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DATELINE California judge blocks part of Trump’s sanctuary cities executive order FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

A FEDERAL judge in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 25 blocked a portion of President Donald Trump’s executive order that called for denying funds to areas that defy U.S. immigration authorities.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick ruled that the Trump administration could not impose restrictions on the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that have policies to protect undocumented immigrants, given that the president does not have the authority to dictate new federal spending policies.

“Federal funding that bears no meaningful relationship to immigration enforcement cannot be threatened merely because a jurisdiction chooses an immigration enforcement strategy of which the president disapproves,” Orrick wrote in his decision to the lawsuit filed by the City and County of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which argued that over $2 billion in federal funding was in question.

On January 25, Trump signed an executive

A P R I L 2 8 - MAY 4 , 2 0 1 7

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

Panelo slams ‘reckless’ NY Times editorial against Duterte

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel Salvador Panelo lambasted the New York Times (NYT) on Wednesday, April 26, following an editorial condemning the Filipino leader over the alleged spate of summary killings in the country.

In its April 25 opinion piece titled “Let the world condemn Duterte,”

the NYT supported the mass murder complaint filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, counsel of confessed Davao Death Squad hitman Edgar Matobato, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Duterte and 11 other officials.

Describing Duterte as “a man who must be stopped,” the newspaper urged the ICC to launch a preliminary investigation into the killings linked with the administration’s war against

illegal drugs.

“After he was elected president last year, Mr. Duterte took the killing campaign nationwide, effectively declaring an open season for police and vigilantes on drug dealers and users,” the op-ed read.

“More than 9,400 people have been killed, most of them poor young men, but also bystanders, children and political opponents,” it added.

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Salvador Panelo

Poe, Gordon reiterate stance against death penalty

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

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FVR says Paynor is best choice for PH envoy to US FORMER Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos believes that if there is anyone who is fit to become the country’s ambassador to the United States, it would be Malacañang’s chief protocol officer Marciano Paynor Jr. Ramos made the comment in a television interview on Former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos Tuesday, April 25 when he was asked to name someone he would recommend for the post.

“I know him, I’ve seen him work. He has been consul general in San Francisco. He saved me for six years. Isa pa, military yang si Paynor (Paynor is from military). PMA (Philippine Military Academy) graduate Class 71,” Ramos told ANC’s Headstart.

In August last year, President Rodrigo Duterte named Paynor as the Philippines’ new ambassador to the United States.

Paynor’s deployment, however, was post-

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PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. A healing ceremony for Mother Earth was performed by DENR officials and environment groups during the celebration of Earth Day at the La Mesa Eco-Park in Quezon City on Saturday, April 22. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also gave assurance that the Duterte administration will continue to strike a balance between economic development and environment protection in pursuing programs for the country’s growth.

Philstar photo by Michael Varcas

SIOSON AJPress

HE’S not going to take his new challenger lightly but eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is confident that he’ll win against Australian Jeff Horn.

For the first time on Wednesday, April 26, Pacquiao met Horn in Brisbane, Australia. “If you ask inside my heart, I have confidence to win the fight, but I’m not taking it lightly,” the Filipino boxer said.

“I’m not underestimating

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BART warns riders of mob February tourist robbers, fare evaders arrivals hit 4-year high

by AJPRESS

BART police are warning the riding public to be on the watch for suspicious behavior in the trains, especially ones going to the East Bay. Last Tuesday night, April 25, a small group of teenagers fled the Lake Merritt station in Oakland after evading paying for their fare.

According to a report by the East Bay Times, a station agent saw three or four juveniles wearing hoodies enter the station without paying, BART police Mike Hayes said.

The station agent reported the incident to the police as the group headed for the station’s platform, and ordered two incoming trains to continue without stopping.

When the group realized trains were not stopping, they turned around and fled.

BART Police where unable to locate the group, according to Hayes.

Last Tuesday’s fare evaders was one of two incidents that have plagued BART these past few days. Just last Saturday night, April 22, a mob of 40 to 60 youths robbed passengers on a Dublin-bound train as it left the Oakland Coliseum station.

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Pacquiao confident in winning against Horn

by DANA

WITH several days left before the Congress resumes session in May, two senators expressed anew their opposition against the revival of capital punishment in the Philippines.

In a chance interview on Wednesday, April 26, Senator Grace Poe, a member of the majority bloc, said the death penalty is not the only solution to the country’s problems.

“Alam mo, hindi lang naman death penalty ang solusyon (You know, death penalty is not the only solution),” Poe told reporters when asked about her stand on the matter.

“Sa ating lipunan, kailangan diyan ay mayroong kasamang law enforcement, community. Kasama na din diyan ang hudikatura (Our society also needs to

him.”

Pacquiao, 38, previously admitted that he’s never heard of Horn but said he knew the clash would result in a very thrilling fight.

“I want an opponent that wants to fight toe-to-toe, throwing a lot of punches, aggressive,” Pacquiao said. “My style is to throw a lot of punches and I believe that will be very effective for Jeff Horn’s style. That’s why I accepted this fight.

Horn, 29, will try to steal Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown

in a match dubbed as “Battle of Brisbane” this coming July 2 in Suncorp Stadium, Australia.

The Australian boxer said he might be raw compared to veteran Pacquiao but that doesn’t mean Manny should overlook what he’s got.

“He’s done so much. He’s fought a lot of champions,” Horn said. “[But] if he underestimates me, he’s going to know about it July 2. It’s going to be a very tough fight — he’s going to see that.”

Pacquiao has record of 59-6-2

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Manny Pacquiao

MANILA — This year’s strong tourism streak continued through February, breaking the month’s records of visitor arrivals since 2013, according to official figures released by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

A total of 579,178 visitors were recorded in February, an increase of 27.81 percent over the past four years and 5.36 percent higher than the same period last year, disclosed Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo. Visitors from South Korea topped all other markets in February, reaching 150,598, representing 26 percent share of total inbound traffic in the Philippines and a 9.51 percent increase in

Korean arrivals from the same period last year.

“We have maintained and even increased figures from South Korea and we expect to see further growth, as Korean tourists perceive our country as a distinctive global destination built on unique experiences and rich natural beauty,” said Teo. Completing the top five markets for the period are United States with 137,598 (23.76 percent); China with 78,251 (13.51 percent); Japan with 53,957 (9.32 percent); Taiwan with 20,472 (3.53 percent), respectively.

As a result of stepped-up promotion efforts, other markets also showed an increase in

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april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

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From the Front Page

Panelo slams ‘reckless’ NY Times…

PAGE A1 t

The newspaper, however, acknowledged that the ICC may be “reluctant” to prosecute Duterte since he is “enormously popular with many Filipinos.”

It also noted that the ICC may only “prosecute cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes among member countries” if their national courts “are unwilling or unable to do so.”

“But there is already more than enough evidence for a preliminary investigation, which would send an unmistakable signal to Mr. Duterte that he may eventually have to answer for his crimes, and would encourage governments to take measures against him, such as imposing tariffs on Philippine goods,” the NYT said.

“And if the findings of Mr. Sabio, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and poli-

ticians, or the confessions of the former death squad members, are not enough evidence, there are Mr. Duterte’s savage words,” it added.

But for Panelo, it should be the U.S. newspaper that “must be stopped” from what he called “reckless, irresponsible and baseless” editorial on Duterte.

“No findings have been made by any of the investigating body that conducted probe on the alleged extrajudicial killings, in fact, there is a finding by the Philippine Senate that the socalled extrajudicial killing are not state-sponsored or state-initiated,” Panelo noted.

“Therefore there is no basis in fact and in law in the editorial of the New York Times,” he added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that while it recognizes the newspaper’s right to opinion, the government is in “clear disagree-

ment” with the editorial.

“The president was democratically elected to attack corruption and crime that have made so many Filipinos hostages to the criminals who had prospered through the rampant drug trade and other criminal activities that plagued our nation for decades,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Describing drugs as a “cancer on our nation,” Abella stressed that Duterte’s number one priority is “to save lives and to improve the lot of all of our countrymen with the cooperation of law enforcement officials, public health professionals, civil society, and committed citizens.”

“Drugs are killing people in our country and around the world. Our president is committed to stopping this cancer on our nation and to building a better life for all Filipinos,” he further added. n

Poe, Gordon reiterate stance…

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have law enforcement, community. And the judiciary is also included).”

While Poe admitted she considered capital punishment for heinous crimes before, she said that what the country needs first is a judicial reform.

According to her, without judicial reforms, those who cannot afford good lawyers and those who are afraid of police officers will only become victims of unorganized justice and enforcement system.

“Kung hindi natin ire-reform, halimbawa masasabi ba natin na talagang repormado na ang ating kapulisan para mabawasan, halimbawa, ang pagpaplanta ng ebidensya? Yun ang aking pag-aalala ngayon (If we don’t have reforms, can we say that, for example, the police are truly reformed and there will be lesser evidence planting? That’s what I’m worried about now),” Poe added.

Last week, Senator Richard Gordon also maintained his stance against the reimposition of death penalty, saying “improved prison system and a stricter policy on life imprisonment would deter criminality more effectively.”

DANCE SHOWDOWN. Members of the Tribu Salognon of Iloilo perform during the Aliwan Festival held at the Rizal Park on Saturday night, April 22.

Manilatimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan

BART warns riders of mob robbers…

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According to BART officials, the mob jumped fare gates and headed to the platform, while some boarded the train. Six people were robbed on a train and one the platform, according to BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost. Some victims were also treated for injuries to their heads and faces when robbers punched Senator Richard Gordon

Senator Grace Poe

“It’s a bigger deterrent kapag nakita na nakakulong yung masamang tao at nahihirapan (if you see the bad guy behind bars, suffering),” Gordon told reporters on Saturday, April 23.

He further added, “Pati ang pamilya mahihirapan, kasi magdadala ka ng pagkain, bibisita ka, malulungkot ka. Wala pang maghahanap-buhay para sa pamilya. Lalong mahirap yun kesa pinatay ka na lang tapos makakalimutan din. Kaya yung iba, papatay na naman o gagawa na naman ng ibang krimen (Even the family will suffer because they need to bring food and visit, and they will be said. Also, nobody

will be breadwinner of the family. That’s harder than just killing you and you will just be forgotten. So others will kill again or commit other crimes).”

The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last month. The Senate, meanwhile, has yet to reach a consensus.

Gordon, who is also chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, assured that he “will be fair in conducting the hearings.”

“Though I’m personally against the reimposition of the death penalty, I don’t think there is a

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them.

No arrests were reported and there are no detailed descriptions of the suspects were released.

Authorities also said that the incident was the first of its kind in recent memory.

BART police again reminded the riding public to report any suspicious behavior on the train at (510) 464-7000, contact a sta-

tion agent or pick up a white courtesy phone within a station or on a platform.

They also added that passengers should be aware of where they are at all times, and be cautious in using their gadgets — such as an iPad, phone or laptop — at all times as there may be individuals who may be looking to make them their next victim. n

February tourist arrivals hit 4-year…

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February, as Australian arrivals rose by 9.32 percent (20,157), Canada arrivals by 21.39 percent (19,016), and United Kingdom by 15.65 percent (15,226).

Among the top 12 markets, Germany registered the highest per capital expenditure for February 2017. On average, a German visitor spent Php 60,260.45 while in the country.

The United Kingdom followed with per capita spending of Php 47,533.15, tailed by Canada with P43,761.75, then Korea with P38,714.46, and France with P37,354.40.

Also on a positive note, the Philippines has welcomed a total of 8,176 cruise passengers through various ports in the country.

Manila remained the country’s top cruise destination with re-

corded arrivals of 2,785 passengers, followed by Boracay with 1,145, Bohol with 692 passengers, and Pangasinan with 640 passengers.

“These numbers show that cruise tourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the Philippine tourism. This certainly

gives us a positive outlook for the country’s cruise tourism market for this year,” said Teo. Combined positive results in January and February figures will have represented the 17.30 percent of the tourism sector’s target of seven million arrivals in 2017. n

Pacquiao confident in…

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win-loss-draw. He won his last match via unanimous decision and defended his WBO welterweight title against Jessie Vargas last year.

Horn, on the other hand, has a record of 16-0-1 and 11 KOs. Top Rank Chief Bob Arum, who first saw Horn in his fight in New Zealand last November, likened the upcoming match to a

young lion challenging the alpha of the pride.

“This fight certainly has that theme,” he said.

Arum initially endorsed Pacquiao’s match against undefeated Horn on April 23 but it was put on hold as the possibility of a match against Britain’s Amir Khan this coming May in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was explored. n

California judge blocks part of Trump’s…

PAGE A1 t

order — “Enhancing the Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” — that directed the stripping of federal funds for areas that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies and do not hand over undocumented immigrants who are subject to deportation.

Those who do not comply “are not eligible to receive federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary,” the order read.

The injunction will remain as it moves through court, according to The Associated Press.

The White House called the ruling “yet one more example of egregious overreach by a single, unelected district judge.”

“San Francisco, and cities like it, are putting the well-being of criminal aliens before the safety of our citizens, and those city officials who authored these policies

have the blood of dead Americans on their hands,” the White House’s statement also said.

The president took to his Twitter account to express his reaction to another executive order that is facing a legal setback.

“First the Ninth Circuit rules against the ban & now it hits again on sanctuary cities — both ridiculous rulings. See you in the Supreme Court!” he wrote.

While it was not the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that issued Tuesday’s decision, the court will hear the White House’s appeal to the ruling.

Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent letters to nine areas across the country — which were identified by the DOJ’s inspector general last May as having laws that potentially violate federal law — reminding them that in order to obtain funding this year, they have until June 30 to provide proof that they are cooperating and sharing infor-

mation with federal immigration enforcement.

Among the recipients were the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and officials in Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Miami, Milwaukee, and Cook County, Illinois.

Various elected officials and immigration advocates across the country hailed the court’s ruling.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said it was “good news and reminds us that people’s rights transcend political stunts.”

“It is time for the federal government to stop attacking cities and scapegoating immigrants, and begin focusing on the hard work of comprehensive immigration reform,” he further said in his statement.

The LA mayor has repeatedly vowed that the city’s police department would not serve “as a

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PH coffee recognized at Global Coffee Expo SF Mayor Lee celebrates 100 apartments WASHINGTON, D.C. — Philippine Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Commercial Crops Development Evelyn Laviña led the Philippine delegation to the Global Specialty Coffee Expo hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in Seattle, Washington last April 20-23.

For the first time in Philippine coffee history, the country’s coffee varieties from different production areas were cupped and graded by certified Q graders from across the globe following the cupping protocol of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

These included the winning Robusta and Arabica coffee varieties in the recently concluded Kape Pilipino Coffee Competition held in Cavite State University, Philippines.

The said winning varieties were produced by two members of the Philippine delegation, namely, Imelda Mendoza of Kape Maramag Association and Bai Adelina Tarino of Inhandig Tribal MultiPurpose Cooperative, both coffee farmers from Bukidnon.

Through the joint efforts of the Philippine Coffee Board and the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), and in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine coffee farmers are now being prepared to compete with the world market.

“This ‘cupping’ at the Global Coffee Expo in Seattle, Washington is a prelude to making the world know of Philippine coffee,” said Undersecretary Laviña.

Cupping is important for coffee farmers to know the value of their coffee produce and for them to know the right price for their coffee.

The Coffee Quality Institute also showcased Philippine coffee

protected under City’s small sites lending program

The Philippine delegation attending the Global Specialty Coffee Expo in Seattle, Washington April 20-23 and the Port to-Cup Coffee Tour in Seattle and Portland on April 24-29.

in its booth and recognized the Bukidnon-based coffee farmers during its 19th Annual luncheon held on Sunday, April 23.

After the Coffee Expo, the Philippine delegation will participate in the “Port-to-Cup Coffee Tour” supported and organized

by Atlas Coffee and the Coffee Quality Institute, to visit facilities in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

The Philippine Specialty Coffee Industry will have the chance to physically see the path coffee takes once it arrives in the United States, to better understand the US Specialty Coffee industry, and to further develop direct relationships with some top coffee roasters and retailers.

It is meant as an opportunity for roasters and coffee shop owners, and other coffee stakeholder to talk about coffee, including storage, transport, roasting techniques, roast curves, packaging, equipment, and other details of the trade.

While noting the tight competition in the global market for coffee, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the United States Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa is optimistic

Poe, Gordon reiterate…

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need for me to inhibit as chair,” he said. “I will be fair in conducting the hearings and when it’s time to sponsor the bill on the floor, I can assign one of the proponents of the bill to sponsor it. It has been done before.”

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the death penalty bill would be “dead” in the Senate, saying 13 senators were “likely to vote” against it.

“By my own estimate, there are at least thirteen senators who will block the passage of the death penalty bill, including the six-member minority group and seven from the majority block,” Drilon said, without specifying names.

Apart from Drilon, other minority members are Senators Bam Aquino, Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV. “It’s dead and the chances of

resurrecting it before we even bring it to a vote are very slim, if not zero, at least in this Congress,” Drilon said.

He went on to say, “We are ready to lead the fight against the death penalty bill. We believe that a death penalty law was not and will never be an effective deterrence against crime.”

“It will be detrimental to the poor who will be made victims of this cruel and inhumane punishment due to the inefficiencies of our judicial system,” he added.

Latest figures from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that three out of five Filipinos approve the reimposition of capital punishment for drug-related crimes.

In the survey, which was conducted from March 25 to 28, 61 percent of 1,200 adult respondents “strongly or somewhat approve” of the measure while 23 percent “somewhat or strongly disapprove.” n

FVR says Paynor is best…

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poned as he was given the task to serve as the director-general for operations for this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) National Organizing Council.

Currently, the Philippine Embassy in Washington is headed

by Chargé d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto, a career Philippine diplomat.

According to Ramos, Duterte could still appoint Paynor, but that would have to be after the end of the year when Manila passes its ASEAN chairmanship to its successor.

“If there is a need to put somebody else before that, now or the next two or three months because of certain things happening, by all means, we should have one,” the former president said.

He said leaving the position vacant is worrisome, citing the nearly 4 million Filipino Americans in the U.S. “But it must be a combination of a well-known leader, who is recognized at least in the U.S., who has money backing him up because it’s so expensive being there, or a career ambassador, and there are so many of them, backed up by the government in

Marciano Paynor, Jr.

terms of extra expenses,” Ramos recommended.

Paynor previously served as protocol chief to former Presidents Ramos and Gloria Arroyo.

He also served as Arroyo’s presidential assistant for state and foreign visits.

Likewise, he served Philippine diplomatic posts in Israel and Cyprus, and as Consul General in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Before his foreign service career, Paynor was a military officer. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1971 and retired in 1983 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. (AJPress)

California judge blocks part…

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federal immigration force.”

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said the city would remain a sanctuary jurisdiction, arguing that such areas “are safer, healthier, more productive places to live.”

“San Francisco’s sanctuary city laws are in compliance with federal law. If the federal government believes there is a need to detain a serious criminal they can obtain a criminal warrant, which we will honor, as we always have,” he said in a statement.

A day after the ruling, on Wednesday, April 26, the De-

partment of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office devoted to helping victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.

“The president’s callous exploitation of isolated tragedies for political and ideological gain is profoundly irresponsible,” a coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups in California said in a statement, adding that the administration is “trying to demonize millions of people who are a vital part of our communities.”

(Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

that with the climatic and soil conditions in key areas of the Philippines, the farmers’ sustainable practices and the joint focus and efforts of the government and private sector in developing the specialty coffee industry in partnership with trading partners, quality Philippine coffee can have its niche in the United States and the world, and the premium price it can potentially enjoy will be expected as a means to increase the incomes of smallholder coffee farmers.

According to a 2015 consumer survey conducted by National Coffee Association of America, 48% of U.S. coffee cups are perceived by the consumer to be specialty. The retail value of the U.S. coffee market is estimated to be $48 billion dollars with specialty comprising approximately

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced Tuesday, April 25, that the City’s Small Sites Program (SSP) has purchased more than 100 units, a major milestone for the tenantprotection program founded in 2014.

The SSP provides financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of privately owned properties in order to shield existing tenants from eviction. The program benefits a diverse population of longterm tenants and expands affordable housing opportunities in San Francisco. Housing acquired through the SSP will be permanently affordable for existing tenants and future generations of tenants.

“The protection of rent-controlled units help middle and working-class families who are struggling to keep a foothold in our city,” said Mayor Lee. “This program helps long-term San Franciscans stay in their homes and in the neighborhoods where they have planted roots and built a community. If we want our City to retain the unique fabric of each neighborhood, we need to protect these residents.”

Two acquisitions that were completed in the past month, one at 63 Lapidge Street by the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), and one at 4042 Fulton Street by the San Francisco Community Land Trust, allowed the program to exceed its 100-unit milestone at 103 units.

Later this week, 3198 24th Street will be acquired by MEDA, pro-

tecting another eight households from the threat of displacement.

When the 24th Street property closes, the SSP will have contributed $36.2 million in City funds to help non-profit sponsors purchase and renovate 19 properties. Additionally, there are 10 other pending applications that are expected to close this summer.

“MEDA is proud to be a major part of the City and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development’s efforts to expand their Small Sites Program and save vulnerable tenants from eviction,” said MEDA Director of Community Real Estate Karoleen Feng. “MEDA has already been able to purchase nine buildings, comprising 48 units, via funds from this innovative affordablehousing program. Residents include artists, teachers, single mothers, immigrants and others, all now able to stay in the Mission.”

The site at 4042 Fulton Street is a three-story, five-unit building that houses three retired senior households and two families with children under 18. Some of the tenants have lived in that building for as many as 40 years.

Renovations for the building will be focused on improving health, safety, building envelope and other systems. The building will also be brought up to the City’s Soft Story Retrofit code by September.

“Our Small Sites Acquisition Program is one of the most impactful tools that we have to stem

displacement, stop real estate speculation and prevent the loss of our precious rent controlled housing stock,” said District One Supervisor Sandra Fewer. “I am proud to have worked with the Housing Rights Committee, the San Francisco Community Land Trust and MOHCD to lock down this site in my neighborhood, the first in the Richmond District and on the west side of San Francisco.

I strongly support the Small Sites Program and look forward to its stabilizing many more homes in the future.”

“I would like to thank Mayor Lee, Sandra Fewer, the Housing Rights Committee and the San Francisco Land Trust for allowing us to remain in our home of 40 years,” said Deborah Strom, a resident of 4042 Fulton Street.

“Without their combined help and perseverance, we would have unquestionably been just another eviction statistic in San Francisco.”

“Every time a building goes on the market, we hold our breath,” said Joseph Smooke of the Housing Rights Committee. “Landlords who buy these smaller apartment buildings often use various no fault eviction strategies to get current tenants out so they can move in new, more affluent tenants or sell off the units for large profits. This is the first Small Site acquisition in the Richmond, and it gives us hope that we can keep using this program to stabilize tenants throughout the western neigh-

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FDA takes action against 14 companies for selling illegal cancer treatments

THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted on Tuesday, April 25, warning letters addressed to 14 U.S.-based companies illegally selling more than 65 products that fraudulently claim to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure cancer. The products are marketed and sold without FDA approval, most commonly on websites and social media platforms.

“Consumers should not use these or similar unproven products because they may be unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate and potentially life-saving cancer diagnosis or treatment,” said Douglas JESSE’S JOURNEY. In this April 22 photo, Vice President Leni Robredo graced the launch of “Nay, Ano ang Bayan?: Ang Kwento ni Jesse W. Stearn, director of the Office Robredo”— a children’s storybook that tells the leadership journey of Jesse Robredo.

Office of the Vice President of Enforcement and Import Operations in the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs. “We encourage people to remain vigilant whether online or in a store, and avoid purchasing products marketed to treat cancer without any proof they will work. Patients “I thought that if I kept my nose immigration policies and in- should consult with their health

by Klarize Medenilla AJPress clean nothing would happen.” crease in hate crimes across the care professional about proper Although Trump touts an iron nation,” Advancing Justice - LA prevention, diagnosis and treatTWO months ago, agents fist approach to immigration, legal advocate Tiffany Panlilio ment of cancer.” from the Immigration Customs he has previously wavered on wrote to the Asian Journal in an Enforcement (ICE) went against his plans for DACA recipients. email. “As service providers, it is President Donald Trump’s prom- In January, he assured that he troubling to see those who have ise to protect undocumented wouldn’t revoke DACA, tell- thrived under the DACA program PAGE A3 t youth and deported an undocu- ing ABC News that DREAMers who are now labeled as enforce- borhoods of San Francisco.” mented Mexican immigrant. “shouldn’t be very worried. I do ment priorities due to a past “It is quite exciting to see our An officer from the U.S. Cus- have a big heart.” order of deportation or a crime first small sites acquisition here toms and Border Protection apSince its introduction in 2012 they committed years ago.” in the Richmond, where too proached Juan Manuel Montes, by former President Barack Panlilio emphasized the im- many tenants are facing evic23, who moved to the U.S. at 9 Obama, DACA has provided ben- portance of DACA and how it tion,” said Tyler Macmillan of the years old, in Calexico, Calif. on efits for more than 750,000 un- has benefitted undocumented San Francisco Community Land February 17 and began interro- documented youth in the United Filipino youth. Previously, Pan- Trust. “This purchase was pargating him.

States. The specific benefits vary lilio told the Asian Journal that ticularly important in expanding He was arrested when he from state to state, but DACA Advancing Justice – LA has the Land Trust and Small Sites couldn’t produce identification – which is renewable every two helped undocumented youth be- model for permanent affordabilor proof of his status at the time, years – guarantees work authori- come career-minded individuals ity outside the central neighborand three hours later, was de- zation and protections from de- through DACA, including help- hoods.” ported back to Mexico. portation. ing out many aspiring Filipino For the 63 Lapidge Street and Montes was the first arrested Previously, DHS Secretary nurses obtain work authoriza- 24th Street properties, the SFCLT recipient of former President John Kelly and U.S. House tion and university enrollment and MEDA worked with eviction Barack Obama’s Deferred Action Speaker Paul Ryan have assured through the program. prevention organizations such for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that the DACA program will re“DACA has positively changed as the HRC and the Tenderloin program, a landmark executive main intact, but Montes’ arrest the lives of many undocumented Housing Clinic to identify proporder that grants benefits and puts many immigrant rights ac- Filipinos by granting them the erties with tenants at risk of Ellis opportunities for undocumented tivists at an unease. ability to legally work, provide Act evictions. The nonprofit ownyouth.

Legal and civil rights organiza- for their families, pursue a higher ers will complete renovations at Montes’ arrest marks the first tion Asian Americans Advancing education, and most importantly each property over the next few arrest made against a recipi- Justice - LA has been vocal about remain in the United States with- months to address delayed mainent since Trump’s entrance into its disdain for the Trump admin- out fear of being separated from tenance issues found at the propoffice. On Tuesday, April 18 – istration’s immigration policies, their families,” Panlilio added. erties and prepare vacant units about two months after his arrest accusing it of “preying upon “The DACA program continues for occupancy. After renovations – officials from the Department members of the undocumented to exist, but the new immigration are complete, vacant units will be of Homeland Security (DHS) community.” policies brought forth by the new offered for rent through a lottery “Some people told me that “Filipino DACA recipients are administration are allowing fear process to applicants with inthey were going to deport me; now more concerned and un- and anxiety to return to the com- comes up to 120 percent of Area others said nothing would hap- certain about their future in the munity and force them back into Median Income (AMI). pen,” Montes told USA TODAY. United States due to these new the shadows.” n Funding for the Small Sites

What the deportation of first DREAMer means for Filipino DACA recipients DACA beneficiary ordered back to Mexico by immigration officials

It is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to market and sell products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, mitigate or cure diseases without first demonstrating to the FDA that they are safe and effective for their labeled uses. The illegally sold products cited in the warning letters posted include a variety of product types, such as pills, topical creams, ointments, oils, drops, syrups, teas and diagnostics (such as thermography devices). They include products marketed for use by humans or pets that make illegal, unproven claims regarding preventing, reversing or curing cancer, killing/inhibiting cancer cells or tumors, or other similar anti-cancer claims.

The FDA has requested responses from the 14 companies stating how the violations will be corrected. Failure to correct the violations promptly may result in legal action, including product seizure, injunction, and/or criminal prosecution.

As part of the FDA’s effort to protect consumers from cancer

health fraud, the FDA has issued more than 90 warning letters in the past 10 years to companies marketing hundreds of fraudulent products making cancer claims on websites, social media, and in stores. Although many of these companies have stopped selling the products or making fraudulent claims, numerous unsafe and unapproved products continue to be sold directly to consumers due in part to the ease with which companies can move their marketing operations to new websites. The FDA continues to monitor and take action against companies promoting and selling unproven treatments in an effort to minimize the potential dangers to consumers and to educate consumers about the risks.

The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse reactions associated with these or similar products to the agency’s MedWatch program.

For more information log on to www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ ProtectYourself/HealthFraud/ ucm533467.htm. n

SF Mayor Lee celebrates 100 apartments…

Program comes from the voterapproved Housing Trust Fund, the $310 million housing bond approved by voters in 2015, Inclusionary Housing Program fees, condo conversion fees, Development Impact Fees and the SoMa Stabilization Fund.

“Preventing displacement and gentrification requires many strategies including tenant protection, building new affordable housing and preserving existing affordable units,” said Rich Gross of Enterprise Community Partners Inc., a lender to small sites acquisitions. “The Small Sites Program is key to the preservation strategy. The City of San Francisco’s program of taking unrestricted affordable homes off the speculative market and mak-

ing them permanently affordable is leading the country.”

“The small sites program is creating lasting impact amidst San Francisco’s rapidly increasing cost of housing,” said Ross Culverwell, the Northern California Community Loan Fund’s Chief Lending Officer. “Through the program we’ve been able to keep long-time city residents in their homes and in San Francisco.”

The recent milestone in the Small Sites program demonstrates the Mayor’s collaboration between community organizations and the City to create more affordable housing and economic stability throughout the City’s neighborhoods impacted by gentrification. n

PH coffee recognized at Global…

PAGE A3 t

55 percent value share.

ACDI/VOCA implements the four-year USDA Food for Progress Mindanao Productivity for Agricultural Commerce and Trade (MinPACT) project. MinPACT increases the incomes of smallholder cocoa, coconut, and cof-

fee farming families in Southern and Western Mindanao. ACDI/ VOCA and its partners do this by strengthening farmers’ capacity and that of other value chain actors for improved farm management, increased productivity, product quality, available services, and access to markets. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

AI to Justice chief Aguirre: Send clear message vs killings

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA — Rights advocacy group Amnesty International (AI) released on Tuesday, April 25 an open letter to the Justice secretary, urging him to send a clear message to the police that extrajudicial killings are unacceptable and to press charges against security forces found to have violated the law.

In a letter signed by 20 Amnesty International sections, the human rights group urged Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to tell law enforcement officers that extrajudicial killings are unacceptable and strictly prohibited at all times, adding that these actions by government authorities may constitute a crime against humanity.

The Palace has stressed repeatedly that there is no policy for state-sanctioned killings and has said that the police is investigating the killings. Aguirre himself has said in the past, however, that criminals are “not humanity”, implying that their deaths cannot be considered a crime against humanity.

He has since claimed that he was misquoted in reports that used direct quotes of what he said.

Amnesty International also called for a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into drug-related killings particularly those allegedly committed by the law enforcement forces and if warranted file criminal charges against them.

“We are writing to urge you to send a clear message that the unlawful killing of alleged drug offenders is never justified, and to ask you to ensure prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into all killings by police and unknown armed persons since the start of the government’s ‘war on drugs’,” the letter read, adding that the results of such investigations should be made public.

Critics of the drug war blame the government for thousands of deaths since the campaign against illegal narcotics was launched in June 2016.

International human rights

Wilnor Papa and Sr. Maria Vida Cordero of Amnesty International condemn the killings of poor people during a press conference in Quezon City in February. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

groups, organizations and governments have condemned the rise in killings.

They have released reports that allege that police authorities kill drug suspects and are paid for this. These reports have also detailed how policemen have allegedly deputized vigilante groups to extend their operations to kill drug suspects and users.

Authorities have disputed that around 9,000 have died, saying that not all these deaths are related to the campaign on drugs.

They say that about a third of the figure were killed by policemen in self-defense during legitimate police operations. Others have been blamed on vigilantes and drug syndicates.

AI also expressed its concern on the “widespread and continued killing” of alleged drug offenders, saying that these may constitute crimes against humanity.

It also criticized Duterte and his senior government figures for continuously inciting police and private citizens to kill drug sellers, in direct contravention of local laws.

It added that anti-narcotics operations violated the “non-derogable” right to life and undermined people’s right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and mental health, forcing many into involuntary and inadequate rehabilitation programs.

The group also took note of the fact that until now no police officer had been investigated nor charged for suspected extralegal

executions.

In March, 19 police officers, including Superintendent Marvin Marcos, were arrested over the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and another inmate in a Leyte provincial jail. The police claimed they were serving a search warrant on Espinosa’s cell when the mayor, who was in custody on drug and firearms charges, shot at them, triggering a shootout.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said in his speeches that he will back police charged over the war on drugs and promised them pardons.

In preparing its letter, AI also cited evidence unearthed in its report titled “If You Are Poor, You’re Killed: Extrajudicial Executions in the Philippines ‘War on Drugs’” that suggested that the majority of the killings were extrajudicial and deliberate killings by government officers.

The report also discovered a connection between state authorities and persons paid to carry out these executions, AI said, adding that police officers were also given payments to kill.

AI sections in Australia, Belgium Francophone, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan and US signed the open letter. According to the AI website, the organization has sections or national offices in more than 70 countries.

EARTH DAY. Activists from the Kalikasan People’s Network join scientists in holding the “Philippine March for Science” that called for a climate science program in the country, as part of Saturday’s Earth Day celebrations.

ManilaTimes.net photo

SC allows Torre de Manila construction to continue by edu

PunAy Philstar.com

MANILA - “Photo bomber” or not, the towering structure under construction in the background of the monument in Rizal Park in Manila will stay.

Voting 9-6, the Supreme Court in summer session in Baguio City dismissed the 2014 petition of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) seeking the demolition of Torre de Manila of DMCI Homes for supposedly ruining the background of the Rizal monument, in violation of the law on heritage landmark protection.

The high court lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued in June 2015 that stopped the construction of the condominium.

In its ruling, the SC said there is no law prohibiting the construction of the building.

The high tribunal rejected the argument of KOR that DMCI violated several laws mandating the protection and preservation of the Rizal Monument by defacing the visual corridors of the monument.

Petitioner had cited Republic Act No. 4846 (Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act), RA 7356 (law creating the National Commission on Culture and the Arts) and RA 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 or an

The 49-story Torre de Manila high-rise condominium looms in the background of the Rizal Monument in Manila on Tuesday, April 25.

Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

Act Providing for the Protection and Conservation of the National Cultural Heritage) as the laws violated by DMCI. The SC also junked the petition on technical grounds, citing its lack of jurisdiction on the issues raised in the petition as well as the lack of legal standing of the KOR to question the construction of Torre de Manila before the Court.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio penned the majority

decision with eight magistrates concurring—Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Bienvenido Reyes, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic Leonen and Noel Tijam.

Six justices dissented from the decision—Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Jose Mendoza, Francis Jardeleza, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa and Samuel Martires.

The copies of the main decision and concurring and dissenting opinions were not immediately released pending completion of signatures by the justices.

The petition was filed in September 2014 and subjected to oral arguments in August 2015. DMCI immediately welcomed the ruling.

“Moving on, we will immediately resume construction to finally end the undue suffering of our stakeholders, most especially our workers and future residents who depended on our commitment to complete the project,” DMCI Homes said in a statement.

The developer said it would “immediately advise its customers and future residents on the upPAGE A7

A

April 28-mAy 4, 2017 • NOrCAl ASiAN JOUrNAl

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

OpiniOn

Excursion

Features

WITH bilateral relations between China and the Philippines blossoming in multiple fronts, the territorial dispute in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea is an issue the two countries cannot simply dance around anymore.

Over the weekend, Beijing protested the visit by Manila’s defense and military chiefs to Pag-Asa, or Thitu Island, a disputed area in the South China Sea. The Philippine contingent was carried off by an Air Force C-130 transport plane on Friday, April 21 to assert the country’s claim to the disputed area where China is believed to have added missiles on man-made islands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang expressed China’s displeasure over the high-profile Philippine visits to the island, saying China was “gravely concerned about and dissatisfied” by the island visits and adding that China “has lodged representations with the Philippine side.”

Manila maintains that it owns the territory, which is part of an island municipality under its western province of Palawan and is where some Filipino troops and villagers have lived for decades.

“The visit of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to Pag-asa Island is part of the efforts to improve the safety, welfare, livelihood of Filipinos residing and living in the municipality of Kalayaan, which is part of the province of Palawan,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Malacañang earlier confirmed that representatives from the two countries have set up a meeting in May to craft a bilateral mechanism on how

to “properly handle” maritime disputes. The scheme aims to forge mutual trust and maritime cooperation, and to further avoid misunderstandings and provocations over the issue.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit China next month for the “One Belt, One Road” summit upon the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

China will also host a meeting in May with members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss the completion of a framework on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which mandates selfrestraint and non-militarization in the contested waters.

The Asian powerhouse claims the largest swathe of the strategic waters and has been increasingly assertive in pressing its ownership over the disputed areas against its smaller neighbors such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The sea has played a major role in globalization. But it has also provided an access for actions of oppression, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, smuggling, and other illegal activities.

Because of the many opportunities (and dangers) that lie in the sea, countries invest on their maritime forces to man the waters surrounding their nations not only to establish peace and security, but also protect their sovereignty. (AJPress)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Aquinomics was a fake, Dutertenomics has substance policy were: to reduce DURING his first 10 the growth of govmonths in office, Pres- Commentary ernment spending, ident Rodrigo Duterte reduce the federal inhas signaled a clear come tax and capital break and a change of gains tax, reduce govtone from the adminisernment regulation, tration of President Beand tighten the money nigno Aquino III—on supply in order to reboth the domestic and Yen Makabenta duce inflation. foreign policy fronts.

Reaganomics was so effective in proNowhere has the change been more pronounced and significant than in the moting US prosperity, Reagan triggered the Soviet Union’s collapse and bankarea of economic policy.

Through its economic management ruptcy.

Aquinomics, DAP, underspending team, the Duterte administration has Aquinomics preceded the rise of fake now unfurled the length and breadth of its economic policy agenda. It carries news and alternative truth. Noynoy the unimposing title, “Dutertenomics.” Aquino himself never appeared to know But it will have an impact that will reach what Aquinomics was all about. He lost far into the future, and up to the end of his first economic planning secretary and Neda director-general (Catalino DU30’s term in 2022.

Dutertenomics does not bear as many Paderanga) within the first few months stretchmarks as “Aquinomics,” which of his presidency. Purisima turned out the Aquino 3rd administration assidu- to be no economist at all (he just had ously tried to promote, but dropped hast- funds to pay the ratings agencies, and ily when it did not fly. (Ateneo economist he tried to foist the Philippines as the Cielito Habito was Aquinomics’ loudest new darling of Asia or new Asian ecopromoter in the opinion page of the In- nomic miracle).

Aquino and Purisima concocted the quirer. Aquino’s finance secretary, Cesar Purisima, was its drumbeater of inflated dishonest scheme of selling Aquino’s economic policy agenda by disparaging achievements.)

Reaganomics bankrupts Soviet his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo‘s policies, which had been successUnion The plain fact, of course, is that both ful in recording over 40 quarters of posiDutertenomics and Aquinomics are pal- tive growth by the Philippine economy.

They set their sights on obtaining investlid imitations of Reaganomics.

Reaganomics, a neologism that con- ment-grade ratings for the economy from flates Reagan and economics in one the ratings agencies. Aquino relentlessly word, refers to the economic policies portrayed the Arroyo administration as promoted by President Reagan during corrupt and the Arroyo years as “the lost the 1980s. These policies are commonly decade.”

In discharging the role of economic associated with supply-side economics, which is often referred to as trickle-down manager, chief executives are expected economics or as voodoo economics by to meet popular and elite expectations political opponents, and billed as free- that their actions will result in a prospermarket economics by political advo- ous economy. Presidents must develop policies and develop support by the pubcates.

The four pillars of Reagan’s economic lic.

Aquino had a contrarian view of presidential economic leadership. In a sharp departure from John Maynard Keynes’ dictum on the role of government spending in the economy, Aquino espoused underspending. He hoarded substantial chunks of what Congress appropriated in the annual budget. When Aquino left office in 2016, he and his managers boasted that they were leaving behind a trillion pesos in unspent budget. He literally starved the economy of public funds.

Policies of Dutertenomics With the flag-raising of Dutertenomics, the hollow ring of Aquinomics is manifest.

With no pretense to being an economist and with a good team of economic managers, President Duterte is emerging as a more effective and able economic leader than Aquino.

Dutertenomics was unveiled on Tuesday, April 18, in a forum at the new Conrad hotel in the SM Mall of Asia.

Nominally, Dutertenomics sounds like a lot of hype and spin. It provokes skepticism from Filipinos who are sick to death of Tuwid na Daan (Straight Path), which turned out to be more crooked than sin.

Dutertenomics, I am relieved to say, appears to have plenty of substance It has a coherent and clear-eyed view of the economy. Its policies and proposals lead directly to programs. As explained by our economic managers, the following policies embody the essence of the economic agenda: 1. A golden age of infrastructure. The Philippines will create nothing less than a “golden age of infrastructure” if it is to do away with structural poverty and become a middle-income nation in one generation. Infrastructure will knit our islands closer together and bring investment, trade and tourism to our most rural provinces as well as our most crowed

cities.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernie Pernia of the National Economic and Development Board and Budget Secretary Ben Diokno announced at the forum that the administration plans to spend a whopping P8.4 trillion over the next six years on infrastructure.

2. We can do this ourselves. Instead of the PPP formula of Aquino, which relies on the private sector to do the heavy lifting, the government under President Duterte will plan, build, and finance the infrastructure itself.

The country has been awash in dollarbased liquidity from OFW and BPO earnings. Global interest rates and inflation are still low (though slowly rising), and the peso recently posted its strongest rally in over two years.

3. “We will go into debt at home to pay for our infrastructure.” Budget Secretary Diokno plans to run an annual budget deficit of 3 percent of GDP starting next year in order to finance these projects. It is possible for him to do this now, with stable public finances and low debt ever since the tax reforms initiated under both Arroyo and Aquino 3rd.

4. “We will go into deficit abroad to pay for our infrastructure.” For the first time in many years, our current account last quarter swung from surplus to deficit. But this can be managed in light of our foreign exchange reserves and a strengthening peso, which allows us to import infrastructure components for less money.

5. “We will reform our tax system in order to ‘pay as you go.” The comprehensive tax reform package (CTRP) now pending in Congress is the best way for the Philippines to raise the additional taxes needed to pay for infrastructure out of pocket.

Key infrastructure projects The infrastructure program is designed for the whole country, but it will

impact especially Metro Manila and its weary residents, who will see nothing less than the transformation and modernization of the metropolitan capital within the next five years.

The notable projects are the following: 1. NLEX Harbor Link—A partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways headed by Mark Villar, with Manny Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific. Already halfway finished, this elevated roadway will transport cargo from the Manila ports to NLEX for points north, expediting logistics and keeping big container trucks out of Manila’s busiest streets.

2. Luzon Spine Expressway—Intended to cut travel time between La Union and Bicol to less than 12 hours. This web of road projects includes the North-South Connector Road, also already being built

by Metro Pacific, that will let travelers between NLEX and SLEX bypass Metro Manila streets altogether.

3. PNR North and South Rails —The northbound link spans 100 kilometers from Tutuban to Clark, while the southbound link will connect first to Calamba and Los Baños, then to the Bicol region.

4. Metro Manila Subway—Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade expects the President and Japanese Prime Minister Abe to sign the contract for the subway by November. The first phase will comprise 13 subway stations, from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the FTI and NAIA in Taguig.

To summarize, the Dutertenomics forum presented an impressive showcase.

It showed beyond doubt that there‘s more to the Duterte administration than the drug war.

On the economic policy front, Filipinos have a fully working and resolute government.

Where there is political will, there is clearly a way. (ManilaTImes.net)

Correcting the injustice done against GMA Shooting Straight BoBit S. AvilA CALL this an Easter gift of an answered prayer for our dear friend, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) who just got the news that the Supreme Court voting 11-4 affirmed its earlier decision junking the former President’s Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) plunder case that was filed against her

allegedly for the misuse of P366 million in intelligence funds during the time of Pres. Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III for “insufficiency of evidence.” This SC decision speaks volumes of the grave injustice done against her during the Aquino regime!

We have always believed that PGMA was innocent of anything and that the evidence pinned against her was very weak and that she did not deserve to be incarcerated at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) for nearly four years, courtesy of then Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima. This is why when people talk about the plight of Sen. De Lima; the majority say

that she has tasted “Karma.”

But that the Aquino regime (led

by P-Noy, DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales) forced PGMA to remain incarcerated at the VMMC only proves the vindictiveness of P-Noy. Now that the SC has cleared PGMA, I dare demand from former President Aquino who was also a former student of PGMA to apologize for her nearly four-year incarceration.

Of course, we do not expect PNoy to issue this apology simply because, he doesn’t know what an apology is. The fact is… he did not even apologize for the untimely deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists who were killed by a de-

ranged police officer on Aug. 23, 2010, which caused a diplomatic row with China.

Hmmm perhaps Noy would be better off apologizing for the Hacienda Luisita massacre or the impeachment of the late SC Chief Justice Renato Corona or the deaths of the 44 SAF troopers in Mamasapano!

But I know that Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo doesn’t have a vindictive heart and for sure, she won’t file any charges against -PNoy for the injustice done against her. I just wish that our justice system would come up with a way to correct an injustice when it stares us in the face. But then again, karma has its way of re-

Former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

turning the favor when the Office of the Ombudsman was forced to make P-Noy respond on what was

his role in the misuse of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP)? (Philstar.com)

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 28-mAy 4, 2017

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Ex-bank manager, Philrem executives indicted for $81-M laundering

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. branch manager Maia SantosDeguito and executives of remittance firm Philrem Service Corp. for laundering $81-million funds stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank.

In a 12-page resolution, investigating prosecutors found probable cause to justify the filing of charges of money laundering under Republic Act 9160 (AntiMoney Laundering Act) against Deguito and four unidentified persons who created fictitious bank accounts in RCBC where the stolen amounts were deposited. Also indicted were Philrem executives Salud Bautista,

Michael Bautista and Anthony Pelejo.

The DOJ said the accused conspired to launder the stolen money through the bank.

The prosecutors held that Deguito is criminally liable “based on the fact that she facilitated the withdrawal of the said funds from RCBC and depositing them to the accounts of the unknown and fictitious account holders.�

As for the Philrem executives, the DOJ rejected their defense that they knew nothing about the hacking and heist at the Bangladesh Bank.

The Bautista couple and Pelejo were charged for violating Section 4 a (transacts monetary instruments or property that represents, involves, or related to the proceeds of an unlawful activity),

4 b (converts, transfers, disposes of, moves, acquires, possesses or uses said monetary instrument or property), 4 f (performs or fails to perform any act as a result of which he facilitates a money laundering offense); Section 9 b (record keeping); and Section 14 c (malicious reporting) of RA 9160.

The DOJ filed the cases upon complaint filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

In the same resolution, however, the DOJ has dismissed the money laundering charges against casino junket operators Kim Wong and Weikang Xu “for insufficiency of evidence.�

It stressed that the allegations of the AMLC against them “were not supported by direct evidence but mainly by conjectures and implications.�

Duterte again hits US for criticizing drug war by alExis

RomERo Philstar.com

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte slammed the United States for expressing concern over the killings linked to his war against drugs and dared it to explain supposed interference in other countries’ affairs.

He also vowed that the drug war would not stop as he again denied that the extrajudicial killings happening in the course of the campaign were state-sanctioned. “I will suppress drugs at all cost, at any cost. That’s why there are cases and allegations about me (getting) prosecuted before this court and that‌ but there are stupid statements just like (that of America for example),â€? the President said during the opening of Palarong Pambansa in Antique.

The President warned drug lords anew, saying he would not hesitate to kill them if they destroy the children and youth of the land. “Deaths will not stop. I am warning everybody into drugs or connected to drugs. If you continue with your business you will die,� Duterte said.

In a teleconference last Thursday, April 20, US Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia Patrick Murphy said there are “elements in the Philippines’ drug war operating outside the rule of law.�

Murphy said the growing number of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines is “troubling� and that the US would continue to express concern on the issue publicly and privately. “We are urging the Philippines to follow up on its commitment to investigate extrajudicial killings, whether they’re committed by law enforcement or of a vigilante nature,� Murphy said.

Duterte claimed the US had issued “stupid� statements against his crackdown on illegal drugs, a menace that he said has contaminated four million Filipinos. He had earlier lashed at former US president Barack Obama for criticizing his drug war as well.

Duterte went on to discuss the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 that he claimed caused more problems in the Middle East.

He said the US must explain how “in hell were they able to invade Iraq under the excuse or pretext of weapons of mass destruction that proved to be nonexistent and creating chaos in the country and killing (former Iraq president) Saddam (Hussein) for nothing.� “Now the Middle East is on fire,� the President said.

Duterte also accused the US of undermining former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and recalled the US invasion of Panama in 1989 – moves that he said Washington must explain.

He said the US “shanghaied kidnapped (Panama) president

(Manuel) Noriega of Panama to stand trial in New York, he is there serving time there,� the President said.

Duterte also demanded that the US explain why it went to Vietnam to “kill peopleâ€? and why there are two African Americans who die everyday for every one dead white American. “Unless they can explain it to me, I would say again, State Department, go to hell and don’t (‌) with me,â€? Duterte said as he held back on dropping the fword.

The President said the government is not behind extrajudicial killings but permitted policemen to shoot drug suspects if they feel that their lives are in danger. He claimed to be losing three to five policemen and soldiers everyday because of the war on drugs. “What do you think is really happening? Shoot them immediately. Why do I have to lose a policeman and a military man?

We spend a lot for their training and they will end up being killed?� Duterte said.

The Duterte administration has allowed local government units to establish drug rehabilitation centers across the country using part of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

The government has been criticized for its bloody drug war and is being urged to refocus its campaign on rehabilitation rather than employing force to eliminate the menace.

ALIWAN FESTIVAL. Sigabong Float, Bago City’s float entry, won 2nd place in the 15th Aliwan Festival held in the cities of Manila and Pasay.

Pia.gov.ph photo

AFP to China: Probe Pinoy fishers’ harassment by alExis

RomERo Philstar.com

MANILA - The military is hopeful that China will conduct an impartial probe into reports that the Chinese navy drove away Filipino fishermen at Union Banks in the disputed Spratlys chain.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has submitted its investigation report to the Department of Foreign Affairs. “It is up to the DFA to act on the matter,â€? AFP chief Gen. Eduardo AĂąo said.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman for the AFP, said the Chinese government has vowed to investigate the incident, which was relayed by Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano to media last

week. “The Chinese government said they will look into the matter and we’re going to wait for that,� Padilla said.

Padilla said the Philippine government is conducting its own investigation of the incident. “We have relayed that information to the Department of Foreign Affairs to act on it. If it is determined that indeed it is the Chinese navy and not the coast guard, then appropriate protest through diplomatic channels will have to be given out,� he said.

Padilla said the government has sent representatives to talk to the fishermen who were allegedly harassed by the Chinese navy.

Citing statements from witnesses, Alejano said the Chinese

navy fired shots to deter Filipino fishermen from going to Union Banks on April 9. “According to initial reports, it was the Chinese coast guard that was involved in the Union Banks incident. However, in our meeting with the fishermen, we were told that it was actually a Chinese navy ship,� Alejano said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier ordered the AFP to investigate the incident.

Union Banks is located within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen took place near Gaven Reef, one of seven artificial islands built by China in the Spratlys. (With reports from Jaime Laude)

SC allows Torre de Manila construction...

PAGE A5 dated construction timeline since the initial target completion date has been critically affected by the long-standing TRO.�

DMCI has persistently asked the high court to resolve the case and lift the TRO it issued on the completion of the 49-story building in June 2015, citing business losses and damages to third parties – especially buyers of units in the condominium.

The developer asked the SC to dismiss the petition, which could cost about P4.27 billion in capital

investments and unrealized profits, if granted by the court. It said it had already spent P1.28 billion for the construction of the condominium as of May 2015.

DMCI also warned that granting the petition would create a dangerous precedent and result in “economic havoc,� pointing out that high-rise buildings surround most of the monuments in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

The KOR, for its part, said it respects the decision and found consolation in the public support

it received for its cause. “We thank the public for carrying this issue with us and for making the same as a test case for Philippine heritage for whatever the outcome would have been,� the group said in a statement. “The public support that was expressed in favor of our stand was an indication not only of the importance of the national monument but also to the continued relevance and reverence of our national hero,� it added. (With reports from Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano)

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April 28-mAy 4, 2017 • NOrCAl ASiAN JOUrNAl

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 28-MAY 4, 2017

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

Your Immigration Solution Michael Bhotiwihok and nancy Miller IN Ramirez v. Brown, the Ninth Circuit recently held that a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipient is eligible to adjust to legal permanent resident status in the United States. The Ninth Circuit reasoned that receiving TPS deems an individual to be in lawful status and satisfies the nonimmigrant requirements, such as inspection and admission, for adjustment of status purposes.

In Ramirez, a dispute arose over whether being a TPS designee provided a pathway to obtaining lawful permanent residence status under the adjustment statute.

The United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) found Ramirez ineligible to adjust to lawful permanent resident status on that ground that he last entered the country without inspection therefore he had not been inspected, admitted or paroled as required by Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 245(a).

The Ninth Circuit held that being a TPS designee provides a pathway to a green card. Residents in the Ninth Circuit who are TPS recipients now can adjust to lawful permanent status in the United States instead of consular processing in a foreign country.

INA Section 245(a) requires that an applicant prove that he or she has been inspected and admitted (or paroled) before being eligible to adjust status to lawful permanent residency. Because of the Ramirez decision, TPS recipients who entered the United States without inspection are now considered admitted and qualify for adjustment of status under INA Section 245(a) provided they have an independent means of immigrating.

Prior to the Ramirez decision, adjustment of status to lawful permanent residency in the United States could be achieved by proof of a legal entry, an exception under INA 245(i), advance parole, or parole based on a fam-

TPS as a pathway to a green card

ily member in the United States Armed Forces.

The Ninth Circuit decision is significant because of the geographic reach of the large number of TPS recipients affected in California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Further, TPS recipients do not have to leave the United States and consular process through a United States Embassy or Consulate. Families are kept together and lives continue in the United States.

The Ninth Circuit joins the Six Circuit in finding that noncitizens with a grant of TPS who entered the country illegally are eligible to apply for a green card in the United States. However, the Eleventh Circuit is at odds with the Ninth and Sixth Circuits thereby creating a split. Until the conflicting decisions are decided by the United States Supreme Court, there will be inconsistent application of immigration law among the Circuit Courts and throughout the country.

TPS may be granted by the USCIS to foreign nationals due to conditions in their country, such as a natural disaster or civil war, which prevent the foreign nationals who are living in the United States from returning safely to their country. The Department of Homeland Security has currently designated the following countries for TPS: El Salvador, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

TPS status allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States without the fear of being removed/deported. TPS is a temporary benefit that does not directly lead to a green card. However, registration for TPS does not prevent one from applying for nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status based on an immigrant petition, or any other immigration benefit or protection.

For TPS recipients outside of the Sixth and Ninth Circuits, at-

tention must be directed to monitoring current pending cases in their respective jurisdictions.

For example this year, in Bonilla v. Johnson, the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, held that a grant of TPS satisfies the threshold requirement of admission for purposes of becoming eligible for adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident.

In addition, TPS recipients should consider alternative routes to obtaining a green card. The Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (“Provisional Waiver”) allows beneficiaries of immigrant visa petitions who were not inspected and admitted to the United States to apply for a waiver of the ten-year bar that will be triggered by departing the country to apply for an immigrant visa abroad. The Provisional Waiver allows applicants to know whether their waiver is approved or not before departing the United States. Thus, the uncertainty and risks of leaving the United States to consular process are alleviated. The Provisional Waiver decreases the time that families are separated and keeps families together during the consular processing of an immigrant visa.

Any TPS recipient should seek the advice of an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to discuss his or her immigration options and eligibility to obtain a green card in the United States. ***

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)

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

WASHINGTON — The Philippine economy is capable of growing by around seven percent over the next two years on the back of robust domestic demand as well as a strong recovery in exports, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“Economic growth is expected to remain robust at around seven percent this year and next year led primarily by domestic

demand and a recovery in exports,” IMF deputy director for Asia and the Pacific Department Kenneth Kang said recently.

The economy grew 6.9 percent last year from 5.9 percent in 2015 on the back of the oneoff boost from election-related spending as well as higher investments, making the Philippines the fastest growing in the region.

Kang pointed out investor confidence remain strong as shown by the investment grade rating as well as positive and

stable outlooks from S&P Global Ratings, Moodys Investor Service, and Fitch Ratings.

External shocks arising from the normalization of interest rates in the U.S. and the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union more popularly known as Brexit as well as domestic political noise primarily from the all-out illegal drugs campaign of the Duterte administration have led to a volatile financial and capital markets.

“So overall we don’t see signs

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UK opens £4.5B export-import facility in PH

by MayveLin

U. carabaLLo ManilaTimes.net

THE United Kingdom has offered the Philippines a chance to tap its £4.5-billion export-import facility as a financing option for the Duterte Administration’s massive infrastructure program, the Department of Finance (DoF) said over the weekend.

In a statement, the DoF said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd explained to UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox in a recent meeting the Philippine

government’s focus on reversing the current income inequality in the country by fixing the infrastructure backlog and improving connectivity among the regions.

“The opportunities are already there, it is just a matter of providing infrastructure. Once you start [providing] connectivity, naturally that will attract investments,” Dominguez was quoted as saying during their meeting.

When Fox asked how the UK government could assist the Philippines, Dominguez told him the UK could help the country

catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbors in investing heavily in infrastructure, according to the statement.

Fox was informed that the government plans to develop a second international airport, build high-speed trains between Manila and Clark in Pampanga and possibly connect it to a commuter rail system in the South, along with improving Luzon’s ports to help decongest Metro Manila and encourage investments in the countryside.

For regions highly dependent

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Community Journal

april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

The CTV Files atty. DenniS Chua, eSq. A STEPPARENT may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild. However, before a stepparent may be able to file an immigrant petition for a stepchild, the stepparent – stepchild relationship should have been created before a stepchild turns 18 years old. This means that the stepparent and the biological parent of the stepchild must get married before the child turns 18 years old.

If the petitioner can no longer file an immigrant petition for the stepchild because the child has turned 18 years old, the child can still be petitioned by the biological parent after she obtains his or her permanent residency status.

The significance of having a U.S. citizen stepparent file for a stepchild is so that they could avoid the visa backlogs for visa petitions filed by legal permanent residents for their minor children (2d preference category). But

Petitioning children of your spouse from a previous marriage considering the current visa priority dates being processed under the 2d preference category, the stepchild may be able to immigrate sooner than later even if petitioned by a legal permanent resident biological parent.

If the biological parent is about to get married to the U.S. citizen petitioner and the biological parent has a child who is already over 18 years of age, it might be wise to consider postponing the marriage to give the child an opportunity to enter the United States faster.

Instead of marrying the biological parent, the U.S. citizen petitioner can just file a fiancé petition for the biological parent. Once the fiancé petition is approved, both the biological parent and child can be issued the corresponding K visas for them to enter the United States.

Upon marriage of the U.S. citizen to the biological parent, both parent and child can file their respective applications for ad-

justment of status to have their status changed from K to permanent resident status.

The decision whether to file a fiancé petition or an immigrant petition is crucial especially if the child is aging out or turning 21 years of age. The decision to just get married instead of filing a fiancé petition could mean a long wait of at least eight years before the child can be able to immigrate to the United States and join the biological parent. *** Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV), a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Manila. 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 attorney-client 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 (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; Dchua@ctvattys.com.

The CTV Attorneys will be at Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo on October 19, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm to hold a FREE legal clinic. (Advertising Supplement)

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Mindfulness as a survival skill in today’s tech crazy world

Monette aDeva Maglaya

“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.”

The cars behind us were blasting away with their horns at being kept waiting, unaware that a chain collision that could involve them, has just been averted.

Whew! That was a close call.

Imagine the hours that would have been lost never to return again if a crash did occur and you are left to tussle with insurance matters.

I don’t know whether she was a young, new driver, on the phone or just preoccupied with something. But when you are behind the wheel, it requires all of the neurons in your brains and all your senses to be engaged in just that one activity. Without it, you can do damage not only to yourself but sadly, to others as well, within your immediate physical orbit. I kept 3 car lengths as following distance until she turned left onto another street.

These are, indeed, the best of times. These are the worst of times as well. Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this crazy world we live in today.

I would like to plead the case for mindfulness for everyone at all times and in all places.

Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your comput-

Health@Heart

Sexually transmitted diseases

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

— Ways of the Peaceful Warrior

I nearly had a vehicular accident quite recently. Operative word: Nearly.

I was minding my business at a traffic stop when the vehicle before me decided to back up because her car was caught in the crosswalk. I then noticed that her white back lights indicating that she had left her car in reverse gear was on.

Instinctively I knew it was an accident waiting to happen. I was ready with just my senses, reflexes and an annoying horn to blast the danger away. But full disclosure and credit go to my Guardian Angels for the countless times of full protection. It is like being in tune with God’s cosmic script and being on the same page, all the time.

When the lights turned green, true enough, she stepped on the gas and was doing a fast reverse headed to the front of my car. I pounded on my horn and let out the screechiest, loudest, longest honk, enough to scare the daylights out of her. And NO 3-fingered salute. It’s not something I want to give or receive in tenuous situations. Besides, my mother and the nuns who taught me will be aghast.

She braked about a hairline away from my car grille — and then froze. She didn’t know what to do and held up the lane longer.

I had to hand signal her to go.

IT is quite alarming that fortyfive to fifty percent of men and women in the United States have HPV – genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – infection. This information was recently reported by the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health.

It is, indeed, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country. Here are the details, which are conservative statistics since this does not include institutionalized higher risk individuals, like prisoners, addicts, and the homeless: “Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014, researchers found the following: • Oral HPV prevalence was 7 percent for adults under age 70.

The prevalence of high-risk oral HPV was just 4 percent.

• For adults under age 60, the prevalence of genital HPV was 43 percent in 2013 to 2014.

It reached 64 percent among black adults. Non-Hispanic Asian adults had the lowest prevalence at 24 percent.

Roughly 23 percent of adults had high-risk genital HPV, with the highest prevalence among black males (40 percent).

HPV and cancer There are more than 108 different types of genital HPV, more than 30 of these are sexually transmitted, causing infection involving the skin of the penis, vagina (vulva), cervix, and even

the anus and rectum.

US government statistics show that 25 percent of men and 20 percent of women have the strain of human papilloma virus or human wart (virus) that causes cancer. To protect individuals who are 25 and younger from acquiring this HPV-related cancer, the vaccine listed below is available today.

Cervical cancer Cervical cancer is malignant tumor of the cervix (mouth of the womb). It is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common gynecologic cancer, the second being cancer of the ovary. The most common gynecologic malignancy is endometrial (inner wall of womb) cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women. The first being cancer of the breasts, followed by colorectal cancer and lung cancer. Cervical cancer develops in women at the mean age of 50 years old, although it can occur in women as young as 20. In the Philippines it is the number 2 most common form of cancer among women. In the United States it accounts for least 3000 deaths, and globally, about 300,000, annually.

How prevalent is cervical cancer?

More than 20 million of Americans have HPV infection. In the Philippines, there are about 5000 new cases of cervical cancer each year. By age 50, about 80 percent of American women will have acquired genital HPV. However, more alarming than that is the fact that there are between 10,000 to 25,000 women walking around (not seen by physician) who have undiagnosed pre-in-

er? Do you feel less of a person?

Take heart. You are not alone.

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically wired community.

Just like the common cold, thoughts and images “go viral…” The power of a message is now measured by the number of tweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity.

Disabuse yourself of the idea.

No one remains anonymous for long. No one in the internet is sacrosanct. Everyone is fair game.

These thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe. And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure

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vasive lesions in their cervix. If diagnosed early, these women could be saved. For every four survivors of breasts cancer, there are less than 3 women who survive cervical cancer, which shows how virulent cervical cancer is.

What causes cervical cancer?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV, also known as genital herpes virus) accounts for most, if not all, cervical cancers. At least 50 pecent of sexually active men and women are infected with genital HPV, especially those with multiple partners. There are about 20 million American men and women infected with HPV, many linked with abnormal pap tests, genital warts and cervical cancer. It is estimated more than 10,000 new cases of cervical cancers are discovered annually. Between half a million to a million Americans have genital warts, transmitted thru sexual contacts. The so-called high risk HPV may cause positive Pap test, and it could cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus or rectum. The low-risk , milder form, causes single or multiple bumps of genital warts (kulugo) and could be cauliflower shaped.

Is the cure for cervical cancer?

Better than the cure! A vaccine that prevents cervical cancer has been in use since it was introduced in June 2006 and found to be “effective 100 pecent, in the short term, at blocking the cancer and lesions likely to turn to cancer” (like the pre-invasive lesions), according to drug manufacturer, Merck & Co. The vaccines, which are ge-

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Business News

Expanded maternity leave good for business SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Monday, April 24, tried to allay fears that an expanded maternity leave law would be harmful to businesses that could not afford to give their women workers additional paid maternity leave days.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, said that many international studies showed that paid parental leaves have no significant negative effects on small-scale businesses.

Citing a 2007 experience of American technology company Google, she said that it was able to reduce its female turnover rate by 50 percent by increasing its paid maternity leave from 12 to 18 weeks.

She said that among its advantages was that it contributes to addressing unemployment and increasing workers’ benefits and improves employee retention and decreases the turnover rate.

Moreover, it also increases productivity and allows businesses of all sizes to save money on costly employee replacement costs such as the training of new recruits.

“Ultimately, it is beneficial to the economy,” Hontiveros said.

The neophyte senator pointed out that many other companies in different parts of the world

have adopted better maternity leave policies.

She noted that reports showed that the Philippines is lagging behind other countries in Asia in terms of maternity leave duration.

However, with the passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave law of 2017 in third and final reading under her leadership, she is confident that the policy would be a “real win-win solution” for both workers and employers.

“We have nothing to fear and everything to gain from a progressive maternity leave policy.

I am confident that small and medium enterprises can pros-

per with a fully implemented expanded maternity leave policy because in the end, it’s all about the basic needs of our working people, particularly our women,” Hontiveros said.

She, meanwhile, expressed hope that the measure’s counterpart bill in the House of Representatives, which is still waiting approval from its members, will be passed soon.

Hontiveros’ law seeks to double the number of paid maternity leave days of women to 120 days with pay and an option to extend it for another 30 days without pay. The 30 days can also be allotted to fathers and alternate caregivers. (PNA)

Community Journal

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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: Before I was 16 years old, I was adopted and petitioned by my aunt, and got my green card through her petition. I am now a US citizen, and would like to petition my biological mother. Is that possible?

Very truly yours, B.N. Dear B.N.: When a child is adopted before their 16th birthday, and receives an immigration benefit as a result of that adoption (such as being petitioned and obtaining a green card), they are considered the “child” of the adoptive parents. This means, the adopted child cannot petition for his or her biological parents or siblings, and they cannot receive any immigration benefit from them.

In your case, since you obtained your green card because of an adoption, you cannot petition your biological parent, or your biological brothers or

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 28-MAY 4, 2017

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Can adopted children petition biological family members? sisters.

However, it is still possible for an adopted child to re-establish a “petitionable relationship” with their natural parents even if there was an adoption, provided, (a) the child received no immigration benefit because of the adoption; (b) the adoption was lawfully terminated (under a court order rescinding the adoption); and (c) the natural parent-child relationship has been re-established. For example, a person may have been adopted, but later obtained a green card through marriage, and not through the adoption. They could go back to court, have the adoption rescinded or terminated, at which point it could be possible to petition their biological parents.

In addition, there is a difference between a person being petitioned or obtaining a green card as an adopted child and as a stepchild. If a person obtained their green card as a stepchild (their parent married a US citizen before their 18th birthday, and

Calendar of Events across

the citizen stepparent petitioned them without adopting them), that child could still petition his or her other natural parent.

If these situations apply to you or someone you know, you should seek the advice of a reputable immigration attorney. *** 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)

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS A p R I L 27- M AY 4

33rd annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival The 33rd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) will be presented April 27 to – May 4 at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight of the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, the Festival is produced by Visual Communications, the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, and enjoys broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. This year, LAAPFF features over 180 films from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international artists. For over three decades, the festival has presented close to 4,000 films by Asian Pacific American and Asian international talent. A record 45 feature films and 139 shorts from over 750 submissions will be showcased throughout the eight-day fest. For more information on films and venues, please visit: http://festival.vconline.org/.

A p R I L 29

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.

ApRIL 30

Filipino Cultural School to host “Sari-Sari Talent Show 2017” in Cerritos, CA Filipino Cultural School (FCS) will host its 2nd annual Sari Sari: Talent Show Fundraiser on Sunday, April 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Josephine’s Cerritos (11305 183rd St, Cerritos, CA 90703). Filipino Cultural School, based in Cerritos, CA and other neighboring cities, is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization geared to the preservation and promotion of the Philippine heritage and culture. FCS has and continues to be open to all. Filipinos and non-Filipinos who are interested in Philippine culture are invited to attend. “Sari-Sari” is a Tagalog word for “variety,” and in this talent show, FCS aims to celebrate the diverse talents of our community members in forms of singing, dancing, spoken words, etc., along with some great Filipino food from the restaurant. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for ages 13 years old and above, and $5 for ages 12 years old and under. Door prices will be $15 for ages 13 years old and above, and still $5 for ages 12 years old and under (ticket prices do not include food). The raised funds for the event will go towards helping cover for the cost of venue, insurance, and materials for the FCS Summer Program. For information on how to purchase a ticket and also sign-up to perform in the show, please visit the website http://filipinoculturalschool.org. For any inquiries, feel free to contact FCS at filipinoculturalschool@gmail.com.

M AY 4

PABA’s annual installation and awards gala in LA

The Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) will hold its 31st Annual Installation and Awards Gala on Thursday, May 4, 2017 in downtown Los Angeles. PABA is the largest local organization of Filipino-American attorneys in the United States. Formed three decades ago, PABA serves the needs of Fil-Am lawyers and law students in Southern California. The Gala is a celebration of the Fil-Am legal community, as well as PABA’s largest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds are used to carry out the group’s mission: strengthening the legal community through mentoring programs, networking events, scholarships for students, and continuing education. The keynote speaker for this year’s Gala is California State Treasurer John Chiang. Jose (Joe) Lauchengco, Jr., will be recognized as the 2017 Trailblazer, and The Honorable Bernie LaForteza, Los Angeles Superior Court, will be the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Jurist Award.

The Gala will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071. Registration along with a A No-Host Cocktail Reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the Dinner & Program will commence at 7:00 p.m. Additional ticketing and sponsorship information are provided below. If you would like to purchase individual tickets, advertisements, tables or become an event sponsor, you can also pay online by clicking here: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/paba/giftstore.jsp

AN ENCORE EPISODE ABOUT A “SPECIAL CHILD” ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, Nina (left) behind in the Philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. Nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and Ruth gone, who will take care of Nina? Find out how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Nina to the US through Humanitarian Parole, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, April 30 at 6:15 p.m. PST on TFC.

Mindfulness as a survival skill in today’s…

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and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today.

Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it helps wield over us? Certainly NOT! It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a double-edged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well.

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in OURSELVES. It is how we define our relationship to technology and use it in our daily lives.

We can be the boss of it. Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by technology and all its bells and whistles.

It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives if we use it as a tool to enable a hubristic tendency among many people today who think the world revolves around them and who then count their worthiness with the number of likes they get from their posts.

How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition.

Observe if you cross streets and railroad tracks with your phones tethered to your ears.

Note if you like taking selfies even in dangerous places. See if you become unhinged because you forgot or lost your phone. If so, break the habit. If not, you as a specie will disappear just like the dodo bird who has become so stupid that it has foolishly lost its instinct to danger.

When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep doodoo.

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters.

How badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy.

Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy working parents, juggling balls of parenthood and a career and who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to

use them appropriately.

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life. Eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tool, it will be an obedient dog serving us as its master.

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience JOY in real time. We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD – so good you can feel it in your bones.

Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain ESSENTIALLY HUMAN. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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FilAm ARTS and Philippine Expressions Bookshop to host art exhibit in San Pedro, CA The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) and Philippine Expressions Bookshop in partnership with the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles proudly present BUKLOD: A Gathering of Filipino and Filipino-American Art and Artists from May 4 to 11. Over 50 works of art by Filipino and Filipino-American artists are featured in this exhibition, which aims to reassert the presence of Filipino-Americans in the Western canon. Although many Filipino-American artists have been recognized in the art world, their cultural heritage is rarely highlighted nor has there been a body of work categorized as Filipino-American masterpieces in the 600 years of the history of painting. The artists of BUKLOD strive to fill that void with works that instill culture, dignity, and imagination to a cultural landscape that seldom acknowledges and habitually denies them their shared humanity. This exhibition gathers contemporary LA-based artists who anchor their work with their heritage and have an active community involvement to further their respective passion projects as artists. The BUKLOD exhibit will be open to the public beginning on May 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., coinciding with the San Pedro’s First Thursdays Artwalk. The exhibit will run until Thursday, May 11 at the Croatian Cultural Center (510 W 7th St, San Pedro, CA 90731). The opening Reception will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and will include live performances as well as food and artisan booths.

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

Fax résumé to:

info@asianjournalinc.com

CJ

april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

Business news

IMF sees PH GDP growth at close…

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that investors have lost confidence at all. In fact, if anything, investor confidence remains strong as reflected in the positive credit rating outlooks that the Philippines has,” Kang said.

The government’s aggressive anti-illegal drugs campaign has claimed the lives of more than 8,000 suspected drug addicts, who are all alleged victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs).

“I can’t comment on the political and security issues. But when we look at all countries in the world, we look for an economic policy that focus on inclusive and robust growth.”

The country has booked a positive GDP growth for the past 72 straight quarters or since the first quarter of 1999. The robust expansion was achieved amid a benign inflation environment allowing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to maintain an accommodative policy stance since September 2014.

Inflation kicked up to a 27month high of 3.4 percent in March from 3.3 percent in February due to higher oil prices and more expensive electricity costs, but remained well within the BSP target of two to four percent.

“Our view is that the stance of policy remains sound. Fiscal policy is appropriate focusing on inclusive growth and promoting social expenditures and in-

frastructure. Monetary policy is also on track given that inflation remains within the central bank target range,” Kang said.

For his part, IMF mission chief for the Philippines Luis Breuer said the growth outlook for the Philippines is subject to risks which is overall tilted to the downside.

“These include lower regional growth, US monetary policy tightening, and capital outflow.

In addition, protectioninst sentiment in some countries could hamper the business process outsourcing sector, remittance flows, and the recovery of exports,” he said.

On the other hand, Breuer said the upside risk to the outlook is the higher global growth due to stronger policy support in the US and China.

“The Philippine economy has strong fundamentals and ample policy space which puts it in a stronger position than in the past to face any shocks that may arise,” he added.

The IMF expects the Philippine government to raise additional revenues equivalent to 2.5 percent of GDP once the proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) is passed

by Congress. About 1.5 percent of the projected additional revenues would come from the tax overhaul while one percent would result from structural improvements in revenue adminis-

tration over the medium term.

The CTRP submitted by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to legislators last September is designed to raise an additional P718 billion for education P139 billion for health; P267 billion for social protection, welfare, and employment; and P1.73 trillion for urban and rural infrastructure.

“We also welcome the tax reform proposal which should aim to imrpove the income tax and value added tax systems and create the space needed for department of social and developmental needs,” Kang said.

The Duterte administration has raised its budget deficit ceiling to three percent instead of two percent of GDP as it intends to ramp up infrastructure spending to 7.4 percent by 2022 from 5.4 percent this year.

In the same press briefing, IMF director of the Asia and Pacific Department Changyong Rhee said Asia is seen growing faster at 5.5 percent this year from 5.3 percent last year making it the fastest growing region in the world.

“Asia is poised to remain the global growth leader into the future. But as in the past, securing this leading position will require continuing policy upgrades, vigilance against risks, and reforms to boost domestic demand and address growth bottlenecks,” Changyong said. n

UK opens £4.5B export-import facility in…

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on agriculture, the government will improve existing irrigation systems and build new ones, among other measures to boost farm productivity, Dominguez said.

In response, Fox told Dominguez that the Philippines could look into UK’s £4.5-billion export-import facility to help source funds for the Duterte Administration’s unprecedented public investment program.

“We hope that you can tap this rather undertapped resource,” Fox was quoted as saying.

Fox was referring to the UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the operating name for its Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) – the export credit agency and a ministerial department of the UK government.

The UK government had doubled the UKEF’s capacity to sup-

EMPLOYMENT

port trade with the Philippines to £4.5 billion from £2.25 billion.

The DoF said Dominguez welcomed Fox’s offer and said that even as the Philippine government seeks to tap foreign funding sources, it also set on implementing a comprehensive tax reform program to generate revenues internally for its infrastructure buildup.

The government is targeting to spend P847 billion this year on infrastructure projects to be undertaken simultaneously in all regions across the country, including small, medium and large-scale ventures.

For the entire duration of Duterte’s six-year term until 2022, the government intends to spend P8.4 trillion on infrastructure.

Fox said the UK is “keen on establishing its footprint” in the Philippines’ services sector and

in exporting its education technologies.

“We have opportunities in life sciences, accounting, banking, the medical sector and education,” Fox said.

In the meeting, the officials also discussed expanding trade and investments between the two countries and expanding British exports to the world via the UK’s new online trade portal, Great.gov.uk.

Also present in the meeting were British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad; Director for Trade and Investment of the British Embassy Mike Moon; the British Embassy’s Head of Inward Investment Aaron Chan and other embassy officials.

Total Philippine exports to the UK in 2016 were valued at $476 million, while imports from the UK reached $480 million in the period. n

EMPLOYMENT

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People & Events

What you can teach your grandchild about Social Security ONE of the greatest gifts you can give a grandchild is the gift of financial literacy. Helping them save money early in life and showing them how to make wise spending decisions goes a long way toward a bright financial future. As they get older, they may want to save for special purchases or their college education. You can encourage them when they get their first job to begin saving for the future, including their retirement.

Planning for the future with my Social Security When you celebrate their graduation from high school, you can also remind them to set up a my Social Security account. They need to be age 18 or older, have a U.S. mailing address and a valid email address, and have a Social Security number. And while their retirement is many years away, you can explain the importance

of reviewing their earnings record each year since Social Security uses the record of earnings to compute their future benefits.

As they start their first major job

Sexually transmitted…

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netically engineered, Gardasil and Cervarix, which block infection caused by two of the more than 108 types of human papilloma virus (HPV), strains 16 and 18. These two sexually transmitted viruses are responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancers. HPV, in one form or the other. The other strains of the virus cause painful genital warts, and sometimes, cervical cancers too. The newer versions of these vaccines are effective for more strains of HPV. How early should the vaccine be given?

Students in grammar school, middle school and high school should be vaccinated before they become sexually active, because once they catch HPV infection, there is no cure; herpes is for life.

This was the recommendation of Dr. Gloria Bachmann, director of The Women’s Health Institute at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Brunswick, NJ., who said this vaccine is a “phenomenal breakthrough. This is, today, the standard of care.

Can oral sex cause cancer?

The most common cause (70 percent) of throat cancer is oral sex with a partner who has ac-

tive HPV infection. About 4 percent of adults who practice oral sex will have oral infection with a high-risk form of cancer-causing HPV. Experts say head and neck cancer will surpass cervical cancer as the most common cause of HPV-related cancer by 2020.

Without being flippant, the use of seran wrap or plastic film to cover the female pelvis (similar to the use of condom for males), if oral sex is to be practiced at all, could be of some protection against HPV contamination.

However, the CDC review of 138 peer-reviewed scientific studies showed that the use of condom is not effective in reducing the risk of STDs. Out of 100 women who used condom religiously, 37 of them still developed HPV. At least 1 percent of condoms are defective.

Syphilis higher among homosexuals While society regards syphilis as an STD of the past, it is actually still very much with us, domestically and globally. Rarer than it was a century ago, syphilis remains a much dreaded disease.

Men who have sex with men have much higher rates of syphilis infection, according to a study.

The rate is 106 times more than

EMPLOYMENT

HOUSING

and begin saving, they’ll be able to monitor the growth of the estimates of benefits available to them. You can access my Social

u PAGE CJ5

the rate of syphilis among heterosexual men, and 167 times higher than the rate of infection among women.

Homosexuals had a rate of 309 cases per 100,000 population for a primary and secondary syphilis, compared to 2.9 and 1.8 cases per 100,000 for heterosexual men and women, respectively.

The region with the highest rates are located in the Southern region, with a rate of 748 per 100,000 in North Carolina.

This may sound like over simplification and quite obvious, but the best way, the surest way, to prevent getting any sexually transmitted diseases is not to have sexual contact with someone infected, or possibly infected, with HPV/HIV/Syphilis/ Gonorrhea. *** 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 28-MAY 4, 2017

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The San Francisco LGBT Dementia Care Project Bataan survivors to meet in Burlingame, Calif.

Increasing access to dementia capable care for the LGBT community

THE Alzheimer’s Association, in partnership with Openhouse and Family Caregiver Alliance, is offering free trainings to health and social service providers on the dementia care needs of LGBT seniors.

Training topics include: • LGBT Cultural Humility • Understanding Dementia • LGBT Caregiver Concerns • Compassionate Communication • Best and Better Practices Date: Friday, May 12, 2017, 12-3 p.m.

Location: UCSF Mission Bay, First floor auditorium of Rock Hall Building, 1550 4th Street, Room 102, San Francisco Pre-registration is required: http://bit.ly/LGBTMay12.

This program is funded by the San Francisco County Department of Aging and Adult Services, and provides services regardless of race, ancestry, national origin, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, income, or age.

The Alzheimer’s Association is an approved vendor for providing continuing education. This course meets the qualifications for CE units/ hours for the following certified license entities: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Assistant (HHA).

Application pending approval by the California Department of Health Services (Provider #06329).

Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider #CEP12415). Licensed Marriage Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). Approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #63035). Course meets the qualifications as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Nursing Home Administrator Program (NHAP). Application pending approval by the California Department of Public Health (Provider #CEP1546). Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Administrator (RCFE). Application pending approval by the California Department of Social Services (Provider #2000072- 740-2). n

PSRC, SFBAA present ‘Catwalk for a Cause on May 5

THE Pilipino Senior Resource Center (PSRC), a 501(c)(3) a nonprofit organization that serves Filipino Seniors and families and Filipina Breast Cancer Clients/ Survivors residing in the South of Market District and other areas in San Francisco, along with the San Francisco Bay Area Ateneans (SFBAA), Share and Give and Ms. Gia Galicia will hold “Catwalk for Cause” on Friday, May 5, 6 p.m. at Fort McKinley Restaurant. The event is also sponsored by TFCThe Filipino Channel, Lifestyle Network – The TFC Premium Channel and Delegata.

“Catwalk for a Cause” is hoping to raise funds to help two underprivileged Filipino groups, the Breast Cancer patients and survivors of San Francisco and the orphaned and street children in Manila, Philippines. Proceeds will be given to both Precious Heritage Orphanage for the orphaned and street children in the Philippines, and to PSRC’s Filipina Breast Cancer Support Services.

Gia Galicia is a Filipina fashion designer who loves doing charity fashion shows that raises money for charitable causes. She created the Share+Give Initiative to help make the world a better place by raising funds for the breast cancer victims and initiatives supporting children in foster care.

She requested her friends to donate designer items, which will be auctioned off, together with some

of her donation. Galicia assembled her friends, who were kind enough to donate designer item, which include Monique Lhuillier, Tadashi Shoji, Rebecca Taylor, Black Halo, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, Coach, Furla, and D&G. Moreover, Galicia’s fashion designer friends also pitched in like Otsirave by Carlo Evaristo, Adrine Karapetyan, Rolando Carlin, Yennie Lam, and Eva Mejl.

“Let us be one in giving and sharing a hope to our less fortunate fellows,” said Gia Galicia. “Each money you give is a tomorrow for these cancer survivors and foster cared children.”

The SFBAA was created to keep Bay Area Ateneans connected through Facebook and LinkedIn for networking purposes, find common interests, enjoy each other’s company, and be of service to each other, other Filipino-Americans and Filipinos in the Philippines. Its goal is to bring the core values and a sense of the Ateneo community here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

There are currently over 300 members in Facebook, all aiming to be better in all that they do (Magis), to be men and women for others for the greater glory of God (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam).

The mission of the PSRC is to provide comprehensive quality services for at-risk Filipino seniors and their families living in the South of Market area and surrounding neighborhood and

counties of San Francisco where there are large Filipino populations. It was founded by Isidra Macaraeg in January 2006. In 2007, PSRC began subcontracting with Asian Pacific Advocates (APA) to provide Family Hotline Services.

In 2008, PSRC was granted funding by the AVON Foundation and San Francisco General Hospital Foundation in order to provide comprehensive support services to breast cancer patients and survivors. Eventually, PSRC was also able to receive funding from To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2016, PSRC was awarded funding from the Asian Pacific Family Resource Network (APIFRN) for caregiver/parenting classes and family advocacy.

PSRC serves over 800 clients annually, and that number continues to increase each year.

“Catwalk for a Cause” will be hosted by Cecile Gregorio Ascalon, Executive Director of PSRC. The event opens with the silent auction and cocktails from a no-host bar. A Filipino buffet dinner follows, while by DJ Gilby and live performers provide the entertainment. The main event of the evening is a fashion show featuring clothes by Gia Galicia and other esteemed designers.

Dancing and conclusion of the silent auction will wrap up the evening.

For more information, please go to www.catwalkforacause. com. n

IN commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the defense of the Philippines in World War II and in celebration of the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society’s (PSHS) 33rd Annual Reunion, survivors of the Battles of Bataan, Corregidor, and the Bataan Death March will gather at the Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront, 600 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, CA 94010, on Friday, June 30th and July 1st, 2017.

The Philippine Scouts were a unique and special U.S. Army organization consisting of highly trained Filipino soldiers and American and Filipino officers, who formed the backbone of General Douglas MacArthur’s United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). In the wake of the Japanese Imperial Forces attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines on December 7, 1941, the Philippine Scouts defended the US Commonwealth, the Philippines, along with U.S. Army Regular and National Guard units, the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Air Force and Constabulary and ordered to hold back the invading Japanese Imperial Army advance towards Manila, the Capital City. On Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island these men were surrounded and starved out by the Japanese Imperial Forces, but man-

aged to fight on for more than four months while every other country and island in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific succumbed to the invading Japanese Forces in just several weeks. The Filipino and American defenders bought America time to repair and rebuild the ravaged US Navy’s Pacific Fleet and throw a cordon of defense around Australia at the part of World War II. The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society is a non-profit or-

ganization dedicated to honoring the sacrifice and service of the veterans and survivors of the Bataan Death March and WWII in the Philippines. We want to preserve their wartime heroism and pay tribute to their military careers and their contribution to the Filipino Communities they helped to establish in the United States upon their retirement.

For additional information contact Paul Ruiz at akbar8@ pacbell.net. n

What you can teach your grandchild…

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Security at www.socialsecurity. gov/myaccount.

Saving for retirement with myRA The U.S. Treasury recently introduced a retirement savings account for a simple, safe, and affordable way to save for retirement. It’s perfect for people whose employer doesn’t offer a savings plan. There are no costs or fees to open and maintain a myRA account. The account won’t lose money and is backed by the U.S. Treasury. The individual chooses the amount to save. The account is portable and moves with them from job to job. The account owner can withdraw the money they put in without tax or penalty. You can learn more about myRA at www. myra.gov.

Share how Social Security works You can share your knowl-

edge about Social Security with your young savers by explaining how the program works and how it has worked for you. About 96 percent of all Americans are covered by Social Security. Social Security is financed through workers’ contributions , which are matched by their employers. We use the contributions to pay current benefits. Any unused money goes into a trust fund.

Nearly all working people pay Social Security taxes and about 61 million people receive monthly Social Security benefits. About 42 million of those beneficiaries are retirees and their families.

Encourage them to watch our Social Security 101 video at www. socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/ webinars/social_security_101. html.

Share your retirement stories Social Security replaces about 40 percent of an average worker’s

income, but financial planners suggest that most retirees need about 70 percent to live comfortably in retirement. Americans need more than Social Security to achieve that comfortable retirement. They need private pensions, savings, and investments.

That means starting to save early and monitoring your Social Security record for accuracy. You can share lessons from your own life about saving and planning for retirement. Remember, the best place anyone of any age can visit for quick, easy information about Social Security is www.socialsecurity.gov.

Your personal stories about how you prepared for retirement and what role Social Security plays can help them see what is needed for a secure financial future. Give them the gift of financial literacy today. (By Eric Phillips/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sacramento, CA)

CJ

april 28-MaY 4, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

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

Friday, April 28, 2017

All photos by Wilfred GAlilA

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 28, 2017

‘InCArCerATed 6x9’: A STory of hoPe And SUrvIvAl InSIde PrISon

APICC and Kularts present a creative non-fiction inspired by incarceration accounts of Fil-Ams The era of mass immigration in the past has also coincided with an era of mass imprisonment in the United States, which has further transformed paths to adulthood among young me. Incarceration rate in the U.S. has become the highest of any country in the world, according to Migration Policy. In California alone, there are more people imprisoned than in any other country in the world except China. filipino-Americans are not spared from this reality. In fact, a new dance-media work inspired by the real incarceration stories of San francisco fil-Ams goes onstage at Bindlestiff Studio from May 19-21. entitled “Incarcerated 6x9,” the immersive 60-minute performance explores

the hopes, delusions and the ultimate will to survive in the loneliest, most bitter place on the planet.

“Incarcerated” is the latest work by Kularts executive director Alleluia Panis, who is no stranger to topics notoriously deemed socially taboo. This is

her third full-length work under her American Stories Project, which includes “Ibig — Pulse of desire” (2009) which tackled mental instability and incest, and “She, Who Can See” (2015), a story about the painful collision of shamanic inheritance and the modern world.

Along with Panis in the creation of “Incarcerated” are composer rachel lastimosa (of the indie-soul, r&B duo dirty Boots), who wrote all original music; and filmmaker and writer Wilfred Galila.

With “Incarcerated,” Panis emphasizes the impact of displacement, incarceration and colonialism on fil-Ams. This creative non-fiction is set in the near future 2048, and highlights the state of humanity among filipinos in the U.S., 150 years after the U.S. annexation of the

Philippines.

The story is told through the lives of three fil-Am inmates and their struggles to endure the American judicial system: ronoldo “Boying” Batongbakal (performed by hip-hop, folkloric dancer Jonathan Mercado), ramon “Mon” dela Santo (by martial artist, dancer and theater actor Gregory Manalo) and Jesus “hes” Gatpala (by June

Arellano of Parangal dance Company). Joining these three main cast members are other Bay Area professional dancers who will perform live, with an additional eight performers on video at Bindlestiff Studio’s black box theater, transporting the audience to experience the confinement of a six by nine jail cell.

“Incarcerated 6x9” will run on friday & Saturday, May 19-20 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May

All photos by Wilfred Galila

21 at 2:30 p.m. at the Bindlestiff Studio, 185 6th Street, San francisco.

Advanced online tickets are available at www.kularts.org: early bird $13 until April 30. Advance tickets after that are $17, $20 at the door, $30 sponsor.

“Incarcerated 6x9” is being presented by Kularts and the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC), along with the San francisco Arts CommissionGrants for the Arts. (AJPress)

entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – April 28, 2017

San FranciSco

By Monet

Lu

I met Richard Gomez, also known as Goma, when he first came to Los Angeles more than 20 years ago.

He was an excited, young up and coming actor.

His manager, the late Douglas Quiano—an amazing mentor to Joey marquez and other big stars—was well loved and respected by his peers. Douglas gave Richard an opportunity to visit Hollywood and other tourist places.

All of his United States trips have proven to be memorable for him. During his first trip here, I took Goma to different landmarks like Universal Studios and Hard Rock Café, as well as bringing him to movies and dinner.

Since then, we have formed a friendship, not just because I admire his work but also of his sincerity as a person.

When I came to manila he treated me to a dinner and introduced me to his wife Lucy.

Although we don’t see each other often, our friendship has continued to flourish. every time he is in the area, we make sure to reconnect. What is most memorable to me is his appearances in the yearly Reflection shows back in the 90s.

He is always the life of the party with his down-to-earth and makulit, yet very professional personality.

I have witnessed his growth from a young, aspiring actor to one with an established career.

Richard came from a singleparent household, causing him to be left in the care of is grandmother. When he came to Los Angeles, he wanted to reunite with his father and mother, who were separated. I used to pick him up at temple Street in Los Angeles where Historic Filipinotown is located because that’s where he was

Richard and Lucy Gomez: PH Dave Baustista back as Drax in cinema’s most beautiful couple ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ FOR Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista (“Spectre,” upcoming “Blade Runner 2049”), returning to the Guardians’ fold in marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” was a chance to reprise a character he truly enjoys playing.

“What I really love about Drax is he’s not what you’d expect from reading the comics,” Bautista says. “everybody was expecting one thing, and we gave them another. It makes it more interesting. It’s easy just to be the big guy who’s always growling at people and intimidating people.

We’ve seen it a million times. But when you get the same guy who looks the same way but just says the most ridiculous things that make you laugh, it makes him more interesting.”

Continuing, he adds, “And he’s also got that side to him that’s just all heart. He’s still heartbroken over the loss of his family.

And I love that dynamic, man. I Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez love playing with that. It’s chalin Ormoc. their wedding was staying with his father. lenging. It makes it’s interesting. It so grand that it had three reHe began as a humble makes the character loveable and ceptions and was televised. worker at mcDonald’s until his it makes people connect to him.”

Lucy claims to be lucky modeling career set off.

In the movie, Drax develops that she got to marry her “one a friendship with a new character, He had always dreamed great love.” of having a career in show mantis, played by Pom Klementogether the couple has business, which was expected tieff. Describing their relationone daughter, Julianna, who for the son of 1960s star Stella ship, Bautista says, “It’s hard to really resembles her father but Suarez. think that Drax would have some has the character of Lucy.

He is blessed with good innocence to him but he really Lucy is now Ormoc City looks, the epitome of tall, dark, does, and it comes out in this congresswoman, a public and handsome. Up to now, film. that’s in the connection he servant and a community he has maintained the title of has with mantis. there’s a lot of leader. And now Richard is the innocence in both characters.

“Philippines Brown Adonis.”

Richard has received a lot of mayor of Ormoc and is doing they’re almost like two kids who a great job with his advocacy awards for his acting in unforfind each other and become playgettable, blockbuster-breaking for the people of Ormoc. Lucy mates. they just connect on a cerknows how to balance the movies. Love will always find tain level that they can’t connect its way to your true partner. In glamorous commercial endors- with anybody else. they’re both er, fashion icon, host, wife and this case, Richard’s true love is suffering from some pain and most of all, a mother.

Lucy torres. they met during learning new things and new feelthey say that they owe their ings, new experiences. they’re a commercial shoot for Lux long-lasting relationship to shampoo and sparks flew right going through that together and “work[ing] at it every day” and that’s where the connection is.” away. communication so that they Lucy admits having been a the opportunity to work can “head towards the same fan of Richard. In her simple, with Chris Pratt again was also direction.” and putting God in yet beautiful ways, she was plus for Bautista. “On a personal the center of their relationship. level, I think everybody involved able to win over Richard. the couple surprised us by In 1998, the couple married on this film will agree that we at Saint Peter and Paul Church Continued on Page SF4 just love him,” he says. “He’s

Filipino-American actor Dave Bautista as Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

just such a good dude; a good, kind-hearted person. I can’t say enough good things about him. He is what you see. there’s nothing superficial or pretentious about Chris. He’s just got a great energy about him and he’s a very positive person. And that all trickles down. When you get number one coming to set who’s always in a good mood, it’s hard to be that guy who is in the bad mood or complaining.”

Working with director James Gunn further proves to be a positive experience for the actor: “It’s great because the writer is there and the director is there, all in one person.”

Bautista adds, “Drax is the vehicle for James Gunn’s twisted, witty sense of humor. I love when I’m shooting and delivering stuff that I can hear James off in the distance laughing because I know that it is what he wanted. that it is what he was expecting out of the dialogue that he wrote. that in itself makes me feel really good because I love giving him what he wants.”

Bautista is confident that audiences will connect to the film on a personal level. As he says, “the first film was more about people coming together for the greater good. And I think this film is more about relationships with people. It is the story of a family.

Your family doesn’t always have

to be blood family. they can be chosen family. So I think this is more of a relationship film, and everyone can relate to that.”

Bautista was born in Washington, DC to an American mother Donna Raye and FilipinoAmerican father David michael Bautista, whose parents are Filipino immigrants. According to Wikipedia: “His parents separated and eventually divorced. His paternal grandfather served in the Philippines military, worked as a taxicab driver, barber, and held other jobs to feed the family.

“Bautista has said that he is not ashamed to admit he lived in poverty. He has admitted to having a hard life.

Before carving a career in the movies, Bautista became popular as professional wrestler with the WWe. Set to the backdrop of “Awesome mixtape #2,” marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. the Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 28, 2017

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar

T

he one and only Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor will celebrate her 64th birthday on Sunday, May 21. The internationally know actress was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur, where she was the grand champion of the Darigold Jamboree Singing Contest. She also represented her province at the “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” winning as grand champion.

La Aunor or Ate Guy, as she fondly called by her fans and colleagues, started her movie and singing career under Tower Movie Productions, owned by producer/director Artemio Marquez. In 1973, she was crowned as the first Miss Philippine Movies together with former Philippine President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “erap” estrada, for their movie, “erap is My Guy.” Other personalities celebrating their birthdays this merry month of May are: May 2 - Multi-awarded actor eddie Garcia; May 3 - Lynda elvinia, owner of ely-Lyn Beauty Salon in South San Francisco, and dancer/choreographer and

Tingting Villar Apolinario, administrative office for World of Life at the Assembly of Christ, will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, May 11.

“Dancing with the Stars” champion Cheryl Burke; May 4 - Well-loved registered nurse at Sequioa hospital and San Mateo General hospital Vicky Garcia; May 7 - Daly City religious leader Brenda Padilla, and San Francisco fashion designer Patricia Valera; May 10 - International Filipina singing sensation Charice Pempengco, who is celebrating her 25th birthday; May 11 - World of Life at Handsome actor Paulo Avelino will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday, May 13.

Assembly of Christ administrative officer Tingting Villar Apolinario, multi-awarded actress Judy Ann Santos Agoncillo, and GMA Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo; May 12 - San Jose singer/ songwriter JD “JDC” Charisma, San Mateo home Care Nursing Supervisor Gloria Nielsen, “Showtime” co-host Billy Crawford, veteran actress Mila Del Sol (now residing in Los Angeles), and Manteca painter Jessie Marinas; May 13 - handsome actor Paulo Avelino, concert producer Maribeth Ugalde, and community leader Marc Garvida; May 14 - Former tourism Gerry Sy, co-owner of Saint Francis Square in Daly

South San Francisco real estate executive Cora Manuel Garvida will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, May 31.

Dr. Renato “Butch” Calip, a well-liked dentist in Daly City and owner of a nursing school in Manila, will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, May 24.

City, will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, May 17.

Daly City religious leader Brenda Padilla will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, May 7.

director in San Francisco Rene de los Santos, and actress Jennylyn Mercado; May 15 - Dionisia Pacquiao, mother of boxing champ and Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is turning 68; May 16 - Teayana Orence, daughter of Ozelle Orence of San Francisco; May 17 - Gerry Sy, coowner of Saint Francis Shopping Center in Daly City; May 19 - Teen singer eren Padilla; May 20 - Miriam Quiambao, former Miss Universe 1st runner-up;

What keeps Sarah Geronimo going by iza igLesias ManilaTimes.net

SARAh Geronimo is no doubt one of the country’s top performers. She has proven many times that not only is she a good singer but a competent dancer as well. her contributions to music, along with her film and television work, have made her a prominent figure in pop culture. In her own way too, she has became role model for the youth and an icon among millennials.

Before becoming a popular and successful performer in Asia and the Philippines’ one and only “Popstar Princess” and “Popstar Royalty,” Geronimo recalls receiving her

Superstar Nora Aunor celebrates birthday on May 24

very first music lesson from her father, Delfin.

At age two, she started singing publicly at mall shows while her mother Divina would accompany her to auditions for various television programs. When she was four-years-old, she became a part of a children’s variety show on Radio Philippines Network Channel 9 titled “Pen-Pen De Sarapen;” “Ang TV” when she was seven; and “NeXT” was nine.

But it was only on March 1, 2003, when 14-year-old Geronimo joined the singing competition Star For A Night where she won grand prize for her rendition of Celine Dion’s “To Love You More.” Since then, she has received more than 200 awards in the entertainment industry and from other organizations, including various international award-giving bodies.

At her latest endorsement for throat spray solution Kamillosan M on April 21 Geronimo said that she is definitely the person she is today because of her soulful and powerful voice, which she makes sure she uses with heart and humility.

Most precious possession Geronimo admitted that her voice is her “most precious possession,” which she needs to protect in order to give always give her best performance.

Singers like her are prone to voice problems because of the extra effort they put on their throats, she said.

The 28-year-old singeractress noted that it is

important not to strain her voice especially when singing.

“If I know that my throat hurts, I let the specialists check it immediately. I usually find the proper placement of notes I am performing as well. Another thing is that I’m careful of the food I eat too. I can’t eat too many sweets, which is hard for me since I have a sweet tooth. I love chocolates and candies. It’s just that anything too much is never good,” Geronimo said.

She, however, dismissed the common notion that singers should not drink cold beverages for they may stiffen up the vocal cords.

“It is not a problem if you drink cold drinks; I just don’t do it before singing. It is a scientific fact that cold drinks are muscle relaxants. even athletes, they soak in ice-cold water. Just don’t ever eat sweets and then take cold drinks after that because that might lead to tonsillitis,” she shared.

For her fans, Geronimo seems to slay every single performance she has, especially on the ABS-CBN Sunday variety show ASAP. But she confessed there were several times that she could barely carry a tune live.

“There were a lot of times that I wasn’t able to sing as well as I had hoped when I have a sore throat, not because it affects my singing voice, but it really hurts when I force it,” she intimated. “It’s also very hard for others not to notice it because, of course, people expect a lot from you and I never want to put them down,” she added.

Meanwhile, Geronimo is back as a coach in The Voice Teens this season, together with Lea Salonga, Bamboo Mañalac and Sharon Cuneta.

The singer-actress skipped a season of the reality singing competition for the first time Continued on Page SF5

Superstar Nora Aunor will be celebrating her birthday on Sunday, May 21. La Aunor is shown with yours truly (and I am also celebrating my birthday on Tuesday, May 30).

May 23 - Actor/singer Sam Milby; May 24 - Well-liked Daly City dentist and nursing school owner in Manila Dr. Renato “Butch” Calip, and Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla; May 25 - Young soprano in Milpitas Amber Paterson, San Mateo religious leader Nenita Iboleon Zarsora, and former Mrs. Ilocano Maxie Dandoy; May 25 - Former Mrs. RP-USA World from Concord Zeny Lutao Sarmiento; May 28 - Antioch religious

leader Pacita Rodriguez; May 30 - My very own natal day — I will celebrating my lucky 80th birthday in the best of health and colorful blessings from the Lord Almighty, multi-awarded actor Ricky Davao, Place One Travel Agency president Conrad Camilosa, and successful building contractor Orly Buena; May 31 - South San Francisco real estate executive Cora Manuel Garvida.

To all May celebrants, a very happy birthday!

Coco Martin on show’s success: FPJ is guiding me

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

The FPJ magic lives on!

At a thanksgiving party last Friday, April 21 hosted by Coco Martin at his mansion (yes, it is!) in an upscale Quezon City subdivision, Coco himself was the one most surprised when ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes announced that his starrer FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano” would be extended until 2018, making it the longest-running action-adventure series in Philippine Television.

Cory was among the ABS-CBN bigwigs at the party including Carlo Katigbak (chairman) and Deo endrinal (head of Dreamscape which is behind Probinsyano).

“Alam mo,” Coco confided to a guest later that evening, “when I start thinking of scenes to make ‘Probinsyano’ more exciting, feeling ko gina-guide ako ni FPJ.” Besides playing the legendary hero created and popularized

by Da King in several movies, Coco is also part of the creative team. As soon as he comes up with an idea, Coco discusses it with directors Toto Natividad, Malu Sevilla and Abel Sanpunco.

Routine master is Val Iglesias.

Also topbilled in the series is FPJ’s widow Susan Roces, a veritable crowd-drawer even in the presence of younger actors in the cast including Michael de Mesa, Joel Torre, Jaime Fabregas, Rez Cortez, Arjo Atayde, Jeric Raval, Long Mejia, John Prats, Awra, Makmak and Julio

Coco Martin

Diaz (who has recovered from a brain surgery caused by a stroke, helped financially by Coco). All of them were present at the Saturday party.

Launched in August 2015, “Probinsyano” has been topping ratings as it continues to reinvent itself by introducing a parade of characters played by big actors in the field.

“The show is unbeatable,”

Richard and Lucy Gomez...

From Page SF3 attending our Christmas party that was held at my apartment in LA. Very down to earth indeed, I was so touched by that wonderful gesture of friendship.

Richard and Lucy Torres Gomez are the epitome of a beautiful

couple, both inside and out.

I wish you all the best, Goma. I know that your many fans and supporters will be with you kahit sa dulo ng “walang hanggan.” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his

according to a Funfare source. “how many shows na ba ang itinapat sa Probinsyano?”

As they say, you can’t lick a consistent winner, especially if it’s rating over 40 percent every time, all the time, all the way.

“That’s why no show would dare compete with it,” added the Funfare source. “Ang lakas-lakas! 40 percent is 40 percent!”

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 email him at monetsalon@aol.com

entertainment

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Filipina Ph at Coachella, meets ‘Riverdale’ cast ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ contenders The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 28, 2017

by Deni

Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

FIlIPINA YouTube vlogger (video blogger) Janina Vela represented the Philippines in the recently concluded Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.

During the festival, she met and took pictures with “Riverdale” stars Cole Sprouse (who plays Jughead Joens),

Ross Butler (Reggie Mantle), lili Reinhart (Betty Cooper), Camila Mendes (Veronica lodge) and Casey Cott (Kevin Keller). “Riverdale” is a Netflix series based on the characters of Archie Comics.

Coachella is an annual music and arts fest held at the empire Polo Club in Coachella Val-

Filipina YouTube vlogger (video blogger) Janina Vela with stars of the Netflix teen drama “Riverdale.”

Instagram/Janina Vela

ley, California, in the Colorado Desert. Organized by Goldenvoice, the festival was founded

by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999 and features artists from both the visual and the musical world. This year, the festival showcased artists from various musical genres, including independent, rock and hip hop.

In the festival, Vela wore pieces from Forever 21’s spring/summer 2017 collection, which offers a fresh take on urban sporty style, with cropped silhouettes and oversized layered ensembles in a palette of metallic silver, scarlet red, and black, featured alongside offbeat pops of neon yellow and royal blue. headlining the Californiabased fashion giant’s spring/ summer 2017 campaign is Roc Nation singer Justine Skye.

In a press statement, Skye said: “Fashion has always been an important part of my life… the festival collection reflects my personal style…”

on judge Pia Wurtzbach

by Deni

Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

The two Filipina contestants of “Asia’s Next Top Model” (AsNTM) might no longer be on the running to become the next top models of the reality TV show, but they are inspired to go on with their dreams by their fellow Filipina and the show’s recurring judge, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

“It’s hard, actually, for her (Pia) to judge in front of three Filipinas. But you know, it may be hard, but she treated everyone very well. She’s really a nice person and she wants all of us to succeed,” recalled Jennica Sanchez, the second Filipina

to be eliminated after Anjelica Santillan.

According to her, the three of them were among the shortest girls in the competition at 5’6” to 5’7” (others were about 5’9”), but Pia assured them that height does not matter.

“She’s motivating us to get through the challenges,” the 20-year-old Jennica said.

“Pia is such a nice person.

She’s very supportive of us. She wasn’t biased of us,” added Maureen Wroblewitz, the last Filipina standing in the show airing on cable TV. Through Pia, she realized

Christian Bautista sings ASEAN 2017 theme song

International artist Christian Bautista, 2012 ASEAN Youth Achievement award recipient, and the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir of Quezon City.

INTeRNATIONAl artist Christian Bautista, together with the hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir of Quezon City, sang the theme song and shot the music video of the the upcoming 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN) Summit from April 26 to 29.

The Presidential Communica-

tions Operations Office (PCOO), in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), has produced the music video, which is set to be shown during the summit.

Titled, “ASeAN Spirit,” the song and the music video for the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASeAN 2017 coincide with the

celebration of the organization’s 50th anniversary.

National Artist for literature Virgilio S. Almario wrote the lyrics for the theme song, which reflects the core message of the Philippines as the Chairman of ASeAN in 2017 – a champion of positive change in the community to produce a unified voice in the world.

Professor Josefino Toledo composed the music. “The song speaks about uniting the region; despite our diverse culture, there are universal truths and desires that we all share,” ASeAN 2017 explained in a report.

The lyrics likewise allegedly echo the six thematic thrusts of the Philippine Chairmanship of ASeAN. It seeks to promote and encapsulate the vision of an Asean that is people-oriented and people-centered; peaceful and stable; secured and cooperative

“Asia’s Next Top Model” contestants Maureen Wroblewitz and Jennica Sanchez and guest judge Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

in its maritime issues; inclusive, innovative; resilient, and a model of regionalism.

The “ASeAN Spirit” music video features internationally-acclaimed recording artist Christian Bautista, 2012 Asean Youth Achievement Awardee, and the hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir of Quezon City, which won first place in the children’s folk choir category of the 67th llangollen International Musical eisteddfod Children’s Choir Festival, North Wales, United Kingdom in 2013. Award-winning director Joaquin Pedro Valdes directed the video with Yellow Brick Road Productions. (Ceni Rose M. Afinidad/Philstar.com)

that “Anything is possible if you just work hard. And do not give up on your dreams just because you’re short. There are so many models out there that made it like Kate Moss…height doesn’t matter as long as you know your potential.”

Jennica and Maureen, however, are not thinking about joining beauty pageants and following Pia’s footsteps at the moment. “Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 2” finalist Katarina Rodriguez is now competing at the 2017 Binibining Pilipinas competition.

Maureen wants to focus on modeling, while Jennica sees herself working in the fashion industry. She used to be a fashion blogger but she stopped blogging when she became busy with modeling.

No matter where life takes them after the show, their bond as Filipinas will continue.

“We Filipinas are very competitive. We know what we want. We might be supportive of each other, but at the end of the day, it’s still a competition and everyone’s competing to be the first Filipina to be the winner of ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’,” Maureen said. “So, it was hard for us but at the end of the day, we’re still friends!”

What keeps Sarah Geronimo...

From Page SF4

last year, explaining needed time to grow more as an artist and that being a coach felt like “roleplaying” for her.

The mentor-coach expressed to The Manila Times how excited she is to be back on the popular talent show. “We just finished taping blind auditions. So we will resume the battles and sing offs in May. From there, we will start mentoring, coaching, etcetera. everybody is so good and you cannot tell whose side is going to win.”

Although there are some

who doubt her credibility as a mentor, Geronimo said she chooses not to pay attention to her detractors. She pointed out she only wants to focus more on the talents. her advice to singing young hopefuls? “Continue to sing. It is good that as early as now, they discover what genre they are comfortable with and what type they are really passionate about.

It is also important that they listen to different kinds of music so that they will be flexible. They should think of their own identity rather than copy someone.”

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T he Asian Jo ur na l SF M A G A Z I NE - Apri l 28, 2 0 1 7

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