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Volume 25 - No. 91 • 4 Sections – 34 Pages

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Aquino admin: APEC in Manila ‘a success’

by Prinz

Magtulis Philstar.com

APEC 2015. President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) world leaders for the traditional APEC Leaders’ family photo at the Main Lobby of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday, Nov. 19. This year’s theme was “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

Malacañang photo by Robert Viñas

USA

DATELINE Long Beach community discusses raising min wage FROM ThE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia AJPress photo by Agnes Constante

AS the City of Long Beach continues consideration of a minimum wage increase, community members, business owners, low-wage workers and representatives from

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House passes bill to stop Syrian refugees ThE house of Representatives swiftly passed a bill on Thursday, Nov. 19, that would halt the admission of Syrian refugees into the US, suspending the program until key national security agencies can certify that they do not pose a security risk.

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MANILA—Despite public inconvenience, the Aquino administration on Friday, Nov. 20 declared the Philippines’ yearlong hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit a success.

Officials also praised the government’s handling of the week-long APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetings in Manila that capped the country’s hosting of the annual gathering.

“It was a success experience-wise, content-wise and outcome-wise,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told The STAR. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the country’s hosting of the 21-member bloc meetings was an achievement that put the Philippines back in the global limelight.

“Just hosting an APEC is an achievement

enough: it’s a collective endorsement by APEC members of the stellar performance of the Philippines,” Abad said.

“But hosting it successfully as the Aquino administration just did further raises the stature of the country before the global development arena,” he added.

Marciano Paynor Jr., chairman of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Committee (NOC), said the nearly P10-billion budget for the event may not have been completely used, thanks to good weather.

“From a logistics perspective, we were within budget. I believe we may even have savings,” Parayno said, without citing data.

“Part of the budget was for contingencies in (case of) weather-related issues,” he pointed out.

According to data from the Department of

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Critics: ‘Filipinos gained Pinay inventor shares stage with Obama, Alibaba’s Jack Ma nothing from summit’ CONTRARY to Malacañang’s claim, Filipinos, particularly the poor among them, gained nothing from the just concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a Church leader and a political analyst said.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the public affairs committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), on Friday, Nov. 20 said 26 years after APEC was founded, some 1.7 billion people are still living in extreme poverty in the region.

Pabillo noted that also 26 years after APEC’s founding, poverty has only worsened as reflected in a study conducted by Ibon Foundation, which showed 933 million people are earning less than $2 per day; 1.5 billion rural dwellers are without safe drinking water and access

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MANILA—Aisa Mijeno, a Filipina entrepreneur who invented lamps powered by salt water, was lauded by US president Barack Obama during a forum at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

At the start of his session, Obama made a pitch for renewable energy, noting how big US busiPresident Barack Obama poses for a photo with Alibaba founder Jack nesses are saving billions Ma and Filipina scientist Aisa Mijeno following a discussion at the of dollars by tapping into Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, attended by 800 business leaders from around the region representing US and solar and other renewable energy sources.

Asia-Pacific companies in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Obama said climate change could be viewed as a business opportunity, citing the efforts of young entrepreneurs and importance of capitalizing on them.

Obama cited Mijeno, an engineer who devised the sustainable and costeffective lamp dubbed as the Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALT) lamp, as a fine example of “young entrepreneurs coming out with leapfrog technologies.”

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Pemberton case verdict to come on Dec. 1 Top suspect in Paris attacks and accomplice confirmed dead by

allan Macatuno Inquirer.net

OLONGAPO CITY—The verdict on whether detained United States Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton murdered transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude would be given on Dec. 1, instead of Nov. 24 as earlier scheduled.

Deputy City Prosecutor Misael Ladaga on Thursday, Nov. 19 said Pember-

ton’s lawyers filed a motion in court requesting for the postponement of the promulgation on Nov. 24, prompting Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of Regional Trial Court Branch 74 here to reset it a week later.

“The resetting [of the promulgation] was at the instance of the defense.

Allegedly the three counsels of Pemberton are not available on Nov. 24, so it

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by allyson

Escobar

AJPress

Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton

FRENCh officials said on Thursday, Nov. 19 that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Islamic State militant suspected of being the ringleader in last week’s terror attacks in Paris, has been killed in a police raid.

Abaaoud’s body was found on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in a suburban apartment building in Saint-Denis, France, and identified the 27-year-

old using his fingerprints, according to the Associated Press.

Officials thought Abaaoud had escaped to Syria, and it was not clear how he ended up near Paris.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that the French government were not aware that Abaaoud was in Europe.

“Mr. Abaaoud’s body was heavily riddled with wounds from gunfire and a grenade detonated dur-

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From the Front Page

Aquino admin: APEC...

PAGE A1 t Budget and Management, a total of P9.885 billion was allotted for the APEC meetings, but only P7.913 billion was spent this year.

The remaining amount of more than P2 billion was shelled out from 2010 to 2013 as the country’s contribution to APEC. The budget was sourced from the Office of the

President and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

For his part, Guillermo Luz, cochair of the APEC 2015 NOC, said the Philippines accomplished its objectives in hosting the gathering, both from a “substantive and hosting point of view.”

This year’s APEC meetings marked the first time in almost two

decades the Philippines served as host to the trade and economic group. The previous meetings were held in 1996 under the Ramos administration.

For security reasons during this week’s Economic Leaders’ Meetings, Malacañang banned private vehicles from plying Roxas Boulevard where the gathering was being held, and also reserved parts of EDSA as “APEC lanes.”

Despite the week being mostly a holiday, heavy traffic persisted on major highways such as EDSA, causing public inconvenience.

Paynor said there needs to be a change in public mindset.

“There are always three sides to a coin: heads, tails and the thin side. Let’s always look at things positively, not negatively. And let’s not forget the thin side because more often than not, that’s where out-of-the-box solutions come from,” Paynor pointed out.

The Aquino administration refuted the claim of critics that

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APEC SELFIE. President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with officials and staff who participated at APEC in World Trade Center on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Malacañang photo by Robert Viñas

Pinay inventor shares stage with... which functions by adding two tablespoons of salt on a glass of Inspired by the natives of tap water. SALT which costs $20 the Butbut tribe in Kalinga who each, can run for eight hours evuse kerosene lamps as source ery day without the hazards of of light at night, Mijeno concep- a combustible fuel. With proper tualized a safe, cost-efficient, maintenance, it can last for six environmental friendly lamp, months.

PAGE A1 t

“I wanted to address the light inequality gap, first in the Philippines, by focusing on the people at the bottom of the pyramid,” said Mijeno.

“Most of these families live on island, communities and they are not connected to power grids. So they mainly use kerosene and fuel based lamps as the main source of lighting...kerosene lamps cause fire accidents, it emits black carbon,” she continued.

“We want to provide a lighting option that is more cost-effective, more safe, more sustainable and environmentally friendly by way of a lantern that uses saline solution or ocean water, as a catalyst to generate electricity, she added.

Asked by Obama what more can the government do to assist young entrepreneurs in doing sustainable innovations, Mijeno said,“We also need a lot of support in terms of funding. That’s our main challenge right now.”

“We have the passion, but we need a support system both from the private sector and government to mentor us and guide us,” Mijeno explained.

The Filipina entrepreneur also backed Obama’s claim, saying “Climate change is real and not a myth created by scientists to get funding.”

“It is like cancer,” Mijeno said, citing the four stages of the disease: cell mutation, symptoms, manifest effects, and decline. “I believe we are at Stage 2.”

The SALT lamp has received various awards and recognition from organizations in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. (Philstar.com)

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From the Front page

Critics: ‘Filipinos gained nothing...

PAGE A1 t

to basic sanitation; 63 percent of the world are hungry; 60 percent of the region’s work force are in informal work; 21 million children are not enrolled in primary school; 7.1 million are living with HIV; and 8 million are infected with tuberculosis.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director, Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, told the Church-run Radyo Veritas that the Philippines would get no direct benefit from the agreements forged by the region’s leaders from their 239 brainstorming sessions and earlier sub-ministerial meetings in Iloilo, Boracay and Cebu prior to the APEC leaders and senior ministers’ meetings.

Casiple explained that the APEC summit was not a “policy-making summit” but a simple gathering and meeting of the 21 heads of state of APEC member-economies.

“Actually, it [summit] has no direct benefit because it was not a policy meeting. The heads of state just updated themselves. They just discussed the common trends, it’s called entry points. Whatever topics they have discussed would most likely result in another series of meetings,” he said in Filipino.

But Casiple pointed out that the APEC summit was important be-

PAGE A1 t

cause it was a backroom-level discussion on the latest trends in Asia Pacific but that it has no immediate impact in terms of policy of the participating governments.

According to Bishop Pabillo, the government wasted P10 billion in taxpayers’ money, an amount, he said, better spent on basic services and other programs aimed at alleviating the plight of the teeming poor in the country.

“We do know what we benefited from APEC because definitely, it did not alleviate the lives of the Filipinos. They even suffered more. It’s true that the income of the Philippines has increased but who benefited from the income of the Philippines? It’s not Juan dela Cruz,” the bishop said.

Pabillo added that the Aquino administration spent P10 billion to prop up its image before the eyes of the visiting heads of state but only a miniscule or almost nothing was set aside for the needs of the poor Filipinos.

He said the Aquino administration presented no concrete platform on how to improve the country’s economy.

Urban poor group Kadamay said the P10 billion APEC hosting budget could have fed every hungry Filipino family for at least 20 days.

In a statement, the group

claimed that the APEC meeting will only worsen hunger and poverty in the country as it cited “neoliberal policies” that had actually burdened local economies in previous decades.

“If used to feed the 3.46 million hungry Filipinos, the P10 billion APEC fund could eradicate poverty in the country for at least 20 days,” Gloria Arellano, the group’s national chairman, said.

Unless the government can immediately awaken residents of Metro Manila and the suburbs from the nightmare they suffered during the APEC week, the experience will derail the chances of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd and other administration bets in next year’s elections, former National Treasurer Leonor Briones said.

“They have six months to make up, to make people happy so that they can forget all about the nightmare they experienced,” she told The Manila Times.

Briones said the entire APEC event was a “folly” because it failed to “impress” foreign visitors and only drew the ire of affected Filipinos, who were “sacrificed” by the government.

“We cannot fool them if we only want to impress. They know for a fact what is really the situation

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House passes bill to stop Syrian...

The vote was 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in favor of the bill, according to CNN. Two Republicans--Reps.

Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve King of Iowa--joined the 135 Democrats in voting against the legislation.

The bill requires the nation’s three top security officials--the Homeland Security secretary, FBI director and national intelligence director--to certify to Congress each Syrian or Iraqi refugee is

not a security threat before he or she can be admitted into the US, according to USA Today.

The House’s swift vote created a majority that could override President Barack Obama’s promised veto for his proposed program to admit 10,000 refugees from Syria and Iraq. It also faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Minority Leader Harry Reid has said he would try to block the bill.

The high number of Democrats voting against the White

Pemberton case verdict...

PAGE A1 t

is now Dec. 1,” said lawyer Virgie Suarez, private counsel of the Laude family.

Lawyer Rowena Garcia-Flores, lead counsel of Pemberton, confirmed that the defense asked for the postponement. “I’m in Italy now. Atty. (Filemon Ray) Javier is also out of town,” Flores said in a text message sent to the Inquirer

on Friday.

Suarez said she received the court order on Tuesday through e-mail.

“I don’t want to think negatively about the postponement and would like to accept as gospel truth the reason that not one of them (Pemberton’s lawyers) was available to assist Pemberton,” Suarez said.

House is a clear sign Obama is more isolated in his position on refugees, especially after the ISIS terrorist attacks last week in Paris.

The White House has issued a veto threat, saying the bill would create significant delays and barriers for refugees without providing meaningful additional security for Americans.

During his trip abroad this week, Obama offered a forceful defense of the program, and

u PAGE A4 “However, considering that this case is so important, historical and highly political, it is inconceivable that they can’t prioritize it or find time for it, especially so that they are very much well-paid,” she said.

Pemberton was charged with murder on Dec. 15 last year after government prosecutors, headed

by City Prosecutor Emily Fe de los Santos, found probable cause to pursue the criminal complaint filed by the Laude family.

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From the Front page

House passes bill to stop Syrian...

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mocked his Republican opponents as being scared of “widows and orphans.”

“We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic,” said Obama at the APEC summit in the Philippines on Wednesday. “We don’t make good decisions if it’s based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks.”

Determined to move quickly, Republican House Speaker Paul

Ryan told reporters, “This is urgent. We cannot and should not wait to act, not when our national security is at stake.”

The administration’s veto threat “baffles me, especially given the fact that his own law enforcement top officials came to Congress and testified that there are gaps in this refugee program,” he added.

“The real problem is ISIL and the lack of a strategy,” commented House Majority Leader Kevin

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Long Beach community discusses...

McCarthy said.

“We are a nation at war,” said Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who introduced the bill with Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.). “The streets of Paris could just as easily have been the streets of New York, Chicago, Houston, or Los Angeles…we must take decisive action to show the American people that we are doing all we can to protect them.”

Obama administration officials have been lobbying Democrats to oppose the measure, saying there is a vigorous 18-month to 24-month vetting process for eligible refugees.

“No refugee is approved for travel to the United States under the current system until the fall array of required security vetting measures have been completed,” the White House said.

“There are always risks in allowing any foreigners into the US,” said FBI Director James Comey, adding that the FBI has an “effective process with intelligence and other agencies to conduct vetting of refugees.”

Comey has told administration and government officials that the legislation bill would make it impossible to allow any refugees into the US, and could even affect the ability of travelers from nearly three dozen countries worldwide that are allowed easier travel to the US, under the visa waiver program.

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PAGE A1 t non-profit organizations on Tuesday, Nov. 17, gathered in the city to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of such a raise.

“This is an issue that affects a lot of people,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said at Tuesday’s round table discussion at Admiral Kidd Park, the fourth of six meetings the City Council has set to provide community members an opportunity to voice their opinions. “It clearly affects workers, it affects the quality of life of workers, it also clearly affects small businesses in particular and their ability to provide services, and of course the non-profit sector, youth programs, a variety of issues that we’ve all talked about.”

Many round table participants weren’t entirely against the idea of boosting the minimum wage in Long Beach, although a number agreed the issue should be decided by the state so as to allow for a level playing field. Business owners and non-profit representatives also expressed concerns about how their entities would cope with a mandatory increase, and that paying workers $15 per hour by 2020 (as it has been proposed in Los Angeles) would be too much too fast.

At Aquarium of the Pacific, vice president of finance and chief financial officer Anthony Brown said all employees are paid above minimum wage and that the nonprofit is not opposed to paying them their fair share. However,

paying workers $15 by 2020, as is scheduled to happen in Los Angeles, would have a $3 million impact on the organization.

“What we’re challenged with is how do we make that model work for a non-profit. Just penciling out solutions, obviously we would have to look at price increases, we’d have to look at possible attrition, we’d have to look at technology,” Brown said.

The Filipino Migrant Center (FMC), a non-profit that aims to mobilize the low-income and working-class Filipino community in Southern California, is another entity that has voiced support for raising wages to $15 per hour. “[This] would really benefit thousands of Filipinos,” Alex Montances, campaign coordinator at FMC, told the Asian Journal.

“We shouldn’t be working against our kababayans. We should be working with them and we need to make sure that everyone has a chance to live a dignified life and that every family can thrive. Thats the Pilipino way. That’s the Long Beach way.”

With a number of Filipinos working as caregivers, in restaurants, in factories and in hotels many of whom experience wage theft - another issue of concern is ensuring they receive proper wages.

“We’ve seen a lot of big issues with wage theft in the caregiving industry where a lot of Filipino caregivers and other folks are actually not getting paid overtime, are not being given breaks, so we

Alex Montances, campaign coordinator at Filipino Migrant Center (FMC), said his organization is in favor of raising the minimum wage in Long Beach. He also said an issue of concern for Filipino workers, many of whom work as caregivers, is wage theft, so FMC is further calling for wage enforcement in addition to higher wages.

AJPress photo by Agnes Constante

really need to raise and enforce the wage,” he told round table participants during the public comment period on Tuesday.

Two low-wage workers on the panel expressed similar worries.

Anthony Vallecillo, a warehouse worker at Cal Cartage, said he has often purchased equipment for his job with his own money. Francisco Abdul Estin, a worker at the Westin Long Beach Hotel, said he often has to work through his 10-minute breaks, as nobody else is available to do his job during those breaks.

For restauranteur panelists, the idea of counting tips toward income was brought up. Mike Rhodes, owner of Domenico’s Pizza restaurant, said tips are

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Top suspect in Paris attacks... Filipino accountant in Virgin Islands pleads guilty to theft

PAGE A1 t

ing the raid,” said Paris prosecutor François Molins in a statement.

“We do not know at this stage whether Abaaoud blew himself up or not.”

Another person was also killed during the raid: a 26-year-old woman who reportedly opened fire on French police and then detonated a suicide vest, whom two French intelligence officials identified as Hasna Aitboulahcen, a cousin of Abaaoud, according to The New York Times.

The death of Abaaoud and Aitboulahcen ended one chapter of intense criminal investigation following the coordinated attacks at a national stadium, a theater venue, and several outdoor boulevards that killed a total of 129 people.

However, a large manhunt continued in Belgium for 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, a French citizen who was also involved. Belgian authorities arrested nine people in a series of police raids on Thursday, including those allegedly connected with 20-year-old Bilal Hadfi, who detonated an explosive vest outside of the Stade de France stadium last week.

The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office told AP that police raids were taking place in the suburb of Molkenbeek, where Abaaoud lived, and other areas of Brussels.

The investigation is still ongoing.

“We can’t cry ‘victory over terrorism’,” said Michel Thooris, secretary-general for the FrancePolice labor union. “The situation is far more complex than one bad guy. It’s a good thing, but we don’t think the entire network has been taken down.”

Abaaoud was believed to be the mastermind of four out of six attacks thwarted since the spring

by French authorities, including a recent attack on a high-speed train that was stopped by three American soldiers.

In France, still reeling from the chaos and newly-declared war by President François Hollande, the National Assembly voted Thursday to extend the country’s state of emergency for three months. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it will likely be approved.

The state of emergency expands French police powers to carry out

SAN FRANCISCO—A Filipino accountant in Tortola, Virgin Islands, November 16 pleaded guilty to several charges of financial misdeeds after he was accused of stealing money from Island Services Limited, Pasea, where he was employed.

In addition to pleading guilty to three charges against him, Rommel Sofia informed Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo through his lawyer, Valerie Stephens-Gordon, that he would pay back the sum of $24,975.37 he stole from his employer. The case returns to the court on November 25, 2015 for mitigation and sentencing, according to

a report by VirginIslandsnews. com.

Stephens-Gordon told the court she had a check made to the Accountant General for $24,975.37 for the purpose of making restitution. She argued that once restitution is made the items being held by the police, such as jewelry thought to be proceeds of the alleged crime, must be returned to Sofia.

However, Magistrate DaBreo would only accept the check and have the jewelry returned after further investigation.

Sofia faces charges of theft, false accounting and concealing and transferring proceeds

The Philippines’ Rizal Monument in Rizal Park lights up in French national colors in a display of support for France and unity with the rest of the world following recent events in Paris. The Rizal Monument stands as a visual icon of the Philippines’ proud heritage and is as a major tourist attraction in the City of Manila.

arrests and searches, and allows authorities to forbid people and vehicles moving at specific times and places. The extension was pressed by Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who warned that Islamic extremists could use chemical or biological weapons.

“Terrorism hit France not because of what it is doing in Iraq and Syria…but for what it is,” Valls said, not adding if there was a specific threat against France involving such weapons.

In response to the attacks, France has stepped up its airstrikes against the terrorist group at its homebase in Syria, and French military spokesman Col. Gilles Jaron said that military forces have destroyed 35 Islamic State targets in the region.

Meanwhile, President Hollande will travel to Washington and Moscow in the coming week to push for a stronger international coalition against the extremists. Cazeneuve has requested a meeting of European interior and justice ministers in Brussels to discuss global strategy in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

“Everyone must understand that it is urgent for Europe to recover, get organized and defend itself against the terrorist threat,” he said.

seafood city footer

of a criminal nature since the amount of $24,499.63 was allegedly removed from the territory in a criminal conduct. Sofia allegedly stole some $675 daily on average.

He was on vacation in the Philippines while the investigations were being done at Island Services and it was on his return to the territory that he was told of the allegations against him and arrested on July 1, 2015.

Sofia reportedly admitted that he had bought a farm and residential lots and private properties in the Philippines and stole the money to keep up with the mortgages for them. He also al-

Accountant Rommel Sofia pleaded guilty to stealing from his company in the Virgin Islands.

legedly used some of the money to expand a jewelry business he owns. (Inquirer.net)

A10 november 21-24, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

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OpiniOn

Features

11th worst

AFTER hosting the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, President Aquino flew to Kuala Lumpur for another regional gathering, this time hosted by Malaysia. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit’s Manila Declaration focused on one particular message: it condemned terrorism and called for global action against the threat.

The President was in the Malaysian capital just three days after the Abu Sayyaf beheaded a Malaysian hostage who was snatched with a compatriot from a restaurant in the Sabah town of Sandakan in May. Philippine officials said Malaysia paid P100 million for the hostages but the Abu Sayyaf freed only one as the bandits demanded more money. The officials said the Philippines was kept in the dark about the ransom negotiations.

While Philippine officials may blame Malaysia for giving in to a ransom demand, the Abu Sayyaf is still the perpetrator. The bandit group, loosely linked to al-Qaeda, is based in the Philippines where the government has failed to neutralize the threat. Last year, the bandits said they received P250 million as ransom for two German captives – a claim the government has not convincingly denied.

Abu Sayyaf attacks are among the reasons why the Philippines is rated the 11th worst among 162 countries in the 2015 Global Terrorism Index. Although this is an improvement from its ninth place in the 2014 index, the Philippines is still rated the second worst affected by terrorism after Thailand among Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia is a far 33rd, Myanmar is 41st and Malaysia 49th.

Southeast Asian states that not too long ago suffered bloody internal strife rated better than the Philippines, with Cambodia at 113th and Vietnam tying with Singapore and Timor Leste at 124th place. Globally, Iraq was rated the worst followed

by Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.

The index included killings not only by the Abu Sayyaf but also by the New People’s Army and Islamic separatists. The insurgencies have festered ing the discontent. The beheading of the Malayfor decades, with poverty and social injustice fuel- sian hostage and the Philippines’ ranking in the

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

terrorism index should spur more resolute action to deal with this threat. (Philstar.com)

The other side of the immigration debate

Commentary

Eric cohEn, ThE hill MILLIONS of undocumented immigrants are facing possible deportation. Some have proposed building a wall. States are threatening to close their borders to refugees.

Amid the current divisive immigration rhetoric it’s important that we not forget another story: the nearly 9 million green card holders living lawfully in the U.S. who are eligible to become citizens, and the milestones reached in the past year to help them do just that.

One year ago the president announced his executive action on immigration and one part

of his order on which we have seen progress is citizenship.

Today, substantial strides are helping to address the barriers to citizenship.

A year ago, the president launched the White House Task Force on New Americans to ensure that eligible lawful permanent residents (LPRs) have the tools and support they need to apply for citizenship. The Task Force has listened to the suggestions of the immigrantserving community on ways to integrate immigrants civically, economically and linguistically.

We know that lack of understanding of the naturalization process and eligibility requirements are significant barriers to achieving citizenship. That is why the immigrant rights

community has called on the government to share information about naturalization proactively with eligible residents.

This year the White House announced its “Stand Stronger” citizenship awareness campaign. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched a 10-state Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Media Campaign. Both efforts aim to encourage LPRs to take the next step and naturalize.

The high cost of citizenship is another barrier. At $680, the application fee often prices people out of becoming citizens. As USCIS has been reviewing options for those who cannot afford the fee, immigrant advocates can now point

to the White House Task Force on New Americans’ directive to increase the rate of naturalization. This year, USCIS began accepting credit cards as a form of payment, hoping to make citizenship more accessible.

The important contributions of immigrants to our country is why I’m proud to lead a nationwide campaign to increase citizenship called the New Americans Campaign, which believes in the power of innovation, collaboration and technology to transform the journey to citizenship.

The New Americans Campaign comprises more than 100 partner organizations in 18 cities that partner with municipal governments, promote “Citizenship Corners” in public

libraries and encourage volunteerism, all of which the U.S. government counts among its top citizenship-focused priorities.

Since the launch of the New Americans Campaign in 2011, we have helped more than 180,000 aspiring new Americans complete their citizenship applications and save more than $161 million in legal fees by accessing USICS resources and free or low-cost services from our partners.

It is essential for our elected leaders and others to reach out to eligible aspiring Americans and advocate for improved access as a key element of immigration reform. The achievements in the past year prove that citizenship is an increas-

ingly important part of the immigration conversation.

Let’s not forget this aspect of immigration. Let’s continue to encourage the 8.8 million citizenship-eligible green-card holders to become citizens.

When new Americans gain the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship, it only strengthens the vibrancy of our communities and nation. *** This op-ed originally ran in The Hill.

Eric Cohen is the executive director of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center in San Francisco, which leads the New Americans Campaign, a nationwide network that promotes immigrant integration through citizenship. The ILRC is a national non-profit resource center that advances immigrant rights.

Triumphant Nilo Alcala on world-acclaimed Walt Disney Hall

Rhizomes

Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D. “Last night we experienced Filipino musical creativity at the highest level. But Nilo’s work goes beyond merely evoking Filipino Pride. He reveals not just a refreshing sensitivity to a larger cultural environment, but a willingness to embrace it without losing his Filipino “carabao” (or soul). this is reaffirming and inspiring to me, as a Filipino american in Los angeles. Both performers and audience seemed to claim Nilo’s music as their own.

Under Grant Gershon’s direction, the Master Chorale (LaMC) sang with such enthusiasm and energy that was both palpable and infectious, even hair-raising, in perfect complement to the spirited performances of Guru Danny Kalanduyan and the subla Kulintang ensemble, Filipino tenor sal Malaki (a 19-year Master Chorale tenor) and two other fine soloists [ayana Haviv-soprano and abdiel Gonzalez-baritone].

What a triumphant appearance on the world stage by Nilo alcala!” - Nonoy Alsaybar, Ph.D. Nov. 16, 2015 Nilo Alcala’s “Mangá Pakalagián” -- a suite of three parts: “Fellowship”, “Thanksgiving”, and “Pre-Battle Ceremony” -became a historic first, when the Grammy-nominated 64-member vocal ensemble, Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), sang his composition in Maguindanaon dialect, accompanied by the Subla Kulintang ensemble, made up of Danongan Kalanduyan [kulintang, kaluntang]; Bo Razon [gandingan]; Chris Trinidad [dabakan, babandil]; Frank Holder [dabakan, kaluntang]; Roberto

Rios [agung], before an almost 2000 strong – audience, which appreciated the complexity of these musical harmonies.

That Sunday night audience responded with robust enthusiasm and an enduring standing ovation, to which the musicians came back onstage, to acknowledge. That evening, as described by percussionist Chris Trinidad, was “trying to create art in a wounded world. Praying for Paris and counting our blessings.

Kyrie Eleison.”

Paris, two days before, had lost 129 people in four separate attacks, the largest of which, occurred at the Bataclan Theater.

Grant Gershon, Musical Director of LAMC, thoughtfully encouraged the audience to respond with more tolerance, compassion, justice and humor.

From the margins to center stage reflections Amongst the audience was a seasoned, master violinist with over three decades of musical experience: Nonoy Alsaybar, Ph.D., whose musical knowledge has been passed onto many students, and who has a doctorate in philosophy from UCLA. His musical genius has been passed onto his daughter Jenny, a flutist.

Nonoy was part of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), handpicked by then First Lady Imelda Marcos, and traveled with the orchestral group, to Morocco and Saudi Arabia to play for the kings and princes, while representing the Philippines.

When Nonoy raved to me: “Nilo made music history,” it was coming from his innate musicality and decades-strong authority, as a masterful musician and performer.

Fittingly, this is what Annie Nepomuceno (a brilliant music arranger, also concert producer,

Grant Gershon and Nilo Alcala in congratulatory hugs, and with Subla and LAMC

singer, vocal coach and music publisher) had to say: “Nilo’s piece is indeed an impressive one, and not an easy one to pull off. LAMC experienced the depth, sophistication and ethnic flavor of Filipino choral music.

From my perspective as a music publisher, I laud the fact that Nilo is capable of writing his composition in a manuscript, conducive to learning a complicated work.

The readability of the score is key for it to be performed well.

It also got Filipino-Americans to experience the caliber of work that is up to international standards: stemming from a choral musician whose training and exposure was borne from Philippine music education at [the] University of the Philippines, nurtured by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, then exposed to American higher education studies. We should all work towards getting those who are talented and passionate about perfecting their craft to get on prestigious stages. They do, after all, represent us Filipi-

nos in the best light.”

But for Brian Louis Ferrer, a 32-year-old nurse, it was his first to listen to LAMC: “Growing up Filipino-American here in Los Angeles, it was a real delight to witness the works of a Filipino composer be performed by the esteemed Los Angeles Master Chorale. Since very few Filipinos find success in this industry, it was a heart-warming occasion to experience Nilo Alcala’s hard work successfully come to life.”

His mother, Sion Ferrer, another virgin-listener of LAMC, equally got excited, though a fan of Sal Malaki: “The Kulintang music played by the Master Chorale was historic, considering [it was done] at a beautiful venue, Disney Hall. Nilo Alcala is a genius whose ethnic music Filipinos young and old can appreciate.”

Nilo Mendez Alcala and Regina Belarmino Alcala, who traveled 8,200 miles away from the Philippines, witnessed the US-debut of their son’s work.

They said, “As Nilo’s parents, although we have always known

Grant Gershon and Nilo Alcala (their backs) congratulating Subla Kulintang Ensemble AJPress photos by Prosy Delacruz

his integrity and dedication to his chosen vocation as a composer/singer/arranger, still we were deeply awed and amazed by his incredible musical creation that has been put to life by the LA Master Chorale. We really prayed hard that his work will be able to give glory to God and will also lift up our country, the Philippines. And indeed God heard us. Which parents in the world wouldn’t be proud and ecstatic by this great blessing?”

Why the rave?

Made in LA — an LA Master Chorale’s performance of original works by eight composers: Nilo Alcala, Jeff Beal, Matthew Brown, Paul Chihara, Shawn Kirchner, Morten Lauridsen, Moira Smiley and Dale Trumbore, created a stirring excitement, originating from when these composers shared their compositional insights and inspirations last October at the AT&T Theater.

First, “The Whole Sea in Motion” by Dale Trumbore, inspired

by Anne Brontë, sounded like the rolling and splashing waves

of the sea, as the LAMC’s crescendoing voices sang “craggy cliffs, smooth, wide sands, low rocks at sea, brilliant, sparkling waves.” When I heard “dimpled pools, running streams,” the piano, played by Lisa Edwards, sounded very much like the receding waves of the ocean.

In “the Desert with You”,

by Moira Smiley, took on extra meaning when LAMC sang “May we stay in the desert with you, water?” as this writer had just been to Utah, Arizona and Nevada, where water was precious and scarce that when the female sopranos sang “Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles burst! We are dry,” this writer could imagine parts of the Virgin River that have gone dry marked by plenty of rocks and weeds, but also the gray granite hills in the horizon, with unusual cracks from the small growth cottonwoods with yellow leaves. The best sounds for me: when LAMC sang bubble bubble bubble bubble/Rainwater, groundwater, greywater/Clearwater, backwater, Stillwater/

u PAGE A11

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 21-24, 2015

Triumphant Nilo Alcala on world-acclaimed...

PAGE A10 t

deepwater, trickle water, gather water, their voices built up to a full forte mimicking the flow of all kinds of water. I imagined the splendor of seeing the Watchman Tower and on its foreground, the Virgin River, surrounded by fully mature cottonwoods with splashing yellow leaves.

“Another Lullaby for Insomniacs” by Matthew Brown, with metaphorical lines of “she throws off the cover and lays the darkness bare”, made me recall the grandeur of the fully starredpresence of the Milky Way when the desert skies are not “moonpolluted,” as my husband, Enrique would describe it. “She has another lover/Her heart is otherwhere, sounded like an upliftment for me.”

“Ave Maria/Scarborough Fair”

by Paul Chihara had a unique heartprint for me, as I recalled the beautiful sounds of both Ave Maria and the canticle developed

by Simon and Garfunkel, both of which were mainstays of our growing up. When “Hail Mary” was sung, it gave us such a solemnity, appropriate to do on a Lord’s day, Sunday.

Composers who “scaled peaks of genius” Much like Antonio Stradivari, known as the “Laurence Olivier of luthiers for his technical skill, disciplined workman, who labored nobly through a long life, whose professionalism of normal working level is higher than most, who regularly scaled peaks of genius,” as noted by John Marchese in his book, The Violin Maker, three composers matched that level of genius: Shawn Kirchner’s Memorare, conducted by Lesley Leighton; Jeff Beal’s US Premiere of The Salvage Men, conducted by Grant Gershon and of course, our very own Nilo Alcala’s Mangá Pakalagián’s Suite of three pieces, conducted by Grant Gershon, the finalé for that evening’s program.

I congratulated Jeff Beal as I was quite touched by “The Salvage Men”, consisting of five pieces: “A Very Long Moment”, “Spiderweb”, “Virga”, “Age” and “Salvage”. It first premiered in London, and now made its US debut.

When LAMC sang “Suffering is one very long moment/We cannot divide it by seasons,” their recurring notes suggested the malingering nature of pain.

But also, it expressed the divinity of facing one’s suffering, as

Nilo Mendez Alcala and Regina Belarmino Alcala, parents of Nilo Alcala

Grant Gershon, Nilo Alcala and Subla Kulintang Ensemble AJPress photos by Prosy Delacruz

(L-R) Dale Trumbore, Matthew Brown, Shawn Kirchner, Moira Smiley, Grant Gershon (musical director), Jeff Beal, Paul Chihara, Morten Lauridsen and Nilo Alcala Photo by Rick Gavino

in “Where there is sorrow there is holy ground,” as it made one much closer to the Lord’s suffering to give us eternal life.

With Virga’s “There are bands/ in the sky where/what happens/ matches prayers, “ Paris came to mind. Even with the darkness of the grey clouds from the 129 who wantonly were murdered, the sunlit mountain tops with the white clouds in the blue skies reminded us of the candles, the flowers and the resilience of the Parisians during these challenging times, as much as Age’s “But other people are/mussels or clams, frightened. Steam of knife blades mean open/They hear heaven, they think boiled or broken.” How many times have we failed to appreciate our blessings, even as we are amidst them?

“Memorare” by Shawn Kirchner’s merited the enduring applauses for Lesley Leighton and the LAMC, as the latter’s crescendos were quite compelling.

As in choral music, the sacred was called in, not the scared voices; at the end of the piece, it felt more like a sacred offering, a glorious powerful plea manifested in the strength of their chorale voices. Bravo!

But when “Mangá Pakalagián” was sung by the LAMC, I felt goosebumps and tears of pride that a fellow kababayan, Nilo Alcala, made it to a world stage with his creative pieces. Not just him, but also to hear the LAMC sing the piece in a different language other than English, signaled that diversity is part of the

u PAGE A13

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A11

A NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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

Report: 1.6M DAPA-affected individuals will be eligible to vote by 2016 WASHINGTON, DC— On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the president’s announcement of executive actions on immigration, and on the heels of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to block implementation of Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) directives and expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (CSII) at the University of Southern California have released a new report exploring the potential impact that DAPA-affected voters could have on upcoming elections.

CAP and CSII’s new analysis of DAPA-affected individuals estimates that a total of 6.3 million US citizens live in the same household as a relative who would be eligible for DAPA. The report projects, on a state-by-state basis, that there are as many as 1.6 million of them will be eligible to vote in the 2016 presidential

election, with that number going up to 2.3 million by 2020. This trend continues and is exhibited across the nation in key states such as the ones highlighted in this report: Florida, Nevada, Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona, and Georgia.

“At its core, DAPA is about family—and DAPA families include individuals who can and do vote,” said Manuel Pastor, director of CSII and co-author of the report. “Those who oppose the implementation of DAPA and the expansion of DACA may want to take into account how DAPAaffected voters—not just the current citizen relatives but also the US-born children who will age in to become part of the electorate—will feel if their family members remain in immigration limbo. Millions of affected individuals and their kin are watching closely, and they will remember how leaders speak, act, and engage in holding up action that could positively impact not just their family life but also their sta-

Aquino admin: APEC...

now it’s $21 trillion. It grew seven times,” Coloma quoted Purisima the Philippines actually incurred as saying.

He said exports increased by losses in hosting the APEC summit, saying the economy grew af- more than 15 times because of ter holding the regional economic APEC. Purisima said the Aquino administration has now prepared forum.

Presidential Communications itself to open the local economy to Operations Office Secretary Her- foreigners since over 90 percent of minio Coloma Jr. said that the the country’s economic activity is country’s gross domestic product open to foreigners.

“We’ve been upgraded 22 times before APEC stood at $3 trillion but in the last five years. Upgrades afhas since “more than doubled.”

“Pre-APEC trade is $3 trillion, fect the entire economy,” Purisima

PAGE A2 t

bility and safety.”

This report looks at the national implications of the emerging DAPA-affected electorate and provides key data for dozens of states, highlighting six battleground and near-battleground states where DAPA-affected voters could play a significant role in upcoming presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial races.

An accompanying interactive released in conjunction with this report compares the estimated number of DAPA-affected voters in the 2016 and 2020 elections with states’ 2012 margins of victory, while a suite of graphics calculates the high economic cost of delaying DAPA and expanded DACA in several ways. One of them—a continuously running ticker—captures the cumulative GDP the United States has lost without DAPA and expanded DACA, initiatives that would provide work permits and temporary relief from deportation to eligible unauthorized immigrants. Another calculation

shows that every day the directives do not move forward, the United States loses $8.4 million in GDP. “On a day when we should be celebrating the enormous positive impact that these executive actions have had on millions of American families and the economy, it is a shame that we have to instead discuss all that we are losing out on,”said Lizet Ocampo, CAP associate director of Immigration and co-author of the report. “When thinking about immigration policy, candidates and elected officials should not just take into account the societal and economic benefits of the executive actions and immigration reform. They should understand the political implications as well. Identifying the millions of American citizens, most of whom are children, whose lives would be positively transformed by DAPA helps us understand how vital the policy really is not only to the immigrant community but to the nation as a whole.”

said, adding that the Philippines’ largest trading partners are still the US, Japan and China.

“We can cooperate with other APEC members for technical resource training, etc. The beauty of APEC is it gives us voice in important fora. Eight members of APEC are G20 members,” Purisima pointed out.

“APEC is an opportunity to showcase why good governance is important for sound economy,” he added.

Coloma downplayed the losses that detractors have been harping about.

“Looking at the big picture, losses incurred this week will be recovered eventually in terms of continuing and sustained growth and development of the Philippine economy as a favored investment and tourism destination,” he stressed.

“We acknowledge that there will be differences in viewpoints and we are willing to engage all stakeholders in meaningful dialogue as well as consider suggestions for improvement. Reasonable criticism is always welcome in a healthy democracy,” Coloma said.

(With Rudy Santos, Jess Diaz)

thiS Week in RevieW US White House appeals immigration case to Supreme Court ON Friday, Nov. 20, the Obama administration asked the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling from earlier this year, allowing the president’s immigration programs to expand deferred action to immigrants to go into effect. The White House wants the case to be heard quickly, before the 2016 presidential election.

The brief represents the last attempt of getting the court of appeals to green light programs like Deferred Action for Parental Arrivals and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), both of which would ease the threat of deportation to some 4 million undocumented immigrants, both eligible parents and children. 26 states, led by Texas, have challenged the President’s executive action over the programs, arguing that Obama does not have the authority. There are over 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living and working in the US today.

Attack on Mali leaves dozens dead, including traveler American Heavily armed jihadist terrorists shouting “Allahu akbar!” (God is greatest) barged into a mid-sized Radisson Blu tourist hotel in Bamako, the capital of Mali, a small landlocked nation (and former French colony) in West Africa. Several gunmen burst into the glass-door lobby with their guns blazing, seizing “about 100 hostages” and leaving bodies spread throughout the different floors, officials said. At least two of the assailants were killed by hotel security, officials and witnesses said. The White House has confirmed that the attack has ended, but it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the Mali massacre.

Clinton calls for ‘intensified’ efforts to fight ISIS

Democrat runner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling for allied planes, more internationally-led airstrikes, and a “broader target set” to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Though there has not been an effort for large-scale mobilization of US forces on the ground, Clinton urged Congress to approve a new authorization of the use of military troops against ISIS, and called for “flexibility” as US Special Operations forces and trainers to work with regional groups like the Sunnis and Kurds. The action would signal “that the US is committed to this fight. The time for delay is over. We should get this done,” she said. “Every society faces a choice between fear and resolve. We must use every pillar of American power, including our values, to fight terror.”

Critics: ‘Filipinos gained nothing...

PAGE A3 t on the ground because they have their consulates and embassies here. We cannot pretend to be something we are not because we cannot hide anything from them,” she explained.

While the government freed roads for exclusive use of APEC delegates, the reality remains that hundreds of thousands of Filipinos were forced to report for work on foot under the blistering sun while the same number of motorists got stuck in horrendous traffic jams.

“Sino ba ang niloloko nila [Who are they fooling]?” Briones said, adding that the experience will definitely affect the people’s perception about Roxas and other administration candidates. .

Prior to the APEC summit, Malacanang had been under attack for its failure to solve the traffic problem and the perennial troubles that beset the railway systems in Metro Manila.

‘Think of benefits’ Malacañang also on Friday asked the public to look at longterm benefits of the country’s hosting of the APEC summit.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Aquino administration understands the

“differences in viewpoints” on the heels of criticisms from the public.

“Good governance requires that decisions are based on what would be beneficial for the country and what would best serve our people’s long-term interest,” Coloma said in a text message.

No estimates on the amount of business and opportunity losses were cited by the government in its post-event assessment of the APEC meeting.

But Coloma pointed out that revenue losses because of Manila’s APEC hosting will eventually be recovered.

“Looking at the big picture, losses incurred this week will be recovered eventually in terms of continuing and sustained growth and development of the Philippine economy as a favored investment and tourism destination,” he said.

Coloma added that the Palace is always prepared to sit down with its critics for intelligent discourse.

“We are willing to engage all stakeholders in meaningful dialogue as well as consider suggestions for improvement. Reasonable criticism is always welcome in a healthy democracy,” he said.

(William Depasupil, Catherine Valente, Joel Sy and Neil Alcober/ ManilaTimes.net)

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Long Beach community discusses...

PAGE A4 t taxed but not considered income.

He added that his serving staff makes an average of $29 per hour.

The impact on seniors with inhome care, as well as senior care facilities, was also raised during the discussion, with concerns that costlier, unaffordable labor could force seniors into institutions in which they do not wish to stay.

There have so far been no proposals made regarding the minimum wage in Long Beach, but the Economic Development Commission is expected to provide recommendations to the Council, Garcia said, but he highlighted some findings in the report released by the Long Beach Economic Development Council including: • The vast majority of individu-

PAGE A4 t

als earning minimum wage are not teenagers and are working full time • Most Long Beach residents work outside the city, so raising the minimum wage doesn’t necessarily affect those within the city • Many Long Beach residents work in Los Angeles • If the minimum wage is raised to $12 per hour by 2017, approximately 33,000 workers could benefit; if it hits $15 per hour by 2020, about 46,000 workers are estimated to earn an additional $5,000 compared to their current income • In a worst case scenario, approximately 14,000 workers could be at risk of a negative impact, including reduced job hours and job substitution, if the minimum wage increases

Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015

• Not too many businesses said they would close down or move out of Long Beach if the minimum wage rises. Instead, they would look into hiring fewer workers, raising prices, see cuts in profits and expect increased productivity from employees The fifth and sixth sessions for community input on the matter were scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, at the Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, during the Economic Development Commission meeting at Long Beach City Council Chambers.

Separately, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to approve a motion to establish a wage enforcement bureau for the minimum wage in unincorporated LA County. This makes the county the largest in the United States to have such a bureau.

(Agnes Constante/AJPress)

GETTING READY. Five division world champion Nonito “Filipino Flash� Donaire Jr. shows off his preparation in a Media Workout at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 19 for his upcoming fight against Cesar Juarez of Mexico.

Donaire will be challenging Juarez in a 12round rumble for the international junior featherweight title on Dec. 11 in Puerto Rico.

House passes bill to stop Syrian...

“This is an area where additional scrutiny and reforms could be useful in enhancing the national security of the United States,� White House spokesman Josh Earnest told Reuters.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Los Angeles, the largest Asian American legal and civil rights organization, released a statement expressing its disappointment in the measure. “Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles condemns the ignorance, as well as the xenophobia and Islamaphobia, underlying today’s House vote to block Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the United States,� said Karin Wang, VicePresident of Programs and Communications for Advancing Justice-LA. “We are extremely disappointed that in this hour of great need, our elected officials in Washington choose fear over compassion and we urge the Senate and President to ensure that the United States continues to welcome those seeking refuge.�

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) in Washington DC also strongly opposed the act, blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees from resettling in the US. “We believe that America can be safe and secure without sacrificing our cherished values,� said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. “The measure of moral leadership is our response when the world

is tested, not what we do in times of peace and prosperity.

The United States has a noble tradition of responding to major wars and conflicts by resettling refugees from across the globe—three million refugees have been safely admitted since 1975. We must not turn our backs on them now.�

NCAPA urged the House of Representatives to oppose the legislation, proudly joining a coalition of 81 refugee and immigration law experts and humanitarians in sending a letter

to members of Congress, supporting the refugee resettlement program.

Roughly 11 million Syrians, almost half the nation’s population, have fled their homes since civil war broke out in 2011, and around 4 million people have fled their country. The White House said that 2,174 Syrian refugees have been admitted to the US since Sept. 11, 2001, and “not a single one has been arrested or deported on terrorism-related grounds.� (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

A

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

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Dateline PhiliPPines

PH 11th out of 162 countries in terrorism index Trudeau to Filipinos: Judge me beyond my looks

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA—The Philippines ranked 11th out of 162 countries in terms of the impact of terrorism in the Global Terrorism Index 2015, a tool that analyzes the trends in terrorist activities worldwide.

The country’s ranking improved from 9th in 2014 as it saw a decrease in the number of deaths related to terrorism.

The Philippines experienced 378 terrorism incidents last year that left 240 persons dead and 367 others injured. A total of 529 properties were damaged because of the atrocities.

The number of terrorism-related fatalities, nevertheless, went down by 18 percent to 240 in 2014 from 291 in 2013, according to the Global Peace Index 2015 report.

“Terrorism in the Philippines is intrinsically tied with nationalist and separatist claims by people living in provinces in southern Philippines,” the report read.

“The largest individual group was the New People’s Army (NPA), a communist organization, which claimed responsibility for 32 percent of deaths in 2014,” it added.

The NPA has about 4,000 members nationwide based on

latest military estimates, virtually unchanged in the last few years despite the military’s claims that the group is already on a decline.

The Philippines’ ranking was the second highest among Southeast Asian countries covered by the report. It was a notch lower than Thailand (10th) but higher than that of Indonesia (33rd), Myanmar (41st), Malaysia (49th), Cambodia (113th), Laos (121st), Singapore, Timor Leste and Vietnam (tied at 124th).

Because of the lower number of fatalities, the Philippines’ terrorism index score went down slightly to 7.27 from 7.29 previously.

Iraq, which is being plagued by the presence of terrorist group Islamic State, ranked first in the index followed by Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.

Countries that scored zero in the index or those least affected by terrorist acts were Benin, Botswana, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, Haiti, Japan, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, North Korea, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uruguay,

by mARc JAyson

cAyAbyAb

Inquirer.net

The Philippines experienced 378 terrorism incidents in 2014 that left 240 persons dead and 367 injured. A total of 529 properties were damaged because of the atrocities.

Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

The Global Terrorism Index 2015 report said deaths from terrorism rose to 80 percent last year to the highest level ever, with 32,658 people killed from 18,111 in 2013.

Boko Haram and the Islamic State were jointly responsible for more than half or 51 percent of all global fatalities in 2014. According to the report, 78 percent of all deaths and 57 percent of all attacks occurred in just five countries namely Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.

“Iraq continues to be the country most impacted by terrorism with 9,929 terrorist fatalities the highest ever recorded in a single country,” the report said.

The global economic cost of terrorism has hit an all-time high at $52.9-billion. There have been more than 61,000 terrorist attacks worldwide since the year 2000.

A project of think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, the Global Terrorism Index assesses 162 countries based on four indicators namely total number of incidents, fatalities, injuries and property damage. n

CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, Nov. 19 expressed his appreciation for the attention Filipinos gave him as he attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, but he said he hoped he would be judged beyond his good looks.

In a called press conference at the International Media Center in World Trade Center, Trudeau said he has learned to focus on “substance” and not just on external features.

“I have absolutely adored my stay in the Philippines. Everyone has been tremendously friendly and, for me, it was an opportunity to engage with a culture that I’ve gotten to know very well in Canada. We have over 700,000 Canadians of Filipino origin and the ties that bind our countries together are very strong. So for me to be able to be here and see what a beautiful and welcoming country so many of my fellow Canadian citizens call home or original home is a real pleasure,” Trudeau said.

He went on to share a lesson he learned from his father—the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau—to set aside “positive impressions that weren’t grounded in reality” and instead focus on “substance.”

“What I also had to learn is that there were a lot of people who liked my father and liked me for reasons entirely unrelated to who I actually was, and I had to learn to set aside positive impressions that weren’t grounded in reality,” Trudeau said.

“So, throughout my life, I have focused on what I have to do and the substance of what I put forward, and that has left me both grounded and able to focus regardless of perceptions or attentions to things external,” he added.

Dubbed an “APEC Hottie” on social media, Trudeau’s attendance at the APEC was hounded by the trash issue involving a Canadian company that exported into the Philippines, in the guise of recyclable scrap plastic

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question during a news conference following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit of Leaders Thursday, Nov. 19.

materials, several tons of soiled adult diapers and household trash.

In the same press conference, Trudeau vowed to close the loopholes in the law that allowed the shipment of Canadian dump to the Philippines, but he remained vague whether or not he would take the garbage back.

As many as 55 container vans containing garbage from Canada were discovered in 2013 by the Bureau of Customs.

Instead of shipping the garbage back to Canada, the BOC has decided to dump the trash in Capas, Tarlac at the Philippines’ expense.

The Ontario-based Chronic Inc. shipped the containers to Manila through its Valenzuela-based consignee, Chronic Plastics.

The BOC filed criminal charges against Chronic Plastics for violating the Revised Penal Code, the Tariff and Customs Code and the 1990 Toxic Waste Act. The Philippines has been calling on Canada to take back the shipment under a 1995 convention on hazardous waste, which provides that “the exporting country must take back the waste materials if the receiving country refuses to accept them.” n

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Poe camp slams accuser for bitterness over SET ruling by

CHristina Mendez Philstar.com

SEN. MARCOS AT MAAP. “You represent the Philippines when you are on boarding ships. I do not speak of ambassadors in terms of diplomacy.

But again, to introduce what Filipinos are like, to introduce what Filipinos are capable of, and to teach our friends from different countries that the Filipino is hard working, the Filipino is well trained, the Filipino understands the systems, the Filipino will become an important part of any crew that they join,” Senator Bongbong Marcos emphasized to the students of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in Mariveles, Bataan, lauding also the faculty and staff of the academy for its efforts in providing the best maritime education.

Binay questions government’s preparedness for El Niño by

Helen Flores Philstar.com

MANILA—The government’s program to protect agricultural workers from the effects of El Niño in the coming months offers only band aid solutions, Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Friday, Nov. 20.

“Is the administration really prepared for El Niño? This problem requires not just bandaid solutions,” Binay said, noting that the budget set aside for emergency employment programs would only benefit 70,000 rural workers.

Binay said in the first half of the year, agricultural losses due to the dry spell caused by El Niño reached P2.19 billion, based on estimates of the Department of Agriculture.

He also questioned the allocation of P13 billion for irrigation in Metro Manila under the proposed budget of the National Irrigation Administration for 2016.

“Metro Manila can hardly be considered an agricultural area,

yet the administration allocated P13 billion for Metro Manila irrigation projects which could have been diverted to other provinces,” he said.

According to Kabataan partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, the P13.1billion irrigation budget for the National Capital Region is P7 billion more than the budget earmarked for Central Luzon, an agricultural region.

Binay said the government needs to come up with more concrete measures to protect workers to be affected by El Niño.

About 83 percent of the country, including Metro Manila, will likely experience drought by the end of April next year due to El Niño, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned.

Anthony Lucero, officer-incharge of PAGASA’s climate impacts monitoring and prediction section, said significant reduction in rainfall is expected beginning this month until April next year over most parts of the country.

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay

Drought refers to three consecutive months of “way below normal” rainfall or less than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.

The El Niño episode is expected to last until May 2016, he said.

The National Economic and Development Authority has said the government would implement several measures, including cash-for-work programs, to mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño on workers. n

MANILA—The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Friday, Nov. 20 challenged Rizalito David to produce evidence that will prove she is not a natural-born Filipino rather than criticize the majority decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) that junked David’s petition to unseat the senator.

Poe’s lawyer George Garcia said the SET was clear in establishing that Poe, a foundling and presidential candidate, is a natural-born Filipino, hence eligible to continue serving as senator.

He maintained that Poe was presumed a natural Filipino because she did not have to do anything to acquire her status.

“And yet, Mr. David kept on blaming the SET member-senators who voted in favor of Senator Poe and calling their decision political,” Garcia said.

“It is becoming more and more obvious that Mr. David has nothing to stand on –that all his allegations about this foundling not being a natural-born Filipino citizen are just part of a sinister plot that he and his cohorts concocted,” he added.

Garcia said David should just move on and “focus his efforts instead to finding incontrovertible proof that Sen. Poe is not a natural-born Filipino.”

“In fact, that would be a lifechanging search. Even Senator Poe would be interested in that.

So why doesn’t Mr. David do all of us a favor, stop assailing the SET and embark on a search for Sen. Poe’s parents. And since he appears to be obsessed with Sen. Poe’s foreign blood, then maybe he should start making more frequent trips abroad to embark on such a search,” Garcia added.

The lawyer also lambasted David for disparaging the SET decision, saying that “it was not a political decision but a clear-cut judgment based on prevailing jurisprudence.”

SET members Sens. Vicente Sotto III and Bam Aquino also lashed out at David for saying that the SET decision was a political move.

Sotto and Aquino, along with Sens. Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar and Pia Cayetano, voted to junk the case against Poe last Tuesday.

“Ask him if the SET is a political institution or not. If not, let us change what the Constitution said that six senators should be part of the SET. Let us replace them with

appointed officials, not elected officials,” Sotto said.

Sen. Aquino, a cousin of President Aquino, said the political move would have been to disqualify Poe “because I am with the Liberal Party and supporting former interior secretary (Manuel) Roxas.”

“For me, this decision was beyond politics and to an extent, beyond Sen. Poe. The only issue that we tackled was whether foundlings are natural-born citizens or not. What weighed heaviest for

me was that an adverse decision would have a negative effect on the thousands of foundlings in our country, stripping them of rights and privileges they already were enjoying. And surely, we shouldn’t marginalize the already marginalized.”

SET chairman Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and SET members Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion and Sen. Nancy Binay said Poe should be

u PAGE A13

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Tagle elected to Vatican’s synod Veloso family, lawyer hope for Mary MANILA—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has been elected as one of 15 members of a council of cardinals and bishops from different parts of the world tasked to prepare for the next Synod of Bishops in the Vatican.

The assignment is the second for Tagle who was also selected last July by Pope Francis to serve as a member of the Pontifical “Cor Unum,” a body that manages the Church’s world-

wide charitable activities.

Tagle was appointed in the Vatican post almost two months after he was elected as president of Caritas Internationalis, which made him the first Asian to head the confederation of global qualities.

On the other hand, a synod is a church council usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine or administration.

The Catholic News Service said 12 members of the ordi-

nary council of the Synod of Bishops, three from each continent with Asia and Oceania counted as one, were elected by the synod father at the end of the recent assembly in Rome, Italy.

Three were appointed by Pope Francis – Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad, Archbishop Carlos Osoro of Madrid and Archbishop Sergio Da Rocha of Brasilia, Brazil. (Philstar.com)

Triumphant Nilo Alcala on world-acclaimed...

PAGE A11 t

group’s DNA. A highlight was seeing musical director Grant Gershon pay such high levels of respect to the kulintang masters by stopping to notice every nuance of how the woodsticks were placed on the brass gongs.

I also have a set of kulintang in my library, but I had no idea how beautiful the music that comes out of these instruments could be when combined with ‘contemporary choral harmonies’ — the musical genius of Nilo Alcala.

And when the suite piece of Thanksgiving was sung after the traditional piece kaluntang as a prelude, I was in awe not just of the masterful performances of

Subla Ensemble, but also how the LAMC was so into its singing. Flipping the musical sheets reinforced the feet pounding of the singers which made for such celebratory, fiesta-like energy that made its seamless move to the Pre-War Ceremony. It was a beautiful night of inclusiveness, of bounce, of rhythm, of innovative synergies fit for royalties of the Maguindanao region, and those around the world.

May we make more music, worthy of any royalty, as we treat each other with such royal brand of respect and support, much like what Grant Gershon gratuitously showed by his examples!

It was a night to remember, in-

deed, music history was made but also, diversity and inclusiveness on Walt Disney Hall! ***

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.

Poe camp slams accuser for bitterness over SET ruling PAGE A9t disqualified but they lost by just one vote.

Cayetano was the so-called swing-vote in the close fight.

Sen. Francis Escudero, Poe’s running mate, described the decision of the three Supreme Court justices as discriminatory against foundlings.

“Essentially, what they are saying is that foundlings are stateless.

According to one of the justices, a foundling cannot have greater rights than someone whose parents are known when it comes to citizenship,” Escudero said, referring to Carpio.

Escudero argued that Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen as provided for in international and domestic laws, which state that a foundling found in the Philippines is presumed to have Filipino biological parents.

He said that pronouncements such as a foundling like Poe not being a citizen of the Philippines are a violation of an individual’s basic and inalienable human right

to bear a nationality from birth.

Escudero said Carpio, De Castro and Brion should inhibit themselves from deliberation if the SET verdict dismissing the disqualification case is challenged before the Supreme Court.

Cayetano, on the other hand, was reportedly torn between choosing to uphold her advocacy of protecting children’s rights and political alignments, since disqualifying Poe would give her brother, Sen. Alan Cayetano, a reason to convince Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for president.

Alan has been eyeing Duterte to be his running mate for the 2016 polls.

Duterte: SET decision playing politics Duterte slammed the SET decision, saying the senators who voted in favor of Poe were politicking.

“It clearly shows that the senator members of the SET are playing politics while the justices are basing their decision on the Phil-

Jane’s clemency, coming home

by Bong Lozada Inquirer.net

FAMILy and representatives of Mary Jane Veloso, the convicted Filipino drug mule in Indonesia, hoped her newfound reprieve could be permanent and that the she can come home to the Philippines in time for the holidays.

In a statement released on Friday, Atty. Edre Olalia, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Philippines, welcomed the Indonesian court’s decision to postpone Veloso’s supposed execution as authorities in the country are focused on fixing their economy.

“We pray Mary Jane’s own temporary reprieve will be made permanent or that she be granted clemency and be brought home soon to the waiting arms of her little boys this coming holiday season,” Olalia said.

Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office told Jakarta Post that executions will be delayed due to the country’s weak economic state.

Attorney General M. Pra-

Mary Jane Veloso, the convicted Filipino drug mule in Indonesia

setyo said another round of executions, where Veloso was supposed to be included, could trigger an international wave of rap that could derail President Joko Widodo’s campaign on fixing Indonesia’s economy.

Olalia added the move could lead to the “permanent abolition” of death penalty as a punishment for crime because the said penalty could lead to the executions of innocent people who are wrongly convicted.

“We hope in time it leads to a permanent abolition as we have serious reservations about the death penalty’s real value in effectively deterring crime and it precludes rehabilitation and reformation while not giving weight to humanitarian consideration,” Olalia said. “Worse, it may victimize innocent individuals who are wrongly convicted for different reasons or factors and bring them irretrievably to the afterlife.” n

NAIA security beefed up after bomb threat

SECURITy at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was further tightened after authorities received a call informing them that a bomb was planted at terminal 1 on Friday, Nov. 20.

The bomb threat prompted the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to beef up security at the airport’s four terminals. Several heads of state who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

leaders’ meeting including US President Barrack Obama have yet to depart.

“At 5:43 this morning, the airport police desk of Terminal 1 received a call from a local mobile number that a bomb was planted at the airport. The caller, however, did not state a specific area,” the MIAA said.

Airport security forces and members of the Aviation Security Group combed the entire air-

port area but no explosive was found. Bomb-sniffing dogs were also deployed in the terminals and parking areas.

Security and surveillance operations were increased.

APEC delegations from Canada, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Taipei, Korea, Japan,USA, New Zealand, and Russia left the country on Friday, Nov. 20.

(Benjie L. Vergara/ManilaTimes. net)

Pulse Asia survey: Poe 39%, Binay 24%, Roxas 21% MANILA—Sen. Grace Poe remained the most preferred presidential candidate in 2016, ippine Constitution which clearly according to a commissioned states that a presidential aspirant survey by Pulse Asia. must be a natural-born Filipino The survey, conducted from citizen,” Duterte said.

Oct. 18 to 29, showed Poe leadDuterte said that with the SET’s ing the 2016 presidential hopedecision, the option for him to fuls with 39 percent, up by 13 run for president in the May 2016 points from 26 percent in Sepelection is now open. tember.

The Dec. 10 deadline draws The poll was conducted after near for Duterte to be the substi- the filing of the certificates of tute of Partido ng Demokratikong candidacy last Oct. 12 to 16.

Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) presVice President Jejomar Binay idential candidate Martin Diño, of the United Nationalist Alliance who earlier withdrew his candi- was in second place with 24 perdacy to give way to Duterte. cent, up from 19 percent.

Sen. Grace Poe

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas ranked third with 21 percent, up by a point from 20 percent in the previous survey.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago placed fourth with 11 percent, an eight-point improvement from three percent previously.

The Senate Electoral Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed a disqualification case filed against Poe. Meanwhile, Poe’s running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero, also topped Pulse Asia’s vice presidential survey with 43 percent, up by 20 points from 23 percent in September.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

came in second with 21 percent (from 13 percent), followed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with 11 percent (from nine percent); Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robrero with seven percent (from three percent); and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with six percent (from four percent).

The survey had 3,400 respondents and has a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points.

“She (Poe) was very thankful that despite attempts to create uncertainty (on her candidacy), Filipinos continue to have faith in her,” a close ally of the senator said. (Helen Flores/Philstar.com)

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Journal

Pixar president: ‘Pix-Noys’ are the most sensible artists Harana Men’s Chorus: Singing OPMs of the past, present and future

by MArinel

r. cruz

Inquirer.net

by Prosy AbArquez-DelAcruz, J.D. AJPress

“I LEARNED playing Mozart on the violin for years, that reality got altered for me when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Her tears were from the past, her dream of opening her jewelry store, unfulfilled, and how her unique aspirations were limited by standards of performance.

That had a dramatic effect on my perception of myself. I had dreams of writing music, that I too can compose classical music, [which has been] an immoveable force of the last 500 years. This is how I see the world now, not just playing notes of the past, but creating sounds of today, for tomorrow, not just accepting past sounds and not accepting the limitations of culture. I learned that anything created by man can also be changed by another. That we have a collective mindset, and from our diversity of experiences we can build from, create together… how we view untouchable creations of the past, [that] we cannot become so entrenched in their genius that we miss the point, that their true product is their mindset, their collaboration to create more.” - Kai Kight, Tedx Manhattan Beach, Nov. 15, 2014.

Kai Kight is an African-American entrepreneur -- tall, slim, handsome -- who played his violin with ease and virtuosity at the TEDx (Technology, Entertainment and Design) in Manhattan Beach, California during a forum attended by over 400 folks, with “Game Changers” as its theme.

His views on creativity were as profound and as skillful as his fiddling skills. He did not feel intimidated by Mozart, Beethoven and the classical musicians of the past, believing their compositions, as created by men, can also be modified by another, even if classical music were considered “immoveable forces of the last 500 years.” His entrepreneurial

Photo courtesy of Mike Zuniga

mindset is constantly on the verge of mind breakthroughs and creative innovations to satisfy human needs.

Kai’s mindset reminded me of

Mike Zuniga’s. Also tall, slim and jovial, Mike moves with ease and his signature friendliness puts anyone at ease. His networking PAGE B3

SINGAPORE—“Absolutely!”

This was the quick response of Pixar Animation Studios president Jim Morris when asked if the American computer animation production studio was open to hiring more Filipino artists.

Morris was in Singapore to promote “The Good Dinosaur,” which opens in theaters globally on Nov. 25. The 3D computer-animated comedy-drama project came on the heels of the successful release of Disney-Pixar’s “Inside Out,” which was codirected by Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, a Filipino.

Although the exact number of Filipino artists at Pixar remains

uncertain, Morris said he was “Pix-Noys.” He claimed to have aware of this group that calls itself PAGE B4

Features

B november 21-24, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

SANTA CLARA—It was a unique dance party that intermingled all the facility residents and their caregivers together into one big family in a dancing gaiety.

The center’s low building and windy street looked like a college campus. It is vast, sheltering and increasingly heartwarming. One did not expect a special party, even for the special people, to be warm and squishy. But the mid-fall dance at the Seniors Recreational Center was just that.

More than a hundred guests exchanged hugs and kisses in between sips of orange juice and sparkling sodas.

Hair was coiffed, nails were polished, party frocks were pressed, shoes and cufflinks were shined. Then it was off to the Saturday Dance night for fun and frivolity where anything can happen—at least for a couple of hours. There was dancing, dining, chatting, attention getting antics under a nearly full moon, illuminating the surrounding with its whiteness.

The classy club was crowded that evening with astonishingly expert dancers who took command of the floor to strut their stuff. The men, young and old

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Heaven’s silence for the FASO Goes Pops! A night of ‘Children of a lesser God’ musical talent and nostalgia

alike, were in a row of surging testosterones, something I’ve never seen in any of my past visits. A young woman, whose blonde ringlets were bouncing, wanted to grab the microphone from the emcee, her adrenalin shot up!

One felt like an amateur watching the participants flash fancy foot routines to pulsating rhythms. I saw a lad, who is short, slender and tense, pluck a flower from the vase, bowed and handed it to a giggling lady, then swung with her to the dance floor.

A couple in matching Hawaiian attire (which was the evening’s motif), broke ranks to boogie together from the center of the formation—oh, so merrily. Two men wearing sports coat, held each other, arm in arm and toe to toe, then moved onto spinning each other to the delight of the spectators.

The ladies did their own unmindful digs. Unfazed by the un-macho display of male togetherness, they live and let live in whiz bang rhythm. What was unique was some of the dancers were strapped to wheel chairs, some were supported by walkers while some were literally hang on to their dancing partners for support. Some simply sat it up, others blankly stared, but it was a wild happy bunch.

Dance is human, sensuous,

and soulful. It is rhythm, it is timing, it is sweat. You must be nimble, determined and focused.

That Saturday, it was all there on display.

There was a fanciful mixture of special people, that is now and pathetically bruising referred to as “children of a lesser God.” Each time the music lulled, there was more roaring at the center that night than at a football game.

The participants flooded the heart with pure joy that you can only feel in the company of people with hearts of gold and pure souls. In those flickers of confusion and delight, they exuded a melancholic comedy. Happiness twinkled in their eyes with every movement they danced. It was an expression of unsaid words of joy.

Some were strapped to wheelchairs, whose bodies refused to work for their owners, some are unable to cloth themselves, some could never walk again, but on the dance floor, little pockets of happiness were theirs for the taking. They chanted, they gasped, they whined, then dance again. It was beautiful, absolutely exquisite, like eternal adolescence.

The merrymaking looked like a memory. It is all different views bunched up together. It is like a road that led to different directions of the room. It looked like slices of heaven!

If only photos were allowed!

by allyson

escobar

AJPress

THE Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), founded in 2008 as the first Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, has done it again with a concert held last Saturday, Nov. 14 at the world-class Alex Theater in Glendale, Calif. Billed “FASO Goes Pops!,” the glamorous evening celebrated generations of pop music, from popular songs in films to contemporary compositions, with special moving tributes to Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

With a full orchestra of over 50 talented musicians from all ages and backgrounds, and headed by maestro-conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder, FASO impressed audiences with a stunning lineup of different genres within the extensive world of pop music.

The opening number of the concert was Gioachino Rossini’s rousing “William Tell Overture,” showcasing the rich talent of FASO as a well-rounded, cleansounding, and versatile orchestra that can perform everything from pop culture to classic French opera.

Hearing the classic piano, bass, and distinct percussion section was a highlight of each musical number, as well as each of the talented violinists in mae-

FASO maestro-conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder

stro Shroder’s circle, including concert master Cecilia A. CooCruz. The guitar, strings, and well-rounded horns were also evident, especially in dance numbers that made audiences want to get up and groove.

The singers, who auditioned through show manager and resident music arranger Dr. Louie Ramos, held nothing back. From young children to experienced stage singers and groups, each vocalist had a chance to shine and capture the hearts of their audience.

With a special homage to the “King of Pop,” nine-year-old Ian Chen (who plays Evan in ABC’s

Photo by Lauro M. Tecson Jr.

“Fresh Off the Boat”) opened the show with an adorable performance of the young Michael Jackson hit, “Ben.” Wearing a black shiny tux with the signature white glove, Joshua-Kai Dawson, also 9, gave his all to the song and popular dance moves in “Billie Jean.”

Other child performers included the young Bryce Gomez (“Tatak ng Pilipino”), Michael Keith and Gian Paolo Jimenez (singing/dancing to Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are”), and the beloved FASO Children’s Ensemble (featuring Elizabeth Cruz, Sabrina Evangelista, CasPAGE B5

Filipina photographer included in BBC 100 Women of 2015

by Julie

espinosa Inquirer.net

XYzA Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker-turned-street photographer, shared on Wednesday that has been included in the list of the BBC 100 Women of 2015.

“Very Honored to be one of the BBC 100 Women of 2015 from all corners of the world. Thank you so much Sarah Bukley and BBC. This is awesome! Yey! #100Women #MagnumFoundation #BBC #Pinay #Ofw Thanks to my Ma and Pa who always inspire me!” the 28 year old enthused on her Facebook account.

Bacani started working as a maid in Hong Kong at the age of 19 with her mother. To unwind, she began taking casual pictures which evolved into dramatic street

photographs that gave a raw look into the lives of people from diverse backgrounds.

She is known for her remarkable black-and-white photos which have been featured in several international news sites, such as CNN and The New York Times.

“Having worked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong for almost a decade, Xyza tells the stories of the victims of human rights violations through photography,” BBC describes the Filipina on its website.

The BBC 100 Women of 2015 is a list “of the most inspirational women across the world” named Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker-turned-street photographer.

AJPress file photo by Momar G. Visaya by the British media outlet. The list features “30 entrepreneurs as “nurses on the front line, young their community and leaders in under the age of 30 and inspiring female film-makers documenting science, politics, education and women over the age of 80,” as well the pressures and expectations in the arts.”

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 21-24, 2015

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Harana Men’s Chorus: Singing OPMs...

PAGE B1 skills break open boundaries, from the Bulaceños to choral groups, to cantors, and even performing artists in California. No job is too small nor too big for Mike.

Mike coordinates luncheons for key friends and priests, celebrations, weddings, funerals. Aside from his regular full-time job, he also performs with his singing group, called the Harana Men’s Chorus, to raise funds for impoverished children in the “tsinelas” inner cities of Manila. harana Men’s Chorus’ New CD and Fall Concert One fall evening, “Fall in Love with Harana” with Ed Nepomuceno, Harana’s musical director, was enjoyed by an packed audience at the St. Brendan’s Church.

The concert’s music has been put together in a recently launched CD, which showcases the singing capacities of its members. One member had just gone through surgery, yet, in four days, managed to join the rehearsal and later, the concert. He reasoned that singing heals him.

The CD has songs ranging from sacred/contemporary Christian, Filipino, folk and even songs from musicals.

Their sacred contemporary songs are: “Cantate Domino” (Hans Leo Hassler), “Non Nobis Domine” (Rosephayne Powell), “Crucifixus” (Antonio Lotti), “We Are The Reason” (David Meece with new arrangements by Ed Nepomuceno), “Lord Make Me An Instrument” (David Stanley with

arrangements by Prof. Emmanuel Laureola) and “Our Father” (Michael Zuñiga with arrangements

by Annie Nepomuceno). This genre was well received by the audience when sung inside an old Gothic Church-revival style.

It created a solemn feeling of sacredness.

It was followed by “Yes, We Believe” (Victor Wheeler), “Come and Follow Me” (Tom Franzak/David Haas) and “Emmanuel” (Steve Angrisano), sung by the Music Ministry of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, who were led by their director, Victor Wheeler.

The audience’s delight were marked by catcalls, applauses and bravos upon hearing these Filipino songs: “Hibang Sa Awit” (Ryan Cayabyab) with solos by D.E.M and Joaquin Lobado, Eli Rada and Jo-Honey Romulo; “Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko” (arranged by Ryan Cayabyab); “Bituing Marikit” (Nicanor Abelardo, arranged by Robert Delgado); Neneng (R. De Leon, arranged by Ed Nepomuceno) and Apo Medley: “Ewan” (Rowena Arrieta and Louie Ocampo), “Pumapatak” (Danny Javier) and “Mahirap Magmahal” and “Panalangin” (Jim Paredes) and “Ikaw Lamang” (Dodjie Simon, arranged

by Annie Nepomuceno).

Hearing the Tagalog language in musical lyrics transports one to his or her land of birth and brings one home.

After the intermission, clad in vibrant, well designed barongs

by Burog’s Barong, the Harana Men’s Chorus got the crowd wild

with joy with these pop and folk songs: “With A Song In My Heart” (R Rodgers & L Hart, arranged by Ed Nepomuceno); “A Red Red Rose” (based on the poem written by Robert Burns, Music by Eric Barnum), “Shenandoah” (Arranged by Jack Schrader), “And So It Goes” (Billy Joel and arranged

by Kirby Shaw); “Happy Together” (Bonner and Gordon, arranged by Ed Lojeski) and soloists were Joaquin Labado and Erwin Andaya; Nella Fantasia (Ennio Morricone and lyrics by Chiara Ferraù.

The trio, Dennis Jardiel, Don Sagarbarria and Erwin Andaya. also deserves a special mention for their Jersey Boys Medley (“Franki Vallie” and “The Four Seasons”) which brought the house down. It was a fitting finale as the trio gave their all to perform and truly represent the Harana Men’s Chorus at its best!

“Fall in Love with Harana Men’s Chorus,” the CD and the group, live up to the title.

And as Kai Kight said, expect this group to keep on collaborating, as their mindset is about harmony in making music together. Under the baton of Ed Nepomuceno, and his brilliant arrangements, with his wife, Annie, another brilliant arranger of music, and a good soloist and concert producer, there is no limit to the evolution of musical abilities of this group.

But for this writer, that evening’s favorite was Don Sagarbarria, who sang his ode with such heartfelt feelings of love.

photo courtesy of mike Zuniga

Germs and how to prevent them through healthy habits What are germs?

Germs are tiny microorganisms that exist all around us and are invisible to the human eye.

There are many different types of germs. Most are not harmful, but some cause infectious diseases. You probably already know about many infectious diseases. There are vaccines to prevent some and medicines to treat others, but we don’t have vaccines and medicines for every kind of infectious diseases.

It is important to know about germs and infectious diseases, and simple ways to avoid getting and spreading them.

Where do germs live?

Germs have favorite places to live, preferred ways to travel, and if they are harmful, their own unique ways of causing disease.

Germs can live in or on dirt, water, countertops, our skin, our intestines, and in many other places around us. Some germs can survive on their own while others prefer living in people or animals. Some germs live only in hot areas of the world while others live only in cold areas. When germs find a place that is good

for them, they multiply and set up a home for themselves. how do germs spread?

Germs spread in different ways. To catch an infectious disease, you first need to be exposed to a harmful germ. Then it needs to get on or into your body and act in its unique ways to cause disease. Our bodies are good at fighting infections; not everybody who is exposed to germs will get sick, but some will. Here are the most common ways to be exposed: • Touching. Some germs live in body fluids like mucus, pus, and stool. Even the invisible drops released when people talk, cough, or sneeze can can carry germs. Touching a contaminated surface or object, then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, a cut, or other opening in the body, can lead to an infectious disease.

• Eating or drinking. Some germs exist in food and untreated water. Unwashed fruits and vegetables, and foods not properly cooked or kept at the right temperature, may carry harmful germs.

• Breathing. Some germs

spread through the air. When someone coughs, sneezes, or talks they can release germs.

When harmful germs are inhaled, they can cause illness.

• Getting bitten. Animals can carry and spread infectious diseases to people. Bites from wild animals, pets, or even a small animal like a bat or insect can cause illness. Even if the animal doesn’t look sick, it may carry harmful germs.

Infectious diseases are also spread through sexual contact, during pregnancy from a mother to an unborn child, from sharing needles, blood transfusions, and through other ways. how can I prevent the spread of germs?

Healthy habits are the best and easiest way to prevent the spread of germs every day. Learn, practice, and teach them today.

Healthy habits prevent germs and infectious diseases from spreading. Learn, practice, and teach the following healthy habits: 1. Handle and prepare food safely. Food can carry germs.

PAGE B4

A HusbAnd’s 30-YeAr-Old “secret” AlmOst derAiled tHe FAmilY’s Green cArds On An encOre episOde OF citiZen pinOY!leading us immigration attorney micHAel J. GurFinKel (right) was able to revive Alice’s (center) petition by her us citizen father, after it was terminated due to the petitioner’s death. the family was then eligible to get their visas years ahead of schedule by using the priority date of Alice’s lebanese husband, Andre (left). but Andre refused to come to the us because of a “secret” he had kept for 30 years, preventing him from going back to the us. Atty. Gurfinkel worked “miracles” to resolve the mystery behind this fascinating success story, on an encore episode of ‘citizen pinoy’—on sunday, november 22 at 6:15pm (pst) on tFc.

After absence, Diether Ocampo returns via TV5 show MANILA—Diether Ocampo returned to television more than two years after his last major showbiz project.

But Diether, who has been associated with ABS-CBN since the start of his showbiz career, will be seen on a different television network this time: TV5.

The actor will star in two editions of the Kapatid network’s weekly romance anthology series “Wattpad Presents.” He will star in “Wicked Ways” with Ritz Azul and John James Uy from November 23 to 27 and “Mr. Wrong” with Sam Pinto from December 14 to 18.

This doesn’t mean, however, that Diether will permanently be a TV5 star,.

“Of course, I’m still with ABS, in fact, I just took this opportunity which I’m very thankful coz hindi pa ako nakapag-guest sa Channel 5 so this is the fist time na magkatrabaho ako with the production of TV5 and this is the initial project that we accepted, of course, there will be two episodes,” he told Pang-Masa.

Diether also said, “I’ve been in ABS-CBN for how many years and this is the first time that they offered me in Channel 5, so sabi

in the september 2015 file photo, diether Ocampo attends the 9th star magic ball in makati city. the Abs-cbn actor will appear in a tV5 show, more than two years after his last major showbiz project. philstar.com photo by Jonathan Asuncion

ko, why not? It’s also something to explore.”

The Star Magic talent was set to star in the ABS-CBN drama “Someone To Watch Over Me” with Judy Ann Santos and Richard Yap. However, the project was postponed due to Judy Ann’s pregnancy and he is yet to receive a project from the Kapamilya network since.

His last major project with ABS-CBN is “Apoy sa Dagat” with

Angelica Panganiban and Piolo Pascual which aired from February to July 2013.

“I was anticipating na ibang experience ‘yung maano ko rito but I’m quite surprised in a good way dahil siyempre, having to work with these new artists,” he said.

“Sa panahon ngayon, ‘pag may trabaho, you know, walang masamang tinapay diyan,” Diether added. (Philstar.com)

B november 21-24, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

Features

One-on-one with the Man of the Year, Jeff Nino Lim

By Monet

Lu

It takes a lot to be a man. But it takes everything to be the Man. Island Pacific Supermarket CEO Jeff Nino Lim, who is honored as the Beautiful Life Celebration’s Man of the Year 2015 tells us more.

Question: What is a typical day like for Jeff Lim as a businessman?

Answer: Very busy. As a matter of fact I wish I could spend more time with my children. that’s the pitfall of being in the grocery industry; business is opened 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Describe a typical day for you as a father As a father, I would probably give myself a big F! But I am so fortunate that Krista as a mother is an A++++, which more than compensates for my failure as a father. Growing up I never really had a father figure so it’s really hard to know how to be one. All I can say is that each of my children matters more to me than anything in this world.

How do you balance your time as a businessman, a father and a husband?

Work/life balance is not one of my virtues but no matter where I am, even if I am as far as Seattle, I always make sure that I come home at the end of the night. I cannot sleep by myself! My wife, Nate, Natalie, and I all sleep in the same bed and it is during this time that we talk about anything and everything. Since Krista and I got married and had a family, I also made sure that weekends have become my day off. Nevertheless, because of the industry I am in I still do phone calls on the weekends or find myself working in my home office. I think what we enjoy the most, as a family is our yearly vacation. this year we went to tokyo for half a month and it was just great.

What do you consider the most important ingredient to a successful marriage?

Krista and I have just been married for over 5 years and it may be premature to label our marriage a success. But what I can tell you is that if I just had one day left in my

Jeff Nino Lim, CEO of Island Pacific Supermarket

life and I could pick just one person to spend that day with, I know that I would be looking for my wife. So for a successful marriage to begin you got to make sure you marry the one you love.

[As a successful parent] Always let your children know how much you love them. Verbalize it and don’t think that of course they know you love them.

How about a successful business?

Passion!!! Because if you are not passionate about what you do you will fail because starting and having a business is just so difficult. It is so difficult that the moment you fail at something you will give up. Passion keeps you going and passion cannot just come from the reward of profit since once you get the money your perspective may change. to keep the passion in business going you need to believe that what you are doing is bigger than yourself. It’s more important than just profit.

You need to believe that what you are doing can improve the lives of others.

Is there a particular reason you chose to venture into the grocery chain industry, particularly an Asian grocery chain?

I grew up in the grocery industry. My Mom used to have a small grocery store in West Covina named Philhouse. Our entire family worked in that store. My uncles were the meat and seafood manager. My sister worked as the cashier, and I worked in the

grocery department. that small store is all that my Mom had and it meant everything to her. A few years later seeing that Philhouse was doing really well, a family friend opened the largest Filipino supermarket at that time just a few blocks away from Philhouse.

With all the below cost prices and major giveaways, my Mom’s small operation could not compete and within a few months she had no choice but to close the only thing she really cherished and owned.

As a young kid, I was just heartbroken seeing my Mother cry and I remember trying to comfort her and telling her that when I grow up I will compete. I guess Island Pacific is just a promise that a young kid made to his Mother and I will not stop until I over deliver on that promise.

This year, you will be honored as Beautiful Life Celebration’s Man of the Year for 2015. Do you have any words of wisdom for us?

I still do not understand nor can I grasp why I am being honored as Man of the Year. If it’s a celebration about the success I have accomplished in life then I do not deserve this award since there are many more successful men than me. What I believe I am more proud of are my failures and my struggles in life. As Elizabeth Kubler Ross once said, “the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, know suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” It is the suffering, the struggles, the loss, and the defeats that have made me who I am today. It is not success that has defined me but it is actually failure that has served me even more and has made me the man that I am today. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Germs and how to prevent them through...

PAGE B3 Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces often when preparing any food, especially raw meat. Always wash fruits and vegetables.

Cook and keep foods at proper temperatures. Don’t leave food out - refrigerate promptly.

2. Wash hands often. Learn how, when, and why to wash your hands.

3. Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces. Germs can live on surfaces. Cleaning with soap and water is usually enough. However, you should disinfect your bathroom and kitchen regularly. Disinfect other areas if someone in the house is

ill. You can use an EPA certified disinfectant (look for the EPA registration number on the label), bleach solution, or rubbing alcohol.

4. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Learn how and when to cover your cough and sneeze.

5. Don’t share personal items.

Avoid sharing personal items that can’t be disinfected, like toothbrushes and razors, or sharing towels between washes. Needles should never be shared, should only be used once, and then thrown away properly.

6. Get vaccinated. Vaccines can prevent many infectious diseases. You should get some vac-

cinations in childhood, some as an adult, and some for special situations like pregnancy and travel. Make sure you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations. If your regular doctor does not offer the vaccine you need, visit the Adult Immunization and travel Clinic.

7. Avoid touching wild animals.

You and your pets should avoid touching wild animals which can carry germs that cause infectious diseases. If you are bitten, talk to your doctor. Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

8. Stay home when sick. (San Francisco Public Health Department)

The Global Kababayan

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

Programming of Kababayan Today, November 23-27, 2015

G. TönGi Nov. 23 - Pay it Forward, a nonprofit volunteer band that performs at nursing homes and facilities for the elderly comes to the show. two Filipino-Americans Gary Gamponia and Elson trinidad share the rewarding work that they do for our elderly. thea gives tips on fitness and nutricion during the season of giving this thanksgiving!

Nov. 24 - Nanay Moneng Dela Cruz is joined by her family to celebrate her 100th birthday on Kababayan today. Goldilocks Bakery makes her 100th birthday even more special! It is a heartwarming episode for the entire family!

Nov. 25 - Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal with producer Albert Bataclan and Annie Nepomuceno. thanksgiving is all about family on Kababayan today. the Lizardos join G and share the sacrifices and challenges of raising children in the United States Nov. 26 - Kababayan today goes OFF AIR for thanksgiving.

Nov. 27 - Former Buena Park Mayor Monty Manibogand his wife of 61 years, Jean come to

the show. their children join them to celebrate thanksgiving on the show! *** 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.

Pixar president: ‘Pix-Noys’ are the most sensible...

PAGE B1 a high regard for these artists, especially Del Carmen, whom he described as someone who “has this unique sensibility that we’ve never seen in anyone before.”

“I would say that his ability to translate an idea into a visual and emotion on the screen is unsurpassed. He’s probably the most talented person alive who is capable of doing it,” Morris told the Inquirer in an interview at the Four Seasons Hotel on Orchard boulevard here. “Ronnie has made special moments not just in ‘Inside Out,’ but in many other films. In “Up,” the most heart-wrenching moments are his.”

Morris noted that Del Carmen was responsible for a montage in “Up” that is now called “married life.” Morris explained: “It’s when the two characters, Carl and his would-be wife, get married and go through their lives together until she passes away. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t find that to be one of the most touching moments in cinema.” there were other equally touching moments in “Up,” too, courtesy of Del Carmen, Morris added.

“It’s when Carl, the old man, goes through their picture book while feeling guilty because he thought he didn’t do that one thing that his wife had always wanted to do—to travel the world. Carl then finds notes from her saying everything she had wanted in life had actually happened,” Morris recalled.

“Ronnie created that moment, too.

He has this uncanny ability to go right through your heart.” “the Good Dinosaur” is helmed by another Asian director, Peter

Sohn, who is half-Korean.

Morris said Pixar was also keen on creating something that would cater primarily to the Asian market. “Our business and creative model at Pixar is to select people whom we think are good storytellers to be directors. We ask them to develop three ideas that they pitch to us,” Morris pointed out.

“So if we had a director that had a brilliant idea that was Asia-based, we would certainly do it. “the Good Dinosaur” tells the journey of an Apatosaurus named Arlo, who makes an unlikely human friend named Spot. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of. Raymond Ochoa (NBC’s “the Night Shift,” tNt’s “Rizzoli & Isles,” “Disney’s A Christmas Carol”) is the voice of Arlo, while Jack Bright (“Monsters University”) is Spot. the voice cast includes, among others, Jeffrey Wright (“the Hunger Games: Mockingjay”) as Arlo’s wise Poppa; Frances McDormand (“Fargo”) as Arlo’s strong Momma; and Marcus Scribner (ABC’s “Black-ish”) as Arlo’s brother Buck.

What is your favorite scene in the movie?

One of my two favorite scenes is when both characters realized that they’re orphans. they sort of share that with their pantomime. that’s a pivotal moment in the film because it bonds them in a certain way. there’s a more emotional scene at the end of the film when they reached the end of their journey and Arlo has grown from being a scared kid to a young dino—that’s really a tearjerker!

How does the movie compare to other Pixar films in terms of emotional connection?

I think it compares favorably.

It’s different in the sense that it’s between a dinosaur and a little boy character, who is kind of an equivalent to a dinosaur’s pet dog.

It’s very emotional.

What concept was the most difficult to translate to visuals?

One of the difficulties in making the film was to create a world that is beautiful but at the same time a challenge for our two key

Pixar’s Jim Morris

characters to get through.

Another thing that was difficult was the fact that we wanted the character design to be a certain way—there’s a stylized animation kind of look to the characters but at the same time they’re pitted against this dramatic landscape that looks very real. to find ways to make them feel like they’re part of that world and landscape was a difficult visual challenge.

Will the 2D style of animation be widely used again?

2D animation is a great art form. Very recently, the films of Hayao Miyazaki were all done in 2D. He is a great master of Japanese animation. In the United States, Disney released an animation called “the Princess and the Frog” and it seems that, though there’s an audience for it, viewers tend to gravitate a little more now toward the modern look of computer graphics.

I could say the same thing about stop-motion animation, which is when you make films using puppets. It seems that the audiences are only so large for that kind of look now. there’s something about the freshness of computergenerated imagery and the variety of it that seems to capture the audience’s imagination.

Ronnie del Carmen, co-director of Pixar’s “Inside Out”

“The Good Dinosaur”

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 21-24, 2015

B

Back to the quality of life you deserve INjuRIES and accidents happen. That’s why rehabilitation is about supporting each patient’s journey and walking alongside them on their road to recovery.

At Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital, our acute rehabilitation unit specializes in preparing individuals for their transition back into community.

We believe that caring for the whole person includes assessing the emotional and spiritual conditions of an individual as well as the physical. A person may arrive with a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, chronic neurological illness, or orthopedic injury, and it’s the collaborative effort of our interdisciplinary team of physical therapists, speech therapists, LEELIN HEIRLOOM GIFT BASKET. Still thinking about what to give your friends and loved ones for occupational therapists, psychiathe holidays? Take the guesswork out of gift-giving. Give them the ultimate gift for the holidays! Leelin trists, and respiratory therapists Heirloom Gift Baskets are filled with everyone’s all-time favorites: Biscotti, Pulvoron, Hopia, Candied that leads to healing.

Tamarind (Sampaloc), Pastillas, Garlic Peanuts, Crunchy Cake Poppers and Toblerone. Now available Nurse Manager of Glendale at all Leelin locations. To purchase or for more information, please visit or call any Leelin Bakery and Memorial’s Acute RehabilitaCafé in LA County: Cerritos (562.924.5990); Eagle Rock (323.543.2676); North Hills (818.895.9100); tion unit Aries L. Serafin RN, Panorama (818.891.5253); Los Angeles /Vermont (213.382.2351) and West Covina (626.964.1811).

BS, MSN-LM, CRRN, SCRN shares, “We believe that it’s the little things that make the difference. From understanding how a patient will be able to drive to

by Boy ABundA where my career is going. I had the store and park, to providing Philstar.com my own plans, a vision of things in tools that will combat feelings of isolation, we are here first and THERE was a time, says Sam my head.”

Sam Concepcion is on the right track Concepcion, that he felt things slipping from his grasp and that the passion he had for his career was waning.

Sam, now 23, estimates that time came when he was in his mid- to –late teens. “I guess at one point, somewhere along the way, I probably started to question it,” he says. “You know, when you’re really young, parang you’re not supposed to make big real-life decisions. Other people make them for you. I was just following orders.

It became a routine, and that’s when I started burning out. Then when you become older, you start wondering, ‘How did I get here?’

You start to question what you’re doing, what you love about it and where your passion is. It didn’t feel right anymore.”

Sam had to stop and re-calibrate things to get back on track. When he turned 21 two years ago, he started re-evaluating things, just in time to celebrate his 10th year in the business. (Sam won the Little Big Star singing competition in 2006, so next year, 2016, will be his 10th year).

But looking back, that time was significant for Sam because it had him charting his own direction.

“I became more clear with what I

Sam Concepcion

wanted to do and where I wanted my music to go, and projects I wanted to create,” he explains. “I really became more hands-on than I ever was in my entire career.”

His management recognized that as Sam got older, that he was transitioning both as an artist and as a person, and responded by giving him the space he needed and the freedom to explore his options, all the while remaining tethered to his home bases: Stages, his management company, and ABS-CBN’s Star Magic which co-manages him.

“At one point, the people managing me also ceased to tell me what to do. But it took more than one sitting (to work things out). We would talk about what the plan is, and

Now, things seem to be going swimmingly well for Sam. In a short backstage chat before the show began, Sam expressed how he felt. “I’m excited. I guess I’ve always been this way, especially before I get onstage. I don’t really feel it ‘til I’m there. It always feels like I only realize the gravity of the situation when I see the people and feel the music. Now I feel relaxed.

When I’m onstage, that is when I get excited.”

Indeed, there is much for Sam to be excited about these days. He is part of the hit reality talent show Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2, and also of a new teleserye, “You’re My Home.” He also just finished a live show called “No Filter” and has a new CD coming.

Now he feels energized and good about everything in his life.

Things seem to be falling into all the right places. He may not be in a relationship (despite rumors to the contrary and talk that he plans to win back his ex-girlfriend jasmine Curtis-Smith, younger sister of Anne). With a new energy and focus on his career, he is eager and excited to get up every morning.

“Now I don’t drag myself out of bed na, and it’s all good,” he says with a wide smile.

Aries L. Serafin RN, BS, MSN-LM, CRRN, SCRN, Nurse Manager of Glendale Memorial’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit

foremost to help our patients enjoy life and move forward from the past.”

Our team members take the time to listen. When our patients want to vent or share their fears and worries, we are here to support them without judgment

and help them optimize and regain the quality of life they deserve. For a free referral to a Glendale Memorial Hospitalaffiliated physician, please call our Doctor Finder service at (818)502-2378.

(Advertising Supplement)

FASO Goes Pops! A night of...

PAGE B2

teen Legaspi, Andreas Makiling, jolleen Mejia, Sophia Nack, and Nicole Padilla) singing the Whitney Houston hit, “Greatest Love of All,” to a standing ovation.

Young talent was prominent in the show, which also featured riveting performances from Kaitlyn Fajilan singing “Tayo Ay Pilipino,” Daryl Ogalino singing Odette Quesada’s “Give Me a Chance,” and a powerful Whitney Houston/“Bodyguard” medley sung by 14-year-old Mikaela Bautista.

Another highlight of the show was an alluring performance from singer-songwriter and former Rose Parade princess, Gabrielle Current, who sang Cecile Azarcon’s well-known “Lift up Your Hands.” The performance began with a special video message from Miss Azarcon herself, congratulating FASO on another successful show and year.

Wearing a sparkling blue dress, 10-year-old Sydney Haik also performed an outstanding “Let It Go” from Disney’s

“Frozen,” with an exclusive video message introduction from the multi- award-winning, half Filipino composer Robert Lopez.

For many Pinoys, nostalgia hit with a fine-tuned OPM medley, featuring “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (Ryan Cayabyab), “Ewan,” “Natang-bata Ka Pa,” “Ngayon at Kailanman,” and “umagang Kay Ganda.” People also sang, laughed, and danced along to a medley of songs from the popular disco group VST & Company. Sharon Cuneta’s wellloved ballad “Bituing Walang Ningning” was also sung by vocalist Sharon Rose Orosco. Right before intermission, audiences were treated to a moving arrangement of a Filipino-favorite, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Another noteworthy feature of the FASO Goes Pops! concert was the presence of a few guests, respected Filipino writers and composers, including a special performance from writer Odette Quesada, who sang her wellknown hit “Till I Met You.”

OPM hits “Hanggang Huli’y Ikaw (performed by Nilo Alcala), “Ikaw Lamang” (performed by Shelby Miguel) and “Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin” (performed

by Sharon Rose Orosco) were accompanied by special appearances from the song’s original composers, Sarah jane Gandia, Dodjie Simon and Aaron Paul del Rosario.

The evening concluded with a high-energy performance of “Age of Aquarius” and an encore number, “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit,” featuring the talents of all the singers and full orchestra. It was a spectacular end to the evening, thanks to the hard work of Maestro Shroder, the performers, volunteers, and FASO’s dedicated Board of Directors.

In April 2015, FASO also performed a tribute to timeless Broadway hits with “FASO goes Broadway!,” also held at the renowned Alex Theater. Next spring, FASO will host a special big band music and swing dancing dinner-concert at the Glendale Hilton.

B november 21-24, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

EntErtainmEnt

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves MAy ZhAng, DiZA AnD nAncy MilleR LAST week we reported that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan had announced that no comprehensive immigration reform bill will be introduced or entertained in the House while President Obama is in the White House.

This week, in keeping with that philosophical bent, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the federal government’s appeal of the preliminary injunction that put a halt to Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (“DAPA”).

While the Obama Administration quickly declared its intention to appeal to the US Supreme Court, any positive decision is at least a year away. So, no comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) and no DAPA; what is there? A lot!

As societies in various countries around the world become more unstable and existing governments become less able or willing to protect their citizens, political asylum is a very real avenue for relief. Changes in country conditions allow one to file for asylum despite having been here for more than oneyear. Once the application has been pending for 6 months, the applicant is eligible for an Employment Authorization Document (work permit). With work authorization, one may apply for a social security number, work legally and obtain a state-issued driver’s license.

Another option is cancellation of removal. Cancellation of removal allows qualified individuals to obtain a green card if they have lived in the US for at least ten years, have good moral character and can show that their US citizen, or Lawful Permanent Resident parent, spouse or child would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if the applicant were forced to leave the United States. Applicants are eligible to apply for a work permit as soon as their applica-

Fifth Circuit says no to DAPA – what now? tion is filed.

As always, anyone with a US citizen or lawful permanent resident family member should explore the possibility of a family-based petition. Immediate relatives (IR) who entered the US with inspection are able to obtain their green card in the United States in a process called adjustment of status. If the foreign citizen has to return home to complete their immigration process, they can seek a provisional waiver of the 10year unlawful presence bar that will be tripped when they leave to United States to consular process.

Provisional waivers allow the applicant to submit the request from inside the US and wait for the decision here. Once approved, the applicant departs for their immigrant visa interview at a US Consulate. This waiver avoids lengthy separation of family members. The provisional waiver applies to aliens who entered the United States without papers, who came in on a crewman visa, who entered the United States on a fiancé visa but did not marry their petitioner and who entered on a visa but overstayed or violated the visa and are not in the immediate relative category.

Other waivers are available for those with various other grounds of inadmissibility. Those who entered the United States using false information or false documentation and can show

that their USC or LPR parent or spouse would suffer extreme hardship may be able to get a waiver. Non-citizens who have convictions for various criminal offenses may be able to obtain a waiver if they can show that their USC or LPR parent, spouse or son or daughter would suffer extreme hardship. Due to some recent court decisions, many non-citizens may be eligible for criminal conviction waivers even if they were not before.

Waivers also exist for those who obtained their green cards through false information and want to clear their record so they can naturalize.

Non-citizens who are studying in the United States may be able to turn that education into both a non-immigrant work visa and a green card depending on what they are studying.

While not technically lawful status, another option is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”). Yes, DACA 1 – the original version is still available. It was not part of the lawsuit and injunction. DACA is available to a person who: (1) was under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; (2) entered the US before the age of 16; (3) has resided in the US since June 15, 2007 up to the present date; (4) is currently out of status; (5) is in school or has graduated from school in the US (or is a veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces); and, (7) has not

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C NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon ARe you facing a mountain of debt and don’t know what to do in order to avoid getting buried?

Debt problems can wreak havoc on your personal life in many ways. And left unsolved, they can spill over into other areas of your life, causing problems not only at home but maybe even at work or in your business, if you are selfemployed.

If you are struggling every month to make even minimum payments on your debts, maybe you know what I am talking about. Maybe you’ve been trying hard to break free from the vicious cycle of debt but you just don’t know where to start in finding a way out. Some people are trapped in an endless pattern of borrowing. They want to stop but they just don’t know how. These are the people who are already buried in debt as it is and yet they continue to borrow every month just to pay other debts. It seems to work for a little while and then sooner or later, they find themselves maxed out with no other choice but to file bankruptcy.

Can you still avoid this situation or is it too late? every day, I see a lot of people who don’t even know how much they owe anymore. At some point, they knew that their debts

Community Journal

What to do before debt problems ruin your life

have spun out of control so they just stopped keeping track of them. When was the last time you reviewed your credit card statements to see how much you owe, how much interest you are paying and how long it will take you to pay off what you’ve borrowed? If you haven’t done this in a while, I suggest that you take the time to do it in order to find out exactly where you are.

This may be an intimidating process to some people. Others simply don’t want to know because they are in denial about how serious their debt problems are. They are afraid to know and have to face the reality of their debts. What will it take for you to take action and do something to turn your situation around before things get worse?

In order to reduce the burden of debt in your life, you will need to conquer your fears and develop a strategy to get out of debt.

Maybe you need to cut your spending and learn how to live on a budget. Perhaps you need to give up a few things in your life no matter how much you want to have or keep them. To get out of debt, you need to make several commitments to yourself. One of them is being able to stick to a budget that allows you to live within your financial means. The goal is to spend less than you earn so that you can accelerate

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Tax Tips

VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA And the process of getting out of debt ARlene Al-oS, by sending more than the minicPA, mBA mum amount required to your creditors every month. Learn how to make better choices with your money and slash as many unnecessary expenses as you can. Stop using your credit cards except for emergencies. Avoid the temptation of purchasing anything on credit. If you can’t afford to pay cash for something that you want to buy, that means you can’t afford it, period.

If you need to get your financial house in order, we can help you evaluate your options. Some people are simply beyond help with their debts that unless they file bankruptcy to either wipe out their debts or at least consolidate them into an affordable monthly payment, they have no other way out. If you think this describes you, it would help to talk to a professional who can help you explore your legal options. For a free consultation, call TollFree 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Los Angeles, Cerritos, Pasadena and Valencia. ***

IF you paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income tax return. Here are 10 tips on claiming a credit for child and dependent care expenses.

• The expense for child and dependent care must be provided for your dependent child age 13 or younger when the care was provided. expenses for your spouse and certain other individuals who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care may also qualify.

• The qualifying person must live with you for more than half of the year. There are exceptions for the birth or death of a qualifying person, or a child of divorced or separated parents.

•bThe credit can be up to 35 percent (was 30 percent) of your qualifying expenses, depending upon your adjusted gross income.

• You may use up to $3,000 of None of the information herein is inexpenses paid in a year for one tended to give legal advice for any specific qualifying individual or $6,000 situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully for two or more qualifying inhelped thousands of clients in getting out of dividuals to figure the credit. debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your These amounts were made persituation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices

10 tips on child/dependent care manent by ATRA 2012.

• The care must be provided so you or your spouse can work (or look for work).

• You or your spouse must have earned income from wages, salaries, tips, other taxable employee compensation or net earnings from self-employment. You may be considered as having earned income if they were a full-time student or were physically or mentally unable to care for themselves.

• Your filing status must be single, married filing jointly, head of household or qualifying widow(er) with a dependent child.

• The payments for care cannot be paid to your spouse, to the parent of your qualifying person, to someone you can claim as your dependent on your return, or to your child who will not be age 19 or older by the end of the year even if he or she is not your dependent. You must identify the care provider(s) on your tax return.

• The qualifying expenses must be reduced by the amount of any dependent care benefits provided by your employer that you deduct or exclude from your income.

• If you pay someone to come to your home and care for your dependent or spouse, you may be a household em-

ployer and may have to withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare tax and pay federal unemployment tax. For more information on the Child and Dependent Care Credit, see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care expenses! *** Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities.

The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. The firm celebrates its 38th anniversary in 2015. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in 704 Mira Monte Place, Pasadena, CA 91101. He has 50 years of experience in accounting, consulting, and tax work. *** The Firm proudly welcomes Arlene Al-os in 2015. She obtained her bachelors of Science in Accountancy from Mindanao State University and MBA from Ateneo de Manila University. She teaches intermediate accounting at UCLA and was a professor of Economics at Asia Pacific College. She has over 15 years of experience including member firms of KPMG and BDO Seidman accounting firms. *** Our readers may call (626) 744-0200 or email tax questions to info@victorsycpa.com. Please visit our website for about 300 tax tips at www.

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Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult Waivers for criminal grounds of inadmissibility children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?

An alien seeking permanent residency status in the US must be “admissible” to the US. Admissibility means the ability of an alien to receive a visa to enter the US or adjust status while in the US to obtain a permanent resident status under the US relevant laws and regulations. Section 212 (a) of the Immigration and nationality Act enumerates the “inadmissible aliens” based on different grounds. Aliens may be denied a visa or admitted to the US for health-related reasons, criminal grounds, security and related reasons, among others.

Criminal ground is common reason for denial in an application for visa or green card. For instance, even if one is married to the US citizen, he can encounter difficulties in adjusting status if he is deemed inadmissible for certain past criminal acts. How-

Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos

ever, the law allows certain instances when one can file for a “waiver” of inadmissibility under certain instances. In filing a waiver, the alien are asking the US government to overlook your prior criminal acts and issue you a visa or green card despite of this fact.

at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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In California, there is no legal basis for a spouse to request the family court to order the other spouse to pay for their adult children’s college expenses. However, the divorcing couple can agree to Atty. Kenneth pay for their adult children’s uRSuA ReyeS college education as part of a marital settlement agreement.

DIVORCInG couples with Family Code section 3587; In children sometimes worry re Marriage of Rosenfeld and about who is going to pay for Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th 478 their children’s college edu- (2014). Pursuant to statute cation after the divorce once and court cases, college extheir children graduates high pense payment provision in a school. They want a guarantee stipulated marital settlement that their soon to be ex-spouse agreement, as incorporated will share in the college ex- into a Court’s judgment, conpenses of their children. This stitutes adult child support is specially the case when the such that court had jurisdicother spouse has moved on tion to modify the provision with a new family. The old in light of the settlement’s family becomes less of a pri- failure to specifically provide that adult child support was u PAGE C4 ority.

Section 212 (a) of the InA cites the instances when a waiver is allowed involving criminal acts under certain conditions, as follows: • Crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT), • Prostitution, • Controlled substance violation of law related to a single offence of simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, • Unlawful commercialized vice, and • Certain aliens involved in serious criminal activity who have asserted immunity from prosecution.

Once the alien have established that his past criminal act is applicable for a waiver, he must establish one of the following: • A qualifying relative, i.e.,

Barrister’s Corner

not subject to modification. In re Marriage of Rosenfeld and Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th at 488 (2014). Providing for payment of adult children’s college expenses is recognized more of an “add on” to adult child support. Family Code 4062(b)(1).

However, the parties may “opt out” or restrict the court’s jurisdiction to modify an adult child support order (including college expenses) but the parties must expressly and specifically state in their marital settlement agreement that any resulting adult child support order will not be subject to modification or termination by the Court because the adult child support order is rooted in the parent’s contractual agreement. Cal. Family Code

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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. IT is common for field workers like service technicians to drive company vehicles to the customer’s home or place of business to service or install a product. Generally, an employee’s commuting time between home and work is not considered hours worked. Travel time between an employee’s home and the changing worksites (where an employee may be assigned to work in any given day) are excluded from the work hours and not compensable work time.

However, employees should be paid when the commute time is “subject to the control of the employer.”

If the employees are required by the employer to meet at a designated place to take its buses to work and employees are prohibited from using their own transportation, then the time spent by employees commuting by bus to the employer’s work site is compensable. However, if employees were not required to take company-provided transportation, and had the option of taking their own transportation, travel time was not considered compulsory. In this instance, it is not considered work hours.

What does it mean then to be “subject to the control of the employer” in order for commute time to be paid? The answer may depend on facts surrounding the commute itself.

Consider the following case: Joseluis Alcantar works as a service technician for Hobart Service. Hobart’s parent company, ITW Food Equipment Group, designs and manufactures commercial food equipment. Hobart provides aftersale maintenance and repair services to ITW’s customers.

Community Journal

When should ‘commute time’ for work be paid?

Alcantar and other service technicians drive to and from customer locations in vehicles Hobart provides, carrying the tools and replacement parts necessary to make repairs.

As hourly employees, the technicians are paid for the time they spend fixing equipment and the time they spend driving to and from different assignments. If they commute in the service vehicles, they are also paid for the time spent driving from their homes to their first assignments and from their last assignments back home, but only to the extent it falls outside their “normal commute.” A normal commute is the time it takes a technician to drive from his home to his branch location. Alcantar sued the employer claiming that they should also be paid for their “normal commute” time. He alleged that, while commuting to and from work in Hobart’s vehicles, the service technicians are under Hobart’s control.

As a condition of employment, the technicians must sign an agreement governing their use of Hobart’s vehicles. The agreement states that the technicians have the option either to commute in their vehicles or leave the vehicles at their branch offices. However, the employer strictly prohibited the personal use of the service vehicle, unless prior written approval is granted by management. Service technicians are also prohibited from carrying passengers without prior approval. Transporting or storing alcohol is also completely forbidden. Hobart also expects service technicians to respond to calls on their company-issued cell phones while driving to and from their first and last assignments of the day. Finally, the employer states in the

agreement and in its personnel manual that operation of a service vehicle for personal use is ground for termination.

Service technicians allege that as a result of these restrictions, they are under Hobart’s control when commuting to and from work.

The employer asked the court to throw the case out, claiming that service technicians are not required to use the company vehicles, that they have a choice of using their personal vehicles. The trial court did throw out the case but the technicians appealed.

The appellate court noted that the employees can win by proving that the restrictions during normal commute in the company vehicles show that they are under the employer’s control. Despite the employer’s argument that the use of the company vehicles is voluntary, the employees, as a practical matter, are required to commute in company vehicles. The court, thus, decided that the technicians can proceed with their lawsuit to show that, under the facts and the law, they should be paid for their “normal commute” time. *** 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.

been convicted of a felony or a significant misdemeanor.

More than one million individuals obtain legal permanent resident status each year. In order to find out if you could be one of them, consult with a knowledgeable and experienced

immigration attorney. *** 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.

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Can I get a green card if I had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?

Dear Attorney Tan, I recently married a US Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition could not be approved since the USCIS had determined that I previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to get a green card several years ago. My ex-husband previously filed an immigrant petition on my behalf several years ago, which was denied since USCIS determined that I only married him to get a green card. My second husband and I truly love each other.

What are my options? -- In Love but Out of Status Dear In Love but Out of Status, Under INA Section 204(c), a person who “attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage” in order to receive permanent resident status in the US is prohibited from obtaining USCIS approval of an immigrant visa petition. Simply stated, Section 204(c) prohibits approval of any immigrant visa petition if there has been a finding of “marriage fraud” in a prior marriage-based petition.

Based on the above law, your case seems at first glance like an “open-and-shut” case in favor of denial. However, you still have hope of getting a green card—a person can apply for and get his immigrant petition approved despite the prior finding of “marriage fraud” under certain circumstances.

You may ask, how is this possible? Isn’t Section 204(c) straightforward? Not quite. The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition. Before invoking the Sec. 204(c) bar to approval of a subsequent visa petition, USCIS must make an independent determination of fraud based upon the record, including but not limited to any evidence gathered during adjudication of the prior visa petition, but may not parrot or rely on the conclusions made by other adjudicators. USCIS must have “substantial and probative” evidence of “marriage fraud.” Matter of Tawfik, 20 I. & N. Dec. 166, 168.

The determination is to be made by the USCIS district director while adjudicating the subsequent visa petition. Matter of Samsen, 15 I. & N. Dec. 28, 1974 WL 29995 (B.I.A. 1974). The district director should not give conclusive effect to the determinations made in the prior proceedings, but should reach his own independent conclusion based on the evidence actually before him. Matter of F-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 684 (BIA 1962).

Therefore, in cases such as yours in which the USCIS has indicated it intends to deny the subsequent immigrant visa petition due to the prior finding of “marriage fraud,” new evidence can be submitted that demonstrates that the prior finding of “marriage fraud” was incorrect—i.e., evidence that shows that the prior marriage petition was based on a bona fide marriage, or that explains that the prior denial was based on an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of the facts. In cases in which the subsequent immigrant visa petition has already been denied, this new evidence should be submitted as part of a motion to reconsider. I recommend that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you in properly presenting the law and facts to the USCIS adjudicator to address the Section 204(c) bar. *** 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.

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AmericAn DreAm

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Fifth Circuit says no to DAPA...

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015

AlliSon Aquino-SilvA, eSq WHEN a serious crime has been committed, justice can only be served when the perpetrator of the crime is successfully prosecuted and jailed. Unfortunately, justice is often not served when the victim of the crime is an undocumented immigrant. This has been the case as many

The U Visa: Assistance to victims of certain crimes fear that may suffer because of their unlawful immigration status should they seek help from the police In an effort to combat this fear and rightly redress victims of crimes, Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000. This Act created the U Visa, which confers legal, nonimmigrant status to an individual of certain seri-

ous crimes. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began issuing U visas in 2008.

Every year since then, the maximum number of U visas that can be issued each year, which is 10,000, has been granted.

To be eligible for a U visa, a noncitizen applicant must provide evidence establishing the following requirements: (1)

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Community Journal

C NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

atty. lawRence yanG

Clients with very large default on mortgage seek to save house by Chapter 13

PrACtICAlly everyone knows that the good times of loan modification are going to end next year. loan modifications under HAMP are set to expire December 31, 2016 after several extensions. HAMP was a direct result of the mortgage bubble in 2007 to 2009 when everyone, including your dog, could qualify for a zero down mortgage to buy a house that would increase in value almost immediately. since the investment bankers in Wall street concocted this plan of making the American dream of owning a house come true for anyone with a social security number, real or not, doesn’t matter, when the bubble burst and homebuyers who really were not qualified for the mortgage started defaulting, the entire financial system of the United states and the world collapsed. the stock market lost 50% of its value and we elected our first minority President to rescue us from the financial chaos unleashed by Wall street. Our President gave us HAMP and told the banks that got bail out funds to give loan modifications to those who qualified under the guidelines. If your mortgage exceeded 31% of your gross income, you could qualify. But a lot of homeowners still could not qualify under this guideline. so, that guideline was eventually removed.

In the midst of this chaos, there were some fortunate beneficiaries. By fortunate beneficiaries of this chaos, I mean homeowners who have not paid their mortgage

for several years without the bank making a move to foreclose. I’ve seen clients who have not paid their mortgage for two or three years and still own their house today. However, recently, banks have been starting to ramp up foreclosures. Believe it or not, I have one client who has not paid his mortgage for 9 years as of today and the bank just sent him his notice of default, the start of the foreclosure process last week. that’s 9 years of free rent worth $324,000. Not bad at all. He is way ahead in the foreclosure game. I don’t think anyone can beat his record. It’s like winning the lottery and receiving $324,000 of cash over 9 years.

Client no. 1 is 55. He has not paid his mortgage for 2 years. His mortgage arrears total $120,000.

I asked him if he disputes the arrears. He said no, that’s correct. His house now has equity of $300,000. I asked him are you sure you can afford to pay the current mortgage plus $2,000 a month plan payment to cure the default of $120,000? He said yes. He wants to keep his house.

Apparently, some business associates owe him some money, about $200K, which he expects to collect in a couple of months.

He decides to file a Chapter 13 to protect his house from foreclosure. It remains to be seen if he can actually produce the plan payments. But who am I to question client. If he says he can pay it, then well and good, it’s a good faith filing.

Client no. 2 is 63. Her default is $118,000. she owns a 4-plex.

Debt Relief

she lives in one unit and rents out the other 3. the rent she receives is about $45K a year. she and her husband receive about $3K a month total of social security. she has not paid the mortgage for 2 years. she actually sold her house in Orange County 6 years ago and transferred her net profit to buy the 4-plex where she planned to retire with her husband. the problem, it appears is that some scofflaws in Countrywide Home loans, created a fake trust deed and drew out $40K and left her holding the bag. In addition, they added another $30K, which is part of her $120K default. so, she’s been working with another lawyer for the last 4 years trying the get his matter resolved without any success so far. But the current lender, the bank that purchased the notes, has set the foreclosure sale for next week. ONly A CHAPtEr 13 CAN stOP tHE FOrEClOsUrE sAlE. Client sees the urgent need for Chapter 13 and decides to file one to save her 4-plex.

“GIVE UNtO tHE lOrD tHE GlOry DUE tO HIs NAME; WOrsHIP tHE lOrD IN tHE BEAUty OF HOlINEss.” PsAlM 29:2. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

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

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To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas I stIll get a kick out of remembering my younger sister’s chitchat with her son, tristan, while in the car on the way to school. Noticing that my nephew was putting gel on his hair, my sister asked him, “tristan, why are you fixing your hair well? Are you trying to impress a girl in school?” “Oh no, Mom,” tristan answered, “I’m not going to impress a girl, I’m going to impress Jesus! It’s my first day to serve Mass as an altar boy, you know. ” My sister couldn’t help smiling about this incident throughout the day.

On this sunday, as we celebrate the solemnity of Our lord Jesus Christ the King, isn’t this the kind of attitude that we need to have at Mass and every day that we live out our lives as Christians? We’re at church not to impress anyone but Christ our lord—we come to church and we live our faith to honor him, to give him praise, to love him and to show our full loyalty to him.

As a priest and preacher, I try to be more conscious of this attitude. I’m not out to preach about

myself but to preach Jesus and the remarkable ways that God has shown his love and mercy to me. I do my job not to please anyone or myself but to please God. When I keep this attitude, I experience peace, become centered in God and not self-absorbed because I do my job for the right reason.

Indeed, this attitude is transformative. It takes away our pride, makes us humble and dependent on God’s grace. It fills our hearts and minds with faith, knowing that the Almighty God has all the power over our lives to keep us strong and confident to face every challenge and trial of life.

Doing everything for God’s glory gives us a prayerful spirit and removes and selfish motives. It generates generosity, care, kindness and justice to others. It allows us to see others as brothers or sisters in Christ. It takes away our competitive and comparative behaviors with them.

Putting on this attitude requires discipline. It means that we take time everyday to pray to give praise to God and to declare to him our loyalty and love. It involves having a contemplative spirit by lifting up our hearts and

minds to God and abandoning our wills to him.

We live and die for God who is filled with love and mercy for his people. In the end, our loyalty and strong connection to him will also transform our relationship with others. Our vocation is to live in his image and likeness as he had shown in the life and teachings of His son, Jesus, on earth.

May we forever show our fidelity to God! May the Kingdom of Christ—a Kingdom of justice, peace, and love reign in our lives, especially in these times when the world is beset by violence, hatred, and terrorism. May the Jesus Christ, our King, intervene to bring peace in this world! 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.

DUI record & US citizenship application

by Atty.

SuSu D’AnDreA

DrUNK driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol so that mental and motor skills are compromised. this criminal offense is usually called (Advertising Supplement) driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). In general, a DUI conviction does not automatically bar an applicant from acquiring U.s. citizenship. However, UsCIs denies many naturalization applications in this area based on a lack of good moral character.

One of the basic requirements of becoming a U.s. citizen is that the applicant must be a person of “good moral character.” the UsCIs Policy Manual on Citizenship & Naturalization states that “An applicant for naturalization must show that he or she has been, and continues to be, a person of good tHE Filipino-Americans of moral character.” Although there Paradise will have their 25th An- is no straightforward definition niversary Christmas Party on sat- of a “Good Moral Character,” any urday, December 12, at the Para- serious or minor criminal record dise Elks lodge, 1100 Elk lane such as a DUI could cast doubt Paradise, CA 95969 from 5pm to on an applicant’s good moral 11pm. character.

Find out more about what this If you are applying for U.s. holiday means and how to cel- Citizenship with a DUI record, ebrate it. For more information, you must disclose the arrest, contact Eric/leah at (530) 781- charge, conviction and the facts 2129, Gemma at (530) 837-3184 surrounding the crime on the or Myrna at (530) 872-0460. form N-400, Application for

People and Events

Fil-Ams of Paradise 25th Anniversary Christmas Party on Dec. 12

The Binalonan High School Class ‘59 from Binalonan, Pangasinan, and their spouses, had a reunion on a cruise to the Panama Canal on October 10-25, 2015, aboard the Royal Caribbean, Jewel of the Seas. In the picture , taken on the first formal night at sea are: Zenaida Alfaro, Rolly and Teresita Lagmay Arenz, Rudy and Estela Ea Bulosan, Rodriga Esquillo Burkart, Mario and Juliet Gomez Demetria, Jovencio and Corazon Angala Fabro, Joe and Jesusa Mariano Morales, Adriano and Celieta Roxas Obiacorro, Melchor and Wilma Etchon Pascua, Lilian Patague, Estrella Magpali Pippo, Manuel and Salvacion Perez Valerio and Rosita Yu.

Our loyalty to Jesus Christ, The King

Naturalization. If the DUI occurrence was within the past five (5) years, it is likely the application will result in a denial because UsCIs requires that “the applicant must show GMC during the five-year period immediately preceding the application for naturalization and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance. Conduct prior to the five-year period may also impact whether the applicant meets the requirement.”

(Chapter 9 Volume 12 of the UsCIs Policy Manual). therefore, the chance of approval increases if the DUI occurred more than five years ago. Nevertheless, UsCIs officers have discretionary authority on each individual application, and may or may not include conduct prior to the fiveyear period.

In addition to the passage of time, circumstances surrounding the crime can also affect the outcome of the application. If the DUI did not involve injury, death or property damage and was an isolated first offense, then it is more likely the officer may return a favorable decision.

Evidence of rehabilitation such as completion of treatment programs and probation are also positive factors. It is important to provide certified arrest report, court disposition and probation documents for the UsCIs officer

to fully evaluate the facts of the case.

Applicants with a DUI record can also provide additional evidence to prove good moral character. For example, proof of volunteer activities, active participation in church events and community activities are helpful.

Applicants can also request personal declarations from past employers, community members or clergy to help establish good moral character.

Applying for U.s. citizenship with a DUI record is not an automatic bar. Factors such as passage of time, circumstances surrounding the crime and past criminal record may affect the outcome of the case. It’s important to consult with an experienced U.s. immigration attorney for selecting and presenting the most helpful documentary evidence to satisfy UsCIs. *** Susu D’Andrea is a California licensed US immigration attorney who practices exclusively in the area of immigration and naturalization law and is a partner at D’Andrea Law Corporation. Offices are located in Glendora (510 S. Grand Ave., Suite 203, Glendora, CA 91741) and Pasadena (1055 E. Colorado Blvd, Suite 500, Pasadena, CA 91106).

Contact the firm for a free consultation. Tel: (626) 852-8600, Chinese: (626) 852-9838.

Email: info@DandreaLaw.com. Website: www.

DandreaLaw.com.

Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s...

PAGE C2 t section 3587, 3651(a). so if you are concerned about your spouse sharing for the college tuition and expenses of your children after the divorce, you should negotiate a provision in your marital agreement that both of you will share on the college tuition and expenses of your children. In doing so, you should also think about whether you want this provi-

sion to be non-modifiable or not. In the absence of a specific provision limiting adult child support as non-modifiable and non-terminable, the default is that child support is modifiable. sometimes, leaving the adult child support provision as modifiable protects the spouses from unforeseen future events such as a disability or retirement which limits the earning capacity of a spouse and ability to comply

with the adult child support provision in the MsA. *** 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) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit

Waivers for criminal grounds...

PAGE C2 t spouse, son, daughter, parent, of a Us citizen or permanent resident, or the K visa petitioner will experience extreme hardship if the alien is denied, • the alien is an approved VAWA self-petitioner, • the alien has been rehabilitated, at least 15 years has passed

welfare, safety, or security.

If you are contemplating of filing any immigrant or non-imsince the activity or event that migration application, it is admakes the alien inadmissible, visable to seek the counsel of and his admission to the Us is an immigration lawyer to guide not contrary to national welfare, you on the intricacies of filing for such a petition. safety, or security, • If the alien’s past criminal *** action refers to participation in Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of prostitution and he has been re- the State Bar of California and the Integrated habilitated, and his admission to Bar of the Philippines. To schedule for a free the Us is not contrary to national initial in-person consultation, please call Tel.

The U Visa: Assistance to victims...

PAGE C3 t the individual, or a qualifying relative, must have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse due to a qualifying criminal activity; (2) the victim has information concerning the criminal activity; (3) the victim has been helpful, is being helpful, or is likely to be helpful to law enforcement officials in investigating or prosecuting the criminal activity; and (4) the crime violated Us laws or occurred within the Us. U visas are available to those residing both within the Us and those who may have already departed the Us, whether voluntarily or under an order of removal. the types of criminal activities that qualify a victim for a U visa are numerous. there is no exhaustive list of offenses, but rather they are defined by various federal, state and local criminal laws. Examples of qualifying criminal activities include domestic violence, child abuse,

rape, sexual abuse, abduction, involuntary servitude, torture, murder, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, perjury, kidnapping, prostitution, trafficking, false imprisonment, blackmail, and extortion. In the domestic violence context, it is worthwhile to note that it includes offenses between nonmarried couples. As well, the immigration status of the criminal perpetrator is irrelevant, so it includes offenses committed by one undocumented individual to another.

An individual who has been the victim of criminal activity may obtain a U visa, which confers legal status in the Us and a work permit valid for a period of 4 years. If the victim is under the age of 21, then his/her parents, spouse, children, and unmarried siblings under age 18 are also eligible for a U visa. If the victim is age 21 or older, then the victim’s spouse and children may

obtain a U visa as well.

Individuals granted a U visa may thereafter apply for permanent residency upon fulfilling the following: (1) be a U nonimmigrant; (2) be physically present in the Us continuously for at least 3 years as a U nonimmigrant; and (3) he/she has not unreasonably refused to provide assistance to law enforcement officials prosecuting the criminal activity underlying the U Visa.

In addition, the immigration service will use its discretion when evaluating applications to determine if the applicant should be accorded permanent resident status to the Us. the immigration will balance any negative factors, such as a criminal record, fraud, or immigration violation, against any positive factors, such as family ties, hardship, or length of residence in the Us, to determine whether an individual should be granted permanent

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)

Nos. (213) 284-5984 or (626) 329-8215. Atty.

Santos’ office is located at 3450 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. *** Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, constitutes legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyerclient relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

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

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residency. the U visa empowers a victim of a serious crime to not only ensure that justice against the criminal perpetrator is obtained, but also to secure justice for himself/herself as a victim deserving of an opportunity in the United states. Given the legal complexities involved, individuals burdened by such a traumatic experience as being a victim of a serious crime should consult with a qualified immigration attorney to ensure that the rights and privileges afforded under the law are applied fairly and justly. *** For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 7993089; info@aquinoloew.com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew. com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015

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C NOVEMBER 21-24, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 21-24, 2015

D

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM Are you ready to be confused over

&

$5-billion Land Access Modernization Procurement Program announced at LAX the December 2015 priority dates?

LOS AngeLeS—The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Thursday, nov. 19 announced plans to deliver a world-class transportation system to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) through the estimated $5-billion Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP).

The centerpiece of LAMP will be an Automated People Mover (APM) that will connect the Central Terminal Area (CTA) with a new Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility (COnRAC), with stops in-between at new airport parking facilities and a station connecting to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) regional transit system.

LAMP will further transform LAX into a world-class airport by relieving traffic congestion within the terminal area and on surrounding streets, by improving access options and the travel experience for passengers, and by providing a connection to Metro’s light-rail system.

The APM, which will be free of charge to all users, will consist of an elevated 2.25-mile-long guideway with six stations, pedestrian bridges to airport terminals, park-

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

ing garages and fixed facilities.

The COnRAC will accommodate rental car agencies currently serving LAX at one convenient location adjacent to Interstate 405 San Diego Freeway. Additional elements of LAMP include two Intermodal Transportation Facilities (east and west), as well as roadway improvements to enhance access to the proposed facilities. LAWA has initiated the environmental review and clearance process for LAMP, and is collaborating with

Highest in Asia Pacific: PH climbs to 7th in gender equality index

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MAnILA—The Philippines climbed two notches in this year’s World economic Forum report measuring gender equality among 145 countries globally and remains the Asia-Pacific region’s highestranked country.

The country’s position in this year’s global gender gap Index jumped to seventh place from last year’s ninth, with the Philippines and new Zealand the only AsiaPacific countries making it to the top 10. “now at seventh worldwide, it (Philippines) has closed 79 of its gender gap, by far the highest of any Asian country,” the WeF report stated.

Iceland remained the most gender-equal country in this year’s

list, followed by norway, Finland, Sweden and Ireland.

Rwanda ranked sixth, followed by the Philippines at seventh. Switzerland, Slovenia, and new Zealand completed the top 10 worldwide.

In Asia and the Pacific, the countries which made it to the top 10 aside from the Philippines and new Zealand were Australia, Lao PDR, Singapore, Mongolia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

These other Asia Pacific countries, however, ranked 30th place and above in the global index.

The lowest performing countries from the region are Fiji (121st), Iran (141st) and Pakistan (144th).

China was 91st, with its ranking slightly decreasing due to a further drop in the sex ratio at birth. InPAGE D2

“Now at seventh worldwide, it (Philippines) has closed 79 of its gender gap, by far the highest of any Asian country,” the WEF report stated.

Inquirer.net photo

Cebu Pacific issues apology to passengers affected by APEC by miguel

R. camuS

Inquirer.net

CeBU Pacific Air, the country’s biggest budget carrier, has issued an apology to passengers affected by flight cancellations due to the Asia Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) Leaders’ Summit held in Manila this week.

The apology comes as some passengers took a more proactive stance in airing their complaints. On Thursday, nov.

19, high profile lawyer Raymond Fortun threatened to sue the budget airline amid confusion on the status of his flight home from Vietnam, which was cancelled.

Fortun claimed he was not properly informed.

“The email message was automatically sent to all passengers with flights departing within 72 hours. This resulted in some passengers going to the airport,

despite their flight being cancelled,” Cebu Pacific said in an emailed statement.

“CeB sincerely apologizes to passengers with cancelled flights, who still received a system generated email prompting them to check in online,” it added.

Fortun said he incurred additional, unplanned expenses abroad, apart from schedule disruptions for him and his family.

Cebu Pacific and flag carrier Philippine Airlines, meanwhile, saw over P1 billion in foregone revenue losses due to the Apec summit.

PAL estimated gross revenue losses of about $18.7 million from the cancellation of about 700 flights this week, an announcement showed. Separately, Cebu Pacific estimated that forgone revenues during the period likely hit P400 million from the cancellation of over 800 flights.

Business Quote of the Week “Only when you are self-employed do you fully realize how much more efficient you become when your output directly correlates with how much money you make.”

- Ronald Kessler, journalist and author

key agency and community stakeholders throughout the process.

Los Angeles Mayor eric garcetti tasked Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the city department that owns and operates LAX and two other Southern California airports, with delivering LAMP no later than 2023, while controlling capital costs, minimizing construction impacts on existing LAX operations, and cultivating opportunities for small and local businesses. “We are one step closer to bringing rail to LAX and making it easier to get in and out of the airport -- all while easing traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Mayor garcetti. “This $5-billion project adds to the continuous effort to transform LAX into the world-class airport Los Angeles deserves, and this strategy to deliver the automated train and rental car center will help us finish these projects on time and on budget.”

After evaluating several different delivery methods, LAWA determined that the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) method is best suited to deliver at least two elements of LAMP: the APM and COnRAC. Proposed PAGE D2

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ In October 2015, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security announced a new format for the monthly priority dates. The monthly Visa Bulletin would now have TWO charts: the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart; and the Final Action Dates chart. (The Final Action Date chart is the old priority date chart from previous Visa Bulletins) The Dates for Filing chart was supposed to allow people to file for adjustment of status months or years ahead of the Final Action Date chart, to enable people to apply for work authorization while waiting for their priority date to become current under the Final Action Date chart.

However, for December 2015, USCIS announced a confusing mixture of these two charts in

connection with when people can file for adjustment: 1. For family-based petitions, people can rely on the “Dates for Filing” chart for when they may file for adjustment of status. That is good.

2. For employment – based petitions, people must go back and rely on the Final Action Date chart. That is not so good.

By way of comparison, for employment based cases for the Philippines, the Application Filing Date is January 1, 2010.

However, the Final Action Date is August 1, 2007. Therefore, starting December 1, 2015, people with employment-based petitions would be able to file adjustment of status applications only if their priority date is earlier than August 1, 2007 (rather than January 1, 2010). As stated on USCIS’s website: December 2015: For Family-Sponsored Filings: • You may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart for December 2015.

For Employment-Based Filings: • You must use the Application

Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for December 2015.

What this means is now, you not only must check the State Department’s website for the Visa Bulletin for every single month, but must also check the USCIS’s website as to which chart it will follow for the upcoming month for filing adjustment of status.

Confused? So are they. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

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

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

D november 21-24, 2015 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL

Marketplace

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Asia Pacific at forefront of global economic recovery

by Prinz

P. Magtulis Philstar.com

MANILA—Government and business leaders were one in expressing optimism on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, but making it more inclusive remains a challenge.

“APEC economies will continue to lead the recovery of the global economy. We will provide an avenue for future growth,” Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said in a forum titled “The Future of Asia-Pacific Growth.”

The forum was held in Makati

City during the second day of the CEO Summit, marking Manila’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

On Monday, Nov. 16, APEC slashed its growth forecasts for this year and the next to 4.1 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. The estimates were down from 4.2 percent and 4.8 percent last May. O’Neill said APEC’s opportunity lies on “developing further” the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), one of the key sectors emphasized by this year’s

meetings. MSMEs account for 97 percent of APEC firms.

Raymond McDaniels, chief executive officer (CEO) of Moody’s Corp., said the Asia-Pacific is the only region globally where the credit rater has more positive credit outlooks than negative.

“I am quite optimistic on growth opportunities in Asia-Pacific,” he said.

Much of the optimism is coming from lessons learned during the 1997 and 2008 financial crises when the region’s protectionist PAGE D6

Highest in Asia Pacific: PH climbs to 7th...

PAGE D1 donesia (92nd), Japan (101st) and India (108th) have all improved compared to last year on their overall score despite some losses in their economic scores.

The Global Gender Gap Index is measured based on four primary indicators which include economic participation and opportunity, education, political empowerment, and health and survival.

“Despite an additional quarter of a billion women entering the global workforce since 2006, wage inequality persists, with women only now earning what men did a decade ago,” the WEF report said.

“The global gender gap across health, education, economic opportunity and politics has closed by only four percent in the past 10 years, with the economic gap closing by just three percent, suggesting it will take another 118 years to close this gap completely,”

it added.

For the Philippines score card this year, the WEF said the major improvement was seen in the economic participation and opportunity indicator after the country recorded more female legislators, senior officials and managers, as well as professional and technical workers.

“In this pillar, it is now the third highest rank Asian nation, behind Singapore and Lao PDR,” the report said.

The country also saw slight improvement in its score for political empowerment due to a higher number of women in ministerial positions.

The report pointed out, however, that while the country’s health and survival gender gap was closed, educational attainment gender gap has expanded slightly.

“More women than men are enrolled in universities in nearly 100 countries but women hold the

majority of senior roles in only a handful of countries. Companies and governments need to implement new policies to prevent this continued loss of talent and instead leverage it for boosting growth and competitiveness”, said Saadia Zahidi, head of the global challenge on gender parity at the World Economic Forum.

First published in 2006, the Global Gender Gap Report this year revealed the pattern of change around the world relative to the 109 continuously covered countries’ own past performance and in relation to each other.

For its part, the Philippines has been consistent in making the top 10 global ranking since 2006.

The WEF said the region with the largest absolute improvement over the past decade is Latin America, followed by Asia and the Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa and North America.

Aster Heights’ luxury distinctions epitomized in spectacular master suite designs AZUSA—Aster Heights by Brookfield Residential presents a rare and prestigious opportunity for architectural grandeur atop the highest point of Rosedale with luxury homes enhanced with the finest features. The limited collection of 30 magnificent single-family detached residences is exquisitely designed to meet the discerning tastes of today’s homebuyers with dramatic exteriors, pool-sized yards and elegant interiors that include spectacular master suites.

Serving as both a sanctuary for peaceful night sleeps or a private retreat, Aster Heights’ gorgeous master suites are designed for pure indulgence with expansive sleeping quarters that inspire tranquility; enormous walk-in closets to accommodate glamorous wardrobe

collections; spacious master baths equipped with luxurious soaking tubs and large walk-in showers with built-in seats and niches; optional covered decks that showcase city light views overlooking the San Gabriel Valley; and superior features like E-Stone countertops and hand-set ceramic tile surround.

These unique design elements epitomize the detail and refinement of this spectacular home collection, furthering Brookfield Residential’s reputation for building the best places to call home. To personally experience Aster Heights’ elevated way of life, homebuyers are invited to visit the Sales Gallery today and tour the model homes. For immediate details, log on to www.

BrookfieldSoCal.com.

“When designing Aster Heights, we considered every aspect of luxury to ensure our exclusive circle of homeowners would be immersed in the very best lifestyle experience,” said Mercedes Meserve, Vice President of Marketing for Brookfield Residential Southern California.

“The master suites beautifully illustrate the design distinctions that set this collection apart, such as dual master bedrooms in Residence Two that include a first-level suite ideal for visiting guests and family members, and Residence One’s adjoining master bedroom retreat, a peaceful area for reading, exercising or expanding the massive closet’s wardrobe space.”

As the final new-home luxury offering in Rosedale, the San Gabriel Valley’s #1 master-planned community, Aster Heights presents a destination of unlimited possibilities with impressive homesites, sweeping living spaces, soughtafter features and highly detailed refinements. With prices starting from the low to mid $1 millions, residences range from approximately 4,652 to 4,925 square feet, with five to seven bedrooms, four and onehalf to seven and one-half baths, and oversized three-car garages plus storage. Homebuyers will appreciate a number of stunning design features that include oversized windows to enjoy the breathtaking city light views; expansive great rooms and formal dining rooms for entertaining; gourmet kitchens with enormous eat-in islands and walk-in pantries; convenient home management areas and bonus rooms. A variety of customization options are also available, such as a butler’s pantry, a high-heat kitchen; a music room with library, an outdoor room with covered deck above and connecting exterior staircase; plus many more.

Pristinely set in the foothills of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, amidst 518 sprawling acres, including 290 acres set aside for open space, the master-planned community of Rosedale features an array of resort-inspired recreational amenities for residents to enjoy.

These include The Resort, a 4,500 square-foot private clubhouse and two-acre recreation center, with

a state-of-the-art fitness center, Junior Olympic swimming pool, open-turf play area with adventure play structure, turf volleyball and more. In addition, the community will have ten one-of-a-kind neighborhood parks for picnics, games and gatherings with friends and neighbors as well as miles of scenic trails for walking, hiking and biking nearby.

Located near the I-10 and 210 Corridor, Rosedale is a tranquil retreat that is easily accessible to urban Los Angeles. The future Metro Gold Line boarding station, slated for completion in March, 2016, will provide another transportation option and will be within walking distance for residents of Rosedale. For more information, visitwww.foothillextension.org.

Inspired by the past with its focus on the future, Rosedale is the newest and finest master-planned community for brand new home living in the San Gabriel Valley.

For more details, please visit www.

LiveRosedale.com.

To visit Aster Heights, exit the 210 Freeway at Citrus Ave and head north towards the mountains. Turn left on Foothill Blvd, right on Palm Drive, left on The Promenade and follow the signs to Aster Heights.

The Aster Heights’ Sales Gallery and model homes are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 2pm to 5pm. For more information, please call (888) 210-9249 or visit www.BrookfieldSoCal.com.

Prices effective date of publication.

Brookfield Residential Brookfield Residential Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego), a division of Brookfield Residential, is committed to being more than a homebuilder. We strive to create the best places to call home. The Brookfield Residential Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego) team has the passion, the expertise and the local knowledge to craft homes and neighborhoods that speak to homebuyers at every stage of life. We are an award-winning homebuilder and industry leader with an exceptional reputation for quality, design, and customer service.

Brookfield Residential Properties is a leading land developer and homebuilder in North America. We entitle and develop land to create master-planned communities, build and sell lots to third-party builders, and operate our own home building division. We also participate in selected, strategic real estate opportunities, including infill projects, mixed-use developments, and joint ventures. We are the flagship North American residential property company of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with over $200 billion of assets under management.

Further information is available at www.BrookfieldResidential.com or www.Brookfield.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

$5-billion Land Access...

PAGE D1 construction duration of the APM and CONRAC will be from 2017 to 2023. The Board will determine the delivery methods for the other elements of LAMP at a later date.

“The decision to utilize a delivery method that focuses on working hand in hand with the private sector will help drive innovation and quality, said Sean Burton, president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. “This approach, unique to US airports, will create an exceptional guest experience and cement LAX’s competitiveness in the global aviation marketplace.”

Public agencies throughout the nation and internationally have successfully used the DBFOM delivery method to build critical infrastructure projects. In comparison to the design-bid-build delivery method, DBFOM can result in cost savings, greater cost control/cost certainty, schedule acceleration, increased access to private-sector innovation, an ability to transfer appropriate risks to the private sector, life-cycle efficiencies, fixed operations and maintenance payments for the life of the project, and reduced administrative costs.

“The DBFOM method allows

for a process that benefits LAWA and is inclusive of our values; comprehensive environmental review, transparency with our communities, project labor agreements and participation opportunities for local and small businesses,” said Deborah Flint, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. “Today’s announcement of our preferred delivery method is reflective of a 21st century solution that will allow us to reach across the global, regional and local marketplace to bring the very best teams together to deliver a complex and innovative structure for one of the world’s busiest airports.”

On February 4, 2016, LAWA will host an Industry Forum to provide program information and receive industry feedback on the delivery and procurement framework that would encourage competition, innovation, and certainty through delivery. A Small Business Enterprise (SBE) event will also be held that day to encourage and facilitate the participation of SBEs and minority-, women- and locallyowned businesses. Additional events will occur throughout the procurement process. To register for the Industry Forum and additional events, visit: business. connectinglax.com.

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Marketplace & ShowrooM

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

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

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

“Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power, the APeAL study shows hyundai takes design, technology, features, and performance seriously across the entire lineup. having the bestselling sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a remarkable accomplishment and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at hyundai.

WIN hyundai offers a wide selection of quality hyundai vehicles and extends its offerings across the Los Angeles area with its two locations: one in Carson and another in el Monte. On both sites, customers can find new and certified pre-owned vehicles – including the santa Fe, sonata, elantra and Genesis Coupe – to meet a variety of budgets and preferences.

Because the Carson and el Monte locations serve just about anyone and everyone in southern California, its experienced sales representatives are prepared and eager to help customers find the cars that best fit their preferences and needs.

When it comes to purchasing a hyundai, WIN specializes in working with all types of credit, good or bad, and has the ability to refinance current loans.

Additionally, although it sells hyundai cars, the dealership services vehicles of all makes and models and currently has an oil change special of $19.95 For Chevrolet owners and

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shoppers in Los Angeles, you may check out WIN’s third location at WIN Chevrolet, which will make sure to handle everything from helping you purchase a new or used Chevy. schedule an appointment or just stop on by to take any of our 2015 Chevrolet models for a test drive including the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro, 2015 Chevrolet Impala, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Beyond the highly-praised brand WIN offers southern California residents, it has departments dedicated diverse groups found throughout the Los Angeles region, including Chinese, Korean, hispanic and Filipino communities. “ We w a n t t o m a k e t h e buying process as easy as possible, so we understand communicating in your native language can be important to completely understanding the purchasing and financing of your vehicle,” said Munir Younis, general sales manager of the dealership.

Younis, who is of Middle eastern descent, grew up in the Philippines and can speak Tagalog fluently, just as the Filipino sales representatives at the dealership.

“We have a dedicated team that serves the largest Filipino community in the U.s. We believe in giving back to the community and have participated in multiple sponsorship opportunities with multiple Filipino groups and organizations, including the Philippine Independence Day Foundation,” he said.

Among Filipino members of the WIN hyundai Carson team include long-time car industry veterans Jun Milan and Jay Trinidad.

“WIN is a great dealership and customer service is the best it can be,” Milan said.

Also on the Filipino team is Franklin Magarro, the dealership’s internet sales manager.

In addition to its on-location offerings, those shopping for hyundai cars can browse WIN’s inventory online with userfriendly filters. Whether you know specifically what make and model you’re looking for, are trying to shop based on a budget, or simply want to browse through what is available, the dealership website makes it easy to shop around from home. Live chat is also available and sales representatives are happy to assist customers via phone.

WIN Hyundai Carson 2205 e 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (877) 354-4253 Monday through saturday: 9am to 9pm sunday: 10am to 8pm WIN Hyundai El Monte 3462 N Peck road el Monte, CA 91731 (877) 290-2164 Monday through sunday: 9am to 9pm www.winhyundai.com Win Chevrolet 2201 e. 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (818) 639-1216 www.winchevrolet.com 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek

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Longo Toyota delivers world class experience Nissan’s heritage of motoring greatness 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

by Walter

C. Villa

Inquirer.net

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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.

8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek

AFTER a deep breath and a moment of pause, Ryuji Nakayama of Nissan Zama Heritage Collection narrates in broken English the prominence that is Nissan R390 GT1.

With only two roadworthy production cars ever built, the Nissan R390 GT1 competed in 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished third, fifth, sixth and 10th overall, being beaten only by Porsche 911 GT1. Further Googling reveals it’s not only the fastest Japanese production car ever manufactured with a top speed of 354 kilometers per hour, and it was for a time the third-fastest production car.

With a price tag of $1 million, one was sold at an auction, while the other was kept in the Nissan Zama warehouse together with over 400 Nissan production cars built since 1933. Its sibling Nissan R391, the last Nissan car to compete in Le Mans and that was able to beat Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW, was parked nearby.

What started as just a garage for the iconic Datsun Model 12 Phaeton (1933) has become a rich repository of Nissan’s history, technology, prestige and heritage in the world’s pop and motoring culture.

Recognizing this, Nissan transferred the management of this facility from its local office to the global arm.

The Datsun Model 12 Phaeton is basically the son of DAT, Datsun’s master block of two cylinders and 10 horsepower, made

by Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works

The Datsun Model 12 Phaeton, built in 1933, is basically the son of DAT, the father and predecessor of all Nissan cars, on display in Nissan Global Headquarters in Yokohama, Japan.

in 1911. It shares the same design as its father DAT, but smaller with its 500-cc, 10-HP engine.

Then there are other sterling cars as well such as the C10 Skyline 2000 GT-R launched in 1969 and debuted in Tokyo Motor Show. Its legendary S20 engine with high-performance DOHC, 24-valve guzzler with top speed of 200 kph and acceleration of zero to 400 meters in 16.1 seconds created quite a stir during that time, especially when it bagged the 1969 JAF Grand Prix.

There’s also Japan’s first fullscale racecar, the Prince R380, which debuted in the third Japan Grand Prix in 1966, with two of this model beating Porsche’s to emerge as champion and second place.

There are hundreds of cars on display, mostly donated by members of the Nissan Car Club, and including the current toast, the world’s best-selling EV (electric

vehicle) Nissan Leaf (Leading Environmentally Friendly Affordable Family car), a five-door hatchback electric car with distance range of 220 kilometers on full battery charge.

Through the years, Nissan Leaf won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.

The good news is that a good 70 percent of the collection are in good running condition and can be in fact, driven or ridden.

While the facility is open to the public, visits should be prearranged. However, if you don’t have the time to take the physical trip, you might as well content yourself with a virtual one. Visit to www. nissan-global.com/EN/HERITAGE/ to view the online car museum and also read about Nissan Legends— cars or carmakers alike.

Asia Pacific at forefront of global...

PAGE D2 measures resulted in an economic tailspin, said Scott Price, CEO of US retail giant Walmart.

Open economies, he said, have allowed companies to grow.

Walmart, in particular, sees 50 percent of its future growth opportunities to come from the region.

“The reality is poverty has been reduced, there is an emerging middle class, and increased health care,” he said.

“I just think competent governments and public-private partnerships can mitigate any risk ahead,” Price said.

Mark Tucker, chief executive of AIA Group, said the region is also rich in capital for its financing needs. A “pragmatic” approach to regional integration also bodes

well to the region.

“Security and extremism are also very low in the region compared to others,” he pointed out.

While agreeing that capital is no problem, O’Neill said the challenge is to be able to channel these to businesses and infrastructure development.

Among his suggestions include harmonization of rules and regulations among economies as well as innovation. For Tucker, the latter means more focus on providing people a chance to “live healthier.”

Traditionally, this should translate to health spending equivalent to at least five percent of economic output, according to Health undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go. “That’s the traditional concept,

but it really doesn’t matter for as long as the outcome if achieved,” Hartigan-Go said in another forum titled “Health and Education for the Future.”

Education is another area where investments should be made by matching it with the needs of the industry, Phinma Corp. president and CEO Ramon del Rosario Jr. said.

Phinma, for instance, currently operates five schools offering “courses that create job opportunities.” Tuition is also affordable at an average of $300 or around P150 per semester.

“For education to succeed in promoting inclusive growth, education has to be accessible and it has to be relevant education,” Del Rosario emphasized.

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