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USA

DATELINE Homeland Security rescinds Obama-era protection for immigrant parents FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Citizenship prospects of undocumented parents threatened THE United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John F. Kelly signed a memorandum on Thursday, June 15, revoking a program that would have offered a pathway to citizenship for immigrant parents of U.S. legal permanent residents or

Duterte: PH-wide martial law not yet needed

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

IMPOSING military rule nationwide is presently unnecessary, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, June 20.

Duterte made the remark days after he warned that, if he declares martial law again, it would be a “copycat” of late President Ferdinand Marcos’ in the 1970’s.

“Ang martial law ngayon nandito na (Martial law is already here). Whether or not I expand it to cover the entire the Philippines is something else. And at

this time, it is not called for,” Duterte said in a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City.

Under Proclamation No. 216, Duterte imposed martial law and suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao on May 23.

The declaration came following the attack of Islamic State (IS)-linked terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. “The mechanism of the habeas corpus is to prevent the terrorists to gain a foothold in the Visayas. Kasi mas doble na ang sakit (Because the impact could be worse),” the President said.

He further explained, “If some of the terrorists are there, I need to pick them up immediately and then find out if they are really a threat. If not, then we will release them immediately. But if they are confirmed terrorists, I do not have the time to apply for a judicial warrant or a warrant of arrest, just because we cannot agree with each other.”

Based on the Philippine Constitution, Duterte’s proclamation is valid for 60 days, unless extended by the Congress.

The proclamation can also be invalidated if the Supreme Court (SC) rules in favor of pending petitions against it.

Earlier on Saturday, June 17, Duterte

Washington alarmed over IS threats, wants ‘bigger role’ in Marawi operations

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Washington alarmed over IS threats, wants ‘bigger role’ in Marawi operations

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said he’ll respect the high court’s decision if it ruled against martial law in Mindanao.

The President, however, warned that if he needed to impose military rule again, he would no longer consult anybody.

“If anything goes wrong, magdeclare ako ng martial law ulit (I will declare martial law again), the second time around, if the people suffer, bombings ganon (for example), ‘di na ko makikinig maski kanino (I will not listen to anyone),” Duterte said.

He went on to say, “If that rebellion

Fil-Am among 7 sailors killed in US destroyer, merchant ship collision

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THE government of the United States expressed alarm over the growing presence of jihadis in Southeast Asia amid the ongoing battle between the Philippine troopers and Islamic State (IS)-inspired rebels in Marawi City, Mindanao.

The U.S. government has been providing support to the Philippine troopers in Marawi

JUNE 22-28, 2017

VISITING THE WOUNDED. President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with one of the wounded soldiers confined at Camp Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, June 20.

Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

A FILIPINO American was one of the seven sailors killed in a collision between a United States Navy destroyer and a Philippineflagged container ship last week.

The Fil-Am was identified as 23-year-old Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan from Chula Vista, California.

Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan Sibayan, whose father retired after 21 years in the Navy, was remembered by friends and family as a leader and “sweet.”

“He (Sibayan) was the father figure of our family as

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UNWTO head tells the world: ‘Experience PH’ “YOU haven’t lived if you have not experienced the Philippines.”

Speaking at the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Tourism Statistics on Wednesday, June 21, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai encouraged individuals across the globe to visit the Philippines.

“We are here, ladies and gentlemen, to tell the world to come to the Philippines and make no mistake about it. Anybody who tries to present any other version of the story should come and see with your own eyes. All of the

countries of the world that have experienced difficulties have come back and have shown their best and their beauty comes out,” Rifai added.

Rifai described this year’s gathering at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre of Resorts World Manila as a “homecoming” and a milestone. The Philippines last hosted the UNWTO conference in 1980.

“The world is lucky to have the Philippines. Culture, nature, upbeat people give the country so much life.

The Philippines is a country to travel and respect, and its greatest gift is its

people,” Rifai added.

The opening ceremony was attended by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Tourism Ministers from Thailand, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Fiji, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles, and 721 international and local delegates.

Meanwhile, DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo continues to promote sustainable tourism on a global level by urging leaders to support tourism-

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Coach Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao

AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

Bring back old self, Roach tells Pacquiao WITH the much-awaited “Australia’s biggest-ever” fight on July 2 just around the corner, coach Freddie Roach is encouraging Manny Pacquiao to bring out his old self and go for a knockout win against Jeff Horn.

Roach believes that Pacquiao’s new-found devotion to the Bible has made him

less aggressive compared to his previous fights.

“I would love to see him get his killer instinct back and go for the knockout. I know we haven’t done that in a long time and the Bible has a lot to do with that, and it’s very tough to argue with the Bible,” Roach recently told radio host Jenna J.

“I wish he would just go back to his old self, because he was a really hot product when he was knocking people out,” he added.

Pacquaio’s last KO victory was in 2009 over Miguel Cotto. The 12 fights since then were either losses or victories via decision.

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Overseas remittances not covered by PH tax reform

TOURISM CONFERENCE. UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai (4th from left); Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo (5th from left); and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III pose with other officials from other countries during the opening ceremony of the 6th UNWTO International Conference on Tourism Statistics at the Resorts World Manila on Wednesday, June 21. More than 200 delegates from across the globe are tackling policy initiatives on developing measurement and benchmarks for sustainable tourism from June 21-24.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

REMITTANCES sent by Filipinos abroad to their families in the Philippines will not be taxed under the tax reform package being pushed by the government, the Department of Finance (DOF) clarified on Wednesday, June 21 during the Senate panel hearing on the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that the Philippines does not have the right to impose tax money sent

by Filipinos from other countries since the government has no legal jurisdiction over these remittances. The undersecretary said he made this clarification since there are erroneous reports claiming overseas remittances would be taxed under the first package of the government’s tax reform program contained in House Bill 5636.

“We have to distinguish between the

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JUNE 22-28, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

From The FronT Page

Duterte: PH-wide martial law...

PAGE A1 burns Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines, and I’ll be forced to declare martial law again, this time I will do it on my own to preserve my nation. I will not consult anybody and there’s no telling when will it end. It could be a copycat of Marcos.”

Marcos, the 10th president of the Philippines, placed the en-

tire country under martial law from 1972 to 1981. The late strongman’s nine-year military rule has been considered by victims of abuses and their families as among the darkest chapters of Philippine history.

But on Monday, June 20, Malacañang said Duterte is “not referring to abuses” when he said his next martial law would be a

“copycat of Marcos.”

“Well, definitely the President will not be referring to abuses. He may refer to the breadth and the depth of how to impose it but I guess it’s not because of the abuses,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. said.

He also recalled that Duterte instructed the military to “ensure [that they] are able to protect and save lives.”

“You can see how the military is implementing martial law now, its complete regard for human rights and IHL [International humanitarian law] and the other protocols that have been established. So if there are any complaints, we are open to receiving those complaints and acting on it immediately,” Padilla further noted.

Filling up the current situation in Marawi on Wednesday, June 21, Padilla said that the city’s status “continues to improve.”

“There are areas that we have not covered before that we have already overcome at this moment and the process of clearing is what we are concentrating on in the succeeding days,” he added.

‘Not failure of intelligence’ Last week, Duterte said the Marawi crisis cannot be blamed on the government’s failed intelligence.

He insisted that the government is aware that militants are stockpiling firearms and ammunition in Mindanao but did not intervene due to peace negotiations.

Duterte further noted that the pro-Islamic State (IS) terrorists who attacked the city may have acquired their supply of weapons from other rebel groups, citing the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“It was not a question of failure on the part of government. It was not a failure of intelligence.

It is because we have adopted a very soft policy toward the rebels.

These rebels carry firearms,” the president remarked in a speech.

Duterte then blamed the government’s “very soft policy” towards rebel groups which later posed greater problems, such as the current case of the war-torn city of Marawi.

The government “took [the arms deal] for granted,” he said, in hopes of getting successful peace deals with the rebel groups. n

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following a collision with a merchant vessel while operating southwest of Yokosuka, Japan.

U.S. Navy photo by Peter Burghart

Fil-Am among 7 killed in US destroyer...

PAGE A1 our father was deployed for 21 years straight. And I just want people to know how amazing he was,” Sibayan’s brother, Vince, told ANC. Other victims were identified as Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, Virginia; Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, California; Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, Connecticut; Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, Texas; Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, Maryland; and Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria, Ohio.

Early on Saturday, June 17, the 505-foot-long guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with the 732-foot ACX Crystal off the Izu peninsula located southwest of Tokyo, Japan.

ACX Crystal is a Philippineregistered container ship but is chartered by Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK). According to NYK, it is owned by Dainichi-Invest Corporation.

Data from Marine Traffic website suggests that the ACX Crystal

made a 180-degree turn close to 1:30 am.

The reason for the immediate turn, however, is still under investigation.

Initially, the Japanese Coast Guard said the collision occurred at 2:20 a.m but later revised it to 1:30 a.m. The U.S. 7th Fleet, on the other hand, maintained that the incident occurred at 2:20 a.m.

The U.S. Navy said the seven victims were found dead in flooded berthing compartments of the USS Fitzgerald.

“The collision affected Fitzgerald’s forward starboard side above and below the water line, causing significant damage and associated flooding to two berthing spaces, a machinery space, and the radio room,” U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement.

Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy Sean Stackley lamented the loss of lives in the wake of the tragedy. He also vowed a “full” investigation into the matter.

“We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our fellow shipmates as a result of Friday’s

collision between USS Fitzgerald and a commercial container ship, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” Stackley said.

He added that the Navy will “fully investigate the cause of the tragedy.”

On the other hand, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that all the 20 Filipino crew of the ACX Crystal were safe and unharmed by the mishap.

“The ACX Crystal, a Philippineflagged vessel, was being manned by 20 Filipino crew including the captain. They are safe. The ship itself was slightly damaged from the incident,” the DFA said.

The Philippine government also promised to provide assistance to the Filipino seamen affected by the incident.

On Tuesday, June 20, the seven victims’ bodies were flown back to the U.S. “Fitzgerald 7 are headed home; just left Japan…#FITZ crew, family on hand to say goodbye,” Commander US Naval Forces Japan said on Twitter. n

UNWTO head tells the world...

PAGE A1 related policy making.

“We hope that the Manila Call for Action will be adopted at this forum to demonstrate our common resolve to create a better world for our children and future generations,” she said.

In a statement, President Rodrigo Duterte also thanked the UNWTO for choosing the Philippines as the venue for the

conference.

“More than just a proof that the Philippines remains a safe destination for meetings, conferences, and other tourism activities, it also affirms the Philippines’ effort to promote tourism as a vehicle for a nation’s sustainability and inclusive progress,” he said in a statement read by Teo. Meanwhile, Pimentel assured the delegates that the situation

in Mindanao is temporary.

“I am confident that once this crisis is over, we will have peace and security in that region that will result in more tourists visiting Southern Philippines,” said Pimentel.

During the three-day conference, tourism ministers will develop a statistical framework to integrate sustainable tourism on a global level.

Overseas remittances not covered by PH...

PAGE A1 foreign and the domestic remittances. Those coming from abroad are not within our tax regime, so that is not [covered],” Chua told the Senate panel.

The DOF undersecretary added that the CTRP would only have jurisdiction over local remittances.

However, Chua said that the tax on money sent by Filipinos abroad would depend on the ex-

isting local laws of the country of origin.

In February this year, a proposal to increase the valueadded tax (VAT) on the service fee of money remittance centers was strongly opposed by overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) and some partylist lawmakers.

In a statement, DOF spokesperson Asec. Paola Alvarez clarified the service of remittance centers will only be taxed and

Bring back old self, Roach tells...

PAGE A1 “The thing is, people like knockouts in boxing and Manny has lost a lot of his crowd because he hasn’t knocked anyone out in such a long time. I think he needs to get back to that, and I would love to see him do that, and this is the perfect fight to do it in,” the multi-awarded cornerman continued.

For his supporters, Pacquiao’s age is also a factor in his performance. The 38-year-old announced early this year that he is set to retire by the end of 2017 after 67 pro fights spanning 22 years.

“I never thought Pacquiao would still be around when I got my world title shot. He is getting a bit older, I am still young. I am

not the actual amount remitted by the sender.

“The VAT is on service, not the remittance amount. For instance, if sending 4,000 pesos, the money transfer center charges 100 pesos, and the VAT is 12 pesos, or only 0.3% of the remittance amount,” Alvarez explained.

The current administration is pushing for a reform of the country’s tax system to ready to take this shot and I am ready to take it off Pacquiao,” Horn said about Pacquiao.

However, Roach remains optimistic that Pacquaio will end his boxer career with victories, beginning with his upcoming fight with Horn.

“I know he can do it again if I press the right button and get him to fire up,” concludes Roach. (With reports from Jennifer Soriano/AJPress)

Homeland Security rescinds Obama-era...

PAGE A1 citizens.

The program — called the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) — was introduced by former President Barack Obama in 2014 after the success of his landmark Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provided benefits for undocumented youth.

In 2015, a federal court blocked DAPA and since then, it has never been formally executed.

According to a press release from the DHS, Kelly consulted with Attorney General Jeff Sessions in rescinding Obama’s memorandum that created DAPA “because there is no credible path forward to litigate the currently enjoined policy.”

Previously, 26 states — all of which have Republican governors — sued the Obama administration for the DAPA memo, arguing that the president does not have the authority to implement “amnesty” of that grandeur.

If it were implemented, DAPA

could have protected 3.7 million people from deportation, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimated. According to University of Southern California (USC)’s Center for Immigrant Integration, 340,000 people in Los Angeles County would have been eligible for DAPA. In order to have been eligible for the program, undocumented immigrants must have been parents to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as of November 20, 2014. The parents must have also been residents in the U.S. before January 1, 2010, and have no criminal records.

When announced, Obama’s intention with DAPA was to protect around 4 million parents from being separated from their families while also helping them secure legal work in the U.S. The press release indicated that the DACA program will still remain in effect, aligning with President Donald Trump’s promise to “take care of” them.

Thursday’s revocation of the DAPA memo aligns with the administration’s stringent im-

migration policy. According to legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the decision “does not come as a surprise.”

Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has made vastly unpopular decisions when it comes to reforming the U.S. immigration system from implementing a travel ban from six Muslim-majority nations to proposing to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

“The administration’s efforts to target and vilify immigrants in myriad ways, from mass deportations to the Muslim ban and the VOICE office, will not be ignored just because it is currently maintaining DACA,” Advancing Justice wrote in a press release.

“We will continue to resist these policies and stand up for justice and the dignity and humanity of all people.”

DACA recipients and those eligible for DACA are encouraged to know their rights and seek legal counsel when applying or renewing their DACA applications.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-28, 2017

Trumpcare bill could slash nearly 1M jobs

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New report released amid overwhelming disapproval of AHCA THE American Health Care Act (AHCA) isn’t doing so hot with Americans.

Since its introduction in May— two months after the first draft of the AHCA famously failed to pass—Americans of all political leanings have panned the GOP’s answer to former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

The greatest change that the AHCA brings is a whopping $1.1 trillion reduction in federal funding for public health care — a change that puts many working class families at a disadvantage.

A new report released on Wednesday, June 14 by The Commonwealth Fund found that while the AHCA (nicknamed Trumpcare) would bolster the economy and boost employment at first, it wouldn’t last in the long run.

The GOP’s core selling point of the AHCA involves the repealing of several taxes imposed by Obamacare. This reduction in taxes would temporarily raise the federal deficit and create up to 864,000 more jobs in 2018.

However, researchers predict that by 2026, about 924,000 people would lose their jobs, with about 725,000 of those jobs belonging to the health care sector.

Health care jobs are essential in economic maintenance in the U.S., with hospitals and clinics providing a major portion of jobs. Health care makes up about

18 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), and a major cut to federal funding to health care could be fiscally detrimental, according to the report.

“Health funds directly pay hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other providers; this is the direct effect of federal funding,” the report read. “These facilities use revenue to pay their employees and buy goods and services, such as rent or equipment; this is the indirect effect of the initial spending.”

The study also found economic disadvantages attached to the GOP health care bill: gross state products (the total value of a state’s exports) would reduce to $93 billion and business output would decrease by $148 billion.

One of the biggest casualties would be the income-based program Medicaid, which 70 million Americans rely on for their health care. Because of the major cuts to the public health care sector, Medicaid would be forced to seize expansions of the program.

“The AHCA significantly reduces federal funding for Medicaid. It lowers federal match funding for the 31 states and District of Columbia that expanded Medicaid, encouraging them to discontinue their expansions,” Wednesday’s report read.

Earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the AHCA would drastically increase the number of uninsured Americans un-

der the age of 65 by 14 million in 2018. By 2023, that number would reach 23 million.

“Over time, it would become more difficult for less healthy people (including people with preexisting medical conditions) in those states to purchase insurance because their premiums would continue to increase rapidly,” the CBO wrote in their findings.

Because of all these swift changes to the American health care system, the AHCA has garnered an overwhelmingly unpopular reputation, according to various polls.

Just after the AHCA passed the House on May 11, a POLITICO/ Morning Consultant poll that surveyed nearly 2,000 registered voters found that 38 percent of Americans approve of the AHCA, an approval rating that dropped four points from the week before.

That same day, Quinnapiac University released a poll that found that only 21 percent of Americans approve of the GOP health care bill. That poll — which surveyed 1,000 registered voters — found that disapproval was consistent across all demographic groups: race, gender, age, political party and education level.

According to a YouGov poll that surveyed 1,000 Republicans, Democrats and Independents in May, only about 31 percent of Americans favor the AHCA; in

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Washington alarmed over IS threats...

PAGE A1 but Malacañang said it was only limited to “technical assistance” and “does not involve any boots on the ground.”

Duterte’s spokesperson, Ernesto Abella, explained in an earlier statement that the Philippine Constitution prohibits foreign troops from directly participating in combat operations.

But according to a report by The Associated Press, U.S. lawmakers are pushing Washington to have a “bigger role” in helping the Philippines contain extremists, citing fears that Marawi City could become a new hub for Islamist fighters in the region.

“I don’t know that ISIS are directing operations there but they are certainly trying to get fighters into that region,” U.S. Senator

Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) was quoted saying in an AP report.

ISIS refers to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

“We need to address the situation. It should not get out of control,” Ernst added.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, June 20, Abella was asked if Malacañang is open to the idea of U.S. troopers joining the actual combat operations in Marawi.

Responding to the question, Abella pointed out that the Philippine military “has already preempted the Maute group from establishing a wilayat or [IS] province” in Mindanao.

“Well, at this stage, I suppose we’ll have to take the position that it’s unlikely for Marawi to become a new hub for IS fighters, ” Abella said.

Last year, Duterte said he intends the Philippines to be “free from foreign troops.”

Abella, however, took note that Duterte has already “accepted the situation” wherein the Philippine government needs the assistance of the United States, its decades-long ally, in squashing terror threats in the country.

On May 23, IS-linked Maute terrorists attacked Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, prompting the Philippine president to impose military rule through the Mindanao region.

As the confrontation enters its fifth week, authorities recorded deaths of about 26 civilians and 65 government forces, while an unknown number remains trapped in the area. (Dana Sioson / AJPress)

A sea of humanity of Dub Nation Warriors fans and supporters trek to the Kaiser Convention center for the rally after the victory parade.

Inquirer.net photos by Jun Nucum

Filipinos join sea of humanity to hail Warriors in victory parade

by JUN

NUCUM Inquirer.net

OAKLAND, California — It was the turn of the Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors’ (GSW) fans to exemplify the Warriors’ slogan “Strength in Numbers” as a sea of humanity, mostly in yellow and blue, flooded the major streets of downtown Oakland at the team’s victory parade last week.

The Warriors had conquered their archrival, winning the 2017 National Basketball of America (NBA) Championship in Oracle Arena.

In an impromptu picnic-style, special family-bonding event many eager fans, some coming from as far south as Los Angeles, staked out spots along the sidewalks downtown Oakland the night before the parade, bringing along with them mats, blankets, pillows, food and water to ensure a good vantage for the parade.

The last parade was in 2015 when the Warriors won the crown.

Also on hand were enterprising individuals selling merchandise including T-shirts, pins, horns, shot glasses, caps, hotdogs, bacon sandwich, even flowers while some others promoted their products by giving away energy drinks, water and posters emblazoned with brands.

Under the searing heat of the sun on a glorious day, the estimated crowd of about 500,000 to 1 million men and women, from as young as two months old to those in their 80s, in all forms and shapes, races and colors packed the parade route and the rally venue at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. Children played cards, people danced while others ate food and drank water as they waited for the parade to pass in front of them.

Lead Warriors ace player Steph Curry hoists the 2017 NBA Championship trophy.

Some of the celebrities spotted aside from Warriors players and front office top officials were Mayors Ed Lee of San Francisco and Libby Schaaf of Oakland and lone Fil-Am State Assemblymember Rob Bonta.

“I am here to support the Warriors who have something special because they bring the community together whether you are from Oakland, San Jose or from San Francisco as much as they play with teamwork in mind,” stressed Fil-Am San Jose executive Anthony Rivero.

“It is the one key things we can learn from the Warriors. I want my kids here with me to learn that perseverance and teamwork win in the end,” Rivero added.

Rivero also hoped that the Warriors would win more championships in the next years to be in track for a basketball dynasty that pundits observed as looming.

Eugene dela Cruz of Pleasant

Hill, who also came with wife, Cathy, and their two kids, believes the addition of eventual Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kevin Durant solidified Warriors’ claim to history.

“Kevin Durant had a huge impact guarding Lebron James, becoming the focal point of the Warriors. He is the go-to-guy and also freed up Curry to do what he had to do. I did not think they would have a repeat loss of the championship just like last year.

I expected a good game from the Cavaliers as they were champions too. They are going to come up fighting as what top athletes do,” dela Cruz said.

Young Fil-Am Jay Sen who came with friends from Vallejo confessed that they took a selfimposed day-off to attend the parade.

“We are right here celebrating the Dubs. We are staying

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‘White/Filipino’ pastor dies searching for treasure in New Mexico SAN FRANCISCO — Police in northern New Mexico reported finding a Filipino American pastor from Colorado, who disappeared last week while searching for buried treasure.

Paris Wallace, of Grand Junction, Colorado, described as

“White/Filipino male” in missing person alerts, is possibly the second person to die looking for treasure that was buried by a millionaire in 2010.

The remains of 54-year-old treasure hunter Randy Bilyeu were found in July last year along

the Rio Grande.

The fortune, hidden by millionaire Forrest Fenn somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, has lured many treasure hunters.

Two years ago, on CBS’ “Sunday Morning,” Fenn read a poem that he says holds clues to the location of a chest containing treasure — gold coins, precious metals and other artifacts. He warned that it wasn’t hidden in an abandoned mine, out of concern for searchers’ safety.

Police say Wallace told family members he was looking for a buried treasure nearly 50 miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

His car was found near the Taos Junction Bridge in New Mexico.

Police told “CBS This Morning” they found receipts in his vehicle RIZAL DAY. Members of the Rizalista movement pay tribute to Jose Rizal at his monument in Jose Rizal park in Manila City to mark the indicating he’d purchased a rope national hero’s 156th birthday anniversary on Monday, June 19.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma and supplies at a local store.

A torn rope was located a short distance from his car. It had been stretched across a tributary of the Rio Grande. A body was recovered

by Leif Sykioco five to seven miles downstream Philstar.com from Wallace’s car. (Inquirer.net)

PH ends FIBA 3x3 bid with split decisions

Pastor Paris Wallace, described as “White/Filipino,” died while looking for treasure in Northern New Mexico.

Embassy town hall promotes youth immersion for Fil-Ams WASHINGTON, DC — A town hall meeting discussed the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) June 13 at the Philippine Embassy here as part of the effort to promote the immersion program among Filipino American youth.

The FYLPRO program selects 10 outstanding Fil-Am leaders in the United States for a week-long, all-expenses paid trip to the Philippines to meet leaders in various fields and strengthen the ties between the US and the Philippines. It is a joint project of the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, Ayala Foundation, and the FYLPRO non-profit organization.

“The immersion program gives the delegates the opportunity to re-connect with their Filipino roots, and build mutually beneficial relationships with Philippine entities,” said Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy. “It exposes them to conditions in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of business, government, arts and culture, and social entrepreneurship.”

The meeting featured FYLPRO 2012 delegate Gregory Cenda-

ña, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance; FYLPRO 2014 delegate Jason Tengco, executive director of the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA); FYLPRO 2016 delegate Jhett Tolentino, Tony and Grammy Award-winning producer.

The three speakers shared their FYLPRO stories, underscoring the value that the program has contributed to their personal and professional development.

Tolentino’s presentation focused on the highlights of the last immersion program and his legacy project that aims to create opportunities for Filipinos in the performing arts.

Cendaña, whose FYLPRO experience in 2012 marks the first time he traveled to the Philippines, said that the immersion program provided an impetus for him and his family to return and witness the developments in their country of heritage.

Tengco, meanwhile, described the immersion program as an “inspiring opportunity to re-connect with the homeland.”

During the Q&A, the speakers fielded questions on FilipinoAmerican empowerment, po-

litical engagement, and FYLPRO legacy projects.

The official schedule of the 2017 Immersion Program is 814 October 2017. This is the sixth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012.

Requirements: • Leaders no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by Oct. 8, 2017, the first day of the 2017 Immersion Program • Ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines, arriving in Manila by Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 and departing no earlier than Oct. 14, 2017. If selected, the program will shoulder airfare and accommodations • Demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other area of involvement • Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino community, or in issues and/ or activities that align with the interest of the Filipino American community or the Philippines.

To learn more, visit http:// www.fylpro.org/apply/.

The deadline for the submission of applications is on 07 July 2017. n

A LATE blitz was not enough to lift team Philippines past Slovenia in the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Nantes, France on Tuesday, June 20.

The second-seeded Slovenia went on an early 5-0 blitz that proved too much for the Philippines.

Playing catchup throughout the game, the Filipinos were able to trim the lead, 15-11, with a JR Quinahan shot with less than two minutes in the game.

But the powerhouse team was able to recover in time to keep their record unblemished and shut the door in the Philippines’ hope to advance to the next round 21-14.

The Philippines bounced back in their final game in the pool round against El Salvador, 2114.

Not wanting to end their stint on a sour note, the Philippines pounced on El Salvador’s defense and never relinquished the lead.

Kobe Paras and Team Philippines fell out of contention in the 2017 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Nantes, France.

Photo from FIBA.com

Kiefer Ravena’s outside dagger sealed the game with the Filipinos ending the tournament with a 2-2 record.

Only the top two teams in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals. France and Romania will advance to the quarterfinals.

Honolulu’s first ordained Filipino priest dies at 86

Fr. Henry Benedict Sabog, 1931-2017

HONOLULU — Father Henry Benedict Sabog, the first priest of Filipino ancestry to be ordained by the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, died at 86 last May 22 in Waipahu.

Sabot served for 57 years as at seven parishes in Oahu, according to a Star-Advertiser report. He was active in Filipino ministries, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, parish renewal and other diocesan work, a news release said.

Sabog initiated the Office for Filipino Ministries in 1985, the Hawaii’s first centralized ethnic ministry. This led to the recruitment of priests from the Philippines for parishes in Hawaii. The state now has some 50 Filipino priests, the largest number of any other ethnic group. Sabog also was spiritual director for many years of the statewide Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs.

Sabog was born March 8, 1931, in Waipahu, one of 10 children of Regino Sabog and Esperanza Nicolas Sabog, who emigrated from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, in 1923 to work in the cane fields of Oahu Sugar Co. Sabog was ordained in 1960 and served as an associate pastor or pastor at half a dozen parishes before his final assignment at St. George Church, Waimanalo, until the late 1990s when he retired.

(Inquirer.net)

Trumpcare bill could slash nearly...

PAGE A3 comparison, 45 percent favored the ACA. Senate to decide AHCA’s fate The Republican-majority House of Representatives passed the AHCA on May 24 in a narrow 217-213 vote, giving the Senate a green light to vote on it.

The AHCA barely made it past the Republican-majority House, but members of the Senate have expressed assertions that it will

not pass in their chamber of Congress.

Should all Democrats in the Senate vote against the AHCA, the GOP could only afford to lose two Republican votes.

But Republicans senators who are against the AHCA have expressed that they would rather negotiate with pro-AHCA congressmen by drafting their own health care bill.

“The safest thing to say is there

will be a Senate bill, but it will look at what the House has done and see how much of that we can incorporate in a product that works for us in reconciliation,” Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) said as quoted by the Washington Examiner.

There is no set date scheduled for the Senate to vote on the current incarnation of the AHCA, as of press time. (Klarize Medenilla/ AJ Press)

Filipinos join sea of humanity to hail...

PAGE A3 well with Kevin Durant. That is the importance of having him,” Sen exclaimed. “Even after the loss in the fourth game, I had no doubt. We believe…strength in numbers.”

Sen’s friend Michael Escano believes that there will be a Warriors dynasty in the NBA. “Do you see what we have in our team? We have Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Zsazsa Pachulia, Javael McGee? We got everybody,” Escano exclaimed.

“Hey Lebron I am a big fan, man. Come to the Bay Area and join the Warriors soon. We will have ten straight championships, you know what I am saying. We will be unbelievable,” Escano teased.

Probably one of the oldest Filipinos in the parade, Sam Mendoza, 74 years old from Dagupan, Pangasinan and Alameda City and who still walks five miles a day to keep fit, came to the celebration with his grandsons.

“If players stay with the Warriors and do not transfer to other teams, we may stay champions for a long time,” Mendoza opined.

Sybil Conde, a mother from Taguig City and Hillsborough, tagged along 21-month-old son, Reef, said Kevin Durant is a real contribution to the team because Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes are gone.

“Lebron James, on the other, hand, in a way helped the Warriors start the dynasty mentality when he got some key players to create his own ‘dream teams’ in Cleveland and also Miami in his desire to make his teams champions. And in the same manner, the Warriors, in adding Kevin Durant in its already deep bench, did the same.”

South San Francisco Warriors diehard Maria del Mundo-Ingco always utilized watching Warriors game, either on TV or at the Oracle Arena, as quality bonding time with daughter, Lexy.

“Our guys have a lot of passion and Durant brings even more of it. It’s so transparent how much he loves the game and he works hard to achieve his goals. He fits in with the team (and the Bay Area) seamlessly, it’s just so fun to watch! I really hope he retires with the Warriors, he’s an exceptional player,” noted.

“It was just the cherry on top of an amazing season to win the title on our home court. I was there at Oracle that night and it was electric. Seeing my daughter with tears in her eyes when KD was announced as the MVP (who she’s been a fan of even when he wasn’t on our team) was really special,” del Mundo-Ingco said further.

Gladys Salenga from Richmond, who works at an office in downtown Oakland, was some-

what disappointed. Together with co-workers, she had to be contented with doing their celebration within their office looking down at the parade grounds.

“The 3-0 was a sign to bring out the broom (sweep); however, I loved the fact that the win game was at home. Was that intentional? I don’t know but it makes winning much sweeter and special,” Salenga mused.

Speaking for his late daughter Kimberly Nuestro, a young basketball player and an ardent fan and follower of Steph Curry, dad Ramir Nuestro intimated that Kimberly became more excited when Durant went to Warriors and was sure that the Warriors would be champions again.

“She told me before she died that the Warriors would be 16-0 in the playoffs and the finals. She was also certain that Durant will be the finals MVP. I don’t know if it is coincidence that Kimberly turned 16 on April 21 and after 16 days she died,” Ramir curiously pointed out.

“And on this day of the Warriors victory parade that falls on Kimberly’s 40th day, our family thanks the Warriors for winning the championship. My daughter will be so happy right now in heaven. I just wish I could bring her back to life to celebrate the championship with us. Again, thanks to Steph for signing my daughter’s shoes.”

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-28, 2017

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

A

D ateline PhiliPPines Duterte denies health cover-up allegations Ombudsman drops charges Aquino, Trillanes

by Jennifer

Soriano

AJPress

DESPITE rumors surrounding his recent absence from the public eye, President Rodrigo Duterte dispelled allegations that he is covering up his health issues by clarifying that he went on a confidential trip.

“My state of health is what you see is what you get,” he told a reporter in Butuan City Saturday, June 17 following his first appearance after a five-day hiatus.

“I went on a trip somewhere, I cannot divulge it. I had to go there incognito. Yan ang totoo (that’s the truth). Confidential. I traveled like a private citizen para makaabot sa gusto kong puntahan (to arrive to

the place I wanted to visit),” the president said.

The 72-year-old president did not participate in any public events for almost an entire week, beginning with his non-appearance at the country’s 119th Independence Day celebration last June 12. His critics became skeptical, accusing Malacañang of being privy to the real condition of the president and not disclosing it to the public. His supporters, on the other hand, expressed support and understanding for the president’s supposed private time.

Section 12 of Article VII of the Constitution states that the public must be informed of the President’s health in case of serious illness.

Duterte explained that his absence is not a problem and advised the public to view the issue in an objective way.

“May bise presidente tayo, ano ba problema ninyo? (We have a vice president, what’s your problem?),” he said. “Do not worry, there is a vice president who will take over. My state of health is immaterial. Ang importante is may successor. (What’s important is that there’s a successor).”

In December, Duterte admitted that he was taking cancer pills to relieve the unbearable pain in his spine despite a warning from his doctor that he could lose his cognitive ability and that he was already “abusing the drug.”

PAGE A7

NAIA steps up security, now wields high-powered firearms

AFTER a report alleged that some 200 members of the Police Aviation Security Group assigned to the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are unarmed, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has equipped the country’s main gateways with highpowered firearms.

MIAA general manager Ed Manuel confirmed that security personnel manning the NAIA terminals are now equipped with “high-powered” firearms.

The MIAA-commissioned pri-

vate security personnel are armed with shotguns, automatic machine guns and high-powered rifles, and are assigned to roam around airport premises using a buddy system.

Manuel further clarified that there are “no imminent threats” and this a matter of a precautionary measure in light of the Marawi siege and the Resorts World Manila attack.

A recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that security and safety issues caused the ranking of the Philip-

pines to slide down in travel competitiveness.

In the 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, the Philippines slid five places down to the 79th spot out of 136 countries. It received a total score of 3.6, out of the 14 pillars considered. The Philippines’ lowest rank was on safety and security, landing at the 126th place in the category.

The country’s Department of Tourism (DOT), however, remains optimistic that the ranking would eventually improve.

PAGE A7

ENDANGERED SPECIES. At the Elliptical Road in Quezon City on Monday, June 19, jeepney drivers and operators belonging to militant transport groups protest the signing of the Omnibus Franchising Guideline. The measure aims to phase out public utility jeepneys or PUJs that are more than 15 years old under a government modernization program.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR BANKING SERVICES (RFP NO. P17022) PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON(S): Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named here, including SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners will result in your Proposal being rejected.

Linda P. Simpson, Contracts Administrator Contracts & Purchasing Ph: (702) 477-3144; TDD (702) 387-1898 lpsimpson@snvrha.org, or if not available

HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS AND RESPOND TO THIS RFP:

1. DOWNLOAD AND RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION: Housing Agency Marketplace website: ha.economicengine.com Registered Users: “Log in and insert Solicitation No. RFP P17022 Non Registered Users: <RX PXVW ¿UVW UHJLVWHU \RXU company before downloading the Solicitation. Click on “New Vendor” to register. Problems accessing the system or registering, call 866-526-9266, M-F, 9 AM (EST) – 4 PM (PST)

Johnny Shaw, Procurement Manager jshaw@snvrha.org Ph: (702) 477-3146

2. DOWNLOADS ONLY: SNRHA website: www.snvrha.org, click on Procurement and “Current Bid Invitations” and proceed to the appropriate solicitation number. Problems downloading the Solicitation, call (702) 477-3160, M-F, 8AM-4PM (PST) PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

See Questions & Answers (Q&A) Information below in lieu of Pre-Proposal Conference

Q & A PERIOD IN LIEU OF PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

Friday, June 16, 2017 – Friday, July 7, 2017, 10:00 AM (PST) All questions and answers must be submitted in writing via ha.economicengine.com

SOLICITATION SUBMITTAL RETURN AND DEADLINE:

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Attn: Linda P. Simpson Contracts & Purchasing 340 North 11TH Street, Suite 180 Las Vegas, NV 89101 RFP P17022 Banking Services 3 Sealed, Hard Copy Proposals Due: Monday, July 17, 2017, 10AM (PST) at the above-stated address Proposed Fees Due: Monday, July 17, 2017, 10:00 AM (PST) at ha.economicengine.com

EMERGING SMALL BUSINESSES (ESB), WOMEN AND/OR MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. ESB PROGRAM ADDT’L INFORMATION: LYNNE TAYLOR-BULLOCK, (702) 486-2700 LTAYLOR@DIVERSIFYNEVADA.COM

THE Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the treason and espionage complaint filed against Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former President Benigno Aquino III for their Former Pres. Benigno alleged back- Aquino III channel negotiations with China.

Trillanes believes that the decision is a manifestation that “the truth will always come out.”

“The decision proves our point from the very start that the case was merely filed to harass and tarnish my reputation,” the senator said on Sunday, June 18.

“This is what happens when your political opponents start to believe their own propaganda.

But no matter how they twist the facts, in the end, the truth will always come out,” Trillanes added.

In a statement released to media on Sunday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales cited “lack of probable cause” for treason and the evidence presented “cannot sufficiently establish the accusations” for espionage. It explained that backchannel negotiations with China cannot be construed as giving aid to an enemy.

“As a result of the intense standoff in April and May 2012 between Chinese and Philippines vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, President Aquino’s action of exploring means of peacefully settling the ongoing issue with China was for the interest of the Philippines. It is an inherent presidential power to pursue negotiations with other States. On the other hand, Senator Trillanes merely acted under President Aquino’s instruction to negotiate with Chinese representatives in order to ease the escalating tension between the two States,” the resolution read.

It added: “The aggressive posturing of China was made known as early as May 23, 2011 when it was reported that…military garrisons and outposts are located in 6 reefs that are part of the Kalayaan Island Group. The backchannel negotiation between Senator Trillanes and Chinese represen-

tatives commenced only in May 2012. The alleged hostilities and aggression in the West Philippine Sea could not, therefore, be attributed to the backchannel discussions between Senator Trillanes and the Chinese representatives.”

In May 2016, complainants Gen. Roberto Lastimoso, Enrico Sampang, Judge Moslemen Ma-

carambon and Dioscoro Esteban, Jr. filed the case against Trllanes and Aquino for violation of Articles 114, Treason, at 117, Espionage, under the Revised Penal Code. Most of the complainants currently hold government positions, assigned by President Rodrigo Duterte. (With reports from Jennifer Soriano/AJPress)

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

JUNE 22-28, 2017 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OpiniOn

One for Marawi

Features

MILITARY operations against the Maute terror group in Marawi City continues to rage on.

After four weeks of clashes, the conflict has claimed the lives of 59 soldiers, three policemen, 26 civilians, 257 Islamic State (IS)-linked gunmen.

More than 300,000 have fled the city while 200 were left behind, either trapped or captured as hostages in the battle zone.

The damage wrought by the siege to properties and infrastructures has already reached more than P300 million. Marawi City Mayor Majul U. Gandamra also cited the adverse effects of the crisis to its residents such as displacement, loss of livelihood and educational opportunities, damage to properties, health and environmental hazards, trauma, divide and renewal of mistrust.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has reported that 69,296 families or 338,536 persons have been displaced by the armed conflict.

Given the extent of the damages and the number of people affected, the national government must now focus on rehabilitation and peace-building efforts.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad vowed that rehabilitation will begin as soon as terrorists are flushed out form the city.

Jalad added that it would be faster compared to the recovery efforts after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated the Visayas in 2013.

“Right now, we are still focusing on the response.

We will do that as soon as Marawi is cleared. We will deploy rapid damage and needs assessment teams,” Jalad said.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the national government allocated P10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi under the “Bangon Marawi” program.

Under the program, affected persons could avail emergency shelter assistance for the repair of the homes and cash-for-work and livelihood assistance.

While it is readying government efforts, Malacañang called on Filipinos to unite as a nation amid the ongoing hostilities in Marawi led by the Maute group, which have left scores dead, including government troops and innocent civilians.

“Our sovereignty is being confronted and I believe it’s time to set aside petty politics and the things that separate us. It’s really high time and I believe it’s a call to the Filipino nation to be able to stand together as one,” Abella said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla Jr. de-

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

scribed the conflict in Marawi City as a “fight between good and evil.”

“We must all work together, issue out a united and collective public condemnation of all these things that are happening in Marawi now and join hands together in resisting the entry of this evil force because this is no longer a simple matter. It’s already a fight between good and evil and you must all realize that by now,” he said.

The late Sir Winston Churchill once said that “if

the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.”

Misconstruction and cross-cultural ignorance are among the main causes of war. While modernization demolishes geographical barriers and moves the world toward amalgamated economy, clashes among cultures can have a damaging impact on world peace. (AJPress)

A big majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to the Russia investigation IF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP The Fil-Am truly wants to win Perspective the trust and support of most Americans, and not just his most loyal fan base, then he should listen to the Gel SantoS-ReloS voice of most Americans who do not approve of the way he has been responding to the probe that investigates the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

According to the latest poll by CBS News, 63 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to the Russia investigation, with a third of Americans expressing that his handling of the Russia probe has worsened their opinion of him.

This could even factor in a dip of Trump’s job approval rating. The presi-

Commentary

dent now has only 36 percent approval rating, compared to the late April polling of CBS News when he had a 41 percent approval rating among Americans.

The CBS News poll further reveals that most people in both parties — 56 percent — have expressed confidence in Special Counsel Robert Mueller as the head of the independent team investigating the Trump-Russia connection. They believe the investigation will be impartial and that Trump should not attempt to stop it.

This study should be an eye-opener for the president that what he has been doing is self-destructive. If he has nothing to hide, then he should let Mueller and the U.S. intelligence community do their job in getting to the bottom of this, instead of denigrating and undermining

the investigation, the investigators, the U.S. intelligence agencies who are doing their job for the safety and security of the country.

What is also hard to fathom is why President Trump, who claims to take seriously his obligation to protect the United States of America, appears to be more concerned about his own image and interests than Russia’s attack against the democracy of the United States.

During Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s press briefing on Tuesday, June 20, he could not categorically answer the question as to whether Trump agrees Russia has interfered in the 2016 presidential election. It is a fact supported by the findings of the U.S. Intelligence community and by both sides of the political aisle in the U.S. House and Senate Intelligence Committees. Spicer said he and the president have not talked about this issue yet.

Seriously?

Continuing to fight against efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act

years, they found it. But now they live with the fear that their son’s medical bills will spiral out of control and they will be forced to choose between bankruptcy, on the one hand, and their son’s life, on the other. This is a choice that no one should ever have to face.

I will never stop fighting to ensure that all Americans get a shot at the American dream.

This means that I will fight every effort to pass legislation that would take away healthcare from people like Asma and her son. We must continue working to lower the price of prescription drugs, expand Medicaid, and build on the progress we made during the Obama administration. This is the only way to support working families and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve a better life for themselves and their children.

WHEN it comes to the Affordable Care Act, the facts speak for themselves. Here in Nevada, 263,956 people have gained health insurance since the law was passed. Nevada’s healthcare industry—a sector that accounts for 12% of the state’s employment—has expanded. 1.1 million Nevadans are no longer at risk of being denied coverage for having a pre-existing condition.

A few weeks ago, House Republicans voted to eliminate this progress. Specifically, they voted for a measure that would cost 22,000 Nevadans their jobs, roll back the expansion of Medicaid, end protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and cause 24 million Americans to lose their health insurance.

Healthcare is an issue that affects everyone, regardless of

background. However, immigrant and minority communities are often hit hardest by cuts to Medicaid. A few months ago, Asma, an immigrant, shared her story with me. In 1994, Asma and her family moved from Pakistan to Las Vegas to pursue a better life. Shortly after they arrived, Asma’s son was diagnosed with a degenerative neuromuscular disorder. Now 22, Asma’s son is immobile. He is fed through a G-tube and suffers from frequent seizures.

Asma said she feels extremely lucky to live in the United States because her son would have died without the healthcare he received here. But now, she worries that if the Affordable Care Act is repealed, she will not be able to afford her son’s treatments.

In my travels throughout Nevada, I have heard countless stories like this one. Asma and her husband came here in pursuit of happiness, and for many

AS President of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce and a representative of Nevada businesses, I was happy to see that Congress is tackling tax reform. However, I was disheartened to see that the House Blueprint called for the elimination of interest deductibility for businesses. Seventy-five percent of new businesses and 80 percent of small businesses routinely rely on loans to keep their businesses operational and growing. Under current tax law, all interest on these loans is deductible.

Why would Congress want to get

Brady, is backpedaling on the issue and proposing that small businesses, real estate purchases, and utilities be allowed to maintain Sonny Vinuya, PReSident of interest deduction. Whereas this the aSian ChaMbeR of CoMMeRCe is a step in the right direction, a carve-out for certain businesses is rid of this essential tool? The fact not enough, all businesses must is, interest deductibility drives eco- be allowed to retain their interest nomic growth, and eliminating it deduction. Moving forward, Conwould ultimately be a tax hike—one gress should focus on the kind of that could put at risk the million jobs tax reform that drives growth by cutting the corporate rate, simpliprojected to be created in 2017.

It appears that even one of the fying the tax code, and maintainauthors of the House Blueprint, ing the interest deduction across Ways and Means Chairman Kevin the board.

SenatoR CatheRine CoRtez MaSto

*** Catherine Cortez Masto is a Democrat and U.S. senator from Nevada.

Trump’s tax reform in Nevada Commentary

This corroborates the statement of Trump’s own Attorney General Jeff Sessions who, in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, said under oath that he “did not recall” any meeting whereby the president expressed concern or even curiosity about Russia’s meddling the election last year.

Really?

To top off Trump’s lack of interest in Russia’s assault on our democratic institutions: he fired FBI Chief James Comey, who then delivered a testimony under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Among other revealing testimonies, Comey said Trump never once asked him about Russia’s meddling in the U.S. election in the context of national security up until he fired Comey in early May. PRESIDENT Donald Trump should not just listen to those who approve of him and think the Russia investigation is not serious.

Commentary

RiGobeRto tiGlao THE online-only news site Rappler, funded by Americans and controlled by a mining and property tycoon, has done it again, this time claiming that President Duterte’s “costly” foreign trips reflect his exorbitant lifestyle.

This news site ignored, among other explanations, that the higher P387 million expenses is due to one simple reason. This President has had 21 voyages abroad in his first 12 months in office in order to quickly expand the country’s global network of supporters and to repair the damage done by his predecessor to our relations with China.

Duterte has had the most such trips among the past five Presidents. Benigno Aquino 3rd in same time frame had 11 foreign trips, his mother, 5. (See table.)

Rappler has demonstrated its anti-Duterte bias through a propaganda trick it has invented that I’d call rapplering. which I bet it will do again and again : Distort data to exaggerate things to paint the Duterte regime black.

Rappler did it last year with devastating consequences for the country’s image when it distorted police data to report that Duterte’s war against illegal drugs had resulted in 7,080 summary executions as of September 2016 (See my column “How Rappler misled EU, Human Rights Watch, CNN, Time, BBC — the world.”)

While that figure has been totally debunked—it included all other murders the police was investigat-

He should not just listen to those who believe in him blindly when he plays the victim role, tweeting that this is “the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history.”

He should not just listen to his Cabinet members who praise, glorify and give him the highest honors during meetings in front of television cameras. These members should have the testicular fortitude to speak the truth to him and advise him of which actions are not helping his cause.

The American people deserve, expect, and demand transparency and accountability from public officials, especially from the President of the United States. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Duterte’s 21 foreign trips should be applauded, not ‘rapplered’ ing—Rappler has not corrected it, and similarly biased Western media have used it to extrapolate that such executions total more than 10,000 by February.

This time, the news site boasts to have done an investigativejournalism piece by claiming that Duterte’s foreign trips “cost thrice more than predecessors”.

The lede of the piece immediately reveals its intent: “President Rodrigo Duterte projects himself as a man of simple tastes, almost allergic to extravagance and unnecessary expenses.

Yet Malacañang records show he spent about triple what his predecessors spent on foreign travels during his first year in power.”

The article repeats this false message clothed in doubtful figures: “Duterte’s exorbitant spending contradicts his projected image of a thrifty and practical President.”

The article is classic “rapplering.”

Rappler claims its data were all from “Malacañang records” obtained through the Freedom from Information system ordered

by Duterte. However, it was only the figures on Duterte’s trips that were acquired from Malacañang, and therefore accurate government info.

Rappler’s figures on the cost of foreign trips of Aquino and Arroyo are based on a single article in 2014 by the pro-Aquino Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) intended to show that Aquino was more frugal than his predecessor Arroyo— as well as other “media reports” it didn’t identify.

The PDI in turn cited “infor-

mation from the Commission on Audit”, yet it didn’t report exactly what COA document this was. The COA doesn’t have any report on the actual cost of foreign travels of each president.

The PDI article in fact pointed out: “Inquirer.net has yet to receive the data requested from the COA in order to compare the expenses of past administrations.

Comparison of travel expenses of each President will be the subject of another article.” There never was any such second article.

Rappler therefore may be comparing a report by the Duterte’s accountants meticulously counting every peso spent on his trips to comply with the FOI system, with reports by the past administrations’ media people understating the cost of presidential trips, and they were able to do this since there wasn’t any FOI during those times.

The big trick in counting costs for “foreign trips” – and I know as I have worked in Malacañang and this is the reason that as a journalist I never dealt with issues of costs of foreign trips – is that expenses for such foreign trips, except for plane fares and hotel accommodations, could be classified, depending on the accountants’ whim, with other items under the President’s or other department secretaries’ budgets.

For all we know, the Arroyo and Aquino administrations may have counted only costs of airfare and hotel accommodations, while an overeager accountant of the Duterte government counted all

u PAGE A7

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Duterte denies health cover-up...

PAGE A5 Later on, he revealed his other health issues, ranging from Barret’s esophagus, Burgers’ disease, migraines and dizziness, due to past use of the pain reliever Fentanyl and, most recently, using an oxygen concentrator machine for him to be able to sleep at night.

On Saturday, June 17, the president attended a public engagement in Butuan City for the 50th founding anniversary of the Agusan del norte held at the university of Cabadbaran where he delivered a speech.

On Father’s day on Sunday, he had more “private time” with his family. duterte, a grandfather of

three, opted to spend the day in davao City to be with his grandchildren, instead of his usual routine of flying back to Manila. “people should get used to it when i am not seen in public. i am just around doing something,” the president earlier said, adding he can still work even away from his Malacañang office.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre ii claims that spreading false information about the president’s health is part of the grand plan of the opposition to undermine the administration. “unfortunately, some of those who are inquiring as to the state of his health were clearly engaged

Dateline PhiliPPines

try’s tourist arrivals increased in the first three months of this year.

According to the latest data from the dOt, tourist arrivals during the 1st quarter improved to almost 1.8 million, compared to the 1.6 million of the same period last year.

“Well, you know, contrary to the WeF report, tourism businesses are exposed to security risks. in

spite of that, foreign tourists continue to increase steadily,” presidential Spokesperson ernesto Abella said in a palace briefing.

Apart from security, nAiA’s developments include airport congestion and aesthetic improvements at terminal 1. (Jennifer Soriano/AJPress)

Duterte’s 21 foreign trips should be applauded...

PAGE A6 expenses to the last centavo when the president and his party were abroad, such as communication, restaurant bills, and office supplies.

While providing details on duterte’s expenses, rappler reported only the total expenses as claimed by past administrations, with no classification as to how much were spent, for instance, on airfare and hotels and other expense. the more accurate assessment of the cost of presidents’ foreign trips would be based on the item in the government’s Congressmade budget labelled “local/foreign missions and state visits”. As shown in the accompanying table, this amounted to p225 to p255 million for each year from 2010 to 2013.

However, Aquino doubled his travel budget to p551, starting in 2014, until its last budget, in 2016. this belies pdi and rappler’s reports that Aquino had been frugal in his spending during his foreign trips: Why would he order his budget for trips doubled? the amount allotted for foreign trips in duterte’s first budget, for 2017, was reduced a bit to p472 million, well within the claimed p387 million costs of his foreign trips in 12

months. rather than nitpicking on how much duterte may have spent in his trips abroad, we should admire that this former mayor of what is really a frontier city has hit the ground running in visiting nearly two dozen countries in order to enhance our diplomatic ties abroad and to strengthen our role in multilateral bodies such as Asean, Apec and the east Asia Summit. His predecessor Aquino visited only 11 countries in his first year in office. i myself had not thought that duterte with his clumsy, Bisayan english and ill-tailored suits would have the confidence to meet with world leaders. duterte had moved fast to thaw the very icy diplomatic relations between the philippines and the world’s second biggest economy, China, that emerged as a result of Aquino and his Americanboy foreign secretary Albert del rosario’s suit against China over the Spratlys dispute. that was the first ever such suit against that emerging superpower despite its territorial disputes with over 20 countries. i’m totally convinced that duterte’s quick reversal of Aquino’s American-inspired antiChina policy and moves will be one of his biggest accomplishments as president.

A

in misinformation or disinformation to mislead the public with the end in view of destabilizing the government,” Aguirre alleged in an interview with the philippine STAR. Aguirre further said that Senator Leila de Lima misinterpreted Article Vii, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution when she demanded Malacañang to disclose the health status of the president. “it is not required by the Constitution to always disclose the health of the president. it is only in cases of serious illness that the president is required to disclose his illness, which isn’t the case with president duterte,” he explained.

NAIA steps up security, now wields high-powered...

PAGE A5 “Well, as you know, with martial law it’s becoming safe. We’re all struggling to make sure that it becomes even safer and right now we’re seeing that we’re meeting those expectations,” said tourism Assistant Secretary ricky Alegre. the palace downplayed the WeF report, citing that the coun-

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-28, 2017

in a span of just a year, duterte has managed to steer the country away from its century-old subservience to the uS, drawing us closer to the two superpowers closer to us, China and the russian Federation. i don’t think any other president could have, or would have done, that. i suspect the rappler reporter who wrote critically over duterte’s trips has never travelled abroad. if she did, she would have an inkling that foreign trips on government time aren’t as romantic as tourist vacations shown in tV advertisements. Foreign government trips are the most hectic and tiring part of any president’s job. When i was presidential chief of staff during Arroyo’s administration, i selfishly begged off from further joining her trips after the fourth, sick of the sight of airports and of the smell of airplane food. i am certainly not suprised that after 21 trips abroad, duterte has taken time off to rest and re-charge.

For a 72-year-old grandfather like duterte, who is so tied to his davao home and to his own bed, foreign trips would be a real struggle. Yet this American-funded, tycoon-controlled news site claims his foreign trips demonstrate his exorbitant lifestyle. (ManilaTimes. net)

Supt. Marvin Marcos (hand raised) and other police officers charged with killing Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. at a preliminary investigation hearing in the Department of Justice last December.

Inquirer.net file photo

Cops accused in Espinosa slay freed on bail

by AJPress

Superintendent Marvin Marcos and 18 other police officers accused in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor rolando espinosa were released from detention after posting a p40,000bail on Friday, June 16. this came after the department of Justice (dOJ) amended the complaint against the respondents and filed a motion to downgrade the charges against police officers from murder to homicide, which is a lesser and bailable offense.

Baybay regional trial Court (rtC) Judge Carlos Arguelles signed the release order for Marcos and his 18 co-accused.

On november 5 last year, espinosa was fatally shot inside his cell at the Leyte Sub-provincial Jail in Baybay City after allegedly resisting arrest and exchanging shots with the Criminal investigation and detection Group (CidG) lead by Marcos.

Another detainee, raul Yap, was also killed during the supposed resistance while the CidG was serving the warrant. espinosa was tagged as among the biggest drug lords in eastern Visayas. He was also among the first officials president rodrigo duterte accused publicly in connection with his campaign against illegal drugs.

Apart from Marcos, other cops released from prison were Superintendent Marvin Marcos, Superintendent Santi noel G. Matira, Chief inspector Leo d. Laraga, Senior police Officer 4 Melvin M. Cayobit, police Officer 3 Johnny A. ibañez. Chief inspector Calixto

C. Canillas Jr, Senior police Officer 4 Juanito A. duarte and police Officer 1 Lloyd O. Ortigueza.

Senior inspector Fritz B. Blanco, police Office 1 Bhernard r.

Orpilla, Senior inspector deogacias p. diaz iii, Senior police Officer 2 Benjamin L. dacallos, police Officer 3 norman t. Abellanosa, police Officer 1 Jerlan S. Cabiyaan, inspector Lucrecito A. Candilosas, Senior police Officer 2 Antonio r. docil, Senior police Officer 1 Mark Christian Cadilo, police Officer 2 Jhon ruel doculan, and police Officer 2 Jaime p.

Bacsal also posted bail.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said the charges against the police officers were downgraded due to the absence of evident premeditation. in its earlier probe, the national Bureau of investigation (nBi) concluded that espinosa was slain in a ‘rubout,’ and not in a shootout incident.

Like the nBi, the Senate Committee on public Order and dangerous drugs concluded in its separate investigation that the death of espinosa was a “premeditated murder.”

Senators slam ‘flip-flop king’ Aguirre the six-member Senate Minority bloc is set to file a resolution “expressing grave concern” over the downgrading of murder charges against the police officers in espinosa slay. in a statement, Senate Minority Leader Franklin drilon described the dOJ’s move as “anomalous and suspicious.”

He said the “abrupt downgrading of the case against Superintendent Marvin Marcos and his

cohorts from murder to homicide is a big blow to the justice system in the country.” “this is a very disappointing development insofar as the ability of the government to prevent and prosecute police abuses and irregularities is concerned,” drilon added. detained Senator Leila de Lima also questioned the Justice department’s decision.

“How can the dOJ not see and appreciate the presence of the qualifying circumstance of evident premeditation, and even abuse of superior strength, in the execution of such criminal act which bears the hallmarks of summary execution?” de Lima, also a former dOJ secretary, said in a statement.

She went on to say the dOJ’s initial adoption of the nBi’s recommendation was “just for show, a charade,” when the end result was to “downgrade the charges, as done now, and ultimately weaken the case vs. those rogue police officers and men.”

Calling Aguirre a “flip-flop king,” Senator risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that by lessening the charges against the accused in the espinosa killing, he “also effectively further downgraded his reputation and integrity before the public’s eyes.” “this may be the last straw for many of us. We cannot allow Secretary Aguirre to continue to toy around with our justice system. enough’s enough,” Hontiveros added.

Also part of the Senate minority bloc are drilon and Senators Francis “Kiko” pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Antonio trillanes iV.

A

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Journal

Say goodbye to Charice and hello to Jake Zyrus How Liza is preparing for Darna InternatIonal singing sensation Charice Pempengco has changed his name to Jake Zyrus in all of his social media accounts.

Following his break-up with longtime girlfriend alyssa Quijano, Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new identity was born last thursday, June 15.

Jake deleted all of his previous posts and sent his first tweet under his new name to 927,000 followers via twitter on tuesday, June 20. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My first tweet as Jake. overwhelmed. Saw all your love comments and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy. Finally.

I love you, everyone and see you soon,â&#x20AC;? he tweeted. the 25-year-old singer embraced his new identity and tweeted â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let anyone ruin this moment. I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let anyone ruin my happiness. thank you to all the beautiful write ups about me.â&#x20AC;? also deleting all of his previous post as Charice on Instagram, Jake posted last Sunday, June 18 a blue photo background with the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank Youâ&#x20AC;? on it to his 132,000 followers.

Charice Pempengco now turned into Jake Zyrus, the moniker he now uses on social media.

he captioned the photo â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the love and respect. I love you back and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sending peace to everyone.â&#x20AC;?

Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest revelation coincides with lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender (lGBt) Pride Month, which is celebrated in most parts of the world each year during the month of June to honor the Gay liberation Movement in

Manhattan on 1969.

Jake, who gained his popularity as Charice in 2005, embraced his true sexuality and courageously admitted that he is a lesbian to talk show host Boy abunda at the segment of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Buzzâ&#x20AC;? in 2013.

Since then, he started to label himself as a man and even settled for a slick clean cut and tattoo look.

In 2016, Mega Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magazine took a big leap toward gender equality and put Jake on the cover of the magazine issue for Pride Month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By most accounts, this has never been done before and whatever way the pendulum will swing, this was a move worth taking,â&#x20AC;?

Mega Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s article read.

Jakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big leap gives rise to an artist who is now more confident and at peace with his inner insecurities. even though his screen name has changed, he is still the talented singer who impressed oprah Winfrey and record producer David Foster. (By Larizza de Vera/AJPress, with reports from CNN Philippines)

Stars celebrate International Yoga Day More than just for weight loss, yoga offers a wide range of benefits, from good breathing and posture to remedy for withdrawal syndrome.

Since it is now over 2,000 years old, yoga has evolved into hundreds of permutations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from â&#x20AC;&#x153;surya namaskarâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;kapalbhati pranayamaâ&#x20AC;? that studies show are great for weight loss, to â&#x20AC;&#x153;doga,â&#x20AC;? which began in new York in 2002 and includes pets as props to achieve different positions.

In hollywood, among those into yoga are models Gisele Bundchen and Christy turlington; actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer aniston; and pop stars Madonna and Katy Perry.

Yoga for battling suicidal thoughts Katy Perry opened up about having suicidal thoughts during

Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles                                    Kylie Padilla

a marathon weekend livestream event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel ashamed that I would have those thoughts, feel that low, and that depressed,â&#x20AC;? she said Saturday on Youtube during a tearful session with Siri Singh

from the Viceland series â&#x20AC;&#x153;the therapist.â&#x20AC;? the pop star has been livestreaming herself, filming her life for anyone with an internet connection to see. She has been PAGE B3

by Jerry

Donato Philstar.com

thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S a lot on liza Soberanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plate these days as she prepares to be this generationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Darna in a movie adaptation to be produced by Star Cinema. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m undergoing training,â&#x20AC;? the other half of lizQuen (with enrique Gil) told The Star. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I run every Sunday as well.â&#x20AC;? this is to ensure that liza is in tip-top shape when she dons the red-and-gold ensemble (of a headpiece and two-piece costume, plus the high-cut boots) like those Darna â&#x20AC;&#x153;incarnationsâ&#x20AC;? angel locsin, Vilma Santos, nanette Medved and anjanette abayari. asked how true that director

erik Matti advised her to avoid watching previous Darna works so as to give the role a fresh perspective, liza said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell me naman not to watch but he wanted me to watch (the previous Darna) with him so he could explain (to me the role and the story) while weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re watching together.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a peek into that collaborative work between the star and the helmer. Direk erik should give liza the heads-up on literary and cultural contexts of Darna.

Based on her previous works, liza seems to be a perceptive student who does her homework religiously. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have the three comic books that ate angel locsin gave me. I PAGE B3 Liza Soberano

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Features

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LA, NYC Fil-Am chefs at the heart of ‘ULAM’ documentary

By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

“I think ultimately the key to everyone’s heart is through their stomach.”

—Filipino-American chef Alvin Cailan

With the immense admiration that Filipino food has received over the last few years, it’s no surprise that the cuisine is also getting big screen treatment.

“ULAM,” (tagalog for main dish) an hour-long documentary

by Filipina-American filmmaker Alexandra Cuerdo, looks at the rise of the Filipino food movement in Los Angeles and New York City. it was recently previewed in front of over 600 individuals at the Million Dollar theater as part of the LA Food Bowl, the Los Angeles Times’ inaugural month-long festival this past May. the cuisine’s ability to appeal to diverse palates is evident from the get-go of the documentary, as Los Angeles-based chef Alvin Cailan of Eggslut, Amboy & Unit 120 in ULAM: Main Dish the opening scene shows diners Photo courtesy of Alvin Cailan of various ethnicities gathering utensils and using banana leaves around a table for a kamayan as plates — once seen as ‘uncul- curious dining experience. meal. this eating style of forging tured’ — has been turned into a As seen in “ULAM,” this current accessibility to Filipino food is thanks to chefs and restaurant owners like NYC-based Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa of Purple Yam and Nicole Ponseca and Miguel trinidad of Maharlika and Jeepney. in LA, we have Andre Guerrero (the Oinkster, Maximiliano, the Little Bear & Ramen Room), Johneric Concordia and Christine Araquel-Concordia of the Park’s Finest, Alvin Cailan (Eggslut, Amboy & Unit 120), Ricebar’s Charles Olalia, and brothers Chase and Chad Valencia of LASA. “Right now, we’re kind of hitting this stride — this renaissance, if you will, of Filipino food in the states. Everyone is doing something very different and unique, where it’s personal to themselves, authentic to themselves,” Chase Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad of NY’s Maharlika and Jeepney Valencia narrates.

Cooking “ULAM” For Cuerdo, a Southern California-native whose father Rey has a film background, focusing on NYC and LA were obvious choices for “ULAM” because she was shuttling back and forth between the two cities while working in film production.

During a conversation with Fil-Am cinematographer Matty Libatique (“Black Swan”, “iron Man”) in mid-2015, she expressed her interest in doing a documenJohneric Concordia of The Park’s Finest.

Photo courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment tary on Filipino food. Libatique,

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An ube tamale by Romy Dorotan of Purple Yam is highlighted in the film.

John Floresca, producer and cinematographer of ULAM: Main Dish.

Photos courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment.

whom Cuerdo regards as a role model, essentially told her to pursue it and sent her off with a list of Filipino places to begin with. She then pitched the idea to John Floresca, who became the film’s co-producer and cinematographer.

A few months later that year, Cuerdo met Cailan at NextDayBetter, a creative speaker series that held an event in LA featuring FilAm chefs and restaurants. that’s also where Cailan connected with the Valencias and Olalia, sparking a camaraderie and support system among fellow Fil-Ams working in LA’s culinary industry. “it’s all of these meeting places that are really important for Filipinos. that’s how we connect, that’s how we all come together as a community,” Cuerdo told the Asian Journal. “that’s really how it began in LA and New York. it’s just an introduction to the Filipino food movement.” throughout “ULAM,” the influences of Filipino food and the preparations required to make the chefs’ signature dishes are shown, from Dorotan’s ube cassava tamale to Concordia’s slow-smoked pork ribs to Olalia’s longganisa made from scratch. “i just love the flavors. i love hitting all the senses. When it comes to the table, visually it looks interesting. texture, it’s all different. if you close your eyes, the scents are powerful. And when you taste it, it doesn’t end with just chewing and swallowing — you have a nice finish. And it’s delicious,” trinidad describes early in the film.

By the time the film ended, there seemed to be a resonating hunger in the audience.

Beyond the struggles however, despite the mouthwatering, beautifully plated creations, being in the culinary field

Photo courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment

Behind the scenes with producer Rey Cuerdo (left) and director Alexandra Cuerdo (right) from ULAM: Main Dish.

Photo courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment.

isn’t entirely glamorous. it was apt to detail the challenges the chefs went through in order to open their restaurants, especially after being told they would fail. the perspectives that the chefs offer on this provide a historical and cultural context as to how Filipino cuisine has become the mainstream phenomenon it is today. though it’s a collective movement, it still has its own nuances, like Maharlika’s translation of the food differs from Purple Yam or LASA’s menus.

“At what point do you talk about authenticity?” Guerrero asks, questioning the identity of Filipino cuisine, given the influences from the Spanish, Chinese and Americans.

Among the struggles, Dorotan and Besa share how they migrated to the United States because of the political climate in the Philippines during the ‘70s. the couple went on to open Cendrillon in Soho in the late ‘90s and though the restaurant was a beloved hit, it was way before its time and eventually shuttered its doors because of Manhattan’s ever rising rent. in November 2009, they opened Purple Yam in Brooklyn.

Ponseca, who began Maharlika as a series of pop-up brunches in NYC, reveals how critics initially said that non-Filipinos wouldn’t be adventurous enough to try dishes like dinuguan (pig’s blood stew), while Filipinos would find her offerings overpriced. “there’s no manual that says, ‘how do you open a crossover Filipino restaurant?’ Or how do you make it to year three?” she says.

“So i split the conversation: how do you run a restaurant? and how do you represent Filipino food?” trinidad, Ponseca’s partner who is of Dominican descent, recounts some of the hesitations he received from diners in his endeavor to learn how to cook Filipino food. he backpacked around the Philippines for three and a half months to immerse himself in the culture and food, arguing that it’s possible for non-Filipinos to take part in the food’s movement

because chefs have mastered italian cuisine without being italian descent, for example. “i wanted to do right by it. i wanted to make sure i wasn’t bastardizing it or dumbing it down,” he explains. “So i went to the roots.”

Spirit of Filipino food Curated by Cailan’s Unit 120 culinary incubator, Filipino food had its own spotlight at the LA Food Bowl with “Filipino Fridays” at Chinatown’s Far East Plaza featuring nights devoted to street food, lechon and dessert. Six FilAm chefs came together to whip up a multi-course dinner to tease the documentary preview the night before.

After the screening, Cuerdo, Cailan, Chase Valencia and pastry chef isa Fabro were joined

by Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold for a panel to reflect on the film.

Gold — who is a known proponent of the movement — praised “ULAM” for capturing the ‘spirit’ of Filipino food through the generosity and unity.

“When that friendship and dialogue (with Alvin) started, one big thing was this idea of really developing a community and backing each other,” Chase Valencia told the audience, adding how this network allowed him and his brother Chad to transition their pop-up dinners to a full-service restaurant. he added, “this documentary is awesome because it stops at a moment right now of where we can take it next. it’s just pointing out the fact that we’re going to push our food and we’re going to do it together.” the chefs and Cuerdo suggested that embracing the regionality of the Philippines and more Filipino restaurants popping up are possible next steps for the cuisine. Cailan added that the progression could be taking on different traditional dishes like kare kare or laing. “there will be a generation of Filipino kids who will grow up PAGE B4

Chef Andre Guerrero

Charles Olalia of Ricebar in LA

Chase and Chad Valencia of LASA, a California-inspired Filipino restaurant in LA

Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan of Purple Yam in New York.

Behind the scenes with Romy Dorotan of Purple Yam from ULAM: Main Dish.

Photo courtesy of Kidlat Entertainment.

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Britney Spears on Manila crowd: Amazing!

by Kaye

Rachelle Ann Go (right) garnered the most number of votes online to win as Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2017 Theater Fans’ Choice Awards for her performance as Gigi Van Tranh in Miss Saigon. With her are co-actors Eva Noblezada and Jon Jon Briones.

Rachelle Ann Go wins again

by BaBy

a. Gil

Philstar.com

SHE was not nominated at the Tony Awards but that did not stop the fans of Rachelle Ann Go from giving their favorite girl a new trophy. The singing champion garnered the most number of votes online to win as Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2017 Theater Fans’ Choice Awards for her performance as Gigi Van Tranh in the Broadway production of “Miss Saigon.”

Please note that she also won as Best Featured Actress in a New Production of a Musical from the Broadway World UK/West End Awards in 2014 and the Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Award from the 15th Annual What’s On Stage Awards in 2015 for the same role. She is marking her final days as Gigi these days. She will say goodbye to the role soon to take on Eliza Hamilton in the London production of the top-drawer musical “Hamilton.”

Maybe she can aspire for a Laurence Olivier Award with that one.

That would be very nice but not really necessary. The way things stand now, Rachelle Ann is a star on Broadway and the West End. She has made it big in these global centers of the live performing arts.

She has transcended being Filipino and Asian to take her place among the best.

I thought of this while watching Lea Salonga at the Tony Awards that aired last Monday morning, June 12 here. Elegant in her Rajo Laurel pantsuit, the Tony winner for Miss Saigon in 1991 looked every inch a star. I am sure you are all aware of how much our actors and actresses desire to become stars abroad, to be successful and hopefully to live the Hollywood dream. Lea has already

fulfilled that dream. She has done it in Hollywood as the voice of Disney princesses Jasmin and Mulan and in the theater as Kim. And others are now enjoying the perks of the doors she opened 27 years ago. There was in fact, I think it can be said, a Filipino contingent at the Tonys. Lea was joined on stage by Jon Jon Briones, who plays The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” as presenters. They introduced “Miss Saigon” as a nominee in the Best Revival of a Musical category. An excerpt followed with Eva Noblezada as Kim, also Pinoy, and Devin Ilaw as Thuy, another Pinoy. And there were Pinoys in the company, too, among them Rachelle Ann in a soldier’s uniform.

We have successfully invaded the Great White Way. Now it would have been really great if Eva had won a Tony on her first time out like Lea did. But with acting legends like Bette Midler for “Hello Dolly” and Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone for “War Paint” as co-nominees our girl just did not have a chance. Still, for a young actress and Asian at that to be mentioned in the same breath as those stars is tantamount to having already won several awards.

More on Pinoys in the theater.

The revival production of “Miss Saigon” is going on tour this year and of course, Pinoys are also in the show. Red Concepcion has been cast as The Engineer and Gerald Santos will be playing Thuy beginning July 3 in Leicester, England.

Then there is Christine Allado who is joining the cast of Hamilton in November in the roles of Peggy Schyler and Maria Reynolds.

At the Seattle Repertory Theater, the disco musical “Here Lies Love” is nearing the end of its limited run this month. But it has been

from its pool of boy-next-door male stars such as Ronnie Alonte and Joshua Garcia. After all, ABS-CBN is good at producing unlikely pairings from its rigodon de honor system.

Aside from acting, Liza is also interested in singing. There was a plan for her to record an album but it didn’t materialize because of her TV and movie commitments. “Yes, it was said before that I was going to but because I became busy with Dolce Amore and with My Ex and Whys, we weren’t able to push through with it because if ever I were to release an album, I would like to be very hands-on with it. So I’m just waiting for the right time.”

With that, Liza is the perfect endorser for MegaProPlus products, which are durable, affordable and of quality, and Megasound Karaoke System. The brand provides Filipinos their party and singing entertainment needs through a quality videoke system.

It showcases their “natural festive attitude through singing,” as MP MegaProPlus Marketing Corp. proprietor and business partner Andy Co said. The other executives are Kim Sungbok and

Jacinto Co. M e g a P ro P l u s M a r k e t i n g Corp., in a press statement, said that it chose Liza, “not only because we believe that she best represents our brand but also because she embodies the millennial Filipino, ambitious, talented, very hardworking and most importantly — loves to sing in her free time.”

As a music enthusiast, she leans on mostly pop but “I also like rap and R&B but I don’t think I would be able to sing them,” she shared. Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande top her list of favorite international artists. In the local recording front, she prefers the music of KZ Tandingan and Yeng Constantino.

“Narratives are very important to me,” said Liza on listening to songs. “For some reason, you know like when you first listen to a song and then you hear the melody of it, then it is very nice.

When I hear the lyrics and I disagree with it, not naman dislike, but I kinda veer away from it because I like songs that are more positive and uplifting. You know (that) they really have a message.”

Stars celebrate International Yoga...

PAGE B1 doing yoga, hosting dinner parties, sleeping, applying makeup and singing, of course.

By Sunday, the most revealing 60 minutes of the four-day “Katy Perry — Witness World Wide” event was her time with Singh.

Perry told Singh she struggles with her public persona. In the past, she said, she has had suicidal thoughts. She talked about the challenge of being her authentic self while promoting her public image as she lives “under this crazy microscope.”

“I so badly want to be Katheryn Hudson (her birth name) that I don’t even want to look like Katy Perry anymore sometimes — and, like, that is a little bit of why I cut my hair, because I really want to be my authentic self,” she said.

Perry is sporting a new short, blond hairstyle.

The YouTube event is a promotion for her new album “Witness.”

The livestream will culminate in a free concert in Los Angeles for 1,000 fans.

Kylie Padilla: Yoga toward natural birth Any time now, actress Kylie Padilla is due to give birth to

her firstborn with actor Aljur Abrenica.

To prepare for it, she is into all organic food and drinks, as well as vitamins for the baby and her. She complements this healthy lifestyle with exercise, particularly, walking and yoga “Ngayon lang ako nagiging emotional, so I’m into yoga to suppress my hormones,” she told Philstar.comin a recent interview during a Watsons event.

When she feels like she is getting emotional, she would tell herself: “Okay, this is just my hormones, so chill ka lang!”

Edu Manzano: Yoga is antiaging Actor Edu Manzano is already in his 60s, yet he says he has never suffered from “old people ailments.”

His secret?

“Balance. It’s a balance between my food, exercise and supplements,” he told Philstar. com in a recent interview during the launch of Watsons Switch & Save.

“I think it’s very important to listen to your body. Kasi your body starts to complain after a while.

Everybody will receive an ailment

one way or another.”

Besides getting his affordable stash of vitamin C, pain killers, and daily multivitamins from Watsons, he is into stretching, badminton, and, just recently, yoga.

“Yoga enables me to find peace with myself,” he enthused. “It took me this long (to try it) because I never really took yoga as an exercise. Pero now, I see friends, families, men, I see how yoga has helped shape their lives again.”

Edu, who discovered yoga through friends and family, encourages other men like him to try it as well.

“More and more men are taking up yoga. It can’t kill you! You have to try everything even just once in your life!”

Lorna Tolentino: Yoga for peace of mind Positive thinking, according to actress and mom Lorna Tolentino, is how she stays happy and beautiful all these years, she told Philstar.com during a Watsons Switch & Save launch.

She complements this with yoga, as seen from her social media posts. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com with reports from AP)

Philstar.com

IN a moment in time worth freezing, hundreds of fans gathered in an accidental afterparty on all three levels of the Mall of Asia Arena lobby, post-Britney Spears concert.

Fans of all ages and gender refused to head out of the venue during the Britney Live in Manila on Thursday, June 15 and chose to camp out on the hallways of the Arena to sing Britney hits played in full blast by concert sponsor Smart and its #SmartMusicLive, #SmartBritneySpears booths. For 30 minutes or more, Piece of Me’s Manila stop was extended with the fans’ version of Oops… I Did It Again, Baby One More Time and Sometimes. It definitely did not matter if Britney lip-synced her entire concert, they were all there to do the singing for her (and Filipinos are such good crowd singers!).

Such was the impact of the pop icon’s showgirl concert that supporters couldn’t get enough of the show that they created their own afterparty. Britney was right to call this Manila crowd “amazing!”

Piece of Me was a celebration of both performer and her hits in an upbeat-all-the-way dance concert that reminded everyone of how good dancers Britters were. The way she moved was the closest to a female version of Michael Jackson because of two things: She had the dance hits and the choreography fans easily identified with specific scenes from her now-classic music videos. Thanks to that era when a Britney-ruled MTV channel was all we had for entertainment in the late ’90s to early 2000s.

rumored, that it is now looking forward to bigger things. If plans fan out well, the next chance to watch the immersive creation by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim will be on Broadway.

I am sure it will include some Pinoys in the cast. Can you think of actors who can play the roles of President Marcos, Imelda Marcos, Benigno Aquino and Imelda’s nanny Estrella better than Pinoys?

Not a chance so wish hard that Mark Bautista as Marcos, Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda, Conrad Ricamora as Aquino and Melody Butiu as Estrella will be singing Broadway here we come soon.

To close, here they are, the winners in the musical category at the 2017 Tony Awards: •Best Musical: “Dear Evan Hansen” •Best Revival of a Musical: “Hello Dolly” •Best Book of a Musical: “Dear Evan Hansen” •Best Original Score: “Dear Evan Hansen” •Lead Actor: Ben Platt, “Dear Evan Hansen” •Lead Actress: Bette Midler, “Hello Dolly” •Featured Actor: Gavin Creel, “Hello Dolly” •Featured Actress: Rachel Bay Jones, “Dear Evan Hansen” •Direction: Christopher Ashley, “Come From Away” •Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler, “Bandstand” •Scenic Design: “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” •Costume Design: “Hello Dolly” •Lighting Design: “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” •Best Orchestration: “Dear Evan Hansen” Britney Spears

How Liza is preparing for...

PAGE B1 read the first two so far. Yun pa lang so I will have an idea what Darna is all about,” she said.

“Actually, we haven’t seen each other because she is busy with La Luna Sangre. Me, I’m busy with my training. So by the time that La Luna Sangre is out, she’ll have time and maybe we’ll sit down and have a bonding session together.”

Given the fantasy and action elements integrated into the Darna narrative, showbiz watchers expect her to equal, if not surpass, the fight sequences her predecessors have done in the past. “So far, di ko pa po alam,” she said on the possible action stunts being lined up for her. “But as much as possible I would like to do all my stunts and as long as na hindi naman po ganun ka life-threatening.”

Is she insured, you know in case something happens beyond one’s control? “Yes, of course.”

Reported as breaking news in this section, Enrique has been tapped as Liza’s leading man for the 2017Darna version. Many thought that the management might have chosen someone

VillaGomez-losorata

The Star was told that Britney had no sound check and went straight to showgirl time hours after her Manila touchdown.

Detractors would say, “She did not need a sound check anyway coz lip-sync blah blah!” But those numbers, those steps and stunts at least needed a run-through. Nope.

Britney went straight to Work B**ch mode and had it all under control from start to finish.

Britney also controlled stunning special effects that reminded Ma-

nila audiences why Piece of Me is a Vegas long-running success. The huge stage with LED backdrop took audiences from one place to another that if you record the concert and mute the entire show, it will still look like a great party.

For about 23 to 25 songs, Britney moved non-stop in wardrobe malfunction-baiting (but wardrobe malfunction-defying) thigh-high suits paired with death-defying thigh-high heeled boots. Again, PAGE B4

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B June 22-28, 2017 • LAS VeGAS ASIAn JOuRnAL

EntErtainmEnt

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Celia: Angel Locsin is the best Darna Iñigo Pascual tops first PH Billboard chart

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

She may be right in describing herself as “the last of my breed.”

And Celia Rodriguez says it with pride.

While most, if not all, great Filipino kontrabidas (Carol Varga, Rebecca del Rio, et al) have, to quote a poet, “crossed the bar,” Celia has remained as active as ever, as competitive as ever, blithely refusing without really trying to be outshined by generations of actors since she was discovered in the early ‘60s (or late ‘50s?) by Doña Adela Santiago, the Lady Boss of Premiere Productions, who was impressed by the classy aura of the willowy model from Irosin, Sorsogon.

Marking another milestone today (born on June 21 19-forgotten), Celia has done all kinds of villainess in the book, topped by her iconic performance as Valentina in the nth remake of the legendary super-heroine created

by Mars Ravelo and will soon fly across the big screen again with Liza Soberano as the millennial Darna (in a Star Cinema movie directed by erik Matti).

In Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1972), a trilogy (Darna at ang Babaing Lawin, Darna at ang Impakta and Darna at si Valentina) directed

by Joey Gosiengfiao, elwood Perez and Maning Borlaza, Celia essayed the Valentina role originated by Cristina Aragon in the first ever Darna movie with Rosa del Rosario in the titular role, directed by Fernando Poe Sr. elwood, who directed Celia’s episode, called her character Maharani Valentina Vranda Kapor.

“Only somebody like elwood could have invented that name,” quipped Celia who would reprise the same role, this time named Bragoda, when GMA revived the Darna classic with Angel Locsin in the title role.

“Angel is the best Darna, bar none,” said Celia. “She is perfect for the role. She had the figure for it. She was fearless. She refused to have a double even when portions of her body were badly hurt by the harness. As Bragoda, who came from Outer Space, my character invented Valentina who was played by Alessandra de Rossi. Ang ganda ng seriesna yon, directed by Dominic Zapata.

Lorna (Tolentino) was also in the cast as another creature from Outer Space. We had fight scenes at natalo ko siya.” however, although she is fa-

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IñIGO Pascual now holds the distinction for being the first OPM artist to hit the No. 1 spot to lead the first ever Billboard Philippines Top 20 for his single “Dahil Sa’yo.”

No longer just the son of Alist celebrity Piolo Pascual, the talented singer’s feel-good single was shown at the top of the list on website BillboardPh’s June 12 chart, comprised of 20 of the most popular local tunes across all genres.

“I was emotional when I first learned the news. As a kid in the States, I’ve always dreamt of being in the Billboard charts,” shared the artist.

Celia Rodriguez once received a gift from Marichu ‘Manay Ichu’ Maceda who enclosed a note that The freshly released chart read: ‘The Original glamorous movie star. No one can ever come close to you. Stars like you are born, reflects current favorite hits of not made.’ Said Celia, who is celebrating her birthday today. ‘That made me cry and cry...’

Filipinos in listenership and purmous for being akontrabida, advance birthday dinner hosted chases across different platforms.

Celia actually won her awards for her by Regal Matriarch Lily According to Billboard.Ph, the songs are ranked by streaming (yes, several) for non-kontrabida Monteverde.

“I love this woman,” said Moth- activity figures from Spotify, roles: Best Actress for Lilet(1972, where she played a virginal char- er Lily who has cast Celia in sev- Apple Music and YouTube as acter) directed by National Artist eral Regal movies. “She’s down- well as download sales data from For Film Gerry de Leon who also to-earth. No pretentions. She says Apple iTunes. From these sources, Nielsen Music collate and average directed her in Kulay Dugo ang what she has in mind.”

“I’ve never seen Celia na hindi data to determine the final list of Gabi which won her Best Supporting Actress, the same award she nakaayos,” commented ethel hits and hitmakers.

Pascual composed Dahil Sa’yo, got forPassionate Strangers (with Ramos, one of Celia’s close writerhollywood actor Mike Parsons), friends. “She dresses up like how which is also the carrier single a movie star should.” (Celia just of his self-titled debut album directed by eddie Romero.

“When I won for Lilet,” recalled came from the pictorial for hap- released by Star Music. It has Celia, “ang daming umatake sa los, her forthcoming TV series akin pero hindi ko pinansin. A, on GMA.) She is known for her quotablebasta, di bale na may award naquotes: man ako.”

• Marriage is just a piece of PAGE B2 Celia has worked with other eating this food…[and] will be top directors: Lino Brocka (Angela paper.

• The only thing I owe the pub- so much more educated about Markado), Ishmael Bernal (Pito the regional differences and even ang Asawa Ko), Joey Gosiengfiao lic is a good performance.

• (To young stars): Look like names of the dishes,” Cuerdo said.

(La Paloma, etc.) and Celso Ad. “And not just Filipinos, but just Castillo (Maligno, etc.). “In Pito a star.

Understandably, Celia never people. everybody is welcome to ang Asawa ko,” said Celia, “I didn’t recognize myself. I really married, although she has chil- try the food and people are going lost myself in my character kasi dren who were “conceived in to know, in the same way we know talagang piniga ako ni Bernal,” liberty,” one of them Jackie (sired pad thai, adobo. I think that’s readding with sadness, “all our best by a top cardiologist) who died in ally beautiful.”

“Taste of what’s to come” her sleep in the States in 1995. directors are gone.”

While only chefs and restauAt her age (highly confidential), Oops! So sorry.

“Jackie just joined Our Savior,” Celia is proud that she has never Celia would correct anybody who undergone cosmetic surgery. “every part of me is original,” would use the word “died.” She has two other children, Angelo she smiled.

When Marichu “Manay Ichu” who is a doctor and is getting mar- PAGE B3 Maceda gave her a gift, she ried soon in Sydney, and Camille Britney danced with precision that enclosed a note that Celia (who who is based in the States. even her hair flips were spot-on Asked about her (very colorful!) choreographic highlights. has also worked with Sampaguita Pictures) has kept for love life, Celia said, “I never had a Speaking of highlights, standman in my life since 1995 when I outs were Piece Of Me, (where posterity.

“The note read: The original became a Born-again Christian.” crowd went wild shouting the glamorous movie star. No one That was the same year Jackie, “Philippines!” part of the lyrics) can ever come close to you. Stars well, “joined Our Savior.”

Oops… I Did It Again, Baby One having done everything and More Time, (where she started like you are born, not made. That having won awards, Celia said that performing blindfolded), Toxic, made me cry and cry.”

True to form, Celia was in her she has only one wish: “eternal Womanizer, I’m A Slave 4 U, usual glamorous self when she salvation. You will never be satis- Stronger and Till The World showed up Monday night at Gloria fied unless you have Jesus in your ends. each number had its own Maris (Greenhills) for an intimate, heart.” digitally transforming set. The

Iñigo Pascual

become a certified hit since its October 2016 release.

The young singer’s chart-topping single is also included in BillboardPh’s hot 100, ranking No. 21 in the most popular local and international songs of the same period.

Coming on the heels of his chart success is his digital concert for ABS-CBN’s music portal One Music Ph (www.onemusic. ph) called “Inigo’s Playground,” which happens on July 2 at 6 p.m. here, his fans all over the world will get to watch him sing his compositions, as well as enjoy the performances of his special

guests, namely Ylona Garcia, Mariz Racal, Kyle echarri, Moira Dela Torre, and mixes by Kidwolf, the producer of his debut album.

Like One Music Ph’s previous digital concerts, the show will be available online to fans anyone with an Internet connection and a mobile device or desktop computer. Fans can also interact with him and get to watch hi digital concert in all angles with the show’s multi-camera setup.

Completing the list of BillboardPh’s Top 20 are: 2) “Sila” by Sud, 3) “Pusong Ligaw” by Jona; 4) “Pasensya Ka Na” by Silent Sanctuary, 5) “hiling” by Mark Carpio, 6) “Maghihintay Ako” by Jona, 7) “hanggang Kailan” by Michael Pangilinan, 8) “Paasa”

by Yeng Constantino, 9) “You”

by Jona, 10) “Malaya” by Moira dela Torre, 11) “Tulad Mo” by TJ Monterde, 12) “A Love to Last a Lifetime” by Juris, 13) “Akin Ka Na Lang” by Morisette, 14) “Your Love” by Juris, 15) “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako” by KZ Tandingan, 16) “Dating Tayo” by TJ Monterde, 17) “Pagsuko” by Jireh Lim, 18) “Kaibigan Mo” by Sarah Geronimo, 19) “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Morissette, Daniel Padilla, and 20) “Baliw Sayo” by Jroa. (ManilaTimes.net)

LA, NYC Fil-Am chefs at the heart... rants in LA and NYC were highlighted in “ULAM,” Cuerdo hinted that it could spring off into a series of documentaries on more chefs in cities like Washington D.C., Chicago and San Francisco.

“By no means did we want it to be a manual, an A to Z. This is just a taste of what’s to come, so we would love to do part two.

We would love to profile many of the other amazing Filipino chefs and we’re looking forward

to the future,” she told the Asian Journal.

Cuerdo plans to enter “ULAM” into various festivals and screen it across the United States, but for now, she hopes it will “get people to try Filipino food.”

“At the end of the day, if we can get anyone who watches this film to try one of these restaurants, that’s the goal,” she said. “We’re really trying to promote our culture through food.”

Britney Spears on Manila crowd...

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audience was taken to cities, skies, jungles and circuses in under two hours.

The only downside was that Britney skipped the ballads. Lucky, Sometimes, I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman, everytime and From The Bottom Of My Broken heart were terribly missed.

Security was extra-tight as this was the first big concert post-Manchester bombing during Ariana Grande’s concert last month but that did not stop fans from coming in all Britney shapes and sizes,

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from the schoolgirl Britney to the Flight Attendant Britbrit to the VMAs Britney 2016 version.

This was definitely not the sneaky escape Britney had in mind when she included the “Philippines” in 2007’s Piece Of Me song lyrics. But like the rest of those who tita-partied with her, she will definitely remember this stop. Britney said it best when she ended the show screaming, “Thank you so much Manila!

Such a wonderful night with all of you!”

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. nAncy Miller Aliens in removal proceedings are faced with the very real possibility of being deported from the United states. While in proceedings, the non-citizen may request various forms of relief that will allow them to remain here. sometimes, the alien is not eligible for any relief that will let them stay. The alien may be asked, at that point, whether they wish to accept voluntary departure in order to avoid a deportation order.

Many issues must be considered in order to make an informed decision in this matter.

The maximum amount of time that an immigration judge can give an alien to voluntarily depart the United states is 120 days.

This amount is only available at the beginning of proceedings (with very few exceptions). in addition, the granting of that amount of time requires that the alien waive all rights to appeal. if the alien accepts this form of voluntary departure, s/he should be ready to leave the United states in no more than 119 days from the date of the order. if the alien chooses to seek other relief in court and that relief is denied, the maximum amount of voluntary departure time the immigration judge can give is 60 days. The alien may pursue an appeal of the denial of the other relief and is entitled to remain in the United states during the pendency of that appeal. While the matter is on appeal before the Board of immigration Appeals (BiA), the 60 day clock is stopped.

However, it begins to run the day the BiA dismisses the appeal. At that point, if the alien elects to file a petition for review with the U.s.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

Community Journal

What happens when you accept voluntary departure Court of Appeals, he must also file a motion to stay removal. However, the act of filing the petition for review vacates the voluntary departure grant and the alien then has a deportation order just as if he had never accepted voluntary departure in the first place. if the alien fails to depart the United states during the period of voluntary departure, the order automatically becomes an order of removal (deportation). The judge does not need to issue any additional order. This is important for several reasons. An alien with a removal order is ineligible to apply for adjustment of status, change of status, suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal for five years for deportation cases or ten years under removal cases. Additionally, an alien who was granted voluntary departure and failed to leave during the requisite time is barred from relief for a period of ten years. These periods run concurrently (together). if the alien acquires a new basis for a green card after the judge makes a decision on the case, the alien must file a motion to reopen the removal proceedings in order to apply for that relief. Filing such a motion vacates the voluntary departure grant. Therefore, if the motion is denied, the alien no longer has the ability to leave under voluntary departure. if the alien leaves on his own after the period of voluntary departure has run, he is considered to have self-deported. He does not escape the negative consequences of failing to leave on time.

He still incurs the ten year bar that a removal order carries. He may be able to obtain a waiver of that bar and return to the United states in less than ten years if he can show sufficient hardship. it is

a difficult standard to meet.

Whether he leaves on time or after the expiration of the voluntary departure time period, he faces serious problems that will affect his ability to return to the United states. if he has been in unlawful status in the United states for a period of one year or more, once he leaves the United states, he incurs a ten year bar from returning. in order to apply for a waiver of that bar, he must show that his U.s. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent or spouse would suffer extreme hardship if he were not permitted to return. Children are not qualifying relatives for purposes of this waiver. (if he has been in unlawful status for more than six months but less than one year and leaves under court-ordered voluntary departure, he does not incur the three year bar.)

The strengths and weaknesses of cases and the effect of pursuing or accepting various forms of relief are matters that should be discussed in depth with a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney before making a decision or taking any action.

As in most things, knowledge is power. *** 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.

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Kindness as the antidote for the darkness in the human heart “Constant kindness can accomplish much.

As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

- Albert Schweitzer

THeRe’s a common thread in murder suicides— one man driven by rage, jealousy, paranoia, desperation, depression over economic pressures, family problems or just plain deranged, decided he can’t take it anymore and instead of committing suicide, decide to inflict murder and mayhem killing several others, either his own family members or total strangers.

With each horrific case, the public seems to become more inured and desensitized to violence and death, becoming more accepting of all these, as a normal feature of modern life. ever since the Columbine mass murder perpetrated by 2 young misguided misfits garbed in black trench coats years ago, things haven’t been the same. There were copycats exhibiting lemming-like behavior since then. evil glamorized by repetition and attention-getting drama seems to have morphed into many other incidents in north America and elsewhere, resulting in incalculable, untold pain and suffering among families of the victims.

We remember with great pain the Virginia Tech mass murder which snuffed out the lives of 32, including Cho, the killer, who was a quiet, deranged malcontent who never quite fit in. in the

blogosphere chatter, many noted that perpetrators of this troubling trend were often the quiet ones.

Word is out on the street to watch out for the quiet “pressure cooker” types, those who never cause a ripple and yet, has a fondness for weapons, but who can implode and explode with volcanic intensity and wipe out those around them.

A Vietnamese immigrant, Jiverly Wong, aka Vuong, a quiet, social misfit and also a gun enthusiast, driven by severe paranoia and frustrated over his “poor life” and poor english skills, gunned down 12 others in an immigrant center, 10 of whom came from 8 countries and who were students just trying to learn english as a second language. One was a Filipina, Dolores Yigal, a recent immigrant who was studying so she could find a job. One was a long time substitute teacher named Roberta King. One was an iraqi woman who survived 3 car bombs in her native iraq and left behind

Health@Heart

Metformin: The truth

PhiliP S. chuA, Md, FAcS, FPcS One of the most popular and very useful medications today worldwide is Metformin (Glucophage). This drug, whose molecular formula, C4H11n5, was first synthesized in 1929 and clinically introduced in the late 1950s by Jean sterne, a French physician, who named it Glucophage, meaning glucose eater. in the United states, this drug was approved for type 2 diabetes by the FDA in 1994 and was marketed as Glucophage on March 3, 1995. evidence based clinical practice of today uses Metformin as the first-line oral drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially those who are overweight, according to the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Physicians. in spite of its widespread global use and hundreds of millions benefiting from it, there are misleading and egregious assertions by some manufacturers of alternative herbal preparations for diabetes that Metformin is useless and dangerous. These are irresponsible claims in order for the uninformed and the gullible individuals to buy and use their products instead. These products,

which have not been studied by the food and drug administration of the United states, the Philippines, or other countries, could be untested, unrefined, adulterated, contaminated, and are unsafe and possibly toxic in the long run.

How does Metformin work?

Contrary to some understanding, Metformin does not directly lower blood sugar like insulin does. Metformin acts to reduce the insulin resistance of the body cells to allow our own natural insulin to enter the cells to enable normal sugar metabolism. A significant number of type 2 diabetes suffer from insulin resistance that prevents insulin from entering the cells and doing its normal job, so the blood sugar goes up.

Metformin reduces the resistance and improves the sensitivity of our body tissues in order for insulin to work more effectively. it also lowers the production of blood sugar in the liver. Again, on its own, Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Are ampalaya preparations as effective? no. Ampalaya (bitter melon), a vegetable-fruit dish commonly prepared in Asian countries, has been found to lower blood sugar levels a little,but not significantly enough to be effective in controlling the blood sugar levels among diabetics. in spite of this limitation and lack of efficacy, ampalaya preparations (pills,

a devastated family, a daughter at the sorbonne in Paris and another daughter, a Fulbright scholar.

All these lives were cut off by one sorry excuse for a human being in one fell swoop.

Among ordinary families from all strata and from nearly every ethnic group, there has also been a rash of killings among fathers who have decided to kill themselves because of their failures and are taking their whole family with them.

On rare occasions, it is a mother who does it. sometimes, the sick and the elderly decide to take matters into their own hands and end it all. The murder suicide rate among families is on the rise, thankfully not in epidemic proportions just yet as to cause panic.

After all the news vans are gone from the crime scene, after the vacuous words of any sitting president have been said, after all references to the story are buried in the inside pages and eventually PAGE B6

potions, lotions, teas) are on the shelves of many stores, claiming to lower blood sugar level, aimed at scamming the ignorant and gullible public. This is fraudulent because there have been reports of diabetics who stopped their prescribed medications and took these ampalaya preparations instead and have gone into diabetic comma. While eating ampalaya, a succulent dish, is a good idea for everyone, especially for diabetics, the use of the ampalaya preparations on the market as a substitute for (instead of) the prescription medication for diabetes is very dangerous and could be fatal.

What are the other uses of Metformin?

An amazing versatile drug, Metformin is also used for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, and there are some limited suggestions that it may prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer complications of diabetes.

More clinical studies are needed to confirm these. its use is not linked to weight gain and higher risk of low blood sugar in contrast to the use of sulfonylureas for diabetes. Metformin also modestly reduces lDl (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. Among obese non-diabetics, Metformin has been observed to be induce some weight loss. There is also a study that suggests Metformin be used as a second-line drug if clomifene PAGE B7

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-28, 2017

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS J U N E 25

Fiesta ng Calamba in Carson, CA The Calamba Association of Southern California invites everyone to the Fiesta ng Calamba (St. John the Baptist Feast Day) on Sunday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be held at the Veterans Sports Complex at 22400 Moneta Ave., Carson, CA 90745. For more information, please contact Teresita Pinuela Hermosura at (626) 335-1008.

“Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab” in Glendale, CA Come to the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 for an unforgettable performance! The Ryan Cayabyab Singers will be joined by local Fil-Am artists, including Giselle Tongi, Annie Nepomuceno, Miguel Vera, The Harana Men’s Chorus, Edsel Sotiangco, Michael Keith, the Los Angeles Young Ambassadors (LAYA), Josie Gonzalez, Louisa Tampi and more from the Pilipino Artist Network. Presented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA in cooperation with FilamARTS, tickets are available at the Alex Theatre box office and online links are posted on www.musicartsevents.com. Venue address is 216 North Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203.

J U N E 29

APALA’s fundraising awards dinner in San Francisco The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)’s San Francisco Chapter will hold a “fundraising awards dinner” on June 29 at 5:30-10 p.m. at Fort McKinley Restaurant (101 Brentwood Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080). APALA will honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating and defending worker and immigrant rights and promoting economic justice. For more information, please call Celia Rivera of APALA-SF at (650) 296-9623.

J U LY 7

Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in concert in Las Vegas Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) will hold a concert at the Flamingo Theatre of the Clark County Library at 7 p.m., with touring guest Annie Nepomuceno and special guest tenor Edward Granadosin. Front acts are Michael Perez and Esmeralda Padilla. Please call Dr. Mike Santa Juana at (516) 669-5834, Art Jerus (702) 738-8029 or Randolph Umali (702) 985-5724 for inquiries.

J U LY 8

United Batanguenos of Southern California Induction in Los Angeles The United Batanguenos of Southern California will hold its induction of officers on Saturday, July 8 at Casa Italiana in Los Angeles. Millie Moncada will be inducted as new governor. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For other related questions please call Millie at (818) 322-9429; Cely Anuran (805) 630-3377 or Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391. Casa Italiana is located at 1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

J U LY 2 0

LEAP’s 35th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) is proud to celebrate 35 years of ”Growing Leaders” on Thursday, July 20 and the leadership of individuals that exemplify LEAP’s mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian and Pacific Islanders through leadership, empowerment, and policy. Proceeds from the event will be used to develop LEAP’s innovative leadership programs, cutting-edge public policy research, and nationwide community building. This year’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will be like no other gala that LEAP has had in the past. LEAP’s 35th Anniversary Celebration will be an eventful evening that will be both interactive and experiential. With an abundance of food and friends, LEAP will celebrate those who have shaped the organization, those who have been impacted by the organization, and those who continue to grow as Asian and Pacific Islander leaders and dream big. Honores for the individual leadership award include Fatima Bustos-Choy, Phd, founder of Gaia Flow Consulting and CEO And owner of Body & Brain Holistic Wellness Center; Kenneth Kasamatsu, advisor to the CEO, E-Central Credit Union / The Pacific Bridge Companies, and founder of Pacific Commerce Bank ; Geri Mannion, program director, U.S. Democracy and Special Opportunities Fund at Carnegie Corporation of New York; and Paul Ong, director of the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge at UCLA. The David R. Barclay Alumni Leadership Award will be presented to Scott Chan, program director for the Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement and Patricia A. Neilson, director of Asian American Student Success at University of Massachusetts Boston. The VIP & general reception will begin at 5 p.m., while the program is from 7 to 10 p.m. It will be held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (244 South San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90012). Attire is business. To RSVP, visit www.leap.org/celebration_tickets. For more information about registration, contact Mayta Lor at (213) 485-1422 x 4105 or mlor@leap.org.

J U LY 2 1 -23

Filipino Caucus Family Retreat in Lake Hughes, CA The Filipino Caucus of the California Pacific Annual Conference (CALPAC) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is inviting its members to a family retreat to be held from July 21 to 23. The venue will be the scenic Oak Camps and Conference Center (18651 Pine Canyon Road, Lake Hughes, California). The Rev. Dr. Bener Agtarap, Associate General Secretary of the UMC Board of Discipleship Ministry will be the resource person and guest speaker during the three- day gathering to be marked with group discussions and fellowship. “Rekindling the Flame” will be the theme of this retreat. According to Rev. Nelson Castorillo, the Filipino Caucus president, the goal of the retreat is re-igniting and rekindling the symbolic flame representing the spirit and unity of this growing group of Filipino-American Methodists and hoping this type of gathering will reenergize and revitalize the Church.

The Rosewood UMC, headed by Ding Lapus, is coordinating the event. He is assisted

by Noribel Taguba, Vicky Ignacio, Dennis Mañacop, Auring Garcia, John Umaguing, Revs.

Manny Predas and Lisa Santiago. Food and lodging for three days is $148 and $103 for children 7-12 years old. Check is payable to the Filipino Caucus, PO Box 10435, Glendale, CA 91209. For more information please call Rev. Nelson (909) 538-7606 or email at nelsonpreacher@gmail.com.

SEptEmbER 1-4

Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept.

2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.

O c tO b E R 1 4

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

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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Features

B June 22-28, 2017 • LAS VeGAS ASIAn JOuRnAL

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The latest makeup trend Richard Gutierrez: ‘I’m a totally for your summer look different person now’

by Gabbie

By Monet

TaTad Philstar.com

Lu

DON’T you just love it when summer is approaching? I love how the sun sets so late and how it makes you feel like you have more daytime hours. Not to mention, plenty of things you can still do ‘til the sun goes down at about 7 or 8 p.m. And since you have so much “solarpowered” energy, you seem to be active and glowing throughout the day.

Speaking of glowing, there’s a new makeup trend that has been strutting its way to the limelight. This new trend gives your bronzer and contour kit their much-needed downtime because it gives way to dewy and glowy skin. Step aside contour, and give me some STrOBE! Strobing, as makeup experts call it, is the latest makeup trend we’ve seen on runway models, vloggers and well, everyone.

And just like I mentioned earlier, it practically skips the chiseled features of a full contour in favor of dewy skin that glimmers in all the right places.

To make a clearer contrast, let’s talk about contouring and how it’s different from strobing.

Contour was popularized by Kim Kardashian and it’s one of the best beauty tricks that was introduced to us. Blending your makeup to achieve those killer cheekbones, a “painted” nose job, and a thinner face gives you unbelievable results. But as the summer heat rises, the feeling of foundations and powder (or cream) layered on your face becomes too heavy for a typical summer day.

Enter: strobing – in all its glorious highlights.

As opposed to contouring, strobing does the complete opposite of using a thick blend of darker and lighter shades to chisel your facial features, such as the cheeks, nose and chin.

The only product you’ll need for strobing is an illuminating highlighter —and lots of it.

Forget the chiseled look that you get from painting your face with graphic lines of bronzer and blush because this “anti-contour” look is life-changing. Aside from it being “melt-proof,” the

luminous look is just pretty – plus, wearing it is much more appropriate – and do-able before you do your summer activities (i.e. beach, hiking, etc.)

Teach me how to strobe Strobe—even the word makes you want to dance—or maybe, it’s just me.

Strobing relies solely on highlighters and natural light to define your face to radiate a youthful look. While contouring requires the use of multiple products, strobing is a lot simpler and involves finding where the natural light hits, like the cheekbones, brows, nose and chin, and using the highlighter to define that area. Unlike contouring which often leaves a matte finish, strobing delivers a shimmery effect.

You can achieve this look by getting a glowy base for your makeup and apply a generous amount to your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, below your brow bone, and at the corners of your eye, then blending in with your fingers or a sponge.

It’s the perfect lightweight, radiant look.

Some may ask if it’s applicable to all skin tones – and my answer is, yes. If you are a fair to medium tone, you may use shades leaning on the champagne-y shade. If you are tanned to dark, you would want to use golds and deeper bronzed shades. For the fairer skin tones, you don’t want to use anything that’s too deep.

Mastering the look is not that hard. You start with a clear, smooth complexion. Then apply a lightweight, iridescent-tinted moisturizer to the face and neck,

blending well. There are so many strobe-oriented products out there. They come in liquid, cream and powder form. Choose what suits your skin best. Next, you’ll want to apply a highlighter to the most prominent areas of your face, including the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and the upper-middle forehead. A helpful trick would be to picture where the sunlight hits most directly and apply there. For a final touch, apply a light, slightly-shimmery translucent powder to set the look.

Achieve a full summer strobey look by letting your radiant skin be the star. Keep the rest of your look simple. Strong eyebrows and a little mascara are all you need.

This makeup trend is so right up my alley. I love a fresh and natural look. Even my clients can attest to that. What better way to enjoy a summer glow but to don a fresh, youthful — but still welldefined — complexion, sans the traditional contouring.

Whoever thought of strobing is a genius, I am definitely a fan! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon. com or email him at monetsalon@ aol.com

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

THErE is a certain serenity to richard Gutierrez. It could very well be the lack of sleep that so many personalities in the film industry and in general adulthood bemoan — “I can’t remember the last time I had eight hours or more,” Gutierrez chuckles — but it seems to run much deeper.

The man, with his strong stance and soft expressions, seems to be physically present while his mind wanders to a deeper place.

He smiles when he talks about riding bikes in Zambales and photographing wildlife in unspoiled territory, but even his excitement, although palpable, is tempered.

It’s hard to imagine richard Gutierrez as someone who would ever put the sagad in Sagada, but it seems that the man who sits before us now is at a largely different point in his life where he feels that he is changed.

“Friends are telling me now that I’m a totally different person.” Gutierrez pauses, before saying with a huge laugh, “I’m not sure if that’s good!” Amusement aside, Gutierrez recounts going out frequently and constantly, never really wanting to go home and always looking for the next thing. “When you’re young, you’re in your mid-20s, and you have money and you have fame, it’s a bit hard to control, to take hold of your life. So I kind of experienced that, like a whirlwind,” he says.

Indeed, much of Gutierrez’s life has mimicked a whirlwind.

His return to the Philippines in his youth, following studies in the United States, included scheduling showbiz for the weekends as he and his brother raymond were meant to pursue further studies. Showbiz, however, had other plans. Before he knew it, Gutierrez was in deep and slowly but surely burning out from a life that was characteristically both high-pressured and routinary. “I really wanted, I really needed, a step back from everything,” says Gutierrez, and that’s exactly what he did.

The year off Gutierrez took a year off from show business to set his priorities in order, which meant assessing friendships, investing more time in his family, as well as exploring a passion project that combines his love for nature and adventure.

He loves traveling to far-flung areas, which he photographs, and has quietly been compiling an exploration of wildlife visible in these areas for a book. He comes alive when talking about it, saying it should be on everyone’s bucket list to go to Tonga Island in Oceania to swim with humpback whales, and his desire to explore Costa rica and the Svalbard Islands in Norway. But once his feet are back on local soil, his greater adventure is with his relationship with his son Zion.

Richard Gutierrez

“I’ve heard that many, many times: ‘It’s going to change your life.’ But during the time that they were telling me, I was like, ‘How is that going to change my life?’ It just comes naturally. I think it’s just your responsibility, your love and your responsibility in one,” Gutierrez says about fatherhood. He talks about wanting to be a more modern parent, more relaxed and a warmer, less intimidating figure in his child’s life. “Sarah and I just want to be cool parents to my kid. We want to be his friend. I want him to consider me his buddy. If he has any problems, I want him to tell me. I’ll try to help him out in whatever ways I can, and also try to give him his freedom. I want him to have options; whatever his passion is, I’ll be supportive.

I’m not going to try to control him towards something, I want to find out what his strengths are.” With all the time he was spending at home, Gutierrez calls himself a homebody these days, and does so with pride. “I can’t say that I have regrets. Of course, during the time that you’re making mistakes, you’re going to tell yourself, ‘Why the hell did I do that?’ But at this point in my life, I’ve accepted all of my mistakes and I think it’s shaped me now into who I am today, which I’m thankful for.”

The year ahead It’s been said that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. At this point in Gutierrez’s hiatus, he had begun to believe that another whole life was meant for him professionally. His passion project was taking shape, he had slated 2017 to be the year he finished taking photographs that would be essential to the variety of content in the book, in order to publish and release by the summer of 2018. How odd,

then, that a talent like Gutierrez whose name has been synonymous with GMA 7 for years and years, should get an irresistible offer from its greatest rival, ABSCBN. The offer was juicy: it was to play a centuries-old vampire, the strongest of the lot, with a traumatic history that had turned him somewhat antagonistic and rather complex. It would be a series in the next installment of the network’s long-running Lobo franchise, called La Luna Sangre, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, already starring some of the biggest names in the industry today: Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, John Lloyd Cruz, and former Mulawin co-star Angel Locsin.

It is moments like these that are defining to an actor, as to whether or not they are truly actors. Most creative people at some point try to walk away from lives built around performance because it asks too much of their soul and takes too much from their bodies, minds, and hearts.

But those who are meant for that life and that career find that it haunts them, the desire to create and to be a part of that storytelling process. Gutierrez was no different. He realized how much he missed the craft, and working with able directors and solid crew who cared about the stories they told, and creating characters that were practically a second skin to him. Compounding that piqued interest was the idea of being his own man outside of the GMA umbrella, which had been his home for so long, and seeing what life would be like on the other side of the fence.

Gutierrez muses, “To connect with a different audience, to connect with a different set of eyes; there’s a lot of loyal ABS-CBN followers that are different from GMA followers. And it’s nice to be able to connect to them as well.

They have massive reach across the world, so a lot of Sarah’s family and friends in Switzerland are so happy to finally be able to see me there. That alone is something nice.”

Gutierrez is also slated to star in a romance film opposite Locsin, a reunion that has fans of the former love team abuzz.

He seems to be taking it all in, and even seems surprised when we ask him about his social media presence, not realizing how intimate fans have become with their idolized celebrities, waking up to their most unfiltered moments on Snapchat and Instagram Stories.

His eyes widen hearing about how his co-actors Bernardo and Padilla have grown accustomed to being followed home by fans, and he exclaims, “And I’m playing the antagonist! I’m going to have to deal with that!” He laughs, but doesn’t seem too shaken — the mark of someone born and bred with skin thick enough to tackle PAGE B7

Kindness as the antidote for the...

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ground to a halt on the internet, and when the grieving families have no more tears to shed, many questions as to why such things happen with alarming frequency remain unanswered.

There seems to be a moral turpitude that ails a society when some of its members regard murder suicide as an option. This much is certain — when extreme hubris rules the heart and mind, there will always be a lack of personal responsibility and accountability when something goes wrong.

It would always be because of someone else’s fault or because of a set of circumstances. We tend to blame everything else but ourselves. The tendency to shirk responsibility is probably wired into our DNA right at the Garden of Eden with Eve playing the blame game early on. The devil made me do it. So did Adam.

The woman gave me the apple. It is our inability, due to pride, the deadliest of all human failings, to own up to sin. And so it was with the fallen angels.

There’s only one antidote to pride for us mere mortals and that is to cultivate daily a grateful, humble heart that thanks God for every moment of life on earth. Our Blessed Mother exemplifies the kind of heart that bears all. That is why she is worthy of emulation.

“Thou shalt not kill” is a commandment that holds in good times and in bad. There’s no moral relativism on this. Each is precious to God or He wouldn’t have sacrificed His own Son if He didn’t think we were worth the time and trouble. Each murder is a grievous sin against the Holy Spirit from whom all life comes. It is us who has discounted our own worth.

Part of the reason we have discounted the value of human life is that modern society has become so desensitized to violence and

death via the content in films, games and media that pass for entertainment these days, that we take life for granted as though it means nothing.

Does hell exist? How is punishment meted out in the afterlife?

In the physical universe, scientists claim that there are black holes in the known universe that can’t be seen by human eyes but with gravitation so strong that it suctions, as in a whirling cosmic cauldron stirred by mighty forces, all the stars and planetary systems that come within its orbit, so strong that not even light can escape.

Need a visual image for hell aside from Dante’s Inferno? Black holes could fit the bill as a repository for lost souls, a cold, dark, fetid, state of gnawing pain and bitter regret, filled with the piercing screams of the damned, without the presence of God for all eternity, and forever blotted out from all memory except their own.

Is it possible that the morally bankrupt and depraved, regard the taking of a life as an option when things do not go their way or when the course of their lives hit a snag and overweening pride tells them to end it all, instead of getting down on their knees to pray to the God of their beings for the humility, the courage and the strength to endure?

Gone is the fear of God, much less the love of God. As we steer farther and farther away from God and place something else in the center of our lives, scenarios of helplessness and despair such as what we are witnessing more frequently these days may be expected to unfold with eerie regularity.

Many of us have become egocentric, overly individualistic, selfabsorbed individuals. Perhaps during this period of testing, we would be a lot happier, healthier

and less prone to veer towards lives of quiet desperation if we focused less and less on ourselves and more on the welfare of the other person and commit spontaneous, frequent acts of kindness and generosity to family members, total strangers and even those we struggle to love. It would be a tough slog but doable.

ACTS OF KINDNESS, countless and given without expectations of return are the ANTIDOTE to the darkness of depression and thoughts of murder-suicide.

These are like shafts of bright light that warm the human heart.

There was one telling incident I never quite forgot. Long ago, I was running breathlessly huffing and puffing in my stilettos to drop some coins on a parking meter on Wilshire Boulevard I knew had expired because of a long, drawnout presentation I was making on the upper floor of a nearby high rise.

Fortunately, I narrowly missed getting a thirty-some dollar fine from the parking enforcer because a panhandler had dropped some coins for my car’s meter, from his can of coins. It stunned me to see him feeding all the meters that were expiring on that block.

Of course, he may have been merely trying to annoy the heck out of the parking enforcer. Who knows? I only saw the kindness in the act. That stayed with me.

From then on, I would remember and always be inspired by the completely anonymous gesture of that person who had practically nothing but still gave of the little he had.

That’s when I knew kindness is contagious like the flu. n *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

EntErtainmEnt

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 22-28, 2017

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Yassi Pressman: Proud daddy’s girl Dennis Trillo & his daddy duties

by Jan

Milo severo Philstar.com

IT is no secret how much actress yassi Pressman loves her father Ronnie, just like every “daddy’s girl” out there.

Everyone was touched when yassi cried as she missed her father’s birthday for the first time in her life, a scene shown on the reality TV show “Pinoy Big Brother” last year.

Now, in the outside world, yassi makes it a point that even she is busy, she and dad will celebrate Father’s Day together.

“I hope na wala akong taping.

Pero as of now, meron akong schedule. So gagawin ko na lang, papaagahan ko nalang yung work para matapos nang maaga. Sana we’ve got to finished early para makapagdinner kami. Ganun lang. Simple lang,” yassi told Philstar.com.

Since she is being raised by her “single dad,” the actress, popularly known as Alyana in the hit teleserye “Ang Probinsyano,” and her 88-year-old father have

PAGE B5

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

Actress Yassi Pressman and the dads in her lives: With dad Ronnie (left) and with her husband in the soap “Ang Probinsyano,” Coco Martin.

formed a strong bond - just like best friends. Her father was even in Trinoma to accompany yassi when she judged the Jack ‘n Jill Calbee Dance Challenge.

“He’s amazing. He’s everything that I needed,” yassi said. yassi is currently busy with her role in the “Ang Probinsyano” and will have a movie soon titled, “Ang Pambansang Thirdwheel.”

Also, yassi encourages dancers out there to join the Do The Calbeats Dance Challenge online,

where participants are invited to make their own Calbeat dance covers to be posted publicly on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

For his part, Ronnie said he is really proud of what yassi has achieved so far.

“She made me the luckiest man in the world. I really am proud of her. She does have remarkable talent. I remember when she was a little thing in my hand and now she’s a big girl,” Ronnie shared.

Metformin: The truth

treatment fails in the management of infertility among women.

Can Metformin prevent diabetes?

Among those with pre-diabetes, who are at risk of developing full-blown type 2 diabetes, treatment with Metformin has been found to reduce the chances of developing this metabolic disease.

The same may be achieved with intensive regimented physical exercise done religiously, at least 20 minutes 5 days a week, as shown by the US Diabetes Prevention Program of lifestyle modification.

This non-medication, exercise strategy, could lower the incidence of diabetes by 58 percent.

Medical research on this continues to confirm these findings.

Does Metformin improve longevity?

This wonderful drug appears to increase longevity, at least in mice in the experimental laboratory, by a mean life span of 37.8 percent.

Findings like this are extrapolated to be applicable among humans.

There is scientific evidence that hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels) are significant factors both in aging and development of cancer. The life prolonging effects of dieting (caloric restriction)

has been attributed to decreasing IGF-1 (insulin growth factor-1), so eating less than maximal will reduce the need for the body to secrete more insulin and its level would go down, including body weight, and eventually in the long run slowing down aging and cancer risk. As my late teacher, Dr. Fe del Mundo, an internationally renowned pediatrician-scientist who lived to almost 100, still treating patients at age 94, stated, her secret to longevity was to push herself “away from the dining table less than full.”

What are the side effects of Metformin?

Metformin is well tolerated by most. Mild diarrhea is the usual initial side effect that is transient, which stops after a day or so.

Nausea, abdominal pains, flatulence have been reported but they are mild and temporary. If taken in overly large doses, it causes high blood lactic acid level. This drug is contraindicated among those with kidney or liver disease.

Long term use of Metformin leads to vitamin B-12 deficiency, and increase in the homocysteine level, which increases the risk for hardening of the arteries. Vitamin B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid might be considered by the attending physician for these. Among pregnant

women with gestational diabetes, insulin is the preferred treatment, although there is no clear evidence that Metformin causes harm among these patients. If the side effects continue for days, which is not common, medical consultation is advised.

Is it safe to self-medicate with Metformin?

As a rule, it is never safe to selfmedicate or share medications with anyone, even with over-thecounter drug, unless prescribed by a physician. Allergy and unexpected untoward reactions, side effects, and unforeseen complication, sometimes fatal, can occur in some individuals. Metformin and all other medications must be taken under the guidance of a physician, who knows your personal circumstances and health. *** 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

By this time, Dennis Trillo has already returned to Manila from Baguio City where he spent the weekends with son Calix, and his family in celebration of Dennis’ mom’s birthday. It was last Thursday afternoon — and before heading straight to Baguio — when Dennis granted an interview with the entertainment press, including The STAR, and shared that he always makes it a point to bond with Calix whenever he is free from tapings for GMA 7’s primetime telefantasya Mulawin vs Ravena where he reprises the role of Gabriel, a Ravena who is now King of Halconia.

Summing up the kind of father that he is, the Kapuso actor admitted to be a spoiler with reasons that are acceptable and display nothing but absolute love for his child. “I want to give all the best to him and everything that will make him happy. Natutuwa kasi ako ‘pag happy ‘yung anak ko s’yempre so as much as possible lahat ng pwedeng magpasaya sa kanya binibigay ko talaga.”

But it doesn’t mean Dennis would allow Calix to go beyond the boundaries of good manners and right conduct. When things do not work out fine, Dennis does not resort to pulling out the rod.

He believes it is best to talk things in a manner that can be easily understood by a child. “We sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk so I could very well explain to him the pros and cons of his actions. My son is smart so he easily absorbs what I tell him.”

Dennis said that his son, who is turning 10 on Sept. 22, once told him that he also wanted to be an actor “probably because he sees what I am doing but I think he is too young to decide on his future so there are still much time ahead of him to think what he really wants to be.

“If I were to choose for him, definitely hindi pag-aartista be-

Dennis Trillo, who topbills the GMA 7 telefantasya Mulawin vs Ravena, never fails to spend quality time with son Calix.

cause I want him to explore other possibilities. I want him to be successful in another field although I cannot exactly tell now which one. Feeling ko mas sa arts but I want him to excel more on the academics.”

The proud dad shared that his son has an ear for good music. At a young age, he excels in playing the guitar and pounding on the beat with drums. In fact, Calix is often assigned as the drummer boy of their school choir during Mass.

“I taught him basic lessons on drums when he was small so now he’s quite familiar with them and until this time, we still practice to improve his skills.”

Apart from their passion for music, father and son also love watching movies and playing basketball and video games at home.

Dennis has put up a home theater for them to spend quality time on days when Calix stays with him and is free from schoolwork.

“Habanglumalaki s’ya, the possibilities of having fun together get a lot wider. That’s why, I always make sure to be with him every chance I get.”

Asked if Calix knows that his dad is romantically attached to Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis affirmed with a nod and went on to say that his son also gets to bond with the actress whom he calls Tita Jen.

“We go out together and I usually bring him to Jen’s place. Calix has nothing against the relationship probably because he knows that I am happy with Jen.” Unlike other kids who frown on their parents having respective partners after a breakup, Calix understands his parents’ situation. According to Dennis, it is normal for the child to ask but not all parents are willing to tell the truth “because they don’t want to hurt their child but in truth you just have to be honest. It is harder to keep a secret and once the child learns that you are telling a lie, he might get traumatized. It is really important to be transparent.”

He continued, “In our case, my son was curious and eager to find answers to his questions and I answered him without excuses.

I told him the truth and I am thankful that he is smart enough to understand and adjust to the situation.” No wonder, Dennis said that Calix gets along too well with his half-siblings in his mom Carlene Aguilar’s side.

What similarities does Dennis share with Calix?

“Aside from our passion for music and arts, I think Calix and I are both sweet. Sobrang sweet n’ya at yung pagiging malambing.

There are times when he is in a ‘bad boy’ mood but once he shook off that kind of vibe, he would return to being sweet.”

Richard Gutierrez: ‘I’m a totally different...

PAGE B6 his chosen career.

Now, more than ever, Gutierrez seems poised to become the actor he’s always wanted, after finally understanding what it means to fit in his own skin. We ask him if with all these changes, and with a new network to call home, if there

are any particularly difficult challenges he’s faced. “Getting in the building,” he says with a laugh, of entering ABS-CBN. (Anyone who’s ever taken a meeting there knows it’s far more secure than Fort Knox, every corner equipped with security and RFID access.)

We quip that it’s easier to get

into an airport than it is to enter the network’s offices, and he laughs even harder. “So far, that’s the greatest challenge.” And if that’s the case, if the hardest part is entering a building that’s opened its doors to his arrival, then this is going to be one hell of a comeback.

B June 22-28, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ LAS VeGAS ASIAn JOuRnAL

http://www.asianjournal.com â&#x20AC;˘ (702) 792-6678

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