Las vegas edition january 5 11, 2017

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Robredo denies existence of US blueprint to oust Duterte

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, January 4, said she does not believe the existence of a “blueprint” allegedly left by former United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg that outlines plans to oust President

Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na mayroong ganoon (I do not believe that it exists),” Robredo said in an interview during her visit to Tiwi, Albay.

In its earlier report, The Manila Times, citing a “highly placed source,” said Goldberg supposedly left behind a “blueprint to undermine Duterte.”

According to the report, among the ouster tactics Goldberg allegedly suggested include the support for “Robredo-led opposition groups” and fueling public dissatisfaction with the president.

In a statement, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said that “[t]hese allegations of a blueprint are false.”

“No such blueprint exists,” Russel stressed.

He also reiterated that the United States’ relationship with the Philippines is “one of our most enduring and important relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“It has been a cornerstone of stability for over 70 years. It is built on shared sacrifices for democracy and human rights and

strong people-to-people and societal ties. We continue to focus on our broad relationship with the Philippines, and will work together in the many areas of mutual interest to improve the livelihoods of the Philippine people and uphold our shared democratic values,” Russel added.

Malacañang, meanwhile, downplayed the rumors that the

PH gov’t remains bullish on economic growth in 2017

USA

DATELINE 115th Congress sworn in, agenda targets Obama initiatives

by DANA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE United States’ 115th Congress was sworn into office on Tuesday, January 3, ushering a GOP-controlled Legislative Branch.

Thirty-four senators and the entire House of Representatives was sworn in, including Speaker of the House Sen. Paul Ryan (RWisconsin).

Once President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20, the GOP will be in control of both the Executive and Legislative branches —the first time in a decade.

That being said, the future of several key initiatives from President Barack Obama look bleak, especially the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

The dismantling of Obamacare — which has been a fixture in the Republican agenda since Obama entered office in 2008 — is likely to happen after Republican lawmakers announced a bill that may repeal the law within the next month.

Democrats fear that repealing Obamacare will leave millions of Americans without health care. Although the future of ObamPAGE A3

Filipino Lakers fan wins $95K after sinking half court shot A FILIPINO Lakers fan on Tuesday, January 3, took home $95,000 after hitting an improbable half court shot during a Los Angeles Lakers game at the Staples Center.

Between the third and fourth quarters, Jerald Acoba, from Tulare, California, sank the Aria Big Shot Jackpot contest.

PAGE A2

Jerald Acoba won $95,000 for hitting a half court shot during a Lakers game.

Photo from LA Lakers’ Twitter account

U.S. participated in any destabilization moves against Duterte.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella noted that Duterte has a high trust rating in the country. The Social Weather Stations poll last month shows that Duterte has an ‘excellent’ +72 trust rating.

On the other hand, Robredo PAGE A2

CORDIAL TIMES. Vice President Leni Robredo and President Rodrigo Duterte share a light moment for the camera at the Armed Forces of the Philippines turnover ceremony on last July 1, 2016.

Photo from the office of the Vice President

SIOSON/AJPress

THE Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) is bullish that the country will maintain its high economic growth in 2017 despite the political noise during the first six months of the Duterte administration.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government is optimistic that the country’s economic growth remained “on the upswing on the back of rock-solid macroeconomic fundamentals.”

“This means there will be no letup in the Duterte administration’s commitment to spending big on urban and rural infrastructure as a growth driver, to guarantee sustained high and inclusive growth,” Dominguez said in

a statement.

The Philippine government said it is expecting the economy to grow between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent in 2017.

“So if we manage to grow by 7 percent, we become the fastest-growing country in the fastest-growing region in the world and that’s an honor, right? And that would be an accomplishment,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters.

The DOF said credit raters and other international institutions, such as S&P Global, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), also share this rosy economic outlook on the Philippines.

PAGE A2

THE ASIAN JOURNAL YEAREND REPORT

A year of political surprises, uncertainty in US-PH relations and more WITH 2016 now behind us, the Asian Journal editorial team takes a look back at the top news stories of the past year.

From the elections of Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte as the presidents of the United States and the Philippines, respectively, to long-awaited recognition for Filipino World War II veterans, the Asian Journal has been there reporting as these stories unfolded, and how they have impacted Filipinos in the United States and around the globe.

Here is our roundup of top issues and events — broken down by month — that have dominated the front pages of our six editions: January PH Supreme Court rules EDCA constitutional The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 12, upheld the constitutionality of an executive agreement between the Philippines and the United States that permits increased rotational presence of US military troops in the country. In a 10-4-1 vote, the top court ruled in favor of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which was signed by the Philippines and U.S. in 2014 but was not implemented due to legal challenges. The agreement, which has a 10-year lifespan, also allows U.S. troops access to Philippine military bases. The decision comes amid the ongoing dispute between the Philippines and China regarding conflicting claims in the South China Sea. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach returns to PH after win More than a month after she was crowned as Miss Universe 2015, Pia

Pres. Benigno Aquino III was conferred an Honorary Degree in Humane Letters by the Loyola Marymount University.

Photo from Pia.gov.ph

Wurtzbach returned home to the Philippines. Wurtzbach arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 23 after triumphing at the international beauty pageant held in Las Vegas in 2015. It was later followed by a Grand Homecoming Parade on January 25, where she received a warm welcome from her fans and thousands of fellow Filipinos. During the coronation night on December 20, the pageant’s host Steve Harvey, incorrectly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner instead of Wurtzbach.

February PH Pres. Benigno Aquino visits LA Fil-Am community, earns honorary degree from Loyola Marymount

University More than 800 members of Filipino community groups from the southwestern United States gathered in Los Angeles to hear Philippine President Benigno Aquino speak about the progress of the country. Some of the achievements under Aquino’s leadership include 91 percent of health coverage of Filipinos, the country’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and the addition of 180,000 classrooms around the nation. Earlier in his trip, Aquino received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Loyola Marymount University for his administration’s work in improving the lives of Filipinos.

Manny Pacquiao under fire for ho-

mophobic statements Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao apologized on Tuesday, Feb. 16 after he said that those who are in same-sex relationships are “worse than animals.” In an interview with TV5 network, Pacquiao — who ran in the Senate under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party — was asked to share his views on same-sex marriage. Responding to the backlash, Pacquiao issued an apology on social media for his remarks, saying he was “just telling the truth of what the Bible says,” however, he said his stance on same-sex marriage remains unchanged. The boxer was PAGE A2

A

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From The FronT Page

A year of political surprises, uncertainty in US-PH...

PAGE A1 criticized by local and international figures and was dropped

by Nike as an endorser.

March Obama visits Cuba, re-opens diplomatic ties President Barack Obama made history on Sunday, March 20 when he became the first sitting president to visit Cuba since 1928. Human rights and a potential end to a 54-year-old economic embargo were among the topics discussed by Obama and his Cuban counterpart, President Raul Castro. Obama also visited the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana and paid tribute to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti during his trip. At the outset of his journey, the American president said the island nation was ripe for change and later encouraged the Cuban people to play an active role in their country’s future.

Fil-Am director of “Inside Out” wins Oscar Filipino-American Ronnie del Carmen, co-director of the Pixar Film “Inside Out,” bagged this year’s Best Animated Feature Film at the 88th Academy Awards. Del Carmen, who hails from Cavite, is the first Filipino to co-direct a Pixar film, and, at the same time, the first Filipino to win an Oscar award. “Inside Out” was also the seventh Pixar movie to win an Oscar.

April Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill making CA’s min. wage $15/hour California, along with New York, became the first states to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. The California legislation will raise the statewide minimum to $10.50 on Jan. 1 for businesses with 26 or more workers, the first of several incremental increases

U.S. President Barack Obama

Duterte, Robredo elected president & vice president of the Philippines

to $15, with future raises tied to inflation. Smaller businesses will have an additional year to phase in each increase. The law follows measures in Los Angeles and San Francisco, among other cities, to gradually raise their own minimum wages to $15. It is expected to affect millions of low-wage workers and businesses that employ them, especially in the state’s agriculture, restaurant and retail industries. By 2022, a full-time minimum-wage worker would see annual earnings increase to $30,000 from $20,000 today.

Canadian hostage beheaded

by Abu Sayyaf Canadian John Ridsdel was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf after Canada’s refusal to pay the terrorists his ransom. Ridsdel and his companions — another Canadian Robert Hall, Kjartan Sekkingstad of Norway and Hall’s Filipino girlfriend, Marites Flor — were abducted at a resort in Samal Island, Davao in September 2015 and were taken to the island of Jolo. In November, the terrorists demanded $80 million for their release. In March, the group set a one-month deadline, then re-

Gov. Jerry Brown

leased a final 10-day warning in mid-April, setting April 25 as the last date to receive a ransom payment. Hall, the other Canadian, was beheaded in June.

May Duterte, Robredo elected president & vice president of the Philippines After a tumultuous campaign, former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo won as president and vice president of the Philippines, respectively.

Based on the final official tally, Duterte won the presidential race with 16,601,997 votes beating out other aspirants, including former Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas, and the late Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago. The mayor’s victory was in spite of accusations of having ties to death squads in Davao, his hands-on style of leadership and off-color remarks. For vice president, the race was tight, as the numbers were a cliffhanger between Robredo and closest rival, Bongbong Marcos. In the months following the election, Marcos filed a protest with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal for election fraud against Robredo.

Filipino World War II veterans can reunite with family under new parole program A new policy introduced by the White House is now helping Filipino World War II veterans be reunited with their families in the U.S. The policy will allow certain family members of veterans who fought in the second world war to seek parole under a program set up by the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). It is estimated that as many as 26,000 Filipino vets (of

Robredo denies...

PAGE A1 clarified that she and Goldberg only talked about the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

“Unang una, nagkausap kami ni Ambassador Goldberg noong nasa isang event, pangalawa nagcourtesy call siya sa opisina. Wala kaming pinag-usapan tungkol kay Pangulo [Duterte] (I had a talk with Ambassador Goldberg in a particular event and when he paid a courtesy call to my office but we did not talk about the president),” Robredo said.

She also said that calling for the over 260,000 who fought) are the president’s resignation every U.S. citizens, and their petitions time there is an upheaval in the for family members in the Philip- government will do the country pines have to wait as long as more no good.

“Paniniwala ko makakabuti than 20 years due to statutory visa sa Pilipinas na instead humingi caps. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis for a temporary period of time based upon “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”

PAGE A1 June U.S. Supreme Court fails to S&P Global Ratings forecasted decide on Obama’s immigration the Philippine economy to grow orders 6.7 percent in 2017. ADB, on the On Thursday, June 23, the U.S. other hand, expects a 6.8 percent Supreme Court arrived at a dead- growth rate while the IMF projects locked decision on a landmark about 6.4 percent. case concerning President Barack According to Dominguez, the Obama’s immigration policies, Duterte administration is comleaving 5 million undocumented mitted to pursuing an accelerated immigrants uncertain of their spending program to sustain the future. The 4-4 ruling delayed a country’s economic momentum. definitive judgment on the presiThis, he said, would also help dent’s executive order that would spread the benefits of growth to have implemented the Deferred all sectors across the country by Action for Parents of US Citizens providing more jobs and better and Lawful Permanent Residents living standards.

(DAPA) and granted expansions Likewise, he added that the to the championed Deferred Ac- government is also focused on tion for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) seeking congressional approval program. The tied ruling further ignited the ongoing national conversation concerning immigration reform in the contentious election year with Republican presidential PAGE A1 nominee Donald Trump’s strict Following his successful shot, immigration promises and Demo- the 30-year-old pointed at his cratic presidential nominee Hill- wrists, mimicking D’Angelo ary Clinton’s commitment to cre- Russell’s trademark “ice in my ating a pathway to citizenship. veins.”

Orlando, Florida nightclub “It’s good to see a lot of fans shooting claims 49 lives keeping that ‘ice in the veins’ goA terrorist attack in an Orlando ing,” Russell said after the game, gay nightclub on Sunday, June according to reports from NBA. 12 claimed the lives of 49 people com. “I appreciate everybody for and injured 53 others. The attack that. That’s a lot of money, man. occurred at around 2 a.m. and Take care of it.” witnesses said the gunman fired Acoba told the crowd that he shots into the crowd with an as- plans to buy his mother a new PAGE A3 car with the money he won. He

tayong matanggal ang iyong pangulo, hingiin na lang natin sa pangulo na pakinggan ang ating hinaing (I believe that it would be best for the Philippines that instead of wanting to unseat him, we should ask that he hear us requests),” Robredo added.

Last month, Robredo resigned as the housing secretary after Duterte ordered her to “desist” from attending all Cabinet meetings. Following her resignation, Robredo announced that she will become the “unifying voice” of the opposition.

Duterte accused the ‘yellows’ of plotting to oust him, apparently referring to the Liberal Party, which uses the color as its political symbol. Robredo and the Liberal Party have denied the allegation. n

PH gov’t remains bullish on... of its proposed comprehensive tax reform program.

The tax reform program, according to Dominguez, will “ensure the financial sustainability of the government’s unparalleled spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the country’s most vulnerable sectors.”

Dominguez said the government will also maintain its focus on other urgent measures such as fully implementing the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, modernizing agriculture to pull down food prices while increasing farmers’ incomes, and leveling the playing field for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

Filipino Lakers fan wins $95K... said that he wanted to upgrade his parent’s old van.

“She’s always been there for me when I need her,” Acoba said. “She’s always there to help me out. It’s my turn to repay the favor to her.”

Acoba went to watch the the game with his wife, Lenslie, and his nieces. He is the fifth winner of the Lakers’ Big Shot Jackpot and is also the second winner for this season.

“It’s surreal right now,” Jerald said. “I can’t believe it’s just happening right now.”

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DATELINE USA

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 5-11, 2017

A year of political surprises, uncertainty... Two Vegas families work to overcome

differences after anti-Filipino rant goes viral

PAGE A2 sault rifle before police arrived on the scene. A gunfight with police ensued which prompted the shooter to retreat to the club bathroom, holding hostages in a three-hour stand-off. That was followed by a second gun battle which killed the shooter. There was no evidence that suggested that the perpetrator, Omar Mateen of Fort Pierce, Florida, was tied to any major terrorist group, but the FBI had interviewed him twice regarding comments he made to co-workers about radical Islamic propaganda in 2013 and 2014.

July Philippines wins arbitration case against China On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the The Hague sided with the Philippines and ruled that China has no legal basis over its territorial claims in South China Sea. After several months of deliberations, the Tribunal declared China’s claim to ‘historic rights’ to resources within the sea areas that fall within the ‘nine-dash line’ as invalid. According to the Court, China also violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone. The Philippines filed its case at the PCA in 2013 after engaging with China in a stand-off in 2012. China, which refused to take part in the proceedings, has said it will not recognize the ruling and will continue to take measures to protect its sovereignty over the disputed sea.

Clinton, Trump win nominations for respective parties On the final night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, Donald J. Trump defied the odds and clinched the Republican nomination for president, garnering a whopping 1,725 delegate votes. Some Filipino-American Republicans shared their praise for the results, saying they believe Trump’s family, religious and business values will benefit the community. The following week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton formally became the Democratic presidential nominee, making history as the first woman to be on the top ticket of a major U.S. political party. Many Democratic Filipino

A3

by ERIC

ANTHONY LICAS AJPress

TWO families are settling longstanding grievances after a Filipino-American resident of Las Vegas captured and published a video of his neighbor on Tuesday, January 3 in which she insults his ethnicity in a profanity-laden tirade.

Dexter Manawat told local ABC television station, KTNV, that hostilities between him and the unidentified woman in the footage were rooted in recurIn this July 7, 2015 photo, legal counsels and representatives from the Philippines argue on the ring disputes over yard work. tribunal’s jurisdiction over the case against China on the South China Sea dispute.

In the clip, she refers to the Philippines as a “...ghetto, living under a tarp, piece of [expletive] land,” and calls Filipinos “loin-cloth wearers” and “orange savages,” as she sweeps dead leaves away from her property.

The video went viral and elicited outrage from the Filipino community. Numerous comments on social media accuse the woman of being a racist. Some individuals had even sought her identity, threatening violence, according to a follow-up post on Manawat’s Facebook page published on Wednesday, January 4.

He has since taken the video down and said that his family and their neighbors have begun a dialogue with the intent of working out their differences. In an interview with KTNV, the woman—whose face and identity remain hidden—can be heard sobbing as she extends her apologies to the Filipino community at large.

“I stooped to the lowest possible denominator to hurt someone because I was angry,” she

told reporters on Tuesday. She added that “I’m not just saying that because I was…caught.

What I said wasn’t right and I wasn’t raised that way.”

She also said that her frustrations were directed at Manawat and not his culture.

The Fil-Am who shot the cellphone video admitted that he hasn’t always been the best neighbor, but said that the unidentified woman’s comments went too far. He said tension between him and his neighbors had existed for years, but he is averse to extreme suggestions of retaliation.

“I don’t believe violence or physical harm is the answer,” Manawat wrote on Wednesday.

He went on to say that “Instead of looking for her, we need to pray for her. Pray that God softens her heart.”

115th Congress sworn in, agenda targets...

Hillary Clinton

Americans expressed faith in the seasoned politician and saw Clinton’s nomination as an open door for more representation of women as well as ethnic minorities in the government.

August PH wins Silver Medal at 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil The Philippines has earned its first Olympic medal in 20 years after Filipina weightlifter, Hidilyn Diaz, won the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games held in Brazil. Diaz, who hails from Zamboanga city, scored 88 in snatch and 112 in clean and jerk, with a total of 200 points. Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Shu-Ching won the division with a score of 212, while South Korea’s Yoon Jin Hee, who placed third, finished with 199.

Filipinos angered by Trump’s immigration plan, suggesting PH is a ‘terrorist nation’ In his speech on August 4, Donald Trump, who was then a presidential nominee, proposed a ban on immigration from countries with high rates of terrorism.

Trump narrated names of what he described as terrorist nations, mentioning the Philippines in his

list. Trump also suggested that immigrants should be heavily scrutinized, even those who obtained citizenship legally. Many Filipino immigrants condemned Trump’s pronouncements, asserting that his remarks disregarded the contributions Filipinos have made to the country. Some however, argued that Trump’s comments were taken out of context, citing that Trump previously professed his love for the Philippines during the launch of his 57-story luxury apartment in Makati.

September Duterte, Obama meeting at ASEAN Summit canceled U.S. President Barack Obama canceled a much-anticipated meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, that had been scheduled to take place at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vientiane, Laos. The move came after Duterte appeared to use an expletive to refer to Obama while responding to a question about extrajudicial killings during a press conference on September 5. However, Filipino PAGE A4

PAGE A2 acare doesn’t look good, Democratic lawmakers are committed to fighting to sustain it.

“We have the responsibility and the power to lift the lives and the hopes of the American people.

Yet every American should know: if there’s any attempt to destroy Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security or ACA, we will stand our ground,” Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Twitter.

But, as Republican lawmakers previously mentioned, conservative lawmakers are seeking to replace it through bills and proposals under the Committee on Ways and Means.

“We’re doing what we promised,” Rep. Doug Collins (R-Georgia) said. “What we have seen so much with Obamacare is that what has happened is that what sounded good turned out to be a disaster.”

Republicans also plan to do away with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The law — which was a direct response to the 2008 financial crisis — brought significant regulations and reform to the financial system and sought to prevent another Great Recession.

Collins proposed a bill called the Reins Act, which would essentially make it easier for Congress to eliminate multiple regulations at once.

“We’re simply saying, you’re not going to be able to do these in the undercover agencies with people not having input and knowing what happens,” Collins said of his new bill.

Some of other Republicanbased ideals this Congress has planned include cutting funding toward Medicaid, repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, privatizing Veteran’s care and cutting taxes.

Although minority representation remains low, the 115th Congress features the widest array of ethnic and gender representation than any Congress in U.S. history.

Asian American and Latino representations is at an all-time high with 15 Asian Americans and 38 Latinos serving in both houses.

Female representation is also at a record high with 21 women serving in the Senate. Moreover, there is a record four women of color serving in the Senate: Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Kamala Harris (D-California).

Cortez Masto is the first Latina to ever be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Trump criticizes House Republicans on ethics office In a shocking move that ruffled feathers, House Republicans voted behind closed doors on the night of Monday, January 2 to put

Congress’ ethics office — which independent from both houses — under the control of the House of Representatives’ ethics committee.

However, the vote was dropped after President-elect Donald Trump criticized House Republicans for the move, which he considered a reverse to his call to “drain the swamp” — his promise to end corruption in Washington.

“With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it is may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, health care and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning.

The move — which was only a part of the House’s rules set for approval on Tuesday by the new Congress — was intended to restrict the powers of the independent office.

However, the reversal may only be temporary as Republican leadership confirmed a bipartisan effort later in the year to negotiate with other Congress members on the issue.

The independent ethics office was established during the recession in 2008 after three Congress members were jailed for involvement in corrupt scandals. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)

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Filipino American participants celebrate history, promote heart health awareness at 2017 Rose Parade

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

CLOUDY skies could not hamper the high spirits of thousands of cheering spectators who lined the five-and-a-half mile route of the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade in the City of Pasadena, California on Monday, January 2.

A collection of 41 floats, 19 marching bands and 20 equestrian units from across the country captivated people of all ages and walks of life who came out to witness the iconic celebration of the New Year.

“The vibes from everybody, everyone’s energy, it’s really cool!” said Filipino-American snare drummer Kai Domingo, who had marched in three prior Rose Parades with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s All City Band.

“It’s a thrill,” he told the Asian Journal at the sidelines of Monday’s spectacle.

Filipino Americans were also among the riders and marchers at the annual event.

Recognizing Filipino World War II Veterans This year, a historical society commemorating the legacy of a U.S. Army unit made up of Filipino soldiers was featured for the first time in the parade’s history.

The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society (PSHS), a nationwide living history group, made its Rose Parade debut on Monday. The 26th Ceremonial Mounted Unit (CMU) of the PSHS’s Nininger chapter in Los Angeles rode proudly down Colorado Boulevard fully adorned in World War II regalia.

“It’s a great honor,” PSHS Membership Chair Gil Mislang told the Asian Journal during a phone interview on Saturday, December 31. “We also worked very hard to get in there so that the Filipino soldiers can be shown to the world.”

Members of the 26th CMU paid thousands of dollars to cover their own equestrian maintenance and transportation costs in order to take part in Monday’s parade as well as other events held throughout the year, according to Mislang.

He said the PSHS’s efforts seek to do more than educate people about the sacrifices made by the Philippine Scouts. They also celebrate the history of cooperation between the militaries of the Philippines and America, as well as the triumph of Filipinos who started

The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society made its Rose Parade debut on Monday, January 1.

AJPress photo by Eric Anthony Licas

families in the U.S. That mission reflects the theme of this year’s parade, “Echoes of Success.”

In 2016, American lawmakers helped take the hidden history of the Philippine Scouts out of the shadows. On Thursday, December 15, President Barack Obama signed legislation that awards Filipino veterans of WWII with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal.

Despite progress made last year, Mislang admitted that more still needs to be done in order to bring the contributions of those soldiers out of obscurity. He and other people working to bring recognition to the Philippine Scouts are pushing for the passage of California Assembly Bill 199, which would add the stories of Filipino soldiers into the history curriculum of the state’s public schools.

Promoting heart health Every person’s education should also include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

It invited Filipina-American Celine Showman, a cardiac arrest survivor, to ride on the organization’s parade float to help bring awareness to health issues affecting Filipinos and many other people in the U.S. In 2007, the resident of Oceanside, California had been momentarily declared deceased after her heart stopped beating while she was out to dinner with her daughter, Megan.

“It didn’t feel real. It felt like I was watching a movie,” said Showman’s daughter, who began screaming for help after watching her mother unexpectedly collapse.

During a phone interview with the Asian Journal on Thursday, December 22, she went on to say “I was freaking out because no one was doing anything.”

Showman could have died or suffered permanent brain damage that day, surrounded by helpless bystanders. Thankfully, an ambulance was nearby and a group of three Navy Corpsmen who happened to be having dinner at the same restaurant stepped in to administer life-saving CPR. The experience was a wake-up call for Showman, who has since maintained a healthier, less stressful lifestyle.

“I was on the go, working 50 to 60 hours a week, and not getting enough sleep,” Showman told the Asian Journal on Thursday.

After the incident, Showman took stock of her circumstances, refocused her priorities on her family and loved ones, and learned to let go of unnecessary stressors.

She has also led and participated in efforts to raise awareness of heart health concerns in her community.

On Monday, Showman and other survivors of cardiovascularrelated issues rode on the AHA’s float titled “Keep the Beat Alive” to promote CPR training and healthy living. The AHA’s entry won the Judges’ Special Trophy in this year’s event.

Despite the gray weather and abundant competition for good viewing positions, most of those who came out for Monday’s celebration left with a smile.

“The first time I saw [the Rose Parade live], it was pretty impressive, but I think, through the years, it’s gotten bigger,” Filipino-American Manny Zamora, a system’s analyst for the city of Los Angeles, told Asian Journal while in attendance of the parade on Monday.

Later in the day, University of Southern California football fans found an extra reason to cheer after the Trojans claimed victory in a hotly contested Rose Bowl game over Penn State’s Nittany Lions.

Philippine Ambassador-designate to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana discusses the establishment of a bilateral consultative mechanism with Beijing in a forum in Manila on Monday, Jan. 2.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

PH envoy: Duterte shifting away from US to ‘normalize’ relations with China

by DAnA

sioson AJPress

THE Philippines is shifting away from the United States in an attempt to ‘normalize’ its relationship with Beijing, the new Philippine envoy to China said on Monday, January 2.

“We were one-sidedly imbalanced in favor of the US,” the Philippines’ new ambassador to China, Jose “Chito” Sta. Romana, told Agence France-Presse.

For decades, the Philippines has been an ally of the U.S. but the relationship between the two countries has been put into question since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte took office last June.

Duterte has been constantly threatening to end the Philippines’ military and economic ties with the U.S. for the latter’s supposed ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘bullying’ of smaller nations, and also for its criticisms against the Philippine government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“The problem came after they began lecturing him. The president (Duterte) considers it an internal affair,” Sta. Romana said.

He then added, “The Chinese don’t comment on your internal affairs.”

Sta. Romana also described the Philippines’ shift to China as

“a strategic shift in our foreign policy.”

He, however, clarified, that the Philippines is not abandoning its decades-long alliance with the U.S. “We are basically trying to normalize our relations with China,” the envoy explained.

China has been in a longstanding territorial dispute with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries for claiming most areas within the South China Sea as part of its territory.

The arbitration tribunal at The Hague, however, ruled last year that China’s sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis, in favor of the Philippines.

“The Chinese viewed the Philippines as a geopolitical pawn or Trojan horse of the [United States]. Now they look at us as a friendly neighbor,” Sta. Romana added.

Apart from China, Duterte also previously expressed his interest of forging an alliance with Russia.

On Tuesday, January 3, the Russian navy said it is considering the prospect of having a joint military exercises with its counterpart in Philippines.

“Our governments will maybe discuss in some period of time the possibilities of our maritime exercises,” Eduard Mikhailov, deputy commander of Flotilla

of Pacific Fleet of Russia, said in a conference through an interpreter.

According to Mikhailov, Russia wanted to help the Philippines in countering piracy and terrorism.

“The Philippine Navy needs some help, we will help. The problem here is terrorism and piracy. You have the task to fight this problem and we will show you what we can do,” Mikhailov said.

Two Russian navy vessels arrived in Manila on Tuesday for a goodwill visit to Philippines.

The vessels were expected to stay in the country until Saturday, January 6.

“Of course, everybody has a choice. You can choose … to cooperate with United States of America or to cooperate with Russia, but from our side we can help you in every way that you need,” Mikhailov added.

He also expressed his country’s hope to have joint exercises with China and Malaysia in the future.

“We really hope that in a few years, the military exercises for example in your region, in the South China Sea, will (involve) for example, not only Russia-Philippines, but Russia, Philippines, China and maybe Malaysia together,” Mikhailov said.

A year of political surprises, uncertainty...

PAGE A3 officials explained that Duterte was actually directing his comments at the news media. The two world leaders did wind up speaking informally and shaking hands before a gala dinner at the summit on Wednesday, September 7.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two presidents.

PH gearing up for Miss Universe next year; Duterte opposes Steve Harvey as host Philippine Department of Tourism officials said President Rodrigo Duterte was displeased to learn that Steve Harvey had been selected to host the upcoming 2017 Miss Universe Pageant set to take place in the Philippines next January. Although the president has downplayed certain comments as jokes in the past, D.O.T. Secretary Wanda Teo said the president was not laughing when he expressed his disapproval with Harvey.

When the comedian hosted the pageant in 2015, he mistakenly announced that Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had won before retracting his statement and proclaiming victory for Filipino contestant, Pia Wurtzbach. Teo said the DOT would recommend

Donald Trump

a local media personality to take Harvey’s place.

October U.S. celebrates Fil-Am History Month People observing FilipinoAmerican History Month this past October had even more reasons to celebrate this year. 2016 marked the 70th anniversary of the Philippines’ independence from the U.S. and several other momentous events in Fil-Am history. 1946 was also the year of the Great Sugar Strike in Hawaii, during which roughly 6,000 foreign Filipino field workers joined picket lines and demonstrations instead of undercutting the wages of fellow laborers. In Los Angeles, the Fil-Am community held several events to celebrate the month, including the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC).

Duterte marks first 100 days in office with rise in death toll and China visit President Rodrigo Duterte marked his first 100 days as president with a “very good” satisfaction rating from the Filipino public, anchored by his strong stance on his anti-drugs, anti-crime and anti-corruption agenda. However,

his intense campaign against illegal drugs has left more than 3,600 suspects dead, including more than 1,300 killed in gun battles with authorities—an average of 36 killings a day since he took office on June 30. Despite drawing ire from the international community, Duterte has been adamant on his ways and managed to alienate himself from the U.S., European Union, the United Nations and other international organizations that have criticized his anti-drug campaign. Additionally, he made headlines for his state visit to China that seemingly suggested reopening diplomatic ties with the country, despite the years-long territorial dispute in the South China Sea. November Fil-Am shortstop helps Cubs win World Series The Chicago Cubs made history when they won game 7 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, for the first time in 108 years. The Cubs fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the series, winning four matches in a row to end one of sport’s longest running dry spells. That win was fuelled in no small part by the contributions of 20-year-old Filipino-American shortstop Addison Russell, who hit a grand slam in the third inning and sent home five other runners that evening to tie a Major League Baseball record with six runs batted in during a single world series game. In doing so, he became the first Cubs player to ever hit a homerun with the bases loaded in the season’s final series.

Donald Trump elected as 45th president of the United States In a truly stunning victory, Republican nominee and real estate billionaire Donald Trump -- whose campaign slogan was “Make America Great Again” -- was declared the 45th president of the United States, beating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who had been leading in the polls leading up to Election Day. With ballots still being counted weeks after the election, Clinton leads the popular vote with over 2 million votes, while Trump has 306 electoral votes to her 232. Trump, who will be inaugurated into the presidency on January 20, 2017, has drawn criticism for his administration picks so far, including Steve Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson for the Housing and Urban Development secretary.

In a move that caught petitioners against Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani off-guard, the Marcos family flew in Marcos’ remains from Ilocos Norte province on Friday, Nov. 18 and interred them in an hour-long ceremony that featured a horseless carriage, a military march, taps, and a 21-gun salute.

Inquirer.net photo

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

Former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery In a ceremony on November 18, former Philippine president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ‘secretly’ buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Manila. Surrounded by his surviving family and military personnel, Marcos was given honors and a 21-gun salute. This ceremony came after the Philippine Supreme Court dismissed petitions that sought to stop the former president’s interment, which was supposed to be scheduled back in September. Though Malacañang was not informed about the surprised burial, President Rodrigo Duterte previously said Marcos was worthy of a hero’s burial because of his military and presidential service. Meanwhile, many activists and martial

law victims have opposed the burial, saying it does not heal the country’s wounds. The remains of Marcos -- who died of kidney, heart and lung ailments while in exile in 1989 -- were brought back to the Philippines in 1993 and have stayed in a glass coffin in Ilocos Norte before the burial.

December PH Vice President Leni Robredo resigns from Cabinet, vows to finish term Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo stepped down as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council on Dec. 5 after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered her not to attend future Cabinet meetings. She said that being barred from meetings would prevent her from doing her job properly. However, she will remain as Vice President, and said she will

continue to voice her opposition to the administration’s actions she disagrees with. Robredo, whom Duterte and his supporters have accused of being involved in a plot to unseat him, asserted that she is not eyeing the presidency.

Trump praises Duterte’s drug war In a call with President Rodrigo Duterte, United States Presidentelect Donald Trump reportedly praised the Philippine leader’s war against the illegal drug trade as the ‘right way’. The two leaders — whom many have drawn comparisons for their unfiltered way of speaking — spoke for the first time earlier this month during a seven-minute phone call.

Trump went on to invite Duterte to visit the White House next year.

Duterte said hearing the real estate billionaire’s praise made him ‘feel like a saint.’ n

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A

New Year injuries drop by 60% due to ‘fear of Duterte’

by Dana

M. SioSon

AJPress

The average number of firecracker-related injuries for New Year’s eve dropped to the lowest in 10 years, the Philippine Department of health (DOh) reported on Sunday, January 1.

The DOh has recorded a total of 350 firecracker-related injuries as of 6 a.m. on January 1, 2017, which is 60 percent lower compared to the average 1000 cases from 2006 to 2016.

“People are now afraid to light firecrackers because of the President (Rodrigo Duterte),” health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said in a press conference on Sunday.

She added that Filipinos have “this impression” that they would be punished if they use firecrackers.

Last month, Duterte said he would issue an order to ban people from using firecrackers, just like what he as mayor of Davao City, where he limited community fireworks displays.

“The least that I can say or do is just to issue a warning that it’s very, very dangerous,” Duterte previously said, pending the order’s release.

Among the 350 cases, Ubial said 348 were caused by firecracker injuries. The remaining two, on the other hand, were caused by firecracker ingestion.

Ubial also noted that more than half of the victims were children below 15 years old, with two years old as the youngest and 71 years old as the oldest.

84 percent of the total injured

were male.

The DOh recorded Piccolo as the most common cause of injuries with 132 cases, followed

by Boga with 18 cases. Both are considered illegal firecrackers in the country.

The National Capital Region (NCR) has been reported as the place with thehighest number of firecracker injuries nationwide, with 211 cases or 60 percent of total injuries. It was followed

by Western Visayas (Region 6) with ten percent and Central Luzon with eight percent.

Ubial said the fireworks surveillance, which started on December 21, 2016 will continue until January 5 of this new year.

The DOh previously recorded a total of 932 firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2015 to January 5, 2016. n

De Lima, Trillanes tagged in NBP attack New Bilibid Prison in September, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd said Tuesday.

SeNATORS Leila De Lima and Aguirre however admitted that Antonio Trillanes IV were taggged there is no evidence to prove the in the stabbing incident at the allegation.

by JoMar

CanlaS ManilaTimes

Senators Leola De Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV

“One of the inmates said it was instigated to stop Jaybee Sebastian (from testifying on De Lima’s drug links),” Aguirre told reporters, adding that the same inmate claimed that an official of the Philippine Navy ordered the stabbing incident that claimed the life of convicted drug lord Tony Co and injured four other inmates.

“Nababanggit dun si Trillanes and De Lima (Trillanes and De Lima were mentioned) but no supporting (evidence),” he added.

Inmate Tomas Doniña, in an affidavit read before the house of Representatives, said a former colleague at the Philippine Navy ordered him to attack Sebastian to prevent the latter from spilling the beans on De Lima’s links to illegal drugs.

De Lima had said she had nothing to do with the stabbing incident on September 28 at the NBP. Because of the attack, Sebastian was transferred from the NBP in Muntinlupa City to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila to secure his safety.

SACRED RITUAL. In this , the centuries-old image of the Santo Niño arrives at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City, Cebu province after a procession marking the start of the feast of the Holy Child Jesus. The Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño in downtown Cebu City will be open 24 hours a day to welcome pilgrims starting January 5 until the feast day on Jan. 15. Inquirer.net photo by Tonee Despojo

House to do better this year, Alvarez vows

by Delon

PorCalla Philstar.com

MANILA – The house of Representatives did well in the first six months of the Duterte administration, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said.

Alvarez vowed to do better this year and until Duterte finishes his six-year term in 2022.

“I am proud to say that the house worked really hard in the past six months to pass laws consistent with the comprehensive reform program of the Duterte administration,” Alvarez stated in his New Year message.

“But we cannot be complacent.

Much work remains to be done, and we commit to work even harder in the months ahead so that our nation can attain peace and prosperity that we all hope for,” he said.

Alvarez called on lawmakers to “forge a strong unity behind the reform agenda of the Duterte administration.”

“Let us all work together to put an end to mass poverty, strengthen our democratic institutions, and move our country forward.

“Let us take the first of the many giant steps we as one nation must undertake to effect a paradigm

shift by changing our form of government from presidential to federal,” Alvarez said, as Congress is scheduled to deliberate on Charter change when session resumes this month.

“Let’s all open our eyes that it is only through federalism that we can break the barriers of a fatally flawed Manila-centrist government to one that grants political and economic autonomy to all of our country’s regions,” he added.

Time is of the essence Attempts by the Duterte administration to amend the 1987 Constitution and lift its prohibitive economic provisions will result in an investment boom that will make Philippines compete or at least be at par with its Asian neighbors.

“We should waste no time in lifting the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution as these are clearly the deal breakers for investors wanting to do business here,” Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said.

The administration lawmaker cited pronouncements Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno made earlier with regard to the prospects of foreign direct investments (FDI) coming in, especially in light of government’s P8-trillion infrastructure projects until 2022.

“I am proud to say that the House worked really hard in the past six months to pass laws consistent with the comprehensive reform program of the Duterte administration,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez stated in his New Year message.

Diokno revealed Manila attracted a total of $20.4 billion in FDI from 2011 to 2015, while Singapore cornered $305.6 billion worth of investments; Indonesia $107.6 billion; Malaysia $56.6 billion, and Thailand $42.0 billion.

Foreign businesses also reinvested less for their Philippine opPAGE A7

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january 5-11, 2017 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

OpiniOn

Collateral damage

Features

In war, there is collateral damage. In the case of the vicious war on illegal drugs, President Duterte acknowledged last week that there have been “unintended killings” that have claimed the lives of innocents including children. In fact practically everyone killed in the drug war was legally innocent since guilt beyond reasonable doubt was never established in court, and most of the slain weren’t even indicted.

For the unintended killings, the President said he’s sorry, although he made it clear that it would not stop his relentless war. Such a cavalier attitude toward human life is likely to rub off on the forces fighting the drug menace, making them careless about hitting innocents in the crossfire. It can encourage them to continue disregarding laws and rules on armed confrontations and the conduct of arrests and searches.

The forces of the Marcos dictatorship at least went through the motions of presenting arrest, search and seizure orders—the dreaded ASSO—that were used to crush political dissent. These days, polic—and masked vigilantes who may also be lawmen – simply enter neighborhoods and private homes and start shooting, unmindful if toddlers are caught in the crossfire.

Sorry, even from the president of the republic, isn’t enough for those who have lost their children in the course of Oplan Tokhang.

The bereaved need justice, which starts with competent investigation and the arrest of the killers.

The government must show that the rule of law still prevails in this country and that there is justice for rich and poor alike.

Every “unintended killing” must be investigated and the killer brought to justice. Law enforcers cannot just keep saying “oops!” each time they pull the trigger and hit the wrong target. They must be reminded that under most circumstances, they must first aim to disable rather than kill, and not the other way around.

In armed police operations, utmost care is required particularly when children are around. Callous disregard for human life can only erode public support for the police in its bloody campaign against the drug menace, especially when cases of “unintended killings” soar and more children become collateral damage. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Do you feel optimistic and excited about US politics in 2017?

CRYSTAL BALL — what do you reveal? After a divisive, toxic and confusing election season in 2016, will it be an enlightening, hopeful and promising year for U.S. politics in 2017?

On Tuesday, January 3, Re-elected Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and the newly-elected members of Congress were sworn into office.

In his speech, Ryan said that all the elected officials, regardless of party affiliations, are in office right now because they want to help the American people and get things done to serve the country, promising to work with Democrats on things they agree on while treating each other and the institution with respect on issues they do not agree on.

Ryan is excited about the fact that the Re-

Commentary

RicaRdo Saludo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is losing the battle against crime, drugs, and sleaze.

Huh? Didn’t this column just argue last Thursday that his antidrug campaign has slashed not narcotics and crime? We also lauded him for firing two college fraternity friends over a P50million bribery at the Bureau of Immigration, the very opposite of his predecessor’s constant defense of schoolmates, allies, and shooting buddies.

For sure, Duterte has shown toughness and resolve in fighting drugs, lawlessness and corruption. Problem is, there’s no way he and his administration can beat those entrenched scourges without help from the citizenry, key national sectors, and the international community. No way.

Make no mistake: Unless the nation itself makes a commitment and adopts policies and practices to combat and prevent crime and corruption over the long term, the globally linked narco-syndicates and their corrupt protectors in the government would be back after Duterte leaves office, as he will in 2022 or sooner.

Ditto grafters like those Immigration crooks, as well as the tanim-bala extortionists banished by election campaign threats to let them eat the bullets they plant in airport luggage.

Even now, Duterte cannot catch every bribe-taker.

Plainly, major religions, local communities, business, civil

publicans control both the Executive and the Legisla- The Fil-Am tive branches of government, which means that there may Perspective be more actual results and action, instead of gridlock and bickering that held the American people in the past years.

Minority Leader Democrat Gel SantoS-ReloS Nancy Pelosi affirmed the Democrats’ commitment to work with Republicans for the good of the American people, but also vowed in her speech before introducing Speaker Ryan: “We will stand our ground wherever in good conscience we must. If there is an attempt to destroy the guarantee of Medicare, harm Medi-

care, Social Security or the Affordable Care Act, Democrats will stand our ground!

If there is an assault on clean air and clear water, on civil rights, women’s rights or LGBT rights, if Dreamers and their immigrant families face the nightmare of deportation.”

On January 10, President Obama is set to deliver his farewell speech to the nation in Chicago, just as the first President of the United States George Washington did before his term ended.

On January 20, Obama’s successor, President-Elect Donald Trump will take his oath, and will be America’s president, chief execu-

tive and commander-in-chief for the next four years.

However, as most political experts point out, Trump is not really an ideological President.

This makes them wonder if he will really champion Republican principles and platform.

DO YOU THINK Trump will stir the country in the right direction? Do believe he will be able to fulfill his campaign promise to “make America great again”? Do you feel optimistic and excited about U.S. politics in 2017? *** 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 ABSCBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Duterte won’t beat drugs and graft if we don’t help society, and the citizenry must join hands with and give support to anti-graft reformers, honest officials and upright public servants. Otherwise, the dirty ones will find ways to continue and even expand and spread their venal ways.

The rise and fall and rise of drugs We saw it in the drug trade over the past two decades. In the 1990s, the Philippines was not a major narcotics hub. For one thing, in those years, then-Customs Commissioners Salvador Mison and Guillermo Parayno squeezed smugglers, and the International Monetary Fund even hired the latter as consultant on customs reform.

But under the Estrada administration, contraband escalated, and the country became one of the top five narco-trafficking centers. In the 2000s, thenPresident Gloria Arroyo cracked down on drugs, as chronicled in “Beating The Odds,” a book on crisis management co-authored by this writer and former Cabinet Secretary. Thousands of dealers were arrested, and shabu labs dismantled, with no rash of extrajudicial killings.

Under President Benigno Aquino 3rd, however, smuggling skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Based on IMF data, contraband tripled from $7.9 billion in 2009 to $26.6 billion five years later. Guns and drugs gushed in, as Aquino himself admitted in his 2013 State of the Nation Address. And that fueled the tripling in crime to more than 1 million incidents a year in 2013 and 2014, from 324,083 in 2010.

The lesson, of course, is that

no presidential crackdown on crime and narcotics will win if the next Malacañang occupant abets the syndicates. And that backsliding can so easily happen — unless we as a nation forge a commitment and entrench policies and programs to combat drugs, lawlessness and sleaze. It’s the only way to win for good.

How to stop the killings Is President Duterte mobilizing the nation toward an active, intensive, resolute and broadbased campaign against addiction, crime, and corruption? Or is he relying mainly on police powers, tough talk, and blood on the streets to shock and awe crooks, grafters, pushers and addicts into surrendering and mending their ways.

For sure, the body count is having a massive impact, with more than 1 million drug users and traffickers giving up, nearly 45,000 arrested, including 73 government officials accused of narco-links. Law enforcers have dismantled several huge shabu labs, and the Bureau of Customs reports that it has seized P1.27 billion worth of illegal narcotics.

But fast-forward to 2022 or maybe 2019, when Duterte said he would step down if charter change establishes federalism.

Will the next regime, including perhaps autonomous regional governments, continue to battle global drug rings, especially if most Filipinos don’t help or care?

Even now, with hundreds of thousands of addicts needing rehabilitation, and millions more mired in drugs, Duterte’s campaign looks set to be overwhelmed if his government

alone grapples with the nationwide challenge of getting addicts to kick their habit.

Yet the solution to the nearimpossible task of rehabilitating more than 3 million addicts is all around them: the families, communities, parishes, and local governments in which the users live.

Plainly, if the drug problem is to be decisively and humanely solved, it will have to be through the collaboration of Filipinos families, barangays, religious and social welfare groups, and city and municipal authorities.

Indeed, if they were involved from the start, the anti-drug war casualties would have been much lower.

Take San Juan City. Recently, Mayor Guia Gomez presided

over the “graduation” of 300 former addicts now pronounced clean after undergoing a rehabilitation program involving their families, Christian groups like Christ’s Commission Fellowship, and city health and law enforcement personnel.

The city police also shut down a massive shabu lab secretly operating on posh Wilson Street a week ago. Some P3.6 billion in drugs were seized, and three Chinese nationals and three Filipinos were investigated and charged. President Duterte said he would have killed the six suspects, but San Juan has shown that his campaign need not be fatal to succeed.

Now, if the San Juan example is replicated nationwide, with the Catholic Church actively

involved like other Christian groups, it would not only forge the grassroots commitment and solidarity needed to fight drugs. This collaboration among government, religion, family, and community would reduce killings far more than all the finger-wagging by the Church, the opposition, the West, and the United Nations.

Last week, President Duterte lashed out at the Church for condemning narco-deaths without providing help or alternative solutions. This new year, let both sides of the controversy end their war of words, and work with Filipino families and communities to stop drug abuse by helping addicts break free.

Otherwise, the drug lords will win sooner or later.

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

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PH population may exceed 105.7M due to contraceptive shortage

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

AN ICON DIES. A few employees on duty on Monday, Jan. 2 at the Manila City Hall pass near the portrait of former Manila Mayor Gemiliano “Mel” C. Lopez. He was designated as acting mayor during the change of government after the 1986 People Power revolution, later elected as mayor in 1987 and serving until 1992. Lopez died Jan. 1, 2017 at the age of 81.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

House to do better this year...

PAGE A5 erations, with September’s (2016) $35 million around half of August’s $67 million and a third below the year-ago figure of $51 million.

“Even Diokno admits that what the Philippines gets in terms of FDI is a meager sum compared to the FDI of other Southeast Asian economies. We cannot continue on our high growth path if our business climate remains unattractive to investors,” Villafuerte stressed.

Another administration lawmaker, Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron who sits as chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on trade and industry, said Duterte’s policy to boost local spending and roll out massive infrastructure projects will give Manila an FDI boost.

Biron, a doctor by profession, sees FDI starting to grow in 2017, since Congress has already identified priority bills that will “lure more investors and boost the country’s global competitiveness.”

“Free trade and commerce, and a robust level of industry enable businesses to grow, ensure an unimpeded movement of goods and services, encourage investments, create employment and livelihood opportunities,” he said.

At the same time, this will also “generate revenue for the government, and improve the welfare of the citizens, thus playing an important part in reducing poverty and help the country reach its development goals,” he said.

Biron believes this can be realized through the continuance of legislative measures aimed at

enhancing global competitiveness; sustaining micro, small and medium scale business enterprises; upholding consumer rights and welfare and good governance, among others.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, on the other hand, said there are about a dozen reasons why Filipinos should be happy about this new year, particularly because the Duterte administration promised to lower the income taxes for the overburdened working class, among many others.

“Enactment of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) resulting in the reduction of personal income taxes of ordinary working families by P156 billion,” Joey Salceda wrote in his “12 economic events will drive optimism in 2017.”

There is also the imminent “approval of the Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act (emergency powers)” and the proposed Federal States of the Philippines and the convening of the constituent assembly.

Others would be the peace initiatives where President Duterte has been reaching out to Muslim rebels in Mindanao, like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, not to mention negotiations with the communist insurgents.

“Creation of Bangsamoro authority by legislation,” Salceda said, where he also listed the initial peace agreement with the communist National Democratic Front on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER).

Salceda also mentioned Ma-

MANILA – Lack of available contraceptives would easily make the Philippine population balloon to over 106 million this year, the Commission on Population (PopCom) declared.

In an interview with reporters, PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said the country’s population might exceed its projected rise by a million this year if contraceptive supply in the market continues to dwindle due to the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) issued in July 2015.

Last week, PopCom projected the Filipino population to hit 105.7 million by December 2017, based on Philippine Statistics Authorities’ data showing that women of reproductive age in the country continue to increase, coupled with higher-than-national-average fertility rates in most regions of the country.

“It could be more than 106.7 million if, let’s say, the SC decision becomes final,” Perez said. “We are slowly running out of modern family planning methods.”

Congress passed the Reproductive Health law in 2012, and the executive department approved its implementing rules and regulations in March 2013. But some

nila’s hosting of this year’s golden anniversary of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations – a regional organization with 10 member-states - where Duterte was designated chairman.

He cited as well the “strong leadership and united front (executive, legislative, LGUs and CSOs) against poverty and strategic alliance for global competitiveness” and the “completion and launching of the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan.”

Salceda cited the implementation of Tax Administration Reform Act (TARA) and the massive P8trillion infrastructure projects that the Duterte administration vowed to pursue until 2022.

Among them are the development of international airports in Puerto Princesa, Daraga, Panglao; start of implementation of Mindanao Railways and NSRP Southline, and bridges between Matnog and Allen and between Leyte and Surigao.

Salceda called this the “beginning of the Golden Era of Transportation.”

The last two are the implementation of the “42 Industry Roadmaps, Manufacturing Resurgence Program, SME in GVC development and new IPP” and the “business trophy investments from Japan including $25 billion committed

by Marubeni and big-ticket infrastructure loans from China.”

Salceda lauded Duterte for his government’s plan to roll out a total of P8 trillion in infrastructure projects until 2022, which he sees as an 83 percent increase in infrastructure spending and improved Duterte on the cover of the Yazhou Zhoukan weekly news magazine. absorptive capacity.

temporary restraining orders from the courts have constrained the law’s implementation.

For one, in July 2015, the Supreme Court stopped the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from renewing the licenses of all contraceptive products, as petitioned by the Alliance for Family Foundation Philippines Inc. With the 2015 TRO, the FDA had to first re-certify that the products are safe and not abortifacient.

The high court has also prohibited the Department of Health (DOH) from including some P250 million worth of contraceptive implants in its family planning program. These products are set to expire in DOH warehouses by late 2017.

The DOH and other reproductive health advocates have filed a motion for reconsideration with SC. But in August 2016, the SC ordered the FDA instead to re-certify the products again.

According to Perez, the licenses of 15 of 48 contraceptive brands in the Philippines had expired since the TRO was issued. He cited a contraceptive pill for breastfeeding mothers that is no longer available in the market.

“This is the reason why we are hoping that the TRO will be lifted soon,” he stressed. “If it is going to last for the whole year, that would

mean one million new pregnancies, so we will have not only 105.7 million new babies (this year).”

Perez said the TRO would also lead to 1,000 more maternal deaths annually.

PopCom’s projected population growth included over 27 million women aged15-49, the supposed beneficiaries of DOH’s RH services under the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law. Perez said the continuing increase in population is due to the “relatively high fertility rates of Filipino women, which is three children on average.”

Eleven of the country’s 17 regions were noted to have higher fertility rates than the national average.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Bicol and Western Visayas have the highest fertility rates at 4.2, 4.1 and 3.8, respectively, primarily due to cultural and religious beliefs on family planning.

Perez said PopCom has been trying to educate Muslim religious leaders on reproductive health.

These leaders, he said, had come up with a fatwa setting only two to three children as the ideal family size for a quality life.

In Bicol and Western Visayas, PopCom is working with civil society groups, he added.

Duterte named ‘Person of the Year’ by Chinese magazine PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has been named “Person of the Year” by a Chinese magazine, Malacañang announced on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Yazhou Zhoukan, “the Time magazine of the Chinesespeaking world,” gave the honor to Duterte following the Filipino leader’s “announcement of an independent foreign policy that consists of his distancing away from the US and forging closer ties with China.”

“The article also praises Duterte’s program of good governance and anti-corruption campaign as a reason for his popularity among the Filipinos,” Abella told reporters.

Yazhou Zhoukan, he noted, is

the world’s only Chinese language international affairs magazine, circulated in major markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

The weekly magazine is owned by the Malaysia-based Media Chinese International Ltd., which is listed on the Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur stock exchanges.

Since taking power on June 30, 3016, Duterte has made headlines for declaring a “military and economic separation” from the US and hitting hard on Washington and United Nations officials critical of his bloody war on drugs.

To pursue a more independent foreign policy, Duterte is seeking closer ties with US rivals China and Russia through economic and arms deals. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Journal

Celebrity predictions for 2017

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

When the Rooster crows at the start of its year (Jan. 28, 2017, according to the Chinese Calendar), will somebody from showbiz recoil conscience-stricken? hard to tell.

It’s much easier to predict (with an old, sometimes hazy, Crystal Ball as usual) what could happen to showbiz denizens in the next 12 months which could witness a lot of, well, “cockfighting” since, as I just said, it’s The Year of the Rooster.

To borrow the words of Miss World Organization (MWO) head Julia Morley, we’ll do it in reverse order — you know, we’ll start with the “Wide-Awake Items”: • Kris Aquino will bounce back and spring a big surprise on all of us, proving to all and sundry that she’s not done yet, career- and romance-wise. Is a dashing foreigner lurking nearby?

• Ruffa Gutierrez and her foreigner boyfriend will not elope (too old for that) but will seriously think of getting married despite the objection of her Mom Annabelle Rama (over her dead body?).

• Luis Manzano will not fall on his knees to propose to Jessy Mendiola even if that’s the “trend” among their colleagues, Luis and Jessy not being known for being

Luis Manzano

Megan Young

Dingdong Dantes

Kapuso stars’ New Year goals

by AngeL JAvieR Philstar.com

Kris Aquino

Angel Locsin

Ruffa Gutierrez

gaya-gaya, puto-maya. But they will enjoy another year of blissful togetherness, with the blessing of Luis’ mother Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos who said she found Jessy mabait at maganda.

• Angel Locsin, Luis’ ex, will finally (finally!!!) find her own new happiness since she claimed to have already moved on…without looking back with anger. everybody deserves to be happy, right?

• Claudine Barretto will let bygones be bygones and accept a peace offering if extended to her estranged husband Raymart Santiago. It isn’t nice to carry a heavy 2016 emotional baggage, is it?

• Miss Universe (2015) Pia Wurtzbach will make an “important announcement” after she relinquishes her crown to the winner (will she be somebody from Asia?) in the 2016 Miss Universe Miss Universe pageant on Jan. 30, the third time it’s being staged in Manila?

• Sen. Manny Pacquiao will defy age and prove that he’s invincible by having another fight (with Floyd Mayweather? not too soon!) middle of the year. In God, he trusts.

• Papa Jack will quit Love Radio after many years, leaving his followers (this one included) orphaned. Asked why, all that PJ said was, “Long story,” adding that he planned to take a well-deserved

rest. Will he resurface in another station? Stay tuned.

• Although his “It’s Showtime!” co-hosts Billy Crawford and Anne Curtis are engaged (to Coleen Garcia and erwan heussaff, respectively), Vhong navarro is not going to be a copycat and propose to his long-time girlfriend Tanya Winona Bautista, probably shrugging that he’s “been there, done that,” with his first marriage annulled (he has two children with his ex-wife). But Vhong promised to give Tanya “the best wedding ever.” As he marks his 40th birthday today, Vhong is keeping his fingers crossed that his starrer, Cineko Productions’ Mang Kepweng Returns (inspired by the Chiquito movie first shown in 1977, remade in 1979 and 1981), will attract a long queue as it opens nationwide today, with Kim Domingo as one of his leading ladies, directed by GB Sampedro.

• Isabelle Daza and husband Adrien Semblat will welcome the stork’s visit before the end of the year, following her cousin Georgina Wilson who has already given birth to her and husband Arthur Burnand’s first child last Dec. 26.

Their “It Girl” friend Solenn heussaff (also married like Isabelle and Georgina last year) is not following suit, not this year anyway.

And now, the “Blind Items”: • new young(er) loveteams will take center stage, dimming

the spotlight on established ones who are not getting any younger and should seek new directions to stay longer in the race.

• not all those who were engaged last year will really walk down the aisle. Some might call it quits, knock on wood.

• Wedding bells might ring for J and D who have found each other, and will show the world that, yes, to quote the song, love is lovelier the second time around, more comfortable the second time you fall.

• A couple in a bitter court battle will reconcile and start life anew, past set aside, for the sake of their child. Marital love will triumph over infidelity.

• After Prince Stefan, another actor is contemplating to out himself, unless people close to him stop him. Some things are better left unspoken, undisclosed.

• The merry-go-round will continue unabated, with Kapamilya and Kapuso stars jumping ober da bakod.So what else is new?

• A drug-related (minor) scandal will rock the industry which will survive with “clean hands.”

Look, Ma, negative!

• Three TV shows will fold up due to poor ratings…even before they complete their intended run.

• A recently-reconciled couple will (finally?) get married abroad.

If ever, it will be the fulfillment of the lady’s dream.

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The beginning of every new Year brings with it the opportunity to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future. Since each day is a reminder that there is always a chance to improve ourselves, and the hope of starting anew can give us motivation to pursue our dreams, Kapuso artists share their goals and the things they want to accomplish in the next 12 months.

What do you want to achieve this 2017?

Megan Young: I hope to learn a new skill, whether it be in the form of music or in sports.

Dingdong Dantes: I want to do a 70.3 Iron Man, I want to join a full marathon and also, I want another baby.

Nar Cabico: For 2017, I want to hone my craft as a singer, musician or songwriter. I want to provide more available materials to the audience and fans as well.

Aicelle Santos: I want to achieve a better career, better family life and a better Philippines.

Allan K.: Actually, I just take things as they come because I’ve already reached my peak. I started with a very simple dream yet, the Lord provided me with blessings that exceeded my dreams. I just count my blessings and don’t aim for more.

Andrea Torres: I’m hoping for more projects and more characters that the viewers will love. I also just want to focus more on work and my family.

Arianne Bautista: I want to have a movie. not necessarily a lead role, I just want to be a part of a movie or indie film in order for me to widen my horizons.

Max Collins: Probably to become business-savvy. I’ve started some businesses; I’m working on them. They’re not yet running but I really hope that they’d flourish and I hope that they’d do well.

Gabby Eigenmann: I want to have a healthy lifestyle. I need to be mindful of what I should eat.

I’m not getting any younger so I know now what’s best for me and what’s not.

Isabelle de Leon: I want to perform again in a children’s hospital, though I did it last year, I want to do it again and hopefully, do it annually.

Rich Asuncion: I hope to grow more as an actress. I have been receiving positive feedback that makes me feel good and makes me want to focus more on my work.

Solenn Heussaff: I want to discover new places like Tibet and I also want to attend a photography class and go to Africa for that.

Traveling, for me, it’s the richest thing you can possess. Basically, I just like to travel more.

Mike Tan: I want to do indie films to further develop my skills.

Mark Herras: I want to work out more. Also, I want to make several investments like for example, buy some land, to start a new business — those are my targets next year.

Katrina Halili: I’ve been saving up this year, so I’ll probably buy next year like a house and lot, for example.

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Sen. Manny Pacquiao gears for Right buttons pressed in ‘Die Beautiful’ showbiz comeback – as producer

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Gone are the pseudo-narcissistic days where our “Pambansang Kamao” slash Senator Manny Pacquiao wanted to be the star of each and every film or project he produces, because now he is considering his showbiz comeback for 2017—but only as producer.

We had the chance to chat with this man amid his busy schedule at the grand opening of his kumpare

Anthony Taberna’s third branch of Ka Tunying’s Cafe.

Here Manny revealed, “nag-iisip ako ‘yung gumawa ng pelikula na Christian movie.” Some of his favorite Bible stories include King Jehoshaphat, Daniel and Joseph the Dreamer, “gusto ko kasi magbigay ng mga inspiration sa tao dahil wala na ang mga movie na ‘yan lalo na sa kabataan. (I want to give inspira-

tion to people because they’re not recognized anymore especially with the youth.)”

Manny also mentioned that it is his kids’ time to shine since his son Jimuel is slowly entering the showbiz scene and will go full blast after he finishes school.

As for politics, the boxer-senator just smiled when asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement during his birthday bash earlier in December where the President said that Manny is slated to become the next president after him. Although many took it intriguingly, Manny said that it is still out of his equation. “wala pa sa isipan natin ‘yan dahil para sa atin ay gampanan lang ang trabaho natin. (I haven’t been thinking about that because for me, I need to fulfill my duties [as senator]).”

Vhong Navarro not pressured to follow engagement bandwagon Considering that Vhong navarro’s relationship with her selfless girlfriend Tanya Winona Bautista runs for almost a decade now (eight years), the comedian does not feel the pressure of proposing to her girlfriend real soon.

Vhong was faced with this question by the press after the highly publicized engagement announcements of his colleagues Anne Curtis to erwann Heussaff and Billy Crawford to Coleen Garcia. “Hindi naman, kaya lang, ang nangyari kasi, may 2017, may 2018 (wedding). Ayoko namang sabayan.

Gusto ko ibigay muna sa kanila ‘yung moment.”

Tanya was admired by the public after standing by Vhong even though he got caught in a scandal with Cedric Lee and Deniece Cornejo back in 2014.

They are now going stronger than ever and Tanya understands that with Vhong’s ongoing cases and upcoming movie projects such as “Mang Kepweng Returns,” a wedding cannot fit in his schedule any time soon.

“Ang dami rin kasing dumating na kailangan asikasuhin muna at alam ni Tanya ‘yun. Gusto ko kapag na bring up na rin ‘yung mga ganung topic, nakaplano na. Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan [about engagement].”

Speaking of Vhong’s movie “Mang Kepweng Returns,” it is opening in two days, January 4, in cinemas nationwide, same as his birthday. (ManilaTimes.net)

exCeLLenT story, good direction and superb acting make a “Class A” movie. If one aspect sagged, “Die Beautiful” would have not been as beautiful as it is.

Good thing, it has all the right buttons pressed at the right time.

A good-looking boy from a conservative family whose single dream was to become a beauty queen as transgender has all the elements of a story for all ages and all cultures. After all, isn’t being gay universal? Doesn’t it exist across races, cultures, classes, nationalities, religions and regions?

The movie mirrors what is common in society—young effeminates who have crushes on handsome boys consequently abhorred by kin especially fathers who can’t take their sons as gays; their wish to become women to the point of spending a fortune to grow breasts and even to have their manhood cut-off to make them women—in form at least, but never in substance. The movie also represents the common work as parloristas and beaucon (beauty contestant) habitués, the act paying men for sexual gratification, the reality of growing old alone and or keeping boys so someone can look after them at old age or over them at death—as what Lou Veloso characterizes as the owner of the funeral parlor where the wake transpires.

Behind their made-up faces, flawless skin, flowy dresses, high stilettos and flirty gaits though are human beings who love and are capable of loving without expecting in return; people whose heartaches, dreams and aspirations are the same as anyone else’s.

“Ang galing ng story, ng screenplay,” one moviegoer remarked. Anyone who’ve heard it agrees, for this is the story na may puso, punumpuno ng puso, hindi lang kababawan at katatawanan tungkol sa kabaklaan.

As Patrick who becomes Trisha echevarria, Paolo Ballesteros is both funny and arresting; some of the lines he delivers are admittedly adlibs, according to producer Perci Intalan. And the best thing is that, Ballesteros’ adlibs are intelligently caught and replied with equally funny and witty adlibs by his best friend Barbs, played by straight Christian Bables.

Making “Die Bautiful” truly an excellent movie is the beautiful acting of Ballesteros and Bables, as in reality, they are not flamboyant gays, only excellent actors who played their characters according to the story.

Director Jun Robles Lana’s use of flashbacks has been very effective to understand how things came to be and what they have become. even the old puzzle “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?” comes into fore with a funny conclusion.

Always a runner-up and never a titleholder, all Trisha wanted was to become the queen, complete with crown, sash, sceptre and victory walk—then he can die. And it happens when the only questionand-answer he ever memorized is what’s picked up for him in the biggest gay pageant he ever joined. Sickly since he was young, he dies of brain aneurysm soon after his declaration as winner.

Going back why he looks a different beautiful celebrity everyday during his wake, Trisha jokingly (with premonition) told Barbs that for seven days, he wanted to look like his favorite celebrities—as Angelina Jolie on the first day—they’ve been copying with their make-up skills on their free time together.

There are unanswered issues in the film—like what happens now with Trisha’s adoptive daughter, Sheila May (Inah De Belen), how Trisha became close to Jesse’s wife, what happened to the boylet whom he spent to have a nose job but left him for another gay, his father’s (Joel Torre) non-presence during the wake and Barbs’ own love story if ever there was.

But it’s the humanization of the transgender—who abound in Metro Manila and could be a family member, kin, friend, acquaintance, friend of a friend or just anyone you know up close and personal or from afar—that is the most important thing achieved in this movie.

Having all these elements, it is no wonder that “Die Beautiful”

became a favorite in the Tokyo International Film Festival held in october where Ballesteros also got his first Best Actor award.

It is funny and entertaining, yet emotionally wrenching.

The cameo roles of Iza Calzado and eugene Domingo add color to the film, but Ballesteros’ aping of the subtle acting of Jaclyn Jose is one that elicited the biggest laughter among moviegoers.

The success of this film in the Metro Manila Film Festival may produce a clamor for another Ballesteros starrer next year, which means a slapstick real transgender Vice Ganda movie could be, well, a thing of the past—for intelligent paying movie going public, at least.

Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films is credited as one of the producers, along with her daughter Roselle, making this production not an indie movie after all. So it was surprising that the Regal matriarch blurted out words that undermine the indie realm when her solo-produced Mano Po 7 did not make the cut.

We can only thank the MMFF executive committee for truly bringing change to the movie industry and choosing the likes of Die Beautiful as treat to Filipinos during the holiday season.

A big congratulations to Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables for winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively during the 42nd MMFF Awards.

More of movies like this, please!

MMFF withdraws FPJ Memorial Award from ‘Oro’ by izA iglesiAs ManilaTimes.net

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THe Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) executive Committee (exeCom) on Tuesday, Jan. 3, announced the withdrawal of the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for excellence given to the entry “oro.”

According to MMFF spokesperson noel Ferrer, the decision was upon consultation with the family of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. “Without making any judgment on the artistic merit of the film or cinematic depiction, the MMFF finds the present controversy on the alleged killing of a dog in the course of the filming of the movie effectively casts a doubt on the movie’s ability to exemplify the human and cultural values espoused by the late Fernando Poe, Jr,” the statement read.

The statement came a day after Senator Grace Poe has called upon the MMFF organizers to look into the matter of whether a dog was actually butchered in the course of filming of “oro.”

“Aside from the possible criminal liability if indeed proven, the MMFF should also consider applicable administrative sanctions against the producers and/or filmmakers for any misrepresentation before the MMFF selection committee on this matter which in itself may already justify the movie being stripped of any and all awards,” Poe said in her statement.

‘Out of panic’ It was also on Monday, Jan. 2, when the MMFF exeCom has conducted and mediated an inquiry on the film entry “oro” after several complaints due to its dog-killing scene.

According to the exeCom’s official statement, the inquiry was attended by representatives from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the production team of “oro.”

In a Facebook post, Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair and exeCom member Liza Diño shared the points established

by PAWS and by oro’s production

BEFORE THE SLAUGHTER. Many hearts bled for this poor, furry extra in one of the movies that competed in the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival.

Screenshot by Anna Cabrera, PAWS executive director

team through their legal counsels.

According to Dino, PAWS—who requested the investigation—believes members of “oro’s” production violated RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act. However, PAWS said they are still gathering their own evidence and what they have right now are admission from some members of oro production team who are yet to fully commit in testifying against the makers of the film.

Meanwhile, “oro’s” representative allegedly admitted to lying to the committee.

“The representative of “oro” who was present during the exeCom screening admitted to lying to us and those present when she said they used a goat and prosthetics during the dog scene. They said it was out of panic. There was no attempt to retract the statement from that point on,” Diño wrote. “‘oro’ production reiterated that no animal was harmed ‘for the purpose of the film.’ They said it was within the bounds of culture in that area where dogs are eaten as food,” the FDCP chair continued.

After hearing both sides, Diño wrote that the exeCom with the two lawyers proposed a joint resolution which included: “a disclaimer in all ticket booths saying the there are graphic scenes that maybe offensive; the scene where there is an alleged animal cruelty will be ‘blackened’ and edited out; and director Alvin Yapan and “oro” production will actively cooperate with PAWS toward an awareness

campaign on animal welfare, without prejudice to its pursuit of public discussion in regard to other issues raised by the film.”

However, just before the committee delivers the update to the media, lawyer Toto Villareal, exeCom member and Chairman of Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) received a call from the lawyer of PAWS saying they do not wish to participate in the joint statement with “oro.”

“Suffice to say, PAWS was not satisfied with the turnout. Very understandable because they were requesting for pullout and stripping of awards, and it was not granted at the time of the meeting.

Much as we want things to be decided on right then and there, please understand that as a committee, we need to reconvene and discuss all these new information before we arrive at a decision,” Diño stated.

“The MMFF posed no obstacle to the participation of the film, further to the determination of the Selection Committee, on account of the film’s prior representation that no dog was actually killed in connection with the subject depiction.

The MMFF executive Committee takes this opportunity to strongly emphasize that it has not condoned nor will ever condone any cruelty to animals. neither will it allow the Festival to be the vehicle for any such actions,” the exeCom separately stated through its spokesperson noel Ferrer.

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Ryan Cayabyab’s protégé now music director in US school

by Ricky lo Philstar.com

A FILIPINO virtuoso, who was a chorister for a parish in Marikina City and later became an accomplished baritone singer and assistant to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, is now the head of the music department of one of America’s most prestigious Jesuit universities located in Jersey City, New Jersey, just a few miles away from New York City.

“Dr. Joseph David Legaspi has been the director of liturgical music for campus ministry at Saint Peter’s University, where he is also a music instructor in the Department of Fine Arts since 2013,” wrote Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre in an exclusive report to Funfare. “He manages two major university choirs — the Saint Peter’s University Schola (liturgical choir), which Legaspi founded; and the Aidan C. McMullen Chorale (concert choir) — and is at the helm of the university’s music programming, which was also designed to bring enriching musical experiences throughout the second most populous city across the state of New Jersey.”

Legaspi, 39, told Edmund that his main responsibility is to nurture and bring music to the students, the Saint Peter’s community and the surrounding community. “The faculty and staff can come to me if they need music for events. I also teach voice and piano,” added Legaspi.

A UP music graduate who obtained his doctorate from Indiana University, Legaspi is actually the first to hold the position at Saint Peter’s University, a post offered to him when he was still a pianist for student Mass.

With his mentor, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

“The music program in the university is growing and it didn’t have a music department and someone who will oversee its program,” he recalled. “The provost and the vice president for campus ministry wanted to bolster the music program and asked me to steer its growth.”

Legaspi’s department holds a regular free concert series called Arts on Bergen, his own brainchild featuring a diverse line-up of celebrated concert artists, among them (recently featured) Ryan with his award-winning Ryan Cayabyab Singers, who gave a two-hour, first-rate performance which was received with a standing ovation by a packed crowd at the historic St. Aedan’s Church, the official university church, located on the city’s busy Bergen Avenue.

“I hope to bring in more brilliant Filipino performers, like Lea Salonga and the Philippine Madrigal Singers, to showcase internationally-acclaimed Filipino talents,” said Legaspi.

An altar boy who eventually

became a chorister at age 15 at Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Church in Marikina City, he pursued his dream by taking up Music. It was at UP where he met Ryan who was his professor in music theory and eventually became his boss.

“One time I showed a work to him, a choral arrangement, and asked him to check it out,” Legaspi related to Edmund. “Maestro Ryan took me under his wing from 1995 to 1998. He simply asked me if I wanted to work for him as an assistant. That’s how it started. My job was to do everything, including copying his handwritten scores which I just cleaned up since digital printing was not available at the time. He wrote musical notation fast so that I had to decipher that.

I also went with him in his gigs so I met a lot of musicians and singers he worked with.”

Edmund noted that it took Legaspi nine years to earn his diploma in creative and performing musical arts as he led a hectic life PAGE B4

Dr. Joseph Legaspi (far back) with the members of Schola, Saint Peter’s University liturgical choir and (right) with the Aidan C. McMullen Chorale, the concert choir of the same university

Marlon Stockinger and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

Pia Wurtzbach, Marlon Stockinger spend holiday in Hawaii

by Rosette

Adel

The two separately shared photos of them on their InsM A N I LA – R u m o re d c e - tagram stories, with locations lebrity couple Miss Universe tagged in Waikiki beach, Hono2015 Pia Wurtzbach and car lulu, Hawaii.

Pia even played paparazzi in racer Marlon Stockinger were seen spending the holiday in her video where Marlon was candidly captured.

Hawaii.

Philstar.com

Late November, Pia and Marlon were also seen dining in Singapore, based on their Instagram posts.

The two have yet to confirm their relationship. However, Marlon last October admitted to seeing Pia.

Duterte has reserved seat at Miss U THE Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday, Jan. 4, confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte has a reserved seat at the Miss Universe pageant.

“Yes, there will be. He will be seated beside me,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo responded to the media when asked if there is a reserved seat for the president.

Early December, the DOT expressed interest in having Duterte attend the pageant. DOT public affairs, communications, and special projects Undersecretary Katherine “Kat” De Castro said the pageant may even have him as a judge.

However, De Castro later on clarified that her previous statement on the president judging the pageant was only “hypothetical.” Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart also said the president will not become a judge as they do not allow gov-

Reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace last July 18, 2016.

ernment officials be chosen as a ing in the country on January 12 pageant juror. and 13.

Miss Universe candidates are The prestigious international scheduled to conduct a courtesy pageant will be held at the Mall call at Malacañan on January 23. of Asia Arena on January 30.

The candidates will start arriv- (Philstar.com)

EntErtainmEnt

B january 5-11, 2017 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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Karylle stars as daring pole dancer, single mom in Singapore series

by ClArizel

AbAnillA Inquirer.net

Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte

‘Vince & Kath & James:’ Truly feel-good hipster movie but...

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

LET’S admit, anything churned out by ABS-CBN becomes a hit.

It would be a big shame if and when a movie made or distributed

by Star Cinema bombs at the tills—what with its unequalled publicity and promotions, in and outside of the station.

Good thing even slapstick movies produced by the network always carry redeeming value.

And what happened better in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival is the choice of “Vince & Kath & James” by the selection committee over the incongruous Vice Ganda-Coco Martin starrer.

Truly a hipster movie that millennials can relate to, the modern romantic story centers on tomboyish Kath who wins her school’s Miss Engineering beauty pageant, schoolmate Vince who’s got a crush on her for the longest time but always teases her every time their paths cross, and varsity player James who immediately likes Kath upon seeing her on pageant night.

Texting and social media play a major part in the intertwining relationship of the three protagonists—as screenshots of SMS and chat conversations between the characters make up the development of the story. The exchanges start when Kath sends a question to her best friend Maxine but instead ends at Vince’s phone—what to do with newly-

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FILIPINO artistry is indeed coming to its full glory, as more and more Filipino actors get recognized globally. Now, it is not only in independent films that Filipinos show power in acting, but in television series as well. Singeractress Karylle ranks with the present trailblazers, reaching the top of her game as she just made her Asia television mark with the premiere of her Singapore-based show, “PI” (“Private Investigator”) set on January 9.

Karylle plays the role of Maia, a pole dancer and single parent who happens to be a private investigator as well, caught in a web of lies and deceit in the one-season (13 episodes) series, produced by Mediacorp, Singapore’s leading TV network.

“I play the role of Maia… [who] has her struggles in life. She has a kid and all that so she does anything to put food on the table. She also is a honey trapper, [assisting the] PI photographer [to catch the] cheating husband,” Karylle explains about her character. “One day, an old friend of hers asks her to join [the] PI firm but the catch is, it’s not a licensed PI firm, so they’re actually scammers. That’s where the fun begins, and all the adventures.”

Karylle, addressing the crowd at

a mini press conference on Tuesday for the Singapore premiere of “PI”, also shared her thrill to work with foreign actors such as Carl Ng, Vanessa Vanderstraaten, Kathiravan Kandavelu, Joyce Ng, Najib Soiman, Shane Mardjuki, Terence Tay and Kaidon Jinyan. The show is directed by Ian Seymour.

On being a pole dancer Karylle is long known to be one of the most successful singers in Philippine showbiz but she has very seldom showcased talent for dancing. Not a lot of people know that Karylle is actually a ballet dancer, but pole dancing is something she never thought of trying, as she feels it is just not for her.

“I’m really a ballet dancer, I’ve done aerial hoop but I’ve never tried pole dancing for some reason.

I always thought it was impossible,” she shared. For her role as a pole dancer, she donned blonde hair and dared put on some revealing outfits. Dedicated to perform her role well, she took a crash course on pole dancing under her Showtime dance colleagues.

As demanded by her role, Karylle also underwent serious physical training.

A different, daring role Karylle is beyond thankful for the role she’s been given but the 35-year-old singer initially wanted a different role. She actually wanted the role of co-star Vanessa Vander-

PAGE B3 with a dynamic mix of academic pursuits, responsibilities at work and church, and moments of leisure with friends and colleagues.

“While an undergrad,” continued Edmund, “he won top honors in vocal competitions, including the 1999 National Competition for Young Artists, and the 2002 Y’s Men International Classical Singer of the Year. He also made his solo debut with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in 2002, having previously toured the US in 2000 and Europe in 2001 as a featured soloist of the Music Theater Foundation of the Philippines, and the award-winning Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club. He even played Dr. Jose Rizal in the musical adaptation of Noli Me Tangere at the CCP.” Along the way, he served as

music director for choirs of large companies like Merck and the Philippine Dental Association, and also worked as a pianist for the Makati Medical Center Choir and vocal coach for Viva Records. He also taught at Ryan’s Music School that specialized in developing outstanding performance artists.

At the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Legaspi retook his undergraduate studies and completed his degrees in Bachelor of Music in 2005, his Master of Music in 2008, and his Doctor of Musical Arts (Vocal Performance) in 2014.

While at Indiana University, he was a featured soloist for the university’s Motet Choir, the Indiana University Chorale and the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble. With his renowned mentors such as baritone Andreas

Karylle takes on a daring and different role in the Singapore series, “PI”.

straaten. But it appears Karylle is destined for something else.

As every role comes with it’s own challenges, Karylle’s character as Maia is no exception. She particularly cited the story and language factors as the main challenges she faced, since the story totally veers away from the typical Pinoy drama every Filipino has been accustomed to.

Karylle explains that while her pole-dancing, single parent role is not bitter towards men, life in Singapore can be “very difficult and challenging, so if you have a kid, it’s gonna be really hard.” Her character was abandoned by family, and Karylle believes that this is where her character’s angst is coming from. It’s the same angst which will fuel Karylle’s prowess into navigating some new acting terrain, so watch out.

Ryan Cayabyab’s protégé now music...

Maris Racal and Julia Barretto play best friends

circumcised brother Kyle who’s in pain and restless. Vince’s reply proved to be effective.

Joshua Garcia as Vince, the geeky Electrical Engineering student who hides under his blog “DaVinciQuotes” and martyr of a cousin, is convincing in his role, though at the start of the movie it shows in his ever-smiling facial disposition how excited he is for having a major movie in a title role at that. Looking closely, Garcia has striking semblance to John Lloyd Cruz and Alden Richards, and that’s an added factor to his likeability onscreen.

Julia Barretto as Kath is pretty, commands strong presence on screen, and could well be Star Cinema’s next superstar—possibly eclipsing aunt Claudine’s

once stature in the outfit. Incidentally, both Kath and Vince’s favorite movie in the story is “Got 2 Believe,” the Claudine BarrettoRico Yan starrer whose dialogues they memorize by heart, and the climax of the film becomes “life imitating art” when James enters the picture spoiling the hidden happiness of the lovers-in-development.

As James, Ronnie Alonte plays his role well as a rich kid more inclined to basketball than academics. He always relies on cousin Vince to save him from all predicaments in every situation—as if it’s his way of exacting payment for debt of gratitude that his family has taken Vince to their home, sending him to the same PAGE B5

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Poulimenos and the late operatic bass Giorgio Tozzi, he has received a number of awards including two scholarship grants.

No doubt that his extensive background had prepared Legaspi for the “daunting task” his current position demands.

“It’s scary, yes, but I love what I’m doing now,” Legaspi admitted.

“I never thought I would be in this position. Training young voices and mentoring kids is a very daunting task. A lot of the students come to me without any music training so you have to teach them from scratch. You have to teach them everything from music theory or how to read notes. Almost all of them never had voice lessons. But once you work with the students and talk to them, it’s very inspiring talaga. I’m very happy where I am right now.”

Features

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. Devin Connolly & nAnCy Miller The ability to lawfully live and work in the United States is a dream of so many people.

The fulfillment of this dream requires the aspiring immigrant to navigate the United States’ immigration laws, which are considered to be a very confusing and complex area of law. however, despite this complexity, and the incredible importance placed on being granted permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship, countless numbers of aspiring immigrants attempt to achieve their immigration goals without the assistance of an experienced attorney who specializes in immigration law. Sure some may indeed succeed, but many others do not; and this failure may lead to their ultimate nightmare – being deported.

A person born outside the

PhiliP S. ChuA, MD, FACS, FPCS The holidays may be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger for a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of us who overindulged during the festivities.

The post-holiday “makeover” is just as a healthy preemptive measure, more so for those who really want to maintain their normal weight or those who have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or hypercholesterolemia.

As with anything else, damage control is best as a preventive strategy. however, the holidays and special celebrations (like a birthday or a wedding reception), which could go on for more than a week, expose all of us to that great irresistible gastronomical temptation.

For dieters, those who are watching their weight or counting calories, these occasions are tough times. Blessed are those strong-willed souls, whether or not they carry a calorie counter on one hand and a scale on the other. These health-conscious individuals will reap their rewards in terms of stamina, energy, a stronger immune system, and even longevity, as shown by medical statistics.

Bear and horse analogy here is an analogy to clarify a point: “The bear, a carnivorous, eats with impunity in one sitting, gaining pounds after pounds, and then sleeps, slowing down its body metabolism, while the horse grazes on grass several times the whole day, and runs around very frequently, and as such, is a more agile, much leaner, and healthier animal.” our physiology is at the optimum when we exercise and consume just the right amount of calories of the right foods to maintain our normal weight and when our glucose (blood sugar) levels are on an even keel most of the time. When we overeat and then try to starve ourselves to compensate for our indiscretion, our blood glucose spikes up and down — a phenomenon described as yo-yo dieting. This severe fluctuation in our blood glucose levels has adverse effects on our bodies and on our immune systems. And this poses an even greater danger for persons

United States, commonly referred to as an “alien,” files their request for immigration benefits with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The USCIS is a branch of the U.S. Department of homeland Security. Prior to filing any application with the USCIS, it is imperative for the applicant to confirm their eligibility for the requested benefit. This assessment requires a review of many things, including dates of entries and exits from the U.S., type of visa (if any) held at entry to the U.S., the immigration status and history of the applicant and their family members, etc.

Successfully applying for immigration benefits requires much more than merely completing required forms. It must include an accurate assessment of the applicant’s eligibility for the requested benefits. eligibility must take into account the impact of any and all prior immigration history and criminal history – in

this country or any other. This assessment is essential, because applying for an immigration benefit when you are not actually eligible may lead to a person being immediately deported.

Previous immigration problems may mean that the alien is not eligible for the relief that they are seeking. It may also mean that the alien will require a waiver of a ground of inadmissibility.

The same is true for criminal history. They type of conviction or the sentence may preclude the alien from relief (and result in deportation). Alternatively, it may require a waiver with a showing of extreme hardship to the qualifying relative(s). Criminal immigration problems may exist even if the alien was not actually convicted of a crime if the event causes the officer to have a reason to believe that they are ineligible.

It is crucial to submit a welldocumented request for an immigration benefit. The submission

with diabetes. eating several times a day, even five or six times a day, not exceeding the total 24-hour caloric need of our body, is a healthier habit, which helps maintain our blood glucose level in a more stable, less erratic, pattern during the day. But the key is caloriecontrol, especially the ones from carbohydrates (rice, bread, soft drinks, cakes, ice cream, candies, and other sweets).

Several years ago, we wrote about two main hormones that control our appetite, which is apropos to our discussion. here is a segment of that column: What triggers hunger and satiety?

The urge to eat (hungry or not) is, to a large extent, controlled by hormones in our body. And these hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what types of food we eat and how many calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we indulge in daily. Scientific researchers are focusing on four specific substances they call “fat hormones,” which our own endocrine glands in the body produce. There are hormones that make one eat and there are also hormones that signal the brain to tell the person to stop eating. These substances control hunger and satiety.

Which is the “hunger hormone”?

The hunger hormone is Ghrelin, which is secreted by our guts (stomach and intestines).

When its level goes up, we feel hungry and have the urge to eat. The level of Ghrelin goes up when we get less sleep or not enough sleep. This is the reason why those who are trying to lose weight should get adequate amount (about eight hours) of sleep.

An imbalanced meal and stress also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food deprivation obviously increases the Ghrelin level, hence it is better to keep the level of this hormone on an even keel and not fluctuate too much by eating regularly (or even more than three times a day) but at a controlled total calorie ceiling, to maintain health and body weight.

So, starving oneself is not a good way to lose weight, since this will lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in the latter part of the day.

What is the “satiety hormone”?

The opposite or counter-hormone, which is called Leptin, signals the brain when to stop eating. It controls the appetite.

This “satiety hormone” is produced by fat cells in the body.

When a person loses weight, the

leptin level in the blood stream also goes down. As a result, there is a “rebound” weight gain. The best strategy for losing and maintaining a desired weight level is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, and not more. In this manner, there will still be an effective level of leptin in the body to control the urge to eat.

Are appetite suppressants safe?

Most appetite control pills, juices, solutions and powders on the market are not the physiological and unnatural way to suppress (by force) the appetite for weight control. While they are readily available and very popular, they have potential adverse side effects on the heart, liver, kidneys and brain in the long haul. Some serious complications and even deaths have been reported from the use of these diet substances.

Since greater calorie intake than output is the cause of an increase in body weight, the safest, most natural strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food). The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous.

The healthier “damage control” for our post-holiday misadventures includes daily gradual incremental reduction in the food we eat, daily physical exercises, as simple and easy as brisk walking for about 30 minutes a day, and hitting the scale daily (yes, daily) to check on any progress.

Drinking a lot of water (not fruit juices and, especially not toxic soft drinks!) can help a lot. excess weight that does not come down only means a greater reduction in food intake is needed.

The excess weight gained over the holidays could be safely eliminated within a week. For those really overweight to begin with, the same strategy (output of calories must exceed the intake) could be used.

Simply put, more exercise and less food, until the scale tells you that you have achieved your dream weight for the NeW YoU and the new year. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

‘Vince & Kath & James:’ Truly feel...

PAGE B4

school as he is and enjoying the luxury of privileged lifestyle.

There’s plenty of kilig in the movie, which young girls in the audience would shriek and shout

Ronnie Alonte and Joshua Garcia as cousins

B

The necessity of being represented by an immigration attorney

Post-holiday ‘damage control’ Health@Heart

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 5-11, 2017

when the characters bump, clash or almost physically get comfortable or discomfortable with each other.

Based on the online romantic series Vince And Kath written by

Jenny Rith Almocera, this movie is perfect for those beginning and still trying to know how to fall in love. For those who have fallen in and out of love, the kilig moments could be reminders of how it was having your first crush who becomes your girlfriend or boyfriend.

There are no flashbacks, just references through dialogue, and Theodore Boborol successfully connects the dots together—even the scenes between Vince and his mom (Ina Raymundo).

“Vince & Kath & James” is a clean movie, funny at times specially with the witty hugots, but has been overrated as “A” by the Cinema evaluation Board (CeB).

Realistically, it should be “B+.”

It’s a great vehicle though for the acting careers of Barretto, Garcia and Alonte.

From TV, these three are now legitimate movie box-office draws and sooner as superstars of local filmdom, especially Alonte who plays the central character in the other top-earning MMFF entry, Seklusyon.

of sufficient documentary evidence is vital since the applicant has the burden of proving that they are eligible for the requested benefit. In light of the fact that the burden of proof is on the applicant, they submit evidence that is thorough and persuasive to maximize their chances of being granted the requested benefit.

Aspiring immigrants should do everything possible to ensure their personal interview is successful. These interviews can be stressful, nerve-wracking experiences. It may be the applicant’s first time attending a personal interview for an immigration benefit with the USCIS, and they are likely to be questioned by an experienced USCIS officer who has conducted many of these types of interviews. The USCIS officer may aggressively question the applicant, they may pressure them to answer questions to which they do not know the answers, and they may also allow the applicant to make state-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette ADevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 4) Do you believe in angels? I do. Most people do.

The strong presence of angels in the various books of the Bible, specially during the birth of Jesus Christ attests to the role of angels in human history.

The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bring forth a son. Zechariah received a message from an angel. It was an angel that told Joseph to take Mary for his wife. It was a multitude of angels that told the shepherds where to find the newborn child while angels hovered above the stable during that wondrous night.

It was also an angel that warned Joseph of a clear and present danger to the child Jesus. herod, the unhinged, murderous king descended from a long line of power-mad monarchs, wanted to make sure no one stood between him and his throne.

In haste, Joseph left with

ments that are harmful to their case. Saying the wrong thing during an interview can make it significantly more difficult to ever lawfully reside in the U.S. And while the applicant may later realize they misspoke or that they did not actually understand the questions they were being asked, it may too late to fix the problems created. The application may already be denied and the Department of homeland Security may have already begun the process of deporting them to their native country.

Representation by an attorney includes not just preparing and submitting the application, it also includes preparation for the interview and attendance at the interview with the alien. What an applicant said or did not say may be the basis of a delay in adjudication or a denial. The attorney should be there to ensure that the questioning is fair and lawfully permissible – and to stop an interviewer who oversteps his

or her bounds.

Federal Court judges have said that the only area of law that is more confusing than immigration is tax law. Maneuvering one’s way through the statutes, regulations, case law and personal interviews should only be done with the help of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated solely to the practice of immigration law. hiring the right attorney may be the difference between obtaining a green card and being deported. *** Reeves, Miller, Zhang & Diza Law Corporation’s offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Angels among us “I think that someone is watching out for me, God, my guardian angel, I’m not sure who that is, but they really work hard.” — Mattie Stepanek Mary and the child during the night after the Magi had left for a long and arduous trek to a town in egypt some scholars estimate to be 200 miles away where herod had no authority to commit mass murder.

You can bet a host of angels guided them in seeking refuge. herod’s murderous rampage began when he realized that the Magi had tricked him and had taken a different route home ignoring his sly request to tell him of the child’s location.

It is believed 14,000 innocent male babies from the age of two and below were killed in herod’s most cruel, preemptive strike against this perceived threat to his kingdom. The holy family stayed safely away for years until the king died and the danger had passed.

Did these holy innocents become cherubs, angels without wings? Do the millions of the unborn of our time the world

Calendar of Events across

over cut down by murderous abortionists become cherubs?

Does God repurpose innocent souls upon their deaths to become angels themselves?

There is a belief that souls are indestructible. If so, do souls get recycled back to be born at another time and place? only God knows for certain.

Angels were strong proactive characters when the story of humanity unfolded during biblical times. And while today, cynics, atheists and those on the dark side might argue that angels are figments of the human imagination, there are countless people who will brave the scorn of scoffers, fight back vehemently and attest to the very real presence of angels in their lives.

(To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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Feast of Santo Niño in Los Angeles On Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 3:30 pm, a mass sponsored by Santo Niño Cruzada USA, will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to celebrate its 30th year anniversary of the solemn Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus.

The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co. will perform traditional Sinulog dances after the mass.

Although the devotion to the Divine Infant has roots in Europe, Filipinos are known for their fervent devotion to the Infant Jesus, celebrating with religious and civic activities.

As a result, Filipino immigrants brought their Santo Niño to the United States to be their spiritual recourse, assistance, and protector.

We celebrated the first Feast of Santo Niño in 1986 at then Saint Vibiana’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. It was in the summer of 1988 that the original group of Santo Niño devotees formally organized under the name, Cruzada de Santo Niño. The organization’s name was eventually changed to its present name, Santo Niño Cruzada, USA. As in any organization, the organization’s path to success is measured by the dedication and commitment of the officers and members whose primary goals are to promote devotion to Santo Niño, provide individual sanctifications, give aids to needy families and be united with other Santo Niño groups.

For more information in this year’s celebration, please contact any of the following officers and members: Romy & Tess Esturas: (213) 387-6982 Rey & Tess Edpao: (818) 469-7292; Carmen Estrada: (213) 413-2881; Fe Montano: (323) 218-1587; Ester Paredes: (213) 864-1149; Lilia Figuracion: (626) 394-2661; Fe Reyes: (213) 413-5286; Cherry Guerrero: (213) 747-6508; Tessie Cruz: (213) 361-0937; Vicky Samia: (818) 851-2262; Laurie Dolorfino: (213) 407-0097; Maria Oclarino: (213) 427-0353.

JA N UA Ry 28

Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

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

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Enlighten skin whitening on sale! A fun birthday celebration for Manny Ilagan

By Monet

Lu

WE all wonder why many stars and celebrities seem to have flawless, white skin. For sure, not all of them were born with perfect skin. Many rely on beauty products that effectively lighten dark skin and evens out darker pigmentations. Thank goodness, you too, can have beautiful white skin within just a few weeks with Enlighten Skin Whitening Beauty Pills.

An FDA-cleared beauty product, Enlighten Skin Whitening contains genuine, grade “A” Glutathione that has gotten rave reviews from people who have tried it for themselves. We have exclusively marketed the product for years and glutathione is a wonderful antioxidant. In fact, it has been proclaimed by many experts as “nature’s most powerful antioxidant.” Enlighten is formulated and manufactured in

the US at FDA-approved facilities that have been in existence for 40 years.

Glutathione strengthens the immune system and has actually been used as a defense against cancer. There are people who fear that taking this may damage their liver. But on the contrary, glutathione is actually an effective liver detoxifier. The bonus of course is that Glutathione serves to make skin lighter.

Unfortunately, not all products with gluthathione are genuine.

Experts warn people: “Mag-ingat sa mga poor imitations.” There have been reports that some whitening products sourced from parts of Asia that claim to have glutathione in them are actually laced with traces of chalk. So be extra careful. I’m proud to say that Enlighten contains pure 500mg Glutathione plus Alpha Lipoic Acid, rosehips, vitamin C, vitamin E and papaya. These ingredients work harmoniously together to improve the skin.

Besides skin lightening, Enlighten Skin Whitening Beauty Pills also targets to even your skin tone, remove darks spots, erase acne marks, and delay skin aging.

“Doctors recommend that En-

lighten be taken once a day (one tablet) coupled with 1,000mg of Ester-C (the modified version of vitamin C) which can be purchased at any of your favorite supermarkets or pharmacies.

Results are usually visible before or within three months of use.

This is a very limited sale. Stocks are running low.

Order now and save! One unit order of Enlighten comes in a package of three bottles, or a three months’ supply is on sale for $99.00 regular price is $209. Enlighten is available in all branches of Monet Salon outlets: Or call Reflections by Monet Salon: 8340 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City, CA. Tel# (818) 8918949and Monet salon Winnetka, Ca at 818-912-6835 .en you can help them have one. *** 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

IT was another memorable birthday for Manny Ilagan at their residence in Fullerton, CA on December 24, 2016 as he celebrated his special day on Christmas Eve. Christmas carols, delicious

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Park, CA were among those who came together and wished him well.

Entertainer Joseph Gelito, with his witty humor, brought the house down with his performances.

Friends gather to celebrate Manny’s birthday.

A tribute to Benjamin G. Maynigo: An idealist and dreamer till the very end The Metamorphosis

ErniE D. DElfin

WE ARE

food, lot of drinks and games marked Manny’s birthday party which was hosted by his wife Meg. Colleagues from the Filipino-American media, friends and co-choir members from the St. Pius V Parish Church of Buena

(PART 1 of 2) “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” - Forest E. Witcraft This kind of a column is very rare and unique as it is written to pay respects to somebody who will never read it.

However, who knows that in the spiritual world where he is now, there might be that mysterious chance or miraculous e-mail, where this article is transmitted from earth to high heavens.

Nevertheless, I am writing this personal tribute to my dear Compadre, Benjamin “Ben” G. Maynigo, to express my deep love and respect for him and his family that he left behind.

Last Friday, Dec. 23, my compadre would have been 70 years exactly, but in God’s timetable, he passed away 20 days short.

But short as it was, I believe he lived a full life with no regrets, as he always did his best to improve the world that he found it.

Ben’s growing up years was quite parallel with this writer — in a rural town in Pangasinan.

I was born in Manaoag, Pangasinan while Ben was born in Rosales, Pangasinan, a town made famous in the literary world by another Ilocano writer-novelist, F. Sionil Jose, who authored the “Rosales Saga” novels. Coincidentally, Ben passed away on Dec. 3 while his kailian, Manong Frank Sionil Jose was celebrating his 92nd birthday on the same day!

I first met Pareng Ben in one of the early conferences of Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) which he founded in the mid-80s, and he invited me to serve as a director from Los Angeles region. I found him to be a dreamer and a visionary who lived outside the box often. Through APACC, I meet many non-Filipinos, especially some minority groups that I still vividly remember like Fred Lane, descendant of a Native American Lummi chief from the Seattle area, Tom Holmes, an African-American leader in Los Angeles, and also pioneers in Filipino-American politics like David M. Valderrama who was the first Fil-Am delegate to the State Legislature of Maryland (his “seat” was also occupied by one of his daughters, Kris, decades later).

In the summer of 1987, as president of the PICPA-Southern California, I invited Ben as one of the speakers to our National Council of Filipino American CPAs convention which I chaired at the Disneyland Hotel, and he instantly had many friends and fans from our CPA organization. As the founder of APACC and a successful lawyer, Ben wowed the non-legal audience of predominantly CPAs and their friends expounding about the many benefits of going outside the Fil-Am community as he did in APACC. I still cannot forget that this convention was one of the more successful ones, as our speakers were not just from the accounting profession, but also interesting and inspiring speakers like Ben and my long-time friend, Tritia Toyota, one of the pioneers of Asian American TV personalities in Los Angeles, who also co-founded our Asian American Journalist Association. Because of our non-CPA speakers, I still remember very well that the session after lunch was “cancelled” because of Ben speaking before

lunch and Tritia delivering the luncheon keynote speech, and most of the delegates “refused” to go back to the seminar workshop to have more time for dialogue with these two VIP speakers and pictures with them (there were no iPhones and selfies then!). Looking back, that was my “fault” for inviting non-CPA speakers but at the same time, I was also happy about it.

In the political arena, he was also quite involved and also indirectly affected by the Martial Law regime of Marcos, as he was married to Tina Manglapus, the only daughter of the late Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus. As the former Senator Manglapus was already in the U.S. as an exile, Pareng Ben and his family were forced to escape the Philippines through the backdoor from Mindanao to Sabah, Malaysia and eventually to the United States.

Thereafter, the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP — could also mean Manglapus For President) was organized and had national following from many FilAms. This political factor gave another reason for Ben and me to have more discussions as I also attended MFP meetings in Southern California when Senator Manglapus and/or Ben were visiting from the Washington D.C. area.

When Marcos fled the Philippines and was brought to Hawaii, and Cory Aquino became president, Raul Manglapus was again appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs while Ben refocused his AI-centered business and other interests that forced him to have an office in Manila where he stayed half of the time as his family did not leave their Virginia residence as they did not desire to settle down in the Philippines.

(To be continued next week) *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org

‘Seklusyon’ satiates horrific senses in spine-tingling gory tale

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

EVIL does not lurk only in the dark. It thrives in religious rituals and in church altars. Agents of dark forces come in the most charming ways and the Bible warns—“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”—Matthew 7:15 (Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible) The vulnerable and the weak are enticed, but those gifted with discernment refuse to partake and flee. This, in essence, is the gist of Erik Matti’s horror oeuvre, “Seklusyon” which is currently packing cinemas nationwide as one of the leading entries in the 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival.

Set in 1947 after World War 2, deacons or aspiring priests are required to go on seclusion for seven straight days as the final test before ordination. It is during this period that everything that happens is the work of the devil, which needs to be fended off, according to Sandoval, the caretaker of the monastery where the deacons are lodged.

The lock inside is not so someone can’t break in but those inside cannot get out, he tells the new arrival, Miguel, who finds out there are three others already there—Fabian, Carlo and Marco.

As the four young men get settled in their new environment—no talking is allowed so they are told to introduce themselves at dinner for once—in a parallel dimension is Padre Ricardo investigating the validity of the miracles wrought by young faith healer Anghela in Quezon Province. The young priest sees in his own eyes the claims of the “patients” that they are healed, as the girl vomits

Rhed Bustamante (left) as the young mystic Anghela and Phoebe Walker as Sister Cecilia want to create a future where people can no longer distinguish good from evil and vice versa in ‘Seklusyon’

Ronnie Alonte (as Miguel) on his first night of seven-day seclusion on the way to priesthood

squid ink-like liquid caught in a vessel held by Sister Cecilia, a nun who serves as Angela’s aide and nanny always by her side.

Fighting off their own demons, the aspiring priests are hounded by their conscience and their sins in the past—like one who did not share food to his brothers during the war resulting to their death; the other secretly hates his mentally-deranged mother; and Miguel, for leaving his girlfriend whom he may have impregnated.

As the story unravels, with the violent death of Anghela’s parents and the nun nowhere to be found after the gory murders, Ricardo

confronts the bishop about the shady character of the female religious but is told bluntly that he should just concentrate on his investigation focusing on the veracity of the miracles.

By the bishop’s directive, Anghela and Cecilia are sent to the house of seclusion for “safety” to the protestations of Salvador.

Then the horror and revelation begins, which Matti skilfully executes using light, darkness and movements – statues coming to life, crawling creatures at night.

Anghela declares that she’s there to help the deacons so they can achieve their dream of becoming PAGE B7

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 5-11, 2017

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Julia Barretto: It’s tough to suffer How Christian Bables became consequences of my family’s controversies Barbs in ‘Die Beautiful’

by Dolly Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

THERE’S a thin line between friendship and love. It’s a tricky thing to cross from the “friend zone” to the “romance department.” That’s what “Vince & Kath & James” is basically about. Lead stars Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte make quite a charming combination. What a “three-fic” team, indeed. Their movie is the stuff that millennial thrills are made of.

Here’s my chat with Julia: How does your movie redefine love triangles? It’s a modern-day love triangle about how friendship and love can sometimes overlap.

It’s very real and relatable.

Tell us what your leading men are like. It’s always been a refreshing experience for me to work with different actors. This was something new. They were both easy to work with, and it was nice to have experienced their hunger for their craft.

pectations because of my aunts and parents’ excellent work in the past. But it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on and I’m happy to have as motivation.

How’s your relationship with your dad (Dennis Padilla)?

Everything’s better now.

What’s one advice of your mom Marjorie that you find hard to follow? Many. Although I was always that child who listened to her mother.

What will it take for a guy to make you fall for him? I can’t predict. It’s so unpredictable what your heart, mind and soul decide to fall for. But a gentleman Julia Barretto with a sense of humor would What’s the best part of being catch my fancy.

If you had to choose between a Barretto? I’m glad to be a part of a clan that values the impor- love and career, which would you pick and why? For now, I’d tance of family.

What’s the toughest part choose career. Although I believe about being a Barretto? Maybe a person does not deserve to be having to suffer the consequenc- put in a situation where he or she es of their past controversies, would have to pick between the even if they do not involve me loved one and something that he in any way. And living up to ex- or she loves to do.

Sue Ramirez, new KTO honorary envoy fullest,” Park said.

He also invited Pinoys to visit Pyeongchang, the host city of the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“Your worries will fly away as you take in the pure air and beautiful scenery of Pyengchang,” Park said.

by PAtriCiA

esteves Philstar.com

SHE loves Korean heartthrobs Lee Min-Ho and Kim Soo-Young.

She craves for Bibimbap and Bulgogi all the time and cries over K-dramas. She’s the ultimate Korean fan. Meet Sue Ramirez, the new honorary ambassador for Korean Tourism.

Sue, an actress and a singer, said she feels elated over the appointment.

“I am deeply humbled and honored for this rare opportunity. I am so excited. This is a wonderful chance for me not only to learn the fascinating culture and heritage of Korea, but to share the Philippine culture as well,” said Sue during the formal ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati recently.

Inshik Park, director of Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) Manila Office, said they chose Sue because of her celebrity status and her great interest in the Korean culture and its people.

“We are very happy to have Sue Ramirez as our honorary ambassador for Korean tourism. She is a rising star in the field of showbiz in the Philippines and we saw how much she appreciate Korea and the Korean culture,” Park said.

As the honorary ambassador, Sue will visit tourist spots in Korea and will share her experiences during her trips on her social media accounts. Sue has more than 1.5 million fans from Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Sue specially requested to visit in winter because she has never seen snow and not visited Korea before.

“This is my first time to visit Korea and I really told them that I would like to see the country when there is snow. I am also looking forward to eat Korean food. The other day, I went to a Korean restaurant to have a feel of my forthcoming visit already,” Sue enthused.

Sue would also like to visit Seoul, Jeju Island and Busan because she saw Train to Busan.

“I would like to do some adventure, like trying the zip line,” she said.

Her duties also include promoting Korea at various events, which will be arranged by the KTO and Korean government agencies. Sue will serve as the honorary ambassador for two years.

Filipino tourists continue to be one of the top visitors in Korea.

Sue: It is a wonderful chance for me not only to learn the fascinating culture and heritage of Korea, but to share the Philippine culture as well.

According to KTO, Korea received a total of 465,782 Filipino tourists from January to October in 2016, posting an increase of 38.7 percent compared to previous year’s total of 335,868 from January to October.

Park, a celebrity ambassador, certainly helps in promoting Korean tourism.

“It is huge factor that people recognize and know about Korean tourism in a fast and easy way.

For example, our former ambassador Jessy Mendiola posted her Jeju travel photos on her SNS. She went to Seongsan Ichubong (Sunrise peak), Jusnggeolli cliff and Cheonjiyeon Falls (those are UNESCO Heritage attractions) and tried Korean seafood and kimchi. A lot of people commented on her photo and said they also want to go to Jeju to experience it. It is very simple but it creates a big impact,” Park said.

Park invited Filipino tourists to check out Gangwondo.

“Gangwondo offers wonderful tourist attractions and visitors can experience various activities all year round. The best time to visit is when the mountains are blanketed in snow. Visitors can also chose from the many ski resorts, some of the best in the nation, and winter festivals in the area,” he said.

He added that the most popular tourism attraction in Gangwondo is Nami island, which is located on the outskirts of Chuncheon.

“Nami is the filming site of a world-hit Korean drama Winter Sonata in 2002, and it is famous for its Metasequioia road. At nearby Nami Island, you can enjoy Seorak Mountain, a popular landmark in Gangwondo, with scenic views of the east sea to its

‘Seklusyon’ satiates horrific...

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priests but not without saying “people choose what is easy rather than what is good.”

Padre Ricardo’s investigation brings him to a farther province and learns that Cecila was a teacher who hated children, in fact, one died under her care and Anghela was her student. The nun was raped by soldiers and her face got burned, but as the priest already saw, Cecilia has flawless skin. He concludes that the partners are demons, masquerading as saintly creatures.

It’s through dreams that Miguel gets the message, and wants to save his buddies, but the three— with the assurance of the girl mystic who’s to proclaim herself as new bishop —fight him off instead.

Matti’s aim to scare viewers is successfully achieved out of the screenplay of Anton Santamaria, enhanced by the sepia cinematic artistry of Neil Bion, plus the music of Francis De Veyra.

As Miguel, Ronnie Alonte lacks intensity, but the role doesn’t call for intense acting, in fact it borders on innocence, on sublimeness. The camera loves his face, too; and barring any untoward incidents in his career he can be

the biggest star of this millennial generation.

The other three deacons as played by Dominic Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales also essay their characters with aplomb.

Rhed Bustamante as the young mystic gallantly weaves the story together evoking the right emotion in every situation; same with Phoebe Walker as the nun who commands caution should one catches her leers, stares and glances.

Neil Ryan Sese as the investigating priest and Lou Veloso as the caretaker dominate the screen in their scenes. The way they deliver their short but crisp lines clearly show that they’re veterans ably giving support to the young thespians.

If Catholics, though, take the truths presented by the film, they may question what they’ve been taking by heart as doctrines for so long. The smirk, the movement of the eyes, the meaningful glances, even the sighs of bishops and priests can well be mirrors of what’s going on today.

It’s surprising that the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) gave “Seklusyon” only a “B” grade, when in fact it could well pass as “A.”

EVEN before the start of Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) on December 25, those who have seen “Die Beautiful” in advance were already praising not only Paolo Ballesteros as Trisha but also Christian Bables as Barbs.

When the festival started, there was an unofficial movement pushing Ballesteros as shoo-in for Best Actor and Bables as Best Supporting Actor. No one got disappointed because the judges clearly had the same taste as moviegoers – Bables was named Best Supporting Actor and Ballesteros was declared Best Actor in the 42nd MMFF Awards on Decemebr 29 at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.

“This is how he came to be Barbs: We were looking for a best friend for Kiray in Regal Films’ “I

Love You To Death.” Ruby Ruby recommended this guy who just finished a soap in ABS-CBN. He auditioned but we weren’t so convinced, so he left. But for some reason Direk Miko Livelo, Direk Manny Valera, Direk Jun Lana, Roselle Monteverde and I had a change of heart and we quickly called him back,” he wrote.

“Pasakay na siya ng taxi.

Second time’s a charm and he got the role. And when we saw the finished film, we were so impressed that Jun and I decided he should be cast in another film somehow,” he continued.

“In Die Beautiful, he was not supposed to be Barbs at first.

But one thing led to another and we wound up without a definite Barbs until we were doing our line readings. That is when Direk

Christian Bables

Jun saw how good Christian was in the role. He was the perfect foil to Paolo Ballesteros because he was so natural and instinctive. He knew when to throw his lines and how to ride along with Paolo’s ad lib. Even his body language complimented Paolo. You felt the friendship was real. And now, people see the magic onscreen and love him so much that he is even trending on Twitter,” Intalan lengthily explained.

“We are so happy for Christian. It has been quite a journey and he has worked so hard for this. This is his big break!

Excited to see what the future holds for him!” the writer-director-producer exclaimed, much more meaningful now that their discovery is already a Best Supporting Actor awardee.

How Bables was cast as the BFF (best friend forever) of Trisha was explained by producer Perci Intalan on social media.

“Meet Christian Bables aka Barbs, ang trending na BFF ni Trisha sa #DieBeautiful. People are saying he is the surprise discovery of the MMFF, ” Intalan opened.

B january 5-11, 2017 • LaS VEGaS aSIan jOurnaL

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