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Volume 10 – Issue 40 • 16 Pages

JULY 14-20, 2017

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US-PH trade to blossom under Trump-Duterte rule

by RICHMOND

MERCURIO Philstar.com

Stargate/PeopleAsia publisher and CEO and Philippine Star columnist Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez (in photo) was reappointed by President Duterte as special envoy to the United States. The reappointment was confirmed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Philstar.com photo

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

MANILA - Philippine and U.S. trade relations continue to warm up under their respective administrations despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-U.S. pronouncements early in his term and President Donald Trump’s protectionist

stance.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said representatives from both countries met on Tuesday, July 11 under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and agreed to work together “to foster free, fair, and balanced trade between them.”

Among those to be collaborated upon by both countries are the elimination of trade barriers and promoting increased trade.

“This meeting was one of a series of bilateral meetings the United States has held with Asian trading partners in the past few months to advance the Trump ad-

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Pres. Donald Trump

White House photo

Romualdez reappointed as special envoy to US, Palace expects improved ties

AFTER a year, the Philippines now has a regular ambassador to the United States.

The Palace was optimistic when it announced on Monday, July 10, that President Rodrigo Duterte reappointed Jose Manuel Romualdez as his special envoy to the U.S. “We are confident that the reappointment of Mr. Romualdez will usher in better Philippines-U.S. relations and promote stronger cooperation between the two countries,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

Romualdez, a newspaper columnist and media executive declined the reappointment as the envoy to Washington last year due to an emergency eye operation.

At present, the Philippine embassy is supervised by Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto.

The Philippines faced a rough relation-

Senator Leila De Lima and Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II Inquirer.net photo

Sen. De Lima files criminal, admin complaint vs Aguirre

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE International Revenue Service (IRS) fully supports United States President Donald Trump’s tax reform efforts, Commissioner John Koskinen said on Wednesday, July 12.

Describing the present U.S. tax code as a “mess,” Koskinen admitted that even he finds it difficult to fill out his federal returns.

“Nobody’s more supportive of tax simplification than the IRS,” Koskinen told Fox News in a conference in Washington D.C. “The tax code is a mess. It is difficult for the IRS commissioner to fill out his tax returns.”

The tax reform was among Trump’s major 2016 presidential campaign promise, wherein he vowed the simplification of the tax code.

While clarifying that the IRS is only involved

SENATOR Leila De Lima on Thursday, July 13, filed a criminal and administrative complaint against Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, citing his alleged string of fake news and negligence in investigating extrajudicial killings (EJK), among others.

In her complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, De Lima accused Aguirre of failing to investigate and prosecute more than 7,000 extrajudicial killings (EJK) allegedly related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Citing a “reliable information from the DOJ (Department of Justice),” De Lima alleged that Aguirre “issued an illegal directive” ordering the National Prosecution Service (NPS) to restrict the filing of cases against any official enforcing the drug war.

This is the reason, De Lima claimed, why “not a single case” of summary killings — apart from cases exposed in Senate hearings — “was ever investigated or prosecuted by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the NPS under respondent DOJ Secretary.”

She noted Aguirre himself said he “does

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Koskinen: IRS very supportive of tax reform

TECHNOLOGY BRIEFING. President Rodrigo Duterte is joined by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (second from left) as he is being briefed on one of the technologies used by the National Security Council during the council’s 67th anniversary celebration at the Tejeros Hall of Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 12.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Ninal Jr.

Senators slam reinstatement of Supt. Marcos

by JENNIFER

SORIANO

AJPress

SEVERAL Philippine senators aired their dismay over the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reinstate Superintendent Marvin Marcos and 18 other police officers, despite their alleged involvement in the murder of former Albuera Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and one inmate killed inside their jail cells in Baybay City, Leyte on Nov. 25, 2016.

Citing PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella confirmed that Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos “has served suspension and is eligible to be back to duty,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement on Superintendent Marvin Marcos during a Senate investigation in the killing of Thursday, July 13.

Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

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Philstar.com photo

Marcos confident to overturn Robredo with just 3 recounts in 3 provinces JDV pushes for diplomacy D S amidst geo-political conflict by

ANA IOSON AJPress

pointed out that his camp had “voluminous files of pieces of eviFORMER Senator Ferdinand dence.”

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is confi“In fact, for the last three months dent that he will overturn Philip- volunteers from provinces where pine Vice President Leni Robredo’s cheating occurred never stopped victory in the May 2016 national coming to us, to give their affidaelections with just recounts in vits and pinpoint to us where these three provinces. documents are. We have volumiThese provinces, according to nous files of pieces of evidence,” Marcos, include Camarines Sur, Marcos said.

Iloilo, and Negros Oriental.

In June of last year, Marcos filed “I have identified already the an electoral protest against Robrethree provinces where we were do before the Supreme Court (SC), cheated enough to overcome her sitting as the Presidential Electoral lead,” Marcos told The Manila Tribunal (PET), after she won the Times on Sunday, July 9. seat only by a slim margin.

Denying the allegations that he Robredo won the position with POLL PROTEST ROLLS. Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. greets supporters was merely “fishing for evidence” around 263,000 votes more than after attending the preliminary conference at the Supreme Court on the poll protest he filed for his electoral protest, Marcos u PAGE A3 against Vice President Leni Robredo.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.

Former PH House Speaker points out need for multicultural understanding

SEOUL, Korea – On Monday, July 10, former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia identified various geo-political conflict areas in Asia that he said are capable of “difficult, dangerous but not impossible solutions” and of which “some have already been solved.”

Speaking at the first-ever meeting of various political parties from Asia and Europe here, de Venecia suggested that a “history of conflict avoidance

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Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia

A july 14-20, 2017 • NEW yORK AND NEW jERSEy ASIAN jOuRNAl

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

From the Front Page

US-PH trade to blossom...

PAGE A1 t

(WTO) Information Technology Agreement Expansion and WTO ministration’s goal of expanding Trade Facilitation Agreement.

In addition, the USTR said the trade ties with countries across the Asia-Pacific region,” the Philippines and the U.S. agreed to work closely together to adUSTR said.

During the TIFA meeting, the vance the U.S. -ASEAN trade and USTR said the U.S. and the Phil- investment agenda as well as efippines had constructive discus- forts to make the Philippines’ sions on outstanding bilateral year as ASEAN chair a success.

The TIFA meeting was chaired trade issues, including those related to agriculture, intellectual by Assistant U.S. Trade Repreproperty protection, customs sentative Barbara Weisel and and investment, among others. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino “Recognizing their shared in- Rodolfo, and also included offiterest in expeditiously address- cials from a wide range of agening these issues, they agreed on cies of both countries.

The U.S. government late last follow-up actions and to closely monitor progress,” the USTR month approved the Philippines’ application to expand its cursaid.

Officials also discussed re- rent General System of Prefergional and global trade devel- ences coverage to include travel opments, including the Philip- goods, a move seen expanding pines’ progress in implementing the country’s economy by 0.5 the World Trade Organization percent age point and creating

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70,000 new jobs.

Aside from the duty-free status for travel goods it received, the Philippines has also escaped a potential imposition of trade sanctions by the U.S. , while other major Asian economies have been put at risk.

Asian countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam have earlier been identified as among the U.S. foreign trading partners with which it had a significant trade deficit in goods in 2016 and are currently being assessed for possible trade sanctions.

The U.S. had a $1.8-billion trade deficit with the Philippines in 2016, while bilateral trade in goods between the countries totaled $18.2 billion, according to the USTR. The Philippines was the 31st

Senators slam reinstatement...

“The case, however, may be appealed to the National Police Commission,” Abella said.

The decision irked Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, who threw a foul invective when asked for his response on the decision.

“There is a phrase to describe this whole damn thing: Put*ng I*a!” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

“There are bills pending concerning IAS reorganization and other matters related thereto. I will call a hearing immediately after we resume session and part of the discussion will center on the Marcos issue,” Lacson stressed.

Lacson is the chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs that led the investigation of the slay of Espinosa and Raul Yap, an inmate.

Detrimental to police force The PNP decision did not play well with Committee on Justice chairman Senator Richard Gordon either.

“Sinabi ‘yan ni Bato noon na galit siya sa ginawa ni Marcos (Bato said in the past that he’s angry at what Marcos did) but he should have stayed the course and he should have told the President,” Gordon said on his offiie

during an interview with media on Thursday Gordo said that the people around the president should respect him by giving him a sound advice and “telling the truth” .

“Si Bato, dapat managot,” Gordon added.

“Ang hirap sa PNP hindi nila ina-advise-an ang Presidente.

Dapat sinasabi nila na nakakasama sa police force ‘yang ginawa niyang ‘yan,” he added.

“They are exploiting his feelings. Ayaw nilang humarap.

Ayaw nilang magsabi na, ‘Boss, mali ‘yan’ (They don’t want to face him. They don’t want to say, ‘Boss, that’s wrong’),” Gordon said.

“I respect the President but I must say that people around him should pay him a lot more respect by telling him the truth,” he added.

Aside from Dela Rosa, Gordon also lambasted Justice sectetary Vitaliano Aguirre for downgrading the case against Espinosa and 18 other police men from murder into homicide.

“May kahinaan ng ulo ‘yung mga nakapaligid sa kanya.

Mukhang hindi nagpractice ng abogasya (Thse around him are ineffective, It looks like he did not undergo law practice),” he said.

SONA PREPARATION. Two weeks ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted a simulation exercise for anticipated protests during the national event. The police force held the simulation exercise at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday, July 8. They tried to train for unmanageable scenarios such as protesters attacking police and throwing protest paraphernalia at them.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Sen. De Lima files criminal...

“Kung talagang marunong ‘yang si Aguirre, hinayaan nila ang husgado na litisin yan eh. PAGE A1 t Bakit kailangang pakialaman ng Pangulo? (If Aguirre is really that not consider EJK victims to be intelligent, he should have let the humans.”

De Lima, who is currently dejustices do their job).” he said.

“I’m upset. Disappointed is a tained over drug-related chargvery weak word. I’m chagrined. es, also accused Aguirre of of There are many people who fabricating the charges filed are victims of injustice here,” against her last February.

She further accused Aguirre Gordon concluded. of using the DOJ “to orchesMissed opportunity Another Duterte critic, Senator trate and execute the malicious Chiz Escudero stated that the ad- prosecution” against her based ministration missed the opportu- on the testimonies of convicted nity to prove to public their intol- drug lords and “coerced stateerance on the authority’s abuses ments of former DOJ officials in the light of waging war against and employees.”

De Lima said some witnesses drugs.

“I still believe that not pursu- — former Acting BuCor Director ing cases against Marcos and Rafael Ragos, former DOJ setreating him with kid gloves is a curity aides Ronnie Dayan and wasted opportunity for the Ad- PSG personnel Joenel Sanchez ministration to show and prove to — sought her help and told her the international community and they were being coerced by some their critics that it will not stand officials of the Duterte adminisfor abusive policemen and those tration, including Aguirre, to who do shortcuts in violation of testify against her.

But before she could even existing law in the performance respond to their requests, De of their duties,” he said.

“This would have been a per- Lima said they already agreed to fect opportunity to show too that testify against her “to save their the government will not tolerate own skin and to stop further any abuses, especially on the part acts of threat, intimidation and of state actors and law enforce- coercion against them and their ment officials, in its war against families.”

De Lima claimed that other u PAGE A3

Bilibid convicts were also subjected to “various forms of pressure and undue influence, such as promises of pardon, commutation of sentence, and other forms of executive clemency.”

She said the convicts were also “at the complete mercy of their jailers and other authorities, with their very lives or safety at risk if they do not cooperate.”

De Lima then cited the stabbing incident in September 2016, also dubbed as “prison riot,” when Jaybee Sebastian, Peter Co, and Vicente Sy agreed to testify against Aguirre but were stabbed multiple times inside the supposedly highlysecured Building 14 of Bilibid prison.

The senator also sued Aguirre, who is dubbed by his critics as “fake news king,” for his “reckless imputation of criminal wrong doing and conspiracies based on unverified information.”

In her complaint, De Lima mentioned the Jack Lam bribery scandal, saying Aguirre “falsely accused” her and Senators Francis Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes IV of “conspiring to

implicate him.”

She added that the justice secretary also “maliciously accused PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) Chair Andrea Domingo of entertaining a bribe offer from Jack Lam.” Lam is a Chinese national who allegedly own an illegal gambling business operations in Clark, Pampanga. Lam was accused paying millions-worth of bribes to former Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials in exchange for the release of undocumented Chinese workers arrested in November last year.

“These acts constitute dishonesty, grave misconduct, oppression, inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of official duties, and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” the senator said.

De Lima added that Aguirre should also be held criminally liable for violating the following provisions of the Revised Penal code: Article 208 (Negligence in Prosecution and Toleration of Criminal Offenses); Article 286 (Grave Coercion); Article 172.2 (Use of Falsified Documents); Article 184 (Offering False Testimony); and Article 239 (Usurpation of Legislative Powers). n

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JDV pushes for diplomacy...

PAGE A3 t and joint development involving rival nations abounds, perhaps as a result of intelligent, creative, humble and pragmatic diplomacy.”

The founding Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), Co-Chairman of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), and President Rodrigo Duterte’s Special Envoy for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Intercultural Dialogue, named the following contested areas: • The Spratlys, claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan in the South China Sea through which more than 50 percent of global shipping pass; and the Paracel isles, claimed by both China and Vietnam over which they have already fought a war,and now occupied by China.

He said “joint exploration and development and conversion of the areas into a Zones of Peace, Friendship and Development are the only viable solution instead of constant tension, conflict and possible explosive war;” • The controversial Japaneseheld tiny isles in the Senkaku Straits or Daiyou to the Chinese in the East China Sea; he said the “only common-sensical solution is a joint-administration and sharing of the potential hydro-carbons in the vicinity;” • The conflict over Kashmir where substantial forces between India and Pakistan still face each other and over which they have already fought three bloody wars over 60 years, with potential for nuclear exchange; • The conflict, involving dangerous skirmishes in the long mountain borders between India and China, with large swathes of contested high ground; Sino-Indian wars were fought in 1962, 1965 and 1971; • The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh; • The protracted war in Afghanistan; • The unfinished Arab-Israeli conflict, which is still awaiting final settlement and the establishment of a Palestinian homeland under a two-state solution; • The continuing bloody wars in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and areas of West Africa, bedevilled

by ISIS, Al Qaeda, and tribal wars.

De Venecia, a five-time Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, said the most violent threats are still those mounted by the ISIS-ISIL following the extremists’ early territorial victories and launching of a Caliphate in large areas of Iraq and Syria.

Although routed in battle in recent weeks in the conquered territories, ISIS has since deployed deadly terrorist groups

in various capitals of Europe and the U.S., and smaller units have shifted their activities to Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia, and an attack on Marawi City in Muslim Mindanao where it plans to establish a province of the Caliphate.

Sucessful geo-political settlements De Venecia also listed some of the successful geo-political settlements that ended violent wars and brought about peace and development and which were settled by patient, pragmatic diplomacy: • End of the dangerous dispute that led to a violent war between Russia and China; hundreds of thousands of troops faced each other in the Argun and Amur Rivers in the eastern region of the U.S.S.R., north of Vladivostok in 1969, until the 1992 a Border Agreement was signed between the two Communist states; • Signing of the land border agreement of 1999 between Vietnam and China, although their dispute over the Paracels in the China Sea remains, following bloody fighting which dislodged the Vietnamese garrison troops from the Paracel isles; • Oil in the Caspian Sea is shared by Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijian and others because, “among them there is demarcation and practical mutual understanding and goodwill;” • The Norwegian-owned Ecofisk oil field in the North Sea which he visited in the 1970s when he was President of the Petroleum Association of the Philippines, flows its oil to Norway, to Teeside, England, and the natural gas to Bremen, Germany; • Giant Australia, a continent, and tiny East Timor share the hydrocarbons in the South Pacific, in the waters just below Darwin on the southeast side of Asia’s newest republic; • The 1989 Agreement between Malaysia and Thailand for a joint development of their disputed waters; • The Guinea-Bissau and Seneghal Agreement of 1993, which helped them develop their disputed areas.

“Might not the lessons of history again help us?” de Venecia told the party leaders gathered for the First Asia-Europe Political Forum.

3RD Silk Road Route De Venecia also said the ICAPP fully “supports China’s revival of the ancient overland Silk Road and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, which have the “potential to change this century, hopefully…a change for the better.”

He reiterated his proposal for a “Third Silk Route” that would “complement and extend” China’s “Belt and Road” initiative,

Romualdez reappointed as...

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ship with the United States after then President Barack Obama denounced Duterte’s war on drugs.

In February, amidst the tension between the U.S. and Philippines, Duterte voiced out that he does “not feel like sending one [U.S. special envoy]. ” Following the statement of Duterte, former permanent representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja urged the president to do otherwise since not sending an ambassador is “not good diplomatic practice.”

Under the leadership of incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump, however, the two coun-

tries are seen on a much friendlier note.

In May, Trump commended Duterte’s drug crackdown saying the Philippine president did an “unbelievable job on the drug problem.” Duterte thanked the U.S. president in return, further stating that “this is the scourge of my nation now and I have to do something to preserve the Filipino nation.”

Romualdez heads the Philippine offices of various multinational firms base in U.S. including FCB Manila and Weber Shandwick Philippines. He is also the president of the Manila Overseas Press Club and vice president of Manila Rotary Club. (AJPress)

Senators slam reinstatement...

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drugs,” Escudero added.

Back-to-duty status Meanwhile, Dela Rosa argued that the development in the case against Marcos and 18 other policemen is what the law accordingly dictates.

“It is not even a reinstatement.

Rather, it was back-to-duty status after serving his (Marcos) fourmonth suspension order incorporated in a ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ administrative penalty imposed on Marcos by the PNP IAS (PNP Internal Affairs Service) and subsequently approved by CPNP Dela Rosa,” he said.

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP recommended in April the demotion and suspension of the 19 police officers involved in the death of Espinosa.

However, as early as December Duterte voiced out his support for the policemen who “did their duty.”

Recently, during the 26th anniversary of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology on Wednesday, Duterte said Marcos should be reinstated because he was not part of the team that went to Espinosa’s jail cell.

“Marcos was suspended. He has served his suspension,”

Duterte said.

“Sabi ko, ‘Ibalik ninyo sa trabaho ‘yang mama na ‘yan. Wala naman doon ‘yan eh (I said ‘reinstate him. He was not there. He was too far away here.’ He was not part of the raiding team),” he added.

Duterte reiterated that he would never allow a soldier or a policeman to land in jail for doing his duty and for obeying his orders.

The other 18 policemen involved in the case were Supt.

Santi Noel Matira; Chief Insp.

Leo Larraga; Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco; Senior Insp. Deogracias Diaz; Insp. Lucredito Candilosas; SPO4 Melvin Cayubit; PO3 Johnny Ibañez; SPO4 Juanito Duarte; PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza; PO1 Bhernard Orpilla; SPO2 Benjamin Dacallos; PO3 Norman Abellanosa; PO1 Jerlans Cabiyaan; PO1 Clixto Canillas Jr; SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo; PO2 John Ruel Doculan; SPO2 Antonio Docil; and PO2 Jaime Dacsal.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Eastern Visayas said a shootout ensued after the mayor resisted arrest. Senate and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) however concluded the killing was premeditated. n

Dateline USa passing through the Philippines.

The third route, he said, would extend from southern China’s Fujian province, cross to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor Leste and across the South Pacific to Australia, New Zealand and into Chile, Brazil, Argentina, the Carribean and into Mexico and the US. He described this as a “new circumnavigation in this age of globalization,” following the legendary overland Silk Route by horse and camel caravans, and President Xi Jinping’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Route.

Russian initiative De Venecia also noted Russia’s new initiative to create the Eurasian Economic Union among Russia and the Central Asian states along the Silk Route.

He said another striking recent development was China’s launching of the long-distance railway freight train from China to Europe and back, the extension of the Silk Route across the Red Sea to Africa.

Recalling his speeches before the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. and in the United Nations University in Barcelona, Spain, he told the Asia-Europe political leaders of the need for “bringing together the best elements of capitalism and socialism in a new applied art of governance, based on what works for a particular society over a specific historical period considering the persistent and incredibly huge gaps between the rich and poor in our time.”

He told leaders of the orga-

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 14-20, 2017

nizations of political parties in Asia and Europe: “There will be a great need for transnational, transcultural groupings like ours—since the problems that face us more and more transcend national, regional and even hemispheric boundaries.

“We cannot turn away from the pursuit of peace because the alternative, conflict and war, would be immeasurably costly and make all of us losers.

“We must all then strive together to achieve the multicultural understanding, which is the only basis for the long-term security of our Asian region, Europe, and the global community.

“For understanding among the great civilizations is the only basis for global peace that will endure.

“The U. S. and Europe provided the world a historic, great and inspiring lesson on how to lift a destroyed continent from the ashes of war.

“In Asia, the U. S., Japan and 10-nation ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, and the rise of China led an incredibly great period of economic recovery and modernization after World War II, the Korean War and the Indo-China wars.”

He concluded: “We commend these great lessons and great moments in history to say that never again should we allow geo-political conflict, nationalist passions and false ideologies, and inordinate great power ambitions to once again threaten Asia, Europe and the other countries of the world.” n

A

Koskinen: IRS very supportive...

PAGE A1 t with the tax administration and does not meddle with policies, Koskinen said that the agency has been communicating and offering its help to the new administration few weeks after Trump was elected as president.

Koskinen said he has been gathering suggestions from the agency’s employees on ways how to simplify the tax code, pointing out that the reform is one of the agency’s “highest priorities.”

“One of the questions was, ‘If major tax reform simplification was on the table, would there be anybody in the IRS opposed to that?’ I was quick to respond, after having talked to employees,

that nobody is more supportive of tax simplification than the IRS,” Koskinen said.

He went on to say, “Most people want to be compliant, but when you make it very difficult for them…to work through the various nooks and crannies, it doesn’t seem, to me, to be in the best interest of the taxpayer or government.”

Koskinen also remarked that the agency is eager to implement changes and make it more effective and easier to understand.

“If you have an idea, oftentimes you can implement it in a way that is very complicated,” he added.

“There can be more straightforward or simpler ways to do it.”

(Dana Sioson/AJPress)

Marcos confident to overturn...

PAGE A1 t Marcos.

Marcos accused her of committing massive electoral fraud. He also questioned the poll results in 39,221 clustered precincts.

On Tuesday, July 11, Marcos paid his remaining P30 million electoral protest fee, which also covers the recount expenses, ahead of the July 14 deadline set by the PET. Last April, he paid a P36 million as an initial installment.

“One year had passed, it is too long since May 9 last year. People approached us because they want the public to know what really happened,” Marcos added.

Robredo, on the other hand, has to settle her remaining P15.4 million for her counter-protest on or before July 14. She paid an

initial P8 million deposit earlier in May. Last week, Robredo’s camp accused Marcos of “merely fishing for evidence and not sure of his election protest” when he named the three pilot provinces that could prove the sufficiency of his protest.

“Marcos named the provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental; and yet he made a reservation to change any of these provinces,” Robredo’s election lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said on July 5.

Macalintal went on to say, “He (Marcos) could not establish which three provinces out of the 30 provinces and highly urbanized cities he protested could demonstrate his much talked about electoral frauds and irregularities.” n

A july 14-20, 2017 • NEW yORK AND NEW jERSEy ASIAN jOuRNAl

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Immigrant minors entering US illegally entitled to bail hearings Appeals court rules in favor of 1997 lawsuit settlement

QUALITY TIME. A father spends some quality time with his children as they fly kite together at the Rizal Park ground in Manila on Sunday, July 9.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Ex-DFA chief skeptical over PH-China ‘friendly relations’

by Jennifer

Soriano

AJPress

A YEAR after the Philippines gained victory over China in a legal territorial battle, former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert Del Rosario perceives that the country is at a disadvantage over what Malacañang claims as “positive neighborly relations” between the two nations.

To mark the first anniversary after the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling on the Philippines’ case against China on the so-called nine-dash line claim in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Malacañang tagged the country as a “regional peacemaker” for having a “positive neighborly relations” with China.

“Despite its friendlier face, we do not see restraint in China’s militarization and unlawful activity in the West Philippine Sea, said Del Rosario in forum organized by the Stratbase-Institute on Wednesday, July 12.

Recently, Washington-based CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative released satellite imagery revealing China’s new missile shelters, radar and communication facilities on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reef.

Gregory Poling, director of the AMTI over the issue, said that “this suggests that Beijing wants to keep Manila and the

other Southeast Asian governments talking, diverting international pressure, while it finishes its power projection capabilities without interference.”

Amidst the issue, Del Rosario said that it would be best if the Philippines would reclaim its leadership over China following the victory gained a year before .

“Today, on the anniversary of the ruling, we should be proud of our country’s leadership on this issue. It was a leadership that began from a lonely place but, because we stood for what is right, we also gained the respect of the responsible community of nations,” Del Rosario said.

“I believe that we should reassume our leadership,” he stressed.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that Chinese President Xi Xinping would wage war with the Philippines if it attempted to drill oil from the contested the resource-rich West Philippine Sea. “We cannot allow others to play with the threat of war when our submitted disputes have already been clarified in the ruling,” Del Rosario said.

“Despite an effort in this country to encourage sobriety and restraint, I am concerned that we will reap no more than a friendly face,” he added.

The former foreign affairs chief suggested that the administration to “exhaust all diplomatic

avenues that are available to us in promoting the ruling and the rule of international law.”

In a televised media briefing on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Ernerto Abella affirmed the developments between the two countries.

“Philippines and China have reviewed experience on the West Philippine Sea issue, exchanged views and current issues of concern to either side and they have agreed that they will further discuss mutually acceptable approaches,” Abella said in televised press briefing.

“It’s excellent that we are now in dialogue with the other country,” he added.

Last May, the representatives from the Philippines and China conducted its inaugural meeting of their bilateral consultation mechanism to resolve the maritime dispute.

“The Duterte administration reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protect our country’s territorial claims and maritime entitlements, but believes that the ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea should further be resolved in a manner consistent with the spirit of good neighborly relations,” the DFA said in a statement released Wednesday.

Abella claimed that the two countries have agreed to meet again in the second half of 2017.

A FEDERAL appeals court unanimously ruled on Wednesday, July 6 that minors who enter the United States illegally without their parents must not be detained or released without a court hearing.

The three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that immigration authorities must act in accordance to a 1997 lawsuit settlement that established standards for their detention, release and treatment.

The settlement — known as the Flores settlement — ruled that minors who enter the U.S. illegally without a legal guardian must be granted a bond hearing before an immigration judge.

Since then, Congress passed two laws in 2002 and 2008 that repealed those stipulations in the Flores settlement and removed the right to court hearings, but the appeals court thought otherwise.

“Not a single word in either statute indicates that Congress intended to supersede, terminate, or take away any right enjoyed by unaccompanied minors at the time of the acts’ pas-

sage,” the judges wrote. “Thus, we hold that the statutes have not terminated the Flores settlement settlement’s bond-hearing requirement for unaccompanied minors.”

The court argued that the court hearing requirement for immigrant minors is necessary to set a standard for these children’s’ futures during the pending immigration process.

It wrote that the hearing provides minors with legal counsel to represent them. Hearings also give these minors “meaningful rights and practical benefits” to help them navigate the immigration system.

“Without such hearings, these children have no meaningful forum in which to challenge [the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services’] decisions regarding their detention or even to discover why those decisions have been made,” the judges argued.

“There are no procedures available to them that afford them the right to a hearing with counsel, an opportunity to examine adverse evidence, or

a forum in which to refute the government’s claims regarding the need for their custody,” the judges continued. “In the absence of such hearings, these children are held in bureaucratic limbo, left to rely upon the agency’s alleged benevolence and opaque decision making.”

The ruling is a win for undocumented minors, many of whom cross the border without their parents.

In recent years, tens of thousands of children have entered the U.S., fleeing from drug and gang violence from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Federal officials say that most of them attend school in the U.S. while being cared for by family members in the country.

In 2014, more than 68,000 were detained, many of them settling in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Since President Donald Trump took office, the number of illegal crossings has dwindled, but from February to May 2017, 5,445 minors were still being detained, according to federal records. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Pacquiao on WBO ruling: ‘Nothing surprises me now’

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

FILIPINO boxer Manny Pacquiao was not surprised with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) review result upholding Australian Jeff Horn’s victory, he said this week.

“We have seen worse judgments in the past where judges manipulated results. Nothing surprises me now,” Pacquiao told reporters on Tuesday, July 11.

Earlier, the Philippine Games and Amusements Board (GAB) asked the WBO to conduct a “thorough review” for possible miscalls on the recent world welterweight title bout between Pacquiao and Horn.

Criticisms flooded the internet after Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title to Horn through a controversial unanimous decision on Sunday, July 2 during a match held at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

“Let the people judge for

Manny Pacquiao lands a right hand to Jeff Horn’s jaw during their WBO welterweight title fight at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia last July 2. Philstar.com photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea

themselves. People saw what happened,” Pacquiao added.

In a statement on Monday,

July 10, the WBO announced the results of its independent

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House Speaker to pursue impeachment raps against VP Robredo, CJ Sereno

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Vice Pres. Leni Robredo

by Dana

sIoson

AJPress

PHIlIPPINE Vice President leni Robredo and Chief Justice Maria lourdes Sereno are likely to face impeachment cases in the upcoming second regular session of the 17th Congress, according to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

In an interview with Inquirer, Alvarez said he will file impeachment cases against the two high officials once he finished gathering enough evidence to support it.

“That’s why this second year of Congress may become more colorful,” the House speaker remarked.

The 17th Congress, which is currently in recess, is set to resume its second regular session on Monday, July 24.

“Before I file that, I need to complete all the supporting documents. like the case with the Chief Justice, once the documents

Philstar.com photos

are ready, I will not hesitate to file,” he added.

Asked why he is seeking the impeachment of the two high officials when President Rodrigo Duterte himself seemed dormant in directly attacking them, Alvarez took note that unlike Congress, the chief executive has no power to oust the vice president and the chief justice.

Earlier in March, Duterte expressed opposition to any impeachment attempts against Robredo, telling her critics to “lay off.” “let’s understand the president.

He cannot impeach anyone. He cannot impeach the vice president or the chief justice,” Alvarez explained.

He then noted, “But we in Congress, especially the House, have the exclusive right to impeach the vice president, the chief justice, the justices of the Supreme Court and [officials of] constitutional

bodies.”

“That’s why I’m speaking out,” he added.

Alvarez pointed out that Robredo “betrayed the public trust” when she sent a video message to United Administration criticizing the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs last March.

Two impeachment complaints have been submitted at the House, but they have yet to be endorsed by a congressman.

Sereno, on the other hand, could face impeachment “if there’s truth to the reports” that she forced Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. to sign a joint statement asking the House to reconsider its show cause order against three CA justices last month, according to Alvarez.

He added that he would also look into reports that Sereno influenced the three CA justices to issue the release order of the Ilocos officials who have been detained since May for their “dismissive” answers during an investigation into the government’s alleged irregular purchase of P66.45 million-worth vehicles.

Reacting to Alvarez’ statement, liberal Party (lP) president and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said conducting impeachment trials against Robredo and Sereno would just be a “waste of time.”

“It will be a waste of our time in the Senate,” said Pangilinan.

Robredo is the lP’s highest elected official.

Muslim-only ID hinders political rights, says poll official

by JennIfer

sorIano

AJPress

POlITICAl rights may be compromised if the government will push through with the proposed Muslim ID system, says Commission on Election (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.

“That ID required for Muslims will have consequences on their political rights. It will discourage them to run for office in the local governments, or discourage them from voting. It’s tagging,” she said.

The statement was made due to a circulating information th at there are proposal for an exclusive ID as a strategy to fight against terrorism and support national security measures.

Affirming Guanzon’s stand, fellow commissioner luie Guia tweeted, “Seriously, religion is

not necessary to identify a person so it need not be in a voter’s ID,” Guia added.

Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, July 11 that the proposal did not come from the national authorities, and were from local authorities.

“The Palace’s position is really for a national ID. So I think we should leave it at that—for a national ID,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.

“I think the—that particular ethnic-centered ID was really a local initiative…the palace’s position is that there should be a national ID,” the presidential spokesman said.

“Nobody’s pushing for that, OK? As the good director of PNP (Philippine National Police) has already said, this is not a mandate coming from higher author-

ities,” Abella added.

Further, two Muslim groups in Tarlac — Paniqui United Muslims Association (Puma) and the United Muslims Association of Tarlac City (Umat), devised their own ID system, defending that it was their initiatives, and were not introduced nor imposed by local officials or the police.

“It’s ongoing,”Misangcad Datumaas of Puma said to Inquirer when asked about the status of the ID system in Paniqui town.

Jabbar Abdul, coordinator of Ubat gave the same answer when the Inquirer reached him by the telephone on Tuesday.

The Tarlac ID system is the “best practice that can be replicated in [the region],” Inquirer reported, citing an earlier statement of Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central luzon police director.

Majority of Filipinos favor martial law, reject expansion

by JennIfer

sorIano

AJPress

MORE than half of Filipinos support President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, but a majority also oppose expanding the military rule to the rest of the country, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Tuesday, July 11.

The survey found that of the 92 percent of Filipino adults who are aware of Duterte’s martial rule, 57 percent said it was the right decision, while 29 percent said it should have been declared only in Marawi City and Province of lanao del Sur. Meanwhile, 11 percent said it should have been declared only for Marawi CIty, the province of lanao del Sur, and nearby provinces.

The decision to declare martial law got the highest support from Mindanao at 64 percent, followed by respondents from Metro Manila at 58 percent, the Visayas at 57 percent, and luzon at 53 percent.

The older respondents (ages 55 years old and above) topped

the number in favor of Duterte’s decision at 68 percent. They were followed by 18 to 24 years old at 59 percent, 25 to 34 years old at 53 percent, 35 to 44 years old at 52 percent, and 45 to 54 years old at 51 percent.

Majority against expansion in Visayas and Luzon Citing Duterte’s earlier remarks on May 24 regarding the possibility of expanding martial law to the Visayas and luzon if the insurgency continues, the majority of the respondents in those said areas rejected the idea.

With the survey statement “Pres. Rodrigo Duterte should also declare Martial law in the Visayas,” the proportion of those who disagreed was highest in the Visayas at 79 percent, followed

by Metro Manila at 71 percent, and luzon at 68 percent.

However, a whooping 43 percent in Mindanao agreed that “Pres. Rodrigo Duterte should also declare Martial law in the Visayas.” Thirty-eight percent disagreed, while 19 percent were undecided.

Disagreement with the statement, “Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

should also declare Martial law in luzon” was also dominant across the board, except for Mindanao.

The proportion of those who disagreed with the statement was highest in Metro Manila at 79 percent, followed by Balance luzon at 76 percent, and Visayas at 76 percent.

However, Mindanao seemed divided on its opinion — 40 percent agreed and 38 percent disagreed. The remaining 22 percent were undecided.

The survey was conducted on June 23-26, 2017 using face-toface interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide, which involved 300 respondents each in Metro Manila, Balance of luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

SWS also conducted a survey on the same date, which revealed that the chief executive’s performance hit a record-high net satisfaction of 78 percent among Filipinos. The Palace said on Friday, July 7 that this manifests the “tacit public support” to Duterte’s martial law declaration.

PROCESSION OF PRELATES. Members of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines gather for their 115th plenary assembly at Pope Pius 12th Center in Manila on Friday, July 7.

CBCP photo

Governor Espino lays out biz opportunities in Pangasinan at Asia CEO Forum

by IrIs

VIcente AJ Press

GOVERNOR Amado Espino III laid out across-the-board investment opportunities in Pangasinan preceding business executives and investors at the Asia CEO Forum in Dusit Thani Makati on Wednesday, July 5.

As the leader of the Pangasinan delegation, Espino encouraged the foreign and local investors to explore the vast investment opportunities and fascinating wonders of his revered province.

“Make our home, your home” he said as he put out confident reasons why Pangasinan is an excellent place to settle and venture. Espino challenged investors to check out his zone’s five largescale investment areas: Agriculture (especially on food and fish processing) Tourism (particularly on accommodation facilities like restaurants, pasalubong centers, terminals, recreation centers, theme parks, museums and farm tourist sites), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), renewable energy and ecozone advancement.

The provincial chief officer disclosed that competent businesses to settle shall revel in financial

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino III.

allurement that is established in the Pangasinan Code of 2016 in which investors shall avail the following: one year to five years full exemption from payment of Governor’s permit on business activities, full exemption from payment of annual fixed tax for every delivery of truck or van, and full exemption from the share of the province based on the payment of Basic Real Property Tax acquired or built purposely for the project.

The Pangasinan Code of 2016 is the modified adaptation of the 2003 Investment Code which is one of the first passed provincial ordinances under Espino’s administration.

Espino furthermore advertised his province’s gains in agricul-

ture, tourism, employment services and peace and order.

Along with the governor were city mayors: Arthur Celeste of Alaminos, San Carlos’ Mayor Joseres Resuello, Amadeo Gregorio IV of Urdaneta, and Belen Fernandez of Dagupan together with municipal mayors of Manaog, Kim Amador, Simplicio Rosario of Binmaley,Michael Cruz of Umingan and Eric Versoza of Dasol who come through for their corresponding city’s/municipality’s future businesses and transactions.

President and CEO Rey Untal of IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Deputy Director-General for Operations Harriet Abordo of Philippine Economic Zone Authority and former Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard F. Baraan were among the guests in the forum proper.

A six-minute audiovisual presentation was played after Espino’s speech highlighting Pangasinan’s exquisite offerings and advancement.

Dasol, Pangasinan’s ASNA awardee, Richard Mills and wife, Rebecca Bustamante made the province’s participation in the said forum, possible.

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Pacquiao on WBO ruling: ‘Nothing surprises me now’ PAGE A4 t review of the match, saying that three of its five independent judges awarded the victory to Horn, one to Pacquiao, and the remaining one scored a draw.

Based on its findings, the WBO said Pacquiao won the 3rd, the 8th and 9th by 100 percent; the 5th round by 80 percent; and the 11th round by 60 percent.

Horn, on the other hand, won the 1st, 6th and 12th rounds by 100 percent; the 2nd, 4th, and 7th rounds by 80 percent; and 10th round by 60 percent.

“From the results, it can be established that Pacquiao won five

rounds while Horn won seven rounds. Based on this analysis, Jeff Horn was the winner of the bout,” the WBO concluded.

The bout’s original scores were 117-111, 115-113, 115113, all in favor of Horn.

The WBO earlier clarified that it cannot reverse the original match result, and that the re-scoring of the fight was only a response to the GAB’s request with the purpose of giving fans “certainty of who was the winner of the fight.”

While GAB thanked the WBO for swiftly responding to its review request, it criticized referee Mark Nelson for supposedly

not doing a proper job.

“We are grateful that WBO acted promptly on our request but no matter what review they do, it will be hard to change the result as the referee didn’t call it close,” GAB chairman Abraham Mitra said.

“The judges’ scores would have greatly changed if the refs did their job properly. He didn’t give Manny the respect and fair protection that is due to a people’s champ,” Mitra added.

With a rematch clause in the fight contract, both Pacquiao and Horn said they are open to the idea of settling the issue inside the ring. n

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A6 JULY 14-20, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Critical numbers

BASED on projections by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine population will continue to increase in 2017 and is projected to reach 105,758,850 by December 31, 2017.

As of Sunday, July 9, the current Philippine population is 103,842,929 or 1.38 percent of the world’s total population, based on the latest United Nations estimates.

The nation’s population has grown over two percent each year since 2000. A mere 50 years ago, the country’s population stood at 27.1 million.

Other population trends being tracked by POPCOM for 2017 are the numbers of schoolchildren, which is expected to rise to 31.5 million, the labor force of 66.7 million and the segment over 65 years old at 5.2 million.

While every life is a cause of celebration, the world recognizes the need to address the urgency and importance of population issues. This is why the world observes July 11 as the World Population Day to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relation to the environment and development.

Humankind didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, human inhabitants have since been growing by exponential leaps.

The world’s population now stands at 7.5 billion.

Reaching this number is as much a milestone in human history as it is a worldwide cause for deep concern.

The world is expected to grow another 2.4 billion and reach almost 10 billion in 2050. That’s the same as adding nearly two more Chinas or eight times more U.S. residents to this already crowded planet.

In the Philippines, at least three babies are born every minute, making the country’s population growth a daunting challenge. Stabilizing these numbers, so that they don’t outstrip economic growth, is an even more challenging task.

Although it is anathema to the Church and prolife advocates, population control is a practical option right now. Controlling population growth may not be the ultimate solution to such survival, but it renders a chance for a better future.

A ballooning population interlinks a myriad of issues. But its control equates a matter of survival of the human race. Controlling the population may not be the ultimate solution to such survival, but it renders a chance for a better future.

Without urgent efforts to stabilize and reduce population growth, nature might finally provide alternative solutions to the problem with famine, disease and war.

The government needs to vigorously implement its population policies, which are respon-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

sible parenthood and the advocacy for natural family planning. There are a number of other worthwhile methods people can and should em-

ploy to reduce fertility rates. Some have proven track records, while others, are eminently sensible. (AJPress)

Trump Jr. releases detailed emails that give more smoke to the Russian-Trump campaign collusion THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN has, in many The Fil-Am times, failed to disclose, mislead and Perspective lied about its alleged communications and ties with the United States’ adversary, Russia, and has even GEL SANTOS-RELOS called any reports about it “fake news”, and the investigation as a “witch hunt”.

It contends that the Democrats and the fake news media had been making these accusations against Trump because they could not accept the fact that Clinton lost and Trump won.

THIS is NOT fake news, kababayans. Ask President Donald J. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who has released emails and a statement regarding his meeting with a Kremlin-related Russian attorney who offered to give the Trump campaign some incriminating information about Hillary Clinton from the

Russian government to damage her campaign and help Trump win the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Trump released a brief statement saying, “my son is a highquality person and I applaud his transpar-

ency.”

Transparency? After denials and multiple stories to explain away the news broken by the New York Times last weekend, Trump Jr. finally released on Tuesday morning the emails, but only after being told that the Times was about to publish the content of emails setting up a meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer.

As the Times reported, the emails were exchanged in June 2016 between Donald Trump Jr. and Rob Goldstone, a British-born former tabloid reporter and entertainment publicist. Mr. Gold-

stone told Trump Jr. that he was writing on behalf of a mutual friend, one of Russia’s biggest pop music stars, Emin Agalarov.

Quoting the New York Times: On Jun 3, 2016, at 10:36 AM, Rob Goldstone wrote: Good morning Emin just called and asked me to contact you with something very interesting.

The Crown prosecutor of Russia met with his father Aras this morning and in their meeting offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father.

This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump - helped along by Aras and Emin.

What do you think is the best way to

handle this information and would you be able to speak to Emin about it directly?

I can also send this info to your father via Rhona, but it is ultra sensitive so wanted to send to you first.

Best Rob Goldstone According to the New York Times, Trump Jr. responded in minutes saying, “If it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer.”

After more email exchanges setting up the meeting, Trump Jr. met with the Russian lawyer on June 9 at younger Trump’s office on the 25th floor of Trump Tower, which the Times reported to be “just one level below the office of the future president”.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and the Trump Campaign chairman Paul Manafort were in the meeting, and had received forwarded emails about the planned meeting by Trump Jr. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who

heads the independent investigation probing the alleged collusion of the Trump campaign with Russia to interfere in the presidential election, will look into these emails and meetings.

Mueller will weigh in on these in relation to the many other testimonies, meetings, ties, and other evidences to determine the culpability of the Trump campaign in the allegations of collusion with Russia to attack the democratic processes and institutions in the United States just so Trump would win as president.

He will also look into a possible tit for tat between Trump and Russia, considering how such ties have affected Trump’s policies when it comes to Russia.. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The Duterte-Alvarez show: Good cop, bad cop

Opinion

IT’S got to be an act. That’s the only explanation for it: RICARDO SALUDO House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has this unfailing knack of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, so to speak, just when President Rodrigo Duterte scores with the public, the media, some key sector.

Take the past week. The signatures of Their Honors the Justices were not yet dry on the Supreme Court’s 11-3-1 decision upholding the constitutionality of Duterte’s May 25 martial law proclamation over Mindanao and nearby islands. Then Alvarez has the bright idea of calling for five more years of military rule, to wipe out rebels and terrorists from the region.

Last Saturday he made sure to make headlines by telling the leading anti-administration paper that “if I can convince my colleagues, I will push for an extension until 2022, because two months is too short.”

Never mind that the Commander in Chief has said over and over that he will listen to his generals and no one else on whether to let martial law last one day more than its expiry on July 22. Not to congressmen or senators. Not to businessmen or demonstrators.

Not to churchmen or commentators.

With Alvarez’s unsolicited suggestion to keep the troops in charge of Mindanao till Duterte finally leaves Malacañang Palace for his humble abode in Davao City five years from now, the Speaker has rekindled fears of Marcos-style martial law, after the military’s no-abuse record eased concerns.

Now, with the specter of repeated anniversaries of military rule, even the level-headed and the antileftist rightists might actually pay attention to the insurgent Communist Party of the Philippines in its wild claim yesterday that the “forked tongue” Duterte was laying the groundwork for nationwide martial law.

(Of all critics, the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, have no iota of moral standing to point fingers at imagined or real autocrats, not with their hands stained by the blood of hundreds

of their own cadres ruthlessly purged in the late 1980s, plus unarmed innocents in the thousands.

But that’s another story.)

Back to the Honorable Speaker of the House.

With his own fellow representatives still howling over his 2017-2022 martial-law trial balloon, Alvarez sends up another sure-fire party pooper.

Two days after Palace relations with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines looked set to get better after the election of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles as CBCP president, vice LingayenDagupan prelate Socrates Villegas, who had nottoo-subtly called on Catholics not to shade Duterte’s name on the ballot, the Speaker decides to ruffle the revered men of the cloth.

He let it be known that legalizing same-sex marriage might be good to see on his legislative legacy.

That would surely remind the bishops of the President’s own campaign pledge to allow like genders to wed, even though he publicly backed away from that un-Catholic idea not too long ago in March.

Duterte’s lightning rod?

If in his untimely and unseemly pronouncements the Speaker wittingly or unwittingly aims to draw lightning bolts of criticism and animosity from the President, it may be working, at least some of the time.

Days after placing Mindanao under military rule before cutting short his state visit to Moscow, President Duterte told soldiers in Jolo, mixing English and Filipino: “While the police, not to mention the Armed Forces, have not said that the Philippines is safe, this martial law will continue. I will not listen to anyone else. The Supreme Court, congressmen, they’re not out here. … Why, are they the ones facing death? Are they the ones suffering here? They will suffer the wounds of war?”

That Palace throwdown of verbal gauntlets would tend to invite its co-equal branches to cross constitutional swords with the tough-talking Chief Executive. But as media got ready with headlines like “Defiant Duterte dangles dictatorship, dismisses decrees and decisions dismantling defense department dominance down south,” Alvarez let loose with his own missive against the judiciary.

When martial law opponents petitioned the Su-

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

preme Court to make Congress hold a joint session to review and vote on martial law, the Speaker let it be known that if the magistrates acceded and issued the order, “I would rip it up. …They should review their law books. How can the Supreme Court dictate to Congress what to do? We’re a coequal body,” Which then opened the door for Duterte to wax deferential, presidential and constitutional, promising to abide by any decision from the high court the very day after Alvarez thumbed his nose at Their Honors.

“Of course, we are bound by rules,” the Commander in Chief told another military assembly in Sultan Kudarat. “That’s already the Supreme Court. … I’m sure that they will take into account the fighting and what’s behind it.”

Good cop, bad cop.

When showtime gets real If all the foregoing is an act, it’s vintage Duterte.

After all, he was the presidentiable who made everyone think he wasn’t sure about running, and even missed the deadline for filing certificates for

Inquirer.net photo

candidacy. Thus, rivals spared him from the attacks that sank frontrunners like then Vice-President Jejomar Binay.

Alvarez’s nastiness toward the judiciary allowed Duterte to pledge compliance to the Supreme Court, wiping away his earlier defiance of both legislative and judicial branches if they tried to void martial law. With such presidential deference to the bench, in stark contrast to the Speaker’s unbowed arrogance, Their Honors got one more reason to rule for Malacañang.

As for the five-year martial law balloon, now that even the Palace and the Armed Forces have shot it down, one or two years of military rule suddenly appears reasonable, if not positively democratic. It certainly looks much better than if the discussion was only about months or weeks of extension, not years.

And if it works with Congress and the courts, why not the Church? If the CBCP gets friendly with the President to rein in the Speaker, the latter’s samesex marriage idea would have served its purpose.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 14-20, 2017

Palace: Duterte’s corruption ‘admission’ an ‘obvious jest’

A7

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte was only joking when he admitted to committing corruption, Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, July 11, as it criticized Senator Antonio Trillanes for taking the joke seriously.

Pointing out that Duterte’s statement was an “obvious jest,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella chided Trillanes for apparently lacking a sense of humor.

“I think the senator seems to lack a sense of humor regarding that,” Abella said. “It was said in jest, obviously.”

In a media conference earlier this week, Trillanes pushed for an investigation into Duterte, citing the president’s “admission” of corruption last month as grounds for the inquiry.

Speaking at the 140th founding anniversary of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. on June 29, Duterte expressed anger over the ongoing corruption activities within the government.

At one point in his speech, Duterte cited himself as a former corrupt official.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

“I hate corruption. Hindi ako nagmamakalinis, marami rin akong nanakaw pero naubos na, so wala na (I do not pretend to be clean. I also stole a lot, but they have been exhausted),” Duterte said, which was met by the audience’s laughter.

The president then continued, “Pero (But) corruption is really out during my term.”

Pointing out that Duterte already admitted to stealing government funds in a speech last month, Trillanes said his plunder case against the president should be expedited.

Philstar.com photo

“This admission confirms my corruption allegation against Duterte,” the senator stressed.

In May 2016, Trillanes, who is notably among Duterte’s fiercest critics, filed a plunder case against president before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Trillanes claimed that Duterte had billions-worth of undeclared wealth in his bank accounts.

“I have filed a case against him before the ombudsman, along with the necessary evidence to support the case. This admission should be a reason to expedite the investigation,” he added.

Top 20 by 2020, PH eyes being among the most competitive countries

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

THE Philippines aims to be among the top 20 most competitive countries in the world, according to Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) Ramon Lopez.

The DTI is set to include itself on the top 20 business-friendly economies by 2020 after years of being behind other countries.

In the World Bank’s 2017 Doing Business Report released in October last year, the Philippines ranked 99th out of 190 economies, up only by a few notches from 103rd previously. It was far behind other Asian neighbors.

“We don’t want to go from 99 to 75 to 50. Why don’t we go straight to 20?” Lopez said.

According to National Competitiveness Council (NCC) private sector co-chair Guillermo Luz, the largest jump in recent history had

been 30 notches when the country reached the 108th spot in the Doing Business 2013 report.

“I want to give a reality check: we have improved and we have recorded the biggest gains but we are rated below the midpoint in ASEAN and that simply is not good enough. We cannot accept being 7th out of 10 in ASEAN; that is simply not acceptable,” said Luz in a report by Rappler.

During the 5th Annual Ease of Doing Business Summit of the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), Lopez said it was possible to reach the target if business processes were not only streamlined, but also automated. He said this “may help the overall score for the ease of doing business.”

As reported by Inquirer, in a separate statement, NCC said it had partnered with the New Zealand government, which currently tops the Doing Business survey, for a technical assistance program on

ways to streamline and automate government procedures.

The report has become a closely watched measure among foreign investors.

“Remember, as we are doing these improvements … the other countries are also doing theirs. So, it’s really a race. We are improving and they are also improving so it’s possible that our ranking wouldn’t move. That’s why we have to sprint.

We have to jump and target where we want to be,” Lopez said.

To reach the goal, he said automation of business processes in both the national and local governments should already happen by 2018. “[This is] so that when we are assessed by the first quarter of 2019 for the October report, we should [already] see an improvement [in the rankings],” he said.

To make the trade secretary’s vision a reality, the country needs to leapfrog at least 79 notches in the next few years.

HELPING REBUILD LIVES. Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada (in jacket) donates construction materials to the 255 families whose homes were destroyed by fire in Paco on Thursday, July 13.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo

House Speaker’s plans for ‘dissolution of marriage’ bill met with criticisms HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has yet to file a bill for dissolution of marriage but his planned proposal was already met with criticisms.

Earlier, Alvarez said one of his advocacies in the upcoming second regular session of the 17th Congress, which will open in July 24, would include the filing of bill for dissolution of marriage.

In an interview with ABSCBN, Alvarez explained that in the planned bill, “both parties can agree and jointly petition the court for the dissolution of the marriage.”

“Hindi ito divorce, dissolution of marriage ito. Halimbawa, ‘di tayo magkasundo, ‘di na tayo masaya sa isa’t isa (This is not a divorce but a dissolution of marriage. For example, if we are can no longer reconcile, if we’re no longer happy with each other), we can go to court and petition jointly for the dissolution of our marriage,” Alvarez explained.

Both them could make an agreement on various issues such as custody of children and division of properties, he said.

But if one of the spouses disagreed for a dissolution, Alvarez noted the other party could still file a petition before the court on the grounds of “unhappiness.”

However, for some sectors within the predominantly Catholic Philippines, the House speaker’s proposal doesn’t sit well.

In a statement, Buhay Rep.

Lito Atienza said that the House speaker’s planned bill “totally removes” the “genuine essence of marriage.”

“This destroys the sanctity, respect and value of the family. I don’t know of any other country in the world that has adopted this kind of law which makes it easy to dissolve a marriage upon agreement,” Atienza remarked.

He further claimed that such bill “destroys the sanctity, respect and value of the family.”

“I hope and pray that Speaker Alvarez doesn’t pursue this line of thinking. This would not strengthen marriage, this would destroy marriage. For Catholics, this is a contract of union before man and before God under the Sacrament of Marriage. I still hope that he was only joking when he said his ideas,” Atienza added.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus also cried foul over the proposal for dissolution of marriage, pointing out that the term “unhappy” used in the bill is “very subjective.” “’Pag tiningnan natin [ang] dissolution of marriage at ginamit ang salitang ‘unhappy,’ subjective, very subjective. Mahalaga para sa amin, kaya nga sabi namin educational sana ang approach para ipakita ano ba batayan bakit nawawasak. (The term ‘unhappy’ is very subjective. An educational approach is very important to show why a re-

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

lationship breaks),” de Jesus told ABS-CBN. Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Judicial Vicar of the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), also expressed dissent against the bill.

“Bakit magpapakasal kung ganun lang, ‘pag ‘di magkasundo, nag-aaway, let’s file for divorce (Why would you marry and file a divorce after a disagreement)?

Just stick together, the next day, part ways,” Cruz said.

He then stressed that children are the first victims of failed marriages.

The Philippines is the only nation in the world that does not allow divorce (though Muslims can), as well as the Vatican City, an ecclesiastical sovereign citystate. In these two countries, laws only allow annulment of marriages. However, filing for annulment is a long and expensive process in the Philippines.

(Dana Sioson/AJPress)

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DIRECTOR MIKHAIL RED’S BIRDSHOT

A gripping thriller highlights endAngered philippine eAgle And society’s ills

by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

“Birdshot,” Filipino independent filmmaker Mikhail red’s second full-length film feature, is on a roll in the filmfest circuit.

Last year, the film triumphed at the tokyo Film Festival and gave red the Asian Future Award. this year, it went back to Japan for the osaka Asian Film Festival as part of its new New Action! southeast Asia special Program. so far, “Birdshot” has been screened in about 15 film festivals across the globe. the film, screened last week at the Film society of Lincoln Center as the Centerpiece Film of the 16th New York Asian Film Festival, is a thriller that centers around two violent events that found an unlikely intersection as the film progressed. it stars veteran actors John Arcilla, Ku Aquino and Arnold reyes, along with a young teen actress Mary Joy Apostol making her film screen debut.

NYAFF’s Sweet 16 the NYAFF, North America’s leading festival of Asian cinema, showcased 57 feature films, and featured appearances by more than 20 international filmmakers and celebrity guests from mainland China, hong Kong, taiwan, south Korea, Japan, and southeast Asia.

New to NYAFF in 2017 is the Main Competition section, featuring seven diverse works by first or second-time directors

that are all having their North American premieres at the festival.

Competing are “Bad Genius” (thailand), “Birdshot” (Philippines), “A double Life” (Japan), “the Gangster’s daughter” (taiwan), “Kfc” (Vietnam), “Jane” (south Korea), and “With Prisoners” (hong Kong).

“We were seeking a range of original films from young, first-time directors, films that represent the diversity of filmmaking from Asia, stories that say something both very local and specific to their countries of origin and something very universal: we hope we achieved at least some of this with our inaugural competition selection, which includes films from seven countries/cities in the region in a broad variety of genres,” NYAFF executive director samuel Jamier said. two other films from the Philippines made it to the lineup this year, “saving sally” and “Matangtubig (town in a Lake)”. “it’s important for us to champion new filmmaking from Asia, and the diversity of film made there at a time when other festivals in North America seem to be reducing the size of their Asian lineups,” Jamier added.

Young Blood the young director, Mikhail red started writing and directing short films when he was 15. At the age of 21, he made his first

Mikhail Red and Arnold Reyes

full-length feature film, rekorder, which went around the world to get screened in more than 10 film festivals. his first venture won him the Best New director award at the 2014 Vancouver international Film Festival along with other awards and accolades in Barcelona and Gwangju. “i’m really proud and thankful that New York Asian Film Festival invited our movie and has given us this platform to finally share this film with North American audiences. i hope people like our film,” red told the Asian Journal a few hours before the screening. red said that the idea of the film started when he saw a news article years ago about a father and son who shot and accidently killed an eagle. the man was eventually jailed for that but he insisted he was unaware that it was a crime. “it was tragic for the eagle, for the conservationists, even for the uneducated community members who live in the fringes of wilderness,” he shared.

Mikhail came up with the script, which he co-wrote with his cousin in late 2014 when they won a grant from doha, Qatar. tBA, the production company behind the successful film heneral Luna, came on board when they saw that we had funding and the script had potential. the crew took their time since there were no deadlines or premiere requirements. it took them 23 days to shoot and six months for post-production.

And when they were ready, they premiered at tokyo Film Festival.

“Every time you’re in a film festival you are given a platform to share your story, your hard work with an international audience,” Mikhail said. “Just completing the film, it was a difficult film to make as it was almost ten times bigger than my first film, i had to parang jump off a cliff like bahala na, build your wings on the way down.”

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Twin Plot “Birdshot” tells two parallel stories of two characters who start out very naïve and innocent and their characters progress and develop as they journey through in the film. then there are a couple of senior characters, who tell them that in order to survive the pecking order, they have to grow fangs and learn to become the predators. “i like morally ambiguous characters like that where the lines between the protagonists and antagonists are blurred. the film is like that, the characters are all victims in a way and are pitted against each other to survive this food chain of society and they have to navigate through a lot of moral decisions in almost like this minefield,” red shared.

Peppered throughout that whole script is a lot of references to other true stories that happened in the Philippines, including his take on the infamous Maguindanao massacre. in essence, the film is a microcosm of what’s going on in the Philippine society. “i like making fictional plots more imaginative plots. i want the surface story to be something engaging even for a general audience. on the surface, “Birdshot” is a coming of age thriller with suspense elements but i’d like to smuggle in these extra layers that in a way, you earn as a viewer. Look closer and you get to see the sub-texts,” he said.

Western Feel When Mikhail was planning “Birdshot,” he wanted a western set in the Philippine environment. in that case, he succeeded in doing so because they have been getting feedbacks and reactions that the film is not the typical indie film from the Philippines. to complete the western look that he wanted, the team went to the department of Agriculture and they explained their vision

and pegs. the officials pointed to a map, which turned out to be isabela, which is quite an interesting coincidence because as they found out later, the last of the Philippine eagle colonies in Luzon are found up there, in the sierra Madre mountain range.

“When you think of Filipino film, you imagine rice fields so we decided to use corn fields instead to get that almost western look, that this is a place in the Philippines hidden from most of us. it’s almost like this Garden of Eden in a way, somewhere in the mountains where there is still a colony of eagles left,” he said. the slow-burning thriller moves at a more dynamic pace as the characters go through their evolution. Mary Joy Apostol, the teen girls who plays Maya, delivers in a big way. Not quite a small feat considering that this is her first feature film.

“We wanted a fresh face surrounded by a lot of skilled, veteran actors. We made an open call and we got about a hundred submissions. Nag shortlist kami and she landed the role because of the combination of her grace and ferocity,” he said.

Arnold reyes, who plays the role of domingo, the rookie cop, is just thankful to be included in this film.

“Mik is very young. When i finished watching the film, i said, ‘Gawa ba ito ng isang batang director? this is only his second feature but for me, ang lalim ng pinanggalingan niya,” he shared.

“For us actors to be working with a director like Mik, who knows what he wants, is a blessing for us. that makes our jobs easier.” reyes explained that he attacks each role from scratch and with his role as domingo, he wanted to show where his character was coming from, his inner struggles and how he faces his dilemmas to survive in the world that the director has created for them. “it’s a great experience to give justice to the role of domingo.

Working with Mik is one big learning process for me because his vision is something and he really knows what he’s doing.

Masarap katrabaho ang mga young directors kasi ang fresh ng mga ideas nila,” he said.

Listening to that, Mikhail added, “What’s interesting and Director Mikhail Red and actor Arnold Reyes pose with NYAFF officials Samuel Jamier (executive director) and Stephen Cremin (deputy director) at the red carpet, prior to the impressive in what Arnold and screening of Birdshot.

the rest of the cast did was that they had this character arc that they transformed to someone else in the ending and you see the contrast there compared to their roots. We had to shoot the film not in sequence so i don’t know how they pulled that off emotionally where we shift from one scene to another and where they are on their arc.”

At a young age, Mikhail has written, edited and directed six short films, all of which have been in competition and won awards at international film festivals. he has also participated in numerous film workshops and has been involved in several commercial and motion picture productions. despite his credentials and pedigree, he still gets nervous sometimes specially when he is working with industry veterans such as actor John Arcilla. “it is very intimidating for a young filmmaker like me to be working with a lot of experienced and seasoned actors and crew members such as our cinematographer and production designer who have been in the industry longer than me so they know a lot more,” he shared.

As a young kid, Mikhail used to tag along his father, Cannes award-winning director raymond red during production shoots.

Now, he is a man of his own character, travelling the world and telling the stories through his own films.

Among his tips to young ones who may want to venture into filmmaking as a career? Listen to the elders in the industry, learn from them and use that knowledge to share and tell your stories. “it is also important that you are confident of your own voice and you know what you are doing.

As long as you believe in your vision, they will see it and they will strike that balance of respect and knowing what you want,” he shared. he is now working on his third feature film entitled Neo Manila slated for QCinema this october.

For the long-term, red is working on funding and resources for an ambitious period project about Black dahlia and its Philippine connection.

And finally, next month, “Birdshot” – after screening in close to 20 film festivals by then, will be coming home to be shown nationwide in the Philippines.

Team PH wins 205 medals at World Championships of Performing Arts Child dance prodigy Nhikzy Calma and singer Cristiani Rebada proclaimed big winners

by Klarize

Medenilla

AJPress

After boasting the largest pool of grand finalists, team Philippines won the top prizes at the highly coveted 21st World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Held at the terrace theatre in Long Beach, California from July 1-9, the talented performers of team Philippines won 205 medals, the most of all 60

countries represented at the “Olympics of performing arts.”

Aspiring stars in entertainment compete for prestigious titles and $400,000 worth of scholarships. WCOPA gives aspiring entertainers around the world the unique opportunity to showcase their talents in front of talent scouts and industry leaders in a high-energy weeklong event. team Philippines boasted 11 finalists — the most of all

represented countries —coming into the final night of performances on friday, June 7. Stakes were high as the contestants were only allotted 60 seconds each to leave a lasting impression on the judges. eight-year-old dance prodigy Nhikzy Vheench Calma was a crowd favorite all week, and when he delivered his final performance, he didn’t disappoint.

He wowed the audience, as well as his rivals in his category,

WCOPA Team Philippines 2017 individual gold, silver and bronze medalists and awardees brought home a total 205 medals, 58 gold, 99 silver and 48 bronze.

and impressed the judges with his dance renditions of Michael Jackson songs, including the iconic “moonwalk” from “Billie Jean.”

Nhikzy secured two major wins, Junior Champion for Dance Solo and Grand Champion Performer of the World. the charming, young

“ASAP” star thanked his fans for supporting him and for team Philippines for trusting him to represent the team in Continued on Page 6

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories.

A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA (PART 2 OF 2) POOR Echo! Her heart broke into a million little pieces. Beauty and light dissolved into darkness for her until nothing held any meaning.

Refusing food and drink, Echo grew pale and consumptive and faded away, leaving only her far-off voice in the distance. It is said that Echo haunts the mountains where she

The August 2017 priority dates

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 1 4 , 20 1 7

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Visa Issuance Date

First Preference

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

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below April 8, 2016 21 years old) of green card holder

September 22, 2015

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

July 22, 2007

December 8, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

February 1, 1995

January 22, 1995

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

February 8, 1995

April 8, 1994

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

September 8, October 15, 2007 2006

Application Filing Date

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

active member of the State Bar of California.

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

Visa Issuance Date

Current

April 1, 2015

January 1, 2016

June 1, 2015

January 1, 2016

June 1, 2015

client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

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 AN ENCORE 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 Allan’s 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 an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement)

American Idol sensation at Fiesta In America

PERFORMINg Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” on-stage at the Apollo Theater could highlight any professional singer’s resume. Jessica Sanchez not only did it to a standing ovation at the Harlem landmark; she achieved the feat at the ripe old age of 10.

The next year, Jessica Sanchez followed it up by competing in the maiden season of “America’s got Talent.” Small wonder; she has been “Vanity of vanities; ALL is vanity.” singing since the age of 2. Born in 1995 of Filipino-Mexican descent - From Ecclesiastes (her mother is from Bataan), the California native parlayed those love, to make him feel how it is to answers all who call but only with early feats to a sensational runnergive love and have it flung back in the last words. up finish in the 11th season (2012) his face. Her prayer was heard and Narcissus meanwhile continued of reality-show hit “American Idol.” in a world of swift and even-handed Her performance lighted up the to break one hapless heart after justice with no lawyers, judges and another in the most mean spirited twitterverse with approving tweets jury to cloud the issue, appropriate away, until one day, one totally from millions of viewers. In October punishment was served. aggrieved nymph with her heart of the same year, it was announced One day Narcissus chanced shattered, prayed to the powers that Sanchez would have a recurring upon a pool with water so clear, it that be, for vengeance, to inflict role in the fourth season of TV’s looked like a mirror. Bending over punishment on Narcissus to make him feel the pure pain of unrequited Continued on Page 6 highly rated “glee.”

An old tale on self-absorption

The “American Idol” standout and now recording artist will bring her soulful renditions of contemporary classics to Fiesta In America’s cultural show on August 12 and 13 at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Expo Center. Sanchez will join arranger-composer Rey

Valera, “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” grand champion Noven Belleza, Music and Magic, and Spanky and Roger Rigor of VST & Co. as curtain-raisers to the full concert of the legendary Drifters.

Inducted twice in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and still touring Continued on Page 4

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‘Most beautiful’ KathNiel fights cyberbullying SHoRTLy after being named as the country’s “most beautiful� for this year by a showbiz magazine, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla lend their “most beautiful� faces to campaign against one of the world’s biggest problems today—cyberbullying.

Cybersmile, an international non-profit organization registered in the United States and in the United Kingdom, has just announced Kathryn and Daniel, also known as “KathNiel,� to be its Philippine ambassadors who will raise awareness on the impact of cyberbullying and digital abuse to huge numbers of Internet users around the world. “No one has any right to disrespect others and be rude because you are not seen or can be anonymous on cyberspace.

I would like people to be aware of the ill effects of cyberbullying and as an official Cybersmile ambassador, I hope that I would

Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo

be able to raise awareness on this in my country,� Daniel said in his statement as seen on Cybersmile’s website.

The 22-year-old Daniel has been among the most popular actors of his generation. As a recording artist, he has double platinum albums to his credit.

Nicknamed as the “Teen King,� he has been featured in primetime shows, films and is the face of major brands. “My truth, my essence is what will define me, not anyone’s definition of who I am. I live each day to become more and hopefully I affect others around me to become more too. I am pleased to become a Cybersmile ambassador and be able to do more against cyberbullying,�

Kathryn said in a statement released by the foundation.

Bernardo, 21, is half of the most popular love team in the Philippines since entering showbiz

9-year-old Fil-Am surprises audience at ‘America’s Got Talent’

by Larizza de Vera AJPress

at the age of seven. Together with Daniel, she has made many toprating TV series and blockbuster movies. Called the “Teen Queen,� her self-titled debut album in 2014 is a certified platinum.

KathNiel recently received their own stars in the Philippines’ version of Hollywood Walk of Fame to be found in Quezon City’s Eastwood Walk of Fame.

Despite their busy schedule for top-rating soap opera “La Luna Sangre,� KathNiel found time to recently participate in Cybersmile’s “Stop Cyberbullying Day� by sharing their thoughts on online abuse and cyberbullying. They encouraged their 12 million Twitter followers to join in the fight to make the Internet a brighter and more inclusive environment. “We are thrilled to welcome Daniel and Kathryn as official Cybersmile ambassadors. Being the voice of their generation, they are making a tremendous difference in raising awareness of the impact that cyberbullying and online abuse can have on people’s lives, while helping young people across Asia and the rest of the world find the support that is available to them,� foundation co-founder Daniel Raisbeck said.

KathNiel join other foundation ambassadors like girl group Fifth Harmony and Richard Armitage of “The Hobbit� in promoting messages of inclusion, kindness and positivity to eliminate personal threats, fear and abuse online.

(Philstar.com)

AS soon as she began singing the first words of Andra Day’s song “Rise Up,� nine-year-old Angelica Hale stirred the venue’s atmosphere. It only took a few seconds for the charming little girl from Atlanta to win the judges’ approval and the world’s applause with her powerful voice. “I want to be the next Whitney Houston. I want to be a superstar,�

Angelica Hale told “America’s Got Talent� judges Simon Cowell, Mel B. Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum.

These were the words that resonated in her audition at “America’s Got Talent� as she tried to conquer the first segment and secure a spot in the competition.

Full of passion and aspiration for singing, Angelica joined America’s biggest talent competition to inspire and let her voice be heard around the world. “I absolutely love singing and it is my passion. I thought that the big stage of ‘America’s Got Talent’ was a wonderful place to allow my singing to be heard around the world,� Angelica told the Asian Journal.

Angelica decided to pursue her dream at a young age because she realized early that life is not to be taken for granted.

Moreover, she had already lived a lifetime even before she finished kindergarten. “I went through really difficult times, but now I get to use my voice and share my inspirational story with people all over the world, and that makes me feel better than ever,� Angelica shared.

At the age of four, she Kia, Hudson Toyota, LBC, T-Mobile, contracted an aggressive strep and Western Union. bacterium in her lungs that of its kind on the east coast. The To attend this “fiesta of nostalgia� eventually led to kidney failure. two-day event is a unique blend of starring the Drifters plus Filipino Despite her situation, she still trade exhibits from the Philippines hit-makers, and to sponsor or pursued her singing career. She and the U.S., free workshops, a Food exhibit, call 212-682-6610 or email joined her first competition when Court of Filipino regional dishes, as info@fiestainamerica.com. General she was five and continued to well as artistic and fun activities for Admission tickets are only $22 before attend voice lessons with her various age groups. Major supporters the event, and $25 at the door. vocal coach Tricia Grey in between include AARP, Asian Journal, the Limited VIP tickets $65. Purchase at therapies.

Center for Medicare and Medicaid www.fiestainamerica.com, or call “I want my fans to know that Services, Goya Foods, Hackensack 212-682-6610 or from select Filipino they should never give up and Meridian Health, Horizon Blue Cross stores. Like FiestaInAmerica in always believe that dreams can Blue Shield of New Jersey, Hudson Facebook.

(Advertising Supplement) come true,� Angelica said.

American Idol sensation...

From Page 3 the U.S. even in their fifth decade, the Drifters have sold more than 200 million records. Their 13 Billboard Hot 100 hits include global favorites such as Save the Last Dance for Me, Under the Boardwalk, There Goes My Baby, on Broadway, and Sweets for My Sweet.

Since 1998, Fiesta In America has been known as the biggest consumer expo and cultural show

EMPLOYMENT

The daughter of James Hale and Eva Bolando, Angelica continues to latch onto her dream in spite of her limit and new lease in life. “I knew that my life story couldn’t end here and that this was only the beginning. There was still so much I wanted to accomplish and experience in my life,� she shared.

The little angel was not wrong. She deflected all adversity on Friday the 13th of September, 2013 as she successfully went out of the operating room with a newly functioning kidney donated by her mother. “My family supports me so much and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They believe in my dreams to be a singer and superstar and are always there to support me if I’m having trouble. Because of them, I can pursue and develop my passion for singing. They always encourage me to bring my singing to the next level but to also have fun,� she added.

As of today, Angelica is one

SERVICES

INVITATION TO BID INVITATION TO BID NOTICE OF SOLICITATION OF GENERAL CONTRACTORS PROJECT: REPAIR OF PROPERTY (UPPER APARTMENT) AT 13-15 EAST 66TH ST., NYC The Consulate General of the Philippines New York (Consulate), through approved funding from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in the amount of US$379,608.00 being the Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC), intends to apply to payments under the contract for the Repair of Property (Upper Apartment) at 1315 East 66th St., New York City, NY, 10065, USA (Project).

The Bids and Awards Committee of the Consulate now invites bids for the Project. The work will consist mainly of 1) upgrading of the bathrooms and kitchens of the upper apartment (4th — 6th )ORRUV

UHSODFHPHQW RI EHGURRP Ă&#x20AC; RRU FDUSHWV with wood tiles and 3) repainting of walls of the upper apartment (4th â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 6th Floors). &RPSOHWLRQ RI WKH ZRUNV LV H[SHFWHG ZLWKLQ IRUW\ Âż YH GD\V IURP WKH DZDUG RI WKH contract. Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Bidding and Contract Documents. Bidders should have completed, within the last ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, projects of similar scale and VFRSH VSHFLÂż FDOO\ H[SHULHQFH LQ LQWHULRU UHQRYDWLRQV RI EHVW TXDOLW\ DSDUWPHQWV 7KH DZDUG VKDOO EH PDGH WR WKH ORZHVW DQG PRVW UHVSRQVLYH TXDOLÂż HG ELGGHU Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures XVLQJ QRQ GLVFUHWLRQDU\ SDVV IDLO FULWHULRQ DV VSHFLÂż HG LQ WKH ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$ RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV WKH â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government Procurement Reform Actâ&#x20AC;?, as reconciled with local industry practice in 1HZ <RUN &LW\ DQG UHĂ&#x20AC; HFWHG LQ WKH FRQWDLQHG ELG GRFXPHQWV A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available for interested bidders, upon completion and acceptance by the Bids and Awards Committee of the &RQWUDFWRUV 3UHTXDOLÂż FDWLRQ 6WDWHPHQW QRW ODWHU WKDQ 14 July 2017, a copy of which may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Consulate General New York: www.newyorkpcg.org DQG D Âż OH VKDULQJ GHYLFH WR EH SURYLGHG 3OHDVH HPDLO to commcen@newyorkpcg.org or eizumroht1@yahoo.com for more information.

The Consulate will hold a mandatory Pre-Bid Conference for approved bidders and their subcontractor, and initial walk-through on 18 July 2017, Tuesday, at 10:00 A.M. at site, which shall be open to all interested parties who have received the bidding documents. ,QWHUHVWHG %LGGHUV PD\ REWDLQ IXUWKHU LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ WKH SURMHFW IURP WKH Consulate, via e-mail, from 19-31 July 2017.

Bids must be delivered to the Consulate General of the Philippines, Philippine Center Building, 556 5th Avenue, New York City, New York, 10036 on or before 04 August 2017, Friday, at 3:00 p.m. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Bid and Contract Documents. Bid will be opened in the presence of the biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Consulate General of the Philippines reserves the right to accept or reject to any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders, as government by applicable laws and regulations of the Philippines.

For further information, please refer to: MR. FEDERICO A. SILAO, JR. Philippine Consulate General 556 5th $YHQXH ), New York City, New York 10036 Email Address(s): commcen@newyorkpcg.org

Angelica Hale

FELIPE F. CARINO III BAC-NY Chairperson

Photo courtesy of NBC

of the finalists and is still in the running in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m preparing for my next â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AGTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performances by practicing and working hard every day. I am always trying to make the songs even better than they were before,â&#x20AC;? Angelica enthused. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I realized that you need to treat every day like itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the last day of your life and to never take things for granted. No matter how bad things may seem, they could always be worse,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Angelica hopes to visit her fans from all around the world especially her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hometown in Iligan City, Mindanao. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think traveling to new places is very exciting and I hope that my singing will allow me to meet people all over the world,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The little Fil-Am singer may not have been to the Philippines but she sure does captured her kababayansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hearts with her charming personality and positive outlook in life.

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE American Academy of Pediatric strictly recommends no fruit juices for babies, absolutely no fruit juices at all, before age one, and very limited, if at all, for toddlers and older children.

This is a major shift from the recommendation of the AAP 16 years ago, when it even allowed fruit juices for the first 6 months. The academy today even recommends doing away with the beloved sippy cup for children, which is a contributing factor in childhood obesity and T2 diabetes.

There is no evidence of any health benefit of fruit juices in infancy and the high sugar load in them is actually harmful. One of the authors of a recent study, Dr. Steven Abrams, Chair of Pediatrics at Dell Medical school at the University of Texas, Austin, also said “offering babies juice could keep them from getting enough breast milk or formula — and the needed protein, fat and other nutrients they contain….once babies start eating solid foods, they should have whole fruit that is mashed or pureed, rather than juice.”

Fruit juices, which are loaded with sugar, and artificial fruit drinks, are actually unhealthy. The only worse beverage are soft drinks, which are toxic for both adults and children, increasing the risk for Metabolic Syndrome. The bad health effects are not obvious right away. They take years to manifest in various organs. By then, the damage is done, and different ailments start to appear.

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of major risk factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and arthritis, T2 diabetes, thyroid problems, and even cancer.

The heartbreaking realities of poverty in our country and worldwide are painful to realize and accept, both as a human being and as a physician. The less privileged usually have limited or no other option at all but to feed their children and eat whatever is

Fruit juices: Bad for babies

available or accessible to them, healthy or not. To most of them, nutritional science is an abstract, irrelevant, and of no practical value.

While I empathize with them and can not blame them for their eating habits, I strongly feel that those who are better educated and can afford are being unwise and are hurting themselves, impairing their health, by unhealthy practices like drinking soft drinks, smoking, and alcohol abuse. We ought to know better.

Once babies are started on solids at four to six months old, they do not need additional liquids besides breast milk or formula. Water, maybe, from time to time, but certainly not fruits juices.

For older children, the Academy recommends restrictions on fruit juices, if given at all: four ounces daily for toddlers age one to three; six ounces or less for four- to six-year-olds; and less than eight ounces for older children and teens. Fruit juices may be omitted altogether, and instead, fresh fruits, or freshly squeezed juices, are better alternatives.

The bad thing about fruit juices from powder mixes or from concentrates, is not only because are they practically only sugar and water, and the fact that many children drink these as replacements for (and not consume) fruits and vegetables, and, therefore, miss the fiber, nutrients and vitamins in them.

The healthier drinks are clean filtered water and milk (with no sugar additive). Staying away from soft drinks and limited intake of fruit juices could also help reduce the risk for obesity.

It is best for children to develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables, drinking water and milk at an early age instead of sugary fruit juice mixes.

Also, sippy cups (nonrestricted sipping of sugary drinks and high risk of tooth decay among users) are bad for children; drinking from a cup is what the Academy recommends. If sippy cup is used, it should only be filled with water and or measured milk

at a fixed schedule of feeding.

The more red meat you eat A new clinical investigation published in the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) reveals “the more red meat you eat, the greater your risk is of dying from one of eight diseases.”

The research involved 536,000 men and women, ages between 50 and 71, whose diet and health were tracked for 16 years. Their food intake, total meat, processed and unprocessed red meats (beef, pork, lamb), and white meats (poultry and fish).

“Compared with the one-fifth of people who ate the least red meat, the one-fifth who ate the most had a 26 percent increased risk of death from various causes.

High red meat consumption increased the rate of dying from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infections, kidney disease and liver disease,” according to BMJ. The study pointed out that white met, on the other hand, may be good for people because “those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a 25 percent reduced risk of dying from various causes, compared with those who ate the least white meat.”

And which fish is better?

As far as nutritionon and health are concerned, there seems to be no big argument that fish is healthier than red meat. But the question is which fish is better, just the fatty fish?

No, new studies showed that any kind of fish consumed at least twice a week reduces various health risks.

The oily darker fleshed fish like herring and salmon are loaded with heart-healthy polyunsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel, anchovies, shad, trout and sardines, and other fish also have these wonderful cardioprotective fatty acids.

The giant or large varieties of fish, like king mackerel, shark, swordfish, large albacore tuna, contain more methyl mercury and therefore not recommended for consumption.

But these good fats are not Continued on Page 7

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 1 4 , 20 1 7

Six ways to get your body #SummerReady

By Monet

Lu

SUMMER is here! Everybody’s heading to the beach and we all know the ‘scenery’ during beach season, don’t we? Now don’t you go bailing on some summer fun just because you don’t feel confident wearing a swimsuit.

Besides, after your #BalikAlindog project failed (for the nth time this year), this is the best moment to get your groove back again and achieve your ultimate ‘summerbod’ goals!

I’ve rounded up six ‘realisticallyachievable’ ways to help you start: 1. If you don’t have time to work out – MAKE TIME I know this is easier said than done but you have to start if you want to have a bikini body this summer. My tip is to try working out in the morning to get your metabolism revved up for the rest of the day. Commit to a workout routine that you’re comfortable with and stick to it! Once you’ve built the habit, perform exercises that use more than one muscle group such as squats, pushups, rows, and lunges in a circuit to make your workouts most efficient. Again: make time for exercise, no excuses!

2. Manage your appetite for unhealthy foods by using an app This is one of the many benefits of modern technology, and I am not just talking about dyosa-transforming filters that you use when posting your selfies or Snapshot that make you look cuter when you’re a bunny or a fairy.

You can now make use of your brand new iPhone7 to download a mobile app that keeps your diet on track. A recent study in the journal Obesity found that dieters who track their progress using mobile apps drop more pounds than those who keep paper logs.

The Weight Watchers mobile app (free with membership; iTunes. com) also lets you download recipes, including faves from spokeswoman Jennifer Hudson.

3. Replace unlimited-rice with more green and leafy food options I know “rice is life” but girl, you’re gonna have to make the compromise if you want to rock that tank top. Start by cutting back on processed, starchy carbohydrates such as bagels, cookies, breads, pastas, and crackers. Most of these foods are loaded with extra sodium and preservatives that can contribute to water retention and bloating.

Instead, opt for more fresh fruits and veggies, as well as lean protein to keep you satisfied.

4. Lay low on alcohol It’s always a good idea to reduce your alcohol intake especially during summer. Not only is it advisable (for a better sober you), you will also reduce your total calorie intake and set yourself up for a better night’s sleep to energize you for your workout the next day (note: read tip no. 1 repeatedly). If you’re used to having a glass of wine or a bottle of beer every night, try cutting back to two or three nights a week. When you do indulge, always sandwich your drink with a glass of water before and after to avoid alcohol’s dehydrating effects.

5. Keep yourself hydrated – with H2O Since we are on the subject of drinking, I might as well remind you that while drinking too much alcohol is a no-no, drinking more water is a yes-yes-yes! The best way to rid yourself of excess water weight is to flush your body

with water. Skimping on water can reduce the effectiveness of your workouts because even mild dehydration can affect your performance and fat-burning potential. You should drink at least half your body weight in ounces each day (e.g., a 150-pound woman should drink 75 oz. or the equivalent of about four and a half 16.9 oz. bottled waters a day).

6. Get more snooze time.

Research says that sleep deprivation is one of the major causes of obesity. That in mind, you should reconsider the time you put into putting yourself to sleep – the longer the better.

Getting a good night’s sleep is an important part of shedding those extra pounds, so be sure you are getting 7-9 hours of sleep.

Summer is such an exciting season. And with such a highenergy season, comes (an even) higher demand to make sure our bodies are summer-ready and in tip-top shape. I hope these six steps would help flaunt your body confidently in front of your friends and family. It’s never too late to get fit and fab! *** 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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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 1 4 , 20 1 7

PH Consulate General conducts consular outreach in Albany

Cast your vote for AARP’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vote now for AARP’s 2nd Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards to acknowledge the hard-working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations NEW YORK CITY - An outreach serving AAPIs age 50-plus. team from the Philippine Consulate Visit facebook.com/AARPAAPI General in New York went to to cast your ballot. Voting ends on Albany, New York last Saturday, July Friday, July 14, 2017 at 11:59pm 8 to provide consular services to ET. Three heroes and their members of the Filipino-American organizations will each receive community in the state capital a $1,000 cash prize when the and nearby areas. The team was winners are announced at the end headed by Consul Arman R. Talbo. of July.

One hundred three services, The ten AARP Asian American including 59 passport renewals, 24 and Pacific Islander Community notarials, and 14 dual citizenship Hero Award finalists are: applications, were successfully • Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Desi processed during the one-day Senior Center Director, India Members of the Consular Outreach Team provide consular services to the Fil-Am community event which was co-organized in Albany, New York and nearby areas last July 8 at the Center for Learning and Development with Ms. Wendy Press of the Albany Home, Glen Oaks, NY of the Albany Medical Center.

Photo by NYPCG • Adrienne Dillard, Executive Medical Center, with the support of Director, Kula no na Po’e Hawaii, the Bayanihan Association led by Honolulu, HI Ms. Catherine D. Codamon.

• Shongchai Hang, Outreach The weekend consular Worker, South East Asian Mutual outreach also netted 54 Overseas Assistance Associations Coalition, Voting registrants.

Philadelphia, PA Mr. Michael Azucena, Pag• Sharon Hartz, Chair of Senior IBIG representative based in New Citizens’ Welfare Committee, York, joined the consular team to Korean American Association of promote Pag-IBIG’s programs.

Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia, The next consular outreach PA of the Consulate will be held in • Hyeyoung Kim, Program Newport, Rhode Island on 22-23 Director, Center for Pan Asian July. Members of the Fil-Am Community Services, Atlanta, GA community in nearby areas are • Linda Mayo, Founder and encouraged to avail themselves President Emeritus, Pan-American of the Consulate’s services during Consul Arman R. Talbo (4th from the left) explains the benefits of dual citizenship to the Concerned Citizens Action applicants before they take their oath. To his left are Ms. Wendy Press of Albany Medical Center outreach missions so that they will League, Jersey City, NJ and Ms. Catherine D. Codamon of the Bayanihan Association who witnessed the ceremony. not have to travel to Manhattan • Jane Ka’alakahikina Pang, Photo by Ms. Vangie T. Carl and miss a day of work.

Secretary Program Manager, Pacific Islander Health Partnership, Santa Ana, CA • Nor-Oghan Mimi Saito, Community Navigator, Asian Pacific Development Center, Aurora, CO • Tracy Wu, Project Coordinator, Chinese Community Center, Houston, TX • Dale Yamada, ACC Rides Volunteer Driver, Asian

Calendar of Events across

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 J u LY 1 1 -1 6

11th Ambassadors’ Tour to Manila & Davao The 11th Ambassadors’ Tour will take place in the Philippines from July 11 to 16. Led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Promotions Board and Rajah Tours, the itinerary for the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour combines the best of Metropolitan Manila up North and the sprawling city of Davao in the South into one adventure-packed and enriching vacation experience. The four-day stay in Davao, the King City of the South and current seat of power in the Philippines, is a special highlight of this year’s event. Participants in this year’s tour will be presented with an opportunity to experience Davao up-close. It is a chance for the participants to revel in Davao’s picturesque landscapes through its nature parks, agricultural farms, and resorts, experience the diversity of its people through a series of courtesy calls with Philippine government officials, and feel the harmony of its culture through its heritage and cultural museums. Tailor-fit to tell the narrative of a new, safer, more beautiful Philippines, the tour will provide its participants with enough experience to engage their respective communities and leverage goodwill towards Filipinos and generate interest in the Philippines. Delegates who will be part of the program become “Filipino ambassadors” in their own right, carrying a fresh perspective and the message of a new and improved Philippines when they go back to the United States. As “Filipino Ambassadors,” this year’s delegates will be well-capable of showcasing the strides made in tourism, economic development, and public safety in the Philippines to the larger international community. For more information and to register, please visit http://www. acgtdt.com.

include: information/referrals on senior entitlements; referrals to affordable medical check-ups & health services; social/recreational activities for seniors; voters’ registration & citizenship drives; youth classes on Philippine history, values & culture; cultural/ folk arts programs; substance abuse education & prevention; domestic violence prevention; educational forums /workshops on youth & family.

Linda Mayo CEO/Founder/President Emeritus PACCAL is a multi-service PACCAL (Pan-American Concerned Citizens 501 (c3) organization founded Action League Inc.) to assess and or to address the Community Center of Sacramento health and human service needs of Filipinos and other Asians Valley, Sacramento, CA in Jersey City. Currently, it is Linda Mayo has served the partly funded by a Community local Filipino & Asian American Development Block Grant from community for over 30 years. the City of Jersey City Division In 1992, she had the vision of Community Development. It of founding PACCAL, the first is also a community partner of organization in Jersey City to address the health/human service NYU Project AsPIRE & Kalusugan Coalition. needs of the Filipino/Asian “AARP congratulates these 10 community focusing on senior finalists who have been chosen citizens/veteran’s programs. It by our selection committee holds the distinction of being from an amazing national pool the only Asian Provider Agency recognized by the Hudson County of outstanding and dedicated group of nominees submitted for Dept. of Health and Human consideration by their colleagues,” Services (DHHS), Office on Aging. said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice PACCAL prides in its President of Multicultural accomplishments in helping Filipino World War II veterans in its Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. fight for equity; helping veterans “We invite you to demonstrate and seniors apply successfully how important their contributions for affordable housing; voters’ to serving our older adults have registration; donating 500 been by casting your vote now!”

Philippine books to the JC The finalists were selected Public Libraries; helping Filipina from the submissions AARP victims of domestic violence. received from around the country Currently PACCAL has 9 Certified Community Health Workers (CHW) including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, & 4 Certified S.H.IP. Medicare Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Counsellors.

Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, PACCAL is now a haven and Washington, DC. The stellar for Filipinos in JC needing nominees included executive information/referrals to city and directors, staff, and volunteers who county government services work in healthcare, housing, social and other provider service services, education, and media. agencies. PACCAL services

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 19, 2017 – Vot Community Hero Awards to acknowledge th organizations serving AAPIs age 50-plus.

Visit facebook.com/AARPAAPI to cast you Three heroes and their organizations will eac announced at the end of July.

The ten AARP Asian American and Pacific  Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Desi Senio  Adrienne Dillard, Executive Direct  Shongchai Hang, Outreach Worker Philadelphia, PA

Team PH wins 205 medals...

From Page 2 such a big way.

“Gold Medalist, Junior Grand Winner of Dance Division and the JUNIOR GRAND CHAMPION OF THE WORLD OVERALL back to back Grand CHAMPION of World Championship of Performing Arts #WCOPA #Philippines!!!!”

Nhikzy wrote in a post on Instagram. “Inaalay ko po etong Tagumpay ko sa inyong lahat mga mahal kong PILIPINO. Salamat po sa inyong lahat sa tiwala at supporta na binigay nyo sakin at sa lahat po ng tumulong at sumuporta po skin para maabot ko po etong napakagandang pangarap.”

Toward the tail-end of the night, singer Cristiani Rebada delivered a powerful vocal performance, impressing the audience and the judges with his vocal range. Rebada secured Team Philippines’ second Grand Champion Performer of the World honor for the second year in a row; last year, the allmale dance troupe Junior New System took home the most

prestigious award.

In addition to the major awards won by Nhikzy and Rebada, vocalist Hannah Korin Castillo nabbed the Junior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World award. On the final two days of the competition, Team Philippines also garnered a whopping 205 medals: 58 gold, 99 silver and 48 bronze.

The team also won 22 division plaques and seven industry awards. Delegates from Team Philippines were also rewarded with sought-after scholarships from Indasoul records, Shelly Sondheim, Millennium Dance and New York Film Academy.

The team was once again under the leadership of national director Jerry Mercado, who oversaw the scouting and audition process for Team Philippines. For the second year in a row, he earned this year’s award for Outstanding National Director.

His daughter, Abby Mercado, acts as the executive assistant to the director and expressed pride at seeing how many Filipino artists get the

opportunity to showcase their artistry on a world stage.

“It makes me so proud to see Filipino talent being exposed to the world and for all these performers to show the world how talented the Filipino people are and how beautiful they are,” Abby Mercado told the Asian Journal, noting the variety of talent present in this year’s team. “It makes me want to beam with pride that there are so many Filipinos who are given the chance to showcase their talent and to also prove to themselves that they are good at what they do.”

Performers from Team Philippines hail from all over the country, but Davao City boasted the most medalists with 23 total acts winning medals.

WCOPA is held annually in Long Beach and seeks to find the next stars in entertainment of every age in acting, singing, dancing modeling, instrumentals and variety categories. Competitors are given 60 seconds to showcase their talents in front of a panel of celebrity judges from all areas of entertainment.

J u LY 1 5

Money Smart for Small Business in El Monte, CA Come to an introductory two-day business course designed for newer business owners, self-employed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Course topics include: startup planning, organizational types, risk management, credit reporting, business insurance, time & financial management, selling & succession planning, banking services for small businesses, recordkeeping, and tax & business planning. The curriculum is developed jointly by the FDIC and the SBA. It will be held on Saturday, July 15 and July 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cathay Bank (9650 Flair Dr., El Monte, CA 91731). The fee is $20 payable to Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP). Breakfast, lunch and course materials will be provided by Cathay Bank. There will be limited seating so advance registration is required. To register, please contact Colleen Seto at (213) 373-1605 or cseto@ltsc.org. Participants will be eligible for free business counseling by API SBP.

Echo Park, Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Echo Park Tennis Club adult & senior men’s doubles tennis tournament In cooperation with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks, the Echo Park Tennis Club will be hosting an adult & senior men’s doubles tournament on Saturday, July 15. It will be held at the Echo Park Tennis Courts at 526 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (corner of Temple St. and Glendale Blvd.) The trophy presentation will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 16 at the Lotus Festival at Echo Park. For more information, please contact Diana Diankoff at (323) 497-0879 or Perla Santos at (213) 368-3222.

J u LY 1 7

Reflection of Filipino Arts exhibit You are invited to the opening of the “Reflection of Filipino Arts” group exhibit on Monday, July 17 at 6:30pm at the Philippine Center Gallery. Featured artists include Julbert Marañon, Fe Madrid Pepito, Linda Rufo, Angelico “Jik” Villanueva and Reynaldo Cardenas.

O c tO b e r 1 4

Philippine Women’s University 3rd Grand Nursing Reunion Let’s relax and reminisce on October 14 from 5pm to midnight at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel (located at 4700 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach CA 90815). Event reservation fee is $125, $75 for guest. Please RSVP by September 15. To reserve, please call (800) 228-9290.

Make checks payable to PWU Nursing and mail to Vee Gapuzan Estrella, 5959 Ashley Court, Chino, CA 91710. For more information, visit PWUnursing.com.

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

Members of Team Philippines are this year’s grand final winners and grand champion performers of the world at WCOPA 2017.

An old tale on self...

From Page 3 to drink, Narcissus saw his own reflection, thought it was a water nymph, and forthwith, was smitten with the image on the pool. He fell in love with the image of himself, hook, line and sinker, not unlike celebrities who read their own press and believe them to be true. But I digress.

Narcissus tried to embrace his own reflection in the water but his attempt to touch or kiss his beloved ended in frustration each time. The image in the water dissolved into ripples, disappeared and came back on. Narcissus had to be content just by looking at the mirror image of himself in the pool, day and night, without ever knowing the joy of touching or being loved in return. He now knew, up close and personal, the excruciating pain of multiple rejections from the same object

the world revolves around him. In today’s world, there’s opportunity to cash in on this human flaw and use vanity and self-image as hot of his affection. Still he persisted, becoming rooted to the spot by the buttons to sell their wares: beauty products and services, diet pills and pool. He now knew how it is to be on the receiving end of rejection. He machines and illusions of power and beauty, with remarkable success. slowly pined away, losing his youth Self-improvement is great but only if and beauty and withering away on it comes from the inside out. the same spot by the pool’s edge Pray that both the “once young” with Echo still hovering over him and and the young ones don’t fall repeating his poignant last word, prey to the trappings of extreme “Alas!” as he lay dying. self-absorption that rule the global As the woodland creatures prepared to bury his body, Narcissus’ culture of the present age. Self love body was nowhere to be found and taken to extreme, is something that might account for much of the social in its place, stood a flower, bending problems affluent societies with only over the pool, as though admiring one or two self-absorbed children itself. Gardeners know this flower as per family, experience and suffer narcissus. from today.

Hence, we call those who *** exhibit the same folly these days Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP as narcissistic. The irony of it is that of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send others clearly see it for what it is but the afflicted individual is blind to this comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com egocentric flaw in himself, thinking

Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes on benefits of ‘playcation’ CELEBRITY couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera just came home from a recent trip to the United States with their toddler, Zia. When not traveling, Dingdong said they do “playcation,” wherein they just stay at home to play with Zia, and not just play, but rough and tumble play.

Why is rough and tumble play important?

Researches on rough and tumble play show that it plays important role in child development.

“Many local and international studies highly encourage rough play because it plays a vital role in a child’s physical, social and cognitive development,” said Prof. Perlita De Leon, an expert in Developmental Psychology from University of the Philippines Diliman.

According to her, brain development peaks during the first 1,000 days or a child’s first three years, so to maximize the experience among children

through active learning activities, this is best done through rough or tumble play.

De Leon said exposure to new environments and the opportunity for play not only aids in the formation of friendships, it also boosts self-confidence. Games such as crawl racing and kiddie wrestling strengthen the muscles and aid in the development of fine and gross motor skills. Through the use of tools that encourage a bit of problem solving, cognitive functions are nurtured.

The United Nations’ Children’s Fund (Unicef) added that rough and tumble play develops a child’s gross motor control and large muscles responsible for muscle coordination, speed enhancement and psychological development, which are necessary for sports later in life.

Rough and tumble play also lead to emotional and social development as it establishes bonding between parent and child,

Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera-Dantes and daughter Zia in a recent trip to America.

Fruit juices: Bad...

From Page 5 the only reason why fish is better for us, compared to red meat. USFDA dietary guidelines encourage adults to partake at least 8 ounces of a variety of fish and seafood every week, about 2-meal’s worth to benefit from the “total package of nutrients in fish.” This includes lean protein, vitamin Bs, A and D, and minerals like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron.

Several independent studies have shown that individuals who

eat fish regularly are less likely to die of a heart attack compared to those who do not eat fish. A Harvard clinical review “concluded that eating one to two servings of fish rich in omega-3s every week cut the risk of dying of a heart attack by one-third.” Those on Mediterranean style diet that includes seafood also have lower risk and rate of obesity.

Visit philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com ***

and positive bonding moments between mom and baby, researches say, help in recovering from postpartum disorder.

Likewise, through such play, children learn to empathize and be adaptable to different situations and roles. They also learn to regulate behaviors, especially aggression, and discover how to take turns and strategize.

How Dingdong, Marian spend ‘playcation’ with Zia Zia loves books. “Actually, s’ya pa ‘yung nagha-hand ng books na gusto n’ya,” said Dingdong. Zia loves books about animals, letters and fruits.

Zia loves vegetables and rice.

DongYan’s little one is not a picky eater.

“Ako, mas importante ‘yung proper nutrition and I’m very grateful na si Marian prepares Zia’s food. One hundred percent s’ya talaga ‘yung gumagawa nun mula noon hanggang ngayon. ‘Pag may gusto ako, nagpapaluto din ako sa kanya. Even if may work ako sa labas, binabaon ko ’yung gawa n’ya,” Dingdong shared.

Animal sounds and body parts: Zia mimics animal sounds and points at body parts when asked to, said Marian.

“In fairness kay Zia, ‘pag tinuruan mo s’ya ng mga bagay, madali n’yang natutunan talaga,” Marian noted.

Dingdong and Marian give Zia their full support. Dingdong said they do not restrict Zia from doing anything, for as long as he and Marian make sure their daughter has proper support for her activities and they are always conscious of her every move. (Philstar.com)

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u lY 1 4 , 20 1 7

Aiza Seguerra wants the same freedom as Jake Zyrus, wife Liza says

By IrIs

VIcente AJPress

AIZA Seguerra wants the same freedom as Jake Zyrus (formerly known as Charice Pempengco), her wife Liza Dino-Seguerra revealed in an interview with GMA Network’s morning show, “Unang Hirit” on Monday, July 10.

With the recent frenzy about Charice’s name change to Jake Zyrus, other celebrities who are in the same boat have shown great support and regard to him for his fiery revelation.

Aiza, being a former child star and a well-known personality, who also came out of the closet years ago, shares the same desire for liberation as Jake, says his wife.

“I’m learning kasi when you are a man, and you know you are a man, there’s that constant goal to have that freedom. I know Aiza is giving it serious thought,” Liza said after sharing that she and Aiza have talked about the subject and that she supports her.

Liza Diño-Seguerra and Aiza Seguerra

“Ako siguro, when that time comes, na-a-appease ako sa nakikita ko kay Jake. Marami akong fears but I’m happy to see joy in [Jake’s] face (I feel appeased seeing Jake. I have a lot of fears but I’m happy to see joy in Jake’s face), the freedom, and I know that’s what Aiza wants,” she added.

Meanwhile, in an article on Pep.ph, Aiza revealed that she had been discussing it with Liza long before Jake Zyrus’ announcement.

By IrIs

VIcente AJPress

ZSA-ZSA Padilla honored late husband Dolphy’s fifth death anniversary at the Heritage Park Taguig on Monday, July 10.

In commemoration of the comedy king’s passing in 2012 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Divine Diva took to Instagram where she posted a picture of Dolphy’s tomb with flowers and asked her followers to offer prayers for him.

“Today marks the 5th year of Dolphy’s passing. Although he lives in our hearts and minds, he is greatly missed. Please say a little prayer for him...” Padilla wrote.

Padilla, almost two years after being widowed is currently in a

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 Zsa Zsa Padilla

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relationship with architect Conrad Onglao whom she met through Megastar Sharon Cuneta. She has two children with the late Comedy King, Zia and adopted daughter, Nicole Quizon.

Meanwhile, in an interview on “Tonight With Boy Abunda,” Eric Quizon, the 12th son of Dolphy said that there’s already a big venture that’s in the works in honor of his father, with company Exceed Realty and Development. The project is going to be called “Dolphy Ville”, a subdivision in Calatagan Batangas which will be open for sale as soon as they finalize the paperworks.

Dolphy, Rodolfo Quizon in real life died at the Makati Medical Center in 2012 after a five year battle with COPD.

2017

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As a matter of fact, she already have a name she fancies: Ize Seguerra. However, the transition might not happen any time soon as her hands are full being the new chairman of National Youth Commission.

“To really…to launch myself as Ize, siguro right now, hindi ko pa siya naiisip because I’m very busy doing things. But ayun, my wife and I have discussed it na.” Aiza said.

Zsa Zsa Padilla pays tribute to Dolphy’s 5th death anniversary

The Drifters Live!

Super-composer and singer who penned gold-record singles like Mr. DJ and Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY JulY 14, 2017