Orange County / Inland Empire -- April 29 -- May 5, 2016

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE w w w. a s i a n j o u r n a l . c o m

w w w. a s i a n Volume 23 - No. 17 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

.com T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

a P r i l 2 9 - may 5 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

1210 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204 • Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854

Duterte: I have bank deposits, but no P211-M by robertzon

rAMirez

Philstar.com

mANILA—Presidential frontrunner Davao City mayor rodrigo Duterte on thursday, April 28 admitted having two bank accounts, but said these only contain several thousand pesos and not P211 million as claimed by vice presidential candidate sen. Antonio trillanes IV. Duterte said his accounts at a Bank of the Philippine Islands branch on Julia Vargas Avenue in ortigas have balances of only P17,000 and P50,000.

Makati Business Club Co-Vice Chair Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala shakes hand with he said both accounts are presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte on Wednesday, April 27.

Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo IV

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

New report shows olderadult Asian Americans face language, income, educational barriers ALthoUGh Asian Americans are widely perceived as the model minority, a new report containing disaggregated data of older adults in the ethnic group paints a completely different picture.

In Los Angeles County, Asian Americans and Native hawaiian Pacific Islanders (NhPI) aged 50 and older are the second fastest growing racial group, posting a 56 percent and 50 percent growth rate from 2000 to 2010, respectively. Asian Americans and NhPIs fall only second and third to Latinos, who grew at a rate of 60 percent during the same 10-year period.

Asian Americans also account for more than 480,000 of LA County’s 50-and-older population. Yet despite popular belief that the heterogenous ethnic segment is wealthier and more educated, a report released Wednesday, April 27, by the American Association of rePAGE A4

Los Angeles County pushes for early childhood education IN Los Angeles County, there are more than 800,000 children 5 years old and younger, an age range that is crucial to their development and future success. that’s why the County is pushing for early childhood education.

“Children are like little sponges,” said Dr. margaret Lynn Yonekura, executive director of LA Babies Best Network. “No matter what you’re doing, whether you’re doing the dishes or doing the laundry, chores that you don’t look forward to, you can turn that into a brain building opportunity. You can sort the clothes by color, you can count the different socks, you can talk about who the shirt belongs to and the siblings. But all these things make a huge difference in that child’s brain.”

In the first five years of a child’s life, parPAGE A4

PAGE A3

EARLY VOTERS. Members of media cast their votes at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, April 28. Journalists, soldiers and policemen who will be deployed on May 9 are allowed to vote earlier than regular voters.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Rep. Titus, immigrants call for immigration reform after SC hearing

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

foLLoWING the Us supreme Court’s hearing on President Barack obama’s executive orders on immigration, Us rep. Dina titus on friday, April 22, held a press conference that highlighted the nation’s need for comprehensive immigration reform. titus specifically touched on how the policies would benefit undocumented immigrants and the state of Nevada.

“It’s been years since the senate passed a bipartisan Joined by immigrants, Rep. Dina Titus on Friday, April 22 held a press conference that bill,” said titus, who represents Nevada’s first district, at her highlighted the nation’s need for comprehensive immigration reform.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal Las Vegas District office. “the

house refuses to take it up, we have protested, we have fasted, we have signed discharge petitions, all in hopes of getting that legislation passed because it would bring families ... out of the shadows [and] into the mainstream, keep families from being separated and take away that fear that any minute you could be deported.”

Central to the discussion were the programs obama announced in late 2014, which would have deferred deportation for more than four million undocumented immigrants in the United states. one of the programs, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and

Lawful Permanent residents (DAPA), would provide temporary relief from deportation and legal work authorization for three years with the possibility of renewal. the other would have expanded a 2012 program aimed at immigrant youth brought to the country as children, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). twenty-six republican states in the nation filed a lawsuit led by texas that led to a temporary injunction on the programs. Also in support of it is Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt.

PAGE A3

PH’s first microsatellite Pacquiao shrugs off Sayyaf threat: Diwata-1 now in orbit to Our Muslim brothers won’t do that observe weather patterns

by MArC JAyson

CAyAbyAb

Inquirer.net

DIWAtA-1, the Philippines first microsatellite, has started its duty as the country’s eye in the sky after it was successfully deployed into space on Wednesday, April 27.

It was released into orbit at around 7 p.m. from the Japanese experiment module (Jem), nicknamed “Kibo,” where it was

housed since it reached the International space station (Iss) late last month. the Japan Aerospace exploration Agency (Jaxa), in tsukuba space Center, said the deployment of Diwata-1 marks the first foray of a 50-kg (size of a “balikbayan box”) PAGE A4

sArANGANI rep. and senatorial hopeful manny Pacquiao said he was not alarmed by reports that the Abu sayyaf group has planned to take him hostage to attract the attention of the Islamic state (Is).

In an interview in Los Baños, Laguna where the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) took their campaign on thursday, Pacquiao said he was surprised but he PAGE A4 Manny Pacquiao

Former Chief Justice Corona passes away

Diwata-1, the Philippines’ 50-kg microsatellite, has been deployed into orbit. It will observe Earth and climate change.

Photo from astronaut Tim Peake’s Twitter account

former Chief Justice renato Corona has passed away, the supreme Court’s Public Information office (sC PIo) confirmed friday, April 29. the sC PIo said the family of the former chief justice has informed them.

Chief Justice maria Lourdes sereno has already ordered that the flag in the supreme Court and all courts nationwide be flown at halfmast to mourn the passing of the former Chief Justice.

Information from the family said Corona succumbed to cardiac arrest at 1:48 a.m. April 29. his family appeals for prayers.

Corona served as Chief Justice from may 17, Corona was the 23rd PH chief justice and 2010 to may 29, 2012. he was the 23rd Chief the first member of the High Tribunal to be Justice of the supreme Court. (inquirer.net) impeached, and later dismissed, in its history.

A

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

seafood city fpfc

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016

A

From the Front Page

Duterte: I have bank deposits...

PAGE A1

under his name and one of these had a huge amount before, but he had spent it and only P17,000 is left.

Asked if he had declared the bank accounts in his statement of assets liabilities and net worth (SALN), Duterte answered: “Ewan ko, basta mayroon akong (I don’t know, I just have) bank (accounts).”

“Hindi aabot ng (it won’t reach) million, I will assure you, kailan ko pa kayo binola (when did I fool you)?” Duterte said when asked if the money would reach millions.

He said Trillanes, whom he had rejected as running mate, was fabricating statements.

He also took a swipe at Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas for daring him to open his bank accounts.

Trillanes previously said Duterte did not declare P211 million in his SALN in 2014, which is a ground for an employee’s dismissal from government service.

He challenged Duterte to waive secrecy of his bank accounts to know who between the two of them is telling the truth.

At a press conference held at the Magdalo headquarters in Quezon City on Thursday, April 28, Trillanes said that he would resign as a senator and withdraw from the vice presidential race if his allegations are proven false.

But Duterte, who wooed voters in Balanga, Bataan, challenged Trillanes to execute “a statement under oath” or an affidavit that would declare when, where and how he got information on his bank accounts.

He said would not accommodate Trillanes’ challenge unless he files the affidavit, despite having previously signed a manifesto along with his running mate Sen. Alan Cayetano for full disclosure of their bank accounts.

Economic roadmap Meanwhile, Duterte might have failed to articulate it before the Makati Business Club (MBC) on Wednesday, but he has an economic roadmap, his spokesman said.

“We have a written economic program,” Peter Laviña told ABSCBN News Channel.

Laviña said part of the program is the adoption of the policies of the Arroyo and Aquino adminis-

PROOF, HE SAYS. Vice presidential candidate Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV shows members of the media a brown envelope which purportedly contains details of bank accounts that, the senator said, belong to presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte and his three children.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

trations “that are working.”

He did not, however, say which policies of President Aquino and his predecessor, former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, are working and how he intends to modernize agriculture.

Laviña said Duterte as president would discontinue the fourdecade-old land reform program, started during the Marcos era and which calls for the distribution of lands to landless tillers and farmers.

He said the mayor does not believe that giving farmers small lots would improve their lives.

Asked who are Duterte’s economic advisers, Laviña said former agriculture secretary Carlos Dominguez and his brother Paul, who are Davao businessmen.

MBC disappointed Members of the MBC said they were disappointed that the mayor did not unveil his economic program and his economic team.

Duterte’s speech was punctuated by expletives and foul language.

The camp of Roxas said Duterte is not interested in the economy.

“Empty cans make a lot of noise. Mayor Duterte proved this in his appearance before the Makati Business Club. This is the latest in a number of incidents where his lack of knowledge and interest in the economy was put on display for all to see,” Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez, speaking for Roxas, said.

He said the Makati businessmen needed to hear Duterte’s economic plans to help them decide whether they would continue investing here or pack up.

Instead, they heard profanity, sexist remarks and tall tales, he added.

Laviña recalled that Duterte

told his campaign team that “he would rather lose the elections than his identity” when they suggested that he should undergo a personality makeover.

He said the mayor has been using the private jet and helicopter of Davao City-based religious sect leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in his campaign.

Duterte has refused to name his campaign contributors.

Meanwhile, the mayor vowed to “tone down” the Constitution for foreign investors if he gets elected on May 9.

He told businessmen in Makati that he would open the country’s economy to foreign businessmen, but would let Congress decide on that matter.(With Jess Diaz, Marvin Sy)

Rep. Titus, immigrants call for immigration...

PAGE A1 Titus said that the Supreme Court, which currently has eight members after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February, is likely to issue a 4-4 decision on the case and will probably make the ruling in late June. Such a split would keep the programs blocked, but would not set a legal precedent, she said.

Titus said these programs would be beneficial to Nevada, where 8 percent of the population and 10 percent of the workforce is undocumented, according to a 2015 analysis from the Pew Research Center. Additionally, the programs would result in an anticipated gain of $1.3 billion in wages and a $2.5 billion increase in the state’s GDP. During the conference, some immigrants, including Filipina Maria Perez, shared their stories about how America’s immigration policies affects them.

Perez’s daughter, Jessica May, is currently protected under DACA and was able to work as a field organizer on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign trail.

“Thankfully, we got her papers,” Perez said. “She got denied first. All of my children including me are denied. We went here [legally].”

Perez’s family has been in the United States for 13 years, two of

whom are unable to pursue college due to their legal status.

“I was born basically and then I moved here, and then I learned how to speak English. I don’t even know my Tagalog that well and I consider myself more of an American than Filipino.” said Perez’s 19-year-old son Christian Perez, who graduated from high school in 2014.

Also affected by the nation’s immigration policies is Aida Lopez, who has resided in the United States for more than 15 years. Her husband was deported in 2014, kidnapped and never found. She has four US citizen children, one of whom is protected under DACA. Lopez is also currently under a “stay” that expires next month, PAGE A4

A

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

PH’s first microsatellite Diwata-1...

PAGE A1

class satellite from the JEM. Acknowledging this historical milestone, Jaxa noted that “the deployment of the microsatellite combines the only air lock and robot arm in the ISS used in ‘Kibo’ operations, which, in the future, is expected to be one of the important means to meet the launch needs of microsatellites.”

The microsatellite was released by the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer at an altitude of 400 kilometers from the earth’s surface.

Its mission is to capture photos and images from its main payload consisting of high precision telescope, spaceborne multispectral imager and wide field camera.

The telescope produces high resolution imaging for observing large-scale weather patterns while the imager is used for monitoring bodies of water and vegetation.

The camera, on the other hand, is used in observing large-scale weather patterns.

Diwata-1 is historic as it is designed, developed and assembled by Filipino scientists.

Aside from the microsatellite’s use in disaster-response mechanisms, agriculture and

tourism, among others, it also marks a milestone in the country’s developing space program and a testament that local scientists can make their own microsatellite.

“The Diwata-1 might be a small satellite, but it represents the dreams and aspirations of the Philippines, as far as making space technology work for the Filipino,” said Joel Joseph Marciano, director of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in a press conference at the Tsukuba Space Center.

“A lot of kids in the Philippines before [would] think of space as part of science fiction. But what this means is that for our young engineers and scientists in the Philippines, given enough support, can actually achieve what first-world countries are doing with technology,” Fidel Nemenzo, vice chancellor for Research and Development of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr. said the launch of Diwata-1 is “not only a giant leap for Philippine science and technology. It could also

provide Philippine policy makers with the scientific data and information needed to formulate policies relating to disaster mitigation, agricultural productivity, and management of land and water resources.”

Diwata-1 is expected to be in orbit for approximately 20 months and will be imaging the country twice daily.

Along with the microsatellite development is the installation of the satellite ground receiving station, named Philippine Earth Data Resources Observation (Pedro).

Located in Subic, Zambales, Pedro is tasked to receive Diwata-1 imagery, including other images from selected commercial satellites.

Another space-related facility under construction is the UP-Diliman Microsatellite Research and Instructional facility which will be the hub of training for future space technology research and development activities.

Philippines’ second microsatellite, Diwata-2, will be deployed in late 2017 or early 2018.

The two microsatellites and the ground station are part of a three-year P840.82-million microsat program. (Michael Joe T. Delizo/ManilaTimes.net)

Filipina appointed as CIPC Executive Director Cynthia Buiza will welcome hundreds to 20th Annual Immigrant Day next month in Sacramento

LOS ANGELES,—The California Immigrant Policy recently announced that Cynthia Buiza has been appointed as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Buiza brings 25 years of experience fighting to defend the human rights of immigrants and refugees — in California and across the globe. She has served as a trusted consultant to CIPC and other immigrant and civil rights partners since 2013, leading a CIPC project to strengthen the capacity of nine regional coalitions on the front lines of the fight for immigrant rights.

Prior to her consulting work, Buiza served as Policy Director at the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and Policy and Advocacy Director at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She played a key role in several immigrant rights campaigns, challenging checkpoints and car impoundments, fighting for driver’s licenses, defending worker rights, and advocating against abuses at the border.

At a time when refugees fleeing violence have generated intense attention around the world, Buiza has deeply personal insight into the experiences of displaced people. An immigrant from the Philippines, her commitment to human rights and sothat the Lord will guide us and we Ridsdel.

Aquino said the Abu Sayyaf, cial justice was forged under the don’t think about it because everyone is our friend. What we try whose leaders pledged allegiance Marcos dictatorship. She created to do is to help the poor people, to the IS, also planned to execute community-based programs to especially our Muslim brothers),” him and stage bombings in Metro empower children and families Manila to attract the attention of displaced by war, and her pashe added.

Pacquiao said that the alleged the international terrorist group sion for justice later took her to plot should have been told to him and gain access to the funds of positions at several international organizations in Southeast

by President Aquino much earlier the jihadists.

The president said government Asia, including the UN High and in secret.

“Sa akin lang, kung iyan ang forces were able to thwart the Commissioner for Refugees.

Buiza said in a statement: talagang intelligence report dapat Abu Sayyaf’s plans.

“I am deeply honored to join Ridsdel was one of four people sinabi sa akin nang sikreto at hindi i-announce at sabihin sa akin in abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on advance. May doubt pa rin ako the Island Garden City of Samal pero di naman natin binabalewa- island off Davao City in Septemla. I doubt na magagawa yan ng ber 2015.

His head was found wrapped in PAGE A1 mga brother Muslims natin (In my opinion, if that is really the intel- a plastic bag on the streets of Sulu ents, who are their first and most important teachers, are enligence report, they should have on Monday.

The terrorist group earlier de- couraged to talk, read and sing told me in secret and in advance, they should not have announced manded a P300-million ransom to them. These activities help the child learn more, Yonekura it. I doubt that our Muslim broth- for each of the hostages.

For his part, UNA standard said. Also important for children ers can do that,” Pacquiao said Aquino first revealed the al- bearer Vice President Jejomar are their primary relationships, leged plot of the Abu Sayyaf to Binay said he is one of those pro- which have the greatest impact abduct Pacquiao and presiden- tective of Pacquiao who recently on them. Children who experitial sister Kris Aquino after the placed third in the opinion poll ence extreme neglect are shown to have less grey matter – a mabandits beheaded Canadian John results. jor component of the central nervous system – in the brain.

“You, as a parent, are a brain builder,” she told parents during a New America Media briefing on Monday, April 25. “Without you, your child’s brain will not be as strong as it can be.”

Early childhood education and care is a particularly important issue for the immigrant community, as 47 percent of these children are those of immigrants, the vast majority of whom are being raised in informal care settings.

Among the obstacles for families seeking early care and education include that childcare services are not always accessible or affordable. They can sometimes cost $6,000 to $8,000 per year, said Jackie Majors, CEO of Crystal Stairs, a non-profit child

Pacquiao shrugs off Sayyaf threat...

PAGE A1

remains confident that his Muslim brothers and sisters would not do such a thing on the internationally renowned boxer.

“Hindi ako naniniwala na gagawin iyan ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim (I don’t believe that our Muslim brothers can do that),” he added.

Pacquiao said the report compelled him to beef up his security to protect his family from the alleged threats.

“Bali, may mga security naman kayo at dinagdagan natin iyong security pati sa mga bata at pamilya (We have security and we even added our security including [my] children and family),” Pacquiao said.

“Naniniwala naman kami na ang Panginoon ay gagabayan kami at saka hindi namin maiisip iyan dahil kaibigan namin ang lahat. Ang ginagawa namin is tumutulong sa mga mahihirap na tao especially ang mga brothers natin na Muslim (We believe

Cynthia Buiza

the CIPC team. I greatly admire the organization’s values of inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability to community, and I’m excited about the opportunities and possibilities ahead.

Immigrant communities have helped transform California into a state that holds great promise for the sustenance of social justice ideals. But despite the progress we’ve made, we still face profound challenges, including an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor and the harsh and inhumane consequences of a broken immigration system.

So much has changed since CIPC began twenty years ago — and I’m deeply moved to imagine what we can achieve together in the next twenty years!”

Buiza is slated to welcome hundreds of immigrant rights

leaders from across California at the 20th annual Immigrant Day on Monday, May 23 in Sacramento.

CIPC’s previous Executive Director, Reshma Shamasunder, stepped down in December after a successful 12-year tenure. Policy Manager Gabriela Villareal had assumed the role of interim Executive Director.

The California Immigrant Policy Center advances inclusive policies that build a prosperous future for all Californians. CIPC was founded in 1996, as California reeled from the ugly aftermath of Proposition 187 and harsh federal copycats. A multiethnic hub for statewide advocacy, CIPC has worked hand-inhand with community partners across the state for two decades to create a national blueprint for pro-immigrant policy.

Los Angeles County pushes for early... development agency that administers a number of childcare related programs. She added that Crystal Stairs is focused on improving those areas.

Panelists during Monday’s briefing advised parents to use 2-1-1, a free, confidential, statewide resource that can connect them to childcare providers and programs including summer camps, nursery schools, licensed childcare centers and play groups, among others.

The Los Angeles Unified School District Early Childhood Education Division also offers a free, quality early learning option for low-income children who turn 5 after Dec. 2, called the Expanded Transitional Kindergarten program. It is a six-hour, 180-school day program where one teacher and a teacher assistant will teach 24 children per classroom.

Another area children from 0 to 5 years old are able to quickly pick up on is languages, said Ernesto Saldana, senior advisor on educational policy and programs at The Advancement Project, a next generation, multiracial civil rights organization. Research has debunked the myth that kids can only learn one language, Sal-

dana said, noting they can learn three to four.

“Children from birth to age 7 have this amazing ability to capture nuances in sound that we, from 15 [years old], on cannot capture. So to teach your child another language is critical because they have the brain capacity to. They’re called language geniuses at that point,” he said.

With all the positive outcomes of early childhood education, Barbara DuBransky, director of the First 5 LA Program Development, also pointed out that conflict and violence in the home can have an impact on children, even if such problems do not directly involve them.

Additionally, the importance of early education and care is not only about children being more advanced than standard reading levels, Majors said. (By Agnes Constante / AJPress) “It has to do with having a workforce in 20 years that is going to be able to sustain our community, sustain our government and work in positions that in 20 years we’re going to need to be able to move our communities forward,” she said. (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

New report shows older-adult Asian Americans face...

PAGE A1 tired Persons (AARP) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice – LA), recorded findings that indicated otherwise. “[Asian Pacific Islander] older adults are incredibly vulnerable,” said Connie Chung Joe, executive director of Korean American Family Services, during the launch of the report on Wednesday at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. “They face enormous barriers to access and care due to many of the reasons we saw today – language, education lack of health care, stigma, etcetera.”

Among findings include that among seniors, Asian Americans are the most likely of all racial groups to rely on Supplemental Security Income, with 35 percent of Cambodians and 34 percent of Vietnamese at the top of the list.

Older Asian Americans are also less likely than Whites to be homeowners; nearly 300,000 older-adult Asian americans in LA County are limited English proficient; older-adult Cambodians and Vietnamese have the lowest levels of educational attainment; and Korean and Cambodian Americans are more likely to live

below the poverty line and have low-income status.

“Without this data, we’re kind of blind to what are the real issues,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of Advancing Justice - LA. “That’s why AARP and Advancing Justice - LA teamed up. We thought by disaggregating this data and collecting the data, we could give educators, faith-based groups [and] non-profits the information they need to better educate and advocate your broader constituencies.”

For the Filipino community, housing for older adults is among one of the bigger challenges.

Thirty-nine percent of the group spends more than 30 percent of its income on housing costs, while 20 percent of Filipinos in LA County spends more than 50 percent of its income these costs.

As a result, the group resorts to temporary solutions while waiting for affordable housing. Amy Phillips, director of senior services at the Little Tokyo Service Center and co-chair of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council’s Older Adults Task Force, said Filipino seniors often room together and even live with their children and grandchildren.

“But they see the economic pressure that their adult children are under and there’s quite a bit of pressure on the seniors to earn their keep. And sometimes it affects their health and mental health because they feel so much burden, so much pressure to do everything they can for the family. Even in retirement, it’s definitely not any kind of retirement as people imagine,” Phillips said.

Filipinos were also the second most populous Asian American group for those aged 50 and older, with about 117,800 residing in LA County in 2010, according to data from the US Census Bureau.

Data from the Bureau from 2009 to 2013 further indicated that foreign-born Filipinos were the largest Asian American ethnic group to enter the United States in 2000 or later.

The report, “A Community of Contrasts: Asian Americans 50 and Older,” provided an overview of the largest group of Asian Americans 50 years old and above in the United States.

However, among its limitations was that it did not provide more disaggregated data for the NHPI beyond basic demographic sections. (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

Rep. Titus, immigrants call for immigration...

PAGE A1 after which time Immigration and Customs Enforcement can choose to deport her. But with no criminal background, Lopez is not an enforcement priority.

“If she were to be deported, here are her four children who are US citizens. What would happen to them? Would they go back with

her? Would they stay here without their mother? It’s just an untenable situation,” Titus said.

Should the Supreme Court not decide in favor of DAPA and expanded DACA, Titus said she is still calling for immigration reform. “ I mentioned that it’s economically wise as well as being personally humane and socially impor-

tant if we pass this and we brought these folks out of the shadows and into the workforce,” Titus said.

“Strong families build strong communities and when we threaten those families or divide those families or keep them from reaching their potential, we are only hurting ourselves,” she added.

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016

D ateline PhiliPPines 2 more NAIA men tagged in tanim-bala extortion wheelchair attendant Niño Namba of demanding P50,000 from them so that they would be allowed to board their flight to the US after being held for alleged possession of a bullet.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has cancelled the access passes of Namba, Morales and Go following the extortion claim.

Acosta said they are preparing the affidavits for the filing of extortion charges against the airport personnel.

The Star earlier reported that an eyewitness—another passenger bound for the US who was with the elderly couple during the incident—has surfaced to support their extortion story and is now preparing an affidavit.

The Cortabistas are facing preliminary investigation on charges for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

They are expected to appear in a hearing on May 3.

The couple were barred from boarding Korean Airlines flight

KE 622 bound for Los Angeles via Seoul, South Korea last April 19 after OTS personnel found a MANILA—The elderly couple live .38 caliber bullet in one of allegedly victimized in the tanimtheir bags at the departure area of bala (bullet-planting) scheme at NAIA Terminal 1. the Ninoy Aquino International They denied owning the bullet Airport (NAIA) last week have and insisted that airport persontagged more airport personnel in nel planted it in their hand-carry their extortion claim. bag.

Esteban Cortabista, 78, and They said they were aware of his wife Salvacion, 75, personthe ban on bullet possession at the ally identified Office for Transairport and pointed out that the portation Security (OTS) screenbullet found in their bag was not ers Ferdinand Morales and Fatti detected in the X-ray examination Dame Go as those who tried to at the initial security check. extort P50,000 from them when The elderly couple were inithey were held at the NAIA Tertially held after the incident and minal 1 last April 19 for alleged subjected to inquest proceedings. illegal possession of a live bullet.

But prosecutors assigned by DOJ Their counsel, Public Attorat the airport did not immediately ney’s Office chief Persida Ruedafind probable cause to file the Acosta, said the couple picked case in court or keep the two in Morales and Go from photodetention. graphs presented to them by ofThey were then ordered reficers of the police Aviation Seculeased for further investigation but rity Group. they missed their flight to the US, The two OTS employees were where they are supposed to seek manning the X-ray machine treatment for severe arthritis. where the bullet was supposedly Vice presidential candidate Sen. detected inside one of the bags of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chided actthe couple. ing Justice Secretary Emmanuel The couple earlier accused Caparas for claiming that the latest bullet-planting incident could be part of a smear campaign against the government.

Marcos said that while the justice department has yet to complete its investigation, Caparas has practically prejudged the case with his statement.

“By conveniently dismissing this latest incident of tanim-balaas a smear campaign against the government, the justice secretary has, wittingly or unwittingly, bound the hands of the prosecutors who would investigate the case,” Marcos said.

He said Caparas should at least have waited for the facts of The “laglag-bala” or bullet planting incidents are allegedly part of an extortion scheme of some the case to be established before airport personnel. In this Nov. 2, 2015 photo, a passenger’s luggage is wrapped with tape. making any comment.

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

Ombudsman asks Sandiganbayan to reverse Napoles, ex-Masbate guv bail

by Patricia LourdEs Philstar.com

A

Viray

MANILA—The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, April 28 asked anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to reconsider its decision on granting the bail petition of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles and dismissed Masbate Gov. Rizalina Lañete.

Sandiganbayan earlier allowed Napoles and Lañete, who are facing plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam, to post bail at P500,000 each.

In its motion for reconsideration, the Office of the Ombudsman argued that Lañete’s participation in the scam has been clearly established.

The Office of the Ombudsman stressed that there was more than ample evidence to prove that the ill-gotten wealth amassed by Lañete exceeded the P50 million

threshold for plunder.

“Contrary to the honorable court’s ruling, the evidence on record clearly established that the amount of ill-gotten wealth amassed by the accused surpassed the legal threshold for plunder,” the motion read.

The motion also claimed that the entire evidence presented by the prosecution was not fully taken into consideration.

“The evidence of the prosecution was measured against legal standards and evidentiary burdens that are not applicable to bail proceedings in particular and to corruption cases in general,” the motion read.

Lañete and Napoles are both facing plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan for the latter’s alleged misuse of her priority development assistance fund (PDAF) during her term as Masbate representative from 2007 to 2009.

Detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles (pictured) and Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete are detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

The dismissed Masbate governor allegedly allotted her PDAF to fake non-government organizations linked to Napoles. Lañete has been detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City since February 2015.

FACE OF DROUGHT. Farmer Celestina Tongco (left) gazes despondently at her withered corn crops in Bohol province. he drought ravaging the island-province of Bohol did not just affect farmlands but also sources of drinking water, especially for residents of mountain areas.

Inquirer.net photo

Comelec frets over OAVs’ selfies with ballots

by MayEn JayMaLin Philstar.com

MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is more concerned with overseas absentee voters (OAV) taking selfies with their ballots than reports of discrepancies in actual votes and voting receipts.

Comelec Commissioner Arthur Lim disclosed on Wednesday, April 27 that they have received numerous reports of voters taking selfies holding their ballots from the board of election inspectors (BEIs).

He said a majority of the incidents reported by the BEIs in Dubai, Hong Kong, Vientiane in Laos, Madrid in Spain and Singapore involved voters taking selfies, which is strictly prohibited.

“We will have it investigated by our law department to determine whether there is probable cause, and to determine whether we have jurisdiction over it,” said Lim. Contrary to reports in social media, there were only two and not many incidents of alleged discrepancies in the voting receipts.

“There were only two incidents of the voter receipts not reflecting the votes out of the 191,427 ballots cast in Seoul and Dubai,” Lim noted.

Numerous reports on voting receipts not reflecting the actual vote of overseas absentee voters have been circulating in social media.

The Comelec had asked those making claims of discrepancies to substantiate their claims by filing formal petitions.

For overseas voters who are yet to vote, Lim reminded them to take the election seriously and follow the existing rules and regulations in voting centers abroad.

“It is important for everyone to take seriously our election and don’t toy around with it. Taking pictures of your vote is strictly prohibited,” he said.

He also urged those who have experienced discrepancies in

their votes to report them to the BEIs. “We would like to encourage Filipinos to report to us here at Comelec and I can assure you that we will act on it,” Lim said.

So far, Lim said, there are 191,427 votes cast in the ongoing OAV. The figure represents a 13.91 percent voter turnout from the 1,376,067 total number of registered OAV voters.

Lim said they expect the number to double and reach about 400,000 by the end of the monthlong voting period on May 9.

A

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

OpiniOn

Features

Initiative

IN honor of Earth Day last Friday, April 22, international political, business and civil society leaders from 175 countries gathered at the United National Headquarters in New York for the historic signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, a global initiative to ensure a sustainable future for billions of people around the world through climate action.

“Today is a historic day,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Ban told reporters following the opening ceremony of the signing event. “This is by far the largest number of countries ever to sign an international agreement on a single day.”

The Paris Climate Agreement will give way to a global economy that will be powered by low-carbon, climate-smart growth. It has already begun to impact private sector operations and investments, demonstrating that climate action can improve performance, leverage new market opportunities, and be a gateway to growth and innovation.

“In Paris, there were also four initiatives that were launched: the International Solar Energy Alliance, the development plan for renewable energy, the innovation mission with President Obama, and finally the high-level coalition to set a price for fossil fuels and coal,” French President Francois Hollande said as he vowed to make France a role model in implementing the contents of the Agreement.

The Paris Climate Agreement will come into force once 55 countries responsible for 55 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases have ratified it, including the world’s top polluters, the US and China. Altogether, the 175 signatories account for 93 percent of global greenhouse gases, according to the World Resource Institute.

It took years of negotiations before countries agreed to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, while pursuing efforts to

keep temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. The Paris Agreement mandates regular meetings every five years, starting in 2018, to review progress, and to consider whether it is necessary to increase ambition.

Regarded as a poster child for climate change, the Philippines along with under-developed nations were also present during the signing to encourage governments to keep the promises they gave in Paris.

Sen. Loren Legarda, Champion for Resilience of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), led the Philippine delegation in calling on nations to immediately ratify the Agreement and stressed the need to target the more ambitious but safer 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit.

“The 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit should not just be an aspiration; we must do everything not to go beyond that, because the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal is a matter of survival. We have already breached the 1 degree Celsius mark and look at what has happened to vulnerable nations like the Philippines,” Legarda said.

Legarda explained how the Philippines, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, has been affected by extreme weather events caused by the warming climate. Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 ate up 2.7 percent of the country’s GDP; while the country has yet to fully recover from the damage and effects of the November 2013 Supertyphoon Haiyan. At present, farmers and

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

farming communities have been suffering from the drought caused by the extended El Niño affecting the Philippines.

Following the historic signing, the world must now embrace this broader challenge and step up efforts to combat climate change. This problem is multi-faceted and its mitigation will require ac-

tion from multiple fronts.

We are not oblivious to the advent of climate change. While we cannot undo the damages done, we are still capable of decelerating the rate of the effects of climate change and produce a desirable future for the planet altogether. Every one is simply responsible. (AJPress)

BALITANG AMERICA: Duterte, Roxas top Fil-Am online poll after last debate FOLLOWING the last presidential debate hosted

by ABS-CBN, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” asked its viewers: “If the elections were held today, would you vote for to be the next president of the Philippines?” The result of the April 25 online poll revealed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte still topping the field of candidates, with 54 percent vote among the viewers who participated.

Former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas placed second, getting 32 percent, followed by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago with 8 percent.

It seems Sen. Grace Poe has lost much enthusiasm among kababayans, getting only 5 percent.

vey shows Duterte is still leading Vice President Jejomar Binay rethe race to Malacanang with 35 mains at the bottom of the pack The Fil-Am percent vote, followed by Sen. with only 1 percent of the vote.

Grace Poe with 23 percent — a 12 Duterte’s dominance in the Perspective point margin.

Fil-Am poll -- despite his conFormer DILG Sec. Mar Roxas troversial rape statement that came in third with 17 percent, folthe mayor [Duterte] should have lowed by VP Jejomar Binay with been the first to rape the beauti16 percent vote. Sen. Miriam Deful Australian woman killed in Gel SantoS-ReloS fensor Santiago garnered 2 perMindanao -- is also echoed in the most recent Pulse Asia survey conducted in the cent.

With less than two weeks before the Philippine Philippines during the period April 16-20, before national election, will Duterte keep his lead? Will the last debate.

The Pulse Asia Pulso ng Bayan nationwide sur- the debate prove to be a game changer and put

ABC’s response to Ogle

Community Voice DR. MaRY Sieu LAST week, Dr. Colin Sprigg, Director of Information and Technology in the ABC Unified School District and I strategized ways to respond to the new social media app called Ogle. We learned that ABC Unified School District along with schools from throughout California, faced a new problem caused by Ogle which targets high school and college students. Ogle allows users to make anonymous posts under a selected school name.

Users can post anything on Ogle using text, photos, and videos.

As a result, some Ogle user’s sense of anonymity, posts have targeted specific schools and students with abusive and hurtful content. The Ogle app’s user anonymity makes it difficult for school officials to quickly investigate issues that occur within the Ogle app.

Last week, one particular post targeted Cerritos High School with a threat to school safety.

This post caused Cerritos High School administrators and the Cerritos Sheriff’s Department to act swiftly before it was determined that the threat was a hoax.

ABC District staff have been closely monitoring Ogle postings in response to recent events. The campus specific posts range in nature from harassment, bullying, sexual content, false statements, and threats.

A review of recent news articles from around the State of California, show that other

school Districts have scrambled to investigate specific Ogle posts considered to be unlawful due to the threatening nature of the content.

Ogle users need to know that nothing posted on online is ever anonymous. While Ogle users have a sense of anonymity, behind the scenes Ogle is collecting device information from every post made to their site. This device information may be subpoenaed by law enforcement and tracked back to the account holders of a device in question.

Our District will work closely with the Cerritos Sheriff Department to subpoena identifying mobile device information associated with any posts determined to be unlawful or a threat to school safety. A number of other California school districts recently in the news, have successfully subpoenaed mobile device information from Ogle that were determined to have been the source of specific threats to schools, each resulting in arrests in the cities of Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Cruz, CA. Dr. Colin Sprigg states that our school administrators are closely monitoring Ogle posts, and that a variety of mitigations are in place to counter this new problem.

“First, everyone should know that access to Ogle is blocked on the ABC Network for students and staff. Ogle is not accessible via our schools’ Wi-Fi or via any school owned student devices.”

Dr. Sprigg indicated the Ogle problems are occurring on students’ personal smart phones, which cannot be monitored or controlled by the school district.

Prominent parent alerts are on

the District and ABC High School and Middle School websites. The alerts inform parents about the Ogle problem in schools, and recommend that parents intervene and eliminate the Ogle app from their students’ cell phones.

In addition, the parent alert encourages parents to visit the District’s CyberSmart website where grade level teaching materials are available for teachers and parents to review appropriate, safe, and respectful online behaviors expected from ABC students. These materials are part of the District’s annual CyberSmart month that occurs each October at all ABC Schools.

In response to the Ogle problem, the District is creating a specific CyberSmart lesson intended for ABC’s Middle and High School teachers and students. The new lesson will specifically address the dangers of anonymous social media Apps like Ogle, and it will be delivered to all secondary schools in the near future.

School districts in California have obviously not endorsed the Ogle app, nor have they granted Ogle the right or permission to use their schools’ names within Ogle application. The District has made a written request to Ogle to delete all ABC school names. Ogle has not responded to the request. There is mounting legal discussion occurring within the education community against Ogle which the ABC Unified School District is closely monitoring.

Resources for parents • The ABC Unified CyberSmart Website • Parent Education Regarding Social Media

Opinion

YeY CoRonel I FINALLY filed my application to be naturalized as an American.

It only took me over 20 years…

My first trip to America was with my mom and two siblings in 1981. I was 15 years old and had just graduated from high school. The trip was supposed to be a month-long vacation to see Disneyland and Universal Studios, with a possible side trip to Canada to visit relatives. I was so excited.

At that time, I was very idealistic. Attending Catholic schools during the martial law era had a way of instilling a deep love for God and country, as well as a strong sense of giving service to others. I had solid goals and made life-long plans to learn, acquire skills, and give back to my motherland – plans that were already set in motion. The trip fit perfectly.

Little did I know that my mom had her own plans. As soon as we boarded the plane, she started chatting with other passengers about the best colleges in California. When we landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), she went straight to the information booth to ask for directions to universities. We made it to Disneyland and all major attractions, but in a circuitous route through UCLA, USC, LMU, CSULB, UCI, CSUDH, CSUN, and many more.

My heart was heavy each time we entered a college/university campus, fearing that my life plan would go awry. My age and lack

Poe back to the top position, or will Roxas surge to be number one after his debate performance?

ABANGAN! Meantime, watch The Filipino Channel’s Balitang America town hall, to be participated in by community leaders supporting each candidate.

This will air on Sunday, May 1, at 5 pm. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Becoming an American of SAT/TOEFL exams became a huge deterrent for acceptance into universities and my greatest ammunition against changes to my life plan. But my mom had her mind set on giving me an American education. Two months later, I was back in Southern California as a foreign student. My first lesson was on adaptation.

It took another twelve years before I became a legal permanent resident, and only because I got married and it was necessary for my husband to maintain his security clearance. The marriage ended before I became eligible for naturalization; after we divorced, becoming a citizen was unnecessary. In my heart, I was still a Filipino and renouncing my allegiance to the Philippines did not feel right.

Although there were opportunities for me to move back to the Philippines, I could not. My daughter was born here and I could not uproot her. Plus I could not renege on my responsibilities at work. Over time, I remarried and settled into the American way of life. I did not have to think about my immigration status except when returning from intermittent trips abroad…until last year.

Out of curiosity, I attended a free naturalization workshop, one of many given at local public libraries as part of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s immigration initiative.

By a quirk of fate, a few months later, I became the Executive Director of the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides assistance with naturalization applications. These events gave me the opportunity

to ask people why they want to become American citizens. Most of the responses center on three benefits: (1) voting rights; (2) family reunification – so that they can petition their family members to be with them; and (3) financial/ professional advancement – so that they can be eligible for federal jobs.

Talking to naturalization applicants on an almost daily basis for the past year has made me reassess my reasons for holding back.

I was born in the Philippines, but America is where I found myself – where I learned, grew up, fell in love, gave birth to my daughter, gained hope in government, renewed my spirituality, and realized my goal to serve. After living here for 35 years, my trips to the Philippines have ceased to feel like “coming home” because a lot has changed and become unfamiliar. Los Angeles has become the true home where I have lived the greater part of my life.

When the time came, it felt very right to sign the N400 Application for Naturalization. On April 14, when I heard the “Star Spangled Banner” at Mayor Garcetti’s State of the City Address, the experience was profoundly moving.

If you are like me and live in America as a legal permanent resident but have dilly-dallied with naturalization, I urge you to act now. Even if you have no family members to petition or a federal job to pursue, please consider your opportunity to vote. American rules and regulations do affect your life, and you must claim the chance to have your say.

If you need assistance in filing your application or have any quesPAGE A7

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

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer

Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com Northern California: 1001 Bayhill Drive, Suite 200 San Bruno, CA 94066 Tel.: (650) 616-4150 • Fax: (650) 616-4152

Manila Office: 2nd Floor Units D&E, Fort Palm Springs 30th St., Cor 1st Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • Fax: (632) 856-1661

BELLE M. SISON Executive Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal

SHARON ANN SAN PEDRO Vice President - Sales Balikbayan Magazine

New York and New Jersey: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858 535 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306 Tel.: (212) 655-5426. • Fax (818) (818) 502-0858

Las Vegas Sales Office: 3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor DING CARREON Videographer

DANTE SAMBILAY Art Director

ANDY TECSON/TED TALAG BERT JAURIGUE Photographers

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome.

Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline PhiliPPines

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016

A

AMLC files money laundering complaint vs PhilRem

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

Presidential bet Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

Santiago says she received P300-M offer to back out from presidential race

by Frances

Mangosing

Inquirer.net

LOS BANOS, Laguna—Presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said she has received feelers to back out from the presidential race and was offered up to P300 million to reimburse her campaign expenses.

“There are many of them but they don’t speak to me but to my husband,” she said in Filipino on Wednesday, April 27, on the sidelines of her campus tour at the University of the Philippines (UP) here.

The feisty senator, who had been appearing in public more frequently after taking a short break from her anticancer treatment, lamented her consistent bottom ranking in commercial surveys.

“If we would follow what the survey firms say, they will be the ones to choose our next leaders.

Our right to vote will be forfeited in

their favor. They would become the kingmaker. That would not be appropriate,” she said in her 10-minute speech delivered at Baker Hall to an audience of mostly students and faculty.

Because of her poor standing in surveys, Santiago said this could have prevented her contributors for her campaign.

“I’m in a difficult situation, they are making my survey standing low to prevent contributors for my campaign. If there are no contributors, there would be no funding. Because I have no funding, they are insisting that I withdraw and they would give me up to P300 million to reimburse my campaign expenses. I’m from UP. What would I do with that money? I would grow old even before I’m done counting it,” she said.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 16 to 20, Santiago’s rating dropped from

three percent to two percent.

“Every time they would release a survey, as they are paid hacks, I am always in the last place. It would not have mattered because I started campaigning late or I have an ailment. But why am I always in the first place in all the universities wherever I go, especially at UP campuses?” she said.

During the final leg of presidential debate in Pangasinan last Sunday, April 24, the senator said she will never quit the presidential race.

“For those who think that I should withdraw because I have once been a cancer patient, this is what I say: I am now normal. I can think and I can act and I can pray, she told the crowd in her closing statement.

“Now, if you want me to back out, my answer to them: I will never quit! I will never stop! I will never withdraw!” she told the jubilant audience.

EU, UNDP launch P63-M project for peace efforts in Mindanao THE European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have launched a P63-million project to sustain peace efforts in Mindanao despite the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In a statement on Thursday, April 29, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the “Support PeaceBangsamoro Project,” which will be implemented from 2016 to mid-2017, was aimed at “keeping the dialogue open” to “strengthen peace-building efforts even in the grassroots level.”

EU said the project aims to support capacity-building for local leaders and other stakehold-

ers on public administration and parliamentary processes; strengthen the constituency for peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro, including establishing partnerships with local government units and civil society organizations; develop platforms that will enable the youth and women to actively engage in peacebuilding; and provide support to the Third Party Monitoring of the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Jessen said the project, with a €1.2-million funding from EU, would ensure participation of all stakeholders, including women and children, in “local processes,

decision-making and conflict mitigation for sustainable peace.”

UNDP Philippines Country Director Titon Mitra said the project was important especially because of the “potentially volatile” security situation in conflictstricken areas in Mindanao due to the non-passage of BBL. “Peacebuilding efforts need to be deepened and this project will make an important contribution to the difficult but critical process of securing a lasting peace. UNDP and the EU have a long-standing partnership on and commitment to peacebuilding initiatives in Mindanao,” Mitra said. (Yuji Vincent Gonzales/Inquirer.net)

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Thursday , April 28 filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a money laundering complaint against PhilRem Service Corporation, the money remittance firm at the center of a controversial scheme involving some $81 million taken by hackers from an account of the Bangladeshi Bank in February this year.

Facing a complaint for violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, specifically Sections 4(a), (b) and (f), are top officials of PhilRem, namely Salud Bautista, president; Michael “Concon” Bautista, chairman of the board and treasurer; and Anthony Pelejo, PhilRem’s anti-money laundering compliance officer.

Sections 4 (a), (b) and (f) refer to money laundering acts, including transacting the monetary instrument or property, converts, transfers, disposes of, moves, acquires, possesses or uses said monetary instrument or property and performs, or fails to perform, any act as a result of which he or she facilitated the money laundering offense.

AMLC said that the unauthorized access to Bangladesh Bank’s system amounts to “hacking” or “cracking,” which is punishable under Section 33 (a) of the Electronic Commerce Act. Based on an investigation by AMLC, the stolen funds were credited to the fictitious bank accounts of Michael Cruz, Jessie Christopher Lagrosas, Alfred Vergara, and Enrico Vasquez, which were all opened on May 15, 2015 at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Jupiter, Makati Branch.

Also, AMLC said the dollar and peso accounts under the name of “William So Go” doing business as Centurytex Trading, which

Salud and Michael Bautista with William So Go at the Senate hearing April 5, 2016 on the $81M stolen funds from the Bangladesh Bank and was deposited to accounts in RCBC. Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

were opened February 5, 2016 and July 30, 2014, respectively, are also fictitious.

Of the stolen funds, $65,668,664.37 withdrawn from the accounts of Cruz, Lagrosas, Vergara and Vasquez were transferred to Go and eventually to PhilRem. According to AMLC, of the $65million that was transferred to Go, $13-million was transferred to the RCBC account of Abba Currency Exchange Inc. (Abba) on Feb. 9, 2016. That same date, $3,230,000.00 was transferred from the Abba account to the RCBC account of Beacon Currency Exchange Inc. (Beacon).

On Feb. 5, 9 and 10, 2016, the balance of $52,668,664.37 was transferred from the RCBC account of Go to the RCBC-Unimart Greenhills account of PhilRem. At the same time, $15-million from Vasquez’ account was also transferred to PhilRem’s account.

Both Abba and Beacon also transferred a total of $13-million to PhilRem’s RCBC account in Pasig.

AMLC said Pelejo submitted a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) to AMLC. Under the STR, PhilRem said the transactions made were upon the instructions of “Go” but during the Senate investigation, Salud said the trans-

actions were made upon the instructions of former RCBC Jupiter branch manager Maia Deguito.

AMLC said it is highly irregular that PhilRem would deal with Deguito and not the owner of the “Go” account.

“The foregoing circumstances clearly show that respondent spouses were aware that the funds were not legitimate when they deliberately ignored the AMLA requirements…Had they done so, respondent spouses would have personally interviewed the real William Go and discover that that the latter was not aware of the existence of the RCBC Account Nos. 9016455240 and 9010270206,” AMLC said.

“Worse, respondent spouses converted and transacted the stolen funds with another fictitious account: Centurytex,” the complaint stated.

“Philrem acting as a remittance agent actually commingled the funds and acted as a ‘cleaning house.’ Philrem’s role was to make it extremely difficult to trace the source and flow of the funds by avoiding all anti-money laundering measures set by laws and regulations. The participation of Philrem is really to ‘wash’ the funds and conceal the money trail,” AMLC added in its complaint.

Becoming an American

PAGE A6 tions about naturalization, please feel free to call the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) at (213) 487-9804. We are ready to help you. Information may also be obtained through the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or at any Los Angeles public library.

Yey Coronel is the Executive Director of Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI), a 501(c)(3) organization in Historic Filipinotown that operates a homeless facility and implements programs on naturalization, rider relief, health and wellness, community learning garden, and se-

nior activities. She was featured

by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at his recent State of the City Address on April 14, 2016. Yey previously worked for the City of Los Angeles as Assistant Deputy Mayor for Mayor Richard Riordan and Director of Community Development for Mayor James Hahn.

A

APRIL 29-mAy 5, 2016 • OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

CARPET ,

the asian journal

entertainment magazine april 29-may 5, 2016

right beside Victoria Come We’re Garden Mall! Accessible to visit @ both 15 & 210 Freeways!

'PPUIJMM #MWE 3BODIP $VDBNPOHB $" t 5FM t 'BY

Weekend Sale!

April 29-May 1 Only!

kfsh l i M o b Jum

Tilapia

1

99

$ 49

¢

/lb

/lb

m s ti c k u r D n e k c i h C

oneless B t t u B Pork

1

50

$ 49

¢

/lb

/lb

Meat & Seafood Pork Spare Ribs

Oxtail

1

4

$ 99

4

99

lbs for

¢

/lb

Roma Tomato

99

¢

Grocery San Miguel Purefoods Corned Beef 12oz

3

$ 99 each

Pampanga Pork/Chicken BBQ 16oz

$ 99 each

1

1

lbs for

Jicama

Cucumber

1

pcs for San Miguel Purefoods Tender Juice Hotdog 16oz

5

each

lbs for

Regular Banana

1

for

5

Del Monte Fruit Juice Asstd Flavors 1L

4

2$ for

3 Pampanga Sweet/Hot Sausage 12oz

Taste Nirvana Thai Tea 480ml

5

4$ for

99

for

each

6

Nestle Pure Life Water 24pack

2

$ 99 each

“ W E R E S E R V E T H E R I G H T TO T E R M I N AT E T H E S A L E S P R O M O W I T H O U T P R I O R N OT I C E . W E A L S O R E S E R V E T H E R I G H T TO R E P L AC E I T E M S W I T H P R O D U C T S O F A P P R O X I M AT E VA LU E . N O R A I N C H E C K S .

P R O M O G O O D W H I L E S U P P L I E S L A S T. N O T V A L I D W I T H A N Y O T H E R C O U P O N O R P R O M O . P R I C E S M AY C H A N G E W I T H O U T P R I O R N O T I C E . G I V E A W AY S N O T V A L I D F O R C U S T O M E R S W I T H D I S C O U N T.�

3 Crabs Fish Sauce 24oz

Hobe Bihon/ Palabok 16oz

2$

27

$

99

¢

lbs for

IP Jasmine Rice 50#

2$

each

$ 99

2$

10 $

$ 99 San Miguel Best of the Phils Ice Cream Assts Flavors 1.5L

1

2$

SAVINGS

lbs for

7

/lb

Mexican Papaya

Small Taro

$0.99 74%

Pampanga Pork/Chicken Shanghai 36oz

$ 49

/lb

4$

lbs for

5

/lb

$

WAS

2

$ 99

Baby Bokchoy

On Choy

Golden Pampano

4

$ 49

/lb

Produce

Large White Shrimp HL

2

$ 29

/lb

3

Beef Hindshank

99

for

/lb

TAS Coconut Water 16.9oz

3

4$ for

7

2$

¢

UFC Refresh Coconut 1L

5

2$ for

may 30-june 5, 2014 www.asianjournal.com

2

april 29-may 5, 2016

Inside the world of fashion designer Rocky Gathercole

By Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

GoinG through the backdoor of For the Stars Fashion House on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles is like stepping into a museum or rather, a fantasy world. There, you’ll find racks and shelves of avant garde designs so deliberately arranged — intricately beaded gowns, edgy bodysuits and gaudy headpieces, just to name a few.

These expressions are a gateway into the mind of Filipino designer Rocky Gathercole, who while sifting through the racks, pulled out various

designs and dropped names of celebrities who have worn them.

A gold corset that Gathercole pointed at is among his most famous creations worn by Katy Perry in her “Dark Horse” music video. on another corner is a mannequin clad in a ladylike black-and-white flare dress that Paris Hilton wore at Cannes back in 2014.

His list of Hollywood clients is extensive, including nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood and Ariana Grande.

Dressing big names was once beyond Gathercole’s wildest

imagination, especially since he aspired to be a mall janitor growing up.

Fresh off his shows at new York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks earlier this spring, the Asian Journal sat down with Rocky to get a look into the Filipino designer’s artistic genius.

AJ: You left home and lived on the streets at an early age.

How did that hardship pave the way for where you are today?

RG: i left my dad when i was 14 because i had an identity crisis. i didn’t know what i wanted and i had nowhere to go so i lived on the streets selling tapsilog on a kariton along Roxas Boulevard [in Manila]…i made about 150 pesos a day. Years passed and i felt that i missed my school days and that i didn’t deserve this kind of life. While all of my classmates were graduating, i told myself i wouldn’t see them until i fixed my life. i tried to start all over.

AJ: What did you try to do?

RG: i tried to be a janitor.

That was my dream. At the time, ShoeMart wouldn’t accept those who weren’t high school graduates so i couldn’t even apply. i became a Born-again Christian and i prayed hard to God to change my life, even if a little bit…Through church i met a Korean who got me a job as a waiter in Makati.

AJ: How did you get into designing?

RG: When i was working in Makati, i had a break from 2 to 5 pm…i would buy pencils and paper and draw. After two years, in 1989, i tried to apply for work in Saudi Arabia and i was accepted. i didn’t study fashion so i didn’t have technical knowledge of how to actually design. i couldn’t make ribbons, but i could draw ribbons.

AJ: How did you overcome not having formal training?

RG: My sponsor told me he would send me to the fashion district in Saudi so i could learn. There were other Filipino designers who taught me things like how to bead and cut [fabric].

That was for two months and the rest is history. i went to Dubai and that’s where the idea enhanced that i wanted to really be a designer.

AJ: What’s your process of designing?

RG: Sometimes hindi ako mag da-drawing (I don’t draw). i make it on the spot on the mannequin.

When you already know the design, it’s easier to do it that way.

When there’s something i want to Rocky Gathercole at For the Stars Fashion House in Los Angeles. do, i look for materials. When i was younger, i would draw then look for materials. if i can’t find what i’m looking for, i’ll have it made.

AJ: You spent over two decades designing for the women in the Middle East, including high-profile and royal clients.

How did you transition to the United States?

RG: After 25 years, i knew it was time to move out of the Middle East. in 2010, i did Miami Fashion Week — my first fashion show in the US. it was very Victoria Secret-inspired because it was my dream to work for [the company].

That’s my line of work. i don’t want to make just simple clothing.

Since i wasn’t noticed there, i did a show in new York the following year and that’s where i met [agent and manager] Jacob Meir.

AJ: How would you describe the style of your work?

RG: i could do the weird things and at the same time, i could do the very simple and elegant wedding dresses. in the Middle East, my line was wedding dresses. i can do anything. Here in the US is where i got noticed so i’ve been associated with kabaliwan (madness). That’s okay as long as i am enjoying what i’m doing.

2

Left photo: Dress worn by Paris Hilton; Right photo: Designs worn by Katy Perry in “Dark AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

Continued on Page 4 Horse” music video.

Kris Aquino: Abu kidnap plot reason for not renewing ABS-CBN contract

by Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

ActRess-tV host Kris Aquino on thursday, April 28 confirmed the alleged plot by bandit group Abu sayyaf to kidnap her and cited this as the reason for not renewing her contract with broadcast network ABs-cBN. the plan to kidnap Kris and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was disclosed by President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday, April 27.

Kris requested that her statement be published verbatim.

“Marinel- I was taken by surprise by the Malacañang statement. I wasn’t warned it would be made public. I had a 4 a.m. call time today for a tVc shoot and my sister Viel sent me the PDI front page.

“Honest truth, I was made aware of this plot late February, early March. My sisters tried to shield me because they didn’t want me to have more fear than necessary. If you recall, my sons and I left in March to go abroad for three weeks. the health

Kris Aquino

reasons I cited weren’t fabricated because the stress coming from the threat had caused my BP to constantly elevate to higher than 150/110.

“I didn’t renew with ABs cBN because of this threat. that was a painful decision, but I needed to make that judgment call so as not to expose others to harm. It was that serious that I walked away from a new two-year contract

Philstar.com

LoVe will have to wait for awhile before Rachelle Ann Go opens her door again.

Rachelle believes that this moment is dedicated for the opportunities coming her way both here in the Philippines and London.

“Kahit pinangarap ko po, wala pa po, e,” she replied when asked about her love life, in an interview on Wednesday, April 27. “Kahit gusto ko ang hirap, e. Kasi paalis-alis ako, e.” “so I don’t think it’s the right time yet. Siguro darating siguro ‘yan, hopefully, malapit na,” she added.

Next week, she’ll be back to London after the three-month run of the West-end musical “Les Misérables” here in the Philippines.

Although she’s sad to leave

her family behind again, she won’t deny looking forward to being on her own.

“I learned a lot about myself when I was there for two years,” she explained. “so ngayon, nasospoil po kasi ako ng mama ko, may nagluluto sa akin, araw-araw may nagbabaon sa akin. Doon sa London ako lang po. so ‘yong independence po siguro.”

“Les Misérables” will run in London until December, so Rachelle still has no plans on what to do next after their show.

However, she admits dreaming of doing a Broadway musical someday, and to star in her dream performances like “Hamilton” and “Wicked.”

In November, Rachelle will be back here in the country for the “Divas in Manila” concert, where she’ll share the stage with Kyla, Yeng constantino, Angeline Quinto and KZ.

3

for a job I’ve loved for 20 years. I informed my bosses the pertinent facts, but not full details from the intelligence reports, and they kept what I was allowed to relay to them under wraps. I was told to strictly keep the news contained and I obeyed. And I am grateful for the respect I was shown.

“And to their credit, everybody closest to me—both coworkers, relatives and friends—kept quiet to protect me and because they knew this was a matter to be taken seriously with utmost precaution.

“We left Palm sunday and returned for my endorsement work commitments second week of April. You can check my IG (Instagram) feed from March onwards – there have been very few location specific posts, and since our return, the two boys (her sons Josh and Bimby) and I have been living with PNoy. “If you’ll use this text – I hope I am quoted verbatim. I read and re-read my text to you four times to make sure I didn’t reveal more than what I have knowledge of and what is safe to share.”

Rachelle Ann Go: Love can wait

by JoyCe JiMenez

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Pageantry Global, Inc. is proud to present Natalia LaLonde (left photo) and (in right photo, L-R) Riley Posadas, Dru Dae Mendez, and Bianca Evangelista, who will compete to represent Southern California in the Top Model of the World Philippines pageant in July in Melbourne, Australia and Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International pageant in August in the Philippines, respectively. This is the first time that the Top Model of the World Philippines pageant will be held outisde of the Philippines. Nathalia is 5’9,” a full-time model in Hollywood/Los Angeles, California and New York. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Sociology and Asian Studies. For more information, contact Trini Foliente (626) 818-7147, Cora Aragon Soriano (213) 999-1993.

Photos by Noel Ty and Ding Carreon

Pia Wurtzbach goes on a helicopter date with Dr. Mike oH nothing, just Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach having a helicopter date with physician Mikhail Varshavski. the physician popularly known as Dr. Mike posted a photo of him and Wurztbach before their helicopter ride on his Instagram account.

“Yesterday, helicoptering around, ” he said on the caption.

Rachelle Ann Go believes love can wait for a little more while she seizes all the Based on his hashtag, this is his opportunities coming her way both here in “staycation” with the beauty the Philippines and London. queen, whom he is courting. some of her planned song the physician has been vocal line up includes those pieces of his feelings for Wurtzbach, from her West-end performances Pia Wurtzbach took some time off and had a helicopter date with her suitor “sexiest doctor” especially when he posted on his Dr. Mike.

Twitter.com photo by Dr. Mike “Miss saigon” and “Les Misérables,” twitter account a message for and also pieces from her dream her, when she passed on the BB. this is despite Wurtzbach her duties as the crowned Miss musicals.

Pilipinas-Universe crown. telling him that her priority is Universe.

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

4

Atlas Xpress Padala opens newest outlet at Seafood City, Daly City DALY CITY—Atlas Express Padal opened its newest outlet at the Seafood City supermarket on Westborough, Daly City, California on Tuesday, April 26. *Advertising Supplement

Atlas Xpress Padala inaugurated its newest outlet at the Seafood City complex at Westborough, Daly City last Tuesday. April 26.

Old friends meet again at the opening of the Atlas Xpress Padala at the Seafood City complex at Westborough, Daly City – (L-R) Gerry Palabyab, formerly of Manila Bulletin USA, Joel Longares, owner and CEO of Atlas Xpress and Roger Oriel, Chairman and Publisher of Asian Journal Publishing group.

Nadine: James has shown me what true love is

by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

Certified “Otwolistas” (“On the Wings of Love” fanatics) will definitely rejoice when the movie of their idols, James reid and Nadine Lustre, “this time” (Viva films) hits cinemas on May 4. it’s a celebration of summer romance and all the giddiness that comes with it. Amid the election frenzy, the feelgood movie serves as a much-needed breather. the Jadine tandem reminds us that we must let love complete and not complicate our life.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Nadine: How has James redefined love for you?

He is showing me what real love is—[that is, by] loving me wholeheartedly and by being trustworthy.

What stage is your relationship with James in?

We used to call each other partners in crime when we were just best friends. Now that we are officially together, our friendship and love have deepened.

How do you and James handle misunderstandings?

We are both honest and transparent, so we just talk things over. We are also both open-minded, so we listen to each other. So far, we have not had any major misunderstanding.

Would you rather stay in a love team or go solo as an actress?

EMPLOYMENT

From Page 2 Personally it’s important masaya ako (I am happy). i can make a lot of money but if hindi ako masaya, wala rin, (if I wasn’t happy, there’s nothing also) i wouldn’t enjoy.

AJ: Where does the creative energy to design come from? rG: i design according to my mood. When i’m happy, that’s when the weird designs come out.

When i’m sad, it’s more feminine and simple.

AJ: How have you been able to attract your clients? rG: for example, for the “dark Horse” music video, a stylist who worked with tyra Banks (who is also a client) got pieces and presented them to Katy Perry. that was the first design i did for New York fashion Week in 2011. it’s made of gold acrylic and i made the mold myself. it’s through referrals. these days, i get a lot of order[s] from instagram and facebook.

AJ: With all the recognition you’ve gained designing for famous names, how do you prevent the success from getting to your head? rG: it’s important that the client trusts the designer. i don’t get starstruck anymore. i think living on the streets

Rocky Gathercole’s collection at Los Angeles Fashion Week in March 2016. Photos by Benjamin Kui.

[helped] with that because i never expected a life where everything was given to me. i don’t also want to have this image that i’m feeling mayaman (rich)…i love being grounded. i would prefer that — there’s no pretension.

it’s hard to sustain a high level of expectation.

AJ: Advice for budding designers? rG: i don’t believe designers are made; i believe they’re born. from [my experience], i didn’t study to be a designer. Somehow, designer talaga ako (I really am a designer). the best advice i can give is to be yourself and find it in your heart, and the art will come out.

This interview has been condensed and translated for clarity.

Nadine Lustre and James Reid

it’s fun to be in a love team, but eventually i also want to try to make it as a solo actress.

Aside from being in a love team, James and i both have solo careers as recording artists.

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

It takes less than a minute for Rocky to sketch a design.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

SERVICES

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA DEPENDING on your persuasion, God or the devil is in the details.

Much of the big things in our lives are bound up by documents —your marriage contract, your divorce papers, your real estate holdings, your lease and anything else that requires the agreement between two or more parties.

Take credit cards for example.

A business writer once compared a credit card to that wicked witch’s house made of cookies and candy in the old story of Hansel and Gretel. As the story goes, these children who were abandoned in the woods by a cruel stepmother and a feckless father, were snared by the witch who found them to be too scrawny for her tastes and decided they should be fattened up first with carbs before she would bake them as the main entree.

The credit card company pitch is sugary sweet as the witch’s house and all too familiar by now: zero or low interest rate, nada annual fees, cashback points, and rewards galore. But take a moment to read the disclosures.

No credit card company is in business for your sole pleasure and fiscal health.

As prescribed by law, the disclosures are all there. It may tell you that the zero or low interest rate is simply introductory for a short period of time, or that the advertised rate applies to you only if you do a balance transfer from another credit card, or that if you get a cash advance, the rate is higher and the stiff penalties that may apply if you slip up with your payments. You will get the real picture of the credit card offer.

Get a magnifying glass and read and comprehend the disclosures, usually written in fine print at the bottom or back of all legally binding documents before you sign or commit to a responsibility. If you’re not up to the task of getting through all the tedious legalese and mounds of gobbledygook thrown in for good

The big print, the small print The big print giveth and the small print taketh away.

— Unknown

measure by legal eagles who crafted the contract probably to confound you, by all means ask for help from those who know and can be trusted, even if you have to pay to get that advice before making a decision particularly when it involves big ticket items and your fiscal health.

We all need to have just a smidgen of cynicism every time we come across a message that sounds just a tad too good to be true. We must remember that in advertising messages, contracts, binding agreements as well as in anything else that promises something in exchange for something, “The big print giveth and the small print taketh away.”

For big ticket items, hold off making a purchase decision until you have shopped the market and done the research and have asked yourself the question and answered truthfully that what you are buying is what you really need. The incessant barrage on television, the print media, on radio, the internet and the billboards along the roadways for you to buy can boggle the sanest of minds. The sales events, even during recessionary times, are unending and alas, you will finally come to the conclusion that you will run out of money long before the malls and the discount stores run out of merchandise and sales events.

The point is that with all the available information at our fingertips, being resourceful and persistent in researching values, prices and reviews among peers in the internet can help us in negotiating a price that we are comfortable paying for and can live with.

A savvy car buyer must come armed with information, prepared to respectfully yet persistently dicker his way at the negotiating table specially if his credit score is excellent, has some down payment ready and has

some other bargaining chips in his arsenal. If not, walk away.

The art of the deal is all about negotiating from strength, using leverage, toughening it out and having the chutzpah to walk away.

There is too much noise and confusion in the American cultural mainstream media that blurs what in the beginning may have been a sharp and clear distinction of your own personal needs and wants. Like everybody else, expect to be confused.

Mercifully, anything electronic can be zapped and you have the option to tune out whenever you choose.

Infomercials are unpretentiously straightforward in going for the jugular. These are full-blown shows, from a half hour to an hour, that have been proven to be effective mass marketing tools. The sophistication with which a specific type of consumer is reached by precisely targeted direct mail pieces and email pieces have reached unprecedented levels as giant data bases track information swirling about in cyberspace about you and the likelihood that you fit the profile of a prospect for a certain product.

The technological age we live in has made it possible to find out about anything under the sun with just a few keystrokes.

The media and the internet provide rivers of information that often overwhelm. These have become the most effective tools to gain a share of the mind and heart of consumers to ultimately affect thought and behavior patterns.

How we use just a few pieces of critical genuine information to arrive at a wise decision is what matters in the long run. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

5

It’s a Carnival! at Incarnation Parish on June 17-19 HAvE a blast on Father’s Day Weekend for our 3rd Annual Carnival. Join the family fun with rides, games, food court, live entertainment, beer garden, bingo and raffles up to $5,000!

The CarnivalL will be held at Incarnation Parish at 1001 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202 on Friday, June 17 from 5pm11pm, Saturday, June 18 from 3 pm-11pm and Sunday, June 19

from 1 pm-10 pm.

Save money, avoid long lines and buy your discount tickets now. For details call (818) 242-2579 or visit www. incadale.org

Fabio becomes a US citizen

by Atty.

CArl ShuStermAn

WHILE traveling in Southeast Asia in March, my wife showed me the following story on her phone: “The Hunk Who Loved Lady Liberty: Fabio Becomes a U.S. Citizen”.

This is a Success Story for America.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life” said Fabio. “Over the course of my career I’ve had the opportunity to travel the globe and America is still the greatest country on earth. There is no such thing as an Italian dream or an English dream but the American dream is alive and well.”

I remember the day when I went to Immigration Service with Fabio for his green card interview.

The INS staff was so excited that I had to return the next day to give out dozens of signed photographs signed by Fabio to all of his fans.

Numerous ethnic newsletters and even the Wall Street Journal published the news of Fabio getting his green card on the front page.

Now, he is a US citizen.

Congratulations, Fabio! *** Attorney Carl Shusterman has over 35 years of experience as an immigration lawyer. He served as an attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) until 1982, when he entered the private practice of law. For

Attorney Carl Shusterman

more than 10 years, he has been voted as one of the Best Lawyers in America and as a Super Lawyer by his colleagues in the bar.

Carl has been named as one of the top 15 corporate immigration attorneys in the U.S. by Human Resource Executive magazine.

His hard work and dedication to immigration law have earned him the highest rating (“AV”) in legal ability and ethics from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory.

He has also served as a member of the Immigration and Nationality Law Advisory Commission for the State Bar. Carl is also listed in The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers and the Chamber’s USA Guide for Leading Business Lawyers.

Additionally, he has testified as an expert witness before the Senate Immigration Subcommittee in Washington, D.C. (Advertising Supplement)

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

6

Fil-Am UCLA student wins Los Angeles Monrovia, Calif. native serving Master Chorale Young Composers Contest aboard US Navy destroyer

WILLIAM CABISON, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), received the honor of having his composition premiered in Walt Disney Concert Hall on April 22, 2016.

After reviewing anonymous submissions from college music students from across the US, LAMC judges selected Moonrise, Cabison’s choral work, as winner of its first annual Young Composers Contest. And as part of the award, the LAMC Chamber Singers performed the winning composition on April 22nd, under the direction of LAMC Associate Conductor Lesley Leighton. In addition to Moonrise, the concert featured another choral work by a Filipino composer—Banwar iti cordillera by Normita “Bing” Rio-Pablico—and three premieres

by Sarah Lynch, Jasper Randall, and Philip White. LAMC Chamber Singers is comprised of sixteen members of the Grammynominated Los Angeles Master Chorale, a world-renowned chorus led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon.

William Cabison states, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have my work performed in a concert space I hold close to my heart.” A Los Angeles native, Cabison is a former student of

William Cabison

Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, where he attended high school, and the Colburn Community School for Performing Arts, where he took private piano lessons under Miji Kim. These institutions are, respectively, three blocks and one block away from Disney Hall, and this close proximity influenced Cabison’s high school experience.

“I passed by Disney Hall multiple times each week during high school, holding the building in high regard,” Cabison says. “To have my composition premiere on the stage here LAMC and the LA Phil regularly perform is unbelievable.”

The 20-year-old competition winner is a Piano Performance major and Music Industry minor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he is also a student of internationally acclaimed classical pianist Walter Ponce.

As a performer, Cabison focuses on pop, R&B, musical theater, and classical music, having performed in several of venues in Los Angeles, including the Roxy Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl.

And although Cabison has never received formal training in music composition, he continues to compose and arrange, with his works having been performed in venues such as Schoenberg Hall and, now, Walt Disney Concert Hall.

William would like to especially like to acknowledge his family and his parents, Cyril Cabison (hometown Aklan, Philippines) and Mabel Reyes (hometown Cagayan, Philippines), for always being supportive of his decision to pursue a career in music. To attend a second performance of William Cabison’s composition, Moonrise will be performed by the UCLA Chamber Singers, conducted by Lesley Leighton, at Schoenberg Hall in UCLA on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 7:30pm.

by KAylA Good Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – A 2002 Monrovia High School graduate and Monrovia, California native is serving in the US Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Milius.

Petty Officer 1st Class Edna Johnson is an operations specialist aboard the Arleigh Burkeclass guided missile destroyer operating out of San Diego, California.

A Navy operations specialist is responsible for assisting the tactical action officer with surface missions.

“I enjoy the people at this job because we are able to make a positive impact,” said Johnson.

“I also have an opportunity to help out other sailors which is rewarding for me.”

Commissioned in November of 1996, Milius measures approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the destroyer to achieve over 30 mph in open seas. Destroyers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well

as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking overseas.

“Leading Milius sailors is exceptionally rewarding because they genuinely care for one another as people,” said Cmdr.

Gil Ayan, commanding officer of USS Milius. “They want to see one another succeed and each of them works toward that collective goal. As a commanding officer, you can’t ask for a better culture than that.”

With a crew of over 300 sailors, jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the destroyer running smoothly,

according to Navy officials.

The jobs range from washing dishes and preparing meals to maintaining engines and handling weaponry.

“This is a multi-billion type of ship,” said Johnson. “It is a humbling experience to say that I was able to work here.”

Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Navy officials explained.

The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.

“It takes a lot of sacrifice to serve in the Navy, but it is rewarding at the same time,” added Johnson.

Veterans Appreciation Night April 30 to honor student vets CAL STATE Fullerton’s student veterans have spent years serving the nation at home and abroad, representing the five military branches — Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard — and providing a wide range of service.

At the ninth annual Veterans Appreciation Night, Saturday, April 30, about 25 student veterans, out of approximately 184 student veterans scheduled to graduate this May, will be honored for their academic achievements, community engagement and service to the Student Veterans Association.

Mary Ann Villareal, director of strategic initiatives and university projects and a veteran of the US Air Force, will deliver the keynote

address. The 6-9pm event, held in the Titan Student Union, will honor student veterans, their families and supporters. Special recognition will be given to those who will be deploying this year.

Army veteran Deanne Locker, who is on track to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, will present the graduation ceremony address.

“Tonight is our opportunity to tell our student veterans that we are in awe of them, where they are going and how they continue to help,” said Lui Amador, director of the campus Veterans Resource Center.

To register or seek additional information, visit the appreciation night website or call (657) 2788660.

Protecting Your Home

by Andrew (Part 2)

In my last article, Protecting Your Home, Part 1 (March 23, 2016), we discussed how you can get Medi-Cal to pay the high cost of long-term care.

Hopefully by now, you have a basic understanding that your home is “exempt” to qualify, but not exempt from recovery.

Therefore, we mentioned that you may legally protect your home by transferring the home to a loved one.

However, while this does work for protecting a property from a future Medi-Cal recovery, there are several drawbacks. When you transfer the home to a child to protect against Medi-Cal recovery, it is a completed gift/transfer. The home now belongs to that child. If the child you transferred your home to has debt or incurs some sort of liability, your former home is now vulnerable to your child’s creditors.

Another drawback is that when you transfer your home outright to your child(ren), it is a completed transfer and cannot be undone. This is can be a problem because it is easiest to transfer to one individual but you may have other persons you want to share in the inheritance of your house. If you did an outright transfer it now belongs to the person you gave it to; you cannot force them to give it back or to divide it up with their siblings or other people you want to inherit.

Many older couples transfer their homes to their children without consulting an attorney and executing the proper documents. In this case, a child can kick their own parents out of the home that was once theirs and sell it. Unfortunately, this does happen. With an irrevocable trust, you can remain in your home your entire life as the trust will contain a provision making

PArAnAl, esq. it impossible to sell the home as long as you want to remain in the property.

In addition, an outright transferring of your house to your children can cause some undesired tax consequences. The child you transferred the residence to will now be responsible for paying the property tax. If any portion of the property generates rental income, the child will be responsible for income tax as well.

There is a better way.

Transferring your home into an irrevocable trust will not only protect your home from a future Medi-Cal recovery claim, but it solves all of the above mentioned problems. First, with a correctly drafted irrevocable trust, you can still pay both the property taxes and income taxes connected with the in the exact same way you did before you created the trust!

Finally, since the property belongs to the trust and not to the children at the time you create your irrevocable trust, it is not vulnerable to your children’s or beneficiaries’ creditors.

Also, with the creation of an irrevocable trust you do not have estate (or gift) taxes (provided your estate is under the $5 million exemption) and your children will receive a full step-up in basis upon your death. Finally, your children will also receive an exclusion from property tax reassessment.

In conclusion, an irrevocable trust is the best way to make sure your children inherit the family home free of any MediCal recovery claim. But, in order to make sure you avoid family conflicts or unwanted tax consequences, it’s a good idea to contact an estate planning attorney to discuss what we call the Medi-Cal House Protection Trust

13911-3_25thAnnivV2_Apr29.pdf

1

4/25/16

1:45 PM

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

7

April 29-mAy 5, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

8