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Volume 16 - No. 15 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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APRIL 7-13, 2017

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Pulse Asia: Duterte performance, trust scores drop Palace downplays ratings decline

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

WHILE nearly eight out of 10 Filipinos remain appreciative of his performance and express trust in him, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s performance and trust ratings both experienced a decline in the first quarter of 2017, according to a recent survey by Pulse Asia.

Figures from the poll showed that Duterte’s performance and

DATELINE

trust ratings dropped by five percentage points and seven percentage points, respectively.

From 83 percent in December last year, Duterte’s performance rating decreased to 78 percent in March. His trust rating, meanwhile, slid from 83 percent to 78 percent in the same period.

On the other hand, 15 percent and 18 percent of respondents expressed indecision towards his performance and trustworthiness respectively.

“There are hardly any changes in the performance and trust ratings of President Duterte during the period December 2016 to March 2017,” Pulse Asia said in its news release.

“The only significant movement occurring at this time is the drop of the president’s national trust rating (-7 percentage points).”

Figures revealed that Duterte scored the highest ratings — in the case of both his performance and trustworthiness — in Mindanao, earning 88 percent performance

and 90 percent trust rates, followed by Visayas (86 percent and 84 percent respectively), and Metro Manila (73 percent and 74 percent respectively).

In collective Luzon, meanwhile, he had an approval rating of 71 percent and trust rating of 67 percent.

The poll, which was conducted from March 15 to 20 using face-toface interviews among 1,200 adult respondents, has a marginal error of ± 3 percent and confidence level

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Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella

Duterte supporters call for Robredo’s removal during ‘Palit Bise’ rally

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

ICE arrests two undocumented Filipinos in Pacific Northwest

TWO undocumented Filipinos were among the 84 foreign nationals arrested by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late March for violating immigration laws or posing a public safety threat.

In an effort to crackdown on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, ICE conducted a three-day operation in Oregon, Washington and Alaska from March 25-27.

Of those arrested, 77 were men and 7 women. Sixty had criminal histories “including prior convictions for sex crimes, drug offenses, and domestic violence,” the agency said in a statement.

Nineteen had been previously convicted of driving under the influence.

Individuals targeted were “criminal aliens

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Federal judge extends block on Trump’s travel ban THE federal judge in Hawaii who halted President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban has extended his order blocking the executive order.

The judge, United States District Court Judge Derrick Watson, made the decision to implement a longerlasting halt on the travel ban — which was a revision on a first executive order

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Judge Derrick Watson

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

GRATEFUL. The Philippine Army gifted President Rodrigo Duterte a set of Army battle dress uniform and a canteen cup during its 120th anniversary held in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig on Tuesday, April 4. The Army expressed its gratitude to the president for his support for the welfare of the troop and their families.

by

‘Know Your Rights’ urged after first Pinoy deported under Trump

by HEATHER

DOMINGO AJPress

FOLLOWING the deportation of Rey Galleon, Filipino-American community organizations like the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Los Angeles are urging undocumented Filipinos to know their rights in the event they are approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Galleon, an undocumented Filipino who had been living in San Bernardino, California for several years, was taken by ICE agents after dropping his daughter off at school on Friday, March 17. He reportedly did not have a criminal record.

PWC said Galleon’s case was the first one it received regarding an undocumented Filipino being deported since President Donald Trump took office in January.

According to Galleon, ICE manipulated

measure to address the bureau’s manpower shortage that had resulted in queues before immigraTHE Bureau of Immigration tion counters.

(BI) is deploying an additional The additional immigra170 immigration officers to the tion officers were picked up on Ninoy Aquino International Wednesday from the BI main Airport (NAIA) and other inter- office in Intramuros, Manila and national airports as a remedial u PAGE A2

B. DEPASUPIL ManilaTimes.net

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Vice President Leni Robredo

Immigration groups, advocates NDF orders Aquino’s arrest, trial over violent Kidapawan dispersal hold workshop as a guide AJP to undocumented Filipinos

Immigration to deploy 170 personnel to PH airports

by WILLIAM

THOUSANDS of supporters of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gathered on Sunday, April 2 at Manila’s Rizal Park calling for Vice President Leni Robredo to step down from office.

The rally, dubbed as “Palit Bise” (change the vice president), was reportedly led the president’s vocal supporters, including Mocha Uson, singer Jimmy Bondoc,

RESS

The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Southern Mindanao is calling for the arrest of and coerced him into signing a document, former President Benigno which was actually a ‘voluntary departure Simeon Aquino III and other form.’ He was able to persuade the officers government officials for crimes to allow him to go back to his home to get against humanity reportedly clothes, which presented him the opportucommitted during the violent nity to tell his wife to escape before the ofdispersal of protesting farmers in ficers could reach them as well.

Kidapawan last year.

He then paid for a plane ticket himself and returned to the Philippines.

“He was a simple father trying to raise his family in the U.S and not trying to get attention,” said Lolita Lledo, associate director of PWC, whom Galleon contacted through Facebook messenger not long after he arrived in the Philippines. Galleon, who was a member of PWC until he moved from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, told Lledo he was unaware of how ICE found out his exact address.

He was later joined by his wife and their

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In a statement issued during the one-year anniversary of the incident on Saturday, April 1, the NDF claimed that Aquino and other officials perpetrated “war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”

NDF said the indictment “effectively prescribed the arrest” of Aquino and the other indi-

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april 7-13, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

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From the Front Page

Pulse Asia: Duterte performance, trust…

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of 95 percent.

Despite the drop in ratings, Malacañang said the majority of the Filipinos “continue to embrace” Duterte’s “vision of a nation that works for the prosperity of all.”

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte’s continued high

approval shows that “the majority appreciate [his] decisiveness” despite criticisms against his administration’s policies.

“The people continue to embrace the president’s vision of a nation that works for the prosperity of all; a trustworthy government; and lasting peace, considering that the survey coincided with vicious noise from the presi-

dent’s fiercest critics; the filing of an impeachment complaint last March 16; the Senate appearance of a self-confessed but perjured assassin; human rights reports highly critical of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drug traffickers and violators; the internationally aired video message of Vice President Robredo,” Abella said. n

Duterte supporters call for Robredo’s…

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and lawyer Bruce Rivera.

The rallyists, mostly clad in red shirts, slammed Robredo for her remarks against some of Duterte’s policies, particularly her video message sent to the United Nations last month in which she criticized the administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. They also called on the president’s critics to stop shaming him.

“To us, palit bise can mean three things. Some are saying

palit bise means to impeach, some people say to resign. Some people say to change VP, meaning magbago kayo VP something like that. Whatever they choose among the options, we’re all united by one fact that the Vice President has not done [her] job in strengthening the administration,” Bondoc, an official for the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Duterte, meanwhile, was tightlipped when asked about the rally

against the vice president.

“Ayaw ko mag-comment diyan, mahirap ‘yan (I do not want to comment, that is difficult),” he told reporters during a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.

The president previously expressed his opposition to any impeachment attempt against Robredo and told her critics to “lay off.”

Robredo’s camp, on the other hand, downplayed the rally.

In a statement, the vice presi-

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PREPARATION. President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed young scouts at the Malacanang Palace during the Scouts’ Day Celebration last Monday, April 3. The president advised the boy scouts to enter the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) to learn how to fight national enemies.

RVTM photo

NDF orders Aquino’s arrest, trial over violent…

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viduals.

Among the officials tagged in the allegations were North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, North Cotabato Representative Nancy Catamco, several Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) civilian personalities, and other military and police officers.

NDF said that “after due trial by a People’s Court,” the respondents must “be meted out with appropriate penalties” “The People’s Democratic Government found compelling evidence that the ‘gross neglect and apathy and willful acts and/of omissions’ of the named-respondents violated the fundamental rights of the civilians guaranteed

in international tenets, covenants and instruments,” the group said.

On April 1, 2016, at least 6,000 farmers in Kidapawan City, Cotabato protested the alleged lack of assistance from the local government amid the worsening El Niño. Two protesting farmers were killed and more than a dozen others were injured during the incident.

The group also said that the “willful shooting that resulted in multiple violent deaths and serious injuries, the incarceration and the maltreatment of civilians, were all deliberate acts of aggression against defenseless civilians and vulnerable sections of the civilian population long considered under IHL (International Humanitarian Law) as protected

persons.”

In response, Malacañang assured that Aquino and the other officials tagged by NDF will be protected.

“Security measures are in place to guarantee the protection of the former president and other personalities mentioned by the announcement of the National Democratic Front,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Refusing to recognize NDF’s “indictment,” Malacañang maintained that “only the appropriate body can rule on the issue.”

“We only have one government and one justice system in the Philippines,” Abella said. “Only the appropriate body can rule on the issue of the violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan.” n

Immigration to deploy 170 personnel…

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other immigration field offices in various parts of the country.

In a memorandum order, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente directed 150 immigration officers currently assigned at the bureau’s main office and field offices nationwide to immediately report to the NAIA and assist in processing of arriving and departing international travelers.

The 20 other immigration officers, who originally were assigned to BI field offices in Pampanga, Davao, Aklan and Cebu, are to report to the airports in Clark (Pampanga), Davao (Davao City), Kalibo (Aklan) and Mactan (Cebu) to augment the number of BI personnel assigned there.

“With the fielding of these additional immigration officers, we are confident that those queues

before our counters will be lessened so as not to inconvenience travelers who are going on vacation here and abroad for the Lenten season and Easter,” Morente said.

The BI chief disclosed that he had ordered the cancelation of all approved leaves of Immigration employees during the month.

Pending applications will also

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From the Front Page

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 7-13, 2017

A

Duterte supporters call for Robredo’s…

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‘PALIT-BISE’ Thousands of supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte demand the resignation or impeachment of Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo in a rally at Rizal Park on Sunday, April 2, for supposedly besmirching the country’s reputation before the international community.

Manilatimes.net photo by Russell Palma

Immigration groups, advocates hold…

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two U.S.-born children a week later.

Galleon’s story serves as an example of what the next four years may bring under the current administration.

However, his story is also a lesson that other Filipinos can learn from. In response to this, a “Know Your Rights” training and workshop — hosted by the Association of Filipino Workers and ICE Out of LA Coalition — was held at PWC on Saturday, April 1.

At the event, Emi MacLean, who is an attorney with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), discussed types of deportations and precautionary measures undocumented residents can take. She emphasized that ICE can raid communities, homes, jails, and workplaces; but cannot raid schools, hospitals, or places of worship.

Vanessa Deleon from the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) also explained that undocumented workers who may have suggestive tattoos could get them a gang injunction or be placed on a database of suspected gang members, increasing their chances of deportation. Those with misdemeanors can qualify to have their charges expunged through YJC, she added.

Although Trump has said in the past that his primary focus is to deport those with criminal records, speakers on Saturday argued that Galleon’s story proves otherwise and that the basis for deportation has become broader.

“The Trump era brought a faster deportation process, a more regular use of immigration jails, and more raids in homes and work, and encouraged a better collaboration between the police department and ICE,” said MacLean.

She also explained that even those with a green card are not entirely exempt so it is important to attend a legal clinics or workshops to be well-informed of one’s rights “I am not saying this to scare you. I am saying this because it shows we need to support one another, educate ourselves on our rights, and fight back,” she emphasized.

Lledo also spoke out about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance that he would not ‘lift a single finger’ to help the undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. “And we want to remind you, President Duterte, that most of these undocumented are your supporters. They send you money during the election. [They] are still Filipino citizens,” Lledo said, adding, “You cannot ignore them. Even if they are far away, suffering, they have been helping [their] country. Why would [Duterte] not open the Philippines consulate to help us to provide legal service? They could organize immigration Filipino lawyers and send a lawyer to

someone like [Rey].”

She went on to say that instead of “trying to cower in fear every time you read the news about an arrest,” undocumented Filipinos should attend legal clinics or seek advice from a lawyer about their cases.

Although she is single and has never had children, Alice (last name withheld), 52, said she still has so much family to help. Alice graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in pharmacy, but is working in the U.S. as a caregiver.

“I am here to provide for my nieces and nephew. I am the one sending them to school. My niece and nephew are graduating college this March,” she said.

She added that undocumented individuals need support groups because “in times like this PWC, gives information of what to do and what not to do during this hard time. And if in case, whatever happens, PWC has a support system that can help the person.

It’s not guaranteed, of course, that a person will always get what they want but at least the person knows there is someone that will help throughout any case.”

For other participants, the workshop proved beneficial as it equipped them with the proper resources in case they encounter immigration officials.

“The workshop helped me because if ICE knocked on my door, I now know what to do. I love America and I don’t want to go home. I have been here 13 years.

My parents and brothers and sisters are all U.S. citizens but I was petitioned as married so it will take longer. I have to send three boys to school,” Ford (last name withheld), 56, said.

Another story that came to light was Rose (last name withheld), 62, who has been working as a caregiver. In August 2015, she was assigned to a woman in her 90s, who was diagnosed with dementia. The patient lived on a large estate by herself and was being cared for by undocumented caregivers because of her mental condition.

One night, the patient claimed Rose stole her money and was sent by her daughters to kill her. The elderly woman chased Rose around the property with a knife.

“The knife was near my right shoulder so I called 911. A lot of tears falling down,” she recounted. “I screamed and yelled outside hoping someone would hear me. The neighbors just opened the lights, but no help.”

Eventually, the police came to take the patient to a mental institution and Rose stayed with a friend that night. When asked if she plans to stay here, she said, “If God allows me, I will have a U Visa.”

A U Visa is for individuals who have been victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or pros-

Federal judge extends block…

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that was defeated by a federal appeals court — just hours after hearing arguments on Wednesday, March 29.

The revised travel ban was to temporarily restrict U.S. travel from six predominantly-Muslim countries and suspend the U.S. refugee program.

Two weeks ago, the state of Hawaii sued to end the travel ban on the grounds that it violated the Constitution. The extension of the block will be in effect un-

til the lawsuit is resolved; until then, the state sees this as a win for Muslim citizens in the United States after “repeated stops and starts of the last two months,” the state of Hawaii said in a statement.

Watson’s reasoning to extend the block coincides with his decision to implement the block two weeks ago: a precedent from the Supreme Court that used Trump’s rhetoric about Muslims during the presidential campaign

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ecution of the criminal activity.

The psychological trauma that Rose endured has made a lasting impact until today.

Even though she would prefer to go back to the Philippines, she said has many family members she still needs to help. Out of 11 children, she is the youngest daughter and is the only one in her family who has a college degree.

To the undocumented workers, Lledo said, “You belong to this country. Who will take care of your kids? We need to support each other especially in this crisis where [people] are singled out by a racist government.” n

dent’s legal counsel lawyer Barry Gutierrez noted that Duterte showed respect for Robredo’s mandate to serve in the country’s second-highest post.

“Malinaw na batay sa huli nilang pagkikita, nakatutok ang Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo sa kani-kanilang trabaho.

May kapwa paggalang sa mandato ng bawat isa (It was clear that based on their latest meeting, both the president and vice president are focused on their own jobs. They both respect each other’s mandate),” Gutierrez said.

The country’s two top officials last met during the graduating ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on March 12 in Baguio City.

“Kung sa kabila nito may iilang

supporter ng Pangulo na nagpupumilit pa ring lumihis sa pasya niyang ito, siguro sa kanya sila dapat magpaliwanag (If, despite this, some of the President’s supporters still insist in contradicting his stance, then maybe they should explain it to him),” Gutierrez added.

Despite the criticism, Robredo said she did not regret decrying the alleged human rights abuses in Duterte’s drug war before the UN. In an earlier interview with radio DZMM on Tuesday, March 28, Robredo also said she was planning to meet with Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno after Holy Week to provide him details about “palit-ulo” or “exchange of head” scheme. Sueno, however, was removed from from his post as the DILG chief on Monday,

April 3.

In her video message, Robredo defined the alleged “exchange of head” as a police scheme in which “the wife, husband or relative in a so-called drug list will be taken if the person himself could not be found.”

While the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the existence of the so-called “palit-ulo” (exchange of head) scheme in the government’s war against illegal drugs, insisted that it was far different from Vice Robredo’s definition.

Police Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa clarified that “exchange of head” refers to a practice wherein arrested drug pushers can reveal their supplier or higher drug lords in exchange of being charged with a lighter offense. n

Immigration to deploy 170 personnel…

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be disapproved, he said.

Morente explained that the deployment to the airports is only temporary and that the affected employees will be recalled to their old units after the Lenten break.

He conceded that the employees’ reassignment will cause a slight slowdown in operations of the offices that they will temporarily vacate.

Professionalism, prudence “I appeal to our rank-and-file to remain patient and focused on their responsibilities as everything is being done to address their financial plight that result-

ed from the loss of their overtime pay,” Morente said.

“We stand together in this quest for what is due and proper.

We must continue to act with professionalism and prudence, strong and confident in the belief that justice will prevail,” he added.

Earlier, Morente and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the latter’s veto of the use of the BI’s express lane collections in paying the overtime services of the bureau’s organic personnel and the salaries of its contractual employees.

They proposed that the over-

time pay be temporarily reinstated until Congress enacts a new immigration law that will upgrade the salary scale of BI employees.

Immigration employees also on Wednesday, April 5, in a twopage open letter addressed to the President, pleaded for retention of the express lane fund in the bureau to be utilized for their unpaid overtime.

“Our dear President, without your help, about 1,000 of us or 40 percent of our workforce will automatically lose our jobs and will join the unemployed sector of our country. With a meager

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CA Senate Health Committee votes in favor of Dialysis Patient Safety Act

by AJPress SACRAMENTO — The California State Senate’s Health Committee stood with dialysis caregivers on Thursday, March 30 by their decisive vote in favor of the Dialysis Patient Safety Act. The Dialysis Patient Safety Act (SB 349), proposed by state Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), would set safe caregiver-to-patient ratios in chronic dialysis clinics statewide, mandate safer transition times between patients for infection control, and require annual inspections of the facilities.

Over 550 dialysis clinics across the state would be affected by the legislation, the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIUUHW) previously told the Asian Journal.

Ronnie Batino, a dialysis nurse who works in a Fullerton clinic, testified in favor of the bill and shared how “unsafe incidents” could occur if there are not enough nurses to treat the growing number of patients.

“For our patients, dialysis is not just a treatment. It’s their life,” said Batino in a statement.

“Three times a week they spend 3-4 hours with us, and will for the rest of their lives. Many are parents with young children at home, or spouses who depend on them. They have such courage. This bill is about helping to save their lives by ensuring they get safe, good-quality care so they can have long, happy lives with their families.”

Lara introduced the bill in February and presented it on Thursday to the committee chaired by State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez. The bill calls for ratios in California’s chronic dialysis clinics of no more than one

BOYS OF SUMMER. Two boys have rollicking fun on a bike as members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damaging Maralita (Kadamay) cool their heels outside the government housing project in Pandi Heights III, Bulacan province. Since March 20, Kadamay members have occupied housing projects in Pandi and San Jose del Monte, which were supposed to be for military and police personnel.

Inquirer photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta

Filipina caregiver arrested for alleged grand theft from patients Representatives of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) testified in favor of the Dialysis Patient Safety Act (SB 349), which seeks to change staffing requirements at dialysis facilities throughout the state.

Photo courtesy of UNAC/UHCP

RN to eight patients, one tech to three patients and one social worker to 25 patients.

As the Asian Journal previously reported, there has been some opposition to the bill, with some groups alleging that it is “a solution in search of a problem.”

In a statement, the California Dialysis Council outlined four reasons why the provisions of the bill would not improve the conditions for dialysis patients and workers: • Mandated ratios will harm

dialysis patients, especially those reliant on Medi-Cal; • Mandated ratios will increase costs for the Medi-Cal program unnecessarily; • Dialysis facility operations are already tightly regulated; and • Mandated ratios would reduce patient access and flexibility of each specific facility.

The bill will now move on to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing expected next week. n

THE Palos Verdes Estates Police Department has arrested a Filipina caregiver suspected of stealing credit cards, cash and other personal belongings from elderly victims she cared for.

Ma “Rose” Licuanan, 49, was arrested on Tuesday, March 28 after detectives obtained a warrant to search the Torrance woman’s home and car on March 21, according to a statement released by the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. Detectives discovered stolen credit cards and other belongings from various victims.

Police allege that Licuanan “copied other credit card numbers so she could use them online. Fraudulent transactions were made on those credit card

accounts.”

Detectives spoke with five other victims who asserted that Licuanan was their caregiver and they had found “fraudulent transactions on their accounts and/or believe she stole cash from them, the statement read.

One victim, 78-year-old Lisa Alonzo, told CBS Los Angeles that she hired Licuanan to assist her in her mobility since injuring her leg in a car accident.

However, Licuanan only worked for Alonzo for two days because she suspected that the caregiver stole $100 from her.

“I just told her I just don’t want to work with you,” Alonzo told CBS. Soon after, Alonzo noticed nearly $900 worth of charges on

her credit card that she didn’t make.

Licuanan has been charged with four felony counts and two misdemeanor counts in this investigation by the LA County DA’s office.

The suspect used a number of aliases including Rose Licuanan, Maria Licuanan, Marosario Mendoza Licuanan and Rosario Licuanan.

Licuanan is currently held without bail.

The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department was unavailable for a comment on this story.

They encourage more victims to come forward by contacting Sgt. Luke Hellinga at (310) 378-4211.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

ICE arrests two undocumented Filipinos in…

Federal judge… PAGE A1 t

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to justify the unconstitutionality of the travel ban.

“The court will not crawl into a corner, pull the shutters closed, and pretend it has not seen what it has,” Watson wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

In his initial ruling that blocked the revised travel ban, Watson said that that the state of Hawaii displayed “a strong likelihood of success on the merits of their Establishment Clause claim, that irreparable injury is likely if the requested relief is not issued.”

The Establishment Clause falls under the First Amendment and it prohibits the government from passing laws that favor one religion over another. Watson argued that the executive order, by banning travel from Muslim-majority nations, deliberately disfavors Muslims.

In addition to allowing travel from the six Muslim countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen), Watson’s order also stops the suspension of the refugee program, a program orchestrated by the State Department which protects refugees coming to the U.S. and assists in adjustment to life in the U.S. In response to the ban, the Justice Department — on behalf of the Trump administration — asked the judge to narrow the ruling to involve only the part of the order that prohibits new visas for people in the banned countries.

“The Justice Department strongly disagrees with the federal district court’s ruling. The President’s executive order fails squarely within his lawful authority in seeking to protect our nation’s security, and the department will continue to defend this executive order in the courts,” a spokesperson for the Justice Department wrote in a statement.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

who pose a public safety threat and individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who re-entered the country after being deported and immigration fugitives ordered deported by federal immigration judges,” ICE explained.

Bryan Wilcox, acting field office director for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Seattle, said the threeday sweep highlights ICE’s “commitment to promoting public safety through the pursuit of targeted criminals residing in the U.S. illegally.”

“Our officers will continue in their efforts to create safer communities by identifying and removing those not willing to comply with U.S. laws,” Wilcox

added.

Some of the individuals arrested during the enforcement action will be presented for federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, ICE said.

However, those “not being criminal prosecuted will be processed for removal from the country,” while those who have outstanding orders of deportation or those who returned to the U.S. illegally after being previously deported are “subject to immediate removal from the country.”

The identities of the two Filipinos and their convictions have not been released, as of press time. These arrests come after Rey Galleon, an undocumented Filipino living in Southern Cali-

fornia, was deported following an encounter with ICE agents earlier in March.

Galleon, who reportedly did not have a criminal record, is considered to be the first Filipino deported under the Trump administration.

In addition to the two Filipinos, nationals from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, United Kingdom, Cambodia, Brazil, Laos, Western Samoa, Myanmar, and Russia were also arrested in the Pacific Northwest.

ICE said it carries out targeted enforcement operations daily across the country.

“Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE,” the agency added. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

Immigration to deploy 170 personnel…

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pay, the rest of us will wallow in poverty,” the letter read.

It said, “Our families will suffer tremendously. We will have very limited resources to pay for our monthly bills and rents. We will face extreme difficulties in providing for the basic needs of our loved ones. Our children may not finish their education.”

According to Red Mariñas, BI Port Operations Division chief at the NAIA, more than 3,000 BI officers are on leave as of February 17 this year, including front liners at the country’s premier airport.

An airport official who requested anonymity said fear of mass resignation of Immigration officers will put the premier airport vulnerable to illegal entry of suspected terrorists who would take advantage of the lack of officers who are experts in profiling undesirable aliens.

Vulnerable to terrorists The letter senders said, “Our

airports, border-crossing stations in the South [Mindanao], field officers and sub-ports nationwide will be undermanned, or worse, unmanned. There will be queues in the airports and other BI offices and our borders will be vulnerable to the terrorists. Because of these dangerous consequences, our national security might be compromised.”

They noted that “the express lane system has been in place for almost 30 years now. It has been the source of ultimate compensation for the bureau’s personnel and only the passage of the new immigration act will answer the deficiencies that the express lane has effectively addressed.”

DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier assured that a total of P224.835 million has been appropriated in Fiscal Year 2017 General Appropriations Act specifically for the overtime pay of BI employees.

Mariñas, however, said the DBM is yet to release the overtime pay and many employees mostly casual ones have opted to resign because they could no longer cover their expenses.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has already confirmed the legal basis for the utilization and disbursement by the bureau of the express lane fund.

According to the DoJ, since there is a law that specifically exempts the collections for overtime service from provisions of Section 63 of Presidential Decree 1445, the express lane fund may not be remitted to the national treasury.

Meanwhile, passengers of international flights are advised to be at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at least four to five hours before their respective estimated times of departure because of the lack of immigration personnel manning the BI counters there. (With Benjie Vergara)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 7-13, 2017

A

PH gov’t, NDF agree on interim truce

by Audrey

MorAllo Manilatimes.net

MANILA — Negotiators for the government and for communist rebels on Wednesday, April 5 reached an agreement on an interim ceasefire, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

In a post on Twitter, OPAPP said that both panels agreed on the joint truce, which is expected to be signed later this evening, Manila time.

The guidelines will govern issues such as the presence of armed groups in communities, creation of buffer zones, prohibition of hostile and provocative acts such as the collection socalled revolutionary taxes and the undertaking of joint socioeconomic projects.

The agreement will also guide the formation of a joint ceasefire committee and the possible role of a third party in truce monitoring and other ceasefire mechanisms in the implementation of the agreement.

These mechanisms will also have a provision for complaints and alleged violations.

“Matters regarding a single government authority and taxation shall be discussed and resolved in forging the Comprehensive Agreement on Political

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison and Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza discuss the agenda before the start of the peace talks in The Netherlands.

mechanism that would prevent fighting between government forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) on the ground.

LISTEN TO YOUR OWN PEOPLE. Progressive organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan criticized President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday Set for release are the followfor hoisting several preconditions before peace talks between the government and communist rebels could resume, saying that these ing military officers and policeconditions were the very issues being negotiated and addressed in the talks. In a statement, Bayan said that demanding that these man: preconditions be met was “putting the cart before the horse.”

Bayan photo - PFC Edwin Salan, who was captured in Alegria, Surigao Del Norte on Jan. 29; - Sgt. Solaiman Calucop, who was captured in Columbio, Sulby PiA lee-BrAgo tan Kudarat on Feb. 2; Negotiators from China and ambitions in the South China Sea Philstar.com - PFC Samuel Garay, who was ASEAN have met in Indonesia when they meet tomorrow and also caught in Columbio, SulMANILA - China and South- and Cambodia in the last two Friday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago tan Kudarat on Feb. 2 and east Asian countries have made months to try to come up with resort in Florida.

- PO2 Jerome Natividad, who progress in talks on a code of a final draft, which could be apResearch in Benham Rise was taken in Talakag, Bukid- conduct for the disputed South proved ahead of the August The Philippines approved the PAGE A9 China Sea, although the issue on meeting of Southeast Asian for- requests of the US and other whether it is legally binding still eign ministers in Manila. countries to conduct marine sciremains pending, acting Foreign Manalo said the code should entific research in the Benham Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo be legally binding.

Rise area after compliance with said. requirements that include havment in the illegal drugs trade at Almost the entire waterway, “I think China still believes, ing a Filipino scientist on board, the New Bilibid Prison, Alvarez through which about $5 trillion is still in the position that it Manalo said during a forum of defended fellow representatives in sea-borne goods pass every shouldn’t be legally binding. the Foreign Correspondents after they were severely criticized year, is claimed by China while Frankly, from a negotiating point Association of the Philippines for asking Ronnie Dayan, the Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- of view, I think it’s a little bit early (FOCAP) at the Manila Diamond senator’s former driver and lover, pines, Taiwan and Vietnam also to say,” Manalo added.

Hotel. highly personal questions about have claims on some portions.

As the Department of Foreign But he added that the requests their relationship.

“We have made good progress Affairs (DFA) works to complete from China for the same research It was however recently revealed on coming up with a framework the framework by June, talks were denied. that Alvarez himself is involved for a code of conduct with Chi- with Beijing are set next month “Those are, of course, confiin an extramarital relationship na,” Manalo said, adding that the to tackle “issues of concern re- dential but let’s just (say) they after he filed a corruption charge Association of Southeast Asian garding the South China Sea,” didn’t comply with all the reagainst Davao Del Norte Rep. An- Nations (ASEAN) and China including China’s militarization quirements,” he said when asked Sen. Leila De Lima tonio Floirendo Jr. were more than halfway through of several manmade islands in the reason for the denial.

It has been alleged that the com- identifying the contents. illegal narcotics in the country. the Spratly Islands – which the He declined to give the num“I just have this message for the plaint was filed because of an al“From a scale of 1-10, we are Philippines, US and Vietnam ber of countries with approved Speaker - Please stop judging me tercation last year between the two at the upper level. Remember, we have objected to. research requests, saying, “I on my ‘true character’. You don’t congressmen’s girlfriends. Alvarez were starting from zero in JanuThe bilateral mechanism is one can’t answer the exact numbers has denied that this is the reason ary. There have been a number of two dialogues held by China but as long as the country comknow me,” she said.

Alvarez has been one of the for his complaint. of elements agreed upon and we with claimant states. The other is plies with the requirements of The speaker has since admitted would definitely have a frame- with Vietnam. most vocal and fiercest critics of the Philippines they will be alto having a girlfriend and to siring work on which to embark on a De Lima.

US President Donald Trump lowed to conduct research in the In one congressional hearing eight children by different rela- serious negotiation on a code of and Chinese President Xi Jinping area in question.” into the senator’s alleged involve- tionships. conduct,” he said. are expected to discuss Chinese PAGE A7 and Constitutional Reforms within the framework of the proposed Federal Republic of the Philippines,” the agreement said.

The agreement will remain interim until a permanent ceasefire is forged pursuant to a Comprehensive Agreement on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces, according to the text.

This development followed an agreement between the two sides on the release of political prisoners: four police officers and soldiers held by the rebels and 23 political detainees held by the government.

Both panels believe that this agreement would lead to a better

De Lima to Alvarez: Stop judging me

by Audrey

MorAllo Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Leila De Lima on Monday, April 3, told House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to stop judging her character, her first reaction to the revelation to the public that the House leader has an extramarital affair.

In a dispatch from Camp Crame, where she is detained on drug charges for her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade, De Lima said that she did not want to rub it in despite persistent requests for her comments on the controversy Alvarez has become mired in.

De Lima said that her only message for the speaker, one of her most vocal critics, was for him to stop perpetuating lies about her alleged connection to the trade of

China, ASEAN make progress on sea code

A

April 7-13, 2017 • NOrCAl ASiAN JOUrNAl

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OpiniOn

Airport woes

Features

FOR a country that has been branded with the “worst airport in the world” tag in 2011 and 2013, the last thing it needs is another reason to inconvenience its travelers.

Last year, a survey released by “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports” ranked the Philippines’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in fifth place. Complaints included the prevalence of the tanim bala (bullet planting) scheme that victimized NAIA passengers, frequent power outages, poor air-conditioning, lack of seats and complicated terminal transfers.

NAIA was not included in the world’s list of worst airports in 2014 and 2015 after major renovations were implemented at the country’s main international gateway.

“Some travelers noted improvements in the airport structure and facilities such as cleaner bathrooms, more chairs and some general organization of taxis in front of the terminal,” the travel website noted.

Travelers rate their airport experience on factors such as comfort (rest zones and gate seating), facilities and things to do, food options, immigration or security, customer service and cleanliness.

On Tuesday, April 4, cutout photos of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno were seen in place of immigration officers at the counters of NAIA. Many immigration windows were vacant as a result of the looming crisis as more Bureau of Immigration officers (IOs) assigned at NAIA terminals have already left their posts—while more are expected to quit— after a recent order was issued to stop the overtime

pay of IOs at the airports.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II reported that 32 IOs had left since January. Fifty more IOs had informed the bureau that they would go on leave for six months in preparation for their resignations and to look for new jobs. At least 17 to 18 IOs are absent almost daily at the four NAIA terminals.

“Many of them have stopped going to work or have gone on leave because their overtime will not be paid anyway,” Aguirre said. “The economy will be affected by this. Hopefully, we could find a temporary remedy to this situation.”

Aguirre is referring for a compromise to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to bar the bureau from using the funds collected from airport express lanes for overtime pay. Express lane funds are generated charges are additional costs being paid by a foreigner who wants to fast track processing of permits and documents.

Duterte vetoed the use of express lane charges collected by the BI for payment of salaries of casual and contractual personnel, confidential agents and job order employees, augmentation of salaries and the health insurance premium of personnel who render services beyond office hours. Records showed that immigration personnel were paid P784 million in overtime pay last year, which was five times bigger than their basic salaries.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

Under R.A. 10924, the said funds collected from use of express lanes will now go to the national treasury and will be allocated to other government agencies.

If this problem continues, expect to see longer lines of domestic and foreign travelers at the

country’s international gateways. Until a solution becomes available, this will have significant effects on the economy and security, and will be a great concern for travelers who will now think twice before making the Philippines their next destination.

(AJPress)

Trump smoke and fire: Spies, lies, and the Russian ties “SOME people in the Trump campaign may end up in jail,” revealed Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro in a CNN interview on Tuesday, April 4.

The congressman’s declaration comes after more classified information was presented to the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the allegations that the Trump campaign and Russia conspired to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

With probes also being performed by the Department of Justice, FBI, the National Security Agency and the Senate Intelligence Committee to get to the bottom of the assault of Russia on U.S. democracy, new deep connections between members of the Trump campaign and transition team and Russian officials have been coming to light.

The Trump camp had initially denied the numerous secret meetings that various members had with Russian officials here in the United States, in Russia and other parts of the world. Some even lied under oath and recently, evidence has revealed that those meetings actually occurred.

These Trump associates included, among others: National Security adviser Michael Flynn who lied about meeting with Russian officials and failed to disclose payments from Russian companies; Attorney General Jeff Sessions who lied under oath that he met with the Russian ambassador to the United

Analysis

antonio P. ContReRaS INDAY (not her real name) has been living in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 10 years with her foreigner husband and their four children. There are about 500 Filipinos living in the Caribbean nation in various sectors, in construction, hospitality, healthcare and domestic work. She was living a peaceful and ordinary life, until Leni Robredo delivered that six-minute message painting the Philippines as a dark place where people are mired in helplessness and hopelessness. Radio stations began to speak harshly about the Philippines, even painting our country as if we have become a war zone where just anyone can be killed in the streets. Commentaries in the media and even from her friends were so insulting, and have caused her much stress. Many of her friends have messaged her, concerned about the safety of her family still living here, something that she is not sure if she should appreciate.

between the Trump States twice; campaign and RusTrump’s former cam- The Fil-Am sia in hacking and paign manager Paul leaking damaging inManafort was found to Perspective formation about the have worked to help Democratic National Russian President Committee and nomVladimir Putin’s govinee Hillary Clinton ernment push its interto help Trump win? ests around the world; Gel SantoS-ReloS Were there talks beFormer campaign associate Carter Page was targeted for tween the Trump campaign and Russia about easing sanctions imposed by recruitment by Russian spies; Trump’s son-in-law and senior advis- President Barack Obama against Russia er Jared Kushner met with the Russian for interference in the 2016 election? ambassador during transition and met What did Trump know? When did he with a Russian bank chairman with ties know them? What did he do when he knew about any of the talks? to Putin; On March 4, as the Russian probe Major campaign donor, Erik Prince — founder of government service and went deeper, Trump shocked the world security company Blackwater and broth- with his early morning tweets accusing er of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Obama of wiretapping him without of— reportedly had a secret meeting ar- fering any evidence to support his alleranged by the United Arab Emirates at gations. This accusation was debunked the Seychelles islands, just nine days by the U.S. intelligence community to before Trump’s inauguration. U.S., Eu- be unfounded.

And then Trump dropped another ropean and Arab officials revealed that the meeting was with a Russian close to smoke screen: that British spies did it Putin as part of an apparent effort to es- for Obama. This was an allegation that tablish a back-channel line of communi- was vehemently denied by America’s cation between Moscow and President- closest ally and the U.S. intelligence community. elect Donald Trump.

And then this past week, anothThe questions that need to be answered: Why did the Trump campaign er smoke screen — allegations that have to make these meetings “secret”? Obama’s former National Security AdWhy did they have to lie about these, viser Susan Rice illegally unmasked with Sessions even being not forthcom- names of Trump’s associates in surveiling under oath? Was there coordination lance against him and leaked informa-

tion for political expediency.

This accusation against Rice was debunked by members of the intelligence community who said that as an adviser, she was just doing her job in requesting to unmask (get to know) the identities of individuals who arose to be in communication with foreign entities believed to be a threat to U.S. national security.

Unmasking was legal and was necessary to know the context of the communications between the U.S. person and the foreign entity. Rice never leaked the information to anybody, disproving accusations she and the Obama administration had used it for political reasons.

The Bloomberg story by Eli Lake that broke the news implicating name of Susan Rice in this development concluded: “Rice’s requests to unmask the names of Trump transition officials do not vindicate Trump’s own tweets from March 4 in which he accused Obama of illegally tapping Trump Tower. There remains no evidence to support that claim.

But Rice’s multiple requests to learn the identities of Trump officials discussed in intelligence reports during the transition period does highlight a longstanding concern for civil liberties advocates about U.S. surveillance programs.

The standard for senior officials to learn the names of U.S. persons incidentally collected is that it must have some foreign intelligence value, a standard that can apply to almost anything. This sug-

gests Rice’s unmasking requests were likely within the law.

The news about Rice also sheds light on the strange behavior of Nunes [Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, also part of Trump’s transition team] in the last two weeks. It emerged last week that he traveled to the White House last month, the night before he made an explosive allegation about Trump transition officials caught up in incidental surveillance. At the time he said he needed to go to the White House because the reports were only on a database for the executive branch.

It now appears that he needed to view computer systems within the National Security Council that would include the logs of Rice’s requests to unmask U.S. persons.

The ranking Democrat on the committee Nunes chairs, Representative Adam Schiff, viewed these reports on Friday. In comments to the press over the weekend he declined to discuss the contents of these reports, but also said it was highly unusual for the reports to be shown only to Nunes and not himself and other members of the committee.

Indeed, much about this is highly unusual: if not how the surveillance was collected, then certainly how and why it was disseminated.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of

Leni Robredo’s sins against the overseas Filipinos And the stories keep coming, from nurses, domestic helpers, immigrants, engineers, Filipinos all. They have to endure being objects of misplaced concern over how we cope with the horror of being under a tyrannical despot, or of downright condemnation of how we can allow a President who targets the poor and has ordered the execution of more than 7,000 drug users.

Even Filipinos who are supposed to be on vacation have to suffer the effects of the disinformation, like Melanie (not her real name) who was on vacation in Ecuador had to bear. Instead of pleasantly engaging her tour group colleague, she had to spend time debunking accusations that we are some backward country whose President is a crazy, maniacal murderer who loves to kill at will.

And the most painful story is that of Elaine (not her real name), who is married to an Italian but lives in Thailand with their child.

Elaine is dying of cancer, and she wants to come home to spend the rest of her life with her parents and family in her hometown. After being exposed to the unfavorable images painted by the international

media, and further affirmed by the speech of Mrs. Robredo, her husband refuses to come with her.

He believes that the Philippines is not a safe place under President Duterte. Elaine begged him to allow even just their child to come with her, but her husband refused to grant her request. He told her that she can go home by herself, or just remain in Thailand to die there, and he will just send her ashes or remains to her parents here.

There are millions of overseas Filipinos in the global diaspora.

We may not be the only nationality that is scattered all over the world, but we are surely the most diasporic, in the sense that regardless of our circumstances, whether we are just temporary migrant workers, or permanent residents or even citizens of our adoptive countries, we remain attached to the Filipino homeland.

The circumstances that drive us to leave can be to seek greener pastures abroad, or simply to earn more by sacrificing so much.

There are Filipinos who have to leave their children, barely old enough to take care of themselves, to take care of other countries’

children. We leave our parents and elderly, in order to serve the needs of the aged and the infirm in other countries. We leave jobs here that pay less to go to jobs abroad that pay more even if it means selling everything that we have earned.

There are also many of us who migrate and take up citizenship abroad, but the taking of an oath of loyalty to other countries, and marrying their citizens and starting families there, can never extinguish our bond with the Philippines.

And these are the millions of Filipinos in the diaspora that have now been offended by Robredo’s six-minute speech that slandered the President, but in the end also slandered our country and people.

As one overseas Filipino lamented, embodying a widely held sentiment, Leni Robredo spoke with the Philippine flag behind her, and the seal of her office prominently displayed. She inflicted the authority of her office to become a burden for the overseas Filipinos to bear.

Her unverified accusations took the mantle of an official declaration, and acquired the character of authoritative truth, for it came from the second highest official of

Vice Pres. Leni Robredo

the land.

It is, however, heartwarming to see overseas Filipino workers assertively standing up to dispel the lies and the half-truths. It is simply amazing how ordinary people in the Filipino diaspora rose to defend not only the President but their homeland.

We owe it to every mother who left her children, every husband who left his wife and family, and

every Filipino who left us but remains with us, to rise up too in solidarity and defend if not the President, then our country.

We who are left behind have to be at the forefront in unmasking the lies of Leni Robredo and her allies.

Leni apologists will dismiss this as obsession, or misplaced loyalty.

We have to tell them this is our duty. (ManilaTimes.net)

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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Dateline PhiliPPines

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 7-13, 2017

DOJ to probe DAP misuse

A

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate the alleged misuse of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) during the previous administration.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the probe would also look into possible liabilities of former and current officials who supposedly benefited from schemes under the economic stimulus program that was partially declared illegal by the Supreme Court. “We will look into that (anomaly in the DAP),� Aguirre told The Star. He said there are plans to create a team to conduct the factfinding probe.

Aguirre revealed the investigation would cover former president Benigno Aquino III and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and how they supposedly benefited from the scheme.

Duterte on Sunday said the former president, former budget secretary Florencio Abad and Trillanes had benefited from the DAP. Duterte has alleged the Aquino administration continued to implement the DAP even after the Supreme Court in 2014 struck down most of its provisions for

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the probe would also look into possible liabilities of former and current officials who supposedly benefited from schemes under the economic stimulus program that was partially declared illegal by the Supreme Court.

RELIC. Devotee Felicidad Javier, 58, of the Prayer Angels of the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor, wipes a reliquary containing a

tion charges against government relic of St. John Paul 2nd at the Radyo Veritas Chapel in Quezon City. The Catholic Church is marking the 12th anniversary of the death of the Polish pope-saint, who visited the Philippines three times.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan officials even if the anti-graft office has the exclusive power to prosecute the cases under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.

Last month, the Office of the Ombudsman indicted Abad beby Kristian JaviEr fore the Sandiganbayan for vio“Ang trabaho po ng pulis ay “But these policemen who Philstar.com lation of Article 239, or usurpawere charged, I cannot abandon siguraduhin na walang kriminalition of legislative powers over MANILA — Commission on them, I really cannot abandon dad at ipatupad ang batas santhe controversial DAP but spared Human Rights Chairman Chito them. Because maybe they fol- gayon sa nakalagay sa batas,�

Aquino.

Gascon expressed worry at Presi- lowed my order to a tee,� Duterte Gascon said, adding that part of dent Rodrigo Duterte’s statement said. their oath is to uphold the law, Duterte added that he will not which includes upholding due lease of the POWs, as well as that he would pardon cops implito facilitate the safe withdrawal cated in the killing of Albuera, interfere in the legal process, but process.

Gascon also called on the Deof the concerned NPA custodial Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa will use his power to grant pardons in case of a guilty verdict. partment of Justice to investigate PAGE A5 February 14. forces, the NDFP strongly urges while in government custody. “Ngayon po, dapat sampahan He added would even promote cases where those killed allegnon on Feb. 9 Suspension of operations for the GRP to order a ten-day Susng kaso sa ating mga korte at du- them one rank higher. edly fought back.

Their release comes after the release of NPA prisoners pension of Military Operations Gascon said that with these “Sa mga ‘nanlaban’ casCommunist Party of the PhilThe rebels urged the govern- (SOMO) for the AFP and Suspen- maan sa proseso at antayin yung kapasyahan ng korte kung may pronouncements contribute to es, dapat po talaga lahat ippines-New People’s Army ment to order a 10-day suspen- sion of Police Operations (SOPO) released paramilitary mem- sion of military and police opera- for the PNP in and around the sala man o wala,� Gascon said in an atmosphere of impunity. He ng ‘nanlaban’ cases, dalhin na sa bers Rene Doller and Mark No- tions to facilitate the release of areas where the POWs will be re- an interview with TV5’s ‘Aksyon’ added that the president’s pro- korte at mag-paliwanag ang pulis nouncements essentially give kung nagamit niya po yung selfcus, who were both captured the four. leased,� the National Democratic on Monday, April 3.

He added that while the presipolice officers a license to do defense properly,� Gascon said. in Lupon, Davao Oriental on “For the safe and orderly re- Front said on its website. dent has clemency powers which anything, even kill, without going Gascon said that the Commisincludes awarding pardons, through due process. sion on Human Rights, which has that can only be done after final “Importante po yung batas, created a task force to investigate conviction. He said the grant of pairalin natin ng husto para sa extrajudicial killings, has investiof the Philippines over Benham pardon must also undergo a pro- gayon, wala pong nasa labas ng gated 500 drug-related deaths. tific research.�

PAGE A5 batas. Wala pong mangingibHe added the the CHR is tryThe DFA Maritime and Ocean Rise. That was clearly stated and cess.

Under the 1987 Constitu- abaw sa batas,� Gascon said. ing to cooperate with the police Aside from the Filipino scientist Affairs Office processes the ap- was also mentioned that they The administration has to conduct investigations and in requirement, he said researchers plications “strictly for marine have no dispute with the Phil- tion, “the president may grant are also obligated to share the in- scientific research purposes and ippines on that area,� Manalo reprieves, commutations, and stressed that it is investigating looking for witnesses. pardons, and remit fines and for- deaths linked to the government’s “Ang aming task force, kinoformation they gathered. said. not for economic exploration.� “As long as they’re willing to Chinese Foreign Ministry feitures, after conviction by final war on drugs and that it will not kolekta lahat ng impormasyon The Philippines had sent a do that, then we don’t see any note verbale to China, asking spokesperson Lu Kang said judgment.� The president can tolerate police officers who vio- at mag-lalabas kami ng interim reason why they can’t explore,� for explanation about Chinese China fully respects the right of also grant amnesties, but these late human rights and standard report. Itong interim report ay operating procedures. para tingnan yung patterns over Manalo added. vessels spotted in Benham Rise, the Philippines to the continental need concurrence by Congress.

On Friday, March 31, President Gascon also said that while he the last six months from June to Applications for research are after the Department of Nation- shelf of Benham Rise and Beijing usually declined after the con- al Defense said that one vessel never challenged the relevant Duterte promised to pardon the wants to believe that Duterte’s December,� Gascon said. police officers implicated in Espi- pronouncements are only a form He also called on the police to cerned government agencies lingered there for three months rights of Manila. recommend it, citing the “non- from September to November.

China also said the ship was nosa’s death at the Baybay sub- of mockery, as president, he has follow the terms of engagement involvement of Filipino scientists “China reaffirmed that they carrying out “innocent� pas- provincial jail in November be- the power to do whatever he and the use of force continuum cause they followed his orders. says. in its operations. in the conduct of marine scien- recognize the sovereign rights sage. being unconstitutional.

Duterte vowed to expose how P72 billion in funds under the DAP were misused. “The President is in possession of documents showing how officials in the previous administration benefited from it,� Aguirre said.

The DOJ has concurrent jurisdiction with the Office of the Ombudsman in investigating corrup-

Duterte’s promise to pardon cops worries CHR

PH gov’t, NDF agree on...

China, ASEAN make progress...

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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly PERHAPS the most common way for a person to be granted permanent resident status (Green card) is through marriage to a U.S. citizen. But what happens when the U.S. citizen spouse is physically or verbally abusing the foreign national?

Are they required to stay in the abusive relationship until they receive their green card? Because of the “Violence Against Women Act,” (“VAWA”), the answer is NO! The VAWA applies to both men and women and it is not limited to only spouses of U.S. citizens. It allows certain spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to file a petition for themselves without any assistance from their relative. This ability to file without their family member’s assistance allows victims to immediately seek both safety and independence from their abuser. The abuser will not be notified about the self-petition.

There are three general categories of people eligible to file self-petitions under VAWA. These categories include people who are abused after entering into a marriage with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; parents of abusive U.S. citizen children; and children who are under 21, unmarried, and have been abused by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent. This requirement that a child file before their 21st birthday may be extended until they turn 25-years-old if they can demonstrate that the abuse was the main reason for the delay in filing.

The most difficult task facing a self-petitioner under VAWA is typically establishing that they have suffered “extreme cruelty” by their family member. While difficult, this task is still very

Obtaining a green card after being abused possible. First, it is important to know that “extreme cruelty” is not limited to acts of physical violence. “Extreme cruelty” is interpreted much more broadly.

It does obviously include acts of physical violence, but it also includes many other types of abuse as well. In fact, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) may approve a self-petition based solely on psychological and emotional abuse. The USCIS will also consider what has been deemed “immigrant-related” abuse. Immigration-related abuse may include the refusal to file papers on behalf of a family member despite repeated promises to do so, calling the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report a family member’s unlawful presence in the U.S., or threats to have a family member deported if they do not act in conformity with the abuser’s wishes.

The USCIS will consider the totality of the circumstances when assessing whether “extreme cruelty” is present, which means that they may find the existence of “extreme cruelty” when there are acts that may not initially appear violent but are part of an overall pattern of violence.

It is especially important to note that in cases where a person is filing a self-petition based on the abuse they suffered from their spouse, the immigrant does not have to stay married to their abusive spouse. They are certainly permitted to file a selfpetition during the marriage, but they may also file the self-petition after the marriage has been terminated through death or divorce. However, if the marriage has already been terminated, they must file the self-petition within two years of the termination of the marriage. They must also file the VAWA petition before the self-petitioner enters

into a new marriage.

In addition, if the abusive spouse/parent had previouslyfiled an immigrant visa petition on behalf of the battered spouse/ child, the priority date can be transferred to the self-petition.

This can be helpful for spouses or children of lawful permanent residents who face a long wait for the availability of their priority date.

Following the approval of a self-petition by the USCIS, the immigrant will be permitted to seek adjustment of status as soon as their priority date is current. However, even if the selfpetitioner is not ready to adjust their status, they may receive “Deferred Action.” This grant of “Deferred Action” would protect them from being placed in removal proceedings even though they lack lawful immigration status in the U.S. These individuals who receive “Deferred Action” are also eligible to receive employment authorization.

Obtaining permanent resident status as an abused spouse, parent or child is a complex process and requires excellent advocacy before the USCIS. Individuals seeking assistance in such matters should therefore always consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney. *** 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.

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Immigration law in 2017: Will I be deported?

The CTV Files atty. lilli B. BaCuli AT the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region 10 Regional Empowerment Conference in National City on March 25, 2017, I was asked this question: There are many in our community who are non-US citizens who are in fear of deportation. May you clarify for us what it means to be in deportation? What would you say to our community regarding the slew of immigration orders and policies that have been on the news lately? Below are what I would say, as an introduction, to what it means to be in deportation according to current immigration laws.

What does it mean to be in deportation? Firstly, let’s talk about when is a person deportable?

Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), even a green card holder is removable or deportable if that person – (i) has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude within 5 years of admission into

the United States; (ii) has been convicted of a crime for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed; (iii) is convicted of two or more crimes involving moral turpitude at any time after his/her admission into the U.S.; (iv) is convicted of an aggravated felony at any time after admission into the U.S. The Notice to Appear. Typically, deportation proceedings begin with the issuance of the Notice to Appear (NTA). The Notice to Appear is a charging document issued by an authorized agent of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to noncitizens who the government believes are inadmissible or removable. The NTA is issued to place a noncitizen in a full removal proceeding before an immigration judge, who will determine whether the noncitizen will be removed or allowed to remain in the United States.

When an individual is issued with an NTA, there is a courtdate. It is imperative that the noncitizen attend this court date.

Then, the individual will have to plead – that is, admit or deny the

charges as stated in the NTA, and state some sort of relief that s/he will pursue as a defense.

So, in most cases, deportation does not happen in an instant. There is a process that is followed, and it is important to know how to navigate the proceedings.

The Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017. On February 20, 2017, the Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary John Kelly issued a new policy memorandum, announcing that DHS will no longer exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. Pursuant to the Kelly Memorandum of February 20, 2017, noncitizens are removable if they – (i) have been convictted of any criminal offense; (ii) have been charged with any criminal offense that has not been resolved; (iii) have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a governmental agency; (iv) have abused any program related to receipt of public benefits; (v) are subject

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Love as the center of gravity

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

“All you need is love.”

— Lennon-McCartney

Monette aDeva Maglaya This Lenten season, it is a good idea to ponder the life of Saint Paul.

Paul, aka Saul of Tarsus, lived more than two thousand years ago. He had something to say about what does matter in life.

He spoke about a special kind of love that in Greek is called Agape (ah-gah-pay).

Agape is unconditional love, a kind of love that has no agenda or motivations, a kind of love that is exemplified in God sending His only Son, a kind of love that if emulated by humans, sets us apart from all of God’s creatures, makes us a little closer to the angels and truly created in God’s own image and likeness.

But Paul didn’t start out as a defender of the Christian faith.

He was, in fact, an avid persecutor feared by early Christians. As a Jew and a Pharisee who was also an educated man and a class above because he was a Roman citizen, he used everything in his power and position to quash the growth of the church persecuting the members of the then budding Christian church.

Saul was his Jewish name. Paul was his Roman name. Paul stood by watching the cloaks of the stone throwers, tacitly approving the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Paul was a young, rising brilliant star of his time eager to make his mark in the Judaic tradition. At first, Paul was hot and bothered by the intensity of the love and fervency of the Apostles and early believers.

This start-up movement was a threat to his career track and his Judaic core belief system.

Paul thought he was going to make it his life’s work to elimi-

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selves, but on God. Ironically, it’s like being in the eye of the storm where there is peace while swirling forces rage about in the periphery.

This one below, if etched in many hearts and minds and lived out in our daily rounds through thoughts and more specifically in even the tiniest of actions, particularly in couples, already married or planning marriage in the foreseeable future, could remarkably bring down the alarming rate of break-ups and a whole universe of heartaches among couples.

This has the power to preserve FAMILIES, the last best hope of humanity on steroids.

These days, the very structure and integrity of the family unit are heavily assaulted from many fronts with popular culture, Hollyweird, media and the internet leading the charge at a time when the church is weakened by internal abuses and scandals and when persecutions of Christians around the world are at a terrifying, alarming rate and intensity.

Fear not. Let not our hearts be troubled. As history will bear and as written in the song, “Canticle of the Turning,” which is based on the Blessed Mother Mary’s “Magnificat,” it is when the church is at its most vulnerable when the forces of heaven align to defend itself and go on the offensive in subtle yet dramatic ways. The blood of early Christians spawned the rise of the early Church. History does repeat itself.

Marriage as a bedrock institution between man and a woman is in serious danger, as manmade laws masquerading as civil liberties, are enacted to challenge

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Is patient death rate in USA lower among non-US-schooled MDs?

Health@Heart

WE ARE

nate Christ’s early followers and eradicate what Christ himself has started. If murder and mayhem were the tools to get it done, he was going to use them.

But God had other plans for Paul. On his way to Damascus on a mission to arrest and persecute Christians, a blinding light shone on him. He fell off his horse while Jesus’ voice is heard asking him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This dramatic, miraculous conversion when he temporarily became blind was a critical juncture for the Christian church.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit who suffused his entire being when the scales of his blindness fell off his eyes, Paul’s teachings and writings have an eternal shelf life - true today, as it was then, and will be for much of human history.

In the quiet of your soul during this holy season amid troubled times, read the gospels. Also, you just might discover the exquisite beauty, range and depth of human emotions made known to God, contained in the Psalms, all 150 of them. And then read Paul.

You’ll be surprised at the clarity and current relevance of many of his writings to today’s unfolding history. He has a wealth of wisdom to share with anyone seeking meaning in a confusing world seemingly bent on self-immolation.

In a swirling fast-paced technological world full of self–love, vanity, illusions and artifice that only tend to distort and act as centrifugal forces pushing God away as the center of our lives, Paul’s directives make absolute sense. His words have the power to keep us all centered, as they were intended to be, not on our-

ABOUT 25 percent of physicians practicing in the United States graduated from foreign medical schools who had their internship/medical/surgical residency training in the USA, more than 22,000 of them from the Philippines.

For an objective evidencebased reply to that question, I am reprinting below, verbatim, the Tusgawa Harvard study published in the British Medical Journal on February 2, 2017: Graduates of international medical schools are an important part of the healthcare system in many Western countries, and the authors of the current study provide a review of the role of international medical graduates (IMGs). They note that one-quarter of practicing physicians in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are IMGs. In the United Kingdom, most IMGs trained in India, the Republic of Ireland, or Pakistan, whereas in the United States, IMGs from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines are fairly common.

The United States requires that

IMGs pass both United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Clinical Knowledge tests plus the USMLE Clinical Skills test before being permitted to practice medicine. Moreover, the US Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates has stated a goal to accredit all foreign medical schools by 2023.

In the United Kingdom, IMGs have to pass an examination of English proficiency and professionalism, but not examinations evaluating medical knowledge.

There is concern among stakeholders, including patients, that the care provided by IMGs is inferior to that of physicians trained in their country of practice. However, little data are available to validate this belief.

In fact, some research has found that IMGs outperform US medical graduates on medical knowledge testing. The current study

by Tsugawa and colleagues fills a gap in research by evaluating outcomes of inpatients cared for

by US-trained physicians and IMGs in the United States.

Study synopsis and perspective Medicare patients admitted to the hospital and treated by internists who graduated from medical schools outside the United

States had lower 30-day mortality rates than matched patients cared for by graduates of US schools, according to results of a study published online in the British Medical Journal.

To practice in the United States, international medical school graduates must pass 2 examinations on medical knowledge and 1 assessment of clinical skills, and complete accredited residency training here. However, medical schools outside the United States are not accredited by any domestic agency. In response to concerns about quality of care from internationally trained physicians, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates will require accreditation of medical schools outside the United States by 2023.

Studies comparing the quality of care provided by internationally trained physicians with that by domestically trained physicians are few and small in scope. Yet, physicians trained outside the United States may be perceived by some as not as competent as physicians who attended medical school in the United States.

To compare the two, Yusuke Tsugawa, MD, PhD, from the

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Business News

PH ranks 8th in health governance study

by Ben Kritz ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines ranked 8th out of 18 low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa in terms of its capacity to effectively utilize private investments in public health R&D (research and development), a study by the Brookings Institution concluded.

In “Health Governance Capacity: Enhancing Private Sector Investment in Global Health,” authors Darrell West, John Villasenor, and Jake Schneider examined the quality of healthcare governance in a set of 18 lowand middle-income African and Asian countries, including the Philippines. “Good governance is a foundational condition for global health investment,” the authors explained. “It conditions the overall environment in which both public and private sector health investment takes place.”

The study added, “Given the proper environment—one in which it is clear that vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics will pass regulatory, policy, and legal muster—private sector financing can be a key source of investment in healthcare innovation.”

The study examined 25 indicators of “overall health governance capacity” in five areas relating to the management capacity, regulatory processes, health infrastructure and financing, health systems, and policy conditions in

each of the 18 examined nations.

Each country was scored on a scale of 1 to 20 on each of the five areas, for a total maximum possible score of 100.

The Philippines received an overall score of 69 out of 100, putting it in eighth place out of the 18 countries.

The country’s highest scores were in “Regulations” and

“Health Systems,” 17 out of 20 in both cases. The Philippines received a score of 14 out of 20 on “Infrastructure and Financing,” 12 out of 20 on “Health Policies,” and its lowest score for any indicator, 9 out of 20, on “Leadership and Management Capacity.”

Among the countries assessed by the study, Vietnam, South Af-

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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I overstayed my visa, and am now out of status (TNT). I’m living in California, and want to visit my relatives on the East Coast.

I’m afraid of flying, because they have immigration officers at the airport, and I’m concerned they will just pick me up at the airport and deport me home. So, I’m considering taking a bus, to avoid the immigration officers at the airport.

Do you think it is better or safer to take a bus than to fly?

Very truly yours, NR Dear NR: There is no right or wrong answer, but I will give you some observations: When you’re flying domestically (within the United States), ordinarily you do not encounter Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You don’t need a passport and visa to fly within Mainland US and Hawaii. Many people, including myself, travel by showing my driver’s license. If a person cannot obtain a driver’s license (because of their immigration status) they can present the picture page of their unexpired passport, which is considered a government-issued form of identification in order to prove iden-

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 7-13, 2017

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Is it safer to travel by bus or plane? tity to TSA. As for TSA, their role is to examine luggage and carry-ons in connection with safety and security, not for immigration inspection. That is the role of CBP. Even US citizens have to go through TSA, and TSA should typically be checking only the picture page of your current passport, and should not be asking for visas or other immigration status when you’re flying domestically.

The problem or concern in taking a bus is that you don’t know where the immigration checkpoints are located. I’ve had several consultations where a person decided to take a bus instead of a plane, out of fear of being confronted by CBP at the airport.

Unfortunately, even when the bus was hundreds of miles from the Mexican border, there was still a border checkpoint. The bus was stopped, immigration officers got on board and asked for everyone’s proof of legal status. Those without proper documentation were removed from the bus, and placed in removal proceedings. Had they taken a plane instead, it is most likely they would have reached their destination without ever having encountered border patrol.

I also know that there are hundreds of millions of people flying domestically each year, and there are certainly a large number who

Calendar of Events across

are out of status. But I have not heard in any news reports about CBP enforcement activities on domestic flights. While that’s not a guarantee, the risk is bigger in taking a bus for long distances trips.

But the bottom line is if you are out of status, you may want to consult with an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your situation and perhaps advise you on possible ways to legalize your status. This way, you would not have any of these concerns whenever you travel within the US. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS ApRIL 8

Filipino Cursillos’ Kalbaryo show in San Diego, CA The Filipino Cursillos in Christianity of Los Angeles, CA (FCIC-LA) will present a Kalbaryo (Lenten) show about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus on Saturday, April 8. It will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Pala Mission Church, San Juan Diego Center at 3015 Pala Mission Rd., Pala, CA 92059. For further information, please contact any of the following: Tess Tan Torres at (213) 249-1507; Agnes Golingay at (818) 599-8401; Len Balino at (310) 203-3639; Genie Bagsic at (858) 472-9338; or Oddie Sabas at (760) 670-5868.

ApRIL 14

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

ApRIL 15

‘A Musical Odyssey’ in Cerritos, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. and DreamAgeGroup presents Rudolf Paleaz Golez, an internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist in “A Musical Odyssey” on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Other local singing talents will be present at the concert, such as recording artist Sean Collado, aspiring actress and singer Sheila Tejada, Sabrina Oxciano and Samantha Murray. Ticket prices are $35, $65 and $100. Proceeds of this performance will go toward the Pangansian Brotherhood-USA’s scholarship funds, which helps academically successful seniors who are college-bound in both the greater Los Angeles area and the Philippines. The performance will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ Sierra Room at 12700 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, California 90703. Interested parties may contact project managers Dan E. Nino at (562) 921-5116 or denino1951@gmail.com; E. Mendoza at (623) 341-6247 or thedreamagegroup@gmail.com; Lino F. Caringal, Jr. at (714) 808-2642 or linojr.caringal@gmail.com; Bong Soriano at (909) 8511493 or believe1156@gmail.com; Neil Estrada at (562) 301-9972 or bluezero2sixty@yahoo. com; or Feliz Lopez at (562) 572-2301 or fblopezinsurance@msn.com.

ApRIL 20

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

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

ApRIL 21

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

A p R I L 23

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

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

A MOTHER’S AND HER ATTORNEY’S PERSISTENCE RESULT IN HER DAUGHTERS FINALLY BEING ISSUED CSPA VISAS BASED ON “EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES”-- ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY.” Lolita left her two daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the U.S., with the dream that she would eventually have them join her. However, her previous attorney missed the one year “sought to acquire” filing deadline for CSPA eligibility, resulting in the Embassy refusing to issue their immigrant visas. Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was her beacon of hope, as he did not give up in trying to convince the Embassy that the daughters should be entitled to visas, despite missing the one-year deadline. Find out how Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to prove extraordinary circumstances, have the two “aged out” daughters be issued visas, and reunite this family on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday, April 9 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

Immigration law in 2017: Will I be…

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to a final order of removal but have not complied with their legal obligation to depart the U.S.; (vi) in the judgment of an immigration officer, otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security.

Negative Consequences of Criminal Conviction. The best advice I can give anyone is that prevention is always better than trying to find a cure. The Record of Conviction details an individual’s criminal history. More importantly, the relief(s) available to an individual facing deportation will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. Thus, even “just a misde-

meanor” can make a non-citizen deportable, even if that person is a long-time green card holder and has lived in the United States for 20 years. Therefore, it is very important to understand that before taking a plea deal, consult with a deportation defense attorney.

No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. As always, be wary of on-

line tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an 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 (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com. For general information visit www. chuatinsayvega.com.

PH ranks 8th in health governance…

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rica, China, and Ghana ranked the highest in the index.

“This indicates these nations have a strong ability to attract and leverage private investment in health R&D,” the study said.

The study’s authors noted that low scores in the area of “Management Capacity” were common among the countries scoring low on the overall index, along with low scores in “Health Systems.”

The Philippines scored highly in the latter dimension, but only Pakistan and Nigeria, the lowestranked countries overall, scored lower in “Management Capacity.”

“In general, low- and middleincome countries can attract greater private investment in health R&D by increasing government transparency and stability, lowering tariffs on medical products, expediting the regulatory

process for new drugs, investing in health infrastructure, and increasing government spending on health care (to the amount fiscally possible) in an efficient and targeted manner,” the authors said in their conclusion.

“By boosting private investment in global health R&D, the world can achieve even more impressive gains in personal wellbeing and economic growth,” they added. n

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Business news

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Jollibee to enters Italian fast food market Ayala Group still interested

in NAIA rehab project

by Reicelene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

PHILIPPINE fast food chain Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) has entered into an agreement with a Singaporean group to enter the Italian fast food market.

JFC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Monday, April 3, that through its wholly owned subsidiary Golden Plate Pte. Ltd. (GBBL), it partnered with Blackbird Holdings Pte. Ltd. to develop and expand the Jollibee brand in Italy.

“JFC’s strategy is still to tap a territorial franchisee for Italy with the capability to develop and expand the brand in the market,” JFC said in a statement.

Blackbird is a Singapore company incorporated in 2014 and currently holds investments in Singapore and Philippines in the F&B (food and beverage), human resource, agriculture, and biotechnology sectors.

The joint venture company will be incorporated in Singapore with GPPL owning a 75 percent interest while Blackbird will own the remaining 25 percent. The JV company will then incorporate a wholly owned sub-

by louella

D. DesiDeRio Philstar.com

sidiary in Italy to own and operate the Jollibee store.

GPPL and Blackbird have committed to invest up to €1 million to the JV, of which up to €750,000 will be contributed by GPPL. GPPL will have full management control of the JV company and the operations of its store.

“The JV partnership will facilitate the entry, and the opening of the first store will create the de-

sired awareness for the Jollibee brand in the market,” JFC said.

The JFC Group has a total of 3,290 stores worldwide, operating under the brands of Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Last month, Jollibee opened its first store in Jacksonville, Florida in the United States. n

Is patient death rate in USA lower among…

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Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues conducted a large observational study of hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries to assess whether outcomes differ depending on whether their general internists were trained domestically or abroad.

The study excluded graduates from Central America and the Caribbean to minimize inclusion of US citizens trained outside the country. The countries that contributed the most internists to US hospitals were China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Syria.

The researchers assessed 30day mortality rate (the primary outcome), readmission rate, and costs of care (total part B spending), and whether clinical condition influences differences in patient outcomes and care costs between the 2 groups of patients.

In addition, they adjusted their models for patient characteristics (age, sex, race or ethnic group, diagnosis, and income), physician characteristics (age, sex, and patient volume), and hospi-

EMPLOYMENT

tal fixed effects (characteristics of hospitals).

Results indicated that 19,589 (44.3 percent) of 44,227 general internists in the United States graduated from medical schools outside the country. They were slightly younger than US graduates (age 46.1 vs 47.9 years; P <.001) and were more likely to work in medium-sized, nonteaching, for-profit hospitals without intensive care units.

In addition, their patients were more likely to be nonwhite, have Medicaid, have a lower median household income, and have more chronic comorbidities (congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes).

The mortality analysis included 1,215,490 patients admitted to the hospital under the care of 44,227 general internists between 2011 and 2014. Patients treated by international graduates had lower mortality rates (adjusted mortality rate, 11.2 percent vs 11.6 percent; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.930.96; P <.001).

“Based on the risk difference of 0.4 percentage points, for every 250 patients treated by US medical graduates, one patient’s life would be saved if the quality of care were equivalent between the international graduates and US graduates,” the authors write.

The cost analysis included 1,276,559 patients treated by 44,680 physicians during the same study period. Overall, patients of internationally trained internists had slightly higher adjusted costs of care per admission ($1145 vs $1098; adjusted difference, $47; 95 percent CI, $39-$55; P <.001).

Meanwhile, adjusted readmission rates among 1,182,268 patients who were treated by 44,201 physicians did not differ between the 2 patient groups.

Patients receiving care from international graduates had lower mortality rates than did patients of US graduates for pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

“Taken together, our findings should reassure policymakers and the public that our current

u PAGE CJ5

EMPLOYMENT

MANILA, Philippines – The Ayala Group remains interested and is ready to bid for the P74.6-billion upgrade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) even as the government has decided to put the project on hold.

“We are very interested in NAIA. We have a consortium ready for NAIA. It’s a very interesting consortium. We are actually excited if the government ever decides to push through with the NAIA rehab project because we think we can improve NAIA in 24 months,” AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. president and CEO Jose Rene Almendras told reporters.

The project under the public-private partnership program involves the financing, design, rehabilitation, expansion, as well as operations and maintenance of all existing terminals of NAIA covering both landside and airside (except air traffic services).

The winning private bidder and the government will have a cooperation period of 15 to 20 years for the project. Apart from Ayala Corp., other groups which have expressed interest to participate in the bidding of the project include San Miguel Corp.

(SMC), Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., and the joint venture of Megawide Construction Corp. and India’s GMR Infrastructure Ltd. PPP Center executive director Ferdinand Pecson earlier said the government has decided to put the project on hold for now as it needs to have a complete or holistic approach for the development of airports for the Greater Capital Region.

“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking at these various options they now have on the table. So, they have to decide this together with the airport, the Clark development and the NAIA because these are all going to affect each other,” Pecson said.

Other groups are also interested to build new airports to serve the country’s capital given congestion at the NAIA. The NAIA handled 39.5 million passengers last year, well above its designed

PAGE CJ2 t

capacity of 31 million passengers. All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. (ARRC), composed of the Tieng family and SM Group’s Belle Corp., intends to build an international airport, seaport, as well as mixed use development on reclaimed land off the coast of Sangley Point in Cavite.

ARRC is likewise planning to rehabilitate the present Danilo Atienza Airport in Sangley, as well as build a terminal and operate it to accommodate general aviation aircraft and low-cost carriers, at a cost of P1 billion.

SMC has also proposed to build a new international airport for Metro Manila to be located in Bulacan. Asked if the Ayala Group would be interested to join any of the two proposals for a new international airport, Almendras said “we’ll make the decision when the time comes.”

As the government wants to position Clark as an alternative to the NAIA, there are also plans to implement projects to support the Clark International Airport’s development. Roberto Lim, DOTr undersecretary for the aviation sector earlier said the department is reviewing airport proposals from the private sector, including those covering the development of the Clark International Airport. The group of GMR-Megawide submitted a proposal to the government to develop the Clark International Airport over a period of 50 years for close to P200 billion. The development will enable it to handle up to 100 million passengers per year.

Love as the center of…

it, all in the name of political correctness. Strong family units built on LOVE are so essential in creating strong societies from the ground up. Each generation builds upon and learns from the ones that came before it.

The passage below is a favorite among couples and wedding planners and for good reason.

These words are more than the pretty, superficial veneer of rituals in weddings.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13, are words to live by telling us what really matters as he did then to members of the early church who were probably

just as lost, confused and disconcerted as most of us probably are.

Set your hearts on the greater gifts. I will show you the way which surpasses all the others. If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind.

REAL ESTATE

SERVICES

Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

Love never fails. … And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 7-13, 2017

Celebrate National Arbor Day with 10 free shade trees by joining the Arbor Day Foundation NATIONAL Arbor Day is Friday, April 28, this year, and the Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for anyone to celebrate the annual tree-planting holiday.

Join the Foundation in April and receive 10 free shade trees.

By joining the Foundation in April, new members receive the following trees: red oak, sugar maple, weeping willow, baldcypress, thornless honeylocust, pin oak, river birch, tuliptree, silver maple, and red maple.

The free trees are part of the Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

“These trees provide shade in the summer and vibrant colors throughout the fall,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation.

“Through the simple act of planting trees, one person can make a difference in helping to create a healthier and more beautiful planet for all of us to enjoy.”

The trees will be shipped

CJ

PAA presents PCN 2017: ‘Ako Ay Ako’

UC Berkeley Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN) is an annual cultural show sponsored by the Pilipinx postpaid with enclosed planting American Alliance. UC Berkeley’s PCN is the loninstructions at the right time for gest running cultural show on campus, and it has planting in April or May. The 6- brought Pilipinx* culture, music, and dance to the to 12-inch trees are guaranteed greater community since its first performance in to grow or they will be replaced 1976. The full-length theatrical production which includes a live band, three distinct dance comfree of charge.

To become a member of the ponents, a choral ensemble, and a robust acting Foundation and receive the free cast is entirely student-produced and student-run. trees, send a $10 contribution to Since 1989, PCN has been proud to perform in TEN FREE SHADE TREES, Arbor world-renowned Zellerbach Hall.

On Sunday, April 9, we invite you to attend the Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Av41st production of PCN, “Ako Ay Ako: I am Me.” enue, Nebraska City, NE 68410,

by April 30, 2017, or visit arbor- “Ako Ay Ako” is a Tagalog phrase that literally translates into “I am Me”, but can be understood day.org/april. n as “I am who I am.” The title encapsulates this year’s show which explores the liminal space that millennial Pilipinx-Americans occupy in the United States and in the Philippines. Not seen as truly Pilipinx nor completely American, Pilipinx-Americans often struggle to reconcile their dual identities and find acceptance.

To further deconstruct this struggle, Ako Ay Ako addresses four main sub-themes: the lack of Asian representation in Western media (especially entertainment arenas like Hollywood), colorism and anti-blackness in the Pilipinx community, the gradual loss of language among succeeding generations of Pilipinx-Americans, and finally, the generational gap that divides Pilipinx elders and millennials.

Show schedule: 2-3 p.m. - Doors open 3-5 p.m. - Show starts (15-min. intermission) Purchasing tickets from the all-cast (hard copy tickets will be): $15 for general admission (will be $20 on April 1) $12 for groups of 10+ people (not available on-

Social Security in plain language — it feels good to be understood

SOCIAL Security is with you throughout life’s journey. As in any relationship, communication is key to forging strong connections and fostering understanding. At Social Security, the way we communicate with you is important to us. We keep this in mind when we write each publication, blog entry, frequently asked question (FAQ), and press release.

The Center for Plain Language has issued its annual Federal Plain Language Report Card.

The annual report grades federal agencies on how well they communicate with the public. Social Security scored a B-plus! We’re proud of that grade, but we won’t stop trying to improve it.

There’s only so much time in the day and we know you have a full “to do” list. We know you don’t have time to read confusing government paperwork filled with jargon that requires dictionaries and internet searches to understand. You want to process what you read immediately and

without the help of a thesaurus.

We get you.

That’s why our website is easy to access, convenient to navigate, and secure to use. Our FAQs at www.socialsecurity.gov/ faq and publications at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs contain clear, accurate information that is easy to understand. Some publications are available in up to 17

languages, and they’re written in the same clear, concise way as our English publications.

Nothing is more important to our agency than meeting the needs of those we serve. Social Security looks forward to continuing to secure today and tomorrow for you and your family. (By Eric Phillips/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sacramento, CA)

Is patient death rate in USA lower among…

PAGE CJ4 t

approach to licensing international medical graduates in the US is sufficiently rigorous to ensure high quality care,” the researchers conclude.

They suggest that the testing process may select for the top international medical school graduates. The fact that some internationally trained internists may have completed 2 residencies (one in the home country

and one here) might also contribute to the slightly better mortality outcomes of their patients.

The current study should help dispel the notion that IMGs provide worse medical care compared with US medical graduates.

The study results may be used by hospitals and health systems to create awareness about IMGs and their qualifications as clinicians. *** 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

line) $40 for VIP *If you purchase on eventbrite, the prices will be slightly higher due to fees. #AkoAyPCN41 *Pilipinx is a gender-inclusive term representing all peoples who originate or have ancestry in the Philippines. n

Nominate South San Francisco to win a $20,000 park grant Citizens can vote on a daily basis until April 30, 2017

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — You can support your local parks by nominating the City of South San Francisco to receive a $20,000 grant from the Meet Me at the Park initiative!

The Meet Me at the Park initiative is a campaign supported by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, Disney Citizenship, Disney | ABC Television Group and ESPN to help fund 16 cities nationwide to improve a local park in need of a transformation. From April 1 - April 30, 2017 during Earth Month, people can vote on a daily basis online or by text. The City with the most votes will receive a

$20,000 grant to improve a park project. In addition, voters will be entered into a drawing for a computer tablet.

The Meet Me at the Park initiative started in 2014 by the National Recreation and Parks Association to help improve local parks nationwide in order to connect community members to nature, increase accessibility for recreational activities and sports, including the importance of active and healthy living. Voters are encouraged to take pictures or selfies at their local parks during Earth Month, and promote the campaign through various social media websites by using the hashtags: #SouthSanFrancisco #Meet-

MeAtThePark, #Parkies and #BeInspired.

The South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to provide opportunities for physical, cultural and social well-being; protect and enhance the physical environment; and ensure the effective and efficient use of public facilities and open space.

For more information on the Meet Me at the Park Campaign, please visit the campaign website at http://www.nrpa.org/ About-National-Recreation-andPark-Association/press-room/ sixteen-cities-nationwide-to-receive-park-improvement-funding-as-part-of-national-meet-meat-the-park-campaign/. n

CJ

april 7-13, 2017 • NOrCal aSiaN JOUrNal

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

Friday, April 7, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 7, 2017

The meaning of Holy Week FOr Christians, Holy Week is definitely a very sacred time of the year. Starting on Palm Sunday onto Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday; it is a time to reflect on Jesus Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey to the Cross â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beginning with his entry into Jerusalem, his lonely trek from the Upper room through Gethsamane, and ultimately to Calvary and the empty tomb.

So what makes each day holy, you may ask. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explore the meaning of each of the solemn days of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday Palm Sunday celebrates the glorious and brilliant feast of the Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (John 12:1-18).

Zechariah had prophesied the entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;rejoice greatly â&#x20AC;Ś O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King comes unto Thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and

riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an assâ&#x20AC;?, Zech.

9:9. The contemporary Jews associated this prophecy with the expected Messiah. This action of Christ testifies to His nature as Messiah, but with the definite declaration that His Kingdom was not of this world. The main road leading to Jerusalem was covered with palm trees. The multitudes, with palm branches in their hands, spread their cloaks on the road as a show of respect, crying out, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Holy Monday On Holy Monday we commemorate Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; return to Jerusalem with his disciples.

Along the way, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Some scholars believe this cursing of the fig tree represented Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judgment on the spiritually dead

religious leaders of Israel. Others believe the symbolism extended to all believers, demonstrating that genuine, living faith is more than just outward religiosity. True faith must bear spiritual fruit in a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

When Jesus arrived at the Temple he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Scriptures declare, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My Temple will be a house of prayer,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; but you have turned it into a den of thieves.â&#x20AC;? (Luke 19:46) On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Holy Tuesday On Tuesday morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. They passed the withContinued on Page SF3

Filipino traditions and practices during Holy week

In a country where roman Catholics make up 81 percent of the population, it is no surprise that Filipinos have numerous traditional events during Holy Week. In the early days, these traditions and practices religiously for people to reflect on their sins and the sacrifice Jesus Christ has made. However, the onset of modern technology has introduced these traditions to other countries that they become more of a spectacle, with less emphasis on its significance. At present, these traditions are very much alive and practiced by Filipinos: Palaspas Palm Sunday is observed

by Catholics in the Philippines every year. It is a festive event wherein churchgoers raise their â&#x20AC;&#x153;palaspasâ&#x20AC;? or palm leaves into the air, waiting to be blessed by the presiding priest. When mass is finished, people take their newly blessed palm leaves home.

Many attach them onto their windowsills and roofs. This is a Filipino belief that blessed palm can bring good fortune, as well as remove any negativity, in the household. Filipinos often keep the palm leaves till the next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pabasaâ&#x20AC;?

One of the traditions during is the reading of religious texts or â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasa.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasaâ&#x20AC;? usually starts after the mass on Palm Sunday. But it is also organized on other days of the Holy Week.

The book of the passion of

Christ is chanted in many different ways. The organizer of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasaâ&#x20AC;? prepares two books for the readers. One group of readers reads or chants one verse and the other group of readers reads or chants the next verse.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasaâ&#x20AC;? can last all day and all night and are usually done next to a chapel, in a tent or â&#x20AC;&#x153;kubol.â&#x20AC;? In some places the best reader at a â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasaâ&#x20AC;? gets a small prize.

Most â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasasâ&#x20AC;? are public, organized for the whole community, but there are also private ones organized by families in their homes. They invite relatives or friends to join them.

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;pabasaâ&#x20AC;? usually ends on or before Good Friday. What follows is the reading of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Siete Palabrasâ&#x20AC;? or the Seven Last Words

of Jesus before he died on the cross. Everything is broadcasted on national television.

Moriones Festival Provinces like Marinduque celebrate the Moriones Festival.

The festival is a weeklong event that commemorates the miracle of Longinus, the roman soldier who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus. Longinus was blind in one eye, and as blood gushed from Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body, a drop fell into his eye and restored his vision eventually making him a believer of Christ and an enemy of rome. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Morionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; means mask, and was once a standard part of a roman soldierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helmet. Thus, colorful roman costumes, painted masks and helmets characterize this uniquely Filipino festival.

Continued on Page SF3

Interesting facts about Easter Sunday EASTEr is the Sunday that marks the end of the Holy Week and is greatly influenced by the Christian faith as it reminds believers to remember the sacrifice of the Son of God. Others think of it as a time of celebration with Easter eggs, bunnies and peeps.

So to celebrate, here are a few

interesting facts about Easter: â&#x20AC;˘ The name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Easterâ&#x20AC;? originated from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eastre,â&#x20AC;? the AngloSaxon goddess who symbolizes the hare and egg. From the very early times, the egg has been considered as the most important symbol of rebirth. â&#x20AC;˘ The traditional act of paint-

FRESH

ing eggs is called Pysanka. â&#x20AC;˘ The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. â&#x20AC;˘ The initial baskets of Easter were given the appearance of birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nests. The maiden chocolate eggs recipes were made in Europe in the 19th century. â&#x20AC;˘ next to Halloween, Easter holidays paves way for confectionary business to boom. Each year, about nearly 90 million chocolate bunnies are made for Easter. Seventy-six percent of people prefer eating the ears of this yummy treat first. â&#x20AC;˘ The most popular treat for

the holiday though are jellybeans.

Jellybeans were first made in the U.S. by Boston candy maker William Schrafft, who ran advertisements urging people to send jellybeans to soldiers fighting in the Civil War. Americans consume over 16 million jellybeans on Easter, enough to circle the globe three times over. â&#x20AC;˘ The Easter Bunny tradition made its way to the United States in the 18th century. It is believed to have originated in Europe where it was actually the Easter ing Easter egg hunts.

Hare. Other Easter traditions â&#x20AC;˘ The White House hosts an include wearing Easter bonnets, Easter Egg roll on the front lawn making Easter baskets and hav-

each year. This tradition was started by President rutherford B. Hayes in 1878.

Filipino

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entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – April 7, 2017

Alice Dixson relocates back to Manila with life partner

by MJ

Marfori ManilaTimes.net

“Busy with baby-making!” yes. That’s what the ever gorgeous Alice Dixson told ManilaTimes.net on the set of Photos by Ramon Saldaña her latest endorsement shoot for clothing line, Mags.

Alice’s life partner for four years, who is based in Dubai, Miss International, Miss suprais apparently all set to relocate national, Miss Globe and Miss to Manila to get their project Grand International. going.

Last year’s winners made “We’ve decided to settle good placements after Pia down here in Manila once and Wurtzbach’s win in the Miss for all so we don’t have to universe in 2015.

Kylie Verzosa was crowned go back and forth [to Dubai].

Miss International; nicole Cordoves was Miss Grand International First Runner-up; and nichole Manalo was Miss Globe Third Runner-up. (ManilaTimes.

From Page SF2 net) ered fig tree on their way, and Jesus taught them about faith.

At the Temple, the religious leaders aggressively challenged Jesus’ authority, attempting to ambush him and create an opportunity for his arrest. But Last Words Jesus evaded their traps and The main activity on Good pronounced harsh judgment on Friday is the “Siete Palabras” them. or seven Last Words, starting in Holy Wednesday churches from 12 noon and endThe Bible doesn’t say what ing at 3 p.m. when Jesus died. the Lord did on Holy Wednesday. scholars speculate that after two Then there would be a threeexhausting days in Jerusalem, act liturgy, and a procession of religious images at the end. The Jesus and his disciples spent this religious images are often veiled day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the Passover. in black and carried through Bethany was about two miles towns in carrozas (carriages). Its east of Jerusalem. Here Lazarus highlight would be the image of and his two sisters, Mary and Marthe dead Jesus. tha lived. They were close friends In the evening, the soledad of Jesus, and probably hosted Continued on Page SF4 him and the disciples during these final days in Jerusalem.

Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the son of God and put their faith in him. Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus’ sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.

Maundy Thursday From Bethany Jesus sent

Binibinis sashay in PH national costumes

OnE of the most awaited segments of the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant is the national Costume, as it’s here that Filipinos get to see what the official representatives may wear in their respective contests.

For the 40 candidates in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant, moving gracefully and looking fierce at the same time was the name of the game when they sashayed in their

coloful Filipinia outfits on sunday, April 2.

Moreover, no. 36, the slot vacated by Mae Lanie Chan, has been filled up by Gillian Eliza Colcol from Kagandahang Flores camp. The replacement beauty is a Communication Arts graduate of De La salle university.

The Top 5 candidates chosen on April 30 at the smart Araneta Coliseum and telecast live on ABs-CBn will represent the Philippines in the Miss universe,

Filipino traditions...

From Page SF2

Apart from several parades, mask paintings, and processions, one of the most entertaining activities in the festival is a reenactment of Longinus’ story. Longinus runs around town, hiding inside houses and markets, climbing trees and lampposts, losing himself in the crowds of tourists just to escape the morions pursuing him. This festival culminates on Easter sunday.

“Sinakulo” “Sinakulo” are Lenten plays narrating the life, suffering and

resurrection of Jesus Christ. To present the entire story, plays are held each night beginning from Palm sunday to Easter sunday.

“Visita Iglesia” In the evening of Maundy Thursday, the Mass of the Last supper is celebrated in churches all across the Philippines. After the Mass, the Blessed sacrament is put in an Altar of Repose or “monumento.” After that churches remain open for visitors or as Filipinos would call it, the “Visita Iglesia.”

“Siete Palabras” or Seven

Alice Dixson

Nakahanap siya ng magandang company to join. Mahirap na ang long distance,” said the ageless actress.

While they are both eager to start a family, she admitted that marriage is not in the horizon yet.

“We’ve both been married kasi before,” she added.

Career-wise, Alice promised she will be more visible these days with a soap and a movie in the works.

“Him being in the Middle East was the reason why I was not so visible last year,” she explained.

The meaning of Holy Week Peter and John ahead to the upper Room in Jerusalem to make the preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening after sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus demonstrated by example how they were to love one another.

Today, many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as a

part of their Maundy Thursday services.

Then Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples.

As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of the Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. During this Last supper, Jesus established the Continued on Page SF4

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SF4

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 7, 2017

celebrity world

Jake Ejercito files for joint custody of daughter with Andi Eigenmann

By Ferdie Villar IT seems like Jake Ejercito is fulfilling his promise about being a responsible father with his daughter Ellie. Just last month, the actor filed a petition with the San Juan Municipal Trial Court for joint custody. His reason: He wants visitation rights to see his daughter regularly, not depend on Ellie’s mother’s — actress Andi Eigenmann — mood.

According to Jake’s lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, they first wrote to Andi last year asking to

“sit down and talk” so that they can settle things without going to court. This was after the whole DNA issue/paternity test came out last year when Andi’s halfsister revealed on Mo Twister’s podcast, “Good Times With Mo,” that it was proven that Jake is indeed Ellie’s father.

“Nung nag-umpisa pa lang ang gulo, we tried to nip it in the bud, pero in-ignore nila, dineadma nila yung letter,” Atty.

Topacio said. He also added that

The San Francisco Host Lions Club recently sponsored a Guys and Gals dinner-dance for a cause at BuriBuri Community Center in South San Francisco. Shown in photo are (L-R) Chito Desuasido, special guest speaker San Mateo Supervisor David Canepa, event coordinator Pat Ancheta, club president Evelyn Paje, and club secretary Manny Paje.

Jake only wants joint custody and a definite schedule for visits.

“Kasi ang nangyayari, kung anong mood ni Andi, yun ang visitation. Kapag feel niya ngayon at ka-text mo mong ‘Pwede bang hiramin si Ellie?’ pag good mood si Andi, okay, fine. Kapag bad mood siya, ayaw niya.”

Andi, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be happy about the petition. During the press conference for the actress’ teleserye last Sunday, April 2, she said that she is unsure about Jake’s real intentions. “...Parang na-alarm ako kasi, my God, ano ba ‘yan! Hello, lumalaki na si Ellie, she’s five years old. And before anything else, do you really think that exposing her to this this kind of limelight, to this kind of parang...di ba, kacheapan, will [it] be good for her?

“Kasi, if this is really not for your ego, for your pride, or for I don’t know, or out of spite because you just hate me so much...”If this is really because you just love your daughter and you want what’s best for her, I also want that agreement, I also want that joint custody,” Andi added.

The Bayambang Association of Northern California will celebrate their town fiesta to be highlighted with the coronation of Miss Bayambang 2017 on Saturday, April 29 at the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Burlingame at 6:30 p.m. Shown in photo are the officers and board members of the organization.

Actress Andi Eigenmann is cautious about Jake Ejercito’s intentions with regards to asking the court for shared custody of their daughter, Ellie.

Actor Wendell Ramos shows his dramatic prowess in the newest teleserye on ABS-CBN, “Wildflower.”

Jake Ejercito filed a petition for shared custody of his daughter with actress Andi Eigenmann.

Abigail “Larcy” Perez, daughter of Anthony and Vangie Perez, celebrated her lucky 9th birthday last Saturday, April 1, with a party at their residence in Antioch.

All seems well between Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and boyfriend Marlon Stockinger. The professional racecar driver was in the news the past few weeks after a former girlfriend revealed that they have two kids together.

*** Is there trouble brewing in the paradise of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and boyfriend Marlon Stockinger? There were some rumors that seem to direct that way, especially after the news that the racecar driver has two kids with his former girlfriend, model Kit Barraquias.

Prior to Kit’s public admission, Pia was caught by surprise

about the sensitive subject when one reporter asked her about the rumors of Marlon having a kid.

The former Miss Universe said she has no knowledge about the rumors.

“Because if it does turn out not to be true, then the credibility of the media would be...

I guess we just have to check the facts first, but I really don’t know,” she added.

Still, the famous couple was spotted last Tuesday, April 4, looking happy and still much together. They were celebrating Marlon’s 26th birthday, and was posted on the racecar driver’s Instagram account.

Though there was no caption or any details, the photo confirms that the couple’s relationship remains strong in spite of the controversy plaguing Marlon.

Pre-nup is ready but bride Ai-Ai is not McDonald’s USA unveils next big change: Fresh beef Quarter Pounders

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Latest step in building a better McDonald’s will bring fresh beef, made-to-order Quarter Pounder burgers by mid-2018 OAK BROOK, Ill. – McDonald’s USA recently announced that by mid-2018, it will serve fresh beef, prepared when ordered, in all Quarter Pounder burgers across the majority of its restaurants. The fresh beef burgers, cooked right when ordered, are the latest step the company has made to meet customers’ changing expectations. All McDonald’s burgers use 100 percent pure beef with absolutely no fillers, additives or preservatives.

“Over the past two years, we’ve made a series of bold, tangible changes for our customers,” said McDonald’s President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook.

“Serving All-Day Breakfast, moving to cage-free eggs and testing delivery are all proof of our commitment to build a better McDonald’s. And we are committed to transforming more aspects of our business, including offering a more modern and enjoyable dining experience, adding new levels of convenience and technology, and making more positive changes to the food we serve.”

Delivering fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, in Quarter Pounder burgers is one of the company’s latest customer-led initiatives that builds on several other recent milestones, including: In 2015, the company announced a number of changes to how it serves and sources its food by offering All-Day

Breakfast, committing to only sourcing cage-free eggs by 2025, and committing to only serve chicken not treated with antibiotics important to human medicine* that was completed nearly a year ahead of schedule in 2016.

Last year, the company removed artificial preservatives from several menu items, including Chicken McNuggets and eliminated high fructose corn syrup from the buns used on Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Filet-O-Fish and McChicken sandwiches.

“Today’s announcement is part of a continuing food journey for McDonald’s,” said McDonald’s USA President Chris Kempczinski. “Over the last two years, we have accelerated the pace of change around how we source and serve our food. Delivering fresh beef that’s prepared when our customers order their food is just another example of how we are raising the bar. We’re just getting started, and can’t wait to show you what’s next.”

“This represents a strong partnership between McDonald’s, Lopez Foods and their other beef suppliers to support this initiative and deliver McDonald’s quality standards,” said Ed Sanchez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lopez Foods. “It was exciting to be part of the test and we look forward to bringing fresh beef to more McDonald’s customers in 2018.”

Quarter Pounder burgers using fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, were initially tested in 325 restaurants across the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area and 77 restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quarter Pounder burgers include the Quarter Pounder, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers.

“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers and employees and we’re proud to have been part of a test that is creating a watershed moment for McDonald’s,” said McDonald’s Dallas/Fort Worth Franchisee Joe Jasper. “This test was driven by the Franchisees, our region and insights from what our customers are asking for when they visit McDonald’s.”

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants.

For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook. com/mcdonalds.

Procession commences. The highlight of this procession would be the search of Jesus by the tres marias (Three Marias, referring to Maria Magdalena, the sinner turned saint; Maria Cleofe, mother of the apostle James the Younger; and Maria Jacobe, mother of the apostles James the Greater and John).

“Penitensya” Many Filipinos also participate in taboo practices, which the Catholic Church prohibits and does not endorse. These include “penitensya” or self-flagellations

and crucifixions. Especially in the province of Pampanga, devotees re-enact Jesus’ suffering by having themselves nailed to crosses.

This Kapampangan tradition began in 1955 after writer Ricardo Navarro came up with the play narrating Jesus’ story, and the actual crucifixions followed in 1962. Many also dress up as Jesus Christ, walking barefoot, and carrying life-size crosses around town for the entire day. In “penitensya,” hooded men whip their backs as a form of repentance for their sins. Thousands of locals and foreign tourists flock

Ai-Ai delas Alas in a PDA (Public Display of Affection) for her first international Best Actress award (for her performance as an aging prostitute in Area) won at the recent Queens World Film Festival in New York.

a pre-nup agreement with Gerald.

“Dapat mayroon,” she said.

The question is: Is Gerald (now a badminton coach for the San Sebastian College team) ready?

“Not yet also. His dad told him to save muna, na huwag

The meaning of Holy Week From Page SF3

Lord’s Supper, or Communion, instructing his followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine.

Later Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father. He was later betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Good Friday *Advertising Supplement Christ’s journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in these final hours leading to his death on Good Friday.

According to Scripture, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had beto see this extreme Filipino traditrayed Jesus, was overcome with tion every year. remorse and hanged himself.

“Salubong” Meanwhile, before the third On Easter Sunday, Filipinos hour (9 a.m.), Jesus endured celebrate the “Salubong,” a 4 the shame of false accusations, condemnation, mockery, beata.m. vigil commemorating the ings, and abandonment. After meeting of the Mary and the multiple unlawful trials, he was Risen Jesus. It is also a welcomsentenced to death by crucifixing rite for the Son of God. ion, one of the most horrible and The image of Mary will be disgraceful methods of capital brought to the image of Christ punishment. at a local church, where people Before Christ was led away, throw flower petals and sing soldiers spit on him, tormented songs of glory. Everyone is happy and mocked him, and pierced that Jesus is alive again, and him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his own cross to families celebrate by preparing Calvary where, again, he was feasts. (AJPress)

Filipino traditions...

From Page SF3

AFTER winning an international Best Actress award…a long-time dream come true!... for her role as an aging prostitute in “Area” (an indie directed by Louie Ignacio) at the recent Queens World Film Festival in New York, Ai-Ai delas Alas is pestered by friends with questions when will she make her other fond dream come true — that is, her and partner Gerald Sibayan’s muchspeculated-about wedding.

“I’m not ready yet,” she admitted to her friend-movie writers over brunch Thursday at Limbaga 77 restaurant. “Parang natatakot ako,” added Ai-Ai seriously, “baka dumating ang panahon na magkaroon ng tukso.” At 52, Ai-Ai is 29 years Gerald’s senior but the age gap doesn’t get in the way of their smooth relationship. In jest, AiAi said, “As of today, we might get married in 2018, ewan ko kung magbago ang plano bukas, hahaha!!!”

Already, Ai-Ai has drawn

pakakasal ng kulang ang pera.”

Ai-Ai has become so close to Gerald’s parents that she calls them “Mom” and “Dad.” Asked if Gerald’s parents are really older than her, Ai-Ai exclaimed, “Oo naman. Mabuti na lang, hahaha!!!”

Since she got the globeshaped trophy from direk Louie (who graced the awards night but Ai-Ai did not), she happily announced that she has been sleeping with it beside her pillow, away from Gerald.

“Yung trophy, ngayon lang dumating sa buhay ko samantalang si Gerald ay palaging nandyan.” (Trivia: Ai-Ai beat other nominees, including the daughter of Robert Redford.)

The sad news is that Area, a place at a town in Pampanga where an aging prostitute runs a brothel, has been demolished after the movie’s shoot, leaving the 100 or so residents jobless.

“During the shoot,” recalled Ai-Ai, “I would prepare food for them. As thanksgiving, I’m going back there and give them food stuff and something else.”

mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

Jesus spoke seven final statements from the cross. His first words were, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, NIV). His last were, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

(Luke 23:46, NIV) Then, about the ninth hour (3 p.m.), Jesus breathed his last and died.

By 6 p.m. Friday evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus’ body down from the cross and lay it in a tomb.

Black Saturday Jesus’ body lay in the tomb where it was guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday, which was the Sabbath. When the Sabbath ended, Christ’s body was ceremonially treated for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus.

Nicodemus, like Joseph of Arimathea, was a member of the Sanhedrin, the court which had condemned Jesus Christ to death. For a time, both men had lived as secret followers of Jesus, afraid to make a public profession of faith because of their prominent positions in the Jewish community.

Similarly, both were deeply affected by Christ’s death. They boldly came out of hiding, risking their reputations and their lives because they now realized Jesus

was, indeed, the long-awaited Messiah. Together they cared for Jesus’ body and prepared it for burial.

Easter Sunday On Easter Sunday we reach the culmination of the Holy Week. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event of the Christian faith. The very foundation of all Christian doctrine hinges on the truth of this account.

Early Sunday morning several women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and Salome are all mentioned in the Gospel accounts) went to the tomb and discovered that the large stone covering the tomb’s entrance had been rolled away.

On the day of his resurrection, Jesus Christ made at least five appearances. Mark’s Gospel says the first person to see him was Mary Magdalene. Jesus also appeared to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later that day to all of the disciples except Thomas, while they were gathered in a house for prayer.

The eyewitness accounts in the Gospels provide undeniable evidence that the resurrection of Jesus Christ happened. 2,000 years after his death, followers of Christ still flock to see the empty tomb, one of the strongest proofs that Jesus Christ actually did rise from the dead. (Source: Faith Church Online)

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - April 7, 2017

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

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