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Volume10 – Issue 31 • 16 Pages

A P R I L 2 8 - MA Y 4 , 2 0 1 7

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Senators urge Trump admin to continue Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

A grouP of Democratic senators is calling for the continuation of a program that allows filipino World War II veterans to be reunited with their families in the united states, amid reports that the trump administration is reviewing immigration parole policies.

In a letter addressed to President Donald trump on Wednesday, April 26, senators Dianne feinstein (D-Calif.), mazie K. hirono (D-hawaii), tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez masto

(D-Nev.), and Kamala harris (D-Calif.) said that less than 6,000 filipinos World War II veterans — of the 260,000 who fought — are living in the united states today and are increasingly in need of assistance from their relatives. some of the veterans have petitioned family members from the Philippines to join them in the united states; however, wait times can last years, often times exceeding 20 years, due to statutory visa caps. under the administration of former President Barack obama, the filipino World War II Veterans Parole (fWVP)

program was introduced in July 2015, which states that on a case-by-case basis, certain family members could be eligible to come to the u.s. to provide support and care for aging filipino veterans who are u.s. citizens or lawful permanent residents. once in the country, the beneficiaries could apply for work authorization.

An executive order signed by trump in late January directed the review of various parole and asylum programs that are supposedly “used to prevent the lawful removal of removable aliens.” the senators, however, argued that

the case-by-case consideration, the bar on those with criminal backgrounds, and the eligibility requirements “safeguard the program from abuse.”

“We know you understand the contributions and sacrifices that these veterans and their families have made to our country,” the letter continued. “therefore, we hope that [united states Citizenship and Immigration services (usCIs)] will continue its full implementation of the fWVP policy uninterrupted and that you work to address the needs of these veterans.”

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

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Panelo slams ‘reckless’ NY Times editorial against Duterte

USA

DATELINE FVR says Paynor is best choice for PH envoy to US from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

former Philippine President fidel V. ramos believes that if there is anyone who is fit to become the country’s ambassador to the united states, it would be malacañang’s chief protocol officer marciano Paynor Jr. ramos made the comment in a television interview on Former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos tuesday, April 25 when he was asked to name someone he would recommend for the post.

“I know him, I’ve seen him work. he has been consul general in san francisco. he saved me for six years. Isa pa, military yang si Paynor (Paynor is from military). PmA (Philippine military Academy) graduate Class 71,”

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California judge blocks part of Trump’s sanctuary cities executive order A feDerAL judge in san francisco on tuesday, April 25 blocked a portion of President Donald trump’s executive order that called for denying funds to areas that defy u.s. immigration authorities. u.s. District Judge William orrick ruled that the trump administration could not impose restrictions on the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that have policies to protect undocumented immigrants, given that the president does not have the authority to dictate new federal spending policies. “federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the president disapproves,” orrick wrote in his decision to the lawsuit filed by the City and County of san francisco and santa Clara County, which argued that over $2 billion in federal funding

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AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

by Dana

siOsOn AJPress

TIGHT WATCH. Policemen guard Gil Puyat Avenue as part of security measures around the venue of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit at the Philippine International Convention Center. PNP chief Director General Ronaldo dela Rosa said a total of 40,877 public servants from 21 different government agencies have been mobilized to help preserve order and security during the summit.

PhILIPPINe President rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel salvador Panelo lambasted the New York Times (NYt) on Wednesday, April 26, following an editorial condemning the filipino leader over the alleged spate of summary killings in the country.

In its April 25 opinion piece titled “Let the world condemn Duterte,” the NYt supported the mass murder complaint filed by lawyer Jude sabio, counsel of confessed Davao Death squad hitman edgar matobato, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Duterte and 11 other officials.

Describing Duterte as “a man who must be stopped,” the newspaper urged the ICC to launch a preliminary investigation into the killings linked with

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Inquirer.net photo by Alexis Corpuz

AFP: No security Robredo ordered to pay electoral protest fee threats for ASEAN summit

by Dana

siOsOn AJPress

the Philippine supreme Court (sC) on tuesday, April 25, maintained that Vice President Leni robredo has to pay the required fee for the proceedings of her counter-protest against former senator ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. the court, sitting as the Presidential electoral tribunal (Pet), rejected the vice president’s motion for reconsideration of its earlier decision ordering robredo to pay P15 million for the retrieval of contested poll materials.

by AJPress the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) said it has not received any threats for the upcoming Association of southeast Asian Nations (AseAN) summit in metro manila.

According to AfP spokesperson Brig. gen. restituto Padilla, adequate security preparations have been made to ensure the safety of delegates during the country’s hosting of the 30th AseAN summit scheduled this week. “on the matter of whether there is a threat that is being seen in the holding of all these events, wala po. We don’t see any threat right now, no serious threat that is in the radar screen,” Padilla said in a press briefing on tuesday, April 25.

While no threat has been detected, Padilla assured that authorities are prepared for worst-case scenarios. “our planning is always based on worst-case scenarios so whatever worstcase scenarios that we anticipate that could happen, then adequate preparations and plans are laid down to meet these scenarios,” Padilla added. the 30th AseAN summit will be held at the Philippine International Conven-

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the Pet gave robredo five days from notice to pay the initial cash deposit of P81.46 million to proceed with his election protest against robredo,” sC spokesperson theodore te said during a media briefing.

In its resolution dated march 21, the sC ordered robredo to pay P15.44 million for her counter-protest, which is payable in two parts — P8 million for the first tranche and P7.43 million for the second. the same order called for marcos to pay P81.46 million to proceed with

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Pacquiao confident of February tourist winning against Horn arrivals hit 4-year high Pacquiao, 38, previously admitted that he’s never heard of horn but said he knew the clash would he’s not going to take his new result in a very thrilling fight.

“I want an opponent that wants challenger lightly but eight-division world champion manny to fight toe-to-toe, throwing a lot “Pacman” Pacquiao is confident of punches, aggressive,” Pacquiao that he’ll win against Australian said. “my style is to throw a lot of punches and I believe that will be Jeff horn. for the first time on Wednes- very effective for Jeff horn’s style. day, April 26, Pacquiao met horn that’s why I accepted this fight. horn, 29, will try to steal Pacin Brisbane, Australia. “If you ask inside my heart, I have confidence quiao’s World Boxing organizato win the fight, but I’m not taking tion (WBo) welterweight crown it lightly,” the filipino boxer said. in a match dubbed as “Battle of u PAGE A3 “I’m not underestimating him.”

by Dana

siOsOn AJPress

mANILA — this year’s strong tourism streak continued through february, breaking the month’s records of visitor arrivals since 2013, according to official figures released by the Department of tourism (Dot).

A total of 579,178 visitors were recorded in february, an increase of 27.81 percent over the past four years and 5.36 percent higher than the same period last year, disclosed Department of tourism (Dot) secretary Wanda tulfo teo.

Visitors from south Korea topped all other markets in february, reaching 150,598, representing 26 percent share of total inbound

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A april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

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From the Front Page

Senators urge Trump admin to continue…

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The FWVP program began taking applications in June of last year. Individuals are generally granted parole in the U.S. for three years, according to USCIS. After four years of the program, the agency will assess whether the policy should continue.

There are 282 applications for the program currently, the senators said, citing USCIS data.

“These applications should be highly prioritized, as it is critical for family members to be reunited with their aging parents in need,” the letter concluded.

Gaspar Milla, the son of Filipino World War II veteran Jesus Milla, said that the program has been “a relief for the family.” The Millas were the first beneficiaries in Hawaii, Hirono’s office said, after a six-month application process.

“The Milla family gladly complied with the strict requirements of the FWVP program so that they would have one last chance at being reunited with their 93-year-old mother and grandmother from whom they had been separated for more than 20 years,” Maile Hirota, the Milla family’s attorney said in a state-

ment. “This program is the only way for the families of Filipino veterans finally to see justice for their aged mothers and fathers who served our country during WWII.” In addition to the parole program, another recognition under the Obama administration for these veterans was his signing of a bill last December that awards them with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor to those whose service had been largely dismissed by prior acts of Congress. The awarding ceremony has yet to be conducted. n

Panelo slams ‘reckless’ NY Times…

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FLASH MARCH. Members of the Communist Party of the Philippines hold a flash rally in Manila to mark the 44th anniversary of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan

Robredo ordered to pay electoral…

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his election protest against Robredo. He deposited P36 million on Monday, April 17, and has to settle another P30 million on or before July 14.

Robredo’s camp, for their part, assured that they would comply with the high court’s decision.

“We respect the decision of PET and would like to reiterate Vice President Leni Robredo’s willingness to comply with her obligation to pay the P8 million for her counter protest,” Robredo’s lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said.

Under Section 33 (b) of the PET rules, protesters are required to make a cash deposit amounting P500 per contested precinct, “if they require the bringing of the contested ballot boxes and election documents to the Tribunal.”

Bernadette Sardillo, the vice president’s legal counsel, told CNN Philippines that while they plan to pay the fees, it doesn’t mean that “the election protest filed by former Sen. Marcos has any merit or legitimacy.”

In June of last year, Marcos filed an electoral protest against Robredo before the court. He accused the vice president of committing massive poll fraud after she won the seat only by a slim margin.

Marcos questioned 39,221 clustered precincts which are composed of total 132,446 established precincts. Robredo, on the other hand, contested 8,042 clustered precincts equivalent to 31,278 established precincts.

Macalintal also welcomed the SC’s decision to set the pre-

liminary conference for Marcos’ electoral protest on June 21.

“We welcome the Presidential Electoral Tribunal’s decision and want the case resolved at the soonest to remove any questions on the legitimacy of the victory of VP Leni,” Macalintal said, expressing confidence that Marcos’ protest “will be dismissed.”

Marcos’ camp, likewise, welcomed the PET resolution setting the case for what they described “much awaited and prayed for” preliminary conference.

“With this date on sight, finally, Senator Marcos will have his day in court and prove that the vice presidency was indeed stolen from him and from the people. It is time for the truth to come out,” Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesman said. n

February tourist arrivals hit 4-year…

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traffic in the Philippines and a 9.51 percent increase in Korean arrivals from the same period last year.

“We have maintained and even increased figures from South Korea and we expect to see further growth, as Korean tourists perceive our country as a distinctive global destination built

on unique experiences and rich natural beauty,” said Teo. Completing the top five markets for the period are United States with 137,598 (23.76 percent); China with 78,251 (13.51 percent); Japan with 53,957 (9.32 percent); Taiwan with 20,472 (3.53 percent), respectively.

As a result of stepped-up promotion efforts, other mar-

kets also showed an increase in February, as Australian arrivals rose by 9.32 percent (20,157), Canada arrivals by 21.39 percent (19,016), and United Kingdom by 15.65 percent (15,226).

Among the top 12 markets, Germany registered the highest per capital expenditure for February 2017. On average, a Ger-

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the administration’s war against illegal drugs.

“After he was elected president last year, Mr. Duterte took the killing campaign nationwide, effectively declaring an open season for police and vigilantes on drug dealers and users,” the op-ed read.

“More than 9,400 people have been killed, most of them poor young men, but also bystanders, children and political opponents,” it added.

The newspaper, however, acknowledged that the ICC may be “reluctant” to prosecute Duterte since he is “enormously popular with many Filipinos.”

It also noted that the ICC may only “prosecute cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes among member countries” if their national courts “are unwilling or unable to do so.”

“But there is already more than enough evidence for a preliminary investigation, which would send an unmistakable signal to Mr. Duterte that he may eventually have to answer for his crimes, and would encourage governments to take measures against him, such as imposing tariffs on Philippine goods,” the NYT said.

“And if the findings of Mr. Sabio, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and politicians, or the confessions of the former death squad members, are not enough evidence, there are Mr. Duterte’s savage words,” it added.

But for Panelo, it should be

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte with his legal counsel Salvador Panelo

the U.S. newspaper that “must be stopped” from what he called “reckless, irresponsible and baseless” editorial on Duterte.

“No findings have been made by any of the investigating body that conducted probe on the alleged extrajudicial killings, in fact, there is a finding by the Philippine Senate that the socalled extrajudicial killing are not state-sponsored or state-initiated,” Panelo noted.

“Therefore there is no basis in fact and in law in the editorial of the New York Times,” he added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that while it recognizes the newspaper’s right to opinion, the government is in “clear disagreement” with the editorial.

“The president was democratically elected to attack corruption

and crime that have made so many Filipinos hostages to the criminals who had prospered through the rampant drug trade and other criminal activities that plagued our nation for decades,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Describing drugs as a “cancer on our nation,” Abella stressed that Duterte’s number one priority is “to save lives and to improve the lot of all of our countrymen with the cooperation of law enforcement officials, public health professionals, civil society, and committed citizens.”

“Drugs are killing people in our country and around the world. Our president is committed to stopping this cancer on our nation and to building a better life for all Filipinos,” he further added. n

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From the Front Page

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Pacquiao confident of winning…

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Brisbane” this coming July 2 in Suncorp Stadium, Australia.

The Australian boxer said he might be raw compared to veteran Pacquiao but that doesn’t mean Manny should overlook what he’s got.

“He’s done so much. He’s fought a lot of champions,” Horn said. “[But] if he underestimates me, he’s going to know about it July 2. It’s going to be a very tough fight — he’s going to see that.”

Pacquiao has record of 59-6-2 win-loss-draw. He won his last match via unanimous decision and defended his WBO welterweight title against Jessie Vargas last year.

Horn, on the other hand, has a record of 16-0-1 and 11 KOs. Top Rank Chief Bob Arum, who first saw Horn in his fight in New Zealand last November, likened the upcoming match to a GROWING DRAGON FRUIT. Senator Cynthia Villar says Villar SIPAG is providing training course on dragon fruit production and cultivation because they want Filipino farmers to take advantage of the commercial value of dragon fruits and eventually increase their income.

Villar SIPAG launches its first dragon fruit production and cultivation training at its farm school in Bacoor, Cavite. The six-month course in partnership with the Dragon Farm Trading of Bulacan would initially benefit 180 trainees. In the photo with Villar during the Dragon Fruit Production and Business Set-Up are Department of Agriculture Usec for High value crops and rural credit Evelyn Laviña and Bulacan Dragon Farm Owner Edy Marcos.

Senate photo

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Ramos told ANC’s Headstart.

In August last year, President Rodrigo Duterte named Paynor as the Philippines’ new ambassador to the United States.

Paynor’s deployment, however, was postponed as he was given the task to serve as the director-general for operations for this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) National Organizing Council.

Currently, the Philippine Embassy in Washington is headed

by Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto, a career Philippine diplomat.

According to Ramos, Duterte could still appoint Paynor, but that would have to be after the end of the year when Manila passes its ASEAN chairmanship to its successor.

“If there is a need to put somebody else before that, now or the next two or three months because of certain things happening, by all means, we should have one,” the former president said.

He said leaving the position vacant is worrisome, citing the nearly 4 million Filipino Americans in the U.S. “But it must be a combination of a well-known leader, who is recognized at least in the U.S.,

Marciano Paynor, Jr.

who has money backing him up because it’s so expensive being there, or a career ambassador, and there are so many of them, backed up by the government in terms of extra expenses,” Ramos recommended.

Paynor previously served as protocol chief to former Presidents Ramos and Gloria Arroyo.

He also served as Arroyo’s presidential assistant for state and foreign visits.

Likewise, he served Philippine diplomatic posts in Israel and Cy-

BIG DAY. Final preparations are under way at the Philippine International Convention Center for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, which the Philippines is hosting. Police authorities declared a full alert to secure the meeting of ASEAN leaders.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

AFP: No security threats for…

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tion Center in Pasay City from April 26 to 29. It will be attended by the heads of state of the 10member ASEAN, with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as its chair.

AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año said that authorities have covered all bases to prevent any terror activities during the event, as far as the AFP is concerned.

He added, “So far we have not monitored any threat. I think we have covered (all bases). There are many developments and even the Armed Forces have many duties and responsibilities and covered everything.”

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 40,877 public servants from 21 different government agencies have been mobilized for the event’s security measures.

“The personnel will be deployed to provide security and assistance to delegates of the 10

ASEAN-member nations, dialogue partners, observer states, and their respective delegations,” PNP Chief Director Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa told reporters at Camp Crame.

He went on to say, “We are putting our best foot forward in this historic national event. We have started preparations since last year. We have rehearsed and fine-tuned all our systems and procedures for this event, such that we have established full back-up system that will address any unforeseen situation that may arise.”

“We are not leaving anything to chance in our preparations and we have drawn contingencies for every foreseeable scenario,” he said.

Emphasizing that the people’s cooperation would be crucial, Dela Rosa also appealed to the public “for their understanding and cooperation in security measures that are being implemented by the police.” n

February tourist arrivals…

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man visitor spent Php 60,260.45 while in the country.

The United Kingdom followed with per capita spending of Php 47,533.15, tailed by Canada with P43,761.75, then Korea with P38,714.46, and France with P37,354.40.

Also on a positive note, the Philippines has welcomed a total of 8,176 cruise passengers through various ports in the country.

Manila remained the country’s top cruise destination with recorded arrivals of 2,785 passen-

gers, followed by Boracay with 1,145, Bohol with 692 passengers, and Pangasinan with 640 passengers.

“These numbers show that cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the Philippine tourism. This certainly gives us a positive outlook for the country’s cruise tourism market for this year,” said Teo. Combined positive results in January and February figures will have represented the 17.30 percent of the tourism sector’s target of seven million arrivals in 2017. n

young lion challenging the alpha of the pride.

“This fight certainly has that theme,” he said.

Arum initially endorsed Pacquiao’s match against undefeat-

ed Horn on April 23 but it was put on hold as the possibility of a match against Britain’s Amir Khan this coming May in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was explored. n

California judge blocks part of Trump’s sanctuary…

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was in question.

On January 25, Trump signed an executive order — “Enhancing the Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” — that directed the stripping of federal funds for areas that do not coopprus, and as Consul General in erate with federal law enforceLos Angeles and San Francisco. ment agencies and do not hand Before his foreign service ca- over undocumented immigrants reer, Paynor was a military offi- who are subject to deportation.

Those who do not comply “are cer. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1971 not eligible to receive federal and retired in 1983 with the rank grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposof lieutenant colonel. (AJPress)

FVR says Paynor is best choice for PH…

Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn pose during a press conference Wednesday, April 26 promoting their July 2 fight in Brisbane, Australia.

Photo from Manny Pacquiao’s Twitter account

es by the Attorney General or the Secretary,” the order read.

The injunction will remain as it moves through court, according to The Associated Press.

The White House called the ruling “yet one more example of egregious overreach by a single, unelected district judge.”

“San Francisco, and cities like it, are putting the well-being of criminal aliens before the safety of our citizens, and those city officials who authored these policies have the blood of dead Americans on their hands,” the White

House’s statement also said.

The president took to his Twitter account to express his reaction to another executive order that is facing a legal setback.

“First the Ninth Circuit rules against the ban & now it hits again on sanctuary cities — both ridiculous rulings. See you in the Supreme Court!” he wrote.

While it was not the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that issued Tuesday’s decision, the court will hear the White House’s appeal to the ruling.

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A april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

What the deportation of first DREAMer means for Filipino DACA recipients

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DACA beneficiary ordered back to Mexico by immigration officials

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

TWO months ago, agents from the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) went against President Donald Trump’s promise to protect undocumented youth and deported an undocumented Mexican immigrant.

An officer from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection approached Juan Manuel Montes, 23, who moved to the U.S. at 9 years old, in Calexico, Calif. on February 17 and began interrogating him.

He was arrested when he couldn’t produce identification or proof of his status at the time, and three hours later, was deported back to Mexico.

Montes was the first arrested recipient of former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a landmark executive order that grants benefits and opportunities for undocumented youth.

Montes’ arrest marks the first arrest made against a recipient since Trump’s entrance into office. On Tuesday, April 18 – about two months after his arrest – officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “Some people told me that they were going to deport me; others said nothing would happen,” Montes told USA TODAY.

“I thought that if I kept my nose clean nothing would happen.”

Although Trump touts an iron fist approach to immigration, he has previously wavered on his plans for DACA recipients.

In January, he assured that he wouldn’t revoke DACA, telling ABC News that DREAMers “shouldn’t be very worried. I do have a big heart.”

Since its introduction in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, DACA has provided benefits for more than 750,000 undocumented youth in the United States. The specific benefits vary from state to state, but DACA – which is renewable every two years – guarantees work authorization and protections from deportation.

Previously, DHS Secretary John Kelly and U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan have assured that the DACA program will remain intact, but Montes’ arrest puts many immigrant rights activists at an unease.

Legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice - LA has been vocal about its disdain for the Trump administration’s immigration policies, accusing it of “preying upon members of the undocumented community.”

“Filipino DACA recipients are now more concerned and uncertain about their future in the United States due to these new

immigration policies and increase in hate crimes across the nation,” Advancing Justice - LA legal advocate Tiffany Panlilio wrote to the Asian Journal in an email. “As service providers, it is troubling to see those who have thrived under the DACA program who are now labeled as enforcement priorities due to a past order of deportation or a crime they committed years ago.”

Panlilio emphasized the importance of DACA and how it has benefitted undocumented Filipino youth. Previously, Panlilio told the Asian Journal that Advancing Justice – LA has helped undocumented youth become career-minded individuals through DACA, including helping out many aspiring Filipino nurses obtain work authorization and university enrollment through the program.

“DACA has positively changed the lives of many undocumented Filipinos by granting them the ability to legally work, provide for their families, pursue a higher education, and most importantly remain in the United States without fear of being separated from their families,” Panlilio added.

“The DACA program continues to exist, but the new immigration policies brought forth by the new administration are allowing fear and anxiety to return to the community and force them back into the shadows.” n

California judge blocks part of Trump’s sanctuary…

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Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent letters to nine areas across the country — which were identified by the DOJ’s inspector general last May as having laws that potentially violate federal law — reminding them that in order to obtain funding this year, they have until June 30 to provide proof that they are cooperating and sharing information with federal immigration enforcement.

Among the recipients were the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and officials in Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Miami, Milwaukee, and Cook County, Illinois.

Various elected officials and immigration advocates across the country hailed the court’s ruling.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said it was “good news and reminds us that people’s rights transcend political stunts.”

“It is time for the federal government to stop attacking cities and scapegoating immigrants, and begin focusing on the hard work of comprehensive immigration reform,” he further said in his statement.

The LA mayor has repeatedly vowed that the city’s police department would not serve “as a federal immigration force.”

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said the city would remain a sanctuary jurisdiction, arguing that such areas “are safer, healthier, more productive places to live.”

“San Francisco’s sanctuary city laws are in compliance with federal law. If the federal government believes there is a need to

detain a serious criminal they can obtain a criminal warrant, which we will honor, as we always have,” he said in a statement.

A day after the ruling, on Wednesday, April 26, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office devoted to helping victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

“The president’s callous exploitation of isolated tragedies for political and ideological gain is profoundly irresponsible,” a coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups in California said in a statement, adding that the administration is “trying to demonize millions of people who are a vital part of our communities.” (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

NATIONAL GAMES. Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones lauds the province of Antique for the successful opening ceremony of the 60th Palarong Pambansa held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Binirayan Sports Complex, San Jose, Antique.

Pia.gov.ph photo

PH coffee recognized at Global Coffee Expo WASHINGTON, D.C. — Philippine Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Commercial Crops Development Evelyn Laviña led the Philippine delegation to the Global Specialty Coffee Expo hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in Seattle, Washington last April 20-23.

For the first time in Philippine coffee history, the country’s coffee varieties from different production areas were cupped and graded by certified Q graders from across the globe following the cupping protocol of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

These included the winning Robusta and Arabica coffee varieties in the recently concluded Kape Pilipino Coffee Competition The Philippine delegation attending the Global Specialty Coffee Expo in Seattle, Washington April 20-23 and the Port to-Cup Coffee Tour in Seattle and Portland on April 24-29. held in Cavite State University, cooperation with the Department their coffee.

Philippines.

The Coffee Quality Institute The said winning varieties were of Agriculture and the Departproduced by two members of the ment of Trade and Industry, Phil- also showcased Philippine coffee Philippine delegation, namely, ippine coffee farmers are now in its booth and recognized the Imelda Mendoza of Kape Mara- being prepared to compete with Bukidnon-based coffee farmers during its 19th Annual luncheon mag Association and Bai Adelina the world market.

“This ‘cupping’ at the Global held on Sunday, April 23.

Tarino of Inhandig Tribal MultiAfter the Coffee Expo, the Purpose Cooperative, both coffee Coffee Expo in Seattle, Washington is a prelude to making the Philippine delegation will particfarmers from Bukidnon.

Through the joint efforts of world know of Philippine coffee,” ipate in the “Port-to-Cup Coffee Tour” supported and organized the Philippine Coffee Board and said Undersecretary Laviña.

Cupping is important for cof- by Atlas Coffee and the Coffee the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Vol- fee farmers to know the value Quality Institute, to visit faciliunteers in Overseas Cooperative of their coffee produce and for ties in Seattle, Washington and Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), and in them to know the right price for u PAGE A5

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Philippine Judicial and Bar Council holds interactive session with Filipino community NEW YORK — Members of the Philippine Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) led by Ex- officio member Secretary of Justice Vitaliano N. Aguirre held an Interactive Session with members of the Filipino-American Community on April 18 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York.

Organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the session focused on the Philippine Government’s initiatives to improve the judiciary and justice system in particular on the screening and selection of members of the Judicial Branch, the liberalization of law practice in the Philippines, and the future of cross border practice of law.

The other members of the JBC joining Secretary Aguirre were Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali,.

Ex-Officio member representing the House of Representatives, retired Supreme Court Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez representing the retired justices of the Supreme Court, Atty. Jose v. Mejia representing the academe, Atty. Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and Judge Toribio Ilao, Jr. representing the private sector.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega in introducing the event noted that this is part of the Consulate’s continuing commitment to provide platforms for the community to interact with senior officials and policy-makers in the Philippine Govern-

ment.

During the event, Secretary Aguirre provided the participants with updates on major cases of public interest in the Philippines while Justice Sandoval Gutierrez shared her views on liberalization of law practice in the Philippines and cross border practice.

JBC Regular member Atty.

Fernan-Cayosa discussed challenges in the screening and nomination process for members of the judiciary. Congressman Umali also spoke of the legislative initiatives which may need to be undertaken to further improve the justice system.

Atty. Mejia spoke of the critical role of the academe and further training for judges and justices.

Judge Ilao, a career jurist explained the critical role played by the JBC in ensuring that per-

sons chosen to sit on the bench are of utmost competence, probity, and integrity.

A lively discussion took place during the session with over 60 members of the Filipino-American community, most of whom come from the legal profession, sharing their insights on the justice system and the practice of law in the Philippines with the JBC members.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. joined the open forum at the event.

The JBC Delegation is undertaking meetings and consultations with counterpart Judicial nomination commissions and other related bodies in the US to further enhance the judicial nomination process in the Philippines. n

PH-US joint exercise kicks off on May 8

L-R Rep. Reynaldo Umali, Atty. Jose Mejia, Atty. Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, Amb. Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, and Judge Toribio Ilao photo by NYPCG

PH coffee recognized at Global Coffee…

PAGE A4 t

Portland, Oregon.

The Philippine Specialty Coffee Industry will have the chance to physically see the path coffee takes once it arrives in the United States, to better understand the US Specialty Coffee industry, and to further develop direct relationships with some top coffee roasters and retailers. It is meant as an opportunity for roasters and coffee shop owners, and other coffee stakeholder to talk about coffee, including storage, transport, roasting techniques, roast curves, packaging, equipment, and other details of the trade.

While noting the tight competition in the global market for coffee, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the United States

CONQUERING TANON STRAIT. In the pursuit of drumming up interest in the ongoing voter registration being conducted by the Commission on Elections, Election Officer Ingemar Macarine of Tubigon, Bohol on April 18, 2017 successfully crossed Tañon Strait in a record time of 11 hours and 21 minutes. The pioneering swim traversed the 24.65-km distance between Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and Tambisan Port, San Juan, Siquijor. Triathlete and environmental lawyer Macarine braved the choppy seas nonstop and unassisted, declaring it to be his most difficult swim to date. This round of voter registration will end on April 29, 2017, Friday. The COMELEC has no plans to extend the period beyond the set deadline.

Comelec photo

Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa is optimistic that with the climatic and soil conditions in key areas of the Philippines, the farmers’ sustainable practices and the joint focus and efforts of the government and private sector in developing the specialty coffee industry in partnership with trading partners, quality Philippine coffee can have its niche in the United States and the world, and the premium price it can potentially enjoy will be expected as a means to increase the incomes of smallholder coffee farmers.

According to a 2015 consumer survey conducted by National Coffee Association of America, 48 percent of U.S. coffee cups are perceived by the consumer to be

specialty. The retail value of the U.S. coffee market is estimated to be $48 billion dollars with specialty comprising approximately 55 percent value share.

ACDI/VOCA implements the four-year USDA Food for Progress Mindanao Productivity for Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) project. MinPACT increases the incomes of smallholder cocoa, coconut, and coffee farming families in Southern and Western Mindanao. ACDI/VOCA and its partners do this by strengthening farmers’ capacity and that of other value chain actors for improved farm management, increased productivity, product quality, available services, and access to markets. n

BALIKATAN to focus on humanitarian exercise, counterterrorism There will be no war games during the first Balikatan exercises under the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the United States Embassy in Manila, this year’s joint exercises between Philippine and U.S. troops will focus on humanitarian and disaster responses, and counterterrorism efforts.

The exercises will officially begin on May 8 but “preliminary work” on community infrastructure projects have already commenced earlier in April.

The planned activities will primarily be in Panay, Leyte, and Samar.

“U.S. and Filipino service members will work together to renovate five schools and conduct community medical engagements with local residents in the opening days of the 12-day military training exercise,” the embassy said.

Balikatan, which literally means “shoulder to shoulder,” is considered the largest joint activity bound by the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the U.S. It focuses on “partnership, humanitarian assistance and disas-

ter relief capabilities, Philippine capability development and military modernization.”

“Balikatan is designed to meet the current challenges facing the Philippines,” U.S. Embassy press attaché Molly Koscina said.

She further added, “Along with preparing the U.S. forces’ and AFP’s ability to respond to natural disasters and deliver humanitarian aid, Balikatan will also increase our militaries’ counterterrorism capabilities.”

Duterte, who assumed office in June last year, previously threat-

ened to scrap the military games with the United States, the country’s decades-old ally.

He, however, backtracked and has allowed the continuation of other military exercises and partnerships with the U.S. This includes the Balikatan and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a treaty that allows U.S. forces to be deployed in Philippine territory temporarily for maritime security and humanitarian and disaster response operations.

(AJPress)

According to the United States Embassy in Manila, this year’s joint exercises between Philippine and U.S. troops will focus on humanitarian and disaster responses, and counterterrorism efforts.

U.S. Navy photo

A april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

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

OpiniOn

Features

Excursion

WITH bilateral relations between China and the Philippines blossoming in multiple fronts, the territorial dispute in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea is an issue the two countries cannot simply dance around anymore.

Over the weekend, Beijing protested the visit by Manila’s defense and military chiefs to Pag-Asa, or Thitu Island, a disputed area in the South China Sea. The Philippine contingent was carried off by an Air Force C-130 transport plane on Friday, April 21 to assert the country’s claim to the disputed area where China is believed to have added missiles on man-made islands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang expressed China’s displeasure over the high-profile Philippine visits to the island, saying China was “gravely concerned about and dissatisfied” by the island visits and adding that China “has lodged representations with the Philippine side.”

Manila maintains that it owns the territory, which is part of an island municipality under its western province of Palawan and is where some Filipino troops and villagers have lived for decades.

“The visit of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to Pag-asa Island is part of the efforts to improve the safety, welfare, livelihood of Filipinos residing and living in

the municipality of Kalayaan, which is part of the province of Palawan,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Malacañang earlier confirmed that representatives from the two countries have set up a meeting in May to craft a bilateral mechanism on how to “properly handle” maritime disputes. The scheme aims to forge mutual trust and maritime cooperation, and to further avoid misunderstandings and provocations over the issue.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit China next month for the “One Belt, One Road” summit upon the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

China will also host a meeting in May with members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss the completion of a framework on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which mandates self-restraint and non-militarization in the contested waters.

The Asian powerhouse claims the largest swathe of the strategic waters and has been increasingly assertive in pressing its ownership over the dis-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

puted areas against its smaller neighbors such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The sea has played a major role in globalization.

But it has also provided an access for actions of oppression, drug trafficking, illegal immigration,

smuggling, and other illegal activities.

Because of the many opportunities (and dangers) that lie in the sea, countries invest on their maritime forces to man the waters surrounding their nations not only to establish peace and security, but also protect their sovereignty. (AJPress)

To decriminalize drugs is to legalize shabu MADAM Vice President, what are you Analysis smoking? Seriously, you thought this is a bright idea, one that you will be best remembered for? This is your way of battling Ma. Lourdes Tiquia the scourge? Did you read thoroughly Portugal’s Law 30/2000?

Do you know we have ratified and are signatories to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances? Was there CSW done when you decided to merely drop Portugal as a “better” way of battling the menace?

What is to decriminalize? What drugs would Robredo want decriminalized under RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002? She said decriminalizing does not mean possessing drugs for personal use would become legal, but rather, it would be considered an administrative violation punishable by fines or community service.

What the Vice President wants repealed is a 15-year-old law which is only now being strongly implemented by

THE usual skeptics have dismissed as pie- Street in-the-sky the recent announcement concern- Talk ing the “infrastructure boom” that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte plans to GreG B. MacaBenTa undertake.

According to them, it is wishful thinking to expect the “build, build, build” objective of “Dutertenomics” to get much farther than “plan, plan, plan” by the time Duterte’s term expires in 2022. In other words, they think the boom will be a bust.

I frankly think that the government should be given every encouragement and support for the ambitious plans to be realized. However, a reality check may be necessary.

A public relations colleague, who prefers to remain unnamed, sent me a paper concerning the way government works. He appears familiar with the system. I think his views deserve serious though:Almost a year has passed under the presidency of Rodrigo R. Duterte, but many big-ticket infrastructure projects that his economic planners have been harping about remain just that: plans. It is dawning upon the agencies of the administration that launching bigticket projects are not as easy as they were hyped.

Lending countries will have to evaluate the Feasibility Studies submitted for these infrastructure projects before the actual funding agreement is given approval. This process takes usually 12 months to 24 months.

Once approval is secured by the beneficiary country, Detailed Design and Engineering (DDE) takes place, which takes another 12 months to 24 months.

Then there is the Financial Closure

government.

When one decriminalizes, it legalizes use; it will no longer a crime to possess, trade and manufacture illegal drugs, right? We become a narco state since now abuse in use is a health issue and not a crime.

Context and perspective are important in referring to certain models or case studies in battling the scourge of illegal drugs. It is very important in using the Mexico model as a failed process of battling illegal drugs, according to the Vice President. She forgot to check the nature of operations and influence of drug use and the drug industry in Mexico and the Philippines, which are two different things. When Robredo keeps referring to failed battles in Mexico and other Latin American countries, she fails to understand the industry itself.

Now she comes up with an off-the-cuff remark citing Portugal as “triumphant” in decriminalizing personal possession of all drugs in 2001. “What did Portugal do? Portugal found a system to combat drugs that was peaceful and orderly. They reformed their laws; they

strengthened rehabilitation [of addicts]; they fixed their institutions responsible for rehabilitating,” she said.

Ergo, Duterte’s plan and program are not peaceful and orderly. And viola, reforming our laws and strengthening rehabilitation, fixing institutions responsible for rehabilitating are not being done. Clearly, that is false. Rehabilitation facilities are being constructed. Oplan Tokhang has been stopped, corrected and reloaded. Rehabilitation programs are rolling out.

Again, what the Vice President forgot to mention are the trade-offs for Portugal. “Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001, and is used as the shining example of what all nations should do.

It has the lowest percentage of drugoverdose deaths in Europe. But here again, it is all a trade-off. In 1995, eight percent of Portuguese teenagers had tried recreational drugs. By 2011, that percentage had gone to 16 percent and with children under 13, it was the highest in Europe. Even while touting the benefits of decriminalization, the Portuguese government says the 40-percent increase in homicides since 2001 is related to drug use, and HIV transmission related to intravenous drug use is

among Europe’s highest. Even Dr. Joao Goulao, the chief architect of Portugal’s decriminalization policy, has said: “It’s very difficult to identify a causal link between decriminalization by itself and the positive tendencies we have seen.”

There is no simple or easy solution to the rampant drug-abuse problem. And looking for “simple and easy” solution may cause greater harm (Business Mirror editorial, August 25, 2015).

One gram of heroin, two grams of cocaine, 25 grams of marijuana leaves or five grams of hashish are the drug quantities one can legally purchase and possess in Portugal, carrying them through the streets of Lisbon.

Ecstasy, and amphetamines—including speed and meth— can also be possessed in amounts up to one gram.

That’s roughly enough of each of these drugs to last 10 days. Will Robredo also recommend these for the Philippines?

These are the amounts listed in a table appended to Portugal’s Law 30/2000.

Goulão participated in creating this law, which has put his country at the forefront of experimental approaches to drug control. The substances listed in the Law 30/2000 table are still illegal in Portugal but using these drugs is noth-

Infrastructure boom… or bust?

which Atty. Arnel Casanova, formerly BCDA Chair said in one forum “may take 24 months to 36 months”.

Before the first track is laid out, the President is already on his way out.

The government, as part of its 8- point economic agenda, is also currently finetuning its grand plan to entice private sector players to invest in building transport infrastructure. Among these are railway infrastructure projects such the North-South Commuter Railway and the Mindanao Express, all of which are now on the drawing board. Other projects which sound fantastic on paper are the planned 85km Manila-Clark railway, the 60km Clark-Subic freight train, and Tutuban-Calamba freight train projects.

But how long will these plans stay on the drawing board?

The slow pace of the implementation of these crucial projects is unfortunate as the country’s transport system is essential in the operation of a market economy. It has a broad role in shaping development and the environment.

Our inefficient transportation system has severely impacted daily commuters and motorists, creating a domino effect on industries’ bottom line, and economic development as a whole. Today, we have the worst traffic condition in the world, according to traffic app Waze.

One would think that with Secretary Tugade’s recent go-ahead that the MRAIL project should be given priority and the proponent be encouraged to commence immediately, we can now breathe a sigh of relief that at least one major transport infrastructure project has roared off the starter’s block.

Unfortunately, old habits die hard within the Philippine government’s stultifying bureaucracy where its faceless mantra rules: “what starts at the drawing board, ends at the drawing board.”

To date, a myriad of stumbling blocks, minefields and other incessant bureaucratic tripwires continue to hound the final go ahead for the MRAIL project, from PNR board approvals to DOTr technical conditions/demands. At the rate these roadblocks keep coming up, the soft opening directed by Secretary Tugade within a year’s time will remain just that: a plan.

Recently, Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez and Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade have switched to a “build, build, build” mantra. Colorful sloganeering, but in order to “build, build, build”, you need to have “power, power, power.”

The shortage of electricity supply also leads to structurally high electricity prices. The high cost of electricity is a deterrent to foreign investments, and poses a problem to businesses that are already invested in the country.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committees on energy and economic affairs, recognizes that the problem which stymies the country’s economic development is the low power capacity of the Philippines in general, and some big islands in particular. • During his first committee hearing looking into ”institutionalizing energy projects as Projects of National Significance”, he noted that there are many big committed and indicative power plants lining up for investment, but they often encounter bureaucratic delays. 162 clearances, 102 permits for a power plant!

One of the papers he received complained that regulatory permit approval in Philippine electricity generation

showed that on average, “power plant operators need to secure 162 clearances and 102 permits.”

I’m reminded of the complaint of a friend, the former chairman of a government corporation, concerning the red tape he had to bear with during the six years of his tenure (he was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III).

He saw the need to upgrade the corporation’s computer system, as well as replace the elevator. None of that happened up to the time a Duterte appointee took over his job. And, mind you, he was chairman of the board.

I think this is where Duterte’s santong paspasan management style should be particularly useful. Perhaps, if he reads the riot act to the bureaucrats who require innumerable clearances, he can get a few infrastructure periods finished before his term ends.

And while he is at it, perhaps he should rethink such projects as the subway system that he plans to build in Metro Manila.

It’s a great idea. And if Hongkong and Singapore can do it, by golly, the Philippines should also be able to build it.

However, the floods that visit Metro Manila, as surely as death and taxes, will make the project even more expensive to undertake. A lesson can be learned from the flooding that hit the New York subway on July 25, 2016. Caused by Hurricane Sandy, the damage forced an 18-month shutdown of the L Train, between western Brooklyn and Manhattan, affecting some 400,000 riders a day. The damage itself cost the city over $4 billion.

Of course, the subway can be floodproofed – the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) runs underwater across the bay, from San Francisco to Oakland – but that multiplies the cost. And the upbeat

ing more than a misdemeanor, much the same as a parking violation.

Pinto Coelho is a doctor ho has run rehab centers and written books on addiction. He is opposed to Goulão’s policy.

Coelho’s greatest concern is that his country has given up on the idea of a drug-free world. How is it possible to keep young people away from drugs, when everyone knows exactly how many pills can legally be carried around? He still believes deterrents are the best form of prevention and that cold turkey withdrawal is the best treatment method. He is also fighting the extensive methadone program Portugal began as part of its drug policy reform, which now provides tens of thousands of heroin addicts with this substitute drug.

The unintended consequences of a simple and easy solution.

So, let us go into the details, Madam Vice President. What provisions do you want decriminalized in Republic Act 9165? Importation, sale and trading, manufacture, cultivation, unnecessary and unlawful prescription, disposition of confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs? It is so easy to decriminalize but the devil is in the details. So, are you ready for a zombie state? (ManilaTimes.net)

assurance by Transportation Undersecretary Noel Kintanar that building the subway will be less intrusive than construction an elevated railway system may be a bit naïve.

In San Francisco, the subway extension covering the short stretch from South of Market to Chinatown (approximately 1.5 miles) required shutting down one lane of 4th Street, as well as the business establishments, for several years.

On A. Santos Avenue (Sukat Road) in Parañaque, the pipe-laying undertaken by Maynilad and began in 2015 is just nearing completion as of this date in 2017, with the dug-up lanes being restored. Meanwhile, residents of Parañaque have had to bear the worsening of an already bad traffic situation in that major business artery.

But, as I said, the subway is a great idea. In the meantime, however, maybe a more doable parallel project can be looked into that will also have a significant impact on the Metro Manila traffic situation.

Improve the Pasig River ferry service.

Invest in more modern boats. Invest in more thoroughly and regularly clearing the river of water lilies and other debris.

Even offer subsidized fare to make the system more attractive to commuters.

The man-hours saved and the resultant benefits in productivity, should more than justify it.

And, finally, persuade the bigtime developers to transform the terminals into business hubs that will motivate public transport operators to make them regular pick-up points.

And, oh yes, advertise and market the ferry service to remind people that it is a faster, more comfortable option than suffering :carmageddon.” (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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

aDVErTiSiNG aND aDVErTOrial pOliCiES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Palace: ICC complaint meant to ‘shame’ Duterte will not prosper

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE complaint filed against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) will not prosper, Malacañang said on Monday, April 24.

Earlier on the same day, Jude Sabio — lawyer of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato — asked the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC to investigate Duterte and several other government officials and after trial, “convict them and sentence them to [a] corresponding prison sentence or life imprisonment.”

In his complaint, Sabio accused Duterte of masterminding mass murders “repeatedly, unchangingly, and continuously” in the Philippines, citing the alleged murders of over 1,400 people by the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) during his term as Davao City mayor.

Matobato, Sabio’s client, testified before a Senate inquiry last year in which he confirmed the existence of the DDS. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella denounced the move to challenge the president before the ICC, describing it

as a “cynical effort against the reform-oriented agenda of the Duterte administration and of the betterment of the lives of the Filipino people.”

“The timing of the filing of the case is suspect — apparently meant to create negative news in the midst of the Philippines ASEAN debut; as it cannot prosper,” Abella said.

According to him, the complaint is only meant to humiliate Duterte amid the preparations for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the country this week.

“The intent of this filing in ICC is clearly to embarrass and shame the president, and undermine the duly constituted government of the Philippines,” he added.

Sabio’s complaint also referenced the alleged 7,000 individuals killed in relation to the current administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs.

He went on to say that Duterte’s public pronouncements “express a loud and clear intention to promote, encourage, or incite the police and civilians to mass murder or violence.”

Malacañang, however, maintained that the deaths “are not state-sanctioned or state-spon-

sored.”

Abella stressed that police authorities are “conducting legitimate operations that require observance of operational protocols and those who breach procedures are made to answer before the law.’”

“The Philippine National Police (PNP) has an Internal Affairs Service (IAS) tasked to probe police accused of violating procedures. This body can suspend or dismiss PNP personnel based on violations incurred and can recommend the filing of criminal charges,” he added.

Abella also questioned why Sabio filed his complaint directly before the ICC when he has not yet pursued all legal remedies in the Philippines.

He noted that the ICC, as a court of last resort, will only exercise jurisdiction over a case once legal remedies in the country have been tried and exhausted.

“Atty. Sabio or his client, Mr. Edgar Matobato, did not avail/ exhaust all domestic remedies allowed under the Philippine Constitution,” Abella said.

Apart from Duterte, Sabio said the following individuals should also be held liable: Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre,

FPJ RICE PADDY. Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday, April 26 hailed the ingenuity of Filipino farmers behind the creation of the rice paddy art on a farm in Nueva Ecija which features the faces of two generations of Ang Probinsyano—her father, the late King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe Jr. and actor Coco Martin. Poe toured the PhilRice laboratories which house the genebank, molecular laboratory, rice chemistry and food science. The five-hectare farm also showcases clean energy facilities, drone technology, advanced farm machines, and an experimental field that demonstrates hybrid, inbred, and traditional rice varieties. The FPJ rice paddy is available for viewing until May 14.

Senate photo

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, former Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Gierran, and Solicitor General Jose Calida in his complaint.

Sabio also included Senators Richard Gordon and Alan Peter Cayetano, Police Superintendent

Edilberto Leonardo of the Manila Police District, Senior Police Officer 4 Sanson Buenaventura, Police Superintendent Royina Garma in his complaint.

In a separate statement, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo dismissed the complaint as mere “black propaganda.”

“Apparently, the intention is

[establish a] black propaganda against the president, hoping that media worldwide would catch on it and paint the president as a murderer when, in fact, he’s only doing his constitutional duty to protect and preserve this country,” Panelo said.

He added, “It will fail in making the people believe in the validity of the charge.” n

Poe, Gordon reiterate stance against death penalty

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

WITH several days left before the Congress resumes session in May, two senators expressed anew their opposition against the revival of capital punishment in the Philippines.

In a chance interview on Wednesday, April 26, Senator Grace Poe, a member of the majority bloc, said the death penalty is not the only solution to the country’s problems.

“Alam mo, hindi lang naman death penalty ang solusyon (You know, death penalty is not the only solution),” Poe told reporters when asked about her stand on the matter.

“Sa ating lipunan, kailangan diyan ay mayroong kasamang law enforcement, community.

Kasama na din diyan ang hudi-

katura (Our society also needs to have law enforcement, community. And the judiciary is also included).”

While Poe admitted she considered capital punishment for heinous crimes before, she said that what the country needs first is a judicial reform.

According to her, without judicial reforms, those who cannot afford good lawyers and those who are afraid of police officers will only become victims of unorganized justice and enforcement system.

“Kung hindi natin ire-reform, halimbawa masasabi ba natin na talagang repormado na ang ating kapulisan para mabawasan, halimbawa, ang pagpaplanta ng ebidensya? Yun ang aking pagaalala ngayon (If we don’t have reforms, can we say that, for example, the police are truly reformed and there will be lesser evidence

planting? That’s what I’m worried about now),” Poe added.

Last week, Senator Richard Gordon also maintained his stance against the reimposition of death penalty, saying “improved prison system and a stricter policy on life imprisonment would deter criminality more effectively.”

“It’s a bigger deterrent kapag nakita na nakakulong yung masamang tao at nahihirapan (if you see the bad guy behind bars, suffering),” Gordon told reporters on Saturday, April 23.

He further added, “Pati ang pamilya mahihirapan, kasi magdadala ka ng pagkain, bibisita ka, malulungkot ka. Wala pang maghahanap-buhay para sa pamilya. Lalong mahirap yun kesa pinatay ka na lang tapos makakalimutan din. Kaya yung iba, papatay na naman o gagawa

na naman ng ibang krimen (Even the family will suffer because they need to bring food and visit, and they will be said. Also, nobody will be breadwinner of the family. That’s harder than just killing you and you will just be forgotten. So others will kill again or commit other crimes).”

The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last month. The Senate, meanwhile, has yet to reach a consensus.

Gordon, who is also chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, assured that he “will be fair in conducting the hearings.”

“Though I’m personally against the reimposition of the death penalty, I don’t think there is a need for me to inhibit as chair,” he said. “I will be fair in conducting the hearings and when it’s

time to sponsor the bill on the floor, I can assign one of the proponents of the bill to sponsor it. It has been done before.”

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the death penalty bill would be “dead” in the Senate, saying 13 senators were “likely to vote” against it.

“By my own estimate, there are at least thirteen senators who will block the passage of the death penalty bill, including the six-member minority group and seven from the majority block,” Drilon said, without specifying names.

Apart from Drilon, other minority members are Senators Bam Aquino, Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV. “It’s dead and the chances of resurrecting it before we even bring it to a vote are very slim,

if not zero, at least in this Congress,” Drilon said.

He went on to say, “We are ready to lead the fight against the death penalty bill. We believe that a death penalty law was not and will never be an effective deterrence against crime.”

“It will be detrimental to the poor who will be made victims of this cruel and inhumane punishment due to the inefficiencies of our judicial system,” he added.

Latest figures from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that three out of five Filipinos approve the reimposition of capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

In the survey, which was conducted from March 25 to 28, 61 percent of 1,200 adult respondents “strongly or somewhat approve” of the measure while 23 percent “somewhat or strongly disapprove.” n

A april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

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

APRIL 28-MAY 4, 2017

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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 28 , 20 1 7

The #Balikbayan Chronicles:

Captivated by Coron, Inspired by Ilocos

by MOMAR

COMING home to the motherland is one of the best feelings in the world and no matter how often one goes, that elation that does not change.

The invitation to join a group of Miami-based travel agents and tour operators for a week-long trip to the Philippines came at a most opportune time: spring was almost there but winter had its claws out, trying to stay on for a few more weeks.

A March blizzard blanketed the city in a few inches of pure white snow, making it picturesque for a grand total of 24 hours. Rain followed, then the mercury rose, melting the once pristine snow and becoming puddles of dark brown mush. Not the best feeling to plow through that on a daily basis.

Me? I was already adrift on a boat, island-hopping and enjoying the blue skies and the bluer waters somewhere in Palawan.

That daydream was cut short when the pilot announced that we had already landed in Manila.

Indeed, it never gets old, that feeling of giddiness every time one sets foot on his or her homeland.

As we stepped out of the plane and into Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I noticed a few changes that weren’t there BD, Before Duterte, that is.

The place seemed brighter and cleaner, and a quick bathroom check showed flowing water and toilet paper was available. The baggage carousels were moving efficiently, there was wifi and the air-conditioning worked.

There was a line at the immigration, nothing out of ordinary at first, but as soon as the passengers of the two other planes that arrived with us deplaned, the place was packed.

The temperature in New York when we left was a nippy 35 degrees Fahrenheit. When we stepped out of the airport, the warm air of Manila’s 35-degreeCelsius weather struck us like a

G. VISAYA/AJPress

punch. I skipped spring altogether and jumped into summer with my jacket on.

Our friends from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) prepared a tight but enjoyable itinerary to make the most out of this trip.

We had a walking tour in Manila, visiting Luneta, Fort Santiago and Intramuros. This was during the mini-heatwave that happened last month so we were all sweating profusely.

I was part of a tour group that consisted of Colombians, Japanese, Mexican, Brazilian and Filipino tour and travel operators from Florida, all excited to see what the Philippines had in store for them.

More than half of the group has been to Manila before and a few were first-timers.

Fernando DaSilva, COO and partner at Miami-headquartered Brickell Travel Management has been to all seven continents but he has never been to the Philippines.

Upon the invitation of the Department of Tourism through Luisa Yu, herself a travel agent who has been promoting travel to the Philippines in South Florida for decades now, DaSilva cleared his schedule and joined the tour.

“It’s hard to sell or recommend any destination if you never been there,” DaSilva told the Asian Journal. “I was particularly very

Aside from being the world’s Best Island, Palawan was also voted as the world’s Friendliest Island, according to Travel + Leisure. In Palawan, “people are very welcoming, respectful, and friendly,” the magazine quoted one “thrilled T+L reader about their experience” in the place. The magazine’s write up added, “The island’s green-and-turquoise lagoons have long put it on the bucket lists of travelers around the world, and this year it is also the world’s most convivial island destination.”

impressed with the Philippines and my enthusiasm was contagious.

The entire office heard about it, saw pictures, and learned about the country through my experience. It is hard to explain but the place is so magnificent it touches you.”

When he learned that the trip was pushing through, DaSilva did his due diligence and did his research.

“I knew it was a unique place but nothing could prepare me for what was to come,” he shared. “One has to experience it. One has to taste the delicious food, to smell the flowers, to swim in the most transparent lagoons and feel the warmth and welcoming of the people. No pictures can do due justice nor internet articles can accurately describe it.”

Our group of ten had a grand time during the tour but had an even greater time come lunch or dinner time.

From the buffets of The Peninsula to Manila Hotel to Ilocos hotels and restaurants (Fort Ilocandia in Laoag, Hotel Luna in Vigan, Two Seasons in Coron) that featured regional specialties to island picnic in Palawan, each meal was an opportunity to have conversations with some people who are looking at the country with a fresh set of eyes.

In Coron moments after conquering Mt. Tapyas, the group egged on DaSilva, the first-timer, to try the balut. The peripatetic travel junkie that he is, he obliged. And he lived to tell the tale, with videos to boot.

“The food was delicious and so diverse that for a food lover, the Philippines is a destination on its own,” he said. “From the infinite buffets in Manila to the local home made cuisine of Ilocos to the perfect fresh fish and seafood in Palawan. And let’s not forget the street vendors as a simple green mango with salt, or the more exotic balut, were a total success.”

Ilocos in my Mind We flew to Laoag City to see the sights of the Ilocos Region, something I’m all to familiar with.

Growing up, we would spend a big chunk of our summer vacations in Ilocos Sur, my father’s home province. We would drive all the way to Laoag to visit some relatives and I remember those easy drives quite well, with the endless view of the sea on one side and some mountains on the other side.

Fort Ilocandia was our home base this time and it is how I remember it from staying there a decade or so ago. We were told that they are renovating a wing, I can’t wait to see the finished product.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

A must-do whenever in Vigan City is a stroll along Calle Crisologo not only to see what the stores have to offer but also to experience what the Heritage Village looked like before since most of the houses on this street were preserved.

We went around the city to explore, visiting Museo Ilokos Norte, the local church and the market.

The following morning we drove to Vigan, home to the famous empanada, longganisa, bagnet ang sinanglaw, a sampling of the Ilocano cuisine I grew up eating. En route, we passed by the Malacanang of the North and the beautiful Paoay Church, founded

by Augustinian missionaries in 1593.

We were billeted at Hotel Luna, the first and only museum hotel in the Philippines today. The hotel’s

location was prime, a block away from the famous Calle Crisologo – that stretch of cobblestoned street with preserved heritage houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As a museum, Hotel Luna takes pride in its extensive collection of the finest in Philippine art, ranging from the classics to the modern.

There are rare and vintage artworks from notable artists, master painters, contemporary artists and National Artists such as Arturo Luz, BenCab and Napoleon Abueva, whose works adorn the lobby of the hotel, which was once one of

the heritage houses in the village.

Palawan Pride The Philippines is aiming to become a prime tropical travel destination and for the past few years, its islands have been reaping awards left and right. It has been a fight between Boracay and Palawan for the title of The Best Island in the World, but back in 2014, Palawan won the top plum from the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

It’s easy to understand why.

We’ve seen gorgeous photos of the island but these photographs Continued on Page 6

Immigration Corner

Can adopted children petition biological family members?

DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: Before I was 16 years old, I was adopted and petitioned by my aunt, and got my green card through her petition. I am now a US citizen, and would like to petition my biological mother. Is that possible?

Very truly yours, B.N. Dear B.N.: When a child is adopted before their 16th birthday, and receives an immigration benefit as a result of that adoption (such as being petitioned and obtaining a green card), they are considered the “child” of the adoptive parents. This means, the adopted child cannot petition for his or her biological parents or siblings, and they cannot receive any immigration benefit from them.

In your case, since you obtained your green card because of an adoption, you cannot petition your biological parent, or your biological brothers or sisters.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Mindfulness as a survival skill in today’s tech crazy world

Monette AdevA MAGlAyA I nearly had a vehicular accident quite recently. Operative word: Nearly.

I was minding my business at a traffic stop when the vehicle before me decided to back up because her car was caught in the crosswalk. I then noticed that her white back lights indicating that she had left her car in reverse gear was on.

Instinctively I knew it was an accident waiting to happen. I was ready with just my senses, reflexes and an annoying horn to blast the danger away. But full disclosure and credit go to my Guardian Angels for the countless times of full protection. It is like being in tune with God’s cosmic script and being on the same page, all the time.

Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.”

— Ways of the Peaceful Warrior

When the lights turned green, true enough, she stepped on the gas and was doing a fast reverse headed to the front of my car.

I pounded on my horn and let out the screechiest, loudest, longest honk, enough to scare the daylights out of her. And NO 3fingered salute. It’s not something I want to give or receive in tenuous situations. Besides, my mother and the nuns who taught me will be aghast.

She braked about a hairline away from my car grille — and then froze. She didn’t know what to do and held up the lane longer.

I had to hand signal her to go.

The cars behind us were blasting away with their horns at being kept waiting, unaware that a

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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 28 , 20 1 7

stepparent petitioned them without adopting them), that child could still petition his or her other natural parent.

If these situations apply to you or someone you know, you should seek the advice of a reputable immigration attorney. ***

However, it is still possible for an adopted child to re-establish a “petitionable relationship” with their natural parents even if there was an adoption, provided, (a) the child received no immigration benefit because of the adoption; (b) the adoption was lawfully terminated (under a court order rescinding the adoption); and (c) the natural parent-child relationship has been re-established. For example, a person may have been adopted, but later obtained a green card through marriage, and not through the adoption.

They could go back to court, have the adoption rescinded or terminated, at which point it could be possible to petition their biological parents.

In addition, there is a difference between a person being petitioned or obtaining a green card as an adopted child and as a stepchild. If a person obtained their green card as a stepchild (their parent married a US citizen before their 18th birthday, and the citizen

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

An Asian Journal Magazine

chain collision that could involve them, has just been averted.

Whew! That was a close call.

Imagine the hours that would have been lost never to return again if a crash did occur and you are left to tussle with insurance matters.

I don’t know whether she was a young, new driver, on the phone or just preoccupied with something. But when you are behind the wheel, it requires all of the neurons in your brains and all your senses to be engaged in just that one activity. Without it, you can do damage not only to yourself but sadly, to others as well, within your immediate physical orbit. I kept 3 car lengths as following distance until she

AN ENCORE EPISODE ABOUT A “SPECIAL CHILD” ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, Nina (left) behind in the Philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. Nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and Ruth gone, who will take care of Nina? Find out how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Nina to the US through Humanitarian Parole, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, April 30 at 6:15 p.m. PST on TFC.

turned left onto another street.

These are, indeed, the best of times. These are the worst of times as well. Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this crazy world we live in today.

I would like to plead the case for mindfulness for everyone at all times and in all places.

Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your computer? Do you feel less of a person? Take heart. You are not alone.

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically

wired community.

Just like the common cold, thoughts and images “go viral…”

The power of a message is now measured by the number of tweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity.

Disabuse yourself of the idea.

No one remains anonymous for long. No one in the internet is sacrosanct. Everyone is fair game.

These thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe.

And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today.

Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it helps wield over us? Certainly NOT! It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present

woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a double-edged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well.

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in OURSELVES. It is how we define our relationship to technology and use it in our daily lives.

We can be the boss of it.

Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by technology and all its bells and whistles. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives if we use it as a tool to enable a hubristic tendency among many people today who think the world revolves around them and who then count their worthiness with the number of likes they get from their posts.

How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this Continued on Page 6

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong Living life to its fullest is one exceptional privilege denied to many while being surrounded and cared by loved ones upon achieving a full-cycled existence is, undeniably, a rewardingly gratifying bonus.

Centenarians (those who reached 100 years) and supercentenarians (those who have reached 110 years and beyond) are already cases of paucity these days. These stages of life are only achieved by about one in every one thousand elders especially so when the average life expectancy in the 20th century is 80 years… a dramatic increase

Felisa Nillo Sansait aspires to live beyond being a centenarian considered as one of today’s society’s greatest achievements.

Being a centenarian with a fine state of mind despite experiencing occasional pains due to diminishing physical state but (still) equipped with visually and audibly keen capabilities, Felisa nillo Sansait was, indubitably, born propitious and blessed. not all her contemporaries were able to hold the proverbial “eternal bliss’ in the palm of their hands… or at the least, having lived longer to effusively enjoy the glow of dawn or fondly watch the setting of the sun amid families before drawing their final breath.

The former devoted wife and hard-working mother, now tied down to the bondage of her

Felisa Nillo Sansait all glam-up for her centenary bash

The centenarian mom with children and family friends

PACCAL officers posed with the centenarian celebrator

wheelchair, still takes pleasure of greeting each morning with ferventness and bidding twilight with anticipation prior every restful bedtime. Daily subsistence might be hard and complicated and her limited mobility and difficulty of speech blighted any probable communication yet everything turns out well due to the incessant support of her children and with the aid of a caregiver. in some instances when moments of idleness creeps in while her mom merely sits in silence and seems to envisage what lies beyond the horizon, Ramona, one of Felisa’s daughters, couldn’t help but reminisce the good old years of their youth back home in the Philippines.

As Ramona fondly watches her mother, motionless and in serene mood, she feels petrified and speechless while her eyes are slowly blinded with tears… and merely allows vivid memories of yesteryears to profusely gush back.

Felisa was born on March 29, 1917 in Luna, La Union (Philippines). She was employed as a nanny in an American family in Manila…that developed her proficiency in English despite simply having finished grammar school. Fate had it that she would

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The house in full spirit

meet Ramon Sansait from iloilo who was the family driver in the same household. They got married in 1937 following a brief and expedient courtship.

The couple’s stirring anticipation for a child almost crumbled after four years of not having one but instantly substituted with delight with the coming of their first-born in 1941who they christened Rodolfo.

For the next two consecutive years Leticia (1942) and Teresita (1943) gave the couple triple bliss but only shortly for all three untimely perished within a month from the prevailing epidemic breakout of measles.

As if heaven and earth fell on the grieving couple with the devastating loss of their three children.

A year passed then Estrella came so timely that rekindled the dying ember within her parents’ hearts. The newborn served as a star that enlightened the couple’s course on re-starting a family.

Scared that their fourth child might suffer the same doom, she offered a devotion to San Antonio de Padua and dressed Estrella in a brown dress with golden yellow rope-sash (patterned after the patron saint’s wardrobe) each time they would hear mass.

As if freed from the curse and

The birthday mom being surrounded by her surviving children Ramona, Crispina, Estrella, & Antonio.

What could be more fulfilling than celebrating a significant milestone with family and grandchildren

off-the-hook from any negative premonition Felisa and Ramon were successively blessed with a child after another: Crispina (1946), Ramona (1948), Ramon, Jr. (1949), Ruben (1950), Artemio (1952), Leonora (1955), and Antonio (1958).

Typical of any Filipino family, the couple was driven to educate all their eight surviving children and defied every odd that would

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hinder their goal…even poverty.

They wouldn’t allow their children to be impacted by their material insufficiency and deprive them of education.

Through untainted struggle and painstaking hard work their kids went to college although, unfortunately, some failed to finish or quit for inevitable reasons: Estrella took Commerce Continued on Page 5

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Richard and Lucy Gomez: PH cinema’s most beautiful couple San FranciSco

By Monet

99 Ranch officials were in full force at the opening of the Jersey City Store. From left: Virginia Tan, marketing specialist; Teddy Chow, VP of Marketing Department; Avery Lim, manager and Amelia Cheung, marketing manager.

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

99 Ranch Market celebrates opening of its second East Coast store in Jersey City 99 Ranch Market continues to blaze the trail on the East coast only a few months after it opened its first ever outpost in the east in Edison, new Jersey.

The leading asian supermarket chain opened its second one, this time at the Old colony Square Shopping center in Jersey city. It covers a retail space of over 50,000 square feet, making it the largest 99 Ranch Market thus far for the region.

“We have plans to open at least three stores in new Jersey for now. This is our second one and we will also be opening one in hackensack soon, along with another one in Maryland,” said Teddy chow, vice president of marketing department. “We see great potential here in the east coast and we know that our customers like our products and the quality of our service.”

Due to its convenient location, the Jersey city store is expected to draw much foot traffic. It is near the light rail, bus station and ferry and with many easy means of transportation, shoppers now have more reasons to check out the newest supermarket contender in the city.

“Fresh, nutritious and health conscious” has been a long time slogan of 99 Ranch Market when it comes to the variety of items that the stores carry. all 99 Ranch Market stores pride themselves on daily delivery of fresh oceancaught lobster, crab and fish; fresh cut beef, chicken and various poultry; in addition to farm fresh fruits and vegetables to meet consumer demand for a healthy and balanced diet.

Filipinos in the west coast have been known to patronize 99 Ranch Market for a variety of reasons, among them the high quality of products imported from the Philippines, the freshness of the seafood offered along with the ease of choosing a particular fish, having it cleaned and then fried. all that’s missing would be salted eggs and tomatoes and a hearty lunch or dinner is served.

The new Jersey city store also boasts 99 Ranch Market’s famous in-store gourmet hot deli, which provides hot chinese dishes and specialty cantonese style dim sum to hungry shoppers, while an equally impressive in-store bakery rolls out daily freshly baked breads, pastries, toast, and an exquisite selection of cakes to make every shopping trip

Lu

I MET Richard Gomez, also known as Goma, when he first came to Los angeles more than 20 years ago. he was an excited, young up and coming actor. his manager, the late Douglas Quiano—an amazing mentor to Joey Marquez and other big stars—was well loved and respected by his peers. Douglas gave Richard an opportunity to visit hollywood and other tourist places. all of his United States trips have proven to be memorable for him. During his first trip here, I took Goma to different landmarks like Universal Studios and hard Rock café, as well as bringing him to movies and dinner.

Since then, we have formed a friendship, not just because I admire his work but also of his sincerity as a person.

When I came to Manila he treated me to a dinner and introduced me to his wife Lucy. although we don’t see each other often, our friendship has continued to flourish.

Every time he is in the area, we make sure to reconnect. What is most memorable to me is his appearances in the yearly Reflection shows back in the 90s. he is always the life of the party with his down-to-earth and makulit, yet very professional personality.

I have witnessed his growth from a young, aspiring actor to one with an established career.

Richard came from a singleparent household, causing him to be left in the care of is grandmother.

When he came to Los angeles, he wanted to reunite with his father and mother, who were separated.

I used to pick him up at Temple Street in Los angeles where historic Filipinotown is located because that’s where he was staying with his father. he began as a humble worker at McDonald’s until his modeling career set off. he had always dreamed of having a career in show business, which was expected for the son of 1960s star Stella Suarez. he is blessed with good looks,

Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez

the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Up to now, he has maintained the title of “Philippines Brown adonis.”

Richard has received a lot of awards for his acting in unforgettable, blockbuster-breaking movies. Love will always find its way to your true partner. In this case, Richard’s true love is Lucy Torres.

They met during a commercial shoot for Lux shampoo and sparks flew right away.

Lucy admits having been a fan of Richard. In her simple, yet beautiful ways, she was able to win over Richard.

In 1998, the couple married at Saint Peter and Paul church in Ormoc. Their wedding was so grand that it had three receptions and was televised.

Lucy claims to be lucky that she got to marry her “one great love.”

Together the couple has one daughter, Julianna, who really resembles her father but has the character of Lucy.

Lucy is now Ormoc city congresswoman, a public servant and a community leader. and now Richard is the mayor of Ormoc and is doing a great job with his advocacy for the people of Ormoc. Lucy knows how to balance the glamorous

commercial endorser, fashion icon, host, wife and most of all, a mother.

They say that they owe their long-lasting relationship to “work[ing] at it every day” and communication so that they can “head towards the same direction.” and putting God in the center of their relationship.

The couple surprised us by attending our christmas party that was held at my apartment in La. Very down to earth indeed, I was so touched by that wonderful gesture of friendship. Richard and Lucy Torres Gomez are the epitome of a beautiful couple, both inside and out.

I wish you all the best, Goma.

I know that your many fans and supporters will be with you kahit sa dulo ng “walang hanggan.” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

new York FYLPRO Youth relates plans for community involvement

complete.

“We rely on our media partners like the asian Journal who tell the local community about us, specially here in the east coast where we are very new. We are confident that once people try shopping with us, they will like us and will return to shop more,” chow added. “Filipinos, Indians, chinese customers will see that we have the products that they are looking for and we

sell them at competitive prices.” at the grand opening festivities that began on Friday, april 24, lucky shoppers received free gifts and had a grand time exploring every nook and cranny of the newest shopping and dining destination in the city.

99 Ranch Market is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. It is located at 420 Grand Street in Jersey city.

From left: Jhett Tolentino, ConGen Dizon-De Vega, and Noel Aglubat share their insights on their FYLPRO experiences.

nEW YORK – Recent Filipinoamerican Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) delegates from new York (Advertising Supplement) noel aglubat and Jhett Tolentino related their immersion experience in the Philippines and shared their key takeaways to their fellow young Filipino-americans during a Town hall meeting at the Philippine center new York Gallery Lobby last april 25. to commemorate her 100th noel and Jhett were the official birthday. representatives of the US northeast attended by her five to the FYLPRO last november 26 surviving children, twenty-four – December 2, 2016. During the grandchildren, thirteen great 10-day trip, they were briefed on the present socio-political and economic grandchildren, family friends, conditions in the country, met senior and relatives, the centenarian government officials and policy celebration created a stirring makers, discussed their advocacies ambience and family-oriented with lawmakers, and networked atmosphere that brought with business and social enterprises. every guest to an accelerating The whole program aims to ebullient mood alternating with equip the delegates with resources melancholy feeling. to create initiatives to give back to Felisa nillo Sansait has their motherland and enrich the unquestionably attained what she lives of their kababayans in the and her late husband had dreamt Philippines. consul General Theresa Dizonof for their children but the very essence of accomplishment hasn’t De Vega welcomed the attendees, and gave a brief background sink into her mortal being since of FYLPRO, started by former old age has kept her emotions ambassador Jose cuisia in 2012, and and senses numb… but for her the concept paper for which was family her main presence with initially prepared by consul General them is more than enough to Dizon-De Vega herself. make living worthwhile despite noel aglubat, a civil Engineer life’s adversities and trials. working for the Federal Energy Photo credit: Dominic Regulatory Board, focused his presentation on the infrastructure, Senador income equality and employment For comments and opportunities he observed during suggestions, please email to: his stay. noel plans to create a gemini0646@yahoo.com. platform for Philippine engineers

Felisa Nillo Sansait aspires...

From Page 4 major in Banking and Finance, crispina finished accountancy (cPa), Ramona became a Medical Technologist, Ramon Jr. died young from polio, Ruben (a criminology undergraduate) died at 55, artemio (Journalism undergraduate but became Sales Manager of Toronto Sun newspaper), Leonora (a nursing undergraduate) deceased on 2012), antonio (a nursing undergraduate) currently affiliated with Otis Elevator company in Toronto, canada.

It was Estrella who petitioned her mom to Montreal, canada in 1974 after her father died and the latter petitioned artemio and antonio following her canadian citizenship. Then crispina, who was already a Jersey city resident, petitioned her mom in 1986.

Indefatigably assiduous and persevering, distance failed to thwart her mom’s decision to work in atlantic city from 1988 to 1990 as a waitress in Tropicana hotel’s fast food restaurant.

Things could have been smoothly going had it not for a fateful evening when a freak accident in the restaurant’s loading dock sent her into coma. confined at the neuro-IcU at atlantic city Medical center for a month and underwent extensive rehabilitation after recovery, Felisa was brought home under Estrella’s care.

She spent three years of completely nourishing back to health in canada and flew back to Jersey city where she cared for her grandchildren whenever any of her children needed a babysitter. at times atlantic city’s electrifying charm was hard to resist and she would enjoy playing or just relaxing pleasurably.

Just recently, Felisa, now in the sunset of her life and appears to be feeble and helpless but tries to cope up with her daily struggle, was tendered with a luncheon bash by her children at hibachi’s Party Room at the hudson Mall along Rt. 440 in Jersey city

Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega (4 from right) reunites with the FYLPRO alumni during a Town Hall at the Philippine Center last 25 April. From left: Vice Consul Khrys Corpuz, Michael Vea, Jhett Tolentino, Noel Aglubat, Consul General Dizon-De Vega, Steven Raga, Rachelle Ocampo, Ryan Letada.

Photos by NYPCG

to converge with US-based Filipino counterparts to share expertise, techniques, and collaborate on projects together.

Multi-awarded Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino related the developments he wants to see in education, the performing arts, and entertainment industries in the Philippines. he narrated his story as a young boy in the slums of Iloilo who persevered and finished college through educational grants from Sofia University in Japan.

For his legacy project he is raising funds to sustain scholars from the most remote and underserved communities in the Philippines through his projects – Life is What You Make It, a documentary film about his life story, and staging of here Lies Love the Musical.

Vice consul Khrystina corpuz

presented some flagship projects that the consulate has in the pipeline for the second-gen sector.

Diskubre Tour, an educational heritage tour for young Filipinoamericans, is slated to be launched in the first half of 2018. a Mentoring Program for young professionals is being created with tech and other partners to provide a means to connect mentors and industry experts with young aspiring leaders and maintain a venue for learning and collaboration. a networking mixer followed the program, where former FYLPRO delegates Michael Vea, Steven Raga, Rachelle Ocampo, and Ryan Letada connected with attendees for possible partnerships.

Information on application for the next FYLPRO can be found on www.fylpro.org.

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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 28 , 20 1 7

Captivated by Coron, Inspired by Ilocos From Page 2 just don’t give justice to the beauty of the place. From the calm azure waters that effotlessly blend with the emerald forests and karst limestone hills that seem to jut out of the waters to the melange of boats and huts that dot the islands, believe me, there are no bad views.

I’ve been to Coron before, maybe a decade or so ago. Back then, we stayed on one island resort for the rest of our trip and I maxed out on adventure back then, from snorkelling to an attempt to a little scuba diving.

This time around, we stayed in the town, at the Two Seasons resort.

Pottery demonstration in Vigan

Some art pieces at Hotel Luna in Vigan, the only museum hotel in the Philippines

It was like coming to a totally different place, specially when we ventured out to the sea and began island-hopping. Island after island, picture after picture, it dawned on me why readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler would vote for Palawan as the Best Island year after year.

Coron is blessed and that is why the Tagbanua tribe of Coron Island are taking good care of it, making sure that the place is not over-developed and that mother nature is protected at all times. outside the waters, Coron is just as beautiful. We visited the Coron Church en route to the 700-step mt. Tapyas to catch the glorious sunset, and a visit to maquinit Hot Springs to cap the evening and relax the sore muscles from the earlier climb.

Palawan is not just the last frontier, it is paradise. And it is good to realize that it is only an hour flight away from manila.

While it is an idyllic place to visit during the summer months, the locals we met shared that there are no longer peak months since even the oft-called lean months are now no longer lean.

After exploring the town

proper on Day 1, we were off to explore the islands on Day 2 with an island-hopping tour that brought us to Siete Pecados, Banol Beach, CYC Beach and Twin Lagoon. We wanted to see Kayangan Lake but it was closed a few days earlier because of a drowning accident that involved a couple of Czech tourists. We settled for Barracuda Lake which was just as breath-taking as the hidden lagoons. our third day exposed us to a few more islands and lagoons, including a quick trip to Culion, the former leper colony. The municipality of Culion is roughly an hour and a half boat ride away from Coron port. We visited the La Imaculada Concepcion Church and Culion museum and Archives, which has become a repository of photos and memorabilia during the days when the town was the biggest leper colony in the country. The church, build around the ruins of the old fortress of Fort Culion (which was built around 1740), sits on top of a hill and provides a great vantage point for photographs.

I’m not an adventure junkie in the word’s strictest sense but I was

able to enjoy exploring the islands including the trek to the lagoons and floating with the rest of the group to a secret lagoon that cannot be accessed by a boat.

I can just imagine how literal adventure junkies would feel when they get to visit the various islands of Palawan, particulalrly those who are into scuba diving because Coron Bay is reported to have some of the best ship wrecks in the world. This just means that whether you are above or below the pristine waters of Palawan, there’s an adventure waiting to happen for you.

For many in the group, the tour was perfect for its combination of the metropolis, countryside and the islands. For DaSilva, the highlight was Coron, and the buildup worked.

“Nature was very generous in Palawan. It’s a hidden paradise,” he concluded. “I must have taken over 200 pictures and none or all of them together can slightly do justice to this place. We are already working on a package that will include Coron, Kawasan Falls and whale shark swimming. It is my goal to go back next year and do this itinerary as well.”

Loom weaving in Vigan

Our tummies were filled with a plethora of Filipino dishes - from bagnet served on top of pinakbet to the deliriously crispy lechon kawali, Vigan longganisa and steamed prawns.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Megan Young on her relationship with Mikael Daez and pursuing a career in the US

By Lhar

Santiago

ManilaTimes.net

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Former miss World megan Young is so thankful her movie with Comedy Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas will soon be showing from regal entertainment. She told Showbuzz she thoroughly enjoyed doing our mighty Yaya where she plays the role of Zoren Legaspi’s second wife. She had a very good working relationship with the top comedian and her other co-stars.

“Ai Ai is fun to work with. I hope I get to work with her again in future projects whether on TV or in a movie,” megan enthused.

The beauty queen-actress is fresh from a short vacation in maldives with boyfriend mikael Daez.

She was impressed with the tiny island. “of course, the Philippines is more beautiful but maldives is so amazing. I love the waters. Sabi nga namin ni mikael, parang edited yung water because the color is so blue then it turns to light blue in some places. It’s really awesome.”

The couple, who are both GmA Network talents, have been to so

Megan Young

many destinations that megan can no longer say which ones are her favorite.

“We actually don’t plan where we go from one trip to the next,” megan revealed. “Like our vacation in maldives, although it was in our list of places to go to, it was sort of a last-minute decision. We just looked at the plane ticket price one time and

Mindfulness as a survival skill...

From Page 3 condition. observe if you cross streets and railroad tracks with your phones tethered to your ears.

Note if you like taking selfies even in dangerous places. See if you become unhinged because you forgot or lost your phone. If so, break the habit. If not, you as a specie will disappear just like the dodo bird who has become so stupid that it has foolishly lost its instinct to danger.

When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep doodoo.

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters.

How badly can it get? There

are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy working parents, juggling balls of parenthood and a career and who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately.

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment,

when we saw it was affordable, we had ourselves booked and before we knew it, we were already on our way.

The vacation was really enjoyable.”

While on holiday megan admits that the topic of marriage would pop-up every once in a while. “That’s but natural because we’ve been together for six years. We are two adults in a relationship so we both think of the future. But I want to make it clear that marriage is not in the near future. We both agree that we still want to do a lot of things.

We want to accomplish more in our respective careers,” she stated.

True to her goals, megan is scheduled to leave for New York to start working with Innovative Artists Agency where she signed a contract.

“I am not doing any projects yet,” she clarified. “I will undergo intensive workshops in acting, particularly in english. I am used to acting in Filipino so I have to be at home with english lines. So I’m starting from zero kasi hindi naman ako kilala ng mga tao doon. Hopefully, I will make a good impression to people there and be able to get to the place that I want to reach in my career.”

“Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life. eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tool, it will be an obedient dog serving us as its master.

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience JoY in real time.

We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFe IS GooD – so good you can feel it in your bones.

Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain eSSeNTIALLY HUmAN. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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An Asian Journal Magazine

Ai Ai Delas Alas: god is her anchor

By Lhar

Santiago

ManilaTimes.net

WHEnEVEr Ai Ai Delas Alas looks back at her past, she can’t help but feel so blessed.

She has indeed been through a lot—failed relationships, family problems, career woes. Life has not been a walk in the park for the Comedy Queen and there were many times when she

would struggle to survive.

But Ai Ai, despite being scarred, has managed to emerge triumphant from all her battles with her faith in God always her anchor.

“God has been so faithful to me. I depend only on Him. There was a time in my life when I kept on clinging to relationships with men pero hindi mo pwedeng asahan yun, I realized. Ang tao nagbabago but God never changes. His love is constant.

I feel I am mighty because the one I trust is mightier, the Lord,” said Ai Ai very seriously and with sincerity.

“More peaceful” is how Ai Ai describes her life right now. She is so happy in the company of boyfriend Gerald Sibayan who is younger than her but that doesn’t bother her.

“Gugustuhin ko na ang mas bata pero talagang mahal ako at hindi nagbibigay ng problema than one who is the same age as I am pero talo pa ang bata sa ugali. Saka si Gerald, hindi ‘yan materioso. Basta, sobrang magkasundo kami. We take care of each other,” Ai Ai volunteered.

Even if they are already engaged, Ai Ai insists it’s not always marriage that they talk about when they are together. They feel that their target date for their wedding in 2018 is still so far and choose to attend to more pressing matters in their life first.

“Ang dami pang dapat unahin like transferring to our new house in Quezon City. We’ve started transferring some of our things already. I think we will be able to move in completely by June. Dami kasi

naming gamit,” Ai Ai reasoned. of course, Ai Ai is thankful that many friends have volunteered to help her and Gerald in planning their wedding. She confirmed they have at least five friends who have pledged to take care of certain details of the wedding. one of them is Ai-Ai’s close friend whom she calls her kambal or twin sister, Marian rivera who promised Ai Ai she will be in charge of the wedding gown and the bride’s bouquet.

“Actually, Gerald had not proposed yet when Marian made me that promise. o, di ba, makakatipid na kami because of our sponsors,” Ai Ai laughed heartily.

Turning serious again, Ai Ai said she is grateful for everyone’s help because she would rather prepare for the actual marriage than their wedding day.

“The wedding is just a one day affair but marriage is a lifetime,” she averred.

“Fabulous nga ang wedding mo, wala namang direksiyon ang marriage n’yong mag-asawa. I don’t mean that I don’t like yung bonggang wedding. of course, I want my wedding to be very memorable but it’s better if we also have a beautiful marriage because we really prepared for it.”

Just like any woman, Ai Ai would like to complete their marriage with a child. “That’s what I’m praying for. If it’s God’s will, ibibigay niya. Hopefully, magkaro’n kami ng baby.

That would really make me so happy.”

Meanwhile, Ai Ai is busy promoting her Mother’s Day movie with Megan, Mighty Yaya in which she portrays the title role. “In the movie, we will show that you can be a mother even if hindi mo naman anak ang bata.

As long as you can give the love a mother can give, that’s what matters. Yun ang magpapa-solid sa pagmamahalan ng nagaalaga at ng mga bata,” said Ai Ai.

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A p R i l 28 , 20 1 7

Dave Baustista back as Drax in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ For Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista (“Spectre,” upcoming “Blade runner 2049”), returning to the Guardians’ fold in Marvel Studios’“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” was a chance to reprise a character he truly enjoys playing.

“What I really love about Drax is he’s not what you’d expect from reading the comics,” Bautista says.

“Everybody was expecting one thing, and we gave them another. It makes it more interesting. It’s easy just to be the big guy who’s always growling at people and intimidating people. We’ve seen it a million times. But when you get the same guy who looks the same way but just says the most ridiculous things that make you laugh, it makes him more interesting.”

Continuing, he adds, “And he’s also got that side to him that’s just all heart. He’s still heartbroken over the loss of his family. And I love that dynamic, man. I love playing with that. It’s challenging. It makes it’s interesting. It makes the character loveable and it makes people connect to him.”

In the movie, Drax develops a friendship with a new character, Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff.

Describing their relationship, Bautista says, “It’s hard to think that Drax would have some innocence to him but he really does, and it comes out in this film. That’s in the connection he has with Mantis.

There’s a lot of innocence in both characters. They’re almost like two kids who find each other and become playmates. They just connect on a certain level that they can’t connect with anybody else. They’re both suffering from some pain and learning new things and new feelings, new experiences. They’re going through that together and that’s where the connection is.”

The opportunity to work with Chris Pratt again was also plus for Bautista. “on a personal level, I think everybody involved on this film will agree that we just love him,” he says. “He’s just such a

Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista as Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

good dude; a good, kind-hearted person. I can’t say enough good things about him. He is what you see. There’s nothing superficial or pretentious about Chris. He’s just got a great energy about him and he’s a very positive person. And that all trickles down. When you get number one coming to set who’s always in a good mood, it’s hard to be that guy who is in the bad mood or complaining.”

Working with director James Gunn further proves to be a positive experience for the actor: “It’s great because the writer is there and the director is there, all in one person.”

Bautista adds, “Drax is the vehicle for James Gunn’s twisted, witty sense of humor. I love when I’m shooting and delivering stuff that I can hear James off in the distance laughing because I know that it is what he wanted. That it is what he was expecting out of the dialogue that he wrote. That in itself makes me feel really good because I love giving him what he wants.”

Bautista is confident that audiences will connect to the film on a personal level. As he says, “The first film was more about people coming together for the greater good. And I think this film is more about relationships with people.

It is the story of a family. Your family doesn’t always have to be

blood family. They can be chosen family. So I think this is more of a relationship film, and everyone can relate to that.”

Bautista was born in Washington, DC to an American mother Donna raye and FilipinoAmerican father David Michael Bautista, whose parents are Filipino immigrants. According to Wikipedia: “His parents separated and eventually divorced. His paternal grandfather served in the Philippines military, worked as a taxicab driver, barber, and held other jobs to feed the family.

“Bautista has said that he is not ashamed to admit he lived in poverty. He has admitted to having a hard life.

Before carving a career in the movies, Bautista became popular as professional wrestler with the WWE. Set to the backdrop of “Awesome Mixtape #2,” Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand. (ManilaTimes.net)

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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 28 , 2017