LA Weekend Edition -- November 07 -- 10, 2015

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November 7-10, 2015

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

Volume 25 - No. 87 • 4 Sections – 36 Pages

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NBI: ‘Laglag bala’ scam targets gullible OFWs, elderly NAIA syndicate confirmed questioning their travel papers, the Inquirer has learned.

Initial findings by agents of the AN extortion syndicate preying National Bureau of Investigation mainly on the elderly and over- reveal that some porters identify seas filipino workers (ofWs) and potential victims of the “taniminvolving personnel from various bala” (bullet-planting) scam and state agencies, not only plants accomplices in the security and bullets in bags of airline passen- immigration services take over gers but also harasses them by from them inside the four terby NaNcy

c. carvajal Inquirer.net

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Obama rejects construction of Keystone XL pipeline PresIDeNt Barack obama rejected the contentious Keystone XL pipeline project on friday, Nov. 6, saying it would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to America’s economy, lower gas prices, or enhance the nation’s energy security. obama’s decision denies transCanada Corp. a cross-border permit for the pipeline, which would have spanned 1,179 miles across six states. Keystone XL would have carried

BULLET PROOF. Stickers bearing “Stop Tanim Bala” warnings are handed out to passengers entering the NAIA Terminal 2, in Pasay City, by militant group Migrante to discourage anyone from planting bullets in their baggages.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

by agNes

by allysoN

coNstaNte

escoBar

AJPress

AJPress

PhILIPPINe militants from Us-listed terrorist group Abu sayyaf are demanding more than $60 million for the release of three foreigners who were kidnapped in the southern region of the country in september, according to a new video of the hostages. the video, released tuesday, Nov. 3, by Us-based jihadist monitor sIte, is the first time the militants associated themselves with a group. In a video released last month, militants demanded that military offensives come to an end, but did not identify themselves. the recent video shows militants demanding P1 bil-

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tWo years after super typhoon haiyan devastated the Philippines, killing thousands and leaving destroyed homes and separated families in its wake, the country is still left picking up the pieces. though rebuilding programs and global relief efforts have made real, lasting impacts, it is estimated that at least one million survivors are still left home-

less, according to an Inquirer report. the typhoon, referred to as Yolanda in the Philippines, killed over 7,350 people when it struck the eastern Visayas region on November 8, 2013, causing catastrophic damage throughout the central islands of Leyte, samar, and Biliran. the major coastal city of tacloban was nearly completely destroyed by the strong winds (high record of 315 kilometers, or 196 miles, an hour at landfall)

and massive waves. today, the city’s streets, restaurants and retail shops are bustling again.

“It is an amazing feeling to be getting help from so many people, countries, different NGos, non-profits, and international volunteers,” said Cristina romualdez, the wife of tacloban mayor Alfred romualdez, at a Cerritos press conference/fundraising event earlier this year. “We are getting our homes and our livelihood back. slowly but surely, we

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Grace thanks Bongbong, 1M Filipinos lost P25B but says DNA won’t match to investment scams

Behind the ‘model minority’ myth: the Asian disadvantage

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Abu Sayyaf demands $21 million for each of 3 kidnapped foreigners 2 years later, PH slowly rebuilding after Haiyan

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WIth stereotypes like “the model minority” and the “most successful race,” Asian Americans are facing increasing pressure in society. studies show Asian Americans are the most educated race, with over half (51.5 percent) possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to just 30 percent of the overall Us population, CNN money reported.

Asian Americans also earn much more than the general populace: $74,105 in median in-

minals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). the activities of the syndicate came to light last month when Gloria ortinez, 56, a domestic helper in hong Kong for 26 years, was arrested, detained and charged with carrying bullets in her luggage, despite her tearful

by BeBot

sisoN jr.

Philstar.com

Sen. Grace Poe

sUBIC BAY freePort – Presidential candidate sen. Grace Poe on friday, Nov. 6 thanked sen. ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. for his willingness to undergo a DNA test to help her find her biological relatives, but expressed belief their DNAs would not match.

“I am thanking sen. Bongbong, but I think he just wants to help me,” Poe told reporters in a

visit here as part of her nationwide tour.

“I’m sure he knows if it happens, it will not match,” she added.

Poe, a foundling adopted by actor fernando Poe Jr. and actress susan roces, is facing disqualification cases over questions on her nationality. Under the omnibus election Code, only natural-born filipinos may run for public office. there is a rumor that Poe

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by Doris

Dumlao Inquirer.net

oNe in every 100 filipinos has fallen prey to various investment scams that lure people with hefty returns in a short period of time, wiping out more than P25 billion worth of hard-earned money to date.

Lalaine monserate, assistant director in charge of investigations and prosecution at the securities and exchange Commission (seC), said in a briefing yesterday that the most prevalent scams were done through the “Ponzi” and “pyramiding” schemes.

Based on conservative estimates, she said as many as one million filipinos have been victimized by investment scams. this estimate based on reports

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A NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

NBI: ‘Laglag bala’ scam targets…

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denials. Her plight was caught by TV news cameras and went viral on social media.

Amid widespread outrage and concern among domestic and international travelers, the NBI began its investigation on orders of Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguiao to “act with dispatch” and report

within 15 days, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Narrating the activities of the extortion ring, the NBI source, who spoke to the Inquirer on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the media, said: “Each unit has an assigned task and roles, its members are recruited by longtime workers in

the four airport terminals.”

“Apart from the now very known bullet-planting extortion, the racket also covers supposed questionable documents and purpose of travel of the passenger,” he said.

“The syndicate is composed of various airport workers such as immigration personnel, airport police, X-ray scanners, baggage inspectors and porters, the source said.

Usual targets “The usual targets are OFWs who are easily duped and the elderly who easily get nervous,” he said. “The group had a profile of their victims who they see as gullible and could easily be bullied.”

The source explained that in the case of tanim-bala, X-ray scanners and baggage inspectors under the Department of Transportation and Communications-Office for Transportation Security (DOTC-OTS) have no police powers and are not

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ABAC REPORT. President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) report as presented by the business leaders from the private sector in a courtesy call on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Presidents Hall. The ABAC leaders include Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Food Corp., Doris Magsaysay Ho of magsaysay Inc., and Guillermo Luz of National Competitiveness Council. The ABAC report notes priorities and concerns of the private business sectors for inclusion in the APEC meetings this November in Manila.

Malacañang photo by Gil Nartea

Abu Sayyaf…

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lion ($21 million) for each of the three foreign hostages, who are shown sitting with more than a dozen heavily armed militants standing behind them. In the video, the captives ask the public to take Abu Sayyaf seriously.

“These people are serious and very treacherous. Take them seriously. Help us get out of here,” said Canadian captive Robert Hall.

The two other foreign hostages are John Ridsdel (Canadian) and Kjartan Sekkingstad (Norwegian). A Filipina, Marites Flor, is also being held captive.

“Please, please take this group and their demands seriously, because they are dangerous...”

Sekkingstad said.

Ridsdel called on the Canadian prime minister and people of Canada to provide the ransom demand “as soon as possible or our lives are in great danger.”

Flor did not speak in the video.

A militant concluded the video saying the hostages would be killed if the ransoms were not paid, though no deadline was

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From the Front page

Grace thanks Bongbong, but says DNA…

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could be a daughter of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. with actress Rosemarie Sonora, the sister of Roces..

Poe underwent a DNA test to prove that she is a natural-born Filipino, following the disqualification case filed against her before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET). But she has admitted the results of the DNA tests conducted on two of her supposed relatives were negative.

In a forum at the Bataan Peninsula State University, Poe said she is not giving up the fight against detractors who want her to be disqualified from the presidential race.

She said she has to remain strong not just for foundlings like her, but also for the 20 million people who voted for her in 2013. She lamented that other foundlings would become second class citizens in case she gets an unfavorable ruling from the SET. She reiterated that her defense does not rely on the DNA tests

alone but on international treaties stating that foundlings retain the citizenship of the country where they were found.

But Poe also said she is ready to return to private life if the SET rules against her.

“My prayer is for the magistrates to be fair,” she added.

In a press conference yesterday in Subic Bay Freeport, Poe was also asked to comment on criticism that she is still raw for the presidency.

“Being new is not a weakness,” Poe said, adding that voters just got used to electing people with old ideas.

She also compared her presidential bid to new and old cars.

“What would you rather drive, the old ones that still run but you are not sure if it will give you problems, or the new one that you are certain will give you a smooth ride?”

Her running mate, vice presidential aspirant Sen. Francis Escudero, said that President Aquino was also a newbie in the 2010 presidential race but this

was never an issue.

“Aquino only served as a senator for three years and nobody raised a question. Why should this be an issue now?” he said.

Poe was also asked what she intends to do with the country’s Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States if she is elected president.

She said “we need cooperation for defense, but we also need to provide safeguards for abuses and criminal offenses.”

She added that the issue is now with the Supreme Court and it is the tribunal that will decide on the fate of EDCA. Poe also said among her priorities are protection of children’s rights and welfare, poverty reduction and improvement of infrastructure.

Her administration will also prioritize education and will implement a training-and-jobmatching program, so graduates will find jobs suited to their education. (With report from Christina Mendez)

1M Filipinos lost P25B to investment…

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reaching the SEC rather than the actual number of complainants was equivalent to about 1 percent of the Philippine population.

“I can’t really explain to you how it feels to be a victim of a scam. Ordinary people—farmers, retired government employees, retired janitors—coming to you and telling you ‘my retirement pay has been invested in a supposedly legitimate business company but it turned out that the company is a fly-by-night corporation and the money is all taken by the scammer,’” Monserate said in a forum held by Sun Life of Canada, which launched an anti-scam campaign.

Unfortunately, she said there was a rising trend among young

people victimizing the older citizens under the guise of being newly minted millionaires. Victims come from A, B or C income segments, including the welleducated.

She also warned against techsavvy scammers increasingly using the Internet and social media to lure yield-seeking investors who were sometimes “too trusting” that they would give their money even without face-to-face interaction. “The Internet and social media have become a nightmare for us,” she said.

Two of the biggest scams in the Philippines involved Performance Investments Products Corp. (PIPC) and Aman Futures Group, each of which had siphoned off about P12 bil-

lion in investments. There have been no court convictions yet of fraudulent acts in the country but Monserate noted that there were ongoing hearings such as in the case of Rosario “Rose” Baladjay of the Multinational Telecom scam.

In the case of Cesar delos Angeles of the Legacy group, touted as the “Bernie Madoff of the Philippines” but who passed away without any conviction, she said the civil cases could still continue but noted that very little assets have remained to cover the victims.

In the case of a Ponzi scam, she said this was an investment fraud which promised high financial returns or dividends equivalent to 6-29 percent a month. n

mal” as global warming worsens.

“I cry almost every night. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, how are we going to survive,” Esilba Bascal, 59, who lost her son and home in the 2013 disaster, told AgenceFrance Presse (AFP). Bascal lives in a makeshift dwelling just outside Tacloban with her husband, widowed daughter-in-law, and six grandchildren.

“We were poor, but now we’re poorer. Life is hard but I have to be strong for my grandchildren,” said Bascal, who earns about 20 pesos (50 cents) a day selling daily goods from her home.

President Benigno Aquino III launched a 150-billion-peso ($3.2 billion) reconstruction for disaster zones, which has been praised by the United Nations

2 years later, PH slowly rebuilding after…

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are rebuilding our city.”

However, on the urban outskirts and elsewhere, many are still living in deep poverty, living in fragile-built homes that make them extremely vulnerable to future storms.

The Philippines averages 20 storms and typhoons each year, and scientists have warned that they “could become the new nor-

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A NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

From the Front page

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Behind the ‘model minority’ myth: The…

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ENDANGERED. Lumads who came to Manila to ask government to stop the harassment of their communities in Mindanao plant a tree at UP Diliman in Quezon City. The condition of the IPs in Mindanao has reached a point that even the National Commission on Indigenous People’s (NCIP) could not adequately address it on its own authority.

Inquirer.net photo by Ryan Leagogo

Abu Sayyaf demands $21 million for…

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provided.

The Philippine government has repeatedly stated it holds a no-ransom policy, and military commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said his troops would not stop working to ensure the hostages are freed in the safest means possible.

However, parties linked to captives typically pay, Rappler reported. In October 2014, for instance, the group said it received P250 million ($5.3 million) in exchange for the release of two German hostages they held for

six months. Security analysts backed the claim, saying a large ransom was paid, according to Rappler.

Philippine authorities have said they are unaware of the location of the hostages. However, security analysts say they are likely on Jolo island, the Abu Sayyaf’s stronghold about 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) south of Manila, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The group is known to be holding another three foreigners in the Sulu islands region in Mindanao, according to the military:

two Malaysian nationals and one Dutch man.

On Saturday, Oct. 31, an elderly South Korean man who was kidnapped 10 months ago and held

by Abu Sayyaf was found dead in Sulu, the Associated Press (AP) reported. He appeared to have died due to an unspecified illness while held captive in the jungle.

His death has sparked concerns regarding the health of the current hostages.

Philippine troops launched assaults after the death of the South Korean national, resulting in the

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come versus $53,657, according to the US Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey.

However, numbers only tell half of the story.

“When you dig a little bit, it shows that we are not all doing well as society, the government and other institutions would lead you to believe,” said Christopher Kang, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). “We do have a very diverse population and very diverse needs.”

Last month, columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote an op-ed in The New York Times entitled “The Asian Advantage,” where he talks about the general success of the Asian American community.

“It’s no secret that Asian Americans are disproportionately stars in American schools, and even in American society as a whole,” Kristof wrote. “Census data show that Americans of Asian heritage earn more than other groups, including whites.

Asian Americans also have higher educational attainment than any other group.”

Kristof argued the “Asian advantage” as how their intellectual stardom is “harnessed,” citing a study by University of Michigan professor and psychologist Richard E. Nisbett. “I’m pretty sure that one factor is East Asia’s long Confucian emphasis on education,” he said.

He also cited familial ties as important to Asian Americans’

success, saying that strong, two- Cambodian Americans, and 28.4 parent families contribute to eco- percent of Vietnamese Amerinomic and educational status. cans have obtained a bachelor’s The interaction of social stereo- degree or higher.

Groups with higher levels of types and personal self-confidence also play a role in “Asian education include Indian Americans (72.5 percent), over half of scholastic success.”

“Why should the success of Chinese Americans, and Korean the children of Asian doctors, Americans. A little less than half nurtured by teachers, be reas- of Filipinos (48.1 percent) were suring to a black boy in Balti- also counted for, according to a more who is raised by a strug- Census study from 2012.

Another often-ignored issue gling single mom, whom society regards as a potential menace?” Kang points out is national povKristof asked. “Disadvantage erty.

“AAPIs are one of the fastestand marginalization are complex, often deeply rooted in so- growing populations in poverty cial structures and unconscious since the Great Recession. Acbiases, sometimes compounded cording to [a July 2014 report by hopelessness and self-de- from] the Center for American structive behaviors, and be- Progress, from 2007 to 2011, the cause one group can access the number of Asian Americans in American dream does not mean poverty increased by 37 percent and Pacific Islanders by 60 perthat all groups can.”

Speaking for the NCAPA, Kang cent— compared to the national penned a response on Medium. increase of only 27 percent. And com, saying the “Asian Advan- while Asian Americans’ median tage is a myth, plain and sim- household income may be higher than whites, the rate of senior ple.”

Asking why Asian Americans poverty is 13.5 percent for Asian are so successful in America is Americans and 12.1 percent for not just an awkward question, Native Hawaiians and other Pait is “uninformed,” “perpetuates cific Islanders, compared to only stereotypes,” and “divides Asian 7.8 percent for whites,” he conAmericans and Pacific Islanders tinued.

Overall, the poverty rate for (AAPIs) from the broader racial justice movement,” Kang wrote. Asian Americans now is at 12.5 He also referenced low lev- percent, well below the national 1/16 pageattainment HORIZONTAL rate of 15.5 percent. els of educational Among the different ethniciamong groups like the Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong ties, the rates vary significantly.

3.87”W and 3.75”H communities. US Census data Chinese Americans are at a 15.8 shows that just 15.3 percent of percent poverty level, while the Hmong Americans, 18 percent of u PAGE A5

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Behind the ‘model minority’ myth: The…

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Indians’ rate is 7.3 percent. The poverty rate for Filipino Americans is at roughly 5 percent, according to the Census Bureau, although that number is expectedly higher.

“There are still garment workers, and the people who give you your foot massage in Chinatown, there are still low-wage workers, said Sylvia Chong, director of the Asian Pacific American Studies minor program at the University of Virginia. “People don’t see that. That’s an economic underclass.”

High household incomes among Asian Americans can also be explained by “the fact that some live in multi-generational homes with more than one person earning an income,” said Jennifer Lee, a sociology professor at the University of California at Irvine, and co-author of the book “The Asian-American Achievement Paradox.” “You have parents, grandparents, an aunt, some children.”

“Kristof’s focus on the ‘Confucian emphasis on education’ is concerning,” she continued.

“The underlying tenet is that if groups adopt ‘the right’ cultural values and behaviors, they too can succeed. This argument ignores a host of legal and institutional factors that help some groups get ahead more easily than others.”

“These assumptions often fuel stereotypes of Asian Americans like the ‘model minority’ concept, which assumes that there must be something intrinsic about Chinese culture or Asian culture that are producing these outcomes.

They don’t understand how status and educational attainment is reproduced from one generation to the next.”

Asian Americans who don’t fit the mold of the “model minority”, according to US standards--perfect, high-achieving, hard-working, and brilliant at the maths and sciences--can “face devastating consequences,” Lee added. “They feel like ethnic outliers and they feel like failures if they don’t live up to the standards.”

Many groups within the larger Asian community often go unnoticed or harshly ignored, such as undocumented immigrants living in US borders.

“I feel like there is a lot of stigma, especially in or own Filipino community, that we don’t seek out the help from others that we should. There aren’t many [Asian Americans] that apply [for deferred action], many who are still living in fear,” said Madeleine Villanueva, 22, an openly undocumented Filipina student at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Overall, the Asian experience of being undocumented is different; you don’t think ‘undocumented’ when you see an Asian American person. You think ‘model minority’.”

“Although there has been progress in the last couple of years, there is still a lot of moving forward that needs to be done,” Villaneuva continued.

As for representation, Kang reminded readers of the very real problems faced by the broader Asian American community, citing an infographic by the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP).

Although 18.5 million AAPIs live in the US (about 6 percent of the total population), AAPIs represent just 2.6 percent of corporate board leaders, 2 percent of executive officers in Fortune 500 companies, and zero percent of executive directorships and

CEOs at the top 100 nonprofits and foundations. At least 77.2 percent of Fortune 500 companies have zero AAPI representation on their boards, according to LEAP. “By promoting the model minority myth and the positive stereotype that AAPIs have been ‘so successful’ and ‘disproportionately stars,’ [Kristof] creates burdens on our entire community,” Kang said, “masking the real needs within our community and brushing away the discrimination and bamboo ceiling that we continue to confront.” (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

SUSPECT. Taxi driver Ricky Milagrosa appeared before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to deny his alleged involvement in the “laglag-bala” scheme. Milagrosa was summoned by the LTFRB to answer allegations of his involvement in the “laglag-bala” scheme following a Facebook report of a certain Julius Habana that he slipped a bullet inside the bag of his unnamed friend.

LTFRB photo

Abu Sayyaf demands $21…

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authorities pledged to bolster killing of at least two Abu Sayyaf security in the south. But three militants in Sulu, the military weeks after the incident, a forsaid, according to the AP. mer Italian Catholic missionary Following the kidnapping of was abducted from his pizza resthe two Canadians and Norwe- taurant in the Zamboanga Sibugian man on Sept. 21, Philippine gay province. n

SEAFOOD CITY 1

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Garcetti announces initial endorsement of Clinton ‘in error’ but stands by backing

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Thursday, Nov. 5.

“I’m proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president because I know that she understands the challenges and opportunities facing our cities and will be a powerful leader in building our future,” Garcetti said in an initial endorsement.

But shortly after his announcement came a one-line news release stating that the statement was sent in error.

The original release came from Garcetti’s press office, which BELENISIMO SA TARLAC. Children dressed as angels perform during the opening of the ‘Belenismo sa Tarlac,’ a province-wide competition is a violation of city ethics rules on the art of making a Nativity scene known locally as the ‘belen’ at Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac. that govern campaign endorseManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan ments. It is against both city and state law to use government staff equipment and time for campaign press releases, including “Today’s approval of a fixed uated through four clinical tri- endorsements.

by Agnes ConstAnte At a Thursday afternoon event dose combination containing a als involving 3,171 participants.

AJPress new form of tenofovir provides Individuals were randomly as- in Westwood, Garcetti said the THE Food and Drug Adminis- another effective, once daily signed to take either Genvoya or announcement shouldn’t have tration (FDA) on Thursday, Nov. complete regimen for patients another FDA-approved HIV treat- happened and called it a “boo5, approved a new drug to treat with HIV-1 infection,” Edward ment. Results indicated that the boo,” according to Los Angeles HIV in patients 12 years of age Cox, director of the Office of new drug effectively decreased Daily News.

Bill Carrick, Garcetti’s 2017 and older.

Antimicrobial Products in the viral loads and was comparable The drug, Genvoya, is a fixed- FDA’s Center for Drug Evalu- to other treatment options. dose combination tablet that ation and Research, said in a An estimated 1.2 million peotreats HIV-1 in adults and pedi- statement. ple aged 13 and older have HIV, atric patients weighing at least The new form of tenofovir in according to the Centers for Dis77 pounds, who have never pre- Genvoya has not been previ- ease Control, while an additional viously taken HIV therapy and ously approved. It provides lower 150,000 people in the same age HIV-infected adults whose HIV- levels of tenofovir on the blood- range are infected with the virus SAN FRANCISCO – Fili1 virus is currently suppressed. stream, but higher levels within but are unaware of it.

Genvoya contains elvitegravir, cells where HIV-1 replicates, acGenvoya is not recommended pino American Olympic diving cobicistat, emtricitabine and te- cording to an FDA release. for patients with severe kidney gold medalist Victoria Manalo Draves may soon join the ranks nofovir alafenamide.

The safety of the drug was eval- impairment. n sports legends in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Draves was nominated to the Hall of Fame whose roster inwould be subjected to forensic an investigation on all incidents cludes Joe DiMaggio, Willie PAGE A2 t authorized by law to make an ar- tests, including fingerprints to of the tanim-bala scam at Mays, Bill Russell, Juan MarNaia to similarly undertake ichal, Frank Robinson, Rosie rest and need the Philippine Na- determine its origin.

Stories of victims of harass- a case buildup on the possible Casals, Joe Montana and Billie tional Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) to step ment of departing passengers, criminal and/or administrative Jean King. in, make the arrest and file the mostly unaccompanied, center liabilities of all individuals and The Bay Area Sports Hall of on their alleged lack of proof of agencies involved, whether pub- Fame committee will determine appropriate charges. lic or private,” according to a if Draves merits inclusion on the “OTS personnel or X-ray scan- sufficient reason to travel.

“They will ask for documents, department order that Caguioa ballot that goes out to 60-80 reners as well as baggage inspectors cannot make an arrest,” he such as letters of invitations, just signed on Monday and released porters and sports writers in the said. “An airport police should to delay the passenger and im- Wednesday.

Bay Area in December. The new The NBI agents assigned to inductee class will be announced be summoned to make a believ- press on the unsuspecting victim that she or he had been profiled. the task force are Manuel An- in January 2016. able scam.”

While the role of the porter is Most of the victims were seafar- tonio Eduarte, chief; Manuel Recognized in the 1948 edi“to spot a target and sometimes ers who usually carry money and Fayre Jr., executive officer; Den- tion of Life Magazine as one a planter of supposed evidence almost always have various des- nis Asistio, team leader; Joselito of the top athletes at the 1948 whichever is convenient for tinations. They will ask for a visa Guillen, assistant team leader; Olympics, Draves achieved possible airport violations,” the despite the explanation of some and Aubren Cosidon, Rodelio fame internationally as the first seafarers that visa will be issued Velez and Marvin Villena, mem- woman in Olympic history to source said.

NBI agents are looking at re- by their employer in the next bers. win gold medals in both springCaguioa ordered the task board and platform diving comcords as far as several years ago destination,” the source said.

According to the source, force to coordinate with “all rel- petitions. to determine and identify memsometimes the intention was evant government agencies” to bers of the syndicate.

Born in San Francisco to an “They are now cross-referenc- simply just to delay the passen- accomplish their job.

English immigrant mother and a At least two alleged victims of ing the incident report and air- ger, especially those who were tanim-bala have sought the help port workers on duty and even rushing to board their flights.

“These airport workers will ac- of the NBI: American missionary those who are in the immediate vicinity of the area and make cept anything from the harassed Lane Michael White and Maria them explain their presence,” passengers who sometimes Paz Triaz.

PAGE A3 t Lane, who was detained after for its efficiency in some key secwere even grateful to be allowed the source said. arriving from the United States, tors. to leave,” the source said.

100 bullets seized was charged with illegal posNBI task force The source said that based on Roughly 60 percent of that The justice department session of ammunition but was money was spent on roads, the records furnished by airport officials, close to 100 rounds of spokesperson, Emmanuel Capa- freed on bail. Triaz was allowed bridges, and schools, according ammunitions of various calibers ras, told reporters Wednesday to leave for Singapore after to Economic Planning Secretary had been seized by OTS person- that an NBI special task force signing a waiver stating that Arsenio Balisacan, who spearhad been formed to look into the the bullet found in her bag was heads the recovery program. nel since January of this year. an amulet. (With a report from Money has also been used for The source added that seized airport scams.

The task force will “undertak e Jerome Aning) evidence like bullets and slugs start-up capital for survivors of

FDA approves new drug to treat HIV

re-election campaign consultant, told the Los Angeles Times that the mayor’s staff followed the initial announcement with the “error” email after realizing that it was an inappropriate use of city resources. Still, Carrick said the endorsement stands and would be re-sent with a non-governmental email account.

“They obviously know that was a no-no,” Carrick said, according to the Times.

City rules dictate that penalties of $5,000 per count may be assessed for violations, but whether Garcetti will be subject to fines for his action has yet to be determined.

Garcetti’s endorsement comes a week after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his support for Clinton. Last week, her campaign announced she has received endorsements from more than 80 mayors around the country.

“Like Mayors across the country, I am working hard to bring shared prosperity to every corner of our city. And in Hillary Clinton, Mayors will have a parter – someone who is ready to stand up for our mainstream economy, and the people who need help

the most,” Garcetti said.

While the mayor’s support of the Democratic presidential frontrunner was expected, his announcement represents a new development in his relationship with the Clintons, as both parties have not always backed the other.

In the 2008 presidential elections, he gave his support to Barack Obama, who was a senator from Illinois at the time. Then in 2013, former president Bill Clinton endorsed Garcetti’s opponent, Wendy Greuel, in the Los Angeles mayoral race.

Garcetti said he had met with Clinton privately on Thursday at a fundraiser she held in Hancock Park, the Daily News reported.

“She asked me a lot about L.A., our economy, immigration and some of the work in the city that we’re doing on immigrant rights,” he said, according to the Daily News. “We talked a little about tech jobs and the environment.”

“I look forward to working with my fellow Angelenos and across the nation to assure that Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States,” Garcetti said. n

Fil-Am ’48 Olympics diving champ nominated to sports hall of fame

NBI: ‘Laglag bala’ scam targets…

Inquirer.net photo

Filipino father, Draves faced discrimination when the San Francisco’s Nob Hill diving club required that she drop her father’s Filipino name, Manalo, and take her mother’s maiden name, Taylor, in order to be acceptable to the organization.

Draves persevered and

claimed gold medals in the 3meter springboard and the 10meter platform competitions at the 1948 Olympics. Her performance continues to serve as an inspiration for all athletes interested in competition regardless of race, creed or national origin.

(Inquirer.net)

2 years later, PH slowly rebuilding after…

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the typhoon to start small businesses and buy necessary farming/fishing supplies.

A resilient local private sector, along with millions of dollars of global relief funds, has also been powerful in rebuilding the community.

The Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan has donated to over 90,000 needy families, and helped to rebuild and repair 65,000 homes, classrooms, and farming properties (rice mills, pineapple fiber weavers, artificial reefs, and organic farming).

“The Philippine Red Cross and its Red Cross and Red Crescent movement partners have helped tens of thousands of families get back on their feet by building safer homes, health facilities and classrooms; providing financial support and training to boost people’s livelihoods and ensuring that the health of thousands more is improved through access to better sanitation,” the groups jointly released in a statement.

However, the Philippine government has been widely criticized for “not doing enough” when it comes to helping the over one million survivors it identified as living in vulnerable coastal areas.

Out of 205,128 families living in the path of future tropical storms, only 928 have been trans-

ferred to permanent shelters, according to the government.

The government is aiming to relocate nearly 100,000 families to safer areas by next year, with the project to be completed by 2017, said Chito Cruz, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Cruz said one of the reasons it was taking so long to relocate people was because buying safe, new land from private title holders was “extremely difficult.”

Island locals also complain that the proposed resettlement areas are in too-isolated locations far away from the coast, which are the main hubs of the regional economy, and people cannot afford to travel long distances.

“We have accomplished much over the last two years, but there is still a lot that must be done,” Balisacan said in a briefing on the recovery program.

He also stressed that Haiyan had turned cities and towns into “wastelands”, comparing the struggles of the US government after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The slow pace of rehousing is a major issue, involving financial constraints and a lack of opportunities for durable building solutions. Data from the Tacloban city government showed only 283 out of 13,062 units targeted by the

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015

A

US monitoring of South China Sea remains in dispute

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

HER EXCELLENCY Andrea Reichlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to the Philippines, reviews the honor guards during the arrival honors accorded her at the MalacaĂąang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday, Nov. 5.

MalacaĂąang photo by Exequiel Supera

2 years later‌ Obama rejects construction of‌

PAGE A6 t

National Housing Authority had been built by mid-October. “I would like to move to a safer area but I’m still waiting, almost two years later,� 75-year-old Arsenjo Francisco told ABs-CBN News. Francisco had to rebuild his home in Tacloban’s Anibong slum after the storm struck.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said a total of 93.8 billion pesos had been released as of Oct. 23rd, under President Aquino’s masterplan. A further 46.2 billion is proposed for release in 2016, the DBM said. social Watch Philippines president and former national treasurer Leonor Briones said the slow release of the money earmarked

by Aquino had “caused a lot of problems for local authorities...it was hard to establish what exactly the money had been spent on, because there was no breakdown of the total.� still, in the slowly-reviving city of Tacloban, with massive international aid including the efforts of loyal Taclobanos in the Us, the people remain hopeful. “The people’s spirits are being restored from the amazing projects and livelihood programs,� added Mrs. Romualdez. “so many things are happening and are almost back to normal, thanks to all the support worldwide.� n

PAGE A1 t

up to 830,000 barrels of oil from Alberta, Canada to steele City, Neb., where it would have connected with existing pipelines to Gulf Coast refineries.

In an address at the White House announcing his decision, Obama cited the role of the United states in combatting global warming. “America’s now a global leader

when it comes to taking serious action to flight climate change,�

Obama told reporters at the White House. “And frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership.

And that’s the biggest risk we face, not acting. “[Ultimately], if we’re going to prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhos-

u PAGE A8

As tensions over the south China sea escalate, United states Defense secretary Ash Carter said he would visit an American aircraft carrier in the sea on Thursday, Nov. 5. speaking after a regional summit on Wednesday, Nov. 4, Carter said he would fly out to the nuclear-powered Uss Theodore Roosevelt, which “is conducting routine operations while transiting the south China sea,� according to AFP. Carter’s visit could increase discord between Washington and Beijing over China’s claims to virtually the entire sea, and its attempts to reinforce those claims by turning reefs and tiny islets into full-fledged islands through repossession.

The sea has long been viewed as a potential flashpoint, and the Chinese island-building has intensified fears of international conflict.

Runways and other large-scale

development are in the works, making the islands potentially capable of hosting military personnel and hardware.

Last week, the Us Navy challenged China’s sovereignty claims, pressing its right to freedom of navigation by sending the missile destroyer Uss Lassen close (within the 12-nautical mile/22-kilometer territorial limit) to an artificial islet in the spratlys chain, angering China and causing it to send two war ships to shadow the vessel.

The challenge was not designed as a military threat, the head of Us Pacific military forces said, according to Associated Press. “I truly believe that these routine operations should never be construed as a threat to any nation,� said Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr in a statement. “These operations serve to protect the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law.�

China’s Navy chief, Admiral Wu shengli, warned his Us

counterpart that encounters between their forces could spiral into conflict after the Lassen incident, according to Inquirer. shengli’s comments were made in a video call with Us Admiral John Richardson. “If the Us continues to carry out these kinds of dangerous, provocative acts, there could be a serious situation between frontline forces from both sides on the sea and in the air, or even a minor incident that could spark conflict,� Wu told Beijing’s Xinhua news agency. “I hope the Us cherishes the hard-win, good situation between the Chinese and Us Navies, and avoids similar incidents from happening again,� he added.

On Wednesday, Defense secretary Carter attended an Asia-Pacific defense ministers’ meeting in Malaysia, where the Us and China butted heads over whether a final joint statement should mention the south China sea. “We could not reach a consensus on a joint declaration,�

u PAGE A8

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A NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

US monitoring of South China…

PAGE A7 t Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters.

Meanwhile, Carter said he had gone into the summit with “no expectation” there would be an agreement, said AFP. The two nation’s lack of action illustrates “the level of concern that was reflected in the conversation about activities in the South China Sea,” he said, noting that all countries he met with raised the issue.

“It was a persistent topic,” he added. “To me, that says that’s something we all need to pay attention to.”

Pointing fingers, the US and China could not reach an agreement. The US claimed that Southeast Asian defense ministers opposed China’s demand that the South China Sea be left out of any statement.

A US official said the United States felt that “no statement is better than one that avoids the important issue of China’s reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea.” China’s claims over almost the entire waterway are widely disputed by other nations as well.

Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan also have various claims over the controversial islets, some overlapping, although none are as extensive as Beijing’s.

“We urge all claimants to permanently halt land reclamation, stop the construction of new facilities and cease further militarization of disputed maritime features,” Carter said.

An anonymous US official stressed that the USS Roosevelt would be far from any of the reclaimed Chinese “islands” at the time of Secretary Carter’s visit, and the naval ship was not conducting the sort of freedom of navigation cruise performed by the USS Lassen.

“The Teddy Roosevelt’s presence there, and our visit, is a symbol of our commitment to our ‘rebalance’ and the importance of the Asia-Pacific for the United States,” Carter said.

PH wins first round in case against China In July, the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in the Netherlands heard a second round of oral arguments from the Philippines, regarding the disputed territory in the South China Sea. Though official negotiations are ongoing, the tribunal Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the court has jurisdiction over the case, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The maritime ruling was just two days before the USS Lassen warship incident.

“China has on many occasions expounded its position by neither accepting nor participating in the arbitrary procedure unilaterally initiated by the Philippines in breach of the agreement repeatedly confirmed with China as well as the Philippines,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a news conference in Beijing in July, when the second round of UN hearings had taken place.

Philippine officials, however,

Dateline USa

have denied such an agreement, claiming that China has previously agreed to solve conflicts based on international law, according to Inquirer. Among these includes the 1982 United Nations convention allowing coastal states to exclusively take full advantage of resources within 200 nautical miles of waters from their territory.

The Philippines is the first country to challenge China’s nine-dash line territorial claim (first established after WWII by the Chinese Nationalist government) in the region, saying that Beijing violated international maritime laws, damaged coral reefs, and stepped on the rights of other nations.

The case is important “not just to our country but to the entire world, owing to its impact on the application of the rule of law in maritime disputes,” said Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

The overlapping claims involve sovereignty ocean territories, the Paracel and the Spratly island chains. These largely uninhabited, not-yet-explored territories are considered valuable because of the natural resources preserved there.

The Southeast China Sea is also a major shipping route, and home to valuable fishing grounds that supply multiple Southeast nations, said BBC. The Philippines has invoked its geographical proximity to the Spratly Islands, which include the Scarborough Shoal reefs, as the main basis of its claim. The Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China, 500 miles away) is northeast of Luzon and just a little over 100 miles (160 km)

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INMATES’ ARMORY. Assorted firearms and ammunition are among the items authorities seized in dormitories where members of prison gangs stay at New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. Also confiscated were electronic gadgets and even a “musang” (civet cat) in a cage.

Inquirer.net photo by Edwin Bacasmas

from the Philippines.

“The Philippines has specifically requested that the tribunal find that Chinese law enforcement tactics around Scarborough Shoal are in violation of UNCLOS and the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea,” wrote Philippine Star’s Elfren S. Cruz, in an opinion piece.

“A favorable ruling will mean that any ramming and harassment of Filipino fishermen and ships in the Scarborough Shoal will be considered as internationally unlawful. If China continues its harassment, the world will consider their actions illegal.” n

Obama rejects construction of…

PAGE A7 t

pitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we’re going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them and release more dangerous pollution into the sky.”

In his speech, Obama detailed grounds for his rejection, including that Congress could take other routes to create more than 30 times as many jobs per year as the pipeline would, that gas prices have been on a steady decline while the debate on the pipeline was taking place, and that reducing the nation’s dependence on dirty fossil fuels from unstable parts of the world is what has boosted America’s energy security.

Secretary of State John Kerry, in a statement, said Friday’s announcement could not be made only on the number of jobs that would have been created, the fuel that would be delivered to the nation, or the carbon pollution that would be released.

“The United States cannot ask other nations to make tough choices to address climate change if we are unwilling to make them ourselves,” Kerry said.

The president’s announcement, for the meantime, also ends seven years of debate over a project that Obama considered “an overinflated role in our political discourse.”

Supporters of the pipeline said it would generate jobs and secure a supply of oil from a reliable ally, while opponents claimed it would aggravate climate change through the release of copious amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and create pollution hazards along the pipeline’s route, The Washington Post reported.

“This pipeline would neither be a silver bullet for the economy, as was promised by some, nor the express lane to climate disaster proclaimed by others,” Obama said.

Advocates and opponents react Obama’s decision, which he vowed to make before leaving office, precedes the Paris Climate Change Conference on Nov. 30, where world leaders are slated to finalize a global climate pact. It also comes as a victory for environmental groups and a substantial loss for the oil industry.

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thiS Week in RevieW US School shooting at UC Merced A YOUNG man armed with a hunting knife broke into a classroom at the University of California Merced on Wednesday, Nov. 4, stabbing four people before he was shot and killed by campus police. The victims are all alive, but two of them remain in the hospital in recovery, according to reports. Officials identified the shooter as 18-year-old freshman computer science major Faisal Mohammad, from Santa Clara, California. Described as “anti-social,” Mohammad was reportedly kicked out of a study group, officials said, but also had “far greater intentions to do more harm.”

A manifesto discovered in Mohammad’s pocket included a detailed list of his plans for attack, including a “script” to what he would say to the group of students in class who angered him. “As shocking and troubling as the act of violence was, I am thankful that the incident was quickly brought under control by campus police and that the injuries to the victims do not appear to be lifethreatening,” said UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland.

LA County approves 10% pay increase for deputies and firefighters AS approved by county supervisors, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and some others will get a 10% pay increase over the next three years. The agreements mirror previous deals approved for lifeguards, public defender investigators, and supervisors in the sheriff’s and probation departments.

In addition to the 10% raise, the proposed contract that union members are voting on would make Cesar Chavez Day an official holiday, provide up to an additional week of annual vacation every year, and provide opportunities for some temporary workers to obtain full-time jobs. The Service Employees International Union called the pay deal a “breakthrough contract that raises up all of LA County.”

Study: More Americans are rejecting religion A PEW Research Center study says that Americans as a whole are growing less religious; however, those deeply involved with their faith are, on average, just as committed and firm in their beliefs. The study released Nov. 3 also shows that nearly all major religious groups have become generally more accepting of homosexuality, since the first study conducted in 2007. “People who say they have a religion--which is still the vast majority of the population--show no discernible dip in levels of observance,” said Alan Cooperman, director of religion research at Pew. Those surveyed reported small increases in their levels of religious practice, including attending religious services, even praying more often. According to the research, overall belief in God has ticked down by about 3 percentage points in recent years (“about 9 in 10 US adults say they believe in God”), and 77 percent of adults surveyed describe themselves as religiously affiliated.

Teens are more connected than ever A REPORT by Common Sense Media, a non-profit that tracks the usage of teens and technology, shows that two-thirds of America’s youth now carry their own smartphones. The survey also revealed that younger tweens spend almost six hours a day on “entertainment media,” including music or watching videos online, and teens spend about nine hours. “It’s about how you use [technology and social media],” says Common Sense CEO Jim Steyer. “You would think that that’d be a much higher percentage, given how much time they feel that they’re on it. But the truth is, they feel they have to be there because their friends are.”

Royals win the World Series ON the evening of Nov. 1st, the Kansas City Royals rallied from a two-run deficit after eight innings to beat the New York Mets, 7-2, in 12 innings at Citi Field in Game 5, winning their second World Series championship. The series gave FOX a 10.1 rating nationwide (14.7 million viewers), making it the most watched series since 2009, when the New York Yankees were up against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Royals, making their fourth appearance in Major League Baseball’s World Series, lost last season in seven games to the San Francisco Giants. They won their first title in 1985.

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015

Mental illness most common hospitalization cause for Calif. kids

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN. Actor and gun collector Robin Padilla, accompanied by his lawyer, Rudolf Philip Jurado, turns over his rifles to the Philippine National Police at Camp Crame on Friday, Nov. 6. He said Jurado told him the new gun law, Republic Act 10951, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, affects him. Padilla surrendered the rifles, which he collected from the movies he made, “to show I follow the law, that I am no threat. I am just an actor and I have no bad intentions.” Philstar.com photo by Micharl Varcas

Obama rejects construction of Keystone XL…

PAGE A8 t

Bill McKibben, co-founder of environmental group 350.org, called Obama’s announcement “nothing short of historic” and one that “sets an important precedent that should send shockwaves through the fossil fuel industry.”

“Stopping the Keystone XL pipeline is a victory for the planet, for the health and wellbeing of the communities along the pipeline route,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune, according to The Associated Press.

Opponents of the project in Congress gave credit to citizen activists in convincing Obama to reject Keystone.

“This is a testament to years of public action on a critical issue,” said Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the senior Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, according to USA Today. “After pushing together in the right direction and never losing hope, citizen activists prevented a major source of dirty fossil fuels from being rubber-stamped. Everyone who believes individuals can move mountains when they work together will remember today with pride.”

Leaders in the Republican party, which backed the pipeline, voiced disappointment with Obama’s rejection. Earlier on, the GOP approved a bill that would have authorized Congress to de-

cide on the pipeline, but Obama vetoed that legislation.

“Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton caved to extreme special interest groups and rejected good American jobs,” Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement. “This move can only be described as a politically motivated embarrassment.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the president’s decision was “predictable,” but he wished it had been made sooner.

“Why did he lie to the American people for so long that he was considering it? Did anybody with any common sense believe that Barack Obama was ever really seriously considering the Keystone pipeline?” he said, according to CNN. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal commented via Twitter, specifically mentioning the impact on jobs.

“The Obama Admin’s politically motivated rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline is a self-inflicted attack on the US economy and jobs,” Bush tweeted.

“Obama’s rejection of #KeystoneXL will flush American jobs down the drain … all to appease the agenda of science denying radicals,” Jindal wrote on Twitter.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that with the pipeline’s importance to North American energy inde-

pendence, “the question still remains not if but when Keystone will be built.”

Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also among disappointed leaders, though he said he respected America’s right to make its decision.

“The Canada-US Relationship is much bigger than any one project and I look forward to a fresh start with President Obama to strengthen our remarkable ties in a spirit of friendship and cooperation,” Trudeau said.

Kerry said that he spoke with Foreign Minister Stephane Dion about the decision.

“While we understand the impact of this decision on Canada, I am confident that our close and long-standing relationship with Canada will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead,” he said.

TransCanada president and CEO Russ Girling said the company would consider available options to possibly file a new application for a pipeline to carry oil sands crude to the United States.

“Today, misplaced symbolism was chosen over merit and science – rhetoric won out over reason,” Girling said. “TransCanada is reviewing the decision and its rationale. We believe KXL is in the best interest of the United States and Canada.” (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

PALO ALTO, California–Nearly 40,000 California children ages 5-19, or 5 of every 1,000, were hospitalized for mental health issues in 2014, according to the most recent data available on the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health.

In fact, since 2008, mental diseases and disorders have accounted for the largest share of hospital admissions of children ages 0-17 in California.

These numbers only reflect the most acute mental health challenges (i.e., those requiring hospitalization). Other selfreported data suggest that the prevalence of less acute, but still distressing, mental health issues is even greater.

Specifically, 30 percent of California students in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades, along with those in non-traditional schools, reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more during the past year, according to 2011-2013 data.

When broken down by gender, the data show that 36 percent of girls reported depression-related feelings versus 23 percent of boys. And greater percentages of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Latino students reported depression-related feelings than students from other racial/ethnic backgrounds—35 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

Physical and mental health

Fil-Am businessman re-elected to Virginia House of Delegates SAN FRANCISCO – Filipino American Republican Ron Villanueva, 45, was re-elected Tuesday, November 3 to the Virginia House of Delegates, defeating challenger Susan Hippen.

Villanueva, a small-business owner and former Virginia Beach City Councilman, defeated Democratic challenger Susan Hippen, whom he also defeated for the same 21st District seat in 2013.

Villanueva has been a state delegate since 2009 representing constituencies in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. He ran on jobs and the economy. Hippen, a retired Navy master chief, ran on issues like Medicaid expansion and earned the endorsement of the Virginia Education Association. (Inquirer.net)

are intricately linked. Youth with depression are more likely to engage in suicidal behavior, drop out of school, use alcohol or drugs, and have unsafe sexual activity, in addition to having difficulties with school and relationships.

The vast majority of mental health problems begin in adolescence and young adulthood, with half of all disorders starting by age 14. Experts recom-

A

mend shifting from a focus on prevention and treatment of mental illness to promoting mental wellness. Mental health is influenced by socioeconomic, biological, and environmental factors, and promoting positive emotional health requires coordinated, cross-sector strategies that target underlying causes. Click here for a detailed list of policy recommendations.

(Inquirer.net)

A10 NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

No letup in impunity

OF the five worst countries where journalists are murdered with impunity, only the Philippines, at fourth place, is not in a state of large-scale armed conflict. This was noted by the Committee to Protect Journalists when it released last month its latest Global Impunity Index.

The Philippines was topped in the index only by Somalia, Iraq and Syria, and was rated worse than South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Mexico, Pakistan and Russia. The 10 countries have the worst records in bringing murderers of journalists to justice. The Philippines also ranked third, behind Syria and Iraq, as the world’s deadliest countries for journalists.

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared Nov. 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. On its eve in the Philippines, another journalist was shot dead, with the killer again getting away. Radio dwIZ correspondent Jose Bernardo, who also wrote a column for the tabloid Bandera Pilipino, was murdered Saturday as he was parking his motorcycle in front of a fast-food outlet in Quezon City. Although deadly attacks on media workers are relatively rare in Metro Manila, it was the third such killing in the city.

Media groups listed Bernardo as the 32nd journalist to be murdered under the Aquino administration. The 32 are on top of the worst-ever attack on media workers in a single incident: the massa-

cre of 58 people, 32 of them journalists, in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

Key members of the Ampatuan clan, who were indicted as the masterminds in the country’s worst case of political violence, continue to be detained without bail, but their cases are crawling along in court.

The failure to convict anyone after six years plus the continuing murders of journalists have kept the Philippines on the list of the five worst countries in the Global Impunity Index for many years.

The continuing deadly attacks have also kept the country in the “partly free” category in annual press freedom rankings for the past five years.

Media groups had wanted to observe the International Day to End Impunity on Nov. 23, the anniversary of the massacre, but the Philippine government reportedly lobbied against it before the UN. Instead the annual observance now falls on the day Filipinos dedicate to their dearly departed.

Relatives and friends remembered the dead over the past two days. But the best way to honor slain journalists is to bring their killers to justice. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Fil-Ams paranoid about the ‘Laglag Bala’ scam in the Philippines propose solution YOU can see and feel the “paranoia” among travelers even in the terminals here in the United States.

On flights coming from the Philippines, luggage is plastic wrapped and locked and have signs that say there are no bullets inside, so extorters better take their hands off. These are some of the ways kababayans are making their luggage “bulletproof” from the ‘laglag bala” (bullet planting) scam whereby perpetrators allegedly “plant” bullets in travelers’ luggage to extort money (Php 500) so the case would go away. Otherwise, these poor victims would be detained and harassed for a crime they never committed.

After this scam has been exposed all over international media and with the United Nations even issuing warnings to its staff about this modus, the Aquino Administration now admits that the alleged extortion scam at the NAIA is now affecting the country, but it hopes the effects will not be lasting.

Malacanang says the government has already

USPGG urges government been taking steps to address the not to detain passengers with matter, including not allowing The Fil-Am bullets but no guns airport security to handle pasPerspective A syndicate working inside senger bags to avoid contact. the airport plants bullets in the The National Bureau of Investiluggage of outgoing passengation (NBI) has been conducting gers -- and then extorts money its own investigation and urged from them. They are practicalall victims to come out and report Gel SantoS-ReloS ly helpless. Many are tourists their experience at the NAIA. and overseas Filipinos living Meantime, ABS-CBN News reported that President Aquino has issued a direc- and working abroad. They fork over money as tive to watch the watchers, to make sure security they don’t want to miss their flights and don’t want to be subjected to more hassles. measures would not be abused.

They can’t protect themselves or fight back as Fil-Am community leaders have also been proposing solutions to this national problem and they are isolated and can be beaten up by men armed with guns or worse - accused of carrying global embarrassment.

I interviewed the legal counsel of the Fil-Am other contraband like drugs if they resist.

It is the responsibility of government to progroup US Pinoy for Good Governance (USPGG), Atty. Ted Laguatan, on Balitang America where tect them.

Obviously, the purpose of the law against carhe discussed the group’s proposal, summarized in this public statement against the airport ex- rying bullets by passengers is for security purtortion syndicate planting bullets in passengers’ poses. Bullets alone without a gun - is not a threat. To protect potential victims, the governluggage:

ment should immediately issue an order to airport security personnel stating that passengers carrying bullets but without a gun are not security threats and should not be detained. The bullets can be confiscated.

This news about airline passengers being victimized by planting bullets in their luggage has gone viral worldwide. Aside from giving the Philippines a very bad image - it drives visitors away and has drastic effects on the tourism industry - resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.

The USPGG strongly urges the government to decriminalize finding bullets without an accompanying gun in passengers luggage and to prosecute those involved in extorting passengers. *** 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

Spurring on art excellence, a unifier for a community “IT is refreshing to see other Filipinos Rhizomes succeed. It fills my soul with inexplicable joy. Very inspiring life stories. More power to your endeavors.

Let us spur on each Prosy AbArquezother to excellence DelAcruz, J.D. and influence the next generation.” — Dodjie Simon For as long as I can remember, Filipinos and Filipino Americans have aspired to unite as a community. They have sought it in many fronts: politics, community organizing, identity movements, solidarity movements, faith activities, political campaigns, educational reforms, neighborhood organizing, and now, arts in the form of concerts, cultural festivals, theater, beauty pageants and more.

In these art endeavors, a synergy -a life link of concentric circles of support -- overlaps. At times, it feels overwhelming, but with each endeavor, a collective high is felt at the finish line, when folks achieve their goals: a successful concert, a sold-out event, even a Ramona Haar book launch on jewelry, partnered with a fundraiser for Feed2Succeed Fund.

Art has become a catalyst, a magnet for attracting multiple generations, as in this weekend’s Festival for Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), an initiative started by hundred artists and leaders 23 years ago, on May 14, 1992, to showcase our cultural arts and heritage.

This year, with new leadership, Acting Executive Director Winston Emano, the intergenerational, inclusive beat tunes are back and we hope an overflowing crowd will be watching talented Filipino Americans onstage, the likes of Matthew John Ignacio, Tateng Katindig, Joan Almedilla, HipHop dance groups, Philippine Cham-

ber Singers, Louise Marie Cornillez, Kayamanan ng Lahi, Odessa Kane and Pakaruguian Kulintang Ensemble with Malaya at El Pueblo de Los Angeles in downtown L.A. Courage to pursue

one’s dreams It took a dinner in New York, hosted

by Dodjie Simon, Elisa (his wife) and Grace (his daughter), for Los Angeles-based and Florida-based artists to share generously about their artistic roots and passions.

Dodjie Simon was 14 years old when his family was torn apart. He found his own therapy in writing songs, and music became his friend. He describes his life as both blessed with fire and rain -- fire in the form of challenges as he lived with his grandparents and was raised by a single mom with three kids.

He grew up to be the “father” to his sister, mentoring and guiding her in school and job interviews. Rain came in the form of being blessed to be sent to a premier school, UP Diliman where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in industrial engineering. “The most beautiful sound from a bird is when he is in pain,” which sustained him while creating more music: “Ikaw Lamang,” “Can Find No Reason,” and “Kung Alam mo Lang.” Some of the notables he wrote for: Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Louie Heredia, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha and more.

To date, about 30 to 40 recordings have been made of his songs. Some are still unrecorded and waiting to be published in the American market.

Ben and Abbey Lelina are a father and daughter in New York. Abbey had just completed a job interview and was awaiting the results. She is currently doing marketing for an accounting

firm and is a singer. Her father is an art aficionado, having acquired a discerning eye for artists’ work, from accompanying his friends from Manila in their visits to New York’s art jaunts, museums, galleries and exhibits.

Mary Anne Tomaneng is an accountant. She completed her Bachelors of Science in accountancy and minor in finance at Cal State University, Northridge. Years back, she put on a production/fashion show. Of late, she has assisted in the book launching of Ramona Haar and various beauty pageants, working alongside her friend, Rodrigo Alcover. She also has a passion for the arts and stays connected by helping out friends in their artistic pursuits.

Ramona Haar did an exhibit on goldsmiths at the Philippine Consulate in New York in 20 11. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Mindanao State University, and has long been interested in promoting the lost art of goldsmithing in the Philippines, using filigree and the finer art of granulations, similar to the Etruscan way of making jewelry. She spoke about the recent discovery of gold from a shipwreck in Surigao, in 1987, with intricately designed gold belts, 1 to 2 are on display at the Asia Society Museum, on loan from the Ayala Museum.

Widowed, with time on her hands, she took a gemology degree. Now, she is the commissioned artist for the Miss Earth Crown and more recently, another commissioned work from the MultiVerse, a woman reality show in Europe. She launched her jewelry book at a fundraiser with Feed2Succeed Fund in Los Angeles and Halloween Eve, at the Philippine Consulate in New York, well-supported by alumni of Mindanao State University.

Hydee Ursolino Abrahan won a poster contest with her drawing and became the school paper’s photog-

rapher in high school. She graduated with a degree in fisheries, on a full scholarship at UP Iloilo. She found work in the field of statistics for a Japanese firm. She knew she could be more and immigrated to the United States, where she learned how to make jewelry and the intricacies of wire wrapping. When asked to take photographs of the jewelry for the store’s website, Hydee knew she found her art. She worked for a magazine and became their graphic designer. Hydee is the most sought-after portrait photographer for commercial shoots, weddings, special events, theater plays, and pageants. She recently completed a multiyear project of photographing jewelry and doing the graphic design and layout for Ramona Haar’s jewelry book.

(This writer wrote the biography on Ramona Haar) Rod Alcover, a graduate of hotel, restaurant and management at Lourdes College and Center for Culinary Arts, dabbled in pastry art. He found work at Holland America, but found the job of washing dishes too difficult to sustain him. When offered to do a makeup job, he quickly said, “I can do it.” Though he had no experience, his bold self-confidence came from doing charcoal painting as a child. Fast forward to today, Rod is one of the most sought-after makeup artists, for public figures, beauty queens, actresses for the Golden Globes, Grammy’s, beauty pageants and weddings. He obtained makeup training at Glammin Makeup School in Orange County. As a hobby, he has fashioned costumes worn by beauty contestants to pageants and his last creation won the best costume award for the 2nd Bb. Pilipinas-USA pageant 2014.

Much like the musical, Allegiance, where Lea Salonga sang “Stronger Than Before,” all these accidental artists became stronger, as they put more

time, energy and attention into their artistic pursuits and collaborate on projects that make them happy. They make for interesting folks as their passions speak to their wholeness as human beings: creative, highly engaged and fun to be with.

It was a culturally enriching evening -- and one of the most memorable evenings of my life. No wonder it is said, humans need each other for their common humanity. But at that dinner, it was to be a spark plug connector so art carries on, as a legacy of our presence here in the United States.

Art -- while the hobby and the side activity we turn to while making a living -- can be the main character onstage for making our lives so much more livable, alive, vibrant with the magic and allure of the city lights and loving new friends who embraced us as if longterm members of one’s family.

“Our humanity connects us to one another regardless of national origin, creed and political affiliations. And the arts, music...jazz can help in achieving that beautiful human connection,” Mon David once said.

But more importantly, “a man is defined by what he leaves behind, by what he gives back,” Dodjie Simon noted. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for Asian Journal Press for 8 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in the field of 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 and Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

AGREEMENT. The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government on Friday agreed to help each other push forward the fledgling Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA) in support of the economic agenda of the southern peace process.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

Comelec: 54.6 M registered to vote

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

MANILA – Some 54.6 million individuals have registered for the May 2016 local and national polls, based on the preliminary reports submitted to the main office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Chairman Andres Bautista said on Friday, Nov. 6.

Bautista noted that this exceeded their target of 53 million to 54 million voters for the May 2016 elections.

“Almost 100 percent (of the reports are already in). Only ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) is not yet complete,” Bautista said in an interview.

Records showed that ARMM had submitted only 42 percent of its report, equivalent to 1,651,183 votes. All other regions have posted 100 percent submission rates.

The vote-rich regions are Region 4A with 7,630,180 votes; followed by National Capital Region with 6,252,132 votes; Region 3 with 6,075,218 votes; Region 6 with 4,425,224 votes; Region 7 with 4,414,255 votes and Region 5 with 3,115,719 votes.

Bautista clarified that the figures will likely go down because the lists will have to go through the Election Registration Board

(ERB), which looks into petitions for disqualification filed against voters.

The lists will also be screened by the Automated Fingerprint Identification System to determine which voters have double or multiple registration and do not have biometrics.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, the figure does not include some 1.3 million migrant Filipino workers who registered through overseas absentee voting (OAV).

“We are still awaiting reports from posts overseas. Our target for OAV is 1.5 milion and at the start of the last two weeks, we

are at about 1.3 million. So that is what we are looking to check.

Hopefully by next week we can report actual figures to you about overseas registration,” Jimenez added.

Jimenez also said the Comelec is studying what triggered a jump in the registration.

“Obviously, the biggest reason here is that this will be a presidential election. Secondly, this registration has been a talk-up in all channels, particularly in the social media. The level of awareness of voters and potential voters is high,” he added.

The Comelec is also looking at

u PAGE A13

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Palace refutes bishop: No plan to hide street families during APEC

by Louis

Bacani Philstar.com

MANILA – Malacañang denied on Friday, Nov. 6 that the government is planning to hide Metro Manila’s street families from the view of foreign leaders who will attend the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said there is no truth to the allegation of Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is giving out P4,000 money to homeless families so they could rent places to stay elsewhere.

What the DSWD is implementing, Valte said, is the modified Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program for poor families.

“Hindi po ‘hidden from view.’

Naipaliwanag po natin na ‘yung modified CCT ay isang programang matagal nang ginagawa ng DSWD,” Valte said in a press briefing. “’Yung pagtulong po nila ay hindi po limited sa tuwing mayroon pong malaking event, ngunit nakikita po natin itong pagkakataon na simulan ‘yung pagtulong sa kanila para makapag-transition naman po sila from the streets into dignified living quarters,” she said..

Valte said the reports on the alleged eviction of street families merely coincided with big events such as the APEC summit and the visit of Pope Francis in January.

“Noong pagkatapos po dumating ng Pope, nagkaroon pa po sila ng isang ganitong activity...

Baka naitataon lang pong nai-re-

report ‘pag mayroon malaking event pero ang katotohanan po diyan ay ilang taon na pong ginagawa ng DSWD ang programang ito,” Valte said.

During the papal visit in January, the DSWD was critized for sending street families from the cities of Pasay, Manila and Parañaque to a resort in Batangas province.

But Malacañang and the DSWD also denied back then that the activity was done so that the street families will not be seen by the pope and the international media.

The incident was reported in Time Magazine where DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman defended the activity, saying the street children had to be removed “so that they would not be vulnerable to the influx of people coming to witness the pope.” n

95% of foreign Yolanda donations went to UN – Soliman

by RainieR

aLLan Philstar.com

Ronda

MANILA – A big chunk of foreign government and private donations to post-relief and recovery efforts for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda went to UN agencies and not the government, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said Friday, Nov. 6.

In an update on the Yolanda recovery and rehabilitation efforts, Soliman told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay breakfast media forum at the Luneta Hotel that only a fraction of the donations went to government coffers.

“Close to 95 percent were directly handed over to UN agencies such as the World Food Program, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and Habitat (for

Sec. Corazon Soliman

Humanity),” she said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said the government received only P17 billion – P1.2 billion in cash and P1.269 billion in kind – of the P73 billion in aid pledges from the international community.

Comelec: 54.6 M registered…

PAGE A11 t

the possible impact of mall registration on the increase in the number of prospective voters.

The poll body expects to come up with a list of voters by Dec. 15 after the ERB has completed its hearings.

No reason to extend Election lawyer Romulo Ma-

calintal said Friday, Nov. 6 that there is no good reason to extend the voters’ registration that ended last Oct. 31 after 17 months.

In a statement, Macalintal said that the petition to extend the registration of voters filed by the Kabataan party-list group with the Supreme Court (SC) should be denied for lack of merit. n

Soliman said the remaining P14 billion went to non-government organizations and multilateral organizations, among others.

Soliman earlier gave assurances the cash donations were used as intended.

The DSWD has posted a summary of the donations on its website, dswd.gov.ph.

Open to scrutiny Meanwhile, Soliman said she is open to any scrutiny of any of the DSWD’s projects and programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the P54-billion National Community Driven Development Program-Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, by opposition candidates.

“We have nothing to hide and we can answer their questions,” Soliman told The Star.

She said the Commission on Audit is reviewing all their projects and programs and the department is adhering to its recommendations.

Citing criticisms about the 4Ps program of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who is running for senator in 2016, Soliman said they have an implementation report even in the congressman’s district. n

UNDER FIRE. Amid calls for him to resign following the “laglag-bala” or bullet planting incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado maintained that he will step down if his appointing officer, President Benigno Aquino III, will ask him to do so.

Malacañang photo by Jay Morales

‘Sea dispute should be an election issue’

by Jaime Laude Philstar.com

MANILA – The country’s dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea should be made an election issue, with each presidential candidate obliged to make public his or her stand, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said.

“I think this should be an election issue. I think we should first ask them their position because they have not stated it fully,” Carpio said in a forum Thursday, Nov. 5 organized by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC).

“It should be made a question in the debates of the Commission

on Elections (Comelec) that if elected president, ‘will you withdraw the case, if it’s still pending’?” he said.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague has unanimously ruled that it has jurisdiction over the case filed

by Manila to confirm its entitlements in the West Philippine Sea and oppose Beijing’s massive claim and provocative moves in disputed waters.

He pointed out that Beijing has been grabbing the country’s regime of islands in the West Philippine Sea and has started bolstering its presence in the region by building artificial islands on its illegally occupied reefs and shoals.

The stand of the country’s next political leadership is highly relevant to the current maritime dispute with China, as nothing can legally stop the next president from ordering the withdrawal of the case in the arbitral tribunal.

He said it would be disastrous for the country if the next president decides to withdraw arbitration.

“There’s no legal impediment for him (president) to withdraw.

But the consequences will be horrible for us,” he said.

“We’re on the cusp of a victory that is being snatched from us.

They will laugh at us and nobody will help us anymore. So I think this should be an election issue,” Carpio said. n

Grace Poe’s spouse to renounce American citizenship

by PatRicia LouRdes Philstar.com

ViRay

MANILA – Presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe revealed that her husband, Neil Llamanzares, is willing to renounce his American citizenship if the senator wins the presidency in 2016.

“Nag-usap na kami ng aking asawa bagama’t by birth kasi siya naging citizen, para mawala na ang pagdududa na ‘yan at para ipakita niya ang kumpiyansa sa aking administrasyon, siya ay talaga namang magre-renounce,” Poe said in an interview with radio dzMM on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Llamanzares is a dual citizen by birth as he was born to a Filipino couple in the United States.

“Hindi kayo magkakaroon ng ‘American boy’ sa Malakanyang,” Poe said.

Poe, however, insisted that she will not force her son, Brian Poe Llamanzares, to change his citizenship for her. Her son was born in the United States while her two daughters, Hanna and Anika, were born in the Philippines..

The presidential bet is being criticized for previously renouncing her Filipino citizenship to become an American citizen.

During the same interview, Poe admitted that the DNA test results with her supposed negatives turned out negative.

The senator, however, pointed out that the issue of foundlings should also be considered in the disqualification case filed against her before the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

“Wala po akong duda sa aking puso, sa aking isip, ako po ay Pilipino,” Poe said.

Poe is also facing several disqualification cases before the Commission on Elections, seeking to invalidate her certificate of candidacy for president. n

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Anonymous group hacks Yaya Dub’s social media accounts

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

The Twitter account of Filipina actress Maine Mendoza, who is popularly known as Yaya Dub on afternoon variety show “eat Bulaga!,” was hacked by a group of “hacktivists” known as Anonymous Philippines.

The group has claimed responsibility for hacking a number of government and Chinese websites in 2012, according to InterAksyon, saying its hacks are a way of protesting the Aquino administration.

“Sorry po if napadaan kami sa account ni yayadub, ibabalik din namin to sa tunay na may-ari.. Nagmamahal, Anonymous Philippines (Sorry if we stopped by Yaya Dub’s account, we’ll eventually return it to its true owner.. Love, Anonymous

Philippines),” the group said in a tweet it deleted along with its other messages around noon on Tuesday, Nov. 3, suggesting that Mendoza has regain access to her Twitter account, according to InterAksyon.

“Instagram’s fine, Twitter’s back, Facebook deactivated (by hackers), email still inaccessible #fyi,” Mendoza tweeted on Nov. 2 at 11:33pm, Los Angeles time.

Among tweets sent out by the group on Mendoza’s account was a link to a Facebook video inviting people to participate in the “Million Mask March Philippines.” The march is meant for people to stand up for what is right and to let their voices be heard, Manila Bulletin reported.

“The time has come to once Maine Mendoza, also known as Yaya Dub on Eat Bulaga!

Inquirer.net photo PAGE B4

This could be my best move yet.

Loida Nicolas Lewis, AARP Member Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC Philanthropist

Dahil sa Health and Wellness resources ng AARP, si Loida at iba pang katulad niya are now able to have as much fun in the ballroom as they did in the boardroom.

Loida has enjoyed a long career as a successful businesswoman, and she remains just as active today. Bilang miyembro ng halos 20 na taon, she keeps current with AARP publications on health, diet, exercise at iba pang activities that help her enjoy life and live it to the fullest.

Not surprisingly, her boundless energy and generous contributions para sa Filipino community have made her a role model for many. Para kay Loida, walang hanggan ang mga posibilidad and the best is yet to come. AARP offers members a wealth of resources na siguradong makapagbibigay ng saya, sigla at importanteng impormasyon para rin sa inyo. To learn more, visit aarp.org/aapi or call 1-866-805-1986 today.

AARP is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing your life at 50-plus by providing trusted and useful resources to help you stay active, engaged and vibrant.

Caregiving • Health & Wellness • Fraud Prevention • Volunteer • Life Reimagined

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Dr. Christian Paquet: A splendid surgeon Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

He wore his scrubs as though they were a black tie and tails. One would think that he was born with a gold chain instead of an umbilical cord.

Wherever and however you find Dr. Christian Paquet, he has an air of the surgeon to whom you can say Dr. Christian Paquet that “life is a gift from God.” could doubt his intentions, his abilInside the operating room, as the ity, and his almost ferocious sense stillness settles into the surgeon’s of humanity, which is always for the heart, silence and dignity enve- good cause, the right reason. He is lope his being. Laid beneath great always ready to serve the commulamps, his patient lies down in com- nity. He is embodied in hard work, plete trust and surrender, yielding self sacrifice and decency, laden to him in an unbearable anxiety as with acuteness. echoes of rigorous training, rich He doesn’t like any form of experience and solid values season publicity and doesn’t grant interthe every movement of Dr. Paquet’s views. It will cost you some effort delicate hands. not to keep looking at him. He has Gowned and hooded, masked a powerful personage, not to be and gloved, his weapons are steel analized coldly or surgically. His cutlery of unimaginable versatil- attitude is quiet and cordial, but ity. Among them is his scalpel, his smile is carefree. It has been handled with excruciating skill so, from the moment he came and that continues to knock (even his shook my hand, asking if things peers) sideways with admiration were all right with me. Since inteland affection reserved for impec- ligence combined with courtesy, is cable surgeons. the best instrument for seduction, One must be careful with the it was inevitable not to listen to him, use of the word impeccable, but that him relaying the procedural Dr. Christian Paquet is impec- protocol was a pleasure should be cable. There is no place you can taken as a gift. put him where he gets less—be it The operating room could be at the confines of the USC Medical likened to a theater: the surgeon, Center or among his collegaues, like a poet, all the scars he has made sharing their expertise, or simply on countless bodies are little verses batting the breeze with friends or into fashioning of which he had residents. poured out his soul. It is here where He continues his health en- bodies are stoked and penetrated. deavors with quiet dignity, among And for all its pageantry, no love is the downtrodden patients. No one made because this room is never

allowed to grow dark, always glaring with a grotesque brightness like a full moon when it illumintes the world with its whiteness.

I was once a patient who was brought to the operating table in a stretcher, having been washed and purged and dressed in a white gown. Fluid drips from a bottle into my arm, diluting me and leaching my body of its personal brine.

I can hear from behind the closed doors, the angry clang of steel upon steel—like some battle was being waged. I could hear the watery sound of strange machinery, the tiny beeping that is the transmitted heartbeat: mine.

And all the while, the dreadful knowledge that I’ll soon be taken, lay beneath great lamps which will reveal the linings of my body. In the very act of lying down, I had made a declaration of surrender to my surgeon.

I’d lie down gladly for sleep, or love and to give over one’s body and will for surgery—to lie down for it is a yielding of unbearable anxiety, more than we could bear.

An injection was given, and as the silence of anesthesia falls discourteously across my brain, I watched my soul drift away.

The surgeon stands over that table of one—gowned, hooded and masked. He curbed in order to create what was the special congress which, the surgeon and I entered into. My senses were deadened.

I became am blind, in compatible offering, and I yield.

Later, in the Recovery Room, I awaken and graze through the thickness of drug, at world returning. At first dimly, then surely, realizing that I have not died.

Then the surgeon’s scalpel rests—and waits for his hands again.

Thank you, Dr. Christian Paquet!

Gerald open to ‘make things better’ with exes Kim, Maja

Gerald Anderson

MANILA—Gerald Anderson is open to be friends with his exes Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador.

“Siguro kung tinanong mo ako three or five years ago, iba po ang pag-iisip ko no’n, e,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s “Tonight with Boy Abunda.”

Gerald dated Kim for six years before breaking up in 2010. His relationship with Maja ended early this year.

“Buti na lang I learned to throw that pride away,” he added. “Hindi naman po kami magkalaban, e. Isa lang po ang gusto namin, it’s to entertain and inspire these people. [Ngayon] of

course, if mayro’n akong opportunity to say sorry and make things better, I would do it.”

With his past relationships, Gerald said he realized that “you get to forget the past but never forget the lessons.”

For now, he chose to better himself before getting into a new relationship.

“I don’t want to be the same person I was before,” he explained. “I want to be a better partner, a better person.

Pero siguro it’s gonna take time. Kasi I’m learning from the failure and mga mali na nagawa ko.” (Philstar.com)

John Arcilla as Heneral Luna

‘Heneral Luna’ arrives stateside After smash NY opening, Philippines’ most successful indie film ever expands to 40 cities in 15 states on November 6 Lead star John Arcilla to appear in select theaters

LOS ANGeLeS—After successfully winning over film critics, film audiences and ultimately, cinematic history, “Heneral Luna,” the groundbreaking and controversial Philippine box office phenomenon now sets its sights across the Pacific to the United States.

Recently titled the most successful independent film in Philippine cinema box office history, “Heneral Luna,” fresh from a smash opening weekend in New York and New Jersey, where it will continue for at least another week, expands to 40 cities in 15 states Friday, November 6 for daily, multiple-screenings in theaters.

The film’s charismatic title lead, John Arcilla, will make appearances at select theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and in the east Coast during the roll out expansion.

An Artikulo Uno production, produced by e.A. Rocha, executive produced by Fernando Ortigas and directed by Jerrold Tarog from a screenplay by Henry Francia, e.A. Rocha and Tayag, “Heneral Luna” features a respected, talented ensemble cast of multi-award winning actors.

The film, a historically dramatized narrative interpretation, centers on the eponymous General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla)

and the politicized dynamics surrounding his relationships with President emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado), Felipe Buencamino (Nonie Buencamino), Pedro Paterno (Leo Martinez) and Apolinario Mabini (epy Quizon) and the Philippines’ nascent battle for independence.

Philippine film audiences and the public in general have taken to the film where it is now in its record-continuing 9th week of release and the spirited dialogues about the film continue long after the end credits.

“At some point our humble but, ambitious film transformed from movie to movement,” said Tarog. “We are amazed , grateful and blessed that audiences and critics have responded as enthusiastically as they have to what is still very much a grassroots effort.

“We hope that our Kababayans and their non-Pinoy friends alike can catch the same enthusiasm as it opens in the US,” he added.

For updated screening cities, theaters and screening times, and for details regarding John Arcilla’s appearances, filmgoers are encouraged to visit henerallunathemovie.com; facebook: Heneral.Luna; twitter: @HeneralLuna; Instagram: @heneral. luna.

(Advertising Supplement)

‘Heneral Luna’ California theater list:

Cinemark South Bay Pavilion, Carson Laemmle NoHo 7 Cinema, North Hollywood Regal edwards Palace Stadium 22 , Ontario Regal edwards West Covina 18 , West Covina Regal UA Horton Plaza 8, San Diego Carmike Temecula 10, Temecula Carmike Digiplex Mission Marketplace 13, Oceanside Cinemark Century Laguna, elk Grove Cinemark Century 25 Union Landing, Union City Cinemark 20 Great Mall, Milpitas Cinemark Century at Tanforan , San Bruno Cinemark Century 16 Hilltop, San Pablo Cinemark Century Stadium 25 , Orange AMC Covina 17, Covina AMC Puente Hills 20, City of Industry AMC Mercado 20, Santa Clara AMC Otay Ranch, Chula Vista

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 7-10, 2015

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Growing up with a dog linked to reduced risk of asthma, study says

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

CAN A LONELY WIFE STILL PETITION HER HUSBAND EVEN IF SHE IS UNEMPLOYED? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel replies to this question and more, such as: Can my mother have a second chance, after being banned from the US for 10 years for overstaying? Can my brother immigrate as “single” since he has been separated from his wife for over 25 years? Get the answers to these questions and more, on an encore episode of the information-packed, award-winning public service program -- “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday, November 8 at 6:15pm PST/EST (9:15pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

Sugary drinks may raise risk of heart failure

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

COnSUMInG two or more glasses of sweetened drinks per day may increase the risk of heart failure, according to a new Swedish study.

Researchers of the report, which was published in the British Medical Journal, followed approximately 42,000 men between the ages of 45 to 79 throughout a period of nearly 12 years to establish a link between heart failure and sweetened beverages. The drinks accounted for in the study “only included soft drinks/soda and these can either be sweetened with sugar or artificial sweetener.”

Authors of the study documented more than 4,000 instances of heart failure among study participants. Men who drank more than two sweetened drinks per day

had a 23 percent higher chance of developing heart failure compared to men who did not drink these beverages.

“The takeaway message is that people who regularly consume sweetened beverages should consider limiting their consumption to reduce their risk of heart failure,” Dr. Susanna Larsson, a researcher at the Stockholm Karolinska Institutet, told Cnn. Although the research focused on men, women are also advised to be careful about sweetened drinks, Larsson said.

“Sweetened beverage consumption has been associated with blood pressure, insulin concentration, weight gain, obesity and type 2 diabetes also in women,” she said.

Across the globe, more than 23 million people have heart failure, which occurs when the heart is

unable to pump sufficient amounts of blood and oxygen through the body. The number of individuals with the condition is on the rise, in part because of the consumption of sodas and other sweetened beverages, Larsson and her colleagues say in the journal Heart.

In the United States, about 6 million people live with heart failure, Cnn reported.

“Patients with heart failure are severely limited in their ability to perform daily tasks, they get short of breath for even small efforts like walking one block, or sometimes even walking inside their house,” said Dr. Roberto Bolli, chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, according to Cnn. Other findings included that men who consumed the most sodas and sweetened drinks were

HAvInG a dog in the home and contact with farm animals during a child’s earlier years can reduce their risk of asthma, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, examined data on over 1 million children born in Sweden – where dog and farm animal ownership registration is required by law – from 2001 to 2010.

Researchers concluded that exposure to a dog in a child’s first year decreases the likelihood of asthma by 15 percent; living in According to a recent study, exposure to a dog in a child’s first year decreases the likelihood close proximity to farm animals of asthma by 15 percent; living in close proximity to farm animals drops the risk by 52 percent.

Inquirer.net photo drops the risk by 52 percent.

Findings back the “hygiene den pointed out that previous and every prescription issued is hypothesis,” which suggests that studies have indicated that grow- recorded. living in very clean environments ing up on a farm cuts a child’s “Because we had access to during early life can make people chances of developing asthma by such a large and detailed data set, more prone to allergy conditions, about half and that researchers we could account for confounding including asthma. Without early wanted to see if the relationship factors such as asthma in parents, exposure to microbes and para- was the same for children growing area of residence and socio-ecosites, according to the hypoth- up with dogs in their homes. nomic status,” Fall said.

“Our results confirmed the esis, the immune system may be Despite the study’s findings, Erfarming effect and we also saw ika Kennington, head of research stunted.

“We know that children with that children who grew up with at Asthma UK, an asthma charity established allergy to cats or dogs dogs had about 15 [percent] less in the United Kingdom, said adshould avoid them, but our results asthma than children without ditional research is needed. also indicate that children who dogs,” Fall said.

“Asthma is a complex condiThe study was made possible tion with many different types grow up with dogs have reduced risks of asthma later in life,” said because of Sweden’s organized and causes ... more research …

Catarina Almqvist, co-author of system of national databases, will help us better understand the study from Sweden’s Karolin- which are accessible to scientists. the effects so that it can be turned In addition to the documenta- into practical advice for parents ska Institute.

Lead scientist Dr. Tove Fall tion of farm animal ownership, of young children,” Kennington from Uppsala University in Swe- each visit to specialist physicians said. less likely to be university educated, typically ate fewer servings and vegetables and are slightly more likely to consume a minimum of three cups of coffee daily.

While researchers specifically studied Swedish men, they said the results can likely be applied to men in the United States. Still, they said additional research would be required due to variances in

American culture and diet.

“It is safe to admit that sweetened beverages are usually components of a poor quality dietary pattern and that overall dietary patterns better represent the broader picture of food habits and are more important determinants of disease than any isolated food or beverage,” researchers from the University of navarra in Spain

wrote in an editorial accompanying the study. “Meanwhile more research in this field is available, and taking into account the existing evidence, the advice to the general population should be that their most sensible option will be to reduce or eliminate their consumption of sweetened beverages replacing them with water to comply with the requirements for a good hydration.”

One limitation authors acknowledge about the study is its dependence on men to accurately remember and report their drinking habits. Furthermore, the study did not have data that differentiated sugar from artificial sweeteners.

Researchers from the University of navarra added that other factors unaccounted for in the report, including physical activity and dietary habits, may have had an effect on the development of heart Approximately 42,000 men between the ages of 45 to 79 throughout a period of nearly 12 years to establish a link between heart failure and sweetened beverages. The drinks accounted for in the study “only included soft drinks/soda failure in the men. and these can either be sweetened with sugar or artificial sweetener.”

PNBRCI holds branch Grand Opening at Bahay Kubo in the heart of Historic Filipino Town In the tough, competitive world of money remittance, PnBRCI knows how to play the game with great panache. It knows its niche and fully uses its myriad advantages.

As a case in point: It positions itself in the heart of Historic Filipino Town embedding itself in a branch right inside BAHAY KUBO, one of the most popular Filipino restaurants in Los An-

geles. The high foot traffic is remarkable.

Philippine national Bank has a big reason to celebrate. PnB, the holding company for all its affiliates and subsidiaries, including PnB Global Remit and PnBRCI, is celebrating its 100th year. It continues to make strides in the remittance business adroitly building relationships with businesses and its hundreds of thousands of

customers worldwide. It forges ahead finding ways to serve the community, such as in making it easy for remitters to pay their SSS, Pag-ibig loans, get a home loan to buy a property in the Philippines or even in small but significant things like ordering food from Jolibee so that a beneficiary in the Philippines can enjoy the generous gesture from the other side of the globe.

(Advertising Supplement)

Take note ALL REMITTERS living near Historic Filipino Town: From November 5 to 8, 2015 only, you can remit money from US dollars to Philippine Pesos for just $1 only at BAHAY KUBO. However, you cannot combine this with any other promo. Also, from November 5 to 19, 2015 only, you can get a free bowl of lugaw OR gulaman at sago compliments of the house and PNBRCI every time you send money home.

ENJOY EVERY TIME YOU REMIT DURING THIS PERIOD!

The ribbon cutting ceremony of the Grand Opening of the popular branch was held on Thursday, November 5, 2015 during the cool, crisp autumn mid-morning hours. It featured the executives of the branch and a representative of BAHAY KUBO. The partnership is proving to be mutually beneficial for both entities. BAHAY KUBO’S head, known affectionately as Mommy Lucing, has parlayed her vaunted culinary skills serving the community for more than 20 years in the same location.

In the photo from left to right: Nelson Javier, PNBRCI CFO; Ric Ramos, Operations Head; Donna, cutting the ribbon and representing Mommy Lucing of Bahay Kubo, Joanne Rivera, Business Development Head and GM of the LA Branch and PNBRCI President and CEO, Ricky Villacisneros.

PNBRCI runs a tight ship where everyone carries his or her own weight in the organization. In the photo from left to right: Cez Sopenasky - Agent Management Unit; Nica Picar, Marketing; Ricky Villacisneros, PNBRCI President & CEO, Joanne Rivera, Business Development Head and GM of the LA Branch; Vicky Ramos, Accounting Officer and Chito Esguerra, Sales & Service Associate.

B november 7-10, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

The Global Kababayan

Features

Programming of Kababayan Today, November 9-13, 2015

G. TönGi Nov. 9 - It’s Veterans Day this week so We welcome Mang Franco, a WWII Filipino veteran, together with Art Garcia, who works with Veterans for Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV).

Jon Arcilla, the actor who played “Heneral Luna,” comes to Kababayan Today in an exclusive interview.

Nov. 10 - In preparation for Veterans Day this week, we discuss the historical documentary, “The Hidden Dream.” Produced by Jon and Sheilla Imme, the film tackles stories from the Bataan Death March by Filipino veterans.

Musical composer Nilo Alcala makes his Disney Concert Hall Debut.

Nov. 11 - Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and and Real Estate Buzz with Mia McLeod.

Eric Lachica from Washington DC, an advocate for Filipino Veteran Affairs, gives an update on

the curresnt situation from the nation’s capital. Filipino veteran Mang Franco shares his struggles to obtain benefits for veterans.

Nov. 12 - Wage theft and minimum wage will be the topic of conversation with members from the Filipino Migrant Center and Anakbayan Long Beach.

Nov. 13 - Pedro, a nonprofit organization for disaster relief operations in the Philippines and singer Becca Godinez join Myrna Baculi to share details on their gala benefit happenning on Nov. 21.

We will feature, “FASO Goes

Pop!,” the latest offering from the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra, ahead of their concert on Saturday, Nov. 14. *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipino’s living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only 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.

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

WesTerN UNioN VeTeraNs Day PromoTioN

Western Union celebrates military: Veterans Day Promo, Career open House DID you know that money transfer is frequently a vital service for members of the military? Often, when soldiers are deployed, families send money overseas to support spouses and children. Earlier this month, more than 8,530 veterans participated in conversations about money transfer (during October 1-15, 2015) according to research by Network Insights. These facts show how these services provide a vital lifeline of support between service members and their families from whom they are separated for long stretches of time.

This year, there are two special programs that Western Union, a global leader in money transfer, is offering to celebrate our military and honor Veterans Day. Western Union is waiving the money transfer fee for U.S. domestic sends for consumers who use the promo code “HERO.” this November 11th in honor of the men and women of the US armed forces and is hosting a Veterans Career Open House on November 6th.

Fee Free: On Wednesday, November 11, the company will offer ALL customers the opportunity to

make qualifying U.S. domestic money transfers—and transfers to and from U.S. military bases around the world where Western Union has a retail Agent location--free of charge in honor of veterans and active service members. This offer is available only at Western Union retail Agent locations throughout the U.S., and customers using the promo code “HERO” will have the normal transaction fee waived. There is no dollar amount or limit for these “fee free” transactions.

To raise awareness of this promotion, Western Union is employing social media (including Facebook and Instagram), as well as their extensive network of Agents and robust customer relations management resources.

Customers can visit wu.com to find an Agent location.

Veterans Career Open House: This free event takes place at Western Union’s corporate offices in Denver (12500 E. Belford Avenue Englewood, Colorado) on November 6, between 9:00am and 12:00pm. This event is open to all veterans, as well as guard, reserve and active service mem-

bers.

Attendees will receive information on career opportunities available to military members, as well as useful career advice on resume tips, successful interviewing techniques, how to translate military skill and build an effective LinkedIn profile.

Another illustration of the importance of money transfer to military personnel is that Western Union currently has retail Agent locations on many military bases throughout the world. Military personnel, who are often Western Union customers, use money transfer in situations, such as: • A new, younger service member who hasn’t established a checking account, receives funds for basic support and emergency needs (as a sender or receiver) • A service member away on temporary assignment and who doesn’t want or need to establish a local checking account because they won’t be stationed at the location for a long period of time • Parents and family of active service members often wire money to the spouse and children to help out, as well.

(Advertising Supplement)

Brad Pitt through the years

By Monet

anonymous group hacks yaya Dub’s social...

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again to show the world that we, the people, care about the issues surrounding our beloved country,” Annonymous Philippines wrote.

The hackers received backlash from Mendoza’s fans on Twitter.

The popular actress currently has more than 2.4 million followers on the social media platform.

“Hackers, are you looking for dirt to throw? Your ride to hell is here,” wrote Twitter user Harmond Marte.

The group, which has defaced multiple government websites, has cited several issues against the Aquino government for which it has committed hacking activities, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Mamaspano incident that ended in the killing of 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force, InterAksyon reported.

In 2012, Annonymous Philippines hacked about 200 Chinese

government and commercial websites amid the peak tension resulting from the territorial dispute of the South China Sea between China and the Philippines, claiming, “Scarborough Shoals is ours!”

Last year, it claimed responsibility for hacking the National Telecommunications Commission website, saying it was suffering from slow Internet speed along with other Filipinos.

More recently, Annonymous Philippines has criticized the ongoing bullet scandal at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, alleging it is being coordinated by the Office for Transportation Security and airport police.

After hacking Mendoza’s Twitter account, the group took to Facebook to claim responsibility for what it did and offered an apology.

“Dear fans of Aldub, we sincerely apologize for the recent intrusion of your beloved Idol’s Twitter account.

You can rest assure that we don’t

have any malicious intent towards the said individual or any programs pertaining to that person. We just wanted to send a message to the public, and using Maine’s account is one of the easiest way we could find. Rest assured that we are doing our best to contact the respectful owner of the said twitter account with the purpose of giving them back their access. We already know we will get a lot of negative comments. But sometimes, you must give a sacrifice for the cause.”

In a later Facebook post, the group reiterated it has no malicious intent and said they are not the enemy.

“Hindi ito ang tamang panahon para pagtalunan kung bakit namin ginawa ang isang bagay. Siguro ang dapat nyong isipin e kung ano yung nagtulak sa amin para gawin yun (This is not the right time to argue about why we did this. What you should probably think about is what prompted us to do this),” the group wrote.

Lu

I HEARD it said in a-matterof-factly way. And it left me with a mantra that shadowed every choice I made over the years.

Everything that I do whether in business or pleasure, I remind myself: “ I am only as good as my last performance.”

You may be wondering what does that have to do with Brad Pitt. Patience, my dear readers, as I am threading closer to my point. I do not know Brad Pitt personally (I wish I do) but I can identify with people like him: those who have made a difference in their respective fields and those who are artists in their own special ways.

People like Brad Pitt, who are critiqued by their last “performance,” are loved through the years, nonetheless. Let’s go through the reasons why this fine actor deserves all the love he is getting.

Brad Pitt was two weeks away from earning his degree from the University of Missouri when he left and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of acting. He began his career with television guest appearances, including a role on Dallas in 1987. I want to say that after that, “the rest is history,” but like any other struggling artist, Pitt had his share of ups and downs. As one article puts

Brad Pitt

it, “Brad Pitt’s been working in showbiz for more than 20 years, and he’s gone from token eye candy to the world’s biggest star during those two decades.”

True enough, Pitt started with roles that–for a lack of a better term– capitalized on his good looks. But it didn’t take long for people to realize that he is more than “just a lovely face.”

Born on December 18, 1963, William Bradley “Brad” Pitt has received a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three Academy Award nominations in acting categories, and received two further Academy Award nominations, winning one, as producer under his own company Plan B Entertainment.

Pitt was first recognized in the road movie, “ Thelma & Louise” as a cowboy hitchhiker in 1991. This was then followed by a string of leading roles in big-budget productions; among these where “A River Runs Through It,” “Legends of the Fall,” and “Interview with the Vampire” in 1994. He was critically acclaimed in his performances in the crime thriller, “Seven” and the science fiction film, “12 Monkeys” The latter earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor and an Academy Award nomination.

Pitt also starred in the “Fight Club,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” and its sequels, “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Ocean’s Thirteen.” His greatest commercial successes have been “Troy” in 2004, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” in 2005 and “World War Z” in 2013. He received his second and third Academy Award nominations for his leading performances in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in 2008 and “Moneyball” in 2011. As a producer, Pitt won the Academy Award for Best Picture for the movie “The Departed” in 2006 and 12 Years a Slave in 2013.

Pitt also founded the Make It Right Foundation in 2006, organizing housing profession-

als in New Orleans to finance and construct 150 sustainable, affordable new houses in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In an Esquire article published two years ago, the writer described Pitt as someone who does not let stardom infiltrate his whole system. He wrote, “In fact, he [Pitt] hesitates to identify himself as an actor not for reasons of humility. He hesitates to identify himself as an actor because he considers himself primarily an artist, a doer, a maker, a craftsman, a man who felt the first thrill of artifice not onstage but in high school shop class, drawing up plans. He hesitates to identify himself as an actor because he is forthrightly interested in leaving a legacy much larger than the legacy of his performances, which, however meaningful, are simply not as concrete as houses and chairs and wine or as endlessly real as children. He likes the idea of being something more than an actor and he likes the idea of being something less than an actor...”

Writing about Brad Pitt had me thinking about his last “performance” as an artist, an advocate, a husband to Angelina Jolie-Pitt and a father to his 6 multi-cultural kids. And though I may not even come close to his stature, I can say this to myself and to my readers: Our last performance in life is a good validation. But it is up to us to make a “lasting impression” through the years. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

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

EntErtainmEnt

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 7-10, 2015

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PMA alumnus Lino Caringal, Jr. elected President of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA CYPRESS—Lino Caringal, Jr., a 1972 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and now a selfemployed businessman from Fullerton, California was elected the 15th president of the 37-year-old Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA at the Marriott Hotel in this city.

The 65-year-old Caringal, former president of The Original Urdanetanians and current president of The Global Urdanetanians was unanimously elected by the 11 members of the board. He will succeed businessman Eddie C. Ferrer of Dagupan City, former president of Fil-Am Association of Orange County. The board members were earlier elected by the general membership who in turn elected the top four officers.

The other officers elected include Nieves Coquia, former president of Dagupan City Club of So. California, chairperson of the board; Mellie Soriano, past president of Bayambang Assn. of Southern California, vice chairperson, and Lina Cabal, current president of Alaminos Pangasinan of Southern California, board secretary.

Other members of the board elected include Esmeralda Ceralde (Dagupan City), Neil Estrada (Calasiao) Eddie C. Ferrer (Dagupan City), Rhenee M. Ferrer (San Carlos City), Bong Soriano (Bayambang), Eliseo Turingan (Sual) and Arsenio Valencerina (Bugallon).

There was a bit of suspense before the announcement of the top-tier officers akin to Rome’s selection of the pope in a conclave as the religious hymn and ringing of the bells sound bytes from the sound system punctuated the result of the election before the curious assembly.

Other executive officers and cabinet members will be appointed by the new president in due time.

After the top-tier officers were proclaimed, they addressed briefly the assembly. President-elect Caringal said, “It is a great privilege to serve this premier organization.

We will continue the vision and strong programs of outgoing President Eddie C. Ferrer. Mr. Ferrer and past President Dan E. Nino paved the way. Mr. Nino initiated the 501 C-3 public benefit, non-profit organization. I am 100 percent behind this organization.

There’s no other way. Thanks for the electorate for their confidence in us and the board for giving me the opportunity to carry on.”

Newly-elected PB-USA President Lino Caringal, Jr. delivering his victory speech after the election.

Nieves Coquia, the newlyelected chairperson said, “Thank you for the mandate. I have served the organization for so many years. Let’s serve one another and serve our organization well. Let us continue the projects of outgoing president Eddie C. Ferrer.”

Millie Soriano, outgoing Board chairperson for her part remarked, “I’ll do my best as your Board vice chairperson. Let’s help PB-USA accomplish its vision whether it’s possible or impossible.”

Lina Cabal, the newly-elected board secretary told the crowd, with all your support, we will carry on the vision of PB-USA. We will be pro-active and serve our organization to the best of our ability.”

After the election, Mr. Ferrer said, my sugar count was reduced to 92. I will hold my post until relieved by Lino Caringal, Jr. Hurry up Jun. In God we trust and that’s all we need to continue the journey.”

The Board members will be presented again during the Christmas Party of PB-USA on Dec. 12 at the Cerritos Performing Arts’ Sierra Room.

A novel thrust in Mr. Ferrer’s administration was the inclusion of the youth and young professionals whom he christened the “Next Gen” as an equal participants and partners in community building and in the organization’s activities and projects. And who will take the mantle of leadership someday when the old guards have already faded away.

Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, a 501-C3 founded as a non-profit organization in 1978 is on the forefront of providing meaningful

Election chairman Dom Dela Cruz proclaiming the newly-elected Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA Board members Lina Cabal, Lino Caringal, Jr., Nieves Coquia, Eddie C. Ferrer, Rhenee M. Ferrer, Mellie B. Soriano, Ely Turingan, Arsenio Valencerina and Bong Soriano. Not in photo are Board members Neil Estrada and Esmeralda Ceralde.

Photos by Mike Mandapat

projects that impact its community in California, the province of Pangasinan and region devastated by the Typhoon Haiyan. Among its projects include livelihood and trade seminars in Long Beach and Dagupan City, the grants of scholarship to academically-endowed but financially strapped college students from Pangasinan, three Gawad Kalinga housing units in the town of Villasis, livelihood program in Pangasinan, Trade Expo and Diversity Street Festival attended by Pangasinan manufacturers and producers which displayed their goods and products on Pioneer Blvd., City of Artesia. Pangasinan Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. were also on hand to lend their moral support It’s a providential photo which was christened the Past, Present and future which became a reality when past PB-USA president Dan E. Nino, for this endeavor. (Dan E. Nino / incumbent president Eddie C. Ferrer and incoming president Lino Caringal, Jr came together for a photo -- one taken in 2012 and the other denino1951@ gmail.com) taken in 2015.

Members of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA after the election at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Cypress, California

B november 7-10, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015

Journal

It ain’t over till the alien wins

Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves GReGoRy J. boult And nAncy MilleR YOGI Berra once said “it ain’t over till it’s over”. The truth is, even then, it may not be over.

Many non-citizens have been placed into removal proceedings as a result of a criminal conviction. If the Department of Homeland Security said their conviction was a crime of violence as defined under a specific code section and they were sentenced to a year or more, they heard the dreaded words “aggravated felony” leave the immigration judge’s mouth. Those words were probably followed by an order of removal – especially if the non-citizen had previously been admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident.

They may have appealed that decision and lost. They may have appealed in federal court and not succeeded because the law was against them. They may have spent years going from lawyer to lawyer hoping to hear that there was something that could be done. Sadly, the answer was usually that there was not. It was over. But, now, thanks to a new decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, it’s not over.

In fact, for many people, the new fight may have just begun.

The court challenge which led to this dramatic legal change stems from the case of a Filipino national who had been twice convicted of burglary after being granted lawful permanent resident status. As a result, he was sentenced to two years in prison for each of his two felony convictions. Due to these convictions, he was placed into removal (deportation) proceedings where he was charged with having been convicted of two crimes of violence, and thus of two aggravated felonies which warranted the loss of his green card and his deportation. Subsequently, the Immigration Judge ordered him deported for having been convicted of two crimes of violence, and this order was upheld on ap-

New hope for non-citizens with crime of violence convictions

peal by the Board of Immigration Appeals. This decision, however, was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals took issue with the vague definition of what exactly constituted a crime of violence under the immigration laws. Specifically, the Court expressed concern that the law was so vague that an individual could not necessarily know what conduct would be deemed a crime of violence, and that Immigration Judges were being placed into a precarious position where they were often compelled to speculate as to whether a particular conviction in a particular case actually qualified as a crime of violence. The Court ultimately concluded that this vagueness was legally improper and contrary to the Constitution, and therefore found that the definition of a crime of violence was unconstitutionally vague.

This finding by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has a profound and dramatic impact as many individuals who have been previously ordered deported from the United States might now be able to seek the reopening of their immigration cases and be legally permitted to remain in the United States. Even if the non-citizen was ordered deported years or decades ago, it may be possible to reopen their court case as a result

of this change of law. Once the case is reopened and the deportation order vacated, the alien may no longer be subject to removal.

In a different scenario, the alien may now be eligible for a waiver of their removability. Depending on the potential waiver, the alien will have to show that they are rehabilitated and deserving of a favorable exercise of discretion.

They may have to show that their US citizen or lawful permanent resident parent, spouse or son or daughter would suffer extreme hardship if the alien were forced to leave the US. Those currently in removal proceedings who had no hope of relief may now have a fighting chance to keep their green cards.

Upon a successful fight in Immigration Court, they may even be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Those currently in criminal court should hire a lawyer experienced in criminally-related immigration matters to consult with their criminal defense lawyer to try to fashion a plea agreement that will not result in their being ordered removed.

Anyone who has be ordered deported from the United States because of a criminal conviction, or told that they cannot immigrate to the United States because of a criminal conviction, should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration at-

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C NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon IF you are facing the prospect of filing bankruptcy for the first time in your life, this could be a frightening process. You probably have a thousand questions going through your mind as you contemplate your next move.

Is bankruptcy the right thing to do or will it make my situation worse? Will I lose everything that I have? Will my credit ever recover? Will the whole world know that I filed bankruptcy?

I think it is human nature to be paralyzed with fear when we are dealing with uncertainty so most people end up doing nothing. Initially, you may believe that you can handle your financial problems on your own without getting any help. Unfortunately, once you let your bills get behind, the problem quickly escalates and it becomes harder and harder to catch up with every month that goes by. This can be a risky situation especially when you’re falling behind on your mortgage or car payments

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS DIVORCED parties are sometimes ordered to pay child support and spousal support in the divorce judgment. The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements at the time of the settlement or trial. However, what if your income decreases after the divorce or what if your spouse’s income increases after the divorce due to a promotion or a better paying job? Do you have the right to modify your support obligation?

If your income has gone down substantially from the time that the child or spousal support determination, you may be able to file a modification of your support obligation. Losing a job or having less income constitutes a material change of circumstances that would allow the court to modify down your support obligations.

Community Journal

Bankruptcy can provide immediate debt relief when you need it

Tax Tips

VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA And ARlene Al-oS, since you’re now in danger of of debt, don’t drag your feet in cPA, mBA losing the roof over your head or your only reliable transportation to get to work. If you don’t find a quick solution, things can easily go from bad to worse. This is not what you want, is it?

How about putting the law to work for you? Filing bankruptcy can provide immediate debt relief, whether you’re eliminating debts you can no longer pay or simply reorganizing your finances so that you can pay your creditors slowly as you’re able.

The law says that once you file, creditors must leave you alone immediately. This gives you some breathing room, allowing you think more clearly while trying to get back on your feet.

Bankruptcy is nothing more than a tool that you can use for financial recovery.

Consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can explain to you how bankruptcy may possibly work to your advantage.

And if you come to the conclusion that it is in fact your only way out

implementing the solution.

Keep in mind that the sooner you act to know your options, the sooner you will also find out if non-bankruptcy alternatives exist. Inaction can only worsen your problems, and you may find yourself having no choice but to file bankruptcy at the last minute in order to deal with lawsuits, garnishments, bank account seizures or liens against your property. Plan ahead of time so you’re not caught unprepared. If you need help figuring out your legal options, call my office at 866-477-7772 to request a free initial consultation. We have offices in Los Angeles, Cerritos, Pasadena and Valencia. ***

How should you hold title to real estate? management, and control.

• There is a strong presumption that any acquisition after marriage is community property.

• Any conveyance requires the written consent of the other spouse.

• Any buyer must acquire the whole property, not part of it.

• Title to property is in the community and cannot be sold separately.

• Each interest is separate but cannot be conveyed (except upon death).

• On death, ½ belongs to survivor, ½ to deceased spouse’s estate or heirs.

• Changing title requires filing a “spousal property petition” in probate court.

• Important: both halves get a “step-up” basis to the fair market on death of either spouse (less taxes).

• Community property states include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Community Property With Right Of Survivorship: • This is the newest form of ownership in the State of California.

• It combines the advantages of community property (100% step up basis) and joint tenancy (automatic passing of title to surviving spouse).

• Only husband and wife can have community property with right of survivorship.

Tenancy In Common: • Any number of persons (not

just husband & wife) can be tenants in common.

• Ownership can be divided into any number of equal or unequal shares.

• Co-owners have separate legal titles, but have equal rights of possession.

• Co-owners can sell or dispose their interests separately.

• Courts favor tenancy in common in doubtful cases (except between husband & wife). ***

WHEN buying real estate, there is always that inevitable question: how do you hold title?

Remember that your choice can have dramatic impact on estate taxes, liability protection, heirs, family situations and other factors. Let’s explore choices to help you determine which title is best for your next property.

Joint Tenancy: Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides • Any number of persons (not accounting and tax services to individuals, just husband & wife) can use corporations, LLCs and business entities. joint tenancy.

The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers • Ownership must be equal. audited by the IRS and other governmental • There is only one title to the agencies. The firm celebrates its 38th whole property. anniversary in 2015.

• Each one has equal right of *** possession.

Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude • Ownership by joint tenancy from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State must be expressly stated (it canNone of the information herein is inUniversity with an MBA. Vic worked with not be presumed). tended to give legal advice for any specific SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen • Purchaser of a share besituation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully Consulting) and Ernst & Young before comes a tenant in common (see helped thousands of clients in getting out of establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation last choice below). debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your in 704 Mira Monte Place, Pasadena, CA • A joint tenant’s death passes situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices 91101. He has 50 years of experience in his/her share to the survivors auat TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. accounting, consulting, and tax work. tomatically.

(Advertising Supplement) *** • Surviving spouse can pass The Firm proudly welcomes Arlene Al-os in title by simply recording an Affi2015. She obtained her bachelors of Science in davit of Death of Joint Tenant.

Accountancy from Mindanao State University • A deceased joint tenant’s and MBA from Ateneo de Manila University. She share cannot be deposed by will. teaches intermediate accounting at UCLA and • Last survivor owns the was a professor of Economics at Asia Pacific property.

College. She has over 15 years of experience • Important: only the deceased including member firms of KPMG and BDO Seidman spouse’s ½ gets a step-up basis accounting firms. (more taxes). *** Our readers may call (626) 744-0200 or email Community Property: court will look at other factors in tax questions to info@victorsycpa.com. Please • Only husband and wife can deciding whether to modify this. own realty as community property. visit our website for about 300 tax tips at www.

Those factors are listed in family (Advertising Supplement) victorsycpa.com.

• Both have equal ownership, code section 4320.

If you are unemployed, the other party may be expected to try to impute income on you.

AN alien who seeks to be clasa mental impairment during the However in light of the recent one-year period, (3) ineffective cases in California, they would sified as a “child” or as a derivaassistance of counsel, (4) death have to prove that you had the tive beneficiary under the Immior serious illness or incapacity ability and the opportunity to gration and Nationality Act (INA) and who is under 21 years of age of the alien’s legal representaobtain employment. tive or a member of the alien’s If your income has gone down as determined under the Child immediate family. or your spouse’s income has Status Protection Act (CSPA) is It should also be noted that increased as a result of a new required to seek lawful permaan alien can show that he job, a promotion, or you got laid nent residence within one (1) year “sought to acquire” permanent off or hours cut, it may be pos- of the visa becoming available so residency by the following: sible to modify both your child he can avail of the benefit of the • “Filing Form I-485, Applisupport and spousal support specified age-out protection uncation to Register Permanent obligation. Without modifying der the CSPA. What happens if the alien is Residence or Adjust Status, the order, the current order will • “Submitting an Application continue to be in effect and the unable to seek lawful permanent Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos for Immigrant Visa and Alien same amount will accrue regard- residence within that one year Registration.” In applications less of whether your income de- period? In a policy memorandum clined or your spouse income dated 4/15/2015 entitled “Guidance on Evaluating for consular processing, payment of the visa appliincreased. It is important to file Claims of “Extraordinary Circumstances” For Late cation fees or filing the affidavit of support would u PAGE C3 Filings When the Applicant Must Have Sought to suffice; and Acquire Lawful Permanent Residence within 1 • “Having Form I-824, Application for Action Year of Visa Availability Pursuant to the Child Sta- on an Approved or Petition, filed on the Derivative tus Act”, the USCIS stated that an individual may Beneficiary alien’s behalf when the principal apbe able to meet the “sought to acquire” one-year plicant is present in the United States.” requirement in the event he fails to do so provided If you are contemplating of filing any immigrant he can prove “extraordinary circumstances” pre- or non-immigration application, it is advisable to vented him from doing so. seek the counsel of an immigration lawyer to guide For extraordinary circumstances to be consid- you on the intricacies of filing for such a petition. ered for purposes of meeting the “sought to ac*** quire” requirement, the alien must be able to show Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of the State Bar of that: California and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To schedule • “The circumstances were not created by the for a free initial in-person consultation, please call Tel. Nos. (213) individual’s own action or inaction, 284-5984 or (626) 329-8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at 3450 • “The circumstances were directly related to Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. the failure to act within the 1-year period, and *** • “The delay was reasonable under the circum- Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, constitutes stances”. legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyer-client Examples of “extraordinary circumstances” are: relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction (1) serious illness or mental or physical disability regarding the outcome of your legal matter. during the one-year period; (2) legal disability such We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the as instances where the applicant is suffering from Bankruptcy Code.

(Advertising Supplement)

Modifying child and spousal support obligation after a divorce Child support in California is based on a guideline formula.

One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income. Usually the court would look at several months or even an average of the last 12 months of income.

If your average income has decreased, you may be able to modify your child support to a lower amount. Bear in mind that there are other factors that come in the equation such as the amount of actual timeshare you spend with your child and the income of the other parent.

If the other parent’s income has gone down, this may adversely affect your child support obligation.

Spousal support may also be modified unless you stipulated in a divorce judgment that it is non modifiable. However, spousal support are usually calculated differently than guideline. The

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CSPA late filings and extraordinary circumstances

Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation A PERSON who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years.

In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/her US citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card.

8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the US citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/her US citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement. In order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated. 8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent resident must show that his/her marriage was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not intend to establish a life together. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham. Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001).

Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented.

Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated. By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending.

It is worth noting that if the conditional permanent resident and his/her US Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts. I have had numerous California-resident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada). The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

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Community Journal

Disabled employee is entitled to ‘reasonable accommodation’

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I HAD to take a few weeks of medical leave from work because I had to undergo a heart procedure. I gave my employer my doctors’ notes. When I was released to go back to work, my employer told me that my position was no longer available.

Since I work for a fairly large company, I asked if there were other positions open. I was told that if there were, they weren’t for me. What are my rights in this situation?

A: California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. This law applies to employers with 5 or more employees. These employers may not terminate or discriminate against employees in compensation or other conditions of employment based on the employee’s disability or medical condition.

An employee suffering from a disability or medical condition is entitled to reasonable accommodation. Allowing temporary leave may constitute reasonable accommodation. The employer must in good faith determine whether a disabled employee can be transferred or reassigned to a vacant position. The employer is in a better position to know what jobs are vacant or may become vacant. Additionally, the law entitles the disabled employee to “preferential consideration” in reassignment of existing employees.

If the disabled employee was terminated, even though he or

she could have performed the job with reasonable accommodation, the employer’s conduct may be wrongful. The employee, who sues for wrongful termination and prevails, may be entitled to the following: reinstatement, back pay, loss of future earnings, damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs in certain instances.

The obligation to make reasonable accommodation is intended to remove barriers to equal opportunities for disabled individuals. Employers must therefore remain sensitive to this obligation and must not deny disabled persons employment opportunities because of their disability or medical condition. However, despite abundant information available regarding disability discrimination laws, some employers continue to flout the law. This blatant disregard may have very serious, and expensive, consequences for errant employers.

Consider the following case: After five years of “excellent” work as a mental health professional for Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services (a child welfare organization based in Pasadena), Kandi Dudley, 37 years old, was diagnosed with breast cancer. According to reports, when Ms. Dudley told her employers about her condition, she was harassed and was denied accommodation. Because she had to undergo cancer treatments, she was on medical leave for several weeks. However, when she tried to return to work after being released by her doc-

Modifying child and…

PAGE C2 t

a post judgment request for order to modify support as soon as your financial situation changes. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

***

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

(Advertising Supplement)

tors, she was told that her position was no longer available and that she had been terminated.

The employer denied harassing and discriminating against Ms. Dudley. It defended the termination by saying that Ms. Dudley was laid off after 20 weeks of medical leave that allegedly caused a burden on the employer.

Ms. Dudley was willing to settle her case for $3.8 million and not go to trial but the employer refused settlement. Thus, trial started and the jury heard testimony for three weeks. Before the trial could finish, the parties reopened settlement negotiations.

The case was eventually settled for $8 million.

Employees who are wrongfully terminated need to know that there are legal remedies available to them. An experienced employment attorney may help them clarify what to do next. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. Atty. Sayas’ Law Office is located at 500 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 980, Glendale, CA 91203. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against employers and insurance companies. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum.

(Advertising Supplement)

It ain’t over…

PAGE C1 t

torney to determine how this case, and other recent legal developments regarding criminal convictions and the immigration laws, might affect their current or future immigration status in the United States. *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015

C

C NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT no. 1 is 55 years old.

She is now divorced and living by herself. The divorce judgment gave her the marital home six years ago. Ex-husband was not interested in owning the property. Divorces not only settle property rights between the spouses.

It also settles the responsibility of who should pay for credit card and other debt. However, the divorce judgment does not bind the creditor. For instance, spouses going through divorce agree that husband will pay for American Express card, which they jointly owe $50,000. The divorce judgment says that husband will pay that off. What happens if husband does not pay it off? Wife, of course, is still legally liable for the $50,000 debt because she is jointly and legally liable on the card. American Express can and will sue both ex-spouses for $50,000 later on. Wife cannot use the divorce court judgment ordering the ex-husband to pay the $50,000. If she does pay the $50,000, she can sue ex-husband to collect what she paid because the divorce court judgment states that the $50,000 is ex-husband’s responsibility.

In the case of client no. 1, exhusband did not pay a joint credit card debt of $20,000. Creditor has a judgment against client for $35,000. Further, a judgment lien has attached to client’s house for $35,000. Client doesn’t like the idea that there’s a judgment lien on her house. She wants it removed. What alternatives does she have to remove it?

Well, one-way is to pay creditor $35,000. Upon receipt of payment, creditor is required by law to file a ‘satisfaction of judgment’ notice with the court.

Creditor is also required by law to immediately remove the judgment lien. What if client doesn’t have $35,000? Another way is to negotiate a settlement with creditor for an amount that is less than $35,000 as full settlement of the debt. If a settlement amount is mutually agreed upon, and client pays the settlement amount timely, then creditor is required by law to file a ‘satisfaction of judgment’ and remove the lien. Note that a negotiated settlement of a judgment lien must always be in writing. In that writing, creditor must spe-

To Live With Faith reverend rodeL g. BALAgtAs “THE jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 17:14 These words from Prophet Elijah to the poor widow of Zerephath are so meaningful. They are words of fulfilled promise, of an answered prayer, and of God’s providence and mercy.

The story of the poor widow is that while she was gathering sticks one day during a time of drought to prepare a meal for her son, Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and once more Elijah called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” Then she answered, “I have nothing baked, there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die. “Do not be afraid,” Elijah told her. “Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” The poor widow was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well.

This story strikes me be-

Community Journal

Client seeks to remove judgment liens on residence Senior seeks discharge of $40K credit card debt cifically state that he will accept a specific less amount than what is owed as a full settlement provided payment is received by a certain date and time. This is also called ‘accord and satisfaction’. Why is this writing required? Because if the settlement amount is timely paid, but creditor does not file the ‘satisfaction of judgment’ and withdraw the judgment lien within a reasonable time, debtor can sue creditor for specific performance of the settlement terms and force the release of the lien.

A third alternative is a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. In a Chapter 7 or 13, client can file a ‘motion to avoid judicial lien on real property’ to have the court order the removal or cancellation of the lien. How does this work? This only works if the judicial lien has attached to the exempt portion of debtor’s house. For instance, debtor’s house is currently worth $600,000. She has a first mortgage of $520,000. As a result, she has equity of $80,000. The entire $80,000 is exempt under bankruptcy law in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Since, client can exempt the $80,000, she can file the motion to avoid the $20,000 judicial line on her house. She will need to obtain an appraisal report that confirms that the current fair market value of her residence is $600,000 to support her motion to avoid lien. Creditor can object to her motion to avoid lien if creditor believes that the house is worth more than $600,000. If creditor can provide an appraisal report that says the house is worth $650,000, then there is a problem. A valuation hearing will be required to have the court determine what the correct current fair market value is, $600,000 or $650,000. If the court determines that the correct value is $600,000, then the court will grant debtor’s motion and order the removal of the lien. If the court determines that $650,000 is the correct value, then debtor’s motion to avoid lien will be denied.

The credibility of the appraisers becomes the bone of contention at the valuation hearing. The court has to decide which appraiser to believe. So, the qualifications of the appraiser are important in the final outcome.

Client no. 2 is 75 years old. He receives a pension, which is good enough for his modest senior life-

style. Last year he liquidated the balance of his retirement account to pay off a portion of his credit card debt. After paying off $30K of credit card debt, he still owes today $40K. Client decided that he wants a Chapter 7 to finally be rid of the rest of his credit card debt now. A fresh start at 75 is still good than never. My oldest Chapter 7 client was 92 and he was still going strong with a 3rd wife who was 30. He was the Duracell bunny in human form.

Even at the reduced debt level of $40K, client still needs to give the lion’s share of his pension for minimum monthly payments of $1,200 to keep his cards current.

He’s been paying the $70K for 15 years at $2,300 a month minimum when he was still working.

In the last 15 years, he basically paid a fortune of $414K to keep $70K of credit cards current. If you consider $414K is more than what he currently owes on his first mortgage, he could have paid off the mortgage on his house in the last 15 years. Instead, he paid his credit cards $414K, but still owed the same $70K! Now, that just totally unfair, is it not? But most debtors just keep doing it until they retire. They think the debts will go away with minimum payments, but they remain the same, year in and year out.

When they retire, they decide they don’t have any more money to give but by that time, they already lost their chance to save the money they paid for credit card debt. Just think about it, if this client had filed for Chapter 7, fifteen years ago, he would have today, $414K of cash in the bank, or would not owe anything on his house. You don’t have to be Einstein to figure out that you have to choose the right path at the right time. A fresh start with no debt, especially at the later stage of life is the right thing to do.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 *** 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)

The promise of God cause a similar promise came through to me this year after I was diagnosed with an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. Many people prayed for me, including people that I do not even know. And many kept assuring me that God will help me through this illness because he still has a mission for me. They spoke to me like Prophet Elijah.

Six months after my medical procedure to treat my illness, my doctor declared that I am completely healed.

Indeed, we need to pray and implore God for his mercy and compassion in time of need and despair. And we should never be embarrassed to ask people to pray for us. For if we claim ourselves to be believers of the almighty power of God who can spare us from any ailment or catastrophe, God will answer our prayers.

Perhaps, other people like atheists do not believe in our claim. Perhaps, they believe that any recovery from illness is a mere result of science. But for us who have faith in God, we believe that God uses science to answer our prayers and to take care of our needs.

We also believe that God’s promise is shown in other ways.

He may not answer our prayers as we wish, but he sends other graces that are good and appropriate to us, and perhaps even better than the things we want.

As our Father, God knows what is best for us.

I know this because other manifold graces came to me through of my illness. My illness became a source of so much faith

and prayerfulness. It allowed me to grow in prayer in a thousand ways that I could not imagine.

It humbled me and granted me wisdom to accept the brevity of life and to navigate through the different crises of life. It made be become stronger and deeply grounded in reality and in the truth of God’s love.

Absolutely, “the jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry.” God’s generosity cannot be outdone. He merely wants us to entrust our lives to him.

We’ll also have to be like the poor widow in the Gospel this Sunday who gave all that she had to contribute money to the treasury—all two small coins that she had from her poverty and her whole livelihood. What we need is to trust that the Almighty God will save us from all fears and transform our crises into relevant graces that would bring joy and meaning into our lives.

May we have the poverty of spirit to entrust our lives to God and to believe in his providential care! 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 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

16th San Diego Asian Film Festival TO celebrate its sweet 16th, the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is proud to welcome and pay tribute to entertainment and film legends and pioneers during its 10-day film festival, from November 5 - 14, 2015.

Presented by Pacific Arts Movement, the SDAFF is the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, with more than 130 films and programs from 20 countries.

This year, the SDAFF presents the West Coast premiere of documentary TYRUS, paying tribute and welcoming entertainment legend Tyrus Wong, a 105-year-old Chinese American artist who is best known for inspiring the artwork in Disney’s original classic Bambi.

Other contemporary pioneers in entertainment such as Ken Jeong and Eugene Lee Yang

will be present.

The film festival will take place at the Ultrastar Mission Valley at Hazard Center (Main Theater & Box Office), 7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108. For all screenings at Ultrastar, tickets can be purchased at the Ultrastar Mission Valley box office (Member $9, General $12) starting October 30.

Student/Military/Senior and Group discounts are available at the door. Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night tickets are $15 for General, $12 for Members. Limited All-Fest Passes are available for $250.

For ticketing info, film program/gala awards night details, and a full schedule, please visit festival.sdaff.org or contact 619.400.5911 | info@ pacarts.org. n

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FOR 2015 INCOME TAX RETURN

Bridging Financial Gaps

2016 tax planning strategies for individuals

evAngeLine A. giron IT’S the last quarter of 2015 and in a few months during income tax season, you would want to minimize any income tax dues as much as possible. After all, for most individual taxpayers, paying in increments is much better than paying in lump sum.

Below is a checklist of yearend tax planning actions based on current tax rules that may help you save tax dollars if you act before year-end. Not all actions will apply in your particular situation, but you (or a family member) will likely benefit from many of them.

Our office can help to narrow down the specific actions that you can take. Contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can advise you on which tax-saving moves are best for you.

In the meantime, please review the following list of 15 tax planning strategies for individuals: • Maximize charitable donations. Donations to qualified charities are generally fully deductible for both regular tax and AMT purposes, and they may be the easiest deductible expense to your tax advantage. Donations could be made through cash, check, property or even used stuff you no longer need. Make sure though that you are donating to a qualified organization recognized by the IRS and get proof of your donation. For large donations, discuss with your tax advisor which assets to give and the best ways to give. Besides tax benefits, nothing could compare to the happiness giving emits.

• Postpone income until 2015 and accelerate deductions into 2015 to lower your 2016 tax bill.

This strategy may enable you to claim larger deductions, credits, and other tax breaks for 2015 that are phased out over varying levels of adjusted gross income (AGI). These include child tax credits, higher education tax credits, and deductions for student loan interest. Postponing income also is desirable for those taxpayers who anticipate being in a lower tax bracket next year due to changed financial circumstances. Note, however, that in some cases, it may pay to actually accelerate income into 2015.

For example, this may be the case where a person’s marginal tax rate is much lower this year than it will be next year.

• Stop working overtime until you could ascertain that doing so will not bring you to the next tax bracket. You might earn an extra few hundred dollars but will end up paying a thousand dollars in taxes due to a higher bracket.

• Realize losses on stock while substantially preserving your investment position. There are several ways this can be done. For example, you can sell the original

holding, then buy back the same securities at least 31 days later. It may be advisable for us to meet to discuss year-end trades you should consider making.

• Consider a Roth Conversion.

If you believe a Roth IRA is better than a traditional IRA, and want to remain in the market for the long term, consider converting traditional-IRA money invested in beaten-down stocks (or mutual funds) into a Roth IRA if eligible to do so. Keep in mind, however, that such a conversion will increase your adjusted gross income for 2015.

• Defer a Bonus. It may be advantageous to try to arrange with your employer to defer a bonus that may be coming your way until 2015.

• Use your credit cards. Consider using a credit card to pay deductible expenses before the end of the year. Doing so will increase your 2015 deductions even if you don’t pay your credit card bill until after the end of the year.

• Increase withholdings. If you expect to owe state and local income taxes when you file your return next year, consider asking your employer to increase withholding of state and local taxes (or pay estimated tax payments of state and local taxes) before year-end to pull the deduction of those taxes into 2015 if doing so won’t create an alternative minimum tax (AMT) problem.

• Take an eligible rollover distribution from a qualified retirement plan before the end of 2015 if you are facing a penalty for underpayment of estimated tax and having your employer increase your withholding isn’t viable or won’t sufficiently address the problem. Income tax will be withheld from the distribution and will be applied toward the taxes owed for 2015. You can then timely roll over the gross amount of the distribution, i.e., the net amount you received plus the amount of withheld tax, to a traditional IRA. No part of the distribution will be includible in income for 2015, but the withheld tax will be applied pro rata over the full 2014 tax year to reduce previous underpayments of estimated tax.

• Bunching miscellaneous deductions. You may be able to save taxes this year and next by applying a bunching strategy to “miscellaneous” itemized deductions (i.e., certain deductions that are allowed only to the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income), medical expenses and other itemized deductions.

Qualified medical expenses include insurance premiums, Donations to qualified charities are generally fully deductible for both regular tax and AMT pur-

poses, and they may be the easiest deductible expense to time to your tax advantage.

• Settle an insurance claim.

You may want to settle an insurance or damage claim in order to maximize your casualty loss deduction this year.

• Take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRA or 401(k) plan (or other employer-sponsored retired plan) if you have reached age 70- 1/2. Failure to take a required withdrawal can result in a penalty of 50% of the amount of the RMD not withdrawn.

• Increase your Flex spending. Increase the amount you set aside for next year in your employer’s health flexible spending account (FSA) if you set aside too little for this year.

• Accelerate your HSA contribution. If you are eligible to make health savings account (HSA) contributions in December of this year, you can make a full year’s worth of deductible HSA contributions for 2015. This is so even if you first became eligible on Dec. 1, 2015.

• Make gifts sheltered by the annual gift tax exclusion before the end of the year and thereby save gift and estate taxes. You can give $14,000 in 2015 to each of an unlimited number of individuals but you can’t carry over unused exclusions from one year to the next. The transfers also may save family income taxes where income-earning property is given to family members in lower income tax brackets who are not subject to the kiddie tax.

As a reminder, not all of these strategies will apply to you. To determine the best actions based on your specific circumstances this year, please contact our office, at (323) 3563803 or (818) 956-7079 or visit us at our office located inside the Eagle Rock Plaza, 1st Floor, next to Macy’s: 2700 Colorado Blvd., Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90041 and ask for JR Joaquin or check our website at www.evangelinegiron.net. ***

Evangeline is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Evangeline Giron, Inc., an eight-year old corporation providing income tax and legal document services in the heart of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles - the Eagle Rock Plaza. Her company proudly serves a diverse client base of approximately 2,200 Filipinos, Americans, Armenians, Hispanics, among others. She has a huge client base of entertainment industry professionals gained by referrals through the years. Evangeline holds a degree in Mass Communications and Master of Science in Financial Services and is a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer.

Evangeline Giron, Inc.’s office located inside the Eagle Rock Plaza, 1st Floor, next to Macy’s, The company has been located in the mall for 8 long years.

(Advertising Supplement)

People and Events

‘ReminiSing with Becca Godinez’ – it’s a group thing

BECCA Godinez will take center stage on November 21, 2015 on the occasion of PeDRO’s 11th Anniversary Celebration. PeDRO is Philippine Disaster Relief Organization – made up of dedicated men and women who are ever present and ready to assist in the aftermath of disasters. This event will allow PeDRO to raise funds which will in turn grant them the capacity to work effectively on their mission and goals.

Singer, songwriter, actress producer and director, Becca Godinez, has put together a line-up of memorable songs picked from different eras and genres of music that have touched and influenced her. “Working with killer musicians and vocalists onstage becomes such an exciting experience for me. Music makes my heart smile and getting to work with talented artists is icing on the cake,” Becca said. She knows that

no show is ever singularly successful. Without the artists and all of the people that work on the production, a show just can’t go on. “It’s a group thing”, she says.

Each person involved with the concert has donated a portion of their fees to PeDRO’s worthy cause. Every aspect of the creative process - - from the artistic poster designed by Celina Taganas-Duffy to direction and co-production ideas exchanged with Ted Benito of PAE, Live! - to song arrangements by Yong Nalasa…”ReminiSing” is touched by a common thread PeDRO’s purpose. Onstage will be Musical Director and wicked guitarist, Myke Gonzaga. Bassist is Bryant Simpson who plays his bass lines with such effortless flair. Versatile Brazilian keyboardist is Sandro Rebel, drums are by Rolly Quizon whose drum style has been labeled an “expe-

rience.” Finally, Noel Lopez will play second keyboards and will wail his pure and powerful saxophone style.

Becca, who loves to harmonize and blend vocal sounds, has hand-picked awesome soloists for back-up vocals support. Clive Green, May Nalasa Butler and Becca’s daughter, Natasha McClellan will surely amaze.

Please come and be a part of the journey. You eat, you watch a concert, and you party. Buy your tickets now! “ReminiSing with Becca Godinez” will be held on November 21st at the Renaissance Hotel on 111 Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA. Tickets are $85 which includes dinner, dancing, the concert and free parking. For tickets please call B. Francisco at (323) 828-7648 or B. Miranda at (310) 600-5675. If it’s busy, leave a message and someone will call you as soon as possible. n

Bridging US-Philippine Trade and Commerce in a changing world THE Port of Los Angeles is hosting a business delegation from the Philippines. Manufacturers or suppliers of business interests related to industrial products, medical tourism, waste water treatment, software development, auto, motorcycle, appliances and electronic parts,

decors, vanity products, power plant equipment, organic foods, bamboo related industries and more, are invited to meet potential buyers and/or partners, on a boat tour of the Port of Los Angeles. Please register at: http://tinyurl.com/FPACCbt15.

Please meet in front of the

Los Angeles Maritime Museum located at 600 Sampson Way San Pedro, CA 90731 (bottom of 6th Street and Harbor Blvd.,) by 9:45 am. The boat leaves promptly at 10:00.

E-mail Jean Coronel at jcoronel@portla.org if you have any questions. n

Saint Martin of Tours fiesta

INVITATION to Taaleños to host the celebration of the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours, the Patron Saint of Taal, Batangas, on Nov. 14. Holy Mass will be offered at 10 am at 401 Spur Trail, Walnut, CA 91789, followed by a potluck luncheon to

be hosted by expats from Taal.

A ‘Silent Auction’ is planned to raise funds for the repair and beautification of the Old Catholic Cemetery.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Tony Mijares of San Jose, Calif. Please con-

tact potluck coordinators Lorna and Eddie B. de Sagun (626) 780-8272, and the following to confirm your attendance: Baby Patolot (626) 202-3172, Jeannette C. Ilagan (626) 922-4330 or Lydia V. Solis lvsolis@aol. com. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015

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C NOVEMBER 7-10, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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SEAFOOD CITY FOOD SERVICE FP

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 7-10, 2015

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

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PH infra sector seen Petitioning a stepchild: No adoption required luring foreign players Immigration Corner

by Mayvelin

u. Caballero Manilatimes.net

THe Philippines is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Asia because of its positive economic growth, a large infrastructure deficit, lack of public funding and an improving regulatory outlook.

This is according to the latest analysis released by Fitch Group’s Business Monitor International (BMI) Ltd. Research.

In a research note, BMI said infrastructure markets in Asia, including the Philippines’, were still relatively under-penetrated by international construction players.

“A substantial infrastructure deficit, coupled with the limited ability of governments to fund large-scale development plans

will leave much scope for investment,” it said.

BMI highlighted the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and India as upcoming destination.

“We believe that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries such as Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam are key markets that will be increasingly attractive to international players over the next two to three years,” it said.

It noted that domestic firms accounted for about 60 percent to 70 percent of companies involved in local infrastructure projects, based on its Infrastructure Key Projects Database.

“We note that foreign companies will have an increasingly important role to play in developing the infrastructure sector in these PAGE D2

The Philippine economy may grow by an average of 5.9 percent in the next five years, outperforming most of its Southeast Asian peers on the back of ongoing reforms.

Inquirer.net photo

DOF, NCC slam anew World Bank report on doing business

by Prinz

P. Magtulis Philstar.com

MANILA—The Philippines is not yet done with the World Bank and will repeat its criticisms of the Doing Business Report in a meeting today with the agency’s directors and potentially with its president through writing.

“I will be having a special session with them, with the executive directors. From our end, the World Bank can expect a very frank exchange regarding the report,” said National Competitiveness Council private sector co-chairman Guillermo Luz. In addition, Rosalia de Leon, alternate country executive director at the World Bank, said the Department of Finance (DOF) is taking the “next steps” to prompt the multilateral agency into action over its annual rankings where the Philippines suffered a six-notch slip.

“Let us see the next steps to be taken by the DOF,” De Leon told The Star in an e-mail, declining to elaborate.

Sources said this included Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima writing World Bank president Jim Yong Kim to express his dismay over the country’s performance in the report. The Philippines dropped to 103rd from 97th last year.

Purisima, the country’s governor

to the World Bank, did not respond to questions sent through e-mail and text messages.

The Finance chief had branded the annual rankings “erratic” and “unsound,” criticizing the yearly changes in methodology which he said caused the Philippines’ slip in the list.

In an e-mail, Finance assistant secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan said the Philippines had long been questioning the World Bank over the Doing Business methodology.

“Not just this year,” she said.

Finance undersecretary Gil Beltran, for his part, echoed Purisima by saying the survey’s methodology of assigning one city in data gathering “may be very inaccurate.”

“They have also been changing the methodology each year so our ranking gets changed, affected or lowered whenever this happens,” Beltran said in a phone interview.

“I think we started (complaining) during the Aquino administration because anyway, it is during this administration when we made the biggest jumps on making doing business easier,” he explained.

The country’s performance in the Doing Business Report has been fluctuating despite its improvements in another business climate gauge of the World economic Forum (WeF), data showed.

Int’l, local business groups renew calls for Bangsamoro Basic Law passage

by Jose

rodel ClaPano Philstar.com

MANILA—As Congress resumes session on Tuesday, Nov. 3, international and local business groups renewed their call on the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to address security issues and attract more business ventures in Mindanao. “(This is) a very sincere appeal to our political leaders to give peace a chance. Unless we try to correct the imbalances, the problem in Mindanao cannot be worked through the barrel of a gun. The best solution is economic intervention,” said Mindanao Business Council president Vicente Lao in a statement. The Mindanao Business Council is among the numerous regional affiliates of the Makati Business Club, which organized a forum on Tuesday.

Lao said both local and foreign investors are discouraged from doing business in the country because of security issues. He added that the BBL could act as a starting point in developing Mindanao through the proposed structural changes which, in turn, would have positive effects on the whole country.

“If there is a semblance of governance in the area that could be held accountable, past tragedies wouldn’t happen. This is a new

form of government we are trying to experiment (with). If it succeeds, we can use this formula for the Philippines,” Lao said.

The proposed basic law seeks to establish a parliamentary form of government that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which has been patterned after the country’s presidential setup of governance.

Under the new law, the regional assembly will be made up of district, sectoral and party-list representatives who would be empowered to unseat an abusive chief minister through a vote of no confidence.

On Tuesday, Makati Business Club chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. appealed to Congress “to act quickly and with urgency, not only to pass the BBL, but to pass a version that is consistent with the Constitution, adheres to the commitments contained in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and truly embodies the dreams and aspirations of Muslim Filipinos.”

“We are not trying to pressure (lawmakers) with the tight deadline… the benefits (of passing the BBL) would go beyond the Bangsamoro. It is in this context that it needs support from the whole country,” Del Rosario added.

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IF a person marries a US citizen before their child’s 18th birthday, the US citizen can also directly petition the person’s child (as the US citizen’s stepchild). There is no need for the US citizen to adopt the person’s child to establish a “petitionable relationship.”

I’ve come across many situations where a person married a US citizen before their child’s 18th birthday. They thought they must first obtain their own green card, and thereafter petition their own child. That is not always the case! If you legally married a US citizen (in good faith) before your child’s 18th birthday, your US citizen spouse could directly petition your child, and it would be a lot faster than waiting for your petition.

For example, if you wait to petition your child yourself, it may take several months or years before you finally receive your own

green card. Then, if you file an F-2A petition for your child (minor child of green card holder), there may be an additional few years of waiting time for the priority date on your petition to become current. The wait would be even longer if you decided to first become a US citizen and then petition your child. By that time, your kid may have “aged – out”, and it results in unnecessary additional years of separation from your child.

If your US citizen spouse petitions your child, he or she does not need to adopt them, as long as you get married before your child’s 18th birthday. Your child would be considered an “immediate relative” of your US citizen spouse, and could possibly be processed for a green card within a matter of a few months as the stepchild of a U.S. Citizen.

I’ve also come across people who decided to “wait until my child finishes school in the Philippines, before I’ll have my spouse petition him.” If a petition (or green card) is available, grab it now, versus waiting. What if, while waiting, you run into marital problems with your US citizen spouse, and get divorced?

Had that spouse petitioned your

child early in the marriage, your kid could have already obtained a green card. Once your child is in the U.S., he or she can apply for a re-entry permit and return to the Philippines to finish school. But at least your kid has a green card in hand, versus gambling on whether the US citizen spouse will still be around to petition your child, or your child ages out, etc.

If you have a child under 18 years of age, and are dating or married to a US citizen, you may want to consult with an immigration lawyer, who can evaluate your situation, as well as your child’s, concerning the best way for everyone to get a green card. ***

Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

Business Quote of the Week “The highest levels of performance come to people who are centered, intuitive, creative, and reflective - people who know to see a problem as an opportunity.”

- Deepak Chopra, author and public speaker

D november 7-10, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

Marketplace & ShowrooM

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Aquino: I really felt traffic on EDSA Honda showcases the ‘Power of Dreams’ HE can “feel” it—and is taking notes about it.

President Benigno Aquino III said he himself was caught in a traffic jam on EDSA recently and had a firsthand experience of the daily misery endured by motorists and commuters on Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.

“I passed through EDSA and I saw how [it was]. I really felt the traffic that our citizenry go through. Every time I go out of Malacañang, even in the morning, I take note of the areas where there are traffic [problems],” Mr. Aquino told reporters in Eastern Samar province.

He had some figures on hand to tick off: EDSA, he said, has a

holding capacity of only 13,600 vehicles per hour but is currently being used by 18,000 vehicles per hour.

He also cited the exponential growth in car sales in the country but said he was particularly surprised by the number of motorcycle sales at 100,000 units per month.

Having 1.2 million motorcycles rolling out in one year would indeed eat up a lot of space on EDSA, he said.

He said he would like to see lasting solutions to the capital’s traffic congestion for he doesn’t want the next administration to inherit the problem.

Directly in charge of easing

this perennial urban headache is the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), where President Aquino recently named lawyer Emerson Carlos as the new chair to succeed Francis Tolentino, who had stepped down to run for the Senate in 2016 polls.

Carlos was the MMDA’s assistant general manager.

And as the President pondered the state of EDSA, the MMDA announced yet another undertaking to improve traffic flow across the metropolis in time for the holiday season.

The agency said it would go “full-blast” in its operations to clear the so-called Mabuhay Lanes of obstructions.

In a statement, the MMDA said clearing operations on the 21 Mabuhay routes cover West Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Estrella and Barangka Drive, among others.

Carlos said MMDA teams will fan out to remove illegally parked vehicles or structures set up by sidewalk vendors. The vehicles will be towed and brought to the nearest MMDA impounding area.

Permits earlier issued by barangay officials allowing vendors to occupy the roads or sidewalks are now “deemed canceled,” the MMDA official added. The MMDA can confiscate the vendors’ merchandise if they refuse to leave, he said.

“We should educate [residents and motorists] that these alternative routes should be free of obstructions or else we would be Aquino is formulating lasting solutions to the capital’s traffic congestion for he doesn’t want clearing them repeatedly,” Carlos said. (Inquirer.net) the next administration to inherit the problem.

by aida

Sevilla-Mendoza Inquirer.net

HONDA Motor Co. needed the largest floor area at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show to showcase all its innovative, dream-inspiring vehicles embodying the theme, “Go beyond imagination,” under its “The Power of Dreams” global brand slogan.

Japan’s third-biggest automobile manufacturer in sales volume exhibited a wide range of mobility products created to be useful in the everyday lives of people worldwide and/or to pursue advanced driving performance on and off the track.

The exciting new vehicles on display included four key models: the Clarity fuel cell vehicle (FCV), the world’s first mass-production fuel cell sedan featuring an under-the-hood fuel cell powertrain, a spacious cabin that seats five adults comfortably, and a cruising range of more than 700 kilometers.

The all-new NSX super sports car attracted admiring crowds with its midship-mounted twin turbo VTEC V6 engine, Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super HandlingAll Wheel Drive) hybrid system, and low, wide, dynamic exterior styling.

The all-new, aerodynamic Civic Type R is powered by Honda’s new 2-liter direct injection VTEC Turbo engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The development version set the world lap time record for mass-production front-wheeldrive vehicles at the legendary Nürburgring North Loop in Germany.

Honda Motor CEO Takahiro Hachigo presents the Honda Clarity fuel cell vehicle and the Honda Super Cub concept motorcycle.

Inquirer.net photo

The spunky S660 open-top mini compact, propelled by a 1.3-liter DOHC turbo engine, interested people who wanted something that looks and drives like a little sports car but gets 24 kilometers per liter.

For motorcycle fans, there was the Honda Project 2&4 fusing together the values of two- and fourwheel mobility. It packs a street spec version of the V4 engine that powered the RC213V racing motorcycle to two consecutive winning seasons in the MotoGP World Championship.

Another motorcycle attraction was the Neowing concept, an unusual three-wheeled vehicle equipped with a hybrid system that combines a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and electric motors to generate massive torque for powerful acceleration.

This three-wheeled sport hybrid model offers excellent cornering feel and stability.

Speaking onstage at the TMS press presentation, Takahiro Hachigo, who assumed the helm of the company in June, said that when he became president

of Honda, one of the themes he set in pursuit of a new Honda is “continuous development of challenging products unique to Honda and delivering them to customers around the world.”

In 2002, Honda was the first automaker to put the ultimate clean car, a fuel cell vehicle, into practical use. The FCV emits only water.

Since then, Hachigo said, Honda has been advancing and improving the performance of its FCVs, capped by the development of the Clarity FCV. Honda has long been recognized as a leader in green, environment-friendly technology.

Honda has also been in the forefront of developing driver safety assistance technologies toward the end in view of eventually producing a safe, fully automated car.

Hachigo pledged that Honda will continue pursuing its goal to advance automobiles to the point where they will have “zero social footprint” and “zero accidents” to realize the joy and freedom of mobility in a sustainable society.

PH financial system growth slows

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net

THE Philippine financial system’s growth slowed in the first semester “amid structural shifts,” the central bank reported on Wednesday, Nov. 4, also noting that financial inclusion remained a challenge in terms of services.

Total resources of the country’s financial system reached P11.2 trillion as of end-June this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said, up 9 percent from P10.28 trillion a year earlier.

The growth, however, was down from the 19.3 percent recorded in the first half of 2014.

Still, the BSP said the system remained “in a position of strength … amid structural shifts in the global and domestic financial landscape.”

“Notwithstanding the sustained positive performance of the financial system, the BSP continues to closely monitor potential pressure points. This is in line with the BSP’s objective of promoting greater financial stability,” it said.

In particular, the central bank noted that assets had shifted and reflected risk-taking activity, pointing out that investment portfolios and loan portfolios had expanded by 13.3 percent to P2.39 trillion and 12.9 percent to P5.89 trillion, respectively, during the period.

Cash and due from banks— comprising cash on hand, checks and other cash items, items/transactions due the BSP and due from other banks—contracted by 2.5 percent to P2.35 trillion.

While noting a moderation in credit allocation, particularly with the real estate sector, the central bank said it remained “proactive in its surveillance and

use of macroprudential tools to mitigate the buildup of systemic risks.”

Funding profiles, meanwhile, remained stable with retail and domestic-oriented deposit liabilities still the main source of funds.

Total deposit liabilities grew by 9 percent to P8.61 trillion as of end-June, described as “modest compared to the 18.3 percent growth recorded in 2013 on account of more alternative investment products like insurance variables in the market with more competitive rates as compared to deposit interest rate.”

The more upbeat stance toward loan and investment portfolio expansions, the BSP noted, proved beneficial as net profit grew by 8.1 percent to P68.9 billion year-on-year.

“This was supported by strong expansions in interestbased revenues (7.8 percent) and non-interest based income (11.0 percent). Trading income, in particular, registered a hefty growth of 35.9 percent on favorable market sentiment during the first semester of 2015,” it added.

The central bank also noted continued challenges given the Philippines’ archipelagic nature and again stressed its financial inclusion agenda by claiming reforms in the provision of new financial products and services in the countryside.

It reported that there were 638 operating banks with 9,890 branches as of the end of the first semester, of which only 268 were offering various e-banking services such as electronic wallets, cash/remittance products, internet banking, phone banking, mobile banking and hybrid mobile/internet via BancNet-MegaLink switch banking services.

PH infra sector seen...

PAGE D1 markets,” it added.

BMI believes economic growth will be contingent on the country being able to develop supporting infrastructure. Years of underinvestment have resulted in a lack of transport and energy facilities, raising logistics costs and capping growth.

In particular, it said the Philippine economy may grow by an average of 5.9 percent in the next five years, outperforming most of its Southeast Asian peers on the back of ongoing reforms.

BMI said political and economic reforms in the Philippines were gaining traction, which should help accelerate investment growth over the medium term.

“Owing to the fiscal and monetary prudence in the Philippines, we expect the national savings rate to increase over the coming years, which will, in turn, fuel rapid investment expansion,” it

said.

The governments of the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam are aware of their infrastructure deficit and have set out ambitious plans to develop the sector, it said.

In the Philippines, BMI cited the government’s recent move to open the construction sector to foreign companies through the creation of a new license category called the Quadruple A, which will allow the firms to be registered as regular contractors.

Lastly, BMI said that despite the large infrastructure gap in these Asean countries, the bulk of investment is expected to come from the private sector.

“Despite Philippines being in a healthier fiscal position, the private sector is still expected to play a crucial role, as underscored by the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) program,” it said.

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Marketplace & ShowrooM

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Buying a new car stress-free: Kababayans at DCH Toyota of Torrance will show you how FILIPINO Loyd Aler landed his first job as a produce and vegetable delivery man.

Then he became a fast food restaurant manager, and then a quality insurance inspector.

His father, Edgar, who used to work in wholesale for food and vegetables, and that inspired him to ultimately pursue a career in sales: today, he works as the Filipino Dept. Manager and Senior Sales Specialist at DCH Toyota of Torrance.

“I really love what I do for living and I enjoy very much not just selling cars, but making new friends, selling great products, and helping people get and drive their dream cars,” he says.

Buyin g a car i s n o e as y decision. It requires careful thought and it’s something Aler understands. Since 2002 he has been selling Toyota vehicles, a brand that has been touted for its safety, retail value and longevity.

In addition to the quality brand he sells, Aler works at an auto dealership owned by a businessman based in Hong Kong. It was established almost a decade ago and is continually growing: since its inception, it has opened more than 20 DCH dealerships across the United States, with locations in Temecula, Oxnard, Simi Valley, and on the east coast in New York and New Jersey. The goal of the company is to exceed customers’ expectations and provide exceptional service to ensure the highest satisfaction.

Among ways the dealership demonstrates how much customers matter is by delivering luxury services including oil changes, loaner cars, shuttles and much much more.

The dealership also boasts a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles to meet the broad range of tastes and needs customers have.

Finding balance on the road IT takes effort to maintain one’s balance in today’s world, especially when one is traveling.

A recent survey, conducted by Fairfield Inn & Suites, polled business travelers and revealed some intriguing insights about life on the road.

In light of those findings and to help travelers stay productive and not skip a beat, Fairfield Inn & Suites offers these five tips to anyone who has a lot to juggle while away from home: • Know it’s not a one-person job. There’s a lot of pressure to do it all, but it’s important to realize that you can’t do everything yourself, whether on the road or at home. According to the survey, 87 percent of respondents feel it is important to surround yourself with people who help you maintain balance.

• Stay connected. Make time for family and friends even while on the road. It can be easy with today’s technology. A few minutes of video chatting can make a difference—75 percent say that communicating with loved ones

while traveling helps keep them balanced.

• Enjoy your freedom on the road. While sticking to a daily routine while far from home may work for some individuals, more Americans (64 percent) say living outside of their normal routine and embracing their freedom on the road is what helps them stay balanced.

• Find tech-life balance. Technology is necessary in today’s world and definitely helps people organize and maintain busy schedules; however, you don’t have to let it get in the way of time with friends and family or for yourself.

Indulge in some tech-free time; know when to put away your phone and refrain from checking e-mails and social media.

• Keep a healthy diet. Eating well on the road is often challenging, with nearly 60 percent of people saying they eat less healthfully when they travel. Starting the day with a good breakfast, not skipping meals, and staying hydrated will help you maintain momentum. (ManilaTimes.net)

OFWs need 18 years to save enough, return to family

According to a recent study, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has to be separated from family for a little over 18 years to accumulate savings before permanently returning to his or her family.

by Ted

Torres Philstar.com

MANILA—It will take an average overseas Filipino worker (OFW) an estimated 18.11 years, or 217 months, to accumulate P3 million in savings before permanently returning to his or her family.

Based on a study commissioned by the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. (Philam Life), the average OFW saves roughly P13,800 a month.

The savings come from P9,658 held by the OFW while P4,142 is reportedly saved by his beneficiaries in the Philippines.

Thus, to accumulate P3 million in savings, the OFW has to be separated from family for a little over 18 years.

The good news is that the average OFW has a higher savings and investment awareness than Filipinos “at home.”

Philam Life chief marketing officer Jaime Jose Javier Jr. said that 97 percent of OFWs still prefer bank savings account. Ironically, the study also indicates that the same are aware of personal life insurance, non-life insurance, preneed plans and other investment portfolios.

Javier said increasing yields of savings and investments several

fold can shorten the number of years OFWs spend away from their families.

Approximately 10 percent of Philam Life’s total premium income come from its OFW portfolio.

“Fifteen percent of our new business premiums this year comes from OFWs,” the Philam Life marketing officer revealed.

The profile of the survey shows that a majority or 74 percent of those covered by the study are of the 50- to 55-year-old age group. The same group believes that they need some P3 million in savings/investment to “send” them home.

The top four conditions for OFWs to stay home for good are to open their own business, their children have finished schooling, they have a car and they own their house.

Their top fears that could derail their aspirations are risk of getting sick, fear of losing job, fear of calamities and worried about poverty.

The study, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), shows that the OFWs invest their money in house/condominium, lot, jewelry, business, car, retirement plans, insurance, dollar funds and memorial plans.

Among the customers that visit DCH Toyota of Torrance, Aler says he sees many Filipinos who show interest in a variety of cars, including Highlander, Priuses and Camry models.

Joining Aler in the Filipino Dept. of DCH Toyota of Torrance are Phillip Rivera (Sales & Leasing Consultant), and Nile Villanueva (Sales Manager).

Aler as a manager of DCH’s Filipino department, welcomes and looks forward to serving his fellow kababayans. His overflowing friendly personality, as well as that of Rivera, Relova, Panganiban and Villanueva, make the Filipino sales team approachable and easy to talk to.

Aler says he enjoys his job, although one of the bigger challenges he faces in his job is when interested buyers with poor credit or lower incomes are turned down by the bank.

DCH offers special promotions, including low APRs and $0 down payments, but it isn’t always easy to extend these to certain customers.

“But for me, that’s the time I will be more aggressive and shop around for more banks to help them,” he says.

In most cases, Aler is able to pull some strings and find a way to overcome this particular hurdle in the selling process, though interest rates tend to be just a little higher for individuals with

Phillip Rivera, Sales & Leasing Consultant

We welcome all of our kababayans to the DCH Toyota Filipino Sales Dept. Simply call us at toll-free (888) 443-7619. We can always help you get an affordable car you want to drive that will fit your budget through a very smooth, professional, friendly, and straightforward transaction. Just ask for Loyd, Phillip or Nile. Tawag na kaibigan!

credit and income limitations.

“But the important thing is they [have] another chance to get a car loan and that helps build their credit again,” he says.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is conveniently located just off the 110 at: 2909 Pacific Coast

Highway, Torrance, CA 90505.

DISCOUNT CONNECTION HOTLINE for Kababayans Phone: (888) 443-7619.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30am to 9pm, and on Sundays, from 10am to 8pm.

(Advertising Supplement) Nile Villanueva, Sales Manager

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PCCI’s 41st Business Conference targets a stronger synergy for ASEAN integration

by Nadjta

VillaVer AJPress

B

usiness leaders all over the Philippines and foreign delegations from various parts of the world gathered last October 26-27 in Marriot Hotel for the annual Philippine Business Conference (PBC), the country’s premier results-oriented dialogue between government and private sector decision-makers.

Organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the 41st PBC focused on building synergies and strategic alliances to deliver the promise of competitive environments, global integration of economies and value-added formation of industries to enable business to gain competitive advantage to grow and expand more quickly and efficiently.

This year’s theme “One. Global. Filipino: Synergies in Partnerships for Global Competitiveness,” touched on investment opportunities in the local, regional and global settings; highlight success stories and global and regional trends on business competitiveness including strategies for business and economic growth, developing a world-class infrastructure, and advancing international trade partnerships.

“We need the government to come up with sound policies and strategies to leverage our competitive edge. This situation highlights the need for an intensified collaboration between and among the private sector, development partners, and the government,” PCCI President Alfredo M. Yao said in his opening speech.

The business conference opened with a keynote speech from Vice-President Jejomar Binay who asserted the need for infrastructure projects that was lacking in the previous years. The speech was followed by talk from International Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer Philip Kucharski who asked the Philippine government to ratify the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

“Only 22 out of 160 governments have ratified the agreement, and only a handful more have plans to do so in the coming months, although the EU (European Union) is about to ratify in the name of its 28 members. That’s why I’d like to use this opportunity to encourage the Philippine government to ratify the TFA as quickly as possible and to put in place an ambitious approach to implementing the agreement in conjunction with the private sector,” Kucharski said.

Two panel discussions tackled about competitiveness.

One covers the infrastructure sector and the other is on doing business in the Philippines.

Included among panelists for infrastructure plenary session are Secretary Rogelio L. Singson of Department of Public Works and Highways; Roberto Locsin, General Manager of

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.; Engr. Michael Cosiquien, Chairman of Megawide Corporation; Raoul Romulo, Chief Finance Officer of SMC Holdings Corp.; and Paulinus Kuncinas, Managing Editor of Oxford Business Group.

Singson cited the need for the government to respect contracts in order to ensure business predictability. “We should continue to make sure that government follows what is in the contract, and that regulatory bodies enforce what’s in the contract,” he said.

The first day ended with simultaneous break-out sessions on investing in the Philippine Stock Exchange, cost and benefits of dual training in the Philippines, business and investment opportunities, branding and IP commercialization, doing business in Russia, opportunities in the Middle East, and involving business chambers, associations and enterprises in dual training.

2016 Onwards: Vision for Economic Transformation Highlight of the business conference was the special session wherein the major candidates for the 2016 Presidential election – Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago pitched to businessmen their economic platforms if they will be elected as the next president.

The initial format was a forum where presidential candi-

dates will be facing each other and exchanging views before the business group. However, Binay requested to do it separately -- stating their platforms then answering questions from the moderator one by one.

Santiago, the first candidate to hold the floor, said in her opening statement that she will turn over to her successor a nation that is more prosperous, a people more united and prouder of their leaders, and political institutions that are more stable. Her three priorities are to invest in people, in public infrastructure and in political institutions. The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) will be the first law that she will enact because she believes this is an important tool to promote public accountability. She also believes that the tax system must be overhauled.

When asked on her health, she reiterated that there is no provision in the Constitution requiring a candidate to show medical records. Santiago was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2014 but has overcome it and now cancer-free.

“Can’t you see that I can stand straight and I can look you in the eye? What else do you want? Why are you so nasty? What government do you want to grow into if this is your attitude? Magtulungan tayo. (Let’s help each other) Let’s have a sense of shared destiny, not shared destruction.

‘Yan ang problema sa Pilipinas eh. (That’s the problem in the Philippines.),” Santiago told the audience.

Another issue raised to Santiago was her decision to run alongside Sen. Bongbong Marcos. Santiago For Santiago, it’s not her function to defend the fellow senator but she firmly believes on the capabilities of the senator. “Bigyan natin siya ng pagkakataon dahil nanalo naman na siyang senador.

Nanalo siya. (Let’s give him a chance because he won as a senator.) Ibig sabihin (It means) the greater majority do not have opposition to his being a public servant.”

For her final statement, Santiago emphasized the importance of FOI. “With the FOI, concerned parties can ask specific information from department secretaries or agency heads, and the latter are duty bound to comply. That is what the public wants. That is what enhances transparency and accountability—not the selective posting of public information.”

Binay, the second speaker, mentioned in his opening statement that he will focus on a sustainable and shared economic growth through balanced social and economic policies. The three priorities under his presidency are: economic dynamism that will create more jobs and opportunities for the people; social inclusion or expanded social services; and a change in the leadership and structures hindering the rapid development of the Philippines.

He also expressed his support for the amendment of the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to encourage foreign investments and create a

more vibrant business environment. Similar with Santiago, he will revise the income tax rates.

When asked regarding corruption allegations, Binay told the businessmen “It’s the job of the courts to say what you’re doing is corruption. The moral problem is not corruption, the moral problem is poverty.”

The last speaker during the presidential forum was the most familiar with the business community and PCCI. Having been trade chief once, Roxas felt at home during his speech.

In his opening statement, he said that he will continue the programs of the Aquino administration. Roxas focused on the fruits borne from the Daang Matuwid program, especially the government’s investment in the Filipino people and in infrastructure. Daang Matuwid governance stands on three main principles: transparency, rules-based governance, and anti-corruption. Roxas also believed that education is the key to a better future.

Though Roxas believes that tax system should be revised, he said that the tax system is something that should not be done at the heat of the election battle. “It’s the easiest thing: If all you wanted to be is popular, all you have to say is no more income taxes. But what does that do to the government? What does that do to the services, the infrastructure, the economy that all of you are benefitting from right now?”

The former DILG secretary had the longest time during the forum since he also initiated an

open forum from the audience.

He concluded his speech with “what we’re talking about is more than just an election or an office. We’re talking about the hopes and dreams of all of you, of a hundred million Filipinos, who want for a better life, who want a clear path as to how to attain it. And that is what we’re offering sa Daang Matuwid.”

Senator Grace Poe was not able to join the three other presidentiables due to a miscommunication between the organizer and her office regarding the event schedule but she appeared in the presidential forum and gave a message.

She mentioned public infrastructure is necessary for the country to improve the tourism sector which has a great potential for value added activities and job creation. “We should transform -- and this may be a bold move -- one of the rooms in Malacañang into an infrastructure war room for projects, with real time feedback capability, if possible,” Poe said.

At the end of the business conference, PCCI submitted a package of business recommendations for the remaining months of the Aquino administration. Areas of reforms includes —legislative, energy, environment, industry, education, logistics, transportation infrastructure, information and communication technology and services, intellectual property, capital market small and medium enterprises development and taxation.

AJPress Photos by Godwin Gasacao

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Showroom

A little knowledge can make a big difference WHEN it comes to pinpointing potentially serious issues with your vehicle, your nose may know more than you realize. For example, the smell of burnt toast might be a sign of an electrical short. The smell of rotten eggs may signal trouble with the emissions system, which includes the catalytic converter.

These and other tips are included in “Knowledge is Power,” a booklet that’s part of a carcare and maintenance clinic developed by ACDelco. It gives vehicle owners easy-to-understand information about their vehicles so they can be informed and make the right choices when they visit an independent auto service center.

Here are some things you may not know about your vehicle: • Reddish stains on the driveway can be a sign of a transmission oil leak.

• If your technician asks if your vehicle’s brakes are “grabbing,” he wants to know if the brakes engage suddenly when you apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.

• You should pull over immediately if your temperature light reads in the hot zone. That probably means your vehicle’s coolant is too hot to cool your engine.

• Many brake pads have wear

It’s a good idea to write down your vehicle’s symptoms before visiting a repair shop, including noises—and whether these occur when the engine is hot or cold.

Inquirer.net photo

indicators. If your vehicle has them, they will emit loud squeals when they detect wear.

• It’s a good idea to write down your vehicle’s symptoms before visiting a repair shop, including noises—and whether these occur when the engine is hot or cold.

• Air bags work with your safety belts, not as a replacement for them.

• Children under 13 should ride properly secured in the rear seat.

• Always keep at least a half

tank of gas in your vehicle to avoid potential damage to your fuel filter or fuel line.

• Check your tire pressure frequently for safety and fuel economy. Hot and cold outside temperatures affect the pressure in your tires.

• Avoid oil and fuel additives unless recommended by your ser- consultant.

• Don’t use dish detergent to wash your car; it can hurt clearcoat finishes. (ManilaTimes.net)

Zero-crash future with connected vehicles

by Jim

BarBaresso ManilaTimes.net

IMAGINE: Someday, people will talk about traffic accident fatalities as a thing of the past.

Crashes will be eradicated, thanks to an onslaught of new technologies that eliminate human error behind the wheel, the cause of 90 percent of roadway mishaps today.

A new America survey found 71 percent of Americans expect emerging technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles, to improve safety.

A zero-crash future is hugely compelling. It’s also only possible with the lightning-fast collection and processing of huge amounts of data. Connected vehicle-to-vehicle technologies sense the speed, direction, size, position and location of every other car nearby and use the data to assist human decision making.

Safer roads In congested highway traffic,

for example, you may not see a driver braking hard several car lengths ahead of you. But your connected car, communicating wirelessly with the vehicles around it, will sense the abrupt slowdown, alert you, and assist you in stopping your vehicle before a collision.

Other benefits If cars don’t crash, vehicles can drive in platoons at high rates of speed and with less space between them. That means every lane of traffic in a congested city could carry three times its current capacity.

Combining vehicle connectivity and automation will deliver incredible change—undoubtedly the biggest change to mobility in America since the advent of the automobile itself.

The technology is here. Carmakers are beginning implementation. The time for public education is now. Drivers will need to understand where their personal information is going

and how it will be used—especially considering 80 percent of Americans worry about privacy with new transportation technologies. The survey, however, also indicates that most would grant access to their travel and vehicle information if it guaranteed safer roads or lower gas prices.

National Safety Council statistics indicate that nearly 40,000 Americans may lose their lives in car accidents this year. With the technology available today that is proven to prevent fatal accidents, we have a moral obligation to implement it as quickly as possible.

Businesses and governments, however, must work together to guarantee the privacy of personal travel data.

For further facts and insights, visit www.hntb.com.

Barbaresso is the practice leader of Intelligent Transportation Systems and emerging technologies for HNTB Corp., an infrastructure solutions firm.

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Longo Lexus offers the ultimate Longo Toyota delivers world class experience conveniences in customer amenities

We all know that the process of buying a car is not just as simple as buying a new pair of shoes at the mall. It is a long process that involves careful comparison between vehicle models, reviewing the car’s specifications with regards to the needs of the buyer, and of course, the negotiations for the financing packages and promos.

As such, it is very important for Longo Lexus that its customers are supremely comfortable and well-pampered if they are going to make that important decision of which Lexus they will drive home.

As a car dealership, there are many reasons why Longo Lexus has been an elite of Lexus dealer since 1992. One of those reasons includes the ultimate conveniences that they offer in customer amenities. As one of the leading Lexus car dealerships, Longo Lexus provides not only pre-sales conveniences, but also noteworthy post-sales services.

Longo Lexus is known for the unique amenities that they offer to dealership customers.

One of those unique amenities include an on-site Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) center. The AAA branch offers DMV services, airline, car, and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, AAA membership application processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, auto and home insurance, and more. Sign up at our AAA branch in Longo, and you’ll receive a special $13 discount off the original membership price.

Aside from from the on-site AAA branch, Longo is also the first dealership in the US to offer Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless Neighborhood services on-site. Offering the latest technologies in telecommunications, mobile accessories, and services, Longo’s on-site Verizon branch makes it even more convenient for customers to stay connected with the world. Our Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer is open from Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, from 7am to 5:30pm; and Sunday, from 8am to 4pm. Please call (888) 8115201.

While waiting for your car to come out of our premium carcare service lines or while you’re going through our wide inventory of luxurious Lexus vehicles, you can enjoy a quick bite at Sub-

way or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

If you want to pamper your car, you can also shop at the Longo Lexus Parts Boutique, which carries a wide selection of genuine Lexus parts and accessories for your vehicle. M`Zkfi I\p\j With over 31,000 parts and accessories in stock, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

The after-sales services of a dealership is just as important as the pre-sales amenities. And it these after-sales services that make buying a vehicle at Longo Lexus a truly rewarding experience.

We offer complimentary loaner vehicles for your use while your car is in our service center. For inquiries, on our loaners, please call our coordinators at 1-800-5970813.

For your convenience, we also offer complimentary shuttle service to take you to your office, home, or even the mall—basically anywhere within a 15-mile radius—while your vehicle is being serviced.

If you don’t have time to make the drive to our dealership, our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck can provide routine maintenance services, such as oil changes and tire rotations, right at your home or office. Appointments can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Similarly, if your service requirements need the car to be physically present at our Longo service center, we offer complimentary flatbed truck pick-up and delivery of your vehicle to and from our dealership. Our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck, and our complimentary flatbed truch pick-up and delivery service are exclusively for cars that are purchased from Longo Lexus, and are located within 60mile radius from Longo.

Please call 1-800-597-0813 to schedule your appointment.

Also, for every service appointment, each vehicle receives a complimentary car wash in our Longo Lexus Car Spa. For our clients who wish to use other cars, aside from those among our fleet of loaner Lexus cars, they can avail of the services of our enterprise Rent-A-Car offices.

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With two branches on the Longo Premises, enterprise is ready to address all your car rental needs.

Please call (800) 969-6519 for more information.

We understand that life’s daily grind requires our customers to be always on top of everything while keeping up with an onthe-go lifestyle. Which is they are more than welcome to work at our Longo Business Center where they can work on our computer terminals, free of charge.

We also offer complimentary Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) to our customers throughout the facility. This is particularly useful for our customers with mobile devices, laptops, and tablets.

While you wait for your car to come out of our service center, your kids can enjoy and have a good time at our Children Play Area, where we offer video games and other activities for the young ones.

Longo Lexus customers will also be offered complimentary use of our iPads while they are waiting for their vehicle.

For more information on our Longo Lexus Guest Services, please log on to www.longolexus.com/GuestAmenities or call (626) 539-2956.

Longo Lexus is located at 3530 North Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731.

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Being the premiere Toyota retailer in the nation, Longo Toyota aims to deliver a truly world-class experience to our guests on every transaction, everyday. it all starts with our friendly and welcoming staff, a clean and modern environment, and a wide range of services to make your visit pleasant and convenient. Here are some of our key amenities at Longo Toyota: Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) in november 1999, Longo Toyota became the first automotive dealership in the US to have the Auto Club on its premises. For 14 long years, our Auto Club branch has served countless satisfied Longo customers with its wide array of services Today, our on-site branch offers DMV services, airline, car and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, membership processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, and more. Sign up at our Longo Toyota branch and get $13 off the original membership application price. Located in our new car showroom, our AAA branch is open Mondays thru Saturdays, from 11am to 7pm.

Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer Longo Lexus is the first car dealership in the US to provide Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless neighborhood services on-site.

Our Verizon branch offers the latest in telecommunications, mobile devices, accessories and services. We also offer complimentary cellphone charging stations for our customers. Our Verizon retailer is located inside our parts retail center. Our Wireless Playground is open Monday-Friday, 7am7pm; Saturday, 7am-5:30pm; and Sunday, 8-4pm. Please call (888) 623-2133 for more information.

Starbucks and Subway While waiting for your car to come out of our car-care service lines, you can enjoy a quick bite at Subway or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

We offer healthy dining options with Subway’s wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. if you’re thirsty and you’re looking for that quick coffee

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fix, you can grab a refreshing Hazelnut Macchiato or a smooth Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. Offering only the finest coffee specialties, teas, juices, and assortment of pastries, there’s something for everybody at our on-site Starbucks branch.

Both our Subway and Starbucks branches are available for catering services.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Longo Toyota also has two enterprise Rent-A-Car offices on its premises. One is located adjacent to the Service Drive in the Pre-Owned Vehicle Showroom, and the other is in the Collision Repair Center.

Customers are welcome to utilize the enterprise rental services, regardless of whether or not they leave their vehicle in Longo for any car service.

Complimentary Vehicle Delivery Service Longo Toyota also offer complimentary vehicle delivery service. Our delivery service is available 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday, anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Longo Toyota.

Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department You can also shop at the Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department, which carries a wide selection of genuine Toyota parts and accessories for your vehicle. With thousands of parts and accessories in stock, we definitely have whatever it is you’re looking for. Our boutique also carries a selection of RayBan and Oakley sunglasses, women’s and men’s apparel, and so much more.

Shuttle Service For your convenience, Longo Toyota offers complimentary shuttle service while your vehicles are being serviced.

Our shuttles can take you to virtually anywhere within a 15mile radius of Longo Toyota – be it your home, work, the mall, or even the parlor!

Anywhere!

An engaging stay While we understand that our customer’s time is precious, we realize that many of them may need internet connectivity at all times. As such we are more than happy to provide FRee WiFi throughout our facility, and FRee use of our great business center. in our business center, we provide a quiet setting where our guests can work on our computers or on their own laptops.

We also provide free use of an iPad for Longo guests who are waiting for their vehicles. Our guest Check-in representative will be more than happy to arrange this for you. if you decide to bring the kids to the dealership, boredom will never be a problem. We also offer a variety of video games and DVDs just for kids so that they can also enjoy their visit to Longo Toyota.

For more information on our Longo Toyota guest Services, please log on to http://www. longotoyota.com/dealership/ amenities.htm.

Longo Toyota is located at 3534 north Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731. Call (626)539-2584 to set up your appointment.

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

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 7-10, 2015 D

D10 november 7-10, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

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