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Volume10 – Issue 17 • 16 Pages

JANUARY 20-26, 2017 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

US Secretary of State nominee wavers on Duterte’s drug campaign Human rights org slams ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson’s unwillingness to condemn extrajudicial killings

the senate foreign relations Committee confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald trump’s secretary of state pick tackled a number of issues regarding human rights abuses, and Philippine President rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug crackdown made the agenda. secretary of state nominee rex tillerson — nominated by trump in December — was interviewed by several senators from both sides of the aisle on Wednesday, January 11, and many of them were outraged by tillerson’s hesitancy in taking a stance on human rights abuses in the Philippines as well as saudi Arabia, russia and other nations.

Previously, the president-elect told Duterte in a phone conversation that he thinks that the Philippine government is handling the illegal drug problem “the right way”, according to Duterte. sen. marco rubio (r-florida) — who

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First Filipino mayor of Vallejo, California sworn in VAlleJo, California – Vallejo’s first mayor of filipino ancestry, Bob sampayan, was sworn Jan. 3 as mayor to a city with nearly 25,000 filipinos. sampayan, a first term city council member, was elected in november. he thanked his campaign team and family for all their support. he also spoke about how the city should move Vallejo City Mayor Bob forward in the comSampayan ing years. sampayan was born the oldest of two children in 1952 in ft. Belvoir, Virginia. he was an “Army brat” whose military family lived throughout the Pacific and

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DUTERTE MEETS WITH BUSINESS TYCOONS. President Duterte poses with officials and heads of some of the country’s biggest businesses following a dinner and discussion at Malacañang on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The country’s business heavyweights committed to pour resources into some of the nation’s most impoverished regions and promote inclusive growth and vowed to help the government promote peace, spur development and reduce poverty in Mindanao.

Malacañang photo

Duterte: I will be quiet if I declare martial law

hindi ako mag-iingay (and if i do, i will not make noise),” Duterte said in his speech during the 20th anniversary of PhiliPPine President rodrigo the Premier medical Center in CabaDuterte on Wednesday, January 18, natuan City, nueva ecija. stressed that he has no plans to put the “But if i feel as a president that i country under martial law. have to preserve my country, i will dehe added, however, that he would clare martial law,” he added be quiet if he is compelled to do so.

Duterte also expressed his agree“i will not declare martial law at ment with the military that, as of preskung mag-declare ako ng martial law ent, there was “no compelling reason” by dAnA

SioSon AJPress

to declare martial law. however, he warned that mindanao is being “contaminated” by the islamic state (isis).

“But i will just fill you in in the days to come. it’s isis coming in very fast and mindanao is a pure case of rising nationalism,” he noted. in his speech, Duterte also hit media outlets regarding their reporting of his pronouncements.

“And media kasi hindi nakikinig. Ang

marinig lang nila, martial law. hindi ako stupido. mas bright tayo sa kanila (The media do not listen. All they hear is Martial Law. i am not stupid. We are brighter than them),” Duterte said. last monday, January 16, Presidential Communications secretary martin Andanar also chided media outlets for their supposed “misreporting” of President rodrigo Duterte’s recent re-

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Bishop: Church cannot keep silent on killings manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said at the 4th Apostolic Congress on mercy in manila, the mAnilA, Philippines — A Catho- Catholic Bishops Conference of the lic bishop on tuesday, January 17 Philippines news website reported.

Pabillo, who formerly chaired said Church leaders and the faithful should speak out against the con- the CBCP’s national secretariat for tinued drug-related killings in the social Action, and Peace, said that Catholics should not be afraid to Philippines. “if we are true to our call to be denounce extrajudicial killings in Church of the Poor, we cannot as a the country. u PAGE A2 Church keep silent on these issues,”

by KriStiAn JAvier Philstar.com

Immigration activists tell Trump admin: We are here to stay by eric

Anthony licAS AJPress

ACtiVists rallied in support of immigrants’ rights on saturday, January 14 at lA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown los Angeles as they have across the country in the weeks since the election of Donald trump to the presidency of the United states.

A number of the president-

elect’s stated intentions, including his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, have sparked impassioned responses from both liberals and conservatives who say America’s immigration policy is broken.

“We know for a fact that the first thing we need to do is secure the border,” rudy Asercion, a committee member for the republican Par-

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New US envoy affirms ‘solid’ ties with PH by dAnA

SioSon AJPress

the United states Ambassador to the Philippines sung Kim has affirmed the long-standing ties between manila and Washington, malacañang said. “[Kim] reiterated the commitment of the U.s. to the bilateral relationship with the Philippines, which he described as ‘solid,’” Presidential Presidential spokesman ernesto Abella said in a statement on sunday, January 15.

According to Abella, Philippine President rodrigo Duterte had a “productive 45-minute meeting” with the U.s. ambassador on sunday in Davao City.

Abella said Duterte and Kim met following the ‘PRODUCTIVE MEETING’. President Rodrigo Duterte (right), accompanied by some Cabinet launching of the country’s chairmanship of the Asmembers, meets the new US ambassador to Manila, Sung Kim (second from right), at the Panacan presidential guesthouse in Davao City on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Malacañang photo

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George T. Conway III (right), husband of Trump Senior Advisor Kellyanne Conway, was named a candidate for solicitor general.

Fil-Ams greet potential Trump pick for solicitor general with surprise, skepticism

by Anthony

AdvinculA New America Media

neW YorK — few filipino Americans know the name George t. Conway iii. the husband of Kellyanne Conway, senior adviser to President-elect Donald trump, he has never been active in the filipino American community and it was only recently that his filipino heritage had even been made public. so when it was reported last week that Conway is on the shortlist of nominees for U.s. solicitor general, filipino Americans greeted the news with a mix of surprise and skepticism. “i didn’t realize that he is filipino American,” said rudy Asercion, chairman of the national organization of filipino-American republicans and an elected member of the san francisco republican Party Central Committee. “my wife says that his mother is filipino, but we are still not sure about that.”

Yet, as a devoted republican, Asercion was brimming with pride at the news. “this is very telling that a filipino should be raised up [under a republican administration],” he said. Whenever the nation’s leader is a Democrat, he added, “it doesn’t do anything” for the community.

Conway, if appointed and approved by the senate, would achieve the highest public office that a filipino American holds and would be the first AsianAmerican solicitor general.

While a majority of filipino Americans vote Democrat, a survey last october found that among registered Asian American voters, filipino Americans showed the most support for trump.

Conway’s name was little mentioned during the presidential campaign, though it was reported that he did make donations to the trump campaign, as well as to previous GoP presidential candidates.

A long-time partner at the new Yorkbased law firm Wachtell, lipton, rosen & Katz, according to his biography on the firm’s website, Conway graduated from Yale law school in 1987, after attending harvard College. throughout his career, Conway has represented high-profile clients, including the national football league and tobacco maker Philip morris. he also played a minor role in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton. for other filipino Americans, however, Conway’s potential nomination does little to curb their mistrust of the president elect.

“During the campaign, trump sup-

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A JANUARY 20-26, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Duterte: I will be quiet if I declare…

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marks regarding the declaration of martial law.

Over the weekend, reports cited Duterte saying that he would impose martial law if the country’s situation became “very virulent.”

“Kung gusto ko (If I wanted to), and if it will deteriorate into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law if I want to). Walang makapigil sa akin (No one can stop me),” the president said in a speech during an oathtaking ceremony of Davao City Chamber of Commerce officials last Saturday, January 14.

Duterte then added, “If I have to declare martial law, I will de-

4TH INTERNATIONAL GAMEFOWL FESTIVAL. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony that kicks the start of the 4th International Gamefowl Festival that showcases gamefowls, veterinary and feed products, equipment, technologies and services for the gamefowl industry. Villar and Games and Amusement Board Chairman Baham Mitra are the Guests of Honor in the three-day gathering of gamefowl breeders, gamefowl raisers, feed suppliers, and gamefowl enthusiasts at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Senate photo

Fil-Ams greet potential Trump pick for…

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porters made [some] disparaging remarks about Hillary Clinton’s Filipino housekeeper,” said Mary Villena, of Jacksonville, Fla. “I’m just surprised that I didn’t hear a peep from Kellyanne Conway about defending the housekeeper since she is married to a Filipino American.”

Villena believes Conway’s potential nomination will do little to benefit ordinary Filipino Americans.

“Looking at his biography and his clients—they don’t scream social justice to me,” she added.

“I really don’t think his Filipino heritage would be influential or of benefit to us.”

Some Filipino Americans also say that Conway would be an unusual choice for solicitor general,

because of his lack of experience arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

So far, his law firm biography lists only one Supreme Court case that he has argued— a 2010 dispute involving the overseas reach of federal securities law.

His appointment, according to other Filipino Americans, would also raise questions about conflict of interest, considering his wife’s position in the Trump administration.

Although a solicitor general reports to the attorney general and answers to the president, decisions should be made independently of the White House.

“There’s definitely going to be a major bias in the decision-making process,” said N. Macasaet, a single parent from Jersey City,

NJ. “I don’t know him [Conway], but I’m not sure if it [his appointment] is a good idea.”

Eric Lachica, a Filipino American advocate and chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based Filipino American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, wanted to give Conway a chance.

He said Conway may find solutions to some critical issues that Filipino Americans face.

“I really don’t know anything about his background, but I would like to see his community participation and find out whether it is going to be an asset or liability,” Lachica said.

“I hope he’d join us in what we are fighting for, especially equal rights for Filipino veterans and the growing conflict between the Philippines and China.” n

New US envoy affirms ‘solid’ ties…

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sociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

“The U.S. ambassador congratulated the Philippines on its assumption of the ASEAN hosting and looked forward to a successful leadership,” Abella related.

During the meeting, Abella said Kim discussed the military

and law enforcement cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.

“Furthermore, he also discussed military cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and the extent of US assistance to Mindanao,” Abella added.

Quoting Kim, Abella also took

note that the United States will continue to support the Philippines.

“Citing cooperation in law enforcement, Ambassador Sung Kim stressed that the U.S. will continue to provide support, including intelligence exchange and in maritime security. It was a

clare it, not because of invasion, insurrection, I will declare martial law to preserve my nation, period.”

The Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on Wednesday, however, said “a review of the president’s speech last Saturday in Davao City would reveal that the media merely paraphrased or translated some of his remarks.”

The MPC called out Andanar for accusing the media of “misreporting” Duterte’s remarks and urged him to “read the entire news stories, not just the heads or titles, to get a better picture of the media’s coverage of the president.”

In a statement, the press corps also said that the media “has no

obligation to please or satisfy its sources because its loyalty is to the citizens, those who will be affected by the actions of people who are far more powerful than them.”

Following Andanar’s comments, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also criticized the communications secretary for his “utterly dishonest tack of blaming the media” over the supposed “misreporting” of Duterte’s comments.

The NUJP’s letter to Andanar pointed out that Duterte’s message has been accurately recorded on video by the government channel, RTVM. n

Bishop: Church cannot keep silent…

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More than 6,000 people with suspected links to illegal drugs have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs started last July. The government has insisted that 2,550 of those killed were drug suspects who fought back. The rest, it has attributed to vigilantes and to drug syndicates.

The UN, the US, the EU and human rights groups have all called out to the president to ensure that the rule of law is respected in all law enforcement operations.

Pabillo said that with the 6,000 killed, more than 30,000 people are directly affected and orphaned of their family members.

“These thousands are deeply traumatized and even now made more poor,” Pabillo added.

He also said that, for him, it is not an insult to be labeled an “activist bishop” and be identified with the poor and the oppressed since he is “not speaking for myself, but for the poor and voiceless.”

“It is what I am supposed to

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo

be, to be a follower of Christ,” Pabillo added.

Pabillo, the current chairman of the Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops Conference Philippines, will be leading a “Walk for Life” in Manila on February 18 to demonstrate their disapproval of EJKs. Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas President Zenaida Capistrano said that it is time the laypeople

Philstar.com photo

convey their opposition to thousands of unexplained killings.

“We, the Filipino Catholic lay faithful signify our protest against all forms of threats to human life and dignity that are coming from the economic, social, and political structures and authorities,” Capistrano said.

Laypeople are not ordained as part of the clergy but actively help the Church. n

Immigration activists tell Trump admin: We are…

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ty in San Francisco told the Asian Journal during a phone call on Monday, January 16. “You need to enforce immigration laws before you reform the system.”

He said that lawmakers need to focus on protecting citizens u PAGE A3 in light of prior instances of ter-

rorism-linked violence. Gaining more control over the movement of people in and out of the country and removing up to 3 million undocumented residents with criminal convictions on their records from the U.S. has to be the first step in correcting immigration policy, according to Aser-

cion.

He went on to echo Trump’s assertion that those who would be targeted by the administration for deportation were mostly criminals who might pose a risk to the safety of American citizens while adding unfair competition

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From the Front Page

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 20-26, 2017

A

US Secretary of State nominee wavers on…

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has been critical of Trump since the Republican primary race — probed the ExxonMobil CEO about the human rights violations committed in the violent drug crackdown in the Philippines.

Since Duterte’s first day in office, more than 6,200 people have been killed by the police and vigilante shootings. Moreover, Duterte has encouraged the killings as a way to cleanse the nation from illegal drugs.

Rubio asked Tillerson: “In your view is this the right way to conduct an anti-drug campaign?”

Rather than giving a yes or no answer, Tillerson evaded the question to acknowledge the longstanding Philippine/U.S. alliance.

“The U.S. [and] the people of ASEAN AT 50. President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Postmaster General Joel Otarra (right) unveil a new set of stamps commemorating the Philippines have had a longthe Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations this year as well as the bloc’s 50th founding anniversary. standing friendship,” Tillerson Malacañang photo replied. “And I think it’s important we keep that in perspective in engaging with the government of the Philippines, that longJournal during a phone call on tion regarding the people chosen standing friendship. And they PAGE A2 t to the U.S. job market.

Monday. “I want him to study by Trump to join his cabinet as have been an ally and we need to However, speakers at Satur- properly how these people will well as the incoming administra- ensure they stay an ally.” day’s rally challenged that char- be deported.” tion’s vision of the future.

But Rubio persisted the issue, acterization.

Both he and Asercion said Alfarero and Asercion said it referencing statistics from the Los “We are not taking away jobs that whatever measures the in- is too early to make judgments Angeles Times and asking Tillerfrom American-born workers, we coming administration launches about the president-elect’s leadare not depressing wages, we are to address the issue need to be ership. not a drain on taxpayer dollars, properly debated and approved As they prepare to attend his and we are not criminals,” Cali- through the regular legislative inauguration in Washington D.C. PAGE A1 t fornia State Controller Betty Yee process. on Friday, January 20, they said United States. They settled in told a densely packed crowd of They say that outgoing Presi- the Fil-Am community must be- Salinas, CA in the late 1950’s both documented and undocu- dent Barack Obama’s prior ac- come more involved in the politi- where Bob and his brother mented Angelenos attending tions conferring protection from cal process and be open to work- lived until both began their Saturday’s event. deportation to millions of undoc- ing with the president. college education. Bob reShe went on to say that Cali- umented residents in the United “We have to be engaged in ceived his formal education at fornia has developed one of the States overstepped the bounds of order to get a reaction,” said Hartnell Community College in world’s most powerful econo- his authority.

Alfarero on Monday. “If you’re Salinas and at San Jose State mies largely thanks to the work On Monday, Trump reiterated not engaged you’re not part of University majoring in Adminof people who came to the U.S. his intention to rescind the De- it. n istration of Justice. from abroad. ferred Action for Childhood ArNumerous studies show that rivals (DACA) program. The 2012 an influx of immigrants typically executive order prevented immiprovides a boost to local business gration officials from deporting in the places they choose to settle students brought to the U.S. as which can lead to job growth, ac- children by their families and cording to Deepak Pateriya, chief granted those youth temporary of staff for the nonprofit Center work visas. for Community Change.

However, during a town hall He and other speakers at Sat- meeting hosted by CNN on urday’s rally said that Trump’s Thursday, January 12, House stance on immigration threat- Speaker Paul Ryan said that Conened to disrupt the livelihoods gress was not developing legislaof contributing members of so- tion that would effect the swift ciety. mass deportations the president“It’s important to distinguish elect had proposed during his between violent felons and crimi- campaign. nals, and hardworking people “What we have to do is find a who are trying to rebuild their way to make sure that you can lives,” Alejandra Valles, sec- get right with the law,” Ryan told retary-treasurer of the Service a woman who identified herself Employees International Union as a DACA recipient on Thurs(SEIU)’s United Service Work- day. “We’ve got to do this in a ers West (USWW), told the Asian good way so that the rug doesn’t Journal after Saturday’s rally. get pulled out from under you She said that many of those and your family gets separated.” who fear removal from the U.S. In the face of mixed signals under the incoming Trump ad- from leaders in Washington, ministration had committed no lawmakers and educators in Calicrime other than unlawfully en- fornia had announced that they tering the country. She added would not comply with any fedthat in some cases, candidates eral deportation efforts. for deportation were actually “You have to come through us American citizens who had fallen before you get to our students,” victim to some sort of error in the Arlene Inouye, treasurer for the legal system. labor organization United TeachMembers of the GOP have ers Los Angeles (UTLA), told the also expressed hope that Trump Asian Journal on Saturday. “We would proceed with caution on are making it clear that we are his plans to overhaul the immi- opposed to the policies of Trump gration system. and Devas, [the President-elect’s “First, find out who really are nominee for] secretary of educathe bad people,” Mel Alfarero, tion. the founder of the Filipino-AmerShe, Pateriya, Valles and other icans Republicans of Los Angeles advocates for immigrant and County (FARLAC), told the Asian worker’s rights voiced trepida-

Immigration activists tell Trump admin: We are…

Rex Tillerson

son whether the Duterte administration’s handling of the illegal drug problem “is an appropriate way to conduct that operation? Or do you believe that it is something that’s conducive to human rights violations that we should be concerned about and condemning?”

Tillerson, again, skipped around the question, saying he’d rather be sure of “credible information available from various government agencies” than make a judgment from “something I read in the newspapers.”

Photo from State.gov

The senator then followed up by saying that Duterte “openly brags about the people who are being shot and killed on the streets” without granting them a trial in court. He added that the issue “is not an intelligence issue” and that it’s constantly reported in the media.

Tillerson, still skeptical about the facts and statistics, said, “If the facts are in fact supported of those numbers and those actions, then I don’t think any of

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First Filipino mayor of Vallejo, California sworn…

Top photo shows Aquilina Versoza, executive director of Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles, leading a chant at the rally on Saturday, Jan. 14. Bottom photo shows Alejandra Valles, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)’s United Service Workers West (USWW), pumps up attendees.

New US envoy affirms…

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very productive meeting marked by an open exchange of ideas,” Abella said.

Last month, Kim met Duterte when he presented his credentials to the Philippine leader.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Kim replaced Philip Goldberg as the new U.S. ambassador to the Philippines last year. Kim also previously worked as U.S. ambassador to South Korea from 2011 to 2014. n

Sampayan served decades in law enforcement with the Palo Alto Police Department and the City of Vallejo Police Department, eventually taking command of the Central Community Substation. He retired in 2006 but returned to work in 2009 with Fighting Back Partnership (FBP) as the Crime Prevention Coordinator. He

specialized in Neighborhood Watch programs, business watch, personal safety, home and business security and civil nuisance abatement.

Sampayan is married to Ramona and lives in the Hiddenbrooke subdivision in Vallejo. They have two grown children and two grandchildren who also reside in Vallejo. n

A JANUARY 20-26, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Mayor De Blasio appoints Maria TorresSpringer next commissioner for Department of Housing Preservation and Development

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced Maria Torres-Springer will serve as the next Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development when its current commissioner, Vicki Been, returns to teaching at New York University. The mayor is also appointing James Patchett as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

The City announced last week that under Been’s leadership, the administration was securing affordable housing at a rate not seen since the Koch Administration in 1989. Her exit comes three years into the Mayor’s signature Housing New York Plan, and after overseeing the financing of a record 62,500 affordable CONGRESS OF MERCY. Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto (above, left), apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, listens as Manila Archbishop Cardinal homes – enough for 170,000 New Luis Antonio Tagle (above, right) delivers his homily during the Holy Mass for the 4th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy on Monday, Yorkers. Been restructured City’s Jan. 16 at the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica in Intramuros, Manila.

ManilaTimes.net photos programs to reach a wider range of incomes and secure more affordable housing for every public dollar spent. She reformed the regulatory process to reduce the risk and cost of building and preThe spike in verbal and physi- serving affordable housing while WASHINGTON, DC – Asian harassment against members of cal threats towards racial, ethnic, ensuring its safety, quality, and Americans and Pacific Islanders the AAPI community.

“In the ten days immediately and religious minority groups financial stability. Been is return(AAPI) fear a new round of hate incidents across the country, following the election, nearly 900 since the election has been par- ing to New York University as the targeting many vulnerable seg- incidents of hate were reported ticularly directed at Muslim Boxer Family Professor of Law ments of our community, par- around the country, including Americans. This uptick of hate- and Faculty Director of the Furticularly immigrants and Muslim reports that were clearly anti- ful actions follows a year of as- man Center.

Maria Torres-Springer comes Americans. In response to these Muslim, anti-Asian, and anti-im- tounding escalation in anti-Musto HPD with deep experience concerns, Asian Americans Ad- migrant,” said Mee Moua, presi- lim hate crimes, which showed a vancing Justice (Advancing Jus- dent and executive director of 67% increase during 2015. Data securing affordable housing tice), a national affiliation of five Advancing Justice | AAJC. “With from 2015 also shows a jump in and working directly with comleading civil rights organizations, the inauguration only a few days anti-Chinese hate crimes, likely munities on holistic neighborannounces the launch of a new away, our community is fearful in response to escalating presi- hood planning. As president of website to collect and track inci- of a new barrage of attacks. We dential campaign language at- NYCEDC, and before that as the dents of hate targeting the Asian cannot stay silent when our com- tacking China on trade and eco- Mayor’s SBS commissioner, TorAmerican and Pacific Islander munities become victims of hate nomic grounds.

The #StandAgainstHatred speech or harassment.” community.

Incidents targeting members website fulfills the need to track “While hate crimes and incidents have surged to the top of of the AAPI community have in- hate incidents within the AAPI PAGE A3 t community that are not often us would accept that as a proper news coverage leading up to and cluded: Two days before the election, captured or reported. The web- way to deal with offenders, no following the November 8 election, attacks against AAPIs have swastikas were etched onto the site encourages people to report matter how egregious offenders received little attention,” said glass of a Taiwanese community instances of harassment and hate may be.”

Stewart Kwoh, president and ex- center in San Jose; In December, based on factors such as cultural He also did not criticize the ecutive director of Asian Ameri- a similar incident occurred in identity, gender, sexual orien- gender and political repression cans Advancing Justice-Los Ange- Southern California when van- tation, and religion. Collecting in Saudi Arabia and refused to les. “But anecdotally, Advancing dals deliberately spray-painted the reports and stories from our acknowledge any atrocity ocJustice has heard of a number red swastikas on the grounds of communities allows us to moni- curred in Syria, where Russianof incidents including physical a Korean Presbyterian church tor and expose hate incidents led forces have committed war threats and attacks as well as in Buena Park; In November, across the nation and give voice crimes like bombing civilians. vandalism and hate messages, mosques in California, Georgia, to those whose stories have not After Tillerson’s testimony, all targeting Asian Americans.” Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, captured media attention outside several Republican and DemoIn response, Advancing Justice received handwritten letters of of the AAPI community. crat senators reported being disReporting incidents to Advanc- turbed by his answers. launches the #StandAgainstHa- hate calling for genocide and retred website to serve as a tool to ferring to Muslims as the “chil- ing Justice will also allow us to Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) u PAGE A5 said he would not be voting for track and expose hate crimes and dren of Satan.”

New website will track and expose hate incidents against AAPI community

res-Springer has created and advanced transformational projects, including the re-imagining of Spofford, a former juvenile detention center in the Bronx as a hub for the arts and affordable housing. She has been the administration’s leader in developing the Downtown Far Rockaway Neighborhood Plan, which included more than $90 million in neighborhood investments and affordable housing to serve both the lowest-income New Yorkers and those in the middle class. Torres-Springer will build on Been’s legacy of protecting neighborhoods and developing record numbers of securely-financed affordable homes in increasingly challenging economic times.

James Patchett, who has served as Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen’s chief of staff and a key advisor to the mayor on housing and economic development, will take the reins at NYCEDC. At City Hall, Glen’s office oversees the work of 25 agencies, authorities and offices, including the Department of City Planning, the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development, the Economic Development Corporation, and the New York City Housing Authority. Patchett is an architect of some of the administration’s most significant accomplishments, including saving 5,000 affordable homes at Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, protecting Harlem’s Riverton Houses, passing Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, and overhauling CitiBike.

Peter Wertheim, currently Senior Advisor to Deputy Mayor Glen, will assume the Chief of Staff role. Wertheim has become one of the administration’s most trusted voices on policy and land use, most recently negotiating the acquisition of Bushwick Inlet Park by the City, fulfilling a decade-long goal of the community.

“With her signature brand of grit and grace, Vicki created and implemented our ambitious affordable housing plan. She is a brilliant public servant and law professor, and her students are lucky to have her back,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “As progressive thinkers and proven deal makers, Maria and James have worked closely with me to advance our most important initiatives. Together, we will continue to build on the successes our first three years, and make this city fairer and more affordable for everyone.”

The moves are effective Feb. 6.

“Having grown up in Section 8 housing, I know first-hand that the work we do is a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of families. Housing is the top expense for New Yorkers, and for far too many rising rents threaten their ability to stay in the city they love. I’ve spent my career helping people secure better jobs with better wages, and developing neighborhood projects that provide affordable homes and economic opportunity. Vicki leaves big shoes to fill, but I’m honored to have a chance to keep

Tillerson, stating that “there was no moral clarity” in any of his answers and was unqualified to serve as secretary of state.

International human rights organization Amnesty International called Tillerson’s answers to the human rights questions “extremely concerning,” citing the secretary of state’s pivotal role in upholding “human rights in the U.S. and abroad.”

“Tillerson’s claims that he cannot pass judgment on these countries’ abuses until he has access to U.S. intelligence briefings ignores the U.S. government’s own previous findings,” Sarah

Margon, Washington director of Human Rights Watch, told the Los Angeles Times.

“It is extremely concerning that a nominee for Secretary of State would claim that governments in countries like Syria and the Philippines with clear patterns of documented violations are not considered human rights abusers,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “His rhetoric suggests that under his leadership the State Department would not pressure human rights violators even in the face of overwhelming evidence.”

(Klarize Medenilla / AJPress)

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US Secretary of State nominee wavers on…

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Andanar, Esperon to attend Trump rites

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

FREED. Captain Chul Hong Park (left), a South Korean national, and 2nd officer Filipino Glenn Alindajao (2nd from left), two hostages released in Jolo Sulu, arrive in Davao City with Philippine Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza (2nd R). The duo was kidnapped on October 20 after rebels hijacked the cargo ship Dong Bang Giant while it was sailing near Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and the Sabah border. The ship was on its way to South Korea from Australia.

Photo courtesy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

AAPIs urged to enroll in health care as Trump admin threatens to repeal ACA OFFICIALS and health care advocates in California want Americans to continue signing up for government health insurance subsidies made available by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) despite the Trump administration’s intentions to repeal and replace the measure.

Paul Lee, the head of the state’s health care exchange, Covered California, along with State Treasurer John Chiang and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles Executive Director Stewart Kwoh met at a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 12 to remind residents that they have until the end of the month to register for benefits.

“We can talk about changes that may happen, but the thing we know today is that we are open for business,” said Lee on Thursday. “The benefits available through medical and the benefits through Covered California for 2017 are locked in, and now is the time for people to sign up.”

He also said that actions taken at the federal level could take months, even years to begin having a direct impact on people in their communities. As a result, new enrollees are unlikely to suddenly lose coverage even if lawmakers in Washington D.C. approve legislation that dismantles the ACA. Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a budget blueprint which paves the way for future proposals aimed at terminating the Obama administration’s signature health insurance law.

“This resolution will set the stage for true legislative relief from Obamacare that Americans have long demanded while ensuring a stable transition,” Senate Budget Chairman Mike Enzi of Wyoming said on the Senate floor on Thursday.

Opponents of the measure say it has increased health insurance costs for many Americans and placed unnecessary burdens on businesses.

Obamacare supporters say it has made medical care available to millions of people who couldn’t afford it before. Kwoh added that alternative, privatized plans suggested by Republican lawmakers would severely reduce people’s coverage “We know that in the history before Covered California, before Obamacare, that we had families upon families upon families whose financial trajectories would decline because of some health care incident,” said Chiang during Thursday’s press conference.

He said that those who lack coverage oftentimes struggled to recover from the financial burdens brought on by unforeseen or chronic medical concerns.

According to Chiang, affordable medical insurance extended sta-

identify incidents that have legal or policy responses. Advancing Justice encourages AAPIs who believed they have been victims of hate incidents to tell their stories on www.standagainsthatred.org.

“Our reporting website acts as a platform to capture information so we can begin to share experiences and create a collective,

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US president-elect Donald Trump

Duterte had deferred the nomination of a new Philippine ambassador to Washington until after the election of a new U.S. president.

He announced in August that he wanted Palace chief protocol officer Marciano Paynor Jr. to be the Philippine ambassador to the US because of his long experience in the foreign service. n

Covered California Executive Director Paul Lee speaks to reporters about the benefits of AJPress photos by Eric Anthony Licas health insurance.

bility and peace of mind to multitudes of working class families.

Chiang went on to applaud Covered California for effectively negotiating with insurers to bring the costs of plans below what had previously been available through private health care market. Those who switch plans after shopping for insurance through Covered California saved an average of $450 a year, Lee reported.

“While there’s some confusion in Washington, there’s no confusion that the reason people want health care is that they know they need it,” Lee told reporters on Thursday. “The thing they don’t all know is that now they can afford it.”

In California, the number of the people who lack coverage has fallen faster than it has in any other state, Lee said. The rate of uninsured Californians has fallen from 17 percent to 7.4 percent since the ACA’s implementation, lower than it has ever been in history.

Speakers at Thursday’s press conference urged California’s remaining uninsured population to explore their options and reach out to representatives of Covered California. The health care exchange network offers information and support in 13 languages, including Tagalog through their website and several phone hotlines.

California State Treasurer John Chiang

More than 800,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the state have registered for health care through Medi-Cal and Covered California. Nationwide, the number of uninsured AAPIs has fallen by 59 percent since the ACA’s implementation, according to Kwoh.

Approximately 20 million previously uncovered Americans have enrolled in plans through Obamacare.

Despite federal efforts to repeal the law, Kwoh and other advocates of the ACA say the increasing number of people who have taken advantage of it demonstrates its value and demand.

“The future of the ACA is going to depend on the people,” said Kwoh “Yes, politicians can say what they want, but the American people will have to speak up.” (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

up-to-date report of what is happening in the Asian American community,” said Aarti Kohli, executive director of Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco).

“While victims of hate crimes should contact their local law enforcement to report a crime or file a complaint, we recognize that many in our communities experience hate incidents where they

may not want a police response.

This website allows victims of hate in our communities to share their experiences with us, such as hate speech, harassment, bullying, and other incidents, including criminal conduct, and have their voices heard.”

The #StandAgainstHatred website was made possible through a generous donation by Charles H. Jung of Nassiri & Jung LLP. n

Mayor De Blasio appoints Maria Torres-Springer… up the record-breaking progress she’s achieved,” said Maria Torres-Springer.

“As we continue to build on the achievements of this administration, I am honored to serve as the new head of NYCEDC. With the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Maria, and all of our partners inside and outside of government, we will continue to make our city a 21st Century capital of commerce, culture and innovation,” said James Patchett.

“It has been an honor and

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Chargé d’Affairés Patrick Chuasoto will be joined by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar during the inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump in Washington on Jan. 20, a Malacañang official said Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines aims to continue and strengthen its bilateral relations with the US under the Trump administration.

Esperon and Andanar will be President Duterte’s representatives to the historic event.

Duterte had decided to skip Trump’s inauguration.

“The Philippines and the U.S. are long-standing allies and we intend to further strengthen the bilateral ties anchored on mutual respect, benefit, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” Abella said.

The Philippine government also aims to establish a shared commitment to world peace as the Trump administration assumes office, Abella said.

“We will be performing our respective functions. The charge d’affaires will officially represent President Duterte,” he said.

Andanar said they would hold side meetings during the U.S. trip.

“We will report to the president the inauguration and our side meetings once we get back,” he said.

The Palace officials were mum when asked if they would raise concerns on destabilization efforts against Duterte or seek an audience regarding the Philippine drug war, which raised concerns on human rights violations during the Obama administration.

“As per U.S. practice, heads of diplomatic missions represent their countries in the inauguration. Charge d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto will be attending the inauguration,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said.

Covered California Executive Director Paul Lee (seated left) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles Executive Director Stewart Kwoh (seated right) join State Treasurer John Chiang (standing) at a press conference urging Californians to sign up for health care coverage on Thursday, January 12.

New website will track and expose…

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privilege to lead HPD, and to be part of the Mayor’s all-star housing team. We came in with a bold agenda to change the paradigm for how we grow as a city. We promised to produce and preserve more affordable housing than ever achieved, to reach New Yorkers at a broad range of incomes, and to work with communities to ensure neighborhoods are diverse, inclusive, and rich in opportunity. We’ve financed 62,506 affordable residences, including the highest three years of new construc-

tion in the City’s history. We’ve changed the way we work to ensure that we achieve more affordable housing for every public dollar spent, and that our housing reaches the New Yorkers who need it most,”HPD Commissioner Vicki Been said. “I am very grateful to Mayor de Blasio for giving me the opportunity to help him make history. As we face the challenges ahead, I look forward to watching as Maria and the amazing HPD team make even further strides to keep New York City a city for all.” n

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.

A JANUARY 20-26, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

ASEAN at 50

THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is turning 50 years old this year. The 10-member organization will celebrate a milestone, from starting as a loosely constructed regional association at the height of the Cold War to becoming a stable organization that has overcome a myriad of challenges that have come its way.

Perhaps the biggest prize for ASEAN has been the preservation of peace, stability, prosperity and close relations among its members, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

This stable bond has propelled ASEAN’s economic growth and has boosted its international profile.

President Rogrido Duterte on Sunday, Jan. 15 called for a stronger ASEAN free of external interference, dependence and ignorance as he launched the Philippine chairmanship of the bloc’s 50th founding anniversary.

“For an ASEAN citizen, the ASEAN community must provide opportunities for a truly better life.

This is a life that has broken the bonds of dependence and ignorance. This is a life that has given opportunities for self-improvement. This is a life that is provided by a society transformed and reformed,” Duterte said.

With the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” the Philippine hosting of the 2017 ASEAN meetings aims to have “inclusive and innovation-led growth,” and turn ASEAN into a “model of regionalism.

“We express our shared determination to ensure stability and security from external interference in

any form of negotiation in order to preserve our national identity,” the president added.

The Philippines will be hosting 118 ASEAN meetings this year— including two summits with the heads of states of the 10 member-nations and dialogue partners—which will take place in various locations nationwide, including Metro Manila, Laoag, Pampanga, Legazpi, Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.

“Fifty years, hence, we see ourselves much changed for the better. Lives have been improved.

The march towards sustainable development and inclusive growth continues to take place. And we have established amongst ourselves good neighborliness that allows for secure and stable relations. But we also see in ourselves the very same burning desire to move forward together based on shared values,” Duterte said in his speech.

Despite these achievements, some political pundits have challenged the organization to grow economically and politically, to have a more dynamic ASEAN Code of Conduct, and a facilitation of a deeper and more meaningful dialogue and consultation.

ASEAN must also address the brewing tension in

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

the contested waters of the South China Sea. China asserts sovereignty on almost the entire South China Sea. China has been aggressive when it comes to territorial disputes. It has continuously rejected other nations’ claim (including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei) on the oil- and gasrich waters.

Despite obstacles set by conflicts among nations,

ASEAN is moving forward to pursue higher goals.

The ASEAN community is sure to meet its vision of becoming an alliance that has withstood the test of time, assuring regional peace and stability for its people. Allies not only by common interests, but also by shared values and aspirations among its people, the ASEAN will set precedents for creating a solution to global challenges. (AJPress)

Thank you for your service, President Barack Obama IT was President Barack Obama who welcomed me and my family when we took our oaths as new citizens of the United States of America in 2012. It was during his presidency when I first exercised my sacred right and duty as an adopted daughter of America.

I have followed President Obama’s rise to the highest post in the land — watched him evolve from being a candidate up until he was catapulted to be the most powerful leader in the world. I have also watched his family — First Lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters Sasha and Malia during the eight years that they were in the White House.

You may not believe in his policy and ideology. You may not agree with all his decisions, initiatives and actions. But looking past the prism of contentious and dirty tactics of politics, I hope you also find in you the respect and even admiration for the man.

THANK YOU, President Barack Obama, for being the leader who my children can emulate in the way you carried your self with decency, integrity,

governed the counhumility, dignity, and try, amid all the critirespect for all human The Fil-Am cisms and obstrucbeings. tionism from your THANK YOU for liv- Perspective political distractors. ing a life that exempliYou ran your race fies that thirst for the in the best way you truth, for learning, and can with grace, faith the pursuit of excel- Gel SantoS-ReloS in God and in the lence. goodness and value THANK YOU for walking the talk when you teach my fam- of every person. You fought hard so that ily about how America is a nation that those who have been blessed may be inis strengthened by immigrants like us, spired and motivated to reach out and welcoming us to this exceptional coun- help those who are in need, marginaltry with your policies that affirm the very ized, and neglected by society because principle held scared by the Constitution you believe we are all on this journey — equal opportunities and equal rights together.

THANK YOU, President Barack for all regardless of the color of our skin, where we came from, our age, edu- Obama for your service to the country. cational attainment, economic status, I know you will continue fighting for us. religion, our gender, whom we choose I know you will continue to inspire us. to love — for as long as we do our part Your legacy will live on in all of us as we in respecting and obeying the law, and do our part in giving back to this nation, giving our fair share for the good of the to the world, to this planet as you have shown us in the past eight years. nation.

May God bless you and your beautiful THANK YOU for showing us what the audacity of hope really is in the way you family as you start a new chapter in your

Pres. Barack Obama

life as a private citizen.. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author

in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Showing off the beauty of the Philippines THE Miss Universe pageant that reels Street off in the Philippines this January and will Talk culminate in the final selection of winners in Metro Manila on January 30 is much GReG B. MacaBenta more than just a contest among the world’s most beautiful women.

It is a tug-of-war between two starkly contrasting images of our beloved country. On one hand, there is the brewing picture of a “narco state” given to slaughtering anyone associated with drugs, whether drug lord or user or mere suspect. On the other hand, there is the portrait of a nation whose claim to beauty goes beyond female pulchritude.

If beauty contests were among the events in the Olympics, our constantly frustrated yearning for a gold medal would have long been satisfied and the Philippines would be among the most bemedalled. Our country has won three Miss Universe titles (Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, and the 2015 queen, Pia Wurtzbach), four Miss International crowns (Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979 and Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005), as well as one Miss Supranational title won by Bea Rose Santiago in 2013.

Additionally, no other country can claim to have won the hearts of the first Miss Universe, Finland’s Armi Kuusela (1952), and the first Miss International, Colombia’s Stella Marquez (1960). Both

were swept off their feet and wed by dashing Pinoys soon after donning their crowns – Kuusela by Virgilio Hilario and Marquez

by Jorge Araneta – and both became Metro Manila residents.

But the beauty of the Philippines – aptly expressed by that classic Philippine Airlines advertising campaign, “The beauty of the Philippines, shining through” – deserves to shine through in more ways than via a revealing two-piece swimsuit or a glittering gown.

The organizers of this year’s Miss Universe pageant are determined to do just that. Our beloved Filipinas (the country) can boast of beauty beyond its luscious lasses (of which we appear to have more than the normal quota among the nations), beyond scenic spots and historical landmarks, beyond exotic cuisine and shopping bargains, beyond being a consumer market of over 100 million waiting to be tapped, beyond hospitable, ever-smiling people.

Indeed, the beauty of the Philippines is an unmatched blending of all of these, a quality not easy to describe. I tried to do that in a speech at the 12th Asian Advertising Congress in Seoul, Korea.

“Filipinos,” I said, “look like Malayans, Chinese, Americans and Europeans, pray in the Spanish manner, dine on Chinese food, watch American programs on Japanese-made TV sets – but deep down is a Filipino soul, unique and indomitable, that expresses what

FLOWER FESTIVAL WELCOMES MISS U CANDIDATES. Miss Universe candidates join the flower parade in Baguio City on Wednesday, January 18. Four giant floats and hundreds of street dancers provide a preview of the famed Panagbenga Festival to Miss Universe candidates.

Inquirer.net photo by EV Espiritu

we are as a people.”

Frankly, I may have confused the folks in the audience more than enlightened them. The beauty of the Philippines has to be experienced, not just seen. It has to be felt and then missed by overseas Filipinos like me and by foreign expatriates who, having been posted in our country and then assigned elsewhere invariably realize what they have lost.

I understand that the schedule of the 86 contestants leading up to the final competition, includes events in key tourism spots, from Intramuros to Boracay, Vigan, Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, Davao and Batangas. The final pageant and coronation will be staged at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

These events and the final pageant will be telecast all over the world, a fantastic opportunity to showcase our tourism treasures. Hopefully, the scenic spots, smiles and laughter, the music, the cultural events, the testimonials and the positive media reports will neutralize the negative news that international media have been headlining of late.

There should be extra interest value in this year’s pageant after the 2016 historic blooper committed by emcee Steve Harvey, where he first named Miss Colombia as the winner, before he realized his mistake and called Pia Wurtzbach. Harvey is hosting the pageant again and, no matter how much he rehearses his lines, people will likely be watching out for a mistake.

Needless to say, it costs a lot of money to stage a Miss Universe competition, some $15 million, I understand. In 1974, when the Philippines first hosted the pageant, President Ferdinand Marcos had just declared martial two years earlier and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos could pretty much have anything she wanted from the country’s coffers. When the pageant was staged a second time in Manila, President Fidel V. Ramos had to contend with severe criticism for his government having to cover the budget shortfall.

This year’s pageant is being paid for mainly by private sector funders, led by the LCS Group of Ilocos Sur’s Luis “Chavit” Singson, with the support of Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Corporation, San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Airlines. Of course, the Department of Tourism has a stake in it, too, but it’s exposure is not that heavy.

We owe these hardy entrepreneurs a debt of gratitude for risking their time, talent and treasure on an activity that is clearly beneficial to the country.

This year’s Miss Philippines and contender for the Miss Universe crown is 25-year old Maxine Medina, a professional model and a graduate of the Philippine School of Interior Design and De la Salle-College of St. Benile. Oddsmakers believe she has a good chance of winning the title.

But even if she doesn’t win, the Philippines will, hopefully, be a winner in the eyes of the world. Even if Steve Harvey commits another blooper. (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.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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IMF hikes 2017 growth forecast for PH

2016 into 2017 at a pace of about 6.8 percent, supported by a fiscal stimulus as the budget deficit MANILA — The International widens towards the three percent Monetary Fund raised its 2017 of gDP target,” Peiris said. growth forecast for the PhilipThe IMF fully supports the pines on the back of strong mac- government’s plan to widen the roeconomic fundamentals and budget deficit target to three perexpectations of a rebound in ex- cent of gDP in the medium-term port earnings. to boost infrastructure developIMF resident representative ment.

Shanaka Jayanath Peiris said the The Philippines emerged as multilateral lender has upgrad- the fastest growing economy in ed its gross domestic product the region after it recorded a 7.1growth assumption for the Phil- percent expansion in the third ippines to 6.8 percent from 6.7 quarter of 2016, outpacing Chipercent. na’s 6.7 percent, Vietnam’s 6.4 “The Philippines is expect- percent, Indonesia’s five percent, ed to maintain its strong gDP and Malaysia’s 4.3 percent. growth momentum registered in The growth forecast upgrade

by Zinnia

B. Dela Philstar.com

Peña

was also due to a modest recovery in exports. “Exports are also anticipated to recover reflecting the pick-up in global growth and commodity prices,” Peiris said.

Peiris highlighted the need for additional revenue to finance further infrastructure and social spending.

“The medium term growth outlook would depend on the more uncertain global economic outlook and the passage of the administration’s tax reform proposals that would be important to continue to raise public infrastructure investment and social spending to benefit from the demographic dividend,” he said. n

Pacquiao asks DOT for P3-B to fund his match against Marquez in PH

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

FILIPINO boxing champion and Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao announced that he is anticipating a rematch in the Philippines against Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

In a radio interview with DZMM’s Fastbreak, Pacquiao related that he asked Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo to fund his bout against Marquez that is reportedly scheduled for sometime in November.

“Approximately, sabi ko sa kanya [Secretary Teo] nasa 3 o 2.5 billion [pesos]. Kasi plano ko mag-rematch kay Marquez tapos dito ko dalhin si Marquez sa Pilipinas (Approximately, I told her we need 3 or 2.5 billion. I plan to have a rematch with Marquez here in the Philippines),” Pacquiao said.

He added, “Maganda kasi ‘pag kami naglaban, hindi takbu-takbuhan (Our fight will be good because there will be no running around).”

Teo confirmed that Pacquiao had asked her to help provide funds for his fifth fight against the Mexican boxer.

“Kinausap nga ako ni Manny Pacquiao, we talked and he said, humingi siya ng P3 billion for the fight (Manny Pacquiao indeed talked to me and asked P3 billion for the fight),” Teo said in a radio

Senator Manny Pacquiao

interview with DZMM’s Pasada Sais Trenta.

According to her, the DOT would only grant Pacquiao’s request if he fights another big name boxer.

“I was telling him, ‘pag (Floyd) Mayweather o si Marquez, madali ‘yung i-sell, kaya namin ang P3 billion (if it’s going to be a fight with Mayweather or with Marquez, it’ll be easy for us to shell out P3 billion),” Teo added.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum earlier confirmed that Pacquiao is set to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship against Australian Jeff Horn on April 22.

Arum, however, said the location of the match is not yet finalized.

“Once we have a location, then

I’ll fly over to the Philippines to meet with Manny and finalize everything on our side. But he is going to fight Jeff Horn,” Arum told ESPN. Pacquiao defends death penalty, cites Bible The boxer-turned-politician again invited controversy for recent remarks supporting the revival of the death penalty in the Philippines.

“The Bible says do not kill. Ang ibig sabihin kasi noon pag nagkasala ka sa akin hindi kita pwedeng patayin (In the past, it means that if you sinned against me, I cannot kill you). Let the authority handle that,” Pacquiao told reporters on Tuesday, January 17.

He took note that both the Bible and the Constitution allow the imposition of the death penalty as punishment for heinous crimes.

“Siguro naman sa Constitution allowed yung heinous crimes na death penalty and then sa Panginoon naman, binibigyan ng Panginoon ang karapatan ang government (The Constitution allow us to use death penalty for heinous crimes while the Lord also gives the government the rights) to use the capital punishment, which is the death penalty,” Pacquiao argued.

The senator also said that he is ready to lead a subcommittee in the Senate that would discuss the proposal. n

PRINCE OF PEACE. Devotees parade their images of the Santo Niño or the Holy Infant Jesus ahead of Sunday’s festivities in Tondo, Manila.

The Filipino devotion to the Holy Child stems from the rediscovery in 1565 by Spanish colonizers of an image of the Santo Niño brought

by Magellan to Cebu in 1521.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

PH seeks explanation from China over weapon installations on islands

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

FOLLOWINg the reports from a U.S. think thank stating that China has installed weapons on all of its seven artificial islands in the South China Sea, the Philippines has sent Beijing “low-key” notes verbale to seek clarifications on the issue.

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) previously reported that China has installed anti-aircraft guns and close-in weapons systems on its newly built islands situated along the disputed areas in the South China Sea. “We have taken action on that, we have issued a note verbale,” Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay told CNN in an interview on Monday, January 16.

According to Yasay, Manila has sent “three to four” notes verbale to China. A notes verbale is a diplomatic communication, less formal than a diplomatic note, that is not signed and is issued in the third person.

“I just want to assure the Filipino people that when we take

action at engaging China in this dispute, we do not want to take such aggressive, provocative action that will not solve the problem,” Yasay said. ”We cannot engage China in a war.”

The foreign secretary did not disclose when the notes were issued. He, however, affirmed that the Philippine government is taking necessary steps to protect the country’s interests.

“When there are reports about the build-up of weapon systems in the area, during our watch we made sure that the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected,” Yasay stressed.

China, for its part, said that it “has the right to deploy necessary and proper national defense facilities on its own territory.”

“The South China Sea issue is cooling down and returning to the right track thanks to joint efforts by China and relevant parties including the Philippines, and this meets the common interests of China and the Philippines and the aspiration of all, and does good for peace and stability of the South China

Sea,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing.

China also expressed its willingness to pursue peace and stability in the disputed region.

On Tuesday, January 18, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin visited President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang.

The details of the meeting, however, were not disclosed.

“His request for an audience with the President is simply a courtesy call and exchange of pleasantries. It cannot involve discussions of substantive issues that will undermine the purpose and process of our political consultations,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

In an earlier statement, Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described China’s reported weapon installations as ‘very troubling.’

“The actions of China in militarizing those disputed features are very troubling. They do not square with the Chinese government’s rhetoric that its purpose is peaceful and friendly,” Lorenzana said. n

A JANUARY 20-26, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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Mia Alvar’s debut collection ‘In The Country’ focuses on the Filipino diaspora distinguished literary achievement and suggests great promise of a second work Mia alvar’s debut collection in The Country was ten years in the of literary fiction. and with making but the wait was pretty much worth it. the award was a $25,000 cash New York Times has called her stories remarkable while New York prize for the winner to pursue a Magazine said her debut collection is so well-drawn and plot-rich. subsequent work of fiction.

Publishers Weekly gave a glowing review and said that the book is “i found out that i won during stunning and NPR called her book inspired, and yes, remarkable. the actual awarding ceremonies, The book won the 2016 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for they wanted to keep it exciting. debut fiction which honors an exceptionally talented fiction writer We didn’t know who was going to whose work—a first novel or collection of short stories—represents win. i prepared a little speech, just in case, because i am terrible at speaking off the cuff,” Mia told the asian Journal in an interview. “it was a great night for Pinoy writers in general, there were several of us who won that night.” in the Country is an engaging and engrossing collection of nine stories, each of them sharing bits and pieces of Filipino culture and history. Her stories are characterdriven and are all well-crafted and polished.

These are stories from Bahrain, Saudi arabia and Boston and New York in the United States, three of the many countries where Filipinos in the global diaspora call second home. The protagonists are compelling and complex.

“Diaspora is a central part of my family’s experience as it is in many Filipino families’ experience,” Mia shared.

She had an uncle who worked in Saudi arabia for many years, away from his four children. Her own father lived in Bahrain for many years and for some of those years, their entire family was there with him.

Having a relative who lives or works abroad is common back in the Philippines. it is something that is so familiar to many Filipinos and that was what fascinated Mia and made her ask questions, foremost among them - what happens to family relationships, marriages, parent-child relationships when someone is away for that long?

Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs have become the new breed of Filipino heroes since they are the ones who work and toil hard abroad, away from their families for extended periods of time. They remit their hard-earned income to their families back home not just for Mia shares that among her literary inspirations are two Filipino authors - Paz Marquez-Benitez investments for the future but more for their day to day subsistence. and Carlos Bulosan “i think there are a lot of stories in the Philippines about the heroic sacrifices of the OFWs, and these of course are great, significant sacrifices,” Mia said. “in my book, i was more interested in exploring OFWs and immigrant communities as human beings and their flaws and weaknesses as well as their heroic moments.” it is in the book’s characters, their fears, struggles and successes that remind readers that their stories are universal. and that is also one thing that Mia would like for more people to understand. it has been said that there is a dearth of Filipino authors in america writing about the immigrant experience here.

Mia, a product of both Harvard and Columbia University, begs to differ and says that there’s a lot of them across the United States.

“We’ve been working, some people for generations, what there is a lack of is the right level of visibility and access for these books and the authors. a lot of people just don’t know the Mia Alvar (left) with fellow awardee, designer Rafe Totengco (center) at An Evening in Manila, a fundraiser spearheaded by restaurateur names of Filipino authors. Even Nicole Ponseca benefiting Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK) founded by Ayesha Vera-Yu (right).

AJPress photod by Momar G. Visaya

by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

Filipino-americans sometimes are not that exposed to books about characters and families like theirs,” she explained. “it really is a matter of getting more of these books into the spotlight and getting mainstream publishers interested in these stories and getting everyone to understand that there are Filipino stories and they are Filipino stories but they are also global and american stories,” Mia added, which is exactly what many readers of in The Country have been posting on various review sites and message boards.

Mia has many literary inspirations, among them two Filipinos: one is Paz Marquez Benitez who was the first Filipina to publish her short stories in English in the Philippines and the other is Carlos Bulosan who is the father of Filipino immigrant literature.

When we asked Mia how long it took her to come up with her first book, she managed a quick laugh and motioned with her two hands.

Ten years. “it was a very long process. it was about ten years and part of that is, i live in New York and we have to make a living while we do our artistic pursuits,” she said with a smile. “i was not writing full time for many of those years and it took a while to get better and get the skills in order for me to finish a lot of these stories.”

Towards the end of those ten years, she was working with an agent and an editor to help speed up the process. Deadlines – a combination of self-imposed and editor/agent-imposed - helped. “i was ready. i noticed that my mind was moving on to new ideas so i thought, let me just buckle down so i can finish this one and move on,” she said.

Homecoming Mia went back to the Philippines to promote the book.

“The experience was so wonderful. it was the experience of a lifetime except i don’t want to say that because i want to be back much sooner. it had been 16 years since my last visit so it truly was a homecoming,” she shared, turning a bit wistful.

“My family – my parents travelled with me along with my husband – was talking about how tragically for many immigrant Filipinos it’s a death in the family or an illness that brings them home. This time, it was this joyful, celebratory reason, which was so great,” she said.

Mia was born in Manila and was raised in Bahrain and the United States. Her mother’s side of the family is in Manila as well. During her trip, she was able to attend a literary festival in Davao City, where her father’s family is from. She also visited Pangasinan where her husband’s family is from.

To cap her homecoming, they went to Palawan, “which was just an amazing paradise vacation at the end of it all.” “it expanded my experience of the Philippines in an amazing way and made me want to go back much more often,” Mia quipped.

Nowadays, Mia is working on her next book, which picks up where the end of in The Country leaves off.

“The next one will contain some of the characters. it is going to be about the same issues, the diaspora, immigration, family and all that stuff that Filipinos know a lot about,” she shared.

Gerald Anderson on his new ‘sportserye’ and first marathon

by Deni rose M. afiniDaD-BernarDo Philstar.com

“iT’S not just a teleserye – it has a cause,” actor Gerald anderson said of his new prime time project with ex-girlfriend Kim Chiu, “ikaw Lang ang iibigin”. in the soap opera, Gerald and Kim will be back on screen with their “Tayong Dalawa” co-star, Jake Cuenca. adding color to the drama is Coleen Garcia. The four

will play triathletes from different walks of life.

The soap opera, Gerald explained, is not just a typical love story, but is arguably the country’s first “sportserye” that aims to encourage viewers to embrace a healthier lifestyle. “it’s exciting to team up with Kim again,” he declared. “We’re

not here just to make people fall in love or cry. We also want to inspire.”

Gerald and Kim have paired in many projects before, but “ikaw Lang ang iibign” is the first time that they would push sports and healthy lifestyle.

There is a lot of running in the series, and because of this project, Gerald has discovered the joys of running as a sport. Before, he

Gerald and Kim will be back on screen with their “Tayong Dalawa” co-star, Jake Cuenca. Adding color to the drama is Coleen Garcia.

thought running was boring since race tracks are usually long and monotonous. But once he got into it, he learned to love it because whenever he runs, he has time to think about his dreams and status in life.

“Now, running has become a therapy. i now like it more than biking and swimming, and sometimes, even more than basketball. When there is no court or ball, all i can do is run,” the actor explained during his launch as the new face of footwear brand Skechers Performance this week.

Running, Gerald said in an interview with Philstar.com, is good for conditioning him to do other sports like basketball and for improving his endurance to do tapings and guestings. it has also become his way of bonding with his girlfriend, actress Bea alonzo, who is also a runner.

“The reason why i can do what i’m doing today is because of my training, exercise, and healthier lifestyle,” he espoused. “Without exercise, other aspects of my life suffer...i feel fitter now that i’m 27 than when i was 21!” after every workout, he feels more energized, motivated and full of happy hormones. He admitted, though, that he still finds it hard to give up burgers,

Gerald Anderson got a tan after staying more outdoors as he now trains to become this year’s Philippine representative to the LA Marathon.

Philstar.com photos

pizza, kare-kare and fried chicken.

For those who also want to get into the sport, he advised to start at walking and find a good pair of running shoes that would improve one’s running time. “it’s always better to have someone with you, so you push each other,” said the actor, who has inspired his personal assistant, and even his makeup artist, to also run.

Though he now trains with Jake, Gerald said he does not want to get pressured. “When i raced 7k, i almost did not finish the race because i became conscious of what others were doing. i lost focus of my own strategies,” he shared. “if there are times you want to quit, just remember why you

started, have a purpose,” he added.

This year, Skechers Performance is bringing in delegates from different countries, including Gerald as the Philippine representative, to join the Los angeles Marathon.

More than 25,000 runners, both amateur and professional, from the US and different parts of the world descend upon the City of angels every year to participate in the popular race.

To be fit, Gerald believes that “You don’t have to run a 42k marathon. “all you have to do is to exercise and eat right. Running is not only about getting fit, but also about chasing your dreams!”

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IF a person is ever caught in a fi xed marriage (married solely to obtain immigration benefits), the consequences (or punishment) could be severe. A fixed marriage finding by the USCIS could result in a lifetime ban from ever having any other petition approved. For example, if a person was caught in a fixed marriage, but later divorced that American and married a different US citizen for love, the second US citizen spouse would not be able to petition the person.

Similarly, if a person is caught in a fixed marriage, and years later, their US-born child turns 21, the child also could not petition them.

However, there have been many cases where the marriage was real, but for one reason or another (perhaps miscommunication, misunderstanding, confusion, lack of documents), the USCIS concludes the marriage was fixed. If you are in a real marriage, but your case was denied because USCIS incorrectly concluded your marriage was fixed, you should fight that decision. (Of course, if the marriage WAS fixed, then there really would be nothing to fight for.)

The laws concerning fixed marriages could be very helpful to people finding themselves being wrongly accused of entering into a fixed marriage. The key to the “viability of the marriage” (or whether it was real) is whether the marriage was valid at its inception, even if the couple is now separated and the marriage is no longer viable. This means if you walked down the aisle on your wedding day with “love in your heart,” then your marriage would be valid even if it soon deteriorates. Think about the 72–day marriage between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries.

That marriage, although short in

Is your broken marriage really ‘fixed’? length, was valid at its inception and if Kim was an alien being petitioned by Kris, it would still have been considered a valid or viable marriage.

As long as the marriage was valid at its inception, and the couple is not divorced yet, the person’s adjustment of status could still be approved, even though the marriage may no longer be viable at the time of the adjustment application or interview. So long as the marriage was viable at its inception (and can be proved and documented as such), a person would still be entitled to pursue their green card.

Courts have recognized that “marriages for green cards [may be] genuine. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship from that life does not make a marriage a sham.

Rather, the sham arises from the intent not “to establish a life together.” Therefore, even if one of the reasons you get married is to obtain a green card, it does not necessarily mean the marriage is fixed, as long as on your wedding day, you intended to have a life together with your spouse.

In another case, involving an elderly couple, they never consummated their marriage. The US citizen married because he needed a housekeeper and was sick, and his wife took care of him.

He paid for the food, and she paid for everything else. The BIA ruled that “The reasons for the marriage appear to be far sounder than exist for most marriages.”

I know so much confusion can take place at an interview because the person is extremely nervous and the couple may give conflicting answers, or the questions are confusing. I recall one case that was denied, where the officer asked the

wife if her husband had any ailments or sickness. She said “no”. The officer separately asked the husband whether he had any injuries. He replied he injured his knee. The officer concluded the marriage was fixed because of this type of inconsistent answer. But there’s a big difference between sickness and injury. So, the officer created the confusion and discrepancy.

Also, if you are called back for several interviews, or if DHS visits your home early in the morning or interviews your neighbors, that shows your case is in trouble, and you’re likely under suspicion and investigation.

As you can see, it’s sometimes like walking through a minefield in connection with marriages, especially if they were viable at the inception but then fell apart. If this type of situation applies to you, or you’re being called back for a “second” interview, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney who can hopefully salvage your case, by proving the marriage was not fixed – only broken. *** 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 re-enactments) 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)

Will their dream of a family reunion turn into a nightmare? See how the story ends on ‘Citizen Pinoy’!

WHEN Tatay Lando had the chance to go to the US to create a better life for his family, he took it.

He faced the separation as a necessary evil, in order to give them a brighter future.

After a very long wait, the petition for his son Allan, and grandson Chean, became current. But things did not pan out well at the U.S. Embassy.

After nearly four hours of being

passed around from window to window, father and son were told they could leave without giving them the visas they dreamt of for so long.

Chean was disappointed. Allan was traumatized. And their parents in the U.S. were brokenhearted.

But Tatay Lando did not give up so easily. The older Cruz immediately went to seek the help of leading US immigration attorney Michael

J. Gurfinkel, who went to work on preparing all necessary documents in a properly packaged and properly presented manner.

Watch how what could have been a nightmare turned into a dream come true on a brand-new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’ –– on Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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AFTER 13 YEARS OF WAITING FOR THE FAMILY TO BE REUNITED, THE U.S. EMBASSY STILL DENIED THE RELEASE OF THEIR VISAS. MISERY AND REDEMPTION ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Tatay Lando (2nd from right) went to the US to provide a better life for his family. After 13 years, the petition became current in 2016. However, when his son, Allan (left), and his grandson, Chean (2nd from right) went to the U.S. Embassy for their interview, some doubtful details came up in Allanís paperwork that caused the Embassy to deny their visas. Father and son left the Embassy heartbroken and traumatized over the incident. Immediately, Tatay Lando sought the help of leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch how hope was renewed, and a family was happily reunited after many, many years on a brand-new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’ on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA (Part 2 of 4) TRUST your own instincts. Your own personal experience will color the lens with which you view and relate with your personal guardian angel. God so loved the world, He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may gain eternal life — not unlike His angels.

Then He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and enlighten us.

But on the micro, day-by-day level, God sent us our personal guardian angels from conception, birth, throughout our life and our passage from death to eternal life as a constant presence.

Come to think of it, every time an unborn life is cut down, the murder deprives an angel of his purpose. There is must be some cosmic angst and turmoil in the heavens. There must be anguish and pain, a disturbance, not only

Angels among us “I think we all do have a guardian angel.

I believe they work through us all the time, and kind to each other.”

— Roma Downey

on earth but also in the celestial realm. Some say God created so many angels, one cannot count the number of angels that can stand on the head of a pin.

But there is a caveat to this gift from the Almighty. One must accept the gift and use the gift of the presence of angels in one’s life for good and only good. One must be humble of heart to know that by ourselves we can do nothing of real value to ourselves or our loved ones and ultimately find God in our lives without asking in earnest for help from the spiritual, unseen realm of angels.

Yes, the key is to ask for help for one to receive it.

Also, one must never take the gift of a personal guardian angel for granted.

An angel is an invisible

presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the element of free will in humans.

You can acknowledge the presence of angels or deny it.

It is your choice ultimately. The more angels are acknowledged and become a conduit to heaven, they become a hovering, guiding reality in one’s life growing ever stronger in their influence to shape every thought, word and deed in one’s life. (To be continued) *** 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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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Paula Morandarte captures the world’s true color through her lens

BoBBy T. yalong GEndEr equality or gender egalitarianism has long been resolved following a series of international decrees stipulating non-discrimination among sexes… thus, the plodding emergence of the outright recognition of women to stand at par with those of their male counterparts.

Women enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and obligations just like men in all spheres of life. The general implementation of equal

Actor Keanu Reeves...Paula Morandarte’s most magnificent obssesion.

Seriously behind the camera

EMPLOYMENT

Paula in one of her wacky moods

The lady shutterbug could easily pass as a model...

Feeling sophisticated...

Playing Goliath...

footing in the workplace create a more harmonious social setup that eventually guaranteed rapid accomplishments in this fast-changing world… as job opportunities for the female populace became openly available.

Women of today’s generation, noticeably, don’t take the field of photography seriously as a professional job since they still consider it as a male-dominated

world.

But the empowerment of women increasingly gave rise to the relatively growing number of those that embrace the art of photography and started to stamp their mark on the industry that was previously predominantly male.

Since beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, easily then, through the lens, a woman could see things differently from a man’s perspective. A woman’s viewpoint could paint diverse colors that effortlessly release textured enthusiasm of life via her photographs.

Filipino shutterbug Paula Morandarte, for the benefit of her earnest passion, readily and uncomplainingly took every challenge, hazard, and demand that photography might bring.

“This is the only career I’ve been obsessed with since high school.

I’ve tried nursing and related courses just to give in to my parents’ insistence but to no avail. despite their all out dissuasions and alarming counsel my strong determination remained steadfast. ..afterall, it is my own life’s calling,” the Taurus-born independentminded photographer justifiably clarifies her side.

An archetypal exponent of a Taurean (born May 14) that

is altruistic, pragmatic, and constantly craves for her own satisfying space, Paula could be sensual and tactile while fundamentally equipped with high conscientiousness in finishing whatever she said she would.

But what actually interested her into photography? “nobody either influenced or persuaded me into this art. It was just that I started to be intrigued by the prints I saw in magazines and videos online. I would be amazed how beauty could be perfectly captured by cameras and transferred on paper or screen,” she recalls with ephemeral fondness. “during my secondary years I started to use my dad’s camera and later became more knowledgeable about photography through ‘tinkering’ my own Fuji camera until I mastered everything about the sensitivity of the image sensor, aperture, and shutter speed.”

Aptly armed with just a year course of Photography from Asia Pacific Film Institute plus her years of self-taught shooting experiences, Paula’s sterling aspiration to make it big in the field finally saw a beam of light when a an Abu-dhabi-based company offered her an enticing job proposal after seeing her works online. Although initially

EMPLOYMENT

Posing with Hollywood celebrity blow-up images as backdrop

hesitant and cynical she grabbed the opportunity after giving it some thought.

Her excitement and overwhelming enthusiasm nearly collapsed in frustration due to stagnation of energy. “It was ramadan when I arrived and business was slow. Yes, I was properly paid but I was yearning to work and be updated with photographic trends… but there I was, occasionally doing studio shoots…and oftentimes, doing nothing at all,” the dismayed Paula recounts.

“I decided to move to dubai where modernity is part of their lifestyle. My judgment paid off,” she said sounding pleased. “In dubai I became busy. I did quite a number of corporate and fashion shoots among which were: Michelin, Sony, Grey Goose, Jack daniels, Max Factor, del Monte, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Maserati, Fendi, Taste of dubai, and a lot of model headshots.”

“My two years in the open city maybe rewarding and fulfilling but still I wanted to grow and concentrate more on documentary film.” This time her tone sounded a bit ambitious with positivity. “At that time I was

EMPLOYMENT

already eyeing new York City.”

The wandering photographer flew to the Big Apple on September 2, 2014… a dream she had long been praying for.

“At first I was thrilled to be in nYC finally but I soon realized it’s hard to survive in the asphalt jungle as I inevitably combat its perturbing hustle and bustle. I was just too gratified that my Aunt in Queens graciously offered me a place to stay.”

There are much more to uncover about Paula and a set of questionnaires will give us a better understanding about her other plans and priorities.

Asian Journal (AJ): What had been your most difficult assignment?

Paula Morandarte (PM): It happened here in new York City during the 2015 nY Fashion Week.

My boss, the editor of World Bride Magazine, commissioned me to cover the event and to my dismay, I never knew some photographers could be so rude and inconsiderate. Amid the congested elbow-to-elbow area someone grabbed my spot that no amount of persuasion could make him give it up for me…only Continued on Page 6

Health@Heart

superbug kills lady

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Alarming news, warning to all Besides wasting money, they are endangering their health and well-being, and those of others, and encouraging the development of mutation of “PuBLIC health officials from today’s microbes into superbugs.

Nevada are reporting on a case The “Transformer” bugs of a woman who died in Reno since bacteria have the ability in september from an incurable to adapt to substances being infection. Testing showed the repeatedly used against them superbug that had spread and mutate (transform itself ) throughout her system could fend overtime to a resistant variety off 26 different antibiotics.” in order to survive, medically “It was tested against resistant strains of the microeverything that’s available in organisms soon develop. They are the united states … and was called superbugs, potential killers not effective,” said Dr. Alexander which would not respond to any Kallen, a medical officer in the antibiotics at all.

Centers for Disease Control and When this happens, Prevention’s division of health care humans and other animals quality promotion. would be under the mercy of We have written about these superbugs. Medically, we superbugs in this column before, would be transported back to and this recent scary news the pre-antibiotic era, where from last week highlights the simple wound infections of the utter helplessness of all living hand, arm, or leg could lead to creatures on earth if drug resistant amputation or death, where microorganisms (superbugs) are easy-to-treat bacterial pneumonia not eradicated from this world. or gastrointestinal infections of Or, at least countered by the today could be a frequent killer discovery of a cure against them. once more.

Medically, superbugs could wipe Indeed, it is scary to imagine out our civilization if they become a world with a pandemic of widespread and remain incurable, superbugs, without effective like what happened to the lady in antibiotics. People will be dying Reno. like flies, especially today when Let me take you back in time bacteria appear to be more and space. virulent and more adaptive. since sir Alexander Fleming, a Superbugs are here scottish biologist, pharmacologist, But this is not science fiction. and botanist (a 1945 Nobel Today, we already have some laureate), first discovered penicillin superbugs, as the death of the in 1923, hundreds of more potent woman from Reno has proven. One wider spectrum antibiotics have of them is the medically resistant been added to the medical tubercle bacilli, where the standard armamentarium. These lifeanti-TB regimen is no longer saving drugs have been a boon effective and where survival is more to medical care and benefited of an exception. The more popular billions of patients around the one is MRsA a methicillin-resistant globe. staphylococcus aureus, which used However, like many good to respond to methicillin, a simpler things, antibiotics have been and much less expensive antibiotic. abused by society as a whole, Today, MRsA is resistant including the medical community. to many antibiotics. In public, In many cases, they are prescribed most MRsA infections are skin without strict medical justification infections, but in medical centers, or used for a protracted period, this dangerous bug causes longer than necessary. Individuals potentially fatal blood poisoning, who are able to buy them over pneumonia, and infection of the counter without prescription the surgical incisions. MRsA is use them ignorantly and expected to have a death toll of unnecessarily, without medical 19,000 annually in the united rationale.

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

states alone.

Luckily for patients with MRsA, Bactrim and Vancomycin, clindamycin, minocycline have been found to be still effective against it. However, resistance is now being seen developing even to some of these more potent and more expensive drugs.

The emergence, multiplication, and spread of superbugs are a threat to the achievements of modern medicine. They would negate and render useless the great advances in pharmacologic science and clinical medicine we have gained so far in our war against bacterial infections.

Warning from WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) has published and released its first worldwide review of antimicrobial resistance with data from 114 countries and warning the global community of this serious threat to public health.

WHO assistant directorgeneral for Health security, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, declared “Without urgent, coordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill….the implications will be devastating.”

The report also pointed out that there is a resistance to last resort treatments, like carbapenem antibiotic against the common intestinal bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, which has now spread around the globe. This is now ineffective for more than 50 percent of severe infections it used to cure.

E. coli infection of the urinary tract, which used to respond to fluoroquinolones, is now resistant to the drug around the world.

When these drugs first came out in the 1980s, there was zero resistance.

The uK, Canada, Australia, France, Japan, Austria, south Africa, Norway, sweden, and slovenia have reported treatment failures with third generation Continued on Page 7

The ‘immortality’ of Filipino matinee idol Ian Veneracion

By Monet

Lu

Guys, seriously. Is Ian Veneracion a vampire?

I was looking at his pictures from the time he started showbiz and pictures from his newest teleserye, “A Love to Last,” and I swear, this guy has not aged a day! Talk about the ultimate hashtag #foreveryoung, #ngitipalangulamna, #hotdad.

It’s impressive to how well he’s kept his still relatively youthful looks. Now that he’s being “rediscovered” in a big way, his career in showbiz seem to be soaring high as he is paired with actresses who are 20 years his junior!

Currently, Veneracion is teamed up with Bea Alonzo in their new primetime series with ABs-CBN. But for a long time since he came back to showbiz, he was paired with Jodi sta. Maria and their tandem was such a hit! They starred in pivotal projects “All you Need Is Pag-Ibig” (2015), “The Achy Breaky Hearts” (2016) and the remake of the classic series, “Pangako sa yo” (2015). He was also nominated Best Actor in the 41stMetro Manila Festival for his performance in “All you Need is Pag-ibig.”

No wonder Veneracion is one of the most bankable leading men. He’s like wine – gets better with time, sophisticated and his charm captivates both young and older audiences. Like, I said – a vampire!

But seriously, Veneracion’s appeal is just timeless. And there’s nothing more relaxing than seeing his pretty face on TV as he plays Anton Noble IV in “A Love to Last.”

In the series, he is the high-flying CEO, president and husband of Grace (Iza Calzado). When Grace decides to seek an annulment, Anton finds love in newly-single Andrea (Bea Alonzo).

Born on February 7, 1975, stephen Ian Veneracion started acting at five years old. His parents are Roy Veneracion, a famous painter, and susan Lopez.

He was first casted by Leo Rialp in a Christmas TV show and has taken up many roles from being child actor to matinee idol to action star to villain and finally a father. Among the remarkable movies under his belt are “Anak ng Demonyo” and “El Presidente.”

Veneracion is also notable for his involvement in the current defunct youth variety show called That’s Entertainment where he was in for a decade.

But wait, there’s more to this man than being a talented actor.

Veneracion paints and plays the guitar and piano like a pro. He is a licensed private pilot and has licenses in skydiving and paragliding. He loves cooking and baking such that he took up a course in culinary arts.

With all these amazing abilities, who do you think he loves doing all these things with and for? None other than his

Calendar of Events across

lovely wife, Pam Gallardo. yes, my friends. This fish is hooked and is very much spoken for. Veneracion’s choice of woman as his wife was indeed surprising for a rising celebrity like him as Pam is neither an actress, singer nor painter. she is an industrial engineer.

It is said that she graduated from uP Diliman, and she has also taken her masters in education at Ateneo.

At 22 years old, Veneracion married his long time girlfriend, Pam in 1997. Veneracion said in an interview that Pam is very understanding of his job, including the romantic scenes he has with his onscreen partners.

He also mentioned that she is an ideal partner who is able to balance between her job and family well.

Pam is even supportive of Ian’s expensive hobbies. He and his wife have planned to set up a pre-school.

The power couple has three children, Draco (17), Deirdre (15) Continued on Page 6

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JA N UA RY 2 1

Free women’s self-defense class in Echo Park Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez invites you to a free women’s self-defense class with Grand Master Conrad A. Manaois on Saturday, January 21st. In partnership with MOTHER Movement and El Centro Del Pueblo, this workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at El Centro Pueblo at 1157 Lemoyne St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. Space is limited, participants must RSVP no later than Jan. 18 by calling (213)483-5151.

JA N UA RY 24

Workshop - Dementia: Up close & personal in Sherman Oaks, CA The American Geriatric Care Management and Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA are hosting a workshop on Tuesday, January 24 called Dementia: Up close & personal, preserving family relationships at the onset of dementia. Learn how to handle the stress and challenges of family caregiving when alzheimer’s or dementia are too close to home. Manage the care of your family member by using the right language and approach. The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Valley Economic Alliance (VEA) building, BFG conference room at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91204.

To RSVP, please call Lou at (310) 938-9393 or Mary Ann Omega at (818) 430-3972. Seating is limited. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

JA N UA RY 28

Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

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

An Asian Journal

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY JA N UA RY 2 0, 2 0 1 7

Travel agents: Your virtual human travel apps IN today’s digital age when computers, tablets, and smartphones are the order of the day, travel isn’t the same as it used to be. Easy accessibility to the Internet and the various mobile application platforms aiding us in our daily needs make it possible for people to automatically turn to their electronic devices when planning a trip. And why not?

It’s so easy. Using any electronic device with Internet access allows you to search and compare airfares, lodging prices, rental-car deals, etc. because there are countless sites like Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, TripAdvisor, KAYAK, Hotwire, AirfareWatchdog plus numerous airline and hotel sites that allow the would-be travelers to become their own booking agents.

Therefore, with the number of options available online, many people are beginning to think that travel agents are becoming obsolete and are no longer useful in planning their vacation. Right?

Wrong. So very wrong!

True, the onset of advanced technology has tremendously impacted and influenced travel planning, but it has not negated the need for travel professionals. In fact, an in-depth industry market research conducted by IBISWorld (a leading industry research organization) showed that the travel agencies industry is growing despite the rise of online travel websites. While this growth can be partly attributed to the fact that traditional travel agencies have reinvented themselves and are finding new markets and niches, the study showed that travel agents are certainly not on the way out. On the contrary, travelers are more and more becoming aware that they need the services of travel agents. The following are just some of the many reasons: 1. Travel agents have professional expertise. If you are looking for a hotel booking and flight for a simple weekend vacation, there’s no doubt you can easily arrange that on your own.

However, if you are trying to coordinate multiple flights in various locations on different dates, and require specific amenities and

more, a travel agent can easily provide you with expert advice customized to your needs because they have the knowledge and the expertise to assess your vacation needs and provide you with the best possible experience.

2. Travel agents can save you money. It may sound idiotic when you think about paying someone for something that you can handle on your own. But booking a trip often proves to be extremely stressful, and time consuming. You can spend hours online searching for deals on flights and hotels, surfing one website after another in search of the best prices while coordinating your vacation schedule. Travel agents, however, who are directly connected with travel suppliers are in the best position to get you better prices, in addition to the fact that they can sometimes provide you with additional perks such as VIP packages, room upgrades or restaurant reservations which you probably won’t get on your own.

3. Travel agents save time. You have to admit it, when trying to make travel arrangements on your own you need to read through reviews of hotels, various accommodations, and sightseeing opportunities especially when you’re heading to a place you’ve never been before. However, a travel agent can help you navigate through this oftentimes headache-inducing maze, can advise you on options available to you or can connect you with an expert colleague in less time than you would spend searching on your own.

4. Travel agents makes your trip secure. Travelers know that even after a trip is booked, things may not always go as planned.

Sometime between the booking and the actual trip, something may come up that may require travel cancellation or rescheduling.

In addition, anything from bad weather condition, a lost luggage or a family member getting sick can disrupt one’s vacation plans. If you made your travel arrangements yourself with online travel sites, you are left entirely on your own to deal with this eventuality. But with a travel agent, you are assured that someone is always there to help you resolve any bumps that may occur during your trip and therefore make your travel experience a lot less stressful.

5. Travel agents offer convenience. Faced with countless

choices and options for flights, hotels, car rentals, tours and too many travel products available on numerous websites, travelers are finding it more and more difficult to navigate and decipher all the options available. Travel agencies are one-stop shops. Just tell them exactly what you want and they can arrange everything for you the way you want it, less the headache and stress of doing the planning on your own.

6. Travel agents build relationships. There’s a great difference between price and value. While technology had its many advantages, one of its downsides is the noticeable decline in our interpersonal relationships. This is so true in the travel industry with the rise of online travel sites offering you the “best deals”. Travel sites are not looking to build a personal relationship – they are looking to make a sale. Travel agents, on the other hand, want to build a relationship that makes your experience with them count for more than one trip. They will not only help you book a trip, they will help you make the trip you will enjoy.

Flawless and successful travel plans lie in the details, and travel agents are experts when it comes to handling details. They will not only find you the best fares and options according to your needs, but they are also there to help you travel like a tourist and finding unique life experiences that you will surely remember. Needless to say, these people who are your virtual human travel apps are here to stay. *** Manny V. Ilagan is a Tourism Specialist with over 23 years professional experience in the overseas tourism and travel industry. He is currently the Director for Business Development and Marketing of GTT International/Majestic Vacations, one of the biggest airlines consolidators in the United States, and wholesaler of package tours worldwide. He also provides travel consultancy services to some of the biggest wholesalers and tour operators in the country as well as to some airline companies. He is the former Tourism Director-OIC of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles, where he worked for over two decades. As a writer, he has written numerous articles about travel and tourism, which have been published in various Filipino-American newspapers in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York, and other Manila-based newspapers as well. For comments or questions, you may reach him at manilagan@gmail.com.

The ‘immortality’ of Filipino matinee idol... La MaMa presents Magis Theatre Company’s Calderon’s Two Dreams From Page 6

and Buccio (8). Being a family man, Veneracion usually spends his time painting, swimming, fishing and visiting museums with his children.

According to an interview with Inquirer, Veneracion stated that he is quite proud to be a father, saying “But the role I’m the proudest of is being a dad.

Fatherhood has allowed me to teach my kids what my dad (visual artist Roy Veneracion) has taught me: Explore your options.”

Such an amazing family and I

cannot get over the fact that he is just human. Yep, not a vampire, a Greek god nor an immortal.

Still, not any mortal man – an incredibly handsome one, if I may add – would have the same successes as this one if not for his character, will, determination and love for his family. For that, I applaud him.

Ian Veneracion may not be immortal but the values he passed on to his children and the contributions he’s made to the entertainment industry will last in perpetuity just as his

youthfulness has through the years.

*** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning 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

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HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

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Performances set this February 10-26, 2017 at La MaMa Theater

LA MAMA presents Magis Theatre Company’s CALDERON’S TWO DREAMS a unique opportunity to see Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s two versions of his classicLIFE IS A DREAM written forty-two years apart, (1635 and 1677) in one sitting. Directed

by George Drance and Kelly Johnston, performances of begin February 10th at The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa. Pedro Calderon de la Barca’s first masterpiece LIFE IS A DREAM (1635) is considered to be Spain’s Hamlet. It deals with questions of freedom, choice, perception and power.

As Calderon’s career soared, he felt the need to go deeper into his own spirit and, wanting to leave the world of the court, he became a priest. Forty years after his magnum opus premiered, he completely re-wrote it to examine spiritual questions. In the rarely performed LIFE IS A DREAM (1677), the setting changes from the court of Polonia, to the court of the universe. The central question becomes “is the human being a fitting caretaker of the universe?” and echoes the questions of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’.

Both pieces in CALDERON’S TWO DREAMS deal with questioning what is real in surreal and confusing circumstances, while looking at human freedom: the first sees it through the eyes of a young playwright at the height of his powers; the second through the perspective of the same artist now enjoying the wisdom of age and understanding that the truest freedom comes with divine forgiveness.

Staging these two plays together for the first time ever in the US gives audiences an

Calderon’s Two Dreams Actor Leslie Lewis with mother Loida Nicolas Lewis Photo byBeatrice Moritz Photography

opportunity to consider these timely themes in conversation with each other, and featuring original music from award winning composer Elizabeth Swados (1951-2016) making CALDERON’S TWO DREAMS a unique event that is sure to stimulate thought and dialogue.

CALDERON’S TWO DREAMS: February 10 – 26, 2017 at The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa. Located at 66 East 4th St, between

Second Avenue and the Bowery – closest train is the F to Second Avenue. Tickets are $18, $13 students and seniors. La MaMa also has a 10 for $10 program with ten $10 tickets available for every performance (advance purchase only). Tickets may be purchased at the door one hour prior to curtain.

To purchase tickets, call 212352-3101 or visit www.lamama. org.

Paula Morandarte captures...

From Page 4

Fax résumé to:

info@asianjournalinc.com

to realize just because I left for a moment with my tripod made my spot available for any taker.

AJ: What are the perils or dangers does your job entail?

PM: Being a woman that I am and at 5-foot flat, going home at night with all the cameras over my back and the heavy equipment on my shoulder, not to mention my personal stuff in another bag... that’s tough and scary. I cannot afford to lose any of my equipment to looters or snatchers. My cameras are my life…without them, I feel worthless.

AJ: Black & white or colored, which do you prefer?

PM: I will always go with colored. I find black and white not real because the world actually is composed of a multitude of colors and tones.

AJ: How do you manage to

work with babies, guys, and women as subjects?

PM: Well, with babies, I always have a lot of patience and my instincts should be quick since their moods switch instantly.

I also sought the help of their mothers…doing the clowning and cheering, you know. As for men, I got intimidated by their arresting looks sometimes especially when they look at me straight but I managed to evade those disturbing stares by focusing more on my work…and ultimately got inspired, instead. Women oftentimes are demanding and fortified with baseless attitudes…I still tried to let them understand that I am the master behind the camera.

AJ: How do you prepare for a shoot?

PM: Well, if it’s a corporate shoot, I demand a briefing and

what sort of results are they expecting. If It’s a documentary, I try to be early on the set to get the feel of the situation in order to capture reality…and if it’s cinematic, I infuse some kind of artistic touch to it.

AJ: What shooting gadget do you have?

PM: I always have my ever dependable Canon Mark II 5D… it’s multi-functional!

AJ: Who do you idolize in the field?

PM: If there’s but one person that I highly emulate in this field that would be Nap Jamir, a Filipino director-cinematographer who was my professor at Asia Pacific Film Institute.

AJ: Do you have some thoughts of leveling up or attaining higher status as a photographer?

Continued on Page 7

Maxine Medina, an ‘empowered’ beauty 26-year-old Binibining Pilipinas is all set to win the Miss Universe crown

Powers, Medina described herself as “empowered,” ready not only to do the flag proud at the pageant, BINIBINING Pilipinas talent but also to become a gracious host scouts invited Maria Mika Maxine to the 80-plus strong delegation of Peñaranda Medina to join the candidates from all over the world. country’s foremost beauty Beautifully fulfilling her pageant as early as 2012, but responsibilities so far—both an existing advertising contract literally and figuratively—Medina prevented her from entering was asked if she sees a downside the contest. Apparently, her to being the host country to the endorsement brand was a pageant. There are those who say direct competitor of one of the that playing host automatically pageant’s major sponsors, making earns a candidate plus points, it impossible for then 22-year-old thus making a less credible finish, beauty to vie for the prestigious impression-wise. title.

“I still think it’s fulfilling to She finally relented to the have the competition here in the constant prodding of friends from Philippines,” she replied, choosing the modelling industry and threw to brush aside the suggestion. in her hat into the Binibining “Everyone knows I’m fond of the Pilipinas ring in 2016, winning outdoors, and happily, we’re going no less than the Miss Universearound the Philippines. This has Philippines crown. actually been my goal that before I And in just two weeks’ time, travel the world, I’ll go around the Medina will compete anew Philippines first.” for the ultimate title of Miss One thing the model-cumUniverse, now proudly held by interior designer especially wants her predecessor, Miss Universe to let her fellow candidates Philippines 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. experience—besides the warm With such big stilettos to fill hospitality of the Filipinos, the at January 30’s grand coronation unique culture and traditional night, right here in Manila to boot, values—is the boodle fight. the press naturally had a field day “The best thing is, I will get at Medina’s “good luck send-off” to share with them the best food this past week at Novotel Manila choices in our cuisine as well as the Araneta Center. The foremost boodle fight. I’d like for them to try question on everyone’s mind was it! Eating without utensils—that’s how the Philippine bet was feeling going to be very challenging!” amid all the pressure.

Medina enthused.

Surrounded by those closest Meanwhile, asked how to her—her mom Marife, sister she feels over the President’s Ferica, boyfriend Marx Topacio, mandate for all government her fellow beauty queens, and the agencies to support the staging Binibinining Pilipinas organizers, of the Miss Universe pageant led by chairman Stella Marquezbut without spending a single Araneta—Medina was far from centavo, she replied, “The fact nervous nor anxious as expected. that the President has said he will On the contrary, she radiated personally watch the coronation with confidence and shared she is is the best indication of the excited at the possibility of a back- government’s support. to-back win with Wurtzbach in Will I be nervous he is there? the presence of President Rodrigo Oh no, I’m very honored that the Duterte and the Filipino people.

President will be there and he will Beautiful host be witnessing a back-to-back,” she After almost a year of rigorous confidently added. training under the guidance of Improvements Aces and Queens mentors, and A Binibining Pilipinas personality development experts Charities, Inc. (BPCI) staffer told Dale Carnegie and John Robert The Times that Medina has shown

by Arlo

Custodio

ManilaTimes.net

Superbug kills...

From Page 5 cephalosporins, the last resort treatment for the more than one million gonorrhea patients around the world.

WHO also laments the fact that many nations lack basic systems to track and monitor antibiotic use and resistance, and not many have seriously addressed this issue.

Our abuse is haunting us While bacterial resistance is a natural and expected tendency to a degree, the rapid speed of its development and the number of superbug transformations have been the results of our carelessness and abuse in the use of antimicrobial drugs as a society.

For one thing, viral infections in general (colds, Flu, etc) do not respond to antibiotics, which are actually indicated only for bacterial infections. A person taking antibiotic frequently and without medical supervision is more prone to develop superbugs in his/her body. That would be tragic.

Our abuse, which includes feeding antibiotics to our farm animal sources of meat, could bring back some old enemies in a drug-resistant and deadly form: tuberculosis, typhoid, syphilis,

gonorrhea, klebsiella, diphtheria, etc., which could wipe out countless millions more.

Unless people take this warning seriously and act wisely and responsibly, and unless nations around the world work together to reassess and change how these drugs are manufactured, prescribed, and used, and come up with potent new drugs against these superbugs, we, humans, are doomed to lose our war against these deadly bugs. And this could be worse than the plague, known as the Black Death, that killed more than 25 million people (almost half of the population) in Europe in the 14th century.

This is not fiction. It is a very scary reality that is brewing. It’s really up to us.

*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

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

Paula Morandarte captures...

From Page 4 PM: Yes, of course! I actually wanted to excel in documentary films that’s why I enrolled at the New York Film Academy.

I am fascinated to compile documentations that provide factual records of genuine aspects of reality. ..then, maybe, I will eventually venture into cinematography.

AJ: What and who are your most magnificent obsession to shoot?

PM: With regard to place, I want to cover Iceland because it’s something new to me. Among things, I will go for jewelry like fine crafted rings and watches…they’re challenging since the subjects require specific lighting and angling to reveal their authentic value. But among people, easily I will have to choose Keanu Reeves.

He’s been my dreamboat ever since that’s why his 1995 film “A Walk in

the Clouds” is my favorite ever.

AJ: What are your future plans?

PM: I want to have my own studio in Brooklyn. I just love the feel of the brick walls, hard wood floors, and big wide windows. I could effectually and conveniently function in such workplace.

Paula Morandarte, in her innate capacity as a documentary photographer believes that she can inspire positive change and make a difference in telling a story by the aid of her camera. With the way things are going great for her time will come when she could audaciously herald that she had redefined the world of photography for women after having had creatively expressed her personal vision by being a lady shutterbug.

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

Maxine Medina (4th from left) and her court of Binibining Pilipinas queens blow kisses of thanks to supporters during her send-off press conference on January 10 at Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Quezon City

exceptional improvements since she was crowned Miss UniversePhilippines in April, and that her confidence level has “doubled” through her training. Her fellow Binibining Pilipinas queens agree.

Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa related, “Everyone can see her improvements overall, and I know she knows it herself.”

Acknowledging the fruits of her hard work, Medina said, “I never thought of myself being a beauty queen, and now that I have embraced it to prepare for Miss Universe, I feel very empowered. Besides competing, I really want to inspire the youth through my own experiences, and I believe I can do a better job of that if I become Miss Universe.”

She further revealed that she

has chosen the same advocacy as Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, that of AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention, but one that is more focused on the youth.

“My advocacy is about the youth who has HIV to be able to give them hope and help them live the life they should have despite their disease, especially in terms of education.” she said.

Should she win the crown, Medina also said she is very much willing to leave her life in the Philippines to fulfil her obligations in New York and around the world.

“It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will devote myself to the title, for the country, for people everywhere as this is something that can really inspire others to dream big.”

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY JA N UA RY 20, 20 1 7

Vallejo to be sworn in as HCBA Secretary and first Fil-Am officer JERSEY CITY - Attorney Maria Vallejo, a former Hudson County Bar Association Trustee, was sworn in as the organization’s secretary on Wednesday, January 18, 2016, at 6 p.m. at the Liberty House Restaurant, Jersey City, N.J. Vallejo, who is Of Counsel at the law firm of Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC, Secaucus, N.J., is on track to become president of the Hudson County Bar Association in 2023. She will be the first FilipinoAmerican to lead the organization.

Vallejo is a civil litigation attorney, focusing her practice in commercial, Attorney Maria Vallejo government-entity defense, personal injury and complex appeals. She has received numerous accolades, including being named a “Rising Star” in the field of General Litigation by New Jersey Monthly Magazine for three consecutive years.

A former business journalist, Vallejo also sits on the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy by gubernatorial appointment.

Vallejo said it is an honor to join the leadership of an organization that seeks to elevate the practice of law and ensure that the highest level of service is provided to the Hudson County community.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with the trustees and Executive Committee in continuing the Association’s goals. I am proud to be the first Filipino-American officer of the Hudson County Bar Association.”

According to the 2010 Census, Hudson County is home to the largest number of Filipino residents in the State.

Her involvement in the association is extensive. She has been a trustee of the Hudson County Bar Association since 2011 and has been involved in multiple committees to enhance programing and diversity. She is also a member of the Hudson County Bar Foundation’s Scholarship Committee and the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee.

Vallejo earned her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 1997 and her J.D. from Seton Hall School of Law in 2007. She lives in Old Bridge, New Jersey, with her husband, Antonio.

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY JANuARY 20, 2017