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Volume 23 - No. 9 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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PH gov’t backs calls to probe casinos for money laundering

by Joel

Senator Sergio Osmeña III said the congressional oversight committee on the anti-money laundering law will start its inquiry into the reported laundering of $100 million through banks and casinos.

Inquirer.net photo

DATELINE

USA

M. Sy egco and JefferSon antiporda ManilaTimes.net

mALACAÑANG on thursday, march 3 backed calls for stricter monitoring of financial transactions in casinos in the wake of reports that some $100 million in “dirty” money was laundered in these gaming facilities.

Congress is also poised to conduct its own inquiry.

Communications secretary herminio Coloma Jr. said the securities and exchange Commission (seC) and the Anti-money Laundering Council (AmLC) are mandated to ensure the country’s good financial standing.

“the government is determined to maintain the country’s good standing with the international financial system. hence, the [AmLC] is tasked with ensuring the integrity of financial and banking transactions,” according to Coloma.

“Pursuant to this mandate, the AmLC is addressing the concerns pertaining to the alleged money laundering activities in the casinos that were reported recently,” he said.

Coloma added that the Philippine Amusement and PAGE A2

Super Tuesday results show Clinton, Trump as 2016 frontrunners by allySon

Study: Undocumented Californians paid $3.2B in state and local taxes

More rain for Calif. expected in March heAVY showers were expected in drought-stricken California this past february, but it ended up being the second hottest with an average low temperature of 65.9 degrees. “everyone’s been asking, ‘Where’s the rain? Where’s the rain?’” said matt mehle, a meteorologist with the National Weather service in monterey.

Although the state was forecast to experience intense rainstorms from el Nino, rainfall in southern California has ceased after a single big storm in early January. rain that typically comes to California during an el Nino year has stayed toward the Pacific Northwest, sf Gate reported. “el Nino is here. It is occurring, but unfortunately, the resulting weather pattern is not,” mehle said, according to sf Gate.

Despite a parched february, el Nino did bring rain and snow to Northern California, and the state is expected to receive some showers in the coming PAGE A3

eScobar

AJPress

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

AN updated study by the Institute on taxation and economic Policy (IteP) found that undocumented immigrants who reside in California collectively paid almost $3.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2013. the nationwide analysis released on Wednesday, feb. 24, entitled Undocumented Immigrants’ state and Local tax Contributions, concluded that the obama administration’s executive actions (including the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA) would increase state and local tax contributions in California by at least $184 million.

An even more substantial increase of $450 million is projected under comprehensive immigration reform granting all undocumented immigrants lawful perPAGE A4

VICTORY. A soldier waves a small Philippine flag to show that the military had taken control of an area in Butig, Lanao del Sur where state troops clashed with rebels who are believed to have been trained by foreign terrorists. The firefight displaced hundreds of families. Militants fighting in the name of the Islamic State (IS) group are escalating attacks in Mindanao, analysts said, deepening fears for the volatile region after its main Moro rebel group and the government had failed to conclude a peace agreement.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

tUesDAY, march 1 was a big day on the road to November’s presidential elections. Unofficially nicknamed “super tuesday,” it is when a dozen states (and one Us territory) held nominating contests to narrow down party candidates during the primaries.

Also known as the “seC Primary,” 661 republican delegates and 865 Democratic delegates were allocated on super tuesday.

It is the only day in which a single candidate has a bigger chance to

declare certainty over his or her nomination, with that many delegates grouped at once, reported Politico. real estate billionaire Donald trump was the clear winner for the republican Party on tuesday night, with 319 total delegate counts—the most of any candidate in the field. trump won the votes in seven states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, massachusetts, tennessee, Virginia, and Vermont.

New Jersey governor (and former candidate) Chris Christie also

stunned the nation by endorsing trump, standing awkwardly behind him during trump’s tuesday night address in Palm Beach, florida.

“I am a unifier, I know people are going to find that a little bit hard to believe, but believe me that I am a unifier,” trump told his supporters. “once we get all of this finished, I am going to go after one person—that’s hillary Clinton, on the assumption that she’s allowed to run.”

“When we unify, there’s noPAGE A2

11 Filipinos among Forbes 2016 world billionaire list by doriS

duMlao-abadilla Inquirer.net

mANILA—the global stock market downturn has trimmed the fortunes of most tycoons in the Philippines but 11 of them remained on the list of wealthiest people on the planet, based on forbes magazine’s 2016 roster of billionaires. forbes magazine – which has ranked the world’s richest for the

30th year – reported a decline in the global headcount of billionaires to 1,810 billionaires from a record-high 1,826 a year ago. the publication estimated the combined net worth of this rare breed at $6.48 trillion, $570 billion less than last year. eleven of those billionaires were from the Philippines and this year’s list was pretty much the same as in 2015 – except that this year, most of these tycoons saw their wealth

shrinking. there was likewise some slight realignment among midranked local tycoons.

As expected, the 2016 list was topped by sm group founder henry sy sr., JG summit holdings founder John Gokongwei and Lt Group Inc. founder Lucio tan. the 91-year-old sy – patriarch of the sm group which dominates local property (sm Prime holdings), PAGE A3

Chaotic traffic is seen on a street as people try to reach higher ground following a strong earthquake which triggers tsunami warning in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 2. Indonesia lifted a tsunami warning issued after a powerful earthquake off Sumatra sent islanders rushing to high ground.

Philstar.com photo via AP

DFA: No Filipinos hurt in Indonesia quake by roSette

adel

Philstar.com

mANILA—the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) on thursday said that no filipinos were in-

jured in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that jolted Indonesia’s western region on Wednesday, march 2. “so far we have not rePAGE A2

US officials, diplomats fete outgoing DFA Chief del Rosario

by Michael Joe

t. delizo

ManilaTimes.net

AmerICAN officials and filipino diplomats recently honored outgoing foreign Affairs secretary Albert del rosario for his years of dedication in championing the strong ties between the Us and Philippines.

Us and filipino diplomats gathered in Washington, DC to honor del rosario as he is set to step down his office on PAGE A2

A

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From the Front Page

PH gov’t backs calls to probe...

PAGE A1

Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is particularly responsible for watching over operations of casinos.

The SEC has revived calls to include casinos in the list of institutions obliged to report any suspicious monetary transaction to the AMLC, which is a preemptive move against any possible

inclusion of the Philippines in the “gray list” of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Under the law, foreign exchange corporations, money changers, insurance companies, securities brokers and dealers and property firms are required to report suspicious transactions

regardless of the amount, and any transactions of P500,000 and above to the AMLC .

The AMLC is composed of the governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as chairman, and the commissioner of the Insurance Commission and the SEC chairman as members.

Coloma, meanwhile, said Pagcor has started its own inquiry into the matter and is expecting the casinos to “submit their comments on the allegation as an initial step in the investigation.”

“As the regulatory body for all gaming-related firms, Pagcor requires all casino operators to institute strict internal control policies on funds movements…and to open their respective financial transactions for scrutiny by the government agency,” he added.

The FATF placed the country on its “gray list” three years ago, which compelled the government to pass certain amendments to the law.

Being placed under the “gray list’ means that the anti-money laundering measures of the Philippines are inadequate, which could discourage legitimate investments from coming into the country.

The Manila Times had run a series regarding this issue years ago, reporting, among others, how drug traffickers clinch their deals in casinos where transactions are made using chips instead of cash.

Drug dealers and their cohorts prefer casinos because drug money can be laundered easily there.

Probe Senator Sergio Osmeña III said the congressional oversight committee on the anti-money laundering law will start its inquiry into the reported laundering of $100 million through banks and casinos.

The committee, headed by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, will grill AMLC officials.

“Then we will ask the PhilRemit people through whom the money was remitted to this country, and then we will ask the two or three banks to give us their inputs,” Osmeña said also on Thursday.

The $100 million entered the country through a transaction made by Philremit with the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

President Barack Obama talks with (L-R) Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt), Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), at the conclusion of a meeting with the leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Oval Office on Tuesday, March 1. The President, with Vice President Joe Biden, met with the committee members, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to discuss topics including the Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, opioid legislation and criminal justice reform.

White House photo by Pete Souza

Super Tuesday results show Clinton...

PAGE A1 body—nobody—that’s going to beat us,” he concluded, according to CNBC. Trump’s main rival Hillary Clinton, however, also had a good night. The former Secretary of State won overwhelmingly in all of the big, delegate-awarding states (Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia), with 577 counts. According to Washington Post, Clinton also had major support (more than 80 percent in Georgia and Virginia) of the black vote.

“Instead of building walls, we’re going to break down barriers, and build ladders of opportunity and empowerment, so that every American live up to his or her potential,” Clinton said in her remarks. “Then, and only then, can America live up to its full potential too.”

“America never stopped being great,” she added, speaking directly to Trump. “We have to make America whole.”

The question that now remains is whether both strong candidates can get the rest of the delegate votes needed to win the party nomination.

For the Republicans, despite PAGE A4 Trump’s dominance in the field, Texas Senator Ted Cruz took three states—Alaska, Oklahoma, and Texas—and won 226 delegates. Cruz is favored to be the alternative to Trump, given that

a loss in his home state would have effectively ended his campaign.

“Our campaign is the only campaign that has beaten and can beat Donald Trump,” the senator told his supporters on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio struggled behind, winning the vote in just one state (Minnesota) and 110 delegates.

Trailing behind at the end of the night was Ohio Governor John Kasich (25 delegates) and Dr. Ben Carson (eight delegates).

The Republican candidates need a total 1,237 delegates to win the party nomination.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ultimately lost that night, with just four states (Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and his home state Vermont) and 386 delegates, out of the 2,383 needed to win for the Democrat nomination.

In his speech given at his home state, before the final results of Super Tuesday votes, Sanders said, “You know, we want to win in every part of the country, that goes without saying. But it does say something and means so much to me that the people who know me best, the people who knew me before I was elected, who knew me as mayor, knew me as congressman, and know me as senator, have voted so strongly to put us in the White House.”

“At the end of tonight, 15 states will have voted, 35 states remain. And let me assure you that we are going to take our fight for economic justice, for social justice, for environmental sanity, for a world of peace to every one of those states,” Sanders vowed.

After Super Tuesday, the next crucial votes will take place on Saturday, March 5, with the Louisiana primaries and Kansas caucuses. Over the weekend, Republicans will also vote in Kentucky and Maine, while Democrats will vote in Nebraska, and in Maine on March 6.

Poll: Clinton and Sanders both top Trump According to a new CNN/ORC International poll, Trump is not leading among US voters after all.

The poll, which sampled at least 1,000 telephone interviews with American adults between February 24-27, and included at least 920 interviews among registered voters, concluded that both of the remaining Democratic candidates easily beat out Republican frontrunner Trump.

Although Clinton won by a landslide over the weekend in the South Carolina primary, putting her well ahead in the race for the Democratic nomination, she is likely to face stronger Republican opposition between Rubio or Cruz.

PAGE A3

DFA: No Filipinos hurt in Indonesia...

PAGE A1 ceived any report of Filipinos affected by the earthquake in Indonesia,” DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose confirmed.

On Wednesday evening, a magnitude 7.8 hit Padang, West Sumatra. According to The US

Geological Service, it centered under the ocean at depth of 24 kilometers.

Due to the quake, tsunami warning was issued but was later on lifted.

There were no deaths and casualties reported during the

tremor.

In 2004, a magnitude 9.1 quake also struck off the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia, which resulted to the world’s deadliest tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries.

On his last official trip to the East Coast US, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario, together with wife Gretchen were honored with a farewell dinner by the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General New York and Philippine Mission to the United Nations last Feb. 28 at the Philippine Official Residence in Manhattan, New York. Consul General Mario De Leon and Ambassador Lorie Yparaguirre expressed their admiration on the principled leadership and sincere dedication that the Secretary displayed during his five-year term. ConGen and Ambassador presented a souvenir portrait of Secretary Del Rosario as a parting gift. The Secretary thanked his DFA colleagues and remarked, “You are all my serendipity.”

US officials, diplomats fete outgoing DFA...

PAGE A1 March 7.

The farewell reception coincided with the inauguration of the newly-renovated Chancery Annex of the Philippines along Massachusetts Avenue, a few blocks away from the White House.

Constructed in 1917, the brick building was the former four-story Embassy building of the Philippines. It served as the Office of the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the United States in 1943, then as Chancery of the Embassy of the Philippines following the country’s independence and establishment of diplomatic relations with the US in 1946. It was abandoned in 1995 when the diplomatic mission moved to a new office across the street.

“While the inauguration of this historic building is already a compelling reason to celebrate, our gathering tonight is made even more special as we pay tribute to a man for whom we hold the highest respect and admiration—

the man that the Filipino people are privileged and proud to have as Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. said.

Del Rosario was the Philippine Ambassador to the US from 2001 to 2006 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He quit his post due to policy differences with the Arroyo government.

In 2011, President Benigno Aquino 3rd swore in del Rosario as secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Former US Ambassador to the Philippines and newly-appointed State Department Counselor Kristie Kenney said it was through del Rosario that she “first came to know and love the warmth, the charm, the grace and the dignity of the Filipino people.”

In a letter addressed to del Rosario and read by Kenney during the event, US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed pride in calling him a “trusted colleague and a personal friend.”

“There’s simply no doubt that

today’s close US-Philippines relationship is thanks in large part to your sound judgment and strong commitment to diplomacy. Your steady leadership not only ensured the vitality of our countries’ friendship, it has also helped steer the course of events in the Philippines and around the world in the right direction,” Kerry wrote.

“As we live in an increasingly uncertain and complex world, the international community will need more statesmen like you,” he added.

Senator Mazie Hirono also expressed appreciation for del Rosario’s leadership.

Del Rosario said the two countries should not stop working to enhance their ties.

“Even if it is our belief that Philippines-US relations have never been better, we must still persist in working together to further strengthen our alliance so that we can proactively, effectively, and strategically address our shared formidable challenges in the Asia Pacific region,” he added.

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A

Kobe Paras dazzles anew, erupts for 43 in game Super Tuesday results show Clinton...

by Denison

Rey Dalupang Philstar.com

THE other “Kobe” keeps on adding to his legend.

Our very own Kobe Paras, son of former PBA star Benjie Paras, once again displayed his mettle at the expense of the Trinity International Schools Las Vegas.

The 6-foot-6 youngster flaunted his growing arsenal of mid-range, long-range jumpers, and a couple of shots paired with his improving handles in a PEC 6 game.

Paras, who moved to Middlebrooks Academy from LA Cathedral late last year, exploded for 43 points in the game.

His Sphinx crew are currently atop the standings with a 5-0 card.

Within the highlight reel is a poster-worthy dunk over a defender.

Paras, who is penciled by Kobe Paras donning the Middlebrooks Sphinx threads.

Twitter photo by Magic Compton many as among the future of the Philippine basketball alongside and NBA D-Leaguer Bobby Ray UCLA Bruins, the winningest PBA MVP JuneMar Fajardo Parks Jr., has committed to the school in the US NCAA.

More rain for Calif. expected in...

PAGE A1 days.

“Given the model consistency and agreement, confidence is quite high that our area will see periods of significant rainfall along with locally strong winds from this upcoming weekend well into next week,” according to the National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Officials hope the showers will increase the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which is a crucial source of water for California.

The drier February ranks as the 37th driest on record in Los Angeles. It comes amid California’s four-year drought, which has cost the state’s agricultural economy an estimated $1.84 billion.

Downtown Los Angeles received only .79 inches of rain last month, falling short of the 3.8 inches it normally collects.

“Typically, from past six strong El Ninos, we have generally seen above normal rainfall. But since October 1 we’ve only seen five inches of rain so far (across Southern California),” said National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe, according to Reuters. “We were certainly expecting a lot more.”

A wetter-than-average March is expected, but the impact on the drought may be too little too late, according to The Washington Post. Even rainfall in the past few months has not significantly alleviated California’s parched state.

In the Mountain High ski area, located about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the resort closed on Sunday, Feb. 28, due to warm weather and will not re-open until there is new snowfall.

“Toward the end of the week, we do expect snow to fall at the resort,” Munroe said, according to the LA Times. We’ll see rain and high-mountain snow starting Saturday evening, with snow showers at resort level Sunday and lasting into Monday.”

The severity of California’s drought prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to issue the state’s first mandatory water restrictions last year, requiring cities and communities statewide to reduce water use by a minimum of 25 percent.

(Agnes Constante/AJPress)

11 Filipinos among Forbes 2016 world billionaire...

PAGE A1 banking (Banco de Oro and China Bank) and retailing (SM Retail) businesses, and is also a philanthropist – remains the richest person in this part of the world with an estimated net worth of $12.9 billion. His net worth declined from last year’s $14.2 billion but he remains the only tycoon from this country to be among the world’s top 100, based on Forbes’ ranking.

He was ranked as the 71st wealthiest person on the planet.

SM Investments Corp., the flagship conglomerate led by the Sy family, is now the most valuable company in the stock market with market capitalization of P704 billion as of Wednesday (March 2). Its banking arm BDO is the first among local banks to breach the P2-trillion mark in total resources.

JG Summit’s Gokongwei, who is turning 90 this year, remained number two on the list and likewise saw a decline in estimated net worth to $5 billion from $5.8 billion last year.

Gokongwei has been called the “industrialist challenger,” unafraid to venture into highly competitive new sectors like telecommunications, or dipping into untested waters, like petrochemicals, and nurturing them no matter how long it takes to achieve profitability. A long time ago, he also planted the seeds for overseas diversification and built an expansive Asia-Pacific footprint for Universal Robina Corp. (URC). In 2014, URC bought Auckland-based Griffin’s Foods Ltd., New Zealand’s leading biscuit and snack food manufacturer, for about NZ$700 million (P26.37 billion).

JG Summit is a conglomerate seen to have benefited and yet to benefit further from favorable demographics in the country and the region through its food and beverage (URC), airline (Cebu Air) and property (Robinsons Land Corp.) businesses. The group likewise has equity investments in the Manila Electric Co., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Singaporean property developer UIC Ltd. Tycoon Lucio Tan kept his number three ranking with an estimated net worth of $4 billion compared to $4.4 billion last year. Tan’s group is into tobacco (49.6 percent of Philippine Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp.), beverage (Tanduay Holdings and Asia Brewery), banking (Philippine National Bank), airline (Philippine Airlines and property development (Eton Properties).

GT Capital Holdings’ George Ty slid to fourth place on the local list with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion, down from $4.4

billion last year. Last year, Ty was estimated to be just as rich as Lucio Tan (who has a daughter married to Ty’s son).

Construction magnate David Consunji, property tycoon Andrew Tan and Jollibee Foods Corp. founder Tony Tan Caktiong were all valued at $3 billion, sharing the fifth place in the local list.

Andrew Tan – who is into property development (Megaworld Corp.), integrated gaming resort (Travellers International Hotel Group) and beverage (Emperador Inc.) businesses – saw his net value decline from $4.8 billion last year. Tan has been expanding his property businesses while Emperador has been gobbling up assets in Europe, the latest of which is the acquisition of Spain’s iconic brandy-maker Fundador.

Consunji also saw a drop in fortune compared to last year’s net worth of $4.1 billion. DMCI Holdings is into construction, property development, water, coal/nickel mining and power generation (Semirara Mining and Power Corp.).

Jollibee founder and recently retired chief executive officer Tony Tan Caktiong is the only one among Philippine tycoons in the 2016 list who saw an increase in net worth to $3 billion from $2.7 billion last year. Apart from Jollibee – which a globalizing company and a favored consumer play in the stock market – Tan Caktiong co-founded fast-growing property developer Double Dragon Properties Corp. with younger magnate Edgar “Injap” Sia II. “From Saudi Arabia to the borough of Queens in New York City, Tony Tan Caktiong’s fast food restaurants dot the globe. His publicly traded Jollibee Foods marked its entry into the mainstream burger market with a 40 percent acquisition of food chain Smashburger in October of 2015. Jollibee Foods is the fastest-growing Asian restaurant chain in the world. They sell Filipino, Chinese, American and European recipes adapted to a modern, quick serve, affordable format,” Forbes magazine said.

International port terminal and gaming operator Enrique Razon Jr. was sixth on the list with an estimated $2.4 billion in net worth, which marked a big drop from last year’s estimated fortune of $5.2 billion. Razon is the controlling shareholder in International Container Terminal Services Inc. and integrated gaming resort Bloomberry Resorts Corp. The decline in wealth is due to the slump in the shares of gaming stocks in the region.

Retailing couple Lucio and Susan Co of Puregold Price Club

Inc. ranked next on the list with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, at par with the fortunes of Robert Coyiuto, who derives most of his wealth from the family-held private insurance business and a 30 percent stake in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines. The Cos’ estimated wealth declined from last year’s $2.3 billion while Coyiuto’s fortune also slipped from last year’s $1.8 billion.

Completing the list was former Senator Manuel Villar, a real estate magnate, who focused on growing Vista Land & Lifescapes after losing to President Aquino during the 2010 presidential elections. The businessman – who is making up for decades lost when he was busy with politics – has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, lower than $1.6 billion last year. He made it to the global list for the second year in a row.

Amid the global stock market volatility, oil price slump and strengthening of the US dollar, Forbes magazine reported a “dynamic reshuffling of wealth around the globe and a drop in ten-figure fortunes for the first time since 2009.”

“It was also the first time since 2010 that the average net worth of a billionaire dropped – it is now $3.6 billion, $300 million less than last year,” the magazine said.

Forbes reported a reshuffling of billionaires starting at the top.

“Only two people in the top 20 managed to hold onto their ranks.

Bill Gates remains the richest person in the world with a net worth of $75 billion, despite being $4.2 billion poorer than a year ago,” the magazine said. Gates has topped the list for three years in a row and topped the list 17 out of 22 years.

Legendary American investor Warren Buffett remained at No. 3. while Zara’s Amancio Ortega climbed to No. 2 for the first time, displacing Mexico’s Carlos Slim, who slipped to No. 4. The magazine estimated that Slim’s fortune had fallen by $27.1 billion to $50 billion in the past year, as shares of his telecom business América Móvil tumbled.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had “the best year of all billionaires,” the magazine said, with the 31-year-old social media tycoon adding $11.2 billion to his fortune and moving up to No. 6 from 16.

Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos both made it to the top 10 list for the first time.

Meanwhile, a billionaire from China’s mainland, Wang Jianlin – whose company owns AMC Theaters and soon will own Legendary Pictures – has climbed into the top 20, according to the magazine.

PAGE A2 According to the poll’s hypothetical match-up scenario, which appears most likely to emerge from the looming primaries, Clinton tops Trump 52 percent to 44 percent among registered voters. The result has also slanted in Clinton’s favor, since the last CNN/ORC poll in January.

Against Rubio and Cruz, however, Clinton faces the same likability challenge in the polls.

The former Secretary of State trails closely behind Rubio, 50 percent to 47 percent, and she holds 48 percent to Cruz’s 49 percent, narrowing the race match-up from 3 points to 1.

Sanders, who has the most positive favorable rating (60 percent of registered voters) of any presidential candidate in the whole field, beat out all three Republicans by wide margins: outnumbering Cruz 57 to 40 percent; crushing Trump 55 to 43 percent, and 53 to 45 percent against Rubio.

Sanders also fares better than Clinton in each match-up among men, young voters, and independents.

Overall, Clinton and Trump are still seen unfavorably by majorities of voters: almost 6-in-10 have a negative view of Trump, with 38 percent in favor; while 53 percent have a negative view of Clinton, 44 percent positive.

Cruz also has a net negative rating, while impressions of Carson, Rubio, and Kasich leaned positive.

According to the poll, 78 percent of US voters (including almost the same share among Democrats, Republicans and Independents) say that the nation is even “more deeply divided on major issues facing the country,” than it has been in the past.

The nationwide survey asked voters to choose which of all the remaining top candidates, regardless of party, they trust most to handle seven key issues. According to CNN, Trump tops the list on the economy, terrorism and immigration, while Clinton is the top choice when it comes to health care, race relations and foreign policy. Voters are about evenly split between Trump and Clinton on gun policy.

Though the share of leaned Republican voters choosing Clinton on any of the tested issues tops out at 8 percent on health care, Trump is the most trusted

for 15 percent of leaned Democrats on terrorism, 14 percent on the economy and 13 percent on immigration.

Republicans generally have the edge on the economy, terrorism, immigration and gun policy, while more voters choose either Sanders or Clinton on race relations and health care. Foreign policy has about an even split between the two parties.

The margin of sampling error for the results, based on the

total sample, is plus or minus three percentage points.

The poll also determined that if Michael Bloomberg, an independent and former mayor of New York City, decide to run as an independent candidate, his candidacy would harm Clinton’s bid to beat Trump, more than it would defeat Sanders’ campaign. However, few polled said they would consider backing Bloomberg, should he decide to run.

A

march 4-10, 2016 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOUrNaL

Dateline USa

Asian Americans across nation call for leniency for convicted former NYPD cop

THEIR FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS. “Marimar,” an orangutan at the Malabon Zoo, samples a cake given to her to celebrate World Wildlife Day on Thursday, March 3. The United Nations called on governments to protect wild plants and animals as it marked the event with this year’s theme “the future of wildlife is in our hands.”

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike de Juan

PH gov’t backs calls to probe...

PAGE A2 (RCBC).

The bank informed the AMLC about the transaction.

The money was then laundered in at least three big casinos, making it difficult to trace.

Osmena said that although there is no way to trace where the $100 million ended up, the government can still go after PhilRemit.

“You can run after them and ask them how the money enter[ed] the country and why did [they] allow it to come in?

You’re supposed to know your customer,” he added.

The senator said the noninclusion of casinos in the list of institutions covered by the amended anti-money laundering law is one of the reasons why the money was laundered.

Republic Act 10365, which further strengthens the AMLA, was signed by President Benigno Aquino 3rd in 2013.

The Senate version of the measure included casinos in the list of financial institutions that should report suspicious trans-

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actions but the provision was removed during the bicameral conference committee meeting after the House contingent asked for exclusion of the casinos.

OFWs affected Also on Thursday, senatorial bet Susan “Toots” Ople urged national candidates to present their position on the proposal to mandate casinos to report all suspicious financial transactions to the AMLC. Ople warned that any move by the FATF to blacklist the Philippines for failing to curb money laundering will affect overseas Filipino workers.

“Millions of overseas Filipinos will once again bear the brunt of any sanctions to be imposed by the FATF in terms of higher remittance costs and more stringent requirements in sending money back home,” she said.

OFWs around the world sent $26.92 billion to the country in 2014.

“Our voters deserve to know where each national candidate stands on the issue of including casinos in the list of institutions

to be covered by the Anti-Money Laundering Act. I fully support the SEC’s proposal to amend the law so that casinos would be included,” Ople said.

The AMLA was amended four times last year to expand the list of predicate crimes and institutions covered by the law.

Reports said the $100 million that was laundered in Philippine banks and casinos was stolen by hackers from a bank overseas.

The money was coursed to a RCBC-Makati City branch, converted to pesos, consolidated into a single corporate account of a Chinese-Filipino businessman and then used to either “buy chips” or “pay for casino losses” incurred at Solaire Resort and Casino, City of Dreams Manila and Midas Hotel and Casino before being moved back to bank accounts overseas.

Ople further warned that the incident would once again catch the attention of the FATF. “We should not allow the money laundering syndicate involved in this scam to get away [with it],” she said.

A LITTLE over a week after a Chinese American former NYPD officer was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct in a November 2014 death of an unarmed black man, Asian Americans across the country rallied to protest his conviction.

Thousands of protesters on Saturday, Feb. 20, demonstrated in more than 30 cities to support Peter Liang. The 28-year-old former officer was convicted of the charges on Feb. 11 for the death of Akai Gurley, 28, who died from a bullet that ricocheted off a wall in the stairwell of a housing project in Brooklyn.

In Los Angeles, a predominantly Chinese American crowd demonstrated in Downtown chanting and carrying signs in Chinese and English that read “Save Peter Liang,” “Accident not crime” and “All lives matter.” In New York, a mostly Asian American crowd of nearly 15,000 rallied in Brooklyn, claiming Liang was prosecuted because he is a minority.

Many Asian Americans believe Liang, who had been with the NYPD for 18 months, was used as a scapegoat due to a lack of indictments of other police officers involved in fatal incidents, such as the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner.

“There are two white police officers who didn’t even have a trial, in Ferguson and Staten Island,” said Tim Wu, 24, a Brooklyn protestor and student who came from China six months ago, according to the New York Post.

“That makes Chinese people very nervous. It is obvious it was an accident.”

Xiayi Shirley Zhang, a 27-yearold who lives in Downtown Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday she wondered why the NYPD assigned the rookie officer in a high-crime neighborhood.

During the 2014 incident, Liang was patrolling the Louis Pink Houses in East New York with his partner Shaun Landau. Vertical patrols require that officers first check the roof, where criminal activity often occurs, then descend the stairs floor by floor, according to testimony reported

by NBC News. The duo started

on the eighth floor.

Liang said he had his Glock 9 mm gun in his left hand and a flashlight in his right on Nov. 20, 2014, adding it is officers’ discretion when to draw their weapon. He said he tried to turn the stairway door knob with his right hand, but it wouldn’t open so he pushed it with his right shoulder.

He said he then heard a “quick sound” to his left, which startled him, and that his gun subsequently went off.

Gurley had entered a stairwell from the seventh floor with his girlfriend Melissa Butler when the bullet fired from Liang’s gun bounced off the wall and hit Gurley, who made it to the fifth floor with Butler where he collapsed and died, according to testimony reported by NBC. NYPD Police Commissioner William Bratton at the time of the shooting said the fatal shot “appears to be an accidental discharge” of Liang’s gun.

Prosecutors, however, argued that the shooting wasn’t an accident beyond Liang’s control and that he should be held accountable for his actions. They also said neither Liang nor Landau called their supervisors after the shot was fired, despite the fact they both had functioning radios and cellphones, and that Liang’s failure to perform CPR on Gurley demonstrated “callousness.”

Defense attorneys Robert Brown and Rae Koshetz argued during the trial that Liang was in a “state of shock” after his gun accidentally went off, that he did not know his bullet hit anyone and that he attempted to make several radio transmissions about the shooting that were incomplete or did not go through, NBC News reported.

In court, Liang testified that he felt unqualified to perform CPR on Gurley because he was given answers to the exam and never had the opportunity to practice on a mannequin at the Police Academy.

An important factor in the jury’s decision to convict Liang came after each of the jurors was able to pull the trigger on his service weapon. They all reached

the consensus that there was no way the gun could have gone off the way Liang testified it did.

“It was very hard to pull the trigger,” juror Carlton Screen, a retired candy-store owner from Flatbush, Brooklyn, told the Post.

“They had another safety that’s on the trigger itself, so you have to pull it hard enough to release that safety in order for it to fire.”

Liang is the first NYPD officer to be convicted in the last decade. In 2005, Bryan Conroy, who is white, killed an African immigrant during a police raid.

Conroy was sentenced to probation and 500 hours of community service.

Landau, Liang’s partner, was not criminally charged in the case and received immunity for his testimony. However, both were terminated from the NYPD. Liang is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

While many Asian Americans are calling for leniency for Liang, others say he and his partner did not execute their responsibilities as NYPD officers that evening, and must be held accountable.

“All the evidence presented before the jury demonstrates that Officer Liang is in fact guilty,” Cathy Dang, executive director of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, a group that addresses police hate and violence toward Asian immigrants and one that supported Liang’s indictment, said in a statement.

“Now, what we have left is to hold the entire system accountable.”

Asian American writer Jay Caspian Kang expressed a similar viewpoint in an article he wrote for the New York Times Magazine.

“Even if you believe, as I do, that Liang should be in jail, the inevitable follow-up question – why only Liang? - suggests that the unjust protections routinely afforded to white officers should be extended either to everyone or to nobody at all. To ignore this suggestion is intellectually dishonest,” Kang wrote. (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

Obama bans US imports of slave-produced goods UNDER new provisions of a law signed by President Barack Obama this week, federal officials will enforce an 86-year-old ban on importing goods that were produced by children or slaves.

“This law slams shut an unconscionable and archaic loophole that forced America to accept products made by children or slave labor,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), who worked on the legislation.

The Tariff Act of 1930, which gave Customs and Border Protection the authority to seize shipments where forced labor was suspected and block further imports, was last used in 2000, reported The Associated Press.

The Act has been used only 39 times altogether largely because of “consumptive demand,” which denotes that if there was not sufficient trade supply to meet the domestic demand, imports were allowed, regardless of how they were produced.

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act signed by Obama on Wednesday, Feb. 24 eliminated that clause and allows stiffer enforcement. US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske and federal agency leaders are planning a briefing to explain how they will implement the new law.

The provisions were linked to cases of US imports of fish caught by slaves in Southeast Asia, gold mined by children in Africa, and clothing garments sewn by abused women in Bangladesh.

“If the US government works to really keep out goods made with forced labor, this change will have a profound ripple effect

on supply chains worldwide,” said David Abramowitz, who advocated for the change as vice president for Humanity United.

To start an official investigation, Customs and Border Protection needs to receive a petition from anyone—business, agency, even a non-citizen—showing “reasonably but not conclusively” that imports were made at least in part with forced labor.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who offered the amendment eliminating the “consumptive demand” clause, said that his office is already asking Customs and Border Protection to ensure that they begin enforcing the new rules.

“It’s embarrassing that for 85 years, the United States let products made with forced labor into this country, and closing this loophole gives the US an important tool to fight global slavery,” Brown said.

A Labor Department list of more than 350 goods produced by child labor or forced labor provides a detailed breakdown that human rights groups plan to use as they petition the government to take further action. The list includes peanuts from Turkey, gold from Ghana, carpets from India, and seafood imports from Thailand.

An expose by The Associated Press in 2015 found Thai companies ship seafood to the US that was caught and processed by trapped and enslaved workers.

As a result of the reports, more than 2,000 trapped fishermen have been rescued from illegal fishing islands, while more than a dozen alleged traffickers were arrested and millions of dollars’

President Barack Obama

worth of their fishing vessels seized.

A month after the investigation, Pres. Obama promised to repeal the consumptive demand exception’s loophole, and ensured “swift, strong and effective enforcement.”

Gavin Gibbons, a spokesman for National Fisheries Institute (which represents about 75 percent of the US seafood industry), said their members want to see the ban implemented and enforced.

“We support the closing of this anachronistic loophole and look forward to fair and judicious implementation,” he said.

According to a study by the WWF, over 85 percent of the world’s fish stocks are at significant risk of unreported, illegal fishing tactics, associated with slave labor, drugs, and arms smuggling.

Obama also signed the Port State Measures Agreement earlier this month, which bars foreign vessels from accessing ports if suspected of illegal fishing, reported The Independent.

Study: Undocumented Californians paid...

PAGE A1 manent residence, reported ITEP and the California #Health4All Initiative.

“Regardless of the politically contentious nature of immigration reform, the data show undocumented immigrants greatly contribute to our nation’s economy, not just in labor but also with tax dollars,” said ITEP State Tax Policy Director Meg Wiehe in a statement.

Nationwide, undocumented immigrants contribute more than $11.6 billion to state and local coffers each year, and pay an average of 8 percent of their total incomes in state and local taxes. (The top 1 percent of taxpayers nationwide pay an average effective tax rate of just 5.4 percent.)

The analysis also found that

combined state and local tax contributions of the nation’s total undocumented immigrant population (around 11 million) would increase by more than $800 million, under full implementation of President Barack Obama’s 2012 and 2014 executive actions to grant temporary protection for up to 5 million (1.52 million in California) eligible undocumented immigrants living in the US. Under comprehensive immigration reform, these contributions are estimated to rise to over $2.1 billion.

“With immigration policy playing a key role in state and national debates, and President Obama’s 2014 executive action [on immigration] facing review by the Supreme Court, accurate information about the tax contributions of undocumented immi-

grants is needed now more than ever,” Wiehe added.

While the report focuses on the financial and economic consequences of immigration reform on state and local-level taxes, ITEP reported, the results mirror those at the federal level.

According to a 2010 report from the Congressional Budget Office, full immigration reform at the federal level would decrease the deficit and generate more than $450 billion in additional federal revenue over the next decade.

Obama’s executive actions are also estimated to have overall positive effects on labor market growth, productivity, wages, and economic growth, said the Council of Economic Advisers and the Center of American Progress.

(Allyson Escobar / AJPress)

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D ateline PhiliPPines Winning VP to assume presidency if Poe disqualified Garci could be working for one

presidential bet, one VP candidate

by William

B. Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

IF Senator Grace Poe wins in May but is disqualified by the Supreme Court (SC), the winning vice presidential candidate will be declared president, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday, March 2.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said that in the event that Poe’s disqualification comes after the elections, the high Court’s ruling will prevail thus, she will not be able to assume office despite her poll victory.

“The (winning) vice presidential candidate takes over,” Bautista told The Manila Times.

Former Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes agreed with Bautista, explaining that if the SC decision comes out after Poe has won or assumed the presidency on June 30, 2016, the vice president will take over as president.

But Brillantes pointed out that if Poe wins and the disqualification order comes out before noon on June 30, the presidential candidate who garnered the second most number of votes will be declared president.

Election lawyer Manuelito Luna, said the vice president elect cannot take over as president if Poe is disqualified.

“She (Poe) technically is not a candidate. Her candidacy is void and all her votes are stray votes.

Because of that it’s not the vice president that takes over but the second placer (in the presidential race),” Luna told The Times.

“The second placer is actually the first placer because Poe’s candidacy is void,” Luna stressed.

Also, Bautista said Poe cannot

be substituted if she is disqualified.

He explained that the rule on substitution is clearly defined under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), and Poe’s case does not fall under the category allowed by law.

“She is an independent, she has no political party. Independent candidates cannot be substituted,” Bautista pointed out.

Substitution is allowed under Article IX, Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code. It states: “If after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belong to, and certified by, the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace the can-

didate who die, withdrew or was disqualified.”

Poe was recently adopted by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) as its presidential candidate, but Comelec spokesman Director James Jimenez said that this does not mean that she is already a member of the party.

The Comelec en banc disqualified Poe in December last year.

The commission said Poe is not qualified to join the presidential race because she is not a naturalborn Filipino citizen and she failed to meet the minimum 10-year residency requirement.

The Manila Times has reported that a draft decision written by SC Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo disqualified Poe on the grounds that she did not meet the residency requirement for presidential candidates.

Roxas brushes aside Duterte’s questions on Yolanda funds LAPU-LAPU CITY—Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II Thursday, March 3 brushed aside Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s questions about the way the government used the funds for victims of typhoon “Yolanda.”

“Hay naku, wala akong panahon para sa aking number one fan (I don’t have time for my number one),” he said.

Roxas refers to Duterte as his “number one fan” because the mayor constantly attacks him in

A

speeches and media interviews.

Duterte hurled his latest tirade on Roxas in a sortie in Pangasinan Wednesday, March 2. During the event, the tough talking mayor claimed that the Aquino administration could not say how it spent the billions allotted for areas ravaged by typhoon “Yolanda.”

Roxas was interior secretary when the typhoon struck the Visayas island in central Philippines, killing about 7,000 people and damaging P90 billion worth

REELECTIONIST Senator Serge Osmeña said he received unconfirmed information that former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano is helping a presidential candidate and another vice presidential bet in the May elections.

“Meron pero hindi confirmed (There is [information] but it isn’t confirmed yet) and I don’t want to say it publicly because it might not be true,” Osmeña said when asked during a regular forum at the Senate on Thursday, March 3 if he had information as to the identities of the people who Garcillano has been helping for the upcoming elections.

But when pressed for an answer, the senator said: “One presidentiable and one vice presidentiable.”

He did not elaborate but clarified that the presidential and vice presidential candidates that he was referring to are not running together.

“Hindi magka-tandem (They don’t belong in one tandem),” Osmeña said.

Garcillano, who was tagged in the so-called “Hello Garci” wiretapping scandal during the Arroyo administration, was spotted last February 21 at the Seda hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, where presidential aspirants Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay were staying for the first presidential debate there.

Poe’s adoptive father, the late Fernando Poe Jr. ran but lost to then President and now detained Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 2004 presidential race that was allegedly

of properties.

Duterte chided the Aquino administration for its alleged failure to rehabilitate the affected areas and dared Roxas to explain how the typhoon funds were used.

Meanwhile, Roxas does not see the need to create a separate department that would manage the impact of disasters.

Roxas said all national agencies are given their specific roles in times of disasters. (Alexis Former elections commissioner Romero/Philstar.com) Virgilio Garcillano

marred with massive fraud.

Poe was quick to deny that Garcillano was working for her.

Osmeña said it might just be a coincidence that Garcillano happened to be in the same hotel were Poe and Binay were staying.

“Alam mo pag nasa maliit na siyudad ka (You know when you are in a small city), there’s only really one or two hotels that everybody will use e. You will bump into everybody in the lobby of that hotel e…” he said. (Inquirer.net)

A

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march 4-10, 2016 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOUrNaL

OpiniOn

Features

Pessimistic

FOR a country infamous for its “dirty politics,” conducting a peaceful and clean conduct of elections will be a challenge for the Philippine government. While the country’s polls have been automated since 2010, some Filipino voters still express concern over possible cheating in the general elections in May. About four in every 10 Filipinos believe that there will be cheating in the May elections, according to the latest poll by Pulse Asia. The survey, conducted from Jan. 24 to 28, showed that an alarming 39 percent of the respondents are sure that candidates will cheat, while only 29 percent believed otherwise. 32 percent of those polled were ambivalent on the issue.

The same poll also revealed that seven out of 10 Filipinos or 65 percent said there will be massive vote-buying, 37 percent believe that there will be tampering of vote-counting machines. Others believe that there will be changing the actual vote count (32 percent) and the deployment of flying voters (31 percent) as forms of cheating.

Voters hoarding, replacing ballots inserted in machines, threatening other voters and election officers, machines being stolen and brownouts were also among the forms of cheating schemes that the respondents believe may occur.

For the May 9 elections to have a satisfactory conclusion, senatorial candidate Richard Gordon on Monday, Feb. 29, urged the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue receipts to voters after casting their votes.

In his 24-page petition for mandamus, Gordon cited the Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election Law, which states that the Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT is one of the minimum systems capabilities of the automated election system and a major security feature of the vote count-

ing machine. He explained that VVPAT allows every voter to confirm whether or not the machine cast the vote correctly based on the choice of the voter, thereby ensuring the integrity of the elections.

“The right to suffrage is a powerful tool placed in the hands of every Filipino giving them the ability to change the course of our country’s future.

Therefore, it is essential that the sanctity and credibility of our election system be continuously protected from threats putting its results in question. In order for the system to be protected, it is essential that implementation of various security systems must be complied with,” Gordon said.

The Comelec voted 7-0 “not to enable the feature of printing a receipt,” deciding against using the VVPAT because it could be used as a tool for vote-buying and would also extend the voting period by seven hours.

Despite some doubts on the accuracy of the automated polls, the Comelec allayed fears of possible tampering of the May 9 elections with voters not getting a print out of their votes. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista assured that there is no reason to worry because safeguards are in place even in the absence of printed record of votes.

Last week, the Comelec conducted mock polls to identify the possible problems that the Comelec may encounter during the actual transmission of votes in May. Bautista reported that the mock election would enable the Comelec to improve the sys-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

tem long before the scheduled May 9 elections.

Political reform in the Philippines is hounded by higher a public expectation. The growing cynicism in Philippine politics is like a cancer where a cure remains elusive. The stakes are higher in May, this makes it imperative to have empowered citizens who appreciate and are responsible for the votes they will cast.

To discourage people who will rely on cheating to win, Filipino voters must exercise the right of suffrage with tenacity and good cheer. They must realize the power that belongs to them, which is to choose the leaders they think are adequate to hold an office. It will strengthen their participation in this democratic process and trust in the system after this election. (AJPress)

The nomination race to the White House must go beyond Super Tuesday WHO won on “Super Tuesday”? As I write this on March 1, primaries and caucuses were held in a dozen states (and one US territory) to select a presidential candidate in both the Republican and Democratic Party nominating contests this year. In the most recent polls leading up to Super Tuesday, news organizations have projected that GOP front-runner Donald Trump and Democratic Party front-runner Hillary Clinton are on the verge of being coronated as the winners, but let the actual figures after the elections tell the story.

What exactly is “Super Tuesday”?

Politico explained that “Super Tuesday” is the unofficial name for a Tuesday during the presidential primary election when the largest number of states hold their nominating contests.

The results of these contests will account for about half of all delegates that will determine who will be each party’s nominee.

The states choosing their nominee this day were Ala- The Fil-Am bama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Perspective Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia will hold contests for both Republicans and Democrats. Republicans in Alaska will hold caucuses. Gel SantoS-ReloS Democrats in Colorado will hold their caucuses as well. Finally, Democrats in American Samoa also held their nominating contest this Super Tuesday.

Politico explained the significance of Super Tuesday: “No other primary day has as many delegates grouped at once, and thus no other day gives a single candidate as much of a chance to declare a sense of certainty about his or her position.”

The results of Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses will certainly give so much momentum to whomever may win decisively in more states for both parties.

Sometimes, many candidates concede and suspend their candidacy, making the frontrunner the apparent nominee until formally coronated during their respective party’s convention. This puts an end to the primaries and caucuses scheduled in other states after Super Tuesday.

But there are times, like in 2008 between candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, when the race was been tight, pushing the scheduled primaries and caucuses to continue in all states to determine the nominee.

No matter what the results of Super Tuesday

might be, I hope we have a repeat of the 2008 election process. Citizens in all states must have their voices heard in choosing whom they want to be their party’s nominee. This also gives the voters the opportunity to present their views and aspirations on different issues that may have an impact on how the next president of the United States may stir the country moving forward. This will also energize and motivate citizens from all states to exercise their right of suffrage in the general election in November, after being heavily invested during the primary season. *** 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

Post-script to the first Philippine presidential debate

Street Talk GReG B. MacaBenta WHAT was billed as a debate among the candidates in the May presidential elections turned out to be a race against the clock for each speaker and an occasional exchange of light jabs.

It wasn’t really much of a “debate” as typified by the war of innuendos and insults in the US between the Republican presidential wannabes, as well as the cogent explanation of plans and policies that have marked the exchanges between Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders.

Given the 90-second time limit set for each candidate to respond to a question from the moderators, the 30-second limit set for what was supposed to be a rebuttal from a rival candidate and another 30 seconds for a counter-rebuttal, there was very little by way of depth that could have been expected from the first Philippine presidential debate.

Indeed, there was more meat in the 30-second spots that some of the candidates managed to air within the two-hour session, 48 minutes of which were allotted to commercials.

Perhaps due to her show business upbringing, Senator Grace Poe had obviously spent a lot of time preparing

and memorizing her responses to the predictable topics. She delivered her lines well and one could concede that she did a good job of acting presidential.

Of course, between acting and knowing what to do in a real-life presidential environment, there can be a humongous gap.

I’m reminded of the inaugural speech of President Noynoy Aquino which a delegation of Filipinos from the US (of which I was a part) had the privilege of listening to, up close (we had special seats in front of the Luneta grandstand). Aquino also delivered his lines well and some of them were quite memorable – things like “Wala nang wang-wang.” (No more sirens, meaning no more special treatment).

Unfortunately, between that impressive speech and his actual performance as leader of the country, there has been a wide and disappointing gap.

This prompted the late Senator Joker Arroyo to describe the Aquino presidency as OJT or on-the-job training and to compare it to a college student council.

This was also obviously what LP standard bearer Mar Roxas meant when he patronizingly reminded Poe that the presidency is not meant for OJT. In the next breath, Roxas then rattled off his credentials as a public official, trying hard to impress his rivals and the audience with them. Too bad,

Poe’s 30-second rebuttal was rather tentative and not forceful enough. She could have shot back, “With all of that experience, why haven’t you learned to do your job well?”

She did try to point that out but her statement was diluted by an effort to sound civil. Referring to the problems in the DILG and DOTC, Poe quipped, ‘I don’t need extensive experience to understand our transportation problems.’

That, of course, was a mouthful. True, Poe doesn’t need any experience to know that there is a transportation problem in Metro Manila but it will take more than memorizing a prepared spiel to get at the root of the mess and untangle it.

In that exchange between Roxas and Poe, Vice-President Jejomar Binay could have butted in with, “Bakit hanggang ngayon, palpak ka pa rin?”

(Why are you still incompetent up to now?).

But the format of the debate did not allow that kind of verbal cross-fire. According to the papers, Binay did subsequently take a direct dig at Roxas in a campaign stop in Iligan City, the day after the debate. He reportedly described Roxas as “Secretary Palpak.” He should have said that line during the debate.

Some of the most memorable responses came from Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Asked to rebut the 90-second answer of Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago to a question from the

moderators, Duterte quipped, “There’s nothing to rebut. I agree with what she said.” Or words to that effect.

And when it was Duterte’s turn to respond to a question from the moderators, this time concerning his reported penchant for extra-judicial killings and his alleged loose morals, he denied the first and attributed the second to “biological” needs.

Like Poe, Duterte also said a mouthful when he vowed to stop corruption and criminality, including drug trafficking, “in three to six months” from assuming the presidency.

If Duterte had such a talent, he would be the crime fighter of choice for the United States which has had difficulty getting rid of the mob and is not getting far in combating the problem of drugs.

Someone could also have reminded Duterte that when the New People’s Army collects “revolutionary taxes” and demands payment for “permits to campaign,” those are criminal acts – yet he has abetted them.

That makes him an accessory to the crime.

At any rate, it was Poe who was designated to react to Duterte’s statement, but she tried too hard to be polite.

She only managed to remind Duterte to be careful because the women he dealt with could have a boyfriend or could be married. It was the former teacher in Poe telling a naughty pupil to behave. Spank. Spank.

One almost wished that it was Santiago who had been asked to make the rebuttal – she with her convoluted English and barbed tongue – but then, Duterte and Santiago had nice words to say to each other, early on, and could not have been expected to throw verbal daggers.

Mar Roxas was the most pugnacious of the five presidential contenders. Perhaps owing to his poor survey ranking, behind Binay, Poe and Duterte, Roxas tried to come on very strong, both in his attacks on his rivals and in his claim to an impressive record of performance.

At one point, Roxas offered an analogy as quoted in media: “I have a simple question with a simple answer. Who will you choose as your daily driver to entrust your child: Is it someone with a case of corruption, a hot-head who is prone to accidents, or someone who is just learning to drive? Or will you choose someone you have known for a long time, someone who has never taken advantage of you, and someone who comes with a good recommendation from a former employer?”

This left him wide open for a reminder from Binay that Roxas had been the epitome of incompetence in dealing with the Yolanda disaster.

Defensively, Roxas protested that he was in Tacloban the day before, on the day of and in the days following the tragedy. He claimed staying for 16 days at-

tending to the problem.

Well, Roxas’s presence was not much help. Millions in Yolanda relief funds are missing, tons of relief goods and food were left to rot, and to this day, thousands of missing persons have not been accounted for in the government’s desperate effort to minimize the official casualty count. .

I myself wrote a piece on the Roxas-Soliman-Gazmin management principle which they called, “The Convergent Approach” – meaning, no one was really in charge and each one was left to his or her own devices. No wonder, the result was SNAFU – Situation Normal. All F*cked Up. As a native of that city, I know that Taclobanons have not forgiven Roxas for his heartless remark, “Bahala na kayo sa buhay niyo.”

One of the most significant exchanges between Roxas and Binay was when the former pointed out that “there are two Makatis.” He referred to “the Makati of the Ayalas” and the poor sections of the city governed by the Binays.

Someone could have added that, in truth, there are also two countries in our hapless Philippines. The country of the wealthy and the influential and the country of the poor, the jobless and the homeless.

Hopefully the next two presidential debates will focus on that without the forced civility and politeness. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 4-10, 2016

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Duterte: I am sorry for taking Pope’s name in vain

by NestoR

CoRRAles Inquirer.net

VIGAN CITY—“I am Rodrigo Duterte. I am sorry for taking the name of the Pope in vain,” said Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he met with Monsignor Vicente Avila on Thursday, March 3.

As a response, Avila invited the Duterte to inside the Metropolitan Cathedral to pray for him.

“Let’s go inside and we’ll pray,” Avila told Duterte.

Duterte became controversial when he uttered an invective at the heavy traffic when Pope Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Francis visited the Philippines in tol with Gov. Ryan Luis Singson January 2015. where he was warmly welcomed The tough-talking mayor took by capitol employees. his campaign to this city after a The mayor walked shortly to successful sortie in Pangasinan. the city hall, but he occasionally Duterte was treated as if he stopped to take selfies with his were a heartthrob as Ilocanos supporters. lined up the streets cheering and After a short visit at the catheREADY FOR THE FIRES OF MARCH. Firefighters hone their skills on water bucket relay during the National Fire Olympics held to mark Fire chanting “Duterte, Duterte.” dral, Duterte visited “empanada” Prevention Month. Firefighters from various regions participated in the event held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

He went to the provincial capi- vendors and listened to their ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Inquirer.net photo

plights.

If elected president in May, Duterte reiterated his vow to stop corruption in government, which affects even small vendors.

Duterte also held a “Kalesa” caravan around the heritage city of Vigan before proceeding to a speaking engagement at the Vigan Convention Plaza.

Sandiganbayan 3rd Division upholds Prosecution hit for failing to present docs in Junjun Binay case ruling to junk Napoles’s bail plea

by FRANCes

by Rosette

MANgosiNg

Inquirer.net

THe antigraft court on Wednesday, March 3 admonished the prosecution panel of the Ombudsman for not being able to present documents related to the graft and falsification charges against dismissed Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.

“Should not the court accuse Ombudsman of contempt for assigning lawyers who are not in possession of documents?” said Sandiganbayan Justice Samuel Martires.

The prosecution was not able to present the first resolution finding probable cause to file charges against Binay as it had yet to be transmitted to the Ombudsman along with the other documents, said prosecutor Jacinto de la Cruz.

“What do you want us to do now? Tell the Filipino people that you are not prepared?” Martires told the prosecution.

The camp of Binay filed a motion for judicial determiation of probable cause and to defer a warrant of arrest before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division.

The son of Vice President Jejomar Binay is facing charges for

Adel

Philstar.com

Dismissed Makati Mayor Junjun Binay

graft and falsification of public documents over the alleged bid rigging on the Makati City Hall Building II. The Ombudsman has yet to file malversation charges against him.

“Natutuwa kami ngayon nandito na kami sa Sandiganbayan.

Dito malalaman talaga sa tamang forum na kung saan meron alituntunin para malaman kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo,” said Binay’s counsel Claro Certeza after the hearing.

“Makikita natin meron laging timing ang pag file ng kaso. Pag malapit na ang survey, pag mataas sa survey si VP Binay, saka sila gagawa ng galaw. Nakakapagtaka nandito na sa Sandigan ang mga

Inquirer.net photo

records wala pa ang kaso,” he told reporters.

He also said the younger Binay was willing to take the witness stand.

“Magte-testify si Mayor Junjun… Haharap sila sa tamang forum. Hindi yung kung saan-saan parang palengke kung saan magbabato ng akusasyon ng walang responsibilidad sa sinasabi. Dito pag nagsinungaling ka makukulong ka,” Certeza said.

“Sa ngayon hindi pa siya dadalo dahil preliminary pa lang pero dadating ang panahon at mag-testify siya at doon niya sasabihin lahat,” he said.

The next hearing is set on April 11.

MANILA—The Sandiganbayan third division on Thursday, March 3 resolved to affirm its decision denying alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet LimNapoles’s petition for bail for her plunder case.

The anti-graft court said that it finds Napoles’s motion for reconsideration filed Nov. 4, 2015 devoid of merit.

“An examination of the subject motion for reconsideration shows that accused Napoles has not raised any sound argument that would warrant the reversal of the Court’s Resolution promulgated on Oct .16 2015,” the Sandiganbayan’s ruling read.

“Wherefore, accused Janet Lim Napoles’s motion for reconsideration dated Nov. 4, 2015 is denied for lack of merit,” the resolution added.

In her motion for reconsideration, Napoles asked the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its rejection of her bail arguing that the court failed as it relied heavily on the whistleblowers’ statements which she said are “polluted sources. The whistleblowers include her second-cousin, Benhur Luy.

The Third Division said that even if the whistleblowers are “to be taken with caution, there is no reason to reject their testimonies at this time considering that the same are consistent and appear to corroborate one another.”

The resolution dated March 2, issued on Thursday, was signed

by Sandiganbayan Third Division Presiding Chair Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and was concurred by two other members of

the division, Associate Justices Samuel Martires and Sarah Jane Fernandez.

Napoles is currently detained at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City for plunder charges stemming from the alleged multi-billion-pesopork barrel cam.

On February 3, Napoles also appealed her plea to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division after it denied her bail petition last December.

Alleged pork barrel scam master mind Janet Lim-Napoles’s bail plea for her plunder case was denied anew.

Philstar.com photo

A

march 4-10, 2016 • Oc/IE aSIaN JOUrNaL

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march 4-10, 2016

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

2

march 4-10, 2016

Direk Wenn Deramas dies a winner by ricky Lo

T

Philstar.com

rue to his nickname, director Wenn Deramas died a winner. (Wenn does sound like win, doesn’t it?)

According to Star sources, it was Wenn’s movie, Star Cinema’s “Beauty and The Bestie,” that finished top grosser in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), although the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which is in-charge of the annual event has refrained from revealing the actual grosses of the seven official entries perhaps to head off further controversy.

At 6:13 on Monday, Feb. 29 at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, Wenn succumbed to a heart attack, for sure resting assured that he was a winner until the very end, leaving behind a sterling record of blockbuster movies that included “Ang Tanging Ina” (and its sequels) starring Ai-Ai delas Alas;

“Petrang Kabayo,”“The unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” and “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy” with Vice Ganda; and “Sisterakas” also with Vice Ganda, Ai-Ai and Kris Aquino, which also topped an MMFF. It was actually a double tragedy in Wenn’s family, June Torrejon-rufino, Wenn’s manager, told Funfare. every Sunday, continued June, Wenn and his two children (one 15 and the other five years old) would eat out along with Wenn’s friends, relax at a spa and then hear Mass.

“Last Sunday,” related June, “the same routine. At 9:30 in the evening, Wenn got a call that his sister Wawa complained of chest pains. Wawa was living with Wenn and she was only with the maid at home, so Wenn called a neighbor and requested the neighbor to help bring Wawa to the hospital.

Wenn and company reached the hospital at around 10:30 and saw Wawa being revived at the emergency room even when she was dead on arrival.

“Wenn stepped out of the er and even tried to make light talk with his companions.

It was 2:45 a.m. Suddenly, tumirik ang mga mata niya. It turned out to be a heart attack na pala. The doctors tried to revive him, administering 66 cycles of resuscitation. Wenn died at 6:13 the next morning.”

June said that two years ago, Wenn suffered “a mild stroke.” Last year, Wenn brought his children on a vacation in the States and he felt

2

Wenn Deramas’ ‘muses’ Kris, Claudine, Ai-ai, Vice Ganda grieve his death

SOMe celebrities who were very close to the late box office director Wenn Deramas took to social media to express their grief over his death.

Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Ai-ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda took to social media to post their messages for the late director.

In her message, Aquino Direk Wenn Deramas with Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, stars of his 2015 Metro Manila Film hailed Deramas as a “true Festival hit “Beauty and The Bestie.” inspiration.”

“He made being a creative, ratings & box office genius in both television & film seem effortless & easy. Mapagmahal na ama, magaan at masayang katrabaho (A loving father, easy and fun to work with), a generous & caring mentor, a true inspiration… Paalam (Goodbye) Direk Wenn,” she said.

The actress previously worked with Deramas in “Sisterakas.” Deramas also took Aquino’s son Bimby under his wing when they filmed “The unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” in 2014.

Meanwhile, actress Claudine “somewhat sick” when he came red .5 pilot pen to write scripts on Barretto said that the 49-year-old home. the set. He gave me one important director has been her “source of “He called to tell me that his lesson — nakawin na sa’yo ang strength.” legs were manas (swollen),” said lahat, huwag lang ang oras mo kasi Barretto, who worked with June. “The swelling didn’t subside hindi na ‘yan maibabalik.”

Deramas in various projects such for four days. Wenn was on the set It’s taking Wenn’s friends time as “Mula sa Puso,” “Saan Ka Man of Beauty and The Bestie. I advised for the painful reality of Wenn’s Naroroon” and “Marina,” said that him to consult his doctors. He death to sink in. Comedian Joey the director’s death cannot be was diagnosed to have clogged Paras, who was entrusted by Wenn put into words. arteries so he underwent an with the lead role in Bekikang The “To my mentor my director angioplasty. Wenn went straight to Movie, was in shock. my friend & in so many ways he the set ofBeauty and The Bestie as “up to now,” Joey texted has been my strength.i woke soon as he was discharged.”

Funfare before noon yesterday, up at 10am today & saw 28 Myrna Ann “Wawa” Deramas “in denial ako. Ayoko tanggapin messages asking me f i already was 57 while Wenn was 49, the kasi importanteng TAO siya sa youngest among five siblings, one buhay ko. Kanina pa ako iyak nang know that Direk Wenn passed away. i dont know how of whom died a few years ago iyak. Bekikang will be my greatest to put in words the while two are based in the uS. memory of direk Wenn. He fought pain im feeling There will be a double wake at the for me. He fought for that movie. now. direk Arlington Memorial Chapels on Story niya kasi ‘yon. And luckily, sobrang thank Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. ako ang gusto niyang gumanap u sa lahat.

“Natakot ako,” Kris texted to bilang si Bekikang. Marami pa mula sa Funfare, “because he was 49. Di pong alaala. Pero as of now…wala aking ba may pamahiin tayo sa Chinese na akong iba pang gusto munang puso, about your age ending in 9? Made balikan, kasi masakit.” me realize how stress sa work Ai-Ai was inconsolable, natin takes such a toll. He was begging off from making any thoughtful, he knew I loved his comment. Vice Ganda and Coco mom’s recipe of menudo and he Martin, Beauty and The Bestie would share it with me. I loved his stars, didn’t make any comment. creativity, his yellow pad and his Continued on Page 3

saan ka man naroroon, hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan wala kang kapalit (Direk, thank you so much for everything. From my heart, wherever you are, until the end of eternity, you are irreplaceable). i luv u so so much!” she posted on Instagram.

One of the first people who confirmed the death of the director, Vice Ganda said that the pain he is felt is “bone-deep.”

“Isang napakalungkot na araw. Sagad hanggang buto ang lungkot. Paalam Direk Wenn.

Mahal na mahal kita,” the star of the “Praybeyt Benjamin” movies tweeted.

(Such a lonely day. The sadness (I feel) is bone-deep.

Goodbye, Direk Wenn. I love you very much.)

Ai-ai delas Alas posted a short message to Deramas on her Instagram account.

She posted a photo saying “rest in Peace” with a caption, “Mahal kita (I love you).”

Delas Alas and Deramas clashed last December as their films went head-to-head to claim the top spot in terms of revenues in the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.

In the end, it was Deramas’ “Beauty and the Bestie” which prevailed over “My Bebe Love” and snagged the title of being the “highest grossing Filipino film of all time.”

Deramas died due to cardiac arrest shortly after his sister died early Monday morning. He was 49 years old.

Maine Mendoza’s fans surprised Oscar Night: Asian American onstage presence, reactions to racist joke her with a birthday bash ‘Inside Out’ Filipino director takes home prize

by Jacque

De BorJa Inquirer.net

GMA’s golden gal Maine Mendoza, aka Yayadub, just turned 21 years old, and yup, it was a cause for a big celebration.

We all know there is no doubt that Maine is loved—by her family, friends, fans, and Alden, too. So what better way to celebrate her 21st birthday in advance than to be given

a surprise party by these people, right?

According to Maine, she thought that she was going to attend an awarding ceremony, and even tried to beg off so she could get some sleep, and we totally get that because, duh, packed schedule! But hey, it was totally worth it!

Her Coachella-inspired

party thrown by Solid Maine united, one of her many fan clubs, was filled to the brim with fresh flowers, dessert that looked too cute to be eaten, and apparently, a rockeoke set where the birthday girl and her fans sang a few tunes.

Sounds fun, huh? Check out the video below to see how her party went.

By aLLyson

escoBar AJPress

AMID the glitz and glamor of the much-awaited Academy Awards, the 88th annual awards show was criticized after the show’s host, comedian Chris rock, made race the butt of his jokes.

“I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards,” rock said to an audience during his opening monologue. “Hey, if you want black nominees every year, you need to just have black categories. That’s what you need.

You need to have black categories.”

“Hollywood is sorority racist,” he continued.

Another tense moment occurred when rock brought out Maine Mendoza danced with Lawrence Dy, the three young Asian Americans elderly man who received two VIP tickets for for a joke that perpetuates racial the “Tamang Panahon” event last October stereotypes. “The results of Maine Mendoza with her family. from her. tonight’s Academy Awards have been tabulated by the accounting firm of Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

They sent us their most dedicated, accurate, and hard-working representatives,” rock said, before three Asian American kids wearing professional attire came out onstage, named “Ming Zhu, Bao Ronnie & Tess del Carmen at the 2016 Oscars both in Oliver Tolentino Ling, and David Moskowitz.”

Photo by Sthanlee B Mirador “If anybody’s upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone, which was also made by these three kids,” rock continued, as the audience Del Carmen personally was FIL-AM Oscar winner ronnie laughed at the Asian kids--dressed nominated for Best Original del Carmen, who co-directed and as accountants/bankers--standing Screenplay for the same film, co-wrote “Inside Out,” wore a piña onstage. along with four others. The script tuxedo by Hollywood Filipino The award joke upset many was based on a story del Carmen designer Oliver Tolentino at the people and minority groups alike, created with Docter.

88th Academy Awards on Sunday, many of whom took to social Going into the awards night, Feb. 28. “Inside Out” won the Oscar media to express their views. for Best Animated Feature Film. Co- “Inside Out” was favored to win “Seriously though, when is best animated film, but it was director Pete Docter and producer this going to change?!? Tired Jonas rivera collected the award.

Continued on Page 4 Maine Mendoza is surprised by her family, friends and fans with a Coachella-inspired advance birthday celebration. Photos courtesy of Nice Continued on Page 4

Oscar winner wears piña by Oliver Tolentino

Print Photography

Nadine Lustre gets busy after ‘OTWOL’

by BaBy

a. Gil

Philstar.com

I have been trying for a while but I still cannot think of anything that can top being told “I love you” by the most coveted boyfriend of the moment in a huge arena like the araneta Coliseum. That was what happened to singer-actress Nadine Lustre when heartthrob James Reid spontaneously blurted out those magical little words at the end of their JaDine In Love concert. and mind you, that “I love you” was a private whisper said over the microphone. That heartfelt admission was heard by thousands of people, maybe even millions, if we are to include the pay-per-view subscribers from all over the world, who also watched the show and who now say they were all “kinilig” (thrilled) to high heavens. I can just imagine the number of girls who now either hate or idolize Nadine, thanks to her being loved by and loving James.

Then like a juicy red cherry topping a yummy ice cream sundae, there came this news about Nadine. The hot young star topped the nominations for the Nadine Lustre 11th MYX Music awards with six the family expenses. But then, the nods. She is up for Favorite artist, lead role in the movie version of Favorite Female artist, Favorite the big-selling Diary ng Panget Collaboration for the song hanap hanap a duet with James, Favorite novel came along and leading man James came along, and she Music video for Me and You, is now on top of the world, a star Favorite Song also for Me and of films, recordings, concerts and You and the most coveted prize Tv shows. Their Tv series, On The of all, the Favorite Music video of Wings Of Love, ended on a very the Year award again for Me and high note last Friday. She is also You. Miggy Tanchangco, Nadine’s happy and very much in love. director for Me and You, is also a movie with James is in vying for the Best Music video the offing before the end of the award. year. This will be their fourth and that, indeed, is the way film together. expect a huge to go for this very special girl. Fly high as the most envied Girlfriend box-office hit. But before that happens, the coo-some duo will of the Year, as one of the most go off on a world tour. JaDine successful female stars today and In Love concert, a production as one-half of the most popular of aBS-CBN, viva Live and love team. how fortunes change.

Dreamscape will be in the Just think only three years ago, following places soon: Doha, she was going nowhere as lead singer of the moribund group Pop Qatar, March 18; Dubai, March 19; London, March 26; Milan, March Girls and lead actress of some Tv 27; Las vegas, april 2; Chicago, shows that failed to rate.

May 13; Florida, May 14; New Nadine was ready to throw in the towel and was hoping to start York, May 15; San Francisco, May 20; Los angeles, May 21; San earning money as a computer Diego, May 22; Winnipeg, May 27; layout artist, something that she Saskatoon, May 28; edmonton, is very good at to help out with

march 4-10, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

3

Direk Wenn Deramas dies a winner From Page 2

In Tuesday’s “It’s Showtime,” vice offered a moment of silence fordirek Wenn.

“I was direk Wenn’s suki in Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang, a segment on Tessie Tomas’ Teysi ng Tahanan show on aBS-CBN,” said Sylvia Sanchez. “It was his first directorial job on Tv. he was the only director who really ‘squeezed’ the emotions out of me, talagang piniga niya ako to show eight kinds of emotions. I learned a lot from him.”

For his part, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said, “I will miss direk Wenn. I knew him, if only briefly. he was a good friend and true to Ms. Claudine Barretto, whom he never ceased to defend during

her darkest days. When so many were bashing Clau, direk Wenn kept saying publicly that Clau was a good woman and a loving mother. Such loyalty is truly very hard to find in showbiz today. This makes his death even sadder.” a hotel & Restaurant Management graduate from UST where he was a member of Teatro Tomasino, Wenn worked for a while as a waiter at aristocrat Restaurant and was promoted as Food & Beverage coordinator after two years. In 1990, he worked as a production assistant in the Tv show Tatak Pilipino,as a writer for Tessie’s show before he was promoted as executive

producer of Calvento Files. he started directing Tv shows before he ventured into directing movies.

Ronald Constantino and I last saw Wenn at the viva office where Wenn checked the final proofs of his autobiography, “Direk 2 Da Point,” which will be launched anytime soon. Ronald and I noticed that Wenn lost so much weight but he looked fit.

“Sana matagal pa ang pagiging manager mo sa akin,” was Wenn’s text to June two days ago when Wenn greeted her on her birthday. “how was I to know that two days later, he would be gone,” cried June.

Solenn Heussaff: Nothing will change after the wedding

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

May 29; Calgary, June 3; and Toronto, June 4. Tickets are reportedly already sold out.

Meanwhile, fans might want to make Nadine even happier by giving her a MYX trophy or two or more by voting for their favorite girl at the MYX Music awards. To do so, all that they have to do is visithttp://myxph. com/myxmusicawards/vote. Fans can only vote once per IP address and per category each day. They should hurry and start voting as they have only until March 11 to make this happen.

Speaking of James, this guy is no slouch in the awards department either. In fact, he is a nominee in this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards in the Favorite Pinoy Personality category. To make James the winner, fans can simply go to KCa.nick.asia.com and vote.

They can also do the same via @ nickelodeonTv on Twitter and on @KCaNominees on Instagram.

The winner will be announced in Los angeles on March 12.

MaNILa—Solenn heussaff doesn’t want to add fuss to her upcoming wedding.

The Kapuso actress will tie the knot with Nico Balzico in May. “Hindi na siya gano’n kadifferent para sa akin,” she said about her upcoming wedding in an interview on Wednesday, March 2, when she was

introduced as L’Oreal’s brand ambassador for the makeup line.

She explained that “naglilive in na kami for four and a half years, after the wedding nothing will change.”

“I’ll still be working, I’ll still live my life, walang magbabago,” she added.

Some were surprised that her wedding will be happening this May, when reports before said it’ll be happening in

December.

“It’ll be too long if sa December pa,” she explained.

She added that, “May is perfect for weddings in France.

Hindi masyado mainit, hindi masyado malamig.”

They will have a church wedding, but the actress doesn’t want to reveal details about the ceremony and the reception.

“Ilalabas ko na lang ‘yong video,” she teased.

Solenn Heussaff said her upcoming wedding with Nico Bolzico is just for formality, and that nothing will change in her life.

Photo courtesy of Brideandbreakfast.ph

march 4-10, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

4

Oscar Night: Asian American onstage presence...

From Page 2

of it being ‘cool’ and ‘ok’ to bash Asians [shaking my head] #Oscars,” tweeted basketball star Jeremy Lin. “Umm, no @chrisrock. Using little Asian kids to joke about math stereotypes and child labor isn’t funny,” said Grace Hwang Lynch (@ HapaMamaGrace).

“Did that appalling joke about Asian kids actually happen?” asked Justin Chang (@JustinCChang).

Even politicians got involved.

CA Rep. Judy Chu of District 27, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released the statement: ““It is not right to protest the exclusion of one group by making jokes at the expense of another. I am so disappointed that the Academy and ABC would rely on such offensive characterizations, especially given the controversy over the lack of diversity.”

“While much attention was paid to the way African Americans have been ignored by Hollywood, true diversity must include other minorities as well. It is outrageous that the only role that Asian Americans had at last night’s Oscars was to appear as the butt of a joke. Young children stood up on stage as the audience was made to laugh at Asian and Jewish names,” Chu continued.

“Reinforcing stereotypes of Asians as good at math or child laborers runs counter to multicultural understanding and inclusion. It’s time for Hollywood to see Asians as more than just punchlines.”

The historic lack of Asian and Asian American representation

and recognition at the Oscars was also called out by viewers.

According to The Economist and NBC News, Asians make up less than 5 percent of the “Hollywood breakdown” of actors, writers, and directors nominated for an award.

“How unnecessary to make fun of Asians on the Oscars, when Hollywood isn’t even evolved enough to give Asians Asianspecific roles yet,” tweeted Jen Chae (@fromheadtotoe).

Several familiar Asian Americans appeared onstage to present, including South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, Priyanka Chopra, and Dev Patel. Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won an award for her short subject documentary, “A Girl in the River.”

Disney/Pixar’s ‘Inside Out,’ a colorful story about emotions and the wide complexities of the human brain, took home the prize for Best Animated Feature. It was the eighth Pixar film to win in the category, according to USA Today.

“Regardless of whether we get a gold man or not, we get to make stuff,” said the film’s director, Pete Docter. “This film was really born from watching our kids grow up, which is not easy. Anyone out there who is in junior high, high school, working it out, suffering, there are days you’re going to feel sad. You’re going to feel angry, you’re going to be scared. That’s nothing you can choose, but you can make stuff.”

The movie’s co-director, Ronnie del Carmen (from Cavite City and alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas), is the first Filipino

to codirect a film at Pixar, as well as the first Filipino to earn an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.

“Ronnie should be up here, too,” said producer Jonas Rivera in the backstage press room at the Oscars. “Ronnie is an essential part of the movie. He contributed so much to the emotion, the heart of the movie, and we are incredibly lucky to work with him.”

“I am so grateful to be a part of this movie, working with Pete Docter and being part of Pixar!

This movie would not be made if our champion, John Lasseter, did not push for it and support it all the way,” Del Carmen told Inquirer. “As an immigrant from the Philippines, I kept my goals modest and stayed realistic.

Because of where I come from, we worked so hard for so little back then. So this means so much to our family for our story.”

At Sunday night’s show, Del Carmen and his wife Theresa wore Philippine-made creations by Hollywood red carpet designer, Oliver Tolentino.

“This is for my parents who worked so hard to save us; my country where so many are like me wishing for what seems impossible,” he continued. “For my people in the Philippines, I can tell you—dreams keep you going.

Awards or no awards, let this be a point of reference that anyone can dream the impossible. Do the work, be as good as you can be, fail and learn as you go and you’ll get to a grand place where you’ve become the dream.”

Oscar winner wears piña by Oliver Tolentino

From Page 2

a different story in the original screenplay category, as “Inside Out” was competing with “Straight Outta Compton,”“Bridge of Spies,” “Ex Machina,” and “Spotlight,” which won. While it’s often a cliché, it really was a win for del Carmen just to be nominated in this category with all of the live action films.

Del Carmen, who previously worked on “Up,” chose a midnight blue Oliver Tolentino piña tuxedo to wear to the awards. His wife, Tess

EMPLOYMENT

del Carmen, also chose a Tolentino creation, opting for an emerald green lace mermaid gown.

Tolentino is known for promoting Philippine eco fabrics, especially in Hollywood. Del Carmen is the first Oscar nominee to wear piña to the Academy Awards. Nominee Matthew Libatique wore an abaca tie with his Tolentino tuxedo in 2011 when he was nominated for cinematography for Black Swan. Celebrities to wear Oliver’s

piña outfits in Hollywood have included Carrie Underwood, Emmy Rossum, Jessica Alba, Maria Menounos, Sophia Bush, Tara Lipinski, and Maggie Grace.

Tolentino’s creations are lucky for animated films (and for himself). At the 86th Academy Awards, the designer became the first Filipino in 53 years to dress an Oscar winner when Jennifer Lee won for Frozenwhile wearing his black gown. For more info: www.

OliverTolentino.com.

EMPLOYMENT

As thank you to guests, McDonald’s to offer some of its most iconic items on one value menu FOR the first time in the company’s history, McDonald’s USA is offering four of its most iconic menu items—the Big Mac made with 100 percent beef, a 10-piece order of crispy Chicken McNuggets made with white meat, its golden Filet-O-Fish and the seared on the grill Quarter Pounder with Cheese—on a national value menu.

Starting Feb. 29 nationwide, customers can mix and match any two of these McDonald’s classics for just $5 as part of a limited time offer.

“We wanted to thank our guests for providing their feedback as we continue to build a better McDonald’s,” said Chef Jessica Foust, McDonald’s director of culinary innovation.

“Offering All Day Breakfast, refreshing classics like the Egg McMuffin and furthering our sustainability efforts are all examples of us listening to our guests. As a thank you and as proof that we will continue to listen, we are making our most iconic menu items available for a limited time at never before seen value.”

While these classics have been discounted before as limited time offers, they have never been offered all together on one value menu. But these items are no strangers to making history: • They’ve stood the test of time with the youngest of the group, Chicken McNuggets, holding a spot on our national

menu for 33 years, while the veteran, Filet-O-Fish, boasts 51 years.

• The Big Mac and FiletO-Fish were all developed

by McDonald’s franchisees – Jim Delligatti and Lou Groen respectively.

• The Economist Magazine publishes the Big Mac Index to annually contrast the value of foreign currencies against the US dollar.

• All four menu items originated in the US but are now sold in many other countries— most notable is the Big Mac which today is sold in more than 100 countries.

And now, the Big Mac, 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish and Quarter Pounder With Cheese will add

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

another milestone to the history books by coming together for customers to mix and match and enjoy at a great price.

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to approximately 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 US restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s US restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

(Advertising Supplement)

Kite Runner

Prof. EnriquE Soriano I HAvE decided to prioritize this timely article related to the Year of the Red Fire Monkey hoping our dear readers can use the information as a good reference point in dealing with family members and business owners in the areas of relationships and growth.

At the start of any new year everyone is filled with anticipation and bated breath, eagerly wanting to know what will happen and what will be the trends that will drive the direction of activities in the upcoming year. It’s always useful to read some forecasts from a wide range of industry pros for the information can help validate or adjust one’s direction in his career or business.

2015 has been an interesting year. We have seen businesses experience both success and failure but struggle at times to understand why. This article will present interesting predictions for 2016 from the perspective of Feng Shui experts, the Philippine government, Asian Development Bank and business consultants, both local and foreign.

Feng Shui Predictions While we have officially welcomed 2016, the Chinese Zodiac New Year ushered in the Year of the Fire Monkey only last February 8, 2016. Cheerful and energetic by nature, monkeys represent flexibility, intelligence and confidence.

The Year of the Fire Monkey, being propitious for regular money supply, is also the right time in 2016 for families and couples to reconsider their daily relationships and break the routine.

Partnerships and new projects According to an online article, the combination of Fire with the sign of the Monkey brings vitality and innovation to both business and personal relationships. If you start a new project, make sure you get associated with the right business partners, as new sparkling energies also mean heavier risks in case of failure. At work, provided you stay quick, focused and surrounded by the right people, your business might become mature enough for takeoff in 2016.

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Call for nominations for AARP’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Family businesses in the Community Hero Awards Year of the Red Fire Monkey march 4-10, 2016

www.asianjournal.com

Although the monkey may bring instability because it is an animal that’s crafty and restless, open to volatility and change, it could also herald major innovation, says Hong Kongbased soothsayer Thierry Chow, as technology falls into the “fire” category.

In an article written by George Sison, consciousness guru and founder of the Temple of Prayer, Peace and Prosperity (TOPPP),

wrote that the Fire Monkey is particularly good in ventures that are speculative and is an expert in its evaluation of risks to be taken. The key words for this year are achievable, workable and feasible including what many may consider impossible.

Everywhere, new inventions and improvisations will arise.

The year is described as highly “competitive” and has also been compared to a big bluff game similar to poker. This will be played in all sectors including politics, big business and even diplomacy – and everyone will be given a chance to join.

The key is to fix all family feuds and misunderstandings Business will prosper in expected and unexpected ways as a result of new and unconventional ways of doing things. On the other hand, according to Feng Shui expert Marites Allen, future success is likely for anything associated with the water element as well as industries like spa, tourism, banking and shipping.

Lucky colors for this year include blue, black and grey. (No wonder Miss Universe 2016 Pia Alonzo was extra lucky in her stunning royal blue gown by designer Albert Andrada.) As things go, the coming Year of

the Fire Monkey is ripe with possibilities, fraught with obstructions and challenges, with people (not necessarily politicians) looking for opportunities and advantages— much like the monkey, who is known for his “scheming tactics.” Of course, one need not be a feng shui expert to know this as the national elections is on May 9.

Change is inevitable “Everybody will be looking out for themselves, especially financially. The elections will be largely peaceful but marred by conflict, and the next president, whoever that may be, will naturally have to deal with a lot of politicking and challenges,” Allen says.

She refuses to predict who will win the polls without a thorough look at the candidates’ charts.

She did say most of the candidates were born in the Year of the Rooster (so expect a cockfight, figuratively, when elections come). Allen also warns against air, shipping or land disasters during the year. Traffic will continue to become a major problem.

On a positive note, those born in the years of the Sheep and Monkey will be financially blessed this year. “The number 8 [Wealth Star] flies to the Southwest this year. This is the corner of the Sheep and the Monkey, so they will enjoy the benefits of the wealth star throughout the year.

What’s more there will be two months during the year that the number 8 doubles up. So, you might win in the lotto”, she advises, not totally in jest. Other lucky signs of the year include the Rabbit (prosperity), the Dragon and Snake (victory luck), Horse (windfall), and Rooster (romance luck). (sorianoasia@gmail.com) * * * Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author, Executive Director of ASEAN-based Consulting group, Wong + Bernstein Advisory and former Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is back in Manila after a 2 week coaching work and book launch in the US where he shared his second book “Ensuring Your Family Business Legacy” to Asian and American Family Business owners. Get Prof Soriano’s book by calling Marianne at +639255224713 or email her at mrevilla@wongadvisory.com. Prof Soriano’s business articles can also be accessed at www.Faminbusiness.com.

Andrew Paranal joins Elder Law Services of California LOS ANGELES—Elder Law Services of California is proud to announce that attorney Andrew Paranal has joined its trust department. Mr. Paranal began his career in estate planning since 2013 and has since expanded into asset protection and Medi-Cal planning . He became interested in Elder Law after helping care for a family member after a debilitating event. Mr. Paranal is excited to join an established law firm and hopes to educate his Filipino community about the tremendous benefits of proper estate planning.

(Advertising Supplement)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA THERE are no shortcuts in arriving at a decision to live a simple life. Sometimes, one has to go through a personal hell experiencing an inner fatigue and helplessness over the neverending chase for the almighty dollar and quality of life in order to come to a conclusion that there has to be a better way than what is commonly believed.

Money is a major consideration in deciding to simplify one’s life. Let’s face it.

Our attitude and relationship towards money have a lot to do with it. If you are always strapped for money because you are too deeply buried in debt, then money has you in a stranglehold.

You have to work longer, harder hours in order to pay off the debt. Think of it this way. If you buy a new car which you have to pay on installment for the next five years, you have just signed yourself on to work for the next five years to pay it off. If you love your work and can see yourself doing it for the same company for the next five years, then driving a new car and being able to pay for it are bonuses of the work that

serves Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders age 50-plus. Nominees can be any age and ethnicity.

Finalists will be chosen from the submitted nominees and featured on a Facebook photo album for open voting. Users can “Like” the finalist to cast their vote during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. Three heroes will be announced in June, and they and their organizations will each receive a cash prize of $1,000.

For more information about how AARP helps Asian American & Pacific Islander families get more out of life, visit aarp.org/aapi, facebook. com/AARPAAPICommunity and @ AARPAAPI. AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable

Calendar of Events across

utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP Tv & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.

The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. virgin Islands. Learn more at www. aarp.org.

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 MARCH 4-6

GK USA National Summit 2016 There is no better time for Gawad Kalinga (GK) to present the Philippines as the new land of opportunity, with a steadily rising economy--the fastest growing in the world next to China, according to Bloomberg--and alleviating poverty. GK continues to evolve as a movement, starting with philanthropy expanding to sustainability, and creating hybrid, innovative systems to end poverty. The Summit will provide an opportunity for Filipinos, GK volunteers, partners, and millennials to reconnect with their homeland, contribute to their country and social entrepreneurship, and help to build bridges for a thriving nation. Asian Americans will have a taste of the emerging market of world-class, affordable Philippinemade products, such as Bayani Brew, First Harvest Peanut Spreads, Human Nature beauty products, and Theo Philo chocolates. Support GK’s humanitarian efforts to provide home and livelihood to the poorest of the poor, and learn about GK, GK USA, and GK Enchanted Farm programs. The Summit will take place from March 4-6, 2016, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). To register, please visit gk-usa.org.

MARCH 5

“An Enchanted Evening” Dinner-Dance for Gawad Kalinga

Money, debt and your psyche “Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.”

— Nathan W. Morris you love to do. But if you hate your job, it becomes a big problem.

As Shakespeare would say.“Aye there’s the rub…” Overwhelming financial problems will prevent you from living simply.

Many who have taken the simple life path will tell you that being debt-free can be very liberating. It will allow you to breathe freely and lead you to appreciate everything with a twinkle in your eyes, about life under these big blue skies.

Saved money can give you options to take an extended leave, extended sabbaticals, switch gears to study for a change in career or simply to do the things you have always wanted to do but could not because you have been slaving your life away over things you have bought stashed in the garage, in the closet or in the basement unopened or things you have been maintaining to impress and create an image.

To be able to save money, you will have to live below your means and pare down your expenses to the barest minimum to cover the basic necessities. Your

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP is pleased to announce its new Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards to acknowledge hard-working staff and volunteers of nonprofit organizations. The call for nominations is open now until March 31, 2016 at AARP’s AAPI Community Facebook page.

“We encourage everyone to nominate the passionate and committed individuals in our community for their work helping older adults,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “This award is our way to say thank you to individuals who are making the lives of our older adults better.

This award is also an opportunity to inspire others to work for or to volunteer time assisting our elders.”

To submit a nomination, visit facebook.com/ AARPAAPICommunity to fill out the online form. Eligible nominees include any employee or volunteer of a non-profit organization that

treacherous, fat ego—the one that keeps wanting to impress others with bogus symbols of power and success—must be cut down to size. If you have neither the motivation nor the discipline to do this, it won’t happen.

Ergo, put that big, fat ego on a diet, pronto.

If you begin to understand your attitude about money and how you can make it work for you instead of you working for it, then you are on the right track. When it finally hits you that money can either free you or make a slave out of you depending on how you view it and how you use it, you can then begin to exercise the control you never knew you had over it.

The reward is tremendous. You begin to experience a rare sense of freedom that only a simple life gives. With little or no debt, you can be living in a relatively stressfree state of grace. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

As part of the GK USA National Summit, you are cordially invited to a dinner-dance, themed “An Enchanged Evening,” to benefit programs of Gawad Kalinga and GK Enchanted Farm. The Dance will take place on Saturday, March 5, 7:00pm, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). The cost is $100, with formal attire. The all-night program will include dinner, induction of the GK-USA Board of Directors, remarks from the Chairman of the Board, and all-night dancing. For more details on sponsorship packages for Gawad Kalinga builders and feeding programs, as well as GKEF programs and scholarships, please visit gk-usa.org. For tickets, please visit gk-usa.org/dinnerdance.

MARCH 6

Love to Nippon 2016 “Love to Nippon 2016” is the fifth-anniversary memorial event and community-wide tribute to those lost and the survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The free event will support the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the devastated regions, and helps prepare and train Southern Californians for future natural disasters through sharing information and education, and designating “3.11” (March 11th) as the official statewide natural disaster preparedness training day. The formal program includes peaceful interfaith prayers, incense-burning, musical tributes, panel discussions, and outdoor information booths hosted by the American Red Cross, Home Depot, LA County Fire Dept., US Coast Guard, and affected prefectures of Japan. Love to Nippon 2016 takes place on Sunday, March 6, from 1 pm – 5:30 pm at LAPD Headquarters, Ronald F. Deaton Civic Auditorium (100 West First Street, Los Angeles, California 90012). The event is free.

To register (limited auditorium seating available), please visit www.lovetonippon.com. For more information, please call 310.484.1800 / lovetonippon2016@gmail.com.

Sacramento Showing of San Pedro Calungsod Movie, ‘Batang Martir’ What: A one-time showing of a previous Metro Manila Film Fest movie on the life and message of the 2nd Filipino saint, Pedro Calungsod. This showing is a fundraiser by Pacific Rim Heritage Foundation, to benefit the Filipino Community Cultural Center building fund.

Only 300 tickets are available.

When: Sunday, March 6 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm Where: Century Laguna 16 (Big Horn Blvd.), Elk Grove, CA 95758 Contacts: Josie Patria, (916) 392-6252; Lilia Rivera (916) 524-8008; Manny Buenaventura (916) 505-8555

MARCH 13

Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association Fiesta The Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate their fiesta on Sunday, March 13, at 1:00pm at Sliver Star Financial office (217 N Azusa St. Azusa, CA).

For further details, please call Willie Manacsa (818) 400-7391, Ofie Villanueva (626) 3834152, Rosie Sancianco (951) 898-7628 or Myrna Jaurigue at (909) 545-9876.

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

march 4-10, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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NAFCON congratulates Leonardo DiCaprio OnE of the most notable moments from the Oscars occurred when Leonardo DiCaprio, upon receiving his first ever Oscar award, closed his acceptance speech to shine light on the issue of climate change.

DiCaprio affirmed to the millions watching throughout the world, “[Climate change] is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

The national Alliance for Filipino Concerns (nAFCOn) congratulates Mr. DiCaprio, not only for winning best actor, but also for using his famed moment to encourage the world into action. Over the last several years, the need to combat climate change has become very clear to the Filipino people. Warmer temperatures and rising sea levels associated with climate change have devastating effects to less developed countries such as the Philippines, which in the past years has been repeatedly rocked by more deadly and destructive typhoons, killing several hundred in 2009 (Typhoon Ketsana) to several thousand in 2013 (Typhoon Haiyan). “nAFCOn agrees with Mr. DiCaprio. We all have to take action to change the undeniable trend of worsening climate-related phenomena from super-typhoons in the Philippines to droughts in California,” says nAFCOn Information Officer Jun Cruz.

“Sea levels this century are rising at its fastest rate in 2800 years because the modern world has become so dependent on fossil fuels and environmental destruction. We have to work together to find better alternatives that are healthier for our environment and our future. It is in the interest of not just Filipinos but the whole world to change things.

It is just more pressing for countries like the Philippines because there

with indigenous communities but also campaigns for their defense against government and military harassment, detention, and displacement.

“Last november I met Lumad children, indigenous people from the southern part of the Philippines, as they camped out in the capital city of Manila to bring their demands to the Aquino government.

I realized that the government’s loyalty for corporate destruction of the environment is are many communities including reinforced by its active suppression many indigenous peoples whose of the indigenous people who entire livelihood is already being are standing up for the survival taken away by worsening flooding, of their families and their right to landslides, typhoons and other education. The Lumad children climate related catastrophes,” recounted how they have been continues Cruz. forced to evacuate from their nAFCOn also appreciates that communities as the Philippine Mr. DiCaprio emphasized that it is military burn down their schools, people in less developed nations, illegally arrest their community like the Philippines, who bare the bigger burden from climate change. leaders, and use intimidation to dissuade any forms of resistance,” In his speech DiCaprio continued, “We need to support leaders around remarks nAFCOn Alliance the world who do not speak for the Secretary AV David. nAFCOn echoes this open big polluters, but who speak for letter to Mr. DiCaprio from one of all of humanity, for the indigenous our community partners in the people of the world, for the billions Philippines that draws attention and billions of underprivileged to human rights violations people out there who would be experienced by the indigenous most affected by this.”

Currently, nAFCOn is engaged people and their determination to protect the environment and their in an effort to support indigenous lives. communities in the Philippines “If by chance, Mr. DiCaprio who are struggling to combat the would be interested in visiting effects of big polluters and Climate Change. Sadly, Philippine President the Philippines to see firsthand the effects of climate change on Aquino has long supported indigenous communities there, corporations that prioritize profits nAFCOn extends an open invitation over people and the environment. to this year’s Oscar’s Best Actor as nAFCOn launched the Adopt a well as anyone who might wish to Community Program last year go on our annual educational and to help communities develop solidarity trips to the archipelago,” infrastructure and thrive in their concludes David. education in the face of large scale For more information environmental destruction. on nAFCOn and its Adopt A Through our Adopt A Community Program or our annual Community Program, nAFCOn not exposure trips please go to www. only works to build things such nafconusa.org or email info@ as water systems in partnership nafconusa.org.

The Metamorphosis

Different generations, different strokes What is their best legacy to the next generation?

ErniE D. DElfin (Part 1 of 2)

AS a senior citizen in America now, I find it very fascinating to study and compare the different generations and their collective impact in society, namely: the G.I. Generation (born 1901-1926) who are sometimes called the “savior of the world” that built a nation. Revered by millions, this group suffered greatly during the Great Depression and World Wars but they worked hard, prospered and lived happily.

They were considered energetic, humble, honest, excellent team players and community-minded citizens, as they are very patriotic Americans.

The next generation, called the Silents (born 1927-1945) was America’s “Last Innocent Generation.” This generation went through their formative years during an era of extreme conformity, but also during the post-war happy days, enjoying peace, jobs, television, cars, rock ‘n roll and Playboy Magazine!

They were the drumbeats of the civil rights movement and the pre-feminist movement. This generation was loyal to the corporation and many worked for just one employer until they retired or died! Many worked past normal retirement years and excelled in their professions but struggled as effective leaders in the late 1980 to late 2000s.

Then comes my own generation, called the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), where thousands of us now are eligible for Medicare at 65 years old. This influx of seniors will have a significant impact on America’s social security trust funds and Medicare reserves,

especially considering that hundreds of thousands among us will live past the century mark due to advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles! Baby Boomers are career driven, assertive, demanding and fearless leaders. We are also considered as Golden Generation in the American workplace but are struggling with parenting and marriage issues. Our generation will be leading the nation into the 2030s as it started in the last decade or so. We’re also the generation that will never fully retire, and this will affect the nation’s workplace, marketplace and the culture of our communities.

After our Boomers generation comes our children’s generation, called the Gen X (born 1965 and 1981). A lot of these Gen X children experienced being latchkey kids — street smart but isolated and/or introverted.

Often they were children of divorced couples, or were timestarved with dual-career parents.

However, many of these children have become entrepreneurial, creative, independent and selfstarters. Making up for their parents’ lack of time growing up, they were eager to make marriage work, and “be there” for their own children. Leading America in the 2030s and 2040s, they have great potential to be excellent leaders but still need effective training to become good “servants” or people leaders.”

After the Gen X comes the first wave of Millenials (born 1982-1996 and still coming!). It is too soon to predict the peculiar or unique characteristic of this

generation, as many of them have not finished college yet.

However, it appears that this first wave of the Millennials is a sharp departure from Gen X as they are more optimistic, idealistic, somewhat patriotic but over parented. They are showing reverence for the wisdom of their elders but being suffocated with “extended adolescence” as they are delaying marriage and parenting. Unlike the older generations, many of them do not display loyalty to their employers and most of them will have multiple employers during their careers or employment, which will have direct significant impact on their families and their lifestyles of enjoying their lives to the hilt. Many of them do not really care for “home ownership” which was one of the hallmarks of older generations, as home ownership to them was a fulfillment of their “American dream.”

The Gen X and the Millennials are exhibiting minimalist behaviors meaning exerting the minimum efforts but expecting the maximum benefits.

Compared the generations before them, many of them go to “easier” careers like humanities and less on math, engineering or business. As a whole, these younger generations are less entrepreneurial and less adventurous. They seem contented playing and enjoying with their social tools of iPhones and Ipads that they cannot live without. (To be continued next week) *** E-mail writer : ernie.delfin@gmail.com Visit: www.gkerc.org

Estate planning done right

by Andrew

PArAnAl, eSQ

In our Filipino community, there seems to be a reluctance to engage in comprehensive estate planning through the execution of living trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. Instead, many families have traditionally relied on adding the children and other chosen heirs on the home’s title as joint tenants. This is not a smart solution. Joint tenancy is a way of holding title where each owner owns the same proportion of the property and has a “right of survivorship.” The right of survivorship means when one owner passes away, his or her share automatically gets divided up equally among the remaining owners on title. While this can result in the children inheriting as planned, there are several other pitfalls that one must consider before executing this type of deed.

The most glaring deficiency in executing only a joint tenancy deed is the inability to engage in any kind of advanced planning for the future. With a joint tenancy deed, each person on the deed will get an equal portion of the deceased’s share of the home and that’s it. However with the proper estate planning there can be different percentages of estates distributed to each beneficiary.

What if your daughter has been helping take care of you for the past 5 years, taking you shopping, cooking meals, and helping you clean? Unfortunately, you can’t leave her a little something extra with a deed, she will get the same share as everyone else named on the deed. Alternatively in a trust she can receive more than other beneficiaries at your discretion when creating the trust. What if you have a child that is not good at managing money? With proper estate planning you could set up a spendthrift trust that could help provide for an imprudent child for a long time.

In life tragedy happens, people die unexpectedly and things don’t go according to plan. With the proper estate planning such as an executed trust, safeguards can be built in to account for these tragedies that can and do happen. Executing a joint tenancy deed without a living trust can make an awful circumstance even worse. If your estate plan only consists of a joint tenancy deed and your children die before you do, your home could end up in probate, costing your heirs thousands of dollars and years in the courts. What if you and your children all die in a

car or plane crash? There would be no chance to add other family members to the deed, and you will have no say in who inherits your property. With a properly executed trust, there can be built in beneficiaries otherwise called “issues” that would only receive benefits if the beneficiary listed in the trust named them as their issue and they pass away before the assets are distributed.

Joint tenancy deeds can also open the door to family infighting and lawsuits. Using a joint tenancy deed as a substitute for a proper estate plan can lead Andrew Paranal, ESQ to vulnerability to fraud and up to 20% capital gains tax on estate planning scams. With any appreciation of the home a trust, you are protected by a since its purchase. If you create no-contest clause which states a revocable living trust through that heirs that bring a lawsuit which your kids inherit your lose their inheritance and the home, they will receive a step-up ability to use a certificate of in basis (it’s like they bought the independent review (another home at market value at the time attorney evaluates the trust and of your passing). This means that your capacity, making it more any capital gains tax that would difficult to challenge).When you have to be paid if the home were execute a deed on your own sold at the time of your death are you have a higher probability of effectively wiped out. Protecting including mistakes, which can complicate later transfers or sales. the home in a trust allows your children to have less financial Additionally, if you executed obligation to your property when the deed later on in life, heirs you pass. that you intentionally left off the Finally, executing a deed deed might claim that you lacked cannot be undone. With a capacity and contest the transfer. living trust, you can change the All of these problems can be provisions and beneficiaries of handled by an estate planning the trust at any time. This allows attorney who will guide you and you to have more control over your family to the best solution your assets through the ups possible to avoid family feuds and downs of life. Agreements later in life. on sales and transfers of the Financial issues can also property must be unanimous present themselves when you with all persons stated on the create a joint tenancy deed with title of the home unless you get your children. As the persons the courts involved. With a trust that you add on title now own a legal interest in the property, they there can be an executor who will determine what is to be done have the right to force the sale of with the estate based on the trust your home. When the home is upon your passing. put into a trust the heirs will only There is not an alternative to have access to the home and have a proper estate plan, it is the only the ability to sell the home once way to ensure proper distribution you pass away. This ensures that of your assets upon your passing. your heirs will not try to sell the Executing a joint tenancy deed is property out from underneath you leaving you homeless. What’s a quick and easy fix but it is not the best solution. worse with a joint tenancy deed *** is, if any of your kids on the deed Elder Law Services of California is proud file bankruptcy or a judgment to announce that attorney Andrew Paranal creditor forecloses a lien, the has joined its trust department. Mr. Paranal whole property may be sold to began his career in estate planning in 2013 satisfy your child’s debt. This can and has since expanded into asset protection be avoided by putting the home and Medi-Cal planning. He became interested into a trust that is protected until in Elder Law after helping care for a family you pass away instead of putting member who experienced a debilitating the child on the title of the home event. Mr. Paranal is excited to join an and risk financial problems in the established law firm and hopes to educate future. his Filipino community about the tremendous Additionally, if the home benefits of proper estate planning. is sold after your passing, your For more information, please visit children will adopt your cost basis in the value of the property. elderlawcalifornia.com or call 1-800-4110546 (Advertising Supplement) This means they will have to pay

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