New York & New Jersey -- October 7 -- 13, 2016

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Volume10 – Issue 2 • 16 Pages

O C T O BE R 7 - 1 3 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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Pres. Duterte dares EU, US to withdraw assistance: ‘We will survive without you’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

for it,” Duterte said in a speech delivered at Camp Rafael Rodriguez ConTInUInG his tirades in Butuan City.

The president expressed that against the international community, President Rodrigo Duterte on even without their aid, the PhilipThursday, october 6, boldly dared pines can stand on its own.

“How do you look at us? Mendithe European Union (EU), the United States, and human rights cants? Even if we face hardships, advocates to pull out their assis- we will survive,” he continued.

Telling the Filipinos not to tance from the Philippines.

“And if you think it’s high time worry, Duterte went on to say that for you guys to withdraw your as- he’ll be the first one to go hungry, sistance, go ahead. We will not beg promising to “never compromise

our dignity as Filipino.”

The president also said that the international groups and other countries do not understand the extent of how Filipinos have suffered due to drug problems, telling them to “go away, bring your money to somewhere else. We will survive as a nation.”

In the past few months, both the EU and U.S. have criticized the Philippine administration’s bloody

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ATONEMENT. President Duterte poses for photos with members of the Jewish Association of the Philippines during his visit to the Beit Yaacov Synagogue in Makati on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Behind the President is Israel Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau. Duterte said his ex-wife, German-American Elizabeth Zimmerman, is Jewish as he apologized anew for remarks he made about Adolf Hitler.

Philstar.com photo

US Bill awarding Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino-American DATELINE USA Supreme Court will WWII vets closer to passage FRoM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

not rehear Obama immigration plan

THE Supreme Court on Monday, october 3 declined to rehear President Barack obama’s immigration plan which would have spared millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

This upholds the 4-4 “non-decision” of the United States v. Texas case in June which killed the president’s immigration initiatives.

In July the court — which has been one justice short following the death of Antonin Scalia — had received a request from the Department of Justice (DoJ) to rehear the

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Filipina in Florida charged in professor’s killing PolICE in Tallahassee, Florida have arrested a Filipina on Saturday, october 1 for her involvement in the murder of a Florida State University (FSU) law professor.

The suspect is 31-year-old Katherine Magbanua who is the third to be arrested for the murder of Daniel Markel, who was shot and killed in his garage on July 18, 2014. He was shot in the head twice while sitting in his car.

Investigators believe that Magbanua was the only connection between the other two accused gunmen — Sigfredo Garcia and

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New York Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. and several Northeast U.S. Filipino community leaders meet in 2015-2016 with various legislative officials lobbying for the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal Awarding Act for the Filipino-American World War II veterans with (clockwise L-R): senior legislative officials of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Maine Senator Susan Collins, and Representative Michael Doyle (D-PA, 14) and Representative Kathleen Rice (D-NY, 4).

THE Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 pending before the US Congress is closer to passage after having been unanimously passed by the US Senate last July and subsequently receiving the required number of co-sponsors (at least 290) in the House of Representatives, according to a press statement of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. “The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. welcomes the development,” the press release dated September 28 further stated.

This week, the U.S. House measure, HR 2737, already gained 305 co-sponsors, above

by ChriStine

avenDaño Inquirer.net

PRESIDEnT Rodrigo Duterte gave himself a modest rating for his performance in his first 100 days in office, though three-quarters of Filipinos were satisfied with how he was doing despite coming under fire abroad for his deadly crackdown on suspected drug dealers and users. “on a scale of 1-10, I give myself a 6,” the President said in a text message to the Inquirer. “To me it is a modest achievement. I’m not ambitious in scoring myself. I only deal with reality. Success to me is something else.”

Despite his self-rated “modest achievement,” his popularity soared during his first three months in office in an apparent endorsement by Filipinos of his brutal crackdown on crime.

The unprecedented purge has left more than 3,500 people dead and raised fears of mass extrajudicial killings, triggering global condemnation from the United States, United nations and European Union.

Seventy-six percent of Filipinos polled by Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Sept. 24-27 said they were “satisfied” with Mr. Duterte’s performance, with just 11 percent reporting being “dissatisfied.” Thirteen percent were undecided.

SWS asked respondents about Mr. Duterte’s perfor-

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Pacquiao: I fight for fans, 3 foreigners caught with Mayweather fights for money P135M cocaine at NAIA

concern is only for money. My concern in not only for money [or] making money from the fans, from the ACCoRDInG to Filipino boxing people,” Pacquiao said, according to champion Manny Pacquiao, there’s a Boxingscene.com report. one thing that differentiates him from The Filipino boxer went on to add, Floyd Mayweather Jr.: the reason for “My concern is how I entertain the fighting. people, how I entertain the fans.”

He said that while he fights for fans, In what seemed to be one of the Mayweather only fights for money. most lucrative events in boxing histo“I know in his heart, he doesn’t ry, Mayweather was declared the winhave the concern for the fans, his u PAGE A3

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Obama, Clinton hail Fil-Ams’ contributions to US history to each other,” as he lauded Filipinos’ “integral role in shaping the life of our country.”

“An unshakable faith in the U.S. President Barack obama has recognized the contribu- promise of America has guided tions of Filipino Americans in people to our shores since our his country’s history, despite founding. When they arrived, President Rodrigo Duterte’s many of those who first settled continuous tirades against him. here suffered setbacks and In his message for the cele- faced challenges in their purbration of the Filipino-American suit of the American dream. But History Month, obama said the with relentless optimism, they two races “will always be bound u PAGE A3

by Yuji

President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

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Duterte rates himself ‘6’ in scale of 1-10

vinCent GonzaleS Inquirer.net

came from Brazil and travelled to Manila via Dubai tried to slip through with nearly 28 kilograms of suspected coInquirer.net caine in their luggage.

Before the suspects were intercepted, MAnIlA — operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) the anti-illegal drugs task force at the and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) inter- nAIA was tipped off about the possible cepted at the country’s premier airport arrival of a sizeable amount of narcotics on Wednesday afternoon three foreignu PAGE A3 ers allegedly trying to smuggle into the country some P135-million worth of cocaine in their b aggage. ninoy Aquino International Airport district customs collector Ed Macabeo identified the suspected drug traffickers as Hong Kong nationals Chan Kawai and Pau Homanevan, and Russian nation- Russian Kirdyushkin Yuri (center) and Hong Kong nationals Chan Kawai and al Kirdyushkin Yuri. Pau Homanevan, were arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Macabeo said the on Oct. 5, 2016, after P135 million worth of cocaine and shabu were found three who originally inside their luggage.

Photo by MIAA Media Affairs Division by jeannette anD

anDraDe julie aurelio

A OCTOBER 7-13, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Pres. Duterte dares EU, US to...

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MORE THAN 100 YEARS. Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, is escorted by Chief Supt. Gilbert Sosa, police regional director, on Sunday during the 115th Police Service Anniversary celebration in Camp Addurru in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

ManilaTimes.net photo

US Bill awarding Congressional…

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the two-thirds threshold met by previous Congressional Gold Medal bills, according to the website of the U.S. Congress (www.congress.gov). The U.S. Congress must formally approve the bill before President Barack Obama signs it into law.

The final passage of the bill into law would ensure that 200,000 Filipino-World War II veterans, most posthumously, will be collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Only 16,000 to 17,000 soldiers remain in the U.S. and the Philippines. The award is a significant step towards honoring veterans for their bravery and sacrifice in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Among the minority groups in the U.S. that have already been awarded the Medal are the Japanese American Nisei Soldiers, Puerto Rican Soldiers, Navajo Code Talkers, Women Air Services pilots, Montford Marines and Tuskegee Airmen.

The Consulate General in New York has been actively rallying the support of the Northeast U.S. Filipino-American community to lobby for the passage of H.R. 2737/S. 1555. Since Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. assumed office, he has also

been working to promote the cause of Filipino-American World War II veterans, with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), and the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). The campaign for the Congressional Gold Medal Award Bill for the FilipinoAmerican World War II veterans was launched by FilVetREP, led by Major General Antonio Taguba, in October 2014.

In all, Consul General De Leon met with officials of 23 Representatives (out of the current 58 Northeast U.S. House bill co-sponsors) in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In his calls, he was accompanied by community leaders, including National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) officials Attys. JT Mallonga and Merit Salud; New York community leader Mr. Mon Villongco, Dr. Emilio Quines, and Mr. Rene Ballenas; New Jersey community leader Ms. Gwen de Vera; Pittsburgh community leader Ms. Teodora Schipper; Philadelphia community

leaders Drs. Rommel and Aida Rivera, Mr. Ernesto Gange and Mr. Brad Baldia; Rhode Island community leader Captain Armando “Doy” Heredia; Boston community leaders Mr. Frank Celoza and Mr. Rudy Hermosa; Maine community leader Tess Cardona; New Hampshire community leader Ms. Jocelyn Santiago; and Vermont community leader Father Julian Asukan.

From 2015 to 2016, Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. has recognized the significant contribution of community leaders in the U.S. Northeast, NaFFAA, and FilVetREP who helped him secure the Congressional targets and who personally followed up with the district offices of senior legislative officials such as Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH); Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ); Senator Susan Collins (R-ME); Senator Jack Reed (DRI); Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R, PA-8); Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D, NJ-6); Rep. Kathleen Rice (D, NY-4), Rep. Michael Doyle (D, PA-14), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D, ME-1), Rep. David Cicilline (D, RI-1), Rep. Donald Norcross (D, NJ-1), Rep. Peter Welch (D, VT), Rep. Tim Murphy (R, PA18), and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R, NY1) all of whom have respectively

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campaign against illegal drugs, calling for the nation to put a stop to the alleged spate of summary killings.

Duterte, describing their statements as an ‘interference,’ lashed back at his critics for their supposed hypocrisy and failure to end atrocities in their respective countries.

Earlier, Vice President Leni Robredo expressed her concern that the president’s tirades against his critics could affect the Philippines’ receipt of the international aid.

“I hope he improves for the better because we don’t live like an island,” Robredo said on Wednesday, October 5.

“We are expecting a lot of help from them and any incident that could strain relations is worrisome.

It makes us anxious because we value our relations with the international community,” she said.

Responding to the vice president, Duterte then said: “Choose.

A Philippine Marine vehicle enters into the cargo bay of expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket (T-ESD 3). The Millinocket is here to embark equipment and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines in support of this year’s iteration of Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 33) 2016. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual Philippine-U.S. military bilateral exercise that is a signature element of the Philippine-U.S. alliance focused on a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance and amphibious landing exercises.

U.S. Navy photo by Grady Fontana

The crumbs of the favors of other that this country has to survive, nations, we will depend on their that this country must see to it that assistance, or we make a stand u PAGE A5

Duterte rates himself ‘6’ in scale of…

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mance as President without reference to the drug war.

The survey, which covered 1,200 adults nationwide, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Highest rating In Mindanao, where Mr. Duterte is from, respondents gave him the highest rating, with 88 percent satisfied and just 4 percent not satisfied.

Net satisfaction with Mr. Duterte was +65 (76 percent satisfied minus 11 percent dissatisfied). SWS considers a net approval rating of more than 70 percent “excellent” and 50-69 percent “very good.”

“The President seems to be off to a very good start,” his spokesperson, Ernesto Abella, told reporters as he assessed the survey. “The people trust what he is doing.”

In a statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said this was “not the time for complacency” as much work still needed to be done.

“More than ever, we ask for the full support of all Filipinos behind the President’s reform agenda so that we can achieve

President Duterte

lasting peace and prosperity in the years ahead,” he also said.

Threatened by crime Earl Parreño of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform said the drug war resonated more with those aged 25 to 44 because this group was the “most economically productive and they feel threatened by the crimes happening in the country.”

People are applauding Mr. Duterte’s anticrime stance because most of them feel the negative impact of the illegal drug trade in the country, Parreño said.

He noted that even nondrug

inquirer.net photo / Joan Bondoc

dependents were affected when one of their family members or friends was a drug user.

The President’s high ratings in the survey signaled a huge jump in support from the May election, which he won in what was considered a landslide but still with just 37.6 percent of the votes.

In the Philippines, the presidential election is decided simply by whoever gets the most votes, and his nearest rival secured 22.6 percent.

Happy to slaughter Mr. Duterte, a former mayor of Davao City, stormed to victory

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From the Front Page

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 7-13, 2016

Obama, Clinton hail Fil-Ams’ contributions…

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held their heads high and laid down their roots—building our country into the beacon of hope it is today,” Obama said in his message dated Oct. 1.

“They have been the artists who challenge us, the educators who keep us informed, and the laborers of our growing economy. And throughout our history, they have served as members of our Armed Forces, helping safeguard our nation and the values upon which we stand,” he said.

Obama also recognized the role of Filipino-Americans in “fighting back the tide of tyranny” during the Second World War, as he trumpeted his administration’s Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program BOXFULS OF PLEAS. Volunteers carry boxes containing petitions signed by 1.5 million Filipinos asking the Supreme Court to allow the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. The High Court, through a temporary restraining order, stopped the interment of Marcos’ remains at the heroes’ cemetery.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Filipina in Florida charged in professor’s…

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Luis Rivera — and the family of Wendi Adelson, Markel’s exwife.

Documents released by the police (and reported on by the Tallahassee Democrat) said that Magbanua lived with and has two children with Garcia, and she had romantic relations with Wendi Adelson’s brother Charles Adelson.

They added that weeks before the killing — and right after — several calls were exchanged between Magbanua and Charles Adelson, and between Magbanua and Garcia.

Garcia and Rivera were charged with capital murder in May. On Tuesday, October 4, Rivera pled guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 19 years in prison, which will run concurrently with a previous sentence. This spares him a life sentence, but he will be required to testify against Magbanua and Garcia.

Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman said that Rivera has told investigators that Magbanua was involved in the murder plot.

Charles Adelson’s attorney David O. Markus suggested that the arrest of Magbanua was unfair since Willie Meggs, the Tallahassee state attorney, recently turned down a request from the police to arrest Charles Adelson on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

“It’s sad that the police have arrested [Magbanua] when just

last week the prosecution said there was no basis to proceed.

They are trying to pressure a single mom who has no priors by threatening to make her little kids orphans. That’s not how our criminal justice system is supposed to work. It smacks of utter desperation,” Markus said in an email to the Associated Press.

Investigators theorize that Magbanua asked Garcia and Rivera to kill Markel at the request of the Adelson family. Markel and Wendi Adelson divorced in 2013, but before the divorce was finalized, the pair argued over where to move their children.

Around the time of his death, Markel and his wife had been fighting over money. Records indicate that Wendi Adelson argued that Markel didn’t pay her the amount of money stated in their divorce agreement.

On the morning of Markel’s death, both Garcia and Rivera turned off their cell phones before 10 a.m. before the killing.

Surveillance videos showed a Toyota Prius, rented in Rivera’s name, following Markel’s car from Markel’s home, to the gym and waiting there and back to Markel’s home. A neighbor who’d heard the shots said they saw a car that looked like a Prius coming out of Markel’s driveway after the shooting.

The two men then turned their phones back on at around 12:30 p.m. Cell phone records indicate that Magbanua was the first per-

3 foreigners caught with…

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through foreign drug couriers.

The foreigners, who arrived at around 4:30 p.m. at the NAIA terminal 3 on a flight from Dubai, had just claimed their baggage from the carousel when they were asked over to the Customs office for inspection of their bags.

Upon inspection, Macabeo

said, the Russian’s bagage yielded 9.9 kilograms of suspected cocaine in powder and liquid form, and the Hong Kong nationals had 9 kilos of cocaine each in their baggage.

PDEA operatives are conducting tests on the confiscated items and have taken custody of the three foreigners. n

Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach doing mitt work.

Philstar.com photo

Pacquiao: I fight for fans…

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ner by a unanimous decision during their match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May of last year.

“Of course paying you money for the fight is good, but we have to remember as a fighter that you have a responsibility to make the people happy, make the fans happy,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao said he hopes Mayweather will come out of retire-

ment in 2017 and consider a rematch against him.

The Filipino boxer earlier announced his retirement in April this year, while Mayweather retired from boxing September last year.

On November 5, Pacquiao will fight World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title holder, Jessie Vargas, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. n

Duterte rates himself ‘6’ in…

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largely on his pledge to eradicate crime in six months.

He promised that tens of thousands of people would be killed in his crackdown on crime and that he would pardon himself and police if they were charged with mass murder.

Since taking office on June 30, Mr. Duterte has continued his threats and incitements to kill, while unleashing abusive tirades at his critics.

Last week, he said he would be “happy to slaughter” 3 million drug addicts, as he likened his war on drugs to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s extermination of Jews.

Apology to Jews Following an international outcry, he apologized to Jewish peo-

ple for his Hitler reference but insisted he was “emphatic” in his desire to kill all drug addicts.

He has also said his crime war will continue for at least 12 months.

But the President has also said he is not breaking any laws, insisting that police are killing only in self-defense and many of the other deaths are a result of gang violence.

Mr. Duterte has unleashed a number of expletive-laced tirades against his critics, telling US President Barack Obama “you can go to hell” and saying he may eventually decide to “break up with America.” He has also lashed out at the European Union and the United Nations.

(With reports Ana Roa, Inquirer Research; AFP /TVJ)

son Garcia called as soon as he turned on his phone.

Adding to the suspicion, documents said that the Charles Adelson’s dental practice gave several checks of $407.58 to Magbanua from September 2014 to January 2016, despite Magbanua claiming that she never worked there.

Additionally, she deposited $15,000 in cash months before the killing and deposited another $56,000 after the killing.

As of Sunday, October 2, Magbanua was being held at the Broward County jail without bond awaiting transfer to Tallahassee. n

A

“which enables certain FilipinoAmerican veterans to request that their family members join them in the US as they wait for their green cards.”

“As we mark this special month, we celebrate the ways Filipino-Americans have lent their unique voices and talents to changing our country for the better. Their immeasurable contributions to our nation reaffirm that as Americans we will always be bound to each other in common purpose and by our shared hopes for the future,” Obama added.

Obama’s anointed successor and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, for her part, took to social media to share her message to Filipino-Americans.

“It’s Filipino American History Month, so let’s honor their many contributions—from serving in WWII to strengthening our labor movement,” Clinton wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

In his latest anti-West sentiments, Duterte on Tuesday said he would cut ties with US during his term and forge alliances with China and Russia amid criticisms against his bloody war on drugs.

In a separate speech, he lashed out anew at Obama and the European Union, saying the former “can go to hell” while the latter “better choose purgatory.”

Duterte earlier threatened to stop the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) and end war games between US and the Philippines. n

which would have allowed approximately 5 million undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. and receive benefits like work permits.

After the programs were announced Texas, along with 25 other states, sued the administration over DAPA. They also challenged the proposed expansion of Obama’s 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which prevents deportation for undocumented immigrant children.

“This is the latest setback to the president’s attempt to expand executive power and another victory for those who believe in the Constitution’s separation of powers and the rule of law,” Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General, said in a statement

on Monday.

The Court’s refusal to rehear the case leaves the issue up to the next administration. Immigration has been a key issue during this presidential election, and consequently, both major candidates expressed differing opinions following the June ruling.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton — who has promised to defend Obama’s immigration plans and create a pathway to citizenship — described the ruling as “heartbreaking.”

Her opponent Donald Trump — who has trashed Obama’s immigration plans in the past and proposed his own strict policies — celebrated the ruling, saying the court has “kept us safe from [executive] amnesty.” (Klarize Medenilla / AJPress)

Supreme Court will not rehear Obama…

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case once the Court installed its ninth justice.

The DOJ sought out the rehearing in a statement, arguing that it reflects “the need for prompt and definitive resolution of this important case.”

Following the deadlocked decision, Acting Solicitor General Ian Gershengorn wrote that the Court “should grant rehearing to provide for a decision by the court when it has a full complement of members, rather than allow a nonprecedential affirmance by an equally divided court to leave in place a nationwide injunction of such significance.”

In 2014, an executive action introduced the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA),

A OCTOBER 7-13, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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Chelsea Clinton speaks to Fil-Ams for Hillary supporters FIL-AMS for Hillary East Coast hosted a special reception with Chelsea Clinton on Thursday, Sept. 27, to support the Hillary Victory Fund in New York City.

Headed by Loida Nicolas Lewis, FA4H East Coast Chair, the Sponsor Committee, and about 50 guests warmly welcomed Chelsea. Over $100,000 was raised at this event.

Chelsea acknowledged Mrs. Lewis’ long time support of her mother Secretary Hillary Clinton. She talked about the importance of everyone registering to vote and getting out to vote on Election Day Nov. 8th citing that the 2016 election is very crucial for the nation. Chelsea also highlighted the theme of Hillary Clinton’s platform that “stronger together” we can continue to build a stronger economy, protect the nation and the world, and celebrate American values.

“Chelsea was wonderfully eloquent,” said Mrs. Lewis, “Feet on the ground, charming, personable and utterly convincing about her faith in her Mom being President of the USA.” She also reiterated the support of the Fil Am Community and highlighted Secretary Clinton’s interest and involvement with the Filipino Community, citing her attendance at a major NAFFAA event as First Lady many years ago.

“A respected bipartisan Senate leader and globally recognized world leader as Secretary of State, I trust her to make the difficult decisions that will im-

Filipino Americans Loida Lewis (left) and Angelica Berrie (right) at a Fil-Ams for Hillary fundraiser with Chelsea Clinton.

Contributed photo

pact our country,” said Angelica Berrie, “For Filipino Americans, this election offers a historic opportunity to make a difference. Hillary Clinton brings a consistent track record of public service, fighting for issues that touch our lives; healthcare, children, families, women, and immigration policy.”

There was an opportunity for a few questions from the guests including a family’s separate political affiliations, women’s issues and family life of the Clintons. Chelsea encouraged participating in public service saying that one’s involvement would make a difference.

She also told a charming family story about Christmas Day and Santa Claus. When she was a young child, her fa-

ther Bill Clinton would get up early Christmas morning and while wearing boots, he would walk on the snow at the front door of their house. When she would wake up later in that Christmas morning, her father would declare, “You just missed Santa!” And then he would show her Santa’s boot prints in the snow by the front door (apparently they did not have a chimney).

Members of the Sponsor Committee include Loida Nicolas Lewis, Angelica Berrie, Geraldine Acuna Sunshine, Gail Alvarez and Carla Villacorta, as well as Christina Lewis Halpern, Leslie Malaika Lewis, Dr. Angie Cruz, Edwin Josue, Susan Grant, Matthew Tollin and Bruce Reed. n

CA Gov. Jerry Brown strengthens nation’s strictest anti-wage discrimination laws

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

TWO bills signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday, September 30 enhance what many regard as the toughest anti-wage discrimination policies in the country.

Senate Bill 1063 makes it a crime for employers to pay employees less based on their ethnicity. It was introduced by Democratic state Senator Isadore Hall of Compton and is modeled after existing legislation passed in 2015 prohibiting wage disparity based on gender, according to the Associated Press.

Assembly Bill 1676 was also Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law on Friday, and is

designed to prevent employers from getting away with paying women less for performing similar tasks as other co-workers. It keeps companies from using a person’s prior wages as an excuse to pay them less than other people doing the same work.

One of the lawmakers who introduced the bill, Democratic Assemblywoman Nora Campos of San Jose, told the AP the new legislation prevents women from falling into a pattern of chronic wage discrimination based on prior unjust compensation.

A bill vetoed by the Governor last year would have made it illegal for potential employers to ask about prior wages at all. n

AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISES. Philipppine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Andre Costales Jr. (left) delivers his remarks during the opening rites for joint amphibious exercises between Filipino and US marines at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Behind him is Brig. Gen. John Jansen of the US Marines’ 3rd Expeditionary Brigade.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte says Russia, China supportive of his complaints about US

by KLArizE

MEdEniLLA AJPress

IN a move that may further delineate the Philippines from the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he received support from Russia and China when he complained to them about the U.S. On Sunday, October 2, Duterte said in a press conference that he had privately met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during last month’s summits for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos.

“I met with Medvedev, I am revealing it to you now,” Duterte said. “I told him this is the situation: They are giving me a hard time, they are disrespecting me; they are shameless. He said: ‘That is really how the Americans are.’

He said: ‘We will help you.’”

He added that officials from Chi-

na told him that if the Philippines wants to move towards a more independent foreign policy — a goal of this administration — then the Philippines would benefit from distancing itself from the U.S. Duterte provided no other details about the matter at Monday’s press conference, but he has previously expressed interest in both nations. Last week, Duterte said that he was open to creating new alliances with Russia and China, particularly for trade and commerce.

“I am asking the Filipinos in the coming days, if America will make good its threat, I’m going to ask you to sacrifice a little bit. But by next year, I would have entered into so many new alliances with so many countries,” he said in a speech in Pampanga.

He added: “Russia has agreed to talk about how they can help

us here. China is ready to help us with this goddamned problem of drugs.”

He said that he plans to meet with Medvedev as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping. Russia and China have yet to respond to Duterte’s claims.

Despite Duterte’s combative remarks, the U.S. has expressed commitment to maintaining the long-standing U.S./Philippine alliance, according to Mark Toner, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department.

Toner said that Washington has not received official communication from the Malacañang regarding any of Duterte’s controversial comments.

“We are not deaf. We do hear what he says, but our cooperation with the Philippine government remains strong and unabated,” Toner told the media last week. n

Same-sex marriage legalization eyed in PH by dAnA

sioson AJPress

PHILIPPINE House of Representatives Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said it’s about time to show respect and uphold the dignity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the Philippines, expressing that everybody deserves to be “happy.”

In a press briefing on Monday, October 3, Alvarez said that he plans to file a bill that will support the legalization of same-sex union in the country.

“I’m willing to sponsor samesex marriage. Look at our Constitution. There’s a provision there guaranteeing the happiness of Filipinos. Why should we deprive them that right?” the House speaker said.

According to him, the proposal would amend the Family Code, which defines marriage as “a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.”

The Family code also states that “no marriage shall be valid, unless these essential requisites are present: a) legal capacity of the contracting parties who must be a male and a female; and b) consent freely given in the pres-

ence of the solemnizing officer.”

Alvarez cleared that his proposal would only tap the civil union of members of the same sex.

“Regarding the church marriage, we will not interfere in that. If they do not want it, it’s okay, no problem. While this one (same-sex marriage proposal), is as far as civil law is concerned,” he said.

Being a predominantly Christian country, he noted that opposition from churches or religious lawmakers was only a natural part of the country’s democracy.

“The Philippines is a democracy. There will always be opposition. There’s no issue that is not met by opposition. The beauty of democracy is we can argue, we can disagree, but at the end of the day, it’s still the majority that will prevail,” the House speaker added.

At present, Alvarez said he is drafting the measure but has yet to garner the support from fellow legislators.

“I am yet to seek support from the members. This is open to everybody who would like to be a sponsor, too. I just want to show that I respect and I stand with the LGBT in protecting their dignity,” he added.

Several lawmakers from the

House of Representatives, however, have expressed their opposition to Alvarez’ proposal to legalize the union of same-sex couples in the country.

“We are very much bothered

by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s statement that he would sponsor a bill that would seek the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Marriage, as defined by law, is a union between a man and a woman. We are ready to defend the rights of anyone especially those in the LGBT community.

But marriage should exclusively be, as intended by nature, for a man and a woman,” Buhay Representative Lito Atienza said.

“I am quite disappointed that the Speaker would make such a commitment. We thought all along that his priority is federalism and not same-sex marriage,” he added.

Meanwhile, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the Philippine society is not yet ready for same-sex marriage and suggested that the government pass a law allowing couples to be “eligible for conjugal property” if they have lived together for a certain period.

“You can love each other without getting married. They (LGBT) know the limits of their situation.

The society is not ready for it,” he told Inquirer. n

Pampanga courts defer Mark Anthony’s arraignment ANGELES CITY – The courts in this city deferred on Thursday, Oct. 6 the arraignment of actor Mark Anthony Fernandez.

Fernandez’s lawyer Sylvia Flores sought to defer the arraignment pending a reinvestigation of the cases filed against the actor.

A complaint for civil disobedience for refusing to pull over at a police checkpoint was filed against Fernandez before the Angeles Municipal Trial Court and violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act with the Angeles Regional Trial Court.

Flores also sought Fernandez’s transfer to the provincial jail in

San Fernando, saying the Angeles City police station is “too crowded.”

She cited the statement of Lorna Tolentino, Fernandez’s stepmother, that his human rights were violated when the police presented the actor to the media without a lawyer.

“Any person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation shall at all times be assisted by counsel,” Flores, quoting Republic Act 7438 or the Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or under Custodial Investigation, said.

Fernandez was arrested in Barangay Virgen delos Remedios on Monday night for alleged pos-

session of a kilo of marijuana.

Police said they also found a mechanical grinder of marijuana leaves in Fernandez’s car.

Meanwhile, the Central Luzon police office ordered the Angeles City police to investigate two policewomen whose photo with Fernandez went viral on social media.

Senior Superintendent Graciano Mijares, Central Luzon police deputy regional director for operation, said a barangay councilor uploaded the photo.

Mijares said the two policewomen had apologized for their action. (Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu/Philstar.com)

US Bill awarding Congressional…

PAGE A2 t

signed on to co-sponsor S. 1555 (the Senate version of the bill) and H.R. 2737.

Consul General De Leon further recognized the important role of the Filipino community in conveying our message to US

Legislative officials and lobbying with their respective Representatives for legislative enactments that promote Philippine interests in the US and more robust US-PH relations. He hopes that the passage of the Congressional Gold Medal Bill

takes place within the month of October, which is celebrated as Filipino-American History Month, and would signify another milestone in commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of PhilippineU.S. diplomatic relations. n

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Robredo fears Rody effect on international support

by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

NO COAL. Anti-coal mining advocates have launched a campaign against “coaligarchs” who are allegedly behind massive coal-mining expansions in the Philippines. They kicked off the campaign, part of the global Reclaim Power initiative, during a news conference in Quezon City on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

De Lima on sex video: It is not me

by Kristian Javier Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday denied appearing in the alleged sex videos that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II offered to present at the House of Representatives’ panel hearing.

“It is not me, as far as I’m concerned,” De Lima said in an interview on ANC. De Lima said she has refused to see the videos, dismissing them as “nonsense.”

Aguirre earlier offered to show the sex videos at the hearing of the House committee on justice looking into De Lima’s alleged links to the drug trade inside national penitentiary Bilbid. Aguirre’s camp said De Lima’s driver, Ronnie Dayan, would collect drug money from inmates to fund his boss’ election campaign.

While Aguirre and President Rodrigo Duterte claimed De Lima had an illicit affair with Dayan, De Lima said she only has a friendly relationship with him, but refused to elaborate on the matter.

Aguirre, meanwhile, claimed that De Lima’s relationship with Dayan can be seen in three sex

In this Aug. 22, 2016 photo, Sen. Leila de Lima, then as chair of the Senate justice committee, presides over an inquiry into drug-related extrajudicial killings.

videos, but he also admitted not having a copy of the clips.

Denying allegations on her links to the drug trade, De Lima on Wednesday decried what she called as disrespect for women after Aguirre and the House leadership expressed willingness to show the alleged video at the probe into the drug trade.

“It is a violation. A gross violation of my rights and my dignity

as a woman,” De Lima said in the ANC interview, a day after she made the impassioned plea to government officials to respect women.

She said people accusing her of having sex videos are doing everything to destroy her.

Women’s groups and female lawmakers blocked attempts to have the video shown. The House justice committee afterward announced that it will instead present other witnesses without showing the controversial clips.

No viewing, but details heard Joenel Sanchez, a former security aide of De Lima, appeared at the House panel hearing on Thursday, describing the close relationship between De Lima and Dayan.

Sanchez said he worked for De Lima from 2010 to 2015 during her stint as chief of the Justice department.

Reading his affidavit before the House panel, Sanchez said he accompanied De Lima and Dayan in several in out-of-town trips where the two would be staying in one room.

“Every time we would go to the grocery store, (Secretary of Justice) De Lima would purchase

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo is worried that President Duterte’s continuous tirades against foreign leaders might drive away support from the international community.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Robredo said she always had that fear because keeping good ties with the international community is important.

“We expect a lot of assistance from them,” she said. “I am with everyone, hoping that this situation will not get worse… we don’t live like an island, we have many programs that depend so much on the international community. I hope this would not become a reason for them to withdraw their commitment of support.”

She made the remarks following Duterte’s latest tirades against US President Barack Obama and the European Union.

Robredo said foreign agencies like the United Nations and the EU have so far remained supportive of the government’s anti-poverty programs.

Representatives from the UN and EU have confirmed their attendance to the upcoming Partnerships Against Poverty Summit, which her office will host next week, she added.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Attending the summit to be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 10 are 1,000 local government executives and representatives from various sectors.

“I hope he doesn’t speak that way. (Duterte) is the President so everything he says is policy,” Robredo said.

She reminded all government officials that everything they say in public is no longer personal.

Robredo advised Duterte to make more friends in the international community rather than Fundador and Marlboro, Ronnie Dayan’s favorites,” Sanchez said.

He also claimed having seen a copy of at least two sex videos shown to him by a certain Bantam, another former driver of De

Vice President Leni Robredo advised President Duterte to make more friends in the international community rather than create enemies.

create enemies.

“It’s okay to make new friends but to remove some friends to pave the way for others, there is always room for others. He should reach out to as many countries as possible,” she said.

“It should not be an exclusive friendship with China or US, you can be friends to both the US, China or Russia.”

Duterte earlier said he would build “new alliances” with China and Russia to cushion the fallout from the possible withdrawal of the US from the Philippines.

On Monday he told Obama “you can go to hell” over US criticism of his deadly anti-drug campaign, adding that he may eventually decide to “break up with America.”

He also lashed out anew at the EU, saying the bloc, which has also criticized his brutal crackdown, “better choose purgatory, hell is filled up.”

‘First 100 days’ Meanwhile, Robredo said the administration has achieved “so much” as far as the war on

illegal drugs and criminality is concerned during Duterte’s first 100 days in office.

“It’s very obvious that the President is focused on curbing crime and drugs as well as on streamlining the processes in government offices to make it easier for the people to avail of its services,” she said.

Robredo said she thinks Duterte himself remains “dissatisfied” with what he has done so far.

“I think all of us should not be satisfied as of this time because 100 days is just a short time,” she said.

Robredo noted Duterte has asked for six more months to put an end to the drug menace and criminality.

“I hope we will achieve a lot more,” she said.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman urged Duterte to change his rhetoric and style of governance.

“Before real change can come in Duterte’s administration, it is necessary that he must first effect a genuine change in himself,” he said. n

Lima, on Dayan’s cellphone.

“While watching, I felt awkward, so I stopped watching,” Sanchez said.

In hearing Sanchez’s testimony, the House justice committee led by Oriental Mindoro

Rep. Reynaldo Umali is trying to establish the De Lima’s ties with drug operators at the Bilibid prison.

De Lima last month called the allegations of her involvement in the illegal market as “all lies.” n

Trillanes cries coverup in Senate probe

by Paolo

romero Philstar.com

MANILA – Sen. Antonio Trillanes accused on Thursday, Oct. 6 Sen. Richard Gordon of covering up for President Duterte with the Senate inquiry into the spate of drug-related extrajudicial killings all but shelved.

Trillanes said he was disappointed with Gordon’s performance as chairman of the Senate committee on justice, which on Tuesday moved to halt the investigation, particularly on the killings allegedly perpetrated by Davao death squads (DDS) from 1988 to 2013.

“I think he is determined apparently to shut this down, probably out of allegiance to President Dutere, but it smacks of a cover up,” Trillanes told ANC. Gordon was elected chair of the committee last month after his predecessor, Sen. Leila De Lima, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.

The panel decided to hold one

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV

last hearing next week on the extrajudicial killings before coming up with a committee report.

Gordon has indicated that the testimony of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato might be scrapped owing to his conflicting statements.

Matobato had testified that Duterte ordered the killings of over a thousand suspected criminals and opponents when he was mayor of Davao City through the DDS.

Trillanes said at first he thought Gordon would be objective and fair but when he outright expressed doubts over the testimony of Matobato, “he has shown his true colors.”

“He (Gordon) immediately gave a conclusion that Matobato is not credible, damaged goods, despite the fact that all of his information checked out,” Trillanes said.

He said Gordon instead chose to believe the police officers Matobato accused as member of the DDS “even if I showed that they lied.”

Gordon bristled at Trillanes’ accusations, branding him as a “loose cannon.”

Gordon stressed that he was been very liberal with Trillanes and De Lima in the previous hearings and the committee practically bent rules to accommodate them.

Later in the day, Trillanes went to Gordon’s office to try to patch up their differences.

the next generation is protected?”

He stressed that the problems of drugs must be resolved now to prevent the sufferings of future generations.

‘America has failed us’ Through a Facebook post, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay defended President Duterte’s move to realign the country’s foreign policy towards an independent track.

“The America has failed us. This is at the core of the message of [Duterte] to the American people and the world,” Yasay said.

He pointed out that the breaking away from the “shackling dependency” to address both internal and external security threats has become an imperative in putting an end to the nation’s subservience to the United State’s interests.

Although the Philippines was proclaimed independent from America on July 4, 1946, Yasay said the U.S. still held onto the “invisible chains” that reined towards dependency and submission, with Filipinos not capable of gaining true independence and freedom.

The diplomat recognized there were many things to be grateful to America for, but he argued that the “stark reality” shows the Philippines’ defensive forces was “grossly incapable” in meeting the security threats that the nation fac-

es from potential foes in relation to the disputed waters in the South China Sea. “Worse is that our only ally could not give us the assurance that in taking a hard line towards the enforcement of our sovereignty rights under international law, it will promptly come to our defense under our existing military treaty and agreements,” Yasay added.

He said that Duterte was trying to liberate the Filipinos from the “carrot and stick” policy of the U.S. towards the Philippines, which has been “effectively used to force Filipinos into submission to American demands and interests.”

Duterte earlier pronounced he would eventually “break up” with America and form closer ties with Russia and China instead.

“I would be reconfiguring my foreign policy. Eventually, in my time I would break up with America. I would rather go to Russia or to China. Even though we don’t agree with the ideology, they have respect for the people,” Duterte said.

No official moves have been issued yet, but the Malacañang noted that it is possible the president will ‘break up’ the alliance between the Philippines and the U.S. in the future.

“That in the future, he might make moves. In the present, there are no moves yet,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said,

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Pres. Duterte dares EU, US to...

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adding that “it is not a definite yes or a definite no.”

During his tirade earlier this week, Duterte had told U.S. President Barack Obama to “go to hell” amid the latter’s criticism of his war against illegal drugs.

Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo later dismissed Duterte’s ‘go to hell’ remarks as a hyperbole.

“It’s just a hyperbole. It means you should not interfere with our campaign against illegal drugs.

You should mind your own country,” Panelo said.

Turning the tables on the U.S., he then added,”they keep on saying na we’re violating human rights and yet they’re the one who violates the human rights of their countrymen. That’s the only point.”

Sought for a comment, the U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Duterte’s statements were “at odds” with the two countries’ warm relationship and decades-long alliance.

“We’ve already spoken to this sort of rhetoric,” Kirby said.

“Frankly, it seems at odds with the warm relationship that exists between the Filipino and American people and the record of important cooperation between our two governments, cooperation that has continued under the Duterte government.” n

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A OCTOBER 7-13, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Against all odds

DESPITE receiving a barrage of censure over his aggressive campaign against drugs and human rights violations under his reign, Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte remains unfazed.

The president has brewing friendships with China and Russia, and is bent on alienating the country’s long-standing alliance with the United States.

Over the weekend, Duterte threatened to end the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), an agreement signed by the Philippines and the U.S. in 2014. EDCA grants the U.S. to increase its military presence in the Philippines through the rotation of ships and planes for humanitarian and maritime security operations. It allows American soldiers, warships and planes to temporarily hold bases at Filipino military locations.

While the president continued his tirade against the U.S/, American troops joined Filipino forces on Tuesday, Oct. 4 for the opening of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 33). 1,400 American and 500 Filipino military personnel will participate in the joint military exercise, aimed at improving readiness by the two countries to respond to a range of crises while deepening their historic ties.

“The opportunity to train and build mutually ben-

eficial capabilities with our Armed Forces of the Philippines partners is essential for sharpening our bilateral amphibious and humanitarian assistance capabilities, both hallmarks of the U.S. Marine Corps” said Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen, Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. “Exchanging expertise and cultivating our longstanding security alliance provides a cornerstone for security and stability in the region, and has for decades.”

Phiblex 33 will feature an amphibious landing exercise and live-fire training featuring artillery, which are designed to advance cooperation, improve interoperability and assist in strengthening bilateral amphibious capabilities. This year’s exercise will also focus on general military skills, and enhancing professional and amicable relations, to help advance common regional security interests between U.S. servicemen and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The military exchange will also include humanitarian and civic assistance to improve local infrastructure, and health engagements to exchange medical practices and supplement the medical

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

needs of Filipino citizens.

For decades, the United States has maintained strong bilateral relations with the Philippines, based on a number of factors including robust domestic support for international security, joint strategic goals in the Asia Pacific, a mutual com-

mitment to democratic values, and historical ties.

Despite the president’s repugnance to the U.S., both Filipino and American troops stand to benefit in these military exercises. It is through times like these that the close partnership between the two nations proves its value. (AJPress)

Clinton gains ground among independents after first debate with Trump IT’S less than five weeks to go before the citizens of America cast their votes to choose who will be the 45th President of the United States.

As D-Day approaches, both Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump, along with their surrogates, are continuing to make their cases as to why Clinton or Trump should be elected president. We’re seeing debates, campaign sorties, ads and good old face-to-face interactions with voters, especially in key battleground states which can either swing red or blue and decide who will win the race to the White House.

While both candidates have broken records as the nominees with the least favorability ratings

ary Clinton has expanded her among registered voters and are lead over Donald Trump among more motivated by fear and disdain The Fil-Am likely voters. that the nominee of the other party According to the latest CNNmight win in November, they both Perspective ORC national poll, Clinton is have their loyal followers who will now five points ahead of Trump, vote for them no matter how they 47 to 42. may fumble and misspeak or be The Democratic nominee fact checked for any lies and mis- Gel SantoS-reloS has also gained more support representations just to get the elecamong independents, 44 pertorates’ votes.

What will be critical then is who will win over cent versus Trump’s 37 percent.

The same poll also reveals that Clinton has been the independent and undecided voters who do able to shrink Trump’s lead among male voters. not subscribe to the ideologies of each party.

After the first debate, polls revealed that Hill- His 22-point lead has now come down to 5 points.

In the latest Quinnipiac University survey in the battleground state of Florida, Clinton now leads by five points. Clinton also leads in North Carolina at 49 percent versus Trump’s 46, and in Pennsylvania, 48 percent to Trump’s 43 percent.

But the margin is not that big. The next debate and more surprising headlines may sway the result one way or the other. Abangan! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Is the traffic problem a state of mind?

PHILIPPINE Transportation Secretary Street Art Tugade was recently crucified in Talk mainstream and social media for reportedly attributing Manila’s monstrous traffic to “a state of GreG B. MacaBenta mind.”

Subsequent clarification of what Tugade really meant appears to have been an exercise in futility. In communications, there can be a huge gap between what you say and how you are understood. One single statement can be understood in ten different ways by ten different people — in addition to mischievous media folks who purposely misunderstand.

According to Cherie Mercado-Santos, transportation assistant secretary for communications, Tugade actually said, “The prevailing Filipino psyche of using traffic as an excuse must be changed.

That kind of state of mind that automatically uses traffic as an excuse unnecessarily adds to the problem of traffic.”

I actually agree with the good secretary, although I think that his observation left him unnecessarily vulnerable to being misunderstood. Metro Manilans are in no mood to listen to why they, too, must do their share in alleviating their traffic problem.

I shuttle often between my home in the San Francisco Bay Area and Manila, and was here recently on a brief stopover from Bangkok. In that very quick visit, I had a 3:30 p.m. meeting and a 10:00 a.m. brunch, both on a weekday and both at Serendra in Taguig. For both engagements, I arrived a few minutes early and the folks I was supposed to meet with arrived on time.

From my home in Paranaque, just off Sucat, it would normally take less than 30 minutes without traffic. But I allowed two hours of travel time to make sure that I would not be late.

Don’t think I only do this in Manila. I do it too in California. From my home on the East Bay to my office in Daly City, it normally takes 30 minutes without traffic – that is, in the dead of night. But in the daytime, it takes two hours to the office and two-and-a-half going home.

Now, if you live in the Los Angeles area, two hours or two-and-a-half are not enough allowance if you don’t want to be late for an appointment.

The saying is that the Los Angeles freeway system is one big parking lot. That’s how bad the traffic is. But the media and the folks in California have learned to adjust, instead of blaming the government. The government is, of course, scrambling to get ahead of urban sprawl and the resultant traffic problems, but many times, its best efforts are not enough.

And talking about “state of mind,” Metro Manilans can learn a lesson from the folks in Honolulu. They have a term there, shaka, which loosely means, “hang loose” or “relax.”

I learned what that really meant some years ago when I frantically rushed to a lunch appointment with an advertising client in the middle of the usually bad Honolulu traffic. By pleading with the taxi driver and literally dashing up the stairs of the office building (I couldn’t wait for the elevator), I made it to my client’s office “on the dot.” Guess what? My client arrived an hour late.

“Hang loose, Greg,” he said breezily.

“You are in Hawaii.”

For sure, Tugade and his colleague in the Duterte cabinet, Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works, have to act creatively and double-time to lessen the torment that Manilans have dubbed carmageddon. Rationalizations like Mar Roxas’s classic, “It’s a sign of economic progress” and former DOTC Secretary Abaya’s “it’s not fatal,” are what Pinoys call, “consuelo de bobo.”

Tugade’s “state of mind” comment falls in the same category.

Suffering Metro Manilans are simply in no mood to listen to reason, no matter how logical. We are so used to blaming everyone else but ourselves.

It also makes matters worse when we have a society where each one does his own thing, and let the devil take care of the rest.

For instance, A. Santos Avenue, better known as Sucat Road, is the closest thing to traffic hell during drive time,

which is early in the morning and late in the afternoon. So what does Maynilad, the water company do? It appropriates half of an already narrow road, blocking off long stretches, in order to lay water pipes.

This is not to say that Maynilad’s pipe-laying activities are unnecessary (would we rather be without water?).

But couldn’t there have been some way of lessening the torment?

When the San Francisco International Airport was expanded and when the Oakland portion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was built, the professionals who handled the construction made provisions for alternative thoroughfares so that people were hardly inconvenienced.

Of course, it must have cost more money (for instance, a temporary span was built on the Oakland section of the Bay Bridge while the new span was being constructed) but the added financial cost was factored in relation to the opportunity cost or loss of productive manhours if traffic jams had resulted.

On a trip to my home province of Leyte last year, I noticed that the bridge on the main road approaching Palo, coming from Tacloban, was being constructed. I also noticed that an alternative road was opened to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

To go back to the Sucat Road traf-

fic hell, there are gated subdivisions in the area which could be opened up, at least temporarily to lessen the volume of traffic pouring into Sucat while the Maynilad construction is going on (for instance, from San Antonio Valley One, where the Paranaque City Hall is located, through the two adjoining subdivisions, which both require stickers for passage). And the morning and early evening traffic going through San Antonio Valley into Better Living and on to the Bicutan interchange could probably be lessened if trucks were prohibited from passing through.

I understand that the “emergency powers” being requested by the Department of Transportation is meant to give it the legal muscle to require exclusive subdivisions to open up their sanctum sanctorums.

But using the term “emergency powers” is ill-advised. This is another case of poor communications. The term evokes images of martial law and scares the wits of average folks. Couldn’t Tugade and his team just specify the villages they would like opened up temporarily and the conditions for opening them up (such as not allowing jeepneys, tricycles, buses and trucks to pass, as well as ensuring optimal security)?

I mentioned earlier that I flew to Manila from Bangkok. I spent a few days there and noted the heavy traffic pour-

ing in and out of the city – this in spite of the impressive network of elevated freeways (similar to Metro Manila’s skyways) that stretch for miles. But I also noticed how orderly the vehicles were and, even more remarkable, was the absence of traffic policemen in the major thoroughfares.

Compare that to the large number of MMDA traffic enforcers and policeman (in addition to pito boys or people with whistles helping vehicles back out of parking slots to get back on the main road) and you realize that we Pinoys are such terrible pasaways (undisciplined) that we need to have enforcers virtually cracking the whip on us.

The trouble is that many of these socalled enforcers simply turn a blind eye to jeepneys picking up and dropping off passengers in the middle of the road and blocking traffic. In fact, it seems to me that these enforcers know only one rule to enforce – the color coding (or number coding) ordinance. Everything else is puede na.

There is supposed to be major relief from our traffic woes once the SLEX and NLEX freeways are connected and the Department of Public works opens the network of overpasses leading to the airport terminals and the Bay City area where the new casinos are located.

But that relief will only be temporary.

I recall the days when EDSA had no light rail trains traversing it and there were no overpasses and underpasses.

Traffic was terrible. Now that those structures and the train system are in place, the traffic is still terrible.

One day, we will see flying cars and taxis crisscrossing Metro Manila. Will that bring relief from our traffic woes?

Of course. But only temporarily. We will always find a way to make a good thing bad. It’s a state of mind. So hang loose. Or in Taglish, Relak para hindi ka mag-kolap. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 7-13, 2016

A

DOH: Paradigm shift needed to address HIV/AIDS MANILA — The Department of Health emphasized on Thursday the need to shift strategies to address the increasing number of HIV/AIDs cases in the country.

“Look up at where we are and how we’ve been moving forward in these challenges of HIV/AIDs in this country and probably take a step back and think of strategies, means and ways of how to address the problem in a different context and different perspective,” DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said in her message to the participants in the 14th Philippine National Convention on AIDS in Quezon City.

“What we should do is to actually focus our strategies on population groups that are most at risk and most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS since it is where the increases are being found,” Dr. Ubial said.

She added that such is the most important strategy that can be ad-

opted to address the problem.

She also urged the convention participants to plan well how the shift of paradigm can be carried out as she shared basic perspectives for them to discuss.

The Health chief said that part of the planning is ensuring that government resources will be used efficiently in both preventing more cases and treating those with HIV/AIDS. This means that “most at risk populations” (MARPS) would be readily provided with HIV/AIDS testing kits, protective tools such as condoms for safe sex, and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs as needed.

“We should focus on MARPs,” Ubial said, since spreading resources would be tedious and inefficient.

“If we focus on general population, so much of what we actually do is diluted because the general population is very, very

low,” she explained.

According to the DOH, 766 Filipinos were diagnosed with HIV in July.

Currently considered as MARPs are men-having-sexwith-men (MSMs), commercial sex workers (CSWs), and injecting drug users (IDUs).

“I will have to add to that list the people in the penal system or jails and probably the drug users, specifically those in the rehabilitation centers,” she told the attendees comprised of different groups and health champions supporting the fight against HIV-AIDs. However, she admitted that there is no available data on the number of inmates with HIVAIDS. “We don’t have any idea since it was not done before. We want to establish the baseline and trend from now on,” she said.

She added that testing will still be voluntary. (Philstar.com)

DOT dismisses rumors of canceled Miss Universe

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has dismissed rumors alleging that Miss Universe 2016 next January will be canceled.

“We are not aware of any cancellation for Miss Universe.

We are still having ongoing meetings with the MUO (Miss Universe Organization). Let us wait for official announcements before jumping into any conclusion,” DOT Undersecretary Kat De Castro told Inquirer on Monday, October 3.

The rumors supposedly started when reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was tagged in De Castro’s Facebook post about crying.

“Some are citing my post last Thursday BEFORE the Hitler issue. Pia & I had dinner. We were reminiscing. Hence, the “iyak (crying)” part. Chill lang,” De Castro clarified.

Earlier this summer, the DOT announced that the Philippines will be the host country for the pageant.

DAY OF DENIAL. Retired police Supt. Dionisio Abude shows clippings of reports on killings in Davao at the Senate inquiry on extrajudicial killings. Abude, former chief of the Heinous Crime Division of the Davao police, admitted being penalized by the Ombudsman in connection with the unsolved killings but he denied the existence of the Davao Death Squad. He also denied the claim of Edgar Matobato that he was present when Sali Makdum, an alleged terrorist, was seized by the police. Matobato said Makdum was killed by the DDS in 2002.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo

Marcos burial hits over 1-M support signatures

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

De Castro also noted that the unveiling of the DOT’s new campaign slogan will coincide with the pageant.

“The [old] tagline is very general. Basically, the new campaign under Secretary Teo would be more specific in terms of destinations and the activities they can do,” De Castro said of why the DOT was dropping the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan. n

MORE than one million supporters have signed the campaign to allow late and former President Ferdinand Marcos’s interment at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

With permission from President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos’s burial was supposedly set in September, but the Supreme Court (SC) initially issued a status quo ante order (SQA) at the request of petitioners who sought to stop the burial.

The SQA, which originally should have expired on September 12, was extended until October 18.

The signatures collected will be turned over to the SC. Before submission, organizers said a mass will be held first.

“The signature campaign is to reiterate that there’s massive public backing and support for President Duterte’s decision to give a hero’s burial to the former president and World War II veteran,” said James Caesar Ventura of the

Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA), one of the groups who launched the campaign.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Hyacinth Rafael-Antonio, Marcos family legal counsel, expressed that the signatures gathered “signify that there are numerous Filipinos who are in favor of the burial of the late president at the LNMB (Libingan ng mga Bayani or Heroes’ Cemetery).”

“Those who signed are also citizens of our country whose convictions must be considered for national unity and healing to become a reality,” Antonio said.

“Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that the case has been submitted for the resolution of the SC. We should trust that the SC will rule in accordance with law.”

The campaign was also initiated by groups like the Buong Bayan Magkaisa (BBM) Youth Movement and Friends of Imelda R. Marcos (FIRM) 24k, the United Marcos Loyalists in the Philippines (UMLP), and Kilusang Kaisipang

Diwang Pilipino (KKDP).

BBM said they wanted to support the campaign so that the country could start its healing process.

On the other hand, FIRM 24k member Hazel Kaye Mendoza said she signed the campaign as part of recognizing the late president’s good projects.

Meanwhile, according to UMLP president Vince Avena, it is about time for the country to move on.

“This cannot happen as long we let the past dictate our life as a country today,” Avena continued.

“Though we do not ask that the past be forgotten… who are we to withhold from him the kind of burial he deserves?”

Although refusing to be called a “loyalist group,” Robert dela Cern of KKDP said they nonetheless believe in Marcos’ accomplishments.

The campaign was first launched a month ago through the online website Change.org, “#ilibingNa si President Ferdinand Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.” n

there won’t be any complaint filed against them.

Gordon said he appreciated PAGE A5 t De Lima over their behavior during Trillanes’ gesture.

Gordon was supposed to deliver the hearings.

He also disclosed that his wife a privilege speech that was supHowever, the speech did not Kate interceded for De Lima. posed to lead to the filing of an eth- push through after the two senaHe stressed whenever they deics complaint against Trillanes and tors talked, so it was assumed that bate, they were not personal.

“Sen. De lima has been under severe stress, I have never wanted to add to her stress…Every time I see her, I kiss her, I always encourage her,” Gordon told reporters.

Matobato in danger Trillanes reiterated that Matoba-

to’s life continues to be in danger.

“Remember this man (Matobato) volunteered to tell the whole world some information against the President who he claims to be the mastermind of the DDS,” Trillanes said.

“So that alone should be a given

that he would be under threat from people interested in seeing him dead so we’re working on that assumption,” he said.

The senator took it upon himself to provide security to Matobato throughout the duration of the hearings. n

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo tells reporters on Tuesday, October 4 that the Miss Universe pageant will go ahead as planned.

AJPress photo by Vince Samson

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo on Tuesday, October 4 confirmed that venues to be visited include Cebu, Batangas, Metro Manila, Siargao, Vigan, Palawan, Bicol and Davao, following an MUO team’s inspection visit last week.

The Miss Universe pageant’s coronation night will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Steve Harvey as its host.

Trillanes cries coverup...

A OCTOBER 7-13, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Celebrating Filipino ameriCan History montH

by MoMar

“Filipino American History Month is an important time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and the vast contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our nation. Among these contributions are the sacrifices of Filipino veterans who served bravely during World War ii. As CApAC Chair, i have been proud to work with my CApAC colleagues to provide these veterans with the benefits and recognition they rightfully deserve. This includes efforts to pass legislation that would award these veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. i urge House Republican leadership to allow a vote on this bill before the year ends.” - Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Filipino-American communities across the United States celebrate the month of October as Filipino American History Month (FAHM) and many have scheduled various events and programs for the month-long celebration.

The Philippine Consulate General New York led a kickoff event last week to celebrate FAHM through simple rites at the Philippine Center led

by Commissioner Penny Abeywardana of the Office of the Mayor, Lorial Crowder, President

G. Visaya/AJPress

of Filipino American National Historical Society, Metro-NY Chapter and Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. “For the Filipino-American diaspora, the commemoration of Filipino-American history month is an opportunity to reflect on the shared history and values of the Philippines and the United States, and its peoples,” ConGen de Leon said in his speech.

This is the second year that the Consulate General has hosted a kickoff event. Last year, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop was the main speaker. The kick-off is intended to mark the official opening of activities organized by and with the support of various Filipino-American community organizations with the involvement of City or State officials in the US Northeast.

The story of Filipinos in America began with the first Filipino settlers known as Luzones Indios who arrived in Morro Bay, California as early as 1587, followed by the Manila Men who established St. Malo outside New Orleans in 1763.

A quick side note – Bon Appetit Magazine’s number 2 on their list of 2016’s Best New Restaurants is Bad Saint in Washington, DC. The owners named the restaurant in honor of St. Malo.

Then came the successive waves of workers in Alaska, Hawaii and California during the American occupation of the Philippines in 1898, and the later migration of different healthcare and other professionals in the 1960s.

From the brave Filipino veterans who fought for America in World War II to those who tirelessly fought for fair treatment of workers in the farm worker movement, Filipino Americans have been, and continue to be, champions and patriots of the American story, according to California congressman Xavier Becerra, who represents the district in Los Angeles where Historic Filipinotown is located.

“Our celebration is more significant this year as we also mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the United States,” ConGen de Leon added.

From fashion shows and gala dinners to awards nights and concerts, the Filipino-American community of New York and New Jersey has their hands full.

“As I wind up my term as Consul General in New York, I am heartened by the Diaspora’s support and participation in activities that promote not only Filipino culture and traditions,

Consul General Mario L. De Leon Jr., (right) with (from left) Lorial Crowder, President of Filipino American National Historical Society, Metro-NY Chapter, Commissioner Penny Abeywardana of the Office of the Mayor and Dolly Fernandez Alic of FANHS. Photo courtesy of FANHS

Proclamation from the State of New York and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo recognizing Filipino American History Month

but also their successes in the arts, music, business, healthcare, politics and civic organizations in mainstream US society,” ConGen de Leon said, as he recognized Filipino-American community organizations and FilipinoAmericans have broken through the proverbial bamboo ceiling.

“It is an honor to salute the history, culture and contributions of Filipino Americans and I’m pleased to join the Filipino American community in celebrating Filipino American History Month,” said New York Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06).

“I have led efforts in the House to seek benefits for Filipino

Albert Andrada presented his latest collection, one that was inspired by a princess who wants to live a simpler life, at the Couture Culture Change fashion show and gala.

In celebration of Filipino American History Month, the Filipino-American TV talk show, “Maharlika” will air a special episode focused on a group of human trafficking survivorsturned-entrepreneurs who are getting their “second chance” by organizing their very own cleaning cooperative. The episode will air on Oct. 20 on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). In photo (L-R) Critina DC Pastor, Annie Bello of Maharlika Cleaning Cooperative, Jen Furer, human trafficking survivor Carmen Fajardo, and Rachelle Ocampo.

veterans who served in World War II, and I applaud the Senate for recently approving Senator Hirono’s legislation to award Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The House must pass this bill as well, and we will keep up the fight until brave Filipino veterans – who served and sacrificed with U.S. troops – receive the benefits they earned and rightly deserve,” Congresswoman Meng added.

Couture, Culture, Change Among the major events that opened Filipino American History Month in New York is the fashion show and gala that celebrated the works of designers Jaki Penalosa and Albert Andrada and photographer Phil Dizon who launched his book Faces and

Places.

“Tonight is a special evening since it is a celebration of the exceptional artistry, creativity and craftsmanship of our designers,” said Ambassador Lourdes Yparraguirre as she welcomed the audience. “Our designers are culture-bearers combining their skills and love for heritage and tradition to create beautiful gowns and apparel.”

“I feel great. I am so happy that I was invited to show my collection here in New York. I felt like the crowd accepted me,” Albert Andrada told the Asian Journal.

Andrada has been known in the fashion circles for sometime now but his name became more famous when Pia Wurtzbach won Continued on Page 3

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ For almost all immigration benefits, you should save and preserve documents to establish eligibility for that particular benefit.

Many people state that, for one reason or another, they no longer have documents relating to their immigration history. They have moved several times and lost track of the documents; they got angry because their case was denied and tore up the paperwork burned it and threw the ashes into the Pasig river; lost or destroyed due to natural calamities (e.g. flood, lahar), or termites ate the paperwork, etc.

Had they kept track of the documents or put them in a safe place, their chances of success would have been greater. But now the case could be more difficult and expensive.

Among the documents you should keep are: 1. Documents showing how you entered the US. This would include the passport you entered the US on, even if under an assumed name, I – 94, other documents proving you were “inspected” at your port of entry.

2. Documents showing your marriage(s) were bona fide and in good faith. If a person has ever been petitioned by a US citizen spouse, the bona fides of that marriage may come up and be questioned at any later interview.

Saving documents is critical to your case This is because the law states that if a person has ever been in a fixed marriage, all future petitions will not be approved. Even if you get divorced from your spouse, you should continue to save the pictures, love letters, and other joint documents, just in case that issue arises in the future.

3. Documents showing you work for the employer. If you obtained a green card through an employer’s sponsorship (PErM/labor certification) you will need to prove you worked for the employer after being granted your green card. In some cases, a person quits before their adjustment is granted, or they never bothered working for the sponsoring employer. Years later, when they apply for citizenship, one of the first questions asked is whether they worked for the employer after getting the green card and proof of employment, such as paystubs.

4. Documents relating to all filings with USCIS, including petitions, applications, approvals, and denials Some people apply for various immigration benefits, whether they were eligible for them or not. Some may not have even realized what they were filing for. But those previous filings will come up with any future application for immigration benefits. Therefore, if your case got denied, don’t just rip up the denial and throw it in the fire.

Save it. If you can no longer locate your documents, there are ways to obtain your file from the US government.

5. Documents showing your continuous residence in the US. Although there is no “amnesty”, we are still hoping and praying for comprehensive immigration reform. Almost all of these programs require that a person continuously resided in the US for a certain number of years.

For example, DACA required young people to demonstrate continuous residence since 2007. other program benefits require proof of continuous residence since 2010. Therefore, in case any kind of immigration reform is passed and requires your demonstrating continuous residence, save documents proving that, such as tax returns, Dr. bills, rental agreements, phone bills, etc. Save them now, so that when comprehensive immigration reform is passed, you already have them available and organized, versus scrambling around trying to locate documents, which you may have lost or thrown out.

These are just a few examples of the type of documents you should be keeping in connection with your immigration case. Don’t just throw out things or lose track of them, as it may be critical to obtaining certain immigration benefits. And to be sure of the

Celebrating Filipino American...

From Page 2 as Miss Universe last December.

The blue gown she wore that evening was an Albert Andrada creation and for many, it has become an icon.

“It was an unexpected experience for me and I’m just so happy that Pia made it. Everyone was saying that the blue gown was part of her victory and I am so happy to hear that,” Albert shared.

The gown is displayed in his boutique in Manila.

“It looks like a museum because every day, there’s someone who comes in and takes a photo with the gown. I can’t just remove it because people are looking for it,” he added.

The gown will travel to Los Angeles next week for Fashion Week where it will be displayed.

For the evening’s fashion show, Andrada revealed that he conceptualized the collection and thought of it as a story of a princess who wants to get away from the royal palace but despite doing so, she is still regal and opulent in the way she dresses.

“More than half of the gowns are red because red symbolizes a very strong woman and an Albert Andrada woman is a very strong woman who has a strong character,” Albert added.

For Jaki Penalosa, it is all about promoting Filipino fabrics.

Penalosa bought more than 40 items in her collection – from casual dresses to a wedding gown.

Almost everything is made of Philippine fabrics like pineapple fiber, abaca and the hablon, a famous weave in Iloilo, combining

different fabrics from pina, abaca, banana, cotton and polyester.

“My theme for this collection is Modern Filipiniana and it is all about promoting the Philippines for me. My focus is not only on my design but also on Philippine fibers, which I would like to promote,” Jaki said.

This may be her first fashion show in New York but she is no spring chicken. Jaki has showcased her collection in Milan, Norway, London, Austria and just last week, Toronto.

Jaki has been in the business for almost 30 years and she belongs to the third generation of her family to pursue this kind of business. Her grandmother started the business and growing up, Jaki realized that all her dresses were made of hablon and that was how

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FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES “A TO A”, AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD– ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “Non-Appearance” Visas for $2500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake tourist visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday, October 9 at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

type of documents needed for a particular immigration benefit, you should seek the advice of an attorney who can assist you. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an

active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-

client 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

she fell in love with the fabrics.

“It’s my advocacy. I’m not only selling clothes, I am helping a lot of people in the provinces specially the housewives, and including the farmers and the weavers. It’s good to give back, specially to the women in the villages,” she added.

“We’re also here to honor Phil Dizon and his book Places and Faces. We enjoy and appreciate more the lovely places he immortalizes in his book,” community leader and businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis said when she was called onstage to deliver a speech.

She also acknowledged and praised some of the women who were behind the project - Mila Sering Picache who conceived the idea, Agnes Jamora and her team at 13D North who planned the details and romainne Luis who actualized the nitty gritty of this event.

Dr. Scott Massey and his group,

Global Action Platform, work with the Indigenous People’s Economic Union in the Philippines.

They were invited to be the beneficiary of the gala event, along with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya project, Bantay Bata.

An audio visual presentation of Bantay Bata was shown before dinner where it was explained that the project, now on its 19th year, has been helping thousands of abused children in the Philippines.

“We’re announcing our first major projects in November. We will be working the indigenous people of the Caraga region who have been given around 10 million acres to develop, to help them set up a comprehensive development plan that develops sustainable agriculture, fishery and forestry and build their own economy in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible,” Massey said.

Global Action Platform is the world’s leading university business

alliance focused on scalable and sustainable solutions in food, health and prosperity. They are based in Nashville, Tennessee where they have a 20-acre urban innovation campus. The project in the Philippines will be their rural innovation campus.

CBS-2 reporter Hazel Sanchez, who co-hosted the show with Erno Hormillosa, felt a little emotional as the end drew near, and she urged everyone to contribute and do their share.

“It makes me so proud to be Filipino tonight and see everyone here helping the less-fortunate children of the Philippines. Think about what each and everyone of you are doing for the people back home,” Sanchez said. “Please take the time and give what you can, remember the big difference you will make for all these children and their families. You are giving them a future, a future they wouldn’t have if it weren’t for you.”

(Advertising Supplement)

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong (Part 1 of 3)

THE agonizing fear that kept me tossing on my bed for countless nights prior to my Israel trip (due to the never-ending destabilization attacks and constant war episodes within the Arab countries) was finally pacified upon having personally experienced a more than week sojourn in the heart of the Holy Land.

After being seated for a little more than ten hours aboard Turkish Airlines Flight 0004Y from John F. Kennedy Airport we arrived at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey where we took a

Travelogue: Israel sojourn, the Holy Land Diary connecting flight to Tel-Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel.

The 12-hour flight (not to mention the stressful waiting time and strenuous gate search with a loaded backpack and a hand carry in tow) was all worth it upon sight of the biblical land.

But the immediate tour schedule unpredictably expunged our thoughts of having a restful break when we were met by our tour guide Rame Salfiti, an amiable and gregarious Arab-Christian, who instantaneously led us to our first destination: The Church of St. John the Baptist and The Visitation Church, both in Ein Karem with an altitude of 700 meters above sea level.

The Church of St. John the Baptist commemorates his father Zechariah’s unprecedented faith in Jesus when he uttered the “Benedictus,” a short canticle of thanksgiving on the occasion of John’s circumcision which was translated in different languages (including Tagalog) while the Visitation Church commemorates the Blessed Virgin’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, mother of St. John the Baptist, where the “Magnificat,” a hymn recited by the Virgin Mary as a song of praise which was translated in 69 languages. The former is being recited by priests as a morning prayer and the latter as an evening entreaty.

Not a single minute was wasted in between sites for Rame relentlessly oriented our group of sixteen about basic knowledgeability on Israel: its ancient history, the diversity of its people and religion, and the amazing biblical occurrences connected to the notably prominent mid-east land.

Bordered by Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest, by Jordan to the east, Syria and Lebanon to the north, Israel is a small yet diversely populated mid-eastern country with a long coastline on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Considered part of the Holy Land (together with Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestine territories), Israel was established as a state for the Jewish people after the 2nd World War. Israel is the only country in the world where life revolves

The Church of the Ascension

The Church of St. John the The Eliona Church Baptist

around the Hebrew calendar where work and school holidays are determined by the Jewish holidays and the official day of rest is Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath… making Sunday another working day.

It is divided into 3 large cities: Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, in that order. More than 2/3 of the Holy Land is dessert and the rest, vegetation and habitation. Road signs are written in 3 languages: Hebrew and Arabic which are both spoken semantic languages and English with a currency exchange rate of 1 USD is to 3.7 NIS (New Israel Shekel).

We had our initial taste of authentic Israeli cuisine when we had lunch at the Ramat Rachel Hotel operated by the Kibbutz, communal members of a settlement who are typically farmers. Since time was running short for the day’s itinerary we left in haste (after a brief comfort room visit) and drove off to the Church of the Ascension which was built

by Queen Helena. It was the site believed to have been visited by Jesus 40 days after His resurrection and ascended to heaven.

Later, beneath the skinpiercing heat, we were brought to the Eleona Church, a religious edifice, built (again) by Queen Helena and renovated by French Carmelite Sisters, where Jesus

A thousand-year-old olive tree in the Garden of Gethsamane

Altar of the Shepherds’ Field Church

our residence for the next 4 days.

Imagine our excitement when we got into our air-conditioned rooms with well-made beds and luxurious bathrooms.

Day one was admittedly arduous and demanding but gratifyingly worthwhile.

That restful night gave us a great measure of recharged energy to be utilized for another whole day Israel adventure. By 8:00 AM we were already on the road along the Judean wilderness, a hilly dessert inhabited by Nomads, mostly Muslims. We passed by the West Bank, an Israeli settlement, and crossed the sea level down to 429 meters (1,407 feet) below…believed to be the lowest elevation on land.

Our first destination was the Masada excavation site, an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where archeologists unearthed King Herod’s palace on top of the mountain ridges overlooking Continued on Page 6

The ancient Shepherds’ Field site now a bustling community

Facade of the Church of Gethsamane, now the Church of All Nations

taught His disciples “Our Father.”

The prayer was translated into almost 200 versions on framed tiles displayed all over the walls, corridors and quadrangles… with Tagalog, Pampango, and Ilongo versions visibly posted.

We trekked down a steep road to the Church of Dominus Flevis where an Iranian priest celebrated a mass for us before we proceeded down once more to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent His “agony in the garden.” A few of the more than two-thousand-yearold olive trees that bore witness to His anguish and betrayal still stood the test of time after having weathered horrendous climate changes.

Nearby was the Church of All Nations (formerly the Church of Agony) built by the Franciscans from munificent donations of 16 different countries.

From there we finally got the chance to be relieved from severe hours of exhaustion upon sight of the Christmas Hotel along Ali lbn Taleb Street (Jerusalem, Israel),

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The main Nativity altar

The narrow passage way to Lazarus’ tomb

The Visitation Church

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS Almost 4 million people in the United states alone have undiagnosed heart disease.

According to the Us Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 735,000 Americans have a heart attack each year, killing 370,000 a year, or about 1,014 per day.

When it comes to a disease as serious as a heart attack, prevention is key, and detecting its presence before it happens is obviously the wisest. today’s sophisticated cardiac stress testing is one easy and simple diagnostic aid that is most valuable.

What is a stress test?

A stress test, also called an exercise test or treadmill test, is a medical examination performed to detect any signs of coronary heart disease, blockages in the coronary arteries and/or heart irregularity, or even impending heart attack. this could be combined with an echocardiogram, radioactive imaging thallium or sestamibi, and even positive emission tomography (PEt), depending on each individual need.

How is this test done? the stress test is done with the patient walking on a treadmill while s/he is wired and hooked up to the electrocardiogram machine to monitor his heart rate, its rhythm and the shape or configuration of the EKG tracings.

Changes in the shape of the EKG complexes will show if the heart is suffering from a lack of blood supply due to blocked coronary arteries. the treadmill speed could be increased and the level could be adjusted to provide a simulated uphill walk (more stress for the heart).

What is a stress echo? stress echocardiography, or stress echo for short, is a treadmill exercise test that shows how well your heart pumps when made to beat faster and harder.

A transducer (a small hand-held device that produces sound waves) is placed on the chest before and immediately after

Stress tests save lives the treadmill exercise. the sound waves bounced off the heart and changed into actual pumping heart images on a video screen. the doctor compares the two images to detect any changes in the manner the heart responds to stress, which also shows whether the heart is getting enough blood (oxygen) to meet its increased demand for (blood) oxygen during the exercise or exertion.

Can a regular EKG not detect this heart problem?

Regular resting electrocardiogram alone (with the patient at rest) is only useful if it is positive, if the patient just suffered an acute heart attack, or when an actual heart attack is in progress.

If the resting EKG is reported as “normal” or negative, it does not mean much. many patients with a “normal” EKG have been found to have severe blockages in their coronary arteries. the heart must be put under stress in order for the heart to really “complain.” An analogy is a car engine that sounds fine while idling, but knocks when is running.

How accurate is the stress test? treadmill or stress test has about 70 to 78 percent sensitivity.

When done with thallium (known as thallium stress test), which is the preferred technique to do it, the sensitivity increases to a range of 85 percent to 95 percent.

An alternative to the treadmill test is the use or coronary artery dilators (arterial channel openers), Dipyridamole (commonly known as Persantine) given intravenously, for those who cannot walk on the treadmill because of obesity or arthritis. this drug increases flow to the normal coronary arteries but not to the coronary arteries that are blocked, hence the Imaging taken about three to five minutes after the dipyridamole is injected will show areas of the heart that are not receiving adequate blood supply, indicating blocked coronary arteries. the imaging is done using sPECt (single Photon Emission Computed tomography). the sensitivity of this radionuclide imaging is 80-85 percent, and specificity greater than 90 percent for coronary artery disease.

Who should have a stress test?

As a general rule, persons who are over 40 years old (especially cigarette smokers), with or without symptoms, those with a strong family history of coronary heart disease, those whose work entails a lot of stress and tension, and those with chest pains are candidates for a yearly thallium stress test. this test is so useful it has saved countless lives, which could have been lost, were it not for the availability of this valuable technology. It is so simple and yet so effective.

What if the stress test is positive?

If the stress test is positive, some cardiologists might do a stress echocardiogram/ isotopic imaging, or proceed to recommend a cardiac catheterization to find out which coronary arteries are blocked and how severe the blockages are. this will also show how much damage, if any, the heart muscles have suffered due to these blockages.

Cardiac catheterization is the “supreme Court” of diagnostic tests for coronary heart disease. It will tell us if there is any significant blockages or not. other tests will only give some clues, but heart catheterization is absolutely revealing and decisive.

How can stress test prevent a heart attack?

A stress test is a tool, one of a few, that can facilitate the early diagnosis of probable blockages in the coronary arteries. Early detection of his treacherous cardiac disease could obviously lead to prompt medical care, thus minimizing the chances of an actual heart attack. Countless live have been save by early diagnosis.

Remember, it’s the only heart we’ve got. let’s take good care of it. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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Three brothers dead in an inheritance dispute Kite Runner

Prof. EnriquE Soriano WHEN succession goes very wrong, it can be fatal.

The case of Mayfull Foods Corp. is a lesson to founders and family business leaders in Asia not to take succession for granted. Questions of succession should never be a side dish nor an afterthought at the moment they begin to consider retirement.

The planning starts when the enterprise is established.

Mayfull Foods Corp.: Ticking time bomb detonated after patriarch’s death Mayfull is a $3-billion business and one of Taiwan’s biggest food importers of meat products. Established in 1963 as a professional food supplier, it is heavily involved in wholesale, food service, retail, logistics and hotels and the family is behind the famed Miramar Group.

Shortly after the death of Mayfull’s founder Huang Jung-tu last year, a meeting took place between his six sons to discuss how to split an inheritance left by their father.

According to the China Post, after a heated argument and provocation, the fourth son, Huang Ming-Te, 54, allegedly shot his older brother, the second oldest son, in the head. Another older brother who was then chairman of Mayfull Foods, after rushing forward in a bid to stop Ming-Te, ended up being shot on the spot.

In the conference room, two men lay dead or dying, after being shot at close range in the head.

When the police arrived, Ming-Te ended it all by putting a bullet to his head and fell from the seventh floor of building’s rooftop.

The bloody scene that happened exactly a little more than a year ago was the

culmination of a bitter family dispute and a succession gone horribly wrong.

This particular conflict may be a rare occurrence, but I have written many local cases (Ilusorio, Romero, Cosmos’ Wong families among others) of families in dire straits where the acrimony started with some petty misunderstandings, unresolved issues but escalated into a full blown conflict involving sabotage, legal suits, physical injury, fight for money, succession battles and sibling rivalries — sounding more like an entire season of “Game of Thrones” but in real life.

Why is there conflict?

Founders tend to choose the “do nothing” option It all boils down to poor succession planning or plainly, the founders or senior generation leaders completely ignoring it.

Again I wrote about the single biggest mistake of leaving the “elephant in the room”, thinking that the children, through time, will end up fixing the ownership issue. Basically, reiterating that the single biggest mistake was choosing the “do nothing” option.

I can almost guarantee that in the coming years, we will see a common occurrence of unnecessary and senseless conflict and rivalry among Asian-based family-owned businesses. I should know, succession conflicts are getting to be pervasive in countries where I coach families owning businesses.

Why is conflict inevitable?

Equal inheritance and the baby boomer generation In a governance article sourced from online magazine Family Capital, the concept of equal inheritance in Asia most notably amongst the Chinese appears to be fraught with problems and a real source of unnecessary flash point.

The magazine article underscores that in the Asian context, “tradition dictates that inheritance is split equally among siblings, or at least male siblings thus equal inheritance can often

Calendar of Events across

lead to disputes, particularly when families don’t adhere to it.”

It highlighted a somber assessment…”the dispute over Mayfull Foods might have had something to do with this finding…that the killer son, Huang Ming-te, felt the pressure of increasingly being sidelined by his other brothers. He may have felt that his family weren’t honoring the tradition of equal inheritance.

Sibling disputes over the control of companies among Chinese-businesses are relatively common. But again, with the appropriate intervention tools like governance and a set of ownership rules, the long-term growth prospects of the enterprise is preserved.

Expect an avalanche of succession issues The number of big successions is slated to happen within the next five to 15 years in the region. That’s because many of Asia’s business dynasties were set up after World World II. According to Family Capital, the founders who are now reaching the end of their line, if caught unprepared, will have no other option but to confront these imminent succession problems.

As I have repeatedly said, start your succession early, as early as when you were starting your business and stop procrastinating.

It is the thief of time. *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author, Executive Director of Asean-based Consulting group, Wong + Bernstein Advisory and Program Director for Real Estate and the former Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is slated to deliver a talk on Philippine Business and Franchising Opportunities. The first talk is in NY on Feb 1 at the Philippine Consulate and Boston on Feb 4 at the Harvard Campus and in LA. The talk is organized by the Philippine Consulate in New York, in coordination with the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (bkpinc.org), The Harvard Philippine Forum, TFC with Asian Journal as media partner. For those interested to attend, pls email nzuelke@gmail. com. Prof Soriano’s business articles can also be accessed at www.Faminbusiness.com

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Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival in Carson, California Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival (LAPIFF) is hosting its first three-­day film festival from Friday, October 7 to Sunday, October 9 at the SouthBay Pavilion Mall’s new Cinemark Theaters. As part of the City of Carson’s Filipino American History Month celebration, the most-­anticipated film festival in Los Angeles County is making history with the most ever screenings of global Filipino films—all in one location. Audiences can expect to watch and enjoy the many films across different movie genres (action, comedy, horror, documentary, animation, drama, sci-­fi and more) made by Filipino filmmakers and story-­ tellers from all around the globe. LAPIFF is an organization devoted to the advancement, development and showcase of Filipino Filmmakers/Artists around the world through film, providing the global community of entertainment professionals and film goers with consist-­ ent annual screening events and workshops. For more information, please visit http://www. lapiff.org/.

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Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in New Jersey Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers perform ‘10­0­ years of song’ at St. Pe-­ ter’s University, St Aedan’s Church at 7 p.m. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Admission is free, donations for the benefit of the church choir are appreciated. St. Aedan’s is at 80­0­ Bergen Ave, Jersey City, NJ 0­73­0­6.

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25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake. Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-­running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern Califor-­ nia. Audiences can expect to enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.” While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City. For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 213­3­80­3­722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org.

An Evening with Martin Nievera at the Ford Theatres Filipino-­American History Month kicks off with the much anticipated concert debut of Martin Nievera at Hollywood’s newly renovated Ford Theatres. Presented by PAE Live!, “An Evening with Martin Nievera” brings the Philippine entertainer center stage on Satur-­ day, October 8th, 20­16 at 7:3­0­pm as he performs his greatest hits, traditional Filipino love songs and an eclectic, upbeat mix of Broadway and standard pop tunes. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Apl.de.ap Foundation, a project of the Asian Pacific Community Fund established by Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. “An Evening with Martin Nievera” is proudly sponsored by Leelin Bakeries, Island Pacific Supermarkets and Kalayaan Incorpo-­ rated of Southern California with LA18 and The Asian Journal as official television and print media sponsors. Ticket prices for “An Evening with Martin Nievera,” start at $48; Reserved Seating.Tickets are available at FordTheatres.org or via phone at (3­23­) 461-­3­673­.

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

Balance is the key

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MonEttE adEva Maglaya THE demands on immigrants are overwhelming. Whether you are a nurse, an engineer, a teacher, a salesperson or a worker in any profession in any capacity for that matter, as long as you are thrust into a totally new and strange environment, there will be times when you might be tempted to think and feel that you are less than equal to the task, particularly in the beginning years.

One of the things that will take a back seat will be the time, energy and attention he will give to his own health. Trying to make sense of his new social climate, straddling two cultures with different values and ways of doing things, the load can be a bit too much at times.

Caring for oneself can easily be put in the back burner particularly for those who are still young. The human body is remarkably resilient but try not to cross its limits.

The immigrant, if he is to enjoy true success for a long time must put his physical well-being on top of his priorities. He must acquire the discipline and chutzpah to do most, if not all of the important things, that will help him live a full and rewarding immigrant life.

Time is equated with the value of money. Americans have found that to get the most out of time, one can have several “pots simmering all at the same time.” Multitasking is expected

Get your priorities straight.

No one ever said on his deathbed, “Gee, if only I’d spent more time at the office.”

— H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

both at work and at home to maximize results and to cover as much ground as possible in the shortest possible time to be able to save enough time to allow us to do other things—purportedly to get more out of life. Thus, you do the laundry while you pay the bills while something simmers in the stove or is broiling in the oven. And even with modern conveniences, the most common excuse we use in not being able to take care of our health is that we simply do not have the time, the energy, or the motivation.

Which gives rise to the question: What happened to all that time we saved by multitasking?

If you are turning night into day by taking on part time jobs apart from your full time occupation to make more money, it stands to reason that you will neither have the time nor the energy to take care of your health.

Those who attempt to do the extraordinary by taking on double jobs in 16 hour stretches in the beginning years, day in and day out, will be able to jumpstart and achieve their financial goals faster than most. You may be able to acquire real estate properties easier than the average American.

And while it is not apparent in the beginning, the trade-off for having more money in exchange for a bigger chunk of our time can come at a very steep price.

More money will come at the expense of sleep, well-being and in many cases, the welfare of his own family. The question that must be answered by those who choose a harried lifestyle is this: Is it all worth it? At one point, the younger, more energetic, ambitious immigrant will equate work with his sense of self worth.

The truth — lest we forget — is this. Work, while an important part of life, is not the total essence of life itself. The key, as the fortunate few have discovered early enough, is to find work that gives inner joy in a state of grace where doing and being have become inseparable. When that happens, work ceases to be work but becomes a joyful part of life itself, along with all the elements that make life worth living.

As in all things essential, BALANCE IS THE KEY. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Rachelle Ann Go reprises ‘Miss Saigon’ role in Broadway

By Kristy

so

Philstar.com

IT was just a wishful thinking early this year for Rachelle Ann Go to star in the Broadway musical of “Miss Saigon.” Now, it’s a reality.

Rachelle will star in next year’s Broadway staging of “Miss Saigon,” where she’ll portray the role of Gigi. This is the same role she did in the West-End staging of the Cameron McKintosh musical.

“Wala po akong masasabi kung hindi I’m very, very grateful and it’s a dream come true,” she said about bagging the role, in an interview with MYX. “Being here in London, sa

West End ay isang pangarap na ito, tapos ngayon sa Broadway naman,” she added.

She also thanked the people who supported and believed in her talent since the beginning.

According to Rachel, those people gave her courage to pursue her dreams.

She’ll be flying to Broadway in January next year for the rehearsals of the musical.

Before she reached her Broadway dreams, Rachelle’s stepping stone to the international theater scene is the West-End musical “Miss Saigon,” which she bagged after the production had

Rachelle Ann Go

an audition in the Philippines for the 2014 staging of the musical in London.

This was followed by “Les Misérables,” which had a staging in Manila early this year.

Richard Yap relishes every opportunity that comes his way

By Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

RICHARD Yap still grapples with stage fright. This, despite the fact that he’s been performing on concert stages here and abroad.

“I still get cold hands and butterflies in my stomach,” he admits. “Maybe because I still haven’t gotten used to being in front of a live audience. Sometimes I get nervous before the concert starts. But once I start singing, I become comfortable with what I’m doing.”

Richard has always dreamed of following in the footsteps of his favorite singers Lionel Richie and Michael Bublé. But he still has miles to go before he can even dream of catching up with his idols.

“Becoming a singer is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a child.

But I think I have to work within my range. Right now, I’m a better actor.”

Richard is also taking steps to improve his vocal ability. He prefers to sing live when making public appearances. Recently, he co-headlined a concert at The Theatre at Solaire with Richard Poon.

As an actor, Richard is best known for his roles in the teleseryes “My Binondo Girl” and “Be Careful With My Heart.” Both shows played to his strengths as a charmer.

He may be good in the romcom genre, but Richard relishes every opportunity he gets to step out of that box. He enjoyed his stint in FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano,” which is grittier than any of his previous teleseryes. However, he Continued on Page 7

Travelogue: Israel sojourn...

From Page 4 the Dead Sea. By the aid of a cable car that could hold up to 40 passengers we reached the summit and got amazed by the massive excavation and archeological finds.

The more than 100-degree temp of intense heat and torturing macadamized walkways touring the open space ruins was extremely punishing but still worthwhile. Thanks to our defense gadgets: bottles of water, sunglasses, caps and umbrellas, long sleeved tops, and tons of determination to actually witness and experience the gigantic historical site.

From the grandiose apex we went down the Masada National Park Center where souvenir beauty products from the Dead Sea were extensively marketed.

Lunch was at the Kalia Beach Restaurant, a cozy retreat eatery vanguard to a Dead Sea dip. We were advised to stay from 5 to 10 minutes only with full awareness of eye protection since the Dead Sea is 33 percent saltier than ordinary sea salt water. Incredibly, one floats on its water due to high density and the high salt content gives the human body more buoyancy.

Later, we drove off to Jericho, a poor Palestinian city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank.

According to the Book of Joshua, the Battle of Jericho was the first conflict of the Israelites in their conquest

of Canaan. Considered the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Jericho was established 14,000 years ago where the initial emergence of agriculture originated.

From the topmost ruined elevation we could see the Mount of Temptation (where Christ fasted for 40 days and tempted twice by the devil) which base was already teeming with commercialized establishments built by scrupulous businessmen: a classy tourist restaurant and the caves used to be dwelling caverns of monks were turned into gift shops.

Day 3 gave us the most anticipated opportunity to visit Bethlehem, the homeland of David. It is currently governed by the Palestinian Authority with a population of 18 percent Christians and 72 percent Muslims with tourism (the Church of the Nativity) as its main source of income.

Bethlehem, West Bank is home to two of the best surviving olive wood carvers: the Zacharia and Twemeh families. While a separation wall was built between Bethlehem and Palestine by the Israelis, Israeli Jewish people are not allowed to enter Bethlehem and vice-versa.

The Manger Street led us to the Church of the Nativity which was built by Queen Helena and features a majestic iconostasis, a large gilded dividing wall between the main altar and the congregation.

The basilica is shared by Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholics. The Romanesque

Richard: Becoming a singer is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a child. But I think I have to work within my range. Right now, I’m a better actor.

architecture, another most visited UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 325 and completed in 565.

A special mass for our group was celebrated by a Korean priest before we towed the queue of thousands of pilgrims and devotees to pay homage to the Nativity site.

Later, after passing through a steep and jaggedly zigzag road we arrived at the Shepherds’ Field in Beit Sahour, a Palestinian town east of Bethlehem with a population of 80 percent Christians (mostly Christian Orthodox) and 20 percent Muslims. The Church was dedicated to commemorate the heralding of the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds.

We had lunch at the Grotto Restaurant close by with a generous view of the vast dessert and wilderness before visiting Bethany, the birth and death place of Lazarus. The venerated site was an ancient cave in a gulch with winding uneven steps and narrow passage.

Noticeably, almost all churches were built through the auspices of Queen Helena, designed

by Antonio Barluzzi, with the Franciscans as caretakers, while consistently ruined by Persians and reconstructed either by the Byzantine Empire, the Crusaders, or the order of the Franciscans.

Another hectic and exhausting day ended sans complaints from anybody but the draining heat.

To be continued….

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

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ALOYSIUS solo exhibit flaunts Filipiniana Couture NEW YORK, 5 October - Fresh from its successful New York Fashion Week debut, luxury Filipiniana brand ALOYSIUS is featured in a solo exhibit at the Philippine Center New York Gallery Lobby which was launched last 3 October, showcasing a 15-piece collection of Calado Lace handembroidered pineapple fabric, translated into Creative Director Joseph Aloysius Montelibano’s fresh and modern designs and silhouettes.

Consul General Mario De Leon lauded Montelibano’s successful re-introduction into the New York fashion scene, noting that the exhibit forms part of the community’s celebrations of the Filipino-American History Month. He added, “As more and more kababayans are gaining prominence in the international fashion stage, we are happy that another kababayan is poised to makes waves (and weaves) in New York to increase the visibility of the Philippines in the American

Albay beauty crowned Miss World PH 2016

by Ma. Lisbet

Consul General Mario De Leon, Joseph Aloysius Montelibano, Trade Representative Katrina Banzon cut the pina-jusi ribbon to formally open the exhibit to the public.

society through fashion.”

Joseph Aloysius thanked his partners, the Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Trade and Investment Center NY, Philippine Department of Tourism NY, his sponsors Philippine Airlines, and GMA TV, and remarked, “I hope that my work here will bring more

Sarah Geronimo enjoying break from showbiz

by Christina

aLpad ManilaTimes.net

ExCEPT for intermittent sightings by chance or the occasional event, fans hardly see pop princess and actress Sarah Geronimo these days. When they do though, they feel happy despite missing their idol since she seems to be enjoying her two-month break.

In her short hiatus, Geronimo has been spotted enjoying the outdoors and doing activities that millennials like her had long ticked off their bucket lists—climbing mountain summits, or swimming with the butandings of Oslob, among others.

Moreover, fans and observers are all the more thrilled that Geronimo is experiencing life with her beau, the handsome actor and singer Matteo Guidicelli.

Indeed, the 28-year-old superstar’s break is long overdue.

Since she began joining singing contests at age four, music—and her career—had become her whole life. At 14, she gained her biggest break winning Star for a Night, and thereafter was nonstop in recording albums, mounting concerts, and starring in TV shows and blockbuster movies. On top of these, she also goes abroad for concert tours and personal appearances.

Grateful for her success, Geronimo realized lately that her thriving career has its downside too.

For one, it affected her health and also deprived her from experiencing the simple things in life. Her situation led to her decision to take a break and to reflect.

Catching up with the pop princess, The Manila Times witnessed Geronimo in another endeavor she had long wanted to do—to advocate the welfare of children as she took the kids of Gawad Kalinga to Museo Pambata for a day of fun with “Ate Sarah.”

During the course of her twomonth break, which has the permission of her management company Viva and home network ABS-CBN, Geronimo is thriving on many realizations.

Sarah Geronimo

“There comes a time in our lives when we’ve already achieved our dreams, but we suddenly ask ourselves, ‘Am I on the right path? Is this [entertaining]my sole purpose?’

And then it dawned on me: success and happiness becomes temporary when you can’t share it. Somehow you’ll feel empty inside. The most important thing is to make ‘sharing’ your main goal,” Geronimo intimated to The Manila Times.

With this realization, the celebrity said she has adopted a new philosophy in life, which she is excited to bring to her work when she returns to the spotlight.

“I can say that I am 100-percent back on track. I have a new mindset and I am now, more than ever, energized and motivated to work,” Geronimo exclaimed.

Career-wise, she is all the more excited to return to the set, stage and recording studio with a free reign on her art.

Richard Yap relishes...

From Page 6 admits to finding it difficult to sustain the intense emotions gritty roles require, so he will always be open to doing rom-coms.

“Playing dark and gritty roles is always a challenge. Not a lot of actors can do it. But it can also be exhausting because you always have to be intense emotionally and you really have to be in character.

So if your character is someone very ruthless, you have to act that way, and it will creep into your system. That is why rom-coms are still easier to do.”

Richard is also highly supportive of the efforts to stop piracy. It is one endeavor he hopes everyone should rally behind.

His latest movie outing, a romantic comedy helmed by “On The Wings of Love” director Antoinette Jadaone titled “The Achy Breaky Hearts,” was camcorded by film pirates. A copy of it became available on the Internet within its first week in theaters.

“I think piracy is really what’s killing our industry. We don’t make that many films anymore as compared to before and if there are good films, pirates would upload them immediately. I think it’s unfair that people do those

K. esMaeL

ManilaTimes.net

things. Everyone involved in the production of a movie, is affected by piracy. We make movies for people to enjoy in theaters, not on the Internet,” he says.

The Achy Breaky Hearts earned over P100M at the tills, but Richard believes that figure could have been higher if it weren’t for all the pirated copies circulating on social media.

“If you translate all the views the pirated copies earned in three days to ticket sales, you would have P40M. So not having to contend with film pirates could have made a lot of difference.”

Richard suggests that cooperation between different sectors of showbiz may be what’s needed to effectively combat piracy.

“I think everybody needs to work together and be more proactive about finding and shutting down websites that host copies of pirated movies.”

He has many ideas about how to handle situations like these, but Richard says he doesn’t want to go into politics because he considers it to be a more ruthless arena than showbiz.

Besides, he’s happy with his career and he couldn’t ask for more.

pride to the Filipinos in New York, as we support the dying art of Calado lace, and give livelihood

to the pina weavers.”

ALOYSIUS Calado-Pina Exhibit will run through 8 October.

CATRIONA Elisa Magnayon Gray outshone 23 other candidates and was declared Miss World Philippines 2016 on Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Manila Hotel.

Gray, a Filipino-Australian, represented the province of Bicol where her grandmother and great grandmother were born. The 5’9 1/2” mestiza is a fashion and commercial model, singer and blogger. She also holds a black belt in choi kwang do.

The crowd favorite not only bagged the crown, she also romped off with most of the special awards.

Gray was named Best in Fashion Runway, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown.

Behind the glamorous look of the 22-year-old stunner, the much-awaited question and answer portion of the pageant showed her compassion for society when she was asked why she deserves the title.

“To be a Miss World is to pass the torch that burns with passion and purpose. I would dedicate my voice and essence to carry that torch and to set tangible causes alive,” Gray gracefully answered.

She emphasized her personal advocacy, the “Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project,” where she raises funds for the education of children in

Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Elisa Gray

Tondo,Manila.

“I would focus on passing this torch to empower others because I believe together, there is no darkness in this world that we cannot surpass,” she said.

Completing the Top 5 circle of winners were First Princess Arienne Calingo, Second Princess Ivanna Pacis, Third Princess Marah Munoz and Fourth Princess Raymundo Lemonon.

Gray will represent the country in the Miss World Philippines 2016 pageant to be held on December 20 in Washington D.C.

An Asian Journal

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY OcTObER 7, 2016