New York-New Jersey -- November 18 -- 24, 2016

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Volume10 – Issue 8 • 16 Pages

N O V E MBE R 1 8 - 2 4 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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Duterte to Trump: Be fair to undocumented immigrants

by LeiLa

B. SaLaverria Inquirer.net

PresIDeNt rodrigo Duterte thinks he will get along with Donald trump as Us president and says he trusts trump’s judgment to deal fairly with undocumented immigrants he plans to kick out of the United states. mr. Duterte’s hostility toward the United states has defined his foreign

DATELINE

policy so far, but he has changed his tune since trump’s surprise election win last week.

In an interview with reporters in malacañang on tuesday, Nov. 15, mr.

Duterte acknowledged trump’s intent to deport up to 3 million illegal immigrants.

“I trust in his judgment that he would be fair in the matter of the treatment of illegal immigrants,” mr. Duterte said.

“I cannot talk for the illegals because, whether President trump or anybody else for that matter, an illegal is always an illegal,” he said.

Playing down impact Administration officials are playing down the likely impact of a mass deportation of filipinos from the United states.

Labor secretary silvestre Bello III on tuesday said only a few filipinos were

Rodrigo Duterte and Donald Trump

Inquirer.net photo

working illegally in the United states, while presidential spokesperson ernesto Abella on Wednesday, Nov. 16 said trump’s immigration policy would have little impact on the Philippines.

Both officials, however, did not give an estimate of the number of filipinos working illegally in the United states.

Inquirer research showed 3.5 million filipinos were living in the United states as of 2013, the year for which latest fig-

ures were available. of those, 271,000 were illegals.

Remittances Bello said the undocumented could look to the government for help, but a crackdown could severely strain government logistics and emergency livelihood and job programs. the expulsion of the undocumented could also punch a hole, though maybe

Duterte wants to meet ‘idol’ Putin, get along with Trump

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

DOT plans for global fanfare and sweeping changes in 2017 A NUmBer of high profile events as well as improvements in the way Americans and other travelers experience the Philippines are in the works, according to representatives of the country’s Department of tourism (Dot).

Philippine officials laid out the department’s strategy to accelerate growing American interest in the island nation during a media event in Los Angeles hosted by the Dot on friday, November 11. Department representatives also responded to potential tourists’ security concerns regarding the Philippines’ war on drugs.

“We in the Philippines actually feel safer now,” said Dot Undersecretary Katherine De Castro during friday’s press conference.

“Despite what you hear, there’s more police trust.” she added that most tourists who offer feedback report feeling secure while traveling in the Philippines. De Castro credited programs implemented by the administra-

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CONSUMER ALERT: UTILITIES CALL SCAM

Beware of callers posing as utility employees demanding immediate payment WAshINGtoN – the federal Communications Commission (fCC) is alerting consumers to be on the lookout for callers pretending to be utility company employees demanding immediate payment, often by prepaid debit cards, credit cards, or gift cards. As American consumers prepare for winter months when many people would be endangered by an interruption to heating fuel, the fCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau wanted to make consumers aware of this scam and prepared to protect themselves.

Key consumer tip: If consumers receive a call warning them of a balance they do not believe they owe their utility, they should hang up, independently look up their utility company’s phone number on a recent statement or legitimate website, and call that number to verify the legitimacy of the call.

In this scam, the caller typically poses as a representative of the consumer’s actual local utility, stating that immediate payment

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by Dana

SioSon AJPress

President Rodrigo Duterte (right) talks to Russian Ambassador to PH Igor Khovaev in Malacañang. Duterte will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Peru at the sidelines of the APEC summit this week.

Malacañang photo

Filipina dies in fatal Times Square subway push MTA official says platform barriers have to be installed

by MoMar

G. viSaya

AJPress

CoNNIe Watton, a 49-year-old woman died after she was pushed in front of an oncoming 1 train at the 42nd street-times square station last week, according to eyewitness sources and authorities.

Police arrested melanie Liverpool-turner after she pushed Watton in front of an oncoming train. Witnesses told police that she was “calmly trying to walk out of the station”.

Watton, an Astoria, Queens resident and an immigrant from the Philippines, had spent de-

cades working as a housekeeper, cook and caretaker for billionaire Blackstone Group Ceo stephen schwarzman’s family, according to the New York Post.

“It’s a very sad day for my family. one of the best people in the world, Connie Watton, was murdered yesterday,” teddy schwarzman, stephen’s son, wrote in a facebook post cited by the Post.

“Connie came to America legally from the Philippines when she was 18 years old, became an Us citizen, and has had one job for her entire short life - working in my family’s home as a housekeeper, friend and surrogate

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PhILIPPINe President rodrigo Duterte expressed his excitement to meet russian leader Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit in Peru. on tuesday, November 15, Duterte said he told russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev his intent to have bilateral talks with Putin at the sidelines of the international summit. “matuloy ho (it will push through). Ako ang nanghingi niyan (i requested for it). earlier tonight, I had a long talk with the ambassador of russia. I reiterated my desire to meet Putin, bilateral,” Duterte told reporters in malacañang. the Philippine president also said that he wanted the country to form a good relationship with russia.

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PH Labor Dept. urges undocumented Pinoys to come back home

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

the Department of Labor and employment (DoLe) urged undocumented overseas filipino Workers (ofWs) to return in the Philippines before President-elect Donald trump assumes office in January next year.

Addressing the undocumented immigrants in the United states, Labor secretary silvestre Bello III said that it would be better if they come back in the Philippines or start processing the legalization of their stay abroad. trump, who won the recent U.s. presidential elections, said that among his administration’s priorities include the deportation or imprisonment of about three million Connie Watton

Facebook photo

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Affair does not PH-US firearms deal prove drug links, to push through says De Lima

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

by PaoLo

roMero Philstar.com

mANILA — sen. Leila de Lima was incredulous on thursday, Nov. 17 that her affair with her former driver and bodyguard ronnie Dayan was being used by the Department of Justice (DoJ) to beef up the criminal cases against her.

De Lima, whom President Duterte has repeatedly tagged as a protector of drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), also

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the Philippines’ purchase of 26,000 assault rifles from the United states will proceed, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General ronald “Bato” Dela rosa on monday, November 14.

In a press briefing, Dela rosa said that sig sauer, a firearms manufacturer based in the U.s., has informed the PNP that the processing of the documents related to the purchase is ‘going on smoothly.’

According to the PNP chief, President rodri- SHARING EXPERTISE. U.S. and Philippine Special Forces began annual combat exercises go Duterte has given the police the green light on Wednesday, Nov. 16 despite President Duterte’s threats to end joint war games and

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kick American soldiers out of the Philippines.

Inquirer.net photo by Jeoffrey Maitem

A NOVEMBER 18-24, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Duterte to Trump: Be fair to undocumented…

PAGE A1 t

STILL FRIENDS. President Rodrigo Duterte met with former president Fidel V. Ramos at Malacanang on Monday, Nov. 14, weeks after the latter resigned as the country’s special envoy to China. Duterte described his meeting with Ramos “pleasant,” saying they discussed climate change and peace process, among others.

Duterte wants to meet ‘idol’ Putin…

PAGE A1 t

“I won’t ask for anything. I want to be friends with him. I just want the two countries to be the best of friends. This is an economic world. If there are things we can sell them or export to them, it would be good,” Duterte pointed out.

In an interview with Al Jazeera last month, Duterte tagged Putin as his “idol.” He also recently described the Russian leader as his “favorite hero.”

“He (Putin) has no illusions about himself. He knows that he was not trained for politics. Nor to be a statesman. He acts just like a president. My characterization of Putin is what I would describe myself,” Duterte previously said.

On the other hand, Duterte congratulated President-elect

Donald Trump for his “well-deserved victory” in the recent U.S. presidential election.

“You (Trump) are the chosen leader of the most powerful country,” Duterte said.

Asked if he thinks the PHUS relationship would improve under Trump’s administration, Duterte replied: “Oh I’m sure.

We do not have any quarrel.”

“I can always be a friend of anybody especially presidents, chief executive of another country. He does not call me out over my campaign about human rights,” he added.

Over the past few months, Duterte has been issuing controversial statements against the United States for the latter’s alleged interference in the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs. Duterte also

previously expressed his intent to sever ties with America in pursuit of an independent policy.

But after the recent U.S. election poll results were announced, Duterte seemed to lower his hostile remarks against the United States.

Early this month, Duterte expressed his intent to maintain cooperation with the U.S. under the future Trump administration which would be “anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.”

However, he later affirmed that the Philippines’ shift towards China and other members of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will be maintained, adding that his actions will be anchored only on the interest of the country. n

mother for the past thirty years,” Teddy wrote.

Schwarzman’s daughter, Zibby Schwarzman, said the victim, Watton, worked for Schwarzman and his family for 30 years.

Schwarzman was quoted by the Post as saying the family was “really sad and shocked” by Wat-

Human rights is a red line topic for Mr. Duterte and a trigger for his rage.

The President has almost daily badmouthed US President Barack Obama, calling the American leader a “son of a bitch” and telling him to “go to hell” for expressing concern about extrajudicial killings in Mr. Duterte’s brutal campaign against illegal drugs.

Nearly 4,000 people have been killed by police and suspected vigilantes since Mr. Duterte launched the campaign upon taking office four months ago.

The United Nations and European Union have also expressed concern about those killings and the International Criminal Court has warned that Philippine officials could be prosecuted at the tribunal for crimes against humanity.

Mr. Duterte has responded to them with derision, directing his ire mostly at the United States, from which he has declared economic and military “separation” in October to give China a greater

role in Philippine development.

But after Trump won the US presidential election on Nov. 8, Mr. Duterte softened his stance, saying he did not want to quarrel with the United States anymore because Trump—foulmouthed and with a volcanic temper like him—was already the “leader of the most powerful country in the world.”

Economic damage If Trump follows through on some of his campaign promises, however, it could damage the Philippine economy.

His immigration policy is just one threat to the Philippine economy. His threat to tear up the United States’ economic alliances is another.

The United States may remain the most powerful country in the world under Trump, but Mr. Duterte cannot refer to him as the leader of the free world.

With Obama stepping down in January, analysts have begun to assign that role to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. n

Affair does not prove drug links, says…

PAGE A1 t

dismissed calls for her to resign.

Dayan was alleged to have acted as De Lima’s bagman, collecting money from drug lords to fund her senatorial campaign earlier this year. He remains in hiding and private individuals have offered more than P1 million in reward for any information leading to his arrest.

“Is that (affair with Dayan) proof that I’m involved? Or had something to do with the drug trade in the NBP just because I had a previous relationship?” De Lima remarked.

“If you’re a bagman, do you have to be romantically involved? Is that proof? Theoretically, anyone can be a bagman, assuming that their claim is true that I benefitted from the drug trade,” she said.

De Lima said her being romanton’s unprovoked murder. “She there were 50 people who were tically involved with Dayan was was part of every holiday. She killed by trains in 2015. This year, not relevant but the attack dogs was just a part of every piece of Watton is the 44th fatality. Two of the administration are trying life since I was nine years old,” days after Watton was pushed to make a scandal out of it as part to her death, a man killed him- of their efforts to shame her. she said.

“The misogynistic tendency “It’s horrifying,” she was quot- self after he jumped in front of a ed as saying. “I almost threw up train at the same Times Square of the President, that he wants to portray me as an immoral on the street. It’s murder. She station.

Because of these – and the woman, that’s where the douwas murdered.” u PAGE A3 ble standards of our society According to the Daily News,

Filipina dies in fatal Times Square subway…

PAGE A1 t

not too big, through a significant item in the Philippines’ economic basket—remittances from USbased Filipinos.

Inquirer research showed that last year, US-based Filipinos sent home $8.41 billion (P413.52 billion), equivalent to 3 percent of the Philippines’ $291.97-billion (P14.36-trillion) gross domestic product.

How much would be lost is hard to estimate, as the share of the undocumented in the overall remittances from the United States is unknown.

Despite the economic disaster faced by the Filipino undocumented in the United States, Mr. Duterte said he was sure he would get along with Trump, with whom he is often likened.

“We have no quarrel. I can always be a friend to anybody, especially to a president, a chief executive of another country. I am not being reprimanded for the campaign about human rights,” Mr. Duterte said.

Chief Inspector Joshua Maximo, town police chief, stands outside the gate of a house where Sen. Leila de Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan reportedly spent their weekends in Barangay Galarin, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan. Police received no response after knocking at the gate several times.

Philstar.com photo by cesar Ramirez

come in. Look who’s talking,” De Lima said.

The senator also said she was anticipating that Kerwin Espinosa – who is set to be returned to the country this week – will be pressured to testify against her, especially after his father, Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, was gunned down in his jail cell.

She said the incident was simi-

lar to the incidents with other witnesses who testify against her, including NBP inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

“All their efforts are focused against me. I’m the only one they keep on filing cases. Have you heard of any other cases being built up against other alleged (drug) protectors, alleged coddlers – the real ones?” De Lima said. n

From the Front Page

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 18-24, 2016

PH-US firearms deal to push…

PAGE A1 t

to proceed with the deal after Dela Rosa briefed him regarding the matter.

“Actually I talked to him (Duterte) personally during our trip to Malaysia tungkol diyan (about that). We reported to him that the processing of documents is going on smoothly according to Sig Sauer, wala silang nakitang harang doon, hindi po naharang (they have seen no attempt to block the sale),” Dela Rosa said.

Duterte previously announced that he ordered the cancellation of the gun purchase after the U.S. reportedly halted the sale due to concerns over the human rights

MERRY AND BRIGHT. Fairytale characters come to life as the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan lights up its annual Christmas display.

The annual display moved to Greenhills in 2002 from the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

DOT plans for global fanfare and sweeping…

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tion of President Rodrigo Duterte this year, like a nationwide 911 hotline, for enhancing security throughout the country.

Statements and suggestions from President Rodrigo Duterte’s signaling a diplomatic shift away from the United States had threatened to weaken the Philippines’ ties with its longtime ally and depress tourism.

DOT representatives noted the president’s penchant for inflammatory off-the-cuff comments but encouraged people to examine Duterte’s statements in their real context instead of focusing on sound bites.

They went on to say that the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump bodes well for relations between the Philippines and the United States.

Duterte said he shared many similarities with Trump and became one of the first world leaders to publicly congratulate the newly-elected American president on Wednesday, November 9 while visiting Malaysia. “[Duterte] said that henceforth, there will be no more negative comments about the United States,” said Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz during Wednesday’s conference.

“He said that, as of yesterday [Thursday, November 10],” De Castro followed up, subtly referring to the administration’s past backtracking on some of the president’s comments.

Moving forward, the DOT will

ready preparations for events that officials hope will generate an influx of foreign travelers.

Following the crowning of Filipina contestant Pia Wurtzbach in the 2015 Miss Universe beauty pageant, plans had been announced for the Philippines to host the next competition on January 30, 2017.

In the past, Duterte said he was not interested in allocating government resources to putting on the competition. However, private investors are expected to shoulder the $11-million dollar cost of the event, which should proceed as scheduled.

From April 20-24, 2017, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig will serve as the site for the World Street Food Conference (WSFC).

Next year will be the first time the event will be hosted outside of Singapore. Some of the finest chefs from the Philippines, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. will expose foodies from around the world to a wide variety of street food delicacies.

However, some have harbored doubts regarding the Philippines’ capacity to put on such large ticket spectacles.

“To those who wonder if we will be able to pull this off...we are ready,” Richmond Jimenez, the tourism director for the DOT’s office in Los Angeles, said during Friday’s meeting. He went on to note that “we in the Philippines have hosted foreign dignitaries in the past.”

In the meantime, the depart-

Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Cruz, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Katherine De Castro, Binibining Pilipinas USA 2016 Nicole Ceniza, DOT Assistant Secretary Gwen Javier, and DOT-Los Angeles Director Richmond Jimenez.

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Beware of callers posing as…

PAGE A1 t

will ensure that the consumer’s heating service will not be disconnected. The scammers are known to spoof utility company telephone numbers so the caller ID makes it appear to be a call from the utility company. These scammers often use automated interactive voice response calling systems that mimic legitimate providers’ calls. After consumers, many of whom are older adults, follow instructions via interactive prompts, they are connected to a live “customer service representative” who asks for the access code for a credit, debit, or gift card. This information allows the scammer to cash out the card or sell it to a third party.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by this scam should immediately report the incident to their actual utility company, to local police, to the Federal Trade Commission’s Complaint Assistant, and to the FCC’s Consumer Help Center.

Consumers should always be on alert for this scam and others.

The following tips can help ward off unwanted calls and scams: Do not answer calls from unknown numbers. Let them go to voicemail.

If you are unclear if a caller is legitimate, hang up, look up the company’s phone number independently on your recent bill or their legitimate website, and contact them through an official number, web form or email address to see if they called you.

By initiating the communication

yourself, you can verify that the request for payment is legitimate.

If you answer and the caller (often a recording) asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, just hang up. Scammers often use these tricks to identify – and then target – live respondents.

If you receive a scam call, write down the number and file a complaint with the FCC and other appropriate authorities so we can help identify and take appropriate action to help consumers targeted by illegal callers.

Ask your phone service provider if it offers a robocall blocking service that allows subscribers to block unwanted calls. If not, encourage your provider to start offering a blocking service. You can also visit the FCC’s website on “Web Resources for Blocking Robocalls” for information and resources on available robocall blocking tools to help you reduce unwanted calls.

Legitimate utility companies will not demand payment via gift cards.

As the agency that implements and enforces the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC reviews all consumer complaints and will continue, when appropriate, to issue consumer alerts based on those complaints and other public information related to possible scams and frauds.

This is part of a new, standing series of consumer alerts from the FCC in hopes of informing, protecting, and empowering consumers. n

ment plans on seeking out new ways to invite tourists to explore the Philippines and clearing up issues that impact a visitor’s peace of mind.

Specifically, department officials are trying to work out an arrangement that will allow healthcare providers in the Philippines to accept American health insurance. Doing so would not only save money for people who require consistent treatment or become injured while traveling abroad, but open up medical tourism and clear up liability issues that limit colleges and other

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violations in the Philippines.

The Philippine president said the country would just have to look for another source and would not insist on buying expensive arms from the U.S. This came to light after U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his intention to oppose the U.S.’ transactions. Cardin cited the reported extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as grounds halt the transaction.

Since Duterte took office, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded more than 3,000 individuals killed, which include deaths committed both by legiti-

PH Labor Dept. urges…

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undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Assuming Trump would keep his campaign promise, Bello, however, noted that the U.S. president-elect’s immigration policy would only have “minimal effect” since most OFWs there are legally employed.

“Most of our OFWs there are documented and are legal, especially our seafarers,” Bello said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also made similar statement with DOLE. The DFA previously expressed that Trump’s immigration pronouncements do not have a “calamitous impact” on the Filipino community in the United States.

According to the DFA, there were about 3.18 million Filipinos in the U.S. as of December 2015.

The latest record from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) shows that only about 271,000 Filipinos were irregulars or undocumented as of December 2013.

“A vast majority of the three million Filipinos residing in the U.S. have legal residency or citizenship status, pay their taxes and generally obey American laws,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said.

On the other hand, if the undocumented filipinos decide to come home, Bello said the Philippine government is ready to provide them with livelihood and employment assistance.

“The end program of our president (Rodrigo Duterte) is to bring back our OFWs so we already established a mechanism for businesses and employment opportunities,” Bello added. n

A

mate police operations and vigilantes.

“When I explained that to him (Duterte), sabi niya (he said) OK you continue. Ipagpatuloy n’yo yan kasi wala naman palang hinarang (Get on with the deal since nothing is actually blocked),” Dela Rosa added.

However, Dela Rosa said he’s sure that Duterte will tell the PNP to cancel the deal again if the U.S. State Department blocks it.

The PNP chief also said that the rifles will be paid by the Philippine government.

“Binabayaran namin ito, hindi naman namin ito hinihingi (We are paying for this, we did not asking for it for free) so we should get fair and equal treatment dahil (because) this is business,” he said. n

Filipina dies…

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recent incidents of people being pushed or fatally jumping from platforms to their deaths – some MTA officials are reportedly reconsidering barriers and technology to prevent further incidents from happening in the future.

“We’re all still resonating from the murder that was committed on the subway and the suicides that are, seem to be, becoming a regular part of the news,” said Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member David Jones. “It won’t eliminate all that, but clearly, as my daughter rides the train, I think many parents, young people of all ages, would be reassured with some protective devices, particularly at the overcrowded stations.” n

Dateline USa

A NOVEMBER 18-24, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

ConGen Dizon-De Vega meets and sends Off FYLPRO New York delegates to immersion trip in PH

ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT. DENR Secretary Gina Lopez and her counterpart in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Forester Hadji Kahal Kedtag, show the written agreement binding their offices to develop mangrove and bamboo plantations in selected sites in ARMM. The ARMM, which has five component-provinces, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur in mainland Mindanao and the islands of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, covers 116 towns.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

Trump prepares for the presidency Clarifies stances, staff appointments

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

DONALD Trump’s unexpected win after garnering more electoral votes than opponent Hillary Clinton shocked the world as his controversial campaign plans became closer to manifestation.

After meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House last week, President-elect Trump has begun laying out his plans for the presidency.

Trump went on CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday, November 13 to discuss his plans with host Lesley Stahl and illuminated on a number of his stances from his campaign.

One of the more poignant moments of the conversation was when Stahl brought up the reports of racial slurs, personal threats and harassment toward minorities by Trump supporters.

Muslim-Americans, in particular, have been a prevalent target of hate crimes in the U.S. Previously, Trump has suggested a temporary ban of Muslims into the U.S. and suggested that all Muslims in the country be labeled.

The FBI reported on Monday, November 14 that hate crimes toward Muslim-Americans rose last year, spiking the rate of all hate crimes to 7 percent.

Trump said he was “surprised to hear” about the harassment from his supporters and then looked into the camera and told them to “stop it.”

“I am so saddened to hear that,” he told Stahl. “And I say, ‘Stop it.’ If it-- if it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.”

Health care reform Trump’s previous plan to fully “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act -- also known as Obamacare -- was a defining stance during Trump’s campaign which attracted many of his conservative supporters.

On Sunday, however, when discussing his plans to replace the landmark health care law, he indicated there were key parts of Obamacare he planned to keep, a move which may worry some conservatives.

One of the key features that will remain is a guarantee that those with pre-existing conditions will still be covered “because it happens to be one of the strongest assets,” Trump noted.

He also indicated he wants to keep the article in the law that states that children can be held on their parents’ health insurance until they’re 26 years old. “[We are] very much try and keep that. Adds cost, but it’s very much something we’re going to

try and keep,” Trump assured.

Decisions on the court In a move that could worry conservatives, Trump announced that he was “fine” with the 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage. When asked about whether he supports marriage equality, he dodged the question and said that the case – Obergefell v. Hodges – was “settled”, even if he appoints a new justice that would look to overturn it.

“It-- it’s irrelevant because it was already settled. It’s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court.

I mean it’s done,” Trump said However, he confirmed that he was opened to challenging the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in 1973. Moreover, he confirmed that he was vetting conservative-leaning justices to replace the two vacant seats in the Supreme Court left by the death of Antonin Scalia and the upcoming retirement of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Affirming his campaign pledge, the president-elect said that if the court overturned the case, people would “have to go to another state” to get an abortion.

When Stahl pushed him on the issue, Trump said that there’s a lot of work to be done

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NEW YORK — New York delegates to the Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO) Jhett Tolentino and Noel Joseph Aglubat paid a courtesy call on Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega on Tuesday, November 15 and expressed their anticipation for the 8-day immersion program which will cover government, business, cultural and socio-civic meetings and activities in the Philippines.

ConGen Dizon-De Vega got acquainted with the delegates and gave them pointers on how to get the most out of their FYLPRO experience. The pair will join eight other delegates from all over the US, and will share their learnings to their peers on their return. The Consul General and the delegates likewise discussed holding a Town Hall meeting with the public after the program as well as possible legacy projects.

Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino and youth leader Noel Joseph Aglubat receive a short briefing from Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega on what to expect on their FYLPRO experience.

Photo by Khrys Corpuz

FYLPRO was established in 2012 in cooperation with Ayala Foundation Inc. to provide delegates with invaluable communi-

ty, economic, and civic insights and access to a distinguished network of captains of industry and policy-makers. n

DOT plans for global fanfare and sweeping…

PAGE A3 t institutions from organizing trips to the Philippines.

At Friday’s meeting, Cruz, De Castro and DOT Assistant Secretary Gwen Javier said some of the people most interested in learning about and exploring the Philippines were second-generation Filipino Americans and those who emigrated to the U.S. at a young age The department also has plans to attract more millennials by significantly expanding ecotourism. At present, only a handful of regions in the Philippines specifically caters to those environmentally conscious travelers. In 2017, DOT officials intend to develop programs promoting natural wonders found throughout the country.

De Castro added that efforts involving digital media have delivered promising and cost-effective results. After relaunching their website earlier this year, the DOT has been developing an app.

They are also trying to attract more bloggers and internet personalities to visit the Philippines and share their experiences.

Although department representatives say are focusing on

Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Cruz, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Katherine De Castro and DOT Assistant Secretary Gwen Javier.

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

implementing brand new strategies, say they are open to bringing back popular but discontinued promotions. They are also considering reopening their offices in Chicago, which had been the only source of department outreach in the country outside of the East and West coasts.

The department will move forward with their ambitious plans despite limited financial backing from the Philippine government.

Even though tourism represents roughly 10 percent of the Philippine GDP, the DOT is significantly underfunded compared to comparable agencies of other Southeast Asian countries, according to De Castro.

She said that, in light of that information, a number of lawmakers in Manila have begun to throw their support behind increasing the department’s budget in 2017.

(Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 18-24, 2016

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107-year-old Fil-Am votes for the first time

by Klarize

MeDenilla AJPress

NEW LIBRARY. One would think eighteen year-olds wish for sugar, spice and everything nice on their debut, but not Jianne Amber Y. Yaokasin who opted to share her blessings with the students of Tacloban by donating libraries. Amber, the eldest child of Mr. Jimjim Yaokasin, celebrated her 18th birthday last October 2. Instead of splurging on a party, she chose to donate the funds for a fully furnished library, complete with shelves, books, and computers, for the Tacloban North National High School. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, her Godfather, was present for the inauguration and ribbon cutting.

Senate photo

Latest Pacquiao fight sold over 300K PPVs, says Arum

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

MANILA – Top Rank chief Bob Arum says Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Jessie Vargas last November 6 sold “a little over 300,000” pay-per-view units, USA Today reported.

Speaking to USA Today’s Mike Coppinger, Arum said he is satisfied with the numbers, especially with the fact that they aired the PPV card themselves.

“Why would we need HBO PayPer-View going forward?” said the veteran promoter. “What do they add that we weren’t able to do ourselves. I think the fact there was no delay helped the numbers.”

HBO, which has aired most of Pacquiao’s past major fights, passed up on broadcasting the Pacquiao-Vargas card, leaving Arum and Top Rank to take matters into their hands.

And Pacquiao’s longtime promoter said the promotion was a financial success.

“We presented a great show,” Arum said. “We made money.

Everybody made money. You don’t hit a home run every time.

We hit a single or a double. I’m

WHEN Joaquin Arciago Guzman became a United States citizen in 2012, the steadfast Filipino-American made headlines as one of the oldest individuals to gain U.S. citizenship.

In a 2012 ceremony in downtown Los Angeles on the Fourth of July, Guzman sat in a wheelchair — miniature American flag tow — as he recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang along to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and took the citizenship oath with about 7,300 newly naturalized citizens.

He was 102 years old at the time.

In addition to maintaining health care benefits, Guzman had another reason to become an American citizen: to vote and contribute to a country that has provided him with countless opportunities.

Still going strong at 107 years old, Guzman became one of the oldest voters in the country to cast a ballot in the 2016 general election. With the help of his niece Julie Aguinaldo, he sent in his ballot by mail weeks before Election Day, happy to have done his duty as an American citizen.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was Guzman’s pick at the top ticket, and when the results came in and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump won, Guzman can only express one thing. “[I’m] very disappointed,” he told the Asian Journal with de-

PAGE A4 t

by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

MANILA – Juan Manuel Marquez said he has no interest in facing Manny Pacquiao for a fifth time and insisted that there’s no need for it.

After dominating Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas last November 6, the 37-year-old Pacquiao said he is still willing to take on all Manny Pacquiao comers, including Marquez, with very pleased.”

It was reported that the Fili- whom he shares an epic rivalry.

But the Mexican star, now Pacquiao routed Vargas to pino icon’s purse for the fight claim the WBO welterweight will be taken from a percentage 43 years old, stressed that he is championship in front of a near- of the card’s revenue, which is done with Pacquiao.

“I’m grateful that he still has sellout crowd of more than in contrast to Pacquiao’s previ16,000 at the Thomas & Mack ous bouts where he always had a me in mind [for a fight], but I’ve already said it and I’ll say it to the Center in Las Vegas. guaranteed paycheck. n media and I’ll say it to you, to everyone – a fifth fight is not warranted,” he recently told Golpe

ment and economic traffic and hoped for a Chinese-Japanese détente in the East Sea. The former Speaker said that at a recent speech he delivered with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, he proposed a Third China Silk Road project, from Hainan across the South China Sea to the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Brazil to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the U.S. in the light of large Chinese investments in Latin America.

“This will make the project circumnavigated” and “a revival of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade which lasted 250 years, even without the Panama Canal,”

Trump also named rightwing media personality Stephen Bannon as his senior counselor and chief West Wing strategist, prompting backlash from Democrats and moderates alike.

Bannon is known for his white nationalist views and accusations of being an anti-Semite which critics say make him unfit to serve the President.

Bannon is also the executive chairman of the alt-right wing Breitbart News Network, which has become a “cesspool” for white supremacy, as a former Breitbart News editor-at-large described it.

Several organizations oppose the appointment of Bannon to such a key post in the White House, like the Anti-Defamation League, a watchdog for antiSemites and racists.

“It is a sad day when a man who presided over the premier website of the ‘alt-right’ — a

a Golpe, a boxing show aired on ESPN Deportes.

Marquez argued that he has nothing more to prove after knocking Pacquiao out cold in their fourth meeting in 2012. Prior to that, he and Pacquiao fought to a draw in their first encounter in 2004, while the Filipino icon escaped with close, disputable decisions in their 2008 and 2011 rematches.

After pulling off the most conclusive result of their rivalry when he sent Pacquiao to dreamland at the end of the sixth round of their 2012 grudge match, Marquez said is finally satisfied.

“It was a victory and everyone saw it as such. If I had beaten him in a close fight or the judges simply handed me the fight – then I would have signed for a rematch,

but it wasn’t like that,” added the boxer, who hasn’t fought since 2014.

The Filipino was close to stopping Marquez, badly bloodying his foe’s nose, when he ran into a perfectly timed counter right by the Mexican.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, is expected to return to the ring next year, against virtually anyone who would be pitted against him.

But he can already take Marquez out of the picture.

“We won in a very convincing manner and everybody knows that. The way that Pacquiao beat me in the third fight – if I would have won that way [in the fourth fight]. I would have given him that rematch. A fifth fight is not needed,” said Marquez. n

Atty. Rio Guerrero

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia

he said, “and brought Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese products into the New World.”

De Venecia is proceeding with wife, former Congresswoman Gina de Venecia, to New York to promote the efforts of ICAPP Secretary General Chung Eui-yong and Pakistan Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed to obtain “Observer Status” for ICAPP at the U.N. General Assembly.

De Venecia will then proceed to Washington D.C. to accept the Chairmanship of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), sponsored by U.S. congressional leaders and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). Former U.S. congressional leader Dan Burton was chosen as IAPP’s Co-Chairman. n

Trump prepares for the…

on the matter without further elaborating.

“Well we’ll see what happens,” he said. “It’s got a long way to go, just so you understand. That has a long, long way to go.

Draining the swamp Promising to eliminate corporate-driven Establishment politics in Washington -- or what he calls “draining the swamp” - Trump has begun appointing his staff. On Sunday, he chose Republican National Committee Chairman and staunch conservative Reince Priebus as his White House chief of staff.

Priebus, who also acted as a campaign consultant for Trump, has close ties to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who has previously criticized the presidentelect. The move is likely to ease tensions between Trump and Ryan and secure legislative support in Congress.

jection.

Aguinaldo said that Guzman always supported the Democratic Party, saying that he believed that the party prioritized the interests of “the working class people” and ensured more health benefits for Americans. He also wished to witness the election of the nation’s first female president.

Although the presidential election didn’t swing in his favor, he believes that “Clinton is still the winner.”

Of his decision to vote, his family expressed pride and happiness for their elder.

“This was something he really wanted to do as an American, so we’re all happy that he got to do it,” Aguinaldo said with a smile.

Marquez thumbs down fifth fight vs Pacquiao

JDV: Trump’s triumph halts deterioration of RP-US ties; reduces US-Russia confrontation

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia said on Saturday, Nov. 12, that two significant pluses in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory is the “removal of the possibility of inter U.S.-Russia nuclear threat” and a “halt in the deterioration of Philippine-American relations.”

De Venecia, five-time Speaker and Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), told Filipino newsmen of the Asian Journal, which publishes five newspapers in the U.S. West and East Coasts, “Hopefully, the simmering tension between the U.S., Russia, and European Union on the Ukraine will diminish and President Duterte and Trump will have much better chemistry.”

He said what remains uncertain is the future of the President Obama-initiated Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) while the Silkand-Road project launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping will move forward from East Asia to Central Asia across Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, and Western Europe to Venice, Italy.

He added he is hopeful American-Chinese relations will continue to improve as signalled by their mutual leadership and support of the historic Climate change accord.

De Venecia expected continuing Philippines-Chinese relations improvement, increased invest-

Joaquin Arciago Guzman

A fruitful life Born in Paniqui, Tarlac in the Philippines in 1910, Guzman has lived through two world wars, Philippine independence and 18 U.S. presidential administrations.

At the age of 18, he took a 23-day journey by boat across the Pacific Ocean to work as a farmer in Salinas, California, picking lettuce throughout the late 1920s into the Great Depression.

In 1939, he then went back to the Philippines to marry the love of his life, Paz Irene Gatchalian, the daughter of a mayor. Before the birth of their first child of six, Guzman went back to work in the U.S. to support his family in 1941, continuing to work in the fields through World War II. In 1948, he moved back to the Philippines where he and his wife would raise their family. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s when he, his wife and two of their adult children moved to California for good, settling in the Los Angeles area.

In 2012, his son Joaquin Guzman, Jr. said that he opted to become a citizen over renewing his green card because he feared he would lose his health benefits.

To the regret of the family, Guzman’s wife did not live to see the ceremony. She died in 2007 at 89 years old.

In 2016, Guzman continues to live a long, accomplished life with his family in North Hollywood. At 107, he’s one of the oldest living Americans. How has the former farmer lived such a long life?

“By eating a lot of vegetables,” Aguinaldo said with a laugh. n

loose-knit group of white nationalists and unabashed anti-Semites and racists — is slated to be a senior staff member in the ‘people’s house,’” the organization wrote on their website.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a renowned national advocacy organization dedicated to fighting bigotry, also announced opposition to the appointment of Bannon, saying that it will further divide Americans.

Trump, however, expressed hope that his team will do their best to fulfill his campaign promise to “make America great again.”

“Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory,” Trump said in a press release.

“Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.” n

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Features

When in Vegas WHAT happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

For Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronal “Bato” Dela Rosa, his recent sojourn to Las Vegas, Nevada could have easily been a trip of a lifetime.

He was there last November 5, to witness Sen. Manny Pacquiao slug it out with Mexican-American boxer Jessie Vargas for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. Aside from the prime seat, the trip came with free airfare and hotel accommodations, courtesy of Sen. Pacquiao who won the match via a unanimous decision.

It was an unforgettable experience for Bato, one that might cost him his job.

The Office of the Ombudsman will look into the propriety of Bato’s free trip to Las Vegas, to determine if the PNP chief violated Republic Act 6713 or the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

Bato admitted that Pacquiao paid for everything—for him and his family to watch the bout—and that he did not spend personal or public funds to go to the U.S. The travel perk even included allowances.

According to the law, public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal ones.

Republic Act 6713 establishes a code of conduct and ethical standard for public officials and employees, to uphold the time-honored principle

of public office, to promote a high standard of public service.

It also states that public officials and employees are not allowed “to solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, favor entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

With such a tall order to uphold, it makes one wonder why anyone would even want to be in public office.

If proven guilty, Bato will face criminal and administrative liabilities.

“Bahala na ang propriety na iyan (I don’t care about propriety). All I know is it’s free so I grabbed the opportunity,” the PNP chief said on the current investigation by the Ombudsman.

He said he was being transparent and that he is ready to face jail time over the controversial trip.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte came to Bato’s defense saying that the PNP chief can afford the trip anyway and that the trip was commensurate to his wealth.

“The is no criminal liability,” Duterte said on Monday, Nov. 14 as he extended his congratulations to the Filipino people over Pacquiao’s recent victory.

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

For Pacquiao, RA 6713 needs to be clarified.

The WBO welterweight champion insisted that there was no malice in his kind gesture.

“I think sometimes we’re not using our common sense. What if we just saw each other in a restaurant, and I tell him I’ll be the one to pay?

What’s wrong with that? Besides, I’m also in government,” Pacquiao told reporters.

Pacquiao reportedly bought 2,000 tickets— valuing over a million dollars’ worth—and also

flew in some of his friends from the government to watch his fight.

Members of the Ombudsman’s investigation team must also look into every member of Pacquiao’s entourage in his Nov. 5 fight. And while they’re at it, the agency must conduct lifestyle checks to every government official to see whether they are spending beyond their means.

Bato can’t be the only one who slipped through the cracks. (AJPress)

The inconvenient truth about Duterte’s war on drugs BORROWING the term used by former US VicePresident Al Gore to sound the alarm about global warming, I believe there are certain inconvenient truths that need to be confronted concerning the war on drugs being waged by President Rodrigo Duterte.

I think the first inconvenient truth is that, no matter what the anti-Duterte factions and the human rights activists might say, the drug menace poses a real and present danger to the Philippines and Duterte is the only President who has waged an aggressive campaign against the scourge. In other words, he has lighted a candle – nay, many candles – instead of just cursing the darkness.

The second inconvenient truth is that, if Duterte’s intention was to “light up the house” amidst the darkness, he should realize by now that the candles are burning the house down.

The third inconvenient truth is that Duterte can only slaughter so many thousand drug lords, pushers and addicts during his incumbency, but he will not succeed in ridding Philippine society of the scourge, if killing is the principal recourse.

Already, he has admitted that his vow to rid the country of the drug menace and official corruption in six months is not possible. He has asked for another six months. Unfortunately, even if he has all of six years to bury the scourge of drugs, it will merely rise from the grave as soon he steps down from office - as long as the causes of drug addiction are not addressed and the law of supply and demand prevails.

Obviously, Duterte wants “dramatic results” during his brief incumbency. Perhaps, he doesn’t believe in the age-old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

He wants a quick fix. Thus: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try a gun.”

But the question is, what happens after he leaves office? Will he just shrug his shoulders and say, “Bahala na kayo diyan – I’ve done my

part!” or would he rather take the long view and forge a solu- Street tion that he can leave as a lastTalk ing legacy?

This applies, as well, as to those who are condemning the extra-judicial killings. While some have suggested preven- GreG B. MacaBeNta tive and rehabilitative measures, their voices have been drowned out by the anti-Duterte rhetoric, fanned by sensationalist media.

The question is: Will those protesting the EJK be willing to help launch a more lasting solution to the drug problem, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the Duterte government?

In this regard, Filipino-American business and community leader, Loida Nicolas Lewis, whom Duterte has unfairly accused of leading a plot to depose him, has, in fact, made a logical suggestion in a letter to the incoming US ambassador to the Philippines: “As a president dealing with four million Filipinos under the grips of drugs and poverty, President Duterte wants to rid the country of that plague, that curse.

“With all due respect, may I suggest that you offer him assistance in the rehabilitation of the 800,000 drug addicts and drug dealers who have surrendered and are now in prison all over the country?”

If Duterte’s outreach to China has resulted in substantial aid for the construction of drug rehabilitation centers, it should make sense for the US to also offer assistance, not only to help those who are already in custody but also potential victims of drug abuse, as well as those who remain in the shadows, tormented by their addiction.

Will anyone argue against rehabilitation as a better option than liquidation?

A close relative of mine was into drugs. At the time that we learned about it, we couldn’t tell

the difference between uppers, downers, grass or heroin. Just the knowledge that someone in the clan was afflicted was enough for us to close ranks.

A caring family is one of the best cures. Our relative resolved to drop the habit, got married, raised a family, took up a career as a seaman and has since been promoted captain of his own ocean-going vessel.

Wasn’t that a better solution than sending him to his grave?

In an earlier column, I related how my wife and I addressed the drug menace that had begun to surface in our neighborhood in Parañaque, threatening our four growing children. I put up a gym in our garage, took up running and physical fitness in the hope that they would follow suit.

Our three boys and one girl did – and so did their friends. And among themselves, they established a rule: no drugs.

If the US were to actively help fight drug abuse in our country, applying America’s long experience in battling the scourge, Philippine media and civil society cannot do any less. My old friends in the advertising industry should also step forward to be counted.

There is much that media and the ad industry can do, aside from either rising in defense of Duterte or condemning him. All of that creative talent and the communications resources can be harnessed to educate the youth and those who are in the early stages of addiction.

I myself would be happy to volunteer.

One may ask, what about the human rights abuses that have already been committed? What about the victims of extra-judicial killings and their families, particularly those too poor to seek legal redress?

I think that is a separate issue altogether.

Let those who have committed human rights violations, particularly cold-blooded killings, be answerable before the law. And that includes Duterte himself, and those in the Philippine National Police who have acted as prosecutors, judges and executioners.

I hope they realize that the late President Marcos himself and his family could not escape the long arm of international law. Soon after arriving in Hawaii after being deposed in 1986, Marcos was sued in the US District Courts for human rights violations committed during his presidency. He was adjudged culpable under the Alien Tort Claims Act which provides, “The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.”

A Hawaiian jury awarded over 9,500 Marcos human rights victims almost $2 billion in compensatory and punitive damages, a judgment that was affirmed on appeal.

In another celebrated case, Gen. Augusto Pinochet was indicted by a Spanish court for human rights violations committed by the former strongman of Chile in his native country. Pinochet was arrested in London and incarcerated for a year and a half before being turned over by the British government to Chile, where he was indicted for his crimes.

According to an Internet entry, it was the first time that European courts applied the principle of “Universal Jurisdiction,” declaring themselves “competent to judge crimes committed by former heads of state.”

Will these apply to President Rodrigo Duterte and the PNP? Who knows? Maybe if Duterte stays only in Davao and the others don’t apply for green cards in the US, they will be beyond the reach of the international courts. Only their conscience will bother them. (gregmacabenta@ hotmail.com)

Investing in democracy builds America us that long to know MANY of our parwhat part of America ents fled repressive Commentary is ours.” regimes for America to Bulosan understood be able to freely voice that we have to come their opinions and purtogether to fight for sue their dreams. At immigrant and worka time when authorier rights, and that the tarian candidates are Luisa BLue, BsN work is unending. My getting elected here parents came to the and abroad, we must remember we came to this country be- United States from the Philippines in cause America allows the people a voice pursuit of freedom and opportunity. At their urging to give back to their adopted in how they are governed.

During the 1920s, when Filipino- country, I became a nurse, and then a American laborers were facing riots and union organizer for the Service Employpersecution at a time of high economic ees International Union (SEIU), because anxiety, writer and activist Carlos Bu- I believe that when we come together we losan wrote, “We do not take democ- can accomplish more.

I chaired SEIU’s investment in the racy for granted. We feel it grow in our working together — many millions of us Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) working toward a common purpose. If civic engagement work in the 2016 it took us several decades of sacrifice to election cycle, and we have provided arrive at this faith, it is because it took unprecedented support to ensure that

our community was educated about and engaged in elections.

And although the outcome of the presidential election was ultimately disappointing, AAPI voters in Nevada made their voices clearly heard. As a Filipina American, I was proud to see a tremendous 40 percent increase from 2012 in the Nevada AAPI early vote. Filipino and Asian Americans contributed to the election of the first Latina Senator, Catherine Cortez Masto and helped two new Democrats join Congress — Jacky Rosen and Ruben Kihuen, who immigrated from Mexico when he was 8 years. Their victories are a silver lining to all working families. In the Silver State, according to recent exit polls conducted by the AAPI Civic Engagement Table, six out of 10 AAPI voters voted Democratic.

Since AAPIs constitute 9 percent of the electorate, we were a pivotal swing vote in a tightly contested election and

provided more votes than the two-point margin of victory. On Election Day 2016, AAPI voters rang the bell for democracy in Nevada.

SEIU will continue the fight for democracy and working people who have come together in the fight for better futures for our families — from the Fight for $15 and a union to Black Lives Matter to the fight for comprehensive immigration reform to action on climate change. Together we have shifted our nation’s political discourse around the state of injustice and inequality in our economy and democracy.

SEIU represents more than 2 million members including 110,000 AAPI workers nationally and we will continue to work with our AAPI members, community organizations, and community leaders to lift up the voices of AAPIs for civil, economic, and worker rights.

Now, more than ever, it is vital to

invest in our democracy. We must add to our victories by continuing to be involved through the yea, whether it’s by running for school board, attending city council meetings, or telling our elected officials how we want them to vote. It’s not enough to vote once every two or four years.

SEIU is proud to stand with the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Nevada and with working people across this nation to support our collective voices for justice. We must honor the sacrifices of those who came before us by continuing to fight for immigrant and worker rights. *** Luisa Blue, BSN, is Executive Vice President of SEIU, the nation’s largest healthcare union, and a Filipina American nurse who helped to found the SEIU Nurse Alliance. She is one of the highest-ranking AAPIs in the labor movement and joined the union in 1977 by organizing nurses at her hospital.

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

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D ateline PhiliPPines Senate fails to pass resolution

A

declaring Marcos unfit for hero’s burial

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

A RESOLUTION opposing late President Ferdinand Marcos’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) has failed to pass the Senate.

The Senate Resolution No. 86, filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, expresses the “sense of the Senate that the crimes of the former President Ferdinand Marcos to the Republic, and the human rights violations committed under his regime, render him unfit to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.”

With 20 senators present on Monday, November 14, a majority vote of 11 was needed to get the resolution approved. The resolution failed to pass after getting a plenary vote of eight in favor, six against, and another six abstaining.

The eight senators who voted to adopt the resolution include Senators Bam Aquino, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de

Lima, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Grace Poe and Joel Villanueva, and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. Meanwhile, those who voted against the resolution were Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senators Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Cynthia Villar.

Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto, on the other hand, voted abstain.

Last November 8, the Supreme Court ruled that Marcos can be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. According to the court, the burial does not violate the Philippine Constitution.

Following the court’s decision, several rallies were conducted in different parts of the country, mostly by martial law victims and their families.

“I am sad that the Senate missed the opportunity to defend

the truth and our history from the Marcoses’ historical revisionism and negationism. It missed the chance to be on the side of real heroes,” Hontiveros, author of the resolution, said.

Since his death in 1989, Marcos’s remains have been frozen in a glass coffin for in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte. Marcos died of kidney, heart and lung ailments while in exile in Hawaii after being ousted during the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

“There is no law compelling President Duterte to give Marcos a hero’s burial. Even the Supreme Court’s decision does not command the Executive branch to do anything. Lest we forget, this all started with President (Rodrigo) Duterte. What he started, he can end,” Hontiveros said.

Last August, President Duterte gave the go-signal to bury the late dictator, which was among the current president’s campaign promises leading up to the May 2016 election. n

PNP chief ready to face consequences over free trip to Pacquiao-Vargas match

by Dana

SioSon

AJPress

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is willing to be jailed if his free trip to Las Vegas earlier this month violates the Philippine Constitution.

“Kung talagang lalabas sa investigation na ako ay may kasalanan na nagawa, I’m willing to go to jail. Kung ikulong nila ako, okay lang sakin (If the investigation proves that I really broke the law, I’m willing to go to jail.

If I get imprisoned, it’s okay for me),” he said on Monday, November 14.

Dela Rosa flew to Las Vegas in early November to watch boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s match against Jessie Vargas. Pacquiao shouldered the tickets, accommodations and travel expenses for Dela Rosa and his family, the PNP chief previously revealed.

Last week, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales initiated a

PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa

probe to determine whether the PNP chief’s all-expense paid trip violated the Philippines’ Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Republic Act 6713 states that “public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gra-

tuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

“Basta what is important, is that I am honest. Hindi ako nag sisinungaling (I didn’t lie). Sinabi ko lang yung katotohanan para transparent tayo (I only told the truth so we could be transparent),” Dela Rosa said, adding that he didn’t regret he did not have to shell out any money to spend quality time with his family abroad.

The PNP chief also thanked Pacquiao for defending him on the issue. The boxer-senator earlier said that it’s better to treat people than engage in illegal activities.

The boxing champion also reportedly shouldered the travel and accommodation expenses of some of his other supporters as well. n

BATANG TRANSFORMERS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar acknowledges the significant role the youth or the “Batang Transformers” has been playing to transform the country to be a better place to live in. She stresses that the youth remains the hope of the nation. Villar was invited to address this year’s participants of “Batang Transformers,” a young leaders camp organized by Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance (PILG) led by former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel.

Senate photo

UN rapporteur lists down conditions before visiting PH to probe killings

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard has set several conditions before visiting the Philippines to conduct an investigation on the alleged spate of summary killings in the country.

“In the invitation letter [sent by the Philippines], there were some conditions set. She has responded already with her own conditions,” Senator Bam Aquino disclosed on Wednesday, November 16, representing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

According to Aquino, the UN rapporteur requested the Philippines to also extend an invitation to the UN special rapporteur on health.

He added that Callamard also wanted a “freedom of movement” in the whole country, and “freedom of inquiry” along with “appropriate security arrangements.”

Also included in her conditions were contacts with central and local authorities; contacts with representatives of NGOs, pri-

Agnes Callamard

vate institutions, and the media; and confidential and unsupervised contact with witnesses and other private persons, including persons deprived of their liberty considered necessary to fulfill the mandate of their job.

Likewise, Callamard wanted an assurance by the government that persons who would be in contact with her “will not suffer threats or punishment or be sub-

jected to judicial proceedings.”

On the other hand, Aquino said that President Rodrigo Duterte “insisted on a public debate between himself and the UN special rapporteur” as one of the government’s conditions.

Callamard however, did not make any statement regarding the president’s condition, according to Aquino.

Last September, President Duterte extended an invitation to his international critics to come to the Philippines and investigate alleged summary killings related to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs. Duterte’s invitation comes after several UN officials and rapporteurs publicly criticized the administration’s war on narcotics.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella previously confirmed that the Philippine government formally sent an invitation to Callamard who reportedly received it on October.

According to Aquino, a meeting will be conducted next week to discuss the conditions set by the Philippine government and the United Nations. n

A NOVEMBER 18-24, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

november 18-24, 2016

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The history of Thanksgiving: Celebrating past the turkey

by AJPress Thanksgiving is a particularly american holiday. The word evokes images of football, family reunions, roasted turkey with stuffing, pumpkin pie and, of course, shopping. however, the holiday is much more than that. in 1609, a group of Puritans fleeing religious persecution in England moved to holland. They -lived in holland for a number of years until a group of English investors — the Merchant adventurers — financed a trip for more than 100 passengers to the new World.

The set sail on sept. 6, 1820 via the ship Mayflower from England, On sept. 6, 1620. They arrived in the new World after 65 days and settled in a town called Plymouth in what is now called Massachusetts. The Pilgrims’ first winter was so harsh that fewer than 50 of the group survived the season. Most of the colonists remained on board the ship during that brutal winter, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy, and outbreaks of contagious disease. in March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from an abenaki indian who greeted them in English. several days later, he returned with another native american, squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. he also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and native americans.

in 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag indians shared an autumn harvest feast. it is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For over two centuries, Thanksgiving was celebrated by individual colonies and states. it wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1939 a national Thanksgiving Day to be held every fourth Thursday of november.

Thanksgiving has always been viewed as an example of the possibility of great respect and cooperation between two different cultures. however, others see it as a symbol of the colonists’ eventual persecution of the american indians. sadly, the friendly spirit of the first Thanksgiving and the 50-year period of peace that followed is one exception in a long history of bloodshed between native american tribes and European settlers. in 1970, some american indians began observing a Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day to remember the violence and discrimination suffered by their ancestors. The Day of Mourning is observed by gathering at the top of “Coles hill,” which overlooks Plymouth Rock.

Today, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost a lot of its original historical significance. The holiday now centers mostly on cooking, feasting with family and friends, entertainment and shopping. in fact, many americans know little about the history, as well as its true meaning. in essence, Thanksgiving should be considered as an expression of gratitude — for survival, the recognition of a flourishing community and life; and unity. With these in mind, we humbly reflect upon all the gifts (family, friends, health) that saturate our lives. By “giving-thanks” we choose to extend ourselves and share or give to others our time, resources and care.

What’s on the table for Thanksgiving? as its name suggests, Thanksgiving is a holiday centered on giving thanks for the numerous blessings in our lives.

During the meal — whether held at lunch or dinnertime — it is tradition to go around and answer the question, “What are you grateful for?”

But beyond the significance of the holiday, it is known as a day for indulging and filling your stomach alongside loved ones and friends. What a Thanksgiving meal comprises of may vary from family to family but there are some dishes that are typically found at the dining table: Turkey This bird, whether roasted, baked or deep-fried, is undoubtedly the star of this holiday. On Thanksgiving Day, nearly 90 percent of americans gather together to carve and feast on a turkey, which is why this holiday is casually called “Turkey Day.” Though several historians have argued that this particular bird was absent from

the first Thanksgiving feast, it is said that it became a staple after the Civil War. The size of the turkey is perhaps why the tradition began in the first place: it is enough to feed an entire family. Though the preparation of the turkey takes several hours on average, it is well worth the wait once you start digging in and even better, there is usually enough leftover meat for subsequent meals!

Stuffing The table spread is also not complete without stuffing, which is made from bread, herbs and other ingredients you wish to include. it has been translated into different versions over the years; some opt to use sausage, oysters or vegetables. it can be prepared by stuffing it inside the turkey, while others make it separately to serve as a side dish, which is called dressing.

Cranberry sauce in addition to gravy, cranberry sauce is a sweet condiment that surprisingly pairs

well with the turkey and the other savory sides. The simplest way to create it is by boiling and mixing fresh cranberries with sugar. Though some may argue against having canned cranberry jelly present at the meal, it has become part of an iconic Thanksgiving meal because of its convenience and cheaper cost.

Mashed potatoes Whether you use idaho Russets or sweet potatoes, the spuds in mashed form continuously prove to be a perfect side to the main dishes.

Pumpkin pie a Thanksgiving feast usually caps off with a warm pumpkin pie. a symbol of fall, pumpkin was not widely used to make pie for Thanksgiving dinner until the 19th century. it is commonly served a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of whipped cream on top. in addition to pumpkin, other pies popularly baked are pecan, apple and sweet potato.

(AJPress)

It’s official: Her name is Dingdong Dantes steps up on being a husband Binibini Gandanghari

by T M -

BB Gandanghari

BB gandanghari on Wednesday, nov. 16 rejoiced after a court in the United states recognized her legally as a woman.

BB shared the news on her instagram account. her identity has been changed from Rustom Padilla to Binibini gandanghari.

“This is it! and i thought this day would never come. and i thank my gOD and my LORD for making these things happen.

Everything makes sense now... and to this great country the United states of america for providing this #basicrhumanright...

Thank you!!!,” her caption wrote. in 2013, BB revealed she signs documents as BB gandanghari but sometimes with an a.k.a. Rustom Padilla in her credit card, identification card, among others. however, after the Los angeles court approved changes in her name and gender to female, she can now legally do so without mentioning her previous male identity.

BB filed her identity change request last august 2016 before the Orange County Courthouse.

BB is a former action star but decided to come out in 2006 at the aBs-CBn reality Tv show, “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition. “(Philstar.com)

essa auricio arriola ManilaTimes.net

a-LisT actor and celebrity Dingdong Dantes’ marriage to Marian Rivera has been a fairy tale from the very beginning. Dubbed no less as the “Royal Wedding” given their status as “gMa network’s Prime-time king and Queen,” the December 30, 2014 nuptial is easily recalled as one of the most memorable showbiz unions in these shores. here was a dashing groom, his stunning bride, a throng of bishops and priests blessing their bond in a beautiful cathedral, and the most lavish banquet to celebrate their union. almost two years after what is still considered the wedding of the decade, Dantes’ life with his young wife remains picture perfect, especially with an almost year-old baby girl, Letizia, who officially made them a family. and as Marian talks about being a hands-on

With co-actors Angelica Panganiban and Paulo Avelino, and director

Continued on Page 5 Maryo J. delos Reyes

The December 2016 Priority Dates Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ EaCh month, the Visa office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. a priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. if your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last october 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “application Filing Date.” if a person’s priority date is earlier than the application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCiS indicates on its website it will use the application Filing Date for that month). this could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

Monette AdevA MAglAyA MY husband and i and my sister olga were having breakfast after mass at the holy Family Church and school fundraiser in Glendale California two years ago one beautiful fall morning when a statuesque, well groomed lady holding her breakfast tray asked if she could join us. We said yes of course. there weren’t enough tables and chairs in the auditorium

Magazine

FAMily cAteGoRy:

Application Filing date

Visa issuance date

May 1, 2006

September 15, 2005

First preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Second preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below november 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder

February 22, 2015

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

February 1, 2007

March 1, 2006

third preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

January 1, 1995

August 15, 1994

Fourth preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 1, 1994

May 22, 1993

lAboR ceRtiFicAtion:

Application Filing date

Second preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

third preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Visa issuance date

current

current

September 1, 2013

June 1, 2011

September 1, 2013

June 1, 2011

outcome of your legal matter. no attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WebSite: www.gurfinkel.com call toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the uS: (866)—GuRFinKel Four offices to serve you: loS AnGeleS · SAn FRAnciSco · neW yoRK · philippineS (Advertising Supplement)

Prayer: The most powerful force in the universe “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

at the time. after a few pleasantries and the frost among strangers had thawed, the woman indicated that she was from the East Coast and she was visiting her son who lived in the city. She was staying

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the priority dates for the philippines are as follows:

and new york. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State bar of california. each case is different. the information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an does not constitute a prediction, warranty, active member of the State bar of california guarantee or legal advice regarding the

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

An Asian Journal

in a hotel for a few days and had checked online for the nearest church where she could attend mass. She remarked that the church with Spanish architecture built in the 1920’s was beautiful.

Continued on Page 6

A SpeciAl epiSode About A “SpeciAl child” on citizen pinoy! When Mommy conchita (center) immigrated to the uS in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, nina (left) behind in the philippines. it was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy conchita and Ruth gone, who will take care of nina?

Find out how leading uS immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring nina to the uS through humanitarian parole, on a brand new episode of citizen pinoy on Sunday, nov. 20 at 6:15pm pSt on tFc.

a desperate mother is able to bring her special needs child to the USa via ‘humanitarian parole’ - on ‘Citizen Pinoy!’

ConChita noticed something different about her daughter nina early on. at 2 years old, nina still couldn’t walk on her own. at 4, she still couldn’t speak. at 6, she would be taught the aBC’s every night, only to forget everything the following morning. Conchita was resigned to the fact that nina was a special needs child but she nevertheless considered her as her “treasure.” although she tried to raise nina like a “normal” child, she could never leave her out of sight for even a minute.

Conchita eventually immigrated to the U.S. through a petition by her U.S. citizen daughter, with the dream that one day, she would be able to petition nina to come live in america with her. nina was left behind in the Philippines with another sister, Ruth. But when Ruth had to immigrate to australia in May 2016 with her family, Conchita was faced with the problem of who will now take care of nina in the Philippines?

Conchita consulted with atty. Michael Gurfinkel on a way

to bring nina to the U.S., even though the priority date on her F-2B petition was years away from being current. amazingly, leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel obtained humanitarian Parole for nina in record time, which paved the way for nina being able to enter the U.S. and be under the safe and loving care of her own mother. a special episode featuring the case of a special needs child on a brand new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday nov. 20 at 6:15 pm PSt on tFC.

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The Joshua Sembrano Factfile

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 1 8 , 20 1 6

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

The quintessential military backstroker who is Joshua Rafael Sembrano

BoBBy T. yalong A quintEssEntiAl sagittarian with exceptionally healthy lifestyle, Josh Rafael sembrano is innately spontaneous, cheerful, and with humorous flair. Although independent and practical, he still sought after his father’s advice so as not regret when he fails in whatever decision he makes.

Extremely resourceful and energetic when it comes to his career, this amiable Archer (being a sagittarian) could take pleasure in dealing with people and candidly available in the service of the community. Optimistic and audacious by nature, Josh could be most excited in meeting new people, gaining new experiences, adjusting to new environments… all in his pursuit of adventure.

Meeting this smart young man for the first time in a prestigious new York City event gave me the bright signal for a potential feature subject. His electrifying stature with a commanding presence wasn’t intimidating at all. His availability for an interview was

Josh (kneeling Left) with his cadet friends

EMPLOYMENT

Josh with Dad coach Ruben Raffy Sembrano

Family comes first for Josh...here shown here with Dad and sisters

effortlessly earned after a brief introduction and mutual feeling of camaraderie. impressive (he came on the dot) while being respectably presentable (properly dressed), Josh politely greeted me with a handshake and that sensibly eloquent and patterned modulation with such distinctive tone all his own. His wellmannered bearing while impeccably donned in neatly pressed long sleeved shirt over slacks was indubitably a vivid manifestation of his military foundation.

During the course of the

Josh Sembrano being congratulated by Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis and Judge Lorna Schofield during the TOFA awards while Mr. Steven Raga looks on.

interview, Josh, in his inadvertent attempt to influence me with his reply, maintained a cool deportment with concise fragmented words spoken with precision, unhurried and confident while consistently punctuating his every response with an unrestrained coy grin that inevitably revealed his unstained teeth… and who wouldn’t be persuaded? the eldest born to Ruben Raffy sembrano of Cebu and Ruth Penales of Manila, Josh conscientiously tackles an assertive responsibly as a role model to his two younger sisters, Kim and Kate, the former of which is also a backstroker.

From an early age since his father molded him to be an

Josh Sembrano

SCHOOL

SERVICES

Scent / Cologne: CK Music: Hip-Hop, Country Song: One Dance Singer/performer: Drake Movie: Forrest Gump Actor: Brad Pitt Food: Japanese, latin, and Filipino Drinks: Coke Color: Blue Reading Matter: Men’s Health The military backstroker Joshua Rafael Past Time: Being with Sembrano family Most valued award: BCHs “swimmer of the Year” (2014) Pet peeves: People who are inconsiderate; liars If given a choice, will you allow your kids to be either in the army or swimming? “i think it will be so selfish of me to deprive my children of the opportunities that i experienced and the assurance of a fulfilling future.”

Motto: “Perseverance through failures” enviable sportsman in the field of swimming, Josh has scrupulously adhered to the rudiments required in swimming.

“My Dad, Head Coach of the Jersey Flyers Aquatic Club, is instrumental in the quest of my swimming career. He’s as caring as can be and loving as a father but strict as a coach. He always saw to it that i worked hard on what i do, push myself to the limits, and achieve what i aimed for. it was difficult at times but it was worth it,” he shared. “i started at the age of ten and my Dad became my fulltime coach at 12 but i consider my best event when i was eleven.”

His father has consistently aimed for Josh to be in the army at West Point and be accepted in its swimming team. A father’s wish wasn’t only given realization but a continued recognition for his son in the field where he painstakingly trained him. At West Point, Josh was adjudged the Army’s top freshman competitor at the Patriot league Championships and became a member of the record-setting 400-relay team during the school year 2014-2015. He has also clocked two Academy and two plebe records in backstroke events.

Josh had voluntarily adhered to the rules, willingly embraced its every impenetrability, meticulously set his goals, and unwaveringly delivered the best

SERVICES

he could in his newfound water world. He successfully defied every pressuring demand related to swimming training until his interest finally transcended into an unparalleled passion.

Although he’s almost at the apex of his swimming career he couldn’t help but look back to the time during his early years when he almost gave up… basically due to being deprived of more playtime and weekend fun with his peers and school friends. But his father was constantly by his side for guidance, motivation, and assurance. the cognitive dissonance worked effectually well after giving it some thoughts. if he slowed down on training or eventually quit all his efforts would be wasted and would lose his father’s trust and hope in him.

Preparing for his swimming training program takes a full capacity effort with focus on perfecting his motor coordination during training lap after lap. in his entire course of training and after series of participated swimming competitions, Josh has indubitably acquired the techniques and physical execution that provide greater propulsive force and speed efficiency in his game.

Weighing 173 pounds proportionately distributed in his 5’9” frame, the former Bergen Catholic High school ace Continued on Page 6

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Mariel Rodriguez gives birth to daughter Maria Isabella

By Kristy

so

Philstar.com

MArIel rodriguez gave birth to her first child with robin Padilla!

Their daughter named Maria Isabella was born on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7:56 a.m., which was announced by robin on his Instagram account.

According to him, his wife had a normal delivery and was in labor for 21 hours with their daughter who came out weighing 7.3 pounds and 20 inches long. robin was not able to join his wife in the U.S. as he was not granted with a visa in time for her maternity date. This was due to the conditional pardon granted to him in 1998 by former President Fidel V. ramos after being in jail for three years for illegal possession of firearms.

Despite this, robin is thankful for everyone who supported his

Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez named their new bundle of joy as Maria Isabella.

wife, including Mariel’s parents, relatives, doctor and nurses who accompanied her in her labor.

“Ako’y nagpupugay at naglulumuhod sa lahat ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo na nagdasal at nagsalmo para

Dingdong Dantes steps up...

From Page 2 mom, a dutiful wife, and an all around happy homemaker in her regular interviews, her husband humbly acknowledges he cannot be luckier.

“I especially feel that way given the theme of my current movie, which shows the more difficult realities that many couples actually encounter,” said Dantes during The Manila Times’ turn at a Q&A for the Star Cinema movie “The Unmarried Wife.” The curiously—and seemingly contradictory—titled film, and also stars Angelica Panganiban and Paulo Avelino, under the direction of Maryo J. de los.

The story, written by Vanessa Valdez, is centered on Anne (Angelica Panganiban), a woman who is afraid to love beacuse of a traumatic childhood experience. Geoff (Dingdong Dantes) changes all that when

she meets him—they fall in love and marry. Marital bliss ends too quickly, however, as Geoff’s infidelity gets in the way, rendering Anne practically an “unmarried” woman.

“In a way, ito ‘yung katototohanan na maaaring mangyari,” Dantes continued.

“I think yung kuwento ni Anne, Geoff and Bryan [Avelino] sa movie ay totoong kuwento na nangyayari talaga sa kapaligiran na-tin. What better way to learn from it than by immersing sa mismong nangyari. And as a husband in real life, I hope to learn from Geoff’s experience and be a better husband to my wife.”

The actor further noted that a movie, which boldly tackles family, marital issues, and separation—possibly even instigating a renewed debate on whether divorce should be legalized in the Philip-pines—is

maging maayos ang kabanata na ito sa buhay ni @marieltpadilla at ni Maria Isabella de Padilla,” the actor added.

Before successfully conceiving a child, Mariel suffered two miscarriages last year.

a useful tool for individuals to reflect on their lives, as well as their stance on certain questions.

“Maganda na yung mga ganitong klaseng problema ay napo-point out na posibleng maencounter later on, so that para sa akin, puwede siyang maging measure para mas mag-step up or mas alagaan kung ano ang meron ako ngayon,” Dantes said.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old husband is hesitant to dish out marriage advice at this point in his rela-tionship.

“Bago pa lang kami kasi, magdadalawang taon pa lang so I’m not in any position to give others advice. I have so much more to learn to be a better husband. Pero kung meron mang isang realization dito, ‘yun ay lahat tayo ay flawed. We may commit mistakes and what matters most is how we rise above the situation, paano natin maaayos ito at paano magiging mas mabubuting tao pagkatapos ng problema,” he ended.

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Calcium is essential

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS What is calcium?

CALCIUM is a hard, silvery metallic element which has an atomic number of 20 and an atomic weight of 40.078. It is a mineral found in bones, teeth and other body tissues. Calcium is essential in human diet and people normally ingest between 600 to 1400 mg. per day. It is indispensable and critical for normal cell function, blood clotting, dental and skeletal health, muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission and proper heart function.

Where is calcium stored in the body?

About 99% of calcium is in the bones and one percent in extracellular fluid (50% in the free active ionized form, 40% is bound to protein, primarily albumin, and 10% is complexed with anions, as calcium citrate).

Calcium regulation is controlled by parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and calcitonin, and affected by magnesium and phosphorus level.

What are the symptoms of low calcium?

Signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia vary depending on the severity. They are: muscle cramps, leg and feet tingling and numbness, dry skin, coarse hair, brittle nail, poor dentition, osteoporosis and fractures, bleeding problem, seizures, angina, heart rhythm disorders, congestive heart failure, swallowing problem, abdominal pains, pancreatitis, kidney or liver failure, cardiovascular collapse, and death.

What is the Dietary Reference Intake?

The DrI for calcium in the various age groups per day are as follows: 0-6 months, 210 mg; 6-12 months, 270 mg; 1-3 years, 500 mg; 4-8 years, 800 mg; 9-18 years, 1,300 mg; 19-50 years, 1,000 mg or 1 Gram; and 51-older, 1,200 mg.

The US National Institute of Health reported that a great majority of people are not consuming the recommended Daily Allowance of calcium.

What are the sources of calcium?

The dietary sources of calcium are from milk and milk products, like cheese, yogurt, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, kale, breakfast wheat and bran cereals, beans, nuts, grains, canned salmon and sardines (in the bones). Those who do not eat dairy products daily would need calcium supplement.

When is calcium most essential for bone health?

Calcium is most essential from birth to age 18, where bones are forming and growing. Breast milk and milk formula are rich in calcium, and it is important that the diet of a growing child is also rich in calcium. Preschoolers and teenagers usually choose juice or soda with their meals and this leads to inadequate calcium intake. By age 35, our bones have reached their maximum strength, so how much calcium we provide our bones in early life will determine how strong they will be later in life. Bones continue to accumulate calcium after they have stopped growing, hence sufficient calcium in the diet, or supplementation, is essential, even up to the ripe old age.

How about calcium during pregnancy?

Pregnant women need more calcium for obvious reason. She is sharing her body calcium with the baby inside her. This puts the demand on the mother’s own supply, hence she needs calcium supplementation. Increasing calcium ingestion can even help maintain normal blood pressure among pregnant women and prevent the so-called pregnancyinduced hypertension, a grave complication that could increase the risk for both the mother and the baby.

Does calcium play role in the treatment for menopause?

Yes, very much so. when menopause sets in, the woman produces much less estrogen, and this makes her more prone to osteoporosis and frequent bone fractures. Calcium has been proven to minimize bone loss after menopause and at the same time making estrogen replacement therapy work 3 times more

effectively, compared to estrogen alone.

How about men? while osteoporosis affects more women, men are also prone to develop osteoporosis when they do not get enough calcium.

The same bone weakness and fragility can lead to frequent bone fractures, as in women.

Do multivitamins contain calcium?

Yes, most, if not all, multivitamins contain about 200 mg of calcium with 400 IU of Vitamin D3, which, for adult is only about 20% of the daily minimum calcium requirement. This is why some people take additional calcium supplement (600 mg with 200 IU vitamin D) daily. Up to 2000 mg of calcium daily may be taken for supplementation.

Why the vitamin D3?

Vitamin D, which is often included in the calcium tablet, makes the body absorb and metabolize calcium more effectively. Vitamin D could also come from exposure to direct sunlight (for about 15 minutes a day), cod liver oil and fatty fish, and from fortified dairy products.

Vitamin D has been found to help lower the risk of some cancers.

What kind of calcium is best?

For supplement, calcium carbonate is great. There is no need to buy the expensive kind.

Calcium carbonate (as in oS-cal or Tums) provides more elemental calcium than other forms such as calcium citrate and calcium lactate. The National osteoporosis Foundation reports that Tums is an excellent source of calcium. This you can buy in grocery stores. Talk to your physician before taking supplements. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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‘Town Hall with Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega’ moderated by Makilala TV New York, NY -- The first Filipino-American TV Talk Show, “Makilala,” which means “get to know” in Tagalog, invites members of the community to a Town Hall broadcast with the new Consul General of the Philippines in New York, Ma. Theresa Dizonde Vega on November 21, 2016 at 6pm.

Consul General Dizon-de Vega will exchange views with the the hosts, Cristina DC Pastor, Jen Furer, and rachelle ocampo along with an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions on various issues including the programs and thrusts of the Consulate General, the policies of the new Philippine Government, PH-US relations,

and other related matters. The first Town Hall moderated by Makilala TV hosts was exactly 3 years ago when they launched their TV show at the Philippine Center.

For details please contact Makilala TV at info@makilalatv. com.

The award-winning show was originally aired through Queens Public Television (QPTV) and now on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), and highlights a new guest every month as the ladies talk to the important pesonalities that affect Filipino life in the NY Tri-State area. Behind the scenes is the fantastic team including ronnie ocampo, Jr., Video editor,

Victor Palmos, Hair and Make-up, Vince Gesmundo, refreshments, Vivian Talambiras-Cruz, Floral Arrangement, Tonilyn A. Sideco, Production Supervisor, and Melissa ocampo, Social media Correspondent. MNN Director Zenaida Mendez is the producer of Makilala. Makilala is aired on Manhattan Neighborhood Network every other Thursday on the: Culture Channel 4 (9pm) • Time warner Cable: 67, 1998 • rCN : Channels: 85 • Verizon Fios Channels 35 HD Channel (7:30pm) • Time warner Cable: 1993 Join the Makilala TV hosts and find out how the community can participate in TV program.

Documentary film ‘Curiosity, Adventure and Love’ screens at Philippine Center New York - The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a screening of the award-winning feature-length documentary “Curiosity, Adventure and Love” on Monday, November 14 at the kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York as part of Filipino-American History Month The film produced, written, and co-directed by Sunshine Lichauco de Leon (granddaughter of the film’s subject) and Suzanne richardone (a Filipino-AmericanFrench filmmaker), is about the life of 104 year old American, Mrs. Jessie Lichauco, who journeys to the Philippines alone in 1933 at the age of 18. The story is about a journey of a century of love and finding home, of the cruelty of war, of the rebuilding of a young nation and of caring for the underprivileged and marginalized.

Jessie was married to Marcial Lichauco, the first Filipino graduate of Harvard University, Secretary of the osmena-roxas Mission, and Philippine Ambassador to the United kingdom.

Mrs. Lichauco, who continues to reside in the Lichauco ancestral home in Sta. Ana, Manila, was granted Philippine citizenship in 2012 at the age of 102 years old in recognition of her civic and charity work championing the causes of the underprivileged and children in the Philippines.

More than 100 FilipinoAmerican community film enthusiasts, mainstream American audience members, friends and

Film editor Justin Weinrich, Co-director Suzanne Richardone, producer and director Sunshine Lichauco de Leon share their experiences, challenges and fulfillment in capturing life of Jessie in the film”Curiosity, Adventure and Love”. Melissa Torres moderates the Talk Back.

family of Marcial and Jessie Lichauco attended the film screening. Among the viewers was Mr. Tinoy Lichauco, son of Jesse and Marcial Lichauco.In her welcome remarks, Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega acclaimed Jessie as a woman who has singular experience living in a pre and post war era in Manila and was able to engage and share her wisdom and experience with the younger generation and even the millennials.

“The film is very personal to her and yet has resonance and relevance as her life story takes us on a journey through various eras in Philippine history which is informative, enlightening, and edifying at the same time, remarked Consul General Dizonde Vega in her welcome remarks.

Following the film screening was a Talk Back participated in by producer, writer, and director,

Sunshine Lichauco de Leon, a free lance journalist in Manila and contributor for international media such as The Guardian, CNN, and Forbes Asia; Suzanne richardone, a Los Angeles based film maker who worked for international film and television outfits such as PBS, A&e, and the Biography Channel; and film editor Justin weinrich, an award- winning nonfiction film maker, director and cinematographer.

Delighted with the story, the viewers stayed during the Talk Back and discussed about how the film blends history, biography, and humanity.

The film is scheduled to be screened in Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as a one-week engagement at the Powerplant Mall theater in Makati City, Philippines. Screening details may be found at www.curiosityadventureandlove.com.

Prayer: The most powerful force...

From Page 3 The conversation around the table was light at first, meandering around innocuous, safe topics. out of nowhere, she asked us to pray for her son. Startled at first, I asked what her son’s name was and we all must have made a mental note of it. It seems that her 36-year old son who is an engineer, with so much going for him, had a major relapse in his bid to overcome his alcoholic addiction — yet again.

His poison of choice – vodka.

She was in town to check him in to a rehab facility and taking a chance on a new drug that would have adverse, irreversible ramifications if there is recidivism or if he ever went back to the bottle. In short, it was a last ditch attempt to end his addiction. over breakfast we had a glimpse of the turmoil the woman was going through in seeing a loved one going through the repeated cycles of addiction and rehabilitation, only to go through it over and over again– a seemingly hopeless struggle that many battle with these days.

It is like Sisyphus of Greek mythology who was punished by the gods for chronic deceitfulness and wickedness. He was cursed for eternity to roll a rock uphill only to have fate roll it back downhill just when success at lodging it safely on top of a steep hill was a sure thing.

She let slip that another son had died in the last year, the reason for which, she didn’t mention. And she would have to come again and visit in December because her alcoholic son has an ex-girlfriend who is pregnant and is due by then. You can’t make this stuff up. Life is just so tough that her face was etched in pain.

Yet there was also a brief glimpse of hope for the baby about to be born. Grief, just like joy, has way of welling up within and spilling over.

we listened to her over breakfast aware that she just wanted to ease up some of the heavy burden that was troubling her. A lot of us are like this woman. we each have problems that seem too much to bear until we reach out and ask others to pray for us, even strangers we will never ever see again. we ask others to knock and bang on the doors of heaven with a battering ram, if need be, to beg for help on our behalf.

In many ways, each one of us can be a prayer warrior. often, we come to church just to be with others who are a bit like us, seeking one another’s company in seeking God’s help in many ways, big and small. Because we know deep down, by ourselves we can do nothing.

Just as gravity holds the physical universe together, prayer draws the spirit universe together among kindred souls. The power of prayer is unimaginable among those whose faith is built on solid rock.

If you can, please pray for this anonymous woman Mrs. B and her son G. Mother and son both need prayers so badly; for the son to break the bonds of addiction once and for all and for the mother or the strength and the fortitude to endure her trials and finally, for both mother and son to find the peace, serenity and just maybe, hope and joy even in a season of darkness.

And while we’re at it, we might as well decide to make time for prayer ourselves. we need to grit our teeth and cut off the electronic leash that is so much a part of our lives these days. we know we are in deep trouble when we have to post the latest “selfies” on FB even while we are in the restroom.

Isn’t it time we weaned ourselves from having to spend too much time tethered to our gadgets?

our obsession with our tech toys may very well be another form of addiction.

Dwell in the silence for that is where God is. How can God speak to us if our ears are stuffed up, our hearts are not right and our minds are cluttered with nonessentials all the time? Modern life is much too full of inane, sometimes insane, distractions assailing all our senses during our waking hours to make time for God. Perhaps we can even pray for complete strangers and those in our immediate orbit who we know are in dire straits but are either too timid or too proud to ask for help. There are people who feel diminished if they ask for help. They label themselves as proudly independent. The truth is that they are poor, unfortunate fools severely afflicted with hubris. Hubris, that extreme form of pride, the same brand that brought down the fallen angels, always prevents humans from seeking help. when we pray, we need to learn how to delete specifics.

God knows specifics — our blood type, our DNA, even the number of hair on our heads. God knows what we are asking for. The how, what, why, when and where of answers to prayers will have to be his call and his alone.

God’s love for us is beyond all telling. It will be between God and each one of us alone in the silence of our hearts. It will be that space and time where there is no FB, no Instagram, no Snapchat, no Twitter — none of the things that tend to make pompous asses of ourselves demanding attention and approval from others.

The answer to prayers is God’s call alone. we ask for help but end our prayers in humble supplication saying as Jesus said in agony as he prayed to the Continued on Page 7

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Sarah G. bags int’l alendar of Events C across America award in Tokyo

POP royalty and Viva artist Sarah Geronimo was declared Best Asian Performer at the 2016 “Classic Rock Awards” in Tokyo. The awards were held at the Japanese capital’s Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium on Friday.

The 12th annual rock awards is mounted by Classic

Rock Magazine, a leading rock journal and online media source for music fans worldwide. Moreover, the award ceremony ranks among the most prestigious in the world of rock, and was first held in London in 2005.

(ManilaTimes.net)

Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza returns home AFTeR her win in Tokyo, Japan, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa is finally back in the country.

Versoza arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Friday, Nov. 11.

The 24-year-old beauty queen took home the crown last month, making her the sixth Filipina to become Miss International.

Versoza was greeted by her supporters at the VIP lounge in NAIA.

“I went there (Japan) wearing the Philippine sash and came back with the Miss International sash. I came back home with the crown I promised you. And I do this all for the Philippines,” she said in her arrival speech.

A homecoming parade is all set for Versoza at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City on November 18. Another victory parade will be held in her hometown, Baguio on November 26.

Prior to Verzosa, the country

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Consular outreach mission in Pensacola, Florida

The 24-year-old Kylie Versoza took home the crown last month, making her the sixth Filipina to become Miss International.

has five Miss International titleholders, with Bea Rose Santiago taking home the crown in 2013 and Precious Lara QuigamanAlcaraz winning in 2005. (Philstar. com)

Dengue doesn’t spare celebs

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and indicate “Pensacola FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at the Fil-Am Community Center at 234 West Oakfield Road, Pensacola, FL

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Univ. of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater LA (UPAAGLA) Fall Fun Fair UPAAGLA will have its Fall Fun Fair on Sunday, November 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson. Come and enjoy a day of shopping, networking & fellowship. Entrance is FREE! Join our panel discussions with UP alumni medical doctors and nurses, successful business entrepreneurs and media practitioners. There will be free blood pressure & blood glucose check-ups and big prizes for free raffle. SouthBay Pavilion is located at 20700 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746. Part of the proceeds will go to UPAAGLA scholarship funds for underprivileged students. For more information, please visit www. upaagla.org or contact Arnel Joaquin at (323) 250-9250, Yvee Guevara at (310) 488-5768 or Mutch Carino at (310) 666-6629.

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FASO’s Christmas Concert in Glendale, CA

Tintin Bersola-Babao, Paolo Abrera and Maricel Laxa, all dengue survivors calling on everybody to avail of the vaccine against the dreaded mosquito-borne disease.

to it. Not so. The classic signs are fever, aching bones and muscles, nose bleeding, etc.”

DID you know that dengue “I thought I was invincible,” is a great equalizer? It doesn’t spare celebrities who are just as said Paolo. “I had dengue exposed to the mosquito-carrier about seven years ago. I am athletic and I thought I wasn’t of the virus as everybody else. susceptible to it because I was Among the dengue fit.” survivors were Tintin Bersola“I got infected twice,” Babao, Maricel Laxa and Paolo revealed Maricel (who writes a Abrera who recalled their column about health and fitness experiences with the dreaded disease that, if not treated early, for The STAR).“The first time was when I was six years old when could be fatal. the diseases didn’t have a name By this time, I suppose yet.” (It was known as H-Fever, most of us are familiar with the “H” for hemorrhagic.) “One of my symptoms.

“I was infected thrice,” related children also got it.”

The three celebrities told Tintin. “I thought that once you their stories during the recent get it, you are already immune

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

launch of the “Be a Wall” campaign by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of multinational pharmaceutical company and industry leader.

The campaign mobilizes the citizenry nationwide against the spread of dengue.

“We really need a new tool that will help us in fighting the epidemic,” said Tintin, “and vaccination is the answer.”

“It is a must for Filipino parents to visit doctors and have their kids vaccinated,” added Paolo.

“The vaccine is good for children nine years old and above,” said Maricel, “and adults up to 45 years blood.”

The quintessential military...

From Page 4 swimmer awardee is currently at West Point taking up Business Management.

The blissful Sembrano family set-up unpredictably experienced a sudden jolt during the untimely demise of his mom when he was 19. “I felt so down-hearted that I didn’t know how to cope up and go on with my life after my Mom’s passing. Being the eldest and closest to her made me felt helpless and powerless… thanks to my Dad and sisters for their resolute support and immeasurable comfort. I was able to recover and moved on with my life.”

“Speaking of career I am more

of an army guy than a swimmer,” he politely emphasized when interviewed by Mike Lopez of MyTV30. “West Point isn’t only training me to be a soldier but to be a leader of people, as well. And as a leader, I’m in charge of the moral ethics of war…and when I become an officer of the army it’s my responsibility to make sure that the people under me do the right thing.”

The range of events is considered to be able to foster the much needed physical and mental conditioning to meet the demands of the competition.

Being a competitive swimmer that he is, Josh is focused and driven…uncomplainingly

submitting to daily rigorous training throughout the period… to the extent of sacrificing even his personal interests just so to develop his strong threshold to endurance and fundamentally build his physiological aerobic base imperative to his level of competition.

Just recently, during TOFA’s (The Outstanding Filipino Americans) 6th Awards Night at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Josh was cited as an Outstanding Fil-Am for Youth and Sports… and more are certainly in the offing.

For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

Prayer: The most powerful force...

From Page 6 Father, “ … yet not my will, but yours be done.” We are simply conduits, pipelines of the flow of good that comes from God. But there is a residual effect when we suit up and become prayer warriors.

The prayers we pray build layer upon layer an intangible aura of light and goodness that soak us, permeate and envelop us. And just like in the physical universe, what goes around always comes around. The laws of cause and effect also govern the spiritual universe.

It is uncanny but most of us who try our best to nurture a spiritual life even as we take

care of our bodies, have that instinctive gift for detecting which among us emanate this invisible shield of energy and light. They are usually the ones with the quiet or sometimes effusive, contagious joy about them. Strangely, we tend to gravitate towards such people.

After all, as humans, we are all in this together, from one generation to the next.

As the Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once so astutely said of humanity: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

I have the strangest feeling that with faith and unceasing

prayer, both mother and son and his new family will be just fine in the end. There is no doubt it will be a long tough slog but they won’t be alone. The woman has faith. She reaches out and asks for prayers and the ripple of powerful heartfelt prayers builds up like a tsunami wave that will burst open heaven’s door for the graces they need.

Will we ever know for certain of the outcome? Perhaps not, but that is what faith does. We do not need to know. We simply trust in God’s ways. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, as it presents “A Christmas Concert” on Saturday, December 3, 6:00 p.m. at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California. FASO will play Christmas carols, accompanied by the voices of various choir groups. John Wayne Performing Arts Center is located at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. For tickets, call Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936; and Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850. Tickets are also available athttp://fasochristmas.eventbrite.com/. Tickets are at $25, $45 and $75. More information at www.fasofoundation.org.

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Aurora Inter-organizational Alliance-USA celebrates 8th anniversary in Granada Hills, CA Aurora Inter-organizational Alliance-USA announces its 8th anniversary celebration on Saturday, December 10 in Granada Hills, CA. It is an annual gathering of immigrants from the Aurora province’s 8 towns, aiming to further strengthen the camaraderie and spirit of the members. This year’s celebration hopes to gather 100 members and guests, who will be treated with traditional Filipino dishes as well as entertainment amid the sounds of Christmas carols. The night will be capped by the election of new officers for the new year.

The event will be held at the Granada Hills Pavilion at 11128 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA 91344 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Atty Al Nabor at (951) 818-8172 or Luchie Cuento at (818) 300-3212.

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AAPA Graduation Gala

Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) cordially invites you to the Graduation Gala on Monday, December 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate with AAPA mentor and mentees and learn about the organization’s impact in the community. Mr. Anthony Hong, vice president of clinical research and development of Johnson & Johnson Cardiovascular & Specialty Solutions will be the keynote speaker of the night. It will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton - Rosemead at 888 Montebello Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770. The event is business casual/cocktail attire and is open to everyone. Complimentary for mentors and mentees. Guests at $25. Please RSVP and purchase tickets by November 28 at www.aapa. abcptsa.org.

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Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - SouthBay Los Angeles Area (FACC-SLAA)’s Business & Professionals Networking Mixer Come celebrate the holidays with FACC-SLAA, and meet other driven Filipino/FilAm businesspersons and professionals in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. It will be at Wednesday, December 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the SOL Venue, 313 E Carson St., Carson, CA 90745. Tickets for FACC-SLAA members are free with pre-registration, $5 at the door. For non-members, $10 for pre-registration and $20 at the door. *Please bring presents ($20 minimum) for the gift exchange, and plenty of holiday cheer! For more information, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com.

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Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA)’s 15th year anniversary The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACC-GLA) is celebrating its 15th year anniversary by recognizing businesses and community partners and installing officers and board members on Sunday, December 11 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside at 6333 Bristol Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230. The cost to attend is $50 and formal attire is required. Please make your check payable to FPACC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the educational scholarship funds and to help the underprivileged children in the Philippines. For any inquiries, please email info.faccgla@gmail.com.

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Consular outreach mission in Miami, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death. No applications for dual citizenship will be accepted at this time, as oaths of allegiance must be administered by the Philippine Consul General or Consul. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and copy furnish honcon.miami@gmail.com. The Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami is located at 12/F 1200 Brickell Ave., Miami, Florida 33131.

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

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