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Volume 10 – Issue 20 • 16 Pages

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Cayetano defends PH drug war campaign, will discuss issue before UN

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA & DANA SIOSON AJPress

DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is New York to attend 72nd UN General Assembly, met with members of the Fil-Am and Manila-based media at a press briefing held Wednesday, Sept. 20 at the Philippine Consulate General.

Cayetano is set to discuss the Philippine government’s campaign against illegal drugs before the United Nations (UN) on Saturday, Sept. 23. He is expected to deliver the chief executive’s message for the international community to unite against terrorism, nuclear weapons New York Consul General Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega and Foreign Affairs and other common threats Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano during a press briefing at the Philippine Consulate

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USA

DATELINE Filipina appointed to Trump admin’s Community Development Advisory Board

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 20, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and discussed various issues concerning some of the administration’s policies.

A Palace statement released on Thursday, September 21, said among the issues tackled include the Philip-

New bill gives states more autonomy over health care funding, slashes Medicaid funding

THIS year, congressional Republicans have been looking to act on its years-long party pledge of repealing the Affordable Healthcare Act (aka Obamacare) by implementing the party’s own health care bill.

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tions have been always within the bounds of the law.

The president also maintained that the administration “never condone” abusive policemen, citing the arrest order against the officers involved in the killing of 17year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos.

He further reiterated his commitment to end the “vicious and toxic” drug problem, which he said, could

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

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Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales

DFA: No Filipino casualties Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco as Solicitor General in deadly Mexico quake

by DANA

SIOSON

AJPress

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GOP makes last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare

PNA photo by Joy Gumatay

pine government’s “strong policies” against illegal drugs and terrorism in the country.

During their meeting, Kim told Duterte that he understands the challenges being faced by the administration in fighting drug menace.

Kim further cited the need to facilitate the investigation of drug-related deaths “to ensure continued people’s confidence in the government.”

In response, Duterte affirmed that anti-drug opera-

SIOSON AJPress

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intent to appoint a Filipina community leader to a key administration post, the White House announced on Friday, Sept. 15.

Faith Bautista, the president and CEO of the National Diversity Coalition (NDC) and

ONE VOICE. Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte from Olongapo City do the fist-bump gesture at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila where other rallyists will gather to show their support to the President in observance of the National Day of Protest on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Duterte tackles drug war, CHR budget in meeting with US envoy

by DANA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Faith Bautista

General on Thursday, Sept. 21.

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it has not received any reports of Filipino casualties in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico on Tuesday, September 19.

More than 200 people were killed and a still undetermined number of individuals were injured in the powerful tremor that toppled buildings in the country, including the heavily damaged Philippine Embassy in Mexico.

The embassy occupies the first two floors of an eight-story office building in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood near the city center.

Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Eduardo de Vega said all the embassy staff were able get out of the building unhurt when debris started

to fall. They were also able to check the condition of the 60-member Filipino community in Mexico City.

“We are all a bit shaken but otherwise all of us from the embassy are all right,” De Vega said in a message to Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

In a statement, Cayetano offered his sympathy and prayers to Mexico.

“The people of Mexico are again in our thoughts and prayers today,” the Philippines’ top diplomat said. “We offer our sympathies to the Mexican Government and to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.”

According to the United States Geological Survey, the magnitude 7.1 quake was centered near the Puebla state town of Raboso, about 76 miles (123 kilometers) southeast of Mexico

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Palace: National Day of protest a ‘healthy exercise of democracy’

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

HIDDEN FLAVORS OF THE PHILIPPINES. Team Purple Yam led by Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan are on their way to a four-city North American culinary tour to promote Filipino ingredients and cuisine. See full story on LifEastyle Magazine page 4.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

MANILA - The National Day of Protest is a “healthy exercise of democracy,” Malacañang said on Thursday, September 21, as various groups rallied against some policies of the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and the dictatorship of late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Earlier this week, Duterte signed Proclamation 316, declaring September 21 as a National Day of Protest. The date also coincides with the 45th anniversary of the nationwide Martial Law declaration in 1972.

“Today, September 21, the nation observes its first National Day of Protest, when people from all walks of life and persuasion can freely hold marches, dem-

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by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

YORK - The United States Senate voted 50-47 on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to confirm Noel John Francisco, President Donald Trump’s nominee as solicitor general.

Francisco, a Filipino-American, is the first Asian-American confirmed by the Senate to serve as solicitor general.

He has served as the principal deputy solicitor general since January of this year.

“Noel Francisco is a great choice for this tough job, and Noel John Francisco Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com I urge colleagues to join me in supporting him,” Senate Ma- tation for skillful analysis and jority Leader Mitch McConnell clear, forceful advocacy is inon the chamber floor prior to disputable, and he has been a his confirmation. “The Office consistent advocate for the rule of the Solicitor General is re- of law and a steadfast defender sponsible for representing the of the Constitution.

United States in litigation be“I am confident that Noel fore the Supreme Court. It’s a will continue to be a tireless very important office, and Mr. champion for justice and look Francisco is well qualified to forward to him being a central lead it.” figure in our commitment to “I applaud the Senate for fi- the classical understanding of nally confirming Noel Francisco law and jurisprudence.” to be the United States Solicitor It is the duty of the United General. Noel is a brilliant and States solicitor general to conprincipled lawyer with an excel- duct and supervise the govlent record of appellate work,” ernment’s litigation at the Susaid Attorney General Jeff Ses- preme Court. sions in a statement. “His repu-

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A september 22-28, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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From the Front Page

Cayetano defends PH drug war...

PAGE A1 t “We will stick with the theme, which talks about peace, stability and a more equitable share of wealth. Yes, I will be talking a little bit about the campaign against drugs,” Cayetano said. “We’re going to assure the world that things are going to be done according to the rule of law, that human rights are going to be respected but we’re also going to tell the world that they cannot judge from their point of view. They have to judge from the Filipino point of view and how drugs are affecting Filipinos.”

During the event, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said Cayetano will also discuss the need to address the threats posed by the Islamic State, as well as the continuing missile test launches and detonations by North Korea.

Likewise, the Philippines’ top diplomat will share the government’s efforts in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

“For this general assembly, the president has decided to focus on domestic issues such as the war in Marawi,” Cayetano said, responding to a question if President Duterte will attend next year’s UN meeting. “The President made a vow in the past, rather a statement, of not stepping on U.S. soil specially in that argument with then President Obama but President Trump has invited him and we have good relations so I do not know right now if he will consider it in the future.”

At the briefing, Cayetano discussed the Duterte administration’s independent foreign policy initiatives focusing on putting the national interest in the center of it all; placing priority on the welfare, protection and convenience of the overseas Filipino workers

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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano signs the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on the sides of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, September 20.

Photo from the DFA

and the country’s economic diplomacy.

For the last part, the secretary said President Duterte has instructed the members of the economic team to “show what the Philippines has to offer, how we’re making business easier and that policy is consistent”.

Trade has grown with the EU, China, Japan according to the secretary, and they are looking at the potential of more intra-Asean trade.

“Basically, it’s what businessmen want – no corruption, no unpredictable policy framework, infrastructure and peace and order. Of course, the elephant in the room is human rights,” Cayetano said.

“The war on drugs, the campaign against criminality is not a campaign to violate anyone’s human rights, but to protect the rights of all 105 million Filipinos,” he added. “The responsibility of the President is first and foremost to the Filipino people and keeping them safe.”

The Foreign Affairs secretary is also scheduled to deliver a high policy address at the Asia Society and attend meetings with the Asean along with bilateral meetings with partners on the sidelines of the general assembly.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Cayetano’s participation in this annual event marks his first appearance in the world stage since he assumed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs earlier in June.

The UN has repeatedly condemned the Philippine government’s crackdown on narcotics over its linked alleged summary killings and human rights abuses.

Just last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he is “gravely concerned” about Duterte’s “open support for a shoot-to-kill policy” against crime suspects.

But in response, Malacañang said that Al Hussein’s claims run counter to what Duterte has ordered, stressing that Duterte “has categorically and repeatedly said that there is no shoot-to-kill order.”

Other meetings Locsin said Cayetano will also attend the 4th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Pacific Alliance Foreign Ministers Meeting; the 41st Annual Meeting for Foreign Ministers of the Group of 77; and the ASEAN-Mercosur Foreign Ministers Meeting.

In addition, Cayetano is expected to host an informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and attend the bloc’s meeting with the president of the 72nd UN General assembly and the UN Secretary General.

Cayetano will likewise have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Colombia, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and the Vatican.

DFA: No Filipino casualties...

City.

This came around two weeks after a powerful 8.1 magnitude quake hit the country last September 7, killing 90 people.

It also falls on the 32nd anniversary of the deadliest quake that hit Mexico and left roughly 10,000 people dead in 1985.

The U.S. government also extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Mexico affected by today’s 7.1-magnitude earthquake and other recent natural disasters. We stand ready to provide assistance should our neighbors

request our help,” U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

“Our embassy in Mexico City has sent out public messages to U.S. citizens in Mexico, and the embassy stands ready to provide consular assistance to any U.S. citizens who may have been affected,” she added.

FIFTH VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte went to Marawi City on Thursday, Sept. 21, his fifth visit since government troops started fighting with Islamic State-inspired terrorists on May 23. Just a day before, the military said that the fighting was nearing its end with the retaking of major strongholds of the Maute Group and its supporters. During his visit, Duterte repeated his statement that no celebration would take place when the military had finally retaken the city. Instead, he said government troops would quietly leave the city after clearing it of enemies and improvised explosive devices.

Malacañang photo

Palace: National Day of protest...

PAGE A1 t onstrations, public assemblies, and all forms of mass action to express their grievances against perceived or actual excesses and/or shortcomings of the government,” Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

He further added that it also serves as “an opportune time for those in the government to hear the voice of the governed as part of our efforts to uphold the highest standards of good governance.”

According to Malacañang, the proclamation was made “in solidarity with the people’s call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government and with the people’s desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.”

Thousands of protesters gathered at various areas in Manila, including Luneta Park, Plaza Miranda, and Mendiola, among others. Rallies were generally peaceful, and there were no reported major untoward incident amid demonstrations.

In Luneta, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) slammed the alleged

summary killings in Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The group, which received this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, dubbed as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, expressed their sentiment through performance and jazzy song entitled, “Quota”.

“Meron quota, quota, kailangan pa ng quota. Basta may mapagbubuntunan, tapos kunwari nanlaban! (There’s a quota, quota, we need to have a quota.

Just as long as we can dump it all on someone and pretend they fought back!),” the group sang, referring to the police’s alleged quota or target number of killing drug suspects.

The group also took a swipe at the House of Representatives for cutting the 2018 budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to a measly P1,000 from the original P678 million. The House later restored the agency’s budget.

In Mendiola, rallyists torched what they called the “Rody’s Cube,” which sides had painted face of Duterte, Marcos, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and a puppy or “tuta.”

“Never Again! Never Again to Martial Law!” protesters can be

heard shouting as they burn the cube.

Duterte has imposed the entire Mindanao under martial law in the wake of pro-Islamic State (IS) group attack in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Congress extended the proclamation until the end of the year. Some expressed fear that Duterte might also declare martial law nationwide.

But apart from anti-administration rallyists, pro-Duterte groups can also be seen expressing their support for the president.

In Plaza Miranda, supporters can be seen clenching their fists—the president’s trademark gesture—as they chant “Duterte, Duterte, Duterte!”

The crowd of supporters can also be seen raising banners that read: “Ituloy ang pagbabago (Continue the change),” and “Ramdam namin ang tunay na pagbabago (We can feel the true change).” Duterte’s campaign slogan in last year’s presidential elections was “Change is coming.”

Likewise, they voiced their support towards Duterte’s crackdown on narcotics, as well as his push for the government shift to Federalism. n

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Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco...

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His father, Nemesio Majaraiz Francisco immigrated from The 48-year-old Francisco is the Philippines and according not a newbie in the legal world. to an article on Syracuse.com, In fact, even prior to his nominaspoke “little English and without tion, he was already known in much money, to pursue a medithe legal community. cal career that took him Oswego “Mr. Francisco has successin 1971 and became one of the fully argued a number of commost beloved doctors in Oswego plex cases before a number of — taking calls at home and on courts including, notably, the weekends — before succumbing case of National Labor Relations to cancer at age 53 in 1989”.

Board v. Noel Canning before In his statement before the the Supreme Court. In that matSenate Judiciary Committee, ter, he represented the plaintiff Photo courtesy of AboveTheLaw.com Francisco spoke fondly of his faNoel Canning in its successful “While at Jones Day, he ap- ther and the adversity he had to challenge to President Obama’s peared several times before go through before settling in the unlawful, so-called recess ap- the Supreme Court, including United States to pursue his studpointments,” McConnell added. in McDonnell v. United States, ies in medicine.

“That case is especially impor- which involved the meaning of Mr. Chairman, it is with a deep tant for this body because the ‘official act’ under federal brib- sense of honor and gratitude that Supreme Court’s unanimous ery statutes; Zubik v. Burwell, I sit here today. My father, 2014 decision in favor of Noel which involved the application “He grew up amongst the ravCanning reaffirmed that the Sen- of the Religious Freedom Res- ages of World War II. He once ate, not the president, possesses toration Act to regulations ad- told me how, as a young boy, he the clear constitutional authority dressing insurance coverage was forced to live in the remnants to prescribe the rules of its own for contraception; and NLRB v. of a bombed out tank. Whenever proceedings.”

Noel Canning, which involved I’ve faced the joys or difficulties Prior to this post, Francisco the Constitution’s recess ap- of life, I think of that little boy,” took on the role of principal pointment power. He has also Francisco said. “He could not deputy solicitor general in this argued numerous cases in low- possibly have dreamed that his year. He also worked at global er federal and state courts on son would one day have the high law firm Jones Day from 2005 to a wide range of constitutional, honor of sitting before this august 2017 in its government relations civil, and criminal matters,” body. I am so grateful to you for practice and served as an associ- according to the White House helping to fulfill what that scared ate counsel to President George statement released last March. little boy dared not dream.”

W. Bush from 2003 to 2005.

“From 2001 to 2003, Mr. FranNemesio Francisco, born in He received his B.A. with cisco served as associate counsel the Philippines in 1935, found honors in 1991 from the Univer- to the President, and from 2003 a home in a small city on the sity of Chicago, his law degree to 2005 he served as deputy as- shores of Lake Ontario called Os— also with high honors — from sistant attorney general in the wego, NY. the University of Chicago Law Office of Legal Counsel,” the “The good people of Oswego School in 1996. He served as a statement added. welcomed my father—a Filipino law clerk first for Judge J. MiProud son of Oswego immigrant who barely spoke the chael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Francisco was born in Syra- language—with open arms. It Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, cuse, New York and was raised is in Oswego that my father beand then clerked for the late Jus- in Oswego, a town about 35 came, and died, an American,” tice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. miles away. He graduated from Francisco said. ■ Supreme Court.

Oswego High School in 1987.

Filipina appointed to Trump...

PAGE A1 t the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), will be appointed as a member of the Community Development Advisory Board, which advises the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CFDI) Fund on policies and activities.

Bautista will serve a term of four years on the board.

The CDFI Fund was created to promote economic development and revitalization in America’s underserved and distressed lowincome communities.

Through its programs and resources, the CDFI Fund supports real estate developments, businesses, health care facilities, workforce training centers, and jobs in urban and rural areas across the county.

NAAC is a HUD-approved homeowner, small business and consumer advocacy organization serving the country’s 18 million Asian Americans, and the NDC is an organization of community organizers, faith-based leaders, nonprofit directors, and business

owners working collectively for greater financial equality and empowerment for underserved groups. The organization works with corporate and government leaders to advocate for opportunities in homeownership, small business, and financial literacy for all groups.

Under both NDC and NAAC, Bautista advocates in the halls of Congress, in the California legislature and in front of key federal legislators, such as the Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, FHFA, FTC, FCC and SEC and among America’s Fortune 500 corporations, as a major voice for the Asian American community. She is a member of the Office of Thrift Supervision Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Committee and sits on the Low-Income Oversight Board for the California Public Utilities Commission.

Faith is the host of “Owning a Piece of America,” a television program that focuses on financial and consumer education, lifestyle and health education, and community and government relations. (AJPress)

GOP makes last-ditch effort...

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In March, the House proposed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would have repealed major parts of Obamacare and would have left 23 million Americans uninsured, failed to garner majority support and was viewed as too restricting.

Republicans then amended the AHCA and reintroduced it in June as the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. In July, the Senate rejected the bill, along with its scaled-back “skinny repeal” version.

Despite failure to garner support for each incarnation of the bill, Republicans are not giving up just yet.

The latest edition of the GOP health bill comes from Republican senators Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Dean Heller (R-N.V.) and Ron Johnson (R-W.I.) who on Wednesday, September 13, released a new draft that is looking for a vote within the next two weeks.

The bill, which has been nicknamed “Graham-Cassidy,” would repeal “the structure and architecture of Obamacare and replaces it with a block grant given annually to states,” according to a statement released by Graham.

That essentially means that states are given more control over the allocation of funds to “best take care of the unique health care needs of the patients in each state.”

It would also eliminate Obamacare’s individual insurance mandate and drastically scale back its expansion on Medicaid.

Graham-Cassidy represents a last minute effort to propose a GOP answer to Obamacare as the party’s power to pass a health care bill through a party-line vote expires on September 30.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, along with fellow congressional GOP leaders, haven’t made a decision on the bill, but he indicated that if the bill gains the support of 50 of the 52 Republican senators, he will

bring the bill to the floor for consideration.

The announcement comes just days after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and 16 Senate Democrats introduced a Medicare for All bill that proposes to expand the federal government’s role in the American health care system, as the Asian Journal previously reported.

Obamacare advocates acknowledged the program’s pitfalls but spoke of its potential if given the chance to refine the current system.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization for Americans 50 and older, criticized Graham-Cassidy for eliminating tax credits that help all consumers, especially older ones, afford insurance premiums.

Nearly 6.1 million Americans aged 50-64 get their coverage through states’ health insurance exchanges, and 3.2 million of those consumers are now eligible receive tax credits for health insurance coverage, which reduce premium and out-of-pocket expenses.

The AARP released a statement on Tuesday, September 19, that said that Graham-Cassidy would “undermine the consumer protections which millions of Americans have benefitted from and rely on today,” also denouncing its proposal to cut Medicaid, which covers more than 17.4 million Americans.

According to the AARP’s Public Policy Institute, Graham-Cassidy would slash between $1.2 trillion and $3.2 trillion in Medicaid spending over the next two decades, which could force states to cut back on home and community-based services or reduce eligibility for coverage.

“Changing Medicaid into a per capita cap financing or block grant structure would endanger the health, safety, and care of millions of individuals who de-

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2017

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Filipino veterans of WWII to be given highest honor by Congress in October

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

AROUND 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers fought Axis powers during World War II, helping bring the U.S. and Allied forces to victory. Now over seven decades later, Filipino veterans of World War II will officially be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal.

On Wednesday, October 25, Filipino veterans of World War II will be presented the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor the U.S. can bestow, by leaders of the U.S. House and Senate in honor of their services and sacrifices during the war.

As previously reported by the Asian Journal, only around 18,000 of the Filipino WWII veterans are still alive today. An estimated 2,000 to 6,000 are still living in the U.S. “The United States is indebted to the service, bravery, and perseverance of Filipino veterans of World War II. Their sacrifices were left untold in the United States for decades, as they fought for recognition by the country they served,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (DHawaii), who first introduced the bill to the chamber in 2015.

“I am proud that we can correct the record today, and finally honor the service and sacrifice of these heroes and their families, and ensure they are never forgotten.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (DHawaii), who also introduced the bill, called the medal presenta-

tion a “culmination of decades of work to honor these veterans for their service to our country.”

“These veterans and their families overcame many challenges in their fight for compensation, family reunification, and verification of wartime service. I look forward to participating in the ceremony to provide this long overdue recognition next month,” said Hirono.

The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Medal Act of 2015, also known as S. 1555, was signed into law by former President Barack Obama on December 15, 2016.

The bill secured the complete approval from Congress on Nov. 30, 2016, after it was passed by the United States House of Representatives where it received 312 co-sponsors. Pushing for the bill in the House were Gabbard, Rep. Judy Chu (D-California), and former Rep. Mike Honda (D-California).

Gabbard said on the Congress floor prior to the House voting, “These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered, sacrificed, fought, and gave their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war.”

“We’ve waited far too long to recognize these heroes who deserve this honor.”

The Senate first made a unanimous vote to approve the bill on July 13, 2016 — sponsors included Hirono, Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and former Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada).

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) Photo from House.gov

Upon the success of the Senate’s vote, Minister and Consul Patrick Chuasoto of the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C, called it a “significant step forward in the long battle for due recognition of our veterans who courageously fought side by side with the Americans in the defense of freedom and democracy.”

Among other ethnic military groups that have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal are the Tuskegee airmen, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Women Air Service Pilots among others, according to Cecilia Gaerlan, founder and executive director of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society, as previously

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A september 22-28, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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US postpones delivery of rifles to PH

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE United States has put on hold the delivery of thousands of rifles to the Philippines due to concerns over the drug war killings and alleged human rights violations in the country.

This was according to Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Tuesday, September 19, during the Senate hearing on the proposed budget for 2018 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP. “The recent predicament that we have [is that we have] 27,000 [rifles] supposedly ready for delivery to the PNP – Sig Sauer basic assault rifles, 5.56,” Gamboa said. Sig Sauer is a firearms manufacturer based in the U.S. “The U.S. State Department

has put on hold the delivery of thousands of basic assault rifles to the Philippine National Police (PNP) because of alleged human rights violations linked to the war on drugs in the country,” the PNP official added.

According to Gamboa, the Philippine government had not yet paid the purchase. He noted, however, that the police may have to conduct a new bidding process to purchase weapons as it already obligated the funds.

Last year, Washington reportedly halted its firearms transaction with Manila after U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his intention to oppose it.

Cardin cited the supposed thousands of extrajudicial killings linked with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial

campaign against illegal drugs as grounds to halt the deal.

Hitting back at Washington, Duterte, who has been critical of the U.S., then called the country officials behind the decision “fools” and “monkeys.”

Earlier in May, Cardin and another U.S. Senator, Marco Rubio, filed a bill seeking to restrict the export of arms from Washington to Manila, citing Duterte’s “deeply alarming” war on drugs “that has horrified the international community.”

Their proposed Philippines Human Rights Accountability and Counternarcotics Act of 2017 aims to “restrict the exportation of certain defense articles to the [PNP],” and to “work with the Philippines to support civil society and a public health approach to substance abuse,” among others. n

PH, US to hold joint counterterrorism drills

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE governments of the Philippines and United States are set to hold a bilateral, interagency counterterrorism drill next week, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced on Friday, September 15.

Dubbed as “Tempest Wind,” the drill will take place in the Philippines and Hawaii; and aims “to improve the ability of both nations to rapidly plan, coordinate, and conduct counterterrorism operations.”

The embassy further noted that the drill will be augmented by additional military assessments, national level engagement, and subject matter expert exchanges.

Apart from information exchanges, Tempest Wind is also recognized as “a way to test force readiness and exercise interoperability” that could help focus future bilateral training efforts to enhance the crisis response capabilities of both nations.

A decades-long ally of the Philippines, the U.S. has been

providing technical assistance to Filipino troopers battling proIslamic State (IS) extremists in Marawi City, Mindanao.

Washington also recently donated P730 million ($15 million) in humanitarian aid for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of the besieged city.

“The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines and will continue to provide support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts and work jointly to address shared threats to the peace and security of both countries,” the embassy said in a statement.

But Filipino activists expressed dissent over the American troops’ involvement in Marawi operations.

Also on Friday, hundreds of angry Filipinos rallied outside the U.S. embassy in Manila and clashed with police officers.

Video footage and photos captured by local news agencies show activists marching with banners that read, “US: Imperialist, # 1 terrorist. Hands off Marawi! US troops out now!”

Protesters also burnt effigies of U.S. President Donald Trump

Filipino veterans of WWII...

PAGE A3 t stated by the Asian Journal.

Taking part in the October 25 bipartisan and bicameral ceremony are House Speaker

Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), and

and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Manila visit Earlier this year, Duterte extended an invitation to Trump to attend the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila this November.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced in April that Trump would visit the Philippines, but when recently asked about the matter, Trump has yet to personally confirm his attendance to the summit.

“He (Duterte) invited us, so we’re going to see,” the U.S. president told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, September 14.

He confirmed, however, that he’ll visit Japan, South Korea and China in November. He added that he might also fly to Vietnam later in the same month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference.

“We’ll probably all be going over (to Asia) in a group in November. And we’ll be doing Japan, South Korea, possibly Vietnam with the conference,” Trump said. n

COASTAL CLEANUP. Miss Philippines - Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco (3rd from right) and Miss Philippines - Air 2017 Kim de Guzman (2nd from left) along with Mr. Perkin So, AVP for Operations of SM Supermalls (right) and Jhon Gomez (left), mall manager of SM By the Bay, lead participants from various agencies and the private sector in the International Coastal Cleanup 2017 at the SM By the Bay, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Duterte tackles drug war...

PAGE A1 t

destroy a “fragile Philippine Republic.”

Kian was killed in an alleged shootout during an anti-illegal drug operation last month in Caloocan City, but CCTV footage and testimonies of witnesses challenge the enforcers’ claim.

The U.S. official previously expressed concern over the “tragic” deaths of teenagers at the hand of cops, calling for a “full investigation and accountability” from people responsible for the incidents.

While U.S. President Donald Trump lauds Duterte for his “unbelievable job” in cracking down narcotics, several high U.S. officials condemned the so-called drug war in the Philippines, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.

The drug war criticisms became the subject of the apparent rift in the two countries’ relationship,

with Duterte accusing the U.S. government of meddling with the Philippines’ affairs in usually profane-laced speeches.

CHR budget During his meeting with the U.S. envoy, Duterte also clarified that he “never directed” Congress to cut the budget of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) next year. The president noted that while he may be the chief executive, he cannot control the decisions of the legislative body.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut the CHR’s 2018 budget from the original P678 million to a measly P1,000 in an apparent bid to cripple the agency, which has been highly critical of the drug war—a move that sparked criticisms and fueled public anger.

But on Wednesday, the House restored the budget of the CHR.

GOP makes last-ditch effort...

PAGE A3 t

pend on the essential services provided through Medicaid,” the AARP said. “We urge to vote NO on [Graham-Cassidy] and instead ask the Senate to continue its work through the bipartisan market stabilization efforts.”

Before the election, Americans were almost evenly divided on the House Democratic Leader Nan- ACA — 46 percent approved of cy Pelosi (D-California). The the ACA while 51 percent disapceremony will take place in the proved, according to an October Emancipation Hall in Washing- 2016 poll from Pew Research. ton D.C. at 11:00 a.m. EST and However, according to an ABC/ will be live streamed on speak- Washington Post poll released in er.gov/live. n 2017, 61 percent of Americans

said they’d prefer if lawmakers kept Obamacare intact and work on improving the program. Moreover, 79 percent said that President Donald Trump — who has made it a priority to repeal and replace Obamacare — should try to make Obamacare work instead of letting it fail.

Anthony Wright, executive director of consumer health advocacy coalition Health Access, said that improving the current healthcare system offers a host of benefits for different communities, including immigrants and lower-income families that

It also restored the P365 million budget of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and P1.2 billion of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for 2018 after both received the same P1,000 budget.

Terrorism Concerning terrorism threats in Mindanao, Kim expressed Washington’s “all-out support” for the Philippines in its fight against terrorism.

In turn, Duterte thanked the U.S. government for its assistance and assured that it would be put to good use.

A decades-long ally of the Philippines, the U.S. has been providing technical assistance to Filipino troopers battling pro-Islamic State (IS) extremists in Marawi City, Mindanao.

Washington also recently donated P730 million ($15 million) in humanitarian aid for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of the besieged city. depend on programs like Medicaid, which was expanded in 2016 through Obamacare.

“We’re not looking just to maintain [Obamacare], but to make improvements,” Wright said in a press call in August. “We need improvements in the way of extended care to immigrant children, approval to extend Medicaid to young adults regardless of citizenship status, getting better transparency over prescription drug process…if we could maintain that, and not have these egregious cuts, we can focus on steps moving forward and ways to improve on the current system.”

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 22-28, 2017

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Trillanes tells Duterte: ‘You’re checkmate’ amount.

According to Duterte, the senator’s alleged account with the DBS in Singapore is numbered 178000296012 and is under the name “Antonio F. Trillanes.”

The president also accused the senator of having several accounts in Shanghai, China; Zurich and Geneva, Switzerland; the Cayman Islands; and the British Virgin Islands.

But in a statement on Tuesday, September 19, Trillanes said the bank teller of DBS Bank in Alexandra Retail Center, Singapore, confirmed that “no such accounts exist” when he inquired about the bank accounts mentioned by Duterte.

The senator added that he also inquired if there was an account, either existing or closed, under the names “Antonio F. Trillanes IV” or “Antonio F. Trillanes.”

“Ang sagot muli ng teller ay (The teller responded), ‘No such Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV Inquirer.net photo accounts exist.’ Ito ay narinig MANILA - With his alleged at nasaksihan ng ilang media Singapore bank accounts prov- reporters na kasama ko sa pagen to be non-existent, Senator tatanong ko sa bank teller (This Antonio Trillanes IV said it’s was heard and witnessed by menow checkmate for his accuser, dia reporters who accompanied Philippine President Rodrigo me in inquiring the bank teller ),” Trillanes said.

Duterte.

The senator also tried to go to “Mr. Duterte, pusoy ka na.

Checkmate ka na. Wag ka na a branch of Hongkong Shanghai magpalusot (Mr. Duterte it’s Bank Raffles but said such bank checkmate. Stop making ex- office does not exists.

Presidential Communications cuses),” said Trillanes, who has been highly critical of the presi- Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and broadcaster Erwin Tulfo predent.

On Monday, September 18, viously shared a post from meTrillanes flew to Singapore to dia site “Davao Breaking News” personally disprove the chief saying Trillanes opened an acexecutive’s allegations that the count with “Hongkong Shangsenator has millions of unde- hai Bank” in its Raffles Branch clared wealth in several foreign in Singapore on July 2013.

“Pinuntahan naman namin accounts.

Duterte earlier claimed that ang HSBC sa Raffles Blvd. pero the opposition senator owns a ATM lang ang meron doon (We bank account at the branch of then checked the Hongkong and DBS Bank in Alexandra Retail Shanghai Banking Corporation Center in Singapore, containing at Raffles Blvd. but there’s only “193,000.” The president did not an ATM machine there). A quick specify the currency of the said check at the HSBC Singapore

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

website showed that there is no HSBC Raffles Branch,” Trillanes added.

He then claimed that unfounded accusations against him were just a way to divert attention from the allegations that the president’s son, Paolo Duterte, and son-in-law, Manases Carpio, were involved in drug smuggling.

“Maliwanag na nagsisinungaling si Duterte at gawa gawa lang nila ang mga paratang niya na meron akong mga foreign bank accounts (It’s clear that Duterte is lying about his accusations that I own foreign bank accounts),” he said.

‘I made it up’ But hours after the senator debunked the president’s claim, Duterte admitted that he intentionally announced the wrong account number to “fool” Trillanes.

In a live interview on staterun PTV-4, Duterte said that the 178000296012 he previously mentioned was was merely a “product of his mind.”

“Trillanes, ganito ‘yan: Ang actual account number from Mocha and Erwin is 1178000281602. Binasa ko. Binawasan ko ng number. Wala ito imbento lang (Trillanes, this is how it goes: The actual account number from Mocha and Erwin is 1178000281602. I read it. I cut a number. I made it up),” the president said.

He then laughed at the senator for going to Singapore “out of desperate attempt” to disprove his claims.

“Kita mo siya ngayon (Look at him). He’s desperate. Pumunta ng Singapore, mag-gastos lang para propaganda lang (He went to Singapore and spend for a propaganda),” Duterte added.

In response, Trillanes said: “Buti naman umamin siya na sinungaling siya (Good thing he admitted that he’s a liar).” n

US Embassy a fortress as protesters have their day

by William

DepaSupil

ManilaTimes.net

THE United States Embassy in Roxas Boulevard turned into a virtual fortress on Thursday, Sept. 20 in preparation for any eventuality that may arise from the convergence of various cause-oriented groups and people organizations at the Luneta Park.

Stationed in front, across and at the side of the Embassy were some 1,000 policemen from different cities and municipalities of the National Capital Region.

Authorities were tasked to secure the premises of the consular office and also as reserve

force if something would happen in the nearby convergence point of the rallyists.

The stage where the antiDuterte protesters will conduct their program is about 300 meters away from the US Embassy.

Police Superintendent Restituto Archangel, leader of PNP-Manila’s contingent, said that more policemen would be arriving.

“But we will only serve as reserve force. We will assist our comrades if needed,” Arcanghel told The Manila Times.

Except for a few members of SWAT team, the others were unarmed.

A team of crowd dispersal unit

with helmets and shields were also at the vicinity.

Ambulances and fire trucks were also stationed at the side of the gate of the embassy.

Nearby were also 14 service trucks of the PNP. President Duterte instructed the PNP to keep its distance from the rallyists and exercise maximum tolerance.

The President said that the protesters were free to dramatize their grievances against the government but also warned them against inciting violence, vandalism and not to destroy properties, and other criminal acts. n

RESCUED. Father Chito Soganub on-board a PAF helicopter with Zia Adiong spokesman of LDS Provincial Crisis Management Center, and Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., spokesman of the Joint Task Force Marawi, to Manila. Soganub was rescued by the government troops on Saturday, Sept. 16 as they continue to move forward capturing the Bato Mosque, one of the strongholds of the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

Inquirer.net contributed photo

House panel junks Bautista impeachment rap

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

MANILA - The House Justice Committee on Wednesday, September 19 dismissed the impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chief Andres Bautista.

Twenty-six members of the committee voted on the complaint filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and former Negros Occidental representative Jacinto Paras of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) to be insufficient in form.

Only Representatives Harry Roque of Kabayan party-list and Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, who are also the endorsers of the complaint, moved to declare the impeachment raps sufficient in form.

The Comelec chief was accused of alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

The complaint against him stemmed from allegations of his estranged wife, Patricia Paz Bau-

tista, that he had about one billion pesos of undeclared wealth in his 2016 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth (SALN).

According to the committee, the complainants used the wrong verification form when they the said their allegations “are true of our knowledge and belief on the basis of our reading and appreciation of documents and other records pertinent thereto.”

The complainants should have indicated personal knowledge on their allegations that are based on authentic documents.

Topacio and Paras filed substitute verification to correct what they had originally filed but the committee rejected the motion to adopt it.

Other lawmakers noted that the submission of a substitute verification proves that there is a defect in the complaint.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon pointed out that there was “no leg to stand on” since the motion to adopt the substitute verification form was rejected.

“There was tacit, implicit, im-

Comelec Commissioner Andres Bautista says the commission is “business as usual” after the House of Representatives junked the impeachment complaint against him.

Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo IV

plied and expressed admission that the verification was defective, in view of the filing of motion to amend the previous verification,” Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon said.

Because the motion to admit the

u PAGE A7

‘End’ to Marawi clashes seen by moh

SaaDuDDin ManilaTimes.net

MARAWI CITY—Diminishing exchanges of gunfire in this city on Thursday, Sept. 21 between government forces and the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute Group seem to indicate that the end of clashes between the two sides is nearing.

Locals residing a few kilometers away from the fighting zone have noticed “the volume of gunfire and explosions is declining compared to the previous days.”

The military had launched its “final push” to finally retake the city from the terrorist Maute Group that had pledged allegiance to the IS and wanted to gain a foothold in the country.

It said it has retaken two key sites in the city – the Islamic center and the Bato mosques – from the group that was holing up there..

Other operations resulted in a successful rescue of two hostages several days ago, including the priest Chito Soganub, who were among more than a hundred people held by the Maute

bandits for almost four months.

Soganub was recovered by government troops near the Bato mosque together with another hostage – a teacher – on Saturday evening, officials said.

The plight of the remaining hostages is still unknown.

Reports received by The Manila Times said there were “105 hostages” being held by the Maute Group, although the military claims there are only about 60.

The military said it will clear first about 10 hectares still being occupied by the terrorists.n

Arum won’t pay Pacquiao for fight in Philippines

by Dino

maragay Philstar.com

TOP Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum is open to the possibility of Manny Pacquiao fighting the Philippines as the boxer desires.

But the veteran promoter isn’t willing to pay the Filipino icon for it.

Speaking recently to boxingscene.com’s Steve Kim, Arum said Pacquiao isn’t keen on fighting Jeff Horn again in Australia or even in Las Vegas, adding that his fighter only has his sights on his home country.

“Pacquiao up to this point made it plain he’s not coming over to fight in Australia,” said Arum. “No, he doesn’t want to fight in Vegas, either.”

Pacquiao is reportedly planning to hold the rematch with Horn — who pulled off a shocking win over him last July — in the Philippines in December.

According to a source, he has offered the Australian $3 million to defend the WBO welterweight championship against him at the massive Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

But the money won’t come out of Arum’s pocket.

“He wants to fight in the Philippines and with the peso being 52 pesos to the dollar — how the hell is everybody going to get paid, let alone him?” Arum

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continued.

“I would love to do a big fight for him in Manila or someplace else in the Philippines but the problem is don’t expect me to pay for it,” he continued.

When Pacquiao fought Horn at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia last July 2, it was the government of Queensland that shelled out a significant amount of money to finance the bout. They are willing to do it one more time, but only if Pacquiao fights Horn again in Brisbane.

However, Pacquiao is insist-

Philstar.com photo

ing on doing the rematch in the Philippines and has turned to the Department of Tourism for possible financial backing, something Arum confirmed.

“The tourism board in the Philippines has told us they’ll do everything to help promote the fight except put up money.

You’ve got to respect that,” Arum said.

And that’s all Pacquiao’s promoter has so far.

“I’m not at a standstill (with Pacquiao) but he’s made his position clear, the world goes on,” he said.

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A6 SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

FEATURES

OPINION

Martial law madness FORTY-FIVE years and five presidents later, Filipinos were once again called to appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy as they commemorate the day when former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines on September 21, 1972.

However, this year’s celebrations seem different from what Filipinos are used to.

Only work and classes in public offices and schools throughout the Philippines were suspended on Thursday, September 21. It is not a holiday—President Rodrigo Duterte clarified—but a day of protest.

The president made this declaration on Tuesday, September 19, after hearing that his critics bared plans to hold rallies to condemn the killings tied to the government’s war on drugs and and his declaration of martial law in Mindanao..

For Duterte, he said that he will protest because many “yellows” (officials aligned with the opposition Liberal Party), in various government agencies are “very corrupt.”

On Monday, September 18, several senators, members of the Cabinet during former Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s administration, and the Magdalo party-list group convened to launch a new multisectoral organization, #TindingPilipinas, to protest “draconian policies of the Duterte administration.”

Former Civil Service Commission Chair Karina Constantino-David described #TindingPilipinas as

“a coalition of coalitions of different groups seeking to expand nationwide and reach the grassroots.”

“We lay the wrongdoings we see around us on the doorstep of the President. We also recognize that he is not doing this alone and that there are many others helping him along on this destructive path for whatever motives. But the end result is the same: national degradation,” #TindigPilipinas said in a statement of unity.

“We must overcome fear and apathy. We must summon our heritage of courage. We must speak out and unite in protest over the wrongs being committed,” the group added.

While some leaders and their loyal followers refuse to take a breather from political quagmire to remember the September 21 martial law anniversary, there are still those who marked this day to remember the wretched moments of the martial law era, especially for the people who have to endure it.

As painful as it is, remembering lessons from the martial law inspires Filipinos to never let it happen again. To do so, Filipinos must see this day as neither a political rally nor a spiritual event.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

They must see it as a day of unity through reflective observance to move past differences and iniquities and help move the nation into the right direction.

Through these reflections, let’s hope Filipinos realize their collective goals as a nation and how every one plays a crucial role in making them come true. (AJPress)

Narcissistic personality disorder: what we need to know NARCISSISTIC. We hear this word in our The Fil-Am everyday life lately.

We hear this as an Perspective adjective describing today’s generation — the “I,” “me,” and “myself.”

GEL SANTOS-RELOS We also hear this in reference to certain stages of a person’s life — when one’s consciousness and priorities revolve around him/herself more than anything else for developmental reasons.

As a toddler at the age of two, the child begins to find out that he/she is a person separate from his mother, and asserts that by testing how much he/she can push people around to get what he/she wants.

This is again pronounced during adolescence when teens begin to define who they are as individuals, oftentimes going against the norm or authorities to do just that.

These are normal, age-appropriate phases in one’s development, but does not mean all people end up having narcissistic personality disorder.

We also hear the word “narcissistic” in the news lately, used to define somebody whose thoughts, words, motivations and actions are all about him and him alone as the center of the universe.

But what really is a narcissistic personality disorder as doctors and scientists define it? What are the symptoms

and causes of this disorder? How does it affect the person’s day to day relationships, his job, how he operates in his world?

Let me share with you these facts that I got from Mayo Clinic.

Do you know of anybody exhibiting these symptoms?

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you’re not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve.

Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.

Although the cause of narcissistic personality disorder isn’t known, some researchers think that in biologically vulnerable children, parenting styles that overemphasize the child’s specialness and criticize fears and failures may be partially responsible. The child may hide low self-esteem by develop-

ing a superficial sense of perfection and behavior that shows a need for constant admiration.

Symptoms Narcissistic personality disorder is one of several types of personality disorders. Personality disorders are conditions in which people have traits that cause them to feel and behave in socially distressing ways, limiting their ability to function in relationships and other areas of their life, such as work or school.

If you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may feel a sense of entitlement — and when you don’t receive special treatment, you may become impatient or angry.

You may insist on having “the best” of everything — for instance, the best car, athletic club or medical care.

At the same time, you have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation. To feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make yourself appear superior.

Or you may feel depressed and moody because you fall short of perfection.

Many experts use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published

by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental conditions.

This manual is also used by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features: • Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance • Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it • Exaggerating your achievements and talents • Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate • Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people • Requiring constant admiration • Having a sense of entitlement • Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations • Taking advantage of others to get what you want • Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others • Being envious of others and believing others envy you • Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence, it’s not the same. The disorder crosses the border

of healthy confidence into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal and value yourself more than you value others.

When to see a doctor When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may not want to think that anything could be wrong — doing so wouldn’t fit with your selfimage of power and perfection. People with narcissistic personality disorder are most likely to seek treatment when they develop symptoms of depression — often because of perceived criticisms or rejections.

If you recognize aspects of your personality that are common to narcissistic personality disorder or you’re feeling overwhelmed by sadness, consider reaching out to a trusted doctor or mental health provider. Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.

Complications of narcissistic personality disorder, if left untreated, can include: • Relationship difficulties • Problems at work or school • Depression • Drug or alcohol abuse • Suicidal thoughts or behavior *** 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

On which side of history do you stand? Which is your team?

Analysis and Commentary YEN MACABENTA A CHARACTER in the fine film, “Sideways,” has written a novel, which he has entitled, The Day After Yesterday, meaning, of course, today.

On September 21, 2017, the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21 (or 23), 1972, has been dubbed “A national day of protest” by President Duterte. To allow for participation in protest actions against the government, and to show his seriousness, he declared it a no-work and noclass day across the archipelago.

To explain what this means and to calm down nervous businessmen, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced that work in government offices and classes in public schools and universities are suspended today. Abella stressed that it is not a special non-working holiday.

Suspensions in private companies and private schools are up to the discretion of their respective

management.

This, he said, is the government’s response to “Tindig Pilipinas.”, the newly formed coalition of Duterte opponents and critics who plan to speak up on pressing issues and denounce the government’s alleged ‘antipeople policies.’

For his part, former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said that September 21 is the day that Filipinos should be thankful to the late Ferdinand Marcos because it was then, in 1972, that he successfully stopped the threatened communist takeover of the country.

A nation of many teams Thinking about what will happen today, I mused that after today Filipinos will divide into several teams, like a sports league: • one team led by President Rodrigo Duterte and PDP-Laban; • another team led by the Liberals and wearing the color yellow (with no clear indication of who is their leader); • the team of the militant left and the CPP-NPA who are always ready to march and raise placards whenever there is an occasion to protest; • the team of President Ferdi-

nand E. Marcos which automatically gets a seeding because September 21 is really Marcos’ day; • the team of the Catholic Church which will surely march in numbers, with bishops, prelates and nuns in the lead; • the team of civilian society which is never without something to say.

To them, add a crowd of onlookers, which this country never lacks of; in the midst of deadly coup attempts in memory, Filipinos turned out in droves to ogle what was happening blow by blow, out of curiosity.

I hope my alma mater, Ateneo, does not decide to field its own team for this day of protest. That would be taking its foolish title of “crony school” during Aquino‘s presidency to absurd limits.

Will DU30 out-clever Marcos?

I think Duterte’s idea of turning this day into a “national day of protest” was inspired and calculated to disarm his opponents and make them lower their guard.

A friend who remembers 1972 says that DU30 is as crafty as Marcos. On the day FM finally lowered the sword, his political

opponents were caught totally offguard, even though they, mostly Liberal Party politicians also, had talked themselves hoarse warning about martial law.

I hope DU30 will not try to outclever Marcos, and venture to proclaim martial law today. If he does, he will be throwing away the many positive things, and negative things, that his leadership has brought to the country.

I would then have to revise completely my initial published assessment that Duterte’s would be “a watershed presidency”. Instead, it would become a “cul-desac presidency”—a deadend.

Changing brands I think the political opposition, with their legions of supporters and allies, has been as sporting as DU30. By calling themselves “Tindig Pilipinas,” they have a fresher and better brand than “Liberal Party,” “yellow Cult,” or “Tuwid na Daan”(straight path).

Harder to change are the wooden profiles and leadership of acting LP president Kiko Pangilinan, Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, and pretend-LP chairman Leni Robredo. Former President Aquino is still noynoying.

At its launch at Club Filipino last Monday (September 18), Tindig Pilipinas tried out some soundbites on the media.

It called itself a ‘coalition of coalitions’ in order to convey some magnitude. It will not call for President Duterte’s ouster, but it asks Filipinos to stand up against his government’s abusive policies It called for an end to a “nightmare”.

Said in its coalition statement: “We see a nation being led down a dark path filled with violence, contempt for law, and hate; where honest debate is not only shouted down, but every attempt at sobriety in public discourse is dismissed with threat.”

“If we want this nightmare to end, we must find the courage to wake up and come together,” it concluded.

The “coalition of coalitions,” as Karina Constantino-David called the alliance, includes at least 50 different groups, opposition politicians from the House of Representatives and the Senate, and other prominent personalities.

The coalition denounced deaths linked to Duterte’s war on drugs: “We call upon him to

measure the success of his campaign not on the number of lives killed, but on the number of lives redeemed.”

It asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to “end the murderous Oplan Double Barrel, to pursue and prosecute the drug lords with the full might of the law, and uphold the rule of law and the constitutional guarantees accorded to each and every citizen of the Republic.”

Amid the threat of an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the group urged Duterte to “stop weakening, if not destroying, democratic institutions, to observe institutional check-andbalance, and respect the independence of the judiciary.”

David explained that Tindig was formed in about a month’s time: “This statement of unity is the beginning. We are also looking for other groups [that]believe in the unity statement so we expand further.”

Although the convenors, guests, and main personalities were dressed in white, the media saw the color yellow in the assembled crowd. Several memPAGE A7

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2017

A7

Duterte, Muslims pray for peace on Islamic New Year

by CATHERIN

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Sept. 21 joined Filipino Muslims in praying for lasting peace in the country in celebration of Amun Jadid or Islamic New Year.

In his message, the President noted the importance of the occasion in instilling discipline and good values among members of the Islamic faith.

“I join the Muslim Filipino community and all the Muslims in the world in commemorating Amun Jadid or Islamic New Year.

This occasion is one of the most important events in the culture of Islam. Indeed, Amun Jadid provides a reason to celebrate faith, offers the opportunity to contemplate life’s real purpose and grants the chance to reassess your dealings with other people,” Duterte said.

The President then called on Filipino Muslims to unite with other Filipinos in attaining peace and prosperity for everyone.

“Let us work as one nation to fight the ills of society and never waver on our journey toward the fulfillment of our promise of real change,” Duterte said. “I wish you a happy new year and may Allah bless you always.”

The country’s more than 10 million Muslims are celebrating Islamic New Year as government troops are preparing their final assault against Islamic Statelinked Maute Group terrorists who laid siege to Marawi City on May 23.

Better Marawi While the entire nation was focused on the imposition of Martial Law 46 years ago on September 21, 1972, little did the majority of

Filipinos know that the Muslim New Year is celebrated on the same day.

Amun Jadid falls on the first day of the first month of Muharram 1439 in the lunar Hijra calendar, equivalent to September 21 in the Gregorian calendar.

It is determined by the appearance of the new crescent moon.

Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines, explained that in the Muslim calendar, the changing of the date commences right after sunset unlike in the Gregorian calendar where the changing of the date starts at 12 midnight.

Hence, Thursday corresponds to Muharram 1, 1439, Basher further explained.

The Hijra calendar was first introduced by one of the closest companions of Prophet Muhammad, Umar Ibn Al-Khatab, which marks the Hijra or migration of the Holy Prophet from Mecca to Medina to establish the first Islamic state.

Supt. Ebra Moxsir, chief of police of embattled Marawi City, asked his fellow Muslims to join him in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao especially in the city as the Muslim world celebrated the advent of the Muslim New Year.

“As we usher another Amun Jadid in the Muslim world, I join everyone especially the internally displaced persons in the celebration of this Muslim New Year with our hope and prayers for a better Islamic City of Marawi, and Happy Amun Jadid to everyone, ” Moxsir said.

Moxsir, also an Imam, urged his fellow Muslims to change their ways to achieve real change.

“Let us accept this crisis in the

Islamic City of Marawi as a suffering for our sins that we have committed. Let’s go back to Allah and seek atonement for our sins, and let us stop all our wrong or evil ways, small and big alike,” he said.

Muslim holiday Similarly, Datu Yusoph Boyog Mama of Masirikampo sa Marawi (Traditional Royal Ruler of Marawi), in his Amun Jadid message said, “Let us reflect and be inspired through the great example of our noble ancestors from Marawi centuries ago who have sacrificed so much to shape its religious and social compass for us to promote a healthy social system that will guide us as Islamic and Meranaw society. To be devoid of malignant elements being introduced [to us such as the drug menace and others]and even more destructive people and their cohorts whose criteria of leadership should never be allowed to exploit and destroy our beloved Marawi.”

Under Presidential Decree 1083, or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines, Amun Jadid is considered an official Muslim holiday observed in the Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and in the cities of Cotabato, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

The same law also provides that all Muslim government officials and employees in places other than those mentioned shall also be excused from reporting to office that they may be able to observe Amun Jadid. (ManilaTimes.net)

On which side of history do you stand...

PAGE A6 t bers of the groups are known supporters or allies of former President Benigno Aquino III and the once-ruling Liberal Party.

Picking a team Can Tindig marshal the numbers to challenge President Duterte?

Will it temper the sometimes berserk partisanship of Duterte’s supporters?

I will say this: Calling the movement “Tindig” is good and evocative. It might induce some Filipinos to stand up and march with them.

I have a book on social and po-

litical activism, entitled “The Impossible Will Take a Little While,” edited by Paul Rogat Loeb (Basic Books, New York, 2004).

One piece is about the work of the African American singer, Sonya Vetras Tinsley, entitled ‘You have to pick your team.”

As a sports enthusiast, I like this characterization of social and political action. Sonya writes: “It seems to me that there are two teams in this world. And that you can find evidence to support both.

“The trademark of one team is cynicism. They will tell you why what you’re doing doesn’t

matter, why nothing is going to change. ”Then there’s another group of people who admit that they don’t know how things will turn out, but have decided to work for change. I see Martin Luther King on that team.”

“We’ll never know who’s really going to prevail. So, I just have to decide which team seems happier, which side I’d rather be on.

“And for me that means choosing the side of faith. Because on the side of cynicism, even if they’re right, who wants to win that argument anyway?” (ManilaTimes.net)

PH ATHLETES AT ASEAN PARA GAMES. Filipino athletes join the parade at the opening of the 9th ASEAN Para Games held at Bukit Jalil, National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday, September 17.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

132 Filipinos repatriated from hurricane-struck Caribbean MANILA — About 132 Filipinos who were rescued from the hurricane-struck British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Sint Maartens arrived in Manila on Wednesday, Sept.

20.

The Philippine government evacuated the Filipino hurricane survivors from Puerto Rico hours before Hurricane Maria entered American territory.

“It was really a race against time as we had to make sure the plane takes off before Hurricane Maria slams into Puerto Rico,” Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto said.

The Philippine Airlines flight left Puerto Rico at 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19 and made a technical stop in San Francisco

before making its way to Manila.

According to DFA spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar, among the Filipino evacuees are three pregnant women, two elderly passengers, an infant and a passenger who needed a wheelchair upon arrival.

Consul Katrina Borja Martin, along with the four-team member from the Philippine Embassy in Washington, were also on the flight.

“We praise and thank God for the successful rescue and repatriation of our hurricane-stricken kababayans from the Caribbean,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano noted this is the first repatriation that the Philippines

House panel junks Bautista...

PAGE A5 t substitute verification was denied, Leachon added that the complaints has “no leg to stand on.”

Majority leader Rudy Fariñas, meanwhile, pointed out that it was Comelec chief’s wife, Patricia, who should be the complainant, and not Topacio and Paras who “do not have personal knowledge.”

Fariñas also warned of perjury case, saying that the complainants stated that “in their first veri-

fication, [allegations are] based on knowledge and belief and upon reading of documents.”

“And then papalitan nila (they would change it to) personal knowledge based on authentic records. If you look at the allegations, most of them are not their own personal knowledge… several paragraphs are quotations from newspaper accounts,” he added.

Fariñas further pointed out that the complaint was “improperly filed” because it was addressed

undertook in the Americas as a result of a natural disaster.

More than 1,000 Filipinos in Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean are advised to brace for Hurricane Maria.

“We strongly reiterate our advice to the Filipino communities along the path of Hurricane Maria to prepare as best as they can, follow the directives of local authorities, and track the storm’s progress,” Chuasoto said.

The category 4 to 5 hurricane is forecasted to directly hit Puerto Rico with winds of 247 kilometers per hour and violent storm surges. It will also affect the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar.com) to the House of Representatives and not the House Committee on Justice.

In an interview after the hearing, Bautista’s wife she is disappointed but undeterred by the dismissal of the impeachment complaint against her husband.

“It is something that is expected. Because again, from my experience, as Andy said, he knows many different people in very high places. And this is proof of that,” Mrs. Bautista said.

“So I’m not surprised. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I deterred?

Absolutely not,” she added.

A september 22-28, 2017 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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

SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2017

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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 S E p T E m b E R 22 , 20 1 7

Car Care 101

by IrIs

VIcente /AJPress faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh oil changes. Oil is the lifeblood that keeps key engine components in good working condition by reducing friction and wear.

Change your oil about every three months, or check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals. It’s also important to invest in good quality fluids that goes with the type of vehicle you have.

Check brakes Listen to your car. Observe if there are any high-pitched squeals or harsh grinding sounds.

It’s important to be mindful of these things because something might be wrong, especially with the most vital function of your car: its ability to stop. Have your brakes checked annually and especially if there are delayed responses when pushing your brake pedal.

JuST like people who need to go to see their doctors for regular check ups, the same thing goes for cars that require basic routine care.

However, many car owners think that just because their vehicle is new, they don’t need to bring it for its regular tune up yet.

That mentality is wrong.

You paid a lot of money for your car and you want to get your money’s worth by keeping it in good running condition for as long as you can. But just like any kind of property, you have to take care of it because it is not immune to harsh environmental elements.

Whether you own a brand new luxury car or a second-hand one, the secret to its longevity is maintenance.

Here are some essential tips on how to take care of your car: Regular oil change Regularly check fluids.

Nothing will destroy an engine

You must beathe clean and fresh air in your car.

In the U.S., vehicles that burn gasoline and diesel fuel are still the main form of transportation for most people, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Inquirer.net photo

How ‘green’ is your car?

by JennIfer sorIano / AJPress

Just like you, your car needs basic routine care.

Maintain tire pressure Having the right amount of pressure in your tires can prevent poor mileage, blowouts or uneven wear. Because a change in temperature can dramatically impact tire pressure, it is essential to check tire pressure with extreme weather changes, or to be on the safe side, every couple months..

Choose a good air freshener You must breathe clean and fresh air in your car. In choosing an air freshener, avoid those that are Inquirer.net photos oil-based as it later on clogs your

air filters which prevents airborne contaminants from being pulled into your car’s engine.

Consider safety features Familiarize yourself with you car’s safety features Things like tail and brake lights, seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes are just some of the most important features that you need to familiarize with and regularly check in your car. Safety features should be the first thing in consideration and should not be overlooked as this carries you and your family’s lives.

New vs used: Which one is right for you?

Elijah RodERos / AJPress miles, or whichever comes first.

This will give you predictable cost WHeN you finally get the of ownership without any risk chance to buy or replace your of huge repair bill. You can also current car, a lot of thoughts go have your car made-to-order, or through your head. Probably the way you want it. With so many one of the simplest but most versions to choose from, you’ll important of them all: Should I likely find a car in a lot, or have buy new or used car? your local dealer search for the On average, Americans exact model, option list, trim level, spend more than $33,500 on new and color you are looking for. vehicles, as stated by the Kelley Financing. Banks offer lower Blue Book in 2015.

Meanwhile, in an article by The Before deciding between a new or used car, you must consider your needs, budget and appetite financing rates on new cars for risk.

Inquirer.net photo because they cost more and have New York Daily News, J.D. Power not yet hit depreciation. But keep said that a 2015 report showed in mind, lower interest rate still applies to larger sum or payment. If you that a standard used vehicle just costs over an average of $20,000.

You have to take into consideration your wants, needs, budget and plan to finance, check your deals first before buying.

Advantages of a used car appetite for risk. We have listed the advantages of both choosing a Lower price and depreciation. Cars lose value each passing new and used car to help you decide which taste will fit you the best.. month and mile. Some models, according to Car and Driver, can lose Advantages of new cars up to 40 percent or more of their value in the first year. When the costly Latest gizmos and advanced safety features. One of the many depreciation hits, the first owner will be the one likely to absorb it. and given benefits of buying a new vehicle is you can get your hands A used car is less expensive and by that, it can allow you to step on the latest technology, including things like Apple Carplay, and up to a nicer model. Purchasing used cars will also save you from sales Android Auto. The multimedia and navigation interfaces are updated taxes and insurance premiums since the value of the vehicle will be to cater the needs of its owners. Vehicle safety laws are stringent more lower. You’ll have save money more even though the interest is a bit than ever, thus automakers comply by equipping cars with safety higher. systems. Tire pressure monitoring is mandatory in the u.S. since 2012, Anticipate potential problems. You can have predicted reliable and so is stability control, too. Other technologies that not mandated are blind-spot monitoring systems, side curtain airbags, adaptive cruise information available to compare cars, unlike new models that are out for just a couple of years. By checking the research and rankings of the control, and brake assist are also available on less expensive vehicles. car you are considering, you’ll know the potential problems and how to Full efficiency and lower emissions. Fuel costs are the major avoid them. component of car’s ownership and every new model introduced is When deciding to buy a new or second hand car, you have to arm becoming more fuel efficient while simultaneously getting more yourself with information to get you the best deals and secure your powerful. There are also new crops of diesel vehicles that are cleaner, money now and down the road. It is also wise to always check the and growing hybrid segments, if that’s your choice.

No wear and tear. You’ll know that your new ride comes along with ranking of new cars stacking up with their peers, and compare used vehicle rankings in different years against each other. a clean history, has never been in accident, has no wear and tear, and You can also use some online car payment and affordability has a lesser chance for any uncorrected recalls. Plus, purchasing a new calculator to plan your car buying budget on trusted sites. car comes off with warranty coverage for the first three years or 36,000 by

THe united States environmental Protection Agency (ePA) describes “green vehicles” as more efficient and less polluting compared to standard vehicles. These vehicles have lesser emissions and help save fuel, which, in return, help save the environment and your money.

In the u.S., vehicles that burn gasoline and diesel fuel are still the main form of transportation for most people, according to the ePA. This is in spite of the fact that “green” cars are available in the market. Now, for those who already own a car or two, can you tell how green your car is?

Here are factors to consider: Greenhouse gas emissions Fuel-powered cars produce mainly carbon dioxide on top of nitrous oxide and methane gas. These are all harmful gases that cause the deterioration of both the environment and our health due to pollution.

Curious about your car’s emission? You can look up for a particular car model’s carbon dioxide emission atwww.fueleconomy.gov. This site is maintained by the ePA and Department of energy. The ePA also gives recognition to cars with low emissions and high fuel economy that has gained good remarks in the Air Pollution and Greenhouse scoring categories. You can also look at the ePA’s handy Green Vehicle Guide for emission statistics, and vehicles that have earned ePA’s “SmartWay” and for a more exclusive recognition, the “SmartWay elite.”

Fuel economy The fuel economy of an automobile is the relationship between the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle.

The union of Concerned Scientists explained that, “For every gallon of gasoline that is consumed, approximately 24 pounds of global warming pollution are released into the air. Drilling, refining, and distributing gasoline account for about five pounds of global warming pollution per gallon of gasoline, and burning gasoline during vehicle operation produces another 19 pounds of global warming pollution per gallon.”

To simply put it, the better the miles per gallon (MPG), the lesser impact it has on the environment. The websitewww.fueleconomy.gov is a good source for mileage information on cars and trucks.

Green manufacturing Apart from sustainability and innovation that focuses on a car’s efficiency, manufacturers are also including green manufacturing initiatives. In the quest to go lean, clean and green, some manufacturers have embraced a plant-wide waste reduction initiative, where cars are made with minimal amount of waste, if not totally zero.

There are manufacturers who are reusing and recycling auto parts. The good news is that they are saving themselves a good amount of money while saving the environment.

Sharon Basel, a sustainability spokeswoman at General Motors, said in an interview with the New York Times that, “Reducing waste, not creating it in the first place, is the desired end game. I’d actually like to see our revenue from recycling go down. Reducing the waste streams that are created is a neverending cycle.”

Read about the brand and model of your car and see if the company strikes a good balance between business and environmental needs.

Car brand Manufacturers know that consumers are intelligent and can distinguish which offer genuine green efforts that produce actual results. Different car brands have their own way of being environmental-friendly. Some companies put out an annual environmental report, while others have been making headway with efforts to reduce the transport cost of its cars.

Others offer dealerships with a guarantee on end-of-life vehicles to ensure that these are properly disposed of, while others recycle industrial water, install solar panels at all their plants. These are some of the initiatives that the car manufacturers have developed. In the near future, there will be more green initiatives through constant research and development.

What were mentioned above are some external factors that contribute to a vehicle’s “green-ness.” While these contribute to the “green” factor of the car, it does not end there. The effort to “greening” your car extends to you as a driver/owner. Whether your car passed the factors mentioned above, it pays to keep up on its maintenance with regular air filter and oil changes to boost your car’s MPG significantly.

There are other ways to amp up your car to become environmentfriendly. Between finding the right green vehicle, owning one and using your it responsibly, you can surely help minimize your car’s environmental impact.

Bang for your buck: Tips for buying a new car by

WHeTHeR it is your first time or you are replacing an old one, buying a car is a daunting task. Aside from the fact that cars are getting more expensive, the process also gets more confusing and complicated with new models and features that come out.

It also can sometimes be frustrating haggling with salesmen or a dealer. Of course, as the buyer, you want to get the best value for your money. So whether you are deciding to have a new car or are resorting to a used vehicle, you need to be aware of how the buying process works.

We’ve listed the best carbuying tips that will help you get the best deal, and hopefully reduce the anxiety with purchasing a vehicle: 1. Do extensive research Next to buying a house, purchasing a car is probably one of the most important investments you will make in your life. You will be paying it in the next four, five or six years so make sure you will be getting the most out of your cash. You can start of by searching online.

Elijah RodERos / AJPress

Auto Trader, Consumer Reports, the Kelley Blue Book, and Yahoo!

Autos section are great places to start researching cars in your price range, as Money Crashers suggested.

Also, if you are going to purchase a new car, make sure to get the “invoice” price of the vehicle and not the Manufacturer Sample Retail Price (MSRP). This way, you can have your research handy, in case negotiations take place.

On the other hand, if you are choosing to buy a second-hand car, research on recent resale prices for the specific model. This data will give you a heads-up and major bargaining power. If you plan to trade in your current car, look into the market values of your vehicle, and reserve it for arsenal on later bargaining.

2. Determine your budget Of course, you should buy a car that you can afford and within your budget. A good rule of the thumb, mentioned by Bankrate, is to spend no more than 25 percent of your household monthly income for all of the cars in your household.

This is not only applicable to

the monthly car loan payments, but you should also take into account other vehicle costs, including fuel and car insurance.

3. Shop around It is best to visit at least one dealership before you buy to know the rock-bottom prices and compare it with other dealers. You may also explore out-of-town car dealerships as the prices differ depending on the location.

Always bear in mind that financing in the dealership isn’t always the best deal. Still, you have to find the best interest rate, and it is better obtain your own financing at your bank or union than taking an automaker’s cash rebate.

4. Don’t mention your trade-in According to Money Cashers, you should play your cards close to you, and in all aspects of car buying, especially when it comes to mentioning your trade in.

Do not mention your trade-in not until the end of the buying process because the information maybe likely used against you.

For example: Let’s say you’re looking at a $22,000 car and the dealer’s

rock-bottom price for the car you’re considering is $18,000 (although he won’t share this information with you). If you have a trade-in worth $2,000, the dealer might offer to give you the car for $20,000 plus the additional $2,000 for the trade-in, for a total purchase price of $18,000.

If you hadn’t mentioned your trade-in, you could have negotiated the price down to $18,000 and then told the dealer about the trade-in, resulting in a final purchase price of $16,000.

Negotiate these two aspects of the car-buying process separately. As a buyer, you want to get the best value for your money. preparation and delivery fees, and strategies First, negotiate the best possible Lastly, when you are ready dealership costs that you won’t deal you can get for the car you to make a purchase and start know about unless you ask. want to buy, then go to work on negotiating with the price, 6. Always test drive the car getting the most for your trade-in. keep in mind the discounts and Spend time test driving the 5. Buy based on “purchase deals you have researched. For car, asa you will be driving it for price” not on “monthly a moment, forget about trading the next three or five years. Make payments” your car and focus on the value sure that you really love it, and Car dealers will always offer of your new car itself. In this way, you’re comfortable with its every attractive monthly payments you can negotiate more freely feature. Don’t hesitate to ask for to potential buyers, but it is and better if you negotiate it more time to spend behind the important not to be swayed separately. Make sure you already wheel to ensure your driving by these “alluring” payments. checked the current value of your experience. experiment with the Be sure to always negotiate in trade-in car to determine whether controls, and determine if the a “full” payment, and not the you are offered a fair amount passengers will be comfortable monthly price. Also, make sure in case trade-in comes into and regular cargo will fit as well. that there are no extra or hidden discussion.

7. Use smart negotiating costs, including various taxes, car

State Department scraps ‘30/60 day rule’ in favor of the new ‘90 day rule’ for fraudulent intent Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ One of the most technical rules on visa fraud focuses on a person misrepresenting his or her intent when applying for certain nonimmigrant visas or when entering the United States.

If a person is applying for a visitor’s visa, they are effectively representing to the consul their intent in coming to the United States is solely to visit, and then return to their home country.

Similarly, if a person already has a visitor’s visa, and is seeking to enter the United States as a visitor, the person is also effectively representing to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the airport their intent is solely to visit.

If the person thereafter engages in conduct inconsistent with visiting (such as working, marrying a U.S. citizen and being petitioned for a green card, etc.), it could be considered fraud or misrepresentation. After all, the person told the consul or the CBP officer that all they were intending was to visit, but then they immediately engaged in activities inconsistent with that intent.

For over 25 years, the U.S. government has relied on the “30/60 day rule,” in determining whether a person misrepresented

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

his or her intent in either applying for a visa or entering the United States. Under that rule, if an alien violated his or her nonimmigrant status within 30 days of entry (such as engaging in unauthorized employment, applying for adjustment of status, etc.), it could be presumed the person misrepresented his or her intent. If such conduct occurred after 30 days but within 60 days of entry into the U.S., there would be “no presumption of misrepresentation,” but it could create the suspicion of misrepresentation, and the person could be questioned about the suspected misrepresentation. If the conduct occurred more than 60 days after admission to the U.S., there would be no findings of any misrepresentation.

Recently, the State Department scrapped or threw out the 30/60 day rule, and has now implemented the 90 day rule. Under this new rule, if a person “violates or engages in conduct inconsistent with his or her nonimmigrant status within 90 days of entry,” it could be presumed that the person misrepresented his or her intentions, and they could be charged with fraud. In other words, if a person enters the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and starts working within 90 days of entry, they would effectively be committing fraud. Similarly, if a visitor or student marries a U.S. citizen or green card holder within 90 days of entry into the U.S., and

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takes up residence in the U.S., that could also be considered fraud. Under the old rule, it would be considered fraud only if this activity occurred within 30 days of entry. Now, it’s fraud if it occurs within 90 days of entry.

I know that many people entered the U.S. as either visitors or students and violated their visa by either working, marrying a U.S. citizen, not going to school on a student visa, etc. These people now need to be aware this conduct could possibly give rise to a finding of fraud. If you believe this may apply to you, I would definitely suggest you seek the advice of an attorney who can evaluate your situation and advise on the best course of action. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

Angels among us “I think we all do have a guardian angel. I believe they work through us all the time, when we are thoughtful and good and kind to each other.

— Roma Downey

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

But on the micro, day-by-day level, God sent us our personal guardian angels from conception,

An Asian Journal Magazine

birth, throughout our life and our passage from death to eternal life as a constant presence.

Come to think of it, every time an unborn life is cut down,

ABANDONED BY HER BIRTH PARENTS, WILL NIKKA BE LEFT BEHIND AGAIN WHEN USCIS CHALLENGED HER ADOPTIVE PARENT’S ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION HER? Lilia (right) and her husband Peter filed a petition to adopt Nikka (left) when the child was 12 years old. The adoption decree was issued six (6) days before Nikka turned 16 years old, and the certificate of finality came out two (2) months after Nikka’s 16th birthday.

When Lilia and Peter filed an Immediate Relative Petition for Nikka, the USCIS served a Request for Evidence (RFE), challenging them eligibility to adopt Nikka. Lilia and Peter were devastated, depressed, and in despair. Would this mean losing the chance to be reunited with their adopted child - whom they loved and considered their own?

Watch how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel came to the rescue and secured approval of their petition in a mere two months, on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) Erratum: In Atty. Michael Gurfinkel’s column last week, one of the dates in the chart “The October 2017 priority dates” was in error. Under “Second Preference: (2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years older of green card holder,” the Visa Issuance date should be JANUARY 1, 2007; not 2006. The Asian Journal apologizes for this error and for any confusion it may have caused our readers.

the murder deprives an angel of his purpose. There must be some cosmic angst and turmoil in the heavens. There must be anguish and pain, a disturbance, not only on earth but also in the celestial realm. Some say God created so many angels, one cannot count the number of angels that can stand on the head of a pin.

But there is a caveat to this gift from the Almighty. One must accept the gift and use the gift of the presence of angels in one’s life for good and only good. One must be humble of heart to know that by ourselves we can do

nothing of real value to ourselves or our loved ones and ultimately find God in our lives without asking in earnest for help from the spiritual, unseen realm of angels.

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

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

An angel is an invisible presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the

element of free will in humans.

You can acknowledge the presence of angels or deny it.

It is your choice ultimately. The more angels are acknowledged and become a conduit to heaven, they become a hovering, guiding reality in one’s life growing ever stronger in their influence to shape every thought, word and deed in one’s life.

(To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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Hidden Flavors of the Philippine Kitchen launched in New York

By MoMar

G. Visaya

“I want artisanal ingredients, nothing artificial, nothing processed,” said Purple Yam’s amy Besa when she met with the Department of Foreign affairs to discuss a culinary project being planned back then for north america. that project called Hidden Flavors of the Philippine Kitchen, a joint undertaking between DFa and Purple Yam was launched at the Philippine Consulate General on tuesday, September 19. It is a north american culinary tour featuring Filipino cuisine, which will make stops in Seattle, Chicago, toronto and Philadelphia.

Besa proudly shared that as of press time, the dinners and tasting sessions in Seattle, toronto and Philadelphia are already sold out.

Chef Romy Dorotan and Besa will lead a team of Purple Yam chefs from both their Malate and Brooklyn outposts to visit the four north american cities. More than just promoting Filipino food, the

culinary tour will showcase the use of indigenous and sometimes rare ingredients from the Philippines to create meals that truly reflect the flavors of the soil, water and air of the home country. “tonight is an evening of remembrance and discovery, which are two states of minds normally associated with cuisine and food,” said Consul General tess Dizon-De Vega as she welcomed the guests. “Remembrance because the sight, smell and taste really allow us to remember where we come from, how we grew up, where we’re going but it is also a wonderful discovery because we are looking back and peeling layers of the cuisine we thought we knew, but really don’t, fully.” at the launch, the chefs served dishes and drinks using ingredients Besa brought from the Philippines such as adlai (a gluten-free grain being promoted as an alternative to rice), heirloom rice, sustainable danggit, cashew and pili nuts, and alcoholic drinks such as lambanog, tapuy and basi.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega

Amy Besa

AJPress

Chef Romy Dorotan assembles fresh lumpia for the guests

“the ingredients we are showcasing here are not commodities, not commercial products, they are products of the heart and soul of the communities of rural farmers and indigenous people,” Besa said. “these are things that they sell outside of what they consume, so these are gifts. we buy them to supplement their livelihoods, we buy them because they are treasures and tomorrow, they probably won’t be around.”

She cited a story of the tapuy (rice wine), which they buy from a farmer in the province of apayao.

Because of climate change and stronger typhoons, the farmer’s rice fields got flooded.

Besa also discussed the story why the project is focused on the “hidden” aspect of Filipino cuisine.

“Let’s start with the cabcab (cassava wafers), which I first discovered in Bohol,” she shared.

Romy Dorotan later told her that they have something similar in Bicol called kuping. then, somebody told her that it is the kiping in Sariaya, Quezon.

neal Oshima, the photographer for Besa and Dorotan’s book Memories of Philippine Kitchens, shot in Ilocos and Besa found out that the cabcab she learned about in Bohol is called pinais in the Ilocos region. “why don’t I know about this?

I’m a Filipino and it is all over the country,” Besa asked. the clincher happened when she was speaking with respected food writer Ray Sokolov at the Oxford Food Symposium and she asked him for his honest opinion as to why Filipino food is taking a little bit longer to get on the american table.

“Because you Filipinos like to keep it hidden,” was Sokolov’s succinct response.

Besa didn’t take it seriously until she immersed herself in Manila when they decided to open Purple Yam there a few years ago.

She realized that many Filipinos take for granted these ingredients found mostly in their environment.

“People have no idea what kind of gems and jewels they have in their kitchens, their backyards,

their provinces,” Besa said. “I am an endless tourist in the Philippines and I love it every time I go home because I get to know more about every little plant or tree or fruit that we have there.” these indigenous ingredients come from plants grown in the Philippines and these artisanal products produced in small quantities and not available to the mass market.

A selection of Filipino alcoholic drinks such as lambanog, basi, tapuy and various kinds of It is a little known fact that liqueurs like calamansi, dalandan and cacao.

AJPress photos

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

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

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

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

there are native blueberries, cherries and raspberries in the Philippines, something that Besa learned in her travels around the country. “the opportunities for food, flavor and discovery are endless, and this is what I want to share with people in this tour, that the Philippines is such a treasure trove because it has one of the most diverse eco-systems in the world,” Besa said.

Are you a candidate for a stroke?

Fib. The common symptoms are tiredness and shortness of breath.

Most patients feel their heartbeat skips once in a while.

A-Fib won’t go away on its own. To reduce the risk of PHILIP S. CHUA, heart failure or a stroke, medical MD, FACS, FPCS consultation is mandatory.

What is TIA? IN the United States, one Transient Ischemic Attacks person is diagnosed with a stroke (TIA) is the temporary episode every 40 seconds. This dreaded of a mild stroke that disappears and debilitating illness is so rapidly. This is caused by spasm common it victimizes more than of an artery to the brain or by a 2,000 individuals each day and tiny soft clot that blocks an artery killing about 133,000 each year. In to the brain, which dissolves the Philippines, the prevalence is spontaneously, allowing normal between 1.9 to 6.59 percent. circulation to resume. TIA is a I have friends who had warning, and immediate medical developed a stroke of one type attention is warranted. The or another, with varying degrees various imaging studies available of severity. It is a life-changing for carotid arteries (located on ailment that adversely affects the the left and right side of the neck life of the entire family involved, which supply blood to the brain) especially the spouse. If the include ultrasound (and doppler), victim is the breadwinner, the and if these are not diagnostic or devastation is even greater. clear, one of the following may Prevention is best, and luckily be used: angiography, magnetic about 80 percent of stroke is resonance angiography (MRA), preventable, but when it happens, and CT angiography. speedy diagnosis and treatment What is carotid spells the difference between endarterectomy? full or partial recovery, minor or When a person develops TIA major residual disability. Stroke is or a mini-stroke and confirmatory the fifth leading cause of death in tests show there is significant the United States and the leading blockage in one or both carotid cause of major disabilities among arteries, the calcified plaques adults. blocking these neck arteries What are the types and could be removed by a surgical causes of a stroke? procedure called carotid To simplify it for our layman endarterectomy. This is a brainreaders, the most common two saving procedure which must be types and causes of a stroke are performed reasonably urgent, in artery blockage or bleeding. accordance with the evaluation Arterial obstruction (carotid of the surgeon, before a major or “neck” artery stenosis) is due to massive stroke follows. arteriosclerosis (hardening of Can a lay person diagnose a the artery), which could cut off stroke? circulation to the brain.

A non-medical individual, The other form of arterial actually anyone at the scene, blockage is from a clot coming could make a rapid diagnosis from the heart moving up to using the acronym FAST. In most block a brain artery (usually articles, this stands for Facial among persons with atrial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech fibrillation, where the left upper difficulties, and Time to call chamber of the heart quivers emergency services. For me, I instead of beating normally, thus prefer T for Tongue deviation, all accumulating clots in the left four letters to represent physical atrium, which could break off abnormalities. Calling 911 for and flow upwards to obstruct the emergency rescue is vital. But brain artery). The second type any two of the above four signs of a stroke is caused by bleeding are enough to suspect a stroke. on top of the brain from a fall Facial drooping becomes evident (trauma) or bleeding within the when you ask the person to smile. brain tissues itself, which is more Comparing the strength of the dangerous. two arms will show you which What is Atrial Fibrillation? side is weaker. Asking the patient Popularly known as A-Fib, to talk will reveal slurred speech atrial fibrillation is the most or inability to talk. common type of heart irregularity.

The tongue usually points to Some are related to heart valve the side of the facial droop and disease. About 6.4 million the weaker arm, opposite the side Americans have A-Fib not related of the brain affected. The right to any heart valve problem. A-Fib side of the brain controls the left increases the risk for a stroke by side of the body, and the left half five times. of the brain, the right side of the The actual cause of A-Fib is not body. The active dynamics of clear. It is more common among the pathology must be assessed seniors and 10 percent of adults without delay and treatment 80 years and older have A-Fib. The started immediately. Brain cells patient may have no symptom could die within minutes. In a at all and not know they have Astroke, every minute counts.

Health@Heart

Do you have the risk factors for a stroke?

Genetics is one, but since we cannot alter our genes as a standard of care for stroke prevention with our current science and technology, there practical strategies we can apply to minimize the risk for the development of a stroke.

Someday, preventive genetic engineering and manipulation for all diseases will be available.

In the meantime, here are some tips to greatly reduce the risk for having a stroke, heart attack, and even cancer, basically by living a healthy lifestyle or making necessary lifestyle changes.

• Eat healthy, mostly fish, vegetables of various colors, nuts, and some fruits. Minimize intake of red meats (especially processed foods, which are toxic to the body) and cut down on carbohydrates, like rice, bread, sweets in general, which catapults the risk for T2 diabetes.

The Philippines has one of the highest rates for T2 diabetes in the world, courtesy of “kanin.” The no-rice high-protein legume and vegetable diet is now becoming very popular and a trend.

• Drink about eight glasses of filtered water daily. Stay away from soft drinks which are toxic and increase the risk for metabolic syndrome for children and adults.

Any form of this “liquid candy” causes eight gain and is harmful to the body.

• Do daily exercises. Simple brisk walking for 30 minutes each day improves overall health by strengthening muscles, equilibrium and balance, and boosts the immune system, and ward off major illness, including Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

• Practice stress management with R&R, even at work, and especially during the weekend with the family • Discontinue tobacco use and take alcohol beverage in strict moderation. These two items are the causes of most of our infirmities today. They are not worth developing a stroke or heart attack for.

• Regular medical and dental check-ups are essential. Take your medications religiously and follow the advice of your physician, including a low-fat, low carbs, and low-salt diet. ***

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

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

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

Laura Garcia Continues Leadership at Fiesta in America FERNANDO “Nanding” Mendez, Fiesta In America’s Chief Executive Officer, made the appointment public after two years of grooming community leader Laura Garcia, DNP as President for Community Partnerships at the 19-year-old expo and cultural show. According to Nanding Mendez, who founded Fiesta In America in 1998, “Laura Garcia’s wealth of experience in alliance-building and nursing education is the missing piece in the growth puzzle as our nonprofit organization enters its second decade. After all, Fiesta In America is only as strong as the public and private connections it fosters.”

Dr. Garcia has been highly visible at Fil-Am civic and business functions during the past couple of years. “Since 2015,” according to the nurse educator, “Nanding has been introducing me to the leaders of key Fil-Am associations at numerous galas, forums and other events that we have attended. Last year, I was brought more actively into the official role of President for Community Partnerships as Nanding focuses on the full management and day-to-day operations of Fiesta In America.”

Asked about the significance of the appointment, Dr. Garcia remarked that, “We have seen the importance of transforming Fiesta In America into more than an expo and cultural show, but a voice for Filipinos in the USA and around the world.”

Kalayaan Hall. Incidentally, Dr. Garcia is a candidate for an open position on the PIDCI Board.

A crucial piece of Dr. Garcia’s preparation for her lead role in collaborations was joining Nanding Mendez, Consul General de Vega, and other community leaders for the July 2017 edition of the Ambassadors’ Tour of the Philippines. The annual tour, with swings across several cities and provinces, is an initiative of the Department of Tourism. President Rodrigo Duterte hosted a dinner for this year’s contingent during the Manila leg of the group’s visit.

“Laura will be responsible for Laura Garcia and Nanding Mendez , Board initiating and nurturing nonprofit Member Candidates for PIDCI 2017 as well as for-profit coalitions in Fiesta In America’s geographic Dr. Garcia is an Associate Professor at the Phillips School of footprint, which stretches from Connecticut to Virginia, and even Nursing at Mt. Sinai Beth Israel.

A Butuan City native and Siliman the Philippines,” said Mendez.

“Her expertise in healthcare University alumna, she will soon and education, as well as her serve as Chairperson of the winsome persona, will be crucial National Federation of Filipino as we expand the expo and American Associations (NaFFAA) cultural show’s partnerships and sits on the board of other nonprofit groups. She completed on Total Wellness in 2018 and beyond.” In addition, Mendez her highest education degree predicts that as Dr. Garcia’s (Doctor of Nursing Practice) in partnership-building outreach May this year, and received the Ulirang Guro (Exemplary Teacher) grows, “her healthcare industry connections will enhance Award from the Association of the ongoing efforts to make Fil-Am Teachers of America. Dr. Philippine medical tourism Garcia was one of the Fil-Am bachelor, master’s and doctorate a chief attraction at Fiesta In America 20th Anniversary on degree-holders who were feted August 11-12 next summer.”

by Consul General Ma. Theresa For more information on Dizon de Vega on June 20 at Laura Garcia and Nanding the fifth Philippine Graduation Mendez, please visit www.

(PGRAD) ceremony held at the fiestainamerica.com Philippine Center New York’s

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Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 23

Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila in North Hills, CA Come celebrate with us! The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry San Fernando Region invites all to the 9th regional celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Our Lady of Peace Parish (15444 Nordhoff St., North Hills, CA).

It starts with a procession at 4:15 p.m. and mass at 530 p.m. The Principal Celebrant is Most Rev. Gerald Wilkerson, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus. A reception and program follows right after mass at Schneider Hall. For a schedule of the nine-day novena masses prior to the event, please call Christine Hart at (818) 612-5060 or Patty Santiago at (818) 472-4288 or email Betty Defensor at bettydefensor@yahoo.com.

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3rd annual Kultura: Filipino-American food & arts festival in Chicago Kultura Festival is a contemporary Filipino-American food and arts festival taking place at Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar (2363 N. Milwaukee Avenue) on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Carefully curated to appeal to those who personally identify with Filipino culture and the merely curious or uninitiated, Kultura Festival aims to highlight the best in Filipino-American food and arts in Chicago and around the Midwest. Kultura Festival signals the start of Filipino-American History Month, a nationally commemorated holiday every October since November 2009, with the passage of U.S. House Resolution 780 and Senate Resolution 298. Kultura Festival will showcase Chicago and Midwest-based FilipinoAmerican chefs such as Hapa Chicago (Chicago),Meat on the Street (Milwaukee), and Sarap Detroit (Detroit), Guerrilla Street Food and Skip To Malou (both from St. Louis), as well as Chef Sharwin Tee of Lifestyle TV’s Curiosity Got The Chef (Manila, Philippines). Additional chefs and the full festival menu will be soon announced. The curated menu promises to tantalize festival-goers with a wide variety of chef-prepared Filipino and Filipino-inspired dishes between $5 and $7 each.

Filipino American artist-entrepreneurs will offer their unique wares for purchase at the festival: custom tailored barong Tagalog (traditional formal wear) from New York Citybased Pineapple Industries; artwork, books and apparel based on the prePhilippine script, baybayin, from San Francisco-based expert Kristian Kabuay; and clothing, jewelry and accessories centered around indigenous symbols and spirituality from Los Angeles-based Ginto Seeds.

This year, Kultura Festival patrons can learn about the connections between Filipino cuisine and culture. Admission to the Lechon Lectures, hosted in adjacent The Upside Down pop-up bar, is included with Kultura Festival ticket. Two time Hugo award winning editor of Uncanny Magazine Michi Trota leads a panel discussion on the role of food in science fiction and fantasy storytelling and how Filipinx creators in these genres integrate food and cultural identity into their own work. Descriptions of the full Lechon Lectures lineup and schedule will soon be announced. As in previous years, Filipino American DJs will provide the soundtrack for the festivities (schedule TBA). Kultura festival general admission tickets are available for $20 ($15 ticket plus 5 Kultura dollars) online at https://ti.to/filipino-kitchen/kultura-2017. Discounted general admission tickets are available for students with ID, senior citizens with ID, and children under 13 years of age. More information can be found at http://filipino.kitchen/kultura-festival/.

SEPTEMBER 30

PeDRO celebrates its 13th anniversary with a fundraising dinner dance The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation invites everyone to “A Dinner to Remember” with surprise guests on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Crystal Ballroom, Quiet Cannon, 909 N. Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640. Free parking; $55 cost and formal attire. Maricar and the 4700 Band will provide musical entertainment with DJ George Cunanan. For more information, contact President Archerie Calunod (714) 655-4285 or PRO Bettie Francisco (323) 828-7648.

SF Assessor Carmen Chu’s free Family Wealth Forum Free one-on-one counseling with experts. Multi-lingual workshops. Exhibitors hall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at City College (Ocean Campus), 50 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. To register: http://sfassessor.org/familywealthforum or call (415) 554-7434.

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A3M Starnight 2017 annual gala in Long Beach, CA In the past 25 years, A3M has given hope and a second chance of life to many patients.

Their journeys have inspired and motivated the organization to continue its mission of increasing and diversifying the Be the Match Registry. A3M is committed to supporting patients from the communities that are underrepresented in the Be the Match Registry. To continue its life-saving work, you are invited to support A3M at its Annual Gala Dinner held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802) from 5 to 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.flipcause.com/secure/ event_step2/MTk3NjI=/13381.

City of Carson’s Filipino-American History Month Kick-Off The City of Carson will kick off this year’s Filipino-American History Month on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the CJMM Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 980745).

From 8 to 9 a.m., there will be refreshments at the Community Center East Parking Lot. It will be followed by a wreath laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s monument from 9 to 9:15 a.m. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a program at the Carson Dominguez Room. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

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18th Annual Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, CA On Saturday, Oct. 14, the 18th annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held at the Almansor Court Conference Center (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801), featuring free workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and more! Jonny Hwang, founder of 626 Night Market, is the featured guest speaker with special guest, Jerome Horton, chairman of the California Board of Equalization. It is FREE to attend! The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. For more information, please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo.html.

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City of Carson’s 8th Annual Larry Itliong Day Celebration Join the City of Carson for its 8th annual celebration of Larry Itliong Day on Saturday, Oct. 21 with a parade and program. Assembly time begins at 8 a.m., with the parade from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The program will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be held at Veterans Park at 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. Admission is FREE. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

NaFFAA to celebrate 20th anniversary in Washington, DC The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) turns 20 years old this year. This October, several events are being planned to celebrate this milestone, which coincides with the national observance of Filipino American History Month. They will culminate with NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 21. With its theme “NaFFAA 2.0: One Voice, Four Million Strong,” NaFFAA will recognize the legacy and accomplishments of the organization over the past 20 years, and highlight its comprehensive vision to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos living in the United States. “NaFFAA 2.0” represents how NaFFAA is honoring its past while forging a new forward-thinking and balanced approach in uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse Filipino American individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy. To learn more about NaFFAA or to purchase tickets for the 20th Anniversary Gala, please visit www.naffaa.org.

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

An Asian Journal Magazine

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Our Lady of Victories Parish celebrates 100 years Jersey CITy – The highlight of the year-long celebration of 100 years Anniversary of Our Lady of Victories Parish in Jersey City will be a Gala Night on september 30, 2017 at ramada Plaza Hotel in 160 Frontage road, Newark, NJ starting at 6:00 P.M. According to Fiorel salvo, Co-Chair (with Fr. Vic Paloma) of the celebration committee, some 250 invited guests have already confirmed attendance as of sept.

17.

“We expect more will confirm in the next two weeks,” said salvo in a meeting of his committee last sunday.

The commemoration kicked-off with a mass on April 22, 2017 and will end on April 21, 2018 when the Anniversary Journal is expected to get finished for distribution.

Among the expected guests during the Gala Night are JC

EMPLOYMENT

Mayor steve Fulop, JC Council President rolando Lavarro, Jr., County Freeholder Bill O’Dea, Ny Consul General Tess de Vega and other Church and Hudson County dignitaries.

An auction with big prizes will be held during the Gala. Among the prizes will be round trip tickets to and from the Philippines,

courtesy of Philippine Air Lines.

Music will be provided by Face2Face Band.

On Oct. 1, 2017, a special mass will be held at the main church at noon, when the new look of OLV will be seen by parishioners, including new chandeliers, new carpets and newly-painted walls.

(Manny Caballero)

10-year-old Fil-Am singer Angelica Hale wows at ‘AGT’ Finale FILIPINO-American singer Angelica Hale won second place in “America’s Got Talent” season 12, with singing ventriloquist Darci Lynne taking first place.

The 10-year-old was overjoyed with her secondplace spot and only had love for her fellow contestant.

Hale opened the show’s finale with a show-stopping rendition of Clean Bandit’s “symphony.” Her ability to hit high notes earned her a standing ovation from both the audience and the judges.

Judge Howie described the performance as worthy of a finale: “What a way to open this show! This is the finale and that felt like that was the finale! That was the way to close the show, let alone open it.”

The ever-critical judge

simon Cowell was also impressed: “This is the moment your career started!

Angelica, you have my absolute respect.”

The singer, who received formal vocal training in Georgia, sang “stronger (What Doesn’t Kill you)” by Kelly Clarkson with the artist herself and contestant Kechi.

Audience votes placed her in the top 5.

Hale was 9 when she started the competition, and turned 10 last July. At 4 years old, Hale suffered from a bacterial infection which caused her to be critically ill.

Her mother willingly gave her a kidney for her survival. she has since pursued her dream to become a singer, and participates in fundraisers for children’s healthcare. (Niña V. Guno/ Inquirer.net)

PAWNSHOP

PSYCHIC

SCHOOL

SERVICES

FOR RENT

Angelica Hale

Photo from Instagram /@angelicahale

Matthias Rhoads is Marian Rivera’s leading man in new GMA show

by TEssa

MauRicio-aRRiola ManilaTimes.net

ReMeMBeR back in February when netizens went gaga over a hunky groom in a local fast food chain’s viral ad? Well, if they couldn’t get enough of him then, all they need to do is tune in to prime time TV for a daily dose of Matthias Rhoads.

The Fil-American model, who was quickly snapped up by GMA Network in the summer, is finally getting his moment on television as Marian Rivera’s leading man, no less.

He will play an archeologist in the fantasy series “Super Ma’am.”

At the program’s press launch, Rhoads was both excited and extremely grateful for his career’s biggest break so far. This, even as he had already experienced the other side of his online popularity even before the show’s premiere.

Here’s what happened: The new actor posted his promo shot locked in a tender embrace with Rivera on his Instagram account, and captioned it with glowing words for the network Primetime Queen.

“Sobrang saya at suwerte ko to be the leading man of this super sweet lady. Hindi lang super ganda, super talented actress pa siya at magaling na chef!”

He ended the post playfully with, “Be wary of our powerful combination. We are both August 12 Leo signs.”

And thus began the bashing of Matthias Rhoads.

‘User’ “There were bashers who accused me of using her [for my own popularity],” the 23-year-old former model related.

At first, he was incredulous over such rabid reactions on what was only meant to be an upbeat and innocent remark.

According to Rhoads, when he thought it through, he simply tried to understand that there can be fans who take their loyalty and admiration to the extreme, and as such, reacted that way to his post.

“Maybe they’re a big fan of her husband’s [Dingdong Dantes], or they can’t believe someone new like me got the part,” he said good naturedly. “I guess, that’s just something I have to understand.”

He was grateful, nonetheless, for the support Rivera extended him over the unexpected issue. As an old-timer in showbiz even at 33, the popular actress advised him there

Matthias Rhoads

will always be positive and negative feedback in show business. Rivera assured him too that to be talked about in any way is a good sign that his career is moving along.

A receptive person, Rhoads has decided to take everything in stride from hereon, certain he will neither please everyone once his acting gets the spotlight on primetime.

He knows the only thing he can do is to keep sharpening his skills in front of the camera, and of, course, like his leading lady always reminds him, “Keep improving my Filipino,” Rhoads laughed.

Trivia As Matthias Rhoads’ star begins its rise, here are excerpts from a GMANetwork.com fun fact feature on the small screen’s newest leading man.

“He’s an artist. One of the jobs Rhoads got into when he was in New York was being a graphic designer.

He’s a self-confessed lover of the arts and he grew up excelling in drawing and painting.

“He’s an adventurous eater. Balut is like cake to him. ‘People ask, ‘Have you tried it?’ and I say, ‘Don’t use the word try.’ Do I love it? The answer is yes,’ he shared.

“He used to work in finance. He worked in the insurance industry for three years before he decided to move to the Philippines to pursue his dreams of being in showbiz.

“He’s proud to be Pinoy. The

Meet the ‘It Girls’ of horror

“I Can Do That” besides being named Honorary Tourism Ambassador for Korea. Her film outings, meanwhile, include “Aswang,”“Just The Way You Are” and “A Second Chance.”

Ocampo, on the other hand, is a product of the kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit.” Like Ramirez, she’s been cast in one series after another, and appeared in a number of movies like “I’ve Fallen For You,”“ A Very Special Love,”“ You Changed My Life,”“BFF: Best Friends Forever” and “Paano na Kaya?”

Vito initially made her mark as a contravida in the fantaserye “Aryana,” which was topbilled by Megan Young. A Star Magic talent, she has numerous programs on ABS-CBN to her credit and is at home in horror movies, with her experience in “Pagpag: Siyam Na Buhay.”

For her part, de Leon started out as part of the all-girl dance group Girltrends on “It’s Showtime,” and had her first brush with acting in the fantasy series “Wansapanataym.”

Finally, Morales joins the cast as the newest Regal Millennial Baby.

She first turned heads as a contestant on TV5’s “Artista Academy,” and was immediately cast in the “Wattpad Presents” series. Now an ABS-CBN talent, she is part of the prime time series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

Together, they promise a unique brand of horror in “The Debuntates,” one that the millennial generation can relate to as it also delves into the subject of bullying in schools.

Moreover, they are certain the movie will succeed in scaring its audience what with Regal entertainment a veteran in the horror genre via the country’s longest and most successful horror franchise to date, “Shake, Rattle & Roll.”

(ManilaTimes.net)

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Sarah Lahbati, Richard Gutierrez expecting their second child

babae ako. That would be wonderful kasi kumpleto na kami as a family AJPress pero let’s see. (As long as the baby is healthy, then I am fine and happy. Of NeWLY-engaged couple Sarah course, Chard and others wanted me Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez took to have a girl. That would be wonderful the good news of Sarah’s pregnancy now that we will be complete as a to social media on Monday, family, but let’s see,)” Sarah added.

September 18.

The Filipino-Swiss actress also In her Instagram account, Sarah talked about her experience so far as posted a picture of herself while a second-time expectant mom. holding an ultrasound result, along “Physically ay medyo mas with Richard and Zion. mahirap ngayon pero mentally mas “We are thrilled to announce madali kasi alam ko na kung ano that our little family is growing. Zion i-expect ko sa changes ng body ko. is about to be a kuya!!!!! So excited for (Physically, it is more challenging, yet the future,” Sarah wrote.

Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati, and their first mentally it’s much easier since I already In an interview with ABS-CBN, born Zion, are now expecting a new addition to know what to expect on the changes Sarah shared that they delayed the announcement after doctors advised their family. Photo from Instagram/@sarahlahbati of my body,)” Sarah shared.

“With Zion kasi napakamaselan her to have bed rest due to concerns planned to announce it,)” she added. ko. Hindi ako makalabas ng kuwarto over her baby’s heartbeat.

She also said that the timing of kasi kaunting amoy lang ng ganito, “Matagal na namin alam pero her pregnancy couldn’t have been I need to go to the toilet pero itinago muna namin kasi nagkaroon more perfect. ngayon mas nadadalian na ako. ([My ng complications noong una. (We “Tamang-tama lang ang already knew a long time ago [about panahon na nabuntis ako (It is really pregnancy] with Zion is delicate. I can’t go out of my room since even with the the pregnancy] but we kept it secret the right time that I got pregnant) slightest scent of this or that, I need to because there were complications at because Zion is already four, and GMA photo first,)” Sarah said. go the toilet but now I am at ease,)” actually araw-araw na niya akong “Noong sinabi na ng doctor half-American, half-Pinoy is in kinukulit na (he would always ask me she said.

She also laughingly shared that na okay na okay na ang heartbeat everyday,) ‘Mama, I want a brother! I love with Filipino culture and the she is currently craving for corn soup at gumagalaw na, puwede ka na want a sister!” overall positivity of its people. ‘We and dimsum. mag-work ulit and go on with She added that the gender know how to live… We can make The engagement of Sarah and of their second child is yet to be something beautiful with the scraps your routine, ayon, doon namin pinlanong i-announce. (When the confirmed, though Richard is hoping Richard took place in Switzerland, that we’re given and I think that’s where the bride-to-be grew up. The doctor said that the heartbeat is really for a baby girl. amazing,’ he said. couple announced it just last July. okay by that time and it’s already “Basta healthy na baby, okay na “He’s single.”Well, least as of this Sarah is expected to give birth in moving, you can go back to work and ako at masaya na. Siyempre gusto feature back in March.

April 2018. go on with your routine, from there, we nila Chard kung puwede ay magkaBy Elijah

The girls of ‘The Debutantes’ (from left) Miles Ocampo, Chanel Morales, Sue Ramirez, Jane De Leon and Michelle Vito

Sue Ramirez, Miles Ocampo, Jane de Leon, Michelle Vito and Channel Morales have been given a new collective title as the “It Girls” of horror movies. In a few weeks, they will usher in the season of chills and thrills with “The Debutantes” from Regal entertainment.

The movie serves as the five millennial actresses’ biggest break under director Prime Cruz, who helmed the well-received “Ang Manananggal sa unit 23-B,” which first premiered at the QCinema Independent Film Festival.

The story of “The Debutantes” revolves around Kate (Ramirez), a friendless and weird-looking student who tries to win the friendship of fellow students Lara (Ocampo), Jenny (de Leon), Candice (Vito) and Shayne (Morales).

She, however, fails miserably in that she only gets close to one of them, Lara, while the rest of the girls find immeasurable joy in bullying her. Frustrated, Kate starts getting nightmares where here schoolmates die one after the other. She warns them about what she saw but as expected, they ignore her. eventually, Kate discovers that she plays a key role in her schoolmates’ deaths once they turn 18.

In real life, the female stars have a bright future ahead of them in show business given their extensive acting experiences despite their young age.

Ramirez was first seen in the remake of the hit teleserye “Mula sa Puso,” which was followed by the series “Angelito: Batang Ama,” “Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto,” “Annaliza,”“Pangako Sa ‘Yo,”“Dolce Amore,” and the ongoing horror series “La Luna Sangre” starring Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo.

She was also part of the reality show

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