New york:new jersey march 3 9, 2017

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Volume10 – Issue 23 • 16 Pages

MA R C H 3 - 9 , 2 0 1 7 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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NIA chief quits amid whiff of corruption

by LeiLa

B. SaLaverria, ronneL W. Domingo anD Tina g. SanToS Inquirer.net

“eVeN a whiff, or a whisper, of corruption and you’re out.” rodrigo Duterte sounded that warning to government officials barely a week before he assumed the presidency in July last year. on Wednesday, march 1, malacañang announced that the head of the National Irrigation Administration

DATELINE

(NIA), Peter Laviña, had “tendered his resignation amid attempts to vilify, discredit and malign him and to spare the President from any embarrassment due to these attempts.”

“It is with deep regret that our office receives this news and wishes him well in his next endeavors,” said the curt statement issued by Cabinet secretary Leoncio evasco, which was read by presidential spokesperson ernesto Abella at a news conference.

Last December, two associate commissioners of the Bureau of Immigra-

tion—michael robles and Al Argosino—were sacked amid an alleged P50-million bribery scandal. the two were fraternity brothers of the President at san Beda College of Law. Abella was asked if the President referred to Laviña in a speech last week in which he said he had fired someone from Davao for supposedly asking for money—40 percent—from NIA contractors, according to one news report. mr. Duterte mentioned no name, Abella said. “so, let’s leave it at that,”

he said.

Abused and maligned sonny matula, president of the federation of free Workers, said mr.

Duterte, in a meeting with 20 labor leaders in malacañang on monday, feb. 27 mentioned that he had fired Laviña, a longtime aide when he was the Davao City mayor.

Laviña also served as mr. Duterte’s presidential campaign spokesperson last year.

“It was during the free-flowing dis-

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Liberal Party booted out of Senate majority

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Trump talks immigration in joint speech to Congress

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

President puts hold on revised travel ban

ImmIgrAtIoN continues to be one of the most contentious issues of President Donald trump’s administration, so it was no surprise he reiterated his immigration plans and rhetoric in his joint speech to Congress on tuesday, february 28.

In his speech, the president acknowledged the country’s history in civil rights and race relations among minority groups, including immigrants. In an effort to bring the nation together, he referenced recent events in which minorities have been the target of vio-

MAJORITY RULE. Senators vote on Monday, Feb. 27 to replace Sen. Franklin Drilon with Sen. Ralph Recto as Senate president pro tempore after a motion by Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Senators Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Risa Hontiveros were stripped of their committee chairmanships and relegated to the minority bloc.

Photo from the Office of Sen. Manny Pacquiao

No cursing, no killings in Lent, Fil-Am among 43 most powerful female Fr. Robert Reyes asks Duterte engineers of 2017 u PAGE A3

IN the maledominated terrain at san francisco’s silicon Valley, a filipina-American shines as one of the influential women in the realm of engineering and technology.

At the 32nd spot of Business Anne Aaron Insider’s “43 most Powerful female engineers of 2017, is Anne Aaron, current video algorithms director at Netflix. “she leads a team of software engi-

President Rodrigo Duterte and Peter Tiu Laviña

by JuLLiane Love

De JeSuS

Inquirer.net

fr. robert reyes is hoping that President Duterte will have a change of heart this Lenten season. fresh from holding mass to mark Ash Wednesday inside senator Leila de Lima’s cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, reyes called on the foul-mouthed President to stop cursing and stop ordering killings.

Asked to expound his earlier call to the President to “stop making noises,” reyes explained: “forty days walang pagmumura. forty days walang order na pumatay. sana 40 days walang dugo. forty days walang pananakot at walang harassment (Forty days of no cursing. Forty days without ordering killings. i hope for 40 days with-

seVerAL Liberal Party (LP) senators have lost their committee chairmanships and were kicked out of the majority bloc during the senate reorganization on monday, february 27. on senator manny Pacquiao’s motion, LP senator franklin Drilon was removed from his post as senate President Pro-tempore.

Drilon, who second Pacquiao’s motion, was replaced by senator ralph recto, who switched to the majority from being the minority leader.

Pacquiao also moved the chairmanships of the committees on agriculture and education, which were both chaired by LP members, be declared vacant.

During the plenary session, senator Cynthia Villar replaced LP president senator francis “Kiko” Pang-

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Duterte inks Paris climate pact

‘Nature is rejoicing now’ by michaeL Lim Inquirer.net

uBac

PresIDeNt Duterte signed on tuesday, feb. 28 the landmark Paris Agreement that will compel highly-industrialized nations to cap greenhouse gas emissions and pursue the massive development of renewable energy. “the Paris Agreement has been ratified by the President. the ratification will be transmitted by the office of the President to the office of senator Loren Legarda for the senate to concur in its ratification,” a highlyplaced source told the inquirer. the signed document-called the Instrument of ratification was submitted to the senate was received by Legarda as chair of the senate climate change committee. “the office of the President has informed senator Legarda about this wonderful news,” the source said,

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Senator Loren Legarda, Chair, Senate Committee on Climate Change and Finance delivered her message during the Climate Vulnerable Forum.

Ministers from countries forming the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and global thought leaders addressed the Philippine Senate as they presented new research indicating development by emerging economies would be optimized if global teperature increase was below 1.5 degrees celsius.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

Palace objects to CNN International Yasay’s confirmation in peril over report alleging ‘persecution’ of De Lima u PAGE A3

renunciation of US citizenship

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ments, said Yasay had not formally submitted Inquirer.net the “certificate of loss of nationality of the United states.” mANILA — foreign Affairs secretary Perfecthe document, obtained by the Philippine to Yasay Jr.’s chances of being confirmed for his Daily inquirer, showed he only renounced his Cabinet post may be affected if it’s proven that citizenship on June 28, 2016, two days before he was once an American citizen who had to re- President rodrigo Duterte appointed him to his nounce it only last year, according to a ranking Cabinet.

Commission on Appointments member.

“If proven na ganun… meron talagang effect rep. Abraham tolentino, committee assistant yun (that will definitely have an effect),” tolenmajority leader of the Commission on Appointu PAGE A2 by vince

F. nonaTo

by eD

margareTh Barahan Inquirer.net

PresIDeNtIAL spokesperson ernesto Abella called the attention of CNN International on Wednesday, march 1, on its report calling the arrest of sen. Leila de Lima “smacked of political persecution.” “for the record, a lower court ordered the arrest of senator De Lima for drug trafficking charges and for allegedly receiving money

from drug dealers at the National Penitentiary,” Abella said.

“All these nefarious activities were said to have been conducted by the senator when she served as secretary of Justice (2010-2015) during the Aquino administration,” he added.

Abella said that the court found a “sufficient probable cause for the issuance of the warrants of arrest” against the senator, along with rafael ragos and her former

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Senator Leila De Lima

A MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

NIA chief quits amid whiff of…

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cussion that the President mentioned Pete Laviña’s name as the person he had sacked,” Matula said in a telephone interview.

Matula said the President recounted that he had learned that this person “could not resist temptation, that he was getting a certain percentage. That’s why he said he talked to him and fired him. He said he could not tolerate this kind of activity.”

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Laviña announced that he had left the Duterte administration just three months after he was named to the top NIA post.

He said his name had been “used, abused and maligned.”

“Recently, there had been efforts to discredit me again. There are rumors circulating that I have MAKATI ‘CARACOL.’ Performers in colorful costumes dance on the streets of the country’s financial capital, Makati, during its 2017 Caracol asked money from NIA contracFestival advocating environmental preservation.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada tors. These are not true!” said Laviña, whose wife is an undersecretary in the Department of Agriculture.

Laviña said he decided to rePAGE A1 t small countries could access the into force was achieved as early sign to spare Mr. Duterte embaradding: “Nature is rejoicing Green Climate Fund. However, as Oct. 5, 2016 and it became rassment, especially now that now.” he later agreed to it after his an international law on Nov. 4, attacks on the President are inRatification process Cabinet members unanimously 2016. tensifying.

The process of ratification voted for its ratification.

The climate deal requires naRigged bidding denied started with the agencies of govClimate Change Commission tions to limit temperature rise to In a statement on Monday, ernment submitting their cerLast January 31, Duterte well below 2 degrees Celsius, a Laviña denied as “baseless” a tificates of concurrence (COC) to himself convened the Climate warming threshold that could the Office of the President.

Change Commission (CCC), a significantly reduce the dangerLegarda, the United Nations body created by Climate Change ous consequences of climate Global Champion for Resilience, Act of 2009. change. had quietly worked behind the During the meeting, the PresiThe Philippines ranked sixth scenes to ensure the climate dent announced that Legarda in Asia with a share of only 0.31 PAGE A1 t pact’s ratification, personally would serve as the de facto chair percent of the world’s total emis- ilinan as chair of the Senate comcalling up heads of agencies of the CCC for being the principal sions of greenhouse gases, said mittee on agriculture. of government to submit their author of the law that created it, the Senate Economic Planning Leaving the minority bloc, COCs and even talking with a climate expert, and champion Office.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero members of the President’s eco- of climate change adaptation and By ratifying the Paris Agree- meanwhile replaced LP Senator nomic team. disaster risk reduction. ment, the Philippines can access Benigno Paolo “Bam” Aquino as Duterte had earlier threatened So far, 133 countries of the the US$100 billion climate fi- chair of the Senate committee on not to honor the Paris accord be- 197 parties to the UN Framework nancing pledged to be put up by education. cause he believed it would only Convention on Climate Change developed countries annually by Hontiveros, who ran under stymie the country’s economic have ratified the Paris Agree- 2020 for climate mitigation and the LP during the last May 2016 growth and it was not clear how ment. The threshold for entry adaptation. n senatorial election, was replaced

by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Senator JV Ejercito.

Drilon, Pangilinan, Aquino, and Hontiveros are now part the PAGE A1 t Tolentino said he would not Senate minority, led by Senator mittee mates’ request for more tino said of Yasay’s chances to documents to ascertain Yasay’s deem Yasay liable for perjury Antonio Trillanes IV, a vocal critclinch the confirmation. citizenship, even as he asserted for now. He said Yasay could ic of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He noted that Yasay’s citizen- that he has “never legally ac- have “strong evidence in his deIn a press conference on the ship was already “being ques- quired American citizenship.” fense.” same day, Pangilinan claimed tioned in the hearing” last week, Tolentino also cited Yasay’s ar- that the revamp was planned by After the Inquirer reported on even before the Philippine Daily his renunciation, the pronounce- gument that he did not complete the Duterte administration.

Inquirer published the document ment drew speculation from sev- his residency requirement after “This is a part of their plans this weekend. eral senators that he might open seeking naturalization in 1986. because this administration is Tolentino moved to suspend himself to a perjury charge for “I think meron siyang justifi- not comfortable with our critithe Feb. 22 session over his com- lying under oath. u PAGE A3 u PAGE A3

Duterte inks Paris climate…

report that the NIA was repeatedly revising bidding requirements for the Balog-Balog Multipurpose (BBMP) dam project in Tarlac province to ensure that the preferred contractor or contractors would win.

“I have not received any report about the BBMP bidding or its results so there is no truth that a bidder had won the contract for this project,” Laviña said.

The BBMP project has a potential to generate 43.5 megawatt of hydropower, with the dam having a storage capacity of 560 million cubic meters. It is also expected to provide the upland communities with livelihood opportunities through fishery on at least 150 hectares in the 1,755ha reservoir.

According to the bids and awards committee (BAC), only the consortium of ITP Construction Inc. and Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau Co. Ltd. submitted a tender before the deadline in January.

Only one other party—the consortium of Green Asia Construction and Development Corp. and Guandong No. 2 Hydropower Engineering Co. Ltd.—came to submit a bid, but did so past the deadline.

The BAC said there were other qualified bidders, but they later withdrew.

Incompetent contractors Milagros Nopre, who headed the BAC secretariat, said the decision to continue the bidding process was based on section 36 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act).

“The bidding can proceed even with a lone bidder because there is no assurance that (this bidder) will be awarded with the contract,” Nopre said.

“What if the lone bidder failed the postqualification evaluation?

It is only then can we declare a failure of bidding and proceed to a rebidding,” he added.

On Jan. 11, Laviña threatened to blacklist “incompetent contractors” and called for an inspection of all dams and irrigation infrastructure to check their structural integrity and safety in case of earthquakes and typhoons.

Back then, Laviña said there were some contractors who had started “courting” him for participation in future NIA projects, but that he had insisted on strict compliance with the rules and requirements of public bidding. n

Liberal Party booted out of Senate…

Yasay’s confirmation in peril over…

OATH OF OFFICE. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III administers the oath of office to Senator Ralph Recto as new Senate President Pro-Tempore on Monday, Feb. 2 Senate photo by Ariel Cagadas

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From the Front Page

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2017

A

Fil-Am among 43 most powerful female…

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neers and research scientists.

They make the software that enables more than 86 million Netflix members worldwide to watch streaming with the best possible quality,” the report described Aaron.

Aaron graduated university valedictorian and magna cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1998 and Computer Engineering in 1999.

Soon after, she went to the US where she pursued her master’s and PhD in electrical engineering at Stanford University.

Before joining the entertainment company in 2011, Aaron worked as a senior software engineer for Video Codecs at Cisco Systems.

In an interview with Variety in 2015, Aaron discussed how Netflix’s Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion project could provide viewers with crystal clear videos with lesser bandwidth.

“A one-size-fits-all model doesn’t give you the most optimal quality…Each episode could be very different,” mentioned Aaron. “We want to be good stewards of the internet.”

In celebration of National Engineers Week in March, Business Insider publishes a list of top female engineers to reognize the female brains behind vanguard advancements in science and technology. (Gianna Francesca Catolico / Inquirer.net)

Trump talks immigration in joint…

PAGE A1 t FEEDING PROGRAM. The Office of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III last Saturday, February 25, 2017, conducted a feeding program for 400 children along Barangay Macabalan in Cagayan de Oro City.

Senate photo

Liberal Party booted out of Senate…

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cism of some of their policies,” the senator said. “We voice out our opinions on certain policies and orders. It seems that the administration wants total support, may they be right or wrong, and we can’t allow that.”

Notably, the four senators stripped of the chairmanships in their respective committees earlier expressed their support for LP Senator Leila De Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte’s war on drugs and the alleged rise of extrajudicial killings in the country.

De Lima was arrested last week after a warrant of arrest was issued for the drug-related charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The LP senators also reportedly attended a rally on Saturday, February 25 as part of commemorating the 31st People Power anniversary that ended the regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator.

“If this is the price to pay to show up in the streets of EDSA talking about democracy, talking about the issues of violence in our streets, if this is the price to pay then I gladly pay this price,”

Aquino said.

Hontiveros, for her part, remarked that she’d “whole-heartedly accept being a part of the minority” if staying with the majority means associating herself “with a violent administration that has no respect for human rights.”

‘Clear lines have to be drawn’ Sought for comments, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo clarified that Duterte did not play a hand in the recent reorganization of Senate leadership.

“I think the policy of the president is not to interfere with the other branches of the government,” Panelo told reporters on Tuesday. “If I hear right, those who replaced the current senators belong to the same party.

Otherwise, the allies of Malacañang should have been placed there.”

Following the reshuffling of positions on Monday, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel assured that the Senate will remain “independent and true to its role as the last bastion of democracy in our country.”

Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

Yasay’s confirmation…

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cation doon, meron siyang alibi kaya niya nasabi yun. Sinasabi niya di siya qualified, so maybe he’s not an American citizen (I think he has a justification, he has an alibi for saying that. He’s saying he wasn’t qualified for citizenship, so maybe he’s not an American citizen),” he said.

That statement was already cited in a Feb. 23, 1993 affidavit Yasay submitted to the Commission on Appointments. It read that while he “was granted United States citizenship” on Nov. 24, 1986, his decision to return to the Philippines within a year made him “ineligible and disqualified for such citizenship.”

Tolentino also echoed the ar-

gument that while Yasay held a green card, permanent residency status did not equate to American citizenship.

He also noted how Yasay was able to run for senator and even vice-president, which meant the Commission on Elections accepted his Filipino citizenship.

“It means Filipino siya. Ayun nga based on sa submitted documents; siguro, hindi nahukay nung tumakbo siya noon (It means he’s Filipino. That was based on submitted documents; maybe, those weren’t dug up when he ran before),” he said.

Tolentino said these issues would be raised during the resumption of Commission on Appointments’ hearings. n

Palace objects to CNN… PAGE A1 t

driver, Ronnie Dayan, who were accused of collecting money from drug lords for De Lima’s senatorial bid.

De Lima, who was arrested last week, has been a vocal critic of President Rodigo Duterte’s war on drugs. It was she who initiated the Senate probe on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country since Duterte assumed office.

“To even insinuate that De Lima’s arrest is political in nature contradicts established facts and

mocks the country’s commitment to due process and the rule of law,” Abella said.

He also noted that cases of Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada – three senators who were jailed in 2014 for plunder charges. “Not one of them had the temerity to invoke political persecution,” he said.

“We challenge CNN International to provide the proper context in its telecasts in the interest of fairness and truthfulness in reporting,” he added. n

No cursing, no killings in…

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out bloodshed. Forty days without threats and harassment).”

The activist priest, a close friend of De Lima, said God could make miracles and touch the President’s heart.

“Baka magkaroon ng conversion sa puso ng presidente at sa puso ng bawat isa. Malay niyo maghimala ang Panginoon itong Cuaresma (The hearts of the president and other people could be converted. Who knows, the Lord could perform a miracle this Lent),” Reyes told reporters at Camp Crame.

He also asked the President, who has been at odds with his archenemy De Lima over the issue of drug killings, to love all Filipinos, even his enemies.

“President, love your enemies and enemies should also love you pray for your enemies as your enemies should pray for

you,” he said.

De Lima, the former Justice secretary and Human Rights commissioner, has staunchly criticized the President for encouraging government forces to kill suspected drug criminals without due process.

The senator was detained at Crame over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. It was Duterte who first associated De Lima and her former aide and lover Ronnie Dayan to the Bilibid drug trade.

“Alam ko sa puso ng Pangulo pwede niyang sabihin, ‘Mahal ko lahat ng mamamayan ko, pati ‘yung mga hindi ko kabagang at hindi sumusuoporta sa akin (I know that in the President’s heart he can say, ‘I love all my countrymen, even those who aren’t my companions and don’t support me’),’” he said. n

Pimentel said that the majority of the senators decided that “clear lines have to be drawn” in order for them “to best achieve the Senate’s legislative agenda.”

“Work in the Senate has been hampered by the blurring of the lines between the majority and the minority to the detriment of public interest. There have been instances where the majority, instead of closing ranks, ended up divided,” Pimentel said in a statement.

Pacquiao, who initiated the motions to strip the LP members of their chairmanship posts, also insisted that Duterte played no hand in the reorganization of the Senate positions.

Like Pimentel, Pacquiao also stressed that the revamp is needed for legislative processes to move. n

lence and hate.

“Recent threats targeting Jewish community centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” the president said.

The Kansas shooting —which actually took place in Olathe, Kansas—involved a white, male shooter telling two India-born engineers to “get out of my country” before shooting and killing them.

He, then, affirmed his faith in his widely-panned border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, arguing that the U.S. maintains an open border “for anyone to cross” that is conducive “for drugs to pour in at a now unprecedented rate.”

However, the U.S. does not maintain an “open border” and immigration from Mexico experienced a decline between 2009 and 2014 due to the weakened

In his first joint address to Congress this on Tuesday, Feb. 28, Pres. Donald Trump declared a “new chapter of American greatness.”

Photo from White House’s Twitter account

economy left by the 2008 financial crisis.

“At the same time, my Administration has answered the pleas of the American people for immigration enforcement and border security,” Trump added. “We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders.”

However, more than half of Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies.

According to a CBS poll released

last month, 51 percent of Americans disapprove of the now-defeated travel ban—which temporarily banned travel from seven Muslim countries—and only 45 percent approve.

According to a Quinnapiac University survey conducted in November shortly after the election, 55 percent of Americans oppose the proposed border wall.

Nevertheless, Trump said that

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

Fil-Am progressives stress importance of supporting small businesses

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

SUPPORTERS RALLY BEHIND GINA. Environment Secretary Regina Paz ‘Gina’ Lopez calls supporters to rally against destructive mining on Wednesday, March 1. Environmentalists and residents of mining communities joined a protest caravan and appealed to lawmakers to confirm Lopez as Environment Secretary.

ManilaTimes.net photo

DFA chief tells UN: ‘We won’t be kind, we’ll destroy criminals’

tion, it is the ultimate in violating our human rights,” Yasay stressed.

He said that the lives of the FoREIGN Secretary Perfecto Filipino youth “have been ruined Yasay Jr. maintained that the and their future compromised by Philippines will “not hesitate to these drug merchants of death destroy criminals” despite critiand their collaborators and accisms against President Rodricomplices.” go Duterte’s controversial war “This is the right thing to do against illegal drugs. and we will do so with toughDuring the 34th Session of the ness and without ambivalence or United Nations Human Rights equivocation,” he added.

Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Yasay also affirmed that the Switzerland, Yasay pointed out that the widespread magnitude of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. Duterte administration adheres Different local and internation- to “due process and strict obserthe drug problem in the country must be “swiftly and effectively al human rights groups, includ- vance of the rule of law and to dealt with,” or it will “inexorably ing the UN, have expressed their the country’s obligations under lead the Philippines to becoming concerns over the alleged spate existing human rights treaties.”

“As a matter of practice, all killings, warning the Philippine a narco state.”

“There can be no middle government of possible human law enforcers are held to abide by established procedures. Huground for the well-being of our rights violations.

Last year, UN Special Rap- man rights enforcers ensure that people. We will not be kind,” Yasay remarked. “We will not porteur on summary executions operational protocols are aligned hesitate to destroy criminals who Agnes Callamard described with the law and existing interseek the wholesale destruction of Duterte’s directives on the drug national practices, which are to war as “irresponsible in the ex- be strictly followed,” he emphaour society.”

In his speech on Monday, Feb- treme and amount to incitement sized.

The foreign secretary then ruary 27, Yasay emphasized that to violence and killing, a crime called on its critics to allow the drug lords and their syndicates under international law.”

Yasay, on Monday, lamented Phillippines to deal with its own in the Philippines are not only “destroying our young men and how international observers are domestic challenges in order to women” but are also “violently “more focused on the so-called achieve its “national goals withbreaking our families apart and human rights of criminals” but out undue interference.”

“Like any other country, we wreaking havoc upon our com- “have done nothing to help in eliminating the drug problem want safe communities that will munities.”

Since Duterte took office last that has grown to pandemic pro- develop and nurture our people — especially our young — into July, more than 7,000 people portions.”

“When the drug menace re- becoming citizens, who are fully have been reportedly killed after the government launched its at- sults in maiming or killing our abloom with their potentials,” people, and destroying the na- Yasay added. n tack against illegal drugs. by dana

SioSon AJPress

“UP, up, up with the people!

Down, down, down with the system!”

As a way to mobilize young Americans, progressive revolutionary organization Kabataang Maka-Bayan - Los Angeles (KmBLA) hosted its 13th annual Love for the People: Divest Big Business, Invest community event, whose name says it all: support local businesses which are often driven out by big corporations.

The intimate group of predominantly millennials gathered at Jeffrey Liang leads a workshop on LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace. the APAIT headquarters in Westlake in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 23 for a multifaceted night of community discussion focusing on a wide range of issues, all relating to the overarching theme of love.

“It’s the idea of challenging the commercialization of love, the idea that love is a source of capitalism which can be not with the people. It’s not about making a profit, it’s about that community love,” Eddy M. Gana, Jr., one of the leaders of KmB-LA told the Asian Journal.

The Los Angeles chapter of ANSWER Coalition first led a discussion and posed the question Indigenous 1492, a pro-immigrant rights hat and beanie clothing line, lays out their branded AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla of how individuals can mobilize headwear.

“People are at the center of all tunities to network and become others to support small businesses. Several people answered movements. Coalitions cannot involved in the community,” the and all expressed the importance lead unless they understand the group said on its Facebook page.

The group also hosted two of community involvement and people, the community they are leading and struggling with. An workshops: one focussing on staying “angry” about injustice.

They encouraged young peo- effective coalition must be able HIV and how to deal with and ple to get to know their neigh- to build relationships and create combat LGBTQ+ discrimination bors and fellow citizens and communities. Relationships can in the workplace and one on the expand into a local coalition to happen between actions, and benefits of bike commuting.

This year’s event included a raise awareness and to take ac- concepts and different struggles. u PAGE A5 Small businesses provide opportion against “the system.”

Trump talks immigration in joint…

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the construction of the “great wall...will be started ahead of schedule” and believes that “will be a very effective weapon against drugs and crime.”

Referencing terrorist attacks on American soil, including 9/11 and the Boston Marathon bombing, Trump said that his administration is “taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism.”

He, then, falsely claimed that a majority of those convicted of terrorism on American soil since 9/11 were foreign-born—a claim

he’s repeated and is also written in his executive order.

However, a nonpartisan think tank New America Foundation found that the vast majority of jihadist terrorist attacks were homegrown terrorist acts that were committed by American citizens or legal permanent residents (LPRs).

About 82 percent of those convicted were citizens and permanent residents while only 18 percent were non-residents or held an unknown status.

Regardless of the facts, Trump’s administration plans

to move forth with the revised executive order, but delayed the signing once again. According to those closest to the president, the executive order will not go into effect once it is signed.

The revised version promises significant changes including removing Iraq from one of the banned countries, exempting current visa holders and LPRs and will not prioritize those of certain religions, a stipulation which opponents said was meant to discriminate against Muslims.

(Klarize Medenilla / AJPress)

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Filstream pirate box kingpins Dateline PhiliPPines arrested by Shenzhen Police Pacquiao vs Khan match set on May 20 Owners and operators of a factory in Shenzhen China illegally programming pirate IPTV boxes to stream ABS-CBN and other pirated content raided by Shenzhen Police and fully shut down; Alan Zhou, Roland Lu, and 2 senior programmers arrested, in custody and facing 7-year jail time in China

SHENZEN, GUANGDONG, CHINA – Alan Zhou and Roland Lu, the owners and operators of Shenzhen Welnavi Technology Co., LTD (“Shenzhen Welnavi”) factory in Shenzhen, China, who police determined illegally programmed pirate IPTV boxes in Shenzhen and marketed and sold them around the world under the “Filstream” brand, were arrested and charged with copyright infringement by the Shenzhen Police on Wednesday, local time in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Two senior programmers at the factory were also arrested and charged in connection with the matter.

All those arrested are expected to remain in custody pending trial which is likely to take place next year. The Shenzhen police team conducted a raid of Shenzhen Welnavi on February 28, 2017 and the company’s servers and business records were seized as part of the police team’s criminal investigation of the illegal distribution network.

The arrests in China were the culmination of an eight-month long worldwide investigation spearheaded by the Philippine media and entertainment network ABS-CBN. To date, the investigation has resulted in the arrest and seizure of Filstream box distributors in Illinois and Florida. The criminal arrest and prosecution of additional distributors in multiple locations around the United States and Canada is ongoing and expected within the coming weeks.

Arrested together with Zhou were Roland Lu and two programmers, who were all charged with copyright infringement with a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Zhou, Lu and the two programmers, are expected to stay in jail until trial which is to begin in about a year. Shenzhen Welnavi has been fully shut down.

Piracy is a cancer in the content industry” According to ABS-CBN’s AVP & Head of Global Anti-Piracy Elisha Lawrence, “The police have determined that Alan Zhou and Roland Lu ran a global pi-

Philstar.com

Viray

AN American senator condemned China’s activities in the disputed South China Sea following reports that it has nearly completed weapon structures on three of its largest outposts.

Washington-based CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative recently released satellite images showing eight buildings being constructed on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

US Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said that China’s construction of structures designed to house surface-to-air missiles violates its promises not to militarize the region.

“Despite claims to the contrary, China is continuing to change the facts on the ground in the South China Sea,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Sullivan noted that $5.3 trillion of trade - $1.2 trillion of it from the US - passes each year in the South China Sea. China appears to be restricting access to the region by extending its defense capabilities throughout the so-called nine-dash line in the contested waters.

American Sen. Dan Sullivan said that the United States and its allies should not tolerate China’s militarization of the South China Sea.

“The US military should continue to fly, sail and operate in the South China Sea, and everywhere else international law allows. China’s attempts to restrict access to this critical region should not be tolerated by the US or our allies,” Sullivan said.

The think tank said that China appears to have begun construction of the structures between late September and early November last year.

The structures may be used for HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles that Beijing has already deployed to Woody Island in the Paracel ar-

chipelago.

The Philippines also claims the three islands where China has built its weapons structures.

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea does not have legal basis.

The arbitral tribunal also concluded that China violated its commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as certain areas where it built artificial islands are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. n

Fil-Am progressives stress importance…

PAGE A4 t

vendor fair which featured a diverse group of local businesses: hat and beanie brand Indigenous 1492, African-themed clothing line Nicole Wilson and environmentally-friendly jewelry line Native Sol. Local artists that showcased artwork included global visual artist Shelley Bruce and Yvonne Ho, a visual artist, painter and illustrator based in Little Saigon, California.

Vietnamese food shop Patches and vegan catering company Bomb Vegan provided tasty eats, along with delectable Filipino selections from The Park’s Finest, Kapistahan Grill and Dollar Hits LA. KmB-LA began hosting Love for the People in 2005 and its mission has always been the same: to uplift local businesses and artists and promote love for the local community. A vendor fair was chosen this year, but

sioson AJPress

FILIPINO boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s next fight will be against Britain’s Amir Khan, his adviser, Michael Koncz, disclosed on Wednesday, March 1.

According to Koncz, instead of the earlier announced date of April 23, Pacquiao’s next match was rescheduled to May. “We decided to move it to May 19 here [in Las Vegas] and May 20 in the United [Arab] Emirates so we’d have time to promote it properly and make it a huge success,” Koncz told Yahoo Sports.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum earlier endorsed Pacquiao’s match against Australian Jeff Horn in April at the Suncorp Stadium, but Koncz confirmed on Wednesday that Arum is “in full support of Manny fighting Amir Photos of the illegal Filstream IPTV boxes found at the Shenzhen Welnavi office in China owned in the United Arab Emirates.”

by Alan Zhou and Roland Lu. These are distributed in U.S., Canada and other countries.

“We’ll be able to properly proracy operation with the intent to ABS-CBN has invested a great mote it and while it will be a Friinterfere with ABS-CBN’s legiti- deal of time to create,” she said. day in the U.S., it will be a Saturmate business. ABS-CBN/TFC “I am glad to see them, and day there. We were going to do it distributes its content through their distributors, being crimicable providers, its own TFC nally pursued by every means IPTV boxes, as well as via digi- under the law in China and the tally on tfc.tv. Alan Zhou and U.S. I am very grateful for the Roland Lu have disrupted ABS- excellent work by the police in CBN’s legitimate business. In Shenzhen, China, Illinois, and addition, Filstream’s distribu- Florida. It is a global operators contacted ABS-CBN’s dis- tion with an army of investigatributors throughout the US, tors throughout the world that Canada, Australia and Europe, helped us get the evidence to soliciting them to be Filstream’s support the raids in China and distributors. They contacted the United States.”

ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy customers of ABS-CBN offering their boxes in lieu of ABS-CBN’s Lopez was very clear about the legitimate IPTV boxes. They company’s stand against piblatantly confused customers racy.

“The management of ABSby using ABS-CBN’s registered trademarks and logos on their CBN has absolutely no tolerwebsites and social media sites. ance for content piracy. We will Alan Zhou and Roland Lu’s ac- continue to do everything in our power to prosecute all who tions were despicable.”

Lawrence revealed also that would attempt to pirate our ABS-CBN plans to continue to content,” said Lopez. “Piracy is initiate and enforce criminal like a cancer in the content inand civil actions against anyone dustry. The pirates, in their selfwho steals its movies and TV ish pursuit of short-term profits, shows and offers them via IPTV have absolutely no regard for box, free websites or on You- their negative impact on the tube, Daily Motion and Face- industry. We will continue our vigilance in finding and prosbook.

“ABS-CBN spends millions ecuting all pirates regardless of of dollars each year producing the cost.”

As the Filstream signal has these TV shows and movies and we will not allow these pirates been shut down, for all victims to give them away for free,” who purchased the Filstream boxes, call 1-866-746-6988 now Lawrence explained.

Lawrence had harsh words to receive one month FREE TFC for Zhou and Lu. “Pirates are subscription or visit www.tfcthieves stealing the content that usa.com/tfcbox for details.

US senator: China’s militarization of disputed sea should not be tolerated

by Patricia Lourdes

by dana

Vietnamese bahn mi food shop Patches, The Park’s Finest, Kapistahan Grill and Dollar Hits LA accepted a “pay what you can” for the sale of their creations.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

in past years they’ve held panel discussions, spoken word nights and other modes of expressing their mission.

It’s always scheduled around Valentine’s Day to remind folks that love isn’t something you can buy: it’s in one’s active support.

“Our mission here has always

been the same: to challenge the commercialization of love

by Valentine’s Day and to show that community love,” Gana affirmed.

All the proceeds from donations to KmB-LA were given to Black Lives Matter - LA and NoDAPL. n

WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan say they have agreed to terms for a fight on April 23.

Inquirer.net photo

originally on a Sunday there, but that’s the start of their work week and we didn’t feel at the end of the day that would make as much sense,” Koncz said.

In a poll on February 12, Pacquiao, with a record of 59-6-2

win-loss-draw, asked his Twitter followers who should be his next opponent, citing the UAE as the venue.

Khan, with a record of 31-4-0, was the runaway winner of the

u PAGE A7

A MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

OpiniOn

Features

Legislative jungle

SOME say that a governance needs a good opposition to bring out the best in itself. Will this hold true for a government that is marred by a political rumble where supremacy is tested and egos are displayed?

The three great departments of the Philippine government—the Executive (President), Legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) and Judiciary (Supreme Court and all other courts)—are empowered by the Constitution to preserve freedom and democracy among its people.

To serve such purpose, these institutions are accorded with distinct powers and responsibilities.

However, to prevent any form of abuse of power, they are also subjected to separation of powers with appropriate checks and balances to ensure accountability and responsiveness in the government.

This complicated exchange lives under the Filipinos’ scrutiny. The departments are expected to play a complementary relationship, one that is more symbiotic and less parasitic. If they begin to be at each other’s throats, erosion of public trust will be the impending result.

In the long run, this will leave the government to hang in a precarious balance. This might cripple the country that is dependent on the ideals of democracy and thrives on public participation.

In the Senate, a line has been (clearly) drawn on Monday, Feb. 27 when six senators were relegated to the minority. Sen. Manny Pacquiao has moved that the Senate President Pro Tempore post, held

by Sen. Franklin Drilon, as vacant.

Sen. Ralph Recto was sworn in on the same day to assume the post.

Three other senators took the hit on Monday as Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino were stripped off their chairmanship of the committees on health, agriculture and education, respectively.

Senators JV Ejercito, Cynthia Villar Francis Pangilinan and Francis Escudero were named their replacements.

They now join Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, in the minority. Another Liberal Party (LP) member Sen. Leila De Lima, who was previously arrested on drug charges by the Department of Justice, completes the minority bloc.

Pacquiao revealed on Tuesday, Feb. 28 that at least 15 senators previously gathered in his house in Makati City to plan the reorganization of the Senate. He also pointed out that Malacañang had no hand in the shakeup that resulted in the removal of LP senators and allies from their positions.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson told reporters that he, Sotto, Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Loren Legarda pushed for the meeting, concerned about the “awkward” situation in the chamber.

“Most of us are not pro-Duterte or anti-Duterte.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

We do not want to be subservient but we also do not want to be hostile to the administration,” Sen. Vicente Sotto III explained.

This current rumpus in the upper chamber of the Congress is a far more complex issue than just the “few bad apples spoil the whole bunch” defense. Averting a constitutional crisis does not mean developing a pugnacious attitude. These are

the very people entrusted by the Filipinos to articulate measures that would ease their hardships.

Despite all these political horse trading, we can conclude that Filipinos are becoming increasingly informed today because finally there is actually a debate on issues—that matter—taking place. This means that both sides are engaging and the country is being better served. (AJPress)

Trump gives himself an ‘A’ for achievement in his first month as president: How do you rate him?

DONALD TRUMP has been the president of the United States for a little more than a month now, and when asked in a TV interview how he would rate himself, he said he would give himself the grade of “A” for achievement.

However, he acknowledged how bumpy the first month had been and said because of this, he would rate himself a grade of “C” or a ”C+” for messaging because he said apparently, his administration had not been as successful in communicating his policies and plans to the American

people in as much as he wanted it to be.

The Fil-Am This is a good segue to the latest poll of polls by RealClearPoli- Perspective tics. An average of recent polls reveals that Trump just got a 44 percent approval rating, with 48 percent disapproval. This is his- Gel SantoS-reloS torically low for a newly elected president.

A slim majority of Americans, however, say the in office? In his

media treat President Trump unfairly.

The recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll shows 51 percent of Americans think the media have been too critical of Trump, while 41 percent say the press has been fair to the president.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you rate Trump’s first month first speech before the joint ses-

sion of Congress on Tuesday, the theme of the address is “Renewal of the American Spirit — an optimistic vision for All Americans.” What can and shall he do to unify the nation and achieve his goals for the good of all Americans? *** 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

Tightening the screws THE screws are tightening on both Street sides of the Pacific, pretty much like the Talk garote that snuffed the lives of the Tres Martires, Padres Burgos, Gomez and GreG B. MacaBenta Zamora. Sooner or later, some necks are going to snap.

In America, the screws are being tightened around the neck of President Donald Trump, with calls for his impeachment, while, in the Philippines, the target is President Rodrigo Duterte, with hints of a coup.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is digging into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suspected hand in influencing the results of the US presidential elections, and Trump’s alleged connections with Russian-controlled business interests. The first casualty has been Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign, following revelations of possible unlawful contacts between him and the Russian ambassador to the US. The Democrats are calling for an independent counsel to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation of these allegations. Doubts have also been raised that Trump has not truly divested himself of his business empire and that his presidency is being used to benefit the Trump enterprises.

On the other hand, Trump’s executive orders on banning visitors and immigrants from predominantly-Muslim countries, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, have affected even legal US residents and citizens.

In a recent incident, passengers of a domestic flight landing in New York were asked to show their IDs by immigration authorities, ostensibly in the course of searching for a person who was subject of a deportation order. Ordinarily, only passengers of international flights are subjected to such an inspection.

The most eyebrow-raising news was about immigration officers questioning the former wife of boxing icon, Muhammad Ali, Khalilah Camacho-Ali, and her son, Muhammad Ali, Jr., upon their arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from a trip to Jamaica. Both Camacho-Ali and Muhammad Junior are bonafide US

citizens.

Trump’s obsession to build a wall on the USMexican border to keep out illegals from Mexico and other Latin American countries, has been translated into more aggressive action by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In cities across the US, ICE officers have conducted raids on business establishments suspected of hiring undocumented workers. In some cases, checkpoints have been set up at which motorists have been asked to produce IDs, to prove legal presence in the country.

Trump has also begun to tighten the screws on the media, singling out what he has labeled as “the fake press who are the enemy of the American people.”

The enmity between Trump and US media is escalating. Trump has sent word that he will not attend the annual White House correspondents reception where the chief executive is traditionally roasted.

The report is that Hollywood star, Alec Baldwin, who has been doing a hilarious impersonation of Trump on the TV comedy show, Saturday Night Live, may be invited in Trump’s place. It goes without saying that Trump will get the roasting of his life at the event.

That’s not all that the US media are doing. They are digging up all kinds of dirt about Trump, particularly those related to his businesses.

The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Atlantic and The Guardian UK have raised the possibility that Trump owes $560 million dollars to the Blackstone/Bayrock Group, which is wholly owned by Russian billionaires who are cozy with Putin. The media suspect that this explains why Trump refuses to release his tax returns.

The speculation is that Trump’s indebtedness is one of the reasons why Russia has him by his cojones and why he could be subjected to pressures against US interests.

On another front, a special report in Newsweek, aired on MSNBC TV, alleges that Trump could be subjected to blackmail by the government of Turkey because of his relationship with

the Dogan business group which is building twin towers bearing the Trump name. It appears that the Turkish government has arrested a senior executive of the Dogan group and Trump has hinted that the executive should be given a break, otherwise, the Trump group will lose millions.

What the Turkish government may want in return is the extradition of a Turkish imam, suspected of having committed a terrorist act in Turkey.

The imam is now a legal US resident and the US had earlier refused to extradite him. Newsweek believes there could be a quid pro quo by which US President Donald Trump and PH President Rodrigo Duterte Trump’s business assoDuterte, his camp rallied thousands of ciate will be released in supporters and staged a “vigil” at the exchange for the imam’s extradition.

If this, in fact, happens, the screws Rizal Park on the same day.

Interestingly, a delegation led by the could really tighten around Trump’s Marcos family, attended the pro-Duterte neck.

In the Philippines, Duterte is be- rally, loudly branding as a “fake revoleaguered following revelations by a lution,” the 1986 EDSA uprising that self-confessed member of the dreaded ousted President Ferdinand Marcos.

In a demonstration of tightening the Davao death squad (whose existence a Senate investigation committee has de- screws on the opposition, the Duterte nied). Former Davao policeman, Arthur government facilitated the arrest and Lascañas has revealed to the media that incarceration of Sen. Leila de Lima, a Duterte had personally ordered several fierce critic, on allegations of abetting killings, including the assassination of a the criminal activities of drug lords confined at the New Bilibid Prison. broadcast journalist.

In the Senate, in what may called a Duterte has been unusually quiet in massacre, Liberal Party Senators Frankthe wake of these revelations, leaving it to his spokespersons and trolls to ques- lin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros and Bam tion the credibility of the self-confessed Aquino and Pwersa ng Masa Senator JV assassin. On the other, Sen. Dick Gor- Ejercito, were summarily ejected from don, who had conducted the Senator their committee chairmanships, apparinquiry into the Davao death squad and ently for being oppositionists.

At the Rizal Park rally, Justice Sechad doubted its existence, has shown retary Vitaliano Aguirre II did a virtual no interest in revisiting the case.

The 31st commemoration of the Pontius Pilate by asking the pro-Duterte People Power Revolt at EDSA, on Feb- supporters, in the course of his speech, ruary 25, echoed with warnings against whom they wanted him to arrest next. the threat of martial law by Duterte and Like the Jews screaming for blood, the condemnation of the extra-judicial kill- crowd yelled out the name of Sen. Anings that have marked Duterte’s cam- tonio Trillanes IV, not that he has any paign against the drug menace. Per- moral similarity to Jesus Christ.

The message of Aguirre has not haps fearing that the EDSA gathering been lost on the critics of the Duterte could snowball into an attempt to oust

administration. The screws are being tightened on them.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, who earlier swore under oath that he has never been a US citizen, may have been caught lying because of incriminating documents released by media. The documents show that Yasay did in fact become a US citizen and his renunciation only took effect before his appointment to the Duterte cabinet.

In that case, Yasay’s tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and his senatorial candidacy in the 2004 elections were against the law. With the screws tightening around Yasay’s neck, will his patron, Duterte, come to his rescue or drop him like a hot camote?

Finally, the question is, whose neck will snap first. Trump’s or Duterte’s?

Or will it be Trillanes, following De Lima, as well as those who attempt to fight the Duterte juggernaut or Aguirre, Yasay and the mouthpieces, Martin Andanar and his trolls?

And in the US, will it be the US media and the Democratic Party or will it be Trump’s team of alternative fact-purveyors, like Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway?

Abangan! (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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

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A

PH’s war on drugs to resume with AFP, PNP Robredo, De Venecia cite PH gains in women’s rights

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will now be part of the government’s renewed efforts to suppress illegal drugs in the country.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been signed by the AFP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday, February 28, detailing the military’s role in the campaign.

The anti-drug unit will be composed of about 500 soldiers.

The military, however, will only be involved when it comes to “high-impact operations and arrest of high-value targets,” according to AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

“Our forces and assets provided for each operation will not conduct Tokhang,” Arevalo clarified, referring to the PNP’s previous house-to-house anti-drug campaign.

The AFP is also set to expand its Joint Counterintelligence Task Force (JCTF) Noah, which assists law enforcement agencies in identifying, investigating and neutralizing persons involved in the use, sale, manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs.

Since President Rodrigo

Duterte took office last July, 7,000 individuals have been reportedly killed by both police and vigilantes. Over 52,000 people have been arrested during the legitimate police operations, according to various reports.

Apart from the AFP, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will also rejoin PDEA in implementing the government’s anti-illegal drug operations.

In a press conference on Tuesday,Duterte disclosed that he has ordered PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa to recruit police officers “who are imbued with the fervor of patriotism” to become members of the new anti-drug task force.

According to Duterte, the members of the new group will be strictly selected with no “history of corruption.”

“I have to do it because I lack men. I am also fighting the NPA (New People’s Army) and I have this problem in Mindanao about terrorism and drugs so I need personnel,” Duterte said.

“I need personnel so I have to call back the police again to do the job most of the times, on drugs.”

Duterte maintained that the anti-drug operations would remain “PDEA-supervised, whether done by the military or the

police.”

In late January, the president ordered the PNP to pull out from anti-illegal drug operations nationwide to focus on “internal cleansing.”

He made the suspension amid the controversial death of South Korean businessman Jee IckJoo, who was abducted from his home in Pampanga, along with his house help, reportedly under the guise of an anti-illegal drug operation last October 18, 2016.

Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), however, warned that the United States could suspend its “military aid and training” to the Philippines if the AFP “were to join the drug war and participate in extrajudicial killings.”

CSIS Senior Adviser and Deputy Director Murray Hiebert pointed out that the Leahy amendment prohibits the U.S. Departments of Defense and State from providing equipment or training to foreign military units that commit “gross human rights violations.”

The U.S. government has repeatedly expressed its concerns over the extrajudicial killings that have allegedly occurred in relation to the Philippine government’s drug war. n

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo and former Pangasinan congresswoman Gina de Venecia extolled the country’s gains in championing the rights of abused women.

“The ability of women to shape their homes and community is a crucial aspect in building a nation,” Robredo told the gathering at De Venecia’s birthday celebration at The Haven in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Robredo also vowed to prioritize women empowerment, along with hunger and food security issues, rural development, education, public health and housing as part of her Angat-Buhay antipoverty program.

Robredo cited the gains made

by De Venecia in establishing The Haven, a rehabilitation center and shelter for abused women and children.

De Venecia, when she was president of Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. as wife of then speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., established The Haven with 15 regional centers to rehabilitate abused women and children.

She also took the initiative to establish The Haven for Children with four regional centers to help street children and The Haven for the Elderly in Tanay, Rizal for

Vice President Leni Robredo, former congresswoman Gina de Venecia and child star Ryzza Mae Dizon greet students who joined them at the Haven for Women in Alabang, Muntinlupa on Wednesday, March 1. Robredo and De Venecia cited the country’s gains in women empowerment.

the elderly abandoned by their families.

Opened in September 1995, The Haven took custody of more than 25,000 abused women nationwide. They provided temporary shelter and protective custody of women aged 18 to 58 years who were victims of forced prostitution, illegal recruitment, battered/abused women, victims of sexual abuse and victims of armed conflicts.

“We take pride and satisfaction in the testimonies of many former clients who recovered

from their lives of misery,” De Venecia said.

De Venecia said The Haven and its regional centers have been active in helping President Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs.

She said that aside from women victims of sexual and domestic abuse, The Haven also helps the victims of illegal drug use.

De Venecia said The Haven is also accommodating the rehabilitation of street children who were also victims of illegal substances. (Philstar.com)

Inday Sara gives birth to healthy ‘Stonefish’ VP Robredo confirms visit to De Lima

by RoSette

by RoSette

aDel

Philstar.com

MANILA – Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday Sara” Duterte-Carpio on Thursday, March 2 gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Duterte-Carpio delivered her third child named “Stonefish” through cesarean section at around 12:56 p.m. Her first adopted child and first born were nicknamed “Sharky” and “Stingray,” respectively.

According to Duterte-Carpio’s Public Information Office chief Jefry-Tupas, the newborn weighs 2.42 kilos or 5.3 pounds.

Duterte-Carpio’s husband, Manases Carpio welcomed the new addition to their family, whom he considers a blessing “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life,” Carpio said.

Carpio said the Davao City mayor is now “stable” and “generally” fine.

Last August 19, Inday Sara announced her seven-week pregnancy with triplets. She admitted

aDel

Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, Feb. 28 afternoon confirmed that she visited detained Sen. Leila De Lima.

“Pumunta po ako noong first night sa Camp Crame, pumunta ako mga alas-otso ng gabi. Ako na lang, ako na lang yata ang huling bisita na dumaan doon.

Nabisita ko naman si Senator Leila,” Robredo said in a released interview transcript.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police’s Custodial Center since last Saturday.

She allegedly violated Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 3 (jj trading), Section 26 (b) and Section 28 or the criminal liability of government officials and employees under the Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for allowing the proliferation of the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

During her visit, Robredo said De Lima just updated her with her legal team’s remedy plans including the petitions she filed at the Supreme Court to get her temporary liberty.

Despite her detention, Robredo described De Lima to be

optimistic.

“Parang in good spirits naman siya, pinag-usapan namin, nagtanong ako kung anong puwedeng maitulong from our end,” Robredo said.

“Ano naman siya, siya ang nag-update sa akin kung anong ginagawa ng opisina niya, ginagawa ng team niya para salungatin iyong mga pangyayaring, iyong mga nangyari,” she added.

On Friday, Robredo said the arrest of De Lima is part of the current administration’s persistent political harassment campaign against a duly elected member of Congress. n

Pacquiao vs Khan match set on May… Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio delivered her second child named “Stonefish” through cesarean section at around 12:56 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.

PAGE A5 t

survey. Khan gained 48 percent of the more than 44,800 total “having a hard time with symp- President Rodrigo Duterte con- votes.

“When I saw Amir ran away with toms as the complications of a fessed he cried over her daughit, I figured most of the votes from multifetal pregnancy” and went ter’s miscarriage. on leave.

Despite her delicate pregnan- from England and a lot of them However, in September, the cy, Inday Sara said her condition came from the [UAE], but they told mayor informed the public of the did not hamper her responsibili- me that 86 percent of them were from the U.S.,” Koncz said. fetal demise - two of her triplets. ties for Davao City. n

Meanwhile, Horn only received 7 percent, while Kell Brook and Terence Crawford got 24 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

“That meant a lot. Obviously, Amir’s a big name in the U.S., too, as well as in England [where he lives] and people saw it for what it is: A toss-up fight against two fast-handed guys,” Koncz

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added.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Khan shared his excitement to collide against Pacquiao, who also was also his former training partner.

“Manny and I are friends but I think I have my youth, and I’ve been a two-division champion,” Khan said. n

A MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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THE HEAT IS ON

Jon Jon Briones, Rachelle Ann Go achieve their American Dream as Miss Saigon marks its return on Broadway Miss Saigon Pinoy Night set for April 13

by MoMar

IT is that season again, the most awaited among theater fans in New York City.

Broadway musicals and plays are opening left and right. Some, like Sunset Boulevard featuring Glenn Close and Hello, Dolly with Bette Midler, are returning to the Great White Way after decades.

Others, like Sunday in the Park with George featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, are some of the more recent revivals.

Filipino fans are excited to welcome the return of Miss Saigon, a well-loved and awardwinning musical that has become a stepping stone for many Filipino talents across the globe to shine.

The four lead cast members of the West End revival of the musical – Eva Noblezada as Kim, Alistair Brammer as Chris, Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi and Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer – are all making their Broadway debuts.

“To be doing our Broadway debut together is special. They are my family and they are special to me,” said Eva Noblezada when we asked her about what Miss Saigon’s Broadway run meant for her.

“We’re all quite giddy backstage. Everyone’s encouraging towards each other, really loving and supportive and we also know how to have a good laugh, which is important in a show like this,” she added, describing the company.

For Jon Jon, it is all about the realization of his American dream, as reflected by a rousing and show-stopping number in the musical led by his character, The Engineer.

“Excited is an understatement,” Briones declared as he, along with the musical’s fans has begun counting down the days leading up to their first performance.

“Lahat ng ginawa ko from 1986 when I started doing theater (in the Philippines) and growing up in one of the poor areas in Manila… if someone told me then, ‘You’re going to be on Broadway someday’, I would go, ‘Yeah, right!’, You know, it is unbelievable,” Briones shared. “This, being here and looking back to where I came from is mind-boggling, I’m freaking out.”

The day before our interviews with the cast was the company’s first day of tech rehearsals.

“It was my first time to be on a Broadway stage and I was a little teary-eyed,” Jon Jon admitted.

He Facetimed his wife Megan (who was in Los Angeles) so he can walk through the stage door with her.

“She is a part of this journey,” he added. “The show has been such a blessing.”

The couple met through a Miss Saigon production in Germany where she was playing Ellen. Both their kids were born in England when he was doing Miss Saigon there.

This “engineer” on Broadway was almost an engineer – Jon Jon was only 18 units away from his

G. Visaya/AJPress

Jon Jon Briones

Rachelle Ann Go

Outside Broadway Theater

Alistair Brammer

Electrical Engineering degree when Cameron Mackintosh went to the Philippines to conduct auditions.

Jon Jon gave them his headshots and resume.

Miraculously, he said, he got through.

“I got in and I said to my dad, I can’t finish it. Of course, he was disappointed but eventually, when the show went to the Philippines, he was able to watch me perform and that was a very good way to convince him,” he reminisced.

Still Relevant More than two decades since an unknown Lea Salonga broke through with her award-winning performance as Kim, the story of Miss Saigon is still relevant to the current times.

“We still have a lot of wars and because of these wars, we have a lot of casualties and a lot of families are torn apart. There are horrible things and there are wonderful things that come out of that. It’s real life and this is exactly what this show is all about,” Briones said. “It is about showing somebody’s strength and resolve and love. This is about love. It’s not just black and white.

Everyone wants something and they want to achieve it.”

“Get ready to cry, get ready to laugh. We’re ready,” said Eva, and

by the Philippine Consulate gathered for the 3rd annual Filipino Community General Assembly and Go was invited to speak.

“I didn’t have to think twice,” Rachelle Ann said. “Basta para sa mga kababayan, I will do it.”

In a previous interview, she told us how performing on Broadway became one of her dreams when she travelled to New York for a concert with her fellow singing champions in the Philippines.

“I remember, I was right in the middle of Times Square and I said, ‘Someday, I will live here and I will work here!’” she shared. “And Eva Noblezada now it is happening, it is a dream echoing what Jon Jon Jon talked of mine.” about. “The show’s message still On their first day of tech resonates with people because rehearsals at the Broadway there are still conflicts.”.

Theatre, she admits she cried as Asked about how much she entered the playhouse. pressure she has put on herself as “Pagpasok ko, sabi ko, totoo she makes her Broadway debut, ba ito? I had goosebumps. I went Eva responded quickly. on stage and looked around. I was “I try not to put too much overwhelmed with feelings. Thank pressure because I kind of did you, Lord,” Rachelle Ann said. that in London and you learn She reminisced and looked from your mistakes. No one’s back at her journey to Broadway going to be perfect and no one’s as she shared why she was at confident all the time, it’s fine, it’s first hesitant to go through the normal,” she said. auditions back in 2012.

As in the previous Despite the negative thoughts productions, Filipinos dominate of not being good enough or the cast members of this what if she committed a mistake Broadway revival. This one is no or that she was not trained to do exception. it, Rachelle Ann soldiered on and “And that makes me proud went through the process. as an Asian, proud as a Filipino Then she got the part, and to bring pride to the country,” with it came another round of Briones said. “It’s funny that hesitation.

Filipinos think that the musical She was told by some people Miss Saigon belongs to them that if she left, “wala na akong because a lot of us started it, (career na) babalikan sa Pilipinas”. and even in different countries, “At the end of the day, I asked majority of the cast members are myself, ‘Should I listen to those Filipinos. That’s a source of pride.” people or should I follow my From West End to Broadway dream?’ I have always wanted Filipina singer Rachelle Ann to challenge myself and do Go, who is playing the role of Gigi, something else aside from doing dropped by the Philippine Center pop music,” she shared. on Sunday, Feb. 8 to invite the Rachelle Ann prayed about it community to watch the musical for a while and one morning, she when it opens on March 23. said she felt like God was telling More than 150 community her to do it and she felt at peace. leaders across the states covered And this was how Miss Saigon

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Nicholas Christopher

Devin Ilaw

changed her life, in ways she could not have imagined.

Moving to London made her mature more and made doing eight shows as week made her realize what else she can do with her voice. As a new thespian, she was learning the ropes as she went along, picking up nuggets of wisdom from the veterans along the way.

Then she joined the cast of West End’s Les Miserables as Fantine, and now, she’s on Broadway, joining a stellar cast for Miss Saigon.

Meet The Cast Fil-Am Devin Ilaw, who will be playing the role of Thuy, did not believe at first that he got the part.

“It took a while,” Devin told us. “Now, it’s all about the joy and pride of being in this cast.”

The first time he saw Miss Saigon was on Broadway back when Lea returned.

“That was probably 1999, 2000 and I was in middle school.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine to be here, on the same stage, in the same show! It blows my mind,” he said.

Katie Rose Clarke, this production’s Ellen, shares a similar story.

“I was there watching this show some 17 years ago,” she said, pointing at an area by the rear mezzanine. “And now I’m here. I am so excited to tell Ellen’s story, she is a beautiful, strong

and selfless character. I grew up wanting to play Kim, which will never happen to me.

The actress previously played the role of Hannah in the musical Allegiance.

“I don’t know, it is a funny coincidence. Is it weird that I have done the white girl in two Asian shows in a row? It’s kinda my thing now, I’m cool with it,” she said.

For Alistair Brammer, reprising his role as Chris, it is all about pressing the reset button.

“It’s like start all over again and forget what I did in London.

There are elements that are the same but with a new cast, a lot of it will be different,” he said.

A keen observer, Alistair noticed something with his Filipino cast-mates both in London and here in New York.

“I find them to be very polite and reserved, kind of like how I am. So we get along well,” he shared, although they haven’t fed him with Filipino food yet. “I would love to try Filipino food!”

I guess we’ll leave that to the Pinoy New York cast members.

Pinoy Night on April 13 April 13 has been declared as Pinoy Night where the audience will experience a special talkback with cast members after the show. Fans can also avail of special discounted tickets by using the code MSPYN214 at www.telechargeoffers.com.

Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer) and Eva Noblezada (Kim) during one of the first rehearsals in preparation for the previews and the March 23 opening.

Rehearsal photos by Matthew Murphy

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ WITH the election of Donald Trump as president, and his pledge to fulfill his campaign promise of enforcing immigration laws (with news reports of immigration raids throughout the country), many people are anxious and\or terrified about their future in the US. Many of my clients have been calling asking whether they have to open the door if ICE comes knocking at their house, what kind of documents should they show, or how they should conduct themselves.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has put out flyers, pamphlets, and brochures about what to do if ICE comes knocking.

Below is AGLU’s advice, along with mine: • Do not open the door, unless the ICE agents show you a warrant, signed by a judge. Ask to see it through a window, or they should slip it under the door. Make sure you are named on that warrant, and it is signed by a judge. A warrant from ICE does not allow them to enter your home, without your consent. If they don’t have a warrant, ask them to leave the information outside.

• If ICE agents force their way into your home, or pressure you

What should I do if ICE comes to my home? to give your “consent,” don’t resist. If you want to exercise your constitutional rights, you can state, “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.” Everyone else at the house may also exercise their right to remain silent.

• If you are arrested or taken into custody, remain silent, and do not sign anything until you speak with an immigration attorney. Do not lie to ICE, as anything you say can and will be used against you.

(They don’t have to remind you of your right to remain silent, as is the case in criminal proceedings).

Do not answer any questions, especially those that expose your status, such as where you were born, and whether you have “papers”.

• Take detailed notes (or even pictures), concerning their badge numbers, numbers of agents, time of the raid, type of car they were driving, and exactly what happened.

• Have a plan of action in case you are taken into custody. Who will take care of your children or elderly parents if you are picked up? You may want to consider having a Power of Attorney for a trusted family member or friend,

so they can make decisions on your children’s behalf, if you are arrested or deported.

• Make sure all your important documents are kept in a safe and secure location. This would include passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, and other immigration papers. Memorize the phone numbers of two trusted people, because when you are in custody, you would not have access to your phone or “speed dial”.

• You may already want to consult with an immigration attorney concerning your rights, benefits, and relief that may be available to you just in case you are ever picked up. You want to be able to immediately call your attorney to help you, if you are suddenly picked up or taken into custody.

• Ordinarily, ICE cannot just take you to the airport and put you on a plane back to your home country. You have the right to appear in front of the judge, present your defenses or claims for relief, the right to appeal, etc. That may be another reason to already seek the advice of an attorney, who can already evaluate your case in advance, so you can “be prepared.” ***

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WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S “ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES” AFFECT YOU, ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” After President Trump signed the Executive Order on “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the U.S.” on January 25, 2017, (listing those who are “enforcement priorities,”) the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to DHS agencies on how to carry out the President’s executive orders. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the Homeland security memos and enforcement priorities and how they could affect you, on a brand new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-

enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

vulnerability of California’s aging infrastructure, such as the dam on the verge of bursting at the seams at Lake Oroville in Northern California. Parts of roads and Monette freeways need reconstruction.

AdevA MAGlAyA Water is a blessing but it is also a double-edged sword. It can also (First of 2 parts) destroy. Oh if we only had leaders THANKFULLY, spring is almost in California that had the foresight —Claude Monet, speaking upon us in a few weeks and the to build more dams and reservoirs of his garden at Giverny earth beckons. The atmospheric for the periods of dryness that river that gave us the blessing of so are sure to come in cycles. The much rain has quenched the thirst “Pineapple Express” which gave us problem is that we have politicians before our very eyes. There is a of the earth during the long draught strong sense that countless people this weather phenomenon. Tropical but no true leaders, who would in California. This long, wet and cold are bending down their knees in place the interest of the people moisture from the Pacific Ocean winter, believe it or not, is one huge prayerful supplication of miracles rather than their own agenda, in near Hawaii runs like a choo choo blessing. this part of the country. train to the mainland first hitting such as abundant rainfall to come.

We thank and praise God for The gardener at heart tunes the West Coast.

Lo and behold, the rains have the mercy He showers upon the Thank God we now have water out all such concerns. He can tune quenched the parched earth. earth and His people. Whether you out all dire fake news of doom for our fields, our plants and many Meteorologists have dubbed are aware of it or not, miracles, great this atmospheric river above our and gloom that the mainstream millions of people. At the same and small, are happening right media bombards people with. time, the rains have exposed the heads way up in the clouds the

Media has lost its credibility. Media does not realize that viewers have the power in their fingertips to kill their broadcast with their remote control. People have the power to cut off their revenues by unsubscribing. It’s that simple.

This year will still be an unsettling year. This is a transition year with nationalists battling globalists. The Chinese people say that there is always a danger in transitions. And it is true. So many forces are in play. The country is divided and there are sinister globalist forces that work against the American worker.

However, there is a movement worldwide among nations, specially in Europe, to unshackle themselves from unelected unions that dictate how nation states are to live. There will be so

much uncertainty in the air as the nation state reasserts its primacy over global forces. The forces of good and evil are aligned. There exists the specter of a protracted war with radical Muslim terrorists gunning for world domination with their visions of a caliphate, looming menacingly in the horizon. The goal for all peaceloving people is to avoid any nuclear war at all costs.

The realist in us thinks there is reason to be anxious. But the true gardener at heart remains unfazed. Cool, calm and collected, he chooses to live in that rare state of grace called equanimity. Sort of like the old song “que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be”……

It must come from the zen-like peace one gets when one gardens, Continued on Page 6

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an

Tweaking the lessons learned from the garden “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”

(Advertising Supplement)

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong ThE 60s and 70s gave a rapid emergence of boy bands not only in the US and European countries but in Manila, principally. Since music is said to be the universal language, then I would have to say band music, being earsplitting, crashing, and thunderous, has enormously set its trending outcrystyle to effectually communicate and ultimately send out the very essence of the message.

During the height of the beatnik and Woodstock era when band members were considered social outcasts because of their ruggedly, stubbly, and bristly looks, mainstream boy bands were exclusively schooled, offspring of affluent families, and musically skilled. They were merely brought together by a common interest in music and their earnest enthusiasm to entertain.

Manila’s nightlife and party scenes during the 60s and 70s overridingly brought to the fore regular performances of very popular all-male bands. Who could forget the supremacy of The Imperials, Dynasouls, The Celtics, The hi-Jacks, The Jitterbugs, The Lunatics, The Madcaps, Mon Pestano & the Robins, Jose Mari’s Electromaniacs, Bits ‘n Pieces, The Downbeats, The Blinkers, Boy Adan & the Grandeurs, and a lot more.

TV shows, whether at noon or nighttime, won’t be without any of these bands on their guest list.

The 80s and 90s bore witness to the birth of even more elite all-male pop groups like TVJ (Tito, Vic & Joey), Apo hiking Society, and hagibis, closely followed by Eraserheads, River Maya, Siakol, and Parokya ni Edgar.

Formed in 1993, Parokya ni Edgar, fast-forwardly catapulted to an enviable celebrity status after consistently grabbing top slots in the local billboard charts.

The Filipino all-male band is

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Parokya ni Edgar consistently nails rock band dominance best known for the paramount emergence of original rock novelty and satirical covered songs aside from performing a wide variety of genre like alternative, pop, comedy, and experimental rocks, ska-punk, pop punk and rap rock.

Composed of Chito Miranda (lead vocalist), Buwi Meneses (bass guitarist), Darius Semana (lead guitarist), Gab Chee Kee (rhythm guitarist and vocal alternate), Dindin Moreno (drummer), and Vinci Montaner (back up vocalist & occasional percussionist), the group has effectually collaborated with at least 33 equally popular and established talents and bands and had already won nearly fifty awards and citations from different prestigious award-giving bodies that justifiably earned for them the archetypal tag as the “Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas” (The National Band of the Philippines).

Initially labeled “Comic Relief” with Ateneo de Manila University high school students as original members (composed of Chito Miranda, Jeric Estaco, Vinci Montaner, Mikko Yap, and Gab Chee Kee) their break came after performing as curtain raisers during an Eraserheads concert.

Their instant “sprouting” into the music scene unavoidably impelled the group to recruit additional members: Dindin Moreno as drummer and Buwi Meneses as bassist, both from Ateneo. The untimely departure from the band of Mikko and Jeric, in pursuit of their respective interest after high school, inexorably prompted the group to take Darius Semana in as lead guitarist. During touring and jamming sessions, Paolo Bernaldo was invited to play bass guitar.

From “Comic Relief,” the group was inadvertently rechristened “Parokya ni Edgar” from a classmate’s comedic response to their Filipino class teacher’s question: “Where was Crisostomo Ibarra (Rizal’s fictional character

Another PNE album cover

PNE Album cover

in Noli Me Tangere) educated?”

Bambi Cuna, the class jester instantaneously retorted: “…sa Parokya ni Edgar!” The name stuck on vocalist Jeric Estaco’s mind that he chose to introduce the band as such in their first live performance… and soon after the name Parokya ni Edgar took off with immense aplomb and intensity.

In the late 1990s Parokya ni Edgar (PNE) took the band scene by storm with its most-awaited regular weekend performances at Club Dredd, a youth-oriented watering hole along EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City. The rousing escalation of the Filipino rock explosion during the ebb days of the 90s coupled with the strong influence of the western and European rock invasion gave PNE its unstoppable popularity.

Their maiden recordings (courtesy of Universal Records’ Bella Tan who saw one of their live Club Dredd performances), “Buloy,”“Trip,” (Siopao na Special), and “Lutong Bahay” (Cooking Ng Ina Mo), productively achieved immense

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radio airplay.

Their first recorded album in 1996, “Khangkhungkhernitz,” earned triple platinum after it sold more than 120,000 units.

The succeeding annually recorded albums equally reached triple platinum levels: “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” (1997), “Jingle Balls Silent holy Cow” (1998), and “Gulong Itlog Gulong” (1999).

The group’s comeback after a 5-year hiatus deliberately sustained their unprecedented stature with the release of their junior studio album, “Edgar Edgar Musikahan,” which included the hit single “halaga” that further boosted Parokya’s career while fortifying even more their already carved name in the industry. hearing the infectious harmonizing proficiency of the band’s vocal capability, whether rendering a sappy ballad or delivering an innovative pop tune, would inevitably bring one to the grove of the beat. There’s indubitably a compulsive enigma

The members of Ang Pambansang Banda ng Pilipinas, Parokya ni Edgar

and pulsating sensation in every Parokya’s music… be it an original composition, a covered song, or a collaborative rendition.

Their studio album, “Bigotilyo,” (with its carrier single, “Mr. Suave,”) was released in 2003; then their first compilation DVD album, “Inuman Sessions Volume 1,” celebrating their 11th year in the business was released in 2004; in 2010 their 9th studio album, “Middle-aged Juvenile Novelty Pop Rockers,” justifiably added additional laurel to their already multi-decorated cap; in 2013, they released 13th album, “Bente,” a commemorative memorabilia of their 20th Founding Anniversary; and on October 17, 2016 the band released “Pogi Years Old” nationwide in celebration of their nearly two decades and a half in the Philippine music arena.

Interestingly, Parokya Ni Edgar

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SERVICES

had released 9 Studio Albums, 9 Compilation and Live albums, 23 Collaborative Album Appearances, 29 Music Videos, 44 Singles, and 13 Parodies that consistently hailed them as the Band of the Year.

Parokya, in its 24 years of unswerving incomparability, has had received 14 top recognitions and 10 nominations from the prestigious Aliw Awards while NU Rock Awards duly recognized their unparalleled talent with 9 awards.

Other award-giving bodies did not fail to recognize PNE’s hard-hitting domination among its peers: 1 from MTV Asia Awards, 3 from MTV Pilipinas, another from MTV Video Music Awards, 9 wins and 11 nominations from MYX Music Awards, a recognition from Yahoo! Philippines OMG Awards, another nod from DWLS FM (now Barabgay LS 97.1), Continued on Page 5

Megan Young and Mikael Daez not ready to marry each other

By Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

NOW that Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Mikael Daez have admitted that they have been officially together for six years, everyone wants to know when they plan on getting married. The pair insists, however, they’re not going that road yet.

They are happy with the way things are going between them and haven’t talked about tying the knot.

“As of now, we’re enjoying travelling together. We’ve been travel buddies and I believe our adventures make our relationship stronger. We get to know each other better when we enjoy doing a lot of things together. I think that’s very important for two people in a relationship,” said Mikael.

He also said they will not allow themselves to be pressured with all the talk about marriage After all, it’s their life and they’re the ones who can tell when they’re ready to exchange “I do’s.”

“Of course, I don’t see myself ending-up with anybody but Megan. But I believe we still both want to do a lot of other things. I give it a few more years before we settle down.”

Megan Young and Mikael Daez As of now, Mikael and Megan’s travel plans are on hold. Both Robinhood and is busy preparing of them are busy with their for her next project. Mikael is now respective careers. Megan has preoccupied with the taping of just wrapped-up work for Alyas his afternoon series Legally Blind

3 awards from the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation, 1 from the 1st Philippine Radio Music Awards, a nomination from Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Philippines, a win from 1st M.O.R. 101.9 Music Awards, 4 nominations courtesy of SOP PasiklaBAND Awards, and 2 nominations from ASAP Pop viewers Choice Awards.

The latter years had also given nascence and continued burgeoning relatively popular rock bands like Hale, Sponge Cola, Cueshe, Pupil, South Border,

Neocolors, Side A, True Faith, Freestyle, Gloc-9, and Kamikaze but despite these mushrooming and crowding rock entities Parokya Ni edgar strongly holds on to its mainstream power and remained unperturbed from where it has been deeply rooted… established…unaffected… uncontested!

The tested top-of-the-league group has frequently provided innovative ideas and consistently introduces fresh music genre that induces curiosity while proving Parokya’s versatility and creativity.

The immense popularity and

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Bea Alonzo: The leading lady of all time

By Monet

Lu

I’ve been asked several times who my favorite actresses are. I remember that my answer would always include this young awardwinning actress—who is also famous for her class and good heart—Bea Alonzo. entertainment, like everything else, evolves as culture changes over the years. And I say this with love toward my friends in the industry: that I long to go back to a time when sophistication and class are much more appreciated and celebrated.

Nowadays, tact is the last thing you would expect from a social setting and being blunt is even considered a quality that one should possess if he or she wants to make it big in show business. It is often “mistakenly” connoted as transparency—or even honesty.

You see this evident on talk shows, at comedy bars, and (even) on the news. Our brand of entertainment with Janine Gutierrez. He is so now is more satirical in nature happy that their show is getting rather than deep and reserved. a lot of praises on social media This phenomenon could be the from viewers, and rating high. reason why I admire such elegance and grace in selected actors and actresses. One of them goes by the (screen) name, Bea Alonzo.

Bea’s real name is Phylbert idiosyncratic familiarity of Parokya Angelie Ranollo Fagestrom. She is half-British since her father, whom ni edgar members brought them not only fortune and fame but their she admittedly had not seen since her parents separated, is British. Her distinctive features are effortlessly mother is a Filipina. Bea was born recognizable even by silhouette October 17, 1987. alone.

She is only in her late 20s, yet With such astounding acts more mature for her age, and in accomplishments, unsurpassed comparison to her contemporaries. achievements, and wide fanbase “Maaga akong tumanda, no local band had ever attained, it’s kailangan kong i-fast forward but easy to conclude that Parokya yung childhood ko kase hindi ako ni edgar is indisputably the band truly deserving to be bestowed the lumakisa normal family. I came from a broken family, di ako pwede mag“Pambansang Banda ng Pilipinas.” inarte na ‘I want this, I want that,” she For comments and revealed in a tell-all interview with suggestions, please email: Boy Abunda in 2010. gemini0646@yahoo.com.

Parokya ni Edgar consistently...

From Page 4

An Asian Journal

It’s remarkable, yet anticipated, that those who grew up not having much in life or have been through hardships are usually those who emerge as stronger and more mature. Such are qualities that I see in Bea. Bea or “Tisay,” as her old friends know her, was discovered in a local beauty contest before she auditioned and got into ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Batch 10. She underwent a series of workshops and several more auditions and go-sees—fruits of which she reaped when she named 2013 “Box Office Queen” and nominated “Best Actress” at the 2014 FAMAS Awards.

I have to say that the award was a bit long overdue. even during her first few appearances on Tv, I already recognized Bea’s raw talent and agreeable demeanor. In 2002, she joined the Tv drama “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” which led her to star in major soap operas like “It Might Be You, IkawAng Lahat Sa Akin,” “Maging Sino Ka Man” and “Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik,” and “Magkaribal.” Last year, she played the role of not just one—but two completely opposite characters of

the same face, as emmanuel and Rose in the highly rated Tv drama series, “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” opposite Paulo Avelino.

Bea Alonzo’s compelling portrayal in these teleseryes did not escape the movies as she dominated the big screen with her blockbuster performances in “Four Sisters and a Wedding,”“She’s The One,”“The Mistress,”“Miss You Like Crazy,”“And I Love You So,” and my personal favorite, “One More Chance.”

She is with Ian veneracion in the new hit teleseries “A Love to Last.” Right now she is also currently dating Gerald Anderson. It should really come as no surprise that this beautiful and talented lady would get more challenging roles because of her skill and work ethics. I truly believe that apart from talent, it is very important that you know how to handle yourself with grace and class. I have to stress that through Bea’s long stint in showbiz, I have never heard about her get into scandalous issues or gimmicks just to have her name on the front page of a newspaper. Instead, I hear comments of how private, discreet Continued on Page 7

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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 MARCH 5

Free women’s self-defense workshop in Los Angeles

A free women’s self-defense workshop will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 2 to p.m. at St. Columban Filipino Ministry (125 Loma Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90026). It will be hosted by the Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club in tandem with the Women’s Council of the St. Columban Parish. This is open to all genders. For more information, please contact MOTHER at (213) 268-3222.

MARCH 6

Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Monday, March 6 at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights from 6 to 8 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. Books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow after the talk. The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights is located at 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.

MARCH 9

Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in New York Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Thursday, March 9 at the 67th Street New York Public Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. A book signing will follow after the talk. The New York Public Library is located at 328 E 67th St. (between 1st and 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10065.

M A R C H 9 -1 8

CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega (center) with Michael Gonzales, President of the Fordham University Philippine-American Club (extreme left), Fr. Angelito Salazar, SJ of the Campus Ministry Office (left), Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg (right), faculty, officials, Consul Arman Talbo, Consulate staff, and students at Campbell Hall.

Photo by NYPCG)

Consul General De Vega delivers her opening remarks and introduction to the Film

conducted via remote connection to Manila. Ms. Bellosillo organized screenings of the film along with former President Fidel V. Ramos during the 30th eDSA commemoration in 2016. She conveyed to the audience that among her aspirations for the film is that it will engender reflection on the true legacy of eDSA which is people empowerment devoid of partisan politics and a genuine shift to programs-based and not personality-driven politics.

In her remarks and introduction to the film, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega encouraged the audience, particularly the young FilipinoAmericans, to assess and determine how they can contribute to keeping the eDSA spirit alive in keeping with this year’s theme of “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power for Nation Building”.

Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg of Fordham University’s Graduate Program in International Political economy and Development (IDeP)

welcomed the Consulate General team to Fordham while Fr. Angelito Salazar, SJ, executive Director of the Fordham Campus Ministry, led the invocation. Mr. Michael Gonzales, President of the Fordham University Philippine-American Club (FUPAC) delivered a message of appreciation at the close of the event.

The successful screening was organized by the Philippine Consulate General with the IDeP and FUPAC. Prior to the film screening, Consul General Dizon-Vega with Consul Arman Talbo called on Fordham University Rector Fr. Thomas Scirghi, SJ, Vice President for Administration Thomas Dunne, Associate Vice President for Presidential Operations Dorothy Marinucci, and Associate Vice President for Governmental Relations Joseph Muriana. Fr. Vic Salanga, SJ and Ms. Fern Robles of the Philippine Jesuit Foundation in New York likewise joined the meeting.

Consulate General in New York commemorates EDSA 31st Anniversary with film screening at Fordham University

New York – The Philippine Consulate General in New York commemorated the 31st eDSA People Power anniversary with a film screening of a documentary film entitled “LABAN” at the Campbell Hall of Fordham University in New York on 24 February 2017.

The hour-long documentary film, first screened at St. Paul’s College in Quezon City on 25 February 2007, is one of the rare accounts of the eDSA event featuring first-hand interviews of key figures from different sides of the political spectrum during the historic event in 1986. It includes interviews of the late President Corazon Aquino, former President Fidel V. Ramos, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. and Gregorio Honasan, historians, media personalities, military officials, and the religious sector, among others.

Filmmaker Sally Jo Bellosillo answered questions from the audience at a Talk Back session

MARCH 11

CSFLU to hold dinner-dance in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando La Union Association (CSFLU) will hold its annual dinnerdance at the Embassy Suites in Brea, CA on March 11. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Vangie So, president of the association at (626) 485-3110.

Whitney High School’s 30th annual Pilipino Culture Night in Cerritos, CA Whitney High School’s Club Kaibigan invites you to attend “Ang Ating Salaysay (Our Story),” the 30th annual Pilipino Cultural Night on Saturday, March 11. The matinee show is at 2 p.m. ($12 / ticket), with the evening performance at 6:30 p.m. ($15 / ticket). The show will be held at the high school’s Mac Auditorium (16800 Shoemaker Ave., Cerritos, CA 90703). Any questions can be directed to clubkaibigan@gmail.com.

“Walk for Wishes” in Las Vegas Powered by wish families, volunteers, donors, and friends, Walk For Wishes is a nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser celebrating thousands of wishes that have already been granted, while raising funds for future wishes. Proceeds from this event help fund wishes that bring life-changing joy and hope to children battling life-threatening medical conditions in our community. On Saturday, March 11, Make-A-Wish® Southern Nevada partners with Caesars Foundation to present its 16th annual Walk for Wishes. Registration opens at 7 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:00 a.m. The 5K Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 1 mile walk at 8:35 a.m. It will be held at Town Square Las Vegas at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd.

South (northwest corner of Town Square Blvd. and North St.), Las Vegas, NV 89119.

M A R C H 1 1 -1 2

Consular outreach mission in Phoenix, AZ A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Mission in Phoenix, Arizona on March 11 and 12. It will be held at Halo Halo Kitchen (3553 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m by appointment and completed documents only. Please email arizona.consularoutreach@gmail.com with submissions and applications before March 3. No walk-in applicants will be accepted.

The following consular services will be rendered: renewal and/or first-time applications for electronic passport ($60 processing fee + $24 mailing fee). New passports will be released to the applicant by mail twelve (12) weeks from March 15, 2017. No lost passport applications will be accepted; Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to the Dual Citizenship Law ($50 processing fee). Oath taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants. Applicants are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the occasion; Applications for report of marriage & birth ($25 processing fee + $7 mailing fee); and registration for overseas voting for the 2019 national elections for senators and party list representatives. Fees must be paid in person at the scheduled appointment. Only cash, postal money order or cashier’s checks are accepted. Personal checks will not be accepted.

For more information, please visit http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/. A final list of all applicants will confirmed appointment schedules will be posted on the website by March 8.

MARCH 18

Free vision screenings & walk for sight in San Fernando, CA On Saturday, March 18, the Lions Club event Lions Eyes Across America will be having free vision screenings and a “Walk For Sight” at San Fernando Recreation Park (208 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340). Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Donate your old eyeglasses and hearing aids. Gather family and friends to support low vision resources throughout Los Angeles. The $15 registration includes a 2017 Lion Eyes T-Shirt.

Contact Vangie Tabberrah at (818) 399-7965 or csvangie.tabb@gmail.com.

FASO’s “Swing the Night Away” in Glendale, CA Swing the night away with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) on Saturday, March 18 at the Glendale Hilton! Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of swing, two-step, rumba, cha-cha, tango and waltz! Dance Instructors will be available on the floor.

You can feel free to sit back, relax and enjoy the music! No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m, with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets (dinner included) are $125. You can also contact Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 or JL Garcia (310) 936-2988 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities information. FASO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra, and to fund its education and outreach programs. More information is available on the FASO website at http://www.fasofoundation. org.

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

Consul General De Vega presents a token of Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg, Director of the Graduate Program in International Political appreciation to Fordham University Rector Fr. Economy and Development addresses the audience at the film screening.

Thomas Scirghi, SJ Photos by NYPCG

Elha Nympha’s US TV debut finally airs

by Mark Bonifacio ManilaTimes.net

IN January, Music Geek broke the news that The Voice Kids Season 2 winner and Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids cast member elha Nympha had been included in the new season of US TV show Little Big Shots.

Recently, the show hosted by Steve Harvey and produced by ellen DeGeneres released a teaser opening with Nympha singing, “welcome to Season 2 of Little Big Shots.”

“Little Big Shots,” the show hosted by Steve Harvey and produced by Ellen DeGeneres released It showed what people can ABS-CBN phot expect from the new season with a teaser opening with Ekha Nympha singing. answered that she will “build a that made Steve Harvey exclaim, a band of talented kids like an foundation for animals.” archer, ballet dancer, math wizard, “This girl can sing.”“Chandelier” is Nympha’s US stint will also one of the covers included in gymnast, pianist, drummer and surely be anticipated on TV her debut album elha under MCA singer like Nympha—and of with another Filipino making course the funny banter between Music. the country proud as a musical In another teaser, some kids Harvey and the kids. prodigy. Let us all hope this will In the teaser, the young Filipina were asked, “what would you be the start of the young singer’s do if you were the President of singer was seen performing what international career. the United States?” Nympha sounded like “Chandelier” by Sia

Tweaking the lessons learned...

From Page 3 even if it is simply tending a single potted plant on an office desk.

Doing what must be done in the garden is his small way of keeping the delicate balance of nature in his own sphere of influence.

In many ways, gardening is like praying. It keeps fears and anxieties at bay and keeps one centered in the belief that all things in the cosmos work together for good.

I was and still am a reluctant gardener. I was thrust into it by circumstances since I have a thing about not wanting anything dying on my shift. I had to seek books and advice despite the frenetic schedule of a workaday world as I multitasked my way through the day. Nothing I did seemed right at the time. I tended to over water not knowing about the dangers of root rot.

My track record at growing

things was dismal, yet I have often wondered what it would be like to watch something grow. I marveled at my mother’s green thumb. She can stick a seemingly lifeless stump at a clump of earth and grow a new beautiful plant nearly every time.

I wasn’t one to give up easily though. Tenaciously, doggedly I hung on to an image of me as a confident gardener. My education on the art and science of growing things had begun. I took baby steps and stumbled countless times. I still do. Only these days, I don’t have very much time as life and its distractions get in the way overly much.

I became quieter within as I began to observe and seek to understand the process of growth, the seasons and the cycle of life.

I read voraciously volumes upon volumes about plants and watched public television that featured

gardening. Nurseries and gardens have become my favorite haunts where I could ask those who knew better. I boned up on my rusty, halting Spanish quizzing the gardener as best I could.

Finally, I slammed on the brakes fearing I had become boringly, compulsively obsessive. But I found that unless I got down on the ground myself, nothing happened.

I have discovered gardening to be a quiet, solitary pursuit somewhat fit for hermits and loners — unglamorous, unexciting, backbreaking, time consuming, manual, icky, down in the dirt labor that was certainly not meant for immediate gratification. (To be continued) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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Before You Exit almost did not make it to Manila

by Deni

Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

Anatalia Villaranda

AmerIcAn pop rock band Before You exit almost canceled its fourth concert in manila, slated at the Kia Theater in cubao, as one of its members, Toby mcDonough, just had his appendix removed.

“I’m feeling great right now. I’m nervous to go up the stage because I know we’ll be crazy up there.

There’ll be a lot of energy,” Toby told the press in a briefing in Pasig city.

Besides their hits, “Soldier,” “I Like That” and “Heart Like california,” brothers connor, riley and Toby are expected to play old For her part, Stefani felt the and new songs as well as pay a passion in Villaranda’s positive tribute to “The Voice’s” christina vibes on stage while Levine Grimmie, who was fatally shot after believes that she “could win this entire thing.” In the end, Villaranda her concert last year. The band played at Grimmie’s concert before joined Key’s powerhouse line-up the shooting. of talents.

The group released the single, After her successful “The Voice” “clouds,” for Grimmie, whom they try-out, a joyful Villaranda thanked described as an “angel, sister and a her friends for their support. In a beloved friend.” The band had been previous tweet, she said that her touring with “The Voice” finalist, and mother is from Bacolod city, while also with other bands such as The her father is from manila.

She also auditioned for the 15th Vamps and Fifth Harmony. everyone they meet on their and final season of “American Idol” tours, said connor, has become in 2016, but failed to progress to “life-long friends.” the next round. (Gianna Francesca “It’s great that we’re always Catolico/Inquirer.net) together,” connor said when asked how is it to work with his brothers since he originally co-founded

Fil-Am turns heads in ‘The Voice’ with Bruno Mars hit

A FILIPInO-American singer earned kudos from all four judges of “The Voice US” with her cover of Bruno mars’“runaway Baby.”

During the show’s blind audition, california-based Anatalia Villaranda’s sprightly performance turned the heads of judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys.

“This is more than just a voice, this is an artist,” the “empire State of mind” singer, Alicia Keys, enthused.

“This is an artist who is unafraid to express yourself. I would like you to look into your heart and see how important it is for you to be on my team.”

After her impersonation of Taylor Swift in “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids,” Xia Vigor and mother Christy have since been interviewed by countless radio and TV hosts.

Why Xia Vigor is ecstatic

By Boy

ABunDA Philstar.com

XIAmArA Sophia Vigor, also known as Xia, is ecstatic to be cast in a starring role in Langit Lupa, a family drama that airs daily as part of ABS-cBn’s PrimeTanghali noontime block.

But it was Xia’s Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids stint that brought the talented seven year old to the attention of international media, including blogger Perez Hilton.

After the Filipino-British performer impersonated Taylor Swift in the show’s second week, Perez — a noted Hollywood gossip blogger — took to Twitter to rave about her performance. Xia did You Belong With me and ripped off a marching band costume to reveal a sparkly silver dress underneath, similar to what Taylor did on her Fearless tour in 2009.

After Perez posted his tweet, several foreign media outlets picked up the story and ran with it. Xia and her mother, christy, a Filipina, have since been interviewed by countless radio and TV hosts. magazine and newspaper reporters from America, the Philippines and the United Kingdom — where Xia’s father, construction worker Alan is based — have written features on her as well.

According to Xia’s mother, the calls just keep on coming.

“Actually, my phone is still ringing off the hook. I recently talked to people from a British newspaper called The Daily mail and a British TV show called ITV news. So many people have asked to interview Xia, however, they can, like via Facetime. normally I would’ve granted their requests, but Xia would have had to wake up early due to the time difference. Since I want her to get as much rest as she can, I did some of those interviews

myself.”

“I’m really happy,” Xia replied when asked for her reaction to the attention she continues to receive.

“I’m doing this because I love it. It’s really my dream. I also want to thank Taylor Swift’s fans, the Swifties, because I trended worldwide.

Thanks to them. Thank you so much!”

She also posted a photo on her official Instagram account several days afterward and captioned it, “I just did what I love to do and magical things started to happen.” most of the comments on Xia’s performance have been favorable, save for those made by British journalist and television personality Piers morgan, who called it “disturbing,” among other things.

“He’s wrong,” christy said when she appeared on a British TV show to discuss Xia’s performance. “We know the bigger picture over here so we don’t worry about Piers morgan. Xia’s not really like that on a day-to-day basis. She has to dress up like that and put on make-up for the show because she has to copy someone else — an icon.

Our culture is different so I don’t expect people from other countries to understand what we’re doing.

I respect them. If they know me as a parent, they won’t say those things. People may say she’s on TV and I’m exploiting her, but she does many things people don’t see.

For instance, we gave away toys to disadvantaged kids recently. Xia’s a very nice girl.”

According to her father, Xia is reportedly being considered for the lead role in a planned movie about the life of American child star Shirley Temple. (“I can’t tell you who the director is — it’s top secret at the moment,” said Alan.)

Wherever she goes from here, one thing is clear: Xia definitely belongs to the limelight.

Bea Alonzo: The leading lady...

From Page 5

and respectfully honest she is towards her co-stars and even her assistants.

In this time where crassness is considered enjoyable and “hashtagworthy,” it takes good judgment to know who the real “high-society” people are, and recognize those who are the true protagonists by nature and in real life. It is quite true that “class cannot be bought” because in this crude-infested world we call showbiz, it takes real talent and

elegance to shine naturally. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration .

To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon. com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

the band with his friends, who are now pursuing solo careers. “We play together, we stay together.

We play really well together. even our friends like the same things. It’s awesome!”

He clarified that they do not refuse being called a “boy band.”

“We just think of a boy band as people with headsets and who dance. We don’t dance, we play instruments. We’re really like boys in a band.”

Formed in 2007 in Orlando, Florida, Before You exit was originally made up of connor, Thomas Silvers and Braiden Wood.

The following year, riley, connor’s younger brother, joined the band.

In 2012, Toby also hopped in. Wood and Silvers later left to pursue solo careers.

“We always had different names,” said connor. “We chose Before You exit because we wanted something with some meaning to it. It means doing something before you exit, something to live by.”

In 2009, the band released its debut album, “A Short Story Long,” followed by “Letting Go” and “I Like That” in 2011; and “All the Lights” in 2016, which debuted at number one on iTunes in the Philippines.

Before You Exit members and brothers Toby, Riley and Connor McDonough.

Philstar.com photo by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo

The group first performed in the Philippines in 2013. They returned the following year for their Dangerous Tour, which visited 10 cities in the United States and only one show outside US – in the Philippines.

“From the time we land to the moment that we go home, Filipinos have the most welcoming vibe for us. That’s why the Philippines is a special place for us,” connor said of why they always come back.

Among his best memories, he said, was their concert last year at the mall of Asia Arena.

“I cannot believe that there’s a sea of people screaming for us.

That’s so sweet,” Toby added.

“every show, we try to make it more exciting than the last, so we just want to make sure everybody will have a great time,” said riley. connor’s advice to others who want to start their band is to “keep pushing forward and do not give up.”

“In this industry, in many industries and in life in general, it could be really easy to just quit and do something else,” he enthused.

“But what you should do is to keep pushing forward. Keep doing your craft if it’s really what you want to do. You have to make things happen. That’s what we always do. We always keep on trying no matter what.”

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