La weekend edition february 25 29, 2017

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February 25-28, 2017

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

Volume 27 - No. 17 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

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De Lima surrenders to cops: ‘The truth will come out and I will achieve justice’ Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

stICKING to her promise, senator Leila De Lima turned herself in on friday morning, february 24 to the Philippine National Police (PNP). escorted by senate sergeant at Arms Jose Balajadia, De Lima left her senate

DATELINE

office past 8 a.m. and yielded to the authorities who served the arrest warrant against her.

Briefly speaking to reporters, the senator maintained her innocence before she was handed over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). “these are all lies. the truth will

come out and I will achieve justice. I am innocent,” she said. earlier on thursday, the regional trial Court (rtC) of muntinlupa issued a warrant of arrest against De Lima over the three drug-related charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DoJ) for supposedly violating the republic Act No. 9165 or the Compre-

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hensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

De Lima was allowed to spend the night at her office on thursday before the scheduled arrest on friday.

“It is my honor to be jailed for what I am fighting for,” De Lima said. the senator, who has been a vocal critic of President rodrigo Duterte, stressed that the charges won’t silence

USA

‘There will be a PH ambassador to US’ – Yasay

Group criticizes Trump, Duterte for global deterioration of human rights

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the Philippines will have an ambassador to the United states, Philippine foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. affirmed on Wednesday, february 22.

Yasay made the confirmation amid concerns over Philippine President rodrigo Duterte’s remarks earlier this month that he is not yet keen on sending an envoy to the U.s. he took note that Duterte previously tapped Jose manuel “Babe” romualdez to replace Jose Cuisia Jr. as the new Philippine ambassador but the latter reportedly declined due to health reasons.

According to Yasay, romualdez is still “hopeful that he would be given a positive recommendation by his doctors.”

“By April, he will be able to get this medical certification and would now be in a position to fulfill his job as an ambassador to the U.s.,” Yasay added. following Cuisia’s retirement in June last year, the post remained vacant. the Philip-

PhILIPPINe Interior secretary Ismael sueno slammed human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) for “always” condemning the Duterte administration’s efforts to fight illegal drugs within the country. following the suspension of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) oplan tokhang last month, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) revealed that it is now developing a new “nonviolent and

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Duterte skips EDSA revolution rites at Camp Aguinaldo

by AJPress

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eVer since President Donald trump got elected, Americans have been scrambling to understand what his presidency will mean for their future and how it will affect their civil rights. the legal organization leading the fight for justice nationwide is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which has been issuing suits and defending targeted groups — notably undocumented immigrants — against the trump administration. since the historic election, the ACLU has received millions of dollars in donations and a record number of volunteers in hopes to bolster the organization’s power to challenge Washington. the ACLU-soCal Pasadena-foothills chapter hosted a discussion forum at the LA filipino United Church of Christ in eagle rock on tuesday, february 21, which focussed on the wide-ranging topic of civil liberties and rights and how to protect them under the trump administration.

According to ACLU-soCal Pasadena-foothills chapter board member sharon Kyle, the first 10 Amendments to the United states

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DILF chief: Amnesty Int’l a ‘human wrong group, not human rights group’

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Local ACLU chapter hosts forum on civil liberties under Trump

her and insisted that she will continue to fight “for the truth and the persecution of the Duterte regime.” she earlier called herself a “political prisoner,” claiming that the charges against her were “politically motivated” by the Duterte administration. she accused the president of master-

ARRESTED. Sources from the Philippine National Police (PNP) released to the media the mugshots of Senator Leila de Lima taken after her arrest on Friday morning, Feb. 24. Members of the PNP’s Crime Laboratory and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group took mugshots of De Lima, while wearing her trademark scarf, when she underwent booking procedures in Camp Crame. After returning the arrest warrant to a Muntinlupa court, police brought De Lima to the PNP Custodial Center where former Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada are also detained.

Photos courtesy of the Philippine National Police

PhILIPPINe President rodrigo Duterte did not attend the commemoration of the 31st eDsA People Power Anniversary revolution event at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on friday, february 24.

Instead, the president was in Davao for the relaunching of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which aligns with malacañang’s earlier statement about the president’s schedule.

Asked on thursday if Duterte would attend any other event commemorating the revolt’s anniversary, Presidential spokesperson ernesto Abella replied: “You

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Robredo backs Trump acts on campaign promises in first month in office probe of Davao Fil-Ams respond to Trump highlights, including contentious immigration policies hit man’s claim

by Klarize

MeDenilla AJPress

by niKKo

Dizon Inquirer.net

the country’s second highest official on thursday said allegations by confessed hit man Arturo Lascañas that President Duterte had directed and paid for the bloody rampage of the Davao Death squad (DDs) was so serious that it must be investigated by the senate with full support from the administration. “the imputation of such monstrous crimes to the President is unprecedented in its gravity, and

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the election of President Donald trump has been nothing short of controversial. his celebrity persona, lack of experience in public office and his many infamous gaffes before and during the election struck a chord with many Americans who believe that the reality tV star is unqualified to run the nation.

And his first month since being inaugurated has been no different. trump immediately began working on his campaign promises, signing a whopping 12 executive orders as of february 10, many of which have sweeping effects on many Americans, including the filipino-American community. however, a majority of Americans aren’t happy

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President Donald Trump

A FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

De Lima surrenders to cops: ‘The truth…

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minding the raps against her as an example to scare the critics of the present administration. She called him a “sociopathic serial killer” and the “the number one criminal in the Philippines.

But according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, the cases filed against Senator De Lima are all “criminal in nature” and are “not politically motivated.”

Malacañang previously described the warrant of arrest against De Lima a “major step forward” in the administration’s war against illegal drugs.

Dousing fears over the senator’s safety, Malacañang also said that De Lima can “put herself at rest.”

In a televised interview on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that PNP

chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa assured that De Lima will be kept safe at Camp Crame despite her claims that there are possible threats to her life.

Abella also affirmed that De Lima “will have the opportunity to defend herself and prove her innocence.”

“The court has established probable cause therefore, let us keep our faith in the judicial system. The moral arc is long but it always bends towards justice,” he added.

Trillanes next?

Senator Antonio Trillanes, who is also one of Duterte’s staunch critics, described De Lima’s arrest as “a chilling message to the political opposition and critics” that they could be the next one to be sent to prison.

But Trillanes pointed out that De Lima’s arrest has the “exactly opposite” effect against him.

He said he is “now motivated more than ever” to expose Duterte for allegedly “being a plunderer and mass murderer that he truly is.”

“Ako ang susunod (I’m next)?

Plano nga nila akong unahin e, pero sige (I was supposed to be their first, but) bring it on, do your worst,” the senator dared.

Trillanes previously accused Duterte of corruption and claimed that the latter supposedly had P2 billion in undeclared funds in his bank accounts.

The senator also sought the opening of an investigation of Duterte’s alleged involvement in the so-called “Davao Death Squad,” when he was the mayor of the city for over two decades. n

ASEAN RETREAT. In this photo provided by Presidential Communications Operations Office ASEAN, Foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) link arms during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Boracay, Aklan province on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., who chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, said that a few of his counterparts expressed concern over recent developments in the disputed area which may further escalate tensions in the region.

Duterte skips EDSA revolution rites…

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know, I think he has some surprise for that.”

The EDSA revolution, or the so-called non-violent and bloodless revolution, was a series of protests that started on February 22, 1986, which led to the end of the regime of late and former President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator on February 25 of the same year.

In a statement read by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Friday, Duterte said that the spirit of EDSA revolution should “continue to inspire heroism in all of us for the greater glory of God and country.”

“True heroes, after all, are PAGE A1 t found in everyone of us who do, can no longer be brushed aside with each passing day, our quiet by mere denials,” Vice President work for nation building,” he Leni Robredo said in a statement.

“A thorough, independent, and credible investigation by the Senate into these charges must be promptly pursued, with the PAGE A1 t full support and cooperation of with the new president’s perforthe President and his administra- mance in his first month in office; tion,” the Vice President added. Trump is the first modern U.S. Presidential spokesperson Er- president to start with a majority nesto Abella indicated Malaca- disapproval at 45 percent.

The latest poll comes from ñang would not block a Senate Quinnipiac University, which inquiry.

“They can proceed,” Abella shows an all-time low approval u PAGE A3 rating for the new president at 38

Robredo…

added in the message.

Among the officials who attended the commemoration at Camp Aguinaldo were former President Fidel Ramos and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who were then the Armed Forces vice-chief of staff and defense chief, respectively and played a key role in the revolt by withdrawing their support from Marcos.

Also present were Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Palace Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who recently criticized Malacañang’s decision to hold a low-key commemoration of the EDSA revolution this year, did not also attend the event at Camp Agui-

naldo.

Robredo earlier disclosed that she wanted to attend the event for the EDSA anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo but has not received an official invitation yet as of Wednesday afternoon.

Reports from Rappler on Friday, meanwhile, stated that Medialdea said Robredo had been invited.

Robredo previously remarked that the EDSA revolution commemoration “deserves a more dignified treatment than a ‘quiet celebration’ in the guise of moving on.”

In response, Malacañang affirmed that a “simple and quiet” commemoration does not indicate that the government is giving “less significance” to the historical event. n

Trump acts on campaign promises in first… percent and a disapproval rating of 55 percent.

“President Trump’s popularity is sinking like a rock,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of the poll, wrote in a statement. “He gets slammed on honesty, empathy, level-headedness and the ability to unite. And two of his strong points, leadership and

intelligence are sinking to new lows. This is a terrible survey one month in.”

Gallup, which has been measuring newly-elected presidents’ approval ratings since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency, shows that Trump has the lowest historic approval rating of any presi-

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From the Front page

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017

A

DILF chief: Amnesty Int’l a ‘human…

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encouraging” way to fight illegal drugs.

The DILG earlier revealed it soon plans to put “drug-free home” stickers on houses certified by the authorities to be free of narcotics.

Those houses without stickers, meanwhile, will be “the subject of interventions” by officials.

However, AI said this new campaign is a violation of privacy and could also be used to target innocent people.

“They saw wrong in this strategy. They said we will expose the [houses without stickers] to shame,” Sueno said.

Defending the campaign, Sueno insisted that the stickers “will urge families as well as their neighbors to keep their neighborhood drug-resistant.”

“Now, we are shifting to something positive, we are looking

for the good ones and we are concentrating in curing the sick.

Why do they say ‘wrong’ always?

They should be branded as human wrong group, not human rights group,” Sueno remarked.

He then suggested that AI should start offering solutions instead of just criticizing the government.

The new campaign will be called “Oplan Hangyu,” which Sueno said means “appeal—I appeal to you, if possible, do not practice [and make sure] not anyone in your family will be engaged in drugs.”

The DILG is also currently working on the criteria on how to identify which houses are drugfree.

AI criticizes Trump, Duterte In its annual report, AI said that the divisive policies of antiestablishment leaders, such as Duterte and United States Presi-

dent Donald Trump, are posing a great threat to human rights around the world.

In its “State of the World’s Human Rights” report released on Wednesday, February 22, AI also lumped Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Duterte and Trump as among the leaders who are “wielding a toxic agenda that hounds, scapegoats and dehumanizes entire groups of people.”

AI claimed that the “divisive fear-mongering” of such politicians has become a “dangerous force in world affairs.”

It said the governments have “turned a blind eye to war crimes, pushed through deals that undermine the right to claim asylum, passed laws that violate free expression, incited murder of people simply because they

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Robredo backs probe of Davao hit man’s…

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said.

He also said Lascañas’ allegations had not been discussed in a meeting of the President and several senators, including Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III. Lascañas denied any role in the hit squad when he was linked to it by DDS whistle-blower Edgar Matobato during Senate hearings on extrajudicial killings in October last year.

Robredo said Lascañas’ confession, which corroborated Matobato’s testimony, was “a matter for great alarm and concern.”

Accusations that journalists had been bribed to cover Lascañas’ press conference and that his allegations were part of a plot to oust the President “can no longer work” to downplay the serious charges, Robredo said.

“The fact that both witnesses have come forward to accuse the most powerful man in the country, possibly at great risk to themselves, requires that their claims be taken seriously and be given careful consideration,” she said.

She urged the “public to remain vigilant in the face of these alarming developments.”

“We must unequivocally demonstrate that we are still a nation governed by the rule of law and that we will exhaust all efforts to arrive at the truth,” Robredo said.

Though he may be derided by the Duterte administration and its allies, Lascañas had the country’s most prominent hu-

AUSTERE. Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways clean and replace the old Philippine flag at the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in preparation for commemoration of a 1986 revolt that ousted then-President Ferdinand Marcos. The Duterte administration has opted for “simpler” rites to mark the uprising’s 31st anniversary.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Trump acts on campaign promises in first…

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Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo

man rights lawyers standing solidly by him.

“I am satisfied with his story,” said Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

Diokno said Lascañas’ claim was subjected “to the same kind of evaluation” that FLAG gave to other cases it had handled. The allegations of the former policeman were brought to the attention of his group, which does not solicit cases.

Diokno said FLAG has always fought for the protection of human rights.

“Extrajudicial killings…are a grave issue as far as human rights is concerned. We have been consistent through all these years about fighting against any shortcuts to due process and to the law,” Diokno told the Inquirer on Wednesday.

Yuji Vincent Gonzales/Inquirer.net

“Our biggest concern about any kind of extrajudicial killings, especially if it is a practice sanctioned by the state, is that extrajudicial killings do not only kill people, it kills the legal system itself,” he said.

Diokno’s father and democracy icon, the late Sen. Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno, and other eminent human rights champions like the late Senators Lorezon Tañada and Joker Arroyo founded FLAG in 1974 to provide legal assistance to those arrested or detained during martial law.

The elder Diokno had just been released from two years of detention without charges when he formed the group. He shared a prison compound with the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in Fort Bonifacio and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. (With a report from Leila B. Salaverria)

dent coming into office.

His inauguration prompted millions of Americans to participate in numerous rallies and protests, with the most significant one, the global Women’s March, occurring on January 21, the day after his swearing in.

One thing to commend about his presidency, however, is that he has stuck to almost all of his campaign promises.

He promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, and his administration has already made significant moves to do so. He promised to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, and he’s signed an executive order to make it happen.

A so-called champion of the anti-Establishment, he’s nominated several individuals with no experience in public office to fill his Cabinet, including ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson (State Department), billionaire Betsy DeVos (Department of Education), former Goldman Sachs executive Steve Mnuchin (Treasury) among others.

In a controversial move that outraged Americans everywhere, Trump named Steve Bannon, executive chairman of alt-right media company Breitbart News, as one of his assistants and chief strategists.

Immigration policies Just this week, his administra-

tion issued its first directives to conduct the promised crackdown on undocumented immigrants and widened the pool of potential deportees.

Mariano Vargas is a FilipinoAmerican immigrant who moved to Los Angeles from Pampanga, Philippines in the early 1980s. An opponent of what he calls “the liberal elite”, he has supported the Republican Party since first moving to the United States, calling Ronald Reagan his “favorite U.S. leader.”

This election, however, was different for him. “[Trump] doesn’t represent the [Republican] Party and it’s a shame what he’s done to the name of the Republican,” Vargas told the Asian Journal at an ACLU forum on Tuesday, February 21.

Vargas also noted that although Trump appointed Republicans to his Cabinet, he feels that his picks weren’t the best.

“I thought he would ‘drain the swamp’ like he said, but he didn’t really do that,” Vargas, 52, lamented, adding that the confirmation of billionaire Betsy DeVos as education secretary will be “bad for the children.”

“I’m trying to stay positive and have hope that Trump will be better as time goes on, but with all the things and executive orders he’s signed, I don’t know,” Vargas said.

Vargas’ friend, Hillario Tan, shared a more scathing opinion on Trump, calling the real estate mogul “the most dangerous leader to the United States.”

“I don’t know where to start with Trump. We can talk on and on about what he’s doing to immigrants in the U.S., and that’s only a small part of what makes him so scary,” Tan, 45, said.

Tan, who works as a registered nurse in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, expressed fear of, not only Trump, but also the all the new leaders in the White House, especially Bannon, as White House senior counselor, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “[Bannon and Sessions] are known racists, and they’re in a position to create laws in this country, and that is terrifying,” Tan said. “And none of this would have happened if Trump wasn’t elected. He made all of this happen.”

“It’s so cliche, but now is the time to stand up and fight against what’s happening,” Tan declared.

“It’s time for folks to quit being, you know, armchair activists and to go out and volunteer, protest or work for organizations that are making a difference, support politicians who are fighting, too...it will make a difference.”

Aquilina Soriano, executive

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A FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

From the Front page

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DILF chief: Amnesty Int’l a ‘human‌

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use drugs, legitimized mass surveillance, and extended draconian police powers.�

AI referred to Trump’s “poisonous� rhetoric as an example of “the global trend of angrier and more divisive politics.�

Citing Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, the group said Washington’s foreign policy will “usher in a new era of greater instability and mutual suspicion.� “The limits of what is acceptable have shifted. Politicians are

shamelessly and actively legitimizing all sorts of hateful rhetoric and policies based on people’s identity: misogyny, racism and homophobia,� AI said.

Trump, who took office last January, has suspended Washington’s refugee program. He also signed a measure which bans people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the U.S. This executive order has been struck down by an appeals court, but Trump has vowed to come out with a more narrower direc-

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tive soon.

Denouncing the travel ban, AI chief Salil Shetty called such move â&#x20AC;&#x153;just plain stupidâ&#x20AC;? because â&#x20AC;&#x153;what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing is making all of us, not just people in the United States, less safe.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, AI took note of the alleged rising death toll in relation to Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crackdown on illegal drugs.

Since Duterte took office last July, the number of people killed in drug-related cases has reached 7,000, including both deaths during legitimate police operations and by unknown suspects based on the figures released by the PNP. In a press conference on Wednesday in Quezon City, AI Philippines head Jose Noel Olano pointed out that it was the first time for the Philippines to get a â&#x20AC;&#x153;special mentionâ&#x20AC;? in Amnestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual report since martial law in the 1970s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amnesty International, in relation to all other countries (in the report), is worried about the particular situation in the Philippines. In fact, Philippines is mentioned as a country where there is possible crimes against humanity,â&#x20AC;? Olano said.

The organization claimed in its report that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;police have killed and paid others to kill thousands of alleged drug offenders in a wave of extrajudicial executions that may amount to crimes against humanity.â&#x20AC;?

But MalacaĂąang, in response, denied that the killings are â&#x20AC;&#x153;statesanctioned.â&#x20AC;?

Citing Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-trust ratings, Philippine Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella also pointed out that AIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report â&#x20AC;&#x153;does not reflect the sentiments of the majority of Filipinos.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We guarantee that the State does not condone extrajudicial killings perpetrated by common criminals wrongly credited in news reports as part of police operations,â&#x20AC;? Abella said.

Both figures from separate polls conducted by SWS and Pulse Asia Survey, which were released last December, showed that more than 80 percent of Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Duterte as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president.

Abella then assured that the Duterte administration will â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue to implement political and socioeconomic reforms aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos.â&#x20AC;?

Washington, on the other hand, has not yet issued any comments as of press time. n

POSTERITY SHOT. Senators Cynthia Villar and Manny Pacquiao pose with the students and teachers of Claret School of Quezon City at the Senate of the Philippines. Villar has been pushing for the rights and welfare of students through various legislations which she authored and sponsored in Congress.

Senate photo

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;There will be a PH ambassador toâ&#x20AC;Ś

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pine embassy in Washington is presently headed by charge dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;affaires Patrick Chuasoto, a career diplomat.

On Wednesday, the Commission on Appointments cited that there are about 310,000 undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. that might be deported under President Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stricter immigration policy, But Yasay said that despite the number, there is no urgent need to fill up the vacant ambassador post.

Yasay remarked that the that the Philippine consular offices in the U.S. are â&#x20AC;&#x153;adequately manned by people who know what to do.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not necessary at this point in time...Our embassy in Washington has a very competent charge (dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;affaires) who would know what to do in order to address particular needs,â&#x20AC;?

Yasay said.

He added that the Philippine consular offices are also â&#x20AC;&#x153;taking proactive steps in determining and spotting these particular individuals who might be in need of legal assistanceâ&#x20AC;? in the U.S. Data from the Commission on Appointments also show that there are currently about a total of 3.4 million Filipinos in the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the meantime, we continue with the search for having the ambassador to the United States

who would really fit in terms of not only in expertise but also in resources to be able to carry out his duties effectively as ambassador,â&#x20AC;? Yasay said.

Earlier this month, Duterte expressed that he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;feel likeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sending an envoy to the U.S. yet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iyung USA, wala tayong ambassador. Walang ambassador na papunta doon. Hanggang wala tayong ambassador sa States, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like sending one (We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an ambassador to the U.S. No ambassador is going there. Until now, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an ambassador to the States. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like sending one),â&#x20AC;? Duterte said during a speech on February 2. (Dana M. Sioson/AJPress)

Local ACLU chapter hosts forum on civilâ&#x20AC;Ś

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Constitution â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Bill of Rights â&#x20AC;&#x201D; detail each Americanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s civil liberties which cannot be infringed upon by any governing body.

Civil rights, in turn, were captured in the 14th Amendment, which ensures that no state is allowed to deprive any person, regardless of race, â&#x20AC;&#x153;of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is so important to keep fighting, even when it seems that the president is against you, that the Legislature is against you, the Supreme Court,â&#x20AC;? Kyle, who is the publisher of LA Progressive and also a professor of law at the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of Law, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter; whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so important and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so fantastic about the power of the people is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more powerful than all of that.â&#x20AC;?

The panel discussion stressed the importance of looking at the

current political climate from a narrative frame and to view each issue from a human perspective so as to not dehumanize each issue.

Yaritza A. Gonzalez Rodriguez, who is now a paralegal at the Central American Resource Center, fought as a student to change the Library of Congress catalog to remove and replace the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;illegal aliensâ&#x20AC;? which is used to describe undocumented immigrants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those that are in power and creating laws should be careful with this kind of language,â&#x20AC;? Rodriguez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really does have an effect on the way professors, for example, teach their classes and talk about certain things that are then going to affect the students who are going to be going out into the world and talking about these issues and using those words like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;illegal.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Lawmakers, in turn, should â&#x20AC;&#x153;change that language so the people of the day-to-day can see

people like my mom and dad and not call them â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;illegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, but know that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re people, too, and are working really hard to make it into this country.

The ACLU has laid out a sevenpoint plan of action to challenge the Trump administration which comprise of demanding government accountability, protecting immigrants rights, safeguard reproductive rights, uphold the First Amendment, protect LGBTQ+ rights, identify and combat civil rights and civil liberties violations and galvanize an activist network of Americans.

Amid the controversy and fear surrounding the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immigration plans, the ACLU has been adamant in reminding people of their rights should they be approached by any governmental agency like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A list of these rights can be viewed at www.aclu.org/knowyour-rights. (Klarize Medenilla/ AJ Press)

Trump acts on campaign promises in firstâ&#x20AC;Ś

PAGE A3 t

director of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) of Southern California, pointed out that the recent, widely panned executive actions on immigration will, not only â&#x20AC;&#x153;wasteâ&#x20AC;? government funds but will reignite the stigma that goes with being undocumented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If these executive orders are fully implemented, the president will be wasting and throwing away millions and maybe billions of taxpayer money on policies that will make communities less safe, create more racial discrimination, will put a financial burden on local governments and put a

financial burden on all taxpayers without addressing the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need to create good long-term jobs. Why will communities be less safe?â&#x20AC;? Soriano told the Asian Journal.

Soriano expanded on the societal effects of the executive orders, reiterating that minorities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in the United States have become a target of racial discrimination.

She referenced an instance when someone yelled at a member of the PWC on the streets and told him to â&#x20AC;&#x153;go back home!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This driver had no way to tell whether this Filipino was docu-

mented or not, but only his physical appearance, his Filipino features.

The president is provoking racial discrimination with these orders and is wrongly blaming the woes of the country on immigrants,â&#x20AC;? Soriano explained, adding that this kind of discrimination will lower morale among Filipinos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At PWC we also know that when immigrant workers are more afraid because of [the] threat of deportation, they become more vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace. This will impact not only the worker, but their family and the larger Filipino community,â&#x20AC;? she said. n

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Dateline USa

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A

Fil-Am progressives stress importance of supporting small businesses

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

WASHED ASHORE. Local residents and netizens are abuzz about the remains of a large animal, which was washed ashore in Cagdianao town, Dinagat Islands province on Thursday, Feb. 23. Sufenia Chua of the Cagdianao Municipal Agriculture Office said that the carcass, which is believed to be that of a sea cow, was washed up on a beach along an area in Barangay Poblacion in Cagdianao. Chua said the carcass measured 15 feet in length, but they are still trying to identify which species the dead animal belongs to as its remains are already in a state of advanced decomposition.

Inquirer.net photo

Arum says Pacquiao vs Khan match ‘not true’ TOP Rank chief executive Bob Arum dismissed claims made by a British publication stating that a deal has been reached for a match between Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Britain’s Amir Khan.

Earlier this week, the Times of London cited in its report that Pacquiao, with a record of 59-62 win-loss-draw, and Khan, with 31-4-0, are “set” to fight supposedly on May 20 after “terms for the contest were agreed.”

But Arum, speaking to the Courier-Mail of Australia, called such reports a ““total and complete bullsh*t.”

“The Amir Khan story has come out of nowhere,’’ Arum said, adding that the negotiations for Australian Jeff Horn to fight Pacquiao in April at the Suncorp Stadium were still “up in the air.’’

Last week, however, Pacquiao hinted that his next match would be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a poll on February 12, Pacquiao asked his Twitter followers

“What’s happening is that Manny is talking to these people in Dubai who have offered him an insane amount of money,” Arum said. “Whether (the offer) is real or not real – he is determined to explore it to see if it has any validity. That’s all I can say.”

Last November, Pacquiao, won via unanimous decision and defended his WBO welterweight title against Jessie Vargas. n

Bob Arum AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

who should be his next opponent, citing the UAE as the venue.

Khan gained 48 percent of the more than 44,800 total votes.

Horn, meanwhile, only received 7 percent, while Kell Brook and Terence Crawford got 24 percent and 21 percent respectively.

Poll: 71% of Americans view PH ‘favorably’ by rosette

adel

Philstar.com

AT least 71 percent of Americans view the Philippines favorably, a poll report said.

In the latest Gallup’s World Affairs survey conducted February 1 to 5, Americans’ views on 21 foreign countries were revealed.

Philippines and Israel were tied for the eighth spot with 71 percent ratings, while Canada and Great Britain emerged as the most favored countries with 92 and 91 percent ratings, respectively.

On the other hand, Americans gave North Korea and Iran the lowest favorable rating of 11 and 12, respectively. North Korea has been at or near the bottom of this list since 2003, according to Gallup.

The countries were rated into five groups: most favorable, favorable, mixed, unfavorable and most unfavorable.

The Philippines, one of the strategic and economic partners of the US, fell into the favorable category along with other partners India, Israel, Taiwan and Mexico.

The 21 nations were evaluated

by Gallup through telephone in-

The latest Gallup’s World Affairs survey conducted February 1 to 5, revealed that 71 percent Americans view the Philippines favorably.

terviews amongst 1,035 adults, aged 18 and older. Their landline and cellular telephone numbers were selected using random-digital-dial methods.

Gallup noted that all respondents are living in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.

The poll had a margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. It added that all reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. n

US chaplains assist drug rehab efforts day at the Shrine of St. Therese a workshop on substance abuse prevention with chaplains from MANILA, Philippines — Chap- the AFP titled “Preventing and lains from the US Armed Services addressing alcohol and drug and Armed Forces of the Philip- problems.” It gave the chaplains pines met for a professional and an opportunity to share best pracspiritual workshop on caring for tices in substance abuse prevenpersons with substance abuse tion, treatment and recovery. addiction.

The training featured presentaUS military chaplain Lt. Col. tions on substance abuse prevenLeah Boling conducted on Thursu PAGE A6

by Pia lee-Brago Philstar.com

“UP, up, up with the people!

Down, down, down with the system!”

As a way to mobilize young Americans, progressive revolutionary organization Kabataang Maka-Bayan - Los Angeles (KmBLA) hosted its 13th annual Love for the People: Divest Big Business, Invest community event, whose name says it all: support local businesses which are often driven out by big corporations.

The intimate group of predominantly millennials gathered at the APAIT headquarters in Westlake in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 23 for a multifaceted night of community discussion focusing on a wide range of issues, all relating to the overarching theme of love.

“It’s the idea of challenging the commercialization of love, the idea that love is a source of capitalism which can be not with the people. It’s not about making a profit, it’s about that community love,” Eddy M. Gana, Jr., one of the leaders of KmB-LA told the Asian Journal.

The Los Angeles chapter of ANSWER Coalition first led a discussion and posed the question of how individuals can mobilize others to support small businesses. Several people answered and all expressed the importance of community involvement and staying “angry” about injustice.

They encouraged young peo-

Jeffrey Liang leads a workshop on LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace.

Indigenous 1492, a pro-immigrant rights hat and beanie clothing line, lays out their branded headwear.

AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla

ple to get to know their neighbors and fellow citizens and expand into a local coalition to raise awareness and to take action against “the system.”

“People are at the center of all movements. Coalitions cannot lead unless they understand the people, the community they are

leading and struggling with. An effective coalition must be able to build relationships and create communities. Relationships can happen between actions, and concepts and different struggles.

Small businesses provide opportunities to network and become

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A FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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American pedophile nabbed in PH, faces deportation Tanza in northern Tuguegarao City, Cagayan upon the request the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

The embassy said Turner’s A CONVICTED American pedophile wanted by U.S. authori- passport was already revoked by ties has been arrested by the the State Department.

“Aside from being undocuPhilippine Bureau of Immigramented, he will also be deported tion (BI) over the weekend.

The 38-year-old fugitive, iden- for undesirability and posing a tified as Cody Dean Turner, was risk to public safety,” BI Comnabbed on Sunday, February missioner Jaime Morente said in 19, inside his house at Barangay a statement.

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

A court in Green County, Missouri has issued warrants of arrest against Turner for failure to appear for a string of cases, including unlawful use of a weapon, a probation violation for second-degree assault and failure to register as a sex offender, officials said.

In 1999, Turner was also reportedly convicted of molesting a nine-year-old girl in Holiday Island, Arkansas.

According to BI spokesperson Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, Turner will leave the country after the Board of Commissioners releases its summary deportation order.

“He will also be placed in our immigration blacklist to prevent him from re-entering our country and pose a threat to the safety of Filipino children,” Mangrobang added. n

US chaplains…

PAGE A5 t

tion and treatment from Boling, a native of Davao, who specializes in professional counseling.

The chaplain exchange highlights one of over 80 subject matter expert exchanges set for this year where US and Philippine service members exchange experiences and skills to bolster the capabilities and readiness of both services.

Each exchange occurs at the invitation of the Philippine government and at the direction of US Pacific Command.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said it does not have the resources for funding of drug rehabilitation in the Philippines, but it is open to discussion to support to President Duterte’s priority program.

Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Gloria Steele disclosed that drug rehabilitation is an area that Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial would like to discuss with USAID when she visits the United States.

Steele, former USAID mission director for the Philippines, stressed that the agency understands that drug rehabilitation is a priority area of the Philippine President for his ‘war on drugs’ and “they just said that’s an area they want to talk to us about but we don’t have resources.”

Drug rehabilitation was not in USAID’s previous priorities, Steele said. n

EXOPLANETS. Researchers announced on Wednesday, Feb. 22 the stunning discovery of seven Earth-like planets orbiting a small star in our galaxy, opening up the most promising hunting ground so far for life beyond the Solar System. All seven roughly match the size and mass of our own planet and are almost certainly rocky, and three are perfectly perched to harbor life-nurturing oceans of water, they reported in the journal Nature.

Photo courtesy of NASA

Chancellor’s Advisory Committee convenes to improve outcomes for Asian Pacific Islander students at LACCD LOS ANGELES — The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) held its second convening at Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) on Thursday, February 23. The meeting was chaired by LACCD Trustee Mike Eng, originator and co-convenor of the advisory committee.

“This committee was formed to address the many unique challenges facing our Asian Pacific Islander students,” said Eng. “At our first convening, we discussed ways to improve retention and recruitment efforts for Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian students, communities that have historically experienced significant under-enrollment and higher dropout rates. Moving forward, our committee will explore ways to provide the best educational, cultural, and leadership experiences for our diverse student body.”

During the meeting, the advisory committee reviewed data on LAHC’s Asian Pacific Islander student population and the college’s Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) program. The committee also discussed ways to improve API student outcomes and increase faculty and staff representation from the Pacific Islander community.

“Over 80 percent of our students come from underserved communities and communities of color,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez, Ph.D. “Our community colleges are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for students of all backgrounds.

By drawing on the insights and expertise of our distinguished

The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) held its second convening at Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC).

committee members, we hope to improve the support we provide for Asian Pacific Islander students and staff.”

The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs is made up of community leaders, policymakers, higher education advocates, student leaders, and key LACCD personnel. The committee aims to better understand the education needs of Asian Pacific Islander (API) students in order to improve educational outcomes and access across all groups.

Committee members include: Mike Eng, LACCD trustee; Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Ph.D., LACCD chancellor; Sefa Aina, associate dean & director of the Asian American Resource Center at Pomona College; Dr. Mitchell Chang, professor of education at UCLA; Richard (Calvin) Chang, director of policy at Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC); Florante Peter Ibanez, Library Computer Ser-

vices at Loyola Law School; Dr. Lois Takahashi, professor of urban planning and Asian American Studies at UCLA; Dr. Robert Teranishi, professor of education at UCLA; Dr. David Yoo, director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center; Alisi Tulua, chief operating officer at Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC); Kawen Young, president of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Alliance; Dr. Mary-Jo Apigo, dean at West Los Angeles College; Dr. Ryan Cornner, vice chancellor of Educational Programs & Institutional Effectiveness at LACCD; Ann H. Gee, faculty member at Los Angeles Valley College; Dr. Moon Ko, research analyst at LACCD; Dr. Otto Lee, president of Los Angeles Harbor College; Dr. Dale Shimasaki, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Strategic Education Services; Robert Sprague, vice president of West Los Angeles College; and Alexa Victoriano, LACCD student trustee. n

Fil-Am progressives stress importance…

PAGE A5 t

involved in the community,” the group said on its Facebook page.

The group also hosted two workshops: one focussing on HIV and how to deal with and combat LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace and one on the benefits of bike commuting.

This year’s event included a vendor fair which featured a diverse group of local businesses: hat and beanie brand Indigenous 1492, African-themed clothing line Nicole Wilson and environmentally-friendly jewelry line Native Sol. Local artists that showcased artwork included global visual artist Shelley Bruce and Yvonne Ho, a visual artist, painter and illustrator based in Little Saigon, California.

Vietnamese food shop Patches and vegan catering company Bomb Vegan provided tasty eats, along with delectable Filipino selections from The Park’s Finest, Kapistahan Grill and Dollar Hits LA. KmB-LA began hosting Love for the People in 2005 and its mission has always been the same: to uplift local businesses and artists and promote love for the local community. A vendor fair was chosen this year, but in past years they’ve held panel discussions, spoken word nights and other modes of expressing their mission.

It’s always scheduled around Valentine’s Day to remind folks that love isn’t something you can buy: it’s in one’s active support.

“Our mission here has always been the same: to challenge the commercialization of love

by Valentine’s Day and to show that community love,” Gana affirmed.

All the proceeds from donations to KmB-LA were given to Black Lives Matter - LA and NoDAPL. n

Local artists showcase their paintings and prints for sale while demonstrating their talents on canvas.

Vietnamese bahn mi food shop Patches, The Park’s Finest, Kapistahan Grill and Dollar Hits LA accepted a “pay what you can” for the sale of their creations.

AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Purisima pleads not guilty PH, China agree to further advance maritime cooperation in Mamasapano case

by ElizabEth

MarcElo

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima on Wednesday, Feb. 22 pleaded not guilty to charges of graft and usurpation of official functions in connection with his alleged involvement in the Mamasapano incident.

Purisima maintained innocence during his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan. He was accompanied by his lawyer Dexter Corpus.

Purisima’s co-accused, former PNP-Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas Jr., was not arraigned as the court has yet to resolve his motion to dismiss the case.

The court set the preliminary hearings on April 6, 7, 21 and 28 to give the prosecution and defense time to thresh out issues regarding the presentation of witnesses and evidence before the start of trial proper.

The pre-trial of the cases is set on May 3.

After the arraignment, Purisima left the courtroom and did not speak to media.

Purisima and Napeñas are facing one count each of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act and usurpation of official functions as provided under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

Purisima has posted P20,000 bail for both cases while Napeñas filed his motion for judicial determination of probable cause.

The charges stemmed from their alleged involvement in the Mamasapano incident in January 2015, which left more than 60 people dead, including 44 SAF commandos.

Records showed Purisima and Napeñas violated the PNP chain of command when they kept then acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in the dark about Oplan Exodus.

Exodus was a covert SAF operation meant to neutralize Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Filipino bomb maker Abdul Basit Usman.

Purisima was under preventive suspension at the time on orders of the Office of the Ombudsman

by aJPrEss

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) have agreed to further strengthen the two countries’ maritime cooperation amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea. In its official website, the PCG said both sides have agreed to cooperate in the sectors of preventing and combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes; search and rescue (SAR); environment protection and emergency response through, Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima yesterday pleaded not guilty to among other modalities; inforcharges of graft and usurpation of official functions in connection with his alleged involvement mation exchange; and pragmatic in the Mamasapano incident.

File photo empowerment activities unique over an allegedly anomalous fire- and its splinter faction Bangsam- for coast guard and enforcement oro Islamic Freedom Fighters, agencies. arms license delivery deal.

During the operation, the SAF and some private armed groups.

The agreements were made The encounter left 44 SAF during the Second Organizacommandos were outnumbered by the combined forces of the troopers, 18 MILF members and tional Meeting and the inaugural Moro Islamic Liberation Front three civilians killed. n meeting of the Joint Coast Guard

Committee (JCGC) in Subic, Zambales from February 20 to 22.

The PCG said a hotline mechanism to facilitate the communication in agreed areas was also established.

The PCG and CCG also settled to conduct bilateral exchange ac-

tivities this year, which include the following: high-level visits, maritime operations and related exercises, vessel visit and capacity building.

In October 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and

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A FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Take 2 for Lascañas

FENDING off opposition from administration allies, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his committee on public order will give Arthur Lascañas a second chance to tell the chamber what he claims to know about death squads that allegedly operated in Davao City when Rodrigo Duterte was its mayor.

The principal argument of those who want to block Lascañas’ new testimony is that he had lied under oath the first time and should face charges for perjury instead of being given a chance to tell a completely different version of his original story.

Facing the Senate for the first time last year, Lascañas had denied the claims of another selfconfessed member of the Davao death squads, Edgar Matobato, about the operations of the DDS allegedly under the supervision of mayor Duterte.

Lascañas’ testimony led the Senate committee conducting the inquiry on extrajudicial killings to conclude that the death squads did not exist and the Duterte administration does not condone EJKs. The senators’ concerns about Lascañas’ credibility are valid. But under the circumstances, they may also want to find out the reason for the reversal of Lascañas’ testimony. It could provide an interesting twist to a narration of gruesome events allegedly involving the nation’s highest official.

If he is barred from telling the Senate what he claims is the truth this time, it’s unlikely that Lascañas will keep his mouth shut anyway. Now under the protection of human rights lawyers, he is going to take his story to whoever is interested in hearing it – and there are many who will want to listen.

Instead of rejecting his turnaround outright, senators should consider Lascañas’ Take 2 as an opportunity to puncture his story. Instead of merely giving a “public confession” at a press conference organized by staunch Duterte critic Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Lascañas must now narrate his new version of events under oath.

Not that testifying under oath the first time compelled Lascañas to tell the truth. Still, if he insists he’s telling the truth this time, he must know that his own statements can be used to indict him for mass murder. If he lies under oath again, senators can hold him liable for perjury and propose appropriate sanctions against his handlers. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump administration bans some critical news media: A move toward dictatorship?

AS if the war that President Donald The Fil-Am Trump has been waging against the news Perspective media is not enough — calling those news organizations critical of him and his policies “fake news” — now Gel sAntos-relos the administration through the Office of Press Secretary Sean Spicer has “fired ballistic missiles”, so to speak, against the Fourth Estate, by barring reporters from several large media organization from participating in a scheduled press conference in the White House.

Politico, the New York Times, Buzzfeed and CNN, as well as the majority of the

foreign press, were barred without any explanation from the Office of the Press Secretary just before the press briefing started on Friday.

Other members of the White House press pool including NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox News, were allowed to enter the press briefing room, as well as many smaller conservative media outlets, including the Washington Times, the One America News Network, and Breitbart (alt-right media outlet which was formerly run by White House senior strategist Steve Bannon).

CNN reported that “Time and the Asso-

ciated Press boycotted the gaggle.”

This move just adds credence to what many people already suspect: that the Trump administration will do anything and everything to silence news media organizations that Steve Bannon previously called the “opposition party.”

As the Washington Post reported, Bannon issued a warning during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, February 23, saying, “It’s going to get worse every day for the media.” Bannon added, “If you think they are giving you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken.”

Trump himself had repeatedly been demonizing mainstream news media organizations like CNN, Buzzfeed, the New York Times, and the Washington

America in transition (Part I of II)

“LIFE is much more impor- Rhizomes tant than the making of dollars. It should be about passion for doing production about people and its relations to everybody else, where there is respect in the society amongst nationalities, amongst Prosy AbArquezAmerican people, [for] we are DelAcruz, J.D. America. We are to be completed, to be moved, and to have a sense of pride and gratification by whatever has been told on film [about us].” – Linda Mabalot, in an interview with Arthur Dong, 1990 “A politician who brings personal integrity into leadership helps us reclaim the popular trust that distinguishes true democracy from its cheap imitations. The divided life may be endemic, but wholeness is always a choice. Once I have seen my dividedness, do I continue to live a contradiction—or do I try to bring my inner and outer worlds back into harmony?” – Parker J. Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness, 2004.

I would like to believe America is in transition — on its way to resolving its internal contradictions, on its way to becoming whole again. It may be naiveté, but I truly believe America will manifest a circle of love in the plurality of interactions.

That we are simply in the process of integrating America’s population of 325,642,556 in 50 states, according to Worldometers.

Meltdown to renewal In 2008, “Taken together, losses total a staggering $8.3 trillion. Since peaking in the second quarter of 2007, household wealth is down $14 trillion, unemployment at 10 percent.”

Foreclosures of homes in the millions occurred.

Banks who presided over foreclosures got richer.

Communities with foreclosed homes became ghost towns. Banks and corporations amassed cash worth $6 trillion and kept it in reserves, with no loans made from 2008-2011.

After eight years of smart policies from 2009 to 2016 by the 44th U.S. president, regenerating new alternative sources of energies and manufacturing, the US Dept. of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that 20 of 22 industry groups contributed to the 3.5 percent increase in the GDP. In Sept. 2016, “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 48 states and the District of Columbia in the third quarter of 2016. Real GDP by state growth ranged from 7.1 percent in South Dakota to –0.1 percent in New Mexico. Finance and insurance grew 9 percent, wholesale trade grew by 8.3 percent, and information grew by 8.6 percent. These were the leading contributors to U.S.

economic growth in the third quarter of 2016.”

The American economy was nominally worth $18.56 trillion in Sept. 2016.

Yet, this economic revival did not translate into an overall feeling of upliftment and national happiness amongst voters who were fed news about ISIS killings, murders of young black men, and false news spun around.

The New York Times’ Scott Shane, on January 18, reported on Cameron Harris who created fake news to falsely report “file boxes” as premarked ballots for Hillary Clinton. Cameron admitted he used the income he generated for student loans, rent and living expenses. His lack of personal integrity to create fake news may have affected how voters saw the candidates.

Did voters buy into the anger and discontent of white citizens, mostly coming from the core of the Appalachian states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, who saw their industries disappear: lumber, coal mining, and with them, the manufacturing jobs with little or none to replace them?

But also, predominantly white voters of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Kansas, voted for Trump such that “starting Wednesday [Nov. 9 2016], you could walk from the Vermont border through Appalachian coal country to the outskirts of St. Louis without crossing a county Mr. Trump did not win decisively. You could head south through rural and suburban Georgia all the way to South Florida, or northwest through the Upper Midwest, or make a beeline for the West Coast, skirting only the rising Democratic communities of Colorado and the booming multicultural sprawl of Las Vegas before finally reaching Mrs. Clinton’s part of the country,” Nicholas Confessore and Nate Cohn of the NYTimes reported.

Now, we ask, has our collective anger subsided that we can hear now and rebuild a divided nation into one?

“God gave us two ears and only one tongue,” Bishop Oscar Solis said in a recent television interview. He paused, allowing the Utah-based journalist to interject his thoughts.

After, Bishop Solis responded that God must want us to listen to each other, giving us two ears, in order to find our commonalities, in spite of our differences.

How many times have we affirmed one another?

Or do we ride our high horse to simply say, “That

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Post for reporting news that were not good for the Trump brand, even when these reports were accurate and based on facts. He would dismiss and malign these news organizations by calling them “fake news.”

He even tweeted on February 17, and repeated this again in his speeches, “The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @ CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!”

Is the Trump administration moving closer and closer to becoming a dictatorship? Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s statement last December 2016 may answer this question: “Look, there’s a big difference between a campaign where it is a pri-

vate venue using private funds and a government entity...I think we have a respect for the press when it comes to the government. That is something you can’t ban an entity from.”

“Conservative, liberal or otherwise,” he continued, “that’s what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship. I think there is a vastly different model when it comes to government and what should be expected, and that’s on both sides.” *** 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

Tilting the scales of justice THE classic symbol of justice is a lady with a blindfold holdStreet ing weighing scale that are perfectly balanced. The blindfold Talk and the balanced scales denote impartiality.

One would expect that the Secretary of Justice and our country’s lawmakers, the members of the GreG b. MAcAbentA legislature, fully understand and appreciate the symbolism.

However, current developments and the actuations and public statements of these officials have not been reassuring. And in committee hearings conducted by the House of Representatives and the Senate late last year, the country saw a brazen display of perversion of justice.

In a column on December 14, 2016, I wrote about the conclusion arrived at by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Sen. Dick Gordon, which had conducted hearings on allegations of extra-judicial killings in the few months since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, as well as the existence of a death squad in Davao City during Duterte’s incumbency as mayor.

The Senate inquiry was ostensibly a continuation by Gordon of the hearings initiated by Sen. Leila de Lima, until she was TKO’d from her committee chairmanship on a motion of boxer-solon, Manny Pacquiao.’

I wrote: “The report (of the committee) concluded that allegations of ‘extrajudicial killings’ attributed to the Duterte administration and, by extension, to Duterte himself, had no basis in fact.

Gordon apparently drew his committee’s conclusion because of the seemingly unreliable testimony and allegations of self-confessed Davao Death Squad member, Edgar Matobato.

“This conclusion was drawn after only six Senate hearings, which had ostensibly been stymied by the withdrawal of Matobato from the hearings

by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. “Apparently, Gordon and his committee members gave no weight to a report of Human Rights Watch in 2009 to the effect that ‘there were 124 targeted killings in Davao City from 1998 to 2008 alone, during Duterte’s term as mayor.’ A 103-page report included accounts of people with insider knowledge of the so-called Davao Death Squad, the victims’ families, witnesses, lawyers and local government officials.

“But for some fantastic reason, the Gordon committee concluded that there was no such thing as a Davao Death Squad, based on Matobato’s inconsistencies.”

De Lima was not only ejected from the Senate committee chairmanship, she was also broiled

and roasted over hot coals in the House of Representatives, which had decided to conduct hearings on the active drug trade masterminded from inside the New Bilibid Prison, allegedly abetted by the lady senator while she was justice secretary.

Aside from unveiling her love affair with her former driverbodyguard, complete with sexual innuendoes, the House inquisitors and Secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II presented a line-up of self-incriminating witnesses – the imprisoned drug lords themselves – who gave varying and often conflicting testimonies on how De Lima had profited financially from allowing their criminal activities to flourish.

Fast forward to the present: Aguirre has gone ahead and directed a panel of prosecutors to file three cases against De Lima, two with the Muntinglupa City Regional Trial Court (instead of the logical forum, the Sandiganbayan) and one with the Office of the Ombudsman.

A warrant for the arrest of De Lima is expected shortly, following the filing of these charges.

Wrote Randy David in his column, Public Lives, in the Philippine Daly Inquirer: “…what is remarkable is this: The same DOJ resolution carries a request for the dismissal of the illegal drugs cases filed against Herbert Colanggo, Engelberto Acenas Durano, Vicente Sy, Jojo Baligad, and Wu Tuan Yuan alias Peter Co, ‘since they will be utilized as prosecution witnesses.’”

And not only that: as leaked to media, Aguirre reportedly gave instructions to Bureau of Corrections officials to provide special privileges to the drug lords “in return for the testimony they gave during the congressional inquiry on the proliferation of drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.”

Any nincompoop can tell you that a convicted criminal will be happy to give false testimony based on a promise of special privileges and dismissal of charges.

Aguirre insists that he has an airtight case against De Lima based on inconsistent, conflicting and selfserving testimonies. Yet, the Senate committee of Gordon discounted the testimony of self-confessed Davao Death Squad hitman Matobato incriminating Duterte because of “inconsistencies.”

Matobato’s testimony has just been corroborated by another self-confessed DDS killer, retired Davao cop Arturo Lascañas. He has confirmed the existence of the death squad and has pointed to Duterte as having personally ordered extra-judicial killings, including the murder of Davao broadcaster and Duterte critic Jun Pala.

u PAGE A9

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PAGE A8 t

America in…

is not the point,” to justify disruption is more important than to listen?

Or do we impose our interpretations of events, imposing discipline on another for what we perceive, instead of owning our feelings for our issues?

“The Talmud says that anyone who does anything in anger, it’s as if they’re worshiping idols.

What that basically means is, when you’re angry, you can’t see straight. Now is the time, the opportunity, to hold all our elected officials responsible for everything,” Sharon, an Oprah panelist pointed out.

Oprah, in her magazine article, “What I Know for Sure,” (March 2017) acknowledged how she misses her show since she said goodbye in 2011.

That show gave her a barometer of how women felt.

“They talked. I listened. I talked. They listened.

We shared a goal: to hear one another. I’ve been saying this forever (it’s the greatest lesson I learned from more than 37,000 one-on-one interviews), there is a common denominator in the human experience. We all want to be heard. We all want to know that what we’re saying and feeling matters. Yes, there is now a serious divide in our country. A lot of folks don’t want to value whoever is the ‘other.’ It truly doesn’t have to be that way.

Our differences enrich the human mix. And we all should be open to embracing the chance for more interaction, for conversations that both challenge and affirm the way we see each other.”

As one journalist wrote, “Circulate, not accumulate.”

I modify it a bit: circulate, connect and accumulate experiences with another. Understand a fellow human being. What is Seder? Have you participated in this Jewish festive holiday meal, a celebration of the Jews’ passage from slavery to freedom?

How about Diwali? Have you joined this festival of lights, a November tradition amongst Hindus?

Have you visited the Manzanar National Historic Site to know that this is one of the sites used to incarcerate over 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent, just because they were suspected of being enemies, based on a lie that was enshrined in a military memo? How did they respond? They became the most decorated war heroes of 442nd Batallion who fought valiantly during World War II. America’s betrayal was paid by national valor

PAGE A8 t

OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017

and extraordinary heroes’ courage from Americans of Japanese descent.

“Turning on people who are in some way unlike us-who don’t look like us, don’t act like us, didn’t vote like us is not the path we should be taking,” Oprah wrote in the March article.

American democracy is built on understanding that all 325,642,556 residents have value and an opportunity to contribute to a civil discourse and utilize their potentials for the betterment of this country.

We are not a reality-TV democracy. There are no cuts and retakes. Democracy unfolds as we interact with each other. Even Pope Francis reminds us that “rigidity in thinking” is not divine. We need to listen more with our two ears and use our one tongue to do no harm to another. We need to verify and challenge our long held beliefs, perhaps formed from spun fake news, like that of Cameron Harris.

The same goes for the circle of folks around the 45th U.S. President, and the president himself, from whom the best examples of human behaviors must come from.

Should we align ourselves with these core American values of harmony, inclusiveness, equality, freedom and respect for human rights?

For when we embody that as a nation, we are America’s harmony, our American democracy becomes the best manifestation of ourselves: whole, wholesome, completed, with a sense of pride of who we are, even if we come from these descents: Germans, African Americans, Irish, Mexicans, English, Italians, Polish, French, Armenians, Native Americans, Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Alaska Native, American Indian, East Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Serbians, Syrians, Iraqis, Arabs, and more.

*** 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.

Tilting the scales of…

Last year, when he testified before the Senate committee, Lascañas firmly denied the existence of the DDS and any involvement of Duterte in extra-judicial killings. For some reason, he has completely reversed his testimony and, in a videotaped media interview, specifically implicated Duterte.

About the revelations of Lascañas. Gordon, whose committee had rejected the allegations of the existence of the DDS, has not shown any interest in revisiting the case. As quoted by the media, Gordon said, “Ang advice ko, kung talagang meron kaso yung nagpapadala nyan, file nyo na sa Ombudsman. Kasi ang Ombudsman pwede pa ring imbestigahan ang Pangulo pero ipa-file nya sa Kongreso kung gustong i-impeach (My advice if they really have a case, you file it with the Ombuds-

man. Because the Ombudsman can investigate the President but they need to file it with Congress if they want to impeach).”

Gordon, however, said that he doubted a Dutertecontrolled House of Representatives would allow an impeachment case to gain any traction.

“Palagay ko hindi kasi hawak nila yung lower house (I doubt it because they control the lower house).”

Gordon was, of course, stating the obvious. But what about his committee? Isn’t he at least going to give Matobato’s “perjured” testimony a second look? Or is it also obvious that Duterte controls the Senate and his committee?

That seems to be the case, going by the reactions of Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Pac-

u PAGE A10

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A10 FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PHiliPPineS

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I’m not, and never was, an American – Yasay

by Christine

AvendAño Inquirer.net

FOREIGN Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. insisted before a Commission on Appointments committee on Wednesday that he was never a United States citizen and never held a US passport.

But after over two hours of grilling, Yasay failed to get the committee’s nod on his first appearance there.

The commission committee on foreign affairs chaired by Sen.

Panfilo Lacson suspended Yasay’s confirmation hearings on the request of committee assistant majority leader Rep. Abraham Tolentino who said this was because Yasay still had to submit documents.

Lacson later told reporters that there were committee members, mostly from the House, who wanted to question Yasay. He said the committee would schedule the next hearing for Yasay either next week or the week after.

In his opening statement, Ya-

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

say said he has both Philippine and US government “issuances” that would show he remained a Filipino citizen despite living in the United States for many years with his wife, who remains a US citizen.

He said he even ran for senator twice and even sought the vice presidency position, but his citizenship was never questioned until he was scheduled for commission confirmation.

Yasay said he became a legal permanent resident of the United States, or a green card holder, when his wife, a US citizen, petitioned him. But he has “never legally acquired American citizenship.”

He admitted applying for naturalization but before the US government acted on it, he was no longer qualified “because, at that time, I already had plans to abandon my permanent residency in the US to return to the Philippines.” He said he abandoned his permanent residence in the United States in 1986. n

CALL FOR PEACE. Members of human rights group Karapatan hold a rally outside the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City where a forum titled “Protecting the People and State” was held on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The group called on government to continue peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

PAGE A9 t

Tilting the scales of…

quiao. Gatchalian would have the Department of Justice indict Lascañas for perjury “for lying under oath to the Senate justice committee” last year.

Obviously intending to intimidate Lascañas into flip-flopping on his recent flip-flop, Gatchalian pompously declared, “Lascañas has made a mockery of the solemn proceedings of the Senate. He should be made to pay for the grave disrespect he has shown to this institution.”

For his part, Pacquiao implied that Lascañas may have been offered incentives by Duterte’s “oppositors”: “Mahirap ang buhay ngayon, maraming nangangailangan (Life is hard these days, and many are in need),” Pacquiao told the media. “Huwag na nating sabihing money involved, baka nakumbinsi sya ng kabila (This is not to say that money is involved but he may have been convinced by the other side).”

Pacquiao should have added: “Just like the witnesses against De Lima.”

On the other hand, one senator has endorsed the revised testimony of Lascañas. On the Senate floor, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV made a motion to refer the DDS hitman’s new testimony to the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Sen. Ping Lacson.

Lacson expressed readiness to conduct an inquiry but couldn’t resist warning Lascañas that he could be liable for perjury for recanting an earlier testimony given under oath.

In other words, “Back off.” As the Mafia would put it, “Fuggedaboutit!”

Don’t we get the feeling that the only witnesses who can safely commit perjury are those presented by the people in power?

Don’t we get the uneasy feeling that, in the Philippines, lady justice is peering through her blindfold and is tilting the scales?

And don’t you get the feeling that she is wearing a badly mounted wig? (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

PH, China agree to further advance maritime…

PAGE A7 t

Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of the JCGC on maritime cooperation between the two countries.

Under the new leadership of Duterte, Manila started to seek a warmer relationship with Beijing, which has been constrained due to the disputed territories in the South China Sea. Based on a “nine-dash-line,” China has claimed sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea, resulting in territorial conflicts with its neighboring coun-

tries including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Last year, the arbitration tribunal at The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines and concluded that China’s claim of sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis and violates UNCLOS, a treaty signed by both the Philippines and China.

The Chinese government, however, has refused to acknowledge the ruling.

China also reportedly built artificial islands along the disputed waters for military purposes.

To address the tensions, the Philippine Department of For-

eign affairs (DFA) said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is fast-tracking the framework of a Code of Conduct (COC) in South China Sea. Some analysts, however, express doubts whether the COC can ease the maritime conflicts in the South China Sea. Earlier this week, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay disclosed that “President Xi has promised President Duterte they will not reclaim and build structures on Scarborough Shoal” during the two leaders’ bilateral meeting

A UNQUE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

AT

MONTEMARIA ESTATES, BATANGAS CITY, PHILIPPINES

WINDING ITS WAY SOON

A PROJECT OF

in Beijing last year.

Also known as Panatag shoal, the Scarborough shoal is located 230 (140 miles) kilometers west of Zambales, which overlaps the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Since the standoff in 2012, China has been exercising control in the shoal, claiming its “historic rights” based on the “nine-dashline.”

Recent reports, however, claimed that several Filipinos were now able to fish “unmolested” at the disputed area. n

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A11

Election Tuesday, March 7th

Because everyone needs a home

What is Measure H?

Who will Receive Measure H funding?

Measure H, the “Los Angeles County Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness” is the March 7 ballot measure that will end homelessness for 45,000 families and individuals across Los Angeles County within five years. It will also prevent homelessness for 30,000 individuals and families over the same time period, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and survivors of domestic violence.

90% of individuals and families experiencing homelessness ` Ê ÌÊ ÛiÊ Êº- `Ê, Ü»°Ê i>ÃÕÀiÊ ÊvÕ `ÃÊÜ ÊÌ iÀiv ÀiÊLiÊ allocated equitably across the County. Measure H will support L Ì Ê «À wÊÌÊ i iÃÃÊ ÃiÀÛ ViÊ «À Û `iÀÃ]Ê iÊ Ê > ÞÊ Õà }Ê ÊÌ iÊ-> Ê iÀ > ` Ê6> iÞ]Ê1 Ê-Ì>Ì Ê i iÃÃÊ -iÀÛ ViÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ-> Ê >LÀ i Ê6> iÞ]Ê >ÀL ÀÊ ÌiÀv> Ì Ê-iÀÛ ViÃÊ in San Pedro, just to name a few—as well as public sector >}i V iÃÊ iÊÌ iÊ ° °Ê Õ ÌÞÊ i«>ÀÌ i ÌÊ vÊ i Ì> Ê i> Ì °

Why do We Need Measure H? The number of individuals and families estimated to be experiencing homelessness in LA County in January 2016 was 46,874, an overall increase of 2,515 people (6%) from 2015 (44,359) and 19% more than in 2013. The number of people living in encampments, tents and vehicles increased by 20% from 2015 to 2016 and a staggering 123% from 2013 to 2016.

How Will Measure H Work?

Measure H will invest $355 million a year for 10 years in the solutions that have been proven to prevent and end homelessness, including: UÊ i iÃà iÃÃÊ«ÀiÛi Ì ÊÃiÀÛ Vià UÊ «Ài i à ÛiÊÃÕ«« ÀÌ ÛiÊÃiÀÛ ViÃ]Ê iÊ i Ì> Ê i> Ì ÊV>ÀiÊ and job training UÊ }ÊÌiÀ Êà ÕÌ ÃÊ iÊpermanent housing

Is Measure H Funding Guaranteed to Help People Who are Homeless?

Yes, Measure H is a “special” ¼ cent sales tax, which means it can only be used for the specific purposes of funding homeless services and housing. The Measure specifically lists the strategies that can be funding, and resources can only be allocated to those strategies.

The average consumer would pay a little more than a dollar a month to help prevent and end homelessness in Los Angeles County.

Paid for by Yes on H - Communities United to End Homelessness, Major funding by Mark Ridley-Thomas Committee for a Better L.A. with support from a coalition of Nonprofit Organizations, Businesses and Labor Organizations. Additional Major funding by NextGen CA Committee.

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James Reid, Nadine Lustre spend first anniversary in Japan

By Deni

rose M. AfiniDAD-bernArDo Philstar.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Saya!â&#x20AC;? actress Nadine Lustre said of her first anniversary in Japan with on-and-offscreen partner James reid.

It was February last year when the two made their relationship official at the araneta Coliseum, during the concluding concert for their hit soap opera â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Wings of Love,â&#x20AC;? which was then followed by â&#x20AC;&#x153;Till I Met you.â&#x20AC;?

Lustre said James had no anniversary gift, but for her, being with him was a gift already. â&#x20AC;&#x153;actually, umalis po kami 11 ng gabi, kaya ang anniversary namin [ay] sa airport!â&#x20AC;? she gushed in an interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ang bilis nga e! Nung nagone year, ang sabi ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Feb 11

na?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sabi saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;kin ng friends ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;O, tomorrow na! Tomorrow na!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tapos ako naman, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh shoot! Feb 11 na pala tomorrow! Super bilis!

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really happy kasi weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown. parehas kami, individually, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown up,â&#x20AC;? Nadine said.

She denied that she had been rejecting projects because she wants to rest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Viva really wants to give us a break kasi last year sunod-sunod na ang projects,â&#x20AC;? she explained.

In Japan, the two toured around the fashion district, Shibuya, as well as in Tokyo. What else did they do there? â&#x20AC;&#x153;More on food [trip]!â&#x20AC;? Jadine shared.

She said James is nervous to be on a duet with Sarah

Geronimo in the variety show â&#x20AC;&#x153;aSapâ&#x20AC;? this Sunday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;pero Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty sure kaya naman nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ya i-pull-off yun. Magaling naman sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ya kumanta. So ang sabi ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Go mo lang yan. Kayang kaya mo yan.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? as of now, she plans to continue promoting her perfume line, while she and James are finishing their individual albums.

They also have a scheduled tour this March.

When she and James have a misunderstanding, how do they fix it? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wala! Hug lang,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kung meron man, really Nadine Lustre simple lang naman. ayaw na lang namin pansinin yung galit namin. Wala namang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;di kayang ayusin!â&#x20AC;?

3 for the Road: A tribute to peace and love

By Prosy

AbArquez-DelAcruz, J.D.

tation or some modification of the lyrics. It is not about range. â&#x20AC;?You must make sure you paniment with a guitar. You only It should be musical. Does your know the meaning of each song evolve your craft as a musician if interpretation give what is due to and draw from the songwriterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s you are plunged into the public the songwriter? It is a privilege to intentions for your interpreta- sea of audience and see if you can sing their songs.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mon David, as tion. In doing a gig, it requires swim. With a beginnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind, told to this writer in 2014.

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B february 25-28, 2017 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Features

Dance exercise – the latest senior craze Moonlighting leon

They were evenings that mixes serious adult past time. Not exactly the kind of topic one wants to pursue after what seems to be a lifetime being under the weather.

Startled by beautiful old faces, lived, groomed and puckered as they maybe, hair grizzled; these glossy contemporaries at the Silver Lake Adult health Center showed they have lived and not yet found the means to hide it.

Their lotions have done well — plus dance, dance, and dance.

Over the weekend, I saw a lot of golden seniors in bundles of accelerated energies. Whirling, stomping and laughing — doing it right, doing it wrong and doing it again. Flinging themselves about with a quiet, free exuberance that was contagious expressing unbridled happiness.

Dance exercise is the latest fad among seniors, would be seniors, and even the young ones. Dancers threw themselves in this new style of dancing with unrestricted moves of magical cultures whirling in the wind, a total involvement in that new dance style. It momentarily frees them from every little fear, including realities that imprisons them.

They move unrestrictedly like magical creatures, whirling in the wind in fun. It doesn’t attempt pursuit of excellence through dancing, just simply jumping up and down in rhythm. The Friday nights at the Manila Terrace “where dancing makes us happy” sounds like a collective chorus,

It all starts with line dancing.

The Global Kababayan

A February full of theater

G. TönGi

by Mylah de

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

Dance exercise comes in many colors.

For some, the pause before anything and everything goes.

that justifies their new social freedom of expression.

They are dubbed the Generation X…after the baby boomers, before the millennials. They can anticipate reaching more longevity, having spent more than one third of their lives, in large numbers and in what are referred as “older people.”

This comes with many implication and occasional hand wringing. have they lived differently from their earlier generation, or the later called millennium?

It is reassuring that addressing longevity sights here that focuses on metric related healthy

lifestyles which predicts long term outcome.

We can’t unpack the larger set of findings about the generation X – as they’ve already done, all the bright prospects what has to be done, offering flexibility to help their children, travel, make philanthropic gifts, and now enjoying their twilight years on their terms.

The very elderly people often remark that they arrived at old age by surprise — most of their peers didn’t make it. Which is a reminder: next time the conversation turns to longevity, let us talk about the agony!

Dance exercise in full splendor.

ONe of my New year’s resolutions was to make sure that I surrounded myself with art everyday possible. In this political climate of divisiveness, nothing heals the soul more than time spent marinating on the human condition of others. Undoubtedly, Filipino Americans — much like other minority communities — have gone about their day avoiding conflicts or confrontations, just to go about their own business, trying as much as possible never to call attention to themselves or ruffle any feathers. This I know is true of our community. What seems fairly dangerous to me in these tumultuous times of the Trump administration is to cordon off other people’s sentiments that do not align with yours.

More than ever it is imperative that we go and make an effort to understand all sides of the heated debates, through a respectful manner and come to some sort of an agreement to disagree.

The opportunity to suspend one’s belief, even just for a little while, is exactly why we need to flock to the theater with people we may not share the same views with because each response from the theatrical presentation is valid and just. I’d like to recommend these productions that are currently running here in Los Angeles so that we may all put into context who we are in this world. extremely relevant today — especially in the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to leave trans kids’ rights to use the restrooms of their choice to each state — is the Tony Award-winning musical “Fun home,” which opened this week on February 22 at the Ahmanson Theatre and continues through April 1.

Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, “Fun home,” which I had an opportunity to read in 2011while at UCLA, introduces Alison at three different ages in her life, as she explores and unravels the mysteries of her childhood. A refreshingly honest musical, Alison eventually sees her parents through the eyes of a grown-up.

“Fun home” has music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics

by Lisa Kron. Sam Gold is the director and Danny Mefford is

Programming for Kababayan Today, Feb. 27-Mar.3, 2017 Monday, February 27 - Meet Fil-Am talent Sabrina Oxciano as she joins us for our Music Mondays.

Tuesday, February 28 - We are joined by a panel of diverse Filipinas to discuss the different types of relationships as part of our love month.

Wednesday, March 1 - Annie Nepomuceno joins us as the Asian Journal shares the latest headlines relevant to the Fil-Am community.

Designer and reality TV star Cyril Lumboy talks her DollDelight Fashions.

Criminal lawyer and kababayan Frances Prizzia gives legal advice for viewers.

Thursday, March 2 - Singer and Songwriter Amanda Abizaid shares how her music will raise funds for schools for Aeta Children.

Nephi Garcia also comes to the show to talk about Once On This Island Special.

Friday, March 3 - Two Filipino-American business owners share their passion for entreprenuership. Michael Deleon started Life Scarf to be able to raise money for the Children’s hospital. Learn about the Cerritos café called Kape Republik and the secret behind their famous Ube cookies made with halaya! the choreographer. Incidentally, Lea Salonga will star in Atlantis Theatrical entertainment Group’s production in Manila this March.

For adults and parents alike, head over to the hollywood Pantages Theater for “Finding Neverland.” With a book by James Graham and Music and Lyrics by Gary Barlow and eliot Kennedy, “Finding Neverland” tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother.

Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers.

With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his

old world behind for Neverland where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. I brought my son Kenobi to the production and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. The musical shows at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Friday performances, 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. It ends March 12. Go to www.hollywoodpantages.com for tickets. *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipinos living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only 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.

Features

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 25-28 2017

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How will President Trump’s ‘enforcement priorities’ affect you? – on Citizen Pinoy On January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order on who is now considered an “enforcement priority.”

On February 20, 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to Homeland Security agencies on how they are to carry out the

president’s executive orders for both border security and interior enforcement. These memos serve as a guide to federal officials on how to implement President Trump’s immigration executive orders.

Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel

explains the DHS memos and President Trump’s enforcement priorities, and how these could affect you, on a brand – new episode of Citizen Pinoy – this Sunday, 6:15 PM PST/ EST (9:15 PM EST through selected cable/satellite providers).

Eye-shaped agate

Protection from all kinds of evil energy

By Sean

Shono

THIS stone protects you from all kinds of evil energy, including jealousy and resentment.

Its effect is enormous. One example was when a lady who had kept herself inside her house because she was scared of someone’s eyes started wearing agate and eventually she was able to go outside.

Some say, “Once you wear it,you can’t take it off!”

It frequently works against various kinds of harassment, including stalking. *All of our items have been purified by the authentic process of the Feng Shui way.

3 for the Road: A tribute to peace...

But it is now five, as his 7pound grandson Leo, was born on Feb. 9 and nico, 6lbs, minutes after, to whom he dedicated his performance.

His footwork had a special energy to it, an added spring, as if reborn to jazz away into the night.

When he sang, the theme of Little Darlings with photos of the newly born were shown, as he crooned “If I Could.” Even his tuxedo was with beads and sequins and with changing lights, it shimmered like sparkles of light on the ocean surface waters.

With impact, he sang: “If I could/ I would teach you all the things I’ve never learned/ And I’d help you cross the bridges that I’ve burned/ Yes, I would” Mon was simply exceptional

How Gabby Concepcion prepares for reunion movie with Sharon Cuneta

By Robbie

Pangilinan Philstar.com

Yes, it’s really happening,” wrote Sharon in a Facebook post where CAMERAS are now rolling for she also displayed posters of her the reunion movie of “Megastar” past movies with Gabby. She also Sharon Cuneta and former hus- reposted the ABS-CBn news band Gabby Concepcion to be article about the reunion, with the caption: “Everyone, I am shown in May. Star Cinema announced the happy to announce the return 24-years-in-the-making movie of Sharon and Gabby on the big last December, confirmed by screen! Shooting begins January Sharon’s posts in her social me- 2017. Tentative showing month: May 2017!” dia accounts.

The most popular showbiz “I finally have a leading man. as he sang a Lou Rawls medley of “Lady Love,” “Pure Imagination,” “Tomorrow,” “One Life to struggles to keep their focus on highs to lows and highs again.

Live” and “You’ll never Find.” their love for singing, despite their Giji, a masterful professional, Of course, “Dandansoy” equally life’s challenges. received a standing ovation after made a mark amongst the Visayan Giji delivered her songs with she sang, “This is the Moment. members of the audience. He guts and gusto, mirroring the ” We admire how she also gave is simply the master of his vo- depths of sorrow in losing an homage to her present husband, cal chords and delivers the best ex-husband, a good friend whom Vincent Kocher, whose love and expression of emotions, giving she just talked to, days before loyalty she acknowledged, and performances a new twist, a new he passed. As she sang “Golden who sweetly greeted her with his interpretation, and a new experi- Slumber/Carry that Weight,” we own personal bouquet of roses ence each time. surmise the depths of her per- to mark their 16th wedding anBut, he is also the wise grandfa- sonal burden, while he was being niversary. ther these days, reminding us “to buried that evening, and that now, Maricar Cabasag sang comfortheal and to renew our trust in one a piece of her heart, a past love is ably in a duet with Giji and their another,” and to propagate “peace now gone.

Ladies medley was well received. brought about by love.”

Even the choices of “Alone,” She shined in singing the George The audience’s favorite was his “Huwag Ka nang Umiyak” (Don’t Canseco medley – “Hanggang sa duet of “City of Stars”—the theme Cry Anymore) and “Moment” Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, (Till the song of “La La Land”—with Giji carefully allowed her a trek into end of time),” “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Kocher as they sang with heart- her personal past, and walking Mo (If you leave me),” “Gaano felt feelings for Los Angeles, but with her was the audience who Kadalas ang Minsan (How Often also perhaps for their personal appreciated her singing from is Sometimes) “, while “ngayon at *** Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California. He is the U.S. Chief of the International Feng Shui Association. For more information, please call Sean Shono at (310) 787-1891. Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, Gardena, CA 90248.

PAGE B1 David—captured by Enrique Delacruz—and note his facial expressions and total demeanor who came to see him at 3 for the Road, with this writer! notice how Mon emotes , as he sings and how he pays tribute to what is important for each gig he performs at.

By the way, it is not 3 for the Road, the 1987 Indie film starring Charlie Sheen, Alan Ruck and Kerri Green.

This 3 for the Road is a dinner/concert/dance by Mon David, Giji Kocher Garcia and Maricar Cabasag on Feb. 10 at the Royal Palace Banquet Hall in Glendale , sponsored by the Asian Journal, as other 29 businesses.

For Mon’s performances, it’s a tripod of “the song is king,” the songwriter, and “the sea of audience.”

WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S “ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES” AFFECT YOU, ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” After President Trump signed the Executive Order on “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the U.S.” on January 25, 2017, (listing those who are “enforcement priorities,”) the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to DHS agencies on how to carry out the President’s executive orders. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the Homeland security memos and enforcement priorities and how they could affect you, on a brand new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

love team of the 1980s starred in now iconic movies such as “Dear Heart” and “P.S. I Love You.” The former couple married in 1984, legally separated in 1987, and had an annulment in 1993. They have a daughter, actress KC Concepcion. Sharon and Gabby last worked together in the 1992 movie “Tayong Dalawa,” and Gabby made a cameo in Sharon’s 2009 comedy, “Best Friends.

Kailanman (now and Foreever),” was Maricar’s best!

All in all, it was well-directed

by Alvin Reyes, a script to thread all the disparate songs of Visayan, Tagalog and English, yet sang well by 3 for the Road ‘s singers , who shared their best. The venue had well modulated and balanced acoustics that we could hear all their lyrics and their voices at perfect pitch!

We are all artists in the making or already made, as these three singers/musicians show us by their examples. We all have that individual capacity to share our passion diligently, not just for our inner peace, but an inner peace to connect to another’s humanity.

May we all express that wellspring of peace and love always!

B february 25-28, 2017 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Features

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Extraordinary dining experience at FuJi Buffet & Grill LoCATED off the Harvey Drive exit of the 134 freeway in Glendale, California is FuJi Buffet & Grill, an all-you-can-eat fare that gives you a taste of different Asian regions—without a steep price tag.

Enter the restaurant and you’ll be greeted by sleek, modern interiors. The dining area itself is expansive, so you’ll surely be seated promptly without having to wait too long. The space is also ideal for any large occasions, which can be booked in advance.

Navigating the buffet can be overwhelming at first, with multiple directions appealing to one’s eye. FuJi boasts that it serves more than 158 fresh items every day. on one side of the restaurant is the stir fry noodle station, where you can select ingredients—from noodles, vegetables, eggs, and meats like rib eye or New York steak—and have one of the cooks fry them for you within minutes. The soup and dim sum stations (chicken’s feet, shrimp hargow, and xiao long bao are among the offerings) are nearby, which are the perfect starters for your meal. one of the attractions is the sushi bar, which is worth the trip to FuJi itself. There, you’ll find an

array of options, from the classic California and Tempura rolls to tuna and salmon sushi. Everything is made in house with the freshest ingredients. The seafood display is also another reason why many customers come to FuJi: jumbo shrimp, crab legs, oysters, and more await them. Some seafood are seasonal and served only at dinner, however.

The aforementioned food already sounds filling, but wait, there’s more! Don’t forget the entire hot food section, which is mostly comprised of Japanese, Chinese, Mongolian and BBQ dishes.

For those who want lighter, healthier options, there is a station where you can make your own salads.

If you have room, head to the fruit and dessert section. Enjoy a colorful spread of sliced juicy fruits or some sweet cakes and soft serve ice cream. FuJi also serves draft beer, wine and sake.

From the time you enter the door to when you exit, the service is impeccable, with attentive staff readily bussing empty dishes to making sure cups are always filled. whether you want to indulge in a full meal for dinner, celebrate a special occasion or pop in for a

Fruit and dessert section

Sushi bar

Hot food portion of the buffet features Chinese and other Asian cuisines

Stir fry station

Steamed buns are among the items at the dim sum station

Dim sum pots

Fresh sushi rolls

FuJi Buffet & Grill is conveniently located near the 134 freeway in Glendale and offers ample parking.

AJPress photos by Noel Ty

quick lunch, FuJi does not disappoint and is certainly worth every penny. It’ll leave you and the entire family satisfied and ready to plan the next trip there!

(Advertising Supplement)

FuJi Buffet & Grill is located at 300 Harvey Drive, Glendale, CA 91206.

Price: weekday lunch buffet is $12.99 (Monday - Friday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.); dinner lunch buffet is $18.99 (Monday - Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m); Friday dinner, Saturday & Sunday all day buffet is $21.99 (Friday 4 - 10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.). Senior citizens over 65 years old must show ID to get 10% off. Kids under 2 years old are free; kids 3 to 10 years of age are priced as follows: starting at $0.95 per year (lunch) and $1.30 per year for Monday - Thursday dinner or $1.60 per year Friday - Saturday. Kids over 10 years old are full price. Drinks are not included.

Hours: open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) Contact: (818) 553-1688 for more information or to make a reservation for any occasion.

Shrimp dish

One of the dining areas

Enter FuJi Buffet & Grill and be greeted by a sleek and modern interior

Broadway talent, jazz crooner guest in FASO’s ‘Swing the Night Away’ Two special Fil-Am performers – she’s a Broadway star who played Kim in “Miss Saigon” and he’s a crooner who brings contemporary appeal to jazz – will thrill the audience in the Filipino American Symphony orchestra’s (FASo) “Swing the Night Away” on March 18 at the Hilton Glendale.

The lucky folks in the Hilton Glendale’s ballroom can dance Mitch Franco

Deedee Magno Hall

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along or just sit back, relax and enjoy the songs of Deedee Magno Hall and Mitch Franco. These performers will be accompanied by FASo, the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, which will be configured as a big band for the show, in keeping with the night’s swinging theme.

As in the first very successful staging of “Swing the Night Away” in 2014, which resulted in a ballroom full of people merrily dancing and making new friends, music director and conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder will lead FASo in its own versions of dance hits from various eras.

Deedee, who will perform with FASo for the first time, counts among her theater credits: Kim, “Miss Saigon” (Broadway, second U.S. National Tour and Asian Tour), Nessarose, “wicked” (first U.S. National Tour), “If/Then” (Broadway and U.S. National Tour) and Mrs. walker, “The who’s Tommy” (East west Players).

An original cast member of Disney Channel’s “The All New Mickey Mouse Club” which spawned singers from Justin Timberlake to Britney Spears, Deedee is currently the voice of Pearl on Cartoon Network’s “Steven Universe.”

The Virginia native is also an original member of Hollywood Records’ pop group, The Party, and is the co-founder of the mommy singing group, Mama Bares. on singing with FASo, Deedee said, “I enjoyed being in the audience of a past FASo concert where my husband Cliffton Hall sang with my dear friend, Joan Almedilla. I’m so excited to now have the chance to sing with FASo – a first for me!”

She added, “I am also looking PAGE B5

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 25-28 2017

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Bea Alonzo: The leading lady of all time

By Monet

Lu

I’ve been asked several times who my favorite actresses are.

I remember that my answer would always include this young award-winning actress—who is also famous for her class and good heart—Bea Alonzo. entertainment, like everything else, evolves as culture changes over the years. And I say this with love toward my friends in the industry: that I long to go back to a time when sophistication and class are much more appreciated and celebrated.

Nowadays, tact is the last thing you would expect from a social setting and being blunt is even considered a quality that one should possess if he or she wants to make it big in show business. It is often “mistakenly” connoted as transparency—or even honesty. You see this evident on talk shows, at comedy bars, and (even) on the news. Our brand of entertainment now is more satirical in nature rather than deep and reserved. This phenomenon could

be the reason why I admire such elegance and grace in selected actors and actresses. One of them goes by the (screen) name, Bea Alonzo.

Bea’s real name is Phylbert Angelie Ranollo Fagestrom. She is half-British since her father, whom she admittedly had not seen since her parents separated, is British. Her mother is a Filipina. Bea was born October 17, 1987.

She is only in her late 20s, yet acts more mature for her age, and in comparison to her contemporaries.

“Maaga akong tumanda, kailangan kong i-fast forward yung childhood ko kase hindi ako lumakisa normal family. I came from a broken family, di ako pwede mag-inarte na ‘I want this, I want that,” she revealed in a tell-all interview with Boy Abunda in 2010.

It’s remarkable, yet anticipated, that those who grew up not having much in life or have been through hardships are usually those who emerge as stronger and more mature. Such are qualities that I see in Bea. Bea or “Tisay,” as her old friends know her, was discovered in a local beauty contest before she auditioned and got into ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Batch

10. She underwent a series of workshops and several more auditions and go-sees—fruits of which she reaped when she named 2013 “Box Office Queen” and nominated “Best Actress” at the 2014 FAMAS Awards.

I have to say that the award was a bit long overdue. even during her first few appearances on Tv, I already recognized Bea’s raw talent and agreeable demeanor. In 2002, she joined the Tv drama “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” which led her to star in major soap operas like “It Might Be You, IkawAng Lahat Sa Akin,” “Maging Sino Ka Man” and “Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik,” and “Magkaribal.” Last year, she played the role of not just one—but two completely opposite characters of the same face, as emmanuel and Rose in the highly rated Tv drama series, “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” opposite Paulo Avelino.

Bea Alonzo’s compelling portrayal in these teleseryes did not escape the movies as she dominated the big screen with her blockbuster performances in “Four Sisters and a Wedding,” “She’s The One,” “The Mistress,” “Miss You Like Crazy,” “And I Love You So,” and my personal favorite, “One

Broadway talent, jazz crooner guest...

PAGE B4 forward to singing with Mitch Franco! I love any opportunity to celebrate my heritage and share music with my fellow Filipino artists. Also, I hear there will be dancing!”

Mitch, who was born and raised in San Francisco, grew up listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin. Singing is a tradition in his family (mom is singer Gemma Franco, who is now based in the U.S.).

The story goes that he liked to hide in his parents’ keyboard case so he can go to their gigs and get his first chances at singing before audiences. It was inevitable that Mitch became a jazz crooner who has performed around the world.

He brings a contemporary touch and class to jazz classics.

Mitch enthused about singing in the show: “I’m looking forward to performing timeless pieces of

music with FASO this year. It’s always so exhilarating to have an opportunity to sing among such talented musicians.

“It does make me sad though to think that soon, a whole era and generation of pioneers and musical innovators will come to an end. I like to think that it places a big responsibility on my shoulders and on those who still love swing and big band music.

It’s a responsibility to keep this music alive.”

On Deedee, he commented, “My brother is a huge fan of the show, ‘Steven Universe.’ I know that Deedee is the voice of Pearl in the show. I have not had the pleasure of getting to hear her sing but I know that our duet will be magical. I’m really looking forward to performing with her!”

With these two outstanding talents and FASO’s reputation for staging well-received, entertaining shows, “Swing the Night Away” promises to be another

swinging success. Guests are encouraged to wear their dancing shoes. Dance Instructors (DIs) will be available on the floor.

No host cocktails will start at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are at $125 each (includes dinner). Ticket and sponsorship opportunities information are available through Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 and JL Garcia (310) 936-2988.

Tickets are also available online at http://www.fasofoundation.org and https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/fasos-swing-the-night-awaytickets-30576915377.

FASO is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra and to fund FASO’s education and outreach programs, including its annual summer youth music training program.

Hilton Glendale is on 100 West Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91202.

More Chance.”

She is with Ian veneracion in the new hit teleseries “A Love to Last.” Right now she is also currently dating Gerald Anderson. It should really come as no surprise that this beautiful and talented lady would get more challenging roles because of her skill and work ethics. I truly believe that apart from talent, it is very important that you know how to handle yourself with grace and class. I have to stress that through Bea’s long stint in showbiz, I have never heard about her get into scandalous issues or gimmicks just to have her name on the front page of a newspaper. Instead, I hear comments of how private, discreet and respectfully honest she is towards her co-stars and even her assistants.

In this time where crassness is considered enjoyable and “hashtag-worthy,” it takes good judgment to know who the real “high-society” people are, and recognize those who are the true protagonists by nature and in real life. It is quite true that “class cannot be bought”

Bea Alonzo

because in this crude-infested world we call showbiz, it takes real talent and elegance to shine naturally. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

B february 25-28, 2017 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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COMMUNITY Journal

Trump, the executive orders and you

Your Immigration Solution Brittany Milliasseau and nancy Miller EXACTLY one week after his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order which banned entry of noncitizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, halted U.S. refugee admissions, and suspended the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program. Signed on January 27, 2017, the executive order seeks to protect the nation from entry of foreign terrorists, but consequently led to a series of nationwide protests, Constitutional challenges, and agency confusion at ports of entry and with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

One week later, a District Court judge issued a nationwide temporary restraining order which halted enforcement of certain provisions of the executive order, namely parts related to the travel ban on refugees and noncitizens from Muslim-majority countries. Subsequently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the District Court judge’s ruling and allowed the temporary restraining order to remain in place.

While no immediate next steps have been confirmed, President Trump has expressed plans to challenge the ruling, potentially at the Supreme Court level, and has also not ruled out the possibility of issuing an entirely new executive order.

Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began enforcement raids in several states across the nation aimed at apprehending undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. ICE has reported that 680 people were taken into custody nationwide. 161 people were taken into custody in Southern California.

As legal challenges ensue, ex-

“

panded enforcement begins, and uncertainty continues to loom, it is now more important than ever to consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions about how to obtain legal immigration status.

Frequently Asked Questions I am from one of the seven restricted countries. Is it safe for me to travel outside of the U.S.?

If you are a citizen or national of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen and are

taking place without much advance warning, you may want to limit non-essential travel outside of the U.S., especially if you are from an area that may be of particular concern to U.S. national security. If you do travel abroad, please be cautious when returning to the U.S. as there have been unconfirmed reports of individuals being asked to sign documents to relinquish their green cards.

I have a pending case with USCIS. Will the Executive Order impact my case?

USCIS has confirmed that the executive order does not affect adjudication of applications and petitions filed for or on behalf of individuals in the U.S., regardless of their country of nationality.

It is important however to consider that there could be delays in processing times due to the change in directives. It is recommended that you seek a licensed attorney for assistance with preparation of any application submitted to USCIS not only to ensure that a proper legal analysis is performed, but also to ensure that the application is prepared accurately in order to minimize additional requests from immigration that could result in further delays in processing.

I think I may be eligible for a certain immigration benefit such

Due to the fluidity and changes taking place without much advance warning, you may want to limit non-essential travel outside of the U.S., especially if you are from an area that may be of particular concern to U.S. national security.

”

not a U.S. citizen, you will not be permitted to enter the U.S. if the temporary restraining order is lifted.

If the travel ban resumes, lawful permanent residents, as well as dual nationals from one of the restricted countries possessing a valid U.S. visa in a passport of an unrestricted country, should be permitted to enter the U.S., but should still carefully consider the risks of travel.

I am not from a restricted country. Is it safe for me to travel outside of the U.S.?

Due to the fluidity and changes

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C FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon IF you’ve accumulated a lot of debt and something has happened in your life that’s made it difficult to pay your bills, you are not alone.

After almost 18 years of practice as a debt relief attorney, I know that bad things can happen to good, honest and decent people.

If you are going through a tough time financially, you would think that the banks will somehow be sympathetic to your situation so that you could work out an amicable solution. That would certainly make things a bit easier for you as you’re trying to catch up and get back on your feet financially. Unfortunately, these banks are NOT on your side!

So it doesn’t matter to them that: You just lost your job and couldn’t even pay your living expenses. You had a medical emergency and just received huge, unexpected medical bills.

You are going through a divorce or separation and are drowning in debt. Your business is slow (if you’re a business owner) and you have cash flow problems.

None of that really matters to

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS PRESIDENT Trump appears to be executing on his “America First” agenda by executing executive orders in record pace with the intent of securing American interest. However, these executive orders has affected certain rights of legal permanent residents and aliens residing in the United States. As a green card holder, you are still considered an Alien despite having many rights and privileges similar to US Citizens. You are not safe and may still be removed if you violate certain provisions of the immigration and nationality law.

You should seriously consider applying for Naturalization or US Citizenship if you qualify. Generally, you have to have the following in order to qualify to apply for Naturalization:.

Be at least 18 years old at the time of filing for Naturalization.

Community Journal

Bankruptcy: When bad things happen to good people them! Once you fall behind, it gets harder and harder to catch up with every month that goes by.

Then the dreaded collection calls and letters begin. And how can you possibly even begin to pay off what you owe when they jump your interest rates to 30% or more once you’re late? So they kick you while you’re down and you find it even more impossible to dig yourself out of the financial hole.

Some people resort to borrowing from friends, family, co-workers or sometimes even worse, from payday loan companies. These are the companies who prey on people who are desperate for a loan and they charge 5-10 times as much in interest as the credit card companies are charging you.

FACT: you can’t borrow your way out of debt. Borrowing when you’re already buried in debt only makes your problems worse. If you have done everything you can on your own but nothing has worked up to this point, don’t be embarrassed to seek legal help. If bankruptcy is right for you, it may just be what you need to turn your situation around.

Filing bankruptcy, when ap-

propriate for your situation, can help you get out debt so that you can start over. I realize that this is not an easy decision for most people to make because filing bankruptcy is the last thing they ever want to do. However, if it has become necessary in order for you to get out of the financial mess you are currently in, you may not have a choice. Because if you don’t take action, things will only get worse and there may be devastating consequences for you and your family.

Your debt problems will not go away until you face them and sooner or later, you will need to.

So why not take action now before things get worse? If you are unsure whether this option is for you, I offer a free confidential consultation. Call my office at 866-477-7772 to request an appointment. We have locations 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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Applying for US citizenship in these turbulent times

Be a permanent resident/ greencard holder for at least 5 years.

Show that you have lived for at least 3 months in the state or USCIS district where you apply.

Demonstrate continuous residence in the United States for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing.

Show that you have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing.

Be able to read, write, and speak basic English.

Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).

Be a person of good moral character.

Demonstrate an attachment to the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

If there are no major issues in your case, your naturalization process should take approximately 5 months. If you pass the

naturalization interview and your case is approved, the USCIS will schedule you for your Oath taking ceremony shortly thereafter. ***

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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Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA

LET’S now discuss the last of three articles: How the IRS scores tax returns for audit. The higher the score, the more likelihood that you’ll be chosen for audit.

1. Scoring System: The IRS uses a Discriminant Function System (DIF) to determine returns that are most likely to generate additional revenue for the government. Although the scoring is secret, it’s based on two factors: Total Positive Income and Total Gross Receipts. A return with a high DIF score is more likely to be audited, since such a score indicates a greater probability that additional revenue will be generated. The DIF score is based on statistical profiles developed through the National Research Program (NRP).

2. National Research Program (NRP) The IRS developed a new NRP to replace the old Taxpayer Compliance Measurement Program (TCMP). NRP developed new audit criteria from a stratified sample of approximately 50,000 individual audits. Data obtained from the NRP audits are being used to score returns for audit.

3. Exceeding National Averages Attract Audits: Taking deductions that exceed national averages increases your audit score.

TIP: If you exceed the averages,

Estate Corner Atty. BriAn Lerner QUESTION: What is a ‘revocable’ Living Trust?

Answer: A ‘revocable living trust’ for a single person (including a typical “survivor’s trust” that is revocable by the surviving settlor as described in) will provide for distributions to the settlor during the settlor’s lifetime. When a single settlor holds the revocation power and is also entitled to receive all of the trust property on revocation, it is not terribly difficult to draft the revocable trust. In other words, the term ‘revocable’ is when you can basically terminate and end

How the IRS scores your income tax returns for audit opt out of e-file. Instead, paper file and attach explanation of unusual amounts such as big donations or large medical bills.

4. Other Sources of Audits: Audits also come from matching programs, return preparer programs, claims for refund, or separate related-party audits.

5. Employment Tax Audits: The main goal is to secure statistically valid information for determining the most noncompliant employment tax areas (home care industry for example). The IRS selected 2,000 taxpayers each year for the last three years to focus on worker classification issues—independent contractors versus employees (1099 versus W2).

6. Nation’s Tax Gap: The IRS estimated the nation’s annual gross tax gap (meaning the difference between what taxpayers should pay and what they actually pay) at $450 billion 10 years ago.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) indicated that the tax gap is even wider since the IRS formulas are outdated and unable to include much of the underground economy (workers paid under the table and purchases paid by cash).

7. Tax Gap – Statistics Show That: A. Failure to report income accounts for 80% of the total gap.

B. Nonfiling and underpayment account for 10% each.

C. More than 80% of individ-

ual underreporting comes from understated income.

D. Most of understated income comes from business activities.

E. Individual income tax is the largest source of the gap, accounting for 60% of the total gap.

F. Underreporting is lowest where there is third-party reporting or withholding (W2 and 1099).

8. Future Audits: The IRS Commissioner and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) have indicated that closing the tax gap has become a higher priority with increased document matching programs, expanded information reporting programs, examination of high income individuals and Schedule C’s with a history of losses. All these factors lead to more IRS audits in the coming years. *** 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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What is meant by a ‘revocable living trust? the Living Trust. The Living Trust can be prepared so that it is revocable and so that you are able to change it, alter it, terminate it or end it. It is very flexible.

Question: Are there any issues of concern with the revocable Living Trust?

Answer: Of course there are issues. When a joint trust is used for spouses or registered domestic partners, the issues and solutions may become more complicated—particularly if either settlor has substantial separate property. Clearly, the initial worksheet to list all property that you own and your spouse or domestic partner and the characterization and nature of the property. With a joint trust there is

a substantial possibility that the day will come when both settlors are living but only one of them is competent. A settlor with substantial separate property and children from a prior marriage or partnership who becomes incompetent may be unwilling to allow the competent settlor to make unrestricted withdrawals of the incompetent settlor’s separate property—particularly when community property is available for the competent settlor’s support. Naturally, there should be provisions to explain and pursue this possibility.

Question: What about community property.

Answer: Similar issues can

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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. COREPOWER Yoga (CPY) owns a chain of yoga studios throughout the country, including at least thirty-one studio locations in California, and offering yoga classes throughout the day. CPY operated a “Yoga for Trade” (YFT) program where studio managers scheduled yoga students for shifts during which they cleaned and performed other project-based work at the studio each week in exchange for free membership at the studio. The students (i.e., cleaners) were rewarded with free membership to CPY but were not paid any wages for their work.

Each studio used cleaners in shifts throughout the day. At some point in 2013, CPY started to phase out the YFT program but continued to schedule cleaners for regular weekly shifts. This time, the cleaners were paid an hourly wage for their work. However, instead of receiving a free membership, the cleaners were required to apply a large portion of their wages towards the purchase of a discounted membership at CPY. By buying CPY membership, the workers’ hourly pay were reduced to below the minimum wage.

William Walsh worked as a

To Live With Faith reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “DO not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” — (Matthew 6:34) It’s not easy to let go and allow God to take charge of our lives.

“It’s easier said than done,” we always say. It’s because we want to control the situations and be clear about the decisions of our lives.

The Scripture Readings this Sunday take on this theme of trust. In the Gospel, Jesus told his disciples, “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?”

Then he added, “Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.

They do not work or spin. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?”

The First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah reminds us that just as a mother cannot forget her son, our Father in heaven would never abandon us. He takes care of us with deep love and tenderness.

But how do we practice this total abandonment to God’s care and providence? How do we re-

Community Journal

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Barter for labor: Can Permanent residence for crewmen employees be paid ‘in-kind’? cleaner at CPY until November 2015. He sued CPY for failing to pay him and other like him the minimum wage for all hours worked, and for failing to pay them for wall wages due under the law.

The term wages, as defined under California law, refers to all amounts for labor performed by employees of every description, whether the amount is fixed by time, task, piece, or commission basis. Wages include earnings and fringe benefits compensation for services, commissions, contributions to pension or profit sharing plans, vacation pay, and bonuses.

However the wage is determined, employers must pay their employees in a form that is negotiable and payable in cash (i.e., money). A check, for example, can be taken to a bank and cashed. A check then is a method of payment that is payable in cash.

Employers cannot issue payment that would cause the employee to incur fees when they cash it.

California law also requires that employees are paid at least the minimum wage. The minimum wage cannot be waived by any agreement, including collective bargaining agreements.

There is no law that allows employers to fulfill their minimum wage obligations in-kind. Minimum wage payments must be

paid in money.

The law requires notice to employees of their rate(s) of pay, designated pay day, the employer’s claimed allowances for meal or lodging as part of the wage, and the basis of wage payment (whether paying by hour or piece), including overtime rates.

If the employer fails to pay its employees at least the minimum wage or all of their hours worked, employees are entitled to recover lost wages. If the employee no longer works for this employer, the employee may also recover a waiting time penalty. Aside from lost wages and penalties, the employee is also entitled to legal interest, costs, and attorneys fees.

In an effort to resolve its students’ claims, CPY agreed to settle the case and pay the amount of $1,650,000 to the class. *** 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 Aselected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum.

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Worries lead to nothing move fears and anxieties from our minds? The answers are in the simple words of Padre Pio: “Pray and hope.”

Through prayer we allow the Holy Spirit to calm our fears and give us words that strengthen our hearts. Through hope we rest our minds in knowing that all things pass, tomorrow will be better, and God will take care of the rest.

The Psalm this Sunday is an example of a beautiful prayer to help us in our moments of anxieties and weakness: “Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.” (Psalm 62) Repeating or singing this kind of psalm that expresses faith and hope emboldens us to face our challenges. This form of prayer lifts us up from fear and helps us live the day.

Hoping in God means not making ourselves to be the center of our lives. At times it’s staying out of God’s way to allow him to do His work. The master or the “mammon” of our lives is only one-- God. When we allow him to “master” us we become docile and peaceful. We choose God and feed on His generosity.

I remember a testimony of my friend, Fr. Alex Aclan, who has the difficult job of assigning priests to many parishes of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He

shared with me that once he was terribly worried about not finding a Japanese-speaking priest for the Japanese community of Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles. Then one day a Vietnamese priest showed up in his office and declared that he speaks Japanese because he spent long years of studies and missionary work in Japan. Fr. Alex was astounded to realize that it was God who sent this priest to his office. “I just need to allow God to do his work, and from that experience, I don’t worry much anymore,” he said.

Of course, it’s a human tendency to worry. Who does not worry about health, job security and education, family and friends? But when we let worries consume us, we become imprisoned in ourselves. Worries lead to not nothing and only feelings of being forsaken.

Let’s trust in God at all times.

Let’s pour our hearts before him. Let nothing disturb us.

Let’s allow God to be the Master of our lives! *** 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.

DEAR Attorney Tan, I entered the US in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a US citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have heard that since I entered as a crewman, I cannot adjust my status to a permanent resident. Is this true? — Lost on Land

Dear Lost on Land, Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. However, analysis of this issue must begin with determining whether you are actually a “crewman,” who is barred from adjustment.

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

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

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

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

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Trump, the executive orders…

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as a green card or citizenship.

What should I do?

Due to the numerous anticipated changes to the immigration program as a whole, if you believe that you may be eligible for a certain immigration benefit, you should consult with an immigration attorney as quickly as possible. Changes may happen without much advance notice and a benefit you may currently be eligible for may no longer be available.

What should I do if I am stopped by an Immigration Officer?

If you are stopped by an officer and questioned, you may politely let the officer know that you do not wish you speak with him or answer any questions until you have spoken with a lawyer. You may also let the officer know that you do not consent to a search of your person or property.

How can I find out if my family member has been arrested in an immigration raid?

If the individual is over 18 years old, you may search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. If your family member has been detained, you should consult with an immigration attorney

immediately.

***

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) 7958009 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 FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT is 65 and a widow.

Wanting some male attention, I guess, she posted her picture on the Internet. She looks much younger in the posted picture.

She showed me the picture. She looked like she was 48. But she said that the picture was taken only last year. If her purpose

Community Journal

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Senior scammed out of $100K by internet boyfriend needs Chapter 7 relief Client filed for Chapter 7 without lawyer in 2008 did not get discharge was to get some male attention to her picture, she certainly got it. Ah, the wonders of the Internet where romance can bloom without people actually physically meeting each other. I asked her if she ever met the guy. She said she could not believe how stupid she was. I asked her if the guy was American. She said she doesn’t even know if the picture he sent was really he.

It started with him asking her

for money for legal expenses, then money for this, and money for that. So, I asked her how long has it been going on? It started about 9 months ago.

Then I asked her how much she had given him. She said she had given him $100K in 9 months. I said, “Are you serious, you must be kidding!” She said she was not kidding. She admitted that her children told her not to do it, as did her friends and other relatives. So I said, “so, why did you do it? How can you give a guy that you have never met, $100K?” And her explanation was “I was crazy, I was insane…”

It really looks like she went nuts for a while there. Then I asked her where she got the $100K. She said I borrowed from credit cards, banks and relatives for a grand total of $100K. So now she wants to have the guy arrested. Even if she files a police report, it’s next to impossible to find who the guy really is, much less arrest him. This guy could be anyone in the world who he lives in Timbuktu but pretends that he is a good-looking American guy. I asked her how come she never met the guy in person.

She said that he was working, as a seaman so he would be in port for a short time, then would be out at sea for a long time. I asked her for a picture of the guy. She showed it to me. I said, “I think I’ve seen that guy somewhere before. Wait, that’s the most interesting guy in the world, the guy who is the spokesman for some European whiskey brand.

Well, obviously, that’s not his real picture.

The real guy could be somewhere in Nigeria laughing his way all the way to bank. I asked her if she’s ever heard of the Nigerian scams where you get a call telling you that he is some kind of royalty from Nigeria whose assets have been frozen by the bank. If you wire him $1K, he will be able to unfreeze his bank accounts and send you $1.0 M immediately.

It’s so unfortunate that senior women fall for the oldest trick in the gigolo book. I had another client who was 50 but she actually had a real boyfriend who asked her to bring him around the world. The guy treated her as a ‘sugar mommy’. You know how that works, right? The woman being older, the man is younger. He professes that he

loves her but that love has to be “sugared” with cash and exotic trips around the world. Well, the easiest way to sugar this love is to use credit cards. My other client maxed out her credit cards at $180K for so many trips around the world. Cruises galore! Lifestyles of the rich and famous for as long as there are credit cards to use. But as soon as the money runs out, good-bye my one and only love…it’s time to look for another sugar mommy with unused credit cards.

Fortunately, client victim can discharge her $100K debts with a Chapter 7 petition to have a fresh start. By next year, her credit score will start going up. If she handles the new credit cards in

a timely manner, she can be up and running around with another boyfriend all over the world with her new credit cards. But this time around, I hope she can at least meet Mr. Romeo in person and spend a romantic year with a real guy while her new credit cards are not maxed out.

Next client is 56. She says she filed for Chapter 7 in 2008 but never got a discharge. I asked her how she knew that no discharge was given to her. She showed me a notice that her case was closed without discharge. Since then, she obtained new credit cards of $30K. She was just disabled and can’t pay the cards anymore. I asked her who her lawyer was.

She said she had no lawyer and

Calendar of Events across

filed it herself. She said now she wants to re-file with a lawyer so she can get a discharge. Can she file another Chapter 7 now? Yes, because it’s at least 8 years from the first filing date even if she did not get a discharge.

“THE LORD LIVES! BLESSED BE MY ROCK! LET GOD BE EXALTED, THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION!” 2 Samuel 22:47 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

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 MARCH 6

Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Monday, March 6 at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights from 6 to 8 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. Books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow after the talk. The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights is located at 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.

MARCH 9

Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in New York Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Thursday, March 9 at the 67th Street New York Public Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. A book signing will follow after the talk. The New York Public Library is located at 328 E 67th St. (between 1st and 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10065.

M A R C H 9 -1 8

CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.

MARCH 11

CSFLU to hold dinner-dance in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando La Union Association (CSFLU) will hold its annual dinnerdance at the Embassy Suites in Brea, CA on March 11. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Vangie So, president of the association at (626) 485-3110.

MARCH 18

FASO’s “Swing the Night Away” in Glendale, CA Swing the night away with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) on Saturday, March 18 at the Glendale Hilton! Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of swing, two-step, rumba, cha-cha, tango and waltz! Dance Instructors will be available on the floor. You can feel free to sit back, relax and enjoy the music! No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m, with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets (dinner included) are $125. You can also contact Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 or JL Garcia (310) 936-2988 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities information. FASO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra, and to fund its education and outreach programs. More information is available on the FASO website at http://www.fasofoundation.org.

M A R C H 25

National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region 10 Empowerment Conference in San Diego, CA You are cordially invited to the “RISE UP” Regional Empowerment Conference of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), sponsored by AARP Real Possibilities on Saturday, March 25. Registration is $40 per person, which can be done online or at the door. The conference will be held at Clarion Hotel National City, 700 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950. To register online, please visit http://www.NaFFAASDEmpowermentconference.eventbrite.com.

Golf tournament for a cause in Escondido, CA St. Joseph College (Olongapo City)’s High School Class of 1987 will be holding a golf tournament for a cause at the Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club on Saturday, March 25. It is $109/person to register, which includes rounds of golf and a BBQ buffet. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with shotgun at 1 p.m. and dinner and prizes at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Gemma Gutierrez Hornilla at (949) 861-1732 or Miguel Uson at (760) 7158216. The Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club is located at 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido, CA 92025.

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

What is meant by a ‘revocable living…

PAGE C2 t

arise even with community property, but at least for community property withdrawn from a trust, the withdrawing settlor has fiduciary obligations to use the property for the benefit of the community. Community’ means you and your spouse. It should not be for separate property. Because the typical joint trust permits either settlor to revoke the trust with respect to community property, joint trust distribution provisions typically permit either settlor to withdraw community property.

Question: I assume having separate property also creates issues.

Answer: Yes, if there is substantial separate property, custom drafting may be needed for the separate property. For example, there are several issues that must be addressed: It is permissible to use separate property for support when community property is available?

Whether the separate property of a settlor is available to support himself or herself if the settlor becomes incompetent. If you chooses to use a revocable trust to transfer property, the trust will usually become the primary device for managing your property if you becomes incapacitated.

The bottom line is to make

sure the drafting of the revocable Living Trust is done properly and with all the proper designations of the classifications of the property. *** Atty. Brian D. Lerner has been an Immigration Attorney for nearly a quarter of a century. He is married to a Filipina and has helped thousands of Filipino families all over the country. In addition to his offices in Southern California in Long Beach and Carson, he has an office in Quezon City. He is a certified specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Legal Board of Specialization, California State Bar. The initial consultation is free. Call (562) 495-0554 and/or send an e-mail to blerner@ californiaimmigration.us.

(Advertising Supplement)

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C

C FEBRUARY 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 25-28, 2017

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM The March 2017 priority dates

&

Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega

DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

PH hopes to continue its growth trajectory in 2017

Global Filipino diaspora consistent contributor to PH economic growth story by momaR

G. Visaya

AJPress

NEW YORK — “The Philippine investment climate continues to capture the confidence of the prime movers in global business given the strong performance and sustained growth of our economy,” said Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado as she spoke before more than 150 community leaders who gathered at the Philippine Center on Saturday, February 18 for a general assembly.

Terrado was in New York with

a contingent to promote health care and business process management in the Philippines through various roadshows in key cities across America.

At the general assembly, Terrado delivered a report on the Philippine economy and the current investment climate.

“We can be proud of our country as it continues to perform well and it is resilient amidst external shocks,” Terrado said, citing a host of reasons why it is the best time for businesses to invest in the Philippines. “We are very optimistic that the Philippines PAGE D2

Filipino investors more positive about retirement by mayVelin

u. caRaballo ManilaTimes.net

MAjORITY of Filipino investors have high expectations of their lifestyle in retirement despite acknowledging future financial and health burdens, a financial services firm said.

Manulife Philippines on Thursday, Feb. 23 cited data from its Manulife Investor Sentiment Index (MISI) survey, which showed that 63 percent of Filipino respondents said that retirement planning is their top financial priority.

Only 7 percent expect to have to scale back their lifestyle later on in life, and 31 percent believe they will be living more or less the same lifestyle as they currently have, the firm said.

The MISI noted that millennial investors, who are under 35 and

therefore the furthest away from retirement, are the most optimistic: 68 percent of them expect to upgrade their lifestyle. However, optimism declines with age: Only 40 percent of the over-50 expect the same, indicating that over time expectations are tempered by reality.

“When millennial investors in the Philippines reflect on specific aspects of their retirement, they reveal worries about likely future financial and health burdens,” Manulife said.

For example, it said, half of millennial investors expect that during their retirement they will have to financially support both their parents and children.

It also found out that nearly half of the millennials also anticipate they will need to pay down a debt PAGE D2

According to a 2016 report from the Langdon & Seah Construction Cost Handbook, the Philippines is already suffering from inflated construction costs in comparison to other Association of Southeast Asian Nation-member countries.

Manila most expensive market in ASEAN for private construction

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

square meter, higher than the rates in Bangkok, jakarta, VietMANILA - Manila is now the nam and Kuala Lumpur which are most expensive site for private at $773.5, $707, $665 and $465 construction activities across per square meter, respectively. major cities in Southeast Asia, the Costs for standard high-rise ofPhilippine Competition Commis- fices and prestige high-rise offices sion (PCC) said in its first policy in Manila are pegged at $870 and note. $1,320 per square meter, respecCiting a 2016 report from tively. This was followed by Kuala Langdon & Seah Construction Lumpur at $757.5 and $1,190 per Cost Handbook, PCC said the square meter, respectively.

Philippines is already suffering Building a prestige as well as from inflated construction costs standard shopping center in Main comparison with other Associa- nila is also the most expensive in tion of Southeast Asian Nation- the region at $870 and $1,115 per member countries. square meter, respectively.

This comes even as the Philipjakarta is the cheapest market pines lags behind many countries for prestige shopping centers at in terms of quality of infrastruc- $649 per square meter and also ture, the antitrust body said. for standard shopping centers at For standard high-rise apart- $594 per square meter. ments in Manila, estimated conMeanwhile, Manila recorded struction cost is at $900 per PAGE D3

Business Quote of the Week “The evolving social and digital media platforms and highly innovative and relevant payment capabilities are causing seismic changes in consumer behavior and creating equally disruptive opportunities for business.”

- Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks

of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eliImmigration gible and USCIS indicates on its Corner website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner Atty. MichAel than before, where they had to Gurfinkel, eSQ wait for the priority date to be EACH month, the Visa Office current (in the Visa Issuance of the State Department pub- Date column) in order to both file lishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the for adjustment and be eligible for priority dates for that particular a green card.

The priority dates for the Philmonth, for the various family and employment based categories. A ippines are as follows: *** priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning imMichael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active migrant visas (or green cards) member of the State Bar of California and New would be available for persons York. All immigration services are provided by, whose priority date is earlier or under the supervision of, an active member than the cut-off date listed below. of the State Bar of California. Each case is If your priority date was “cur- different. The information contained herein rent,” but later retrogressed (or including testimonials, “Success Stories,” “moved backwards” and became endorsements and re-enactments) is of a unavailable) before your immi- general nature, and is not intended to apply to grant visa was issued (or before any particular case, and does not constitute a you adjusted status in the U.S.), prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice you would have to wait until it regarding the outcome of your legal matter. becomes current again.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, Beginning last October 2015, established with any reader. the format of the Visa Bulletin WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com changed, in that a new column Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for was added, called the “Applica- anywhere in the US: tion Filing Date.” If a person’s (866)—GURFINKEL priority date is earlier than the Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES Application Filing Date, they · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES can already file for adjustment (Advertising Supplement)

D

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

May 1, 2006

December 15, 2005

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder

May 8, 2015

(2b) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

February 1, 2007

May 1, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

January 1, 1995

September 8, 1994

Fourth Preference

brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 1, 1994

August 1, 1993

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Visa Issuance Date

Current

Current

September 1, 2013

March 15, 2012

September 1, 2013

March 15, 2912

D february 25-28, 2017 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

Marketplace

Healthy hearts love longer Dignity Health – glendale Memorial Hospital is highly trusted in matters of the heart.

At the heart of the Heart Center are doctors, nurses and staff who are committed to serving every patient with dignity and humankindness, treating the whole person and not just the condition.

As one of the first Los Angeles County centers designated as a St-Elevation Myocardial infarction (StEMi) Receiving Site for the fast treatment of heart attack patients, the Heart Center offers both in-hospital and outpatient rehabilitation in a safe and nurturing environment for over 30 years.

Additionally, the Center features heart surgeons specializing in cardiac, thoracic, as well as vascular surgeries, and cardiac rehabilitation. As stated in the

national Cardiovascular Database Registry Report: JanuaryMarch 2016 issue, glendale Memorial performs better than the national benchmarks in length of stay, mortality, and complications and is nationally recognized for its commitment to the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

“Millions of people have at least one risk factor for heart disease, but many never get the help they need,” says Virginia Veloso, MD, Family Medicine specialist affiliated with glendale Memorial. “in fact, at least 200,000 people die each year from preventable conditions. Don’t wait – let us help you.”

A healthy heart is one that can love longer. So if you know you’re at risk for heart disease, don’t wait. Connect with a cardiologist who cares about your heart as much as you do. Learn more

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Ayala group boosts 2017 spending budget to P185-B

tHE Ayala group increased its programmed capital expenditure (capex) for 2017 to P185 billion from P174 billion last year to support its aggressive plans for its power, industrial technologies, healthcare, and education businesses. in a statement on thursday, Feb. 23, Ayala Corp said the higher budget is also meant to support increased spending for its main businesses in real estate, telecommunications, and water.

Ayala Land inc. (ALi) will take up the bulk or P88 billion of the total budget for its residential, offices Virginia Veloso, MD, Family Medicine specialist and leasing projects. at Glendale Memorial globe telecom inc. will account at dignityhealth.org/glendaleme- for P37.5 billion of the spending to ramp up its data network and morial or call 818-502-4533.

(Advertising Supplement) upgrade infrastructure.

Power unit AC Energy will get P21 billion to fund its expansion plans while P20 billion will go to Manila Water Company inc. for its Manila concession and expansion outside of Metro Manila. the balance of P18.5 billion will be deployed across AC industrials, Bank of the Philippine islands (BPi), AC Health, and AC Education. “the aggressive capital spending we have programmed this year reflects the Ayala group’s continued optimism in the domestic environment,” Ayala Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

“While we remain mindful of macroeconomic indicators that may affect the overall business landscape, our business units con-

tinue to perform well and carry out their strategic direction for 2020,” he added. this year’s spending budget will be funded by internally generated cash and a P30-billion planned borrowing in the first half of the year.

AC holds the Ayala family’s businesses in water (Manila Water Company inc.), telecoms (globe telecom inc.), property (Ayala Land inc.), semiconductors (integrated Micro-Electronics inc.), banking (Bank of the Philippine islands), infrastructure (AC infrastructure Holdings Corp.), power (AC Energy Holdings inc.), automotive (Ayala Automotive), healthcare (AC Healthcare Holdings inc.), and education (Liveit investments Ltd.), among others.

(ManilaTimes.net)

BIR misses 2016 collection target PH hopes to continue its growth...

by Alexis

RomeRo

Philstar.com

MAniLA - the Bureau of internal Revenue (BiR) missed its 2016 revenue target, collecting P1.575 trillion against a goal of P1.62 trillion. internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay attributed the shortfall to lack of manpower, which he said is affecting their collection efforts. “in 2016, we had a collection of about P1.575 trillion. And this is about 95 percent of the goal –attainment of the goal that was

given to the agency. this is about 9.5 percent growth rate against the 2015 collections,” Dulay said in a press briefing on thursday, Feb. 23. “the figures or the information i received is that traditionally after a collect – after an election year, the growth rate goes down. in our case, while we have not achieved the goal, we were able to at least maintain that growth rate in our collection efforts,” he said.

“We have to hire more people to do the collection. that’s why we’re asking Congress to get us out of the Salary Standardization Law.”

Dulay cited the case of the Cordillera Administrative Region, where there is only one collector for three to four municipalities. “the ideal is one collector for one municipality,” Dulay said.

Dulay believes exempting BiR personnel from the Salary Standardization Law would allow the tax bureau to attract competent lawyers, accountants and other professionals that can help boost revenue generation efforts.

“We need people, we need personnel. So part of our program for 2017 is to go into a massive recruitment mode,” he said.

PAGE D1 will continue its growth trajectory and hopefully, the global Filipino diaspora will continue to be a consistent contributor of the Philippine economic growth story.” terrado explained that the Philippines receives about $24 billion in remittances from all over the world, with an estimated 30 percent of the total coming from the United States. “this is important in terms of the social impact to their families not only in the cities but in the rural areas as well. it is impactful because it creates dynamism

in the consumption economy of the Philippines,” terrado said. the Philippines ended 2016 on a strong note by posting a 6.8 percent economic growth. it remains one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, ahead of China’s 6.7 percent and fellow high-riser Vietnam’s 6.2 percent. “it is the golden age of infrastructure and it’s all about: build, build, build,” terrado said. the country’s global competitiveness ranking has also been improving across various groups such as top 20 Foreign Direct investment Destination, Economic Freedom index and global innovation index.

Aside from getting higher global Competitiveness Ranking, the Philippines’ credit rating continues to receive stable and positive investment grades by the “Big three” rating agencies — Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. terrado also talked about how the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to sustain this economic growth through a 10-point socioeconomic agenda, with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty and uplifting the quality of life of all Filipinos. this 10-point socioeconomic agenda hopes to continue and improve on the current macroeconomic policies, reform the tax system to make it more progressive, equitable and globally competitive, accelerate infrastructure spending and further improve Philippine investment climate to attract more foreign direct investments. the 10-point agenda also aims to address contraction in the agriculture and fishery sector and high food prices as well as uneven growth in the country, along with the promotion of science, technology, and the creative arts to enhance innovation and creative capacity towards self-sustaining, inclusive development.

Promoting healthcare information management offshoring Consul general Ma. theresa Dizon-De Vega together with Department of trade Undersecretary terrado and Philippine Senior trade Representative nicanor Bautista, invited prospective American health investors and executives to the Philippines during the recently held Philippine Healthcare information Management (HiMS) Business Process Offshoring forum held at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine

Center. terrado led a 17-company delegation from the Healthcare information Management Association of the Philippines (HiMAP) who travelled from the Philippines to new york for the first leg of a multi-city roadshow, including Orlando, Houston, and San Francisco, organized by the Department of trade and industry (Dti) and its overseas offices, the Board of investments (BOi) in cooperation with Philippine Consulates general in the U.S. BOi Director Angelica Cayas also formed part of the delegation. in new york, the forum attracted 50 American companies and individuals from the health care and medical insurance industry who listened to presentations by terrado on Philippine economic updates, HiMAP President Cristina Coronel on Philippine offshoring opportunities and HiMS Roadmap 2022, as well as Philippine case study presentations on Revenue Cycle Management by Myla Rose Reyes (SPi global); on Pharmaceutical/Life Science

by Ma. Cristina Coronel (Pointwest technologies Co.); on Health it by Vincent Remo (Advanced World Solutions); and on Customer Service by Phil taylor (KMC Solutions, USA).

A testimonial presentation entitled “A U.S. Company’s Offshoring Experience in the Philippines” was shared by John Chess, managing director of KMC Solutions, which was followed by a third-party assessment of the Philippines as a leading location for HiMS Services by Sakshi garg, practice director of Everest group. in her welcome remarks, Consul general De Vega expressed support for the HiMS industry in the Philippines in light of its strategic importance to the country’s BPM industry and lauded the leadership of Dti and its collaboration with HiMAP that deepened competencies from simple encoding to highervalue services. the Philippines’ HiMS sector grew by 41.03 percent (CAgR) or US$1.3 Billion since 2011. the HiMS roadshow is designed to promote Philippines HiMS to U.S. stakeholders. the delegation is also participating in the 2017 HiMS Annual global Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, an event that brings under one roof 1,200 exhibitors and 45,000 delegates from the health care and it industry.

Filipino investors more positive...

PAGE D1 or mortgage in retirement.

Furthermore, the survey said 74 percent of millennials also expect their health to deteriorate in retirement, with just over half expecting that it will deteriorate to the point where they can no longer work.

“While it’s great that many investors in the Philippines are seriously thinking about their retirement, their rosy expectations may not accurately reflect the challenges ahead. investors must be diligent about retirement investment planning given the financial and health challenges of increasing life expectancy. Millennials in particular should invest early and often,” said Aira gaspar, Manulife Philippines chief investment officer. the survey further revealed that Filipino investors would benefit from a more disciplined and informed approach to financial planning.

Over a quarter of investors invest randomly while only 15 percent have a regular investment plan. Furthermore, among investors who are worried about their lifestyles in retirement, only 39 percent choose to invest in stocks or bonds, which can offer greater returns than savings accounts or working overtime, it added.

“A savvy investor plans for the long-term and this is especially true for retirement. Developing an investment plan early and reviewing it often will help prevent disap-

pointment later in life. We all know about seeds; the sooner you plant them, the bigger the tree. it’s the same with investing for a decent retirement,” Ryan Charland, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Philippines, said.

MiSi in Asia is a yearly proprietary survey, across eight markets in the region, measuring and tracking investors’ views on their attitudes towards key asset classes and issues related to personal financial planning. the latest survey was conducted between September and October 2016 by tnS, a leading global research firm. the Manulife iSi is based on 500 online interviews each in Hong Kong, China, taiwan, thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, and 500 face-to-face interviews in indonesia. Respondents are middle class to affluent investors, aged 25 and above who are the primary decision maker on financial matters in the household and currently have investment products. the index is calculated as a net score (percentage of “Very good time” and “good time” minus percentage of “Bad time” and “Very bad time”) for each asset class. the overall index is calculated as an average of the index figures of asset classes. A positive number means a positive sentiment, zero means a neutral sentiment, and a negative number means negative sentiment.

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Marketplace

Peso seen diving to 51:$1 as global marts turn skittish

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

The research arm of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) sees the peso depreciating to the 51:$1 level by yearend amid global market volatility.

On the part of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), its policymaking Monetary Board would be plotting next moves depending on the impact of the looming rate hikes of the US Federal Reserve, BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. told reporters Thursday, Feb. 23.

“The Fed’s judgment on the timing of its next move, as mentioned in [its] statement, will be based on forthcoming data on jobs and inflation,” Tetangco added, referring to the minutes of the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released Thursday morning in Manila, which indicated a rate hike “fairly soon.”

“We look at the potential impact on financial markets (which is the segment most reactive to the Fed) in the near term, and the impact on bank portfolios (especially the interest rate sensitive bank balance sheet accounts) as well as banks’ capacity to lend to productive sec-

The research arm of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) sees the peso depreciating to the 51:$1 level by yearend amid global market volatility.

tors of the economy, in the medium term,” he said.

Last December, the FOMC unanimously voted to raise the key federal funds rate at the 0.5-0.75 percent range. The last time the Fed hiked rates was in December 2015.

US Fed officials expect a total of three hikes to bring the rate up to 1.4 percent by end-2017, moving along inflationary pressures due to US President Donald Trump’s promise to jack up infrastructure and cut taxes.

As such, the peso “will remain under pressure throughout this

year amid still volatile financial markets,” Metrobank Research said in its first quarter report issued Thursday. It sees the peso ending at 51.3:$1.

“The uncertainties surrounding the Fed rate hikes, Trump’s economic and fiscal policies, and Brexit negotiations are the main factors that influence the depreciation trend of emerging market currencies like the Philippine peso,” Metrobank research analyst Pauline May Ann e. Revillas said.

The peso on Thursday closed at 50.225:$1, up slightly from Wednesday’s close of 50.23:$1.

Clark Freeport 2016 investment pledges triple 2015 level LOCATORS at the Clark Freeport Zone signed 71 lease agreements with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) in 2016, committing to invest about $1.02 billion in the next 10 years, or nearly triple the amount recorded in 2015.

In its annual report released on Thursday, CDC said that the number of locators as of end-2016 stands at 895, up by 6 percent from the 2015 record.

The report said $923 million was committed last year by new investors with direct lease agreements with CDC, while subleases

and those with Memoranda of Agreement committed investments of $97 million.

In 2015, locators with signed direct leases committed investment of $303 million, while those with subleases and MOA committed investment of $50 million, for a total of $353 million, CDC said in its report.

The increase reflects the “unperturbed confidence of foreign and local investors in the Philippines and this Freeport,” said CDC President and CeO Noel F. Manankilhas.

CDC also attributed the increase to the entry of more firms engaged in commercial businesses, which represent 32 percent of the total number of Clark enterprises. It said ICT (information and communications technology) firms comprise 24 percent while 23 percent are in the services sector inside the Freeport.

According to the report, the steady increase of locators started in 2009 when CDC recorded 449 locators, 464 in 2010, 537 in 2011, 606 in 2012, 679 in 2013, and 750 in 2014. (ManilaTimes.net)

Manila most expensive market in ASEAN...

PAGE D1 the cheapest construction cost only for business hotels at $1,330 per square meter, far lower than Kuala Lumpur’s $2192.5 per square meter, the highest in the region for this category.

The cost of construction in the country is among the reasons why the PCC is lobbying to level the playing field in the local construction industry by nullifying the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board’s nationality requirement in its current licens-

ing scheme for contractors.

“Nationality-based distinction hinders competition in the construction industry, creating an uneven playing field between local and foreign contractors.

Foreign firms possess capacity to construct vital projects and share technical expertise with local firms,” it added.

According to the PCC, competition results in better quality products and competitive prices which redound to the benefit of the public.

The PCC came out with its first amicus curiae brief filed before the Supreme Court last month wherein it highlighted the importance of relaxing existing restrictions in the construction industry.

“The government must ensure a level playing field where no market participant, whether from the public or private sector, is given undue advantage that would allow it to gain market share over otherwise more effective and efficient competitor,” it said.

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Toyota ranks No. 1 for 3rd straight year ToYoTA was once again named by Fortune as one of the “World’s most Admired Companies” and named the no. 1 motor Vehicle company for the third consecutive year in an annual ranking. Fortune’s “World’s most Admired Companies” list recognized Toyota as no. 34 among the Top 50 “All-star” companies surveyed.

Fortune’s “World’s most Admired Companies” list is widely acknowledged as the definitive report card on corporate reputation and is based on company surveys and industry peer ratings from senior executives, directors and industry analysts. For each company, the survey measures nine attributes considered critical to a company’s global success, including quality of products and services, social and environmental responsibility, global competitiveness, and value as an investment, among others.

“Toyota is proud to be listed once again as among the world’s most admired companies,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota motor north America chief executive officer. “This recognition honors the commitment of our team to continuous improvement and exceeding customer expectations. Together, we at Toyota

are leading the industry in creating the future of mobility and are making a positive difference in the world through safer, greener and more fun driving experiences.” (Philstar.com)

Ford invests $200-M in new wind tunnel Complex Consumers’ appetite for vehicles with greater fuel efficiency and performance has led Ford to invest in a new aerodynamic testing complex that will house a next-generation rolling road wind tunnel and state-of-the-art climatic chamber. The new facility will come complete with testing advancements that better match the technological development of Ford products – both production vehicles and racing vehicles.

“This investment in new worldclass test facilities underpins Ford’s ongoing commitment to advance our capabilities to continue to provide our customers with highquality vehicles,” said raj nair, Ford executive vice president, global product development and chief technical officer.

The new wind tunnel complex will sit on 13 acres next to Ford’s current Driveability Test Facility in Allen Park, michigan. The complex will house new innovative technology that delivers state-of-the-art

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real-world driving simulations to advance improvements in fuel economy.

Construction starts this year.

Bringing the road to the vehicle Dennis Paige, lab manager for Ford’s Driveability Testing Facilities, points out that advanced features, development and innovation require that testing and verification technology keep pace with the evolution of the automobile and the industry as a whole. That’s where the new facility comes into play.

Ford’s new wind tunnel complex better positions its engineers to conduct testing that proves out advancements in vehicle design. A new five-belt conveyor system can replicate real-world drag through a rolling road aerodynamic tunnel that enables Ford to bring the road to the vehicle, rather than the vehicle to the road.

To test for optimal fuel efficiency, each wheel gets its own belt. The massive fifth belt runs under the center of the vehicle, allowing

airflow around the entire vehicle at speeds up to 155 mph (248 kph).

As a part of the rolling road belt cartridge system, a crane will be used to switch between the five-belt and single-belt systems – an industrial-sized plug-and-play approach bringing two testing methods into one. The single-belt – which operates at up to 200 mph (320 kph) – opens up a new breed of testing for high-speed performance and racing vehicles.

Wind speeds that will blow you away Together with the rolling road, the wind tunnel complex will produce full environmental airflow simulation, with speeds from 155 mph to 200 mph. This expanded airflow will enable engineers to validate vehicle designs at a higher quality and repeatability. This strengthens testing for aerodynamic shielding, high-speed performance and other design features.

The climatic chamber can get as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than the Arctic, and as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than the sahara.

“This new wind tunnel facility will not only allow us to test our performance and racing vehicle line-up but will also enable us to share innovations across all our global Ford products,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director.

To accommodate large-frame vehicles, including super Duty trucks, the new aerodynamic complex will “super-size” wind tunnel chambers. (ManilaTImes.net)

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D february 25-28, 2017 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL

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