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Volume 16 - No. 16 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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APRIL 14-20, 2017

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Ramos tells Duterte: US is PH’s ‘most sincere, devoted’ ally

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE United States is the Philippines’ “most sincere, devoted, patriotic, and fearless” ally, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos said on Tuesday, April 11.

In his speech during the third day of commemorating the Bataan Death March of 1942, Ramos expressed his hope that President Rodrigo Duterte

would realize in time the great importance of the decades-long relationship between the Philippines and U.S. Duterte, who assumed the presidency in July last year, reportedly had a strained relationship with the U.S. under former President Barack Obama. Duterte constantly attacked Washington with profanity-laced speeches, and even threatened to end joint military drills and chase U.S.

USA

DATELINE Major General Tony Taguba sounds off on caregiving, Filipino WWII vets recognition FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

F i l i p i n o -A m e r i c a n M a j o r General Tony Taguba shares his experiences with family caregiving and lobbying on behalf of Filipino World War II veterans.

AFTER 35 illustrious years serving in the United States Army, Major General Antonio “Tony” Taguba has dedicated his life to two crucial missions: stressing the importance of family caregiving and assuring Filipino World War II Veterans receive the recognition they deserve.

The major general’s efforts go beyond the mere expression of these two very important issues that

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PH, US sign child protection agreement against trafficking THE Philippines and the United States have signed the Child Protection Compact (CPC) on Tuesday, April 11, as part of efforts to address trafficking and abuse of Filipino children.

Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who is also chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), signed the agreement with U.S. Embassy in Manila Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski at the Department of Justice (DOJ) office.

“To protect the future generation of Filipinos from exploitation by organized criminal groups, the Philippines and the United States took it as a responsibility to device a concerted and well-coordinated response against child labor trafficking,” Aguirre said in a statement.

According to Aguirre, the CPC aims “to increase the number of victims-centered investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children

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troops out of Mindanao.

Lately, however, Duterte seems to have warmed up to the U.S. after President Donald Trump took office earlier in January.

“He (Duterte) may not know it, but I’m sure he will know it very quickly that the Americans have always been our most sincere, devoted, patriotic, and fearless allies in war and peace,” said Ramos.

On that day, Ramos led the 10-

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SYMBOLIC. Environment Secretary Gina Lopez and Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu led the symbolic planting of tree seedlings along a tributary of the Buluan River in Pandag town.

Philstar photo John Unson

World Bank: PH economy Robredo won’t object top performer in East Asia Marcos’ possible Growth forecast close to 7 percent in the next three years

Cabinet appointment

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE World Bank on Tuesday, April 11 says the Philippine economy will grow close to 7 percent in the next three years, remaining to be a top performer in East Asia.

In its report, the bank retained its 6.9 percent economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year, and is likely to sustain the same growth rate in 2018 — which is down from its December projection of seven percent.

The bank also projected the domestic economy to slightly ease to 6.8 percent in 2019.

But World Bank lead economist for the Philippines Birgit Hansl downplayed the downward adjustment in the 2018 growth forecast.

“The revisions from the forecast in December is minor. Statistically, it’s insignificant. It’s just that we have more informa-

by AJPRESS

tion now than last year,” Hansl said. “So as you can see, there is no major change. On the opposite, we see it as positive development.”

Taking note of the expected increase in the government’s infrastructure spending, Hansl said the World Bank “continues to have a positive economic out-

look for the Philippines that will be sustained throughout 2018.”

“The implementation of planned infrastructure projects could generate positive spillover effects for the rest of the economy, spurring additional business activity, accelerating job creation, and ultimately con-

PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo will not oppose any decision to appoint former Senator “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to a Cabinet position, her camp said on Monday, April 10.

Robredo’s spokesperson, Georgina Hernandez, made the statement amid speculations that President Rodrigo Duterte may appoint Marcos as the new Department of InVice President Leni Robredo terior and Local Government (DILG) chief, following the dismissal of former Secretary Ismael Sueno earlier this month over corruption allegations.

Emphasizing that the appointing of the members of the Cabinet depends on the president, Hernandez guaranteed that Robredo will “respect” Duterte’s

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Are you eligible for CalEITC? Photojournalist wins Pulitzer Prize Don’t leave income on the table, advocates urge The program allowed some 385,000 people statewide who filed tax returns for 2015 to get the JUSTIN Redmond no loncredit, of about 600,000 ger has to spend hours on who were eligible. public transportation com“A super majority of muting to work and school Americans are living in a from his home in San Bernapersistent state of economdino County. ic anxiety,” says Joseph With the $600 tax credit Sanberg, the founder and that the 23-year-old received chair of the educational from the state of California campaign around the new last year, he was able to fitax credit. “Seventy-five nally fix his car, something percent of Americans canhis $800-a-month janitorial not afford a $700 finansalary didn’t allow him to do. State Senator Toni Atkins cial shock. The CalEITC “I had been struggling to get is a direct way to boost the income of around,” he says.

Redmond is among hundreds of thou- low-income workers and give them the sands of low-income residents who ben- economic security to fulfill their human efited from the California Earned Income potential.”

California is one of 25 states, includTax Credit (CalEITC) program that the state launched in 2015 to help families ing the District of Columbia, with such a making less than $14,000 a year. u PAGE A2

by VIJI

SUNDARAM NewAmericaMedia

for photo series on PH drug killings Malacañang ‘respects’ Pulitzer decision

ing the anti-drug campaign in the Philippines.

The Pulitzer Prize board seA FREELANCE photographer lected Australian photojournalfor The New York Times was one ist Daniel Berehulak’s blistering of the many journalists selected photo series “They Are Slaughfor the coveted 2017 Pulitzer tering Us Like Animals” for the Prize for his photographs depictu PAGE A3

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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april 14-20, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

From the Front Page

Ramos tells Duterte: US is PH’s ‘most…

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kilometer “Freedom March” as part of the commemorating the bravery and heroism of Filipino and American soldiers who were subjected to a death march by Japanese invaders in 1942.

The former president highlighted in his speech that the surrendering of 80,000 death march victims in Bataan does not mark the end of the country’s war against Japan.

According to Ramos, Filipino and American soldiers continued

its resistance against invaders through guerilla warfare.

“It was their bravery, their determination to fight the enemy, their desire to see the Philippines liberated once more that made them so successful,” he said.

Ramos also made note that it was Colonel Wendell Fertig of the United States Armed Forces, an American mining engineer, who led the most successful guerilla unit in the Philippines.

Stressing the need of a nation to maintain its diplomatic and so-

cio-economic relations with other countries, Ramos said there are threats, citing, in particular, environmental and health issues, that could only be solved through international cooperation.

“We must work towards closer cooperation among nations,” he said. “The world is too dangerous if left to itself.”

Ramos also urged the public to not believe any reports suggesting the end of Philippine-U.S. ties under the present administration. n

Robredo won’t object Marcos’ possible…

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decision.

“Ang sa atin naman, yung pagtatalaga ng miyembro ng Gabinete, alam natin at tinatanggap po natin na ito po ay desisyon ng Pangulo (We accept the fact that appointing members of the Cabinet depends on the President’s decision, which will be respected

by Vice President Robredo),” Hernandez told DZXL RMN Manila in an interview.

While no decision has been made yet, Marcos — if appointed — would only be able to assume the role in mid-May, as the Constitution bans defeated candidates from serving any Cabinet post until a year after the election.

“Ang sa atin po basta po malinaw yung plano at yung kredibilidad at yung kakayahan ng taong itatalaga, sana po ay yun po ang ma-consider (As far as we are concerned, we are just hoping that the credibility, competence and the vision of the person would be the things considered),” Hernandez said.

In an earlier interview, however, Robredo described the possibility of Marcos getting a Cabinet position as “scary in the sense that he will again be given an opportunity to do what they did before,” referring to the reign of his father, former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“There have been several decisions already asking them to pay back whatever they got from the people but all of these judgments are not satisfied yet and now he is aiming for another Cabinet position and for me that is scary in the sense that he will again be given an opportunity to do what they did before,” Robredo said

CATHOLIC TRADITION. Residents look at a sculpted image showing the suffering of Jesus Christ in Sorosoro Ibaba, Batangas City. With the start of Holy Week, the nation begins to wind down as Filipinos prepare to observe this major religious event marked by reflection and visits to churches.

Manilatimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan

Are you eligible for…

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Former Senator “Bongbong” Marcos Jr

in a television interview last February.

Nevertheless, Robredo maintained that she would respect Duterte’s decision.

“It is always the president’s privilege whom to appoint in his Cabinet but my concern here is that the Marcoses have not paid for what they did to the country,” she said.

In response to speculations, Marcos said he is open to joining Duterte’s Cabinet.

“If the President asks you to serve in whatever capacity, hindi mo pupuwedeng tanggihan (you can’t refuse). Siyempre para sa bansa yan (Of course it’s for the country) and of course I’d be happy, I’d be proud, I’d be honored to serve in any position in the Duterte administration,” he said in an interview.

He admitted that Duterte has not offered him a position “I have not spoken to the president for a... few weeks now so, and never pa namin napag-usa-

pan ang kahit na anong klaseng (we’ve never discussed any kind of) appointment,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte disclosed that he is not planning to appoint Marcos, saying it would affect the latter’s electoral protest against Robredo.

In June of last year, Marcos filed an electoral protest against Robredo before the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

He accused the vice president of committing massive poll fraud after she won the seat only by a slim margin.

Sought for comments over Duterte’s statement, Marcos said, “I guess I’ll leave that to the lawyers to study, pero pagkaalam ko (as far as I know), it is only during an election that you are abandoning.”

“But don’t worry, I won’t stop until all the votes you gave me have been counted, and we will bring that out in the open,” he added. n

program. There’s been a federal earned income tax credit since the 1970s, but now more states are instituting their own programs as well. In California, the average state payout is just over $500.

“Think of the ways an extra $500 can help a struggling family,” says State Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego).

Atkins had pushed for the credit during her time as the Assembly Speaker because, she says, “a refundable tax credit is proven to be an effective tool for helping lift families out of poverty.”

“But we have more work to do,” she says. “First, we must continue to spread the word about this tax credit … too many people are leaving this income on the table, simply because they don’t yet know about it. Second, when the state budget will allow it, I would like to see the program expanded so that more workers

are eligible.”

Last year, Sanberg unsuccessfully tried to get the state legislature to raise California’s EITC income threshold from its current $14,000 a year to $20,800, so that full-time workers making the $10-an-hour minimum wage could be eligible.

There are two bills currently in the Assembly that would open eligibility to full-time minimum wage earners and to self-employed taxpayers, for taxable years starting in January 2017.

“CalEITC must be expanded to serve more working families,” says Sanberg. “By increasing the eligibility threshold to full-time minimum wage, and including self-employment earnings, families who struggle daily but still make too much to receive the current EITC will be able to access a life-changing boost in income.”

Advocates promoting the tax credit are making an extra effort to inform residents of economi-

cally depressed counties like San Bernardino.

Redmond found out about the program through notices sent out by his school, San Bernardino Valley College. The first-time tax filer took advantage of the free services offered by Volunteer Income-Tax Assessment (VITA), which set up a mobile site on the school campus.

“This tax season there’s a lot more awareness [of the new tax credit],” says Jason Montiel, a spokesperson for the state’s Franchise Tax Board who also volunteers as a VITA tax preparer.

He says that low-income people should not abstain from filing their tax returns just because they’re not required to (in California, people making less than $16,000 a year aren’t required to file at all).

In order to receive the tax credit, low-income residents have to be sure to file their taxes

by April 18. n

Major General Tony Taguba sounds off on…

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greatly affect the Filipino-American community.

Taguba — who is the second American citizen of Philippine birth to be promoted to the general rank in the U.S. — has lobbied lawmakers to provide more benefits to Filipino WWII Veterans, even rallying behind the Congressional Gold Medal award, which was signed by former President Barack Obama late last year.

Taguba currently serves as a community ambassador for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the nation’s leader in advocating for more benefits for retired senior citizens. At AARP, he lobbies for more resources in public health, particularly for family caregiving, which he calls a crucial “national public health issue” that “starts with the family.”

“Caregiving is a 24/7 job, 365

Major General Tony Taguba currently serves as a community ambassador for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

days a year,” Taguba told the Asian Journal.

Taguba learned how difficult family caregiving can be from his own experience of caring for his mother. She was dying of stom-

World Bank: PH economy…

PAGE A1 t tributing to higher household consumption and poverty reduction,” she further added.

Citing higher employment, low inflation and improved incomes, the World Bank also said in its report that the poverty rate in the Philippines fell down from 25.2 percent to 21.6 percent in 2015.

This is likely equivalent to 1.8 million Filipinos lifted out of pov-

erty within three years.

Likewise, the unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent in 2016 with 1.4 million jobs created. Hansl, however, made note that the underemployment rate remains high at 18 percent.

“Underinvestment contributes to high rates of informality and low job quality, and it weakens the impact of employment growth on poverty reduction,” Hansl said. n

ach cancer and Taguba and his six siblings had to organize a family caregiving system, and it was not easy.

“We were not prepared,” he recounted. “I called it ‘discovery learning.’ We were just going along, relying on primary doctors and not looking at other forms of care like looking into social workers or geriatricians. That would have made a difference.”

“I share my story because there’s always a better plan,” Taguba added, emphasizing the importance of preparation. “It’s never going to be perfect, but it can ease the pain, grief, and guilt because if you’ve done it once, you’re going to do it again. After a while, we thought if it could happen to my mom, it can hap-

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From the Front Page

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Q&A: What will it take to prevent another Coyote Creek flood?

EDITOR’S Note: On the morning of February 21, the Rock Springs area of San Jose saw the city’s worst flooding in two decades when winter storms caused Coyote Creek to overflow.

Early storms this year had saturated watersheds, and increased runoff from subsequent storms caused the creek to rise dramatically. The City of San Jose failed to warn residents, with city officials saying they’d been given PROTECT VERDE ISLAND. Representatives from rom the provinces of Batangas, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro as well as representatives from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard signed a memorandum of agreement to create a network to protect marine biodiversity in the Verde Island Passage. The coalition also includes the UN Development Program.

Facebook/Palakat Batangas City

Overseas Voter registration continues to set new record THE Department of Foreign Affairs - Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA-OVS) announced Friday, April 7, that after four months of overseas voter registration (that commenced last December 1, 2016 and will end on 30 September 2018), a new milestone has been established by garnering 105,333 new OV registrants. This number has surpassed the previous high of 103,048 set over the same period during 2014-2015 registration drive.

The overseas voter registration in preparation for the 2016 elections netted a cumulative total of 1,376,067 active registered overseas voters. The 826,881 new registrants for the 2016 elections, was more than a 100 percent increase over the 398,554 new registrants for the 2013 elections. Of the almost 1.4 million registered overseas

voters, 590,440 were in the Middle East and Africa, 334,215 in the Asia Pacific, 263,316 in the Americas, 138,757 in Europe, and 49,339 were sea-based. The attainable target for this registration period is 1.1 million OV registrants, which would net a cumulative total of 2,130,000 active registered voters for the coming national elections.

“This is once again an evidence of the hard-work and dedication of the men and women of our Foreign Service who are aggressively campaigning to encourage more overseas Filipinos to participate in this ongoing electoral exercise. Our media partners and other OV stakeholders are also playing a vital role in disseminating overseas voting awareness among our kababayans abroad,” said Undersecretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, who is concurrently Chairman of DFA-OVS.

PH, US sign child protection…

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(OSEC) and Child Labor Trafficking (CLT) cases.”

The CPC also seeks “to strengthen government’s and civil society’s capacities to identify and provide comprehensive services for victims” and “to strengthen existing communitybased mechanisms for identifying and protecting child victims.”

The implementation of the deal will be piloted in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Visayas (Region VII).

“The evil of human trafficking should be fought on all fronts.

We should channel our collective efforts towards eradicating it.

Anything that debases or dehumanizes the dignity of a person is an abomination that must end,” Aguirre said during the signing of the agreement.

He further added, “Slavery and exploitation has no place in any society. Any act that which enslaves or exploits our children magnifies the evil a hundredfold.”

Under the deal, the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons will provide $3.5 million fund to non-governmental or international organizations that would address OSEC and CLT.

According to Aguirre, $3 million of the said fund will be allocated to support capacity-building related to improving Philippines’ response to OSEC. The remaining $500,000, meanwhile, will be used to support activities related to Philippines’ response to CLT. The Philippines, for its part, will also allot P40 million for the intensified child protection programs.

Apart from DOJ, also included in the agreement were the following Philippine government agencies: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Let us not leave no stone unturned in our avowed purpose to protect our children. Let us send a message, a strong one at that.

Hurt our children, and we will come after you. And you will not like it,” Aguirre said.

Also involved were the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). (Dana M. Sioson/AJPress)

Major General Tony Taguba…

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pen to us.”

Family and the comfort of home play two important roles when it comes to making end-oflife decisions for Filipinos, and Taguba recognizes that.

Most families will eventually have to turn to family caregiving, and it will be a struggle, he said.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible; he advises all loved ones to research all the options available rather than relying on only a few sources.

As an ambassador for AARP, he goes around the country to tell the stories of people’s experiencing in caregiving. In collaboration with AARP, he created a documentary called Caregiving Dahil Mahal Kita (Because I Love You). Through this, he exemplifies an important point: there’s no one-size-fits-all option for caregiving. He’s committed to letting people know that all the resources are out there and that families can get started at AARP. “There’s no one answer, but there’s a lot of answers,” Taguba affirmed. “AARP is the lead organization for those that want to get started on family caregiving because they’re the leader in identifying resources and getting families prepared. The elderly have a multiplicity of ailments and you can’t just rely on one source, and you can’t do it alone. You’ll get devastated and overworked on your own. But the first thing I tell people is to ask around the area.

Ask a doctor, ask a nurse or find a social worker.”

He’s also lobbied in Congress to challenge lawmakers who want to reduce funding to Medicaid and other government-funded programs that provide resources to public health

As a veteran of the U.S. Army and the son of a Filipino WWII guerilla fighter who escaped the Bataan Death March, Taguba holds dearly to him the recognition of the efforts of Filipino WWII veterans, about 15,000 of whom are still alive today.

“They struggled for over 75 years. Nobody cared about them and history was not kind to them and the past five to six years we decided that we have to congregate something for them by rewarding them the Congressional Gold Medal,” Taguba said.

Filipino WWII veterans were one of the seven minority veterans who fought in the war with about 260,000 Filipinos lending their efforts to fight for the Allied Forces. However, they were “the last to have been disenfranchised, disassociated and denied recognition,” Taguba noted.

“We need to do something right; 75 years is a long time to be forgotten,” he said.

Taguba chairs the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FILVETREP), an organization with the mission to promote academic research to raise public awareness of the massive Filipino efforts during the Second World War. The retired major general acknowledged the progress that has been made in terms of providing Filipino WWII with payment, benefits and public recognition. But he believes that more work needs to be done with educating the youth about these veterans and the enormous effort on their part.

“Kids and grandkids [of those soldiers], like myself, want to tell the world that their history is our story, their story is our history,” Taguba declared. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

All Filipino citizens who expect to be abroad from 13 April – 13 May 2019 during the overseas voting period for the 2019 Elections, at least 18 years old on 13 May 2019, and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register as an overseas voter, at all Philippine Foreign Service Posts including the three Manila Economic and Cultural Offices (MECO) in Taiwan and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Al-Khobar (for an updated list please go to www.dfa-oavs.gov. ph or www.comelec.gov.ph).

Register and vote! n

inaccurate information by the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Nearly 15,000 people had to be evacuated. New America Media (NAM) spoke with John Varela, the board director of the water district.

What is the major lesson learned for the District from last month’s catastrophic Coyote Creek flood?

The water district understands the need to have a strong collab-

oration with the City of San Jose and other cities to reduce flood risk to residents. The district and city are developing a joint emergency action plan with specific thresholds and defined corresponding actions.

What is the likelihood that a similar flood could recur, and what steps is the District taking to ensure there will be advance warning if it does?

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Photojournalist wins Pulitzer Prize for photo…

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Breaking News Photography category for his “powerful storytelling...showing the callous disregard for human life in the Philippines brought about by a government assault on drug dealers and users.”

Berehulak’s series — which was shot over a span of 35 days — featured 57 murder victims at 41 sites in the Manila and Quezon City areas. It provided an inside look at rainy crime scenes, overcrowded jails filled with drug suspects and night shots of city life that set the backdrop of the crackdown.

“What I experienced in the Philippines felt like a new level of ruthlessness: police officers’ summarily shooting anyone suspected of dealing or even using drugs, vigilantes’ taking seriously Mr. Duterte’s call to ‘slaughter them all,’” the photojournalist

wrote in the article that accompanied his photos.

This is Berehulak’s second Pulitzer; he won in 2015 for feature photography for his coverage of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

Despite its criticism of Western coverage on the drug war, Malacañang respects the decision to reward Berehulak for images.

“The Pulitzer Prize Board has its own criteria and selection process and we respect their decision on this matter,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella wrote in a statement on Tuesday, also acknowledging “the Western press has been highly critical of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drug traffickers and violators.”

Media coverage on President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent drug crackdown has made interna-

tional headlines since the president assumed office last June, and the president has not taken too kindly to the coverage.

Most recently, Duterte called out the media for “unfair” and “twisted” coverage on his presidency, accusing various domestic publications of distorting his words regarding the war on drugs.

“They become really vicious and virulent,” the president said in remarks before the Philippine Councilors’ League on Thursday, March 29. “Ganun yan. Mabasa, makita mo naman talagang tinitwist nila.

Yung slant na slant. Sinasadya nila. (They’re like that. You can read and see how they twist [the story], the slant. They do it consciously). They do not complete the sentence. They zero-in on the adjective or however you describe the situation.” n

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Dateline USa

april 14-20, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

USCIS hits annual H1-B visa cap

THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated 85,000 H-1B visa cap for fiscal year 2018, it announced in a statement.

The quota was met within five days since the applications opened on April 3, the federal agency said on Friday, April 7.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the cap has been fulfilled in less than a week.

The program has allocated 65,000 slots for foreign workers and an additional 20,000 for the U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap.

The total number of H1-B applications received this year has yet to be announced.

Businesses in the United States use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require specialized knowledge, such as science, engineering and computer-related fields.

The agency will reject and re-

turn filing fees for all unselected cap-subject petitions that are not duplicate filings. It will, however, continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap.

On April 3, USCIS said it would temporarily suspend premium processing for all H1-B petitions, including cap-exempt petitions, for up to six months.

“While H-1B premium processing is suspended, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for a Form I129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker which requests the H-1B nonimmigrant classification. We will notify the public before resuming premium processing for H-1B petitions,” it said.

Petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, will also not be counted toward the congressionally mandated FY 2018 H-1B cap.

The agency will continue to accept and process petitions filed to: extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States; change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers; allow current H1B workers to change employers; and allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.

The Trump administration is reportedly looking to crackdown on H1-B abuses, with the USCIS saying it would conduct site visits of petitioners suspected of misusing the program.

In a statement earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it “will not tolerate employers misusing the H-1B visa process to discriminate against U.S. workers. U.S. workers should not be placed in a disfavored status, and the department is wholeheartedly committed to investigating and vigorously prosecuting these claims.”

(AJPress)

US Marine’s conviction upheld for killing transgender Filipina THE Philippine Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the conviction of United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for killing a transgender Filipina three years ago.

In a 48-page decision dated April 3, the CA’s special 16th Division affirmed the March 2015 ruling of the Olongapo City regional trial court (RTC) which found Pemberton guilty of homicide for the killing of Jennifer Laude in 2014. “[T]he instant Appeal is denied for lack of merit and assailed [Nov. 18, 2015] Decision and the [March 29, 2016] Order of the Regional Trial Court of Olongapo City, Branch 72 are hereby affirmed,” the CA decision read.

Pemberton’s motion for reconsideration has been junked by the lower court, prompting him to raise his case before the CA. In his petition, Pemberton argued that he killed Laude in selfdefense after the latter allegedly molested him. He claimed that he was only defending his dignity and self-respect.

But the CA, in its ruling penned

by Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales-Sison, stated that “the only reason why [Pemberton] attacked Laude was that he was

the CA added. “Self-defense, like alibi, is a defense which can easily be concocted, as it is in this case.”

The order went on to say that Pemberton did not only level Laude unconscious, “but ensured his death by submerging his head inside the toilet bowl.” It dismissed the American’s claim that he had no intention to commit the act.

The court said this “clearly” shows that Pemberton “intended the natural consequence of his wrongful act.”

“To our mind, placing Laude’s head inside a toilet shows that Pemberton never thought of Laude as a human being, but as a fecal matter due to his sexual orientation,” the CA stressed.

In its decision, the CA affirmed the RTC’s ruling which sentenced Pemberton to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment.

Joseph Scott Pemberton It also raised the civil indemnifurious at him for pretending to ty and moral damages set by the be a woman, nothing more, noth- RTC at P50,000 to P75,000 each. ing less.”

The Laude family, meanwhile, “Indeed, a plea of self-defense welcomed the CA’s decision. cannot be justifiably appreciTheir lawyer, Kabayan partyated where it is not only uncor- list Rep. Harry Roque, described roborated by independent and Pemberton’s conviction as “an competent evidence, but also affirmation of Philippine soverextremely doubtful by itself,” eignty.” (AJPress)

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Search on for missing Filipino in SF Bay Area DALY CITY, California — The family and friends of Kevin Redrico as well as volunteers are searching for the 23-year-old Filipino from Vallejo, California who went missing in the early morning of Thursday, April 6.

Redrico is 5’ 6” tall and weighs 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen in black clothing. He was a contestant on NBC’s “The Sing Off.” A witness reported seeing Redrico exit his vehicle at 9:00 a.m. that morning outside of a factory in neighboring Benicia.

Local authorities are investigating the case, with search efforts being concentrated in the Benicia–Martinez area of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Redrico’s family asks people with any news or information, to call or text 707-344-7690.

(Inquirer.net)

Breast cancer rates increasing among Asian Americans Researchers examined breast cancer incidence rates among seven Asian American ethnic groups in this new study

FREMONT, Calif. — In contrast to other US racial/ethnic groups, Asian Americans have experienced steadily increasing breast cancer rates over the past 15 years.

To better understand potential contributors to this increase, researchers at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) examined cancer incidence trends by age and stage among women from seven Asian American ethnic groups in California from 1988 through 2013.

The findings were epublished ahead of print in the April issue of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

Although prior research has examined subtype-specific incidence patterns among Asians/ Pacific Islanders as whole, this is the first examination of subtype-specific incidence patterns among Asian American ethnicities and the variation among Asian American ethnic groups.

Asian Americans includes populations from nearly 30 countries with differing migration patterns, socioeconomic status, health behaviors and culture, all which contribute to differences in disease incidence. In this study, seven major ethnicities were evaluated: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, South Asians (Asian Indians and Pakistanis), and Southeast Asians (Cambodians, Laotians, Hmong, Thai).

All Asian Americans groups, with the exception of Japanese, experienced an overall incidence increase. The largest increase was observed among Koreans, South Asians and Southeast Asians. Rates increased for distant stage disease among Filipinas.

Among women over age 50, increases occurred in all Asian American ethnic groups while for women younger than 50 large

increases occurred for Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian groups. Although breast cancer incidence rates in Asian American women as a whole were lower than rates for whites, the rates for Japanese and Filipinas under age 50 were comparable to rates for similarly aged white women.

Breast cancer incidence also varies by disease subtype defined by tumor expression of hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

Within California, proportionally more breast cancers expressed HER2 in Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese women than in white women.

According to Scarlett Lin Gomez, the lead researcher of the study, “These patterns warrant additional attention to public health prioritization to target disparities in access to care, as well as further research in identifying relevant breast cancer risk factors for specific breast cancer subtypes. In particular, studies should investigate risk factors, perhaps early-life exposures, underlying the higher rates of breast cancer among young Filipino and Japanese women, with attention to possible genetic susceptibility.”

Increasing trends of late-stage disease, particularly among Filipino, Korean and South Asian women, suggest a need for higher rates of mammography screening in these populations.

Mammography utilization rates in California are slightly lower in Asian American women than in other racial/ethnic groups and among Asian Americans, Korean and South Asian women have the lowest mammography utilization, consistent with their higher rates of later-stage disease.

The disproportionately high rates of some HER2 negative overexpressing subtypes also require better understanding, as

this subtype tends to grow more quickly, spread more aggressively, and present more often as high-grade disease than the more common hormone receptors or HER2 negative tumors.

To conduct this study, researchers used data from the population-based California Cancer Registry in a state that is both the largest in the U.S. and has the most substantial population of Asian Americans. Comparison data were drawn for whites.

From 1988-2013, researchers identified 45,721 invasive breast cancer cases among Asian Americans.

Other researchers who participated in this study from CPIC are Julie Von Behren, Meg McKinley, Christina A. Clarke, Salma Shariff-Marco, Iona Cheng, Peggy Reynolds and Sally L. Glaser.

This work was supported by the Stanford Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program under contract HHSN261201000140C awarded to the Cancer Prevention Institute of California.

About the Cancer Prevention Institute of California The Cancer Prevention Institute of California is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing cancer and to reducing its burden where it cannot yet be prevented. We are the only freestanding research institution working solely to prevent cancer using extensive population data. Our researchers study a wide range of cancer risk factors, such as racial/ethnic background, socioeconomic status, age, occupation, gender, genetic predisposition, geographic location, environment and lifestyle to determine how these factors affect frequency, distribution and types of cancers. For more information, visit the CPIC website at www.cpic.org. n

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The type of storm we saw on President’s Day was classified as a 20- or 25-year storm event.

We haven’t seen similar flows in Coyote Creek since 1997. However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t see flooding for another 20 years. With any chance of storm, parts of our county are susceptible to flooding … There are about 66,000 parcels that are in the FEMA flood zone. We are working every year to reduce that number, but the flood risk will continue to exist. People should be aware that not all flooding can be predicted. Our ability to forecast stream flows is improving, but it’s not a perfect science.

Strong downpours can cause streams to rise quickly, and flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning.

The district will continue working with cities and regional partners to communicate and to ensure understanding of existing flood risks and work on developing joint emergency action plans to improve inter-agency communication.

The City of San Jose has criticized the district for inaccurate data regarding channel capacity and flawed estimates of flood risk. What is the District’s response?

The water district followed the procedures and protocols and provided the necessary information and data to the City to notify residents that flooding was imminent in the President’s Day storm event. Numerous indications showed the potential for flooding at vulnerable areas along the creek. Given unpredictable variables with a natural creek like Coyote, our estimates were within a standard range … The City was aware of the forecast predicting flooding from the National Weather Service, and from a tech-

nical and professional standpoint, should have been relying on all the data that was presented, rather than basing its actions on one single piece of data [i.e., the flow rates in Coyote Creek].

The District is not responsible for calling for evacuations. However, a period of 24 to 48 hours is likely appropriate to facilitate a timely and orderly evacuation.

It’s unclear what trigger the City of San Jose was using for its evacuation decisions. If it was only flow rates in Coyote Creek, that obviously would not have allowed for a timely and orderly evaluation. In fact, it would have only provided for a maximum notice of 4 to 6 hours for the impacted communities.

What is the district doing to improve its flood monitoring protocols?

Our hydrology team is working on further developing an existing flood forecasting tool to extend monitoring and forecasting to other parts of our county, including Coyote Creek. This tool is a useful resource in sharing information with partner agencies.

A byproduct of the flood is that we now have a more current estimate of where flooding occurs along Coyote Creek and the estimated flow levels. Previous estimates were based on flows from 1997 storms, the last recorded high flow event in the creek, in addition to a field study that measured the shape of the channel. Over the course of 20 years, there are a variety of factors that can impact the capacity of the creek. Creeks can extend in a different direction, erosion can occur along the creek, and vegetation growth and creek blockages can also occur over time.

What steps can residents take to protect themselves from future flooding?

Disaster preparedness is key,

not just for flood safety but for any naturally occurring disaster.

According to FEMA, 83 percent of Americans do not consider themselves prepared for an emergency. So it is crucial for residents to be prepared with emergency supplies at home, at work, and in their car, and that they have an emergency evacuation plan with their families.

Also key for flood safety is being aware of your flood risk. Residents should be aware of the location of neighborhood streams and know how to get to higher ground in the event of flooding.

Another important action that residents can take is purchasing flood insurance, which can save a lot of headaches and money; most homeowners and renters insurance do not cover flood damage. The water district has flood protection resources available on our website, www.valleywater.org.

What message does the District want to send about its role?

In the last four decades, the water district has invested more than a billion dollars in reducing flood risk, protecting more than 93,000 properties in previously flood-prone areas. However, flood risk still exists in our county, and with more than 60,000 parcels in the FEMA-designated floodplain, we currently have 18 projects underway to reduce this risk. Flood protection projects are large and multifaceted undertakings … Support from the community and agencies at the local, state, and even federal levels is crucial for a successful project. The water district will host a series of post-flood community meetings to analyze the event and how we can leverage community relationships, agency partnerships, and resources to reduce flood risk in the future. n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 14-20, 2017

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

PNP chief: No Holy Week break in drug war

by CeCille

Suerte Felipe

Philstar.com

MANILA - Despite the observance of Holy Week, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa warned drug pushers and addicts that there will be no break in the war against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa said the PNP would continue the intensified campaign against illegal drugs even during Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday on April 15.

“No, walang stop. Continuous, no letup, tuloy-tuloy,” Dela Rosa told a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Dela Rosa said he does not encourage or discourage any police officer to do certain Catholic practices, like carrying the cross or acts of penitence.

“That’s a personal vocation according to their own volition.

Kung gusto nila (if they want), go ahead,” he added.

More than a month after the launch of Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded, the PNP said that 107 drug suspects were killed in police operations, indicating

the present campaign was “less bloody” than the previous one.

From March 1 to April 10, Dela Rosa said a total of 107 drug suspects have been killed and 7,940 suspects surrendered in 4,973 operations.

From July 2016 until January 2017, a total of 2,555 drugs suspects were killed during the PNP’s campaign against anti-illegal drugs, excluding the number of drug personalities killed by still unknown assailants.

President Duterte, however, suspended Oplan Tokhang following reports that some scalawag policemen were engaged in tokhang-for-ransom, such as the kidnap and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ickjoo.

Oplan Tokhang was the centerpiece of the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs. It involved visiting houses of suspected drug offenders to convince them to surrender or undergo rehabilitation.

But after a month, Duterte ordered the PNP to resume its campaign against drugs last March as drug lords reportedly went back to business.

Last March 6, Dela Rosa said

the PNP started implementing high value target (HVT) revalidated, Oplan Tokhang revisited and double barrel reloaded.

Under HVT revalidated, Dela Rosa said the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group replaced the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group that was dissolved amid accusations that some policemen used the war on drugs for shakedown operations.

He noted that under the rebooted Tokhang, policemen will be revisiting the houses earlier subject to knock-and-plea of suspected drug users.

AFP, too The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue its operations against rebels and terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf and the communist New People’s Army (NPA) during the Holy Week.

BLESSING RITES. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle leads the blessing of palm fronds after his Palm Sunday Mass at Manila Military spokesman Brig.

Cathedral. At the start of Holy Week, millions of Catholics flocked to churches to have their palm fronds blessed in commemoration of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem of Jesus.

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez Gen. Restituto Padilla said no suspension of military operations has been issued for the Lenten season.

AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año by llaneSCa t. panti said soldiers were ordered to Manilatimes.net continue efforts to defeat the PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte Abu Sayyaf and protect the has ordered the speedy release public from NPA atrocities. of P6.4 billion for the pension of World War II veterans.

The President made the announcement after paying tribute late release of the resolution, to the valiant stand of Filipino and Marcos will be at a disadvan- American soldiers during the comtage because if he fails to pay memoration of Araw ng Kagitinthe amount on time, his poll gan or Day of Valor in Mt. Samat, Bataan. protest will be dismissed.

“I have directed the Department However, under the Rules of Court, if the last day to com- of Budget and Management and ply with the order of the court the Department of National Defalls on a holiday, the payment fense to expedite the early release President Rodrigo Duterte salutes World War 2 veterans at Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez or compliance shall be made of the retirement pension of vet- Bataan.

“No matter what we do, we can sition to American military assison the next working day. This erans. This is from 2008 to 2013, means that the Marcos camp is worth P6.4 billion,” Duterte said in never do enough to repay you. We tance in the past, Duterte sang a must never forget who endured different tune on Sunday, saying obliged to deposit the money his speech.

“We are prioritizing your en- the war for the sake of the future. Philippines-U.S. relations should with the court on April 17, a Monday, since Black Saturday titlements. Our surviving veterans We are the future that they fought move forward.

“We were a young democracy and Easter Sunday are holi- have suffered much. They should for,” Duterte said. not suffer more. Mabuhay ang “This monument stands firmly then and we had to fight colonizdays.

The PET ruled that Marcos mga beterano, mabuhay ang Pili- for those who have fought and fell. ers. We stood shoulder-to-shoulshould pay P500 for each of the pinas. Saludo ako sa inyo, sirs. (I Our people did not die in vain. We der with our only defense treaty will never waiver in our efforts to ally, the United States. This should 132,446 precincts where votes salute you, sirs),” he added.

The President however stressed secure what is best for the greatest affirm the basis of moving our refor the vice presidential electhat no compensation is enough common good for our nation. This lationship forward, with full and tion will be counted.

In his protest, Marcos ques- for the gallant fight of the veterans is our burden to bear, “ he added. mutual respect for sovereignty,” Likewise, the President recog- the President said. tioned the election result in in defending the country from Japanese colonizers 75 years ago. nized the Philippines’ longstand“We fought together to stave off 39,221 clustered precincts.

If not for the bravery of Filipino ing alliance with Japan and the the enemy, and now we are helpMarcos lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes. The former and American soldiers, more ar- U.S. which he described as allies ing each other address issues that confront our societies, regions and senator claimed that he was eas could have been devastated, in peace and development. he said.

While he has expressed oppo- the world,” Duterte added. cheated.

For vote recount, SC orders Marcos to pay P66-M

by Jomar

CanlaS Manilatimes.net

THE Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has ordered former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to pay P63 million for the recount of votes in his poll protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Robredo was ordered to pay P15.4 million.

The tribunal directed Marcos to deposit P33 million before April 14, Good Friday. The P30 million should be paid before July 14.

Robredo was also ordered to pay the P15.4 million in two installments—P8 million on or before April 14, 2017 and P7.4 million on or before July 14.

A source at the court said that Chief Justice Lourdes AranalSereno “hostaged” the release of the resolution.

Marcos’ lawyer George Erwin Garcia hot hold of the resolution on April 10, 2017. The

source said the court en banc ruled on the issue on March 21, 2017.

The source said that the resolution was “stuck” in the office of Sereno and was released “belatedly.”

“Inipit ni Sereno yung resolution ni Bongbong. Biruin mo March 21 pa na en banc yan tapos ilalabas niya kung kailan Holy Week para gipitin si Bongbong sa pagbabayad ng protest nya (Sereno sat on the resolution. The en banc tackled the issue on March 21 but she released it on Holy Week to make it difficult for Marcos to pay the amount)” the source said.

As a matter of procedure, the ponente shall make the draft as agreed during the en banc and this will be sent to the chief justice for approval and release of the resolution.

Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa is the ponente of the election protest.

The source said that with the

Duterte orders release of P6.4B for war veterans

A

April 14-20, 2017 • NOrCAl ASiAN JOUrNAl

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OpiniOn

A call for piety

Features

“MAY the virtues of kindness and benevolence that Christ exemplified serve as our inspiration to aid in the plight of our less fortunate fellowmen.

Let the story of crucifixion challenge us to remain persevering in our struggle for a better life and a stronger society,” said President Rodrigo Duterte in his Holy Week message to Filipinos this Lenten season.

Despite being a known critic of the Church, Duterte imparted his wish that Filipinos would experience a meaningful and purposeful Holy Week.

“This moment of renewal of our faith sends a message of solidarity to everyone regardless of our denomination. Despite our differences as individuals, may we always choose to embody compassion as Chris has personified,” he added.

As Filipinos flocked to churches on Sunday, April 9 to have their palm fronds blessed—in commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem— Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reminded the Filipino faithful of how the tradition symbolized the acceptance of Jesus.

“Accepting the real Jesus is accepting His presence among the poor; those who get spat at and insulted in the society; those who kept silent even when they are being slapped. But they are the ones who have dignity because only God knows the truth.

And that’s how Jesus is, and that’s how we should follow Him,” Tagle said.

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ hold a fundamental place in the lives of most Filipino Catholics. It is central, not as an abstract belief, but rather as a medium of experience and tradition that provides continuity in life, structure in the community, and principled purpose for existence.

Remembering these events is more than a history lesson. To many devout Catholics, Holy Week is a chance to reenact the significant moments of Jesus Christ’s life. Pinoy Catholics reflect upon the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through prayers.

Some pray for good health and fortune, while others wish for deliverance. Some ask for a miracle, a few want to give thanks. Regardless of one’s desire behind his or her reflections, this week is all about attesting one’s faith.

Regardless of one’s desire behind his/her reflecThe life and times of Jesus Christ leave us with a tions, this week is all about attesting one’s faith.

This season’s message is simple: do right by others, great example to emulate. We are called to live like saints, not to make a mark in the world through sufthrough Christ’s example.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

fering or death, but to appeal similar honest lives.

Saintly people live life the best way they can—to simply make a difference. (AJPress)

Reversing his long-held position, Trump strikes Syria: What changed?

Amid his historic 35 percent approval rating and an ongoing investigation into his alleged conspiracy with Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike on Friday, April 7 in Syria without seeking Congressional approval, following news reports about Syria dictator Bashar Al-Assad slaughtering innocent civilians using chemical weapons on Tuesday.

According to news reports, at least 73 people were killed, 23 of whom were children, in the sarin gas attack in the rebelheld Idlib province.

This “decisive” act from Trump must have been “cathartic” for a lot of people all over the world who found the horrific murder in Syria unacceptable, and felt that something would have to be done to help the people of Syria who has been suffering in the past seven years. To date, close to half a million people have been killed in the civil war waging in Syria, with many civilians forced to flee their country and seek refuge in other countries, even when this escape could mean their deaths.

While CBS News polls show that a majority of Americans support Trump’s decision to launch the measured attack using 59 Tomahawk missiles in Syria, they are reluctant to get more involved in this “war” with the Middle Eastern nation.

WILL HAPPEN & More questions arise FROM THAT FIGHT from Trump’s action. The Fil-Am THE U.S. GETS What made Trump NOTHING!” change his long-held Perspective Obama then reportposition in the Syria edly authorized the conflict after aggresCIA to begin arming sively firing tweets for Syria’s rebels fighting then President Barack Assad in 2013, and Obama to not get in- Gel SantoS-ReloS the U.S.-led coalition volved in the Syria concurrently provides intelligence, supplies flict?

Looking back, what were his thoughts and training to rebel groups — a move about Obama’s possible motive in getting that Republicans had criticized Obama involved in Syria? Flashback to October for.

During the presidential campaign 2012: “Now that Obama’s poll numbers are and even after being elected president, in tailspin – watch for him to launch a Trump continues to say that his policy is “America first.” In his first address to strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.”

In 2013, Obama wanted to launch air Congress, Trump said, “My job is not to strikes against Syria in 2013 when Assad represent the world…My job is to repre“crossed the red line” following a chemi- sent the United States of America.”

Just a week before Assad’s gassing cal attack on the Damascus suburbs that civilians in Syria, Trump continued to killed up to 1,300 people.

However, Obama backed down, mainly maintain a hands-off position. He said because he could not get the British Par- the U.S. diplomatic policy on Syria was liament’s support, which deprived Ameri- no longer focused on making Assad leave power. ca of a key ally in any military action.

However, the Tuesday slaughtering in When Obama asked for congressional approval pursuant to the rule of law Syria shocked the world anew. When the (and Congress voted against it), Trump news showed gut-wrenching videos of people, including helpless babies, dying tweeted: “AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH slowly and painfully because of the gas LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF attack, public outrage all over the world YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS made people ask what the most power-

I APPLAUD President Duterte’s recent tirade against his predecessor Benigno S. Aquino III and the latter’s budget secretary, Florencio Abad, over their Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which was really an unprecedented, mammoth hijacking of government funds.

One of my biggest frustrations as a journalist, when I realized how puny the role of the press really is in this oligarch-ruled country, was during the previous administration when I wrote more than a dozen columns on the DAP, based not on opinion or haka-haka but on documents. Yet the Aquino government in its arrogance never commented or attempted to debunk a single one of my allegations.

My columns mainly dealt with: • How DAP was thinly, stupidly disguised as an economic-stimulus program. Quite amazingly, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales swallowed this five-year-old lie in her recent decision acquitting Aquino of complicity over such hijacking of government funds. As the World Bank’s July 2012 update explained it, DAP was useless to the economy as it was a “mere realignment of funds”; and, while a huge loot for the Aquino camp’s

the horrific images that everyone in the world saw four years ago.

Trump had also seen the many babies being killed as many Syrian families tried to escape from the war zone in Syria, which prompted the nations of the world to be in agreement to accept Syrian refugees for humanitarian reasons.

And yet during the presidential campaign, Trump demonized the Syrian refugees, instilling fear among the American people against these people and saying the U.S. should end the Syrian refugee program to protect the American people from terrorists using the Syrian refugee program.

Trump ran on the campaign promise of banning Muslims, and even made it his priority to fulfill this by signing an executive order to ban Syrian refugees indefinitely.

But, what changed? And moving forward, how would this epiphany translate to Trump’s foreign policy? What will be his long-term strategy in Syria and in the Syrian refugee crisis?

The world is watching. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.”

Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column 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

P8-billion to P21-billion DAP funds missing

Commentary

RiGobeRto D. tiGlao

ful nation would do to help the Syrian people.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley condemned the UN Security Council for failing to intervene in the Syrian civil war.

“When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are compelled to take our own action,” she said before the UN Assembly.

Following this, Trump said in a press conference at the White House: “A chemical attack that was so horrific in Syria, against women and small children, and even beautiful little babies, and their deaths, was an affront to humanity.”

“It had a big impact on me. It was a horrible, horrible thing. I’ve been watching it and it doesn’t get any worse than that,” he continued. “My attitude to Syria and Assad has changed very much. You are now talking about a whole different level. What happened yesterday is unacceptable to me.”

Trump said Assad had crossed not only the “red line,” but “many lines.” And on Friday, he ordered the attack.

What changed?

He had seen thousand being gassed by Assad in 2013. He wasn’t moved then?

He wasn’t changed then? Yes, he was not yet president then, but he did not need any classified intelligence reports to see

purse, it was “minuscule (at less than 0.01 percentage points) relative to the size of the economy”.

• How it threw the Constitution into the dustbin, since it is Congress that has the power of the purse; • How it was used to bribe senators to take out Chief Justice Renato Corona, which was a never-before-attempted attack on the judiciary; and • How this huge fund very likely ended up in the pockets of the Aquino’s Yellow Cult, his inner core of officials, Congress members, and even local government officials.

It is understandable why Aquino could get away with such a crime when he was in power. The Senate was a recipient of the funds, so why would they investigate it.

Our people had been brainwashed that the Yellow Cult would save the country, and of course the oligarchs had pending applications to build lucrative infrastructure projects, and supported Aquino.

Slammed media Duterte slammed the media for not reporting on the DAP issue, scolding them: “Kayong mga media ngayon, ba’t gobyerno ko lang? Ba’t di nyo kalkalin si Abad?

Anong nagawa ni Abad?” he said.

Why? Because media, except for a handful of articles (as headlined in the image accompanying this column), had been Aquino’s cheering squad in his decapitation

of the Supreme Court, which was possible only because of the bribes from the DAP. How could they have done investigative journalism on the DAP when they were part of Aquino’s lynch mob against Corona?

Remember that screaming false, front-paged article claiming that Corona even got the University of Santo Tomas to give him a Ph. D. without his working for it reported by the PCIJ and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, intended to paint him as so thoroughly dishonest, which was the opening shot in his Senate trial? That was such a low point in Philippine journalism.

If the Mamasapano SAF 44 massacre was the Aquino regime’s bloodiest crime, the DAP was its most lucrative one, and justice must be served on both of these, so we can strengthen our institutions, an imperative for our nation’s growth.

The DAP was such a huge crime.

Yet in the view of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales there was really no perpetrator, and in her decision asked Abad to only pay a fine of about P120,000, or his basic salary for three months?

Morales herself in her decision said Abad was guilty of the “usurpation of legislative powers.” You usurp the powers of the second branch of government and you’re just asked to pay a fine? No wonder our republic’s institutions are in such a mess.

I hope that the post-Aquino Commission on Audit would have the integrity to investigate the simple question: Where did the DAP money go?

The following is an example of the many columns I wrote on the DAP issue (published July 9, 2012): Through the secretive and utterly irregular nature of the DAP, billions of pesos have escaped government accounting, raising the distinct possibility that they were stolen in a scheme similar to Janet Napoles’ pork barrel scam.

Only President Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad know where the money went since only the two decided, at their whim, where to allocate the funds from the DAP. Not even Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa was consulted on this scheme, recently slammed as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Was Abad, as chief of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), so sloppy that he didn’t know how to count how much of the taxpayers’ money they have spent? The discrepancies and inconsistencies in the government data are so glaring that you would think this. But there is still the possibility that Aquino and Abad diverted the money for their nefarious purposes.

Perhaps this was in Mr. Aquino’s mind when he said, quite defensively, in his prime-time television

speech devoted entirely to defending DAP on October 30, 2013: “I am not a thief.”

Discrepancies Consider these discrepancies in the official reports from Abad on how much of the DAP funds were released: • According to the document “Frequently Asked Questions about the Disbursement Acceleration Program” posted on the websites of the DBM and the Official Gazette (www.gov.ph), DAP funds released from 2011 to 2013 totaled P157.4 billion.

• According to “Evidence Packet No. 1,” which the DBM through the Solicitor General submitted to the Supreme Court during its hearings on the case, the DAP funds released totaled P149.2 billion (cited in page 2 of Senior Justice Antonio Carpio’s concurring opinion).

• According to Abad’s memorandum to the President dated December 28, 2013 that recommended the termination of the scheme, DAP funds released in the same period amounted to P144.3 billion.

• And finally, according to the DBM’s press statement issued July 4, the DAP amounted to only P136.8 billion.

Did you notice how the funds kept getting smaller? But these aren’t just minor discrepancies due to some clerical error. The last three amounts mean P8 billion to P21 billion less than the amount in

the first report.

What happened to the money?

Who pocketed this missing P8 to P21 billion? These discrepancies alone are reason enough to fire Abad, being the brains and creator of the DAP. Two of Abad’s memos to the President in fact were even sent to him through the President’s “Private Office”—as the “receipt” stamps on these show—and not to the Office of the President, obviously to bypass Ochoa. Documents sent to the “Private Office” since these are precisely considered “Private” are not recorded in Malacanang’s Records Office.

Already there have been denials of receiving DAP funds as claimed by government. Senator Joker Arroyo, known for his probity and one of the few who didn’t accept pork barrel money, strongly denied that his office received P47 million in DAP funds. But the Aquino government claimed that the good senator received DAP money.

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council president Manuel Sanchez similarly denied that his agency, chaired by Vice President Jejomar Binay, received P2.2 billion in DAP funds, as Abad’s records claimed.

DAP funds unreported Several of the DAP funds supposedly released also were not reported in the recipient agencies’ annual audits by the Commission PAGE A7

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 14-20, 2017

Bato on Lascaùas exit: I don’t know, ask Trillanes

by AJ

BolAndo Philstar.com

MANILA — Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Batoâ€? Dela Rosa admitted on Monday, April 10 that he has no idea why self-confessed Davao death squad (DDS) leader Arturo LascaĂąas left the country. “I don’t know kung ano’ng purpose niya para lumabas‌ actually blind talaga ako hindi ko alam bakit siya lumabas,â€? dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Retired police officer LascaĂąas silently flew to Singapore on Saturday, April 8 after learning that cases will be filed against him.

The self-confessed Davao Death Squad hitman left via Tiger Airways flight and will be back on April 22 based on his ticket, according to reports. LascaĂąas managed to leave the country since no lookout or hold departure order was issued against him.

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa

Self-confessed DDS leader Arturo LascaĂąas

The PNP chief, meanwhile, declined to speculate on why LascaĂąas flew abroad. “I cannot speculate in his behalf, mas maganda talaga ‘yung handler ang tanungin ni’yo, si Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes,â€? dela Rosa he said.

With the help of Trillanes, LascaĂąas resurfaced in February and

revealed that they were getting kill orders from then Davao City mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte.

He previously denied the claims of another confessed hired fun Edgar Matobato in a Senate inquiry but later on walked back on his statements and lambasted Duterte after a “spiritual awakening.�

AFP chief: Abu Sayyaf no match for military

by PAtriciA lourdes

VirAy

Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu on Thursday, April 6.

MANILA - Confident of beatHe urged the troops to work ing the deadline to defeat the double time in the campaign terrorist group within the next to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf by three months, Armed Forces of June 30. the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. AFP public affairs office chief Eduardo AĂąo reminded his men Col. Edgard Arevalo said the that the Abu Sayyaf is no match military is confident it can meet for the military. the deadline set by President AĂąo said government troops Duterte to defeat the bandit carrying out offensives against group. the enemy should now operate “The AFP is midway in its at full speed. campaign against the Abu Sayy“The bandits are no match for af; General AĂąo inspired them us,â€? AĂąo told members of the to intensify the operations. The Philstar.com

Binigay nila ang lahat sa iyo.

military has proven its capacity to inflict heavy casualties against the terrorist group,�

Arevalo said.

AĂąo visited the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Sulu last week and distributed Glock pistols to officers involved in a successful operation against the Abu Sayyaf that resulted in the recovery of firearms.

AĂąo lauded the JTF-Sulu for their sacrifices and hard work in implementing the six-month campaign against the terrorist group.

P8-billion to P21-billion...

PAGE A6 on Audit.

Some P6.5 billion of DAP funds were purportedly released to the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) in 2011 and 2012. However, there is no report of such huge infusion of funds in the COA’s annual audits of the DILG. The only reference to the DAP was in its 2012 audit which noted that out of the P1 billion funding for the department’s so-called Performance Challenge Fund (extra funds given to local governments), some P253 million were supposedly from “DBM’s Disbursement Allocation Fund.�

Some P1.8 billion of DAP funds were, according to Abad, released to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

(OPAPP) for its funding of a rebel group’s “livelihood projects�.

There is no record of such receipt of funds from the DAP in the COA’s audit reports of the OPAPP for 2011 and 2012. A huge amount of DAP money released to a government office, but no COA recognition or audit?

Some P8.6 billion of DAP funds were released to the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the so-called “Transition Investment Support Plan.�

Aquino even boasted about this funding in a public event in Cotabato City, and ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman was reported – even photographed – distributing P10 million checks from the DAP to local officials in the region in January 2013. (See my column

July 1, 2014, “Aquino used P9B of DAP funds for his Nobel Prize fantasy�). “This year (2013), the government has committed P8.59 billion for the Transition Investment Support Plan on top of the P12.93 billion already allocated through our budget,� Aquino was quoted in several newspapers at the time.

But the COA’s audit of the ARMM for 2011 to 2013 doesn’t have any reference to this money, and the regional government’s cash inflow do not reflect any increase in its funds from the national government.

Nearly P9 billion in taxpayers’ money, and not audited by the COA? Was the DAP intended to fall between the cracks in the government’s accounting system?

(ManilaTimes.net)

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April 14-20, 2017 • NOrCAl ASiAN JOUrNAl

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 14-20, 2017

CJ

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

Your Immigration Solution Eric r. WElsh and nancy MillEr ON Monday, April 3, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting petitions from employers seeking to hire professionals with “specialized knowledge” in the H-1B nonimmigrant category. An approved petition will allow a foreign worker to change status in the U.S. or apply for a visa abroad and start work at the beginning of the fiscal year (i.e., October 1, 2017). USCIS has announced that once again, it will be using a random lottery to pick petitions for further processing, and will stop accepting petitions once it receives a sufficient number to begin the lottery. Based on recent years, we expect that USCIS will close the window for filing by around April 10.

USCIS uses this lottery system because the H-1B category is severely oversubscribed, meaning that there are more petitions filed than there are H-1Bs available.

The H-1B is capped at 65,000 for each fiscal year. Last year, USCIS initially received about three times that number of petitions. If a petition is subject to the cap but not randomly selected in the lottery, USCIS will summarily reject the petition and return the filing fee to the employer.

Some workers are not subject to the cap and can file at any time. A person who was already counted against the cap in the previous 6 years and applies for an H-1B with a new employer is not subject to the cap. Extensions are not capped, and spouses and children applying for H-4 are not counted against the cap.

Certain workers at institutions of higher education, related or affiliated nonprofit entities, and nonprofit or government research institutions are not subject to the cap. A physician holding a J-1 visa who receives a waiver can avoid the cap. Persons who possess a U.S.-earned master’s degree or higher have

Beating the lottery: Understanding and overcoming the H-1B cap access to an extra 20,000 H-1Bs, and can still apply in the general pool if that number is met.

Additionally, numbers are set aside within the cap specifically for citizens of Singapore and Chile applying in the “fast track” H-1B1 category (1,400 for Chile, and 5,400 for Singapore). The requirements to qualify are identical to H-1B, but the procedures for applying abroad are streamlined, and extensions are permitted beyond 6 years. Because the demand for the H-1B1 is not as high as the H-1B, there are usually visas available for H1B1 applicants throughout the year, meaning that applicants from Singapore and Chile are not affected by the lottery.

Qualified professionals from Mexico and Canada can avoid the lottery by applying instead for a “TN” visa. The TN visa is a product of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Because NAFTA defines a professional more broadly than H-1B, there are typically more options for a Mexican or Canadian applicant seeking to enter to work in a professional capacity.

Other alternatives may exist for professional workers who were rejected by the lottery, or who missed the narrow filing window during the first week of April. Treaty-trader (E-1) and treaty-investor (E-2) visas are excellent options for nationals of qualifying countries. An individual can apply for an E-1 visa if the person is engaged in substantial trade with the U.S., defined as at least 50% of the trader’s international business. An individual who makes a substantial investment into a real and active commercial enterprise in the U.S. can qualify for an E-2 visa. In additional, certain employees of companies that qualify for “trader” or “investor” status under these criteria can receive E-1 or E-2 visas, as can their spouses

and children under age 21. If the company is majority-owned by citizens of the treaty country, the E visa may be a viable option.

Workers who are currently employed abroad might avoid the H-1B visa if they are seeking a transfer to an office in the U.S. that is affiliated with the foreign employer. Such a worker may be qualified to apply for an “L” via for intracompany transferees. The L visa is available to an employee who has worked for at least 12 months during the last three years for a foreign employer, and is seeking to transfer to an office or organization in the U.S. that is a branch, affiliate, subsidiary, or parent of the foreign organization. The L visa is only available to employees who are executives, managers, or who have specialized knowledge.

Playing the lottery rarely comes with good odds, and the H-1B lottery is no exception.

Every applicant has unique circumstances, and persons who are serious about living and working in the U.S. should consult with a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney to plan for the possibility of lottery rejection, or to explore other options that may prove better than the H-1B. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila.

For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

investments came in than left during a specific period. FDI is being closely watched as it is MANILA, Philippines — For- considered a gauge of long lasteign direct investments (FDI) ing investor interest in the counrose for the first month of 2017, try, which in the long run, may but the increase came mostly help generate jobs.

“This developed as investors companies and subsidiaries borrowing among each other than remain optimistic on the growth new investors coming or earn- potential of the economy backed ings retained for future place- by strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” BSP said in a statements.

According to the Bangko Sen- ment.

But broken down, the increase tral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday, April 10, net FDI inflows in FDI came from a rise in debt inrose 13.2 percent to $685 mil- strument placements, which more lion in January from $605 million than doubled to $566 million.

These placements, according to same period a year ago.

A net inflow indicates more the central bank, pertain to “interby Julian

OcampO Philstar.com

company borrowings” or transactions between parent firms and their subsidiaries where one borrows credit from another.

Data, however, does not show where funding raised from debt instruments were used, which could be either in expansion of existing projects or just to pay existing debts.

Meanwhile, other FDI components namely equity capital and reinvestment of earnings went down 66.2 and 3.1 percent.

Equity capital—which dropped to $119 million—pertains to new investments that a foreign firm secured. An example could be

u PAGE CJ3

Banks need stricter authentication vs cybercrime by mayvelin

u. caraballO ManilaTimes.net

BANKS must implement stricter authentication measures to shield cardholders against fraud, the central bank said as the regulator drafts a new rule governing cybercrimes involving online transactions.

“It was recently approved by the Monetary Board and the circular is being crafted right now.

It’s about requiring multi-factor authentication,” Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said.

The upcoming BSP rule will require banks to further secure cardholders against cybercrimes such as the “card not present” fraud, hacking of online transactions and identity theft, the central official said.

“The banks need to improve their authentication requirements. It’s basically elevating the standard so that the authentication requirements are harder to fake the identity,” he said.

The new regulation is meant to prepare the banking industry to operate in a deeper digital environment under the National Retail Payment System that expected to transform the electronic system and increase retail transactions by e-payments to 20 percent of total transactions by 2020 from 1 percent, based on a 2013 country diagnostics made by the Better Than Cash Alliance.

According to the alliance, it “is a partnership of governments,

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CJ

april 14-20, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

The CTV Files AurorA VegA-Buzon, esq.

ON April 10, 2017, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) released a “Know Your Rights Handouts” available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese to inform the public about the rights of undocumented immigrants who may come into contact with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during home visits, workplace raids and public stops. Below is a re-print of AILA’s Know Your Rights Handouts.

All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents knock on your door, come to your work place, or stop you on the street or in a public place, know that you have the following rights: If ICE visits your home • You do not have to open the door. You do not have to open the door or let the officers into

Community Journal

What to do if ICE comes to your home, workplace or public space your home unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge.

• An ICE deportation warrant is not the same as a search warrant. If this is the only document they have, they cannot legally come inside unless you verbally agree to let them in.

• If the officers say they have a search warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can see it.

• If the warrant does not have your correct name and address on it and is not signed by a judge you do not have to open the door or let them inside.

• If at any point you decide to speak with the officers, you do not need to open the door to do so. You can speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door.

• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions.

• If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent.

• If you choose to remain silent, say so out loud.

• You may show a know-yourrights card to the officer that explains that you will remain silent and wish to speak to a lawyer • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.

• Do not show any false documents and do not lie.

• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer.

• Even if you do not have a lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to a lawyer.

• If you have a lawyer, you have the right to talk to them. If you have a signed Form G-28, which shows you have a lawyer, give it to an officer.

• If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono lawyers.

• You also have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Two women, a boy and the jellyfish

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette ADeVA MAglAyA LOU’S story is always worth retelling. Lou Xiaoying is one remarkable Chinese woman who is a beacon of light, a ray of hope and a surge of warmth in a world that has grown dark and cold.

I wrote about Lou a few years back to shine a light on the life of a woman, who despite humble circumstances, managed to save the lives of babies salvaged from the trash heap, apparently discarded by women in compliance with China’s draconian one-child policy to curb its population growth.

Contrast Lou’s life with that of a 25 year-old New Jersey woman who claims she is not ready for her pregnancy, filmed her own abortion, with full make-up, lights and gazing at the camera and exclaiming with joy at the end of the procedure purportedly to “inspire” and show women that abortion is a positive experience. She even writes about it in one publication. Notice I refuse to give a shout out to her name or the publication’s name. Some bask in infamy and one can show displeasure by refusing to give a shout out.

The woman who is a wannabe actress of low-budget slasher horror movies which slaughter children works as an abortion counselor. She says, “I feel in awe of the fact that I can make a baby. I can make a life…” Sadly, it was a life that she chose to end coldly. The delusional woman, as if reading from a script even says

“…The boy looked at him nonplussed, shrugged his shoulders and went back to throwing one more jellyfish back to the water, and told him, “Made a difference to that one …” at the end of the murderous procedure, “Yay, Cool! I feel good.”

She decides to keep a sonogram of the baby as a memento.

Did she even bother to ask the father of the child? Even more disturbing is the distinct possibility that she may have become pregnant to create a prop so she can pull this contemptible youtube stunt and become an internet sensation. If she did, this makes it all the more egregious and revolting.

This stunt she pulled at the expense of an innocent life to grab her few minutes of dubious fame cries out for justice and she will be held to account. The laws of karma are irrevocable, sometimes swift, sometimes slow, but without bone marrow-deep repentance, comes without fail in due season.

There is still hope for humanity. The response had been worldwide revulsion and condemnation at the celebratory tone of her scripted abortion. At the very least, women who see abortion as a solution to a complex problem do so in a somber, quiet way, head bowed down, away from the limelight.

What has women’s liberation come to these days? Shal-

low, soulless creatures who call themselves women walk the earth. Fortunately, for every one of this kind of vile woman, there are thousands who shun the limelight and work quietly in the trenches fighting the evil of abortion, women I know like Gerri and Anna Maria and members of the Shield of Roses who have been quietly pounding the pavement, persuading women to consider adoption instead and knocking unceasingly on heaven’s doors with prayer and fasting to help in the struggle against the seemingly prevailing culture of death and darkness.

But let’s get back to Lou. Her story is like a laser light and her story is worth repeating. She lived in the rural countryside in Eastern Zhejiang province. Picture her home. It is a humble hovel, its small yard littered with debris and recyclables. A little boy of 7 plays in the yard. Lou lived in that home with her husband Lin until he passed away 20 years ago.

When I first wrote about Lou in 2012, she was 88 years old and lay languishing of kidney failure in a hospital. Despite pain and impending death, Lou looks

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Sleep less and get fat

Health@Heart PhiliP s. ChuA, MD, FACs, FPCs AN important study conducted at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk showed that people who sleep less tend to weigh heavier than those who sleep more.

The clinical investigation, which included 1000 subjects, reported that “total sleep time decreased as the body mass index (a measure of weight based on height) increased.” Whether this means heavier individuals tend to sleep less, and vice versa, or having enough sleep makes it easier for people to control and maintain their normal weight was not clear.

The authors of this study warn that “this does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between restricted sleep and obesity (but) future investigations demonstrating success in weight loss via extensions of sleep would help greatly to establish such a relationship.”

“We’ve put so much emphasis on diet and exercise that we’ve failed to recognize the value of good sleep,” said Fred Turek, a physician at Northwestern University in Chicago, who wrote a related editorial in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, where the study was published.

Some earlier researches have shown sleep deprivation to cause a decline in an appetite-suppressing protein hormone called

leptin, and increase in another hormone (ghrelin) that causes a craving for food…in addition, neuropeptides in the brain governing sleep and obesity appear to overlap.

In another study involving more than 8,000 adults, researchers found that those who sleep only six hours a day had 23 percent risk of getting obese, five hours, 50 percent, and for those who sleep less than 4 hours a day, 73 percent, compared to those who sleep 8-9 hours a day.

“It is now critical to determine the importance of lack of sufficient sleep during the early formative years in putting our youth on a trajectory toward obesity...a trajectory that could be altered if sleep loss is indeed playing a role in this epidemic,” Turek’s editorial said.

The alarming rise in obesity, especially among children, a subject we have written about in this column the past several years, is now an epidemic in many developed countries, especially in the United States, where “super-sizing” of hamburgers, French fries, high-calorie, high-sugar beverages, and other high-carbo-junkfood items, have dominated the fast food chains. As “admirers and followers” of trends in food and fashion, etc., in the United States, the Filipinos are now facing the same overweight and obesity dilemma right here at home.

What is alarming is not the negative aesthetic effect of obesity or of being overweight, but their multitude of dangerous implications on the health and

longevity on the victims. Insufficient sleep has been shown in other previous studies to lead to a “cascade of metabolic, cardiovascular, and general medical disorders,” but the lay public has somehow not made the connection yet. Hopefully, this recent study will help convince people that enough sleep (minimum of 8 hours a day, which does not have adverse effects or possible complications anyway) is essential, not only in weight control, but in maintaining our health and well-being, and in warding off illnesses in general. As we have stated before, obesity increases the risk, not only for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but also for cancer.

Those with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), who snore and do not breathe for a long time, depriving themselves and their organs of oxygen, do not sleep well, waking up tired and without energy, are candidates for a Sleep Study. Sleep apnea also raises the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses and cancer.

Once the diagnosis of OSA is confirmed by the Sleep Study, the standard of care, the best treatment today, is the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) during bedtime.

This stops snoring, allows the person to sleep better and longer, waking up refreshed and full of energy - recharged! CPAP also minimizes heart attack and sudden death during sleep.

The use of CPAP is a lot more comfortable than people think.

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Business News

Why Philippine rice crop should make headlines

by Margaux

Salcedo Inquirer.net

HOW do you tell the world about how beautiful the Philippines is? Here’s a unique way: Tell them about the produce of our land.

If Colombia is known for coffee and Venezuela is known for cacao, what is the Philippines known for? It certainly shouldn’t be corruption or extrajudicial killings.

I was told that once upon a time, we were known for our rice. In fact, agriculturists the world over came to the Philippines to learn how to achieve better production of rice from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Today, however, we are only the eighth largest rice producer in the world. Worse, in 2010, we became the largest importer of rice in the world.

But in spite of these statistics, the Philippines can still be known for its rice. How? By virtue of the unique rice varieties that our lands offer.

Heirloom rice According to Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat, there are over 300 varieties of heirloom rice in the Cordillera region alone. Puyat, since

Philippine heirloom rice at Madrid Fusion Manila.

becoming part of the Department of Agriculture, has been going to the Cordilleras, where she has gotten well acquainted with indigenous varieties such as Chong Ak, a plump, rust-red and seed-coated variety.

Have you even heard of this variety? Don’t worry, not even some of our best chefs have.

So Puyat, who is in charge of the “regional lunches” for Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM), made the largest gastronomy festival in Asia a platform to promote Philippine rice. (The first day’s lunch with the theme “Rice” was curated by Inquirer/F&B Report’s

Nina Daza Puyat

Angelo Comsti, the second day was curated by Nina Daza Puyat, and the third day was curated by Town & Country’s Alicia Colby Sy.) The result has been a journey of discovery for both chefs and non-chefs.

Chef Miko Aspiras, speaker at Madrid Fusion Manila 2016, was elated with what he discovered when he created rice dishes for the MFM first day lunch. One of the items he created was sourdough made with fermented black rice.

“Imagine, we did not use

u PAGE CJ3

Community Journal

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MANY legal permanent residents (LPR or green card holders) mistakenly believe only US citizens can petition family members. Even after they obtain their green cards, they still wait many years until they finally become citizens, before they petition family members.

This belief is WRONG! LPRs are able to petition the following family members: • Spouse • Unmarried children, whether the children are under or over 21 years of age.

It is true there are certain family members who can only be petitioned by US citizens. Those family members include (aside from the above): • Parents • Married children • Brothers and sisters However, there is no need or reason for an LPR to wait to become a US citizen to petition his or her spouse or unmarried children. In fact, waiting to become a US citizen could result in several years of delays and separation.

For example, if a person obtains a green card, ordinarily, he or she has to wait five years before being eligible to apply for US

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 14-20, 2017

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Permanent residents can petition their spouse and unmarried children

citizenship. It may take another one year for their naturalization application to be processed, and for them to finally take the oath of citizenship. So, they have now sat back for approximately six years before they finally file a petition for a spouse or unmarried child.

Had they filed the petition for their spouse or unmarried child as soon as they received their green card, the spouse or child would have already been eligible for their own green card and eligible to file for citizenship after 5 years! Instead, six years were lost, while the petitioner waited to become a US citizen.

If you are about to become an immigrant, or are already an immigrant, and want to petition your family members, you should seek the advice of an attorney about the best and fastest way to do so. In some cases, these family members might be included under your petition as derivatives. In some instances, it may not be beneficial to naturalize, especially if seeking to qualify a child under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), unless you can naturalize before that child’s 21st birthday. Also,

Calendar of Events across

sometimes it may be necessary to become a US citizen before the family member can be petitioned to obtain a green card in the US. That’s why, rather than relying on hearsay, gossip, or the wrong information, seek the advice of an attorney who can set you straight on the best and fastest avenue for petitioning your family members and being reunited with them in the US. ***

Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS ApRIL 14

Greenlining Institute Economic Summit in Oakland, CA On Friday, April 14, the Greenlining Institute’s 24th annual Economic Summit will boldly tackle local and national controversies as it focuses on the theme, “Racial Justice on the Frontlines.” With Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza moderating the opening discussion, community activists, political and business leaders will take on such challenging issues as gentrification, tech diversity (or the lack thereof), possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the impending arrival of Uber in downtown Oakland. It will be held at Oakland Marriott City Center at 1001 Broadway, Oakland, California. Registration opens 8 a.m., program starts at 8:30 and runs to 5:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www. greenlining.org.

ApRIL 15

‘A Musical Odyssey’ in Cerritos, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. and DreamAgeGroup presents Rudolf Paleaz Golez, an internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist in “A Musical Odyssey” on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Other local singing talents will be present at the concert, such as recording artist Sean Collado, aspiring actress and singer Sheila Tejada, Sabrina Oxciano and Samantha Murray. Ticket prices are $35, $65 and $100. Proceeds of this performance will go toward the Pangansian Brotherhood-USA’s scholarship funds, which helps academically successful seniors who are college-bound in both the greater Los Angeles area and the Philippines. The performance will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ Sierra Room at 12700 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, California 90703. Interested parties may contact project managers Dan E. Nino at (562) 921-5116 or denino1951@gmail.com; E. Mendoza at (623) 341-6247 or thedreamagegroup@gmail.com; Lino F. Caringal, Jr. at (714) 808-2642 or linojr.caringal@gmail.com; Bong Soriano at (909) 851-1493 or believe1156@gmail.com; Neil Estrada at (562) 301-9972 or bluezero2sixty@yahoo.com; or Feliz Lopez at (562) 572-2301 or fblopezinsurance@msn.com.

ApRIL 20

CAUSE’s annual gala in Los Angeles Join Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) for its annual gala on Thursday, April 20. It will be held at LA Hotel’s California Ballroom at 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact kim@causeusa.org or visit www.causeusa.org.

ApRIL 21

Fundraising event to benefit the first-ever Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum in Las Vegas The Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum (FAHAM) will host “Heritage Celebration - Filipinos Landing in California,” a fundraising event on Friday, April 21, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Dallas Ballroom of Texas Station Hotel and Casino. Festivities include a buffet dinner, arts exhibits, vendor booths, cultural entertainment a native fashion show, a Philippine history presentation, and dance performances. The cultural entertainment will be provided by the FAHAM Cultural Dance Group, Heart of Polynesia, Gina Kim Korean Dance Group, Filipiniana Dance Company of Las Vegas, Sophia Ramos, Sharon Tanyag, and DJ Mike. Emcees will be Amie and Leo Belmonte. The donation is $50 / person. Attire is formal. FAHAM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is currently America’s first Filipino American Museum, Archives, Legacy, Culture, Innovation Research Center, and Library Garden founded in Delaware by Mrs. Ditta Camomot, M.Ed., M.A. Its holdings are artifacts, ethological materials, and ecclesiastical, historical, arts and ephemera collections, as well as environmental projects. Texas Station is located at 2101 Texas Star Ln, North Las Vegas, NV 89032. For tickets and more information, please contact Salve Edelman at (702) 418-8968.

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Afternoon of bowling and networking with Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACC-GLA) proudly presents an “afternoon of bowling fun and networking” on Sunday, April 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Matador Bowling Lanes at 9118 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325. Enjoy the Sunday afternoon with fun, laughter and meet new friends. Please RSVP to Connie Mapue, secretary of FACC-GLA at (323) 337-7714. Fee for bowlers, $25 / person (FACCGLA members); $30/person for non-members. $15 / person for non bowlers

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12th annual Sikad ng Bayan bike ride in Anaheim Hills, CA The Sikad ng Bayan (Cycling for the Nation) is an annual bike ride that raises funds to build preschools for less fortunate communities at Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages in the Philippines. It is a non-competitive ride that will be held on Saturday, April 29, where cyclists traverse the Orange and Los Angeles counties. And in true Filipino fashion, this fun ride culminates in a Pinoy-style luncheon where cyclists can get together and know more about Sikad. It will be held at the Yorba Regional Park (7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807). For more information or to register please visit www.sikad.org or call Rey D. at (562) 964-1445 or Robbie V. at (949) 351-8344.

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

FATHER AND DAUGHTER REUNITE AFTER 40 YEARS OF LIFE-CHANGING CHOICES AND “MISFORTUNES” ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Decades ago, Tatay Rolando left his wife and daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the US. After getting his green card, he petitioned his family, except for Anna Lyn (center) who had turned 21, and was left behind. The years that followed became a series of rough twists and turns for Anna Lyn, including being caught attempting to enter the US on a fraudulent visa. After a fraud waiver prepared by another attorney was denied, leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel put together a convincing fraud waiver package that was quickly approved, paving the way for the much-awaited, happy reunion of this family on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

Two women, a boy and the…

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beautiful in repose. Her eyes sparkle with joy. A calm peacefulness is etched in her face. If she is still alive, she would be about 93 years old. It has been 5 years and an internet search again show no updates about Lou. At her age and condition, no news is good news.

Lou and her husband made a living scavenging the village trash for recyclables. It was a tough, backbreaking way of life trudging through the streets and sifting through other people’s often filthy and smelly discards.

Over the years, they picked up 30 abandoned babies from the trash heap. Of the 30 foundlings they saved, the couple kept 4 babies to raise themselves and the rest, they gave away to friends and relatives. They have one biological child, a woman, who is now past 50 years old. When Lou was 82 and already a widow, she saved one more baby from the trash.

She said, “Even though I was already getting old I could not simply ignore the baby and leave him to die in the trash. He looked so sweet and so needy. I had to take him home with me … My older children all help look after Zhang Qilin … I named him af-

ter the Chinese word for rare and precious.”

Lou’s story is riveting for its simple, unquestioning reverence for life despite living in stark poverty. She didn’t start out wanting to rescue foundlings but in 1982, her heart was touched when she found the first child, a baby girl, who was lying helpless and abandoned amongst the trash.

“Watching her grow and become stronger gave us such happiness and I realized I had a real love of caring for children …

These children need love and care. They are all precious human lives. I do not understand how people can leave such a vulnerable baby on the streets. I realized if we had strength enough to collect garbage how could we not recycle something as important as human lives?”

Since 1978, the Chinese communist government has enforced, with few exceptions, its one-child policy. Families are prevented from having more than one child under pain of penalty. Those who abide by the rule are given bonuses and incentives. Boys are preferred in Chinese culture so that couples who want a son feel compelled to throw away infant girls. It is claimed that the policy prevented the birth of 400 million babies.

Lou’s life story bears resemblance to the story of the little boy and the jellyfish.

There was once a little boy walking on the beach. He noticed that as the tide receded, there were thousands of jellyfish being washed up and lay stranded helpless on the shore. He picked them up one by one and began tossing each jellyfish back into the water, into the sea where they can survive and live.

A man also walking along the shore watched the boy in utter disbelief. To him, the boy was trying to do the impossible. Shaking his head, the man approached the boy and asked, “Hey, kid, what do you think you’re doing? You can never make a difference. There are thousands of jellyfish. You’ll only save a few of them.”

The boy looked at him nonplussed, shrugged his shoulders and went back to throwing one more jellyfish back to the water, and told him, “Made a difference to that one …”

Each precious human life saved certainly made a difference to that one life. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

What to do if ICE comes to your home, workplace…

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• You can refuse to sign any/all paperwork until you have had the opportunity to speak to a lawyer.

• If you choose to sign something without speaking to a lawyer, be sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it.

All the above rights also apply when ICE visits your workplace or when ICE stops you in public.

In addition, remember the following: If ICE visits your workplace If you are asked to stand in a

group according to immigration status, you do not have to move, or you can move to an area that is not designated for a particular group.

If ICE stops you in public You may refuse a search. If you are stopped for questioning but are not arrested, you do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but an officer may “pat down” your clothes if he or she suspects you have a weapon.

Consult an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your particular situation and to know

more about your rights. ***

Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon is a partner in Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorneyclient relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; auvega@ctvattys.com (Advertising Supplement)

Why Philippine rice crop should…

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yeast,” he said excitedly. “Fermentation of the black rice was our leavener.”

Aspiras, working with chefs Peachy Juban and Kristine Lotilla, wowed audiences at the regional lunch by creating an “edible wall” with three desserts using rice: A mochi lollipop using Kalinga Apayao heirloom rice and puffed Mountain Province violet rice; a cookie feuille using heirloom brown rice; and an empanada with kiping (a leafshaped wafer made of rice paste that is a signature of Lucban, Quezon) made using four varieties of heirloom rice including South Cotabato black rice.

The three pastry chefs also created an interactive art installation featuring 22 desserts using Philippine rice, of course, including varieties of kakanin, and a

horchata ice cream using roasted black rice.

Ambassadors These are things that excite chefs who, in turn, excite tourists who want to try their creations.

Rene Redzepi even went so far as to move Noma, four times named World’s Best Restaurant, to Mexico to discover exciting new produce to play with. Bibo in Madrid by Dani Garcia presents Peruvian ceviche to its customers, talking about the use of tiger milk as if they had known it all their lives.

Then the chefs and restaurants around the world become ambassadors of the countries whose products and cooking techniques they use.

That is the importance of Madrid Fusion Manila (brought to Manila by Madrid Fusion/

Lourdes Plana, Arum Estrategias’ Inigo Cañedo and Mielle Esteban, and the Philippines’ Department of Tourism).

And Berna Romulo Puyat gets it.

If the international chefs who come here pick up on our products, they should go home talking about “this great Philippine rice from Ifugao called Tinawon” or “this rice that is purple in color from the Philippines’ Mountain Province.”

Madrid Fusion Manila was held from April 6 to 8 at SMX. Congratulations to Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Department of Tourism (DOT) Director Verna Buensuceso and the rest of the DOT team and private partners Marisa Nallana, Joel Pascual and Jing Lagandaon for a successful Madrid Fusion Manila for the third year in a row. n

and Japan.

The bulk of them were funneled to the sectors of construction, electricity, gas and steam, wholesale and retail trade, administrative support service and financial and insurance sectors.

Reinvested earnings, on the other hand, dipped to $71 million. These flows pertain to earnings which the company decides

not to declare as dividends or divide among them, instead invest them again.

Last year, FDI posted a recordhigh net inflow of $7.93 billion.

The amount breached even the 2017 forecast of the central bank worth $7 billion.

BSP earlier said it would revisit this year’s assumption and may increase it. n

Company borrowings, not new investors…

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an entry of a new shareholder in a firm or establishment of a new branch office.

It represents the best form of FDI as it indicates new long-term entrants interested in investing in the Philippines.

BSP said most equity capital for January came from Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, the US

Banks need stricter authentication vs…

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companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth.”

“We’re going digital. You have to make the environment also secure. Cybercrime is really an issue so we have to deal with it, we can’t ignore the problem,”

he said.

According to IBM, industries are incurring an estimated $3.5 trillion in annual revenue losses a year from fraud and financial crimes, a situation that is having a major negative impact on the global economy.

The cost of cybercrime on the global economy is estimated at $375 billion to $575 billion

a year.

The BSP has said it is continuously enhancing its supervisory framework for technology risk management to ensure that public trust and confidence are preserved amid rapidly evolving technological landscape and wider and deeper levels of bank participation in the digital space. n

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april 14-20, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

People & Events API Wellness launches SF’s first health home Peninsula Family Service recruiting for Volunteer for the LGBTQ community in the Castro district Senior Peer counselors for Spring training SAN FRANCISCO, CA — API Wellness is pleased to announce the opening of a new health center location on Market Street that offers affordable, quality health care for the LGBTQ community.

The health center, which opened its doors on Monday, April 10, will offer comprehensive primary medical care, mental health, family planning, and full sexual health services including PrEP and PEP provision in one convenient location. Located in the newly-renovated SF LGBT Center, the clinic promises to fill a gap in LGBTQ-centered health care in San Francisco.

“It’s beyond time for San Francisco to have a fully-featured community health center created by and for the LGBTQ community,” said Lance Toma, chief executive officer of API Wellness. “Our community deserves high-quality health care that goes beyond sexual health and addresses our unique needs, particularly in this political landscape where both our rights and our right to health care are under attack,” he added.

API Wellness has for 30 years been a San Francisco leader in the delivery of HIV/AIDS pre-

vention, treatment and care, and served as a “home” to many of the community’s LGBTQ residents. Now, with a comprehensive, LGBTQ-focused health center, API Wellness will join the ranks of renowned health centers in major cities like Howard Brown Health (Chicago), Callen-Lorde (New York City), Los Angeles LGBT Center (LA), Mazzoni Center (Philadelphia), and Fenway Health (Boston).

“We are hoping to address what we see as a clear and visible need for care in this community,” said Dr. Tri Do, chief medical officer of API Wellness. “We know LGBTQ people face significant health disparities and are suffering at a higher rate relative to our straight counterparts. We are proud to be on the ground, doing this work.”

The health center accepts private medical insurance as well as Medi-Cal and Medicare and offers services on a sliding scale. It is located in the SF LGBT Center at 1800 Market Street, Suite 401.

About API Wellness API Wellness is an LGBTQ and people of color community health center that transforms lives by advancing health, well-

THE University of Santo Tomas together with the US Embassy in Manila will bring together 21 fellows of the Iowa Writing Program (IWP) composed of Filipino and foreign writers who will speak and facilitate in the International Conference on Education, Literatures, and Creative Writing to be held from April 20 to 22, 2017 at the Dr. George S. K. Ty Function Hall, Paredes Bldg., UST, Manila.

According to College of Education Dean Prof. Allan B. de Guzman, the conference is sponsored by the US Embassy in Manila, and co-organized by the UST College of Education and the UST Department of Filipino through HASAAN 5.

The conference, whose theme is “Educating the World through Literatures: Promoting Understanding, Peace and Equality” will be a rare occasion to gather topnotch writers from all over the world who have passed through the stringent selection process

set by the IWP, and are thus called ‘IWP Fellows.’

Mr. Christopher Merrill, Director of the International Writing Program of the Iowa University and member of the National Council on the Humanities of the United States of America from 2012 to 2016, will deliver the opening lecture. He will talk about ‘The Role of IWP in Promoting International Understanding, Peace and Equality.’

National Artist in Literature F. Sionil José will deliver the Keynote Address while another National Artist in Literature, Dr. Bienvenido L. Lumbera will be the speaker for the plenary session.

Both national artists are graduates of the University of Santo Tomas.

The topics and session speakers are: Session 1 Updates on Philippine Literatures with fellows from the Philippines Mr. Sarge Lacuesta, Ms. Susan Lara, and Dr. Ruel M. Aguila; Session

ness, and equality. It believes everyone deserves to be healthy and needs access to the highest quality health care. At API Wellness, health care is grounded in social justice. With two locations, API Wellness is an anchor institution in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood and a comprehensive health home for the LGBTQ community in the Castro.

API Wellness operates a fully licensed, federally qualified health center; runs one of the largest transgender community drop-in centers in the country; and is the premier HIV treatment and care provider for people living with HIV in the Tenderloin. For more information please visit www. apiwellness.org.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under H80CS28978 and Health Center Program for $650,000.00. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. n

THE Senior Peer Counseling Program is offered at no cost by Peninsula Family Service in San Mateo County to adults age 55 and older. The program matches trained volunteers (you!) with peers to offer supportive listening.

A one-on-one service provided by trained volunteers, they offer confidential emotional support, guidance, and empathy to older adults facing challenges such as loneliness, depression, grief, isolation from family and friends, loss, and life changes. Senior Peer Counseling develops a special bond of trust between two people who share similar age, experience values, wisdom and culture.

Aging isn’t always pleasant and easy and many older adults lack knowledge of the services available in the community. Besides offering a supportive ear these volunteers offer linkage to the many resources available to them in the San Mateo County, such as activities for older adults, food programs, health insurance support, legal assistance, housing – to name a few.

Why volunteer? You can make a positive difference in the lives of others. You will learn the facts and challenges of aging and the many things that occur in this 2 Updates, Experiences, and process - what to do or how you Concerns on Teaching Philippine can help. Our graduates report Literatures with fellows from the that they have benefited from Philippines Mr. Ian Rosales Ca- what they have learned and that socot and Mr. Joel Toldeo; Ses- they are able to use their new sion 3 Updates on International knowledge to relate not only to Literatures with fellows Ms. Uka- clients, but to their families and maka Olisakwe (Nigeria), Mr. Vladimir Poleganov (Bulgaria), will be on Special Topics but Mr. Hao Guang Tse (Singapore), it primarily deal with PublishMs. Zhou Jianing (China) and ing Creative Works. The fellows Ms. Alice Yousef (Palestinian are Mr. Yusi Avianto Pareanom (Indonesia), Ms. Chae Won Lee Territories).

The topic for Session 4 ‘Up- (South Korea), Mr. Ko Hua Chen dates on Teaching Creative (Taiwan), Ms. Tomoka Shibasaki Writing’ and fellows are from (Japan), and Ms. Christine Yothe Philippines that include: Mr. hannes (Ethiopia).

Interested parties may conMark Angeles, Ms. Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, and Mr. Ian Ro- tact the UST College of Edusales Casacot. Session 5 will be cation through 731-4323, Mr. on Special Topics that focus on Alvin Ringgo C. Reyes, chair of Writing Workshops with fellows the Teacher Education Departfrom the Philippines that include ment at acreyes@ust.edu.ph, or Dr. Marjorie M. Evasco-Pernia, through +639154819604 or Dr. Mr. Charleson L. Ong, and Mr. Zendel Rosario M. Taruc, chair Eros S. Atalia of the University of of the Department of Filipino at zendelt@yahoo.com or through Santo Tomas.

Another session, Session 6 + 63919566779. n

friends as well.

Listening is the one important and simplest aspect of the counseling program. Volunteers are not licensed, like those that have degrees and experience in social work. They are allies and guides to those who need emotional support and guidance.

With peer counseling, those people who are hesitant to allow a counselor or therapist to “listen” to them are more comfortable meeting with a peer counselor who shares a similar background and experiences.

Training starts on May 2 through June 7 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the offices of Peninsula Family Service at 24 Second Avenue, San Mateo. Training includes Communication and

EMPLOYMENT

REALTOR

UST hosts IOWA International Conference

EMPLOYMENT

Active Listening Skills, Basics of Counseling, Working with Diverse Cultures, Social and Family Relationships, Understanding Social Isolation, Working with Grief and Loss, Common Health Issues of Older Adults, How to Recognize and Respond to Depression and Anxiety, Taking Care of Yourself, among other related issues.

Group supervision and continuing education is also provided.

Counseling is offered in English, Filipino, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and to the LGBTQ community. For additional information; Call Ofelia Carpio Albrecht at Peninsula Family Service – (650) 403.4300 Ext.4363 or email: oalbrecht@peninsulafamilyservice.org. n

Sleep less and get…

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Hundreds of millions are on CPAP therapy. Adequate quality sleep is indeed vital.

However, I would like to state that adequate sleep is only onefifth of the total equation for a healthier, happier, more productive, and longer life. The other four are (1) a healthy diet - highfiber, high-grain, low-fat, lowcholesterol, low-carbohydrate, low-salt; (2) daily exercises; (3) stress management and relaxation; and, (4) abstinence from tobacco and strict moderation in alcohol intake.

SERVICES

Oops. It’s 10:08 p.m.. Past my bedtime. Good night. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 14-20, 2017

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april 14-20, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Friday, April 14, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 14, 2017

A remembrance of her Filipino heritage Author Cristie Locsin writes about change and possibilities in “The Value of Equality” by

Malou liwanag-bledsoe / AJPress

WHEN writers make fiction, many would expect that they would go beyond what is expected of them purely because they have more room for imagination. For first time author Cristie Locsin, she had that in mind when she wrote “The Value of Equality” — that, with fiction, she would have freedom to create her own story. However, she did not go very far as she decided to stay close to her Filipino roots.

“The Value of Equality” tells the story of the hacienderos of the Philippines in the late 1960s, when times were turbulent with rebel groups vying for political reformation and new leadership. The first book of a proposed trilogy, it is inspired by the experiences of Locsin’s father and grandfather.

In 1969, the powerful hacienderos in the

The author with husband Michael, and kids James, Jenella and Jade.

province of Azusa were known for creating politicians. Daria Hernandez, a haciendero’s daughter, loved her father’s land and the workers. She paved the way for the ambitious and idealistic Mayor Vasquez to lead the country into a new form of government.

Locsin explained that she chose to write historical fiction because she’s a big fan of

alternate history genre. “It’s my imagination’s interpretation of a what-if scenario,” she said.

She also clarified that readers might try to find similarities with the story’s characters and/ or storyline. “The farmers and workers are part of the characters in the book. As for the past and current situation [in the Philippines], situation is different,” she said. “Agrarian reform has ended the patriarchal or matriarchal root of the landlord and former relations, which erased the sense of family, responsibility and care.”

In spite of the Filipino-inspired and background of the story, Locsin reiterated that her book’s message is universal, as it focuses on the political happenings not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well.

“Don’t let the cover of the book fool you.

The theme for my book is universal,” she said and then added, “It is about love and sacrifice. It also dabbles on historical settings with politics on the side. The backdrop for the novel is a setting and culture that few can remember. It is also a sub-culture to the traditional Filipino culture that is presented in a lot of novels.”

She also talked about change, which seems to be part of the “The Value of Equality.” In the book, the readers may perceive that change happens all the time — whether good or bad. “...It’s [change] a word that seems to have lost its significance and meaning. It is overused in my opinion,” she explained and then continued, “I don’t think things have changed much.

History does have the tendency to repeat itself.

A journalist once shared with that change is like billiard balls struck by a poor pool player. The vigor of the stroke seldom coincides with the direction intended.”

Photo courtesy of Cristie Locsin

With roots from Silay City, Negros Occidental, Locsin holds a journalism degree from California State University-Northridge and hails from a family of writers. Her uncle (her father’s brother), Teodoro Locsin Sr., was a highly respected journalist and publisher of The Philippines Free Press Magazine. His son, Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin, Jr. is also a well-known journalist and columnist.

As a first time book author and publisher, she admits that there were challenges that she had to hurdle through, one of which is editing. “I have to thank my editing team for their hard work,” she said. “As an author or for me at least, it was difficult to edit my own work.

What’s on my mind at times, reflects differently on paper.”

She also has this advice to aspiring writers: “Write your heart out. Write the story you want to tell. Do not allow discouragement and negativity to stop your creativity. After you write your story, be confident and don’t let the money and sales rank be your guide for your success. Everyone is entitled to their interpretation of your story so accept the criticism that can help you improve and let go of all the worthless negativity.” *”The Value of Equality” is available in hardbound, paperback and electronic copy. It is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in all formats including E-books for Kindle, Nook and Ibooks. For bulk and distribution, please contact Authorhouse (http://bookstore. authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-001121174/ The-Value-of-Equality.aspx). The novel was also released in the United Kingdom, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and South Africa, as well as Japan and China. It is not yet available in the Philippines.

Maine Mendoza takes the spotlight in ‘Eat Bulaga’s’ Lenten special MAINE Mendoza headlines “Prinsesa,” one of the six episodes for this year’s Eat Bulaga Lenten special.

In “Prinsesa,” Mendoza plays Mayang, a professional pickpocket who fosters an unlikely friendship with a child who will teach her the value of family and forgiveness.

Joining her in “Prinsesa” are Wally Bayola, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Anjo Yllana, and Trops stars Tommy Peñaflor and Joel Palencia.

“Snatcher ako. Prinsesa ng lansangan ba kung tawagin.

Tapos, hindi ko kasi nakasama yung pamilya ko dito kaya lumaki ako na ganun yung ginagawa kong trabaho,” Mendoza said of her role.

The role is both a challenge and a privilege for the young actress. Renowned for her comedic timing, the “Eat Bulaga” co-host usually plays cheerful and optimistic roles — in short, characters not far from the real-life Maine Mendoza.

But for the “Eat Bulaga” Lenten special, her role requires her to dig deep, acting-wise.

“Isa ito sa mga kakaibang characters na nagawa ko, ever.

Si Mayang kasi, very serious.

Seryoso siyang tao. Medyo siga.

So nahirapan din ako na magadjust sa ganung character,” she said.

Nevertheless, Mendoza is no stranger to acting. Despite making her mark in show business as an “Eat Bulaga” mainstay, the 22-year-old TV host has displayed her acting chops in projects such as the 2016 hit movie “Imagine You and Me,” and the 2015 blockbuster hit “My Bebe Love.”

She is also used to doing dramatic scenes thanks to her ongoing GMA primetime soap opera “Destined To Be Yours.”

But Mendoza said her role as Mayang is perhaps her most difficult — and most interesting — yet.

“Yung persona ko as Maine Mendoza, malayo sa character ko. Kasi si Mayang, galit lagi sa mundo. Meron din naman siyang sympathy sa tao, kailangan lang kunin yung kiliti sa puso. Doon lang kami nagkakapareho ni

features SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – April 14, 2017

Observing Holy Week San FranciSco

By Monet

Lu

LENTEN season is the time when Christians — Catholic and other religious denominations — remember Christ’s passion (his suffering and death) and resurrection.

Ash Wednesday (40 days before Easter Sunday) marks the beginning of this season, it is when Maine Mendoza shows off her acting chops in a scene with Ryzza Mae Dizon. you will see Catholics with ashes ers who learn to look after each Mayang,” she said. smudged on their foreheads in other despite their differences.

Mendoza continued, “Most the shape of a cross.

Also starring in the episode are of my roles are happy lang na Holy Week is from Palm SunRuby Rodriguez, Pia Guanio, and day to Black Saturday, then babae na optimist. Alam naman Jerald Napoles. It is directed by ng mga tao na most of my roles Easter Sunday. It is traditionally a Joyce Bernal. ay medyo happy-happy lang. Pasolemn occasion, most commonIn Jose Javier Reyes’ “Inay,” bebe. Pero dito, iba ako. Parang ly known as Semana Santa in the Paolo Ballesteros and Ai-Ai delas Philippines and other countries. mas kailangan dito ng acting Alas play a mother and son who since hindi naman ako ganun Priests and religious statues “raise” each other by recogniztalaga as a person.” are dressed in purple to symboling their sacrifices and accepting ize gloom. Devout Catholics go Indeed, Mendoza is really their differences. making her mark in show busito church every day; some fast Lorna Tolentino headlines ness as a versatile actress. But as a symbol of respect and faith “Pagpapatawad,” a story of a she is not letting the praise and while the born-again Christians broken family’s newfound chance just pray directly to God without the laurels [she has won a Best to reconcile and start anew by Supporting Actress award in the worshiping statues or saints. Allearning from the mistakes of the though different, these practices 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival] past to help them face the future. convey the same message. get to her head.

Gina Alajar directs the episode, “Admittedly, hindi pa ako This time of the year commits which also stars Kenneth Metalaga adjusted sa acting life,” people to fulfill their vows, to ask she said. “Nahihirapan pa rin ako, drano and Taki of the teen-oriGod for forgiveness or favors, ented show Trops, child sensation such as cures for health, personal kailangan ko pa rin ng tulong ng Baste, and Patricia Tumulak. acting coach and directors. May and financial problems.

Jake Ejercito returns to Eat adjustments pa rin, naiilang pa rin Palm Sunday commemorates Bulaga via “Mansyon,” starring ako kapag umaarte. But I just let the entry of Jesus Christ into Jeit flow. Ang ginagawa ko talaga is Jose Manalo, Tito Sotto, Barbie rusalem. Filipino Catholics bring Forteza, Trops’ Kim Last, Miggy I focus sa work ko and sa script. I palaspas (palm fronds) to church Tolentino, and Jon Timmons. really take it seriously para makato be blessed by the priests. deliver ako ng maayos in terms of “Mansyon,” directed by Linnet Then, they bring the fronds back Zurbano, revolves around a family home with them. acting.” who finds a home in each other “Prinsesa,” directed by Mike In the Philippines, for most of as they build on their dreams and the week, especially after TuesTuviera aired on Tuesday, April try to overcome obstacles that 11. It is among the stories feaday, the towns are eerily quiet threaten to drift them apart. tured in this year’s “Eat Bulaga” with TV and radio stations going Finally, Vic Sotto and Joey de off the air and no loud noises or Lenten special. This yearly “Eat Leon star in “Kaibigan,” a heartBulaga” tradition has been airing revelry whatsoever. Catholics warming tale of two friends who during Holy Week since 1981. stop eating meat, turning to fish, face circumstances that elevate Many year’s special is perhaps its and the more devout ones go on their bond from friendship to most star-studded edition yet. a completely liquid diet. Many family. Directed by Joel LamanAlden Richards and Ryan businesses are closed, so make gan, the episode also stars Bianca sure you have supplies, especially Agoncillo, meanwhile, star in Umali and Kim Rodriguez.

“Kapatid,” a tale of two brothfood, stocked up.

The traditional pabasa (the “reading” or chanting of verses about the suffering of Christ) starts on Sunday and ends on Maundy Thursday, which is the day when the washing of the feet is celebrated.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Christ. On this day, you will see religious figures being carried through the towns on top of carrozas (carriages). religious images and statues are veiled in black in mourning of the death of Jesus.

Now the tourist spot and the most striking feature of the Holy Week celebrations in the Philippines is the sight of Filipinos publicly whipping themselves. These are reenactments of the torture and death of Jesus. Some of the hardcore devotees not only whip their backs into a bloody mess, they also have their feet and hands nailed to a wooden cross. Tourists come from all over the world for the sight! Tondo in Manila is the place to see these flagellants. Outside the capital, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija are famous for their flagellants who cover their faces with white cotton hoods. Crowns of thorns are placed on their heads to cause blood to drip.

I remember one of the superstitions on Good Friday is the prohibition against children playing. This is because they might injure themselves and not have their wounds heal. You will always be reminded that during

this time that Jesus is dead, and so everything is awry and bad things are apt to happen.

Black Saturday is when Christ is entombed. Filipinos spend the day preparing for the night vigil leading up to Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

At four o’clock in the morning, Filipinos do a ceremony commemorating how the Virgin Mary met her son Jesus who has come back to life. Her image will be brought to the image of the Christ at the local church. Flower petals will be rained down on them. Everyone is happy that Jesus is alive again and that the world is back right.

In contemporary times, these Philippine traditions are slowly disappearing. Young Filipinos now use the Holy Week to vacation at the beach, while socialites and members of the upper class fly to out of Manila or go to another country. In my experiences of Holy Week, it truly is the time to renew our faith and feel the lords suffering for mankind. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or

#: 3&/ #!. PM PM #: #!. -., AM AM #: -., #!. PM PM #: #!. 3&/ PM PM

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 14, 2017

celebrity world

Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion reunion movie shelved — for now

By Ferdie Villar AlMoSt three decades after they did a movie together, there were reports that Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion might do a reunion movie under Star Cinema. the report has actually been floated last year but Star Cinema did not issue any official statement about it.

A lot of speculations have spread, such as talent fees and conflict of schedules. But finally, the Megastar has finally announced that her muchawaited big screen return (and reunion with ex-hubby, Gabby) has been put on hold once again.

In fact, the actress had really accepted to play the lead role in “Ang Pamilyang Hindi lumuluha,” an entry in this year’s Cinemalaya film festival. this was confirmed too by the festival organizers last month.

However, a report by PeP. ph revealed that Sharon could not start shooting the film due to “schedule issues.” An “ultimatum” from the film’s director, Mes de Guzman was given, asking the Megastar to

decide until Wednesday, April 5 whether she could still commit to the project. the following day, thursday, April 6, Cinemalaya announced that Sharon wouldn’t be able to do film.

Sharon has yet to announce her canceled project with Cinemalaya on her social media accounts, but she did, however, apologized for the shelving of her reunion movie with Gabby. the project remains untitled and was put on hold again due to scheduling conflicts. “thanks for all your prayers and I am sorry it’s not pushing through. But please be happy for me — because I am very happy with my new project which Star Cinema is now preparing! God bless us all. Good night and love you guys!,” she posted.

Gabby’s manager, therese ramos, released this statement to ABS-CBN entertainment reporter Mario Dumaual: “Gabby Concepcion has always wanted to do a movie with Sharon Cuneta. However due to his tight schedule and cur-

rent commitments it will not be possible anytime soon. We will study our option in 2018.” the last movie the excouple made was “tayong Dalawa,” released in 1992.

Sharon’s last movie was “Mano Po 6: A Mother’s love,” in 2009 but has remained active on television being a mainstay judge for talent shows like “the Voice Kids Philippines,” “Your face Sounds familiar,” and the Queen of All Media Kris Aquino has apologized and Gabby Concepcion has always wanted to do upcoming “the Voice teens explained why the re-airing of her TV special “Trip another movie with former wife, Megastar Sharon Ni Kris” has been canceled. She also expressed regrets to some hurtful statements she has given about the special’s producer Rhodora Morales and her son Renan.

San Jose fashionable lady and community leader Susan Pacifico arrived last April 1 after her vacation in the Philippine to attend her family reunion in Baguio City.

Cuneta. Unfortunately, their reunion movie has been indefinitely put on hold and Gabby’s manager said that they will look into their options for next year.

Photo show Kris Aquino with “Trip Ni Kris” producer Rhodora Morales and her son, Renan Morales, during their taping last February.

Philippines.”

Larcy Perez celebrated her 9th birthday with a party at the Perez residence in Antioch last weekend. Photo shows Larcy with her brothers, sisters, cousins and schoolmates

Handsome actor Vin Abrenica is the leading man of Maja Salvador in ABS-CBN’s teleserye,

*** I guess Kris Aquino’s “tactlessness” has put her in hot water — again. the Queen of All Media announced on her Instagram account that her tV special “trip Ni Kris” (which aired on GMA 7 last April 9), will no longer be posted on her facebook on Sunday, April 16.

She also issued an apology for having “uttered things that offended” the tV special’s producer, rhodora Morales.

Kris posted: I’m sorry - I

Megastar Sharon Cuneta officially confirmed that her reunion movie project with former husband, actor Gabby Concepcion, has been put on hold due to scheduling conflicts.

had a too candid conversation with @yes_magazine JoAnn Maglipon who is a friend of longstanding. We discussed many things and to be fair a lot stayed off the record...I regret having uttered things that offended Ms. rhodora Morales & for that I humbly apologize...

And to all of you who won’t get to see our re-airing, I’m sorry for the lost opportunity. I take full responsibility for my lack of prudence, and I’ve learned a valuable lesson in learning when to just keep quiet for the sake of harmony.” the statement was posted a day after PeP.ph published a report based on a phone conversation with JoAnn Maglipon last week, refuting reports that she is dating rhodora’s son, professional racecar driver renan Morales.

Kris also said that she was dismayed at how events played out in her work engagement with renan and his mother rhodora.

Because of this, she further explained that the producer revoked her right to re-air the tV special.

Albie Casiño moves on from New exhibit remembers Presidio’s history of exclusion parenthood issue, focuses on new relationship

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Photograph by Dorothea Lange, San Francisco, April 1942. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information Collection, LC-USZ62-34565

DurING World War II, 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned in the united States because of President franklin D. roosevelt’s infamous executive order 9066, issued in Washington, D.C. on february 19, 1942. However, it was the Civilian exclusion order issued by lt. Gen. John l.

DeWitt that put the executive order in effect. the u.S. government relocated Japanese and Japanese Americans in crude and humiliating internment camps in desolated areas of the country.

Although two-thirds of those imprisoned were American citizens by birth, the others were non-citizens unable to obtain naturalized citizenship by law.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and under the pretext of “military necessity,” these civilians were removed from their homes and detained without due process.

In San francisco, the Presidio carried the order through its military police on April 1, 1942. to commemorate the 75th anniversary of this dark moment at the Presidio, the exhibit “exclusion: the Presidio’s role in WW II Japanese American Incarceration,” opened at the Heritage Gallery of the historic Presidio officers’ Club. “the Presidio of San francisco played a pivotal role in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II,” said Presidio trust Curator liz Melicker in a statement. “this exhibition encourages reflection and invites visitors to investigate the issues and decisions that led to this dark chapter in American history. How did leaders arrive at the decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom where u.S. citizens? How did Japanese Americans and others respond to the violation of their civil liberties? And what, as a nation, have learned that can help us address present-day issues such as mass incarceration, immigration reform, and racial profiling?”

In developing “exclusion,” the Presidio trust staff worked with collaborators from the fred t.

Korematsu Institute and the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), both tenants at the Presidio. the Korematsu Institute and NJAHS provided input from concept development through script review, contributed objects and images to the exhibition, and are collaborating on public programming at the Presidio officers’ Club Moraga Hall and school program development throughout the duration of the exhibition. “’exclusion’ explicitly invites visitors to contem-

After he was cleared in the parenthood issue of Andi eigenmann’s four-year-old daughter Adrianna Gabrielle “ellie” Guck (surname is taken from Andi’s mom Mary Jane Guck/Jaclyn Jose), Albie Casiño has remained handsoff in the never-ending media word war between Andi and Jake ejercito, ellie’s confessed biological father. the issue has reached the court after Jake filed a case for joint custody.

In the long run, guess who will be the victim — yes, poor ellie who is helplessly caught in the crossfire.

In a pocket presscon for “the Complex,” a web-serye which premieres exclusively on D5Studio (and onYoutube. com/D5Studio) on Black Saturday, April 15, Albie admitted that the experience has taught him not to disobey his parents, recalling that he was 15 when he met Andi (who is three years older) and they started

dating when he was 16 until he was 18. At 17, Albie was already in showbiz earning his own keep, believing he was grown up and knew everything, Now he’s 23 and happy with his girlfriend, fil-Am Michelle Arceo (recently declared first winner of Willie revillame’s Wowowin’s Gandang filipina search), Albie said, “I’m more mature now” and therefore knows better.

“I’m here to support my girlfriend,” he claimed. He met Michelle last year when she came for a vacation and followed her when she went back to the States. Michelle came back to pursue a modeling career and try showbiz.

Directed by indie megman Prime Cruz, “the Complex” casts Albie as a 24-year-old nurse who left his hometown of tacloban City for a fresh start in Metro Manila. explained Prime (Sleepless and Ang Manananggal sa unit 23B), “the Complex is a dif-

Albie Casiño

ferent kind of mystery-thriller, hooked more on mood and ambience and not just on jump scares.”

Janella Salvador to play mermaid in new film Photograph by Dorothea Lange, Centerville, California, May 9, 1942 Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

plate what can be learned from this shocking time in our history to help us contend with present-day issues — namely racial profiling, anti-immigrant sentiment, mass incarceration, and civil rights discrimination, as well as questions regarding the Constitutionality of executive order 9066,” said Karen Korematsu, founder and executive Director of the fred t. Korematsu Institute.

“Now more than ever, we need to teach the lessons to be learned about the injustices of executive order 9066 and the World War II forced removal and mass incarceration of Japanese Americans,” explained rosalyn tonai, executive officer of the NJAHS. “this is a significant event in our collective American history and we are sure the Presidio’s exhibition will be the starting point for much meaningful dialogue.” “exclusion: the Presidio’s role in World War II Japanese American Incarceration” will be open to the public for free until March 2018, tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Presidio officers’ Club, Heritage Gallery, 50 Moraga Avenue, San francisco. for more information, visit www.presidio.gov/ exclusion.

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

DID you know that when Janella Salvador turned five years old, her mom Jenine Desiderio dressed her up like a mermaid?

“I have always been fascinated with mermaids,” admitted Janella who happily announced that in regal films’ “My fairy tail love Story,” with suitor (pa lang?) elmo Magalona as leading man (and Kiray as co-star), she’s playing a mermaid!

Janella was having merienda with movie writers a few days ago when Jun Nardo got a call from regal Matriarch lily Monterverde who asked Jun to tell the movie press that My fairy tail would be submitted as regal’s entry in the 2017

Janella Salvador has many reasons to be jumping with joy, one of which is her Regal Films starrer My Fairy Tail Love Story in which she realizes her dream of playing a mermaid (with suitor Elmo Magalona as her leading man).

Metro Manila film festival (MMff). upon hearing the

good news, Janella waved her hands in victory and screamed with joy.

But unlike other screen mermaids, Janella won’t be doing any boob exposure. let’s wait and see what her costume will be.

Besides the regal movie, Janella and elmo (with Joshua Garcia) are also starring in Star Cinema’s “Bloody Crayons,” directed by topel lee, and in “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” an ABS-CBN teleserye.

More reasons for Janella to be jumping with joy: “Super Janella,” a digital concert produced last March 5 by one Music Philippines, was successful while her eponymous debut album by Star Music got a Gold record and Platinum Awards.

features

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 14, 2017

SF5

Join this year’s new Ambassadors Tour to PH and experience the best of Manila and Davao

THe highly popular tourism program that drew hundreds of balikbayans and Filipino-Americans to revisit their homeland is back.

This year, the new Ambassadors’ Tour to the Philippines is featuring new and exciting destinations meant to further showcase the country’s tourism gems.

Scheduled for July 11 to 16, 2017, this year’s Tour will not only reacquaint participants from all over the United States to the enduring charms of Manila but will also provide the opportunity to visit and explore the southern city of Davao.

Touted as the cleanest and the safest city in the Philippines, Davao City is home to the country’s current leader, President Rodrigo Duterte. Davao boasts of outstanding recreational areas like museums, nature parks, fantastic beaches and zoos, in addition to adventure activities like scuba diving, island hopping, wake boarding, white water rafting.

Participants to this year’s tour can look forward to exciting destinations and highlights, most important of which is the opportunity to have an audience with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in addition to Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) • Overnight stay at the hotel a dinner to be hosted by no less than Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” DAY 2: JULY 11, 2017 Duterte.

(Tuesday) The very affordable and irresistible package price for the 6 • Breakfast at the hotel days/5 nights Manila and Davao tour is as follows: NET RATE PER PERSON IN USD PACKAGE COST

MARCO POLO DAVAO (5*)

PARK INN BY RADISSON (4*)

SEDA ABREEZA (4*)

7Days/6Nights Package (July 10-16) SGL

6Days/5Nights Package (July 11-16)

$1,240.00

$1,090.00 $790.00

TWN

$865.00

TRPL

$852.00

$785.00

SGL

$1,215.00

$1,065.00 $780.00

TWN

$855.00

TRPL

$842.00

$775.00

SGL

$1,200.00

$1,050.00

TWN

$845.00

$770.00

TWN

$827.00

$760.00

INCLUSIONS: • Airport transfers in Manila and Davao with meet and greet assistance by Department of Tourism and Rajah Tours Coordinators • 2/1 Nights stay at Nobu Hotel or Hyatt City of Dreams for the 1st call in Manila • 3 Nights stay at choice hotel in Davao City • 1 Night stay at Makati Shangri-la Hotel for the 2nd call in Manila • Meals as stated in the itinerary • Tours as stated in the itinerary • Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour • Services of an English-speaking and DOT accredited guide throughout the duration of tour EXCLUSIONS: • International air fare • Domestic air fare • Meals not specified above • Personal expense throughout the stay Participants coming from Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and other parts of the United States will have various airfare options and can choose to fly to the Philippines with any of the Tour’s airline partners, among them Philippine Airlines, and China Airlines, with round trip ticket priced as low as $1,795.00

Following is the full itinerary of the 6-day tour covering both Manila and Davao: DAY 1: JULY 10, 2017 (Monday) • early morning arrival in Manila • Welcome reception by the Department of Tourism • Transfer to hotel/check-in

• Assembly for Malacanang Tour • Depart hotel • Proceed for Wreath Laying Ceremony at Rizal Park • Running tour of Intramuros • Proceed to Malacanang Museum Tour with lunch • Return to hotel • Welcome dinner hosted by

• Check-out • Transfer to Domestic Airport • Leave for Davao • Arrive in Davao International Airport • Welcome reception at Davao International Airport by the Dept. of Tourism • Lunch at local restaurant • Afternoon at Malagos Resort and Philippine eagle Center Tour • Return to hotel • Overnight stay at the Hotel DAY 3: JULY 12, 2017 (Wednesday) • Breakfast at hotel • Audience with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte • Lunch at local restaurant • Afternoon Davao City Tour • Visit the Crocodile Park for reptilian adventures. Get to know “Pangil” the 2nd largest crocodile in captivity and “Buloy” the friendly 15ft python.

Just nearby is the Tribung K’Mindanawan where it showcases our rich cultural heritage and replicas of the different tribal houses in the region. Amaze on the vast collections of animal skeleton at the Bone Museum.

Sample on the local fruits and bountiful harvest of Davao such as the pomelo, mangosteen, marang or take your first whiff of the Durian at the fruit market.

Otherwise settle for the candies at the Durian Candy Factory or the Durian Flavoured Cappuccino.

• A scenic view of Davao from the top of the Shrine hill at the Holy Infant Jesus or at the Jack’s Ridge. Visit the Museo Dabawenyo where it houses the rich collection of Davao’s History displayed in their galleries. Bargain for some souvenirs at the Aldevinco Souvenir Shops. After the tour, we shall transfer you back to your hotel.

• Return to hotel • Overnight stay at the hotel DAY 4: JULY 13, 2017 (Thursday) • Breakfast at hotel • Assembly at hotel lobby • Depart for Samal Island with Lunch • Pick up from hotel. Transfers from hotel to Sta Ana Wharf.

Boat ride to Samal Island passing through Pearl Farm, Malipano Island, Wishing Island, Coral Garden, Angel’s Cove and Isla Reta. Picnic lunch will be served at the Isla Reta. Free time on the beach. Boat ride back to mainland Davao and transfers to hotel.

• Dinner hosted by Mayor Sara “Inday”Duterte • Overnight stay at the hotel DAY 5: JULY 14, 2017 (Friday) • Breakfast at hotel • Check-out • Transfer to airport • Depart for Manila • Arrive Manila • Transfer/Check-in at the hotel • Optional activity in the afternoon • PASAYA. PASARAP & PAGANDA Package• Packages to distress and pamper yourself

• Dinner hosted by Western Union • Overnight stay at the hotel DAY 6: JULY 15, 2017 (Saturday) • Breakfast at hotel • Check-out • Transfer to airport • Depart for homebound journey The Ambassadors’ Tour is a joint project of all Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US, namely: Agana, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.

Seats are fast filling up, so don’t waste any time. Register now and be part of this year’s 11th Ambassadors Tour to the Philippines and experience the best of Manila and Davao.

For more information and to register, contact Majestic Vacations by sending email to: ambassadorstour@majestic-vacations.

com or call tel. numbers: (213) 251-9401 or 1-800-423-4480 and ask for Angie or Jeanet; the Philippine Department of Tourism at: (213) 487-4525 and the Philippine Consulate General at (213) 639-0980. *** Manny V. Ilagan is a Tourism Specialist with over 23 years professional experience in the overseas tourism and travel industry.

He is currently the Director for Business Development and Marketing of GTT International/ Majestic Vacations, one of the biggest airlines consolidators in the United States, and wholesaler of package tours worldwide. He also provides travel consultancy services to some of the biggest wholesalers and tour operators in the country as well as to some airline companies.

He is the former Tourism Director-OIC of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles, where he worked for over two decades. As a writer, he has written numerous articles about travel and tourism, which have been published in various Filipino-American newspapers in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York, and other Manila-based newspapers as well. For comments or questions, you may reach him at manilagan@gmail.com. *Advertising Supplement

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T he Asian Jo ur na l SF M A G A Z I NE - Apri l 14, 2 0 1 7

seafood city fpfc roger