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‘Black Friday’ marchers denounce burial of Marcos at Libingan
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in their fight against the revision of Philippine history to bring the late strongman’s family back to “mArCos, hitler, diktador, political power. tuta!” Decrying what they called the Kate raca said she had never Duterte administration’s connivthought that chant, set up by her ance with the marcos family to uncle and thousands of other clandestinely bury the remains University of the Philippines stu- of the strongman at Libingan dents as they marched against ng mga Bayani last week, raca President ferdinand marcos in and hundreds of UP students the 1970s, would also be the ral- gathered on the steps of the unilying cry of millennials like her versity’s Palma hall on friday, by Jovic
Yee Inquirer.net
Nov. 25 and chanted what they thought of the man who put the Philippines under martial law in 1972 and ruled the country with a mailed fist for the next two decades: “marcos, hitler, diktador (dictator), tuta (Us lapdog)!” “the chant was a call to action during the dictatorship. We never thought we would have to pick up the call. [Now we have, because] the marcoses are creeping back
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BLACK FRIDAY PROTEST. Despite the rain, thousands gather at Luneta on Friday, Nov. 25 to protest the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Aside from the Nov. 25 Black Friday rally, another mass action is set on Nov. 30, Bonifacio Day, at the People Power Monument, which was built to commemorate the Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986 that brought down Marcos. Inquirer.net photo by Kristine Sabillo
HOUSE MOVES TO CITE DE LIMA IN CONTEMPT FOR ‘INTERFERING’ IN PROBE
DATELINE
USA Dayan, Kerwin testimonies clash
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Federal judge blocks overtime pay expansion law
A feDerAL judge on tuesday, November 22 blocked a new law that would have expanded eligibility for time-and-and-a-half overtime pay, affecting millions of whitecollar workers in nearly every sector of the American workforce. U.s. District Judge Amos mazzant III of the eastern District of texas granted a preliminary injunction on the grounds that the expanded eligibility rules violated the fair Labor standards Act (fLsA) of 1938, which included exemptions to overtime requirements. the law – which was released by the Department of Labor (DoL) in may and would have taken effect on thursday, December 1 – would raise the maximum salary cap required for overtime qualification from $23,660 to $47,476 for full-time executive, administrative and professional workers. the increased salary requirement would have extended overtime protections to nearly
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by JefferSon anD
antiporDa LLaneSca t. panti ManilaTimes.net
WAs ronnie Dayan trying to save his own skin? this was the question raised by a number of lawmakers after the much-awaited testimony on thursday of the former driver, bodyguard and lover of sen. Leila de Lima before a house of representatives inquiry into the illegal drug trade. Dayan admitted to accepting MOBILE INTERFERENCE. Hannah Mae Dayan (left), daughter of Ronnie Dayan (right), the former driver-bodyguard of Sen. Leila de Lima, shows cash from alleged drug kingpin rolando “Kerwin” espinosa Jr. a mobile phone supposedly containing a message from the senator. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez on de Lima’s behalf, but denied
collecting money from prison inmates to finance the senatorial campaign of de Lima, who was Justice secretary in the previous administration. Dayan also claimed he didn’t know espinosa was a “drug lord” in eastern Visayas. “I’ve met Kerwin espinosa for five times, and he gives me a small paper bag [with money]. I don’t count it though, and Kerwin does not tell me the amount of the money for ma’am [de Lima],” Dayan told lawmakers in filipino. on Wednesday, espinosa
Yasay: Obama sees better PH-US relations under Trump by Dana
SioSon AJPress
U.s. President Barack obama is optimistic about a “better and stronger” relationship between the Philippines and the United states under the incoming trump administration, according to Philippine foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. Yasay said obama told him during the Asia-Pacific economic Coop-
eration (APeC) last week that U.s. President-elect Donald trump and Philippine President rodrigo Duterte Duterte seemingly have similar “temperament” and could play a great factor in boosting the two countries’ relationship. According to the foreign secretary, he had the chance to meet and talk with obama during the leaders’ gala dinner and picture-taking for the traditional APeC family photo. Yasay
represented Duterte, who was unable to attend in the events due to jetlag. “he (obama) told me he is expecting a better and stronger relationship between the Philippines and the United states under the new administration of President-elect trump because they seem to have the same kind of temperament. And I replied with ‘I hope so’,” Yasay said. the decades-long relationship be-
PH, US chiefs assure Seven years later: Justice still sought military relations for Maguindanao massacre victims remain robust the chiefs of Philippine Armed forces and of the United states Pacific Command assured the public that the military ties between the two countries remain robust amid Philippine President rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements of scrapping joint drills with foreign troops. In a statement issued at the conclusion mutual Defense Board and security engagement Board (mDB-seB) on tuesday, November 22, both sides expressed their commitment to their alliance and cooperation on maritime security, counterterrorism, and humanitarian aid. “the successful completion of the mDBseB ensures continued, robust relations between the U.s. and Philippine militaries,” the statement said. this year’s mDB-seB was chaired by Philippine armed forces chief Gen. ricardo
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by Dana
SioSon AJPress
mArKING the death anniversary of 58 individuals in one of the bloodiest media and political cases in the Philippines, media practitioners and relatives of maguindanao massacre victims marched in protest along malacañang as there were still no convictions made seven years after the killings in 2009. Apart from the march, mass and candle lighting were held in commemoration of the deaths of 58 people, which include 32 journal- Media groups, students and individuals continue to seek justice for ists, who were slain in sitio masa- the murder of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists, in the Ampatuan Massacre on its 7th anniversary. lay, Barangay salman, Ampatuan, maguindanao on November 23, of one of the media practitioners killed in 2009. the massacre, told Associated Press. “It is “It’s been seven years but we have not so painful for us that every year we are here seen any progress,” Arlene Lupogan, widow u PAGE A3
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Duterte: Putin offered good deal for guns by LeiLa
B. SaLaverria Inquirer.net
rUssIA has offered to sell rifles to the Philippines at an apparent bargain after a United states senator questioned the country’s planned purchase of guns from America, according to President Duterte who is seeking more robust ties with moscow. mr. Duterte had met with russian President Vladimir Putin made at the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation summit in Peru. the Philippines’ planned purchase of assault rifles from the United states has been put under review after Democratic sen. Ben Cardin questioned the sale amid concerns over human rights violations. mr. Duterte said the Philippines would explore other potential transactions that offer “better deals and more advantageous terms.” Putin had offered to sell guns to the Philippines, he said. “If the senate—I forgot, Cardin?— does not want to sell rifles to us, Putin said that you can have, I’ll give you, buy one and take one. Almost like that,”
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A NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
‘Black Friday’ marchers denounce burial… PAGE A1 t
to power, and have shown that they [are out to] revise our country’s history,” Raca said. Her schoolmates Celya Gonzales and Regina Romero were there, too, denouncing the dictator’s burial at Libingan, which President Duterte allowed but opposed in the Supreme Court by seven groups of petitioners, including lawmakers who op-
posed Marcos’ martial rule and survivors of torture in the dictator’s military prisons. Illegal The petitioners argued that an honorable burial for dictators was “illegal and contrary to law, public policy, morals and justice.” They also cited Mr. Duterte’s political debt to the Marcos family, which supported his campaign for Malacañang.
On Nov. 8, however, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr. Duterte, saying Marcos was never convicted by final judgment of any offense involving moral turpitude. It said the convictions cited by the anti-Marcos petitioners were civil in nature. While critics may disregard Marcos as President due to his human rights abuses, the court said he could not be denied the right to be acknowledged as a former legislator, defense secretary, soldier, war veteran and a Medal of Valor awardee. “While he was not all good,” the 15-member court said, “he was not pure evil either.” The court gave the petitioners 15 days to appeal the decision. With only 10 days gone, however, the Marcos family, with help from the military and the police, transferred the dictator’s preserved body from a mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte province, to the heroes’ cemetery in Taguig City and buried it there with military honors in secrecy-
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TELL-ALL. Ronnie Dayan, the alleged bagman of Senator Leila de Lima, on Thursday, Nov. 24 admitted that he openly supported the presidential candidacy of Rodrigo Duterte while he campaigned for De Lima in Pangasinan. Testifying before the House of Representatives justice committee probe into the alleged drug trade, Dayan said he campaigned for both De Lima and Duterte in Pangasinan. Inquirer.net photo by Noy Morcoso
Dayan…
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told a Senate investigation that he gave as much as P8 million to de Lima through Dayan between February to October 2015. But Dayan contradicted this, saying he met Espinosa four times at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay between August and October 2014, and for the fifth time in November 2014 in Baguio City. “She (de Lima) just sends me a text message about the person I am about to meet. I was told he (Espinosa) was an engineer and I really thought he was an engineer. I did not know that Kerwin was a drug lord,” Dayan said of the 36-year-old Espinosa. “It’s Kerwin who gave me the money. I then gave it to Ma’am when I get home, inside her bedroom, because I know it is a secret,” he added. Dayan testified that he and de Lima lived together from 2010 until they broke up in January 2015, when the relationship turned sour. “I just receive the money, sir. I just follow instructions,” Dayan told the lawmakers. Senator Panfilo Lacson, head of
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From the Front page
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
A
Yasay: Obama sees better PH-US relations…
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tween the Philippines and the United States has been put into question in the past few months, following Duterte’s continuous anti-U.S. remarks for the latter’s alleged interference in the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos last September, Obama also scrapped his scheduled meeting with Duterte after reports indicated that the Philippine leader called him a “son of a b*tch.” Although Duterte and Obama both attended the APEC summit in Peru, no bilateral talks were conducted between the two leaders. “But he (Obama) was really saying something that, to my mind, was forward looking. Perhaps he saw that our relationship has been strained only with the leaders involved. But with Trump, maybe he is more optimistic,” Yasay said. This year’s APEC summit was Duterte’s first and Obama’s last. Trump, who won the U.S. presidential election this month against Hillary Clinton, is set to assume office in January next year. “We wanted to convey the message to America that our relationship can be stronger if there will be reevaluation and readjustments of our relationship where this time, dependency will not be allowed. That is more fun-
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr.
damental,” Yasay said. At the same time, in a statement issued at the conclusion Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) on Tuesday, November 22, both the Philippines’ and the United States’ military chiefs assured the public that the military ties between the two countries remain robust amid Duterte’s pronouncements of scrapping joint drills with foreign troops. “The successful completion of the MDB-SEB ensures continued, robust relations between the U.S. and Philippine militaries,” the statement said. The MDB-SEB was chaired by Philippine armed forces chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya and Head of the U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. “This highlights the enduring commitment of both countries
to the U.S.-Philippine alliance,” it added. Harris previously said that no change has been finalized between the United States’ military cooperation with the Philippines. However, he noted that it’s possible to have “re-scoping” of some joint exercises in 2017. Earlier this month, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that some bilateral military drills between the Philippines and U.S. were eyed to be stopped, including the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) exercises, and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) drills. The annual joint Balikatan exercise and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) will continue, as approved by Duterte, Lorenzana added. n
Duterte: Putin offered good deal for…
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he said in a press briefing upon arrival from Peru and New Zealand. “He said, ‘If you cannot buy arms anywhere, you go to me,’” he added. Upon arrival Wednesday night in Davao, Duterte said he did not discuss any arms deal with Putin during their meeting in Peru. The President, who bristles at criticism of his antidrug war and the killings that have marked it, said he sees no reason to “belabor the point” with Cardin. There are other countries the Philippines can ask for help, he said. But he added that a country should not deprive an ally of key equipment. Mr. Duterte also said he welcomes the invitation of Putin, his “idol,” to Russia. In preparation for this, he asked
ARMM ANNIVERSARY. It is all about movies, food and achieving lasting peace in the celebration of the founding anniversary of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It boggles the mind now when one remembers that once upon a time, the idea of having an autonomous government run by the Muslims of Mindanao was deemed impossible. Fortunately, however, perseverance managed to prove the naysayers wrong. The ARMM is marking its 27th anniversary this month. Philstar.com photo
Seven years later: Justice still sought…
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but nothing has changed.” In 2009, then Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu was supposed to challenge Andal Ampatuan Jr., who belong to the once powerful political clan in Mindanao, for the gubernatorial post. According to reports, the convoys of families and supporters of Mangudadatu, along with journalists who were supposed to cover the event, were attacked by gunmen while on their way to the provincial capitol for the filing of Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy. The victims were shot and buried, and others were reportedly raped before killed. There are 197 accused in the case, of whom 122 were arrested
and arraigned. However, the suspected mastermind, former Maguindanao governor Andal Andal Ampatuan Sr., passed away from liver cancer in 2015. At the same time, at least eight witnesses had been killed since November 2009 according to the Amnesty International Philippines, who also previously expressed their concern as no one has been held accountable for these killings. In a statement, the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) said the Maguindanao massacre “showcased everything that is wrong in the rotten system of governance and disposition of justice in this country.” “It is a testament to how entrenched this system of gover-
nance remains that, in a country that never tires of proclaiming itself the freest and most democratic in this corner of the globe, seven years after the orgy of violence, justice remains elusive,” NUJP added. The NUJP also warned of possible “resurgence of threats and assaults on the independent Philippine press” due to President Rodrigo Duterte “who would brook absolutely no criticism of his person or his policies.” Duterte’s spokesman, Martin Andanar, on the other hand, said that the president “cares” and “believes in freedom of the press.” Last October, Duterte has signed his first administrative order (AO), creating a task force to probe media killings. n
PH, US chiefs assure military relations remain… PAGE A1 t
R. Visaya and Head of the U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. “This highlights the enduring commitment of both countries to the US-Philippine alliance,” the statement added. The first meeting between President Duterte and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in this Although the details of the meetPeruvian capital turned out “good” as both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. ing were not disclosed, Padilla said Robinson Niñal Jr./Presidential Photo among the topics discussed inForeign Affairs Secretary Perfec- advance visit to Russia “soonest” clude the 2014 Enhanced Defense to Yasay and Defense Secretary in order to firm up a substantive Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Delfin Lorenzana to undertake an agenda with Moscow. n a treaty that allows U.S. forces to
be deployed in Philippine territory temporarily for maritime security and humanitarian and disaster response operations. Earlier this month, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that some bilateral military drills between the Philippines and U.S. were eyed to be stopped. These include the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) exercises, and the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training
(CARAT) drills. The annual joint Balikatan exercise and EDCA, on the other hand, will continue, as approved by Duterte, Lorenzana added. On the other hand, Harris previously said that no change has been finalized between the United States’ military cooperation with the Philippines. Harris, however, noted that it’s possible to have “re-scoping” of some joint exercises in 2017. (Dana Sioson / AJPress)
A NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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BIG HAUL. Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa questions Angelo Echaluce and Maria Rosario Echaluce who were captured in a buy-bust Monday. Police seized from the duo 22 kilos of shabu. Looking on is National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Dayan, Kerwin testimonies…
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the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs that grilled Espinosa on Wednesday, said the alleged drug kingpin’s testimony had many loose ends that needed tying up to convince senators. Lacson said it was unclear how Dayan was able to contact Espinosa. Albuera, Leyte police head Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido has denied introducing Dayan to Espinosa. “I cannot imagine. Gusto kong malaman paano nakilala ni Espenido si Dayan [I want to know how Espenido knew Dayan]. So as of now if you will ask me what is my assessment, I have doubts on the veracity of Kerwin’s testimonies,” Lacson said. Not a bagman Dayan belied the earlier testimony of New Bilibid Prison inmates that he received millions from acting director Rafael Ragos of the Bureau of Corrections for delivery to de Lima. Dayan said he only saw Ragos giving something to de Lima two times. The first incident involved a brown envelope, and the second, a white plastic bag that contained what looked like a shoebox. “It is not true that I received P3 million, P5 million, P1.6 million from Ragos. All I know is that Ragos gave [an envelope and a
plastic bag]to Secretary de Lima. I did not know what’s inside,” Dayan said. Lastly, Dayan denied rubbing elbows with New Bilibid Prison inmates Rodolfo Magleo and Herbert Colanggo as well as NBI agent Junior Ablen and former policeman Engelberto Durano, who all claimed to have given money to de Lima through Dayan. Durano claimed de Lima got protection money from slain drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz through Dayan. Macho man Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon of Oriental Mindoro said Dayan’s testimony was not entirely truthful. “Your affidavit is that of a macho man trying to impress some veracity to be able to absolve yourself and Senator de Lima. I don’t know if I will be voting for your liberty,” Leachon told Dayan during the inquiry. Representatives Juliet Ferrer of Negros Occidental and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque were just as perplexed as Leachon. “Going by your affidavit, it seems that you have no knowledge of the drug trade in Bilibid and yet you claim to be so close with her (de Lima). How can you not know that it is not drug money?” Ferrer said. “Your inconsistent testimony
just shows that while you might have told us truths, you also have a lot of secrets to keep. That’s why you can’t blame us if we are doubting your credibility,” Tambunting said. Dayan, however, was adamant he had told the truth. He claimed he was hesitant to testify before the House inquiry out of fear of politicians in his home province of Pangasinan who were accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of being drug protectors. “I fear a lot of people…the politicians in my hometown…because they think I was the one who linked them to the drug matrix revealed by President Duterte,” Dayan said. Contempt vs de Lima Lawmakers then trained their guns on de Lima, issuing a showcause order against the senator for her apparent attempt to dissuade Dayan from testifying in the House probe. ABS party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera sought the show-cause order after Dayan testified that de Lima had advised him against complying with the House Justice panel summons. Dayan said de Lima sent the request through a text message to his daughter, Hannah Mae. De Lima, he said, was concerned the House probe would become a spectacle in which both of them
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Fil-Ams support protests vs. Marcos sneak burial in PH by Jun
nucum Inquirer.net
MEDAL OF FREEDOM AWARDEE. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet Bruce Springsteen in the Blue Room of the White House prior to the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Springsteen and 20 other honorees received the medal from the President during the ceremony. White House photo by Pete Souza
Federal judge blocks overtime pay…
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4.2 million workers, 7 percent of whom are protected by the FLSA compared to 62 percent in 1975, according to the DOL. While the FLSA does allow employers to exempt white-collar employees from overtime, Mazzant said in his 20-page ruling that the rule “creates essentially a de facto salary-only test.” The DOL — as well as worker advocacy organizations — argued that the law would fairly pay employees for the extra hours they work past the 40hour weekday, adding that it would contribute to closing the
wage gap between wealthy and low-to-middle income households. The DOL expressed strong disagreement with the judge’s decision and was looking into further action including a possible appeal as the Obama administration comes to a close. “The department’s overtime rule is the result of a comprehensive, inclusive rule-making process, and we remain confident in the legality of all aspects of the rule. We are currently considering all of our legal options,” the DOL said in a statement. The DOL can appeal to the New Orleans, Louisiana-based
‘Black Friday’ marchers… PAGE A2 t
shrouded rites on Nov. 18. The Marcos family’s stealthy move angered the petitioners —who vowed to press for a reversal of the decision—other opponents of martial law, and students across the country. A week later, thousands of Filipinos marched in cities across the country to protest the dictator’s burial among heroes. ‘Black Friday’ About 15,000 activists turned out in a main rally dubbed “Black Friday” protest despite rainy weather at Rizal Park in Manila, where they carried Marcos’ effigy in a mock coffin. The protesters, mostly students wearing black shirts, carried placards denouncing Marcos and Mr. Duterte. Former Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court challenge, spoke at the gathering, denouncing the plunder of the national coffers during Marcos’ rule that impoverished the nation. He said the protest was not only against the burial of Marcos at Libingan, but also against the return of the Marcoses to political power. Former Rep. Bonifacio Ilagan, also at the rally, said the burial of Marcos at Libingan implied “revisionism and acceptance of strongman rule.” The group Promotion of Church People’s Response also pushed against the political rehabilitation of the Marcoses. “We must not forget. Left unchecked, the Marcoses will continue to manipulate their inherited ill-gotten wealth and power toward reinvention and resurgence,” the group said in a statement. In nearby Laguna province,
educators, students and employees of the University of the Philippines Los Baños marched to support the main rally in Manila. Up north and in Central Luzon, despite the rain, hundreds of protesters marched in the cities of Tuguegarao, Cabanatuan, Baguio and Angeles. In Baguio City, the protesters carried placards that declared “Duterte Tuta ni Marcos.” In the Visayas, protesters denounced the burial of Marcos in the cities of Tacloban, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Roxas and Kalibo. In Iloilo City, students marched to protest not only the burial of Marcos at Libingan, but also against the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang. Rallies were also held across Mindanao, but stormy weather limited participation to just hundreds in the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. The protests were partly directed at Mr. Duterte, who again insisted that his decision to allowing the burial of Marcos at Libingan was legal. Mr. Duterte blamed the controversy on his predecessors, who he said did not revise the law to keep Marcos out of the heroes’ cemetery. He said he had no choice but to follow the law and allow the burial of Marcos at Libingan. (With reports from Julie M. Aurelio, Leila B. Salaverria, Kristine Felisse Mangunay and Aie Balagtas See in Manila; Villamor Visaya Jr. and Ev Espiritu, Inquirer Northern Luzon; Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon; Maricar Cinco, Delfin T. Mallari Jr. and Michael Jaucian, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Nestor P. Burgos and Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas; Allan Nawal, Judy Quiros, Jigger Jerusalem and Julie S. Alipala)
Dayan, Kerwin…
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would be put to shame. Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso said: “The mere fact that a member of the upper house texted a resource person not to go [to the House probe], is already a violation of inter-parliamentary courtesy.” House Justice panel chief Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro backed his colleagues’ request. Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque called for harsher punishment for the senator: her removal from the Senate. “She has prevented an appearance of a vital witness after she has accused this committee of launching a witch-hunt and being a kangaroo court. And yet she caused this witness not to heed our invitation. I hope our colleagues in the Senate are aware of the seriousness of this. A sitting senator is preventing a key witness in a legislative investigation. This is concealing the truth,” Roque said. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte said de Lima was guilty of violating Section 11 of the House rules in which a person could be cited for contempt for interfering in legisRolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. lative proceedings. n
5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, which has blocked many Obama initiatives in the past. But even if it passes the court, Presidentelect Donald Trump’s administration could enact legislation that could upend the rule. Twenty-one states and dozens of businesses and business groups -- including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- had challenged the expansion on the grounds that the new regulation would hike up government costs in their states by $115 million next year. Moreover, they
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SAN FRANCISCO – Filipino Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area may be literally tens of thousands of miles away from their Motherland, but they keep abreast of the happenings there, such as the secretive burial of the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the National Heroes Cemetery. Like the throngs that went out in protest in Metro Manila and several cities in the Philippines, they held a protest rally of their own in front of the Philippine Consulate here. As in the past rallies, speakers took turns in lambasting the Marcoses for the and even President Duterte for making the Libingan ng mga Bayani burial happen. They carried placards, sang the protest song Bayan Ko and staged a die-in to show their indignation at the “connivance” between the Marcoses and Duterte. Martial Law victim Susan Araneta admitted that she felt anger when she heard of the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. “Nevertheless, I think this is not surprising because this is the way Marcos had operated in the past. I remember when I was in prison, there would be a complete blackout inside the prison camp because the soldiers that were killed in Mindanao were being brought in by helicopters. It has been very symbolic that the helicopter bringing Marcos remains to Libingan ng mga Bayani in secret. He had been like this even in death,” Araneta stated.
San Francisco Bay Area Filipino Americans stage a die-in to express their anger in a rally against the Marcos burial of remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Inquirer.net/Jun Nucum
Araneta was glad though that the video shots from the Philippines showed that the younger generation was coming out even if they did not experience the crimes of the Marcos dictatorship. “Millenials have awakened because they are experiencing in a way what has happened before in terms of the extrajudicial killings and the arbitrariness of the Marcoses. We were arrested without trial and were imprisoned.” Rally leader Ago Pedalizo recounted that there was a motion for reconsideration filed with the Supreme Court (SC) that was way within the 15 days allowed for it to be filed. “Besides the SC decision was not yet final and executory. But because, by nature, the dictator Marcos was a thief, they buried him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani without the knowledge and permission of the people,” Pedalizo stressed. Martial law book author Mila de Guzman enumerated the sins of the Marcoses including hav-
ing 70,000 people imprisoned, 35,000 tortured, 3,500 killed, banning civil liberties and freedom of the press, looting an estimate of $10 billion in public funds, leaving $28 billion in foreign debts that has not been fully paid. “Former President Joseph Estrada also tried to have Marcos buried at the LNMB but was not successful. So many people protested against the burial at LNMB, but Duterte still proceeded with it because of his closeness to the Marcoses. Let us be wary that Duterte might allow the return of martial law. He is now criticizing the media, the opposition and scaring the people criticizing him with threats of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. That is why we have to be careful and ready for the coming days,” de Guzman advised. Video and print journalist Charito Benipayo maintained that the “the Marcoses are thieves, that is why the manner
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Long Beach police reopen investigation into 16 year old case of missing Filipina-Hispanic woman of Filipina and Hispanic descent, was last seen at her home on Friday, November 20, 2000. Her family failed to locate her AN anonymous tip drove detectives to formally reopen the after she missed an appointment case of a Long Beach, Califor- the following Saturday. They nia resident who disappeared then contacted police the next 16 years ago, but an excavation day. Evidence found at the scene in Kern county conducted on led detectives to suspect foul play Thursday, November 17 did not in her disappearance. The case grew cold over the produce the victim’s body. Diana Raquel Rojas, whom years until police decided to forpolice describe as 5’2” woman mally reopen the case and clasby Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
sify it as a potential homicide after receiving an anonymous tip earlier this November. Based on that lead, forensics experts identified four locations in Ridgecrest, a town in Kern County, California, that might have contained the victim’s remains. Cadaver dogs dispatched to sniff out traces of human remains showed interest in one of those locations, but the police led excavation on Thursday failed to locate her body. However, investigators have received several tips since then and are actively looking into them. The victim was last seen wearing sweatpants featuring a Winnie the Pooh logo, a jacket with a medical insignia, and a pink spaghetti strapped shirt. Police also hope to locate her vehicle, a
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MASS ACTION. Anti-Marcos protesters arrive in Luneta Park, Manila for Black Friday protest against the recent burial of late President Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani. Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes
Fil-Ams support protests vs. Marcos…
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of burying him at the LNMB was also in the thief-like manner with the element of surprise.” “We will continue to fight not only in words, but also in deed. History will be repeated as we continue to fight for democracy. Marcos is not hero but a traitor. Like Marcos, Duterte is a dictator. Let us all shout to the whole world that we will continue to fight for democracy. We will not stop come hell or high water. We will remain standing in the fight
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for our democracy. We all will fight,” promised Benipayo. Victor Quimson of Pacifica, California and a freshman at University of the Philippines (UP) during the 1986 EDSA Revolution was outraged when he heard what was happening from friends back home. “My friends went directly to the rallies at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and then proceeded to EDSA where my relatives also went,” Quimson narrated. “It was my last year in the Phil-
ippines when I went out of the country in 1986 and I was outraged that this was still an issue that needs to be addressed. I was somehow consoled, however that that the young ones, who were not even born to know what was happening back in 1986, are in the forefront of the rallies as they are also experiencing now how it was back then.” Quimson added that he wants want people to know that the Filipinos in the U.S. have not forgotten and are still willing to fight. “I would like to support all those who are in the streets in the Philippines right now. I would like them to know that we are supporting them. If not for my family and everything, I would have taken the first plane back to join them. Since I cannot do that, the first I thought of after hearing the news was find something here I can do to express my outrage. It is really upsetting.” Jacob Dominguez a creative writing masteral student at San Francisco State University hadn’t been born during the Martial Law years and even during the EDSA revolution, “But I learned from my family who joined the EDSA People Power revolution since our grandfather was a victim of the cronies of Marcos.” Dominguez explained: “Our grandfather, Rafael Walse, who was with the NBI advised the Marcos cronies not to let public funds be stolen, but instead of heeding him they silenced
him. After his death, my grandmother was forced to fly to the U.S. to seek refuge,” Dominguez related. “Aside from my family, I came to know more about the EDSA revolution from the lessons in school and from watching the documentaries.” Dominguez said what happened in the past few days made him cry in anger as he felt sorry for the victims that he came to know when he worked for Business World. Marleen King, a college student during Martial Law, happened to be at the Philippine Consulate to follow-up on some documents when she chanced upon the rally. “I was in tears when I saw the rally. Bakit ganoon ang President (Duterte)? (Why is President Duterte like that?) When I learned about the sudden burial of Marcos, I cried as I remembered that they closed all media outlets including newspapers TV and radio stations when Martial Law was declared. It was a one-man rule,” King distinctly remembered. “Why did that happen? So many presidents came after Marcos but this burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani did not happen. Then during Duterte’s time it happened. Was it because he was helped by the Marcoses during his campaign? It is really is sad. There were many who got hurt and were made to suffer. What the protesters were saying were true. Marcos should have not been allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.“n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Duterte to establish Panatag as protected marine sanctuary by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
ADMINISTRATION officials said President Rodrigo Duterte intends to establish a protected marine sanctuary at waters within the Scarborough Shoal just weeks after Filipino fishermen HATCHED. Another Philippine Eaglet bred in captivity has been hatched at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan in this city. reported the end of harassment It is the 28th eaglet produced by the conservative breeding program of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, which runs the non-profit by Chinese Naval patrols. Philippine Eagle Center. The news comes amidst a diplomatic push from Manila to improve ties with Beijing and only days following Duterte’s meeting with Xi Jinping at the sidelines of In the months leading up to Texas has stymied one of Presi- the Asia-Pacific Economic CoopPAGE A5 t argued that costs would also December 1, many businesses dent Barack Obama’s executive eration (APEC) Summit this past increase for small, private busi- across the nation have already orders. weekend in Lima, Peru. Previous blocked Obama inibegun making changes to acnesses by millions. The president’s decision to is“This is a victory for small commodate the new law includ- tiatives included protecting un- sue an executive order prohibitbusiness owners and should give ing raising employee salaries to documented immigrants from ing fishing at Panatag Lagoon, them some breathing room until avoid overtime costs. Many have deportation, establishing in- a triangular stretch of water the case can be properly adju- begun preparation to demote clusive bathroom mandates for roughly the size of Quezon City dicated,” said Juanita Duggan, salaried employees to hourly transgendered students, and within the Shoal, was “a unilatrequiring federal contractors to eral action from the [Philippine] CEO of the National Federation employees. This is the fourth time in 21 disclose labor violations. (Klar- government,” Philippine Nationof Independent Business, told months that a federal judge from ize Medenilla/AJ Press) USA Today. al Security Adviser Hermogenes
Federal judge blocks overtime pay…
Long Beach…
Esperon Jr. said in a statement released on Monday, November 21. However, he added that the two world leaders “clearly talked about maritime arrangements” while in Peru. The Philippines may not have enough ships to effectively patrol
and protect the lagoon, according to sources for the New York Times. Some experts suggest that might facilitate a joint enforcement agreement between with China. In his statement, Esperon said increased cooperation be-
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black 1992 Nissan extended cab truck missing a driver’s side door lock and car stereo with texas plates, which hasn’t been seen since Rojas’s disappearance. As of Thursday, November 17, officers had not identified a person of interest in the case. Rojas’s estranged husband had been interviewed and ruled out as a suspect earlier on in the investigation. Rojas had been caring for a 2year-old daughter at the time of her disappearance. She worked at a church providing aid to other single mothers. “If there is anyone out there with any information, anything, please help my family find closure,” Rojas’s brother, Solomon Cortez, told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, November 16. Anyone with information that might help detectives make a break in Rojas’s 16 year old case are urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark Bigel and Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244. Potential informants can also submit an anonymous tip via the LA Crime Stoppers hotline at (800)222-TIPS(8477) or their website at www.LACrimestoppers.org. n
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Features
Weeping with Bato
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte teased that his favorite cop is an “actor.” But the President also said he shared Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s frustration over the rot in the Philippine National Police. The jovial PNP chief openly broke down the other day as he listened to testimonies at the Senate accusing police officials of involvement in the illegal drug trade and possible hand in recent killings attributed to vigilantes. Asked what he planned to do with the rot running deep in his organization, Dela Rosa wept as he admitted that he was at a loss and was no longer sure whom to trust in the PNP. Sought for comment, the President reiterated his full support for honest cops who implement his war on the drug menace, but warned that he would be harsh on PNP scalawags. The President should make sure his message is carried all the way down to the lowest rungs of the PNP. Already, some mayors in Metro Manila have warned that the thousands of unsolved killings are making their constituents lose trust in the police. Public support is crucial for successful law enforcement. PNP officials have taken responsibility for only
about half of the drug-related killings, now nearing 4,000, since the start of the new administration. The rest have been attributed to vigilantes. PNP officials have admitted that some of the killers may be crooked cops who are silencing people they employ as street pushers. The truth can only be known if each unexplained killing is thoroughly investigated. This, however, is not being done, and it is breeding impunity. With even ranking officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs being murdered in busy streets in Metro Manila, there are valid fears that the deadly violence is spreading beyond those involved in the drug trade. The threat is enough to make Filipinos weep along with the PNP chief. (Philstar.com)
Guest Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Unlocking the gates of blessings through gratitude THANKSGIVING DAY goes beyond turkey dinner and Black Friday shopping. It is that season when families get together not just to wine and dine and be merry. It is also that time when we remind ourselves of the blessings we have already received and the things that matter most to us. Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes (brainyquotes) on gratitude. I hope these will set the tone for our preparation for Christmas and the new year to come: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to
clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. — Mel- The Fil-Am ody Beattie Perspective Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. — William Ar- Gel SantoS-ReloS thur Ward At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those
who have lighted the flame within us. — Albert Schweitzer Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. — Karl Barth When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. — Kristin Armstrong Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of apprecia-
A canopy of twinkling stars “WHEN you are seasoned with the salt of Truth, your own Rhizomes body of knowledge suddenly reveals a new dimension. The principle of relativity is mad practical in a new concept of unitivity. You will come to see that even as the subatomic par- Prosy AbArquezticle has no existence outside of DelAcruz, J.D. the electromagnetic field that holds the atom together, but is the field expressing as a particle, so man has no existence outside of God, but is the activity of God expressing as man. All your scientific facts suddenly come alive, they become dynamic potencies. And with this keener insight, you become a seasoning influence in the world. You become a peacemaker.” —Eric Butterworth, Discover the Power Within You, 1989. Thirty-one days of camping, juicing, of cooking nutritious meals. What I did cook today – salmon in tomato broth, oregano, basil, and olive bread with garlic and sautéed mushrooms in butter – all tasted good but weariness is all I could taste. Even the bees sensed my restlessness, as they hovered around me, buzzing, teasing me as if to bite me, yet, I managed to calm myself down. I do not sleep like a log – I move about and when there’s skimpy space to move inside the van, I wake up and I wake up my husband as well. Then, it is about falling asleep again, which as one ages, grows more gray hair and is not as easy to do. But as difficult and taxing it is to my physical body, the rewards are priceless – seeing the sunset – a blue line, a gold line, intersecting with white clouds, and then receding golden sun’s rays; a deep blue lake from a mountain that blew its top – a metaphor for blowing one’s top off, releasing all one’s toxic energies accumulated from past hurts/trauma to reveal a magnificent purity within, where good energies can be channeled back and forth and not stopped. I call it an open heart, allowing others to influence you, to persuade you, to see it from their perspective, not just my own. My husband calls it a deeply rooted tree without rocks to stop the inflow of nutrients from the soil, after watering. And just when I am about to give up camping, my husband hurries us both to see Watchman lookout at sunset. How gorgeous it is – blue, gray, gold, white bands, and then a blue backdrop – and my weariness evaporates with the howling music of the winds. Howling, haunting, but also soothing, and liberating for one’s spirit to join with the winds. Seeing my husband so happy, so relaxed, and so comfortable is enough to know he found his bliss. As to me, the rustling of the winds, leaves of trees and violin music with a good sleep and hot showers at the camp store energize me -- a new being no longer remembering the 31 days with only four days of hotel nights to break the
tion and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe. — Wayne Dyer Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. — John Milton HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
A nightmare that could come true
routine, or to politely say, to restore my civilized ways of using the bathroom. How do we exactly use the bathroom, as any other campers do? Ask them the next time you meet them. We all have devised our ways of dealing outdoor life. Ask middle school girls and they are more upfront, “After three days, you start not caring anymore. You start enjoying nature and what it can offer. Then, you just look around.” They have more uncommon sense than this writer. As we walked up the Watchman trail, this uphill climb is for strenuous serious climbers, whose calves have been pre-conditioned to take the wear and tear of climbing and walking. As we climbed, I was huffing and puffing, catching my breath. I wish I were home. But not quite, as it is described as “the Watchman Peak Trail in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon is a moderately steep 1.6 mile out and back climb to a 360 degree view on the west side above Crater Lake from a historic fire lookout. This key vantage point offers spectacular views of the lake and Wizard Island, especially in the afternoon. Also night hikes with a ranger are available for some awesome star gazing,”AllTrails.com wrote. But as the sunset glow disappeared, a canopy of twinkling stars appeared. With a roaring fire, a glass of red wine, the crackling sounds coupled with fragrant smell of cedar logs gave a balm to my tired spirit, my weariness became contentment and happiness that we, seniors, are still able to do this. The canopy shrouded the trees as if Christmas lights, which instantly brought me joy: Jupiter, Mars, Procyon, Rigel. I reflected on the lessons I learned: 1. Convenience is not the easy route. Taking a short cut on the trails can prolong your walk and can take you to the mountains that you must climb to get you back. Nature is meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, to be still, to absorb what it brings, and not to hurry to reach the end of the trail. 2. Struggle through your inner demons. In doing so, you find your characteristic strength and somehow you realize you have acquired endurance. 3. Gourmet cooking of nutritious meals is so doable, so is juicing. Planning is key and when unplanned, creativity makes you develop new recipes. Like I did not have meat to go with my okra, eggplant and bittermelon, so I made my soul dish, pinakbet using mushrooms, as if meat. Husband raved about the dish as he likes to eat mostly vegetables. 4. Essential sanitizing and personal grooming can be sustained by creative means – the essential tabo, a makeshift shower stall, and taking
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THE blitzkrieg burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani of the Street remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos has aroused Talk fears of more surprises from the Supreme Court. Among those fears is a bona fide nightmare for those who experienced two decades of the GreG b. MAcAbentA Marcos dictatorship: the proclamation of Bongbong Marcos as vice-president in lieu of Leni Robredo and his eventual ascension to the presidency. After the People Power revolution of 1986, it seemed unthinkable to those naïve in the ways of Philippine politics that the Marcoses could ever make a comeback. They grossly underestimated the tenacity of the clan, the unwavering loyalty of the Marcos supporters, and the “flexibility” of the Philippine system of justice. Shortly after she was allowed to return to the Philippines by then President Corazon Aquino, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos ran for president in the 1992 elections. She lost but in the same election, Bongbong Marcos won as representative of the 2nd congressional district of Ilocos Norte. The Marcos comeback had begun in earnest. In 1993, four years after his death in Honolulu, the remains of Ferdinand Marcos were allowed back to the Philippines by then President Fidel V. Ramos. The remains were kept in a refrigerated crypt and set up for public display in Ilocos Norte, with a plan for eventual internment in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Expectedly, cries of “No hero’s burial!”and “Never again!” reverberated across the country. But loud protests never deterred the Marcoses, particularly Imelda. She wasn’t called The Iron Butterfly for nothing. In 1995, Imelda ran for the 1st congressional district of Leyte and won, while Imee Marcos, the eldest daughter, won as representative of the 2nd district of Ilocos Norte in 1998. She served until 2007 after which Bongbong took over the congressional seat. In 2010, he ran for Senator and won while yielding his congressional seat to Imelda. Meanwhile, Imee won as governor of Ilocos Norte. In this year’s national elections, Bongbong ran for Vice-President and narrowly lost to Leni Robredo. His case is now on appeal with the Supreme Court. To say that the Marcoses have made a comeback may be an understatement. The fact that Bongbong was leading in the public opinion polls and was expected to win the vice-presidency delivered a clear message: the horrors of Marcos rule was no longer relevant to the post-martial law generation. The assumption of the presidency by Rodrigo Duterte just made matters worse or, to put it another way, just put the Marcos game plan on a
fast track. Imelda Marcos has made it clear that she wants her son to become president – and she is firm in her belief that whatever Imelda wants, Imelda gets. However, there could be a hitch in the objective of installing Bongbong as president, if Duterte refuses to cooperate. Having tasted power, it is unlikely that Duterte will give it up, no matter what the incentives might be. But one can never underestimate the creativity of the Marcoses. They epitomize the maxim, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Duterte may one day realize that he created a monster by allowing the burial of Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and encouraging the electoral appeal of Bongbong. Interestingly, in April 1995, a month before Imelda ran for Congress, I wrote a column entitled, “Future Shock: 2086,” that “predicted” the resurgence of the political fortunes and the national dominance of the Marcoses. Many of the things I envisioned – fancifully, I should clarify – eventually happened. Who knows what other scenarios will come true? Read on. But I should caution you - you could have nightmares. FUTURE SHOCK: 2086 April 19, 1995 Was there a People Power Revolution in 1986? What was it all about? You mean, it dismantled a corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictatorship and replaced it with an honest, dedicated, progressive democracy? Talaga? And who was the corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictator whom the revolutionaries drove away? Ferdinand Marcos? How is he related to Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr? You know, the one who’s being groomed for President. You mean, the Dictator had a ruthless, greedy, extravagant and ambitious wife? Imelda Romualdez Marcos? How is she related to Congresswoman Imelda of the First District of Leyte? The new Speaker of the House? Same person? Teka, teka1, I am a little confused. Was there or wasn’t there a revolution that drove away a corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictatorship? You’re not sure anymore? What about that fellow after whom the International Airport is named? Was he really assassinated by military minions of the dictator? Hindi mo rin sigurado2? What about his wife? Yes, the one who became the first woman President of the Philippines? Cory Aquino, right? No, no, I am not talking about the mother of the movie actress who had a love child by Philip
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
A canopy of twinkling… PAGE A8 t
your shower at 2 p.m., the peak of the afternoon, allowing your water basin to heat the water the natural solar way. The key is to respect your present capacity to endure nature’s burdens and rewards. The rewards are to be appreciated and the burdens are to be endured without complaints, but with creativity. 5. Remember to pray. Start your day with prayers, keep praying all the time, as in prayers, you are connected with the Divine, and surprise miracles come your way. Like meeting good folks, fellow campers, who live in Washington and share their secrets of going to Mount Rainier, bypassing the two-mile long traffic and getting the last camping space. That is when you know God is reserving that spot for you, a miracle for that season. 6. Listen to your instincts. Road guides are good, but smarts and instincts are much better than google maps. My husband has saved us being lost by following his radar about direction. On the other hand, google maps located repair shops and hotels for us. 7. Connect with praying to the spirits of the place for eternal protection and guidance, it is always there for the asking, whatever country you find yourself in. It protects you and it guides you to meet positive adventurous folks. 8. Cultivate your friendship circles, they are your safety net, ones you text to while on the road, they provide you easy routes known only to locals, they steer you away from long waits that tourists go through, and they give you local tidbit of news that you could not get from newsletters, books or newspapers. 9. Trust your common sense, your uncommon wisdom that you have derived all these decades. 10.Teamwork is essential. We got tested in our patience with one another only once. I quickly behaved as I wanted my showers, he behaved too as he wanted his hot meals. Camping in the outdoors can make you rely on one another. 11.Strange, spontaneous norms of locals is okay – honey bucket for toilets, road names, beach numbers and forest service roads. Learn the culture of the place and you will be accommodated well. 12.Accept kindness and be kind to others as well. Karma is a full circle. Plant honesty and later, you harvest honesty. I received a book of poetry written by a woman survivor of cancer
and I excerpted a quote from her book and sent the essay to her by email. I also took a picture of soldiers climbing Mount Rainier, summitting it as antidote to suicides. I learned that soldiers after duty service in war zones suffer post traumatic distress. Without their soldier buddies, recovering is difficult and they resort to suicide. Now, psychological services are available to them and folks stay connected and do summit trails together. You can be the tree that shoots upward, breaking a wedge on the limestone, growing upright to the sky. All you need is patience to receive God’s miracles, resilience, openness to the challenges and accepting them as lessons to be learned and guidance from divine teachers you meet, in the form of strangers. Thanks be to the core For you helped me Be in touch with my inner core And to hear my husband say Prosy, you found your rhyme within To get a big hug from my 20-year-old Daughter Mom, you entered our world To have the space to write To have the space to be Thanks be to the core You helped me grow myself once more! Happy Thanksgiving to you all! My profound gratitude to the Asian Journal’s readers for your letters and dialogues on Facebook and for reading Rhizomes. A profound thanks to Christina (my editor) who inspires me, and to Roger and Cora for trusting me with this column space, now on its 10th year. My profound thanks to my husband, Enrique who drove us one summer, from LA to British Columbia, for 31 days, August to Sept. 2013.
Seksyon ng Proyekto mula Burbank hanggang Los Angeles MGA OPEN HOUSE MEETING SA KOMUNIDAD NOBYEMBRE 29 – DISYEMBRE 6, 2016 LAHAT NG MGA PULONG AY MAGKAKATULAD NA MAY PRESENTASYON KALAHATING ORAS MATAPOS ANG INILISTANG ORAS NG PAGSISIMULA
BURBANK Martes, Nobyembre 29, 2016 5:30 p.m. hanggang 7:30 p.m. Buena Vista Branch Library 300 N Buena Vista St Burbank, CA 91505
GLENDALE Huwebes, Disyembre 1, 2016 5:30 p.m. hanggang 7:30 p.m. Adult Recreation Center 201 E Colorado St Glendale, CA 91205
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES Lunes, Disyembre 5, 2016 5:30 p.m. hanggang 7:30 p.m. Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple 815 E 1st St Los Angeles, CA 90012
CYPRESS PARK Martes, Disyembre 6, 2016 5:30 p.m. hanggang 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles River Center and Gardens 570 W Ave 26 Los Angeles, CA 90065 +English/Spanish Meeting & Live Webcast http://ustream.tv/channel/chsra
*** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.
+Bumisita sa hsr.ca.gov para sa karagdagang detalye WIKA AT IBA PANG KAILANGAN
A nightmare that could come…
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Salvador. I am talking about the heroine of the revolution of 1986. Anooo? The only historical record you can find is about the mother of a certain Kris? Flash forward: The year 2086. The First Centennial of the People Power Revolution is celebrated. President Ferdinand Marcos IV, great grandson of the sublime hero of that historic event, is scheduled to dedicate a new monument to his illustrious ancestor. The monument will replace an old stone edifice for an obscure martyr named Rizal. Rizalites are trying desperately to save the martyr from the dustbin of history by having the international airport named after him.
Impressive dedication ceremonies will be held at the Marcos Grandstand on Imelda Park on Erap Blvd. (Formerly Roxas Blvd.). A reenactment of the People Power Revolt will be staged in which the dramatic flight of the heroic Marcos family from the rampaging “Yellow Guards” will be traced. President Ferdinand Marcos IV is expected to announce a new package of benefits for the people of the Philippines. All male quarry workers will have a half day off from building the Marcos monument. All women and children will be allowed to eat a second meal a day for the entire week of the People Power celebration. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
Ang mga kahilingan para sa ibang wika ay maaaring ibigay kapag hiniling. Ang mga pasilidad para sa pagpupulong ay mararating ng mga may kapansanan. Lahat ng kahilingan para sa makatwirang tulong at/o mga serbisyo sa wika ay dapat hilingin tatlong araw (72 oras) bago ang pagtatakda ng petsa ng pulong. Mangyaring tumawag sa (877) 977-1660 o sa Authority’s TTY/TTD number sa (916) 403 -6943 para sa tulong. @cahsra
Facebook.com/ CaliforniaHighSpeedRail
@cahsra
YouTube.com/ CAHighSpeedRail
www.hsr.ca.gov | (877) 977-1660 | burbank_los.angeles@hsr.ca.gov
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A10 NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Tatad dares FVR, Enrile: Tell the truth about Martial Law by WiLLiam
B. DepaSupiL ManilaTimes.net
“ATONEMENT is not enough.” Former senator Francisco Tatad has called on two fellow martial law-era officials – Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile – to reveal the truth about the alleged atrocities and human rights violations during the rule of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Tatad made the challenge on Wednesday, after ex-president Ramos expressed displeasure over last week’s burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. But Ramos parried questions over his own role during martial law by saying he had atoned for his sins by turning against Marcos during the 1986 EDSA “People Power” revolt. Tatad however said Ramos’ atonement was not enough. “I challenge him to speak. Wala na siyang sala, napatawad na siya pero `yung nangyari kailangan ibahagi niya sa bayan ang kanyang nalalaman, kasi maraming mga biktima diyan [He has been forgiven for his sins but he must share with the nation what he knows, because there were many victims],” he said. Ramos and Enrile were the ad-
ministrators of martial law, said Tatad, who read the Martial Law proclamation on September 23, 1972 on television and quit as Marcos’ information minister in 1980, six years ahead of Marcos’ ouster. Ramos was head of the Philippine Constabulary during Marcos’ one-man rule. Enrile, Marcos’ defense chief, admitted during the “People Power” revolt to faking his own ambush, which was one of the justifications for the declaration of martial law. The former senator however took this admission back in his 2012 book “Juan Ponce Enrile: A Memoir.” “Mayroong administrators ang Martial Law, si JPE (Enrile) and Ramos. Why don’t we ask them? Ang sabi ni FVR (Ramos) ‘Humingi na ako ng tawad nang ako’y nag martsa sa EDSA.’ Okay kung `yun ay atonement. Pero ipaliwanag niyo sa bayan ano ba ang nangyari talaga [There were Martial Law administrators, Enrile and Ramos. Why don’t we ask them? Ramos said he had sought forgiveness when he marched on EDSA. That’s okay if that is atonement. But explain to the nation what really happened],” said Tatad during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum at
Café Adriatico in Malate, Manila. Tatad added: “Si Marcos ba ang nagtuturo? Siya ba ang naglilista ng mga aarestuhin o sila (Ramos and Enrile) ang naglilista at pinipirmahan lang ni Marcos kung kailangan ang pirma niya [Was it Marcos who pinpointed? Was he the one who listed those who were to be arrested or did they draw the list and Marcos only signed when he needed to]?” Tatad issued the call to Ramos and Enrile in reaction to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s claim that Marcos was not entitled to be buried at the Libingan because of his crimes against the Filipino people. Tatad, a Manila Times columDAY OF DANCING. Students of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran dance in front f the Manila Cathedral as they participate in a street nist, clarified that Marcos was dancing competition held to mark Letran’s 400th founding anniversary. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma never convicted of the allegations against him, and thus should not be denied burial at the Libingan. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the interment, arguing that Marcos was entitled to it as a World War 2 veteran, a Medal of Valor recipient, and a former defense secretary. Tatad said of his stint in the a more robust economy remain their lives had improved comby LeiLa B. SaLaverria Marcos administration: “I served Inquirer.net “very high,” despite there being pared to a year ago. him (Marcos) loyally and faithfula slight decrease compared to This was an improvement over ly but did not sell my soul. That’s MALACAÑANG is glad that why I’m still able to see what is the number of Filipinos who the previous survey of the Social the +11 score in the previous survey, Andanar said. u PAGE A11 expect to have better lives and Weather Stations. The latest SWS survey showed “The survey results likewise a “very high” net personal opti- inspire us in the government to mism score of +43 percent and roll up our sleeves and double a “very high” net economic op- our efforts in improving the lives timism score of +44 among Fili- of the disadvantaged and the pinos. marginalized,” he said. Both, however, represented a “As the President said, ‘For decline. The latest net personal what good will progress be if optimism score was down three its benefits do now trickle down points from the previous SWS to the poorest of the poor,’” he survey, while the net economic added. optimism score showed a 12 He said the Duterte administrapoint decline. tion would be pursuing big-ticket Presidential Communications infrastructure projects that would Secretary Martin Andanar said eventually make agriculture comhe was taking note of the “very petitive, improve transport and high net gainers,” at +19, who mobility, and improve health and said that the personal quality of other social services. n
Malacañang: More Filipinos say quality of lives improved ‘Very high’ net personal, economic optimism, says latest SWS survey
Customs seizes over P1B in illegal drugs by Catherine
S. vaLente ManilaTimes.net
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized more than P1 billion in illegal drugs since President Rodrigo Duterte took office on June 30. Speaking to reporters in Malacañang on Friday, Neil Anthony Estrella, Customs acting spokesman for enforcement and intelligence operations, said the confiscated illegal drugs include P927 million worth of shabu obtained in 11 major operations, P17 million worth of ecstasy obtained in follow-up operations and P227.7 million worth of cocaine obtained in eight operations for a total of P1.173 billion. Estrella added that the biggest catch was in July in Claveria, Cagayan where 180 plastic bags of shabu worth P900 million were confiscated. “Commissioner [Nicanor] Fa-
eldon stresses the bureau will continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs by strictly guarding our seaports and airports,” he said during a news conference. The BOC, according to Estrella, seized in July in Subic, Zambales a Chinese fishing vessel found to be manufacturing and transporting illegal drugs to the country. “Four Chinese who were also considered high-value targets were arrested during that operation…[They] are now in the custody of our authorities,” he said. Estrella added that the BOC has also impounded counterfeit products in Pasay City (Metro Manila), Bulacan and Pangasinan areas, totaling about P775 million. “The BOC will remain tough against smuggling. As we im-
u PAGE A11
Duterte to establish…
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tween Filipino and Chinese coast guards would be a likely outcome of Monday’s announcement. Last month, an advisor for the chinese government, Wu Shicun, said that officials in Beijing had considered declaring Panatag Lagoon an “environmental protection park” with restrictions similar to what the Duterte administration has recently proposed, according to the New York Times. During their meeting in Peru, Xi said his government would offer training in sustainable fishing practices and continue to allow Filipino fisherman to continue working in the shoal. Recent developments at what had been a potential flashpoint for territorial disputes between the Philippines and China illustrate the dramatic shift Filipino foreign policy has taken under the Duterte administration. A military standoff at Scarborough Shoal in 2012 drove the prior administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III to file complaint against China with the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). In July, the tribunal declared the shoal neutral waters over which no nation could assert exclusive fishing rights to. However, the court lacks any method to enforce its decisions and Chinese coast guard ships continued to interfere with Filipino fishing operations until late October. Rather than assert the PCA’s ruling, foreign affairs officials of the recently seated Duterte administration sought to open up a dialogue between Bei-
jing and Manila. Tense diplomatic exchanges between Duterte and representatives of outgoing American President Barack Obama regarding alleged human rights abuses may have further motivated the Philippine president’s efforts to pursue a broader relationship with China at the expense of its historical ties with the United states. As the U.S. transitions into the leadership of President-elect Donald Trump, various sources report that Duterte does not plan to scale back his commitment to increasing bilateral cooperation with China. However, Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Cruz told reporters that the incoming administration could signal an easing of tension between the two historic allies. “President Duterte was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump,” said Cruz during a press event in Los Angeles on Friday, November 11. “He said that henceforth, there will be no more negative comments about the United States.” Meanwhile, the Philippines and China are expected to continue navigating delicate waters together under the Duterte Administration’s pivot toward its regional neighbors. “We will be pushing for more vigorous talks for the purpose of implementation [of] broad strokes,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay in a statement released ahead of the APEC summit. n
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Bam Aquino, Pangilinan call for decency amid Marcos burial debate by tarra
QuisMundo Inquirer.net
MANILA — Senators Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino on Tuesday, Nov. 22, appealed for decency as debates over the stealthy burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last Friday continued to light up social media. In separate statements, the two senators, both staunchly against the unexpected interment, hit social media users who have resorted to vulgar, misogynistic and abusive language in their comments on photos of female protesters against Marcos’ burial. Several commenters have been using sexually explicit language to objectify the women, whose photographs from the Nov. 18 protests were posted on Facebook. “The attacks against them
are too much. Those attacks do not reflect the behavior of the average Filipino man. We are respectful. We are loving. Sometimes we Filipino men are called mama’s boy because our respect for women are rooted in our love for our moms,” Pangilinan said in a statement. Pangilinan, fiercely indignant to the administration’s grant of a presidential burial for Marcos despite his bloody legacy during martial law, had himself been called names online as he protested the secrecy-shrouded interment. He noted that “name-calling, slut-shaming, and other genderbased remarks have been the chosen form of attack by those who cannot defend their positions.” Pangilinan cited how even Vice President Leni Robredo and his colleagues in the Senate, Sena-
tors Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima, have been subjected to such vile attacks. “That is not right. If we don’t agree with others’ statements, let’s give our own arguments. Let’s not cuss each other. It is degrading,” he said. Aquino, meanwhile, said that people should still respect each other even while they had divergent positions. “While we have different views on issues, we should not lose respect for each other and decency in social media,” Aquino said in a statement. “How we are outside, with our friends and family, should also be how we behave in social media,” he said. Given open access to the internet even by minors, social media “must be free from discrimination, hate speech and verbal abuse.” n
China mum on Duterte’s proposal to declare Panatag a sanctuary by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
MANILA — Beijing refused to comment on the recent proposal of President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal into a marine sanctuary. This is contrary to the recent statement of Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar that Chinese President Xi Jinping was receptive to Duterte’s idea. When asked about China’s response to the president’s plan to declare the disputed shoal a lagoon, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang in-
sisted that Beijing’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over the shoal will not change. “China and the Philippines have reached an agreement on coming back to the track of dialogue and consultation for the settlement of the South China Sea issue,” Geng said in a press briefing Tuesday. Declaring the disputed Panatag Shoal in the South China Sea a maritime sanctuary would make it off-limits to all fishermen. All fishing activities inside the area will be banned but not around it. “The Chinese side has also made proper arrangements for fishing activities by the Philip-
pine fishermen in waters near Huangyan Dao in the interests of bilateral friendship,” Geng said. A statement earlier released by the PCO said that Xi vowed that Filipino fishermen will continue to have free access to the disputed shoal, which is their traditional fishing grounds. China hopes that the two countries will enhance cooperation to turn the South China Sea dispute into a “positive factor for friendship and cooperation.” Both the Philippines and China have been claiming Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc, which is located 124 nautical miles from Zambales. n
Customs seizes over P1B in illegal…
PAGE A10 t
prove our maritime capability, we will pursue them to the farthest border of the country,” he said, quoting Faeldon. Estrella added that the BOC’s anti-smuggling operations contribute to its revenue collection, which increased for the month of October to P33.365 billion. The amount, he said, is P39 million higher compared to the amount collected for the month of September.
“For the first 15 days only of November, the BOC has already reached 52 percent of its P36.495 billion assessed target. The bureau has so far collected P18.9 billion and is confident that the assessed collection target for November will be exceeded given these indicators,” Estrella added. Meanwhile, he announced the release of a total of 400 balikbayan boxes from the United States sitting undelivered at the
Manila International Container Port since March. “The winning bidder, Pherica International, heeded the request of the Bureau of Customs that the boxes be released to their rightful recipients in time for the Christmas season. The good news is Pherica International just gave us its yes that they will give these 400 balikbayan boxes for free,” he said. Estrella assured that all district collectors will follow the
REWARD. AFP chief General Ricardo Visaya on Wednesday hands out reward money worth P5.9 million to tipsters that led to the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf members. The rewards system was established in 2001 to encourage civilians to help out in providing information that will help track down wanted personalities. Inquirer.net photo by Frances Mangosing
New DOT campaign to cost P650-M by Mary
Grace Philstar.com
Padin
DAVAO CITY – Advertising company McCann Worldgroup Philippines will be in charge of crafting the new tourism campaign of the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said over the weekend. Tourism undersecretary for advocacy and public affairs Katherine de Castro said the P650million contract with McCann, which won the bid to be the advertising and promotions partner of the DOT for one year, includes the production and positioning of marketing materials, as well as the formulation of a new tourism bureau’s no-opening policy on such boxes and expedite the release and handling of these boxes. “The commissioner highlights the importance of balikbayan boxes, which symbolize the hardship of overseas Filipino workers and the love of Filipinos abroad for their families here in our country,” he said. n
slogan. “The P650 million, that’s not only for the tagline itself. That P650 million is inclusive of all the media placements from all over the world,” De Castro said. “The production of commercials, billboards, radio jingles if there’s any, even the design of the website are part of the P650 million,” she added. According to De Castro, the budget allotted to advertise Philippine destinations on a global scale is still comparatively lower than neighboring countries such as Thailand. “Thailand is spending millions and millions of dollars to promote their country. Compare it to the Philippines with only P650 million. This is very little. And this is despite the fact that tourism contributes 10 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) of the country,” she said. The plan to replace the current tagline, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” aims to build up tourism arrivals in the country, De Castro said. She cited anew the 2016 study
by Nielsen, which assessed the effectivity of the current campaign. The study showed that 65 percent of respondents from the European market liked the slogan, but only 26 percent intended to come to the Philippines. Similarly, about 72 percent of North American respondents said they liked the campaign, but only 45 percent signified intention to visit the country. But the DOT vowed that the new campaign would still highlight the “fun” aspects of the Philippines. “Rest assured it will still connote the fun part of the Philippines but we will be more specific. We would be more focused on the experience that tourists can have when they come to the Philippines,” De Castro said. For her part, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said when she was in Madrid for a meeting with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, she was questioned why there was a need to change the tagline when it was already a “good slogan.” n
A12 NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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B
Journal
2016 MMFF line-up is ‘final and unanimous’ by
Nathalie tomada Philstar.com
FOLLOWInG the announcement of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official line-up of films last week, differing opinions were and continue to be raised. But as far as the selection committee is concerned, the decision on which films made it to the Magic 8 is “final and unanimous.� It was announced that the eight finalists are Ted Boborol’s “Vince and Kath and James, “Jun Robles Lana’s “Die Beautiful,� Erik Matti’s “Seklusyon,� Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido’s “Kabisera,� Baby Ruth Villarama’s “Sunday Beauty Queens,� Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsnotEnough,�
Jun Robles Lana’s “Die Beautiful�
Alvin Yapan’s “Oro� and Avid Liongoren’s “Saving Sally.� The MMFF executive committee headed by Metro Manila Development Authority GM Tim Avid Liongoren’s “Saving Sally� Orbos called the reforms in this year’s selection process as a “new “The direction I think our sebeginning� and a “change for the lection committee members are better.� PAGE B3
Getting to know Fil-Am MMA fighter Mark Striegl by Ricky lo Philstar.com
DESpITE his German-sounding surname and prominent Oriental features, top-ranking Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Mark “Mugen� Striegl is very much Filipino, and proud of it. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan to an American father (from new York City) and a Filipina mom (from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro), Mark credits his elder brother Frank for sparking his interest in combat sports. He first dabbled in wrestling while in high school, and under his brother’s tutelage learned other fighting styles such as aikido, tae kwon do and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. With his impressive fight record of 77-1 during those formative years, Mark took a keen interest in fight sport, largely influenced by the pride Fighting Championship and K-1 prevalent during the era. Fresh out of high school, he
Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido’s “Kabisera�
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joined the Wajutsu Keisyukai Gods dojo. It was there where he honed his fighting chops and cut his teeth in some of the city’s amateur competitions. When his family moved to San Diego, California during his college years, Mark trained at Victory MMA, and shuttled regularly
between San Diego and Tokyo, keeping his loyalty to his Wajutsu “home.� Mark turned pro in San Diego in 2009, and has since chalked up 14 wins and two losses – the most recent one against Reese McLaren at the One ChampionPAGE B3
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Features
B NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Barbie Forteza gets 4 leading men by lhar
Santiago
Moonlighting by Mylah
ManilaTimes.net
The cat is out of the bag! Or should we say the “cats�? Barbie Forteza’s four new leading men in her new prime time soap, “#MeantToBe,� have been revealed. They are Kapuso stars Ken Chan and Jac Roberto, model Addy Raj, and former ABS-CBN talent Ivan Dorschner. The four leading men expressed their excitement over working with Barbie at press conference. “We were together in ‘Tween hearts’ before but we weren’t partners,� Ken offered. “Parang support lang ako nu’n, so I’m so happy I’m now one of her leading men. Magkaibigan kasi kami ni Barbie because the group from Tween hearts have remained very close. This is really something to celebrate, Barbie and I working together.� For Jac, the role is a big break. “When I was told I was going to be one of Barbie’s leading men, I couldn’t contain my happiness. I was smiling from ear to ear—siyempre, si Barbie yan. I promised myself that I will do my best to really be deserving of this break.
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de
Not one but four leading men for Barbie Forteza in her upcoming prime time series ‘#MeantToBe’ in (from left) Ken Chan, Jak Roberto, Addy Raj, and Ivan Dorschner.
Barbie and I have worked together in ‘The half Sisters’ but her leading man was Andre Paras. I was a support, but noon pa man, nakita ko na, she’s a very nice person. Mabait, masayahin and she’s nice to everyone. I look forward to our taping. With Barbie around, it will be a very happy set for us.� Ivan meanwhile expressed excitement over being a Kapuso now. he said he looks forward to working with Barbie, and new experiences in GMA Network. he
is preparing for acting workshop with the cast and is eager to bond with his new Kapusos. Finally, Addy, who is new in showbiz, is overwhelmed to be paired with Barbie for “#MeantToBe.� he expressed gratitude to GMA for trusting him enough to be part of a big prime time project. he feels a mix of nervousness and excitement, and said he is determined to do well, knowing he is working with very good actors.
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“Neither of us would ever die of love, we will grieve, part and separate. For we were not meant to be tragedians. We were meant to be comedians.� – Graham Greene, The Comedians I have always wanted to write something that will make Graham green. Something that would certainly be funny. Much of today’s laughter is tickled both by comic situation, by punning or repartee. humor has its own merry laws but is an end in itself. The human comedy is the picture of people, of life and truth that it delivers so gaily with smiles, guffaws, chatter and belly laughs—washed down with occasional sighs, moans and tears. Now isn’t that its own justification? Face to face with foibles and the incongruities of people, comedy arouses laughter and nimbleness of wit. The jokes, the quips, the human characteristics exposing its vagaries and drolleries disguised as irony, as satire or caricature in
Laughing matters a gallery of human folly. Comedy has many faces. But if there ever was one tongue that everybody in the world could understand, it would be the language of laughter—bringing joy and tears, groans and chuckles, tangled up like a ball of thread after a playful kitten gets through with it. One moment it ripples joyously, only to be suddenly muted by a wistfulness when humor turns mean and cruel. humor in the role of comforter? It is a very old practice. When you’re hungry, sing loud if you have a good voice. If that voice is awful, sing even louder and get even with God! In times of loss, you laugh in order to give yourself the courage not to grieve. You shed a tear or two, because the human comedy is no laughing matter. When it’s distilled with pathos, laughter achieves a balance of sanity. It gives one perspective and a view out of chaos. While wit is sudden and startling (usually scornful), as it leaps audaciously and wickedly, humor is said to be slower, rarely malicious—it does not fly to assault the mind but laughs its way into
the heart. Satire is probing and critical, cutting through pretension with quick corrosive acid: its purpose is coldly destructive. But humor seldom analyzes. It is simply warm and sympathetic, playful, sometimes highhearted, sometimes hilarious. Unlike the poisoned barb of satire (Oscar Wilde); and the killing point of wit (Winston Churchill), humor is healing—it is not only wholesome, but recreative and rejuvenating. It makes us smile, giggle, shriek or laugh incessantly. Yet, could it be otherwise? While people can laugh easily at the absurd, the pretentious or even the mean, why are they hardly likely to be sent into gales of laughter by the sincere, the upright and the noble? Virtue is no laughing matter. Jokes work if they are funny and fresh, they can make a comedian out of anyone. The laugh-getter is always appreciated. But I’ve been advised to stick to my amusing little comments about the ingredients of a corn flake. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com
Neri Naig gives birth to baby boy by roSette
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3TEAMED 2ICE Actress Neri Naig has given birth to a healthy baby boy.
ACTReSS Neri Naig has given birth to a healthy baby boy. Although no details about her date of birth was disclosed, Neri’s husband, Parokya Ni edgar vocalist, Chito Miranda, posted the photo of their first child on Instagram confirming the news. The proud father posted it with the short caption “Wassup world.� Miranda couple’s bundle of joy was named after the real name of Chito, “Alfonso,� as previously announced by Neri. Neri likewise confirmed her safe delivery by posting a photo of her in a hospital carrying her newborn son. Just recently, Neri slammed a basher who commented asking her if the child inside her womb is still alive, citing that it must have been 12 months old already. She has dealt with a sensitive pregnancy. Neri and Chito last May 2015 announced that they are expecting their first child. however, in August 2015, Chito revealed his wife suffered miscarriage.
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Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
B
House on a triangle-shaped land By Sean
Shono
A triAngle-shaped land is considered to cause accidents, fire, and trouble with neighbors and family. Feng Shui teaching tells sharped figures produce negative energy. to cope with the trouble, place a pair of lions or lion plates outside of the entrance. then bury salt, bamboo charcoal and crystal, at each corner of triangle. Dig holes about one foot deep, and place bamboo charcoal first, then *Dragon God offers specially salt, and finally crystal. spray water on the,=m, then treated and purified Feng Shui items. Ask a Feng Shui master cover them with soil. this ritual should be started how to use. *** from the sharpest point to others Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon in counter-clockwise.
God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California. He is the U.S. Chief of the International Feng Shui Association. For more information, please call Sean Shono at (310) 787-1891. Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, Gardena, CA 90248.
Open enrollment ends on January 31 BASeD on US Census data, more than 24,000 Filipino Americans throughout los Angeles County do not have health insurance. Dignity Health – glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center is here to help you find the right Covered California plan today. “Many Filipino Americans are unaware of how health insurance can help pay for services in a hospital. no one plans a trip to the hospital, but it’s those moments that we need to be prepared for the most.� - liza Abcede, MBA, BSn, CCrn, Vice President/Chief nurse executive, Dignity Health – glendale Memorial Hospital the open enrollment period for 2017 coverage begins no- liza Abcede, MbA, Vice president/Chief vember 1st, 2016. if you do not nurse Executive, Dignity Health – Glendale have health insurance, there is a Memorial Hospital
penalty tax for most Americans. to avoid the penalty and get care from local doctors affiliated with glendale Memorial Hospital, sign up for one of the available plans: Anthem ePO, Blue Shield HMO, Blue Shield PPO, and Health net Community Care HMO. Our affiliate brokers are enrollment experts. in person or over the phone, they’ll help you understand all your options and walk you through every step to make sure you find the best plan and doctors available. Contact our certified Covered CA insurance agents at no cost to you and get started before the enrollment period ends. For more information, call (818) 863-6518 or visit DignityHealth.org/enroll. (Advertising Supplement)
2016 MMFF line-up... PAGE B1 looking at is to make a mark in the global arena or cinema. We give
Erik Matti’s “Seklusyon�
For his part, academic and film critic nic tiongson, who chaired the selection committee, dethem our support and we respect scribed them as “real and meantheir independence in their selec- ingful changes� in the festival “to disprove the myth that quality tion,� said Orbos. indie films will not earn money and vice versa, commercial films cannot possibly have quality.� Among the eight movies, only one came from by a big film production studio, Star Cinema’s “Vince and Kath and James.� During a presscon, selection committee members stressed that the films were chosen for their quality over commercial viability or their stars, who in the past had proven to be a major if not main attraction of the films when they rolled into cinemas on PAGE B5
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An EnCorE EpISoDE AboUt A “SpECIAl CHIlD� on CItIzEn pInoy! When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the US in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, nina (left) behind in the philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. nina was left behind with her older sister ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and ruth gone, who will take care of nina? Find out how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring nina to the US through Humanitarian parole, on a brand new episode of Citizen pinoy on Sunday, nov. 27 at 6:15pm pSt on tFC.
Getting to know Fil-Am MMA... PAGE B1 ship Spirit of Champions fight in December last year. Asked to describe his fighting style, Mark explains, “i’m a very aggressive fighter. in all my 14 wins, i have 12 wins by submission.� “Most of my opponents, i’ve climbed on their backs, choked them out, or got some kind of submission through a lock or maneuver. Whether i’m swinging or going for takedown, i’m very aggressive, in your face, explosive. i focus a lot on footwork and explosiveness. i’m a fast-twitch fighter,� he adds. Proud of his Pinoy roots, Mark confesses to making that extra effort to wave the Filipino flag whenever he can. “Definitely! every chance i get!� he exclaims. So, what does the future hold for the enigmatic MMA fighter? take it from his monicker “Mugen� which means “limitless� in Japanese. Asked about his most most unforgettable moment in all your years as a professional MMA fighter, Mark said, “i had this one fight where i was knocked down in the first round and the lights went out. i don’t mean the venue
electricity, i mean i blacked out from the punches and i don’t remember a thing. A minute or two passed by, all of which i can’t remember, and when i came to and was conscious again, i was on my opponent’s back and squeezing for the choke. i won that fight via
rear-naked choke at the end of the first round. it was auto-pilot mode for the win. Hahahaha!!!� Mark is optimistic his chances in his upcoming fight this December? “i’m confident that i’ll win this fight. i’ve been training very hard over the last year and i know that i can beat my opponent.�
B NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Features
Club Balai Isabel: A Paradise at the heart of Batangas By Monet
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
Lu
There is no better place than to be than in your own country. I realized that there are a lot to discover in the Philippines. This is my most memorable vacation and I want to share this incredible experience to all my readers. Aside from meeting a lot of good people and spending quality time with my family and friends, I was able to discover a place where I can enjoy the serenity of nature and experience God’s wonderful blessings through his creation. Club Balai Isabel is a residential resort situated in Talisay, Batangas, an hour and a half drive from Quezon City. It’s the best place for those who want a short retreat from the noise of the city. The resort offers a splendid view of the world famous Taal Lake. I was in high spirits when we arrived. I immediately fell in love with the place. Its lush greenery and the warm reception of the staff made me me feel good. The proximity of the resort from Taal Volcano is what makes this place incomparable. Balai Isabel is the best jump off point to get into the island. We really enjoyed trekking along the world’s smallest volcano. It was a rewarding activity since I was able to get up close to a volcanic crater. There are a lot of activities that can be done in this resort. For those who love meditation, you may sit under the trees and find pleasure in reconnecting with your inner self. My family and I also relished the resorts’ one-of-a-kind infinity pools. I even saw tourists who enjoyed kayaking and wakeboarding around the lake. The amenities are also satisfying. They have villas and lodges to stay in and this nine-hectare residential resort can actually accommodate up to 800 people. This is also a famous location for celebrity weddings, movie and TV series shootings and pictorials. I am very fortunate to have met the resorts owners; Mr. and Mrs. Nelson and Cecille Terrible. They were so nice and accommodating to everyone. According to them, the place was never meant to be a resort. But everything happens for a good reason; they eventually developed the place into an incredible residential resort and preserved the trees within the area.
Health@Heart
A long time ago, this land was a property of the Terrible family. Through the years it was sold to different owners and until 2005 they finally got another chance to re-own it. They named the place after their “unica hija “ (only child) Isabel. Now, because of Club Balai Isabel’s significant contribution in the tourism industry of the town, they were able to support the livelihood of the residents around the area. Through their hard work, Mr. Terrible and his wife are now living up to their vision that Balai Isabel will become a special landmark in the province of Batangas. Nelson said that,”I truly care and very proud of this place and for the Filipinos to show that we are one of the best tourist destination in the world.” It is amazing how an ordinary village was turned into a special sanctuary for everyone. Mr. Nelson said that they did this for the love of nature. All of the magnificent view and ambience are really meant to touch a lot of people.
I am so thankful to have seen the beauty of our country through Club Balai Isabel. I would always cherish the peaceful surrounding and the astonishing view of Taal Volcano. This is one of the most wonderful gifts of nature that I have ever seen. The memory of this paradise and the people who built it will always have a special place in my heart. To Nelson and Cecille, thank you for sharing your passion and your vision to all of us. To those who haven’t been here, come and experience the beauty of a paradise called Club Balai Isabel. *** 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
why ORGANIC? Organic products meet stringent standards Healthier for you & kids Organic food tastes better Organic farming respects natural resources Avoids pesticides & are artificial-fertilizer-free Non-GMO, no synthetic pesticides, no growth-promoting antibiotics There are many, many more reasons to go Organic. But in short: You’ll leave the world a better place than when you found it
WHAT is an allergy? An allergy is a condition where the body overreacts following “contact” with an allergen (dust, molds, pollen, flower, dander, fur, animal protein from hair, perfume, cosmetics, medications---applied to skin or swallowed---food or drink, etc.). Symptoms could be as trivial as sneezing or as serious as sudden inability to breathe, shock and death. What is the incidence of allergies? About 10 percent of people have some form of allergies or another. So, almost 10 million Filipinos suffer from this malady. Luckily, most of the allergies people have are mild. If repeated exposures to the same allergen, at the same high dose, are allowed to occur, the symptoms could become more severe. What triggers the symptoms? Allergic reaction is triggered, and symptoms develop, when the body’s immune system detects the presence of an allergen. This automatic protective response is aimed at warding off any adverse effects of the “culprit substance” on the body by producing antibodies and mobilizing the “immune soldiers into the battlefield to fight the invading foreign” substance. This is a natural part of the defense mechanism of our body. What are the symptoms of allergies? From the mild symptoms to the life-threatening ones, they could be one or a combination of the following: sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, red, itchy watery eyes, skin rashes or hives, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (fast heart beat), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), wheezing, hypotension (drop in blood pressure), cardiac arrest (stoppage of heart beat), and death. While the last 3 situations are not common, they are nonetheless very significant and still far too many, especially because these are preventable disasters. Have there been deaths from exposure to animal hair? Yes, and two such sad and tragic deaths happened to my godson and, in a separate incident, to a friend’s daughter (both in their twenties), who died within an
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Allergies 101
hour after exposure to horses in a barn. How about fatal allergy to MSG? A classmate of mine, a chest surgeon from California, was attending a meeting in Nice, France, a few years ago, when he and his wife decided to eat oriental food, after a week of French cuisine. Inspite of their instruction to the waiter to make sure the chef did not add MSG (Mono Sodium Glutamate, a flavor enhancer) to the food they ordered because he was allergic to it, somehow MSG was used anyway. After ingesting a mouthful, my friend became very short of breath, collapsed, and died a couple of hours later from anaphylactic shock. What is Chinese Food Syndrome? Monosodium Glutamate has been used for years as a food enhancer in many recipes in restaurant or at home. People who are sensitive to MSG (whose food has a lot of MSG) may experience mild and transient warmth and flushing in the face and the rest of the body, some with mild chest tightness that goes away in a few minutes. Since many Chinese recipes call for the use of MSG, this reaction has been termed “Chinese Food Syndrome.” This is actually not an allergy, but there are some people to are really allergic to MSG. What is anaphylactic shock? This is a violent allergic reaction, which results in massive swelling and rapid closure of the air passages, precipitous drop in blood pressure, and death by suffocation. In some cases, bee stings have caused anaphylactic shock. How common is food allergy? Medical reports have shown that about 2% (two out of a hundred) of adults and about 8% of children have true food allergies. Food allergy is not the same as food intolerance (like stomach aches following ingestion of milk for those with deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose-milk and milk products). Food intolerance is due to body metabolism and does not involve the immune system. Some people are allergic to shellfish, peanuts, a few to chicken. Cow’s milk, soy, wheat and eggs are common cause of allergies in children. In some cases, children outgrow their allergies, but early peanut allergy can be for life, although new strategy using desensitization is now being used to treat them.
What are the signs of an allergic reaction? Sneezing, skin rashes or hives, runny nose, swelling of the lips or tongue, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and in more severe cases, anaphylactic shock as described above. How about allergies to food additives? Adverse allergic reactions to some food additives have been reported. Among some of them are aspartame (as in equal, a sweetener), MSG, FD&C Yellow No. 5 (a food color also known as tartrazine), and sulfites (sulfurbased preservatives). Following controlled studies in aspartame, the FDA determined it is not an allergen, and that aspartame is safe. Pregnant women with high level of phenylalanine in the blood, some people with a genetic disease called PKU (phenylketonuria), and those with advance liver disease have a problem with aspartame because these people do not metabolize the amino acid called phenylalanine, which is a component of aspartame. high levels of phenylalanine in the body can cause brain damage. Are sulfite preservatives allergens? Yes, sulfites, which are antioxidants used to prevent or reduce discoloration of light colored fruits and vegetables and also to inhibit the growth of bacteria in fermented foods, like wine, are allergens. Although majority of people do not have problems with sulfites, those sensitive to them, especially those with asthma, can develop mild to life-threatening symptoms. Does maternal smoking cause allergies in children? Cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been shown to increase the incidence of allergies among the newborns. rarely, specific allergies can be “inherited” from the parents. Studies have confirmed the assessment that avoidance by the mother of food allergens may reduce the incidence of some food allergies in infants and young children. What is the best treatment regimen for allergies? As with any medical condition or illness, prevention is the key. Avoidance of all known allergens is the best regimen in dealing with allergies and asthmatic attacks. Those who have food or drug allergies must read all ingredient labels and be extra cautious before PAGE B5
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EntErtainmEnt
2016 MMFF line-up is final... PAGE B3 Christmas Day. In finalizing this year’s line-up, Tiongson said that they simply followed the guidelines set by the executive committee, beginning with the criteria (40 percent for content; 40 percent for technical aspect; 10 percent for global appeal; and 10 percent for Filipino sensibility.) During the Nov. 2 deadline, 27 films were submitted. According to Tiongson, “In eight regular screenings which at least five or more committee members attended and later in additional screenings of certain films that some members requested for them to make a better, informed decision, the committee members gave secret ratings for each of these films that they saw, with 65 percent as the lowest and 100 percent as the highest.” He said that it was agreed on that only films that received 75 percent and above will be considered in the first deliberation. In the deliberation, the committee went for “No. 1, only those films that exhibit quality, as reflected in the graded evaluations. No. 2, the selection (committee) should consider representations of different genres — comedy, drama, horror, fantasy as well as documentary and animation.” The committee was happy to note that the films that got the highest marks were “unanimous” and “acceptable to all.” “When we averaged our individual scores, lumabas kaagad yung eight. In other words, there was a consensus immediately on the eight. On that point of view, the (selection) process was so easy. No objection. I think we were all looking at the same direction. We were all concerned primarily with the quality of the films. One cannot say that there was anybody who influenced any other judge because were were not talking to each other.” “The results are final,” said Tiongson, echoing the statement of Orbos that the executive committee is backing its choices. The MMFF is hoped to perform well in the box-office because its earnings will go to beneficiaries such as the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund), the Motion Picture Anti-Piracy Council, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Film Academy of the Philippines
Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2”
(FAP). The annual filmfest reportedly earned P1B last year. “We sincerely hope with the help of an aggressive and systematic publicity scheme, and most of all with the generous and enthusiastic support of the moviegoing public, the films of the 2016 MMFF will mark a turning point in the history of the festival and start a ‘renaissance’ of quality films in the Metro Manila Film Festival...We’re confident that anybody who will watch these films will find them worthwhile,” Tiongson said. Other screening committee members were Mae Paner, Allan Allanigue, Ping Medina, Lawrence Fajardo, Krip yuson, Joy Belmonte and Crispina Belen. Here’s how the selection committee described the “multigenre” Magic 8 in a primer furnished to the media: “Babae sa Septic Tank 2” is a “pointed but hilarious commentary on the pretentions and machinations” on the mainstream movie business. “Sunday Beauty Queens,” on the other hand, is a “well-researched... and engaging documentary on overseas Filipino workers,” specifically Pinay domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Vince and Kath and James is a rom-com that “reinvents the teen movie with its fresh approach and fluid narrative.” “Kabisera” is a socio-political drama that tells the story of a “tightly-knit family coming to grips with abusive elements of Philippine society, specifically the hooded perpetrators of extra-
Allergies 101 PAGE B4 ingesting anything. Fortunately, severe allergic reactions are not very common. Those with more than mild to severe form of allergies must be trained by a physician on the life-saving technique of selfinjection of 0.1 ml (one tenth of a cc) epinephrine (adrenalin) subcutaneously (under the skin) when symptoms first begin to manifest following exposure to known allergens. In this dire situation, every minute counts, and 5 or 10 minutes may spell the difference between
life and death. *** 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. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
judicial killings.” “Saving Sally” is an “atypical youthful love story replete with childlike fantasy elements as applied through 2D animation.” “Oro” is a socio-political film about a faraway mining community whose way of life is disrupted by an armed group misrepresenting government. “Die Beautiful” is a “heartwarming gay film” that fuses comedy and drama “to chronicle the glamour, gloom and glory of one transgender’s short, short life.” “Seklusyon” provides the horror in the line-up, exploring “the difference and conflict between religion and spirituality.” The 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival will run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2017.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
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Ryan back on the wheel of ‘only cab that pays’ By Leah
C. SaLterio Philstar.com
RyAN Agoncillo is not playing any role when people see him wearing a blue driver’s suit, maneuvering a taxi cab and plying the busy streets of Manila. Ryan is back anew as driver-host of the second season of “Cash Cab Philippines,” the local version of Singapore’s “Cash Cab Asia.” The first season was obviously a primetime hit, that’s why AXN produced a second season that will feature some celebrities as contestants. “Cash Cab Philippines” invariably makes passengers as contestants in an on-the-spot game show that happens on the road and right inside a cab. Ryan is the “manong driver” of the only cab in the Philippines that pays its passengers. That’s the challenging line he says as a comeon to get into his cab. The cab is tailor-made for passengers who are given a chance to win money while on the road. yes, “the only cab that pays” its passengers. Ryan picks up passengers and offers to bring them to their desired destination. However, they must successfully answer general knowledge questions along the way. The questions cover all topics ranging from sports and science to geography, pop culture and entertainment (music, TV and movies). What is the capital city of Australia? While Sydney is known perhaps as the most popular city, Canberra is the capital of Australia. Which big country is closest to New Zealand? Answer is Australia. Sweden is in which continent? Eu-
Ryan Agoncillo is the driver-host again for the second season of “Cash Cab Philippines,” the local version of Singapore’s “Cash Cab Asia.”
rope. What is the present name of Saigon? Ho Chi Minh. The United Nations headquarters is situated in what city? New york. For entertainment questions, here are some which made it to Ryan’s on-the-spot list. Who played the female lead in the movie, “Eat, Pray, Love?” Julia Roberts. What is Nora Aunor’s character in the classic film, “Himala?” Elsa. Who is the Canadian singer whose fan base is called Beliebers? Justin Bieber. This season, noted celebrities are slated to flag down Ryan’s cab. Participants in “The Amazing Race Asia Season 5,” married couple Eric and Rona Tai, hopped in for the quiz ride, but did not have much luck. Fellow TARA contestants, beauty queens Maggie Wilson-Consunji and Parul Shah, are also slated to be seen in “Cash Cab.” Former TARA participants Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez,
as well as actor-brothers Epy and Ronnie Quizon, Iza Calzado and boyfriend Ben Wintle will also join the quiz show on-the-wheels. If the passenger is on a winning streak, before he alights from the cab, he is offered the option to double the money he has if he gives the correct answer to the final question. Otherwise, he loses everything. If the passenger does not want to risk his winnings, he can take home his cash on hand and end the game. Since traffic in the city is a perennial problem, “Cash Cab Philippines” noticeably traverses the less-congested routes like Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Macapagal Boulevard or the Malate area. Ryan is ideal to host “Cash Cab Philippines.” He makes an effort to keep the program witty and entertaining. Not a dull moment when he’s in front of the cameras and behind the wheels.
B NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
Journal
For immigrants’ contributions to America: A thank you!
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller HAVE you ever considered that America’s most famous icon is an immigrant? That’s right! The Statue of Liberty was “born” in France and brought to America by ship. The quintessential symbol of American liberty and freedom, Lady Liberty herself, is an “immigrant”. As the late Senator Ted Kennedy said “Immigration is the story of American History. Over the centuries, immigrants came to America from every part of the globe and made the American dream. They created a nation that is the envy of the world. “They came to a land that offers freedom and opportunity to those willing to do their part.” And do their part, they have! Immigrants have contributed to and enriched every aspect of American life. They built our cities, our railroads and highways. They cultivated our farmlands. They fought to defend their adopted home in every branch of the U.S. military. And, they even gave us Thanksgiving, the quintessential American holiday. The first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565 when 600 Spanish settlers landed in what is now St. Augustine, Florida and immediately held a Mass of Thanksgiving for their safe delivery to the New World. The Mass was followed by a feast and celebration. A Spanish expedition party rested and conducted a mass at San Elizario (near El Paso, Texas) in celebration of thanksgiving on April 30, 1598. On December 4, 1619, 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred, which is about 20 miles north of Jamestown, Virginia. The group’s charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a day of thanksgiving to G-d. The modern Thanksgiving holiday is associated with a 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation where the Pilgrims held a feast after a successful growing season. Sqauanto, a Native
American who served as an interpreter for the English-speaking colony had taught the Pilgrims how to catch eel and grow corn. The Pilgrims set aside a day to celebrate immediately after their first harvest. That Thanksgiving feast lasted for three days and provided enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. It consisted of fowl, venison, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, squash and turkey. Since that time, a Thanksgiving Day has been proclaimed and celebrated periodically throughout our nationhood. However, the date was not officially set as the fourth Thursday of November until 1942. Regardless of where the immigrants came from and no matter when they arrived, they shared something in common with each other and with those who come to our shores today. They all wanted a better life for themselves and their families. They were also willing to work hard to get that better life. And, they were profoundly grateful to the country that gave them the opportunity for betterment. That is all still true. It is also still true that the country that benefitted so much from the early immigrants continues to benefit from those who come to our shores today. They bring energy and skill that enrich the lives of those with whom they come in contact. They start businesses and create jobs. They provide wonderful examples of family devotion by the sacrifices they make to unite their families here and support their loved ones back home. At RMZD, we know how impor-
tant families are. We recognize how much America owes to each person who has brought a unique contribution to this country. And we continue to strive to obtain justice and fairness for them. Fairness and justice means granting lawful status to those who devote their life and energy to make and keep this country great. It is fulfilling the promise of Lady Liberty who lifts her light of liberty beside the golden door. Since 1947, each year for Thanksgiving the President of the United States has pardoned a live turkey to allow it to live out its days in peace. Surely a country that has compassion for its turkeys can show compassion for its people. We hope that the Incoming President and First Lady and the members of Congress will remember that they are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants and will treat the immigrant community with the respect and dignity that they received when they got here. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)
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C NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon
Community Journal
How bankruptcy can release you from the burden of debt
der to get out of debt. The word SLEEPLESS nights… Stressed “bankruptcy” often produces out… Worried about the future.. negative feelings because some Always broke no matter how people equate it with failure. hard they work…Feeling hope- They think that filing bankruptcy less about their situation. means they have failed and that This is what most people are they are admitting defeat. But going through when they are nothing can be further from the considering bankruptcy in or- truth. Listen to me! Bankruptcy is
not about failing; it’s about starting again and putting the past behind you so that you can move on to bigger and better things. A lot of creditors will lie to you when you’re in debt and tell you that bankruptcy is the ‘worst mistake’ you can ever make because your credit will be ‘ruined forever’ and that you will never be able to buy a car or house again. Wrong again. The truth is that bankruptcy is a fact of life. At one time or another, everyone experiences financial difficulties. When you’re in a situation where you have done everything you can to pay your creditors but nothing has worked, bankruptcy may be your only option so you can start a new life. And this is exactly what Congress intended when they passed bankruptcy laws. So with bankruptcy, you get another chance. You wipe the slate clean and move on with your life, free from the burdens of debt. Can you just imagine what would happen if we had no bankruptcy laws that can help people get out of debt when they can no longer help themselves? Filing for bankruptcy means that you are filing a petition for relief from the bankruptcy court. The court reviews your application and determines whether on not you are entitled to the relief you are seeking. It is not for dishonest people who are trying to cheat the system. Contrary to what others think, most people who file for bankruptcy are honest, hard-working people who have gotten themselves in a big financial mess. In some cases it is caused by factors beyond their control. In other cases, it is a result of making bad financial decisions. But who hasn’t made a bad decision in their life at least once? Life is not perfect. Neither are you. Filing bankruptcy can help you regain your footing if you have lost control of your finances. If you are living your life without a financial plan for the future, you will never achieve financial security. So you can say that bankruptcy is a tool that allows you to reorganize your finances so you can plan a better future for yourself and your family. It is neither
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Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
YOU have just received an invitation to visit an office of the Internal Revenue Service to examine (meaning audit) your tax returns. Don’t panic. You have stashed funds for a rainy day, and this is it – a gathering storm. Take a minute to compose yourself, then read these tactics to shelter you from the storm. You have just received an invitation to an office of the Internal Revenue Service. They want to examine your return. Don’t panic. All these years, you have stashed funds for a rainy day. This is a rainy day. A gathering storm. Compose yourself. Then go to battle. Don’t be over confident though. I am just boosting your morale. Read these tactics to shelter you from the storm: 1. Prepare. This is your best line of defense against the IRS. If they want to verify your contributions, bring canceled checks and statements from charitable organizations. 2. Schedule the audit to your advantage. Do not be bullied by their ten-day letter. Schedule your appointment just before a three-day weekend when they are eager to go out on vacation. Schedule it near the end of the month when auditors are under pressure to close their inventory of open caseloads. Postponing an October or November examination to the holidays is not bad idea either. These tactics worked for me in 50 years of tax practice. 3. Schedule your appointment early in the morning or late in the afternoon. An early morning appointment could get you an auditor who is still fresh and probably in a good frame of mind. In a late afternoon appointment, the auditor may want to leave the office
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth urSuA reyeS COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your US Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the date the petition was initially filed by your US Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is
SKT Immigration
cAthArine yen THE E-1/E-2 visa is available to citizens of countries with which the U.S. maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The Philippines is a participating country, and therefore, Philippine citizens are eligible to apply for an E-1/E-2 visa. The purpose of the E-1/E-2 visa is for the Filipino national to engage in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and the Philippines (E-1) or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the Filipino national has invested a substantial amount of capital (E-2). Some examples that constitute trade under E visa provisions include international banking, insurance, transportation, tourism, communications, etc. The requirements for an E-1 visa are as follows: • A treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines exists; • The individual or business possesses the nationality of the Philippines; • The E-1 will engage in activities that constitute trade; • The trade is substantial; • The trade is principally between the U.S. and the Philippines;
12 tactics to survive an IRS audit before traffic builds up. 4. Don’t be afraid to go to Appeals. Your chances of winning there are better than the examination level. 5. Don’t bring unnecessary documents. This is not the time to come extra prepared. I have seen taxpayers bring documents for travel & entertainment when all that is being verified are interests and contributions. If the auditor decides to go on a fishing trip, you will be tempted to show excess bait that you just happen to bring along. 6. Auditors always request tax returns for the previous and succeeding years. That’s standard operating procedure. But that doesn’t mean that you should provide what you cannot find right away. Stall to give you time to evaluate those returns with your tax accountant. 7. If you do get the (mis)fortune of being confronted by an unreasonable auditor, do not be afraid to intimidate back. Request for a change of auditor even of it will probably be rejected. Most employees of the IRS are reasonable and professional. Treat them nicely. They are likely to reciprocate. But be wary of agents who are still trying to impress their superiors or are on a mission to pay back an oppressive and cruel world. Personally, I have had my best wins with veteran auditors. I have had my most terrible moments with young, minority auditors who carry police badges. (This is merely my own personal experience of dealing with the IRS for fifty years and may not reflect yours). 8. If an agent goes to your place of business in a field audit, do not feel sorry for placing the auditor in a small poorly ventilated room with stale air, if that happens to be the only available space. You cannot help it if the Revenue Agent feels so uncom-
fortable that he’ll beg to wrap things up and go home. (Folks, there is no law that requires you to welcome them in an embassy suite). 9. If the issues are simple and the stakes are low, you may represent yourself. But if the issues are unwieldy and problematic, have a professional who is well versed in tax controversy represent you against the IRS. 10. If auditor is replaced in midstream, it’s understandable to get upset especially if you have established rapport with the prior agent. Make lemonade out of lemon. Instead of complaining, use it to your advantage. Minimize major finds by prior auditor. Change tactics to skirt around problematic issues that were identified by the prior agent. 11. If you don’t want an agent to see a troublesome item, vaguely promise to send it but you may just forget to. This is ideal for seniors with early signs… 12. Learn when to observe, when to talk, when to shut up. Your best answers are yes, no, I don’t recall, or I’ll check on that. If you cannot stand silence, don’t talk to fill in the void. This is a dangerous reaction. You may blurt out something that opens a Pandora box. Good luck. *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)
4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years. Married Sons and Daughters of Legal Permanent Residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age. For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married and cannot be reclaimed by a divorce. In theory, it can be argued that filing a subsequent petition after your divorce under the same category inherits the previous petition’s priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part 205. However, success of such argument is not clear since the old petition was automatically revoked the moment you mar-
ried. The best thing that can be done in this situation is to have your LPR parent repetition you as an F2A or F2b even if you are unable to reclaim the previous petition’s priority date. Conditional Legal Permanent Residents in failed Marriages For those who obtained their legal permanent residence status through marriage based petition by their US Citizen spouse of less than 2 years marriage, the legal permanent residence status conferred is usually a “conditional legal permanent residence” valid only for 2 years. The couple would need to sign and file a joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration of the 2 years or the conditional legal permanent resident spouse would fall out of status. The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the US Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. US Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR sta-
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E1/E2 visa – treaty trader and investor visa available to Filipinos • The applicant will be in an executive / supervisory position or possesses skills essential to the business’s operations in the U.S.; and • The applicant intends to depart the U.S. when status terminates. The requirements for an E-2 visa are as follows: • A treaty between the U.S. and the Philippines exists; • The individual or business possesses the nationality of the treaty country; • The applicant has invested or is actively investing in the business; • The business is a bona fide, operating business; • The investment amount is substantial and not marginal; • The applicant will develop and direct the business; • The applicant will be in an executive / supervisory position or possesses skills essential to the business’s operations in the U.S.; and • The applicant intends to depart the U.S. when status terminates. For Filipino nationals, the E-1/ E-2 visa will be granted a validity period of 5 years. However,
the E-1/E-2 treaty trader or treaty investor may only be admitted for an initial period of up to 2 years. If the E-1/E-2 treaty trader or treaty investor does not leave the U.S. during that time, he/she must file a petition to extend status before the I-94 expires. Requests for extensions may be granted in increments of up to 2 years. There is no maximum limit to the number of extensions an E visa holder may be granted. An E visa holder can bring his/her spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the U.S. for the same duration of stay. In addition, the E visa holder’s spouse can apply for employment authorization to work in the United States. *** Catharine Yen manages the immigration department at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, and Klausner. She has a 100% approval rate for filed EB-5 petitions. She has spoken at national conferences and co-authored several articles on various EB-5 topics. Website: www.sullivankrieger.com Contact us at any of our offices: Long Beach + 1 (562) 597-7070 Irvine + 1 (949) 390-5270 Philippines + 63-2-788-5196 (Advertising Supplement)
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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I WORK as a manager for a fast-food franchisee with three stores in Los Angeles. While my title is “manager” I spend 70 percent of my time doing cashier and cook duties. I work 10 to 12 hours per day, 6- 7 days per week, but not paid overtime. The other hourly employees also suffer from unpaid overtime. I f we sue our employer, I am concerned that they cannot afford to pay all of us, and may just close the business. What should we do? A: It would be smart to consult with an experienced employment attorney to discuss your options. This is because the employer whose name appears in your paystub may not be the only company liable for unpaid wages. An employment attorney will be able to evaluate whether the franchisor could also be liable for the franchisee’s labor violations. Consider the situation of the following McDonald’s workers: Stephanie Ochoa, and others worked at a McDonald’s in San Francisco, operated by franchisee the Smith Family LLP. The Smith family operates 5 McDonald’s restaurants under a franchise agreement with McDonald’s Corp. The employees sued
Community Journal
What if the employer cannot pay our back wages? (Liabilities of “joint employers”) the Smith Family and McDonalds Corp in a class action, claiming that McDonald’s and Smith were jointly liable for violating several California employment laws. The employees claimed that they were not paid all earned wages because of errors in payroll data; that they were not paid daily overtime; they were not provided meal and rest periods; and the employer failed to reimburse employees for the time and money needed to iron and clean their McDonald’s uniforms. McDonald’s objected to being included in the lawsuit because it did not directly employ the workers and its relationship and dealings were mainly with the Smith Family (the franchisees). The court, however, ruled that the Smith Family is the “ostensible agent” of McDonald’s who should, therefore, be also liable for the unpaid wages to the workers. Instead of continuing to litigate the case, McDonald’s agreed to settle the case with the employees and pay the employees a total of $3.75 million in damages. If there is more than one employer or company in the picture, several legal theories can be pursued to recover payment of wages for the employees. The
companies may be joint employers, depending on the extent of control that one has over the other. They may also constitute a single integrated enterprise with interrelated operations, common management, centralized control of labor relations, and common ownership. One of the companies may be the agent of the other. Although highly technical, various courses of action can be pursued with the creativity and persistence of the attorney representing the employees. If you, or someone you know, is concerned that back wages may not be paid, explore your options by inquiring with an attorney who had done this before. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant recoveries for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently Aselected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. (Advertising Supplement)
Will enlisting in the army give me expedited US citizenship? THIS question was recently posed to our office: Dear Attorney Tan, I am a Filipino who is presently in post-graduate studies here in Los Angeles under an F-1 visa. After 3 years, I am close to finishing my graduate degree, and would like to stay in the US and become a citizen. Is it true that enlisting in the US military can give me US citizenship? — Uninformed Student Answer: Dear Uninformed Student: Under the US Army’s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, certain non-immigrants who have special language or medical skills can obtain expedited US citizenship. Persons who join the Army under the MAVNI program can move from a non-immigrant visa directly to US citizenship, bypassing the permanent resident process. Persons who participate in the MAVNI program become naturalized US citizens by the time they graduate from 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training or accept a commission as Army Officers. Currently, certain licensed health care professionals and persons who can speak more than 1 language are being sought out by the Army under this program. Health care professionals must have qualifying scores on an English language proficiency test and be licensed in the US. Those with special language skills must have a qualifying score on a proficiency test in his/her native language. Certain requirements need to be met to enroll in the MAVNI program. First, an applicant must be in one of the following non-immigrant visa categories: E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, TC, TD, TN, U or V. Persons also qualify if they are either in asylee, refugee, or Temporary Protected Status, or have been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Second, an applicant must have legally resided in the US for at least 2 years prior to joining the army (excluding DACA), and have not been absent from the US during that time period for more than 90 days. Third, an applicant must have a high school diploma and have obtained qualifying scores on the Armed Forces Qualification Test. In your case, if you have a medical skill which the Army is looking for, you may be eligible to enroll in the MAVNI program, and for expedited US citizenship. In addition, the Army is currently recruiting for Tagalog speakers. If you are proficient in Tagalog, you may also be eligible. Your F-1 non-immigrant status is one of the categories that is accepted under the MAVNI program. Furthermore, if you have been studying for close to 3 years in Los Angeles, you appear to meet the 2 year US residence requirement (assuming you have not had an extended stay outside the US of over 90 days during that time). The MAVNI program to expedited citizenship will increase from the current limit of 1,500 enlistments to 3,000 enlistments during this fiscal year, and to 5,000 enlistments in the 2016 fiscal year. While the MAVNI program may be a good option for you, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney to determine all available options in your case. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com. (Advertising Supplement)
4 ways filing for divorce can benefit… PAGE C2 t
tus based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case. Married Aliens in Non-Immigrant Visas and those without Status For those who enter the US as a non-immigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a US Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the US to
start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a US Citizen spouse. If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001. Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to
be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article (Advertising Supplement) is not a solicitation.
How bankruptcy can release you… PAGE C2 t
good nor bad in and of itself. You can use a tool for the wrong or right reasons. Using it for the wrong reasons is NOT the intent of our bankruptcy laws. Is it for you? Maybe yes. Maybe no. It certainly is not for everyone. But when appropriate for your situation, it could be the best thing that ever happened to
you- and it could be a big turning point in your life if you are drowning in debt. This is what you need, isn’t it? If you need some straight talk about bankruptcy and get all your questions answered, I will give you a free initial consultation so we can talk about your situation. Just call 866-477-7772 and schedule an appointment. I
have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
To Live With Faith reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS I WILL always remember Fr. Anthony Lee’s homily last week in the seminary when our community celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass. To start his homily he shared a “culture shock” he had during his first years of immigrating to America from Korea. It was about opening gifts on Christmas Day. He was stunned to see how people in the U.S. would rip beautifully wrapped and ribboned gift boxes to immediately see what’s inside of them. In Korea, he said, people do not practice this manner of opening gifts. They would be embarrassed to tear gift wrappings and boxes in front of people. Instead, they would carefully do this ritual by opening each gift gently and slowly to show their great appreciation and delight for the gifts and the givers. He said that he, himself, would not open gifts in front of people. He would do it in the privacy of his room. There is a lesson to learn from Koreans’ manner of opening gifts. It reminds us to cherish all the gifts and blessings we receive from God and other people with a deep sense of awe and gratitude. And so, as much as we get excited to see our gifts, opening them slowly and gently shows a keen appreciation to the givers. Gifts and blessings are what we just celebrated on Thanksgiving Day: the presence, love and
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A profound look at gifts and blessings affection of our family members and friends; our good health; the long years of marriages and friendships; the achievements of our kids, nieces and nephews and the joy they bring us; the jobs we have that pay for rent or mortgages, tuition fees and other bills, buy groceries, fill up our gas tanks, and help us go on trips and vacations. I hope that we would always celebrate these gifts and blessings with profound sense of awe and delight on the benevolence of the Giver of all these gifts, our Father God. And even though our lives are simple and not perfect, even if the challenges of health, work, and relationships bring us down, I hope we would still take time to recognize and count our blessings. During the prayer of my family on Thanksgiving Day, my niece played the song, Blessings, by Laura Story. The song helped us to appreciate even our struggles and difficulties in life. Part of the lyrics are these: “We pray for blessings, we pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep. We pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering. And all the while, You hear each spoken need. Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things. ‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops. What if Your healing comes through tears. What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to
Aurora Inter-organizational Alliance-USA celebrates 8th anniversary in Granada Hills, CA
AURORA Inter-organizational Alliance-USA announces its 8th anniversary celebration on Saturday, December 10 in Granada Hills, CA. It is an annual gathering of immigrants from the Aurora province’s 8 towns, aiming to further strengthen the camaraderie and spirit of the members. This year’s celebration hopes to gather 100 members and guests, who will be treated with traditional Filipino dishes as well as entertainment amid the sounds of Christmas carols. The night will be capped by the election of new officers for the new year. The event will be held at the Granada Hills Pavilion at 11128 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Atty Al Nabor at (951) 818-8172 or Luchie Cuento at (818) 300-3212. n
know You’re near. What if trials are your mercies in disguise.” As we celebrate the beginning of Advent, let’s nurture and practice a deeper appreciation for life and the people around us. Let’s see God’s favor and protection in disguise. Let the eyes of our hearts be keen in seeing grace like raindrops. Let peace and contentment reign over us. And even if people rub us the wrong way, let us learn to deal with them with patience, kindness, and I understanding. For this annoyance may help us grow in charity and wisdom. Advent’s call to “stay awake” urges us to see all elements and aspects of life as sacraments-visible signs of God’s invisible grace. And so, we begin this prayerful time of the year by walking on the path of gratitude, graciousness and awe. This is the most pleasing way to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, today, always, and at the end of times! *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
AAPA Graduation Gala ASIAN American Professional Association (AAPA) cordially invites you to the Graduation Gala on Monday, December 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate with AAPA mentor and mentees and learn about the organization’s impact in the community. Mr. Anthony Hong, vice president of clinical research and development of Johnson & Johnson Cardiovascular & Specialty Solutions will be the keynote speaker of the night. It will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton - Rosemead at 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770. The event is business casual/cocktail attire and is open to everyone. Complimentary for mentors and mentees. Guests at $25. Please RSVP and purchase tickets by November 28 at www.aapa.abcptsa.org. n
C NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT is 53 and recently widowed. She works as a caregiver and met her now deceased husband through her job. At first, husband was her patient. She provided caregiving services to the man in his house. He was 70, divorced and lived by himself. As part of caregiving, she drove him to eat a various restaurants that he wanted to go to. While they ate at those restaurants, he would talk to her about his life and eventually popped the question saying that if she would marry him and take care of him, he will be a good husband to her. Client was previously divorced but felt an affection towards him so she said yes. Apparently, they were pretty happy living together as husband and wife until he slipped and fell in their house, hitting his head on the floor. He fell into a coma and never recovered. After a week, he died in the hospital. Husband had placed her name as joint tenant on the house, which was almost fully paid. The current fair value of the house was $400K while the unpaid balance of the mortgage was $150K, leaving $250K of equity. Client automatically became the sole owner of the house because upon death of the joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant owns the other half that was owned by the deceased joint tenant. As a result, client now owns 100% of the $250K equity of the house. The adult children of husband complained about being left out in the cold as far as the ownership of the house was concerned, but client’s claim of ownership is clear because husband who was of sound mind, quitclaimed the house to himself and client when they got married. It’s almost impossible for children to prove that it was not their father’s intent to give the house to client. Client’s problem right now is
Community Journal
Widow needs Chapter 13 to handle $40K credit cards Widower seeks Chapter 13 for $50K credit cards
that she has too much debt. She owes $40K of credit card debt. The mortgage on the house is $1,500 a month. Her net income from her caregiving services is not a lot. She nets about $2,500 a month. After paying the mortgage there is $1,000 left before food and other monthly necessities. But minimum credit card payments alone are $1,200 a month. Obviously, the $40K credit cards have to be wiped out. It’s becoming clear that the choice she has to make is to be able to make the mortgage payment or the credit card payment. The house gives her shelter and has equity of quarter million dollars while credit card debt is just a heavy burden to carry forever. Although client wants a Chapter 7 discharge of the $40K of credit cards, I cannot recommend a Chapter 7 for her. In Chapter 7, she would lose the house and keep only her exempt equity of $100K. A chapter 7 trustee has the power to sell debtor’s house if the net proceeds will yield an amount that will yield a distribution to unsecured creditors such as credit cards. In client’s case, trustee can sell her house at least for $400K, pay off the mortgage of $150K, give client $100K, leaving a surplus of $150K of cash. Trustee will use the $150K to pay himself for his trustee services for administering the bankruptcy estate, pay his lawyers and other professional services incurred, and will use the unused balance after these expenses are paid to pay the $40K of credit cards, in exchange for a discharge order for the client. Chapter 7 trustee can rack up trustee, legal and other professional fees in no time. Just to hire a broker to sell the house can cost $10K to $15K in legal fees for the trustee, separate from the selling commission of the broker. The right choice for widow is Chapter 13, which will allow her to pay $40K
over 60 months without interest. The plan payment will be about $700/month. After 60 payments, the court will enter a discharge order to wipe out all of her debts. No more minimum payments forever. And her house is protected from judgment liens by the bankruptcy court as long as she is current on the plan payments. Next client is 66 and a widower. His house worth $400K is almost fully paid, except for $25K of 2nd mortgage. He owes $50K of credit cards. He has been paying $1500 a month on these cards for the last 10 years. He has paid more than $180K to keep them current but still owes the same principal of $50K today. At 66, he is just tired of paying for these cards that never diminish in principal. He cannot file a Chapter 7 because he has the same problem as the widow in the first paragraph. His equity in the house is over $175K, way over it. He sees no problem paying about $900 of plan payment for the next 60 months and looks forward to the last payment on the 60th month when the court enters a discharge order saying that he doesn’t owe any credit card debts anymore. Compare that to $1500 a month for minimum payments only such that he would pay $90K in the next 60 months but still owe the same $50K. At 66, he sees very clearly the advantage of Chapter 13 for him now to get rid of his credit card debts. “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” — Psalm 105:4
People and Events University of Baguio Class of ‘76 celebrates 40th reunion in Chino Hills, CA UNIVERSITY of Baguio Class of ‘76 (Usbong ‘76) marked a milestone with a celebration of their 40th reunion in Chino Hills, California. The gathering was hosted by Romeo and Tess Vidal.
It’s always fun being with each other’s company, especially reminiscing the good old days. The fun will be continued in Bakersfield, California on Dec. 10, hosted by Renato Aquino. n
(Seated from L-R) Sixto Darang, Delia (Dee) Bugnosen, Annabelle Estolero & Manuel Carmelo Standing from L-R Joel Mendoza, Edgar Laita, Romeo Vidal (host), Edgardo Burdios, Henry Buenavista, Danny Pelen, Charles Toliver & Emmanuel Paynor
*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
FASO’s Christmas Concert in Glendale, CA
THE Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, as it presents “A Christmas Concert” on Saturday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California. FASO will play Christmas carols, accompanied by the voices of various choir groups.
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John Wayne Performing Arts Center is located at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. For tickets, call Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936; and Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850. Tickets are also available athttp://fasochristmas. eventbrite.com/. Tickets are at $25, $45 and $75. (Seated from L-R) Delia (Dee) Bugnosen, Yolanda Retuya, Annabelle Estolero Standing from L-R Danny Pelen, Henry Buenavista, Manuel More information at www.fasofoundation.org. n Carmelo, Sixto Darang, Joel Mendoza, Edgar Laita, Sam Lagmay & Romeo Vidal
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016
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C NOVEMBER 26-29, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 26-29, 2016
MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
& Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
The local currency shed 12 centavos to close at 49.98 from Wednesday’s 49.86 to $1. This was the weakest level since the peso closed at 49.99 to $1 on Nov. 20, 2008 or during the height of the global financial crisis.
Peso breaks 50:$1 barrier by Lawrence
agcaoiLi
Philstar.com
MANILA - The peso briefly breached the 50 to $1 level on Thursday, Nov. 24, echoing the weakening of the regional currencies amid the release of minutes from a U.S. Fed meeting indicating the agency is poised to raise interest rates next month. The peso opened weak at 49.86 before hitting an intra-day low of 50 to $1. The local currency shed 12 centavos to close at 49.98 from Wednesday’s 49.86 to $1. This was the weakest level since the peso closed at 49.99 to $1 on Nov. 20, 2008 or during the height of the global financial crisis. Trading volume increased 21.4 percent to $437.6 million from Wednesday’s $360.5 million due to strong demand. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the peso’s downtrend trajectory is an expected reaction of the local currency to
the anticipated early rate increase by the U.S. Fed, with other Asian currencies also moving in the same direction. “We are watching the currency movements very closely. We seem to be moving in the same direction as the other currencies. We just want to avoid abrupt changes in the exchange rates,” Dominguez said. But he added the country’s rock solid macroeconomic fundamentals would enable the domestic economy to survive external shocks such as higher U.S. interest rates and a stronger dollar. For his part Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the strengthening of the greenback against the peso “is expected as an impact of the Fed normalization.” “The peso is just normalizing. It was P57 per the U.S. dollar in 2004. All other currencies are moving in the same direction,” PAGE D2
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte
Duterte opens 3 sectors to foreign investors by Frinston Lim Inquirer.net
DAVAO C I TY — P re s i d e n t Duterte said the Philippines was on track “for an unparalleled trajectory of growth” as he declared the opening up of the economy, particularly the telecommunications, “the airwaves” and energy sectors, to new players and foreign investors. The Philippine economy grew 7.1 percent, the fastest in the region, in the first three months in office of Mr. Duterte. “The only way to make this country move faster to benefit the poor is really to open up the communications, the airwaves and the entire energy sector. My decision now is to open the Philippine economy to other players,” the President said upon arrival from New Zealand, where he spent a night after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru.
Duopoly The President said his administration was finalizing plans to “open up the information and communications technology industry to new players in order to promote competitiveness and improve quality of service.” His comments suggest he intends to follow through on threats to stamp out protectionism, having warned the telco duopoly of PLDT and Globe Telecom to shape up, or face new competition. Philippine mobile internet and voice services are ranked among Asia’s slowest and most intermittent. Investors in the Philippines have complained often of regulations that can restrict foreign investment in various areas, among them telecoms and utilities. The President said his administration was “now also looking into regulatory requirements and institutional arrangements to hasten the PAGE D5
Continued engagement in Asia good also for US, says ADB head MANILA — Continued engagement by the United States with Asia under President-elect Donald Trump would be good for both the region and America, the head of the Asian Development Bank said Thursday, Nov. 24. Takehiko Nakao, who began his second five-year term as president of the Manila-based development bank on Thursday, also said there is a strong case for regional agreements to liberalize trade and investment despite Trump’s threat to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership. Nakao made the comments in response to questions about what would happen if Trump ends the current U.S. administration’s emphasis on the region and pulls out of the TPP, which Trump called a “disaster” for American jobs. Nakao said America’s involve-
ment in Asia has boosted the region’s economic development and stability. “It’s important for the United States to continue to engage in Asia and that is good for the Asian region as a whole and it should be in the interest of the United States,” he added. The ADB chief cautioned that “it is too early to tell” what Trump’s policy will be. Leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum ended their annual summit Sunday with a call to resist protectionism amid signs of increased skepticism about free trade, highlighted by Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. Nakao said keeping trade and investment open is key to continued growth. (Philstar.com)
THANKSGIVING is when people take a step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the people who have been so kind and supportive of me and my immigration law practice. Thank you to all of my clients. I realize that you are the reason I am able to remain in business. I also know how important your immigration matter is in your life and in the life of your family. I appreciate your trust and confidence in my office, in allowing us to handle such an important matter. Thank you to the entire Filipino community. I truly appreciate your warmth and support, and I thank you for all of your letters and emails telling me how you enjoy my articles and television show, Citizen Pinoy. I am happy to be of service to you, and I
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Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks will continue to support Filipino events and causes. Thank you to ABS-CBN, TFC, and the entire crew of Citizen Pinoy, who share my vision of providing a public-service program to the Filipino community concerning immigration information. It makes me so proud and happy when people come up to me, saying that they watch Citizen Pinoy every single week, and have learned so much from the real life stories and questions and answers presented. I thank all the crew of Citizen Pinoy for their hard work, dedication, and passion for this worthy public service. Thank you to all of our friends in the media, who through their prestigious publications, enabled us to reach those who need our services and inform the Filipino community about newsworthy immigration information. You serve as an avenue to help “BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER” and help “MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE.” Thank you to my staff. Your tireless efforts and dedication to our clients are the main reasons we can continue to provide quality service to our many loyal
clients. Thank you to my wife, Millie. People say that behind every successful man, there is a Filipina wife. After many years of marriage, I know it’s true. Words cannot express my gratitude for your help, support and dedication to our business. You are the “wind beneath my wings.” And most of all, thank you to the Almighty. Without His blessings, benevolence, and guidance, none of this would be possible. May He allow me to continue to be able to assist people with their problems, and allow the prayers of all people to be answered and fulfilled. ***
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
Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an
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Business Quote of the Week “I feel sorry for the person who can’t get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile” - Walter Chrysler, Founder of the Chrysler Corporation
D november 26-29, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
Marketplace & ShowrooM
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Tax reform to free 6-M Filipinos from poverty Napocor, USAID partner for forest protection programs by Lawrence
agcaoiLi Philstar.com
MANILA – The Department of Finance (DOF) said the proposed tax reform program would help the Duterte administration free six million Filipinos from poverty over the next six years. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the approval by Congress of the proposed tax reform program would help the government reduce the poverty level to just 14 percent. Dominguez said the Philippines is now at a critical juncture where it could either choose the old and easier path of sustaining high growth accompanied by economic exclusion and high poverty rates, or the new and more challenging road to reforms that would ensure high growth with equity for all Filipinos. “Our mandate is to take on the more challenging path. Building on solid fundamentals, we must immediately bring relief to all Filipinos burdened with oppressive tax rates,” he said. The DOF chief said the government should raise enough revenues to close the infrastructure gap that makes production costlier in the Philippines than in other countries in the region. Dominguez said there should also be enough revenues to provide the social protection needed by the poor and vulnerable. Dominguez said the government must take advantage of “the beneficial point in our country’s economic history,” characterized by the following positive factors: abundant capital, low interest rates, benign inflation, high busi-
ness confidence, impressive credit ratings and strong regional support. “This is the time to act boldly,” he said. Over the next six years, the government intends to reduce poverty rates from the current 21.6 percent to 14 percent to bring the Philippines on par with Thailand and China in terms of per-capita gross national income by 2022. “That translates into liberating six million Filipinos from the grip of poverty. We intend to transform our country from a lower middle-income to an upper middle-income economy. That will mean raising per-capita gross national income from $3,100 to $4,000 by 2022. That is the level of Thailand and China today after decades of sustained economic expansion in those economies,” Dominguez said. If this momentum is sustained, Dominguez said by “the end of this administration, the Philippines should be well on its way to eradicating poverty completely by 2040 or a generation hence.” “By that time, we should have moved into the ranks of the world’s advanced nations with a per-capita income of $12,000. This is where South Korea and Malaysia are at today,” the finance chief said. To achieve these goals, Dominguez said the Philippines must sustain a growth rate of at least seven percent annually for a generation, which could be done only if the economy shifts from consumption- to investment-led growth.
by Danessa
rivera Philstar.com
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez
He noted the Philippines currently invests only 20 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) while its high-growth neighboring economies invest between 30 percent and 40 percent of GDP. “Studies show that in order to sustain high and inclusive growth, we need P1 trillion more in investment on top of the current P1.3 trillion. Expanded direct investments from our neighbors, a more aggressive public-private partnership program, and deepened social protection and human capital investments will ensure that,” Dominguez said. These investments, he said, require a series of revenue-enhancing packages, the first of which was submitted to the Congress last September under the DOF-proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act that aims to generate a net gain of P174 billion, equivalent to one percent of the GDP in 2018.
MANILA – The National Power Corp. (Napocor) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have forged a partnership to strengthen forest protection measures. Napocor said in a statement it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with USAID to establish cooperation in strengthening the forest protection programs of each agency. With the MOU, both agencies will be able to share their respective expertise, strengths, resources, technologies and methodologies in protecting the forest. The agreement is highly ben-
eficial since both parties share a common interest for the country’s natural forests, Napocor president Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita said. “We at Napocor manage 11 watershed systems that support hydro and geothermal power facilities while USAID supports forest protection and biodiversity conservation in the country through its Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) program,” she said. The Upper-Agno, San Roque, Angat, Caliraya-Lumot, MakilingBanahaw, Buhi-Barit and Tiwi watershed reservations are under the sole jurisdiction of Napocor. Magat, Pantabangan, Lake La-
nao-Agus and Pulangui-AgusanTalomo are under co-management with other government agencies. Under the partnership, Napocor’s watershed management will also be empowered with the use of Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System. Lawin, a program developed by USAID with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, combines sciencebased planning, technologyaided monitoring and indigenous knowledge to protect the forests. It uses open-source technology that is accessible to communities, private sector and the government through a smartphone or tablet application.
PH needs globally competitive CFOs by MayveLin
U. carabaLLo ManilaTimes.net
THE Philippines needs more globally competitive chief financial officers (CFOs) to help sustain the country’s economic growth, the central bank said during the ING Bank-Finance Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) CFO Awards held on Wednesday. In his keynote speech, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the economic story of the Philippines remains one of growth. “As of September this year, we have had 71 quarters of uninterrupted GDP growth. The series of economic reforms and the enhanced governance standards we have adopted have built the base upon which we have derived the
momentum for sustained and resilient growth,” he said. In particular, Tetangco said the country’s 7.1 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the third quarter this year counts as the fastest in Asia “even as we managed to keep prices low and stable.” He noted that this brought the average inflation rate for the first 10 months of the year to 1.6 percent. “This is where we are right now. Where do we go from here? Some of you may ask: is growth sustainable? Well, we have CFOs around the room. What do you think?” he asked. “If you ask me, my answer is yes — our economy will continue to grow based on what we see on the horizon. We will continue to move forward. I also believe we have sufficient buffers against external headwinds,” he added. He noted that the country’s gross international reserves of $85.75 billion as of end- October 2016 was enough to cover 10 months’ worth of imports, and also equivalent to 6.1 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.4 times based on residual maturity. “Ladies and gentlemen, the strength of the Philippine economy in general, and the banking system in particular, can be attributed to more than two decades of reform,” he said. Tetangco said the bigger picture “is defined not just by the complexities of finance. Rather, it is about the web of inter-connectedness between transacting parties across products, as well as the channels of risk that underpin the activities in the market.”
“This is the new prudential norm of financial stability. Under the regulatory framework anchored on financial stability, we look at how separate risks come together to form the bigger picture,” he said. “This is the same challenge facing CFOs. What will separate the great CFOs from the pack is their ability to see this bigger picture while at the same time appreciating that underneath the bigger picture are many interconnected and moving parts,” he added. With this, the BSP governor said the country needs CFOs who orient their organizations toward best practices; who create value and meet financial goals; who ensure regulatory compliance; who excel in risk management; and who address strategic issues that shape the organization’s future. In addition, he said the Philippines also needs CFOs who can contend with fa ctors associated with economic, technical and political developments, and who should be catalysts, strategists, stewards and operators. “I therefore conclude that a CFO who achieves all of these, at a time when global financial markets continue to spring surprises and the digital revolution is looming over every business line, fully deserves the honor of being named CFO of the Year! Congratulations to our awardee this year,” he said. “You have the privilege and the responsibility to be a role model who inspires and motivates others to do better, to be more dynamic, ethical, and internationally competitive. This is important. We need more globally competitive CFOs in the country to help grow our economy,” he added.
Bank of Hope, APIASF announce $150,000 funding for college scholarship opportunities Partnership will provide 52 scholarships to eligible Asian-American and Pacific Islander students for the 2017-2018 academic year BANK of Hope, the largest Korean American bank in the nation, and The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the nation’s largest non-profit provider of college scholarships to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), jointly announced $150,000 funding for scholarships to selected college-bound students enrolling for the 2017-2018 academic year as described below. The APIASF/Bank of Hope scholarship will be awarded to 52 students in the amount of $2,500 each. “As a first and only super regional Korean-American bank in the United States, Bank of Hope continues to support education in the communities where we operate and has distributed more than $1.6 million in scholarships to date through our Bank of Hope Scholarship Foundation,” said Kevin Kim, Chairman and CEO of Bank
of Hope. “We believe APIASF’s leadership position and established distribution channels will continue to expand our efforts in assisting students that need help the most. We look forward to the continued partnership with APIASF for the betterment of our communities.” For over ten years, APIASF has provided a critical bridge to higher education by distributing over $100 million in scholarships to AAPI students. APIASF has supported students from cities in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States, who represent all 48 ethnicities within the AAPI community. More than 50 percent of APIASF’s scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college and nearly 70 percent come from families with incomes of $30,000 or less. “Bank of Hope’s ongoing supPAGE D5
Peso breaks 50:$1 barrier
PAGE D1 Beltran said. With interest rates on American government bonds now rising, investors have began shifting their focus on the U.S., which means countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand and other Asian economies are seeing their currencies weakening against the dollar. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said monetary authorities are not worried about the continued weakening of the peso against the dollar as it is in line with the movement of other regional currencies. “Our view here is that for as long as movements in the exchange rates are not “out-of-line” against fundamentals and if these are not exaggerated to dislodge expectations, the BSP can allow for the exchange rate to move (either up or down),” he said. According to him, the BSP could intervene if there is excessive volatility in the foreign ex-
change market. “Otherwise, we reserve scope for official action to stem excessive volatility. Right now, we don’t see a need to veer away from this foreign exchange rate policy,” Tetangco said. Joey Cuyegkeng, senior economist at ING Bank Manila, said the weakness of the peso is in line with weakness of other Asian currencies as markets remain on edge over likely US trade and job policies as well as fiscal spending under the Trump administration. “External pressures have become more dominant again,” he said also citing the talks on Brexit as well as the economic slowdown in China. He said ING is retaining its year-end forecast of 49.50 to $1. “In an environment of uncertainties, market participants have been slowly increasing U.S. dollar portion of holdings for future foreign exchange payments and servicing and for alternative investments,” he said.
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Showroom
Filipino customers guaranteed top service at Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep Ram For many folks, buying a car is often stressful and laborious. Figuring out finances, picking out the right make and model and deciding on the right dealership are just among the few things to worry about when making one of the most important purchases. But at Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep ram, consumers are guaranteed honest service from an unrivaled team of sales consultants and managers. General Manager Manny Martinez – who describes himself as a “die hard Filipino” -- has been in the automobile industry for decades and understands the importance of customer satisfaction. At Hooman, he and his expert team make that a company priority. Hooman is dedicated to providing quality service and reasonable prices, regardless of customers’ credit. Working with reliable banks, they are able to approve clients no matter the circumstances: first time buyers with little credit history, customers undergoing bankruptcy, families who have experience home foreclosures and customers with credit issues. Whatever the situation, Hooman is sure to deliver. Where other dealerships merely claim to cater to those with credit issues, Hooman makes it a prime concern to make sure that credit doesn’t deter anyone from purchasing a car. Moreover, Hyundai and Chrysler, in particular, are able to grant generous rebates, which can help when putting a down payment on an automobile. Since taking over as GM in September, Martinez has been putting together a special team of Filipino American managers and salespeople to help Filipino clients. Martinez sought to cater to the Filipino community in this way because he knows that trust and loyalty are huge elements in the business of automobiles. “We love the Filipinos because they deserve to get a new car because they work hard and they are very, very good people.
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They are good citizens of this country and they deserve to be assisted even if they have really bad credit,” Martinez said. Currently on his Tagalogspeaking team are Used Car and rental Fleet Director Patrick Toledo and Sales Consultant Arvin Aberilla who were handpicked for their experience, integrity and their dedication to deliver first-class service to clients. Serving the Filipino-American community has always been a mission for Martinez, who was a part of the first car dealership to advertise to the Filipino
community in 1995. “My priority is always the Filipino community since I got into the car business in 1989,” Martinez said. “We’ve always treated Filipinos with a lot of respect, and they’ve always been very loyal.” Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep ram is located on 333 Hindry Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301 and are opened Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To call for more information, call (310) 846-1300. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 26-29, 2016 D
D november 26-29, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
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Duterte opens 3 sectors to foreign... PAGE D1 entry of new players in the power industry and energy sector.” He said one could count on his fingers the players in the power industry, although he could not say that they were the elite. “The Philippines acknowledges the significant role of more vibrant telecommunications and power industries to be able to participate in the global market with a competitive edge,” he added. Opening up the telecommunications and other sectors to foreign investors will require amending the 1987 Constitution that limits to 40-percent foreign ownership of public utilities. The Duterte administration wants to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly,
composed of senators and representatives. The President also spoke of conducting an audit of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) following the refusal of its officers to resign amid allegations of corruption. He threatened to order the filing of cases against ERC officials found to be involved in corruption, lashing out at them for making the government “their milking cow.” Mr. Duterte said he would order a stop to hiring consultants in state corporations as the practice cost the government millions of pesos in salaries. The President’s statements against ERC officials came more than two weeks after ERC Director Francisco Jose Villa Jr. commit-
ted suicide because he could not handle the pressure from the ERC chair who allegedly wanted him to rig the bidding and favor his boss’ preferred companies. “My greatest fear in the bids and awards committee is the AVP by Luis Morelos which the chair and CEO, Jose Vicente B. Salazar, chose through a rigged selection system. That will be a criminal act,” Villa said in a series of suicide notes he wrote three months ago when he started feeling the pressure from Salazar. Broadcast journalist Charie Villa said her brother was “pressured to approve contracts for procurements and hiring consultants without proper bidding and procedure as bids and awards committee chair.”
Bank of Hope, APIASF announce ...
PAGE D2 port of APIASF is making a significant difference for some of the nation’s most underserved students,” said APIASF President & Executive Director Neil Horikoshi. “With many AAPI students facing financial barriers in the pursuit of higher education, these scholarship opportunities have the potential to be life-changing.” To be eligible for the APIASF/ Bank of Hope scholarship, applicants must be of Asian American and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census; be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States; be enrolling in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2017 as a freshman; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or have earned a GED; apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); must demonstrate financial need and qualify based on income restrictions and limitations; submit one letter of recommendation online; and reside in one of the following counties: Alameda County, CA; Contra Costa County, CA; Los Angeles County, CA; Marin, CA; Orange County, CA; San Bernardino County, CA; Santa Clara County, CA; San Diego County, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Mateo County , CA; Riverside County, CA; Bronx County, NY, Kings County, NY; Nassau County, NY; New York County, NY; Putnam County, NY; Queens County, NY; Richmond County, NY; Rockland County, NY; Suffolk County, NY; Westchester County, NY; Bergen
County, NJ; Essex County, NJ; Hudson County, NJ; Hunterdon County, NJ; Middlesex County, NJ; Fairfax County, VA; Cook County, IL; DeKalb County, IL; DuPage County, IL; Grundy County, IL; Kane County, IL; Kendal County, IL; Lake County, IL; McHenry County, IL; Will County, IL; King County, WA; Pierce County, WA; Snohomish County, WA; Thurston County, WA; Montgomery County, AL; Troup County, GA; Dallas County, TX; Tarrant County, TX; Harris County, TX; Fort Bend County, TX For details about APIASF’s scholarship programs or to apply, visit www.apiasf.org. Also, follow APIASF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/apiasf), Twitter (@apiasf) and Instagram (@apiasf). For information about Bank of Hope, please visit www.bankofhope.com. Applications are due on January 11, 2017 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Bank of Hope Bank of Hope is the first and only super regional Korean-American bank in the United States with $13.5 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2016. Formed through the merger of BBCN Bank and Wilshire Bank, the top two commercial lenders in the market, Bank of Hope is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves a multi-ethnic population of customers across the nation. Bank of Hope operates 85 full-service branches in California, Washington, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. The Bank also operates SBA loan production offices in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, and Portland, Oregon; a commercial loan production office
in Fremont, California; residential mortgage loan production offices in California; and a representative office in Seoul, Korea. Bank of Hope specializes in core business banking products for small and mediumsized businesses, with an emphasis in commercial real estate and commercial lending, SBA lending and international trade financing. Bank of Hope is a California-chartered bank, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. Bank of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For additional information, please go to bankofhope.com. APIASF Based in Washington, D.C., the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). APIASF works to create opportunities for students to access, complete, and succeed after post-secondary education; thereby developing future leaders who will excel in their career, serve as role models in their communities, and will ultimately contribute to a more vibrant America. Since 2003, APIASF has distributed over $100 million in scholarships to AAPI students. APIASF manages three scholarship programs: the APIASF General Scholarship, the APIASF Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander - Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Scholarship, and the Gates Millennium Scholars/ Asian Pacific Islander Americans funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 26-29, 2016 D
D november 26-29, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
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