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DATELINE

s e p t e mbe r 2 4 - 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

Papal visit: Pope welcomed to the US

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Fil-Am nominated to head Defense Health Agency PresIDent Barack obama has nominated a filipina for a high-ranking promotion in the United states navy. rear Admiral raquel C. Bono, who was promoted in september 2014, was nominated by the president to the rank of Vice Admiral and for the position of Defense health Agency (DhA) director. she cur-

Pope Francis addresses President Obama, urges action on global issues, and celebrates Mass by allyson

esCobar

AJPress

on his first day in the Us, Pope francis has begun his full agenda, bringing together political leaders and thousands of believers from around the nation. the Pope arrived in the afternoon on tuesday, sept. 22 at Joint Base Andrews

in maryland, where he was welcomed

by President obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their families. his trip to the Us will last six days, visiting Washington D.C., new York, and Philadelphia.

Pope francis, 78, is the third pope to visit the nation’s capital, and the fourth to visit the United states--nearly 50 years

after Pope Paul IV made the first visit by a pontiff in 1965.

Before his arrival, the Pope spent four days in Cuba visiting with religious leaders and families, and celebrating holy mass at the Basilica of the shrine of the Virgin of Charity in santiago.

Pope francis was welcomed

at the White house on the morning of Wednesday, sept. 23, greeting thousands who eagerly waited for hours on the south Lawn for a glimpse of the roman Catholic Church leader. he arrived in a modest black fiat at the south Portico of the White house, where obama PAGE A2

PAGE A3

Fil-Am teen pleads not guilty in killing of 8-year-old girl A fILIPIno-American teenager who was charged as an adult in the murder of an 8-year-old girl earlier this year in santa Cruz, California, pleaded not guilty monday, sept. 21.

Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, 15, faces one count of murder with the special circumstance that he allegedly kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and tied up madyson “maddy” middleton before killing her, according to santa Cruz County District PAGE A4

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe are leading the latest Social Weather Stations presidential survey.

SWS presidential survey: Poe, Binay, Roxas ‘statistically tied’

by Catherine

s. Valente ManilaTimes.net

neXt year’s presidential elections would be a neck and neck race among the top three frontrunners, results of the latest social Weather stations (sWs) survey said.

According to the sWs presidential preference survey, sen.

Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Interior secretary manuel roxas II are “statistically tied.”

HISTORIC MEETING. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave goodbye to Pope Francis as his motorcade departs Joint Base White House photo by Pete Souza PAGE A2 Andrews, Md., on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

16 Filipino fishermen sue Coloma denies NY Times China at UN over sea dispute report stating PH requested $300 million in military aid

by Gabriel

Cardinoza Inquirer.net

The Hillary for Nevada campaign organizers hosted a potluck-style Filipino Kamayan Dinner, where volunteers and staffers feasted on lechon and other staple dishes with Filipino supporters from southern Nevada.

InfAntA, Pangasinan—sixteen fishermen from this western Pangasinan town on tuesday, sept.

22 appealed to the United nations to ask China to respect their rights over their traditional fishing grounds in the scarborough shoal in the West Philippine sea.

In a 26-page petition e-mailed to the Un high Commissioner for human rights and to the Un special rapporteurs on the right to food and on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, the fishermen said that China must respect their right to livelihood,

adequate food and life. the petition was signed by mario tabat, 59; Domingo Cabacungan, 43; elmer roldan, 28; edwin roldan, 23; Alladin muñoz, 44; Bonifacio Villaram, 32; rani espinosa, 36; francisco Bugawe, 45; sonny sibulan, 24; oliver Bejar, 25; ruel Beltran, 43; Peljun Poloso, 41; Jowe Legaspi, 45; Vicente Paluan Jr., 38; ricardo Paluan, 46; and eddie salvador, 30. they were represented by lawyers harry roque Jr. and Gilbert Andres of the Center for International Law Inc., a nongovernment organization. roque said that since April PAGE A3

Hillary for Nevada campaign plans Filipino community outreach In efforts to elect hillary Clinton as the next president of the United states, the hillary for nevada campaign has reached out to the filipino community in Las Vegas.

Last week, campaign organizers hosted a potluck-style filipino Kamayan Dinner, where volunteers and staffers feasted on lechon and other staple dishes with filipino supporters from southern nevada. “our campaign is focused on meeting volunteers where they spend time, building community, and getting people from all backgrounds engaged in our effort to elect hillary Clinton,”

said Don Andres, a filipinoAmerican organizer supporting hillary Clinton who has family in the Philippines. “We want to run a campaign that looks like nevada, and that means reaching out to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community proactively.” nevada’s filipino population more than doubled from 2000 to 2010; it is the fastest growing population of filipinos in the United states. “filipinos are the largest AAPI constituency in nevada,” said Ian Leviste, a filipino-American organizer with the campaign.

PAGE A3

seafood footer ad

by aGnes

Constante AJPress

AmID ongoing territorial quarrels about the south China sea, the Aquino administration requested $300 million in military aid from the United states, according to a report by the New York Times. however, Philippine Presidential Communications secretary herminio Coloma, Jr. repudiated the report, citing a lack of explicit information on the claim.

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A

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From The FronT Page

Papal Visit: Pope welcomed to...

SWS presidential survey: Poe, Binay, Roxas...

PAGE A1 greeted and escorted him onto a red-carpeted stage in front of 11,000 ticketed guests.

Obama thanked Pope Francis for his help in facilitating friendly diplomatic relations with Cuba, and hailed him for speaking out for the poor, ill and impoverished, and for his focus on climate change, the New York Times said. “Holy Father, you remind us that we have a sacred obligation to protect our planet--God’s magnificent gift to us,� Obama said. “We support your call to all world leaders to support the communities most vulnerable to a changing climate and to come together to preserve our precious world for future generations.�

After a Marine band played the American national anthem and the Pontifical anthem, Pope Francis stood to make his first major speech in English. “As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families,� he opened. “I look forward to these days of encounter and dialogue, in which I hope to listen to, and share, many of the hopes and dreams of the American people.�

The Pontiff spoke about issues that cut to the heart of American politics, including immigration, climate change, and caring for the poorest of the poor. In his heavy Spanish accent, he also quoted from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dreamâ€? speech. “American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive, to safeguarding the rights of individuals and communities, and to rejecting every form of unjust discrimination‌.we can say that we have defaulted on a promissory note, and now is the time to honor it.â€?

Pope Francis also lifted up the right to religious liberty, calling it “one of America’s most precious possessions,� reported The Huff-

Poe–an independent who declared her intention to vie for the nation’s top-most elective position just last week–got the nod of 26 percent of the 1,200 respondents surveyed while Binay and Roxas got 24 and 20 percentage points, respectively.

The survey, which was reportedly designed by BusinessWorld, asked the respondents to select one name from an alphabeticallyarranged list of possible presidential candidates.

It was conducted from September 2 to 5.

The respondents were asked, “Among the names found in this list, who will you probably vote for as President of the Philippines if elections were held today?�

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came in fourth with 11 percent followed by Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong� Marcos Jr. and Sen. Francis “Chiz� Escudero with 4 percent, deposed president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada

ington Post. “As my brothers, the United States Bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it,� he said.

The Pope applauded Obama for his efforts on reducing air pollution and establishing climate change, calling it a problem that “can no longer be left to a future generation.â€? He quoted from his second encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, which discusses the Catholic teaching on ecology, climate change, and care for the environment: “[‌]We are living at a critical moment of history. We still have time to make the changes needed to bring about a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change.â€? “As Christians inspired by this certainty, we wish to commit ourselves to the conscious and responsible care for our common home.â€?

He finished with a cry for Americans to “support the efforts of the international community to protect the vulnerable in our world,� and to continue fueling “integral and inclusive models of development, so that our brothers and sisters everywhere may know the blessings of peace and prosperity which God calls for all his children.�

After a private meeting with Obama following the ceremony, the Pope held a meeting and prayer service with US bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in D.C., followed by a Holy Canonization Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic Church in the US. At the afternoon mass, Francis canonized Blessed Junipero Serra, an 18th century Spanish Franciscan priest who led the California Missions movement, including nine missions from San Diego to San Francisco. Father Serra became the first saint canonized on US soil.

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The Holy Mass--Pope Francis’ first-ever Mass in the US--was celebrated in Spanish, with at least 20,000 devoted believers in attendance. “You shake our conscience from slumber. You call on us to rejoice in good news and give us confidence that we can come together, in humility and service, and pursue a world that is more loving, more just and more free,�

President Obama told the Pontiff earlier.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Francis will make a historic visit to Capitol Hill, becoming the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress, according to the New York Times. He was invited by House Speaker John A. Boehner. “The pope will not be speaking primarily as a politician. He will not be speaking like a technical expert. He will not be speaking like a high UN official,� said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations. “But he will be speaking, above all, as a pastor, as a religious leader, as a Father.�

Francis is expected to speak about issues close to his heart, once again bringing up the Catholic stance on climate change, immigration issues, and religious freedom. He will also likely touch upon sensitive issues that divide him from popular American thought, including abortion and the definition of marriage. “Pope Francis is the ultimate Washington outsider. His priorities are not Washington’s priorities,� John Carr, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, told CNN. “We think we are the center of the world.

We are not the center of Pope Francis’ world.�

Aside from his modest, humble lifestyle, Francis has been known for his blunt critiques of society and global economics, commenting on everything from capitalism to foreign economics.

PAGE A4

PAGE A1

had 3 percent, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago had 2 percent and former senator Manuel Villar Jr., 1 percent.

Former senator Panfilo Lacson and Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Loren Legarda each obtained 0.8 percent.

Two percent of the respondents were undecided.

Meanwhile, Poe and his running mate Escudero led the vicepresidential race in the September 2015 pre-election survey.

Based on the survey, 27 percent of registered voters chose Poe while 20 percent picked Escudero.

Duterte scored 9 percent, Marcos had 7 percent, Estrada had 7 percent, Cayetano 5 percent, Legarda 5 percent, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto had 4 percent, Senator Antonio F. Trillanes 4th also had 4 percent, Lacson had 3 percent, Camarines Rep. Leni Robredo had 3 percent, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada had 2 percent and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza,

0.9 percent.

Three percent of those polled were undecided.

Poe said she is looking forward to the next survey, which she said would reflect how the people take her intention to be the next leader of the land. “I thank our countrymen for their continued confidence in me and my performance and hopes for the country,� she told reporters. “I’m looking forward to the proceeding surveys where the respondents are already aware of my intention to run and have also had a preview of the programs I wish to promote and support,� the senator said.

Rico Quicho, the Vice President’s political spokesman, said the survey will inspire Binay and his supporters to work harder. “The elections will be a battle for every single vote and the Vice President will continue to personally meet with the people around the country,� Quicho added.

Coloma denies NY Times report stating...

PAGE A1 “Wala tayong tuwirang information tungkol diyan at kailangan muna nating alamin kung ano ang isinasaad ng ulat na ‘yan at berepikahin kung merong batayan (We don’t have any direct information about that matter and we first need to know what the report said and verify if there is proof),� Coloma said in a press briefing, according to Philstar.

The Sept. 19 report by the Times stated that the Philippines’ request was rejected on the grounds of potential corruption and worries about the country’s ability to handle such an incoming of resources.

A Philippine official who spoke to the Times on the condition of anonymity said the Aquino administration requested for the aid this year because “it needs a substantial buildup of planes and ships to deter Chinese expansionism.�

Philippine lawmakers in 1991 voted to expel American troops from the country to break free from the “shackles of dictatorship.� But with continuing disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines is considering whether or not to invite the US Navy back to Subic Bay, according to the Times, a naval base that was involved in nearly each American conflict in the 20th century.

Last year, the Philippine government signed a 10-year agreement that would allow America to station weapons, troops and military equipment at bases throughout the country, which would prepare for the return of America to some facilities, such as Subic Bay and Clark Air Base, the Times reported.

However, the arrangement faces legal challenges and mixed feelings from Filipinos, who largely perceive the United States in a positive light but are unsure about American troops being stationed in the Philippines. Furthermore, there are worries about how China could respond to American aid. “When the elephants brawl, ants should be spared,� said Rene Augusto Saguisag, among a group of former senators who voted to dismiss American troops in 1991, according to the Times. Saguisag has also petitioned the Philippines Supreme Court to block the military agreement. “The US and China should leave us alone and not involve us in the quarrels of the strong.�

Secretary Coloma dismissed the claim in the Times’ report, based on the fact that US military bases are not permitted to operate in the Philippines. “Labag sa Konstitusyon ‘yung pagkakaroon ng mga foreign military troops. At kahit kailanman ay hindi gumagawa ng la-

bag sa Konstitusyon o batas ang ating pamahalaan. Kaya walang batayan at walang katotohanan ang paratang na iyan (It’s against the [Philippine] Constitution to have foreign military troops. And our government has never committed any violations against the Constitution or the laws of our government. There is no proof and there is no truth to that accusation),� Coloma said, according to Philstar.

In the disputed territory that China has pushed to established as its own, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam are among other countries claiming certain parts of it. However, China’s efforts have affected the Philippines the most. “The fight hasn’t even started yet, and it looks like the Philippines government has already surrendered,� Renato Etac, 35, a fishing boat captain who says Chinese vessels in the area routinely chase and attempt to ram his ship, told the Times. “I can’t even count the Chinese ships I see, there are so many.�

If the pact between the US and Philippines pulls through, America would be able to position itself less than 500 miles away from the new islands built

by China. “The issue of the West Philippines Sea is a shared responsibility of the Philippines and the United States,� said Fernando Manalo, a Philippine defense official, according to the Times.

However, US Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), told the publication it would take time for the two countries to re-establish a trust. “If you look what happened in Subic Bay, that was a pretty abrupt turnaround by the Philippines. I think memory probably lingers both in the Philippines and the United States,� Sullivan said.

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country Commissioned in June 1979, Rear Admiral Raquel Bono received her baccalaureate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and attended medical school at Texas Tech University, according to her official biography.

As the eldest child, she initially wanted to go into nursing, but her father challenged her to go even further to become a doctor. “[Raquel] was the smart one and very disciplined at everything she did,” brother AB Cruz commented. “Dad set the bar and she raised that bar. Quite frankly, she deserved to make flag before I did.”

Bono was well trained in the health professions; after completing a surgical internship, Trauma and Critical Care fellowship, and her general surgery residency at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She was the first woman to graduate from the program.

“What I enjoyed about being in the Navy was that I always felt confident in my ability to be advanced was going to be based on my capabilities and my performance. I felt that I had an equitable opportunity to succeed,” Bono said in a 2012 interview with the Asian Journal.

Shortly after training, Bono saw duty in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as head, Casualty Receiving, Fleet Hospital Five in Saudi Arabia from August 1990 to March 1991. Later, she was stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as a surgeon in the General Surgery department; surgical intensivist in the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and attending surgeon at the Burn Trauma Unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Other prestigious duties/positions she held were director of Restorative Care, medical corps career planning officer, director for Medical-Surgical Services at the National Naval Medical Center, and executive assistant to the 35th

by

The shoal is 240 km from the coastline of Zambales and western Pangasinan and is within the 370km exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Roque cited an incident involving Poloso, a resident of the fishing village of Cato here, whose fishing boat, “Ruvina,” was rammed three times by a Chinese vessel while fishing with his eight crew members at the shoal in March.

“After the Ruvina was rammed,

Agnes ContstAnte AJPress

US Rear Admiral Raquel C. Bono was nominated

by Pres. Barack Obama to the rank of Vice Admiral and for the position of Defense Health Agency director.

Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense

Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

She also held many top positions, such as commanding officer, chief of staff, deputy director of the Office of the assistant secretary of Defense, Health Affairs (OASD/ HA), director of Medical Resources, Plans and Policy (N093), Chief of Naval Operations, and in 2011, the command surgeon of U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, as well as acting commander Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical (2013).

As of 2014, Bono currently serves as director, National Capital Region Medical Directorate of the Defense Health Agency, and as the 11th Chief, Navy Medical Corps.

Bono’s personal decorations and recognitions include Defense Superior Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit Medal (4), Meritorious Service Medal (2), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal (2). She was also awarded in 2009 as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina American Women in the US. “Service to others; service to country,” Bono said of her words to live by. “It was ingrained in us by our father and mother in gratitude to their adopted country, the United States.” (Allyson Escobar/ AJPress)

16 PH fishermen sue China at UN...

PAGE A1 2012 the fishermen have been experiencing harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard and other Chinese maritime agencies.

The Scarborough Shoal, also called Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, is a triangular chain of reefs and rocks surrounding a lagoon. It has a perimeter of 46 kilometers and an area of 150 square kilometers, making it a rich fishing ground.

A

Where GOP candidates stand on foreign policy, Planned Parenthood & the economy

Fil-Am nominated to head...

PAGE A1 rently serves as director of the DHA’s National Capital Region Medical Directorate and the 11th chief of the Navy Medical Corps.

If Bono’s nomination is approved, she will become the highest-ranking Filipino-American naval officer in the US. The news was announced by Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday, Sept. 17.

As DHA director, she will oversee an organization responsible for executing the military health program, including providing common health services for military hospitals and clinics, overseeing Tricare, and managing the system’s information technology, education, training, research and facilities programs.

Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, the Navy surgeon general, has described Bono as a “role model for others to emulate,” acknowledging the contributions of her veteran family.

Bono’s grandfather served as a Filipino obstetrician in the US Army as a colonel during World War II, according to Inquirer.

Twenty years later, Bono’s parents migrated to the US and settled in Minnesota, where her father finished his surgical residency and joined the Navy Reserve, retiring as a captain.

Bono and her younger brother, retired Rear Admiral Anatolio B. “AB” Cruz III, made US Navy history in 2012 when they became the first and only Filipino siblings to hold flag-officer ranks simultaneously, the DHA reported.

Cruz served as deputy commander of the US Naval Forces Southern Command and deputy commander, US Fourth Fleet.

“These two Navy officers are serving as prime examples of the diversity found within the Navy’s ranks,” said a press release from the US Department of Defense in 2012.

Service to others, service to

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

Chinese Coast Guard rubber boats sped toward [Poloso’s fishing boat]. Each rubber boat had 10 personnel on board, some of whom were armed with automatic rifles,” Roque said.

He said Poloso and his crew were also driven out of the shoal

by Chinese Coast Guard personnel using water cannons on three occasions when they went there to fish from January to February this year.

IMMIGRATION was a hot topic during the Republican debate on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, but the top 11 contenders for the GOP presidential nomination also addressed other issues facing the United States, including foreign policy, Planned Parenthood and the economy.

The 11 Republican presidential hopefuls - former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, real estate entrepreneur Donald Trump and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker – took the stage for the primetime debate at 5pm.

Foreign policy Among foreign policy issues raised during the three-hour forum were Russia’s providing of troops and tanks to Syria, the Iran nuclear deal, and the upcoming state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

When it came to the situation with Russia, Trump said he would get along with many world leaders America does not get along with.

“I will get along – I think – with Putin, and I will get along with others, and we will have a much more stable, stable world,” he said.

Fiorina, having met Putin, said America has talked to the Russian leader too much and wouldn’t talk to him at all.

Her approach would involve immediately rebuilding the Sixth Fleet, the missile defense program in Poland and conducting regular aggressive military exercises in the Baltic states.

“I’d probably send a few thousand more troops into Germany. Vladimir Putin would get the message,” she said.

Fiorina said she would also provide Egypt with intelligence and that America could arm the Kurds.

While President Barack Obama’s incoming top military adviser, Gen. Joseph Dunford, said Russia poses the greatest threat to America’s national se-

curity, Cruz disagreed and said the biggest security threat is a nuclear Iran.

He called America’s deal with the Middle Eastern country, which would send more than $100 billion to the Ayatollah Khamenei, “nothing short of catastrophic.” The deal, he said, further abandons four American hostages in the country, speeds up Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons. If elected president, Cruz said he would rip the deal to shreds.

Trump took a position on Iran parallel to Cruz’s, calling the agreement “terrible” and “incompetent.” He then segued into comments on North Korea.

“And nobody ever mentions North Korea where you have this maniac sitting there and he actually has nuclear weapons and somebody better start thinking about North Korea and perhaps a couple of other places. But certainly North Korea.”

Few candidates touched on their stances regarding the upcoming Chinese state dinner at the White House on Sept. 25.

Walker has expressed favor toward canceling the dinner given the country’s currency manipulation and alleged cyberattacks against America, though Paul said, “I don’t think we need to be rash, I don’t think we need to be reckless, and I think we need to leave lines of communication open.”

“It doesn’t mean we give …

China a free pass, but, to be engaged, we need to continue to talk. We did throughout the Cold War, and it would be a big mistake not to do it here,” Paul added.

Planned Parenthood Candidates spoke in harmony about stripping federal funding from Planned Parenthood, citing pro-life values and graphic videos depicting the non-profit organization’s selling of fetal body parts.

Christie and Bush said they had defunded Planned Parenthood in their respective states; Cruz called the videos “horrifying” and encouraged all Americans to view them.

“Seeing your Planned Parenthood officials callously, heartlessly bartering and selling the body parts of human beings, and then ask yourself, ‘Are these my values?’” Cruz said.

Fiorina dared Clinton and

Obama to watch the tapes.

“Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking while someone ways we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. This is about the character of our nation, and we will not stand up in and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us,” Fiorina said.

Dozens of House Republicans have vowed to reject a government funding bill that includes money for Planned Parenthood.

On Friday, Sept. 18, in a nearly partisan 241-187 vote, advanced a bill that would halt federal funding to Planned Parenthood for one year. But the Senate has enough votes from Democrats to stop the measure, while the White House said Obama would veto the legislation if it reaches his desk.

During the debate, candidates expressed determination to defund the organization while averting a government shutdown. Funding for the government expires at the end of September.

“We got to talk about what we would be willing to shut down for. Why don’t we put tax reform on this president’s desk, and make him veto it if that’s what he wants to do? Why haven’t we repealed and replaced Obamacare?” Kasich said.

Bush suggested funding should be redirected from Planned Parenthood to the 13,000 community-based organizations throughout America that offer health services for women.

“There are ways to do it without having to shut the government down, but I’m sympathetic to the fact that we don’t want this organization to get funding, and the money ought to be reprogrammed for family planning in other organizations that don’t support this tactic,” Kasich said.

Economy: Back-and-forth between Fiorina and Trump The state of America’s economy and how to improve it was a topic that elicited candidates’ harping about their track records. Fiorina and Trump were spotlighted in the beginning of the discussion, given their business backgrounds.

The former Hewlett-Packard CEO offered her experience with the company, how she led PAGE A4

A

september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

Hillary for Nevada campaign plans Filipino...

Dateline USa

PAGE A1 “Clark County is required to provide printed voting materials in Tagalog because Filipinos constitute a large portion of the community. Our outreach is culturally competent and focused on meeting where they live, work, and spend their free time.

What we have heard about Hillary Clinton is that many in the Filipino community support her because she has a strong foreign policy record, she will promote small business growth, and she

will protect Social Security and Medicare. We want to continue to amplify that support now through Election Day and will put in the work on the ground to get that done.”

AAPI community leaders attending the Kamayan Dinner included Rozita Lee, Margie Gonzales, Kate Torres-Recto, Susan Rowland, Josefina Beck, Cindy Delos Santos, Michelle Portugal, Christina LlorenteDrost , Julz Martinez, Roy Umali and Felipe Danglapin.

“We support Hillary Clinton because she is for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Kate Torres-Recto, a commercial loan specialist and longtime Asian American community leader. “There is a groundswell of support for her in the Filipino community in Las Vegas because she is the only candidate who has reached out to us and she is the only one with a clear plan to reunite families and prevent our homes from being broken up.”

The Clinton campaign asked attendees to sign “commit to caucus” cards, which are an organizing tool used to secure votes before the Nevada caucus on February 20. They also recruited volunteers and signed attendees up for shifts to do outreach activity. Thus far in the campaign, the Hillary for Nevada team has engaged more than 3,000 volunteers across the state, and that team is growing every day.

“This is a very positive and important way to campaign because we are both sharing our culture and engaging volunteers throughout Las Vegas in a unique way,” said Margie Gonzales. “Hillary’s team is the only team active in the Filipino community, and we are going to make our voices heard come caucus day. We’re not going to forget who was working with us since day one.”

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Report: PH tops Donald Trump’s non-US Facebook likes

by Yuji

Vincent Gonzales Inquirer.net

FILIPINOS comprise a large chunk of the Facebook followers of American businessman and presidential candidate Donald Trump, a report by news and technology site Vocativ said.

Data showed that as of June 2015, the Philippines topped the list of non-US countries with the most likes on Trump’s Facebook page (62, 321), followed by Mexico (59,289), Malaysia (44,344), India (36,936), and South Africa (33,625).

Noting that only 42 percent of Trump’s online fans were Americans, Vocativ said majority of the Republican candidate’s more than a million followers were from developing nations like the Philippines, Malaysia, India, South

Africa, Indonesia and Colombia.

But while saying that it was not unusual for Trump to have followers in developing countries because of his stature as international businessman, the report said he does not have a large Facebook following in countries where he has international properties, like Turkey, Korea, Ireland and Dubai.

“What Trump does have is a large fan base in countries that researchers have deemed hubs for Facebook fraud. Specifically, they are home to “like farms”—services through which companies or individuals can buy Facebook likes using zombie accounts run by people who might be paid as little as $120 a year,” Vocativ said.

“The grossly inflated ratio of Trump’s American followers to

farm-country Facebook fans also suggests that a chunk of his supporters is probably fake. One in every 27 Trump followers is from the Philippines. While presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz also have followers there, only one in 519 Cruz followers and one in 573 Rubio followers are from the Southeast Asian country,” it added.

Citing researcher Michael Fire, who studied two years’ worth of Facebook like activity on Trump’s page, Vocativ said a “significant portion” of Trump’s followers may be a result of Facebook fraud.

“So, how much could Trump be paying for followers? On pages such as BoostLikes, $99 per month gets you 300-400 fans per month.

Other sites charge about $15 per $1,000 likes,” it added.

Papal Visit: Pope welcomed to...

PAGE A2 “Poverty, social justice, climate change, and what we call peaceful institutions and societies,” Archbishop Auza said. “These are also the priorities of the Catholic Church.”

Surveys show broad support among Americans for Pope Francis and his direction in leading the Catholic Church. A New York

Times/CBS News poll found that 41 percent of Americans had a favorable view of Francis, compared with 8 percent of a negative view.

The same poll also found that 63 percent of American Catholics approved of Francis, about 20 percentage points higher than his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis will also address the headquarters of the United

Nations in New York on Sept. 25, where he will meet with world leaders to discuss global issues in light of Catholic perspectives. He will celebrate Holy Mass Friday night at Madison Square Garden, then depart to Philadelphia for the weekend to attend the World Meeting of Families.

(With reports from Momar G. Visaya / AJPress)

Fil-Am teen pleads not guilty in killing of...

PAGE A1 Attorney Jeffrey Rosell. Gonzalez is also accused of lying in wait.

The teen has also been charged with one count of kidnapping and four other sexual assault-related offenses, according to Rosell.

“We have charged this individual as an adult with the crimes for which he is responsible,” he said. “We are going to bring him to justice.”

At Gonzalez’s first court appearance on Thursday, July 30, the 15-year-old did not enter a plea. Later at his arraignment on Monday, Sept. 21, he pleaded not guilty, Inquirer.net reported.

Gonzalez’s lawyer Larry Biggam told reporters, “Our job is to review the evidence, conduct our own investigation, and make sure that the minor—like every citizen accused—receives a fair trial.”

Maddy was last seen around 5:05pm on Sunday, July 26 riding her white Razor scooter in the Tannery Arts Center on River Street, a public-private nonprofit artists colony in Santa Cruz where both she and Gonzalez lived. Her disappearance prompted a frantic overnight search, and FBI investigators went door-to-door looking for clues. The massive search involved volunteers from neighbors, to officials, to relatives and friends.

Around 250 people live in the Tannery Arts Center complex, including about 50 children.

At 7:55pm on Monday, July 27,

a little more than 24 hours after she disappeared, a police detective discovered Maddy’s body—4 feet tall, 46 pounds—lying at the bottom of the recycling bin, which had already been searched once by volunteers.

Investigators reportedly saw Gonzalez standing near the bin, causing automatic suspicion.

Police believe he was watching them as they searched, and said they have evidence tying him directly to Maddy.

The boy was detained and later arrested on suspicion of homicide, and is being held in a juvenile detention facility.

Gonzalez was described as a well-liked, quiet and polite young man and a “yo-yo expert.” According to a former classmate, Gonzalez’s father was absent and his mother is from Romblon, an island in the Luzon region of the Philippines.

Residents at the eight-acre complex were “stunned” to learn their neighbor was suspected in the killing.

“We’re just devastated. These are two of our kids, and one is dead and one has been taken away. And it’s horrible. It’s just horrible,” said resident Yasmina Porter, whose two children, ages 11 and 13, had regularly played with both the young victim and the suspect.

“From the community’s standpoint, we mostly feel like these are our babies,” Porter said.

“This is the most horrible thing

you can imagine.”

Santa Cruz police Chief Kevin Vogel said Gonzalez lured Maddy to his family’s upstairs apartment, where they were alone, and killed her. He then reportedly carried her body downstairs to a garage and hid it in the recycling bin. Police officials believe Maddy willingly went to Gonzalez’s apartment because she knew and trusted him.

“She was 8 years old. She had a reasonable amount of trust in him,” Vogel said. “They were “It is my belief that [Maddy] was killed even before we got the phone call Sunday at about 6pm, when she was first reported missing,” he added.

Gonzalez is being tried as an adult on the counts of murder, kidnapping, and rape. In their decision to determine charges, prosecutors looked at the Filipino teen’s age, his criminal record, the nature of the crime and how the offense was committed, Rosell said.

If convicted of the charges, Gonzalez may face life in prison.

Because of his age, he is not eligible for the death penalty.

He was ordered to re-appear in court on Oct. 29.

An autopsy of Maddy shows that she died of asphyxiation and stab wounds to the neck.

“People do things for lots of different reasons,” Rosell said.

“Sometimes we understand them, sometimes we don’t.” (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

Where GOP candidates stand on foreign...

PAGE A3 it during “the worst technology recession in 25 years” when the NASDAQ stock index plummeted 80 percent and took 15 years before it recovered.

“Despite those difficult times, we doubled the size of the company, we quadrupled its topline growth rate, we quadrupled its cash flow, we tripled its rate of innovation,” she said.

Fiorina added that by making hard decisions, Hewlett-Packard managed to save 80,000 jobs, grew to 160,000 jobs; Now, the company employs nearly 300,000 people.

“We went from lagging behind to leading in every product category and every market segment,” she said.

Trump took to counter Fiorina’s resume by citing a recent paper by the head of Yale Business School who wrote that Fiorina’s time as head of Hewlett-Packard was one of the worst tenures he has ever seen.

He added that the company’s revenues increased because it acquired Compaq.

To Trump’s comment, Fiorina responded by saying Trump had filed for bankruptcy four times.

“Why should we trust you to manage the finances of this nation any differently than you managed the finances of your casinos?” she said.

The real-estate entrepreneur went on to talk about how he has made more than $10 billion.

While both businesspeople used their records as a basis for why they could be effective national leaders, Christie said the focus of the discussion should be on the middle class.

“You’re both successful people. Congratulations. You know who’s not successful? The middle class in this country who’s getting plowed over by Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

Let’s start talking about those issues tonight and stop this childish back-and-forth be-

tween the two of you,” Christie said, drawing applause from the audience.

Economy: improvements through tax cuts, minimum wage approaches A variety of tax proposals were pitched by Republicans during the debate as solutions to further propel the US economy.

Paul, who has served in the Senate since 2010, proposed a single rate 14.5 percent tax for business, corporate and personal income. He also suggested eliminating the payroll tax, which would allow the working class to receive a tax break.

Huckabee suggested eliminating all taxes on those who produce.

“Why should we penalize productivity?” he said.

Walker, who has served as governor of Wisconsin since 2011, suggested a plan based on the Ronald Reagan tax cuts of 1986 and said he would repeal Obamacare on his first day in office if elected president. He also explained by he finds raising the federal minimum wage a “lame idea.” He said the best way people can attain higher wages is through acquiring the education and skills they need to secure careers that pay more than minimum wage.

“The real issue is about jobs,” he said.

Carson, who had nearly caught up to Trump in the polls a day before the debate, offered an approach to the minimum wage by proposing a two different types: a starter and sustaining minimum wage, “because how are young people ever going to get a job if you have such a high minimum wage that it makes it impractical to hire them?”

Trump addressed the middle class by proposing a “major reduction” in taxes.

“I know people that are making a tremendous amount of money and paying virtually no

tax, and I think it’s unfair,” he said.

Another tax cut proposal came from Kasich, Ohio’s 69th governor, who also laid out his resume for debate viewers.

“Well, look, people still have to get to know me, so I want to spend my time talking about my experience reforming welfare, balancing budgets, cutting taxes, providing economic growth when I was in Washington, turning Ohio around. Eight billion in the hole, $2 billion surplus, up over 300,000 jobs, big tax cuts, strengthening our credit,” he said.

“We’ve had the largest amount of tax cuts of any sitting governor. We’ve grown well over 300,000 jobs. You see, I’ve done it in both places. I’m the only one here that has done it in both places,” the governor added.

Clinton’s post-debate comments Less than a day following the CNN debate, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, the party’s frontrunner, warned Republicans about jeopardizing the economy by shutting down the federal government by blocking funding for Planned Parenthood.

“I would hope that the Republicans, and particularly the Republicans in the House led by Speaker Boehner, would not put our country and our economy in peril pursuing some kind of emotionally, politically charged partisan attack,” Clinton said in an interview with CNN the day before the House voted to freeze funding for Planned Parenthood for a year. “That would be a very, very unfortunate decision.”

In an earlier statement, she also said Republican presidential candidates’ pledge to defund Planned Parenthood propels a “race to the bottom” on women’s health and rights issues.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

APEC member countries urged to collaborate on disaster preparedness

by Nestor

P. Burgos Inquirer.net

Jr.

eration (APEC) Forum at the Iloilo Convention Center, Defense SecreILOILO CITY—Philippine offi- tary Voltaire Gazmin said there is a cials on Tuesday, Sept. 22 called need for “more holistic, proactive, for stronger cooperation and multi-stakeholder and longer term high-level policy dialogue in the interventions…to make our econoAsia-Pacific to address disaster mies resilient against disasters.”

Gazmin, also chair of the Namanagement concerns and istional Disaster Risk Reduction sues.

Speaking at the opening of Management Council, stressed the two-day 9th Senior Disaster that disasters, which have become Management Officials Forum of more unpredictable and more the Asia-Pacific Economic Coop- frequent in scope and magnitude,

are the “new normal” reality that economies have to contend with.

He said these disasters have caused major disruptions to trade relations, businesses and investments across the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC is a multilateral international organization which seeks Participants of the 9th Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum gather at the Iloilo Convention Center. to foster free trade and economic Inquirer.net photo by Nestor P. Burgos Jr. prosperity among its membereconomies in the Asia-Pacific posed of Australia, Brunei, Canada, America, and Vietnam.

“The general framework on region, its website says. It is com- Chile, People’s Republic of China, In a message read by Climate policy for (disaster risk reducChinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Change Commissioner Emmanuel tion) should emanate from the Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, de Guzman, Sen. Loren Legarda highest leadership in order for Papua New Guinea, Peru, the cited the “great challenge” to in- our economies to tread on similar Philippines, Russia, Singapore, corporate disaster risk reduction in path towards resilience,” Legarda Amir Khan, Kelly Brook or Lu- Thailand, the United States of the development agenda. said. cas Matthysse, and with Roach’s stance, it should be a must-win fight for him.

“If he doesn’t look good in his next fight, I think I would [tell him to retire]. I’ve always told Manny that if I thought he was slowing down and the reflexes weren’t there, I

by JulliANe love De Jesus The agency currently managtasked to combat international would tell him,” the trainer added.

Inquirer.net crime and illegal drugs. But at es $20 million foreign assistance (Dino Maragay/Philstar.com) TO discuss the intensified mar- the same time, it covers the full to the Philippines. It also plans itime law enforcement efforts in spectrum of law enforcement to dole out $8 million worth of the country, a US anti-narcotics including police professionaliza- assistance to the country anofficial visited the Philippine tion, justice sector development, nually.

National Police headquarters, correctional institution reform The financial aid was meant to meeting the PNP’s top cop on and citizen security strengthen- expand the capabilities of the Wednesday, Sept. 23. ing.

INL’s partner agencies.

State Assistant Secretary Wilout all the Singaporeans and SG will liam Brownfield, head of the be the new filipino state.”

US Dept of State International The early January social media Narcotics and Law Enforcement post further read, “The best part, Affairs (INL), was at the PNP I will be praying that disastors (di- headquarters in Camp Crame sasters) strike Singapore and more to meet with Director General Singaporeans will die than I will Ricardo Marquez. celebrate. Remember Pinoy better Brownfield was accompanied and stronger than Stinkaporeans.” by US Coast Guard Admiral Paul Prosecutors originally sought a Zukunft. five-month sentence for Bello to After discussing with the PNP “send a clear message to like-mind- chief, Brownfield will meet with ed individuals that their behaviour Ombudsman Conchita Carpio will not be tolerated,” Agence Morales.

France Press reported.

The US currently supports Philippine authorities on Aug. 27 projects of the PNP on maritime said they respected the Singapore law enforcement against traffickcourt’s decision to convict Bello of ing. It also supports the anti-cysedition, according to AP. bercrime unit of the PNP as well Mark Goh, Bello’s lawyer, told as institutional reforms relative GMA News that his client, long to training and education. before the trials, said he is “truly Prior to his Manila visit, PAGE A7 Brownfield met with PNP officials last September 3 to discuss “different avenues where the US government is supporting the PNP.” The INL is the agency in US

Freddie Roach ready to urge Pacquiao to retire MANILA—Manny Pacquiao better impress in his comeback fight, or else he’ll be told by no less than his longtime trainer Freddie Roach to call it quits.

Roach said he won’t hesitate to be blunt and tell Pacquiao himself if he no longer has what it takes to compete at the top level.

The bespectacled trainer already saw signs of Pacquiao’s decline in

the Filipino icon’s bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May, a fight he lost via unanimous decision.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum recently said Pacquiao will return in February or March next year, as long as the fighting congressman is fully recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained while training for Mayweather.

Pacquiao could end up facing

Top US anti-narcotics official in PH to discuss maritime law enforcement

Filipino nurse sentenced 4 months in Singapore jail for sedition on social media

by AgNes

CoNstANte AJPress

A FILIPINO nurse working in Singapore was sentenced on Monday, Sept. 21, to four months in jail for insulting Singaporeans on Facebook and lying to police investigators afterward.

Ello Ed Mundsel Bello, 28, a former employee of government-run Tan Tock Seng Hospital, pleaded guilty to a three charges: one count of violating Singapore’s sedition act by promoting feelings of ill-will and hostility using social media and two charges of lying to police, according to the Associated Press (AP).

He was sentenced to three months in prison for the charge related to Facebook and one month for providing police with false information, Agence France-Presse reported.

District Judge Siva Shanmugam, who sentenced Bello, said there was no place for xenophobic comments in Singapore, as they present “a threat to our social stability and security,” according to AP. “The local-foreigner divide has remained a challenging fault line in our society in recent times,” Shanmugam said.

“Unlike the limited effect and reach of distinct racial or religious issues, this divide affects all and sundry and cannot be regarded as any less delicate or sensitive in the current context,” he added.

In a Jan. 2 Facebook post, Bello wrote: “We take their jobs, their future, their women, and soon, we will evict all SG loosers (sic) out of their own country.”

A subsequent comment written by the Filipino read: “we will kick

Asian Development Bank: PH at risk for slowest economic growth in 4 years

by AgNes

CoNstANte AJPress

WITH decreases in exports and agricultural production, the Philippine economy is headed for its slowest economic growth in four years, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Along with lackluster public spending, the Manila-based ADB has trimmed its 2015 growth projection for the Philippines from 6.4 percent to 6 percent, according to CNN. ADB moved to update its 2015 Asian Development Outlook on Tuesday, Sept. 22, after the economy posted slower growth rates in the first two quarters – 5 percent in the first and 5.2 percent in the second – due to a weakened global demand for exports and the contraction in agricultural output caused by El Niño, Rappler reported.

Recently, the peso also fell 4.6 percent against the US dollar by mid-September, “as global volatility took hold of global markets causing foreign funds to exit developing markets,” Rappler reported.

The bank further forecasts that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set for its slowest growth since 2000 at 4.4 percent this year and 4.9 percent in 2016; growth for greater developing Asia will also slow from 6.3 percent to 5.8 percent for 2015 and 2016, the ADB predicts.

“There are considerable headwinds to growth in Asia although it remains the largest source of global growth. Risks to the outlook increased coming from capital flow reversals and currency depreciation although these are manageable,” said Joseph Zveglich Jr., ADB director for macroeconomic research, according to Philstar.

However, among Southeast Asian countries, the bank maintains positive prospects for the Philippines, which has an above average growth rate.

“All in all, growth will [remain] favorable. We assess that economic expansion will continue and will accelerate on the second half of the year,” ADB Country director Richard Bolt said in a briefing, Philstar reported.

Despite low gains in the first semester of the year, the Aquino administration is aiming for a 7- to 8-percent growth rate for 2015.

“After a slow start to the year we are now seeing a pickup in fiscal spending which combined with spending linked to the May 2016 elections will help lift the domestic economy,” Bolt said.

He added that increased investments in public goods and infrastructure, coupled with higher

private consumption and more jobs, could prompt more growth, according to CNN. “Recently enacted reforms to improve competitiveness and to attract investment will play a key role in the future growth as will continued reforms and investments in infrastructure and other public goods,” Bolt said.

Along with lower growth rates predicted, the ADB also forecasts lower inflation because of lower oil prices that are likely to carry on until 2016, according to Philstar.

In spite of slowed growth,

Rappler reported that the ADP still anticipates that Asia will maintain its role as the largest contributor to global GDP, although it may require reforms to pull through.

“Emerging markets are facing receding capital flows and depreciating currencies – a trend that may be exacerbated by the upcoming rise in US interest rates. Implementing macroprudential policies and developing local currency bond markets can bolster financial resilience and mitigate risks to borrowers,” the ADB report stated.

A

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september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

OpiniOn

Haunted

Features

IT seems like a lifetime ago when on Sept. 21, 1972, former Pres.

Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines. Fortythree years have passed, but the wretched moments of the martial law era have continued to linger on, especially for the people who had to endure it.

From this period in Philippine history, Filipinos must appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics.

Around the country, various human rights groups and militant organizations staged protests on Monday, Sept. 21, to call for justice for the victims of human rights abuses during martial law and condemn the “continuing repression and terror” in the country.

“It is true that we need to remind the current and future generations of this dark period of history. However, it seems that it is the Aquino government that has not learned any of the lessons of the past, as it continues to repeat the crimes of the dictator,” said Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Carol Araullo said.

For his part, Sen. Bam Aquino urged the nation to continue retelling the stories of martial law, saying “the sacrifices, atrocities and heroism during the darkest years in our country’s history should not be forgotten and must be imparted to today’s generation.”

As a stronger reminder of that tumultuous era, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will construct a P500-million memorial museum for arti-

facts, memorabilia and other items related to the martial law era under the Marcos dictatorship. Around 10,000 materials gathered from 75,000 victims of human rights abuses at the height of military rule in the country will be housed in the memorial museum.

In 2013, the Philippine government passed the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Law, to recognize human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention under the martial law and indemnify them and their families for the suffering they were put through.

Those qualified were encouraged to file a claim with the Human Rights Claim Board for reparation and/or recognition, as stated in Section 16 of the Act. Successful claimants will secure compensation from the P10-billion with interest worth of funds transferred to the Philippine government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in 1997.

According to Sen. Francis Escudero, “this is a first of such human rights legislation in the world where a state recognizes a previous administration’s fault against its own people and not only provides for, but also actually appropriates for reparation.”

However, the fight goes on for those who have filed for their claims. Franciscan Sister Crescencia Lucero of the religious superiors’ Justice and

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Peace Commission alleged that many victims have already applied but have yet to receive their compensation.

“They should be given what is due them,” Lucero said as she urged the current administration to speed up the process.

This compensation is not a gift to cheer the victims. It is giving what they deserve to help repair the damages done onto them and make up for what they lost. While the law may have vindicated them, remnants of the martial law era will stay with them until they receive just compensation. (AJPress)

The ‘Pope Francis Effect’ hits Kababayans in America POPE Francis arrived in the United States on Tuesday, Sept. 22 for a six-day visit, exciting kababayans who wished they were in Manila when the Pontiff visited the Philippines last January.

It is this excitement that compelled many FilAms to travel to Washington DC, New York, or Philadelphia to see the Pope in person and be blessed by his messages of inclusive love, hope, justice and mercy.

The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America even reported how some Filipinas even joined the 100-mile walking pilgrimage from Pennsylvania to Washington DC to see the Pope and to share with the Leaders of the Catholic Church a message: dignity for America’s immigrants!

Some of these Filipinas are from Southern California, who are among 100 women who walked the 100 miles for the “We Belong Together” campaign in honor of immigration reform and the first US visit of Pope Francis.

Street Talk GreG B. MacaBenta IN the face of the anarchy in the streets of Metro Manila, the paralysis that follows every heavy downpour, and the inability – nay, the unwillingness - of local officials to enforce such obvious rules as clearing major streets (like Taft Avenue) of vendors, desperate citizens have concocted various antidotes.

What has often been proposed is a “czar” – some kind of super manager who can untangle the mess. One clueless Quezon City congressman recommended a traffic czar on top of the current MMDA traffic czar on top of the traffic czars of the local governments in the metropolis.

Making much better sense, columnist Efren Cruz has suggested a Metro Manila governance czar. Wrote Cruz: “The problems of traffic, floods, illegal vendors, delays in public works construction, jurisdictional disputes, squatting, crime, land use planning, and urban mass transportation system are all intertwined. They cannot be solved separately. The activities needed to ensure the realization of the urban environment we all desire are all linked into one Metro Manila value chain.

“Call him the Metro Manila ‘Czar’ or Chair of a Metro Manila Inter Agency Task Force. The title is immaterial. The need is for a working Metro Manila governance structure now and a capable person, with the coercive powers, to be the head. I hope the public

“This issue of immigration is a human rights issue,” said Aqui The Fil-Am Soriano Versoza of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in a Bali- Perspective tang America report. “It’s also an issue of women in particular because those that are impacted by all these policies this broken immigration system those are Gel SantoS-ReloS impacted the most are women and children”.

Balitang America’s News Bureau Chief Paul Henson reported from The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where Pope Francis will celebrate his first mass in the US. He talked to Bishop Richard Garcia of the Diocese of Monterey, who says the faith of Filipino-Americans has been instrumental in sustaining the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in America.

“They’re keeping our faith alive. I really love

How would Imelda Marcos have handled Metro Manila’s woes? will endorse and support this proposal.”

In fact, without using the pretentious term “czar,” there is supposed to be one such public official in the person of the chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, Francis Tolentino.

Unfortunately, he is neither competent nor armed with “coercive powers.”

Indeed, we must have realized by now that titles and good intentions alone do not an effective “czar” or “chairman” make.

In fact, even competence alone, while essential, does not guarantee results.

What is needed is someone gifted with a combination of competence, vision, a tireless work ethic, a capacity for paying attention to details, and a can-do, nothing-isimpossible attitude.

On top of all that, such an official must wield power. The power to compel self-important local officials and agency heads to get their act together under pain of dismissal. The power to railroad a project over objections, legal or otherwise.

And the power to tell loafers to get off their fat asses or get lost.

I can only think of one such individual: Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Whatever detractors might think about her, Mrs. Marcos possessed that rare combination of vision, capacity for hard work, a penchant for detail and an unwillingness to acknowledge the impossible – over other people’s dead bodies.

Plus power.

To say that she was a hands-

on manager, is an understatement. She was known to make surprise visits in the dead of night to check on the progress of her projects. She personally directed the table settings and décor for official receptions in Malaca ñang.

And while she was awake (which seemed to be at all hours), no one could afford to be caught sleeping on the job.

I believe it was she who persuaded President Marcos to issue Presidential Decree 824, creating the Metro Manila Commission, with her as Governor and Ismael Mathay, Jr. as Vice-Governor. It was the forerunner of the present Metro Manila Development Authority.

Whatever her ultimate agenda was (did she want to become President? Well, why not?), she had a vision for Metro Manila as “The City of Man.” Her verbiage may have sounded corny (“The good, the true and the beautiful”), but she translated that into such structures as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Lung Center, Philippine Heart Center, Kidney Center and the Coconut Palace, as well as the Manila Film Center (an example of getting something done, over dead bodies).

She introduced a rational, stateowned air-conditioned transport system, the Love Bus, where the drivers felt no pressure to meet “boundary.” And she mounted a successful campaign to keep Metro Manila clean with an army PAGE A7

the Filipino people for that because of the devotion they have for the Blessed Mother, for example,” Garcia told Henson in the report.

Here are the comments of Filipinos in America as gathered by Balitang America, in joyful anticipation of the Pope’s visit: “Sa akin nag-resonate is his [Pope Francis’] love for the poor, and the underprivileged, and we are the one that are blessed and we should share it with other people.” — Nenita Aure “Yung issue sa global warming…We are stewards of the Earth, so nagresonate talaga sa akin [Pope Francis’s message]. — Rosemarie Zamora “Open siya [Pope Francis] sa lahat ng tao, yung nakikinig siya sa lahat ng opinyon pero sinusunod pa rin niya yung mga utos ng Diyos…Yung being merciful, and yung being welcoming sa lahat ng

Commentary

FRanciSco S. tatad MALACAñANG sources have revealed that a nasty shouting match transpired between President B.S. Aquino III and Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad after the Supreme Court ordered the Ombudsman to have them investigated and possibly charged for their role in the manipulation and misuse of the constitutionally outlawed Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) amounting to P150 billion.

It is not known who got the upper hand, but PNoy reportedly blamed Abad for the DAP scandal, and Abad reportedly shot back by reminding PNoy that the program had the President’s full approval and that it was used to bribe Congress in order to remove Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona and implement the rest of his “personal program.”

This reveals two things. First, PNoy is now under investigation by the Ombudsman for possible impeachment, and he is pissed off by it, despite the fact that he remains in virtual control of the impeachment process and has less than a year to stay in office. By tradition, although not specified in the Constitution, the President is immune from suit; but the Supreme Court effectively divested him of his immunity when it struck down the DAP as unconstitutional and ordered the prosecution of all those involved in it. He is the official author of the DAP. Still, PNoy obviously did not expect to be

tao.” — Cecile Salonga “I hope he would be.. a help to the community and to the politicians to invite them to help the struggles of the Filipino World War Two veterans.

Not only the Filipinos but all of the veterans in America….I [also] hope the Pope would try to convince the leaders that..they could avoid any wars and protect the humanity from harm.” — Bernie Ganon, Filipino American Service Group, Inc. “That is what we like with the Pope… He’s pushing for family reunification. remember the Immigration Bill has been dead in the US Congress because the Republicans won’t even [vote on it]”. — Arturo Garcia, Justice for Filipino American Veterans. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Shouting match at the Palace, a warning from the generals

investigated by the very Ombudsman he had appointed after driving her predecessor out of office, in order to go after his enemies and political targets. He apparently blames Abad for this.

Second, the “fear” Aquino has instilled in his Cabinet members appears to have worn off. Abad’s heated exchange with Aquino shows this. It is a dangerous precedent that could be imitated by other members of the original Hyatt-10, said to be the real power running the Aquino government under Abad. This is the same group, with some minor modifications, which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ousted from her Cabinet while threatening to oust her.

Not only is Abad the “brains” of Aquino’s ingenious schemes to take full control of the government’s resources; his entire family is virtually in charge of the entire financial and budgetary operations of the government. While he controls the entire Department of Budget and Management (DBM), his only daughter runs the Presidential Management Staff, his only son holds a pivotal position in the Office of the Secretary of Finance; and his wife is not only Executive Vice President of the Liberal Party but also senior Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In the relationship between Aquino and Abad, the latter is seen as the puppet master, and the former the puppet. Although it has not happened before that the puppet masters had to answer to the puppet, it is happening now,

so the relationship is strained, to say the least. It could strain further as more serious cases are brought before the Supreme Court against the Aquino government’s undiminished effort to put vast sums of money under the sole discretion and control of the President. One probable suit could be against the P424.15 billion in lump-sum appropriations embedded in nine strategic departments and two agencies of the government in the 2015 General Appropriations Act, in contemptuous disregard of the Supreme Court ruling declaring such lump sums unconstitutional and void.

The worst is yet to come.

The generals speak out But it is not only the Cabinet that’s on fire. The military, police and entire security sector is equally on fire. And Aquino’s recent reckless statement about an “alternative truth” on the Mamasapano massacre, which cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force police commandos on Jan. 25, 2015 in the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, has unduly stoked that fire. PNoy’s statement has prompted a closer look at what the various official inquiries had said and did not say about the massacre. It is now clear to all and sundry —-infinitely clearer than before— that the truth about the most important issues on Mamasapano was never aired. Why did Aquino discard the established PNP chain of command, and put an important police PAGE A7

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Shouting match at the Palace, a warning...

PAGE A6

operations in the hands of a suspended PNP chief? Why did PNoy give the stand-down order which barred the military reinforcement unit from giving support to the beleaguered SAF contingent at the most critical time?

What the public heard on these questions was either a Sphinxlike silence or an elephantine lie.

Now, if Aquino really wants to set the record straight, he has to tell us the “untold and unvarnished truth,” rather than an “alternative” one; otherwise, what he really needs is an “alternative lie” to replace the existing one. The search for the real truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth has now been complicated by the latest press reports from abroad on certain details of the Mamasapano affair, which the government had until now suppressed.

A report in the Sept. 16, 2015 issue of the Los Angeles Times, and reprinted on this paper on Sept. 18, 2015, says that “five or six US counter-terrorism advisors assisted (the SAF commandos) from a police command post nearby, tracking the assault team in live video from a US surveillance aircraft circling overhead. Their main role was to provide tactical, live intelligence.” At no point during the inquiries were we ever told that the US government was involved in Operation Exodus; in fact, the US Embassy repeatedly denied any US involvement, even without anyone suggesting it. In light of the LA Times story, the government has a duty to bare all the facts about the US involvement.

Aquino has tried to minimize the public distress over Mamasapano by trying to steamroll the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, arising from the highly questionable Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which seeks to replace the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) with a new autonomous political entity for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Although fraught with constitutional infirmities, Aquino wanted the proposed BBL rushed to satisfy the desire of Malaysia and other foreign entities.

It took Sen. Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos Jr. and a wide array of concerned Filipinos to stop the proposed law from be-

ing bulldozed through Congress.

But PNoy’s zeal is undiminished.

He wants the widely opposed bill passed before he leaves office.

Stories have since circulated in the Malaysian political circuit that some $700 million had been coursed through the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office to facilitate the passage of the proposed BBL. It could be pure spin, but it is repeated on both sides of the Sulu Sea with relish, showing what the CAB/FAB/BBL means to interested parties. But if Aquino is determined to press its passage, an important segment of the military has warned him not to force it.

In a full-page ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sept. 14, 2015, 31 retired senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, reservists and veterans expressed “great apprehension and alarm” over the FAB and the CAB, and strong opposition to the passage of the proposed BBL, in its original form, “even as it now undergoes congressional scrutiny.”

Among the signatories were former Secretary of National Defense and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Renato de Villla, former AFP Chiefs of Staff Gen. Generoso S. Senga, Gen. Alexander Yano, Gen. Efren Abu, Gen. Dionisio Santiago, former Vice of Staff Lt. Gen. Alfredo Filler, Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, chairman and president of the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGPO), Lt. Gen. Raul S. Urgello, chairman and president, KAMPILAN, Inc., Maj. Gen. Jose Magno, former Commander, CENCOM and SOUTHCOM, Rear Admiral Tagumpay Jardiniano, former Flag Officer in Command, Phillipine Navy, Brig.

Gen. Danilo D. Lim, RAM Foundation, Inc. They had never signed any similar declaration on any issue before.

Saying that “the implementation of these crafty agreements is an express trip to the dismemberment of the country’s territory and the creation of a Moro state in Mindanao,” and the “renewal of organized violence and horrendous destruction of life and property,” they expressed “unsullied support” for the SC petition filed by PHILCONSA president Congressman Martin Romualdez, Archbishops Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Romulo de la Cruz of Zam-

boanga, Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla of Davao, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, and this writer, asking the High Court to declare the FAB and the CAB unconstitutional and void.

The manifesto caught PNoy completely by surprise. He reportedly complained that the generals and flag officers could have talked to him first, or to the junior officers who, according to him, were fully supportive of the FAB, the CAB, and the BBL. But the signatories saw no need to talk to Aquino first because, according to them, he “never listens;” as far as the talking to the junior officers is concerned, the retired generals and flag officers are in constant touch with them, and Aquino was being delusional when he said they were in favor of any law that would balkanize Mindanao.

PNoy instructed Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to dialog with the signatories and verify if they had indeed signed the manifesto and why. But only a few managed to show up for the proposed dialogue with Gazmin, whose reputation appears to have suffered within the military and defense establishment because of unconfirmed yet unrefuted allegations about infected defense contracts related to the AFP modernization program.

Beyond the FAB/CAB/BBL, it is safe to assume that the security sector has developed a clear position on some election-related issues, such as the ongoing effort of the Commission on Elections to install the Venezuelan firm Smartmatic once again at the heart of the 2016 elections, and the determined effort of the oligarchy—-with tacit support from Malacañang— to impose a nonFilipino presidential candidate on the Filipino voters, in contemptuous disregard of the Constitution. I would not suggest that the security sector is prepared, as it was in 1986, to take direct political action against the administration, but it is as clear as daylight that as the constitutional protector of the people and the State, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not allow itself to be used by the Aquino administration or the oligarchy for its own ends.

It could on the other hand support popular action by the people fighting for their rights and liberties against a malevolent regime.

This is what many seem to be praying for. (ManilaTimes.net)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

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Filipino nurse sentenced 4 months...

PAGE A5 remorseful and sorry because of what he has done.”

“My client has surrendered. In fact he has already decided on a personal level that it has caused him already a lot of anxiety and stress.

And therefore he did not want to perpetuate the trial and decided to plead guilty,” Goh said.

After Bello serves his sentence, he will be deported back to the Philippines and prohibited from returning to Singapore for a period of time, the attorney told GMA News.

Courts in Singapore have previously prosecuted individuals, including both Singaporeans and foreigners, who have made racist comments perceived as seditious

How would Imelda Marcos have...

PAGE A6 of uniformed street sweepers (I recall a trip to Thailand where I felt good about being from Manila, after noting the liter in Bangkok’s streets at the time).

It was also during her watch that the idea of dredging Laguna de Bay and building a waterway up to Manila Bay was seriously considered. That was the forerunner of the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project that could have done much to mitigate the problem of flooding (unfortunately scuttled by the Aquino government, ostensibly in order to foil graft).

Beyond Metro Manila, she had a vision for the entire country. For this reason, she also got herself appointed head of the Ministry of Human Settlements, a super-cabinet that had its tentacles in virtually every aspect of governance (obviously, a template for Mar Roxas’ vastly expanded Department of Interior and Local Governments).

But compared to the analysisparalysis and clueless “convergent approach” style of management of Roxas, Dinky Soliman and Voltaire Gazmin (one of the main reasons why many of the victims of Yolanda are still suffering up to now) Mrs. Marcos was decisive and brooked no opposition, once she had made up her mind.

She even managed to have her way over the objections of President Marcos himself. I was privy to one such instance.

I had never met Mrs. Marcos until Bongbong Marcos became hermano mayor of the Tacloban Santo Ni ño fiesta. In true Imeldific fashion, she envisioned more than a town fiesta. She wanted a national festival, showcasing a cultural parade, similar to her Kasaysayan ng Lahi spectacular, plus a pageant and a book on the history of Leyte and Samar.

For these, she sent for the twin provinces’ noted poets and writers.

However, she was informed that they had all passed away but that their children were still around.

That was how my elder brother

Eduardo, Jr., my cousin Yen, his maternal uncle, Ben Pe ñaranda, Leyte poet Paquing Javines, and I got summoned to Malacañang.

Together with a Cultural Center creative and production team familiar with the First Lady’s management style, we started work with a lead time of just over a month. For Mrs. Marcos, that was not a problem. She simply told us to miss our sleep. She did, too.

At any rate, a few days before the event, Mrs. Lourdes Villacorta, Mrs. Marcos’ chief of staff, informed her that President Marcos had given instructions to unload from the presidential yatch, Pagasa, all the sets, props and costumes intended for the Tacloban event. His reason: The Santo Ni ño fiesta was not an official government activity.

I watched Mrs. Marcos’ calm expression as she listened to the report. Without missing a beat, she gave instructions to have the materials loaded instead in the vehicles of the Ministry of Infor-

toward other ethnic groups.

Approximately 40 percent of Singapore’s population of nearly 5.5 million are foreigners, many of whom hail from nearby nations, including the Philippines. Estimates put the Filipino population in Singapore at more than 170,000, a large number of which work in the entertainment, hospitality and medical industries, AP reported. mation and transported overland, across Luzon, to Samar and on to Tacloban. They arrived in time for the festival.

I’m sure the President learned about the questionable use of government vehicles, but at that point, it was a fait accompli.

What about the current Metro Manila mess? With Imelda Marcos in charge, after making heads roll, she would have gotten the MRT and LRT properly equipped, operational and well-maintained; grounded the colorum buses and reactivated the Love Bus; ordered the dredging of esterosand canals over the protests of squatters and land grabbers – and the Supreme Court would not have dared issue a temporary restraining order.

And, in the middle of a typhoon, she would have monitored the situation to make sure that Metro Manila mayors, the PNP brass and officials of the MMDA were on the job.

But all that is wishful thinking.

Even Imelda Marcos would be ineffective under a President who is in the habit of passing the buck. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

VEGAS&STYLE

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Journal ‘Game of Thrones’ star experiences ‘firsts’ in Manila ‘Heneral Luna’ picked as PH’s 2016 Oscars bet

by AlyoshA

J. Robillos Inquirer.net

Manila now holds a special place in “Game of Thrones” star nathalie Emmanuel’s heart. it is, after all, the place of her first guesting in a comic convention. and it is only fitting that she shares this first with Filipinos, who, this year, also eagerly waited for the asiaPOP Comicon brand to hit Philippine shores for the first time.

“This is my first comicon ever. i’ve never done this before and i got to do it here with you guys so thanks for having me. it’s been really special,” Emmanuel told the press on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Emmanuel, whose breakout role was Missandei (right hand of sorts and confidant to khaleesi and ‘Mother of Dragons,’ Daenerys) on television hit “Game or Thrones,” made her film debut when she starred in the seventh installment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

Her most recent project, “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” also recently opened in Philippine theaters. “i’ve been so lucky because i’ve joined Game of Thrones, Furious 7, and Maze Runner and they’re quite an established group of people,” said Emmanuel. “i’m really lucky to work with really sweet people who’re just like, ‘Oh, so you’re one of us now.’ it’s so easy because they’re lovely people and you can’t really ask much more than that.”

But while the English actress couldn’t stop gushing about her co-stars, Emmanuel didn’t budge

when asked to spill the beans about the sixth season of “Game of Thrones.” at one point, a playful Emmanuel shot back at audiences who were asking for a few teasers: “You’d like for me to tell you, wouldn’t you?” although not one juicy detail was uncovered about the series’ upcoming episodes, Emmanuel did talk about what fans could expect from Missandei, Grey Worm, and Tyrion as leaders of Meereen.

“This season’s really exciting. it’s got a lot of momentum and we’re left with Peter Dinklage (who plays Tyrion) on our team so we’re seeing a whole new dynamic with that group, which only Tyrion can bring, i think. So that’s going to be fun to watch,” Emmanuel noted. and as if the actress wasn’t being vague enough, Emmanuel immediately clammed up at the mere mention of Jon Snow. “i have no answer, sorry to say,” Emmanuel said, her smiles giving nothing away when asked if she had seen any recent material on Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington). later on, Emmanuel revealed that she, too, was familiar with the insatiable thirst for clues of what’s to come—especially when left with a cliffhanger. The actress was a fan of the show even before she bagged the role of Missandei. “i’m so hardcore. i mean, i came in season three, but i watched from the beginning, religiously,” Emmanuel said. now that she’s part of the show’s cast, Emmanuel gets to indulge

by mARinel

Saturday as spilt-screen couple alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza met for the third time on their first ever date.

The whopping Twitter figure was achieved through the help of alDub nation, the national couple’s army of fans.

Twitter user Jerick Carlo almeda (@pagkalaagan), a web programmer and self-proclaimed

The award is handed out annually by the academy of Motion Picture arts and Sciences to fulllength feature films produced outside the United States that contains primarily non-English dialogue.

Chionglo said six films were shortlisted and among the top contenders were Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Taklub” and Carlitos Siguinon-Reyna’s “Hari ng Tondo.”

Chionglo said that while there were others considered “equally worthy of being our Oscar representative,” he pointed out that the committee members were “almost unanimous” in choosing “Heneral luna” because “it is

very good—very well directed and acted,” Chionglo stressed.

John arcilla plays General antonio luna who led the fight against Spanish colonizers under the revolutionary government of Emilio aguinaldo.

“We looked beyond the infighting of a people while under foreign rule. We commended the Filipinos’ struggle to be brave,” Chionglo told the inquirer. “never mind the alleged aggressive personality of luna, this film shows the courage of Filipinos to fight for their freedom. This shows a positive picture of the Filipino. it depicts values that we think should appeal internationally.”

Chionglo added: “luna was supposed to have been a great general. What the film is telling its viewers is that it is also important to look at our past, especially those of our real-life heroes and of what they have done for the country.”

“Heneral luna,” produced by artikulo Uno Productions, reportedly cost a whopping P80 million. it premiered in local theaters on Sept.

9. “if the producers were able to come up with a film that costs this much to make, then they should be able to have at least a good fighting chance at being nominated. This could be our shot at winning an academy award.”

JERROlD Tarog’s “Heneral luna” is the country’s bet to the 2016 academy awards for Best Foreign language Film category, Film academy of the Philippines (FaP) director general leo Martinez announced on Monday afternoon.

The committee tasked to pick the Philippine representative to the Oscars is headed by filmmaker Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel Mel Chionglo. its members are acgreets the members of the media during the tors lorna Tolentino and Michael AsiaPop Comicon (APCC) Manila 2015 at the de Mesa, cinematographer lee World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Meiley, directors Joe Carreon and Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes Boy Vinarao, and academician Rolando Tolentino. even more as a fan of “Game of Thrones.” “i often get so excited about other people’s storylines. i’ll be reading scripts and it’ll be about arya or whoever and i’ll be like, ‘Oh my God.’ and that’s the coolest thing about being on the show…i get to follow other people’s stories as well.”

But as far as following certain storylines on “Game of Thrones” goes, Emmanuel jokingly gave audiences some advice, given the show’s infamous unpredictability when it comes to its characters and their life spans. “i think the key is not to like John Arcilla as Heneral Luna. anyone and don’t get attached.”

Fans can catch nathalie Emmanuel and other Hollywood stars at the asiaPOP Comicon Manila 2015 until Sunday (September 20)

by Joyce Jimenez at the World Trade Center in Pasay pangangailangan.”

Philstar.com City. if given a chance to choose Manila—Vice President Je- a celebrity to endorse him, the jomar Binay has chosen alden vice president named “KalyRichards to portray him in case his eserye” stars alden and Yaya “official statistician of alDub na- life will be made into a film.

Dub. tion” worked closely with another although in previous reports, “Kaya ko nabanggit kasi sikat user alDUB STaTiSTiCS (@inef- na sikat, e,” Binay said in an inter- Senator Tito Sotto said the alDub fable888) to monitor the hashtag view with the showbiz press, aired love team won’t endorse any policount by the hour of the whole on TV5’s news program “aksyon” tician in 2016.

Saturday and to tweet the lat- on Tuesday., Sept. 22 Binay also said that if he wins est updates to the whole alDub When teased about their dif- the 2016 presidential race, one of fandom. ference in height and skin tone, his contributions to the showbiz according to their final and Binay replied, “Sa sine naman industry is the approval of nora unofficial report, the #alDUB- wala namang imposible. Hindi ba, aunor as national artist if she will PAGE B4 itinutugma naman kung ano ang again be nominated.

Alden Richards

‘AlDub’ makes history anew with 12 million tweets

alDUB’S “Saturdate” is something fans should celebrate.

The hashtag for the latest episode of Eat Bulaga’s “Kalyeserye”, #alDUBMostawaitedDate, broke Twitter records worldwide once again after scoring more than 12.1 million tweets in a span of 24 hours.

Millions of Filipinos basked in excitement and love chills on

cRuz

Inquirer.net

Binay wants Alden Richards to portray him in film

B september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

PeoPle and events

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

2015 Asian American Community Awards honor outstanding Las Vegas residents The Asian American Group presented Community Achievement Awards to fourteen outstanding Las Vegas citizens on Saturday, September 19 as part of its 12th anniversary of the Gala Awards night.

The event was held at the Gold Coast hotel & Casino. Attendees wore traditional attire from their countries of origin or evening wear.

Cocktails and a silent auction were held during the program, which included entertainment from India and China, the awards and dinner.

Nevada Lt. Governor Mark hutchison, Rep. Joe heck and Rep. Dina Titus were among the notable personalities who graced the event.

Among the individuals who were honored were: - Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak; - Dr. Dhiraj, Cardiologist (first to implant the evera MRI ICD) with DaVita health Care Partners; - Dr. Filippo Cremonini, Gastroenterologist with Las Vegas Gastroenterology;

- helen hsueh, President and Publisher of the Las Vegas Chinese Daily News and the Las Vegas Chinese Business Directory; - Dr. Rajesh Shrotriya, Oncologist and President & CeO of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; - Lance Bradford, CPA, Founder of LL Bradford & Company, CPA’s; - Zane Pasha, 13 year old student at the Meadows School and creator of “heat Safe”, the life-saving device for children; - Rosemary Vassiliadis, Director of the Clark County Department of Aviation; - Dieudonne Nkwethat, Project manager of Bermuda Road Properties, LLC; - Connie Chiang, executive Chairwoman of Pilot holdings, USA; - Joe V. Tinio, Jr., Chairman and Founder of echo Adult Residential Care Providers of Nevada; - Raja Majid, Owner of Origin India Restaurant & Bar; - Dr. Bishr hijazi, Surgeon, Owner and Director of the hand & Wrist Specialty Center;

- Jia Mei Wang, Sales Manager & Senior Mortgage Consultant for Freedom Mortgage and President of the Las Vegas Shanghai Association.

This year is the first year of AAG Youth Achievement Awards were presented. The first award is being presented to Zane Pasha.

The Asian American Group is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit with a mission of unifying and strengthening the community. It has united Asian leaders in the community to work with law enforcement, other charities, elected officials, recognizing the outstanding contributors to our community each year and to identify and help areas of the community in need.

Matt Kelly elementary School has been “adopted” by the AAG and is helped yearly with books, toys and meals for the students. The last several years, AAG has developed and distributed college scholarships to students in need.

For more information, please contact Barbara Wood at (702) 531-2441.

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

Features

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

World’s largest baccarat tournament returns to The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas on October 2 with $10,000,000 Global Prize Pool Complimentary entry for Grazie members in first two tournaments of the Annual Grand Dragon Master Baccarat Championship

Las Vegas—The annual grand Dragon Master Baccarat Championship, with a total global prize pool worth over $10,000,000*, kicks off the Las Vegas leg of the competition on Oct. 2, 2015 at The Palazzo. The global championship spans Las Vegas sands properties in Macao and singapore.

The grand Dragon Master Baccarat Championship provides baccarat enthusiasts the ultimate tournament experience. Las Vegas players can compete for a portion of a $1.6 million prize pool over three tournaments - the $280,000 golden Dragon Baccarat Tournament, the $350,000 Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament, and the invitation-only $1 Million Royal Dragon Baccarat Tournament – all culminating in the global Final to be held at Marina Bay sands in singapore in March 2016.

The $280,000 golden Dragon Baccarat Tournament takes place from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 and Oct. 9 through Oct. 12. This tournament features a $35,000 daily cash prize pool. all grazie members receive one complimentary tournament entry per day. Unlimited rebuys can be made for $50. The top three daily winners in the golden Dragon Baccarat Tournament will automatically advance to the semi-Finals of the Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament.

The Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament offers a $350,000 cash prize pool with daily prize pools of $75,000. Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament preliminaries take place Oct. 16 and Oct. 17. all grazie members will receive one complimentary tournament entry per day, and unlimited rebuys can be made for $150. The top six daily winners in the Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament preliminaries will advance to the semifinal round on Oct. 18, where the top six finishers will receive one complimentary entry each to the semi-final round of the invite-only $1 Million Royal Dragon Baccarat Tournament on Nov. 7.

In addition to sharing in a $1,000,000 promotional chip prize pool, the top three finishers in the invitation only Royal Dragon Baccarat Tournament will advance to the global Final at Marina Bay

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PAGE B4

Chorrrrizo!

It’s that time of year again. Chorizo Breakfast Burritos are back at McDonald’s. With authentic, zesty Chorizo, warm scrambled eggs, melted cheddar cheese and veggies wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.

Prices and participation may vary.

Price of single item posted on menuboard. ©2015 McDonald’s

B

Features

B september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

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

Ms. Pastillas against AlDub: Showtime’s Coco Martin is the king new gambit counters EB’s winning move

by Don Jaucian Philstar.com

by nestor

u. torre

Inquirer.net

For around two months now, “Eat Bulaga” has been ruling the noontime TV ratings with its daily “kalyeserye” “reali-TV” romance portion involving Alden richards and new find Maine Mendoza as Yaya Dub. Its “love from a distance” tale has titillated many viewers, thanks to the well-meaning but overly strict opposition being put up by Yaya’s Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola).

Despite their best efforts to express their love and gain their “romantic freedom,” the old crone’s man-to-man guarding tactics have prevented the lovers from physically meeting, let alone hugging and kissing—so, they’ve had to make-do with singing “together separately” on their respective TV screens, writing notes to one another, etc.

After some weeks of “almost meeting,” the romantic plot conceit’s “kilig value” has palled on us—but, clearly not for the many

viewers who still watch it from day to day—which is why the tattered tale keeps getting extended.

It’s obvious that nobody at GMA wants to kill or caponize the goose that’s been laying all those golden eggs—but, how much longer can the story be stretched out before more people huffily snort, ”Enough!?”

Meanwhile, over at ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime,” the rival show has been at loose ends, trying to figure out how to counter “EB’s” winning move.

To date, nothing has really worked—but, last Monday, “It’s Showtime” came up with its own “real drama” gambit, which could catch viewers’ fancy, as well: A pretty girl quickly nicknamed “Miss Pastillas” asked Vice Ganda’s alter ego, Madame Virtud, how quickly she should recover from a broken heart and love again—and one thing led to another in the course of the “advice portion”: Interest A young man from Bulacan in

New “real drama” could catch viewers’ fancy, as well.

the studio audience announced that he was smitten with “Miss Pastillas,” which gave Vice the ostensibly spontaneous notion to ask other guys to text their own interest—whereupon many did, including a faceless swain calling all the way from Bacolod!

Whereupon Vice asked him if he was “interested” enough to fly to Manila the very next morning to meet his new crush on the show?

The young man answered in the impulsive or impassioned affirmative—which thrilled and tickled everyone to bits!

So, last Tuesday noon, viewers awaited Bacolod Guy’s arrival with sustained excitement—but, the Momentous Meeting on the show was delayed, all too predictably, by— Metro Manila traffic!

The program tried to make-do by focusing more on Bulacan Boy, who had returned with flowers and kakanin—but, the delay took its toll in terms of “kilig value.” happily, before the telecast ended, Bacolod Boy did show up in time to finally hold “Miss Pastillas’” hand—but, their more extensive interaction had to be postponed to Wednesday.

—So, that’s what “It’s Showtime” has come up with, to date: A girl, two or more prospective suitors from different parts of the country, the prospect of the start of a new oncam “real romance”—that’s it.

Will that be enough to “answer” “EB’s” winning gambit? It’s very early days to correctly respond to that key query—but, at least “It’s Showtime” has finally made its move, instead of just watching helplessly as the competition continues to rule over their shared time slot.

Abangan!

‘AlDub’ makes history anew with 12 million...

PAGE B1 MostAwaitedDate hit a total of 12,125,300 tweets by 12 am Sunday.

The count started on Saturday 12 am with 505,900 tweets. By 1 pm, the latest hashtag reached 7,497,200 tweets, surpassing the show’s previous feat for #ALDUBTheAbduction which earned 6.4 million.

By 3 pm, a little after the show ended, the hashtag breached the 10 million mark almost all fans aimed for. (Arvin Mendoza/Philstar.com) Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” meet for their first date.

EMPLOYMENT

ThE word “adorable” is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re confronted with Coco Martin’s face. Google “Coco Martin adorable” and the top results pretty much agree with this observation: a photo caption reads “Coco Martin <3”, a Pinoy Exchange thread is titled “Coco Martin is Adorable”, and Fashion Pulis comments usually mention his general cuteness.

It isn’t surprising that this apparent cuteness has helped advance his matinee idol status — far from the grit initially associated with him in his earlier roles. To some extent, his good boy looks are a contrast to the grimy underbelly that his characters often inhabit, from the dark corners of a massage parlor to shadier psyches of his teleserye leads. his everyman likability, which exponentially grew as he broadened his teleserye roots, coupled with the contentions he has picked up as a fixture of arthouse films, has given him a distinct duality that enables him to play the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, much like his characters, Ador and Cardo, in the upcoming teleserye remake of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Part tribute to Fernando Poe Jr. and part high-octane examination of the lives of our policemen — especially the Special Action Force — Ang Probinsyano finds Martin in another dual character role (his previous one was in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin), Ador and Cardo, identical twins who are both passionate in serving in the country’s police force. Ador is a bemedalled PNP officer driven by an unerring moral compass. Cardo is trained under the SAF and takes up his brother’s mantle after a tragic twist in their lives.

“Si Ador by the book, kung ano yung tama yun ang ginagawa niya,” Martin shares. “hindi siya lumalagpas sa batas. Si Cardo, ang pananaw niya, ‘Basta alam ko ang tama at may sarili akong batas na dapat sundin.’ Iba yung style ng character ni Cardo kasi ginawa namin siyang mas entertaining, mas maangas,

may konting kapilyuhan.”

Ang Probinsyano also finds Martin working again with Susan roces, FPJ’s widow who wholeheartedly gave Martin the blessing to bring the beloved character into the small screen (“Noong magkasama kami ni Tita Susan sa Walang hanggan, siya mismo nagsabi sa akin, ‘Alam mo, Co, maraming mga pelikula siFPJ na bagay sa’yo. Ako naman, honestly, nahihiya ako kasi paano ko naman gagawin yon?”).

An incredible amount of pressure rests on Martin’s shoulders: not only is he starring opposite roces — a formidable actress in her own right — but there is also the added onus of depicting the lives of policemen without whitewashing their struggles.

“Si Tita Susan lagi lang niya [sinasabi] sa akin na wag akong mapressure. Dahil kilala niya ako, ang sa kanya basta gawin ko kung ano yung tingin kong nararapat, hindi ko kailangan i-pressure yung sarili ko na gayahin si FPJ. Si FPJ may rason kung bakit niya ginagawa ang isang pelikula. hindi lang para i-entertain ang tao. Alam niya na malaki yung responsibilidad niya sa mga manonood. Na kung gagawa siya ng isang pelikula, sinisigurado niya na makaka-impluwensya ng maganda sa mga tao. ” Martin frequently reinforces this responsibility of actors. Growing up watching the films of FPJ, Nora Aunor, and the other giants of local cinema, he is aware of how their images on screen evoke a relatable reality to the audience. These characters, though mostly fictional, form our ideas of what heroes and saviors should be, and Martin wants to drive this point home in Ang Probinsyano.

“Dati wala naman akong [pakialam sa] image, wala naman ganon sa indie,” Martin shares. “Ang pinaka-regalo na sa amin nun ay kapag nananalo kami ng award.

Dito sa telebisyon may ka-akibat ka na malaking responsibilidad sa mga manonood mo. Kapag sinasabi mong ini-idolo mo ang isang tao,inspired ka sa kanya, at kung ano yung path na pinupuntahan niya, yun ang gusto mong mangyari sa’yo. Ganon kasi ako lumaki, [nung

Set to lead the teleserye remake of FPJ’s ‘Ang Probinsyano’, the Pinoy everyman talks to ‘Supreme’ about his love for Philippine cinema — and why he isn’t ashamed to be ‘bakya.’

Philstar.com photo by Patrick Diokno

napapanood ko sila FPJ.]” FPJ is an actor close to Martin’s heart. Growing up, the action king was a Superman figure of sorts for him. Martin would watch local films with his lola, a routine that they still do until today.

“Sa bahay namin never namin pinaguusapan ang trabaho ko.

Nahihiya ako eh. Never sila nagtanong na “Maganda ba si Kris Aquino?” “Mabait ba si ganyan?”

As in talagang wala. May time na kumain [yung lola ko] sa isang fast food chain, nakita niya sa isang newspaper—hindi ko sinasabi sa kanya ah!—i-re-remake ko yung pelikula ni FPJ na Ang Probinsyano. hiningi pa niya yung [newspaper] sa gwardya para [tanungin] sa akin “Gagawin mo ba talaga to?” Ganon siya katuwa at first time niyang nagtanong tungkol sa trabaho ko.

Pag nasa bahay ako, ako yung apo niya.”

At home, surrounded by his family, basking in the warmth of the TV screen, Coco Martin is nothing but a spectator, held captive by the magic of cinema and the fantasy that it conjures.

“Mas malapit sa puso ko yung mga pelikulang Pilipino,” Coco says. “Dun ako nakaka-relate eh.

Ang kultura ng mga Pilipino hindi mababago yan. Yung nakagawian natin, yun ang core natin. Iba ang valuesng Pinoy, hindi mo mababali.

Kahit sabihin pa ng iba na bakya ako... oo, bakya ako. Eh ano ngayon? At least naa-appreciate ko yung pinag-ta-trabahuhan natin.”

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(Advertising Supplement)

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves NANcy e. MilleR ANd MichAel bhotiwihok ON April 9, 2015, the Administrative Appeals Office issued Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC (“Simeio”) holding that an employer is required to file an amended or new H-1B petition before transferring an employee to a new place of employment not covered by an existing, approved H-1B petition. The decision raised several questions.

On July 21, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued Final Guidance to clarify when an employer must file an amended or new H-1B petition for compliancewith Simeio. While the Final Guidance quelled some concerns, the USCIS may address questions not resolved by the Final Guidance in the future.

The Final Guidance focuses on

Health@Heart PhiliP s. chuA, Md, FAcs, FPcs Is it safe to warm breast milk in a microwave oven?

No, it is not safe to warm breast milk in a microwave oven.

Collected breast milk should never be warmed in a microwave oven, because it destroys many important natural protective elements in breast milk that is beneficial to the infant. As a matter of fact, even milk formulas in cans or bottle should never be warmed in a microwave oven.

In both instances, the milk, and the bottle itself, can be too hot for the baby and could result in burns, and the bottles can also explode. Many times, the bottle may feel cool but the milk inside can be too hot for the baby. The best way to warm or take the chill out of milk is by soaking the bottle of milk (formula or breast milk) in warm (NOT BOILING) water. Swirl the bottled breast milk a few times to mix it well.

Before feeding the baby, let a few drops of milk land on your wrist to check the temperature.

If it not too hot for your skin, then it is probably just right for the infant. It is always better to err on the cooler side. Some

Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

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Final guidance after Simeio: When to file amended or new H-1b petition three time frames when an employer must comply with Simeio.

First, is the Safe Harbor. If an employee moved to a new area of employment on or before April 9, 2015 and the employer failed to file an amended or new H-1B petition, the employer may file the amended or new petition by January 15, 2016 and it will be considered timely filed.

Second, if the employee’s change in place of employment requiring a new LCA occurred after April 9, 2015 but before August 19, 2015, the employer must file an amended or new H-1B petition

by January 15, 2016. Failure to file

by January 15, 2016 will cause the employer to be out of compliance and the employee may be found to have failed to maintain H-1B status.

Third, applies to those changes occurring on or after August 19, 2015. An employer must file an amended or new H-1B petition before the employee starts working

at a new place of employment not covered by an existing, approved H-1B petition.

In addition, employers must comply with Notices of Intent to Revoke, Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests For Evidence (“RFE”) issued before July 21, 2015. Where a Notice of Intent to Revoke was received by the employer and the response period has not ended, filing an amended or new H-1B petition along with the prior response may avert revocation. In instances where an employer received a RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny, the safe harbor period may be satisfied if a certified copy of the LCA for the new employee work location was included at filing. It is important to note that an employer may not file an amended or new petition as a response to a RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny.

When an amended or new H-1B petition is denied, but the original petition is valid, the employee may return to the original

How can we live longer? babies may even prefer milk at room-temperature or cool (not cold) milk. And they will usually let you know, in not so many words.

Is Oregano an antibiotic?

Technically, no, oregano, our friendly spice on the kitchen shelf, is not an antibiotic. Not on the drugstore shelf yet anyway.

It has recently been found to be a very potent antioxidant, more powerful than many fruits and vegetables. But oregano oil has also been found to kill dangerous, and some drug-resistant, bacteria, including staphylococcus. Researchers from the Georgetown University discovered that a minute amount of oregano oil diluted with olive oil prevented bacterial growth, just like some potent and expensive antibiotics. I won’t be surprised if sometime soon a pharmaceutical company came up with a new antibiotic called “Oregacillin” or something.

Why is improperly cooked pork dangerous?

Poorly cooked or insufficiently barbequed pork (or any meat, for that matter) is dangerous to health, because of the infection, or infestation with parasites, that they can cause. Improperly cooked pork, for instance, can lead to a parasitic disease known as Trichinosis, caused by

a round worm called Trichinella spiralis. The larvae are killed by high temperature. If the pork is undercooked, the larvae survive, and when ingested, the digestive juices dissolve the cyst capsule and liberate the larvae in the intestine where they grow to maturity, ready to travel and invade the muscles of the eyelids, the heart, and other muscles in the body. This causes pain, fever, profuse sweating, chills, swelling of tissues, hemorrhages in the retina of the eyes, extreme photophobia (sensitivity to light). All these happen after an incubation period of 7 to 14 days, from the time of ingestion.

Mortality is less than 5 percent.

Most patients recover fully with treatment. This disease is 100% preventable, so we do not have any excuse to catch it at all.

How can we live longer?

While waiting for the discovery of the fountain of youth, here are some tips on healthy activities that could add years to your life: abstinence from smoking adds 1.3 years; vegetarian diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grain), 2.4 years; eating nuts five times a week, 2.9 years; healthy weight, 1.5 years, vigorous exercise 3 times a week, 2.1 years. All these good habits alone can add up to more than PAGE B6

place of employment. Also,the employee must be able to maintain valid nonimmigrant status at the original place of employment. For pending petitions, the filing of an amended or new petition allows for an employee’s worksite location change. In circumstances where the employee’s H-1B status expires while successive amended or new petitions are pending, denials for any petition, requests to amend, or extensions of status will result in denials of successive requests.

Under the Final Guidance, there are limited exceptions for employers. An employer does not need to file an amended petition when the employee moves within an “area of intended employment,” provided that no material changes in employment exist and the original LCA is posted at the new location. Short term placements (generally up to 30 days) of an employee at a new worksite do not require an amended or new petition. The same holds true for

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Conclusion)

MORE than a decade later, I went in his stead. It was something I had planned on doing for some time, as a quiet tribute. For my part, I wanted to understand how such a place shaped who he is and what moved him to sail the seven seas for 40 years as a ship captain, hauling logs and cars and tons of containers from port to port— from Siberia to South Africa, from Pusan to Peru— bringing with him my mother’s keepsake, a small image of the Nuestra Senora de Antipolo, before the wanderlust gave out and he finally found home. He would have been surprised with the changes in his old hometown.

Gone are the slow, ponderous boats to Calapan that seemed more like floating coffins decades ago. Gone is the mixture of smells—of sweat, salt spray, gasoline and livestock —which would make me throw up when the swells were big. Of course, it didn’t help that I made it worse.

Progress has caught up with the place somewhat. Now, for half the length of a Disney movie which gets shown onboard, you

non-worksite locations such as where an employee participates in developmental activity, where an employee spends little time, or when an employee’s job is peripatetic in nature. Peripatetic in nature means an employee is primarily at one worksite location and travels to other locations for short periods of time.

It bears noting that Simeio presumes prior Labor Condition Application (“LCA”) compliancemeaning the employer has filed an LCA before the employee changes worksite location. If LCA deficiencies exist, then filing an amended H-1B petition under Simeio will neither protect the employer nor employee.

A new environment of compliance has been created where employers must understand the post Simeio world to avoid adverse action. Without this indispensable knowledge, employers run the risk losing valuable company assets like employees, time, and money.

Further, H-1B employees run the risk of falling out status which could negatively impact their ability to continue to live and work in the United States. Employers should consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney for an understating of Simeio compliance and whether an amended or new H-1B petition is necessary. *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Mining memories of Mindoro “I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.”

— Lillian Smith

can get there from Batangas pier which has bus routes coming from Plaza Lawton and Cubao. The Aboitiz-owned Super Cat hydrofoil boats with theater style seating and airconditioning, that ply the shark-infested, tricky waters between the two ports of Batangas City and Calapan have made it easy to island hop.

Fast, efficient and affordable, the sleek boats skim the surface in no time flat, particularly during good weather when these can run with the tide. These have become a boon to Mindoro that now connects Luzon to the Visayas region by sea and land, via buses that ran in tandem regularly plying the length of the Mindoro highway corridor.

Many people own cellphones and are nimble with their fingers as they go about texting through their days. There are cellphone towers in the middle of ricefields.

My resident cousin, Andy who acted as our tour guide, says that most would rather forego food than have to go without a load of

prepaid minutes.

Periodically as you drive along the highway, and in the towns, you will see modest-sized homes with Italianate designs sticking out from among thatched huts in the middle of rice paddies.

Andy says that such progress is due to the fact that someone from that household is working as a domestic help somewhere in Europe and the euros are what keeps the local economy afloat.

We spent a day to visit White Beach at Puerto Galera, famous worldwide for their dive sites and its calm, protected waters and its coffee colored sand, a distant second to the pristine white sands of Boracay. We stopped by Tamaraw Falls at San Teodoro, an intense gusher that day because of the recent rains.

On the approach to Puerto Galera from Calapan, the ride takes you to a scenic, elevated zigzag route carved from the land exposing prized Mindoro white marble on the mountainside and PAGE B6

Features

B september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

Nevada State College announces new School of Education Dean Dennis Potthoff

HENDErSON, Nev—Nevada State College (NSC) has hired experienced educator and college administrator Dennis Potthoff, Ph.D., to be the dean of its School of Education.

“Over the course of my career, I have made it a priority to create a classroom environment that encourages a high level of student participation,” Potthoff said. “At NSC, that is still my goal in working with our faculty and students.”

At NSC, he will oversee the School of Education, which has a 2015-16 enrollment of 654 students pursuing degrees in elementary education, special education, secondary education and speech pathology. He also will lead a team of 63 faculty, staff and student-teachers.

Potthoff comes to NSC from the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), where he served as the associate dean for the college of education since 2012.

He joined UNK in 1996 and two years later became its chair of teacher education. He previously worked as an assistant professor at Wichita State University and as an instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). He also has experience teaching and

coaching grades 7-12 at high schools and middle schools in the Midwest and in Ontario, Canada.

Potthoff earned his doctorate in administration, curriculum and instruction, his master of science degree in curriculum and instruction and his bachelor of science degree in social science education and athletic coaching from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The majority of Dr. Potthoff’s scholarly work has addressed issues related to best practices in teacher preparation programming and the purpose for schools and schooling in a democratic society.

Nevada State College, a fouryear public institution, is a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education. NSC places a special emphasis on the advancement of a diverse and largely under-served student population.

Located on a developing 500acre campus in the foothills of Henderson, Nevada, the college was established in 2002 as a new tier in the state system between the research universities and the two-year colleges. In this role, the college emphasizes high-quality instruction, exemplary service, engaging learning experiences, and innovation as a means to

Dennis Potthoff

When the engine warning light is lit, get it checked immediately

Car Care

by Excel

by

more efficient, effective outcomes in all corners of the campus. Since 2002, Nevada State College has grown to offer more than 45 majors and minors, has received independent accreditation and has expanded its physical campus.

Committed to fostering a personal learning environment, students are taught by faculty who serve as mentors and guides in classrooms with an average class size of only 26 students. Nevada State College serves approximately 3,500 students and has over 2,600 alumni, each representing a broad array of cultural and economic backgrounds. For more information, visit http://nsc.edu.

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

Ged GelleGo

OF the nearly four dozen concerns that can cause a car’s Check Engine light to illuminate, none is so small it can reasonably be ignored.

There are more than 40 reasons why the Check Engine light on a car’s dashboard could come on. Some are major and some are not, but because each can affect engine life efficiency and performance, motorists should investigate them all.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 6 million Americans are currently driving cars with Check Engine warning lights on. The campaign’s radio, print and point-of-sale advertising educates drivers about the importance of having an qualified automotive technician at EXCEL AUTO thoroughly check their engine whenever the warning light comes on.

There are a variety of circumstances under which the Check Engine light could come on, but the vast majority fall under a

above lush banana plantations, showing the sea in all its glory.

At the beach are the usual trappings of Philippine tourism: persistent, persuasive peddlers of pearl and coral rings, earrings and necklace, skilled masseuses offering their services, restaurants, money changers, banana boat rides, souvenir shops, tattoo shops, dive shops and big outrigger boats spewing out tourists directly from Batangas City pier.

Particularly when all the room rates of the smattering of hotels and honky tonk joints spike during Holy Week and the summer months, Puerto Galera is all business, crass and hard-nosed. Take the time to check out this place before it gets much too commercial for one’s tastes, while nature is still at the helm of this vanishing beauty.

My sister Mitch and her husband, Bob, who live in Texas went on vacation to Mindoro more recently. They discovered a delightful best kept secret of a resort called Coco Beach. It is a banca ride away from Puerto Gal-

era. It provides above standard amenities and an ambience that is worth the money one normally spends to experience the serenity of nature and island living, at least for a while. They are planning a sequel to their island adventure.

December isn’t the best time to go to Mindoro. Nature, in a grouchy mood, throws a hissy fit around this time. The seas are choppy. rain clouds hover about, casting a pall of unwelcoming soupy grey but I was determined to go, in fair or foul weather. The rivers are swollen overrunning their banks and Naujan, which never had floods before, is now consistently subject to flooding due to some public works project.

During the first night, the wind howled, the waves crested and the sea, all but roared in our ears.

The fish weren’t biting and the fishermen, pulling in their nets, have practically nothing, save some flotsam and jetsam and detritus from an ill-tempered sea, to show for all their efforts – just slim pickings of espada fish to

Calendar of Events across

tide themselves over for the day.

Still, they look to the sea for sustenance and they know, it will be good again.

Thankfully, the rains held off and a bit of sun sneaked out as a grudging welcome the following day and the day after that and all was well. Two dolphins swimming and jumping alongside the Super Cat on the day we sailed must have been good signs.

On our last night, I stood outside on the shore beneath a velvet sky, clear of clouds and peppered with the brightest stars and watched the long, slow, rhythmic procession of tiny pinprick points of light from distant ships passing by the island headed for unknown destinations, like luminous rosary beads glowing in the darkness.

The call of the sea is strong in this place. With a knowing nod, I headed back to the cottage finally understanding why my father chose the life he lived. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS s e p t e m b e r 24

Laudato Si (Praise Be To you, O Lord) caring for our common home Laudato Si (Praise Be To You, O Lord!) is Pope Francis’ encyclical on “CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME” which addresses the grave impact of climate change in world’s communities and ecosystems. On Thursday, September 24, Climate Scientist, Dr. Josh Fisher, from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will explain the scientific foundation of climate change, which is well-aligned with Pope Francis’ letter. The event will take place 7 to 9 PM at Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas (724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773). All are invited, and free refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information, please contact Charlie Martinez, Director of Pastoral Ministries at charlie@hnmparish.org.

By Monet

This September, San Diego Restaurant Week, presented by Lexus Dealerships of San Diego, will CELEBRATE LOCAL... keepin’ it fresh - really fresh. San Diego Restaurant week returns September 20th - September 26th for ONE WEEK ONLY to “Celebrate Local” at all 180+ participating restaurants. Choose from a three-course dinner or two-course lunch deal to satisfy your cravings. NEW THIS YEAR, San Diego Restaurant Week will be partnering with Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank to provide backpacks for children in need within the San Diego community during the ALL FOR KIDS campaign. Ditch the dirty dishes and join over 150,000 fellow diners as we celebrate San Diego’s thriving culinary scene and the homegrown, local businesses that provide us with the produce and products we love! Tickets are not necessary for this delectable week of discounted dining, but reservations are recommended! Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com for more information, including a list of participating restaurants, or to make your reservations in advance!

s e p t e m b e r 25 -26

2nd Grand Reunion GOT (RETIRED) from Cerveza San Miguel US CHAPTER Where: Gold Coast Casino & Hotel (4000 Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103) When: Sept. 25 and 26; Grand Reunion Sept. 26 at 7:00 pm For details and information, please contact Renato Umayam at 323-841-3516, Nida Matias at 818-394-9178, Greg Lacondola at 702-334-8068, or Arnold Navarro at 318-779-6254.

s e p t e m b e r 26

Philippine Medical Association Event The Officers and Members of the Philippine Medical Association headed by President Dr. Arnel Joaquin, and Auxiliary President Divinia Encina will be holding a whole day event to be held at the Reef on the Water in Long Beach, CA on September 26. Assemblyman Rob Bonta and the Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim will participate in the discussion of the law that was passed by the State Legislature regarding full immunization of children before going to school with no exemption. There will be a Dinner Show with performances by the Tausala Polynesian Dancers. It will be a Luau event wherein all the past Presidents of the Auxiliary will be presented after their 35 years of service to the PMASC. The dinner ticket is $70.00 (if paid before August 31) and $80.00 after the due date. For dinner show reservations: please contact Noli R. Zosa, M.D. or Mrs. Nena Zosa at (562) 572- 2481.

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

Lu

A GrEAT Athenian playwright named Euripides wrote this about friends: “Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness. “ I have not read Euripides’ work but is quote described exactly what I experienced with one of my dearest friends, Djoanna.

Djoanna Garcia-Kocher is one of the greatest individuals I know. I met Djoanna in the early 90s when things were less complicated and having “friends” was not based on getting a number of “likes.”

There were no social media then; friends met face to face when they need a shoulder to cry on. Djoanna became my advisor when I was going through the worst times in my life. She would always listen to me, and in all my troubles she would tell me one thing – “Monet, you have to seek God.” I had the privilege of writing her life story in my column and I hope that after reading this, you would have a different perspective on faith, fame and friendship.

Djoanna was a former singer-actress in the Philippines.

She started out as a contestant in Tawag ng Tanghalan, a talent search show when she was 15 years old. Soon after, ABS-CBN gave her more projects, and one of them was a TV show named “Stop, look and listen,” which co-stars the late Jay Ilagan, Tirso Cruz, Eddie Mercado and Tina revilla, among others. During her flourishing career, she had a relationship with former Caloocan Mayor Macario “Boy” Asistio. They have 2 daughters and now have 4 grandchildren.

In 2001, Djoanna moved to the US when she married her husband, Vincent Kocher. Vincent is a Filipino from Davao who is one of the reasons my dear friend Djoanna is always blooming. Djoanna and her

s e p t e m b e r 2 0 -26

CELEBRATE LOCAL with San Diego Restaurant Week!

agnoses and incomplete repairs.

A qualified service technicial at EXCEL AUTO can perform a thorough diagnostic evaluation as soon as a car’s Check Engine light comes on.

Though the warning’s cause may be minor, it can predict a potentially dangerous situation.

A thorough engine analysis is the only safe and reliable way to find out for sure.

If you have any concerns regarding your car, please contact Ged Gallego at excelautolv@ gmail.com or visit EXCEL AUTO SErVICE @ 5120 S. Decatur Blvd. #105 Lv Nv 89118. Excel Auto Service has been of service since 2009 and is Filipino owned.

Excel Auto Service provides FrEE Diagnostic. Call for inquiry (702) 221-7272. *** This column is shared monthly by Ged Gallego, owner of Excel Auto Service, to help educate readers on how to care for their vehicles. If you have any questions or concerns about your car, please email Ged Gallego at gedgallego@yahoo.com, visit at www.excelauto.biz or call 702221-7272.

Djoanna Garcia- Kocher: On faith, fame and friendship

Mining memories of Mindoro PAGE B5

category are called catalyst-damaging occurrences. All automobiles that are model year 1995 or newer are subject to stricter federally mandated emissions standards known as OBD2, and their on-board computers trigger the Check Engine light whenever exhaust emissions fall outside the normal range and could damage the catalytic converter.

The problem can be anything from a lean or rich air/fuel mixture, a bad spark plug or plug wire, or a failed oxygen sensor.

Issues like these account for the lion’s share of Check Engine cases he sees.

Anything that causes poor engine performance or inefficiency could trip the light. And because a car’s sophisticated computer systems are connected and interdependent, seemingly unrelated problems with the transmission, anti-lock braking system or even a loose gas cap could trigger a Check Engine warning, also.

Because a quick-and-simple analysis with a hand-held device will not necessarily pinpoint the problem and may lead to misdi-

PAGE B5

Djoanna Garcia-Kocher

husband stayed in Monterey, CA for a while and then moved to San Diego. In 2007, Djoanna received a wonderful business opportunity from her friend that made her decide to move to LA. Djoanna is the owner and CEO of Helping Hands of Beverly Hills Home Care Services.

They provide nursing and caregiving services to seniors. They are looking to expand soon, as God wills.

Aside from being a successful wife and a hardworking business owner, Djoanna is a passionate singer. She still goes to singing engagements and gigs when she can. She tries to find time to improve her craft, which she believes is her passion and her first love – after God and her husband. She says that singing really makes her really happy. In her own words: “You get a certain high when you sing in front of audiences who appreciate it.”

As Djoanna and I were talking, I asked her to talk about her faith. She recounted everything with joy and pure conviction. She said she became a born again Christian in 1980.

However, she thinks that during that time, her faith was not as deep as it should be. She would go through the motions but did not feel that she has a real relationship with God. But now, by the grace of God, she dedicates more time to church

and bible studies. And says that she prays every single day of her life. Djoanna goes to The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, CA. When I asked her to describe her faith now, she said, “God steered me toward the right direction. Without God, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. My faith is the most important thing in my life. It is non-negotiable. I will never give it up. It is The one thing that I will never compromise.”

I’ve known Djoanna as a very compassionate person.

It is nice to see her having a far greater reason to be that way. And that is because of her faith in Christ. She said that they’ve never been so much happier. She and her husband live a very simple life. They try to live within their means and enjoy the blessings that come their way.

As I recall when I ran to her in times of trouble, I couldn’t help but appreciate how deeply rooted our friendship is, and how much impact her words brought to me. I remember her saying, “When you encounter these challenges, you have surrender to our Savior. It has to be His will, not our will that has to be done. Whatever happens, I will continue to pray for you.”

To my God-fearing friend Djoanna and her husband: Thank you for your prayers and for the gift of friendship. I hope that God will continue to bless all your endeavors. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet S a l o n s a l o n s a c ro s s S o u t h e r n 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

How can we live longer?

10 years to your life, according to the studies conducted by health experts at Loma Linda University in California. This is one of the many scientific investigations that support the same conclusions. Noteworthy too is the fact that persons with high blood pressure and/or diabetes mellitus AND normal total cholesterol level (not higher than 150) do a lot better and have lesser hardening of the arteries, compared to those individuals with high blood pressure and/or diabetes whose total cholesterol is high. Staying away from red meat and concentrating on fish, vegetables, fruits, a high-fiber diet, and following the other tips listed above, do, indeed, pay great dividends in terms of health and longevity.

Can post-open heart patients have sex?

In general, yes, after full recovery, which is usually after a period of two to 3 months, depending on the severity of illness, the extent of surgery, and the individual stamina or tolerance. The aim of open heart surgery is to bring the person back to the normal stream of life, as much as possible. The recommendation is for the patient be the passive partner (lying flat) during the lovemaking, minimiz-

ing heavy exertion. Some may even be benefited by taking a nitroglycerine pill under the tongue before the act. It is most prudent for the person who had surgery, whether of the heart or of other organs, to consult with the attending physician or surgeon for advice on this, and other related, matters, including the indication, safety and risk in the use of Viagra as an aid for male erectile dysfunction. Those on any form of nitroglycerine pills MUST NOT take Viagra, because the combination of these two drugs can lead to fatal consequences.

How can we beat a hangover?

Taking a couple of spoonfuls of honey, before or after drinking, may aid in preventing a hangover, according to a research from the US National Headache Foundation. Headache experts say that the fructose in honey speeds up alcohol metabolism and its effects on our body dissipate more rapidly. Tomato juice also has a lot of fructose in it, the reason why Bloody Mary (the virgin type) is considered a treatment for hangover the morning after. Obviously, tomato juice may also be taken before, and/or after, imbibing alcoholic beverages to minimize hangover symptoms.

Is Aspirin cardioprotective?

Yes, taking mini-dose (81 mg) of aspirin daily has been found to protect the cardiovascular system, especially the heart.

This can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease (heart attack) by thinning out the blood to a safe level and prevent blood clots in the tiny coronary arteries and others. This helps reduce the severity of hardening of the arteries (the culprit that causes heart attack and stroke) by as much as 80%. Although they are sold over the counter, they should not be taken without medical advise and supervision.

This is not recommended for all persons. There are possible risk and complications, like bleeding in the stomach or in the brain, to mention two. Talk to your physician before starting on any drug/treatment regimen.

*** 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

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

Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 24-30, 2015

Anna Sui goes Hawaiian for 2016 summer collection ToP fashion designer Anna Sui SUI riffed on pop’s long standing affair with island life, from the 30s starlet Dorothy Lamour, to Elvis’s trinity of Hawaiian movies. Backstage in The Main Post office in 33rd street in New York

City, September 16, Anna posed with head-make up artist Pat McGrath. She played with traditional Polynesian influences mixed with American pop culture.Her shows always brim with bubbly energy.

Her runway was lined with

palm trees, so it was no mystery what was to come. She took her audience across an ocean to the vibrant islands of the South Pacific. And the best thing ? No jet lag.

Photos by Raoul Gatchalian

Treat Street at Downtown Summerlin

GET ready to celebrate Halloween at Downtown Summerlin. We invite you to join us for an afternoon of fun for the entire family, featuring trick-or-treating with Downtown Summerlin retailers, in addition to a dog costume contest called “Rover Runway,” arts and crafts and more.

Kids can also trunk-or-treat at

the classic Ford and Mustang car show, where more than 50 cars will be on display, all of which will be decorated in Halloween décor.

Guests are invited to stop outside the Macy’s Promenade for a “Wacky Family Portrait,” courtesy of Downtown Summerlin. Printed and digital photos are compli-

mentary and can be sent directly to guest’s Shutterfly accounts where they can be incorporated into fun holiday gifts for family members.

This is a free event and open to the public.

For more information, call (702) 832-1000 or visit www. downtownsummerlin.com.

Asian Heritage Celebration SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Springs Preserve invites you to be dazzled by the music, dance and costumes of the Far East during the Asian Heritage Celebration.

Enjoy cultural performances, traditional food, a martial arts exhibition and more. You won’t want to miss this festive celebration.

$5 adults $3 children ages 5 – 12 FREE children ages 4 and under springspreserve.org U.S. 95 and Valley View

Presented by

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B september 24-30, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

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