092317 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

September 23-26, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 77 • 4 Sections – 32 Pages

Pres. Duterte to lift martial law ‘when it’s safe in Mindanao’

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday, September 21 he was going to lift martial law in Mindanao after the clearing operations in conflict-torn Marawi City and when there’s no more spillover of terrorist threat in other areas of Mindanao.

Duterte made the announcement during his fifth visit in the besieged city.

“Yes, when it’s safe,” he responded when asked when he would lift his martial law

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco as Solicitor General

NEW YORK The United States Senate voted 50-47 on Tuesday, Sept.

19 to confirm Noel John Francisco, President Donald Trump’s nominee as solicitor general.

Francisco, a Filipino-American, is the first Noel John Francisco Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com Asian-American confirmed by the Senate to serve as solicitor general. He has served as the principal deputy solicitor general since January of

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Socal Fil-Am youth groups rally against martial law in Philippines GROUPS of Filipino American youth rallied together on Thursday, September 21 in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles to remember the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, and to condemn current President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao.

The demonstration was among the many scheduled for September 21 throughout the Philippines and United States — thousands of protesters took to Philippine streets prior.

“Today we stand with the tens of thousands of Filipinos who have protested yesterday against Duterte’s extrajudicial killings and tyranny,” said a member of student and youth organization Anakbayan Los Angeles. The day marked the 45th anniversary of when former President Marcos declared nationwide martial law, consequently holding power for 14 years.

The demonstrators stood outside the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles Thursday night, carrying signs reading “Democratic peace in the Philippines now!”, and “Lift martial law!”.

Leaders from different organizations took turns giving speeches, all criticizing Duterte’s

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declaration.

“The catch word is when it’s safe here in Mindanao; there is no pulling of a… spillage of men. As long as it remains manageable and the police can take care of it,” he added.

He said the government has to clear Marawi City first and ensure there was no spillover of terrorist threat outside Marawi City.

“I have to clean the place and watch out if there is a spillover or any sympathy group would initiate the trouble again,” he said.

Asked when the rehabilitation in the Marawi

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FIFTH VISIT. As his critics came out in droves on the streets on Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to spend the day in Marawi, where government forces are said to be in the final stages of battle with Islamic State-allied militants.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Duterte tackles drug war, CHR Cayetano defends PH budget in meeting with US envoy drug war campaign, will

discuss issue before UN

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 20, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and discussed various issues concerning some of the administration’s policies.

A Palace statement released on Thursday, September 21, said among the issues tackled include the Philippine government’s “strong policies” against illegal drugs and terrorism in the country.

During their meeting, Kim told

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA & DANA SIOSON AJPress

DEPARTMENT of Foreign Af- “We’re going to assure the world fairs Secretary Alan Peter Cay- that things are going to be done etano, who is New York to attend according to the rule of law, that 72nd UN General Assembly, met human rights are going to be rewith members of the Fil-Am and spected but we’re also going to Manila-based media at a press tell the world that they cannot briefing held Wednesday, Sept. judge from their point of view.

20 at the Philippine Consulate They have to judge from the FiliGeneral. pino point of view and how drugs Cayetano is set to discuss the are affecting Filipinos.”

Philippine government’s camDuring the event, Philippine paign against illegal drugs before Permanent Representative to the US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte the United Nations (UN) on Sat- UN Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said Cayu PAGE A2 Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales urday, Sept. 23. He is expected etano will also discuss the need to deliver the chief executive’s to address the threats posed by message for the international the Islamic State, as well as the community to unite against ter- continuing missile test launches rorism, nuclear weapons and and detonations by North Korea. points since 2014, when most Filipinos were other common threats

by CATHERIN S. VALENTE Likewise, the Philippines’ top concerned that territorial disputes with BeiManilaTimes.net “We will stick with the theme, diplomat will share the governjing could lead to a military conflict. which talks about peace, stabil- ment’s efforts in protecting the “Filipinos also share positive views of Chi- ity and a more equitable share rights and promoting the welfare MAJORITY of Filipinos still favor the United States over China, but the gap is narrowing na and its leader, President Xi Jinping. And of wealth. Yes, I will be talking of Filipino migrant workers. amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s push to im- overall, the perception gap between the U.S. a little bit about the campaign “For this general assembly, prove Manila’s ties with Beijing, according to and China in the Philippines is narrowing,” against drugs,” Cayetano said. u PAGE A2 the Washington think-tank said. an American think-tank.

The Pew Research Center, a non-partiSeventy-eight percent of Filipinos surveyed by the Pew Research Center had a favorable san organization, polled 1,000 Filipinos in view of the U.S., compared with 55 percent the Philippines from February 26 to May 8, 2017. for China PH is pro-Trump Positive feelings toward the U.S. are down The Philippines is among countries that 14 percentage points since 2015, when Barack Obama was the U.S. president, coinciding view President Donald Trump most favorably, with the global decline in U.S. favorability at but confidence in Trump now is lower than in President Barack Obama in 2015. the beginning of the Donald Trump era.

“Currently, 69 percent have confidence in “While Trump’s first months in office have had a major impact on worldwide perceptions Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, of the U.S., people in the Philippines still like compared with 94 percent who expressed the US and have confidence in its leaders,” such confidence in Obama in 2015,” the resaid the Pew report written by Jacob Poushter port said.

Still, Filipinos support U.S. military presand Caldwell Bishop.

The favorable opinion of China among Fili- ence in the region and believe the U.S. will New York Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega and Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano during a press briefing at the Philippine Consulate General in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 20. pinos changed little since 2015 but is up 17 u PAGE A2

Poll: More Filipinos still favor US over China

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Palace: National Day of protest a ‘healthy exercise of democracy’ Earlier this week, Duterte signed Proclamation 316, declaring September 21 as a National Day of Protest.

MANILA - The National Day of Pro- The date also coincides with the 45th test is a “healthy exercise of democ- anniversary of the nationwide Martial racy,” Malacañang said on Thursday, Law declaration in 1972.

September 21, as various groups ral“Today, September 21, the nation lied against some policies of the ad- observes its first National Day of Proministration of Philippine President test, when people from all walks of life Rodrigo Duterte and the dictatorship and persuasion can freely hold marchof late President Ferdinand Marcos. es, demonstrations, public assemblies,

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

and all forms of mass action to express their grievances against perceived or actual excesses and/or shortcomings of the government,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

He further added that it also serves as “an opportune time for those in the government to hear the voice of the governed as part of our efforts to uphold the highest standards of good governance.”

According to Malacañang, the proclamation was made “in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”

Thousands of protesters gathered at various areas in Manila, including

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From the Front Page Pres. Duterte tackles drug war...

PAGE A1 t Duterte that he understands the challenges being faced by the administration in fighting drug menace.

Kim further cited the need to facilitate the investigation of drug-related deaths “to ensure continued people’s confidence in the government.”

In response, Duterte affirmed

that anti-drug operations have been always within the bounds of the law.

The president also maintained that the administration “never condone” abusive policemen, citing the arrest order against the officers involved in the killing of 17year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos.

He further reiterated his commitment to end the “vicious and toxic” drug problem, which he

said, could destroy a “fragile Philippine Republic.”

Kian was killed in an alleged shootout during an anti-illegal drug operation last month in Caloocan City, but CCTV footage and testimonies of witnesses challenge the enforcers’ claim.

The U.S. official previously expressed concern over the “tragic” deaths of teenagers at the hand of cops, calling for a “full investigation and accountability” from people responsible for the incidents.

While U.S. President Donald Trump lauds Duterte for his “unbelievable job” in cracking down narcotics, several high U.S. officials condemned the so-called drug war in the Philippines, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.

The drug war criticisms became the subject of the apparent rift in the two countries’ relationship, with Duterte accusing the U.S. government of meddling with the Philippines’ affairs in usually profane-laced speeches.

CHR budget During his meeting with the U.S. envoy, Duterte also clarified that he “never directed” Congress to cut the budget of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) next year. The president noted that while he may be the chief executive, he cannot con-

trol the decisions of the legislative body.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut the CHR’s 2018 budget from the original P678 million to a measly P1,000 in an apparent bid to cripple the agency, which has been highly critical of the drug war—a move that sparked criticisms and fueled public anger.

But on Wednesday, the House restored the budget of the CHR. It also restored the P365 million budget of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and P1.2 billion of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for 2018 after both received the same P1,000 budget.

Terrorism Concerning terrorism threats in Mindanao, Kim expressed Washington’s “all-out support” for the Philippines in its fight against terrorism.

In turn, Duterte thanked the U.S. government for its assistance and assured that it would be put to good use.

A decades-long ally of the Philippines, the U.S. has been providing technical assistance to Filipino troopers battling pro-Islamic State (IS) extremists in Marawi City, Mindanao.

Washington also recently donated P730 million ($15 million) in humanitarian aid for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of the besieged city.

Poll: More Filipinos still favor...

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defend them in a conflict with China.

IS a major threat The survey also found that seven in 10 Filipinos thought the Islamic State, also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) posed a major threat in the Philippines.

“While ISIS is named as the top threat in the Philippines, many in the country also see climate change (65 percent) and cyberattacks (64 percent) as major security concerns for their country,” the survey said.

Nearly half or 47 percent of Filipinos name China’s power and influence as a major threat, almost double the share of people in the Philippines who name the U.S. as a major threat (25 percent).

Still popular Pew found that Duterte and his policies remained widely popular

despite international concerns over his administration’s war on drugs and alleged human rights violations.

The survey found that 86 percent of Filipinos had a favorable view of Duterte, 78 percent supported his handling of the illegal-drugs issue and 62 percent said the government was making progress in its anti-narcotics campaign.

The Pew survey however was made prior to the alleged police killings of teenagers Kian Loyd de los Santos, Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, which caused public outrage.

Also, 78 percent of Filipinos believe the economic situation is good and 57 percent are satisfied with the direction of the country.

This was 21-percentage point increase from 2014, the last time this question was asked in the Philippines. n

President Rodrigo Duterte opted to visit the troops in the war-torn Marawi City on Thursday, Sept. 21, which he declared Day of National Protest.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Duterte to lift martial law...

PAGE A1 t would start, he said, “Immediately. When it is safe for people in government to go around unmolested.”

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after the

Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists launched an attack in the city in a bid to establish a caliphate there. On July 22, Congress allowed him to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year. n

Cayetano defends PH...

PAGE A1 t the president has decided to focus on domestic issues such as the war in Marawi,” Cayetano said, responding to a question if President Duterte will attend next year’s UN meeting. “The President made a vow in the past, rather a statement, of not stepping on U.S. soil specially in that argument with then President Obama but President Trump has invited him and we have good relations so I do not know right now if he will consider it in the future.”

At the briefing, Cayetano discussed the Duterte administration’s independent foreign policy initiatives focusing on putting the national interest in the center of it all; placing priority on the welfare, protection and convenience of the overseas Filipino workers and the country’s economic diplomacy.

For the last part, the secretary said President Duterte has instructed the members of the economic team to “show what the Philippines has to offer, how we’re making business easier and that policy is consistent”.

Trade has grown with the EU, China, Japan according to the secretary, and they are looking at

the potential of more intra-Asean trade.

“Basically, it’s what businessmen want – no corruption, no unpredictable policy framework, infrastructure and peace and order. Of course, the elephant in the room is human rights,” Cayetano said.

“The war on drugs, the campaign against criminality is not a campaign to violate anyone’s human rights, but to protect the rights of all 105 million Filipinos,” he added. “The responsibility of the President is first and foremost to the Filipino people and keeping them safe.”

The Foreign Affairs secretary is also scheduled to deliver a high policy address at the Asia Society and attend meetings with the Asean along with bilateral meetings with partners on the sidelines of the general assembly.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Cayetano’s participation in this annual event marks his first appearance in the world stage since he assumed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs earlier in June.

The UN has repeatedly condemned the Philippine government’s crackdown on narcotics

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco...

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this year.

“Noel Francisco is a great choice for this tough job, and I urge colleagues to join me in supporting him,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the chamber floor prior to his confirmation. “The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for representing the United States in litigation before the Supreme Court. It’s a very important office, and Mr. Francisco is well qualified to lead it.”

“I applaud the Senate for finally confirming Noel Francisco to be the United States Solicitor General. Noel is a brilliant and principled lawyer with an excellent record of appellate work,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a statement. “His reputation for skillful analysis and clear, forceful advocacy is indisputable, and he has been a consistent advocate for the rule of law and a steadfast defender of the Constitution.

“I am confident that Noel will continue to be a tireless champion for justice and look forward to him being a central figure in our commitment to the classical understanding of law and jurisprudence.”

It is the duty of the United States solicitor general to conduct and supervise the government’s litigation at the Supreme Court.

The 48-year-old Francisco is

not a newbie in the legal world.

In fact, even prior to his nomination, he was already known in the legal community.

“Mr. Francisco has successfully argued a number of complex cases before a number of courts including, notably, the case of National Labor Relations Board v. Noel Canning before the Supreme Court. In that matter, he represented the plaintiff Noel Canning in its successful challenge to President Obama’s unlawful, so-called recess appointments,” McConnell added. “That case is especially important for this body because the Supreme Court’s unanimous 2014 decision in favor of Noel Canning reaffirmed that the Senate, not the president, possesses the clear constitutional authority to prescribe the rules of its own proceedings.”

Prior to this post, Francisco took on the role of principal deputy solicitor general in this year. He also worked at global law firm Jones Day from 2005 to 2017 in its government relations practice and served as an associate counsel to President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005.

He received his B.A. with honors in 1991 from the University of Chicago, his law degree — also with high honors — from the University of Chicago Law School in 1996. He served as a law clerk first for Judge J.

Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and then clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“While at Jones Day, he appeared several times before the Supreme Court, including in McDonnell v. United States, which involved the meaning of ‘official act’ under federal bribery statutes; Zubik v. Burwell, which involved the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to regulations addressing insurance coverage for contraception; and NLRB v.

Noel Canning, which involved the Constitution’s recess appointment power. He has also argued numerous cases in lower federal and state courts on a wide range of constitutional, civil, and criminal matters,” according to the White House statement released last March.

“From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Francisco served as associate counsel to the President, and from 2003 to 2005 he served as deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel,” the statement added.

Proud son of Oswego Francisco was born in Syracuse, New York and was raised in Oswego, a town about 35 miles away. He graduated from Oswego High School in 1987.

His father, Nemesio Majaraiz Francisco immigrated from the Philippines and according

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017

to an article on Syracuse.com, spoke “little English and without much money, to pursue a medical career that took him Oswego in 1971 and became one of the most beloved doctors in Oswego — taking calls at home and on weekends — before succumbing to cancer at age 53 in 1989”.

In his statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Francisco spoke fondly of his father and the adversity he had to go through before settling in the United States to pursue his studies in medicine.

“He grew up amongst the ravages of World War II. He once told me how, as a young boy, he was forced to live in the remnants of a bombed out tank. Whenever I’ve faced the joys or difficulties of life, I think of that little boy,” Francisco said. “He could not possibly have dreamed that his son would one day have the high honor of sitting before this august body. I am so grateful to you for helping to fulfill what that scared little boy dared not dream.”

Nemesio Francisco, born in the Philippines in 1935, found a home in a small city on the shores of Lake Ontario called Oswego, NY. “The good people of Oswego welcomed my father—a Filipino immigrant who barely spoke the language—with open arms. It is in Oswego that my father became, and died, an American,” Francisco said. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)

Socal Fil-Am youth groups rally against martial law...

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brutal war on drugs, as well as his recent actions towards martial law in the Philippines. Duterte has expressed possibility of nationwide martial law — martial law in Mindanao has been imposed to last until December 31, but Duterte most recently said he would lift it “when it’s safe”.

One speaker representing the group National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), addressed the many who saw Duterte as a “strongman leader”, someone capable of bringing order to the country.

“What’s really happened under the Duterte regime are gross human rights violations,” he said.

Over 13,000 people are said to have been killed as a result of the president’s war on drugs.

Another speaker from Gabriela Los Angeles called out one of Duterte’s most controversial statements. In May, the president said to his troops in regards

A speaker from Anakbayan Los Angeles leads a protest on Thursday, September 21 in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, CA. The rally was among the many held on the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, condemning current President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao and his war on drugs which has resulted in over 13,000 deaths.

to martial law, “I will go to jail for you. If you happen to have raped three women, I will own up to it.”

“We want you to apologize for your joke and for your support on rape of women under martial law. You need to apologize to the women. These are our grand-

A rallier leads protesters through slogans like, “Duterte mismo, babagsak! (Duterte, himself, will fall!)”. The demonstration condemning President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership style took place in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, September 21, 2017.

AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

mothers, our mothers, our sisters, our children who will be the mothers of future generations,” said the Gabriel LA speaker.

Voiced throughout the demonstration was the power of youth, which they likened to the youth groups present during the opposition of Marcos.

“Just as youth, students, and women organizations have fought to oust martial law in Marcos’ 14 years, so will the many youth and women, peasants, and farmers, fight today against the current administration,” said an Anakbayan speaker.

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Photo courtesy of AboveTheLaw.com

A September 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

Trump’s deadline on ‘DREAMers’ reverberates through health industries

by Carmen

Heredia rodriguez and ana B. iBarra Kaiser Health News

Karla Ornelas said she has “always had the idea of being a doctor, I’ve never seen myself doing anything else.� The third-year pre-medical student at the University of CaliforniaDavis said she plans to become a family medicine physician and work in California’s Central Val-

ley, where there is a great need for doctors and especially bilingual doctors.

But that dream could be uprooted if the Trump administration goes forward with its plan to end the Deferred action for Childhood arrivals (DaCa) program, which allows young peo-

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Karla Ornelas is a third-year pre-medical student at the University of California-Davis who registered for the DACA program. Her goal is to become a family medicine physician and return to the Central Valley.

Photo courtesy of Karla Ornelas for Kaiser Health News

ple brought to the U.s. by their parents without proper documentation to stay and work here.

Ornelas, 20, was born in Mexico and came arrived to the U.s. at age 9. across the country, Jennifer rodriguez, 28, faces the same problem. rodriguez, who works at a psychiatric care facility in elkhart, Ind., as an administrative assistant, arrived in Goshen, Ind., from Mexico when she was 3, with no recollection of her birthplace and no documents to prove she belonged in the nation she calls home. now she is worried that she will be able to stay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hurtful that I consider this my home, yet to other people I am an illegal,â&#x20AC;? she said.

In 2012, President Barack Obama established the DaCa policy that gave a group of about 800,000 children and young adults freedom from concerns about being deported and the opportunity to earn a living.

On sept. 5, attorney General Jeff sessions announced that President Donald Trump would cancel Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive order that set up DaCa. explaining the decision, the administration said that it did not believe Obama had the authority to set up the program and that it anticipated lawsuits from states seeking to end the program.

The administration is providing a six-month grace period until these protections end, giv-

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Socal Fil-Am youth groups rally against martial law...

PAGE A3 t among the many slogans shouted was, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ang tao, ang bayan, ngayon ay lumalabanâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the people, the country, are now fighting â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a slogan also used during the opposition of Marcos. strongly repeated throughout the protest were anti-imperialist sentiments. among the groups represented at the rally was the Party for socialism and liberation who had up signs that read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;U.s. out of the Philippines now!â&#x20AC;?.

Fronted by a sign saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;resist Us-Duterte Fascist regimeâ&#x20AC;?, many accused the U.s. and others for exploiting countries rich in natural resources and for making efforts to stay in the Philippines through unequal agreements and unequal policies.

The rally ended with a poetry reading about the effects of the martial law in Mindanao that is said to have displaced around 200,000 Marawi citizens. Protesters also ended with songs.

Dominico Vega of Bayan Usaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southern California chapter said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here in los angeles, we are joining hundreds and thousands of people around the world because we hope that you never forget, Duterte, that the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movement brought down Marcos.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you dare declare martial law in the Philippines, and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lift martial law in Mindanao, and end your war on drugs and provide actual social services to the people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; land, education, and jobs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the people again will bring you down.â&#x20AC;?

Organizers of the demonstration were Bayan southern California, naFCOn, Migrante los angeles, and the Philippine-Us solidarity Organization southern California.

Martial law in the Philippines Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao back in May after the siege of Marawi by the IsIs linked terrorist Maute Group. Congress then extended it to last until December 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitution allows martial law to be in effect for 60 days at a time. as demonstrations took place Thursday, Duterte made his fifth visit to Marawi and offered some response to growing tensions regarding martial law. When asked if it would be lifted after clearing operations in Marawi, Duterte responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The catch word is when it is safe here in Mindanao â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there is no pulling of a â&#x20AC;Ś spillage of men,â&#x20AC;? said Duterte. â&#x20AC;&#x153;as long as it remains manageable and the police can take care of it.â&#x20AC;?

A rally attendee holds up a sign reading, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fight State Fascism!â&#x20AC;? on Thursday, September 21. The demonstration was held in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, CA in response to the imposition of martial law in Mindanao by Philippine President Duterte who also expressed possibility of nationwide martial law.

Southern California Fil-Am youth demonstrators hold up a banner comparing term statistics of former President Ferdinand Marcos and current President Rodrigo Duterte, echoing the fact that Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term has resulted in more deaths than during Marcosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 14 year incumbency. The rally took place on Thursday, September 21 in front of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, CA. AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to clean the place and watch out if there is a spillover or any sympathy group that would initiate the trouble again.â&#x20AC;?

When asked about when rehabilitation would begin, Duterte responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Immediately. When it is safe for people in government to go around unmolested.â&#x20AC;?

On days leading up to the Thursday anniversary protest, Duterte made threatening statements of imposing nationwide martial law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not commit the mistake of staging a rebellion. Iyong sabihin mo na (if you say) thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fighting in the streets, I will not hesitate to impost martial law all throughout the country and order the arrest of everybody,â&#x20AC;? said Duterte on september 9.

This sparked fear among many Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; many referring back to the times of Marcos who declared martial law in 1972, consequently holding power for 14 years.

Major protests in Philippine history include the revolt that expelled Marcos in 1986, and the eDsa revolution of 2001 that overthrew former President Joseph estrada.

Philippine Defence secretary Delfin lorenzana said Friday, september 15 that there was a possibility that Duterte would declare nationwide martial law if protests and rallies against him were to get out of control. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He said, if the left will try to have a massive protest, start fires on the streets, they will disrupt the country, then I might [declare martial law], said lorenzana to reporters. lorenzana did mention the likelihood to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;very remoteâ&#x20AC;?, but added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the president is indeed very concerned because it might get out of hand. so he said I might declare martial law.â&#x20AC;?

On september 19, Duterte declared september 21 as a national Day of Protest by signing Proclamation no. 319 which was released on Wednesday. The day was declared â&#x20AC;&#x153;in solidarity with the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.â&#x20AC;? (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

A

Honeylet joins first spouses at UN luncheon

by Christina

Mendez

Philstar.com

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, joined Melania Trump and other presidential spouses in a luncheon on Sept. 20 hosted by the U.S. first lady on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Avanceña’s presence in the United States has raised questions because Duterte opted not to attend the UN General Assembly.

Malacañang maintained that Avanceña has “personal financial capacity” to fund her trip, including watching “Miss Saigon” on Broadway in Manhattan.

Presidential security escorts also accompanied Avanceña, but the Palace said she went to the U.S. in her personal capacity upon the invitation of Mrs. Trump.

“She received an invitation to attend an event hosted by the First Lady of the United States and that she went on a personal capacity,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

Asked why the trip was “personal” when Avanceña was invited to an event related to the UN activities, Abella said “they chose to act within those parameters.”

“As far as I know, she was not part of the contingent, OK… I may be wrong regarding that matter, but as far as I know, she was not part of the list of contingent,” he said.

Avanceña attended the event on the sidelines of the UNGA. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that she was not part of its delegation.

As to the service provided by presidential security escorts to Duterte’s partner, Abella said that

Sen. Manny Pacquiao and coach Freddie Roach

President Duterte’s partner Cielito ‘Honeylet’ Avanceña joineds spouses of world leaders during a United Nations luncheon at the U.S. Mission in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 20. First Lady Melania Trump (lower inset) hosted the event, which was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

“people of certain stature are given port courtesy without having to spend for them.”

Avanceña was spotted in a background of a short video posted by Mrs. Trump in her official Twitter account with handle @FLOTUS about her advocacy against bullying and campaign for feeding hungry children.

Mrs. Trump hosted the luncheon on Sept. 20. She discussed bullying and called on world leaders to take their responsibility for guiding the next generation seriously.

Duterte drew flak from the UN for the summary killings of suspects and even minors in his war against drugs. In response, Duterte threw profanities and insulted the UN. Duterte is legally separated from Elizabeth Zimmerman, the mother of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and

Philstar.com phot

Pacquiao should take Horn rematch then retire, says Roach by dino

Maragay Philstar.com

DESPITE an obvious decline in his skills, Manny Pacquiao is still good for one more fight, according to his longtime trainer Freddie

Roach.

And that one last bout should come in the form of a rematch with Jeff Horn.

“I do want him to take the rematch with Jeff Horn,” Roach

u PAGE A6

Palace: National Day of protest...

PAGE A1 t Luneta Park, Plaza Miranda, and Mendiola, among others. Rallies were generally peaceful, and there were no reported major untoward incident amid demonstrations.

In Luneta, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) slammed the alleged summary killings in Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The group, which received this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, dubbed as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, expressed their sentiment through performance and jazzy song entitled, “Quota”.

“Meron quota, quota, kailangan pa ng quota. Basta may mapagbubuntunan, tapos kunwari nanlaban! (There’s a quota, quota, we need to have a quota.

Just as long as we can dump it all on someone and pretend they fought back!),” the group sang, referring to the police’s alleged quota or target number of killing drug suspects.

The group also took a swipe at the House of Representatives for cutting the 2018 budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to a measly P1,000 from the original P678 million. The House later restored the agency’s budget.

In Mendiola, rallyists torched what they called the “Rody’s Cube,” which sides had painted

face of Duterte, Marcos, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and a puppy or “tuta.”

“Never Again! Never Again to Martial Law!” protesters can be heard shouting as they burn the cube.

Duterte has imposed the entire Mindanao under martial law in the wake of pro-Islamic State (IS) group attack in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Congress extended the proclamation until the end of the year. Some expressed fear that Duterte might also declare martial law nationwide.

But apart from anti-administration rallyists, pro-Duterte groups can also be seen expressing their support for the president.

In Plaza Miranda, supporters can be seen clenching their fists—the president’s trademark gesture—as they chant “Duterte, Duterte, Duterte!”

The crowd of supporters can also be seen raising banners that read: “Ituloy ang pagbabago (Continue the change),” and “Ramdam namin ang tunay na pagbabago (We can feel the true change).” Duterte’s campaign slogan in last year’s presidential elections was “Change is coming.”

Likewise, they voiced their support towards Duterte’s crackdown on narcotics, as well as his push for the government shift to Federalism. n

Cayetano defends PH...

PAGE A2 t over its linked alleged summary killings and human rights abuses.

Just last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he is “gravely concerned” about Duterte’s “open support for a shoot-to-kill policy” against crime suspects.

But in response, Malacañang said that Al Hussein’s claims run counter to what Duterte has ordered, stressing that Duterte “has categorically and repeatedly said that there is no shootto-kill order.”

Other meetings Locsin said Cayetano will also attend the 4th ASEAN (Associa-

tion of Southeast Asian Nations) Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers Meeting; the 41st Annual Meeting for Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77; and the ASEANMercosur Foreign Ministers Meeting.

In addition, Cayetano is expected to host an informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and attend the bloc’s meeting with the president of the 72nd UN General assembly and the UN Secretary General.

Cayetano will likewise have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and the Vatican.

Sebastian.

The President and Avanceña have a daughter. n

CONFIRMATION. President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath-taking of the newly-elected Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI) Board of Trustees at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, September 20. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

China jabs back at Trump’s barb over South China Sea BEIJING hit back on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at President Donald Trump’s veiled criticism of its territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, countering that the United States was a greater threat to sovereignty.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump decried “threats to sovereignty” in Ukraine and the resource-rich South China Sea, without explicitly mentioning Russia or China.

“We must uphold respect for law, respect for borders, and respect for culture, and the peaceful engagement these allow,” Trump said.

China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital waters in the face of

rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbors, and has rapidly turned reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes.

The United States has conducted three “freedom of navigation” operations near islands held by China to challenge Beijing’s maritime claims since Trump took office in January.

“For some time now, some countries have used the pretext of freedom of navigation to bring their planes and fleets near the South China Sea,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Wednesday.

“Actually, I think this is behavior that has threatened the sovereignty of South China

Sea countries,” Lu told a regular news briefing.

Lu said the situation in the sea “has been cooling down” thanks to efforts by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“I hope that this situation can be respected by relevant countries,” he said.

The spokesman also called for “restraint” in response to Trump’s warning that he will “totally destroy” North Korea if it threatens the US or its allies.

Lu reiterated Beijing’s call for efforts to bring the nuclear issue “back to the right track of peaceful settlement through dialogue and consultation.” (ManilaTimes.net with reports AFP)

A September 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

Donaire promises to be ‘smarter, more powerful’ in featherweight return

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

NONITO Donaire Jr. vowed to bring the best version of himself when he tries to rejuvenate his boxing career against Mexico City’s Ruben Hernandez at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 23.

In a conference call Friday, Donaire said weight problems are a thing of the past as he will now fight again as a featherweight, a division he claimed to be most comfortable at.

“It’s a tremendous feeling right now. I just need to gain a couple of pounds in muscle mass. I’m excited (to return to featherweight),” said the former four-division world champion.

Donaire will shoot for the vacant WBC silver featherweight title against Hernandez, who is coming off a seven-fight winning streak. He said he likes what he has seen in the 24-year-old Mexican so far.

“I saw one of his fights on YouTube. He comes in to fight,” he said.

PAGE A5 t

Nonito Donaire Jr.

Philstar.com photo

It will be Donaire’s first fight since yielding the WBO super bantamweight championship to Jessie Magdaleno in November 2016 in Las Vegas – a controversial decision loss which Donaire still disputes to this day.

Asked if he’s fed up of letting fights go the judges’ scorecards, Donaire said he will try to knock Hernandez out this time.

“One of my trades is to go for a knockout, but I’ll be comfortable

with taking my time in trying to get the win,” he added.

“Expect a smarter, more powerful Nonito Donaire going out there for a victory,” said Donaire.

Donaire and Hernandez will duke it out in the undercard of WBA cruiserweight champion Yunier Dorticos’s title defense against Dmitry Kudryashov – which is part of the World Boxing Super Series tournament. n

Pacquiao should take Horn rematch...

recently told Sky Sports. “That would be, I think, the best fight for him at this point and it looks like that might happen next year, early next year.”

Horn stunned Pacquiao in Brisbane, Australia last July 2 to become the WBO welterweight champion, and the Filipino icon is inclined to retake his old title.

Pacquiao reportedly wants to fight Horn in the Philippines.

Roach, meanwhile, prefers the

Horn rematch over other fights reportedly offered to Pacquiao, including a showdown with the dangerous Terence Crawford.

“We’ve got other offers to fight Crawford and some other guys.

He’s close to the end yes, but he’s not finished yet though,” said Roach.

“He is still very dedicated, he works really hard and he puts 100 percent into training every day when we’re getting ready for a fight,” added the bespectacled

trainer.

And once Pacquiao deals with Horn, that should be it for the Filipino icon’s glorious boxing career.

“I would like to see him retire after that fight because being a senator and a professional boxer is way too much,” Roach continued.

“It’s two jobs that are very, very demanding. I would like to see Manny concentrate on being a great senator and then maybe a great president someday.” n

I’VE GOT THE POWER. Filipino powerlifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta rejoices in victory as she bags the gold medal in the powerlifting event at the 9th ASEAN Para Games Womens 86 plus category held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, September 20.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

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

Trump’s deadline on ‘DREAMers’...

PAGE A4 t ing Congress time to pass legislation to address the legal status of these immigrants, known as “Dreamers.” Trump and Democratic lawmakers have agreed to work on a plan to extend the DACA program, but there are few details and conservatives have raised concerns.

There are no firm statistics showing how many Dreamers work in the health care sector, but industry leaders suggested that DACA’s end could have an impact, especially among medical students and home health aides.

Multiple health care groups denounced the administration’s move. A statement released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said its members are “extremely dismayed” by the decision.

“Even with the ‘wind down process’ described by the administration, the implications of this action for medical students, medical residents, and researchers with DACA status are serious, and will interfere with their ability to complete their training and contribute meaningfully to the health of the nation,” the group wrote.

The American Medical Association (AMA) said the administration’s announcement “could have severe consequences for many in the health care workforce, impacting patients and our nation’s health care system.”

It urged Congress to pass a permanent solution.

“The more the administration threatens immigrants and their families and their communities,” said Robert Espinoza, vice president of policy at PHI, a long-term care advocacy group, “the more we threaten that workforce supply.”

One segment of the health care workforce that could be affected are medical students.

Students and residents may have to cut their training short, the AAMC said, and researchers may have to leave the country before completing their experiments. Foreign-born and international medical graduates also tend to work in underserved areas, said Matthew Shick, director of government relations and regulatory affairs at AAMC. Phasing out DACA could also sever a lifeline connection between doctors and populations in sore need of health care.

Ornelas, whose family settled

in Turlock, Calif., feels that need. For example, she said she accompanied her mother to a doctor’s appointment, as she usually does to help translate. Her mother, she said, had questions about lab results, and as her mother asked in Spanish and Ornelas repeated in English, the doctor grew impatient, told them to stop asking questions and walked out of the room.

“My mom wanted to cry, and I was shocked,” Ornelas said.

“That’s when I realized that it wasn’t just my mom, it was an entire community that was relying on this doctor for health care.”

Sixty-five Dreamers were enrolled in medical schools across the nation during the last academic year, Shick said.

“It sounds like a small number,” he said, “but they’re treating anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 patients in their clinical panel.”

Those medical students are needed to serve neglected communities as well as to alleviate the shortage of doctors. The AAMC projects a shortage of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians by 2030. More than 43,000 of the empty slots are for primary care physicians.

Kurt Mosley, vice president of strategic alliances for Merritt Hawkins, a physician recruitment company, said he is unsure if there are any Dreamers practicing medicine given that group’s age (recipients were required to be younger than 31 at the time of the executive order).

DACA’s end could also have a large impact on the country’s ability to care for patients in a culturally sensitive manner, he said. And statistics point to the need — minorities are expected to constitute the majority of the U.S. population by 2044, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2060, Hispanics — who make up the bulk of Dreamers — are expected to account for nearly29 percent of the U.S. population.

“You know we’re a nation of diversity, and our workforce should reflect that,” Mosley said.

“And [dissolving DACA] is a step backwards.” Health care already relies on immigrants to fill the ranks. Over a fifth of Dreamers work in the health care or education industries, according to a 2016 survey by groups including the National Immigration

Law Center and the Center for American Progress. Moreover, based on a separate 2015 survey by the immigrant advocacy organization United We Dream, nearly 23 percent want to pursue a career in health care.

Another sector of the workforce that heavily relies on foreign-born employees is direct care, which includes nurse aides, home health aides and personal care assistants. According to Espinoza, one-quarter of all employees are immigrants.

As the population ages, those jobs will continue to be in high demand. It’s hard to tell whether the vacancies that may be created by immigrants forced out of their jobs could be filled by the remaining population, he said.

“What our sector needs most is care,” Espinoza said. “And these kinds of federal decisions impede that — it impedes our ability to provide care.”

Rodriguez said she sees that need at her job often. The Latino clients frequently approach her for help, she said, recognizing a friendly face and asking in bits of broken English whether their native Spanish is familiar to her.

Interpreting for clients doesn’t fall under her job description, and her boss sometimes tells her to say no when she’s overwhelmed.

“But I would never do that to my people,” Rodriguez said. She wants to stay in the country and continue her work and life here.

Without DACA, Rodriguez said, she would have trouble caring for her family. She has two daughters and just purchased a home.

She is married to an American citizen, so she has petitioned for residency. However, the application is still being processed, she said, which means she relies on DACA to stay employed and keep her driver’s license.

Many of her family members also depend on the program for legal protection, and she said she is worried what will happen to them.

Rodriguez identifies herself as a Mexican-American who considers Indiana home.

“This is all we know, and we just want to be productive citizens,” she said. “That’s all.”

This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Big Western brands polluting oceans ASEAN leaders unite vs extremism with cheap plastic in PH, says report

by Jose

Rodel ClaPano Philstar.com

MANILA — Western consumer giants are polluting oceans by selling products packaged in cheap, disposable plastic to Filipinos, Greenpeace has claimed—naming Nestle, Unilever and Procter & Gamble among the worst offenders.

The environmental group ranked the Philippines as the “third-worst polluter into the world’s oceans” after China and Indonesia in a report released on Friday, Sept. 22.

Single-use plastics from products sold by conglomerates, such as bags, bottle labels, and straws, stood out during a week-long Greenpeace clean-up campaign held on Manila Bay this month, it said.

More than 54,200 pieces of plastic waste were recovered from the bay in total, including some 9,000

from Nestle products—the most ing to Greenpeace.

Nestle provided Aguilar details frequently seen brand, according of its “environmental sustainability to a tally kept by the group.

“These corporations are the projects” on Friday, she said.

Unilever, number two on the missing piece in the global fight against plastic pollution,” Greenu PAGE A10 peace campaigner Abigail Aguilar said in a statement.

Greenpeace said plastic waste was a particularly serious problem in “sachet economies” like the Philippines and other developing countries, where people on limited incomes are pushed to buy cheap goods in small quantities.

In the Philippines, a country of 103 million people with high levels of poverty, products sold in single-use sachets include instant coffee, shampoo, cooking oil, food seasoning and toothpaste.

These low-value disposable sachets usually end up in landfill or as litter or marine debris, accord-

Siocon beach in Zamboanga Del Norte, Philippines.

Philstar.com photo

Hazing suspects yield Another Aegis Juris fratman escapes to Chicago he was with members of the Aegis Juris when they subjected the 22year-old Castillo to a severe beatThe “good Samaritan” turned ing last Saturday, Sept. 16. principal suspect in the hazing Suspect Aeron Salientes also death of horacio Castillo III sur- surfaced on Friday night at the rendered on Friday, Sept. 22, to- MPD to deny his involvement in gether with another member of the death of Castillo, a University the Aegis Juris fraternity, saying of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshthey wanted to clear their name, man. even as another suspect was reThe two are among 20 individported to have fled to the United uals in the immigration lookout States with his mother. bulletin issued by the Department John Paul Solano turned him- of Justice. self in to the Manila Police District Solano said everything was “in (MPD) in the morning through chaos” when he arrived at a house Sen. Panfilo Lacson and denied u PAGE A10

by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN) member-states converged on Friday, Sept. 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City to discuss the threats and preven-

tion of violent extremism in the region.

The two-day conference on Peace and the Prevention of Violent extremism in Southeast Asia aims to develop policies and standards for action plans at national and regional levels, strengthen different sectors to prevent the spread of extremism, engage lo-

cal communities as partners for rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives as well as address social dynamics and drivers of radicalization of violence.

The conference was organized by the ASeAN Society of the Philippines, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, S. Ra-

u PAGE A11

A september 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

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

OpiniOn

Abolish hazing, initiation, frats in schools

Features

To a society now inured to daily street killings and other violent crimes, news of the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law freshman Horacio Tomas Castillo III still came as a shock. This is because of the senselessness of his death arising from a rite of initiation into a fraternity that is supposed to be founded on brotherhood, support for justice and the law.

Sadly, Greek-letter fraternities in the country have gained notoriety for their violent hazing rites, through which young men gain approval from their more senior brethren and full membership to an exclusive circle.

These elitist organizations deride those who refuse to join them as “barbarians,” which in reality is a supreme irony. Barbarian is the most appropriate word to describe what happens during a fraternity’s hazing rites.

The bloated body of Castillo, 22, bore hematomas on both arms, and had bruises and burns from candle wax and cigarettes all over. So serious was the bodily trauma that Horacio, or “Acio” to his parents and friends, had a massive heart attack.

“They are animals,” said Horacio Castillo Jr., Acio’s father, of those behind his son’s death.

Indeed, no parent should have to bury their children.

Another supreme irony is Republic Act (RA) 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Law, which is inappropriately named because it does not really ban hazing, but only regulates it.

In the law, hazing is defined as “an initiation rite or practice as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a fraternity, sorority or organiza-

tion by placing the recruit, neophyte or applicant in some embarrassing or humiliating situations, such as forcing him to do menial, silly, foolish and other similar tasks or activities or otherwise subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury.”

Hazing, “physical or psychological suffering or injury” included, is allowed, provided school authorities or heads of organizations are informed seven days before initiation rites are held.

Section 4, pertaining to penalties, is ridiculous; the severity of sanctions depend on the degree of physical harm, when there should be zero injury to any neophyte undergoing any form of initiation.

The law is so weak fraternities and other student organizations continue to hold hazing rites, sometimes kept under wraps from school administrators. This was likely what happened in Aegis Juris, the UST law fraternity that recruited Acio.

No wonder there has only been one conviction, out of dozens of cases, since RA 8049 was passed

by Congress in 1995 — life sentences meted on two fratmen in connection with the death of a UP Los Baños student in 2006.

In the 1991 Lenny Villa case, charges against three suspects in the death of the Ateneo de Ma-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

nila student were even dismissed.

The lack of justice in nearly all hazing cases necessitates a complete overhaul of RA 8049.

If they cannot be restricted to academic and philanthropic pursuits, fraternities and similar organizations should be banned from all campuses.

Any form of hazing should likewise be banned, not merely regulated by school authorities.

In fact, the whole concept of initiation rites, especially in the school setting, should be re-examined, with activities that do not promote characterbuilding and civic-mindedness, such as humiliating tasks and psychological torture, prohibited.

Fraternities, hazing and initiation — especially those that lead to senseless deaths such as Acio’s — are things we can all do without. (ManilaTimes.net)

Legal terms we hear in the news defined: Obstruction of justice, perjury, treason, bribery AS we follow the investigations be- The Fil-Am ing done by Special Counsel Robert Perspective Mueller, and those of Congress in the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia Gel sAntos-relos to influence, meddle, interfere in the 2016 US presidential elections—which allegedly put down Clinton and helped Trump win—I told you I will write about legal terms we often hear in the news: “obstruction of justice,” “perjury,” “treason,” and “bribery”.

Below are the definitions of these terms as explained by the Legal Information Institute of the Cornell College of Law: OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE is defined in the omnibus clause of 18 U.S.C. § 1503, which provides that “whoever . . . . corruptly or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication, influences, obstructs, or impedes, or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice, shall be (guilty of an offense).” Persons are charged under

this statute based on allegations that a defendant intended to interfere with an official proceeding, by doing things such as destroying evidence, or interfering with the duties of jurors or court officers.

A person obstructs justice when they have a specific intent to obstruct or interfere with a judicial proceeding. For a person to be convicted of obstructing justice, they must not only have the specific intent to obstruct the proceeding, but the person must know (1) that a proceeding was actually pending at the time; and (2) there must be a nexus between the defendant’s endeavor to obstruct justice and the proceeding, and the defendant must have knowledge of this nexus. § 1503 applies only to federal judicial proceedings. Under § 1505, however, a defendant can be convicted of obstruction of justice by obstructing a pending proceeding before Congress or a federal agency. A pending proceeding could include an informal investigation by an executive agency.

Perjury A person may be ruled to be guilty of perjury (1) having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any case in which a law of the United States authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true; or (2) in any declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28, United States Code, willfully subscribes as true any material matter which he does not believe to be true; is guilty of perjury and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. This section is applicable whether the statement or subscription is made within or without the United States.

Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving

them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

Bribery Bribery refers to the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty. This type of action results in matters that should be handled objectively being handled in a manner best suiting the private interests of the decision maker.

Bribery constitutes a crime and both the offeror and the recipient can be criminally charged.

Proof of bribery requires demonstrating a “quid pro quo” relationship in which the recipient directly alters behavior in exchange for the gift. Because the relationship does not occur directly enough, campaign donations from corporations or individuals to political candidates do not constitute bribery.

Another element of proving bribery includes proving intent to influence the discharging of another’s official duties.

Some statutes also require proof that both parties understand and agree to the arrangement.

Attempts to bribe exist at common law and under the Model Penal Code, and often, the punishment for attempted bribery and completed bribery are identical.

Solicitation of a bribe also constitutes a crime and is completed regardless of whether the solicitation results in the receipt of a valuable gift.

Economists consider bribery to negatively impact economic growth because it encouraged rent seeking behavior.

Rent seeking behavior refers to an individual’s or corporation’s attempt to illicitly influence the open market in order to provide that individual or corporation with a disproportionate amount of wealth. Such an environment results in a sub-optimal allocation of resources, which results in depressed economic growth. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

When ‘Tao Po! We Are Here’ became a topic for community discussion on cultural authenticity and internalized oppression

Rhizomes

Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D. “We’re totally bamboozled,” [Karen] Tongson said. “We think everybody’s putting on a show.

And we forget the show actually has real consequences.” – Interview with Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, Sept. 18, 2017 I PROMISEd the community members who took the time to share their feedback to leave out their names. So, to protect the innocent, I will attempt to lay out the discussion, without their names, unless they consented to their quotes.

First, the context. It is the 26th anniversary of Kayamanan ng Lahi, aka Treasures of Our Race, founded by Joel Jacinto, administered by Ave Jacinto with Barbare Ele. It was a full house at the newly renovated Ford Amphitheater. The sounds were pitch perfect. The dance sequences involving the children were cute and endearing to watch. The children, ages 4 to 13 year old, were well-mannered and knew how to have fun as they danced. Picture the fish nets big enough to contain the little girls while they danced with the little boys, it was so cute! Well done in teaching them! Ave shared it took 9 months of practice. Bravo,

as this is passing on our cultural heritage!

The “Tao Po! We Are Here” concert celebrated the multiple languages of the Philippines, as reflected in the diversity of scenes, dances, songs and costumes.

When Alison de La Cruz (unrelated to this writer) said, “multilingual, multitribal, and multi-multi,” that was a strong hint of inclusion in all its aspects.

What Kayamanan ng Lahi achieved was inclusion of multicultural guest performers, celebratory of what Los Angeles City is about, a city of angels, wherein diversity is the norm, and mirrors the diversity of languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines, though a bit more, to 224 languages. That we celebrate!

The first notes that I wrote on my program book: A feast for the senses, a smorgasbord of colors, textures, skin tones, fabrics, clapping boards, swords, and castanets. If there is one word that could describe the entire evening — fiesta!

It was a fiesta of words, as they were substantively woven into a powerful script by Giovanni Ortega. It is not surprising as Giovanni gave birth to successful plays onstage, the recent one, Criers for Hire, which got the audience

laughing and crying during full house runs at the East West Players. So when his written words were delivered well by Joel Jacinto and Ave Jacinto, the words pierced through and stayed with us.

By the time Joel Jacinto was drumming, and Jojo Ramirez was playing the kulintang, not just making sounds mind you, but twirling her wooden sticks as in a marching band, the crowd was oohing and taking their personal videos of her prowess, as well as Joel’s. That may not sit well with native gong players of Maguindanao, but it delighted the audience at Ford Theater.

Joel surprised me as I had lost track that not only can he dance hula, choreographed by Keali’I Ceballos, to the tune of Lahat ng Araw, another favorite, along with KNW Sayawit and KNL dayaw, Joel can do mighty fine drumming deserving of an A-list band!

Equally mesmerizing was the hip-hop dance of Culture Shock of Los Angeles, and the Spoken Word of Tao performance by Alison M. de La Cruz and Faith Santilla. I was again surprised to hear Alison belt the tunes as I have not heard her sing before, and it was quite endearing to hear her comprehensive run down of social issues as well as community

AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

issues woven into a non-poem or a poem.

It was equally delightful to watch martial artists perform to the tune of Laging Una/dahil Sa Iyo, by KNL Sayawit Jed david and Melissa Veluz-Abraham, a tribute to the first Filipino infantry regiment, Laging Una, or “always first.”

What got the crowd involved in dancing and singing in the aisles was Annie Nepomuceno, our popular community producer, artist, arranger, the Asian Journal newspaper host on Channel 18, who sang a medley of Ilocanodungdungwen Kanto, Tagalog– Minamahal, Sinasamba, Kapam-

pangan-Mekeni King Siping Ku, and Cebuano–Usahay.

My colleague, ding Carreon, was so delighted that she sung the opening lines with the right Ilocano accent, a fitting homage to the diverse languages spoken in the Philippines.

The program lists 100+ languages, although CSUN informs us that there are 8 major languages, and according to Wikipedia, 175 to 182 languages spoken in the Philippines.

We also celebrate the inclusion of Jennifer Paz and deedee Magno Hall and Anthony Fedorov who are professional Broadway singers and showed the audience how

songs are sung.

But, to the regulars of Pilipinoorganized concerts, like that done by the jazz community leaders like Mon david, Tateng Katindig, Ner de Leon – we know to expect superior musicianship.

Likewise, we have seen that when Philippine Chamber Singers – LA and Harana Men’s Chorus perform, we have come to expect superior musicality, and we saw that personified by Annie Nepomuceno that evening.

Cultural Authenticity and Internalized Oppression The audience appreciated the members of the Glendale Concert

u PAGE A9

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OpiniOn & Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

When ‘Tao Po! We Are Here’ became a topic...

PAGE A8 t despite our sexual orientation, for depth in cultural expression, Singers, led by Dr. Peter Green, background, and differences. and celebrate the efforts of the Glendale Choir to connect to our who made a conscientious effort Kudos to Tao Po!” And let me add what my friend, audience, which should be the in learning the Tagalog songs .

Though at times they hesitated Lillian Tamoria, said about An- standard for any guest performin their syllables, they got their thony Fedorov: “I liked him. He ers.

It is why we must insist on second wind and belted the lyr- is a strong singer with a clear voice. Singing center stage, he cultural authenticity, and not be ics to pitch perfect sounds.

Some of their songs are from is obviously non-Filipino but his content that white folks can play the repertoire of the Philippine smile and friendliness emitted a us Filipinos, though they may apMadrigal Singers, namely “Pa- very welcoming aura, exemplify- pear one of us, wearing a white sigin,” arranged by Eudenice ing the theme of the show, “Tu- barong tagalog, they must make Palaruan and “Handog ng Pili- loy Po, Tao Po, We Are Here!,” the crucial effort to connect to pino Sa Mundo,” which was ar- we are family, we are diverse. He our hearts and to our souls, and looked very [much] part of the we must insist like Auntie Pura ranged by Ed Nepomuceno.

Case, they make the attempt to Oh what a delight to see folks Filipino family on stage.”

Should we not all work for cul- integrate into our culture, beunlike ourselves, Caucasian, Black and other races sing in tural authenticity, a gift of words yond the barong tagalog.

Tao Po ! We Are Here achieved Tagalog, crossing the bridge from the speech and interview into multiculturalism! Hooray for done by Riz Ahmed during Em- a great feat of showcasing our cultural heritage and now we my’s last September 17, 2017? this!

When Riz spoke of Ed Skrein know we can count on KayamanBut when the central roles, the critical lead singing spots, five refusing a role to give way for an ng Lahi to do more, as they in fact, were given to Anthony other artists who can give the journey towards the depths of Fedorov, some of the audience part “cultural authenticity, ” we cultural authenticity , in presentmembers messaged me to dis- question similarly why a white ing us the rich treasures of their cuss how we as Filipinos are not male singer is at the forefront of performances.

What gives me this optimism given central and lead starring Tao Po! We are Here, especially roles in mainstream performance after listening to Joel Jacinto comes from Ave Jacinto’s revenues, yet now that we can or- speak of resilience, how we have sponse to this writer: “We are ganize our own, why did we ask overcome oppressions, only to honored and thankful to have a white male singer to legitimize see this visual articulation of shared the stage with such talour cultural event? Why indeed? cultural oppression, seeing our ented and passionate artists It was more than the critical cen- Filipino and Filipina artists in the who truly gave to KNL with their tral roles given to Anthony; when margins and peripheries? Could hearts. Integrating the richhe sang, he was surrounded by this be the vestiges of our uncon- ness and diversity of our culture through KNL’s Philippine-AmerPinoy and Pinay performers in scious colonial mentality?

In Tao Po! We Are Here, we ican expression and identity was the margins, reminiscent of what oppression has created for us have a very capable white singer challenging but we are proud of in real life, where folks of color and composer in Anthony sing- what we did and especially of are relegated to the margins and ing his own songs but failed to our pamana, our children. It is give tribute to some of the lan- for them we endeavor to always white folks are in the center.

Joel Jacinto wrote: “Anthony guages spoken by Filipinos, nor move forward with the utmost reFedorov was among 4 special the themes sang about in our spect of who/what we represent, guest artists and 10 additional culture, mostly of love and love integrating and finding connecguest artists. His music and lyr- of country, and not about being tions with culture and creation ics resonated with the KNL Di- frozen out of jobs! Others insist through our own experiences rectors in terms of the themes that he is one of us, an immi- and knowledge we gain every and political climate and thus grant from Ukraine, and certain- day and with everyone. Integrahis music and his performance ly his song, “We All Come From tion is a spectrum and subjective was integrated into the script of Somewhere” should have made though — in KNL one thing is for sure, we are fortunate for the Tao Po! Thank you for covering him a part of us.

But should we impose that the opportunities to learn and grow the event and for your continued coverage of Filipino Ameri- audience see the program as an and we are appreciative of every can cultural expression,” but he integrated whole when an artist bit of it all.” failed to connect to their hearts failed to connect. *** Had Anthony done more than and minds?

Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a Just as Auntie Pura Case cau- weekly column for Asian Journal, called wearing a white barong and attempted to sing some Tagalog tions folks who write about their “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press songs, or even greeted the audi- Hawaiian stories, What does it for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan ence in their native tongue, he mean to be one with Hawaiian Magazine. Her training and experiences are in may have connected. Centrality, culture? It is to go deeper into science, food technology, law and community blocking on stage, all these factors the culture, into spirituality, volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. worked to distance Anthony from grounding one into connecting degree from the University of the Philippines, a with one’s heart. It means con- law degree from Whittier College School of Law the audience, though not all.

Marc Nicolas heaped praises, necting with Poli’ahu, the sacred in California and a certificate on 21st Century “Tao Po exceeded my expecta- goddess — “speaking what we Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School tion. The production, singers, see with our eyes — that our sto- of Government. She has been a participant in and dancers were mesmerizing. ry has a visual place in our com- NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter There were a variety of colors on munity — to take care of what Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. stage too!

I loved the meaningful is around us so it can take1care She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, EVA_Day-Night_(Asian_Journal_11.5w_x_10.55h)_highres.pdf 9/19/17 5:39 PM message behind the show which of us, ” in Melé Murals by Tad Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, is…We are all united as one Nakamura, we too must work in pursuit of her love for arts.

ind us on:

www.EVAAir.com

A

A10 september 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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US Embassy a fortress as protesters have their day THE United States Embassy in Roxas Boulevard turned into a virtual fortress on Thursday, Sept.

21 in preparation for any eventuality that may arise from the convergence of various causeoriented groups and people organizations at the Luneta Park.

Stationed in front, across and at the side of the Embassy were some 1,000 policemen from different cities and municipalities of the National Capital Region.

Authorities were tasked to secure the premises of the consular

office and also as reserve force if something would happen in the nearby convergence point of the rallyists.

The stage where the antiDuterte protesters will conduct their program is about 300 meters away from the U.S. Embassy.

Police Superintendent Restituto Archangel, leader of PNP-Manila’s contingent, said that more policemen would be arriving.

“But we will only serve as reserve force. We will assist our comrades if needed,” Arcanghel

told The Manila Times.

Except for a few members of SWAT team, the others were unarmed.

A team of crowd dispersal unit with helmets and shields were also at the vicinity.

Ambulances and fire trucks were also stationed at the side of the gate of the embassy.

Nearby were also 14 service trucks of the PNP. President Duterte instructed the PNP to keep its distance from the rallyists and exercise maximum tolerance.

The President said that the protesters were free to dramatize their grievances against the government but also warned them against inciting violence, vandalism and not to destroy properties, and other criminal acts. (ManilaTimes.net)

EASY LAYUP. A Filipino cager goes for an easy layup over his Thai defender in the preliminary round of the 9th ASEAN Para Games Wheelchair Basketball held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, September 19.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Big Western brands Senate to resume probe of polluting oceans...

PAGE A7 t

Greenpeace list, and number five Procter & Gamble did not respond to the group’s correspondence, said regional Greenpeace spokeswoman Angelica Pago.

The solutions proposed by Nestle were “still promoting incineration and end-of-pipe solutions, while Greenpeace advocates for waste reduction and banning of single-use plastics altogether”, Pago added.

Nestle told Agence FrancePresse it was putting together material to explain its waste management efforts, but that the presentation would not be ready until next week. Procter & Gamble and Unilever did not immediately respond to Agence France-Presse ‘s request for comment.

Greenpeace said the Philippines contributed 1.88 million tons of “mismanaged plastic waste” each year, with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia also on its list of the world’s biggest ocean plastic polluters.

The problem is expected to worsen as these countries’ growing economies lead to rising incomes and “exploding demand for consumer products”, the campaign group said.

Plastic waste from products made by Indonesian firm PT Torabika Mayora was third most-seen on Manila Bay, Greenpeace said, with local firm Universal Robina Corp at number four. (ManilaTimes.net with reports AFP)

Bautista over undeclared wealth

by Marvin

Sy

Philstar.com

MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista may have escaped impeachment by the House of Representatives, but he will not be able to dodge the inquiry being conducted by the Senate on his alleged undeclared wealth.

Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on banks, currencies and financial institutions, said the hearings would resume once the House “formally and finally dismisses it (impeachment complaint) in plenary.”

The Senate committee conducted at least one hearing on Bautista’s alleged undisclosed assets after his estranged wife, Patricia Cruz, claimed to have uncovered documents indicating

PAGE A7 t

assets of about P1 billion — an amount way above the P176.3 million Bautista declared in his 2016 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Escudero decided to suspend the proceedings after the House started hearing the impeachment complaint filed against Bautista.

His committee has yet to inquire into the alleged accounts maintained by Bautista and his relatives in various banks. But unless Bautista issues waivers on the secrecy of bank deposits, the banks may not be able to release any information regarding these.

In an interview with reporters at the Senate on Friday, Sept. 21, Bautista declined to make any commitments about the waivers and his attendance at the Senate hearings.

“I don’t know, let’s see. Did President Duterte sign (waivers)? We’ll study this first,”

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista Philstar.com photo

Bautista said.

He shared his victory at the House with the election officers of Pangasinan province through a thanksgiving mass offered at the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Manaoag. n

Hazing suspects yield

in Sampaloc last Sunday, Sept. 17 to provide emergency medical help to the “half dead” Castillo.

It was Solano and another Aegis Juris fraternity member who took Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital (CGH), where the latter was declared dead on arrival from heart attack triggered by hazing injuries.

With Solano during his surrender were UST Law dean and Aegis Juris member on leave Nilo Divina and lawyer Paterno Esmaquel.

Solano was turned over to MPD chief Supt. Joel Coronel.

Solano said he was called Sunday morning to the “fraternity library” on Laon-Laan street in Sampaloc near the UST campus to help revive Castillo.

“Because they were in chaos that time, I was there to give medical assistance. I’m a medical health provider, so more or less they would call me,” Solano said when asked why he was at the frat hazing venue.

He explained he was a certified medical technologist and he had not attended law school since 2016.

Solano said he arrived at the “fraternity library” on a motorcycle.

“More or less he (Castillo) was half-dead. I can’t give a final verdict that he is dead because I’m not a doctor. He was unconscious. I did give CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and then when I couldn’t do anything else, I brought him to the hospital,” he said.

Police tagged him as the prime suspect after he was found to have lied in an earlier account that he took Castillo to CGH after seeing him sprawled on a sidewalk in Tondo.

In an earlier account, Solano said he flagged a passing red Mitsubishi Strada pickup, which took them to the CGH. It was later revealed the pickup’s registered owner is the father of one of the suspects, Ralph Trangia.

Solano admitted to being the “Popoy” mentioned in the fraternity’s chat group as being sought for an “emergency” that Sunday morning.

He said he believed the initiation rites took place the whole night Saturday, but stressed his “only participation was to give medical assistance.”

He also clarified he did not recruit Castillo as he was no longer a law student and had met him only twice, the last time when he was trying to revive the hazing victim.

Welcome news Castillo’s parents Horacio II and Carmina welcomed Solano’s surrender.

“We welcome the news. At least he can tell us how my son died — what time, what day he died,” Carmina told reporters. “At least maybe I can start my closure.”

Horacio II urged the parents of the other suspects to also encourage their sons to surrender.

The family is reportedly op-

The suspects in the Aegis Juris Fraternity hazing rites that led to the death of UST law freshman Horacio Castillo III: Ralph Trangia, Arvin Balag, Axel Hipe and John Paul Solano. Photo below shows Castillo’s dog ‘Lega’ beside the slain law freshman’.

ManilaTimes.net photos

posed to having Solano turn state witness.

‘Getting worse’ Asked why he finally decided to come out, he said: “Actually, it’s getting worse. We can say it’s getting worse.”

Solano declined to give more details, saying a complete account would be contained in a sworn statement that he was preparing with his lawyer, including an explanation for giving a different story to hospital personnel who received Castillo’s body.

“I want to clear my name because I know myself. I’m innocent,” he said, adding he was not able to talk to any of his fraternity brothers involved in the hazing as he had gone into hiding.

“First and foremost, I would like to apologize for giving a false statement for that matter to the family of Atio, and also for the death of their son,” he said.

Lacson said a former Senate staff informed him of Solano’s wish to surrender.

The senator said he then sent men to pick up Solano in a restaurant on the North Luzon Expressway.

Lacson said he had to send escorts, as there could be some groups that might “intercept” the suspect. He said his commitment was to bring Solano safely to surrender.

The Senate committee on public order, chaired by Lacson, is scheduled to conduct an inquiry into Castillo’s hazing death on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Eduardo Abella “strongly” condemned the “senseless killing” of Castillo and assured the public and the victim’s family that “government agencies are now conducting an investigation on the matter.”

MPD’s Coronel said Solano remains a principal suspect in the death of Castillo and his statements will still have to be fully evaluated.

But he could be a state witness if the Department of Justice (DOJ) validates his claims, Coronel said.

At the same time, Solano could still be charged with perjury.

“We are contemplating on filing Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code or perjury, and Republic Act 8049 in relation to Section 4 of the Anti-Hazing Law,” MPD spokesman Supt. Erwin Margarejo said.

Also on Friday, a UST student surfaced to claim it was him and not Solano who was in the CCTV recording of a spot on Dapitan street near the university where Castillo was supposedly seen with the suspect.

The MPD presented the recording to the media to emphasize that Castillo and Solano knew each other and were together last Saturday. The unnamed student — accompanied by a lawyer — showed up at the MPD to clear his name.

Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian said Solano’s surrender should also prompt other suspects to turn themselves in to authorities.

Divina, meanwhile, denied a report in The Star quoting an unnamed student as saying that the law dean is still active in Aegis Juris activities.

“It is absolutely not true,” Divina told The Star in a text message. “I have not attended any of their functions or meetings since at least eight years ago when I assumed the deanship.”

“As dean of the entire Faculty of Civil Law, I knew that I had to remove any vestige or potential source of negative perceptions of partiality on my part,” Divina said in an earlier post on Facebook.

2 possible witnesses Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said two witnesses have come forward to shed light on the hazing death of Castillo.

“One of the witnesses called my office and is said to be a member of the Aegis Juris fraternity. This person knows the initiation rites done to Castillo while the second witness, who was being recruited, went to my office,” Aguirre said.

He added that Castillo was not

u PAGE A11

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

A11

Trillanes files complaint vs Mocha before Ombudsman Sereno to answer impeachment case next week

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

Tesiorna, President Rodrigo Duterte has accused Trillanes of having secret offshore accounts.

President Rodrigo Duterte said he has proof that Trillanes stashed funds in various offshore banks.

Trillanes went to Singapore on Tuesday to verify with banks there whether accounts he has been accused of owning actually exist.

Trillanes first visited the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS Bank) and inquired about account number 1178000281602, which allegedly had a balance of S$193,850 or P7.3 million as of Aug. 30 this year.

It turned out to be a non-existent bank account.

Duterte, also on Tuesday, Sept.

19, admitted that he lied when he mentioned bank account numbers in a speech last week. He said he did that to trap Trillanes.

Trillanes also went to the Raffles City Tower where the Hongkong Shanghai Bank is supposedly located, based on the documents being spread in social media, to check if account number 0016729915127 with a balance of S$278,300 or P10.5 million exists as alleged by supposed bank documents shared by Duterte’s supporters.

Hongkong Shanghai Bank does not have an office there.

“So this means the two accounts here in Singapore are fake and this means everything else is fake. These were fabricated and invented by them,” he said.

Uson, a vocal supporter of the president, maintains a blog that has millions of followers. She has been accused of spreading disinformation to her followers.

Last month, the hashtag #FireMocha became a trending topic after the blogger turned government official demanded opposition leaders to visit the wake of a cop who, as it turned out, died a year ago.

Uson was also slammed for a Facebook post where she cited Article 263 of the Philippine Constitution related to a tax evasion news story. The Philippine Constitution only has 18 articles.

But Duterte said on Tuesday that he gave the wrong account number of Trillanes in Singapore to use as a “bait” to show how his fierce critic has been lying about his clandestine money.

The chief executive laughed at Trillanes for falling into the trap and going to Singapore “out of a desperate attempt” to disprove his claims. n

MANILA — Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday, Sept. 22 filed a complaint against Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Trillanes was accompanied by his lawyer Reynaldo Robles.

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano was also at the Office of the Ombudsman to show his support for Trillanes.

Trillanes earlier threatened to sue Uson, along with broadcast journalist Erwin Tulfo and CNN Philippines contributor Ben Tesiorna for libel after releasing allegedly false information about his purported foreign bank accounts.

Among the charges are libel, graft and violation of the code of conduct of public officials.

The complaint stems from Uson’s publication on her Mocha Uson Blog Facebook page of “images and links of and links to what appears to be a number of uniform computer printed documents purportedly being offered to prove that the undersigned had numerous bank accounts in foreign banks, which purportedly constitutes his ‘tagong yaman’ (hidden wealth).”

Trillanes also accused Uson of falsification and/or use of falsified documents, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and violation of Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

He also accused assistant secretary who is ostensibly in charge of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office’s Social Media Office of grave misconduct for performing in casinos despite a ban on government employees Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday, Sept. 22 filed criminal and administrative cases against even entering them.

Presidential Communications Assistant Margaux “Mocha” Uson before the Ombudsman.

Aside from Uson, Tulfo and Philstar.com photo by Elizabeth Marcelo

ASEAN leaders unite vs...

PAGE A7 t

jaratnam School of International Studies and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

In his welcome remarks, presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza undercored the importance of unity to prevent extremism and that ASEAN leaders should be made aware of this growing threat.

Former president Fidel Ramos,

chairman emeritus of the ASEAN Society of the Philippines, was the keynote speaker.

Ramos urged the ASEAN member-states to address the root cause of extremism.

“We should address poverty.

Whether insurgency, criminality, drug abuse and nuclear bullying, it always starts with poverty,” he said.

Ramos also called for global partnerships and a borderless

community of nations to address social injustice that causes extremism.

Around 300 participants from different sectors, including political leaders, government officials, security analysts, peace advocates, members of academe, religious leaders, media, women and youth attended the conference with at least 10 resource persons and speakers from the ASEAN member-states. n

by JanviC

Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno will file on Monday, Sept. 25, before the House committee on justice her response to the impeachment complaint filed against her.

Her camp will hold a press conference in Quezon City after filing her answer, her spokesperson Josalee Deimla said during the unveiling of the Jose W. Diokno monument at the Commission on Human Rights on Thursday. Sereno delivered the keynote address in the unveiling of the monument.

“Expect that the grounds of impeachment will be addressed point by point in the answer,” Deimla told reporters.

“The Chief Justice remains to

be very serious in discharging her duties,” she added when asked about the impact of the impeachment complaint against the country’s top magistrate.

Sereno, who took a wellness leave after the impeachment complaint was filed, did not address the complaint in her speech. However, she reflected on the human rights situation in the country through an imaginary conversation with former senator and human rights icon Jose Diokno.

“The problems we had in the past are still widespread. Mothers and fathers fear for the lives of their teenage children at nighttime,” she said in Filipino.

Sereno is being accused of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, the grounds of which include the

Hazing suspects...

PAGE A10 t in the first batch of neophytes who underwent initiation and that they just “picked on him.”

Aguirre said eight neophytes underwent initiation but he was

not sure if they or any of them were on the lookout bulletin order of the Bureau of Immigration.

The two witnesses, he said, have yet to submit affidavits.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno Philstar.com photo

alleged undisclosed assets in her statement of asset, liabilities and net worth; extravagant spending of judicial funds by purchasing a P5-million Toyota Land Cruiser and traveling on first-class flights. n “That is the problem and I am not sure if they would return to the DOJ because they are afraid and that there were threats against their lives,” Aguirre pointed out.

(With Evelyn Macairan, Robertzon Ramirez, Helen Flores, Janvic Mateo, Ghio Ong, Christina Mendez)

A12 september 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B

Journal Fil-Am singer Angelica Hale â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Motherlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opens in LA this weekend

finishes second at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AGTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; finale by niĂąa

Guno Inquirer.net

Award-winning Fil-Am documentary filmmaker Ramona Diaz examines life in a congested Manila maternity ward

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Motherlandâ&#x20AC;? follows the lives one or two other women while of the nurses, doctors and moth- nurses grapple with the chaos of FiLiPino-American singer Aners who occupy the Jose Fabella everyday life at Fabella. gelica hale won second place in This weekend, film enthusiasts hospital in Manila, which is home Diaz takes viewers on a cinĂŠma â&#x20AC;&#x153;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talentâ&#x20AC;? season 12, in Los Angeles have the chance to the busiest maternity ward in vĂŠritĂŠ-style exploration through with singing ventriloquist Darci to catch â&#x20AC;&#x153;Motherland,â&#x20AC;? a new the world. the daily struggles of one hospiLynne taking first place.

Averaging from 60-100 babies tal in Manila. Diaz uses this one documentary by award-winning The 10-year-old was overjoyed documentarian Ramona Diaz, in in any given 24-hour period, example as a vehicle to highlight with her second-place spot and a limited engagement from sept. Fabella hospital caters mainly to a larger story of the state of reproonly had love for her fellow con22-25 at The Laemmle Monica low-income, at-risk mothers and ductive health and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights testant.

Film Center in santa Monica, families, many of whom cannot af- in the Philippines. Despite the hale opened the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finale ford basic contraceptive options or daily struggles of all the individuCalifornia. with a show-stopping rendition of prenatal treatment. Due to scarce als who inhabit Fabella, viewers Clean Banditâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;symphony.â&#x20AC;? her resources and funding, mothers bear witness to the compassion ability to hit high notes earned her in the overcrowded ward often and vibrancy that surrounds the Angelia Hale a standing ovation from both the have to share single beds with Ramona Diaz Photo from Instagram /@angelicahale PAGE B3 audience and the judges.

Judge howie described the Kill You)â&#x20AC;? by Kelly Clarkson with performance as worthy of a finale: the artist herself and contestant â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a way to open this show! Kechi. Audience votes placed her This is the finale and that felt like in the top 5. that was the finale! That was the hale was 9 when she started way to close the show, let alone the competition, and turned 10 open it.â&#x20AC;? last July. At 4 years old, hale sufThe ever-critical judge simon fered from a bacterial infection -/( *VU]LU[PVUHS Cowell was also impressed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This which caused her to be critically is the moment your career started! ill. her mother willingly gave her 7\YJOHZL 9LMPUHUJL Angelica, you have my absolute a kidney for her survival. she respect.â&#x20AC;? has since pursued her dream to The singer, who received for- become a singer, and particimal vocal training in Georgia, pates in fundraisers for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sang â&#x20AC;&#x153;stronger (What Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t healthcare.

Photos from Facebook/@Motherland Film

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

/64, 36(5 $IRECT ,ENDER

Batista stars opposite Ryan Gosling in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Blade Runner 2049â&#x20AC;&#x2122; FiLiPino-American actor Dave Bautista (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guardians of the Galaxyâ&#x20AC;? series, â&#x20AC;&#x153;spectreâ&#x20AC;?) stars opposite Ryan Gosling and harrison Ford as a protein farmer named sapper Morton in Columbia Picturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; futuristic action-thriller â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blade Runner 2049.â&#x20AC;?

A featurette explores sapper Mortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backstory before the events of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blade Runner 2049.â&#x20AC;?

The highly awaited sequel to Ridley scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1980s original classic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blade Runner 2049â&#x20AC;? is directed by Academy Award-nominee Denis Villeneuve (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prisoners,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;sicario,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arrivalâ&#x20AC;?).

Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD officer K (Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what is left of society into chaos. Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures PAGE B3

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Maricel Soriano returns to TV

by Ricky

caldeRon ManilaTimes.net

Maricel Soriano

a confirmation nor denial was made by Star Cinema on the isFANS of Maricel Soriano re- sue but with the Diamond Starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s joice. The Diamond Star is return- MMK appearance, can fans hope ing to the small screen via in an there is still a possibility their idol episode of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maalaala Mo Kayaâ&#x20AC;? will be Darnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nanay on the big on ABS-CBN. screen?

It has been several months Known to be one of the most tanow since Maricelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name has lented actresses of her generation, been floating around showbiz it is truly a waste if she resists a circles again. Soon after the an- more active career after her MMK nouncement that Liza Soberano appearance tonight. was chosen as the new Darna, The last time Maricel was on there were talks that Maricel was TV was some three years ago via being offered to play the role GMA Networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Dalawang of the formerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother. Neither Mrs. Real.â&#x20AC;?

Philstar.com photo

How to make love last: Tips from Ian, Bea, Iza by kRistel

dacuMos-lagoRza Philstar.com

ReFLeCTING back on their own personal relationships during the recent press con for the finale of â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Love to Last,â&#x20AC;? the three leads of the hit teleseryeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ian Veneracion, Iza Calzado and Bea Alonzoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;shared their two centsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of advice on love and commitment.

Married for 20 years to his nonshowbiz wife, Pam, Ian may play the unfaithful husband on TV, but not in real life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(To make love last, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) all about respect and respecting each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individuality, and also a bottomless pit of patienceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;on the side of my wife!â&#x20AC;? laughed the veteran actor.

Ian also underlined the importance of being compassionate and trying to understand where your partner is coming from.

Calzado, who plays Grace, the estranged wife of Ian on the show, in real life has been dating businessman and entrepreneur Ben Wintle for six years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At my tender age of 35 , and after being in several long term relationships, the secret (I think to making relationships last) is love, respect, trust, understanding and communication... You also need to compromise as well,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, expectations shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be so high... kasi kapag hindi nameet, (the relationship could fall apart), so you have to manage expectations.â&#x20AC;?

Learning from her own character, Iza added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in any relationship, selfishness will lead you nowhere but heartache.

Grace is so self centered and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t completely let go of the idea of the love that she has with Anton (Ian). Hence, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so hard for

Eddie Mesa (center) and his Eigenmann grandchildren â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Michael, Cherie, Ryan, Geoff, Andi, Gabby, Maxene and Sid Lucero â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with wife Rosemarie Gil and children Cherie Gil and Michael De Mesa.

Philstar.com photo by Mark Nicdao

Eddie Mesa to perform with his showbiz family

by MaRidol

Ranoa-BisMaRk Philstar.com

Iza Calzado, Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo

her to move forward in life.â&#x20AC;?

Bea, who plays Andeng in the drama series, has been lauded for her portrayal of the mistress turned wife in the series. Though she sympathizes with her torn character, Bea admits that she too would have difficulty being in such a complicated relationship.

When asked if she would marry someone who has been separated from his wife, Bea answered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mahirap sagutin yan. Yung character ni Andrea â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;di niya pinangarap malagay sa ganitong sitwasyon because we all know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not an easy situation.

ABS-CBN photo

Maraming kang kailangang tiisin, maraming kailangang harapin na haharapin mo forever kasi mayroon siyang tatlong anak, mayroon siyang ex-wife na ina ng mga anak niya, so mahirap siya sagutin. Mahirap din magsalita nang tapos pero sa ngayon parang sana, huwag.â&#x20AC;?

On a more positive note, Bea shared her personal reflection on love: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never give up on love, never give up on someone you love.

When you commit, panindigan mo. No matter how difficult the situation is, panindigan mo.â&#x20AC;?

Bea is reportedly dating Kapamilya actor Gerald Anderson.

MILLeNNIALS may have yet to acquaint themselves with eddie Mesa, the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;elvis Presley of the Philippines,â&#x20AC;? but certainly not his descendants. eddie knows his name rings a bell among millennials if he has been tagged as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;loloâ&#x20AC;? of Andi, Ryan, Gabby and other eigenmanns in showbiz, as well as talented actor Sid Lucero. But he does not mind.

Neither would he mind if people refer to him as the father of Michael de Mesa, Cherie Gil and the late Mark Gil. After all, eddie has been away from showbiz for so long. His last concert in the Philippines was 25 years ago. His last film was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaputol ng Isang Awitâ&#x20AC;? with Sharon Cuneta and Gary Valenciano 26 years ago.

But he did not let his long absence from the local concert scene keep him from doing what he does best: singing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dad continues to sing for the Lord as an evangelist,â&#x20AC;? Cherie told media at the press con for the concert â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sing Us Your Song Again â&#x20AC;Ś The Music and Legacy of eddie Mesaâ&#x20AC;? on Saturday, Sept. 23, 8 p.m. at Meralco Theater.

He sharpens his vocal skills the way an athlete hits the gym regularly to face a tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sobrang disciplinado. He vocalizes every day,â&#x20AC;? added Cherie.

No wonder eddie, at 79, can still perform elvisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Nothinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; But a Hound Dogâ&#x20AC;? with the voice and gusto of a singer much younger than he is. For him, longevity as a singer is a matter of faith more than anything else. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (God) enhanced my singing capacity when I started surrendering my life to Him and using my voice to sing praises to Him. He told me that I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be doing to preserve my voice,â&#x20AC;? he said. eddie doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink cold water.

He has turned his back on a life of excess. He now gets his high in singing songs for the glory of his Creator.

The inner peace that comes from this shows in eddieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face and movements â&#x20AC;&#x201D; none of which hints that he will turn 80 next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;everything changed when I had a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ. even my singing changed because I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have bad habits anymore,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The best part is that his family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the prominent eigenmann clan of showbiz â&#x20AC;&#x201D; embraces its patriarch, warts and all. eddie admits his wife, former actress Rosemarie Gil, acted as mom and dad to their children the first time their parents separated (they got back in each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms after 16 years).

But the children â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the grandchildren â&#x20AC;&#x201D; do not harbor ill feelings toward eddie.

The third generation eigen-

manns present at the presscon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Andi, Ryan, Sid, Gabby, Geoff and Maxene â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are even proud to call eddie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lolo.â&#x20AC;?

Gabby even cracks a joke about his colorful family: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really a different kind of showbiz family.

We have different surnames, four in all, I think: De Mesa, Gil, eigenmann, and Lucero.â&#x20AC;?

Members of the clan laugh, even if the jokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on them. It shows a family that supports each other â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in light or serious times. eddie is grateful to Rosemarie for keeping the family together, especially during the tough years of their separation. He is also grateful to his children because â&#x20AC;&#x153;thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that love despite the fact that I abandoned them.â&#x20AC;?

There is that togetherness, even among the grandchildren whom eddie admits â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know much.â&#x20AC;?

The presence of other eigenmanns â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Michael, Cherie, Ryan, Geoff, Andi, Gabby, Maxene and Sid Lucero â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as concert performers shows that the family can rely on each other for support (other guests are Pilita Corrales, Christopher de Leon, edgar Mortiz, Tirso Cruz III, Ciara Sotto and The Hotlegs).

More than his music, eddie Mesaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bigger legacy is a family for whom love and forgiveness are not just big words. It is something they give each other, whether the cameras are there or not.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

B

Matteo Guidicelli dares to sing a different song

by Maridol

rañoa-BisMark Philstar.com

It’s so unlike Matteo Guidicelli to speak in superlatives. The man of few words just smiles when asked a burning question — especially about his love life.

“If I talk about things, people will say, ‘He has to use her for his presscon.’ I don’t want to use her (girlfriend Sarah Geronimo) for this presscon,” he said at a media gathering for his concert, “Hey, Matteo “at the Kia Theater, Cubao, on Nov. 30.

But it’s a different story when he’s out of camera range.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world. I found the woman I could really trust,” he told members of media after the presscon.

Then, he suddenly remembers his sacred pact with Sarah about drawing the line between the personal and the professional.

He gets an imaginary protective shield and puts it between him and the press again.

Matteo Guidicelli

It’s the same shield Matteo and Sarah used when they turned down “more than 10 offers to work together (in a movie or concert).”

“We want to save our relationship. We know the true meaning of our relationship. This is real. It’s not showbiz. And we will protect that. When you work together, it can be messed up with real life.

Things can get rocky,” explained Matteo.

He’d rather talk about his new adventure — what he calls a new sound that takes him to happy places. That sound consists of ‘90s pop rock Matteo grew up listening to.

It’s the soundtrack of his life, the kind that’s packed with back stories about “taking care of somebody, growing and becoming someone.” This is the kind he wants to share with everyone, not just in his concert, but his second album (Star Music) as well.

Matteo sat down with songwriter-friends and in-between

Photo Instagram/@matteoguidicelli

harmless drinking sessions in the studio, came up with such titles as Hey, Take a Chance, Tahanan, Change and others.

He also has a song for millennials courting their dream girl and getting a thumbs-down from her parents (yes, experience is a good teacher).

Matteo has become more selfconfident about his music because he realized he can’t go with the flow forever.

“When you go into showbiz, you have to follow pegs. After 10 years, I want to do things for myself and other artists. It’s about being more of you.”

So he sings about not letting anyone stop you from doing what you love because you already know what to do in Change.

He has a message for millennials, but avoids the millennial, Chainsmokers kind of sound. He’d rather stick to the ’90s music he treasures — the kind that uses a lot of musical instruments.

“I want to bring back the feel of the ’90s band, the one with a lot of organic musical instruments,” he said.

Since he wants to focus on music, Matteo has decided that making movies and teleseryes can wait — for now.

He knows how futile multitasking is.

“You can’t do everything at once. Or else, they’ll call you an artista that sings or dances.”

Matteo is asserting his artistry — the one he can call his own and no one else’s.

It takes maturity and courage to do that, because it sometimes means going against the flow.

He can win. He can lose. But the fact that he’s willing to take a risk shows that Matteo’s growth as a person and as an artist is leapfrogging in more ways than one.

‘Motherland’ opens in LA...

PAGE B1 beginning of life.

“The story that unfolds in “Motherland”, while taking place in the Philippines, is universal,” Diaz wrote in a director’s statement for the film. “The wondrous mystery of motherhood is apparent in every frame of the film, in the sweat and screams of a firsttime mother in labor, in the peace of her newborn being placed at her swollen breast, in the awkward laughter as she flounders to

diaper her squirming baby. The joy in Fabella is no different from the joys experienced by mothers worldwide. However, because this takes place in the Philippines, this film invites audiences to witness analogous situations from the starkly different perspective of a poor, densely populated, Catholic country.”

“Motherland” won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival this year and has made

rounds at various other film festivals, including Berlinale, Docville, Sheffield Doc Fest, The Sydney International Film Festival, Moscow Film Festival and will premiere in Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich.

“Motherland” opened on Friday, September 22 and continues screenings through the weekend at the Laemmle Monica Film Center. For more information, showtimes and tickets, visit https:// www.laemmle.com/films/index/ 42695?date=2017-09-27.

ABANDONED BY HER BIRTH PARENTS, WILL NIKKA BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN WHEN USCIS CHALLENGED HER ADOPTIVE PARENT’S ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION HER? Lilia (right) and her husband Peter filed a petition to adopt Nikka (left) when the child was 12 years old. The adoption decree was issued six (6) days before Nikka turned 16 years old, and the certificate of finality came out two (2) months after Nikka’s 16th birthday.

When Lilia and Peter filed an Immediate Relative Petition for Nikka, the USCIS served a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging them eligibility to adopt Nikka. Lilia and Peter were devastated, depressed, and in despair. Would this mean losing the chance to be reunited with their adopted child - whom they loved and considered their own?

Watch how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel came to the rescue and secured approval of their petition in a mere two months, on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) Erratum: In Atty. Michael Gurfinkel’s column last week, one of the dates in the chart “The October 2017 priority dates” was an error. Under “Second Preference: (2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years older of green card holder,” the Visa Issuance date should be JANUARY 1, 2007; not 2006. The Asian Journal apologizes for this error and for any confusion it may have caused our readers.

Batista stars opposite Ryan Gosling in...

PAGE B1 for 30 years.

Bautista has always been the front runner for the Sapper Morton role, according to Villenueve. “Dave was one of the first names that came up,” says Villenueve, “because he’s such a charismatic and strong presence.

I needed someone that would be like a giant, but a gentle giant that can be also a scary giant. I needed someone that, when you see him at first, you have empathy for him.”

The pro-wrestler turned actor is also forthcoming on his experience of working with Villeneuve.

“It was amazing,” says Bautista. “He’s a very insightful person. He’s very particular about every little detail of performance, which was really great, and re-

ally interesting, because a lot of things that I was seeing as my character performance, he wasn’t seeing at all. He was envisioning it completely different. He makes it very clear to understand what it is he’s looking for. A lot of times, he’ll just demonstrate. He wanted me to walk a certain way, he wanted me to take my glasses off a certain way, and he would literally come over an demonstrate it: ‘Do this and do that.’ But it was incredible. He’s really got such a detailed eye, it was really amazing to see him work.”

Bautista recently starred as Drax the Destroyer in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” appearing opposite Chris Pratt, Benicio Del Toro, Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana. The film follows an unlikely cast of characters including

an American pilot and a group of futuristic ex-cons going on the run with a highly coveted object and must join forces to defeat a cosmic force of epic proportions.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” premiered last May 5, adding Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone to the cast, and recently crossed $860 million at the box office. The Guardians have joined the cast of the Avengers, just wrapping “Avengers: Infinity War,” and just this month, Bautista began the fourth installation of the Avengers franchise.

Opening in Philippine cinemas and in IMAX on Friday, October 6, “Blade Runner 2049” is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

(Philstar.com)

Bacolod’s most upscale village is now rising W

andering around Bacolod where sweetness beams from the airport to the wide grins of the people, it’s no surprise that finding the ideal place to live in this city where culture and history merge in a fascinating collage of beauty is as exciting as it is quite a challenge.

Real estate developer Megaworld brings forth a new level of homey opulence with Forbes Hill, a 15-hectare village inside the 53-hectare Northill Gateway township, that will open the door to a new level of sophistication and comfort. The property’s strategic location offers its residents the three things any discerning homemaker would love to have: convenience, security, and exclusivity.

Living up to the LIVE-WORK-PLAY concept, Megaworld showcases the township lifestyle in the City of Smiles with amenities and indulgences that caters the needs of the family. With wide open spaces and roads perfectly lined with trees, Forbes Hill will make you think of Europe’s stunning courtyards and neighborhoods.

Just a stone’s throw away from the village is the soon-to-rise Northill Town Center, an expansive commercial development with its own super-

market, cinemas, rows of restaurants and retail shops, open parks and a church.

Considered as Bacolod’s most upscale residential village, and with only 197 available titled lots, its land value increases making the place a worthy investment. Having the free reign to make a masterpiece out of the land adds to the reason why grabbing the chance to make a home in Forbes Hill is not an opportunity anyone should miss.

With direct access to the tourism highway of Negros Occidental or the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, Forbes Hill’s proximity (three minutes away!) to The Ruins, dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines with its own beautiful story of love and tragedy, is already a plus for residents as they can invite foreign friends to see one of the 12 most fascinating ruins in the world.

Home is where the heart is and a home in a city where smiles and grins abound is the perfect place to leave your heart.

To know more about Forbes Hill in Negros Occidental, call +63917-828-4573 or visit www.megaworldinfinite.com.

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Annabelle entrusts Ruffa & daughters to Arnold Revisiting Capernaum, where Jesus performed miracles by ricky lo Philstar.com

A STrONG tie binds Annabelle rama and Arnold Vegafria, founded on mutual trust. That’s why when her doctor advised Annabelle to cut down on her work load and avoid stress (“If you want to live longer,” she was told), first thing she did was called Arnold (head of his own ALV Talent Agency) to entrust to him the management of her daughter

by Emil

ruffa Gutierrez and granddaughters Lorin, 14, and Venice, 13.

“I used to manage more than 25 talents but I gave up many of them,” said Annabelle. “Now I have only my husband eddie (Gutierrez), my son richard and his son Zion, TJ Trinidad and Assunta de rossi.” (richard’s girfriend Sarah Lahbati is managed

by Leo Dominguez.) “Pagdating sa pera, wala kaming problema ni Arnold,” added Annabelle who Annabelle Rama, daughter Ruffa Gutierrez and Ruffa’s new manager, Arnold Vegafria.

Philstar.com photo

was present during the contract signing between Arnold and ruffa yesterday afternoon at Anabel’s restaurant. “When I ran for Congress a few years ago, I asked Arnold for his talents to help me in my campaign. Umo-o kaagad sya at wala kaming pinag-usapan tungkol sa pera.” ruffa was upbeat about working with and under Arnold who has the most number of talents that include showbiz stars, athletes, models and now beauty queens, especially after he acquired the miss World Philippines franchise and recently chosen Laura Lehmann who will represent the country in the 2017 miss World pageant in China in November.

“When my mom told me about the deal,” admitted ruffa, “I was happy. my mom as manager can be controlling and I feel safe with Arnold because I’ve known him for 15 years.”

Now a single mom, ruffa said that she’s working hard because her ex-husband Yilmaz Bektas is not giving sustento to their children.

“What he gives is peanuts,” said ruffa (now a semi-regular on “eat, Bulaga!” where she acts as the “ruffa-ree” in the Jackpot en Poy segment), meaning not enough, “and the last time he gave $2,000 was years ago. After that, wala na. my mom told me not to ask Yilmaz for support at ayoko ko naman talaga. Kaya ko naman palakihin ang mga anak ko and I’m working so hard. Mahal ang tuition sa exclusive schools, no!”

Asked what projects he’s lining up for ruffa, Arnold said that he would attend to endorsements first before TV and movie projects.

And how long is the contract between him and ruffa?

“Forever!” smiled Arnold.

PErito

There are many must see places in the holy Land that every pilgrim should plan to visit. One of those places is ancient Capernaum, a village that was built on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee. The village played an important part in Christ’s life, ministry, and outreach to the people of Israel.

Capernaum was a large Galilean fishing village, as well as a busy trading center. It was also home to disciples Peter, Andrew, James, and John, as well as various high ranking citizens who were given unique and abundant opportunities to hear Jesus Christ’s messages firsthand. It was at Capernaum that people witnessed his awesome power and love.

The city was a backdrop to many of Christ’s mighty miracles. It was in the city’s Synagogue on a Sabbath, that Jesus commanded a demon to leave a person it possessed. Luke 4:36 reads, “All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits, and

they come out!’”

The miracle took place shortly after the day of Pentecost, and caused Christ’s fame to be spread throughout the entire region! many more miracles took place in Capernaum and can be explored through text. These miracles include the raising of Jairus’ dead daughter (mark 5:22, Luke 8:41), the instant healing of a paralyzed man who was let down through the roof (mark 2:1-12), and the miraculous catching of fish by four

disciples (Luke 5:1-11).

Come visit Capernaum and other beautiful holy Land locations to experience their history, and reflect on their miraculous past!

Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our organized trips to the holy Land. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863 - 0624, or visit us at www. airplustravel.net.

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Fall in love with these Fall makeup trends

By Monet

Lu

SOme weeks ago we welcomed the Fall season with an article on hairstyles. Today, we tackle another one of my fortes—and a soughtafter subject for women—the latest makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two words: fresh and minimal. With that image in mind, I invite you to experience “Valentine’s in October” and fall in love with these autumn-inspired makeup styles.

Go easy on the eyes Whoever said that sexy smoky eye is so 90 degrees ago must learn how to carry the classic eye-do with just a teeny bit of flaw. Allow me to elaborate before I give the impression that carelessly applied shadow is a thing – please… it has never been and never will be a thing. What I meant by a little flaw is how you would do your smoky eye look at home. You know, the kind that gives off an ultra diffused shadow that looks intense while feeling soft. makeup artist Pat mcGrath created this look of Diane von Furstenberg by using a black and brown liner. You can also use gray shadows with just a hint of sparkle to keep it soft enough for daytime.

A bronze shadow is another equally striking-yet-with-an-easy feel. You can maybe give your metallic shadows a break this season

by using bronze shadows instead of the classic gold or silver. This type of hue warms up your face and gives you a good reason to put a natural-looking lip color.

Paint outside the lines It’s this time of the year when you feel a bit more adventurous.

It shows on your outfit and your hair, and well, your eye makeup better match that mood. As they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul. And your carefree soul needs an audience! One article writes, “Tweak the classic cat eye by opting for a more straight across swipe of black kohl like what we saw at Oscar de la renta.

This is a more modern way to wear liner that elongates and lifts the eye and adds intrigue to the face.” Add more spice to your usual winged liner, by scribbling some double-winged lines. seventeen.com suggests, “Use a soft kohl pencil to trace your lower waterline, then smudge it out with a makeup sponge for an extremely edgy and perfectly unperfect vibe.”

Tip of the lashes Close your eyes and think: silver, water droplets, rhinestones.

Now open your eyes and give your volumizing mascara, falsies and lash add-ons a much-needed upgrade. It’s time those lashes shine as bright as your eyes!

Silver sparkles on the tip of the lashes give your eyelashes a water droplet effect. A bit of gold layers on the lashes will make it look like it has rhinestone tips. Bring on the prettiest lashes by layering, lengthening, or volumizing your top and bottom lashes.

Rush that blush Now is the perfect time to

embrace your “just stepped out of the gym” look. Or for some people, “I just went on a brisk, wintry walk.” This is the season for flushed cheeks and naturally rosy blush. You had a good run with your sculpting tools, it’s time to give them a break. Grab your warm peach blush powder and head out the door. That’s all you need. Now, fly.

Lips like berry Let’s talk about that lip color, shall we? This season, I am delighted to see a sea of lip colors that remind us of the 90’s. That almost black but not quite is making a comeback and I LOVe it!

From ripe berry to plum black to oxblood red, they are undeniably luscious. It may sound scary but I dare you to rock a dark lipstick this fall! Nude is out. Let’s make way for the plums, magentas and berries.

Fall Season isn’t just about tucking away your tank tops and covering up with cozy sweaters and cool scarves. It is also “wearing” the best look of the season.

Although the weather isn’t as cool as we usually expect it to be around this time, it is best to plan your ensemble ahead – and stock up on the latest makeup finds. *** 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 all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Are you a candidate for a stroke?

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IN the United States, one person is diagnosed with a stroke every 40 seconds. This dreaded and debilitating illness is so common it victimizes more than 2,000 individuals each day and killis about 133,000 each year. In the Philippines, the prevalence is between 1.9 to 6.59 percent.

I have friends who had developed a stroke of one type or another, with varying degrees of severity. It is a life-changing ailment that adversely affects the life of the entire family involved, especially the spouse. If the victim is the breadwinner, the devastation is even greater.

Prevention is best, and luckily about 80 percent of stroke is preventable, but when it happens, speedy diagnosis and treatment spells the difference between full or partial recovery, minor or major residual disability. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of major disabilities among adults.

What are the types and causes of a stroke?

To simplify it for our layman readers, the most common two types and causes of a stroke are artery blockage or bleeding. Arterial obstruction (carotid “neck” artery stenosis) is due to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the artery), which could cut off circulation to the brain.

The other form of arterial blockage is from a clot coming from the heart moving up to block a brain artery (usually among persons with atrial fibrillation, where the left upper chamber of the heart quivers instead of beating normally, thus accumulating clots in the left atrium, which could break

off and flow upwards to obstruct the brain artery). The second type of a stroke is caused by bleeding on top of the brain from a fall (trauma) or bleeding within the brain tissues itself, which is more dangerous.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Popularly known as A-Fib, atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart irregularity. Some are related to heart valve disease.

About 6.4 million Americans have A-Fib not related to any heart valve problem. A-Fib increases the risk for a stroke by five times.

The actual cause of A-Fib is not clear. It is more common among seniors and 10 percent of adults 80 years and older have A-Fib. The patient may have no symptom at all and not know they have A-Fib. The common symptoms are tiredness and shortness of breath. most patients feel their heartbeat skips once in a while.

A-Fib won’t go away on its own.

To reduce the risk of heart failure or a stroke, medical consultation is mandatory.

What is TIA? Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) is the temporary episode of a mild stroke that disappears rapidly. This is caused by spasm of an artery to the brain or by a tiny soft clot that blocks an artery to the brain, which dissolves spontaneously, allowing normal circulation to resume. TIA is a warning, and immediate medical attention is warranted. The various imaging studies available for carotid arteries (located on the left and right side of the neck which supply blood to the brain) include ultrasound (and doppler), and if these are not diagnostic or clear, one of the following may be used: angiography, magnetic resonance angiography (mrA), and CT angiography.

What is carotid endarterectomy?

When a person develops TIA or a mini-stroke and confirmatory tests show there is significant blockage in one or both carotid arteries, the calcified plaques blocking these

neck arteries could be removed by a surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy. This is a brainsaving procedure which must be performed reasonably urgent, in accordance with the evaluation of the surgeon, before a major or massive stroke follows.

Can a lay person diagnose a stroke?

A non-medical individual, actually anyone at the scene, could make a rapid diagnosis using the acronym FAST. In most articles, this stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services. For me, I prefer T for Tongue deviation, all four letters to represent physical abnormalities.

Calling 911 for emergency rescue is vital. But any two of the above four signs are enough to suspect a stroke. Facial drooping becomes evident when you ask the person to smile. Comparing the strength of the two arms will show you which side is weaker. Asking the patient to talk will reveal slurred speech or inability to talk.

The tongue usually points to the side of the facial droop and the weaker arm, opposite the side of the brain affected. The right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, and the left half of the brain, the right side of the body. The active dynamics of the pathology must be assessed without delay and treatment started immediately. Brain cells could die within minutes. In a stroke, every minute counts.

Do you have the risk factors for a stroke?

Genetics is one, but since we cannot alter our genes as a standard of care for stroke prevention with our current science and technology, there practical strategies we can apply to minimize the risk for the development of a stroke.

Someday, preventive genetic engineering and manipulation for all diseases will be available. In the meantime, here are some tips to greatly reduce the risk for having PAGE B4

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017

B

Rocco Nacino in no rush to be Maureen Wroblewitz, Jigs Mayuga shine in NYFW in a relationship with Sanya Lopez

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

santiago ManilaTimes.net

“SHE’S the closest girl to my heart right now,” Rocco Nacino says of “Haplos” leading lady Sanya Lopez. “She’s really special but I can’t say we’re officially together.

Basta, chill lang kami.”

The Times had no recourse but to pry into the actor’s life what with his closeness with Sanya very evident these days. On the drama’s set, they are always together talking, laughing at each other’s jokes, and openly showing they care for each another.

One scene in particular, when they were on a beach and Sanya’s character Angela was supposedly drowning, Rocco kept checking if the actress was OK since he knew she didn’t know how to swim.

He even reminded production to keep a close eye on Sanya when she had to go to a deeper part of the water.

Needless to say, Sanya was so touched by Rocco’s gesture but also says the same thing about their relationship.

“As they say, mahaba na ang pinagsamahan,” since she had worked with Rocco even in “Encantadia.” “I don’t deny that we’ve become closer and that we’re very comfortable with each other but let’s leave it at that for now.”

Apparently, Rocco and Sanya agree that even if they are both single, they don’t need to rush their relationship.

Rocco Nacino with Sanya Lopez

“Walang nangyayaring ligawan,” Sanya relates. “I think we’re just happy with the way things are.

We care for each other because we’re very close as friends. Ayoko munang haluan ng anything. I want our friendship to remain pure.

“I guess we’re not ready to get into something more serious because we’re both focused on our respective careers. Katulad ko, I feel it’s only now that I’m getting all these good breaks. I want to take advantage of the opportunity.

I want to be good in my craft as an actress to show people that I value the projects that come my way.”

If there is one thing that Sanya is most grateful for, it’s the high ratings “Haplos” has been getting, along with GMA Network’s afternoon offerings “Ika-6 Na Utos” and “Impostora.” Indeed, the trio of shows is lording over

GMA photo

the timeslot but they are not about to rest on their laurels.

“Nagkakatulungan ‘yung tatlong series kasi pare-parehong magaganda. These are the types of series na hindi ka talaga bibitiw when you start watching kasi feeling mo, mabibitin ka,” Sanya chimes.

Haplos will get more exciting according to the actress: “The viewers will have to find out kung mababawi ba ng character ko, si Angela, si Gerald (Rocco) from Lucille (Thea Tolentino) since alam naman natin na ginamitan lang ng gayuma ni Lucille si Gerald.

“There’s also the character of Pancho Magno who’s so in love with Angela that he’ll do everything to please her. Will Angela fall eventually fall for him? Add to that yung conflict between my mom (Patricia Javier) and Lucille’s mom (Francine Prieto).”

Are you a candidate for...

PAGE B4 a stroke, heart attack, and even cancer, basically by living a healthy lifestyle or making necessary lifestyle changes.

• Eat healthy, mostly fish, vegetables of various colors, nuts, and some fruits. Minimize intake of red meats (especially processed foods, which are toxic to the body) and cut down on carbohydrates, like rice, bread, sweets in general, which catapults the risk for T2 diabetes. The Philippines has one of the highest rates for T2 diabetes in the world, courtesy of “kanin.” The no-rice high-protein legume and vegetable diet is now becoming very popular and a trend.

• Drink about eight glasses of filtered water daily. Stay away

from soft drinks which are toxic and increase the risk for metabolic syndrome for children and adults.

Any form of this “liquid candy” causes eight gain and is harmful to the body.

• Do daily exercises. Simple brisk walking for 30 minutes each day improves overall health by strengthening muscles, equilibrium and balance, and boosts the immune system, and ward off major illness, including Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

• Practice stress management with R&R, even at work, and especially during the weekend with the family • Discontinue tobacco use and take alcohol beverage in strict moderation. These two items are the causes of most of our infirmi-

ties today. They are not worth developing a stroke or heart attack for.

• Regular medical and dental check-ups are essential. Take your medications religiously and follow the advice of your physician, including a low-fat, low carbs, and low-salt diet. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

NEW York Fashion Week (NYFW) may be over, but beauty and fashion makeup mavens are more creatively inspired than ever as the up and coming makeup and fashion trends took to the runway and set a stylish pace for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2018.

The Philippine fashion and beauty scene meanwhile are still on a high after Filipina model Maureen Wroblewitz and celebrated makeup artist Jigs Mayuga had their time to shine on one of the world’s most important stages for style. Wroblewitz—winner of “Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 5”—and Mayuga—in-demand celebrity makeup artist—were sent to New York Fashion Week (NYFW) by global makeup brand Maybelline as the country’s representatives in various activities.

Wroblewitz undeniably rocked her very first photo shoot in the Big Apple as she made a statement at the famous New York Times

Maureen Wroblewitz

Square with her sleek braletteand-midi skirt combo topped with a fiery leather jacket.

She then pulled off an edgy LBD (little black dress) with glorious Fifth Avenue as her backdrop.

Finally, the 19-year-old showed off her sultry side wearing a black jumpsuit right at the heart of the city’s shopping and art haven, SoHo. The ultimate NYFW experience did not end there for Wroblewitz as she met two of the Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 5’ winner Maureen world’s top models, Adriana Lima Wroblewitz rocked the streets of New York and Emily Didonato, during the City and met international supermodel Maybelline New York party and Adriana Lima.

press day.

Mayuga, on the other hand, raised the Philippine flag with his makeup looks gracing the runways of designer Jason Wu, Kith, Philip Plein, and fashion brands Self-Portrait and Public School.

The make-up whiz—who has Chesca Kramer, Shaina Magdayao, Angelica Panganiban and Bianca Gonzales as some of his clients—thrived in the backstage action of NYFW as he worked side by side with Maybelline global makeup artists such as Erin Parsons, Yadim, and Grace Lee.

AJ Ads 96 August 1 8/9/17 5:52 PM Page 1 Mayuga’s dramatic and2017_Layout bold make-up made it Make-up artist Jigs Mayuga (center) joined international make-up artists Jazmin Calcarami of to Philipp Plein’s Spring/Summer 2018 show.

Argentina and Ryan Ogilvy of Indonesia in creating runway looks for NYFW.

age gracefully

Another Delicious Reason To Love Nuts

Brazil Nut Tarts Serves 4–8

BY GRACE O

I’m nuts about nuts, but some of them are better for us than others. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are all great for helping to control blood sugar. Nuts may be small in size and have relatively high levels of calories and fat, but they are nutrient dense. They are full of protein, unsaturated (healthy) fat, vitamins and fiber. These factors help keep blood sugar levels low. Healthful as they are, nuts are high in calories, so it’s a good idea to substitute nuts for high-carbohydrate foods, such as croutons or pretzels. Sprinkle them on yogurt and salads, or nibble them for a snack.

You’ll love my Brazil Nut Tarts! Brazil nuts are full of selenium and protein, as well as Omega-3s, which help keep your skin elastic and hydrated, and reduce swelling and redness. These tarts, with their hint of lime and rich texture, take Brazil nuts to a new level. I like to make several small tarts from this recipe, but you can make larger tart if you prefer.

2 9-in. whole-wheat pie crusts 1 can (12 oz.) fat-free evaporated milk 2 Tbs. tapioca flour diluted in 4 Tbs. water 2 beaten large eggs 2 Tbs. coconut butter 2 Tbs. lime juice (about 1 lime) 1 tsp. lime zest 1/2 cup organic sugar or xylitol 1 cup toasted and finely chopped Brazil nuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line four 5-inch tart shells with the pie crusts. Poke the crusts with a fork and bake until just beginning to brown, about 10–15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

3. In a bowl, combine the evaporated milk, diluted tapioca flour, and the eggs. Whisk together until smooth.

4. Cook the tapioca mixture in a double boiler over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until thick, about 20–25 minutes.

5. Add the coconut butter, lime juice and zest, and sugar substitute and continue cooking and stirring for 10–15 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the nuts.

6. Pour the mixture into the precooked tart pans and bake at 350 degrees until firm and golden brown, about 20–25 minutes.

© 2017 by FoodTrients.com

by lhar

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

B september 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND AsIAN JOUrNAL

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Critical changes under the Trump administration for orders of supervision and administrative stays of deportation DURING the Obama administration, noncitizens with deportation or removal orders (referred to hereafter as deportation orders) were often allowed to stay in the United States through the grant of an administrative stay and Order of Supervision (“OSUP”). Provided that they appeared for regularly scheduled appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), noncitizens lived with their families and worked in the United States without the fear of deportation.

Under the Trump administration’s new immigration policies, noncitizens with deportation orders have become prime targets for arrest, detention, and removal from the United States when they appear for their scheduled check-ins. Individuals with existing deportation orders can be more quickly removed from the United States than noncitizens who have never been placed in removal proceedings.

Under the Obama administration, administrative stays were generally granted for one year to individuals who were not enforcement priorities. Under the current policy, ICE is only granting administrative stays for a limited time and only when there is a clear end game or purpose, for example the noncitizen is attempting to reopen his removal case or is applying for legal status in a third country or can show concrete plans to return home.

While ICE still considers requests for an administrative stay on an individual basis, it appears that efforts are being increased for noncitizens to produce travel documentation to return them to their home countries. This is especially evident when considering the Trump Administration’s desire to increase deportations to fulfill promises made during the 2016 Presidential Election.

ICE has the authority to de-

Your Immigration Solution MICHAEL BHOTIWIHOK AND NANCY MILLER cide, upon request, not to execute a final order of removal and to instead issue an Order of Supervision requiring noncitizens to appear at check-ins with ICE on a monthly or yearly basis. The administrative stay allows the noncitizen with an order of deportation to remain in the United States for a specified period without fear of deportation.

While noncitizens have an automatic stay during the pendency of an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, the filing of a petition for review in Federal Court does not provide the same automatic stay. An administrative stay is often necessary when appeal rights have been exhausted and no other legal recourse is available to the noncitizen.

Administrative stays must be filed in person with the local office of Enforcement and Removal Operation (“ERO”) with ICE having jurisdiction over where the noncitizen lives. If the administrative stay is approved, the noncitizen will be placed under an Order of Supervision and required to appear for check-ins with ICE. Administrative stays are granted at the discretion of the ERO officer. Therefore, administrative stays must be properly prepared with strong supporting documentary evidence. Positive equites like the noncitizen’s familial ties to the United States, employment, prior payment of income taxes, contributions to community, any hardship, and future forms of relief from removal must be demonstrated. A noncitizen with a pending mo-

tion to reopen and rescind a prior order of deportation or removal may convince an ERO officer to grant an administrative stay. In addition, a noncitizen with an approved family based petition whose priority date is not current, dependent on eligibility to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident, may also merit the positive exercise of discretion with the granting of an administrative stay. As in other cases where a non-citizen is seeking a benefit, the burden of proof is on that non-citizen to show that she merits a favorable decision.

Apart from not being removed from the United States, an administrative stay offers other benefits to noncitizens with deportation orders. With an approved administrative stay, noncitizens can obtain work authorization and the ability to apply for a social security card and driver’s license. Also, while the administrative stay is in effect, the noncitizen may be able to avail to any change in the law or become eligible for relief from removal.

This seismic shift in immigration policy has created fear and anxiety for noncitizens with orders of deportation or removal, because of the very real possibility of their being detained and removed from the United States.

However, individuals with Orders of Supervision must continue to report to ICE for their regular check-ins. Failure to do so can result in ICE going to get them at home or place of employment.

The prospect of a noncitizen’s deportation is terrifying. Given the recent change in immigration policy and developments, it is strongly advised that noncitizens consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney for representation at Order of Supervision appointments and to determine if filing an administrative stay of deportation

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C SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

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Prosecutorial discretion is an If bankruptcy is necessary, it may hurt now but relief can last a lifetime option since DACA is rescinded

FILING bankruptcy can be very stressful and uncomfortable for people who are facing a financial crisis for the first time in their lives. But a lot of the anxiety involved can be alleviated by simply understanding the process and keeping things in perspective. Oftentimes, people are so focused on their current financial problems that they lose sight of the big picture.

If you are seriously drowning in debt, I am sure chances are that your problems did not happen overnight. If so, then it only makes sense that any solution you choose to implement to correct the situation may also take time. When appropriate for your situation, filing for bankruptcy protection can accelerate the process of financial recovery so this can be your first step.

Creditors will often try to make you believe that filing for bankruptcy somehow makes you a failure and that you are a bad person for doing so. These characterizations are simply ridiculous and they should not stop you from doing what is necessary to change your situation for the better. Your creditors know that once you file, they will no longer be able to call and harass

Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA

10 States with the Lowest Combined Income and Sales Tax Rates: • New Hampshire • Alaska • South Dakota • Wyoming • Florida • Texas • Washington • Delaware • Montana • Colorado 10 States with the Highest Combined Income and Sales Tax Rates: • New York • New Jersey • Connecticut • California • Wisconsin • Minnesota • Maryland

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon you and so they will tell you all kinds of things in order to humiliate you and discourage you from filing.

Once you are able to regain control of your finances by either wiping debts you can no longer pay (Chapter 7) or paying creditors over time (3-5 years under Chapter 13), bankruptcy relief helps you break out of the seemingly never-ending cycle of debt.

Whether your problems were caused by factors beyond your control or simply a result of poor financial planning, bankruptcy can give you a fresh start by putting your debt problems behind you once and for all. Filing bankruptcy is not financial failure. It is nothing more than financial planning so that you can have a better future for you and your family. Don’t let your current situation make you lose sight of your long-term financial goals.

Some people are so buried in debt that they have no other way of repaying what they owe.

They live from paycheck to paycheck and have zero savings in bank. They are literally only one paycheck away from bankruptcy. You need a financial plan if you are going to retire some day. This could be as simple as participating in your company’s 401K plan if you are employed or maybe putting money into an IRA if you are self-employed. A lot of people who come to me for bankruptcy help are broke every month due to excessive indebtedness that they can’t even put aside a couple of hundred dollars a month for retirement. How can they when they’re simply in “survival mode” month after month?

If you don’t have a financial plan in place, who is going to support you when the day comes that you can no longer work? I hope you’re not simply counting on the government to support you.

Experts say that by the time most of us retire, social security may not even be around anymore.

If your current debt problems were caused by your failure to set financial priorities, you may feel guilty and embarrassed about

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States with the lowest and highest combined income, sales, county and city taxes • Rhode island • Vermont • Pennsylvania Top 10 States with the Lowest Combined Total Tax Burden for All State, County, and City Taxes: 1. Alaska 2. South Dakota 3. Tennessee 4. Louisiana 5. Wyoming 6. Texas 7. New Hampshire 8. Alabama 9. Nevada 10. South Carolina Top Ten States with the Highest Combined Tax Burden for All State, County, and City Taxes: 1. New York 2. New Jersey 3. Connecticut 4. California

5. Wisconsin 6. Rhode Island 7. Minnesota 8. Massachusetts 9. Maine 10. Pennsylvania *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies.

He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live. com.

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QUESTION: My DACA expires in about seven months.

However, what will happen after that? Do I have any other options?

Answer: You do have options, many of which you will need a personal consultation. However, there is what is known as prosecutorial discretion which is still a possibility.

Question: What exactly is prosecutorial discretion?

Answer: “Prosecutorial discretion” is the authority of an agency or officer to decide what charges to bring and how to pursue each case. A law-enforcement officer who declines to pursue a case against a person has favorably exercised prosecutorial discretion. It is essentially a packet which argues why you should not be deported.

Question: When can I apply for prosecutorial discretion?

Answer: Prosecutorial discretion may be exercised at any stage of an immigration case..

Specifically, prosecutorial discretion may be exercised when deciding whether to: issue a detainer; initiate removal proceedings; focus enforcement resources on particular violations or conduct; stop, question, or arrest a particular person; detain or release someone on bond, supervision, or personal recognizance; settle or dismiss a removal case; stay a final order of removal; pursue an appeal; and/or execute a removal order. Examples of the favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion in the immigration context include a grant of deferred ac-

The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “AS Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the custom post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) This excerpt from of the Gospel Reading on the Feast of St. Matthew led me to an insight to this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 20:116) on the Parable of the laborers in the vineyard.

Let’s look at the parable. A landowner went out at dawn to

Estate Corner Atty. BriAn Lerner tion; a decision to terminate or administratively close removal proceedings; a stay of removal; or a decision not to issue a charging document in the first place.

Question: Who exactly will decide on my prosecutorial discretion packet?

Answer: ICE, USCIS, and CBP officers have the authority to exercise prosecutorial discretion.

Because prosecutorial discretion is a process that determines whether the government is going to pursue enforcement in a case, the initial decisions are made by those immigration officers assigned to the case. Once the initial decision is made to issue a Notice to Appear (a document that formally initiates removal proceedings by charging an individual with immigration violations), further decisions about continuing the government’s case will be made at higher levels within ICE or DHS.. The June 2011 Morton memo clarified that the following ICE officers have the authority to exercise prosecutorial discretion: officers, agents, and their supervisors within Enforcement and Removal Operations who have authority to engage in civil immigration enforcement; officers within Home-

land Security Investigations who have authority to engage in civil immigration enforcement; attorneys and their respective supervisors within the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor who have the authority to represent ICE in immigration court; and the Director, Deputy Director, and senior staff of ICE. Ultimately, the Secretary of Homeland Security, as the official within the executive branch specifically charged with enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act, is in a position to exercise prosecutorial discretion over every case. Because DHS now has announced that the Morton memo will apply to USCIS and CBP, there may be further guidance issued clarifying who within these two components has prosecutorial discretion authority.

There are many ways to make the packet more persuasive.

Leave time and show all the hardships you can in order to try to get it approved. *** Atty. Brian D. Lerner has been an Immigration Attorney for nearly a quarter of a century. He is married to a Filipina and has helped thousands of Filipino families all over the country.

In addition to his offices in Southern California in Long Beach and Carson, he has an office in Quezon City. He is a certified specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Legal Board of Specialization, California State Bar. The initial consultation is free. Call (562) 495-0554 and/or send an e-mail to blerner@californiaimmigration.us.

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Better late than never

hire laborers for his vineyard. He promised them the usual daily wage, and they agreed. Then, the landowner hired other workers— some he hired at nine o’clock in the morning, others at noontime, a few more at three o’clock in the afternoon, and some more at five o’clock. At sunset, he paid them all the same usual daily wage.

Of course, the workers that the landowner initially hired were surprised at the action of the landowner. They didn’t see it fair that other people who worked late received an equal amount of wage. “These last ones worked only for one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s bur-

den and heat?” they complained.

The landowner’s decision to pay the workers the same amount does appear unfair. How could an employer treat everyone he hired at different times the same way? But parables like this one, as we know, should not be taken literally. They are stories with a surplus of meaning. In the case of the parables of Jesus, they speak of the heart and the surprising ways of God, which many of us find hard to fathom.

They remind us of the words of today’s First Reading: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways are my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens

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Community Journal

The rights of disabled probationary employees Q: I HAD to undergo surgery mid-way through my probation period as a new hire. When I told my manager that I needed to be off-work for several weeks to recover, and that my return date will not until be after the probation period had expired, my manager said not to bother returning, that I did not make it through the probation period, and that I was fired. What are my rights?

A: Even if you were still on a probation period, the employer still has a duty to engage in an interactive process to determine if you can be provided reasonable accommodation. An employee suffering from a disability or medical condition is entitled to reasonable accommodation. Granting additional temporary leave of absence may constitute reasonable accommodation if, after the leave, the employee likely can resume his or her duties.

The employer must engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for a disabled employee.

If the disabled employee was terminated, even if able to do the job with reasonable accommodation, the employer’s conduct may be wrongful. The employee, who sues for wrongful termination and prevails, may be entitled to back pay, loss of future earnings, damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs in certain instances.

This is true whether employees are classified as permanent or probationary. Consider the fol-

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. lowing case as reported by the Daily Journal: Fifty-seven year-old Marisa Hernandez worked for Rancho Santiago Community College District and began a probationary period of one year. A few months into her employment she was injured at work. She had work restrictions but continued to work for several weeks. More than halfway through her probation period, she had to undergo complex surgeries on her finger and had to be off work for several months in order to get well.

She went on leave for about three months. Towards the end of the third month, Hernandez informed her employer that she needed more time to recover, and would not be able to return to work until the next month. The employer immediately fired her.

Hernandez sued the employer for wrongful termination and failure to accommodate. Hernandez claimed that the employer violated California law by failing to accommodate her physical disability by terminating her approved medical leave of absence and firing her. Hernandez further claimed that the employer failed to engage in an interactive process by refusing to meet and discuss any other accommodation.

The employer argued that it could not extend Hernandez’

probation period. As a probationary employee, Hernandez had to complete her one year probation. She had already worked 8 months prior to going on leave. The employer argued that if it did not fire her she would automatically have become a permanent employee at the end of 12 months, even though she only worked eight months.

After a bench trial, the judge decided in favor of the employee. The court found that the employer was not required to provide Hernandez with a full 12-month probationary period, and could terminate her before then. However, the employer was prohibited from terminating the employee due primarily to her disability and without engaging her in an interactive process. The court awarded the employee $723,460 in damages for past and future loss of earnings and future pension benefits, and $220,567 in attorneys’ fees and $10,621 in costs. The total award came to $954,648.

*** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer

by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.]

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Seniors raid retirement accounts but still require Chapter 7 relief THE clients are seniors. The wife is 67 and had just retired from a lifetime of being a registered nurse. She has social security benefits of $2,100. The husband is 67 and has social security of $700.

So together, they have social security of $2,800. They don’t own a house. They live with their daughter and they pay her rent of $1,000. The $1,000 covers utilities, except food. The daughter is a single mom with two daughters aged 10 and 8. She works as a hairdresser. I understand that she makes about $2,000 a month after deducting rent of $200 for a station.. She has her own clientele. So she takes home about $1,800 a month. She makes some extra income by selling her clients hair products including shampoos that are sold only through hairdressers. She makes another $300 a month profit on those products. For a single mom with two kids, her net income of $2,100 is hardly enough to make ends meet. So, the $1,000 of rent that clients give to daughter is more of a contribution to their household of three adult and two young children.

Their household’s income is therefore $2,800 from the clients’ social security plus $2,100 from the net income of the daughter as a self-employed hairdresser.

So the household income for this family becomes $4,900, less rent of $1,400, and yields a net of $3,500 for necessary monthly living expenses for a family of five. The clients are paying for two cars of about $400 each.

They decide to return one car but keep the other, thereby cutting car ownership expense by $400 a month.. They return the 2016 Honda Accord, but keep the 2014 Camry, which has three more years of payments to go.

The clients seem to be doing ok if you don’t dig further into their financial situation. I check their 2016 tax returns and it immediately jumps out that there was $37,000 retirement account liquidation -- $25,000 was a liquidation of wife’s 401K and $12,000 was a liquidation of husband’s IRA. In addition, there was $48,000 of disability pay that went to wife. So, I’m wondering where did the $48,000 plus the $37,000 went to.

I asked them what happened to the $85,000 of disability and retirement account liquidation that you received last year? They said that all $37,000 of the retirement account was used to pay credit cards, and the $48,000 of disability was used for living expenses and whatever was left

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrenCe yAng

over probably another $20,000 was also used to pay credit cards. I said, “you’re kidding, right?” Why use retirement and disability to pay credit cards when both sources of funds are completely exempt in Chapter 7.

In other words, if they filed Chapter 7 last year, they would still be able to keep their $37,000 of retirement accounts, plus still keep the $20,000 of disability in cash. So now, they would still have $57,000 of cash in the bank. My next question is so how much do you still owe of credit cards after paying $57,000? They said that they still owe about $100,000 of credit cards! One hundred thousand of credit cards requires at least $3,000 of minimum monthly payments. Even if the wife were still working as a registered nurse, she would gross about $8,000 a month and net about $6,500. Three thousand dollars a month or credit cards is almost 50 percent of the wife’s net take home pay if she were still working. But now her social security of $2,100 is not even enough to cover the $3,000 to keep the $100,000 of credit cards current.

I told them that they should have seen me last year before using up their retirement accounts and disability. They would have saved the $57,000 and still discharged all of their credit cards.

But now of course they can still discharge all of the $100,000 of credit cards left after they paid off $57,000, but all of the $57,000 is gone!

“Yes, we really regret liquidating our retirement accounts and using the rest of the disability to pay the credit cards…” If we still had the $57,000 today, after discharging the $100,000, we would probably just pay off the car loan of $12,000 on the 2014 Camry so we don’t have to pay the $400 anymore.

So the lesson here is that you should never use your retirement accounts to pay off your debts.

At this time, retirement accounts up to $1.2M are exempt in bankruptcy.

In other words, you can keep as much as $1.2M of retirement accounts as exempt assets when you file Chapter 7! That’s a lot of retirement account money! Even at a measly 5 percent income in

a managed portfolio, you can use $60,000 a year without reducing the $1.2M of principal! That extra income in addition to social security makes for a comfortable retirement. Just don’t get sick.

Pray to our God for good health as you retire and long life!

Read Psalm 91 “…whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty…God says ‘I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

I will reward them with long life; I will save them.” How do you know this is true? Because the Bible is the word of God, and God doesn’t lie! Of course, this Psalm was actually written maybe 3000 years ago by Moses, who was really close to our God. So that’s good enough. Pray to our God, the God of Moses and Israel, cry to him in your distress, and your cry for help will reach his ears in his sanctuary! I think it must have been the prophet Samuel who said this in Psalm 18. When you cry to our Lord in your distress, He hears you! That is really good to know, is it not?

So let’s say you got sued for breach of contract for backing out of the marriage proposal that you made of to Kim Jung Un’s sister. She sues you for $1.0M. Your 401K would be $1,122,000; yes that’s right; your retirement account is over $1.1M. You don’t have to go to N.Korea and ask your brother-in-law that never was for his forgiveness for not marrying his sister. You just file a Chapter 7 in Los Angeles and you discharge or wipe out the $1.0M lawsuit while keeping intact your 401K of $1.1M. Sounds good, right? No; sounds great in fact. Only in America can you do this. But will it stop your brotherin-law from aiming his nukes at LA? Well, that’s another story.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.

“I WILL SAVE THOSE WHO LOVE ME AND WILL PROTECT THOSE WHO ACKNOWLEDGE ME AS LORD…I WILL REWARD THEM WITH LONG LIFE;” PSALM 91h *** 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.

Critical changes under the Trump...

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or removal with ICE’s local ERO office in in their best interests. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States

with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com.

*** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017

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Rescinding removal/ deportation order to allow for adjustment of status WE have all heard the popular saying, “Timing is everything.” Unfortunately, this saying often adversely applies to those persons who have found an avenue from which to obtain a green card, only to be prohibited from doing so because he/she has a prior removal/deportation order. A typical scenario involves a person who entered the US years ago on a B-2 tourist visa, overstayed, and was ordered removed by the Immigration Court. Fast forward to today, that person who was ordered removed finds true love and marries a US Citizen. Seemingly close to finally obtaining permanent resident status, he/she is precluded from doing so because of the prior removal/deportation order. What options does one have in such a case?

A motion to reopen the removal/deportation proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order can be filed in Immigration Court. If the motion to reopen the proceedings and rescind the removal/deportation order is successful, the alien can pursue whatever relief from removal/deportation that is available to him/her. For the scenario cited in the first paragraph, the relief would be adjustment of status to permanent resident via marriage to a US citizen spouse. The relief would be presented in Immigration Court, with the Immigration Judge to decide the merits of the adjustment of status application. Alternatively, if an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can be obtained to terminate the proceedings, a decision on the adjustment of status application can be made outside Immigration Court, by the USCIS. Generally, a motion to reopen removal/deportation proceedings must be filed within 90 days of the date of entry of the removal/deportation order. However, several bases upon which a motion to reopen may be filed past 90 days exist, and are discussed below.

Under 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(4), a motion to reopen can be filed at any time if notice of the proceedings was not received by the person subject to the removal/deportation order, and a removal/deportation order was entered in his absence. Written notice of the time and place of removal proceedings must be given in person to the alien, or shall be given by certified mail to the alien or to the alien’s counsel of record. INA §242B(a)(2)(A). Further, written notice of the proceedings, if provided by certified mail, must be provided at the most recent address reported by the alien. Matter of Grijalva, Interim Decision 3246 (BIA 1995). The requirements for notice of removal/deportation proceedings are strict, and careful analysis of a person’s immigration court file often results in finding evidence that DHS did not comply with required procedure, which can be the basis for reopening the removal/ deportation proceeding.

Further, the Immigration Judge has discretionary authority to reopen or reconsider cases on his or her own motion (“sua sponte”) at any time providing a valid basis can be shown. 8 CFR § 1003.23(b)(1). Careful analysis of not only the immigration court file, but also the specific facts and circumstances of the case is necessary to put forward a valid basis on which the Immigration Judge can rely to reopen the proceedings. Some bases upon which cases I have been able to reopen cases include improper section cited by the DHS attorney in the charging document, insufficient evidence presented by the DHS attorney in proving up the case against the alien, and hardship and humanitarian concerns.

If you have a prior removal/deportation order which is preventing you from adjusting status, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to ascertain the bases upon which a motion to reopen can be filed.

*** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@ dtanlaw.com.

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If bankruptcy is necessary, it may...

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having to file bankruptcy. It is normal to feel this way but what’s important now is that you’ve recognized your mistakes and that you’re taking steps to improve your financial situation. As one writer said, “Success comes from good judgment. Good judgment usually comes from experience.

And experience usually comes from bad judgment.” There are

lessons to be learned from bankruptcy so make sure that you don’t miss them. If you do, you are bound to repeat them again in the future.

Of course, bankruptcy is not for everyone and there are important factors to consider in every case. To schedule a free evaluation of your case, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772.

We have offices in Glendale, Cer-

ritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.

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C4 SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Consequences of failing to disclose materials assets, income, facts and information in a divorce case

THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/ her know of this account?”

Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other. This duty arose based on California’s policy (1) to marshal, preserve, and protect community and quasi-community assets and liabilities that exist at the date of separation so as to avoid dissipation of the community estate before distribution, (2) to ensure fair and sufficient child and spousal support awards, and (3) to achieve a division of community and quasicommunity assets and liabilities on the dissolution or nullity of marriage or legal separation of the parties as provided under California law.

To promote the above public policy, the family code requires a full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the parties have or may have an interest be made in a divorce or a legal separation, regardless of the alleged characterization of the property as either community or separate. Parties are also required to disclose all income and expenses of the parties.

The parties also have a continuing duty to update and augment that disclosure to the extent that there has been a material change to their financial position. The purpose of the duty to augment and update the disclosures is so that at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or trial, each party will do so with full and complete knowledge of all relevant underlying facts of the case.

The disclosures are made by the parties by serving each other with a preliminary declaration of disclosure and a final declaration of disclosure. The preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within 60 days of serv-

Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES ing the divorce, separation, or nullity petition. The commission of perjury on the preliminary declaration of disclosure may be grounds for setting aside the judgment in addition to other remedies available under the law. The preliminary declaration of disclosure is not filed with the court but only exchanged by each party. The preliminary declaration of disclosure shall set forth 1) the identity of all assets and liabilities which the declarant may have an interest regardless of the

be community obligations or for which it is contended the community has liability.(4) All material facts and information regarding the earnings, accumulations, and expenses of each party that have been set forth in the income and expense declaration. The parties may agree to mutually waive the final declaration of disclosure requirement but not the preliminary declaration of disclosure.

A party who fails to comply with the disclosure requirements under the family code may be held in breach of the party’s fiduciary obligation to the other spouse under family code section 721, 1100, and Marriage of Feldman.

The party that failed to disclose material assets, income, facts, and information may be sanctioned by the court by awarding attorney’s fees and sanctions to the other spouse under family code section 271. When hiring an attorney to represent you in a high asset divorce case with complex property issues, it is important to hire an attorney that understands the disclosure obligation under the family code. *** 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. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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“Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other.” characterization of community, quasi-community, or separate property; 2)The declarant’s percentage in the asset or liability; 3) the declarant’s characterization of the asset or liability. In addition, the declarant shall also provide the other party with a completed income and expense declaration. The declarations may be amended without permission from the court.

The parties shall serve each other with a final declaration of disclosure at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or if the case goes to trial, at least 45 days prior to the first assigned trial date. The final declaration of disclosure shall include (1) All material facts and information regarding the characterization of all assets and liabilities(2) All material facts and information regarding the valuation of all assets that are contended to be community property or in which it is contended the community has an interest. (3) All material facts and information regarding the amounts of all obligations that are contended to

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Better late than...

are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”

(Isaiah 6:9) To make the parable easy to understand, we need to look at it from the view of Christian vocation. God calls each one of us to be workers in his vineyard, and many of us respond differently, some at various stages of life.

It’s true in the case of Matthew. He was a well-known tax collector who defrauded people by putting burdens of additional tax on people for his benefit.

Deep in his heart, he must have felt that he was not living a moral life, especially when he would hear Jesus criticize the dishonesty of Scribes, Pharisees, and tax collectors. Finally, he decided to change his ways and followed Jesus.

It’s never too late to change.

It’s never too late to discover the beauty and true meaning of

a Christian vocation—whether it is to be Christian parent or single, a priest, a religious, or a lay church worker. God is happy with people’s tardy response or conversion as he is with those who those who responded early.

And on our part, we—those who have been actively living our faith for quite a while—should not be judging or condemning those who came in late in following the ways of God. This insight reminds me of a “late bloomer” in ministry—a woman who discovered the joy of serving the Lord later in her life.

She was busy working as a nurse, and not seeing her profession in the light of her Christian faith, despite having a brother who is a priest. Later on, she started getting involved in her parish by volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister for the assembly and the sick..

She felt happy about her service to God and even complained to her priest-brother why he did not

Calendar of Events across

encourage her to become active in her church.

In a world where people, including our children, are distracted by secular values and principles that are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus, we need to pray that everyone comes to a deeper conversion to realize the joy of following and serving the Lord.

Happy Sunday! *** 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 (19912001). 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.

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 24

3rd annual Kultura: Filipino-American food & arts festival in Chicago Kultura Festival is a contemporary Filipino-American food and arts festival taking place at Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar (2363 N. Milwaukee Avenue) on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carefully curated to appeal to those who personally identify with Filipino culture and the merely curious or uninitiated, Kultura Festival aims to highlight the best in Filipino-American food and arts in Chicago and around the Midwest. Kultura Festival signals the start of Filipino-American History Month, a nationally commemorated holiday every October since November 2009, with the passage of U.S. House Resolution 780 and Senate Resolution 298. Kultura Festival will showcase Chicago and Midwest-based FilipinoAmerican chefs such as Hapa Chicago (Chicago),Meat on the Street (Milwaukee), and Sarap Detroit (Detroit), Guerrilla Street Food and Skip To Malou (both from St. Louis), as well as Chef Sharwin Tee of Lifestyle TV’s Curiosity Got The Chef (Manila, Philippines). Additional chefs and the full festival menu will be soon announced. The curated menu promises to tantalize festival-goers with a wide variety of chef-prepared Filipino and Filipino-inspired dishes between $5 and $7 each.

Filipino American artist-entrepreneurs will offer their unique wares for purchase at the festival: custom tailored barong Tagalog (traditional formal wear) from New York Citybased Pineapple Industries; artwork, books and apparel based on the prePhilippine script, baybayin, from San Francisco-based expert Kristian Kabuay; and clothing, jewelry and accessories centered around indigenous symbols and spirituality from Los Angeles-based Ginto Seeds.

This year, Kultura Festival patrons can learn about the connections between Filipino cuisine and culture. Admission to the Lechon Lectures, hosted in adjacent The Upside Down pop-up bar, is included with Kultura Festival ticket. Two time Hugo award winning editor of Uncanny Magazine Michi Trota leads a panel discussion on the role of food in science fiction and fantasy storytelling and how Filipinx creators in these genres integrate food and cultural identity into their own work. Descriptions of the full Lechon Lectures lineup and schedule will soon be announced. As in previous years, Filipino American DJs will provide the soundtrack for the festivities (schedule TBA). Kultura festival general admission tickets are available for $20 ($15 ticket plus 5 Kultura dollars) online at https://ti.to/filipino-kitchen/ kultura-2017. Discounted general admission tickets are available for students with ID, senior citizens with ID, and children under 13 years of age. More information can be found at http://filipino.kitchen/kultura-festival/.

SEPTEMBER 30

PeDRO celebrates its 13th anniversary with a fundraising dinner dance The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation invites everyone to “A Dinner to Remember” with surprise guests on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Crystal Ballroom, Quiet Cannon, 909 N. Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640. Free parking; $55 cost and formal attire. Maricar and the 4700 Band will provide musical entertainment with DJ George Cunanan. For more information, contact President Archerie Calunod (714) 655-4285 or PRO Bettie Francisco (323) 828-7648.

SF Assessor Carmen Chu’s free Family Wealth Forum Free one-on-one counseling with experts. Multi-lingual workshops. Exhibitors hall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at City College (Ocean Campus), 50 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. To register: http://sfassessor.org/familywealthforum or call (415) 554-7434.

O C TO B E R 7

A3M Starnight 2017 annual gala in Long Beach, CA In the past 25 years, A3M has given hope and a second chance of life to many patients.

Their journeys have inspired and motivated the organization to continue its mission of increasing and diversifying the Be the Match Registry. A3M is committed to supporting patients from the communities that are underrepresented in the Be the Match Registry. To continue its life-saving work, you are invited to support A3M at its Annual Gala Dinner held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802) from 5 to 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.flipcause. com/secure/event_step2/MTk3NjI=/13381.

City of Carson’s Filipino-American History Month Kick-Off The City of Carson will kick off this year’s Filipino-American History Month on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the CJMM Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 980745).

From 8 to 9 a.m., there will be refreshments at the Community Center East Parking Lot. It will be followed by a wreath laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s monument from 9 to 9:15 a.m. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a program at the Carson Dominguez Room. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

O C TO B E R 1 4

26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.

18th annual Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, CA On Saturday, Oct. 14, the 18th annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held at the Almansor Court Conference Center (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801), featuring free workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and more! Jonny Hwang, founder of 626 Night Market, is the featured guest speaker with special guest, Jerome Horton, chairman of the California Board of Equalization. It is FREE to attend! The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. For more information, please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo.html.

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017

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People and Events

Filipino Martial Arts tournament to be held at FPAC 2017 LOS ANGELES – The Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) is back. The annual arts and culture festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at the Echo Park Lake in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.

The popular festival is the largest and longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Los Angeles. Organized by culture and arts nonprofit FilAm Arts, FPAC showcases the best of traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, performances, arts, and crafts.

This year, the festival will feature the 1st Annual Los Angeles Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) Friendship Tournament. It will be hosted by Los Angeles Doce Pares, an LA-based group that teaches and promotes traditional and nontraditional forms of indigenous Filipino fighting arts. LA Doce Pares hopes that their FMA tournament will be entertaining and educational at the same time.

Jon Palos of LA Doce Pares said that it is important to bring awareness to an art form that is richly ingrained in Filipino culture but at the same time “on the verge of being lost in globalization.” According to Palos, it wasn’t until recently that FMA was even recognized as a cultural art in the Philippines.

“Bringing an FMA tournament to FPAC creates an opportunity for Fil-Ams to see it for the first time and garner information on how they too can learn and practice [an art form that] has always been part of our history as a people,” Palos said.

FPAC Co-Programming Director Nico Nava said that the FMA tournament is in line with their theme of “Bridging Generations.” Nava added that they want to show the “amalgamation between how the founding Filipino masters practiced their indigenous fighting arts and the improvements that today’s generation of practitioners have contributed to the current FMA scene.”

Tournament format The tournament is sanctioned by the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) and will follow the WEKAF rules and regulations. The divisions are: Forms (or katas), Single Stick Sparring, and Padded Stick Sparring.

In the Forms division, participants ages 3 and up will showcase their mastery of the different traditional and non-traditional disciplines or kata. Participants will be subdivided into their respective age and experience class.

In the Single Stick Full-Armor Sparring Competition, participants will wear full armor during fights and will also be subdivided according to weight and experience class. A 3-Man Team Exhibition Match will be conducted by Doce Pares during this part of the tournament.

In the Padded Stick Sparring Competition, participants will wield padded sticks with no body armor, and will be judged according to a pointsbased system.

According to Palos, there will be no genderbased categories,and participants of all styles, disciplines, and levels of experience are welcome to join.

Town mates and Friends:

Please join us in celebration of our

508/ '*&45" TU '06/%*/( "//*7&34"3: 0' #"4$ JO -"4 7&("4 /&7"%" FMA at FPAC This will be the first year that an official FMA tournament will be held at FPAC. According to Palos, he first got involved with FPAC through FilAm Arts interim executive director Tina Salonga-Bulchand.

Palos, a first generation Fil-Am and a native of Los Angeles, said that it “means the world” for him and his group to give back and honor their Filipino cultural roots, and to bring awareness and recognition to an art form that is part of our historical heritage.

Palos also serves as the director for WEKAF Southern California. He said that because the FMA community is a tight circle, much of what they do is not seen on an everyday basis.

“Actually most Filipinos can’t even identify what is Filipino Martial Arts is,” Palos said. He pointed out that because most people at FPAC will probably witness an FMA tournament for the first time, the high intensity action during the tilt will definitely leave a lasting impression.

“I can still recall the first tournament that I witnessed in person and the awe that overcame my thoughts. I expect that same effect on most if not all the spectators,” Palos added. (By Mico Letargo) To register for the tournament, visit https:// www.fmatournament.org. For more information about the WEKAF rules, go to http://bit.ly/WEKAFrules.

FPAC is a free event. No admission fee is needed for entry. It will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Echo Park Lake in Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/FPAC2017 or call (213) 380-3722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts..org.

Catch FilAm Arts on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/FilAmArtsLA/), Instagram (@filamartsla), and Twitter (@FilAmArts). #FPAC26 #FPAC2017, #filamartsLA, #filamarts

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

( Mt Carmel, Mt Beatitude, Mt.Tabor, Cana, Capernum, Nazareth, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem Qumran, Masada, Jericho )

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

When: Saturday, October 7, 2017 Where: Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, 400 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Prepaid Dinner Buffet ticket only: $65 per person Please make check payable to: Aludiya Lagmay-Ganzon 8119 Mary E Ellen Avenue, North Hollywood, California 91605 - or Priscilla Castaneto-Ruedas 6851 Dale Street Apartment # 16, Buena Park, California 90621

Nazario Perlas: Precy Castaneto- Ruedas: Lito Tambo: Ludy Lagmay-Ganzon: Mila Tadina: Josie Dolor Etrata: Mary Ann Arichea–Caunan:

nazario.perlas@yahoo.com pcruedas@yahoo.com lito.tambo@sbcglobal.net lganzon@gmail.com mrtadina@yahoo.com wilpenn@yahoo.com macaunan@ha.ucla.edu

*Discounted Room rates available at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino until September 3, 2017: Code: ABA2017

Havan�, Cub� May 22 to 29, 2018

May 22, 2018 (Tuesday - Day 1) Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba Depart from LAX to Havana, Cuba. Upon arrival in Havana, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for dinner.

May 23, 2018 (Wednesday - Day 2) Havana, Cuba Our day will begin with mass at the Cathedral of Havana located in the center of Old Havana. After On board meals are served mass, proceed for a city tour of Old Havana with an experienced local tour guide. The tour will take 4 DEC-Day 2 - (Mon) - Arrive at Ben Gurion airport Tel-Aviv/Tiberias place on foot and you will visit all the squares of Old Havana. Take in the astonishing beauty of the After you have finished Immigration, collect Luggage then Meet our guide and driver. Transfer to Tiberias , Dinner /overnight Gai Beach Hotel historical buildings, sculptures, and monuments. After lunch you will have free time to bargain at the 5 DEC-Day 3 - (Tues) Cesarea /Haifa San Jose Craft Market. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 3 DEC-Day 1 - (Sun) LAX/TLV

There was a certain man in Caesarea” Drive north to the sparkling port city of Haifa, viewing Caesarea en route, the city built by Herod. In Haifa, we will ascend Mt. Carmel; home of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, Visit the Stella Maris Church celebrate Holy Mass in the main Altar, after enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean, continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Gai Beach Hotel (BB,D)

May 24, 2018 (Thursday – Day 3) Havana, Cuba This morning, we will visit the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. This religious complex is the most extensive of those surviving in Old Havana. Here you will attend mass. After mass, you will meet with the 6 DEC-Day 4 - (Wed) - Tiberias/ Cana/ Nazareth Holy Eucharist at the Church of annunciation “And Mary said, Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your nuns and assist with projects of the day. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the evening you will assist word” We head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll a Cuban cultural demonstration. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth, Celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of Annunciation, visit St Joseph workshop. We return to Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

07 Dec-Day 5 - (Thurs) Mt Tabor/Mt Beatitude/Capernum/ Sea of Galilee/Tabgha

We drive to Mount Tabor, celebrate Holy Eucharist at the church of Transfiguration, Visit Mt. of Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

May 25, 2018 (Friday – Day 4) Havana, Cuba You will have mass at the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. After mass, you will continue to assist the nuns. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. This evening in Havana, we will plan an exciting tour of the historical complex of Castillo del and La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana. If the timing and weather conditions permitted, you will witness the special nightly cannon at the fortress. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

08 DEC-Day 6 - (FRI)-Jordan valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem

May 26, 2018 (Saturday – Day 5) Havana, Cuba Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. After, you will visit the Abel Santamaria School for the blind, located on the grounds of an old military base. The school aims to integrate the children into mainstream schools as soon as the child is ready through an outreach program which continues to support children at their secondary schools. You will spend time meeting the students 09 DEC-Day 7 - (Sat) - Jerusalem (old City) - Via Dolorosa and teachers. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Cintio Vitier Community Project Center, where arts Holy Sepulcher Church “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place of a skull, which was called in Hebrew Golgotha” Enter the old city of Jerusalem, Sing a hymn in the Church of St Anne and view the pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Programs of all types including painting, ceramic and dance hosted. You will learn about this community project and hear from Lithostrotos, where the soldiers played the Game of Kings, and Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the the director of the program, Pedro Pulido. End your day with a panoramic drive through Modern Havana riding in old classic cars holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the tomb of Our Lord. This afternoon drive to Mount Zion, from the 1950’s. Be sure to have your camera ready for this unique experience. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Drive the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. View the Mount of temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Visit the ancient ruins of the wall. Drive through Wadi Welt to view St George’s Monastery. Continue to Bethany celebrate Holy Eucharist, and then visit the tomb of Lazarus. Arrive in Mount Scopus; enjoy the first view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Notre DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

to visit the upper room, revered as the site of the last supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey’s, St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus three times. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME Vatican Hotel (BB.D)

10 DEC-Day 8 - (SUN) - Mount of Olives/Gethesemane/Bethlehem/New City

Holy Eucharist celebration at the Church of all nations Main altar Arrive at the Mount of Olives and enjoy the beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit Church”God wept “& walk the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethesemane and the Church of all Nations. This Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name the whole world recognizes ,visit the Church of Nativity, the manger, Church of St Catherine, The Grotto of St Jerome, and the shepherds fields. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB ,D).

May 27, 2018 (Sunday – Day 6) Havana – Las Terrazas – Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. Then you will be transferred to Las Terrazas for a tour of the community. Visit the neighborhoods, their schools, artists and community projects in the area. You will then continue to Vinales. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in and rest. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

May 28, 2018 (Monday – Day 7) Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Vinales. Then you will have a sightseeing Visit the Western Wall , the only part of the Herodian temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. We drive to Dead tour. There is an opportunity to visit a Tobacco Farm and learn how to expertly roll a cigar. You will Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s also have the chance to visit an interesting site called the Prehistoric Wall and to take a Boat Ride fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to Jerusalem Overnight Notre Dame Vatican Hotel (BB,D) through underground caves known as The Indian Caves. Then visit Finca Agroecolgica El Paraiso 12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City where you will have lunch. After you will visit the gardens with the breath-taking views. Return to the hotel where you will have Return to the new City, Including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Here we will have a dinner. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 11 DEC-Day 9 - ( MON) - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Masada

better understanding between old and New Jerusalem. Next to Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist, visit the Visitation church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat Overnight NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

13 Dec-Day 11 - (WED) Jerusalem/TLV/LAX

Breakfast rest of the morning Free time early PM dinner has to check out from the hotel, around 8:30 PM flight from TLV/ LAX in the 13 Dec flight depart TLV at 1:00 Am Dec 14,2017 ( end of Service )

May 29, 2018 (Tuesday – Day 8) Vinales – Havana – Los Angeles Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home as your trip comes to an end. (Meal: Breakfast)

C SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-26, 2017

MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM

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State Department scraps ‘30/60 day rule’ in favor of the new ‘90 day rule’ for fraudulent intent Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ ONE of the most technical rules on visa fraud focuses on a person misrepresenting his or her intent when applying for certain nonimmigrant visas or when entering the United States.

If a person is applying for a visitor’s visa, they are effectively representing to the consul their intent in coming to the United States is solely to visit, and then return to their home country.

Similarly, if a person already has a visitor’s visa, and is seeking to enter the United States as a visitor, the person is also effectively representing to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the airport their intent is solely to visit.

If the person thereafter engages in conduct inconsistent with visiting (such as working, marrying a U.S. citizen and being petitioned for a green card, etc.), it could be considered fraud or misrepresentation. After all, the person told the consul or the CBP officer that all they were intending was to visit, but then they immediately engaged in activities inconsistent with that intent.

For over 25 years, the U.S. government has relied on the “30/60 day rule,” in determining whether a person misrepresented his or her intent in either applying for a visa or entering the United States. Under that rule, if an alien

violated his or her nonimmigrant status within 30 days of entry (such as engaging in unauthorized employment, applying for adjustment of status, etc.), it could be presumed the person misrepresented his or her intent. If such conduct occurred after 30 days but within 60 days of entry into the U.S., there would be “no presumption of misrepresentation,” but it could create the suspicion of misrepresentation, and the person could be questioned about the suspected misrepresentation. If the conduct occurred more than 60 days after admission to the U.S., there would be no findings of any misrepresentation.

Recently, the State Department scrapped or threw out the 30/60 day rule, and has now implemented the 90 day rule.

Under this new rule, if a person “violates or engages in conduct inconsistent with his or her nonimmigrant status within 90 days of entry,” it could be presumed that the person misrepresented his or her intentions, and they could be charged with fraud. In other words, if a person enters the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and starts working within 90 days of entry, they would effectively be committing fraud. Similarly, if a visitor or student marries a U.S. citizen or green card holder within 90 days of entry into the U.S., and takes up residence in the U.S., that could also be considered fraud. Under the old rule, it would be considered fraud only if this activity occurred within 30 days of entry.

Now, it’s fraud if it occurs within 90 days of entry.

I know that many people entered the U.S. as either visitors or students and violated their visa by

Philippines leads ASEAN preparedness in infra buildup, says UN body

by MARY

GRACE Philstar.com

PADIN

MANILA — The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has recognized the Philippines as one of the most prepared Southeast Asian countries to carry out a massive infrastructure buildup program, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

This was disclosed during UNESCAP’s workshop on infrastructure financing strategies recently held in Manila, and attended by Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran.

“The workshop found the Philippines to be among the most ready in ASEAN in boosting infrastructure development,” Beltran said.

According to Beltran, the UNESCAP cited favorable factors which contribute to the country’s healthy fiscal position, enabling it to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy to fund its Build Build Build program.

These factors include the substantial financing opportunities from the country’s development partners, as well as the government’s tax reform program, rising revenue collections, and declining debt service ratio.

Aside from the ample fiscal space, Beltran said the UN body also recognized the country’s “strong“ financial system, which is teeming with excess liquidity, supported by good regulation and a rising savings rate.

Beltran said the UNESCAP also PAGE D2

In this Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, file photo, shoppers shop in a Toys R Us store on Black Friday in Miami.

Toys R Us, the pioneering big box toy retailer, announced late Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while continuing with normal business operations.

Business as usual for Toys ‘R’ Us in PH

by DORIS

DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net

THE American mother ship may have declared bankruptcy but in the Philippines, it will still be business as usual for all Toys “R” Us stores especially during the run-up to the yuletide season.

All stores are open for business and will continue to offer a wide assortment of toys and merchandise for kids, said Gokongwei-led retailer Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI), whose wholly-owned

subsidiary Robinsons Toys Inc. manages and operates the chain of Toys “R” Us stores in the Philippines.

Toys “R” Us Philippines is a sub-licensee of Toys “ R” Us (Asia), which is not part of the court-supervised financial restructuring in the U.S. Similarly, Toys “R” Us Philippines is not part of Toys “R” Us Inc.’s voluntary filing of Chapter 11 or financial restructuring to enable the company to improve PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”

- Warren Buffet, American business magnate, investor and philanthropist

either working, marrying a U.S. citizen, not going to school on a student visa, etc. These people now need to be aware this conduct could possibly give rise to a finding of fraud. If you believe this may apply to you, I would definitely suggest you seek the advice of an attorney who can evaluate your situation and advise on the best course of action. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

D1

Resorts World back on track

by IRIS

GONZALES Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Resorts World Manila (RWM), a joint venture between Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group and Genting Hong Kong Ltd., has seen a big improvement in its daily average foot traffic.

In a briefing on September 19, RWM president Kingson Sian said mall goers and gamblers have returned and foot traffic is now almost back to the level prior to the shooting incident in June which led to the death of 37 people.

RWM now has roughly 25,000 to 26,000 visitors daily, almost back to 28,000 visitors a day before the incident happened.

On June 2, gambling addict Jessie Javier Carlos stormed Resorts World Manila and started shooting at random and setting a portion of the casino resort on fire.

Soon after the June 2 incident, foot traffic was cut by half to roughly 12,500 visitors a day.

Sian said that while the second floor gaming area remains closed, business has steadily recovered.

The second floor gaming area, with a size of 6,000 square meters, has 100 gaming tables and 100 machines.

To augment the vacuum cre-

RWM president Kingson Sian said mall goers and gamblers have returned and foot traffic is now almost back.

Philstar.com photo

ated by the closure of the second floor gaming area, Resorts World Manila is now working on the phase three expansion which will provide 12,000 square meters of gaming area, Sian said.

“The second floor is not operating anymore that is why we are rushing phase three (expansion),” Sian said.

Phase three expansion will add 650 gaming tables and 1,000 gaming machines.

The target is to open the new wing by the first quarter of next

year or have a soft opening as early as the fourth quarter of 2017, Sian said.

There will also be new and rebranded hotels, Sian said. Resorts World’s Maxims, which was also affected by the June 2 incident, will be refurbished and rebranded while Remington Hotel will be rebranded as Holiday Inn Express.

RWM’s Newport Theater, meanwhile, continues with its shows and is currently hosting a cockfight derby operated by businessman PAGE D2

D September 23-26, 2017 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL

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PH business delegation attends 3rd Eastern Economic Forum 2017

A BUSINESS delegation from the Philippines including representatives from government agencies gathered recently in Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East for the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), to push for the entry of agricultural products and services from Manila to the Russia, the world’s biggest country.

Roberto De Venecia, Chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC) and the PCCI-PRBC Team, said “the general intention was to develop new channels, meet dominant business groups in Russia and from Asia.”.

“It was a built-in opportunity to view the existing infrastructure that could lay the groundwork for the entry of agricultural products and services from the Philippines, and at the same time identify projects of importance that Philippine business can participate in.

“The EEF 2017 served as a platform for businessmen around the globe to discuss strategies to develop, political, economic and cultural links between Russia and countries in the Asia Pacific Region. According to De Venecia the Forum was visited by over 50 thousand people with over 4000 direct participants from 60 countries that converged in Russky Island in the major port city of Vladivostok. Key discussions were led in four key areas: The Economic Policy in Russia’s Far East; Doing business; Cooperation among neighboring countries; and creating a new quality of life by responding to challenges. During the plenary part of the program was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Korean President Moon Jae-in, newly elected Mon-

golia President Khaltmaagiin, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. That session was moderated

by Chairman Ronnie Chichung Chan of the Hang Lung Properties, a Chinese-American. Executives from top Russian companies and ranking officials including those from other countries were present in the forum”.

For the Philippines, the PCCIPRBC was ably assisted by Executives of Roscongress - the forum organizer. Included among those who represented the delegation was businessman Ricardo Penson, PRBC Vice Chairman for Far East Russia.

De Venecia believes that the Philippines being the closest ASEAN country to Russia thru Vladivostok would pave the way for prospect and key investments of dominant companies from the Philippines, and will therefore establish presence for outbound business, create major and incremental opportunities and generate employment over the medium to long term.

He adheres in the principle of bilateral and multilateral business cooperation to achieve the ultimate objective of creating opportunities for Philippine business.

“We have learned that the Russian Far East with Vladivostok as the center enjoys continued legislative support to advance economic development. It continues to create and establish Advance Special Economic Zones and Freeport with specialization of dominant industries allocating as much as 500,000 in one location. Incentives abound including lowering of tariffs on energy consumption and tax preferences, and

The Philippine business delegation during the the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue of the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum held at Russky Island, Vladivostok, Russia (L-R) Roberto De Venecia, a participant in the dialogue. Chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council, and represented the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Tan Sri Dato Dr. Chen, CEO & Principal of the NagaCorp Group — a major & dominant Investor from the ASEAN in Vladivostok.

NagaCorp has large investments in Malaysia, Sabah, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States and Secretary Raul Lambino, CEO & Administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

e-visa provisions in the its seaport and airport”.

Philippine Government agencies were part of the delegation to view and study how they can collaborate with government and private business and enhance bilateral trade. Led by DTI officials, seen keenly observing the Vladivostok developments and initiatives were PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, and Secretary Raul Lambino, Administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, who were in the forefront to market and make known what the Philippines has to offer.

Against this backdrop, the VTB Bank Group, the second largest bank and investment group in the Russian Federation, the Confederation of Independent States, &

Eastern Europe, has offered to finance the imports into Russia of Philippine bananas, pineapple, mangoes, and other interesting products from the Philippines. The offer included securing government approvals for select strategic and flagship projects and provide financing whenever necessary.

De Venecia, C hairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC) and Riccardo Orcel, vice Chairman and deputy CEO of VTB Bank Group signed the agreement recently in Moscow.

Trade between Russia and AsiaPacific countries including the Philippines is expected to grow even bigger, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

Putin announced the comprehensive development of the

region to bring business closer to its neighbors and Asia. During the forum he announced plans to improve a mechanism to protect investors and increase investment appeal, establish A dvanced Freeeport Zones and spur the development of LNG processing, oil refining, agriculture, Fishing and fish processing, logistics, Coal, timber processing, and tourism, among others. It also included granting of land plots in municipalities in the Far East Also announced by Russian authorities was the establishment of major industrial plants to be located in the Far East Russian within the Vladivostok area, such as Petrochemical plants for the production of Euro 5 motor fuels, mineral fertilizer plants, 70% of which are targeted for exports. The 30% will remain in Russia to service it own requirements. Major railway and logistics system will be develop to connect Asian countries whenever possible.

Russia created the EEF platform for international participants to discuss strategies to develop political, economic, and cultural links between Russia and countries in

the Asia Pacific Region.

It presented Vladivostok as a gateway in the east for reliable, safe and profitable place to do business.

Its ambitious target is to provide the best possible conditions for doing business in the Far East to launch new manufacturing capabilities and create employment.

Such Far Eastern strategy are based on promoting the broadest possible international cooperation with multilateral structures as the Eurasian Economic Community, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the ASEAN and the APEC. The Philippines significant participation was in the RussiaASEAN Dialogue. Information of Significance / Highlights.

Thus, Russian Far East is hailed as the last frontier for human economic development The Philippines was invited to directly participate in the Russia-ASEAN Dialoque, interacting with participants from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, the Republic of Yakutia, and NagaCorp a major investor in Vladivostok that belongs to the ASEAN block.

Jollibee tight-lipped on acquisition target

by AngelicA

BAllesteros ManilaTimes.net

FASTFOOD giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has issued a clarification on its supposed bid to acquire British sandwich chain Pret A Manger for about $1 billion.

A Thomson Reuters report said Jollibee was in talks with an advisor to acquire Pret A Manger for about $1 billion, based on the latter’s core earnings of more than 93 million pounds ($125.5 million) in 2016. The report said that if the bid succeeds, it would be Jollibee’s biggest overseas deal and potentially one of the largest Philippine international deals.

In a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Jollibee said the information mentioned by the Reuters report did not come from the company.

JFC Chief Financial Officer Ysmael Baysa shared with the bourse the response he emailed to a Reuters correspondent who had earlier inquired about JFC’s supposed bid for Pret.

“Acquisition of new businesses has always been a part of our

growth strategy. Jollibee Foods Corporation keeps looking for opportunities for new business acquisitions as a matter of on-going practice,” he said in his email.

“Very few selected companies reach completion of acquisition while the vast majority of potential targets does not. With respect to recent months, JFC has not given a bid for acquisition to any company either formal or informal. We do not mention the name of any company as a matter of policy,” he added.

Established n 1983 in London, Pret operates a chain of stores in Britain offering organic coffee and sandwiches. To date, it has over 350 outlets overseas including the United States, Hong Kong, China, France, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore.

JFC is the parent company of several fast food brands including Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Dunkin’ Donuts and Burger King. It also owns Yonghe King and Hong Zhuang Yuan in China and Smashburger in the United States.

Resorts World back...

PAGE D1

Charlie “Atong” Ang. Sian said the cockfight derby, which has three runs for the year, has also been boosting RWM’s business, with entrance fees at P2,000 per person. Bets run in millions, he said.

He also assured that RWM has tightened and improved its security.

Aside from RWM, Megaworld and Empire East, AGI’s businesses also include liquor through the world’s largest brandy company Emperador Distilleries, and Golden Arches Development Corp., the master franchise holder of McDon-

ald’s in the Philippines.

During AGI’s stockholders’ meeting, AGI announced a twoyear share repurchase program of up to P5 billion.

“The Board of Alliance Global has approved a share buyback of up to P5 billion over a 24-month period. We are undertaking this corporate action because we believe that our shares are grossly undervalued. Our Group has been consistently profitable, with attractive growth prospects, and enjoys strong brand equity and therefore views this exercise as a means to enhance shareholder value over time,” Sian said.

Philippines leads ASEAN...

PAGE D1 commended the government’s project evaluation and prioritization system and right-of-way law, which encourages the government and private landowners to agree promptly on RoW issues for infrastructure projects.

During the workshop, the UNESCAP also cited the PublicPrivate Partnership law that sets up rules to implement projects and the strong participation from the private sector for the development thrusts of the government.

“However, the workshop also took note of the dearth of projects from less developed regions

and scanty participation by the local government units, despite the assistance available for their PPP projects through the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO),” Beltran said.

The government plans to embark on a massive infrastructure program, dubbed Build Build Build to sustain economic growth, attract investments, create jobs, and ultimately reduce poverty in the Philippines.

To fund this program, the government intends to spend up to P9 trillion until 2022, and raised budget deficit ceiling to three percent.

Business as usual for Toys ‘R’ Us...

PAGE D1

its resources and strengthen its competitive position.

“Toys “R” Us (Asia) is open for business and continuing to serve our customers as we always do.

We are a financially robust and self-funding retail operation, which continues to significantly grow and invest in this region,” said Toys “R” Us (Asia) president, Andre Javes.

In the Philippines, the RRHI unit operates 34 stand-alone stores and 44 Toys “R” Us Toybox outlets inside Robinsons Department Store branches.

RRHI issued the statement following news that Toys “R” Us Inc, the largest US toy store chain, had filed for bankruptcy protection.

Toys “R” Us (Asia) is a joint venture between Toys “R” Us Inc. and Fung Retailing Ltd, part of Hong Kong’s privately held Fung Group.

It operates as a separate legal entity and is financially independent from all other Toys “R” Us operating companies around the world.

Javes said Toys “R” Us (Asia)

had been opening new stores in the region. Toys “R” Us (Asia) and its subsidiaries operate 226 stores in Greater China and Southeast Asia, including Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, and licenses an additional 35 stores in the Philippines and Macau.

In March 2017, Toys “R” Us Japan was integrated into Toys “R” Us (Asia), adding 161 stores to the pan-Asia toy store chain.

“As the leading toy, baby and educational products retailer for children in Asia, we are very focused on delivering our full-year results.

Our teams are committed to excite our customers with unique and differentiated ranges, both online and a thrilling hands-on experience in store,” said Javes.

Celina Chua, general manager of Toys “R” Us Philippines said: “At Toys “R” Us Philippines, business will operate as usual and we will continue to provide great service and a wide assortment of toys especially for this holiday season.”

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‘2017 growth to hit gov’t target’

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

PHILIPPINE economic growth this year will likely hit the 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent target on account of rising exports and infrastructure spending, a Cabinet official said.

“We will be within the range for sure. We have a wide target range so it’s very safe,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters on Thursday, Sept.

21.

The economy grew by 6.5 percent in the second quarter, picking up from the 6.4 percent recorded in the first three months of the year but down from the 7.1 percent posted a year earlier.

Year to date growth, at 6.4 percent, is just below target.

“I think the external economy is favorable, so in terms of our exports I think would be a good prospect for our outbound shipments. And then also the spending on infrastructure is going to escalate over the next three months,” Pernia said.

Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia

“There are also no major typhoons so we hope that the rest of the year will be mild in terms of weather disturbance,” he added. merchandise exports as of endJuly this year totalled $36.57 billion based on government data, 13.9 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

The Budget department, mean-

Malacañang photo

while, has said that infrastructure and other capital spending for January to July was 11.1 percent higher year on year at P297.5 billion.

Farm sector growth has also been positive, accelerating to 6.18 percent in the second quarter from 4.9 percent in the first three months of the year.

Del Monte PH sells US Sager Creek vegetable business

by Doris

DUMlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

CAmPoS-LEd food and beverage conglomerate del monte Pacific Ltd. (dmPL) has sold its U.S. vegetable business under Arkansas-based Sager Creek Vegetable Co. for $55 million, citing the need to focus on its core businesses. dmPL’s U.S. subsidiary del monte Foods Inc (dmFI) entered into an agreement to sell Sager Creek to mcCall Farms Inc, a family-owned business that manufactures brands such as Bruce’s Yams, margaret Holmes and Glory Foods.

“This divesture allows us to focus our energy and resources on strengthening our core business, driving innovation, and exploring new products that meet the evolv-

ing needs of today’s consumer,” dmFI chief operating officer david meyers said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, Sept. 22.

Sager Creek produces specialty vegetables for the foodservice and retail markets and manufactures several brands, including Vegall, Freshlike, Popeye, Princella, Trappey’s and Allens.

“Leading brands like Allens fit perfectly with our heritage of making authentic, southern-style vegetables that can be served as a meal, side-dish or used as a key cooking ingredient,” Woody Swink, co-president at mcCall Farms, said in a separate press statement issued out of the company’s headquarters in South Carolina.

As a result of this sale, one production facility in Siloam Springs,

Arkansas, will immediately cease operations.

Based on the disclosure, dmFI will continue to be the point of service for all retail and foodservice customers of Sager Creek through early 2018. It committed to work closely with mcCall Farms to support a “seamless transition” to mcCall’s organization.

No director or controlling shareholder has any interest in the transaction or in any service contracts related to it, the disclosure added. dmFI is one of the country’s largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food products for the U.S. retail market. The company also produces and distributes private label food products. Its brands include del monte, Contadina, College Inn and S&W.

Draft order for OFW Bank under review

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

We are ahead of schedule as we were expecting it to be submitted A drAFT for an Executive order sometime in october,” Finance (Eo) creating a remittance bank Secretary Carlos dominguez III said that will specifically cater to over- in an interview.

He explained that an Eo will be seas Filipinos have been submitted for President rodrigo duterte’s needed to execute the Land Bank review, according to the Finance of the Philippines’ acquisition of the Philippine Postal Savings Bank department.

“We were able to submit the (PostalBank) and rebrand it as the draft Eo in first week of September. overseas Filipinos Bank.

“We need an Executive order to execute the transfer of the bank from its current shareholders to the LandBank,” dominguez said.

“We are also proposing that the name be changed to overseas Filipinos Bank from oFW Bank so that it is more inclusive and not only focused on workers,” he added.

The Finance chief said that PAGE D5

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FPACC- Bi-National Convention and B2B International Trade hosting

The Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) is hosting the Bi-National Convention and B2B International Trade hosting in Scottsdale, Arizona and Los Angeles, CA on Nov. 10-15, 2017. This will involve an international delegation of top executives of companies belonging to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) to meet up and forge possible business ties with counterpart US companies. FPACC also invited a couple of Philippine national and local government leaders to speak during the plenary and breakout workshop sessions in Arizona. The business conference and B2B sessions will continue in Los Angeles on Nov. 14 & 15 and this will be hosted by the 3 Filipino American Chambers of Commerce in SOCAL - FACC-GLA, FACC-SLAA and FACC-Tri County in cooperation with the Valley economic Alliance and the Valley International Trade Association. We invite all interested US companies to connect with our VP for International Trade & Commerce Alex Borromeo (emailalex@sambara.com) to learn more about FPACC’s FRee B2B matching services.

Japan still PH’s top development partner

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

JAPAN remains the top development partner of the Philippines, the government said on Thursday, Sept. 21 accounting for the bulk of ongoing official development assistance (ODA) loans as of the first half.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA said aggregate ODA loans amounted to $10.797 billion as of end-June, consisting of 54 project loans worth $8.197 billion and seven program loans totaling $2.6 billion.

Comparative 2016 figures were not provided.

The NEDA said loans from Japan, administered through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), accounted for 44.83 percent or $4.84 billion of the ODA loan portfolio.

“Japan has been our long-time development partner and we have

established a strong relationship with them.

They have one of the best loan terms,” NEDA Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan said.

He explained that JICA loans, particularly under the Special Terms for Economic Partnership, have a 40-year payment period and carry annual interest rates of 0.1 percent for civil works and 0.01 percent for consulting services.

Priority projects with funding from the JICA include the Philippine National Railway North 2 (Malolos-Clark Airport-Clark Green City Rail), Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project, Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Phase II and the recently approved Metro Manila Subway Project, the NEDA said.

The World Bank, meanwhile, was the country’s second-biggest provider of ODA loans with $2.948 billion or 27.31 percent of

the total.

The Asian Development Bank ranked third with $2.174 billion, accounting for 20.14 percent.

The country’s disbursement level, meanwhile, slightly decreased to $802.95 million in the first half from the $861.04 million last year, while the disbursement rate rose to 86.68 percent from 71.38 percent.

Tungpalan highlighted the contribution of ODA loans towards the implementation of priority projects, noting that these will fund 23 of the 35 projects approved by the NEDA Board.

“Thirty-five projects have already been approved by the NEDA Board amounting to P1.235 trillion, majority of which will be funded

by ODA in the amount of P1.074 trillion,” he said.

“Last September 12, the NEDA Board approved the Metro Manila PAGE D5

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 23-26, 2017 D

Honoring business leaders in the Asian community LOS ANGELES - Each year, the Asian Business Association (ABA) honors leaders in the Asian American business community.

As a leading Asian business organization serving the business community, ABA also recognizes corporations who consistently support the Asian business community and provide opportunities for Asian American entrepreneurs to flourish.

This year, the Asian Business Association will be celebrating their 41st Annual Awards Banquet: Legacy in the Making presented by U.S. Bank. The Awards Banquet will be held at the new InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 6:30 pm. The Master of Ceremonies will be ABC7 News Anchor, Mr. David Ono. Early Asian immigrants in many cities across the United States established a strong tradition of entrepreneurship that has pioneered the Asian American business community today. These predecessors have trial-blazed a path for small business owners today, who continue to overcome obstacles and achieve success for their Asian

American community. Like their predecessors, they surpass expectations and charter new grounds.

Therefore, this year’s gala will honor the work and achievements of business owners and the legacy they are building for generations to come.

Honoring: Inspiring Excellence Award Korean Air Image Innovator of the Year Imprenta Communications Social Enterprise of the Year Milk and Eggs Community Champion of the Year Tony Yu, DSG Business, Tax & Wealth Planning Corporation of the Year The Walt Disney Company Advocate of the Year Fred Abdelnour, Enterprise Rent-A-Car “The Asian Business Association has a strong commitment to helping diverse Asian-Americans.

Not only are they making a difference in businesses locally but also impacting the community and our great economy,” said awards banquet co-chairs Lan Ong of Wing Hop Fung and Cora Oriel of

Asian Journal.

“We selected these individuals and organizations because of their business success and their contributions to our economy.” said Dennis J. Huang, ABA Executive Director and CEO. “We’re grateful also to our sponsors this year for supporting the important work we’re doing in the community.”

Sponsors include: U.S. Bank, Southern California Edison, Toyota, Union Bank, Southern California Gas Co., Northrop Grumman, AEG, and The Walt Disney Company to name a few.

Asian Business Association The Asian Business Association (ABA) was founded in 1976 to proactively help Asian Americans gain access to economic opportunities and advancement. With more than 700 members, ABA promotes economic development through its educational conferences, seminars, and workshops. These interactive programs are designed to present entrepreneurs with the information, resources, skill-sets, and networking opportunities that they will need to help grow their businesses and successfully compete in the global marketplace.

Draft order for OFW Bank...

banking requirements of overseas Filipinos.

Simultaneously, the bank, which Alex Buenaventura said the lender’s PAGE D3 board had approved a a zero-value will require a billion-peso capitalization, will also have to get approval besides the remittance program, purchase of PostalBank. the bank would also offer loan In June, Dominguez said Postal- from the central bank’s Monetary programs for Filipinos abroad who Bank had a negative value of P580 Board.

A pilot test would be conducted are returning and would like to start million. businesses, build their homes or The Overseas Filipinos Bank will in Dubai in January, to be followed educate their beneficiaries here. have marketing officers located at by Bahrain, most likely by April Earlier, LandBank President consular offices abroad to service next year.

Japan still PH’s top...

approval process for ODA-funded big-ticket projects.

Finance Secretary Carlos In a related development, the Dominguez III, who chairs the ICCPAGE D4 Finance department said the in- CC said a “3-in-1” process would Subway Project, amounting to teragency Investment Coordination cut the time devoted to necessary P355.588 billion, to be funded by Committee-Cabinet Committee government actions to just one Japan,” Tungpalan added.

(ICC-CC) was set to ask the NEDA NEDA Board meeting instead of the Streamlining approvals Board to further streamline the usual four to eight weeks.

NEDA Board approval, the issuance of a special presidential authority to negotiate and sign the loan, guarantee or grant agreement, and the Budget department’s Forward Obligational Authority will be issued simultaneously, he said.

“Our goal here is to speed up the approval and implementation of our flagship infra projects so that we can get shovels on the ground as soon as possible,” Dominguez said.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

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