New York & NewJersey -- April 15 -- 21, 2016

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Volume 9 – Issue 29 • 16 Pages

APRIL 15-21, 2016 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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DESPITE BEING GraNTED BaIL FOr PLUNDEr OVEr POrK BarrEL SCaM

Napoles to remain in jail

by Joel

M. Sy egco and JefferSon antiporda ManilaTimes.net

eVeN if the sandiganbayan has allowed Janet Lim-Napoles and two lawmakers implicated in the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance fund (PDAf) scam to post bail, the businesswoman will remain in jail because she has been convicted of serious illegal detention, malacañang said on Wednesday, April 13.

“It should be emphasized that miss Napoles was convicted in April 2015 by the makati regional trial Court for serious illegal de-

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Janet Lim Napoles

DATELINE

USA

BALIKATAN. Photo provided by the US Marine Corps shows Philippine Marines conducting an amphibious landing utilizing Philippine Navy logistical ships during the Balikatan exercise in Antique last Tuesday, April 12. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is in the Philippines to observe the joint exercises and visit one of the camps that will allow US military presence under EDCA. Philstar.com photo by Krisjohn Rosales

PNP denies ISIS presence in PH White House: No by roSette

SF Board of Supervisors unanimously approve resolution forming Filipino Cultural Heritage District sAN frANCIsCo—the san francisco Board of supervisors on tuesday, April 12 unanimously adopted a resolution establishing a filipino Cultural heritage District in the city called soma Pilipinas. the resolution also recognizes the historic contributions and leadership of the filipino community in san francisco.

Authored and introduced by supervisor Jane Kim, the resolution was co-sponsored by seven other supervisors, namely John Avalos, David Campos, maila Cohen, eric mar, Aaron Peskin, scott Wiener and Norman Yee. soma Pilipinas-filipino Cultural heritage District, according to the resolution, will be the area bound by 2nd street to the east, 11th street to the west, market street to the north and Brannan street to the south, as identified in the Western soma

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adel

Philstar.com

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

mANILA—the Philippine National Police (PNP) on thursday, April 14, denied that the terrorist group Islamic state of Iraq and syria (IsIs) is in the country.

PNP spokesperson Chief supt. Wilben mayor assured the public that they have not monitored any presence of IsIs memIS in the Philippines allegedly continues to proliferate on the volatile island bers in the country as it also did of Mindanao, where decades-long conflict still persists.

militarization policy applies to both China, Philippines by patricia lourdeS Philstar.com

Viray

mANILA—the United states

u PAGE A2 recently said that its call for halt

12-M Filipinos living in extreme poverty by dJ

yap Inquirer.net

STILL POOR A homeless family shares a meager meal on the streets of the city. Despite improvements in the country’s economic indicators, more than 26 million Filipinos remain poor, with about 12 million living in extreme poverty.

more than 26 million filipinos remain poor with almost half, or a little more than 12 million, living in extreme poverty and lacking the means to feed themselves, according to official government statistics for the first semester of 2015. the figures, however, reflect slight improvements from the same period in 2012, two years after President Benigno Aquino III assumed power, as well as in 2009 and 2006, under the Gloria maca-

in reclamation and construction activities in the south China sea dispute is not exclusive to China but also applies to the Philippines.

“We don’t want to see construction activities on disputed features. We don’t want to see any kind of militarization of outposts,” Us Department of state Deputy spokesperson mark toner said in a press briefing on tuesday, April 12. this statement follows reports that the Philippine Air force has been transporting construction materials to Pagasa Island in the south China sea, which the Philippines calls the West Philippine sea, to restart upgrading its airfield in the island.

toner stressed that the Us is expecting to see a deescalation of tensions and refraining from provocative actions among claimant states. the Us state Department official, however, admitted that the Us is yet to be given specific details about the plans of the Philippines on the island. the Us earlier expressed its objection over China’s launch of its lighthouse operations on subi reef in the south China sea. toner noted that the arbitration case that manila had filed against Beijing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations is the “best route” to resolve the maritime dispute between the two claimant states. “that’s what we believe is the best route and the most peaceful route, frankly, to resolve

USPS stamps defeats Hot, hot day; food shortage feared drop 2 cents Pacquiao Bradley in last fight u PAGE A2

Inquirer.net photo

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by dona

the United states Postal service (UsPs) on sunday, April 10, dropped the price of postage stamps by 2 cents for the first time in almost a century. stamps now cost 47 cents each, down from the 49 cents, a decline that’s expected to cost UsPs $2 billion this year. the expected loss will make it more difficult for the government mail carrier to compete and provide services sought by customers.

“Given our precarious financial condition and ongoing business needs, the price reduction...exacerbates our losses,” Postmaster General megan Brennan said in a statement thursday, April 7, as it filed a petition seeking a new rate-setting process. “this unfortunate decision heightens the importance of the review of our ratemaking system.”

If manny Pacquiao’s last time in the ring was indeed on saturday, April 9, then he has ended his career on a high note. the filipino fighter who rose to fame in a rags-to-riches storyline concluded what he has said would be his 12 final rounds as a professional boxer in a victory against twotime former WBo welterweight champion timothy Bradley, Jr., an opponent he has faced in the ring on three occasions.

Pacquiao announced he would hang his gloves up after saturday’s bout to focus on serving the Philippines, where he is seeking to win a senate seat on the may 9 election.

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Filipino champ returns home to PH by agneS

conStante AJPress

Z. paZZibugan and ronnel W. doMingo Inquirer.net

temPerAtUres around the Philippines soared close to “extremely dangerous” levels Wednesday as the International rice research Institute (Irri) warned that the world faced another food crisis similar to the 2007-2008 crunch caused by el Niño. the heat index—the actual temperature felt by the body—reached 52.3 degrees Celsius Wednesday, April 13, in Nueva ecija, breaking the record 51 degrees reported by the weather station in the province Corn stalks in Tuguegarao City have turned brown as temperatures rise, intensified by El Niño.

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Nearby, the Cagayan River water level has dropped to one of its lowest.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

A APRIL 15-21, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page White House: No militarization policy...

Napoles to remain...

PAGE A1 t

PAGE A1 t tention. Accordingly, she cannot be released due to such conviction and the several other cases for plunder pending against her,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Napoles is serving a life term for illegally detaining her former employee, Benhur Luy, the principal witness in the PDAF or pork barrel scam.

Coloma said the Palace respects the anti-graft court’s decision, noting that the Sandiganbayan is a “separate branch of government under the judiciary.”

Some senators have expressed dismay over the Sandiganbayan decision allowing Napoles and former members of the House of Representatives Rizalina SeachonLanete and Edgar Valdez to post bail.

Sen. Grace Poe said while she is aware that the legislature and the executive should not interfere with the decision of the judiciary, she believes that Napoles should not

BIG SHOT IN JAIL. Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles finds herself in a tight squeeze with other inmates at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, where she will serve a life term after she was found guilty of illegally detaining her cousin and former employee Benhur Luy. Contributed photo from the Correctional Institute for Women

be granted bail.

“As one of those who participated in the Senate investigation of the PDAF controversy, I believe that it is not right to allow Napoles bail, because the evidence against her is strong,” Poe noted.

She said the pork barrel scam is one of the reasons why there is a need to review the justice system.

“If we can’t implement the law equally, it will give more courage to unscrupulous individuals to

continue their unlawful acts,” Poe added.

Senator Teofisto Guingona 3rd said he remains optimistic that Napoles will not be able to get similar rulings in the other cases she is facing.

He pointed out that right to bail is not indicative of acquittal and appeals can still be made.

The senator said Napoles’ conviction by a lower court will ensure that she will not regain her free-

PNP denies ISIS presence...

PAGE A1 t not receive any information regarding their presence.

Mayor said the PNP is continuously verifying reports that the group is behind the bloody encounter in Basilan last April 9 which, according to West Mindanao Command spokesman Maj.

units to be on alert for any ISIS presence. He said the PNP has beefed up operations and visFilemon Tan Jr., killed 18 soldiers ibility and is ready to respond in and injured 56 others. case an attack happens.

The PNP spokesman also said On Thursday, Maryland-based the police has strengthened its company SITE Intelligence intelligence sharing with the group, citing the ISIS-run Amaq Armed Forces, while continuing News agency, said that the terits own intelligence operations. ror group claimed to have killed Mayor earlier said the Direc- nearly 100 troops in its attacks in torate for Operations ordered all the Philippines.

Pacquiao defeats Bradley...

PAGE A1 t “As of now, I’m retired,” he said.

“I am going to go home and think about [fighting again]. I want to go home with my family and serve the people.”

But before he secured his victory, 37-year-old Pacquiao (586-2 KOs) gave millions of viewers around the world a fight that included knocking down Bradley (33-2-1) twice, in the seventh and ninth rounds. His performance resulted in a unanimous decision in his favor from the judges, who scored it 116-110.

HBO commentators during the fight noticed what they said appeared to be some sort of problem with his right shoulder, which was

injured and exacerbated during Pacquiao’s long-awaited match against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. However, he dismissed concerns and said he was OK. “I was looking for a knockout in every round,” Pacquiao said. “He’s a very tough fighter and a very good counter-puncher. Bradley is a good boxer, a great fighter and a good man. It was not easy tonight, [but] my right shoulder was fine. It gave me no problems.”

Before the fight, Bradley said he planned on fighting at a level similar to the performance he gave during the ninth round of his fight against Brandon Rios in November, which he won with a

knockout.

CompuBox reported that Pacquiao connected on 122 of 439 punches, while the Bradley landed 99 of 302.

“Manny is patient … I wasn’t professional enough to be patient myself and I walked into some shots,” he said following his loss.

“He’s very quick, very explosive and it’s hard to judge him with quick reflexes. He won the fight, much respect to Manny Pacquiao.”

In between the fighters’ postmatch interviews, Pacquiao, who is fond of Bradley, invited his opponent to Sunday prayer breakfast. Yet despite looking sharp af-

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any claims or disputes over the South China Sea. And that includes, as you note, rules-based mechanisms like international arbitration, which is what they are pursuing. So we believe that case should move forward in accordance with international law,” Toner said.

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries earlier released a joint statement, calling on all concerned nations not to conduct massive land reclamation activities in the disputed waters.

China, however, slammed the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and High Representative of the European Union and reminded them that they should not take sides on issues involving territorial disputes.

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In this Feb.27, 2015 photo provided by Renato Etac, Chinese Coast Guard members approach Filipino fishermen as they confront them off Scarborough Shoal at South China Sea, also called the West Philippine Sea, in northwestern Philippines. More than once, Chinese coast guardsmen approached Etac’s boat and pointed their rifles at him, but he says he knew they would not fire and risk starting a war.

Photo by Renato Etac

12-M Filipinos living in extreme...

pagal-Arroyo presidency.

“The statistics are actually good.

Yes, we can be happy about it,” said Rosemarie Edillon, acting deputy director of the National Economic and Development Authority.

She said it was a sign that economic growth was trickling down to lower-income families, helping bridge the wealth disparities between the rich and the poor.

The economy has been growing at an average of 6 percent under the Aquino administration.

“We have attributed this first to fast-rising incomes,” Edillon said.

“The incomes of the bottom 30 percent have actually improved the fastest. That means that inequality is actually being reduced as well.”

Marginal declines In the first three months of 2015, 26.3 percent of Filipinos were found to be living below the poverty line, a measure of the minimum income required to meet basic food and nonfood needs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a briefing on Friday.

This translates to about 26.48 million Filipinos, based on the Philippine population in 2015 of 100.7 million.

In 2012, national poverty incidence stood at 27.9 percent of the population. In 2009, it was at 28.6

percent, practically unchanged from the 2006 figure three years before, of 28.8 percent.

The 2015 survey also found that 12.1 percent of the population—roughly 12.18 million Filipinos—are living in subsistence or extreme poverty, meaning their earnings are not enough for them to eat three square meals a day.

This, too, indicates marginal declines from the three previous years the survey had been taken.

In 2006, 14.2 percent of Filipinos lived in extreme poverty; in 2009, the number stood at 13.3 percent, and at 13.4 percent in 2012.

4Ps a big help Edillon said the government’s 4Ps, or conditional cash transfer program, has helped a great deal in reducing poverty, providing safety nets to families which otherwise would not have the opportunity to send their children to school.

“As you know the 4PS program does not really intend to reduce poverty in the long term because the amount of transfer is only about 20 percent. And for 2015, [it’s targeting] only 15 percent of people below the poverty line. It’s only pantawid (to help tide them over),” she said.

But the program “provides social protection because it provides regularity of income stream, so you know that month after month,

you will receive this amount of cash,” she said.

Some of the poorest regions, however, appear to be in dire need of more intervention.

ARMM in dire need The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had the highest proportion of the poor, who comprised 59 percent of the ARMM population in 2015.

Almost a third of ARMM residents, or 30.1 percent, were living in extreme poverty, the survey showed.

The trend on both indicators in the conflict-ridden and economically stunted region has risen dramatically over the years.

In 2006, 49.8 percent of the ARMM residents were considered poor, while 21.1 percent were extremely poor. In 2009, the figures were at 49.7 percent for poor and 15.1 percent, respectively. In 2012, 52.9 percent of the populace was poor, and 20.4 percent extremely poor.

NCR least poor By contrast, Metro Manila had the lowest proportion of the poor, in spite of the heavy presence of urban poor.

The capital region only had 6.5 percent of the population below the poverty line, although its share has been on the rise as well, from just.

Dateline USa

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Ph remembers, honors Filipino WWii veterans on Day of Valor WASHINGTON, DC—“Our veterans have rendered a service that has no equal, and one which we can only hope to repay by living up to the promise of a free and peaceful and civilized nation,” Charge d’affaires and Minister Patrick Chuasoto said in his opening remarks during the reception and symposium held in commemoration of the 74th Araw Ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on April 8.

The Philippines celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) every 9th day of April to commemorate the heroism of Filipino soldiers during the day in the Second World War in 1942 when the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese forces, leading to the eventual fall of Bataan and Death March.

Also present during the reception were two (2) of the remaining Filipino WWII veterans, Lt. Celestino Almeda and Private Rodolfo Panaglima.

Mr. Panaglima, 86, was among the youngest members of Filipino guerillas who fought the Japanese forces while Mr. Almeda, 98, was a member of the underground guerilla units during the second world war.

“This year’s theme, Isabuhay ang Kagitingan, Kapayapaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtin ang Mithiing Kaunlaran, reminds us how peace and progress go hand in hand. The sacrifice of our veterans to forge a lasting peace ensures the path to

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economic prosperity,” the Minister further stated.

The Philippine Government and Filipino community also continue their joint campaign to mobilize Congressional support for the bill seeking to award the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to Filipino WWII veterans.

Currently, the bill has 33 cosponsors in the US Senate and 67 in the House of Representatives.

To pass into law, the bill needs 34 more co-sponsors in the Senate and 152 co-sponsors in the House.

“I hope that you will continue to join me in getting them the recognition they truly deserve to restore their dignity and honor”, MGen Antonio T. Taguba USA (Ret), Chair of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FILVETREP) said during the symposium.

Earlier before the reception, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the World War II Memorial, led

by Minister Patrick Chuasoto and MGen Delfin Lorenzana, Head of the Office of Veteran Affairs, along with the WWII Veterans, Philippine Embassy personnel, and FilAm Community of Metro DC. A documentary on the Filipino WWII veterans entitled “Duty to Country” was also shown during the symposium, followed by a brief discussion on the Rescission Act of 1946 and its lasting effect on WWII Filipino Veterans by MGen Delfin Lorenzana.

Hot, hot day...

on Monday.

This was the highest heat index recorded so far since the onset of the dry season in March.

It was also just 1.7 degrees lower than the “extreme danger” level of 54 degrees Celsius at which, according to the state weather bureau, heatstroke is “imminent” under continued exposure to the sun.

The heat was so intense that students at Wesleyan University-Philippines in Cabanatuan City were allowed to ditch their uniforms for more comfortable clothing, while other residents gulped down thousands of liters of iced water and made halo-halo vendors rich.

Other residents sought refuge in air-conditioned shopping malls or took a dip in the sea.

Herminio Ambrocio, a retired military officer, said he stayed in his air-conditioned room after his morning walk.

Hadji Santaygilio, a farmer from Cabu village, chose to stay at his nipa hut on his citrus farm, as using the air conditioner in his house was expensive.

Buddy Balajadia said men in his village, Caalibangbangan, went around half-naked, while his family tried to cope with the heat by eating halo-halo.

Above 50 degrees Two other weather stations recorded above-50-degree maximum heat index on Tues-

day—Clark Airport in Pampanga province, 51.9 degrees, and Sangley Point, Cavite province, 50.2 degrees, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa said 24 other weather stations recorded a maximum heat index of at least 40 degrees.

At 23 other weather stations, the highest heat index ranged from 35.3 degrees to 39.9 degrees.

In the three weather stations in Metro Manila, the maximum heat index on Tuesday was 39 degrees in Port Area, Manila; 41.1 degrees at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and 45.4 degrees at the Science Garden in Quezon City.

The heat index, Pagasa said, is the temperature actually felt by the body and measured based on air temperature and humidity.

The weather bureau has warned that the country will continue to have “generally warmer than average” temperatures this month as El Niño shows signs of ending by the middle of the year.

According to Pagasa, a heat index of at least 41 degrees to 53 degrees Celsius is considered the “danger” level due to probable heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke from continued activity under the sun.

When the heat index ranges from 32 degrees to 41 degrees

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 15-21, 2016

A

Overseas voting gets underway in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC—Overseas voting officially started on April 9 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy, and will run for one (1) month until May 9.

Among the first to cast their ballots are TSG. Ma. Olga O. Abella (PA) and Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Patrick Chuasoto who voted on the first and second days of voting, respectively.

This year, the Philippine Embassy adopted mixed voting, with the Automated Election System -Modified Postal Voting as default option, where all registered Filipino overseas voters with complete mailing addresses on record can expect to receive their ballot packets Wreath-laying ceremony during the 74th Bataan Day Commemoration held at the World War through mail.

II Memorial, National Mall on April 8.

The ballot packets contain the official ballot, ballot envelope, paper seal and instruction to voters, mailed a day to a week prior to the start of overseas voting.

To this date, about 97 percent of ballot packets have already been mailed. The remainder requires correction of mailing addresses. A list will be posted on our website requesting these voters to either provide their updated addresses or come to the Embassy to personally cast their vote.

Voters may expect to receive their ballot packets in the next couple of days. The voter may Lt. Celestino Almeda and Private Rodolfo Panaglima, two of the remaining Filipino WWII then mail or personally deliver veterans, were present during the reception and symposium held at the Romulo Hall of the the accomplished ballot to the Philippine Embassy.

Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) at the Philippine Embassy, to be received no later than May 9 at 5am.

Prior to the start of the voting period, the Philippine Embassy also held the first-ever Overseas Voter’s Education Forum on 30 March 2016 at the Romulo Hall, where video-recorded messages from presidential and vice-presidential candidates who responded to the Embassy’s invitation were shown to the Filipino community in Metro DC. “It was your determination to be heard, to have a say in the governance of your country, that made overseas voting possible. We call on you now, the 176,064 registered Filipino overseas voters in the United States of America, to exercise the right you fought for, and cast your ballot”, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia urged the Filipino community present during the said forum.

“Overseas voter turnout is an indicator of the voters’ perceived stake in the outcome of the elections, and of the trust of the voters in our electoral processes,” the Ambassador added.

For the duration of the overseas voting period, the Embassy is open from 9am to 5pm daily for those registered Filipino overseas voters who prefer to personally hand in their accomplished ballots and/or cast their votes.

A APRIL 15-21, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

USCIS reaches FY 2017 H-1B cap

WASHINGTON—US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for fiscal year 2017. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption.

USCIS will use a computergenerated process, also known as the lottery, to randomly select the petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 visas for the general category and 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption.

USCIS will first randomly select petitions for the advanced degree exemption. All unselected advanced degree petitions will become part of the random selection process for the 65,000

general cap. The agency will reject and return filing fees for all unselected cap-subject petitions that are not duplicate filings.

Before running the lottery, USCIS will complete initial intake for all filings received during the filing period, which ended April 7. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS is not yet able to announce the date it will conduct the random selection process.

USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, will also not be counted toward

the congressionally mandated FY 2017 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to: • Extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States; • Change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers; • Allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and • Allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.

US businesses use the H1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.

San Francisco passes law mandating 6 weeks paid parental leave SAN Francisco has become the first municipality in the United States to mandate that businesses provide workers who are new parents with six weeks of fully-paid parental leave.

“Our country’s parental leave policies are woefully behind the rest of the world, and today San Francisco has taken the lead in pushing for better family leave policies for our workers,” Supervisor Scott Wiener, who supported the bill, said Tuesday, April 5, according to USA Today.

The city board of supervisors and city council on Tuesday, April 5, unanimously passed the measure requiring employers to offer new parents paid leave.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not require paid parental leave, and California is one among only five states in the nation with a form of paid parental leave. It entitles employees to six weeks of partially paid leave – 55 percent of their salary – to care for newborns, as well as adopted and foster children. The time off

is paid for by a state insurance program funded by workers.

“The vast majority of workers in this country have little or no access to paid parental leave, and that needs to change,” Wiener said at a news conference before the vote, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Under San Francisco’s new ordinance, businesses with 50 or more employees will be required to pay the remaining 45 percent of their salaries for a six-week leave beginning Jan. 1, 2017. Employers with 35 to 49 workers have until July 2017 to comply. For those with 20 or more workers, the law will apply starting Jan. 1, 2018.

Businesses with fewer than 20 employees will be exempt from the law. The ordinance further makes it illegal to terminate an employee after taking parental leave, whereas California’s program doesn’t guarantee a worker’s old job when they return from leave.

“Paid parental leave increases the probability that employees will return to work, be more pro-

USPS stamps drop...

ductive and earn higher wages.

That is good for business and families,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, according to the AP. Last week, New York also signed a similar measure into law that requires employers to provide 12 weeks of paid time off, though the program will initially offer 50 percent of an employee’s salary and will be phased in until it fully begins in 2021.

While labor groups have touted the legislation in San Francisco and New York, others have noted that other developed countries offer expectant and new mothers at least 12 weeks of paid leave; in Australia, they receive 18 weeks, 39 weeks in the UK and 480 days for parents in Sweden.

Also criticizing the requirement are small business owners who say the current list of city mandates unfairly targets them.

“They don’t necessarily have the resources, they can’t absorb the increases in cost, and they

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USPS has been hit hard by the transition from written letters to electronic communication like PAGE A1 t the Great Recession, a time when emails and text messages. AlUSPS is not funded by taxpayer businesses cut back on mailing. though it delivers less mail today, dollars, and it depends on its own The agency was granted permis- it still needs to maintain the infrarevenue sources – such as post- sion to raise rates in 2014, at structure needed to deliver mail age – to cover its operating costs. which time it tacked on 3 cents to to 155 million addresses in the Stamp prices have typically bring the price of stamps up to 49 United States. risen to cope with inflation, but cents each. However, the increase Prices for postage stamps last customers have paid an “exigent was only meant to be temporary fell in July 1919 when it went down surcharge” in the last two years and is required to rollback 2 cents from 3 cents to 2 cents per ounce. to help keep USPS alive during this year.

(Agnes Constante/AJPress)

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SF Board of Supervisors unanimously approve...

PAGE A1 t Community Plan which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2011. It is located within District 6 in San Francisco.

Per the resolution, SoMa Pilipinas also includes the I-Hotel, Gran Oriente, Rizal Apartments, the Iloilo Circle building, and surrounding areas, including Rizal Street and Lapu Lapu Street due to the historic and cultural significance associated with these buildings and areas.

Within SoMa Pilipinas’ boundary lies Filipino cultural landmarks, including the San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center, the Bayanihan Cultural Center, businesses, institutions, residences, places of worship, buildings, activities and organizations like the Filipina Women’s Network, Kularts, Kearny Street Workship, Veterans Equity Center, and West Bay Pilipino Center.

The resolution describes the South of Market (SoMa) area, which is home to the Bessie Carmichael School/Filipino Education Center (the nation’s first and only elementary school with a curriculum in the Filipino language), Victoria Manalo Draves Park (named after the Fil-Am Olympic champion diver) and Bindlestiff Studio, as an important venue for Filipino cultural activities like the FAAE/Pistahan Parade and Festival, the Parol Festival, Kulinarya and the New Filipino Cinema at Yerba Buena.

The legislation instructs the Planning Department to work with the SoMa Pilipinas working group to “develop a strategic and implementation plan to set policies that promote community development and stabilization, and increase the presence and visibility of the district.”

The resolution calls for the strategic plan for SoMa Pilipinas to be developed by the Planning Department and submitted to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors within six months of the adoption of the resolution.

Community organizers estimate that there are about 1,500 Filipino residents concentrated in the SoMa Pilipinas-Filipino Cultural Heritage District out of the 5,106 Filipinos who reside in District 6. Overall, according to the 2010 Census, there are a total of 36,347 Filipinos living in San Francisco.

Hours before the resolution was adopted, community organizers held a press conference at the steps of the City Hall, urging for a unanimous vote from the Supervisors on the resolution that was tabled in the agenda on Tuesday.

Ligaya Avenida, president of the Filipino-American Development Foundation (FADF) Board, an organization which has, through the years, actively worked to sustain and nurture the Filipino community in SoMa, urged the Supervisors to adopt the resolution unanimously because “it’s not only right, but it is the right thing to do for the city that you represent.”

Avenida, who said that she has witnessed the many contributions given and challenges faced

by Filipino Americans in the area, recalled that this resolution was a dream of Dr. Mario Borja, who had envisioned a center that brought together services and programs that celebrate Filipino culture and history, while serving the needs of the community.

Dr. Borja, according to Avenida, donated the first floor space of the Delta Hotel which he owned that gave birth to the Bayanihan Center.

“Today is a historical event.

Today is the day we make history

Supervisor Jane Kim (on podium) authored a resolution calling for the establishment of SoMa Pilipinas-Filipino Cultural Heritage District in San Francisco. It was co-sponsored by seven other Supervisors, including John Avalos, David Campos, Malia Cohen, Eric Mar, Aaron Peskin, Scott Wiener and Norman Yee.

Community organizers and community leaders pose after a press conference urging the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to unanimously adopt a resolution calling for the establishment of SoMa Pilipinas-Filipino Cultural Heritage District.

AJPress photos by Joseph Peralta

in San Francisco,” she said. “The votes of the Supervisors will allow Filipinos to continue to be a major part of that beautiful tapestry we call San Francisco. Today we will validate the presence of the Filipinos who have lived and worked in the corridors of SoMa for decades, and who have helped to make SoMa what it is today.”

Supervisor Jane Kim (District 6) said she was proud to author this piece of legislation “where we are finally recognizing the Filipino American community in the South of Market.”

“I am a beneficiary of the incredible work of this community.

I live across from the park, the only multi-use park in the South of Market that this community fought for – Victoria Manalo Draves [Park],” Kim related.

“I live across from one of our public school… the only public school to teach Tagalog as part of its program. I’ve been a part of working with this community to make sure our neighborhood is safe for our seniors, for our children, and our pedestrians. And, of course, we are all a beneficiary of the work of this community in fighting to build more affordable housing.”

Supervisor Kim told the audience that this resolution is not only geared to just preserving history and culture. “It is also talking about how we can use land-use controls and economic development tools to make sure that our community continues to stay in the South of Market for decades to come,” she said. “We want to ensure that our community leaders, our diversity, get to stay in San Francisco, and that we are looking to preserving our art institutions… preserve housing and continue to build more.”

Supervisor Avalos, for his part, said that he learned more about the heritage and history of Filipinos in San Francisco when he read the resolution. “It makes so

much sense that we are establishing this cultural district so that we can actually protect the vitality of the cultural institutions that are in the neighborhood, support the economic development of the neighborhood and maintain the existence of Filipinos in the SoMa district,” he stated. Avalos represents District 11, which also has a large number of Filipino residents.

SoMa resident and community worker Juvy Barbonio spoke on the implications the legislation will have on the SoMa district.

“It’s fitting that today the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to begin creating land use policies for SoMa Pilipinas. The community sees SoMa Pilipinas as going beyond just signs and murals. We need land use policies to keep residents and workers like me in the neighborhood. We need policies that will preserve and encourage our nonprofits, cultural institutions and businesses,” she said.

“SoMa is still the cultural touchstone for Filipino culture in the Bay Area. We have institutions that exist nowhere else in the US. Filipinos from across the Bay Area attend church in SoMa, celebrate festivals in SoMa, and visit friends and families in SoMa,” Barbonio continued, even as she recalled the displacement experienced by Filipinos in San Francisco, particularly in an area designated before as Manilatown (which was next to Chinatown), as well as in the Fillmore and Yerba Buena.

“I am a resident of the South of Market. And I am happy to celebrate today as the start of recognizing my neighborhood as SoMa Pilipinas,” Barbonio stated.

Aside from Supervisors Kim and Avalos, others who spoke at the midday press conference included Supervisors David Campos, Norman Yee, Eric Mar, and Atty. Lourdes Tancinco of the Veterans Equity Center.

Pacquiao defeats Bradley...

PAGE A2 t

ter his win, Pacquiao affirmed he was retiring.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, however, said he believes the boxer’s retirement is more of a trial separation.

“He’s torn. His wife wants him to retire. He’s running for office, and if he wins, which he will, there will be tremendous responsibilities that go with that,” Arum said, according to ESPN. Arum also said that Pacquiao may need a big paycheck in the near future. The Filipino fighter reportedly was set to receive $20 million for his third fight against Bradley. For his fight in the ring with Mayweather in May, he reportedly earned $160 million.

“He doesn’t have money problems now, but of course he’s going to have money problems if he’s going to be building hospitals out of his own pocket instead of letting the [Philippine] government build the hospitals,” Arum said, according to ESPN. His trainer, Freddie Roach, has said leading up to the match that he would support whatever decision Pacquiao made.

“I loved the way Manny threw his combos. He may be a little rusty, but if he wants to continue fighting, I think he can still go,”

Pacquiao, fresh from his win against the “scientific” Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, said his recent bout was more challenging than his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year, where he lost in a unanimous decision.

Inquirer.net photo

Roach said.

After the fight, when a questioner pointed out to Pacquiao that it seemed like his family wanted him to retire more than he did, he laughed.

“In my heart I’m 50-50. But I love my family, and I won’t hurt my family, my kids. I don’t know, I might enjoy my retired life or I might want to come back. It’s hard to say because I’m not there yet. But right now, my decision is to retire,” he said, according to ESPN. Pacquiao returned to the Philippines with his family on Thursday, April 14, where he was met with

fans and media at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He also met with Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach at Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.

When he arrived back home, the Filipino champ went straight to a press conference where he said he was content with his boxing achievements and thanked fans for their prayers and support.

He did not, however, confirm if he is retiring from boxing for good, Philstar.com reported.

“Yes, I am retired as of now,” he told reporters at the airport lobby.

“I want to be with my family and to serve my people.”

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Duterte accepts Binay dare to bare medical records

by NiñA

P. CAllejA Inquirer.net

ease,” the mayor said, drawing laughter from journalists.

“Mahirap kasi magbilang lalo MANILA—Presidential canna bilyon bilyon yun. (It is difdidate, Davao City Mayor Roficult to count billions of mondrigo Duterte, has accepted ey),” he said the challenge of his rival, Vice Duterte said he would willPresident Jejomar Binay, to ingly put his medical history to bare his medical records and public scrutiny but the doctor prove he is physically fit to run who should be examining Binay the country. should be Duterte’s doctor and Duterte, however, has one vice versa. condition: each of them would The Davao City mayor has be examined by each other’s admitted that he has Buerger’s doctor. disease, a rare disease of the “Yes, basta maghubad siya sa arteries and veins as a result of harap ko at makita ng tao kung his smoking. sino ang may sakit (Yes as long “He has no ailments except as he would undress in front the Buerger’s disease. That was why he had stopped smoking,” Duterte’s former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman said at the celebration of her 68th birthday in Cebu.

Duterte announced previously that he wouldn’t be able to finish the six-year term, citing health issues and possible threats to his life.

He, however, denied in previous interviews that he was suffering from throat cancer.

Rumor has it that Duterte has been undergoing dialysis twice a week.

Asked about that, Duterte told reporters: “Nasaan?” baring both his arms where diPresidential candidates Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Jejomar Binay. alysis treatment would usually Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon leave scars.

PAGE A3 t

of me and everyone else. Let’s see who is sick),” Duterte told reporters in an interview in Bulacan on Wednesday, April 13.

Binay claimed the 71-year-old Davao City mayor would not be able to finish his six-year-term due to sickness.

But Duterte responded to Binay’s allegation by again making fun of him.

“Have you seen Binay’s hands during the debate last time? I am not sure if he was just nervous or if he was really sick,” the comic Duterte said showing both his hands shaking.

“Maybe that is a thief’s dis-

Hot, hot day...

Celsius, the weather bureau calls for “extreme caution.”

Once the heat index breaches 54 degrees Celsius, Pagasa considers it the “extreme danger” level.

Looming food crisis In 2007-2008, a strong El Niño ravaged farms around the world, drastically affecting harvests and pushing up prices of commodities, including rice.

The Laguna-based Irri sees another food crisis threatening the world and attributes it to El Niño and the overall trend of climate change.

The situation remains stable and the threat will advance or decline depending on whether rice importing countries panic as they did almost 10 years ago, Irri said in a statement Wednesday.

The Food and Agriculture Organization, in an update on the impact of the current El Niño on food security and the needed interventions, placed 25 countries, including the Philippines, on “high priority” for early action and response.

Irri said the current El Niño had resulted in lower harvests and irregular planting in several riceproducing countries.

“Combined with lower stocks in a few key countries, emerging patterns in regional and global grain supply threaten the repeat of the painful rice price crisis in 20072008,” Irri said.

Joint action “To address such a crisis at a maximum impact, joint action is needed among countries, particularly the Asean+3 and India—recognizing shared responsibility as well as shared investment—and a regional trade outlook,” it said.

Asean+3 refers to the trading bloc that includes the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Vietnam—and the group’s three nearest dialog partners (China, Japan and South Korea).

Irri said the 2007-2008 price spike prompted Asean to draw up a regional integrated food security framework along with a strategic plan of action.

This in turn led to the setting up of the Asean+3 Emergency Rice Reserve (Apterr) in 2012, aimed at ensuring the long-term food security and livelihood of the people in the East Asian region . “[But Apterr’s] organization has been quite delayed and its feasibility yet to be tested by a major challenge,” Irri said.

The institute added that beyond the framework and the plan, “much more needs to be done, and regional cooperation will be essential to manage a food crisis.”

Rice reserve In September 2011, the Asean+3 nations signed the agreement to create Apterr, committing the 13 signatories to build up a reserve of 787,000 tons of rice in anticipation of instabilities in supply resulting from natural disasters.

The Apterr pact also commits the 13 countries, which together account for two-thirds of global rice production and more than half of global rice exports, to raise $4 million for an endowment fund.

The Philippines was committed to contribute 12,000 tons of rice for the stock and $107,500 for the fund.

Sam Mohanty, chief of Irri’s

social sciences division, said in a blog post the risk of another global price spike largely depended on whether importing countries would panic as they did in 20072008.

“Despite the current stability in the rice market, there are reasons for concern about the direction of the market in the medium term,” Mohanty said, referring to mid-tolate 2016.

Citing data from the US Department of Agriculture, Mohanty noted that the world’s five major exporters—India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States—continue to decrease every year since peaking at about 41 million tons in 2013.

Shrinking inventory Data from the USDA show that the Top 5’s combined inventory will shrink by the biggest amount this year, by 40 percent to 19 million tons from 32 million tons in 2015—the tightest supply situation since the price spikes of 20072008.

Still, prices are expected to remain “fairly stable” until early next year, especially if harvests in the major rice-growing countries in the coming wet season turn out to be normal.

But a less-than-usual crop due to some major weather event might push major exporting and importing countries like the Philippines to the limit.

“If they panic similar to what happened in 2007-2008 and resort to excessive buying and export restrictions, then another price spike is in the offing,” he said.

“However, if they keep their cool and remain rational regarding their needs, the market price may still go up, but only to a level that is consistent with market fundamentals,” he said. (With a report from Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon)

Mar Roxas: I will win because I am not corrupt

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA—Despite being a laggard in surveys, Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II boldly predicted Thursday, April 14 that he would win in the upcoming elections even as he took swipe at his opponents during a gathering of his allies.

Roxas said he would emerge victorious in the 2016 polls because he is not corrupt, he does not act like a dictator, and he is a Filipino, obviously alluding to the issues confronting his rivals Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Grace Poe. “My countrymen, my bosses: we are honorable, we are decent and we will truly win,” Roxas told his cheering supporters atthe Club Filipino in San Juan.

“We will win because we are not corrupt. We will win because we do not act like a dictator. We will win because we are Filipinos,” he added.

Vice president Jejomar Binay, who defeated Roxas in the 2010 vice presidential race, has been linked to allegedly overpriced projects in Makati, where he served as mayor for many years.

Duterte, meanwhile, has been criticized for supposedly having criminals killed in Davao City despite lack of due process. The criticisms, however, did not seem to weaken the mayor’s support base as he topped the recent presidential surveys of pollsters Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.

Poe, a neophyte senator who became an American citizen in 2001 but reacquired her Filipino citizenship five years later, faced disqualification cases that stemmed from questions about her citizenship. The Supreme Court, however, allowed her to run for president.

Despite the endorsement of President Aquino, who has consistently posted high satisfaction and trust ratings, Roxas continues to trail behind his opponents in pre-election surveys. He languished at fourth place behind Duterte, Poe and Binay in the latest presidential polls conducted Pulse Asia Social Weather Stations.

The gathering of Roxas’ sup-

Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas is surrounded by a sea of yellow led by President Benigno Aquino III at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Thursday, April 14.

porters in Club Filipino was held a few days after Duterte topped the pre-election surveys. It was also held after some of Roxas’ allies jumped ship and pledge allegiance to other presidential candidates.

House Speaker and LP campaign manager Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, clarified that the event was not a loyalty check.

“Pampapalaks ng loob ito (It was meant to boost our morale),” Belmonte told reporters in an interview.

“I think the purpose of this gathering is for everybody to meet one another again and to reaffirm that we are all united here, that we are behind Mar,” he added.

Belmonte said he is confident that “at the end of the day, the Filipino people will choose the best person for the job.”

LP spokesman and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said the event was a “show of force” and a “victory march.”

“We have seen local governments benefit from the daang matuwid (straight path). They want it to continue,” he said.

“We believe that the governors and congressmen here can deliver votes (for Roxas),” he added.

Roxas claimed that he is the only presidential aspirant who has the track record to fulfill his promises.

“Despite our successes, some people will try to derail our reforms because the corrupt and the criminals know that if our countrymen are free from poverty, they can no longer be fooled or abused,” he said.

“My countrymen, my bosses, it is easy to criticize. But let us examine the criticisms hurled at us.

Isn’t it that they are saying those things because they cannot fund solutions to the problems?”

Roxas went on to recite a litany of statistics about the Aquino administration’s accomplishments that he promised to sustain and to expand. He said such achievements enabled the Philippines to become “Asia’s bright star” from being the “sick man of Asia.”

According to Roxas, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), an intervention that provides financial assistance to families who send their children to school, has benefitted 4.5 million people. He said the PhilHealth program has paid for the medical expenses of 6.5 million patients.

Roxas also credited the Aquino administration for the construction of 187,000 classrooms.

“We will win because while others are delivering promises, we are already working,” the LP presidential bet said.

“A progressive and decent future has started,” he added.

Roxas vowed to create new jobs, enhance the country’s transportation system, improve airports and seaports, address the perennial traffic problem in Metro Manila, recover fully the coco levy funds, increase scholarships, lower power rates, and provide high-speed internet in schools. He also promised to fill up half of cabinet positions with women and to appoint officials who are competent and professional.

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According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the heat index in Cabanatuan City reached 52.3 degrees Celsius at 2pm Tuesday, April 12, surpassing the earlier record on Monday at 51 degrees.

Photo by Mark Hillary

San Francisco passes law mandating...

PAGE A4 t

feel like it’s kind of relentless, it’s one thing after the next,” said Dee Dee Workman, vice president of public policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, according to the Associated Press.

Despite critics, Wiener said he’s confident other cities and states will take notice of what is happening in San Francisco. “[Every time] San Francisco adopts a local pro-worker ordinance, we’re told that it’s going to be the end of the world for

businesses,” Wiener said, according to The Guardian. “What ends up happening is the state and sometimes the federal government follows our lead ...”

Another ordinance the city approved for workers was a $15 hourly minimum wage or workers, which passed in 2014. On Monday, April 4, the governors of New York and California signed off on legislation raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Among supporters of paid parental leave include tech companies Google and Facebook. Oth-

ers like eBay and Spotify provide employees six months of fullypaid parental leave, while Netflix announced unlimited parental leave for the first year after a child is born.

Vicki Shabo, vice-president of the National Partnership for Women and Families, praised local San Francisco leaders for supporting the measure.

“There’s a growing consensus that the nation must do something to address this,” she said, according to The Guardian. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

A

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Features

Plan B

EVEN the temptation of a possible rematch—and vengeance— against Floyd Mayweather Jr. will not stop Manny Pacquiao from stepping into retirement, in boxing at least.

Ending his illustrious boxing career on a high note, Pacquiao emerged victorious in his last fight—winning via a unanimous decision against a formidable opponent in Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 9.

After scoring two knockdowns in rounds 7 and 9, it was no surprise that all three judges had it 116-110, 116-110 and 116-110 in favor of Pacquiao.

“I was looking for a knockout every round. His style is to counter punch. But I countered him.

He was different to the last two fights, and he improved. I can still fight - but I made the decision to retire tonight, work for my people and spend more time with my family,” Pacquiao told his cheering fans as he confirmed that his 66th fight would be his last.

“Thank you to all the fans in boxing, especially the Filipino people. I’ve really appreciated all your help and support,” Pacquiao added.

The 37-year-old Filipino champion vowed to focus on his political career. Pacquiao is a candidate for the senatorial race on the upcoming Philippine elections on May 9.

The whole world stood witness to Pacquiao’s rise to the top: from a struggling 14-year-old boy, who left his home in Mindanao, he became

the best fighter of his generation.

In his journey, Pacquiao managed to have millions of adoring fans.

His followers are so devoted to him that they still find cause to celebrate even in his defeat.

All his hard work has manifested into millions of earnings, a successful showbiz career and a legislative post as Congressman of the Saranggani province. His fame has catapulted him to become one of the most revered Filipino icons of all time.

And why not? After all, his achievements supersede Pacquiao himself—winning eight championships in different weight divisions by beating boxing champions from around the world.

His reign as king of the ring is over. Now, Pacquiao wants his (eligible to vote) Filipino fans to join him on his next endeavor.

Celebrities, who venture into politics, are not an uncommon sight in the Philippines—and Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao is one of them. However, his explosive punches and agility may not be able to guarantee him votes to win a senate seat.

With only a few weeks left until Filipinos cast their votes, Pacquiao must prove why he is worthy to occupy one of the country’s highest legislative posts. (AJPress)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

How to vote in the May Philippine elections

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-reloS YOU care about the Philippines. You want the next president and vice-president to really lead the nation toward progress, peace, order. You want to see more employment opportunities in the Philippines so you can come home and settle down in the Motherland for good, or have a loved one come back and never have to leave again . You want your hard earned dollar that you send to the Philippines really go a long way for your loved ones and not for some thieves in the government bureaucracy.

Channel the frustration into hope, and hope into reality by

exercising your right to VOTE. If you are a Filipino citizen or a dual citizen, then your vote will count in the May 9 Philippine election. You vote may in fact be a swing vote that can decide who will win in the election.

How do you do this? The voting process has become so simple and fast, especially with the voting machines that can now electronically receive your vote and transmit results to the Philippine Commission on Elections.

But for your vote to be counted, you have to do what you need to do as a responsible citizen.

The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” has been airing information stories to guide you in the new voting process.

If you live in a city that is near the Consulate or Embassy, then enjoy the pride and experience

of going there to cast your vote as internationally renowned Pinay Broadway singer and actress Lea Salonga did. If not, let this information from the report by Balitang America’s New York Correspondent Don Tagala serve as your guide: Since April 9, Filipino overseas absentee voters who registered for the 2016 Philippine elections will start receiving voting packets from their respective Philippine consulates.

The packet contains a paper seal, a return envelope, an instruction manual in Tagalog and the ballot itself.

In a press conference, Consul Kerwin Tate said the ballots are shorter than the ones in Philippines because local positions are excluded.

Using only black ink pens, Tate showed how to completely

shade their choices for president, vice president, 12 senators and a party list.

The machine may not be able to count a vote if pencils or any other colors are used and if shading is incomplete.

“If you mark two for the president, that will not be counted. Not invalid but it will not be counted,” said Tate. “If you mark 13 senators that will not be counted either but if you put 11, that’s an under vote that will be counted.”

Fold the ballot and place it in the return envelope. Do not use any other envelope other than the provided official return envelope.

Seal the envelope and place the provided paper seal sticker on the top flap.

Fill out the blanks on the face of the envelope.

“You will put your signature and write your name, there’s a box where you sign,” added Tate. “There’s a box where you sign your name and then you buy your stamp for the ballot.”

Voters have the option to main in their ballot or deliver the ballot in person to their respective consulates.

On Mondays and Thursdays, voters also have the option to personally feed their ballots into the vote counting machines at their Philippine Consulates between 9am until 5pm.

In accordance with a recent Philippine Supreme Court ruling, a ballot receipt will now be printed after each feeding.

Registered voters who have home address changes or who have not received their ballots may email the Philippine Consulate in New York at vot-

ersid2016@gmail.com or fax their change of address at (212) 764-6010.

“We encourage them to fill up the ballot and to mail it immediately,” said Consul General Mario de Leon.

Whether by mail or hand-delivered, completed ballots must be received at their consulates before 5am on May 9, otherwise late ballots or tampered ballots will not be counted.

SIGE NA! BOTO NA! Let your voice be heard and your vote be counted! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective. com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.

Relos

The Kidapawan clash: A crisis of leadership

Street Talk GreG B. MacaBenta I CAN’T help comparing the clash of farmer-activists and PNP and government authorities in Kidapawan, North Cotabato with the oft-told anecdote about the three priests, a Dominican, a Franciscan and a Jesuit (actually, the roles and the priestly orders vary, depending on who is telling the story).

At any rate, the three were meeting in a room when the light suddenly went out. The Dominican immediately began a philosophical discourse on why the room was suddenly enshrouded in darkness. The Franciscan knelt down and prayed for the light to come back on. And the Jesuit went out to change the light bulb.

While many in mainstream and social media have called the incident a “massacre,” I have prudently avoided using the term because police authorities have characterized it differently. Suffice it to say that there were injuries inflicted on both sides, with the farmers suffering at least three confirmed fatalities (and several disappearances).

As of the last media reports, the parties on both sides of the conflict are still doing what the Dominican did in the anecdote - railing about how and why it happened while hurling blame at each other.

Officials of the PNP insist that they did not start the clash and that they were the victims rather than the oppressors because several peace officers were hurt, some seriously. They have also blamed the New People’s Army for inciting the confrontation.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas has not spared the invectives against the “heartlessness” of the government, in the process endearing the Left among the rural folk. And, the other day, the chief executive of North Cotabato, Gov. Lala Talino-Mendoza, was busy on media blaming everyone for it, except herself. Inexplicably, she also took offense at those who offered food supplies to the farmers, calling the humanitarian attempt “Nakakainsulto” (insulting).

From what I gather, TalinoMendoza resented what she perceived as an attempt by “interested parties” to exploit the incident for political brownie points at her expense and that of the Liberal Party and its presidential candidate, Mar Roxas.

There are also those who, like the Franciscan, have been praying for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and for the proverbial rule of law to prevail – which, frankly, is neither here nor there.

To some extent, Mar Roxas appears to fall in this category.

Roxas was quoted in media declaring that the “first task is to restore order to the area and make sure that no clash happens

again.” He also “called on the PNP and other concerned agencies to investigate as to the true cause of the clash and, if warranted, to punish those accountable.”

And what about the President of the Republic of the Philippines? We are told that His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III is still waiting to get a full picture of the incident before he makes any statement on it.

Here’s how it is explained by Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Underscretary Manuel Quezon III (I run of out of breath every time I say the titles of these Malacanang executives): “I do believe the President will refrain from making any statements until he has fully studied the matter and is given and is satisfied with all the answers that he has received as a result of demanding an impartial and thorough investigation.”

Ergo, don’t expect any presidential comments on the incident until after, perhaps, the 40th day after the burial of the fatalities (babang luksa), which would be after the presidential elections, which would make any comments of Aquino meaningless and irrelevant anyway.

And to think Aquino was schooled under the Jesuits and not the Dominicans.

But Aquino is not the only one who finds it more convenient to discuss the hows, whys and wherefores of the problem rath-

er than to confront, address and alleviate the problem.

The question is, at the end of the day (to paraphrase a favorite cliché of Aquino), are these loud noises filling the hungry stomachs of the protesting farmers and their families to address the core of the conflict?

In other words, is anybody changing the light bulb?

There are several reasons why the clash – the conflict – the massacre – call it what you may - came about and, depending on whose version is being told, it’s always the other side’s fault. But at the very heart of this crisis is an even bigger one: A crisis of leadership.

Anyone familiar with the dynamics of conflict and intrigue will tell you that the Kidapawan situation, like many similar situations in the rural areas across the Philippines, was – and still is – a recipe for a grassroots uprising.

The rural poor, punished by the scourge of El Nino, are fair game for being incited and inflamed. Like those who joined Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan at Biak na Bato, they are ripe for ripping their virtual cedulas. It just takes someone to light the fuse. And the Left is expert at it.

But for the fuse to be lighted and the flames to ignite, it takes a “manhid” and “palpak” (numb and incompetent) set of national and provincial officials to provide the fuel, as well as armed and trigger happy police or

military officers to set the whole situation ablaze.

So how did this become a crisis of leadership?

It takes a leader – seasoned, compassionate, decisive, wise – to understand the dynamics involved. It takes street wise insights to note that any false move – any unthinking decision – could ignite the incendiary situation – mainly because those who brought it about really intend the situation to explode.

What did the Kidapawan farmers want? Rice. Were there stocks available? According to government sources, there were stocks “pre-positioned” for calamities. Why did the provincial government not want to give it to them? Because the palpak and manhid leaders felt that the poor folk were being exploited by some sinister quarters – either political enemies or the Left – and goaded to resort to anarchy.

The provincial government, as well as the national government, could have defused the situation by immediately providing relief to the hungry farmers, thus buying them time to take control of the crisis and deprive the intriguers of their weapon of mass incitement. Instead, they allowed their amor propio, their political agenda and their incompetence to get the better of them – thus falling prey to the other side’s game plan.

Indeed, it takes a seasoned leader to be able to handle a sensitive situation like this. Unfor-

tunately, our current president has proven himself incapable of dealing with a crisis.

And what about the crop of “presidentiables”?

How about someone with an itchy trigger finger, whose idea of bringing about peace and order is by making the “troublemakers” rest in peace? Or how about an ivy leaguer who doesn’t know enough to bring a weather expert along to manage a crisis posed by the strongest typhoon on record?

Or an ailing shrew whose idea of solving a problem is by challenging everyone involved to a debate? And how about a former grade school teacher who would wake up the military command in case of a crisis with a foreign enemy? Does Grace Poe realize that an impending conflict with a foreign enemy is not supposed to catch the military leadership and the national leadership sleeping? Good grief!!!

As far as I can tell, the only presidential candidate who would have known how to defuse the Kidapawan crisis is someone who has fought alongside the Left and knows the dynamics of intrigue and conflict, who has fought on the side of the government, armalite in hand, in the face of near-successful coups and, most of all, who understands that the way to fight poverty is not by killing the poor.

Like it or not – it takes a Jojo Binay. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 15-21, 2016

Sotto back on top in Senate race

“WINNING is enough,” Sen. Vicente Sotto III said dismissively of his top ranking in the latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the TV network ABSCBN, after regaining the No. 1 slot briefly held by Senate President Franklin Drilon in another senatorial poll.

According to the nationwide survey results released on Tuesday, 49.4 percent of respondents would vote for Sotto if the elections were held anytime between March 29 and April 3, the week when the poll was conducted.

Statistically, Drilon tied with Sotto, with 48.9 percent of respondents indicating their preference for the Senate official.

The survey, which used faceNATIONAL ARTISTS. President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the Order of National Artist awardees for a snap shot during the conferment ceremonies at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, April 14. Also in photo are (in any order) Alicia to-face interviews with 4,000 Garcia Reyes-Dance, Filomena Coching (wife)-Visual Arts (Postumous), Rebecca Feliciano (wife)-Music (Posthumous), Pilar Zaragoza registered voters, had a margin (wife)-Architecture (Posthumous), Ramon Santos-Music and Cirilo Bautista-Literature, Manuel Jun Urbano (son)-Film (Posthumous), of error of plus-or-minus 1.5 Christian Alcuaz (son)-Visual Arts and Raphael Francisco (son)-Literature (Posthumous).

Malacañang photo by Lauro Montellano, Jr. percentage points.

Statistical chance Of the 50 senatorial candidates in the coming May 9 elections, 12 have a “statistical

by Jefferson AntipordA chance” of winning based on the And JomAr CAnlAs survey results. Aside from Sotto ManilaTimes.net and Drilon, also on the probable winners’ circle were former Sen. UNLIKE junket operator Kam Francis Pangilinan (45 percent), Sin “Kim” Wong who has volunformer Sen. Panfilo Lacson tarily surrendered to the authori(43.9 percent), former Rep. Juan ties a portion of the $81 million Miguel Zubiri (37.3 percent), stolen by hackers from the Banglaformer Justice Secretary Leila de desh Bank, the Rizal Commercial Lima (36.5 percent), Sen. Sergio Banking Corporation (RCBC) has Osmeña III (34.1 percent), Sen. not expressed any willingness to Ralph Recto (34), and Sarangani return the amount it earned from Rep. Manny Pacquiao (33.6). converting the dollars to PhilipOfficials from the Bangladeshi embassy (left) attend a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing Trailing them but also inside pine pesos, Senator Teofisto Guinon the $81-million money laundering that started with the cyber-heist at the Bangladesh the Magic 12 circle were forgona III said. central bank’s account in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The money eventually found Guingona, chairman of the its way into several accounts opened at the Rizal Commerial Banking Corp. (RCBC). At far left mer Sen. Richard Gordon (32.6), former Technical Education Senate blue ribbon committee, is casino junket operator Kim Wong who has returned $4.6 million. and Skills Development Authoron Monday, April 11 said RCBC Inquirer.net photos by Lyn Rillon ity (Tesda) chief Joel Villanueva officials have not expressed an Senators are expected to grill intention to return the money the owners of Philrem, the remitdespite being aware that the tance firm that handled the distriforeign currency it converted to bution of the stolen fund to Solaire peso came into the country ille- Resorts and casino junket operagally. tors.

The senator noted that the bank Wong, who turned over $4.6 claimed that it only made P2 mil- million and P38.38 million to the lion for converting $61 million of BSP, claimed that Philrem, owned the $81 million that was trans- by Michael and Salud Bautista, ferred to the RCBC Jupiter Branch still has in its possession $17 milin Makati City (Metro Manila) on lion but the firm denied it.

February 5.

Guingona said they still want RCBC officials have been at- the Bautistas to explain how they tending Senate hearings on the remitted the money because the multimillion-dollar laundering testimonies they gave recently to scandal. the committee were full of incon“There has been no commit- sistencies. ment from the RCBC,” Guingona According to PhilRem, it transsaid when asked if the bank would ferred P600 million and $18 milalso do its share in the efforts to lion in six tranches – the first derecover the money in behalf of livered by their messengers to the Bangladesh.

Solaire casino.

“We will see if they [RCBC offiThe rest of the money was cials] are giving the correct figures picked up from Bautista’s home. since the Central Bank [Bangko But Salud Bautista said the enSentral ng Pilipinas] and the AMLC tire amount was delivered to Chi[Anti-Money Laundering Council] nese businessman Weikang Xu at will be conducting an audit,” he Solaire. added.

Bautista also did not mention The senator said that even if the Wong’s name during the first hearentire $81 million that entered the ing, despite the fact that Wong was RCBC had been withdrawn, it does among those prominently involved not mean that the bank did not get in the transaction. anything from it.

Guingona said the committee is The blue ribbon committee re- determined to find out who is tellsumed its inquiry into the $81 mil- ing the truth and he is willing to lion laundering scandal on Tues- subject them to a lie detector test day, April 12. if they are willing.

‘No commitment from RCBC’ on return of stolen money

Pulse Asia: Still a fourway race for president

by JAnviC

mAteo Philstar.com

MANILA—Despite the recent surge in survey ratings of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, an executive of pollster Pulse Asia still believes that the upcoming elections will be a tight race.

Pulse Asia research director Ana Maria Tabunda noted the fluidity in the survey results of the presidential bets since the start of election season.

She also noted that the other bets have trained their guns on Duterte in recent days and this may affect his numbers.

“We don’t know how his supporters will take it, especially the ones who have recently shifted support,” said Tabunda.

Duterte solidified his lead in the latest Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys released this week.

The tough-talking mayor obtained the lead with 27 percent in the March 30 to April 2 SWS survey released on Monday, April 11.

He was followed by Sen. Grace Poe with 23 percent, Vice President Jejomar Binay with 20 percent and Liberal Party candidate Manuel Roxas II with 18 percent.

In the March 29-April 3 Pulse Asia survey commissioned by ABS-CBN and released on Tuesday, Duterte led with 30 percent, followed by Poe with 25 percent.

Binay and Roxas are statistically tied for third place with 20 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago trailed in both surveys, obtaining three percent in SWS and two percent in Pulse Asia.

In recent days, Duterte’s rivals, particularly Binay and Roxas, have pounded on his track record, particularly the allegations of extrajudicial killings thrown at him.

While fluidity is observed in pre-election surveys, there is a

high turnout in the first three days of overseas absentee voting (OAV) for the May 2016 elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Commissioner Arthur Lim said 32,364 Filipinos, mostly from Middle East and Asia Pacific, cast their votes as of press time.

Filipinos in the Middle East and Africa registered the highest number of those who cast their votes so far at 14,453, followed by voters from Asia Pacific with 13,081, Europe with 4,485 and the Americas and Canada with 345.

He also said many Filipino overseas voters are encouraged to participate because of the tight battle for the presidency as well as the Comelec’s dissemination of information about OAV. “Because this is a close fight among presidential candidates, it is but natural for candidates and their supporters to give their utmost attention not only locally but also abroad, because the votes from the more than one million overseas voters can affect the results of the elections,” he explained.

Lim also admitted that there were minor hitches such as reports of vote counting machines (VCMs) bogging down, voters with deactivated records requesting to vote and reports of cheating.

Regarding reports of cheating spreading online, Lim said it was not true but the Comelec would initiate an investigation.

The Comelec also put in place security features to ensure the credibility of the OAV. Lim said there are CCTV cameras in the polling precincts and each political party has its own watchers to prevent tampering of ballots.

Valesa said both the ballots and the envelopes being used in manual voting have serial numbers to ensure that these would not be tampered with. (With Mayen Jaymalin)

A

Sen. Vicente Sotto III

(32.3 percent), and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros (32.1 percent).

According to the survey, 34 percent of voters already have a complete senatorial slate.

Performance Sotto said he was not aiming for the any particular ranking in the actual elections despite his being first in most voter popularity surveys. The senator attributed his strong showing in surveys to his performance in the Senate for the past six years.

“I have taken my job seriously and I intend to do so if reelected,” Sotto said, adding that “surveys (were) good guides so you can get feedback on what areas you need to improve on.”

‘Elated’ Drilon similarly expressed satisfaction at the survey results.

“This is the fourth time that I am running for senator, but it still

warms the heart to know that there are still a lot of our countrymen who believe in and support me,” he said in a text message.

“I will make sure to work even harder in the coming Congress to show that (voters) have made the right choice,” Drilon added.

Gordon admitted to being “elated” at the survey results, and said that he “generally uses surveys as a (private) guide, not as propaganda material.”

Meager resources He added however that he was “happy that despite our meager resources, people are taking a look at our credentials. We’ve been in the top 12 from the beginning, that’s why I’m elated.

It’s my hope that people will look at the surveys and find out who are the most suitable for the job among us.” (With a report from Christine O. Avendaño and Leila B. Salaverria)

A APRIL 15-21, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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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 A P R I L 1 5, 20 1 6

Francisco H. Licuanan iii

chairman and cEO Of GEOEstatE dEvElOpmEnt cOrp.

Giving back by building better communities in the Philippines

by Christina

RetiRement is often viewed as a period to slow down and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor, but such is not the case for mr.

Francisco H. Licuanan iii.

After serving as property developer Ayala Land inc.’s founding president for 16 years, mr. Licuanan retired on schedule in 2004. During his tenure, he helped propel the company to its status as the largest real estate developer in the Philippines, overseeing residential and commercials developments, such as Greenbelt and Glorietta in makati and Bonifacio Global City, among many others. though he was supposed to be retired, he spent the next two years dabbling in government and consulting. However, he had his eye set on returning to the real estate business — this time as an entrepreneur.

From there, the Ateneo and Harvard educated investment banker-turned real estate icon founded Geoestate Development Corp. in 2006 as a smaller real estate company that would cater to the middle-income market. “i wanted to get back to business itself but at a different level because when you’re at the corporate level and in a fairly senior position, you wind up getting more and more separated from the actual product itself — from designing the product, making sure it fits the needs of the customers and actually talking to them,” he told the Asian Journal during a recent interview. “Once you’re at the corporate level and managing a large corporation, you’re sort of detached. You spend more of your time administering…and less and less time in the actual doing of a business.”

Working downward from the corporate level was refreshing, mr. Licuanan shared, because he could devote more attention to each aspect of the projects, from the designing process to the turnover to buyers.

He brought miriam Katigbak (who had also retired from Ayala Land) on board as president and chief operating officer, while he would be the company’s chair and chief executive officer.

“We made a deliberate decision that we would not become a large company… because that’s not what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives,” he said.

Attention to detail today, mr. Licuanan is 71 years old, and shows no signs of stopping. Rather, his second wind in the real estate business is just heating up.

Despite the years spent in the real estate industry, starting a new venture was not without

M. Oriel /AJPress

challenges. Among the top three obstacles mr. Licuanan identified were no track record and established reputation, financial constraints and limited operations.

However, he shared that Geoestate has overcome them by developing personal relationships with buyers, which in turn helps build that reputation and attracting financial support. in terms of operations, where unlike a corporation, experts are readily available, Geoestate tends to hire people at the start of their careers and do more training.

Keeping the company at its current size has perks, mr. Licuanan said, because it will never have more than three projects on the table simultaneously in order to Sonria’s 3 Bedroom Premium Model Unit preserve the attention to detail tower residential development and customers. that caters to expats, overseas “One of the things we at Filipinos and Filipinos who work in [Geoestate] pride ourselves in is that we don’t leave the designing the area. makati was chosen for the company’s first project to capture to the architects. We work with them. the buildings we build and ‘the best real estate potential.’

“Basically in the Philippine products we sell are not simply market, we rent to two people: expressions of architects’ artistic expats or people who still have desires, but are still functional in not reached the economic level the point of view of the actual of buying their own homes. in person who would live there,” he the US, there is a lot of changing said. of residences and mobility, but Further, more time can be in the Philippines, not so much,” spent on researching emerging mr. Licuanan said. “You have to markets before larger companies focus your products close to the can do so. business districts because that’s “We look for products that where the potential is — the are somewhat unique. i have expats and workers are there. stress ‘somewhat’ because that’s why our first product is in there is nothing that is totally makati. it was not intended solely unique in real estate, but it is for the foreign market but it lends something that has not been itself to that.” tried in that particular market the third tower of the Beacon or location,” mr. Licuanan said. is slated to be finished in 2017, and “People may perceive that the in keeping with the company’s market is not ready for it. Again, philosophy, it caters to the middleas a small company, we have to class market, yet has amenities identify opportunities before that were once only afforded to the big companies do, and get the upper echelon. Some of the in and take advantage of the amenities include a 50-meter, opportunities and offer them to Olympic length swimming pool, the market.” large entertainment areas and a Building communities theater.

Geoestate currently has in Alabang, a southern suburb three projects: the third and final of metro manila, Sonria is the first tower of the Beacon in makati; high-end condominium for the Sonria, a high-end residential area that is traditionally known condominium in Alabang; and Soluna, a subdivision community for single, detached homes. With 88 units, the intention is to build a in Bacoor, Cavite. community and have residents get “[W]hen we talk to potential to know one another. buyers abroad, we look at them Lastly, mr. Licuanan as ‘users’ (meaning they will use the condo) or ‘investors.’ From the enthusiastically detailed the progress of Soluna, a private United States, the buyers tend to community in Bacoor, Cavite. be both because they may use Unlike the two other projects, the unit for the time being but plan to rent it out. We have to sell Soluna has 200 homes and them a product, which generates is rooted in fostering a safe, neighborhood ambiance, where a good rental yield even if they initially plan to live there first,” mr. families can walk around and enjoy amenities no more than three Licuanan explained. blocks from their home.

On the corner of Arnaiz and Straying away from the trend Roces Streets in business district of putting common areas at the makati sits the Beacon, a three

AJPress photo by Joseph L. Peralta

edges of a development, Geoestate designed to have them at the middle of the subdivision, “because the idea is that you should be able to walk from anywhere in the subdivision to the park, the multipurpose hall, the swimming pool and you are never more than two or three blocks away,” he said.

He added, “it’s convenient and people can walk and don’t have to take their cars. Children can walk to the park from their homes without worrying about crossing busy streets or traffic.” managing political and economic transitions With the Philippine national elections less than a month away, Filipinos abroad are closely awaiting the results, which may influence their investment decisions in the coming year.

However, mr. Licuanan assures that there is no need to worry about the transition to another

president. “i don’t see any of the candidates changing the policies dramatically. What we’re talking about is who is better at implementation and will get things done quickly. Will there be more or less corruption?” he posed.

Adding, “of course who is president matters…But at the policy level, if you look at all the presidents after mr. marcos, what you’ll see is a convergence of policy. Actually, they aren’t that far apart…the bigger questions are going to be the macro conditions external to the country that the president will have to manage. the world is…a more unpredictable place now.”

As the Philippines continues to position itself as a global player, mr. Licuanan proposed that the government to figure out “how to take advantage of that period of time where the remittances are keeping the economy stable, while building up the local industries for consumption.”

“We have to build those products efficiently, so that [one day] those industries can stand on their own. that’s our biggest challenge.”

For the real estate industry in the country, mr. Licuanan doesn’t see it bubbling up anytime soon. “in a sense, we mirror the

economy but in a saturated way: when the economy is good, real estate is good; when the economy is bad, real estate is bad…So far the trends and prognosis are good,” he said. “But one thing for example is that the Central Bank [of the Philippines] has been aware of that problem, so it has been tightening and trying to make sure it does the tightening before it becomes too late… it has been about two years since both developers and the Central Bank have slowed down on expansion. they haven’t allowed the bubble to build up — they’ve started deflating it.”

As the company completes its projects and announces more in the coming months, for mr.

Licuanan and Geoestate, the current situation in the country is promising. “the key here is that because we are a private company, we don’t have to worry about stock price and investors. We only worry about ourselves and our customers. Of course, we have to make money and that shows how well we are doing, but that’s not the objective of the whole company. [miriam and i] were both retired and we could have spent our time traveling or enjoying ourselves, but we wanted to give back,” he said.

Soluna’s Grand Entrance Gate

The Beacon Makati’s 450sq lap Pool

miss U and Pacman meet in manila How life will change if Heart becomes the wife of a VP by tessa MauriCiO-arriOla

senatorial spouse has intensified both in pressure and expectations, HeARt evangelista was on especially with escudero leading the home court. Surrounded by tV surveys as the winnable candidate creatives, talent managers, makeup for vice president. artists, publicists and a huddle of “my days have gotten pretty entertainment editors, she was every heavy with the campaign and the bit relaxed and genuinely happy to elections coming up,” evangelista be in what others deem to be the went on to acknowledge at an bubble that is show business. intimate gathering organized by Admittedly, even if she has GmA network for her upcoming PINOY PRIDE. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach meets People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao on Thursday, April 14. Pacquiao arrived in the Philippines faced a good number of difficult prime time series, “Juan Happy Love following his recent victory against Timothy Bradley Jr. last Saturday, April 9. Present in this rare moment is BPCI chair Stella Marquez controversies throughout her 18Story” with Dennis trillo. “i had no Araneta, Uniprom Inc. OIC-COO Irene Jose and Novotel Manila Araneta Center General Manager Bernd Schneider. year career, evangelista will always idea just how much stress a situation Photos by Denise Viña Photography/Binibining Pilipinas Facebook page feel safer in the industry where she like this can bring kasi noon dala ko grew up.

by JOyCe JiMenez lang sarili ko.”

Pia brought to the country. with Pacquiao before her press Philstar.com “Wala namang nag-papatayan Juggling her showbiz the crowned miss Universe conference. sa showbiz di’ba?” said the 31-yearcommitments, her artistic ventures mAniLA—it was one epic said she also admires Pacquiao as She added that in their quick old actress, who in the last several as the painter Love marie Ongpauco, encounter as miss Universe Pia a boxer. chat, the boxing champ told her Wurtzbach and Pambansang Kamao how emotional he and his wife, “i’m still proud of him as a boxer,” months has found herself in the thick and her wifely duties, evangelista has of yet another controversy-ridden— been shuffling from GmA, her homemanny Pacquiao met in one venue. she said. “even if we have different Jinkee, when host Steve Harvey and sometimes violencefilled— based studio, to campaign sorties all On thursday, April 14, Pacquiao opinions on some things, but made a blunder in announcing her sphere that is politics. around the country in order to strike was back in the Philippines after his we’re both Filipinos and as a fellow the pageant’s first runner-up.

As everyone knows, evangelista a balance between the life she has win last Sunday against timothy Filipino, i was proud of his victory for in return, she told him about is married to Sen. Francis “Chiz” always had, with the far from usual Bradley Jr. the Philippines.” her tweet last year vowing to make escudero who is currently obligations a newly married woman Pia, meanwhile, is in the country things right at the miss Universe Pia was referring to differences running for the second-highest has with a husband in public service. to pass on the Binibining Pilipinasin opinion she and manny have on competition after Pacquiao lost in elected position in the land. Since Has she already imagined herself Universe crown on Sunday, April 17. his bout with Floyd mayweather Jr. same-sex marriage. Pacquiao was exchanging “i do’s” in February 2015, in a such a position; and if she has, “i was very happy to be present slammed by the LGBt community Pacquiao gave her a “miss how does she see her life changing earlier. i admire him as boxer,” Pia for his comments against same-sex what had been an easy-enough Universe Pink” boxing gloves as a transition for the actress to wife and all over again? said about her quick encounter marriage earliert this year. sign of his appreciation for the pride ManilTimes.net

Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero

“to be honest, i haven’t really thought about it,” evangelista quickly replied, her famous face, giving away signs of anxiety. Gathering her thoughts, she began, “i think Chiz will continue to encourage me to be myself, but i can’t deny that there will be so much pressure to be in that position.

“As early as now, there are people saying that if he wins, there are things that i can no longer do or opinions i can no longer say.

But thankfully, i’m very lucky that my husband has been protecting me from all of that from the very beginning; which gives me the confidence to believe that nothing should change in the way i am.

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

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

The Kite Runner Prof. enriQue M. SoriAno (PART 2 OF 2) “NEVEr start a business just to make money. Start a business to make a difference”.

This quote extracted from an online magazine, successtory. com, best applies to the chinese business tycoon Wang Jianlin.

Known as “The Wealthiest person in china,” he never started business with a motive of quick money during that point of time.

The real estate honcho was more interested in longevity.

It further stated that Wang

An Asian Journal Magazine

The May 2016 Priority Dates

3

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 1 5, 20 1 6

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

September 1, 2005

July 1, 2004

First Preference

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

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below June 15, 2015 21 years old) of green card holder

November 1, 2014

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

May 1, 2005

May 1, 2005

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

August 1, 1995 January 22, 1994

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

January 1, 1993

LABOR CERTIFICATION: Third Preference

Other Workers

Application Filing Date Professional/ Skilled Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an

October 1, 1992

Visa Issuance Date

January 1, 2010

August 8, 2008

January 1, 2010

August 8, 2008

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,

FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD– ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY.” Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “Non-Appearance” visas for $2500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and Border Protection accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy – this Sunday April 10 at 6:15pm (PST) on TFC. “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)

Success lessons from China’s richest man Jianlin says that “Great companies are born, not developed, because each company has its own DNa” and that is absolutely true in his case.

Owner of “Dalian Wanda Group” which is one of the largest and best real estate developers, Jianlin purchased aMc Entertainment for $2.6 billion in 2013. his secret is rather straight to the point – it is pretty easy to achieve results with simple tricks than with complicated ones.

Let me now continue what I wrote last week about Wang’s success formula: 3. Stay close to the Chinese leadership Wanda only cooperates with one chinese state-owned

enterprise for its construction operations, and Wang has sought to align his business priorities with what the ruling communist Party has decreed. For example, he’s increasingly interested in investing overseas -- especially after the State council in 2014 released specifications urging private chinese companies to go global, he says.

Still, it’s a difficult road to navigate. “Government-business relations are very complicated in china,” Wang says. “It’s even more difficult than completing a Ph.D. course at harvard.”

4. Minimum target: Be No. 1 “There’s nothing wrong with being No. 1 worldwide,” according to Wang. But part of the fabric of

success means instilling companywide ambitions and goals with all employees to build a distinctive company culture, he says.

To help with that, he has an internal website and monthly company magazine that he describes as “the core media for spreading Wanda’s corporate culture.” a collection of touching success stories about employees are published annually to boost company morale. Wang also recommends one book each year for all employees to read.

Outstanding employees get a bonus paid vacation and an invite to a splashy annual conference to rub elbows with Wanda company executives.

Wang Jianlin

5. Don’t read books on corporate philosophy “One of the most defining characteristics of my success is that I’ve never had full trust in books.

You cannot simply copy

models that have been proved by successful entrepreneurs. What worked for Wanda may not work for another firm -- circumstances and industries change”, he warns. at a harvard lecture, Wang Continued on Page 7

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 1 5, 20 1 6

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Remembering Eddie Peregrina, the original Jukebox king

BoBBy T. yalong ThE gift of music has consistently been one of the most valued innate properties a man possesses and the same remains to be the best enduring legacy one bequeaths behind once his “mission” on earth is through. heritage, in any form, is preeminent when planned, organized, and perfectly fixed that no predicament arises when the right time comes.

A case of an almost sudden death, unlike loss from a lingering illness where everything is prepared and less difficult to come to terms, could leave loved ones in inevitable intense grief and psychological trauma which happened to then movie-TV singing idol of the ‘60s, Eddie Peregrina. The singer-actor died in a car-mishap at the height of his career...and left behind a successful profession that instantly went kaput and the promise of tomorrow powerlessly suspended in midair.

In the wee hours of the morning of April 30, 1977 (when he was barely 31), the singing idol was on his way home after having fully met all his schedules for the day when his car suddenly bumped into a troubled vehicle ahead his lane. The impact was critical that thoroughly damaged his Mustang sports car and left him critically lifeless. he was brought to the nearby Polymedic hospital but lost his fight for survival after a month and a week. The excruciating emotional and harrowing pains were too much to bear especially for his wife, actress-singer Lyn Salazar and two daughters, Edlyn (who was barely 6 then) and Michelle (2 years old) and not to forget his millions of avid fans and followers. The entire entertainment industry was in agonizing mourning following the loss of one of its most popular stars.

Eddie was born Eduardo Villavicencio Peregrina on November 11, 1945 in Manila to Octavio Peregrina of Pililia, Rizal

EMPLOYMENT

The Original Jukebox King Eddie Peregrina

Eddie Peregrina’s family...daughters Edlyn & Michelle, and wife Lyn Salazar with a grandchild.

and Nena Villavicencio of Cebu.

Eddie was born to sing, indubitably. he initially hogged the limelight at a very early age (6) when he bagged the top prize in DZXL’s The Tita Betty Children’s Show and his claim to fame became as easy as playing with his toys.

During the early 60s when boy bands were the toast of the party scenes, Eddie became a vocalist of upcoming musical groups that created waves overseas, notably “The Blinkers.” his burgeoning singing career was given the biggest boost when he won in “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” a popular nationwide singing contest during the 60s and 70s. his inimitably unusual high-pitched singing voice easily distinguished him from among his male contemporaries who, during those times, were strongly influenced by suave baritone and crooner styles of their international counterparts. his singing technique included the unique style of tipping his feet backwards in order to hit and sustain high notes.

Eddie’s name was closely associated and synonymously linked with the coin-operated music machine popular during the 50s and the 60s called the jukebox. The advent of the wonder music box all the more pushed his popularity to such unimaginable height that the tin pan alley consistently ran out of stock of his vinyl recordings in 33 and 45 rpm and cassette tapes.

Generally, Eddie’s songs were soulful and plaintive…laden with a gamut of emotions, longings, heartaches, and frustrations. he’s

mighty proud of the 16 Long Playing albums he was able to record with 9 CDs to boot.

Singing sensation and Jukebox King Eddie Peregrina had also invaded showbusiness and eventually became successful in his conquest. The more than 20 movies he did during his lifetime included the following box office hits which could indubitably attest to his silver screen popularity: “I Do Love You” (1969) with Esperanza Fabon (now a judge); “My Darling Eddie” (1969) with Vilma Santos (currently Batangas governor and occasional actress), Edgar Mortiz, and Espie Fabon; “The Jukebox King” (1969) with Vilma Santos and Espie Fabon; “What Am I Living For?” (1970) with Perla Adea (now a retired teacher); “Mother Song” (1970) with Vilma Santos; “May hangganan Ang Pag-ibig” (1970) with Vilma Santos; “Your Love” (1970) with Perla Adea and Lyn Salazar (a singer-actress who became his wife); “Dito Sa Aking Puso” (1970) with Nora Aunor (Philippine Superstar and still currently active); “Mardy” (1970) with Vilma Santos; “Make Love, Not War” (1971), “Batul of Mactan” (1974) with Lyn Salazar, and “Memories of Our Dreams” (1974) with Espie Fabon.

One couldn’t just imagine how Eddie was able to handle the chaotic schedules during his heydays: taping and performing live his regular TV show, doing live radio broadcasts and attending photoshoots, juggling between roadside commitments and personal appearances, while simultaneously shooting two or three movies that averaged to at least seven movies a year in 1969

EMPLOYMENT

FOR SALE

An album cover of Eddie Peregrina

and 1970. That was how frantic and demanding his timetable was!

But despite his tight schedules the Jukebox cum Boxoffice King’s innately keen business acumen did not fail to offer him prospective opportunities to invest in sure-fire incomegenerating ventures: he put up his own recording studio aptly named EdViPer Records and a photography firm, PerVil Photo Studio that concurrently all the more fattened his bank account.

It won’t be easy to just throw Eddie Peregrina’s memories to oblivion. On April 30, his surviving fans and family will commemorate the 39th anniversary of his passing. The Original Jukebox King might have been gone for long but his musical legacy lives incessantly in the hearts of those who lived and loved with his immortal songs.

And what better way to relive the past and tread down memory lane to reminisce the grandeur of his lifetime than listening once more to his sentimental hits via the vocal rendition of his eldest daughter, Edlyn, in a tribute concert sometime in mid-May. Incidentally, Edlyn, who has vague memories of her dad’s popular status and tragic death since she was only 6, had recorded an album and several singles after her father’s death.

Whether record producers merely capitalized on Eddie’s death or truthfully believed in Edlyn’s talent was beyond question since the latter had everything what it took to be a singing star in her own right.

Almost all songs were in her dad’s honor: “Daddy Mahal Kita,” “Mga himig ni Daddy,” “Mariguita,’ and many more… all are available in YouTube.

When she was 7 and 8, she had performed with the Apo hiking Society, Celeste Legaspi, Jograd Dela Torre, and guested in several radio and television shows.

Together with younger sister, Michelle (who’s now married to an Octavo of Winnipeg, Canada), they were billed as The Peregrina Sisters and released a cassette tape with 5 songs each under Crystal Records.

Singing was undoubtedly in her blood. There was no stopping Edlyn from pursuing what she wanted to do and dreamed to be.

When she turned 18, she joined a 7-piece band to Manama, Bahrain where the group was contracted at Le Vendom hotel for 5 years… that was during the historic Gulf War. Edlyn went back to the Philippines after her contract expired but signed up again for another overseas assignment: that time longer and Saipan-bound as a soloist of a 10-piece band at the Pacific Island Club of the Pacific hotel, an agreement that extended up to 20 years. having had enough of Asian destinations, Edlyn decided to try her luck in Los Angeles, California with a 3-piece accompaniment dubbed as The Icon Band. And while in the west coast, Las Vegas, in particular, her heart skipped a beat when a flame ignited the quiescent ember long inactive due to intense workload.

The serendipitous meeting

SERVICES

Eddie’s eldest daughter Edlyn, a superb singer-performer

overpoweringly offered her renewed enthusiasm and vivacity that inspired and motivated her to dream lofty dreams again.

A contented heart is where a compatible heart is… and she followed the object of her affection to New York where the latter is based… and life, for Edlyn, was never as blissfully fulfilling and ecstatically contended since.

Instinctively considerate and grateful, Edlyn straightforwardly singled out Popsie (Marisse Panlilio) to thank for for her exposure in the east coast that continues to strengthen her visibility in every watering hole and entertainment venue in the tri-state area. her past was but bitter-sweet, the present is agreeably great, and she perceives the future to be dazzling bright…still singing when free from her day job as a caregiver.

“I know my Dad has always been around and watching over me while I carry on his legacy. To you, Dad, where ever you are thank you for the gift of life…and thank you for all the memories,” Edlyn said.

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

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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 A p R i l 1 5, 20 1 6

The convenience of flying Philippine Airlines It will come as no surprise that many travellers place a high premium on nonstop direct flights. the advantages are obvious. Since a nonstop direct flight goes directly from the origin airport to the destination airport, without any connections in between, it is generally the shortest path.

Further, without a connection, there is no waiting around for the intermediate flight to board, which means less travel time.

Add to this is the less chance of travel complications associated with missed connections, mid-trip delays, checked baggage getting lost and other unpleasant events that could happen mid-way through your trip. to put it simply: flying direct is always preferable. this becomes an even more important choice to many when flying internationally.

Although given that other airlines’ pricing strategies and itineraries that entail connecting flights are usually less expensive, a huge percentage of Filipino travelers –especially those from the West Coast -- still prefer PAL because it provides them the advantage and the convenience of that non-stop direct flights to either Manila or Cebu.

Missing a connecting flight adds more stress to an already long exhausting trip. And Philippine Airlines has conveniently addressed this with their non-stop direct flights.

With PAL’s direct flights to either Manila or Cebu the traveler enjoys the advantage of checking in only once and not worry about going through another check-in for a connecting flight.

Moreover, a direct flight also provides convenience to senior citizen travelers who no longer need to walk and navigate the long distances between arrival and departure gates to make their connecting flights.

And once you’re on board, you are guaranteed that the next stop is your final destination. In addition it gives you

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA I squIrm inwardly when friends and acquaintances introduce me as a journalist. I am not. It is not a badge I am proud to wear. I consider myself just a wordsmith at some journeyman level, still struggling to earn being called a writer one day.

I like things that last — thoughts and things that have a longer shelf life that anyone in any generation can come back to again and again to find inspiration or gain deeper understanding over the course of one’s lifetime. Christ’s parables and Aesop’s fables have eternal shelf life. Neither wrote their stories. But unknown wordsmiths heard them and thankfully for us, put stylus to papyrus.

Words are powerful. They have the potential to build or destroy.

They can shine a light or they can obscure truth by a turn of the phrase.

Journalists are just human beings after all, whose personal experiences and motivations create the filters through which they see things.

In politics, depending on their persuasion and more frequently these days, depending on which side their bread is buttered, they can spout off agenda-driven opinion pieces intended to influence others.

If someone pays them a living to thrust a predetermined idea or policy to gain traction for gaining money or power, then they may be rightly called political shills or hacks. They use their craft to entice others to their way of thinking by pretending to endorse an idea in which they have a hidden vested interest. “Presstitute” is a new term that the public has coined to describe this vile specie of journalists. many journalists, particularly in politics these dark days, have become quite skilled in the art of obfuscation. It is the deplorable practice of hiding the intended meaning of what they really mean to say by deliberately crafting a confusing message. Like legalese and political correctness, obfuscation is a deliberately

an additional piece of mind knowing that your checked in luggage don’t have to make a connection and do not involve another series of handling; therefore, the possibility of losing your checked-in bags as very remote.

Further, Filipino travelers immediately feel at home as soon as they check-in and board the aircraft – for the simple reason that they can speak tagalog and not be afraid of being misunderstood by the airline cabin crew. Meanwhile, non-Filipino speaking passengers will have no communication problem because every member of the PAL staff speaks fluent English.

And of course, another advantage is that PAL international passengers use terminal 2, which is far more convenient than terminal 1. *** Philippine Airlines, which recently marked its 75th anniversary with the launch of its non-stop direct flights between Los Angeles and Cebu, is the first commercial airline and the oldest operating in Asia.

PAL has a good history, and although the company was severely affected the Asian financial crisis in 1997, it has nonetheless overcame the challenges. Jaime Bautista, PAL’s president and chief operating officer during the gala event that mark the company’s 75th year revealed that PAL is setting its sights into becoming a 5-star airline within the next five years.

Speaking during the gala event held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 18, the PAL chief executive said that the company’s goal is to make PAL the airline of choice in all markets.

Mr. Bautista acknowledged that this goal is not a simple task. However it is doable, which means PAL needs to further improve the quality of its service – from their front-line products to their staff service, both in the ground and in the air – to be at par with other 5-star airlines.

With the launch of its LAX-

Cebu service is aimed at boosting PAL’s presence in the United States that includes flights between San Francisco and Manila, New York and Manila, Honolulu and Manila, Guam and Manila, and Los Angeles and Manila. the thrice-weekly non-stop LAX-Cebu flights mark’s PAL’s first long haul destination from its secondary hub in Cebu. PAL currently has four international flights from Cebu, namely Nagoya, Osaka, Narita, and Seoul.

Cebu, is of course, becoming a very important hub outside of Manila, and an exciting gateway to the country’s dive sites, beaches and other nearby tourist destinations like Bohol, among others.

Aboard the inaugural flight from LAX to Cebu were mostly balikbayans with roots in Cebu and Mindanao. Also on board were members of the media who were part of the joint PAL-DOt Fam tour featuring various tourist sites and destinations in Cebu, Bohol and Manila, that include the historic Magellan’s Cross and nearby Basilica del Santo Nino which houses the oldest religious relic in the country; Fort San Pedro, the 17th century stone fort that served as the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

In Bohol, Fam tour participant were treated to a countryside tour where they visited the tarsier sanctuary for a close encounter with the tarsier, the world’s smallest primate; enjoyed a cruise with lunch buffet down the Loboc River; plus the opportunity to visit Bohol’s geological wonders of limestone cone shaped hills known as the “Chocolate Hills”.

Of course a trip to Manila would not be complete without a quick trip to tagaytay, a perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Locals have always been drawn to tagaytay because of its mild climate, the endless roadside stores offering the freshest fruits and vegetables, and native delicacies and of course the magnificent view of the world’s smallest volcano, taal Volcano, which sits on an island within a lake.

Calling a spade a spade “Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.”

— Slovenian Proverb

muddled and muddied way of writing that is essentially intended to cloak the truth and spew lies.

Thankfully, more and more people in society these days have become savvy at detecting which ones can be trusted and which ones they can ignore. many have become wise and are openly decrying the detrimental effects of the scourge of political correctness. Political correctness has been revealed as a leftist, liberal technique that distorts what is true by ascribing labels and public ridicule to shame people into a way of thinking and behaving.

Truth, like sunlight, is the best disinfectant against the rot that is caused by political correctness. The time has come for truth to finally come out swinging with an ax. It starts by calling a spade a spade.

A friend emailed me the prayer below. I had to do some fact checking with some websites that do the digging about the veracity of email content that does the rounds in the internet. After all, the internet is rife with rumors and it is always good policy to verify and dig deeper.

This prayer of repentance has gone viral and despite its longevity in the internet, refuses to die a natural death. my guess is that the prayer resonates with many in the country. The truth, as they said, will make us free. This prayer is probably worth amplifying and passing to others during a time when political correctness marginalizes the truth.

American society has been conditioned by popular culture to play nice to the extent that we are afraid to confront what must be addressed. Calling a spade a spade is risky in a time when we have strayed as far away as we could from the core values that held this country for more than 2 centuries.

On January 23, 1996, in Topeka, Kansas, Pastor Joe Wright of the Central Christian Church in Wichita led a prayer in the Kansas House that stirred controversy

and continues to stir a hornet’s nest to this day. It’s a prayer that made legislators, particularly those of the liberal persuasion, very uncomfortable. Pastor Wright said a prayer written by Bob russell, a Pastor of another Christian church in Kentucky. A member of the legislative body walked out and others were vocal in their criticism of the prayer. Later that year, a lawmaker in Colorado repeated the prayer and some of his colleagues became angry and walked out in protest.

A radio personality, Paul Harvey, picked it up and aired the story and the prayer with some frequency. The response to the prayer is so overwhelmingly in favor of it, his phone system could not handle it.

Are you curious as to why a simple prayer can rile some lawmakers and make them uncomfortable? Are you curious as to why a simple prayer can be so controversial? Here it is in its entirety. Judge for yourself.

A prayer for our nation Heavenly Father, We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘’Woe to those who call evil good,’’ but that’s exactly what we have done.

We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.

We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable Continued on Page 7

Jaime Bautista, PAL President and Chief Operating Officer led the ceremonial toast in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Philippine Airlines during the gala event held March 18 at SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. He was joined by officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism headed by Assistant Secretary for Tourism Development Planning Rolando Canizal; the Philippine Consulate General office headed

by Consul General Leo Herrera Lim; and other executives of Philippine Airlines.

Photo courtesy of Julian Oriel

PAL VP-Passenger Sales Ryan Uy with Eliza Chung, Regional Director of GTT International, one of the largest airline consolidators in the United States.

Photo courtesy of Julian Oriel

*** With the advantages and the convenience of direct flights it offers to Filipino-American travellers notwithstanding, Philippine Airlines nonetheless faces stiff competition from other Asian airlines. With their attractive tour packages, additional perks such as city tours during layovers, and competitive prices, other airlines are slowly but surely dipping into the sizeable Filipino-American traveling population between

Philippine Airlines Personnel gathered at the LAX during the send-off ceremony of the maiden launch of PAL’s direct flight between Los Angeles and Cebu on March 15, 2016. In photo, in front from left: Ricky Panis, account officer; Ed Rivera, cargo supervisor; Mitty Torres, account officer; and Junerick Marinas, LAX sales secretary. Standing, from left: Catherine Guino, Assistant Deputy Manager-LAX airport station; Terry Romilla, Activations Team-Manila; Anna Pisigan, Deputy Manager, LAX airport station; Marie Jemma Saranillo, outgoing Area Manager-Los Angeles; Maria Milagros Revilla, Country Manager, Americas; Ryan Uy, Vice President-Sales; Harry Inoferio, Senior Assistant Vice-President-Sales; Maricel Wall, Senior Account Officer; Rex Aldanese, LAX Station Manager; and Mark Andrews, ramp assistant.

Photo courtesy of Philippine Airlines

the United States and the Philippines. Aware of the competition posed by other airlines, PAL is expected to come up with competitive prices as a result of a recent meeting between PAL’s VP-Passenger Sales Ryan Uy and Eliza Chung, Regional Director of Gtt International, one of the biggest airline consolidators in the US. this latest move will, hopefully, place the national carrier in a more advantageous position in the highly demanding and

Calendar of Events across

competitive travel industry.

(Advertising Supplement)

*** Manny V. Ilagan is a Tourism Specialist with over 23 years experience in the tourism and travel industry. He provides travel consultancy services to some of the biggest wholesalers and tour operators in the country as well as to some airline companies. He is the former Tourism Director-OIC of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles, where he worked for over two decades. As a writer, he has written numerous articles about travel and tourism which have been published in various Filipino-American newspapers in Los Angeles and San Diego.

America

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Chino Hills Multicultural Festival Inspired by last year’s successful celebration of the community’s diversity, the Rotary Club of Greater Chino Hills Foundation will host its second Multicultural Festival on Saturday, April 23, from 3 to 9 pm, at the Chino Hills Community Center (14250 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills, CA 91709). Admission is free. there will be food booths, live entertainment, music, dance and performances by an array of participants. Sponsorship and advertisement packages are available for non-profit organizations to fundraise, and for businesses interested in market their products and services. For more information, contact rotary.chinohills@gmail.com or visit www.chinohillsrotaryclub.org. Contact: ted Alvarez (909) 456-0359, tedalvarez@verizon.net; tessie Lightholder (909) 576-4152,tessielightholder@gmail.com, or Ginny Mondonedo (951) 212-4624, vmondonedo55@gmail.com.

Free Elder Law Living Trust Seminar Please join our FREE annual Elder Law seminar presented by the attorneys at Elder Law Services of California, a professional law corporation, and take advantage of our $1,000 off trust or trust update package SEMINAR DISCOUNt! this event will provide a wealth of information to both individuals and families who are planning to start their estate planning, have no clue whether they need an estate plan, or already have an estate plan in place. We will be going over topics such as how to save thousands in probate fees, whether your existing trust needs updating, how to avoid conservatorship, how to pay for long-term care, Medi-Cal House Protection trusts, and most importantly, how to preserve your assets. We have two seminars on Saturday April 23: one at 10am to 11:30 am and one from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. they will be held at 110 Jackson Street San Jose, CA 95112. Call 1-800-411-0546 for reservations.

APRIL 30

COSC celebrates 27th Anniversary the Candonians of Southern California (COSC), under the leadership of their newly elected president, Mrs. Elizabeth Gacula Singh, will celebrate their 27th Anniversary on April 30 at the Doubletree Hotel-Monrovia (924 W. Huntington Dr., Monrovia). Music will be provided by the Midnight Motion Band. For questions and those interested, please email thecandoniansofsocal@gmail.com.

APRIL — SEPTEMBER

Pilgrimages to Eastern Europe, Mexico and India Amazing Pilgrimages for the Jubilee Year of Mercy! All are welcome to join Fr. Joe Joseph of Holy trinity Church for the spiritual and fun-filled experiences of EAStERN EUROPE (April 17- 30): Poland, Czech., Austria, Hungary, Medjugorje; COLONIAL MEXICO/ OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (June 20 - 27): Mexico City, theotihuacan, Puebla, tlaxcala, Ocotlan, Xochimilco, Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, Guadalajara, San Juan De Los Lagos, Cristo Rey, Zapopan, tonala; and INDIA (September 15 - 29): Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kerala. For more pilgrimage information and detailed flyers, please contact Bernadette at bcorp1114@hotmail.com OR call 323-344-1548 & 323-547-6618.

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

6

An Asian Journal Magazine

PIDCI Mrs. Kalayaan 2016 to be crowned

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 1 5, 20 1 6

Atlantic Adult Day Care Center Celebrates 5th Anniversary

by Razel

Requesto

LoneLiness Kills. in a city as fast paced and busy as new York, the needs and wants of our elders are sometimes easily overlooked and sadly, even forgotten. But not in the Atlantic Adult Day Care Center.

Located in Brooklyn, the Atlantic Adult Day Care center has a full day of excitement and leisure for all its members. There are shuttles that pick up and drop off members according to their chosen schedule.

According to shuttle driver, Pablo Aldaba, some members want to come in on 1st and others on 2nd shift depending on which activites they would like to participate in. shuttle service also brings members to and from shopping centers and excursion locations.

The center offers tons of different and enjoyable activities that give members a chance for mental and physical exercise.

Members can stay physically fit with activities such as table tennis, zumba, and ballroom dancing to name a few. Members can also keep their minds sharp with games such as sudoku, mahjong, and other games.

Additionally, the center provides members with educational services such as english class, computer class, citizenship class, and arts & crafts. And when members want a little rest-andrelaxation, the Atlantic Adult Day Care Center also has haircut, facial and nail service. The center also provides members with breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.

Dhelma Lopez, Mrs. Leony D. Rodriguez, Trefonia Brecio, Mrs. Marian R. Zourzoukis, Kalayaan 2016 Mrs. Kalayaan Filipino- Kalayaan Philippines M r s . K a l a y a a n American Luzon

Donna N. San Pablo, Rose Abejar, Mrs. M r s . K a l a y a a n Kalayaan Mindanao Visayas

Lopez will be crowned at PiDCi’s posh Mrs. Kalayaan Coronation Pageant and Gala at the Astoria World Manor in Astoria, Queens, new York sunday, April 17, 2016 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Joining in the coronation will be the Mrs. Kalayaan 2016 court of honor Leony Doller Rodriguez, who took the title Mrs. Kalayaan

Filipino-American; Trefonia Brecio, Mrs. Kalayaan Philippines; Marian Reyes Zourzoukis, Mrs. Kalayaan Luzon; Donna nuguid san Pablo, Mrs. Kalayaan Visayas; and Rose Abejar, Mrs. Kalayaan Mindanao.

Lopez hails from Baliangao in Misamis occidental and is the eldest of seven children. she currently resides in Woodside, Queens, new York.

neW YoRK – The Philippine independence Day Council, inc.

(PiDCi) search for Filipina beauties in the Greater new York region’s large Filipino and FilipinoAmerican community got its first beauty for the year 2016 – the Mrs. Kalayaan emerged victorious among six contestants – and the winner of the PiDCi Mrs. Kalayaan 2016 title is Mrs. Dhelma Lopez.

But aside from the activities and amenities, the elements that distinguish the Atlantic Adult Day Care Center from other facilities is the staff’s genuine care and concern for the health and happiness of the members. Carmen Polygach, 74, the leader of the recently formed Filipino Group said that while she enjoyed dancing and karaoke very much, she was very grateful for the politeness of the staff and the open welcome she and other new members received from the community. on April 1st, The Atlantic Adult Day Care Center celebrated its 5th anniversary with beautiful songs, spirited dances, and other festivities. The recently formed Filipino Group headed by Carmen seranaded the rest of the members with songs such as edelweiss, Jasmine Flower, and a Filipino favorite Dalagang Pilipino. The Filipino group members Bob Bang and Teresita Agbanlog also

treated their fellow members to a lively dance.

After more dance and song numbers as well as an incredible wushu performance by the Chinese members, founder, Jacob Moin gave a heartfelt speech about the beginnings of the Atlantic Adult Day Care Center. Mr. Moin also emphasized the importance of giving the elders of our community peace of mind, independence and improved quality of life.

The day ended with a fun and energetic line dance where members encouraged one another to join in — a clear and powerful reminder of the spirit of camaraderie and the mutual respect. if you or your loved one wants to be part of this awesome family, Jessica Wong would be pleased to help you get on the program and it’s easy to contact her at (347) 560-6575.

Founder, Jacob Moin with group leaders in cutting their 5th anniversary Presentation of some Filipino seniors cake

(Advertising Supplement)

Lea Salonga among first to vote on first day of voting for overseas Filipinos by tambi

Wycoco

neW YoRK—Filipinos overseas in new York started voting saturday after weeks of preparation by Philippine Consulate officials and Filipino community leaders deputized by the Philippine Commission on elections (CoMeLeC).

And Lea salonga, who recently starred in the Broadway musical Allegiance, was among the Filipinos who trekked to the Philippine Center to cast their ballots on the first day of voting.

At the start of the week last week, the Philippine Consulate officials and CoMeLeC deputies started mailing out the ballots to the almost 26,000 registered Filipino voters in the 10-state jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate.

While voting in the Philippines takes place only on May 9, voting by registered overseas Filipinos start April 9 and goes on for a whole month until 5pm May 9, Philippine time (which is 5:00am May 9, new York time).

Ballots may be cast at the Philippine Center from 9am to 5pm everyday during the period, including saturdays, sundays and holidays.

All ballots are being mailed out by Philippine Consulate

Lea Salonga voting on the first day of voting for overseas Filipinos.

Photos courtesy of Philippine Consulate Consulate General

officials and Filipino Community leaders deputized by CoMeLeC. By the time you read this, all the almost 26,000 ballots will have been mailed out, so expect to receive them in the mail the week of April 18, if you have not received them by now. if you have received your ballot, you may come to the Philippine Center (Philippine Consulate General) bringing your ballot with you and personally cast your vote there, or you mail it back (after voting) in the selfaddressed envelope it came with.

The Consulate General has scheduled what it calls a ballot collection date at several places outside of new York for April 23, April 24, April 30, and May 1, 2016.

Ballot collection teams

from the Consulate General are being sent out on April 23 for Philadelphia and April 24 for south Jersey. For April 30 ballot collection will take place in Jersey City and Bergen County, both in new Jersey.

Also for April 30 to May 1, 2016, another ballot collection team will be sent out by the Consulate General to needham, Massachusetts.

Venues for the above ballot collection schedules will be announced in due time by the Philippine Consulate General.

According to Philippine Consulate officials ballots received by mail will be fed in batches into the Vote Counting Machines on Mondays and Thursdays.

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John Lloyd Cruz on Nissan and Apex for Youth bring inspiration to having a baby: I’m ready New York City’s Asian American community

JoHN Lloyd Cruz admitted that he is ready to be a father if given the chance.

“I think I’m ready kung anak lang ang pag-uusapan,” John Lloyd told members of the press on Saturday, April 9 during a set visit in his upcoming movie.

John Lloyd stars with Jennylyn Mercado in Star Cinema’s “Just the 3 of Us.” In the movie, the character of John Lloyd impregnates the character of Jennylyn.

The actor, however, clarified that he is not yet ready John Lloyd Cruz stars in Star Cinema’s “Just the 3 of Us” which will be to have a family of Philstar.com photo by Patricia Lourdes Viray showing on April 27. his own. “okay na ako magkaanak, not necessarily magkaasawa, magkapamilya kung may lalapit at sasabihin sa akin ‘yon kahit na imposible sa paningin ko or sa pananaw ko... kaya ko na tanggapin,” John Lloyd said.

This is the first time that John Lloyd will be working with Jennylyn, a home-grown GMA-7 star. John Lloyd earlier admitted that he had been “dying” to work with the actress.

The romantic-comedy film, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, will be in cinemas on April 27. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

Liza Soberano on Enrique Gil: Guy best friend doesn’t mean he’s friend-zoned

Liza Soberano reacts to some of her followers who get mad at her for calling Enrique Gil her “best friend.”

LIzA Soberano doesn’t believe in the negative connotation of calling a guy your best friend.

In most of her posts, she has regarded enrique Gil as her “best friend,” which irked some of her followers since the kapamilya actor has been very vocal about his feelings for her.

“I can’t believe people still get mad for me saying he’s my best friend? Is that a bad thing?”

Liza asked in her Twitter post on

Saturday, April 9.

She further explained that “calling someone your best friend doesn’t necessarily mean you are friend-zoning them.”

“Things can develop, right?” she added.

In a previous interview, enrique said that both of them have other priorities and that their relationship doesn’t need a label. He added that what matter most is they’re happy. (Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com)

Calling a spade...

From Page 2 We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

We have abused power and called it political savvy.

We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the timehonored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there

be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.

I ask in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ.

••• Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Success lessons from China’s...

From Page 3 was asked about his next business goal: “I’m still on my way to get where I want to be. I mean it. The way I defined success for myself is to lead wanda to become a worldrenowned company or being in the top 10. That’s my dream.

“Now, wanda might have gained some awareness globally, but it’s still far from being a real international brand. I hope that, in the future, when people are talking about wanda, it could be like they are talking about Microsoft, Apple, or wal-Mart nowadays.

To build a top brand as a

leading Chinese enterprise, it’s my dream. Speaking of when I could achieve it, maybe in four years at the fastest pace, or seven to eight years at a slower pace. I will retire by then.”(sorianoasia@gmail.con) *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor and Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is a National Agora Awardee and book author on Family Governance and Succession. He will be facilitating one of his best selling 1 day workshop in the Philippines on September 19, 2014 Friday, entitled The Challenges of Managing a Family Business at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. For further inquiries please visit www.wongadvisory.com or contact Allen at 09228603186 for details. Slots are limited.

First-time Gala sponsorship aligns with Nissan’s commitments to education and diversity New York—Nissan North America, Inc. was a first-time benefactor of the Apex for Youth 24th Anniversary Inspiration Awards Gala which took place on wednesday, April 13, at Cipriani wall Street. This annual event honors leaders in the Asian American community who inspire New York City’s underserved youth to create and achieve their dreams. This year’s honorees included apl.de.ap of the musical group The Black eyed Peas; Norman C.T. Liu, Chairman of Ge Capital Aviation Services; and Hudson Yang, actor in the television series “Fresh off the Boat.”

Founded in 1992, Apex for Youth is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to under-served and low-income Asian and immigrant youth in New York City by recruiting volunteers to be their positive role models. Through mentoring and educational programs for students from first to 12th grade, Apex volunteers guide and inspire youth to become confident young adults who are ready for college and eager

to give back to the community.

Today Apex serves over 1,300 children weekly with nearly 11,000 hours of volunteer service a year.

“Nissan is committed to supporting educational programs such as the ones offered by Apex for Youth because they help young people reach their full potential,” said rebecca Vest, Nissan’s vice president of Corporate Development and Social responsibility. “we are proud to partner with Apex for Youth and to celebrate the contributions of this year’s Inspiration Award honorees.”

“Nissan’s generous contribution will allow Apex to continue to empower local youth to realize their limitless potential,” said Michael Lee, executive Director of Apex for Youth. “As our only auto sponsor this year, we are very excited and grateful to have their support.”

Nissan has a long history of sponsoring educational initiatives in Asian American communities.

Nissan-funded programs include summer camps for Japanese

AWARDEES. (L-) Norman C.T. Liu, Chairman of GE Capital Aviation Services; Hudson Yang, Actor, “Eddie Huang,” Fresh Off The Boatand Singer Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

American children, leadership development programs for Asian and Pacific Islander college students, and environmental internships for korean youths.

Nissan has the most diverse consumer base of any

automaker and actively engages with multicultural nonprofits around the country. DiversityInc Magazine included Nissan in its 2015 Top 25 Noteworthy Companies list for the second year in a row.

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