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Volume 22 - No. 47 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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Failure not an option for PH delegation to Paris climate talks

by Sara

Pacia Inquirer.net

fAilure of the crucial climate change talks in Paris this December is not an option for the Philippine delegation, which is determined to exhaust all options to “preserve humanity and save the planet.”

“We are not considering a failure scenario because so much is at stake,” said commissioner manny de Guzman,

acting head of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and lead negotiator for the Philippines in the 21st Conference of Parties (CoP21) from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

CoP21 aims to ink a legally binding agreement among countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. if no agreement is signed, countries will be free to continue their “business as

usual” approach, thereby driving up global temperature by more than five degrees. “this is really the defining moment in our history. this agreement will essentially define the fate of humanity and our planet, our home planet.

Are we allowing our planet to be very warm? many islands are going underwater. some nations are already thinking about migrating to other PAGE A2

UNDER CONTROL. French gendarmes officers patrol near the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. French President Francois Hollande will preside over a national ceremony on Nov. 27 honoring the at least 130 victims of the deadliest attacks on France in decades. Despite the recent attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead, the French embassy has assured the Philippine delegation to the upcoming climate talks that now is the safest time to travel to Paris.

Six yeArS lAter

USA

DATELINE Clinton proposes tax break for family caregivers

Still no justice in Maguindanao massacre

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

DemoCrAtiC presidential candidate hillary Clinton on sunday, Nov. 22, proposed a new tax credit offsetting up to $6,000 in costs for middle-class families who care for their aging parents or grandparents and disabled family members.

“We need to recognize the value of the work that caregivers give to all of us, both those who are paid and the great number who are unpaid,” Clinton told a crowd of more than 400 gathered at a town hall-style meeting in iowa on sunday, Nov. 22, according to the Associated Press. her proposal, the latest in a series geared toward America’s middle class, seeks a credit to 20 percent of up to $6,000 in caregiving costs for a total savings of up to $1,200. it also calls for providing caregivers with additional social security benefits, and PAGE A3

Obama struggles to keep focus on Asia US to host ASEAN leaders in 2016 us President Barack obama voiced his determination to put Asia front and center in his foreign policy, even as a two-nation visit to the region was eclipsed by jihadist attacks in france and mali.

America’s self-styled “Pacific President” has been frustrated to see a trip to malaysia and the Philippines designed to highlight his stated refocus on Asia overshadowed once again.

After years of talking about the need to deepen trade, security and diplomatic ties with the region, White house officials had hoped the trip would be a victory lap. twelve countries recently agreed to obama’s trans-Pacific Partnership (tPP) trade pact, and the us pledged to boost security assistance to its ally the Philippines, which is in a confrontation with China over maritime territory.

PAGE A3

RELIVING THE HORROR. A Tamaraw FX vehicle with license Plate No. UTG 234 is recovered from a shallow grave where the bodies of at least 50 of 58 victims of the Nov. 23, 2009, Maguindanao massacre have been found in Datu Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province.

Six years after the tragedy, a manhunt for remaining suspects in the infamous Maguindanao massacre is ongoing. Of the 197 people accused of involvement in the mass killing, only 111 have been arrested and charged in court.

Inquirer.net photo by Rem Zamora

mANilA—Justice remains elusive for the victims in the maguindanao massacre as the country commemorates on monday, Nov. 23 the gruesome murder of 58 people, including 32 media practitioners, six years ago. more than 150 witnesses and thousands of pages of documentary evidence were presented, but the special court handling the case – while making substantial

progress in the past year – has yet to issue a single verdict against any of the accused charged with 58 counts of murder. the bail plea of primary accused Andal Ampatuan Jr. is pending before Quezon City regional trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn solis-reyes. malacañang is hopeful that the judiciary will find ways to speed up the process as presidential spokesman edwin lacierda has noted the pace of the case.

“We continue to be outraged by the whole incident and we remember the people who unfortunately died in that tragic massacre,” he said, adding that the Palace has been asking the judicial branch for a way to speed up resolution of the cases.

But for maguindanao Gov. esmael mangudadatu, who lost his wife Genalyn and two sisters, along with a number of female lawyers and staff in the Nov. 23, PAGE A2

Aquino hit for downplaying Filipino-owned fastfood chain among fastest growing joints in US bullet-planting scam

by JeeferSon

antiPorda, Michael Joe delizo ManilaTimes.net

lAWmAKers on tuesday, Nov. 24 decried the attempt of President Benigno Aquino iii to downplay the tanim-bala extortion scheme at the Ninoy Aquino international Airport (NAiA) that victimized passengers, mostly elderly. senators ferdinand marcos Jr. and Cynthia Villar said the illegal activity should be addressed regardless of the number of victims.

Aquino earlier said the issue was “sensationalized” to make it appear that the government is unable to put a stop to it. “it is unfortunate that instead of trying to get into the bottom of these allegations, the President chose to dismiss these outright with statistics and even defended the airport authorities,”

Pres. Benigno Aquino III

marcos said in a statement. “this is not about statistics; this is about an entire life, career or future of an individual and their families ruined by an extortion scheme. one incident of “tanim-bala” is one incident too many,” he added.

Villar said Gloria ortinez, one of those detained by authorities after a bullet was found in her hand-carry bag, sensationalized the issue. she said ortinez will not risk losing her work in hong Kong by bringing a bullet with her. “i cannot imagine an individual willing to risk everything for a bullet and it is difficult to believe that there is no tanim-bala,” she said. marcos said malacañang’s rePAGE A3

mANilA—Bon Appetit, one of the biggest food magazine publishers in the united states, dubbed Jollibee as one of the “up-and-comers and rapid expanders” among fastfood chains in the us.

According to their article titled “the fast food restaurants You should Be Watching in 2015,” the Philippinebased fastfood chain has “started popping up in the states, primarily on the West Coast but with a smattering in houston, Queens, Jersey City, las Vegas and Virginia Beach.”

Bon Appetit, one of the biggest food magazine publishers in the United At present, it has 30 branches all States, dubbed Jollibee as one of the “up-and-comers and rapid over the us. the article also added expanders” fast food chains in the US. PAGE A2 Photo courtesy of Jollibee USA

Help pioneering Pinay inventor, govt urged the government should help the group of filipina inventor Aisa mijeno to realize their goal of massproducing their saltwaterpowered leD lamp, sen. ferdinand marcos Jr. said on monday. it is sad, according to marcos, that the government is yet to provide support for mijeno’s invention when both us President Barack obama and Chinese billionaire Jack ma of Alibaba had recognized the potential of her invention. mijeno, Ceo of sAlt (sustainable Alternative

SFC Footer ad 3 x 1/16

lighting), shared the stage with obama and ma at the APeC (Asia Pacific economic Cooperation) Ceo summit where obama moderated a session after his speech on climate change. she said her group needed funding to massproduce the lamp. “sAlt’s invention has gained international attention and earned various awards and it is puzzling why we have not seen any effort from the government to help bring this product of filipino ingenuity to the PAGE A2

President Barack Obama poses for a photo with Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Filipina scientist Aisa Mijeno following a discussion at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, attended by 800 business leaders from around the region representing US and Asia-Pacific companies in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

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From the Front Page

Failure not an option for PH...

Still no justice in Maguindanao...

PAGE A1 lands. This is a very basic human issue: Survival,” De Guzman said in a press conference on Wednesday during the 2015 Climate Change Consciousness Week at SMX Convention Center.

“The Philippine delegation is attending the COP fully prepared to negotiate and deal with any possible emergency scenarios,” he added.

Led by President Benigno Aquino III, the Philippine delegation, which is composed of 50 people, is represented by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Energy, Department of Finance, Department of National Defense, Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Transportation and Communication, National Economic and Development Authority, and the Offices of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, among other government agencies.

The negotiation sessions will focus on six core issues: Adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity building and transparency and other legal issues.

All of these are “major” issues the Philippines is invested in, ac-

2009 incident, “justice is still an elusive dream.”

Genalyn was supposed to file the governor’s certificate of candidacy in the provincial capital of Shariff Aguak when their convoy, which included media groups, was stopped by more than a hundred men in Ampatuan town. All were shot and buried. Others were raped before they were killed. The body of reporter Reynaldo Momay was never found.

Mangudadatu, then the vice mayor of Buluan town, was supposed to challenge a scion of the Ampatuan clan – then the most powerful political family in the region – for the gubernatorial post.

Prosecution witnesses claim that Andal Jr. himself led the attack, an allegation he personally denied when he took the witness stand last month to testify on his whereabouts during the incident.

Other prominent members of the Ampatuan clan, including now deceased Andal Sr., were tagged as masterminds of the crime. They have denied the allegations.

Time ticking for Aquino admin When he was elected in 2010, President Aquino himself pledged that convictions would be issued against the suspects in the massacre before he steps down from office next year.

Former justice secretary Leila de Lima said in October that she remained confident that a verdict would be issued against Andal Jr.

Climate Change Commission acting head Manny de Guzman is the lead negotiator for the Philippines in the 21st Conference of Parties or COP21 climate conference which will begin on Nov. 30 in Paris.

Inquirer.net photo by Sara Pacia

cording to De Guzman, adding that the country will participate in all sessions, which will be held parallel to one another over the course of the event’s two weeks.

Some members of the delegation have also negotiated for the Philippines in past COPs. Representatives from civil society organizations, youth groups and professionals from the private sector who serve as advisers on climate change are also part of the Philippine delegation. Among those who will attend side events on behalf of the country are Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committees on climate change and finance, and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who has been a member of the board of the Green Climate Fund since 2012.

Four other cross-cutting issues

are also part of the Philippines’ focus: Equity, ambition, pre-2020 action and post-2020 financing. 2020 is the year the legally binding agreement, should it be signed, will take effect. Climate financing in particular is a sticky issue in this year’s talks.

Of the 196 parties part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, only 154 submitted their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) accounting for 86 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. The Philippines has committed to reduce its emissions by 70 percent by 2030, subject to funding to be given to developing countries.

However, the current INDCs will only total a decrease of 2.7 dePAGE A3

PAGE A1

and his brother, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor Zaldy Ampatuan. She personally supervised the prosecution panel before resigning last month to run for the Senate .

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno also said that the Supreme Court has done its part in helping expedite proceedings as it issued a resolution allowing Judge SolisReyes to separately promulgate judgment on the accused, known as the “first in, first out” method. It also appointed an assisting judge to handle motions that do not tackle the merits of the case.

Private lawyer Harry Roque, who represents some of the media victims, expressed confidence that the court could issue a ruling against Andal Jr. and Zaldy.

“The past six years without a conviction is a clear breach of the state obligation to accord the victims an adequate domestic remedy. Nonetheless, I am confident that because of our initiative, the first in first out, we could have a promulgation against two Ampatuan brothers before PNoy leaves,” said the lawyer, who is running for Congress under a party-list group.

But defense lawyer Salvador Panelo said the termination of the case may not be forthcoming as the accused still have to present evidence for their defense.

“That could probably last beyond Aquino’s term. What is important is the truth in the case comes out,” he added.

Members of the Central Mindanao media community are certain of a conviction though as they remain hopeful that the court would hand down a ruling soon.

Bail pleas While no ruling has been issued, the court handling the multiple murder case has made significant progress in the past year.

Based on court records, Judge

Solis-Reyes has ruled on the bail petitions of 62 out of 69 suspects who filed such plea.

A total of 45 suspects, mostly police officers, have been allowed to post bail, while 17 suspects – including deceased Andal Sr. and his sons Anwar Sr. and Zaldy – have been denied of their motion for temporary freedom.

Despite the bail grant, only one suspect, Andal Sr.’s son Sajid Islam, was able to post the P11.6 million set by the court. He is now running for mayor of Shariff Aguak, a post previously held by his brother Anwar Sr. prior to the massacre.

In her rulings granting the bail pleas, the judge said the prosecution panel was not able to present convincing and strong evidence against the accused. Most of the orders are questioned before the Court of Appeals. Zaldy’s camp also expressed its intention to appeal the denial of bail for the former regional governor.

Panelo said the Ampatuan clan has been framed for the massacre, and presented witnesses claiming that Andal Jr. was not at the scene but instead at the municipal hall at the time of the incident.

He also reiterated that Andal Jr. was in the United States a few days prior to the massacre, making it impossible for him to attend the supposed meetings where the crime was planned.

“The accused are hounded by the reality that their witnesses are either killed, intimidated, bought or charged with fabricated crimes to make them mortally fearful to testify. Some of them died or are debilitated by illness. Others who are willing to testify are opposed by the prosecution panel because it doesn’t want the truth to come out about the Ampatuans being framed for a crime they have not committed,” Panelo added.

PAGE A1 market,” Marcos noted.

Powered only by a solution of water and two tablespoons of salt or plain seawater, the LED lamp can provide 8-hours of light.

The senator said SALt’s invention, which will provide a cheap and dependable source of light in many rural areas of the country where there is still no electricity, will also give employment if mass-produced here in the country.

At the very least, Marcos added, concerned government agencies should take the initiative of reaching out to Mijeno’s group to inform them of the assistance

they could avail of under Republic Act 7459 or the Investors and Inventions Incentives Act. He said inventors were complaining in the past that they experienced difficulty in trying to avail of incentives they are entitled to receive under the law, prompting many of them to find support outside the country.

“We should be the first ones to benefit from the innovative creations of our inventors. Unless we give them adequate support, we will always lose out on investors abroad who are always on the lookout for promising new products,” Marcos added. (ManilaTimes.net)

Help pioneering Pinay...

Filipino-owned fastfood chain...

PAGE A1 that it is visited because of its menu such as the palabok fiesta noodles and their signature spaghetti and chicken.

As of end-June, the fastfood chain company was already operating 3,001 stores—2,374

in the Philippines and 627 abroad. And just last October, it has acquired acquiring 40 percent of US-based fast casual burger chain Smashburger for $99 million, the biggest investment it has ever made overseas.

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Dateline USa

Failure not an option for PH...

PAGE A2

grees, still a far cry from COP21’s goal of below 2 degrees.

De Guzman said the Philippines, as current chair of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), was lobbying for a lower goal: Below 1.5 degrees.

The CVF is a group of 20 countries that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. While not a negotiating bloc in COP, the CVF has come to be known as “poster boys” for the talks due to the increasing number of natural disasters aggravated by climate change that hit its members.

Integrating human rights into all aspects of the draft agreement is another goal of the Philippines.

As of the ministerial meeting held in Bonn, Germany, from Oct. 19 to

23, the importance of advocating for human rights in the climate talks has been included in the draft agreement.

“The Philippines encourages all parties to come to a consensus on the outstanding issues of ambition, bearing in mind that with a better mitigation ambition the better it is for the preservation of people’s rights to life, health, water and sanitation, housing and self-determination,” De Guzman said.

While the negotiations in France will be De Guzman’s first COP, the country’s chief negotiator is optimistic that a legally binding agreement is within reach. The Philippines, he said, was fully prepared to do everything to ensure success.

“To come up with another proposal will take another 10 years.

Can we afford another 10 years?” he said.

Other countries also shared the Philippines’ optimism, De Guzman said, save for two or three countries that he declined to name.

De Guzman replaced as chief negotiator former CCC secretary Mary Lucille Sering, who resigned mid-2015 after the Philippines submitted its INDC. French President Francois Hollande and UN Secretary Ban Kimoon are set to formally launch COP21. President Aquino, who is among the hundred heads of state who will give a short speech on Nov. 30, will stay in Paris for a few days before proceeding to the Vatican to visit Pope Francis.

Clinton proposes tax break for...

PAGE A1 reforming work-family policies to support paid and unpaid caregivers, a Clinton aide said.

In the United States, there are approximately 12 million who require long-term care. By 2050, as the population ages, that number is expected to hit 27 million, according to a Clinton campaign fact sheet. The presidential candidate said the economic value of unpaid work performed by family caregivers in 2013 for aging and disabled individuals was $470 billion.

“As baby boomers age, more and more families will need to provide care for or will need care from loved ones,” her campaign said.

“Many family members, most often spouses and adult daughters, spend time out of the workforce, cut back on hours, or use personal days, vacation and family time to provide needed care.”

Clinton also said that lost wages and work especially comes at a cost to women, who constitute the majority of paid and unpaid caregivers.

“Whether a woman leaves the workforce to care for children or leaves the workforce to care for

a spouse or parent, it means that there is not then an income coming in that could be used to help calculate Social Security benefits later. And I think we have got to recognize that for many women, this has a very serious impact on the amount of money they then draw from Social Security, in order to take care of themselves,” Clinton said.

Campaign estimates put the cost of the plan at $10 billion throughout a 10-year period. However, it would not add to the nation’s debt, the campaign said, as it would be financed with tax increases Clinton has previously proposed.

“Hillary Clinton’s solution to every pressing issue is to expand government and raise taxes, and this plan is no different as it will cost hardworking Americans billions,” said Ninio Fetalvo, Asian Pacific American press secretary at the Republican National Committee. “Clinton is simply checking a box to score political points at the expense of middle-class Americans.”

Wall Street Journal political reporter Laura Meckler, who covers Clinton and the 2016 presidential

campaign, wrote that the Clinton campaign did not provide more specific details about a revenue source for the proposal, other than a variety of other pay-fors.

Assisting adults attending to their elderly parents, often while simultaneously raising their own children or assisting with their grandchildren, has become a theme at Clinton’s campaign stops, Reuters reported.

Clinton’s plan would also invest additional money into programs providing grant dollars for respite care needs, such as short stays in caregiving facilities, according to CBS. She would also launch a government-wide “Care Workers Initiative,” which would guide training and placement for care workers and ensure they are paid fairly, CBS reported.

The presidential candidate previously proposed the creation of a new, refundable $5,000 credit for out-of-pocket health costs and a new credit for businesses that create apprenticeships, Politico reported. Her campaign said she will offer additional middle-class tax breaks in the coming months.

(Agnes Constante / AJPress)

PAGE A1

resolve to meet this challenge” of extremist violence.

“On behalf of the American people, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the people of Mali and the victims’ families, including at least one American,” he said.

On Sunday, Nov. 22, the president said he would host the leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations next year as he rejected accusations that the Middle East turmoil was distracting him from focusing on Asia.

“I’m pleased they accepted and I look forward to continuing our work,” he said, speaking in Kuala Lumpur at the end of a marathon

week of diplomacy that has taken in summits in Turkey, the Philippines and Malaysia. He added that good ties with Asian nations were “absolutely critical” to US security.

Obama said his Asia tour, which had been initially overshadowed by terrorist attacks in France, Lebanon and Mali, was neither distracted by nor “somehow disconnected from pressing global events.”

“This region is not a distraction from the world’s central challenges but is critical to security, prosperity and human dignity around the world,” he said. (Inquirer.net with reports from AFP and AP)

Obama struggles to keep focus...

During the weeklong Asia swing, Obama has touted his years growing up in Southeast Asia, vowed to become the first president to visit Laos, and chatted with audience members in Bahasa Indonesia.

But at a business forum on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia on Saturday, Nov. 21, Obama had to begin by talking about events half a world away in Mali, where 27 people died in an attack by gun-toting jihadists.

In a speech, Obama condemned the “appalling” attack, adding that “this barbarity only stiffens our

Aquino hit for downplaying ‘tanim-bala’...

PAGE A1

action puts into question the government’s sincerity in addressing the extortion scheme.

Anakpawis also scored Aquino for defending airport officials who failed to stop the extortion racket.

“President Aquino should not take the gravity of the issue by the numbers. One victim of tanimbala is enough to compel the authority to quickly resolve the case.

His latest statement defending the ranking NAIA officials from criminal and administrative liability is an obvious move to cover up its mess,” Rep. Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

“Clearly the Kamag-anak, Kaklase at Kaibigan weighs more than the trauma and inconvenience that the victims suffered in the hands of unscrupulous air-

port ranking officials and security personnel engaging in the illegal affair. He absolved these officials from any wrongdoing while there is no closure in the case. He just adds to the growing frustrations not only to the tanim-bala victims and their families but worst making the issue more infamous in the international scene,” he added.

The family of Lane Michael White, the American missionary indicted for carrying a bullet at the airport, said it respects the comment of the president and will leave everything to God. Lane’s father Michael Ryan White quoted the Bible when asked to comment on Aquino’s statement.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this

world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians:6:12-13 KJV),” he said.

“We respect President Aquino’s opinions, but with this verse, we know that our God is in control and He is merciful and just.”

The preacher added that the government should address the problem instead of insulting the media and threatening the victims.

“During a time when the Filipino people needed reassurance that this problem would be fixed, they instead get their intelligence insulted, the media and the victims get threatened to be investigated,” he said.

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 27-dECEmbER 3, 2015

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Long Beach community discusses raising min wage

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

AS the City of Long Beach continues consideration of a minimum wage increase, community members, business owners, low-wage workers and representatives from non-profit organizations on Tuesday, Nov. 17, gathered in the city to discuss the benefits and disadvantages of such a raise.

“This is an issue that affects a lot of people,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said at Tuesday’s round table discussion at Admiral Kidd Park, the fourth of six meetings the City Council has set to provide com- Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia AJPress photo by Agnes Constante munity members an opportunity to voice their opinions. “It clear“[This] would really benefit ly affects workers, it affects the thousands of Filipinos,” Alex quality of life of workers, it also Montances, campaign coordiclearly affects small businesses nator at FMC, told the Asian in particular and their ability to Journal. “We shouldn’t be workprovide services, and of course ing against our kababayans. We the non-profit sector, youth pro- should be working with them grams, a variety of issues that and we need to make sure that we’ve all talked about.” everyone has a chance to live Many round table participants a dignified life and that every weren’t entirely against the idea family can thrive. Thats the Piliof boosting the minimum wage in pino way. That’s the Long Beach Long Beach, although a number way.” agreed the issue should be deWith a number of Filipinos cided by the state so as to allow working as caregivers, in restaufor a level playing field. Business rants, in factories and in hotels owners and non-profit represen- many of whom experience wage tatives also expressed concerns theft - another issue of concern about how their entities would is ensuring they receive proper cope with a mandatory increase, wages. and that paying workers $15 per “We’ve seen a lot of big issues hour by 2020 (as it has been pro- with wage theft in the caregiving posed in Los Angeles) would be industry where a lot of Filipino too much too fast. caregivers and other folks are acAt Aquarium of the Pacific, tually not getting paid overtime, vice president of finance and are not being given breaks, so we chief financial officer Anthony really need to raise and enforce Brown said all employees are the wage,” he told round table paid above minimum wage and participants during the public that the non-profit is not op- comment period on Tuesday. posed to paying them their fair Two low-wage workers on the share. However, paying workers panel expressed similar worries. $15 by 2020, as is scheduled to Anthony Vallecillo, a warehappen in Los Angeles, would house worker at Cal Cartage, have a $3 million impact on the said he has often purchased organization. equipment for his job with his “What we’re challenged with own money. Francisco Abdul Esis how do we make that model tin, a worker at the Westin Long work for a non-profit. Just pen- Beach Hotel, said he often has ciling out solutions, obviously to work through his 10-minute we would have to look at price breaks, as nobody else is availincreases, we’d have to look at able to do his job during those possible attrition, we’d have to breaks. look at technology,” Brown said.

For restauranteur panelists, The Filipino Migrant Center the idea of counting tips toward (FMC), a non-profit that aims income was brought up. Mike to mobilize the low-income and Rhodes, owner of Domenico’s working-class Filipino commu- Pizza restaurant, said tips are nity in Southern California, is taxed but not considered inanother entity that has voiced come. He added that his serving support for raising wages to $15 staff makes an average of $29 per hour. per hour.

The impact on seniors with inhome care, as well as senior care facilities, was also raised during the discussion, with concerns that costlier, unaffordable labor could force seniors into institutions in which they do not wish to stay.

There have so far been no proposals made regarding the minimum wage in Long Beach, but the Economic Development Commission is expected to provide recommendations to the Council, Garcia said, but he highlighted some findings in the report released by the Long Beach Economic Development Council including: • The vast majority of individuals earning minimum wage are not teenagers and are working full time • Most Long Beach residents work outside the city, so raising the minimum wage doesn’t necessarily affect those within the city • Many Long Beach residents work in Los Angeles • If the minimum wage is raised to $12 per hour by 2017, approximately 33,000 workers could benefit; if it hits $15 per hour by 2020, about 46,000 workers are estimated to earn an additional $5,000 compared to their current income • In a worst case scenario, approximately 14,000 workers could be at risk of a negative impact, including reduced job hours and job substitution, if the minimum wage increases • Not too many businesses said they would close down or move out of Long Beach if the minimum wage rises. Instead, they would look into hiring fewer workers, raising prices, see cuts in profits and expect increased productivity from employees The fifth and sixth sessions for community input on the matter were scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, at the Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, during the Economic Development Commission meeting at Long Beach City Council Chambers.

Separately, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to approve a motion to establish a wage enforcement bureau for the minimum wage in unincorporated LA County. This makes the county the largest in the United States to have such a bureau.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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FOCAP statement on Ampatuan Massacre

The entire Philippine delegation to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands is composed of 48 individuals, including six Philippine ambassadors from different posts in Europe, counsel, advocates, expert witnesses and support staff.

Twitter photo by Abigail Valte

The Hague: PH hits China’s lack of basis on claims

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANiLA—The Philippines focused on the lack of basis for China’s historic claims over the nine-dash line in the South China Sea during the first day of the oral arguments of the hearing on merits at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, Netherlands.

Solicitor General Florin Hilbay took the floor to present the country’s sequence of arguments before the tribunal, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Meanwhile, principal counsel Paul Reichler focused in China’s historic right claim and how it was derived under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He pointed out that China’s historic claims over the disputed sea do not exist under the provisions of the UNCLOS. “Mr. Reichler mentioned that China has asserted exclusive rights over the areas covered by the Nine-Dash Line and has deprived the Philippines of fishing and exploration activities,” Valte said.

Professor Bernard Oxman of the University of Miami School of Law pointed out the unlawfulness of China’s claim to the South China Sea, which is beyond its maritime entitlements under the UNCLOS. He stressed that China’s massive claims over the disputed sea encroaches the rights of coastal states such as the Philippines.

“Andrew Loewenstein argued that even assuming, for the sake

of argument, that a claim of historic rights can exist after the UNCLOS, China has failed to satisfy the requirements to establish the claim, namely: a continuous exercise of exclusive control for a long period of time over the said area,” Valte said.

Loewenstein showed eight maps showing that China’s territory did not include the nine-dash line. The said maps date back to the Ming Dynasty.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario heads the Philippine delegation to The Hague, which is comprised of representatives from the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government.

China reiterated on Tuesday, Nov. 24 that it will neither accept nor participate in the said arbitration case.

China: PH breached consensus by filing arbitration case

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANiLA—Beijing insisted that the Philippines breached the bilateral consensus between the two countries as it filed an arbitration case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations. “in an attempt to negate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, the Philippine side unilaterally initiated the arbitration in breach of bilateral consensus with China and its commitment in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a press conference.

Hong maintained that China will neither accept nor participate in the arbitration case in connection to the disputed South China Sea. The first round of oral arguments on merits before the arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands has started on Tuesday,

“For example, the two light houses constructed by us on relevant islands and reefs have made it safer and more convenient for personnel stationed there and ships passing by,” Hong said.

The land reclamation project of China on some islands and reefs in the Nansha or Spratly group of islands has been completed since June.

Hong stressed that the construction of defense facilities in the artificial islands is not related to militarization in the region.

“We will also build a moderate amount of necessary defense facilities on some of the islands “Our position is crystal clear: we will neither and reefs which have nothing to accept nor participate in the arbitration,” do with militarization, target no Chinese Foreign Ministry Spoeksperson Hong one and have no impact on the Lei said in a press conference on Tuesday, freedom of navigation and overNov. 24. flight in the South China Sea conNov. 24 and will last until Nov. ferred by international law on all countries,” the Chinese official 30.

Meanwhile, China is set to in- said.

President Benigno Aquino iii stall facilities on islands and reefs in the disputed sea to fulfill its earlier called on China to respect “international responsibility and the rule of law following its exoffer better public goods and ser- tensive claims over the South vices to countries in the region.” China Sea.

AFP: No credible threat in PH

by Jaime Laude Philstar.com

MANiLA—Government security forces have not monitored any threat from terror groups, and there is no official report linking the Abu Sayyaf to the extremist islamic State, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

“But despite this, we call on citizens of the Philippines to be vigilant and watchful against terrorism and terror attacks,” AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said.

Padilla issued the statement following the global scare over the terror attacks in Paris and Mali that were attributed to the islamic State (iS).

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda earlier warned Filipinos to avoid crowded places due to the threat.

in the just concluded ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak denounced the Abu Sayyaf for beheading one of their two Malaysian captives in Sulu last week, saying the bandit group has aligned itself with the iS. “We have not received any report pertaining to the presence of iS or their legitimate sympathizers in the Philippines. There is no authentic link or relationship between the iS and the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao,” said Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs Office chief.

Detoyato also gave assurance that the government’s entire security apparatus is on top of the security situation in the country.

“Our ground commanders are at the ready to quell any attack in the future from these threat elements to ensure peace and

security in our communities,” he said.

President Aquino has ordered the AFP and the Philippine National Police to intensify operations against the Abu Sayyaf following the beheading of a Malaysian by the bandit group.

AFP chief Gen. Hernando iriberri ordered the troops to coordinate with the PNP in their offensives with the Abu Sayyaf.

Rewards Detoyato also announced that the military has awarded a total of P22.5 million to nine informants who helped security forces track down wanted terrorists and communist rebels.

Detoyato said the tipsters were instrumental in the capture or killing of two communist New People’s Army (NPA) leaders, three Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders and four of their cohorts.

Afghan linked to terror, HK newsman rude to Aquino sent out of PH

by Jeanette

andrade Inquirer.net

MANiLA—The Afghan national who was suspected of links to islamic State militants was put late Tuesday afternoon on a plane back to his country more than a week after he was held as a threat to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Also a Hong Kong-based journalist was barred last week from covering the APEC economic leaders’ meeting and his stay in the country was shortened by the immigration bureau, apparently the price of his “rudeness” two years ago to President Aquino in a similar gathering of the heads of state in indonesia. immigration officials sent back the 29-year-old Afghan national, who reportedly volunteered to be deported, on a Qatar Airways flight to Doha, which left the Ninoy Aquino international Airport (NAiA) terminal 1 on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

The Afghan national, who claimed to be an employee of Af-

ghanistan’s agriculture ministry, arrived in the country on November 15 supposedly to attend an agricultural forum in Laguna but was flagged after he claimed he needed to meet with the meeting organizers at the Mall of Asia on the 18th, the venue for the APEC state dinner.

A further check on his background, particularly in his social networking account, alerted immigration agents on his support for the establishment of an islamic Caliphate, an advocacy of the islamic State in iraq and the Levant (iSiL).

He was not allowed by immigration officials to leave his room in a Makati City hotel until his deportation for subscribing to “a terrorist organization or ideology or belief or the overthrow of an established government,” particularly iSiL. Meanwhile a Hong Kong journalist, who was among nine who “heckled” President Aquino in an ambush interview at the 2013 APEC Summit in Bali, indonesia, was sent back to his country a

day after he arrived here on November 16.

Airport immigration records revealed that the journalist arrived on November 16 on a Cebu Pacific flight from Hong Kong at the NAiA terminal 3 for the purpose of covering the APEC Summit on the 18th and 19th. He was, however, sent back home the next day. it was learned that his name was included in a November 20, 2014 blacklist order issued against nine Hong Kong nationals by the Bureau of immigration on the recommendation of the National intelligence Coordinating Agency.

The subjects of the order were to “be prevented from entering the country to cover the APEC Summit in 2015 for heckling of President Benigno S. Aquino iii…Thus we hereby include the above-named subjects in the bureau’s blacklist with remarks: ‘Undesirability.’”

The alleged “heckling” incident happened on October 6, 2013 at PAGE A7

Six years after the world’s largest-ever single attack on media workers, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) presses its call on the judiciary and the government to speed up the prosecution of those behind the barbaric atrocity.

FOCAP joins its colleagues in the local press in demanding justice. We note that none of the nearly 200 accused have been convicted, with at least one of them freed on bail and reportedly preparing to contest a local post in Maguindanao. Scores of suspects remain at large.

One of the alleged masterminds has also died in jail due to natural causes, depriving both the accused and the victims of the right to a speedy trial.

“As foreign correspondents it is our duty to continue to report on this pressing issue, that

this brutal attack on journalists, their families and press freedom itself may never be far from the public’s consciousness,” FOCAP president Simone Orendain said.

On November 23, 2009 58 people, including 32 journalists/media workers, were killed when an election convoy was stopped and attacked by about 100 armed men allegedly working for the powerful Ampatuan clan.

Rights groups have reported that several potential witnesses have been killed.

With elections on the horizon next year, FOCAP strongly calls on the authorities to speed up prosecution of the suspects.

Justice has been elusive in the past six years and FOCAP vows to be vigilant in calling for government action on what is considered as the most atrocious attack on media workers in modern times.

SC junks ex-US senator’s intervention in EDCA case by edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANiLA—The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the bid of a former US senator to intervene in the case contesting the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States.

During session, the SC justices decided to deny the motion and petition to intervene filed by former Alaska senator Mike Gravel supporting earlier petitions filed by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada, Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement (Courage) seeking to strike down the EDCA. The high court cited as basis for rejecting Gravel’s bid his admission of lack of interest and legal standing on the matter, SC spokesman Thedore Te told reporters in a press conference. in his petition filed through lawyer Harry Roque Jr. last Nov. 11, Gravel said the agreement is a treaty that needs concurrence of the Philippine Senate.

Gravel, who served as US senator from 1969 to 1981, also argued that the agreement violated the Treaty Clause of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, saying it is “neither in the best interest of the Philippine people nor in the best interest of the American people.”

He argued that the EDCA was

not really designed to protect Philippine interests but rather to afford the US a geographic advantage to confront China over the latter’s ascendant superpower status, which he said the US finds offensive to its global hegemonic status. in the same resolution, the SC also took note of Senate Resolution No. 105 expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for its concurrence of EDCA. Under the EDCA, the US will be

allowed to build structures, store and preposition weapons, defense supplies and materiel, as well as station troops, civilian personnel, defense contractors, vessels and aircraft for a period of 10 years in the Philippines. it was signed by officials of both countries hours before President Obama arrived in the country for his two-day state visit on April 28 and 29 last year. The SC is set to vote on the case on Dec. 16.

A

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november 27-december 3, 2015 • oc/Ie ASIAn JoUrnAL

OpiniOn

Features

Troubled water

OVER the weekend, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered for its annual summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The global leaders discussed some of the region’s most pressing issues including economic integration, trade liberalization, sustainable growth and energy security.

With some of its members embattled with China on the contested waters of South China Sea, ASEAN expressed serious concern over the brewing tension.

In recent months, China drew ire for its aggressive stance and sweeping claims over almost the West Philippine (South China) Sea. The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to parts of resource-rich water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits.

China has also been busy militarizing the strategic water in the last two years through the creation of new outposts by piling sand atop reefs and atolls, and then adding buildings, ports and airstrips big enough to handle bombers and fighter jets.

Despite continuous calls from the international community to halt the construction, China remained adamant over its assertion to the South West Philippine (South China) Sea. The country maintained that its military activities are consistent with its position that the construction of artificial islands was designed to provide public service to the region by helping ships and fishermen and disaster relief efforts.

Chinese President Xi Jinping who attended last week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Summit in Manila, said that the sea is a common home and encouraged fellow members of the regional bloc to foster an environment of peace and focus on development.

“It is important that we establish an all-round partnership on development and mobilize the government, enterprise and social resources in concerted efforts for implementation of the sustainable development agenda,” Xi told his APEC counterparts.

For his part, Pres. Benigno Aquino III took the podium at the ASEAN in Malaysia over the weekend to appeal to the rule of law amid increasing tensions and invite his fellow ASEAN leaders to take a stand against China.

Aquino also noted that the maritime disputes have been a subject of concern, not only to the region, but to the entire international community as well. He said that many countries have expressed serious concerns that China’s recent actions threaten freedom of navigation and lawful commerce in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

Citing peaceful resolution on the jurisdiction over the disputed waters, the Philippines has pleaded its case to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). It is now awaiting results of the preliminary hearings over the Philippine claim.

“As the arbitration process we have entered into continues to its logical conclusion, we are hopeful that China would honor its word and respect the rule of law. The world is watching and expects no less from a responsible global leader,” Aquino said.

During the summit, ASEAN leaders adopted the Declaration on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation, which promotes peace, stability and security in the region. It aims to initiate cooperative efforts within its members by encouraging more countries to accede to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which ensures the universal application of international law and respect for sovereignty. It guarantees that all countries enjoy and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.

The leaders also signed the Kuala Lumpur Dec-

Editorial

Inquirer.net photo

laration on the “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” the region’s post-2015 vision which charts the direction of the ASEAN Community in the next 10 years.

Allies not only by common interests, but by shared values and aspirations among its people, ASEAN will set precedents for creating solution

to global challenges. Despite obstacles set by conflicts among nations, ASEAN is moving forward to pursue higher goals. By 2025, the ASEAN community is sure to meet its vision of becoming an alliance that has withstood the test of time, assuring regional peace and stability for its people.

(AJPress)

Poll result: Fil-Ams do not want any more Syrian refugees in the US over terrorism fears AFTER the coordinated terrorist attacks consisting of mass shootings, suicide bombings, and hostage-taking in Paris that killed 130 people and injured 389 on November 13, people all over the world have been debating about the possible security threat posed by the Syrian refugee program being shared by progressive countries in Europe and North America for humanitarian purposes.

A majority of people in the United States and Canada are opposed to the acceptance of any more Syrian refugees who have been displaced because of the ongoing war in Syria. They fear that this program may potentially be used by ISIS, the same extremist group that has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, and other acts of terror in other parts of the world.

This position has been pushed by the Republicans in government, especially by those who are vying for the GOP nomination for the presidency

in 2016.

CNN reported that the US House of Representatives passed The Fil-Am a measure last week that will ef- Perspective fectively pause the processing of Syrian refugees into the country.

Such bill insists that no refugee will be admitted without certification by the Department of Gel SantoS-reloS Homeland Security.

The measure secured enough veto-proof majority votes from Republicans and even House Democrats, despite the White House’s pleas to oppose it.

“It’s a security test, not a religious test. This reflects our values. This reflects our responsibilities.

And this is urgent,” Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters at his press conference on Thursday, Nov. 19 prior to House members casting the vote.

Thirty-one governors likewise released state-

ments that they oppose letting refugees into their states.

Pres. Barack Obama defended his position on the issue, and accused those who oppose the Refugee program of political posturing, NBC News reported.

“Slamming the doors in their faces would be a betrayal of our values,” Obama said at the conclusion of the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey, adding that Syrian “refugees are the victims of terrorism.”

Obama administration officials have underscored that those seeking asylum in the US undergo rigorous background screenings from several federal agencies and lengthy in-person interviews with Homeland Security officers.

NBC News says so far, none of the terrorists identified in the Paris attack have been Syrian

refugees.

Despite the tragedy, French President Francois Hollande declared on Wednesday, Nov. 18 that his country would accept 30,000 Syrian refugees over next two years, a stark contrast to the US position.

In the meantime, kababayans in America share the cautious stand of the Republicans about the issue. In an online poll by The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America”, a big majority of those who voted — 67 percent — say the US should stop letting Syrian refugees into the country for safety and security reasons. *** 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

Noli Me Tangere and the APEC Summit THE APEC summit, for which the Aquino Street government was willing to create horrible Talk incoveniences and economic losses for the country, concluded amidst self-congratuGreG B. MacaBenta latory applause and back-patting by its organizers.

The good news is that, in spite of the threat of a terrorist attack, in the wake of the massacre in Paris, the delegates clearly enjoyed the warmth and goodness of the Filipino people, even while they might have shaken their collective heads in amusement at the efforts of the Philippine government to impress them. Surely, this was not the first time that international conference hosts had gone to great lengths to put up a good show. Some simply did it better than others. Worldly wise heads of state could easily see through the pretensions.

One thing the APEC delegates were assured of, however, was that the hospitality showered on them at the conference was heartfelt and sincere. We are a genuinely caring and friendly people – to a fault. In truth, the monstrous inconvenience that the government made the citizenry suffer, in order to offer the delegates an “impressive” experience, was a typical manifestation of that fault.

If they were to visit a Filipino home, be it ever so humble, they would be offered the most comfortable bed (even if the hosts themselves have to sleep on the floor) and served the choicest dishes (while the family members make do with morsels).

This curious characteristic of our people is by no means new. In Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere, Kapitan Tiyago, hosts a reception for everyone in town, particularly the most important personages, namely, the Spanish friars and colonial officials. In the course of the party, discreet instructions are given to the house help that the kind of fare served the guests would depend on their stature. There would also be a code to distinguish the important guests from the ordinary ones: tsokolate eh, a richer, tastier blend, for the former and, for the latter, tsokolate ah, a watered down serving.

Not surprisingly, the Spanish friar, Padre Damaso, the quintessential villain in Rizal’s novel, had nothing but contempt for the lowly Indios and for the pretentious Kapitan Tiyago, who was falling all over himself to impress his colonial masters.

Dr. Rizal wrote with bitterness and bluntness about this unsavory trait and

other instances of hypocrisy, decrying them as symptoms of the social cancer afflicting the Filipino people. To this day, many of us are subconsciously burdened by this colonial mentality.

Inflicting inconvenience and economic losses on the Filipino people in order to look good in the eyes of foreign dignitaries was just one more indication of this mindset.

Thus, the APEC delegates saw a spicand-span Metro Manila, specifically in the vicinity of the conference and the routes taken by official convoys. Airline flights were cancelled, schools and offices closed, beggars and vagrants rounded up and kept away from view, neighborhoods with unsightly shanties boarded up and painted over, and the main thoroughfares reserved exclusively for APEC delegates and the omnipresent security personnel.

The daily traffic anarchy, which became even worse, was consigned to the areas that the delegates did not visit. It was pretty much the equivalent of dirt being swept under the rug.

In a manner of speaking, the APEC delegates were served tsokolate eh, while the rest of our people had to make do with tsokolate ah.

Of course, now that the conference is over, things have reverted back to normal, meaning congested airports, congested highways, urchins and the homeless populating the streets, vendors hawking their wares in the middle

of traffic, and shanties and ramshackle store fronts exposed once more.

To the credit of the organizers, stringent measures were taken to guarantee the safety of the delegates. In fact, had there been a terrorist attack (God forbid), security personnel would not have hesitated to take a bullet for them. Our police force may not be the most efficient or best equipped, but the courage of our uniformed men and women is beyond doubt (ask the Americans who fought alongside Filipinos in Bataan and Corregidor).

People have wondered: couldn’t the government have planned a successful and impressive conference without exacting a heavy toll on the citizenry? Why did the government decide to stage the APEC summit in Metro Manila which, aside from being overcrowded and traffic-plagued, presented a security nightmare?

It was simply a case of good intentions but poor decision-making owing to incompetence or, at best, lack of experience.

It may be recalled that the first time the Philippines hosted the APEC summit, back in 1996, it was held at the former Subic Naval Base which had already become a bustling export zone.

The president then was Fidel V. Ramos, who was not only steeped in operations management but also had the support of an efficient and competent team. The Subic Freeport itself was

under the management of Dick Gordon who, with the help of volunteers, had taken over an abandoned US naval facility and transformed it into a showcase of the Pinoy can-do spirit.

In contrast, planning for the current APEC summit began during the incumbency of President Benigno S. Aquino III, whose qualifications, capabilities and work ethic pale beside that of President Ramos.

In fairness, PNoy never claimed to be anything more than being the son of illustrious parents when he was swept to the presidency by a wave of grief over the death of President Cory Aquino and disgust over the alleged corruption of outgoing President Gloria MacapagalArroyo. As it turned out, this was a classic example of the Peter Principle – promoting someone to his level of incompetence – and many of us should say mea culpa for that.

In presiding over preparations for the APEC summit, Aquino could at least have sought the advice of Ramos. Unfortunately, Aquino seems averse to seeking advice on things he knows not.

Worse yet, he apparently knows not that he knows not.

At any rate, the APEC summit over and done with and one can almost hear Noynoy Aquino tell the loudly complaining Filipino people: “Pasensiya na kayo sa tsokolate ah. Buhay pa naman kayo, hindi ba? “ (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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A

‘Bangsamoro Bill dead if not passed by December 16’

by Jess

Diaz

Philstar.com

MANILA—The principal author-sponsor of the Bangsamoro Bill in the House of Representatives appears to be losing hope on its eventual approval.

“We have only 10 session days left to pass it,” Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez told reporters.

The bill would create a new Bangsamoro region in Muslim Mindanao if passed before lawmakers go on a month-long Christmas break in mid-December, the chairman of the ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Bill said.

“We will have no time for it when we reconvene in January.

Mustering a quorum will be more difficult,” he said.

The bill could still be passed if there is a “more forceful intervention” from President Aquino, Rodriguez said.

He proposed that Aquino personally appeal to lawmakers to work on and pass the Bangsamoro Bill.

It is still in the period of plenary debates in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Several colleagues of Rodriguez have expressed their intention to grill him on the bill that he is sponsoring.

At the Senate, Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile has reportedly asked for at least one week to ask questions about the Bangsamoro Bill.

The two houses of Congress are scheduled to start their Christmas recess on Dec. 19.

Dec. 16 is the last session day of the House for this year since it convenes only from Monday through Wednesday.

Congress will be in session for only nine days after reconvening on Jan. 19 next year.

It will adjourn again on Feb. 6 for more than three months for the long national and local election campaign.

In talks with reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Aquino urged his congressional allies to approve the Bangsamoro Bill.

The House failed to muster a quorum on Monday, Nov. 23

despite appeals from some members for attendance.

Over the weekend, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III urged his colleagues to show up in the few remaining sessions for this year.

“There is so much to do with very little time left, but we must do our utmost not only to pass vital pieces of legislation but also leave a legacy of being a working and productive legislature,” he said.

Albano made the appeal on the eve of the resumption of the session of Congress after a weeklong break due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Manila.

“We have to make the most of the remaining session days. Let us cooperate and help the House leadership make the quorum to enable the chamber to do its job,” he said.

While he recognizes that every lawmaker has to attend to district constituents, it is also his or her duty to attend sessions and actively participate in debates and discussions of bills, Albano said.

Comelec rejects petition to merge 4 disqualification cases vs Poe

by Patricia lourDes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA—The Commission on Elections on Wednesday, Nov. 25 denied the petition of the camp of Sen. Grace Poe to consolidate the four disqualification cases filed against her.

Lawyer Estrella Elamparo, former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad, De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras and University of the East Law dean Amado Valdez filed separate disqualification cases against Poe, seeking to invalidate her certificate of candidacy for president in the 2016 elections.

The Comelec second division denied the senator’s motion to consolidate the four cases. Poe’s camp have appealed the petition.

The first division discussed the three petitions against Poe, where Tatad, Contreras and Valdez opposed to consolidate their petitions with that of Elamparo.

Tatad and Valdez, however, agreed to have their petitions consolidated within the first division.

Contreras expressed opposi-

Four disqualification cases are filed against presidential aspirant and Sen. Grace Poe before the Commission on Elections.

tion in consolidating the petitions, citing that his petition pertains to the residency issue only.

The Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) recentlydenied the disqualification case against Poe. The tribunal has ruled out the senator’s residency issue and focused on citizenship instead.

The tribunal voted in favor of Poe, granting her a natural-born citizen status.

However, SET chair and Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio expressed hisdissenting opinion on the decision, citing violations in the Constitution.

ENDANGERED. More than half the world’s primates, including apes, lemurs and monkeys, are facing extinction, international experts warned on Tuesday, Nov. 24, as they called for urgent action to protect mankind’s closest living relatives. The Philippine tarsier is among those included in the most endangered list. The population crunch is the result of large-scale habitat destruction—particularly the burning and clearing of tropical forests—as well as the hunting of primates for food and the illegal wildlife trade.

Inquirer.net photo

Why Pacquiao is not included in LP Senate slate

by Maila

ager Inquirer.net

SARANGANI Representative Manny Pacquiao was not included in the Liberal Party (LP) senate slate as he “prefers” to run under the ticket of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should the latter decide to run in the 2016 presidential race, a ranking LP official said on Monday.

“Si Congressman Pacquiao ang kanyang preference dahil s’ya po ay taga Mindanao, ‘pag tumakbo si Mayor Duterte, doon po s’ya tatakbo as a member of the Senate slate. (Because he is from Mindanao, Congressman Pacquiao’s preference is to run as a member of the Senate slate of Mayor Duterte if [the latter] runs.),” Senate President Franklin Drilon, vice chairman of LP, said in an interview at the Senate when asked what happened with LP’s talks with Pacquiao.

In the case of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista’s non-inclusion

Manny Pacquiao meets with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

in the slate, Drilon said the mayor himself decided to just finish his last term in the city.

But despite Paquiao’s non-inclusion in the LP ticket, the Senate leader said the Muslims in Mindanao would still be represented in the party in the person of Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary and former Maguindanao officer-incharge Nariman Ambolodto.

Drilon confirmed that Am-

bolodto and Coop-Natcco Party List Representative Cresente Paez would be part of the 12-man slate of the LP. “These are sectoral representatives of very critical sectors in our country kaya po amin silang pinili para mabuo ang aming 12 slate sa Senado. (These are sectoral representatives of very critical sectors in our country that’s why we chose them to be a part of our Senate slate.),” he said.

Afghan linked to terror, HK newsman rude...

PAGE A5

the Bali International Convention Center as President Aquino walked past a group of reporters from Now TV, Radio-TV Hong Kong, and Commercial Radio, all Hong Kong-based media outfits.

The Hong Kong journalists started shouting questions at Aquino pertaining to the August

23, 2010 Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis, which left eight of their compatriots dead. The reporters involved in the ambush interview had been asking whether President Aquino intended to meet with Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung and if he would be apologizing for the 2010 tragedy.

Organizers of the 21st APEC Summit in Bali immediately sanctioned the nine journalists for “screaming” at a visitor, a violation of regulations for the issuance of media access passes, and revoked their credentials, barring them from further covering the economic leaders’ meeting.

A

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John Lloyd and Bea on reprising iconic roles Fil-Aussie Cyrus Villanueva

2

wins ‘X Factor Australia’

MANILA—Filipino-Australian Cyrus Villanueva is declared the winner of the seventh season of X Factor Australia during the show’s grand finals on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

The 17-year-old singer bested two other finalists, Jess and Matt and Louise Adams, to win the competition.

Jess and Matt from the Groups category were eliminated earlier during the finale, which left Louise from the Over 25s category and Cyrus from the Under 25 Boys category as the last contestants standing.

But in the end, it was the FilAussie who took home the crown.

Bea and John Lloyd think their onscreen tandem wouldn’t work if they were a real-life couple.

Inquirer.net photo by Eloisa Lopez “I can’t thank everyone enough,” Cyrus said after being

by MArinEl r. cruz B: People will just have to What’s the difference when Inquirer.net announced as the winner. “I want choose—maging kami, (to be a you did your first few films to thank my beautiful family and “IT’S A BLeSSING and at the couple) but not see us in a project together and now that you’re the friends, all the other contestants, same time a curse,” said Bea Alonzo top actors of your generation? together anymore [or just to be a of the popularity of Popoy and reel couple].

J (John Lloyd): When the Basha, the iconic characters of the Was it difficult to play the teamup was so much younger, 2007 hit movie, One More Chance. characters again after eight at the time of our first break on Bea and John Lloyd were at the TV, Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, we years? How did you manage?

Inquirer office recently to promote B: We were given a would always talk about sincerity.

A Second Chance, the sequel to questionnaire to answer.

We never pretended that there was the Cathy Garcia-Molina romantic J: This was so we can fill in the something going on between us. comedy that hit cinemas on gap from when Part 1 ended in B (Bea): At the time people Wednesday, Nov. 25.

2008 up to the present. preferred to see real-life couples The two actors said they were B: The book also helped speed working together. aware of the high expectations up the process.

J: Yes, that was during the time for their follow-up project, so they Can you give examples of the when Jericho (Rosales) and Kristine would like to “remind the audience questions asked? (hermosa) were very popular. that this is the story that the J: They were very detailed And you resisted that? creators of Popoy and Basha came questions…

B: We just tried to be real. up with. Just remember that this B: As in how many kids do J: I had a girlfriend then, and is what they (scriptwriters Carmi Popoy and Basha want to have?

Bea was still so young. I was being Raymundo and Vanessa Valdez) J: Or what did you do during paired with Rica Peralejo and Amy Vachal want to say,” said John Lloyd. your honeymoon? Or what sexual Dimples Romana. Management Bea said that they were glad positions do you prefer? The then couldn’t pinpoint what was that the movie had sparked online questions were really intimate wrong with the teamup. That’s debates. “It’s a blessing because because the two characters are when it started. people are really interested, but it’s already married.

B: I guess the only change by chuck sMith Philstar.com a curse because those of us who B: We also had to justify our now is that we’re more familiar are working on the film don’t know with each other. We have already answers, parang thesis.

MANILA—Their X Factor UK where to position ourselves—the J: We talked about everything, developed a certain level of trust. journey continues. fans have so many suggestions!” down to the very core of the I’m more open to doing certain All-Filipino girl group 4th John Lloyd added: “We like characters. scenes with him than with other Impact survived yet another the idea that people discuss the B: While we were answering actors. elimination on British reality talent film when they leave the cinema. the questionnaire, I noticed that Everybody considers you very show X Factor UK on Sunday, Nov. I prefer that it becomes a subject there were a lot of things that we good actors, separately, not only 22. of discourse because this means disagreed on… as a love team, but it’s interesting This puts 4th Impact, it has value. We don’t want them J: Which I appreciated because composed of sisters Mylene, Celina, to know how different your to feel that they’ve wasted two Bea and I are different. processes are.

Irene and Almira Cercado, in the hours of their time on something B: What was good was that we show’s top five after Over 25s artist B: We respect each other’s insignificant—that’s actually our learned to compromise. I enjoyed process. I remember we talked Anton Stephan was eliminated fear.” the discussion. about it in this film. I tried to copy from the competition.

Set seven years later, Popoy Are you better people because his process, but it was too tiring Che Chesterman of the and Basha are now faced with the of the characters you play? for me.

Boys category (mentored by challenges of married life. Popoy J: I am. That’s actually the J: I can’t do what she does, Nick Grimshaw), Louisa Johnson is struggling to keep his business bonus of the kind of work we have. and Lauren Murray of the Girls either. She easily goes on and off afloat and his self-esteem intact.

B: There’s a part of me in every character. category (mentored by Rita Ora) Basha, on the other hand, assumes character I play, and at the same Your love team is iconic. Why and Reggie ‘n Bollie of the Groups the role of a docile wife. time, a character also leaves a part do you think you were never in a category (mentored by Cheryl “It’s true that marriage can be of her in me. Take the movie A romantic relationship?

Fernandez-Versini) also remain in ugly and boring. We showed all Love Affair, for example. There is J: If you think of it, that’s the competition. of that in the film,” said Bea. “With this scene wherein my character actually scary. I really can’t work With Anton Stephan’s what you know, the question now is with someone I am involved with wants to run after Richard Gomez’s. elimination, Over 25’s mentor whether or not you will still choose I argued with the writer—I told romantically.

Simon Cowell has no more acts in to be with the one you love.” her no woman can be that stupid.

B: Me, too. the competition. excerpts from the Inquirer’s I later realized that I’ve already J: That’s the only thing that’s On Saturday, Nov. 21, 4th hour-long chat with the two actors. real in my life.

Continued on Page 4 Impact performed Christina

the judges, Chris [Isaak], of course. I couldn’t have had a better mentor than you.”

On Monday, Nov. 23, Cyrus performed three songs: his audition song Earned It by Canadian singer The Weeknd, Nick Jonas’ Jealous for his Grand Finals song and Stone for his winner’s song, which will be his debut single as the winner of X Factor Australia. his mentor Chris Isaak said of his performance: “That’s it for me mentoring you, I guess. It’s sad for me in a way because I had so much fun working with you. I have learned so much from you.

You know, I might ask back for that handkerchief I gave you early on when you started crying, because now I’m crying.”

“There has been a level of perfection to your performances

Cyrus Vilanueva

tonight that no one can deny,” judge Danii Minogue said.

Last year, Filipina teen Marlisa Punsalan won the sixth season of X Factor Australia. (Philstar.com)

Fil-Am Amy Vachal’s ‘The Voice’ journey continues AS far as her stint in the hit US singing competition The Voice goes, Filipino-American Amy Vachal is not going anywhere.

Vachal secured a spot in the show’s Top 10 on Tuesday, Nov. 24, following her jazzy and original take on the Taylor Swift pop hit Blank Space.

For the second week in a row, a ward of Pharrell Williams, evan McKeel, was eliminated after viewers chose to save Gwen Stefani’s artist Korin Bukowski.

The other remaining

contestants in the competition were Vachal’s fellow Team Adam Levine artists Jordan Smith and Shelby Brown; Blake Shelton’s bets emily Ann Roberts, Barrett Baber and Zach Seabaugh; Braiden Sunshine and Jeffrey Austin of Team Gwen; and Pharrell’s final talent, Madi Davis.

Going into the elimination show, Vachal’s cover of Blank Space was the highest-ranking The Voice performance on iTunes.

(Inquirer.net)

Pinoy group 4th Impact enters Top 5 on ‘X Factor UK’

4th Impact continues their journey on “X Factor UK.”

Aguilera’s Ain’t No Other Man for the show’s heartbreak week.

The group received raves from the judges, although Cowell criticized the girls for not showing their individual personalities during their performance.

“I think because they are so professional and they are so tight always, it is really easy to overlook

the fact they’ve come from halfway around the world... they’re miss their families, and I have so much respect for you getting up there every week,” Fernandez-Versini said of 4th Impact’s performance.

X Factor UK will run for three more weeks, with its finals set to air on December 12 and 13 in the United Kingdom.

FASO Goes Pops! A night of musical talent and nostalgia

by Allyson

EscobAr

AJPress

The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), founded in 2008 as the first Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, has done it again with a concert held last Saturday, Nov. 14 at the world-class Alex Theater in Glendale, Calif. Billed FASO Goes Pops!, the glamorous evening celebrated generations of pop music, from popular songs in films to contemporary compositions, with special moving tributes to Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

With a full orchestra of over 50 talented musicians from all ages and backgrounds, and headed by maestro-conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder, FASO impressed audiences with a stunning lineup of different genres within the extensive world of pop music.

The opening number of the concert was Gioachino Rossini’s rousing William Tell Overture, showcasing the rich talent of FASO as a well-rounded, cleansounding, and versatile orchestra that can perform everything from pop culture to classic French opera. hearing the classic piano, bass, and distinct percussion

section was a highlight of each musical number, as well as each of the talented violinists in maestro Shroder’s circle, including concert master Cecilia A. Coo-Cruz. The guitar, strings, and well-rounded horns were also evident, especially in dance numbers that made audiences want to get up and groove.

The singers, who auditioned through show manager and resident music arranger Dr. Louie Ramos, held nothing back. From young children to experienced stage singers and groups, each vocalist had a chance to shine and capture the hearts of their audience.

With a special homage to the “King of Pop,” nine-yearold Ian Chen (who plays evan in ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat) opened the show with an adorable performance of the young Michael Jackson hit, Ben. Wearing a black shiny tux with the signature white glove, Joshua-Kai Dawson, also 9, gave his all to the song and popular dance moves in Billie Jean.

Other child performers included the young Bryce Gomez (Tatak ng Pilipino), Michael Keith and Gian Paolo Jimenez (singing/ dancing to Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are), and the beloved FASO Children’s ensemble

(featuring elizabeth Cruz, Sabrina evangelista, Casteen Legaspi, Andreas Makiling, Jolleen Mejia, Sophia Nack, and Nicole Padilla) singing the Whitney houston hit, Greatest Love of All, to a standing ovation.

Young talent was prominent in the show, which also featured riveting performances from Kaitlyn Fajilan singing Tayo Ay Pilipino, Daryl Ogalino singing Odette Quesada’s Give Me a Chance, and a powerful Whitney houston/Bodyguard medley sung by 14-year-old Mikaela Bautista.

Another highlight of the show was an alluring performance from singersongwriter and former Rose Parade princess, Gabrielle Current, who sang Cecile Azarcon’s well-known Lift Up Your Hands. The performance began with a special video message from Miss Azarcon herself, congratulating FASO on another successful show and year.

Wearing a sparkling blue dress, 10-year-old Sydney haik also performed an outstanding Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen, with an exclusive video message introduction from the multiaward-winning, half Filipino composer Robert Lopez.

For many Pinoys, nostalgia hit

FASO maestro-conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder

with a fine-tuned OPM medley, featuring Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (Ryan Cayabyab), Ewan, Natang-bata Ka Pa, Ngayon at Kailanman, and Umagang Kay Ganda. People also sang, laughed, and danced along to a medley of songs from the popular disco group VST & Company. Sharon Cuneta’s well-loved ballad Bituing Walang Ningning was also sung by vocalist Sharon Rose Orosco.

Right before intermission, audiences were treated to a moving arrangement of a Filipino-favorite, Frank Sinatra’s My Way. Another noteworthy feature

Photo by Lauro M. Tecson Jr.

of the FASO Goes Pops! concert was the presence of a few guests, respected Filipino writers and composers, including a special performance from writer Odette Quesada, who sang her well-known hit Till I Met You. OPM hits Hanggang Huli’y Ikaw (performed by Nilo Alcala), Ikaw Lamang (performed by Shelby Miguel) and Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin (performed

by Sharon Rose Orosco) were accompanied by special appearances from the song’s original composers, Sarah Jane Gandia, Dodjie Simon and Aaron Paul del Rosario.

The evening concluded with

a high-energy performance of Age of Aquarius and an encore number, Isang Mundo, Isang Awit, featuring the talents of all the singers and full orchestra. It was a spectacular end to the evening, thanks to the hard work of Maestro Shroder, the performers, volunteers, and FASO’s dedicated Board of Directors.

In April 2015, FASO also performed a tribute to timeless Broadway hits with “FASO goes Broadway!,” also held at the renowned Alex Theater. Next spring, FASO will host a special big band music and swing dancing dinner-concert at the Glendale hilton.

How Rachelle Ann Go claimed the role of Fantine in ‘Les Mis’ Dingdong Dantes: Daughter

november 27-december 3, 2015

www.asianjournal.com

by Pam

Pastor Inquirer.net

WHEN Rachelle Ann Go was in London two years ago for her final Miss Saigon audition, Cameron Mackintosh asked her what West End show she’d like to see.

“I want to watch Les Mis,” she told him. He gave her two tickets.

The night she watched “Les Miserables” with her uncle, Rachelle was so riveted by the character Fantine, she said to herself, “I will do that role. I will do that…”

It wasn’t the first time she did something like that, Rachelle told Inquirer Lifestyle Theater in an interview on Skype. “Noong pinanood ko ’yung Miss Saigon sa Canada, sabi ko, ‘one day, I will do this.’ I claimed it… Wala namang masama, i-ke-claim ko rin ’to (Les Mis).”

And both times, it happened.

In 2014 she went on to play Gigi, a stripper and one of the major characters in Miss Saigon; and in June this year, she joined the cast of Les Miserables as Fantine, a role she will also play when producer Cameron Mackintosh brings the show to Manila next year.

“I’m so excited. When they offered it to me, gusto ko na umuwi,” Go said, laughing. “Gusto ko nang lumipad, I want to do it now.”

Like a grown woman We interviewed you just as you were starting in “Miss Saigon.” Have you adjusted to life in London? How much have you changed? oh gosh, a lot of things have changed. I feel like I’m a grown woman. Nagdalaga ako. Before I came here, I didn’t know how to cook, and I didn’t really commute in the Philippines. I learned a lot as a person. Ang dami ko ring natutunan as an artist—discipline foremost. I was really shy when I first got here; the culture is different. But I’ve gained lots of friends already…

What’s it like being the only Asian in the ‘Les Miserables’ West End cast? of course, I feel proud as a Filipino. I feel like, oh gosh,

nakapasok ulit ang Pinoy dito after Ms Lea Salonga and Ms Joanna Ampil. Nakakatuwang isipin ’yun. Nakaka-proud pero, at first, siyempre andun ’yung takot na, “oh my gosh, can I do this?

Ano kayang iisipin nila?” Andun din ’yung insecurity na si Fantine, based on the book, dapat blonde, matangkad, blue eyes, matangos ilong. I’m the smallest.

Height-wise, ako talaga ’yung pinakamaliit. I felt like the total opposite of Fantine. Pero ngayon, I feel comfortable doing the role.

And this time, the costume isn’t as revealing. oh yes! Tell me about it!

Ngayon, especially my family, sobrang kampante sila na very conservative na this time.

Were there lessons you learned while playing Gigi that you take with you as Fantine?

You know, kahit si ClaudeMichel Schönberg (Les Miserables composer), he also said this… Gigi and Fantine, meron silang common factor na pinagdaanan—struggles sa buhay, sacrifices, they both sold their bodies to earn money, to be out of that situation. Siguro kaya madali to do Fantine kasi nagawa ko as Gigi, you know, ’yung dignity nandoon kahit na mahirap ’yung pinagdadaanan. Even the song Movie In My Mind talks about dreaming, and I Dreamed A Dream is basically the same thing.

Costume lang ang pinagkaiba.

We were all excited when you joined the West End cast of “Les Mis.” Can you talk about that process?

They offered me to do Gigi again for another year. Sabi ko, magiging happy pa rin kaya ako?

I enjoyed it for a whole year, ang dami kong natutunan [but] kung gagawin ko ulit, tapos one year, eight shows a week, baka magsawa ako. I talked to my management and my parents.

My family actually told me not to renew; they said to just go back to Manila and do pop music again. For weeks I was so confused. I talked to my manager, “What should I do?” And they were like, “You just need to follow your heart, kung saan ka at peace, kung saan ka masaya.”

to change my life forever

MANILA—Dingdong Dantes on Tuesday, Nov. 24 expressed his joy over the coming of his first-born child with Marian Rivera.

The Kapuso actress gave birth to a baby girl, Maria Letizia, on Monday.

The Kapuso actor posted photo of his daughter’s hand and on the caption said, “Twenty-three November, 2015: The day God decided to deliver His most precious gift.”

“This morning, I witnessed a miracle... and during that moment, I realized that my life would never be the same again,” he added.

In the end, Dingdong thanked everyone who supported him and wife Marian in the course of her pregnancy. (Philstar.com)

Rachelle as Fantine

I prayed about it. I felt like I wanted to move on, do something else, learn other stuff and challenge myself, so I told the company I want to do other roles. They said they were having auditions for Les Mis. I auditioned for the role of Fantine. They asked me if I wanted the role of Fantine or Eponine. Pinili ko ’yung Fantine.

I went through the whole process, medyo mahirap, ang daming levels. In the final round, kasabay ko ang isa who played Fantine in Spain. So I was really nervous. I felt like I wasn’t going to get the role. ’Yung kasabay ko ilang years na niya ginagawa ’yung role. I didn’t hear from the company for weeks. I thought, ah wala, hindi na siguro ako makukuha. And then they called me, nandun si Schönberg. They played I Dreamed A Dream and asked kung saan daw ako comfortable na key. So I was thinking, “Binibigay niyo na ba sa akin ’yung role?” Then, after a few days, they called me, set up a meeting and said, “How do you feel about playing Fantine?” Hindi ko ma-absorb nung time na ’yun biglang may migraine ako! Hindi ako makapaniwala nung sinabi nila ’yun.

How do you feel about bringing the show to Manila?

Continued on Page 4

Cruz

present time).

She also could have chosen that time when she swept all the AFTER a brief hiatus from Best Actress awards from various TV, Nora “Guy” Aunor returns local award-giving bodies and in Little Nanay, GMA’s newest won the Best Actress Award at the heartwarming series which Cairo International Film Festival premiered last Nov. 16. In for her performance in The Flor Little Nanay, Guy plays Lola Contemplacion Story.

Annie Batongbuhay, a groovy Instead, she chose a more grandmother to Tinay (Kris Bernal), a 25-year-old mom with a mind of personal memory. “Noong manganak ako at nag-asawa. a nine-year-old. Tinay’s daughter Panibagong chapter yun, hindi ako Chiechie (Chlaui Malayao) is a makapaniwala na nanay na ‘ko.” In precocious six-year-old who 1975, she married Christopher de tries to compensate for Tinay’s Leon—now her ex-husband after intellectual disability by playing their marriage ended in 1996. “little nanay” to her own mother.

They have five children: Biological The series also stars Eddie son Ian, adopted daughters Lotlot Garcia, Bembol Roco, Paolo and Matet, and adopted sons Kiko Contis, Keempee de Leon, Gladys and Kenneth.

Reyes, Mark Herras, Hiro Peralta, “Marami akong pagkukulang Renz Fernandez, Juancho Trivino, sa mga anak ko. Alam nila yun, kasi Winwyn Marquez and Sunshine noong araw na busy ako masyado Dizon.

In a rare interview, Guy shares sa shooting, hindi kami masyadong nagkikita. Sana magkaroon ng oras her most treasured personal na mag-bonding kami. Iyon ang moments throughout her hinihintay ko.”

48-year-strong, decorated and When asked to name her most unparalleled showbiz career. treasured roles, she mentions •Most Treasured Person: the following films: Lino Brocka’s “Yung kapatid ko,” she says.

Bona, Ishmael Bernal’s Himala, “Hiniling ko sa Diyos yun eh. Kasi Mario o’Hara’s Tatlong Taong noon, yung pinaka-junior namin, Walang Diyos, Joel Lamangan’s namatay. Nalungkot ako, so sabi Sidhi and The Flor Contemplacion ko, Diyos ko, bigyan Mo po ako ng Story, and Elwood Perez’s Ang isa pang kapatid.”

Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. She refers to her younger •Most Treasured Shows in brother Eddie Boy Villamayor GMA: (nicknamed Buboy), also an Guy names the Dingdong actor in the ’70s. Eddie appeared Dantes-starrer Pari ‘Koy and alongside Guy in the film Minsa’y her current primetime teleserye Isang Gamu-Gamo as Carlito, the Little Nanay as her most brother whose character inspired the now iconic line, “My brother is treasured shows in GMA. “Di ko makakalimutan yung Pari ‘Koy not a pig.”

She recalls how she produced kasi unang beses namin yun a movie for Eddie. “Ginawan ko siya magkasama ni Dingdong,” says ng pelikula na siya yung bida, yung Guy, whose cameo role in the recently-concluded primetime Nino Valiente. Napakagaling na series was well-received by both artista ng kapatid kong yun.” fans and actors of the show.

Eddie is currently confined in She is very vocal about her the hospital after suffering from a stroke. “Kaya hindi ko siya pwedeng admiration for DongYan, the iconic love team of Dingdong pabayaan,” says Guy. “Sa ngayon, and his now wife Marian Rivera kahit busy ako, lagi ko siyang that began in the 2007 hit series kinakausap.”

Marimar. “Alam mo, idol ko si •Most Treasured Memory: Dingdong. Si Marian naman, siya She could have selected ang pinakamaganda para sa akin.” that time when her ’70s film Guy Guy dedicated her recent FAMAS and Pip ran for six months at the cinema and hit an unprecedented recognition, the Iconic Movie Queen of Philippine Cinema box-office record (which, if Award, to Marian and to two other adjusted to ticket price inflation, the film’s P8M gross in 1971 could actresses: Sharon Cuneta and Bea Alonzo. translate to roughly P560M in

Dingdong Dantes

Ex-Sexbomb dancer Sugar Mercado: ‘Abuse against women is never normal’

The treasures of Nora Aunor by angel Javier

3

Philstar.com

Guy appreciates the warmth of the Kapuso production staff and the comforting air of happy familiarity on the set of Little Nanay where she portrays as groovy grandmother Lola Annie Batongbuhay

Her primetime series Little Nanay also holds a special place in her heart.

“Makikita nila rito yug kakaiba kong role bilang isang lolang groovy. Miyembro kasi ako rito ng banda noong araw, gitarista,” she says. Her role in the series hits close to home, as Guy loves to sing, plays the guitar and was a globetrotting recording artist in her heydays.

•What she treasures most as a Kapuso: Guy never once secondguessed her decision to be a Kapuso. “Noong ginawa ko yung Pari ‘Koy, Magpakailanman, pati na yung Karelasyon, masaya ako kapag nagtatrabaho ako dito,” she reasons.

Since her return to TV, she has had guest roles in the network’s weekly anthologies: In Karelasyonalongside her real-life daughter Lotlot de Leon and granddaughter Janine Gutierrez; and in Magpakailanman with her Little Nanay director, Ricky Davao.

She appreciates the warmth of the production staff and the comforting air of happy familiarity on the set. “Ang staff, ang mga kasama ko, kaya nga hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na tanggapin itong Little Nanay.Walang halong biro yun, kahit di nila ako kunin, yun ang sasabihin ko.”

FoRMER Sexbomb dancer Sugar Mercado on Wednesday, Nov. 25 condemned violence and abuse against women and children, saying that these acts should “never be normal.”

A victim of domestic violence herself, the 29-year-old entertainer turned emotional as she shared her harrowing ordeal and urged other women to stand up for their welfare. “’Yung naging karanasan ko po, kailangan lang ng tibay ng loob. Hindi po normal na inaabuso tayo ng kahit sinong tao, kahit po…tulad ng naranasan ko, ‘yung napangasawa ko. Hindi po normal na sinasaktan tayo, binababoy,” Mercado told about a hundred women during the National Day of Consciousness for the Elimination

“Labanan natin ang abuso!

Laban lang! (Let us fight abuse against women! Let us keep on fighting!)” she added.

Mercado teared up when she thanked Gabriela Women’s Party which helped her after she filed a domestic violence case against her husband.

The former Sexbomb dancer sought for a court protection Former Sexbomb dancer Sugar Mercado order earlier this month against of Violence against Women held her husband Kristoffer Jay Go at Bonifcacio Shrine in the capital and his parents “due to repeated city of Manila. emotional and physical abuse.”

(After what I have experienced, She claimed that Go “inflicted I think we need to have a strong repeated emotional and physical will. To be abused by anyone is abuse on her, sometimes with the never normal, in my case… [I was direct and indirect involvement of abused ] by my husband. It’s never Go’s parents since 2010.” normal that we should be hurt or Mercado also sought custody subjected to perverse acts.) of her children. (Inquirer.net)

Pauleen Luna wants ‘simple, elegant’ wedding gown MANILA—Francis Libiran revealed some details on the wedding gown of actress Pauleen Luna.

Pauleen was engaged to Vic Sotto in September. The couple plans to marry in 2016.

“She wants something very simple, very classic because Pauleen… she’s very pretty,” said Libiran in an interview with push.com. “Hindi na kailangan ng decorations. She wants it to be timeless and simple.”

He added that the gown style is not backless since Pauleen is conservative.

“Conservative kasi si Pauleen, ang ginawa naming gown is more on her personality. She wants something elegant,” he said.

According to Ricky Lo’s “Funfare” column, Pauleen and Vic would like to limit their guests to 50 people, which will be limited to family members and very close friends. (Philstar. com)

Pauleen Luna

november 27-december 3, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

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John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo on...

How Rachelle Ann Go claimed the role...

From Page 3

I’m so excited. Siyempre unang-una makikita ko family ko, and gusto ko rin siyempre From Page 2 the men in our lives to carry the one. i-share sa Filipinos what I’ve been experienced it—not the exact burden of raising a family on their Why do you think so? doing in London for the longest incident—but the feeling. The shoulders, while we girls ask and J: This is the actual process of time. Dadalhin namin ’yung new characters I play actually help me as the director. This is her most daring expect too much from them. production, hindi pa nakikita ng a person.

How much of Popoy and Basha Pinoy ’yan. so far, in terms of how she fought Weren’t you intimidated by are actually in you? for what she really wanted.

Theater fans are excited, too; Lloydie when you began working J: That’s a tough question.

Do you personally feel that a tickets have been selling well. together?

These characters came from us. We Part 2 is needed, given the iconic Oo nga. I’ve been checking B: Oh yeah! I was just about to gave birth to them, with the help status of the film? it, and I’ve been promoting it turn 15 then and he just won best of the writers and the director. I B: We used to think it was no on Twitter also. I’m very grateful actor for Tabing Ilog. He was always don’t know how much, but I’m sure because ngayon pa lang, matagallonger needed. so quiet. I felt like he didn’t want to J: We resisted. One More Chance there’s a part of Popoy in me. tagal pa ’yung opening, ’yung talk to me at all!

B: Basha and I are the same is iconic, so we didn’t want to touch ticket sales sobrang ganda. I think J: ’Di naman tayo nandoon para when it comes to our willingness to nagdadagdag na rin sila ng shows, it anymore. Now we see that we magkuwentuhan ano?! (We were sacrifice for the sake of love. owe it to the audience—there is which is good. Hopefully, next not there to just talk to each other.)

J: Talk about Heath Ledger, clamor for a sequel. year sold out lahat. Nakakatuwa.

(Laughs.) who was not able to let go of the B: The eight-year gap made it What is it about “Les Mis” B: You could have at least been character he portrayed. It cost him difficult. the musical that people love so more welcoming!

Do you think the problems that his life. much? It’s been around for 30 J: Trabaho ng staff ’yon. ’Di ko B: Every character has both a the characters go through will help years and people still can’t get trabaho ’yon. (That’s the work of the you when you eventually decide to dark side and a happy side. Just enough of it. staff, not mine.) choose to magnify the happy side. take the plunge?

I guess because there are lots B: (Ignores John Lloyd) He was Is it easy for you to disconnect J: I guess they will influence of different characters, different snobbish then. Seriously, I would from your character after taping or stories that people can relate to. I me, but not in my decision to get not have been this passionate about married or not. It opened my eyes shooting? can relate to Fantine, I can relate my craft if it wasn’t John Lloyd J: I remember when I was doing to Eponine. If you bring your to what a real married couple whom I first worked with.

Maging Sino Ka Man, my character actually goes through. I like it that entire family, bawat isa sa kanila J: (Sticks out his tongue) was so emotionally and physically when you’re finally living together, makaka-relate sa story. It’s about Direk Cathy says she is nervous draining to portray. Sino nga ba ang love, sacrifices, forgiveness and your wife prepares your food and because people are expecting so girlfriend ko noon? (Who was my clothes. I think that’s sweet! I’ve grace. And my favorite line in the much from the sequel. Do you feel never experienced this before—I’ve girlfriend then?) show, toward the end, is when we the same way?

B: Si Liz (Uy)! never lived in with a girl or gotten sing, “To love another person is to B: I understand why the J: My girlfriend at the time, married. see the face of God.” Spiritually, directors and writers are feeling the while we’re fighting, once told me, B: What I appreciated most nakaka-relate ako sa story. pressure. I appreciate Direk Cathy, “Sino ba ang kausap ko ngayon?” about Popoy is that he really loves Would you like to do Ate Vannessa (Valdez) and Ate Carmi Basha and that he will do anything (Who am I talking to right now?)

Eponine, too, like Lea Salonga (Raymundo) more now. I see the She said it’s like she’s talking to to fulfill her dreams to make her did? Or is that a weird transition, hard work they’ve put in on this another person. It takes a while happy. I realized how hard it is for starting with Fantine and then before you get detached from your doing Eponine? character. You bring it home— Actually medyo weird nga you’re just probably not conscious ’yun. It’s like doing Gigi and then about it.

Kim. Parang ganun eh. I don’t B: I’m fascinated by people, by know, because I feel like the human interaction and emotion. company sees me as Gigi and Are you aware of the effect Fantine already. And with my age, of Popoy and Basha on a whole parang mahirap na bumaliktad pa. generation of teens who first saw I don’t know. I can try. One day it in 2007? maybe. You’ll never know. It’s all J: I guess the director and the about acting naman. Ang Asian creative team are [the ones] more naman kayang magmukhang bata conscious of this. Ours is just a small eh. contribution to the whole thing.

Did you watch the other But it’s you who shaped these actresses’ take on Fantine? characters.

Is your portrayal of the role B: Yes, but with the guidance of inspired by anyone? the director.

I didn’t watch any videos.

J: When we did One More Kasi ako ’yung tipong ’pag may Chance, we didn’t know that this nakita ako, nagagaya ko, even if particular generation would react it’s not my intention. Even before the way they did. the audition, I tried not to watch anything para magawan ko ng Continued on Page 6 A scene from “A Second Chance”

sariling atake ’yung role. The director is really good. He helped me a lot kung paano dadalhin ’yung story. Gusto niya may sariling flavor ko ’yung character.

I didn’t watch any videos except of course the 10th-anniversary and 25th-anniversary concerts of Les Mis. What was it like performing with Patti LuPone in the 30thanniversary show?

Oh my gosh, it was like a dream. When they told me and Carrie (Hope Fletcher) they were planning to do that quartet with Patti LuPone and Frances (Ruffelle, the very first Eponine), parang … “Seryoso ba ’to? Talaga bang mangyayari ’to?” And then when it happened, during rehearsals, we just couldn’t stop giggling kasi talaga … legend ’yun ’di ba, lalo na si Ms Patti LuPone. It was very surreal. I was really nervous during the concert. I was shaking. But yeah, I had fun and enjoyed the moment.

Is it true you play multiple roles in the show?

I’m part of the ensemble.

Since I’m the smallest, ako ’yung urchin, one of the little boys running around the barricade.

Hindi mo ako makikita kasi lagi akong tumatakbo.

What’s the most challenging thing about playing Fantine?

Alam mong maikli lang ’yung spot mo so you have to give your all, 110 percent. You have to give it every single night. I feel like I can’t mess this up. Wala ka nang chance para bumawi eh. ’Yun na ’yun. There are nights na ’di mo maiiwasan na hindi ka pa focused, dun ako natututo … kumbaga sa makina, nagsa-start pa lang ’yung makina, tapos na ’yung role, nun pa lang uminit ’yung makina. Kaya sabi ko, kailangan intro pa lang nung show, nag-re-ready na ako even in my dressing room, focused na.

All your West End dreams have been coming true. Do you have other dream roles?

Well, I always say I want to go green, I want to do Elphaba. Sabi ko nga, “Gusto ko i-claim, sige na Lord, i-ke-claim ko na rin ’yan ngayon.” I don’t know, maybe one day kung merong opportunity…

I want to go to Broadway also.

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Doon ka mag-Elphaba!

Oo nga! Kasi dito, kapag dito (London) British accent ang Wicked nila dito… Medyo mahirap.

Do you plan to keep working in the West End for a while?

I still don’t know. Ilang months pa eh. Siguro malalaman ko ’yan by January, before I go to Manila. But I’d love to stay here.

So you really want to focus on theater for now?

You know, I want to do pop music at the same time. Parang gusto ko nga mag-record ng album. Since the show is every night, I have time during the day. I want to do something else if that’s possible. Actually, Cameron asked me, “Do you want an album back in the Philippines or here in London?”

I said, “Definitely.” And he said, “You can do both, you know.

Go back to the Philippines and do stuff there, and then do stuff here.” So maybe.

But do you miss pop music?

I miss doing it. When I was in Miss Saigon, nakakatawa, sometimes when I miss singing pop, nadadala ako dun sa kanta, napapakulot ako, napapa-riff ako.

But in Les Mis, No. 1 rule, specific ’yan sa akin, “Rachelle, no riffing.”

Because the company knows that I loved to riff during Saigon, and this (Les Mis) is a classic musical, you’re not allowed to mess it up or do it in a pop way.

But yeah, I miss it. I do some stuff here ’pag may gigs, which is good. I get Sunday off so may mga shows minsan, ginagawa ko ’yun minsan.

What do you want to tell Filipinos who are excited about you coming to Manila to play Fantine?

Unang-una gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng Pinoy, ’yung suporta na nakukuha ko, lagi ko ngang sinasabi, even if I’m here in London, I can still feel the love of all Filipinos. Via Twitter every day they’re sending their love. I’m very excited to share with everyone what I’ve been doing here, to share what I love most. Finally, makikita na nila ’yung Les Mis. I can’t wait to be home and eat Filipino food again.

november 27-december 3, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA WITHOUT assimilation by every immigrant to his or her adoptive country through the generations, no nation can retain the structural integrity of the foundational values that created it in the first place. That nation’s collapse is not a matter of “if” but “when.”

More simply put: Immigration without assimilation is nothing more than invasion.

Two opposing forces on the issue of immigration are aligning.

There could only be one of two ways. You are either for or against it. It was too hot to handle for previous administrations.

Presently, the conscious nonenforcement of the laws in the books appears to be a long-term sinister agenda of seeding future electorate for one particular party.

America has placed this divisive issue of immigration far too long in the back burner.

Unchecked illegal immigration has reached critical mass and the time has come to confront this issue head on.

For Election 2016, the sick American economy is still issue number one for a majority of voters. A debtor nation plagued with a serious job crisis with over 92 million workers unemployed and owing $19 trillion dollars in debt is in no position to wield its big stick in the global stage. It is losing its superpower status to other nations, notably Russia and China. There is a new sheriff in town wielding the big stick in dealing with ISIS and his name is Putin. There are serious doubts exKGB Vladimir Putin can be trusted as he has been itching for years to rebuild the lost glory of Russia on the world stage.

However, to engage Russia over Syria just as theUS had foolishly done in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, costing trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives lost over essentially nothing is certainly not in America’s best interest at this time when its economy is severely battered and the psyche of most Americans dealing with day to day existence,

The Metamorphosis

Melting pot or salad bowl? The serious case for assimilation “Immigration without assimilation is nothing more than invasion.” at an all time low. Stupidity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result.

Tied in closely with American economic woes is the issue of immigration. Whether deliberately or not, Donald J. Trump has yanked the issue of illegal immigration front and center. Anyone applying for the post of top dog must deal with it. It seems that Trump has tapped into an angry pulsating nerve of a “YUGE” swath of the American population.

To the absolute dismay of both the Republican and Democratic parties, Trump’s message is resonating. Over the last 4 months since June this year, he seems to have morphed into the microphone for many Americans who have no voice and who are plainly sick and tired of political correctness. It can no longer be business as usual.

As an added attraction to the protracted front act of the primary election and nomination that precede every national election, Trump seems to instinctively know how to play the liberal media like a fiddle to the delight of many.

After 2 national elections during which media played the role of an in-your-face partisan hack, majority view major networks and big publishers as dishonest and completely untrustworthy.

There seems to be seething cold anger. Something tectonic is afoot. Major unpredictable shifts will take place. Professional lifelong politicians who have made it their life’s work to keep running for office and serve the interests of those who bankroll their runs are in for a rude awakening.

Immigration, legal and illegal, is now a white hot issue. While it is true that immigration has always been a cornerstone of the foundation, structure and substance of this amazing country, recent historical events and the current state of the US as a debtor nation, need to be taken into serious consideration when

dealing with immigration.

An estimated 12 million immigrants or about 4% of the total American population of over 300 million are illegal. Some experts say that it could be far more massive than this lowball estimate. It is entirely possible that there might be an effective thinning out of the numbers among the 12 million, beginning with those who have committed crimes and/or are gang members.

But the lousy economy, perhaps more than anything, is already causing natural attrition in the numbers, with jobs difficult to come by. This might be followed by a steep rise in deportation proceedings, a buttressing of border measures, the building of an impenetrable wall as Trump proposes it, a near paranoid check of the flow of goods and people in the ports and airports, a tightening of the screening process from source countries now made more possible by advanced monitoring and communications technology.

While the laws are in the books and the personnel to enforce them are in place, the political will to wield the ax and deal with immigration problems once and for all, is clearly absent. Big business that funds candidates has an agenda that runs completely opposed to the interests of the American public. These are globalist interests opposing national interests. Only one can win.

At this point, it’s anybody’s guess how this will pan out.

But drastic measures must be implemented effectively to address the issue in a much changed world where invasion is dangerously posing as legitimate immigration.

There are increasingly strident advocates who seek to shut the doors of America to immigration with the argument that recent immigration has created, instead of the melting pot society, a salad bowl of disparate, disjointed ethnic Continued on Page 7

November events compel us to ponder over important matters of?”

With nostalgia, I still remember how millions of Filipinos back in the Philippines celebrate All Saints “ An unexamined life is not Day and All Souls Day. Millions of worth living for!” — Socrates “provincianos” who work or live in NOVEMBER to the Christian urban cities like Manila trek back world starts with end-of-life and to their own towns to be with the meaning of life issues when their loved ones (the living and All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All the dead) causing the heaviest Souls Day (Nov. 2) are celebrated traffic of the year, and leaving the in many Catholic churches and megacities to those who have cemeteries across the country. no provinces to go back to. I Then, it ends with the beginning also remember witnessing many of Advent, the commencement of people fighting for a seat in the the Christmas season that gives bus, even by going through the hope to all Christians as they bus window to be ahead! I have prepare for the birthday of Christ. not been in the Philippines during Between these two important events, however, we also celebrate these “holidays for the dead” for over 40 years now, and somewhat Veterans Day and Thanksgiving while falling “backward” an hour for I miss those crazy experiences of my youth. the Daylight Saving Time! What a Most Christians prepare busy month that covers the entire for these church holidays for gamut of our lives forcing us to the departed members of their ponder why we are here on earth! families by preparing lots of With that backdrop, I would food and offering them to the like to share some personal cemeteries where graves and the insights that is very real yet taken surrounding grounds are cleaned for granted by many. Prodded and graves are refurbished weeks

by Socrates’ challenge, I always before. Even after death, one can “examine my own life” and see the economic divide and the oftentimes fine-tune my internal obvious social demarcation line GPS to see that I am still in the between the haves and the havesame direction I wanted to be. nots. Unlike Arlington Cemetery The topic of death which I have accepted as part of living, is a grim known as the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers where graves/markers reminder that one day, I will also are all uniform, most cemeteries experience that. It’s somewhat in the Philippines have social a scary thought to go through, I distinction from an unknown must admit I also desire to go to grave with almost no marker Paradise, but I also pray, “LORD, to show who was buried there please not NOW!” to a magnificent and imposing There is not a month that castle-like grave or mausoleum. passes by NOW that I do not hear The Chinese Cemetery in Metro that someone I know has passed Manila for instance, many of these away or in the hospital, very grandiose graves or expensive critically ill. And every year, I also mausoleums even become the a attend church funeral services convenient homes of the poor and of some friends or relatives. Yes, the homeless for most part of the in the cemetery lie many graves year for which they pay no rent to that contain only the name of the their dead landlords! departed, his/her year of birth The cemetery becomes an and the year of death, separated instant annual venue of this by that unassuming hyphen that fiesta-like celebration of the living encapsulates the substance of a where relatives and friends meet person’s life. Philosophically, a socially. Kakanins and music are profound question can be asked: the norm, and entrepreneurial “What is contained in that small people also make money peddling hyphen that defined your life their goods and services including which your family can be proud ErniE D. DElfin

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the music bands that for a fee, play music around the graves of your loved ones. Some priests and pastors are also available to bless the graves with a “voluntary” donation.

Indeed, it’s more FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES especially if you have the money to burn and buy those trappings of wealth, even after death! Oh, I miss those “crazy” experiences and unique sights of my youth! *** Veterans Day Holiday also just passed and gave honor publicly to all the veterans, both the living and the dead (whereas Memorial Day is only for the dead veterans) who have made great sacrifice, including giving up their lives, so that we may live under the freedom we all enjoy.

Like mothers, veterans are honored in so many ways.

However, many living veterans today are still experiencing a lot of pain and sufferings in their lives from homelessness, to drugs, to unemployment or health issues, post traumatic syndrome (PTS). Often these problems are aggravated by the lack of cohesive or effective government programs to help theme reintegrate back into society where they came from.

With the current political debates in Washington, DC especially among the Republican candidates who are ideologically opposed to the policies of the current Democratic administration in handling the current issue of Syrian refugees due to the unfortunate ISIS bombings in Paris and other parts of the world, the plight of the veterans are collateral damage as their serious problems are just relegated in the sidelines.

The veterans’ issues are not HOT issues in the media these days, yet these problems still linger with them daily. *** Then comes Thanksgiving, when families gather again and feast on a lot of food, with the roasted turkey as the American Continued on Page 7

Calendar of Events across

America

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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

Briefing on Coverage Programs & Services for Overseas Filipinos - Social Security

In cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) of Chicago, you are invited to a briefing on Social Security coverage programs and services for overseas Filipinos on Saturday, Nov. 28 at PCG Multi-Purpose Hall (122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois, 60603). The info briefing session and onsite services (new SS number registration, verification of records and existing reactivation, enrollment in Flexi-fund Program, data amendments, compliance with Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program, benefit claim applications) starting at 10:00 am. Please contact Ms. Marites Marin through marinmc@ sss.gov or in Viber at *6598444384 for SSS inquiries, and Mr. Alvar Rosales through chicagopcg@att.net to confirm attendance.

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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.

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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.

Pasigueñans of Northern California 30th Annual Fiesta Celebration The Pasigueñans of Northern California invites all Pasigueñans, families, and friends to its 30th Annual Fiesta in honor of its patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The annual fiesta will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm at Joseph A. Fernekes Building, in Orange Memorial Park (781 Tennis Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080). Celebration of the Holy Mass will be at 3:00pm, which will be followed by a sumptuous dinner, dancing, entertainment, and raffle drawing. For more information, please contact Flery Santos-Panganiban (707-567-4779), Polly Santiago-Cortez (925-876-7695), Edna Balido-Reyes (925-260-9764), Edith Balido (925-681-9770), Chit Santos-Dalangin (707-7047887), Marico Enriquez (650-483-8306), Oscar Rosales (707-332-4991), Jerry Field (925-6810974), Marivic Beltran-Tuazon (707-656-1081), or Pete Saguisag (650-994-0701).

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St. Joseph School presents WRAPPING ALL THE WAY What: Annual Christmas Presentation Featuring TK through 4th Grade and Parish When: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm Where: St. Joseph Parish (1150 W. Holt Avenue Pomona, CA 91768) The St. Joseph School Annual Christmas program serves as an opportunity for all students and parishioners to come together to celebrate the joyful season. All are welcome to come and be merry. Donations are welcome. For more information, please call: Director Ning Manahan at (909) 629-4101 or (909) 622-3365

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Blessed Hope Christian Church Night of Praise Come celebrate the birth of Christ and praise God with the congregation at our upcoming Christmas Praise Night, on Friday, December 18 at 7:30pm. Our church can be found at 474 North Summit Ave. Pasadena, CA 91103. Please contact Jun Recio (818) 472-5244 for more details.

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Pampanga High School Class of ’65 Golden Jubilee Celebration The Class of 1965 of the Pampanga High School will hold “TULA ampong SAYA,” its 50th Anniversary Reunion, this coming December 29-30, 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 scheduled events. Admission is free. The celebration will begin with BISPERAS on December 29 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, enjoying fun games, old music, and togetherness at the DIASPORA FARM RESORT in Santa Barbara, Bacolor, Pampanga. On December 30, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, join us for KAPIYESTAN, a provincial fiesta luncheon featuring familiar Kapampangan dishes, at the Mulang Galang orchard in San Antonio, Mexico, Pampanga. The evening of Dec. 30 will conclude with TERAKAN, a gala dinner-dance from 6:30 pm to 12 midnight, at the Fortune Hongkong Seafood Restaurant in the San Fernando, Pampanga. Enjoy a fun evening of dancing to the retro music of Decadas and the mellow songs of folksinger Jerry. Class ‘65ers, please join us in celebrating our 50th Golden Anniversary! Full details on preparations, events and venues can be found on “TULA ampong SAYA,” on Facebook. For donations, interest in the 50th Anniversary Reunion souvenir memory book, highlighting the successes of individual Class ‘65ers and the accomplishments of the PHS Class ’65 Foundation, Inc., please contact the jubilee reunion organizing committee in the Philippines: Joseph Deang (0927-228-8588); Erlie Aquino Estandarte (0929-219-0248); Corazon Cunanan (0939-1182888; 0926-660-35540); Cecille Morales Bernas (0932-509-2646); and Marcial Morales (0918915-9095); and Dan Galang 0929-427-9308; 045-966-0764). In the US and Canada, please contact Dan Galang at (510) 487-5551 or at (510) 648-1047.

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PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion

Attention all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine College of Commerce: join us in our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION being organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association, USA Inc. scheduled on May 2729, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of fun-filled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends.

For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-544-8210 or loiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-970-8317 or Monette_santillan@ yahoo.com; Rose Mejia at 323-997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa SugayPalanca at 818-281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at 661-794-8906 or rmaghari@gmail.com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562-480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 orconnieacosta1@att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 or vee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323-627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com.

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

november 27-december 3, 2015 www.asianjournal.com

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Knights of Rizal-Historic Filipinotown (KOR-HFT) announce the first Rizal Memorial Essay Writing Contest 2015 los ANGeles—Calling all Filipino-American youth and student writers in California. the Knights of Rizal-Historic Filipintown (HFt) announced on November 15, 2015 that will hold the first ever Rizal Memorial essay Writing Contest for 2015. in California.

Knights Commander Arturo Garcia of Historic Filipinotown (HFt) announced that the Rizal Memorial essay Writing Contest will start accepting entries rom November 18 to December 18, 2015.

Rules of the contest the last day for submission of entries will be on 6:00 PM. December 18, 2015 ( must be postmarked on that day) those who are interested to join the contest must submit their

entries at KoR-HFt c/o People’s CoRe at 1610 Beverly Blvd. suite No. 2, los Angeles, California 90026. they must submit their entries in two separate envelop and must contain 1,500 words, double spaced with their assumed name or coded number. the theme of the contest is: if Rizal was in Historic Filipinotown, how will he envision the development of the area?

Another envelop must contain the following: 1) assumed name or coded number. 2) true name, address and telephone number. this process is to maintain the impartiality of the judges. the entries will be safeguarded by the KoR-HFt officials and will be held for safekeeping.

Prizes and winners

the prizes for the Rizal Memorial Writing Contest will be: First prize - $ 500.00 and a plaque. second Prize- $350.0 and a plaque third prize - $ 150 .00 and a plaque the Board of Judges will be formed and will be announced later. the Board of Judges will be composed of prestigious writers and journalist in California. the judging process will be held from December 20-25, 2015. the winners will be announced December 27-29, 2015. the awarding will be held on Rizal Day, December 30, 2015.

For more information about the contest please call at (213) 241-0995 or email us at agarcia@ peopelscore.net.

Duarte Senior Age Survey now available for review online

DUARte, CA– in 2014 the Duarte Parks and Recreation Department surveyed a proportionate representation of Duarte’s senior citizens ages 55 years and older. the goal for this survey process was to produce a viable assessment of the needs of Duarte’s senior citizens to assist the department in determining policies for senior services in the community and to also create a guide to develop improved programming at the senior Center.

Following federal standards, the Us Census Bureau designates senior Citizens as 65 years and older however, the Duarte Parks and Recreation Department’s policy for senior programs uses ages 55 years and older as the threshold to designate a participant as a senior Citizen and eligible to participate in senior Center programs. therefore the goal was to survey seniors 55 years and older. every effort was made to include questions that would assist in identifying Duartespecific needs and questions were used that were topical and

that dealt with current issues such as the upcoming Gold line commuter system. Additionally, the Department wanted to understand how successful current efforts have been to provide high quality programming and events for seniors.

A major goal was to conduct the surveying over a wide variety of venues, events and locations. surveying was conducted at the annual City Picnic, Movie Nights, Concerts in the Park series, senior Center, Westminster Gardens, and senior Housing Complexes including be.group cooperation. surveys were also made available on the City Website and news releases, and flyers were also used for promotion. spanish speaking assistance was also provided on several occasions when requested. the survey results are available to the public at the senior Center, Westminster Gardens, Duarte County library, Chamber of Commerce, Duarte City Hall and additional locations. the public is also encouraged to visit the City of Duarte website, www.

accessduarte.com navigate to City Departments/Parks and Recreation/senior Center and scroll down to Results of senior survey. City staff will continue to review senior programs and policies and use these survey results as another tool and guide to determine what to continue, enhance or change in the senior Center’s programming efforts.

For more information on this or any other Duarte Parks and Recreation Program please call 357-7931.

About the City of Duarte the City of Duarte was incorporated on August 22, 1957. With integrity and transparency, the City provides exemplary public services in a caring and fiscally responsible manner with a commitment to our community’s future. For more information visit www. accessduarte.com or call (626) 357-7931. Follow the City of Duarte on Facebook at facebook. com/duartecommunity; twitter @CityofDuarte; instagram @ city_of_duarte and linkedin.

A Night of Praise in Pasadena

A lost church once resided on summit Avenue, a building crumbling under forgotten time, torn away by age stands again! Rebuilt by the dedicated volunteers of Blessed Hope Christian Church. the timeless Victorian style building once abandon now hums with the voices of the worshipers, all joined together bya single faith. the jubilee of the church radiates out in song and praise, almost infectious to those on the

outside. these nights filled with song come and go, a night held for one account: Praising God. Joined in that single bond, they welcome all. the congregation is small in numbers but great in affection. their praise nights are blanketed in a community of warmth and union, with the joyous freedom to sing, to worship, to celebrate the lord in a night of song. the community is majority Asian, but is open to anyoneseeking God. the night,

the hospitable community, and the joy of praising God are BHCC’s Praise Nights which comes every quarter. BHCC’s upcoming night of praise comes in December, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. the quaint building can be found on 474 North summit Avenue, Pasadena, California, 91103, just follow the music. Christmas Praise Night is on Friday, December 18th at 7:30 pm. (tim Calla)

Center for Cybersecurity launched at Cal State Fullerton teACHiNG students to combat security breaches and other threats and providing research experiences to prepare students for the workforce are on the horizon for Cal state Fullerton’s new Center for Cybersecurity. the just-launched center, begun with seed money from Raytheon, is housed in the College of engineering and Computer science to train the next generation of computer security specialists, said Dean Raman M. Unnikrishnan.

Unnikrishnan noted that the demand for security expertise is growing, and by 2017, a shortage of about 2 million skilled information technology professionals is predicted, according to the (isC)² Global information security Workforce study. “our goals for the center include strengthening security education through teaching, research and outreach with our industrial partners,” Unnikrishnan said. “We want to be the industry pipeline and supply our local industrial partners with a skilled workforce.”

Mikhail Gofman, assistant professor of computer science, an expert in virtualization and

cloud security, Web security and biometric authentication, was hired in 2012 to help develop a cybersecurity program and will serve as center director.

Joining Gofman in the effort as center assistant directors are: James s. Choi, professor of computer science, in charge of research and grants; Yun tian, assistant professor of computer science, will oversee curriculum development; and shawn Wang, professor of computer science, will coordinate outreach activities with industry, government and the broader community.

Gofman explained that promoting awareness about cybersecurity is important because cyberattacks are on the rise and continue to grow on a daily basis. in 2006, about 5,500 incidents were reported to the U.s.

Computer emergency Readiness team by federal agencies; last year, more than 67,000 were reported. “our goal is to improve the state of cybersecurity,” Gofman said. strategies include development of curriculum across engineering, computer science and business disciplines. the college already offers courses

in introduction to security, cryptography, network security and cloud security, with other courses planned in such areas as computer forensics, malware analysis, Web security and security courses for non-majors. the center will encourage collaborative faculty-student research projects with industry partners, as well as pursue publication of scholarly works in peer-reviewed journals.

“By fostering collaborative security-related research projects between CsUF faculty, students and industry researchers, this synergy will help tackle the gamut of security problems to reduce cyberthreats,” Gofman said. other initiatives include: • Recruit qualified faculty members with expertise in areas such as digital forensics, big data and mobile security; • establish undergraduate and graduate degree programs in cybersecurity, as well as a minor in computer security; and • support CsUF student organizations, including the offensive security society and the student chapter of isACA, a worldwide association of information security professionals.

Melting pot or salad bowl? The serious case...

From Page 5 groups unwilling and unable to assimilate into the main fabric of American life. some compare current American society as a mosaic that appears to be whole but is essentially fragmented. they further claim the absence of a common purpose poses a threat to the unity and structural integrity of this country. to some extent, the argument is valid. Anti-immigrant groups reserve their biggest contempt and vitriol towards first generation immigrants who refuse to assimilate and in their view, come here to

America to merely take what they can, identifying and exploiting the holes and flaws of a largely generous, humanitarian system. tourism citizenship or the concept of “anchor babies” pertaining to pregnant women giving birth in the Us just to get citizenship for their babies is now in sharp focus. some countries like Britain and Australia may have already rescinded this privilege and plugged this loophole.

After streamlining the system and enforcing the laws already in the books, immigration should be hinged to some degree, on meritocracy. it must continue

as a tightly controlled, highly regulated way of attracting people, possibly the best and brightest from around the world, but perhaps more importantly, oNlY those with the ability and willingness of heart to assimilate and become part of a whole. the founding fathers envisioned America in 1776 clearly. e pluribus Unum. out of many, oNe. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

November events compel us to ponder over...

From Page 5

dinner centerpiece. this thanksgiving weekend has also been used commercially to start the long Christmas holiday season for all stores and commercial establishments to boost their sales for the year. the origin of thanksgiving was indeed a day of giving thanks for a great “harvest” by the Pilgrims in 1621. Fully aware of the great challenge and perseverance of the early American settlers from europe, President Abraham lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1864 as a “thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens” is now celebrated on the last thursday of November, and has become one of the most awaited holidays like

independence Day and Christmas. *** When this issue of the Asian Journal comes out, thanksgiving is just over and people will have rested a little bit to start the process of preparing for the last huge holiday of year—Christmas. even weeks before thanksgiving, a radio station 103.5 FM has started playing Christmas songs, and stores in malls have already their decorations. . the last several decades, Christmas has become so much commercialized that older people like me become nostalgic of the Christmases we used to have which were celebrated with our loved ones. i cannot fathom nor will i ever participate in the crazy phenomenon when this

generation line up for many hours for the opening of an advertised store to be first in line when it opens.

Meanwhile, before the deafening Christmas commercials and crazy traffic comes, let me prepare for my Annual Retreat in the san Damiano Mountains up North California to be away for a long weekend to fine-tune my internal GPs so i will not be lost in this maddening crowd in our material world these days.

Have a blessed and happy thanksgiving week everyone! email columnist: ernie.delfin@ gm Read my blog: http://edmetamorphosis.blogspot.com/ Visit our Rotary website: www. gkerc.com

Just a casual observation— John Lloyd is more cynical and Bea is more optimistic.

B: that’s not what i wanted to say! i think i’m just more idealistic and he’s more realistic. He’s not cynical and i’m not optimistic all the time.

J: Cynical lang ako ’pag Mondays.

Considering all the love teams today—JaDine, KathNiel, AlDub and LizQuen, what can you advise them in terms of longevity?

B: love your craft—it should start from that. i hope they prioritize that over anything else—not fame or stardom, or how people perceive them.

J: since Day 1, we’ve offered nothing but our sincerity. We never tried to fool people into believing that we’re together para lang kiligin sila.

What do you do when you can’t stand each other any longer?

J: Ang dami naming gan’on! We finished one tV series, Betty La Fea, and we didn’t speak to each other at all!

B: We worked on it for almost eight months.

“One More Chance” spawned quotable quotes. Do you have favorites?

B: “Ayaw ko na ng ‘what ifs.’

Gusto ko na ng ‘what is.’”

J: “You had me at my best…”

Let’s tackle social issues this time. Are you willing to use your influence to promote or endorse a political candidate or support an advocacy?

J: if i really believe in something or someone, i’d gladly help.

B: to influence your followers to vote for the person you’re endorsing is a big responsibility.

You have to be 100-percent sure that the candidate deserves it.

What can you say about the recently concluded Apec (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit)?

J: i hope that with the P10billion fund, we can safely say that we’ve been good hosts. i guess we have yet to see and appreciate its benefits—because those will come later on.

John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo on...

From Page 4

Is it very difficult for stars to have a normal relationship?

J: My approach has always been not to take life too seriously.

B: our work is not so different from that of other people. i guess artists are just more exposed…

J: And that their every move is magnified.

What is it about stardom that you resist or resent?

J: i always struggle in keeping my private life private. For me, there are two kinds of artists—celebrities and actors. i always strive to achieve balance. i know that my work begins the moment i step out of the house.

B: i sometimes struggle with how to marry being a businesswoman and being an artist.

You compromise, sometimes. You just have to make it work.

J: it’s all a matter of perspective.

Counting one’s blessings is sometimes overrated. i feel angry because the t-shirt that i want to wear on a particular day is still in the laundry bin. it’s the little problems that make us real people.

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