCBC’s efforts in instituting changes to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing

risk management system and governance culture,” it said.

In a separate statement, RCBC said it would comply with the fine.

The fine imposed under Monetary Board resolution No. 1392 “shall be paid in two equal tranches over a one-year period, P500 million upon approval by the Monetary Board and P500 million one year after,” the statement read.

RCBC President and CeO Gil A. Buenaventura said that the P1-billion fine would not affect the operations of RCBC and that the bank’s capital ratios would stay strong.

“With this payment, RCBC affirms its continued viability and determination to fulfill its firm commitment against money laundering, terrorism and other transnational crimes to ensure the stability of the banking system,” Buenaventura told GMA News.

“Together with the payment of this amount, RCBC is instituting changes in its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) system and processes, making it among the most prepared in terms of thwarting money laundering attempts in the Philippines and the region.”

PAGE D2

SEC mulls criminal case vs Ongpin

by IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA - A day after President Duterte singled out former trade minister Roberto Ongpin in his anti-oligarch campaign, the Securities and exchange Commission (SeC) is considering filing a criminal case against the businessman.

SeC chairman Teresita Herbosa said the agency would strongly oppose the injunction petition filed by Ongpin with respect to its decision to slap a P174 million fine against the businessman.

The SeC order also prevented Ongpin from holding a position in a publicly listed company.

“Ongpin’s appeal refers to the administrative aspect of the insider trading case and is separate and distinct from the criminal action which the SeC may file before the Department of Justice.

The accused in such action shall upon conviction suffer a fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P5 million or imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than 21 years or both at the discretion of the court,” the SeC said.

Herbosa said the SeC would see to it that the Office of the Solicitor General, would be provided with all the legal and technical assistance in the interpretation and application of securities laws.

Herbosa, who used to be a comanaging partner of Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Office (ACCRA), believes the SeC has a strong case against him.

“We wouldn’t file if it (it’s not a strong case),” Herbosa said.

She said that while the SeC abides by the TRO, it believes that its issuance does not satisfy the stringent requisites for the issuance of the extraordinary writ.

The general rule is that an appeal shall not stay a judgement under appeal, Herbosa said.

A day after President Rodrigo Duterte singled out former trade minister Roberto Ongpin in his anti-oligarch campaign, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering filing a criminal case against the businessman.

Philstar.com photo

“The CA can only direct otherwise upon such terms as may be just under the circumstances,” she added.

Under the Securities Regulation Code, the SeC is mandated to “minimize if not totally eliminate insider trading and other fraudulent or manipulate devices and practices,” Herbosa said.

The case has been set for hearing on Aug. 23 and 24 to determine the propriety of the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction.

As this developed, Ongpin resigned as chairman and director of listed gaming company PhilWeb and all of its subsidiaries effective.

PhilWeb shares plunged 36.88 percent to P8.95 on Thursday, Aug. 4.

According to the SeC, Ongpin benefited from insider information as a director and shareholder of Philex Mining Corp. when he acquired additional shares in the mining firm prior to the sale of the company to the First Pacific group in 2009.

Roles reversed as foreign firms now call PH for contact centers by rIchMonD

MercurIo Philstar.com

MANILA – The Philippines is seeing a reversal of roles in the global contact center space as foreign investors and clients are now the ones calling for opportunities, the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) said.

“These companies that we are talking to now, they are the ones who are setting a meeting with us.

Before, we had to look for these meetings, knock on their doors and beg for 10 minutes of their time just to listen to our story. Now it’s the reverse as they are the ones telling us I need one hour of your time,” CCAP industry affairs director Raymond Lacdao said.

He said several UK, US, and Australian firms which are not yet present in the country are currently exploring opportunities to do business in the Philippines.

“It’s very encouraging. But the interesting part is that we have actually attracted other countries outside of those main countries that we are targeting. We have companies from South Africa, Indonesia, Bangladesh. These are not our normal targets but they are interested now,” Lacdao said.

The Philippines has held the

distinction of being the world’s contact center capital since 2010.

“There’s a lot of interest with the Philippines that we’ve seen.

There’s a lot of interest in our industry because we’ve actually been known as a top provider for professional services,” CCAP president Benedict Hernandez said.

“What’s interesting is there are client coming from the region, like Singapore and Hong Kong. Before they are not even looking at us,” he added.

According to Hernandez, the Philippine contact center industry is expected to generate $16 billion in revenues this year and increase employment to 800,000.

CCAP is planning to bring into the country by September some 100 international investors and clients through the upcoming International Contact Center Conference and expo to “see for themselves why the Philippines is the ultimate customer experience paradise.”

“We’re hoping most of them, if not all, will translate into a business opportunity for the Philippines.

These companies want set up or look for partners where they can outsource some of the work,” CCAP corporate secretary Jojo Uligan said.

& Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: I married a US citizen after my child’s 18th birthday and am now a conditional resident. I know my husband and I need to file a joint – petition to remove conditions within 90 days of the expiration of my two – year conditional green card.

I had hoped my husband could petition my child as a stepchild, but since we married after my child’s 18th birthday, that is not possible. Do I need to wait until the conditions are removed on my green card before I can petition my child, or can I already petition him now, and hopefully his visa will be available before his 21st birthday?

Very truly yours, GS Dear GS: The law allows you to file a petition for your child now, while you’re still a conditional resident.

8 CFR 216.1 provides in relevant part: “Unless otherwise specified,

D

Conditional green card holders can petition certain family members even while still a conditional resident

the rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties which apply to all other lawful permanent residents apply equally to conditional permanent residents, including but not limited to the right to apply for naturalization (if otherwise eligible), the right to file petitions on behalf of qualifying relatives, the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having changed; . . .”

In your case, you could, therefore, petition your single minor child in the F – 2A category. At present, the backlog for such petitions is approximately 1-1/2 years.

Hopefully, if you act immediately, your child may still qualify as a “minor” child because the priority date could become current before his 21st birthday and/or he could possibly be eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).

If you wait to file your child’s F-2A petition until after your conditions are removed and you’re given a 10 – year green card, there may not be enough time to process your child’s petition (and the priority date to become cur-

rent) before his 21st birthday. He would then be automatically reclassified into the F-2B category, where the waiting time could be an additional 10-12 years.

If you are a conditional resident and are considering petitioning certain family members, such as unmarried children, whether under or over the age of 21, you should seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation. Naturally, your marriage to the US citizen (through whom you received conditional status) must be bona fide and for love.

If USCIS concludes you entered into a fixed marriage, not only would your status be in jeopardy, but also any petition you filed. ***

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 re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Business Quote of the Week “For a successful entrepreneur it can mean extreme wealth.

But with extreme wealth comes extreme responsibility.

And the responsibility for me is to invest in creating new businesses, create jobs, employ people, and to put money aside to tackle issues where we can make a difference.”

- Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group

D August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

Marketplace

Investors flocking to PH for EV industry

Despite Brexit: PH likely to forge bilateral deal with UK

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA – The Philippines is likely to forge a bilateral agreement with the UK not withstanding its historic exit from the European Union (EU), a top British diplomat said.

The future of the country’s bilateral agreement with UK is currently caught in the middle of an ongoing Philippine-EU free trade agreement negotiations and the “Brexit.”

The Philippines secured last year the EU’s nod to commence negotiations for the much soughtafter Philippines-EU FTA. UK, which is part of the EU, decided in June to leave the 28member economic bloc following a referendum.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad, however, indicated that prospects for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries look bright as the Philippines has been classified by UK as among the top 40 emerging powers in the world.

“Before the referendum in the UK, the EU which we are part, is negotiating the free trade agreement with the Philippines. Now that the first part has been completed, the second part has formally started but that process has only just began and there’s no time limit on how long it will take to do that. So we now have a race of two trains,” Ahmad said in an interview on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

And if it (EU) agrees to an FTA and that’s completed before the UK completes its exit from the

EU, then that will be in existence and we then as an independent country from the EU will have to decide how we incorporate that in our own national arrangement. If for any reason the Philippine-EU FTA comes later than the UK, then we will have to begin a process of individual FTAs with countries,” he added.

Ahmad said the Philippines is one of the countries on UK’s priority list to explore an FTA in the future.

“The fact that the EU selected the Philippines for an FTA and we agreed showed that it is already in that race. It automatically follows that we will be drawing from that list of emerging powers for the countries that we will be doing those with,” he said.

“We had identified the Philippines as among the top 40 in the world we defined as emerging powers. It does not necessarily mean military might, economic power, political influence or strength of its people and businesses. It’s actually all of it put together plus much more. It’s about the Philippines having the rightful position in the world where it matters. It has influence, it’s a place where people will be attracted to visit do business with and engage with,” Ahmad added.

Meanwhile, the country is currently benefiting from the EU Generalized Scheme of Preference plus (GSP plus), a preferential tariff scheme that allows the Philippines to export more than 6,000 products to any EU member country tariff

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British Ambassador Asif Ahmad

THE Philippines is now the “it” country for investments in Asia.

After becoming the second fastest growing economy in the world next only to economic giant China, all eyes are now on the Philippines as an investment haven.

Rommel Juan, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), said that with the unfavorable interest rates now being experienced by Japan, it is more beneficial for Japanese businessmen to invest their money in a business rather than to keep it in a bank. “They have thus put the Philippines on top of their list for possible investments ahead of Thailand and Vietnam. And the electric vehicle [EV] industry is one sunrise industry they have set their eyes on,” he said.

Juan revealed that Japanese EV companies Bemac, Prozza Hirose, and GMS have all set up shop in the Philippines. “Taiwanese conglomerate TECO has partnered with Ropali and has set up Roteco to locally assemble electric jeepneys and tricycles,” he said.

Juan added that the Philippines now has the perfect environment for investment in the EV industry and he cites the following reasons, among others.

Huge domestic population The Philippines now has a population of over 100 million people with the bulk in the productive

free.

With UK’s looming exit from the EU in the next two years, Ahmad said the UK is unlikely to abandon its commitments to the Philippines under the scheme.

“It’s something that’s premature to say, because the GSP plus arrangement is something that we do under the World Trade Organization rules. We are a member of the WTO so we have the option of carrying on with that if that’s what we want to do but no one has really thought of that far just yet. I can’t imagine that we’re going to make abrupt decisions that will stop things that are working,” Ahmad said.

“The fundamental reason for offering the Philippines the special treatment has not gone away, we see that exporting and engagement with the world will improve lives here in the Philippines and overall will make the Philippines a stronger economic and trading partner so why would we not want that. It’s unlikely, or if there is an arrangement, by doRis dumlao-abadilla it will be something that will bring Inquirer.net similar benefits because the basic FOOD and plastics input manubusiness case has not changed in facturing firm D&L Industries anyway,” he added.

working age of 22 years old. This means that there is a large consumer base that can be tapped to use electric vehicle transport systems that will be set in place.

Inefficient public transport The country probably has the most backward transport industry with inefficient public utility service anchored on buses, jeepneys and tricycles with drivers picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere they please. And these vehicles are mostly dilapidated, antiquated smoke-belching jeepneys and tricycles with an average age of over 15 years.

Electric vehicles are the perfect alternative to replace these old vehicles as they offer an ecofriendly, quiet and comfortable ride. And with the new EVs, the government and private sector can implement proper driver discipline and implement designated stops for these public transport vehicles.

Huge population of public transport vehicles to be replaced There are 370,000 registered public utility jeepneys and 1.2 million registered tricycles. It can be assumed that there are a lot more unregistered ones or colorums.

This is a huge market in a country where there was a record total auto industry sales of 310,000 units for 2015. The EV sector can focus on the domestic market and then go

for export to neighboring countries making the Philippines the EV manufacturing hub for Asia.

Government support The Board of Investments is always open to assist foreign investors if they want to enter the Philippine market. Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives are now being proposed through legislation for EV players.

Local companies ready for foreign tie-ups There are many local companies who have facilities for local EV production complete with all the government requirements. They are EVAP members and foreign companies may just choose from any of them. Thus, foreign investors need not worry about entering the market by themselves.

Juan concluded that with all these factors in mind, the Philippines is on the perfect sweet spot for EV investments. “EVAP will highlight the different domestic EV companies and their products in the upcoming Philippine EV Summit at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall on April 14-15, 2016. We invite all foreign players to come and have a look-see at the various opportunities available in the local EV industry. Finding a local partner would be a good way to jumpstart their entry and EVAP members would be more than willing to discuss business prospects with them,” he added. (ManilaTimes.net)

D&L on Forbes Asia’s ‘best under billion’ list landed on Forbes Asia’s “Best Under A Billion” list for 2016, the only Philippine firm that made it to this roster of 200 leading public companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

This list honors the best among companies with annual revenue between $5 million and $1 billion. From a universe of 17,000 companies, the candidates were screened on sales growth and earnings growth in the past 12 months and over three years, and for the strongest five-year return on equity, Forbes Asia announced on Thursday, Aug. 4.

D&L ended 2015 with gross revenues of P19.69 billion ($420 million), out of which it unlocked P2.28 billion in net profit.

A total of 98 companies from China and Hong Kong made it to this year’s list, up from 84 the previous year.

Forbes Asia said on Thursday that these companies had stood out not just because of their record number but because they largely defy those who think that the world’s second largest economy is in trouble.

Other companies that made the list include East Money Information, the most-visited financial website in the world; environmen-

tal tech company Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection and New Material; drama production company Zhejiang Huace Film & TV; cosmetics producer Shanghai Jahwa United; paint material manufacturer Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology and elevator equipment producer Canny Elevator.

Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Singapore has two companies on this year’s list, while Malaysia has five companies, which includes new entrant Karex, the world’s largest manufacturer of condoms.

Thailand has four including Forth Smart Service, a top-up service company for prepaid phone and bankcards, while Vietnam has five companies on the list. The sole listee from the Philippines this year is D&L Industries, producer of food ingredients, plastics and chemicals.

Indonesia has no representation on this year’s list.

Tim Ferguson, editor of Forbes Asia, said: “Even if the Chinese economy continues to slow, the rest of Asia—if it is to carve out a bigger place on this SME all-star list—is going to find big markets for high-value goods and services.

Maybe the ASEAN trade treaties can help.”

PH unlikely to return to US IPR watch list

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA - There is little likelihood the Philippines will return on the US government’s watch list for global piracy hubs in the near future given the government’s sustained and intensified efforts at curbing intellectual property right (IPR) infringements, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ (IPOPHL) top official said.

In an interview on Thursday, Aug. 4, IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said counterfeiting and piracy remain a concern in the country but not as rampant as in the past.

“For the last three years we have been out of the USTR (United States Trade Representative Special 301 Watch List). I don’t see why they should put us back,” Santiago said.

Last year, the amount of counterfeit products seized in the country through the combined enforcement operations of members of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights reached P2 billion, lower than the P13.3-billion worth of fake procucts seized in 2014.

From 2010 to 2013, the amount stood at P5.2 billion, P8.4 billion, P5.3 billion and P7.8 billion, respectively.

“The number of operations has not declined, it was maintained.

However, the amount depends on the value of items seized. So the number is not an indication of the government becoming more relaxed or lazy,” Santiago said.

Although the USTR remains concerned about the reports of counterfeit products being seized in the country, she said “they know that the effort of the government is still there.”

“We are relentless in our drive but despite being out of the watch list. It is impossible for any country to have zero counterfeit. Even the US has, even developed countries have. But the fact is we are relentless in our drive and we are looking for ways to reduce them,” Santiago said.

As of the first seven months of the year, IPOPHL said counterfeit products seized have already reached an estimated value of P2.82 billion.

Bulk of this amount came from fake watches that were found in warehouses in Manila and Baclaran, the agency said.

The USTR Special 301 Watch List identifies countries with IPR problems.

The Philippines has been taken out of the list since 2014 after the government enacted a series of significant legislative and regulatory reforms that enhanced the protection and enforcement of IPR in the country.

BSP fines RCBC P1-B over...

PAGE D1 Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes said that President Rodrigo Duterte has given a commitment that the amount stolen would be returned.

“We are very hopeful that we will get the total $81 million,” said Ambassador John Gomes, according to Reuters. “The reason is I got a commitment from the president himself.”

Gomes added that Bangladesh’s finance minister might come to the Philippines to meet Duterte to help in the recovering of stolen funds.

Unknown hackers used SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) between Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 earlier

this year and tried to steal nearly $1 billion from the Bangladesh Bank.

Hackers managed to transfer $81 million to four accounts at RCBC in Manila, reportedly owned by casinos in the Philippines.

According to a complaint filed

by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), $30.5 million was transferred to the account of Philrem (Philippine Remittance Ltd.) while casino junket operator Kim Wong got P1 billion through his firm Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company and personal Philippine National Bank (PNB) bank account.

Wong turned over $4.6 million to the AMLC last March 31, and an additional P38.280 million last April 4.

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Showroom

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 6-9, 2016 D

Longo Lexus offers the ultimate Longo Toyota delivers world class experience conveniences in customer amenities

We all know that the process of buying a car is not just as simple as buying a new pair of shoes at the mall. It is a long process that involves careful comparison between vehicle models, reviewing the car’s specifications with regards to the needs of the buyer, and of course, the negotiations for the financing packages and promos.

As such, it is very important for Longo Lexus that its customers are supremely comfortable and well-pampered if they are going to make that important decision of which Lexus they will drive home.

As a car dealership, there are many reasons why Longo Lexus has been an elite of Lexus dealer since 1992. One of those reasons includes the ultimate conveniences that they offer in customer amenities. As one of the leading Lexus car dealerships, Longo Lexus provides not only pre-sales conveniences, but also noteworthy post-sales services.

Longo Lexus is known for the unique amenities that they offer to dealership customers.

One of those unique amenities include an on-site Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) center. The AAA branch offers DMV services, airline, car, and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, AAA membership application processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, auto and home insurance, and more. Sign up at our AAA branch in Longo, and you’ll receive a special $13 discount off the original membership price.

Aside from from the on-site AAA branch, Longo is also the first dealership in the US to offer Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless Neighborhood services on-site. Offering the latest technologies in telecommunications, mobile accessories, and services, Longo’s on-site Verizon branch makes it even more convenient for customers to stay connected with the world. Our Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer is open from Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, from 7am to 5:30pm; and Sunday, from 8am to 4pm. Please call (888) 8115201.

While waiting for your car to come out of our premium carcare service lines or while you’re going through our wide inventory of luxurious Lexus vehicles, you can enjoy a quick bite at Sub-

way or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

If you want to pamper your car, you can also shop at the Longo Lexus Parts Boutique, which carries a wide selection of genuine Lexus parts and accessories for your vehicle. M`Zkfi I\p\j With over 31,000 parts and accessories in stock, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

The after-sales services of a dealership is just as important as the pre-sales amenities. And it these after-sales services that make buying a vehicle at Longo Lexus a truly rewarding experience.

We offer complimentary loaner vehicles for your use while your car is in our service center. For inquiries, on our loaners, please call our coordinators at 1-800-5970813.

For your convenience, we also offer complimentary shuttle service to take you to your office, home, or even the mall—basically anywhere within a 15-mile radius—while your vehicle is being serviced.

If you don’t have time to make the drive to our dealership, our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck can provide routine maintenance services, such as oil changes and tire rotations, right at your home or office. Appointments can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Similarly, if your service requirements need the car to be physically present at our Longo service center, we offer complimentary flatbed truck pick-up and delivery of your vehicle to and from our dealership. Our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck, and our complimentary flatbed truch pick-up and delivery service are exclusively for cars that are purchased from Longo Lexus, and are located within 60mile radius from Longo.

Please call 1-800-597-0813 to schedule your appointment.

Also, for every service appointment, each vehicle receives a complimentary car wash in our Longo Lexus Car Spa. For our clients who wish to use other cars, aside from those among our fleet of loaner Lexus cars, they can avail of the services of our enterprise Rent-A-Car offices.

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With two branches on the Longo Premises, enterprise is ready to address all your car rental needs.

Please call (800) 969-6519 for more information.

We understand that life’s daily grind requires our customers to be always on top of everything while keeping up with an onthe-go lifestyle. Which is they are more than welcome to work at our Longo Business Center where they can work on our computer terminals, free of charge.

We also offer complimentary Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) to our customers throughout the facility. This is particularly useful for our customers with mobile devices, laptops, and tablets.

While you wait for your car to come out of our service center, your kids can enjoy and have a good time at our Children Play Area, where we offer video games and other activities for the young ones.

Longo Lexus customers will also be offered complimentary use of our iPads while they are waiting for their vehicle.

For more information on our Longo Lexus Guest Services, please log on to www.longolexus.com/GuestAmenities or call (626) 539-2956.

Longo Lexus is located at 3530 North Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731.

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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.

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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.

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D August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 6-9, 2016 D

Buying a car is one of the most expensive life choices a person makes.

Tips on choosing the best vehicle to buy

by Anjo

Perez ManilaTimes.net

Buying a car is considered as the second most expensive purchase one will ever make in his or her life, so choosing the right one is very important.

Here, we will give you some pointers on what to consider to make sure that you pick the best one.

Budget F i r s t a n d f o re m o s t , o n e should determine the budget one can truly afford and is willing to spend for a vehicle. Every car buyer must keep in mind that the cost of a new car is not limited to the initial payment (down payment) and monthly amortization (if the car is acquired through a loan). Buyers need to take into consideration the “cost of ownership.” This cost includes insurance premiums, fuel, parking, toll-fees, and maintenance.

Use The second thing to consider is what you’re going to use the vehicle for. if you work in the central business district with very limited parking and will use the vehicle just to commute to work and back from your home, you should consider getting a small car. For one, most small cars use less fuel. it can also weave through traffic easily

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and readily fit into tight parking spaces. Alternatively, if you live outside the metropolis and usually load lots of groceries or supplies to and from work, and pass through areas that easily gets flooded during the rainy season, you should consider getting a vehicle with a higher ground clearance— perhaps, a pick-up truck or a sport utility vehicle (SuV).

Body next, consider what you usually carry in the car. if you do school runs for your kids, you should plan on getting a car that would comfortably fit them during long travels, including luggage for those trips. if you’re into sales and regularly have clients onboard your car to bring them around, you should try get a bigger vehicle like a crossover, if not an SuV. if you have a dog, you’ll also have to think about the extra space he or she needs. Crossovers and multi-purpose vehicles would usually fit the bill.

Engine size This is kind of a touchy subject, as people always relate the size of a vehicle’s engine to its fuel efficiency. is this correct? i don’t really agree. you see, fuel efficiency is more related to its power-weight ratio than its size. if a small engine pulls a light

car full of passengers, the engine tends to work harder, thus consuming more fuel. A bigger displacement engine, meanwhile, pulling the same car with the same amount of passengers tends to work less and gets up to speed using less fuel.

So, if most of the time you only travel alone and with no cargo, getting a small car with a small displacement engine would be okay. But if you often load your car with lots of passengers and cargo, it would be best to get a unit with a more powerful engine.

Fuel Buyers should also consider what kind of fuel type they want for their vehicles. The notion that diesel-powered vehicles cost more to maintain is just that. A notion. Modern-day diesel engines cost more than their petrol counterparts because they run more efficiently, and in fact, gives off less harmful emissions.

Besides being considerably cheaper than petrol, diesel-powered vehicles cost less to maintain as these have less consumables to replace regularly. unlike petrol engine, diesel-powered cars don’t have spark plugs. A regular maintenance work only requires the replacement of the lubricant and filters.

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D August 6-9, 2016 • LA WEEKEND AsIAN JOuRNAL

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