La weekend edition march 25 28, 2017

LOS ANGELES

March 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. 25 • 4 Sections – 32 Pages

‘LET’S STOP IT’

Duterte opposes moves to impeach Robredo

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

DESPITE their seemingly strained relationship over political differences, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his opposition to the impeachment attempt against Vice President Leni Robredo.

In a news conference upon arrival at the Davao City International Airport from his official visits to Myanmar and Thailand, Duterte A group of lawyers and professors on Thursday, March 23 said they are mulling called on Robredo’s critics to “lay to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo, but off,” pointing out that she is a duly they denied they were doing so as “blind followers” or “minions” of President elected official.

“We just had an election. Guys, Rodrigo Duterte.

lay off. Let’s stop it. You can do other things, but do not tinker with the structure of government. I will not countenance it,” Duterte said on Thursday, March 23.

Duterte argued that Robredo did not commit any overt act that warrants impeachment, pointing out that her recent public statements, including her criticisms against some of his policies, are part of the country’s democracy.

“Elected ‘yung tao eh (She was elected), so why do you have to…is it just because she keeps on harping at me? Hayaan mo (Just let her), this is democracy — freedom of speech,” the chief executive

added.

House of Representatives Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez recently warned that Robredo could be removed from her post for allegedly undermining Duterte’s administration before the international community.

Last week, Robredo decried the killings and human rights abuses associated with the Philippine government’s brutal war against illegal drugs in a recorded message to the United Nations (UN).

Alvarez said Robredo’s action may amount to “betrayal of public trust,” which is an impeachable offense under the constitution.

Atty. Oliver Lozano and Melchor Chavez also wrote a letter to Alvarez asking him to endorse their impeachment complaint against Robredo on Monday, March 20.

Describing Robredo as a “termite of the government,” they said that the vice president “betrayed the people by shaming the nation with her dishonest message to the United Nations.”

Alvarez to push VP impeachment complaint Sought for comments, Alvarez said he will still push through with the impeachment complaint against Robredo despite Duterte’s

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PNP, DOT appeal to media to ‘tone down’ drug war reports PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday, March 23 urged the THE Philippine National Police media to not “bloat too much” (PNP) echoed the Department of the data on extrajudicial killings.

Tourism’s (DOT) earlier appeal “Our appeal (to the media) is to the members of the press to just to be fair. We ask them not “tone down” reports on the al- to bloat too much their data,” leged summary executions in Dela Rosa said during a briefing connection with President Rodri- at Camp Crame in Quezon City. go Duterte’s campaign against “They should not paint our war illegal drugs. on drugs as evil.”

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fate of DACA still uncertain despite immigration crackdown AMID reports of increased deportations under the Trump administration, beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program continue to be concerned about their statuses in the United States.

DACA, an executive order that was signed by former President Barack Obama in 2012, granted undocumented youth — also known as DREAMers — a renewable two-year work permit. Over 750,000 individuals have been spared from deportation.

As of this writing, President Donald Trump and his administration have not addressed

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House leaders ‘came up short’ in effort to kill Obamacare DESPITE days of intense negotiations and last-minute concessions to win over wavering GOP conservatives and moderates, House Republican leaders on Friday, March 24 failed to secure enough support to pass their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the bill from consideration after he rushed to the White House to tell President Donald Trump that there weren’t the 216 votes necessary for passage.

“We came really close today, but we came up short,” he told reporters at a hastily called

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Dela Rosa also asked the members of the press to be balanced in their coverage on anti-illegal drug operations.

“If they have a negative report, they should also have a positive report. Balanced reporting. Balance view on the situation,” the PNP chief added.

Since the campaign launched in July last year, nearly 8,000

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PH loses millions in US, EU grants, trade agreements over human rights issues

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE accusations of human rights violations may have cost the Philippines to lose millions-worth of grants from the United States and trade agreements with the European Union, the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday, March 21.

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno In December last year, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. poverty reduction agency, said that it has “deferred a vote on the re-selection of the Philippines for compact development, subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.”

After a $434 million package in 2011, MCC said it withheld its second aid due to “significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.”

“The United States has not renewed its Millennium

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POLICE FORCE. President Rodrigo Duterte during the 38th Commencement Exercise of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Masidlak Class 2017 in Silang, Cavite on Friday, March 24. Addressing the new graduates, Duterte said those joining the police force may kill 1,000 people. He will protect them as long as they do it in the performance of their duty.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Duterte criticizes US for past inaction in South China Sea

by AJPress THE United States could have “cut the problem in the bud” had it taken decisive action in the disputed South China Sea a few years ago, according to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Thursday, March 23, Duterte accused the U.S. of waiting “for the problem to ripen into an international issue,” questioning the country’s inaction when China began its building activities along the contested waters.

Acknowledging that the U.S.

is the only one “who can stand against China,” Duterte said: “Why did you (the U.S.) not at the first instance pinuntahan ninyo ‘yung mga Instik doon nagtatrabaho (go to the Chinese working) and building that structures there?”

“Bakit hindi mo sinita? Bakit hindi ka nagpadala ng limang aircraft carrier at kinasahan mo?

(Why did you not reprimand them? Why did you not send five aircraft carriers?),” Duterte said in his speech during the opening ceremonies of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ 16th National

Convention of Lawyers.

He then openly resented the U.S. for supposedly wanting the Philippines to be more assertive in its territorial claims.

“You could have cut the problem in the bud had you taken indecisive action. Bakit ngayon sabihin mo (Now you would tell us) assert, you assert,” Duterte said. “Tapos sasabihin pa (And then you would ask us) ‘Why don’t you bring your Navy there?’”

The president further stressed, “It will mean a massacre for my soldiers. I will not do it.”

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PH economy seen growing at fastest pace in region

by DoriS

Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

THE Philippines is likely to grow at the fastest pace among key Southeast Asian economies this year and next while the regional bloc as a whole continues to evolve into a fertile ground for investors, regional investment powerhouse Maybank Kim Eng Group said.

Maybank Kim Eng, which shared

its macroeconomic outlook in a briefing during the “Invest Asean” forum in Singapore on Tuesday, March 21, expects its six core markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean-6) to grow by an average 4.8 percent compared to 4.6 percent last year.

Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam comprise Asean-6.

“Asean continues to grow and has

momentum,” said Maybank Kim Eng chief executive Dato John Chong Chong, adding that the momentum would be driven by trade recovery, rebound in commodity prices and improving global electronics demand.

Next year, the investment house expects Asean-6 to sustain an average growth rate of 5.3 percent.

In the case of the Philippines, Maybank Kim Eng expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth to remain

strong at 6.4 percent this year and 6.5 percent in 2018, outperforming the projected regional average. The domestic economy grew by 6.8 percent last year, although this included an extraordinary boost from the presidential elections.

Within Asean-6, the Philippines is seen to post the fastest pace of growth this year and next, followed by Vietnam, which is seen to grow by 6.3

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From the Front Page

Duterte opposes moves to impeachment…

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statement.

“We respect the president, but we have to do our duty as mandated by the Constitution,” Alvarez told reporters.

In her video message, Robredo also mentioned the supposed “exchange of head” or “palitulo” scheme, in which she said, “the wife, husband or relative in a so-called drug list will be taken

if the person himself could not be found.”

However, Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were quick to denounce Robredo’s definition of “exchange of head” scheme, clarifying that it actually refers to a practice wherein arrested drug pushers can reveal their supplier or higher drug lords in exchange of being charged with a lighter of-

fense.

Citing the vice president’s supposedly wrong description of the “exchange of head” scheme, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) claimed that they were “unfounded, biased and unverified.”

“It is quite unfortunate that the Vice President had resorted to name-calling and unfounded accusations, and in such a blatant fashion to get her message across,” the VACC stated.

In a letter dated March 21, the group also asked Robredo to apologize for what it called “treacherous” and “unjust” statements.

“We demand an apology from the vice president addressed to the Filipino people to forestall any legal action that may be taken against her for her treacherous and unjust statements,” the VACC said.

‘No reason to apologize’ In response, Robredo’s spokesperson maintained that there’s

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ARRESTED. Authorities arrested before dawn Wednesday three more large-scale drug traffickers in Maguindanao province, two of them women, in a renewed crackdown that began last week. Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) and local police personnel cornered the cohorts Kehar Dido, his wife Tayalin and a female relative, Bai Dido, in Barangay Pinguiamin southeast of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. They are among the top ten most wanted drug dealers in the municipality.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

PNP, DOT…

PAGE A1 t

deaths have been recorded. The PNP, however, has repeatedly clarified that only around 2,500 cases were related to legitimate police operations while the remaining are considered “deaths under investigation” conducted by vigilante suspects with other motives.

Earlier on Wednesday, March 22, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo called on the media to “tone down” reports on drug war because it makes it hard to sell the Philippines to tourists.

“These statements make it hard for us to sell the Philippines, so I hope, we could if possible—this does not only refer to VP Leni [Robredo] but also to the media—let us tone down those references to extrajudicial killings,” Teo told reporters in a press briefing.

Robredo, who has been expressing dissent over some of the Duterte policies, criticized the administration’s war against illegal drugs in a video recently sent to the United Nations (UN), citing the alleged spate of summary killings and human rights violations.

“I hope the statements could

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From the Front page

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 25-28, 2017

A

Duterte opposes moves to impeachment…

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no reason for the vice president to apologize.

“We don’t see any reason for her to make an apology. What is VP doing here is give voice to ordinary Filipino families who has no one to approach for help and who fear for their lives,” Georgina Hernandez said.

For her part, Robredo said that she and the Duterte “have always been for working together” and that their only “dissent is being misinterpreted as destabilization.”

“By working together, it doesn’t mean we agree on everything. But disagreement should not be seen as our desire to replace him,” Robredo said.

She further explained: “Our expression of dissent doesn’t mean we want to get back at the president. We want to be heard

because we feel strongly about certain things, like the killing of ordinary people.”

Robredo also affirmed that her message to the UN is neither an attempt to destabilize the Duterte administration nor to oust the president.

“We think removing a president by impeachment or whatever means, we won’t accomplish anything anymore,” she said.

“Impeachment whether against the president or me would put a halt to the things Congress should focus on. It is going to be very divisive in our country. It won’t be good in the long run.”

Meanwhile, Duterte himself faces an impeachment complaint.

Last week, Magdalo Party-list Rep Gary Alejano filed the first impeachment complaint against

Duterte before the House of Representatives on March 16, accusing the president of culpably violating the Constitution, engaging in bribery, betraying public trust, committing graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

In his 16-page complaint, Alejano cited Duterte’s alleged links to the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), the massive killings in his war against illegal drugs, and his alleged undeclared wealth worth nearly P2.2 million.

While Duterte has immunity from suit as the country’s president, Article 11, Sec. 2 of the 1987 Constitution states that he “may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.” n

PNP, DOT appeal to media to…

PAGE A2 t

be toned down because I am having a hard time selling [the Philippines],” Teo added.

She then urged the media to promote the Philippines as an attractive destination.

Following Robredo’s appeal, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard said that instead of asking the media to tone down reports, the government should instead extrajudicial killing. “#Philippines Tourism Chief asks Media to tone down #EJK report! She should ask Gov & Police to #StopEJK,” Callamard

wrote on her Twitter account.

This comes after various reports — from media outlets both internationally and in the Philippines — highlighting the Duterte administration’s actions.

Earlier this week, the New York Times published an article entitled “Becoming Duterte: The Making of a Philippine Strongman,” which recounted Duterte’s life from his early childhood to his more than two decades term as Davao City’s mayor, and later as the country’s president.

“President Rodrigo Duterte relishes the image of killer-savior. He boasts of killing criminals

with his own hand. On occasion, he calls for mass murder,” read the NYT report, authored by Richard Paddock.

Commenting on the article, Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement that the NYT’s article seems like a “well-paid hack job for well-heeled clients with shady motives.”

“NYT cynically and unfairly narrates the president’s rise to power in the context of violence,” Abella claimed, adding that it did not highlight Duterte’s accomplishments during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. n

the future of DACA. However, many immigrant communities are on edge as the signature program could be rescinded at any time, as it was one of Trump’s promises when he was campaigning.

Mariam Kelly, senior immigration attorney and DACA program supervisor at Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, California, advised communities to understand that the program is still in a wait-and-see mode.

“That is something we really want to communicate to anybody who has DACA...and is looking to renew, it’s really important to know that to date there has been no change to the program at all,” Kelly told reporters during a press call on Thursday, March 23. “However, we do know that

President Donald Trump

some kind of change will be coming.”

Though a lot of DACA recipients wonder if they could be deported should the program get canceled, Kelly reminded them that they have certain protec-

PH loses millions in US, EU grants…

PAGE A1 t

Challenge Corporation grant to the Philippines expiring in May this year because of alleged human rights violations,” Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno told reporters in a sideline interview during the 15th meeting of the Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMR) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

After the completion of the first grant, the MCC’s new program was supposed to also run for five years and be implemented until 2022 under Duterte’s term.

But over the past few months, the U.S. has criticized Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

The corporation’s website states that countries can only qualify if they “demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, investments in its people, and economic freedom.”

Additionally, Sueno warned that the 27 trade agreements with the European Union might be hurt as well, mentioning that some European countries threatened to impose taxes on Philippine products. tions and rights.

“This will make our farm“One thing to note for those ers suffer because this will be who are in fear of deportation is charged to them by European that so long as a DACA holder has countries as a sanction to the not been deported before, they Philippines. Many countries in have the right — the same as ev- Europe are importing products u PAGE A4 from the country,” Sueno point-

Fate of DACA still uncertain despite immigration…

PAGE A1 t

EYES ON PIA. Miss Universe 2016 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach walks past Binibining Pilipinas 2017 candidates who were presented to the media at Novotel in Quezon City on Wednesday, March 22.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

ed out.

In a joint resolution adopted last week, the EU Parliament said it “strongly condemns” the alleged summary killings in connection to Duterte’s drug war. It also expressed “grave concern over credible reports to the effect that the Philippine police force is falsifying evidence to justify extrajudicial killings.”

Likewise, the parliament called on the Philippine government to “immediately carry out impartial and meaningful investigations into these extrajudicial killings and to prosecute and bring all perpetrators to justice.”

“Our government is now accused of violating human rights,” Sueno said. “So we stand to lose in this 27 trade agreements.”

More than 8,000 individuals have been reportedly killed since Duterte launched the campaign when he took office last July.

His administration has repeatedly denied that the killings were state-sanctioned.

Suenos said: “We stand to lose many things. This is the consequence of what they are doing to the president.”

“This is being propagated by many sectors in the government and recently by VP,” he added, referring to Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo.

Last week, Robredo decried the killings and human rights abuses associated with the Philippine government’s brutal war

against illegal drugs in recorded message to the United Nations (UN).

In a video uploaded on March 13, the vice president emphasized that the thousands of killings and human rights abuses allegedly tied to the drug war have left Filipinos feeling “hopeless” and “helpless.”

According to her, Filipinos were beaten up for requesting search warrants, and poor people were “rounded up in places like basketball courts, women separated from men, those with tattoos asked to stand in the corner, their belongings searched.”

Robredo also mentioned the supposed “exchange of head” or “palit-ulo” scheme, in which she said, “the wife, husband or relative in a so-called drug list will be taken if the person himself could not be found.”

However, Malacañang and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were quick to dismiss Robredo’s definition of the “exchange of head” scheme, clarifying that it actually refers to a practice wherein arrested drug pushers can reveal their supplier or higher drug lords in exchange for being charged with a lighter offense.

For his part, Sueno said that “it would help if Vice President Robredo presents to us solid proof about this so-called ‘Palit Ulo’ scheme so we can act on it immediately.” n

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

From the Front page

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House leaders ‘came up short’ in effort to kill‌ PAGE A1 t

news conference.

When pressed about what happens to the federal health law, he added, “We’re going to be living with Obamacare for the foreseeable future.�

Ryan originally had hoped to hold a floor vote on the measure Thursday — timed to coincide with the seventh anniversary of the ACA — but decided to delay that effort because GOP leaders didn’t have enough “yes� votes.

The House had been in session Friday while members debated

parts of the bill.

The legislation was damaged by a variety of issues raised by competing factions of the party.

Many members were spooked by reports by the Congressional Budget Office showing that the bill would lead eventually to 24 million people losing insurance, while some moderate Republicans worried that ending the ACA’s Medicaid expansion would hurt low-income Americans.

At the same time, conservatives, especially the hard-right House Freedom Caucus that of-

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ten has needled party leaders, complained that the bill kept too much of the ACA structure in place. They wanted a straight repeal of Obamacare, but party leaders said that couldn’t pass the Senate, where Republicans don’t have enough votes to stop a filibuster. So they chose to use a complicated legislative strategy called budget reconciliation that would allow them to repeal only parts of the ACA that affect federal spending.

The decision came after a chaotic week of negotiations, as party leaders sought to woo more conservatives. Trump personally lobbied 120 members through personal meetings or phone calls, according to a count provided Friday by his spokesman, Sean Spicer. “The president and the team here have left everything on the field,� Spicer said.

On Thursday evening, Trump dispatched Office of Management and Development Director Mick Mulvaney to tell his former House GOP colleagues that the president wanted a vote on Friday. It was time to move on to other priorities, including tax reform, he told House Republicans. “He said the president needs this, the president has said he wants a vote tomorrow, up or down. If for any reason it goes down, we’re just going to move forward with additional parts of his agenda. This is our moment in time,� Rep. Chris Collins (RN.Y.), a loyal Trump ally, told

DUTERTE IN THAILAND. President Rodrigo Duterte bows before cultural performers during a state dinner in his honor, hosted by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha (right) at the Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 21.

MalacaĂąang photo

Fate of DACA still uncertain despite immigration‌ PAGE A2 t

ery other person who is present here without immigration status lawfully — to go before an immigration judge, to fight their case [and] contract a lawyer who can help them in representing them for some other form of relief,� she said.

Another possibility is whether the program would be replaced with legislation that would be more permanent.

Given that there are so many unknowns surrounding DACA, organizations represented on the call encouraged those looking to apply or renew for the relief to seek legal advice from a qualified and licensed attorney. “We want to make sure that evu PAGE A5

erybody has a detailed, in-depth consultation with an immigration attorney in order to assess whether they should apply for DACA for the first time or apply for renewal,� Kelly said, adding that each client will be handled

PAGE A1 t

“Wala tayong mga (We do not have) cruise missiles,� the chief executive said. “We are no match [against China] and we have to be brutally frank to admit it.�

Earlier in January, the United States under the new administration of President Donald Trump vowed to defend “international interests� along the South China Sea “from being taken over by one country.� It also said it would challenge China’s excessive maritime claims.

While the Duterte administration has been pushing to forge closer ties with China, MalacaĂąang repeatedly assured that the Philippine government will continue to assert its territorial

PAGE A1 t

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percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2018.

Maybank Kim Eng expects Indonesia and Thailand to grow by 5.1 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively, this year and by 5.3 percent and 4.5 percent in 2018.

Malaysia is seen to grow by 4.4 percent this year and 4.5 percent next year while Singapore is projected to expand by a modest 2.5 percent this year and 2.3 percent in 2018. n

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rights in the South China Sea. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No more construction in Panatagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Upon his arrival in Manila from his visits to Myanmar and Thailand earlier on Thursday, Duterte said the Chinese government gave him an assurance that Beijing is â&#x20AC;&#x153;not going to build anythingâ&#x20AC;? in Panatag shoal.

Quoting a Chinese official, Duterte related: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Out of respect for our friendship they will stop it. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We would leave it as it is, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry, we are friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was the assurance given by the Chinese government. They are not going to build anything sa Panatag, because they want our friendship. They [wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t] do anything to place it in jeopardy,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The Panatag shoal, also referred to as 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).

While China claimed that the shoal is part of its territory, the arbitration tribunal at The Hague ruled in July 2016 that the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim of sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis and violates UNCLOS, a treaty signed by both China and the Philippines. n

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Dateline USa

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A

Demand for PH office spaces remain strong amid Trump’s protectionist policies Property consulting firm JLL reports BPO industry drive market

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

SCHOOL CHAIRS FROM PLASTIC WASTES. Students of Mary Immaculate School in Moonwalk, Las Pinas City, happily sit on the plastic chairs donated by Senator Cynthia Villar and Villar SIPAG. The senator has been giving sturdy and durable plastic chairs to schools in Metro Manila and nearby areas to help solve the school chairs shortage in our schools and care for the environment. With the recycling of plastic waste, Villar said they were able to create a source of livelihood for the poor.

Senate photo

Fate of DACA still uncertain despite immigration…

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ing Justice-LA) have put new applications for DACA on hold since they are unsure how the information of the undocumented youth would be used.

Depending on the advice of an attorney, those who were already granted DACA could seek renewal because their information is in the system.

“When it comes to risks, people who have DACA already are already known to immigration, their names are in the database of DACA recipients, so we have found they are at less risk of any kind of activity against them…so doing a renewal would not really change anything so long as there hasn’t been any change in circumstance of that particular client,” Kelly explained.

A legal screening could also point these immigrants to other options, such as special immigration juvenile status or familybased petitions.

For the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Advancing Justice-LA staff attorney Martha Ruch said there are a lot of questions and concerns about who qualifies as undocumented.

Those who overstayed their visa are also considered undocumented, similar to those who came to the U.S. without legal papers.

Ruch added that AAPI citizens and legal permanent residents are worried as well how they would be affected by the Trump

administration’s actions.

“The short answer is that citizens are generally not going to be affected by this. Citizens are not deportable, including naturalized citizens. But legal immigrants may want to consult with an immigration attorney or licensed practitioner to discuss whether criminal issues or potential international travel may be a problem for them,” she said.

Speakers participating in Thursday’s briefing also urged individuals to know their rights should they be confronted by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICe) agents.

“Whether they are U.S. citizens or undocumented or permanent residents or on some kind of visa, these are rights that are available to everyone solely by virtue of being on U.S. soil,” Kelly said.

Some of these rights include asking for a search warrant, due process, and access to an attorney.

“The reason why we’re emphasizing know your rights at this time is because increased immigration enforcement means that ordinary people are perhaps going to be subject to questioning about their country of origin [or] their legal status,” Ruch said.

She went on to say that undocumented immigrants should also make a general plan for their families and workplaces in case they are detained. The details that should be included are emergency contacts, who would take care of their children or el-

House leaders ‘came up short’…

PAGE A4 t

reporters late Thursday. “If it doesn’t pass, we’re moving beyond health care...We are done negotiating.”

Trump’s edict clearly irked some lawmakers, including the Freedom Caucus chairman, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C), whose group of more than two dozen members represented the strongest bloc against the measure.

“Anytime you don’t have 216 votes, negotiations are not totally over,” he told reporters who had surrounded him in a Capitol basement hallway as he headed in to the party’s caucus meeting.

Shortly before Ryan’s press conference, Trump called Washington Post reporter Robert Costa to say they were pulling the bill back from consideration.

Costa said the president seemed at ease with the decision and did not blame Ryan for the defeat.

Trump, Ryan and other GOP lawmakers tweaked their initial package in a variety of ways to win over both conservatives and moderates. But every time one change was made to win votes in one camp, it repelled support in another.

The White house on Thursday, March 23 accepted conservatives’ demands that the legislation strip federal guarantees of essential health benefits in insurance policies. But that was another problem for moderates, and Democrats suggested the provision would not survive in the Senate.

Republican moderates in the house — as well as the Senate — objected to the bill’s provisions that would shift Medicaid from an open-ended entitlement to a set amount of funding for states that would also give governors and state lawmakers more flexibility over the program. Moderates also were concerned that the package’s tax credits would not be generous enough to help older Americans — who could be charged five times more for coverage than their younger counterparts — afford coverage.

The house package also lost the support of key GOP allies, including the Club for Growth and heritage Action. Physician, patient and hospital groups also opposed it.

It’s not clear what will happen next to the Republican effort to overturn or modify Obamacare.

But White house officials told members Thursday that if they couldn’t pass the legislation, the president wanted to turn to other priorities, including tax reform.

“The president understands this is it,” Spicer said. “We had this opportunity to — to change the trajectory of health care, to help improve — put a health care system in place and to end the nightmare that Republicans have campaigned on called Obamacare.”

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. (By Mary Agnes Carey / California Healthline)

derly in the home, and where to go to help, among others.

“From an advocacy standpoint, it’s really important for DReAMers and other segments of the undocumented population to remain visible and to remain strong and to not bow down to the fear and pressure,” Kelly said. “The only reason that DACA happened in the first place was from the response of the amazing organizing of the students, the DReAMer movement trying to get something passed for themselves.” (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

The demand for office spaces in the Philippines will continue to grow despite uncertainties in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector likely caused by United States President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance, according to property consulting firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

During the Asia CeO executive Forum on Tuesday, March 21, JLL’s Asia-Pacific CeO Anthony Couse said that the BPO industry were still the main drivers of office rentals in the Philippines, notwithstanding Trump’s pronouncements to restrict the outsourcing of products and services to generate more jobs for Americans.

“Demand side for office remains very strong. Particularly here in Manila, the BPO industry continues to drive the office market,” Manila Times quoted Couse in its report.

Couse projected that the Philippines will continue to experience strong demand for its office inventory for the next three years, citing the country’s ability to weather global headwinds.

Taking note that the Philippines is the second fastest growing economy in Asia, Couse said that the Philippines also offers a “cost advantage.”

“Foreign investors that are already here in the Philippines or in Asia Pacific are already com-

CEO FORUM. Anthony Couse (left) speaks during the Asia CEO Executive Forum held on Tuesday in Pasay City. With him were JLL Regional Director Sheila Lobrien, JLL chairman Lindsey Orr, Asia Pacific Managing Director Chris Fossick and Richard Mills, the moderator.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

fortable. They are not concerned about [Trump’s protectionist policies],” he added.

Despite the positive projection, Couse advised real estate investors to “diversify risks.”

“You cannot rely on one sector. We maintain the BPO industry will continue to grow but we need to diversify,” Couse noted, citing unconventional asset classes such as different infrastructure projects.

Last month, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said that Trump’s protectionist stance will unlikely cause American companies to change its business operations in the Philippines.

Kim took note that the Philippines offers “very very capable, smart employees, english fluency (and) reasonable labor costs.”

“We will not see any dramatic changes to U.S. companies’ BPO operations in the Philippines,” he affirmed.

According to economists, the BPO sector will likely provide more foreign revenue than remittances this year despite uncertainties caused by Trump’s policies.

IT-Business Processing Association of the Philippines (iBPAP) also projected that the BPO sector will generate $40 billion in revenues, and 7.6 million jobs in the country by 2022. n

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Dateline USa

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Bonta introduces legislation to phase out use of private prisons CALIFORNIA Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) has introduced legislation this week that will put an end to private companies making a profit from incarcerating Californians.

AB 1320 will prohibit the renewal of state government contracts with for-profit prisons by 2018 and remove all state prison inmates from these facilities by

2028.

“The built-in incentives are all wrong,” said Bonta. “A private for-profit company that’s traded on Wall Street inherently will try to maximize profits and minimize costs through warehousing our inmates. They have a duty to shareholders, not to California.”

California houses more than 9,000 inmates in 10 privately-

operated, for-profit prisons, including two located out-of-state in Arizona and Mississippi. For the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Governor Jerry Brown has proposed to set aside $247,053 million for contracted private, for-profit correctional facilities.

“Defenders of for-profit private prisons will say they are cost effective. So is child labor, but it’s still wrong. In California, we put our money where our values are, even if it may cost a little more,” Bonta said.

According to a 2012 report by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state has one of the highest recidivism rates with 54 percent of former prisoners returning back into the system within three years.

“Their businesses flourish by having more people behind bars.

For-profit prisons have no real incentive to invest in the human capital of our prisoners. AB 1320 will help to redirect our criminal justice system to value and prioritize effective rehabilitative programs, which will ideally minimize recidivism rates and maximize successes for inmates upon their reentry into society,” Bonta said.

AB 1320 has been referred to the Assembly Public Safety Committee and can be set for a hearing as early as next month. n

EMPOWERING WOMEN. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar cites the need to empower our women by providing them economic empowerment through livelihood programs. In this way, she said our women can help address the needs of the family and help educate their children. The senator was the guest speaker in the 5th Anniversary celebration of the Women’s Rights Movement of the Philippines (WRMP) and Advancing Women’s Right in Action Association, INC. (AWRIA) and Induction of its Officers for 2015-2017 at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

Senate photo

FUGITIVE FROM TEXAS

US sex offender faces deportation

by Tina

SanToS Inquirer.net

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport an American sex convict wanted by authorities in Texas for a string of criminal cases.

Operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU) arrested Steven Wayne Riley, 54, at his home in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, last week.

Riley’s passport has been revoked by the state department, making him an undocumented alien who is subject to summary deportation, according to the bureau.

It said Riley would be blacklisted and banned from reentering the Philippines after he is deported.

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he issued the mission order

for Riley’s arrest at the request of the US Embassy in Manila which sought the BI’s help in locating the fugitive so he could be deported to the United States to stand trial.

A district court in Denton, Texas, issued an arrest warrant against Riley last Jan. 13 upon learning that he had jumped bail and fled the United States. He was previously convicted of sexually assaulting a 45-year-old woman. n

New York Consulate, PH labor officials create awareness for national reintegration program for Filipino workers IN a presentation on the Philippine Reintegration Program for Filipino overseas workers Filipino domestic workers’ associations, Damayan and Maharlika and other Community members joined Labor Assistant Secretary Gloria Tango, Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Director Chona Mantilla of the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO), and Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado in a Town Hall Forum at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center last March 17.

Dr. Rhodora M. Bucoy, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women and Head of the Philippine delegation for the 61stSession of the Commission on the Status of Women and

Commission on Audit Assistant Commissioner Lourdes Castillo, Commission were also present during the Forum.

Consul General De Vega welcomed the visiting officials and stressed the importance of keeping the Filipino overseas community updated on the latest developments in the Philippine Government’s Reintegration Program.

Assistant Secretary Tango gave the outline and general policies in the enabling laws Republic Act 8042 and Republic Act 10022 - that were adopted in support of the creation of NRCO. Director Mantilla explained the mandate as well as different projects of NRCO available to Filipino workers and family members

during unexpected crisis situations or upon their return to the country.

Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado gave a presentation emphasizing the benefits of being an OWWA member to encourage qualified overseas Filipino workers to enroll as OWWA members.

During the Q&A, Maharlika and Damayan members clarified a number of items that include OWWA/ NRCO eligibility requirements, benefits, and manner of enrolment, revival of OWWA membership for domestic workers, the extent of benefits of NRCO, and programs that are beneficial to family members and Overseas Filipino workers upon their return to the country.

The National Reintegration Program promotes the delivery of responsive, productive and sustainable reintegration services to OFW returnees that will enable them to maximize the gains of overseas employment, mitigate the social costs of migration and cushion the impact of forced repatriation due to unexpected events The Consulate General seeks deeper engagement and collaboration with the Filipino community in matters relating to promotion of workers’ welfare and labor rights as well as actively pursuing partnerships with Philippine government agencies and private sector groups to assist underserved sectors in the diaspora. n

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A

Dateline PDuterte hiliPPines tells LGBT group: ‘Do what makes you happy, just don’t violate the law’

that defining the relations of men our society, marriages, birth, everything, it says marriage is PHiLiPPine President rodrigo always between a man and a Duterte said lesbian, gay, bisexu- woman. if i allow it (same-sex al, and transgender (LGBt) cou- marriage), then i would have vioples can do whatever makes them lated the law.” the president went on to add “happy and fulfilled” as long as that couples should do whatever they do not violate the law. “i am centered on the human makes them happy. being. What pleases your existence? We only pass this way once in life. Whatever makes a person or two persons happy, that’s up to them,” Duterte said in SENATE PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER SEN. SHAHANI. Senate President Koko Pimentel III (4th from left) presents adopted Senate Resolution a press conference on thursday, No. 44, expressing the Senate’s sympathy and condolences to the family of former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, led by her brother, march 23, shortly after arriving former President Fidel Ramos (2nd from left), at the Senate Plenary Hall in Pasay City, Thursday, March 23. Incumbent and past senators from his state visits to myanmar recalled Shahani’s achievements and contributions to the country and the world as a Filipina lawmaker, diplomat and educator. Also in and thailand. photo are (right to left) Senators Sonny Angara, Richard Gordon, Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon, Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto While the president reiterated III, along with Shahani’s daughter, Lila, and son, Chanda.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal that he has nothing against members of the LGBt community, he maintained that he cannot legalize same-sex marriage because it Social and Humanitarian Affairs was subsequently elected sena- would be against the Philippine

by Dana SioSon AJPress from 1981 to 1986. tor in in 1987, shortly after the Constitution.

She returned to the country the eDSA People Power revoluDuterte explained: “in the Prominent political perafter the eDSA revolution and u PAGE A10 Family Code, in our Civil Code sonalities, including Philippine

by aJPress

Gov’t officials pay last tribute to Leticia Ramos-Shahani President rodrigo Duterte, paid last tribute to late and former senator Leticia “Letty” ramosShahani during the necrological service at the Philippine Senate on thursday, march 23 in Pasay City.

Shahani, whom former partylist rep. neri Colmenares described as “an accomplished diplomat, legislator and women’s rights advocate,” passed away at St. Luke’s medical Center in taguig City on monday at the age of 87. She was diagnosed of colon cancer in 2015. in a statement, Presidential Spokesperson ernesto Abella said malacañang is “saddened” by passing of the career diplomat who “served the nation well as Senator of the republic and worked tirelessly in the executive branch in various capacities under different administrations.” “our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the former senator. She was a profound humanist and her voice will be missed,” Abella added.

Shahani, who is also the younger sister of former President Fidel V. ramos, previously served as the secretary-general of the United nations (Un) third World Conference on Women in nairobi in 1985, and was Un Assistant Secretary-General for

“But if you would ask me what makes you happy, do it. You can only do it once. never to return back. this is one straight deal. So whatever makes you happy, you go out of this universe happy and fulfilled. if it makes the gays happy, let them be. i do not condemn anybody there. What makes you

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

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OpiniOn

Features

Happy places

INCOMES aren’t rising for the majority and inclusive growth is a work in progress, but other indicators may account for the improvement of the Philippines in its ranking in the World Happiness Report 2017.

From last year’s 82nd place, the Philippines rose to 72nd among 155 countries and economies in the report released yesterday by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. The release coincided with the observance of International Day of Happiness – with happiness measured in terms of per capita GDP, healthy life expectancy at birth, social support, freedom to make life choices, people’s generosity and perceptions of corruption.

Advanced economies with free societies again topped this year’s list, with Norway ranked the world’s happiest place, dislodging Denmark, which slipped to second spot. Iceland, Switzerland and Finland rounded out the top five, followed by the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden. The United States slid to 14th place from the previous 13th. The least happy are Burundi, Tanzania, Syria, Rwanda and bottom dweller Central African Republic.

In Asia, affluent Singapore was rated the hap-

piest at 26th place, followed by Thailand at 32nd, Taiwan (33rd), Malaysia (42nd), Japan (51st), South Korea (56th), Hong Kong (71st), Indonesia (81st), Vietnam (94th), Myanmar (114th) and Cambodia (129th). The size of the economy is no gauge of happiness: China placed 79th. Bhutan, which measures “gross domestic happiness,” ranked 97th.

In the indicators, the Philippines rated lowest in perceptions of corruption in society and in terms of generosity. The country ranked highest in social support networks – one of the traditional strengths of Filipinos. In the middle ranks were per capita GDP, freedom to make life choices and healthy life expectancy at birth.

The Philippines has been among the top gainers in the happiness index from 2005 to 2007 and from 2014 to 2016. With more effort, the country can still improve from the middle ranks of the report and be at par with Asia’s better performers.

This year’s improvement in ranking must be sustained through more reforms. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

A majority of Americans think Trump is not honest, disapprove of the job he is doing as president courts; his budget cuts of funding for social services that help the poor and marginalized Americans; his record churning of executive orders to reverse Obama’s initiatives to protect the rights of consumers, the environment.

Both the Gallup tracking poll and Quinnipiac poll found only 37 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president.

The Gallup poll reports a majority of Americans — 58 percent— disapprove of the way he is doing his job, while the Quinnipiac poll found that 57 percent disapprove.

Equally concerning is the Quinnipiac poll finding that Americans largely do not trust the things President Trump says. Sixty percent of voters felt Trump is NOT honest, an increase of 5 percent from earlier this

DONALD J. TRUMP has been president for a little over 60 days The Fil-Am and yet his approval and trust rating continues to plummet amid the Perspective controversies, scandals and failures he has caused upon himself.

Amid the growing list of issues against Trump: inability to close Gel SantoS-ReloS the deal among Republicans to pass Trumpcare that would have repealed and replaced Obamacare; the U.S. intelligence agencies exposing Trump’s lies with his baseless accusation that his predecessor Pres. Barack Obama wiretapped him in Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential election; the ongoing investigation into the alleged collusion of the Trump campaign with Russia to meddle in the presidential election to help him win; his two travel bans being blocked by federal

President Donald Trump

month. Seventy-three percent thought the president and his administration make statements and claims without evidence “very often” or “somewhat often.”

The most ominous revelation of the polls would be the eroding support from his fierce loyal base. According to Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Tim Malloy, “Most alarming for President Donald Trump, the demographic underpinnings of his support, Republicans, white voters, especially men and those without a college degree, are starting to have doubts.”

If this trend continues, how will Trump then succeed in governing? *** 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

‘Documented,’ the film: The truth of a son’s Did Cayetano lose and then struggle to be reunited with his mother in reacquire Philippine citizenship? the context of a broken immigration system Street

[Editor’s note: This column was originally published in May Rhizomes 2014, but was edited and updated to reflect the current immigration debate in the United States.]

“IMMIGRATION is by definition a gesture of faith in social mobility. It is the expression in PRoSy abaRquezaction of a positive belief in the DelacRuz, J.D. possibility of a better life. It has thus contributed greatly to developing the spirit of personal betterment in American society and to strengthening the national confidence in change and the future. Such confidence, when shared, sets the national tone. The opportunities that America offered made the dream real, at least for a good many; but the dream itself was in large part the product of millions of plain people beginning a new life in the conviction that life could indeed be better, and each new wave of immigration rekindled the dream. It gave every old American a standard by which to judge how far he had come and every new American, a realization of how far he might go. It reminded every American, old and new, that change is the essence of life, and that American society is a process, not a conclusion. ”— Pres. John F. Kennedy, A Nation of Immigrants, 1964, 2008.

In America, if we believe FOX News and ethnic cable televisions, the discussion to consider “the other, ” is effectively closed. We label them as if they do not matter. “Get your papers or get out, or worse, go back to Mexico.” They also come from India, China, Philippines, El Salvador, Vietnam, Cuba, Korea, Dominican Republic and Guatemala.

Before, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Poland -- and America excluded them.

They are our nannies and caretakers to our children, caregivers to ailing relatives, chefs and waiters who serve us our restaurant food, gardeners in our yards, all significant aspects of our American lives, yet, we cast them aside to the margins, to the shadows.

In 2010, these Americans, with no documents, supported the mainstream, paying $11.2 billion in state and federal taxes, yet remained isolated, until a face came forward. Jose Antonio Vargas (JAV) wrote his essay on being undocumented, in June 2011 in the New York Times. A year earlier,

Gaby Pacheco and three friends walked 1,500 miles from Miami to DC to bring awareness to this issue.

JAV is gay, Filipino American, without documents, a Pulitzerprize winning journalist, who had written for the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, the New Yorker and Rolling Stone.

He discovered he was undocumented when he tried applying for his driver’s license at the DMV at age 16.

“I decided then that I could never give anyone reason to doubt I was an American. I convinced myself that if I worked enough, if I achieved enough, I would be rewarded with citizenship.

I felt I could earn it. I’ve tried. Over the past 14 years, I’ve graduated from high school and college and built a career as a journalist, interviewing some of the most famous people in the country. On the surface, I’ve created a good life. I’ve lived the American dream. But I am still an undocumented immigrant. And that means living a different kind of reality. It means going about my day in fear of being found out. It means rarely trusting people, even those closest to me, with who I really am.

It means keeping my family photos in a shoebox rather than displaying them on shelves in my home, so friends don’t ask about them. It means reluctantly, even painfully, doing things I know are wrong and unlawful. And it has meant relying on a sort of 21st-century underground railroad of supporters, people who took an interest in my future and took risks for me.”

“I would write my way right into America, “ he optimistically planned his life.

Watching “Documented,” a film Filled with empathy for JAV, so many faces were streaked with tears from crying, while others wiped them off, after watching “Documented,” a jointly sponsored screening by The Asia Society and the Museum of Tolerance. It is not a teleserye ala Maalala Mo Kaya’s over-the-top emoting style. It is a credible documentary that effectively threads conversations and dialogue from those who believe immigrants do not belong here, and if they do, they must go back to the end of the line

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IN a stout rebuttal of assertions made in a Philippine Daily Inquirer column by Filipino-American lawyer, Rodel Rodis, concerning Talk the US citizenship of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and his subsequent renunciation of it, the following news item came out: “Senator Alan Peter Cayetano GReG b. Macabenta on Thursday blasted an opinion piece questioning his citizenship, calling it ‘fake news’ and a ‘well disguised malicious article.’

“Cayetano took to Facebook his response to the column published by The Philippine Daily Inquirer, saying he acquired both Philippine and American citizenship at birth since he was born to a Filipino father, Renato Cayetano and an American mother, Sandra Schramm. “‘By law, by both the Philippine Constitution and US Constitution, I was both an American and am a Filipino nung time na pinanganak. At sabi nga po sa ibang court cases, hindi kasalanan ng bata yun,’ he said in a Facebook video.

“In a separate post, Cayetano said he gave up his American citizenship even before he took the bar exams and ran for Congress.”

Indeed, the good senator is right in saying that he had both Filipino and American citizenship at birth. However, Cayetano’s assertion that “by both the Philippine Constitution and US Constitution, (he) was both an American and..a Filipino” is not entirely accurate.

What is accurate is that, under the Philippine Constitution, Cayetano was a natural-born Filipino citizen because of his Filipino father. And under the US Constitution he was entitled to US citizenship because of his American mother. But, at the time of his birth on October 28, 1970, dual citizenship was not yet recognized in the Philippines, as applied to Filipino citizens.

Cayetano had to subsequently elect one citizenship over the other. Apparently Cayetano chose US citizenship. About this, Rodis wrote: “In his Comelec protest action against Cayetano, former Pateros Mayor Jose Capco, Jr, produced documentation from official government records showing that on January 23, 1985, Alan Peter Cayetano personally applied for and obtained an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) asserting that he was an American citizen. As Atty. Capco pointed out, the law required Cayetano to personally ap-

ply for this ACR and he dutifully complied.”

There is no denying that Cayetano elected to become a US citizen. There is also no denying that he renounced his US citizenship.

The issue that Rodis has raised is whether or not Cayetano was still a US citizen when he ran for public office.

With due respect to Cayetano’s noble desire to be of service to the country of his birth, there’s another crucial issue: Was Cayetano a Filipino citizen when he ran for public office?

In a paper entitled “Philippine citizenship, dual citizenship, and dual allegiance: An evaluation of RA 9225, the Dual Citizenship Law,” lawyer James Benedict Panopio wrote: “The Dual Citizenship Law also amended the old citizenship law, Commonwealth Act No. 63, which provides that acquisition of foreign citizenship is a ground for the loss of Philippine citizenship.”

Did Cayetano lose his Philippine citizenship when he elected US citizenship? He apparently did. CA 63 enumerated the following, among the reasons for such a loss: 1. By naturalization in a foreign country 2. By express renunciation of citizenship 3. By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the constitution of a foreign country upon attaining twenty-one years of age or more.

Note that Cayetano could have retained his Philippine citizenship, even after electing US citizenship, with the passage of RA 9225, The Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 – also known as the Dual Citizenship Law. This law, approved on August 29, 2003, states: “Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State that all Philippine citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of this Act. Now, having lost his Philippine citizenship, Cayetano would have had to undergo a formal process if he wanted to reacquire Philippine citizenship.

This, interestingly, is where his case and that of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. appear to be the same.

A February 27, 2017 Philippine Daily Inquirer story by Juliet Labog-Javellana entitled, “Yasay:

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OpiniOn & Features

‘Documented,’ the film: The truth of a son’s…

PAGE A8 t and apply. JAV wrote and directed the film.

There is no line to wait in when you are an American, undocumented. There are no categories to apply for, to get a green card, even for those who have been here for years, even for those who have paid taxes. Families continue to be broken, not one year, not two years, in some cases, twenty years.

By the time they are reunited, in JAV’s case, he wanted to have his green card by his next birthday to visit his mom. His fantasy was that at the airport, there will be two of them, Emelia and Jose, and after they hug, chat, a five-hour drive to Zambales, more chats, eat, and takes him to the beach, where he spent time with his cousins.

On June 15, 2012, a memorandum authored by the Obama administration called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) qualified folks who came here as children, and only if they are under 29 years old. JAV was 30 and he didn’t qualify. He also asserts that 2,000,000 have now been deported by the Obama administration, a number that has to be substantiated.

Separation is a common thread JAV was four when his grandparents left for the U.S. His grandfather was a security guard and his grandmother was a food server. They both earned minimum wage, but remitted dollars to support Emelia and JAV, until 12-year-old JAV joined his grandparents in California.

“Mother and I slept in the same bed, inseparable,” JAV narrates in the film.

“I joined Facebook. There years, he would not

Filipino-American journalist, filmmaker and immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas was on the cover of TIME magazine in 2012 along with other undocumented immigrants. Photograph by Gian Paul Lozza for TIME

accept me. Such a simple thing. It’s just Facebook.

Last letter he sent was 11/1997. It’s like we don’t know each other. It’s really hard. The son that used

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Did Cayetano lose and then reacquire…

PAGE A8 t

American, Filipino or stateless?” stated: “A lawmaker privy to the pertinent documents said that after Yasay lost his Filipino citizenship in 1986, he has apparently not reacquired it as mandated by Philippine laws…The dual citizenship law requires filing a petition for retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship in the Bureau of Immigration and taking an oath of allegiance to the Philippines.”

In the case of Labo, Jr. vs Comelec, the Supreme Court held: “Philippine citizenship is not a cheap commodity that can be easily recovered after its renunciation. It may be restored only after the returning renegade makes a formal act of re-dedication to the country he has abjured and he solemnly affirms once again his total and exclusive loyalty to the Republic of the Philippines.”

In other words, to reacquire his Philippine citizenship, after renouncing his US citizenship, Cayetano would have had to comply with the provisions of RA 9225: “Section 3. Retention of Philippine Citizenship - Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, natural-born citizens by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are hereby deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the following oath of allegiance to the Republic: “I _____________________, solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines; and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme

authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto; and that I imposed this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”

If Cayetano did not comply with the above requirements, then he and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfect Yasay may have the same problem. In sum, I think the following questions are relevant: 1. Did Cayetano lose his Philippine citizenship upon electing to become a US citizen? The provisions of CA 93 indicate that he did.

2. Did Cayetano formally reacquire his Philippine citizenship as required by law? That is a question that Cayetano should answer – or something that can be determined by simply going through the records of the Bureau of Immigration.

We do not want to speculate on what the BI records will reveal or what Cayetano’s response will be (hopefully not another complaint about “fake news” and “a well disguised malicious article). But the implications could raise questions about the legitimacy of his election to the Senate, not to mention his candidacy for vice-president and his election to the House of Representatives, years back.

It is said that when you open a Pandora’s Box, you never know what unwelcome things will emerge from it. For instance, if Alan Peter Cayetano, born to an American mother, subsequently elected to become a US citizen and then renounced that citizenship, what about former Senator and now Taguig Congresswoman Pia Cayetano and other Cayetano siblings who may have occupied elected office? (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com).

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 25-28, 2017

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Duterte’s birthday wish: More strength, time to serve “So my wish really, my prayer to God is that bigyan niya ako ng kaunting lakas na lang [he AS he turns 72 years old on give me a bit more strength] to Tuesday, March 28, President do our – overwork time because Rodrigo Duterte is wishing for it is needed,” the President told more strength and time to serve reporters. the country.

He said 24 hours are “not really In a news conference upon enough time for the presidency,” his arrival from an official trip to unless he sleeps for around four Thailand early Thursday, Duterte hours. said he has already reached the “I get a lot, a lot of state docu“apex of his dreams” and no lon- ments,” the President said, addger wants any gift “except maybe ing that as a lawyer, he must a prayer to God for my country.” be “extra careful and judicious”

by Catherine

S. VaLente ManilaTimes.net

in studying such documents to avoid getting impeached.

“I only ask God that he give me a little bit of time, a little strength to surmount the problems of the country and that I’d be able, not really to solve but maybe mitigate some of the rigors of governance at ang problema [and the problems],” he added.

Asked about his birthday plans, Duterte said he will spend his first birthday as President with family, in particular, new grandson Stonefish Carpio, youngest son of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“I would be very glad to spend my time with my newest grandson Stone and the rest of my children and grandchildren. That would have been the greatest gift that I can ask in this planet,” he said.

The President said it has been a tradition in his family to keep things simple in such occasions.

“Kasi nagtitipid `yung pamilya [Because the family is being frugal] and all that we did and everyone of us, I don’t know, but most of my siblings, we follow the same rule. We just sleep it off, the day,” Duterte said.

He also made clear that he does not accept gifts, especially lavish presents, on his birthday.

“If you have something for me, some are very expensive, you know I do not need it anymore. At saka maski bigyan ninyo ako ng mga diyamante [And even if you give me a diamond] for every finger, I cannot wear it. Otherwise, I’d be stupid, and even watches and all,” the President said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was among the first leaders to wish him a happy birthday.

Duterte said the Thai leader even presented him a birthday cake during the official dinner the latter hosted in his honor in Bangkok on Tuesday. n

IMPEACH LENI TEAM. A group of lawyers and volunteers plan to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to ‘lay off’ her. In photo are columnist Jojo Robles, political analyst Antonio Contreras, Interior department official Epimaco Densing III, Francis Manalo Santos, Rocky Gonzales, Vivian Velez, MJ Quiambao Reyes, Bruce Rivera and Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

ManilaTimes.net photo by MJ Quiambao Reyes

No report of Pinoy injuries in UK attack

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in London has not received any report of Filipinos injured or killed in the terrorist attack outside the British Parliament last Wednesday, March 22.

Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose also said on Friday, March 24 there were no reports of any Filipino directly affected by the incident.

The embassy has advised Filipinos in London to remain vigilant and monitor local security advisories after five people died, including a policeman and the attacker.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved

Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose also said on Friday, March 24, there were no reports of any Filipino directly affected by the incident.

ones whose lives have been af- tack,” the embassy said in a fected by the Westminster at- statement. n

PH, Thailand strengthen defense, economic ties cha stressed that they have a joint responsibility to uphold the interests of their countries and BANGKOK — Leaders of the the region.

Philippines and Thailand have “I am glad that our discusvowed to strengthen defense sions today were productive and and economic cooperation and fruitful. The discussions point reaffirmed their commitment to to a keen interest in moving work together to address com- forward to a future of greater mon concerns. peace, progress and prosperity,” In a bilateral meeting de- Duterte said on Tuesday night. scribed as “productive and fruit“Among other issues, we reful,” President Duterte and Thai solved to use our consultative Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- mechanisms to the fullest. This will ensure that issues of common concern are addressed and that we continue to build on the commitments that we have made,” he added.

The two leaders cited the need to address traditional and emerging threats to their collective security and stability, including transnational crimes like terrorism and violent extremism, piracy, as well as human and drug trafficking.

“We vowed to do more, our by aLexiS

romero Philstar.com

utmost to strengthen cooperation in bilateral, regional and international levels to effectively address these scourges and menace to our societies,” Duterte said.

Prayut said he and Duterte also discussed the need to maintain and further strengthen the cooperation between their respective militaries. They agreed to enhance cooperation in the exchanges of information and intelligence among security agencies to increase efficiency in addressing challenges.

“We stressed the importance of our defense cooperation to achieve these goals and look forward to the inaugural Joint Committee on Military Cooperation this year,” Duterte said.

The two leaders also emphasized the need to sustain the economic advancements and to expand and intensify two-way trade and investments. They noted that enhancing economic

ties requires the cooperation of the government and private sector.

“Economic reforms are being instituted in the Philippines.

With our emphasis on combatting corruption, eradicating criminality and dismantling the illegal drug trade apparatus, we are hopeful of more investments coming from Thailand,” Duterte said.

The two countries’ relationship can be further enhanced through government-to-government interaction and meaningful dialogue, he added.

“We will continue to make progress, great progress… on many fronts and in various areas,” the Philippine president said during the official dinner in his honor.

“Indeed, the opportunities for even more collaboration are expansive. As we surge ahead, we need to rely on each other

u PAGE A11

Gov’t officials pay last tribute to Leticia Ramos…

PAGE A7 t

tion, she was elected as senator and later, became the first female Senate president pro-tempore from 1993 to 1996 during the term of Ramos.

Known as a fierce advocate for women’s rights, Shahani authored Republic Act (R.A.) 6725 or the “Strengthening the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace,” and the R.A. 8505 or the Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998.

Colmenares also hailed Shahani as a “nationalist” who “harbored a fierce sense of patriotism.”

“We share her strong position that Philippine interest should not be held hostage to the imperialist designs of either China

or the United States,” Colmenares said. “Even as she was suffering from her illness, she took every opportunity to speak out and act to defend Philippine sovereignty through what she called ‘people’s diplomacy.’”

Among the notable political personalities who were present in Shahani’s necrological service at the Senate were former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. In his eulogy, Nene Pimentel described Shahani as a “workhorse of the Senate.”

“I can only say that the Senate was blessed by her selfless and dedicated presence as a lawmak-

er for two terms and so was the country,” he said.

Also in attendance were incumbent senators Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III, Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators, Bam Aquino, Alan Cayetano, and Loren Legarda, among others.

“I have never had the honor of serving alongside Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani in the Senate, but from what I have learned of her from those who knew her personally, one of whom is my father,” Koko Pimentel said.

He then added, “I can say that the Senate was blessed by her selfless and dedicated presence in our institution as a lawmaker for two terms.” n

‘Documented,’ the film: The truth of a son’s…

PAGE A9 t

to tell me, ‘Mama, I love you.’ Like any mother, [I want to] embrace my child, and just want to hug him, touch his face,” Emelia breaks down and cries, and with her, the audience watching the film, including this writer.

“I guess I hadn’t realized how broken I had felt until I saw how broken she was. I mean, we talk on the phone. Like many immigrant families, I’ve been supporting her and my half-siblings since I was in my early 20s. I helped financially support them, and then that’s it. I don’t want to have to think beyond that because I couldn’t handle beyond that. You know, there was so much geographical and emotional separation. In many ways she had been a part of me that I don’t really like talking about, you know? I was going through two journeys: There was the public journey; there was the private journey. And the public face was, I was going to try to go toe to toe with everybody, may it be Lou Dobbs or Bill O’Reilly or Michelle Malkin. But talking about my mom and allowing myself to be vulnerable like that was just not something that I do, “ as JAV confides to Mother Jones’s Ian Gordon.

The audience was riveted by the Q and A, a conversation between Jonathan Karp, the executive director of the Asia Society, and JAV, who is also the founder of Define American.

In a one-on-one conversation with this writer, post-screening, JAV shared his intentions: “It is a film, it is to occupy a cultural space and to take immigration out of the political realm. I am for

immigrants and the film is intended to change perception and to move and to shift culture in the media.”

Would you believe a friend of mine, Lillian, has already seen this in Hawaii, but opted to brave the traffic to see it a second time?

Considering this was shown while former Pres.

Barack Obama was visiting USC, to accept the Shoal Foundation’s award from Steven Spielberg at the Ambassadors for Humanity gala, tying up traffic in LA, the room was full. Lillian wanted to contribute to the debate on immigration reform by taking her children to see this film.

This is what happens when a film moves someone’s heart. Hearts get moved, until the tipping point of action, and when there is a massive desire from so many people, as in a democracy wherein citizens are engaged, “We will keep moving forward until it gets done.” *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

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A11

PH, Thailand strengthen defense… Duterte tells LGBT group…

PAGE A10 t

and we need to work even more closely together.”

Agreements After their closed door bilateral meeting, Duterte and Prayut witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on agriculture, tourism and science and technology.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña and Thai science minister Atchaka Sibunruang signed the cooperation agreement on science and technology.

The implementing program on tourism cooperation for 20172022 was inked by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and Thailand tourism and sports minister Kobkarn Wattanannavrangkul.

A cooperation agreement on livestock development was signed by Philippine Carabao Center executive director Arnel del Barrio and Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives director general Apai Suttisunk.

“Our agriculture sectors should rightly be sectors of national growth,” Duterte said.

“We also recognize the importance of tourism for national and regional development as well as strengthening people-to-people relations. The Philippines looks forward to activities such as promotion of joint tourism destinations to harness this key sector of growth,” he added.

Hours before the signing ceremony, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar announced that the Philippines and Thailand have agreed to craft a bilateral agreement on communications.

“The communication’s MOU (memorandum of understanding) will cover cooperation between the two countries in the fields of TV, radio, print, public relations and social media management,” Andanar said.

“Both sides also agreed that all ASEAN members should come together to combat fake news,” he added.

Asean hosting During the bilateral meeting, Duterte recognized the contributions of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the strengthening of ties between the Philippines and Thailand.

The President wore a black ribbon on his barong to condole with the Thai people for the death of the king.

“I likewise expressed warm wishes to the reign of His Maj-

President Duterte and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha taste an array of local fruits during a state dinner at the Government House in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 21.

esty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and we vow our utmost to cooperate with His Royal King,” the President said.

“With formal diplomatic relations for 67 years, we have a proven record of collaboration. We can and should rightfully strive to achieve more,” he added.

Duterte also sought Thailand’s

support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship this year.

“As the Philippines takes on the task of steering ASEAN during this historic year, I am grateful for Thailand’s support as we seek to engage our region and our world to achieve the peace, progress and prosperity we all desire for our peoples,” he said.

“We can rightly be described as partners for positive change.” n

tial campaign period when he said he would consider the legalization of same-sex marriage.

PAGE A7 t ing marriage equality.

“If [draft same-sex marriage happy, good. Just don’t violate Duterte’s recent statement dif- legislation] reaches me in whatthe law,” he said. fers from his earlier pronounce- ever capacity, I’ll consider it,” Earlier this week, Duterte ex- ment during the 2016 presiden- Duterte said in February 2016. n pressed his opposition to samesex marriage, which was met by criticism from groups such as international watchdog Human PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG Rights Watch (HRW).

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority The HRW said that such a pro(Awtoridad sa Transportasyon ng Kalunsuran ng County ng Los Angeles) nouncement “jeopardizes the Ang Independiyenteng Komite sa Pagbabantay ng mga Tagabayad ng Buwis na Kaugnay ng Panukala R ng Metro (Komite sa Pagbabantay) ay magsasagawa ng isang pampublikong fundamental rights of LGBT partpagdinig sa 12:00 p.m., ika-26 ng Abril, 2017, sa Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation ners and families.”

Authority (Metro) Boardroom na matatagpuan sa One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ang Komite sa Pagbabantay ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Panukala R, kilala rin bilang Ordinansa sa Kaluwagan sa Trapiko at Pagpapalawak ng Riles, na nagpataw ng karagdagang 1/2 ng isang March 21, HRW’s Carlos Conde porsiyentong buwis sa mga transaksiyon at paggamit upang pondohan ang mga pagpapabuti sa transportasyon sa County, na inaprobahan ng mga botante noong 2008. Ang Komite sa Pagbabantay said allowing same-sex marriage at proseso ng pagbabantay ay itinatag upang siguruhin na ang Metro at mga lokal na tumatanggap would enable gays and lesbiay sumusunod sa mga tadhana ng Ordinansa. Ang proseso ng pagbabantay ay nag-aatas na ang isang taunang pagsusuri ay isagawa upang matiyak ang pagsunod sa mga tadhana ng Ordinansa ans in the Philippines “to marry na may kaugnayan sa pagtanggap at paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa taon ng the person they love and would pananalapi. Ang mga pagsusuri ay dapat ipagkaloob sa Komite sa Pagbabantay upang makagawa ito ng pagpapasiya tungkol sa kung ang Metro at mga lokal na tumatanggap ay nakasunod sa mga strengthen everyone’s rights.” iniaatas ng Panukala R. Bilang pagsunod sa Ordinansa, kinontrata ng Metro ang BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) upang gawin ang independiyenteng pagsusuri ng Espesyal na Pondo ng Panukala R at “From a human rights perspeckinontrata ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson upang suriin ang pagsunod ng 87 tive, broadening civil marriage to lungsod (mga Lungsod) at ng County ng Los Angeles (County). couples of the same sex demonAng layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay upang tumanggap ng mga komento ng publiko tungkol sa mga resulta ng mga independiyenteng pagsusuri na isinasagawa sa Iskedyul ng mga Kita at strates respect for the fundamental Paggasta para sa Espesyal na Pondo ng Kita ng Panukala R at Pagsunod sa mga Iniaatas na Angkop sa mga Patnubay sa Local Return ng Panukala R mula ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2015 hanggang rights of equality and nondiscrimiika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016, at sa taunang ulat ng Komite sa mga pagsusuring ito. nation. It should be enshrined in MGA ULAT NG MGA INDEPENDIYENTENG TAGASURI Philippine law,” Conde added.

Pagsusuri ng Espesyal na Pondo sa Kita ng Panukala R He then urged the Philippine Isinagawa ng BCA ang pagsusuri ng pagsunod alinsunod sa mga pamantayan sa pagsusuri na pangkaraniwang tinatanggap sa Estados Unidos ng Amerika at sa mga pamantayang angkop government to consider to legalsa mga pagsusuri ng pananalapi na nasa Mga Pamantayan sa Pagsusuri ng Pamahalaan, izing same-sex marriage, and na inisyu ng Komptroler Heneral ng Estados Unidos. Ang mga pamantayang ito ay nagaatas na ang BCA ay magplano at magsagawa ng pagsusuri upang kumuha ng makatwirang join the United States, South Afpagtiyak tungkol sa kung ang mga kita at paggasta ng mga Iskedyul ng Panukala R ay walang rica, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, mahalagang maling pahayag. Napag-alaman sa pagsusuri na ang Metro ay sumunod, sa lahat ng mahahalagang bagay, sa mga iniaatas na angkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala R Uruguay, New Zealand, Netherpara sa taong natapos noong ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016. lands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Mga Pagsusuri ng Pagsunod ng mga Lungsod at ng County sa Panukala R Isinagawa ng Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ang pagsusuri ng pagsunod sa Sweden, and Ireland in enshrin-

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Mga Patnubay sa Local Return alinsunod sa mga pamantayan sa pagsusuri na pangkaraniwang tinatanggap sa Estados Unidos ng Amerika at sa mga pamantayang angkop sa mga pagsusuri ng pananalapi na nasa Mga Pamantayan sa Pagsusuri ng Pamahalaan, na inisyu ng Komptroler Heneral ng Estados Unidos. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-aatas na ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay magplano at magsagawa ng mga pagsusuri upang makakuha ng makatwirang pagtiyak ng tungkol sa kung ang di-pagsunod sa mga iniaatas na nasa Ordinansa ay nangyari na maaaring magkaroon ng tuwiran at mahalagang epekto sa programang Local Return ng Panukala R. Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP ay nagsagawa ng pagsusuri ng 49 na lungsod, at ang Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng pagsusuri ng ibang 38 Lungsod at ng County. Napag-alaman sa ulat ng Independiyenteng Tagasuri tungkol sa Espesyal na Pondo ng Kita ng Panukala R na ang Metro ay sumunod, sa lahat ng mahahalagang bagay, sa mga iniaatas na angkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala R para sa taong natapos noong ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016. Napag-alaman ng mga pagsusuri ng 87 lungsod at County ng Los Angeles na may 17 lokal na hurisdiksiyon na may mga isyu sa pagsunod. Karamihan sa mga napag-alaman ay nalutas na. Ang mga napag-alaman sa pagsusuri ay nasa apat na basikong kategorya gaya ng mga sumusunod: •

Nahuling pagsumite ng mga Porma. Sampung lungsod ang hindi nagsumite ng kanilang porma sa tamang panahon. Ang porma, alinman sa isang Form One, o Form Two o Recreation Transit Form, ay iniaatas na isumite sa LACMTA para sa paglilista ng kanilang badyet at mga paggasta ayon sa pagkakasunod-sunod.

•

Ang mga paggastang pampangasiwaan na ipinahayag ay humigit sa 20% hangganan.

Tatlong lungsod ang humigit sa 20% hangganan sa pangangasiwa.

•

Mga pondong ginasta nang pag-aproba ng LACMTA approval. Walong lungsod ang nabigong kumuha ng pag-aproba bago nagtamo ng mga paggasta.

•

Ang sapat na ebidensiya para sa mga paggasta ng pondo ay hindi ipinagkaloob. Walong lungsod ang hindi nagkaloob ng sapat na ebidensiya na ang mga pondo ay ginasta para sa layunin ng transportasyon (pansuportang dokumentasyon).

May tatlong lungsod na may mga nakabinbing isyu. Compton, Downey at West Covina. Ang mga tauhan ng Metro ay umaasa na ang tatlong lungsod na ito ay gagawa ng pangwastong aksyon at pagagaanin ang mga napag-alaman.

Taunang Ulat ng Independiyenteng Komite sa Pagbabantay ng Tagabayad ng Buwis na Kaugnay ng Panukala R Nirepaso ang Komite ang tatlong independiyenteng ulat ng pagsusuri at batay sa pagrepasong ito, bumuo ng taunang ulat. Ang taunang ulat ay naglalarawan ng mga resulta ng pagsusuri at gumagawa ng ilang mga pagpapasiya. Ang ulat ay nagpasiya na: 1) ang mga pagsusuri ay isinagawa alinsunod sa Ordinansa na inaprobahan ng mga botante noong 2008; 2) ang Metro ay sumunod, sa lahat ng mahahalagang bagay, sa mga iniaatas na angkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala R para sa taong natapos noong ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016; at 3) maliban sa tatlong hurisdiksiyon na pinagkakalooban ng ekstrang panahon na lutasin ang mga napag-alaman sa pagsusuri ng pagsunod, may malaking pagsunod sa mga iniaatas na nasa Ordinansang Panukala R na angkop sa programang Local Return ng Panukala R para sa taong natapos noong ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016, gayunman, ang mga pagsusuri ay nakakita ng 29 na pagkakataon ng hindi pagsunod kabilang ang 12 kakulangan sa panloob na kontrol sa pagsunod, ang isa sa mga ito ay itinuring na mahalaga. Sa 29 na napag-alamang ito, siyam ang itinuring na mahahalagang kahinaan at tatlo ang itinuring na mahahalagang kakulangan.

Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa bagay na ito ay tatanggapin hanggang ika-26 ng Abril, 2017. Lahat ng mga komento ay dapat ipadala sa Board Administration, LACMTA, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-3-1, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952. Ang mga kopya ng Mga Ulat ng mga Independiyenteng Tagasuri at ang Taunang Ulat ng Komite sa Pagbabantay ay makukuha sa Metro.net, at ang mga papel na kopya ay makukuha mula sa Records Management Center ng Metro sa LACMTA Plaza Level sa (213) 922-2342. Ang mga dokumentong ito ay ihahanda rin para makuha sa bawat aklatang matatagpuan sa loob ng County ng Los Angeles para sa pagrepaso ng publiko. Ang mga miyembro ng publiko na nais magbigay ng pampublikong komento nang personal sa panahon ng pampublikong pagdinig sa ika-26 ng Abril ay hinihimok na tawagan si Michele Jackson, Kalihim ng Lupon, sa (213) 922-4605.

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A12 MARCH 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Comuníquese con Servicios para los Miembros: 1-800-544-0088 (TTY 711), de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., los 7 días de la semana. 忁枭⃵屣屯妲ẍ℞⬫婆妨㍸ὃˤㅯ婳倗䴉㚫⒉㚵⊁嗽烉⃵屣䅙 䶂 1-800-544-0088 ĩ倥晄⍲婆晄Ṣ⢓⮰䶂711) 㭷忙ᶫ⣑彎℔炻㖑ᶲ8:00ġ溆军㘂ᶲ8:00 溆ˤCare1st Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Care1st Health Plan cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Care1st Health Plan 思⬰怑䓐䘬倗恎㮹㪲㱽⼳夷⭂炻ᶵ⚈䧖㕷ˣ兂刚ˣ㮹㕷埨䴙ˣ⸜漉ˣ㭀晄ㆾ⿏⇍侴㬏夾ảỽṢˤ Care1st is an independent licensee of the Blue Shield Association.

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Journal

Gerald Anderson finishes 42k LA Marathon Pia Wurtzbach calls for changes

Celebrity athlete Gerald Anderson, the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; delegate to the recently concluded Skechers Performance los Angeles Marathon, was among the thousands who finished the race. Gerald finished strong with a time of four hours, 25 minutes, and two seconds, placing at 4,277 among the 18,867 finishers.

Gerald, also the face of Skechers Performanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go like Never before campaign, has been training since late last year for his very first marathon. On his 42k finish, Gerald says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is a goal that i really wanted to accomplish. My Skechers Go run was incredibly responsive and comfortable to use. it propelled me to the finish line.â&#x20AC;?

Crossing the finish line was a shining moment for Gerald, who says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Proud ako sa sarili ko na nata-

pos ko, and nakarating ako sa finish line. Ang layo pa ng tinakbo namin. itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really amazing.â&#x20AC;? On running with different people from all over the world, he adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;ibang klase iyong community, talagang nagtutulungan.

Kahit naguunahan yung mga tao, nagtutulungan kamiâ&#x20AC;?.

Skechers Performance is the title sponsor of the 2017 los Angeles Marathon which took place last March 19. established in 1986, the lA Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the United States with over 18,000 participants. this year, the Skechers Performance los Angeles Marathonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stadium to the Sea course saw runners race from Dodger Stadium across los Angeles to a scenic finish just steps from the Santa Monica Pier. (Philstar.com)

in Binibining Pilipinas pageant

by Deni

AbArquez-DelAcruz, J.D. AJPress

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked with and listened to Tats [Tateng Katindig] on many occasions. Tonight, however, I met Katindigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart. With each number, the audience held its collective breath--sometimes enthusiastically hooting, applauding and breaking stride when the musicians took off and ran with amazing ad-libs and solos.

Two original songs - one about his mom [Remembering Remy] â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were quiet and so sincere

that our souls met his. BRAvO Katindig!! Also deserving of congratulations are Jeff Littleton - bass, Abe Lagrimas - drums (can anyone be THAT amazing?) and Ner de Leon on saxophone being his usual versatile self. Mon David joined in to rouse us all with improvisational vocals delivered as only Mon can. - becca Godinez, 2017. it takes a fellow artist to capture the essence of another artist,

Philstar.com

After seeing the candidates for the upcoming binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;madaming magaganda!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the new format of Miss Universe, we now know that Q&A is going to be pretty tough, so, iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited to see if binibini will change its format as well. i think they should,â&#x20AC;? she told the press in an interview for a recent Downy Parfum event Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach during a in bonifacio Global City. recent event in Bonifacio Global City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;binibini should focus more Philstar.com photo by Gerald Anderson, the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; delegate to the recently concluded Skechers Performance PAGE B3 Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo Los Angeles Marathon, was among the thousands who finished the race.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Brilliant orchestrating pianistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tateng Katindig launches CD

By Prosy

rose A. bernArDo

tateng Katindig, who played 10 pieces at Alvas Showroom, a jazz and blues club.

Alvas is tucked in a non-descript residential area of San Pedro, California, next to a music store and by day, a ballet place.

Katindig launched his second CD, â&#x20AC;&#x153;impromptu,â&#x20AC;? produced by Derek Nakamoto, a pianist, and James Ng, a music composer.

A sold-out audience of over 80 people came, expecting a concert and the A-list band of Katindig, Abe lagrimas, Jr., and Jeff littleton slayed.

Slayed, for the audience could not contain themselves in joy and delight, as they shouted out names of composers after pieces were played. folks queued to buy not just one, but two CDs, â&#x20AC;&#x153;one for my shelf, while another to my car,â&#x20AC;? said a middle-aged man, holding a toddler. in Glendale, a larger segment of the community attended fASO (filipino American Symphony PAGE B3

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B march 25-28, 2017 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

SPRIng has sprung. It is upon us in a scent that grows deeper, dizzying, improbable.

It is too heady, too provocative to be diminished. Seeping through open windows, under doors, as you slip out of a doorway or slide out of a car. There it is — a scent that dominates the air, your bed clothes. It’s so dense, you can taste it. The food for the gods, Ambrosia rising, within and without.

Walking along a tree-lined street — as the moon begins to rise — one stops for a moment to take a deep breath. The scents of orange and honey are suddenly everywhere — sweet and floral, as if they were showers, or the breeze of an April day. As if we hear the songs of the seraphim or a remembered voice, softly speaking words of strength into an ear.

Look around: one moment, it is a tree of rather innocuous, dark green leaves, then it becomes covered with clusters of small creamy blossoms, in a transformation as sudden as first love.

The flowers release their strongest fragrance at night, moving alone and separate from the sun-lit scents of winter blooming jasmines, in calculated seduction, with its nocturnal redolence.

In the valley, the fruit trees have sprouted blossoms of pink and white. The coastal hills have turned, as they do this time of the

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The voices of spring Elha Nympha takes the world by storm year, to a peculiar and almost too vivid shade of green. Even late storms come along right on cue, to wash away any premature fretting and drought.

Suddenly, the most gorgeous and startling flora has sprung — from the sedate camellia, the brazen hibiscus, flaming bougainvilleas; frothing in every corner, sultry jasmines and the outrageous birds of paradise, all vivid and glorious.

How frequently we take them for granted, the palms that sweep the sky, that sky so bright and high. And as the scent of the flowers of spring surround us in surrender, our heads fall back, our shoulders loosen. Let those hands rise from our side, as we stand beneath the heaven and receive, just for a moment, the breath of angels.

It is so easy to take things, especially beautiful things, for granted. It is easy to point out what’s wrong with where we live — the traffic, the noise and the scandals, the meltdown mortgages and failing power grids. It is so easy to see only the concrete and billboards of Southern California and the crowd and the sprawl. It is easy to let our lives become overwhelmed with things to do. And to that list, add our parents, our children. People who are always in pursuit of a deeper purpose in life that assures us not everyone wants something for another and that there are lots of gifts left in life.

An imaginer by trade, weaver of tales; of people and street corners, of dreams and nightmares of hope, and in spring…well,

flowers.

Yes, flowers. There are always flowers. Roses, lilacs, daffodils, petunia, gladiolas. They bloom easily in the sun-lit gardens of Southern California. But we have also seen them against fences and curbs, singly or in bunches.

I wrote about flowers on the beach once, at the foot of a cliff, where two very young girls threw themselves to their death.

I wrote about flowers at a curb, where nine families (each of which lost loved ones) decimated by a car accident, were erased as quickly as sketches on a drawing pad. They were on their way to a pilgrimage!

Further south, many moons ago, remember the tale of Santana High — an ordinary school in an ordinary town on an ordinary day, rocketed to the front page by an ordinary boy with and ordinary gun.

Mounds of flowers mark the school and dab at the corners of our conscience like a Monet painting — full of blended colors of sadness, subtle hues and grim news.

We look, gasp in horror and turn away, Yet the images of the stricken faces of the young, super imposed over the images of flowers will endure, long after the weeping chills of winter has truly vanished. It will endure for a thousand years to come, as they ponder us.

But today, we stop and breathe.

Because there it is, that scent of hope, love and lust.

Inevitable, inexorable spring.

The land’s perpetual gift of sudden grace!

‘Little Big Shots’ segment viewed 54 million times

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

AnoTHER Filipino talent is taking the world by storm in the person of “The Voice Kids Season 2” grand champion Elha nympha.

Her appearance on US TV via “Little Big Shots” is hailed as a door opener for the new crop of singers from the Philippines.

Produced and hosted by Steve Harvey and co-produced by Ellen Degeneres, the show features “the world’s most talented and extraordinary kids.”

Twelve-year-old nympha flew to Los Angeles with her family for the show’s taping last year. In an interview with Harvey, she shared her life story as a former banana cue vendor who sang for her customers.

Her performance of Sia’s hit “Chandelier” commanded a standing ovation from the audience, earning praises as one of the “great young voices in the world” with the demonstration of her vocal chords to full capacity in the very challenging repertoire.

Prior to the showing of Elha’s episode on March 6 on Diva Asia cable channel, Harvey—due to the demand after she was shown in a teaser—posted her performance on his Facebook page where it began circulating online.

As of press time, the video garnered more than 54 million views and shared 802,081 times. Indeed, the former banana cue vendor did not only capture the hearts of the crowd during her performance but also social media users around the world.

“This young lady has been touched by an angel. Her voice is so angelic it brought tears to my eyes. Baby stay focused, trust god and your blessings will flow. So amazing,” Facebook user Pamela Long commented.

“She is phenomenal! I hope she is introduced to the right people that will guide her to a fulfilling career. What a treat to listen to her!”

Peter n Jackie Ayala said.

Kimberly Youngblood wrote, “gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears, absolutely beautiful, better than Sia. Someone needs to sign this girl up for a record deal.” “not only did she give me chills but brought me to tears. oh that voice, that voice is straight from the soul, she is not just singing. Beautiful girl with a beautiful voice!”

Christina Cloud posted.

Meanwhile, “Chandelier” original singer Sia noticed and shared the video on Twitter with a caption, “Incredible.”

The “Voice US” host Carson Daly, on the other hand, wrote his amazement on Twitter and said, “Wow! @IamSteveHarvey jealous” as he attached the video of nympha performing.

During the press preview of her appearance on the program, nympha shared that it was a surprise and at the time honored to be invited to perform in such big show.

“I was nervous at first but I really don’t want to let my fellow Filipinos down so I really gave my all during the performance,” nympha said.

“I was just worried at first. I was

Ella Nympha

thinking, ‘What if they do not clap?’

I am used to performing here in the Philippines. But it was my first time in the United States, and I did not know how the people there would react. I was nervous about that,” she shared. obviously, it was not how she expected it. She said her worries faded right after she was given standing ovation. Harvey even exclaimed, “This girl can sing!” while cheering beside her.

When asked how she prepared for the show, she shared, “I made sure my voice was in good condition, just in case they make me perform a demanding song, like Mariah Carey’s ‘Emotions.’ I also practiced my English diction.”

According to her, pursuing an international career and doing shows in other countries are two of her dreams.

PAGE B4

Sarah, Darren, Gloc-9 lead Myx Music Awards 2017 winners

Darren Espanto

Gloc 9

SIngER-actress Sarah geronimo is this year’s Myx Music Awards biggest winner for bagging Favorite Music Video (directed by Paul Basinillo) and Favorite Song for her hit “Tala” and Favorite Collaboration with the band Hale for the song “The great Uinknown.”

Meanwhile, “The Voice Kids” alumnus Darren Espanto earned the coveted Favorite Artist award as well as the Favorite Male Artist award for the second consecutive year.

“I’m really thankful that artists like myself are recognized for what we do, but I regard this as a bonus. Awarded or not, we still want to give it our all

always,” the teener said. gloc-9, on the other hand, also took home two trophies for the Favorite Urban Video and Best Music Video categories for his song “Hoy.” “Many thanks to Myx, to the people who voted, to the people who still support me. It’s my 20th year and I don’t know how long I will keep doing this, so thank you for the support,” said the rapper. nadine Lustre bagged the Favorite Female Artist, and Ylona garcia as Favorite new Artist. Also recognized were nash Aguas for Favorite guest Appearance in a Music Video for “Pakipot Suplado” by Alexa

Ilacad, and Sharlene San Pedro for Favorite Remake.

T h i s y e a r ’s M y x M a g n a Awardee was given not to a music artist but to a producer who has been in the music scene for 50 years—Vic Del Rosario Jr. of Viva Entertainment.

Thyro, Yumi, Jinky Vidal, Jaya, and last year’s Myx Magna Awardee ogie Alcasid paid tribute to his tremendous contribution in the local music scene through a spine-chilling performance.

Among the artists who performed on the glittery awards night on March 16 at the Kia Theater in Quezon City were Kiana Valenciano, KZ Tandingan,

Iñigo Pascual, Sue Ramirez, Daryl ong, Jona, Morisette, Kristel Fulgar, Ella Cruz and BoybandPH. The rest of the winners include The Juans as Favorite group; “Di Ka Man Lang nagpaalam” by Juan Karlos Labajo and directed

by Jiggy gregorio as Favorite Mellow Video; “Videoke Queen”

by Rico Blanco directed by RA Rivera as Favorite Rock Video; “This Time” by James Reid and nadine Lustre as Favorite Media Soundtrack; “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey as Favorite International Video; and Elmo Magalona as Favorite Myx Celebrity VJ. (ManilaTimes. net)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 25-28, 2017

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Gold Card

By Sean

Shono

Card of learning God Confucius is the god of learning and Chu Hsi is respected as the god of success in exam and career.

Carry it anytime during an exam, interview or business meeting.

Card of financial God Guan Yu, the inventor of the Abacus, and his two angels are drawn on the card.

Keep it in your wallet to enhance your financial luck. *Each card is credit card size and sold for $28 each. All of our items have been purified by authentic process of Feng Shui way. *** 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

Card of learning God

Card of financial God

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.

FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES “A TO A”, AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD - ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “Non-Appearance” Visas for $2500. He entered the U.S. in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake tourist visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the U.S. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday, March 26 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

‘Brilliant orchestrating pianist’...

UNVEILING. Grace Hu, a philanthropist, businesswoman and former Cerritos City Mayor, recently unveiled her marquee gold-plated sign ‘Grace Hu Auditorium’ by the entrance of the Multi-Media Center of Whitney High School. Parents, teachers, Whitney students and board members of the ABC Unified School District were in attendance. Thereafter, a show was presented at the well-equipped auditorium dubbed, “Once Upon A Time Talent Show 2017” where all multi-cultural student groups presented their talents through cultural dances, singing and playing musical instruments. Grace Hu donated $385,000 so the building can be finished. She said, “by coming to this campus, I’m reminded when I used to pick up my children who studied in this school when they were younger.” Shown from left to right are Whitney High School Foundation Chairman Abel Hager, ABC Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu, Board Member Sophia Tse, Grace Hu, Whitney High School Principal John Briquelet, Board Member Soo Yoo, Board Member Lynda Johnson and former Whitney Principal, now Director of Secondary Schools Rhonda Buss. Both Mr. Briquelet and Mr. Hager, in their statements for the dedication ceremony, expressed their profound gratitude to Ms. Hu’s generous endowment. (Advertising Supplement) Photo by Dan E. Nino

Pia Wurtzbach calls for changes...

PAGE B1 on the question and answer, because with what we remember, 10 percent lang ng judging ang Q&A. Pero ‘pag nanood tayo ng Miss Universe, minsan, ‘yun na ang make or break na eh. So, I was hoping to have it changed a little bit and focus more on the question and answer.”

She believes that just as Miss Universe has been evolving, so

should Binibini, too. “It’s time for Miss Universe to become more relatable, more approachable, become more real.”

This summer, her plan is to raise funds for her hometown.

“My friends tease me that I hoard clothes, but I don’t. The clothes that I wore in Miss Universe, inipon ko sila, and I had them put in boxes and sent to the Philippines because I’m

planning to do like a garage sale or an auction…and all the proceeds, I’m planning to donate to Cagayan de Oro because I never had the chance to do a homecoming there. It’s my way of giving back.”

Besides acting, the beauty queen is open to promoting advocacies for free. She is currently on the crusade to increase awareness for HIV/AIDS and children with cleft lip or palate.

PAGE B1 Orchestra)’s event, where folks danced, decked at their Saturday’s best.

Here in San Pedro, the Alvas’ crowd was low-key, some in casual jeans. But their jeans belied their seriousness, as they knew these jazz pieces.

Derek Nakamoto of NMG Records welcomed us. He affirmed Katindig’s talents that while he himself practices playing the piano daily, he told us he would not come close to Katindig’s abilities as a “brilliant orchestrating pianist.” This was perhaps an endearing affirmation of the artist, but also hands down, Alvas is one of best musical venues due to its exacting acoustics, and the sound engineering capabilities of Art Valdez, the sound engineer, who knew what he was doing on the amplifying boards.

“Impromptu” CD by Tateng Katindig Tateng Katindig came onstage and greeted the audience, acknowledging the efforts of the love of his life, Dinah Katindig, who greeted folks as they came in, and his daughter, Ella.

The audience took to Velas by I. Lins and V. Marins, a tribute to ‘The Harp’, Toots Thielemans, the harmonica player who died

last year at 94yo. Katindig’s fingers traveled the length of the piano, ten notes and perhaps more, and as he did, one’s legs spontaneously moved and the crowd interrupted with claps in the middle of his piece.

When he played the keys for” Blues Lee,” an original composition, for Eduardo Katindig III, Tateng’s son, it was as if “hinaharot” (fiddling the keys), tickling them to have a different timbre, from quiet to loud ones, light and bouncy, with a mix of harmonics.

A mix that even Abe Lagrimas’ head bobs up and down with his jaws and shoulders, while the amazing bass player, Jeff Littleton, plucked the strings of his bass so gently. The crowd generously clapped and at times could not wait to clap.

“Some Other Sunset” was sweet, mellow, romantic and lulls you to slumber, but one cannot, as at times, the piano is played to make bell sounds and the crowd sounds off in oooohs in unison and then after, they shouted David Benoit, recognizing the genius composer.

Moanin is where we found Katindig intently pounding the keys, in harmony with the band, at times the sounds seemed upfront, sometimes receding, and

the crowd went wild in applause.

Then, Littleton’s bass dominated the rhythm and the drum, as if a metronome and one’s feet bounce to the rhythms. Katindig picked it up and the sound tingled, rocked, moved and just wanted to bounce off stage…oh my amazing, the words came out of the audience.

A solo drumming by Lagrimas, Jr. who went into form, as his sticks pounded, while his body became one with his drums and more.

Katindig responded by not allowing the sounds to die down and picked it up, to which the crowd simply erupted. We now have a party of sounds and the crowd interrupted with loud yays.

Affectionately called Boy Wonder by his fellow musicians, Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a joy to watch. His masterful holding of sticks, his timing, to his rhythmic strokes of singles to rebounding ones, this magical drummer effortlessly make sounds pop. No wonder he is flown all over the world to play for audiences and intimate homes.

I have watched him play for years, first at the Catalina Bar, to the Ford Amphitheater to this showroom, but tonight, he showed his evolution from the boisterous, vibrant loud drumPAGE B4

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B march 25-28, 2017 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Fil-Am songwriter breathes new A chat with The Beautiful Life’s 2017 Award life into Pinoy rock with debut EP of Distinction Awardee: Mrs. Corazon Rosete Beyond Beowulf melds classic Philippine rock with the sound of American heartland

LOS ANGELES, CA - Beyond Fil-Am indie rock band headed by thrilled to announce the release Beowulf, a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Tolitz Rosel, is of its debut EP, “The Sound of One Hand Clapping,” available for download at iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, and other reputable online music stores on April 1, 2017.

“The Sound of One Hand Clapping” blurs the lines between traditional Pinoy rock music and American southern rock, ranging from dark, brooding refrains to upbeat, anthemic choruses. The EP also features Pinoy rock icon David Aguirre, ex-guitarist of the legendary Philippine band Razorback.

Beyond Beowulf member include Don Morales, Jade Figueroa, and Tim De Ramos, all veterans of the Los Angeles underground music scene. The EP is produced by De Ramos’s TDR studios.

Visit www.beyobeo.com for more information on the band as well as upcoming events, and follow the band onFacebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

The Global Kababayan G. TönGi Monday, March 27 - Cristie Locsin, author of the “Value of Equality,” a historical fictional love story, does excerpt readings on the program.

Tuesday, March 28 - Watch the distinguished panel of guests talk about events in Los Angeles to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

Wednesday, March 29 - The Asian Journal shares the latest

Programming for Kababayan Today, March 27-31, 2017 headlines relevant to the Fil-Am community.

Attorney Frances Prizzia gives advice on the criminal justice system.

Thursday, March 30 - We talk to Artistic Director of Playwrights Arena Jon Lawrence Rivera and cast members about “Hotel Play,” an immersive theater production opening this weekend.

Friday, March 31 - Melissa Roxas is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of East Asian Medicine. She specializes in helping women, children, and their families find freedom from

Elha Nympha takes the world...

pain and chronic illness. Her specialties are on her website for your reference www.littlesageco. com. *** 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.

Asked for her advice to aspiring singers, “Just do what you love, PAGE B2 reer indeed changed since she won keep practicing and be yourself.

“Being in this show is a great “The Voice Kids Philippines Season Do not be afraid to go for it. If opportunity. This is a way for me 2” but she assured the media that you have God-given talent, do not to be known and hopefully book she balances her studies and work waste it.”

Nympha also guested at the fimore shows, and achieve what I as she goes to a regular school.

“I make sure that I do my home- nals of “The Voice Kids Indonesia” want to accomplish. I also hope I can make it to Ellen DeGeneres’ work right away, so I would have in December. She is currently a enough time to rehearse or do mainstay of ABS-CBN’s Your Face show,” Nympha said.

Sounds Familiar Kids.

The young belter’s recording ca- other projects,” she asserted.

By Monet

Lu

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius NOT many of us can say we have found what Confucius would have described as “a perfect job.” Most people hold their jobs because they need to make ends meet; but can they honestly say that they love doing what they’re doing? Not very often and it’s because it is not their calling. Today, we will be talking about a woman who may be the most dedicated person I have ever known. She’s served in the nursing department for 47 years. Now retired, this amazing person tells us what it’s like to ‘choose a job you love and never have to work a day…’

Meet Mrs. Corazon Rosete: The Beautiful Life Celebration 2017 Awardee of Distinction in the field of Nursing Services.

Question: So, 46 years. What was it like to love a job for 46 years?

Cora: First, let me start with the facts: I am a registered nurse and I just retired, after 46 years of service at Kaiser Permanente.

I started as a head nurse at a community hospital in Hollywood.

That was my first job when I arrived in the U.S. in 1968. After that, I transferred to Kaiser in 1970, where they trained me to be to be a critical nurse for three months: one month for intensive care (ICU), another for critical care (CCU) then one month in open heart unit. They asked me to choose my specialty and I wanted to choose the open heart unit at the time but due to the shortage of successful open heart cases, they couldn’t train for that specialty.

Instead, they transferred me to the coronary or intensive care unit, which is a combination of critical care patient, respiratory, medical and surgical.

That was my life for over four decades and I loved every single day of it. My only prayer every day was that I wouldn’t make a mistake that would kill a patient. It was not an easy job, I admit. In my first few months of working, I did not own a car so I took the bus to work and my sister would pick me up at midnight.

I loved being a nurse because I learned a lot, the salary was stable

that it allowed me to support my family back in the Philippines, and I felt like a doctor! ICU nurses are trained to do their best when there’s a “code blue” in the event that the doctor is not around, it is our job to try and save the patient in the best way possible, the best way we can.

Q: What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?

Cora: Initially, my goal was to provide for my family and to help support my sisters too. We were not rich and my father would always remind me to love my job--whatever it may be. Secondly, I feel fulfilled in caring for emergency or ICU-patients. As a matter of fact, I helped save quite a few patients who suffered from heart attack. Being somehow responsible for the life of my patients kept me motivated, from caring for a newborn to a senior patient.

I am overjoyed whenever I check a patient out of the critical care unit. The best part of my day is when my patients actually say, “I remember you, you took care of me when I was in ICU.” Q. Who do you consider your greatest influence?

Cora: My Dad. He is a very religious man and what he may have lacked in his ability to earn for us (when he quit his job), he makes up for being so domesticated. He would do laundry, clean the house; he would pick up my dirty uniform at the dorm every Saturday, wash and iron it, then he would bring it back to me on Sunday so I have something clean to wear the next day. He would always tell me to think positive.

Q: What was your childhood

like?

Cora: I grew up in the Philippines and like I said, we were very poor. There were 22 of us in the house because my father took in my cousins from the province so they could go to school in Manila.

We would only get to eat spam and corned beef when it was a special occasion. And that was shared among all 22 of us. In ordinary days, we’d eat galunggong. It’s one galunggong per person. And it’s cooked in many different ways – sautéed, fried, stewed, name it!

When my Dad got ill, he had to quit his job. Since my mom didn’t work also, it was my sister who worked and supported us.

I have six siblings. When my other sibling finished school, she supported the next one, then the next one supported the next sibling and the pattern continued until all of us graduated to get good jobs.

Q: For you, what is “A Beautiful Life?”

Cora: A Beautiful Life is having a job that gives you the capability to give back. Also, a beautiful life is being blessed with a wonderful husband. God gave me a husband who loved me dearly. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

“Philippines’ Next Top Model: High Street” contestants come from different backgrounds from all over the world.

‘Philippines’ Next Top Model’ includes petite Pinays

by Deni

Rose A.BeRnARDo

According to him, they did not open the competition to men and IN time for the return of super- plus-sized models yet because they model Tyra Banks as “America’s want to stay faithful to ANTM’s first Next Top Model” (ANTM) host, season format.

“Philippines’ Next Top Model” “There are no plus-sized yet; we (PNTM) returns on TV to include want the contestants to be fit kasi petite Filipinas, PNTM director malakas ang fitness sense ng milMike Sandejas said. lennials eh,” he explained.

“We lowered the height requireThe show recently named its 12 ment to 5’4”, lower than the usual finalists, which include Ina Domistandards (5’9”), so more girls will nica Guerrero, which was in the have a chance to compete, so that same Binibining Pilipinas batch as those who do not have the traditional Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. model height can dream to become Other finalists who were beauty models,” Sandejas told Philstar. queens are Petche Ann Vale, a com in a recent interview.

Mutya ng Pilipinas contender last Philstar.com

year, and Jan Helen Villanueva, a part of Binibining Pilipinas 2013.

The finalists, said Sandejas, came from different classes and backgrounds from all over the world. There are half-breeds and Filipinos who grew up abroad such as Aivie Pahn from Canada; BritishFilipino Adela Mae Marshall; and half-Swiss Angela Lehmann.

Sandejas clarified that this PNTM cycle is a TV5 production and different from the previous one produced by another TV network and with Ruffa Gutierrez as host.

It is also not the same as “Top PAGE B5

‘Brilliant orchestrating pianist’...

PAGE B3 mer to where drumming felt like light dancing, with the crowd so mesmerized, listening to his superior talents. A mainstream drummer has yet to come close to Abe’s talents onstage, one who not only plays drums but also is a one-man orchestra with his ukulele and vibraphone, which I saw before.

Equally significant in talent was Jeff Littleton who at times played with his eyes closed and his two fingers gliding the strings, made the bass sounding with its own magic, as Katindig on the piano. It was such a treat to watch these masterful musicians effortlessly share their talents, not settling for mediocrity, but with superior commands of

their craft, their instruments, and most of all, playing with such love for each note.

Katindig gave us a superior concert with his CD launch of “Impromptu,” and the “subtlety of their masterful playing can be heard by the audience.” But to our surprise, Mon David — lovingly called Nyor Mon and referred to Masterful Mon — was beckoned to come onstage and delighted us with the energy scatting. As Mon said, his vocalese in Tagalog is done to create “his own lyrics over an existing melody…some are done ‘impromptu’ and some have been preconceived.”

“Remembering Remy,” an original by Katindig for his mom, Remedios Narvaez whom he lost in 1983, created an upsurge of

melancholy, welling us up to this somber song. The crowd was so focused, with Ner de Leon on the sax, who got the sounds even tenderly sad and somber that you could hear a pin drop.

By the time Katindig played “the Endless Stars” by Fred Hersch, “Tu Fi Fella” by James Ng, then, the finale, “Cannes,” the crowd bargained for an encore. Katindig obliged and played “Billie’s Bounce.” It took God’s divine intervention to complete the last two, Katindig said, as he had run out of his own energies.

“Impromptu” more than delighted its audience — it soared in our consciousness, as days later, we were still playing the CD repeatedly.

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Filipino Heritage Night with the Golden State Warriors

EntErtainmEnt

PAGE B4 Model Philippines” hosted by Sarah Meier.

“America’s Next Top Model” premiered in May 2003. Banks, the show’s creator and executive producer, served as the head judge for 22 cycles. The model search aired semiannually until 2012, and then annually in 2013, the year British singer and actress Rita Ora replaced Banks as the head judge.

The Kapatid Network, which aired two seasons of “Asia’s Next Top Model,” announced auditions in early January this year after acquiring production and airing rights. Former Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson now heads the panel of judges that will choose the winner among 24 contestants. Other judges include celebrity stylist Rain Dagala and

Professional Models Association of the Philippines President Raf Kiefer.

“I want to go back into the original spirit of the series wherein it is in fact also a model documentary, parang ‘yung ugly duckling ba na we turn a diamond in the rough kind of person into a top model,” the director explained.

He assured that this PNTM reboot is different from other Top Model shows all over the world because of Filipinas’ different culture and dynamics. There are also plans, he said, for more seasons that will probably include male contestants and social media engagement, just like when ANTM had US-based Filipino blogger Bryan Boy as judge.

Will there be also naked photo shoots? “You have to watch to find out!” he said.

“Philippines’ Next Top Model: High Street” judges and mentors (from left): Professional Models Association of the Philippines President Raf Kiefer, Binibining Pilipinas-World Maggie Wilson, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and celebrity stylist Rain Dagala.

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Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales still fit & fabulous at 50

by Ricky Lo Philstar.covm

FIRST thing the movie reporters asked Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez when she met them recently, two weeks after she turned 50 on March 2, was, “How do you keep yourself still so fit and fabulous at that age?”

Because she doesn’t look it and she has kept her Supermodel figure, Tweetie must be the envy of other women.

The lunch presscon at the Paparazzi Italian restaurant of EDSA Shangri-La was to introduce Tweetie as the endorser of Organique Acai (pronounced a-sha-yi) Filipino singer Martin Nievera performed the U.S. National Anthem before a sold out Golden Berry, which was introduced in State Warriors’ Filipino Heritage Night last Saturday, March 18 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, the Philippines eight years ago California. The festivities marked the Warriors’ game versus the visiting Milwaukee Bucks which by Cebu-based couple Elton and the home team defeated, 117-92.

AJPress photos by Michael Nitro Cathy Salimbangon (vice president of Organique, Inc., herself as fit and fabulous as Tweetie) who have built a brand believed to bring wellness, health and beauty.

Married to Jose Ramon Gonzalez (who is into construction; whose father is the brother of former actor/Congressman Jose Mari Gonzalez, father of Tacloban City Mayor Cristina GonzalezRomualdez) by whom she has Raymond Townsend, the first Filipino American to four children (Sabina, taking up play in the NBA, was honored during the event.

Architecture; Lorenzo, 19, taking up Civil Engineering; Nicolas, 17, just graduated high school; and Alfonso, in grade school), Tweetie exudes an infectious aura that easily makes at ease even people she’s meeting for the first time.

How does Tweetie keep (besides fit and fabulous) that coolas-a-cucumber disposition that makes people ask if she ever gets angry? How does she cope with

‘Philippines’ Next Top Model’...

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 25-28, 2017

Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez exudes an infectious aura, thanks to her healthy regimen and a happy family (husband Jose Ramon Gonzalez and their children Sabina, Alfonso, Lorenzo and Nicolas)

stress (just like everybody else, she does get stressed although not as much)?

“I used to be strict,” Tweetie flashed a bedimpled smile. “I think because everybody else, tumatanda na rin ako. Being a mom is a big part of it. Every day, there’s something new, there’s something that you learn. It’s accepting the reality that not everything is within your control. That’s what I try to achieve at home. Huwag na mag-away, hindi kailangan magsigawan. Learn how to relax and take some things in stride.

“We are never without stress in this world,” she qualified. “But I am teaching myself to let go of situations I have no control over. Anxiety arrests health and happiness and nothing is worth risking your sanity and well-being. Just pray and lift your worries to heaven.

Everything will sort itself out.”

And exercise does help.

“Before, I did sports all the time, until I realized that it was not enough. You need to do gym

for muscle toning, you need to do yoga for flexibility, you have to meditate, and you still need to indulge in sport for agility and endurance. I try to do all of them.”

What preoccupies Tweetie these days is her jewelry business.

“It’s a small business,” said Tweetie. “I design and manufacture jewelry. I have at a mall in Alabang. I belong to a group called Manila Design Collective composed of fashion designers Rajo Laurel Joey Samson, Rita Nazareno (a bag designer) and Malu Romero (a jewelry designer).

We just had just finished a trunk show in Tokyo late last year and we plan to do it in different places in Metro Manila.”

Televiewers probably remember Tweetie as a cast member of the popular TV series Okay Ka, Fairy Ko(which has been made into a movie, with Vic Sotto as lead actor). She quit the show in favor of marriage --- “After a whirlwind courtship,” she blushed. Actually, showbiz is in Tweetie’s blood.

Aside from her connection to the Gonzalezes, Tweetie is the niece of director Mike de Leon (“My claim to fame,” joked Tweetie) who is the first cousin of Tweetie’s dad.

“I used to play around the LVN Studios every day; it was like my second home,” recalled Tweetie.

“My Uncle Manito (Mike’s younger brother) had a production house inside the studio and that was how I got into a few commercials,” adding, “my first foray into showbiz was in my Uncle Mike’s Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (a classic comedy). I was an ekstra in the airport scene. I didn’t even act, I didn’t deliver a line, I simply stood there. If you blinked, you would miss me. It’s so funny, it’s an intelligent movie, very well-made, my all-time favorite.” (Trivia: A good part of LVN Studios along P. Tuazon St. in Quezon City is now occupied by a sprawling condo building.)

Meanwhile, let’s excuse Tweetie while she takes her second serving of Acai for the day.

B march 25-28, 2017 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

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COMMUNITY

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 25-28, 2017

Journal

Working in the US with an H-1B Visa

Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly PRESIDENT Trump has made a lot of statements regarding immigration reform.

His comments about building a wall on the U.S.’ southern border have probably grabbed the most headlines, but he has also spoken about revamping the current H-1B program, which allows a foreign national to work in a “specialty occupation” in the U.S. It is unclear what, if any, changes will be made to the H-1B program.

Thus, for now, we are all operating under the H-1B program that we have known for many years. And now is the time to start processing your H-1B. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions on April 1, 2017. It is vitally important for an employer to file the petition exactly on April 1st. If not, as discussed below, you are risking the H-1B cap being met before you even submit your petition.

As stated above, the H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers to work in “specialty occupations.” A “specialty occupation” is an occupation that requires the theoretical or practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge. More commonly, a “specialty occupation” is an occupation that typically requires a Bachelor’s degree for entry into the field. Examples of “specialty occupation” include teachers, engineers, accountants, computer programmers and scientists. As you can see, only a small percentage of occupations will actually qualify for an H-1B visa; it must be an occupation that requires a significant amount of training and education to perform.

The H-1B petition must be filed by an employer. The em-

ployer must demonstrate both that the position qualifies as a “specialty occupation” and also that the foreign national is qualified for the occupation.

The foreign national must have previously earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. It is acceptable for the Bachelor’s degree to have been awarded in a foreign country, so long as the employer can demonstrate that it is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree awarded by a college or university in the U.S. Alternatively, if the foreign national has not yet earned a Bachelor’s degree, it is possible for their experience to qualify them for the position.

The employer must also show that the Bachelor’s degree was awarded in a subject that is related to occupation.

For example, the position of “Accountant” is typically considered a “specialty occupation,” but a foreign national would not be qualified for such a position on the basis of their Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This type of degree is not sufficiently related to the occupation. If the foreign national’s degree is not in a related subject and they are relying on professional experience to be qualified for the position, three years of professional experience is considered equivalent to one year of college of university education.

Assuming we have a “specialty occupation” and a qualified foreign national, we must be concerned with the H-1B cap of 65,000 new H-1B visas per year. There are also an additional 20,000 visas available for foreign nationals who have earned a Master’s degree or higher from a university in the U.S. The trend in recent years has been for significantly more than 65,000 petitions to

be submitted. Due to this high demand of H-1B visas, it is crucial that the petition is filed on April 1, 2017. Submitting it after that date may cause your petition to be rejected entirely simply because the cap may have already been met.

Unfortunately submitting your petition on April 1st does not guarantee you that it will be accepted. If the USCIS receives more than the allotted amount, they will conduct what is referred to as the “H-1B lottery.” This lottery will allow the USCIS to select a sufficient amount of petitions to be reviewed and those not selected will have their petition and filing fees returned to them. It would clearly be disappointing to not be selected in the H-1B lottery, but you still must timely file for you petition to even be included in the lottery.

It is certainly time to start preparing H-1B petitions. The first day you can file will be here very soon, and the failure to timely file can doom your chances of being granted the opportunity to lawfully work in the U.S. Do not let that happen to you – contact an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated solely to the practice of immigration law so that they can assist you with an H-1B petition. *** 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 MARCH 25-28, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon IF you are in debt and don’t have enough to pay your debts each month after taking care of living expenses, you may be tempted to borrow money from credit cards to pay your other debts. At first blush, it may seem like a “brilliant” idea. Don’t do it.

If you do, you are playing a game you’re certain to lose. It’s only a matter of time before you would realize how foolish this “brilliant” idea actually is.

Eventually, if you do end up filing for bankruptcy later, it also possible that creditors will object to your discharge on the grounds that you used the creditors’ money with no intention to repay.

The intention may be inferred from the fact that you were using your credit cards right prior to bankruptcy filing at a time that you knew (or at least had reason to know) that once your credit cards are charged up, you won’t be able to pay back the money that you used and that you would have to file for bankruptcy to discharge what you owe.

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done prop-

Community Journal

If you continue to borrow just to pay debts, here’s what will happen This is quite common in bankruptcy practice as most people are not aware of the fact that it is not a good idea to have a lot of large pre-filing cash advances and charges if Bankruptcy is the route one is left to take. In some cases, you may end up having to pay your creditors back if they get a judgment against you in bankruptcy court. Of course, I am speaking in general terms and that there may be facts unique to every case which would result in a different analysis. But the point is, using your credit cards right prior to bankruptcy filing may give creditors a reason and a basis to object and thus this would defeat your purpose in filing.

Borrowing to pay back other debts is like digging a hole that gets deeper and deeper. It’s only a matter of time before you can’t get out. Well, you say, “How about getting a debt consolidation loan? Wouldn’t that solve all my debt problems if I could consolidate all my debts into just

one loan?”

First of all, the interest on a debt consolidation loan is usually high especially if you’re credit is not that good. Secondly, banks that give out debt consolidation loans will usually ask for collateral to secure the loan. If you are a homeowner and there is sufficient equity in your property to protect the creditor’s interest, you may qualify if you are willing to give the bank a trust deed on your property. If you do this, however, make sure that you’re not just acquiring another debt you won’t be able to pay.

The best type of debt consolidation you will ever find is the kind of debt consolidation that federal bankruptcy law allows for individuals who are eligible (Chapter 13). What is Chapter 13? Chapter 13 is the section of the Bankruptcy Code that allows you to reorganize your finances when debts have become unmanageable. For instance, if you can’t afford to even make

u PAGE C5

I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it

erly.

Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied.

Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition.

If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment.

Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes

the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court.

Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement.

QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided.

u PAGE C3

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Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA

THERE are two approaches to prepare for an audit: organized and shoebox. Organized means arranging your records. Shoebox means simply being you—your naturally disorganized you. Let’s discuss each method so you can determine which one is best for your next audit.

Why You Should be Organized: 1. This approach of presenting data in a structured fashion has worked well for me in five decades of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS. It may work well for you too.

2. Organize disbursements by category (interests, taxes, donations, rental, advertising, business promotion) and by periods (January through December). It calls for preparing lead sheets with checks and receipts clipped behind Excel spreadsheets. Auditor gets impressed and may let you off the hook on gray matters.

3. This method speeds up the

Immigration Corner Atty. BRiAn leRneR A BUSINESS visa attorney can let you know all types of visas that you might be able to apply for under U.S. immigration law. Depending on your situation, the type of visa will differ.

For example, a business visa attorney might tell you about the H-1B, which is people who have college degrees. The business visa attorney will explain that the H-1B is referred to as the specialty occupation visa. The job itself must reflect the reality of the position requiring the use of the college degree. The business visa attorney would explain that you could not be a cashier with an electrical engineering degree and still expect to get the H-1B. There are only 65,000 H-1B visas per year.

The business visa attorney may elaborate that those are usually gone in the first week that the door opens in which to apply

Should you submit messy records to an IRS auditor? audit. It cuts down on your period of anxiety.

4. You send a subtle message to the agent that you want to work together.

5. You may also end up finding documents that should not be submitted to auditor.

TIP: I recommend this organized approach. It has worked well for me and my clients.

Why You Should be Disorganized: 1. The shoebox approach calls for simply presenting records in a jumbled manner. It’s like being yourself. The rationale: There is less time available for the agent to dig deeper. You hope that he (includes she) spends his time sorting through your mess and not have time for examine problematic issues.

2. This paper bag approach damages your relationship with the auditor who will be less willing to compromise disputed issues. It may be more difficult to achieve a good settlement.

3. While this is convenient for you (you don’t have to do a lot work), the agent will certainly not appreciate this style (he has

to do much more work). You are merely transferring workload to him.

4. When tax data are hard to find or not produced even after several information document requests, the agent may give up and be less inclined to raise new issues (good for you). On the other hand, the auditor may threaten to issue summons for missing records (not good for you).

5. The auditor may discover new issues amongst messy records that you failed to remove.

TIP: I do not like this approach.

Stay away from this method. *** 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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Let’s play alphabet soup to get a business visa for the H-1B (which is April 3.)

It is time to apply right now, so don’t wait.

However, there are many types of business visas that do not require a college degree.

For example, there is the O1 visa. The business visa attorney explains that the O-1 is for people who are extraordinary in whatever it is that they do. There are several requirements for the O-1 as would be elaborated by the business visa attorney. You must be able to establish that you have extraordinary ability in your field. Essentially, the O-1A visa is for people who are recognized as being at the very top of their field and who are coming to the United States to continue work in that field. To establish eligibility for an O-1A visa you must either have received a major, internationally-recognized award, similar to a Nobel Prize or submit evidence that affirmatively answers at least three of

the eight categories as put forth and explained by the business visa attorney.

Those areas are as follows: Have you received a lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in the field of endeavor?

Are you a member of any associations which require outstanding achievements of their members as judged by recognized national or international experts? Is there published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about you which relates to your work in the field?

Other questions/categories as explained by a business visa attorney are as follows: Have you participated on a panel or individually as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization? Have you made original scientific, scholarly or business-related contri-

u PAGE C3

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Community Journal

Should I tell my boss about my medical condition?

Q: I WAS diagnosed with herniated disc and severe anx- Protecting iety. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy Employee at work. Do I need to tell my & Consumer employer about my medical or Rights psychological condition?

A: No. The employee is not required to disclose the na- Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. ture of the employee’s medical condition or disability (i.e., their diagnosis). The employee is required only to provide reasonable medical documentation which describes the employee’s physical or mental limitations, which may prevent them from doing their work.

For example, the medical documentation may simply state that the employee is restricted from lifting more than 25 lbs.

The employer cannot inquire into the “nature or severity” of the employee’s disability. The employer cannot ask for the employee’s complete medical records as those records may be unrelated to the need for accommodation. The employer also cannot ask the employee about the underlying medical cause of the disability (unless such a medical examination is “jobrelated” and “consistent with business necessity”).

How much of an employee’s medical condition should be disclosed to the employer? If an employee’s disability or medical condition is not obvious, the employer may request the employee to provide reasonable medical documentation confirming the existence of the disability and the need for reasonable accommodation.

That medical documentation may contain the following: a. The name and credentials of the health care provider b. Certification from the medical provider that the employee has a physical or mental condition that limits a major life activity or a medical condition, and a description of why the employee or applicant needs a reasonable accommodation.

There is a need for ‘reasonable accommodation’ if the employee’s medical condition limits a major life activity, such as doing the neces-

sary tasks that the work requires. To have a limitation in the performance of a major life activity is to have a disability. Reasonable accommodation may include granting or extending leave from work to allow medical treatments, offering part-time or modified work schedules, or making facilities accessible to and usable by disabled individuals.

Even if the medical condition does not limit any major life activities (i.e., there is no disability), the employee is still entitled to reasonable accommodation if he or she needs to be absent from work for medical treatments or doctor appointments.

For the employer to provide reasonable accommodation to the employee, the employer must know that the employee needs such accommodation. The employer knows an employee has a disability when the employee tells the employer about the condition, or when the employer becomes aware of the condition, such as through a third party or by observation. Thus, if the employee’s disability becomes known or obvious, the employer must engage the employee in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for the employee. The employer must start the interactive process.

Lastly, California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition.

An employer may not terminate or demote an employee based on the employee’s disability or medical condition. *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)

Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties.

Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor.

Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs

to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. ***

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive

Pag-IBIG Fund announces 9th monthly draw winners of the Expanded Raffle Promo Pag-IBIG Fund announced the winners of the 9th monthly draw last February 24, 2017 of its Expanded Raffle Promo, a program that addresses one of the twin mandates of Pag-IBIG, that of promoting a savings culture among its members.

The promo, open to active local and OFW Pag-IBIG members, aims to give them a chance to win fabulous prizes while preparing for a more secure future for themselves and their families. It encourages members to contribute more than the mandatory PhP 100 monthly savings.

The 9th monthly draw winners of the Samsung S7 Edge and Mac Book Pro Retina are local Pag-IBIG members Ma. Victoria V. Penas from Binangonan, Rizal and Allan M. Nicolas from Caloocan City, respectively.

“Since we started the Expanded Raffle Promo last May 2016 up to January 31, 2017, Pag-IBIG has collected a total of PhP 528 Million worth of upgraded savings from our members who participated worldwide. This promo was well-received by our OFW-members in our runs from 2013 to 2015 initially for OFW-members; thus, we decided to expand its scope and include all qualified Pag-IBIG members, including our local members,” said Pag-IBIG Fund Officer-in-Charge Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti.

In the preliminary draw held last December 21, 2016, Lolita O. Albase and Imelda C. Cabading won PhP 500,000 and PhP 250,000, respectively. Ms. Albase, a government employee from Cagayan de Oro City, adds PhP 2,500 a month to her Pag-IBIG savings. On the other hand, Ms. Cabading, a job order employee in Makati City, saves PhP 1,300 on top of her monthly contributions.

Both local and OFW members have until March 31, 2017 to upgrade their savings and join the raffle promo. All they have to do is upgrade their Pag-IBIG savings to a minimum of PhP 600 a month to earn one electronic raffle number for every PhP 600 they save under Pag-IBIG. On May 1, 2017, Pag-IBIG Fund will hold a grand draw to pick the lone winner of the PhP 1 Million grand prize. The higher amount that members upgrade their savings, the more entries they have, and the more chances of winning.

“We also remind our members to secure their Membership ID (MID). The MID is required when they join the raffle promo. They may update their membership information through their Human Resource Department, or by visiting the PagIBIG website and clicking ’E-Services’ then ’Membership Registration’,” explains the Pag-IBIG OIC. “The MID number used in the promo should be the same as the one used in the remittance of upgraded Pag-IBIG I savings.”

Mr. Moti also encouraged inactive local and OFW members to reactivate their membership and join the raffle promo. “Inactive Pag-IBIG members may also participate in the promo by simply remitting PhP 600 per month,” he emphasized.

Winners are notified via telephone call, e-mail, or registered mail as detailed in their Pag-IBIG records. Winners of each draw will also be announced in PagIBIG’s official website and Facebook page.

C

Know your rights: If ICE stops you in public ALL people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) officers stop you on the street or in a public place, know you have the following rights: • You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions.

• You may ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says no, you may exercise your right to remain silent.

• If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent.

• If you choose to remain silent, say so out loud.

• You may show a know-your-rights card to the officer that explains that you will remain silent and wish to speak to an attorney.

• You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.

• Do not show any false documents and do not lie.

• You may refuse a search. If you are stopped for questioning but are not arrested, you do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but an officer may “pat down” your clothes if he or she suspects you have a weapon.

• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer.

• Even if you do not have a lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to a lawyer.

• If you have a lawyer, you have the right to talk to them. If you have a signed DHS Form G-28, which shows you have a lawyer, give it to an officer.

• If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono lawyers.

• You also have the right to contact your consulate.

The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

• You can refuse to sign any/all paperwork until you have had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer.

• If you choose to sign something without speaking to a lawyer, be sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. *** 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.

(Advertising Supplement)

Let’s play alphabet soup to get a…

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butions of major significance?

Have you authored scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media? Have you been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation?

Have you or will you command a CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW high salary or other remuneraOFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located tion for your services?

Yet, other types of business at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail visas involve investments. For kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at example, there are the E-2 and the L-1. These are visas for perKenreyeslaw.com. sons who want to either start *** Please note that this article is not legal advice their own business in the U.S., and is not intended as legal advice. The article or in the alternative, to open up is intended to provide only general, non-specific a branch office in the U.S. Thus, legal information. This article is not intended to the business visa attorney will excover all the issues related to the topic discussed. plain that the E-2 will require an The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be investment of around $100,000, anticipated by you. This article does create any but you can run your own busiattorney client relationship between you and the ness and come to the United Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article States to make your dream come (Advertising Supplement) true. The L-1 requires much less is not a solicitation.

I filed my own divorce but I can’t…

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 25-28, 2017

investment but would require that you have very good records for the company you are running in your home country. The typical business visa attorney will know that many countries do not keep good records and are running businesses without invoices and contracts and tax records. These types of businesses are not very good businesses for the L-1. Another type of related investment visa is the E-1 and the E-1 deals with trading with your home country. Therefore, if the business does at least 50 percent of its work trading with the home country, then the E-1 might be the best way to proceed forward.

The B-1 can be used if you want to come into the United States to negotiate contracts for your company in your home country, or if you have to do temporary training or attend conferences. These are very

short duration visas and can be quickly issued.

Another type of business visa if you’re from Canada or Mexico is the TN visa. The TN is somewhat related to the H-1B, except there are no limitations on the amount of TNs and some TNs do not require a college degree.

In any event, if you want to get a business visa, be sure that you find an experienced business visa attorney. *** 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)

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

Community Journal

Atty. LAwrence yAng

Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek BK relief

Freak accident liability I THINK I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. First client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have never encountered a case like this before in the last 30 years. Client has a rental condo that needs plumbing repair because of water leak coming out of the walls. He hires a plumber that he knows from work. Plumber determines that the leak is coming from a water pipe that is inside the wall. So he cuts a hole through the wall big enough for him to work on the leaking pipe.

He uses a blowtorch to seal the leak. The blowtorch accidentally sets the inside of the wall on fire.

They try to stop the fire from spreading. They fail to stop the fire from spreading. The condo burns down. The fire spreads to the other condos in the building.

Eventually, the entire building is on fire and is destroyed.

The building has a master insurance that covers the repairs for building so the building is reconstructed and everybody gets their condos back in shape. So what is the problem for client if the insurance has paid for everything and all the damage caused by the fire?

The problem of course is that the insurance company will sue client to recover whatever they can from client and client does not have liability insurance for the fire. I don’t know what else to call this but a freak accident. This is potentially a multimillion liability for client in the future.

If client qualifies for Chapter 7 relief then he has no worries anymore because Chapter 7 will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused. If he does qualify, he can wipe this out and have a fresh start. What we can learn from this accident is that if you should have a plumbing problem and the plumber uses a torch, you better stand behind him with a big fire extinguisher! So, just in case the same thing happens, you can immediately use the fire extinguisher on the fire to kill it and prevent your house from being burned down by a plumbing problem.

Wage garnishment The second client is 63. She had car repossession some time ago. As far as she knows, the repo

deficiency was about $25K. Must have been an expensive car with that kind of deficiency. She has just received a wage garnishment order for $40K based on the repo deficiency judgment! She still works and earns a gross of $5K monthly. How does the wage garnishment work? It will take 25% of her gross wages, or $1,250 a month until the $40K is fully paid at legal interest of 10% a year. She can’t live with such a big deduction from her wages. She won’t be able to pay her rent of $1,100 if the garnishment is done. She also owes about $30K of credit cards.

She needs Chapter 7 relief to stop the garnishment, wipe out the judgment of $40K and all of $30K of credit cards. She will get a fresh start without the burden of accumulated debt. She will be able to reestablish credit immediately. She still has a car payment. She will also be able to get new credit cards as soon as she is done with her bankruptcy because there are banks that specialize in giving new credit cards to debtors who have just come out of bankruptcy.

Huge sales taxes The third client is 66. He operated a business for several years but did not pay sales tax for his products as they got sold.

He owes $120K of sales tax. He closed his business last year.

However, before he closed his business, he was audited by the State and it was determined that he owed $120K of sales tax. Well, that’s bad news. Nobody wants to owe $120K of sales tax at the age of 66; in fact, no one at any age would want to owe so much sales tax. I mean, at 66 you get full benefits from social security but if you owe $120K of sales tax, then your social security will just go to pay the sales tax. Now what kind of retirement is that?

That would be like living in the twilight zone, wouldn’t it?

Now the question is, are sales taxes dischargeable in Chapter 7?

In California, sales taxes are dischargeable. The reason they are dischargeable is because they are transactional taxes. They are not taxes, which are held in trust by debtor. If they were held in trust by debtor then there would be a fiduciary relationship that was breached and that would make the tax not dischargeable. So

Debt Relief

sales taxes are not excepted from discharge, therefore they are dischargeable. The caveat is that the legal prerequisites to discharge the sales tax must be met.

Credit cards If you owe credit card debt that eats up a significant portion of your net income, it’s time to get rid of them now with a Chapter 7 wipe out or Chapter 13 reorganization. It’s time to get a fresh start and become productive again.

If you owe $30K of credit cards, the minimum payment is $1K a month just for interest payment to keep them current. In three years you will pay $36K of interest but still owe $30K of principal. Get out of financial quicksand now with Chapter 7 or 13. Owe nothing but keep all your assets, your house, your cars, your retirement accounts and everything else you own and more of your net income for your future financial well being and the financial well being of your family. Even Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before he became successful. Hershey also filed for Chapter 7 before his Hershey chocolate business became successful. Orange County also filed for bankruptcy to protect itself a decade ago. Several Catholic dioceses filed for bankruptcy protection from child molestation lawsuits just several years ago. So, if there is too much debt, bankruptcy is a prerequisite for future success and productivity. It’s the right step to take and the simplest and best solution to take.

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advise to any reader. There is no attorney client relationship established by this article with reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with Attorney Yang.

First general consultation is free.

“Jesus came and spoke to the disciples, saying, ‘all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.’ — Matthew 28:18 *** 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)

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

Calendar of Events across

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 M A R C H 26

Filipino Cursillos’ Kalbaryo show in Woodland Hills, CA The Filipino Cursillos in Christianity of Los Angeles, CA (FCIC-LA) will present a Kalbaryo (Lenten) show about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus on Sunday, March 26. It will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mel’s Parish Center, 20870 Ventura Boulevard Woodland Hills, CA 91364. For further information, please contact any of the following: Tess Tan Torres at (213) 249-1507; Agnes Golingay at (818) 599-8401; Len Balino at (310) 203-3639; Genie Bagsic at (858) 472-9338; or Oddie Sabas at (760) 670-5868.

MARCH 30

Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce Tri-County ‘General Assembly and Mixer’ in Covina, CA The Officers and Board Directors of the newly-established Chamber of Commerce, interacting with Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, invite the community to a ‘General Assembly and Mixer’ on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m., at RE/MAX MASTERS REALTY office at 475 E. Badillo, Covina, CA 91723. Meet Merwynn Montenegro, President, and the Officers and Board Directors, along with their advisers Noel S.V. Omega, guest speaker, and Mary Ann Omega, both officers of the FilAm Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles. You will have the opportunity to make business connections and build relationships. Special guest is West Covina Councilmember and former Mayor James Toma. Atty. Abraham Lim will deliver the opening remarks and PNB Remittance Center Inc. President and CEO Ricky Villacisneros will close the Assembly, but not before guests have scored winsome door prizes. For information, contact Secretary Ed Cansino (909) 263-7297 or Email edcansino53@gmail.com; Asst. Sec. Grace Vaughn (951) 261-0601; or 1st VP Elen Yuhico (909) 636-6271.

APRIL 8

Filipino Cursillos’ Kalbaryo show in San Diego, CA The Filipino Cursillos in Christianity of Los Angeles, CA (FCIC-LA) will present a Kalbaryo (Lenten) show about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus on Saturday, April 8. It will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Pala Mission Church, San Juan Diego Center at 3015 Pala Mission Rd., Pala, CA 92059. For further information, please contact any of the following: Tess Tan Torres at (213) 249-1507; Agnes Golingay at (818) 599-8401; Len Balino at (310) 203-3639; Genie Bagsic at (858) 472-9338; or Oddie Sabas at (760) 670-5868.

APRIL 14

Greenlining Institute Economic Summit in Oakland, CA On Friday, April 14, the Greenlining Institute’s 24th annual Economic Summit will boldly tackle local and national controversies as it focuses on the theme, “Racial Justice on the Frontlines.” With Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza moderating the opening discussion, community activists, political and business leaders will take on such challenging issues as gentrification, tech diversity (or the lack thereof), possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the impending arrival of Uber in downtown Oakland. It will be held at Oakland Marriott City Center at 1001 Broadway, Oakland, California. Registration opens 8 a.m., program starts at 8:30 and runs to 5:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www. greenlining.org.

APRIL 15

“A Musical Odyssey” in Cerritos, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. and DreamAgeGroup presents Rudolf Paleaz Golez, an internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist in “A Musical Odyssey” on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Other local singing talents will be present at the concert, such as recording artist Sean Collado, aspiring actress and singer Sheila Tejada, Sabrina Oxciano and Samantha Murray. Ticket prices are $35, $65 and $100. Proceeds of this performance will go toward the Pangansian Brotherhood-USA’s scholarship funds, which helps academically successful seniors who are college-bound in both the greater Los Angeles area and the Philippines. The performance will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ Sierra Room at 12700 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, California 90703. Interested parties may contact project managers Dan E. Nino at (562) 921-5116 or denino1951@gmail.com; E. Mendoza at (623) 341-6247 or thedreamagegroup@gmail.com; Lino F. Caringal, Jr. at (714) 808-2642 or linojr.caringal@gmail.com; Bong Soriano at (909) 851-1493 or believe1156@gmail.com; Neil Estrada at (562) 301-9972 or bluezero2sixty@yahoo.com; or Feliz Lopez at (562) 572-2301 or fblopezinsurance@msn.com.

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APRIL 20

CAUSE’s annual gala in Los Angeles Join Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) for its annual gala on Thursday, April 20. It will be held at LA Hotel’s California Ballroom at 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact kim@causeusa.org or visit www.causeusa.org.

A P R I L 29

12th annual Sikad ng Bayan bike ride in Anaheim Hills, CA The Sikad ng Bayan (Cycling for the Nation) is an annual bike ride that raises funds to build preschools for less fortunate communities at Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages in the Philippines. It is a non-competitive ride that will be held on Saturday, April 29, where cyclists traverse the Orange and Los Angeles counties. And in true Filipino fashion, this fun ride culminates in a Pinoy-style luncheon where cyclists can get together and know more about Sikad. It will be held at the Yorba Regional Park (7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807).

For more information or to register please visit www.sikad.org or call Rey D. at (562) 9641445 or Robbie V. at (949) 351-8344.

M AY 6

25th Annual Filipino Fiesta in Waikiki, HI The Filipino Community Center, Inc. will be hosting its 25th Annual Filipino Fiesta on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. This year’s theme marks the 25th year of the annual celebration with the theme, “And the Fun Continues...” The event is free and open to the public! Participation from the local Hawaii and Hawaii-Filipino community from the over 100 Filipino community organizations, U.S. and or Philippine based business owners and/or their representatives are expected. For more information about the Filipino Fiesta, please visit www.filcom.org or call (808) 680-0451.

M AY 1 3

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Thomasian Engineers Club to hold Gala Ball in Long Beach, CA The Thomasian Engineers Club (The University of Sto. Tomas College of Engineering Alumni Association) will hold its gala ball on Saturday, May 13 at the Long Beach Marriott.

The association is headed by President Elsa Camacho. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions, please call Norma de los Reyes at (310) 508-1477. The Long Beach Marriott is located at 4700 Airport Plaza Dr., Long Beach, CA 90815.

SEPTEMBER 1-4

Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept.

2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.

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

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

To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas HAVE you ever wondered why people suffer? Have you ever complained to God about an illness, death, or a crisis?

Have you ever questioned some unfairness in your life and the lives of other people?

Well, I’m sure that each of us has grappled with these issues in one way or another. But have you ever thought that it is through pain and suffering that we become strong and wise; that we become more compassionate and sensitive to people and understanding of their lot?

Many years ago, Henri Nouwen wrote the classic book, “The Wounded Healer.” In this work, he presents the irony that ministers become more competent when they recognize their wounds and traumas and embrace them in a spirit of surrender to God to become healers of souls. Gerald May, in his book, “Addiction and Grace,” expresses the similar thought that any addiction can be transformed into a blessing: the grace of peace that comes from a total submission to God’s power.

Of course, St. Paul is a proponent of the value of suffering and crosses in our earthly journeys. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, he says: “That is why, for

Community Journal

How God sees Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In Romans 5:3 he also reminds us that “suffering produces perseverance.” Then, again, he says in Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The Gospel this Sunday also conveys a reason for people’s suffering. The disciples asked Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned: it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”

Yes, I would say that God allows suffering so that he can reveal to us and the world his redeeming power, and so that we can be instruments of his salvation. Imagine the world without poverty? Imagine people without pain and struggles?

How can we put into practice the mandates of the Gospel?

How can we show love, charity, and justice? Indeed, how can we show strength and hope in the midst of difficulties? How can we inspire people to believe and trust in God? Now, I’m not saying that God is a masochist. I’m saying that God, in His mysterious plan, allows misfortunes to happen in our lives to strengthen our

faith in Him. He allows these things so that we can share in His redemptive acts and live as “children of light” that “produces very kind of goodness and righteousness and truth” as this Sunday’s Second Reading tells us. (Ephesians 5:8-14) Psalm 29 asks us to trust God’s mysterious ways, to guide us in right paths. It says, “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.”

The First Reading from 1 Samuel 16 also tells us that “not man sees does God see.” And so, God chose and anointed a ruddy and young shepherd in the person of David. He made him the King of Israel for God sees not the appearance but the heart.

As we continue our Lenten observances, may we be strong in faith amidst the mysteries of pain and suffering. May the power of the Cross heal our troubled spirits! Amen. *** 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.

If you continue to borrow just to pay…

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the minimum payments on your credit cards, you may consolidate all your debts into one affordable monthly payment.

In Chapter 13, your monthly payment is generally determined by the amount of your surplus income each month after living expenses are paid. If you have “regular income” from any source such as employment, pension, social security or even family contributions, you may be eligible for a Chapter 13 debt consolidation. Depending on your income, you can get completely out of debt in only 3 years unless the plan requires a longer term (up to 5 years) in order to be approved. In most cases, it is possible to cut your monthly debt payments in half or even less.

The interest on credit card debts is reduced to zero in Chapter 13. Thus, all your payments go towards the principal amount owed. Compare this with the 23-29 percent interest you’re paying on your credit cards. I’m sure you realize that if you are only making the minimum credit card payments, it will take you forever to pay off your debts! Chapter 13 also has certain benefits which space won’t allow me to discuss here.

Some of these benefits include stopping a foreclosure to save your property, stopping a car repossession, paying back delinquent IRS, State and property taxes, and consolidating student loans.

If you have to borrow each month to pay other debts, this is a danger signal that you

shouldn’t ignore. Take action before the problem gets worse.

Your property, your wages and your financial future may be at risk! If you want to find out what your legal options are, call my office at TOLL FREE 1-866477-7772 to schedule a personal consultation. Whether you need debt elimination or debt consolidation, there are remedies available under the law if you qualify.

For your convenience, we have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt.

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 25-28, 2017

C

People and Events

Filipino Cultural School to host ‘Sari-Sari Talent Show 2017’ as a talent showcase fundraiser for its upcoming summer program CERRITOS, Calif. — Filipino Cultural School (FCS) will host its 2nd annual Sari Sari: Talent Show Fundraiser on Sunday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Josephine’s Cerritos (11305 183rd St, Cerritos, CA 90703).

FCS, based in Cerritos and other neighboring cities, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization geared to the preservation and promotion of the Philippine heritage and culture. FCS has and continues to be open to all.

Filipinos and non-Filipinos who are interested in the Philippine culture are invited to attend.

“Sari-Sari” is the Tagalog word for “variety,” and in this talent show, FCS aims to celebrate the diverse talents of our community members in forms of singing, dancing, spoken words, etc., along with some great Filipino food from the restaurant.

Pre-sale tickets are $10 for ages 13 years old and above, and $5 for ages 12 years old and under. Door prices will be $15 for

ages 13 years old and above, and still $5 for ages 12 years old and under (ticket prices do not include food). The raised funds for the event will go towards helping cover for the cost of venue, insurance, and materials for the FCS Summer Program.

For information on how to purchase a ticket and also sign-up to perform in the show, please visit our website http://filipinoculturalschool.org. For any inquiries, feel free to contact us at filipinoculturalschool@gmail.com. n

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&

PH needs to boost ASEAN Immigration Corner ties to sustain growth by doris

dumlao-aBadilla Inquirer.net

SINGAPORE—Amid concerns on rising protectionism, it is imperative for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to focus on “building bridges” and deepening trade integration in order to boost the resilience of the 10-member economic bloc, the chief of regional investment powerhouse Maybank Kim Eng Group said.

In a press briefing during the group’s “Invest Asean” forum, Maybank Kim Eng chief executive Dato John Chong said the Southeast Asian region was being supported by an underlying narrative of strong infrastructure spending—estimated to total $600 billion from 2016 to 2020—alongside a 630 million population mostly comprising of young people.

This year, Maybank Kim Eng expected the six core ASEAN markets (ASEAN-6)—Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam—to grow by 4.8 percent, picking up from 4.6 percent last year. Chong said the momentum would be driven by trade recovery, rebound in commodity prices and improving global electronics demand. Next year, ASEAN-6 is seen to sustain a growth of 5.3 percent.

In the case of the Philippines, Maybank Kim Eng expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth to

remain strong at 6.4 percent this year and 6.5 percent in 2018 after expanding by 6.8 percent last year, which included an extraordinary boost from the presidential elections.

Within ASEAN-6, the Philippines is seen to post the fastest pace of growth this year and next, followed

by Vietnam, which Maybank Kim Eng expects to grow by 6.3 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2018.

Chong noted that ASEAN had a strong balance sheet and less dependent on the US, with exports to China having surpassed exports to the US since 2009.

“Unfortunately, where we can do better is intraregional trade. It’s still at 24 percent (of the region’s total trade). That means we trade more with non-ASEAN partners than we do with ourselves,” Chong said, noting that this number had remained relatively unchanged since 2007.

Chong said building bridges and deepening integration won’t just be the burden of the governments.

“It also has to be about the private sector and corporates as well.

We need to step up to be ASEAN multinationals. In effect, we need to be doing business not just in our own country but also in other countries within ASEAN,” he said.

Over the years, Chong said more and more corporations from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines were now expanding their regional footprint.

Direct contribution to GDP or the economic activity generated by industries, such as hotels, travel agents, airlines, and other passenger transportation services and restaurant and leisure industries supported by tourists, increased to P1.19 trillion or equivalent to 8.2 percent of last year’s total GDP. Inquirer.net photo

Travel, tourism sector adds P2.85-T to PH GDP

by Bernadette

d. nicolas

industries and wider effects from capital investment, government THE Philippine travel and spending and supply chain, is extourism industry contributed a pected to increase by 7.8 percent total of P2.85 trillion to the lo- this year and further grow by 5.3 cal economy in 2016, equivalent percent yearly to P5.13 trillion or to 19.7 percent of the country’s 20.7 percent of GDP in 2027, data gross domestic product (GDP), from WTTC Economic Impact according to the latest report of 2017 report showed.

Direct contribution to GDP the World Travel and Tourism or the economic activity generCouncil (WTTC).

The industry’s total contribu- ated by industries, such as hotels, tion to GDP, reflecting the eco- travel agents, airlines, and other nomic activities of directly related PAGE D2 Inquirer.net

The Villar family said that “they were open to a foreign partner” as they enter the country’s telecommunications sector.

Villars venturing into telecom business

initially involve providing highspeed internet to the group’s residential communities under THE Villar family wants to pro- family-controlled Vista Land and vide fixed-line broadband across Lifescapes Inc., which has a nathe country, which would mark tionwide footprint. its entry into the telecommunicaVillar, who did not rule out tions sector now controlled by entering the mobile business industry giants PLDT Inc. and eventually, said they were “open Globe Telecom. to a foreign partner.”

Manuel Paolo Villar, son of “I know the administration property tycoon and former Sena- wants more competition. They tor Manuel Villar Jr., said in an want to encourage more playinterview that the strategy would PAGE D2 by miguel

r. camus

Inquirer.net

Business Quote of the Week “The world is increasingly competitive, and the work required for companies to succeed is more knowledgebased and depends on employees being creative and making good judgments ... It makes sense to invest in growing employees in order to grow the capacity of a company.”

- Kent Keith, CEO of Greenleaf Center

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

A PROVISIONAL waiver can benefit certain people who are not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. These people include: • Crewmen without the benefit of section 245(i), which was a law that expired on April 30, 2001, allowing crewmen and others to still adjust status in the US if they were petitioned before that date.

• People who entered on fiancée visas (K-1) but did not marry the American who petitioned them.

• People who are out of status, and do not have the benefit of Section 245(i).

• People who entered the U.S. without inspection and do not have the benefit of Section 245(i).

Since these people are not eligible to adjust status in the U.S., they would be required to return to their home country and apply for an immigrant visa abroad.

However, there is a different immigration law which provides that if a person is out of status for more than one year and departs the U.S., even to obtain their im-

D

Trump would favor provisional waiver

migrant visa abroad, they could be subject to a 10 year bar.

The provisional waiver forgives or “waives” the 10 year bar, and can be applied for while the person is still in the U.S., and before they depart, provided that: • They have an immigrant visa immediately available to them, whether through a family petition or employer sponsorship. That means the priority date on their case must be current. (Of course, if they are being petitioned by a U.S. citizen spouse or child, the visa would always be available.)

• They demonstrate that a parent or spouse who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident would suffer “extreme hardship” if the provisional waiver is not granted.

• The only immigration violation they have is overstaying. If they have any fraud, misrepresentation, crimes, etc., they may not be eligible for the provisional waiver.

Despite the availability of this remedy, many people are still reluctant to avail of provisional waiver because of President Trump’s election and his promise to deport undocumented immigrants. However, I believe Pres.

Trump would be in favor of, and

endorse, the provisional waiver.

If you recall, when Trump was first running for president, he stated that “We have at least 11 million people that came in illegally.

They will go out. Some will come back, the best, through a process.

They have to come back legally.”

What Trump was describing was effectively the provisional waiver!

So why would he oppose something that he had been endorsing from the outset: people will go out (to apply for immigrant visa processing), and then they will come back as lawful permanent residents. Moreover, they will be “the best” or “the good ones,” because eligibility for the provisional waiver is based on a person having no crimes or fraud.

The sole violation is overstaying.

Moreover, they must go through a background check in the US, including fingerprints, as part of the approval process for the provisional waiver.

Moreover, the provisional waiver regulations provide for “confidentiality” even if the provisional waiver is withdrawn or denied (provided the person is not an enforcement priority, such as a terrorist, gang member, or criminal.) This means, the government has stated it will not

come after people even if the provisional waiver is denied.

If you are eligible for a provisional waiver, and were reluctant to apply out of fear that Trump was against the provisional waiver, you can see that Trump, in his own words, favors or endorses the provisional waiver. If you think you may be eligible, you should seek the advice of an attorney who can fully evaluate your situation and perhaps help you apply for a provisional waiver. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

D march 25-28, 2017 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

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UN: PH slips 2 notches in human dev’t rankings

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

ThE Philippines slid two places to 116 in the latest annual ranking of efforts by countries to improve human development measures, a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report showed.

According to the 2016 human Development Report (hDR), the Philippines dropped 2 notches to 116 in 2015 from 114 in 2014. The report reflects a one year lag in its assessment of 188 countries.

The hDR report measures improvements in three basic dimensions of human development: long and healthy life, access to knowledge and decent standard of living, which form the human development index (hDI).

In 2015, the Philippines scored 0.682 (on a scale of 0 to 1.00) in the hDI, or under the “medium human development” category, together with neighbors Indonesia, Vietnam, Timor Leste, Cambodia and Myanmar.

The current hDR report noted the top five European economies were Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark, while the bottom five were Burundi, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Central African Republic.

Even though the Philippines’ overall ranking declined last year, the actual score showed a slight improvement from 0.679.

The hDR lauded the Philippines in its effort to continue the progress in women’s empowerment.

“The Women Development Act in the Philippines allows women to borrow money, obtain loans,

execute security and credit arrangements and access loans in agrarian reform and land resettlement programs under the same conditions as men,” it said.

It noted the Philippines’ improvement in promoting human development for marginalized groups. “The Philippines offers special voter registration facilities before election day and express lanes for voters with disabilities,” it said.

In terms of social protection, the report took note of the conditional cash transfer program which reached 4.4 million families in 2015, or 21 percent of the population.

Eighty-two percent of the benefits went to the poorest 40 percent of the population.

1990-2015 Between 1990 and 2015, the Philippine hDI value increased from 0.586 to 0.682, a 16.3 percent improvement, the UNDP reported noted.

“Between 1990 and 2015, Philippines’ life expectancy at birth increased by 3.0 years, mean years of schooling increased by 2.7 years and expected years of schooling increased by 0.9 years,” it said.

It noted that the Philippine per capita gross national income increased by 111.9 percent in the 25 years to 2015.

Nevertheless, the report finds that while the average human development improved significantly across all regions from 1990 to 2015, one in three people worldwide continue to live in low levels of human development.

“The world has come a long

way in rolling back extreme poverty, in improving access to education, health and sanitation, and in expanding possibilities for women and girls,” said UNDP Administrator helen Clark.

But those gains are a prelude to the next, possibly tougher challenge, to ensure the benefits of global progress reach everyone, she added.

“By eliminating deep, persistent, discriminatory social norms and laws, and addressing the unequal access to political participation, which have hindered progress for so many, poverty can be eradicated and a peaceful, just, and sustainable development can be achieved for all,” Clark said.

On the other hand, lead author and Director of the human Development Report Office Selim Jahan said universal human development is attainable despite progress gaps.

“Over the last decades, we have witnessed achievements in human development that were once thought impossible,” Jahan said.

Since 1990, 1 billion people have escaped extreme poverty and women’s empowerment has become a mainstream issue, according to the report. While as recently as the 1990s, very few countries legally protected women from domestic violence, today, 127 countries do, it said.

The importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build on these gains cannot be overestimated, the reported noted, saying the agenda and human development approach are mutually reinforcing.

ADB said the investment would provide CAA with growth capital for its Asian microfinance operations. The company, in turn, can support ADB’s objective of widening financial inclusion across the region. The bank is also providing CAA a $500,000 technical assistance grant to help it expand its operations where it is most needed.

ADB invests $32-M in microfinance firm for Asian women

by Czeriza

valenCia Philstar.com

MANILA - Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $32-million equiaty investment agreement with CreditAccess Asia (CAA), an Amsterdam-based microfinance holding company which has operations all over Asia.

ADB said the investment would provide CAA with growth capital for its Asian microfinance operations. The company, in turn, can support ADB’s objective of widening financial inclusion across the region. The bank is also providing CAA a $500,000 technical as-

sistance grant to help it expand its operations where it is most needed.

CAA has 1.8 million customers across Asia, 99.8 percent of whom are women.

“Through this investment, ADB and CAA will help to deepen access to credit and finance for some of Asia’s most underserved markets,” said Christine Engstrom, ADB’s director for the Private Sector Financial Institutions Division.

“CAA provides significant support in the communities in which it operates and we are happy to support them and their Asian microfinance subsidiaries through their next stage of growth.”

CAA, as the holding company, will use ADB’s assistance to capitalize and expand operations of its subsidiary microfinance companies, the largest of which is Grameen Koota in India.

The holding firm also has operations in Indonesia, Philippines

and Vietnam. Through the equity investment, CAA is expected to to be able to service the financing needs of 3.5 million women borrowers by 2021.

“We are very pleased to have ADB on board as a strategic shareholder in CAA. ADB fully supports our mission to become a leading provider of financial products for micro and small businesses in India and Southeast Asia,” said CAA chief executive officer Paolo Brichetti.

“Given the critical institutional role of ADB in the region and its experience in supporting financial services across Asia, we are confident to have established the right partnership to accomplish our plans and to meet our customers’ needs. We have built a unique relationship over time with our clients and we aim to be recognized as their key financial and business partner,” he added.

The money spent by international tourists, also known as visitor exports It reached P316 billion or 7.8 percent of total exports last year and is forecast to rise by 11.1 percent this year.

Travel, tourism sector adds...

PAGE D1 passenger transportation services and restaurant and leisure industries supported by tourists, increased to P1.19 trillion or equivalent to 8.2 percent of last year’s total GDP. It is also forecast to rise by 7.6 percent this year and further increase by 5.2 percent yearly to P2.11 trillion by 2027, or 8.5 percent of total GDP. The report also showed that investments last year reached P89.6 billion or 2.6 percent of total investment.

The council expects it to rise by 9.5 percent this year and grow by 4.4 percent annually over the next 10 years to P150.2 billion in 2027, or 2.5 percent of total investments.

The money spent by international tourists, also known as visitor exports, is considered by the council as a key component of the direct contribution of travel

and tourism.

It reached P316 billion or 7.8 percent of total exports last year and is forecast to rise by 11.1 percent this year.

The country is also expected to attract 6.534 million international tourist arrivals.

By 2027, international tourist arrivals is expected to balloon to 10.8 million, generating expenditures of P676.1 billion, with an annual increase of 6.8 percent.

The Philippine travel and tourism sector also directly supported 2.22 million jobs or 5.5 percent of total employment.

This figure included employment in hotels, travels, travel agencies, airlines, and other passenger transport services and restaurant and leisure activities dealing with tourists.

This is also expected to rise by 5.3 percent this year and further grow by 2.4 percent annually to 2.96 million jobs in 2027.

Villars venturing into...

PAGE D1

ers. That’s us and others too,” he said.

The group will undertake the business through a company called Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc., which is seeking a congressional franchise to operate a telco service.

In line with this, a bill was filed last year seeking to allow Streamtech to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain telecommunications systems in the Philippines for commercial purposes and in the public interest.”

Villar, who is CEO of Vista Land, said the priority was to provide internet services to their housing communities, spanning 100 cities and municipalities across 37 provinces. he said their telecommunications service would likely be profitable.

Vista Land said it was continuing to expand nationwide.

“We’ve been planning it for a while, our buyers want good internet service,” Villar said. he said they could provide “last mile” internet links to their exist-

ing communities within two years.

That means Vista Land would still have to rely on the telecom backbone of incumbent players.

That could change if the government proceeds with its P78-billion national broadband network plan, a hybrid “infostructure” project that allows telcos to lease state-owned assets to provide last mile connections to far flung areas.

“If the national government creates a backbone that is accessible by third-party players, that will be a game changer,” Villar said. “If there is a backbone that is competitive, you will see the price of internet go down a lot.”

A key challenge for a budding telecom player, especially one that plans to also build a nationwide mobile network, was the massive cost involved.

Sean Gowran, Ericsson country head and president of Philippines and Pacific Islands, said that for a new full-service player to catch up, capital spending would be about $10 billion over five years, with break-even seen in 25 to 30 years.

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Makati, Mindanao biz groups tie up to spur economic activity

by Kristyn

niKa M. lazo ManilaTimes.net

The Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Bangsa Moro Federal Business Council (BMFBC) have inked a pact to strengthen business and entrepreneurial relations that would help boost the economy.

On Thursday, March 23, MBC executive Director Peter Perfecto and BMFBC Chairman Abdulgami Macatoman signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize cooperation between the two organizations.

Asked about the MOU, Perfecto said: “The idea is to try to make sure the MBC is in touch with our colleagues in the Bangsamoro. We’d like to exchange information, resources, and do events together.”

“This is to support progress and inclusive growth in Mindanao,” he added.

Through the MOU, MBC can aid BMFBC in bringing entrepreneurs in Mindanao to Metro Manila for wider market opportunities, while MBC may also bring CeOs based in Manila to Mindanao.

“Some Mindanao entrepreneurs

Makati Business Club Executive Director Peter Perfecto (right) and Bangsa Moro Federal Business Council Chairman Abdulgami Macatoman exchange copies of a memorandum of understanding to formalize cooperation between the two organizations.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

will go here, and we’ll try to get our CeOs to go to Mindanao and do investment and support each other,” Perfecto said.

“As of now we don’t have those business exchanges yet but there is a lot of interest,” he added.

Perfecto said only about 10 percent of the MBC members have businesses and investments in

Mindanao but through the MOU, this could increase in the next few years.

“Many of the large conglomerates, they are in the stage of paying back, so they want to play a role in supporting Mindanao through assisting existing entrepreneurs or have their own investments,” he said.

the canned fruit industry, lower sales of regional brands in the packaged vegetable category across retail and foodservice, and lower sales of private label.

The sales of regional brands have also been impacted by supply-related issues following the closure of the North Carolina plant, DMPL said.

The group registered $604 million in sales for the third quarter, slightly higher than the prior year as strong Philippine operations under the Del Monte brand, and rest of Asia under the S&W brand, were offset by lower sales in the US. Net income reached $8.5 million for the quarter, a complete turnaround from the $4.8 million loss incurred the previous year.

DMPL chief operating officer Luis Alejandro said in five years, the company’s U.S. business would account for 60 percent of the business from 80 percent at present while the non-U.S. business would have a bigger share of 40 percent from 20 percent at present.

In five years, the company plans to grow annual sales by doubledigit, he said.

DMPL is allotting $70 million

for capital expenditures for fiscal year ending April 2017 and about the same level for fiscal year 2018.

This is higher than the $50 million set aside in 2016.

The company is preparing to issue dollar denominated securities in the local stock market, the first issuer for the newly approved product.

DMPL will issue an initial tranche of 25 million preferred shares comprised of 15 million shares for the base offer and an oversubscription option of 10 million at $10 per share to raise at least $250 million.

The initial tranche is part of a shelf registration of DMPL’s debt program of up to $360 million, registered under the Securities and exchange Commission’s shelf registration facility. The bonds are targeted to be listed on April 7.

DMPL has tapped BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as sole issue manager and together with Chinabank, PNBCapital and RCBC Capital Corp. as joint lead underwriters and book runners.

DMPL intends to use the proceeds it receives from the offer to refinance the bridge loan facility extended by BDO Unibank.

Del Monte expects recovery in US soon MANILA - Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) expects its US operations, which account for 80 percent of its business, to recover by 2020.

DMPL CFO Parag Sachdeva said the US business is seen recovering in three years time.

“It would take us to two to three years. We would like it do be done in two years but realistically, it would take us three years to fix the structural side of the cost and bring the growth momentum back. So 2019 to 2020 is when we expect the performance to be where we want it to be,” Sachdeva told The Star on the sidelines of the company’s roadshow for its dollar-denominated preferred share offering. he said the company would be introducing more healthy products in the US given the saturation of the canned market. It would also increase its presence in supermarkets and groceries in the U.S. In the third quarter ended Jan. 31, 2017, Del Monte’s U.S. subsidiary, Del Monte Foods Inc (DMFI) contributed $450.6 million or 74.6 percent of group sales.

Sales declined by 3.4 percent due to the continued weakness in

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 25-28, 2017 D

D march 25-28, 2017 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL

What to expect when the unexpected happens Hospitals can be busy, highpressure places. often, just the stress associated with being in the Emergency Department can hinder the healing process. that’s why at Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial Hospital, we believe in delivering excellent clinical care in an environment that cares for the whole person. if you are ever admitted to a hospital for an emergency, here’s what you can ask for and expect. Hospital staff should always make the effort to know you as a person and not just as a patient. this means doctors and nurses should work together with you to discuss your plan of care. additionally, your experience should leave you feeling empowered by staff members who educate you on what to expect for upcoming procedures and medications. No matter what, safety and comfort is always a priority. staff should be attentive to your needs and respond quickly to your requests for managing pain.

“From triage to discharge, patients and families of Glendale

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

i WrotE an article back in 1998 about Viagra, a headliner around the world then when it was first introduced that year. two decades next year, Viagra and its competitors, Cialis and levitra, still arouse interest globally. sildenafil (Viagra), the wonder pill for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, was approved by the Us Food and Drug administration in March 27, 1998, and sold like hot cakes that same year. More than $400 million worth was sold in the first quarter, 10,000 prescriptions a day. this blue pill was found to be very effective and safe. it boosts marriages and relationships. the surgical procedures for ED dropped Brigeli Westerband, MD, Glendale Memorial Vice Chief of Staff dramatically since this pill was Memorial are truly an integral rial Hospital, you can expect introduced. part of their own care plan,” says to be in good hands. For a free then came the competitors!

Brigeli Westerband, MD, Glendale referral to a Glendale Memo- Vardenafil (levitra) was approved rial Hospital-affiliated physician, in september 2003, and on NoMemorial Vice Chief of staff. again, no one anticipates a call our Doctor Finder service at vember 21, 2003, tadalafil (Cialis) trip to the emergency room, but (818)502-2378. was launched. to this day, these 3 if you arrive at Glendale Memo(Advertising Supplement) pills for ED are the most popular, dominant, and effective regimen in the management of erectile dysfunction and they have been found to also be very useful in enhancing erection even among those without ED. More than 20 percent of failed marriages and broken relationships are due to erectile dysfunction.

While their mode of action are basically the same: they are a class of drugs called pDE-5 inhibitors. they block an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5, boosting a chemical in our body called nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles in the penis and open up veins, allowing more blood to enter and fill-up the veins of the penis, causing engorgement and maintaining erection.

Original research: Serendipity the original laboratory studies on these pE-5 inhibitors centered on their vasodilator effects as potential drug in the management of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. However, the researchers noted that the experimental male mice given the pDE-5 inhibitor developed erection and were chasing the female mice. this serendipity discovery that the side-effect of the pDE-5 inhibitor was even a greater and more welcome discovery than the original intention of developing a

The three sex pills new vasodilator for cardiovascular diseases. the side-effect (erection) in this case far outweighed the “original intent” for the use of the drug. this is one incident where the side-effect is more useful and beneficial.

Other uses these pills for ED (pDE-5 inhibitors) are also prescribed for other medical conditions, like heart attack, pulmonary hypertension (even among children), pre-eclampsia, Crohn’s disease, and infertility.

Aphrodisiac? some think Viagra, Cialis, and levitra are aphrodisiacs. No, they are not, because none of them increases libido (sexual desire). these 3 only enhance erection and sustain it for a successful sex.

When taken, the man develops a sense of certainty, security, and confidence, which could incidentally increase the desire in both partners.

Indications for use those who could benefit from any of these 3 pDE-5 inhibitors are those who are unable to initiate and maintain erection for a successful intercourse, regardless of age, including those in their 20s, where stress and psychological condition negatively impact their sex life. one does not have to have a full-blown erectile dysfunction to benefit from these pills, since they have been found effective and save since they were introduced almost 20 years ago.

ED Stats Cleveland Clinic reports that 52 percent of men have erectile dysfunction, “affecting 40 percent of men age 40, and 70 percent of men age 70.” Men who are on high blood pressure pills, betablockers, etc., have an increased risk of developing ED. Urology Care Foundation says 30 million of american males have occasional (mild to moderate) problem getting or keeping an erection.

Similarities these three drugs for ED belong to one class of medication and have similar pharmacologic action: pDE-5 inhibitors. all three react with nitrates (heart medications that opens up arteries), which could cause drop in blood pressure and shock, even death. those on nitrates MUst not take any of these drug for ED. these three are in oral form and there is no generic version of this ED drug yet, and is taken about 30 before anticipated sex. any of these 3 needs medical consultation prior to use to rule out any

contraindication and danger, since each individual reacts differently to medications. a prescription is needed to purchase pills for ED. they all cost about the same. their safety records are also similar.

Differences While their action, use, and efficacy are basically the same, there are difference among these three pills for ED. Viagra and levitra stay in the blood stream for about 4-6 hours; Cialis, 17-18 hours, longer lasting. other differences are in their side-effects.

Side-effects the following side-effects are common among all three: stuffy nose, headache, upset stomach, priapism (erection, painful, that persists), sudden cardiac arrest, death (which are very rare). the differences: temporary change in vision and flushing are more in Viagra and levitra. Backpain and muscle aches are more with Cialis. alcoholic beverage reacts more with Cialis, leading to dizziness, less with Viagra and levitra. But, as shakespeare wrote: “alcohol increases the desire but diminishes the performance.”

Warning any of these three drugs for ED dangerously reacts with nitrates, medications that dilate (open up) coronary arteries used in the management of coronary heart disease. a person on a nitrate medication (like nitroglycerin, isordil, imdur, peritrate, nitrostat, nitroderm, nitrolingual, nitrobid, etc.) must NEVEr take any of these three pills for ED, because the combination will lead to severe drop in blood pressure, shock, and possibly death. Consult your physician if erection does not subside in 4 hours, a condition called priapism, where the penis is so engorged causing pain, one that needs urgent medical care.

Deaths the reported deaths associated with the use of any of these three pills for ED were suspected to be due to the inadvertent concomitant use of nitrates. New studies have shown that these pDE-5 inhibitors could also increase platelet clumping in diseased coronary arteries causing blood clots, and heart attack in some individuals. “it’s reassuring that ... in general, for most patients, even those with existing coronary [heart] disease ... resuming sexual activity is very unlikely to trigger a [coronary] event,” according to Murray a. Mittleman, MD, researcher and cardiologist at Beth israel DeaconPAGE D5

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Marketplace & ShowrooM

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ToyoTa i-TRiL concepT caR

A vision for urban mobility in 2030

New homes of Park Place at Ontario Ranch feature lightning-fast gigabit fiber-optic internet!

OntariO, Ca —the future is now at Park Place in Ontario ranch thanks to the cutting-edge fiber-optic technology built into every new home bringing up to a gigabit internet speed and making buffering a thing of the past. at this new home master-planned community by Lewis Community Developers and Stratham Communities, residents will enjoy ultra-high-bandwidth data services no matter how many devices are connected, making it possible to stream multiple HD movies simultaneously while still enjoying quick uploads and downloads. new homeowners will take advantage of this blazingly fast internet service at the envy of others in the area. Park Place presents 6 distinctive new-home neighborhoods from KB Home, tri Pointe Homes and Woodside Homes. Extending from approximately 1,656 to 3,984 square feet, this dynamic collection of residential designs offers three to six bedrooms and two-and-one-half to five-and-one-half bathrooms plus spacious two- and three-car garages, making them ideal for growing or multi-generational families. Prices begin in the low $400,000s. Call (888) 855-6249 for more information or visit www. parkplaceontario.com.

Besides lightning-fast internet speeds that are ten to twenty times faster than regular high-speed internet, Park Place offers many other top-tier amenities. all residents will enjoy the Parkhouse, a world-class

14,500-square-foot central community clubhouse that features a resort-caliber swimming pool, fully equipped fitness and business centers, Wi-Fi, multiple game rooms, a library and state-of-the-art movie theater with club seating. a masterfully appointed catering kitchen and adjoining multipurpose room are ideal for hosting special celebrations in style. three acres of beautiful grounds surround the Parkhouse and are home to tennis courts, a creative play area and a dog park. Picnics with friends, family and neighbors are a delight at the adjoining Celebration Park, where kids and adults alike will enjoy outdoor ply, relaxation and socializing.

Plans at Park Place include a future elementary school within walking distance of each neighborhood. not only is Park Place served by an award-winning school district, but it is located near many universities and higher-education institutions, including azusa Pacific University, Cal Poly Pomona, Chaffey College, Mt. San antonio College, Platt College, riverside Community College, the art institute of California, University of California riverside, Western University of Health Sciences, Westwood College and the highly-acclaimed Claremont Colleges, one of which is among the nation’s top ten.

Park Place is located within the greater community of Ontario ranch which will span 8,200 acres and is planned to offer modern

amenities and abundant recreation, including the sprawling Chaffey Park. Proposed plans include retail and business space, along with nearly 1,000 acres dedicated to public open space, parks and schools.

Directions to Park Place: if traveling the 15 freeway, exit on Limonite avenue and head west. Proceed on Limonite avenue for approximately 2.5 miles and turn right at archibald avenue. travel approximately 0.5 of a mile on archibald avenue and turn right at Merrill avenue.

Continue on Merrill avenue for approximately 0.25 of a mile, where the Parkhouse sales center is located on the left. if traveling the 60 Freeway, exit on archibald avenue and head south. Proceed on archibald avenue for approximately 3.25 miles and turn left at Merrill avenue. Continue on Merrill avenue for approximately 0.25 of a mile, where the Parkhouse sales center is located on the left.

Park Place at Ontario ranch reflects the vision and experience of Lewis Community Developers and Stratham Communities. Park Place is a true collaborative effort between award-winning homebuilders KB Home, tri Pointe Homes and Woodside Homes.

We understand the wants and needs of today’s families because we have families of our own. We designed and built a community that we would live in.

(Advertising Supplement)

DEvELOPED by toyota Motors Europe (tME) in collaboration with the company’s ED² design studio in nice, the new i-triL Concept showcases numerous innovative aspects of toyota’s research into ever better and more engaging environmentally- friendly mobility solutions.

Making its world debut at the 2017 Geneva motor show, and featuring active Lean technology, the new i-triL concept represents a viable alternative to a and B segment cars, other electric vehicle (Ev) products, public transport and motorcycles.

Heralding a change in mindset for motorists, the i-triL is designed to be more than a mere commodity. Driven by akio toyoda’s commitment to bring passion and driving pleasure to all future toyota vehicles, it embraces the company’s Waku Doki (a Japanese term translating as ‘Beat of the Heart’) philosophy to demonstrate that future Evs can still stimulate the senses and set the pulse racing. a different type of transport for those who still wish to have fun whilst driving even at slow speeds in the urban environment, it represents all the best elements of future mobility beyond mere eco-friendliness. the i-triL has been developed with a new type of customer in mind: a sophisticated, single, 3050 year old active female with two children and a vibrant lifestyle. and she lives in a SMEStO (Small to Medium Sized town)…

European Union studies on the future of cities have suggested that, rather than further expansion of already vast metropolitan areas such as London and Paris, the continent will witness a steady increase in growth of built-up areas adjacent to existing cities, in the manner of medium-density suburban pockets of development. toyota’s research with SMEStO-dwelling target customers identified an active mother often

torn between “Me time” and spending time with her children “Kids Happy”; increasingly confident in her behavior, she refuses to be a slave to those children. the new i-triL Concept embraces and merges this apparent conflict of loyalties through three functions: active Lean technology; “relaxed Engagement”; and the unique One-plus-two seating layout of the vehicle.

With the front wheels and fenders clearly separated from the main bodyshell to facilitate the leaning of both the former and the latter, the cabin consists of a smooth, dark, cocoon-like central mass with no belt-line or door handles. this is visually overlaid with a surface wrapping which undergoes a seamless transition between the body color it shares with the front wheel arches and the transparent cockpit glazing, whilst emphasizing the powerful forward movement inherent in the i-triL’s silhouette. the butterfly-opening doors are hinged on the sloping a pillars to maximize the opening area and ease of cabin entry to even the rear seat passengers, whilst requiring no more opening room within a car parking space than conventional doors. the robustness of the vehicle

architecture and the added width of the rear cabin to accommodate a two-seat bench are reinforced from behind by the full-width combination lamp design above a clearly separate rear axle structure that incorporates the electric motor drive system.

Using their previous experience with active Lean technology, toyota’s engineers discovered that a lean angle of 10 degrees proves perfect in combining enhanced stability and grip, greater fun and driving pleasure, and less risk of passengers suffering from car sickness. allied to 25 degrees of front wheel steering, this technology equips the i-triL with a turning circle of just 4 meters (similar to that of the toyota iQ), making it not only highly engaging to drive at even modest speeds, but also very much at home in even the most congested urban environment. aspiring an actual driving range of more than 200 kilometers between charges, the new toyota concept is capable of operating autonomously, but has been specifically conceived to provide such driving pleasure that owners will wish to drive themselves for the majority of the time. (ManilaTimes.net)

The three sex pills

PAGE D4 ess Medical Center in Boston. all evidence-based clinical information around the world today show that these three PDE-5 inhibitors are efficacious and safe, when used according to standard medical recommendation and un-

der the supervision of an attending Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the physician. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in

Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

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