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w w w. a s i a n Volume 24 - No. 41 • 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

october 20-26, 2017 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Palace hopes Trillanes giving ‘correct info’ to US gov’t officials

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

mAlAcAñAng is hoping that sen. Antonio trillanes IV is feeding U.s. officials with “correct information” after the lawmaker reportedly flew to the U.s. to stop President Donald trump’s november trip to the Philippines. trillanes, a staunch critic of President rodrigo Duterte, reportedly met with U.s. senators on a recent trip to the U.s. to

discuss the human rights situation in the Philippines amid the administration’s widely criticized drug war. commenting on trillanes’ travel, Presidential spokesperson ernesto Abella said that while the Palace is not privy to the senator’s trip, it hopes that trillanes is relaying truthful information to his American counterparts.

“We do hope that the correct information has been given and Sen. Antonio Trillanes PAGE A2 AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

DATELINE

USA

PRISON CHECK. President Rodrigo Duterte does his signature pose with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel during his visit at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on Wednesday, October 18. Duterte said that he was already working to give detainees their needs, but in the meantime, he would provide television sets to each jail cell by the end of the month.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Duterte dares West to help PH, spearhead drug war in ‘civilized way’

by Dana

sIoson AJPress

PresIDent rodrigo Duterte has no qualms with any Western countries lending the Philippines a hand in solving its problems as long as it is done in a “civilized way.”

A sardonic Duterte on thursday, october 19 said he would be glad to appoint any Western country the “lead role” to deal with the PhilipgoVernor Jerry Brown declared a state pines’ problems, particularly on of emergency on friday, october 13, in re- cracking down illegal drugs. sponse to the current hepatitis A outbreak in california. It is said to be the largest person-toperson hepatitis A outbreak in the United states since a vaccine for the viral liver disease was made available in 1996.

As of tuesday, october 17, san Diego county’s health and human services Agency recorded a total of 19 deaths as a result of the hepatitis A outbreak.

Brown’s statement ordered that california increase its supply of hepatitis A vaccines to help stop the virus from spreading.

According to the declaration, the federallyfunded vaccine supply is insufficient for the state’s needs — several counties have already declared local outbreaks, especially among the homeless communities and illegal drug users. “the california Department of Public health shall take all measures necessary to obtain hepafrom the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

State of emergency declared in response to California Hep. A outbreak

“tell us if you are ready to deal with the problem, I’d be happy to order my soldiers and my policemen just to relax. And if any western country is interested to do it the civilized way, then come. I am inviting you to join the fray,” he said. otherwise, foreign countries should “at least be educated” in their assessment of how the Philippines was conducting its war on drugs, Duterte remarked.

In a speech at a high-level Association of southeast Asian nations

(AseAn) forum in Pasay city, Duterte slammed anew the “Western world” for repeatedly denouncing the drug war over its alleged police abuses.

But the administration, for its part, repeatedly denied the existence of the supposed state-sanctioned killings.

Duterte accused foreign nations, including human rights organizations, of supposedly interfering the domestic affairs of the Philippines whenever it criticizes the campaign. the president also lamented at how most dead bodies in the Philippines

Tourism Sec. Teo revives ‘Bring Home A Friend’ program to increase inbound tourist traffic

PAGE A3

Stockton’s Filipino community center vandalized during Fil-Am History Month the little manila center in stockton, california was vandalized on monday, october 9, as the filipino-American community joined others throughout the United states in celebrating filAm history month.

“We do not know why someone would deface our windows and rip the historic photographs of our community from the little manila center entrance,” read a statement issued by the little manila center Board.

Brian Batugo, a teacher and arts director at the center, was running a bit late to dance practice when he received a facebook message by one of the student’s parents, notifying him of the vandalism. shortly after, a student sent him a photo. “one of my students had tears in her eyes,” Batugo told the Asian Journal, detailing that he found his students — many of whom were also taking an ethnic studies class at the center PAGE A2

appear to be a result of “extrajudicial killings.”

“In my country today, when somebody there lies dead, it is always an extrajudicial killing. If there is no suspect that can be pointed at, it is extrajudicial killing,” he remarked.

“All killings whether perpetrated by a state or by the ordinary citizen, is always extrajudicial. In the sense that it is not the property of a court and to discuss the matter of how human being should be killed or not,” he PAGE A2

A government soldier passes by a house previously occupied by Islamic State (IS) followers in Marawi, where entire structures (top photo) had been flattened in the war to stop IS from setting up a province in the predominantly Muslim City.

Inquirer.net photo by Jeoffrey Maitem

AmIDst a fiesta themed celebration, the general public welcomed the rebirth of the “Bring home A friend” to the Philippines (BhAf), aimed to help raise inbound tourism figures and spur more economic activity. the grand relaunch of BhAf was held at the newport mall, resorts World manila complete with higantes dancers, other cultural performers and renowned original Pilipino music (oPm) artists. “tonight marks an important milestone for all of us in the Department of tourism as we unveil the most anticipated return of a widely successful incentive travel program which was first launched by former tourism secretary mina gabor in 1994, the Bring home a PAGE A2

US gov’t praises PH military for Hapilon, Maute deaths NAIA no longer on list of ‘worst airports’, by rosette

aDel

Philstar.com

the United states on tuesday, oct. 17 lauded the Armed forces of the Philippines for successfully neutralizing terror leaders Isnilon hapilon and omar maute.

In a statement, U.s. embassy in manila press attaché molly Koscina expressed how the Philippines’ longtime ally is proud to support the counter-terrorism efforts in mindanao.

“We congratulate our partners in the Armed forces of the Philippines for their reported success in killing two of the

leaders behind the months-long clash in marawi: Isnilon hapilon and omar maute,” Koscina said. “the U.s. is proud to support the AfP’s counter-terrorism efforts in mindanao through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and other technical assistance,” she added. hapilon and maute were killed in a military operation before dawn on monday, oct. 16, signaling the approaching end of a months-long campaign to rid the Islamic city of extremist militants. hapilon had long been on the U.s. federal Bureau of Investigation’s list of PAGE A2

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo announces to the media the official start of the “Bring Home A Friend” campaign which will run from October 15, 2017 up to April 15, 2018.

DFA photo

other airports named among Asia’s best DOTr vows more improvements

by Dana

sIoson AJPress

After consecutive years of being named as among the worst airports around the globe and in Asia, the ninoy Aquino International Airport (nAIA) is finally out of the list this 2017.

A recent survey released by “the guide to sleeping In Airports” on

sunday, october 15 showed that the Philippines’ premier gateway is no longer included in the world’s top 20 worst airports. from 2011 to 2013, nAIA ranked first place on the globe’s worst airports list. It landed in 4th place in 2014. the following year, it was no longer included in the world’s top ten worst airports but was rated PAGE A2

A

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october 20-26, 2017 • oc/Ie ASIAN JoUrNAL

From the Front Page

Tourism Sec. Teo revives ‘Bring Home...

PAGE A1 Friend,” said DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. The BHAF is a rewards program which seeks to promote travel to the Philippines by encouraging Filipinos or expatriates in the Philippines to invite friends from abroad with the lure of prizes for both “sponsor” and “invitee”.

By simply following four sim-

ple steps: Invite, Accept, Travel and Register, any eligible ‘sponsor’ and ‘invitee’ can join. Program mechanics are available at the www.bringhomeafriend. online.

Ms. Mina Gabor expressed excitement and high esteem that the project she initiated 23 years ago has come back to life. She has high hopes of its success as the current situation is more en-

abling now given that more prizes are at stake and more importantly, through digital and social media, activation and promotion is a lot easier.

The sponsors were thanked through plaques of appreciation awarded by the Secretary and other DOT officials. Partner sponsors include Megaworld Corporation, Toyota Motor Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Duty Free Philippines, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Tourism Promotions Board, El Nido Hotel and Resort, JPark Island Resort and Water Park Cebu and Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Providing entertainment were hosts Randy Santiago and Jimmy Bondoc together with the Sabado Boys, Mitoy Yonting and the Aegis band.

Acclaimed actor Piolo Pascual was tapped to sing the jingle, introduced as the newest Tourism Ambassador. He was, however, unable to join last night’s event.

“We are looking at positive reaction from the United States, Japan, Middle East and Hong Kong as these are the places where a lot of Filipino communities are. Eventually, we hope to spur more travel from other areas, the tourism chief said “Bring Home a Friend is our shout-out to the world to come and see the Philippines: a country of diverse cultures, rich traditions, and unrivaled biodiversity,” the Secretary added.

Participating officers from the different tourism industry associations, foreign diplomatic community, congress, support government agencies and media promised to give their all-out support to the program.

For more information, log on to www.bringhomeafriend. online via DOT’s website www. tourism.gov.ph or visit the Department of Tourism Facebook page and Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube accounts.

Kindly like, follow, and support the official BHAF social media accounts: Facebook: bringhomeafriendPH Twitter: bringhomePH Instagram: bringhomeafriendPH Email: bringhomeafriend@ tourism.gov.ph Hashtag: #BHAF2 #bringhomeafriend

ECO-FRIENDLY JEEPNEY. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III (at driver’s seat) in a signature pose of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte during the 1st Philippine Auto Parts Expo (Philapex) at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. The PHILAPEX featured 16 prototypes from different car makers for the PUV modernization program.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Palace hopes Trillanes giving...

PAGE A1

not biased information designed to adversely affect U.S.-Philippine relations,” Abella said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio confirmed the meeting with Trillanes through his official Twitter account on October 18.

“Senator Trillanes and I discussed U.S.-Philippines alliance, combating corruption and protecting human rights amid their narcotics crisis,” Rubio tweeted.

To recall, Rubio and Democrat Sen. Benjamin Cardin earlier filed a bipartisan bill seeking to restrict arms sale to the Philippine National Police amid global concern over Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

Last May, Cardin—together

with 11 Democrat US senators—wrote a letter to Trump urging him to rescind his White House invitation to Duterte and cautioned that hosting the Philippine leader at the presidential residence could be interpreted as an “endorsement” of Duterte’s “gross human rights abuses.”

Trump is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Duterte and other leaders as he visits Manila next month for his Asian trip from November 3 to 14, the White House said.

The American leader is expected to arrive in Manila on November 12 to attend the special gala celebration dinner for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The Philippine government earlier said that Trump will receive

a “very warm welcome in Manila.”

“President Duterte is looking forward to welcoming President Trump in Manila. Our people are excited to see the first face-toface meeting between our two leaders,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement released September 30.

Ties between Manila and Washington soured during the Obama administration, which vehemently condemned Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.

But the two countries’ relations improved after Trump, whom critics accused of supporting Manila’s controversial anti-drug campaign, praised Duterte for doing a “great job” in fighting illegal drugs.

Duterte dares West to help PH, spearhead...

PAGE A1

added.

While the drug war may not be to the satisfaction of his critics, Duterte noted that “there are things that we have to do because we have to do it.”

He pointed out that “all countries suffer from social problems” and the “Philippines is no

exception.”

“Plenty,” the president added.

“But we try to correct it along the way with meager resources and certainly not or cannot adopt the way they term it as the principle doctrines on how to deal with a democratic problem in a democratic state.”

Duterte likewise called on the

West to respect Philippine sovereignty.

“These are the things that I would like to address myself now to the Western world. Please do not impose your will on us. Do not derogate our sovereignty by lecturing on us, the civilities of a country which we turn a democratic state,” he said.

US gov’t praises PH military for...

PAGE A1 most wanted terrorists. The U.S. Department of State had offered $5 million for information leading to his capture.

Maute, meanwhile, was a figurehead of the pro-Islamic State Maute group along with his brother, Abdullah, who was reported

killed in September. The two led a group that attempted to lay siege on the city in May. President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the besieged city is now free from terrorists on its 148th day of armed conflict. The military, however, said it was still pursuing foreign militants in-

cluding a Malaysian recruiter in Marawi.

Koscina, meanwhile, said the U.S. will continue coordination with the local government.

“We will continue working with our Filipino friends, partners and allies to eradicate violent extremism and terrorism,” she added.

Stockton’s Filipino community center vandalized...

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— shocked and upset.

Rather than going straight into rehearsal, Batugo allowed his students to reflect and document the event on social media.

Batugo himself did a live video showing the damage to those on his social media networks.

Stockton’s Mayor Michael Tubbs picked up on the social media outcries and called the incident “unacceptable” in a tweet.

He then called the city’s police chief out to the scene.

As of Wednesday, police have classified the incident as an act of vandalism and not a hate crime.

According to Dillon Delvo, executive director and co-founder of the Little Manila Foundation, no other businesses on the street were vandalized.

Words like “brainwashed” and “bigot”, along with seemingly misspelled words like “whittie” and “prop”, were marked on one of the center’s front windows.

The vandal, who a witness described as possibly homeless, also ripped down donated banners portraying historic Filipino American stories.

The door’s decals that once read “Little Manila Center” also had letters taken off.

“Things like this make me so mad. Destroyed our donated pictures and messed up our windows, and called us “bigots” this is a hate crime,” read a tweet by Twitter user @celiiry.

Delvo told the Asian Journal that a recent quote for the damage was $1,200 — more than they had originally thought. Donations are being accepted on the foundation’s website.

Fil-Am History Month context The incident came as the center was busy preparing for activities and projects for Fil-Am History Month, an annual celebration of Fil-Ams’ history and experiences in the U.S. observed every October.

One of the center’s projects is

a series of short documentaries commemorating first-generation manongs (older male relatives) who passed away at the Daguhoy Lodge in Stockton. The project looks to tap into the manongs’ experiences at the time, through what was left behind in their trunks.

“As we celebrate FilipinoAmerican History Month this October, we know that discrimination against Filipino Americans is nothing new,” reads the statement on the incident.

For much of the 1920s to 1930s, Filipinos in the United States were accused of taking jobs, being criminals, and fraternizing with white women, thus being subject to many mob attacks and raids.

The areas of Watsonville, California — just two hours away from Stockton, for example — became a hotspot of friction where mobs ultimately led to the death of a Filipino worker named Fermin Tobera.

In response to the anti-Filipino aggressions happening throughout the West Coast, Philippine officials organized a “national day of humiliation” in Manila — thousands were said to have gathered in the capital’s Luneta Park to commemorate Tobera.

On September 28, 2011, the state of California officially apologized to Filipino Americans through an Assembly resolution (ACR-74) authored by Assemblyman Luis A. Alejo.

“Filipino Americans have a long and documented history of suffering discrimination, prejudice, and animosity in the State of California,” read one line of the resolution. “Filipino Americans endured past transgressions and wrongs committed against them through the implementation of state policies and the passage of certain laws,” read another.

The city of Stockton itself, once had the largest population of Filipinos outside of the Philippines between the 1920s

to 1960s, according to the Little Manila Center.

Main Street, on which the center is located, was once the city’s dividing line for people of color in the 1930s. Filipinos were consequently not allowed to go north of the street, and signs saying “Positively no Filipinos allowed” were openly displayed, according to the center.

The weekend just before the incident, students took photos with a replicated sign at a community event in remembrance of the street’s history. The sign now hangs over the center’s ripped banners for the same reason.

“Yeah, this is a real tragedy, but we need to see how we can turn this tragedy into a prospect,” said Delvo who chooses to use the incident as a learning tool, and hopes that those who see it learn a bit about the early experience of Filipino Americans in California.

“We’re just adding to this history of what was happening in the past — we can’t just wash it off,” he added.

And it’s not just the histories and aggressions against Filipino Americans Delvo wants to shed light on.

“Ripping down some signs is kind of like we got the lesser evil side,” he said referring to the overall racial climate that has been affecting other ethnic groups.

“If anything, this incident serves as a reminder for all Filipinos and all Asian Americans that we should be in solidarity with the oppressed,” said Delvo. “We are not excluded from that.”

As for the young students who first discovered the damage, they are not letting it get in the way of their Fil-Am History Month performances.

“The show must go on,” said Batugo who encouraged his students to channel their positive energy into their art. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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Dateline USa

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Gov. Brown signs Bonta’s AB 918 to expand voting access Provides additional language translations for limited-English proficient voters

LETTING OFF STEAM. Members of Anakbayan Youth group shout slogans during a lightning rally held near the gates of Malacañang on Thursday, Oct. 19. The group slammed the government’s alleged brtal attacks on the people.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Nica Gallardo

State of emergency declared in response to...

PAGE A1

titis A vaccines and prioritize the vaccination of at-risk individuals in affected locations,” reads the proclamation issued by Brown.

The action will allow California to purchase additional vaccines, and distribute them to the affected areas.

The outbreak traced back to San Diego’s homeless population where clean toilets and handwashing facilities are not easily accessible. The county declared a local public health emergency early September.

Santa Cruz and Los Angeles have since also been experiencing outbreaks, but to lesser extents.

The latest California Department of Public Health (CDPH) update as of October 6, tallies a total of 576 affected by the virus — 490 from San Diego, 71 from Santa Cruz, 8 from Los Angeles, and 7 from other California areas. A total of 386 people have been hospitalized.

Because the hepatitis A virus is typically transmitted through contamination by feces, close physical contact, or through eating virus contaminated food, the risk of person-to-person transmission is high.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), those affected may experience any of the following symptoms: “fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine and jaun-

dice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).”

The virus is also said to be very hard to kill and can live for months outside of the human body, which is why hand-washing with water and soap is extremely important. Waterless hand sanitizers and most cleaning fluids are not effective, according to the CDPH. Hepatitis A infections are in most cases mild, with an incubation period of around 14-28 days, according to the WHO. Yet while most people may make a full recovery and even develop immunity, hepatitis A infections can be fatal for those that already have liver damage.

Thus, those with hepatitis B or C, are at higher risk of acute infection and death if infected by hepatitis A. The UCLA Asian Liver Program states that hepatitis B and C related diseases are the leading killers among Asians.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) constitute less than five percent of the total U.S. population, but make up over 50 percent of Americans with chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, at least one-third of Asian Americans in the U.S. may not know they have chronic hepatitis B infection.

Prevention efforts Experts say vaccinating at-risk

SACRAMENTO - Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 918 which increases language access at the voting booth for limited-English proficient citizens. AB 918, authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), will increase voter participation by providing translated copies of ballots in polling places and translated signage to inform voters about their availability and the languages spoken by poll workers. AB 918 will mandate accountability measures to ensure counties are recruiting bilingual poll workers to ensure all California voters can effectively cast their ballots.

“No American should be denied the privilege and duty of voting because of a language barrier,” said Bonta. “As the state with the most immigrants and the most limited-English voters, California has an obligation to be on the leading edge of providing lan-

guage assistance in elections. California’s current language access requirements are not sufficient to provide meaningful language assistance to limited-English proficient voters and lack any reporting or oversight mechanisms.”

Section 203 of the Federal Voting Rights Act guarantees language access protections for many limited-English proficient voters, however many minority language communities across California are not large enough to meet Section 203’s thresholds.

Roughly 550,000 Latinos and Asian Americans who are limitedEnglish proficient live in counties not covered by Section 203, and thus rely on state law for language access in voting.

Moreover, Latinos and Asian Americans have by far the lowest voter turnout of all racial/ethnic groups. In California’s 2014 general election, just 17 percent of

eligible Latinos and 18 percent of Asian Americans voted. Language barriers contribute to these low turnout rates.

“Now that AB 918 is law, no state in the nation does more than California to ensure access to voting for limited-English speaking immigrant voters,” said Jonathan Stein, Voting Rights Staff Attorney and Program Manager at Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus, who co-sponsored AB 918. “We have an obligation to lead and now we will.”

“As California continues to diversify, the state has an obligation to update its laws in order to have an inclusive and representative democracy. AB 918 not only reduces barriers to voting for limited-English voters, it also makes California a nationwide leader in ensuring access to the fundamental right to vote,” Bonta concluded.

populations and making sanitation improvements are the most effective control and prevention measures for person-to-person PAGE A1 transmission outbreaks.

Approximately 80,000 vac- 8th worst airport in Asia. cine doses have been distributIn 2016, NAIA landed in the ed by the CDPH since the out- fifth spot on Asia’s worst airports, break began last spring — early which the government attributed traces go as far back as Novem- to the issue of “laglag-bala” or ber 2016. “bullet-planting” scheme, whereThe department claims that in personnel allegedly planted over 95 percent of adults are bullets in luggage to extort monprotected after one dose, and ey from travellers. close to 100 percent of adults But this year, NAIA is also are protected after the recom- no longer among Asia’s top five mended two doses, making the worst airports list. vaccine highly effective.

Four Philippine regional airLocal health departments have ports likewise maintained its also been providing hand-wash- spot on the top 25 best airports ing stations and toilet access to in Asia. These include the Iloilo Inquirer.net photo further control and prevent the International Airport, Mactan- The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 outbreak from getting worse.

The DOTr also noted that It likewise include provision Cebu International Airport, Clark More than 100 hand-wash- International Airport, and Davao since the new administration of of cleaner toilets additional ing stations have been installed International Airport.

President Rodrigo Duterte took seats, free Wi-Fi, and Well-Wisharound San Diego, according to In a statement, Philippine De- over in June last year, there has ers’ Area.

ABC News.

Echoing the transport chief’s partment of Transport (DOTr) been “no single incidence of a County workers have also Chief Arthur Tugade welcomed passenger missing a flight for remarks, Manila International done street cleaning by power- the travel website’s positive possessing a bullet.”

Airport Authority (MIAA) Genwashing streets with bleach and feedback as he vowed to contin“Passengers no longer feel the eral Manager Ed Monreal said chlorine. uous development of the coun- need to wrap bags and luggages the latest result “is only as good “By disinfecting our sidewalks try’s services. in plastic or masking tapes,” the as the last race.” and making additional public “We are happy to hear the “Work, work, work lang. department said. restrooms available 24/7, we’re While it is good that we are not According to the DOTr, among recent development [delisting following the direction of county listed among the worst, let us the reforms implemented under of NAIA]. However, the bigger health officials to address the work even harder to be included the new administration were challenge now is on how we can unsanitary conditions that have amongst the best,” Tugade said, restriction on general aviation maintain or even surpass this helped fuel this outbreak,” Craig reminding that there are sever- to prioritize commercial flights; achievement. We are only good Gustafson, the county mayor’s al things yet to be improved at reducing flight delays; and con- as the last race,” Monreal said. senior director of communica- NAIA. struction of Rapid Exit Taxiways “The task ahead is enormous, tions told the San Diego Union“We should be careful that we to allow an aircraft to leave the we are wishing to be part of the Tribune in September. (Rae Ann do not backslide. The show must runway at higher speed and in- list of the best airports in the fuVarona/AJPress) ture,” he added. go on — and better!” he added. crease flight movements.

NAIA no longer on list of ‘worst airports’...

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D ateline PhiliPPines Complainants to submit new

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evidence against Bautista, Sereno

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

More evidence are expected to be filed against Commision on elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. earlier this week, the complainants associated with the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) expressed their plans to submit new documents to strengthen the impeachment cases against the two officials.

Former Negros occidental representative Jacinto Paras’ lawyer on Wednesday, october 18, said their camp obtained new documents that would “prove the alleged ill-gotten wealth” of the Comelec chief.

Lawyer Manuelito Luna said they obtained new documents from the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was chaired by Bautista from 2010 to 2015 prior to his post in the Comelec.

Last week, Paras claimed that he had evidence of Bautista’s corruption activities when he was the chairman of PCCG, the

agency mandated to recover the wealth and assets plundered by late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family.

“The PCGG says Bautista is liable for culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust,” said Paras in a press conference on Thursday, october 12.

He said PCGG acting chairperson reynold Munsayac and the two other commissioners “revealed” to him Bautista’s anomalous activities—which include the alleged hiring of “ghost employees,” and unauthorized usage of the agency’s vehicles.

Bautista was likewise accused of buying of P20 million worth of gift checks, paying “hundreds of millions of pesos” to the Divina Law office using the funds of sequestered companies, and allowing the failure of liquidation of cash advances from the Philippine National Bank (PNB), among others, when he was the PCGG chair.

Last week, the House voted to impeach Bautista, overturning the justice committee’s earlier report which dismissed the com-

plaint filed by Paras and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

The committee is now set to work on the articles of impeachment that will be forwarded to the Senate. Luna said they wanted to “help draft” the articles of impeachment.

In addition, Luna said that the VACC would also help lawyer Lorenzo Gadon to strengthen his impeachment complaint against Sereno by turning over the internal documents it gathered.

“We think these are pivotal in the case against [Sereno] which we think will eventually reach the Senate impeachment court, because we believe the Gadon impeachment petition is strong and many of our countrymen support it,” he said.

The committee on justice earlier junked VACC founding chair Dante Jimenez’ complaint against Sereno due to insufficiency in form, but accepted Gadon’s separate impeachment complaint.

In his complaint, Gadon accused Sereno of culpable violation of the Constitution, corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust.

Aguirre said the prosecutors are studying the position of Solicitor General Jose Calida that De Lima should be instead charged for violating Section 26 of rA 9165.

Section 26 pertains to “any attempt or conspiracy” to import, sell, trade, administer, dispense, deliver, distribute and transport illegal drugs, and maintain a drug den, produce narcotics and cultivate sources of illicit substances.

Asked if amending a complaint already filed in court was authorized, the Justice secretary responded, “That’s legal. The solicitor general himself said the Supreme Court did not see anything wrong with it.”

Since her arrest on February 24, De Lima has been detained at the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) voted 9-6 to dismiss De Lima’s petition that questioned the legality of the arrest warrant issued against her by the Muntinlupa rTC. In an en banc session on Tues-

day, october 10, the high court also ruled to reject the senator’s petition to nullify the illegal drug charges filed against her.

The SC likewise maintained that the rTC has jurisdiction over drug cases regardless of the official’s salary grade; and that Judge Juanita Guerrero did not commit grave abuse of discretion in issuing an arrest warrant against the senator, saying that the judge was not required to resolve De Lima’s motion to quash it.

In its ruling penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the high court said state prosecutors were allowed to “amend the information at any time before arraignment.”

“Since [De Lima] has not yet been arraigned, then the information…can still be amended pursuant to Section 14, rule 110 of the rules of Court,” the SC stated.

“All these, at least preliminarily, outline a case for illegal drug trading committed in conspiracy by the petitioner and her co-accused,” it added.

Prosecutors to amend charges against De Lima

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

STATe prosecutors are planning to amend the charges already filed against detained Senator Leila De Lima, according to Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. “I hard that they will make an amendment. I don’t know if they will pursue it. It’s the call of the [National Prosecution Service].

It’s not up to us,” Aguirre told reporters on Tuesday, october 17. earlier in February, the Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors filed three drug charges against the senator before the Muntinlupa regional Trial Court (rTC) in connection with her alleged in the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

De Lima has been charged with violating Section 5 of of republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the “sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of illegal drugs.”

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, 86 by aDor

Vincent S. Mayol Inquirer.net

CeBU CITY — The country’s champion of peace is gone.

Cebu Archbishop emeritus ricardo Cardinal Vidal died at the Intensive Care Unit of the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City at 7:28 a.m. on Wednesday, oct.

18, surrounded by some priests and his closest confidants.

The 86-year-old cardinal died of septic shock, a condition when the blood pressure drops to a dangerously low level after a severe blood infection, said Msgr.

Joseph Tan, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Cardinal Vidal,” Tan said in telephone interview. “He has returned to the Father’s home at 7:28 a.m. today.”

“I ask the people to pray for his eternal repose,” he added. “For four days, he was in stable condition. But as it is, his heart may have given up due to his age.”

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, who served as Vidal’s private secretary for many years, were with Vidal when the cardinal breathed his last.

Vidal, who served as archbishop of Cebu for 29 years, from 1982 to 2011, lies in state at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral from Wednesday afternoon. His remains will be transferred to the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod at the Archbishop’s residence compound over the weekend.

Tan said the funeral date has not been set, but Vidal’s body may be buried at the cathedral mausoleum where his predecessors had also been laid to rest.

Vidal, whose health declined since 2014 due to pneumonia, was rushed to the hospital Wednesday last week after having difficulty in breathing.

He was in a semi-comatose state and underwent dialysis after his kidneys weakened.

But around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, his blood pressure severely dropped due to blood infection.

Physicians tried to revive Vidal for about an hour but failed.

Brother thanks Cebuanos Aside from Palma and Villarojo, also present at the hospital were

his 84-year-old brother Juanito and former private secretaries – Msgr. Achilles Dakay, Fr. Agustin Ancajas, Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili and Fr. Joseph de Aquino.

Juanito flew in to Cebu from Manila last week after learning that Vidal was confined at the hospital. But he was not able to talk to his brother who was already unconscious.

While they understood that Vidal would eventually die, Juanito said it was still painful to lose a loved one.

Vidal is the fifth of six children while Juanito is the youngest.

Juanito thanked the Cebuanos for taking good care of Vidal.

Peacemaker Tan said Vidal would always be remembered as champion of peace who made himself available to others.

“He lent himself to others so he could be of help to them. He tried to be a peacemaker by mediating parties in conflict even to the point that he was (at times) misunderstood. But that is his way. He chose the way of truth,” the monsignor said, alluding to Vidal’s episcopal motto “Viam veritas elegi (I have chosen the way of truth).”

Among Vidal’s biggest legacies for Cebu, Tan said two things stood out.

“First, he called for a diocesan synod in 1982 to create policies to transform the diocese,” he said. “And second, the Cardinal Vidal gave us the legacy of San Pedro Calungsod, and he started the legacy of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot.”

For over two decades, Vidal worked for the canonization of Calungod, a Visayan martyr, who eventually became one of the saints of the Catholic Church in 2012.

The cardinal also started the process for the beatification of the late Cebuano bishop, Teofilo Camomot, who was known for his extreme generosity and holiness.

De Aquino, the last private secretary of Vidal, said the cardinal was a true example of service and peace.

“He is a man of peace,” he said.

“All he wanted was peace and reconciliation. If there was trouble in the Church or politics, he would always intervene. Cardinal Vidal’s

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal Inquirer.net photo

death is one turning point in the history of the Catholic Church or even in the political or whole Philippine setting.”

Key figure in Edsa revolution A year after he was named cardinal by then Pope John Paul II, who’s now a saint, Vidal was elected president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1986 to 1987.

He and the CBCP condemned the results of the February 1986 snap elections and called the people for a “non-violent struggle for justice” against the abuses of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

A CBCP report stated that Vidal led the rest of the Philippine bishops and made a joint declaration against the government and result of the snap election.

Although he was instrumental in toppling down the regime of Marcos, Vidal flew to Hawaii to give the former president the Sacrament of extreme Unction, a sacrament given to seriously ill person.

In 1989, then President Corazon Aquino requested Vidal to convince Gen. Jose Comendador, then the Air Force chief who was sympathetic to the rebel forces fighting her government, to peacefully surrender.

Vidal repeatedly appealed to Comendador, who eventually gave up. Vidal’s intervention averted what could have been a bloody coup.

In 2001, Vidal also played a silent role in the eDSA 2 revolution.

While another uprising was done by the people, the cardinal privately advised then President PAGE A7

FOR BETTER SERVICE. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) received 150 brand new motorcycles and 485 bullet proof vests from the city government on Wednesday, Oct.18 at Camp Karingal. The donation is part of the several tranches of logistical equipment included in the 2017 procurement program from the Quezon City government, Mayor Herbert Bautista said.

Inquirer.net photo

Condé Naste: Boracay still world’s best island

by Helen

FloreS Philstar.com

MANILA — Boracay remained the best island in the world, according to the latest survey conducted by international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

“This itty-bitty island (just under four square miles) in the Western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transportative sunsets. Fold in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region,” the publication said.

More than 300,000 travelers took part in the magazine’s 2017 readers’ Choice Award.

Landing in second and third were Cebu and the Visayan islands, and Palawan, respectively.

“Not as wild as Phuket in Thailand, Cebu City is more personal, with plenty of up-and-coming restaurants and shopping,” Condé Nast Traveler said.

“This small island — one of the Philippines’s 7,107 — is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean river, one of the newly crowned seven natural wonders of the world,” it said about Palawan.

In 2016, Boracay also topped Condé Nast’s Top 20

Tourists enjoy the pristine waters and powdery white sand near the Station 1 grotto of Boracay beach. Boracay remained the best island in the world, based on the latest survey conducted by international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Philstar.com Chamen Catli

Best Islands in the World. Palawan and Cebu were ranked second and fifth, respectively.

Completing the Top 10 best islands in the world for 2017 are Mallorca, Spain; Mykonos, Greece; Bermuda, a British island territory; St. Barts; Turks and Caicos; Bali, Indonesia; and Cayman Islands.

Visitors from South Korea

and China are the top source markets of Boracay Island for the first six months of 2017, according to the Malay Municipal Tourism office and Department of Tourism-Boracay office.

South Korea topped the tourist-generating markets with 175,470 arrivals, followed closely by China with 174,064 and Taiwan with 25,067.

A

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october 20-26, 2017 • oc/Ie ASIAN JoUrNAL

OpiniOn

Neutralized

Features

THE photographs are grisly. But just to leave no doubt that this time, reports of the deaths were not exaggerated, graphic photos were released showing Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute bloodied and dead.

Hapilon, said to be the Southeast Asian leader of the terrorist Islamic State, had a $5-million prize on his head plus another P10-million bounty from the Philippine government. The military was preparing to capture Hapilon when he launched the attack on Marawi back in May together with the brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute. Much of the once bustling city is now in ruins in the wake of the most serious attempt yet to set up an Islamic extremist base in Mindanao.

The siege has had a grievous toll. As of Monday, Oct. 16 over 800 Maute terrorists had been killed in the fighting. So far, the military has lost 162 soldiers, with over 1,700 others wounded, while 47 civilians have died. Although remnants of the Mautes still have about 20 civilian hostages, the neutralization of Hapilon and Omar Maute raises hopes that the fighting will soon be over.

The military counts fewer than 30 Maute members still in Marawi together with a handful of foreign fighters mostly from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Now the challenge is to ensure that the Mautes will

not regroup and launch a similar attack. The group clearly took the government by surprise, depleting the resources of the Armed Forces and keeping the fighting alive for nearly five months now.

Armed Forces officials said that with the deaths, “the terrorists will crumble.” But the whereabouts of Abdullah Maute are unknown, and the group can prove to be like the Abu Sayyaf, which has been decapitated several times but keeps sprouting new heads like a Hydra monster.

For several decades now, the military has pursued a counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategy that has been summarized as “clear, hold, consolidate and develop.” The clearing of the threat is almost over in Marawi, and the military is holding on to abandoned battlegrounds. The government must now step in to consolidate victories in the fighting and pour resources into rehabilitation and development of the battered city.

If properly implemented at each step, it is a sound strategy that can prevent a repeat of the Marawi siege. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Opinion

Yen Makabenta THIS is the fourth time that I am writing about public opinion polling, so I do not enter the subject cold. I have an idea why the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys differ so much from each other and why they reached contrasting conclusions about the public’s perception of the Duterte presidency.

In a column published last July (“SWS looks for satisfaction; the world asks about approval”, Manila Times. July 13), I commented that SWS in the Philippines looks for public satisfaction in its opinion research; while in contrast, pollsters in practically all other countries (the US and Europe included) ask about approval of the job performance of their presidents and prime ministers.

Satisfaction not the same as approval I wrote at the time: “Satisfaction is not the same as approval. ‘Satisfaction’ means the fulfillment of a desire. Or reparation for a wrong done. ‘Approval’ means agreement, sanction, favorable opinion, or commendation.

Why does SWS in its surveys ask about satisfaction, instead of

Opinion

RicaRdo Saludo IT could have been worse, far worse.

The Marawi siege killed more than a thousand people, destroyed Muslim Mindanao’s cultural capital, and bloodied the Armed Forces of the Philippines for nearly five months.

But thankfully there were no bombings, shootings, and hostage-taking in major cities. Pundits now warn of such attacks, and in his Tuesday briefing, AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla urged continued vigilance.

Still, one hopes that if Islamic State-driven extremists could not mount deadly mayhem while government forces were tied up in Marawi, the IS cabal are less likely to do so with the military redeploying elsewhere.

Plus: The Philippine National Police, recently relieved of antinarcotics operations, is turning PNP personnel and resources toward fighting lawlessness, including terrorism.

That’s the hope, at least. But in reality, and considering the fearsome violence perpetrated in Paris, London, Manchester,

Philstar.com photo

SWS vs Pulse Asia: Satisfaction rating or job approval rating?

approval of job performance, or support for presidential policies?

Why does this Filipino opinion researcher persist in using its satisfaction angle in measuring public opinion on presidential performance, instead of the near universal approval/disapproval method of inquiry which is used by almost all pollsters in advanced countries.

The Philippines is the only country, and Filipinos are the only people in the world who are asked whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their president. With this survey angle, the president or any public official is treated like a meal, a dish or a fruit which we consume, or perhaps a person who is in our employ or an object of affection.

I have long wondered why against standard research practice, SWS insists on its idiosyncratic terminology and method.”

Contrasting survey reports My interest at the time was not misplaced, because this week, SWS and its survey landed in the middle of a national controversy.

In survey research conducted in the same month (September) and reports released within weeks of each other, SWS and Pulse Asia presented the nation a contrasting picture of how the Filipino public views the job performance

of President Duterte.

SWS reported that DU30 had suffered a precipitous decline in his satisfaction rating. For good measure, it also found a decline in DU30’s trust rating.

Pulse Asia, in sharp contrast, reported that in its survey, DU30 got an 80 percent approval rating, as 8 out of 10 Filipinos fully approved of what the president was doing in office.

Why did the two surveys differ so sharply? Were they taken from different samples of Filipinos?

SWS survey: the magic of net satisfaction In its survey report released on October 8,SWS reported that “President Rodrigo Duterte’s satisfaction and trust ratings dropped in September.”

The President’s satisfaction rating dropped to 48 percent, 18 points down from his 66 percent rating last June while his trust rating declined to 61 percent from 75 percent in June.

The SWS non-commissioned survey from September 23-27 used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults aged 18 years old and above nationwide.

Of those surveyed, 600 were from Balance Luzon, while 300 each were from Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.

In fact, SWS in its report skirted

the verdict of its own research.

The poll reported that Duterte got 67 percent satisfied in the satisfaction survey, and “73 percent” in the trust poll.

SWS diverted attention from these towards its so-called “net satisfaction rating,” which represents the difference between the number of those satisfied and those dissatisfied. Through this keyhole, SWS found a way to pronounce a decline in Duterte’s rating by contrasting the new poll with the numbers in past surveys.

By legerdemain, in short, SWS was able to present a decline in Duterte’s popularity.

What credence should we give this kind of opinion research which runs away from its own findings?

Who commissioned this survey of Duterte’s decline?

Pulse Asia survey: Switch to job approval In contrast, Pulse Asia’s report on its survey was straightforward.

The pollster ran a survey on the public’s approval of Duterte’s job performance.

The survey result was as follows: “President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval rating is down two percentage points in September from that of June 2017, but 80 percent of Filipinos still approve of his

work and trust him,” according to the Pulse Asia survey released Friday, October 13.

According to Pulse Asia, Duterte enjoys an 80 percent approval rating, slightly lower than June’s 82 percent. Eighty percent of Filipinos have “big trust” in him, too, according to the survey.

Duterte’s approval rating was highest among the poorest Filipinos, with Class E rating at 86 percent, Class D at 79 percent, and Class ABC at 75 percent.

Although 80 percent of those surveyed trust Duterte, 14 percent are undecided. Six percent, meanwhile, said they distrust him.

Duterte got 85 percent trust rating among Class E; 80 percent among Class D; and 74 percent among Class ABC. Approval ratings of top national officials have all dropped, albeit by varying degrees, according to the survey, which was conducted from September 24-30, 2017 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults.

End of an era Reaction to the surveys was predictable.

The opposition, especially the Liberal Party and the yellow media, lapped up the tale of Duterte’s decline.

Rappler. the yellow website, had a field day analyzing the SWS

report. It majestically opined: “Cracks are beginning to show in President Duterte’s image as a ‘populist’ strongman.

“The latest SWS survey seems to signal the end of that era.”

The reply, after Pulse Asia released its survey, was not only ecstatic for the government; it was devastating for SWS and the yellow crowd.

The Daily Tribune in an editorial blasted SWS as having become part of the yellow campaign against President Duterte. It said: “The campaign will go full throttle using the recent results of survey ratings showing a substantial drop in the ‘net’ ratings of Rody despite showing a clear majority of 73 percent with much trust and 67 percent being satisfied with his performance.

“It seems that pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) is part of the yellow offensive too as prior to the release of the survey showing a drop in Rody’s net rating it released a series of June reports showing results from a poll on the conduct of Rody’s war on drugs.

“Released on different days in the run-up to the satisfaction and performance poll on Rody were the reports on ‘3 of 5 Filipinos agree that only poor drug pushers are killed’; ‘nearly half of Filipi-

u PAGE A7

To beat terrorism and crime, we must all fight Istanbul, Cairo, and, most recently, Las Vegas, despite far more capable security forces there, the threat of massive carnage will not go away, however many Hapilons and Mautes are neutralized.

And now, with IS and other terrorist groups seeing huge recruitment and propaganda potential in the Philippines after Marawi, plus the kith, kin, and communities of more than 800 slain terrorists possibly seeking vengeance, we must redouble counter-terrorist vigilance and measures.

The need for ‘shared responsibility’ Which brings us to the “shared responsibility” urged by General Padilla in the Mindanao Hour briefing to Palace media on Tuesday. The AFP spokesman said: “Shared responsibility in security … is the participation of every citizen to always be on the alert; to always be vigilant; to always be on guard for any kind of threat that may be around their places of abode or their places of work, or during their transition from anywhere during travel. If you see any suspicious-looking persons … report this to the authorities as soon as possible, so that we can guarantee the safety

of these areas.”

In short, the AFP seeks the help of the people it protects.

The reason is simple: our forces can do a far better job of fighting lawless elements and securing the nation if the people actively help them.

Take the killing of Hapilon and Maute. Reportedly, an escaped hostage pointed where the two terrorist leaders hid. So, troops, snipers, and a heavily armed armored vehicle took positions within striking distance, and mowed down the pair and their companions when they stepped out in the open.

Intelligence from barangay residents also helped the AFP wipe out some 60 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas who tried to infiltrate Bohol in April, perhaps targeting ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo Duterte fumed over the lack of warnings from Marawi officials about terrorist hideouts, including bomb-proof tunnels.

Local officials disputed the criticism, but surely indisputable is the failure to alert authorities to the stockpiling of Maute arms, ammo and explosives enough for months of fighting.

Besides intelligence, crucial

security measures for citizens include: safeguarding and counseling family and friends against extremism, including online activity; reporting entities doing IS recruitment, funding, and propaganda, even those in charity work; and undertaking basic household, neighborhood or establishment security, like ensuring everyone there knows what suspicious events to watch for, and how to report them.

Those in charge of banks, corporations, office buildings, malls, and other large establishments have immense responsibility to secure their premises and all the people working and transacting business there.

That means not only deploying security personnel and systems, but also monitoring staff for possible extremist affiliations, which could lead them to compromise physical and cyber security, facilitate money transfers and other illicit transactions, and even commit terrorist acts like sabotage, hostage-taking, and mass murder.

Most important, there is need to maintain a perspective hostile to terrorism, which can exploit legitimate grievances as well as loyalties to faith, nation, race, community and family for violent ends.

That hostility to political violence must encompass not just the pseudo-religious extremism of Islamic State, but also the violent ideologies of the communist insurgency, which has shown itself utterly insincere in peace efforts and unprincipled in its attacks, even during the Marawi war.

In sum, every peace-loving, law-abiding Filipino must not yield an inch to violent groups of whatever political persuasion, in our places of domicile, work and leisure, in our families and communities, and in our minds and hearts. Terrorist violence for whatever cause is evil; we must fight it every time, everywhere, and in every way.

Crime and drugs too The same national solidarity and resolve to resist terrorist groups must be applied to criminal syndicates, which seek to enslave and exploit swathes of society with narcotics, extortion, jueteng, and violence, and control government officials and entities with bribes and threats.

Like Islamic State, the largest of these lawless cabals can harness massive funds from abroad, plus underworld networks spanning continents and oceans. Even local gangs, like the Kuratong

Baleleng linked to Ozamiz City’s Parojinog clan, wield formidable armed might and political clout.

Like the military battling terrorism and insurgency, the police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and other law enforcement agencies would be far more effective in fighting crime and drugs if the citizenry do their part in preventing and fighting lawlessness.

The same imperatives of securing the people around us, the places we frequent or manage, and our minds and hearts from terrorist intrusion and influence, must be applied to criminal organizations and gangs.

In addition, individual families, communities and the whole society must rigorously combat gambling, addiction, prostitution, and other vices, which the lawless exploit for profit and power.

In this campaign, family and religious morals remain the first line of defense, which parents must uphold. Otherwise, vice triumphs, and so does crime.

Bottom line: President Duterte is waging war on crime, drugs, terrorism, insurgency, and corruption. He can only win if Filipinos fight at his side. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObER 20-26, 2017

A

PNP chief tells Robredo to set aside presidential ambition, help Duterte first

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE SPOUSES BAND TOGETHER FOR MARAWI. enate Spouses Foundation, Inc., chair Lourdes Pimentel (seated, center) together with Emily Alvarez (left), wife of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and chair of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc., and Betty Medialdea (right), wife of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and chair of the DU30 Cabinet Foundation, link their hands together to signify their intent to help in the rehabilitation of Marawi during a meeting at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Tuesday, October 17. The group formally banded together under the name “Puso Para sa Kaunlaran” to build day-care and livelihood centers for victims displaced by the war in Marawi. Also in photo are (standing, from left) Mylah Roque, Elvira Angara, Trina BIazon, Nancy Almario, Gladys Cruz, Audrey Zubiri, Kristine Dino, Edith Lorenzana, Marisol Tugade, Marissa Aguirre, Lelis Pimentel, and Sol Albano.

Senate photo by Romeo Bugante

CHR ‘hopeful’ PDEA will follow rule of law in drug war operations

by AJPress MANILA - The Commission on human Rights (ChR) expressed hope that the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA) will adhere to the rule of law in carrying out the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

In a statement issued Tuesday, October 17, ChR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann De Guia said the commission is “hopeful that professionalism will govern the PDeA in implementing the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.” The ChR likewise expressed optimism that the campaign against illegal drugs will be carried out with “strict adherence to the rule of law.”

In a memorandum dated Tuesday, October 10, President Rodrigo Duterte designated the PDeA as the “sole agency” to conduct all campaigns and operations against illegal drugs.

Under the new order, Duterte removed anew the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the forefront of the so-called drug war amid public outrage over alleged police abuses and deaths of thousands of suspects.

“The PNP shall, at all times, maintain police visibility, as a deterrent to illegal drug activities leaving to the PDeA, however, the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations as aforestated,” the memorandum read.

The ChR, which has repeatedly criticized the drug war over its alleged human rights violations, expressed approval over the new directive designating PDeA as the campaign’s sole lead agency.

De Guia described the president’s order as an “indication that the administration is willing to listen to public clamor for the observance of due process in its campaign against illegal drugs.”

She noted that assigning the lead role to PDeA “will allow

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo...

PAGE A5

Joseph estrada to step down from office. estrada heeded the advice of his spiritual adviser.

On Dec. 7, 2010 the Senate recognized Vidal’s services and leadership through a resolution that read: “It is resolved by the Senate, to honor Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, for his service to the people of Cebu, providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and conflicts, often acting as a peacekeeper and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues.”

Sickly seminarian But Vidal almost didn’t become a priest.

In an earlier interview, Vidal was very sickly when he was a seminarian in Mogpog, a third class municipality in Marinduque. he was eventually sent home and was on the verge of not getting ordained as priest because he was sickly.

“I was so sad, and while I was on my way home, I passed by a church, and it was there where I intently prayed before the Blessed Sacrament,” he said. his prayers were answered: his health improved.

Vidal was eventually ordained a priest on March 17, 1956 by the Bishop Alfredo Maria Aranda Obviar, who died on Oct. 1, 1978, and is now a candidate for sainthood.

Vidal was then assigned as assistant priest of a parish in his hometown in Mogpog and was a professor of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon. he was later named a bishop and appointed as coadjutor bishop of Malolos in 1971.

Less than two years later, Vidal was appointed Archbishop of Lipa

by Pope Paul VI. Reluctant to go to Cebu In 1981, Vidal was sent to Cebu by then Pope John Paul II and was named a coadjutor archbishop with the right to succeed then

Cebu Archbishop Julio Cardinal Rosales.

At that time, he didn’t want to go to Cebu since he didn’t speak the Cebuano language.

“I personally went to Pope John Paul II to express my request,” Vidal said. “But he told me: ‘I am also from Poland, and yet the Lord brought me to Rome.’ So I openly accepted my assignment in Cebu. I learned the language and eventually fell in love with my assignment. The people of Cebu are so good to me.”

When Rosales died in 1983, Vidal took over the Archdiocese of Cebu, the largest in the country with 400 diocesan priests, 200 others from various religious congregations, and about four million Catholics.

Although 75 was supposed to be the mandatory retirement age, Vidal waited for more than four years for the Vatican to approve his request to retire.

In October 2010, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Vidal’s resignation.

Vidal was replaced by Archbishop Jose Palma on Jan. 13, 2011.

Instead of going back to Marinduque, Vidal chose to spend his retirement in Cebu. he stayed at a retirement house at the Sto. Niño Village in Banilad, Cebu City.

Although he had already retired, Vidal’s advice was still sought after by Church and political leaders in the country.

In July 2016, Vidal went to Malacañang and met with President Rodrigo Duterte, hoping to bridge the gap between Catholic Church bishops and the new administration.

Duterte earlier criticized the Catholic Church for alleged sins committed by the clergy describing the Church, at one point, as the “most hypocritical institution.”

When he arrived at the Music Room of Malacañang, Duterte bowed his head and kissed the prelate’s hand, and even cracked jokes with Vidal.

During their conversation, Vidal said he promised to pray for the president.

SWS vs Pulse Asia...

PAGE A6 nos mistakenly believe drug use is punishable by death’; and ‘90 percent say it is important that drug suspects be captured alive.’

“The reports were quoting from just one survey which was done June 23 to 26. Just two days for a nationwide face to face interviews with respondents survey and with leading questions to boot?

“The Liberal Party of course is up to its task of keeping the domestic pressure on Rody through its attack dogs in the Senate led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th.

“The yellow mob was merely waiting for just the SWS report, the manipulation obviously undertaken in how the report was packaged to highlight the negative despite the still high figures favor-

ing Rody.”

Goodbye to satisfaction Now that Pulse Asia has joined the rest of the world in conducting the straightforward and tested approval survey on job performance, it’s questionable whether SWS will still venture to conduct its satisfaction and net satisfaction surveys.

It will be an even bigger mystery whether the public and the media will ever buy again numbers manufactured by SWS. Personally, I would like to see SWS conduct a survey in the aftermath of the deaths of hapilon and Maute in Marawi, and the now certain end of the Marawi crisis.

If SWS can produce a negative satisfaction rating for DU30, it will truly earn its commission. (ManilaTimes.net)

the PNP to devote more effort to solving and preventing ordinary crimes, including vigilante killings and possible eJKs (extrajudicial Killings) resulting from police operations.”

The country’s national human rights institution likewise said it expects other law enforcement agencies, such as the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), “to recognize the lead role of and coordinate” with PDeA in the campaign.

“We also look forward to a more collaborative relationship with PDeA towards shaping a strategy that is more respectful of life and human dignity,” De Guia added.

The country’s top cop has no qualms with Philippine Vice President Ma. Leonora “Leni” Robredo running as president in the next national elections, but he has one request: she must let President Rodrigo Duterte finish his term first.

In a forum on Monday, October 16, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Robredo should set aside her supposed presidential ambition for now and instead help Duterte “accomplish his plans for the country.”

“Sana tulungan na lang niya ang presidente, anyway, she will have her time, she will have her time pagkatapos nito (I hope she helps the President first, anyway, she will have her time. She will have her time after this),” Dela Rosa said during a forum on World Pandesal Day. “Kung gusto niyang mag-presidente, subukan natin siya. Basta patapusin muna ‘yung buong administration ni presidente (If she wants to be president, we can try. But she has to let the Duterte administration finish its job),” he added.

Allies and supporters of Duterte previously hit Robredo for criticizing some of the administration’s policies, including the anti-illegal drugs campaign that resulted to thousands of alleged summary killings.

At one point, Robredo hit the PNP for its so-called “palit-ulo”

Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa

Vice Pres. Leni Robredo Inquirer.net photos

(exchange of head) scheme, wherein she said “the wife, husband or relative in a so-called drug list will be taken if the person himself could not be found.”

Dela Rosa refuted Robredo’s definition, clarifying that “exchange of head” refers to a practice wherein arrested drug pushers can reveal their supplier or higher drug lords in exchange of being charged with a lighter offense.

During this week’s forum, the top cop defended anew the drug war as he maintained that the police force values human life.

“We wage the war on drugs because we value life; if we don’t value life and we value money, we will just receive (bribe) money from the drug lords,” Dela Rosa said.

The PNP has been the center of the controversial drug war, particularly its heavily-criticized “Oplan Tokhang.”

“What’s the essence of Tokhang?

Knock and plead, katukin ang bahay ng drug personality at pakiusapan na, ‘Please, huminto ka na.

Mag bagong buhay ka.’ hindi namin binabaril agad ang mga drug personalities (Knock on their door and plead with the drug personality saying ‘Please stop with the drugs and change your life for the better.’ We don’t shoot the drug personalities immediately),” Dela Rosa said.

Just last week, Duterte named the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA) as the “sole agency” in charge of the government’s war on drugs amid public outrage over alleged police abuses. Under the new order, the PNP’s task in the drug war was now limited to “maintaining police visibility.”

Dela Rosa, however, insisted that this does not mean that “PDeA values life more than the PNP does.”

TRAVEL TRADE & CONSUMER MULTI-CITY ROADSHOWS PROMOTING TOURISM, TRADE, AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE USA AND PHILIPPINES.

AUGUST 2018

The Asian Journal Media Group, now on its 27th year in business, is a leading ethnic multimedia agency serving the global Filipino industry. Asian Journal publishes over 7 million weekly community newspapers annually in the USA from California, Nevada, New York, to New Jersey. In addition to this, the Asian Journal also publishes a quarterly magazine that is distributed in 60 countries and 101 cities throughout the World.

Complementing these frequent print publications are a variety of digital channels such as AsianJournal.com, BalikbayanMag.com, and LoveOfCounry.ph.

As an extension of that core mission, the Asian Journal, in cooperation with the Philippine Departments of Tourism (DOT), and Trade and Industry (DTI), is organizing multi-city “Travel, Trade, and Consumer Roadshows” to connect the US and Philippine markets together.

These events are in line with the “Balikbayan Program” of the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the “One Town, One Product” of the DTI. The organizers collectively aim to ignite, drive, and fuel business-to-business, government-to-business, and business-to-consumer networking while showcasing and promoting tourism, investment, studying abroad, philanthropy, and retirement in the Philippines.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION TRAVELTRADECONSUMER.COM I INFO@ASIANJOURNALINC.COM

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october 20-26, 2017 • oc/Ie ASIAN JoUrNAL

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october 20-26, 2017

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

2

october 20-26, 2017

‘Motherland’

2

A conversation with award-winning Fil-Am documentarian Ramona Diaz on witnessing the miracle of life amidst chaos, reproductive rights in the Philippines by klarize Medenilla / aJPress TwenTy-four-year-old Mary Joyce Jaime’s highest level of completed education was 6th grade. She doesn’t work and had her first child at 18 years old.

In six years, she had five more pregnancies, one which she miscarried.

She sits in a corner of a bustling, loud maternity ward being questioned by a hospital staffer for her intake. Here, she’s on her sixth pregnancy.

“Tell your husband you don’t want any more children,” the staffer tells Mary Joyce, a seemingly unwarranted piece of advice. “you’re so young. you’re only 24 years old.”

This is an opening scene from the new documentary “Motherland” from FilipinoAmerican filmmaker Ramona Diaz (“Imelda,”“Don’t Stop Believin’”). As previously reported by the Asian Journal, the film opened in Los Angeles on Friday, September 22 for a limited run.

The film explores the goingson inside Dr. Jose Fabella Hospital, which is purportedly the busiest maternity ward in the world. At the start of the film, we see a nurse marking down the number of mothers and babies in the ward that day — mothers: 151, babies: 115.

The hospital staff work tirelessly to accommodate the large influx of mothers, most of whom live in poverty. The mothers — many of whom are in their late teens and early twenties — are often on their 4th, 5th or 6th birth. The lack of incubators force mothers to perform Kangaroo Mother Care, which entails mothers, and sometimes fathers, having their baby held in their tube tops to provide insulation. During large

influxes, staff are forced to have mothers share beds, sometimes three to one bed.

Because of the Catholic Church’s domination on Philippine culture and society and a lack of sexual education, many of the mothers turn away from contraception like IUDs despite staffers urging them that those options will prevent them from unwanted pregnancy and avert further physical and emotional stress on the mother.

Despite the difficult decisions, however, the mothers are the stars of the film and find solidarity among each other. They find room in their dreary conditions to laugh and joke, which brings unexpected delight to a film about the drastic state of reproductive health in the Philippines.

Throughout the 90-minute exploration into the daily life of Fabella, perhaps the most significant takeaway is despite difficult conditions, the miracle of life and strength of the human spirit still finds a way to shine through.

The film was screened at the coveted Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 where it won the world Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award: Commanding Vision award. Diaz has screened the film all over the world including new york, Austin, Australia, Germany and Russia.

Diaz had just come back from a film screening in St. Petersburg, Russia when she sat down with the Asian Journal for an interview on the night of the film’s premiere in Santa Monica, California on Friday, September 22.

The Asian Journal: You originally wanted to do a story on

Filipino-American filmmaker Ramona Diaz

the 2012 Reproductive Health Bill to research reproductive rights in the Philippines as a whole. Why did you decide to change course and follow the stories in one hospital?

Ramona Diaz: when I was in the Philippines researching the bill, and I was interested in the social and cultural drama surrounding this issue which I’d been reading about here in the U.S. And I thought that’s the film I wanted to make.

I also thought the culture was turning a corner and tethering its ties to the [Catholic] Church if the bill passed so that was interesting me. But when I got there, it wasn’t as dramatic as it was in my head.

I couldn’t wrap my head around the film until I went to the hospital when we visited Fabella. when I got there, it was so clear to me that that was the film. I mean, it’s still the same film with all the same themes, reproductive justice and reproductive rights. I just knew intuitively that the film was just the hospital.

AJ: What was filming in such a small space like Fabella like? What were were some challenges or surprises your team ran into while filming?

RD: Filming was very tough, you know. we had 14-16 hour days every day for six weeks, except for one day when there was a typhoon. It was tiring because we were following stories as they unfolded, and there were so many stories and every day was different.

It was a really small space so we had a small crew, which is familiar

since I work with small crews all the time because documentaries I make only call for a small group, but this was smaller than what I was used to. It was just me and my [cinematographer] and I chose a female shooter because, even though there were men going in and out of the ward, we figured the mothers might be more comfortable that way.

AJ: Did you find that subjects were willing to be filmed and willing to share their stories, given that giving birth is such an intimate and sensitive moment?

RD: All these years making documentary films — this is my fourth one — I find there’s a point when the subjects become invested in the film enough to care about it. Initially, you’re always having to explain to them what it is you want, like, I don’t want them to perform for me and I don’t want them to do anything extraordinary.

It’s just ordinary and I want them to just live their lives within whatever they do. That’s hard for people to understand because people never think their lives are interesting. But we always, always made sure to let them know that it’s okay if they didn’t want to be filmed, they can say “ayoko yan.” But at the same time, some of the women would miss being filmed and would direct us to them [laughs]. After a while, they got used to the attention and they liked it.

AJ: One notable characteristic of the film was the bonding among the mothers and how easy it was for them to remain in high

spirits and laugh despite living the conditions of the ward.

RD: yeah, the sense of community amongst the women was really something. when I first visited that was what surprised me and drew me to the story. I wanted to film the communities of women. I thought the staff was interesting, but the women — the mothers — because of these communities that formed. They were quite intimate relationships, yet the relationships were so fleeting because they know they’ll never see each other again after the month. That’s what was interesting to me, these fleeting friendships that were so intense amongst women. I loved that they were funny and sort of gaudy and very sexual beings. whenever people film women in poverty, they don’t film them in sexual ways, but I wanted to show that they are sexual beings; that’s how they got here in the first place, so that was my interest and what drew me to the story.

AJ: Why was a story that sheds light on the state of reproductive health rights in the Philippines something you wanted to explore?

RD: I’m always interested in women’s rights and female stories, which are very important stories to tell. It was interesting to me too because I grew up in the Philippines, which is a very Catholic country and also the only country in the world that doesn’t have [a] divorce law. There are so many things about this that makes me think, ‘I can’t believe we’re still fighting over bodies of women or what women can do.’ It just boggles my mind. So that’s why I’m interested in it, the constant conversation that makes you go, ‘Oh, my god, it’s so clear that these things should be the woman’s choice. no one should legislate it.’

AJ: You’ve made several documentaries about Filipinos and Filipino culture, including the films

you’ve done on Arnel Pineda and Imelda Marcos. Why is it important for you to tell Filipino stories?

RD: I don’t think it’s a conscious thing where I have to tell FilipinoAmerican stories, I think it’s just what I gravitate to naturally because it’s what I know. There’s something universal in the stories I tell, they just happened to be from the Filipino perspective. The way I film is way more observational and I like being in between two cultures. I’m from the Philippines and, although I’ve lived more years here [in the United States] than there now, there’s something I can always find when I go home, so to speak. So when I’m there I can observe from the outside, but still, understand the nuances of the culture. And, you know, there are just so many unique stories from the Philippines that are so interesting. It’s what I gravitate towards.

AJ: Do you have any words for aspiring Filipino-American documentary filmmakers?

RD: Let me tell you what I always tell emerging filmmakers: It really is a good time to be a filmmaker because the tools of the trade are so easily accessible. And they’re great tools, you can make anything look fantastic. But it still comes down to what it is you’re trying to say, the story you want to tell.

I think that has to be answered because craft is great but if it’s style over substance, it’s empty. For people of color, and particularly women of color, I think they’re shining a light on the racial disparity in the industry. So it’s a great time to be in the industry because you can really make a lot of noise and you’ll be standing on big shoulders, women who started on it, like Ava DuVernay. It’s a good time to start claiming your own narrative. For a lot of years, we haven’t told our own stories, right? Someone else does it.

So I think it’s our time to claim our narrative.

Aiko Melendez: ‘I don’t look for love anymore’

by Maridol ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

wHen it rains, it pours. The saying is true for Aiko Melendez.

Two years after lying low in showbiz, her career is on the upswing again.

She is the evil emilia Ardiente in ABS-CBn’s primetime teleserye, “wildflower.” She appeared in the advocacy film “new Generation Heroes.” Recently, she again played as an overseas Filipino worker in BG Productions International’s dramatic film “Balatkayo.”

“I play a very loving mom who wants the best for her son, but I have skeletons in my own closet,” Aiko described her role.

The pressure is on for her, not just because she is more visible than ever. Some of her 11-year-old daughter Marthena Jickain’s schoolmates in the exclusive Saint Pedro Poveda College look up to the actress as their role model.

“One time, when I brought my baby (Marthena) to school, two girls came up to me and said, ‘excuse me, can we have a picture with you?’ Asked why, they told me they want to be like emilia when they grow up,” recalled the alarmed Aiko.

She quickly told the girls, “no, please don’t (make emilia your role model).”

The scene only shows the impact Aiko’s character has, even on impressionable children. And the actress is understandably worried.

She chuckled, “If elections were held today, I’ll

surely win (she’s mulling an offer to run for politics again).”

But since elections will not be around the corner until a few years from now, Aiko can sit back and relax.

At 41, the single parent is happy -- never mind if she has been loveless for almost a year, and admirers ask to go out with her. She would rather focus on work. “everything’s all right now. I don’t look for love anymore,” she enthused.

Besides, Aiko figured she will have a hard time adjusting to a new man in her life, when she has gotten used to looking after herself and her family as the breadwinner at a young age.

Since she grew up providing for the family, asking for financial help is alien to her.

“I have my pride,” Aiko explained.

So she does not mind providing for her 19-yearold son Andrei, who plans to shift to an aeronautical engineering course. Aiko shared Marthena’s school expenses are care of the girl’s dad, Martin Jickain, who is now happily married to someone else.

“My hashtag is blessed kapag loveless,” Aiko smiled.

There is a glow that comes from within when she smiles. It comes from an abiding faith, nurtured by regular participation in Victory Christian fellowship services for the past four years. no wonder she found it easy to take the first step in ending her 16-year rift with Ara Mina.

“I’ve moved on long time ago,” Aiko said, adding

that she was just waiting for “God’s perfect time” to patch things up with Ara. It can be recalled that Ara and Aiko’s ex-husband Jomari yllana were rumored to be an item in 2001, or two years before the “Balatkayo” star’s marriage to the actor was annulled. Ten years later, Ara was again linked to Bulacan politician Patrick Meneses, Aiko’s ex-boyfriend.

Today, Aiko and Ara exchange friendly text messages. They take turns wishing each other a happy Sunday, with Aiko promising to pray for Ara when she goes to church later that day. Ara has introduced Aiko to Mandy, her (Ara’s) daughter with Patrick. now, Aiko can manage to joke about how Ara loves her so much, she had to give birth to Mandy a day after her (Aiko’s) birthday in December.

Ara, for her part, told Aiko that Patrick plans to produce a movie for her. But Aiko is not keen on the project since she does not want to ride on her past issues with Patrick (and Ara) for the sake of box office success.

“I’m not yet ready,” admitted Aiko.

Chances are, she will never bring up the issue again.

Aiko is so blessed she does not want to mar her happiness with uncalled-for controversy.

In spite and despite of emilia Ardiente and her own objections, Aiko is someone young people can turn to for lessons on forgiveness, strength and faith in the One above.

Aiko Melendez

ABS-CBN photo

Janno Gibbs passes Pedro Penduko torch to James Reid

by Clarizel

abanilla Inquirer.net

Singer-comedian and original Pedro Penduko actor Janno gibbs has handed the torch of the iconic character to Kapamilya heartthrob James reid. in an announcement by Viva Artists Agency, reid and gibbs were seen together in a photo with the caption, “Si Penduko noon at Ang Penduko ngayon!” (Penduko before and the new Penduko) The first Filipino actors to play Pedro Penduko on the big screen were efren reyes Sr. in 1954 and ramon Zamora in 1973. But the most famous version of Pedro Penduko was given life by gibbs.

He first did “Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko” in 1994 which he starred in with fellow comedians Leo Martinez, Chiquito and Arnel ignacio, among others. His leading ladies were Donita rose and Vina Morales. it was only years after in 2000 that he did a remake of the movie through the hit “Pedro

october 20-26, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

Maxine Medina jump starts showbiz career with ‘The Haunted’ by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net

AFTer relinquishing her Binibining Pilipinas crown in April, beauty queen Maxine Medina has crossed over to acting as part of the cast of the upcoming OctoArts Pictures movie, “Spirit of The glass 2: The Haunted.”

While she had a cameo in 2014’s “Beauty in a Bottle” starring Angelica Panganiban, it is in “Spirit of the glass” that her talent for the camera was truly put to the test.

The verdict?

“Nakakagulat si Maxine for a first timer,” was movie director Jose Javier reyes’ immediate reply. “What’s so nice about her is number one, she’s a bright James Reid and Janno Gibbs Photo from Viva Artists Agency young woman. number two, she loves what she’s doing and she’s reid, meanwhile, now starts Penduko, episode ii: The return having fun. And lastly, she’s willing his training for the movie. Just of the Comeback”. This time, to learn. When an artist has an as in the past movies, Viva Films his daughter Alyssa gibbs was will be producing the next “Pedro attitude like that, there’s no way already part of the cast. His you’re going to lose.”

Penduko” film. leading lady was LJ Moreno. reyes was behind the widely successful original installment of “Spirit of the glass,” in 2004 which was a blockbuster at the Manila Film Festival.

“Throughout the process— from the workshop to the shooting—Maxine was really interested to learn to to become an actress, and not just a celebrity.

That makes a lot of difference if you watch the movie because she’s very sincere. i love working with her and i told her already that i can’t wait to work with her again,” praised the director. in “Spirit of the glass 2,” Medina plays the role of Lisette, an actress and diva, along with co-leads Cristine reyes as Bea—a stylist and fashion editor—and Ashley Ortega as Chelsea, a commercial A scene from “It’s Showtime” showing hosts Anne Curtis and Nadine Lustre. and advertising model. Basking host ryan Bang will perform on liked 13,000 times and retweeted as “it girls” on social media, they Wednesday as a group for “it’s for over 4,000 times. in contrast, each have a handsome boyfriend Showtime’s” Magpasikat segment, in characters portrayed by Daniel the tweet by @kathxnielonly has a week-long, annual talent been liked 119 times and Matsunaga, Benjamin Alves and competition of “it’s Showtime” retweeted 23 times. enrico Cuenca. hosts. it kicked off on October The camps of nadine and Of her baptism of fire, Medina 17 with a performance by Billy James reid thanked Anne for the says is one experience she will Crawford, James reid and Amy gesture, while nadine’s fans also always remember for the rest Perez. (Deni Rose M. Afinidadpraised Anne. of her life. For not only did she Bernardo/Philstar.com) Anne, nadine, and fellow discover her talent for acting but

Anne Curtis strikes back at basher, defends nadine Lustre WHiLe many netizens welcome “it’s Showtime” host nadine Lustre’s return to the noontime variety show this week after she took a break to mourn the reported death of her brother, many critics also resumed in bashing the actress.

Among those negative comments came from Twitter user @kathxnielonly. On October 15, @ kathxnielonly wrote, pertaining to nadine: “Namatayan na nga, nagagawa pang mag inarte na ganyan. Advocacy pang keep going ulul #OwnWhoYouAre pa rin without pretentions.” nadine’s co-host, Anne Curtis, then came to nadine’s rescue, replying to @kathxnielonly: “You are a horrible person. You never know what a person is going through or how they deal with whatever it is they are feeling. So back off.”

So far, Anne’s reply has been

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

( Mt Carmel, Mt Beatitude, Mt.Tabor, Cana, Capernum, Nazareth, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem Qumran, Masada, Jericho )

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

3

Design graduate honestly replied, “it’s hard to do both because you’re also portraying a character in pageant and as you are in a movie.

The only difference is that in a pageant, you’re representing your country to the rest of the world. in a movie, you represent a different person.”

The 27-year-old newbie actress said she is decided to pursue a career in acting because showbiz runs in her family. She is a cousin of actress Dianne Medina, and a niece to former Binibining PilipinasUniverse 1990 germelina Padilla.

Miss Philippines Universe 2016 Maxine Medina Her long-time boyfriend Marx Photo from Instagram/@maxine_medina Topacio is also an actor besides a also made very good friends in the model. “i enjoyed doing the movie. i cast. am willing to pursue this because “We were given the these kinds of opportunities opportunity to take a workshop should not be taken for granted,” where we bonded together. The she said. result was overwhelming because “i’ve done so many things we became friends. We joke in my life already, and this is around with each other all the probably the last thing i imagined time and during shooting, what i’d experience. But still, acting runs i loved about them is that they in our family. i thought, my cousin took care of me whenever we did is in the industry, my aunties and our scenes,” enthused the beauty queen who managed a Top 6 finish uncles, and even my boyfriend at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant. are all in the industry, so i why not explore it? Thankfully, i’m having so Asked if it was harder to act much fun,” Medina added. or compete for a title, the interior

Italia� Pilgrimag� Ho�� �eek� March 23 to April 3,2018 Spiritual Director : TBA

Day 1 - March 23, 2018 (Fri) Los Angeles, California to Venice, Italy Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to LHR connect to our flight to Venice (Meals served in-flight)

Day 2 - March 24, 2018 (Sat) Venice, Italy 3 DEC-Day 1 - (Sun) LAX/TLV On board meals are served

4 DEC-Day 2 - (Mon) - Arrive at Ben Gurion airport Tel-Aviv/Tiberias

After you have finished Immigration, collect Luggage then Meet our guide and driver. Transfer to Tiberias , Dinner /overnight Gai Beach Hotel

After we clear Immigration & Custom, we will meet our Tour Director and driver for our transfer to our hotel,. Dinner at the hotel.( Dinner) If time permit, discover the most romantic views of Venice on foot and from the comfortable seats of a gondola, spend some time gliding through the cities peaceful canals.

Day 3 – March 25, 2018 (Sun) Venice, Italy

The greatness of Venice has always been reflected in the richness of St. Mark’s Basilica, the perfect synthesis of Venetian art and a unique blend There was a certain man in Caesarea” Drive north to the sparkling port city of Haifa, viewing Caesarea en route, the city built by Herod. In of Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. Five Oriental-looking Haifa, we will ascend Mt. Carmel; home of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, Visit the Stella Maris Church celebrate Holy Mass in the main domes crown the shadowy, mysterious interior gleaming with golden mosaics, colored marbles, precious stones and pearls, and guarded Altar, after enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean, continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Gai Beach Hotel (BB,D) by the four gilded bronze horses that stand proudly atop the central 6 DEC-Day 4 - (Wed) - Tiberias/ Cana/ Nazareth entrance. The glittering mosaics of the interior tell the story of St. Mark and episodes from the Bible. It’s most famous treasure stands behind Holy Eucharist at the Church of annunciation “And Mary said, Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your the altar in the sanctuary - the Pala D’Oro, a golden altar screen encrusted with jewels We’ll visit theDoge’s Palace, the magnificent Venetianword” We head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll Gothic building from where the leaders of the former Venetian Republic ruled until the late 18th century. Head inside and explore the grandiose invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth, Celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of Annunciation, visit St Joseph public chambers that the doges lavished with fine art and ornamentation. Masterpieces by Renaissance champions.(BB,D) Holy Mass at St. workshop. We return to Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D) Marks Basilica.

5 DEC-Day 3 - (Tues) Cesarea /Haifa

07 Dec-Day 5 - (Thurs) Mt Tabor/Mt Beatitude/Capernum/ Sea of Galilee/Tabgha

We drive to Mount Tabor, celebrate Holy Eucharist at the church of Transfiguration, Visit Mt. of Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

08 DEC-Day 6 - (FRI)-Jordan valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem

Day 4 - March 26, 2018 (Mon) Venice to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

After breakfast, we will spend the day travelling from Venice to San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July 1916 until his death on 23 September 1968. Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive and take in the picturesque scenery along the way. We will reach our hotel in San Giovanni Rotondo in the afternoon. Will have panoramic sightseeing on the way to our hotel,(BB,D).

Day 5 - March 27,2018 (Tues) San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

Drive the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. View the Mount of temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Visit the ancient ruins of the wall. Drive through Wadi Welt to view St George’s Monastery. Continue to Bethany celebrate Holy Eucharist, and then visit the tomb of Lazarus. Arrive in Mount Scopus; enjoy the first view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Notre DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

We begin the day by celebrating Holy Eucharist. Eucharist,. Followed by a short film about St. Padre Pio.Done by our local guide who are very knowledgeable about the life of St. Padre Pio. We’ll start our visit with the Old Church.Here you can see his cell, his confessional box, the crucifix from which he received the stigmata, and nearly everything he owned or touched, carefully preserved and labeled. Then will visit the New Basilica, Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) dedicated to Padre Pio. (BB,D)

09 DEC-Day 7 - (Sat) - Jerusalem (old City) - Via Dolorosa

Day 6 March 28,2018 (Wed)San Giovanni Rotondo

Holy Sepulcher Church “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place of a skull, which was called in Hebrew Golgotha” Enter the old city of Jerusalem, Sing a hymn in the Church of St Anne and view the pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, where the soldiers played the Game of Kings, and Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the tomb of Our Lord. This afternoon drive to Mount Zion, to visit the upper room, revered as the site of the last supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey’s, St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus three times. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME Vatican Hotel (BB.D)

Holy Eucharist in the Morning in the New Basilica.followed by Station of the Cross. Rest of day spend Praying and meditating (BB,D)

10 DEC-Day 8 - (SUN) - Mount of Olives/Gethesemane/Bethlehem/New City

Day 8 - March 30 2018 (Fri) Assisi to Florence (Good Friday)

Holy Eucharist celebration at the Church of all nations Main altar Arrive at the Mount of Olives and enjoy the beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit Church”God wept “& walk the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethesemane and the Church of all Nations. This Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name the whole world recognizes ,visit the Church of Nativity, the manger, Church of St Catherine, The Grotto of St Jerome, and the shepherds fields. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB ,D).

11 DEC-Day 9 - ( MON) - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Masada

Visit the Western Wall , the only part of the Herodian temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. We drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to Jerusalem Overnight Notre Dame Vatican Hotel (BB,D)

12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City

Return to the new City, Including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Here we will have a better understanding between old and New Jerusalem. Next to Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist, visit the Visitation church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat Overnight NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

13 Dec-Day 11 - (WED) Jerusalem/TLV/LAX

Breakfast rest of the morning Free time early PM dinner has to check out from the hotel, around 8:30 PM flight from TLV/ LAX in the 13 Dec flight depart TLV at 1:00 Am Dec 14,2017 ( end of Service )

Day 7 – March 29, 2018 (Thur) San Giovanni Rotondo to Siena, Italy

After breakfast, we will spend the day travelling from San Giovanni Rotondo to Siena. We will begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of Renaissance art and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena. You’ll learn about the city’s history while admiring its cathedrals, museums, and libraries. Then admire famous Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares.(BB,D) Continue to Assisi overnight /Dinner Celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Crypt where the tomb of the most beloved saints is located ,after Mass visit the Basilica of St Francis, We’ll also visit the Basilica of St.Claire After Lunch continue to Florence Best know for it leather goods,the best in the world Leather (BB,D) Free time in the afternoon Dinner/ Overnight

Day 9 - March 31, 2018 (Sat) Florence to Rome

2 hrs walking tours of Florence,before we continue to Rome We will have a guided walking tour of this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist, Continue to Rome.

Upon our arrival in Rome, Guided tours of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel .See the Largest church in Roman Catholicism ,St Peter Basilica,see the Crypt of St Pope John Paul (BB,D) Transfer to the Hotel /overnight

Day 10 April 1, 2018 (Sun ) Rome

EASTER SUNDAY MASS, VATICAN SQUARE FOLLOWED BY PAPAL BLESSING Visit the Major Basilicas like St Mary Major,St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, St. Paul Outside the Wall, St. Peter’s in Chain, Santa Croce of Jerusalem, afternoon see Imperial Rome, and short visit to the Trevi Fountain on the way to the hotel (BB,D) Dinner in the hotel

Day 11 April 2, 2018 (Mon) Rome Free time in Rome ( BB,D)

Day 12 April 3, 2018 (Mon) Rome – USA

Transfer to the airport for our flight back to USA, End of our memorable Pilgrimage

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GUIDE / THE ASIAN JOURNAL WEEKEND SUPPLEMENT - October 14, 2017

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FPAC FESTIVAL GUIDE / THE ASIAN JOURNAL WEEKEND SUPPLEMENT - October 14, 2017

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Pala Casino Spa & Resort breaks ground on $170-million expansion and renovation 400 Construction jobs to be created PALA, CA –Officials of Pala Casino Spa & Resort today held a groundbreaking ceremony to honor the commencement of the resort’s $170 million expansion and renovation project.

Pala Band of Mission Indians Chairman Robert Smith provided the keynote address at the groundbreaking ceremony, which took place at the outdoor resort pool area. To officially break ground, Smith drove an excavator through a 15’x 17’ brick kiosk building (photos attached). The groundbreaking was followed by food and refreshments indoors at Pala’s CAVE Lounge.

“Our ability to exponentially expand and refresh Pala Casino Spa & Resort is a true testament to, not only the growth of Pala, but also to the thriving economy and the continued strength of the gaming industry in California,” Smith said. “This is a significant milestone for our Tribe and we look forward to continuing to exceed the expectations of our loyal patrons.”

The renovation and expansion will include the addition of a new 348-room hotel tower The resort’s existing hotel tower also will be completely remodeled.

When complete, Pala will boast 853 rooms including 104 unique suites and 749 deluxe rooms with dramatic views of the resort’s multi-pool and entertainment complex, event lawn and the scenic Palomar Mountain Range.

To accommodate more hotel

EMPLOYMENT

guests, the hotel parking structure will be expanded by adding 420 additional spaces. The conversion of the existing resort pool into a multi-pool and entertainment resort complex will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy four pools, two whirlpools, a new poolside bar, a new poolside restaurant and various outdoor lounge spaces complete with fireplaces for evening cocktails.

Pala’s gaming area also will be expanded by 12,000 square feet.

Within that expanded casino space, 500 new slot machines, several new table games and a new casino bar and lounge will be introduced. The interior of the entire 100,000-square-foot casino will be remodeled. Pala’s food promenade will be converted into a restaurant complex offering a wide variety of food options in a variety of settings. The restaurants will include casual café dining, Asian dining, a premium sushi restaurant and a sports bar restaurant offering live entertainment and dancing every Friday and Saturday night. The new restaurants will complement Pala’s signature Choices the Buffet, the elegant Oak Room Steakhouse, the eclectic underground wine cave with its new California-casual restaurant, Bar-Meets-Grill, which will open in January 2018.

During the ceremony, Bill Bembenek, Pala’s Chief Executive Officer, California State Assemblymember

Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, Assemblymember Randy Voepel and Assemblymember Marie Waldron also provided remarks.

“I am proud to have played even a bit part in this important event for the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the State of California, and the local economy by authoring Assembly Bill 629 to ratify the tribal gaming compact that made today’s groundbreaking a reality,” said Assemblymember Gonzalez-Fletcher. “This legislation was overwhelmingly supported by representatives from around California because of Pala’s commitment to the economic selfsufficiency of its people and to the surrounding community.”

When completed, Pala’s 853 deluxe hotel rooms and suites will be beautifully appointed with stone countertops throughout, luxurious linens, Keurig coffee makers, free, in-room Wi-Fi and 50inch, high-definition televisions.

EMPLOYMENT

Pala’s renovation and expansion project will create 400 construction jobs and, once complete, add over 200 new employment opportunities to Pala’s current team of 2,000 team members.

“One notable contribution New palatial presidential suites

by Pala has been its commitment and balcony suites will provide stunning views of the surrounding to fair wages and employment, vista and award-winning Starlight evident in its efforts to set a Theater concerts. The project will statewide standard for gaming also increase Pala’s casino from its operations that has provided current 90,000 square feet to over many Californians with the middle-class wages that so many 102,000 square feet of gaming are struggling to obtain,” said space. The expansion will allow Pala Casino to increase its offering Assemblymember GonzalezFletcher. “I want to congratulate of slot and video machines to Chairman Smith and the Pala 2,500 and its offering of table Band of Mission Indians on games to 88. their achievement today, thank “Pala has been a great them for their friendship and neighbor to the surrounding commitment to the people of communities in our district,” said California, and wish them the best Assemblymember Waldron. “The of luck in this next chapter of their casino and resort employs gaming enterprise.” thousands of our residents and Construction of the AAA Four has had a tremendous impact Diamond award winning property on the economic prosperity of is officially underway and will be the Tribe’s members. Under the leadership of Chairman Smith, Pala completed in phases. The first phase will be completed in spring has been a vast economic driver in my district and the surrounding of 2018 and the final phase in late 2019. areas. Our region is a better place “This is a proud moment because of your efforts.”

for Pala, for this district, and for our region as a whole,” said Assemblymember Voepel. “The Pala Band of Mission Indians are part of our community fabric, and it’s been a true pleasure to watch them continue to grow and prosper as a Tribe.”

The construction company selected for the renovation and expansion is Level 10 Construction with headquarters in San Francisco, CA, and offices in Sunnyvale and San Diego, CA. The architect is Klai Juba Wald of Las Vegas, NV. The contributing architect is Marks Architects of San Diego, CA. “We are very excited to engage in our third major expansion since our introduction to the Southern California gaming and hospitality market more than 16 years ago. As in the past, we expect elements of this expansion and upgrade to be unique to our property and to set new resort standards,” Bembenek said. “This significant expansion project will complement our already luxurious resort offerings while providing our patrons with new world-class amenities.”

SERVICES

Performance Strong. Results Delivered.

(Advertising Supplement)

october 20-26, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

Radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Museums provided the answer to the mystery.

Both bombs exploded high up in the air, 1,968 feet for Hiroshima and 1,800 feet for Nagsaaki.

PhiliP S. ChuA, They never hit the ground. The Md, FACS, FPCS 139 pounds of U-235 and the 12 pounds of Pu-239 were pulverized into particles and the plume My wife, Farida, and I just dissipated by the wind over land returned to Las Vegas from an and mostly to the sea. Data show 11-day Japan Explorer Cruise on there was only a slight increase of the Celebrity Millennium with leukemia in Nagasaki region but some colleagues, claimed to there were no added incidence of be the largest cruise vessel in cancers in and around Hiroshima.

Asia, at 91,000 tons, 965 ft. long, An amazing feat of luck.

105 beam, and an occupancy I could not find information of 2,138. There were more than as to whether these two atomic 300 Filipinos working admirably bombs (Code-named “Little Boy” onboard. We felt at home, and for Hiroshima and “Fat Man” proud of our kababayans.

Besides going to Tokyo, Chiba, for Nagasaki) were specifically designed to explode high up yokohama, and other ports of in the air to minimize ground interest in Japan; we toured Nagasaki, a city of 263,000 (among contamination.

Those atom bombs are them 9,000 Japanese soldiers grenades compared to the and 400 Allied POWs) when it present day nuclear bombs, which was devastated by an atomic are more sophisticated, more bomb dropped by American powerful, and greater in their squadron commander and ability to obliterate even an entire pilot of Bockscar, Major General nation.

Charles W. Sweeney, at 2:45 a.m.

Indeed, 38-year old Kim Jong on August 9, 1945, killing about Un should grow up and realize 80,000. Three days earlier at 8:15 that he could get burned (and a.m., the American B-29 bomber North Korea could disappear from “Enola Gay,” piloted by BG Paul this earth) when he continues to W. Tibbets deployed the world’s first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, play with fire with bravado and recklessness. then Japan’s 7th largest city, with Outbreaks on cruise ships a population of about 420,000.

Thank God, our Japan Explorer The bomb plummeted to 137,197 cruise was a healthy and totally following the nuclear disaster. enjoyable experience. Sometimes, The second bombing cruises could be marred by an (Nagasaki) was the final warning outbreak of illnesses. that led to the unconditional On May 9, 2016 CNN reported surrender of Japan on August 14, that, “More than 200 passengers 1945, named V-J (Victory over on a British cruise ship have Japan), which ended World War II and saved millions of lives on both fallen ill with the gastrointestinal condition norovirus. The U.S. sides.

Center for Disease Control said As of 2015, the population 252 of 919 passengers — 27 of Hiroshima was 1.594 million percent — have gotten sick on the and Nagasaki, 429,508. Both are Balmoral, a ship operated by Fred thriving cities today — vibrant, Olsen Cruises and most recently booming with millions of tourists docked in Maine. Eight of 520 visiting from around the world. crew members have come down Level of radiation mystery The radioactive particles from with norovirus.” New reports on May 4, 2017 said cruise ships the atomic bombs 72 years ago norovirus outbreaks at a 15-year were supposed to render both cities uninhabitable for thousands low in 2017, the lowest since 1994.

Nearly 25 million are expected to — and millions — of years. take a cruise this year. There were “Today, the background outbreaks in 19 cruise ships in radiation in Hiroshima and 2004, only two as of May this year, Nagasaki is the same as the like in 2001. average amount of natural The cruise industry is radiation present anywhere on mandated by law to report to the Earth. It is not enough to affect CDC any outbreak that exceeds human health,” according to 2 percent of the total number of scientific reports. passengers/crews on onboard.

But why? What happened?

In the case of the Celebrity Why are these two cities in Japan Millennium we just cruised on, safe again, so soon? that would mean an outbreak Uranium-235 was used for involving at least 43 persons. U.S.the bomb over Hirsohima and Plutonium-239 over Nagasaki. The bound ships from foreign ports are required to report the total half-life of U-235 is 700 million number of gastrointestinal disease years, the Pu-239, 24,000 years, if cases, including zero, evaluated by they had reach and exploded on the medical staff 24 hours prior to the ground. arrival at U.S. ports.

Information from the

Health@Heart

Norovirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis, popularly called the stomach bug or stomach flu, which causes about 20 million illnesses a year in the United States, most often in crowded environments like dormitories, restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, nursing homes, and day care centers. The common cold is higher in incidence than norovirus, but it is more infamous because of the mandatory strict reporting legal requirement.

When exposed to norovirus, it takes about one to three days for symptoms to appear, and it usually lasts for 24 to 48 hours.

Victims may be contagious for about two weeks after recovery.

Hygiene is the key Since the introduction on all cruises of hand sanitizer (70 percent ethyl alcohol which kills 99.9 percent of germs within 15 seconds), the outbreaks of norovirus and other contagious illnesses on cruises have dramatically gone down. As always, the onus is on all crewmembers and guests on board. One single infected person’s virus is enough spread and contaminate the entire ship and cause an epidemic on a cruise or a hospital, household, dormitory, nursing home, restaurant, day care center, etc.

The good old-fashioned handwashing, with or without soap, works wonders anywhere we are, even at home.

Norovirus and common cold viruses could contaminate food, tables, chairs, plates, cups, glasses, utensils, hand rails, door knobs, elevator buttons, dialpads, counters, tables, etc. Those surfaces are “naturally” teeming with microorganisms. This is the reason why frequent handwashing and not touching the face (and those surfaces) are essential habits that significantly lower the risk of acquiring these infections.

While the viruses we commonly encounter cause illnesses and misery, using hand sanitizers after touching handrails and doorknobs, etc., in public areas, and washing hands frequently will greatly protect us. Always be aware that germs, invisible to the naked eyes, are on our skin, especially in our hands, and are swarming, ever-present, all around us. All we have to do is to wash them away, often. ***

ernie d. delFin “IGNORANCE of the law (including Medicare rules and regulations) may be very costly due to mandatory penalties if the Medicare eligible person does not act on a timely manner!”

- The Author If you have opened your TV since last month thru the first week of December, you would have seen the massive ads of dozens of insurance companies — like United Health Care, Humana, Kaiser, Scan, Aetna, Anthem/Blue Cross, just to name a few — about Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period that started October 15 and ending December 7, 2017.

If you or anyone in your family is almost 65 or older, you should read and learn at least the basics of Medicare. In my experience, since I turned 65, the vast majority of seniors do not really know much or understand the many complex rules and regulations about Medicare and how to maximize the many benefits that they are legally entitled to. After many years of working and paying your Social Security or FICA taxes, it is just right and fair that seniors should get what they have paid for, both Part A and Part B of Medicare.

And for most, they should also consider enrolling in a Medicare

Advantage program that is offered by insurance companies to enhance the benefits of the original Medicare.

What you do not know and not do on a TIMELy manner may be very costly because of penalties that will be added to your Part B or D Medicare premiums. I have seen many seniors suffered financially for these penalties imposed by the Center for Medicare Services (CMS), the federal agency that implements the Medicare program.

For a start, any senior (65 or older) or any “legal guardian” of any senior or even below 64 but on disability for at least 24 months, or those with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) are eligible to apply for Medicare. For those who do not have enough employment credits (10 years or 40 quarters) may also be able to apply under Medicare-Medicaid program.

As a certified health insurance consultant, certified by several insurance companies contracted by Medicare, I can, without any obligation, guide those who will contact me by e-mail, Facebook or phone call; if they need some professional information to guide them.

To protect this vulnerable segment of seniors, the federal government through CMS forbids many things that agents cannot and should not do, like cold-calling seniors. Ethical health insurance professionals cannot just approach any senior and talk to them, without any prior Scope of Authority to do so.

Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 2)

SOME stories are cautionary tales.

If we approach our own lives with a smidgen of humility, stories do teach and show us the way. I have learned that without humility, one cannot be taught anything of real value.

Without humility, one would have to experience life’s hard lessons first hand. This is choosing to learn by paying the highest tuition when one can learn simply by listening and pondering the wisdom of those who love you and have your best interests at heart.

I am revisiting two stories from 2010. These stories illustrate supremely bloated egos and an overblown sense of personal entitlement.

The story of Amy Bishop, the Alabama ex-professor, who murdered her academic colleagues in cold blood during a departmental meeting, ended with a life sentence.

Once-upon-a-time golf legend, Tiger Woods, after 7 years have passed, seems to be still reeling from the severe aftermath of a self-inflicted reversal of fortune involving sex, hookers and the tangled web one weaves when we deceive with impunity. It looks like in the postscript to Tiger’s Tale, big, bad karma will have the last say on how the remainder of his life story pans out as he continues to struggle with a bad back and a losing streak.

On February 2010, Amy Bishop, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist killed 3 of her colleagues with a 9 mm gun in cold blood and wounded three others, in a faculty meeting in the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Bishop’s rampage may have been motivated by the fact that she was denied tenure and will have to look for work elsewhere by the end of the spring semester of that year. She is married with 4 kids and appears to be the sole family provider. With her action, she decimated half the Biology Department and two of the wounded, were hit in the head. She went target shooting at the range prior to this.

And who has not heard of Tiger Woods’ blazing fall from grace?

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Amy Bishop felt entitled. Tiger

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

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

Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Medicare: the best health insurance for seniors The Metamorphosis

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Before you turn 65, the senior must start researching and understanding some basics of Medicare, such as: • When you should apply for Medicare Part A, B, C or D. • If you are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy.

• About Medicare Advantage Plan, MedSupps, Prescription Drug Plan, Medigap, etc.

• If you’re eligible for Medi-Cal to help pay for your premiums or drug prescriptions.

• Even younger than 65 years old, persons with disabilities or ESRD may be eligible for Medicare, and many other important information that you must know.

Our field marketing organization as well as our insurance carriers, as a public or community service often offers educational events so that the public can be informed and educated what suitable programs are best for them.

We have a very informative, concise Medicare pamphlet that I can give to interested seniors. Call or e-mail me and I will send one to you o answer any of your Medicare questions, without any obligation.

October 15 to December 7, the annual open enrollment period, has arrived. Hence, you should call or e-mail me NOW and make an appointment, if necessary. ernie.delfin@gmail.com/(714) 746- 3088 *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com

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Tales of entitlement “...I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me.

I felt I was entitled...”

— Tiger Woods Woods himself admitted, “I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled…”

Amy Bishop, who was perceived as brilliant inventor and scientist but a social oddball strongly, obsessively felt entitled to be given tenure at UAH. She had a secret, troubled past beginning with the death of her own 18 year old brother whom she shot in the heart 24 years ago with a shotgun, a case that was ruled accidental in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Well past the statute of limitation, that case was never logged in the national database because she was never charged in that incident. In hindsight police officials now believe there was probable cause to charge her for what she did after the incident when she held a man at gunpoint in a nearby dealership demanding a get-away car and holding officers in a standoff. There are talks that because her mother, who had some clout, intervened and that there were some slip-ups in the chain of command, Bishop was effectively exonerated and nothing more was heard of this case until now. This important piece of information could have prevented the university from hiring her in the first place.

Her husband, who appears delusional as she is, paints a pleasant picture of her as a mother and wife, in stark contrast from those who felt she was aloof and arrogant in her perceived superiority. She herself said she was arrogant because she is superior.

She frequently mentioned Harvard in class and that she was a cousin of the author John Irving who wrote “The Cider House Rules” and “The World According to Garp.”

Former neighbors in Massachusetts sighed in relief and held a pizza party when her family moved to Alabama. She and her husband had called the cops on their neighbors in excess of a dozen times over perceived slights to the point that the cops felt they could not do enough for them. She

Calendar of Events across

prevented the ice cream truck from coming to their street because her children were lactose intolerant. Nor did she want her children to play with her neighborhood kids.

Students at the UAH petitioned that she be removed from the classroom since she taught by reading from the textbook, didn’t make eye contact and was just plain ineffective in a classroom setting.

There are other troubling incidents in her past life, such as, when she punched a woman at the local IHOP all because of a child booster seat while ranting profanities, raving and screaming, “I am Dr. Amy Bishop.”

In another suspicious incident, she and her husband were among those investigated but never charged in the unresolved mail bombing case of Professor Paul Rosenberg of Harvard. It appears the professor was giving her a negative review of her postdoctoral work.

No one could have predicted that Amy Bishop’s very vocal ranting and internal raging over something she felt entitled to would result in tragedy. Her appeal for tenure was denied that October. Sadly, one of her victims, the Biology Department head, Dr. Gopi Podila, a wellliked academic who immigrated from India, and who supported her appeal for tenure and even dismissed the students’ petition against her, was the first person, Amy Bishop shot dead. The other 2 are Dr. Maria Ragland Davis and Dr. Adriel Johnson, all in their early fifties and by all accounts, great human beings. She fired repeatedly at her friend, Dr. Debra Moriarity despite her pleas for mercy but the gun jammed and her friend lived to tell the gruesome details of the carnage.

On April 2011, the Alabama Madison County District Attorney Robert Broussard said during a court proceeding that he would seek the death penalty for Amy Bishop.

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

America

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

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

Mutya ng Lahi in Santa Clarita, CA To celebrate Filipino-American History Month, the Fil-Am Association of SCV, Inc. proudly presents Mutya ng Lahi (Jewel of Ancestry) on Saturday, Oct. 21. It will be held at the Centre at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351 from 6 to 10 p.m. The program will showcase traditional folk dances, songs, national costumes and an exhibition of Philippine Centennial. Tickets for the dinner and show are $35 for adults, $20 for children (4-12), and free for under 3 years. For ticket sales, please contact the following no later than Oct. 13: Emie R. Carrillo at (661) 877-2699, Zeny Justiniano at (661) 294-0181, or Zony Gordon at (661) 312-3422.

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FACC-GLA’s Halloween Dance Party in Canoga Park, CA FACC-GLA’s Halloween Dance Party in Canoga Park, CA The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce - Greater Los Angeles (FACC - GLA) invites members and guests to its Halloween Dance Party on Friday, October 27 from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at the Best Western Canoga Park Hotel. Come in with your scariest attire as there will be special gifts for the best costume attire. Food & drinks will be included. Tickets are limited and entry will only be allowed for those who paid online or through check on or before Tuesday, October 24. Payment can be made through the website www.filamchambergla.org. Strictly NO payment will be accepted at the door.

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3rd annual Larry Itliong Day parade & festival in Los Angeles Join the Larry Itliong Day Committee (LIDC) in honoring the legacy of Filipino American Labor Leader Larry Itliong on Saturday, October 28. There will be a parade followed by a festival with cultural music, dance performances, food vendors, art exhibits, health screenings and various vendors. Parade starts at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast, opening ceremony and line-up at 8 a.m. at Unidad Park (1648 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026). The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Columban Church at 125 Loma Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90026. There will be film screenings of “Delano Manongs” by Marissa Aroy at the church at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. For more information on sponsorships, parade registration, exhibitor opportunities, and volunteering, please email larryitliongdayLA@gmail.com.

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

october 20-26, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

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