Orange County/Inland Empire -- January 29 -- February 4, 2016

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Volume 23 - No. 4 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

j a Nu a ry 2 9 - f e br u a ry 4 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

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Marcos: SAF 44 would still be alive if Aquino did not mess up

by Joel

M. Sy egco, JefferSon AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

hAD President Benigno Aquino III observed standard operating procedure (soP) in launching police operations like oplan exodus, the 44 police commandos slain in mamasapano, maguindanao, would still be alive today, sen. ferdinand marcos Jr. said on thursday, Jan. 28.

“It was very clear that because the President disregarded the procedures in the planning and execution of the operation and chain of command, the

massacre happened,” marcos noted in an interview after his consultation with local officials of marikina City (metro manila). he said although no bombshell was dropped during the reopening of the senate inquiry into the mamasapano bloodbath, senate minority Leader Juan Ponce enrile was able to show more clearly the role played by Aquino in the operation and how he handled it. marcos added that the main focus of reopening the senate investigation was to find out what really happened and enrile was able to accomplish it.

“Clearly, there was a lack of coordination brought by the decision of the President to keep the operation secret to other officials of government even to the officer-in-charge of the PNP [Philippine National Police],” he pointed out.

Cabinet and security officials present during the hearing claimed that Aquino was not aware of the real situation of the sAf troops deployed in maguindanao to capture suspected terrorist Zulkifli bin hir alias marwan, because no clear information reached him that day.

PAGE A2

REOPENING OF THE MAMASAPANO HEARING. Senator Bongbong Marcos, Board of Inquiry chair Police Director Benjamin Magalong (center) and former Special Action Force chief, Director Getulio Napeñas, attend the reopening of the hearing on the Mamasapano incident, where 44 members of the Special Action Force were killed during an operation in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Senate photo by Romeo Bugante

A homecoming fit for a queen

USA

DATELINE Filipina fatally stabbed in Hawaii from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Melita Fajotina

A 65-year-old filipina was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband of 35 years on the morning of January 18 in oahu, hawaii. melita fajotina died from stab wounds to her neck and was found in her home in Aliamanu, oahu at around 5:43 am, reports said. the honolulu medical examiner’s office declared her

death a homicide.

Police arrested her husband, Isagani “sonny” fajotina, on tuesday, Jan. 19 on suspicion of second-degree murder, but he was released pending further investigation. the case is being investigated by detectives as a murder-attempted suicide.

Isagani fajotina — who relatives said PAGE A3

Covered California makes final push for health care enrollment in AAPI communities sACrAmeNto, Calif. — Covered California joined with leaders of the Asian American community to spread the word that time is running out for uninsured Californians to sign up for quality health insurance coverage.

“We are teaming up with leaders of Asian-American communities to make sure that we reach out to everyone who is eligible for coverage,” Covered California executive Director Peter V. Lee said.

“We want to drive home the message that the deadline is coming up and remind consumers that financial help is available through Covered California.”

Assemblymember rob Bonta, who chairs the Assembly Committee on health, said uninsured Asian Americans across the state should explore their options in this new era of health care and get coverPAGE A2

Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach returns to the Philippines by

AllySon eScobAr /AJPress

fANs lined the streets of manila to makati City as Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the newlycrowned miss Universe 2015, traveled by float in her homecoming parade on January 25. the float traveled for more than three hours from the sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel in manila, down roxas Boulevard to Ayala Avenue in makati City. At one point it rained, but the weather VICTORY WALK. Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach 2015 was given her own crowning moment during her did not stop adoring filihomecoming at the Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 28. Wurtzbach, wearing the Miss Universe crown and pinos hoping for a selfie the same blue Albert Andrada gown during the pageant, did her victory walk in front of a Filipino audience. with the beauty queen Photos from Bb. Pilipinas Official Facebook page from attending.

CoRonA CARmAggedon

Fil-Am mother and son charged with smuggling gun parts

Riverside Freeway’s weekend shutdown set next month

by AgneS

conStAnte AJPress

A fILIPINo-American woman from Long Beach, California and her son have been charged with smuggling ammunition and firearm parts to the Philippines. marlou mendoza, 60, was arrested last week at Los Angeles International Airport upon returning from a trip to the Philippines, officials from the Us Attorney’s office said Wednesday, Jan. 27. her 30-year-old son, mark mendoza, rePAGE A2

With thousands of supporters present, Wurtzbach smiled and waved a filipino flag to the crowd, wearing her signature crown and a teal dress by filipino designer Albert Andrada with traditional butterfly sleeves. she stood elegantly on top of a decorative float with her parade band, surrounded by police escorts. the parade was one of the nearly week-long homecoming in the Philippines, which will end in a grand parade and PAGE A2

According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), the 91 Freeway will be closed in both directions between Interstate 15 and the Corona (71) Expressway during the week of February 19-22. The closures will last for 55 hours.

Screengrab from CBS Los Angeles

motorIsts prepare—carmaggedon is coming next month as one of the busiest travel corridors in Inland empire will be completely shut down for the whole weekend in Corona.

According to the riverside County transportation Commission (rCtC), the 91 freeway will be closed in both directions between Interstate 15 and the Corona (71) expressway during the week of february 19-22. the closures will last for 55 hours.

Dubbed as the “Corona Carmageddon,” the closure will make way for three major components of the “91 Project fast forward” without traffic conflicts. these include (1) Demolish the west side of the maple street Bridge over the 91, (2) PAGE A2

Senate ends probe on Binay cases

by MArvin

Sy

Philstar.com

mANILA—After 25 hearings over 17 months, the senate Blue ribbon subcommittee finally concluded its probe into the alleged anomalies involving Vice President Jejomar Binay.

No new information was presented during the tuesday, Jan 26 hearing which, as subcommittee chairman sen.

Aquilino Pimentel III said, was to wrap up the unfinished issues. “our public committee hearings on the two resolutions will end tuesday, Jan. 26. this representation would like to assure everyone that legislative ideas based on the evidence that we have gathered and our findings on the two resolutions shall be forthcoming.

to remind everyone, this subcommittee’s proceedings were undertaken in aid of legislation,” Pimentel said in his opening statement. the decision to end the hearings was made after sen. Antonio trillanes IV, who came out with the resolutions that paved the way for the conduct of the probe, agreed to conclude this. trillanes said he just wanted the presentations made during the hearing to be placed on record to be included in the final committee report to be drafted by Pimentel.

A partial committee report was released

by Pimentel last year but it only focused on the allegedly overpriced parking building turned makati City hall 2 building.

PAGE A3

Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Sen. Koko Pimentel watch a presentation during the blue ribbon committe hearing regarding the alleged P1.601 billion overpricing of the 11 storey new Makati Cityhall parking building and the alleged irregular transactions entered into by the HDMF/PAGIBIG Fund and the Boy Scout of the Philippines under the leadership of Vice President Jejomar Binay at the senate on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

A

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january 29-february 4, 2016 • OC/Ie aSIan jOurnaL

From the Front

Marcos: SAF 44 would still be...

PAGE A1 But Marcos maintained that it was unlikely for Aquino not to get information regarding the status of the operation and the condition of the troops.

“There were text messages and exchanges of information among Cabinet and security officials as early as 5 a.m. that

day, and they were even discussing it,” he said.

Marcos also noted that if the President did not know what was happening on January 25, 2015, it would only mean that he was not monitoring the operation that he put in place without the knowledge of the police and the military.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero still sees finger-pointing among officials one year after the bloodbath.

He said the hearing on Wednesday highlighted the lack of intelligence, poor planning and coordination and failure of communications between and among government agencies.

Vindicated?

Malacañang maintained that Aquino was vindicated in the last Senate hearing because it was established that former Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napenas was solely responsible for mishandling Oplan Exodus.

“Senator Enrile’s allegations were effectively responded to and belied in [Wednesday’s] hearing. It was established that Director Napenas lacked situational awareness involving his troops in Mamasapano and the serious lack of coordination between him and the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] led to the deaths of the SAF 44,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a news briefing.

According to the official, even Enrile’s eight-point summary that purportedly indicated the President’s culpability fizzled out.

“He wanted to show that the President was responsible for the high number of casualties but in government’s view, it was brought about by the actuations and judgment of former SAF director Napenas in his capacity as the commander of the operations of Oplan Exodus,” Coloma explained.

The Palace official also listed the former SAF commander’s follies.

“First, he did not coordinate, second, he did not abort the operations when the conditions were clear that it should have been aborted and he failed to sufficiently factored in the safety of his troops because of his lack of situational awareness. He was not prepared to lead his men. He did not have a mindset of a commander seriously concerned with the welfare of his troops,” Coloma said.

Page

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile starts questioning former Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force Chief, Director Getulio Napeñas during the reopening of the hearing on the Mamasapano incident, where 44 members of the Special Action Force were killed during operations. It was Enrile who initiated the reopening of the investigation. Also in photo is Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, the committee that conducted hearings on the incident.

Senate photo by Joe Arazas

A homecoming fit...

PAGE A1

show at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Jan. 28. Wurtzbach told press that she would also be advocating for HIV awareness and testing, as well as disaster relief, while visiting her home country and attending to her duties as Miss Universe.

Wurtzbach also visited Malacañang Palace, home of President Benigno Aquino III, and paid a courtesy call to the President, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the Philippine Senate.

“We’re erasing the image that Filipinas are not palaban [fighters], because in fact we are,” she

said following the visit. “We go out there and we’re brave and fearless…much more different than what people think we used to be. I think that speaks on how modern we are now.”

She also confirmed her appearance as a special correspondent at this year’s 50th Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on February 7.

“I see it as a great compliment. It is a great way of me connecting to more people and being recognized, not only as Pia and as Miss Universe, but as a Filipina,” she said, according

to CNN Philippines.

Wurtzbach, 26, is the Philippines’ first Miss Universe in 42 years, since Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo was crowned in 1973.

Last year, beauty queen Filipinas also took over the pageant scene with Trixie Maristela’s victory in the Miss International Queen, Ann Lorraine Colis’ win in Miss Globe, Angelia Ong’s big success in the Miss Earth, Leren Mae Bautista’s high accomplishment in Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, and Wurtzbach’s renowned triumph in the Miss Universe.

“It’s good that we’re finally getting the recognition that I think we deserve,” Wurtzbach said.

Fil-Am mother & son charged with smuggling...

PAGE A1 mains at large and is believed to be in the Philippines, Inquirer reported. Prosecutors say he operated a business called Last Resort Armaments, according to The Associated Press (AP).

The mother and son were indicted on separate charges by a federal grand jury last month.

In 2011, the mother and son attempted to smuggle hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds and parts for assault rifles to the Philippines, authorities said. The indictment cited three instances when Mendoza did not provide the mandatory written notice to freight forwarders that she was

shipping ammunition, labeling shipments of .22-caliber ammunition as “household goods,” Inquirer reported.

“The weapons shipments charged in the indictments allowed firearm parts and ammunition to leave the United States and travel tot he Philippines, where they could have been sold to anyone,” US Attorney Eileen M. Decker said in a statement.

Mark Mendoza was charged with conspiracy, three counts of unlawful export of munitions, three counts of export smuggling and one count of money laundering.

The publication further report-

ed that he ordered more than $100,000 worth of ammunition and firearm accessories, including parts for AR-15 and M-16 rifles, which are cannot be shipped to the Philippines without an export license from the Department of State, according to the Arms Export Control Act. Mark had the ammunition delivered to his parents’ home in Long Beach.

His mother was released on a $10,000 bail bond pending trial.

If found guilty, she faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

If Mark is convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 115 years in federal prison.

Riverside Freeway’s weekend shutdown...

PAGE A1

Install support beams for the new westbound Maple Street flyover ramp bridge, and (3) Pave the new eastbound 91 alignment near I-15.

As part of the 91 Project, the RCTC also launched its “91 Steer Clear” public service campaign, reminding motorists that the roadway will be fully closed starting Friday, Feb. 19 at 9pm to Monday, Feb. 22 at 4am.

“By fully closing the roadway, we will be able to consolidate these significant construction efforts into one weekend, rather than multiple weekends or extending this over a month of weeknights,” said RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer in statement released to the media.

“Consolidating the work activities within one weekend will reduce the number of closure hours by more than 50 percent. The project’s design-build method allows for flexibility in planning work, such as this weekend closure,” she said.

The full closure will also help ensure the safety of the crews working at the project, as well as the traveling public by eliminating cars and equipment on the road during construction.

In case of rainstorms or inclement weather, the Feb. 19-22 closure will be postponed to the next weekend, weather permitting.

Plan ahead, avoid or stay home To minimize delays and impacts during the closure, RCTC have these words of wisdom to offer motorists: Plan ahead, avoid the area or stay home, as traveling on the 91, 71 or I-15 near the project area during that period can expect delays of three to four hours. If travel cannot be avoided, motorists can use the 57, 60 and I-10 as alternate routes.

Mayer however, assured that emergency vehicles—like police, fire, CHP and ambulances—will be able to travel on the 91 as needed to respond to calls if any.

There will still be more work to be done in the coming months after the weekend construction activities are completed. Crews will rebuild the Maple Street bridge and construct the flyover ramp bridge across the 91, and nightly full closures on the eastbound will likely happen for about a week. Once the flyover ramp bridge at Maple Street is completed this summer, another full closure may happen to remove the temporary support beams the crew will be installing the weekend of February 19-22.

The 91 Project is being done to add regular lanes, tolled express lanes, auxiliary lanes and direct express connectors from northbound 15 to westbound 91, and from eastbound 91 to southbound 15. Aside from that, interchanges, ramps lanes and surface streets along 91 between the Riverside County/Orange County Line in Corona and Pierce Street in Riverside will be improved.

The new lanes are expected to open in 2017. (AJPress)

Covered California makes final push for health care...

PAGE A1 age for 2016.

“Health care is now a right and not just a privilege for the fortunate,” Bonta said. “Enrolling in Covered California gives people access to the best doctors and hospitals in the state, and that is critical to building strong families and communities.”

Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Human Services, said there is still time for those who have waited to get coverage for the remainder of 2016.

“The uninsured are among the most vulnerable in California and that can change now,” Chu said.

“Every community in California can benefit from better health service and lower costs for care.”

An outreach effort on Tuesday, Jan. 26 included a teleconference with Covered California, Asianlanguage media, Bonta and Chu, as well as officials from Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Asian Pacific Health Care Venture Inc. In addition, Bonta, Chu and Lee wanted to alert consumers to the rising tax penalty if they choose to remain uninsured in 2016 and reassure them that their immigration status will not be shared with immigration authorities.

“We know that many mixed

families live in California, and consumers should know that when someone applies to Covered California their information will not be shared or used by any immigration agency,” Bonta said.

Chu added: “A consumer’s information will only be used to determine their eligibility for health insurance programs available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and will not affect the immigration status of any family member on the application.”

While noncitizens and undocumented residents will not be eligible for Covered California health insurance plans, they may still be eligible for specific, limited MediCal programs. Individual consumers and their families are encouraged to research their options through Covered California to see what health coverage is available to them.

As for the tax penalty, in some cases a consumer could actually save money by purchasing health insurance instead of paying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“The tax penalty starts at $695 for an adult, or $2,085 for a family of four, and can easily be several hundred or even thousands of dollars more,” Lee said. “That’s money that goes straight to the IRS, and the consumer gets nothing

in return. Don’t gamble with your health or your financial future.”

Covered California has also built an extensive network of Asian-language resources, including online resourcesavailable in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Lao, Tagalog and Hmong. These can be found by clicking on “Other Languages” in the top right corner of www.

CoveredCA.com.

Consumers can also speak to certified enrollers in their language at (800) 300-1506 and find thousands of local certified enrollers by visiting www.CoveredCA.com/get-help/local. The in-person assistance is free, confidential and available in a variety of languages throughout the state.

Consumers who apply may be eligible for financial assistance depending on their income and family size. Approximately nine out of every 10 enrollees receives some level of financial assistance to help pay for their health care, with the average Covered California household receiving $5,200 in financial assistance in 2014. Consumers can find out if they qualify by using the Shop and Compare Tool on Covered California’s website.

Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31. Consumers who qualify for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal can enroll at any time.

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A

Filipino in Virginia Beach Report: Humans to lose 5 wins $1-M from Powerball million jobs to robots by 2020

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

WHILE most people were closely watching the national Powerball lottery drawing live on television on Wednesday, Jan. 13, an 82year-old Filipino man from Virginia Beach, Va. was not one of them.

It wasn’t until he checked online when he realized he had a winning ticket.

Teofilo Mesina won $1 million – before taxes – from the record $1.5 billion jackpot, after correctly picking five numbers. He missed only the Powerball number.

“Not many people win that kind of money,” Mesina told The Virginian-Pilot on Jan. 19, as he claimed his prize.

Mesina bought his ticket from a 7-Eleven at Lynnhaven Parkway and Salem Road in Virginia Beach.

“I would buy just sometimes,” he said. “I played a mix of my own numbers, and some computer pick numbers.”

His numbers – 04, 08, 19, 27 and 34 – were selected from significant dates for loved ones, he said. (A friend was born in April, the fourth month of the year, so he chose number 4.)

When Mesina looked at the numbers, he first thought he was misreading. He checked with his wife, Irene, then other family members to make sure he had won.

“I was shocked; I couldn’t believe it,” Irene Mesina said.

Including Messina, there were 72 $1 million winners -- 12 of whom are from California -- and

Teofilo Mesina, 82, is joined by his wife Irene as he claims a $1 million Powerball prize.

Photo courtesy of Powerball’s official website

eight $2 million winners. More than 635 million tickets were sold for the drawing.

“I finally called my son when I realized the numbers matched,” he told Virginia’s WTKR News Channel 3. “The next day, I talked to a financial advisor so I can decide how to handle my winnings.

I wanted to win the whole thing, but I’m lucky because I won a million!”

Three winning tickets in Florida, California and Tennessee will share the largest prizes in the $1.5 billion jackpot.

Wednesday’s drawing marked the first time a ticket matched all five numbers and the Powerball

since the jackpot began on Nov. 7 at $40 million. The pot had been rolled over 20 times before winners emerged during Wednesday’s drawing.

Mesina is retired from working in a sign shop, where he bent glass. After claiming his prize, presented by the Virginia Lottery’s deputy director Randy Wright, he told reporters that he doesn’t any plans yet for how he will spend the money, except to pay off his mortgage first.

As an occasional lottery player, Mesina is not done trying his luck.

“Of course, [I’ll] win some more money,” he said.

violence, according to police.

“I couldn’t understand cause the sister-in-law was screaming in Filipino and the daughter was just screaming, running out here waiting for the cops,” Wiiu Wilson, a tenant, told Hawaii News Now. The suspect’s sister-in-law also suffered a minor cut on her neck after trying to intervene, reports said.

“There was one other individual who was injured when she attempted to intervene, but she was treated and she’s in good condition,” said Lt. Phillip Lavarias of the Honolulu Police

Department.

A recent study presented by lawmakers found that 30 percent of fatal domestic violence cases in Hawaii involved Filipinos.

“What stood out for me was the level of over-representation of D.V. related deaths within the Filipino community,” state Rep. Della Au Belatti, chairwoman of the House Health Committee, said according to Hawaii News Now. The study noted that most of the women killed previously sought help or contacted agencies, such as law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office, courts and health care providers. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

Filipina fatally stabbed...

PAGE A1 suffered from mental health problems — remains hospitalized at Queen’s Medical Center with a self-inflicted stab wound. He is expected to survive, police said.

Isagani, a Vietnam War veteran, and Melita Fajotina moved to Hawaii from the Philippines.

The retired couple previoausly worked at Queen’s Medical Center where he was a janitor and she was a nursing assistant.

Several relatives, including a daughter and two grandchildren, and tenants live in the couple’s home. There were a few witnesses to the fatal domestic

President Benigno Aquino III (center) leads a toast during a state dinner in honor of Japanese Emperor Akihito (second from left) and Empress Michiko (second from right) at the Malacañang Palace. Also in photo are Aquino’s sister Pinky Abellada and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

Senate ends probe on...

PAGE A1

After the parking building issue, the subcommittee took up several other issues, namely the main Makati City Hall Building; University of Makati Nursing Building; Makati Science High School Building; the supplies for Ospital ng Makati; the alleged irregularities in the Pag-IBIG Fund; the granting of developmental loans to favored contractors; the award of service contracts to favored bidders; the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Alphaland joint venture agreement; University of Makati-STI joint venture agreement; the award of government land to an unqualified private corporation, Meriras Realty and Development Corp. property in Comembo, Makati; the so-called “Hacienda Binay” in Rosario, Batangas; the benefits of Makati City senior citizens; Makati City sister cities; the Makati Friendship Suites and Makati Homeville.

During Tuesday’s hearing, former Makati City barangay chairman Renato Bondal recapped the reports that came out last year regarding the move of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze several bank accounts and financial instruments under the names of the Vice President, his friends and associates.

A total of 242 of the bank accounts and financial instruments were ordered frozen by the Court of Appeals, the sum of which is said to be around P11 billion.

Bondal pointed out most of these were hidden by the Vice President under the names of his

close aides such as Gerardo Limlingan and Eduviges Baloloy, who have standing warrants of arrest but could not be located.

He also showed a web of names and organizations representing the alleged “Binay syndicate,” all of which were traced from the creation of the JC Binay Foundation and its officers Binay and Limlingan.

Binay finds an ally It was during this part of the presentation of Bondal that Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile started questioning the conclusions being made against the Vice President.

This was the first time that any senator other than Pimentel, Trillanes and Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano attended the hearings since they started in August 2014.

Enrile, an ally of the Vice President in the United Nationalist Alliance, was also the first senator who came to the defense of Binay in the hearings.

On the claim of Bondal that the declared net worth of the Vice President grew by 2,300 percent from P2.5 million in 1998 to P60.25 million in 2014, Enrile noted Bondal failed to consider how the cost of the assets were derived as well as the exchange rate that varied from year to year.

Enrile also questioned the links made by Bondal between Binay and the various organizations that supposedly formed the “Binay syndicate.”

Enrile pointed out Bondal showed no evidence to back up his

claims, such as a paper trail that would show a transfer of funds or other assets that would link Binay to the various organizations.

Based on what he saw in Bondal’s presentation, Enrile said all he saw was a direct link between Binay and Limlingan to the JC Binay Foundation and nothing else.

“Was there anything to show that there was a transfer of funds that paved the way for the Vice President’s control of these organizations through that foundation?” Enrile asked.

Former Makati City vice mayor Ernesto Mercado, who used to be allied with Binay, said he was part of the incorporators of JC Binay Foundation and what he has been able to prove was Limlingan and Baloloy were the bagmen of the Vice President.

“That is your word. But you are presenting a concrete evidence of relationship. You have to prove each step of the whole relationship. That is your interpretation. That is your conclusion. There is no problem with that, but whether that is true to fact or reality is something else,” Enrile said.

Even in the bank accounts presented by Bondal, Enrile said he only managed to show two persons, referring to Limlingan and Baloloy, transferring money to each other and nothing directly involving the Vice President.

“You show that in court and that’s meaningless. You have to trace the flow of wealth, where it originated,” Enrile said. (With reports from Helen Flores and Alexis Romero)

BY the year 2020, humans are expected to lose a net of 5.1 millions of jobs to robots and artificial intelligence, according to a report from the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In the report, 15 economies that make up 65 percent – about 1.9 billion workers – of the total global workforce were surveyed.

About 7 million jobs will be lost while 2 million will be gained due to technological change in these developed and emerging nations.

Robots have already begun taking over manual labor and jobs, such as cashiers, that involve redundant tasks.

However, smarter machines are also jeopardizing more skilled occupations.

“As entire industries adjust, most occupations are undergoing a fundamental transformation,” according to the report. “While some jobs are threatened by redundancy and others grow rapidly, existing jobs are also going through a change in the skill sets required to do them.”

Jobs in every industry would be

displaced, according to the report.

But the effects would vary and the most at-risk jobs include data processing and administrative jobs.

Latest findings say that two-thirds of anticipated losses will probably be in the office and administrative sectors.

A Business Insider report states that humans could also lose nine jobs to robots: pharmacists, lawyers and paralegals, drivers, astronauts, store clerks, soldiers, babysitters, rescuers (the article notes that robots are able to search areas that are inaccessible to humans), and sportswriters and other reporters.

CNN cited a Bank of America study stating that there is a 90 percent risk or more of the following jobs being replaced: bakers, butchers, tour guides, tax collectors, telemarketers, insurance sales agents, retail salespeople, clerks, accountants and pharmacy technicians.

That report also stated that robots will likely be performing 45 percent of manufacturing tasks by 2025, compared to just 10 percent

today.

“To prevent a worst-case scenario – technological change accompanied by talent shortages, mass unemployment and growing inequality – reskilling and upskilling of today’s workers will be critical,” the authors wrote. “It is simply not possible to weather the current technological revolution by waiting for the next generation’s workforce to become better prepared.”

Jobs involving much social interaction, empathy and intuition are least likely to be replaced by technology, according to CNN. Among these occupations include teachers, artists, mental health care workers, police and detectives, and social workers.

Women are projected to be disproportionately affected, with more than five jobs lost for every one gained throughout the next five years, versus one job gained per three lost for men. This is due to the low participation of women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

(Agnes Constante/AJPress)

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New York, other states dig out after epic blizzard California to investigate Exxon

by MoMAr

Mobil climate change case

G. VisAyA

AJPress

NEW YORK—The great blizzard of 2016 unloaded 26.8 inches of snow, the second biggest snowfall in New York City history, almost breaking the record set in 2006.

According to unofficial totals reported by the National Weather Service, the historic blizzard now ranks among the biggest snowfalls in the city’s record books, missing the record by a tenth of an inch.

Communities across the northeast United States began digging out from the blizzard on Monday, Jan. 25.

“This weekend, Mother Nature sent us the second largest snowfall since 1869 – and hundreds of our tireless workers rose to the challenge to keep our city safe,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “New Yorkers should continue to use extreme caution when walking and driving. When shoveling, remember to stay safe, and do not overexert yourself.”

Because of the predicted snowfall, a travel ban was imposed in New York City, including Long Island. New Jersey Transit, the Long island Rail Road and the Metro North trains were also shut down as major roads, state highways and railways were covered with feet of snow.

Under the ban, only emergency vehicles were allowed on the streets. Drivers who ignored the order faced heavy fines and license points. Even the public was warned not to go outside.

“If you want to go really quickly to someplace near your home, stay with your kids – adult supervision necessary,” de Blasio said on Saturday, Jan. 23. “This is a vastly intensifying storm and it’s slippery, it’s gusty. I, as a parent, wouldn’t let my kids out of my sight.”

Many New Yorkers heeded warnings to stay home, but not after going to Central Park to snap a few photos and enjoy the blanket of snow covering the entire park.

Among them were Fil-Ams Marilen Clemente and Nina del Rosario who both live in the city’s Upper East Side neighborhood and a few blocks away from Central Park.

“I went to Chinatown and bought water and ingredients for sinigang on Friday,” Clemente told the Asian Journal. “I also readied water in a pail and other

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

EPIC BLIZZARD. More 60 million people in the East Coast were affected by a blizzard over the weekend.

Contributed photo by Nina del Rosario

containers in case there’s electricity and water shortage. I also made sure my phone was fully charged.”

Shortly after noon, Clemente and del Rosario went to Central Park to take some photos.

“I was more excited than scared,” Clemente said. “But of course, we were careful and we were hoping that no one gets injured.”

By 2:30 pm, it was announced that only emergency vehicles were allowed on the streets and by 4:00 pm, anyone caught walking around the city would be subject to a ticket and possible arrest. It was also around this time when the travel ban was imposed. The ban was lifted early Sunday morning.

The blizzard of 2016 affected more than 60 million people as the storm’s effects stretched from Georgia to Massachusetts.

According to Weather.com, eleven states have declared states of emergency.

In Leesburg, Virginia, the snowfall was also as historic.

With almost four feet of snow burying parts of the state, many private company employees were not able to report for work on Monday because of unplowed roads.

Carol del Pilar-Boado, a banker, was one of them. The bank where she works is running on two-hour delays because of employee shortage. Out of their

35 branches, only six were able to open, including the branch where she works.

“I’m not sure if the roads will be plowed by Tuesday, otherwise, I’d still be working from home,” she told the Asian Journal.

Boado and her family were prepared for the arrival of blizzard Jonas. They stocked up on food and the basics – eggs, water, bread and milk. She said she also marinated lots of meat, and on Friday, she cooked four Filipino dishes.

“We were a little worried about losing power because we do not have a fireplace and it is freezing,” she added. “But we have flashlight batteries, lanterns, extra blankets in case we lose power.”

Louise Bejer, a lawyer in midtown Manhattan, had no chance to prepare.

“I worked late on Friday evening and I got home past midnight, by then there were already flurries,” she said. She was not that worried, though since she always keeps supplies in her apartment, from canned goods, frozen meats and fish in the freezer, bottled water, matches and candles.

“I think the most preparation I did was I made sure that all of my gadgets were charged so if we lose power, I could still work,” she said. (Momar G. Visaya / AJPress)

KAMALA D. Harris, Attorney General of California, opened an investigation whether Exxon Mobil Corp. lied to the public and its shareholders about the risk to its business from climate change, and if such actions could amount to fraud and violations of environmental laws.

Harris’ office is reviewing what Exxon Mobil knew about global warming and what the company told investors, a person close to the investigation told the Los Angeles Times.

The move follows published reports, based on internal company documents, that suggest that the company--then known as Exxon-used climate research as part of its planning in the 1980-90s, as well as other business practices, but simultaneously argued publicly that climate-change science was not clear cut.

Those documents were cited in stories by reporters for Columbia University Energy and Environmental Reporting Fellowship, in partnership with the LA Times.

The nonprofit InsideClimate News also published several stories based on the documents.

Shortly after the news reports, Harris’ office launched the investigation in response to the findings, the source said. New York’s Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is also investigating the major oil company as a result of the

published reports.

US Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), who has called on federal authorities to investigate Exxon Mobil, applauded Harris’ decision. “I commend Harris for taking this action,” he said, adding that he has sent letters appealing to US Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch and the U. Securities and Exchange Commission, urging a federal investigation of Exxon Mobil, for securities fraud and violations of racketeering, consumer protection, truth in advertising, public health, shareholder protection or other laws.

Lieu said the investigation means that any damages won from Exxon Mobil could greatly benefit California residents.

“I hope the decision by Harris, representing a state with the eighth-largest economy in the world, will prompt other states and the Justice Department to investigate. I think this action will be taken very seriously by Exxon Mobil,” Lieu said.

Legal experts say the SEC requires that “companies disclose the risks of climate change to their business operations,” but that the agency has taken almost no action to enforce it.

The investigations by California and New York are seen as a major step to fill that void.

Exxon Mobil already has received a subpoena for documents dating from 1977 from the office of Eric Schneiderman, who has

at his disposal New York’s Martin Act, which gives the state’s attorney general broad power to prosecute companies for financial fraud. The law also applies to any company doing business in New York.

Unlike federal securities law, the New York statute does not require the state to prove that a company intended to defraud consumers—only that it misrepresented relevant information or withheld it from investors.

Richard Keil, an Exxon Mobil spokesman, has said that the company denies any wrongdoing in regard to the climate change reports.

“We unequivocally reject allegations that Exxon Mobil suppressed climate change research contained in media reports,” Keil said in a statement, issued in response to the letters sent in October by Lieu and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord). Keil also issued a statement with the same quote in early November 2015, when the New York investigation became public.

Exxon Mobil continues to scrutiny from several current and former US lawmakers--including Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Al Gore--for criminal investigations, based on the media reports gaining attention.

It is unclear what approach Harris intends to take in California’s investigation, and a representative declined to comment.

VISIT FROM MISS UNIVERSE. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach set aside time from her busy schedule to visit wounded soldiers at Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center on Wednesday, Jan, 27. Battle casualties who met Wurtzbach were visibly star-struck with the beauty queen titleholder. Employees eagerly waited for Wurtzbach, who came from a noontime show from a TV station nearby. Wurtzbach also met with HIV patients from another hospital.

Inquirer.net photo

Flu season at a low in California Experts say weather helps

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

INFLUENZA was responsible for the deaths of 146 Californians between October 2014 and late January 2015. When the flu season ended that year, over 400 people had died of the infection—an outbreak the state rated “moderately severe.”

Last year, California faced a huge improvement in the flu situation, when the season’s death toll plummeted to 78, reported the Los Angeles Times.

Since October, there were three reported flu-related deaths in California, and health experts are saying the weather could be part of the reason.

Between El Niño’s unusually warm temperatures and the weekend’s winter storm “Jonas” blizzard, much of the country has been experiencing unusual bouts of weather.

December 2015 was, on average, the country’s hottest and wettest December on record, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Health experts said the weather created conditions least conducive to the spread of the flu.

As of mid-January, flu cases were minimal or low in 47 states, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Around the same time last year, activity was minimal or low in 17 states.

Fewer patients are showing up with the flu, said Helen Macfie, who monitors emergency room visits at Southern California’s six MemorialCare Hospitals. Even at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, which runs one of the busiest ERs in Los Angeles County, flu visits have lessened.

“We’re really seeing very little uptick so far, so mostly more common colds and those sorts

of things,” she said. “Definitely slower than in prior years.”

Nevertheless, public health officials are warning that flu outbreaks are “unpredictable,” and that the country could still be hit hard in the coming weeks. “The flu season often peaks in February, though the past three seasons did so in December,” said Lynnette Brammer, an epidemiologist for the CDC. “We seem like we’re back on a more normal pattern actually,” she said. “Because recent ones were unusually early, it feels like this one is abnormal.”

She also pointed to CDC data that show flu activity going up from the first week of January to the second week. “It may peak in February, it may be a little bit later. I don’t know, but we’re definitely seeing a true increase in flu activity,” Brammer added.

“Large numbers of people probably aren’t falling sick from the flu because most of the strains circulating are the same as last year’s. That means that people who were infected last year still have some immunity against the virus,” said Sadina Reynaldo, an epidemiologist with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

In Los Angeles County, 456 people had tested positive for the flu as of two weeks ago, according to county. During last year’s flu season, there had been around 1,405 flu diagnoses.

According to the CDC, people have been infected this season by other viruses including H3N2, H1N1 and some B viruses. Though experts say H3 viruses can cause bad flu seasons, with more hospitalizations and deaths, researchers found that the strains circulating match those included in the current available vaccine—meaning that this year’s flu shot is likely providing strong immunity for

those who got vaccinated.

Reynaldo also encouraged everyone to be vaccinated against the flu, even those who are healthy and likely to recover.

“It’s not for you; you don’t want to spread it to someone else who may not be so fortunate if they get sick,” she stressed.

James Tamerius, a professor at the University of Iowa who studies the environment’s effect on human health, said this year’s mild season could be due to the warmer temperatures seen in December. “I don’t think it’s the sole reason, but it could be delaying it a bit,” he told the Times.

Forecasts show that the warmer weather will continue in many parts of the country. According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, both the whole northern half and the West Coast will experience unusually warm temperatures into late April, largely because of El Niño’s tropical conditions.

“It was once believed that the flu was transmitted more in cold weather because people spent more time indoors in closer proximity, making it easier for germs to jump from person to person. However, there isn’t much scientific evidence to back that up,” said Tamerius.

The accepted theory now is that the influenza virus thrives in low humidity, and is “therefore more likely to infect somebody who comes into contact with it,” he added. “It’s also possible that spending time in cold, dry air makes humans more susceptible to catching the virus.”

“There definitely seems to be a link.”

Influenza spreads easily in cold, drier conditions—and statewide, California has experienced a largely warm fall and winter season, punctuated by heavy El Niño rains.

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 29-fEbRUARy 4, 2016

D ateline PhiliPPines Comelec ties up with Facebook for 2016 polls by paTricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Human Rights Watch: Aquino gov’t lacks accountability, fails to deliver on promises

Viray

MANILA—The Commission on elections (Comelec) on Thursday, Jan. 28 sealed its partnership with Facebook to promote the May 9 elections.

Comelec Chair Juan Andres Bautista, Facebook executives Katie harback and elizabeth hernandez signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the partnership.

The MOA also includes an agreement with Facebook to source out questions for Comelec’s debates for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

The poll body recently announced its partnership with Twitter to enable voters to inter-

by roseTTe

adeL

Philstar.com

Commission on Elections Chair Juan Andres Bautista on Thursday signed the agreement with Facebook executives Katie Harback and Elizabeth Hernandez for its partnership for the May 9 elections.

Philstar.com photo by Sheila Crisostomo

act with top election candidates. ruary 8.

The Comelec earlier anThe poll body moved the printnounced to move the start of ing of ballots again as it is “still ballot printing for the upcoming cleansing the lists of candidates.” elections from February 1 to Feb-

Mamasapano case to be resolved in 3-4 weeks, says justice secretary

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will resolve in 3 to 4 weeks the direct assault with murder against 90 individuals for the death of 35 of the 44 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) on Jan. 25, 2015 in Mamasapano.

Justice Acting Secretary emmanuel Caparas said there are so many evidence that the panel of prosecutors have to go through to resolve the case.

The DOJ panel has wrapped up its investigation after four of the 90 respondents have submitted their counter-affidavit.

“It is left to our prosecutors to go over everything that has been gathered and come up with the resolution of the case,” Caparas said.

“Please expect us to have a resolution on that matter–give us about 3 to 4 weeks to be able to do that. Napakadami kasi ng ebidensya na tinitingnan ngayon and when we proceed with whatever action we decide to later on, it has to be supported very well by evidence,” he added.

Caparas said they have monitored the Senate hearing on the

A

Justice Acting Secretary Emmanuel Caparas

Mamasapano case last Wednesday but since “there is nothing new there, whatever is on the table, we continue as far as we are is concerned.”

The panel of prosecutors, composed of Senior Asst State Prosecutor Rosanne Balauag, and Assistant State Prosecutors Alexander Suarez, Rassendell Rex Gingoyon, Benito Oliver Sales III, and Aldrin evangelista, terminated the preliminary investigation proceedings last January 14.

The complaint involves the death of 35 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos following a clash with combined forces from the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and private armed groups (PAGs) in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. 9 other SAF troopers died, also in Mamasapano on the same day, but they were part of the group that raided terrorist Sulkifli bin hir aka Marwan’s hut in Barangay Pidsandawan.

MANILA—A report from an international human rights group on Wednesday, Jan. 27 concluded that President Benigno Aquino III’s six-year term lacks accountability and failed to fulfill its promise to improve human rights in the country.

In a 659-page World Report 2016 launched by human Rights Watch (hRW) in New York City on Wednesday evening, the group indicated that Aquino’s six-year term will end in mid-2016 without achieving his promised goal to significantly improve human rights in the country.

The report added that during the Aquino administration, there was only little accountability for the killings of indigenous leaders, activists, and journalists and other serious abuses.

“Since his election, President Aquino held out the promise of a rights-respecting Philippines for which he has sadly been unable to deliver,” said hRW Deputy Asia Director Phelim Kine.

The group reviewed the human rights practices in more than 90 countries for its World Report 2016. It also enumerated several human rights violations reported by the local rights in 2015 including killings, military conflicts, children abuses and displaced persons.

Based on its review, it said the Philippine military and paramilitary groups allegedly killed over a dozen tribal leaders and tribal

According to international human rights group Human Rights Watch, President Benigno Aquino III’s administration failed to improve human rights in the country.

community during the first eight months of 2015 and noted that nine journalists were killed in 2015 with three of them killed within over 10 days in August and only one suspect arrested in these killings.

The United Nations (UN) refugee agency reported that since January 2015, the military operation on some areas in Mindanao contributed to the displacement of about 243,000 people who experienced food, shelter and health care deprivation.

In relation to UN refugee agency’s report, in August, armed conflicts and paramilitaries raiding several schools hindered children in various areas from attending schools. It resulted to killing a school administrator in August.

The human rights group also mentioned that “death squads” or contract killers in several cities continued and were responsible of killings of alleged petty criminals and drug dealers, among others.

It cited that local officials such as presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte publicly encouraged these killings in some instances.

In its report, the hRW learned that in 2015, children in the Philippines experienced human rights abuses citing a documented report in 2015 that revealed children are engaged in small-scale gold mining, exposed to extremely hazardous work conditions, working deep underground, diving underwater to find gold and processing ore with toxic mercury.

The hRW also reported that hundreds of homeless and poor were detained in November to clear the areas with street-dwellers for the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation summit, also done during the other high-profile events such as the Papal visit.

The hRW hopes the next administration will improve the human rights situation in the country.

PH warns Taiwan for increasing tensions in disputed sea MANILA—The Philippines on Thursday, Jan. 28 warned Taiwan for supposedly increasing tensions in the disputed South China Sea. This follows the visit of outgoing Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou to Itu Aba or Taiping Island which is part of the Spratly Islands.

“We remind all parties concerned of our shared responsibility to refrain from actions that can increase tension in the South China Sea,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles

Jose said in a statement.

Ma’s visit aims to emphasize the sovereignty claim of Taiwan over the South China Sea. Taiwan shares overlapping claims with China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines over territories in the disputed sea.

The Taiwanese leader will step down in May after eight years in office due to term limits.

Meanwhile, the United States expressed its disappointment for Ma’s plan to travel to the Itu Aba Island as it could exacerbate ten-

sions in the region.

“I stressed the importance of finding common ground among the claimants and avoiding the destabilizing cycle of mistrust or escalation,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said following a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The US takes no position on territorial claims over the islands but says that developments in the South China Sea are a matter of national security.

(Philstar.com)

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january 29-february 4, 2016 • OC/Ie aSIan jOurnaL

OpiniOn

Features

Recurrence

IT has been a year since the bloodbath between the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), and elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. That fateful Sunday on Jan. 25, 2015 left 44 elite policemen and 19 Moro rebels dead.

The government’s failure to successfully resolve the Mamasapano encounter has become emblematic of persistent dangers that affect everyone. Criminal charges have been filed against 90 commander and members from different Moro entities, but justice has yet to be delivered for the victims’ kin.

Justice department spokesman and Undersecretary Emmanuel Caparas said the agency is aware of the cry for justice for the families of the slain policemen and vowed to have a resolution soon.

“The DOJ continues to do what it needs to do so that it can deliver justice to all parties involved.

Let’s just say the authorities are moving as quickly as they can, as responsibly as they can, as judiciously as they can so that justice may be delivered,” Caparas said.

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile initiated the resumption of the Senate investigation into the Mamasapano encounter and vowed to implicate Pres. Benigno Aquino III for his active and direct involvement in the planning and preparation of the botched “Oplan Exodus.”

For Sen. Bongbong Marcos, the reopening of the Senate investigation will address the government’s unfulfilled promises and the continuing

cries for justice of families of the 44 slain SAF commandos.

“No case has been filed in court to prosecute those responsible.

We owe it to the families of the SAF heroes to resolve these issues and the Senate investigation will allow us the opportunity to do that,” Marcos said.

Earlier, Aquino admitted that he believes that the resumption of the Senate investigation is fueled by politics and an attempt to put blood on his hands.

“We all know that the campaign period is coming soon. Among our opponents, they see that this has been the greatest burden I have had since I took office. Perhaps, they are trying to take this opportunity,” Aquino said, alluding to his administration’s rivals.

Meanwhile, on the first anniversary of the Mamasapano encounter on Monday, Jan. 25 Aquino awarded the fallen SAF troopers with medals to honor their their gallantry during the operation that resulted in the death of Zulkifli Abdhir (also known as Marwan), who was one of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted terrorists.

“On this day, we are gathered to honor the valiant efforts of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force. Together with the whole nation,

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

we whole-heartedly recognize them for their service. To our valiant SAF: Thank you so much for your heroism to promote peace,” Aquino said in Filipino after presenting the posthumous awards to the fallen SAF troopers’ families. The President also assured them of the government’s assistance and vowed justice over the killings.

Another victim of the Mamasapano encounter is the fate of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The peace pact made between the national

government and Muslim rebels in the country— meant allow comprehensive growth and development in the southern region—has been gaining headway, and an expected passage in the legislature was already underway, until the Mamasapano tragedy occurred.

Depending on the outcome of the Senate investigation, the future of the peace and stability in Mindanao will remain in a precarious balance.

(AJPress)

Surprises ahead of the start of presidential election primaries and caucuses IN less than a week, the race to the White House takes off in Iowa for both the Democratic and the Republican parties. The voters of this state and all the others, as scheduled perhaps until summer, will head to the polls and choose the candidate who they believe will best represent the principles, vision and advocacies of their party.

The developments of the week preceding the February 1 Iowa caucuses headlined so many unexpected twists and turns many were not expecting in the past six months.

The Bush brand did not seem well for Jeb Bush, who many thought would be the frontrunner for the GOP, but six debates later and the entry of billionaire real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump has shaken and perhaps redefined what “conservative” means for the Republican Party.

Donald Trump has been perceived as someone embracing more liberal principles, and yet he has emerged to be the candidate most likely to be the nominee of the Republican Party. Trump dominated the recent CNN/ORC poll with 41 percent of Republican voters nationwide saying they

will vote for the billionaire. CNN further reported that more than The Fil-Am two-thirds believe he will win Perspective the party’s nomination.

Trump has beaten candidates in the polls who were more traditional Republicans embracing conservative principles with strong ties to evangelical Chris- gel SantoS-ReloS tians. According to CNN, the nearest competitor, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, got 19 percent support in the poll.

The CNN/ORC poll revealed that no other candidate hit double-digits. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio landed at 8 percent, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 6 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 5 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 4 percent, and the rest at 1 percent or less.

In the Democratic Party, the latest Fox News Poll shows frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s national lead among likely Democratic primary voters has narrowed -- 49 percent to Sanders’ 37 percent.

In Iowa, the Fox news poll reveals Clinton with 48 percent support to Sanders’ 42 percent and

former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 3 percent. Sanders remains the frontrunner in New Hampshire, the first primary state after Iowa with a 56 percent to 34 percent advantage over Clinton.

The surge of Bernie Sanders in the polls over time has been fueled by the support of the younger voters who see the 75-year-old senator as the candidate who can bring real change in America, with his “democratic socialism” principle.

This is different from the Soviet Union kind of socialism, and Sanders defined it in the recent Democratic town hall meeting in Iowa: “What democratic socialism means to me is that economic rights, the right to economic security, should exist in the United States of America,” said Sanders, who calls himself a “democratic socialist.” He said the term means that government listens to the middle class as much as it listens to the rich, and that government helps students

have access to college. “Creating a government that works for all of us, not just a handful of people on the top. That’s my definition of democratic socialism.”

The CNN-sponsored debate highlighted how each candidate differentiated themselves from each other, with Clinton perceived as the more “experienced” candidate while Sanders highlighted that aside from his experience and preparedness for the highest post in the nation, he has the better judgement to be President.

We will know by February 1 who among the candidates in both parties will have the wind behind their backs heading to New Hampshire. And we will see if another billionaire, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, will join the race as he has been seriously thinking of doing so.

Abangan! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

IS THERE A PLAN ‘P’?

Commentary

If Aquino couldn’t trust Roxas, why should we?

RigobeRto tiglao IF presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II looked so morose at the Senate hearing the other day on the Mamasapano massacre—especially when Senator Juan Ponce Enrile grilled him on why he did not do anything to save the massacred police commandos—it was most probably because he has already been mourning the fatal impact of that incident on his bid to be the next Philippine President.

Enrile snarled at him and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin: “You two are in charge of the nation’s security! You on internal security, Secretary Gazmin (who sat beside Roxas) on external security, but you did nothing [to save the 44 Special Action Force troopers]?”

Indeed, Roxas by his own admission, said that he was informed of Oplan Exodus, its success in killing a wanted international terrorist, Marwan, and of the troopers’ difficulties at about 7:00 in the morning, after which, he said, he promptly informed President Aquino through an SMS message of what he just learned.

“What was Aquino’s response?” he was asked. Roxas said, “He replied: ‘thank you’.”

Didn’t Roxas find that response strange? Did he not get

angry that the police, which was supposed to be under him, undertook probably the most important anti-terrorist operation ever in the country, and he knew nothing about it?

Why did he not ask Aquino about it when they were on the presidential jet for an hour-anda-half just sitting, watching the clouds pass by on their way to Zamboanga City?

What kind of a head of our internal security was he? An international terrorist was terminated, there was an operation still ongoing in which the troopers were in some trouble, yet Roxas didn’t even take the initiative to discuss these important developments with the President?

Almost the whole day of Jan. 25, 2015 in Zamboanga, Roxas was with Aquino, getting messages that indicated that the police troopers were trapped in enemy territory, and the defense secretary—who could have given express orders to the military to save the SAF troops—was by his side.

Yet Roxas didn’t bother to ask—to demand—that Aquino call for an emergency command conference to determine exactly what was happening and plan how to save the SAF members who were still locked in battle.

He was exchanging text messages with his police officials, of course. But no, he did not bother

to ask for a command conference. Why? “When I got the reports of an encounter, it seemed just another encounter in the normal course of events. There was no sense of urgency,” he said. He thought it was just another encounter, in which an international terrorist is killed in a raid deep into Muslim insurgent territory?

What did the police officials need to do to emphasize to him a “sense of urgency?” Show him pictures of bloody SAF troopers on the ground?

Roxas’ excuses could have sounded logical if he were in his office in Manila, and moving from meeting to meeting.

But he wasn’t. The whole day he was with the President, ranking police and military officers, and with defense secretary Gazmin, as reports on the carnage in Mamasapano trickled in.

Did he not find it strange that Aquino the other day suddenly asked him to go to Zamboanga ostensibly to check what really happened in the reported bomb attack in the city, only to be told when they got there that an international terrorist had been killed in Mamasapano near Cotabato City, an hour away by helicopter from where they were?

Roxas’ last excuse was pathetic: “I didn’t even know there was an operation going on. We were blinded, and we didn’t know we

were blinded,” referring to the fact Aquino had not informed him and defense secretary Gazmin of Oplan Exodus. “The entire morning I and Voltz (Gazmin) were looking at each other, wondering what was happening,” he even dared to say.

The President didn’t trust him and Gazmin enough to tell them about Oplan Exodus.

When he found out about it early in the morning, Roxas did not even have the guts to ask Aquino what was really going on, who had the task of informing the President about the progress of the operation and why the President blindsided him on such an important operation, to demand that the Zamboanga visit be cut short so that the entire presidential party could focus on taking immediate action to save the lives of the SAF troops under him. That would have been leadership.

Men with just an iota more of integrity would have resigned right there and then, refusing to accept and dignify the President’s act of going over his head in the chain of command and demonstrating to the whole world that he didn’t trust his interior secretary. And this guy of weak command sinews and moral fiber wants to be President of this Republic?

Aquino himself couldn’t trust Roxas with Oplan Exodus, why

are they, then, asking us to trust him to run the country?

The Mamasapano and “Yolanda” disasters were litmus tests for Roxas to show his leadership. He utterly failed. The Mamasapano hearing the other day provided the last nails for Roxas’ political entombment.

Plan “P” I have been hearing rumors that given Roxas’ inability to demonstrate his leadership and his low poll ratings, Aquino and his Yellow Cult—worried that they could end up in jail this year if they lost power—are launching a Plan B, or rather Plan “P,” which involves shifting their support and resources to Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares.

The talk is that Roxas has been forced to rely almost entirely on the Araneta-Roxas wealth, rather than on the Liberal Party-Yellow Cult’s campaign kitty, and that the new Interior Government Secretary Senen Sarmiento had been given explicit instructions to wait for express orders from Aquino and Senator Franklin Drilon on the release of DILG funds for use in the May election campaign.

The Mamasapano hearing provided us with indications that Aquino may have, indeed, shifted his support to Llamanzares. Llamanzares appeared to be supportive of the plot to clear Aquino of any accountability for the Mamasapano massacre, and

seemed to want the hearing to end as soon as possible. Aquino’s lawyer, Senate President Franklin Drilon, was on Llamanzares’ side the whole time, and had been seen whispering to her from time to time.

Although I admire very much presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte for his anti-elite worldview, the Mamasapano hearing added to my suspicion that his bark may be worse than his bite.

He has been bragging that he knows what really happened in the Mamasapano massacre because he was there, hinting that he was in the confidential briefings with the President. While he says the information he holds is confidential, he may be forced to disclose what he knows in a Senate hearing. But Enrile issued an open invitation for him to attend the hearing. He made no appearance at the Senate and we don’t hear his bark over Mamasapano any more.

The only presidential candidate that has been unscathed by this Mamasapano hearing is Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Quite cleverly, and in contrast to Duterte, he has kept his mouth shut—after commiserating profusely with the SAF 44 relatives last year, and the image embedded now in the public’s mind is that of Binay saluting a huge mural of the fallen troopers. (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.

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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Dateline PhiliPPines

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 29-fEbRUARy 4, 2016

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Militants to push override of SSS pension hike veto

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MAniLA—Workers’ groups led

by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Kilusang Mayo Uno are gearing for more protest actions as they push to override President Aquino’s veto of the P2,000 increase in pension of the Social Security System (SSS).

Workers’ groups staged protests at different SSS branches nationwide, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said.

There will also be a big gathering of senior citizens, families, workers and other supporters of

the pension increase on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

The movement to override the President’s veto hopes to gather enough signatures at the House of Representatives and at the Senate before Congress takes a break after Feb. 3.

Bayan Muna Rep. neri Colmenares earlier said he already drafted a resolution for the proposed override of the presidential veto and many congressmen expressed support for it.

“Our senior citizens are supposed to be resting and enjoy-

ing the fruits of their labor, but because of the callousness of the Aquino regime, senior citizens are marching and demanding increased benefits and better services,” Reyes said.

“The SSS issue has shed light on a rotten system that prioritizes big business and investments over social protection. it is a system that rewards government officials’ inefficiency while invoking the same to deny retirees increased benefits. We call on the public to support the fight of our senior citizens and all SSS members,” he added.

PH basketball legend Caloy Loyzaga dies by denison

Rey dalupang Philstar.com

NEW MACHINES. Comelec employees demonstrate the new Vote Counting Machines (VCM) as part of the Comelec’s roadshow to showcase the VCM’s new security features. The VCM’s will be used for the upcoming national elections this May. Inquirer.net photo by Alexis Corpuz

Poe: It won’t be easy for critics to accuse Aquino of corruption But some Cabinet members accountable, adds senator

by Maila

ageR Inquirer.net

Given President Benigno Aquino iii’s strong stance against corruption, it might be difficult for his detractors to have a case against him after he steps down from office in June, according to Sen. Grace Poe. “nobody is blameless but when it comes to the President, i think it would be difficult for them to have a case against him,” Poe said on Thursday, Jan. 28 during the Meet the inquirer Forum in Makati City. “i think that his strong stand against corruption has given our country an unprecedented growth but it’s not enough. We feel also that there are many in his Cabinet or a few in his Cabinet that need to be accountable,” she said.

Poe made the remark when asked about her stand on the possible cases that may be filed against the President after his term.

Asked again what she thought would have happened if she accepted the President’s offer to run with the administration’s bet, former interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Poe said in jest that she would probably be facing

only one disqualification case. “i wouldn’t have four disqualification cases against me. Maybe just one,” she said, followed by a hearty laugh.

Did her response mean that the three cases could have come from the administration camp?

The senator quickly answered no.

“My relationship with the President, with just the President alone, until this day, i remain grateful to the President for having ushered me in to public service, to the MTRCB,” she said.

Aquino appointed Poe chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2010. in 2013, Poe ran and placed number one in the senatorial race.

“Again, i repeat this, because for me it’s so heartwarming. i didn’t campaign for the President but i voted for him. And yet he did not hesitate to take me in and assigned me to the MTRCB and that started it,” Poe said. “it’s also good to know that the President thought that i have what it takes to be a leader, to effect change and to be able to manage things to because if he’s inviting you to be vice president,

Presidential candidate Grace Poe speaks to the reporters and editors during the “Meet the Inquirer” forum held at Philippine Daily Inquirer office.

Inquirer.net Jilson Seckler Tiu

MAniLA—notes of mourning welled in social media following the news of Carlos “Caloy” Lozaga’s fall to cardiac arrest. He was 85.

Loyzaga, arguably the greatest Filipino to ever play the game of basketball, died Wednesday , Jan. 27 around 7am at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

The 6-foot-3 Loyzaga commandeered various editions of the Philippine national basketball teams into the Asian Games in in the late 1950s and in the FiBA Asia championships during the early 1960s.

He also played in the Olympic Games twice.

Highly regarded was Loyzaga’s all-around and equally clean play that it became a subject of many memoirs and discussion by many Philippine basketball pundits. But he will always be remembered as the “Big Difference” who made an indelible mark in behalf of the country in the 1954 FiBA World Championships (now the basketball World Cup), by making the tournament’s Mythical Team and securing a Bronze medal.

Loyzaga, a former San Beda

Carlos Loyzaga during one of the national team’s campaigns overseas.

Philstar.com photo by Chito Trinidad

Red Lion, went on to coach the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team in the collegiate arena. He also mentored U-Tex and Tanduay during the early years of Asia’s first pay-for-play league, the Philippine Basketball Association. in 2014, Loyzaga was the recipient of the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award. He was named to the Phil-

ippine national Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

He is survived by his children Chito and Joey, who also forayed into basketball. His daughters Bing and Teresa went on to become actors.

The nation, known worldwide to be fanatics of the game, have also lost hoop heroes Lim eng Beng and Ron Jacobs a few weeks ago.

PH drops 10 notches in global corruption index

MAniLA—The Philippines ranked 95th out of 186 countries in the Corruption Perceptions index for 2015, 10 notches lower than its rank in the previous then you’re only a heartbeat year.

Transparency international reaway from being president and i still see that as a valuable thing ported that the Philippines scored 35/100 in the latest survey. from the President.”

The survey covered 186 counPoe rejected Aquino’s offer to run with Roxas as she chose tries in 2015 and 175 countries instead to run against the latter in 2014. The index corruption in the upcoming presidential shows the relative degree of corruption by ranking countries. race.

“This year’s index ranks 186 countries/territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption,” Transparency international said in a statement.

The Philippines shared the 95th spot with Armenia, Mali and Mexico.

Denmark topped the list followed by Finland, Sweden, new Zealand, netherlands, norway, Switzerland, Singapore and Canada. Germany, Luxembourg and United Kingdom are tied at the

10th spot.

Meanwhile, north Korea and Somalia were deemed as the most corrupt among the countries surveyed.

Also at the bottom of the list were Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Angola, Libya, iraq, venezuela, Guinea-Bissau and Haiti.

Transparency international reported that 68 percent of the countries worldwide have a serious corruption problem. (Philstar.com)

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january 29-february 4, 2016 • OC/Ie aSIan jOurnaL

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Dante Basco: Creating stories & opportunities in entertainment for Asian Americans

By Agnes

It’s a Wednesday afternoon at the Honor Bar in Beverly Hills, where Filipino-American actor Dante Basco decides to order a crispy chicken sandwich with no tomatoes for lunch. Wednesdays happen to be one of his three designated workout days during the week—the other two are Monday and Friday—and he’s knocked out his exercise for the day in the morning before his midday meal.

While waiting for his food, Basco picks up his cell phone to respond to an email. He leads quite a busy life in which he wears many hats: he’s also a creative consultant, producer, poet, writer and speaker. He even carves out time to play video games online and use social media, both of which are ways he communicates with his fans. “the more you communicate, the more you build this relationship. the way I look at my whole online life is an ongoing conversation I have with fans ... and it’s kind of like you’re talking to a collective group,” he says.

One of his favorite ways to interact with fans is by answering questions in the middle of the night on tumblr, a blogging platform used widely by younger generations. some questions he has been asked include what his favorite snack is, his favorite Filipino food, his favorite noncomputer game hobbies, and others pertaining to life choices and heartbreak.

“I don’t think everyone really understands how old I am,” says the 40-year-old actor. “[My fans] ask me for a lot of advice. I think in a lot of ways I’ve become like a cool uncle or older brother figure talking to [them].”

Basco’s acting career has spanned over 25 years, longer than the lives of many of his younger followers. He’s no stranger to the big screen and television, with filmography including the iconic role of Rufio

ConstAnte / AJPress

in the 1991 movie “Hook” and the voice of Zuko in the popular Nickelodeon animated television series “Avatar the Last Airbender,” for which he has become wellknown among the younger generation.

In 2000, the Fil-Am actor played the role of Ben Mercado in “the Debut,” a landmark film for the Filipino community where his character struggles between his family’s Filipino traditions and his American dreams.

“Being able to represent for the community in that way and for it to be as impactful as it was, [I’m] super proud of that,” Basco says of the movie.

Also featured in “the Debut” were Basco’s brother, Darion Basco, and Filipino actors Gina Alajar and tirso Cruz III. “[that movie] really connected me w/being Filipino in a real way.

“And if you watch it today, it still means something to people. so this is Filipinos doing it in America. I’m as proud of that as anything,” he says.

Working toward elevating Asian Americans in entertainment In addition to acting, Basco continues his creative journey these days in ways that help elevate Asian Americans in entertainment. In late 2013, he helped found an Asian American arts collective in Downtown Los Angeles called We Own the 8th. the collective meets on the eighth of every month and is meant to curate, educate and inspire the next generation of content creators, including singers, writers, actors and Youtube personalities.

“One of the first questions I asked was, why are we, as Asians, the most affluent ethnic community in America, yet the least represented in media? Why? It’s on us. We need to educate ourselves about the importance of us telling stories, the importance of us. Being affluent is cool: we eat at nice restaurants, we

Photo by Bader Hower Photo by Diana Williams

Follow Dante Basco: Wordpress: dantebasco. wordpress.com/ YouTube: youtube.com/ user/thedantebasco Twitter: @dantebasco Tumblr: rufiozuko.tumblr. com Facebook: facebook.com/ OfficialDanteBasco Instagram: @dantebasco Snapchat: @rufiozuko Dante Basco is active on several social media platforms to communicate with his fans.

drive nice cars, we live in good neighborhoods. For all intents and purposes we’ve kind of achieved the American Dream, but we’re invisible within what the cloth of American media is. And for us to be just happy enough with us just being here is not good enough,” Basco says.

Another way he’s working toward boosting opportunities for Asian Americans in media is through a production company he established a few years ago with a partner called Kinetic Films, which is focused on creating projects for Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI). the company has so far produced three films starring AAPI Youtube stars, all of which have been sold and done well. A fourth project involving FilipinoAmerican Youtube singer AJ Rafael is also underway.

“We’re on the right track.

People are very impressed with us as an indie company, creating as much product as we have, being able to sell the product. We haven’t broken through any crazy monetary boundaries yet, but we’re building an audience. Now that’ll also help inspire that if my Dante Basco with co-stars Sascha Rasmussen and Dionysio Basco in the play “Midnight Makeout company is doing this, there’s also Session.”

Photo by Natalie Amanulla got to be a lot of other companies

that can do this,” Basco says. the Fil-Am actor has expressed interest in creating a self-sustainable system where Asian Americans put out 10 to 15 independent films per year so that the community can expect to see about one per month, and so AAPI creatives involved in the process continually improve at their respective crafts.

“A historical film, horror film, teenage comedy, let’s keep it going. No one’s going to like all of them, but they’re going to like one of them,” he says, and the really

country speaking at prestigious post-secondary institutions including Duke University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, University of California campuses and Brown University.

But it’s ironic, Basco says, because while he never attended a four-year college, he speaks at colleges where he talks about his career and his own story.

“I didn’t go to regular college, but I grew up in LA and I understand the education I got on the sets of Hollywood, the streets of Hollywood, graduating high school, starting a poetry venue out of my living room,

about making eyeglasses because I insatiably want that interesting information. Even stupid information. It’s all important to somebody, and why? there’s a connection. I don’t know why.

But all those details make great stories.”

As Basco continues to create with his community in mind, he holds a strong opinion about Asians making their own stories in America.

“If you ask people still to this day, ‘Who’s a famous Asian you can think of?’ I guarantee you 99 percent are going to say Jackie Chan. Nothing against Jackie Chan, and it’s not the industry’s

“One of the first questions I asked was, why are we, as Asians, the most affluent ethnic community in America, yet the least represented in media?” good ones will carry over to the mainstream.

Basco himself has taken a hand at writing, having co-written one of the films produced under his Kinetic Films called “Hang Loose,” which came out in 2012.

More recently, during the holidays, he spent some of his time off working on an original play he wrote called “Midnight Makeout session.” the play ran in December of last year and depicts the lives of friends in Los Angeles attempting to find a way to get back to a time of romance and magic in life that they’re missing.

Inspiring others and finding inspiration through speaking & observing Basco’s success in the entertainment industry is demonstrated in the longevity of his career as an actor, as a poet who began the venue that inspired Def Jam Poetry and in his having started a band in the ‘90s that ran for a decade long, among a number of other feats.

He also travels across the

that venue becoming inspiration to Def Jam Poetry on HBO, and [that] now being the biggest open mic in the country ... having the career I’ve had, these are all college,” he says.

Although his own life did not include four years at a university, speaking at colleges allows Basco, as an artist, to live the experience vicariously through engaging with students and touring the campus while he’s there. In conversing with today’s generation, he learns about their thoughts, fears, hopes, and what it feels like to receive an acceptance letter to an ivy league institution.

“I don’t know a lot,” he says, “but I write what I see.”

Basco notes that he is infinitely curious, able to talk to anybody and that people he sees or meets may sometimes wind up in his future creations.

“I can talk to anybody. I can talk to a plumber about being a plumber. I really want to know.

I can talk to an eyeglass maker

fault. It’s just that we have to, as a group, make more product, because at the end of the day in this town, product wins. talking doesn’t win, raging, being mad... what product can you make? that’s what wins. so that’s what I’m trying to instill in the next generation.”

After all his accomplishments and as he achieves even further success, the Fil-Am actor says life has become less about him personally and more about lending a hand to the community, something he’s doing through his production company and We Own the 8th.

“Once you’ve acquired some success, you’re able to drop a lot of ego and see the importance of helping others and the group. Whether the group is the production company I’m a part of, the community at large, the world, or the Asian American community or the Filipino community, there’s a lot of room for us to help out and help grow things,” he says.

Patricia Javier and husband Rob Walcher Regine on success: You have to be passionate celebrate 10th wedding anniversary

by JoyCe Jimenez Philstar.com

by RiCky Lo Philstar.com

IN a field where most marriages don’t last (so many pressures, so many temptations and so many intrigues, you know), Patricia Javier and Robert “Rob” Walcher III are among the very few exceptions. they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on Dec. 27 last year. At the start,

some cynics predicted that the east-meets-west union wouldn’t last. the couple has proven them terribly wrong.

Asked how they keep their marriage intact, Patricia told Funfare in an exclusive interview, “I don’t know how to fight in English.

It takes time for me to decide what to say. And by the time I’m about to open my mouth, wala na ang

Patricia Javier and Robert Walcher III at their 10th wedding anniversary celebration on Dec. 27, 2015, with their sons Robert IV and Ryan.

MANILA—Regine Velasquez galit ko.” is one of those personalities that’s a joke. who has been in the business for “seriously,” continued years, and still being looked up to Patricia, “give-and-take kami. We by every generation. compromise. We meet halfway the secret to her success? on some issues. Rob is patient Passion. and understanding. simple lang.

“If you have passion with Mabait na tao siya, sobrang makawhat you do, I think ‘yon ang pamilya.” umaangat. ‘Yon ang tumatagal A chiropractor, Rob is partsa industriya,” she said about her German and part-scot who grew staying power in the business, up in the states (Reno, Nevada) during the press conference for while Patricia is a homegrown “Royals” on tuesday, Jan. 26. actress-singer raised on Filipino A lot of talents today are custom. Luckily, they didn’t suffer being discovered through from culture shock. they instill different talent-search shows or the best of both cultures in their social media sites like Youtube. children Robert IV, eight years old, Regine herself started by and Ryan. joining and winning different “We train them to be punctual singing contests, but her win in in everything, always American “Bagong Kampeon” made her time and never Filipino time,” said realize that she finally wanted to Patricia, “and to be independent. become a recording artist.

We teach them Filipino values “so I won in ‘Bagong such as respect for elders, ‘yung Kampeon’ and after that I had pagmamano, and to say ‘po’ and to work doubly hard pa. Kasi ‘opo.’” kumbaga hindi na ako nagkothey were two right people contest, e, I wanted to be a who met at the right time. she was recording artist na during that free and so was he. they met in time. so I had to work really, san Diego, California, introduced really hard,” she recalled. to each other by their mutual Unlike today, winners in friends Dr. Benjamin Camacho, and talent search shows before were Melinda and Romy Casas. not promised of a contract either “It was perfect timing,” recalled with a network or a record label.

Patricia. “It didn’t take time before However, these contracts, Rob began courting me. Before Regine believes, are not enough I knew it, we were going steady to make it big and stay in the already.” industry for the long run.

But when Rob proposed “Now a days, even if you have marriage, Patricia said that she the backing of the network, you developed cold feet. still have to work hard. Parang Continued on Page 6 I’ve noticed also na parang hindi

Regine Velasquez does not believe that anyone can inherit the title of an icon in the industry.

Philstar.com photo

porket you have the backing of the network is sisikat ka na agad.

Hindi na rin pala gano’n ngayon,” she said.

“You also have to prove yourself pa rin to the people, to the audience, gano’n,” she added.

Regine’s advice to the younger generation of singers is to “be passionate with what you do.”

“Kasi you really have to be passionate with what you do,” she explained. “I guess, kasama rin ‘yon sa ibang work, kung

saan ka passionate doon ka mas nagiging successful. I can’t remember who said it but, ‘God gave us special talents. All of us were given special talents.’” so when you find yourself pursuing a career not lined with your college degree, Regine believes that it is because “yon ang passion mo, and you don’t realize na that passion pala is your gift. so it’s really up to us to find out what that gift is and you’ll be happy whatever it is you do.”

What Derek Ramsay learned from Solenn Heussaff

by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

WHO says ex-lovers can’t be friends?

Derek Ramsay and Solenn Heussaff dispel that notion. They are living proof that love can give way to friendship. The gorgeous ex-sweethearts topbill Regal Entertainment’s zany Valentine movie, “Love is Blind,” along with Kiray Celis and Kean Cipriano.

Derek portrays a spoiled bachelor (Wade) who turns his back on sassy girlfriend Maggie (Solenn) when he meets Fe (Kiray)—a hotel intern who looks so much like his ex.

Unknown to Wade, Fe’s secret weapon is a love potion that transforms her into Maggie’s character every time she and Wade meet. The story line is so hilarious that its full trailer has reached over one million views and likes in Regal’s social media accounts.

The movie will make you laugh your heartaches away. Love isn’t all romance and drama—it can also be funny. If love ain’t fun, why bother?

“Love is Blind” opens on Feb. 10.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Derek: Do you believe that love is blind?

Yup. Love is intangible. When you fall in love, you can’t really find the words to explain it. You just feel it!

How does your girlfriend,

3

Luis Manzano on Angel Locsin: We’re going through something

approached her and asked why MANILA—Luis Manzano she’s crying, and later told her “I and Angel Locsin are going love you.” through something in their Despite this, Luis still relationship. attended the premier of This is what the Kapamilya “Everything About Her” which actor told MJ Felipe in his stars Angel, his mom Batangas exclusive interview aired in Gov. Vilma Santos and Xian Lim. the late-night news program “I wouldn’t miss it for the “Bandila” on Wednesday, Jan. Ex-lovers-turned-friends Derek Ramsay and Solenn Heussaff behind the scenes for their latest world. It’s a special night for 27. movie project called “Love Is Blind.” a lot of people. So dumating Luis declined to give details talaga ako,” he said. about their problem, but said it which manifests itself on- and Joanne Villablanca, feel about you Earlier, Ricky Lo published was the biggest fight since they offscreen. working with your ex, Solenn? on his “Funfare” column that got back together in 2014.

What makes your relationship She’s OK with it. She knows according to a source, the Their fans had mixed with your girlfriend work? who Solenn is to me and my couple has called it quits “three emotions after Angel got We have mutual respect for family. She’s happy to see that weeks after they came back emotional in the January each other.

Solenn and I are mature enough to from a vacation in the States.”

23 episode of “Pilipinas Got Have you met Solenn’s be friends.

Although the source Talent, ” after watching the Luis Manzano admitted that he and Angel Locsin boyfriend, Nico Bolzico?

How is it possible that you clarified there was no third interpretative dance of are going through something after they had a big Yes. He’s a very nice guy. have remained friends after your fight, which is a first since they got back together contestant Power Duo. Luis party involved.

(Philstar.com) If Cupid were real, what breakup? in 2014. would you ask him?

Though they say it’s wrong to Why is he in diapers? be friends with an ex, it works for If you and Solenn were me. For the sake of whatever we’ve “single,” would reconciliation be shared, I am friends with most of possible? my exes.

We have become very good If you and Solenn could travel friends—and I’d like it to stay that back in time, what would you way. have done differently to make by joyCe jimenez Philstar.com What’s your reaction to the your relationship last? rumor that your ex, Angelica We had a great relationship.

MANILA—Xian Lim hopes to Panganiban, has split up with No regrets. I wouldn’t change a prove himself as an actor in his John Lloyd Cruz? thing. film “Everything About Her” with I don’t want to get involved What’s the biggest lesson that Vilma Santos and Angel Locsin. with rumors.

Let’s respect Solenn taught you?

He admitted that like his Angelica’s relationship.

The value of true friendship, character Albert, he feels strongly about proving himself.

“Similarities namin ni Albert, often misunderstood si Albert,” he said. “He has a lot of insecurities regarding work. He’s a frustrated architect and he wants to show “nothing happened, we are all MANILA—“It was all an inside everyone na he can do it.” fine. I’m lucky that Erwan treats joke,” this is how Anne Curtis “Pareho lang po kami, ‘yon Jasmine as his own sister.” described the photo of her sister Xian Lim wants and hopes to prove himself as an actor through his latest film “Everything About din po ang frustration ko. Gusto Her,” which also stars Vilma Santos and Angel Locsin.

Philstar.com photo by Joyce Jimenez In the end, Anne said that it’ll Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Erwan ko ipakita sa tao na kaya ko,” he be the last time she’ll talk about Heussaff hugging each other, added. pagpili ng roles, hindi sa pagpili po namin nagkaro’n kami ng the issue and asked the public to which went viral on social media The Kapamilya actor admitted mga pelikula, gamay na gamay ng projects, pero ‘yong proseso “stop saying awful things about on Tuesday, Jan. 26. that “Everything About Her” is his po na ginagawa [for the role],” na namin ang isa’t isa. Pero sa my sister & boyfriend.”

On her Twitter account, most challenging role to date. he said. “I won’t be selective pelikulang ‘to, it’s a learning Solenn on Tuesday also the Kapamilya actress said Aside from working with actresses process. I’m just really proud.” with my projects. As much as reacted on the viral photo by that the photo was “wrongly Vilma and Angel, Xian said he possible, I want to tackle a lot of After experiencing a posting a photo of her and Erwan went outside of his comfort zone screencapped” from her private roles. I want to learn more. This different style of directing from hugging. social media account. for this project. project pa lang ang dami ko na Joyce Bernal and character “OMG!!!!! Nakakaloka sila!!!!

Anne was sad that the people “Kasi una sa lahat ‘yong mga natutunan. Very life-changing internalization from Vilma and Magkapatid sila!! Soo groosss! At “reacted maliciously” about the projects ko previously ever since ang project na ‘to.”

Angel, Xian thinks there have photo and that “such viciousness is tignan niyo shirtless pa si solenn!!! nagsimula ang ‘My Binondo “Everything About Her” is been changes in his “standards” Full of malice!!!!,” she said in the being thrown to the people I love.”

GGirl’ was with Kim [Chiu],” he the first movie offering of Star when it comes to his acting. caption. (Philstar.com) She then clarified that explained. “Pero sa apat na taon Cinema for 2016.

“Yes nag-iba po. Hindi sa

Xian Lim wants to prove himself in ‘Everything About Her’

Anne Curtis on viral JasmineErwan photo: This is a non-issue

Anne Curtis said the photo of her sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Erwan Heussaff is a “non-issue” after it went viral on social media sites on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Philstar.com photo by Jonathan Asuncion

January 29-february 4, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

January 29-february 4, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

4

Pinay named Grandma Universal in Bulgaria pageant

by Rudy

SantoS

Philstar.com

MANILA—A 48-year-old widow from Alabang, Muntinlupa was crowned as the first Grandma Universal in Sofia, Bulgaria, beating over a dozen grandmothers around the world.

Babylyn Decena Newfield also bagged the best national costume award during the pageant held last Jan. 21.

Newfield heads Cartridge World Philippines, a global firm that manufactures ink and toners for distribution here and abroad.

She has four children and four grandchildren.

Dony Vasileva of Bulgaria was crowned overall Mrs. Grandma Universe.

Newfield said she was handpicked by pageant guru

Ovette Ricalde to compete in the first annual pageant for grandmothers.

“Being an ideal grandmother is not all about taking care of your grandchildren but also showing other people and the universe that we, at our age, can still be competitive in every goal and objectives that we will set in life, whether personal or professionally,” Decena said upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Bulgaria via Qatar airways.

“I will be the voice of all grandmothers. They said that grandmothers have no equality and opportunity compared to the younger generations. We will work hard… patience and determination are secrets in life that make us successful.

“When my husband passed

@thegrovela #LunarGrove @americanabrand #LunarAmericana

away, I assumed the role of sole parent to my children. I went through adjustment because I also have a business to run and that is our daily bread and butter. Being a mother, grandmother and a business woman, it was really hard but with the help of my associates, peers and inspiration from my family, I was able to pull it through,” she added.

Meryll Soriano: No to abolition of MMFF despite ‘injustice’ FOR Meryll Soriano, the contentious disqualification of “Honor Thy Father” from the best picture category in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) turned out to be a blessing in disguise, after the incident sparked discussions and became a catalyst for possible changes in the annual event.

“It was disappointing because we worked hard and were passionate about the project. We felt that there was injustice, but things happen for a reason—and in this case, perhaps because some things needed to be brought to light,” Meryll told reporters at a press conference for GMA 7’s new TV series, “That’s My Amboy,” which airs weeknights.

The exclusion of “Honor”— apparently due to its exhibition in other festivals prior to MMFF— prompted Rep. Dan Fernandez, also a cast member, to bring the matter to Congress.

“I’m happy that there was a

EMPLOYMENT

The Grove and The Americana at Brand welcome Year of the Monkey with celebrations

that she wasn’t upset about losing the best actress award—for which she was touted as a strong contender—to Jennylyn Mercado of “#WalangForever.”

Food for the soul “A trophy is an acknowledgment of your talent, but the only thing that saddened us was our film’s disqualification,” stressed Meryll, who has always made it a point to be part of independent movies “to feed my soul.”“It’s my goal to be part of Meryll Soriano projects that I can be proud of.” stir, and I’m proud to be part of Asked about her thoughts on this movement. It’s high time to some critics calling for the MMFF’s point out that something’s wrong,” abolition, Meryll said: “To stop it Meryll said, adding that she completely would be sad, because feels heartened that a lot of her many people look forward to the colleagues in the industry feel the festival—it’s a great platform to same way. see local films without competition “It was great to see that even from their foreign counterparts. people who weren’t part of our film An overhaul, however, is much trooped to Congress to show their needed.” support. We were very pleased with Despite the controversy, the how things went,” related the 33actress remains optimistic that year-old artist, who also maintained Continued on Page 5

EMPLOYMENT

LOS ANGELES—The Grove and The Americana at Brand, Caruso Affiliated’s award-winning retail, dining and lifestyle destinations in Southern California, announce their plans to celebrate the 2016 Lunar New Year and Year of the Monkey. Guests visiting the properties will be able to ring in the New Year with traditional Asian performances, special festivities, shopping incentives, promotions, social media contests and stellar décor installations.

To celebrate Lunar New Year, both properties will feature iconic Chinese décor conceptualized by Stephen Stefanou of Venue Arts from now through February 20. An oversized costumed God of Prosperity statue, brilliant red Chinese New Year lanterns and bright horticulture will be on display at The Americana at Brand as well as an enchanting and elegant 14-foot red lantern made with diaphanous red fabric, gold leaf Chinese calligraphy detail and beautiful gold tassels. Hand-formed fan sculptures, brilliant red Chinese New Year lanterns, giant Moso bamboo poles, Qilin Foo Dogs,

and a bright horticulture garden can be seen at The Grove. The fountains at both properties will also turn red for Lunar New Year, and The Americana at Brand will showcase nightly fountain shows at 7:00 and 8:00p.m., choreographed to “Give Me a Kiss” by Wan Fang.

On Saturday, January 30 from 2:00 – 5:00p.m., The Americana at Brand will transform into a grand celebration of cheer and good fortune with two Happy New Year parades, including traditional lion and dragon performances to scare away bad luck while welcoming good fortune to all, and Chinese and Korean folk dancers. There will be a Chinese God of Wealth to hand out red envelopes, and a special appearance by cast members, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen from the comedy TV series, “Fresh Off the Boat.“ Between performances, guests can enjoy calligraphy artists, face painters and craft activties for kids, gourmet food and cultural bites for families, and surprise gifts and perks in lucky red envelopes. The event will conclude with a final parade around the property.

In addition to the scenic

décor at The Grove, guests can enjoy special Lunar New Year shopping offers from an array of tenants including Sprinkles Cupcakes and more. Guests at The Americana at Brand will also have the opportunity to test their luck with traditional Chinese red envelopes which may contain cash prizes or gift cards from now through February 8.

Guests can share their experiences by tagging photos of the events and décor: #LunarAmericana and #LunarGrove. Find The Americana at Brand and The Grove on Instagram at @AmericanaBrand and @ TheGroveLA. Caruso Affiliated thanks the Asian community for its support by celebrating this important occasion together. On a yearlong basis, Caruso Affiliated embraces tourism programs and offers savings passes, gifts with purchases, hotel package delivery, personal shopper appointments and concierge services in different languages. Caruso Affiliated properties also have Mandarinspeaking Concierge Services to assist guests.

(Advertising Supplement)

Patricia Javier and husband celebrates...

From Page 2 “Ang daming pinagdaanan bago natuloy ang kasal,” laughed Patricia. “I had my wedding gown made in the Philippines but it got lost on my way to the States. I thought that was a bad sign until I found out that my gown was misplaced at the Customs.”

It helps that they are both Christian who put God at the center of their marriage.

“Rob didn’t used to be religious and I was able to influence him,” said Patricia. “Dati, he didn’t go to church as often as he should.

Malaking factor na pareho kami ng religion.”

After living for years in San Diego where Rob ran chiropractic

clinic and Patricia resumed her rudely-interrupted career as a singer, the couple decided to settle down in the Philippines.

The Dec. 27, 2015, event was a celebration of both their 10th wedding anniversary and their happy homecoming. Joining them were their close friends, including (as principal sponsors) the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, Bernie and Ernesto Leyva, Melinda and Romy Casas, and Dr. Ann and George David.

The event organizer was Kristine Rose Cruz of Krissybey Events Management. Other credits: Susie Bonaobra and Bing Cristobal (gowns), Wilfoto (photo

and video), Joane Quimio (hair and make-up), Dawn Escarte of Rojo Flowers (florist), Acoustic After Class (reception band), Studio 22 (might’s and sounds), Bente Dos Akustik (ceremony band), Sweet Solutions (cake), Jeff Quinquileria of Walkabooth (photo booth), Wedding Digest Philippines (souvenirs), Red Veil (candy buffet), and Janne Rabe and Phoebe Walker (emcees).

The reception was held at Patrick’s Café at The Paris Beach Club of Azure Urban Resort & Residences, catered by Lady Lynn Catering Services.

“We are here to stay,” said Patricia. “Enjoy na dito ang mga bata.”

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT/ FOR SALE

SERVICES

5 Asian American Business Roundtable gathers unprecedented group of industry leaders for multi-day summit Aquino approves privatization of IBC-13 January 29-february 4, 2016

www.asianjournal.com

PepsiCo, JP Morgan Chase, and Zappos Among Key Speakers to Address Global Business Challenges and Help Foster Asian American Leadership in US, the Venetian Las Vegas to Host “Taking Risks and Changing The Game” Summit January 29-30, 2016

LOS ANGELES — Asian American Business Roundtable (AABR) announced that it was launched to promote the growing prominence of Asian American executives throughout the US and capitalize on Asia’s continuing emergence as an engine of global economic growth. As part of the launch, AABR will bring together the most accomplished, forward-thinking Asian American innovators and entrepreneurs, many of whom have been honored as “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business,” at its first multi-day Summit, in partnership with The Venetian Las Vegas, on January 29-30, 2016 (www. aabusinessroundtable.org).

“Asian Americans have a unique understanding of both Western and Eastern cultures and business practices, which can be crucial in helping companies identify untapped business opportunities, reach new markets and operate cross-culturally,” said John Wang, President of Asian American Business Development Center, which formed AABR. “We are launching this Summit to leverage the collective knowledge, experience and networks of recognized industry leaders, and enable access to their unprecedented source of business intelligence and ability to enhance global relations.”

The Summit, Taking Risks and Changing the Game, will discuss issues of social and economic appeal, as well as game-changing strategies to inspire personal development and corporate growth. Key speakers to date include: Mehmood Khan, Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, Global R&D, PepsiCo; Phyllis Campbell, Chairman, Pacific Northwest, JP Morgan Chase; Jon Spector, President and CEO, the Conference Board; and Maggie Hsu, Chief of Staff to Tony Hsieh, Zappos. The Summit will address current national and global business challenges as well as key growth strategies,

focused on the following topics: 1. Bringing New Talent into the C-Suite and Boardroom 2. Building Social Networks and an Innovation Marketplace 3. Retaining High Ability Women Innovators 4. Successful International Business Alliances “The Asian American Business Development Center does an incredible job of recognizing the contributions of Asian Americans in the business community, and we are grateful to partner with them in bringing this new concept to our Las Vegas resorts,” said George Markantonis, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo. “We hope this new annual Summit will become a leading platform for knowledge-sharing among key executives and leaders in the Asian-American community.”

Through its Summit, AABR

seeks to increase the visibility and presence of Asian Americans in US business, address national and global business challenges of the 21st century, and develop a mentorship program to groom future generations of Asian American business leaders. AABR also looks to assist global corporations seeking to expand in Asia, as well as Asiabased companies seeking US partnerships.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Asian American Business Roundtable Summit are now available. For more information, please contact Xiaotang Huang, at (212) 9660100 or xiaotang@aabdc.com, or visit www.aabusinessroundtable. org.

AABR Summit is taking place January 29-30, 2016 at The Venetian, Las Vegas.

Citizen” on Monday, February 1, from 6pm to 7:30pm at 1401 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950.

Representatives will answer

your questions about how to become a US citizen. For more information, please e-mail Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs. gov.

Cristine Reyes, Ali Khatibi tie knot in Balesin

Photo from Ara Mina’s Instagram account

ACTRESS Cristine Reyes on Wednesday, Jan. 27 tied the knot with her erstwhile fiancé, mixed martial arts fighter Ali Khatibi, in a private wedding ceremony on the exclusive Balesin island.

Reyes’ sister Ara Mina, Nice Print Photo and the couple’s friends shared on their Instagram accounts photos of the union.

“Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Khatibi!” Ara Mina said in the caption of one of her posts.

Reyes first announced that she was engaged to Khatibi in September 2015, seven months after giving birth to their now 10-month-old daughter Amarah.

(Inquirer.net)

Joel Lamangan: MMFF should be run by show biz industry not by LGUs

by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

THE METRO Manila Film Festival (MMFF) brouhaha rages on. At the rate things are going, MMFF could very well stand for Money Making and Fundraising Festival.

Ace director Joel Lamangan shares with the Inquirer his sentiments about the issue: “The MMFF must be run by the industry, not by the local

government units of Metro Manila. It must go back to the days when outstanding Filipino films were being shown in the festival!

“Profit was not just the sole reason for its existence—it also gave filmmakers a chance to focus on the different realities of our society! The film fest is an industry concern. The government must create an agency—or assign a film organization to supervise it!”

Joel Lamangan

Meryll Soriano: No to abolition of...

From Page 4 things would eventually turn out for the better. Personally, she said she’d love to see local movies in general get better distribution deals and given ample screening dates.

“We have to support our own.

I’m hoping for more awareness

subsidies amounting to P23.56 million in 2015. The privatization should pave the way for the infusion of additional capital to revitalize the network, which will also be able to operate with more flexibility as a private entity.

The privatization of IBC-13 will be done through public bidding with an estimated floor price of P1.977 billion. A committee composed of representatives

from GCG, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), and IBC-13 shall implement and conduct the said process.

Since GCG’s establishment in 2011 as the central advisory and oversight body for ensuring the active exercise of the State’s ownership rights in GOCCs, it has abolished 22 nonperforming GOCCs and classified 25 more as inactive or nonoperational.

IBC-13 started out in 1960 as a private company known as Inter-Island Broadcasting Corp., and then was sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in 1986 as part of the recovery of ill-gotten wealth. It has been one of 2 networks considered as GOCCs aside from Philippine Television Network, Inc. (PTV-4). The State also has a minority share in Radio Philippines Network (RPN-9).

Launch of ‘Top Model of the World Philippines 2016’ in Australia

USCIS Tagalog Engagement THE United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to attend a Tagalog language event on “How to Become a US

PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the privatization of Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13) based on the recommendation of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).

The privatization rationalizes the State’s portfolio in the Communications Sector in view of the overlap with PTV-4, which is already sufficient to address market failures in the private broadcast industry, such as providing programs with social value but are not considered profitable. This comes in the wake of the recent revitalization of PTV-4 mandated

by Republic Act No. 10390 which identified the privatization of IBC13 as one of the sources of funding the increase in PTV-4’s capital.

IBC-13 was also in financial distress–operating at an average net loss of P45.26 million from 2010 to 2014 and receiving operational

among moviegoers about the different genres the industry offers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Meryll, who now plans to focus on acting after studying in London for the past four years, said she was thrilled to be back on TV and doing comedy, especially after working on such a

dark and “heavy” film.

“The last time I did a lighthearted series (“I Love Betty La Fea”) was in 2008. Comedy is home to me, as I’m makulit in person.

This is a refreshing change after doing drama,” she said of “That’s My Amboy,” which is topbilled by Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras.

TOP Model of the World Philippines will launch its 2016 edition in the greater Melbourne area to be lead by its partner and cooperator “Face Australia Promotion & Management”. Face Australia is a leading pageant operator in Australasia and the Oceania.

The much awaited national pageant will be a pioneering launch as most pageant and model search in the Philippines are done in Metro Manila. It will be a ‘first’ of such renowned national events to be entirely launched outside the Philippines.

Top Model of the World Philippines is a hybrid program with fashion, modeling, and pageantry as its main components. Top Model of the World Inc. in the Philippines is proud of its association with Face Australia. The event will certainly draw attention & participation from dominant pageant operators in various jurisdictions among the overseas Filipino communities,

namely Northern California, Southern California, East Coast & Midwest USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, New Zealand, & Australia.

Finals is expected to happen in early July. The Winner of this event will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming

Top Model of the World 2016 competition.

Interested parties may direct their queries to Ms. Choy Symes at faceaustralia@gmail.com or for Southern California, to Ms. Trini Foliente at tpf524@sbcglobal. net or Cora Aragon Soriano at coraaragon@aol.com.

January 29-february 4, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

The Kite Runner Prof.

EnriquE M. Soriano (Part 1 of 2)

“FIGHTING multinationals was very tough. At first, everyone thought I was crazy. They told me, how would I survive this? True enough, it’s by the grace of God that I’m still here in the toothpaste industry after 20 years.

God is good,” – Cecilio K. Pedro In our fast-paced, hectic world we all need a daily dose of faith, hope and love. Stories of heroic struggle against odds, survival and eventual triumph have always inspired people, given them hope, courage to fight, and egged them on to persevere.

When you read inspirational, you’ll start to see a few common threads. Hard work, passion, determination, and drive are all common elements of these stories.

Surprisingly, obstacles, failure, and incredible odds are also elements

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA AMID all the hype about climate change, global warming and all junk science made possible by manipulating data to support predetermined results to advance a political global agenda, we all need to step back, take a deep breath and SEE THE BIG PICTURE. The Big Bang Theory claims that out of gas and dust, the universe was born 13.2 billion years ago in a spectacular explosion. The solar system where our tiny, fragile, magnificent earth orbits was born only in the last 4.5 billion years.

Life, in the form of single celled organisms began on earth 3.4 billion years ago and man began to walk the earth just a few million years ago. How does one fathom the unfathomable? One brilliant writer drew a more readily comprehensible parallel about the existence of human life as we know it, in this way. If the time frame of 13.2 billion years were to be thought of as a 24-hour day, human life only began the last two or three

6

Faith and Pinoy pride: Outperforming and outhinking the giants of these stories. In almost every case, the main character of the story would never have been expected to achieve so much in a single lifetime. These individuals, however, overcame tough odds, surpassed difficult obstacles, and “Things aren’t always what they seem.” If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later. I am sure Cecilio Pedro’s story would ignite your neversay-die spirit and inspire you to become all that you can be. His company, Lamoiyan Corporation, is the manufacturer of Hapee toothpaste, the first homegrown toothpaste in the Philippines.

I first had the opportunity to exchange notes with Cecilio more than a decade ago when he was our speaker in an ATENEO MBA Roundtable meeting with fellow Professors. Then a little more than a year ago, we had the rare opportunity to share stories when

we were both invited as resource speakers in a Family Business Conference at AIM. Knowing the man up close and listening intently to his inspiring story gave me goose bumps in a positive way and today I want to share his story. Reflecting upon it, the key to success is the owning of the family’s devotion to the business, its resilience in coping with disappointment, and the intensity of its long-term commitment to the business. That in a nutshell best characterizes the country’s Toothpaste King.

It is my fervent hope that family business owners and visionaries can learn so many lessons about Cecilio’s values, faith, tenacity and vision for his company.

Cecilio Kwok Pedro is an entrepreneur who made it to the top after his failure back in 1985.

His principle is much grounded and to quote this man of humility, he once said, “We are competing

Seeing the big picture seconds just before midnight.

Our planet earth, with its satellite moon, is the third rock from the sun — an ordinary, garden variety, midsize yellow star — only one of two billion stars in an ordinary, garden variety spiral shaped galaxy called the Milky Way. Scientists estimate that our sun has enough fuel in its belly to burn for another 9 billion years at current brightness before it dies. There was a time when men thought that the Milky Way comprised the entire universe.

Now we know better. Galaxies huddle together to form clusters and superclusters and our galaxy — the Milky Way — is only one of a small group of about 20 galaxies orbiting in our tiny neck of the woods of the visible cosmos.

Scientists now claim that there are perhaps 125 billion galaxies.

Edwin Hubble — for whom the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was named — theorized that the universe is still expanding. In 1993, the Hubble telescope has been able to turn out stunning photographs of about 40 billion other galaxies orbiting in space in a universe that is perhaps,

Calendar of Events across

boundless. Since then, that telescope, the extension of the human vision into the vastness of the universe, has continued to astound even the most cynical among us. It has photographed the existence of another 1,500 galaxies, previously undiscovered.

In 1997, the Hubble showed evidence of a black hole bigger than the sun’s mass — 300 million times at least.

A few astronomers even theorize the distinct possibility that there is not just one universe but the existence of multiverses.

The concept and the imagery of watching the night skies particularly on clear, moonless nights boggle the mind and strains the limits of the human imagination.

Man has been sending out probes to find some other forms of life comparable to human life in the outer reaches of space but have found nothing convincing — as of yet. And while we search and probe for other life forms, we know that absence of evidence does not mean evidence of absence.

What is the point of bringing up this cosmic canvass that seems

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JA N UA RY 3 0

Infant Jesus of Prague 9 hour Novena and Mass The Infant Jesus of Prague Apostolic Group is celebrating 32 years of service and prayer, and will hold its 32nd annual 9-hour Novena and Mass in honor of the Divine Child Jesus on Saturday, January 30, at Saint Joseph the Worker Church (19855 Sherman Way, Winnetka, California). The Novena starts at 7:00am with Mass following at 3:20 pm. Based in San Fernando Valley, the Apostolic Group aims to promote the Gospel message of Jesus and spread devotions to the Infant Jesus. For more information, please contact Leo Nevada at (818) 633 3926 or visit www.IJPAG.com.

Year of the Monkey celebrations at The Grove and the Americana at Brand Both The Grove in Los Angeles and the Americana at Brand will transform into a grand celebration of cheer and good fortune on Saturday, January 30 from 2:00 – 5:00pm with two Chinese New Year parades, including traditional lion and dragon performances, Chinese and Korean folk dancers, and a special appearance by cast members from the comedy TV series “Fresh Off the Boat” at The Americana. Guests can also enjoy traditional lantern décor, calligraphy artists, face painters and craft activities for kids, gourmet food and cultural bites, special shopping offers and surprise gifts (including cash prizes or gift cards) in lucky red envelopes, from now until Feb. 8. The dancing fountains at both properties will turn red for Lunar New Year, and the event will conclude with a final parade. Share your photos of the event by tagging #LunarAmericana and #LunarGrove.

F E B R UA RY 1 - 4

Prof. Enrique Soriano Talks About Philippine Business and Franchising Opportunities Prof. Enrique Soriano, ASEAN Family Business Advisor and book author will be delivering a talk on Philippine business and franchising opportunities on February 1st at the Philippine Consulate in New York and on February 4th in Boston. Free admission but reservations required. This is a wonderful opportunity for kababayans to learn about owning a business while still working in the US. This event was put together by BKP, a US based social enterprise group helping Filipino children to read their way out of poverty; the Philippine Consulate in New York, and the Harvard Philippine Forum.

F E B R UA RY 5 -A p R I l 1

Eagle Rock High School Monthly Open House Tours Eagle Rock High School invites the community to International Baccalaureate Open House Tours, from 8-10am during the spring semester on Friday, February 5; Friday, March 11; and Friday, April 1. Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 712, and was the first school in the LAUSD to be authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 11-12), a project-based program for concept and content-based learning to promote global mindedness and service to others. The IB Open House is open to all interested students, and will include an introductory presentation in the ERHS library, followed by campus tours, classroom visits, and a short questionand-answer period. To register for the Open Houses, please visit www.erhs.la, and click on the “IB Open House Registration” link. Please email Mylene Keipp mylene.keipp@lausd.net for more information. We look forward to your visit!

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

against the giants. Without faith and without the intervention of the Divine, it is really difficult to survive in this industry.”

Twenty-five years ago, people thought Cecilio Pedro was crazy for competing head-on with global toothpaste brands Colgate and Close Up. Faith Will Give You Courage, Courage Will Give You Faith Before he went head-to-head with Colgate and Close Up, the two multinational toothpaste brands were Pedro’s only customers.

His first company, Aluminum Container Inc., sold aluminum toothpaste tubes to these foreign firms from 1978 to 1985.

“At that time, I was thinking that toothpaste is something that everyone uses. And multinational firms will be here for the long term, so I thought it was a safe business,” he said.

All was going well for his company until plastic toothpaste tubes were invented. Both Colgate

and Close Up decided to switch to plastic tubes in 1985, forcing Pedro to close shop.

“I never thought that they would switch to plastic tubes. My business got in trouble when they left,” he lamented.

Relying on a few customers was Pedro’s biggest mistake yet.

Money stopped coming in, and he was left with millions of aluminum tubes.

Deeply mired in debt, he could have committed suicide had it not been because of his deep faith in God’s power and mercy. He turned his crisis into opportunity when he opted to compete with Colgate despite its being a multinational.

With faith, guts and hard work, he put up a “David vs. Goliath” type of fight. When his sales started to dent Colgate’s, they offered to buy him out but he answered, “I don’t think you can afford my price.”

Lamoiyan has now captured 30% of the market and still growing.

Now, Hapee toothpaste

tubes and sachets are selling like hotcakes in the Philippines, making his company, Lamoiyan Corporation, the country’s first homegrown toothpaste empire. (sorianoasia@gmail.com) (Part 2 will follow) *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author, Executive Director of Asean-based Consulting group, Wong + Bernstein Advisory and Program Director for Real Estate and the former Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is slated to deliver a talk on Philippine Business and Franchising Opportunities. The first talk is in NY on Feb 1 at the Philippine Consulate and Boston on Feb 4 at the Harvard Campus and in LA. The talk is organized by the Philippine Consulate in New York, in coordination with the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (bkpinc.org), the Harvard Philippine Forum, TFC with Asian Journal as media partner. For those interested to attend, pls email nzuelke@ gmail.com. Prof Soriano’s business articles can also be accessed at www.Faminbusines. com.

“Get out of yourself and out of the house, preferably in the countryside with less artificial sources of light on a moonless, cloudless, velvet night and gaze at the stars in the heavens. Fall in love with your own life all over again.” little to do with our mind, body and spirit? The point is this. It has taken billions of years in a universe so incredibly vast — it staggers the human imagination — for anyone born on earth to be given the wondrous gift of life the Creator of the Universe is giving each one of us — whether we deserve it or not — a gift that puzzles us no end.

One thing is certain, there is nothing on earth more precious than life itself. Looking at the big picture makes us see how infinitesimally tiny we are in the grand scheme of things, most times, how laughably insignificant our concerns are, how trivial our pursuits, how fearfully short and delicate life is and how utterly foolish to throw away the minutes and the hours in useless, useless fretting and worrying.

Next time you feel overwhelmed with tension, worry and ill health and seriously thinking of giving up — as you are perhaps tempted to do while you figure out the complexities

The Metamorphosis

ErniE D. DElfin (Part1 of 2)

“Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.”

- Charles de Gaulle “In politics stupidity is not a handicap!” - Napoleon Bonaparte As a Filipino-American, I am fascinated (“entertained” perhaps is a better term) by the drama and comedy-filled election campaigns that have started here in the US as well as in the Philippines.

This year will be a very interesting and exciting year in the US as the results of the forthcoming November election will definitely alter many government programs and established priorities, including many domestic and foreign policies. The years of President Obama, after former President Bush caused many events that were considered miscalculations, made the American people suffer unnecessarily.

The “war on terrorism” started

by George W. Bush was a failure, one that the American people are still paying. The catastrophic meltdown of the financial markets caused by massive frauds in the mortgage industry brought America to its highest unemployment and foreclosures of homes that almost paralleled the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The government bailed out the banks and Wall Street and the taxpayers have to foot the bill.

The Affordable Health Care Act (aka Obama Care) is also faltering and may be substantially scrapped if the Republicans win big in the coming election. The economic divide between the 99 percent vs. the 1 percent became wider, and the trend may continue depending who will control the White House and Congress.

As I am writing this column the Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are fighting it out in Iowa and New Hampshire. That is also true in the Republican party, among Donald

and parry with the slings and arrows of your life — do what the wise among us have done — sometimes out of sheer desperation. Look heavenward.

Get out of yourself and out of the house, preferably in the countryside with less artificial sources of light on a moonless, cloudless, velvet night and gaze at the stars in the heavens. Fall in love with your own life all over again. Thoreau was right when he said that the darkness reveals the heavenly lights.

Carl Sagan, the noted astronomer who began researching the origins of life beginning in the nineteen fifties made his mark in astronomy and cosmography showing that Venus is too hot, Mars is too cold and our wondrous planet, the Earth, a tiny blue and white marbled dot, a mere iota, in the vast expanse of the cosmos — just right, for human life. We live in the tiny sliver of the Goldilocks zone with liquid water.

To the question of whether

we are alone, there are, as yet, no answers. Unfazed and undaunted by the silence of galactic neighbors to earthly probes by radio telescopes beamed into outer space, listening for signs of intelligent life, similar to ours perhaps with a mind-body-spirit connection as well, somewhere in deep space, Sagan wrote: “It says something about the rarity and preciousness of life on this planet.

The flip side of not finding life on another planet is appreciating life on earth.”

If the earth with all its beauty and abundance and the vast expanse and majestic glory of the heavens themselves cannot impress upon thinking, feeling man the fragile and utterly precious nature of his own life, it is doubtful anything ever will. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Politicians provide great entertainment, excellent source of revenues for businesses Trump, Ted Cruz, Mark Rubio and Gov. Christie. It’s just unfortunate that minority party candidates will never have a chance to win the presidency as the Electoral College system makes it almost impossible. Having left the Republican Party a long time ago, my vote will definitely go, if there is a line or space for Ms. NOTA (None Of The Above) candidate.

Most likely, however, I will again be compelled to vote for the “lesser evil,” who may have some degree of commonality between his/her values and mine.

The political landscape in the US has changed dramatically because people are hungry and angry on how things are going on right now. The optimism exuded by the Camelot years of President John F. Kennedy when he lifted the imagination of the people to go to the moon, challenging his fellow Americans, “Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country.” And the US Peace Corps was started and still going on half a century later!

The pessimism, anger and hunger of the American people are fueling the candidacy of “outsiders” like celebrity billionaire Donald Trump who remains at the top of the surveys. Gone are the days when government officials went back to the private sector and did what they were doing before they were elected to a government office. These days, a political office has become now the “milking cow,” the livelihood career for most politicians, from the time they are out of college, to the time they become retired. Once retired, many of them receive benefits that are often inflated compared to their private industry counterparts.

The maxim that our system of government is “of the people, by the people and for the people” no longer rings true!

Although Bernie Sanders, a 74-year-old Vermont senator and a long time politician, is relatively an unknown candidate but his

effective mouthing of campaign slogans that are palatable to the ears of many voters who are “sick and tired” of the status quo is making his numbers surge, an unexpected phenomenon that is making Secretary Clinton running scared. Clinton, despite the backing of many lobbyists and name recognition, has to fight hard to cleanse the stigma of just another recycled traditional politician. By the end of summer, however, I think Clinton will eventually outrun the aging Sanders and then will face off a GOP establishment candidate Rubio or Cruz. I predict that the short-lived celebrity status of Trump would have evaporated by the summer heat generated by thinking and more discriminating members of the GOP across the country.

My fearless prediction, as of today, will be a battle of the FAT C’s (Clinton vs. Cruz, who are both devoid of any charisma) with their fat campaign chests, clowns of follower and corrupt lobbyists, willing to invest into their campaign funds to protect or expand their vested interests.

The American public has nine months to be entertained and confused (hopefully educated along the way) by these candidates who are all trying to sell to the American voters that they will be working for our welfare and future, as we are their employer or bosses, and they are our public servants. In reality, they are our masters and we are their slaves. Let’s not be that naïve that these politicians are always working for our welfare and the common good! Let us be more vigilant, discriminating and must never shallow the hook, line and sinker thrown to the public by these politicians!

Stay tuned!

(To be continued next week) *** Email columnist at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Blog: http://ed-metamorphosis.blogspot.com; Website: www.gkerc.org

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