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Volume 22 - No. 44 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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NAIA GM insists: No gang involved

by Joel

M. Sy egco and JefferSon antiporda/ManilaTimes.net

the embattled general manager of the nation’s premier airport on thursday, Nov. 5 continued to insist that there is no syndicate operating at the Ninoy Aquino

International Airport (NAIA). manila International Airport Authority chief Jose Angel honrado–a former bodyguard of President Benigno Aquino III—in

Amid calls for him to resign following the “laglag-bala” or bullet planting incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado maintained that he will step down if his appointing officer, President Benigno Aquino III, will ask him to do so.

Malacañang photo

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Larry Itliong’s son fights to continue legacy IN the last 32 years, community leader Johnny Itliong has attended nearly 400 events to spread awareness about the role his father and the delano manongs played in the eventual creation of the United farm Workers (UfW). “my big picture goal is to get everybody educated about how a group of people can get together regardless of their background, set their differences aside, get rid of political correctness…and treat everybody as people.

And really to have our rights as a person to be recognized by each other and share that with each other,” Itliong said.

It is mexican-American labor leader Cesar Chavez who is most often associated with the founding of the UfW. But the contributions of Itliong’s father, Larry Itliong, have PAGE A2

a televised interview said they have not found anything solid to validate allegations that a syndicate is behind the bullet-planting extortion racket that has generated a firestorm against the government. “so far, we don’t have evidence indicating that syndicates are working at the airport,” he added. “But opportunists, yes.” honrado’s tV interview came a day after his boss, transportation secretary Joseph emilio Abaya, said the alleged incidents, which have since been infamously called “laglag-bala” or “tanim-bala,” appear to have been “blown out of proportion.”

Abaya earlier said initial investigation showed that no syndicate is behind the controversy. “so far we have not established any facts to show syndicates EXTRA PROTECTION. Stickers bearing “Stop Tanim Bala” warnings are handed out to passengers entering the NAIA Terminal 2, in Pasay PAGE A2 City, by militant group Migrante to discourage anyone from planting bullets in their baggages. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

DOJ, NBI to form special task team to probe bullet planting scheme in NAIA by agneS

conStante AJPress

AmId an ongoing alleged “laglag-bala (dropping bullets)” scheme targeting passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the department of Justice has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to create a special task force to investigate reported incidents, according to Philstar.

In a growing list of cases, filipinos and foreigners alike have fallen victim to what is PROTECTION AGAINST AIRPORT SECURITY. Travelers have their luggage wrapped in plastic for P160 a piece as security against the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) racket also known as the “tanim-bala at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande (planting bullets)” scam, which

PAGE A3

according to Philstar. the task force was given 15 days from Wednesday, Nov. 4, to conclude its probe. data from the office of transportation security (ots) indicates that 1,394 ammunition interceptions have been reported at Philippine airports so far this year. Last year, there were 1,813; in 2013 there were 2,184; and in 2012, there were 1,214 incidents, according to ots data released on Wednesday, Nov. 4. the Aviation security Group says the scam has resulted in 30 PAGE A5

Marcos: Seeking PNoy apology US monitoring of South for abuses under Cory pointless China Sea remains in dispute

by JefferSon

antiporda ManilaTimes.net

INdePeNdeNt candidate for Vice President ferdinand marcos Jr. sees no point demanding an apology from President Benigno Aquino III for supposed human rights abuses committed during the term of his mother–the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino–noting that what government officials must focus on is finding ways on how they can move the country forward.

Instead of dwelling on the past, according to marcos, all those in government as well as those outside should start thinking of how to address problems faced by the country, adding that expressing regret is least of Aquino’s concerns.

“Well that [apology] would be a futile attempt. Again, I think it is for all of us, the President all the way down to barangay tanod [village watchmen], to start thinking very hard about how we can PAGE A2

by allySon

by roSette

As tensions over the south China sea escalate, United states defense secretary Ash Carter said he would visit an American aircraft carrier in the sea on thursday, Nov. 5. speaking after a regional summit on Wednesday, Nov. 4, Carter said he would fly out to the nuclear-powered Uss theodore roosevelt, which “is PAGE A2

adel

Philstar.com

mANILA—the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) organizing committee on Wednesday, Nov. 4 said the “minor” inconvenience filipinos will experience during the culminating events is outweighed by the benefits of hosting it.

Ambassador marciano Paynor Jr., director general of the APeC 2015 National organizing Council, said the Philippines’s hosting will boost its trade. “four days of inconvenience in 18 years? for APeC? if you are using APeC as the reason, I think it’s unfair,” Paynor said in an interview with ANC’s Beyond Politics.

“And when we think of the fact that 80 percent of our total trade is with APeC member economies and this trade has been increasing every year, there’s no reason not to be a PAGE A3

A foreign delegate watches a screen final advance visit for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting held in October. The Philippines will reap rewards from hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, the organizing committee’s chief says.

APEC photo

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eScobar

AJPress

AAPI groups file briefs in support of Ambassador: APEC benefits affirmative action outweigh inconvenience oVer 160 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups have filed amicus briefs calling for equal opportunity and for the supreme Court to uphold affirmative action policies.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), the Asian American Legal defense and education fund (AALdef), and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), filed three separate amicus briefs urging the high Court to uphold the affirmative action policy at the University of texas at Austin (Ut-Austin). “such broad support for race conscious admissions policies sends a clear message that AAPIs overwhelmingly support these policies and will not be used as a racial wedge to disenfranchise other communities of color,” said Laboni hoq, litigation di-

involves planting bullets in travelers’ baggage and threatening lawsuits unless they give money. Airport personnel are allegedly behind the scam, rappler reported. department of Justice secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa ordered the NBI to establish a seven-man team that will examine evidence, including video and audio recordings, related to the scam. the team will also gather sworn statements of reported victims of the extortion scam, verify current cases and determine who perpetrators are,

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From the Front Page

Larry Itliong’s son fights to continue...

PAGE A1 long been ignored. On Sept. 8, 1965, Larry led about 1,500 farmers in what marked the beginning of the Delano Grape Strike.

A victory came earlier this year when California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law legislation, AB 7, that designated October 25 as Larry Itliong Day, the day Larry was born in 1913. Itliong says it is one

of the top three strides that have come about since he committed himself to informing the public of his father’s legacy more than 30 years ago.

Awareness of Larry Itliong’s part in the story of the UFW has been on the rise in recent years. In 2010, the City of Carson became the first in the United States to issue a proclamation dedicating

a day to Larry Itliong, with Los Angeles County doing the same shortly afterward.

This year alone, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and San Jose City Council issued proclamations declaring Larry Itliong Day on Oct. 25. The City of Milpitas recognized Filipino American History Month, and the work Larry and the Delano manongs did in the same resolution. Solano County was another body that recognized the day.

Much has been accomplished this year, but Itliong has no plans to stop telling people the story of his father.

“Just because a couple of places recognize it, the state recognizes it, doesn’t mean everybody knows.

And even here in California, even Filipinos. And if they do [know about it], who’s telling [them] what it is? What information are they getting? Because there’s a lot of wrong information out there,” Itliong said.

Along with the several resolutions passed by various counties and cities, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the Delano Grape Strike. A successful celebration in September this year is another one of Itliong’s top three moments in his ongoing journey to educate the nation about Larry’s legacy.

Last weekend, Itliong participated in events in Los Angeles County commemorating Filipino American History Month and his father. On Oct. 23, he was recognized at Los Angeles City Hall, where he said in an emotional address that Larry deserves more than to be ignored for half a century; on Oct. 24, he tabled at Carson’s Larry Itliong Day celebration with informational booths and photos on display to educate visitors; on Oct. 25, he was among panel members who discussed the significance of the Delano Manongs after a screening of a documentary called “The Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers” at the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) headquarters.

During a Q&A session with the panel at SIPA, Itliong shared that he has encountered opposition, specifically citing an instance at a university campus where one student yelled at him, “That’s not the Cesar I knew!”

“I told him, Cesar was a dictator with the UFW. It was his way PAGE A3

NAIA GM insists: No gang...

PAGE A1 planting [the bullets but] any personnel involved will be pursued.”

Abaya and Honrado and the chiefs of the Office of Transport Security and the police Aviation Security Group are facing an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly not lifting a finger to stop the extortion racket at the country’s airports.

Sack Honrado Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. joined mounting calls for Honrado’s immediate removal for allegedly allowing the scheme to go on.

Marcos’ statement followed a public outcry against the alleged sneaking in of bullets into the bags of unsuspecting passengers, particularly overseas workers and balikbayan (returning Filipinos) to extort money from them.

He echoed the gist of the administrative complaint filed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez that Honrado should be made accountable based on the

principle of command responsibility.

“He should be fired immediately, he’s clearly incompetent.

He should never have been put in that job in the first place,” Marcos told reporters.

“If it was up to me he would never have gotten that job. Bakit mo ilalagay dyan, wala naman syang karanasan dyan? Hindi naman nya alam ang trabaho [Why was he placed there, he has no experience in running airports. He doesn’t know the job],” he said.

Honrado is a retired military general who was President Aquino’s security aide when he was still a candidate in 2010. It has repeatedly been said in earlier media reports that Aquino credits Honrado for saving his life when the then-Presidential Security Group captain led a squad that rushed to his aid when his convoy was waylaid in the early hours of the 1989 coup attempt against his mother, then-President Corazon Aquino.

“If you appoint somebody to a certain post, you must be confident that he could do the job.

You don’t just name somebody to

just because you owe him a debt of gratitude. Repay your debt of gratitude some other way, not at the expense of the people,” Marcos said in Filipino.

Malacanang spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Thursday berated Marcos for his statement and turned the tables on the lawmaker by bringing up the Marcos family’s alleged sins against the people.

“Unlike Senator Bongbong Marcos who continues to deny the abuses of martial law, corruption, impunity and human rights violationsthat occurred under the Marcos regime of which he was a part as a government official, the President recognizes that there is a problem,” Lacierda said in a text message to reporters.

He retorted that the Aquino administration is taking the issue seriously, contrary to the lawmaker’s assertion.

“The administration is addressing this issue and taking concrete steps so that travelers will have peace of mind and no passenger will be subjected to unfair prosecution,” the Palace official said.

Marcos: Seeking PNoy apology for...

PAGE A1 move the country forward,” he said in an interview after the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) seminar on Thursday night.

Aquino earlier insisted that the Marcoses should apologize to Filipinos for what happened during martial law.

Marcos also earlier voiced willingness to express regret to anyone whom he caused harm to but right now he sees no reason to apologize.

“We have constantly said that if during the time of my father [former President Ferdinand Marcos], [there were those whom we wronged or whom we did not give help to] or they were victimized in

some way or another, of course we’re sorry that that happened.

Nobody wants that to happen,” he said.

Marcos, however, expressed no intention to demand the same from Aquino for the supposed abuses that were committed during the term of his mother, including those committed against farmers and other agricultural workers in the January 22, 1987 “Mendiola Massacre.”

Thirteen were killed and 74 others were wounded during the incident.

Around 20,000 protesters had assembled near Mendiola Bridge in Manila, seeking a dialogue with Mrs. Aquino, when government

forces opened fire at them.

Cases filed against government troops believed involved in the massacre were all dismissed.

If elected Vice President, Marcos said, he will work on putting an end to the disunity and polarization brought by the adversarial form of governance by the previous and the current administrations.

He noted that instead of promoting unity, the Aquino administration brought division and unending politicking.

Marcos said he will even oppose any government-led move to file charges against Aquino and his officials once they step down next year.

US monitoring of South China Sea...

PAGE A1 conducting routine operations while transiting the South China Sea,” according to AFP. Carter’s visit could increase discord between Washington and Beijing over China’s claims to virtually the entire Sea, and its attempts to reinforce those claims by turning reefs and tiny islets into full-fledged islands through repossession.

The Sea has long been viewed as a potential flashpoint, and the Chinese island-building has intensified fears of international conflict.

Runways and other large-scale development are in the works, making the islands potentially capable of hosting military personnel and hardware.

Last week, the US Navy challenged China’s sovereignty claims, pressing its right to freedom of navigation by sending the missile destroyer USS Lassen close (within the 12-nautical mile/22-kilometer territorial limit) to an artificial islet in the Spratlys chain, angering China and causing it to send two war ships to shadow the vessel.

The challenge was not designed as a military threat, the head of US Pacific military forces said, according to Associated Press.

“I truly believe that these routine operations should never be construed as a threat to any nation,” said Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr in a statement. “These operations serve to protect the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law.”

China’s Navy chief, Admiral Wu Shengli, warned his US counterpart that encounters between their forces could spiral into conflict after the Lassen incident, according to Inquirer.

Shengli’s comments were made in a video call with US Admiral John Richardson.

“If the US continues to carry out these kinds of dangerous, provocative acts, there could be a serious situation between frontline forces from both sides on the sea and in the air, or even a minor incident that could spark conflict,” Wu told Beijing’s Xinhua news agency.

“I hope the US cherishes the hard-win, good situation between the Chinese and US Navies, and avoids similar incidents from happening again,” he added.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Carter attended an AsiaPacific defense ministers’ meeting in Malaysia, where the US and China butted heads over whether a final joint statement should mention the South China Sea. “We could not reach a con-

sensus on a joint declaration,” Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters.

Meanwhile, Carter said he had gone into the summit with “no expectation” there would be an agreement, said AFP. The two nation’s lack of action illustrates “the level of concern that was reflected in the conversation about activities in the South China Sea,” he said, noting that all countries he met with raised the issue.

“It was a persistent topic,” he added. “To me, that says that’s something we all need to pay attention to.”

Pointing fingers, the US and China could not reach an agreement. The US claimed that Southeast Asian defense ministers opposed China’s demand that the South China Sea be left out of any statement.

A US official said the United States felt that “no statement is better than one that avoids the important issue of China’s reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea.” China’s claims over almost the entire waterway are widely disputed by other nations as well.

Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan also have various claims over the controversial islets, some overlapping, although none are as extensive as Beijing’s.

“We urge all claimants to permanently halt land reclamation, stop the construction of new facilities and cease further militarization of disputed maritime features,” Carter said.

An anonymous US official stressed that the USS Roosevelt would be far from any of the reclaimed Chinese “islands” at the time of Secretary Carter’s visit, and the naval ship was not conducting the sort of freedom of navigation cruise performed by the USS Lassen.

“The Teddy Roosevelt’s presence there, and our visit, is a symbol of our commitment to our ‘rebalance’ and the importance of the Asia-Pacific for the United States,” Carter said.

PH wins first round in case against China In July, the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal in the Netherlands heard a second round of oral arguments from the Philippines, regarding the disputed territory in the South China Sea. Though official negotiations are ongoing, the tribunal Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the court has jurisdiction over the case, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The maritime ruling was just two days before the USS Lassen warship incident.

“China has on many occasions expounded its position by

neither accepting nor participating in the arbitrary procedure unilaterally initiated by the Philippines in breach of the agreement repeatedly confirmed with China as well as the Philippines,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a news conference in Beijing in July, when the second round of UN hearings had taken place.

Philippine officials, however, have denied such an agreement, claiming that China has previously agreed to solve conflicts based on international law, according to Inquirer. Among these includes the 1982 United Nations convention allowing coastal states to exclusively take full advantage of resources within 200 nautical miles of waters from their territory.

The Philippines is the first country to challenge China’s nine-dash line territorial claim (first established after WWII by the Chinese Nationalist government) in the region, saying that Beijing violated international maritime laws, damaged coral reefs, and stepped on the rights of other nations.

The case is important “not just to our country but to the entire world, owing to its impact on the application of the rule of law in maritime disputes,” said Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

The overlapping claims involve sovereignty ocean territories, the Paracel and the Spratly island chains. These largely uninhabited, not-yet-explored territories are considered valuable because of the natural resources preserved there.

The Southeast China Sea is also a major shipping route, and home to valuable fishing grounds that supply multiple Southeast nations, said BBC. The Philippines has invoked its geographical proximity to the Spratly Islands, which include the Scarborough Shoal reefs, as the main basis of its claim. The Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China, 500 miles away) is northeast of Luzon and just a little over 100 miles (160 km) from the Philippines.

“The Philippines has specifically requested that the tribunal find that Chinese law enforcement tactics around Scarborough Shoal are in violation of UNCLOS and the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea,” wrote Philippine Star’s Elfren S. Cruz, in an opinion piece.

“A favorable ruling will mean that any ramming and harassment of Filipino fishermen and ships in the Scarborough Shoal will be considered as internationally unlawful. If China continues its harassment, the world will consider their actions illegal.”

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Dateline USa

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 6-12, 2015

Ambassador: APEC benefits outweigh... New report: Federal banking

PAGE A1

member of APEC,” he added.

He made the statement following complaints over the hundreds of canceled flights, some closed roads and interrupted activities to give way to the arrival of APEC delegates and world leaders in the country.

Paynor appealed for the pub-

lic’s understanding on adjustments for the APEC events. He said it is the country’s commitment and responsibility to accommodate invited delegates.

“What we need and what we’re asking for is actually the understanding of our people that we are (the) host, we are hosting and we have guests we have invited

them and it is necessary because we host intern,” Paynor said.

The APEC’s main events are slated from November 16 to 20.

Twenty heads of APEC member countries are expected to arrive in Manila, including United States President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

AAPI groups file briefs in support of...

PAGE A1 rector at Advancing Justice -- Los Angeles.

The briefs were filed on behalf of over 160 organizations that support equal opportunity and affirmative action in higher education, and they represent the large diversity within AAPI communities, including Arab, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander organizations.

“With long histories of serving the most vulnerable members of our community, these organizations range from large, pan-Asian national organizations and professional associations, to student and grassroots groups,” continued Hoq. In addition, the briefs represent 53 individuals, including higher education faculty and school officials.

The filings are in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s second review of Fisher v. University of Texas, reported NBC News. Caucasian student Abigail Fisher was rejected when she applied to UTAustin. Her initial lawsuit, heard by the United States District Court in 2009, alleged that UTAustin’s affirmative action policies prevented her from gaining admission.

The Supreme Court justices heard the case in 2013, but sent it back to the Fifth Circuit to see if UT-Austin had used other ways to achieve diversity in its campus before it used race as a factor.

The next year, the Fifth Circuit determined that the university used “race-neutral methods (e.g.

“Top Ten Percent” Plan), and still did not achieve the diversity it sought.” Therefore, it “upheld the use of race as part of a holistic admissions approach, which is constitutional under current law.”

The Fisher case also relied heavily on the claim that Asian Americans were discriminated against by UT-Austin’s admissions policy.

In its brief, however, the Asian

American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) argued that nothing on the record showed that the school’s admissions process disadvantaged or discriminated against that demographic.

Asian Americans in UT’s freshman class has risen from 6 percent in 1986 to 23 percent in 2014.

“Supporters of Fisher have mischaracterized UT-Austin’s raceconscious admissions policy,” AALDEF executive director Margaret Fung told NBC News in an email statement. “It can benefit Asian Americans through an individualized review of applicants that avoids harmful stereotypes based on the ‘model minority’ myth.”

The use of race in a holistic review of applicants is “constitutional, and nothing in UT’s policies indicate any cap, quota, bias, or other kind of negative action, formal or informal affecting Asian Americans or any other group,” AALDEF’s brief argued.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders--a unique cross-section of identities and experiences that spans a range of comparative privilege and disadvantage-benefit from this individualized approach to admissions, as do African Americans, Latinos, and Whites,” the brief read.

The AALDEF amicus brief also distinguishes between the two distinct concepts of negative action and affirmative action, noting there is “no evidence in the record of discrimination” by UT-Austin.

The amicus brief filed by Advancing Justice argues that an applicant cannot be evaluated holistically without the consideration of race, according to the group’s press release.

In UT-Austin’s holistic review program, where test scores play a dominant role in the admissions process, it is crucial to consider race because the tests disproportionately limit access to educational opportunities for minority students, Advancing Justice

claims.

The brief also shows how racially conscious admissions programs opened the doors of higher education for AAPI students, after a century of discrimination and exclusion to their communities and families. These programs and opportunities have continued to benefit many AAPI students, who face significant educational barriers today.

The groups also looked at disaggregated data from the US Census Bureau, revealing large disparities in educational attainment among Asian American ethnic groups.

Based on the data, the educational attainment of Hmong, Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans is the lowest among Asian American ethnic groups, and similar to those of Latinos and African Americans. Only 61 percent of Hmong Americans have a high school diploma, while only 12 percent of Laotian Americans have graduated from college.

“Supporters of Fisher have mischaracterized UT-Austin’s race-conscious admissions policy. It can benefit Asian Americans through an individualized review of applicants that avoids harmful stereotypes based on the ‘model minority’ myth,” said AALDEF Executive Director Margaret Fung.

“We recognize that Asian Pacific Americans, like other groups, have endured cases of discrimination and lack of opportunities which continue to impact us today. The low numbers of minority groups in the legal profession, government, and corporate leadership underscore the need to remove barriers to higher education and increase diversity,” agreed George C. Chen, president of NAPABA. “Courtrooms, law firms, and law schools must be filled with people of different backgrounds so that we can better understand and respect the diversity of the American public.”

(Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

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agencies must do more on diversity People of color, women ‘woefully absent’ from senior management; Greenlining Institute urges action

WASHINGTON—A staff report released on Thursday, Nov. 5

by Rep. Maxine Waters, ranking member of the House Committee on Financial Services, and members of the Congressional Black, Hispanic and Asian Pacific American Caucuses finds a disturbing lack of diversity in seven key federal agencies regulating the financial system. Policy experts at The Greenlining Institute said that the report, written by House Committee on Financial Services Democratic staff based on analyses by the Inspectors General at the agencies, should spur concerted action to increase diversity.

The report finds that women and minorities are underrepresented in the agencies’ workforces and severely underrepresented in senior management positions.

In addition, African American employees generally received lower performance management review (PMR) scores than their white counterparts.

“We need concrete, practical steps to identify and remove the barriers that keep people of color and women out of these impor-

tant jobs,” said Greenlining Institute President Orson Aguilar. “It is critical that the agencies watching over our financial system reflect our nation’s growing diversity. The financial crash happened in large part because federal bank regulators missed what was going on in communities of color, and we can’t afford to continue this legacy of negligence.”

In a letter sent to leaders of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, National Credit Union Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Federal Housing Finance Agency, The Greenlining Institute and coalition partners outlined a series of steps the agencies should take. Among other suggestions, Greenlining urged the following: • Agencies must recognize that diversity programming doesn’t happen in a silo. Research shows that entities with inclusive workforces owe their success to comprehensive strategies that incor-

porate diversity into every aspect of their operations. This includes strong tracking, recruitment, and professional development systems. Each IG report puts forth recommendations for how the agencies can better diversify their systems.

• The agencies’ Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWIs, created by the DoddFrank Act) should investigate barriers to employment in addition to discrimination, such as lack of outreach to diverse candidates.

• OMWIs should push the agencies to plug gaps in their data collection. All but one IG report identified missing or flawed demographic data.

• OMWIs should create specific accountability measures by which agencies can gauge their progress in diversifying their workforces.

• Inspectors General should audit the agencies’ supplier diversity practices, and OMWIs should advise the agencies on how their policies impact diverse-owned businesses.

Larry Itliong’s son fights to continue...

PAGE 2 or no way.... And I witnessed that as a child. I asked [the student], ‘Did you sit on Cesar’s lap as a child? Did he change your diapers? Did Helen [Chavez’s wife] change your diapers?’ [I loved Cesar] and I called him Tio and I called [Helen] Tia. They were family. And it hurts and it hurt the Itliong family to have to see this through years and years.

Fifty years, finally, to get this out and tell the story. And it’s not my fault but that’s what they did...I’m going to sit here and correct it. I want to set the record straight,” Itliong said.

He added that his goal is not to bring down Chavez or the UFW, but to tell the real story and show that two communities united to fight against the largest industry in the United States.

Despite opposition, Itliong says his work in spreading his father’s legacy isn’t challenging except when it comes to finances, as most expenses – including travel and

lodging – are out-of-pocket.

“I put more into it than I’ve ever gotten out of it,” he said.

Itliong currently serves as the executive director of the Larry Itliong Foundation through Education, which seeks to educate communities, schools and the public about his father’s contributions.

Based in Northern California, Itliong is open to attending events that aren’t too far from him.

“I’ll do it because I’m definitely not in it for the money,” he said.

Ultimately, Itliong hopes that his dad’s legacy will be that he was a

man for the people.

“I think he was never a man for just himself, to honor himself,” he said.

Moving forward, Itliong plans to keep doing what he’s been doing over the past three decades for Larry and the manongs.

“Yes I want to recognize my father, but you know what, my father was not alone and it was never [his] union: it was my dad worked for the union, for the people of the union, and he was the voice of it,” he said. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Customs chief asked to justify hike in ‘balikbayan’ box duties

by Gil

CabaCunGan Inquirer.net

HER EXCELLENCY Andrea Reichlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to the Philippines, reviews the honor guards during the arrival honors accorded her at the Malacañang Palace Grounds for the presentation of credentials on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Malacañang photo by Exequiel Supera

Comelec eyes faster transmission of election results 5 firms bid as electronic results transmission service provider by nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

THe Commission on elections (Comelec) is eyeing a higher vote transmission rate in the 2016 national elections amid a negotiated bidding to provide the electronic results transmission services (eRTS) for next year’s polls.

In an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Thursday, Nov. 5 Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the agency is now looking on the company with the ‘best offer” to provide the eRTS. The eRTS is the system used in the municipal, city, provincial, and national canvassing centers to send and receive transmitted results of voting.

Bautista cited that in 2010, a vote transmission rate of 90 percent was recorded while it declined to 76 percent during the 2013 midterm polls.

He said five companies had

submitted their offer to the bids and awards committees of the Comelec.

Among the companies who joined the bidding were Smartmatic International Corp., edgecomm Inc., ezcom Telecommunications Service and Solutions Corp., SoG Philippines Inc. and Arronet Solutions Integrator Inc. Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the agency had resorted into a negotiated bidding after two failed biddings.

The winning service provider will be the one to supply the system, equipment, and services of the eRTS with an approved budget of P558 million.

Comelec data showed that Smartmatic had a bid of P507.7 million, ezcom Telecommunications Services and Solutions Corp. submitted a bid of P505 million; Arronet Solutions Integrator Inc., P2.11 billion; edgeComm Inc.,

P549.4 million; and SoG Philippines Inc., P555 million.

“Maliban po sa halaga na binigay nila ay kailangan din nating tingnan ang kainilang kakayahan at karanasan,” he said.

(Apart from the amount they had presented, we also need to look into their capability and experience.)

Bautista said the transmissions of votes need to be fast to avoid doubts from the public.

“Pagkatapos ng botohan kailangan makita agad resulta, kasi habang tumatagal na hindi nakikita ang resulta ay nagkakaroon ng duda,” he said.

(The results need to be known soon after voting, since delays in the presentation of results bring about doubts [from the public].)

He said that preliminary data from the Comelec showed that there are almost 55 million voters in next year’s polls.

DOJ, NBI to form special task team to probe...

PAGE A1 recorded cases of illegal possession of ammunition from January to early November this year.

Last year, there were 12 cases; in 2013, there were 21; in 2012, there were 20, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group Supt. Jeanne Panisan told reporters at a press briefing.

Transportation Secretary Joseph emilio Abaya said cases of bullet planting at airport terminals “have been blown out of proportion,” Philstar reported. while many passengers in reported cases deny that they own bullets found in their luggage, some have admitted to owning ammunition found in their belongings, saying they either keep them as charms or forgot to remove them from their carry-on baggage.

In an incident on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Qatar-bound oFw Melody Valdez, 40, was stopped when her bag was discovered at the initial security screening checkpoint at NAIA Terminal 1 to contain a .45caliber bullet. Valdez denied having a bullet and agreed to open her bag for inspection. on wednesday, Nov. 4, London-bound Monalisa Valmonte Rico was stopped when a rifle bullet was detected in her luggage at the final security screening checkpoint at NAIA, Philstar reported.

In the same article, a 59-yearold man was reportedly stopped wednesday at the final security screening checkpoint NAIA for possessing a gun. Ramon Loarca admitted the gun was his and said he forgot to remove it from his bag.

The three passengers are now in the custody of the Avsegroup National Capital Region headquarters and are set to be charged for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, according to Inquirer.

Legislators respond to scam Lawmakers have called for an investigation into the alleged scheme while Malacañang has vowed to put an end to the scheme.

“Government is there to make sure everything will be in order. whatever is happening there, we’ll look into it. we assure the public that we will go after whoever the culprit is,” said presidential spokesman edwin Lacierda, according to Manila Bulletin.

Sherwin Gatchalian, a member of the tourism committee in the House of Representatives, said the ongoing incident is becoming an “international embarrassment” and warned that perpetrators are “not afraid to prey on

EXTRA PROTECTION. Passengers waiting for their flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 go to great lengths to protect their luggage by having these wrapped in plastic to prevent anyone from planting bullets (“tanim-bala”) in their baggage. The tanim-bala scam involves airport inspectors who allegedly place bullets in the luggage of passengers and then ask them for bribes to be spared from arrest. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

foreigners.”

In a statement, Sen. Francis escudero said NAIA personnel should stop “assassinating” Filipinos passing through the airport, as in the case of former Senator Ninoy Aquino who was shot and killed at the airport tarmac in 1983.

“Planting bullets in the baggage of Filipinos and tourists passing through the NAIA is a great disservice to the memories of the late senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. who died from the bullets fired by dishonorable men,” escudero said.

“The government must seriously act now to stop these figurative assassinations of Filipinos and tourists. we must hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law these dishonorable airport officials and personnel,” he added.

Among lawmakers seeking a probe into the scheme are Sens.

Miriam Defensor Santiago and Alan Peter Cayetano, who announced Friday, oct. 30, they filed resolutions for an investigation into the matter.

Santiago proposed the creation of a task force to investigate “alleged illicit activity” of state agents.

Cayetano proposed improving surveillance by upgrading the airport’s 20-year-old analog cameras with IP surveillance videos, implementing a 48 hour rule where airport officials must catch culprits of scams and send them to prison within 48 hours or resign, and implement a rule where supervisors rotate so as to reduce the time and opportunity for theft and extortion in airports, Rappler reported.

Santiago said that the scam could affect tourism, instill fear in foreigners and decrease the public’s trust in law enforcement.

Jess Martinez, assistant head of the Media Affairs Division of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), said the fear of

the traveling public is unsettling but understandable.

“MIAA assures the public that all concerned agencies are closely looking into this already.

Surveillance has been enhanced ever since reports were brought to the attention of management,” she told Philstar.

President Benigno Aquino III has been called on to fire MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado because of the scandal, but Malacañang said its priority is to identify the problem correctly -not fire Honrado.

“Because we only have what media is reporting.... That’s why the president wants to cast a wide net. Let’s look at the entire picture,” Lacierda said.

Honrado, who is Aquino’s cousin, was appointed by the president. He said he would not resign unless Aquino instructs him to do so.

Victims of the alleged “laglagbala” scam Among recent cases of the scheme involved a 77-year-old Filipino-American bound for Los Angeles at NAIA. Santiago Peñaflorida was stopped Tuesday, Nov. 3, after Department of Transportation and Communications-office for Transportation Security personnel saw a bullet inside his backpack on the x-ray scanner, Inquirer reported.

Peñaflorida, who had come to NAIA for a connecting flight from Iloilo Airport, said no bullet was detected in Iloilo. He refused to have his bag opened and examined until after media arrived, after which a .32-caliber bullet was found. He was then brought to the PNP Aviation Security Group for questioning and missed his flight.

In September, Lane Michael white, a 20-year-old American missionary, and Filipino balikbayan Rhed Austria de Guzman, were also reported as victims of PAGE A7

Two House representatives are asking Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina to justify the 125 percent hike in duties on balikbayan boxes it imposed last month.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said Lina should show some respect for Congress which is currently discussing the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) plan to raise the cost of shipping of balikbayan boxes—the gift boxes of Filipinos working abroad to their relatives in the Philippines.

“Please respect Congress.

There is a pending investigation here and he (Lina) dares to touch the rates opposed by Filipinos overseas,” said Colmenares.

Quezon City Rep. winston Castelo said Lina should first justify the hike in duties on balikbayan boxes which he noted was widely

derided by the public when it was announced in August along with the plan to conduct full inspections of these packages.

Lina initially increased duties on twenty-foot containers from P80,000 to P120,000 in August this year.

Controversy Lina further jacked up the duties to P180,000 last month, even after a controversy erupted over the balikbayan box inspection and duty hike. overseas Filipino workers (oFw) groups complained that the hike in duties would unduly increase the cost of shipping balikbayan boxes to their loved ones. They also expressed apprehension over the plan of Lina to open the boxes as part of the BoC’s random inspections on top of x-ray inspections.

Some balikbayans complained

that simple gifts like toiletries, clothes and food items disappeared from the boxes after physical inspection by customs personnel.

Stop random inspection Lawmakers chided Lina for focusing his resources on balikbayan boxes instead of training his guns on big-time smugglers of rice, sugar, oil, luxury cars, meat and farm products. on Aug. 24, the President reportedly told Lina to stop random physical inspection of balikbayan boxes.

Colmenares said the President should have not placed Lina in a conflict-of-interest situation considering that the BoC chief had business interests in cargo shipping. “He and his companies will benefit from these moves to clamp down on balikbayan boxes,” said Neri.

A

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november 6-12, 2015 • oC/Ie ASIAn JoUrnAL

OpiniOn

Features

Entrapment

IS it really more fun in the Philippines? In 2014, the government has recorded 34 million domestic and international arrival and departures at the country’s premier gateway. Despite a “worst airport” tag, it is a welcome development.

But if you ask 56-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Gloria Ortinez, she would blatantly say “No.” After her recent balikbayan trip, Ortinez was prevented from leaving the country after an Office of Transportation Security (OTS) personnel allegedly found a bullet for a carbine rifle in her hand-carried bag.

Ortinez was bound for Hong Kong to resume her employment. She was barred from leaving the country and was detained after failing to pay P80,000 ($1,900) bail on charges of illegal possession of ammunition filed before the Pasay prosecutor’s office.

Lane Michael White, a 20-year-old American missionary, shares Ortinez’s sentiments. White and his family were in the country last month to look for a lot in Palawan where they can build a church for their congregation. The family trip was disrupted when the OTS allegedly found a 22-cal. inside White’s baggage. White was held at a detention cell for six days after he was charged for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. White, who is from Florida, insisted that the bullet found in his luggage was “planted” and that an airport officer tried to extort P30,000 ($640) from him to avoid legal problems. “They can lie to people but not to God. I stand by my statement. If my being jailed was needed to make the truth come

out and save other people, then being in jail was worth it,” White shared.

Ortinez and White shared the same ordeal that apparently has been going on for two decades. A reliable source told ABS-CBN News that the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) scam has gone unabated for the past 20 years. The source also disclosed that airport security screening personnel are allegedly employing ‘spotters’ to help them find the ‘perfect’ passenger to victimize.”

“The source said, before the tanim-bala modus operandi was exposed and reported by the media, the group normally victimized more than 20 passengers a day, raking hundreds of thousands of pesos from passengers who do not want to be hassled,” ABS-CBN News further reported.

The reported cases of “tanim-bala” have caused a pandemonium. On social, media airport passengers are now posting photos of them wrapping their bags in plastics and duct tapes or other embellishments to secure their own pieces of luggage.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to investigate the bullet-planting incidents. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was also tasked to probe and conduct “a thorough, in-depth, and comprehensive investigation and case build-up” on the scam that has

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

gained international attention.

Aquino convened a meeting on Monday, Nov. 2 to verify the allegations and formulate long-term solutions.

“These are assumptions that we need to validate.

That is why we need to look at all the assumptions that were put out. We want to make sure that what measures that we are going to come up with are measures that in the long run would ensure the safety of each and every passenger and guarantee

their security as they use the terminals,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

The impact of these recent incidents poses a great concern for travelers who are eyeing the Philippines as their destination this holiday season. The national government and its concerned agencies must immediately resolve this extortion scam to ensure passenger safety for local and foreign air travelers and restore confidence in the country’s aviation system. (AJPress)

The ‘Laglag Bala’ scheme and the state of paranoia at NAIA: more fun in the Philippines?

ONE of the things we Filipinos living abroad always look forward to and are excited about is the ability to travel back to the Philippines and feel “at home” in our Motherland, where we feel welcome, safe and taken care of. However, the recent headlines about the alleged “bullet planting” (laglag bala) scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has created paranoia in the minds of not only Filipinos, but of the international media and travelers as well.

As Balitang America has reported, even the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is now warning its staff members of this scheme, used by perpetrators within NAIA to extort money from passengers.

The UNDSS says in a statement: “Staff members are advised to keep your luggage with you, lock your luggage and consider wrapping your luggage in plastic as an extra precaution.”

As of press time, the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group says that there have been 30 alleged cases of this “laglag bala” cases this year alone. Balitang America further reports that according to the The Manila International Air-

port Authority, there have been five cases of this bullet planting The Fil-Am scheme in the last two weeks Perspective alone.

However, these passengers, including foreigners, contend that they were “framed”, and that the one or two bullets that the airport inspectors claim to have found Gel SantoS-reloS in their luggage upon inspection were not theirs, but were planted by these inspectors in an effort to extort money from them.

Such is the case of Rhed de Guzman, a kababayan from Santa Ana, in the Los Angeles area of California. Rhed happens to be the sister of my “inaanak sa kasal”. The de Guzmans are decent, hardworking people. My “inaanak” sa kasal are both lawyers and one is even a judge in the Philippines.

We had the de Guzman family over for lunch a month ago and that is when we talked about the “laglag bala” scheme reported in the local media.

To our surprise, Rhed turned out to be the person who first reported on social media about being

traumatized by the experience.

Her post became viral and she was even interviewed by several media outlets in the Philippines.

Her personal experience was very much like what the others after her have gone through. In a report by Steve Angeles on Balitang America, Rhed shared that last September, she was returning from Batangas to California. She was then wheelchair bound when she went through security inspection.

Rhed alleges that porters and airport security claimed to have found bullets in her luggage.

These airport personnel allegedly told her that to avoid being detained, she just would have to pay 500 Pesos, which is about $12, to make the issue go away.

Rhed knows these bullets are absolutely not hers, but because the whole process was scary and she was even emotionally lost because her mother was then terminally ill, she decided to give the money they were asking for so she could hop on that plane

and not miss her flight back to California.

However, she knew in her heart what happened was wrong, and so she started positing about her ordeal on social media so that the government could do something about it.

“Hindi dapat nangyari ito kasi nasa Pilipinas tayo…kapwa Pilipino…Bakit nangyari ang ganito?

Tapos akalo ko noon titigil na kasi nakuwento ko na sa social media…Wala lang rin pala…Marami pang kaso, sunod sunod,” Rhed laments in the Balitang America report. She is ready to file a formal complaint soon.

“Stupid”, embarrassing, frustrating, in addition to the paranoia are some thoughts that kababayans now express about this scheme. They wonder why the government has not been able to be on top of the situation. How could this happen inside NAIA? (To be continued) *** 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

Revolution now? How and who?

I HAVE just read, with extreme fasci- Street nation, a discussion paper published by Talk Norberto B. Gonzales, secretary of national defense and national security adviser under former President GreG B. MacaBenta Gloria MacapagalArroyo. It has a title that immediately grabs you: Revolution Now? After going through the piece, the question that immediately comes to mind is: Revolution? How? And who?

The paper proceeds on a very idealistic premise. It proposes a peaceful, bloodless revolution even as it warns against the intrusion of sinister forces that, according to the writer, are already preparing for a power grab, given the current state of discontent in our country.

It also acknowledges that two previous “revolutions” had been mounted – the one in February 1986 that ejected the Marcos dictatorship and the one in 2001 that caused the “forced resignation” of President Joseph Estrada. The first only saw “the restoration of old oligarchic rule” and the second “failed to change the unjust systems.”

There was in fact a third “revolution” of sorts. Not the failed EDSA Tres that Estrada’s supporters tried to mount but the one that catapulted Benigno S. Aquino III to the presidency. Like the first two mass movements, the last one was launched with high hopes for meaningful change in Philippine society. And, like the two, the results have been distressing – which, apparently, is why “Revolution Now” is being proposed.

Now limping towards the end of his

six-year tenure, Aquino and his administration are clearly the object of this new clarion call for change. Aquino’s promise of “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap” (Where no one is corrupt, no one will be poor) has become nothing more than a bad advertising slogan.

His Tuwid na Daan (Straight Path) style of governance has been like a provincial dirt road, bumpy, with potholes aplenty and anything but straight.

I actually do not doubt that Noynoy Aquino and many (or at least some) of those who drafted him to run for the highest office in the land had the most noble of intentions. In fact, it must be acknowledged that those noble intentions have seen some meaningful improvements in our country.

But like a badly tailored suit with one arm longer than the other and the buttons not properly sewed on, the Aquino government has only been consistent in its inconsistency, whether it is in the dispensation of “justice” or in the apportionment of largesse drawn from the national treasury or in acknowledging faults and taking responsibility for mistakes and not passing on the blame to everyone but itself.

Indeed, Aquino’s presidency has aptly confirmed the adage that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

One reason, of course, is the fact that – like all past Philippine presidents – Aquino was quickly surrounded and continues to be surrounded by individuals and power blocs with special interests to protect and larcenous agendas to promote, as well as incompetents and deadwood. And, in fairness to him

and his predecessors, the total system – political, social, economic, cultural – is designed to frustrate the best laid plans of mice and presidents.

This brings me back to the idealistic paper prepared by Norberto Gonzales, who we may recall, was one of the pillars of the much-maligned Arroyo government that Noynoy Aquino ostensibly replaced.

With due respect to Gonzales and to the National Transformation Council, to which he plans to present (or has presented) his treatise, the following questions needs to be asked by simple-minded individuals like myself: 1. Who will lead the “revolution”? Who will spearhead the establishment of a “revolutionary transition government,” dissolve Congress and the Comelec, write a new Constitution, reconstitute the Supreme Court and “overhaul the entire justice system”? It would help if the proponents were to present a list of these sterling individuals who, like Caesar’s wife, are beyond reproach, the better for the citizenry to vet them.

Will they be able to withstand the vicious scrutiny that has characterized legislative inquiries and media commentaries? Do they have any past associations that raise red flags? Do they have proverbial skeletons in their closets or, at the very least, have they been cleansed of past transgressions like Saul after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus?

2. Who will constitute the “unicameral consultative assembly” that will

serve as the “legislative advisory body of the revolutionary government”? Will they not be the same powerful families, warlords and political dynasties who currently rule over the fiefdoms that constitute what passes for the Republic of the Philippines? And will they not “aspire to win at all cost” to remain in power, thus perpetuating “the root of evil in our electoral system”?

3. Will this revolution be able to uproot the “old oligarchy” peacefully, without any bloody resistance? Will the wealthy families and business conglomerates that control virtually every aspect of life in the country be willing to let go of their privileged status without any struggle?

4. Will the overhaul apply mainly to the system of government or will it in-

clude a total cleansing of society and the interest groups that make it up, including the clergy?

5. Granting that peerless, perspicacious, selfless and noble leaders can be thoroughly vetted to constitute the revolutionary council that will overhaul the system, how will they deal with those who are less noble, like rotten apples threatening the rest? Will they apply the Duterte solution? And wouldn’t that be bloody?

I’m sure I’m not the only one eager to know the answers to these questions. I’m sure, too, that if these questions can be satisfactorily addressed, many of us will willingly, enthusiastically march to the beat of revolutionary drums. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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A

AFP rejects Abu’s P4-B demand to free hostages

by Julie

AlipAlA And AllAn nAwAl Inquirer.net

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The military on Wednesday, Nov. 4 said it would not negotiate with the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, which had demanded P4 billion for the release of three Westerners and a Filipino woman abducted in Davao del Norte province in September.

“We don’t negotiate. It’s not in our level to negotiate,” said Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

Brig. Gen. Allan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the bandits’ demand had been referred to Gen. Hernando Iriberri, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“His guidance to me is to abide or to strictly adhere to the no-ransom policy of the government and for JTGS forces to always consider the safety of kidnap victims in every rescue and focused military operation conducted,” Arrojado said.

Guerrero said the orders were for no letup in military operations against the bandits in Sulu province.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said the government had a no-ransom policy and would not negotiate.

A military official said the ransom demand was “incredible.”

Appeal for help On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Abu Sayyaf posted a video on Twitter showing Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino Maritess Flor, whom the bandits snatched from the resort island of Samal in Davao del Norte on Sept.

21 and took to Sulu.

The hostages were shown crouching on a clearing with masked men standing over them and threatening to kill them with machetes. Two black flags were displayed in the background.

One of the hostages, a bearded man who identified himself as Ridsdel, appealed for help, saying their captors were demanding P1 billion for each of them.

“I appeal to the Canadian prime minister and the people of Canada, please pay this ransom as soon as possible or our lives are in great danger,” said Ridsdel, 68, a mining consultant from Canada.

“I’m also being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group. We’re being ransomed for P1 billion each,” he said.

Another captive who identified himself as Hall also spoke, pleading for help.

“I’m being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for P1 billion.

These people are serious and very treacherous. Take them seriously.

Help us. Get us out of here,” Hall said.

One of the masked men standing behind the hostages said the captives would be killed if his group’s demand was not met.

His companions then chanted, “Allahu Akbar (God is great).”

The one-minute, 27-second video was also obtained and posted on the Internet by the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks terrorist activities worldwide.

Last month, the Abu Sayyaf released a longer video that showed the captives for the first time since they were taken, appealing to the Philippine and Canadian governments to heed their captors’ demands and halt a military offensive on Jolo Island.

Held in Jolo jungle The hostages are believed to be held in the jungle in Jolo, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a small band of bandits with links to al-Qaida and its Southeast Asian affiliate, the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah.

Guerrero said the military was working with other government agencies in analyzing the latest video and trying to establish where and when it was taken.

He said the military considered the release of the video part of the Abu Sayyaf’s strategy of gaining publicity.

“They are trying to get media attention to highlight their demands,” Guerrero said.

Former kidnap victim Octavio Dinampo, a professor at Mindanao State University who is from Sulu, said that he believed the hostages from Samal were being held in Sulu.

“They are in Sulu [and] I gath-

DOJ, NBI to form special task...

PAGE A5 the scam.

White was supposed to be on a flight to Palawan but spent six days at the NAIA Terminal 1 police aviation facility. On Sept. 17, he accused airport personnel of allegedly planting the bullet in his baggage and trying to extort P30,000. White was only released after posting P40,000 bail.

On the way to Los Angeles on Sept. 18, de Guzman said she was forced to give P500 to two NAIA personnel at Terminal 2 upon the discovery of two bullets in her luggage. She denied the bullets were hers, according to Rappler, but paid airport personnel after they allegedly threatened to document the incident on her travel records.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Nimfa Fontamillas, 65, was stopped from boarding her flight to Singapore after a bullet was found in her bag through the x-ray scanner; on Oct. 25, Hong Kong-bound overseas Filipino worker Gloria Ortinez, and Japanese tourist Kazunobu Sakamoto, were arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition. Sakamoto also posted P80,000 bail.

All three individuals denied that they owned the bullets.

Some passengers detained were released upon finding that bullets were blank, while others were taken to court for refusing to pay fines, BBC reported.

International travelers were warned about the bullet scam as early as 2012. On Sept. 17, 2012, the father of a British woman – identified only as “BritPaul” from Northamptonshire, United Kingdom – took to TripAdvisor to write about how his daughter was allegedly victimized by the scam. “[The staff] ‘found’ a bullet casing and told her there would be an investigation and that she would have to miss her flight,” he wrote on the website. “Obviously, she was very frightened and distressed.”

He said airport staff requested for $1,000 in exchange for fixing her case by erasing the security X-ray image displaying the banned item, Inquirer reported.

He added that his daughter, who only had $100, was taken to an ATM, after which “the agent pocketed the money.”

Bullets as charms Not all travelers stopped for possessing bullets have denied owning them.

On the same day 77-year-old Peñaflorida was detained for the bullet found in his luggage, three females were stopped for possessing ammunition.

Milagrosa Cadiente, 48, was stopped at NAIA for having a bullet in her wallet. She said she was aware bullets are prohibited at

the airport but forgot to take the “charm” out of her bag, Inquirer reported.

“It is just stupid to put people in jail for having one or two bullets. They have to understand that Filipinos carry them as charms,” Cadiente said.

Another woman, Rowena Otic, 33, who was not a traveler but was dropping off her sister, was stopped at the airport for possessing two .38-caliber bullets. Otic told reporters she carried them to ward off danger but forgot to remove them from her handbag.

“I also thought only passengers were inspected and arrested for having bullets,” she said.

Marilou Rose Espinola, 27, who was bound for Bacolod, was also stopped for possessing ammunition. She admitted to putting the bullet in her bag but said she did not know it was banned at the airport.

Travelers wrap luggage, OFWs threaten to reduce remittances, NAIA workers deny allegations Airport terminals are offering luggage wrapping services for P160 per bag, while travelers have also opted to seal their bags at home with packing tape to avoid falling victim to the scheme.

Meanwhile, OFWs abroad are threatening to slash the amount of money they send back home as a means of pressuring the government to stop the bullet scam.

“OFWs and our families should act decisively versus the laglag-bala that victimizes our fellow OFWs, thus we need to launch a campaign that will pressure the government to put an end to this extortion scheme at NAIA airports,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, said in a statement.

Although airport personnel have been accused of perpetrating the scheme, NAIA porters who help travelers carry luggage say they have been affected by the allegations.

“The passengers must understand that this is our livelihood and we will not do anything to lose their trust,” Porferio Lavado, 42, who has been a porter at NAIA for 17 years, told Inquirer in Filipino.

Inquirer reported an incident witnessed between a female passenger at NAIA and porter who offered to help her with her luggage.

“Get away from me,” the publication reported the female telling the porter. “I don’t want you to plant any bullet on me.”

The porter said he used to help about 20 passengers in 24 hours.

However, as of Monday, Nov. 2, he was helping less than 10 since reports of the scam went viral on social media.

ered that they were being secured by five groups from Patikul and Talipao. [The Abu Sayyaf] opened the line of communication two days ago,” Dinampo said.

Former priest kidnapped Following the Sept. 21 kidnapping of the Samal group, the government tightened security in Mindanao.

But three weeks later, gunmen abducted an Italian ex-priest, Rolando del Torchio, from his pizza restaurant in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

The Abu Sayyaf is widely believed to be holding Del Torchio, but authorities have not confirmed this.

The bandits are also holding other foreign hostages, one from the Netherlands, one from Japan and two from Malaysia.

Last week, a 73-year-old South Korean man, Hong Nwi-seong, died in captivity and his body was placed in a sack and abandoned near a school in Jolo.

Last year, the Abu Sayyaf freed a German couple after spending months in captivity, and reportedly paying P270 million in ransom.

Philippine and German authorities denied any ransom was paid.

Listed as terrorists Despite its links with al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah, the Abu Sayyaf has no known source of foreign funding.

The group survives on extortion and kidnapping for ransom. It has become notorious for attacks on foreigners, some of whom it has beheaded.

It is blacklisted by both the Philippines and the United States as a terrorist organization.

ABAC REPORT. President Benigno S. Aquino III receives the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) report as presented by the business leaders from the private sector in a courtesy call on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Presidents Hall. The ABAC leaders include Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Food Corp., Doris Magsaysay Ho of magsaysay Inc., and Guillermo Luz of National Competitiveness Council. The ABAC report notes priorities and concerns of the private business sectors for inclusion in the APEC meetings this November in Manila.

Malacañang photo by Gil Nartea

OFWs need 18 years to save enough, return to family MANILA—It will take an average overseas Filipino worker (OFW) an estimated 18.11 years, or 217 months, to accumulate P3 million in savings before permanently returning to his or her family.

Based on a study commissioned by the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. (Philam Life), the average OFW saves roughly P13,800 a month.

The savings come from P9,658 held by the OFW while P4,142 is reportedly saved by his beneficiaries in the Philippines.

Thus, to accumulate P3 million in savings, the OFW has to be separated from family for a little over 18 years.

The good news is that the average OFW has a higher savings and investment awareness than Filipinos “at home.”

Philam Life chief marketing officer Jaime Jose Javier Jr. said that 97 percent of OFWs still prefer bank savings account. Ironically, the study also indicates that the same are aware of personal life insurance, non-life insurance, pre-need plans and other investment portfolios.

Javier said increasing yields of savings and investments several fold can shorten the number of years OFWs spend away from their families.

Approximately 10 percent of Philam Life’s total premium income come from its OFW portfolio.

“Fifteen percent of our new business premiums this year comes from OFWs,” the Philam Life marketing officer revealed.

The profile of the survey shows that a majority or 74 percent of

those covered by the study are of the 50- to 55-year-old age group. The same group believes that they need some P3 million in savings/investment to “send” them home.

The top four conditions for OFWs to stay home for good are to open their own business, their children have finished schooling, they have a car and they own their house.

Their top fears that could derail their aspirations are risk of getting sick, fear of losing job, fear of calamities and worried about poverty.

The study, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), shows that the OFWs invest their money in house/condominium, lot, jewelry, business, car, retirement plans, insurance, dollar funds and memorial plans. (Philstar.com)

A

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november 6-12, 2015

2

James, Nadine don’t let personal Direk Wenn Deramas: All faces of life affect work, says director comedy have elements of sadness

by JoyCe Jimenez

by PAblo

A. tArimAn Philstar.com

Philstar.com

MANILA—Nadine Lustre and James Reid remain professional despite dealing with their separate personal issues.

This, the director of their TV series On The Wings of Love Antoinette Jadaone said.

“Sila actually professional sila kapag nasa harap sila ng camera,” said Jadaone in an interview on Tuesday, Nov. 3 during the launch of her book The Arrow with a Heart Pierced Through Him. “Kapag hindi ka nagpa-follow ng Instagram nila hindi mo alam na may issue. Kapag nasa set kami pinag-uusapan namin mga normal na pinag-uusapan,” she added.

Last month, the fans noticed cryptic posts on the personal Instagram accounts of James and Nadine.

James talked about the public’s expectations on him.

On the other hand, Nadine hinted about going through a tough time. The said post was already deleted, but in a recent interview she admitted going through “depression” which is related to her personal life.

Despite these recent issues, Jadaone assured the JaDine fans

Nadine Lustre and James Reid remain professional despite dealing with their separate personal issues, says “On the Wings of Love” director Antoinette Jadaone.

that “wala lang sa kanila [ang issues]. Sobrang good friends sila talaga, e. Siguro kaya happy set kami lagi, ‘yong mga tao rin, we only love to do On the Wings of Love.”

Given a chance, Jadaone would like to do direct James and Nadine in a movie since she believes that “may mabibigay silang something sa pelikula.

Masarap silang katrabaho, wala silang limitations, e.”

As for the part two of the Cinema One Originals film That

Thing Called Tadhana, she doesn’t want to work on it just because of public clamor.

“Gusto ko siyang dugtungan pero sa tamang rason, tamang timing, tamang everything,” she explained. “Kasi kapag ang ganyan pinilit usually pangit kinalalabasan, e.”

Jadaone will direct the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “All You Need is Pag-ibig” which stars Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria and Ian Veneracion.

Designer Francis Libiran to make another appearance in ‘America’s Next Top Model’

by AlixAndrA

CAole Philstar.com

Famous Filipino couturier Francis Libiran will once again grace an episode of Tyra Banks’ model competition series ‘America’s Next Top Model.’

VilA

MANILA—Famous Filipino couturier Francis Libiran will once again grace an episode of Tyra Banks’ model competition series, America’s Next Top Model (ANTM).

As part of the competition, the renowned designer made a special collection for the last challenge of the five finalists of the search.

“To be part of this legendary TV show for the second time is, again, an honor not only for me, but also for the Philippines,” Libiran told ABS-CBN. Libiran first appeared on the show on ANTM Cycle 18 in 2011, where he designed a Hello Kitty couture collection for a challenge.

The collection was put up on exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum last May.

‘Kid Kulafu’ shows Pacquiao’s early years

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

BEFORE Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao became a world boxing champion, he was known as Kid Kulafu.

In a film titled after Pacquiao’s childhood boxing nickname, the rags chapter of the people’s champ’s rags-toriches story is conveyed in a dramatization that focuses on his younger years.

Kid Kulafu takes viewers on an in-depth journey through Pacquiao’s life in poverty and in an area of the Southern Philippines where strife between militants and police often leaves locals caught in the middle.

The biopic also depicts how his Tio Sardo got him started in boxing, how he worked collecting bottles after school, how he and his brother sold bread to earn money for the family after his mother suffered a heart attack, and how his mother was against his desire to box because she wanted him to become a priest.

A number of stories have already been told about the Philippine boxer, however, director Paul Soriano came with a different approach when pitching the idea to Pacquiao.

“I told him, well, the handle for this would be about your childhood, something maybe that not many people know in detail. And that kind of lit a fire in him I think,” Soriano said during a Q&A session following a Kid Kulafu screening on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the ArcLight in Culver City for the Asian World Film Festival.

It took three years from the start to completion of the film, which included extensive research and hours of stories

MANILA—‘Indeed, it is amazing that I can make people laugh while my early years were full of sorrowful struggles fit for teleserye. Kaya kung nadapa ka, kailangan marunong kang tumindig at tawanan ang nangyari sa’yo (when you fall, you have to learn how to get up and laugh your pains away).’

In this noontime presscon in the company of the cast of his latest movie, Wang Fam, direk Wenn Deramas is as usual self-assured and ready for questions that come in all shapes and sizes.

The curious ones would ask about the status of his love life, others would ask how he survived some members of the cast and their usual self-concocted shenanigans (all eyes are on the baby-faced Alonzo Muhlach who is already at home with adult jokes) and in general, how he deals with comedy this time wrapped with horror ingredients.

For a start, he says he has to wait for quite a while before he could complete the cast.

He explains: “I believe in good timing. I cannot imagine this film without the presence of Pokwang so I had to wait until she is free to work with us. It’s easy to tie up comic sequences with her around.

She has a way of blending with the comedy ensemble and she has a new way of contributing new ideas that will make new situations work.”

Pokwang reciprocates by saying her respect for direk Wenn has risen many times over for many reasons. “As director, he knows where you are effective and where you can be at your best. If you are in doubt, he will guide you until you get the sequence right. Working with him makes you regain your confidence as a comedian.

Because, sa totoo lang, mahirap ding magpatawa (truth to tell, it’s hard to pull off comedy).”

If the trailer of Wang Fam is of any indication, it shows great wacky signs that the latest Wenn Deramas horrorcomedy is going to be a riot in the box-office.

In the film, he is dealing with a family ensemble hovering

ConstAnte AJPress

“Kid Kulafu” producer Marie Pineda & director Paul Soriano

from Pacquiao.

“Manny is a hard guy to catch. You don’t get him every day, so when he calls, you kind of have to make time to talk and the challenge was what do we put in the film,” Soriano said.

Completing the movie took two years of research and about a year of filming, which included six months of preparation work and 34 days of filming in a span of three to four months.

With a runtime of 108 minutes, Soriano said, Kid Kulafu is only a small snippet of what Pacquiao went through

Photo by Peter Dumaual

in his life. And with the boxer’s abundance of vibrant memories while he was growing up, Soriano found it challenging to find the heart of the story.

However, he said 80 percent of the storyline is factual.

“Of course in every biopic that you do there’s always that creative license that you take. We didn’t make up anything. We just compressed it to make it look like it happened all right at the same time,” Soriano said.

He added that he is happy with the finished product, which Continued on Page 5

Direk Wenn Deramas in black and white. Years of struggles taught him how to see comedy in a deeper light.

background that would prepare him for film work.

He finished a Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Santo Tomas but ended up as production assistant and scriptwriter, the executive producer, of some TV and film productions of ABS-CBN and Star Cinema.

The grateful son once spoke in the image of his mother.

“Now that I am finally earning, my focus is on my family. We didn’t have much, we struggle all the time but we survived. Sabi ko, it’s about time my family deserved something better. Palagay ko tama na yong paghihirap.”

That background probably helped him understand comedy in a deeper light.

“Indeed, it is amazing that I can make people laugh while my early years were full of sorrowful struggles fit for teleserye. Kaya kung nadapa ka, kailangan marunong kang tumindig at tawanan ang nangyari sa’yo (when you fall, you have to learn how to get up and laugh your pains away).”

As the director parts with that line, I suddenly remember the lyrics of a Teddy Randazzo ’60s song — I laugh, with tears in my eyes Like a clown, I wear a disguise Can’t let you know, I love you so, You love someone else, so on with the show That’s the way of a clown Wang Fam opens on Nov. 18 in all theaters. It stars, among others, Joey Paras, Benjie Paras, Andre Paras, Yassi Pressman and Alonzo.

New documentary explores what it means to be Asian American through food

by Agnes

Director Paul Soriano and Fight Director Erwin Tagle discussing a shot for one of the boxing matches.

Photo by (c) Ten17P

between human and inhuman forms and come hard times, they discuss whether they can have one member of the family for dinner.

Alonzo provides the touch of innocence and gamely answers questions also in character with deep devouring eyes.

Wenn says the joy of directing is dealing with a versatile cast.

“After working with them for some time, they know what I wanted from them and the result that I want. Almost always, Benjie Paras requires only one take. And so with Pokwang. For that reason, I consider her the eternal beauty of comedy.”

After directing several blockbuster comedies, direk Wenn tells me he can do comedy even in his sleep. But combining the project with elements of horror is another story. “Initially, I learned the basic of horror movie in my Maria Leonora project. In both genres, I always see to it that the mood of the moment is reflected on the set. If it’s horror time, I play horror music on the set. But comedy for me is not just making people laugh. It’s quite easy on the surface. But in my brand of comedy, I strive to show one with a hint of pain. I think all faces of comedy have elements of sadness.

Without pain, comedy would seem empty and pointless.”

Looking back, it seems ironic that Wenn can excel in comedy when his real life is its exact opposite. His father left the family when he was only six months old and he grew up with the image of his mother who worked hard to send five children to school on her own. He was the youngest.

Every time he was shooting a scene from Tanging Ina, he felt the presence of his mother in it.

He confides: “Doon ko talaga hinugot sa mother ko ang character ng Tanging Ina. I grew up without a father and didn’t miss having one. Be that as it may, I’d say I did have a happy childhood.

Now I am having a hard time doing a story revolving around fathers. If you notice, the male characters in my soap operas are the weak kind. Probably because I didn’t have a model of a strong father in real life.”

But there was also nothing in direk Wenn’s academic

ON Dec. 8, a new documentary that explores what it means to be Asian American through food is set for release on PBS. Off the Menu: Asian America, directed by Grace Lee, chronicles a journey from Texas to New York, to Wisconsin to Hawaii, where Lee delves into food traditions in Asian American cultures.

In the four areas Lee visits, she uncovers a wide spectrum of food traditions and the role food plays in people’s lives, from sushi in Texas to Langar – where food is served for free to all visitors – at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and even catching and cooking octopus in Hawaii.

Off the Menu came to life after the Center for American Media approached Lee, whose credits include The Grace Lee Project (2007) and Makers: Women in Politics.

In choosing which stories to feature in the film, Lee said she cast a wide net and wanted to include a segment on the midwest, as stories on Asians from the region are rare. “[I] definitely wanted to go into the farther reaches where people might not be so familiar with Asian American cuisine or what that meant,” she said during a Q&A session following a screening of the documentary on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Japanese American National Museum.

Another goal was to ensure wide geographic diversity and ethnic diversity. The film also explored food supplies in Asian Pacific Islander culture in Hawaii, where a father and daughter

are shown going out to sea for octopus, and a separate group of youth farm and sell produce to a local restaurant.

While Off the Menu does not feature any Filipino stories, Lee emphasized that the film was not necessarily talking about specific ethnicities, but an Asian American experience.

“If you have any kind of connection to that, whether you’re a first generation immigrant or third generation, I think that a lot of the themes in the film connect that way. These themes of tradition, home, family, Grace Lee, director of “Off the Menu: Asian America” trying to make … a business, of Porridge+Puffs, scholar and trying to succeed in business, USC professor Karen Tongson and how food can also be part of a spiritual practice, or sustainability Youa Yang of Yang Farms; writer and sociologist Oliver Wang or farming is part of the food served as moderator. supply. Those stories aren’t “Asian eaters are pretty specific to those ethnicities, those just happen to be the people that smart.... We just eat out a lot, we love eating. It doesn’t matter if it’s we met on this journey.”

Asian food or Mexican food, we’re Food writer Christine Chiao very smart eaters and we don’t was also among panelists who engaged in discussions after the mind going out of our comfort screening, and touched on how zone,” Phan said.

The screening was hosted by she is drawn to stories that are non-profit organization Visual untold. She specifically cited Communications. one story involving a Fil-Am “[The documentary] brother duo who reached out to encapsulates how cultural pride her in late 2014, pitching their as an Asian Pacific Islander can story about their pop up called be a shared celebration here in LASA. America. I’m excited to launch “And I found that really fascinating because even though [Grace’s] film in advance of her national broadcast...” Francis we have a very rich Filipino Cullado, executive director of Angeleno community, we don’t Visual Communications, said in a see those stories come out as statement. much in food media. And so that Off the Menu: Asian America is was my motivation to go out and a multimedia project for Center meet Chad and Chase [Valencia] for Asian American Media (CAAM) and hear about their narratives,” and KQED. It is suitable for Chiao said. general audiences and has a total Others who weighed in on run time of 56 minutes. the panel were chef Minh Phan

november 6-12, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

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AARP salutes veterans for their Local residents 50-plus to take part in free AARP dedication and commitment to service AARP Thank a Vet Campaign supports veterans TEK Mobile Technology Workshop in Cerritos and their families november 6-12, 2015

www.asianjournal.com

Event marks national AARP TEK expansion announcement from AARP, through support from AT&T

AARP and AT&T are both passionate about closing the technology gap among people 50plus through the AARP TEK Program presented with the support of AT&T. By collaborating with AT&T, AARP TEK is able to provide the digital tools and training to help enhance the way family and friends stay connected. These free, live workshops are aimed at helping close the technology gap among people 50-plus.

A free technology workshop from AARP TEK Program AARP TEK and presented with AT&T’s generous support comes to Cerritos

on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 2. The “hands on” AARP TEK workshop is designed to enable people to leverage personal technology to enrich their lives and to educate the community on how they can maximize their use of their tablets and smartphones.

November 20 11am - 1pm: Intro to Smart Phones - Beginner Workshop 3pm – 5pm: Beyond the Basics: Smart Phones – Intermediate Workshop November 21 10am - 12noon: Intro to Smart Phones – Beginner Workshop

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP is saying thank you to the countless veterans and military 2pm – 4pm: Beyond the Basics: men and women who have done Smart Phones – Intermediate so much to serve and protect Workshop through a special promotion Workshops will be at the in honor of Veterans Day. From Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, Garden November 2 through November Terrace Ball, 12725 Center Court 16, AARP will offer a discounted Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703. membership rate up to 20 All 50-plus technology learners percent off for veterans, their from the Cerritos area are invited in families and anyone interested this event which will be attended by in joining or renewing. A portion AARP TEK representatives and local of the member dues will be elected officials. used to help support various For more information on Veteran’s organizations in local AARP TEK or for more details on communities across the country scheduled workshops, visit the that provide vital support services Events tab on aarptek.org. to courageous American heroes.

(Advertising Supplement) “Asian Americans have valiantly served our country since the War of 1812,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian get to forget the past but never American and Pacific Islander forget the lessons.”

Audience. “The individuals who For now, he chose to better served in the 442nd Infantry himself before getting into a new Regimental Combat Team (the relationship. most decorated service in the “I don’t want to be the same person I was before,” he explained. entire history of the U.S. military), the 100th Infantry Battalion, “I want to be a better partner, the 407th Air Service Squadron, a better person. Pero siguro it’s gonna take time. Kasi I’m learning the 987th Signal Company, the Philippine Scouts, the 1st from the failure and mga mali na Filipino Battalion, and the United nagawa ko.” (Philstar.com) States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), and those who served more recently in Iraq, Afghanistan and the world over have demonstrated courage and sacrifice. All our Military men and women are heroes to be Dannii Minogue said the Filcommended.

Aussie singer was “nailing it week Individuals who sign up after week.” through the Thank a Vet campaign “Sometimes, this show just will also have the opportunity captures people in their prime and to write a personal thank you all the stars align,” Minogue said. note to be shared with veterans Earlier, Villanueva wowed the throughout the country. This judges and the audience with his is an additional way for AARP performance of Adele’s Rumor Has members to share their support It. and appreciation for the brave His X Factor journey started after men and women who have served he impressed everyone during his their country. audition, performing The Weeknd’s For more information Earned It. or to take advantage of this In 2014, Filipino Marlisa Punzalan limited-time discount on AARP was declared X Factor Australia memberships, call (888) 744-3332 champion. or visit www.aarp.org/thankavet.

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 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

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Gerald open to ‘make things better’ with exes Kim, Maja MANILA—Gerald Anderson is open to be friends with his exes Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador.

“Siguro kung tinanong mo ako three or five years ago, iba po ang pag-iisip ko no’n, e,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Tonight with Boy Abunda on Monday, Nov. 2 Gerald dated Kim for six years before breaking up in 2010. His relationship with Maja ended

early this year.

“Buti na lang I learned to throw that pride away,” he added. “Hindi naman po kami magkalaban, e.

Isa lang po ang gusto namin, it’s to entertain and inspire these people. [Ngayon] of course, if mayro’n akong opportunity to say sorry and make things better, I would do it.”

With his past relationships, Gerald said he realized that “you

Fil-Aussie Cyrus Villanueva breaks into X Factor Australia top 5

by Nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

Filipino-Australian Cyrus Villanueva

EMPLOYMENT

FILIPINO-Australian Cyrus Villanueva made it to the top 5 of X Factor Australia after he impressed the judges with his rendition of Bob Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door.

On its November 3 episode, Villanueva got a standing ovation from the judges and the audience with his “amazing” performance.

“Cyrus, the question is not what can you sing but what can’t you sing.

I think I have caught the Cyrus virus!” judge James Blunt said, praising Villanueva for his rendition of the song.

Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanishlanguage 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.

(Advertising Supplement)

Mariel Rodriguez visits ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ house

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

MANILA—Mariel Rodriguez visited the Pinoy Big Brother house five years after she left ABS-CBN to move to TV5.

She was one of the original hosts of the show alongside Toni Gonzaga and Willie Revillame in 2005.

During her short talk with Big Brother aired Monday, Mariel turned emotional and said that the show “made a big impact in my life also and I’m forever grateful. That’s why I’m here today no matter what, to celebrate ten years with you.”

On her Instagram account on Sunday, Nov. 1, Mariel posted a photo of her outside the PBB house and captioned it with “Ako po si Mariel Rodriguez Padilla ang kapitbahay ni Kuya.”

Toni Gonzaga also expressed her joy to see Mariel again inside the “PBB” house.

On Monday, Toni posted a photo f her and Mariel remembering how “10 years ago we taped our tour of the house for the pilot episode and explained to the viewers what this show was all about.”

“Welcome back @ marieltpadilla! You are and forever will be part of PBB,” she added.

Mariel Rodriguez

Joey Reyes: Alden Richards is the next Piolo, John Lloyd

by Arvin

mendozA Inquirer.net

romance through the Kalyeserye segment of long-running noontime show Eat Bulaga.

“He is the most down-to-earth Since then, Alden’s and Maine’s gentleman I’ve ever seen.” celebrity status darted upwards, This is what film director skyrocketing to even greater Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes said of heights. They are now the stars of actor Alden Richards, who he is a movie alongside MMFF veterans currently working with on the Vic Sotto and Ai Ai de las Alas. upcoming movie My Bebe Love Direk Joey likened Alden to (#HugotPaMore), an entry to this two of the most successful stars year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. today, Piolo Pascual and John “I’ve been in this business for Lloyd Cruz, when it came to 30 years and, believe me, that’s having a great personality and rare. That’s really, really rare!” said right attitude in the show biz the director, also known as “Direk industry.

Joey,” in an interview on Thursday “There are two other people Nov. 5, on the set of the movie in who I find to be as nice and as giving as Alden. These are Piolo and John Lloyd,” he said. “I think he will be of that stature in due time. Because he is such a giving, unpretentious, down-to-earth and grateful person.”

He added: “Alden is very conscious not to let (fame) get to his head. That’s rare among young people.”

For Direk Joey, the fact that Alden had been around as an actor since 2010 yet his rise to stardom began only a few months ago was incredible.

“It’s all about being rewarded for your hard work. It’s all about Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza eat fast food on the set of their upcoming MMFF movie, the right time and the right place,” the director said.

“My Bebe Love.”

Daang Hari, Cavite.

“I have been yearning to work with Alden since he started. The first time I saw him on television, I even told the executives of his network that he is going to be the next big thing. Although he’s an actor, it took him a hosting job for Filipinos to discover that this guy is the next big thing,” he said.

Alden is one-half of the phenomenal “AlDub” couple, the other being Dubsmash queen Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza. They two started to have a strong following when they got involved in a whirlwind of split-screen

‘Kid Kulafu’ shows Pacquiao’s early years From Page 2

was completed with a budget equivalent to about $1 million.

Big-name Philippine actors The film stars big-name actors, with 17-year-old Robert “Buboy” Villar portraying the younger Pacquiao, emmanuel; Alessandra de Rossi as his mother, Dionisia; Cesar Montano as Tio Sardo; Alex Vincent Medina as his father, Rosalio; and Khalil Ramos as his friend eugene, who died in the boxing ring.

While the cast is well-known in the Philippines, Soriano said it was more important to choose actors who possessed a similar appearance to the roles in the story.

“I couldn’t get a young kid to play Pacquiao if he didn’t have kind of a resemblance ... so I had to go with authenticity as much as possible because it was a biopic,” the director said.

In casting Villar for the lead, Soriano said the teenager still had to audition despite his popularity in the Philippines.

“I still wanted to see as [much] talent as possible and it was a challenge because did you want to get a boxer and teach how to act, or did you get an actor you teach how to box?”

Soriano said.

It was Villar’s acting capabilities, his resemblance to Pacquiao and his ability to emulate the boxer’s fighting style that set him apart from others who auditioned for the role, Marie Pineda, producer of the film, told the Asian Journal.

“It was a challenge because did you want to get a boxer and teach how to act, or did you get an actor you teach how to box?

It was just very fortunate that we got a great actor who also learned how to box. It’s just I guess one of those blessings you thank God for,” Soriano said.

Villar trained for about three to four months with a mixed martial arts champion in Asia who served as the film’s fight director. They studied Pacquiao’s earlier fights, where he was more of a brawler.

“The fight scenes were extremely tough because you’re mimicking one of the

world’s best boxers and you kind of have to do justice to that,” Soriano said. But he commended Villar for his performance.

“He really embraced the character, took the challenge.

He did a great job,” he said.

Another cast member the crew got “lucky” with was de Rossi.

“I think she was able to capture Manny’s mom’s humor and strong personality without making it too much of a caricature. She was able to balance showing her love for her son while also showing her humorous side,” Pineda said.

Pacquiao helps with filming locations and release In addition to ensuring the authenticity of Kid Kulafu through the actors, the crew also did so through the filming locations. A considerable portion of the movie was shot in the mountains—one of the biggest expenses, Soriano said—and many scenes were filmed in original locations in General Santos City.

Pineda said the ring where Pacquiao fought in General Santos was the same one featured in the biopic.

“So we traveled very far to get the authenticity of the location,” Pineda said.

Despite logistical challenges, Pacquiao helped in securing locations in the area, where the filming took place for about two weeks.

The boxer also helped with promoting the movie, which hit theaters in April this year, despite the fact it was around the time of his bout against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Kid Kulafu was shown in select theaters in North America, but Soriano said the concentration was likely on Filipino communities. He added that the release was not as wide, likely due to the outcome of the Fight of the Century on May 2.

Since April, the biopic has been screened at multiple film festivals, including the Raindance in London, Tokyo International Film Festival the Guam International Film Festival, where Villar won the

Achievement in Acting award.

Later this month, it will be screened at a film festival in Hawaii.

Kid Kulafu is also being shown on Red, a channel by HBO, on a rotational broadcast.

Pineda and Soriano said Pacquiao will further be hosting free screenings of the film in General Santos City at the end of November.

The biopic will also be released on DVD before the end of the year and possibly online, according to Soriano.

Overall takeaway Pineda and Soriano hope Kid Kulafu will be seen by as many people as possible and that Pacquiao’s story will inspire viewers to work hard and believe that they can accomplish what they set out to do.

“I was very captivated by Manny’s story. Hopefully it gives inspiration to the people who watch the film that with hard work and determination, you can do anything. What a better example than through Manny Pacquiao, who is known all over the world,” Soriano said, adding that Pacquiao’s faith in God is a significant key to his success.

The film further shows how Pacquiao got to where he is, not only with hard work, but with talent and the support of his family.

In the development of the storyline, Soriano said Pacquiao gave the production the freedom to put everything – both good and bad – and did not dictate what parts to put in.

“We were trying to show the human side of Manny as a child, his drive, his relationship with his family – especially [with] his mother. Those are things we really wanted to highlight,” Soriano said.

Although Kid Kulafu specifically tells the story of Pacquiao, it isn’t just about him: it’s also a story about faith and dedication.

“At the end of the day, his goal was to be the best boxer in the world. Hopefully the film can kind of trigger that,” Soriano said.

november 6-12, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

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Sam Milby: I’ve always preferred dating non-showbiz girls MANILA—Sam Milby said he has always preferred dating someone outside of show business.

“It has always been my preference, well, I think after my last it’s more of my preference na,” he said in an interview on Wednesday, Nov. 4. “I would like it to be non-showbiz to separate ‘yong personal life and work.”

This may come as a surprise for some since he’s been romantically linked to several female celebrities. He was in a relationship with Anne Curtis and tried to pursue Jessy Mendiola and Shaina Magdayao in the past.

“You can’t help naman na kung sino ang ka-love team, katrabaho, nagkikita kayo everyday and kung ma-develop kayo you can’t help it,” he

explained when asked about being linked to someone in showbiz.

“But it has always been my preference na sana non-showbiz para mas tahimik, ma-separate ang work and life,” he added.

The Kapamilya actor recently revealed that he is dating a nonshowbiz girl, but refused to give details about her identity.

Asked if he sees himself settling down with her, Sam replied: “I won’t pursue her if I don’t see myself settling down with her.”

Sam talked to members of the press members to promote the ABS-CBN show Doble Kara.

The 31-year-old actor will join the cast of the afternoon series which stars young actress Julia Montes.

(Philstar.com)

Calendar of Events across

Sam Milby is currently dating a non-showbiz girl. “I won’t pursue her if I don’t see myself settling down with her,” he said. The 31year-old actor will be part of the ABS-CBN afternoon soap opera “Doble Kara.”

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 N OV E M B E R 7

FPAC 24 - “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas” Save the date! The 24th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) will be celebrated on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at El Pueblo de Los Angeles (125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012). and will feature contemporary and traditional Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. FPAC is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. This year’s theme for the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event is “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas” a Tagalog phrase meaning “looking backward, looking forward, and celebrates the rich experiences of being Filipino American. As a community we honor the culture paved by our ancestors, and move forward with a grateful understanding of our Filipino American history. This is the spirit that keeps FPAC going. Please check www.filmarts.org for more event updates. For Sponsorship Inquiries please contact us at 213-380-3722; or info@filamarts.org. For exhibitor (food and business) information, contact John Swing at jswing@esipa.org. #FPAC24

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16th San Diego Asian Film Festival To celebrate its sweet 16th, the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is proud to welcome and pay tribute to entertainment and film legends and pioneers during its 10-day film festival, from November 5 - 14, 2015. Presented by Pacific Arts Movement, the SDAFF is the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, with more than 130 films and programs from 20 countries. This year, the SDAFF presents the West Coast premiere of documentary TYRUS, paying tribute and welcoming entertainment legend Tyrus Wong, a 105-year-old Chinese American artist who is best known for inspiring the artwork in Disney’s original classic Bambi. Other contemporary pioneers in entertainment such as Ken Jeong and Eugene Lee Yang will be present. The film festival will take place at the Ultrastar Mission Valley at Hazard Center (Main Theater & Box Office), 7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108. For all screenings at Ultrastar, tickets can be purchased at the Ultrastar Mission Valley box office (Member $9, General $12) starting October 30. Student/Military/Senior and Group discounts are available at the door. Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night tickets are $15 for General, $12 for Members. Limited All-Fest Passes are available for $250. For ticketing info, film program/gala awards night details, and a full schedule, please visit festival.sdaff.org or contact 619.400.5911 | info@pacarts.org.

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Saint Martin of Tours Fiesta Invitation to Taaleños to host the celebration of the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours, the Patron Saint of Taal, Batangas, on Nov. 14. Holy Mass will be offered at 10 am at 401 Spur Trail, Walnut, CA 91789, followed by a potluck luncheon to be hosted by expats from Taal.

A ‘Silent Auction’ is planned to raise funds for the repair and beautification of the Old Catholic Cemetery. Musical entertainment will be provided by Tony Mijares of San Jose, Calif. Please contact potluck coordinators Lorna and Eddie B. de Sagun (626) 780-8272, and the following to confirm your attendance: Baby Patolot (626) 202-3172, Jeannette C. Ilagan (626) 922-4330 or Lydia V. Solis lvsolis@aol.com.

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Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award For Excellence In Medicine, Education, Arts & Literature and The Youth When: Saturday, November 28, 2015, 1-6 pm Where: Astoria World Manor in Astoria, Queens, NY Hosted by: Knights of Rizal - New York For More Information, please contact: Atty. Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq., KCR Commander, Knights of Rizal - NY E-mail: SUBALAW@aol.com

D EC E M B E R 3

AAPA Awards Gala Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) will host The Achievement Awards & Graduation Gala, honoring prominent leaders who trailblaze and inspire others to become leaders, and celebrating the 2015 graduating class of AAPA Mentees. The theme is “Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity.” The gala will take place on Thursday, Dec 3 from 5:30pm - 9:30pm, at the Hilton San Gabriel (225 West Valley Blvd. San Gabriel, CA 91776).

Expose your brand to the professional community who are your customers, clients, potential employees, entrepreneurs, corporate and community leaders. Your support will directly benefit the AAPA mentees in the program. To purchase a ticket or ad, the cost is $50 each (limited time only); full/half/quarter page ad sizes are available in full color. Please visit http://aapaawards.eventbrite.com/ for more details and to RSVP by Nov. 13. Please get involved by emailing lia.andika@aapamentoring.com.

D EC E M B E R 5

Santo Nino de Cebu Association Annual Dinner Dance The Santo Niño de Cebu Association of Southern California, Inc. will hold its ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE on December 5, 6pm - 12:00 midnight, at Almansor Court (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801). For more details and reservations, please contact Helah (626) 215-2684, Gemma (909) 997-1026, Nelia (818) 425-9926, Joy (909) 228-0437 or Willo (818) 458-0779.

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

november 6-12, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 3)

THiS series of articles seem relevant and appropriate in the wake of the mass murder of 9 Christian students in Umpqua Community College in rural Roseburg in Oregon by a demented, twisted young man just in the last month.

Politicians with an agenda were quick to make political hay of the tragic event. This is why career politicians are going the way of the dodo. Empathy and sympathy, the genuine kind, are quickly set aside to push gun control with the thinly disguised end game of subverting second amendment rights mandated by the Constitution. The college where the perp carried his heinous, dastardly deed was a gunfree zone. Does it occur to most that gun-free zones are the habitat of the deranged which in effect, make sitting ducks out of intended victims?

Unless and until the world becomes a utopia where everyone is an angel with no evil thought and there is no further need for law enforcement, walls and doors, i believe everyone should be given the chance and the wherewithal, both physical and spiritual, to defend themselves from the tyranny of evil.

There is a consistent pattern here — as plain as the speck on one’s nose — for those with clear eyes, a keen sense of historical perspective, plain common sense, and more importantly perhaps, with no self-serving agenda to push. These people are sick. At the root of the matter of every atrocity in recent times that deranged gunmen who had no qualms about killing others before they kill themselves is the deplorable state of mental illness so many Americans are afflicted with these days.

This is, perhaps, the reason there are so few happily-ever-after stories these days that can make the collective heart of the human race glad. in just one act, one sick,

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WesterN UNioN VeterANs DAy PromotioN

Western Union celebrates military: Whatever happened to ‘Happily Ever After’? Veterans Day Promo, Career open House “ … All the lonely people Where do they all come from? … All the lonely people Where do they all belong?…”

—Eleanor Rigby, Lennon-McCartney demented soul can cause so much incalculable grief.

Stories make up the fabric of human life. Each life story is one thread in this vast cosmic tapestry of billions of stories all of humanity is weaving from one generation to the next.

We are born in this world with our own unique set of circumstances. We like to believe that each of us is created for a purpose wired into our DNA, like a GPS directing us to a destination — a state of being — whatever that may be. in the age old fairy tale of “Sleeping Beauty,” Princess Aurora’s life was protected

by Three Good Fairies: Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. They have gifted her and her Prince Charming with the weapons to fight off the evil of the villainess, Maleficent. in real life, from princes to paupers, most people like to think that they too have been given gifts that serve as shining weapons when they do go through those dark periods in every season of life. The darkness can range from just being lonely and isolated for periods of time to the more extreme and detrimental negative emotions that drive people to insanity or worse, to suicide.

We want to have those weapons to deal with those inner struggles in order to do battle with deep, dark depression and fend off those eerie voices that urge the afflicted to inflict self-harm or even worse, to kill others as well. The “dark night of the soul” seems to be occurring with more alarming frequency these days.

We would like to become courageous, even bold, as we come out swinging with our blessed swords slaying our

dragons every time they rear their ugly heads. Until finally at the end of all earthly struggles, we become happy and content as we stride off into the sunset, victorious and fulfilled. Well, there you have it – the final frame of a movie. There’s that happily-ever-after ending to the life stories we seek.

Alas! How we wish most of life’s stories end happily. These days, instead of happily ever after endings, we have sad stories, cautionary tales, even horror stories to drive us out of our wits’ end. it’s like being trapped in our seats, strapped tight, in the Theatre of the Macabre and watching grim Tim Burton stories unfolding onscreen on repeat mode.

What is causing all this darkness, all this loneliness that seems to affect so many people in the world today? You scratch your head and wonder who let those rabid monstrous creatures out from the gates of hell? it seems the gates are wide open, unleashing all the evils that can be conjured from a witch’s brew simmering in a big black cauldron over the fires of hell. All the evils are unleashed from Pandora’s box with just one thing left at the bottom of the box — HOPE. There is an onslaught of overwhelming assaults that come in all forms from just everywhere, facilitated by the startling phenomenon of social media and the ease of anything going viral through the internet. This warped, perverse world we live in today seems to delight in mischief and mayhem. (Continued next week) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

DiD you know that money transfer is frequently a vital service for members of the military? Often, when soldiers are deployed, families send money overseas to support spouses and children. Earlier this month, more than 8,530 veterans participated in conversations about money transfer (during October 1-15, 2015) according to research by Network insights. These facts show how these services provide a vital lifeline of support between service members and their families from whom they are separated for long stretches of time.

This year, there are two special programs that Western Union, a global leader in money transfer, is offering to celebrate our military and honor Veterans Day. Western Union is waiving the money transfer fee for US domestic sends for consumers who use the promo code “HERO.” this November 11th in honor of the men and women of the US armed forces and is hosting a Veterans Career Open House on November 6th.

Fee Free: On Wednesday, November 11, the company will offer ALL customers the

opportunity to make qualifying US domestic money transfers— and transfers to and from US military bases around the world where Western Union has a retail Agent location--free of charge in honor of veterans and active service members. This offer is available only at Western Union retail Agent locations throughout the US, and customers using the promo code “HERO” will have the normal transaction fee waived.

There is no dollar amount or limit for these “fee free” transactions.

To raise awareness of this promotion, Western Union is employing social media (including Facebook and instagram), as well as their extensive network of Agents and robust customer relations management resources.

Customers can visit wu.com to find an Agent location.

Veterans Career Open House: This free event takes place at Western Union’s corporate offices in Denver (12500 E. Belford Avenue Englewood, Colorado) on November 6, between 9am and 12pm. This event is open to all veterans, as well as guard, reserve and active service members.

Attendees will receive information on career opportunities available to military members, as well as useful career advice on resume tips, successful interviewing techniques, how to translate military skill and build an effective Linkedin profile.

Another illustration of the importance of money transfer to military personnel is that Western Union currently has retail Agent locations on many military bases throughout the world. Military personnel, who are often Western Union customers, use money transfer in situations, such as: • A new, younger service member who hasn’t established a checking account, receives funds for basic support and emergency needs (as a sender or receiver) • A service member away on temporary assignment and who doesn’t want or need to establish a local checking account because they won’t be stationed at the location for a long period of time • Parents and family of active service members often wire money to the spouse and children to help out, as well.

(Advertising Supplement)

Fil-Ams of Paradise 25th Anniversary Christmas Party on Dec. 12 THE Filipino-Americans of Paradise will have their 25th Anniversary Christmas Party on Saturday, December 12, at the Paradise Elks Lodge, 1100 Elk Lane Paradise, CA 95969 from 5pm to 11pm.

Find out more about what this holiday means and how to celebrate it. For more information, contact Eric/Leah at (530) 781-2129, Gemma at (530) 837-3184 or Myrna at (530) 872-0460.

Nielsen convenes with industry thought leaders to discuss the state of the Asian American community NEW YORK – Nielsen, in partnership with the Asia Society, Asian American Advertising Federation, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Asian American Federation, convened more than 50 industry leaders to collectively identify challenges and discuss opportunities to increase investment in the Asian-American community.

The summit, which was held in New York City, focused on the areas of philanthropy, marketing and advertising investment and senior leadership advancement.

“The Asian-American community is incredibly diverse, encompassing dozens of languages and representing more than 40 different countries of origin. Nielsen understands the complexity and nuances of working with, marketing to, and serving this particular segment,” said Betty Lo, vice president, Community Alliances & Consumer Engagement, Nielsen.

“Through our Asian-American Consumer Reports and our work with Nielsen’s Asian Pacific American Executive Advisory Council, it became clear that a conversation about investment in this community was necessary.”

Attendees of the event engaged in high-level discussions with the goal

of developing actionable initiatives and commitments to address the need for increased investment in the AsianAmerican community. Key topics impacting Asian-Americans, such as barriers to advancement in corporate management, the “model minority” myth, civic engagement and political representation, as well as industry learnings about the segment as consumers, were deliberated and dissected.

“We commend Nielsen for the foresight to bring together industry, community, and political stakeholders for this critical dialogue,” said Nita Song, Co-Chair of the Nielsen Asian Pacific American External Advisory Council, and President and CEO, iW Group. “Nielsen’s expertise in providing datadriven consumer insights makes them an ideal partner to provide a platform to elevate the importance of the fastestgrowing and most culturally diverse ethnic segment in the United States.”

Nielsen’s Asian Pacific American External Advisory Council is comprised of industry, community, academic and business leaders. The organizations work closely to shape and establish best

practices for panel recruitment and procedures to best reflect the consumer habits of the Asian-American community. The Council regularly consults on process and procedural updates to ensure that Nielsen’s diversity and inclusion practices position the company to authentically understand this segment across all levels of operations. Nielsen also partners with numerous Asian-American and Pacific islander-serving organizations to consistently engage this diverse and growing segment.

“The Diverse intelligence Series of reports speaks to the strength of the changing demographics of this country,” said Saul Rosenberg, Chief Content Officer, Nielsen. “in order for Asian-American and other multicultural consumers to be best served, it is imperative that the industry examine watch and buy behaviors within a cultural context. Nielsen is committed to amplifying the unique voices of Asian-American consumers by highlighting research and data that is reflective of the cultural values and preferences of this diverse segment.”

To learn more about Nielsen and its commitment to serving diverse communities, visit Nielsen.com.

Pampanga High School Class ’65 celebrates golden jubilee Class 1965 of the Pampanga High School will hold TULA ampong SAYA, its 50th anniversary reunion, on December 29-30, 2015 in San Fernando Pampanga, Philippines. All 1965 graduates of the Pampanga High School (PHS), formerly the Jose Abad Santos High School (JASHS), and their spouses are welcome to all the planned events. Admission is free.

There are three major events scheduled: 1) BiSPERAS on December 29, a fun day (9am to 6pm) of games and togetherness at the Diaspora Farm Resort in Santa Barbara, Bacolor, Pampanga.

2) KAPiYESTAN on December 30, a simple luncheon (11am to 3pm) featuring familiar Kapampangan dishes at the Mulang Galang, a tiny orchard in San Antonio, Mexico, Pampanga.

A karaoke machine and several carts of various street foods will complete the provincial fiesta atmosphere.

3) TERAKAN on December 30, a gala dinner-dance (6:30pm to 12 midnight) at the Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant in of San Fernando Pampanga. After a sumptuous lauriat, the Class of ’65 will enjoy an evening of music by the Decadas and mellow songs of Jerry, the folksinger.

To help finance the celebration, the golden jubilee organizing committee is publishing a book after the events. Also called TULA ampong SAYA, the book will not only memorialize the 50th anniversary reunion itself but will also celebrate the successes of Class ‘65ers (the likes of noted “innoventor” Virgilio Malang, former Congresswoman and immigration commissioner Andrea Dizon Domingo, and Retired General Jose Lalisan) and the accomplishments of the PHS Class ’65 Foundation, inc. Established in 2000, the foundation had undertaken various projects that have benefited class members, the school and the greater Pampanga community.

These projects include high school and college scholarship grants, medical and dental missions to surrounding poor communities, livelihood training for stay-home parents and out-of-school youths, a housing project for indigent classmates, feeding programs in area elementary schools, and direct gifts and donations to various local charities and to the Pampanga High School, its faculty and students.

The golden jubilee organizing committee is asking for the cooperation of all PHS Class 65ers to ensure the success of the

celebrations by doing any or all of the following: 1) Attend the reunion events.

Show up, be there, and enjoy the celebrations.

2) Spread the word. Actively find and reach as many Class ‘65ers as possible.

3) Make a donation. Be generous! Help finance the planned activities so that other classmates who might get intimidated by the prospect of a reunion expense will not have to worry anymore.

4) Support the Souvenir Book.

Buy or sell advertising pages and sponsor a personal family page or two.

Details on preparations, events and venues can be found on “TULA ampong SAYA,” on Facebook. Contact persons on the reunion organizing committee are the following Class ‘65ers with their Philippine telephone numbers: Joseph Deang (0927-228-8588); Erlie Aquino Estandarte (0929-2190248); Corazon Cunanan (0939118-2888; 0926-660-35540); Cecille Morales Bernas (0932509-2646); and Marcial Morales (0918-915-9095); and Dan Galang 0929-427-9308; 045-966-0764). in the US and Canada, contact Dan Galang at (510) 487-5551 or at (510) 648-1047.

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