New York & New Jersey -- May 13 -- 19, 2016

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Volume 10 – Issue 20 • 16 Pages

MA Y 1 3 - 1 9 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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‘CHANGE IS COMING’

Duterte slated to be Philippines’ next president Party (LP) bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas with 9,681,829 million votes, followed by Senator Grace Poe with 8,929,899 milMANILA—Davao City Mayor Rodrigo lion votes, Vice President Jejomar Binay Duterte is set to become the 16th presi- of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dent of the Philippines, as unofficial vote with 5,313,602 million votes, and Senacounts show him in an insurmountable tor Miriam Defensor-Santiago coming in lead and as top rivals conceded defeat. fifth with 1,420,595 million votes.

As of this writing on thursday, May An estimated 54.5 million filipinos 12, Duterte, who ran under the PDP-La- were eligible to vote on Monday, May ban party, clinched 15,915,687 million 9 for over 18,000 positions throughout votes or 38.55 percent. the country. More than 92,000 precincts trailing behind in second was Liberal u PAGE A2

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

INCOMING PRESIDENT. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is greeted by supporters during a campaign sortie. Duterte kept a convincing lead on Tuesday, May 11 breaching 15 million votes in unofficial count the day after the May 9 Philippine national elections. Duterte has parlayed decades at Davao City Hall into a successful, if controversial, run for Malacañang with millions seemingly endorsing his tough stance on crime and his self-described “gutter” language. Inquirer.net photo by Raffy Lerma

DATELINE

USA

fROM thE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Filipino suspected of shooting wife and others arrested

A fILIPINO federal security officer suspected of fatally shooting three and wounding three others was arrested friday, May 6, the Associated Press reported.

Eulalio tordil, 62, is linked to shooting victims at mall and supermarket on friday, less than 24 hours after he allegedly shot his estranged wife, Gladys tordil, 44, in the parking lot of high Point high School in Beltsville, Maryland. his wife was at the school to pick up her children when tordil shot her multiple times in her car, Rappler reported. he also shot a bystander who attempted to aid his wife.

No students were reported to have been shot at the school.

Police in Prince George’s County have charged tordil with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-

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Filipino World War II vets can reunite with family under new parole program Applications begin June 8

AftER decades of waiting, filipino World War II veterans living in the United States can now be reunited with family members under a new policy announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). the guidelines for the filipino World War II Veterans Parole (fWVP) Program were released on Monday, May 9, outlining who are eligible to apply and what the process entails. the application comes nearly a year after the program was first announced last July in a White house report that provided recommendations on how to “modernize and streamline” the immigration system following President Barack Obama’s executive actions on im-

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OAV votes may swing VP race results

by MOMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

NEW YORK—All eyes are now on Overseas Absentee Voters and their votes which could very well decide who the next Vice President of the Philippines will be.

In a tightly-contested match, Liberal Party’s Leni Robredo has taken the lead from independent candidate Bongbong Marcos a few hours after the unofficial vote tally were made available online. As of press time, Robredo has 13,841,197 votes against Marcos who has 13,608,721.

It may take a while to see the final results though because of a last minute Comelec ruling that took into consideration the fact that there is no mail delivery on Saturdays and Sundays. Consulate officials were worried earlier that many ballots would arrive Mon-

Rep. Leni Robredo

Sen. Bongbong Marcos

day, May 9, after the initially agreed upon 5 am deadline in New York, or whatever the time equivalent of 5 pm Monday in the Philippines when all the voting centers closed.

The Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) led by Minister Patrick Chuasoto (3rd from right) Mailed ballots that arrived up to the ex- with Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. after the closing of the Consolidation System (CCS) on

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Wednesday, May 11.

PH Embassy photo

Marcos: Comelec used ‘new script’ to cheat me Duterte’s transition team

by JaiMe

r. PilaPil ManilaTiames.net

SENAtOR ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, May 11, accused the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of using a computer command or ‘new script’ to wipe out his one million votes and to pad Rep. Leni Robredo’s votes on Monday evening. francesca huang, speaking in behalf of Marcos, said the new script altered the hash codes of the packet data that started the “rather distinctive pattern” of dagdag-bawas (vote padding-vote shaving).

“Did Comelec know about the introduc-

tion of this new script? how does the new script affect the data and data reception of the transparency server?” huang asked. “how were the data of election returns from these affected clustered precincts or VCMs [Vote Counting Machines] uploaded to the transparency server? Does this mean that the data could be uploaded to the transparency server through other means of which we do not know about?” she said. huang added that Marcos’ camp on Wednesday sent a letter of inquiry to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and the com-

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bares 8-point economic plan

by JOVan

Cerda Philstar.com

MANILA—the transition team of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte on thursday, May 12, bared the eight-point economic agenda of the incoming administration.

In a televised press conference in Davao City, Carlos Dominguez, a member of the Duterte transi-

tion team, enumerated Duterte’s plans that centered on taxes, infrastructure, social services and rural development.

Dominguez, a former Cabinet secretary for the Corazon Aquino and fidel Ramos administrations, said that foremost, the incoming government will continue and maintain the country’s current macroeconomic policy.

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FILIPINO RESTAURANT WEEK 2016

NY, NJ Filipino restaurants team up for Filipino Restaurant Week

by MOMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

Chef King Phojanakong, chef and owner of Kuma Inn explains how projects such as Filipino Restaurant Week helps in promoting Filipino culture to their restaurants’ diners, beginning with food. Also in photo are representatives of some of restaurants participating and guests Kat Popiel (second from left), Nicole Ponseca (Jeepney/Maharlika), Aris Tuazon (Ugly Kitchen), Faye Sa Agustin and Jay (La Parrilla de Manila), Tyrone and Cynthia Conshue (Pinoy Filipino Restaurant) and Consul General Mario L. De Leon Jr. (right).

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

NEW YORK—the Philippine Consulate General New York has partnered with 15 filipino restaurants in New York and New Jersey for the second year of filipino Restaurant Week.

Representatives of each of the restaurants – either as chef, owner or both – joined Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. at the project launch on tuesday, May 10 at the Philippine Center. they brought with them a dish or two from their respective restaurants.

“We launched this project last year without much fanfare, and it was quite successful, ” remarked ConGen de

Leon. “We just wanted to put a spotlight on filipino cuisine and that’s why we are doing it again this year, and now we have more participating restaurants.”

Most of the participating restaurants last year reported increased patronage during and after the filipino Restaurant Week.

“We are excited to do it again and we are happy to have new restaurants joining us this year. We even have restaurants from Elizabeth, Somerville and Union in New Jersey. this means that we are offering a wider array of filipino dishes, which will give filipino foodies a chance to experience more of our gastronomic offerings,” the consul

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A MAY 13-19, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Duterte slated to be Philippines’ next…

PAGE A1 t opened that morning at 6 am and closed at 5 pm; however, there had been reports of vote-counting machine (VCM) glitches in Metro Manila and beyond, so several precincts stayed open until 6 pm if voting was delayed.

At the end of the voting period, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista told reporters that voter turnout was at 81.62 percent, a historic number compared to the last three automated elections.

Binay was the first presidential candidate to head to the polls on Monday, filling out his ballot at San Antonio National High TRANSITION TEAM. A day after President Benigno Aquino III reached out to the camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on the smooth School in Makati City past 6 am. transition of governments, Malacañang released the administrative order detailing the composition of its own transition committee. An hour later, Santiago cast her Administrative Order no. 49, which Aquino has mentioned in a statement, provides for the creation of a Presidential Transition Committee ballot at La Vista Clubhouse in (PTC) and other agency transition committees. Presidential Transition Committee members, (clockwise from left) Executive Secretary Paquito Quezon City. Roxas was in Roxas Ochoa (PTC head), National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) director general Emmanuel Esguerra; Budget and Management City, Capiz to place his votes at Secretary Florencio Abad; Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.; Public Works and Highways Rufina Andrada Santos Memorial Secretary Rogelio Singson; Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras; Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.

Inquirer.net photo School. Poe visited the grave of her late father Fernando Poe Jr. before heading to Sta. Lucia Elementary School in San Juan City.

Duterte, who was the last among the bets to cast his balPAGE A1 t lot, told reporters in Davao City “However, in the case of tax in the afternoon that, “I don’t revenue collection, efforts will want to be presumptuous [about be complemented by reforms in the bureaucracy of the tax-collecting agencies. This will fulfill the president-elect’s promise that there will be less corruption PAGE A1 t in the government,” he said. tended deadline of 12 noon MonSecondly, Dominguez said day were still included in the the Duterte administration will counting. Each ballot then had to accelerate the public-private be cross-referenced with the list partnerships to create jobs and of voters to identify as to which inject economic activity in the Duterte’s transition team includes Peter Laviña, Atty. Salvador Medialdea, Christopher Go, precinct it would belong to, beLeoncio Evasco (standing) and Carlos Dominguez.

Inquirer.net photo by Nico Alconaba country. “We are going to hold fore being fed to the vote countthe people to their contracts,” improve their productivity. areas,” he said. ing machines. he said.

“It also means that we are goMoreover, Dominguez said In New York, 314 ballots were Dominguez said the incom- ing to encourgae more agricul- they will also strengthen the badelivered on Monday, bringing ing administration will also en- tural processing in the agricul- sic education system and provide the post’s total to 10,267 votes sure the attractiveness of the tural areas,” Dominguez said. He scholarships for tertiary educacast. This figure represents a 39.5 Philippines to foreign direct in- added that the new government tion, which he said is relevant to percent turnout. vestments by easing economic will also promote tourism in the the needs of the private sector.

Presumptive president Rodrirestrictions and by enhancing rural areas of the country.

“We will try to match what is go Duterte won the votes in the competitiveness of doing busiFurthermore, he said the taught with what is demanded in states covered by the Philippine ness in the Philippines.

Duterte administration will ad- the field,” he said.

Consulate General New York, He said the national govern- dress the bottlenecks in the land On the area of tax administra- garnering 4,971 of the total votes. ment will follow the “Davao administration system, where tion, Dominguez said the that the Mar Roxas followed with 3,125 model” where licenses in do- four state agencies - Land Reg- incoming government will make and Grace Poe with 991. In the ing business are given in the istration Administration, De- the tax system more progressive Vice Presidential race, Leni Roshortest possible time. In addi- partment of Environment and by indexing the tax collection bredo got 4,417 votes, followed tion, Dominguez said this “also Natural Resources, National gradiations to the inflation rate.

by Duterte’s running-mate Allan means reducing crime in the Commission on Indigenous Lastly, the Duterte government Peter Cayetano with 2,594 and areas to increase the security of Peoples and the Department of also plans on expanding the conBongbong Marcos with 2,205. businessmen and consumers.”

Agrarian Reform - have difficulty ditional cash transfer program “The total margin is very slim, Fourth in the agenda is the cooperating. initiated by the Arroyo adminis- so I would say that this time, the plan to develop the rural areas “Security of land tenure is very tration and expanded during the overseas absentee votes may be a in the country by providing sup- important because it encourages Aquino administration. factor in determining who might port services to small farmers to foreign investment in the rural u PAGE A3 be the next Vice President,” Con-

Duterte’s transition team bares 8-point…

the results]… I ain’t there until I am there. This will be my 11th election in my life. I never experienced defeat. Maybe this time, if it’s God’s will. But If I win, I’ll do my job.”

Roxas, who came in second in the latest partial and unofficial results, held a press conference at the LP headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City, acknowledging Duterte as the winner.

“According to the unofficial tally of Comelec, Mayor Digong is the clear winner. I wish you success, Mayor Duterte. Your success is the success of the Filipino people,” Roxas said, thanking his supporters.

Before midnight on Monday, Poe (who has three years left in her Senate term) conceded the presidential race to Duterte.

Early in the partial vote counts, Poe was placing second, but was ultimately overtaken by Roxas.

“Ako si Grace Poe...ay nagbibigay-daan kay Rodrigo Duterte... na siyang napili ng nakararami sa ating mga kababayan (I am Grace Poe, and I am giving way to Rodrigo Duterte, whom majority of our countrymen have chosen),” she said. Prior to talking to

reporters, the senator reportedly called Duterte to congratulate him.

The presidential candidates marked the end of the 90-day campaign period on Saturday, May 7 with miting de avances (final rallies) across Metro Manila in last-minute attempts to garner support: Duterte and running mate Alan Peter Cayetano at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park; Roxas and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo held a star-studded event at Quezon City Circle, with the promise to continue “Daang Matuwid” (straight path); Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo; Binay and other UNA candidates at Lawton in Makati; and Santiago and running mate Bongbong Marcos held a “street party” in Quezon City’s West Triangle.

On the eve of election day, President Benigno S. Aquino III called for elections that are “peaceful, orderly, and truly mirror the spirit of democracy.”

“Let me stress: In a democracy, everyone can decide. In the end, after the elections, hopefully, the bickering will end. Let us respect

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OAV votes may swing VP race…

Washington DC’s Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) shuts down the Canvassing and Consolidation System (CCS) for the United States and the Caribbean on Wednesday, May 11.

PH Embassy photo

sul General Mario L. de Leon said.

Swing vote There are 1,376,067 registered overseas voters (land-based and seafarers), according to data from the Department of Foreign Affairs-Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS). Of this figure, 275,689 come from North and

Latin America.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC where all election results were tallied, confirmed that there were 179,242 registered voters, but only 49,671 votes cast. Voter turnout was at 27.71 percent.

Leading for president is Duterte

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

From the Front Page

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 13-19, 2016

A

Duterte slated to be Philippines’ next…

PAGE A2 t

GETTING READY. Workers arrange documents at the session hall as the House of Representatives prepares to canvass votes for the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

NY, NJ Filipino restaurants team up for…

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general added.

Nicole Ponseca, owner of Jeepney and Maharlika, related how she used the things she used to be embarrassed about as a kid growing up in America as her main key points now that she is operating two of the more successful Filipino restaurants in Manhattan today.

“I was embarrassed to see my dad eating with his bare hands, and now we offer a regular kamayan dinner,” she explained, adding that dishes such as dinuguan and balut should not be a reason for embarrassment but should be treated with pride.

At Maharlika, every time someone orders balut, the servers and staff scream “Baluuut!” – similar to how vendors scream it as they sell the treat on the streets in the Philippines.

A new addition to the lineup this year is Phil-Am Kusina, a restaurant on Staten Island. They also run a Filipino food truck called Sisig City. The young man behind it is Manny Imperial, who was absorbing all the discussion between the owners and the chefs on how to further promote Filipino cuisine to the mainstream.

“As the youngest here, I’m just taking it all in. I would like to learn from the others’ experiences,” he said.

Imperial said he and his team announces on their social media account the whereabouts of the food truck. Most of the time, it is in Queens but they also do regular stints in Manhattan, particularly near the United Nations on First Avenue.

New Jersey Restaurants Among the handful of new participants are restaurants from New Jersey.

One of them is Calesa in Union, which had its formal grand opening Wednesday, May 11, a day after the FRW2016 launch in New York. Owned by a couple who worked in health-care, Calesa aims to showcase more Filipino dishes in the township, located about 20 miles from New York City.

Miriam Avregilla was a nurse before she became a restaurateur, a passion project for her and her family. For her, Calesa is all about bringing Old Manila to New Jersey, which is why the restaurant’s interiors scream Filipiniana – from the Capiz windows which they turned into sliding doors to the décor up to the uniforms of the

servers.

“Every time we brought food to our church, they liked it, and they’re not Filipinos. That made us think and gave us an idea to open a small restaurant so more non-Filipinos can taste more of our dishes,” Avregilla said, explaining the spark that ignited her interest in opening a Filipino restaurant despite her lack of experience in the field.

“Wala talaga akong experience being a restaurateur but I have met people along the way who helped me out, guided me and gave me pointers,” Avregilla said.

“I’m happy that we are now officially open and that locals have been coming to eat our food.”

In Central New Jersey, Pinoy Filipino Restaurant, owned by Cynthia and Tyrone Conshue is making a mark in Somerville. Located on the Arts District’s Division Street, a street permanently closed to traffic, Pinoy has added Filipino cuisine to the city’s eclectic dining mix.

Chef Cynthia, who leads the restaurant’s kitchen, learned to cook traditional Filipino dishes from her mother who owned a restaurant in Tacurong. She utilizes this historical knowledge to recreate traditional dishes while utilizing fresh and local ingredients.

“We are introducing the beauty of the Filipino cuisine to the melting pot that we are finding in Somerville,” Chef Cynthia said.

“We have found that people from all over New Jersey are coming to Somerville to experience food

Nurse turned restaurateur Miriam Avregilla is all smiles at the grand opening of her family’s restaurant, Calesa. Miriam is in charge of the restaurant’s pastries and desserts and among her specialties are her mango cheese cake and leche flan. Like the participating restaurants of Filipino Restaurant Week, Calesa hopes to showcase Filipino cuisine to a wider and broader market.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Duterte’s transition team bares…

PAGE A2 t

“We will also index that to inflation so that the real value of the money for people under the program will be maintained,” he said.

In addition, the new government vowed to expand the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance System.

Dominguez said that a number of items in the new government’s economic agenda will have to be addressed through a constitutional convention.

“We will push for something more friendly to foreign investments,” he said.

Currently, foreigners are barred by the Consitution from owning more than 40 percent of real properties and businesses in the Philippines.

Pressed on the issue of labor contractualization which Duterte vowed to address, Dominguez said the transition team has yet to talk in detail about it but promised that it will be removed in the new administration.

He added that the transition team has yet to make economic growth targets pending consideration of the effects of El Niño to the country’s agricultural sector. n

from around the world and we are pleased to be able to contribute to their enjoyment.”

(Filipino Restaurant Week 2016 starts Monday, May 16 up to May 28. In Manhattan, the participating restaurants are Grill 21, Jeepney, Kuma Inn, Maharlika and Ugly Kitchen. Queens is represented by Kabayan, Payag and Tito Rad’s Grill; in Brooklyn, there’s Purple Yam and on Staten Island, Phil-Am Kusina. In New Jersey, it’s Max’s of Manila, Noodle Fan (Elizabeth), Pinoy Filipino Restaurant, Calesa and La Parrilla de Manila. For more details on the project, please visit www.newyorkpcg.org) n

and understand any decision borne out of the collective voice of the majority,” Aquino’s statement in Filipino said.

The president had previously urged Roxas to forge an alliance with Poe to defeat Duterte. However, Poe rejected the proposal, saying she was not planning to withdraw from the race.

Replicating Davao City’s progress Davao City, where Duterte has served as mayor for over two decades, was once considered the murder capital of the Philippines, but has since transformed into a model of peace and order for its strict rules, like a no smoking ordinance in public places, liquor ban from 1 to 8 am, and 10 pm curfew for unaccompanied mi-

nors.

Leading up to Monday’s polls, the 71-year-old, who bears the nickname “The Punisher,” has consistently topped national surveys and gained popularity for being the anti-establishment candidate, whose no-nonsense platform promises to wipe out crime and corruption within six months of taking office. (He estimates 100,000 criminals would be gone by then or else he’d step down.)

Before a crowd of thousands of supporters in Rizal Park on Saturday night, May 7, Duterte delivered a 90-minute speech, wherein he reiterated his anticrime policy, which involves mass killings.

“If I make it to the presidential palace, I will do just what I did as

mayor. You drug pushers, holdup men and do-nothings, you better go out,” he said. “Because as the mayor, I’d kill you.”

In response to the criticism from human rights groups, he simply added, ”I will butcher him in front of them if they want.”

Even the controversies that arose during Duterte’s campaign — the rape comment about an Australian missionary, questions about his wealth and hidden bank accounts, and the alleged human rights violations for the Davao Death Squad’s extrajudicial killings, among others — were not enough to detract Filipinos who are tired of the rampant crime throughout the country.

After voting on Monday, May 9, young Filipinos expressed why

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OAV votes may swing VP race…

PAGE A2 t

with 24,789 votes (50.7 percent), with Roxas in second place with 12,820 (26.2 percent), and Poe in third with 5,480 (11.2 percent).

Robredo is leading in the vice presidential race with 18,407 votes (37.8 percent), in second place is Marcos with 14,193 (29.1 percent), and Cayetano in third place with 11,980 votes (24.6 percent).

In 2013, there were only 737,759 voters and of that figure, only 113,209 cast their ballots for a low turnout of 15.35 percent.

The turnout was higher in the 2010 presidential polls with 26 percent casting their votes.

The Philippine Consulate Gen-

eral in Los Angeles leads the list of US posts with 55,000 voters, followed by San Francisco with 46,831 and Washington, DC with 28,000.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York, which covers the northeast states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, has about 26,000 registered voters.

The consulates of Chicago and Honolulu round up the list with 13,000 and 9,000, respectively.

Middle East and Africa leads the list of overseas voters with 593,834, followed by Asia Pacific Region with 344,857. Europe has

161,687 registered voters.

The month-long voting for overseas voters began on Saturday, April 8.

San Francisco vote In San Francisco, the reported unofficial total of valid ballots casted by eligible Filipino voters in the consulate’s jurisdiction is 14,398.

This represents more than 31 percent of the total 46,831 registered voters, surpassing the turnout in the last 2013 elections.

Consul General Henry Bensurto of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco believes that this may be because voters are now allowed to just mail in their ballots, as opposed to having to appear

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A MAY 13-19, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Filipino suspected of shooting wife and…

PAGE A1 t

degree murder and other related charges. On Saturday, Montgomery County police said the gunman is being held without bond for the charges, for which he was set to have a bail review on Monday, May 9.

Tordil, an employee of the Federal Protective Service since 1997, which provides security at federal properties, was taken into custody near the supermarket, the last shooting scene, authorities told the Associated Press (AP).

He was stripped of his badge, credentials and weapon, and assigned to administrative duties in march following a protective order issued against him when his wife said he had threatened to harm her if she left him, according to The Washington Post. The order stated that Tordil subjected their children to “intense-military-like discipline,” including pushups and detention in a dark closet.

After allegedly shooting his wife on Thursday, Tordil evaded authorities and shut off his cellphone.

Prior to his Friday arrest, plainclothes officers followed Tordil for an hour gaging the right time to conduct the arrest. Earlier on, he threatened to “commit suicide by cop” and authorities wanted to ensure the public was safe when he was arrested, according to the AP. “Knowing his behavior today, knowing of statements he made in the past, we did not want to endanger anyone and have a shootout when we took him into custody and that’s why he was taken into custody the way he was,” said Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger, the news agency reported.

Tordil was sighted when he returned to his car, at which point officers surrounded him.

“He jus got out of his car,” Jason Palmer, a private investigator who lives close by and be-

gan searching for Tordil himself, told the AP. “He gave up. They pinned him in.”

Montgomery Assistant Chief Russ Hamill said those shot in Montgomery appear to have been random targets that stemmed from Tordil’s attempted carjackings, according to the Post.

Students and teachers at Parkdale High School, where Gladys Tordil was a chemistry teacher known for encouraging students to be ambitious and sharing homecooked food with her colleagues, were devastated by the shootings.

A new Filipino teacher who began working at Parkdale this year, Grace Mary Relador, told the Post that Tordil was an excellent teacher who made her feel welcome at the new school.

Another fellow teacher, Mary Alvarenga-Hercules, told the Post students loved Tordil.

“They don’t know how they’re going to go back inside of her classroom,” she said. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

Filipino World War II vets can reunite with…

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migration.

Starting June 8, “certain beneficiaries of approved familybased immigrant visa petitions” can request a discretionary grant of parole to come to the United States while they wait for their immigrant visa to become available.

Estimates indicate that as many as 26,000 Filipino veterans (of the over 260,000 Filipino soldiers who fought in the war) became US citizens, after long being excluded from a law that granted citizenship to foreign soldiers serving in the US forces.

Some of the veterans have petitioned family members from the Philippines to join them in the U.S., but wait times can last years, often times exceeding 20 years, due to statutory visa caps.

With the population of the Filipino veterans rapidly aging — around 2,000 to 6,000 veterans are estimated to still be living in the US today — having family members by their sides would provide them with the necessary support and care.

“The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program honors the thousands of Filipinos who bravely enlisted to fight for the United States during World War II,” USCIS Director León Rodríguez said in a statement on Monday. “This policy will allow

certain Filipino-American family members awaiting immigrantvisa issuance to come to the United States and be with their loved ones. For many, it will also allow them to provide support and care for elderly veterans or their surviving spouses.”

Among the requirements for the application include: individuals must be “beneficiaries of Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative” who were approved on or before the filing date of the parole and must be related to those who have “established they are either Filipino World War II veterans or are the surviving spouses of such individuals.”

If cases where the petitioning relative is now deceased, family members may be able to seek reinstatement of their immigration petitions and then self-petition for parole.

Granting parole will be determined on a case-by-case basis after interviews by the USCIS or Department of State consular offices.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) praised the announcement as a “victory” for Filipino-American communities across the U.S. “After facing decades of injustice and separation from their loved ones, courageous Filipino veterans in Nevada and throughout the country finally have the opportunity to reunite with their

Dateline USa

families,” Reid said. “These brave veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and I have spent years fighting to ensure that the United States does everything possible to repay that great debt. Today’s victory is the culmination of years of hard work and advocacy on behalf of a group of people who have endured decades of false promises and denied benefits.”

The American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, a Washingtonbased advocacy organization, thanked Congress members, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and “allies for their kind-hearted and dedicated lobbying for the Filipino elderly heroes, their widows and children.”

JT Mallonga, national chair of NaFFAA, called the announcement “heartening.”

“Our courageous heroes, who have waited for up to 20 years, deserve the opportunity to be with their children,” he said.

“They must not suffer the pain of separation in the twilight of their years.”

The United States has set up similar parole programs in the past, such as the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program and the Haitian Family Reunifi-

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

MAKATI RECLAIMED. Makati City is back in the hands of the Binay family after Abby Binay was proclaimed city mayor on Tuesday, May 10.

Also declared winner by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is her husband, Luis Campos, for Makati 2nd district representative. Winning the vice mayoral seat is Monique Lagdameo while former actor Monsour del Rosario was proclaimed 1st district representative. Binay beat incumbent mayor Kid Peña who took over the office after Binay’s brother, Junjun, was dismissed over charges of graft and falsification of public documents.

Inquirer.net photo by Maricar Brizuela

Lim, Peña won’t yield in Manila, Makati battles

by Annelle

TAyAo-Juego, MAricAr BrizuelA Inquirer.net

LOSING mayoral candidates Alfredo Lim of Manila and Romulo “Kid” Peña of Makati City are not waving the white flag just yet.

The two Liberal Party members and their legal teams are studying their next moves that could spoil the party of the declared winners in two of the most-watched local races in the May 9 elections, the Inquirer learned on Wednesday, May 11.

A day after election officials proclaimed reelectionist Mayor Joseph Estrada as the winner in Manila by a margin of only 2,685 votes, Lim’s legal counsel Renato dela Cruz said “we are preparing to seek the annulment of Estrada’s proclamation.”

Another member of Lim’s team said they were investigating why some of the vote counting machines (VCMs) used in the city were brought to the canvassing

center at Rizal Memorial Stadium more than 10 hours after the polling centers were closed. The VCMs had to be manually opened after failing to remotely transmit results from their assigned precincts.

Most of the VCMs that had to be transported to the stadium came from the so-called “Lim territory,” such as Tondo, he noted.

Proclaimed on Tuesday, May 10 after a canvassing that took 17 hours to finish, Estrada garnered 283,149 votes to top Lim’s 280,464.

Estrada, who said he didn’t expect Monday’s poll to be that close, had a simple advice for Lim: “Retire.”

In Makati, incumbent Mayor Peña, who has yet to concede defeat to Rep. Abigail Binay, issued a brief statement addressed to his supporters: “I understand that you are all emotional but I hope we all set this aside first to avoid any trouble. We are continuously studying everything to shed light

on this issue.”

Peña was referring to allegations of vote manipulation in the city’s District 2, Binay’s turf. Poll watchers for the mayor claimed there were four precincts at Pembo Elementary School where he received zero votes, prompting them to barricade the campus Monday night to stop the teachers from turning over the election returns to the Makati Coliseum for canvassing.

In an interview before she was declared winner early Tuesday morning, Binay said “they (Peña supporters) cannot interfere with the transmission of results because that is an election offense.

It is also a sign of desperation. It seems that they do not want to respect the results and even want to do a manual count.”

Her camp could not be accused of election fraud since they were not the ones in power, said Binay, who led Peña by about 16,000 votes.

OAV votes may swing VP race…

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personally at the consulate. This, he said, made voting easier for those who are far from the Philippine Consulate office, but live within the jurisdiction of the SF PH Consulate (Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Northern Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyou PAGE A5 ming).

Duterte came out as the winner in the presidential race, with 6,535 votes or 45.39 percent, following by Roxas at 4,035 votes (28.02 percent). Third place went to Poe with 1,877 or 13.04 percent.

Robredo topped the vice presidential race with 5,588 votes (38.81 percent). Trailing behind her is Marcos with 4,316 votes (29.98 percent) and in third is Sen. Francis Escudero with 988 votes (6.93 percent).

Business community responds In a statement obtained by the Asian Journal, The Makati Business Club congratulated the nation for “another successful manifestation of a fully-functioning and vigorous democracy” despite a campaign that deeply divided

the electorate.

“The Commission on Elections deserves much appreciation for its management of a process, seen by many as highly credible, clean, and honest. We note that last minute changes in procedures, delays in logistical preparations, glitches in the Vote Counting Machines during election day itself, and the usual controversies presented significant challenges, which we believe Comelec adequately addressed,” the statement read.

The 2016 national and local elections were passionately contested. The campaign was fierce and people were deeply divided among personalities, parties, and platforms. In the face of these tensions, the will of the Filipino electorate prevailed.

Indeed, automation is the way forward given the improvements since 2010, and the refreshing practice of losing candidates conceding early to the apparent winners, demonstrating dignity in the face of defeat, and the apparent winners showing humility in victory, should be commended.

We note that a record 81% of the electorate exercised their

right to vote, once again highlighting the Filipinos’ resilience amidst discomforting conditions, as well as our rock-solid commitment to upholding democracy.

We also commend our teachers, election volunteers, and poll watchers for their humble and selfless service.

The partial and unofficial results from the Comelec convincingly reflect the will of the electorate.

The Makati Business Club also echoed the calls of the candidates who have conceded and issues pleas for unity.

“Now the process of genuine healing must begin: Friendships must be restored, mutual trust must be reestablished, and wounds must begin to heal. We call on all Filipinos to come together, to support our new leaders,” MBC said. “It is our hope that the 2016 elections bring forth a country grounded on the principles of protecting and strengthening our democratic institutions, and on decency, integrity, justice, empathy, competence, peace and order especially in Mindanao, and respect for the rule of law.” (With reports from Malou LiwanagBledsoe)

Duterte slated to be Philippines’ next…

PAGE A3 t

Duterte is fit to be the country’s chief executive.

“I voted for Duterte because I support Federalism and he qualifies my requirements for a president. I want the next administration to address the problem in education and income tax,” Ericka Cayton, 20, a marketing associate from Las Piñas, said.

“Duterte kasi kelangan na nang bansa ang pagbabago, yung kamay na bakal para sumunod la-

hat (Duterte because we need a changed country [and] that hand of steel so everyone will follow), “ said Chris Talon, 25, from Caloocan.

22-year-old Allen T. from San Pedro, Laguna added, ”Duterte, sawa na ko sa puro salita, kailangan na may gumawa (I’m tired of all talk, there needs to be action).”

The strictness that voters seek and now expect was reiterated

by Duterte on Tuesday morning.

“I will be strict. I will be a dictator, no doubt it. But only against forces of evil — criminality, drugs and corruption in government,” he said in Davao City.

Once officially declared the winner, Duterte will assume the presidency on June 30. Outgoing President Aquino has yet to reveal plans on what he will do after leaving office. (With reports from Mary May Portez, Godwin Gasacao and Ian Jamotillo / AJPress)

Marcos: Comelec used ‘new script’ to cheat…

PAGE A1 t

missioners, asking them to address their concerns.

“We are waiting for their answer. Our next move will depend on their answer,” she said.

Huang added that as of 4:15 p.m. on May 11, their tally showed Marcos posting a 189,529 vote lead against Robredo based on the votes from 52.38 percent clustered precincts.

The votes that contributed to Marcos’ lead came from Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Sultan Kudarat and provinces under Region 4-B, like Mindoro.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s (PPCRV) partial and unofficially tally of votes initially showed Marcos having a commanding lead of close to one million votes over the camarines Sur lawmaker.

At about 10 p.m., however, Robredo’s votes came in and she eventually overtook Marcos shortly before 5 a.m., Tuesday.

As of 1:35 p.m., Wednesday, based on the 78.04 percent of

registered voters, the Comelec transparency server showed that Robredo was leading by 231,728 votes.

She had 13,958,608 votes compared to Marcos’ 13,726,880.

Huang said they sent people to the PPCRV headquarters in Manila after the group’s vice chairman Johnny Cardenas invited the Marcos camp to send observers there.

Also on Wednesday, Marcos appealed to his supporters, mostly young people, to stay calm.

The Ilocano senator made the appeal after learning that a hundred supporters, mostly university students, staged a rally at the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila to show their indignation over the alleged vote padding-vote shaving scheme.

“I urge our friends, our supporters who are rallying their Facebook friends to come out and stage a rally to calm down. Cool down your heads,” Marcos said.

He added that his lawyers are preparing data that will show

clearly the Liberal Party had orchestrated the alleged fraud to “freeze” his votes.

“What was even more puzzling was that the drop in my lead began after the Comelec had said there was a glitch that delayed the updates of the transmitted votes in the transparency server,” Marcos pointed out.

Marcos’ presidential tandem Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago came to the rescue of the senator.

“The roller coaster ride of vicepresidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invites comparison with a garrison state. In such a state, the authoritarian government feels free to manufacture numbers as they are needed,” Santiago said in a statement.

“I find it astounding that Marcos should have led in the vicepresidential surveys for many months, until the penultimate month, when suddenly the administration could jump up survey results to finally overtake him,” she added. n

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EU, US looking forward to working with Duterte sen said.

“I am looking forward to taking the EU-Philippine agenda forTHE European Union (EU) and ward with him and his administhe United States are looking for- tration,” he said in a statement. ward to working with the incomThe EU delegation and a numing 16th president of the Philip- ber of its member states obpines Rodrigo Duterte. served the elections last Monday EU Ambassador Franz Jessen in Manila. said the EU has been encour“I was encouraged by the high aged by the dynamic develop- number of people who chose ment of their relations with the to exercise their democratic Philippines in recent years. rights,” Jessen said.

“We look forward to conOn the other hand, the US tinuing our path with the next said it would work with Duterte administration under the Part- despite allegations of human nership and Cooperation Agree- rights abuses and his rhetorical ment agreed in 2012 between statement that he was prepared the Philippines and the EU,” Jes- to cut diplomatic ties after the

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

A

US and Australian ambassadors criticized his joke about the jailhouse rape of an Australian missionary.

“Washington respects the choice of the Filipino people. We will gladly work with the leaders they’ve selected,” State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said in a press briefing in Washington.

The US congratulated on Monday the Philippines for “inclusive and democratic elections.”

The State Department said the US looks forward to continuing the strong and enduring ties with the Philippines under a new president. n

With Pacquiao as senator, Arum says Palace: Talk about Aquino arrest not good for unity of nation Mayweather rematch won’t happen HIGH SPIRITS. Philippine Army servicemen and non uniformed personnel join in a boodle fight at Camp Aguinaldo to celebrate the peaceful and orderly elections last Monday, May 9.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

by Kristine

angeLi Inquirer.net

saBiLLo

MALACAñANg has said it is premature to speculate on whether Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will listen to Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison’s request to have outgoing President Benigno Aquino III arrested.

“Baka naman po mas mainam na iyang mga prospective na scenario na iyan ay hintayin na lang natin na maganap sa halip na tayo ngayon ay mag-e-engage sa espekulasyon dahil baka hindi ‘yan masyadong nakakatulong sa paglikha ng isang kaaya-ayang sitwasyon na kung saan ay pwedeng magkaisa tayo at tumugon tayo doon sa lumalawak na

Thursday, May 12.

He said arrests, for example, could not be made until after June 30 when Aquino’s term officially ends.

Sison, who was a former professor of Duterte, on Facebook urged the presumptive president to have Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad arrested in connection with the anomalous and now defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Duterte earlier promised to visit Sison in the Netherlands where the latter is seeking politiSecretary Herminio Coloma Jr. cal asylum.

Conflict is one of the issues that panawagan for unity and healing in the nation,” Communications Duterte has promised to resolve Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. by seeking dialogue with the CPP said during a Palace briefing on and other rebel groups.

PH elects first transgender member of Congress

by BiLLy

De La AJPress

cruz

WHILE the Philippines has yet to reconsider its conservative stand on major issues such as same-sex marriage, divorce and death penalty, this predominantly Catholic nation is ready to welcome its very first transgender congresswoman in the incoming 17th Congress.

49-year-old geraldine Roman made history as the country’s first transgender congresswoman after winning the first legislative district seat of Bataan following the national elections held on Monday, May 9.

“The politics of bigotry, hatred and discrimination did not triumph. What triumphed was the politics of love, acceptance and respect,” Roman told AFP after being proclaimed the winner.

Partial and unofficial election results as of Tuesday, May 10, showed that Roman won with 104,287 votes (62 percent) compared to Danilo Malana, who received 63,881 votes (38 percent).

A devout Catholic, Roman said it was her family’s love and support, and her faith that helped her throughout this journey.

“I am Catholic and I just happen to be a transgender. You can reconcile the fact that you’re Catholic and you are true to yourself,” Roman said.

Roman, who admitted to have undergone gender reassignment 20 years ago, said she is looking forward to proving her critics wrong.

“I’m elated, very, very happy.

I’m also excited to work. I realize that the burden is bigger because the stereotype of people about the LgBT is we are frivolous, that we have nothing substantial to say, so I have to prove them wrong,” she said.

In an interview with ABSCBN’s “TV Patrol” aired on Tuesday, May 10, Roman said that

Geraldine Roman

public service has always been close to her heart because of her father, the late former Bataan Rep. Antonino Roman.

“Marami kaming natutulungan (we are able to help a lot of people), our family, ang parents ko (my parents) particularly. And I said, ‘well somebody has to continue the tradition of service of the Roman family,’” she said.

Before politics, Roman worked as a senior editor for a news agency in Madrid, Spain. She decided to come back in 2012 to take care of her ailing father, who eventually passed away due to multiple organ failure in January 2014.

Roman will succeed her mother, outgoing Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman, who has already served the maximum three-year term for public officials.

Priority measures Roman vowed to pursue antidiscrimination measures that will promote equality for all people in every socio-economic status, and not just for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LgBT) community.

“Discrimination in the work place, discrimination in all spheres of society, in daily situations,” Roman said.

There have been various anti-LgBT discrimination bills

cayaByaB

Inquirer.net

THE Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada and accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to reverse the court’s denial of their bail in the plunder case.

In its resolution, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said it did not find any evidence that would

Filipino World…

PAGE A5 t

cation Parole Program. Under those parole programs, the beneficiaries were allowed to come to the US and were eligible to apply for work authorization while waiting to apply for lawful permanent resident status.

In a statement, USCIS added that eligible individuals who are interested in requesting parole under the FWVP Program are encouraged to do so within five years from June of this year.

(Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

reverse its earlier resolution denying the bail plea of Estrada and Napoles.

“There is nothing in said motions which would warrant the reconsideration or reversal of the questioned resolution dated January 7, 2016 that has not been exhaustively discussed and deliberated upon,” the court said.

The court added that it has “scrutinized every detail of the evidence” and that “there is no need to impose on it again the same duty premised on the same arguments.”

Division chair Associate Justice Roland Jurado said in his separate opinion that the denial of bail is not a “judgement” on the “final outcome of the case.”

The court denied Estrada’s appeal even though the detained senator cited the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail in his plunder case due to humanitarian considerations.

In denying Estrada’s bail, the court earlier said it found evident

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao

specific constituency. The entire people of the Philippines are his constituents, and he owes an obligation to them to handle business.”

Pacquiao fought and defeated Timothy Bradley last month before announcing his retirement to concentrate on politics.

Nevertheless, speculations about a comeback continue to swirl, especially now that Mayweather himself is reportedly on the verge of fighting again.

The two superstars figured in the sport’s richest fight that earned them record-high purses, something impossible to repeat against other opponents.

So is Mayweather-Pacquiao

AJPress file photo by Andy Tecson

still possible?

“I don’t think so,” Arum said.

“My mindset is that it’s over.

When it’s over, it’s over. People say fighters always change their minds, but this is a different situation. If a guy like Sugar Ray Leonard retires and two months later decides to come back because he’s bored, he can do that.

Manny can’t do that, because he has plenty to do and an important job.

“Not only does he have an extraordinarily time-consuming job, Manny has to take time to learn how to do it and how to work day to day with the 23 other members of the senate.” (Dino Maragay/Philstar.com)

Inquirer.net photo

filed during the 15th and 16th Congress, but none have been passed into law. The latest version is House Bill 5687, which aims to eliminate discriminatory practices based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity by proscribing and penalizing discriminatory practices.

AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon garin, one of the sponsors of House Bill 5687 or the proposed Anti-Sexual or gender Identity Discrimination (SOgI) Act, will push for the immediate passage of the bill in plenary when Congress opens its third regular session on July 27.

In an earlier interview with Inquirer.net, Roman said that she also intends to file her own version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill to ensure that all documents required for public works projects were accessible to the people.

“This is one way of avoiding irregularities in public works projects [because] some government officials connive with unscrupulous contractors. Public work projects should be done according to correct specifications and the right perspective to benefit the public, and not project contractors,” she said.

The 17th Philippine Congress will convene in July. n

Court rejects Jinggoy, Napoles’ bid to reverse denied bail

by Marc Jayson

TOP Rank chief Bob Arum is no longer optimistic about a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. now that the Filipino icon is bound for the Philippine senate.

Speaking to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Arum said he’s aware of Pacquiao’s impending victory, with the Sarangani congressman now at seventh place in the senatorial race with at least 15.4 million votes.

“I texted him congratulating him,” said Arum, adding that he will personally talk to Pacquiao soon.

The veteran promoter said he realizes the additional obligations Pacquiao will face as senator, effectively removing boxing out of his schedule.

“I’ll talk to him when I get there, because it will be easier being in the same time zone.

But my feeling is that he’s been elected to a very, very important position in the Filipino government. So he owes an obligation to the people to work on his government responsibilities, and that doesn’t give him time to screw around and train for a fight the way he has to. You can’t do that,” Arum continued.

“Being a congressman is one thing. There are like 400-plus congressmen, so if he does his job for his constituency, he can take time off and train for a fight.

But now he’s been elected to nationwide office, and he has no

guilt with Estrada’s alleged use of conduits according to the bank inquiry report by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

The court noted the AMLC’s findings that Estrada’s handwriting in the bank checks was similar to that of businessman Juan Ng, whose bank account allegedly holds millions of kickbacks from Napoles. The court said Estrada and Ng could possibly be one and the same.

Estrada’s alleged use of conduits is reminiscent of the Jose Velarde account, which was supposedly owned by Jinggoy’s father former President Joseph Estrada to stow away jueteng kickbacks. Joseph Estrada was later convicted but pardoned for the crime of plunder over jueteng kickbacks during his short-lived term as president.

Estrada is accused of receiving P183 million kickbacks from Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam. He is detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center with coaccused Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

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Features

Progress report

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) proudly announced on Monday, May 9, that of the 54.4 million registered Filipino voters, about 40 million or 81.62 percent exercised their right of suffrage.

This year has seen the fastest transmission of election returns since the automated poll was introduced in 2010. At 10:50pm on Monday, the transmission rate for 2016 elections was already at 74 percent. In 2010 and 2013, the electronic transmission was only at 17 and 23 percent during the same time, respectively.

More Filipinos abroad also cast their votes during the 30-day voting period in 85 Philippine posts worldwide. Comelec reported a total of 376,586 out of the 1,376,067 registered overseas Filipinos worldwide or 29.56 percent voter turnout. It was 285 percent higher compared to the 2013 polls.

Garry Martines of Migrante International said that this year has seen a higher turnout of overseas absentee voting (OAV) because FIlipinos abroad want accountability and new leaders who will nurture overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and migrant workers, and their families back home.

“Our OFWs have remained vigilant,” he said.

“We have once again proven how resilient and significant our OFWs are. We have disproved all claims that there had been a growing apathy

among our OAVs.” For their part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the 2016 elections may still be considered generally peaceful despite some isolated reports of Election Related Violent Incidents (ERVIs) and delays due to glitches in the vote counting machines (VCMs).

There were 164 recorded ERVIs since January, the beginning of election season.

Despite the 140,000 police personnel deployed across the 36,000 polling precincts across the country on Monday, the AFP still recorded 22 ERVIs, which resulted to 10 fatalities and three wounded.

Both security agencies vowed to remain vigilant until the last winner is proclaimed.

Meanwhile, voting had to be extended until 6pm on Monday in some precincts due to some delays caused by malfunctioning VCMs. Comelec said that out of the 77,829 VCMs, 171 needed re- is expected. Even international observers agree. placement, which is equivalent to 0.2 percent.

These positive reports reflect how Filipinos All in all, Monday’s polls are gearing towards a may have finally realized the power that belongs satisfactory conclusion, which is more than what to them, which is to choose the leaders they think

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

are adequate to represent their best interests. It strengthened their participation in this democratic process and trust in the system that is election.

(AJPress)

Historic Halalan 2016 busts apathy among Filipino voters

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS EIGHTY ONE PERCENT turnout among registered voters in the Philippines is a reason enough to celebrate in a country that has complained about apathy among Filipino people, who have much to complain about lacking in the will and push to do something to do something about the problems that beset the nation.

After more than a year of passionate, contentious and even nasty debates and campaigns, kababayans in the Philippines and around the world passionately made their voices heard by cast-

ing their votes on who they want to lead the Philippines as president, vice president, senators, representatives and other local officials.

Fueled by discontent of the status quo and buoyed by the power of social media, ordinary Filipinos have been empowered to choose the leaders who they think will stir the nation to the Philippines of the future—their vision of a better, more peaceful, orderly, safer, and progressive Philippines.

The most number of Filipinos decided to traverse a path different from “Daang Matuwid” offered by President Benigno Aquino III in the past six years. The torch was supposed to be handed over to the administration’s bet—Former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas—moving

forward. But most Filipinos clamored for real change, and they discerned a Roxas presidency would be more of the same.

And so they chose instead to trust Rodrigo Duterte, the maverick but tried and tested mayor who has made the City of Davao the peaceful, safe, clean, orderly and progressive city it is now.

They believe what Duterte did in Davao, he could also do in all parts of the Philippines.

But a clean, honest government remains what Pinoys continue to aspire for, which could be the reason why as of press time, Congresswoman Leni Robredo—the widow of Former DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo—has been leading the race for vice president. Leni Robredo has dedicated her life to be-

ing a lawyer for the poor, before she entered politics when her husband died in a plane crash. The most number of kababayans saw in her the genuine desire to serve the people, devoid of the hunger for power and greed for money that push many politicians to be embroiled in graft and corruption.

The results of the elections in the Philippines (based on partial, unofficial tallies of votes) mirrors the decision of Filipinos in America. The Overseas Absentee voters here also chose Duterte for President, and Robredo for Vice-President for the same reasons.

In the days leading up to the May 9 elections, social media was inundated with prayer requests for clean, honest, peaceful and orderly elections. For the most

part of the election process, such prayers were answered.

The result: record breaking turnout of Filipinos who decided to use their right of suffrage to effect change in the status quo through a peaceful and responsible way.

Kababayans were amazed at how fast the results of the election were reported, thanks to the use of voting machines.

Filipinos were in awe by the grace (no pun intended) and class of candidates who conceded early knowing they have lost the election by a big margin. Sen. Grace Poe, Sec. Mar Roxas and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have shown the other candidates that the election is not about them. It is about the will of the people that must prevail, and that its is the moral

responsibility of those who were not chosen by the people to make sure there is a smooth and orderly transition to the next administration. Through their example, they began the healing process that will lead to the unity of the citizens in looking forward to and doing their part for the success of the next administration.

After all, the success of Duterte, Robredo, and the newly elected public officials will be the success of the Filipino people. *** 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.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

An election of images, a collection of tribes

Commentary

RiGobeRto D. tiGlao C’MON, just a day after the elections: Who remembers the platforms of the five presidential candidates, the topics they discussed in three presidential debates, or even their campaign slogans?

The more than 15 million Filipinos who voted for Duterte were not really voting for this 71-year old man, who for 22 years has been Davao City mayor, who even boasted he was the patron of – or the brains? – behind the Davao Death Squads. Indeed, even reporters and editors scrambled to Google or ask their sources for some background about this mayor.

They voted for an image in their minds—to which they projected idealized qualities of goodness and courage of a man of the masses, the antithesis of the uncaring hacendero Benigno S. Aquino 3rd.

The image etched in their minds was of this tough-looking guy in the kind of polo shirt and rubber sandals you could buy from a cheap store, with his fist raised up in the air, and saying: “I will fight for you.” Duterte was their avenging angel against a hated Aquino of the rich, who has made life difficult for them the past six years.

The image was so powerful that even values held dear by modern civilization and Christianity such as reverence for human life and due process – which Duterte disregards openly in his public speeches – have been tossed away like garbage.

Elections in this country are no longer a contest of the best and the brightest or who can most successfully portray himself as the

best candidate.

Due to the tremendous power of media, including Facebook and other forms of social media – and especially because of their capability to disseminate photos and videos that form memes in people’s minds – Philippine presidential elections have become a contest of images.

While there is cause for considering that Leni Robredo’s tight race with Bongbong Marcos has been Aquino’s Plan B for recapturing power, her image as a comely widow with a captivating smile, even as one waiting alone for a bus to take her home to her province, pushed her candidacy forward. If another candidate such as former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had, instead, been fielded

by Aquino for the vice presidency, even Antonio Trillanes would have trounced her.

If there’s one thing the elections on Monday also proved, it is that political machinery is no longer important in presidential and vice presidential elections, because we have moved almost totally into the age of images. This might also be due to the fact that more voters are young, with little ties to community ward leaders.

Gripping image Duterte has stumbled upon a means of creating the most gripping image of himself that resonated with the masses – as a leader of and from the masses (though he came from the upper class), who would kill for them, who is as angry as them at the Establishment. His strength was that he did not need to artificially create an image: his world has always been in Davao City, where even the elite dress like the ordinary man on the street. In metropolitan Manila, the elite speak Filipino only to their drivers and domestic help.

In Davao and other areas in Mindanao and the Visayas, the elite speak the language of the common man, Bisaya.

Grace Poe Llamanzares, who contrived to project an image of herself as a virgin princess of sorts – which played on the masses’ confusion over movies and reality – still managed, of course, to fool a lot of people, but was no match to Duterte’s image.

I rooted for and voted for Vice President Jejomar Binay, as my reason told me he was the most qualified. But Philippine elections have never been a rational exercise.

Because of the two-year campaign by Aquino and Roxas to vilify Binay, the Makati city mayor had been unable to really shed his corruption-tainted image. Binay was also too decent to spit verbally at people, and he wanted to be a “healing President.” But the masses wanted somebody very angry, who spits at the Yellow Throne.

After all, how could a staunch defender of human rights, when he started out his law career, say that due process is an obstacle to fighting crime?

I’m sure if Aquino and Roxas had undertaken a similar twoyear vilification campaign against Duterte, a huge sector of the masses’ image of him would also be of a corrupt mayor of a frontier town.

Duterte’s masa image siphoned off Binay’s political support, as he was the candidate who had projected himself as the masa candidate.

Roxas tried to project an image of a technocrat untainted by corruption. But the masses haven’t been looking for a technocrat.

Their gut feel has been that, having been screwed alternatively by

the rich and criminals all these years, therefore they need somebody able to fight for them.

As troubling, though, as the supremacy of images in determining who would lead us is that the recent elections have laid bare the fact that more than a century since we were established as a nation of “Filipinos,” we have remained a collection of tribes, with each individual member behaving as a blind loyal subject to his tribal leader.

If Duterte’s image was dominant in his popularity in metropolitan Manila, it was tribalism that won for him the presidency.

I don’t remember any instance of a province such as Davao del Sur (of which Davao City had been provincial capital in the 1950s) voting 96 percent for their province-mate. Mindanao, it seems, had voted 60 percent for Duterte.

Bisaya for Duterte, Ilonggos for Roxas Those who speak Bisaya actually constitute one big tribe, and Visayan-speaking provinces and cities (such as Cebu City) overwhelmingly voted for Duterte.

Was it because reason told them he was the best candidate?

Similarly, the Ilonggo speakers voted overwhelmingly for Manuel Roxas, and seemed to have forgotten he stands for the hated status quo. Also similarly, the Ilocano speakers went overwhelmingly for Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and the Bicolanos for Leni Robredo. Unfortunately for Binay, he does not really have a “home” region or a province (except, of course, for the tiny Makati) to call on his tribesmen to rally behind him.

We are stuck with Duterte, though, and we really can’t afford another People Power uprising similar to that which toppled a previous President who had also

won the elections because the image he created had drawn the masses so strongly to him – Erap “para sa mahirap.”

I hope that his fiery rhetoric such as, among them, that he would fill Manila Bay with the corpses of 100,000 criminals and fatten the fish there, that due process only lets criminals get away with their evil deeds, are just that – rhetoric that helped him create the image the masses love, and not serious beliefs he adheres to.

Or he won’t last two years in his new post.

Duterte’s inner circle One thing going for Duterte is that his advisers (or backers), whom I presume would be his inner circle in Malacañang, have had extensive experience in the country’s labyrinthine corridors of powers. For the sake of the country, I hope that old adage isn’t always true – “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

One of his close allies, Davao businessman and corporate executive Carlos Dominguez, had served Corazon Aquino’s government as agriculture secretary for two years, as PAL chairman from 1992 to 1995 (until Lucio Tan fired him, after taking over the firm), and an informal but close adviser of Fidel Ramos.

Carlos’ younger brother, Paul Dominguez, was officially Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidential adviser for Mindanao, but was also her trusted adviser, being a member of Arroyo’s core team of advisers who reported for meetings with her almost every morning during her first two years in office. Jesus Dureza, also from Davao, was a trusted Arroyo official during her nine years in office in various capacities, from being head of the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to

press secretary. He would, therefore, have a keen grasp of how Malacañang works.

Former Armed Forces Chief of Staff (2006 to 2008), Hermogenes Esperon, was also Arroyo’s 2009 to 2010 head of the Presidential Management Staff, a low-key but powerful unit in Malacañang. I bet Esperon would be Duterte’s defense secretary.

Angelito Banayo, said to have been Duterte’s campaign manager, seems to have a knack for correctly betting on who the next President would be before they get into power. He worked under three Presidents: as postmaster general under Cory Aquino, as Philippine tourism authority head and presidential political adviser under Joseph Estrada, and National Food Authority administrator under President Aquino. In the 1990s he was with Nationalist People’s Coalition big boss Eduardo Cojuangco, and after that, with Senator Orlando Mercado.

Manny Piñol, a former radio broadcaster and North Cotabato governor, has been a de facto spokesman for Duterte, and with his background, could be his press secretary.

I don’t think these Davao guys would be able to work with the Senator from Taguig, Alan Cayetano, and I bet they’d lobby for him to be as far away from Malacanang as possible, perhaps as foreign affairs secretary, as Duterte has once mentioned.

I do hope, though, that these very competent and experienced people won’t hear from Duterte what Estrada told his inner circle, when after a year in office, he got tired with their unsolicited advice: “Mag presidente muna kaya kayo?” (Why don’t you become President first?) (ManilaTimes. net)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 13-19, 2016

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Comelec, Smartmatic deny cheating in revising server script

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

SAN JUAN WINNERS. The Ejercito-Estrada clan can now rest easy as San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez and Councilor Janella Estrada were proclaimed as the winners in this year’s polls on Monday, May 9 . Gomez has secured her third and last term as the city’s top executive, winning over erstwhile ally, outgoing Vice Mayor Francis Zamora by a margin of only more than a thousand votes. Janella, the daughter of detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, trumped Councilor Totoy Bernardo, after she received a vote of close to 30,000.

Inquirer.net photo by Jovic Yee

At last… Binay concedes, congratulates Duterte congratulations to presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement late Thursday, VICE President Jejomar Bi- Binay’s communications direcnay on Thursday, May 13, con- tor Joey Salgado said Binay has ceded defeat and extended his talked with Duterte to congratuby MARc JAyson

cAyAbyAb

Inquirer.net

Vice President Jejomar Binay extended his congratulations to presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte.

Inquirer.net photo

Abaya admits lapses in filing cases vs innocent ‘tanim bala’ victims

by MAilA

AgeR Inquirer.net

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya admitted on Thursday, May 13, that there were “certain lapses” on the part of the government that resulted to the arrest of some “innocent” individuals, who were detained and charged for alleged possession of ammunition while traveling in Manila’s airports.

Abaya said that from the very start, he believed that Gloria Ortinez, an overseas Filipino worker who was detained and charged for allegedly carrying a bullet last October 25, was innocent.

If Ortinez was indeed innocent, OFWs advocate and senatorial bet Susan Ople then asked if the government would apologize to the victim, who now risks of losing her job in Hong Kong because of the incident.

Ople, who also heads the Blas Ople Police Center, said she and Ortinez will go to Hong Kong this Saturday to talk to the employer and explain the incident.

“Wala pa akong naririnig kung may regret man lang po ba; mayroon po bang pabaon man lang na humihingi ng depensa sa isang OFW na halata naman pong inonsente? (I still yet to hear if there’s regret; is there an apology as a keepsake for an OFW who is obviously innocent?)” the senatorial bet said

during the joint hearing of the Senate blue ribbon and public services committees.

“Wala man lang po bang magpapabaon ng sorry sa inyo kay Nanay Gloria dahil hindi po namin alam talaga kung may trabaho pa siya o wala sa Hong Kong?

(Not even a sorry as keepsake for Nanay Gloria because we don’t know if there’s a job waiting for her in Hong Kong)” she asked.

“From the very start, noong nagsalita ako, naniniwala ako na walang kasalanan po si Nanay Gloria at ang iba pang mga bisita natin dito,” Abaya said.

But Ople insisted that Ortinez, who she said was “completely” innocent, has to show something that the government made a mistake.

“I do agree, I could write a letter right now. She could bring it with her. I could personally make a call to her (employer), if I could get the number , I’ll call the employer,” Abaya said.

“Obviously, there are certain lapses, may pagkukulang ang ating pamahalaan. Whatever Nanay Gloria would request me to do, I’ll do,” he added.

After the hearing, Abaya approached Ortinez and apologized.

Earlier in the hearing, Abaya promised to come out with a clear policies to look after OFWs “and at the same time also protect our enforcers.” n

Stickers bearing Stop Tanim Bala warnings are handed out to passengers entering the NAIA Terminal 2, in Pasay City, by militant group Migrante to discourage anyone from planting bullets in their baggages.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

late him for winning in the 2016 elections.

“We confirm that Vice President Binay has talked to President-elect Duterte. He extended his congratulations and wished the president-elect all the best,” Salgado said. n

MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, May 13, denied cheating allegations made by the camp of vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the move to revise part of the programming script.

Comelec Chair Juan Andres “Andy” Bautista said the small change in the code was only “cosmetic” but it does not change the values in the transmission of votes from the Vote Counting Machines to central servers.

He said the that a programmer from supplier Smartmatic merely replaced the letter “ñ” with “n” from some candidates’ names to address complaints of a media outfit that the “ñ” is being translated to a question mark when displayed.

He noted that Filipinos have a lot of names with “ñ” making the change necessary, citing senatorial candidate Getulio Napeñas and the late presidential candidate Roy Señeres.

The technical support team of Smartmatic Marlon Garcia then took the initiative to change the code to make it appear as it was spelled and later on informed the parties involved.

Comelec Chair Juan Andres Bautista

“It does not in any way change the results the counting and the canvassing of the votes and the source code of the automated election system,” Bautista said at a press conference at the Philippine International Convention Center where vote canvassing is held.

He assured the public that the minor change does not affect results from the manual audit.

“This change was done openly in the presence of the political parties and, in fact, members of media who are present as well

as Comelec IT personnel. There was also a CCTV in place and if you wish to see that, that is also open for viewing so,” Bautista said.

“Once again all results can be compared against the printed election retursn of all VCMs the electronic results transmitted from all the VCMs the results in Comelec’s central server and the transparency server,” Bautista said.

For its part, Smartmatic assured the public that the change was only “minor.”

“It’s only changing the name of question mark for an ñ, so it’s not touching any of the numbers and that will be shown once we have the script,” Smartmatic Philippines General Manager Elie Moreno said.

Poll Commissioner Christian Robert Lim admitted that “there were lapses in this protocol” for he should have been informed first prior to changing the hashcode.

“In fact the change was made and the parties were only informed after the change was made,” Lim said.

Lim assured that they will show to the public the original script and its hashcode as well as the changed script and its new hashcode for comparison. n

A MAY 13-19, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY M AY 1 3, 20 1 6

AsiAn PAcific AmericAn HeritAge montH

Celebrating diversity and inclusiveness

By Charisse

Trinidad/AJPress

THRoUGHoUT the month of May, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the US celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Representatives Norman Mineta of California and Frank Horton of New York introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week in June of 1977. By 1978, President Carter signed a resolution making it an annual celebration.

Rep. Frank Horton

Rep. Norman Mineta

It was then expanded to a month-long commemoration in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The month of May was chosen for two main reasons: The first is the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. A majority of the workers who laid the tracks on the western half of the construction were Chinese immigrants; while the second reason is that May marks the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States.

In the 1980s, the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California did not have a thriving Asian demographic. Monterey Park was the only city whose Asian household made up one-third of the city’s overall demographic.

However, this began changing in

the 1990s and continues through to today. Now, cities such as San Gabriel City, San Marino, Rosemead, Arcadia, and Temple City not only have thriving Asian households and businesses, but they are also the majority of residents there.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the fastest growing racial group in our country, growing over four times as rapidly as the population of the United States. As one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in America, the AAPI community reminds us that though we all have distinct backgrounds and origins, we are bound in common purpose by our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children.

our nation’s story would be incomplete without the voices of countless Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have called the land we all love home. This month, we honor the irreplaceable roles they have played in our past, and we recommit to ensuring opportunities exist for generations of AAPIs to come.

The AAPI community’s long and deeply-rooted legacy in the United States reminds us of both proud and painful chapters of our history. Confronted with grueling and perilous working conditions, thousands of Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad pushed the wheels of progress forward in the West. JapaneseAmerican troops fought for freedom from tyranny abroad in World War II while their families here at home were interned simply on the basis of their origin. And many South Asian Americans in particular face discrimination, harassment, and senseless violence often in the communities in which they live and work.

Today, AAPIs lend their rich heritage to enhancing our communities and our culture. As artists and activists, educators and elected officials, service men and women and business owners, AAPIs help drive our country forward. Yet despite hard-won achievements, AAPIs continue to

Tom’s crash course in politics

by Bayani san diego Jr. Inquirer.net

IT was not his original intention, but actor Tom Rodriguez found himself getting a crash course in social issues— specifically, the plight of overseas Filipino workers (oFWs)—on the set of his new indie film, “Magtanggol.”

Initially, his primary goal was to tackle a role that’s out of the box.

“Among my contemporaries, I look up to Dennis Trillo and Sid Lucero, who transform into their characters in the indie movies they make.”

In the action-thriller directed

by Sigfreid Barros Sanchez, Tom portrays a senator who comes from a family of politicians.

“Several scenes were shot in the Migrante office,” he recalled.

Migrante is a nongovernment organization that seeks to protect the rights of oFWs. “We learned about real-life atrocities committed against our countrymen abroad.”

It was an eye-opener in more ways than one. The most “shocking” incident involved an oFW who suffered burns after being hit with a flat iron by an employer. “They endure not only physical, but also emotional abuse,” he explained.

These “transgressions,” he pointed out, were not “genderspecific.” “Not only women, but men are victimized, as well.”

In light of the raging election fever, “Magtanggol,” he said, is very “timely.”

The film will open on May 18, nine days after the national polls.

“I hope Filipinos would regain their voice and would vote wisely,” asserted Tom, who’s FilipinoAmerican.

Resilient He expressed the wish that Filipinos would feel “empowered” after watching the movie. “We are resilient,” he said. “We will persevere. But we shouldn’t lose hope. Throughout our history, we’ve always shown strength and courage as a people.”

A dual citizen, Tom made it a point to register so he could vote in the election. “It’s important for me to play an active role in the electoral process, because I’ve chosen to raise my family in this country. It is my responsibility as a Filipino,” he related.

He said that he is eyeing a leader who will prioritize “economic growth.”

“Look at our neighbors in Southeast Asia,” he remarked. “(The hotel) Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is owned by a company that’s based in the United States. It generated numerous jobs not only for Singaporeans but for Filipinos, too.”

Perhaps the next President should consider opening up the economy to foreign investors, he said. “If we have decent, wellpaying jobs here, our countrymen need not work abroad. They will be able to stay here and guide their children, the future of our nation, properly.”

He also raised “the possibility of looking into a parliamentary system of government.”

He said that straddling two cultures has opened him up to

Tom Rodriguez

“various concepts and ideologies.”

“I learned a lot from my father (an American) and my mom (a Filipino),” he said. “And these days, there is no reason to be uninformed. Technology has become so advanced, you can easily find the information you need online.”

Speaking of inquiring minds, what’s the latest on his relationship with screen sweetheart Carla Abellana?

They were recently reunited in an episode of the GMA 7 drama anthology, “Karelasyon.”

“It’s always a pleasure to work with her,” he quipped. “Although I get to see her away from work, I missed hanging out with her on the set. She’s easy to work with.”

Pressed to elaborate, he volunteered, with a tinge of school-boy thrill in his voice: “Carla and I are very good!”

Kick-off presentation for the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, April 22.

Photo from LAAPHM Facebook page.

face obstacles to realizing their full potential. one in three AAPIs do not speak English fluently, and certain subgroups experience low levels of educational attainment and high levels of unemployment. AAPIs also often experience heightened health risks, and millions of AAPI men, women, and children in the United States live in poverty. “our nation’s story would be incomplete without the voices of countless Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have called the land we all San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee proudly led a culturally diverse city in last year’s Asian love home,” President Barack Photo courtesy of APASF.org.

Pacific American Heritage Month. obama shares.

People across the country honor Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month with community festivals, government gatherings, and educational activities for students.

How the US celebrates AsianPacific American Heritage Month Asian Americans research on the geographic locations. Ethnicity goes from across Far East Asia (Korea, Japan, China), India, the Philippines, and it’s subcontinent (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal), and the Pacific regions (Samoa, Micronesia).

The Kariktan Dance Company doing the opening performance during the 2016 Asian Pacific Another way they celebrate American Heritage Awards Ceremony in San Francisco on Monday, May 2. is looking up Asian cities or Photo courtesy of APASF.org. states to find out how many Citizens explore a A lot of places giving insight on it.

Asian Pacific Americans reside have revolved around America’s Furthermore, visiting a there. Multi-cultural generations modern culture, so discovering local Asian places like a city’s have grown tremendously Chinatown or Los Angeles’ Historic hidden spots where Asian over hundreds of decades traditions are still maintained is Filipinotown when celebrating broadening their knowledge quite an interest to Americans.

Asian Pacific Heritage Month. about their surroundings and

Kris Aquino goes on sabbatical SEVERAL hours after she voted last Monday, May 9, Kris Aquino packed her things and left for an undisclosed destination in the US with sons Joshua and Bimby.

As in the first time she went abroad, Kris said that it’s also her doctor’s advice to relax so that her blood pressure will remain stabilized.

During their three-week vacation in Hawaii, Kris said she enjoyed being an ordinary mom to her sons, cooking for them and simply taking it easy.

She came back purposely to campaign for her Kuya Noynoy’s candidates.

This time, she will be away for two months and will be back end of July. ‘our new home isn’t finished,’ Kris texted Funfare before she left. ‘Bimb’s school calendar was adjusted to open in August.’

Asked about rumors that she might migrate to the US, Kris said, ‘No, I’m not.’

Advised that she refrain from posting her comings and goings on social media (to avoid being bashed), Kris promised, ‘I won’t. I will enjoy my sabbatical.’ (Philstar.com)

Kris Aquino

Vilma Santos elected first female Batangas representative

by JoyCe Jimenez Philstar.com

VILMA Santos moves up from Batangas governor to 6th district representative of Batangas.

Vilma was announced congresswoman on Tuesday afternoon after defeating Bernadette Sabili. She garnered 79,065 votes against Sabili’s 57,458 votes.

The Star for All Seasons is the first female representative of Batangas province.

In an interview after the proclamation, Vilma said she “must Vilma Santos moves up from Batangas governor to first woman representative of the 6th have done something good” for her to win a seat in the Congress. district of Batangas.

Rachelle Ann Go returns to London continue portraying the role in the production’s residency in the oN May 1, the Manila staging West End, starting May 12. “I will also miss the packed meals my of “Les Misèrables” held its last show and closed its curtains after mother always prepared for me,” she added. “I am spoiled here!” a stellar seven-week run. And So, despite her busy schedule, Rachelle Ann Go, who played which required her to do eight tragic character Fantine in the shows a week, Rachelle Ann iconic musical, described the made the most out of her stay experience as “bittersweet.” in the country, making sure to “I’m so happy I was able to spend her free time with family share with the Filipino audience and close friends. She also took what I do in London. At the same time, I am sad that I will be leaving the opportunity to finally move my family again—I will miss them,” into her new home in Pasig City.

“I have been praying for said the singer-actress, who will

by allan PoliCarPio Inquirer.net

Rachelle Ann Go

this my whole life. It’s a simple home, but my family and I will all be living in it—and that’s what’s important,” she told a group of reporters at a media conference for “Divas: Live in Manila,” the concert she’ll topbill with Kyla, Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino and KZ Tandingan at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 11.

“My new bedroom has a London vibe to it, to remind me of that part of my life and career.

It is rustic…I also have a music room,” added the 29-year-old

artist, who previously landed the role of hardened bar girl Gigi in “Miss Saigon,” also in London. “It was tiring, but this is what I want.”

Unfortunately, juggling work and her personal life amid the punishing Manila weather eventually took a toll on her body.

Rachelle Ann fell sick, lost her voice and was thus forced to miss a number of shows.

While some people couldn’t help but air their frustrations over not seeing Shin—as she is fondly called by those close to her— there were many others, she said, who were more understanding of her situation. “I was just as Continued on Page 3

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ BEGINNING on June 8, 2016, certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans may apply to come to the US (through “humanitarian parole”) and wait in the US until the priority date on their family based petition becomes current.

This program, announced on May 9, 2016, is called the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Policy (FWVP), and offers “certain beneficiaries of approved family – based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to request a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis”.

USCIS announced this policy in recognition of the “extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II. The policy also enhances the ability of such elderly veterans and their spouses to obtain care and support from their family members abroad.” In other words, family members with pending petitions can come to the US years ahead of their priority date being current, to help care for their elderly parents.

The basic eligibility requirements are: • The person seeking parole must be the beneficiary of an approved Form I – 130 relative petition, filed by the Veteran or his surviving spouse. Therefore, it could be a petition filed not only by the Veteran, but also by the Veteran’s spouse.

• The family members eligible for parole would include beneficiaries “under any family – sponsored preference category.” This would include married (F-3) or unmarried children (F-1), or even brothers or sisters (F-4) of Veterans. (Immediate relatives of Veterans (spouse, parent, child under 21) are NOT eligible, since their

Families of Filipino WWII Veterans may be allowed to come to the US ASAP, and wait for their petitions visa is immediately available.)

• Also eligible for parole would be accompanying or following to join spouses and children of the principal beneficiary. For example, if Tatay petitioned an adult, married son in 2004 (F-3), not only will the son be eligible to come to the US right away, but also the son’s spouse and minor children.

• The petitioner (the Veteran) is living in the US, or, if deceased, was living in the US at the time of his death. So, there may be issues if Tatay went back to the Philippines to retire, and died there.

• If the petitioner is the “surviving spouse” of the Veteran, the persons eligible for parole would include only the children of the surviving spouse who are also the children of the Filipino World War II Veteran. This could also include “stepchildren” of the Veteran.

• If the Filipino World War II Veteran has died, the family members must first seek “humanitarian revalidation” from USCIS, to have the petition “reinstated”. Although humanitarian revalidation (or reinstatement) can be difficult or uphill, I believe being eligible for FWVP would be an excellent ground for having the petition reinstated.

After all, if this parole authority is being exercised in recognition of the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino World War II Veterans, it would have no value if USCIS does not reinstate the petition.

• Finally, it must be established that the petitioner truly was a World War II veteran, based on records maintained by the US government.

Rachelle Ann Go returns...

From Page 2 frustrated about it because of the terrible timing. I felt bad,” she said.

“Perhaps it was a gentle reminder from God that I have to take things easier.”

“Les Misèrables’” London

staging runs until December this year. After that, Rachelle Ann said she intends to pursue still-underwraps plans: “I’m turning 30 this year. I can see myself continuing my theater work.”

In “Divas,” Rachelle Ann said fans can expect her to perform

There are many Filipino family members under petition by a parent who is a Veteran of World War II, but the priority date on their petition is still years away.

This new program would allow these family members, and their spouse and minor children, to come to the US and be with their elderly parents and help care for them, while waiting for the priority date on their petition to become current. Then, once current, steps can be made for them to either adjust status in the US or consular process in Manila.

If you believe you or your family members could be eligible for this program, you should seek the advice of an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your situation, help package the parole request, assist in processing through the US Embassy, and otherwise ensure you are eligible and can document and meet the applicable requirements. *** 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 attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

songs from the two musicals she’s been part of, as well as show tunes associated with characters from other musicals she hopes to act in someday— like “Wicked” or “Hamilton.”

“I’d love to perform on Broadway, too,” she disclosed. “I like claiming things—so, one day, it will happen!”

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FATHER AND DAUGHTER REUNITE AFTER 40 YEARS OF LIFE-CHANGING CHOICES AND “MISFORTUNES” ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Decades ago, Tatay Rolando left his wife and daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the US. After getting his green card, he petitioned his family, except for Anna Lyn who had turned 21, and was left behind. The years that followed became a series of rough twists and turns for Anna Lyn, including being caught attempting to enter the US on a fraudulent visa. After a fraud waiver prepared by another attorney was denied, leading US immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL put together a convincing fraud waiver package that was quickly approved, paving the way for the much-awaited, happy reunion of this family on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday, May 15 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

The Kite Runner Prof. enriQue M. SoriAno (Last part) “IT’S not the first “prominent/ wealthy family” inheritance battle waged nor will it certainly be the last, but the on-going estate litigation of Potenciano ‘Nanoy’ Ilusorio’s heirs has emerged as one of the longest, nastiest, most public, no-holdsbarred litigious family feuds in Philippine history or in the annals of jurisprudence.”

That is how the Ilusorio Family Conflict was described by the media and the Philippine courts after close to 300 civil and criminal cases were filed between two warring factions.

There are six Ilusorio children involved in the feud: sons Ramon

Family feuds and shattered families (chair emeritus of Multinational Investment Bancorporation) and Maxie, and daughters Lin, Sylvia (president and vice president of Philcomsat, respectively), Honi and Shereen.

Ramon and Shereen were allied with mother Erlinda against the rest. Honi was allied with Ramon in the beginning, but has since shifted her allegiance to the other “team.”

Most of the rancor, however, now seems to be between Ramon on one side and three sisters—Lin, Sylvia and Honi— on the other. According to the source, Ramon and Shereen tried to keep the news of their mother’s passing from the three sisters in Manila. The sisters found out about it only four days

later from a relative of Erlinda’s attending physician in New York.

It was tit for tat, says another source, also close to the family. It seems that when Potenciano died, some of the sisters also kept the news from Ramon. A memorial service for Erlinda was held at Sanctuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, organized by the Manila faction.

Strangely enough, the funeral urn held Potenciano’s ashes, since Erlinda’s ashes were still in the keeping of Ramon and Shereen. A separate memorial, organized by Ramon, was held March 4 in Legazpi Village, Makati.

The three sisters were pointedly excluded from the Continued on Page 5

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On the PEP Front

People, events, Places

Hans, Shanne, & Kiel: All set to ‘Take The Stage’

The phenomenal invasion of British boy bands during the mid-60s had inevitably clouded and unsuspectingly misted up the predominant supremacy of the then most idolized musical entertainers, balladeers, crooners, and vocal groups relentlessly topping the US Billboard chart.

It was a perceptible sign of an impulsive musical revolution that altered the landscape of music and related genre.

There was the grandiose foray of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Dave Clark 5, herman’s hermits, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, and the likes which dominance were later imitated by American counterparts such as The Jackson 5, New Kids On The Block, Color Me Badd, Backstreet Boys, Westlife, NSYNC, and then just recently, the Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, One Direction, Take That, and many more.

The imminent conquest of the european bands indubitably ignited the rise of fresh idol images and since then, noticeably, there never was a dearth of musical heartthrobs and idol materials all over the world. The craze straightforwardly strewn like wild fire and boy bands found their monikers supremely nestled

on the zenith of the planet’s entertainment domes… with due credits from their distinct vocal talents, slick dance moves, vocal harmonies, peculiar costume appeal, and updated standards of presentation.

The profound impact of these notable influences brought to the fore the uninterrupted birth of even more boy groups all over the seven continents that unquestionably derailed, and at times paralyzed, the careers of up-coming solo artists and severely affected even those already established recording stars. From that time on music authorities have equitably predicted that: “Boy bands are here to stay!”

And true enough today’s generation has astoundingly produced enumerable male singing groups of every color and creed. Just lately, from out of the blue, from someplace within our community, there sprouted three fresh, young, talented, and promising new musicians who are slowly inching their way to fame and proficiently building a huge career unexpected from such very juvenile hopefuls named hans Garcia, Shanne Garcia, and Kiel Calonzo, collectively, ‘Take The Stage.’

In a recent encounter with the rising pop-rock boy band during one of their gigs in Queens, this writer couldn’t help but get mesmerized by their divergent brand of musicality…

TTS drummer Shanne Garcia

TTS lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Hans Garcia

BoBBy T. yalong

EMPLOYMENT

something innovatively delivered…a performance with an up-to-the-minute appeal… somewhat extraordinary while incomprehensibly amazing to watch.

To my mind: how in this world could these young kids effortlessly play their instruments while singing and doing complicated footwork in thorough going vigor sans glitch and exhaustion? Just imagine a set of 25 to 30 minutes of unremitting performance seemed nothing but mere play for ‘Take The Stage’ boys… and they could still afford to accommodate photo-opportunity requests from avid followers after the show.

With a series of questionnaires installed automatically on my mind, I braved the crowd gathered around them with the aid of hannah Murphy Garcia, mom to brothers hans and Shanne, who acted as the boys’ guardian that night. In a cozy nook away from the deafening sound of the band playing on center stage, I allocated a few minutes for a getting-toknow-you moment to allow them to be at ease and readily open up.

For an opener, here are their basic personal facts: Hans Garcia: Lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwritercomposer Birthday: December 7, 1999 (16 years old) Zodiac sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Manhattan, NYC Parents: hannah Murphy Garcia & Samuel Garcia Personal traits: Defined by openness, assertiveness, and at times, restlessness School: Talents Unlimited high School (Upper eastside in Manhattan)

TTS bass guitarist Kiel Calonzo

SCHOOL

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TakeThe Stage band

What and how is a regular school day for you? hans: “Well, I always take cereals for breakfast, brush my teeth and Hans, Shanne, Kiel collectively Take The Stage. ready for school. I’m used to taking Favorite subjects: Journalism & Bergenfield high School showers the night before. After engineering Favorite Subjects: Math and school I loiter around the campus Shanne Stephen Samuel Science or play with my friends. Bedtime is Garcia: Drummer and vocals Later on, I made the boys usually 12 midnight after I finished Birthday: November 2, 2003 answer common queries on my assignments or practice on the (12 years old) subjects familiar to teenagers guitar when time permits.”

Zodiac sign: Scorpio like them which they candidly Shanne: “I normally wake up at Birthplace: Manhattan, NYC responded: 6, take shower, eat cereals or meat, Parents: hannah Murphy Garcia What was your first musical and off for school. I play drums or & Samuel Garcia instrument? basketball after school and go to Personal traits: highly hans: “It was a slightly used bed at10:30 PM. curious, sociable, charming, and Fender 70s Stratocaster that I saw Sometimes I watch TV when determined on sale I can’t sleep but I’ll be in bed by School: 7th grade at the Louis Its original price could 12:00.”

Armstrong Middle School command a little less than a Kiel: “I’m up by 6:00 and usually Favorite subjects: Math and thousand dollars but I got it for have eggs, bread, and coffee for Choir $480.00 from my own savings with breakfast.

Juan Ezekiel Garcia Calonzo: my mom paying half as my loan.”

Take a shower, get dressed, Bass guitarist and vocal back-up Shanne: “Oh, that was one pick-up my sandwich, and off to Birthday: August 22, 1999 (16 ordinary day from school when my school. I normally spend an hour years old) parents surprised me with a starter in the gym and 2 hours in the Zodiac sign: Leo set...that’s where I mastered my basketball court and when there’s Birthplace: Jamaica, Queens skills with the drumsticks.” enough time, I hang out in the mall Parents: Zosima and elmer Kiel: “Actually, I started with with my friends.

Calonzo violin but my father advised me to I go to sleep on or before 12…

Sibling: elyza (12 years old) get into guitar and had my first bass and no TV for me.”

Personality traits: Charming, guitar when I was in 6th grade What’s your future plan? secretive, innovative and Since when did you start being hans: “I’m leaning towards responsible hooked into your passion? taking up either Psychology School: Junior (Grade 11) at hans: “Just 2 years ago with or Psychiatry or shift to Civil one of my earliest compositions, engineering once I’ve saved “Waiting,” got noticed since I sang it enough from my job as a last year at Payag Restaurant. It has Psychologist or a Psychiatrist.” been a part of our repertoire since.”

Shanne: “Nothing concrete Shanne:“Just 4 years ago at the moment but maybe it has when I was hooked into watching something to do with what I’m bands on TV and kept my eyes enthusiastic about… and that closely glued on the drummers… would be music related.” especially Green Day Band.”

Kiel: “After high school I’m Kiel: “I was into musical planning to take up Nursing instruments even when I was a like my mom…then maybe child but learned to love playing take another course that will the guitar after I switched from offer professional advancement violin… and never allowed a day to with rewarding benefits like an pass without strumming it.”

Continued on Page 6

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Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion, Richard Yap to star in a film It’ll be Team Eduardo versus Team Sir Chief in the upcoming movie starring Jodi Sta. Maria.

The Kapamilya actress will be paired with her two leading men from separate shows in Star Cinema’s upcoming film.

She was paired with Richard Yap in the daytime TV series “Be Careful with My Heart,” while she was with Ian Veneracion in the primetime series “Pangako Sa ‘yo” and the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “All You Need is Pag-ibig.”

According to the teaser posted by Star Cinema, the story will be about a woman torn between two eligible men, who both have a special space in her heart.

The romantic-comedy film

It’s a love triangle between Jodi Sta. Maria, Ian Veneracion and Richard Yap in the next Antoinette Jadaone film.

will be directed by Antoinette Jadaone, who made it big in the industry with her film “That Thing

Family feuds...

From Page 3 service, according to the source.

Security was even given detailed instructions to bar them from the premises.

This article is not meant to add fuel to the fire. We are simply re-stating the chronicle of events for a better understanding of those who are not familiar with the case and to drive home the point how important is the foresight to prepare for any such eventuality long before the heirs are confronted by the business founder’s mortality.

Agreements offers Hope, Clarity and Sustainability Pursuing doggedly a family agreement is critical as it paves the way for family and business Governance but it is EMPTY if there is no owner’s agreement.

Documenting owner’s agreement is key while the family members are still young. Often called the shareholder’s agreement, it is meant to protect the rights of owners. It specifies the legal and contractual understandings

among shareholder on ownership of shares and governance issues. The agreement is important because it is the blueprint for the transfer of ownership. Without such an agreement in place, transfers can become mired in differences of opinion.

As wills and estates lawyers authors Les Kotzer, Barry Fish and Jordan Atin explain in their book, “The Family War,” how a will is worded can pit family members against each other, as well. “For many children, a parent’s will is interpreted as reflecting something deeper about their lifelong relationship.

Those words in black and white are an expression of a parent’s confidence or distrust, pride or disappointment in the child. A large gift, or a smaller one, is seen as a reward or a reprimand.”

There is now a vogue among the famous, including Anita Roddick, Bill Gates and Nigella Lawson, to declare that they will not spoil their children with ludicrous fortunes but leave the money to charity. Hong Kong superstar Jacky Chan once said:

Called Tadhana” which starred Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman. (Philstar.com) “I’ve made my money myself — my son should make his own way in the world.”

Even the popular singer Sting, who recently staged a concert here has time and again declared that he will not leave any inheritance to his six children. He was quoted as saying “ I have told my children not to expect to inherit my money (estimated to be worth more than $255 M or close to P12 B) as I don’t believe in Trust funds. I fear that my wealth will be albatrosses round there necks”.

In short, Sting was very clear…his children will have to fend for themselves and find their own way in the world as well. *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author and Executive Director of ASEAN-based Consulting group, Wong + Bernstein Advisory. He is slated to deliver a series of talks in the US this May. Grab Prof Soriano’s book as he shares his insights and offer solutions to Family Businesses through his second book entitled “Ensuring The Family Business Legacy”. For those interested, please call Marianne at +639255224713 or email her at mrevilla@wongadvisory.com. Prof Soriano’s business articles can also be accessed at www.Faminbusiness.com.

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C

alendar of Events

across

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M AY 1 4

Santacruzan in Manhattan When: May 14, 2016 (Saturday) Everyone is invited to join the Santacruzan in Manhattan on May 14 at the Alphabet City, St Brigid & St Emeric Catholic Church (located at 119 Ave B bet 7 & 8 St. NY 10009).

1pm-3pm - Novena & Eucharistic Celebration 3pm-4pm - Street Procession (Reyna’s & Sagala’s Parade 4pm-5pm - Presentation of Participants 5pm-6pm - Fellowship

M AY 2 1

St. Aloysius 2016 Santacruzan ‘Mary, Mother of Mercy’ Join us on Saturday, May 21 for the St. Aloysius 2016 Santacruzan at the Lincoln Park, 691 Westside Av, Jersey City. There will be a Procession (3pm), Mass & Crowning of BVM (5.30pm) and Dinner Dance (7pm). For more information, please contact: Fr. Ralph (201) 433-6365 Luz (201) 451-5025.

M AY 28

LASAA dinner-dance The Los Angeles San Antonian’s (Zambales) Association will hold its dinner-dance on May 28 at the Holiday Inn-La Mirada, 14299 Firestone Blvd. The association is headed by Larnoe Dungca. Its president. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For questions, call the association’s vice president, Ramon Radoc, at (951) 751-3267.

PAFCOM 26th Friendship and Coronation Ball The Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc (PAFCOM) invites you to their PAFCOM 26th Friendship and Coronation Ball on May 28 (7pm-12am) at the Mariott Hotel (Newark Liberty International Airport).

M AY 27-29

PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion Attention all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine College of Commerce: join us in our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION being organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association, USA Inc. scheduled on May 27-29, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of fun-filled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends.

For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-544-8210 orloiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-970-8317 orMonette_santillan@ yahoo.com; Rose Mejia at 323-997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa Sugay-Palanca at 818-281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at661-794-8906 or rmaghari@gmail.com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562-480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 or connieacosta1@att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 orvee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323-627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com.

JUNE 4

Piyesta Pinoy Bolingbrook Please join us on Saturday, June 4 for the 3rd Philippine Fest Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Bolingbrook) at the beautiful Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center (375 W. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook, IL). This year’s event will include a variety of food vendors, business, merchandise, and non-profit organizations, as well as hours of dance, games, and musical entertainment, including special guest performances. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) is proud to promote and share our rich Filipino cultural heritage and traditions in America. Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. For more information, or to volunteer, perform, exhibit, or donate, please visit www.piyestapinoy.net, or email Piyestpinoy@gmail.com.

Missionary Society of St. Columban Dinner-Dance The Missionary Society of St. Columban will hold its annual dinner dance event on June 4th, 6pm, at the Friendship Auditorium (3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90941).

Organized by the Dancing for the World, an affiliate of the Columbans, will celebrate the “Year of Mercy” to echo and emphatically support the call of Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year.

This year is very important to be responsive to the call of the church and be faithful to the mission of God because God is by nature merciful. Thanks to the many dedicated missionaries, priests, sisters and lay missionaries who responded to the call of God and live among the poor to make a difference and allow God’s mercy to flow into the hearts of those they minister. For more information, please visit www.columban.org. The Dancing for the World event on June 4 is also an opportunity to meet supporters, donors and friends to thank them for their valuable contribution to the Columban mission. Event will include delicious food, ballroom dancing, and fabulous raffle prizes. (For this year, the first prize will be a cruise for two to Mexican Riviera. The second prize is a Flat screen TV. The third prize is a Tablet.) There are many amazing prizes available for all lucky winners. The dinner dance ticket is $40.Reserve your tickets now or before May 15. For information and tickets please contact Carmencita Enriquez (213) 880-5075 or Ariel Presbitero (323) 691-5262, or at: 2919 Moss Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Thank you in advance on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and the Dancing for the World committee members. Please continue praying for all Columban Missionaries all over the world and the success of this event.

Pechanga Bus trip The Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO), a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, will host a bus trip to Pechanga to raise funds for its scholarship. There will be two locations for pick up and drop off: First pick up is at 10:45 am; drop off at 8:30 pm at Carson Civic Center, 801 East Carson Street, Carson. The second pick up will be between 11:15 to 11:30 am; drop off at 8 pm at Angels Stadium Metrolink, 2626 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim. Tickets are $35 and include games and a light breakfast while en route to Pehcanga. For more information, contact Pauline at igorott@yahoo.com.

JUNE 5

YFPA Annual Scholarship Gala 2016 Your Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) will hold its Annual Scholarship Gala with the theme: “Collaboration is the New Bayanihan’” on Sunday, June 5, 6pm, at the Watts Room, Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. The event is to award YFPA Scholarship program recipients. For tickets: www.YFPASF.com/events.html.

JUNE 11

Philippine Independence Day celebration The Philippine Independence Day Foundation in conjunction with the City of Carson and GMA Pinoy TV will hold the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Veterans Park and Sports Complex, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. The event is celebrated yearly in the City of Carson and is attended by thousands of Carson residents, as well as people from different parts of Southern California. The celebration will take place from 8am to 6pm. For more information, call (310) 549-3111.

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

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA PREPARE to be amazed. A truly busy woman, who is both efficient and effective, has mastered by trial and error, over a period of time, that fine blend of mixing the art and science of planning her work and working her plan. Mix in the powerful emotion of love and she can produce stupendous results in every area of her life.

Nowhere is this life skill more put to the test than here in America where a person’s worth, whether we like it or not, is measured, not only by her productivity and her creativity but also, by her results.

With apologies to men, note that I refer to the multitasker as a woman. For with the liberated, emancipated status of women in some parts of the world, multitasking, as a socio-cultural phenomenon, has become the area of expertise of womanhood.

Some studies confirm that women’s wiring or DNA structure equips them to multitask at incredible levels.

Multitasking is a skill needed to navigate a person’s day-to-day life.

The major strides in technology have further enhanced our capability to produce results. No matter how much we want to buck the system, there is no way we can get around the fact that in order to thrive, let alone survive at this time and in this place, the life skills we need to acquire and develop some level of competence in, are in the areas of planning our work and working our plan.

You know what a delight it is to work on a project that has been well conceived planned

Three cheers for the multitasking woman “In this life, we cannot do great things.

We can only do small things with great love.”

— Mother Teresa and executed so that everything comes together in seamless fashion. On the flip side of the coin, we also know how aggravating it is to be involved in one that is a mess from the beginning.

Men have always been great planners and women have learned a lot from men. For some reason that may be attributed to the demands of modern life, women are somehow doing it better as they switch to the multifaceted roles they play as wife or significant other, mother, daughter, sister, worker, crusader … the list can go on and on.

History bears out that most of the great leaders of all time, whether in politics, in industry and in business are supreme planners.

And contrary to common knowledge, such leaders not only see the nebulous big picture, but are also able to roll up their sleeves and work on the nittygritty — those thousand and one details very few people want to be bothered with.

In everyday life, we can perhaps single out a few names at work, in our church, in our club or association who can plan the work and work the plan. Like thoroughbreds, these account for a small percentage of the general population — a select breed of individuals who can shepherd a project sometimes with less than adequate time and resources from start to finish.

Here is how it’s generally done.

Break it down to bite sizes. As you flesh out the details of a project, the number of sub-tasks and the sequence with which these smaller tasks need to be done becomes clearer. Assigning who does what further breaks down the job to smaller and manageable bite sizes. As you look ahead, you are able to anticipate problems even before these happen. With good planning, things can be monitored much more closely to measure progress. Since projects almost always cost money, planning helps us stay within budgetary constraints. Ultimately, planning brings us full circle helping us stay focused on the goal.

But here’s a caveat. Lest we think that planning is foolproof, there is still a chance that no matter how carefully we plan and execute a project, we still need to accept that stuff happens and things could go wrong.

Robert Burns said it best, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” There are no guarantees that something will work out because of a great plan.

Still, even if this possibility exists, mapping out projects and fleshing them out stacks good fortune in our favor and steers us towards success — all because of the simple act of planning our work and working our plan. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Bohol Restoration Group Benefit Gala drums up support from the FilipinoAmerican community in New York NEW YORK—The FilipinoAmerican community in New York, as well as the mainstream community, attended the Benefit Gala organized by the Bohol Restoration Group, with the support of H.E. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York H.E. Bernadito Auza, last month at the UN Delegates Dining of the UN Headquarters. Entitled “Rising Above the Ruins - Restoring Cultural Heritage and Life in the Face of Climate Change”, the event was held for benefit the severely damaged heritage sites in the town of Maribojoc and Loon particularly the places of worship and the affected people in the surrounding communities.

The Bohol Restoration Group’s (BRG) efforts was a response to the call of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC for assistance from the community after the Bohol province was badly hit by a 7.2 earthquake in October 2013. Over 100 communities in Bohol are still under a state of disaster with limited resources to rebuild and restore their homes, livelihood and churches.

In his brief remarks, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia acknowledged the generosity of many benefactors and patrons who have come out to support the Gala. “The devastated churches and other heritage structures have been central to community life, and their restoration should be seen as a vital component of recovery and rehabilitation efforts,” he said.

During the program, Consul Mario L. de Leon, Jr. handed an

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Honorary Chairman (3rd from R) of the Bohol Restoration Group expressed gratitude to the Filipino-American Community in New York at the Benefit Gala organized held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event was also attended by (from L-R) Mme. Marie-Paule Roudil, UNESCO Representative to the UN, ANCOP Chair Roger Santos, Mme. Victoria Cuisia, and Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. and his wife Mme. Eleanor de Leon.

image of Sto. Niño de Palaboy, to H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, in his recognition of his role in pastoring the FilipinoAmerican community in New York despite his heavy UN work.

The Papal Nuncio, who is a proud Boholano himself, is an active supporter of the BRG’s initiative.

Archbishop Auza recalled his life in his village in the town of Talibon, northern part of the island of Bohol and his admiration on the Spanish colonial churches that dotted many towns along the roads that ring the round shaped island of Bohol which are now reduced to smithereens.

He expressed his gratitude to the persevering commitment of the donors especially those who are not Boholanos. “I am deeply honored by your presence tonight and I thank you most sincerely for

Hans, Shanne, & Kiel...

From Page 4

Anesthesiologist, maybe.”

Who shops for your clothes and other personal stuff?

Hans: “I do…although my parents know exactly what I want but it’s best when I personally pick them.”

Shanne: “I do. My brother and I would go to the mall or sometimes, buy them online.”

Kiel: “Before it used to be my mom or dad but when I turned 13, they respected my personal preference.”

Then, I segued to shoot a couple of individual pertinent questions: Hans, what are your other compositions and sources of inspiration?

“I got them from my everyday encounter with friends and you’ll notice that my titles are typically one-liners: “Dirty” (about being lost & not knowing where to go); “Love” (it’s a personal emotional experience with a classmate); “Gums” (about the after-effect of addiction to smoking); “Noon” (funny, but this was about the same girl, that’s her last name, that dumped me); “Sell” (it’s about

exchanging one’s soul to the devil for fame and fortune… something similar to Christopher Marlowe’s ‘Faustus’); and “Talk” (just about casual conversation).”

Any crush at your age? This is for you, Hans: “I have had a lot but the one when I was 14 has left a significant mark …although they said it was just puppy love… but I feel something else.”

For you, Shanne…could you still recall your first ever gig?

“Of course! That would be in 2014 in an Ati-Atihan festival in Jersey City.”

At a young age of 12, where do you see your band in 5 years?

“Well, with the way things are going, we will definitely be achieving what we aimed for… and that’s being successful!”

And finally, for you, Kiel… when did you join your cousins (Hans and Shanne)?

“Just two years ago… I was then a member of our school orchestra playing string bass…and I was assigned to the same instrument…but I’m also considering the idea of joining our school choir to hone my vocal

your generosity because the cause of the Gala Dinner is not only very close to my heart, it is in my heart and DNA,” said the Papal Nuncio.

Ambassador and Mrs. Cuisia also received an image of Sto Niño de Palaboy from UNESCO Representative to the United Nations Madame Marie-Paule Roudil. The Sto. Niño image was created by UNICEF awardee sculpture and artist Seb Chua In her acknowledgement remarks, BRG Executive Director Margaret Encarma, whose efforts made the successful Benefit Gala at the UN possible through her close coordination with the Office of the Papal Nuncio, ANCOP Foundation USA Inc, and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, conveyed her appreciation to the FilipinoAmerican and mainstream community in New York for supporting the event. skills.”

You look tall for your age, what’s your height and how do you keep trim?

“I already stand 5’10” and still growing. I’m a health buff. I’m into a regular gym regimen and frequently playing basketball.”

Without doubt, ‘Take The Stage’ is one boy band that will find its way to the top. What with the kids’ insurmountable drive, keen focus, and determined dedication to their craft… and not to forget the unparalleled support of their parents and growing fan base.

Incidentally, just being under the limelight for only two years, the gregarious boys have already frontacted for big name performers like Parokya ni Edgar, Glen Jacinto, Florante, Ai-Ai De Las Alas, Marco Sison, Edlyn Peregrina and soon at PAFCOM’s 26th Friendship and Coronation Gala aside from mounting their own shows and semi-regular gigs in various watering holes and restaurants around the Queens Borough area.

For bookings, please contact: Elmer @ 917-859-0278; Hannah @ 347-613-1182; and Sam @ 347-6131184.

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

Beautiful Destinations, Tourism Philippines team up for a pioneering partnership in Asia

NEW YORK—For the first time in Southeast Asia, a national tourism organization teams up with the award-winning creative technology agency, Beautiful Destinations, which built the largest travel and lifestyle portfolio on Instagram and Snapchat.

From 11 - 24 May 2016, the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is bringing in to the country five (5) of the biggest influencers from the Beautiful Destinations team who will capture destination images and videos in a unique perspective and curate them in a way that will drive interest amongst its followers and inspire them to visit the Philippines.

The team from Beautiful Destinations will be composed of its Founder and CEO, travel social media expert, Jeremy Jauncey; Head of Brand Partnerships and celebrated travel drone pioneer, Tom Jauncey; Community Manager and London’s top Instagram travel photographer and videographer, Jacob Riglin; world-renowned iPhone-only photographer James Relf Dyer; and the videographer for American DJ duo - The Chainsmokers, Sam Kolder.

Some of the top Philippine destinations that the team will travel to include Cebu, the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines and home to some of the country’s most iconic heritage spots; Bohol, home of the world-renowned Chocolate hills and the world’s smallest primate, Tarsier; Palawan, the title-holder for the World’s Best Island according to Conde Nast

Traveler; Manila, which was included by travel publication “Lonely Planet” among Asia’s coolest cities; and Pangasinan, home of the Hundred Islands Natural Park.

The Beautiful Destinations team will share moments throughout each day of the trip on the Beautiful Destinations Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as the PDOT’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, reaching more than 10 million followers around the world. The videos will also stream outside the Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, giving passersby a glimpse of the teams’ daily adventures in Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Pangasinan, and Manila.

In Manila, the PDOT will host an InstaMeet between the Beautiful Destinations team and local travel and lifestyle influencers from the Philippines whose photos have been featured on the Beautiful Destinations Instagram page.

The meet will provide a platform, both to the local and foreign travel influencers, to exchange insights and ideas about photography, travel, and lifestyle. Some of the local influencers invited include celebrated Cebuano furniture designer Vito Selma, Filipino backpackers, and photographers Jaypee Swing and Rod Ruales.

“Advertising is evolving away from an art of interruption and towards an art of inclusion. We’re showcasing living, breathing, destinations stories in real time and are incredibly excited about partnering with the Philippines Department of Tourism to harness

Photos courtesy of Rod Ruales (@ninjarod) and Jaypee Swing

FYLPRO announces inaugural board of directors, embarks on fundraising campaign FYLPRO announces its inaugural board of directors after officially gaining its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. Joining the board of directors are Chairperson Maria Katrina “Kit” Zulueta (Hawaii), Treasurer Rommel Deleon Clemente (California), together with Philippine Embassy Vice-Consul Darell Arates (District of Columbia), JR Calanoc (California), RJ Diokno (Washington D.C.), Ty J.K. Cullen (Hawaii), Melissa Medina (Washington D.C.), Lakhi Mangharam Siap (Chicago) and Mariana Zobel de Ayala (Philippines). FYLPRO President Bea Rico (Washington) also sits on the board as a non-voting member.

Now on its fifth year, the organization soon will launch the application process for the 2016 Immersion Program, where 10 selected leaders will participate in a week-long program to meet with key officials in the Philippines to learn about its social, economic and political landscape.

“We are grateful to our partners over the years for their continued support to the program,” Zulueta said. “We now want to reach out and invite generous individuals and entities to help us ensure this program continues.”

Zulueta said supporting the program is an investment to Fil-Am youth and the future of the Filipino community.

“Our board brings diverse talent, expertise, and energy to FYLPRO.” said Rico, who spearheaded the efforts of sustaining and institutionalizing FYLPRO as a non-profit. “I’m looking forward to the level of expertise we’re able to access with the board and continuing to strengthen our nonprofit organization.”

FYLPRO board of directors hail from across the United States and the Philippines, and from both the private and public sectors, showing the organization’s diversity over the past years.

In 2015, FYLPRO officially became a public charity 501(c)(3) with tax-exempt status.

Contributions donated to FYLPRO are fully tax-deductible.

The main objective of the board, in close coordination with the executive committee of FYLPRO, is to provide direction and financial support to allow the organization to continue to engage in its roster of activities that advocate for the Filipino American community.

Philippine Chamber Rondalla presents Orchestra of the Filipino Youth String Ensemble in its 1st International Tour

PARLIN, New Jersey—The Philippine Chamber Rondalla of New Jersey, in fulfillment of its mission to promote appreciation of Philippine musical traditions and elevate musicianship, is presenting the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth String Ensemble in two concerts as part of OFY’s first International Awareness and Educational Tour.

The concerts will be held on Friday, June 3, 7pm, at Zion Lutheran Church, 559 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ 07066 and on Monday, June 6, 7pm, at Brotherhood Synagogue, 28 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003.

The Orchestra of the Filipino Youth is a project of Ang Misyon, Inc., a Philippine-based nonprofit whose goal is to “help eradicate poverty in the Philippines through social change, simultaneously enhancing the country’s identity by creating career paths in Classical Music performance and redeveloping its Arts & Culture scene.” It is inspired by ‘El Sistema’, the global movement of establishing ‘nucleos’ or communitybased orchestra programs for children in underserved communities. Presently, over four hundred scholars from disadvantaged families are given free music education and other opportunities to achieve their full musical potential. They hail from northern and central Philippines currently. A satellite program will open in southern Philippines soon.

OFY’s performances in the Philippines have been received with

overwhelming acclaim. In April 2015, the OFY joined forces with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra to present “ANG SISTEMA: THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERENCE,” a fundraising concert & conference at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Arts Center. Gerard Salonga & Olivier Ochanine conducted.

Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter, and music education author, Tricia Tunstall, annotated.

The OFY String Ensemble, comprised of senior members of the orchestra, will be the featured performers during this international tour. They will be joined by Artistic Director, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz.

Admission is free to both concerts but donations will be much appreciated. Donations of new and used instruments are welcome as well. For the June 6th concert, the public is requested to register in advance at www. brotherhoodsynagogue.org under ‘Upcoming Events’.

The concerts are made possible through the generous support of PCR’s friends at Filipino Families and Friends of North Edison (NJ), Our Lady of Fatima Filipino-American Association (Piscataway, NJ), and at the Brotherhood Synagogue (NYC), especially its Interfaith and Social Action Committees.

For more information, call Del at (732) 207-3284 or Tarit at (908) 359-3297, or e-mail PhilChamberRondalla@yahoo. com.

the power of Instagram & Snapchat,” said Jeremy Jauncey, Beautiful Destinations Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Jauncey added that “Shooting what we call socialfirst content prioritizes unique perspectives shot by social media experts, that captivate travelers in a much more genuine way than content typically shot for print and broadcast campaigns.”

“With the highest percentage of its population highly active on social media compared to any other country, the Philippines has been dubbed as the social media capital of the world. On many occasions, the PDOT would leverage this strength by utilizing social media in most of our campaigns. Social media has, in fact, allowed us to be a gamechanger in the tourism industry through our It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign, whose central strategy is executed and propagated by millions of active, enthusiastic Filipinos themselves, who feel they have the power to persuade people to visit their country as tourists,” says Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. “As the social media landscape continues to develop at a rapid pace, we have to adapt to changing times in order to stay ahead of the curve. Collaborating with Beautiful Destinations, which has already set the global standard for creating social content, is surely an effective way to make our country’s presence in the digital space more felt by travelers who are highly reliant on social media,” Secretary Jimenez added.

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PNB officials pose for posterity in their new Manhattan office on Seventh Avenue near Times Square. (From left to right, standing) Jing Monta, Evelyn Peque, Marcel Hermosisima, Geralyn Omoso, Raquel Rabang, Ma. Luisa Toribio and Lester Payawal. Seated, from left to right are Ricky Villacisneros, Regional Head, North America; Benjamin Oliva, First Senior Vice President & Global Filipino Banking Group Head and Araceli Manaloto, General Manager of PNB New York. The new office is located at 561 7th Avenue., 2nd Floor, on the corner of 7th Ave. and 40th Street.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

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