090117 - New York & New Jersey

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Volume 10 – Issue 47 • 16 Pages

S E P T E MBE R 1 - 7 , 2 0 1 7

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25 solons endorse CJ Sereno impeachment

by DJ

YAP Inquirer.net

THE impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was officially filed in the House of Representatives late on Wednesday, Aug. 30 after 25 lawmakers endorsed it.

Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon expressed optimism that he had built a solid case to unseat Sereno on charges of failing to disclose her real net worth, buying a luxury car with public funds and pressuring judges to defy the Duterte administration.

“I believe I have a strong case when it comes to the impeach-

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DATELINE

At least 25 lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Wednesday endorsed the impeachment complaint filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Inquirer.net photo

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

STAR RANK OFFICERS. President Rodrigo Duterte does his signature pose with Interior and Local Government Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa and the promoted Star Rank Officers of the PNP in a photo opportunity following the oath-taking ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, August 30.

Malacañang photo by Rolando Mailo

Duterte says Marcoses willing to return ‘ill-gotten wealth’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

drigo Duterte said on Tuesday, August 29.

Citing an unnamed spokesman, Duterte claimed that the family is willing to “open everything” and return the wealth—including a few gold bars—which were accumulat-

ed during the two-decade rule of the late dictator.

“I won’t name the spokesman… the family said they will open everything and hopefully return those found [by the PCGG that should be returned to the Philippine govern-

Over 800,000 DACA recipients in fear of deportation Next N. Korean missile De Venecia’s help launch to target Guam, in easing Korean Trump says talking is tensions sought THE family of former President Ferdinand Marcos has expressed willingness to return their alleged ill-gotten wealth back to government, Philippine President Ro-

IN less than a month, many young immigrants will find out where their future in the United States lies, as President Donald Trump makes a decision on whether or not to continue protecting them from deportation.

Through an executive action signed by Obama in August 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has protected over 800,000 young people who were brought to the United States illegally, from being deported. The program gives two important things — protection from deportation, and a work permit. Both expire after two years and are subject to renewal.

Trump was strongly vocal about rescind-

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More rain expected from Hurricane Harvey

Fil-Ams in Texas extend help to victims, no Filipino casualties according to DFA

TROPICAL Storm Harvey made a forceful hit on the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday, August 25, before making way across large parts of Texas and Louisiana, including Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city.

The category 4 hurricane came ashore Friday, forcing many residents to flee to higher grounds. Emergency services urged residents to climb onto rooftops and other high areas in order to be seen by rescue helicopters — close to 40 deaths have been reported.

With sustained winds of around 130 miles (215 kilometers) per hour, the storm has already made three landfalls and has amassed a large amount of damage. One of the world’s largest insurance groups, Hannover Re, estimated around $3 billion in insured losses on Monday, August 28.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 30, risk-modeling company RMS estimated eco-

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not the answer

by RAE

ment],” Duterte said during the oathtaking of new appointees at Malacañang.

He added, “They said, we are [willing] to open [the books] and bring it [ill-gotten wealth] back, including a few gold bars. Just a few [gold

bars], but they will return it.”

Duterte said he would create a team to negotiate and facilitate the turnover of the wealth. He pointed out that he will accept any explanations from the Marcoses

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FORMER Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has asked former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia and the South Korean founder of the

ANN VARONA AJPress

NORTH Korea said on Wednesday, August 30, that its test launch of a missile over Japan was a prelude to future military actions towards the American territory of Guam. President Donald Trump said talking is not an option.

On Wednesday morning, Trump tweeted, “The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer.”

The test was an alarming move as North Korea had already threatened to fire four missiles near Guam earlier this month — on August 8, Trump

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u PAGE A4 Bobby Teo, Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, former City of Carson Commissioner Tancredo Guray, Jr., and Chona Galvez at a recent reception for the Teos’ visit in LA. AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Jose de Venecia, Special Envoy for Inter-Cultural Dialogue

The Asian Journal comes full circle with new multimedia platforms by

INVESTMENT FORUM. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez explains that the Philippines is enjoying economic growth, posting a 6.5 percent growth rate for the second quarter of 2017. Lopez was in New York to meet with possible investors.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

DEE MANDIGMA

26 years; six weekly community newspapers; 208 million copies; a travel magazine distributed across 60 countries and 101 cities worldwide to date—who would have thought that this once-weekly community newspaper in Los Angeles would grow into one of the biggest Filipino-American publishing firms in America today?

Christina Oriel, Editor-inChief for online, LA and Las Vegas, vividly recalls the Asian Journal’s (AJ) humble beginnings.

“From a small staff back in 1991, at a time when the Filipino-American population in America was just a little over a million, AJ is now home to top caliber writers, artists, and creative people serving the second largest Asian-American group

in the U.S.,” she proudly reminisced.

“The Asian Journal founded by my father, Roger Lagmay Oriel, and mother, Cora Macabagdal Oriel, has since been true to its core value of empowering, informing Filipinos living in America, and connecting them back to their local communities, regional, and national news back in the Philippines,” Oriel was quoted as saying at a recent gathering of FilipinoAmerican community in Los Angeles, with no less than Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo in attendance.

According to her, the company has remained committed to excellence, maximizing every opportunity to improve their products and services to be responsive to the ever-evolving demands of the Fil-Am commu-

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A september 1-7, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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

From the Front Page

25 solons endorse CJ Sereno...

PAGE A1 t ment trial in the Senate because all the grounds for impeachment here are backed up by official documents,” Gadon told reporters after filing the complaint.

A vote of one-third of the 293 members of the House is needed to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, whose members will serve as judges in the trial.

Gadon confirmed reports that he met with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other House leaders before getting the signatures he needed to file the complaint. But he said he was not authorized to discuss what happened.

Under the 1987 Constitution, an impeachment complaint may only be filed by a non-House member if it is endorsed by a House member.

Among those who signed the complaint were Deputy Speakers Gwendolyn Garcia, Frederick Abueg, Mylene Garcia Albano and Ferdinand Hernandez, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, Coop Natcco Rep. Anthony Bravo, Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

In the complaint, Gadon accused Sereno of failing to declare P37 million in lawyer’s

threatened to unleash “fire and fury” on the hermit kingdom.

A statement by North Korea’s KCNA described Tuesday’s (August 29) missile launch, as “the first step of the military operation in the Pacific and a meaningful prelude to containing Guam.”

The statement further described Guam as an “advanced base of invasion” and said North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un plans on “conducting more ballistic rocket launching drills with the Pacific as a target in the future.”

The intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that flew over the island of Hokkaido in Japan and into the north Pacific Ocean, was said to be a Hwasong-12, the same missile Kim had threatened to use on Guam.

PAGE A1 t

“whether or not it is true.”

He also revealed that back channel talks between the government and the political family are ongoing. The president, however, could not say how much would be returned to the government.

As of last year, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) was able to recover $4 billion of ill-gotten wealth acquired

by Marcos and his cronies.

The agency was created in 1986 to go after an estimated $10 billion-worth of cash and assets reportedly plundered by the Marcoses.

The president said he initially wanted to abolish the PCGG but decided not to do so, saying he would possibly create a new office to deal with graft and corruption in the government. “[The] PCGG is focused on the Marcos wealth. I wanted to abolish it but people might say I abolished it as it was on the verge of discovering something,” the president remarked.

He went on to say, “I [will] just name it good government but there is already an existing one.

Maybe an anti-graft [agency] and I am looking for somebody to handle.”

For her part, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said she believed Duterte “could end” the decades-long litigation on the ill-

gotten wealth allegedly amassed during her father’s term.

Asked if the negotiations with the government for the return of questioned assets were ongoing, Imee responded: “Wala pa, wala pa (nothing yet).”

Legal repercussions Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday, August 30 said the government may consider the possibility of entering into a compromise agreement with the Marcos family.

“The President is authorized and has the power to make compromise or any agreement with the Marcoses. If there will be a new agreement, there should be an enabling law or initiative law to be issued by the President himself,” he said.

Aguirre, whose department supervises the PCGG, said the possible compromise agreement would need a further study, as it may cause legal repercussions in the cases against the Marcoses.

“That (return of Marcos wealth) could be done under the framework of the law. There could be repercussions of cases being handled by the PCGG,” he explained.

The justice secretary also noted that Duterte’s plan to form a new anti-graft and corruption office should be taken into consideration.

“Although we support the president in the formation of that body,

he can consider the option of giving new powers to the PCGG by appointing additional two commissioners to strengthen its jurisdiction,” Aguirre said.

Martial law victims: ‘Unacceptable’ But for victims of human rights during Marcos’ dictatorship, the supposed plan to return some of the family’s ill-gotten wealth is “unacceptable.”

Claimants 1081, a group composed of over 9,000 rights abuse victims during Martial Law, said that the Marcoses “have no moral or legal rights to choose to return ‘some’ of these ill-gotten wealth.”

“The announcement of President Duterte that the Marcoses will return a portion of their illgotten wealth is unacceptable.

First, this is a clear admission that the Marcoses still have ill-gotten wealth stolen from the Filipino people during Marcos’ regime,” the group’s executive director, Zenaida Mique, said.

She stressed that if the Marcoses “are sincere in their offer, they should return all their ill-gotten wealth.”

Mique added, “We’re talking here of Filipino people’s money.

The government should vigorously pursue the so many forfeiture cases against the Marcoses pending in Sandiganbayan, Supreme Court and other courts.” n

nations of the world. All options are on the table.”

Trump’s Wednesday morning tweet suggested that talking may not be an option, but in a meeting that same day with South Korea’s defense minister, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon that they are “never out of diplomatic solutions.”

The United Nations Security Council also condemned the firing on Tuesday and demanded Pyongyang end all missile tests, calling the launch an “outrageous” threat.

Earlier this month, the Security Council unanimously imposed sanctions on North Korea after the country staged two long-range President Donald J. Trump meets U.S. Marines during his visit to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) missile launches in July. in Yuma, Ariz. last Aug. 22.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Cachola Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Despite U.N. sanctions, North In a statement on Tuesday, Abe called the launch over HokKorea has conducted many ballis- Trump said, ”Threatening and kaido, “an unprecedented, seritic missile tests. Tuesday’s launch destabilizing actions only increase ous, and grave threat to Japan.” was the 14th this year. the North Korean regime’s isola- North Korean missiles have flown Responses to the launch tion in the region and among the twice over Japan since 1998, but

the latest was supposedly the first with ability of carrying a nuclear weapon. Citizens were urged to “evacuate to sturdy building or basement.”

Closest in proximity is South Korea who reportedly responded to the launch by dropping eight 2,000 pound MK 84 bombs over a simulated target at Taebaek Pilsung Firing Range, a South Korean training ground. Presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said at a press conference that South Korean President Moon Jae-in wanted “to showcase a strong punishment capability against the North.”

According to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, a test intercept of a medium range ballistic missile was conducted off the coast of Hawaii early Wednesday.

Guam as target As one of the closest American territories to Asia, and the closest

to North Korea, Guam has long been a North Korean target in regards to U.S. conflicts — a threat made prior to the latest launch was in 2013.

The island is home to two strategically important bases: the Andersen Air Force Base in the north, and the Naval Base Guam in the south. The territory was ceded to the U.S. in 1898 by Spain, and has been under the U.S. continuously since 1944, after being captured by the Japanese in 1941.

The population is over 160,000 with the number of U.S. troops said to be 7,000. Filipinos are the second highest ethnic group at 26.3 percent of the population — native Chamorros being the highest at 37.3 percent.

Respectively, Filipino languages are the second most spoken at 21.2 percent, following English at 43.6 percent according to the CIA World Factbook. n

fees in her net worth, buying with public funds a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser worth P5 million as her personal vehicle, manipulating judicial appointments and pressuring judges to defy the administration.

He cited as grounds for impeachment her alleged transgressions showing that she culpably violated the Constitution, betrayed the public trust, committed corrupt practices and other high crimes.

Sereno, according to Gadon, was untruthful when she deliberately excluded in her initial statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) the exorbitant lawyer’s fees amounting to P37 million from the Philippine government as part of a team of local private lawyers in the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) case.

In the case, the Philippine government was ordered to compensate Piatco for expropriating Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport that the company built.

At the Senate impeachment trial in 2012, then Chief Justice Renato Corona was found guilty of not declaring certain bank deposits in his SALN and was subsequently ousted.

Sereno neither declared “the amounts she received from the

US law firms nor the Manila International Airport Authority, for the same purpose,” Gadon said.

“To evade payment of appropriate taxes, respondent Sereno never reported this to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Consequently, respondent Sereno never paid taxes for her extortionate attorney’s fees,” he said.

Gadon also accused the Chief Justice of staying in opulent hotels when attending conferences in the Philippines and abroad, and flying on business or first class together with her staff and security.

In 2016, he said, Sereno organized an international conference in Shangri-La Boracay “and got herself billeted in the Presidential Villa, easily a P200,000a-night room.”

She “obstructed justice by ordering Muntinlupa judges not to issue warrants of arrest” against Sen. Leila de Lima, the lawyer said.

“Sereno instructed a Supreme Court official to call the judges, to order them not to issue warrants of arrest against the accused, ‘considering she is a senator.’

“The Supreme Court official had no choice but to follow the orders of respondent Sereno and call the judges,” Gadon said. n

Next N. Korean missile launch to target Guam...

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Duterte says Marcoses willing to...

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 1-7, 2017

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Paynor: Ayala Corporation’s objectives are parallel to gov’t’s development goals Globe, BPI, Ayala Corp. and Ayala Land top executives meet with community leaders in New York, New Jersey

NEW YORK - Over 100 members, leaders and influencers of the Filipino American community attended the meet-and-greet with the officers of the Ayala Group of Companies, including Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. who is now Consultant heading the external and government relations of Ayala Corporation.

The Philippines’ top conglomerate and service provider of essential life needs is expanding its services to Filipinos overseas with the announcement of several products and initiatives customized to their personal and professional needs.

“I joined Ayala the day after I retired in 2014 but the day after that, I was back in government,” Ambassador Paynor shared. “Before I joined Ayala Corporation, I really didn’t know that it was composed of a lot of other companies. We are in utilities, energy, hydro plants, medical field, among others.”

Since 1834, Ayala has been building businesses that transform industries, challenging the status quo to bring game changing innovations and pioneering products and services in the Philippines and all over the world.

“If there’s one thing that I found out about Ayala in my three years with them, it is that Ayala Corporation’s objectives are always parallel to government’s development goals,” Mr. Paynor added. “Another thing that Ayala is known for is seeing potential when there is a challenge and they do that in order to improve people’s lives.”

Earlier in the week, leaders from the different Ayala companies also met Filipino and Filipino American communities at the Philippine Fiesta in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Ayala Corporation is the hold-

ing company of one of the oldest and largest business groups in the Philippines. It maintains a tradition of excellence, and integrity has run continuously through seven generations, adhering to the principles and ideals that had brought it to existence more than 180 years ago.

Today, Ayala has leadership positions in real estate, financial services, telecommunications, water infrastructure, electronics manufacturing, automotive distributorship and dealership, and business process outsourcing, and new investments in power generation, transport infrastructure, and education.

Ayala’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is largely expressed through Ayala Foundation’s programs that cover education, youth leadership, sustainable livelihood, and art and culture. Gearing up to move further forward, Ayala draws on its heritage and experience to fulfill its brand promise of ‘Pioneering the Future’.

Joining Ambassador Paynor at the event were Ayala Land led by Mr. Manuel Arbues II, Regional Head of North America and the Middle East, Ayala Land International Sales, Inc., the marketing arm of Ayala Land Inc.; BPI Senior Vice President and head of Transaction Banking Group Mr. Manuel Tagaza and Globe’s Marketing VP for International Business Carmina Villo.

Among the guests were Ambassador Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Consul General Tess Dizon- De Vega, Ambassador Mario de Leon, Jr. and community leaders from northeast USA. Consul General De Vega thanked Ayala Land and Globe for being sponsors of the recently concluded Ambassadors Tour to the Philippines. De Vega shared

Over 800,000 DACA recipients...

PAGE A1 t ing Obama’s executive actions during the campaign trail, but to many people’s surprise, he also showed moments of solicitude towards DREAMers. “We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud,” he said in a Time magazine interview where he was Person of the Year.

“They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in nevernever land because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” he added.

But as the old adage says, actions speak louder than words, and many are closely watching recent actions inside the White

House. As DACA’s fifth year anniversary winds down, the Sept.

5 deadline given to Trump and his administration has people on edge.

Led by Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, Republican state attorneys general from Louisiana, Alabama, Nebraska, Arkansas, South Carolina, Idaho, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kansas, exhorted the Trump administration to halt the DACA program. If the federal government fails to withdraw DACA by the September deadline, a legal challenge would be filed.

According to a 2014 Pew Research Center estimate, close to 1.1 million unauthorized immigrants are eligible for DACA benefits since Obama’s signing. About 800,000 (78 percent) of them have received de-

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Marines assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve (MFR) and joint integrated agencies conduct search and rescue operations in order to evacuate civilians from their homes and life-threatening conditions in Beaumont, Texas.

MFR is posturing ground, air, and logistics assets in order to support FEMA, state and local response efforts due to Hurricane Harvey.

U.S. Navy photo

More rain expected...

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nomic losses between $70 billion to $90 billion from damage, most coming from the Houston metropolitan area. Numbers are expected to rise as the storm approaches its sixth day.

Among the damages were two ExxonMobil refineries that accidentally leaked 12,000 pounds of hazardous vapors as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey is the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

Houston home to many FilAms At least 80,000 Filipinos live in Houston and its surrounding areas, but the Department of Foreign Affairs reported no Filipino casualties.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement on Sunday, August 27, “Our hearts go out to the people of Houston, including the thousand of our kababayan [fellow Filipinos], who have to go through this terrible ordeal.”

Just four years ago, Filipino communities across current affected areas were active in helping aid of Super Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Typhoon Yolanda. The category 5 equivalent typhoon led a catastrophic cut across the Visayas region,

affecting 13 percent of the country’s population.

The Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Texas sent $20,000 to its sister chamber in Manila in preparation for Haiyan. Another $30,000 was raised at the Best of Filipiniana restaurant in southwest Houston according to a 2013 report by Chron.

Despite Hurricane Harvey, Filipinos in the area continue to send out help to their community. The Filipino Young Professionals (FYP) of Houston have began collecting donations for victims.

Their donation page reads, “FYP Houston extends its heartfelt sympathy to every person affected by Hurricane Harvey. The images of our community being devastated by the storm is heartwrenching to us all.”

The Houston Pinoy Gun Club (HPGC) has been using rubber boats and tall pick up trucks to help transport patients and deliver supplies to and from a local dialysis center, as reported by Rappler.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this disaster, “ said Cayetano. “We will continue to pray for Houston and its people.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

that each of the almost 200 members of the delegation received a SIM card in their packets so they could immediately communicate with their friends and relatives upon arrival in Manila.

De Vega also cited a Morgan Stanley report saying that the Philippines is looking at a 6.8 percent growth for the second quarter of the year, which puts it within striking range of the government’s target which is 7 percent by the end of the year.

“The private sector is a major engine for this and Ayala has always been there. Your experts and consultants have been serving on government advisory boards. It gives the government a sense on what’s happening on the ground,” De Vega said.

Arbues talked about Ayala Land and its projects, among them sustainable estates, offering a diverse mix of properties such as residential, retail, office, hotels, and leisure developments, that enhance land and enrich lives, while contributing to nation-building and the Philippines’ economic growth.

Tagaza talked about BPI, established in 1851 as the first bank in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia and the remittance businesses of the bank. He said BPI has always been supportive of programs and activities meant to improve the life of the overseas Filipino by offering them convenient remit-

Ambassador Paynor, Ambassador Locin, Consul General De Vega, One Ayala team from Manila and leaders of the Filipino American Community

Ambassador Jun Paynor, Consul Ambassador Teddy Boy Locsin

General Tess de Vega, Ambassador Paynor, Ambassador Locin, Consul General De Vega, One Ayala team from Manila and leaders of the Filipino American Community

tance solutions, and helping them meet their financial goals.

“BPI has taken up this advocacy of guiding every overseas Filipino plan and manage the money he earns abroad,” Tagaza said.

“We take time to understand the financial goals of the overseas Filipinos and help them make informed financial decisions to fulfill their aspirations for themselves and their loved ones.”

By taking part in the “Fiesta in America” event, BPI provided fi-

nancial advice on remittance and other banking needs of the Filipino community in the New York Metropolitan Area. “We want our kababayans to understand the importance of channeling their remittances from consumption spending to more long-term investments like real-estate to secure their future,” Tagaza added.

For Globe, it is about strengthening its product portfolio for the 3.5 million Filipinos in North America.

Photos by Troi Santos

Villo said that they aim to add to the 60 million Filipinos it currently serves by offering Duo International, which assigns a U.S. number to the overseas Filipinos’ family members in the Philippines. “This way, our kababayans in the U.S. can now enjoy telebabad sessions with family and friends back home at a very affordable price of $10.00 per month and $4.00 per week’, Villo said. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)

A september 1-7, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

Mayweather retiring ‘for sure’ after McGregor fight LAS VEGAS — After defeating Conor McGregor via a technical knockout in the tenth round of their match on Sunday, August 27, Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he’s retiring “for sure.”

Now with a 50-0 for most wins without a loss or draw, Mayweather said his fight with the one of the biggest stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was his last.

“This was my last fight,” the 40year-old Mayweather said during

the post-match interview. “For sure. Tonight was my last fight.

Tonight I chose the right dance partner to dance with.”

Manny Pacquiao, who lost to Mayweather in their match last year, has expressed interest to settle a score with the undefeated boxer. Their rematch, however, seems unlikely to happy as Mayweather reaffirmed his retirement.

“I think we gave the fans what

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The Asian Journal comes full circle...

PAGE A1 t nities around the world.

But what largely shapes AJ to continue towards this path, Oriel said, is social responsibility—“to give back to the Philippines through social entrepreneurship.”

“We are motivated to do whatever we can to help ignite and drive economic development in the Philippines in terms of tourism, investment from individuals and the private sectors alike,” the editor said.

To mark AJ’s more than two decades as one of the leading voices of the Filipino-American community, Oriel disclosed they will soon be launching two international and local multimedia platforms, the Balikbayan Program and the Love of Country website.

It is envisioned to build a sustainable, long-lasting foundation to awaken, strengthen, and

solidify Filipino cultural identity; empower Filipino communities throughout the world; and connect present and future generations of Filipinos with the Philippines.

Named after AJ’s bi-monthly travel and lifestyle magazine Balikbayan, a comprehensive online and offline multimedia program, aims to ignite and fuel economic growth, tourism, investment, education, philanthropy, and retirement in the Philippines. Its target audience is Filipinos of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds worldwide.

LoveOfCountry.ph, on the other hand, would serve as the ultimate ‘where-to’ guide for international and local travelers “to seamlessly discover the gems of the Philippines.” The website will enable visitors to easily search, find, and experience a wide array of destinations, to restaurants, bars, hotels, resorts, museums, beauty

Dateline USa

Floyd Mayweather Jr. displays the Money Belt, a special belt created by the World Boxing Organization for his fight against Conor McGregor on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Photo by Jhay Oh Otamias

salons, health clinics, stores, local Philippine-made products, to real estate, in an aim to fully showcase what the Philippines has to offer.

“What we try to accomplish is to encourage Filipinos to come home and rediscover their roots.

Through our research over these past few years, our work and everyone in this room’s work and goals have never been more important nor more urgent for the Philippines than it is today. And we like to believe that the future of our nation depends on it,” Oriel proudly noted.

Curiously, Teo also made an impassioned call to the FilipinoAmerican community in LA to rally behind her in inviting their sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters alike, or the next generation millennials in the U.S., to trace their roots and come home to the Philippines.

Playing the country’s sales woman, she said the Philippine Department of Tourism is pulling out all the stops with balikbayan

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FILIPINO EU SCHOLARS. In the coming weeks, 37 Filipino students will pursue their academic dreams in several countries of the European Union after they won scholarships under the EU’s Erasmus + Programme. European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen announced that the Philippines has the highest number of scholars among the member states of ASEAN this year as he commended the outgoing Erasmus Mundus + students in a reception held recently at the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

Philstar.com photo

travel packages featuring special rates in airfares, accommodations, ground handling, and tours targeting Fil-Am millennials.

Along this line, Teo also disclosed plans to tap young professional, millennials, and social media influencers in the U.S. through “Bring Home a Friend”, an incentive travel program which was first launched by former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor in 1994 also for the American travel market.

The AJ Media Group, Inc. hosted a dinner reception for the tourism chief, who arrived in Los Angeles from a four-day official business trip in San Francisco and San Jose in July. The executive team led by the Oriel couple, Roger and Cora, graced the event held at the Mayflower Seafood Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. n *** Dee Mandigma is the information officer for the Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy of the Philippine Department of Tourism.

De Venecia’s help in easing...

PAGE A1 t Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon to “help contribute efforts to reduce tension in the war-threatened Korean Peninsula”, acknowledging the goodwill they have earlier built in North Korea.

The leader of the Marxist Wing of the Nepal Communist Party, Nepal also lauded the former Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation, the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his widow, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for earlier donating a hotel and automobile factory in Pyongyang to the North Korean government and people.

Just back from a successful visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Nepal and his colleague, senior parliamentarian Ek Nath Dhakal, who is married to a Filipina, urged an Asian-American group to visit Pyongyang to push efforts to diminish the dangerous crisis on both sides of the 38th Parallel.

They held meetings with the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kim Yong Nam and the Vice-Chairman of the Korean Workers Party Committee Ri Sur Yong and advocated quiet diplomacy among Asian and North Korea’s leaders and parliamentarians, people-to-people and businessmen’s visits to help “end the continuously threatening Korean crisis,” with its potential to lead to atomic war.

Earlier, de Venecia, Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), former Premier Nepal and the UPF, headed by its American President Thomas Walsh and its regional head, Nepal Parliamentarian Ek Nath Dhakal proposed the Asian-American peace mission in “Track 2 diplomacy” to Pyongyang.

De Venecia, Nepal and Dhakal are members of the Seoul and

Manila-based ICAPP, with its more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent political parties in Asia which includes North Korea’s lone political organization, the Korean Workers Party (KWP). They hoped to meet with the North’s KWP. De Venecia urged direct talks once and for all among the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) President Kim Jong Un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and possibly U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier hinted he could attend such a meeting. Their ministers later could be joined by representatives of China, Russia and Japan, which are all members of long-suspended 5-Nation Talks on the Korean issue, he said.

De Venecia pointed out “there is no substitute for direct talks between South Korea and North Korea,” assisted by the U.S. and China, as needed.

Nepal pointed out since the Korean War ended in 1953 with the Korean Armstice that permanently severed Korea at the waist in the 38th Parallel but which was not a formal peace treaty, tensions, incidents and mobilizations for war have continued to bedevil the Korean peninsula.

In 1989, de Venecia, as Chairman of the Philippine House Foreign Relations Committee, met with North Korean founder and President Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, which led to Philippine-North Korean diplomatic relations and an assurance in writing by the North Korean leader not to support the Philippine New People’s Army (NPA), which was well-received by then President Corazon Aquino and then Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus.

A year later, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party leader Kanemaru visited Pyongyang, followed later by the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Over 800,000 DACA recipients...

PAGE A3 t

portation relief and work permits through DACA. Around 588,000 renewals have been issued since 2012, with more due as many recipients’ two years approach.

Anthony Ng, a policy advocate on immigrant rights at the Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles (AAJC-LA), has been a DACA recipient since 2012 and said the program gave him relief knowing he wasn’t going to be a target of deportation.

“It made me feel like I’m living a normal life,” said Ng to the Asian Journal. “I’m able to contribute in a way I want to contribute — that being in the nonprofit industry.”

Like Ng, many DACA grantees have benefited from being able to support themselves financially, obtain driver’s licenses, get access to healthcare, and further themselves in life through being able to get instate tuition and work.

“It’s been a source of relief and source of ability to build a future I want to have,” said Ng who graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Political Science.

Over 16,722 are Asian American immigrant youth, according to a press release by AAJC. Aside from allowing DREAMers to participate in the labor force, garner better wages, and pursue higher education, the program has also been beneficial for the economy.

The largest study to date for DACA recipients, conducted by the Center for American Progress, found that at least 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies employed DACA recipients. These companies include Apple, General Motors, Amazon, and Wells Fargo — all accounting for $2.8 trillion in annual revenue.

Many advocates have taken to social media to voice their stand against the rescinding of DACA through hashtags #DefendDACA and #HereToStay. Included are personal stories of undocumented immigrants.

“If DACA is repealed, I would be out of a job immediately and I won’t be able to teach my students,” reads a story by Saba Nafees on the website of FWD. us, a non-profit advocacy group

that focuses on immigration reform in the tech community.

Nafees was born in Pakistan, but grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and is currently doing her PhD at Texas Tech University where she looks to understand genetic diseases through math.

“It taught me what it’s like to work alongside my American students and peers. I’m just as much a part of their lives as they are mine.”

Juan Escalante, a self professed “coffee drinker, NPR fan, media and tech enthusiast,” and undocumented immigrant, shared an open letter to Trump on Medium.com that got shared by many on Twitter.

“Mr. President, just as your parents wanted you to succeed, and just as you want your children to succeed, my parents took a great risk for my future,” wrote Escalante in the letter. “It’s what families do. My family and I do not have a pathway towards citizenship, not today, tomorrow, or ever. That is why DACA is so important.”

If Trump does end up cancelling DACA, bigger questions as to how he would do so become more critical. As of now, there is no clear way of knowing what will happen.

“Anything is possible. It’s very unpredictable,” said Ng on what the future holds.

Immigration lawyer J Craig Fong at Fong & Aquino LLP, has been practicing law for about 35 years, and has handled DACA cases since the program’s inception. Fong told the Asian Journal that advising what next steps recipients should take is risky right now, as there is no telling what exact actions Trump will take.

Furthermore, giving advice to a whole group isn’t the best way to go as each case is different — not everyone came to the United States the same way.

Advocates like Fong and Ng agree that staying informed is the best way to approach the situation. “Sit tight and watch for announcements,” said Fong.

“We’re just making sure that we’re preparing for anything our community needs,” said Ng. “We’re going to protect and fight for the immigrant community.” (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Duterte floats idea of revolutionary gov’t

by PhiLiP

c. tubeza Inquirer.net

WHY bother with martial law nationwide when you can have a revolutionary government?

President Rodrigo Duterte floated the idea on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as a way for the Philippines to make real progress.

He made the comment during the mass oath taking ceremony at Malacañang for his new appointees, including new Supreme Court Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo and new Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.

“For me, my advice to a President who wants to change [is] do not go for martial law,” Duterte said in his speech. “They will just make an issue of it. Go for a revolutionary government so that everything will be finished.”

He noted that President Corazon “Cory” Aquino also presided over a revolutionary government – which meant she had both executive and legislative powers – after the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos regime.

Aquino’s revolutionary government ended when a new constitution was approved and a new Congress was elected in 1987.

“If Cory can do it, why can’t you also do it? Why? Is there a monopoly here for our love for our country?” Duterte said.

The president said he was “not joking” but added that he was “not into it.”

“For the Philippines to really go up, I said: What the people need is not martial law. Go for what Cory did – revolutionary

government. But don’t look at me. I cannot go there.”

“You declare all positions of the government vacant and change all. The mistake of Ma’am Aquino was to give it all back to the politicians,” he added.

Critics of Aquino noted that while she brought back democractic institutions, like Congress, after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, it also meant the return of the old political dynasties and the economic elite.

“So [they came] back… It was the golden opportunity [that was missed],” Duterte said.

Duterte’s critics accuse him of having an authoritarian bent, especially with the bloody war on drugs and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao after terrorists overran Marawi City. n NEW COMMISSIONER. Former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon (right) hands over the BoC flag to his successor, Isidro Lapeña, during a turnover ceremony at the bureau in South Harbor, Manila on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Watching the turnover is Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

CHR, PNP vow more transparent drug war investigations

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Former inmates walk out of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after being pardoned.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

Despite Duterte’s views on inmates, BuCor mandated to reform, rehabilitate

by Patricia LourDeS Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, Aug. 30 claimed that prisoners who have been behind bars for years are beyond help.

In a speech during the 23rd anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the president said that prisoners “have lost the essence of a person.” “’Pag-sanay na sila na — anim, pito, sampung taon, 15, 20 years — they are in prison maski anong klaseng hanapbuhay ituro mo d’yan sa TESDA once they are out... maghanap lang ‘yan ng... trouble,” Duterte said.

Duterte added that freed prisoners would just look for trouble once they get free to get incarcerated again.

“Mag holdup lang ‘yan uli ng one time mag-enjoy, mag-inom, magsabong tapos payag na ‘yan silang makulong uli,” he said.

BuCor’s mandate The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), however, is mandated to institute reformation programs for national inmates such as moral and spiritual; education and training; work and livelihood; sports and recreation; health and welfare and behavior modification programs.

The bureau said on its website that it offers agricultural to

industrial programs to keep inmates busy and to provide them money for their personal expenses and their money.

The work and livelihood program also allows inmates to acquire skills in order for them to become productive citizens after their release.

For example, inmates at the Davao Penal Colony work on the banana plantations of Tagum Development Company, which has a joint venture with the BuCor. Inmates at the Iwahig Penal Colony in Puerto Princesa City till its lands and produce various agricultural products.

“Along this end, the bureau under the present director has encouraged agricultural and industrial production by providing farming implements, tractors, fertilizers and other inputs in order to sustain this area of rehabilitation for inmates,” the BuCor said on its official website.

Education and skills training for job eligibility On the other hand, the bureau’s education and skills training seek to provide inmates with skills that will improve their eligibility for jobs when they are released.

“If inmates are to reenter society and abstain from criminal activity, they must be employable and have the basic tools necessary to function as responsible citizens,” BuCor said.

Under Republic Act 10575 or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, the reformation programs for inmates shall be undertaken by professional reformation personnel consisting of corrections technical officers.

The law declares that it “is the policy of the State to promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of every prisoner incarcerated in our national penitentiary by promoting and ensuring their reformation and social reintegration, creating an environment conducive to rehabilitation.”

The president referred to such programs as “positivist theory” and claimed that it has been debunked.

“It is basically retribution. Ang America... Canada, ang kanila is positivist theory na itong criminal na ito puwede pa itong marehabilitate. You can make useful human being out of him when he goes out of prison which has really been debunked as negative,” Duterte said.

In November, Duterte granted actor and supporter Robin Padilla an absolute pardon for an illegal possession of firearms conviction in 1994.

“Robin Padilla has changed since he was a restless soul at that time, several years ago. He has changed a lot. So I think he deserves this absolute pardon.” he said then. n

Mayweather retiring ‘for sure’...

PAGE A4 t

they wanted to see,” said Mayweather, who’s usually criticized by his defensive style but went out aggressively against Mcgregor.

“I owed them for the Pacquiao fight. I had to come straight ahead and give the fans a show. That’s what I gave them,” he added.

In his social media account, Pacquiao extended his congratulations to Mayweather.

“Respect to McGregor for taking a chance but congrats to Floyd on #50!” the Filipino boxer tweeted.

Horn promoter frustrated Meanwhile, Jeff Horn’s promoter is apparently losing his patience with Pacquiao, who still hasn’t reconfirmed his planned rematch against the Australian boxer.

“To say he (Pacquiao)’s having second thoughts is pissing me

off,” Dean Lonergan of Duco Promotions told The Daily Telegraph.

“If he carries on again, it would be my advice to move on and forget about him. We’ve already booked the venue for November 12.”

Last week, Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo announced that their rematch will possibly take place at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan sometime in December.

This contradicts Top Rank Promotion’s Bob Arum’s earlier statement that rematch would be held again in Brisbane, Australia on November 12.

“When Bob Arum saw media reports out of the Philippines that representatives of Manny Pacquiao were trying to get the fight in Manila, Arum gave Manny Pacquiao until Saturday, August 26 to

confirm that he would recommit to fighting in Brisbane,” Lonergan said.

He said that Pacquiao “has yet to reconfirm and as such now has put the Horn rematch in jeopardy.”

“On that basis, Top Rank, DUCO promotions, Tourism Events Queensland and Brisbane marketing are now reassessing their options,” Horn’s promoter added.

Arum, for his part, stressed it is impossible for the rematch to happen in the Philippines as they are contractually obliged to stage it in Australia. He is reportedly set to fly to Manila this week to get a definite answer from Pacquiao.

Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight title to Horn through a unanimous decision last July 2. (Dana Sioson/ AJPress)

PHILIPPINE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon met with the country’s top police official on Tuesday, August 29 to discuss the alleged extrajudicial killings in connection with President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Describing his discussion with Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as “cordial and open,” Gascon said their first meeting “opens door” to a more transparent investigation into drug war-related cases.

“Ang pananaw ko ay this is only a first step and at least nabuksan ang pinto (I believe this is a first step and at least, the door has been opened),” the CHR chairman said in a media conference.

According to him, both the CHR and the PNP “agreed to create a mechanism to coordinate and exchange information on a regular basis.” Both agencies also agreed to meet every

month.

The CHR had requested for the complete case folders and checklist of all drug war-related cases — including deaths under investigation — which Gascon said the PNP agreed to provide.

“I hope that the spirit of transparency and accountability which were discussed in our meeting will be sustained in the case review regarding all those who killed in the war on drugs,” Gascon added.

Created in 1987, the CHR is tasked to protect citizens from all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights.

Figures from PNP show that as of July 26, there have been 3,451 people killed in police anti-drug operations since the campaign’s launch last year.

Gascon assured that the commission will continue monitoring the situation in Duterte’s war on drugs.

“Ultimately, truth and accountability,” Gascon said. “Alamin ang mga nangyari at naganap at kung may pananagutan,

dapat panagutin sila (Know what happened and hold those responsible accountable).”

He added, “We will hold them to their words and kung mapipigil nga ito, makikita natin down the road (We will see down the road if the abuses will stop).”

For his part, Dela Rosa said the PNP recognizes the CHR’s duty to monitor the conduct of state agents.

He expressed hope that all future CHR investigations will be neutral.

“Huwag sila pumili na nakikita nila that will really cause the demise of the Duterte administration (They should not choose cases that they will see will cause the demise of the Duterte administration),” the PNP chief said.

Apart from PNP and CHR officials, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Office-In-Charge Catalino Cuy also attended the meeting.

Cuy assured that the DILG, CHR, and PNP all “prioritize” and “had no conflict with regards to human rights.” n

Town mates and Friends:

Please join us in celebration of our

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Josie Dolor Etrata: wilpenn@yahoo.com Mary Ann Arichea–Caunan: macaunan@ha.ucla.edu IN SUPPORT OF MARAWI. Makoto Iyori, Japan Embassy’s Minister for Economic Affairs (left) and UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander during the ceremonial handover of Japan’s contribution -- hygiene kit, health, and nutrition supplies -- to UNICEF and World Food Program held at the Embassy of Japan in Pasay City on Wednesday, Aug. 30. These will be distributed to the thousands of children who have been affected by the conflict in Marawi.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

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A6 SEPTEMBER 1-7, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FEATURES

OPINION

Drug war 2.0

“HOW will I succeed?”

This was the question President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized when he humbly admitted to his constituents that he cannot fulfill his promise of eradicating the drug problem in the country in just six months after assuming office.

The president said he was shocked by the magnitude of the drug menace and that the crackdown would have to continue until the end of his six-year term. Knowing that he has newfound enemies in generals, policemen and other government officials who are accused of being involved in the drug problem, Duterte vowed that a more unrelenting war on drugs will commence.

“Now, you die. If you are a mayor, a congressman, a governor, if you get killed, sorry. That is my order,” the president warned. “I hope that I can get rid of it before I go out of my office. I hope I will witness it. Dahan-dahanin ko lang ‘yan sila (I will do it slowly).”

Despite continuously drawing flak from human rights groups in the country and abroad, Duterte refused to listen to his critics and accused them of trivializing the problem.

Reports show that thousands have died since the government launched its war on drugs. However, figures from the police and civil society contradict each other. Government officials claim that only about 3,000 drug personalities have been killed in police operations, while human rights ad-

vocates have placed the death toll at around 9,000.

On Monday, Aug. 28, Duterte met with Saldy and Lorenza de los Santos, the parents of a 17-year-old boy who was killed in a police operation in Caloocan last Aug. 16.

Their son, Kian Loyd, was accused of peddling drugs and was allegedly killed in a shootout with police. The death of Kian sparked protests and renewed condemnation over the war on drugs from concerned citizens around the world.

The three police officers, who accused Kian of resisting arrest and resorted to killing the teenager, are now in police custody and will face various government agencies tasked to further investigate the incident.

For his part, Duterte promised the de los Santos couple that he would do everything to ensure an early resolution of their son’s case and to make sure that the policemen accused will be punished.

Despite efforts by Duterte to vociferously fight the drug crisis in the country, many still refuse to see its success. Because for them, guilty or not, the staggering numbers of people who have been killed also comes with growing level of violence

Editorial

and impunity in the country.

The gruesome photographs of blood-soaked corpses of alleged drugs suspects are constantly shown with headlines on media almost everyday.

This shows how there is a level of desensitization to the violence among a certain segment of the population.

This brutal anti-drug crackdown is painstaking, and often thankless. Perhaps what it needs photo is to re-assess the problem andManilaTimes.net propose policy recommendations for a radically different approach—one that will not inflict fear among the citizenry but ignite civic participation instead.

(AJPress)

Trump’s pardoning of Sheriff Arpaio supports the unconstitutional tactic of racial profiling against people of color worse than late-term AS the nation compardons issued under miserate with Texas The Fil-Am the last two Demofor the record rainfall cratic presidents. and flooding brought Perspective While granting parabout by hurricane Hardon was part of the vey, President Donald executive prerogative Trump announced that exercised by previous he was pardoning for- GEL SANTOS-RELOS presidents, Trump mer Arizona Sheriff Joe granted the pardon Arpaio, who was convicted last month of criminal contempt before the sentencing of Arpaio. The for the way he illegally profiled, hunted former Arizona sheriff has not served down, and jailed undocumented im- one day in jail for the criminal offense migrants, particularly Hispanics, in his he was found guilty of, and as his critics pointed out, Trump effectively byjurisdiction in Arizona.

Trump’s motive in timing this an- passed the usual practice of the Justice ticipated announcement was to have Department review process before “higher ratings,” knowing that people granting presidential pardon to Arare glued to their TV sets to be updated paio.

As the New York Times (NYT) reabout the storm and how they can help ported, Trump asked Attorney General the people of Texas.

Responding to critics, Trump sug- Jeff Sessions and White House counsel gested that the Justice Department had Donald F. McGahn II months ago if political motives during the Obama ad- Arpaio’s case could be dropped. The ministration for charging Arpaio while president was told that it could not be, the former sheriff was only doing his but that it was well within his presidential authority to pardon Arpaio. job to combat illegal immigration.

The 85-year-old Arpaio has served Trump supporters believe the president did the right thing in pardon- for 24 years as sheriff of Maricopa ing Arpaio, reinforcing their hard line County, and as the NYT reported, stance against immigrants living and has built a reputation throughout the United States “for harsh conditions in working in the United States illegally.

Trump also said his action was no his county jail, and for cracking down

against undocumented immigrants.”

Arpaio blamed the Obama administration for losing in his reelection bid for a seventh term last year, because of criminal contempt charges that were filed against him on Oct. 26 for persisting with profiling Latinos.

“I thought he was treated unbelievably unfairly,” Trump contended during a press conference in the White House.

“He would have won the election, but they just hammered him just before the election,” Trump argued.

Arpaio backed Trump during the 2016 presidential election.

What is racial profiling and why is it important for us Filipinos in America?

The American Civil Liberties Union defined it this way: “Racial profiling is a longstanding and deeply troubling national problem despite claims that the United States has entered a “post-racial era.”

It occurs every day, in cities and towns across the country, when law enforcement and private security target people of color for humiliating and often frightening detentions, interrogations, and searches without evidence of criminal activity and based on perceived race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion. Racial profiling is patently

illegal, violating the U.S. Constitution’s core promises of equal protection under the law to all and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. Just as importantly, racial profiling is ineffective. It alienates communities from law enforcement, hinders community policing efforts, and causes law enforcement to lose credibility and trust among the people they are sworn to protect and serve.

We rely on the police to protect us from harm and promote fairness and justice in our communities. But racial profiling has led countless people to live in fear, casting entire communities as suspects simply because of what they look like, where they come from, or what religion they adhere to.

Racial profiling affects a wide array of communities of color. More than 240 years of slavery and 90 years of legalized racial segregation have led to systemic profiling of blacks in traffic and pedestrian stops. Since September 11, 2001, members of Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities have been profiled by airline personnel, federal law enforcement, and local police.”

The Constitution of the United States’ 14th Amendment Section 1 stipulates: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the

jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

WE FILIPINOS who have naturalized, or are living in the country with all legal papers are protected by this law.

While Arpaio, Trump and his supporters may argue this tactic of racial profiling may help solve the problem of illegal immigration, those who are in the country legally may be denied of their civil rights just because they look and sound “different” from “typical” Americans. Being persons of color, we, too, may be subject to racial profiling if the Arpaio-Trump “doctrine” is to be normalized and followed, no matter who you voted for in the last election. *** 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

This Labor Day, AAPI workers call for more unions to fix the rigged economy Commentary LUISA BLUE, SEIU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAISING our voices in proud solidarity this Labor Day, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers are joining with working people across the country to put the importance of unions front and center in our national conversation.

Emerson Padua is a proud Filipino American and dedicated healthcare worker from Beaumont, Calif. He has been a dialysis patient care technician for 21 years. When Emerson first started, there was one patient care technician for every three patients. Now the ratio can be as much as eight patients for one staff person, or only two technicians and one nurse caring for 21 patients. This understaffing forces him and his co-workers to serve as part-time janitors, social workers, dieticians and inventory administrators on top of their patient care duties.

When Emerson started work-

ing in dialysis, his co-workers were attempting to unionize but he didn’t support them. Then he saw conditions decline over the years and decided to help fix the conditions he works in, and make sure the opportunity for a union didn’t slip away again.

Now Emerson is speaking up for his patients and coworkers, and together they are fighting to form a union and reform the dialysis industry and its growing crisis in patient care. In particular, Emerson is fighting to increase staff levels in order to protect vulnerable patients from the risk of infection and infection. In California alone, kidney patients seeking treatment at dialysis clinics grew 46 percent over the past eight years. Adequate staffing is critical for Emerson’s patients who are waiting for a transplant and need dialysis to survive. The Service Employees International Union is the largest healthcare union representing the whole spectrum of healthcare professionals and workers. We have the expertise to assess shortcomings in the industry since we are on the frontlines of patient care.

Unions are important vehicles for working people to improve their safety and working condi-

tions in the workplace, and also to lift the social and economic situations of their entire communities.

The top priority of our elected officials must be to ensure good jobs on which people can raise a family. The two main ways to do that are through raising the minimum wage or by joining a union together to negotiate those raises.

We have achieved enormous success in raising the minimum wage, and now we must ensure that our demand for a union is being heard.

I have dedicated the last four decades of my life to organizing and advocating for the rights of working men and women through unions, which helps us make strides on things like voting rights and the rights of immigrants.

From Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas to San Francisco International Airport, I have seen the difference that being in a union makes in the lives of working people and their families, particularly in immigrant communities and communities of color.

People are underpaid in every racial and ethnic group, regardless of the color of their skin.

While the AAPI community is the fastest growing racial group in the United States, people often

stereotype it as white-collared technology and science workers.

Yet AAPI women make up nearly a third of all full-time working women who earn less than $15 an hour in industries such as food service, home care, retail service, waitressing, dishwashing, housekeeping and child care. AAPI women are garment workers, poultry plant workers, nail salon technicians and restaurant workers.

We are a growing political force and we can make a huge difference in elections. There were more than 620,000 new AAPI voters in the last three presidential cycles, with eligible AAPI voters in various states making up more than 5% of the state’s electorate, including Nevada, Virginia, and California. There was an unprecedented number of AAPIs running for office across the country in 2016 and there are now more than 600 AAPI elected officials throughout government.

Not only is the AAPI community a growing electoral power and a growing social power, we are also increasingly joining unions. Nationwide, union membership among AAPIs increased by 96,000 people in 2014. To defeat anti-worker politicians, the

demand for unions has become central for our community and for all working people in order to take back the country from selfinterested politicians and greedy corporations that make profits on the backs of their employees.

But there is still much work to be done. Working people are fed up with the rigged economic and political system, and the politicians who rigged it. The number one job of politicians is to raise the standard of living for workers. This Labor Day, protests and actions in more than 300 cities will confront the politicians and corporations who have rigged the system against workers, particularly people of color.

We will see a renewed politics led by working people demanding a voice in the workplace. There are those who are saying that the focus should just be on “white working class voters.” But we won’t let extremists use race as a “divide and conquer” strategy to keep working people from coming together. Instead we will link racial justice to all of our justice fights—immigrant justice, healthcare justice, and environmental justice—to inspire and mobilize working families in communities across the nation to join the op-

position.

Across the country, AAPI worker are joining working people of every stripe to stand up against those who rigged our economy.

They joined the resistance movement that we’ve seen blossom in the streets of small towns and big cities alike, from the historic Women’s marches to the spontaneous support at airports protesting the Muslim ban to healthcare workers standing with patients to defeat the attempts at repealing healthcare and gutting Medicaid. This Labor Day they will be out in the streets again in every region of the country, demanding the right to join a union, and taking on the politicians and corporations who are fighting to hold wages, working people and our families down. *** SEIU Executive Vice President Luisa Blue is one of the highest-ranking Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) union leaders in the nation. She was recognized in 2015 at the national Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance convention, where she was awarded the Philip Vera Cruz Organizing Award, and was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World because of her commitment to racial, immigrant and civil rights, and for her efforts in organizing workers at SEIU.

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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Poll: President most caring, decisive official

MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is the most loving, caring, and decisive among the country’s top five government officials, according to a recent survey conducted by by political management and lobbying firm Publicus Asia.

Publicus Asia’s pilot Pahayag survey tested the people’s perception on Duterte, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and house Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in terms of the “Love, Care and Solidarity” index, and the “Decisiveness Index.”

Survey respondents were asked to choose which among the five officials they think is most loving, caring, and decisive.

The annual poll was conducted among 1,500 respondents from key cities nationwide from August 7 to 9 through face to face computer-aided personal interviews. The results were released on Monday, August 28.

Duterte got 90 percent decisiveness rating, while Robredo got five percent. On the other hand, Sereno, Pimentel and Alvarez all got one percent.

“In this day and age, I think decisiveness is the way to go in order to get things moving in this country,” said Publicus Asia founder and chief executive officer Malou Tiquia.

The president also scored the highest in terms of love, concern, and care for the country among the top government officials, earning 82 percent, 79 percent and 79 percent index ratings respectively.

“Maybe the results on Duterte are glaring because he is the top decision-maker. They might see his cursing as a reflection of his anger and exasperation,” Tiquia added.

Robredo only got 13 percent in terms of being loving; 17 percent in being concerned, and 16% in being caring.

She was followed by Pimentel with ratings of both one percent for being loving and caring, and two percent for being concerned.

Only one percent of respondents deemed Alvarez as caring.

The chief justice, meanwhile, got zero percent in all three categories.

“As to Sereno, either the respondents do not know her or they don’t know the nature of her job,” Publicus Asia, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Lilibet Amatong explained.

Among the five most recent Philippine presidents, Corazon “Cory” Aquino had the highest votes as

A

Maute patriarch dies after blood pressure shoots up

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Malacañang opened its doors on Tuesday, Aug. 29 to children displaced by fighting in Marawi City.

Philstar.com photo by Alexis Romero

loving leader (38 percent).

She was followed by former Presidents Joseph estrada with 27 percent, Fidel Ramos with ten percent, Benigno “Noynoy Aquino III with nine percent, and Arroyo with five percent.

Aquino, meanwhile, remains the most concerned with a rating of 33 percent, followed by estrada (30 percent), Ramos (11 percent), Aquino III, (ten percent) and Arroyo (five percent).

In terms of approval and awareness, respondents were asked to assess the performance of the officials individually.

When it comes to awareness rating, Duterte got a perfect 100 percent. Robredo scored 87 percent, Sereno 45 percent, Pimentel 69 percent, and Alvarez 49 percent.

As for approval rating, Duterte got a total of 88 percent, Robredo 60 percent, Sereno 51 percent, Pimentel 66 percent, and Alvarez 57 percent.

“This survey tests the emotional quotient of the leaders… There are leaders who are trained all their lives to be a leader but cannot connect to the masses…We want to introduce eQ as a frame,” Tiquia said.

Duterte meets Kian’s parents, assures justice Also on Monday, the president met with the parents of Kian Delos Santos, a Grade 11 student who was killed during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City after allegedly pulling a gun on police officers.

“During their meeting, the President reassured that there will be no interference in the case citing that only due process will prevail and that the handling of the case will be fair,” the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said in a statement.

In a video interview with Com-

De Lima willing to bargain with Duterte over drug war killings

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

“MR. President, lock me in jail for as long as you want but please just stop the killings.”

This was the bargain Senator Leila De Lima is willing to make with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Fr. Robert Reyes told the Inquirer.

De Lima celebrated her 58th birthday on Sunday, August 27 while in detention at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

A fierce critic of Duterte, the senator has been condemning the administration’s “brutal” crackdown on narcotics that resulted to allegedly thousands of summary executions and human rights abuses.

De Lima was arrested in February over drug-related charges but fellow opposition members described her as the administration’s first political prisoner.

According to Reyes, De Lima remains in high spirit.

“Senator Leila said she thanked God for giving her 58 wonderful years,” Reyes said. “She is enraged by what is happening, especially the drug killings, but she said she would not be consumed by negativism.”

As for her birthday wish, the senator said that she praying this year will be the first and last time she celebrates her birthday in detention.

De Lima added that she wished for “vindication” as well as freedom “not only from the injustice of my detention under the Duterte regime but also freedom from the lies and slander on my womanhood and person.”

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 1-7, 2017

Sen. Leila De Lima

Senate photo

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, also a vocal critic of the administration and De Lima’s political ally, described the mood at the custodial center as “festive.”

“I told her that this too shall pass and that she has a larger mission ahead of her,” Trillanes said, adding that he also told her they were still “actively pursuing her case.”

Apart from Trillanes, also present were former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, former tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez, former budget chief Florencio Abad and daughter Julia Abad, Ging Deles, former presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles, and former education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.

Albay 1st District Representative edcel Lagman, former Akbayan representative Ibarra Gutierrez, and former Civil Service Commission chairperson Karina David also joined the celebration.

Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III reportedly visited De Lima a week before her birthday. n

NEW AFP OFFICERS. Senate President and Commission on Appointments chair Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III pose with officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) whose promotions were confirmed during the CA’s plenary sessionon Wednesday, August 30.

The newly promoted officers are (from left), Lieutenant General Rafael Valencia, Major General Casiano Monilla, Major General Arnel Duco, and Brigadier General Fidel Igmedio Cruz, Jr. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

munications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson, Kian’s mother, Lorenza, said Duterte assured them a speedy resolution of the case.

“Pinangako naman po niya sa amin na sa lalong madaling panahon ay tutulungan niya kaming malutas ang kaso dahil hindi po niya papayagan kung sinuman daw po iyong nagkasala ay dapat maparusahan (He promised that he will help us with a speedy resolution of the case because the guilty must be held liable),” she said.

Lorenza added that they are less worried now about the case after meeting with the President.

Kian’s father, Saldy, said they feel “more secure” after the meeting.

“Panatag na. Nawala na iyong takot sa buhay namin. Iyon lang po. Masaya (We don’t fear for our lives anymore. That’s it. We’re happy),” he further remarked.

(Dana Sioson/AJPress)

The detained father of brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, who led the attack on Marawi City, passed away on Sunday, August 27, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

BJMP spokesperson and Senior Insp. Xavier Solda said Cayamora Maute, 67, died past 3:00 p.m. in a government hospital after his blood pressure shot up.

“The initial report that we received was that his blood pressure shot up,” Solda said in an interview.

According to Solda, Cayamora was “in critical condition” when he was rushed to Taguig-Pateros District hospital from Camp Bagong Diwa.

“Our nurse was constantly monitoring his situation and he was brought to the hospital, which is nearby, after his pulse rate dropped,” he added. “I still don’t have his death certificate and so I can’t say if he was declared dead on arrival.”

Solda said that Cayamora’s official cause of death has yet to be declared but noted that the Maute patriarch was already diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and hepatitis before his detention.

Cayamora was arrested in June 6 in Davao City. Also arrested with him were his second wife Kongan Balawag, daughter Norjanah, and son-in-law Benzarali Tingao; as well as their driver Aljon Ismael,

Cayamora Maute

who was later released.

The Maute patriarch’s body was brought back to the BJMP complex “for short viewing of his immediate family.”

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that Cayamora’s death is an unfortunate incident, not only for the Maute family but also for those who were affected with the terrorism in Marawi.

“This is an unfortunate incident for his family, but more so to the victims of terrorism in Marawi and their relatives who are awaiting

Inquirer.net photo

justice and expecting that Mr. Cayamora would answer/ atone for his involvement in Marawi rebellion,” AFP chief eduardo Año said.

As of Thursday, August 24, the death toll in Marawi crisis has reached 770—of which 596 were terrorists, 129 were government troopers, and 45 were civilians.

The Maute terrorist group attacked Marawi City on May 23, prompting Duterte to declare Martial Law in the entire Mindanao. The extended military rule is slated to expire by the end of the year. n

A september 1-7, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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Dale TalDe CoNTiNues To BuilD His empire, BriCk By BriCk

by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

With the upcoming opening of his Manhattan restaurant called Rice and Gold, Dale talde continues to be a man on a mission, not just to build his empire but also to push Filipino cuisine whenever and wherever he can.

A couple of weeks ago, talde collaborated with fellow top Chef alumni Sheldon Simeon for a barbecue/luau party. tickets to the two-seating pop-up event at the Massoni in midtown got sold out when word got out that the two were collaborating on a project. “he was in town, so i said let’s do something. i love Sheldon, he is a good dude, he’s a homie,”talde said. “i was in Maui 2-3 years ago and he was then at Migrant. i ate there and it was f’in awesome, man. that’s how i met him.” the ideas came flying – the concept was fast, it was not individual dining, it was a party.

“We will eat some great food, watch some hula dancers and finish it off with halo-halo or shave ice, all while drinking beer or cocktails. it’s actually like going to a barbecue at your Ate’s house, or tito’s house,” Dale said laughing. i had to ask about that “tito” reference, because their posters for the event said it was going to be a barbecue at tito Dale and tito Sheldon’s. “i’m 38 right now and my body feels like 65. i should be Lolo,” he quipped, as he let out a loud laugh.

Collaboration For Sheldon, the possibility of working with Dale, the chef he watched on top Chef, was a great opportunity too hard to pass up.

“When you get to cook with your brothers, it is a celebration of our culture. We’re all brothers in some way or form. it couldn’t be a more personal moment. the moments that i got to spend cooking with my grandparents is still vivid in my mind even though they have passed. the memories are still seared in my mind,” Sheldon shared. that image is of his lolo letting him taste the sabaw (soup) using an

aklo (ilocano word for ladle) that his own grandfather made.

“We wanted to make it luauesque. We were blessed to have a 220-pound mangalitsa pig. So we used the hams, bellies, head, the whole nine yards,” Dale said. “Every celebrated event at my house where we had a potluck, my mom was one of 13. You ask one auntie to make pinakbet, another to make pancit and another one makes kare-kare. i wanted to ask him that same thing, what do you want to make?”

So basically, it was two Filipino guys who love to cook and eat hanging out.

Aside from the collaboration with Sheldon for the pop-up luau dinner at Massoni, talde is also working with Alvin Cailan of Eggslut for a project at the New York Food and Wine Festival this October. it is going to be the ultimate Sunday brunch with a silog station and the concept is a Mother’s Day-style brunch (which is not happening on Mother’s Day).

A lot of people are excited to see this collaboration between Dale and Alvin, the creator of Los Angeles’ latest cult favorite Eggslut, a chef driven, gourmet food concept inspired by Cailan’s love for eggs and is known for its staple egg sandwich.

Next Big Trend? “i don’t care if you don’t want to eat Filipino food, i am still doing it. it’s on you. the Filipinos will always come and eat,”talde said, showing flashes of his old mercurial self when he began on top Chef a few seasons ago. he has reason to feel a little pissed, especially when some people in the food industry call Filipino cuisine a trend, or worse, a fad. Sometimes, being called the next big thing (for the past five years and counting) is nothing big anymore. “they all say it’s the next big thing but who gives a sh*t? i don’t f*cking care! You know what the new thing is? Fats,”talde said. “Don’t put Filipino and poke on the same category, which a lot of people are doing. they’re trying to say that

Sheldon Simeon

Dale Talde

Top Chef stars Sheldon Simeon and Dale Talde talk about cooking Filipino cuisine and how it is the right thing to do.

boba tea as the next new sh*t, we’ve been eating and drinking this for 25, 30 years.” “i don’t care about them branding Filipino food as the next new thing. Now, more than any other time, is when we show that immigrants have been and will be the backbone of this country, whether you want it or not,” he added.

“Anything that you connect with a trend becomes a timeline,” Sheldon said. “Judging somebody else’s food and calling it disgusting, for me that is discrimination.” “it’s like trying to put someone down for who they are,” Dale said, agreeing with Sheldon. talde said what is happening in the country in the past few months have made him realize a number of things. Born to immigrant parents from the Philippines, he is an immigrant who, through sheer hard work and passion has achieved his American dream.

“We’re immigrants, i am all about the immigrant food and i’ll call it what it is. i am a son of immigrants now living in America and this is the food we are making. i’m trying to figure out how to remind people that this country was built on the backs of immigrants,” he said. “they talk sh*t about slowing down immigration coming to the US but they weren’t crying that sh*t in the late 60s when they needed

healthcare professionals. Now they’re picking and choosing? We raised your children, we fed you, we take care of you in the hospitals and you’re too good to eat our food?,” he asked. “it is frustrating and it is to some degree status quo for us. this is the reality we’ve been living all our lives in America. We’re some Asian culture that no one ever knew was there. We’re always second-class citizens. We speak up for ourselves now and we always have. But are your surprised? We took it on the chin for years because to a certain degree we were happy to just be in a better situation,” he added. projects Aside from Rice and Gold at the Bowery hotel, talde is also opening a couple of dining spots and a bar in West Palm Beach. he currently owns Atlantic Social in Brooklyn and the three talde locations (Miami, Jersey

City and Park Slope, Brooklyn).

Dale and his partners at three Kings Restaurant Group (tKRG), David Massoni and John Bush, debuted their first project in Manhattan with the opening of Massoni in the Arlo NoMad hotel last year. the group then opened Atlantic Social in Brooklyn followed by the Crown, a rooftop bar and lounge, in the 50 Bowery hotel in New York City’s Chinatown. i kidded him about the empire he has been building, one that has been years in the making. “hey, man, i’m just trying to carve out a little niche that hopefully people like. i thank my parents - my mom and dad are the most supportive people that i know. it’s a good ride,” he said. “Now is a good time. i have the energy to do it now.”

Our conversation shifted to one of the dishes they served that

evening. it was KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, Langka), an ilonggo dish and a nod to Dale’s roots. he said he thought on using KBL but then no one would understand the dish (except maybe for the handful of Filipinos present at the dinner). Someone suggested calling it Black Beans with Pork.

“Why are we trying to turn it into something it’s not? Let’s call it what it is – Pig’s Feet with Black Beans. if they don’t want to eat it, it’s on them,” Dale shared.

Sheldon nodded. “that’s the way i am cooking now, that chefs are saying to represent. it’s not even to represent, [i cook Filipino] because it is the right thing to do,” he said.

“You can’t say that any more honestly than that. it’s the right thing to do,” Dale said, smacking the table for emphasis.

serving up dining options at the us open Celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Josh Capon join an all-star chef lineup

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

thE last grand slam of the year started this week at Flushing Meadows and tennis fans around the world are excited to see what’s in store at this year’s US Open, from the lineup of topnotch players from across the globe competing for pride and glory to what to eat while waiting in between matches.

Last year, fans witnessed the

unveiling of the roof. this year, fans will miss the old Louis Armstrong as construction is ongoing to make a more modern tennis stadium. these are all part of the efforts to make sure that this fortnight event in New York City is at par with the other grand slam events across the globe.

Unlike other sports events, fans go to the US Open and stay there for hours, the entire day even. For them, the US Open is not just a sports event, it is also an entertainment

Chef David Burke explains the dishes he is going to serve as his fellow chefs look along.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

and dining experience.

Each year, more than 700,000 fans partake in the tournament’s unique and diverse culinary experience. this is why the people behind the fortnight event are prepared once the throngs of fans get hungry and thirsty, opening new hot spots and expanding dining options to include local artisanal offerings, fresh seafood and more global flavors. the food offerings at the Open range from the food court type to the more casual café and lounge and even to formal sit-down dinners. they have been working with some of the top names in the hospitality industry to provide the fans what they want.

Award-winning celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Josh Capon are joining Masaharu Morimoto, David Burke, tony Mantuano, and Momofuku founder David Chang in Continued on Page 6

From seafood, poke bowls, steak sandwich, tuna tartare and lobster rolls, the US Open Food Village offers a diverse selection of dishes for the visiting fans. Then they can celebrate more with the Honey Deuce, the famous US Open cocktail served at all the bars and restaurants this fortnight.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

Things that could make your case suspicious

While some children are born at home with the assistance of (Part 1) a hilot, most children are born Dear atty. Gurfinkel: in hospitals. If a child’s birth I have waited for over 12 years for certificate shows that he or she was an interview on my approved family delivered by a midwife, this could petition. I am very nervous about the create suspicion by the USCIS or upcoming interview and I am having Embassy that the birth certificate trouble sleeping because of all the was “manufactured” to conceal the stories I hear from friends and relatives circumstances of the child’s birth, about how hard it is. such as the parents’ marital status, I want this interview to go the child’s age, and/or who the real smoothly and with no problems. Is parents are. there anything that I could do in Age of mother when she advance, to avoid any suspicions gave birth about my case, and show the If a mother gave birth at a embassy I am truly entitled to my late age, this could create the visa? suspicion that she is not the T.M. biological mother of the applicant but, instead, the grandmother Dear T.M. or aunt. For example, if a birth Many people have gone to certificate indicates a mother was interviews (whether at the U.S. 55 years old at the time of the Embassy in the Philippines or at delivery of the child, the Embassy USCIS if they are in the U.S.) and will undoubtedly question wonder why the USCIS or Embassy whether she is truly the mother, has put them (or their case) under and may suggest blood tests investigation. They have to wait a (DNA) to establish the parent-child long time while their case is being relationship. The Embassy will investigated, wondering if they will want to make sure the child is not ever get their visa or green card. a grandchild, or niece, or nephew, There are several situations and the grandmother or aunt is just which could possibly trigger trying to bring in her grandchild suspicions, questions, or or grandnephew or niece into the investigations by the USCIS or United States.

Embassy concerning the person’s Tremendous age difference eligibility for the visa. You can among siblings avoid these situations, if you give Sometimes, a couple will have proper and truthful answers or several children one or two years explanations to the USCIS’ or apart, then wait for 15 to 20 years Embassy’s questions or concerns, before they have another child. (Or and avoid possible suspicions or claim the child was an “accidental investigation on your case. Some of pregnancy.”) This tremendous gap the more common areas of concern in their children’s age could create are: suspicions that the last child may Late-registered birth certificates not be a biological child. (i.e. the Births should be timely registered child may be their grandchild or the with the Local Civil Registrar and the child of another family member).

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In such a case, DNA blood tests If you present a late-registered birth may be requested. certificate for your child (especially A woman claims to be single if registered many years after birth), with no children, but a medical the USCIS or Embassy will require an exam discloses a history of explanation why the birth certificate pregnancies and deliveries. was registered “late.” Some When a person is ready to be people submit late registered birth interviewed at the U.S. Embassy certificates for many reasons. because his/her priority date Although you may have a is current (or visa is available), valid reason, a late registered birth that person is sent to St. Luke’s certificate is a cause for concern Hospital for a medical check-up with the Embassy or the USCIS. and exam. If the applicant is a Midwife births female who is being petitioned

as an unmarried daughter who claims she never gave birth, but a medical examination shows that she has given birth, this creates the suspicion that the woman maybe married, and she is trying to conceal the birth (and birth certificate of her child, which would disclose her marital status). If the visa she is applying for requires her to be single, the Embassy will definitely want to investigate and track down this “birth” before issuing her a visa (to make sure she is single and not date of marriage is on the birth certificate). (If you are truly single, but have children, please note that illegitimate children would not void or affect the “single” status of the parent).

In conclusion, if you believe you are legitimately entitled to immigration benefits, but the USCIS or the Embassy has concerns and suspicious of your case, I would suggest you retain a reputable immigration attorney to help prove your eligibility to the immigration benefit you are applying for, and/or overcome whatever suspicions the USCIS or Embassy may have on your case.

If you are not eligible to an immigration benefit, your application will ultimately be denied. You will only be wasting money, your time, the time of the USCIS and\or the U.S. Embassy in processing your “invalid” case or petition. ***

Michael J. gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the state bar of California and new York. all immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the state bar of California. each case is different. the information contained herein including testimonials, “success stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. no attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. website: www.gurfinkel.com Call toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the us: (866)—gurFinKel Four offices to serve you: los angeles · san FranCisCo · new YorK · philippines (advertising supplement)

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Caregiver petition allows isaaC to be reunited with his Children in the u.s. as green Card holders. driven by the desire to improve his life for his children’s sake, isaac (left) jumped ship when his ship docked at los angeles in 2007. Fortunately, he found an employer who was willing to petition him as a caregiver. the employer’s petition was approved, but isaac still had to wait several more years before his priority date was current and he was eligible for a green card. all that time, isaac could not return to the philippines due to his immigration status. but he still made that sacrifice, knowing it was the right way to do. For him, it was better to wait, if everything was done properly and legally. isaac knew he was in capable hands under the law offices of Michael J. gurfinkel, who helped obtain green cards for isaac and his two young sons. watch this happy family reunion on a brand-new episode of CitiZen pinoY – on sunday at 6:15 pm (pst) on tFC.

Anne Curtis to give away three free dream weddings

by Deni Rose BeRnaRDo Philstar.com

IN a recent press conference, Anne Curtis recalled her sweetest moments with fiancé Erwan Heussaff.

Of all the places that they have been, the actress and TV host said Paris is her favorite not only because her restaurateur boyfriend is half-French.

“I have a lot of memories in Paris with Erwan,” she began. “Just walking hand in hand in park stair as if we’re normal people. Wala lang, ang sweet!”

“We just sit down in a café with coffee and long conversations and no one knew who we were… it’s really just an ‘us’ time,” added the star.

Though she does not want to reveal her wedding details because she wants to keep it special, she described herself as “super relaxed as a bride” and hopefully, she would like to keep

is this the first of erwan heussaff and anne Curtis’ pre-nup photos? photo from anne Curtis’ instagram account

her hair short for the big day because she now feels weird having her long locks back.

As a children’s book author, she loves kids, but divulged that she and Erwan would probably hold back having children first after they get married.

“I love children! I really, really

do. But I don’t think I’m going to have one right away. After getting married, we’d wait for maybe a year so, so we can enjoy muna each other’s company and then travel na kami lang.

I have a group of friends who have kids and it really changes Continued on Page 6

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY SEpTEmbER 1, 2017

Philippine Madrigal Singers displays winning form in successful concert ‘Love of Country’, a project of PH Department of Tourism and Asian Journal Group launched with Undersecretary Kat de Castro as special guest by

ANNIE NEPOMUCENO

After a six-year absence in the Los Angeles concert scene, the award-winning Philippine Madrigal Singers, or the “Madz” for short, received thunderous applause from an enthusiastic audience at the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall at CSU-Northridge. It was a full house of adoring fans, and the hall filled with the phenomenal, refined and impressive voices by the choir, led by Mark Anthony Carpio.

The Madz gave three encores, with the crowd clamoring for more of the repertoire which included competition pieces in the first half, many of which are written by Madz in-house composers. The lighter side in the second half proved the versatility of the famed choir where John Legend’s “All of Me”, and Jimmy Borja’s “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” instantly became crowd favorites.

The Madz often spring surprises to its audience, and very well did so with the most applauded songs: Ryan Cayabyab’s “Da Coconut Nut” and the finale, Whitney Houston’s “Queen of the Night.”

As if their honed voices were not enough to impress, explosive stage presence and unexpected dance moves by the soloists surely wowed the audience.

Songs from various regions of the Philippines are a requisite part of the program, and the Madz has been the source of choral adaptations of such all over the world. Showing the diverse cultures were “Osi-Osi” and “Mamayug Akun” from Maguindanao, “Ili-Ili Tulog Anay” and the tagalog collection of playsongs “Tuksuhan”.

A sight to behold — the women in elegant gowns in multiple colors and the men dashing in their barongs — the group filed into its iconic seated semi-circle position.

This unique arrangement is borne of the group’s origin, when in 1963, founder Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion and other illustrious names in the U.P. College of

photos by

RICK GAVINO

Music, pulled Renaissance Madrigals from the 1500s from the library. Centuries ago, singing Madrigals was the main form of entertainment, when folks gathered around a table and sang music themselves.

In attendance were officials from the Department of Tourism, Undersecretary Katherine De Castro and Tourism Director Richmond Jimenez, who encouraged the audience to travel more and experience the riches of the Philippines, which aside from picturesque destinations, includes a wealth of cultural and artistic activity, as that provided by the Madz, a resident artist of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and a UNESCO Artist For Peace.

Launched at the concert was the “Love Of Country” campaign, in partnership with the Asian Journal with CEO Roger Oriel and Editor Christina Oriel in attendance.

Balikbayan Magazine Editor-inChief Raphael John Oriel, head of the project, presented the new website Loveofcountry.ph, a platform for global Filipinos to explore travel, invest, and create jobs in the Philippines.

The Madz, being a standard bearer and cultural ambassador for the Philippines, has been bringing not only pride to the country because of its unfettered winning streaks, but also international choirs and personalities in the choral music world. The Madz have brought into the Philippines the famed The King’s Singers and The Swingle Singers in sold out joint concerts in Manila, and will soon launch the Asia Grand Prix for Choral Singing Competition.

Original works from three composer/arrangers from the ranks of the Madz were presented that evening of August 19: “My Life In You” and “Tenderly” by Fr. Arnold Zamora, former assistant to Ryan Cayabyab and now ordained priest in San Francisco, “Lux Aeterna” and “Magnifikat” by Ily Matthew

Maniano, currently a male alto in this travelling batch, and “Agnus Dei” and “Kaisa-Isa Niyan” by Nilo Alcala, whose works have been performed at the prestigious Disney Hall by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Alcala is one of the numerous Madz Alumni based in Los Angeles, who also count prominent classical singers Sal Malaki of the LA Opera, Kit Navarro of the Pacific Chorale (OC), Ed Nepomuceno of the Harana Men’s Chorus, Sheen Sanchez of LAYA Children’s choir, and Annie Nepomuceno, performer/producer who managed production and touring of the Madz Southern California stop.

The concert is produced by the Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, who has been responsible for bringing and hosting the Madz since the late 1980s. Founders Dante and Ellen Honorico have long been supporting exemplary Filipino artists deserving of the stage, and the best cultural representatives.

The staff of the Valley Performing Arts Center was equally impressed, as most US organizations have not been fully acquainted with Filipino artists. They do recognize the need to serve our increasing demographic of FilipinoAmericans, and our support for excellent artists is what Balikbayan Magazine Editor-in-Chief Raphael John Oriel introduces they need to see. Instrumental the “Love of Country” project. to this is the media support of sponsors Asian Journal and TFC The Filipino Channel.

With the Madz unprecedented third qualification for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, and being the first in the world to win twice, the Filipino has further cemented its capacity for artistic excellence in Los Angeles.

The Madz continue on for the next five months touring the US before heading to Europe for the competition. For tour information, visit www. musicartsevents.com.

Philippine Department of Tourism Undersecretary Katherine De Castro gives welcome remarks after the intermission.

DOT-LA Director Richmond Jimenez, Ellen and Dante Honorico of Philippine Patron of the Arts-USA (PPA-USA) and Asian Journal CEO and publisher Roger Oriel

Madz receives standing ovation at the group’s concert on Saturday, August 19.

Madz with alumni, Harana Men’s Chorus, and Dante and Ellen Honorico of PPA-USA after the performance

Madz being acknowledged by host Annie Nepomuceno

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY SEpTEmbER 1, 2017

DOT UnDersecreTary KaT De casTrO On The Up anD cOming DesTinaTiOns TO visiT in The philippines Reiterates call for Fil-Ams to be tourism ambassadors

K

atherine “Kat” De Castro, the undersecretary of advocacy and public affairs for the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), was recently in Los Angeles to attend various community events and meetings to continue promoting the Philippines as a safe and fun destination.

She exclusively sat down with the Asian Journal to speak about the DOT’s plans to reach its 7 million tourist arrivals target by the end of the year, how it will engage millennials and up and coming places to visit during your next trip.

Asian Journal: What activities have you participated in during your current trip here in Los Angeles?

Kat De Castro: I arrived last Friday and the first thing I did was represent Secretary [Wanda Tulfo Teo] at the Philippine Madrigal Singers show on Saturday [August 19]. On the following day, I was one of the judges for Binibining Pilipinas USA. I’ve had back-to-back meetings, including one with NBC executives because we are looking for possible exposure for the Philippines in the Winter Olympics in 2018 and at the same time, come up with a documentary which they can film in the Philippines and show after the games. I’ve also had talks about bringing in legitimate social media influencers — those who have more than a million followers — so it’s going to be a media familiarization tour for them. We’re also looking at sports tourism, for example, with [boxer] Brian Viloria who wants to come up with a series of episodes of him flying back to the Philippines and tracing his roots while trying to inspire boxing among the youth.

AJ: How important is it as a representative of the DOT to come to overseas countries like the U.S. where there is a large Filipino population?

KDC: The Secretary has been busy with going to different countries all over the world.

Coming to LA, we all know has largest Filipino community in this side of the world, so it’s important for us to touch base in terms of even though, you all are Filipinos, you are considered tourists when you come to the Philippines. It’s our mission to ensure that you all go to the Philippines as often as you can to help us achieve our goals.

For 2017, our main goal is basically to achieve 7 million tourist arrivals. Last year it was 6 million. Next year, 8 million.

So it increases by a million every year.

AJ: Right now, how on track is the country with that target?

KDC: Currently, the Philippines is at 30 percent. We’re on track in terms of the fact that it’s half of the year and we’re reaching 3.5 million already. If ever we do fall short, it’ll be at least 2 percent at most. We’re doing everything we can to not just reach it but maybe more than 7 million for this year.

AJ: As undersecretary, your focus has been on bringing the second generation of Filipinos to the Philippines. What are your plans to achieve this?

KDC: Basically I handle all the non-traditional aspects of the DOT. Before there was no one taking care of social media and digital media. Nobody was there establishing connections with networks in the Philippines and abroad. Those are things I do under my division. If there’s a live event, like the Miss Universe or the World’s Strongest Man, it falls on my lap. If there’s a movie that wants to be shot in the Philippines, that also falls under me too.

It’s the new stuff that I do, which is really exciting.

The Secretary herself has made an appeal to all the FilipinoAmerican communities here in the states to trace back their roots.

We are appealing to their parents to let their kids come to the Philippines and find out about it. There was this case wherein the parents brought back their 13,14-year-old son and went to Boracay. The son said something like, “Why did you leave the Philippines?” These stories are basically the ones we touch on. We are going to come up with a [familiarization] tour for millennials, which would be like the Ambassadors Tour, but something really meant for that demographic.

We are also

coming up with travel packages that they can afford.

AJ: Internationally, there has been a lot of negative news about the Philippines. Despite that, however, how is the DOT maintaining that it is indeed still ‘more fun in the Philippines’?

KDC: We ask for a lot of budget in terms of promoting the Philippines. In fact, for 2018, we were granted P1 billion for branding alone, which shows that the government realizes the importance of marketing the Philippines to the rest of the world because of the not-so-good stuff coming out of the country.

But when you compare it to other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines still has the lowest budget when it comes to promoting the country. For us at the department, we try to come up with ways and means to have a wider reach without spending a lot. It’s pretty hard, but what do we do? We tap the hearts of members of Fil-Am communities

to become ambassadors of the Philippines.

AJ: On that note, how can Filipinos who don’t live in the Philippines be that word of mouth marketing for you?

KDC: Fil-Ams are very important for us because [non-Filipinos] probably hear a lot of things about the Philippines from the press.

President Trump tends to get compared to President Duterte.

It’s really up to the Fil-Ams to tell them, ‘You know what? Our country is not that bad at all.’ Sure, we have this thing going on in Mindanao but then, it’s thousands of miles away from the other islands in the country. I’m expecting FilAms to also tell people that we are a country of 7,107 islands. If there’s something happening on one island, there are 6,000 others to choose from.

AJ: Yes, Marawi is only a portion of the country. But in popular areas like Metro Manila, Palawan and Boracay, what is being done to ensure that they are still safe?

KDC: At the top destinations, you can always expect a lot of security. Not only just that — when it comes to emergencies, you have all the medical teams on standby,

you have the police and army.

Palawan right now is very much well-guarded, especially now since we are expecting an influx of tourists to that region because it’s the No.1 island in the world.

We have to make sure that every time the tourists come there, they feel safe and in case there are emergencies, they wouldn’t have to worry because we have those resources on standby. I can guarantee it’s safe.

AJ: In addition to the beaches, what other activities and destinations is the DOT promoting?

KDC: Since there is so much interest in Filipino cuisine, we are promoting the gastronomic delights of the Philippines. We are also promoting the country as a wedding destination, so those are the two things on the Secretary’s agenda. At the same time, cruise tourism is very important since we are an archipelago, it’s something we are hoping will take off in the next few years.

AJ: Any specific destinations, not just Palawan or Boracay, that the department is highlighting?

KDC: One is Siargao, which is even though, it’s in Mindanao, people still go there because it’s the surfing mecca of the Philippines. The waves there are very much like those on the North Shore of Hawaii. Another one would be Balesin in Luzon, which is now considered a wedding destination as well. Also Vitalis in Santiago, Ilocos Sur. Then, Siquijor, the mystical island. For quite some time, they weren’t able to market Siquijor because of the stigma. If you go there, there are stories about the aswang and mangkukulam. But now, the province is embracing that by promoting that as the mystical island. If you want to let someone fall in love with you, come to Siquijor because there’s a love potion for you. We can make gayuma for you. Now a lot of foreigners are really going for not just the mysticism, but be-

cause there are many unspoiled beaches there.

Another would be Romblon, which has a place called the Carabao Island. It’s what Boracay used to look like before they started building those hotels.

AJ: What is being done to make tourists stay in Metro Manila, not just treat it like a landing pad before going to another destination in the country?

KDC: Our template for Metro Manila is actually Singapore. For Singapore, it has tended to be a connector to other places in Southeast Asia. We’re trying to build Metro Manila in such a way that once you land, you’d like to stay for two more nights because we have the best shopping areas, best food, and of course, the historical part of the city, Intramuros, we are reviving that now.

These are steps being done for Metro Manila and hopefully, we will solve the traffic soon.

AJ: Your favorite destination in the Philippines?

KDC: My favorite destination in the Philippines — I would take out the family ties because I could say Davao or Mindoro because I’m from there. But I would say Batanes, which is on the tip of the Philippines.

There are three islands up there: Sabtang, Itbayat and Batan. On a good day, you could actually see Taiwan already. It’s one of the most relaxing places in the Philippines wherein you can commune with God. You can just sit there and look at the stars and clouds. I think it’s one of those provinces that has zero crime rate. If you leave your iPhone on the street, you will still see it there the following day. It’s just unfortunate that it’s a destination you can’t go to all year round. Every time it’s typhoon season, it shuts down completely because that’s where the typhoon exits.

But I hope there will be measures done to make it a year round destination because it’s beautiful. n

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY S E P T E M B E R 1 , 20 1 7

LBC Passport Program rewards loyal customers in US and Canada

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places BOBBY T. YALONG

WHILE education fuels man to strive even farther beyond and his objective inspiringly motivates leader in retail and corporate courier him to aspire for higher goals, it is while money product has a value LBC continues to find ways & cargo, money remittance, and of 1.0. One has to have at least to care for their loyal customers society and the community where logistics services. With a growing 25 points to qualify. Discounted and make certain that they are he lives that keeps him constantly network of over 6,400 branches, transactions, however, do not earn rewarded. Recently, LBC North driven to achieve gratification which eventually defines the truest hubs & warehouses, partners, points.

America launched a passport essence of his purpose in life. and agents in over 30 countries, Each point earned is exclusive program for customers in the U.S. The fundamental quintessence LBC is committed to moving lives, only to the customer and nonand Canada. of success is self-fulfillment after businesses, and communities transferrable. If a customer opts U.S. customers (from July 15, constantly trying. And since and delivering smiles around the to donate the points earned to 2017) and Canada Customers everything on earth is ephemeral world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Project Pearls, they will receive a (from August 15, 2017), who and fleeting, success is best valued Exchange through LBC Express tax deductible receipt within 60 transacted whether through an when selflessly shared, genuinely Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver days of point conversion.

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2018. to a cash card or donation to success is the accordance of a due Today, it is the most trusted logistics For more details on the the CSR project - Project Pearls recognition and appreciation for brand of the Global Filipino. LBC promo, patrons can visit any - once a customer attains a certain what he has contributed not only can move it for you: visit www.

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1-888-652-2522 in Canada. sea large or extra-large products’ The undiminished LBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter). *** value is 5.0; for air products is manifestations of every man’s LBC is the Philippines’ market 2.5; VIP services have 2.5 value; (Advertising Supplement) intellectual achievements and unprecedented global status has consistently been the boosting power in their unsurpassed competence to uphold and commemorate habituated centuryold tradition even across the miles and seas. That despite the unrelenting growth, development, evolution, social modernization, and new edifying adjustment, the innate cultural dynamics they brought along with them had (L-R) AC Bonifacio (@andreebonifacio), Jane de Leon (@janedeleon_official), Ylona Garcia (@ylonagarcia) and Bailey May (@baileymay) defied all these changes. They Photos from their Instagram accounts persistently and firmly embrace the culture and tradition they were born and grew-up with…especially the annual observance of a grand festivity which is the Fiesta in America.

It was through the initiative only male representative. Despite of “Its Showtime’s” all-female dance STAR Magic artists AC of Nanding Mendez and the this, the Filipino-British teen star group, GirlTrends.

Bonifacio, Jane de Leon, Ylona late Mila Mendez, the founding couple of Fiesta in America, that from “Pinoy Big Brother 737” is not But for all of them, it is more Garcia and Bailey May left for Los Empowerment Awards came about to rest easy during their than a dream come true to be Angeles, California on August 26 to light about nine years ago trainings. able to represent the country on a after being selected as finalists to and the prestigious honor went “I’m very determined and I’m global platform. vie for a slot in an upcoming global mentally stable. I’ve envisioned my progressively more dynamic as one Garcia, who rose to fame as a pop group called Now United. of the most coveted awards since. future. I’ve envisioned it before and “Pinoy Big Brother 737” housemate, The four official Philippine Ably chaired by the inexorable it’s already happening and this is said, “Sabi nila you should make representatives were selected by and unrelenting mover-and-doer the same,” he said. sure that youe life is worth being Now United creator and “American Darlene Borromeo, this year’s After the training, the best told so I want to make sure that Idol” producer Simon Fuller to join of the best—11 in total—will be mine is going to be a good one. the 46 other finalists from around immediately be selected as official It’s also my dream to make it in the globe for a weeklong’s worth members of Now United.

America, not just for myself but of dance, vocal, styling and social Rather than compete with also to represent the Philippines media workshops. each other, the four teeners vowed and it’s also for my friends and Bonifacio, de Leon, Garcia to support one another, no matter family.” and May bested fellow artists in who makes the cut.

Meanwhile, Bonifacio may be the ABS-CBN talent management “Ang samin lang, gagawin the youngest among the four, but group who also auditioned for the namin namin ang best namin to she is confident she has something Now United committee. represent the Philippines and Star to offer the talent bootcamp. This “I didn’t expect this kasi I Magic,” de Leon averred. youngster rose to fame as one-half can sing but I’m not a singer and All participants of the of “Dance Kids” winning team dumating sa point na nagkaweeklong will return to their Lucky Aces. shortlist. Nagulat ulit ako kasi respective countries after selection.

“Siguro yung dance ang nakapasok ulit ako. Tapos nagThose chosen to be part of the mai-bibigay ko because I’m really submit na kami ng dance cover. pop group will only be required to passionate about it. I’m going to Ayun hindi ko inexpect na napili ako return to the U.S. in January 2018 give it my all,” she promised. kasama ang apat,” de Leon said to begin preparations for a world Last but not the least, May just before flying out to LA. The tour. (ManilaTimes.net) rounds up Team Philippines, as the pretty teener rose to fame as part

‘American Idol producer searches the world for Now United

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 SEPTEMBER 1-4

Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept.

2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.

S E P T E M B E R 1 5 -1 7

Liliwenos reunion in Las Vegas, NV Calling all Liliwenos living all around the world! There will be a three-day reunion in Las Vegas, NV starting with a picnic on Friday, Sept. 15 at Silverado Ranch Park. On Saturday, Sept. 16, it is a dinner/dance party at the Palace Station (2411 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102) at 5 p.m. The attire is semi-formal and costs $50 / person. Souvenir t-shirts cost $10 regardless of size. Deadline of payment for both the reunion and t-shirt cost is August 31 to be sent to Ms. Nerri Monteagudo at 9252 Bronze River, Las Vegas, Nevada 89149. On Sept.

17, participants are free to explore the Strip and other Vegas activities. For more information, please contact Bob and Nerri Monteagudo at (702) 339-3838; Carmen P. Manguin (702) 526-8005; Loida Borgonos at (201) 654-5482; or Fred Polistico at (818) 527-3476.

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

FIA confers Empowerment Awards to a batch of recipients of distinction

David B. Domingo, ANP, MS, Robyn Begley, DNP RN NEA- Jackie Jacalan-Baras, MSN, BSN, RN BC MBAHCS, RN

Luis Ferdinand Pedron

Nicolas Caraquel, ESQ

Rolan & Myrna Gutierrez

roster of awardees consists of unambiguously very accomplished community figures and reputable professionals that are all more than deserving of the award and recognition bestowed on them.

Darlene, in her years of effectual stewardship of Empowerment Awards, didn’t leave a stone unturned to be able to come up with praiseworthy and truly commendable recipients. In her unprecedented commitment and strong advocacy to recognize outstanding Filipino-American community leaders who distinctly exemplify the core of success worth emulating, Darlene, with the aid of Fiesta in America core group, made sure that her choices are personalities with exemplary achievements in their chosen profession.

Get to know Fiesta in America’s 2017 Empowerment Awardees: Jackie Jacalan-Baras, MSN, MBA/HCS, RN for Human Rights Advocacy A Quality Nurse Manager of Perioperative Services for RJW Barnabas New Brunswick and

Rebecca Dolly Rivera, MD

Empowerment Awards Chair Darlene Borromeo & Hubby

Somerset campuses in New Jersey, Jackie is ably armed with over 20 years of experience as a professional Registered Nurse having served the organization as Clinical Nurse, Head Nurse, Nurse Director, Home Care Planner, Case Manager, and Nurse Educator.

Jackie pioneered in establishing the first LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Employee Resource Group PROUD (Promoting Respect, Outreach, Understanding and Dignity) in RWJUH New Brunswick and Somerset.

A recipient of Nurse District Recognition from the 2nd Magnet Designation RWJBH-Somerset, she is currently working with the New Jersey Hospital Association and Garden State Equality to create a hospital best practice tool kit for more welcoming sensitive and culturally competent care for LGBT patients, Jackie sits on the Board of Directors of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s largest advocacy group for the LGBTQIA community.

Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, Continued on Page SF3

Serving up dining options...

From Page 2 serving their dishes and specialties for the fans.

Chang brought his Fuku brand to the US Open last year.

Fuku is famous for its fried chicken sandwich and the seemingly endless lines at their East Village outpost is proof that this chicken is a hit.

This year, Chang announced that they are introducing two additions exclusively served at the Food Village of the US Open - their own kind of burger called Fuku 163, using Pat LaFrieda beef ($14) and a dessert collaboration with Chef Wylie Dufresne, the double berry donut ice cream sandwich.

Morimoto’s sushi and sashimi have been a staple at the Open and Morimoto said he has no plans of changing that.

If more beef is your thing, Pat LaFrieda has one for you. It is their Black Angus filet mignon

steak sandwich ($18) served with Monterey Jack, caramelized onion and au jus.

Then there’s Korilla BBQ, a famous food-truck in New York which is offering KBOP Bulgogi ($15) a rice bowl with thinly sliced ribeye steak, caramelized kimchi, bean sprouts, fire-roasted corn and garlic spinach. If you have more space in your tummy, order a side of the Kimcheese Fries, waffle fries topped with cheese sauce, kimchi, pico de gallo, green onion and shredded seaweed.

Korilla also operates a poke stand called Poke Yachty, which serves signature poke bowls where diners have a choice of classic tuna, spicy tuna, salmon, crab and shrimp and tofu.

Now, if you’re more of the sit down dinner type, make reservations for the full-service restaurants inside the Ashe Stadium.

Anne Curtis to give away three free...

From Page 3 eh. Parang when you want to travel, ‘di na pwede ‘yung basta basta na lang aalis. Or when you book a restaurant, iba ‘pag may baby. So, we will wait for that and just travel more to all the exotic places na gusto naming puntahan.”

Although she marks her 20th year in showbiz this year, she does not feel that getting married would make her feel older.

“Of course not! You’ve got so many young moms, young brides who got married at the age of 25.

So, feeling ko, hindi naman s’ya nakakatanda. In fact, I feel like I’m such a late bloomer na nga. But I think that’s because times have changed. Women have become more career-driven and now have other priorities. During the time of my mom, 18 pa lang kinakasal na sila. Hindi s’ya nakakatanda. It’s just that priorities have changed.”

In fact, even after the wedding, she still will not accept mother roles and she plans to continue what she is doing.

“My personality is so active and out there… As long as

There’s Aces for local and seasonal seafood creations by Ed Brown, creator of Ed’s Chowder House, and sushi prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Champions Bar & Grill where David Burke is at the helm.

Also reservation-only is Mojito Restaurant under the help of Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

And because summer is about to be over, how about some lobster rolls courtesy of Josh Capon of Lure Fishbar whose Lobster BLT ($25) is topped with applewoodsmoked bacon and Jersey tomato on brioche, served with salt and vinegar chips.

Yes, there’s a dish for every single one in the family.

From fresh seafood to Korean, Vietnamese or Indian to hearty farm-to-form fare to the classics pizza and burger, the US Open is an ephemeral culinary experience that is not to be missed. you maintain your body, your appearance, you can still portray any role you think is bagay for you. But I respect din naman the actresses. I will not change much in the industry. It’s only my last name that’s changing.”

Indeed, Anne is already looking forward to walking down the aisle toward Erwan.

“I’m excited for everything that will come our way, maybe, how we’ll live alone together.”

To share her happiness and excitement with others who also want to have a dream wedding just like hers, the actress recently introduced Dream Machine, a platform that hopes to stop

Wycoco bows out of race for top PIDCI post

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Seeks Board seat instead

As the elections for leadership of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) nears and heats up, Tambi Wycoco, who originally announced he would be seeking the presidency has decided to seek, instead, one of the seven to-be-vacated seats in the Board of Directors of PIDCI. Asked the reason for the change of heart, Wycoco said one has to understand the politics of PIDCI to come up with the logical reason. He added that over the last months when he started telling people he wanted to run for President of PIDCI, he was repeatedly told he could not win against one of the candidates for President.

In short, Wycoco said, realization and reality set in. so he changed course, and seeks, along with his original group of candidates a seat on the Board of Directors. Wycoco

Tambi Wycoco

says, he can still do many of the improvements he wants to introduce to the operations of PIDCI while being on the Board.

Wycoco boasts of his extensive experience in the

operations of PIDCI, having served on its Board of Directors for a total of five (5) years. He had been an active volunteer in the annual staging of the Philippine Independence Anniversary celebrations from the time of the original Philippine Independence Day Committee, the original ad hoc organization under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General that started the yearly multi-event, almostyear-long celebrations in 1990 up to the present day which has been, since 2002, managed and presented by the incorporated PIDCI (Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc.) Aside from Wycoco, those in his group seeking a seat on the PIDCI Board of Directors for 2017 to 2019 are: Robert Aguirre, Rachell Bañez, Eduardo Cabello, Albert Diala, Art Diongon, Laura Garcia.

FIA confers Empowerment Awards...

From Page 6 NEA-BC for Career Development & Professional Equality Robyn is the Vice-President of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer of AtlantiCare, a member of Geisinger Health system aside from having had held leadership positions at the said company which included Director, Clinical Resource Management; Fellow and Director, Total Quality Management; Director, Coordinator, Obstetrics and Pediatrics; and Consumer Advocate.

Armed with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from NJUMD, a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Widener University in Pennsylvania, and her Bs Degree in Nursing from Georgetown, University in Washington, DC, she served as a team leader for Joint Commission surveys of ARMC and led it to become the 105th hospital in the nation to achieve the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program, Magnet designation for Excellence in Nursing in 2004, and as a Magnet hospital in 2008 and 2013.

Begley sits on the Board of American Organization of nurse Executives, the Committee Chair of the NJ Nursing Initiative, member of the Nurse.com Advisory Board, Atlantic Cape Community College Nursing Advisory Board, and NJ Consortium of magnet Organizations.

EMPLOYMENT

Nicolas Caraquel, ESQ for Legal Profession Atty. Caraquel’s professional skills cut across a wide range of industries: from engineering and supply chain management to factory optimization to labor relations and to Immigration Law. Prior to his becoming a barrister Caraquel distinguished himself at Nestle UsA and Philippine facilities. In Florham Park, NJ he served as supply Chain Continuous Improvement and Continuous Excellence Manager, in Kentucky he earned high marks as an Industrial Performance Engineer-Leader, and HR ExecutiveCorporate Labor Relations while affiliated with Nestle Philippines as Distribution Center Network Head.

Caraquel earned his six sigma Black Belt Certified (Basic) Bachelor of Laws from Xavier University, Philippines and his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Ateneo de Davao University.

Atty. Caraquel is a lifetime member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

David B. Domingo, ANP, MS, BSN, RN for Humanitarian Service Currently Director of Preferred Professional Medical Care’s skilled Nursing Facilities and Rehab/ Assisted Living Facilities / Group Homes, David is being recognized for his body of work in the field of Geriatric Care and Rehabilitation.

A dyed-in-the-wool Divine Word University alumnus (Philippines) where he earned his Bs in Nursing degree, David sustained his academic excellence even at stony Brook University in NY where he graduated Magna cum Laude in 2002 with a Master’s of science degree in Adult Care.

A nursing graduate from st. Luke’s Medical Center, he previously served as Asst. Medical Director at Affinity skilled L:iving and Rehabilitation Center and at the suffolk Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation after having served as Nurse Practitioner at Haven Medical services of the Woodhaven Center for Care aside from being an Employee Health services Director at Island Nursing and Rehab Center, Interim Director of Nursing at Patchogue Nursing Center, and Nursing supervisor at Woodhaven Nursing Home.

Rolan and Myrna Gutierrez for Entrepreneurship It was love for computers and real estate that brought the enterprising couple together. The husband-and-wife tandem behind Fil-Am Who’s Who, a magazine about Fil-Am success stories, Rolan and Myrna were the moving spirits that fueled the success of fashion guru Rene salud’s “Tatak salud” and Fashion Arts Autism Benefit Fashion show…and not to forget the recent concerts Pinoy talents Basil Valdez, Rey Valera, and Rachel

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Actress Wyn Marquez ready for Miss World Philippines finals ACTREss Winwyn Marquez will go for the win at the finals of Miss World Philippines 2017 on september 3.

The daughter of actors and politicians Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno and half sister of actors Mark Anthony Fernandez and Vandolph Quizon has sought the help of internationally renowned Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran to create her gown for the pageant.

Wyn was a finalist in the talent competition of Miss World Philippines 2017.

Prior to Miss World Philippines, Marquez represented Parañaque City at the Binibining Pilipinas 2015 contest, by which she was among the 15 finalists and winner of three special awards: Best in National Costume, she’s so JAG Award and Miss Talent.

Alejandro.

A University of the Philippines alumnus, Rolan was in Australia when he was recruited for a computer consulting job in the Us. Besides being a professional photographer he is also an associate real estate broker while Myrna graduated from Maryknoll College and currently works as a computer programmer in Manhattan.

Both 2017 NY Mets Filipino Heritage awardees. Rolan and Myrna are longtime members of the Knights and Ladies of RizalLong Island Chapter.

Luis Ferdinand Pedron for Arts and Cinema The co-founder /Festival Director and Programmer of the International Film Festival Manhattan, Luis was also the Festival Director for Asians on Film Festival in North Hollywood 2013, as well as Festival Director for the One FILAM Film Festival Hollywood 2013.

An award-winning short film maker, Pedron has won as Best Directing award and Best Documentary Video at the NY International Independent Film and Video Festival for his

Winwyn Marquez

Photo from her Instagram account

On sunday, sept. 3, Wyn will compete against 34 others for the crown that will determine the country’s representative for the 2017 Miss World beauty pageant in China.

Wyn starred in the 2017 remake of GMA’s “Encantadia”

and on the network’s primetime fantasy series “Mulawin vs.

Ravena.”

Miss World Philippines 2017 will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena and will be aired on GMA (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/ Philstar.com)

documentary, VIP (Very Important Pinoys) which honored Fil-Am seniors in Elmhurst, Queen; and Party Games, which he co-directed with Mark Levitt, won the Best Director Award at the short Films at the NYIFVF 2004.

A professional actor and member of the screen Actors Guild / AFTRA Union and voting member of the sAG Awards since 1998, Pedron is currently in the works producing sarwar Habib short film Made in China which production starts this Fall.

Rebecca “Dolly” Rivera, MD for Humanitarian Services Dr. Dolly graduated from the UsT College of Medicine and surgery in Manila, started training as a rotating intern at the Coney Island Hospital in NY, and underwent OB-Gyn training at st. Claire’s Hospital in Manhattan. she served as a house physician in Ob-Gyn at the Doctors’ Hospital in Manhattan and the JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ and later pursued private practice following her passing the board where she served as secretary of her department then as Chair of the department’s Peer Review Committee.

Her relentless drive for excellence took its reward when she became secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President, and President of the JFK Medical-Dental staff, the only Asian woman to hold the position up to the present. While in practice, Dr. Dolly and a partner opened a nursing home for geriatric patients.

For the past 35 years the facility has sponsored nurses, nurses’ aides, and housekeepers .

Now retired, she’s involved in medical missions to the Philippines under the auspices of the GC Rivera Foundation and other charitable institutions.

“These Empowerment Awardees are factual testaments to the truest efficacy of the Filipino spirit,” Darlene candidly accentuated with a tone of pride. “Through this award we acknowledge and celebrate the successes and achievements of leaders in the community. They are the cream of the crop that would indubitably inspire others, motivate the youth, and later build a better community for future generations to survive and thrive.”

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

SERVICES

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